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Today (all times Eastern):
10:45: Rep. Nancy Pelosi Holds Weekly Press Briefing (C-Span)
11:30: VP Biden meets with law enforcement officials to discuss common sense immigration reform
1:30: Jay Carney briefs the press
5:0: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host the Diplomatic Corps Reception (Closed press)
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Occupy Democrats: Watch a Doctor Destroy a Koch Brother-Funded Anti-Obamacare Ad in 2 Minutes:
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The Hill: The Obama administration on Thursday highlighted lower-than-expected premiums for healthcare plans sold through ObamaCare’s new insurance marketplaces.
In the 11 states that have released rates for next year, premiums for a middle-of-the-road plan are an average of 18 percent cheaper than the Congressional Budget Office had expected.
…. New York is the latest state to report that premiums for plans offered through its exchange would be cheaper than expected — and, on average, 50 percent cheaper than comparable policies available in the state today …. California also reported lower-than-expected premiums…
Six states have released rate filings for plans available to small businesses through a separate exchange. Those policies are also an average of 18 percent cheaper than existing coverage options, HHS said.
Full post here
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Jonathan Cohn: The Obamacare Train Still Hasn’t Wrecked
President Obama on Thursday touted some good news about Obamacare. And, lord knows, he’s earned the right. Republicans and conservative intellectuals keep seizing on setbacks — some real, some imagined — and predicting that Obamacare will be a catastrophe. They are almost certainly wrong.
Ironically, one of the best reasons to believe in Obamacare may be the very issue that has inspired so much chortling on the right: The insurance premiums for people who buy on their own, because they don’t get coverage from an employer or through a government program.
Insurers around the country have already submitted bids…. they are coming in lower than most experts had predicted….
…. it means the overall price of Obamacare — the amount of money the government must spend, in order to make the law function — is going to be even lower than predicted.
More here
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President Obama: “On behalf of my mother—who argued with insurance companies even as she battled cancer.” #TBT pic.twitter.com/qZLBvuDQkT
— The White House (@whitehouse) July 18, 2013
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ThinkProgress: Most Media Coverage Ignores Premium Drop, Focuses On GOP Effort To Undermine Obamacare
Early on Wednesday, as House Republicans prepared to vote for a delay of the Affordable Care Act’s employer and individual mandates, New York state officials announced that health care premiums in the new exchange will plummet by at least 50 percent as a result of the law.
For reform advocates, the story represented a reprieve from the constant drum beat of media coverage about implementation delays, predictions of rate shock, and employers dropping coverage. But a ThinkProgress analysis of television reports about the health care law for Wednesday, July 18th, confirms that even with good news to report, bookers and segment producers are still far more interested in broadcasting stories about the political brinkmanship in Washington, DC than the actual, tangible progress of implementation.
More here
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Steve Benen: The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act did not actually strike down the entire civil-rights law, but rather, gutted it by rejecting Section 4 of the VRA. The burden then shifted to Congress to find a remedy …. Yesterday, the House held its first hearing on the VRA since the court ruling, and if the public comments were any indication, the odds of success in the near future appear long…
Most of the Republican members of the panel apparently didn’t think the hearing was especially important – which is to say, they didn’t show up ….
… Anyone predicting congressional Republicans might do the right thing on voting rights should probably adjust their expectations accordingly. GOP policymakers at the state level are rushing to impose new restrictions to keep voters from participating in their own democracy, and GOP policymakers at the federal level appear content to do nothing to stop them.
Full post here
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Charles Pierce: Some Voting Rights Act Fakery
As part of our Summer Of Fakery, the House allegedly has taken up the job of repairing the damage done to the Voting Rights Act that occurred when John Roberts declared the day of jubilee. One of the witnesses today was Hans von Spakovsky, who’s been scamming this particular scam for over a decade now. Anyway, this is what von Spakovsky was peddling today.
“[That section] was an unprecedented, extraordinary intrusion into state sovereignty……..”
…. Not to bring that pesky Constitution into things again, but here’s an extraordinary intrusion into state sovereignty:
Amendment XIII: Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction…..
…. If you want to understand why modern conservatives seem so impatient with settled law, remember that they owe their modern ascendancy to the people who refused to accept any of these three Amendments because they didn’t believe the freaking Civil War changed anything.
Full post here
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ThinkProgress: On Thursday, three Texas Republicans filed a measure that would criminalize abortion services after a fetal heartbeat can be detected — which typically occurs around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even know they’re pregnant.
The Texas legislature is currently in the midst of a special session that was convened specifically to give lawmakers more time to consider abortion restrictions. The session will end on July 31. Until then, GOP lawmakers have been busy proposing a slew of anti-abortion bills in the hopes of being able to rush them through.
More here
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Steve Benen: When the Senate reached an agreement this week on confirmation votes for several executive-branch nominees, it’s safe to assume Republicans had to swallow hard before accepting Thomas Perez’s nomination to lead the Labor Department. Perez is arguably the most liberal member of President Obama’s second-term cabinet — even those who condemn the president from the left were thrilled with this pick — and GOP senators clearly hoped to defeat him.
They failed, of course, but not before a Senate vote that marked a historical first….
More here
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Steve Benen: …. Florida Gov. Rick Scott finally grudgingly agreed to meet with protestors who’d literally camped out this week, pleading with the governor to have a conversation with them about the state’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law.
“It is a time for leadership. The world is watching, most definitely the nation is watching, and you have an opportunity to stand tall above the rest,” one of the protesters told Scott.
The governor was unmoved…..
….. A legislative remedy is, in all likelihood, a longshot. Republican majorities control both chambers of the state legislature, and the body itself is in recess … There is, however, another avenue: the Democratic leaders of both the state House and State Senate said yesterday that if GOP policymakers ignored their pleas, they would pursue a ballot initiative, confident that they could collect the necessary number of signatures.
Full post here
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Michael Tomasky: This has been a really important week in the United States Senate, as important a week as we’ve seen there in a long, long time. No, not because Harry Reid out-pokered Mitch McConnell on the filibuster fight. No, not because President Obama finally got some long-scuttled nominees approved on bipartisan votes. No, not because John McCain decided to become, for a while at least, the Mavericky McCain of the 1990s and early 2000s. And no, not even because of the bipartisan (did I really use that word twice, to describe the Senate?) deal to keep student loan rates low, on which they’ll vote next week. Rather, it was a really important week because of the upshot of all those things, or the reason they all happened: this is the week that Mitch McConnell lost his iron grip on the Senate Republican caucus.
More here
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AP: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was planning to fly to the West Bank Friday to press his effort to get Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table after almost five years, a U.S. official said, despite deep differences between the two sides and Palestinian reluctance to drop demands in exchange for economic incentives.
Kerry was planning to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the official said, but his schedule remained unclear. On Friday morning, he met chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat in Amman and then scheduled the short helicopter flight to Ramallah, shifting his campaign to renew the peace talks into diplomatic overdrive.
A Palestinian official confirmed that Kerry was set to meet Abbas later Friday afternoon…
More here
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Gina McCarthy as the head of @EPA? Check. Next up, reaching goals on Pres. Obama’s Climate Action Plan #ActonClimate http://t.co/ikOrg0PW7P
— ConservationColorado (@ConservationCO) July 18, 2013
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Steve Benen: Why the EPA’s Gina McCarthy matters
…. Just last month, President Obama unveiled a sweeping policy on combating the climate crisis, using his authority under the Clean Air Act to, among other things, sharply reduce carbon pollution from power plants. It now falls on McCarthy to sharpen, defend, and enforce those public protections.
This also reinforces the significance of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, where polluters will challenge the EPA’s efforts. With McCarthy in office and a narrow majority of the Circuit bench leaning to the left, for the first time in many years, there’s reason for optimism among those who take environmental policy seriously.
…. Everyone who knows McCarthy believes she’s easily up to the task, but that doesn’t change the fact that the task is certainly daunting.
Full post here
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On this day….
President Obama talks with a young guest in the State Dining Room of the White House, during an event honoring the 2009 championship season of the WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury, July 19, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama visits with Evan McRae, a nine-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient from Brooklyn, N.Y., in the Oval Office, July 19, 2012 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Completely Random Loveliness:
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Morning everyone – HUUUUUUUGE thanks to UT for last night’s posts.
The Obama Diary 
Good morning.
Morning Mariele, morning everyone.
Good morning you most wonderfullest you! Bet you did not know this….
oh well
The amount of great articles by great writers on: the ACA, Voting rights, filibuster, etc is phenomenal today, and a great way to get us fired up! Thanks a mill.
Great R&S. thanks, Chips
You’re very lovely Allison, thank you!!
GM Chips, TOD…
Morning LP, morning everyone.
GM Madam…….wonderful R&S…. Tiger just finished his round (-2) at Muirfield Golf Links – East Lothian, Scotland, the leader in the clubhouse….gonna sit back and watch the pleebs get destroyed by the course in the afternoon. Will catch up w/ you in the evening. Carpe diem!
Ha, have a Tiger-ish day LP, see ya later!
Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn! Chiparoo; when you deliver, you deliver with a bang! What a delicious Rise and Shine. Tipping my hat.
Ha, thank you Chelsea Girl – and for yesterday’s posts. But you still can’t have Wayne.
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks. Fridays GOOD!
Great toons. GM bt.
wtf the hill means lower-than-expected premiums?
Morning Amk! I was just surprised The Hill had a remotely positive story, is this a first?
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congrats Mariele on #1 🙂
Morning Hopefruit!
Wonderful Rise and Shine
Good Morning TOD!
True Confessions:
I have to share something that I have been feeling awfully guilty about….
OFA has been asking us to volunteer and make calls about Climate Change. I just don’t feel it and I feel so guilty about it. It’s not that I don’t believe in Climate Change and the crisis we face because I do, I really do, its just that its not a hot button issue for me so I find it hard to sell it. It’s the first policy issue since the President has been in office that I don’t have the passion to advocate on his behalf. I know this probably seems silly to some but I really feel bad that I just don’t have it in me to help them on this.
For all those in the DMV area there will be a Justice for Trayvon National Day of Action Vigil at 12:00 Noon tomorrow:
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2012
Washington, D.C.
The E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse
333 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington D.C. 20001
Everyone have a great O’Day!!!
Hey donna – don’t feel bad at all!! We can’t be expected to have equal passion for all and everything, that’s just not realistic. Everyone has issues that they’re more emotionally invested in than others. It’s human nature. 🙂
You’ve been doing so much already with OFA on a wide range of issues, and I’m sure there are many others who are willing and able take up the slack with climate change as their “hot button” issue.
On a related note, I think one way to make climate change more accessible to ordinary folks, is to let them know that extreme temperatures negatively affect urban environments the most. Poor air quality is one such effect, and higher rates of asthma in the poor urban neighborhoods is the end result. Also, extremes of climates affects the quality, price and availability of healthy foods which the urban poor, or working class are already less likely to have access to. These are just a couple examples, but I’m sure OFA allows people to donate some $$ even if they’re not inclined to make calls – which is just as good. 🙂
Another thought, spread around articles like this one: http://www.nwf.org/climatecrisis Perhaps if people become more aware of how the entire plant and animal kingdoms, from which all human life draws support, are damaged by our lack of awareness and action, it might help to move things faster.
the truth is: you don’t have to fight every battle – rest up for the ones that you have yet to fight. There are some battles I haven’t fought either, and you’ve been fantastic in the areas you’ve been involved! Maybe it will help to think of climate change as an economic issue, rather than an ecological issue? We could be driving the world in innovation in this area, but we’re being restricted by traditional energy forms – which are not only harmful to the environment, but also to the health of the workers who work there. Lack of safety, regulations, equipment, etc. leave coal miners dying young. Fracking has its own issues.
I saw a message from someone the other day saying “maybe there’s a reason this stuff is so hard to get to – deep in the bowels of the earth”. I also listened to an NPR program about towns that have been devastated with cancer and other diseases, due to toxic chemicals being pumped into the earth, but people are willing to pay that price because of all the immediate wealth that their towns are being flooded with right now. We spend billions of tax dollars subsidizing the stuff that is harmful to the air and the health of many – and yet clean energy projects, like wind, bacteria-fueled energy, hydropower, etc., are languishing amidst laughter from the oil and coal stakeholders. It’s not just America that can benefit, but it’s developing countries that can benefit, which ultimately benefits everyone.
Growing up in Canada – and this may not be true of every Canadian’s experience – I remember being conscious of recycling and my contributions to pollution from a very young age. Canada is a pretty clean country. It just seemed natural to conserve and be aware of these things. I don’t think that’s been as much a national priority here, as with many other places.
Hey Donna, that’s quite understandable. That’s why it’s great the way OFA is structured now. We can focus on the issues that are most pressing for us. There are times where we can’t give every issue the same amount of time.
The Other Health Care Reform Law Of Obama’s Presidency Is A Runaway Success
By Sy Mukherjee on Jul 17, 2013 at 2:45 pm
It’s not talked about too often, but Barack Obama actually signed two health care reform bills in his first term. Obamacare may get all the media attention — but the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, passed as part of the stimulus bill in 2009, also took important steps to fix the broken American health care system. And now, it’s paying off big time as doctors flock to electronic health records (EHRs) that save money and improve Americans’ medical care.
The HITECH Act appropriated about $35 billion to expand the use of health information technology and implement a countrywide system of EHRs. This was seen as vital for overcoming the massive number of problems fostered by paper medical records, which ranged from the mildly inconvenient to the potentially fatal.
For instance, paper records are extremely susceptible to breaches of patient privacy, since their security is entirely dependent on the doctors and nurses who handle them. They’re also unwieldy, can get lost, contribute to significant backlogs in claims processing systems, and can lead to redundant tests and procedures. A particularly damning series of reports in 2006 and 2007 further indicated that paper records kill over 7,000 Americans every year and injure another 1.5 million through “unclear abbreviations and dosage indications and illegible writing” that doctors write for prescription medication.
Providers and health information technology companies alike realized that the era of paper records had to end in order to curb these inefficiencies and preventable injuries and deaths. But upgrading to the new digital systems would require a massive up-front investment — and that’s what made the HITECH Act vital. Now, new government data shows that the law has fostered an environment where doctors’ use of EHRs has gone up by more than 250 million times compared to 2011. As The Hill reports, this included 200 million electronic prescriptions, 13 million appointment reminders, and four million care summaries.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/07/17/2315061/other-health-care-reform-obama-presidency/
This is good stuff! My husband teaches Dr’s, surgeons and nurses how to use EMR’s….loves his job, and hospital personal are loving this too…older ones have a little more grumbling with this…but all in all….it’s an appreciated, welcomed thing.
Rikyrah, thanks for sharing this article. I’ve witnessed this first hand with regard to prescription. Now all the doctor does is electronically send your prescription to the Pharmacy of your choice. This really saves time at the pharmacy.
THEY are the train wrecks. Pure projection
Oh no nathkatun7! I responded to the wrong post. I’m so sorry!!!!
I saw a snippet yesterday showing multiple Repub Congressloons describing Obamacare as a “train wreck”. Train wreck, train wreck, train wreck, etc. etc. I always wonder if they are under some kind of threat if they don’t repeat the ‘phrase of the day’ like nice little robots, or if there’s a bonus or reward of some kind involved. It’s nauseating.
It’s well known they collaborate and collude with the help of their chief robot, Frank Luntz. UGH.
They are the train wreck, they just refuse to see it.
Well said! And true.
Hey dotster3, THEY are the train wrecks. Pure projection
These are from a book called Disorder in the Courts and are things people actually said … do court reporters keep straight faces? 🙂
ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, ‘Where am I, Cathy?’
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He’s 20, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children , right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death..
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I’m going with male.
ATTORNEY: Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral…
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No..
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
i’m reading these at work, and I think I broke something trying not to laugh out loud! these are hilarious – no wonder our justice system is a joke!
Wow, another masterful Rise and Shine. Thank you very much, Miss Bossy Cheese Chips. Todville is a great source for our TOD Twitter Brigade. Carry on, Obots!!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, cheesy chips – morning Meta!!!!!
Morning, Chipstar! I woke up thinking it was Saturday. But I guess Friday is pretty good, too. Off to enjoy this week’s WWW with the weird sock thing.
I was certain it was Thursday Meta, so, as usual, you’re ahead of me!!!
Thanks meta. missy bossy it is from now on. bt is being officially retired.
Hee.
Follow our new EPA Administrator!
Aw, I love that: “Guess I need to learn how to tweet now” 😆
Morning!!! Happy Friday:) Some more good news:)
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/07/19/2324411/the-rise-of-the-religious-left-religious-progressives-will-soon-outnumber-conservatives/
And may I say…it look me a while to get here because I was so busy reading every single tidbit of info from another glorious R/S….Chips, you really are the bee’s knees! TY!!
Moooooooorning DF!!!!!
GOP lawmaker: The Obamas use Air Force One as ‘personal toy’
By Pete Kasperowicz – 07/18/13 10:40 AM ET
Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) said Thursday morning that President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are using Air Force One and other official aircraft as their “personal toys.”
“I’m not suggesting … that we compromise safety or security,” Coble said on the House floor. “But the first family, it seems to me, treats Air Force One and related aircraft as their personal toys — a very expensive toy, I might add.”
Coble’s comments drew a warning from presiding officer Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) not to make improper references to the President.
“I will admit … that Air Force One belongs to President Obama and his wife, but Air Force One also belongs to you and me, and to every taxpayer in America,” Coble continued. “I simply ask the president and his wife to exercise more prudence and discipline regarding their aircraft activities.
http://thehill.com/video/house/311969-gop-lawmaker-obamas-using-air-force-one-as-personal-toy#ixzz2ZV3RmZCQ
How dare that blackety black man and his blackety black wife with those blackety black kids use Air Force to travel when they should be taking American Airlines. That blackety black man should stay his blackety black behind home or walk. The end.
You said a mouthful…Jessica…
Pond scum.
I’m sure Coble will get alot of kudos and slaps on the back at the Klan meeting this weekend.
Coward Coble jerk-off of N.C needs to get over it….he won re-election and the President and First Lady do not have to be chained to the WH because they are Black……you asshole. Why don’t you GOP fuckers work five days a week and only take two weeks vacation like the rest of Americans. PBO works 24/7….why don’t you try it?
Kiss My Heritage! Idiot!
I don’t seem to remember that old fool Howard Coble complaining about Laura and G.W. using Airforce 1 or anything else. Oh silly me , they were white, course he didn’t complain.
White Republicans, G.W. Bush left this country in such a dam mess, but Coble and his Republicans help Bush out by passing everything Bush wanted. These racists ass folks piss me off.
Right wing salaries also belong to every taxpayer, and they’ve done nothing to earn them in the last several years. Maybe they can exercise more prudence and discipline regarding their activities. I believe we’re on #39 attempts to repeal Obamacare? These people make me sick.
Oh I absolutely love that sky is falling cartoon! Thanks Ms Chips!
Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening, TODobots! The sun is shining, really shining, and life goes on! Sending positive thoughts and vibes out to everyone, regardless of your personal circumstances!
It’s Friday! (Even as I type, my head is replaying that ‘old’ Obama video clip that we used to enjoy on Fridays. 😀 )
Happy Friday VC!
BIGGEST 😀 you can imagine! Thank YOU. I must say, you look and are sounding rested this morning, Ms Chips.
FTR, I am SLOW-ly going through the very informative package you have put together, so would like to suggest you ple-aaa-ssSSe tread a little lighter on the gas before speeding away to the next stop. Thanks! [ /grumbling sotto voice/ After all there’s no sense my going on a journey if I can’t stop and smell the roses, check out the restaurants or visit the museums along the way.]
Outstanding R & S….Ms Chips…
One of my all time FAVs….always brings a smile to my face!
Thank you so much prettyfoot!!!!!
Friday’s good! Mornin’ Chips, and TODville. The sun is shinin’.
Good morning, vc! Lots of great cartoons this morning. I guess that’s because the RWNJs are so laughable.
Laughable they are, indeed! The only ‘sad’ part is that I doubt they get the humour. 😉
Was that a “hint” ?? !! Friday’s Good! Morning to you, vc:)
/innocent smilie in this spot/ A hint? Would **I** hint? Howdy there, Desertf! Have you watered your flowers already this morning, and does that make any difference in your corner of the desert?
🙂 No…I haven’t watered the flowers yet, though I think it MAY have rained sometime on the early morning hours….damn! I missed it! When it rains in the desert…it’s a momentous occasion and one that literally brings people out to watch it rain. Seriously. The flowers will get a drink today…but not before I’m done sucking down my coffee. Just the way I am:)
😀 Speaking of coffee, I think I had better go and eat/drink something. As usual since I’ve started keeping my laptop in the bedroom, I peek in before going downstairs to eat, then get caught and can’t pull myself away. usually remember when my head starts to feel ‘funny’. Catch you in a bit.
Yes—–and most importantly it was the key part part of the jury instructions, the right to stand your ground, including that exact phrase
Everything else aside, Zimmerman looks like a scampish rat in that picture.
Hopefruit, that is what he’s going to be doing the rest of his life. Looking over his shoulder — paranoid. A paranoid child stalker/murdere should not have a gun.
Thank you for posting this article. This is the reason I confronted some who said that they supported the verdict and law but did not support SYG. The SYG law was included in the jury instructions, so Zimmerman was protected by SYG even though his legal team did not explicitly use the affirmative defense. Under conventional self-defense, a person is required to retreat at any opportunity before resorting to use of deadly force. The jury was instructed that Zimmerman had no duty to retreat.
Ugh…my day at the beach plans all spoiled by this one tweet…
LMAO!
Just watch out for the “floaties” hf! lol
Ha!
I hope Stewart never comes back!
From what I’ve seen so far, he’s doing a better job than Jon Stewart. His commentary on the Zimmerman verdict was A+
i’ve seen a couple clips here of oliver and he does seem good! the most telling thing from this clip though to me was the beginning of “rock the news” when the woman says something such as, “and here’s what you’re going to be talking about today.” sums up the entire mission of “the news” today and why a few billionaires decided to but it all up a few decades ago. “the news” now is purely a vehicle to pump republican/libertarian talking points into the minds of the masses, so that the masses keep voting against their own self interests, and for the interests of the rmoneys and koch brothers. hence “trickle down economics.”
I saw that….Carol Jansing was showing picture of the auto industry assembly lines.
How can PBO be responsible for a city that has been mismanaged for decades long before PBO was even in politics? This is going to happen to all the Red states who want to give tax cuts to the wealthy and tax the working and poor people. Working/Poor people can get up and move. There will be abandoned buildings and no tax base.
TOD Team, we can’t keep this one to ourselves. We HAVE to pass it along! 😆 😆 I absolutely LOVE being alive in the Age of Obama. 😆 😆 😆
This one HAS to go viral! Make the Koch Bros waste their money….and the people hear the truth. It’s a twofer!
http://www.nationalmemo.com/from-my-perch-of-white-privilege/
In 2002, Michael Green extracted a single promise from me during the year I spent reporting about his life after he spent 13 years in prison for a rape he did not commit.
Green, who is African-American, knew I’d be giving a lot of speeches about his story, including at high schools in Cleveland. He saw an opportunity to save lives.
“Tell the boys,” he said to me over and over. “Tell the boys this comes from me: If the police stop you, don’t ever run. Take your hands out of your pockets. Immediately. Put your hands over your head. Immediately. Stand perfectly still, and keep your opinions to yourself.”
“You have to promise,” he said. “You have to warn them.”
I’ve written about this promise a number of times over the years. I do that because I want to keep my word and share the warning in as large a forum as possible. If I’m honest with myself, though, I have to admit I also do it because I want to feel a little less guilty about my unearned privilege as a white woman. As a white mother, to be precise. My worries never rival those of most African-American mothers. Most days, I’d rather not think about that. Again, such privilege.
Oh dear! Tell me that Filibus-turtle cartoon was done by a TODobot from this village. 😆 😆 I think it’s perfecto. I’m surprised others outside the village have actually noticed Mitch’s turtle-like properties.
GM all, and a special GM to the Never to be Former Future Bride, the provider of such wonderful delicacies.
Well, Romney got his wish, Detroit has gone bankrupt. Let it be remembered that it happened under the administration of a Republican Emergency Manager appointed by the Republican Governor of the State of Michigan. Now why would a GOP Governor want to see Detroit go bankrupt? Hmmm.
Not saying there weren’t major difficulties in Detroit, and it may have happened anyway, but according to the GOP, because the depths of the recession were after PBO was inaugurated, it was his fault and the person in charge bears responsibility.
“The Never to be Former Future Bride”
It’s on (again)!!!!!
Morning Japa!
Thought you would appreciate that.
Very much!!
Three associates of former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi have been found guilty of procuring prostitutes for his controversial “bunga bunga” parties.
Emilio Fede, Lele Mora and Nicole Minetti were given jail sentences of between five and seven years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23382873
Holy bunga shit!
That place sounds like a lawless cesspool…
Good morning everyone.
I love, love, love how the president and so many others have embraced the name Obamacare for the ACA. They proudly took on the term that repubs. tried to use to show scorn and derision and used it themselves to illustrate the essence of what healthcare reform is really about. It is rightly named for the man who cares for us made it a reality. This is winning in a major way.
PS. Thanks for including my most favorite photo of BO and MO; the one that was taken of them when they attended the wedding of Valerie Jarret’s daughter. I always smile and sigh with pleasure when I see it.
My favorite pic too, CEB! 🙂
https://twitter.com/LOLGOP/status/358245635037724674
Outstanding!!!!
😆
Great toons.. http://juanitajean.com/2013/07/19/friday-toons-45/
She also uses the phrase: “caca del toro” I’m stealing that!
Zimmerman acquittal another reason to wake up
By Leonard Pitts Jr.
lpitts@MiamiHerald.com
Four words of advice for African Americans in the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal:
Wake the hell up.
The Sunday after Zimmerman went free was a day of protest for many of us. From Biscayne Boulevard in Miami to Leimert Park in Los Angeles, to the Daley Center in Chicago to Times Square in New York City, African Americans — and others who believe in racial justice — carried out angry, but mostly peaceful demonstrations.
Good. This is as it should have been.
But if that’s the end, if you just get it out of your system, then move ahead with business as usual, then all you did Sunday was waste your time. You might as well have stayed home.
We are living in a perilous era for African-American freedom. The parallels to other eras have become too stark to ignore.
Every period of African-American advance has always been met by a crushing period of push back, the crafting of laws and the use of violence with the intent of eroding the new freedoms. Look it up:
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/16/3503415/zimmerman-acquittal-another-reason.html#storylink=cpy
Important piece. Maybe it should be read in churches and every other house of worship, until it’s time to vote.
This is soooo on point! I gotta figure a way to tweet and e-mail this bad boy.
Oh BTW howdy everyone.
Shipmate, you look lonely on this thread, come on over to the new one!
OKAY, AS SOON AS i FINISH READING THIS ONE.
Oh puhleeze! I trying to pack for my trip and gorge on news at the same time. Cut this geezer some slack, okay?
I WILL remember your kindness in the future your ROYAL HINDASS!
Great piece, By Mr. Pitts Jr. Thanks rikyrah for sharing it.
Oh dear…………….. http://blogs.orlandoweekly.com/index.php/2013/07/look-whos-talking-was-there-a-mole-on-the-zimmerman-jury/
Hmm. DF, do you know can a retrial be ordered if it’s proved that jurors violated the rules of sequestration?
Hmmm…as our “friend” Jodi Kantor would say! 🙂
Ha, whatever happened that creature?! Is she still scribbling bile?
LOL! Haven’t heard from her in a while. I guess things didn’t pan out as they had hoped (i.e., Obama got re-elected) so the MSM stopped booking her on their shows.
Now they’re trying a different angle – with the emo-Libertarian set….
Ah, you’re right Hopefruit – here she was on election night:
Indeed. She must have been in shock. 🙂
You have to feel sorry for her, Hopefruit
Yes, terribly sorry! LMAO…
Such a beautifully casual insult, Chip. Brilliant!
Ah, casual insults rock, Theo!
I have no idea. But there must be SOME smart people left in FL who could raise this question. This really IS “caca del toro” !!
Haven’t a clue either DF, but I’m struggling to see how any jury’s decision could stand if it was shown they violated the rules of sequestration – otherwise what’s the point of sequestration?
I agree…would like to see more evidence and reporting about this though. Something stinks in FL….
I would say 99.9% he cannot be retried after a not guilty verdict. If he had been found guilty – then yes – the verdict could be thrown out.
Really 99ts? I never know how these things work, double jeopardy, etc.
I agree with you, 99ts! The State murder trial is over! The Federal government can still try GZ for Civil Rights violation or for committing a hate crime, but not for murder.
I am certain AG Holder is on top of this!
Chips you included my favorite picture today. Every time I see the picture of POTUS and FLOTUS at Valerie Jarrett’s daughter’s wedding, tears come to my eyes, and shivers go up and down my spine. Thanks.
It’s a beauty, Carolyn, love it too.
Whaaaaat???? http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/19/2324111/ohio-prisons-shut-off-electricity-in-exchange-for-payments/
Is there anything they will not do to kick people harder while they are down. This will not end well for anyone.
http://thinkprogress.org/alyssa/2013/07/19/2328241/mandela-long-walk-to-freedom-and-americas-fear-of-black-men/
Disgusting Republicans in Detroit
Attorneys for the city’s pension fund say they would have won a restraining order blocking the bankruptcy filing temporarily – and preserving pensioner rights – but Gov. Snyder’s legal team tricked them. The Detroit Free Press reports pension fund lawyers agreed to the government’s request for a 5-minute delay to a hearing for the order, and that in that five minutes Snyder’s attorneys filed the bankruptcy papers in another court. “It was my intention to grant your request,” the judge told the pension lawyers.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/07/18/2326141/detroit-becomes-largest-city-to-declare-bankruptcy/
Chat away:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/19/chat-away-200/
Didn’t know this:
Guess which random picture is my FAVORITE???!!! 🙂
Hee hee.