President Obama examines the Resolute Desk on March 3, 2009, while visiting with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg in the Oval Office. In a famous photograph, her brother John F. Kennedy Jr., peeked through the FDR panel, while his father President Kennedy worked (Photo by Pete Souza)
If anyone tells me there is no climate change, they just have to look at our weather. For the last 3 days we have had wind chills of -30. We have 12″ of snow and 4′ drifts. Yesterday we had freezing rain. Today it is to get up to 38 with more rain. The weatherman says 40’s the rest of the week. This is not normal.
Forgot to add all the schools are closed again today. The main streets are pretty clear, but the side streets are almost impassable. Now with all this snow melting. It will be a mess.
we had another 5 inches of snow in Chicago over the weekend. Even though some of the snow pack had melted a little, there are piles of snow waist to shoulder high. Lifting snow onto those heaps is a challenge. The sun was warm enough to melt around the gutters, but then the temp plummeted and I had an ice rink outside my door that I had to chop through. I really did a number on my back. I have chronic lower back issues but this feels different. And it is sub zero this morning. It will crawl into the 30’s by the end of the week and then get cold again (as if 30s isn’t cold enough in spring!) And then – wait for it – more snow.
The only silver lining – I finally have health ins if I need to go to the doctor. Thanks, Obama!
“Chesswise, there’s no countervailing MILITARY move the West can engage in. But the courtesy of pretending the Russia belongs in the G8 economically can end, and probably will. The problem with megalomania is that it overemphasizes one’s strengths and minimizes one’s weaknesses. The bloody scroll of history is testimony to the foolishness of these notions.
In other words, we have a Nineteenth Century would-be emperor attempting to reassemble an Empire of Ordure.”
I see another cycle of the severe winter weather is passing through. For everyone affected, stay warm and safe.
I don’t usually watch the Academy Awards. But the comments that I read as I lurked at TOD last evening sucked me in. 🙂 So I ended up watching most of the second half of the show. I was excited about Lupita’s win and touched by her speech. I liked the creativity and humor of the ‘speech’ given by the Lopez’s after their win for Best Original Song. And after the number of wins for Gravity, I was *pleasantly* surprised that 12 Years a Slave won for Best Picture.
Good morning TOD!
After much needed rest I just caught up and congratulations to all Oscar winners last night. I do not watch the Oscar for my own personal reasons. But, Ms. Dudette, I just want to share with you that the song that came to mind seeing Ms. Lupita in that flowing beauty gown was “Black Butterfly” by Denise Williams, I believe.
Everyone have a great day. Yes, it is more snow in NYC. Light snow, but snow is snow. Cold. Light. Snow.
Black Butterfly would’ve worked too, but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that they played the theme from Willie Wonka – Pure Imagination as she left the stage. I thought it was PERFECT!
Thank you. They both fit perfectly for a beautiful woman with a beautiful brain……and did I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful it was to NOT see flesh on display. When you are beautiful inside as well as outside you do not have to “show everything”. So proud and rare to see a young “Lady” these days.
Good morning all – they are just playing the Oscars on TV in my world – sigh – We can get the Olympics from Russia live – but not the Oscars from the USA – not sure if there is some meaning in this ??
Ms. Dudette, I love my family in GA, but it’s getting harder and harder to visit.
The gun stores just make me cringe. I know they were there when I was growing up but now they are like supermarkets.
And the SYG law I feel for the safety of my family. It feels like the acceptable “strange fruit” Billie Holliday sang about that happened in the south. I feel sick now thinking about it.
Notice nutty Florida is trying to introduce a warning shot into the Stand Your Ground law now, to make it all better. So——–a warning shot straight up and then 10-12 into your intended victim. So much better! (what????)
“The warning-shot bill stems from the conviction of Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot during an incident of alleged domestic violence. An appeal court overturned the conviction, and she faces a new trial.”
I don’t think it will help Ms Alexander at all – seems you still have to kill someone before SYG comes into play – but perhaps it will impact her “self defense” plea.
Here’s the problem with that; what goes up must come down.
What happens to the mother/father who’s standing by his/her car with a baby in their arms when the bullet comes down, and………? These people are idiots in this State.
They have given people the authority to act like cops and until it’s changed, we will have more Saturday evenings, waiting for a “not guilty” verdict : (
Two out of John McCain’s three suggestions for how to aid the conflict in Ukraine and Russia are bad—and the US isn’t careful, we may end up more involved than it can afford to be.
I’m not sure what we should do about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I am, however, dead sure about what we shouldn’t do. Please, Washington—don’t listen to John McCain!
This is “BEAUTY” and she knows who she is. What bothered me this morning, I read comments about the best dresses, and as always, there were those who complained that the dress was beautiful but they didn’t like the fact that her breast bone was exposed (not enough to fill up the dress). Does every woman have to be DDD to be beautiful and sexy? grrrrrrrr
“Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) appeared on “Fox News Sunday” yesterday, raising a compelling suggestion about domestic politics in the context of the Ukrainian crisis.
“We’re 48 hours from an international crisis, I would hope Americans would focus on condemning the actions of Putin rather than in a knee-jerk way, again, criticizing the president of the United States,” the congressman said.
What a nice, wholly unrealistic attitude.”
SMH: "What's unusual about this crisis is we see R officials public admiration 4 Russia's authoritarian leadership." http://t.co/VXDk4TCVPG
“One of the world’s biggest credit ratings agencies and a European investment bank will begin an appeal in the Federal Court in Sydney today to try and overturn a landmark ruling that they misled local councils. ”
S&P are arguing that the councils should have done their own checking – but one of the ways to check an investment is to look at the S&P rating of same & in this instance it was way too high. If they lose this appeal no doubt they will go to the Australian High Court – they have much to lost given that there are further cases to come
“Standard & Poor’s is also being sued by 90 local councils, churches and charities for rating toxic mortgage bonds sold by the collapsed investment bank, Lehman Brothers, as AAA.”
What I wonder is if the artist of the Lupita artwork got permission from the photographer to use their photo? Knowing how hard it is to get permissions for my own artwork from other photographers I doubt it. Remember the famous HOPE art done with Obama’s photo that was used on posters and T-shirts by Sheppard Farley? He was sued by AP and let the case go to trial to hopefully change that law so artists could use photos of others for hard to photograph public people. I was cheering for Sheppard to win, but he lost and AP won.
The Obama Diary 
Good Monday morning! Everyone stay safe and warm..
Moooooorning DF, mooooooorning everyone!
Good morning Chipsticks and wuff wuff Danny Boy!
Have a wonderful Monday…..
Happy Monday DF! Hope you have a great day at school.
Thanks:) Everything back to normal there? My goodness, what a horrific weekend you all have had. Hope everyone is alright
Read my post below.
Good morning
Good monrning mtmarilyn,
Happy Monday!
Have a wonderful day!
Good morning desertflower,
Congrats on 1st, wtg
Happy Monday! Have a wonderful day!!
Happy Monday TODers.
Hiya Chips
What an Oscar night. Lupita and 12 years..
GM Chips and TOD friends.
Good morning 🙂
Good Morning Everyone. It’s another snow day here in the DC area.
G’morning Chips & TOD! 🙂
If anyone tells me there is no climate change, they just have to look at our weather. For the last 3 days we have had wind chills of -30. We have 12″ of snow and 4′ drifts. Yesterday we had freezing rain. Today it is to get up to 38 with more rain. The weatherman says 40’s the rest of the week. This is not normal.
Forgot to add all the schools are closed again today. The main streets are pretty clear, but the side streets are almost impassable. Now with all this snow melting. It will be a mess.
Unbelievable. These erratic swings in temps with extremes of weather are definitely not normal. And they’re happening more frequently.
we had another 5 inches of snow in Chicago over the weekend. Even though some of the snow pack had melted a little, there are piles of snow waist to shoulder high. Lifting snow onto those heaps is a challenge. The sun was warm enough to melt around the gutters, but then the temp plummeted and I had an ice rink outside my door that I had to chop through. I really did a number on my back. I have chronic lower back issues but this feels different. And it is sub zero this morning. It will crawl into the 30’s by the end of the week and then get cold again (as if 30s isn’t cold enough in spring!) And then – wait for it – more snow.
The only silver lining – I finally have health ins if I need to go to the doctor. Thanks, Obama!
We are all dealing with this weather. Take care of your back. Getting around in this weather is a real challenge. We must be careful.
mtmarilyn, there is such long term suffering, climate-wise, absolutely everywhere. Everyone needs to be careful and try to stay positive.
Good morning TOD family and visitors,
Wishing “EVERYONE” a BEAUTIFUL DAY!
***Remember to be thankful for your blessings one-by-one, and if you complain that you have too many, why not share some***
HAPPY MONDAY !!!
http://themoderatevoice.com/192167/ukraine-what-a-difference-partisanship-makes/ Keep this in mind the next time one of those RWNJ’s opens their mouths to spew out a talking point….
Love that DF, included an extract in R&S, thanks a mill!
Good morning. Going to be a busy day with our Latino Initiative meetings. Will check back later. Have a great, great day and keep warm.
Interesting. Snarky like Charles Pierce, but not quite there…..still, good read.
http://themoderatevoice.com/192168/vlad-the-assailer-in-annexing-the-sudentenland/
“Chesswise, there’s no countervailing MILITARY move the West can engage in. But the courtesy of pretending the Russia belongs in the G8 economically can end, and probably will. The problem with megalomania is that it overemphasizes one’s strengths and minimizes one’s weaknesses. The bloody scroll of history is testimony to the foolishness of these notions.
In other words, we have a Nineteenth Century would-be emperor attempting to reassemble an Empire of Ordure.”
Where is Jovie?
Was wondering that same thing the other day myself. Hope all is ok.
Good Monday Chipsticks…Everyone!!!
I see another cycle of the severe winter weather is passing through. For everyone affected, stay warm and safe.
I don’t usually watch the Academy Awards. But the comments that I read as I lurked at TOD last evening sucked me in. 🙂 So I ended up watching most of the second half of the show. I was excited about Lupita’s win and touched by her speech. I liked the creativity and humor of the ‘speech’ given by the Lopez’s after their win for Best Original Song. And after the number of wins for Gravity, I was *pleasantly* surprised that 12 Years a Slave won for Best Picture.
Everyone have a wonderful day!!!
http://bobcesca.thedailybanter.com/blog-archives/2014/03/for-president-obama-everything-is-everything.html
Read the whole thing. Not very long…but nice to see that others recognize what we do everyday….
GE from bert sert land.
LOL!
Bahahahahahahahahaha.
What was that? How did that happen? How could he have been that far off?—-not just a mispronunciation.
Ukraine must exercise restraint in the face of Russian aggression
By William B. Taylor, Steven K. Pifer and John E. Herbst, Published: March 2
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ukraine-must-exercise-restraint-in-the-face-of-russian-aggression/2014/03/02/ba72c218-a252-11e3-a5fa-55f0c77bf39c_story.html
Good Morning Family! Hope everyone is safe and warm and has a terrific day!
Good morning TOD!
After much needed rest I just caught up and congratulations to all Oscar winners last night. I do not watch the Oscar for my own personal reasons. But, Ms. Dudette, I just want to share with you that the song that came to mind seeing Ms. Lupita in that flowing beauty gown was “Black Butterfly” by Denise Williams, I believe.
Everyone have a great day. Yes, it is more snow in NYC. Light snow, but snow is snow. Cold. Light. Snow.
Hi LDS.
Black Butterfly would’ve worked too, but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that they played the theme from Willie Wonka – Pure Imagination as she left the stage. I thought it was PERFECT!
Thank you. They both fit perfectly for a beautiful woman with a beautiful brain……and did I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful it was to NOT see flesh on display. When you are beautiful inside as well as outside you do not have to “show everything”. So proud and rare to see a young “Lady” these days.
Good morning all – they are just playing the Oscars on TV in my world – sigh – We can get the Olympics from Russia live – but not the Oscars from the USA – not sure if there is some meaning in this ??
You can substitute AZ for FL and still be right. I cringe every time.
Might as well as TX and GA for that matter.
I know. So sad and pathetic.And terrifying.
Ms. Dudette, I love my family in GA, but it’s getting harder and harder to visit.
The gun stores just make me cringe. I know they were there when I was growing up but now they are like supermarkets.
And the SYG law I feel for the safety of my family. It feels like the acceptable “strange fruit” Billie Holliday sang about that happened in the south. I feel sick now thinking about it.
Me too. We need to get these violent wackos out of office.
Yep. Morning DF.
morning jackie:)
Notice nutty Florida is trying to introduce a warning shot into the Stand Your Ground law now, to make it all better. So——–a warning shot straight up and then 10-12 into your intended victim. So much better! (what????)
That’s some STUPID ICING ON THE STUPID CAKE!! That “warning shot” has to come down!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon's_law_(Arizona) My damn head hurts!
“The warning-shot bill stems from the conviction of Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot during an incident of alleged domestic violence. An appeal court overturned the conviction, and she faces a new trial.”
I don’t think it will help Ms Alexander at all – seems you still have to kill someone before SYG comes into play – but perhaps it will impact her “self defense” plea.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/22194-proposed-florida-law-would-allow-warning-shots
Morning dotster3,
Happy Monday to you,
Here’s the problem with that; what goes up must come down.
What happens to the mother/father who’s standing by his/her car with a baby in their arms when the bullet comes down, and………? These people are idiots in this State.
They have given people the authority to act like cops and until it’s changed, we will have more Saturday evenings, waiting for a “not guilty” verdict : (
gm EVERYONE….
what is so tragic…is that these folks did not get into the legislature by osmosis…they were VOTED into office….we reap what we sow….
as PBO would say….We have to FIX that!
Dax (Germany) is down 3% & the FTSE (UK) 1.7% – Guess we did quite well in Oz only closing down 0.5%
B&M’ed to the hotel manageress (?) lady about poor wi-fi in the room that was @ $135 (that’s US effing D) bucks.
Voila !!! IT guy rushes over and gives me a direct LAN hi-speed connection. Did a hour-long video chat with wifey unit for free.
‘appy, ‘appy, ‘appy.
Lesson – You need to be a bastid asshole to get things done your way.
Go AMK!
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/03/take-john-mccain-s-russia-advice-and-you-might-get-another-cold-war.html
Two out of John McCain’s three suggestions for how to aid the conflict in Ukraine and Russia are bad—and the US isn’t careful, we may end up more involved than it can afford to be.
I’m not sure what we should do about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I am, however, dead sure about what we shouldn’t do. Please, Washington—don’t listen to John McCain!
Well HERE’S a no brainer if there ever was one!
Great news! http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/03/03/3351531/fda-expands-access-generic-plan/
Apologies for the repeat, but c’mon on… this is simply divine!
Good morning Dudette,
Happy Monday!
This is “BEAUTY” and she knows who she is. What bothered me this morning, I read comments about the best dresses, and as always, there were those who complained that the dress was beautiful but they didn’t like the fact that her breast bone was exposed (not enough to fill up the dress). Does every woman have to be DDD to be beautiful and sexy? grrrrrrrr
“Does every woman have to be DDD to be beautiful and sexy? ” – No. She’s perfect. Forget those fools.
Amen!
No apologies necessary. I am just so proud of this young Lady.
Beauty and Brains……
Wow….what a moment. Wishing her the best.
“Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) appeared on “Fox News Sunday” yesterday, raising a compelling suggestion about domestic politics in the context of the Ukrainian crisis.
“We’re 48 hours from an international crisis, I would hope Americans would focus on condemning the actions of Putin rather than in a knee-jerk way, again, criticizing the president of the United States,” the congressman said.
What a nice, wholly unrealistic attitude.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-03/standard–poors-appeals-landmark-ruling-in-favour-of-councils/5293740
“One of the world’s biggest credit ratings agencies and a European investment bank will begin an appeal in the Federal Court in Sydney today to try and overturn a landmark ruling that they misled local councils. ”
S&P are arguing that the councils should have done their own checking – but one of the ways to check an investment is to look at the S&P rating of same & in this instance it was way too high. If they lose this appeal no doubt they will go to the Australian High Court – they have much to lost given that there are further cases to come
“Standard & Poor’s is also being sued by 90 local councils, churches and charities for rating toxic mortgage bonds sold by the collapsed investment bank, Lehman Brothers, as AAA.”
I hope the councils win and completely bankrupt the corrupt ‘rating’ agencies. They all should have been sued and put behind bars in 2008.
Agree – the b.s. of saying the councils should have done their own checking – the complete idea of using S&P ratings IS doing the checking. pffft
Guess you are still using that hi-speed LAN 🙂
Yes, I am. Milk it for it’s worth.
What I wonder is if the artist of the Lupita artwork got permission from the photographer to use their photo? Knowing how hard it is to get permissions for my own artwork from other photographers I doubt it. Remember the famous HOPE art done with Obama’s photo that was used on posters and T-shirts by Sheppard Farley? He was sued by AP and let the case go to trial to hopefully change that law so artists could use photos of others for hard to photograph public people. I was cheering for Sheppard to win, but he lost and AP won.
Louisiana grapples with ’12 Years’ legacy.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26344746
A very good read.
Seriously, universe? You need to make this happen.
Rise and Shine!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/03/03/rise-and-shine-764/