President Barack Obama and his daughter Sasha join fellow volunteers as they fill burritos at the DC Central Kitchen charity in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
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Pres Obama w daughter Sasha preps burritos during service project at DC Central Kitchen http://t.co/qt5ghzwpVd
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(@petesouza) January 20, 2014
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President Obama & daughter Sasha prepared meals for distribution to local shelters @ DC Central Kitchen. #MLKDay http://t.co/N2GoanWOX3
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Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) January 20, 2014
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The Obama family at service project today at DC Central Kitchen http://t.co/AdC7VIfuHv
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(@petesouza) January 20, 2014
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Pres Obama arm-bumps a worker at DC Central Kitchen today http://t.co/8X4ZLyLIeC
(@petesouza) January 20, 2014
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First Lady Michelle Obama, with daughter Malia Obama and presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett, make burritos at DC Central Kitchen as part of a service project in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Vice-President Joe Biden serves lunch at SOME (So Others Might Eat) in Washington, D.C., in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thank You!
Hey Cindy – wtg on 1st
Thank you 99ts…..!!!!
Goooooooooooorgeous Nerdy, love love love this family! Thank you legend!
Oh no!!!! Danny ate Santa!!!!
You might be hearing from the North Pole shortly, and perhaps pre-load his stocking next year, Uh, not with MilkBones!! Yikes, DannyBoy, where goest thou? (iow: WTG!) 😉
😆 MightyP, I am now worried about Santa’s well-being ….. do you think Danny ate him??
Anything is possible, Chipsticks. We all know that, for sure.
Not to be too graphic Mighty P, but I will nervously check his poo in the morning for Santa remains 😕
I expect you will let us all know your findings?
Chips, if Danny ate Santa, you will know well before morning. Just listen for rumbling from Danny`s tummy!
Look at that sweet face. He could drag a severed head indoors and one would say: Aww….you cute, cuddly, lovable weirdo.
“He could drag a severed head indoors”
😆 I’m worried that’ll be his next gift!!!
I have been through cat dragging still moving bird inside by the almost severed head – and I don’t remember saying “you cute cuddly lovable weirdo” – I did dredge up a few other words to celebrate the occasion.
Bahahahahahahahahahaha. Oh, 99ts. You truly are one of a kind.
There’s quite a few like me down here – you have been warned 🙂
And a lively mob you are too! 🙂 I so love the Aussies!!
We are very lovable 🙂 🙂
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 I feel ill!!!!
He IS a cat. You should have gone with my suggestion and called him mica.
😆 He met a cat on his walk last night, I’m still laughing at his “WTF?” face!
was the cat wearing a santa’s hat by chance?
jus’ sayin’.
This President and Vice-President are certainly setting the bar high for whoever follows! In my LOOOOOONG life, I have never seen a POTUS and VPOTUS who get out and work for people, and take their family with them.
And I was wondering about that – thank you for answering my unasked question.
Carolyn, amen to that. I can’t think of a single one of them who spent a holiday in ‘hands-on volunteer’ work. This is also the closest knit family I’ve ever seen in the WH.
Such fine, giving people!!! We are so fortunate.
Thank you Chipsticks, LL, Nerdy Wonka and all who have contributed to this beautiful day…
My emotions have been raw; listening to speeches and reading the wonderful writings from the TOD contributors.
For me, as an African American, it feels like it was only yesterday that the pain of growing up in Georgia was going to be a permanent fixture of what life was going to be.
When I saw the beautiful picture of Mrs. Obama dressed as a child in her pretty dress and bows, it reminded me of the day that I was bused to an all white school in error. I had on my pretty blue dress, red and blue bows in my hair and red socks. I was in 5th grade and when I arrived at the school, the white students surrounded me and asked me; what are you doing at our school N_____?
I begin to cry, and they circled me and spit on me; in my face, on my clothes and in my hair. Spit dripped from my hair and clothing. What felt like an hour; the principal finally came out and moved everyone away. She never touched me, she asked; what are you doing here? She finally took me into the school but no one cleaned me up. My hair was dripping with spit. Finally, they called the bus driver in and I was taken back to my school.
I was traumatized and until this day, it feels like yesterday that it all happened. Thank you for honoring Dr. King’s legacy on this site Chipsticks and TOD family. I had just finished watching; If I had Sneezed when I click on and was 1st. So I was thanking you for the postings, not for being 1st. I am so glad, that l lived to see President Obama and Mrs. Obama occupy the White House. I never thought that I would to see this dream come true.
Blessings,
Oh Cindy! I have no words here…crying for you.
Thank you Layla,
That is just one of so many stories that I could tell. I am just grateful and thankful that things didn’t remain the same (as it was in that era).
We lost all hope when Dr. King departed us. It was many dark days ahead of us but thank God, others kept fighting for justice; we’re not there yet…..but I am doing my part to pave the way for others.
Oh Cindy…..what an absolutely awful experience for you and so young………that no one cleaned you up, comforted you,……just wiped me out. I am so ashamed of what people like me did………you’re younger than I am, so this was not so very long ago……..
There is the good, the ugly and the bad in every race Carolyn. I am grateful that I didn’t see the ugly in everyone, and I believed that there were good people in the world, and I have had the experience, with many races, that were good and not evil.
{{{{{Cindy}}}}}
Thank you MightyPamela….
Cindy, am grateful that you trust all of us enough to share your tragic story and am grateful that you lived to see and participate in the Presidency of Barack Obama.
#FORWARD Together
Yes Bobfr,
I could have grown up hating one race but I believed that good people existed, and I have had the experience of finding it to be true. The joy of sharing; is that we learn, we feel, we share and we grow. The outcome is that we experience that love overcomes hate.
“The outcome is that we experience that love overcomes hate.”
Your life is witness to the truth in your words, Cindy. You, and all those who have suffered like you, are the LIGHT that guides humanity forward.
Thank you.
I am crying. I’m so, so sorry that this happened to you, Cindy. It was raw and hurtful all over again for you, and no one should ever have to go through what you did all those many years ago. The fact that no one touched you or held you and apologized to you….I just don’t know what to say. We have made progress, but not near enough and we have far to go…side by side, hand in hand we go forward toward a more equal country….with liberty and justice and equality for all. Hugs to you.
aaaahhhh yes desertflower,
We are making progress but we are not there yet but I am hopeful, maybe not in my lifetime, that we will live as one.
Thank you…..
One step at a time. We WILL get there! My heart aches for you. I will keep your story in my head, eyes wide open, moving forward. Thank you for sharing this personal and painful truth with all of us.
Oh my God Cindy, your story is shattering, not in a million years could I begin to understand what that experience must have been like. Endless love to you, you have such a big heart, and I just don’t know how after what you endured.
Thank you Chipsticks,
I was born into that era of deep hate. It is the kind of pain and hurt that goes beyond feelings. I didn’t recover from all of the pain overnight, it has taken years but I made a decision to believe that everyone was not evil. I’ve had and have friends from different races, and I see the heart and not the skin color of individuals. There is ugly in every race, hate is taught, we are not born hating. I didn’t want to live a life of hating so I had to keep believing that love conquers all, and that there were good people in the world. When I come to this site, I enjoy it so much because I see people who genuinely care for each other.
You are amazing Cindy, that you were able to rise above that hate and be who you are is incredible to me, be proud of yourself, you’re a truly lovely human being.
Dear Cindy – no words – as I said to Yardarm earlier – I can hear the pain but have never experienced such an event against myself. I cringe that those who would inflict such pain excuse their behavior because “everyone did it”, “that’s what we were taught to do” etc etc.
Their hate continues to damage them – not you – the outspoken racists of today – and their disciples are getting fewer and fewer because of the strength of those who were daily treated in this fashion. Karma is yours – and tomorrow morning Barack Obama will still be the President of the United States of America.
Thank you 99ts….
I think the worse pain of that experience, was that the Principal never touched me or helped me in any way. She looked at me with disgust and never comforted me, I was a child and she never comforted me.
Yardarm posted a document earlier – a slave sale from 1833. The first was a young women with four children – two could be sold separately at the request of the buyers. They did not care for children – they ripped families apart. You have remembered this all your life – you care – you have empathy – the Principal – no doubt long dead – is remembered for her hate.
Karma is still yours – you came out of it – the world is changing – albeit too slowly.
There are no adequate words to quantify the horror you went through, Cindy. I am just so glad that you are a part of the TOD community and can find some comfort here. Thank you for sharing your story and I am immensely happy that you got to see President Obama win the white house twice.
You are a wonderful soul.
Thank you Nerdy Wonka……
I believe that when we share, we can also grow. We all have something that we are carrying, my load is different from your load but we all have something that weighs us down at time. In sharing, we learn about caring, and that is what makes the world a better place for all of us.
Dear Cindy,
No wonder your trauma is still so vivid in your mind. It’s a national disgrace that you were among so many others treated horrendously because of racism. We are still trying to heal those deep wounds. Electing and re-electing President Obama certainly helped, but we have a long way to go. Thank you for your bravery in telling such a personal and painful experience.
Thank you Judith..
The wounds don’t ever completely heal but wisdom comes with age, and you view the world differently as you grow, and as the world changes. We are there yet……but we are slowly, and some times painfully, getting there.
This has me choked up. Here I am pissed off that my new modem died after five minutes, and you bring witness to horror. You’re a remarkable woman
Thank you LL, it’s okay.
You didn’t do those ugly things and I don’t harbor ill feelings towards any race. I don’t even hate the people who did the things to me. I hate that the experience happened but I was born into a world who saw us as 3rd class citizens. I am just grateful that Dr. King and so many others, believed that world would one day be a better place. President Obama has endured, and he continues to march forward, and that is what gives me hope.
Cindy thanks for sharing your story with the TOD community – I can’t begin to imagine the trauma this experience has caused you. It takes a beautiful spirit to endure what you have and not be bitter and resentful. Hope you continue to find solace on this site, and I’m so glad you have been comforted by the wonderful tributes to Dr King’s legacy and have been able to participate in our experience of PBO’s election and presidency.
Thank you hopefruit2,
It was a process; learning to trust, love and believe that all people were not evil. It is through my faith, and belief in God that helped me to remove the bitterness and resentfulness from my heart. There is good, bad and ugly in every race and I had to simply learn; everyone wasn’t evil.
{{{Cindy}}}
what traumatic experience Cindy. What a horrible thing for anyone let alone a child to have gone through. I think the things that happen to us even as children, we carry with us all our lives. Thank you for sharing this.
BTW I have not properly said hello and so glad to see you here. I enjoy reading your comments.
Hi a4alice,
Thank you for your kind words. We carry them (experiences), and sometimes we struggle in them. Some win the battle and some lose the battle; difficulty in going through this hunted me for most of my life, but I chose to believe that good existed and it does.
I am profoundly sorry of your experience. As a child in GA in the 50’s and 60’s I feel ashamed at not really understanding the depth of hate and evil that existed around me. I have only realized this since moving back to the South after living in the West for most of my adult life. I am appalled at the racism that persists and that has become more blatant over the past years. You are a strong and good person to still recognize that this evil does not exist in everyone. Bless you .
Good evening daiseymay2,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the 60’s in the south was not pretty at all for many.
Thank you so much…..
Cindy, my heart truly aches for you. This dreadful, excruciating experience was more than any child should have to endure in this country. I am ashamed for the people who did this to you, no matter how young they were. I can’t tell you how much I admire your courage for sharing this story and reliving this nightmare. All I can say is that you were the beautiful one that day in your blue dress and red socks and you remained beautiful no matter how much ugly was directed at you. The hatred those children and that teacher carried in their hearts probably blighted a large part of their lives. It was you that triumphed. I’m so glad we’re in this TOD family together.
Thank you jackiegrumbacher for such kind words. I truly enjoy coming to the TOD universe.
The beautiful tribute to Dr. King on this site has just been, for me, overwhelming. He was so loving to the human race, his life work for justice for everyone, is what I see in President Obama. This is the hope that I believe in.
Cindy – Sending my love to you. On other days before this, I’ve so admired your sense of play and fun and graciousness to others, not to mention your support for President Obama. Today, I just send my love, and RESPECT that the qualities you have inside of you, that must have been nurtured early on, survived. You and so many others here on TOD and elsewhere are amazing people. So glad you shared this. Blessings to you, as well.
Good evening jacquelineoboomer,
Thank you so much for such kind and beautiful words. You guys are the amazing ones, I truly enjoy reading all of the words of wisdom from the dynamic minds of writers, reading funny posts and just witnessing the interaction. Thank you again…….
You’re much more than a witness, Cindy, believe me! I enjoy every word you post! Love ya.
((((Cindy)))) Thank you for sharing your poignant story here. You have seen the worst in people, but I’m glad you have also lived to see some of the best. Bless you. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Cindy, I’m just reading this post now. I’m so sorry you had to experience such hatred. Especially hurtful that the principal didn’t comfort or help you clean up. I have no words, just prayers.
Getting uglier and uglier in the Ukraine …..
https://twitter.com/VitaliiSediuk/status/425430538430582784
It now appears that many people could be injured or worse before dawn 21 Jan 2014.
Can the US do something Bob
Am sure they are doing everything that can be done, Layla. Massively complex situation, for sure.
I love digital times when it is so easy to record the children growing – the President’s girls are turning into beautiful young teens
… and my grandbabe is turning into one beautiful toddler 🙂
I have about 3 pictures of my early years – taken with a box brownie camera
I have a couple of hundred pictures of my daughter’s early years – taken with an SLR f one type or another
I have thousands of pictures of my grandbabe’s first year – taken with a cell phone!
The pictures are a delight UT/NW – many thanks.
Oh my, what a wonderful story and the heartless GOP SOBs want to take this away from people like Sharon Mills. Sometimes I think Republicans will just consume themselves in hate, but they keep managing to dig deeper and coming up with more.
President Barack Obama will forever be blessed for bringing affordable and comprehensive healthcare to this nation.
The article is a must read. It will break your heart at the hopelessness millions lived with before ObamaCare came into the lives.
It’s “nice” that Johnson & Johnson announced that they will remove the formaldehyde and dioxane from their No More Tears baby shampoo, but what in the world were these 2 known carcinogens doing in baby shampoo in the first place? Unbelievable to me. They also announced that they will begin removing these 2 cancer-linked chemicals from their other product lines, such as Neutrogena—–by 2015. Public pressure forced this change (threat of loss of profits) not corporate conscience, which doesn’t exist.
http://consumerist.com/2014/01/17/johnson-johnson-reformulates-shampoo-because-babies-dont-need-formaldehyde-in-their-baths/
OMG, Dotster, we all used this No More Tears shampoo on our kids and I still use Neutrogena. You’re right. How could they have done this?
Is it just me, but this is already beginning to sound different.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Christie_aide_holds_press_call_about_Hoboken_mayors_claims.html?c=y&page=1
Christie admin defends decision of Sandy aid distribution amid Hoboken mayor’s allegations
And this might explain Cory Booker’s silence:
Yet another portion of the FEMA relief aid – $25 million – was set aside by the Christie administration to provide small grants to municipalities and sewer authorities to ensure their essential buildings retain power even during a power failure. In all, 146 grants were awarded throughout the state. The largest grant – $734,880 – went to Newark. Hoboken received $142,000 for a generator.
Several North Jersey towns received grants larger than Hoboken’s, including $177,600 to Cresskill to offset the cost of generators for its firehouse, senior center and other key buildings; and $245,000 to Lodi for generators for its police station and municipal building. Little Falls received $75,000 to buy a generator for its emergency shelter.
Not you df – I still want MSNBC to pic up on the document you found – proving without doubt that Christie has never delegated – he runs everything and talks to many more than 2 people in his administration.
Click to access A-61%20AV.pdf
“Moreover, I am also concerned that the bill tasks the State Treasurer to oversee Sandy recovery funds when I already directed the State Comptroller and the Office of Recovery and Rebuilding to report to me directly on the progress of the independent review process and the transparency website. “
Yes…Keep a hold of that document in case I forget where it is in my mess of bookmarked stuff! Now they are having to “defend their decisions”….not sounding quite the same to me.
The way the Lt Gov spoke was weird – not even Christie has reached that level of body/speech language that seems to deny the spoken words.
df, these kinds of details are immaterial to the the documented extortion that the Hobokin Mayor courageously shared with the US Dept of Justice. All that matters is how the US Attorney in NJ proceeds with the Grand Jury and other mechanisms for determining if indictments are warranted.
We all know we can trust AG Holder to ensure that justice is done.
Well…the game changer was the fact that the US ATTY wanted to speak to the Mayor on a Sunday of a holiday weekend! This is now a BFD! I know that justice will be done.
I think those details are helping to verify Mayor Zimmer’s statements Bob. Even with a personal diary, it is still he said she said and details showing that she received well less than the fair share for her town can’t be a negative. When there is no direct evidence – circumstantial evidence is very useful in a court of law.
Thanks Chips, Nerdy W., and all contributors for this beautiful walk through history and life of giving, working with others and for others, and standing side by side with Hope.
Chips, Danny gets me all the time with those eyes. My brilliant handsome Danny.((((( Grandmama loves you so dearly))))).
I did my service today, and it was wonderful. I raked leaves of my neighbors on both sides of my home and did all of the sweeping of all three driveways. It was beautiful.
I am so grateful to be able to do something that I have preached to my students for so many years throughout my life.
I am so grateful to know that President Barack Obama is our president, and Joe Biden is our Vice President. Love these men. And of course our FLOTUS and Dr. Biden, I love you so much. Two brilliant, elegant, and very beautiful ladies of our country. HZ
Hugs and love to you, our beloved HZ!
TY, my beautiful Chips!!!HZ
Well, DUH….it’s the truth. And this is 2014, not 1965. Some of the same people who are now singing MLK’s praises or invoking every Black civil rights icon every two sentences they speak are the VERY ONES CONTRIBUTING TO THIS LOW APPROVAL RATING of one of the best Presidents simply because of the color of his skin, not because of the content of his character or his policies – despite their attempts to pretend otherwise.
HF, it just depresses me to live in a country where people see only the color of someone’s skin. It depresses me that our beloved president has to endure this. The truly amazing, remarkable, wonderful thing about it is that he rises above it all and continues to do his job.
I love the look on his face! (And I don’t recall seeing that photo before, either!)
Another 25K #ObamaCare sign-up y’day. Despite crossing the 15th deadline.
You get it right – every time
If only some would listen.
Josh Marshall thinks Christie will turn on all who might talk
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/christie-to-go-whistleblower
That’s called a ‘positive feedback loop’ and anyone who knows anything about control systems knows that the outcomes are unpredictable and often very dangerous.
What does Josh think all those folk are going to do – other than turn ‘State’s witness’ to save their butts. I think Josh is letting his eagerness to be the ‘smart kid on the block’ get way out in front of reality.
It does presuppose the Governor employed a lot of people who care more about the governor’s political ambitions than their own existence.
I heard a discussion – somewhere? as to Christie running around talking to donors might not endear him to an unemployed mother of 4 children who he recently threw under the proverbial bus.
Personally, I’m waiting to see how long it will take before Booker’s name/part surfaces in all this. There is no way that Booker wasn’t playing along with Christie in some way, shape or form – they were too chummy for words, I think. The fact that Booker (who was not reticent to jump in re the Bain scenario in 2012) has been so silent re his past political BFF is highly suspect IMO. Wonder what he traded for his cooperation/silence over the years?
In a way, I hope Cory Booker and other Mayors don’t go down because of Christie, no matter how annoying it would be to think any of them were involved. I want the big fish to fry, in public, and I am just waiting for the games to begin. Maybe they will have Christie’s eventual federal trial in the Super Bowl stadium some fine day soon, and then we’ll see how he likes it.
While I’m with you in wanting to see Christie get his just desserts in the coliseum, I’m inclined to think, given the way he clearly does business, that it is unlikely other mayors are not involved. Can you see Christie taking the fall, if it gets to that, alone? He doesn’t strike me as the type.
True that latter part. But if the feds offer up immunity first, maybe somebody else will talk and sweeten the pie.
Not wanting to get my hopes up, I’m polishing up my wait-and-see mode. I don’t want to get all hopeful and joyful ahead of the unfolding because it seems to me that repubs are awfully good at wriggling off the hook with the assistance of the MSM and their own kind who inhabit the halls of “justice” (ex. Roberts et al, etc. etc. )
Wise of you. I shall practice what you preach, VC!
Cindy, my heart is so full as I read your comment. I have also lived many days and years of your treatment as well. I concur: as wisdom stand strong with love and patience; we can bear so much that is so painful.
I thank Almighty for your patience, love, forgiveness, wisdom, and determination to help others to live in harmony of progressing to a better angel within each of us. (((((((Lots of loving hugs for your courage to share))))))))). Lovingly and graciously praying that you will continue to share and be a light of hope in the making for a better loving nation. ()HZ
Thank you HZ for your beautiful words…..
I know that others have endured; glad to know that you came through and continually growing with wisdom and strength, love and for all of us-patience.
Thank you so much,
{{{{{HZ}}}}} our healer, thou art!
Important article linked in the tweet ….
Don’t have any wine corks in my world any more
Does anyone know which GOPer is going to give the rebuttal to PBO’s SOTU address next Tuesday? Or are they keeping things under wraps out of fear of the rebuttal “curse” which seems to have afflicted all their past candidates?
Gov Christie probably a good selection – he’s gone regardless – cannot harm himself further
(Wonder if he was the choice until the last week or so)
I think they’re really scrambling – or they’ve selected someone but want to keep expectations low or non-existent. Something tells me that very few, if any, are willing to volunteer for the job – especially when you consider what happened to those who did volunteer in the past 4 years. Usually we would have heard of the chosen individual several weeks in advance, with lots of media coverage and hype of the selected person. Yet it’s just a week away and crickets…
The GOP are very happy to be against the President’s issues – health care, UI, immigration reform, jobs, higher minimum wage etc etc – but it sounds seriously demented when they put it all into one speech and say it out loud. No wonder they have problems finding the bunny – I think Boehner and Cantor should be forced to make the speech – let everyone know their legislative agenda.
🙂 Doesn’t really matter who does it, does it? They’re all lying, angry, nasty, divisive men.
Indeed df – I agree 100%.
🙂 i knew you would! Horrible creatures.
They’re so desperate they’ll probably have Palin do it, or one of the Koch Brothers … no harm in asking, is there 😀 😀 😀 😀
Hoping it will be the lower-level Tex-Ass-senator-in-name-only! That would be too much for SNL to resist!
I really miss Dudette. That is all, good night.
Dudette…if you’re lurking here…..I miss you:) {{{{Dudette}}}}} So glad to hear that you’re on the mend.
As Keith Olbermann used to say every night: “That woman is an idiot.”
Oh please, that dam idiot running her racists mouth. John McCain, thank you for nothing. You are to blame that we are curse with Sarah Palin.
Anything to get attention…
Dudette update – She’s still resting. Patience, peeps.
Ukrainians aren’t backing down ….
… and oh so true …
Ironic, I think, that US MSM uses the term easily and often for nonsense, then doesn’t recognize real breaking news.
Precisely, VC. If a Kardashian or Palin sneeze they’re all over it, but anything substantive ……………………………………….
In fairness though, Bfr, the sneeze is about all they understand; there’s not much that’s nuanced there so it’s well within their comfort zone. 😉 Not many MSM types like to inform or extend themselves.
Perfection!!!!! “well within their comfort zone” 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Bob, the Ukrainian government’s decision to crack down on protestors is the worst they have ever made. They are disgracing themselves in front of the world and proving the protestors were right all along–they are not fit to govern.
Good.
agreed
You know Rudy Giuliani ought to go some where and disappear.
Simply, reality ….
One of your best tweets evah, amk!!! And, that’s saying a lot!!!
great! hope more states follow MA
You know the media have jump all over the President comment concerning weed, but you know weed is not worse then alcohol. I have never heard were someone getting behind the wheel high and killing a car fill with people. Drinking too much alcohol have done alot of damage to people. Alot, it is just as bad as weed.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/01/20/martin-luther-king-jr-revolutionary/
Excellent tweet, amk.
Oh dear
Rachel covering lots of interesting topics tonight including Gov McDonnell
A small but interesting piece from Pierce on the Christie events today. The luv that MJ and Mica have been pouring on Christie for years is surely something that a real “news” show should not be doing.
“Some people at MSNBC are doing real reporting here, and some people are carrying water, and a news organization ought to protect the former from the cheap derision of the latter.”
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/morning-joe-hoboken-mayor-012014