****
Saturday: The President has no public events scheduled
Sunday: The President and the First Family will depart for Belfast, Northern Ireland (9:20 PM)
Monday: The President and the First Family will arrive in Belfast in the morning, where he will deliver remarks – the First Lady will introduce the President at the event.
The President will then meet with Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of the G8 Summit. Later, he will attend the G-8 Summit at Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, hosted by PM Cameron, from June 17-18.
On Monday evening, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Tuesday: In the evening, following the G-8, the President and the First Family will travel to Berlin, Germany.
Wednesday: The President will have a meeting with President Gauck and Chancellor Merkel to discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues.
Later that afternoon, at the invitation of Chancellor Merkel, President Obama will speak at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
On Wednesday evening, the President and the First Family will return to the White House.
Thursday and Friday: The President will attend meetings at the White House.
****
Please do not pay attention to the negative people. I am an American living the American Dream. This is part of the American life.
— Sebastien De La Cruz (@selcharrodeoro) June 12, 2013
****
Daniel W. Drezner (Foreign Policy): Why Obama is arming Syria’s rebels: it’s the realism, stupid.
…. is this the first step towards another U.S.-led war in the region? No. Everything in that Times story, and everything this administration has said and done for the past two years, screams deep reluctance over intervention. Arming the rebels is not the same thing as a no-fly zone or any kind of ground intervention. This is simply the United States engaging in its own form of asymmetric warfare. For the low, low price of aiding and arming the rebels, the U.S. preoccupies all of its adversaries in the Middle East.
…. Now let’s be clear: to describe this as “morally questionable” would be an understatement. It’s a policy that makes me very uncomfortable… until one considers the alternatives. What it’s not, however, is a return to liberal hawkery.
So, to conclude: the United States is using a liberal internationalist rubric to cloak a pretty realist policy towards Syria.
Am I missing anything?
Full post here
****
House GOP votes to block closure of Gitmo, where is the outrage from Bernie Sanders and his friends on left.
— Michael Hargrove (@MichaelHargrov1) June 15, 2013
****
Steve Benen: It was just three weeks ago that President Obama made a persuasive case for closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. He described a military prison that costs too much, has become an international embarrassment, and is filled with “people who have been charged with no crime.”
…. Last week, House Republicans once again barred the Obama administration from transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay. Friday, against a backdrop of a terrible hunger strike, a Democratic effort to do the right thing was easily defeated in the face of mindless, reactionary conservative opposition.
More here
****
Ooooops:
I feel obligated to share, as the story unfolds, my creeping concern that the NSA leaker is not who he purports to be http://t.co/dOV2XYXdRe
— Naomi Wolf (@naomirwolf) June 14, 2013
****
Kurt Eichenwald: PRISM Isn’t Data Mining and Other Falsehoods in the N.S.A. “Scandal”
I can’t stand it.
A few days ago, I wrote in some detail about the National Security Agency’s data-mining program in hopes of calming the hysteria that has been whipped up in the last number of days by incorrect and misleading reports, as well as by plenty of ill-informed commentary based on those errors. At this point, I’ve decided that I need to tell a little bit more…..
See here
****
True Facts of History: Eric Holder Uncovered & Corrected NSA Eavesdropping Overreach. In 2009. http://t.co/OGH9A2Rtj0
— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) June 15, 2013
****
Tommy Christopher (Mediaite): …. Glenn Greenwald and his source, whistle-and-country-blower Edward Snowden, have completely taken over the political media with revelations that hype well, but don’t amount to much upon closer examination. Now, Greenwald promises more (and more devastating) revelations to come, but what has been revealed so far is about as alarming as an epidemic of Pac Man Fever….
…. That hasn’t stopped the media from going all Chicken Little, some because they’re desperate to “have the conversation,” some because they want to attack President Obama to prove varying types of cred, and some because they’d like even less fettering of the surveillance state. I think we do need to “have the conversation” about government surveillance, but it should begin in 1978, not last week, when the world discovered that the first black president was in charge of it….
Full post here
****
This is CNN pic.twitter.com/EVI8DvQQlw
— Fletcher Previn (@fletcherprevin) June 15, 2013
****
Michael Tomasky: Elijah Cummings Fights Back
Kudos to the Democratic congressman for standing up to Darrell Issa on the IRS investigation—and showing once again how conservatives refuse to sort fact from fiction.
This is becoming quite a throwdown between Darrell Issa, the wild-swinging GOP chairman of the House oversight committee, and Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat. Cummings is showing himself to be a pretty tough customer, and if this IRS “matter” (the media should either stop referring to it as a scandal or make it clear that the only scandal here is Issa’s reckless behavior) fizzles as quickly and lamely as it looks as if it might, it’ll be Cummings who’ll deserve a lot of the credit for breaking some of the silly protocols of Capitol Hill and calling nonsense nonsense….
Read here
****
****
LA Times: Six months ago Americans reacted with horror to the slaughter of 20 children and six school employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Suddenly, gun safety legislation was front and center everywhere, including Washington.
Then in April, a recalcitrant Senate succumbed to pressure from gun manufacturers and the NRA’s leadership and failed to pass even the most modest measure, a bill to extend background checks to gun shows and Internet sales. The president was angry, the families of victims frustrated, and the moment for gun control seemed lost.
But the Senate vote was hardly the whole story. Since the Newtown tragedy, gun regulation has made enormous gains in states across the country, with more on the horizon. In fact, an unprecedented number of gun control laws have been introduced, debated, voted on and enacted this year. What a difference Sandy Hook and six months have made….
More here
****
****
ThinkProgress: This AP Article Is Everything That’s Wrong With Sensationalistic Obamacare Stories
Employers will struggle to comply with the new health care mandates, drop insurance coverage, increase costs, and lay off workers! Low-income employees will be subject to sky high premiums, a health care mandate they can’t afford, or go uninsured altogether!
Those are just some of the wild-eyed claims buzzing around the Affordable Care Act and its implementation. Consider this lede from Friday’s Associated Press: “It’s called the Affordable Care Act, but President Barack Obama’s health care law may turn out to be unaffordable for many low-wage workers…..”
…..But skip down to the end of the piece and you’ll find a curious quote from Neil Trautwein of the National Retail Federation, which represents the very employers the AP claims are going to take advantage of the health law’s impurities to increase health care costs for low-income workers while avoiding its penalties.
He appears to disagree entirely with the AP’s premise….
Read here
****
****
Okay, this made me smile…..
****
A year ago…
June 15, 2012: “We had just arrived at the helicopter landing zone in Chicago and instead of walking right to the motorcade, the President and First Lady walked past their vehicle to the edge of Lake Michigan to view the skyline of their home town.” (Photo by Pete Souza)
*****
Hey, it’s the second anniversary of the baby whispering:
June 15, 2011: “Call him the baby soother. At the Congressional picnic on the South Lawn, the First Lady held a young baby who began crying (top photo). The President then came over to hold the same baby and was able to quiet her down as the First Lady reacted in astonishment in the background of the bottom photo.” (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
MooooOOOooorning! Another short-ish R&S, will try and catch up with all the news I missed a bit later. Huuuuuuuuuge thanks again to the mega fab blog tyrants for yesterday’s posts.
Good morning Chips.
Cos!
Moooooooorning COS, morning everyone!!! Sorry for the not-very-comprehensive R&S’s the last two days, I’m waaaaaaaay behind with the news, still busy punching my malfunctioning computer. Normal-ish service will be resumed today-ish.
Good Morning COS! WTG!!!!
Great round up.
Good Saturday Morning Chipsticks, TODers…Everyone!
I’m celebrating my birthday today! I feel extremely blessed to have made it through another year. 🙂
Everyone enjoy your weekend. Meditate upon good thoughts. The more you do, the better your world will be.
Good morning all. I can’t wait for PBO’s speech at Brandenberg Gate. It surely will bring back memories. I remember MShame and his ilk vilifying him as a celebrity and comparing him to Paris Hilton.
Morning, COS! I remember that very well, too. It also took my breath away to see all those people when he walked out on that stage. Amazing moment in our history.
The speech at Tiergarten in Berlin was on July 24, 2008. I still have the announcement poster tacked to my bookshelf. It was one of my favorite speeches and I look forward to an update. I have always made allowances for Angela Merkel’s conservative policies based on the fact that she was a child in communist East Germany and desperately wanted something better, but I have never forgiven her for her stupid response to the Obama team’s search for a venue in Berlin. I am sure that she was surprised how graceful this American senator turned out to be and how he brought the city to its feet as Berliners and ten of thousands of people from all over Europe crowded the square and beyond to hear him speak. There were 250,000 people in attendance and millions more watched on TV. It was a speech for a world audience and the first definite outline of what would become President Obama’s foreign policy agenda. I, too, can’t wait to hear him speak in Berlin again. And how I wish I could be there this time, especially since I will be in Germany this July.
Thanks so much for your perspective, hgerhard. Wish you could be there, too!
swbluega happy birthday!!
Thank you Sonjia!
Moooooring Sonjia! Wait! It’s swbluega’s birthday? How did I miss that breaking news?!
Happy Birthday to you! I will take your good advice. Enjoy your celebration!
🙂 Thank you Meta
Happy Birthday SWBlue! Sing & Dance today!!
Thank you GGail! Dancing and singing… 😆
Good Morning swbluega, and Happy Birthday, have a great day.
Thank you Roberta! 🙂
Happy Birthday, swbluega!
Thank you MightyPamela!
Many Happy Returns of the Day, swbluega! Enjoy it to the max!
Thank you Maryl1!!! 🙂
Very happy birthday to you,swbluega! Enjoy your day:) Morning, TOD…
Thank You Desertflower!
Have a wonderfully Happy Birthday swbluega ~ the sun is shining here in Baltimore in your honor 🙂
Thanks Sherijr! The sunshine is a sign that the day will be fabulous! 🙂
I absolutely agree ~ wishing you all the best today 🙂
Happy birthday sw – it’s my one and only daughter’s birthday tomorrow – I remember the 15th June very well – hope you have a great day
Thank you 99ts. And birthday wishes to your daughter as well.
Happy.Birthday!
Thank you Betsy. 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!!! 🙂
Thanks Bobfr! 🙂
Happy Birthday swblue!!!! It’s my mom’s birthday and she is a great lady, so I know you are too!! You geminis (sp?) are something else!!
Thank you LadyTNT! And please wish my birth date twin 😀 a Happy Birthday from me!
Happy, happy Birthday! Hope you have a beautiful day!
Thank you Marilyn!!! 🙂
Swbluega–Happy Birthday!! Have a terrific day.
Thank you Jackie G! 🙂
“US president Barack Obama will deliver a landmark speech in Belfast on his visit to Northern Ireland for the G8 summit of world leaders on Monday, calling on the people to finish the job of bringing peace to the region….more”
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/obama-to-make-landmark-speech-on-north-at-g8-summit-1.1429627
“Mrs Obama [and the daughters] will be shown archives in the Old Library of the university documenting her husband’s Irish ancestry and also view the Book of Kells….
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/obama-family-plans-visit-to-dublin-29347234.html
I would love to see the Book Of Kells – how wonderful for them all.
Good West Coast Saturday morning Chipsticks & TOD family. What a great Rise n Shine Chipsticks!
Good West Coast morning. A little foggy but it will burn off soon.
Yes meta, it will be a good day 🙂
AP is definitely out for revenge with their sensational headlines and articles.
Chipsticks, thank you for putting together another fantastic Rise and Shine. I hope everything goes okay with your computer and you are able to recover your data without having to go to a lot of expense. I feel your pain.
The “Baby Soother” video is one that always makes me smile. 😀
Moooooorning swbluega! Thank you for your good computer wishes. I’m afraid to count my chickens, but so far the backing up seems to be going fine, although it’s now trying to transfer 16,823 songs to my portable hard drive. I need to stop listening to so much music 😕
No. We need the music to soothe us and give us a break from all the ills of the world. Music helps bring balance to our lives.
Keep listening to you music Chipsticks! 🙂
😳 “…listening to YOUR music” sigh
Ha, I will swbluega!! I just didn’t realize I had so much on my iTunes, estimated back-up time: 2 hrs 😳
Happy Birthday again!!!
Have a PERFECT day swbluega!!!!!
A smile from the President and cupcakes!!! Thank you Chipsticks! You have made my day!!!! 😀
🙂
Happy Birthday, swbluega! And many more!
Thank you JO’B! 😀
Good Morning Ms. Chips and TOD. Happy Father’s Day to all.
Number one hypocrite is Sen. Jeff Merkley (D- Oregon) who once left an Obama Admin NSA briefing for TV time on Hardball; then he went on Alex Wagner’s show to whine about Pres. Obama and the program.
These bozos didn’t feel it was important enough to attend these meetings, but oh how they can get on tv and complain.
{{{{{{Chipsticks}}}}}} YOU, m’dear, are a LEGEND! Brilliant post, you have outdone yourself… I think I am brought to tears by the words from this young American man, Sebastian, out of the mouths of babes. “Please do not pay attention to the negative people.” In the words of Maria Montessori, “Follow The Child”.
Ah, Mighty P you are TOO kind – I’m not sure which has been malfunctioning more the last two days, me or my computer 😕
Well, neither, I shall gladly take that dilemma from you! Just this once, though, okay!? It is MightyPamela who is the major malfunction…but hey, today is a brand new day! 😆
What a nice Father’s Day message from President Obama.
Cost of Obama’s Trip is Dwarfed By George And Laura Bush’s Africa Spending Spree
By: Jason Easley
Jun. 14th, 2013
As conservatives rage about the cost of Obama’s Africa trip, it is important to remember that George and Laura Bush made a combined 7 trips to Africa all on the taxpayers’ dime.
We’ve played this game before, but anytime the nation’s first black president spends more than a dollar, the right wing freaks out about Barack Obama “wasting taxpayer dollars.” Back in 2011, the right claimed that First Lady Obama’s Africa trip would cost taxpayers millions, but even if you use numbers that the White House disagrees with ($424,000), they weren’t even close.
This time the right has whipped up the fake outrage over a leaked document showing that President Obama’s upcoming Africa trip could cost $60-$100 million. What these same people don’t tell is that George and Laura Bush loved to go to Africa on the taxpayers’ dime…a lot.
During Bush’s second term alone, Laura Bush made five “goodwill” trips to Africa. President Bush made the trip twice during his presidency. Here is former First Lady Bush at an event the night before their trip in 2008, “Tomorrow, President Bush and I leave for what will be my fifth trip to Africa since 2001, and his second trip to Africa since 2001. I’ve seen the determination of the people across Africa — and the compassion of the people of the United States of America.”
Wow, that’s a lot of trips to Africa. In 2007, Laura Bush also took her daughters with her, and they went on a safari. You know, the same kind of outing that President Obama just canceled.
Not much was going right for George W. Bush. Even before the economy crashed, his legacy was 9/11, the unpopular Iraq invasion, and Hurricane Katrina. Back in 2003, Bush laid the groundwork for making aid to Africa his legacy. One of the areas where Bush drew praise was that he spent billions of taxpayer dollars on aid to Africa. It’s funny how conservatives don’t utter a peep about George W. Bush dishing out more than ten times the amount of taxpayer money on aid than Obama will spend on his trip.
Why could the country afford to spend billions of dollars during Bush’s no growth economy, but they can’t afford to spend at least $60 million for the sitting president to travel today?
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/06/14/cost-obamas-trip-dwarfed-george-laura-bushs-year-africa-spending-spree.html
The Today show didn’t even mention what G.W.Bush trips cost. I heard all about Obama trip, and something about Clinton trip, but not one word about what G.W. Bush trips cost.
Can’t wait for the return trip to Ireland. Happy memories!
Hellooooooooo UT! Can’t find any schedule yet for Michelle and the girls’ trip to southern Ireland, if I spot anything I’ll update!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!
Hee!
“another short-ish R&S”? Ha! What a roll-out Chips! #FANTASTIC
Hope all is well in TOD Ville!
Ha, brilliant!!! 😆
More truth in toons! 😆
!. If Naomi Wolfe is backing off, you really are toast and
2. I understand that baby. If President Obama held me, I’d get really quiet too and
3. I’m off to the naughty mat.
I shall be there already to welcome you!
🙂 🙂 🙂 It’s good to have friends in high places 🙂
Yes, it is!
A bittersweet day for wifey unit and me. Packed off the daughter unit to the hostel today. Mom & daughter on the phone now for the past 1 hour. First time ever, she has been away from us.
Hate this flying the cop thingy.
{{{{{amk}}}}}
It’s difficult, especially in the beginning. But you will be fine especially knowing that she is doing something positive; something you can be proud of. Hang in there!
I know, swb.
Head: “Hey idjit, you wanted this for her for her whole life”.
Heart: “Hey, no need for any name-calling”.
You’re just being a father. You can’t help it. 🙂
Thanks df. It does suck that both our kids are not in our home. We were dreading this day.
I’ll dread that day when it comes for me, too. I find myself thinking about it more often than I’d like…..on the one hand, they need to go off and learn to find their dreams and passions…on the other, my selfish wanting to have them near me always. I’m sure that you’ll be alright, but my heart goes out to you:)
I am in the same position, amk, and I feel for you. It is harder than I thought possible to truly let go and I have a greater understanding of my mother encouraging me in my travels. You have a loving and close relationship with your daughter, and although you won’t be living with her you know that loving bond will always be there. You are lucky enough to have your wife to continue to share your life with and I know the two of you will adjust to this ‘new normal’.
kindred soul !!! Thanks for the support, maryl, Gotta get used to the new normal indeed.
I understand what you’re going through amk. My son was living at school last year and he’s going to take some classes in Paris this Summer; leaving next week. Not easy to let go.
amk, in one of my roles at UC, one of the things I did is hold a reception for parents while their children unpacked in their new dorm rooms. It was very bittersweet, with some breaking down in tears over the separation. As they drove off, I could see their kids would really miss them, too, but would do everything they could to hide it!
Yeah, I know.
Daughter unit on my offer to come with her to the city she is moving in: “Dad, no thanks. You would embarrass me”.
And then takes a 6 hour train ride to that city. Calls me from the station: “Dad, could you sms me the taxi cab company phone no. that you told me was reliable?”
/smh.
LOLz! See how they are?
I would see the new ones in my office a couple weeks into the quarter and they had HOMESICKNESS written all over them.
Hang in there, amk. They will be visiting you at first opportunity.
A friend of mine and his wife were dropping off their only daughter at her new college. On the way out, as they stopped at the security guard shack, the guard looked at their sad faces and said, “Don’t worry; your child will be okay.” And my friend responded to the guard, “It’s not HER we’re worried about.”
Deep breaths, amk and lovely wife… We have modern technology now, distance is shortened significantly. All change takes adjustment. (I admit the kids do better with it than the parents!) Hang in there, love knows no separation.
Thank you, MP. We both know she is just an hour flight away. Still… This coming week is gonna be very tough.
Yes, indeed it will. It does seem to have happened rather quickly, as it feels you just announced her acceptance to the school very recently. Must have been a whirlwind time in your home. {{{{{amk&family}}}}}
Yeah, the last two weeks have been pretty hectic for amk familia.
Amk and lovely wife, may this time be one of wonderful memories from your hearts to your lovely and smart daughter’s on her next journey that dad and mom have paved the way for her success. Celebrate the joy with her, but allow the beautiful memories of all the energy that she left in your home for you and Mrs. amk to cherish. Always remember what a beautiful young lady you both have shared through those beautiful moment of her life. She will have her moments as well. That is the bond that only loving and wonderful parents and children will have to carry them through their journey.
Now ((((((((((( May the sweetness of two beautiful parents surround her as she sets out to make another part of her journey wonderful for her loving and supporting parents.)))))))))))))) Many wonderful thoughts going forth for your wife, you, and your daughter. A Beautiful Moment In Time. She will hold you close to her heart for all of the moments that she will miss you as well. Great job, Mr. and Mrs. Amk.
Thank you, HZ for the kind words.
Hold On
as Alabama Shakes sing.
Walsh also says that the Democratic majority we had at the beginning of the Obama administration was something of a false majority, built as it was on the backs of blue dogs, who were virtual vetos of any real progressive legislation, and that the blue dogs are symptomatic of Democrats’ willingness to kowtow to republicon economic arguments since the Carter years.
Joan Walsh-
//
She has lost her mind! Me thinks, Joan would like to see Democrats take a beating in 2014.
This might help her Girl get elected in 2016.
Just my opinion, don’t freak out or anything!
LOL!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
Toooooo cute!!! Loved this one especially:
AH, to be the children of Barack and Michelle Obama!!!!
The photo album of their childhood is gonna be massive with wonderful memories!
I’m back to say that I take back what I said about Naomi Wolfe. I think she started off reasonably, but when you begin to make your living off conspiracy theories and “Big Brother” articles it’s in your interest to see conspiracies and Big Brother everywhere. So she’s either cynical or a lunatic. I guess 30 years of Republicans poisoning people’s minds about their government has paid off, convincing those on the extreme left to join them.
See my comment below. It is as if she is saying the guy is a plant by the government. That is some commitment to conspiracy theories.
That is exactly what she is saying. The government planted Snowden there so he could leak what they are doing so WE KNOW they are Big brother spying on us because if we know what they’r doing we will be so scared we will stop doing it. Doesn’t seem to have stopped her or her paranoid commenters from commenting though. I couldn’t believe anyone would advance this as a theory.
Yeah, I read the article yesterday and it seems like complete trip to Crazy Town.
It almost strikes me as Michele-Bachmann-worthy.
LOL!
Morning Chips and TOD. Love the President’s Weekly Address. What a wonderful role model we have as our CIC. We are truly blessed!
Is anyone else as confused as I am by this Naomi Wolfe story? It as if she is saying Snowden is a government plant. That the story was planted. And what’s up with all this police state narrative.
If I am reading it correctly, then she is saying that Greenwald and the Guardian were duped as was the whole MSM that indeed the guy is working for the government?
Anyone?
Exactly. We are living in a police state comparable to East Germany and the government planted Snowden so they could reveal their Big Brother activities so we would be even more scared and back off the anti-government facebook posts such as the one she just posted. Apparently the Stasi haven’t come for her yet. I also enjoyed the ‘brave Glenn Greenwald’ comments – blecch.
I also thought it was pretty disingenuous of her to say that he ran to Hong Kong which as strong ties to the UK. Well, historically, but they have even stronger ties to the Chinese now!
These people are just straight up NUTS.
Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference: Most Bizarre Statements
Speakers at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual “Road To Majority” conference Friday sought to spur social conservatives to get involved in upcoming elections – and made some bizarre comments in the process.
Here are some of the strangest:
“We gotta put some salsa sauce on the Republican party.” – Sam Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, calling for more Latino outreach by the Republican party. He also encouraged delegates to “just reach out and grab that brown hand.”
[snip]
“College campuses are indoctrination camps for the abortion industry.” – Kate Obenshein, vice president of Young America’s Foundation, in a panel on advancing the pro-life movement. She also called Planned Parenthood “barbarians.”
[snip]
“[Allen West] is a real American … We should really take something from his gene pool and put it everywhere across this great country.” – actor and conservative speaker John Ratzenberger, best known as “Cliff” from the TV show “Cheers,” introducing West to the convention crowd.
“We lost because Obama won crushing, lopsided majorities among Americans who are single, poor, irreligious … There are people who are all three.” – Michael Medved, conservative radio talk show host, on why Republicans lost the 2012 presidential election.
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/06/14/fridays-most-bizarre-statements-from-the-faith-and-freedom-coalitions-road-to-majority-conference
Please proceed, RWNJs!
So the definition of an Obama supporter is “lopsided, brown-handed, barbaric, single, poor, irreligious, in the wrong gene pool”?
Uh, okay.
#FORWARD #GOTV2014
Mornin’.
Excellent summary! Good morning to you, JO’B.
🙂
BTW, loved seeing this, first thing this morning: http://pastrystudio.blogspot.com
Super delicious. Can I mail some to you?!
Don’t toy with me, meta. Ha! Yes.You.Can.
Well I agree with this much of what they said; ““We lost because Obama won crushing, lopsided majorities among Americans”. And btw, it’s kind of cosy on this naughty mat 🙂
Yes, it is. Ha!
Didn’t realize you had a blog – I am now a follower.
I do not have a blog. ??
It said you have a blog! It was right up there next to your name in your reply! It LIed!! Who the heck am I following then? Glenn Greenwald, you’d better get right on this!
Did you mean http://pastrystudio.blogspot.com/ which I linked to, upthread? That’s meta’s delicious blog. (My motto is more: I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.)
No it’s called Pro President Obama Blog (propresobama.wordpress.com).
Oh, that’s CR’s Obama blog, which I spent a lot of time on before coming here! I still belong to it on WP …
Not Greenwald’s, luckily!
It’s weird that the notice just showed up today.
It is, although it may be in my profile. WordPress gets a little nutty at times!
But it reminded me to go to that blog and see what’s up with CR!
🙂
That would be my motto too. And now I’ll be sure to read meta’s blog because I would much rather read about (and eat) great food than try to produce it.
WOW!! We need to put these guys on the Road To Nowhere and have them get lost for a century or two.
So they are continuing their effort at rebranding.
For all you FBer’s 🙂 Smartypants now has a page!
https://www.facebook.com/SmartypantsBlog
Good Morning All!!!
Chips! You seen this?
And I sent you this via Twitter. Thought you might like these pics for your graphics library: http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/06/14/open-thread-1646/
Moooooooorning GB!!! Love, love, love those WH pics – and the Balloon Juice thingies are flippin’ hilarious!! Thank you snugglebug!
snugglebug? hmmm…okay – LOL!!!
Demonstrators in Hong Kong March for Snowden
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/demonstrators-in-hong-kong-march-for-snowden
Ps- two words: fuck them! They live in fucking Hong Kong where they can’t even take a dump without their government knowing and they have the ever loving nerve to march on the US Consulate in the name of freedom?! Bitches, worry about your own civil liberties, of which you have none, and stay the fuck away from America’s business. Idiots.
P.P.S. You nailed it, TYVM.
Mornin’, lisa!
Hiya JacqueO! How you doin’?! Crazy those kids in Hong Kong, huh? 🙄 People should learn to take care of the shit in their own backyards before they start in on other people.
Ha – Yes, it’s all crazy! 🙂
Enjoy your day, honey bunch!
Same to you, Jacque! 🙂
The rally was really small. Like 300 people and 1/3 were journalist.
Now, tell us how you reeeally feel, lisa.
Hiya, amk! You know how I do. 😉
Ps- I read about your daughter. It must be bittersweet: she’s old enough to go out into the world and make a meaningful impact, but at the same time, she still feels like your little baby that you want to cuddle and protect forever. The good thing, is that she’ll always be your girl no matter where she goes or what she does. Happy Pappy’s day!!
Ps- it’s early but,….. 🙂
Thanks lisa. Pappy ain’t happy. 🙂
Tell it like it tis lisa. And what do you want to bet these are paid demonstrators from the Government.
Okay?! I know that’s right.
If those demonstrators said the wrong word, make one wrong move, their government would arrest their sorry ass and they never would be heard from again.
It still smells mighty funny that Snowden ran to that country. He is a traitor, a paid spy for the Chinese.
One day they’re going to be running to that same spot for protection.
You are absolutely right, lisa and I think one of the reasons PBO has tried so many times and so hard to close Guantanamo is that how can we talk about fairness with that abomination open.
WE someday somehow will close Guantanamo and eliminate the injustice and pain happening there as well as deprive our enemies of a target.
So, GOP, what is your objection to closing G, really?
Happy Father’s Day weekend, to all of our TOD dads and grandddads and honorary dads – and to President Obama and Vice President Biden, of course!
Love,
Me
Gunmen have attacked a hospital in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, hours after an explosion on a bus killed at least 11 female university students.
Hours later, gunmen stormed part of the hospital where the wounded were being treated, leaving at least 10 dead.
A senior city official was killed in the exchange. Security forces are surrounding the building,
Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province, which has seen a surge in militant violence in recent months.
Some attacks are carried out by separatists and others by Islamists who oppose women’s education.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22920542
Jeez, what a basket-case for a country.
Out of control.
Time for:
Why? Because I have to take my computer in for repairs ….. but it’s locked to the desk.
And could I remember where I safely put the key?
No.
Until …… two minutes ago.
Whoooooooo hoooooooo!!!
Okay, carry on.
🙂
Sending positive thoughts your way today Chipsticks 🙂
Any more info on the Iranian election?
Officials at election headquarters said that of 32,189,621 votes so far counted, Mr Rouhani had secured 16,413,281 (50.98%). Mr Qalibaf had 5,073,652 (15.76%)
Saeed Jalili was third on 3,665,234 and Mohsen Rezai fourth on 3,593,507.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22916174
With another 8 million to go, it’s a done deal for the cleric.
I sent a email to the Today Show and the Washington Post about their comments about the cost of President Obama trip to Africa.
They always do this B.S. when it comes to this President and his family. I heard Laura Bush will be in Africa also, are we the taxpayers paying for her security? I really don’t know, are we, are we paying for G.W., Clinton,?
I do believe so, anniebella, former presidents and family are guaranteed full protection from SS for life. I’m sure someone really smart on TOD will confirm this for us. So, even more reason for the 1% to pay their fair share, eh? They sure get plenty of freebies, even the ones who were failures.
http://www.secretservice.gov/protection_works.shtml
The Secret Service is world-renowned for the physical protection it provides to the nation’s highest elected leaders and other government officials. To safeguard Secret Service protectees, the agency does not generally discuss the specific types and methods of its security operations.
The Secret Service is world-renowned for the physical protection it provides to the nation’s highest elected leaders and other government officials.
In general, permanent protectees, such as the president and first lady, have details of special agents permanently assigned to them. Temporary protectees, such as candidates and foreign dignitaries, are staffed with special agents on temporary assignment from Secret Service field offices. All current former presidents are entitled to lifetime Secret Service protection. However, as a result of legislation enacted in 1997, President George W. Bush will be the first president to have his protection limited to 10 years after he leaves office.
The protection of an individual is comprehensive and goes well beyond surrounding the individual with well-armed agents. As part of the Secret Service’s mission of preventing an incident before it occurs, the agency relies on meticulous advance work and threat assessments developed by its Intelligence Division to identify potential risks to protectees.
Advances in technology and the world’s reliance on interdependent network systems also have changed the Secret Service’s protective responsibilities. No longer can law enforcement rely solely on human resources and physical barriers in designing a security plan; agencies also must address the role and inherent vulnerabilities of critical infrastructures upon which security plans are built.
New post in a bit-ish
Hi Chips, left note in previous thread. http://www.backblaze.com/ is your friend. Hope all goes well!
Question of the day, to ponder:
I couldn’t find Carville on that line…I guess he was too old. The new 44 tweets were all from RWNJs……saying things I couldn’t even imagine! Hatred and bile spilled all over the place……including a Congressman from Oklahoma, who is certifiably nuts. (I know…he’s from my state)
Oh, noez. That tweet is addressed to #tcot, the official internet racist maroons. Never click that hashtag. Just use it for mocking them.
GM Chips, TOD……..Chips here is an itinerary(not time specific but events) for FLOTUS/Girls in Ireland & Germany http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2013/06/first-lady-and-daughters-to-do-their-own-events-in-ireland-germany-.html
Happy Saturday TOD.. thank you Chips for another lovely R & S- best of luck on your cpu issues.. I really hope it all works out. I’m off to watch my wee 5 year old granddaughter- “Princess” Rylie in a fashion show, a family friend is putting out a children’s clothing line and so rounded up all the kids to ‘show’ them off… but this is really for AMK: When my two eldest sons left home, it was so hard, I’d been a single parent all their lives and letting go wasn’t easy. But I did raise them to do just that- go out, be productive and happy citizens (and so did you) – thing to remember is that they ALWAYS come back and usually they bring these really cute and precious little people back with them called grandchildren. It is well worth the wait.
Grandchildren, Ah, god given weapons against our own. 🙂
Danke sheri.
Indeed ~ Happy sleep AMK
More on the RW BS of not doing their jobs http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/06/14/sensenbrenner-furious-that-he-wasnt-briefed-on-nsa-programs-skipped-the-briefings/
Breaking: Rouhani wins Iran presidential election.
Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced that Mr Rouhani had won 18,613,329 of the 36,704,156 votes cast. This represented 50.68% of the vote.
Mr Qalibaf won 6,077,292 votes to take second place.
Mr Najjar said that any presidential candidates unhappy with the results would have three days to lodge complaints to the Guardian Council.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22916174
Wow. Thanks. Now isn’t that something? The Clergy tried so hard to micromanage and yet the people made their own decision and went on and selected a “Moderate”
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/15/dad-in-chief/
CNN: Rusell Brand on the NSA?? WTF ?