Lackawanna College, PA, August 23
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The VP back home!
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President Obama’s townhall today:
Text of remarks here
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President Obama and VP Biden at Lackawanna College:
Text of remarks here
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Good reception, lots of regional coverage for Obama’s call to #MakeCollegeAffordable: http://t.co/1Od8TOttxp Huge issue for folks.
— Jesse Lee (@jesseclee44) August 23, 2013
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FACT SHEET on the President’s Plan to Make College More Affordable: A Better Bargain for the Middle Class – see here
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Thoughtful @nytimes editorial on the President’s plan to make college more affordable for families. http://t.co/podnR4FoXo
— Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) August 23, 2013
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Who needs electricity to light up a room?
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Not everyone in Scranton was pleased to see the President and Vice President – unless this fella thinks the President is God:
😕
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Top right – is that Edward Snowdenski?
Students from Tully Central High School meet President Obama during their team soccer team practice in Tully, New York, August 23
Trouble-Maker-In-Chief http://t.co/ki3NoWYTGb
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) August 24, 2013
More photos from Tully here
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Binghamton University:
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Ha, brilliant! – @DaRiverZkind: @BarackObama Can Shoot Rainbows From His Fingers (NYMag)
A hand of President Barack Obama is seen as he gestures while answering a question during a town hall meeting at Binghamton University
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@petesouza: Pres Obama talks to wait staff at Bingham’s Homemade Pies in Kingsley, PA
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VP Biden met his #1 fan (literally), @MovesLikeBiden, in Scranton today after speaking about college affordability: pic.twitter.com/St1GYglVDO
— Office of VP Biden (@VP) August 23, 2013
just met my biggest hero, @VP, and can confirm he gives amazing hugs. he introduced us to @BarackObama too. am I Leslie Knope yet?
— Eve (@gillibranded) August 23, 2013
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The end of the bus tour
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Arriving at Andrews Air Force Base
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President Obama returning to the White House, wondering if Sunny has trashed the place:
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See the posts below for more on the President’s bus tour
The Obama Diary 
Me
Yes, you LadyTNT!!!
Thanks Chips!!! You’re the bomb dot com!!!!
Ha, I must register that name LadyTNT!!!
Lol, it’s all yours and the truth !!!
I really appreciate President Obama fighting for college affordability. I’m already in debt from my first two degrees and I call myself going back for a nursing degree. My loan payments sky rocketed to an amount I definitely can’t afford after congress didn’t act in July. I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I am just because you know education will lead you to a better life .
GE Chips, TOD…. awesome, comprehensive post! In awe or your attention to detai & skilzzzz!
Palo Alto, CA — Independent testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Tesla Model S a 5-star safety rating, not just overall, but in every subcategory without exception. Approximately one percent of all cars tested by the federal government achieve 5 stars across the board. NHTSA does not publish a star rating above 5, however safety levels better than 5 stars are captured in the overall Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) provided to manufacturers, where the Model S achieved a new combined record of 5.4 stars.
Of all vehicles tested, including every major make and model approved for sale in the United States, the Model S set a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants. While the Model S is a sedan, it also exceeded the safety score of all SUVs and minivans. This score takes into account the probability of injury from front, side, rear and rollover accidents.
It ain’t cheap either!
No about 67K base model….4-6 wk wait for delivery after waiting list, but says something about the quality of the car. I added some picks og the Model X SUV coming out in 2015, it’s kinda sick. Lamborghini front and back doors….and the dashboard!!
Quit drooling, LP! 😉
Damn, I want one.
Aw sweet! What a great two day trip!
Nestled on a patch of private land in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the Fly Ranch Geyser is one of the state’s coolest attractions, though many residents still do not know it exists. The geyser, which spews waters about five feet high, lies about a third of a mile from State Route 34, a road which functions as the only viewpoint since the geyser is not open to the public.
Before becoming the Martian-esque, “We come in peace” waterworks it is today, the Fly Ranch Geyser was just an ordinary man-made well drilled in the early 1900s. Eventually piping hot, geothermally heated water began to rise through cracks in the well and up to the ground’s surface. Though workers tried to cap it off and prevent leakage of the hot water, their efforts were obviously unsuccessful.
Wow, LP, that’s an amazing photo. I’ve never heard of this geyser before.
Neither had I Jackie, I ran across it while researching articles for a geology class I’m taking. There are about 6/7 photos I added if you click on the link, along w/ some scientific info on how this martian rock formed…..
Beautiful!
Think this may be on private property, so not accessible by the general public.
Would recomment Lassen National Park in northern California for spectacular hot springs and geyser displays. I think it’s one of the least visited National Parks, so it’s rarely crowded (unlike Yosemite or Yellowstone).
Was there in June or July about 15 years ago, and the snow banks were still at least 20 feet high.
The best thing about the park were its restrooms. I had the spacious ladies room to myself and it was blessedly HEATED.
Will have to add that park to my bucket list…. The geyser in the photo is no longer spraying according to the article, but new ones have formed, and you can visit by contacting the owner of the property. BTW Jinx on the Postage stamp link 🙂
My bucket list includes visiting all of the National Parks. I’ll have some free time starting January 20, 2017…
Arapaho — I just came back from a cross country trip and we stayed in Hot Springs ARK. Lots of rich history there about how the natives would come there for bathing rituals, taking care of ailments, and such, then the settlers came and created the resort town that it became known as in the late 19th – early 20th century. Fascinating stuff.
GE Chipsticks, this is an awesome thread! I love the pics, especially VP Biden smile.
I think the flight & time zone has put vc to sleep. She hasn’t answered my text or email. 🙂 We’ll catch up with each other when she wakes up.
Thank you GGail!!! Ooooooooh, has VC got lost/arrested/ or fallen asleep??
I’m gonna choose asleep. Where she’s staying in the Valley the other choices are not an option. Hahaha!
Loooooove the hug. Says so much about their relationship.
Rep. John Lewis remembers the moment well: More than 250,000 people marching toward the Lincoln Memorial, rallying for jobs and justice, as he prepared to deliver a passionate speech at the March on Washington.
Almost 50 years later, Lewis returned to that day as he gazed at an image of marchers carrying placards calling for jobs and equal rights, with the Washington Monument as a backdrop. The moment is captured on the newest postage stamp, unveiled Friday, to commemorate the civil rights movement.
“I’m more than lucky. I am very blessed to come here and see the unveiling of this beautiful stamp,” Lewis said during a ceremony at the Newseum. Now 73, he is the last surviving organizer of the historic march.
This is wonderful. The U.S. Post Office has been doing a wonderful job commemorating people and events. Most of them are really beautiful and evocative. Sad to see stamps becoming less popular.
great to see that Congressman Lewis is able to unveil that stamp today – I will be asking for it during my next visit to the US Post Office (too bad I did not know about this stamp when I visited the post office just this morning
There’s such genius in what the president is doing on this trip. He’s taking his message about college affordability directly to those who will value it the most. He’s showing people in areas that are often overlooked that he’s there, he cares about them and no one is forgotten by him. He’s making it very, very difficult for any local Congressman to disagree with his proposal. They can’t twist the truth because these people have heard it directly from the president. He’s getting unbiased local media. And he’s laying the groundwork for 2014. Everywhere he goes he manages to make clear how dysfunctional the GOP is and how the House has become a place where good ideas and sound policies go to die. His manner and great personal charisma get people on HIS side, collectively making fun of the dimwits in Washington. It’s just plain brilliant and, in the face, of an impossible situation in Congress, it is the single most effective way PBO can push his agenda. And on top of everything else, I think these trips give him new energy and commitment. Instead of dealing with truly insufferable people like Boehner and McConnell, he meets with real people who want solutions, not political posturing. And, not incidentally, he reminds everyone why they voted for this incredible man in the first place.
Perfectly stated, jackieg. The MSM can pretend that the President is disheartened or tired because of their made up scandals and nonsense, but the truth is apparent to anyone who watched these appearances.
POTUS is charged up and taking his truth to the country. And we Love him dearly.
Exactly, jackiegrunbacher. I love his strategy. He is out-smarting these foolish and ugly people in the House and the Senate. He took his message himself, and he spoke to the clients directly in the beginning of the school year. Information and a treat for the college students all in one. Very smart. Wonder what Tweety is saying now. The President is having a ‘talk with the college students personally.’ None of this “having a drink with Turtlehead crap. I hope this drives Tweety nuts.
Our POTUS is so darn brilliant. Right people, right places, right timing right messenger. Then he and VP Biden conclude the trip Together. Stamped and Delivered Together. Amen? Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Brilliant President and VP. Love them!!! These foolish people have not seen anything yet. Watch him. Just watch him. I love my President. HZ
I just love love love the expressions on the Marine 1 chopper pilots faces… They have just flown the coolest President ever in the whole wide world! What a pleasure it must be to hold that trust!!
Hello MightyPamela. Love it also. I always like to see the look on their face because it is like making sure you get the most precious passenger back to the right place at the right time. What memories these fine young men and women will have to share with their children and families generations to come.
MightyPamela, notice the next time how POB goes in and shakes the pilots hand as he enters and before he deplane. It is so cool and honorable. A beautiful sight to behold.
(((((((((((((( A Big TOD Family Hug to the Pilots on Marine 1 and Air Force One. The pilot on Air Force is sooooooooooooooo cute. Lord have mercy on me. Just saying.
Welcome home, Mr. President. Get some rest and relax this weekend with your family and friends. We appreciate you, support you, and love you. Work to do for you for 2014. We are on it, Mr. President. HZ
So, what part of the education plan can get done administratively, executive branch?
Not only does our beloved President posses the powers of persuasion… he can also do this!
Hey Chips, I don’t know if you added links after publishing, or I am just a moron 😦 and need to go back to my lasik doctor?…… sorry for doubling up on a few!
Ah, no, stay away from that doctor LP!! I added a few links to the original post, you’re perfectly sane!
TY for the reassurance…..would have bugged me all night! Now I can resume questioning everything else in my life!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Calling it for the evening, GN.
“Now I can resume questioning everything else in my life!!”
Join my club, LP!! Night, have a perfect weekend!
Wait a minute there young man, I haven’t told you “G’Night” yet! 😀 Is your holiday over now? Last time I spoke with you you were heading back to school ‘next week’. Is it next week, I guess I’m asking? Anyway, have a great next week, when it comes!
Syria is front and center for war drum rumbling this weekend.
Check @jeffersonobama’s Twitter timeline for speculation:
– Is the public release of US warship maneuvers just theater?
– Is Putin gonna look really bad after all this?
That’s a weird AP headline. It would normally be the other way around — if the President wants the military to get in place, then the Defense Department will act. And any “suggestions” would be given to the President in the War Room. But I didn’t read the story, so maybe I’ve got it wrong!
And now that I’ve corrected the latest AP headline (Ha!), I shall call it a long day. Goodnight, TODville! See you (virtually) at the March, and to those actually attending, we’re with you in spirit!
“This is probably controversial to say, but what the heck. I am in my second term, so I can say it,” Mr. Obama said at a town hall-style meeting at Binghamton University in New York. “I believe that law schools would probably be wise to think about being two years instead of three years.”
The president’s surprising remarks, made while discussing how to make education more affordable, come at a time of crisis for law schools. With an increasing number of graduates struggling with soaring tuition costs, heavy student debt and a difficult job market, a growing number of professors and administrators are pushing for broad reforms in legal education.
“We academics toil in the wilderness,” said Samuel Estreicher, a professor at the New York University School of Law leading a movement to permit students to take the bar exam and practice after two years. “It is great to have the president join the cause.”
Mr. Obama has plenty of credibility inside the legal academy. After graduating from Harvard Law School, where he served as the president of the Harvard Law Review, he taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago from 1992 until his election to the Senate in 2004.
This is where I have my biggest and only beef with my President. I hope that he has a solution that will work, because so far, Arne Duncan has been a disappointment to me. Charter schools and cyber schools are NOT the answer. The majority of them waste money (especially cyber schools) and pick and choose what students are enrolled. Charters and cybers are NOT really public schools.
i agree. was really hoping duncan wasn’t going to be around in the second term. the overwhelming majority of public schools that have been struggling for years now, are struggling because of societal trends and the “trickle-downer” mindset that has dominated our public policy since ronald reagan. they need MORE help, not punishment for tackling society’s problems face-to-face each and every day. seems like every time i ever see arne duncan, all he’s doing is promoting charter schools.
all this time and money going to selective charter schools, who get to refuse the most troubled kids if they feel like it while public schools take all people, has been ridiculous. every charter school promoter or worker i know, or have read about, leans on the libertarian side of things and claims the teacher unions are the problem, or a big part of the problem. this is such utter b.s. that anyone spewing it in my opinion is not a smart person. it’s just been used by the koch brother type people to exert more control on society and reduce the influence of the common person through the democratic process. please president obama, you are quite possibly the best president ever and are helping 10s of millions of people around the world, so start doing more to correct the libertarian takeover of our education system. arne duncan is not the answer, that much is clear. we have faith in you, mr. president.
I’m totally with you on your thoughts about the schools. I can’t tell you how many kids come to my school from charters that have to actually be TAUGHT ALL OVER AGAIN…or worse, TAUGHT THE FIRST TIME. Sorry ass state of affairs. Charters are on my shit list.
Public schools are obligated to teach truth – language, math, science and whatever. They do not teach about “beliefs” nor a make believe constitution based on a religious book. They are the backbone of a society that allows everyone to compete on a level playing field. They should be properly funded by states with perhaps assistance from Federal funds.
Cities do NOT have the taxing resources to fund public education. When cities and states run by the GOP reduce taxes and refuse to fund education – that is the first step in ensuring there is no equality of opportunity – and it is why the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer.
The whole concept of “charter” schools seems crazy to me – teachers are paid less, middlemen make huge profits and kids learn less.
Thank you. I really really dislike that man and I’d like to see any research he bases his claims on. That Race to the Top was not much better than NCLB. Competition is not the best model for schools, in my opinion. And many of the charter schools are staffed by Teach for America volunteers – cheaper than teachers, don’t know what they are doing, and are sent to teach the most needy kids. This all Michelle Rhee garbage. Anyone who thinks a school can be run by basically untrained volunteers really shows their contempt for teachers. This is why I will hold back until I know more about his proposals for universities.
Speaking of charters… And be sure to peruse the AG’s full report; link is in article. On top of this, state Sen. Dom Pileggi (father of PA Right to Know) is trying to exempt charter schools from public disclosure. Yes, Pileggi is bought and paid for by Gureghian!
i honestly feel mt. rushmore should be prepped right now for president obama for all he’s done to this point, let alone over the next few years. seriously.
none of us is perfect though, as president obama himself says often, and i’d say so far education has been one of his weaker areas (largely because of his standing by arne duncan). outside of this and his penchant for putting his feet up on tables (shoes come off at the front door in our house), president obama is about as perfect as a human being as possible when you look at his family life and professional accomplishments. there’s still time to correct his education stances though. yes, we can!!!
Alycee, you KNOW I’m stealing #OneTermTom. Gov. Corbett has GOT to GO!!
Bumper stickers available from Kennett Area Dems. https://www.facebook.com/KADemocrats
Am I to understand that Pres. Obama ate a slice of pie today? Brings back memories of his his whirlwind tour of 4 different neighborhoods in Philadelphia, all in one day.
This was in West Philadelphia (…born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days… ooops, sorry)
Good thing POTUS work out or he might look like Gov. Christie
CNN has a good rerun going on the March.
Thanks – watching. I don’t know how the country got through ’63 and ’68 and the other times, but somehow we did. And, luckily, we all lived to see ’08 and ’12!
It ain’t over yet.Trust me. There are too many guns floating around out there.
I wish I could be in DC tomorrow. I will ring the bells wt 3pm. The importance of the celebration tomorrow and Wednesday is so great! We must continue this and make sure all that has been accomplished is taken back from the people that are trying to move us back!
Chips – This is an absolutely perfect post! (And we kinda deserve it, ’cause we’re such loyal Obamabots!) You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha, thank you Jacqueline – you DO deserve it!!! 😆
As you deserve the highest praise! 🙂
Some of this is truly unbearable, and yet so beautiful. Guess that’s the very definition of “life.”
Oh my…no words…
The perfect way to bridge the generations. For all that is bad in the world, there is so much good. The Martins look like they have a purpose, they look quite peaceful and I’m very happy about that.
I look at Pres O hopping up the stairs like he can hardly wait, and it flashed through my mind that there is never a time when the president is not eager to speak to groups of Americans (well, except for the times of tragedy)! I think Pres O and VP Biden got all of the quota of political joy available for 2008-2016; that would explain the morose faces of all the GOP politicians, every time. I cannot clearly recall too many – I mean any – GOPs showing signs of happiness or joy since 2009.
Hey! Look at You! Some folks thought you might be asleep by now…
No, I’m still allergic to sleep, no matter my location. 😀 I actually went for a walk to ‘see’ the neighbourhood. It’s easier to get a sense of where I am walking than when I’m driven, and I arrived here in an airport shuttle.
VC, hen I look at the individual faces of the GOP, their mouths look sad, their foreheads are lined with worry wrinkles…President Obama and V President Biden have unlined, bright, wide open faces. Very telling.
*WHEN, not hen
Very telling, indeed, Ark! We don’t need all those GOP sourpuses (or sourpusi?) pretending to lead. They have nothing to offer and their very demeanor does nothing to inspire. Who wants leaders who look as if they have no hope?
Truth!!
Sourpusi — I LOVE it! 🙂
Lighting them up for the march tomorrow! Blessings! http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Imagine if even a small portion of the fake GG/NSA/ShinnyNewPrivacyIdol/etc outrage from the eternal whiners on the left had been devoted to the reported nerve gas attacks on the people of Syria?
Could collective voices of outrage have made a difference to the Russian/Iran/China governments that protect Assad?
Will the march be televised on CSpan?
I think MSNBC is going to carry it wall-to-wall.
In case anybody needs a laugh:
It’s going down in the NO. Time again for the for the annual party for the two elder set of twin siblings of my mom. Im ready to head out.
http://t.co/18MQTAx6O4
What is the schedule for tomorrow’s events?
Oops! Thanks for the reminder, Bill. I forgot that tomorrow is a big day. I think I’d better go read for a bit so I can fall asleep with the book in my hand. Will rendez-vous with you guys tomorrow.
What I’ve seen of today’s activities constrain me to repeat this quote ..
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams
Sweet dreams, TODobots!
I am confused. When is the 50th Anniversary March to the Lincoln Memorial…. and when is the virtual bell ringing? I’m getting two different answers: tomorrow (Saturday, 8/24) and next week (Wed, 8/28). Can someone provide a link to the events of the anniversary march, please? Thanks.
Oops! Found it myself. http://50thanniversarymarchonwashington.com/
time for some rest …
#TrustBarack
#LandSlideDEMS2014 – That’s not a fantasy, that’s an absolute MUST DO
Yes We Can
Off to work! March on!!
Good Morning TOD
I’ll be heading out soon because I’m volunteering with the MD Democrats this morning. I’ll be directing people from the metro station and passing out buttons.
Bottle water…Check
Sunscreen applied…Check
Sunglasses…Check
Comfy Walking Tennis Shoes…Check and Double Check
I pray the march today has a great turnout. You never know about these things until you know….
I hope to get some great pictures to share later today and if I can I’ll check in with you all.
Have a great O’Day everyone as we March on!!!!
Have a great day Donna – looking forward to your pictures and reports
Thanks, Donna. God bless you as well as every person marching and involved in any way!!!! I would LOVE to be there. Will be in spirit.
wish I could be there too, had planned on it, but everything fell through. Will be watching online today. Happy Saturday Chips & TOD
Enjoy your day Donna dem! Looking forward to reading all about it!
For those of you going to the march good luck have fun, and don’t forget to tell everybody to Vote in Midterms.
LIVE NOW: March on Washington 50th Anniversary – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Rise and March:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/08/24/rise-and-march/