President Barack Obama meets members of the audience as he participates in an event on immigration reform in San Francsico
****
25
Nov
13
99 Responses to “Chat Away”
Comments are currently closed.
Obama White House.gov
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
WH Tumblr
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
The People’s View
- Follow me at my new venture: Reclaim the Fight Spandan Chakrabarti
- Ignore the bait: Why it’s the right strategy for Democrats to focus SCOTUS fight on health care Spandan Chakrabarti
- BIG: Judge halts Trump administration attempt to shortcut the census Spandan Chakrabarti
- Trump doesn't want peaceful transition of power. Legally, it doesn’t matter. Spandan Chakrabarti
- Fauci goes off on Rand Paul Spandan Chakrabarti
Smartypants
- why i've been awol
- How Conservatives are Exploiting Dark Money and Right Wing Media to "Lean Into" the Culture War
- Kevin Drum Misses the Forest for the Trees
- Only One Political Party Is Demonstrating How Democracy Is Supposed to Work
- Just Prior to His Resignation, Barr Signaled Where the Durham Investigation Is Headed
Steve Benen
- NYC mayor announces Covid vaccine mandate for all city workers
- Facebook says it allowed users to request info about how to be smuggled into U.S. illegally
- Jan. 6 committee recommends Trump adviser Bannon face contempt charges
- We'll use 'every tool available' under the law to compel Bannon: Select Committee member
- Terry McAuliffe: I want to govern in a bipartisan way; my competitor divides people
hardest working president ever!
Congrats Almablanca for being #1 at TOD 😉
Oh thanks Nena but Chips and Co are the real #1’s.
GA TOD…..
“It was a classic magic trick: While the eye was distracted by the show of the P5+1 talks, the real work was done elsewhere — and presented to the foreign ministers of Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany in Geneva two weeks ago almost as a fait accompli. No wonder Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius were miffed. This deal was done (as any serious piece of diplomacy must be) out of sight. They were asked to endorse it after the fact, and it’s no surprise that they balked — Netanyahu unwisely locking himself into an inflexible rejectionist position and Fabius dickering publicly for more concessions.”
…..The deal reached last weekend is fragile. It can be reversed; it can be finagled at the edges; it can mask secret activities. In most agreements, the rubric is “trust but verify.” In this case, make it mistrust and verify. But it’s a beginning of a process that could make the world less dangerous. Obama, the covert commander in chief, showed once again that he acts most effectively out of sight.
Barack “James Bond” Obama…..
Hi, you all! What’s the chatter all about?
Waitng Patiently for UT’s Tweet summaries. I was late at the POTUS’ Immigration speech.
Yay, Alma-b, I see you!
For those who missed it.
Bamm! THIS!
Congrats on 1rst, Amblanca!
“Do those assholes even know how hard it is to enrich uranium? How much I sacrificed? I never married, I’m prematurely gray, and now guess what? The prime of my life is gone forever. Unbelievable. This country’s going to f***ing hell, man.” The nuclear physicist then paused, sighed, and wondered if he might realistically find work in Yemen.
Tell this asshat to now use his talents for “good and not evil”.
Satire from the Onion.
Have never read or visited the Onion site….label me “clueless” japa 😀
Oh Gail, I should have put a *disclaimer….. I assumed everyone knew that the “Onion” was a satirical publication similar to “The Borowitz Report”…..my apologies!
NP, LP! I’m just showing how “unhip” I am 😆
Hmm?
Senate Majority Leader, Reid, is in No Hurry to advance any additional sanctions against Iran any time soon. Hmm? HP reports.
I missed the President, as usua. Thanks UT for the fab tweets.
That’s as usual.
You’re welcome.
No Body Does it Better. Thank You very much UT. Truly, No Body does it better.
You’re welcome.
You are a master at this summary tweet artistry. Truly the best!!!! When you get into this mode, we should all refer to you as “Maestra.”
Hahaha. Thanks, Jackie.
Thanks for another great summary, UT.
John Kerry descends from a cloud, job well done:
Welcome Back…….SoS John Kerry. Thank You, Sir for a job well done.
Somebody – please send a Thank You/Job Well Done tweet to SoS Kerry on behalf of us supporters here at TOD.
JO’B, someone mention yesterday his wife is controversial. Do you know why that is? What did she do in reality, not the made-up stuff. What did I miss?
Whoever said Teresa Heinz Kerry is “controversial”, lied. During John Kerry’s presidential run in 2004, the wingnuts tried their damnedest to taint his wife’s character by claiming she was arrogant, because she spoke her candid mind, and would not bend to witch-hunts into her family fortune. The ploy was to turn her into a scary FLOTUS Hillary Clinton redux. They found her independent wealth as the Heinz heiress, threatening.
Thanks Ziza, that’s what I thought. I liked her. She was very intelligent and knows so many languages. She was a budding diplomat at the U.N. when she met Heinz if I remember right. The GOP never stops.
Not sure. Never heard anything negative about her!
Someone else, Zizi I think said it was all GOP bs.
Of course.
😉
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/25/us/in-report-63-back-way-to-get-citizenship.html?hp&_r=0
A consistent and solid majority of Americans — 63 percent — crossing party and religious lines favors legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the United States illegally, while only 14 percent support legal residency with no option for citizenship, according a report published Monday by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute.
Those surveyed expressed strong support for citizenship for 11.7 million immigrants in the country without documents just as Congress appears to be shifting away from that approach, with Republican leaders in the House working on measures that would offer legal status without a direct path to naturalization.
Sixty percent of Republicans, 57 percent of independents and 73 percent of Democrats favor a pathway to citizenship, according to the report. Majorities of Protestants, Catholics and Americans with no religious affiliation also support that plan.
A Total Class Act.
Always.
Pres Obama, simply the very best.
Total class, I agree.
Gosh, I love this man. Never seen anything like it. An INTEGRAL leader, like blogger Jim Stewart said. It’s a sight to see. I really hope history gives him his dues. In a culture that values authoritarian leadership so blindly and foolishly, no wonder why Barack Obama is not well understood.
I have to say though that I’m concerned President Obama will have to deal with this kind of heckling more and more. Hecklers are bullies in a sense, and bullies only restrain themselves when they are afraid. President Obama doesn’t make people afraid because he will use repression in only the last resort. He doesn’t believe in authoritarianism. So he will pay the price of his more evolved and nuanced attitude by having to deal with heckling more often than other politicians.
Maybe he should do some town halls again. He does such a good job explaining process and policy to people who have an unrealistic view on how politics work, people who don’t have a clue about how to make change happen. And I think President Obama has to continue to, gently but firmly, call those people out: he doesn’t need people shouting at him, he needs people WORKING WITH HIM to push and push Congress to do the right thing.
That video made me cry.
President Obama – “I don’t get mad….I get even”.
He left that young man up there for everyone to see him get schooled by the President of the United States!
I get mad at these hecklers—–it is so senseless, accomplishes nothing. President Obama is there to draw attention to and address their #1 issue, pushing it forward, and deserves respect. He always handles these rude interruptions deftly and smoothly and in the best way possible. But he shouldn’t have to ——I”m sick of these people who think this is OK way to treat the POTUS.
I heard someone say that these people on the riser behind him are extra special screened and that someone in his advance team would be in trouble. But I wondered how you make sure you don’t have a heckler in his near vicinity. Make them promise to be nice? Whatever the procedure, that young man was deceitful.
See how POTUS shows that heckler respect, wouldn’t it be nice if the heckler shows POTUS the same respect?
This is how it is done. PBO is incredible.
Had a couple interruptions, so just finished watching the President and his handling of “the heckler.” That brought tears to my eyes! He has such a kind and decent heart and soul. And loved his reference to the Statue of Liberty and what she – and we – are supposed to stand for, as Americans. So, here ya go, since I love this version of the song by Phoebe Snow (ignore the videographer!):
Oooh, never heard or seen that! It’s wonderful! Thank you!
I heard the song sung by Phoebe Snow on one of those PBS specials and there are only a couple versions on YouTube that I ran into, this being one. LOVE it, too.
So sorry the President has indicated a piecemeal approach to immigration will be acceptable. Let’s the Republicans off the hook and allows them to pretend they are vested in immigration reform when nothing will happen but a bunch of posturing to change their image before the election.
Understand your frustration, but remember the cards we’re dealt, making everything slower than needed – and also that ol’ “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” if I’m recalling the quote accurately. Hang in there! It’s a whole year until the 2014 election, and lots of time to expose Rs.
Jackie, I don’t want him to give those bastards an inch…they play too dirty. They’ll turn each negotiation into something the Democrats are blocking and in the end there will still be no immigration agreement.
It’s awful we have to watch all this play out, with such a good and reasonable President!
I think he knows what he is doing
POTUS is the tactician ‘par excellence’!
FayPax, if we want comprehensive immigration reform, we have to make sure that 17 Republican Congressmen are replaced next Fall. If the Republican majority continues, we are stuck with minimal reform, if any. The president can’t wave a magic want and change this. But he is in California because he’s raising money to help our Democratic candidates win. That’s what we all have to focus on.
I am completely aware, which is why I feel as I do. If the Republicans even broach a peacemeal approach, they’ll want to start with 20,000 more border patrols, another thousand miles of fence and drones. As for comprehensive immigration reform…I have to be honest, to me even the Senate bill leaves a lot to be desired. The idea that people who have been here, many all their lives need to wait a decade in order to merely “apply” for citizenship is ridiculous to me. However it comes about, I hope it is more promising than that.
Pres. Obama said the only way a piecemeal approach from House GOP would be acceptable is if it has every element from the Senate’s immigration reform bill. He’s not letting Republicans off the hook. They’re shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t pass a comprehensive immigration bill.
It is not just up to Pres. Obama to push for immigration reform or push Republicans for reform, it is up to Democrats, immigration activists, and we as voters who want the issue resolved.
I concur. The fact that PBOused the word “piecemeal” doesn’t mean that he will accept an inferior bill or inferior bills. He’s basically calling the GOP’s bluff because he knows (and the GOP knows) their talk of piecemeal is simply a stalling/obstructing strategy, and if he is okay with piecemeal, they will suddenly find a reason to dislike it.
LIVE NOW: President Obama Remarks In San Francisco – https://twitter.com/cbsdigitalweb
Love this man. He gets it.
First 15 minutes of Ed absolutely on target.
Ed just said he thinks it is ok for retailers to be open on Thanksgiving because it is not a religious holiday.
Really ? Well. Christmas is not a religious holiday for Jews….should they open on Christmas then ?
Oh my. Guess it’s good I stopped watching at the 15 minute mark.
The retailers might just find that no-one turns out – years ago I was asked by my employer to work a few hours on Christmas Day – I wasn’t happy about it – but it was a local small retailer – so I agreed. I turned up & chatted for an hour – not one customer.
Again…..MSNBC says the Saudi’s are against the Iran Deal. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the narrative proves to go against the grain, for an instant, the Media Never changes for doing so destroys their main narrative goal.
I just love how President Obama turns the heckling of a former ‘Professor of Constitution Law’ into a teachable moment for the country. There are no magic wands when it comes to immigration. But there is an immigration bill that Speaker Boehner could bring up for a vote (today) that has already been passed by the senate. Everyone who is outraged by the deportations are essentially demanding that President Obama break the law. Meanwhile, he took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution. At this point, everyone could use a refresher on basic government 101 and the separation of powers. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the three branches is key.
—————————
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
—————————–
Viral image on Iraninan Facebook:
[The Israeli Prime Minister drew his “red-line” at the 90 percent point, in that Iran would have a large enough stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium to enrich further for one nuclear weapon. While Iran has since slowed its nuclear program, and scaled it back even further since President Hassan Rouhani came to office, the Islamic Republic has still maintained a stockpile of uranium enriched to 20 percent. But that will soon change. The agreement signed by the six world powers (the U.S., U.K., France, China, Russia and Germany) and Iran on Sunday in Geneva will not only require Iran to eliminate its 20 percent stockpile, but the deal also includes a stringent inspection regime to verify that Tehran complies.]
I missed another awesom remarks by POTUS, yet again? Oops. Thanks UT for the Tweets summary. I will go and read it now. I just piped in to drop this.
War, What is it good for, Absolutely Nothing by Bruce Springsteen.
The night of early Sunday AM, LL had a thread for PEACE. I tried to remember Bruce’s version of this song……but the title escaped me. So better late, than Never. Here’s To the P5+1 Iran Dead.
Nena, is the the War song you’re thinking about?
Originally written under the Motown label, and first perform by The Temptations, “War” was later re-released as a single with Edwin Starr as vocals. This version is considered a more emotional version and has become the most popular protest song ever.
I did know who wrote the song originally but I remember Bruce Springsteen doing a version of it when I was in my teen.
Thanks GGail.
This summary of the Sandy Hook shootings is so disturbing. All the signs were there that it was not going to end well for this kid—–he was either going to kill others or himself, or both, as happened. He was surrounded by violence and obsessed with mass shootings——had books and spread sheets and newspaper accounts—–had dozens of violent shooting video games—-I know people poo poo video games, but that is all he did in his life—-played shooting games, his fun was the virtual killing of people. They found one game on his computer re. a shooter going into a school and shooting students. And his mother had to be aware of all of this—–and still—–they found a xmas check to him from her for a gun. He should have been in some mental health facility getting treatment he so desperately needed. A ticking time bomb has never been more appropriate in describing this person. Highly sickening.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jtes/final-investigative-report-on-newtown-shooting-finds-no-conc
His mother was in deep denial, IMO…..
Indeed. Send him those who LOVE US and the world enough to set aside ideology and make US and the world a better place to be proud of.
The Song Send Me An Angel is on my mind……now…..Angel is Congress? Come now Nena…..get a grip 😉
LIVE NOW: Awaiting President Obama’s departure for Los Angeles – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Nena was discussing an ad she had seen with Lizzie and her three daughters. I was wondering if there was snow in the ad? This is what it looks like in Jackson now, the skiers are thrilled. . .
I am sorry CarolMae, I didn’t See the ad. I loathe Liz and her politics. I read about it and then I came to TOD to blog about it. However, I do believe that the ad was done before the Snow fall.
No biggie. I hope she is snowed in. I was wondering if she was ever there. If she’s going to live in Jackson, she better learn to ski along with the rest of her family. 😉
This Bruce Rauner, who may be the Repub frontrunner to challenge Gov. Quinn in Illinois filed financial disclosure papers today showing he had a reported income last year of “more than $53 million”. In an interview with the Tribune he said he was worth “hundreds of millions”. He just gave his campaign another $500,000 bringing his total donation to himself over a million. Another bored billionaire trying to buy himself a public office. Ugh squared.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-bruce-rauner-income-republican-governor-candidate-0131125,0,284455.story
http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-heckled-immigration-rally-deportation-2013-11
President Barack Obama confronted hecklers during an immigration rally in San Francisco on Monday who demanded he stop deportations.
The man began shouting from the unusual spot of behind the president, where he pleaded that his family was separated. He urged Obama to use his executive authority to stop deportations.
“You have the power to stop deportation!” the man said.
“Actually, I don’t, and that’s why we are here,” Obama responded, subsequently rebutting attempts by security to escort the man from the rally.
Obama said that if he thought he had the unilateral ability to stop deportations, he would. But he said he doesn’t have the power to do that.
“The easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws,” Obama said. “And what I’m proposing is the harder path, which is to use our democratic processes to achieve the same goal that you want to achieve. But it won’t be as easy as just shouting. It requires us lobbying and getting it done
////
Unlike Abby Huntsman, the businessinsider got it right.
Andrea Mitchell continues to mislead—not shockingly. On Nightly News saying that Iran deal is being highly criticized by “both parties”, screen showing a couple of Repubs and Schumer. Now asking if the U.S. won or “caved in” re. the agreement. She’s disgusting, shouldn’t be a part of our news media, reporting too slanted by personal views, no relation to truth/facts/reality.
I wish NBC would encourage her to retire……I cannot watch her….she seems to lose her train of thought all the time.
Yet I don’t the DC/NY Mews Media calling John Boehner a Liar, do I?
He has now lied twice about ACA since Thursday or Friday last week.
http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-78326765/
Well, not really. Boehner’s spiking premiums is one of those claims that may be true as far as it goes, but leaves out so much that it’s at best a half-truth. And the contention that Boehner’s experience is at all representative of what most Americans will experience under the Affordable Care Act jumps it up from half-truth to outright lie.
Let’s look at the numbers, which Buck confirmed for me. In 2013, Boehner and his wife, Debbie, were jointly covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, like all federal workers on and off Capitol Hill. They paid a monthly premium of $433 for a Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan covering both of them with deductibles of $350 per person.
Next year Mrs. Boehner will be on Medicare. So the speaker shopped for a 2014 individual health plan for himself on the Washington, D.C., insurance exchange, which is where members of Congress and their employees have to go as of Jan. 1. (The government’s Office of Personnel Management is requiring Congressional applicants to use the DC exchange’s portal for small businesses, rather than for individuals; the offerings on both are roughly similar though there are more choices on the small business side.)
I just read the most asinine attack piece in Time magazine on FLOTUS since discovering belatedly that Michelle Cottle had also written a diatribe on the First Lady. What is it with these upper class feminists who want Michelle to do their feminist domestic work or in Kay Hymowitz’s case, prove their anti-feminist stance for them? Here’s my comment to the Time piece:
___________________
So tell me exactly how much parity of pay and power did BLACK women get when they were breaking their backs on the cotton fields to accrue wealth for white slave owners? your piece here makes absolutely clear that you did not READ a single thing the critics of Michelle Cottle’s misguided essay said! It is not Michelle Obama’s job to fight for 1%er women’s climb up corporate ladders. Her cause this year is to fight for those disadvantaged to even get their FOOT in the door to education. Priorities, dear, priorities.
And by the way shouldn’t your first concern be fighting Congress or whoever makes laws to PAY Michelle Obama for the unpaid duties she performs as First Lady? How about her rights to get PAID? But you want her fighting for corporate women when neither you nor them have lifted a finger to defend her from incessant racist attacks from conservatives. Naw she ain’t your “Mammy”. She is focusing on HER OWN interests. Respect that!
http://ideas.time.com/2013/11/25/lets-face-it-michelle-obama-is-a-feminist-cop-out/
Good for you, Zizi! This is just a bunch of convoluted b.s. I wondered where they were when those silly women were whining about Bob Filner. Women like that set the feminist movement back a hundred years, but you didn’t hear a peep from them then.
My friend Felice shared her experience with the California health insurance exchange …
(snip)
My appointment was at 11am and I was seen within 10 minutes. A nice lady took down my information, entered it into the ACA site, which took about 20 minutes. At that point she told me I now had MediCal coverage starting January 1, 2014. However, Los Angeles County had coverage for me immediately, until my MediCal kicked in. Also, I got another appointment with someone to go over all my various MedCal options–I had no idea there WERE any options, so that was nice.
Exactly one half hour after I walked in the door, the nice lady hugged me and I had free medical coverage. What a “nightmare,” huh? Damn gubment!
UPDATE: As you may know, the ACA doesn’t go into full implementation until January 1st, so I won’t be covered by MediCal expansion until then, which fortunately is no big deal–only a few weeks. But they called me to apologize for that! Then yesterday, I got a letter in the mail From LA Country saying They want to cover my health care with some matching funds called Healthy Way L.A.. And I didn’t even ask!
http://broadwaycarl2point0.blogspot.ca/2013/11/one-persons-experience-with-aca.html
What ho TOD peeps. Checking in while still at work; trying to clear my desk before Turkey Day. Miss so much here at TOD while working! UT thank yo for all the tweets of today’s events!
Again…..I want to scream…………….Howard Fineman saying the Saudi’s are ” concerned ” about the Iran deal…….
—– Now I am thinking this is on purpose over at MSNBC.!
—
Saudi Arabia describes Iran nuclear deal as an “initial step” to a possible solution if there is goodwill: apne.ws/1b0iG4z -MM—
The Associated Press (AP) November 25, 2013”
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/11/25/immigration-reform-comes-to-san-francisco/