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President Barack Obama attends a Father’s Day luncheon to celebrate the importance of strong families and mentoring in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC on June 14 , 2013. Fathers and their children as well as students and leaders from the Becoming a Man (BAM) program at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago attended the event. UPI/Olivier Douliery/Pool
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Joyce Jones: For young men who’s fathers aren’t around or very engaged in their lives, having the president of the United States as a periodic substitute is probably a pretty big deal. And when he invites you to the White House for lunch, that’s an even bigger deal.
Students and leaders from the Becoming a Man program at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago were among the guests President Obama hosted at a luncheon in the State Dining Room on Friday. The event also was an opportunity for him to continue a national conversation he began in his first term about how important fathers are in nurturing their families and communities.
“It is good to see all of you here, so many young people, so many outstanding dads — a few moms chaperoning,” Obama said. “Obviously, this is a great way for us to celebrate Father’s Day and just to remind ourselves, those of us who are fathers, how lucky we are.” Being a dad, the president said, “is the best job I’ve got.”
More here
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NPR: President Barack Obama is honoring the WNBA champion Indiana Fever, calling the players an inspiration to young athletes — even those on his daughter Sasha’s basketball team.
Obama praised the team at a White House ceremony on Friday. The Fever captured its first-ever WNBA title last October, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 87-78.
He called the players “wonderful role models” who work hard, play like a team and show good sportsmanship.
Following the ceremony, the team hosted a clinic for children on the White House basketball court.
More here
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The Obama Diary 
hello
Congrats on first a4alice. Didn’t realize the last thread was busy……was still meandering in comments!
hello
hello 🙂
Just us here…shhhhh!
(k) 😉
Naomi Wolf is yelling about America turning into a “police state” under Pres. Obama. Umm…no, paranoido, a police state is what’s happening in Texas right now.
What are the good people of Texas doing about all of this..are they waiting for 2014…are they in agreement….are they sleeping…..
We’ve been protesting, organizing, calling representatives, etc. but the GOP controls pretty much everything and can do as they please. If you’re represented by a republican, you’re pretty much shit out of luck because the male and female GOP bring up and pass horrific bills. You would think women republicans would be against some of these disgusting laws but noooo…they champion them. *Sigh*
I cry for you ut! Is there a big OFA presence there.
There’s an off shoot of OFA called Battleground Texas and they are doing their best to begin turning Texas purple and then blue. It will take time but as Pres. Obama always says, change is never easy but it does happen.
There’s always hope! 😀
I may be wrong, but I don’t recall Texas always being this….insane….lol 🙂 I definitely agree with you, UT, that the cards are on the tables for Texas to become purple (I would say it’s already somewhat there, as there are solid moderate-to-liberal areas in Texas already) to true blue. 🙂 Let’s hope the sooner, the better. Electing some decent/compassionate Senators to replace the sideshow you have now would be a nice start. As for the HOR, I’ve seen some of the “interesting” rural areas that send folks like “Crazy Louie” to Washington (I know you have too), but I’m trying to remain optimistic (hell, getting some moderate-to-liberal Republicans in those areas would be a nice start! lol 😛 ) Keep up the awesome work, UT! 😀
I think we should try to reach the electorate….here in PA, the districts have been gerrymandered… we have.tried to talk to the reps which have been shown to sometimes be futile…they will not give you the time of day if you are not in their district….so we need to come up with a strategy to form our own common sense caucas…I know there has to be someone who could benefit from Medicaid expansion…which Corbett refuses to buy into….
I think this is the way that we have to go..appeal to their self interest of the electorate…….
How is a governor allowed to veto a Federal law? I thought Federal laws trumped State laws?
Here. Read.
http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/14/senator-perry-vetoed-equal-pay-bill/
Thanks UT – reading now.
So disgusting!!!!!! Someone needs to deeply research Perry and expose him ASAP. Need a spy!!! Where is snowman when you need him..
It’s frightening how easily the GOP “leaders” harm their constituents, knowing many will continue to vote for them. Thanks for the article – it was a good explanation. And sine the Federal judges are overworked, and the judges waiting for confirmation are waiting years, it ensures that nothing will get done.
Naomi Wolf is a liar! How exactly has she been personally affected by the so called “police state” under President Obama? None of these people yelling and attacking the President have produced any evidence that their rights have been curtailed or diminished since President Obama took office. All they do is engage in over the top hyperbole and blatant lies just to inflame the American people.
Oh, HTG, could POTUS be any more wonderful, any more out-reaching, any more accessible, than he is…? I don’t think so!
Sometimes the “politics” just don’t matter, do they?
Gato
Gore: NSA program ‘violates’ Constitution
Daniel Strauss
06/14/13 06:06 PM ET
Gore’s comments come as Obama plans to defend the program to European officials during trips to Germany and Ireland.…
Fuck you Gore- fuck you!!!
Absolute WEASAL. These guys have NO business to meddle in foreign affairs. This is hostile and aggressive undermining!
And it will get headlines!
He is jealous of President Obama like Bill Clinton.
Yep!!!! They are both in dire need of attention.
I think that it is more than jealously..
.it is about 2016…trying to break the so-called “Obama Coalition”…not every democrat is on board with this coalition or agree to grass roots organizing….whenever folks like Clinton speak out against the President…I see that they are speaking against this coalition….Clinton…Gore….Dean….the old guard of the Democrats…where do they go….what are about…and will they move with us Forward>>…don’t know….. but they will either become part…or they will be left behind…I just hope they are not of the ilk…If I can’t win…then no one does…
Then they are gonna lose. Besides, they weren’t gonna get us anyway. We are the ‘Obama Coalition’ not the ‘DNC Coalition.’ Democrats better find their own way of winning cause I’m not doing anything other than marking a name off at the ballot box. The only person my allegiance is for is Barack Obama. I’m not standing in a 4 or 5 hour line for anybody else. I don’t do that.
Their great fear is that we, the Obama Coalition, will move as a group to support a candidate of Our choice, Not their choice.
Agree with layla, Jovie dera Meta and you, pf58.
He should get a shout out from St fu
🙂
Indeed, Layla? By the way, where has Gore been hiding? For someone who is supposed to be intelligent he apparently has not been following the debunking of this NSA manufactured scandal
I can see why Tipper dump his boring ass.
Gore simply does not know what he’s talking about and, moreover, there isn’t a single person I know who cares what he thinks. He’s trying and failing to become relevant in a world that ignores him.
The picture of POTUS holding the little baby, and with the kids – he’s an excellent person.
Thank yooooooooooooooooou UT for this gorgeous post, and to LP for the post on VP Biden – you’re a pair of gems!
Sorry I wasn’t able to be around today, one long flippin’ computer nightmare 😦 Will catch up with newsie bits in the morning, thanks a gazillion again to the wondrous blog tyrants!
No problemo Chiparoo. I’ve got a Night Owls post coming up that will hopefully soothe you and everyone’s spirits. 😀
Wishing you a better day tomorrow!
Love ya Chelsea Girl, thank you!!!!!
Anytime Chips! Hope you get your computer out of the matrix….I have unfortunately been battling the same monster….
So, Democrats and Republicans like Christie in US of A!
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/305695-gallup-christie-most-popular-gop-hopeful-least-popular-with-republican-base
Gullible!
Christie knows the overwhelming advantage of being friends with PBO – no other republican has realized this advantage – they are too busy hating the blah guy.
No, another HUGE media fail.
Based on MSM, you would think Christie is already a 2016 POTUS candidate, and that he’s running unopposed for Gov. this fall. This is news to Barbara Buono.
When did it become “OK” for the press to set the agenda for their reporting, instead of basing articles on actual facts?
Posted this on previous thread — MSM isn’t even hiding the fact that they are manufacturing obstacles whenever our President gets too “uppity” (which is evey day).
I’m sorry the Obama Family have to cancel their safari. Double standards once again, for the white Presidents and different ones for the black guy and his family.
Pretty shameful…. 😦
Yardarm, congrats to your grandson and whole family. Thanks for the graduation reminder, just flipped the channel in time to see our senior class present the class gift. Very proud of our young folks; two part gift — (1) $1,800 to the “Turkey Fund,” a student administer charity that provides emergency assistance to people in the community year round; and (2) a new Mascot uniform. So happens that my schoo board rep was accepting the gift, asshole thanked them profusely for the mascot, didn’t say jack shit about the turkey fund donation. Of course, he’s a republican…
I agree wholeheartedly and that is why America won’t ever come together as one. I think that PBO who got along with everyone thought he could bring civility to D.C. and across the political isle. Unfortunately due to the legacy of RW radio, embedded racism, and a GOP who wants power, we are racially, poltitically and economically divided.
Young Man Sebastian (hope I spelled his name correctly, I’m totally conversing off the cuff here), who sang the national anthem, reminded me of a question I asked when I first came to this country way, way ago: why is there a need to hyphernate everyone’s heritage, i.e., African-American, Italian-American, Greek-American, etc.? Why isn’t everyone just simply “American”? Native-American was the absolute in ridiculousness. Isn’t that another way of “divide & conquer” which I was all too familiar with? We need to stop that nonsense. Another thing we need to put a super-halt to, that is totally getting on my last nerves, is “blended families” — WTF is that stupidity. A family is a family. Period. As long as we perpetuate color as a base for identity, then we will never move forward.
Please excuse my rant on this lovely Friday. But some of this crap just riles me. Glad Rev. Al played a teeny piece of PBO’s fantabulous “Race Speech.” It still holds me in that beautiful quiet space.
xoxo, my fabulos TODers. Got to go & catch up with all the magnificent threads here!
It’s giving a nod to both your heritage as well as the country you live in.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with it.
Hey—-my daughter’s alma mater got a shout out from President Obama—–the Div. 111 DePauw Tigers—–with a 34-0 record! and who were also in attendance today at the WH. Sent her the vid. She was a Tiger too——on the tennis team—–which also had a lot of success when she was there—–we traveled all over the country watching them play——a lot of tennis—–back and forth, back and forth—–it was a lot of fun. Great school—-still has a ton of current college friends there in the Indy area where she lives—-10 years later.
🙂
What austerity brings….. http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/06/14/2159341/britain-homeless-caves/
Hi EVERYBODY! Another day with several missed posts – actually got called to work!!!! 🙄 I’ve managed to read Zizi’s post which I totally support and hope all who shares her viewpoint took the time to also SHARE THE POST with their contacts. Off to see what else you all discussed today.
Thanks you Ms Chips, Utal, LP, and everyone else who shared. 😀
Hey VC! I’m right behind you – trying to catch up, and responding to posts from early this morning… oh well! At least I’ll have company! 🙂
Hi Theo! I’m going to try and do a quick perusal (by restraining myself from following links). Of course, being Ms Nosy I’m not sure that will work, but I intend to try. 😀
There’s way too much good stuff today… you won’t be able to resist. 😉
Grrroan.
Nice, lazy weekend. And then travel on Sunday/Monday to Ireland with the First Family!
Sunday/Monday to Ireland!!!!! 😯 But I haven’t packed anything yet! Easy for you to talk about ‘nice, lazy weekend’ when you are probably already all ready to go. Don’t distract me – now I have to catch up AND get myself ready for travel. Last time out Chips-Obama Travel left without me just ’cause I was a bit late. 🙄
I almost missed the travel announcement myself, but overseasgranny (I think…) very nicely posted an excited article on one of the threads from the people of Ireland, thrilled at the possible visit by the First Lady and her daughters. Otherwise, I would have been blissfully unaware…
Will keep an eye out for the ‘excited article’ as I worm my way backwards. TY
Happy reading!
For those who haven’t read this, you reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally have to. It’s freaking fantastic and it’s from an actual civil libertarian.
Thanks UT for the link, and for all of your other fabulous tweets! This is indeed a must read story. We need to send it to Al Gore and John Conyers.
One of the things I find remarkable and heart-warming is the fact that this President has a knack for making the people around him relax and laugh.
Oh look. Another Republican’s son spewing hate on the internet. Why am I not surprised. I sent Flake a pointed email last night.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics/hecks-son-inflammatory-twitter
Yeah, I saw this today.
What is it about AZ and NV? Why do a couple of their Senators with funny names have offspring that don’t know the meaning of polite behavior in a public space?
Great role models. (heavy sarcasm)
Well, let’s see which fits:
1. Like father, like son.
2. Never send a boy to do a man’s job.
3. Both of the above.
(Lower case) happy father’s day, Heck. I hear the stores are havin’ a white sheet sale, for the occasion. Oh, and, you must be so proud of junior. Was that part of the kid’s home-schoolin’ curriculum?
There once was a fellow named Christie
Some New Jerseyans thought was quite frisky
But he wasn’t such a dandy
Because other than Sandy
His decisions left them quite misty.
(Somebody stop me.)
No, we won’t. You’re on a roll here.
Ha! By nightfall, I’ll be goin’ for the jugular! (It is a little cathartic, though, as I know you are aware.)
This is much better than my FF. 🙂
🙂
Between now and November, NJ Dems need to get behind Buono.
She has a really compelling life-story, but MSM is uninterested in even giving her a chance.
Aired in March 2013:
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/03/06/christies-approval-rating-is-high-but-what-about-other-nj-numbers-like-unemployment-or-the-poverty-rate-or-foreclosures/
I hope that PBO stomps for her….
She was mocked on The Daily Show and a Democratic group came out for her. She needs to get the Teachers and other public workers and women behind her. There should be NO WAY Christie gets re-elected.
Haven’t been following her, but has Emily’s List been any help?
I don’t know. Seeing her on The Daily Show a week or so ago was the first time I heard of her. You only hear about Cory Booker. It would be something if she won due to Chrispy Crème is so confident.
I’d love that. Will try to follow her, from this point. Thanks.
her FB page….
https://www.facebook.com/BuonoForNewJersey?hc_location=stream
Thanks so much!
Lawrence and (I’m pretty sure) Chris Matthews had her on, but it was a few months ago.
Not stopping you as me likey your limerick! JO’B, it would be sooo nice if New Jersey-ans are not fooled by this 2-faced manipulating bully and give him a push out the door in Nov.
Fingers crossed, VC! Maybe that would “start a trend” for these awful Repuke governors.
Fingers crossed here too! Anything that might ‘help’.
Perfect! Christie and his minions missed an education deadline costing them Billions in gov’t education aid $$$.
Turned down fed $$$ for transportation for no reason other than to bolster his RW creds.
Before Sandy his support was about 20%
This is the way California is “celebrating Small Business week.”
I really like this news because it says to those providers who saw an opportunity to gouge consumers that such a plan won’t work in CA.
That is good news. I hate Blue Cross Blue Shield anything. They used to be a good company years ago. Whomever runs them is all about money and not the health of the people. The agency I work for has Blue Shield and it takes them almost two years to pay doctors. I had one provider ask me to intervene to get payment because my doctor would not help. I have had doctors I like stop doing business eith them.
Yes, after all the medical-insurance mergers, a bad situation has been made much worse.
Hope that other states pick up on this, which effectively leaves Anthem Blue Shield with a choice. Either lower their premiums, or people won’t sign up them because they’re more expensive than other plans.
For a Jesuit, Gov. Brown is pretty ballsy! (Joke, I love Jerry, have since he dated Linda Ronstadt in the 1970s; she introduced him in the audience at the Palomino in North Hollywood at a show I attended back in the day).
I remember when he was dating her. I worked for The Broadway Department Store until Macy’s bought them years after I left. One of the lady’s I was friends with used to call be Ronstadt, a variation of my real name.
Nothing about food from Mark Knoller.
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130613/BENEFITS02/306130030/GOP-mulls-cutting-COLAs-save-defense-funding
A key Republican said Thursday he’ll propose cutting cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients and military and federal civilian retirees in an effort to find more money for defense programs.
Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s ranking Republican, said passing the 2014 defense budget may be impossible unless the bill undoes sequestration, and one way to do that is to make a controversial revision in how cost-of-living adjustments are made.
I recommend we cut Congresses salary and benefits to save America.
I second the motion, cut these do nothing Congress salary, until they get over there I Hate Obama illness, and get to doing some work.
The man is just inhofer his head!
Layla made a funny! 🙂
Nothing like balancing the budget on the backs of seniors, disabled, vets and children…
When I retired, my property taxes were less than $1000.00 per year; now they are $3.00 shy of $4000.00. Needless to say, my retirement income has not quadrupled in 17 years; in fact, it hasn’t even doubled!
Pres. Obama is freaking awesome!
Learned from previous thread that Stephen Colbert’s mother passed away (on Wednesday).
I really like Colbert, he seems like a genuinely *nice* person, and he was the Mama’s boy in the family (youngest of 11 children, he said it was just him and his Mom at home after his father and two brothers were killed in a plane crash when he was about 10 years old).
It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s devastating to lose Mom.
Check out his interview with Rep. John Lewis about a year ago, which brought both of them near tears when he told Rep. Lewis that he was at MLK’s “I Have a Dream Speech” (in his mother’s womb).
Godspeed, Mrs. Colbert.
What a beautiful thought. May she rest in peace.
The struggle seems to be endless. A window closes and a door opens.
Another beautiful thought, that last part. The first part reminds me of the gentleman co-worker I once had, whom I’ve mentioned here before, who’d answer every time you’d inquire how his day was going, “It’s a daily struggle.” I wondered back then what he meant, what was behind it, since he didn’t seem upset about it! Now I know he meant just exactly what he said.
believe me I know the feeling. I lost my mother a year ago so I know Colbert’s pain.
So sorry, Jeff. I lost mine in 2005, and it still seems unbelievable to me. They’re all still alive in our memories, aren’t they?
Losing a Mom cuts like a knife. Mrs Colbert drove to the March in DC in 1963 carrying Stephen. All the way from SC. May she rest in peace.
Stephen Loves his mother;
Safe Journey Mama Colbert.
UT – Thank you so much for putting this post together. Finally finished scrolling up, to see those glorious photos!
Wow! CNN just did a hit Job on California HSR, called it the great train robbery .
Jon king wonders if they should just scrap the whole thing!
Then he says, we promise we will keep you updated.
Gee thanks!
That’s exactly what he wants, as the FEDS have invested 3.5 billion.
Can you imagine the headlines?
This report was brought to you by the Koch Brothers.
Didn’t CA turn bluer in the last 2 cycles ? teann can do jacksquat.
Are you talking about the John King who is still looking for the dark skin Boston bomber wearing a hoodie?
Sorry John King. California is not Wisconsin! The Koch brothers can’t buy the leaders of this state, although I hear they are interested in buying the LA Times. This is one state that in 2012 said FU Koch brothers! Californians want progress not regress.
No worries, we have the power! 🙂 Here’s a little fabulous Mingas:
.
New Post: http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/14/week-in-toons/
This is an example of how stoooopid our media is. Hate upChuck with a passion; as a mentor he’s completely ruined clueless @LukeRussert.