03
Jan
14
163 Responses to “Chat Away!”
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Obama White House.gov
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WH Tumblr
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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
- The Lie Embedded in Carlson's Great Replacement Theory
- Can Democrats Work With the "New Right" on Anti-Trust Issues?
- Alito's Embrace of Junk Science Will Make Several Forms of Contraception Illegal
- Biden: "This Is No Longer Your Father's Republican Party"
- The Only Way to Fight Back Against a Radicalized Supreme Court
Steve Benen
- President Biden arrives in South Korea for Asia trip
- Tom Nichols: Three signs Putin may be reassessing his plans
- Steve Rattner: I'm not predicting an immediate recession but road ahead doesn't look great
- Joe: Trump still has sway in the party, but it's nothing like it was in '20
- Petraeus: Ukraine has won by keeping Russia from achieving its main objective
The Obama Diary 
😎
Hiya Cutie! How are my dears hanging today??
Congrats Chips on #1!
Thanks Hopefruit, my awesomeness knows no bounds 😎
I see that we are already full of ourselves this early in the year? And indoor sunglasses…AGAIN?
She thinks she is in Australia hopefruit 🙂
I guess so. Thus you need to gently bring her back to reality…
It’s my new year’s resolution Hopefruit: indoor shades every day, and a bunch of firstiness awesomeness 😎
LOL – A whole new Chips! Sadly, Vc will no longer be the Queen of “Firsts.”
Was I? Also, nice to know who *my* friends and supporters are, Hopef. /frowning/
I was just kidding! You are still the TOD “First” Queen, mighty vc – you shall never be dethroned. 🙂 🙂
‘Scuse me???? 😯
//Ducks and runs.
AAAAAAAAMMMMKKKKKKKK!!!!
We are SO over.
Hmmmmm. Going forward I think I’m going to keep a side eye on your expressions of loyalty in the village. Me, Chips, or both? Hmmm.
Your ego has that same boundless awesomeness. It loves being No 1. 🙂
Good (very warm) morning from my world. I am chatting – as usual – on the last thread. Of all the comments about health care – this one from Josh Marshall surely has to be read 5 times – it is so hard to believe
“It is amazing to witness the sheer depths of rage, denial and disgust many people experience as they see millions of people gaining access to affordable health care for the first time.”
No wonder it was so easy for GWB to get 99% of the country to agree to go to war for a non existent reason. He took their hate of their fellow man and directed it outside of the country. When these people have no “outsiders” to hate – they turn on their own.
What!
Helloooooooo MightyP!!
😆 runner-round is more like it!!
first
I was first!!!!!! But, wordpress had to ask me to verify it was really me! So, I am claiming first anyway!
Time stamp indicates you are morally first, anyway! Right, Chipsticks??
A 3-f’er, CB4O!! Happy 2014 to you!
Winner!
😆 That is brilliant!!!
I am so confused and turned around. This having a Holiday smack in the middle of a week has thrown me off. I was wondering why/how did the WWW get published already, it’s not Friday…?
You think YOU’re confused? I thought you had written “Holiday snack.” I thought to myself, “Musta been some snack.”
Hahaha!
I am looking forward to my President’s SOTU address later this month.
Oh my gosh, yes! I hadn’t thought about that! I bet it is going to be a barn-burner! Obama Unchained!
All of POTUS’ speeches are memorable, but I love the sucking up that goes on (if we could just curtain off the RWNJs from the rest of the chamber).
Jeff Flake and Gabby Giffords were memorable in 2012.
Here’s a hint as to the possible framework for the speech (published on Dec 29):
More on US minimum wage downthread.
from the article…
~For all that, the case does present another example of the dilemmas faced by religious organizations that want to keep one foot in the secular world, but also want the right to withdraw it of their own volition. Fulfilling their calling means hiring people and providing pay and benefits within the bounds of the law~
http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-little-sisters-20140103,0,2347913.story#ixzz2pNkh1FWf
Thanks dotster – retweeted it. Such bs. They’ll soon have us all in nun habits – no different than the women in Muslim countries.
When does PBO and Flotus and fam return…to the WH
From what I’ve heard, it’s Sunday. All DC (private and public) schools re-open by Monday, so the girls have to be back by then.
ty…HF
Afternoon, Obots!
I had a two-mai tai lunch with the missus at Trader Vic’s. I am now going to take a siesta. That is all.
You are a PARTY ANIMAL LL!!!! 😆
🙂 LL walked into that one.
He’s become a rowdy rascal over the holidays Forus, I’m not sure we’ll ever get the old LL back!
🙂
“What Reid is proposing is to change the structure of the program, so that those in states with a high unemployment rate – but one that’s not high enough to qualify for the maximum of 73 weeks, the top tier – would get the maximum length. In other words, the duration of benefits would last longer for more people”.
Not going to fly in the House. From all reports, UI is not even on their schedule for Jan.
OK…but glad that Reid is making a case for it nonetheless
http://www.nationalmemo.com/5-reasons-the-gops-obamacare-sabotage-will-have-to-get-even-more-desperate/
Good article,df. Depressing though that hurting millions of us is the GOP preferred way to go.
I give this Zionsville, In. mom of 5 a ton of credit for starting Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, something she was compelled to do after Newtown. She’s not just talking, she’s doing. Her org. now includes 130,000 moms, chapters in every state. They’re working on this most important gun issue daily.
http://archive.indystar.com/article/20140103/LIFE/301030016/Shannon-Watts-takes-gun-lobby-motherhood-her-weapon
When OWS was busy preening and posing for the cameras, heckling (mostly Dem) politicians,, and trying to undermine our President’s fundraising efforts under the guise of the “no money in politics” mantra, there was no mention of Bill de Blasio ANYWHERE. But now they’re trying to take credit for his success? Oh Please…
That woman is the dregs of humanity, truly.
This woman and her ilk always poke their heads out of the gutter to claim undeserved credit. They do absolutely no work, undermine real progress and claim it’s “not enough”, and then want to claim credit for work they had no hand in. Goodness – none of these emoprogs even supported the Occupy movement during its heyday!
If there is one church that will defend the rights of everyone, it is the Episcopal Church. BRILLIANT!
BRILLIANT!!!
More on the US minimum wage, published by USA Today during the last week of December (via @politicalwire) in 3 tweets.
See upthread for link to NYT article published at about the same time re: Dems push for Minimum Wage increase, especially in potential pick-ups in red (South Dakota) and purple (New Mexico) states.
LingOL at chips’ church sign tweets. Churches need a sophisticated review committee before plastering those (sex) messages out there for all to see and giggle at.
They’re just a hoot Dotster, sides aching!!
5 Reasons The GOP’s Obamacare Sabotage Will Have To Get Even More Desperate
http://www.nationalmemo.com/5-reasons-the-gops-obamacare-sabotage-will-have-to-get-even-more-desperate/
It’s quite heartening to see that the American people are not stupid.
I’m shocked. I guess the sense of smell – as in smelling a rat – is wholly bipartisan. 🙂
They deserved this vacation, but I can’t wait for them to return. I miss them.
THISSSSSS……
I’m glad POTUS, FLOTUS, and the family had this vacation, and I hope it was a enjoyable vacation for them, and in case any right wing haters is reading what I’m saying I want to say this, I don’t give a freaking frat what the vacation cost.
Mighty.
Pamela.
new superwoman?
Has.
Has.
login error?
Okay, what are you up to, MP?
HEALTH COVERAGE!!! (and a whole bunch of wifi issues, but NEVERMIND!) I am COVERED. For Sure, and with all gratitude I thank President Obama and all who kept the energy moving FORWARD! 😆
I’m all sneezy. Cranky-alert. 😕
Danneeee, watch out !!!
I just sneezed violently and woke him up. Feel bad. Although I thought the ‘you-are-a-serial-killer’ look on his face was excessive.
who knows better than danny about all the bones you have got buried in your backyard?
I almost buried him in the back garden today. He disappeared, there was a worrying silence, I finally found him with my supersonic walking shoe thingies’ laces in his mouth. The life chewed out of them. And when I retrieved the remains from his mouth, he looked at me with so much hurt I almost apologized.
Ever heard of closet thingies? Buy one of them (heck, buy a dozen, if you need to), put your thingummies inside and hang a Beware Dog sign on the outside.
Oh, you and your practical boy-ish solutions 🙄
PS England 62-6, too funny!
yeah, the limeys are getting kicked.
They are. Best part is Boyd Rankin getting no wickets in first innings, but I’m not bitter about a fella who played for Ireland and then declared for England (may he be hit for six off every one of his second innings deliveries).
bone
pickercollectorCan someone tell me how long The Ashes last? I mean, Jesus H. Christ, England already lost. Why are they still playing?!
😆 Five tests, which is a bummer if it’s all over after three!!
Fucking cricket. Say what you will about US sports, but if you win a best 4 out 7 series in 4 games, you don’t play the fucking last three games.
But, but, but ……. tickets probably sold a couple of years in advance, so they have to play all five tests. And….. a 5-0 whitewash is the ultimate Ashes dream, so Aussies fired up, even though Ashes is won, and England hanging in there by their fingernails to try and avoid that whitewash. It’s excellent fun!
Ah, sport as the Theater of Cruelty. Now I understand.
Good attempt at diversionary answer there. Now back to the bones question.
😆 Back in a minute Forus, just dining on Fava Beans and Chianti….
You gotta read between the lines. If she was willing to bury innocent danny, just imagine what else she has done. #thehorror
zakly amk furst she snezez on me den sez scewse me so i say no. now shez digin hoal in gardin an im scayrd
go, get her, danny.
tnx amk i wil tri but if i dont powst 2mora pleez cal pleece
Good point. Which explains why she’s taken to wearing sunglasses like Walter White.
egg.sack.lee. establishing her alibi.
😎
👿
1. My dog Tess (sheltie(, in the later years of her life became petrified of my sneezes. No one else’s, just mine. She would lie at my feet as usual and if I sneezed, she’d give me a very reproachful look, and walke carefully, in a kind of hunched way, all the way to the other side of the room to hide behind my daughter’s chair until it was safe to come out again. If Gwyneth (daughter) was upstairs, one sneeze would make her move to the kitchen, another drove her to the bottom of the hallway stairs, and a third up into my daughter’s room, who would thereupon yell down, “Are you sneezing down there????”
2. My previous dog Bryn, (a Welsh Corgi 🙂 ), loved my shoes. No one else’s, just mine. they were black slip-on Rockports, reasonably expensive. After he did it the first time, I would be careful to leave them on table tops or closet shelves. Then would come the inevitable day when I would slip up and wake to find another pair of Rockports had bitten the dust. I think we did this five times representing @ $400 worth of shoes. (I have funny feet and am on them most of the day so need good support shoes). Since I always purchased an identical pair of black slip-ons, I’m pretty sure every time he found them he was thinking, “Damn! I thought I took care of these already!”
“Google knows where you are, what you search for, what you bought. It knows what porn you stream, what political rhetoric you consume, and — through G+ — it can compare that knowledge to your social graph. Facebook is doing the same thing, in increasingly annoying ways. Target uses informatics and inference, based on massive data sets compiled from your shopping and mine, to spot women who’ve just learned that they’re pregnant, and to send those women special offers and coupons for expectant mothers”…
Tunisia’s national assembly has begun voting on a long-delayed new constitution.
It is to be voted on article by article and politicians hope it will be adopted by 14 January – the third anniversary of the 2011 revolution.
The hope is that its adoption will help end the stalemate between the country’s opposing political factions.
The assassinations of two opposition figures last year pushed the country into a dangerous political crisis.
Correspondents say the new constitution will be a major milestone in the country’s democratic transition.
It has taken more than two years to agree on a draft text.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25593514
LOL.
This update from Cover Oregon on enrollments to date. They are still struggling with paper mode, but it is going forward, with 140k enrollments as of Jan. 1:
On New Year’s Day, new benefits went into affect for more than 140,000 Oregonians. This includes people enrolled through Cover Oregon directly and those who used the “fast-track” option for the Oregon Health Plan. Right now, tens of thousands more Oregonians now have access to the health care they need, when they need it, bringing peace of mind and financial security to individuals and families across the state. And although the Cover Oregon website isn’t fully functional, we were able to create a paper application process that, with your support, has helped us make monumental strides to enroll Oregonians in health insurance.
One Oregonian who now has health coverage is Heather Hines, who shared her story with the Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2013/12/steve_duin_cover_oregon_helps.html In 2007, Hines had only catastrophic coverage with a $5,000 deductible when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, because she can no longer be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, Hines will start the New Year with peace of mind. Through Cover Oregon, Hines found a health plan that met her needs and cut her annual deductible from $5,000 to $750, while her monthly premium increased just $44.
Bill, it’s so surprising with seeing Oregon struggle with the state exchange website when the state is so much a leader in technology and government programs including voting by mail. I saw the head guy resigned. I hope it all gets worked out soon!
It’s a simple matter of them hiring the wrong contractor. They hired Oracle, supposedly a leader in website technology. Oracle promised a state of the art technically difficult website interfacing with over 64 databases. Turned out Oracle couldn’t produce. The website they produced couldn’t do all phases of direct enrollment. So now Cover Oregon has had to hire another team to come in and try to paste together a system that will do enrollments. Right now a person can complete and submit an application online, but the eligibility for tax credits online isn’t complete. So you can do part of it online, but the rest is done by people, so it’s a slow process. Most Community Partners and insurance agents are still doing paper apps still.
Gear up TOD looks like we’re about to fight for a minimum wage hike in 2014.
Hello everyone! So much good news out there! I ran across this very interesting article about a man who fought with Libyan rebels. He said the NYT article confirmed his assessment of Benghazi. Very interesting article with reasonable, understandable points. Gives the NYT article “legs” that it should have.
VanDyke — an American who fought with Libyan rebels to oust Gaddafi — says the report vindicates his initial assessment of Benghazi, and says people mentioning Al Qaeda have a fundamentally flawed view of Al Qaeda as a top-down organization with regimented ranks….
I just lost my comment somehow! Hello again if it appears magically. I wanted to let you know about this article that supports the NYT Benghazi article. He obviously understands the subtle nature of conflict in that region.
The Benghazi report out of The New York Times has met with much fervor on both sides of the political/military aisle — with Republicans saying the Times ignored evidence of Al Qaeda’s involvement.
Others, like Matthew VanDyke, say the report highlights the nuance of the attack, which was lost in the wake as political and military pundits sought to score points.
VanDyke — an American who fought with Libyan rebels to oust Gaddafi — says the report vindicates his initial assessment of Benghazi, and says people mentioning Al Qaeda have a fundamentally flawed view of Al Qaeda as a top-down organization with regimented ranks…
This is from his blog. For some reason my comments don’t seem to be appearing. Not sure what is going on!
Interesting………..
Very interesting. hmmm…:) Here’s another one from the same mag that tries to figure out the Obama Chicago politico connection. At least there’s some political stories outside of the so-called journalists in the Beltway.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/December-2013/How-the-Podesta-Brothers-Rose-From-the-39th-Ward-to-the-White-House/
Let’s hope this reigns in Robert Gibbs – who shouldn’t earn a single penny from his association with President Obama after parading himself all over TV badmouthing the Administration – especially when he knows how hard it is to govern in this age of hate.
Agreed – I doubt he will achieve much as a lobbyist while PBO is still in office – he has done little except support GOP talking points since he left the administration.
Gnashing of teeth because millions of Americans now have health care; vicious attacks against providing a minimum wage and UI (earned) benefits; & unrestrained hatred of immigrants and immigration reform will combine to obliterate the GOP on 4 Nov 2014 – and beyond.
AS LONG AS WE VOTE
Yes We Can
NYC already a better place. The De Blasio administration has eased the rules for admission to Homeless Centers and increased outreach efforts to keep everybody in from the cold. Mary Brosnahan who is the heroine who champions New Yorks homeless is finally getting some help to the people who need it the most.
Not just the homeless but better lives for tenants too. Folks who have suffered in cold buildings for years now will be heard by their City Gov’t.
Tenants are urged to report lack of heat which is a big improvement over the departed regime.
The new Mayor isn’t waiting one second to walk the walk.
“The new Mayor isn’t waiting one second to walk the walk.”
He sure isn’t, Vicki. Very impressed with his actions yesterday and today.
This is terrific news, Vicki. The needs of the homeless and those in cold living conditions are immediate and desperate. Anything that can be done quickly will save lives now and through the winter. There are going to be tedious battles ahead for the New York mayor, but I’m glad that he’s focusing on what can be done and on his own. I wish we all had leaders like like this in our cities and states.
I think the progressive wave thing is real not just a msm talking point.
In years to come I think we will see many leaders like Bill d B.
Astronomy Alert: Quadrantids Meteor Showers 4 January 2014 at 25 meteors/hour, for a rural, moonless sky. Okay?
btw, I’m a graduate of Georgetown Medical School …..
Dear God, please bless our President and all others these people would harm.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Bob. How awful.
Totally disgusting, Jacqueline.
Thanks for the retweet, Bob!
My pleasure, Mary 🙂
“Reelect me for mayor – cuz I want another crack at it” 🙂
🙂
amk – Not sure I’ve heard of the “racist” part of his little problems? Don’t remember what that’s all about.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25577965
Thanks (guess that request o’mine showed how lazy I’m getting – could have looked it up myself)!!!
Oh, great, wind chill here in Central Illinois over next couple of days “coldest on record in 20 years.” Parents are advised to “cancel appointments for little children.” Oh, and, “Frostbite can occur within 10-15 mins.”
Lived in Florida for 17 years before coming here 3 years ago, and our winter weather here wasn’t that bad until this year … I was lulled into thinking that would last!
We won’t have it as bad as other areas, for which I am thankful, but bad enough.
We generally agree not to talk about Seattle weather. Right, bobfr?
Ha. I got two of my Florida friends to tell me about their weather today (they’re in a “cold spell” – 50-something!), just so I could feel warmer!
I’ll take their 50 and raise it to 106 – hope it makes you feel warmer – I’m reading the ice and snow chat – to feel cooler
Ha! We’ve got wind chill advisories here. AGAIN!
https://twitter.com/KasoKim
Duh.
Friday night ramblings!
I like this “Nice never really knowing you” part.
I have totally killed off this thread. #RunningFreeInTheStreetsOfTOD
Ha!
Glad to see ya! Thought I was the only one here tonight. I’ve started to think about sending out some “humorous” (my version) one-liners on Twitter to perfect strangers, so you may have saved me. Or them. 🙂
I’m suffering from a pretty ugly cold, so I just popped in to see who was still around. Heading off in a few minutes, so you may still end up sending out those one-liners… sorry! 🙂
No problem. I quite enjoy the solitude once in a while! Not sure the strangers on Twitter will, but, hey.
Feel better!!!!!
Theo67, this is HZ, I hope you feel better. Get plenty of rest.
It was a lovely day out here on the west coast, but my sinus problems are kicking up from being out running errands today. Tired, but had not been able to get on for a day or so because of a doctor’s appt., arranging and paper work.
I hope all is well with my TOD family. I hate it when I get behind on my checking in. So much on my plate at the moment, but I am so grateful to be able to check in, even if it takes me sometime to read everything.
Good night to Chips, Danny, and all of my loving family here. (()))HZ
Goodnight to you, HZ!
I have been reading some newspapers from pennsylvania 1892 – there were complaints that the President of the New York Rail was paid $166 per day ( a true 1%er) yet those who labored in all weather to keep the rails clear were paid way too little!
It doesn’t seem to have gotten any better!
My grandfather was born in western Pennsy in 1885 and became a coal miner at age 11 – if it weren’t for the union, there would still have been young boys going into the coal mines when his sons were born in the next century. All for the almighty dollar! Of course, this was happening and still happens all around the world – not just in America.
Strange isn’t it – we were brought up thinking the US, W. Europe, Australia – all treated their workers well – it was those other countries who treated their poor so badly – and not too long after the unions came under heavy attack and things started to fall apart.
What was old is new again, and all that!
https://twitter.com/SocialustGal13/status/357301965048406016
LOL.
Will keep on this message ….
Yes WE MUST
Rest well TOD or, for those of you already into 4 Jan, Good day 🙂
Good Day to you Bob…just trying to catch up with all my reading.
Thank you TOD for putting all the new in one area…don’t know what I would do without you knowledgeable people!!
I start my day at TOD then spend the rest of tweeting our stories on Twitter. follow me @avd911
Goood Mooorrning, TODobots!
Hi VC – you being an early bird today
Mooooooooorning Early Birds!!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/01/04/early-bird-chat-116/