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A president is often referred to as the father of the country. He nurtures it, guides it in the right direction, lays down policies that will not only help the country in the interim, but also ten, twenty, thirty years down the line. When his term is done, (the formative years of a child’s life) the country has either regressed or grown in leaps and bounds. In that vein, let’s take a look at how far America has progressed under Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.
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Economy
Passed the Stimulus: The Bush-led Great Recession was costing the economy nearly 800,000 jobs per month by the time President Obama took office. Signed $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 to spur economic growth amid greatest recession since the Great Depression. Weeks after stimulus went into effect, unemployment claims began to subside. Twelve months later, the private sector began producing more jobs than it was losing. The economy has now created over 6 million jobs.
He oversaw the completion of the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan and also leaned on the banks and others, and recovered virtually all of the bail-out money.
Oversaw the creation of more jobs in 2010 alone than Bush did in eight years.
Signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010) to re-regulate the financial sector after its practices caused the Great Recession. The new law tightens capital requirements on large banks and other financial institutions, requires derivatives to be sold on clearinghouses and exchanges, mandates that large banks provide “living wills” to avoid chaotic bankruptcies, limits their ability to trade with customers’ money for their own profit, and creates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (now headed by Richard Cordray) to crack down on abusive lending products and companies.
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan.
Along with Democrats, and almost no Republicans, implemented an auto industry rescue plan that immediately saved as many as 1 million jobs. This resulted in GM returning to its place as the top car company in the world.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which was designed to to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices.
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery.
Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses.
Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost.
Women
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers; giving women who are paid less than men for the same work the right to sue their employers after they find out about the discrimination, even if that discrimination happened years ago. (The first bill he signed into law)
Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act.
Appointed more women to federal judgeships than any other president in American history.
Nominated Avril Haines to be first female Deputy CIA Director.
Wrote and signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies evaluate the effect of their policies and programs on women and families.
Signed the Tribal Law and Order Act, a law that gives tribal authorities greater authority to prosecute and punish criminals who assault Native American women on Native American land.
Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history.
Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president.
Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule.
Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls.
Appointed the first female Director of the Secret Service.
Healthcare
Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis.
After five presidents over a century failed to create universal health insurance, signed the Affordable Care Act (2010). It will cover 32 million uninsured Americans beginning in 2014 and mandates a suite of experimental measures to cut health care cost growth, the number one cause of America’s long-term fiscal problems.
Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco. As a result, the FDA has Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette Ingredients and banned sale of cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.”
Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million.
Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price.
Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small business to provide health insurance to their employees, and 29 million people will receive tax breaks to help them afford health insurance.
Increased funding for community-based prevention programs.
Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs.
In 2009, eliminated the Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, which shows promise in treating spinal injuries, among many other areas.
Military
Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers.
Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans’ services.
Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date.
Along with Congressional Democrats, ushered through largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, with money to go to improved medical facilities, and to assist states in acquiring or constructing state nursing homes and extended care facilities.
Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals.
Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty will be able to avoid state taxes in their temporary residence.
Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0
Education
Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process.
Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate.
Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them.
In coordination with Michelle Obama, signed Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 mandating $4.5 billion spending boost and higher nutritional and health standards for school lunches. New rules based on the law, double the amount of fruits and vegetables and require only whole grains in food served to students.
Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start.
Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low income students to go to college.
Along with Democratic Congress, passed and signed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds.
In effort to fight predatory practices of some for-profit colleges, Department of Education issued “gainful employment” regulations in 2011 cutting off commercially focused schools from federal student aid funding if more than 35 percent of former students aren’t paying off their loans and/or if the average former student spends more than 12 percent of his or her total earnings servicing student loans.
Foreign Policy/Foreign Relations
Ended the Iraq War.
Returned our focus to Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing our troops from the country.
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office.
Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues.
Closed a number of secret detention facilities.
Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them.
Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia.
Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed.
On his second day in office, he signed a detailed Executive Order that banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies, and put the United States in compliance with the Geneva Convention.
In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them.
Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will lst until at least 2021.
In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneouly engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior.
Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden.
Environment
New EPA restrictions on mercury and toxic pollution, issued in December 2011, likely to lead to the closing of between sixty-eight and 231 of the nation’s oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants. Estimated health benefits: $59 billion to $140 billion. Will also significantly reduce carbon emissions and, with other regulations, comprises what’s been called Obama’s “stealth climate policy.”
Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards that exceeded federal standards.
Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in a decade.
Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers.
Bypassed Republican opposition in Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions.
Oversaw doubling federal spending on clean energy research.
Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide.
Got BP to cough up $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up. (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill.)
Minorities
Nominated and appointed more minorities to the federal bench and in his administration.
Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs.
Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past.
Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during budget negotiations.
Took steps to improve minority access to capital.
Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act.
Creation of the White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities —a new federal-local pilot that removes federal agency silos and allows federal government officials to work side-by-side with local leaders to create jobs, improve the business climate, and address local and regional challenges.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $3.6 million in Choice Neighborhood grants to 13 communities across the country, which provides local leaders with flexible funds to transform high-poverty neighborhoods with distressed public housing into sustainable communities with mixed-income housing, safe streets, and economic opportunity.
“Federal Rental Alignment: Administrative Proposals” which lays out a broad vision for improving the delivery and operation of affordable housing across the country. The initiatives in this report – many of which are already being implemented – will streamline federal housing requirements to support more efficient delivery of affordable housing.
Middle-Class and Working Families
Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , cut taxes for 95% of America’s working families.
Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years.
Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor.
LGBT
Along with Congressional Democrats, advocated for and signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Pushed through, signed and demanded the Pentagon enact a repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that forced soldiers to lie in order to be eligible to fight for their country, and put our troops at risk by disqualifying many qualified soldiers from helping.
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History.
Appointed more openly gay officials than any president in history.
There are now 7 times as many openly gay federal judges as when Pres. Obama took office.
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing.
Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples.
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That was just a small fraction of the policies and laws Pres. Obama has enacted. You can read more about Pres. Obama’s accomplishments here here here here here and here.
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A father is one who cares for you, is always there for you, supports and encourages all your endeavors, celebrates your accomplishments and wipes away the tears from your failures, sets the foundation that will help you lead a better life, sacrifices for you, grits his teeth while he is being insulted just so that you can achieve your dreams. A father is one who may or may not have given birth to you but has such a strong impact on your life that five, ten, fifteen, twenty years from now your life will continue to be enriched just because of his presence and guidance. To all the fathers, beginning with Pres. Obama to the men of The Obama Diary, thank you for all that you do. Have a Happy Father’s Day! 😀
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Hi!
HI to you!!
Hiya df! 🙂
Dudette!!! Happy Sunday!! Congrats on 1st! 🙂
Thanks Africa! Happy Same To Ya! 🙂
Congrats Dudette! Good Morning TODers.
awesome!!
DF 🙂 🙂
Morning, africa!! 🙂
Happy Father’s Day all TOD dads.
Happy Fathers Day all fathers and fathers to be! Just got home from work, 29 hrs without sleep…eating cheesy puffs and going to bed..Have a wonderful day President Obama!!!! Night all!
Cheesy Puffs = Sweet Dreams! 😉
UT, freak-in awesome! PBO handling the weight of the world on his erect shoulders, while being a Dad-in-Chief every day to his daughters. Wow, this is an amazing man, an amazing man and we are so blessed!
oops posted in the wrong spot. Good night Layla
Thanks!
What a completely wonderful R&S for Fathers Day, thank you UT, just brilliant!!
It’s a labor of love Chiparoo. Thanks for the kind words. 😀
It’s a gem UT, an absolute gem – thank you again.
Awesome R&S UT, you are simply amazing and wonderful, incredibly gifted, intelligent and talented. I can’t wait to read about your accomplishments when you graduate from college. I hope Chips will keep on going in some way after our fantastic president moves on, as I feel like we are a family now. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Thank you so much Betsy! 😀
Truly outstanding! If there was a TOD Hall of Fame, this one should be in it with flashing lights and trumpets blaring! Thank you UT!
You know Dudette, when I read the post it reminded me of my intention – oh, two-ish years ago – to create a section for our fave posts. This will be top of the list when I (eventually) get around to it!
Some day! 🙂
Ditto, dudette.
Hahaha…thanks Dudette!
{{{{UT}}}} You ROCK!!
LH blows kiss to UT for this spectacular Rise and Shine. Thank you dear, you are a gem.
Awww….thank you so much for the kind words. 😀
Happy Day to all y’all TODaddies, and to all the good daddies everywhere… Mine was one of the finest, of that I am certain. I wish I could show you a picture of him today….
A big giant picture of a heart with a bow on it sounds like that would represent him very nicely Pamela!
He gave us you… so that’s how I’ll think of him.
Aww, Dudette, I wasn’t crying before, but I AM now! Thank you dear, my Dad and I were very close.. I happen to believe the love keeps flowing even if one of the people have gone over to the Other Side.. It feels true to me. {{{{Dudette}}}}
Happy Father’s Day to the First Father. He is an amazing person, presidentg, husband, and father!
Excellent reminder what this man has done for americans and rest of the world. May the list grow for Father’s Day, 2014.
THIS to infinity!!
Thanks – this is impressive (and I am just commenting on the write-up).
I see I didn’t follow you yet – Nerdy Wonka 🙂
Fixed.
UT, you have truly outdone yourself with this summary of PBO’s accomplishments. It’s stunning when listed this way. Thank you for this invaluable source of information. To all fathers and grandfathers, Happy Father’s Day. Fathers have a profound impact on the lives of their children. Our president grew strong despite his father’s absence, but that absence influenced his life. My own father died when I was five years old and I have mourned his passing my whole life. You do everything in your power to fill in the hole in your heart left by a Dad that died or went away, but it never quite mends. Have a great day all.
Thanks Jackie and thank you for sharing memories of your father.
What a beautiful gift this is. Tribute to a man that fights to do right by all Americans…with fairness, freedom and justice. I am in awe, everyday…and grateful, everyday…to have this man sitting in the big chair. Excellent, excellent post.
An indulgent repeat from the previous thread — it goes with theme though! 🙂
Thrilled you brought it over Dudette, as I said in last thread it’s a joy – what a lovely, happy family scene, starring our Dudette!
Thanks! When we were this young (I was 4), Dad was away doing soldier stuff a LOT. So when he got a duty assignment like this one in Okinawa and the family could come with him, family outings were always very special. 🙂
Eeegads, I’m old! 😀
Lovely! Just called my father in Canada to wish him Happy Father’s Day.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who read TOD!
Dudette, I’m sure that picture holds memories of good times with your father and the rest of your family.
I had an Uncle who was stationed in Okinawa during the late mid to late 60’s. He indulged his young niece and became a pen pal of sorts for me. It was always a thrill for me to get one of those special envelopes in the mail that indicated that I was getting a letter from overseas.
Good Sunday Morning Chipsticks, TODers…Everyone!!!
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, father figures, and anyone who is looked to for fatherly guidance.
Those fathers who are doing right by their families are often taken for granted. But when we reflect, we are able to appreciate the presence of these wonderful men and the impact they have (or have had) on our lives. Fathers make a difference.
UT, today’s Rise and Shine is a celebration of fathers as it reflects on the accomplishments of the “Father-in-Chief”. Thank you for the reminders of the positive impact he has had on our lives and how he is making a difference.
I also enjoy seeing the pictures of our President doing what he considers the best job he’s ever had.
Morning all. Happy Father’s Day to everyone -fathers and children all.
Great post UT.
I didn’t see this but thought I would mention that PBO appointed first female head of the Secret Service so UT could add to the list.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2013/06/new-report-shows-how-immigration-reform-impacts-social-security-.html
Well…yet ANOTHER RW talking point would bite the dust!
All their talking points are pulled from thin air. Amazing that often some on left just pick up and run with some of their bunk.
All their talking points are from things they WISH were true.
Happy Father’s Day to all Dads at TOD……. 😉
To all Dads everywhere, both those who very much still with Us and to those, like My dad, who are unfortunately no longer with Us.
Thanks for the R & S, UT.
Now I go back to catch up 🙂
Well, reminded by this post, UT, I see that President Obama can now officially be called “Father of Our Country”! Love it. Thanks for all the thought and detail you put into this great Father’s Day thread.
Happy Father’s Day, all!
Anyone know if there were democrats who cast votes with GOP?
Africa that was the case when President Obama originally wanted to close Gitmo, Senator Bernie Sanders and a couple of the other so called darlings of the left voted to keep Gitmo open.
I sent a email to Senator B. Sanders about this very thing, KSK (africa). He is one of the ones who will show up on tv running his darn mouth blaming the President. I asked him why didn’t I see him on tv attacking the Republicans for blocking the President from closing Gitmo.
Coolest thing!! Good for him! http://articles.philly.com/2013-06-15/news/39994559_1_app-college-scholarships-christopher-gray
College scholarships: He’s got an app for that
Christopher Gray couldn’t even afford college application fees, let alone tuition. His single mother was out of work, and there were two siblings to think about, then ages 2 and 3.
But with a passion for entrepreneurship, the Birmingham, Ala., student dreamed of attending a college in the Northeast so he could be close to New York City and other major business centers.
“So the onus was really on me. I had to deal with it myself,” recalled Gray, now 21 and a rising junior at Drexel University.
For three months, he holed up in the local library – he didn’t have a computer at home – and searched out and applied for more than 70 college scholarships. Gray, an A-B student in high school who had served in leadership roles and started his own nonprofit company, had astounding success.
He received 34 scholarships worth $1.3 million – enough to get his bachelor’s, his master’s, and his doctorate, plus cover his living expenses with some left over to invest.
Now, Gray – since dubbed “the Million Dollar Scholar” – has found a way to help other teens find scholarship money. He and two associates have developed a mobile app called Scholly – shorthand for “scholarships” – for both the iPhone and Android.
h/t Political Carnival
Excellent read, df.
Lovely story. So inspirational.
Dudette, thanks. This is one of my favorite duets…so heartfelt.
Thanks Dudette. When I first saw this it brought tears to my eyes.
Good morning my fellow TOD’ers have a great dday
Wow UT! Just wow!
In honor of the old WWII guys, who were our dads or granddads:
Happy Father’s Day everyone! The crumb snatchers aren’t up yet. My wife is still asleep too. It’s just me and the fur butts at the moment. Soon everyone will be up. I am thinking a little altitude and fresh air would be nice. I am sure that the Apache Trail is gonna be crowded. Maybe we’ll visit the Verde Valley instead. There’s a Dairy Queen up there.
Ice cream!! 🙂
We all scream for all ICE CREAM! 🙂
Dood !!! Don’t give the game away.
Quite an impressive list of accomplishments by PBO, by anyone’s standards.
I have to salute my dad today, who could be a finalist in the Best Dads of All Time contest, imho. He was a gem, had such a joie de vivre, made every day fun for my sister and I growing up, every day had at least a bit of an adventure, lots of laughter. We felt so loved and felt his pride in every accomplishment. And we returned the love, never straying far from his expectations, never wanting to disappoint him in any way. Not a day goes by when some family member doesn’t remind of a humorous memory or a “kennyism”, one of his sayings, which live on and we all have adapted into daily conversations. Like—-he was so generous and friendly—–he and my mom would have people visiting them in Florida and we would ask, “Who are these people?” and it often turned out it was someone who was at the next table at a restaurant when they were on a trip and he would introduce himself, enjoyed their conversation and would invite them to come visit and stay a few days—-and would go all out in making sure they had a good time. A unique and beautiful soul who loved people and was successful in the big and the little and in the most important job of all—-as a dad. I was so fortunate.
That’s the kind of little bit of prose that makes everybody happy to hear! So happy for you, dotster!
Wonderful story :). Thanks for sharing.
So weet! Thank you for that dotster!
SWEET! 😀
Beautiful, dotster. That is a wonderful story.
UT…you have out-done yourself this time. This is for the archives! Brilliantly done!!.
Happy Fathers day to all the men fulfilling that role everywhere.
Dudette sis…I am simply amazed by the vastness of your music playlist….keep on keeping onnnnnnnn…..smilin
Aw, thanks pf! 🙂
Why “Spelling” shouldn’t be a dying art form, eh?
My Dad would appreciate that one immensely! 😀
Shall we say lots of Dads would? Ha!
Truth! 🙂
Perfect!!!
Hi everyone! It’s Sunday. It has been raining all morning, and no packing has as yet been done in this household for the trip to Ireland!
“Happy Father’s & (Great)Grandfather’s Day” to all in TOD village to whom it applies!
Oh, and “Happy Prospective-Father’s Day” too! 😀
I love Michael Beschloss’ historical tweets!
Wow, it’s amazing how much he looks like Daniel Day Lewis! 😎
Who knew? 🙂
so do I…
Of course, nut n yahoo is the first one to fire the first volley against the new Iran prez. The usual neocons will start bleating now.
Crass, classless morons.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22927408
Way to go, Bibi, reach out with a fist like you usually do! Not even a day’s welcome grace! I really do not like/trust Netanyahu as he repeatedly shows that he is indeed ‘classless’ as you suggest.
Now wait until – after a few days of thinking – President Obama will react to this stunning reversal of odds in (and about) Iran. I still clearly remember (as you probably all do) the elections of 2009.
Once these neocons start lusting after war, there’s no turning them back. I wonder how many defense contracts Netanyahu has his hands into – money is always at the root of this kind of evil. How do they expect things to change when they keep playing by the old rule book, and ascribing their preconceptions to all scenarios? They hope for the worst.
Happy Father’s Day to all TOD fathers and nurturers. You are all awesome!!! So swig a golden frothy beer on my account today. Cheers!!!!
Happy Father’s Day to all our TOD Dads & papas.. and to all the moms who’ve filled the father role ~ everybody have an awesome day 🙂
Wow.. and Well done UT- outstanding R & S- perfect for this day, thank you.
Anyone see this covered ad-nauseam? Hmmmm.
🙂
this is a wonderful post…thanks for the all the info.
Happy Father’s Day to President Obama, all good fathers and my Heavenly Father.
Beautiful!
Happy Father’s to all those wonderful men who have a enriched lives of so many!
Turns out you’re never too old to forget your grandfather! Mine taught me what simple, plain, old-fashioned love looked like!
I remember, I remember.
Lovely! I miss my granddaddy everyday!
Likewise! Coal miner’s granddaughter here … he suffered physically a great deal from working in the mines, but my mother said when I was in kindergarten, he’d come to my school performances, and would jump out of his seat when he saw me and holler, “Jackie! Jackie!” Ha ha ha. (I had him in my pocket.)
Turns out the whole world was a stage, and they sure gave us the love and confidence we needed to go out and conquer our little piece of it, didn’t they!
Sounds like a wonderful man, JOB. You were very fortunate.
Aww, thanks, Jackie. He was!
Happy Fathers Day
We are off to San Francisco to watch the Star Trek movie and eat at a vegetarian restaurant – Source. Many thanks to my hubbie who loads tables chairs and signs into my car for OFA events, listens to me rant about the Repubs, and is slowly but surely becoming a “rabel rouser” like me.
Sounds like a wonderful day! Hugs to you both!
Happy Father’s Day to all the Daddy’s out there
Happy Father’s Day all you TOD dads! May you be pampered and allowed to relax in your favorite easy chair as much as you want. This is the most excellent post of all time, UT. What our President has done for this country is truly amazing.
Incredible Rise and Shine, UT.
Great summary of many of the awesome things that our national father-figure has done for the family (US) and extended family (inter-national) that he loves and serves with such devotion and thoughtfulness.
It is also beautiful to have the pics of PBO and his girls interspersed throughout.
Happy Father’s day to everyone who fills this role in the truest sense.
Last one from me for a bit. I’m off to go hug on my Pa for a while!
Happy Father’s Day Everybody!
Good morning y’all.
Excellent Choices Yardarm!
Happy Father’s Day to all of our TOD Fathers, Mentors and Role Models.
I wish you all a wonderful day!!
Thank you.
AWesomeeeeeee …rise and shine….UT
when you list the accomplishments of this President…as you have done here…it is simply overwhelming…simply overwhelming….
From CBS Sunday morning….Funny:)
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57589476/jim-gaffigan-standing-up-to-fatherhood/
Chris Hayes’ hero gets a smack across the face.
Spectacular R&S, UT. An outstanding tribute to our President. Thank you & I hope folk at the WH read it and share it with him.
#FORWARD
Forgot one! 🙂
I’ll keep THIS Bob Schieffer! Maybe he’s finally connecting the dots
Hope for relations between Iran and U.S., particularly for the young people.
Utal, thank you for this detailed look at how much ‘Father -in-Chief”, President B. Obama has done to nurture the U.S.and for your summary on what a real father is! A masterpiece!
Bye- senator Menendez sounded like McCain on CNN!
Meh!
Listen to Candy Crowley asking Menendez questions about Syria? Exactly the same answers John McCain says, with one exception he says- that it’s within our national security interests.
This time I listened to the interview, I didn’t jump the gun! So to speak!
🙂
I see FLOTUS Father day tweet to POTUS. Nice.
Really great piece+comments.
http://theweek.com/article/index/245694/minimize-this Someone smarter than I needs to read this…Mark Ambinder piece
Plot thickens yet again. http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE95F09120130616?irpc=932
Swiss president would back criminal probe against NSA leaker
Chat away!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/16/chat-away-176/
Still in honor of Father’s Day.
“I see your racism and raise you an awesome video. Or, at least, the producer of this video, Kenji America (YouTube), does. With the explosive reaction to Cheerios’ biracial ad demonstrating the truth behind America’s theoretical post-racial era (and the fact that we haven’t entered one), it’s nice to see a wonderful response like this.
Here’s a quick lesson in what kinds of parents can raise a child with no adverse effects:
Biracial couples.
Same-sex couples.
Single parent.
Same race couples.
Heterosexual couples”
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/16/awesome-cheerios-ad-parody-video/#ixzz2WOoXBH2l
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers out there. Hope you all have a great day! 🙂
I forgot to thank you, UT for the great Rise & Shine thread and great recap of President Obama’s accomplishments.
UT, wow, thanks for this thread. All newspapers should print this on the front page for all to read. It is incredible that President Obama has accomplished so much in the face of so much opposition. Chuckled at the “grits his teeth” in comments about fathers, can see mine doing it, not so much in the face of insults but as he watched me make mistakes, let me learn the lessons of life and was there the whole time to pick me up and go forward.
A beautiful and blessed Father’s Day to all of the TOD fathers and grandfathers. A beautiful and grateful thanks to Almighty for our President as one of the greatest Fathers two beautiful daughters could have in their lives. To our beautiful First Lady who have all of the beautiful moments of seeing first-hand our CIC, Comforter-In Chief; and Father-In-Chief. Always enjoy all that he is, FLOTUS.
UT, thanks again for your beautiful work for all of us to enjoy. I am sure Chips appreciates you as much as we all do. (((((Thank you)))))
Dudette(((( Thank you for some very uplifting music all of the time)))) My, “Musician-In-Chief.”
To all of the beautiful TOD family members, please enjoy your memories of your fathers, grandfathers, and mentors who have graced your life.
To all of the future fathers, be as loving, kind, gentle, great and strong providers for your future children, and always look to Almighty to guide you, and provide you with wisdom in your fathering.
Be joyful, thoughtful, and put beautiful seeds of goodness into your spaces today, TOD Family.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Lots of hugs to my Chips, Always))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))HZ