President Barack Obama kisses First Lady Michelle Obama as he takes the stage to speak about college education at the White House. The Obamas met with representatives of colleges, universities and philanthropic groups at the White House on Thursday to talk about steps to get more low-income students to attend college. The event is part of Obama’s pledge to try to narrow the gap between rich and poor.
****
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New Orleans student Troy Simon introduces First Lady Michelle Obama during an event on expanding college opportunity, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Senator Booker could have given a speech like that and he would have cemented his place among men of peace. Instead he goes out and lets himself get pimped by AIPAC.
Sen Booker is going to learn the hard way. He is running for a 6 term this Nov. So he better watch out. People will respect him much more if he explained his views and sticks with them. Wishy washy do not last. He should perhaps read up on the late sen Wellstone. Even sen Al Franken. Both from the Jewish community, but US came 1st. Sen Booker is being cute by half unless he is a Fundamentalist, his views on this issue is opportunistic.
Last, some comment that I have seen about sen Booker on some Tweets are just awful. Folks should be measured and stop with the insults. Insults say more about the author than sen Booker.
Traditionally, it’s been the practice that foreign affairs is pretty much the arena of Senators with some seniority. Freshmen (newbies) like Booker, usually keep their heads down and take care of their state’s business….like, for instance…..the high unemployment rate in his state.
He should have taken the advice Lawrence O’Donnell gave Elizabeth Warren, and which she heeded. Stay out of the limelight for the first year and learn your job. Work for your people, make sure you build your cred with them. I’m sure you all have noticed, it’s just in the past few months she has been making statements about issues outside her state.
It takes time to understand foreign affairs, and have anything worthwhile to contribute. Being quiet is the biggest lesson Booker has to learn…..there are no cats to be rescued, or driveways to be shoveled in this job, but there are New Jersey residents to help…..quietly.
Sen Warren had much more to build on – she had the background to go big on a specific topic – and she had done just that. Sen Booker has a background of helping people across the street – which is commendable – but he obviously has no idea about who are his friends in the US government – nor how to be a credible senator. BIG learning curve – those who think it is not – never learn.
Lady Chips, Is there a way you can do your magic and make the Diane Feinstein’s speech from 1-15-14 readily accessible at TOD? I have looked at Youtube, nothing. C-SPAN.org doesn’t doe Youtube Yet.
I posted it on the last thread and another TODbot posted it up thread. Senator Feinstein was Factually correct. Thank you in advance. I think it is a Must see Speech.
A judge overseeing Detroit’s bankruptcy again rejected a deal Thursday to get the city out of a disastrous financial agreement with major banks.
Judge Steven Rhodes turned down a more than $165 million compromise, saying “it’s just too much money,” about 67 cents on every dollar owed to the banks as of Dec. 31. He had rejected a $230 million deal in December.
He encouraged the city and banks to keep negotiating. After making his decision, he cleared the courtroom to talk privately to lawyers.
Reaching an agreement is considered a key step as the city comes up with a sweeping plan to exit bankruptcy.
Was thinking about Dudette; before I realized she was MIA, I sent a couple of DM’s regarding a science geek event that she didn’t respond to (as she always had before…). While we want to respect folks privacy, it is disconcerting that she is MIA on all known platforms. I’ve been considering sending an open tweet (i.e. ” .@Dudette, Pls check-in at TheObamaDiarycom; WE MISS YOU “). If for some reason she can’t respond, maybe someone who knows her might. Chips, would you consider this intrusive or in poor form?
I want to bring over a thought from the last post re “being the change we’re waiting for.” At a meeting today of our local Dems/Progressives we decided that rather than wait for national, state and local Dem candidates to present a unified voice to the electorate, we would begin the process locally. We are going to list the things that define what it means to be a Democrat as clearly and precisely as possible and develop succinct talking points on issues that matter to us. Then we’re going to make sure that each new person who registers as a Democrat, everyone who attends a Democratic event, anyone who comes up to Democratic booths at fairs and everyone we come in contact with, gets a handout of our “basic principles.” We’re also going to urge all LTE writers to refer to these principles when writing about Democratic issues. We want to speak with one strong voice and make sure everyone hears it. Anyone who visits our county as a candidate for any office will get a copy of our principles. The point is to “model” up what we want the national Dems to do. If a whole lot of local groups did the same and raised our voices together, maybe…maybe, it would make a difference.
Jackie, would you be willing to add me to your email list? We have a lot of talkers but very few doers… There are a few small bright pockets in my county, but mostly, it feels like we are trying to herd cats…
I just called Maryland Sen Ben Cardin’s office to register my disapproval of his support for Sen. Menendez’s legislation re Iran sanctions. I had emailed previously but figured I better chime in on the phone, too. Please, anyone reading, do the same if your Sen. is one of the sanctions supporters. And what the heck, you can always pretend to be from their state – no one asked me my name even.
I’m not watching. However, I do want to share that I have heard 6-8 Democrats tallk with Ed on his radio show and they are all very opposed to the fast track of TPP. They are not opposed to the TPP in general……just fast-tracking it with no discussion or transparency. One of the leading people is Sherrod Brown. In fact, I think he is the leader of the opposition in the Senate. I think I heard there’s well over 200 Dems total who are on record as being opposed to this….again the fast-track idea, not the TPP as a whole. One Dem today–and I don’t remember who it was–pointed out that the President, regardless of who it is, is NOT shown the numbers for imports and how negatively that will affect jobs in nearly every industry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every Dem I’ve heard has made excellent points…..ones that seem to me to be common sense. I have called my two senators to say I am against the fast-track of this. Also sent an email to the WH and will call tomorrow. I agree that Ed goes overboard on things, including this, but I believe we need to get all the facts and think about this TPP and the fast-tracking of it seriously and not just “brush off” that Ed is being overly dramatic and critical.
WASHINGTON — The fast track trade bill introduced in the Senate last week will go nowhere anytime soon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee and President Barack Obama’s pick to be his next ambassador to China, offered the legislation last week, surprising many of his colleagues.
Baucus’ bill, which would reauthorize 2002’s Trade Promotional Authority, would essentially give the White House the power to present Congress with trade agreements that lawmakers could not amend. The fast track bill would ease the way for the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation trade deal that opponents contend would undermine labor, environmental and other protections.
But if those opponents were worried the fast-track measure might advance, Reid was emphatic in saying it would not — at least for now.
Martini can look like H20. And what if it was? Brianna Keiller is just a pathetic fool trying so hard, that is my take. These peoples’ obsession towards this president is unprecedented. Everything must be spun, negatively. That is so sad.
Seems like I read that PBO drinks his water in wine glasses just the other day on this blog. Unless she tasted the clear liquid in the glass how does she know what it was?
I don’t care if he drinks and has a cigarette. When did people even start to pretend that the POTUS was supposed to be some kind of monk? The petty sniping is so thick you’d think they’d be tired of their own selves by now.
The Obama Diary 
Orale vatos y vatas.
Congrats!
Danke schoen, meine gute Frau.
Hey LL, I’m in Pasadena on Foothill Blvd. The smoke seems to have changed directions, but I hear that it’s drifted all the way down to Long Beach.
BTW – Congrats on First!
It drifted over the freaking South Bay. I live in Inglewood, and it was heading my way when I left home for work.
Saturn’s north pole is a freaking hexagon!
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/42976_Another_View_of_Saturns_Surprisingly_Hexagonal_North_Pole
And of course, my first thought was “Dudette would squee at this picture.”
Congrats LL to you being the first.
And in other news; Poor Senator Booker, his first attempt at statesmanship and President Obama stitched a clown suit on him.
Don, I missed this. How did it happen?
Gorgeous Photographs.
Photographs. A Song.
Congrats LL for your Gold 😉
Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! and a video or two 😀
Thank you so much UT!
I’m stuck here doing work – I can at least glance at these beautiful pictures
You’re welcome, GGail and enjoy!
AMAZING FLOOR SPEECH BY SENATOR FEINSTEIN ON IRAN DIPLOMACY
—————————————————-
Feinstein Delivers Strong Defense of Diplomacy on Senate Floor
http://www.niacinsight.com/2014/01/15/feinstein-delivers-strong-defense-of-diplomacy-on-senate-floor/
—————————————————-
This is a must see floor speech by Senator Feinstein. Fabulous. Reposting link from previous thread provided by Nena20409. TY Nena.
Senator Booker could have given a speech like that and he would have cemented his place among men of peace. Instead he goes out and lets himself get pimped by AIPAC.
Sen Booker is going to learn the hard way. He is running for a 6 term this Nov. So he better watch out. People will respect him much more if he explained his views and sticks with them. Wishy washy do not last. He should perhaps read up on the late sen Wellstone. Even sen Al Franken. Both from the Jewish community, but US came 1st. Sen Booker is being cute by half unless he is a Fundamentalist, his views on this issue is opportunistic.
Last, some comment that I have seen about sen Booker on some Tweets are just awful. Folks should be measured and stop with the insults. Insults say more about the author than sen Booker.
Traditionally, it’s been the practice that foreign affairs is pretty much the arena of Senators with some seniority. Freshmen (newbies) like Booker, usually keep their heads down and take care of their state’s business….like, for instance…..the high unemployment rate in his state.
He should have taken the advice Lawrence O’Donnell gave Elizabeth Warren, and which she heeded. Stay out of the limelight for the first year and learn your job. Work for your people, make sure you build your cred with them. I’m sure you all have noticed, it’s just in the past few months she has been making statements about issues outside her state.
It takes time to understand foreign affairs, and have anything worthwhile to contribute. Being quiet is the biggest lesson Booker has to learn…..there are no cats to be rescued, or driveways to be shoveled in this job, but there are New Jersey residents to help…..quietly.
Sen Warren had much more to build on – she had the background to go big on a specific topic – and she had done just that. Sen Booker has a background of helping people across the street – which is commendable – but he obviously has no idea about who are his friends in the US government – nor how to be a credible senator. BIG learning curve – those who think it is not – never learn.
3.3 Million less Viewers watched Duck Dynasty.
That is how Karma pays unexpected visits.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2014/01/millions-abandon-duck-dynasty.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
You say karma, I say free market.
I’m actually very surprised that their viewership went down. I thought the Rightwingers would have supported them for their bigotry.
I think those who left were Moderates, Young people who found the bigotry expressed by their Duck Leader terribly reprehensible.
UT? Will you marry me?
UT, only if she has a nice size dowry.
Oh look at you ruining the romance by bringin’ $$s in to it!!! 😆
😆 I hear you, Don.
Lady Chips, Is there a way you can do your magic and make the Diane Feinstein’s speech from 1-15-14 readily accessible at TOD? I have looked at Youtube, nothing. C-SPAN.org doesn’t doe Youtube Yet.
I posted it on the last thread and another TODbot posted it up thread. Senator Feinstein was Factually correct. Thank you in advance. I think it is a Must see Speech.
Hmmmm…..marriage, eh? Okay, here are my conditions.
1. You must now and forever admit that Chelsea is the greatest team in the history of the universe.
2. You must dress Danny in blue outfits everyday.
3. You must call Frank Lampard, ‘Super Frank!’
4. You must forsake Manchester United and root for Chelsea at all games and wish for them to win all championships and titles.
You meet these conditions, then you and I can skip down the aisle in matching blue outfits.
Jeez.
Proposal totally withdrawn.
HA! No way. You can’t take it back. You’ve already put it out in the universe and I’m wearing the ring you gave me.
Oh go on then, with this ring I thee wed:
Wow. You don’t mince words, do you?
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-decide-detroits-deal-pay-off-debt-21546724
A judge overseeing Detroit’s bankruptcy again rejected a deal Thursday to get the city out of a disastrous financial agreement with major banks.
Judge Steven Rhodes turned down a more than $165 million compromise, saying “it’s just too much money,” about 67 cents on every dollar owed to the banks as of Dec. 31. He had rejected a $230 million deal in December.
He encouraged the city and banks to keep negotiating. After making his decision, he cleared the courtroom to talk privately to lawyers.
Reaching an agreement is considered a key step as the city comes up with a sweeping plan to exit bankruptcy.
If it was a private company – would be signed and delivered
Good afternoon, TOD.
Was thinking about Dudette; before I realized she was MIA, I sent a couple of DM’s regarding a science geek event that she didn’t respond to (as she always had before…). While we want to respect folks privacy, it is disconcerting that she is MIA on all known platforms. I’ve been considering sending an open tweet (i.e. ” .@Dudette, Pls check-in at TheObamaDiarycom; WE MISS YOU “). If for some reason she can’t respond, maybe someone who knows her might. Chips, would you consider this intrusive or in poor form?
I think we’re all getting past the point of ‘privacy’. We’re very concerned.
agree 57 & Alycee- very concerned for her.
I want to bring over a thought from the last post re “being the change we’re waiting for.” At a meeting today of our local Dems/Progressives we decided that rather than wait for national, state and local Dem candidates to present a unified voice to the electorate, we would begin the process locally. We are going to list the things that define what it means to be a Democrat as clearly and precisely as possible and develop succinct talking points on issues that matter to us. Then we’re going to make sure that each new person who registers as a Democrat, everyone who attends a Democratic event, anyone who comes up to Democratic booths at fairs and everyone we come in contact with, gets a handout of our “basic principles.” We’re also going to urge all LTE writers to refer to these principles when writing about Democratic issues. We want to speak with one strong voice and make sure everyone hears it. Anyone who visits our county as a candidate for any office will get a copy of our principles. The point is to “model” up what we want the national Dems to do. If a whole lot of local groups did the same and raised our voices together, maybe…maybe, it would make a difference.
Jackie, would you be willing to add me to your email list? We have a lot of talkers but very few doers… There are a few small bright pockets in my county, but mostly, it feels like we are trying to herd cats…
Would love too, Alycee. Maybe you could get it to me through Chips? Or DM on twitter. I’m tarr4o.
Thanks! Just sent you a DM.
Got it, Alycee. Thanks.
Just got an email from the Dems asking me what priorities i have so maybe you got the message out.
Cornyn: Obama ‘Out Of Touch’ For Sipping Martinis With Fellow Democrats
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/cornyn-obama-out-of-touch-for-sipping-martinis-with-fellow-democrats
Oh, for the effing love of God…….
LInda, “this” from a man who’s been ‘out to lunch’ since the day he was elected.
I just called Maryland Sen Ben Cardin’s office to register my disapproval of his support for Sen. Menendez’s legislation re Iran sanctions. I had emailed previously but figured I better chime in on the phone, too. Please, anyone reading, do the same if your Sen. is one of the sanctions supporters. And what the heck, you can always pretend to be from their state – no one asked me my name even.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/barbara-bush-on-potential-jeb-2016-run-people-deserve-more-than-political-dynasties/
Barbara Bush is still talking about JEB and No Dynasties 😉
The GOP really doesn’t get social media. The responses to the tweet are cracking me up.
How about getting your Elephant out of my Womb ?
boom!
AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ED SCHULTZ AND THE TRADE AGREEMENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes…I want to SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I changed the channel — Love It or List It, Too is on HGTV…
I’m not watching. However, I do want to share that I have heard 6-8 Democrats tallk with Ed on his radio show and they are all very opposed to the fast track of TPP. They are not opposed to the TPP in general……just fast-tracking it with no discussion or transparency. One of the leading people is Sherrod Brown. In fact, I think he is the leader of the opposition in the Senate. I think I heard there’s well over 200 Dems total who are on record as being opposed to this….again the fast-track idea, not the TPP as a whole. One Dem today–and I don’t remember who it was–pointed out that the President, regardless of who it is, is NOT shown the numbers for imports and how negatively that will affect jobs in nearly every industry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every Dem I’ve heard has made excellent points…..ones that seem to me to be common sense. I have called my two senators to say I am against the fast-track of this. Also sent an email to the WH and will call tomorrow. I agree that Ed goes overboard on things, including this, but I believe we need to get all the facts and think about this TPP and the fast-tracking of it seriously and not just “brush off” that Ed is being overly dramatic and critical.
WASHINGTON — The fast track trade bill introduced in the Senate last week will go nowhere anytime soon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee and President Barack Obama’s pick to be his next ambassador to China, offered the legislation last week, surprising many of his colleagues.
Baucus’ bill, which would reauthorize 2002’s Trade Promotional Authority, would essentially give the White House the power to present Congress with trade agreements that lawmakers could not amend. The fast track bill would ease the way for the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation trade deal that opponents contend would undermine labor, environmental and other protections.
But if those opponents were worried the fast-track measure might advance, Reid was emphatic in saying it would not — at least for now.
Wow. They are Siblings?
Chiwetel Ejiofor and Zain Asher? Wow.
These are hilarious….
Bianna Keiler just reported on PBO ” sipping a martini ” outside the blue room last night…….
They showed a picture of him holding up a wine glass that contained what looks like water to me.
Martini can look like H20. And what if it was? Brianna Keiller is just a pathetic fool trying so hard, that is my take. These peoples’ obsession towards this president is unprecedented. Everything must be spun, negatively. That is so sad.
She obviously has no clue what a martini glass looks like…..
It was in the middle of Sec Gates interview with Blitzer trying to get Gates to say something negative about PBO……Gates did not fall for it.
Seems like I read that PBO drinks his water in wine glasses just the other day on this blog. Unless she tasted the clear liquid in the glass how does she know what it was?
I don’t care if he drinks and has a cigarette. When did people even start to pretend that the POTUS was supposed to be some kind of monk? The petty sniping is so thick you’d think they’d be tired of their own selves by now.
So what are they trying to say now, our President is a drunk.
Blitzer just asked Sec Gates if he ever sought professional help himself for PTSD.
Jay’s WH presser on 1-16-14
The Facial Hair Look is still there 😉 Lost the “Clark Kent” look a tad.
The date on top of the Video is Wrong 😉
Someone is still having a tough time adjusting to 2014.
I see that Ed is not please with this lady coming out to speak, Ed is read to ask his dumb Fox questions.
😆
😆
OK all, new post, and hopefully a new feature I’ll keep up: http://theobamadiary.com/2014/01/16/afternoon-blog-roundup/