****
“What’s the craic?!”
****
Later today – Irish time (five hours ahead of EST):
1:20: The President meets with Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of the G8 Summit
2:15: Meets with EU Leaders on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, G-8 Summit Site, Lough Erne, Northern Ireland
2:30: Delivers a statement to the media (9:30 EST – audio only at WHL)
4:20: Greeted by Prime Minister Cameron as a part of the official leader arrivals
4:45: Attends the first plenary session
6:30: Holds a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia
8:30: Attends a leaders-only working dinner
****
****
Belfast airport
****
The First Lady, Malia and Sasha:
Shortly after their arrival in Dublin from Belfast they will visit Trinity College at lunchtime where they will view the Book of Kells.
Later, the First Lady will meet the staff and families of the US Embassy in Dublin and:
5:0 Irish time (12:0 EST): The First Lady will join Irish youth for a special performance by the Riverdance company at the Gaiety Theatre. Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins, and Fionnuala Kenny, wife of the Taoiseach, will also attend. The First Lady scheduled to deliver brief remarks before the performance.
This will be shown live at RTE – hopefully it will be made available for international audiences
More details on the First Lady’s trip to Ireland in this post
****
Just met with @FLOTUS & Malia & Sasha
— Henry Healy (@henryhealy) June 17, 2013
****
Guests including Northern Ireland’s Chief Constable Matt Baggott (front left), Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan (third left front) and Dame Mary Peters (front right) join in a Mexican wave while they wait for the arrival of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast
****
Interview With Hannah Nelson Student Who Introduced Michelle Obama In Belfast:
****
****
I’ve just met up with @BarackObama at #G8UK – we’re on the way to visit a local school pic.twitter.com/BZsEzW4Cbp
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 17, 2013
****
@BarackObama and I sign the children of Enniskillen Primary School’s project on #G8UK pic.twitter.com/bviVWf9raY
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 17, 2013
****
926 gazillion thanks to our super early bird UT for this morning’s posts – megastar!!!
Lots more from Ireland through the day.
The Obama Diary 
Love that PBO in Ireland
GM, tod. Love when you’re covering the president overseas.
Top O’ the Mornin’ to all of my little CHIPadees.
😆 Mooooooorning Ladyhawke!!!!
You’re welcome Chiparoo. 😀
I loooove this picture. Looks like a painting.
I want some craic. NOW.
Are you not already having lots here? 😆
I want to have what Obama is having.
I’m tempted to start up The Amk Diary – there’d never be a dull moment 😆
Hrrrmph. That would be a start.
p.s. First Lady Michelle Obama’s coat is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
Front and back view.
I am so proud of our First Family, so proud.
Ooooooh, at 5:0 Irish time (12:0 EST), Irish channel RTE will have a special on Michelle’s visit to Dublin – this is the link:
http://www.rte.ie/live/
Some of the programs at that link aren’t available worldwide, but HOPEFULLY this one will be!
OK First Family…be sure to get plenty of rest!
5:0 Irish time (12:0 EST): The First Lady will join Irish youth for a special performance by the Riverdance company at the Gaiety Theatre. Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins, and Fionnuala Kenny, wife of the Taoiseach, will also attend. The First Lady scheduled to deliver brief remarks before the performance.
Henry!!!!! Excellent!
Cool; I was wondering if they would get to spend time with Cousin Henry. Thanks for the news.
That’s nice Cousin Henry met with FLOTUS, Malia and Sasha. I knew Cousin Henry would show up.
POTUS mention Cousin Henry in his speech
This would be so awesome if his presence means he is part of the plan to whisk them all to Moneygall for the girls’ first visit there. /crossing fingers…..and toes/
VC!!! Got your email, you’re a hoooooot – will use when the visit’s over, thank you!!!!!
Or save as a prequel to the next trip, or for a quieter period as a filler, when we are not all so excited about events ‘on the ground’. I can wait. 😉 Who knows, by then I might learn ::cough:: ::cough:: how to ‘techie’ it up! 😛
Nice Snapshots Of the First Family
Top of the Morning to You Chipsticks, TODers…Everyone!!!
Thanks for the coverage of our First Family in Ireland. As much as there are those who don’t want to believe it, President Obama is still held in high regard in the world. The international news coverage, videos, and pictures prove it.
Everyone have a wonderful day!
Won’t happen amk, because most of those redstaters are not guided by the color green, it’s the color black, that black man, his black family..
Love, love, love the photo of just the shoes.
Excellent.
Thanks so much Chips and UT for the outstanding coverage.
PBO and Michelle are teaching leaders all over the world how to value young people. I love how they insist upon engaging with the youth no matter where they go.
I think that POTUS and FLOTUS know that even though change is slowly taking place, sustained change will happen through our future leaders. Young people are not so tainted. They are still idealistic. They are forward thinking. They don’t harbor the prejudices and bigotry of many adults. Young people around the world hold this President and First Lady in high regard. Their engagement with these young people will leave a lasting impression on them…a positive impression. An impression that will inspire them to further the work for positive change as they take on roles as world leaders.
Pardon my Irish illiteracy but puzzled by a couple of things. If craic means “fun”, “What’s the craic?” would translate as “What’s the fun?” and that makes no sense to me. Where’s the fun would make sense but not What’s. And I also want to know why the wave there was described as a Mexican wave. Looked like a regular old wave to me. Can anyone help my a.m. density?
😆 Mooooorning Dotster!
‘What’s the craic’ kind of means ‘what’s up’, ‘any fun stuff happening?’, that kind of thing!
Lengthy info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craic
OK cool—-I learned something today, and it’s still early! I’m going to use that today—-can’t wait to see the reactions. 🙂
Now I’m nervous Dotster, if we don’t hear from you for a few days we’ll know you’ve been arrested 😕
BOOM! and YES!
North Korea wants to hold high-level talks with U.S.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/17/us-korea-north-idUSBRE95F00T20130617
Reality has a way of overcoming bluster.
Top of the morning to my fellow TOD’ers.Hello our magnificent Chipsy lovely post as usual.
9:30 AM EDT: President Obama Speaks to the Media
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live (audio only)
http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
THE COLLAPSE OF JOURNALISM AND PBO TALKS NSA WITH CHARLIE ROSE TONIGHT……
Busy day today…late night
by Smartypants
————————————–
I’m going to be busy with other things today so I don’t have time to write much. I’ll just say that it was interesting being on Twitter the last couple of days and watching the firestorm that erupted over a CNET article claiming that the NSA could listen to American’s telephone calls without a warrant. Like so much of what’s been written/talked about in the press on this story…turns out it was false. If you’re interested in the details, Bob Cesca (once again) has it all. As is my usual wont, I’m especially interested in the big picture conclusions – and I totally agree with Cesca.
.
.
Instead of focusing on how we can cut away any government abuses of power, the real story…has become the collapse of journalism.
——————————————
Read more here – http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/06/busy-day-todaylate-night.html
“Ahead of G8, A-list actors urge Obama to push for ‘world without nuclear weapons’”
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/damon-obama-nuclear-weapons-g8-summit-151729687.html
====
The are a number of issues to be addressed at the G8. In dealing with world leaders, I trust that President Obama will address those issues, always thinking of what is in the best interest of not just the U.S., but the world overall.
“F” Matt Damon.
Matt Damon can go to hell
I’m not saying I disagree with anything they are saying about nuclear weapons, but I didn’t care for how Damon turn on POTUS.
Unfortunately, sometimes the message can get lost because of the person(s) delivering the message.
Amazing how these tinsel town actors can lecture who owned the nuclear non-proliferation issue well before it was even a dot of fad with them. Where were these do-gooders when the neocons and darth vaders and dumbsfelds and dumbyas were running amok ? Getting their carrers off to a start. Fuck’em all.
Well there’s that START treaty and trying to keep nukes out of the bad guys’ hands and talking about it on a consistent basis since he took office.
Good morning, all.
I was there three years ago, wish I were again with the First Family! That would rock!!! And hey, I could show them where to go to listen to some awesome Irish music and dance tonight! Yes, I could.
YESSSSSSSSS!
Is this only on YouTube It better hit the regular air waves.
you guys absolutely rock 🙂
Ok. Where are we watching Pres. Obama’s statement to the media?
CBS have it listed UT, but nothing yet:
http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
Audio only at WHL:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
I”m checking out AJ:
http://www.aljazeera.com/watch_now/
😆 😆 Have to head back to work now, but Chips Chica, you are the BEST-EST!!!! Now I know where to pick up when I get home. Have a good afternoon everyone!
Ok. This website says the EU and U.S. Press it will cover the press statement and official arrival.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/g8-summit-live
Longer video of the First Family arriving in Belfast.
Thank yoooooooooooou UT, added it to the post
Tis so lovely to see them in rightful welcome and acknowledgement. The girls are amazing, POTUS and FLOTUS always touch my Heart. Morning y’all!
They’ll show it live and then put up a video?
That confused me! I’m not actually sure if they meant it would be available live internationally, or if only the video would be after?? Hopefully both.
Please remind us again when the time draws near.
GM TODville. Beautiful day in Chicago. Did a lot of gardening this weekend and used muscles I forgot I had. Waking up was not a problem this morning. Getting up, however, was a different stroy.
Lots of interesting things going on, although most of it will be drowned out by the pontificators droning on about all the non-stories, such as NSAA, etc.
PBO is on a very important trip to Europe. I expect lots of behind the doors talks, particularly with Russia, about Syria. Plus the election in Iran could have major positive consequences for the world if we chose to do something with it. I know the definition of moderate in Iran may be well different from what it is here, but everything I have heard about the new President is that he is willing to have substantive discussions about a lot of things.
And North Korea, after it got over its tantrum about firing missiles our way, is also showing signs of temperance.
It would be difficult to believe these events are occuring in a vacuum. I am positive that our efforts, as directed by PBO and put in place by SOS Kerry, are having an impact.
How much this will actually seep down to the public is anybody’s guess. My tweet about Cuba is, I think, a perfect illustration of what I am talking about. Both the right and segments of the left will find something to complain about in a pretty minor thing, although this is something that could go a long way to changing our relationships to that country, which could benefit both them and us.
Should be an exciting week.
We do indeed live in interesting times.
I’m sitting here channel surfing and every time I pass by Fox News they are STILL talking about one of the “scandals”. Every single time.
This is the kinda of factual reporting I would like to see as the norm. Not the opinionated pundtwitry bs.
Knoller doesn’t seem to get it.
I can’t get my avatar or blog atar to show yikes 😦
My question to snowden, what does it feel like to be a traitor?
I like that one.
Both lefties. I mean left handed not politically.
SCOTUS Blog is live now. Today is Monday and the Supreme Court is ready to hand down some decisions.
http://www.scotusblog.com
Sweet
I love Sasha response to the gift from Cousin Henry.
That was precious!
GM Chips, TOD……….wonderful R&S!
Moooooorning LP!!
Morning Chips!!!! Check your DM real quick if you have a minute….
Just replied LP, thanks a MILLION!
NP anytime….everything is fixed now!
Good morning Chips and all! Wonderful post! Hello to GB!
Has their been anything about this trip in the news?
My sense is, they have blacked it out, unless something embarrassing happens!
He’s getting over confident, Europe can defend itself.
yup, qadafisque bravado.
He’s threatening all of Europe now. He’s trying to be the idiot to start WW3
Now streaming: President Obama and other G8 leaders make statements to media
http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
Bc some are not safe!
We are so lucky to have this amazing and beautiful family representing us.
itgurl_29, Yes We Can, I mean Yes We Are.
Who’s fault is that? 😉
Scalia joined the majority. I am shocked.
Excellent. Did that racist punk arpaio and brewer did a head bang?
Good work, SCOTUS.
Wow! The SCOTUS is actually getting some things right!!
Just in:
Supreme Court struck down Arizona voter ID law!
The Youtube link is good for Pres. Obama, PM Cameron, and EU Leaders press statements.
The Beltway is totally ignoring him overseas.
Interesting. All morning long BBC has been decrying the low turnout on protestors.
They did something right today.
GIANT NEWS FROM SCOTUS!!
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/17/19003391-supreme-court-strikes-down-arizona-law-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-to-vote?lite
Congrats df. The typical goopers’ overreach has backfired on their racist lil’ asses spectacularly.
I’m thrilled about this ruling:) I hope that the GOP overreach crashed and burns ALL THE TIME. Happy day! Morning to you, amk…..and the rest of the TOD crew…
YEAH!!!!!! Somebody should put out a toon with President Obama shaking his finger to Brewer’s face!
LOL:) Don’t goad her…she’s crazy like a fox.
wtg DF – some positive news for your state
about time! There are plenty of people here that will see this as BAD news. So sad. I, for one, am happy!!
But..
Yeaaaah. With or without Congress PBO is going to get it done.
Lots of news today.
And then there’s THIS SCOTUS ruling…
Click to access 12-246_1p24.pdf
Yes. Except for 2006 the recent history is not a good one. For whatever reason the base doesn’t show up.
The bane of the left. They seldom value their votes. The wingnutz cherish them.
Great news postings today. Snowden is a raving narcissist – let’s ignore him completely. What he wants is attention my guess is that’s why the admin is ignoring him. It will unhinge him – GG too.
Where is hf? Haven’t seen her around past the few days.
CNN poll
Approval only 45
Disapproval 54
That’s because if all the horrible press.
This past month was ten Rev Wrights combined. It was bad, whether their is no there there or not, it has effected him.
😦
TNN is BS!!! And why are they all doing a daily poll…
CNN’s polls are as accurate as their reporting, which is horrid. How soon we forget pre-election and how Gallup and CNN said we were dead in the water. 🙄 —no thanks. CNN and all other pollsters can go sit on it.
Lol!
Well, there was precious little pushback from the administration on the NSA stuff. Our party does not circle the wagons and waffles, particularly on national security. There was pushback -from us and Twitter but think about the coverage on MSM?
I don’t want to hear the argument that the administration does not get covered. If the Dem’s had mounted some outrage it would have been ‘entertaining’ enough to suck some of the air out of the balloon of lies. There should have been some sharp, passionate responses. I’m still astounded that the Democratic party does not get it.
Well like today, no coverage of his trip, or positive news.
PBO is 47-45 with Gallup, which is about as high as he ever is with them!!
CNN Poll= B.S. All I have to say.
Well, with CNN, what goes Up, must Come down, eventually, after all their MOE ranges from +-3% to +-8%. They they had Eric Cantor to comment on the Polling numbers? Hmm? A truly fair and balanced CNN style.
I call BS. This poll is as fake as the 4 MSM-manufactured scandals – just another one of the MSM’s “tools” to *attempt* to diminish PBO’s popularity – another failed strategy.
Here’s an article about Miche and the girls at Trinity also includes brief video
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/michelle-receives-family-genealogy-at-trinity-29350685.html
Democrats taking swipes at each other?
Awesome!
Not!
Begich thinks he can buy some votes from the GOP in Alaska – he has not a hope – and he is losing democrats by his stupid. Only person he could beat in Alaska would be Palin & she doesn’t live there very often.
they are democrats, I’m not surprised. Democrats like to eat their own.
Yup.
We have to focus on 2014 , otherwise not one of his policies will pass.
Think about that!
😦
I am all in for politicians revealing exactly who they are however unpleasant! Voters need to know.
🙂
Work heaven = early lunch 8 minutes away from home = time to catch 30+ minutes of maybe ‘live’ Obama activities. Thanks Chips, Chipadees and all contributing village members. Life’s good! 😀 😀
Politicians in glass houses should not throw stones
——————————
First, if Cantor has any evidence that the administration has “abused its power,” he should certainly share it with the rest of us. Indeed, as best as I can tell, Cantor supports the NSA surveillance programs, which makes his on-air criticism rather odd.
Second, if “getting people back to work” is what “most Americans care about,” perhaps Cantor can explain why he and his caucus have passed zero jobs bills in three years, and will be spending this week working on an anti-abortion bill for no reason.
And third, Obama’s standing has apparently taken a hit, but he’s roughly five times more popular than the institution Cantor works for.
—————————————
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/17/19004503-politicians-in-glass-houses-should-not-throw-stones?lite
he’s roughly five times more popular than the institution Cantor works for.
’nuff said.
So now, Edward Snowden a non-elected person is Now the Sole decider of what The USA does? The gall of the man. Wh died and made him King?
The ego on this guy.
Great report on this :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22942345
President Obama’s arrival and his speech were greeted with wild applause and cheers. They laughed at his jokes and whooped at his local references, even when he got the pronunciation wrong.
Afterwards an excitable young man told me the experience was “better than being at a pop concert”.
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/17/ireland-an-image-or-two/
Stream of G8 leader arrivals has started
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/17/19003964-remember-who-passed-the-warn-act?lite
The right was pretty worked up over the weekend about something called “Wireless Emergency Alerts.” Far-right blogger Jim Hoft, for example, published this item, which in turn was promoted by Drudge, both on his site and his Twitter feed.
Just in case you want more Obama in your life…
AT&T is loading iPhones with emergency alerts from Barack Obama…
That you can’t switch off.
The unnecessary ellipses, by the way, were in the original.
The story, which has also drawn the attention of Alex Jones, among others, refers to this Engadget piece, which says AT&T “has begun rolling out Wireless Emergency Alerts updates for iPhone 4S and 5…. Once installed, AMBER and Emergency alerts are automatically sent to your phone unless you switch them off via Settings. However, should you be tired of Obama, just know that there’s no way to switch off Presidential alerts.”
Now, as you might have guessed, these “presidential alerts” are really just part of a national system to let the public know about natural disasters and related emergencies. It’s not like the administration will start texting you about immigration reform against your will.
And what kind of big-government socialists passed the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act? Funny story: it was approved in 2006 by a Republican House, Republican Senate, and Republican White House. As Steve M. concluded, “So, yeah, this is more Obama fascism that was actually a Bush-era idea.”
When you all get some time. Please read Jeremy Dunns (@jeremydunns) time line. He checked out Snowden Q&A today and has interesting comments.
GM TOD family. Chips, thanks so much for all of the great news of our First Family’s visit. This is always so refreshing to come here and see how our President is greeted with so much love and respect when he visits other countries. Very nice. Thank you, my dear Chips and all who contribute to our beautiful TOD family.
Time to get the meds and quiet time so that I can keep goodness of spirit going forth for our beautiful First Family. Blessing to all of my TOD family.
A warm and loving shout out to our beautiful Gobrooklyn. And may the loving healing spoken words go forth for all of my TOD family members who are dealing with circumstances that are close and personal. (((((( Lots of loving hugs to my TOD family.))))))HZ
See? Now he’s playing victim. Trying to take down all governments. What a narcissistic prick!
Hahaha he’s delusional. He watches too many CIA movies.
The way he is now playing .. I don’t think it would be the U.S. that would take him out. Nope. But I wouldn’t put it past the Brits. (and good tor them if they did, just saying.)
The comment section is a joke. 99% of the comments are “Snowden is a hero” and President Obama is denigrated and castigated. The RWNJs have joined forces with the Emoprogs to defame President Obama. If you post anything positive about President Obama or question the motives of Snowden, your comments stands about 1% chance of seeing the light of day. They remove the comments under the guise of not abiding by community standards. The Guardian has sunk lower than FOX on this one.