G8 and EU leaders line up for a photograph at Lough Erne. Left to right are European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, Japan’s prime minister Shinzo Abe, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, British prime minister David Cameron, US president Barack Obama, France’s president Francois Hollande, Canada’s prime minister Stephen Harper, Italy’s prime minister Enrico Letta and European Council president Herman Van Rompuy
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G8 Live Stream
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Today:
After the conclusion of the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, the Obamas leave for Germany at 5:30 Irish time (12:30 EST)
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The headline in The Sun – of course!
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…. with PM Cameron and Taoiseach Kenny – @PeteSouza
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…. with President Putin and PM Cameron
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…. with PM David Cameron and President Francois Hollande
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… with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
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Irish Times: US first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters had a private guided tour of the Wicklow Mountains National Park as their whistlestop tour of Ireland draws to a close.
The sun beamed down on the hills above the twin lakes at Glendalough as Ms Obama and Malia and Sasha walked through the famous monastic site. The girls were given a lesson on the ancient ruins by local tour guide George McClafferty. The valley, in the heart of the Wicklow mountains, offers some of the most popular rural landscapes in Ireland and is a well-worn tourist path for visitors to the east coast.
The president’s youngest daughter, 12-year-old Sasha, batted swarming midges away from her face as the trio learned about the legendary Deer Stone …. Sasha was given the honour of closing the door to the ruins of St Kevin’s Church, which dates back 1500 years. The teenager was handed a key and she locked the door, before turning to her older sister and giving her a high five.
Meanwhile, the usually-quiet village of Dalkey has seen an influx of visitors this morning following reports that Ms Obama and her daughters will have lunch in Finnegans’ pub with Bono.
More here
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George McClafferty, manager at Glendalough: “I just melted….”:
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Bono and his wife Ali Hewson arrive at Finnegan’s pub in Dalkey this afternoon for lunch with Michelle Obama and her daughters Malia and Sasha. ‘I thought this was supposed to be a secret,’ Bono said to the crowd.
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….. with (left to right) Moya Dohery of Riverdance, the Taoiseach’s wife Fionnuala Kenny and Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins at a special Riverdance performance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin
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See all posts from the Ireland visit here
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Mooooooooorning everyone, just a few photos and videos to start your day, will try to catch up later with all the newsie stuff and more from Ireland and Germany.
The Obama Diary 
YO!
Congrats on First gobrooklyn! Hope you are feeling much better.
Hi Proudmember;
Woke up in a good mood but that’s normal for me. I’m not in any physical pain but as I wrote on twitter, I’m feeling pretty lazy.
#1 YAHOO!
Morning Everyone. I demand that you have a good day today. Make it happen! 😉
Congrats GB, and glad to read that your day has begun well and pain-free! 🙂
Thanks hopefruit!
GM Chips. You never disappoint. Great Rise and Shine.
Mooooooooorning GB, moooooorning everyone!! How are you doing today GB?
ZZZZzzzzz….that’s all I want to do right now. 🙂
Good morning GB. Congrats on 1rst! Lazy mornings are good..I love them! Have an extra special grrreat day! Bless you.
Thanks Layla!
Good Morning GoBrooklyn! Congrats on First!
Hope everything is going okay and your recovery is still on track and you are continuing to progress.
Stay positive!
It is swbluega. Thanks!
Yay for gobrooklyn, #1!
our President is looking GOOD!
Putin, is such a sour pus. He looks out of place. He looks sneaky. 🙂
Oops, did not mean to insert comma after Putin. 🙂
Cos, I think he looks mostly uncomfortable because he just can’t ‘dictate’ what goes on in the room or in the whole meeting. He is ‘one of several’ not the big cheese. People in the room just seem to cede the ‘leader’ role to PBO, partly because of his status and mostly because of his personality, brilliance and charisma. Given the fact that Putin is a natural bully and egotist, he is probably raging inside.
To me he looks beaten!
Good Irish morning all!
They want her to stir up the angry tea party vote with her vitriol, amk. We’re getting closer to 2014 and the hatred must be stoked to gin up turnout.
Great coverage as usual but always appreciated Chips!
maidin mhaith folks.
I need some craic.
😆 Amk!!!! From hereforth you shall be known as Am O’K
Heh, no need for any name-calling.
There you are Ms Chips Chica! I’ve risen for so long my shine has been tarnished. TY for the info shared here, Chica; I couldn’t seem to turn up anything on my own this morning.
PBO looks cute as hell. Good morning everyone.
Ha! Well said, CK, and good mornin’.
Good Tuesday Morning Chipsticks, TODers…Everyone
The pictures of the Obamas in Ireland are wonderful! Thank you again Chipsticks for the overtime you and the other blog tyrants are putting in to keep us apprised of what is happening here and overseas! TOD reporting is so much more reliable than the biased reporting of the MSM.
Everyone have a fantastic day.
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congrats Gobrooklyn on #1! 🙂 🙂 Fantastic coverage of our President’s & First Family’s G8/Ireland visit – Thanks, Chips, UT, and everyone who has contributed in one way or another! You put the feckless media to shame.
Good Morning, Everyone:)
great coverage Chips 🙂
Breaking
A former Hollywood stunt double has sued News Corp, accusing the company of hacking into her phone.
The suit, the first such claim from the US, was filed by Eunice Huthart, a former double for Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, the BBC has learnt.
In the suit, the Liverpool resident alleges messages from family, friends and Ms Jolie were intercepted and in some cases deleted.
News Corp did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a civil complaint filed on 13 June, Ms Huthart seeks damages for violations of federal and California laws and “intrusion into private affairs”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22954505
Hey pox news and rupie – Karma time.
Boom! Hope this is just the beginning here!
Thus a stunt double proves to the world that the real danger to privacy is NewsCorps, not NSA. Ms. Huthart should get a special award.
I truly hope the jury soaks newscorpse for what it’s worth.
Love this fella!
This is so sweet! I love it. Is RTE going to re-air it do you think, Chips?
Video of the rest of this clip also vid of Miche going for lunch with Bono.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0618/457199-michelle-obama/
oh me too Chips, what a doll he is!
Awwww…..
Did the girls go to Moneygall?
Don’t think so, I thought I heard they were with Michelle for lunch in Dublin – and then they return to Belfast. Could be entiiiiiiiirely wrong, of course!
Bummer.
I’d guess that’s why the Moneygall kids were brought to Dublin for the Riverdance show yesterday and to meet Malia and Sasha, because they couldn’t make it there?
Putin’s always a step behind everyone else isn’t he. Checking the picture…..
That is where he belongs as he is behind everyone, has never progressed as a person or leader(I am using this term loosely)
Even the way that they wave tells you something about the three men. PBO’s hand is outstretched and animated because he is really waving to people and acknowledging them; Cameron’s is tentative, in the manner of someone who does not do this often, but is making and effort, while Putin simply has his hand up with no attempt to wave. It is clear that he is doing this only because it is expected, however the position of his hand is in a stop signal; this tells us all we need to know about him.
Should be “an effort.”
GM 😉 KGB guy, always, Putin shall be……lurking, snooping, spying and monitoring from all angles are more of his Forte………and Putin still looks like it with his demeanor and his eyes give him away.
The lower house of Switzerland’s parliament has rejected a bill that would allow Swiss banks to pass client information to the US tax authorities.
The bill is the result of pressure from the US following revelations that Swiss banks had helped American account holders to evade taxes.
The US had demanded action by 1 July, but the Swiss parliament summer session ends this week.
The bill will now go back to the Swiss Senate.
The lower house decided by 126 votes to 67 not to discuss the bill. A second rejection by the lower house would effectively kill the draft law
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A long tradition of banking secrecy is becoming a political crisis for Switzerland, adds our correspondent. Switzerland has also come under pressure from the EU over the issue.
In January Switzerland’s oldest private bank, Wegelin, closed after being indicted and fined $58m by the US authorities after admitting in court to helping American customers to hide more than $1.2bn from the Internal Revenue Service.
In 2009, Swiss bank UBS paid $780 million and handed over details of more than 4,000 accounts in order to avoid indictment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22954374
Time for some stick now.
The stories told about the feelings of excitement and awe, nervousness and anticipation are touching. Listening to George McClafferty talk about how Mrs. Obama put him at ease moving.
I love that the Obamas do not put forth an air of superiority. They are down to earth and approachable (as much as the SS allows 🙂 ) They want others to feel comfortable around them. [Still trying to figure out that aloof label. 😉 ]
Correction: …how Mrs. Obama put him at ease IS moving.
Can you imagine anyone saying that about Ann Romney, the kind words George McClafferty said about our wonderful First Lady Obama.
I can’t imagine it because I think Ann Romney would want people to be in awe of her. But thankfully, that’s a nightmarish thought I don’t have to worry about because Barack Obama is President and Michelle Obama is First Lady!!!! 😀
swbluega, 🙂
Ann would be having luncheon with the rich folks – that is what she does – she would not be out and about with the common folk.
Leaders at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland are said to be close to signing a joint statement on Syria, despite their differences.
Russia and the US are backing opposite sides in the conflict, but officials say the statement could soon be agreed.
This could include the proposed peace conference in Geneva, and more access for deliveries of humanitarian aid.
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In a separate interview with US broadcaster PBS, Mr Obama emphasised that “we’re not taking sides in a religious war between Shia and Sunni” but aiming instead for a “stable, non-sectarian, representative government”.
His interview coincided with a White House announcement that the US would provide a further $300m (£190m) of humanitarian aid for Syrians – split between Syria itself, where more than 4.25 million people have been displaced, and neighbouring countries dealing with the 1.6 million refugees.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22947256
I love how Putin who presents himself as so macho looks ridiculous next to PBO with his over botoxed face and bad plastic surgery. PBO’s
letting the hair go grey – lots more lines on the face and STILL looks good – not to mention dignified and yes – totally manly.
This!!!!
PBO has the confidence of a real man; he does not need to be bellicose or to have photos made of him while he sits bare-chested on a horse (what the hell was Putin thinking?).
CEB, sorry I got distracted there for a second: imagining PBO bare-chested on a horse…I’m OK now!
The photos of Putin in such a pose some years back seared my eyeballs. I prefer the PBO bare-chested beach photos; much more natural and true to who he is.
CNN……you mean the Joke CNN. Who told them, that latest poll, John King who is still searching for the dark skin hoodie Boston bomber, Jonathan Karl (ABC).
This is probably true – it’s not a negative story. Whenever the MSM reports positive or neutral stories, they’re more likely to be true than the negative ones, since the media prefers to push negative stories, regardless of accuracy.
Oh I’m not saying it’s not true, I’m just saying what I think of CNN. How afew years ago you mention the name CNN people trusted them without a doubt, everyone can remember that ad they ran about CNN being the most trusted whatever, but today the network has sunk so low.
Hi to all and especially gobrooklyn – how’s the stair climbing going darling? Is it still very difficult? I really admire the way you are tackiling your PT/recovery – you have inspired many – I know after I had some rehab it was very, very hard and I am always amazed by your great attitude. You’ve got a lot of fans rooting for you.
Leaders of the G8 major economies agree new measures to clamp down on money launderers, illegal tax evaders and corporate tax avoiders.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22956374
Hey swiss, you’re about to become cheese.
Leaders of the G8 major economies have agreed new measures to clamp down on money launderers, illegal tax evaders and corporate tax avoiders.
They include requiring shell companies – often used to exploit tax loopholes and invest money anonymously – to identify their effective owners.
Governments also agreed to give each other automatic access to information on their residents’ tax affairs.
The summit communique urged countries to “fight the scourge of tax evasion”.
The measures are designed to combat illegal evasion of taxes, as well as legal tax avoidance by large corporations that make use of loopholes and tax havens.
It was agreed that multinationals should tell all tax authorities about what taxes they pay and where.
////
US corps must be staining their pants now.
Hmmm….indeed.
..and so is Romney, in his special pants!
ha ha!
Dang. It’s a series of breaking news today.
The US is to open direct peace talks with the Taliban after more than 10 years of war in Afghanistan, senior White House officials announce.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22957819
AMK, whatever you do, do not go to bed today, we need your reporting of breaking news!!!
🙂
Yes…FOX as the RW lobbying machine for immigration reform now….first they screamed “amnesty!” now it’s suddenly just wonderful because…you know, those demographics they are a’changin’!
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/18/19021703-gang-of-eight-felt-the-need-to-lobby-fox?lite
Great news! http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/06/18/2171761/poor-americans-pay-for-obamacare/ They really have thought of things I never would have:)
Thank you, amk!
For some hearty laughs,
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/06/18/fetal-fapping-isnt-a-thing-that-happens/
Here is the special on RTE about yesterday. it’s about 30 minutes. if you have an ipad you can download the app and watch
http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10157889/
http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/item/18031-banishing-the-poor-unemployed-and-working-class-from-the-mainstream-media-implies-that-they-are-worthless
In short, if you are not a member of the economically made, political or corporate elite, you generally don’t appear in the news. You are voiceless, faceless. The reality is that you are not news; your existence is hardly worthy of note, with the obligatory exception of an occasional “gee it’s tough to live like this” profile of a “welfare mom” or person unemployed and looking for work for three or four years.
Otherwise, in urban areas, the only regular stories you see about the poor is the knife and gun coverage of violence, particularly on weekends, particularly on local television news. These video accounts of weeping relatives, blood-stained crime scenes, and eyewitnesses only serve to reinforce stereotypes of the urban poor, particularly minorities. It’s voyeuristic catnip for suburbanites and the well-to-do who gain comfort in their racial views being reinforced by tawdry and sensationalistic “news delivery systems.”
Let’s face it, corporate mainstream news doesn’t – in general — adequately or appropriately recognize those with low or no incomes as having a stake in society or anything to contribute in discussions of public policy. As far as economics is concerned, it appears that the only persons entitled to speak about financial policy options are those of the privileged class, and particularly those who have been enriched by the current system (including politicians). Add to that at the ever present class of “journalistic punditry,” who if they are on national television (or major market local television stations) de facto belong to the entrenched wealthy.
snip/
But there’s another key point to remember. News that relies on advertising for revenue and profit – which is almost all the news media (although Truthout/BuzzFlash are an exception because we accept no ads) – are shaped as conduits for advertisers to deliver to a defined market. And guess what? Poor and low income people don’t have the money to make them a desirable advertising audience (with some exceptions) for big media. So why write articles about them in the corporate media?
They won’t deliver advertisers, after all – and the well-off don’t want to read about them for the most part. The poor, the unemployed, the working stiffs are best left under the carpet – out of plain sight.
The net result of all this lack of recognition of those who are not powerful and those who lack sufficient funds is to imply that they are worthless, not even worthy of news coverage, and certainly not to be considered as having opinions that can benefit the debate about the direction of our economy or participate in out political discourse.
Good Morning everyone
Looks like I have a new roommate. Other one transferred upstairs to another floor.
Hope she brings outside food to share:) Feeling ok today, GB? You seem to get perkier by the day…that’s a good thing:)
I’m okay today. Having some of my independence back really lifted my mood. Also with the therapy sessions I have something to look forward to each day instead of just lying in bed.
Hope the new one has food!!!
Her curtain is closed right now. Seems like a very private person so maybe no sharing. lol…
GB, she is probably not pleased about being there. Once she encounters your bubbly personality she will succumb and feed you some good stuff!
🙂 Let”s hope so.
But but but Greenwald sez…
Look at the first picture, it look like the German PM or President is having trouble getting up there on the stand, would it hurt Putin to have offer her a hand? A gentleman would have done so, I know if POTUS was next to her he would have offer to help her.
I don’t see that one. She’s already up on the stand. Putin is still making his approach.
To me she looks like she struggle to get up there. But she made it, struggle or not.
the genealogy lady that met with Miche yesterday says it’s easier to say more about PBO’s ancestors than JFK’s!!! Can you imagine?! it’s in that special video i just posted. the interviewer guy was shocked by that! There’s also a Trinity connection in their lineage.
I posted that yesterday…I was astonished by that news!
that is so amazing! apparently there really is no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama! 😉
Thanks a gazillion for the links, Lovely Lisa!!!
No prob, Chips! This whole thing is so exciting! 🙂
I long for the day when the people of France take up a collection to buy President Francois Hollande jackets that come up to his shirt sleeves.
I’ve always liked Bob Cesca…but I have to say, I think it’s turned into love…
Bob Cesca @bobcesca_go 7h
Funny how the loudest critics of the Obama “cult of personality” will blindly climb aboard the Greenwald outrage zeppelin every time.
Retweeted by Charles Johnson
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Brilliant!! I’m the same as you DF, always loved his work, but he really has been brilliant on this. And Charles Johnson too – I’m getting close to trusting him, despite his RW past!
The thing about Johnson, who remains, in my opinion, a true conservative, not one of the wackos currently calling themselves conservatives, is that he has a moral compass and believes in those pesky little things called facts. He has a nose for hypocrisy which is what caused him to part company with much of the right a few years ago.
Ah, interesting Japa, I never knew a huge amount about him, just his political past, so was always a little wary. He really has been excellent through this, as you said, he’s been fact-seeking at every step, the dishonesty seemed to infuriate him.
I think you’re spot on. I think it’s gotten to the point where one he can’t stand the crazy and blatant racism. But two, as he’s observed President Obama govern, I think it’s changed his views and perspectives. I think he’s still probably going to side more fiscally conservative. But I think he also sees the ridiculousness in some GOP Policies, like being against Obamacares.
df AND hf2 both *heart* Cesca for speaking the truth. 🙂 🙂
But I thought he was a hero who should be crowned President 2016-2060.
But I thought he was a hero who should be crowned President 2016-2060.
You’re cruel.
I’m sure Maddow and Chris Hayes and people like them would crown him President. But here’s what Maddow, Hayes, can do when the traitor is arrested, they can pay for his attorney, and when the traitor is sent to prison they can go visit their hero. By then that weasel Greenwald will be back in Brazil.
Snowden Central AKA Daily Kos would be fine with this scenario.
They’re fapping off about this ?
diary after diary praising Snowden, justifying his actions, and bashing PBO is tantamount to crowning Snowden their new hero…
I’m sure they would vote for Snowjob for President in a DKOS minute.
a dkos minute is an eternity in hell.
True. I spend less than 20 secs there, and feel tortured.
Good Good Morning TODers
Good Good Day TODville
Good, a TODbots feeling, Bubbling Villagers
Life at TOD is Informative 24/7, Oh What a Feeling 😉
Great Posts, Chips, and all the Wonderful bt fearless hard working posters.
Congrats GB for Your Gold this AM 😉
GM Chips, TOD….
Moooooooorning LP!!
Hello there early riser!!! Thanks for pumping out the Charlie Rose interview……I think everyone should spend the 45 minutes to watch the master class by PBO.
I love Ireland, I love the way they greet and respect our First Family… thank you so much Chips, UT, et al for taking us all along on this journey with POTUS, FLOTUS, Malia & Sasha~
I think long after Barack and Michelle is out of the WH, Ireland is a place they will visit .
I agree- they’ve been given another home for life by the people of Ireland.
Oh my god!!! I’m watching the special and realizing that the kids in the audience are interacting with Sasha and Malia and asking for PICTURES and the girls- quite nonchalantly- pose and smile for kids while they take pics!!!! Can you believe that?!! I’ve never seen it before but obviously this wasn’t a first for them. These girls do it without blinking!!!! They are so awesome and poised.
Good morning TODers. To Chips and all the other “blog tyrants” once again a huge “Thank You” for providing so much information. I don’t even have a working TV set anymore – I get all my news online. So I missed Charlie Rose last night, but happily this morning I was able to watch the entire program with my morning coffee. Thank you and thank you also for the great reporting on the President’s and the First Family’s visit to Ireland and the G8 meeting. I am eagerly anticipating the Berlin portion of the trip. Although my schedule is hectic right now due to the final week of the Ed Markey campaign for the U.S. Senate, it is wonderful to know that I will always be able to catch up with the day’s events on this blog. Your contributions are priceless!
Here is cesca’s tweet. RT away.
Everything our First Lady does IS majestic, mostly because she’s just being herself.
LOL!! http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/bobby-jindal-opinion-gop-needs-action-92933.html Don’t spit your coffee on your computer!
you can also see the beginning of the river dancing performance! that stuff is serious and amazing…. seriously amazing!!! 😆
Good morning Chips & TOD Family, Thank you for the wonderful posts. If we didn’t have you, we would certainly be in the dark.
The useless MSM should be ashamed of themselves. But we already know they don’t care. Only if it’s a faux controversy will they highlight this trip. Thanks, again….I truly appreciate it!
Yiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes!!!
Wow. ABC has really sunk to an all time low. GMA did a brief clip talking about how bored the Obama girls and comparing them to some kids in some movie. The title of the clip: “Obama Girls Not Impressed With Summer Vacation.” They are so disgusting. Talking about how bored the girls were at Trinity college and everywhere else they went. Fuckers.
They compared the girls to the Griswold kids from Chevy Chase’s European Vacation. Idiots
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/t/video/malia-sasha-obama-vacation-obama-girls-impressed-summer-19426194
Anyone who don’t like this should email ABC and let them know what you think about this matter.
Tweet, email or whatever. But if you are angry about this let them know.
My email to ABC read, “Who told you that Malia and Sasha wasn’t having a nice time in Ireland? Did Jonathan Karl get some emails about how miserable the Obama girls were. I just want to remind ABC about about the last time you trusted Jonathan Karl about some to do emails, Karl and ABC “lied”. Remember the Benghazi emails.
I mean honestly the girls went to a library and hiking. Very awesome imo but they’re 14 and 12, it’s not an amusement park which is where most kids would rather be. They seemed to enjoy the riverdance but I don’t expect them to be have a permanent smile on their face.
It’s just the sorry ass media attempt to go after POTUS.
WOW…That’s REALLY low. But then again, nothing different should be expected of a network that harbors, encourages and promotes a blatant LIAR like Jon Karl.
i would have thought that they wouldn’t talk crap about a 12 and 14 year old. You know, out of common decency because, you know, they are kids? ABC is really disgusting. Shadowy journalism about two kids…… Nice. Freaks.
ps- how you doin’ HF? Hope life’s treating you well.
pps- down with the American Media.
The ABC reporters are bored because they themselves are shallow, overpaid fools looking for “scandals” in every thing they report, and they’re simply projecting their boredom on to the First Daughters.
P.S. Doing well lisa – thanks! BTW – How is your program coming along ?
good. waiting to start internship in September. Should be interesting. 😉
Good to hear – best of success to you! 🙂
thank you! 🙂
There was a discussion of this very important topic on the Today Show also. Then the hosts went on to describe their family vacays when they were bored to tears. And hahahas all around.
in protest, I will not click on their link – much as I really wanted to see the First Kids and FLOTUS.
Wonderful R & S, thanks so much Ms Chips! Have been really busy, so not able to comment much, but trying to read everything! Look forward to having the Obamas just a few hours away from me when they arrive in Berlin!
Mooooorning/afternoon Andogriff! Say hello to PBO for us when he arrives!
If only I could!! : //
Republicans are in a death spiral here on immigration. Link all these dots together and see what you get. All this fighting amongst themselves and they think they can run a country? They can’t even get along with themselves…I hope this is the issue that does them in for a long, long time.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/rand-paul-to-introduce-immigration-bill-amendment-eliminating?ref=fpblg
Rand Paul To Introduce Immigration Amendment Eliminating Path To Citizenship
From Political Wire:
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/06/18/gop_lawmaker_threatens_boehners_ouster.html
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) told World Net Daily radio that Speaker John Boehner should be ousted if he rams through an immigration bill without majority Republican support.
Said Rohrabacher: “If Speaker Boehner moves forward and permits this to come to a vote even though the majority of the Republicans in the House-and that’s if they do-oppose whatever it is that’s coming to a vote, he should be removed as Speaker.”
He added: “I would consider that a betrayal of the Republican members of the House and a betrayal of the Republicans throughout the country.”
And this: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/06/18/boehner_seeks_window_for_immigration_bill.html
Said one GOP leadership aide: “Our conference is all over the place. Our goal here is to try and find that little slice of land where we can walk through and we’re not crucified on either side.”
Much more here… http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/18/the-morning-plum-conservatives-may-be-getting-marginalized-in-immigration-talks/
And John Thune is an ignorant asshole.
“Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) told World Net Daily ”
You could have stopped right there.
JER, are you out there…looking forward to your heads up re PBO’s departure from Ireland!!!
Will let you know if it is streamed.
THIS!!!! thanks HF!
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/page/298361_Apple_Issues_Statement_on_Cust
Apple Issues Statement on Customer Privacy in Wake of PRISM Allegations
Should we wonder if the real secret isn’t how few requests come from the NSA?
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/page/298360_Prism-_Yahoo_Reveals_US_Data_R
It turns out that most of the requests are mundane crime investigation requests, following normal procedures that local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies would pursue anyway without FISA, and without the NSA. Yahoo can’t break out the actual NSA request numbers but uses “most” to describe the mundane, non-FISA local enforcement requests.
Oh look…BIG,BAD, SCARY…isn’t.
Let’s see that makes Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Yahoo so far. Billions of customers between these companies and the government has made at the most about under 40,000 request. That’s it. Not even close to one percent.
Greenwald and Snowden are playing these rubes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22957614
G8 backs urgent Syria peace talks in Geneva
Continue reading the main story
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Live: G8 summit Live
G8 leaders meeting in Northern Ireland have backed calls for Syrian peace talks to be held in Geneva “as soon as possible”.
After adopting a statement, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the leaders had managed “to overcome fundamental differences”.
But no timetable for the Geneva talks was given.
The statement does not mention what role Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could play in the future.
MUST SEE> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22937385
Obama will stay with me forever’ says Belfast college student
I can’t get this video off here, Chips.. HELP!!
Checking it now, thank you DF!!!
Thank YOU, Chips. What beautiful young adults they are…
This isn’t the same article, but was tweeted by a TODville resident (not sure if this person posts here, but pretty sure they at least lurk).
Loved the interview.
https://twitter.com/iefap1940/status/346730263335817216
Breaking: G8 backs urgent Syria peace talks.
G8 leaders meeting in Northern Ireland back calls for Syrian peace talks to be held in Geneva “as soon as possible”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22957614
Just a quick summary of some of the claims about NSA which were loudly trumpeted but which have been debunked and which the media hasn’t really backtracked on:
This is something new in that we hadn’t heard of it before – program started in 2007 and was much publicized at that point, specifically because it was different from what the Bush administration had been doing previously, which was warrantless wiretapping, going through records, etc.
PBO is doing the same thing as Bush – in reality, as was quite publicly announced in 2009, the DOJ, at Holder’s request, did a complete audit of what the NSA was doing, found several abuses, reported them to FISA and Congress, and implemented additional safeguards to prevent abuses.
The administration is spying on Americans – totally false. They are collecting data with the phone records so that, if something comes up, they can dip into the data, but only with a warrant. The government has all sorts of data on Americans which is available to them if, for some reason or other, they need access to it. It is not only through this program. The only way they can find out who we have called, or who called us, is by getting a warrant.
They have direct access into the servers of the major tech companies – No they don’t. Special drop boxes are set up. If the government wants to check into email records or find out things that the major tech companies would have a record of, they get a warrant, which specifically states what is needed, the tech company reviews the warrant, gets its own legal advice, and if they agree, set up a package with the specific information and deliver it to the drop box. This is, in effect, the same as going to a telephone company with a warrant, or a bank with a waarant, and asking for specific records.
The FISA court is a rubber stamp court because it refuses government requests very seldom – Most government agencies, from the Federal down to the local, have a pretty good idea as to what is going to be required of a court before they seek a warrant. If they don’t think they have enough, they don’t request one. Granted FISA refuses very few requests, but any number here is meaningless unless we also know the numbers for refusals by other courts for warrants for other things. I don’t have those figures, and I am not sure anybody does, but I would be willing to guess it isn’t much different from the percentages involved with the FISA court.
There is too much secrecy about FISA and the getting of warrants – Well, yes and no. Yes the FISA court is secret simply because of the nature of the information being used to gain warrants. Usually, this is highly classified information and making it open would significantly hamper our security efforts. And no, at least in the sense of being any more secret than other courts issuing warrants. Warrants are not issued in public court for a good reason. If the local police want to get a search warrant, they are going to go to a judge behind closed doors so that the subject is not aware of the warrant coming and takes the opportunity to dispose of evidence.
Finally, I hear a lot about how we should know what is being done in our name. To a point, I agree, but there are certain things that should not be public knowledge. However, as in this case, all the knowledge should not be in the hands of just a few people. This is why Congress is briefed and they have the abuility to shut down a program. They act in our name, whether we like it or not. We cannot have public referendums on every little issue.
There are other questions that need to be asked. Are these programs really necessary? How open are they to abuse? Why arwe private contractors involved? Does it really fly in the face of the Constitution? These are things that need to be and should be discussed. However, when a lot of the discussion is still reveolving around the lies and misinformation that is out there, no discussion can really be had.
Great post Japa. To me Snowden and Greenwald are playing the old bait and switch game.
Hidee ho all you O’s!!!! It’s a great getting up day again in the land of TOD!!! Ive bee moving at warp speed trying to soak in all the flavors of summer, the grandkids who’ll be with me til the end of August, #1 who’s leaving tomorrow, preparing for #2 who’s coming in next month, finishing the kitchen/bathrooms remodels, all while setting a new personal outdoor 3 mile running best time of 27:29 min.
I’ve only been half listening to the political stuff since a guy by the name of Greenwald took over the national stage. Then there was a person named Snowden who became the new shiny object. Somehow the Ben Gollygee guy was pushed off of the front pages. Now there’s the alphabet soupgate; NSA, IRS, FISA, LMNOP.
I’m listening to the NSA hearings and so far, it all boils down to the MSM using national security to scare the bejeebus out of the American public; Republican politicians using national security as a wedge between progressives and moderate Democrats in which some have gladly taken the bait; congress critters who have been privy and/or briefed on the NSA stuff using national security as a ‘what you talking ’bout Willis?’ moment.
The good news is PBO is still wearing those shiny presidential shoes. FLOTUS and the girls still live on the residential floor of the White House. Bo still roams the halls of the People’s House. GOTUS is just as jazzy as ever doing her thing in DC. So, it looks like the last election is still valid and all is well. Time for me to go back outside to play.
ttyl
Well there you are, Cookem! I’ve been meaning to congratulate the grandkids for keeping you away from the naughty mat, but just hadn’t gotten around to it. 😉 I admit, I also thought they would have kept you away from running too, but I guess you have dragged them along with you instead?
The 8 year old rides his bike along as I run. He’s such a joy, tearing up the trail at break neck speeds. The 15 year old only wants to chill, text, sleep, get on the computer, holler at her brother, and roll her eyes. She’s such a joy, tearing up at the mere mention of exertion.
The good news? All but the counter tops are installed the kitchen. Both baths are within a week of being completed. The bad news? The plumber found all kinds of out of code pipe lines in the basement when connecting the new kitchen sink and dishwasher to the water line that comes into the house. The corrosion and gunk was pretty scary. Soooo, after an unplanned total pipe refit from the street to the second floor, I am drinking and bathing in nicely coppered traversed water. It’s taking some getting use to the new water pressure. It’s so strong now that I have to brace myself in the shower. The washing machine fills up so quickly that I barely have time to get the soap in. I blew the blooms off my flowers when I tried to water them with a gentle sprinkle from the garden hose. Best of all, there’s no more yelling at someone who flushed while the other one was in the shower.
PS: I make it a point to make time for the naughty mat. I come to TOD everyday just to see what mat worthy pics that Ms Chips and her TODites have in store for me.
YOU are something else! I love the way the grandkids tear up in their individual ways. 😆
Very glad to hear renos are progressing – if not smoothly, then relentlessly. Two weeks ago I called a halt primarily because I got tired of having the contractor around so much and also to get rid of some of the mess. I basically said ‘I’ll call you’ and haven’t yet felt like it. Kitchen’s 95% done, and I’m trying to decide if I really want to remodel the powder room NOW (new cabinet, mirror etc’s been sitting in the garage), and do I really want to attack the basement at the same time. Being a creature of both moods and impulse, I’m thinking …’We’ll see, when the mood strikes’.
I confess, the way you make time for the things important to you [exercise and naughty mat] occasionally triggers a twinge of guilt on this end, but only occasionally. 😉
I’m looking at all the clips, pics, articles from the Irish press posted here, and I have to say that it’s no wonder the US media blacks out our President’s (and his family) foreign trips. Can’t have too many people see him being respected, loved and admired for the person that he is.
Instead much rather have bloviating Sanders & other worthless emoprogs on MSNBC, bogus polls on CNN, and RW conspiracy stories on FOX – all part of the US media’s toxic, corporate-funded, anti-Obama campaign…
But thanks to TOD, people will see for themselves ANYWAY what the media is trying to hide. Thank You Chips!! 🙂 🙂
Yes.
Caught a few moments of sourpuss upChuck this morning on his awful “Daily Rundown.”
Nothing but negative. What a jackass, and he’s the frigging political director for NBCnews.
Chuck Todd is a dam idiot, and I didn’t come to that conclusion yesterday. That man has nothing I want to hear and I refuse to listen to him or watch his show.
chuckie the puppet
Mornin’.
Sorry, but that top photo made me laugh. It was like an audition for Riverdance, where some didn’t quite get what the casting call was all about!
I got up late, and I will NEVER catch up. But thanks so much for all of it, Chips and Co. This trip is making my little one-quarter-Irish heart glad. I join all of the others in remaining so very proud of President Obama and our First Family! Love them.
Alexander and the entire panel were awesome. really concise and clear.
The NSA hearing on c-span 3 is amazingly informative…
These men are brilliant……I
Will Congress understand what they are saying ?
I worked from home yesterday and the TV was on in the background. Basic cable, re-runs of all kinds of crime shows: Bones, NCIS, Castle.
EVERY crime is solved through phone records. Every. Single. One.
If you are on the grid, you give up certain privacy rights. Do I believe our privacy should be protected as much as practical and reasonable? Of course I do. Does the Patriot Act need to be scrapped and re-written, sure. With a great deal of careful thought about oversight, how much public information is helpful or harmful, etc. But it is insane to ignore what technology is capable of, and not have law enforcement be as up to date with those technological threats and ready to fight them.
The minute you go on the grid – and that includes a landline, the Internet or anything else, the information flows out of your control and you should not assume the utmost privacy that you have within the four walls of your home. Anyone who thinks otherwise is naive and inviting a whole different kind of abuse and harm. That price for privacy is no more reasonable to pay than the gun nuts who say that dead children are an acceptable price to pay for gun rights.
Charlie Pierce thinks the FISA court should be completely transparent. NO WARRANTS are open to full view of the public. How insane is that: here’s the latest FISA warrant on the front page of the NYT – run, terrorists and here’s your head start!
Balance. Let’s have the conversation. But let’s be reality-based and can the hyperbole.
The 3rd rate msm can’t handle the fact they are impotent in taking down this presidency.
At 63 years old, I never in a million years thought I would witness the complete implosion of journalism in this country.
Glad someone is doing the People’s business:
Gag, people, did you hear that Claire McCaskill ‘endorsed’ Hillary for 2016 this morning? Seriously, Senator? Your state is stoning themselves back to the 11th century and you’re mucking up the waters by talking 2016? Have you nothing better to do?
Somebody get me a buck the Clinton lovefest makes me want to throw up
Well Hillary doesn’t have my support and if Bill Clinton keep running around disrespected POTUS, if Hillary supporters do the same, Hillary won’t get my vote. I will vote for someone else.
They are all going to jump on the bandwagon and peak to early.
I will be giggling…..
yeah, fuck 2014. Hillary 2016 is much more important. bill is being is being clever by half schtick. A popular 2 term prez’s endorsement >>> an unknown senator’s.
Paint a big, red target on Hillary three years before the election. Because next to the black guy, there is no one more reviled by RWNJ’s than the Clintons. The only time they’re chummy with the Clintons is when it can be used to hurt PBO.
If she had a shred of decency over her ego and ambition, she would retire gracefully. But ‘graceful’ and ‘Clinton’ don’t belong in the same sentence.
Yup. http://bobcesca.thedailybanter.com/blog-archives/2013/06/the-lefts-tea-party.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-lefts-tea-party
Just looking at the pictures again and I have to admit it President Obama is the best looking leader up on that podium (or whatever that is). I know its shallow but I am being honest he is too fine!!
Thank god for TOD! Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to get any decent coverage of the First Family abroad!!! ….. Have a great day all!
pb – We’re with ya on that! Howdy!
Top of the morning to ya lassie! 😉
And the rest of the day to you! 🙂
Under pressure from House conservatives opposed to comprehensive immigration reform, House Speaker John Boehner said today, “I don’t see any way of bringing an immigration bill to the floor that doesn’t have majority support of Republicans.”- CNN
He better get busy herding the votes….
Boehner doesn’t have the votes and will never have them from the House. Means no CIR until we elect a Dem. House.
John Boehner is a weak sorry no good bum.
I can’t watch any of the videos on the RTE site. Ugh. I’m so mad right now!
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/18/it-will-stay-with-me-forever/