President Obama arrives at the University of Johannesburg for a townhall
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Later Today – all times US Eastern:
11:55 AM: President Obama meets with African Union Chairwoman Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
2:05 PM: The President and First Lady attend an official state dinner with President Zuma, Union Building, Pretoria
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President Obama and First Lady talk to Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, on the phone in South Africa pic.twitter.com/osdzF15P13
— petesouza (@petesouza) June 29, 2013
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Pres and Mrs Obama have just wrapped up an approx 25-min meeting with members of Nelson Mandela’s family.
— PETER MAER (@petermaercbs) June 29, 2013
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Bystanders cheer after catching a brief glimpse of President Obama as he arrived at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto
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Will post video when it appears
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“Dream big!” -The First Lady to young people in South Africa & around the US #FLOTUSinAfrica pic.twitter.com/LdTJFTzgFT
— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) June 29, 2013
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The First Lady’s Google Hangout – forward to 52 minutes:
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President Obama and the First Lady board helicopter Marine One in front of the Union Buildings in Pretoria
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More later
The Obama Diary 
hi
Love the pic of Marine 1 with the President’s arm around Michelle’s waist!
Congrats, just waiting to do this. 😀
I just love you!!!!!!
😉
GM Chips, TOD…. Everyone looks so excited… wish I could be there!
That last guy to ask about climate change was interesting. He kept saying “American foreign policy.” It took me a while to figure out he was talking about CC. good grief. He was kinda funny, not hahaha, but funny like, ‘ I don’t quite know what to make of him.’ He was like, ” I want you to tell these young people, they are your children bout American foreign policy towards the environment.” Hm. Funny guy.
I wasn’t sure where he was going either, Lisaloves, yet I was encouraged to hear him wish the President a safe journey on his way home.
So was I. But there was just something about the way he approached PBO that was just off. Like I couldn’t place if he was just a well meaning guy that was just too hyped up or if he was an emoprog.
He said he had worked in the Embassy. Not sure when or where, but I caught that.
Lisa I responded to both you and Maryl1 on this particular guy – and how I felt his questions were scripted, so I’m bringing my responses here:
Response to Maryl1:
//That last student sounded a bit scripted to tell you the truth, almost as if his question were written for him by a US emoprog. To ask this question the very week after PBO gives a big climate-change speech (which the media conveniently buried) sounds a bit too staged for my comfort.
Also, notice that the student was not specific about anything regarding the environment – he was all over the place and constantly used the term “American foreign policy” conflating that with environmental issues. Then of course he was a bit too hyped up mentioning the protests outside. I can tell the difference between questions asked in earnest and the agenda-driven ones. //
Response to Lisalovesobama:
// His question sounded real scripted to me. There was nothing specific in his question – sounded like a bunch of talking points. And of course, mentioning the protests outside makes for a lovely media soundbite! //
Thanks, HF. His tone was the concern for me. I felt he could have couched the question better. The thing is, his tone fluctuated between almost combative and the content of well meaning, especially when he said, “these are your children.” Then the camera showed him nodding his head throughout PBO’s response to his question. That’s why I didn’t know what to make of him.
It took me a while to realize that it was Valeri Jarrett wearing a hat sitting beside PBO in The Beast. I was like, ‘ who is that lady in the car with PBO?’
You can see the love, admiration and respect these young people have for our President on their faces and that just warms my heart.
Who was it that said the people didn’t like POTUS anymore? Seem to me I heard or read some journalists said something like that. Looking at those pictures sure shows someone was lying.
Anniebella, do you think it is possible Chuck Todd does not have a clue about anything?
Hmmmm, Bill, let me consider that……. and get back to ya!
Some nameless, faceless fool. #FORWARD
For those who missed the town hall Pres. Obama held and the education summit FLOTUS held.
Missed the Google hangout with Miche. Muy, muy tristo. 😦
Michelle Obama is fantastic.
You are so right lisa. I went back and forth, afew minutes with POTUS, then I would go a few minutes with FLOTUS, back and forth. And I enjoyed them both. I love when FLOTUS said that her Mom taught her , It isn’t what people call you that matters, it’s what you answer too. And the first thing I said to myself, take that all you haters .
I loved that quote too, anniebella. 🙂
What amazing inspirations they both are.
Could these people BE any more wonderful?? I love them more and more and I feel their strength and power resonating around the world. The GOTPs heads are popping WIDE open. They are done…finished…put a fork in them…toast.
Great to see them enjoying themselves. Amazing how both of them connect with the young so easily.
“Where is everybody?!” She asks as though no one else has a life they are living at 11:22am on a Saturday morning.
When he spoke about the cost of war in blood and treasure, but mostly blood, his voice was so somber. Talked about visiting the wounded, writing letters of condolence to the families of the fallen and walking among the tomb stones of Arlington and the tears of the bereaved on his shoulders. It was so heartfelt and touching.
Wow….I am still struggling to catch up…..Thank You all.
Gold Ms. Layla, congrats 😉
My god what an awesome town hall, the young people in Africa are so advance in their thinking as it relates to issues dealing with education, finance, and the environment. I challenge the media and more specifically the press to engage President Obama on the same level as the young people of Africa did.
Thank you so much ut!!!!!!!
Say Chips…..I was able to Copy and paste this at HP…..I tested it there and made sure it worked. I copied it out from TOD’s link and post from the last thread…….I am going to post it here. If this is OK, then it can also work with the Main Thread at the Top?
This was done when? Hmm?
Chips, /singing/ have I told you lately that I love you? …..O well, thanks millions for the travel updates! You ARE a DOTE! 😆
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks & TOD family.
vc, I share your singing thanks to Chipsticks 🙂
Absofreakinglutely.
Okay?!
Hey Lisa, I added the video of Michelle’s Google Hangout to the post
Oh my god! You are Supreme Goddess, Chips!! I bow to your awesomeness!!! 🙂
Magnificent townhall. Our President never fails to make us proud. His breadth of knowledge is ..well, breathtaking.
I was greatly impressed by the level of questions asked by the young people and just the intelligence and thoughtfulness put into those questions. Our media could learn a lot from these young people. I also adored how much respect they showed our PBO.
I absolutely LOVE my President.
I look forward to finding a copy of Flotus’ meeting that happened at the same time. I do love her too.
TOD we are blessed to have these two people representing us around the world. Preaching to the choir because I know you already know that 🙂
Totally agree about his breadth of knowledge. What’s even more impressive is that President Obama combines this knowledge with a profound moral integrity, and a boundless, unselfish, TRUE love for all humanity.
Yes, yes and yes…Lovepolitics2008.
On the previous post I spoke about the breadth of his knowledge as well. He did not hesitate, did not have to reach for facts; his delivery was so confident; he was so in control. The fools who go on about the tele-prompter have obviously not seen PBO in a town hall setting. He was enjoying himself. He also did not get anyone get away with unfairly portraying the US, but he was also upfront about our short-comings. I think that this latter trait is why many in other countries respect and trust him.
Should be “let anyone get away with…”
Kerry extends Middle East peace mission
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/29/us-mideast-usa-idUSBRE95S06520130629
SOS Kerry has just called a presser for tomorrow.
Thanks meta!!! Can’t wait to see that presser. Will the media bury it or will they use it to talk about Snowden?
I think Secretary Kerry is making very slow but very steady progress, taking small steps and preparing the ground work very methodically, bringing all the necessary elements into play. There is clearly always great skepticism but I am going to stay positive and hopeful.
Thank you CHIPS and your crew for keeping us informed and updated. You are a treasure.
Hope, as I stated earlier it is very sad that millions of Americans are in the dark!
So true Layla, they are truly in the dark about what PBO is doing and has done, because all they have is the worthless gossip filled MSM.
That’s why I know we are extremely fortunate to have a site like this.
This place is my sanctuary that is the madness from the interwebs!
That should be — this place is my sanctuary, away from the madness that is the interwebs!
Whewww…what was I smoking??!
It surely is, arkluspbo. We are so very fortunate to have Chips at the helm everyday. The care in which Chips set the standards for this site is breathtaking. The elegance in which Chips presents the vast amount of information about this presidency will be remembered for generations to come.
I am so grateful for this beautiful sanctuary daily. In fact, that is one of the first words that I used to describe this beautiful place. Our sanctuary and our beautiful haven. And I still do feel that this site is the best. That is how I totally feel. HZ
HZ, you’re speaking my language :). What I love about it is the sense of community here. These are people that care about each other AND our First Family, who needs our support in all ways.
Thanks for your lovely response, HZ 🙂
Not sure if this has been posted already, but I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that “little talk”:
Bruising, I’m sure!
Yes, she’s a “see the hill, take the hill” kind of woman, methinks!
She’s very tough. While she was San Francisco District Attorney, trial convictions for crimes involving guns more than doubled and she created free legal clinics for immigrants. She’s amazing.
She does seem to “have it all”! Keep us posted, every now and then, please.
Gladly!!
Thank you meta. We are so blessed to have Attorney General, Kamala Harris out here. And yes, she is a no nonsense AG. Her core is constant. Love her. HZ
I’ll just bet she did.
Kampala don’t play! :snap fingers: Check her credentials!
Kamala! Stupid spell check! Stop changing my words!!
Love it!
Did you see she performed wedding for the two women involved in Prop 8 and Antonio Villaraigosa performed ceremony for the two men? On Maddow blog.
Saw the first here, but not sure I knew about the second. It was really a banner day!
Yes it was.
Loved the town hall of Pres. Obama.
Incredible intelligence and competence, vision, realism combined with optimism and resilience, patience, empathy, honesty, integrity. He has it all.
If there was such a position of “President of the World”, he would be the obvious choice. He’s a leader for the ages.
And the nice part of it was that many of the characteristics you attributed to Pres. Obama were running through the budding African youth leaders, as well.
Okay?! Write that check to Tweety, because it seems that his has bounced. He tried to crown Clinton as the president of the world but that dog don’t bark.
Pun intended…
😆 —— birds of a feather, you and I. 😀 left that part off because I’ve been on a mad Clinton tear for days and didn’t want to continuously offend the Half ‘n Halves. 🙂
Ps- Half ‘n Half not meant to be derisive. Just quick and easy way to describe those who support both PBO and Clinton.
(((((((((((((((((( I love you, lisa))))))))))))))))))))HZ
Sasha, Malia, and Mrs. Robinson was there with FLOTUS.
I have been away for a few days and wondered what happened with PBO’s scheduled visit to see Nelson Mandella in the hospital?
Hi OG, there was never a scheduled visit to the hospital, the President and First Lady spoke with Nelson Mandela’s wife today (see tweet below) and are due to meet with his family.
Thanks! Just as I finished reading the newest blog I went to the previous blogs where I would have seen my answers. I remembered talk on this blog prior to the visit about his visit to see Mandela. Guess it was not official.
Well, of course, at high noon: It’s Texas!
Feet a blazin!!!
#DONOTMESSwithTEXAScowgirls !
Hmm? The one WSJ Columnist is the Not the ONLY one now asking questions about GG.
This Rupert Murdoch’s now unauthorized biographer, Michael Wolff, is having some issues with the Links between GG and Snowden.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/greenwald-gets-in-fierce-twitter-war-with-michael-wolff-over-accuations-he-helped-snowden-steal-documents/
Greenwald was actively involved in helping Edward Snowden “steal state secrets.” Vanity Fair contributing editor Michael Wolff tweeted out the link a number of times, and ended up in a Twitter war over responsibility and journalistic integrity with Greenwald and Jeff Jarvis.
Paging Jodi Kantor….Hmmmm…..
I hope the DOJ does not fear a backlash from the MSM if they go after a journalist, Greenwald. Chances are GG is guilty as can be.
The facts will overwhelm the slam coming from a Lazy, lame and truly bought and paid PC.
If the DOJ fears anything or anyone, GG is not one of them!!
Believe me, the DOJ will go where the facts lead them, and they will carry out the full weight of the law. HZ
3 things: small penis, small brain and …oops I forgot the 3rd one, will do that to you!
Oops. (Totally agree.)
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/29/president-obamas-townhall/