Some Friday goodies to go into the weekend.
***
The Beauty of Being Progressive: Diversity of Thought
Do you know the best thing about being a progressive?
It’s the diversity.
[…]
Something interesting happened yesterday. A guy who writes for Digby’s blog, Hullabaloo, David Atkins, took a quote from one of my posts, and posted it on the blog, with a shout out on Twitter.
[…]
Not long after that, a “progressive” chided him and Digby for daring to “endorse” me, because I allegedly “hate” Snowden and Greenwald. As I pointed out at the time, I didn’t see that he was endorsing me; he was endorsing the quote and the article. But I don’t “hate” Snowden and Greenwald; I have ever met either. Although my encounters with Greenwald over the years have been generally unpleasant, and he seems to be very childish, my dislike of him is professional – it is based on what he writes.
***
Critics Be Damned President Obama Delivers The Beginnings of Real Change To The NSA
[…]
Obama said elected officeholders have a responsibility to the Constitution. Obama refused to talk much about Edward Snowden, but he did say, “The sensational way that these disclosures have come out have shed more heat than light.”
The president called out other countries who feigned surprise over the Snowden revelations for doing their own spying on the United States government. Obama also pointed out that threats to privacy don’t come from government alone. Private corporations are also collecting data one every American, but the standards for government surveillance must be higher. He said the basic values of the American people converge a lot more than the crude characterizations that have emerged over the last several months.
***
Morning Plum: A Dem candidate who would expand O’care and Social Security
Yesterday, GOP Rep. Buck McKeon, a longtime member of Congress and chairman of the Armed Services Committee, announced his retirement. The move could pave the way for an interesting experiment, one that could provide a glimpse into how progressive policies play in a swing district that’s already very difficult for Democrats.
The Democrat vying for the seat in California’s 25th District is Dr. Lee Rogers, who not only aggressively embraces Obamacare, but wants to expand it to achieve “universal” coverage, and even wants to expand Social Security. In an indication of what this candidacy might look like, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which supports Rogers, notes that he champions “Medicare access for all,” and in a PCCC email going out today, Rogers says:
“I’ll fight to allow people to buy into Medicare. I’ll push for Medicare to negotiate drug prices to lower costs. And I promise to help bring us closer to universal healthcare coverage.”
***
Oh please, yes: How the US Could Deport Justin Bieber
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber may soon face felony charges for allegedly egging his neighbor’s mansion. On the small chance that Bieber is convicted, he could face possible deportation because of a 1996 federal immigration law that makes felony convictions a deportable offense.
***
Your Daily Derp: Elisabeth Hasselbeck wonders if feminism will be a threat to National Security
Fox & Friends discussed the “wussification” of America this morning with their guest Australian author Nick Adams who made some astounding claims with the hosts feeding into it, without any evidence presented.
NewsHounds reports, “When Adams claimed that going “from wrestling with crocodiles to wrestling with lattes” is having an “adverse effect” on men, Hasselbeck laughed appreciatively. “Is this in direct relation to feminism on the rise?” she prompted asked.”
[…]
Later Elisabeth Hasselbeck asked, “Do you see this affecting national security? How a nation operates in terms of being a strong presence globally?”
***
Happy Weekend!
The Obama Diary 
Hi All,
Thanks, LL for the roundup! Very good!
Hi Allison, congrats. Thanks LL!
Thanks, CM!
Happy Friday Allison,
Congratulation on 1st!
Hi Cindy!!
Birthday Greetings from Elmo and Big Bird. How nice.
Awww, sweet.
Hi!
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says Justice Department employees often don’t get credit for the challenging and back-breaking work they do.
After speaking at the department on changes he’s ordered to U.S. surveillance programs, Obama personally thanked a group of people who weren’t in the room for the speech.
He lauded the employees for their integrity and commitment to seeing that justice is applied fairly, and said he wants them to know that the president of the United States appreciates the remarkable work they do every day.
But Obama also joked about their government salaries.
He says a lot of Washington lawyers put in similarly long hours but, quote, “they usually get paid better than you all do.”
One of our goats had twins last weekend and yesterday coyote’s killed both of them.
Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Linda. What a sad loss of life.
Thank you……
We just got in to the goat and cow business last summer………it is quite the challenge……
Linda,
I am so sorry that this happened to your baby goats.
Is there anyway to keep the coyotes away?
TY
Well… supposedly if we put a donkey in with them …but some donkey’s don’t like goats so that would be a risk.
Also a Great Pyrenees dog….but we need to find a puppy……
or
Ted Nugent…..
sad and disappointing for your new venture Linda – but that last suggestion seems a great idea – put the man in with the goats where he can do something good for a change.
Did they jump a fence? We have coyotes around but they only got our geese when they got out of the fence at night.
Drat!
I know…they were so cute…… 😦
Sorry {{ Linda}}.
Oh Linda, I’m so sorry to hear that. That is a very hard loss.
Freedom Industries….the company that poisoned West Virginia filed for bankruptcy today
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201401170030
Hi Linda,
This is unbelievable; no doubt, they are preparing to avoid the lawsuits that they are anticipating.
Chemstream Holdings, Inc owns them…..
I cannot find who owns Chemstream….
This guy has been a crook operating a business from day one. He needs to be under a Federal Prison!
Good afternoon Lockewasright and Japa21,
I am sad to hear about Vespa and Maggie; we were just talking about your girls a few days ago. I am sending prayers and positive energy, that you and your family members will feel the love for healing to Vespa and Maggie, and know that you’re not alone. Our pets are our family members. I still miss my Mr. Solomon and his brother Sam, and my baby before them, Mr. BB who lived to be 16 years of age (all cats).
Blessings,
A Special Doggie prayer for Vespa and Maggie,
O Holy Father, Heavenly Physician of all thy creatures, Who heals our ailments and delivers from death: do thou visit and heal these precious pets (12 year old Vespa and 15 ½ years old Maggie) granting these precious family members release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that they may return to Lockewasright and family and Japa21 and family; bring back the joy and love that they so treasure. Hear my prayer, now humbly offered unto thee.
Please help Lockewasright and family, and Japa21 and family; you have made them stewards of pretty girls Vespa and Maggie. If it is your will, please restore Vespa and Maggie to health and strength.
I pray too for other animals in need. May they be treated with the care and respect deserving of all your creation. Blessed is You Lord God, and holy is your name for ever and ever.
P.S. I added some words to this special prayer for animals so that I could personalize it for Vespa and Maggie.
Thanks, LL, for the afternoon roundup!
Lee Rogers looks like a great candidate to replace McKeon, a RWNJ. However, I mentioned earlier this week that his district extends from the northern Los Angeles surburbs of Santa Clarita through the Mojave desert,encompasses Death Valley and ends at the Nevada border.
If Dems can mobilize the Latino community in the Antelope Valley, Rogers might have a chance. Santa Clarta, not so much.
P.S. A self-indulgent PSA for those on Windows OS. Google has apparently been working overtime to modify Chrome and apparently is sending out Beta versions of their product. The up and down buttons on the vertical (and left and right on horizontal scrollbar) suddenly disappeared, which makes scrolling without a mouse a challenge to say the least.
Here’s a fix that worked well for me.
https://twitter.com/arapaho415/status/424284645836861441
P.S. BobFR and Magical Earth, Twitter logon to WordPress still doesn’t work for me (day 3 and counting…).
Twitter logon still not working for me on WordPress either. I’m filling in the fields myself, hopefully this time I got it right. I had to wait for approval before. I’ll see how it looks when I post this comment!
I’m having erratic experiences with twitter. Sometimes when I click the retweet button here I can retweet. Sometimes I can’t and then I right click on the retweet icon, open in a new tab, and then I can retweet. I’m having some odd things happen with Chrome today too. They may be upgrading and things just aren’t in sync yet. I sent a report to Chrome. It usually does get worked out.
I was so impressed with the President’s NSA speech. Wow. I just love him!!
chrome-extension://ddehdnnhjimbggeeenghijehnpakijod/options.html
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rescroller/ddehdnnhjimbggeeenghijehnpakijod
Whoa……..
I think one went to his campaign too.
And in walks David Gregory – nothing to see here – move along – if they want everything – they must have nothing. The US media – covering for the GOP – all day, every day.
This is odd to me.
I’m not Catholic (aside from a couple of occasions that I can recall, have only been in Catholic churches for weddings), but why wouldn’t the defrocking of priests by the previous Pope (Benedict) be kept secret until now?
Where are they now is the question…..
Secrecy is the key word in the Roman Catholic Church, always has been. Especially with anything that may lesson their standing in the eye of the public. (stated by a one time seminarian and recovering former Catholic, who is also a recovering victim of clergy sex abuse).
((( Bill R. )))
Love your posts on TOD, feel like I’m now part Italian-American, LOL.
Can’t imagine the trauma having such a despicable thing inflicted on you while hypocrites in the Church demand piety from its members.
The Catholic Church needs to step up to this awful abuse of its most trusting and vulnerable members. Wrong on every level imaginable.
Chicago Archdiocese just released 6000 pages of documents detailing sex abuse of children by clergy. Just unbelievable—–what was going on in the Catholic church for decades—–and covered up——all the lives damaged—–by their church.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-01-15/news/chi-chicago-archdiocese-turning-over-6000-documents-on-clergy-abuse-20140115_1_chicago-archdiocese-documents-following-priests
Hmm? Divine Intervention?
Nun in Italy Gives birth to a 9 lbs baby boy? Didn’t know she was pregnant, so she said. She will keep the baby. She names the Child Francesco?
Having grown up around Nuns and Priests 1/3 of my life……this story fascinates me 😉
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25787757
Another immaculate conception?
Okay…..get ready,
Ed S. is on the President about this trade deal…..he is not going to let up, it’s all about NAFTA : (
He needs to shut the hell up…..his ranting makes people tune him out…..I put him on mute……..
You know Ed S. is pissed off with the President; he is calling him Mr. Obama.
He is saying that this is going to cost us jobs, and if the President really believed that people would buy this (TPP), he would go on the road with this but it is being done behind close doors. He is telling the viewers that the President doesn’t have any positive numbers to show the American people. TPP is bad; out sourcing jobs, long term unemployment and Congressman Dan Kildee is on; said he does not agree with President Obama on this and this is too much for Michigan.
It never fails, get the voters mad and they will not come out and vote. He is taking a strong stand against the President on this and he has stated that he will not quit. I am concerned about 2014 and this TPP issue.
Does anyone have information about this (TPP)? At least we could push back if the facts doesn’t support what Ed and others are saying, right now, I am lost.
All I know is that Harry Reid said he will not allow a vote on Fast Tracking this Trade Agreement……..
Labor always is hurt by them…….NAFTA – CAFTA – and the nickname for this one is SHAFTA.
Yes, Linda,
He kept referring to it as SHAFTA…..
Cindy, I shared this yesterday. I have heard 6-8 Dems on Ed’s radio show. They all are very opposed. Supposedly. There are well over 200 Dems on record as being very opposed. Leading senator in this is Sherrod Brown. They all mention same things–big hit for jobs and they always mention bad for environment. As Linda pointed out, Senator Reid has said he will not allow it to come up. Obviously, he and the President have discussed this so I’m not overly concerned about it going anywhere. Btw, people aren’t necessarily opposed to the TPP. It’s the fast-track of it and NO transparency.
Exactly – – (Btw, people aren’t necessarily opposed to the TPP. It’s the fast-track of it and NO transparency.)
Here is a link that provides some background ……
Everything you need to know about the Trans Pacific Partnership
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/12/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-trans-pacific-partnership/
Thank you Ladyhawke!
Thank you Tnmtgirl,
I didn’t see your post regarding this matter. I just wish Ed would take a pill and chill.
He makes it appear as though the President is pulling the wool over the American people eyes. Some guy just stated that this is good for Wall Street and bad for the people. The problem I have, is that, when Ed starts his rants (and he is entitled), like me, someone is listening. He is still talking about NAFTA, and it has been the entire show.
1.3 million people have lost their unemployment checks, and he is hammering this today about how jobs are going to be shipped over seas and unemployment is going to explode.
I hope this works out best for the American people.
Sometimes I wonder about people saying they are Democrats when they consistently oppose this President. Ed told people to stay home and not vote the last time due to whatever disagreement he had with PBO. It had a disastrous effect for our party towards making further progress? If he is starting that tune again before this midterm election I question his party loyalty? He is doing more damage than the GOP opposition.
Michelle has had her share of happy birthday wishes. Great to see our First Lady so appreciated.
For those who can’t get enough GIFs:
And, courtesy of Yardarm earlier today:
Michelle really looks like her young mom here. I like how her bro is reaching out and holding onto his baby sis’ arm. Cute.
Stately handsome father, and gorgeous mother. Lovely family photo.
I love that picture of Michelle, Craig, and her Father and Mother.
Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Robinson for a job well done.
The sacrifices and challenges you both faced raising this beautiful child is a blessing to so many people all over the world. We re grateful for your love, examples , guidance and morals that helped to shape, mold and encourage this beautiful mind, spirit, body and soul.
Thank you!
Referrals for Port Authority jobs
The Christie administration recommended the following people for Port Authority jobs, records show. Biographical information was compiled through interviews, public records, campaign finance reports and online profiles.
All employees were contacted for comment. Many declined and some could not be reached. Eleven recommended interns are not listed here.
http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2012/01/29authority/referrals.html
This one is interesting.:
Jamie Loftus Chief, public and government affairs 1/18/11 $165,022 Former director at PR firm DCI Group; media aide for Sarah Palin in 2008 presidential race; engaged to current Romney campaign manager
A Mark Knoller’s tweet that I don’t mind reading.
For that, MK has earned his overpaid salary? 😉
No shit Sherlock. What a very astute observation/comment. I wonder how the MSM will parse that tidbit? Sheesh.
Now They Tell Us?
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/gop-fundraiser-says-christie-as-a-person-is-horrific
Mitt Romney’s former finance chairman definitely isn’t attending an upcoming fundraiser for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).
“The guy, as a person, is horrific,” Brian Ballard, a lobbyist and former finance chairman for Mitt Romney said, according to the Miami Herald.
Ballard, a major Republican fundraiser in Florida, “resents” the New Jersey governor for effusively thanking President Barack Obama for coming to his state’s aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, according to the Herald. Ballard said former Gov. Charlie Crist has received a fair amount of criticism for being close to Obama but that doesn’t compare to Christie’s praise for the president after the hurricane.
/////
Would this guy had spoken up had the Bridgegate not been exposed?
They don’t dislike him because of his actions against the people of New jersey – they dislike him because he thanked the President for the help after Hurricane Sandy – all you need to know about republicans.
In other tweets, the VP tweaks The Onion:
😆
Whoa…that is my favorite model…….
My brother has a birthday today too. He hit 64 today, one year away from Medicare. He bought himself a red Corvette. It is almost like a midlife crisis only he is older. His wife was hoping to retire, but looks like she won’t be yet.
His BFF Christie’s downfall has really sent Joe Scar all the way over the cliff, where he evidently landed on his head, making him even goofier and making him sound like an even worse very bitter, angry nutty nut. Not linking but he’s just got a terrible anti-Obama screed on Politico——wonder who wrote it for him, heard John Meachem writes “his” books, but his true self shines thru as he says Obama is full of self-righteous arrogance, considers himself the only person with wisdom to keep America safe etc., praises W in the process, and wraps it up with a jr high snotty sentence about what a burden it must be for Obama to be the only pure heart in Washington.
What a pitiful, envious nothing person this Joe Scar person is.
JoeScar is a lying pitiful cheating fake idiot. His envy shows. He has a platform to attack pres Obama so he does. He is 2X divorced. No doubt he will marry again and be divorced yet again.
He could only get elected in a dist in FL. POTUS won FL 2X and the presidency 2X. Choke on that JoeScar.
The twitter universe needs to do a full-court press on his self serving righteous a_ _, and ask the jokester to explain-“truthfully” and without an attorney; Mr. jokester, please explain to us, how it came to be, that a young lady was found deceased in your office in 2001 and you managed to sweep it under the rug?
Last question jokester, when will you run for President since you have all of the answers for how President Obama should be doing his job?
This guy is nothing more than loud mouth; hateful, envious of the President jerk, and a bona fide “A_ _ hole who enjoys smelling his own S_ _ _……
He always writes diatribes against the President – I’ve never seen him write anything else. I’ve not read this one – but from what I see – President Obama does have one of the few “pure hearts” in Washington.
“…envious” is the operative word…and we all know why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
POTUS is always as Kind and as classy as ever.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-sad-to-see-coburn-retire
POTUS’ Released statements:
Those of us who have had the privilege of serving with Tom Coburn will be sad to lose him as a colleague here in Washington. Tom and I entered the Senate at the same time, becoming friends after our wives struck up a conversation at an orientation dinner. And even though we haven’t always agreed politically, we’ve found ways to work together – to make government more transparent, cut down on earmarks, and fight to reduce wasteful spending and make our tax system fairer. The people of Oklahoma have been well-served by this “country doctor from Muskogee” over the past nine years, and I’m confident that Tom’s strength and optimism will carry him through the battles to come. Michelle and I will always be grateful to Tom and Carolyn for their friendship, and we wish them all the best in all the years ahead.
////
Note: Sen Coburn was one of the 19 along with Frank Luntz who plotted a political Coup d’etat against Pres Obama on Jan 20, 2009.
Coburn also talked about impeachment.
Yes. He has also in 2010 said POTUS was given things that he didn’t earn. I called his office in OK. He retracted his comments after many called to complain.
Coburn has a tendency to spout off then need to retract. He’s done this numerous times. He is of the speak first think later type. Sadly, the only ones possible to replace him are Republicans, as a Repub will win. The OKC paper this morning already published a list of possibilities.
There has to be an election; the governor cannot appoint a successor, even temporarily. The legislature passed that law after Sen. Robert Kerr died, and Gov. Howard Edmondson resigned so the Lt. Gov could appoint him as Senator. Edmondson did not win election when he ran after that little stunt.
Thanks for the insight on OK politics, as usual, carolyn!
A question, who is the side which is, has shown class and dignity? Obama or Coburn and his side.
Happy 5oth to an amazing and phenomenal Woman of Substance, First Lady Obama. You are loved and admired around the world.
The US media shows how pointless it is when the only person they seem to be able to find to interview about the NSA is Greenwood – another media person. Seems most of the country has no interest in the NSA – and as I expected the news from New Jersey has taken away most of Greenwald’s publicity.
Snowden in Russia. GG in Brazil. Assange hiding at an Embassy in UK.
None was elected. Yet the US Media seeks for their opinions?
VINDICATED HuffPost said. I say: Dream On.
And without doubt – they would all prefer to be living – free – in the US – or an allied country.
Her beautiful Mom hasn’t changed much, has she? She looks the same, and she has a sweet face.
My favorite picture of Mrs. Robinson of today is election night 2008, when she and POTUS-elect are sitting on that couch waiting to go on stage holding hands. I just love that picture.
And the love that went through her hand to his hand, I believe, was on behalf of his mother and grandparents (who could no longer be with him on such a night), as well as her own love. Sometimes the “new family” you have in the second part of your life and the sad parts of your life is as good as the first, and our President certainly is deeply loved by the Robinson family – and it’s also clear the love he feels for them.
Is Mark Knoller dreaming about birthday cake ?
That and his wish that he could have some 😉
If you are still around LL – just to mention – no sane Australian supports or even talks about Nick Adams – I’ve not heard of him and would have been happy for that to remain the case. Seems he is somewhat a white supremacist – sadly at a very young age – I thought such people were dying out.
This is a good article with screen shots, easy to read and debunks GOP meme
If the Media was Call out their Lies……but, We no longer have a News Media that Folks trusted.
Things that make one go mmmmm
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/christie-wildstein-otoole
There was talk that the NJ Senate investigation might be flawed – this won’t help
GOPer Investigating Scandal Faces Questions Over Contact With Christie Pal
O’Toole did not respond this week to numerous requests for comment, including messages left at both his state Senate and law offices. In a phone conversation with TPM on Friday, O’Toole’s Chief of Staff Al Barlas could not say one way or the other whether his boss had spoken with Wildstein on Dec. 5.
“I can’t confirm that, because I don’t know,” Barlas said, adding that he could say that O’Toole had spoken with Wildstein in the past about “government-related matters regarding the Port Authority.”
Interesting that a NJ Senator is discussing Port Authority matters with Wildstein – but the Governor (per his own words) has no contact whatsoever with Wildstein.
They are all twisting into some form…….sooner or later, they will be shouting out their “sins” in order to avoid criminal charges.
Wow, this is major!! Benenson is the BEST!!
Hi Meta,
I hope you that you have had an awesome Friday, with more on the way….
We need to send some of the Dems to Wendy Davis so that she can school them on how to “stand strong.”
Wendy Davis School of Standing Strong….all weak knee Dems please apply before November 2014.
Thank you, Cindy, and right back atcha!
Wendy is doing everything right to get herself in a great position to WIN. This would change a major dynamic for Dems in Texas.
So true,
I love her energy-it’s contagious. I am looking forward to seeing Ms. Davis and the Castro brothers and others, with President Obama’s energy, rise to the top and continue to lead America forward. This generation and the new generation of voters want energized and motivated leaders who will stand and fight. I don’t see Hillary being that person, and I don’t see her fitting into this energized body of voters.
That’s how I feel, too. We need the NEXT generation of leadership to step forward.
I felt that way in ’08 and I feel that way now, too!
I so didn’t think Hillary would run 2016 – let alone win the primary – and then Bill Kristol had to come out and say the same thing. he never gets it right. The man who shares the blame for VP nominee Sarah Palin with Sen McCain.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-kristol-hillary-clinton-2016
Pundit Who’s Wrong All The Time Thinks Hillary Is Toast In 2016, If She Even Runs
I feel that way too.
Thanks for getting my comments out of moderation!
I saw some comments wondering why Romney’s people were just now speaking out about Christie. You might be interested in reading why he wasn’t chosen for VP
The Hunt for Pufferfish: A Double Down Excerpt
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Mitt Romney ranked Chris Christie among the final contenders to be his running mate. That is until the Republican nominee started digging into the New Jersey governor’s record
http://swampland.time.com/2013/11/02/the-hunt-for-pufferfish/#ixzz2jatvFGcp
….He was also a fundraising dynamo, but he and his staff were overbearing and hard to work with, demanding in ways that would have been unthinkable from any other surrogate. Months earlier, Christie had banned Romney from raising money in New Jersey until Christie had given the O.K. to do so—a move Romney found galling, like something out of The Sopranos. Are you kidding me, Mitt thought. He’s going to do that? There were plenty of New Jersey donors who’d given money to Mitt in 2008; now Christie was trying to impose a gag order on talking to them? “He sounds like the biggest asshole in the world,” Stevens griped to his partner, Russ Shriefer. More recently, Trenton insisted on private jets, lavish spreads of food, space for a massive entourage. Romney ally Wayne Berman looked at the bubble around Christie and thought, He’s not the President of the United States, you know…..
They all hate government – want less government – lower taxes – and cannot live without the trappings of office. Romney wanted AF1, Mrs Romney wanted the white house. Gov Christie wants the population to fall at his feet in worshipful adoration – while he uses government funds to transport himself here there and everywhere – with walking being minimized.
Fascinating. If the GWB scandal doesn’t do him in, there are host of other things in Christie’s past, that will.
HA!
😆
29 is the new 21 – I was about to send out the troops to advise Ms Chips – but you found it all on your own 🙂
I was drawn to it like a magnet, 99ts!
LOL – I seriously hated turning 50 – the worst birthday ever – should have stayed 49 forever and ever.
See what I did there – slipped in the next option – 49 🙂
😆 You know me 99ts, I’m just dreading my 22nd, I’m going to feel prehistoric.
🙄 pssst! psst, Chips! You already admitted to 22 during your last year’s birthday celebrations! I was there, remember? The line above should read ‘I’m just dreading my 23rd’ – assuming you don’t choose to simply admit your true 39 years!
Oh, you and your pesky calculator. 🙄
Can’t be blamed for simply doing my job as your age agent.
😆 My “age agent” – you are one funny gal!!!!
😉 😛
In that sweet Honor…..Michelle by Sir Paul to Michelle Obama.
Sweet.
Oh, this was SO sweet of him to do this. POTUS and FLOTUS look so thrilled.
Happy Friday JER!
Thank you for this picture. I have never seen a smile from the SS guys. Do they smile ?
I don’t think so.
Steve Benen wrote about the President’s NSA speech, not glowing, but basically discussing what was and wasn’t reformed in a balanced way. He did write about how POTUS thinks and deals with complex issues. It’s something people often don’t understand, but which I like very much. To me, POTUS does his job well and he includes all of us in participating with decisions: he asks us to speak up, to deal with changing conditions and make changes that work the best as we go. He makes decisions and he leads, but he sees us as adults to and invites us to walk with him.
Obama lays out NSA reforms
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/obama-lays-out-nsa-reforms
“….It’s not the most substantive angle, but I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention how much of the speech was classic Obama – far from demonizing one side of the debate or the other, or blaming anyone for their role in the larger argument, the president went out of his way to identify with both sides. Obama very much seems to identify with proponents and opponents of expansive surveillance – he has instinctual discomfort with NSA overreach, but he nevertheless believes surveillance is necessary for security….
….He’s sympathetic to the ACLU’s demands for greater protections and he sees the NSA’s work as valuable. The president celebrates those asking tough questions and he defends those who, in the name of national security, struggle to be forthcoming when answering those questions.
And so the debate continues.”
A nice tweet from William Shatner to FLOTUS……. Happy 29th Birthday to Michelle Obama. 🙂
Yep – this guy is part of the coverup
State Sen Kevin O’Toole (Nov 25)
“Today’s hearing is an example of the type of government waste that happens when out-of-touch Democrats try to score political points against an ever-popular governor,” O’Toole said in a statement included in the press release. “Five legislative districts in this state have more commuters who use the bridge than Fort Lee, including nearly 6,400 from my District 40. … Are these New Jerseyans not as important as Fort Lee residents?”
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/christie-wildstein-otoole
The released documents contain statistics showing that the 3 lanes from Fort Lee take 26-27% of the traffic entering the bridge on the 12 associated levels – just OVER the 25% they would carry if vehicles on the bridge were an exact statistic.
O’Toole is repeating Christie’s threat to reduce permanently the access via Fort Lee – and that has NOTHING to do with traffic volumes. This is one of the people now on the Senate inquiry committee. I’ll put my faith in the Assembly committee.
http://www.wnyc.org/story/how-christies-men-turned-port-authority-political-piggy-bank/
Back in October 2010, Governor Chris Christie gathered reporters around him at the statehouse. “Approximately 30 days ago,” a grim-sounding Christie said, “I received information from Jim Weinstein, the executive director of New Jersey Transit, which called into great concern the projected cost of the ARC Tunnel.”
ARC was short for the clumsily-named “Access to the Region’s Core.” Twenty years in the making, it was the largest transit project then underway in the United States. When completed, it would double the capacity of the maxed-out New Jersey Transit commuter rail service. But, Christie said, he was shocked – shocked — to find there were cost overruns in the budget.
“In light of that information, the executive committee has made a recommendation to me that the project be terminated,” Christie said. Over the next few weeks, there would be a public drama, one in which the then-U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, traveled to Trenton to try to change Christie’s mind. But, asserting “you can’t fit a size ten foot in a size seven foot – you just can’t,” Christie killed the $8.7 billion project.
And still they vote for him – will never understand it.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/01/17/50-and-fabulous/
A fridge has been discovered sending out spam after a web attack managed to compromise smart gadgets.
The fridge was one of more than 100,000 devices used to take part in the spam campaign.
Uncovered by security firm Proofpoint the attack compromised computers, home routers, media PCs and smart TV sets.
The attack is believed to be one of the first to exploit the lax security on devices that are part of the “internet of things”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25780908
Looks like selfie has a new meaning.