Delray Beach, Florida, October 2012 – Photo by Scout Tufankjian
Slate: Did you know when you shot it that you’d captured the kissing kids?
Scout Tufankjian: Not until afterward. I showed Valerie Jarrett, and she made me show the president. Everyone on the campaign was like, “That’s hilarious, he’s going for it!” “Kid’s got game!”
Happy to do so Jacqueline … bunch of folk on Twitter all over it … way better coverage than anything you’ll hear from US corporate media, as we all know.
Just popping in now and then during the weekend. Right now watching the test match between France and South Africa. Springboks are grinding down the woeful Cocks.
You are 😈
I was about to say I’d take the cheesy puffs which I occasionally tolerate, but on second thought, I’ll let you enjoy it all in peace, AND by yourself.
It’s funny, but every time that picture appears my eyes go straight for the top. I rarely remember to see what PBO is doing. The little guy definitely trumped the Pres in this one.
I got half-way through that article and stopped – I don’t see why Israel should get the chance to influence the negotiations directly by being in direct contact with some of the negotiators. I frankly think Bibi is too ‘hot-headed’ to have been granted such a privilege.
It’s an inevitability that the Israelis would be deeply involved, but as noted by several folk, they would have been much more likely to have their concerns addressed (as is now happening – and the concerns are reasonable) had they not conducted an international propaganda campaign of lies and distortions over the past months.
Understand your frustration, VC. Bibi is someone I simply despise.
In Vermont maybe Maryland it would get approved. Maybe even Cali and Ny, but to say national single payer when we are barely holding onto what we have now is ludicrous. Lol
I am not saying it won’t get done. but I think Bibi has the French in his pocket.
And the ayatollah ain’t giving up his nuclear facility altogether.
IMO!
Totally ot the nuclear talks, single payer and rugby…..MANY THANKS to all of you for birthday wishes, and especially to Chips for the President delivering my cake! WOW!
Yes, our family birthday lunch was wonderful…..delicious food and delightful company. I am so thankful to have another birthday…..I have now outlived both my parents and three of my grandparents. A wonderful day of thanksgiving, and I was even born on Thanksgiving.
Proud of Vermont…..two of my grandparents were Vermonters, and my husband’s parents were Vermonters. If those independent people will go for single payer…..everyone should. Like LL said…..the Canadian system started in one province.
Now, my husband and I are home…he’s “watching” football….(think I’ve heard a few snores) and I’m on my favorite couch with my laptop. Peaceful day. Very thankful.
Anticipating good news from Geneva.
Carolyn, I missed the party earlier, but I hope it’s never too late to wish you a happy birthday. Your lunch sounds fabulous. Hope you enjoy every minute of your day.
Didn’t Crusty Orange Crush, DC Towncrier John Boehner said in Aug 2011 that getting 98% of his delusional hostage Dect Ceiling taking was the happiest thing ever?
So with P5+1, what’s 2%?
I wish them the best. The world is breathlessly waiting for a Peaceful resolution.
Trita Parsi @tparsi 2m
Iranian diplomat tells Iranian journalist to stay in hotel lobby in case announcement is made tonight #IranTalks #iranelection @lrozen
Retweeted by Laura Rozen
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PF, there are no words to express my contempt for Corbett. He’s like a poison that is daily undermining the commonwealth. It is absolutely URGENT that he be defeated.
A senior Israeli source said Saturday that a deal between world powers and Iran on the country’s controversial nuclear program will be signed within days.
Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition by email
and never miss our top stories Free Sign up!
The source, who according to Army Radio, has taken part in ongoing talks between Israeli officials and the respective delegations of the P5+1 world powers currently in Geneva, said that the terms of the deal have been finalized and only the fine print of the agreement remains to be worked out.
Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz reportedly spoke with officials from the international delegations and urged them to make clear that the deal would not release Tehran of its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Army Radio reported. Steinitz also sought reassurances that construction of the plutonium reactor in Arak would be stopped.
Earlier Saturday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed doubt that a deal could be reached by the end of the day.
“Intense and difficult negotiations are under way and it is not clear whether we [will] reach an agreement tonight,” Fars news agency quoted Araghchi as saying, as translated by AFP. “The dispute is over the wording,” he added, without indicating whether talks would continue on Sunday.
“We have now entered a very difficult stage,” Iranian Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by AFP Saturday as telling Iranian state media.
………………….//
Thank you for bringing it to my attention earlier, Arapaho. I actually watched it all, in stages. and found it quite informative. Quite a contrast to the last time I saw the Iranians ‘en masse’, which was during that green rebellion thingy. Very helpful to get some balance.
I remember seeing this Rick Steves special four years ago. It is great. I learned so much, and it made me want to visit Iran. There are sights there I’d love to visit, for one, the royal palace at Susa, where Queen Esther of biblical fame lived. Our friends I mentioned yesterday, who own the wonderful restaurant here in OKC, are from Shiraz.
Did anyone else read “Reading Lolita in Tehran”…..I forget the author’s name, but she got here Ph.D.at Univ of Okla, and spoke at Okla City University about two years ago. That book also whetted my appetite for travel to Iran. I hope this situation can be resolved, and Iran can be opened to western travelers.
Ever the optimist…..I’ve seen the glass half full as long as I can remember.
me too carolyn. I am so anxious for relations to be normalized and it would be sooo great for both countries in every respect; culturally, economically and of course politically. I don’t know that much about Iran other than what i have learned by having a hairdresser from there (who is hilarious btw). I understand that most of the Persians (Iranians) who are in the US live in and around LA.
I’ve watched that show several times. My husband and I are traveling to Iran with MIR next November (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran). MIR has been taking US groups to Iran for a couple decades. They take two small groups on the trip we’re taking twice a year, once in April and once in November. We’ve wanted to take this trip for many years and finally will be able to as I’m retiring May 18th. I will need to wear a scarf and clothing to my wrists and ankles and, as shown in the video, I am not to touch an Iranian man. It is so exciting that we have a possibility of renewed relations.
I also want to go back to Washington, D.C. while PBO is still president – and tour the White House!!
So it’s reassuring that all sides are saying that they are 98% there but the remaining 2% is huge. (Which imo is rather odd phrasing as then it would be more than 2% but whatever!) In any event, who gets 98% done with anything and doesn’t finish it? I’ve read some tweets in the past few hours (one from an Iranian newspaper bureau chief in Tehran) that if it’s not done tonight then it won’t happen. What!?!?! That doesn’t make sense. You don’t talk for DECADES and then finally have a MAJOR breakthrough to all but a couple of very important sticking points and you give up? I doubt that’s in the plans for either the heads of Iran, US and EU.
There is no imminent war so this self-imposed deadline is exactly that. And I do agree with Arapahoe’s comments above that there are other countries that are getting much more favorable treatment from the US on nuclear weapons — for no reason. Most likely because they did not have the hostage situation decades ago.
It is with GREAT sadness that I admit it has been snowing for about an hour now, and this one does not look like it’s going to leave my driveway without help from a shovel and some back breaking nudges. Sigh!
Meta, this is the time I could really use that CA deal we discussed earlier. You sure you wouldn’t like a switch of venue – you know, a change of pace so that a dear virtual friend can see the Pres and bask in his warmth without a snow cocoon, while you enjoy the pure white beauty of a heavy snowfall?
remember a few days ago when led by fouriner (sp?) beltway press was complaining the PBO and his team were not giving them access to PBO?
remember Mr. Pete Souza’s photo of the press doing exactly what they claimed PBO’s does not let them do?
well, it seems that that the cry-babies in the media are now complaining about this photo as WH getting back at them.
Heavens, with all the stuff PBO has to do, he now has to hold the hands of the beltway media as they throw a fit!!!!
here is the fit/tantrum
White House Pic of the Day of Media Enrages Media
By Nikki Schwab
Friday’s White House “Photo of the Day” seems fairly innocuous at first glance. President Obama, in the Oval Office, is surrounded by eight photojournalists as he signs a bill into law.
[REPORT: ’Climate of Fear’ for Press Under Obama ]
But that particular photo comes courtesy of the White House just one day after 38 news organizations and journalistic institutions, en masse, penned a letter of protest to Press Secretary Jay Carney, asking that the Obama administration stop simply sending out their own photos and allow more access to photographers and videographers.
Some journalists interpreted Friday’s photo as the White House attempting to sweep the issue under the rug, while others figured it a subliminal “screw you.”
“I think given the fact that this picture of them taking pictures was now pushed out, I almost wonder if this wasn’t just a set up?” said Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association, who worked on a draft of the letter. “See, we give everybody access, what’s the problem?” he said the White House was trying to say.
Julie Mason, SiriusXM POTUS press pool host and former White House Correspondents’ Association board member, saw Friday’s photo and suggested it was an equivalent to a middle finger, a snub and an eye roll. “All of that, plus a drop of anxiety,” Mason wrote in an email. “Behold how sensitive the White House is to claims they shut the press out.”
Trita Parsi @tparsi 4m
If they weren’t thinking they could get a deal tonight, they would have broken talks hours ago. They are exhausted… #IranTalks @lrozen
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The Obama Diary 
Bob!!!!
Hi there, Chips 🙂
Congrats, Bobfr! 😀
Thanks friend 😀
That’s what friends are for (I can get away with this comment because I don’t think Dudette is around right now to turn it into music)!
Testing fate …..
😀 😀 😀 😀
😛
Congrats on 1st, Bob. And thanks for bringing the detailed tweets over here!
Chips – that photo is one of our favorites, of course!
Happy to do so Jacqueline … bunch of folk on Twitter all over it … way better coverage than anything you’ll hear from US corporate media, as we all know.
Which is why I’m not tuning in to corporate media for a damn thing today!
🙂
Gold medal for Doc Bobfr. Congrats!
Just popping in now and then during the weekend. Right now watching the test match between France and South Africa. Springboks are grinding down the woeful Cocks.
….. and Ireland play the All Blacks tomorrow 😥
And as I make fun of the woeful French, they go ahead and score a try.
Chin up, Chips. If the Lakers can beat the Warriors, Ireland can score an upset.
😀 😀
Everywhere there’re lots of piggies, leading piggie lives!
Hi Chips Chica! What’s cooking for late lunch – and no, I don’t want any of Danny’s meal?
Helloooooooo VC! Braised turtle with sauteed hamster and fennel. Yum!
You are 😈
I was about to say I’d take the cheesy puffs which I occasionally tolerate, but on second thought, I’ll let you enjoy it all in peace, AND by yourself.
You don’t know what you’re missing, Missus!
Let’s keep it that way! 😉
It’s funny, but every time that picture appears my eyes go straight for the top. I rarely remember to see what PBO is doing. The little guy definitely trumped the Pres in this one.
Relevant link – http://t.co/GhEzf4d4Pk
I got half-way through that article and stopped – I don’t see why Israel should get the chance to influence the negotiations directly by being in direct contact with some of the negotiators. I frankly think Bibi is too ‘hot-headed’ to have been granted such a privilege.
It’s an inevitability that the Israelis would be deeply involved, but as noted by several folk, they would have been much more likely to have their concerns addressed (as is now happening – and the concerns are reasonable) had they not conducted an international propaganda campaign of lies and distortions over the past months.
Understand your frustration, VC. Bibi is someone I simply despise.
‘Bibi is someone I simply despise.’
And there you have nailed the hitch in my stride.
One of my favorite pix! Congrats, Bobfr on #1.
I wondered about this also……
Hmm? Lara Logan’s days as a so called respected Journo days are OVER. Fox awaits her employment.
If 60 Minutes ever want to regain and credibility they better let Logan and that ex-Fox guy go.
regain any credibility
They could actually pull this off. *crosses fingers.*
Yep. I’ve got everything crossed that you can cross, UT 🙂
Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate) you’re going to The Obama Diary’s official “Foreign Correspondent.”
😀 😀
Thanks Don
Bobm did you see the tweet about A-Z with K in the middle. 🙂
Yep 🙂
OMG, this is the best.
Well, he certainly wasn’t ‘white’ 😉
RIght but of course they don’t believe that fact. Try to find a black Jesus in a church.
🙂
hey I just saw this go by bob rt’d it. exciting news
This is a BFD! Remember, Canada’s health care system began in one province.
In Vermont maybe Maryland it would get approved. Maybe even Cali and Ny, but to say national single payer when we are barely holding onto what we have now is ludicrous. Lol
P5+1 back in room together and, for a bit of humor ….
…. same match you’re watching, LL 🙂
hah! It’s settled down into a grind-out match. Both sides making silly mistakes.
I am not saying it won’t get done. but I think Bibi has the French in his pocket.
And the ayatollah ain’t giving up his nuclear facility altogether.
IMO!
‘the ayatollah ain’t giving up his nuclear facility altogether.’
Why should he?
That’s what the French is demanding per netenyahu.
Well, hopefully other, more reasonable and mature negotiators will prevail.
SKY is owned by Murdoch, right?
Hey Chips check this out. 🙂
Evidently “Danny Boy” isn’t popular in a few places lol.
😯 I am spam blocking him right now Forus!! 😆
😀 😀
Totally ot the nuclear talks, single payer and rugby…..MANY THANKS to all of you for birthday wishes, and especially to Chips for the President delivering my cake! WOW!
Yes, our family birthday lunch was wonderful…..delicious food and delightful company. I am so thankful to have another birthday…..I have now outlived both my parents and three of my grandparents. A wonderful day of thanksgiving, and I was even born on Thanksgiving.
Proud of Vermont…..two of my grandparents were Vermonters, and my husband’s parents were Vermonters. If those independent people will go for single payer…..everyone should. Like LL said…..the Canadian system started in one province.
Now, my husband and I are home…he’s “watching” football….(think I’ve heard a few snores) and I’m on my favorite couch with my laptop. Peaceful day. Very thankful.
Anticipating good news from Geneva.
Carolyn, while you anticipate good Geneva news, I’ll add my best wishes for many, many more ‘Happy Birthday’ celebrations for you, and hubby!
Delighted to know you are having such a fine Birthday celebration, Carolyn!!
happy birthday Carolyn! 😀
Carolyn, I missed the party earlier, but I hope it’s never too late to wish you a happy birthday. Your lunch sounds fabulous. Hope you enjoy every minute of your day.
What’s 2% left amongst friends?
Didn’t Crusty Orange Crush, DC Towncrier John Boehner said in Aug 2011 that getting 98% of his delusional hostage Dect Ceiling taking was the happiest thing ever?
So with P5+1, what’s 2%?
I wish them the best. The world is breathlessly waiting for a Peaceful resolution.
bbl …. take care friends …
#TrustBarack
Trita Parsi @tparsi 2m
Iranian diplomat tells Iranian journalist to stay in hotel lobby in case announcement is made tonight #IranTalks #iranelection @lrozen
Retweeted by Laura Rozen
Reply Retweet Favorite More Expand
It’s all about the French, are they willing to compromise?
and try we must
Another example of a life or death issue that Gov Corbett could address by expanding Medicaid in PA…reason 455 why he has to go…
PF, there are no words to express my contempt for Corbett. He’s like a poison that is daily undermining the commonwealth. It is absolutely URGENT that he be defeated.
Thumbs UP!
A senior Israeli source said Saturday that a deal between world powers and Iran on the country’s controversial nuclear program will be signed within days.
Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition by email
and never miss our top stories Free Sign up!
The source, who according to Army Radio, has taken part in ongoing talks between Israeli officials and the respective delegations of the P5+1 world powers currently in Geneva, said that the terms of the deal have been finalized and only the fine print of the agreement remains to be worked out.
Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz reportedly spoke with officials from the international delegations and urged them to make clear that the deal would not release Tehran of its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Army Radio reported. Steinitz also sought reassurances that construction of the plutonium reactor in Arak would be stopped.
Earlier Saturday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed doubt that a deal could be reached by the end of the day.
“Intense and difficult negotiations are under way and it is not clear whether we [will] reach an agreement tonight,” Fars news agency quoted Araghchi as saying, as translated by AFP. “The dispute is over the wording,” he added, without indicating whether talks would continue on Sunday.
“We have now entered a very difficult stage,” Iranian Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by AFP Saturday as telling Iranian state media.
………………….//
This is from the link above.
Wooooooooot!
Here is some perspective on the global nuclear weapon threat:
Left unmentioned by all (except for BobFr) is Israel.
Also, will repeat myelf — if you have some time, highly recommend Rick Steves tour of Iran from 2009.
via @FORUS50
This film crew traveled to several cities in this Alaska-sized (!) country (Alaska is enormous).
Should be required viewing for all Americans, but especially students.
Ha, Arapaho415, I was just about to leap in and ask ‘where is Israel on that list?????’ – but you asked the question yourself!
Thank you for bringing it to my attention earlier, Arapaho. I actually watched it all, in stages. and found it quite informative. Quite a contrast to the last time I saw the Iranians ‘en masse’, which was during that green rebellion thingy. Very helpful to get some balance.
Thank you Arapaho … thought I’d extend that message to Micah …
https://twitter.com/Our4thEstate/status/404381328071593985
Ah, good for him ….
Very impressive!! Almost entirely due to the work of US President Barack Obama.
I remember seeing this Rick Steves special four years ago. It is great. I learned so much, and it made me want to visit Iran. There are sights there I’d love to visit, for one, the royal palace at Susa, where Queen Esther of biblical fame lived. Our friends I mentioned yesterday, who own the wonderful restaurant here in OKC, are from Shiraz.
Did anyone else read “Reading Lolita in Tehran”…..I forget the author’s name, but she got here Ph.D.at Univ of Okla, and spoke at Okla City University about two years ago. That book also whetted my appetite for travel to Iran. I hope this situation can be resolved, and Iran can be opened to western travelers.
Ever the optimist…..I’ve seen the glass half full as long as I can remember.
me too carolyn. I am so anxious for relations to be normalized and it would be sooo great for both countries in every respect; culturally, economically and of course politically. I don’t know that much about Iran other than what i have learned by having a hairdresser from there (who is hilarious btw). I understand that most of the Persians (Iranians) who are in the US live in and around LA.
I’ve watched that show several times. My husband and I are traveling to Iran with MIR next November (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran). MIR has been taking US groups to Iran for a couple decades. They take two small groups on the trip we’re taking twice a year, once in April and once in November. We’ve wanted to take this trip for many years and finally will be able to as I’m retiring May 18th. I will need to wear a scarf and clothing to my wrists and ankles and, as shown in the video, I am not to touch an Iranian man. It is so exciting that we have a possibility of renewed relations.
I also want to go back to Washington, D.C. while PBO is still president – and tour the White House!!
So it’s reassuring that all sides are saying that they are 98% there but the remaining 2% is huge. (Which imo is rather odd phrasing as then it would be more than 2% but whatever!) In any event, who gets 98% done with anything and doesn’t finish it? I’ve read some tweets in the past few hours (one from an Iranian newspaper bureau chief in Tehran) that if it’s not done tonight then it won’t happen. What!?!?! That doesn’t make sense. You don’t talk for DECADES and then finally have a MAJOR breakthrough to all but a couple of very important sticking points and you give up? I doubt that’s in the plans for either the heads of Iran, US and EU.
There is no imminent war so this self-imposed deadline is exactly that. And I do agree with Arapahoe’s comments above that there are other countries that are getting much more favorable treatment from the US on nuclear weapons — for no reason. Most likely because they did not have the hostage situation decades ago.
😀 😀
I like the “black-out” of the content of the deal – will help negotiators to do their job without being undermined
It is with GREAT sadness that I admit it has been snowing for about an hour now, and this one does not look like it’s going to leave my driveway without help from a shovel and some back breaking nudges. Sigh!
Meta, this is the time I could really use that CA deal we discussed earlier. You sure you wouldn’t like a switch of venue – you know, a change of pace so that a dear virtual friend can see the Pres and bask in his warmth without a snow cocoon, while you enjoy the pure white beauty of a heavy snowfall?
This made me laugh too – nice try, Ms Rozen!
remember a few days ago when led by fouriner (sp?) beltway press was complaining the PBO and his team were not giving them access to PBO?
remember Mr. Pete Souza’s photo of the press doing exactly what they claimed PBO’s does not let them do?
well, it seems that that the cry-babies in the media are now complaining about this photo as WH getting back at them.
Heavens, with all the stuff PBO has to do, he now has to hold the hands of the beltway media as they throw a fit!!!!
here is the fit/tantrum
White House Pic of the Day of Media Enrages Media
By Nikki Schwab
Friday’s White House “Photo of the Day” seems fairly innocuous at first glance. President Obama, in the Oval Office, is surrounded by eight photojournalists as he signs a bill into law.
[REPORT: ’Climate of Fear’ for Press Under Obama ]
But that particular photo comes courtesy of the White House just one day after 38 news organizations and journalistic institutions, en masse, penned a letter of protest to Press Secretary Jay Carney, asking that the Obama administration stop simply sending out their own photos and allow more access to photographers and videographers.
Some journalists interpreted Friday’s photo as the White House attempting to sweep the issue under the rug, while others figured it a subliminal “screw you.”
“I think given the fact that this picture of them taking pictures was now pushed out, I almost wonder if this wasn’t just a set up?” said Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association, who worked on a draft of the letter. “See, we give everybody access, what’s the problem?” he said the White House was trying to say.
for full article here is the link
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/11/22/white-house-pic-of-the-day-of-media-enrages-media
I smiled at this bit, Linda:
Julie Mason, SiriusXM POTUS press pool host and former White House Correspondents’ Association board member, saw Friday’s photo and suggested it was an equivalent to a middle finger, a snub and an eye roll. “All of that, plus a drop of anxiety,” Mason wrote in an email. “Behold how sensitive the White House is to claims they shut the press out.”
Remember her?
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/02/24/and-you-thought-politico-couldnt-get-any-worse/
🙄
She left Politico soon enough, maybe even they were embarrassed by her.
laughed at that too!
and we know that if Politico throws you out, you have exhausted all options – expect fox
Trita Parsi @tparsi 4m
If they weren’t thinking they could get a deal tonight, they would have broken talks hours ago. They are exhausted… #IranTalks @lrozen
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goes to your comment, forus50….
This is the Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbass Araqchi speaking about reality. 🙂
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/11/23/a-long-night/