So….that did happen!! My head is already inflated as it is, Arapaho. TY 🙂 If it were not for Chips (eternally grateful) I would never have had the platform…… I share the adulation with all of the TOD family. Growing bigger…. day, by day.
“Yes, I’m Black and I’m Proud of it and I’m Black and Beautiful”!!!
One of his most powerful two minutes, ever, LP. And, we have a First Family that Proves his thesis, every single day, not just because they are physically black and beautiful, but also because their souls are intrinsically just, empathetic and giving.
(I’ve seen tweets about the NYT and Twitter hacking… Haven’t been able to access NYT all day, and Twitter doesn’t display some pics and graphics for me, so tweets embedded at TOD look like deleted tweets usually look, i.e., no white box, no pic) 😦
“At one point, Raleigh’s News & Observer counted at least two dozen bills that matched ALEC priorities. They included voter ID, publicly financed vouchers for private schools, and prioritizing energy exploration.”
and
“Two groups based in Raleigh also claim a share of the GOP agenda. Both are funded by Art Pope, McCrory’s budget director and a top financier of conservative candidates and causes.”
and finally:
“Critics say GOP lawmakers went too far.
Chris Fitzsimon, director of the liberal N.C. Policy Watch, says North Carolina voters, who split narrowly in the past two presidential elections, didn’t suddenly veer far right in 2012.”
Good evening all! Finally settled in at the hotel. Super psyched for tomorrow. Blessed to have my 81 yo Mom with me (even though she didn’t take me to the ’63 March). In the small world catagory, the person staffing the ticket pick up location was my ’08 field director! Nice catching up.
This was the best part of your comment: “(even though she didn’t take me to the ’63 March)” – and perhaps what you’ve been chatting about with her! Enjoy every minute with your Mom!
GGail – thanks so much for driving out here to the suburbs (aka “the boonies”) to entertain VC & son while I was away. Much appreciated. Sounds like you all had a great time!
So POTUS was talking to Canada PM, was he asking him to take their famous son back. Ted Cruz. I doubt if the people of Canada would even want Ted Cruz.
HaHa, anniebella, I had an idea about these two jokers doing their darndest to be The Kennedys, Bobby and Ted. (Jindal and Cruz). Both losers, they just don’t know it yet!! 🙂
PORTAGE, ALASKA — As she marveled at the site of a shrinking Alaska glacier, the newly installed leader of the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that the president told her that fighting climate change should be her primary focus.
“The president’s main priority for me was to recognize when I was coming in here that this is going to be a significant challenge and one in which the administration was going to begin to tackle,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
While the Portage Glacier has been in a long retreat, the National Climate Assessment links the accelerated melting of glaciers and Arctic sea ice to global warming caused by human activity. Worldwide, most glaciers are losing mass and some are disappearing altogether.
Reposting this from the last thread, cause it’s about MSNBC.
But really, Hayes and Maddow are going to take their primetime lineup and completely sink the ratings. Agree with everything that was said about this time last night about both of them and MSNBC.
Israel may have intercepted Syrian discussions about chemical attack
By Ken Dilanian
August 27, 2013, 2:25 p.m.
WASHINGTON — “An elite Israeli intelligence unit intercepted conversations among high ranking Syrian government officials discussing last week’s apparent chemical attack outside Damascus as it unfolded, a German news magazine has reported.
Citing an anonymous Israeli ex-intelligence official, Germany’s Focus magazine said Saturday that Israel’s secretive signals intelligence agency, Unit 8200, eavesdropped on a conversation between senior Syrian officials about use of chemical agents.
On Friday, Israel’s Channel 2 reported that rockets containing chemical agents were fired by the 155th Brigade of the 4th Armored Division, a division under the command of the Syrian president’s brother, Maher Assad.
The shells were reportedly fired from a military base in a mountain range west of Damascus, the news channel said, without disclosing its sources.”
hmmmmm—–Israel? I was feeling a little more reassured when I saw an earlier tweet that our NSA was involved in the interception and was confirming Syrian govt. involvement—-altho I didn’t know how that info became known to anyone on twitter. Have been feeling uneasy—–I don’t envy President Obama and another difficult decision he has to make.
We undoubtedly have our own intel but part of what President Obama has accomplished is an unprecedented level of cooperation among various foreign intel agencies and Israel is one of the very best intel groups in the world. At this point, as much corroboration of Assad’s use of chemical weapons is essential. I agree with the assessments that indicate that President is being very open in signaling intent, nature of targets, etc., because the objective is not to enter into a ‘war’ with Syria but to punish, effectively and efficiently, a tyrant that has used chemical weapons against his citizens. I expect a very limited but fierce, precise and extensive set of targets being hit. I do not anticipate any form of ‘troops on the ground’ type activity nor a prolonged engagement of attacks or ‘no fly zone’ type activity. We’ll see.
What I do know is that President Obama has proven, many times, he can be trusted in these complex situations and his motives and actions are not political.
What I mean by ‘limited’ is time frame; what I mean by ‘extensive’ is type of targets – command and control, air defense, stored artillery & tanks and chemical weapons storage facilities. Need to completely degrade Assad’s C&C and ensure he has no further chemical weapons or means to deploy them.
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of President Obama. I trust him implicitly. He never makes these kind of decisions until he has all possible info and intelligence and cooperation. I just hate the whole deal, everything about it, the causes and effects, as I’m sure most decent people do. It’s beyond my comprehension how anyone could decide to launch such a deadly attack on innocent people, fellow countrymen at that, all those beautiful children. Sad and tragic beyond belief.
To be honest, I don’t believe anything that comes from the Israeli government. They’ve done a lot of dubious things themselves, and always seem to be itching for a war with the rest of the Middle East… They have no credibility (especially after that fiasco with Romney).
I have similar thoughts theo. Why is the US and the west ALWAYS involved in internal politics in the middle east – they have not done this in some of the African atrocities – nor some in Europe – I wonder about Israel and Oil.
If Pierce could just stay away from supporting GG – he gets the rest almost perfect
“It also raises the question, fairly vital now that we appear to be ready to make some war in Syria, as to whether there is anything we’ve done in the Middle East since we installed the shah that didn’t come back to bite this country in the ass in one way or another. This is a particularly horrific episode in our seven decades of abject Fail in that part of the world. Damn, we’re lousy at this.”
The big bit is at the beginning of the audio where Rickey Smiley talks about what they were talking about and what they were gonna do, but please listen to the whole thing.
Want to know why PBO knew what happened in Syria B4 the UN…..? (NSA/CIA)…So Code Pink, Maddow, et al can…. Phoning it in early….GN TOD.
Last Wednesday, in the hours after a horrific chemical attack east of Damascus, an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people. Those conversations were overheard by U.S. intelligence services, The Cable has learned. And that is the major reason why American officials now say they’re certain that the attacks were the work of the Bashar al-Assad regime — and why the U.S. military is likely to attack that regime in a matter of days.
Intercepted Calls Prove Syrian Army Used Nerve Gas, U.S. Spies Say http://t.co/rGS9OxaIBV "Whatever happens — they get what they deserve."
an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people.
***********************
Shallow and Off Topic
Is it just me or is Michelle’s hair just KILLING IT?! Her hair is giving me all kinds of life. I am loving the heck out of it. It’s so full and bouncy and beautiful!! Go Michelle! Werk it!!!!
Works for me! Tune in for the PBS interview with PBO, taking place right after the speeches, airing on the NewsHour! Over and out, back tomorrow! BigBig hugs all around, and heartfelt thanks to all of TOD! Indeed we are blessed to live in such interesting times! God Bless and keep our President. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Yes Indeed, Bob! I hope she runs for governor in 2014 if Jerry Brown decides to retire. I am quite sure she will run in 2018 if she is re-elected as as AG in 2014.
Candles will be burning here for the next 48 hours, non-stop. Prayer and Light Work are ongoing, we are with you. Many Blessings, and Thank You for being there! We walk with you all! {{{{{Dudette}}}}}
OK definitely going to bed now…..but this is the most comprehensive reporting to date of why the US is so definitive in its assessment of CW usage.
One crucial piece of the emerging case came from Israeli spy services, which provided the Central Intelligence Agency with intelligence from inside an elite special Syrian unit that oversees Mr. Assad’s chemical weapons, Arab diplomats said. The intelligence, which the CIA was able to verify, showed that certain types of chemical weapons were moved in advance to the same Damascus suburbs where the attack allegedly took place a week ago, Arab diplomats said……..
Ever since the start of the civil war in 2011, Mr. Obama made clear to his advisers that their top priority would be to prevent the use and spread of Mr. Assad’s chemical weapons. To that end, the Pentagon and the CIA put an early focus on tracking special Syrian forces that control the country’s chemical stocks, using spy satellites and allied spy networks on the ground.
That tracking effort, aided by Israeli and Jordanian agents, expanded in recent months, particularly since the U.S. concluded in June Mr. Assad’s forces had used chemical weapons on a small scale.
A key battleground for Mr. Assad involved a cluster of Damascus suburbs including the Eastern Ghouta region, the last remaining district around Damascus not under partial or total regime control. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Assad’s forces launched “Operation City Shield” against rebel positions in the area.
Syrian officials described the operation as a “pre-emptive strike,” citing intelligence showing that rebel fighters trained outside Syria were amassing in that district and planned a massive attack on Damascus.
The CIA and Saudi intelligence have been training rebels at a base in Jordan, but officials wouldn’t comment on their movements and activities.
U.S., Allies Prepare 2 Act as Syria Intelligence Mounts Evidence Includes Satellite Images Intercepted Communications http://t.co/8oyAMZKuFh
// The “March for Jobs and Justice” will take place on August 28, 2013.The following is a detailed description of the route (along with photographs of important landmarks along the way) of the August 28, 2013 “March for Jobs and Justice”. The March is about 1.6 miles long. Because there are many variable, we can not tell you how long it will take. We will be led in this historic march by “veterans” of the ’63 march. Ahead of them will be the Civil Rights Museum on Wheels – a fully restored transit bus used during the segregation era.
At 8:00 am marchers will begin assembling at 600 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. We will begin marching at 9:00 am sharp. We will then proceed toward Louisiana Avenue, N.W. – where we will take a right turn going toward Constitution Avenue, N.W. There we will see the Washington Gas Building on the corner. At that point we will proceed to the U.S. Department of Labor – which is located at 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. This will be our first rally point. We will then pass by the United States Courthouse. A water station and ambulance service will be located in this area by the Meade memorial. At the 400/500 block Constitution Avenue N.W. veers off to the left. We will move down Constitution Avenue toward 5th Avenue, N.W.
As we proceed down Constitution Avenue, N.W. we will see the Federal Trade Commission (600 block of Constitution Avenue N.W.) and…nd the Archives of the United States (700/800 block of Constitution Avenue N.W.) to the right. We will continue to proceed down Constitution Avenue N.W. toward 14th Street N.W. We will then cross Constitution Avenue to proceed down 14th Street. We’ll walk less than a block down 14th where we will see the construction site of the future home of the Museum of African American History. We will then proceed down Madison Street N.W. – making our way toward the Washington Monument.
The Civil Rights Museum on Wheels will proceed to its exhibit location within the National Mall while we shall continue to march toward the Washington Monument…to the World War II Memorial; and then on to the Lincoln Memorial where we will wait to hear President Barack Obama speak to the nation from the very spot where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream Speech 50 years ago on August 28, 1963. //
Here is a comprehensive guide to tomorrow’s events in DC. It contains directions for getting there (including a map of the surrounding area), and advice on what not to bring to the event. If you scroll down, you will see the FULL program with all appearances, performances and speeches from 11AM-4PM. This is going to be a FANTASTIC commemoration.
Saw “Junkanoo performers” on the program. Mr. dotster still teases me about how much fun I had on “Junkanoo night” on our honeymoon in Nassau. 🙂 I thought it was just a fun(wild and crazy) night at our resort, didn’t know it was a big thing. Learn something every day.
I’m finally getting to watch my recording of tonight’s replay of In Performance at the White House (A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement), and tears are in my eyes already – and it’s not even the 50th commemoration until tomorrow! To see and hear Joan Baez sing We Shall Overcome, knowing she was at the Lincoln Memorial in ’63, knowing Dr. King visited her and others another year when they were in jail for protesting the Vietnam War, knowing he respected her because she walked the walk, hearing her tell the President and his family, “You are so much loved” … we cannot forget any of this, we cannot.
Letterman is nailing Trump, said a popular course at Trump U. was “How to become rich like Donald Trump by opening your own fake school like Donald Trump”.
Had an in service on behavior today. Guess who I thought about when the instructor said this….”Calm is strength and being openly upset is weakness.” Seriously…he immediately popped into my head:) Reason # 12, 498 on why the hate him….Night everyone. Going to be an amazing day tomorrow.
Well its time for me to Rise and Shine. I want to get an early start to the mall so I can participate in the March that will take place this morning. Its gonna be an exciting day. I carry each of you who cannot be here today in my heart so know that you are here in spirit.
I see the Today Show has Gen. Barry McCaffrey on saying the limited proposed strikes in Syria “make no sense”, that it would take many days/weeks of sustained attacks to make a difference on the ground. And MJ has invited McCain on today to criticize the Obama admin. on Syria. Some things never change.
McCain who never saw a war he didn’t want to fight – is a walking disaster of foreign relations – yet the media think he is God’s gift to US war making. It is very sad that he is allowed to stir up so much trouble – he should have been removed from all interaction with anyone after his disaster of a VP selection. His stupid was never more on show than in his failed attempt to become President. I can only hope there are some to write the truth in his obituary.
Of course a conservative tv host has on a conservative Senator to insult a Democratic President. No mystery there given the guy has been doing it just about every morning since PBO took office.
Please be aware that anyone who is featured in the MSM will be brought on to criticize PBO. If PBO had decided to do absolutely nothing, there would have been another group of folks being brought on cable TV to attack him on that position.
PBO is not the problem – the media is the problem.
There needs to be more proof as to where any chemical weapons came from. I do not trust anyone in this fight. I also don’t believe that you can save people from themselves. What good has come out of ANY middle east war in the past 50 years.
I’m inclined to agree with you. I wish President Obama would just keep out of Syria completely. Let Syrians sort things out or let other Middle Eastern countries figure things out. Millions of people died in the Congo and thousands of women were raped. The US never went there to help out the Congolese. Ditto Rwanda.
I am so confused as to who is behind all of the unrest in the middle east – but there are strong parties involved who want to see the US in the midst of it all again. Somewhere, sometime, it has to stop. Nothing that looks anyways good has come from the last 10 years of war. I agree with your thoughts re African nations. It is not so difficult to draw some conclusions as to what is different in the ME – and for that matter Africa.
That’s the important point, Jovie. We’re not taking “sides” in the war or intervening in the outcome. This is a specific purpose based on international law regarding the use of chemical weapons. It think this is going to be a quick sortie of many nations to knock out the chemical weapon centers to show other nations that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and is a step too far. The war may then continue ad infinitum after that and I don’t think we’ll interfere again–at least not under this president. There should be some pretty massive humanitarian aid for the refugee children, though.
I’m sure there are other military people who will have different opinions. It’s easy to be adamant about something when that’s the only thing you have to focus on. President Obama has to also think about the domestic issues here at home and how war will impact us. He has to take into consideration our relationships with other countries, both our allies and those with which we are starting to build alliances.
President Obama know what he is doing and he is listening the people he needs to listen to…those who are more qualified to advise him and who have a broader knowledge about the situation…and it is not the MSM nor any of the so-called “experts” they bring in.
That’s not going to happen and truth to tell it shouldn’t. He needs to get over he lost (and there are a few indications he has) but agree or not he has a right to make his voice heard just like any other politician. No matter how frightfully wrong he is.
I don’t believe he has the right to be on the opposite side of the President – and attack the President every time he opens his mouth. Many have lost a Presidential election and they do not spend the next 5 years attacking the person who won. Many of the things on the President’s agenda were supported by McCain during the 2008 campaign – including health care.
McCain is seriously wrong on the international scene and has supported years and years of sending young men to pointless wars they cannot win.
I would wish him to spend his final years reflecting on that fact, rather than continuing to support armed conflict.
Will the march be on C-SPAN? Some of the US news streaming I cannot watch. – mmm think I answered my own question. Nothing till 11am on C-span – I did see in the program . I’ll look elsewhere.
Thanks JER – I hadn’t checked the widget – I can usually get that one. I thought the march started at 9am – I must have misread as most seem to be starting at 11am. May be too late for me. I shall have to watch the replays found on TOD later.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
This!
Mighty P!!!!
I bow to Thee, Mightier Chipsticks!!! 😆 Dinnertime in Seattle!! Bbl! Thanks for letting me be first, made my day! 🙂
Congratulations, MightyPamela.
TY, vl. The thrill never fades, does it?!
Congrats MP on landing First and no the thrill never fades 🙂
GE Chips, TOD…… just catching up for the day. Getting riled up for tomorrow!!
Take some time if you have it…….
LP,
You’re being far too modest:
So….that did happen!! My head is already inflated as it is, Arapaho. TY 🙂 If it were not for Chips (eternally grateful) I would never have had the platform…… I share the adulation with all of the TOD family. Growing bigger…. day, by day.
Well deserved kudos.
Glad to see you and hopefully, all the blog tyrants get the recognition you all deserve.
Thank you for the link to the Robert Penn Warren interview of MLKJr, LP. Everyone should listen to it.
And, thank you again, for your superb thread this weekend.
#FORWARD
#FORWARD Bobfr….one more gem just for you!
“Yes, I’m Black and I’m Proud of it and I’m Black and Beautiful”!!!
One of his most powerful two minutes, ever, LP. And, we have a First Family that Proves his thesis, every single day, not just because they are physically black and beautiful, but also because their souls are intrinsically just, empathetic and giving.
Thank you.
Yes We Can
Bobfr, your words and understanding touched me deeply. Thank you
Thank you, Gail, very much.
It’s a beautiful thing Lootenant.
Hand salute to you, sailor! Thank you.
Some more wonderful personal stories from the #MOW you may have missed….
I cannot wait. I’ll be there bright and early.
HA!…I feel your excitement…it is contagious!!!!!
I have a lil bell at my desk that I will ring at 3pm
It’s going to be awesome.
Was this posted yesterday?
(I’ve seen tweets about the NYT and Twitter hacking… Haven’t been able to access NYT all day, and Twitter doesn’t display some pics and graphics for me, so tweets embedded at TOD look like deleted tweets usually look, i.e., no white box, no pic) 😦
“At one point, Raleigh’s News & Observer counted at least two dozen bills that matched ALEC priorities. They included voter ID, publicly financed vouchers for private schools, and prioritizing energy exploration.”
and
“Two groups based in Raleigh also claim a share of the GOP agenda. Both are funded by Art Pope, McCrory’s budget director and a top financier of conservative candidates and causes.”
and finally:
“Critics say GOP lawmakers went too far.
Chris Fitzsimon, director of the liberal N.C. Policy Watch, says North Carolina voters, who split narrowly in the past two presidential elections, didn’t suddenly veer far right in 2012.”
Good evening all! Finally settled in at the hotel. Super psyched for tomorrow. Blessed to have my 81 yo Mom with me (even though she didn’t take me to the ’63 March). In the small world catagory, the person staffing the ticket pick up location was my ’08 field director! Nice catching up.
So wonderful that you and your mom are going to be able to attend, together, Alycee!!!
SO cool, Alycee! Rest up and have a great day tomorrow.
how Awesomeeeeeeeeee is this…!!!!!!
Alycee, I bet you & your mom won’t get much sleep tonight. Glad to know you arrived safely. Keep us posted tomorrow.
charging the phone & bluetooth now!
I’ll be there with you!
Have fun, Alycee – sounds like a lot off fun will be had!
This was the best part of your comment: “(even though she didn’t take me to the ’63 March)” – and perhaps what you’ve been chatting about with her! Enjoy every minute with your Mom!
Tomorrow is going to be an emotionally charged day. I’m looking forward to sharing it here on TOD.
GGail – thanks so much for driving out here to the suburbs (aka “the boonies”) to entertain VC & son while I was away. Much appreciated. Sounds like you all had a great time!
And file this under “what the heck were they thinking?”
The most revealing quote in this article are the last two sentences:
“No press release was issued about the campground gunfire. The Times learned of the incident through a source.”
So POTUS was talking to Canada PM, was he asking him to take their famous son back. Ted Cruz. I doubt if the people of Canada would even want Ted Cruz.
HaHa, anniebella, I had an idea about these two jokers doing their darndest to be The Kennedys, Bobby and Ted. (Jindal and Cruz). Both losers, they just don’t know it yet!! 🙂
I think I can speak for the people of Canada (and most civilized countries) and say we don’t want Ted Cruz.
You bet we don’t!
Good news!
It would be funny, were it not so pathetic, to watch them fold one by one.
PORTAGE, ALASKA — As she marveled at the site of a shrinking Alaska glacier, the newly installed leader of the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that the president told her that fighting climate change should be her primary focus.
“The president’s main priority for me was to recognize when I was coming in here that this is going to be a significant challenge and one in which the administration was going to begin to tackle,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
While the Portage Glacier has been in a long retreat, the National Climate Assessment links the accelerated melting of glaciers and Arctic sea ice to global warming caused by human activity. Worldwide, most glaciers are losing mass and some are disappearing altogether.
I visited the Portage Glacier in 1997. It was out into the lake. Now it’s retreated way back into the mountains.
Just watched The March on PBS it was awesome!!!
Please watch it when it airs in your area.
Thanks DD4O for not giving any of it away. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to 9pm pst.
Psst … look what I’m finally watching, GGail (and that’s all I’ll write about it):
Wasn’t it wonderful! think I may buy the dvd for the extras.
Just as Ed gets back into the weekday groove, MSNBC has three straight emoprog hours (looks like Ari Melber is subbing for @Lawrence this week).
Reposting this from the last thread, cause it’s about MSNBC.
But really, Hayes and Maddow are going to take their primetime lineup and completely sink the ratings. Agree with everything that was said about this time last night about both of them and MSNBC.
Should have added Maddow ….
Israel may have intercepted Syrian discussions about chemical attack
By Ken Dilanian
August 27, 2013, 2:25 p.m.
WASHINGTON — “An elite Israeli intelligence unit intercepted conversations among high ranking Syrian government officials discussing last week’s apparent chemical attack outside Damascus as it unfolded, a German news magazine has reported.
Citing an anonymous Israeli ex-intelligence official, Germany’s Focus magazine said Saturday that Israel’s secretive signals intelligence agency, Unit 8200, eavesdropped on a conversation between senior Syrian officials about use of chemical agents.
On Friday, Israel’s Channel 2 reported that rockets containing chemical agents were fired by the 155th Brigade of the 4th Armored Division, a division under the command of the Syrian president’s brother, Maher Assad.
The shells were reportedly fired from a military base in a mountain range west of Damascus, the news channel said, without disclosing its sources.”
http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-syria-israel-intelligence-chemical-attack-20130827,0,1940412.story
#TrustBarack
hmmmmm—–Israel? I was feeling a little more reassured when I saw an earlier tweet that our NSA was involved in the interception and was confirming Syrian govt. involvement—-altho I didn’t know how that info became known to anyone on twitter. Have been feeling uneasy—–I don’t envy President Obama and another difficult decision he has to make.
We undoubtedly have our own intel but part of what President Obama has accomplished is an unprecedented level of cooperation among various foreign intel agencies and Israel is one of the very best intel groups in the world. At this point, as much corroboration of Assad’s use of chemical weapons is essential. I agree with the assessments that indicate that President is being very open in signaling intent, nature of targets, etc., because the objective is not to enter into a ‘war’ with Syria but to punish, effectively and efficiently, a tyrant that has used chemical weapons against his citizens. I expect a very limited but fierce, precise and extensive set of targets being hit. I do not anticipate any form of ‘troops on the ground’ type activity nor a prolonged engagement of attacks or ‘no fly zone’ type activity. We’ll see.
What I do know is that President Obama has proven, many times, he can be trusted in these complex situations and his motives and actions are not political.
#FORWARD
What I mean by ‘limited’ is time frame; what I mean by ‘extensive’ is type of targets – command and control, air defense, stored artillery & tanks and chemical weapons storage facilities. Need to completely degrade Assad’s C&C and ensure he has no further chemical weapons or means to deploy them.
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of President Obama. I trust him implicitly. He never makes these kind of decisions until he has all possible info and intelligence and cooperation. I just hate the whole deal, everything about it, the causes and effects, as I’m sure most decent people do. It’s beyond my comprehension how anyone could decide to launch such a deadly attack on innocent people, fellow countrymen at that, all those beautiful children. Sad and tragic beyond belief.
Agree, totally.
ty Bob for your analysis…..it is greatly appreciated
Eavesdropping?! Shhh…don’t tell Greenwald.
To be honest, I don’t believe anything that comes from the Israeli government. They’ve done a lot of dubious things themselves, and always seem to be itching for a war with the rest of the Middle East… They have no credibility (especially after that fiasco with Romney).
I have similar thoughts theo. Why is the US and the west ALWAYS involved in internal politics in the middle east – they have not done this in some of the African atrocities – nor some in Europe – I wonder about Israel and Oil.
If Pierce could just stay away from supporting GG – he gets the rest almost perfect
“It also raises the question, fairly vital now that we appear to be ready to make some war in Syria, as to whether there is anything we’ve done in the Middle East since we installed the shah that didn’t come back to bite this country in the ass in one way or another. This is a particularly horrific episode in our seven decades of abject Fail in that part of the world. Damn, we’re lousy at this.”
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/us-helped-saddam-gas-iran-082713
some awesome audio.
Well, sounds to me like the President and the admin are gearing for a ACA media blitz come October reaching out to urban radio listeners. So remember this comment when October comes!
Rickey Smiley Shares His Experience Meeting President Obama [EXCLUSIVE AUDIO]
The big bit is at the beginning of the audio where Rickey Smiley talks about what they were talking about and what they were gonna do, but please listen to the whole thing.
Want to know why PBO knew what happened in Syria B4 the UN…..? (NSA/CIA)…So Code Pink, Maddow, et al can…. Phoning it in early….GN TOD.
Last Wednesday, in the hours after a horrific chemical attack east of Damascus, an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people. Those conversations were overheard by U.S. intelligence services, The Cable has learned. And that is the major reason why American officials now say they’re certain that the attacks were the work of the Bashar al-Assad regime — and why the U.S. military is likely to attack that regime in a matter of days.
an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people.
***********************
LP…
Can this have been an accident??
Shallow and Off Topic
Is it just me or is Michelle’s hair just KILLING IT?! Her hair is giving me all kinds of life. I am loving the heck out of it. It’s so full and bouncy and beautiful!! Go Michelle! Werk it!!!!
Lisa, gotta tell’ya that that hair style today was the best I’ve ever seen her and that’s saying a lot since she is so intrinsically gorgeous!!
Naughty mat?
🙂 too true, Bobfr!
Truly think AG Harris will some day be President Harris.
🙂
Beautiful!
I do believe she will, as well. She’s got a brilliant mind, solid heart and she searches for the truth. Like PBO, she gets results.
Works for me! Tune in for the PBS interview with PBO, taking place right after the speeches, airing on the NewsHour! Over and out, back tomorrow! BigBig hugs all around, and heartfelt thanks to all of TOD! Indeed we are blessed to live in such interesting times! God Bless and keep our President. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Yes Indeed, Bob! I hope she runs for governor in 2014 if Jerry Brown decides to retire. I am quite sure she will run in 2018 if she is re-elected as as AG in 2014.
Thank you meta, MightyP, & nath!!!
Yes We Can
2 hrs to Richmond to drop off 1 and pick up 1. Then another 2 hrs to DC. I swear I’m never doing this again! Pray for us, family!
You’re going to make it Dudette, and tomorrow you will be so glad you did!!!!!
#FORWARD
Candles will be burning here for the next 48 hours, non-stop. Prayer and Light Work are ongoing, we are with you. Many Blessings, and Thank You for being there! We walk with you all! {{{{{Dudette}}}}}
{{{Dudette & Co. }}} I’m hoping that you are already in Richmond.
Praying for you, sis.
OK definitely going to bed now…..but this is the most comprehensive reporting to date of why the US is so definitive in its assessment of CW usage.
One crucial piece of the emerging case came from Israeli spy services, which provided the Central Intelligence Agency with intelligence from inside an elite special Syrian unit that oversees Mr. Assad’s chemical weapons, Arab diplomats said. The intelligence, which the CIA was able to verify, showed that certain types of chemical weapons were moved in advance to the same Damascus suburbs where the attack allegedly took place a week ago, Arab diplomats said……..
Ever since the start of the civil war in 2011, Mr. Obama made clear to his advisers that their top priority would be to prevent the use and spread of Mr. Assad’s chemical weapons. To that end, the Pentagon and the CIA put an early focus on tracking special Syrian forces that control the country’s chemical stocks, using spy satellites and allied spy networks on the ground.
That tracking effort, aided by Israeli and Jordanian agents, expanded in recent months, particularly since the U.S. concluded in June Mr. Assad’s forces had used chemical weapons on a small scale.
A key battleground for Mr. Assad involved a cluster of Damascus suburbs including the Eastern Ghouta region, the last remaining district around Damascus not under partial or total regime control. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Assad’s forces launched “Operation City Shield” against rebel positions in the area.
Syrian officials described the operation as a “pre-emptive strike,” citing intelligence showing that rebel fighters trained outside Syria were amassing in that district and planned a massive attack on Damascus.
The CIA and Saudi intelligence have been training rebels at a base in Jordan, but officials wouldn’t comment on their movements and activities.
Thanks LP – this is very informative! Have a good night, and see you in the ‘morrow.
NBC news tonight reporting air attacks on selected targets to last up to 3 days. No plans for involvement in the civil war on the ground.
AUGUST 28 MARCH INFO
// The “March for Jobs and Justice” will take place on August 28, 2013.The following is a detailed description of the route (along with photographs of important landmarks along the way) of the August 28, 2013 “March for Jobs and Justice”. The March is about 1.6 miles long. Because there are many variable, we can not tell you how long it will take. We will be led in this historic march by “veterans” of the ’63 march. Ahead of them will be the Civil Rights Museum on Wheels – a fully restored transit bus used during the segregation era.
At 8:00 am marchers will begin assembling at 600 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. We will begin marching at 9:00 am sharp. We will then proceed toward Louisiana Avenue, N.W. – where we will take a right turn going toward Constitution Avenue, N.W. There we will see the Washington Gas Building on the corner. At that point we will proceed to the U.S. Department of Labor – which is located at 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. This will be our first rally point. We will then pass by the United States Courthouse. A water station and ambulance service will be located in this area by the Meade memorial. At the 400/500 block Constitution Avenue N.W. veers off to the left. We will move down Constitution Avenue toward 5th Avenue, N.W.
As we proceed down Constitution Avenue, N.W. we will see the Federal Trade Commission (600 block of Constitution Avenue N.W.) and…nd the Archives of the United States (700/800 block of Constitution Avenue N.W.) to the right. We will continue to proceed down Constitution Avenue N.W. toward 14th Street N.W. We will then cross Constitution Avenue to proceed down 14th Street. We’ll walk less than a block down 14th where we will see the construction site of the future home of the Museum of African American History. We will then proceed down Madison Street N.W. – making our way toward the Washington Monument.
The Civil Rights Museum on Wheels will proceed to its exhibit location within the National Mall while we shall continue to march toward the Washington Monument…to the World War II Memorial; and then on to the Lincoln Memorial where we will wait to hear President Barack Obama speak to the nation from the very spot where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream Speech 50 years ago on August 28, 1963. //
http://50thanniversarymarchonwashington.com/event/exclusive-d-c-permit-to-march-through-our-nations-capital-reveals-details-of-august-28-2013-march/
https://twitter.com/mike_jovie/status/372556822861086721
You recognize this Bus don’t you?
Yep. 🙂
https://twitter.com/mike_jovie/status/372557892295335936
Here is a comprehensive guide to tomorrow’s events in DC. It contains directions for getting there (including a map of the surrounding area), and advice on what not to bring to the event. If you scroll down, you will see the FULL program with all appearances, performances and speeches from 11AM-4PM. This is going to be a FANTASTIC commemoration.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2013/08/27/road-closures-metro-tips-for-march-on-washington-anniversary-wednesday/
Saw “Junkanoo performers” on the program. Mr. dotster still teases me about how much fun I had on “Junkanoo night” on our honeymoon in Nassau. 🙂 I thought it was just a fun(wild and crazy) night at our resort, didn’t know it was a big thing. Learn something every day.
What???
Spock hooked his brain up to the computer one time. And his body was without his brain. You don’t remember, do you
I remember. And McCoy had to reconnect it. He kicked himself at the end for reconnecting Spock’s mouth.
I’m finally getting to watch my recording of tonight’s replay of In Performance at the White House (A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement), and tears are in my eyes already – and it’s not even the 50th commemoration until tomorrow! To see and hear Joan Baez sing We Shall Overcome, knowing she was at the Lincoln Memorial in ’63, knowing Dr. King visited her and others another year when they were in jail for protesting the Vietnam War, knowing he respected her because she walked the walk, hearing her tell the President and his family, “You are so much loved” … we cannot forget any of this, we cannot.
Hi jb. Just lurking, but all you said is so true. I watched it as well. Inspiring. Off to bed now. Have a good night.
You, too! Sleep well and rest up for tomorrow!
Letterman is nailing Trump, said a popular course at Trump U. was “How to become rich like Donald Trump by opening your own fake school like Donald Trump”.
Ha! Now that’s hilarious.
Had an in service on behavior today. Guess who I thought about when the instructor said this….”Calm is strength and being openly upset is weakness.” Seriously…he immediately popped into my head:) Reason # 12, 498 on why the hate him….Night everyone. Going to be an amazing day tomorrow.
Just came back from watching the setup at the Lincoln Memorial. So exciting, looking forward to tomorrow!
Isn’t it magnificent! Are you on twitter?
Yes.evelynellis1
Dept of Labor on Bayard Rustin:
Well, here I am, trying to keep my eyes open long enough to finish watching “The Powerbroker”. What’s happening here?
Thinking of you, Dudette, and hoping you have arrived by now. Have some sleep!
Well its time for me to Rise and Shine. I want to get an early start to the mall so I can participate in the March that will take place this morning. Its gonna be an exciting day. I carry each of you who cannot be here today in my heart so know that you are here in spirit.
Thank you Donna….How extraordinary a day it will be…
thank you Donna ~ will be thinking of you, so wishing I could be there too.
I see the Today Show has Gen. Barry McCaffrey on saying the limited proposed strikes in Syria “make no sense”, that it would take many days/weeks of sustained attacks to make a difference on the ground. And MJ has invited McCain on today to criticize the Obama admin. on Syria. Some things never change.
McCain who never saw a war he didn’t want to fight – is a walking disaster of foreign relations – yet the media think he is God’s gift to US war making. It is very sad that he is allowed to stir up so much trouble – he should have been removed from all interaction with anyone after his disaster of a VP selection. His stupid was never more on show than in his failed attempt to become President. I can only hope there are some to write the truth in his obituary.
Truly horrific, the length they will go to to blame the blah guy for anything that happens anywhere in the world.
Of course a conservative tv host has on a conservative Senator to insult a Democratic President. No mystery there given the guy has been doing it just about every morning since PBO took office.
Please be aware that anyone who is featured in the MSM will be brought on to criticize PBO. If PBO had decided to do absolutely nothing, there would have been another group of folks being brought on cable TV to attack him on that position.
PBO is not the problem – the media is the problem.
They’re not trying to make a difference in the war, only 2 punish Assad for using Chemical weapons.
There needs to be more proof as to where any chemical weapons came from. I do not trust anyone in this fight. I also don’t believe that you can save people from themselves. What good has come out of ANY middle east war in the past 50 years.
I’m inclined to agree with you. I wish President Obama would just keep out of Syria completely. Let Syrians sort things out or let other Middle Eastern countries figure things out. Millions of people died in the Congo and thousands of women were raped. The US never went there to help out the Congolese. Ditto Rwanda.
I am so confused as to who is behind all of the unrest in the middle east – but there are strong parties involved who want to see the US in the midst of it all again. Somewhere, sometime, it has to stop. Nothing that looks anyways good has come from the last 10 years of war. I agree with your thoughts re African nations. It is not so difficult to draw some conclusions as to what is different in the ME – and for that matter Africa.
That’s the important point, Jovie. We’re not taking “sides” in the war or intervening in the outcome. This is a specific purpose based on international law regarding the use of chemical weapons. It think this is going to be a quick sortie of many nations to knock out the chemical weapon centers to show other nations that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and is a step too far. The war may then continue ad infinitum after that and I don’t think we’ll interfere again–at least not under this president. There should be some pretty massive humanitarian aid for the refugee children, though.
I’m sure there are other military people who will have different opinions. It’s easy to be adamant about something when that’s the only thing you have to focus on. President Obama has to also think about the domestic issues here at home and how war will impact us. He has to take into consideration our relationships with other countries, both our allies and those with which we are starting to build alliances.
President Obama know what he is doing and he is listening the people he needs to listen to…those who are more qualified to advise him and who have a broader knowledge about the situation…and it is not the MSM nor any of the so-called “experts” they bring in.
It bothers me that McCain seems to have some sway in the proceeding – if reports such as this were true
“Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina traveled to Egypt last week at President Barack Obama’s request.”
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/mccain-graham-call-suspending-us-aid-egypt-19984224
Yes, but I would also like to believe that whatever “sway” McCain/Graham might have does not carry as much weight as the President’s key advisors.
I would never doubt that – just wish McCain would accept that he lost – and go bother some place else. sigh
That’s not going to happen and truth to tell it shouldn’t. He needs to get over he lost (and there are a few indications he has) but agree or not he has a right to make his voice heard just like any other politician. No matter how frightfully wrong he is.
I don’t believe he has the right to be on the opposite side of the President – and attack the President every time he opens his mouth. Many have lost a Presidential election and they do not spend the next 5 years attacking the person who won. Many of the things on the President’s agenda were supported by McCain during the 2008 campaign – including health care.
McCain is seriously wrong on the international scene and has supported years and years of sending young men to pointless wars they cannot win.
I would wish him to spend his final years reflecting on that fact, rather than continuing to support armed conflict.
An A—-Ma—-Zing night
Will the march be on C-SPAN? Some of the US news streaming I cannot watch. – mmm think I answered my own question. Nothing till 11am on C-span – I did see in the program . I’ll look elsewhere.
Live streaming has already started here: http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
11:00am ET – 50th Anniversary March on Washington: http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Thanks JER – I hadn’t checked the widget – I can usually get that one. I thought the march started at 9am – I must have misread as most seem to be starting at 11am. May be too late for me. I shall have to watch the replays found on TOD later.
11:30 am ET Special Live Coverage: 50th Anniversary of MLK’s ‘I Have a Dream’ – http://abcnews.go.com/live
Mooooooorning everyone, will have R&S ready very soon-ish
Rise and Shine!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/08/28/rise-and-shine-let-freedom-ring/