President Obama congratulates Alexis Marisa Werner with open arms during the US Naval Academy commencement ceremony in Annapolis
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Text of the President’s remarks here
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits Savoy School, one of eight schools selected last year for The Turnaround Arts Initiative at the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, May 24
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Text of the First Lady’s remarks at Savoy Elementary School here
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President Obama signs a bill in the Oval Office designating the Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the four young girls killed during the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, as (L-R) Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Birmingham Mayor William Bell, Dr Sharon Malone Holder, Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep Terri Sewell (D-AL), Thelma Pippen McNair, mother of Denise McNair, Lisa McNair, sister of Denise McNair, Dianne Braddock, sister of Carole Robertson, Rev Arthur Price, Jr, pastor 16th Street Baptist Church, and former U.S. Attorney Gordon Douglas Jones look on. The medal, the highest Congressional civilian honor, was given posthumously to Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair who died September 15, 1963 when a bomb planted by white supremacists exploded exploded at the church
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President Obama signs a bill designating the Congressional Gold Medal commemorating the lives of the four young girls killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama
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Photo: Pete Souza
President Barack Obama holds up a mug given to him by the 2013 graduating class at the U.S. Naval Academy
Photo: Pete Souza
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First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Kerry Washington arrive to visit children at Savoy School
The Obama Diary 
Evening all
Japa! Heading to my email now!
Remember the military men and women who died in service to protect or life and liberty.
…protect OUR life
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
― Laurence Binyon
In my world the RSL (Returned Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen League) run social clubs – and at 6pm – every evening – the lights are dim – the chatter stops – and they say the above. It reminds us.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing that!
FLOTUS seems to get as much enjoyment being with the children as they get having her with them. 🙂
Chipsticks, thank you for the pics and videos!
Yay for Japa21!
Here’s an image:
Swoon!
Yep.
Best Picture EVER!
Thanks for your comment, because it “required” me to go take another peek. There. Peeked. You are right!
I say: Alexis Marisa Werner had the joyful privilege of hugging PBO – in.the.rain. My oh my. My oh my. Oh my.
Oh wait… Done swooning: never send a republican to do ANY job!
There were words to go along with the photo? Hmmm. Who knew? 🙂
MP, you are so right there. I just sent a email to that sorry Saxbe Chambliss and told him that victory for terrorists are extreme radical racists Republicans who will sink the ship just to get the Captain. In other word you Republicans will destroy this country with your lies, filibuster, fake scandals just to bring down President Obama.
You are so right, anniebella…. Keep hassling them. {{{{anniebella}}}}
MP, I also told Sen. Saxbe Chambliss that I honestly believe that if the Republican Party had word that a terrorists attack were being plan, I believe that the Republicans would remain silent and allow the attack to occur just so they the Republicans could blame President Obama. It is ashame what this Republican Party have become.
Wow, JOB! Beautiful, perfect and true.
Our President!
Great tweet! Thanks for sharing, JOB.
Just found it – and loved it!
Indeed
First?
Really nice pictures of everyone, I so love to see POTUS and FLOTUS when they are spending time with kids.
Who is James Brown? The Godfather of Soul.
For Memorial Day …
Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Rev. Al just showed FLOTUS dancing to James Brown and he talked about POTUS ‘s Morehouse speech with Melissa H. Perry and I was shock she didn’t criticized the speech like Dyson did.
The press is after the president saying that he didn’t salute a Marine back. How pathetic can they get?
Jeff, let the press tell Darrell Issa and he will call a hearing about it.
The American Press is worse than the Tabloids!
So… home early for awesome long weekend, nomming on best meal ever of ripe avocado, buttery chardonnay, and Cali soudough baguette, watching Rev Al run part of PBO’s fatherhood speech from this week, and looking at all these wonderful photos, and I just have to say….
I LOVE MY PRESIDENT SO MUCH!!!
Bob Dylan is 72 yrs old today. The Midwestern…..a Minnesotan by Birth……
Knock, Knock, Knockin on Heaven’s Door
My favorite Bob Dylan song is Wigwam – unusual sound for him, but he wrote it and hums along in “his” version.
This is my favorite version of Wigwam, by Caravelli … and I shall give Bob credit on his birthday! Nice to listen to, on a Friday evening with wine and good company!
That is immensely impressive. Thank him for his service.
Thank you again Chips for being there to mark this historic day. I was 17 years when the four little girls were taken away from us in one of the most brutal domestic terrorist attacks that is rarely mentioned in the history books. To this day, I still remember the horror of seeing those images on television. I am glad that the nation has finally remembered these precious girls. So many brave and innocent people lost their lives in the freedom struggle for equality, which, in many ways, laid the foundation for the Presidency of Barack Obama. Today, there are forces that want to turn this country backwards. In the words of Dr. King, “We’ve come this far to turn around.” To honor the memory of these four little girls, and other countless martyrs of the Freedom struggles, we must resolve to keep moving the country “Forward.”
My pleasure Nathkatun, thank you. It’s one of the few historical events we talk about that happened before I was born, but I remember when I first read about it, the sheer horror and hate was just astounding to me. That it happened 50 years ago is so hard to believe, but I hope today brought some comfort to the families of these girls. A very special day.
This is Indeed, “A very special day.” Thanks, Chipsticks, for the wonderful job you and you assistants (you really picked the best) are doing bringing us all the news that matter. Thanks also for your sense of humor, including your epic football battles with UT!
Thank you Nathkatun, but there’s a typo in your comment – corrected:
“… including your epic football VICTORIES over UT!”
Thank you, Chipsticks for the correction. I definitely should have known better not to venture into suggesting equivalencies when it comes to you and UT over football. You each know exactly which team is #1! For the record: I still love you both dearly! I especially love the fact that you both fight hard in defense of your favorite team, yet you remain so passionately united in supporting and defending President Obama.
I was 8 when the Church was bombed and it was years before I felt safe going into the basement of my church. I the impact was so horrific that I convinced my Sunday School teacher to move our class upstairs.
The 16th Street Baptist Church offers tours, if you’re ever in Birmingham, it’s worth the time.
I understand, Alycee! Young people today don’t even realize that children, as young as you were, were very much impacted by the horrific incidents of terror and violence taking place in the 60s.
I know I am dating myself but I didn’t learn about the Four Little Girls until I saw a documentary on television. It amazes me how far we have come as a nation but finally these little girls get the recognition they deserve. So thankful President Obama invited their families into the oval office. Truly an amazing day in history.
aloha chips and todlings!
thanks for posting the president’s speech at the naval academy. i have just one comment: we are so blessed to be led by president barack obama!
Aloha Susanne!!!
okay, chips, yes, i do have another comment: damn but our president looks good in that top picture!! even with that woman’s epaulette poking him in the cheek! 🙂
Oy.
Just heard mention of the public memorial service in Ok. after PBO tours the damage. Curious if he was not invited to attend, or how that played out, since I believe it is the first such catastrophe memorial where he will not be speaking, red state or blue.
You know who is the loser, Dotser, the people of Oklahoma! The people organizing the memorial service must be so consumed with their hatred of the President. Guess what, come Monday morning, President Obama will still be President of the United States. But even more importantly, President Obama takes his job as President very seriously. That means that he will still do everything in his power to lessen the pain and suffering of all the victims of that terrible tornado. He has no time for foolishness and political grandstanding by haters, who, by the way, claim to be Christians.
If this is so it makes me want to withhold disaster aid to a state that grossly disrespects the President…the man who will make sure that aid will get there to help them rebuild their community
If I remember correctly, when he toured Joplin and Tuscaloosa, he just toured. There was no memorial service involved. I think he’s had enough memorial services this year. The service is at 6:30, and I hope that by that time, he’s safely home with his family with his feet up enjoying some good food.
I have heard little about the service, but I haven’t been listening. If they didn’t invite him, it’s their loss.
In 1995 after the bombing of the Murrah building, President Clinton came and spoke at the service. A Republican was governor then too, and it was a very appropriate time and service, a citywide service at the Convention Center. From what I understand this will be in a Baptist church close to Moore, or in Moore.
Perhaps there are security issues – the President won’t be concerned either way – so I try to follow his example (with much difficulty!)
It seems to me that at some other service he did not go but met with families privately and that was because he felt that if he attended the memorial service, it would be all about him and not the people being honored.
Don’t Rain on My Parade was not the feelings at the Naval Academy. Lots of smiles and celebrations. Happy Graduation. I thank them for their service. This is a day most of these Navy Officers will Never forget.
Say Chips…..there is a picture at HP, the links attached here detailing in the Map, the numbers of Bridges in US in need of repairs. It might be something the TOD brigades might want to tweet out. This weekend and the Monday Memorial day coming, the righties are planning on talking about questioning pres Obama’s credibility and their “perceived scandals” at every venue. Nothing works best like using actual and factual information to thwart distorted and fabricated information. What do you think?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/24/bridge-collapses-structurally-deficient-_n_3333649.html#comments
https://twitter.com/TheScottFinley/status/338046937498542080
Scahill was being a smart arse – but it wouldn’t surprise me if it happened one day.
Chips thanks for all of the wonderful photos.
My pleasure COS, I’m sure I’ve missed lots more beautiful ones, but we’ll catch up! Thank you.
Chips, I am thankful for what I can get. 🙂
Hypocrites. Okay Rachel, research this and report it on your show.
Thanks for the pics, Ms. Chipsticks. I love the smiling faces in the pic where PBO is signing the Congressional Gold Medal for the 4 victims of the church bombing. I notice the special smiles and looks on the faces of AG Holder and his wife. The smiles tell me they’re proud of PBO, just as we are, and that they treasure his friendship. Kerry Washington and FL Michelle Obama still have a zest for life, and it’s reflected in these pics. I’m also proud of our Naval Academy graduates. I can imagine it’s not easy getting through a military academy. Several of my brohters went through basic training, and none of them said it was easy. I want to salute our TODers who are veterans are or serving. You guys are terrific, and I appreciate everything you’ve done, or are doing, to make our nations and our lives safer.
Beautifully said, and I’ll co-sign that!
Immigration reform doesn’t have votes to pass
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/301925-menendez-gang-of-eight-immigration-bill-doesnt-have-the-votes-to-pass-senate
Christ, it’s already dead???
Republicans are cutting their own throats. By 2020 they can cross TX off, this action also brings AZ and GA c to turning blue. They are so so stupid. Even their gerrymandering won’t be able to save them.
I think so too, I think they are making a lot of mistakes, despite the media being on their side.
If they pass immigration reform before the election, I’ll be shocked.
I wouldn’t be surprise if these Republicans refuse to support the immigration bill they are willing to “cut off their nose just to spite their face”
Exact same phrase that crossed my mind.
Now all we need to do is to work very, very, hard to replace all those Republican senators who vote against the bill!
The big money conservative groups are shelving out big money to not vote for bill.
And although the evangelicals are for it, they are not dishing out money to senators who support it.
Once again the headline is somewhat misleading. Reading the article gives a more hopeful and positive slant…..but headline writers love the negative.
However, I made the mistake of reading comments……AWFUL!!! Hateful, bigoted, xenophobic….you name it. Are there people who do nothing all day but go to any site that allows comments and spend their tie writing really disgusting comments????? The awful ones all tend to sound alike, and play the same notes.
They’re paid trolls!
I thought that might be the case.
They all sound alike.
This artificial 60 vote threshold makes me crazy. There ARE enough votes for a normal Senate that used to pass legislation with a MAJORITY of senators. We are all accepting this artificial barrier as if it were normal and sane. I wish one–just one–Democratic senator would stand up and call a point of order, then invoke the nuclear option. People across the country would be on their feet cheering and we would show our immigrant population that Democrats are on their side. I’m so tired of all these dumb tricks by Republicans gumming up the working of the US government. People have had enough of this.
While I was out ‘shopping’ I heard a snippet of news about some bridge near Seattle, Washington collapsing. Fortunately nobody was seriously hurt. Did TODvillage discuss this and, if so, where can I find it quickly? The snippet I heard was suggesting/wondering if the Alberta trucker who had recently crossed the bridge had maybe clipped some part of it…… Of course, all I could think of was if Congress hadn’t been messing around that might have been one of the bridges repaired under the President’s push to create infrastructure jobs.
Hope this answers some of your questions. . .
Yes, thank you, CarolM. Appreciate your response.
Your welcome.
The truck was too tall and clipped the top supports of the bridge.
DOT gives $1M to Washington bridge collapse repair
By Keith Laing
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Friday that it was giving $1 million to help officials in Washington state repair an interstate bridge that collapsed on Thursday night.
The portion of Interstate 5 in Washington that runs over the Skagit River collapsed on Thursday when a truck hit one of its overhead support structures, sending cars into the water.
No deaths were reported in the incident, but parts of the bridge remained in the water on Friday.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Friday that the $1 million would be used to help repair the bridge immediately.
I almost burst into tears when I passed today’s USA Today’s cover honoring Memorial Day
“From boyhood to the battlefield: Long war takes its toll…
In 2001, they were little boys oblivious to the beginning of America’s war in Afghanistan. Now they are among the most recent casualties.”
It’s also the lead story on today’s MilitaryTimes.com website.
Chips, all of these Emos are repugs, passing themselves off as Democrats. They make me sick.
You know, it would be different if they joined the Democratic party because they supported its aims and worked to strengthen it. But they seem to join because their own party is not fashionable or because they can’t rev up enough interest to make money so they join us in order to split us apart and gain a readership
But on to good news. From AP last Sunday, this is amazing:
“When Croatia joins the European Union on July 1, in addition to the beauty of its aquamarine Adriatic sea, deep blue mountain lakes and lush green forests, it will also bring numerous un-cleared minefields to the bloc’s territory. About 750 square kilometers (466 square miles) are still suspected to be filled with mines from the Balkan wars in the 1990s.”
[snip]
“Bees have a perfect sense of smell that can quickly detect the scent of the explosives. They are being trained to identify their food with the scent of TNT.”
http://news.yahoo.com/honeybees-trained-croatia-land-mines-102000875.html … h/t
Interesting…..one of my least favorite and now former congress Man and Woman are splitting? Hmm? Mary Bono Mack was my Least expected defeat in 2012.
I am not rejoicing. However, it could not have happened to a “nicer” couple.
Former Florida Rep. Connie Mack (R) and former California Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R) announced their divorce on Friday.
“We are saddened to announce that we have reached the difficult decision to end our marriage,” the two said in a statement, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “We have nothing but respect and admiration for each other and we intend to remain on the friendliest of terms. We appreciate the love and support of our family and friends.”
Did he kill a black guy? Imagine if other way around?
Strike that it was other way around, but you know what? That’s gross!
Personally I don’t see whey reporters have to tie any president to every dishonest person/criminal who (used to) worked for them, especially when their actions have nothing whatever to do with their jobs. It’s not like the president employed them himself and even if he had, he’s hardly responsible for their actions.
murder is so common…that many folks do not pay any attention to the victim or the perpetrator….the MSM gins up interest by making this association
I know it’s a way to gin up interest in the story but I find it quite ‘lame’. It’s like they cannot be ‘creative’ enough on their own so they have to name drop.
VC, the current U.S. media are all about sensationalism! They are convinced that that’s the way to increase their ratings. To be honest, most of U.S. media are quite disgusting. I blame them for dumbing down Americans.
Hi there, nathk!
Well said VC I agree with you 100% this is just the media way of drawing attention the story. This tabloid journalism that is taking place makes me sick
Well, if this gem doesn’t remind us we must remember our fallen heroes … and, at the same time, maintain HOPE for all of the rest of us in the future … I don’t know what will!
Terrific memory, you little cutie! I like how ‘mommy’ continued to do what needs to be done while ‘daddy’ is playing video-grapher.
The whole family’s cute!
And I really must have a little word with my sweet two-year-old great grandson when I see him this summer, because we’ve got work to do!
Nah, each of ’em has their own special gifts!
‘we’ve got work to do! ‘
I’d be surprised if YOUR g-grandson doesn’t already have his own summer plans for YOU! You’d better already have started your fitness training so you can keep up.
Oh, if ya knew how close to the TRUTH that was! Thanks for the reminder – I’d better hop back up on my exercise bike NOW. When he was visiting last year, he’d see me on my bike, and walk clear across the room so he could tickle the back of my knee, and wouldn’t stop. I’d scream and laugh at the same time!
yes, they do JOB; and yours has “charm extraordinaire”!
Thank you, Auntie Barb!
look forward to having him help me with my shoes; love him to pieces
He’d say: “Awww.” 🙂 We love you back, Barb!
Baby O’Donna – This one’s for you, if ya haven’t seen it yet:
So CBSnews does know that Sharyl Attkisson is a problem with an ideological driven Bent…..yet Rhodes the News head still wants her? Hmm? The news media dysfunction continues?
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/is-politics-getting-in-the-way-of-news-at-cbs_b180989#disqus_thread
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonder what the SOB is going to whine and cry about now??
http://www.kpho.com/story/19097786/judge-rules-mcso-out-of-immigration-business-for-now
PHOENIX (CBS5) –
A federal judge has ruled that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office’s immigration enforcement policy is unconstitutional
The case focused on whether the sheriff’s office street patrol and crime sweeps unconstitutionally targeted people of Latino descent.
Video of the crime sweeps made national news and the sheriff bragged about how many illegal immigrants his officers took off the streets.
Last summer, a class action civil rights trial took place in Phoenix with the Justice Department going up against the sheriff’s office. It was a bench trial, which means no jury was seated.
On Friday, the judge issued his ruling.
Read the rest at the link. This man has cost the lives of untold thousands and cost the taxpayers of this country MANY,MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. I detest him. SO glad that the judge ruled this way.
Just posted an article on the same thing. CONGRATULATIONS, Arizona!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello there, Ms Newly-freed Df! How’s the summer holiday going so far? 😉 😉
Are you out for the summer???????? I have two more weeks! (Really 8 /12 days but who’s counting?) Between then and now we have Field Day, Volunteer Appreciation Lunch, Family Picnic, Dad’s Carnival, 5th grade graduation assembly, report cards, Smart Goals, Evaluations, 10 different forms on which to report our math/reading/writing scores, and one gigantic spreadsheet on which we have to report all demographic and academic information for each of our students. Guess I’d better get busy!
Federal Judge Blasts Joe Arpaio’s Racial Profiling and Detention Policy
http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/05/24/federal-judge-blasts-joe-arpaios-racial-profiling-and-detention-policy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=federal-judge-blasts-joe-arpaios-racial-profiling-and-detention-policy
Little nugget 🙂
http://bobcesca.thedailybanter.com/blog-archives/2013/05/no-credibility.html
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/24/a-transformative-president/