Love this front page from Belgium today
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Today (all times Eastern):
1:0: Jay Carney briefs the press
5:0: The First family attends the National Christmas Tree lighting; President Obama delivers remarks
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So much for my intention never to watch anything from MSNBC again … but I never knew the story behind this photo – here it is:
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NYT (June 2013): In Mandela, Obama Found a Beacon Who Inspired From Afar
Barack Obama had been a United States senator for just weeks in early 2005 when Oprah Winfrey offered to carry a message for him to Nelson Mandela, the iconic South African leader.
Mr. Obama disappeared into a back room in Ms. Winfrey’s television studio to write the note, but he was gone so long that his spokesman, Robert Gibbs, popped his head in after half an hour.
“You’ve got to give me some time here,” Mr. Obama, pen in hand, told Mr. Gibbs, who recalled the moment recently. “I can’t just wing a note to Nelson Mandela.”
…. The two have met in person only once, in a spontaneous encounter in Washington in 2005, when Mr. Mandela was in town and was urged by advisers to take a few minutes to meet a rising Democratic senator named Barack Obama.
Mr. Obama was in a car, on the way to a meeting, but diverted to the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown, where Mr. Mandela was staying. The conversation produced a lasting image of Mr. Obama, in silhouette, standing next to a reclining Mr. Mandela.
More here – thank you Meta
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@GoogleEarthPics: The Eiffel Tower has been lit up in the colours of the South African flag to grieve over Nelson Mandela’s death
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USA Today: Obama expected to attend Mandela’s funeral
Expect President Obama to confirm soon he will attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
Officials have held off on a formal announcement as travel plans are worked out; Mandela’s funeral will be part of a mourning period in South Africa that will last about ten days.
In the meantime, Obama has directed that American flags be lowered to half-staff through Monday in honor of the freedom fighter who died Thursday at age 95.
More here
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Next time you don’t bother voting, think of this – April ’94: Lines of People outside Soweto polling station #Mandela pic.twitter.com/PQQ5KjDwUM
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) December 6, 2013
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Schoolchildren hold candles, portraits of Mandela during ceremony in Chennai, India (Reuters) http://t.co/JKS9rjMTlh pic.twitter.com/eCPUFuLZM1
— AJAM Live (@ajamlive) December 6, 2013
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A Word from Japa:
I have deliberately stayed away from commenting on Mandela, not because I have no appreciation for who he was and what he did, but rather both who he was and what he did are beyond my ability to pay tribute to.
I first heard about him about the same time I was reading Patton’s Cry, The Beloved Country. Looking back, it was like it was fated the two would happen together. Here I was reading, and being deeply influenced by, a book that exposed the worse of the apartheid system while along came a person who was willing to sacrifice everything to bring it to an end.
I remember being aghast at the hatred I heard expressed whenever his name was mentioned and the open support for the system of apartheid. Remember, this was during the Civil Rights era here and I was old enough to recognize that part of the support for apartheid was a defense of this country’s segregation policies. I think many were so against Mandela because they knew that if South Africa was able to end its racist approach to existence then the US would be at the forefront of nations that deliberately and maliciously oppressed a major segment of its population.
LL made a comment last night about how in SA they were celebrating his life, not mourning his loss. And that is the way it should be. The man gave so much of himself not for his own glory, which I think matter not one whit to him, but for the welfare of his people. And by “his people” I mean the people of SA, no matter what their color or religion was. He knew that oppression impacts both the oppressed and the oppressors in negative ways. He was never into revenge for prior wrongs but rather about having all move forward. Considering all that was done to him, that may well be his greatest legacy.
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I’m breaking my MSNBC boycott again 😕 – but only for the President!
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Avoided depression. Huge health reform. Jump-started clean energy. School reform. Financial reform. Kinda consequential presidency, no?
— Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) December 6, 2013
Ending wars in Iraq/Afghanistan, avoiding quagmires in Libya/Syria/Iran also seems consequential. But I defer to foreign policy types there.
— Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) December 6, 2013
We can all agree that 200K new jobs a month is nothing to brag about, and that America was much better off losing 800K jobs a month.
— Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) December 6, 2013
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Steve Benen: Job growth picks up steam, unemployment drops
Expectations going into this morning’s new monthly jobs report were fairly strong, and as it turns out, the totals from the Bureau of Labor Statistics were even better than expected.
According to the new BLS report, the U.S. economy added 203,000 jobs in November, ahead of economists’ predictions. In a pleasant change of pace, the public sector did not drag down the overall figures – the private sector added 196,000 jobs, while the public sector, which has hemorrhaged jobs in recent years, added 7,000.
The overall unemployment rate dropped 7%. That’s a five-year low, though it’s a little misleading – it reflects furloughed federal workers who returned to their jobs after the government shutdown ended.
More here
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Bad News for @GOP, #ObamaCare isn’t killing jobs: Healthcare added 28,400 jobs. Manufacturing added 27K jobs including 7K in auto industry.
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) December 6, 2013
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Bloomberg: Payroll Gains in U.S. on Track for Best Year Since 2005
Job growth in November was probably strong enough to keep payroll gains on track for the best year since 2005, economists said before a report today.
Employers added 185,000 workers last month after taking on 204,000 in October, based on the median forecast of 89 economists in a Bloomberg survey before today’s report from the Labor Department. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.2 percent, matching an almost five-year low, from 7.3 percent as federal employees returned to work, according to the survey median.
The pickup in employment over the last three months signals companies are confident that demand will improve and gives American workers the means to spend.
More here
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Washington Post: Refusing Medicaid expansion will cost states billions of dollars
When the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that the federal government could not compel states to expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, it gave Republican opponents of the measure the opportunity to decline to participate in one of the law’s central tenets. But a new study estimates the decision not to participate will cost those states billions of dollars over the next decade — costs that will be passed on to taxpayers.
…. By refusing to expand Medicaid, Texas will forgo $9.2 billion in federal funding in 2022. Florida, another state that has said it won’t expand Medicaid, stands to lose more than $5 billion.
Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia will all forgo more than $2 billion in federal funding, while Louisiana, Oklahoma and Wisconsin will miss out on more than $1 billion. Both Tennessee and Indiana, two states that have yet to formally decide whether to expand the program, face losing more than $2 billion in federal funding if they decide against expansion.
More here
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The govt already achieved Obama’s renewable energy goals – tnx, #stimulus! – so he’s tripling them: 20% by 2020. http://t.co/lAiVXEZV1u
— Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) December 6, 2013
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On This Day:
As overflow guests look on in the Grand Foyer, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wait to be introduced before the Kennedy Center Honors event that was held in the East Room of the White House, Dec. 6, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
Pete Souza: “Having seen more than 25 Bruce Springsteen concerts since 1978 and having seen just about every movie Robert DeNiro has ever made, it was a great thrill to be in their presence as the President greeted them before the Kennedy Center Honors at the White House.” Dec. 6, 2009
President Obama and Vice President Biden talk before the start of the Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama applaud Bruce Springsteen during the Kennedy Center Honors, Dec. 6, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a formal portrait in front of the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House, Dec. 6, 2009 (Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
President Obama tours the biotech facilities at Forsyth Technical Community College West Campus in Winston-Salem, N.C., Dec. 6, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
Pete Souza: “En route to his speech at Osawatomie High School in Kansas, I noticed a lot of people lining the motorcade route. So on departure, I rode in his vehicle so I could photograph some of the onlookers waving to the President.” Dec. 6, 2011
President Obama arrives aboard Marine One at Osawatomie-Paola Municipal Airport in Osawatomie, Kan., Dec. 6, 2011 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama prays with, from left: Richard Santana, Velma Massenburg, Jimmie Massenburg, and Tiffany Santana, during a visit to the Santana’s home in Falls Church, Va., Dec. 6, 2012 (Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
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Morning everyone.
The Obama Diary 
Via BJ – I found Reagan arguing against sanctions against SA in 1986 – video on c-span
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/SouthAfrica9
ANY slip in a speech by President Obama is attacked forever by the GOP. Apart from the nonsense spoken by Reagan in this speech – he started with the comment
“If South America wishes to belong to the family of Western Nations an end to apartheid is a precondition.” Simple misspeak – but I can’t help but think it described well his complete misunderstanding of the reality of South Africa – How did he get to be President?
So I posted this before refreshing the old thread & was bringing it over
Thank you Ms Chips – now I’m back to read your fab R&S
Morning 99ts! Morning everyone!
GM to your world – I am so glad to live in the time of Presidents Mandela and Obama – one the man of the 20th Century & the other is the guiding light of the 21st.
The more, the merrier
YAY!
Good Morning everyone!
h/t commenter John at bj. My first MS paint job. How is it?
Love this tweet. Not sure what MS paint job is but I like it!
Thanks meta. It’s microsoft program for painting, graphics, editing pics etc.
Your country is humming (not so in my world – I blame the RW govt) – look at your consumer confidence rise!
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/advance-umich-consumer-confidence-december-2013-12
“The report’s headline index surged to 82.5 from November’s 75.1 reading. Economists predicted a smaller advance to 76.0.”
Mebbe because more people find out they don’t have to worry about their healthcare anymore?
Could well be amk – something is good with consumers – and sure doesn’t relate to anything the GOP has done – misery and hate is all they talk about. Boehner must be crying in his whiskey about everything today.
It is truly amazing that despite the massive efforts of the GOP and the Media(R,USA) the President has the country humming along. I can’t but wonder what would be happening if the republicans in congress worked for their country rather than against it.
thisssssssssss
Good morning everyone. Off to enjoy what looks like a stellar Rise and Shine; thanks Chips.
A pleasure CEB, thank you!
What? No remarks from The President on the Economy and ACA sign-ups today?
I admit to being greedy. Can not get enough of President Obama’s comments.
—-> Rick Santorum Compares Obamacare To Apartheid
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/12/06/3030141/rick-santorum-obamacare-mandela/
Rick Santorum is a dam idiot.
“an ever increasing size of government that is taking over and controlling people’s lives”
My understanding that over the past 5 years governments in all states and DC have shrunk – if it was increasing, unemployment would be at 1%. The lies they tell to try and make sense from their stupid.
To think this guy thought he could be President, 99ts. Good grief.
There seems to be a lack of intelligence among GOP “would be Presidents” – but it is not confined to the US to have such candidates – we have elected many of a similar ilk this past few months.
True 99ts, you get them the world over, although I think it’s hard to ‘top’ the current GOP ‘stars’!
I fear, because of the media giving them right of place to spread their stupid, folks in other places begin to think this is the way to political power. People in my world still quote Sarah Palin as a person of importance in US politics – the mind boggles.
I’m always reassured by the general reaction of people in Ireland and Britain to the likes of Palin, they just recognize she’s batshit crazy!
Josh Marshall at TPM
Like Flypaper for Stupid
Santorum: Fight against Obamacare like Mandela’s battle against Apartheid.
And Nelson Mandela would tell us to fight for Obamacare the way he fought against Apartheid. Now who would I or anyone with any darn sense listen too, a racists idiot like Santorum or Nelson Mandela.
Really now? One thing I can say about T’Baggers, they cannot wallow in the mud enough.
Good Morning Chipsticks,
I was looking forward to the Rise and Shine honoring Mr. Mandela. And all the great domestic news thanks almost solely to our great man here in the US.
Morning Forus, thank you.
Oh so true.
Oh my God, the comments…
😯 I felt sick reading those. LHM that is one disgusting group of low life, scumbags.
Mr. Mandela was a moral force for all that is good in this world and he happened to have black skin so those comments reflect a group of people who have been left behind and are scared to death because they are faced with the reality of them becoming more and more marginalized each and everyday.
As I always say Donna, I hope they are devoured by their hate one day. You’re exactly right, they are increasingly marginalized and are lashing out with venom in response. I pity them.
Wonderful Rise and Shine, Chiparoo. Marvelous tribute to Nelson Mandela.
Thank you soooooooo much legend!
Ahem NY 22.9%
Darn! Corrected!
Thank you, Forus50
Good morning.
Was listening to my daily radio program this morning and Amd Andrew Young was on talking about Mandela. It was a great chat.
Afterward Tom posed a very thought provoking question. Nelson Mandela spent all those years in prison and never once renounced his beliefs. He said he was willing to die for his beliefs, even if he died in prison.
So Tom asked the question, “What is something, cause or belief, that you would be willing to die for or endure 27 years of imprisonment for?”
The common answer was of course “my children”, but IDK I see that as the easy answer. But what of like me you have no children what then would I be willing to die for?
I’m still sitting here about 1hr later and I really have no idea what my answer is?
So I was wondering what’s yall answer? Let’s assume dying for ur kids is a given.
Well, having no control over when I am going to die, I will simply continue to advocate for freedom for all, no matter the consequences.
I kind of see those being two separate questions; one would you be willing to die for your beliefs and two; would you be willing to die in prison for your beliefs? I can unfortunately honestly say that I am not that good of a person to die for my beliefs; like murdered. As far as dying in prison; not sure I would be able to do that either. Possibly if we went significantly backwards on civil rights here for minorities and women, I could see myself protesting even if it meant imprisonment.
I just tried to watch the video from Hardball and it says it is currently unavailable. From the Hardball site????WHY????
Yikes, forgot to add it to the post!
POTUS knows that Tweety has some romantic image of the past; largely incorrect about past partisanship in DC. This is at around 10:20
How was it?
Thanks, Chips!!!!!!!! Just now checked back in. Will watch now.
THANK YOU!
Okay, this is totally off topic. I have not been following politics extremely close lately and i have not been commenting on this blog like I use to…..but what happened with Martain Bashir on MSNBC? I saw something the other day that he will no longer be on anymore and it saddened me so. I have loved him! What happened?
He made a comment at the end of his show slamming Sarah Nitwit Palin for her comment comparing Obamacare to slavery, suggesting some of the unbelievable treatments given slaves should happen to her, naming something gross. There was of course a big backlash from the rt. wing. Bashir apologized the next day to his viewers for expressing himself “Inartfully”, apologized to msnbc gm, Phil Griffin, wrote and called Joe Scarborough!!! to apologize—–but still was forced to “resign” (he was fired). After all the outrageous rt. wing and tea party accusations they have allowed on msnbc about PBO, the whole thing reeked. I thought Bashir’s show was the smartest and the best on msnbc—-and probably why he is gone.
Thank you for filling me in dotster3. Completely depressing. He will be missed. Do hope he is able to carry on delivering his take on things elsewhere.
Chips, my dear, a wonderful R&S. TY for including my comment, though it was nowhere near the level of so many others.
Understandably, much of late afternoon and night from yesterday was spent on talking about and honoring the life of a great man. One thing that was very special about Mandela is that the praise after his death is equal to the praise, rightfully, heaped upon him prior to his death. Too often people are not fully given credit for their lives until they have died. It is the truly great who receive the praise and credit they deserve while they still breathe.
At the same time, it is also time to pivot to other matters as well, as you have so artfully done. The economic news is good and would be excellent were it not for the GOP.
The ACA news is good and would be excellent were it not for the GOP.
So much news is good but would be excellent were it not for the GOP.
I perceive a problem. The only thing really keeping us back from greatness is the GOP.
It was a beautiful comment Japa, thrilled to include it in R&S – thank you!
THIS!!!! “The only thing keeping us back…..GOP!!!!”
And I get upset when EVERYONE says it’s “Congress” that is ineffective and responsible for the stalemate in D.C. NO, it’s not. It’s only the Republican wing of Congress which is to blame.
These nuts know that the rest of the world can see their craziness, right?
I’m not sure they’re aware there’s a world out there, Amk.
They validate the ugly american meme through out the world.
They really do – I think the world is at a loss to understand how one country could elect as good a man as PBO, while also producing freaks like Santorum, Cruz, etc. The extremes are spectacular.
Nelson Mandela shares his first meal at the Mandela home in Soweto with his family and fellow inmate of 27 years, Walter Sisulu. The man pouring champagne, Cyril Ramaphosa, who many believe could be the next President of South Africa.
For those familiar with the movie Invictus, in real life, these are the two sons of the 1996 South African World Cup Rugby champion’s captain, Francois Pienaar. Sitting on his lap, the boy on the right asked innocently, “Madiba, how could they have put you in prison for 27 years when you didn’t steal anything?” Madiba responded, “Sweetheart, I did steal something. I stole freedom for our people.”
Beautiful images LP – thank you sooooo much again for your gorgeous post yesterday.
My pleasure, Chips! Thank you for this wonderful R&S…. I didn’t have the opportunity to see the news yesterday, and you have so kindly put a wonderful tableau together for us.
Thanks LP, Chips! I too thought Cyril Ramaphosa would be the next Pres. He was voted in as ANC Deputy President last December. Maybe his time has arrived? I hope so.
Going back to catch up w/ all the wonderful posts! 🙂
Good Morning my Chips and TOD family. Thank you again for your dedication to this beautiful site that you created to give all of us an opportunity of a lifetime to help President Obama move forward into a good space for our nation and the world. Thank you, Chips.
Our president is a man of excellence. He gives us his word and he tries to make sure that he takes responsibility for those words. A man of excellence carries with him the crown of integrity at all times. He will also make sure that he does not just move with his people in a few steps, but he so often will move them in those long extra steps.
Our president shows us his excellence in that he does not give in to the injustices that try to throw mud at the least of these in our society. He takes his hands and gently tries to remove those ‘muddy slings’ away from the people he serves. His excellence is seen in his humble touch, his gracious words, his loving smile, his brilliant mind, and his steady feet walking alongside the cradles of the small ones who are looking up to him with that sparkle in their eyes, knowing that this is a very special leader in their presence.
His baritone voice has the cadence of that excellent trained vocalist that will bring the house down with a thunderous applaud from the well trained audience who has an ear for the goodness in his speech. We all have been there with this wonderful president so many times. Thank God for this blessing.
I witnessed that excellent spirit last evening as President Barack Obama shared with the young people while being interviewed by Chris Matthews last evening. No matter what road Chris tried to take President Obama down, President Obama chose the high road. Not because he was trying to display his power, but because he recognizes the gift of the power that he carries with him as our President of the most powerful man on the planet; and what that office can and should be doing for its people individually and collectively with this gift of power. That is excellence on display of a great leader.
So my beautiful TOD family, we have seen two beautiful souls, President Nelson Mandela and President Barack Obama come to the people with a spirit of excellence to bring hope, a sense of BEing while still holding on to their personal gifts of excellence with integrity and peacefulness.
May the universe give back blessings to both of these beautiful men who have given to the people so much to grace their spaces as they continue to make this journey a glorious and blessed one.
((((((((((((((( Have a graceful day, TOD family and put into your space your form of excellence as well.))))))))))))))))HZ
thank you for you loving and insightful words…((HZ))
HZ – you are such a fine person and your eloquence in describing the President …
“I witnessed that excellent spirit last evening as President Barack Obama shared with the young people while being interviewed by Chris Matthews last evening. No matter what road Chris tried to take President Obama down, President Obama chose the high road. Not because he was trying to display his power, but because he recognizes the gift of the power that he carries with him as our President of the most powerful man on the planet; and what that office can and should be doing for its people individually and collectively with this gift of power. That is excellence on display of a great leader.”
… is as compelling and complete as any I’ve ever read.
Thank you!
Gunnite folks.
One of the first teevee shows to kick off the diy explosion was a British production called ‘Ground Force’. One of their episodes was a garden created for President Mandela. Perhaps one of the bts can find that. I cried when it aired. I’m getting weepy now.
I found this brief clip, which is very sweet:
Ground Force’s Titchmarsh recalls Mandela meeting
Ground Force’s Alan Titchmarsh recalls his meeting with Nelson Mandela when he gave the former South African President’s garden a revamp in 1999.
http://news.uk.msn.com/video-clips?videoid=1411af92-32be-41fe-98f4-ab960cb0ddd0
Thank you so much, meta! I can still see that episode and President Mandela’s sweet face brightened by the joy that outdoor space gave him and the pride on the face of Alan and his crew…..I need more tissues.
Wish I could find the episode for you!
No worries. I have faith in your determination. The BBC aired it on 1/2/00 if I’m not mistaken.
It is so wonderful to see the world press united in praise of a man who led his people to freedom from racial hatred and oppression. The wingnuts can scream on their blogs and write in their comments – but they are supported by no-one of merit – not even the Ted Cruz’s of the world will speak ill of Nelson Mandela. Some may stay silent, but no-one of any worth is saying anything other than praise for this incredible man.
So true. This is why I have chosen to completely ignore the racist rightwingers. Their opinion about President Mandela mean absolutely nothing. Mr. Mandela’s legacy has already been set in stone. He is a hero for those who love liberty and freedom and led a dignified life. The fact that he could leave jail after 27 years and not be bitter is a testament in and of itself to how great he was.
Beautiful!
Brilliant.
TY. I had just reached a point of explosion with people who think they are good people (and many are) but vote for GOP because they think they are, for example, fiscally responsible ignoring the fact that GOP’s fiscal policies are racist, etc.
Many people (unfortunately) remember the late Whitney Houston as a cocaine addict married to R & B singer Bobby Brown. But she was much more than that. Whitney Houston lent her talents to many different humanitarian and socially conscious causes, including the “Free Nelson Mandela” movement during the mid-late ’80s. In June 1988, Houston participated in an internationally-televised and widely viewed concert for Mandela’s 70th birthday held in Wimbledon London. She also performed in his honor at the WH during a state dinner in 1994.
Fabulous!!!!!! An international trip on TOD!!!!!!!!! This will be so moving…..
Almost every world leader will be there – this will be a significant world event
Great! Perhaps he’ll get to speak at the funeral.
One of my favorite photos of Madiba….. In Delhi, Oct1 5th,1990.
….During the trip, Mr. Obama reflected repeatedly on the impact Mr. Mandela had on him, and people around the world. Moments before he again stood in the cell on Robben Island, Mr. Obama told his daughters of Mr. Mandela’s legacy.
“One thing you guys might not be aware of is that the idea of political nonviolence first took root here in South Africa because Mahatma Gandhi was a lawyer here in South Africa,” the president told them. “When he went back to India the principles ultimately led to Indian independence, and what Gandhi did inspired Martin Luther King.”….
Beautiful! 🙂
Indeed, HF. My father was the one who prompted me about this event. He remembers it vividly being from India, and immigrating to the U.S. in the 60’s
I just realized it’s almost 3am in my world! On the way out the door just looked at the markets
Dow up 156 points at the minute
have a great day everyone
EMOPROGS, take note:
President Obama has never made it a secret that his heroes are Ghandi, Mandela, MLK. He admires their courage, resilience and their promoting of PEACE, RECONCILIATION. Why were people so surprised that he chose not to prosecute Cheney and Co.?
Barack Obama ascended to the presidency promoting the values of inclusion, compassion for others, and condemning the polarization of american politics. And he would have launched the prosecution of the precedent administration ??? Gosh, the simple fact that he became president sent some people into hysteria and gun sales went through the roof ! Can you just IMAGINE what would have happened if the administration prosecuted Bush and Cheney ? It would have hurt the social fabric of America to a point where it would take at least a generation or two to heal that wound.
The social and political impossibility of going after Bush/Cheney has always been so evident. The fact that many “emoprogs” are still blaming the president for not pursuing “justice” tells a lot about their inability to live outside ideology. I’m happy that some of them are finally seeing the wisdom of President Obama.
Barack Obama chose the right path. He condemned the bad decisions ( Hell, even in FRONT of Bush at the 2009 inaugural), and started the process of repairing the damage.
As for the “punishment”, Bush and Cheney have been shamed and humiliated like few of american presidents and vice-presidents have been. And despite their efforts to rewrite history, HISTORY, the real one, won’t be kind to them. The Bush II administration will go down as one of the worst in the history of America.
I notice there is a part of AJAM that has been catering towards Libertarian emoprogs. I’m increasingly seeing articles praising Snowjob, and attacking PBO for prosecuting whistleblowers. Now they’re pushing this:
Don’t know if this has been covered at TOD: Clear Channel has changed progressive radio in L.A. and San Francisco to RWNJ radio. It’s an insult and effront to those urban markets that are progressive and now will be inundated with Rush, Glenn, Hannity and all the other nut jobs.
Let’s remember that it was Bill Clinton who was just fine with, and signed into law, the deregulation of the media that led to this. Hillary has to answer for this. And no “I’m not my husband” b.s. I want her to state if she was for that despicable law then, if she’s for that despicable law now. This is what is destroying our media, and Bill Clinton made it happen. Remember this when those with selective memories say what a progressive lion she would be. The only time the Clintons are progressive is on the campaign trail.
Stephanie Miller is hoping to be televised on Free Speech TV. I have my problems with them – full of emoprogs – but they take no commercial money and I will hold my nose and send them a donation. At least she is a serious advocate for PBO and will serve as a counter to emoprog b.s.
We have in Chicago one of the last independent radio stations in the country with WCPT which is progressive radio. Hubby and I are making a pledge to do all of our grocery shopping at their sponsors and I will finish my Christmas shopping at a ‘made in USA’ store in the Chicago area that advertises on WCPT. It’s not much, but it’s a step in the right direction to hold on to what little progressive media we have.
I too saw the news of the LA and SF market yesterday. This is all part of the systematic and organized takeover of ALL of our media – TV, radio, print. And yes, I DO blame Clinton. One of the worst things he ever did, for which we will all pay dearly as our democracy declines even further.
Clinton’s role in this does not get enough attention. When he has the temerity to lecture PBO, I want to SCREAM. His legacy led to the RWNJ bonanza that we have right now, not to mention W.’s disastrous presidency. The bank deregulation bill, repeal of Glass-Steagall and the telecom atrocity are singularly responsible for the destruction we have now. I will never forgive him.
I read sometime during the 2012 campaign that he defended his impeachment during the morning and went back to his office in the afternoon, where he met with Gingrich, Gramm and the other nut jobs, happily destroying the New Deal financial protections that led to 60 years of financial stability and prosperity for this country.
Anyone who thinks Hillary is more progressive than PBO is smoking some funny cigarettes.
Honestly, I couldn’t agree with you more. I detest what has become of our media and the rest of our politics, largely enabled by his ongoing triangulating mess. I have never understood the overwrought admiration for Clinton. I didn’t like him then and really I don’t like him now.
At the time of his presidency I thought he was fighting an epic battle and that, in his heart, he was progressive had not nefarious powers conspired against him. I was, of course, furious that he gave them the ammunition they needed to impeach him, thereby giving the presidency to Bush. But I fought for him against impeachment, because impeachment was being used as a cheap political tool as it had not ever been used in our history. I long assumed that the awful bills that were passed were not really of his choosing, had he had a better and more honest Congress.
It wasn’t until late 2007 that I realized how wrong I had been, when I saw the low-rent talons come out against PBO. I had never seen a Democratic Party primary like that – Democrats just didn’t go ‘there’. But the Clinton went there by nature with a viciousness I had not recognized before.
Then I went back and looked at the record. In all honesty, the country was looking for a business-friendly Democrat in the 1990’s. A ‘more sensible’ Democrat. It was true of the times. But Clinton had no sense of what was right for history, for the country over the long haul. He did indeed only care about the instant gratification of his ego. I did some research and realized he willingly embraced the awful trajectory he put this country on. He could have reversed the ignoring of anti-trust laws under Reagan/Bush but he continued. Now that consolidation mindset is so entrenched, it was not a battle PBO could pick. If Reagan/Bush really began privatization of our government, Clinton and Gore put it on steroids.
He’s a lousy man and he was, in retrospect, a lousy president. However, if we’re stuck with Hillary I will vote for her. But I won’t love her and I think if the Clintons really cared about the country they would retire gracefully and let a new generation of Democrats have a chance. But they are not graceful people.
I’m probably all alone here right now, but felt the need to react to your comment. I’m not sure about Clinton’s intentions. But I think he lacks the preoccupation for the long term consequences of things. Or at least, I see him working more in terms of tactics instead of long term strategy. Clinton LOVES the political game, and more often than not, will use gimmick and manipulation instead of being straight forward and tell the truth even if it’s hard. He will “trick” his way into something, and will be confident that he will find another “trick” to correct the consequences of his first actions.
I wish he would have put his formidable communication skills to better use. But he’s much less a liberal and a progressive that Barack Obama. I think he cares about the people, but he has other “priorities”. He will never take any personal risk, never make any sacrifice for the people. As opposed to Barack Obama, who cares so much for others that it must hurt.
Barack Obama doesn’t relish the political game in Washington. He hates it. The mean attacks, the demagoguery, the false smiles, the “schmoozing” of the press, and on and on. Barack Obama simply does its best to deal with Washington politics because he wants TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, and work for a more PEACEFUL WORLD. And the presidency is a pretty good position to do so.
Barack Obama is a TRUE man of the people. I’m SURE his career post-presidency will be an ample demonstration of that. No CONSTANT meddling with the global elite. I guarantee you.
Clinton is a political player, he is not a leader. He does not govern. He has no interest in seeing the big picture or long term consequences. Everything is a daring game to him. I didn’t used to question his heart or long term intentions, but I’ve lost all illusions that he is a decent human being.
I have friends who still love him to pieces. Not me. I’ll vote for Hillary if I have to because I will do anything to keep this country out of RWNJ control but I won’t love it.
I think because of many of the things you mentioned about schmoozing and PBO not playing games for these reasons he does not spend free time with the other side. He sees the long run and what is important. He fights our fight and also sees his family as an important priority. Just look at the statement that Sasha would have the biggest vote on whether they would stay in DC a couple of years so she could finish high school after his term ends. I applaud that decision.
57, Tons of thanks to you for supporting WCPT. That’s how I listen to Stephanie Miller, Ed, Tom Hartman, etc. every day. I’m listening to PO on CM’s show from yesterday right now. (Opened another window) 🙂
I am right now working on an order at Norton’s USA or maybe Hubby and I will take a ride out to Barrington over the weekend. I do support their advertisers but I’m going to step it up a notch. Why should I shop at Jewel when I have other choices that support WCPT?
The first new week after PBO won his second election the Oregon Progressive Radio station switched to a Fox Sports station. I was in shock at the time and posted here about it. I now have no choice other than RWNJs to listen to so am tuned to NPR in the mornings. I am worried about this too.
I know a lot of attention continues to be given to Mandela and the economy, but I wanted to make some comments about Tweety’s interview of PBO that aired last night.
First of all, since it had been pre-recorded, I really wish they had delayed the broadcast d/t Mandela’s passing. It was a good interview and PBO made several interesting points.
But first a comment about Tweety. I think he did a very good job. His questions were such that PBO had time to make expansive responses and were not gotcha type of questions (maybe the Biden vs Clinton). He didn’t interrupt responses and was very respectful of the President even though topics were discussed that other people would have used, or tried to, as a bludgeon on PBO.
PBO was his usual thoughtful, expressive self. But it is becoming obvious that he is going after the GOP with both barrels. When talking about things ebing accomplished or not accomplished, he started out using Congress, but rapidly shifted to the GOP and a small faction of the GOP being to blame. He really called out Republicans not to be afraid of the TP and implied that, after primary season, immigration reform is possible.
He made a very important point about trust in government and the competency of government. He talked about how for decades the GOP has been talking about how government is the problem and that eventually this concept takes hold among the people. And that, in effect, people look for examples of the government being the problem, i.e. the website roll-out. But then he pivoted to how when the government is operating efficiently, people don’t really notice. He talked about how nobody knows the name of FEMA’s director because it has been doing such a great job.
He made the point over and over that the government is “US” all of us, not just those sitting in DC.
He blamed the GOP directly for a policy of diviseness and even said the media was an accomplice (in so many words) in creating diviseness.
There was a lot more, but it was excellent.
Thank you, japa and I agree. I was surprised that tweety kept his mouth shut, giving our President the uninterrupted space to expand on his answers. The lack of spit flying all over the studio was also a welcome relief.
Perhaps many of us should request it be replayed at the 10:00 hour Friday, tonight, and other times. Your point is well taken…..it had been promo’d all week, then, of course the Mandela news superseded almost everything. I know Chris would love for it to be replayed.
I think it was replayed at 11:00pm onwards. They’ll probably repeat it over the weekend when he has another show on MSNBC.
Japa, I almost fell out of my chair at PBO saying the media was GOP’s accomplice, etc. He put it in so smoothly that it took Tweety a few beats to get it! Your comments are right on!
Just finished my listening to PO. Agree with all other comments–Believe CM did a good job with questions he asked and also allowing the President time to answer. Also, hope it is replayed a number of times so more people have the opportunity to watch.
Thank you, japa. I didn’t have a chance to watch it and I wondered how it went. My creaky AT & T internet at home makes streaming almost impossible so it’s hard for me to catch up.
Which begs the question: how ‘free’ is the market when I have so few choices for internet service in Chicago? I’ve tried to switch to Comcast and they’ve screwed up the order three times, and I loathe them anyway. Markets only appear to be ‘free’ for giant corporations to consolidate all of the choices. Sigh.
Well, I did not see it replayed, but I emailed Chris and Rachel asking them to replay it. I suggested the 10:00 hour on Friday would be good. I also emailed NBC Nightly News and told them they needed to play part of it. I do know the more requests they get, the more likely they are to repeat it.
Actually, I also chastised NBC and Brian Williams for playing just a snippet of the President’s tribute on the nightly news…then turning to others. They should have played his ENTIRE speech on the Evening News. Didn’t check CBS or ABC on that…..in fact, ABC national news didn’t even come on the first fifteen minutes here because of WEATHER!!! SNOW!!!! Weather trumps everything else in Oklahoma…….
I think about how Malia and Sasha can say that they met Nelson Mandela and that they visit the island, the prison he was held captive in for 27 years.
I hope they get to go to the funeral anniebella
MSNBC is going to rebroadcast the President’s interview with Tweety at 4 PM today
For all you who missed it be sure to watch it, if you can. I watched it 7pm last evening.
Oh how nice of them to make the re-airing coincide with the National Christmas tree lighting which will be livestreamed from 4:30PM this afternoon. Couldn’t they instead have re-aired it during Andrea Mitchell’s GOP love-in?
You are a goddess, Linda! Programming it as we type!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/us/politics/illinois-legislature-approves-benefit-cuts-in-troubled-pension-system.html
Finally done but not before getting the lowest credit rating of all 50 states.
Most of the savings come from increasing the full retirement age for state workers by 5 years from an average of 55 to 60 yrs old. The average age in the US is 61. I think it’s not a bad deal but is being challenged in court by the unions. The teachers union is not part of this pension plan.
And yet heads are exploding from my public union family members and friends.
My brother-in-law scammed the system as a streets and sanitation worker and has been ‘retired’ since he was in his late 40’s, with full health benefits and a great pension. I admit I haven’t delved into all of the details, but a lot of this is common sense.
There are two sides: the City of Chicago had stopped putting in their contribution to the teacher’s pensions when the stock market was riding high, although the teachers ALWAYS paid their share. These issues are complicated. But the lawsuits now being filed are on the basis that the pensions cannot be ‘cut’, ever. Even though the state is suffering because of lazy jerks like my brother-in-law who scammed the system with his ‘bad’ back all the years he ‘worked’ for the city and has been ‘retired’ most of his adult life. Something had to change.
Yeah, I agree 57. I think every person in Chicago knows someone who retired very early with full benefits and has been sitting around in their backyard with their pre-teenage kids while the taxpayers have been paying increasing taxes every year to cover that. The unions didn’t do themselves any favors by not fixing loopholes that allowed people to cheat. And retiring with partial benefits at age 50 and full benefits at age 55 in this day and age is just out of touch. They also had a built in automatic cost of living adjustment of 3% – all of that just makes the non-public employee pissed off. I just hope it isn’t a slippery slope of going after unions; not only in this state but in other states. It would be better if the unions came to the table and did what made sense like what the automakers union did with POTUS.
That’s the conundrum, forus50: you don’t want this used as a club against the idea of unions, but it is also reasonable to expect an honest day’s work from an honest worker, working until a reasonable retirement age. But those those distinctions – between a Walker in WI and a Quinn in IL – are lost on almost everyone. If you question anything that has been done wrong by the unions, you’re lumped in with the RWNJ’s. I hate having the choose sides when these are complicated issues.
Pics of newspaper front pages. The Sowetan simply says “Goodbye Tata.” Pic #2 in the series.
http://www.citypress.co.za/multimedia/pics-mandela-front-pages-president-world/
The Sound of Music telecast was mentioned earlier. I see that despite the criticism of the somewhat weak acting, it was a ratings bonanza for NBC—–highest rated non-sports show since Jan. 2007, highest rated Th. since 2004—–in that key 18-49 demo—18.5 million viewers. The quality of the familiar music was at least excellent. And it looks like the public is hungry for the type of programming they can watch together.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-sound-of-music-ratings-success,0,2613959.story
I’m glad 18.5 million watched it, cause I was not one of them.
I loved it. It was so great watching quality a live musical. This movie meant so much to me when it came out. I know all the songs, all the words. The acting wasn’t the best, but I was so happy they tried. I loved the kids. Hopefully more will come.
To be honest, I have never watched Julie Andrews Sound of Music.
I watched the first hour but then watched Project Runway and Scandal. I’m sure NBC will repeat it since it was so successful. The first hour was pretty good, although I didn’t feel that the actor who played Mr. Von Trapp was as handsome as Christopher Plummer (I know that’s shallow of me but …).
Beautiful, inspiring images, Chips!
New post: http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/06/nelson-mandela-a-personal-eulogy/
GA TODers 😉
Wow…..Bts are Just awesome with all their posts.
Thank You ALL.
LL’s new post:
http://theobamadiary.com/author/liberallibrarian719/