June 16, 2013: “The President shows off his dance moves as he and the First Lady waited backstage during an intermission of daughter Sasha’s dance recital at Strathmore Arts Center in North Bethesda, Maryland.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
You have certainly mastered that skill and speed thingie, my dear. Happy New Year’s Eve … let the games begin. Well, hopefully not until I fully wake up!
Happy 2014 to all my TOD buddies! We have a lot of work to do for President Obama’s last years in office as we savor being in the moment with him and the First Family. Now that I’m home, there is so much catching up to do in reading all the wonderful pieces you folks wrote since Christmas!
Poor kid. I bet he got a real good ribbing when he came out of his sugar coma. But on the other hand, look at the memento he’s got for the rest of his life – a picture of President Obama teasing him!
I’m almost positive that his approval ratings will jump back up soon. Plus, his approval ratings have gone up and down all throughout his presidency. The media has taken a perverse delight in the healthcare.gov roll out problems. This soon will pass.
“The President called me over to pose for a photo with a young boy who had fallen asleep during the Father’s Day ice cream social in the State Dining Room of the White House.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Bobfr, I saw your comment on the Early Bird thread and wanted to thank you for bringing attention to the work that CAI is doing in bringing literacy to girls and women in this region. I donated to the program. What did 60 Minutes accuse Mortenson and CAI of doing?
60 MInutes did a hit piece on Greg – a couple of years ago. Allegations that he was misusing donated funds, that schools really weren’t operational, etc. Extensive investigation by the Montana AG absolved him and CAI of any wrong doing. During the ordeal he nearly died because of an un-attended cardiac defect. He and his CAI team, and people from all over the world, stuck with the CAI mission through the ordeal, and the results speak for themselves.
Ciarán (Irish) or Ciaran (Scottish)[1][2] is a Gaelic male given name meaning “little dark one” or “blacky”,[3] produced by appending a diminutive suffix to ciar (“black”, “dark”).[4][5] The female form is Ciara.
The name became common in reference to Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich,[6] who gave his name to the Ciarraige and County Kerry,[7] and two 6th-century saints both counted among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, Ciarán the Elder and Ciarán the Younger.
It is anglicized in various ways: Ciaran, Kerry, Kyran, Kieran, Keiran, Keiren, Kieren, Ceiran, Ceeran, etc.
Happiest New Year’s Eve, blog-time companions! I can’t believe I’ve actually caught up to a current posting. I just can’t quit you TOD (and every post, link, comment, twitter follower…)!
btw, me thinks Pete Souza’s pic of PBO’s silhouette in South Africa stadium is Nobel Prize worthy, much less Pulitzer. Can’t get enough of these photos!
A crucial GOP line of attack against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is that millions of people will supposedly lose coverage thanks to shifting requirements on the health insurance exchanges — a flagrant violation of President Obama’s infamous “if you like your plan, you can keep it” proclamation. The truth has always been more complicated, of course. Republicans are constantly blurring the line between people who lose a plan and people who lose coverage. That is, many people might lose a particular insurance plan but immediately be presented with other options.
Fliers promoting the Get Covered Illinois health insurance marketplace sit in a box at the Bureau County Health Department offices in Princeton, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013. Todays deadline for Americans to sign up for Obamacare health coverage effective Jan. 1 was extended until midnight tomorrow as heavy traffic to the online enrollment system caused a queuing system to be activated Photographer:
Now, a new report from the minority staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has destroyed the foundation of that particular GOP claim. It projects that only 10,000 people will lose coverage because of the ACA and be unable to regain it — or in other words, 0.2 percent of the oft-cited 5 million cancellations statistic.
omg! then he has to stare at all of them and decide which to publish. um, well, actually, staring at 1000 photos of pbo every day might not be such bad work 🙂
Happy New Year’s eve TOD!!! I was wondering if the truck driver who used to post here has checked in since his accident that injured his wife. They crossed my mind this morning and I wanted to know how they were doing. I’m here every day, but I don’t remember seeing anything.
🙂 What a nice guy he is…wonder where he is and hope that he and his family is doing well….funny what pops into our heads sometimes, isn’t it? Good thoughts sent his way.
Thanks for bringing him up, Lady. His name–Wesley. Would love to hear from him. Maybe Chips has a way of contacting him?????? Letting him know we miss him and hope he and his family are okay.
O, LadyT, you remembered Wesley too? He popped into my head a couple months ago, and I wondered if his wife had recovered fully, but I hesitated to ask. Sure hope he has seen some progress though.
For anyone who wants a great read, I recommend “Dallas 1963” by Bill Minutaglio and Steven L. Davis. We heard the authors on Book TV this past weekend, and immediately ordered it.
It is a completely different take on Kennedy’s assassination. It is not about conspiracy theories, or the weekend, or what happened, it is about the forces in Dallas from late 1959 on which actually made the assassination probable and possible. It will explain a lot about Texas and Dallas to those who have either never been, or never plan to go, but somehow know it is different from other American cities. I did not know before, but Dallas was founded by Confederate soldiers, and at one time was headquarters of the KKK. At one time the two biggest monuments in the city were to Confederate heroes, and the Confederate cemetery was the best tended in the city. Just a teaser.
One paragraph in the “Prelude” caught my attention with its analogy to Edward Snowden:
At the exact same time, (as Nixon and Kennedy begin their campaign) a lean young ex-soldier named Lee Harvey Oswald is being personally welcomed by the mayor of Minsk and rewarded with both an apartment and a job. Oswald has left everything that he once knew in Texas so he can begin a new life in the Soviet Union…….Oswald expects that he will now be regarded as an important person, that he will now receive the respect he deserves.” p. 3
I’m only 82 pages into the book, but parts of it are terribly frightening, but also enlightening.
Sometimes having a cold, and not having the energy to do anything else, can be good for reading!
What has happened to the BBC?
Nearly all their reporst about PBO are negative. The few positive ones always either seek to credit someone else or they put in a negative spin such as how despite the accomplishment , his poll numbers are bad and he is unpopular, blah ,blah , blah.
Today I heard 2 reports one on what countries economies would do well in 2014 and a few years after (the expert called them the MINT countries-Mexico, India, Nigeria and Turkey). The BBC reporter said how large numbers of Mexican workers are returning to Mexico because the US economy is so “terrible” and is really “struggling”. He is either lying or ignorant and, in either case, should not be in that job.
Then there was a piece on newspaper tycoons and John Lynch was interviewed. He was asked about him putting his political views up front in his newspaper editorials and specific reference was made to an editorial piece in which PBO was considered a danger to America.
Mr Lynch replied that he had been right because of the current state of the US economy and that PBO had been a disaster. There was NO pushback or refutation with facts. the BBC reporter went blithely on buttering him up .
I have become very wary of the BBC which used to have the well-earned reputation for unbiased, truthful reporting.
I noticed they became negative and started reporting along the lines of US RW media when PBO got re-elected. So someone or some PEOPLE at BBC was/were paid or promised something good if Romney won.
The economy is improving and really picking up steam so I don’t get this “The American economy is terrible” crap. These people are so biased in favor of the bigots in the republican party.
So I’m gonna get this in before my 2014 resolution to be nicer – In an April Pete Souza picture of the 4 prez’s at G.W. Bush’s Library dedication, it is striking to me how much Bush looks like a classic, active alcoholic – red face, glassy eyes… ain’t no way around it, just sayin’.
The Obama Diary 
First ….. again? 😎
Yep! Lucky you!
Luck?! There’s no luck in my firsty roll Jacqueline, it’s pure skill – and speedy fingers.
You have certainly mastered that skill and speed thingie, my dear. Happy New Year’s Eve … let the games begin. Well, hopefully not until I fully wake up!
Sleepy head 🙄
I prefer to think “different time zone.” Actually, I’ve been awake for hours – just not coherently awake!
Chips – Sent you a DM and an email. No need to read the DM if you check the email.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!
But of course!
Thank you Judith, at least someone around here appreciates my supersonic speed 🙄
Oh, you’re now supersonic. Uh, okay.
😉
Good morning (well it is still morning for another 34 minutes) all. Log in and just miss the top spot. Chips, time to go play with Danny some more.
Want to wish everybody a safe and Happy New Year. 2014 should be quite the ride.
Happy New Year to you and your family Japa, there will – I’m guessing – never be a dull moment!
Yep, if we think 2013 was hectic, it was just Spring Training for 2014.
Happy 2014 to all my TOD buddies! We have a lot of work to do for President Obama’s last years in office as we savor being in the moment with him and the First Family. Now that I’m home, there is so much catching up to do in reading all the wonderful pieces you folks wrote since Christmas!
I’ve just claimed 1st for the next thread! Sorry, Chips 🙂
Cheat 🙄
…And the thread after the next…
The President is hysterical – jumps right in and seizes the moment!
Poor kid. I bet he got a real good ribbing when he came out of his sugar coma. But on the other hand, look at the memento he’s got for the rest of his life – a picture of President Obama teasing him!
Just mentioned that part to my granddaughter – that kid will be showing his grandkids that picture years from now!
You know this kid will forever b tease about this picture.
A sweet kind of tease, nothing mean.
—> OBAMA’S FAULT <—
Thanks Obama!!
Sigh….the girls are growing up so quickly. No wonder PBO is ” sad” about it! 🙂 🙂
Yup.
Answer me this. How do you get to be “Most Admired” and have low approval ratings at the same time? Inquiring minds want to know.
Q: “How do you get to be “Most Admired” and have low approval ratings at the same time? Inquiring minds want to know.”
I’ll take at stab at it.
A: Gallup bad polling. Lying media. Fickle public. Demonic gene pools. Dumbass ignoramuses, for the rest of the categories. For $200, Alex.
Oh really? Ya think?
you forgot ‘lying liars who love to lie about pbo’
There ya go!
I’m almost positive that his approval ratings will jump back up soon. Plus, his approval ratings have gone up and down all throughout his presidency. The media has taken a perverse delight in the healthcare.gov roll out problems. This soon will pass.
Amen to Alice Katie. So true.
FIRST!
🙄
I learned how to play this game from my BT back in 2013! 😆
Huh, blaming me for your rascalness?? I sincerely hope you’ve made it a New Year’s resolution to be less rascally in 2014?
“less rascally”?
I can’t even say those words without spitting all over my monitor! – Ain’t no way I can achieve what I can’t pronounce!!!
😆 Love the little (awake) kid’s expression and gesture.
“The President called me over to pose for a photo with a young boy who had fallen asleep during the Father’s Day ice cream social in the State Dining Room of the White House.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Good one, Bob. #TheyThinkWeCan’tSeeThem
Bobfr, I saw your comment on the Early Bird thread and wanted to thank you for bringing attention to the work that CAI is doing in bringing literacy to girls and women in this region. I donated to the program. What did 60 Minutes accuse Mortenson and CAI of doing?
Thank you, sjterrid, for supporting them!!
60 MInutes did a hit piece on Greg – a couple of years ago. Allegations that he was misusing donated funds, that schools really weren’t operational, etc. Extensive investigation by the Montana AG absolved him and CAI of any wrong doing. During the ordeal he nearly died because of an un-attended cardiac defect. He and his CAI team, and people from all over the world, stuck with the CAI mission through the ordeal, and the results speak for themselves.
Thank you, Bobfr. Disgusting behavior on 60 Minutes part, and no doubt they never addressed the faulty allegations after the ordeal.
MSM never apologizes – neither do the GOP – yet they scream when someone truthfully calls them out
Thought you might like to see this special Christmas present. Doubt if I’ll ever bring myself to get flour and butter on it!
Oh Judith – that’s beautiful !
I would frame it and hang it under bright lights in a Foyer
that is a beautiful artwork, and should indeed be framed!
Good afternoon, TOD! Happy and healthy New Year to all.
Ciarán (Irish) or Ciaran (Scottish)[1][2] is a Gaelic male given name meaning “little dark one” or “blacky”,[3] produced by appending a diminutive suffix to ciar (“black”, “dark”).[4][5] The female form is Ciara.
The name became common in reference to Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich,[6] who gave his name to the Ciarraige and County Kerry,[7] and two 6th-century saints both counted among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, Ciarán the Elder and Ciarán the Younger.
It is anglicized in various ways: Ciaran, Kerry, Kyran, Kieran, Keiran, Keiren, Kieren, Ceiran, Ceeran, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kieran
/////
The Romneys are a total disgrace to the Human Race.
Happiest New Year’s Eve, blog-time companions! I can’t believe I’ve actually caught up to a current posting. I just can’t quit you TOD (and every post, link, comment, twitter follower…)!
btw, me thinks Pete Souza’s pic of PBO’s silhouette in South Africa stadium is Nobel Prize worthy, much less Pulitzer. Can’t get enough of these photos!
Six!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/12/31/stunning-new-report-undermines-central-gop-obamacare-claim/
A crucial GOP line of attack against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is that millions of people will supposedly lose coverage thanks to shifting requirements on the health insurance exchanges — a flagrant violation of President Obama’s infamous “if you like your plan, you can keep it” proclamation. The truth has always been more complicated, of course. Republicans are constantly blurring the line between people who lose a plan and people who lose coverage. That is, many people might lose a particular insurance plan but immediately be presented with other options.
Fliers promoting the Get Covered Illinois health insurance marketplace sit in a box at the Bureau County Health Department offices in Princeton, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013. Todays deadline for Americans to sign up for Obamacare health coverage effective Jan. 1 was extended until midnight tomorrow as heavy traffic to the online enrollment system caused a queuing system to be activated Photographer:
Now, a new report from the minority staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has destroyed the foundation of that particular GOP claim. It projects that only 10,000 people will lose coverage because of the ACA and be unable to regain it — or in other words, 0.2 percent of the oft-cited 5 million cancellations statistic.
Wow—-
Hardest working Photographer whose work is Most appreciated Ever.
omg! then he has to stare at all of them and decide which to publish. um, well, actually, staring at 1000 photos of pbo every day might not be such bad work 🙂
Too true Susanne 🙂
It would be the Best Job Ever!
Happy New Year’s eve TOD!!! I was wondering if the truck driver who used to post here has checked in since his accident that injured his wife. They crossed my mind this morning and I wanted to know how they were doing. I’m here every day, but I don’t remember seeing anything.
🙂 What a nice guy he is…wonder where he is and hope that he and his family is doing well….funny what pops into our heads sometimes, isn’t it? Good thoughts sent his way.
Thanks for bringing him up, Lady. His name–Wesley. Would love to hear from him. Maybe Chips has a way of contacting him?????? Letting him know we miss him and hope he and his family are okay.
Thanks ladies! Yes, Wesley is his name. I hope all is well with him and his family!
O, LadyT, you remembered Wesley too? He popped into my head a couple months ago, and I wondered if his wife had recovered fully, but I hesitated to ask. Sure hope he has seen some progress though.
Michael Grunwald @MikeGrunwald 20 Dec
——————————————–
Mr. President, what killed your poll numbers: the economy improving, the wars ending, the deficit shrinking, or
people getting health care?
———————————————–
Keeping another promise…..
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/12/will-2014-be-year-we-finally-end.html
http://xpostfactoid.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-news-healthcaregovs-shop-only.html
Good news: HealthCare.gov’s shop-only feature is now all you could wish
For anyone who wants a great read, I recommend “Dallas 1963” by Bill Minutaglio and Steven L. Davis. We heard the authors on Book TV this past weekend, and immediately ordered it.
It is a completely different take on Kennedy’s assassination. It is not about conspiracy theories, or the weekend, or what happened, it is about the forces in Dallas from late 1959 on which actually made the assassination probable and possible. It will explain a lot about Texas and Dallas to those who have either never been, or never plan to go, but somehow know it is different from other American cities. I did not know before, but Dallas was founded by Confederate soldiers, and at one time was headquarters of the KKK. At one time the two biggest monuments in the city were to Confederate heroes, and the Confederate cemetery was the best tended in the city. Just a teaser.
One paragraph in the “Prelude” caught my attention with its analogy to Edward Snowden:
At the exact same time, (as Nixon and Kennedy begin their campaign) a lean young ex-soldier named Lee Harvey Oswald is being personally welcomed by the mayor of Minsk and rewarded with both an apartment and a job. Oswald has left everything that he once knew in Texas so he can begin a new life in the Soviet Union…….Oswald expects that he will now be regarded as an important person, that he will now receive the respect he deserves.” p. 3
I’m only 82 pages into the book, but parts of it are terribly frightening, but also enlightening.
Sometimes having a cold, and not having the energy to do anything else, can be good for reading!
Thanks Carolyn – just ordered from the library.
CNN is live showing Dubai and Moscow New Year celebrations
Coming up too quickly, around the globe!
What has happened to the BBC?
Nearly all their reporst about PBO are negative. The few positive ones always either seek to credit someone else or they put in a negative spin such as how despite the accomplishment , his poll numbers are bad and he is unpopular, blah ,blah , blah.
Today I heard 2 reports one on what countries economies would do well in 2014 and a few years after (the expert called them the MINT countries-Mexico, India, Nigeria and Turkey). The BBC reporter said how large numbers of Mexican workers are returning to Mexico because the US economy is so “terrible” and is really “struggling”. He is either lying or ignorant and, in either case, should not be in that job.
Then there was a piece on newspaper tycoons and John Lynch was interviewed. He was asked about him putting his political views up front in his newspaper editorials and specific reference was made to an editorial piece in which PBO was considered a danger to America.
Mr Lynch replied that he had been right because of the current state of the US economy and that PBO had been a disaster. There was NO pushback or refutation with facts. the BBC reporter went blithely on buttering him up .
I have become very wary of the BBC which used to have the well-earned reputation for unbiased, truthful reporting.
I noticed they became negative and started reporting along the lines of US RW media when PBO got re-elected. So someone or some PEOPLE at BBC was/were paid or promised something good if Romney won.
The economy is improving and really picking up steam so I don’t get this “The American economy is terrible” crap. These people are so biased in favor of the bigots in the republican party.
Neither MHP nor anyone else were making fun of Mitt Romney’s adopted black grandchild.
So I’m gonna get this in before my 2014 resolution to be nicer – In an April Pete Souza picture of the 4 prez’s at G.W. Bush’s Library dedication, it is striking to me how much Bush looks like a classic, active alcoholic – red face, glassy eyes… ain’t no way around it, just sayin’.
Hmmmm
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/31/2013-most-memorable-moments-by-bob-carol-x2-eve/