29
Sep
13

Early Bird Chat

Random Old Pics

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MoooOOOooorning Early Birds – Happy Sunday!


121 Responses to “Early Bird Chat”


  1. 1 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 7:17 am

    Morning TOD!

  2. September 29, 2013 at 7:17 am

    GM TOD!! Its a beautiful day. That pic of @POTUS and @FLOTUS is simply mah-velous. Lets get to work and change some minds!!

  3. September 29, 2013 at 7:19 am

    Good Morning Chipstick! Good Morning Sunday Early Birds!!!

  4. 18 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 7:22 am

    This is just part of what this is all about…the freedom to do what you chose with your life and talents. Not beholden to an employer simply for the healthcare benefits!

    http://www.nbcnews.com/health/quitting-obamacare-trapped-workers-may-seek-relief-new-health-exchanges-8C11277058

    As millions of Americans wait to see how the federal health exchanges shake out, some who’ve been hanging onto their jobs just for the insurance say Obamacare gives them a new reason to bid their old employers goodbye.

    One Arizona couple, Claudia and Joseph Schulz, just quit their jobs, in fact, and launched a husband-and-wife real estate team, largely because they can sign up this week for health insurance not tethered to any position.

    “That was the fear before. We felt too much on our own,” says Claudia Schulz, 33, of Phoenix. “Now, if we’re able to make our dream come true of owning our own business, or at least giving it a shot, it’s worth it.”

    Starting a business or retiring early will suddenly become an option under the new exchanges, experts say, especially for the many employees who have felt trapped by so-called “job lock” — being stuck in a position because of the benefits, usually health insurance, it provides.

    “The Affordable Care Act completely changes the playing field,” says Paul Fronstin, director of the health research programs at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. “You don’t need your employer any more for health benefits.”

    • September 29, 2013 at 7:26 am

      That’s a terrific link DF, we’ll include it in R&S – thank you!!!

    • 23 desertflower
      September 29, 2013 at 7:26 am

      And of course…this!

      It may be particularly attractive for older workers — those in their late 50s and early 60s still too young for Medicare — who will find they can get affordable insurance despite health problems. That will free them from the trap of needing to work, but being too sick to stay on the job, experts say.

    • September 29, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Wow, that’s exactly what I said in my piece 3 days ago. The corporate overlords fear workers becoming more free. Free to quit horrible jobs. Which means that eventually employers have to pay really attractive salaries to keep workers. And that would be the exact reversal of labor trends over the last 30 years where we have all been beholden to employers. This IS an existential war

    • 26 Dudette
      September 29, 2013 at 8:04 am

      Ooooh, thanks df! That’s a REALLY good one! Here’s some tweetage:

    • September 29, 2013 at 8:27 am

      More and more people will come to understand this with time. Right now, Americans are bombarded with lies from Republicans and the MSM. We’re the messengers of truth. Carry information with you everywhere you go. There are going to be people who won’t do anything unless they’re led by the hand or forced to by circumstances. But eventually, those that still have a modicum of common sense and eyes to see, will get what Obamacare benefits mean to them.

      • September 29, 2013 at 1:01 pm

        I’d like some information. I got my hair done yesterday and the woman who does my hair railed about ACA. She hasn’t had insurance and said for her to get medical insurance here in CA, she’d have to pay $588.00 a month. She’s thinking she’d be better off paying the penalty, although as we all know, the penalty gets steeper every year. When I quesitoned her about this, she sited that because of her taxes, it would make it go up to $588.00, although it didn’t start out that high. She said she knew a manager who worked at Pacifcare (now United Health care) who told her she was screwed basically. This is someone who is very fear driven unfortunately, and very right wing, believing in conspiracy theories; and that government is a bad thing. She thinks things such as the Boston shooting and Sandy Hook started with the government, that the government is trying to “take away our guns”. So obviously, there’s no talking rationally to her about this. But I want to know some facts about the ACA plan, so if I come accross this again, I can have logical things to say in response, although obviously someone has to be willing to listen, which isn’t always the case.

  5. 32 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 7:29 am

    http://www.nbcnews.com/health/arizona-nurses-prep-would-be-patients-new-health-care-law-8C11281411 More good news! I believe this kind of outreach is going on all over the country..

  6. September 29, 2013 at 7:41 am

    Good Morning Everybody! 🙂

  7. 45 Dudette
    September 29, 2013 at 7:46 am

  8. 46 Dudette
    September 29, 2013 at 7:47 am

  9. 48 Dudette
    September 29, 2013 at 7:56 am

    A small reminder what a BFD the first day of #ACA Oct 1 is to this country.
    This extraordinary moment in history has been over a century in the making.

  10. 49 Dudette
    September 29, 2013 at 7:57 am

  11. 51 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 7:59 am

    http://www.politicususa.com/2013/09/28/delusional-house-republicans-laugh-obamas-threat-veto-government-funding-bill.html

    Republicans are so delusional that they are laughing off the threat of a presidential veto. They really believe that they can bully Obama into killing his signature healthcare reform law. They don’t believe that the president will stand firm. The laughter and jokes from Republicans suggest that they are celebrating shutting the government down. House Republicans are trying to spin what they are doing as an effort to keep the government open, but it is the exact opposite.

    House Republicans are giddily trying to shut the government down. Forty seven million Americans will no longer receive a paycheck if the government shuts down. Veterans will be hurt by limited or no access to veterans’ services. House Republicans don’t care that they are about to injure tens of millions of people. They are laughing while inflicting pain on millions of Americans.

    You HAVE to listen/ see this video…they actually laugh when the point that is being made that the President will veto this POS from House Republicans. America needs to hear how “funny” they think this is!

  12. 55 99ts
    September 29, 2013 at 8:00 am

    GM Ms Chips – this early bird thread is getting earlier and earlier – must be a new health regime – early to bed, early to rise & all that

  13. 59 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 8:09 am

    HA! Try and act surprised about this..

    http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/42570_Tea_Party_Lawmaker_Letter_on_Med_Device_Tax_Repeal_Authored_by_Lobby_Group#rss

    in which we find that the Tea Party’s hostage demands being put to vote by GOP house leadership are being written directly by K street lobbyists.

    • September 29, 2013 at 8:12 am

      What a shock! Utter lowlives.

    • September 29, 2013 at 8:36 am

      so how does the medical device tax and contraception get into the language for CR? as stated last nite on the house floor, this tax has been negotiated and agreed to before ACA became law. now they slither in and try to change something, anything…and i’m still trying to figure out the contraception thing. no contraception- more children, no stamps- more hunger, no healthcare- more death…they are trying to kill us yall. –That is all–

    • 62 Ladyhawke
      September 29, 2013 at 8:39 am

      VIOLATION OF OATH OF OFFICE

      The Tea Party members relinquished their judgment to people outside of the government like Jim DeMint, Koch Brothers and Grover Norquist (to name a few) and Senator Ted Cruz.

      The Speaker administers this oath:

      “I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God” (5 U.S.C. §3331).

      http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/memberfaq.aspx

    • 63 a4alice
      September 29, 2013 at 10:40 am

      this is interesting because yesterday I had a couple of friends come over to visit and one is an older gentleman who is a historian. Very progressive. He believes that one day, whoever is President will need to sign an executive order to shut down K street. He says that it is possible that there will need to be military intervention. It’s the whole circle of lawmakers “doing their time” in DC and then getting out and getting a $$$$$$$ to be a lobbyist to ppl they know who are still lawmakers. I don’t know, I’ve only thought about the idea of getting rid of lobbyists but now the how do you it part.

  14. 64 Dudette
    September 29, 2013 at 8:10 am

    Have a great morning everybody! See ya later!

  15. 66 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 8:22 am

    WP is misbehaving for me! Can’t post my links without getting some kind of “not able to access site” notice. WTH! I’ll try again

  16. September 29, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Cracking up, Danny’s (temporary) owner sent me more pics, look who Danny’s sleeping with (he’s in the red collar at the bottom):

  17. 75 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 8:26 am

    But the most interesting exchange came when the tea party state chairs openly threatened the reelection of the tea party supporting members of Congress who attended. This was anything but subtle. One of the chairs specifically pointed at the members and told them that the tea party had elected them and would run someone against them in the next election if they didn’t vote as expected. This was beyond a “passionate” exchange: It was angry with a strong take-no-prisoners attitude.

    From a federal budget debate perspective, here’s what I heard at the meeting.

    First, after talking with a number of the members of Congress who attended, it was clear that at least some GOP representatives who are tea party supporters were going to vote against extending the CR the next day. Several told me that their leadership’s unwillingness to cut off funding for health care reform was a big problem for them because they were assuming that once it was taken off the table, cutting off funding would never come back.

    Second, the tea party folks – both members of Congress and others – do not trust House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) or Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) not to sell out their agenda.

    Third, as I’ve been saying for a while, compromise is not an option.

    What’s happened since then has pretty much followed the script that was laid out at the tea party caucus meeting.

    http://capitalgainsandgames.com/blog/stan-collender/2184/tea-party-and-me-very-true-story

    Grassroots, my ass. They are Koch Bros treasonous traitors that need to be voted out!! Note that this article is from 2011…how much HAS NOT AND EVER WILL CHANGE UNTIL THEY ARE ALL VOTED OUT

  18. September 29, 2013 at 8:27 am

    Howdy all you O’s!! It’s a great getting up day down by the ol’ TOD stream!!!!

    Is there such a thing as a TOD hangover? I stayed up pretty late with the TOD family last night and I must say, a good time was had by all. I must try and manage to have those late night soirees more often. #hiccup

    • September 29, 2013 at 8:28 am

      😆 Mooooorning Cookemom, I hope you’re not feeling too delicate after your late-nighter?!

      • 79 cookemom
        September 29, 2013 at 8:47 am

        Funny, when I look at the time I signed off, it really wasn’t that late. Alas, this old grey mare just ain’t what she use to be many long years ago.

        • September 29, 2013 at 8:49 am

          😆 I know the feeling Cookemom!!!! (Even though I’m only, obviously, 21).

          • 81 99ts
            September 29, 2013 at 9:01 am

            For years I told my daughter I was 21 – she was seriously mad at me when she discovered this was not true – I gather she had an argument with some friends at school who told her that could not possibly be true! I felt so bad – I taught my daughter about lies!

            • September 29, 2013 at 9:12 am

              “…. she had an argument with some friends at school who told her that could not possibly be true”

              😆 Did she come home crying???

              • 83 99ts
                September 29, 2013 at 9:24 am

                She came home steaming – but as Dad was the first one home she asked him about it – and of course he had to tell her my real age – when I got home it was more cross than tears – and having to tell the friends they were right!

                She also told me I was old – and all her friend’s Moms were younger (which was a truth – I was the oldest Mom at kindergarten – sigh)

                • September 29, 2013 at 9:26 am

                  Oh Lord!!!! She should have done the parent trick on you: “I’m not angry, just disappointed”!!!

                  • 85 99ts
                    September 29, 2013 at 9:30 am

                    At 6 years old she probably hadn’t learned that one – she did that in her teenage years. We do laugh about it all now – just as well!

                    • September 29, 2013 at 9:32 am

                      Is she now telling everyone she’s 21? If yes: look what you’ve done!

                    • 87 99ts
                      September 29, 2013 at 9:42 am

                      I think she’s given up on that idea – but who knows what she tells the babe in my absence.

                      But take fare warning – telling folks you are 21 can lead to strange happenings.

                      At the newsagent – buying birthday card for friend Jane – 3 year old pipes up “Is Jane 21 just like you Mom” – 10 people in store look at Mom & burst out laughing.

                    • September 29, 2013 at 9:44 am

                      “3 year old pipes up “Is Jane 21 just like you Mom” – 10 people in store look at Mom & burst out laughing.”

                      Cryyyyyyyyyyinhg!!!! 😆

                      Yes, one has to think carefully about making the claim!!!

  19. 89 99ts
    September 29, 2013 at 8:34 am

    Now that everyone is out and about – I have a SS question. My role in life since retirement is genealogy/family history research & having found/met on the intertubes some US family I’m trying to determine when/how people are allocated a social security number

    I have a distant relative born 1877 died 1976 (99 years!) and the records say State/Year SSN issued Michigan 1962. Would he not have had a SS number from 1935 when it was introduced to the US? Why the 1962 when he would have been c. 85 years old?

    • 90 cookemom
      September 29, 2013 at 8:52 am

      When SS was initiated, for political reasons, certain people were not included. The bill was being held hostage if domestic workers, AAs, and others were included. As a result, they were left off to ensure passage. It wasn’t until later, that all people became eligible to earn SS benefits. I didn’t know it was as early as 1935 though.

      • 91 99ts
        September 29, 2013 at 8:58 am

        Thanks cookemom – but this man & his wife were white professionals, he was a Uni professor & she was a teacher. I’m wondering if they had private investments that ran short in the 1960s so they needed SS – but I thought everyone got a social security number when they started work? or after it was introduced if they started work before that. The google I found said it started in 1935 – I’m a BIG novice with US social history.

  20. 92 Anjo
    September 29, 2013 at 8:51 am

    A pleasant and beautiful good morning to all. Been lurking for weeks trying to keep up, had to skip some stuff. House Repubs remind me of living in Canada, whenever weird stuff happened everyone would say ‘only in the US’ never thought that would apply to elected officials, they must have cheated (gerrymandered) to get elected, sane folks don’t vote for crazy folks like these, their actions prove their contempt for the electorate. I did skip a few but haven’t seen GoBrooklyn lately is she ok? Healing thoughts and special blessings to her. Special prayers also for Yardarm, Jovie and all others who are suffering in any way, may the healing touch of the Master be especially yours today. Congrats to all the BT’s for their wonderful ObamaCare posts and their informative screeds. For every House Rep vote against OCare may there be thousands of rwnj minds changed by a special touch of understanding and common sense. Have a great day all, safe travels to AMK, keep up the wonderful work on this most excellent site, soon even the msm will realise it is the only place to come to for unbiased accurate information. Have a great day folks, TOD Rocks.

  21. 96 CEB
    September 29, 2013 at 8:56 am

    Good morning everyone. Just thinking about all of the things that PBO has done and continues to do to help this country to grow up and to advance. Our republic is finally beginning to live up to its true ideals for every citizen under the masterful leadership of our dear president and the dedicated work of all of those in his administration. I am calm and full of faith and certainty that he and we will prevail. The ACA is here to stay and just like other popular programs that were controversial in the beginning, but we now take for granted, the same will hold for health care reform. PBO is like those other historical figures who rose during a time of darkness and great need and led the people to safety and prosperity.

  22. 98 Ladyhawke
    September 29, 2013 at 8:57 am

    John Harwood ‏@JohnJHarwood 12m

    ————————————————

    Reminder: core House R demand to avoid shutdown/debt crisis is to stop nat’l version of MA law enacted by last yr’s R presidential nominee

    ————————————————————————

    Retweeted by LOLGOP

  23. September 29, 2013 at 9:01 am

    To those of you who are more knowledgeable about this process….

    Now that the House has passed another “dirty” CR, what is the next step, and what will the Senate most likely do?

    Do they just ignore it? Will Harry Reid have to bring it up for a vote? Do they go through a process similar to what they just did; i.e., pass the House bill and then amend it? (I’m not sure I would be comfortable with them doing something like that again.)

    With all the loopholes, exceptions, rarely used rules, etc., not sure of the process — it’s not always so straightforward to me anymore.

    • 100 cookemom
      September 29, 2013 at 9:11 am

      I believe, since Harry said he will not consider anything other than a clean CR, that he won’t even bring it to a vote. For the optics, he could go through the motions of stripping it again and voting again. However, since the Senate will not be back in session until 2pm on Monday and the government shuts down at 12:01am Tuesday, it’s unlikely that there is time for anything, but to pack their bags and close up shop.

      I thought I heard that the House will recess and won’t even be around on Tuesday. I didn’t verify that though.

      • September 29, 2013 at 9:24 am

        Huh! Another recess!?!?!?!? I gather that applies to both houses.

        So the government will be shut down until they come back and pass a budget or a CR or something?

        • 102 cookemom
          September 29, 2013 at 9:31 am

          yep, the Senate will not be in recess and I didn’t verify the House in recess, though that wouldn’t surprise me. But yeah, unless Boehner sells out his teanutts and gets Nancy Pelosi’s help to pass the Senate’s version of the CR, we are shut down at 12:01am on Tuesday.

          • September 29, 2013 at 7:13 pm

            house in session at 10am. i guess they wanna make it look like they do some work-NOT. senate in session at 2pm, i’m guessing they will fore go cloture (no addresses to senate, no cruz feel-a-buster). no voting, just do the formal stuff, and send back to house.
            house then has to do the house thing, (talking, addressing the chairman, lying, drinking, farting, whatever) and i’m just guessing here, that they have time to vote again. I guess it all depends how long it takes the senate to send back, as to how much time the house has to vote, IF they vote. if not, we will be off the cliff (oh wait, that was last year!) “Tomorrow IS, another day–Scarlett O’Hara-Gone With the Wind

    • 105 99ts
      September 29, 2013 at 9:36 am

      I don’t quite understand it – but Nena & Bobfr discussed it here
      http://theobamadiary.com/2013/09/28/the-adorable-care-act/#comment-840721

      I gather the original senate bill will go back to the house 2pm Monday. Bob is convinced it will be passed

      • September 29, 2013 at 11:08 am

        Thanks 99ts….I had gotten behind on the posts and was playing catch up…almost an impossibility if you’re more than a couple of posts behind.

        I hope that Bobfr is correct in his prediction.

        It’s nuts the way Congress likes to play beat the clock on bills that could have been dealt with months ago. And wasting time voting on repealing Obamacare rather than voting on other issues of importance….just to make a point or show certain people “I’m on board so please don’t primary me”.

        • 107 99ts
          September 29, 2013 at 11:17 am

          Can’t imagine there would be few who disagree with you – including republicans. There are, however, some people who can ONLY operate at the “last minute”. My husband is like this & it sends me crazy – I am quite the opposite – like to be ready well ahead of time.

          I do think Boehner is one of these people. he keeps hoping, like Mr Micawber of Dickens fame that “something will turn up”. When it doesn’t, he does something at the very last moment.

          • 108 Obama Grandmama
            September 29, 2013 at 1:00 pm

            A lot of Boehner’s last moment plans do not pan out for him. The number of breaks the House has taken is ridiculous. They seem to even whine when they have to work weekends because of slowing things down by their own showboat antics. I just wish those who hate government so much would not get elected to gum up the works.

  24. 109 Linda
    September 29, 2013 at 9:16 am

    Federal Aid to States ( Red States ) goes out on the 1st if each quarter.

    I wonder what those Red State Governors have to say about not receiving their Government handouts because of their own Congresspeople stopping it.

  25. 111 desertflower
    September 29, 2013 at 9:23 am

    Worthy reminder from comment section on this thread: 7 •Reply•Share ›
    Avatar
    Nihilist • 2 hours ago −
    ONE Political Party ……….

    FIGHTS

    * —to lower taxes for the richest 1%.

    * —to protect multi-billion dollar corporate loopholes and corporate subsidies.

    * —to keep offshore tax havens for multi-millionaires and billionaires tax-free.

    * —to keep fueling the MIC with over $1 trillion a year.

    DOESN’T WANT

    * —all Americans to vote.

    * —Marriage equality

    * —it to be easier to VOTE than buy a firearm

    * —women to keep their right of CHOICE

    * —DREAMERS to have a path to citizenship.

    * —Guantanamo to close

    * —Americans to have decent paying jobs.

    * —clean renewable energy to replace fossil fuels.

    * —an EPA or clean air, clean waters or a clean, non-genetically modified Earth.

    WANTS

    * —to raise taxes on the poor and middle class

    * —to cut funding for food stamps.

    * —to refuse to pay our bills unless we made drastic cuts across the board cutting school lunches, meals for the elderly and Head Start.

    * —to defund education.

    * — defund Planned Parenthood

    * —defund Obamacare

    * —abolish Medicare and Medicaid

    * —privatize social security

    * —deny Science and man-made contributions climate change

    AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF

    * —Has spent 5 years, since Obama took office in 09 , doing nothing but obstruct and filibuster everything bringing our government to a constant gridlock.

    * —Is the biggest nightmare Americans have had to deal with in my lifetime but deal with them we will despite their gerrymandering and Attempts at voter-suppression laws.

    * the gop is the real enemy of the usa.

    http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/irony-house-votes-delay-romneycare-one#sthash.qfXF8ZCe.dpbs

  26. September 29, 2013 at 9:25 am

    • 114 99ts
      September 29, 2013 at 9:54 am

      If the Media had told the truth about health care in 2009 & called out the GOP lies (Chuck Todd admits this never happens), single payer would have happened. People like Palin hijacked the legislation and the congress bowed to the pressure of the RW lies which were repeated over and over by the media.

      It is sad that the reality of computers controlling every government function means that major legislation can take years to implement. Pre 1970 a government could announce a new policy today & implement it tomorrow. Sadly this is no longer feasible.

  27. 116 vcprezofan2
    September 29, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Good Morning, Desertf! {{Df}}. Hang in there, crossing fingers pain will go away for good before tomorrow.

    GooOood MooooOOOoooorning, Chips Chica!

    GooOood MooOoorrrning, EVeryBODY!

    • September 29, 2013 at 9:37 am

      MooooOOOOooooOOOOorning VC!! We should all spare a thought today for Mrs Amk, her peace is about to be ruined: he’s heading home.

      • 118 vcprezofan2
        September 29, 2013 at 9:48 am

        *ahem* What a great day!! I am happy for her!

        ……

        Why are you such a troublemaker, CC? Right off the bat (Hmmm, wonder if that’s a cricket term?) you’re trying to get me to break my word from earlier this morning. You know I promised NOT to be one of those who make snarky comments when my bud Amk is not available to defend himself! I think I’ll pray for you today.

  28. 121 anniebella
    September 29, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Love the pictures of POTUS and FLOTUS. 🙂 🙂


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