18
Mar
14

Rise and Shine

By Nerdy Wonka 110 Comments
Categories: All Photos, All Videos, Articles, Joe 'Big Deal' Biden and Michelle Obama
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

President Obama laughs while walking with Senior Advisor David Axelrod following an event at the Costa Mesa Town Hall at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., March 18, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Today (All Times Eastern):

3:40: President Obama awards 24 Army veterans the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War

5:20: Attends a DNC fundraiser, Washington DC

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HHS.gov: Marketplace Enrollment Hits 5 Million Milestone

As this historic open enrollment period enters its final weeks, millions of Americans are finding quality, affordable coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Fernando Valdez and Denise Schroeder were part of a weekend wave of consumers signing up for new coverage and bringing enrollment nationwide to more than 5 million through the Federal and State-based Marketplaces since October 1st.

Fernando Valdez, 25, of El Paso, Texas woke up early on Saturday, after his mother insisted that he walk to an enrollment center and enroll in Marketplace coverage.  Now, he will pay $22 a month for his health insurance. Fernando said that he walked away knowing that if “I get into an accident I will not be in trouble with trying to find health care.”….

And Denise Schroeder says she now feels like “I have a whole new life” after enrolling in coverage in recent days. Denise, a small business owner in West Chester, Pennsylvania is also a cancer survivor. Because she had cancer, Denise knew she couldn’t let her health coverage lapse, but the $880 premium she was paying each month wiped out her savings account, and she said it was killing her. But after working with an enrollment navigator, she enrolled on Thursday in a Silver Plan for $22 a month.  When she saw the new premium, she cried.

More here

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Des Moines Register: IowaCare Shift Shrinks Wait Time At Broadlawns, U Of I ERs

Not long ago, a trip to the emergency room at University of Iowa Hospitals was an exercise in frustration for people expecting immediate medical care. Unless they arrived with a life-threatening injury, most people often were forced to wait two hours or more in a crowded waiting room before seeing a doctor.

The federal Affordable Care Act has changed that, reducing congestion at the hospital and at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines.

Today, Iowans once covered by IowaCare are no longer forced to choose between two public hospitals — U of I Hospitals and Broadlawns — when they need medical care. Under the new Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, they can seek medical care in their hometowns where physicians now are reimbursed for services they provide.

More here

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Kathy Robertson: Covered California Hits Million Sign-Ups For Health Care Coverage

Covered California hit a milestone late Friday of one million people signed up for coverage in the state’s new health benefits exchange. By the end of Saturday, the figure was up to 1,018,315 people who have applied for coverage and selected a health plan.

There are two weeks left to sign up for individual coverage in the new insurance marketplace. Open enrollment started Oct. 1 and ends March 31. “This is a historic threshold for our exchange, for the state of California and for the nation,” Peter Lee, executive director at Covered California, said in a news release. “It speaks to the immense need for the Affordable Care Act and the millions of people who have been waiting for affordable coverage.”

More here

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@petesouza: President Obama with President Abbas following meeting at the White House

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Reuters: Russian Government Admits Economy In Crisis As Ukraine Weighs

Russia’s government acknowledged for the first time on Monday that the economy was in crisis, undermining earlier attempts by officials to suggest albeit weakening growth could weather sanctions over Ukraine. Moscow markets wait to see the full scale of western measures over the seizure of Ukraine’s Crimea and support of its referendum to join Russia, after losing billions of dollars in recent weeks in state and corporate money.

For weeks, Russian officials have said the confrontation between Moscow and the West over Ukraine that threatens economic sanctions and asset freezes would “weigh on the economy”. Although not speaking directly about the impact from the conflict, Deputy Economy Minister Sergei Belyakov said on Monday the economy was in trouble. “The economic situation shows clear signs of a crisis,” Belyakov told a local business conference.

More here

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Reuters: Defiant Putin Signs Treaty Making Crimea Part Of Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin, defying Ukrainian protests and Western sanctions, on Tuesday signed a treaty making Crimea part Russia but said he did not plan to seize any other regions of Ukraine. In a fiercely patriotic address to a joint session of the Russian parliament in the Kremlin, punctuated by standing ovations, cheering and tears, Putin lambasted the West for what he called hypocrisy. Western nations had endorsed Kosovo’s independence from Serbia but now denied Crimeans the same right, he said.

“You cannot call the same thing black today and white tomorrow,” he declared to stormy applause, saying Western partners had “crossed the line” over Ukraine and behaved “irresponsibly”. He said Ukraine’s new leaders, in power since the overthrow of pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovich last month, included “neo-Nazis, Russophobes and anti-Semites”. Putin said Crimea’s disputed referendum vote on Sunday, held under Russian military occupation, had shown the overwhelming will of the people to be reunited with Russia after 60 years as part of the Ukrainian republic.

More here

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Paul Waldman: What The Obamacare Enrollment Numbers Mean

The Obama administration announced late yesterday that 800,000 people have signed up for new health insurance so far in March. That brings the total under the Affordable Care Act to over 5 million and makes it likely that 6 million will have enrolled by March 31, the last day to sign up before getting a fine. That 6 million number would meet a projection made by the Congressional Budget Office. So what are we to make of those numbers? To a degree, targets like these are arbitrary when we’re judging the law’s success. It isn’t as though we’ll say that if 5,999,999 people signed up by the end of the month then the law has failed, while if 6,000,001 sign up then it has succeeded.

Nor does that number include the millions of people who have been enrolled in Medicaid, many of whom are getting health coverage for the first time. And the number of people signed up will continue to rise, particularly since the fines are quite small in the first year but get larger over time. But it’s worth remembering that for all the time we spend gaming out the political winners and losers of Obamacare, there are real people’s lives at stake. The law isn’t going to be repealed, something Republicans know as well as Democrats. For all its complications and the difficulty of implementation, the ACA has already done an extraordinary amount of good for those millions of people. If Republicans took their newfound concern for (some) people’s access to health care and used it to actually work to make the law work as well as possible, millions more might be helped as well. If only.

More here

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Antoni Slodkowski: Japan To Impose Sanctions On Russia For Crimea Move

Japan will suspend talks on investment pact and relaxation of visa requirements as part of sanctions against Russia after Moscow recognized Crimea as a sovereign state, top government spokesman said on Tuesday. “Japanese government does not recognize a referendum in Crimea,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, adding that the referendum had no legal force as it was in breach of Ukraine’s constitution. “The recognition of Crimean independence by Russia violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is regrettable,” he told a regular news conference.

More here

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costs_of_for-profit_colleges

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Danny Vinik: Obama Is Cracking Down On For-Profit Colleges – And Liberals Should Applaud Him For It

The Department of Education released the final draft of its proposed rule on Friday to ensure that for-profit colleges offer post-graduation employment opportunities for their students that leave them capable of paying back their student loans. The rule, known as the “gainful employment” regulation, represents the culmination of a three-year fight with the industry, which successfully challenged a previous version of the rules in court.

The administration believes that the new regulation, which will first go through a 60-day public comment period, can now withstand a court challenge. And that’s a good thing once you understand what the changes will do and why they’re necessary. Students at for-profit colleges drop out at an alarming rate and those that do graduate have much higher levels of debt than students in public and private non-profit colleges. For-profits also receive a substantial share of their revenue—more than 80 percent to be exact—from loans and grants from the federal government.

More here

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AP: Biden Says More Sanctions Coming For Russia

Denouncing Russia’s actions in Crimea as nothing more than a “land grab,” Vice President Joe Biden warned Russia on Tuesday that the U.S. and Europe will impose further sanctions as Moscow seeks to annex the Ukrainian territory. Meeting with anxious European leaders in neighboring Poland, Biden said the world sees through Russia’s actions. He said virtually the entire world rejects the referendum in Crimea that cleared the way for Russia to annex the peninsula in Ukraine.

“The world has seen through Russia’s actions and has rejected the flawed logic,” Biden said. Biden, who arrived Tuesday morning in Warsaw, said the U.S. joins Poland and the international community in condemning the continuing assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty, calling it a blatant violation of international law.

More here

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AP: UK Suspends Military Cooperation With Russia

British Foreign Secretary William Hague says the U.K. is suspending military cooperation with Russia in light of the crisis over Ukraine. Speaking shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty to annex Crimea from neighboring Ukraine, Hague told British lawmakers on Tuesday that it is regrettable that Putin is choosing a path of isolation in the annexation of Crimea and denying Russian and Crimean citizens of a partnership with the international community. Hague said the U.K. is suspending military export licenses to Russia, has canceled naval exercises and suspended a proposed Royal Navy ship visit to Russia.

More here

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Sahil Kapur: 45 Religious Orgs Back ‘Universal Access To Contraception’

Forty-five nationally known religious organizations want the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare’s requirement that employer insurance plans cover birth control without co-pays, calling it a “moral good.” “As religious leaders, we support universal access to contraception,” leaders of the groups said in a joint statement Monday. “We believe that all persons should be free to make personal decisions about their reproductive lives, their health

and the health of their families that are informed by their culture, faith tradition, religious beliefs, conscience, and community.” “No single religious voice can speak for all faith traditions on contraception, nor should government take sides on religious differences,” they said. “We call on our government to respect the beliefs and values of everyone’s faith by safeguarding equal access to contraception for those whose conscience leads them to use it.”

More here

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Six Years Ago Today:

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On This Day:

Sen. Barack Obama at a fundraising event in Denver on March 18, 2007

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President Obama signs books at the Costa Mesa Town Hall at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., March 18. 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama shakes hands with audience members following a town hall meeting in Costa Mesa, California on March 18, 2009

President Obama and Senior Advisor David Axelrod depart an event at the Costa Mesa Town Hall at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., March 18, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama arrives to sign the Hire Act in the Rose Garden of the White House, March 18, 2010

President Obama, backed my Members of Congress, signs the Hire Act in the Rose Garden of the White House, March 18, 2010

President Obama checks his BlackBerry as he walks along the Colonnade to the Oval Office, March 18, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama discusses health care reform during a meeting with senior advisors in the Oval Office, March 18, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha Obama walk across Lafayette Park on their way to services at St. John’s Church on March 18, 2012

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President Obama arrives at the Women’s History Month Reception in the East Room of the White House with First Lady Michelle Obama, March 18, 2013

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110 Responses to “Rise and Shine”

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  1. 1 sabreen60
    March 18, 2014 at 10:29 am

    GM/Evening Ms. Chips and TODers!

  2. 4 Nerdy Wonka
    March 18, 2014 at 10:30 am

  3. 6 Chipsticks
    March 18, 2014 at 10:33 am

    A completely wonderful round-up Nerdy, newstastic – thank you legend!!

  4. 11 collegekay
    March 18, 2014 at 10:37 am

    Wow at those pictures from 2007. The presidency has aged him so much. He’s still gorgeous though.

    Thanks for the awesomely newsie R&S, NW.

    • 12 Nerdy Wonka
      March 18, 2014 at 10:57 am

      Thanks, CK.

      Yeah, you’re right. He does wear the presidency on his face, very well. He looks distinguished.

    • 14 anniebella
      March 18, 2014 at 11:02 am

      With all the B.S. he has had to deal with from the disgusting Republicans, I’m surprise he isn’t looking like a 72 year old instead of a 52 year old. And when you include all the headaches that comes with being President. Having to bring this country back from the disaster G.W. Bush lefted it in, having to end wars Bush started, dealing with weak-knee Democrats, and the sorry ass media.

    • 16 MightyPamela
      March 18, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      My thoughts exactly, CK, he looks so odd with all that black hair!! Funny how we grow alongside each other, becoming accustomed to natural and consequential change! IMHO, 😳 PBO grows only more and more handsome and distinguished as the demands on him increase, he seems to be thriving, whereas we have seen other presidents fade and bend from the pressure. Fascinating man, our PBO

  5. 17 Judith Fardig
    March 18, 2014 at 10:37 am

    NW – This R&S is awesome, but I will never catch up from being off the grid the past few days for my daughter’s birthday weekend. Thanks NW and Chips and others for keeping the homefires burning at TOD. I did see that 57&Female posted her ACA story. Such a relief!

  6. 18 lovelyplains
    March 18, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Congrats, Sabreen! Wonderful R&S NW!

    The ‘special relationship’ has been compromised by one side that is no longer sure of who it is

    “Dean Acheson remarked in the 1950s that Britain lost an empire and had not yet found a role. For the next half-century it found a niche as America’s global lieutenant – harnessing its influence in Washington to punch above its weight elsewhere. Events in Crimea over the past three weeks have underlined how fast even that is fading. Once America’s “go-to” ally, the UK is not even third on today’s priority list. When it comes to handling Vladimir Putin, Germany, France and even Poland rank ahead of David Cameron’s government in Washington.

    The most visible change is in the shrinking size of UK defence spending. The US might be cutting the size of its army but it still has almost 600,000 in uniform. At 102,000, the British army is far smaller than the US marine corps. And it is set to fall to just 82,000 next year, which is barely larger than America’s special forces. Following the principle of having three personnel at home to one in the field, this means Britain can only sustain 20,000 soldiers on the battlefront for a short period of time. For longer deployments, such as Afghanistan, 10,000 will be the limit. If the best the UK can do is to police Helmand province in Afghanistan or Basra in Iraq – and even then, not very well – its influence in Washington is unlikely to recover…..

    “…..To the extent this further alienates continental Europe from the UK, it also undercuts the latter’s clout in Washington. Under Margaret Thatcher, Britain helped shape – and even drive – the EU’s economic integration. Under Mr Cameron, it prefers to carp from the sidelines. Last year Phil Gordon, President Barack Obama’s adviser on Europe, caused a fracas in the UK by saying it was in America’s interest to see Britain strongly participating in the EU. He was right then and would be even more so today. Alas, Mr Cameron pushed ahead with plans to hold an in/out referendum in 2017, if his Conservative party was elected. Until recently, Americans have paid little attention to September’s Scottish referendum on independence from the UK. Those who have believe the Scots will probably decide against it. That remains to be seen: Scottish nationalists still have five months to change the poll numbers. But America’s sense of a timeless Britain anchored firmly in its own identity is no longer taken for granted. From a distance, the UK’s destiny is starting to look wobbly. Can you depend on a “special relationship” with an ally that is no longer sure of who it is?…….”

    • 19 carolyn
      March 18, 2014 at 11:37 am

      That particular article on the UK is behind a paywall, so thank you for bringing this part of it to us.
      My one thought is, if Poland is now more influential with the U.S. than Britain, we have entered an Alice in Wonderland world. Except, I think back to how Poland’s troops, led by Kosciusko helped us in the Revolution.
      This state of affairs just shows how fluid world situations are.

    • 23 99ts
      March 18, 2014 at 6:59 pm

      The article attacks Tony Blair for what he has done since he left office – making money through lobbying and speech making – like MOST ex US politicians. I blame Tony Blair for what he did while in office – supporting GWB and the lies about those weapons.

      The UK is tired of war – that seems to be what this article is complaining about. They fought their war in Crimea in the 1850s – not going there again.

  7. 24 amk for obama
    March 18, 2014 at 10:41 am

    who is mike mcfaul?

  8. 29 hopefruit2
    March 18, 2014 at 10:48 am

    G’morning Nerdy, Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone and congrats Sabreen on #1! 🙂 Thanks NW for another excellent compilation of pics, tweets, videos, news and ACA-related info. I will definitely tune in later this afternoon for the medal awards ceremony!!

  9. 30 lovelyplains
    March 18, 2014 at 10:51 am

    A cool, new, free app that prevents websites tracking/selling your info w/o your knowledge. Speed up you browser as well (TOD is 3x faster for me) If you have time watch the 15min ’60 minutes’ piece included in the link…… it will shock you! ……pass along to your friends & family:

    • 31 Chipsticks
      March 18, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Thanks a million for this LP, Amk was saluting you earlier! I tried it out last night and the difference was just amazing, but I need to learn how to tweak it because it was stopping me doing a few things! Will read up on the options. Thank you again!

      • 32 Nerdy Wonka
        March 18, 2014 at 11:00 am

        See? That’s why I’m hesitant to install all these apps that promise this and that. I’m wary of them interfering with something in my laptop and preventing me from doing the work I need to do.

        Plus, I have a Mac and Apple protects their products pretty rigorously and my internet connection is ridiculously fast. Sooo….I’m all, hmmm….

        • 33 Chipsticks
          March 18, 2014 at 11:03 am

          It did make a huge difference though, my internet connection is uppy downy and some sites are very slow to load, including this one 😳 My laptop is a MacBook pro too, but I think I got a dud – I’ve had all kinds of problems with it, ridiculously sluggish. Everyone else on the planet who has the same machine has NO problems. Grr.

          • 34 Nerdy Wonka
            March 18, 2014 at 11:09 am

            Thanks, Chips. I guess it’s on an individual case by case then. I recently upgraded to OS X Mavericks and everything is even more faster than it was on the operating system before Mavericks.

            Since I have no complaints with the speed and internet connection of my Mac, I’m not going to install the app. Saves me any extra stress in the long run since Mac products are expensive when you visit the Apple store for any repairs.

            Sorry about your Mac. I sympathize. I know how expensive it can be to fix anything that goes wrong.

            THEY’VE GOT US IN THEIR CLAWS. 😀

            • 35 Chipsticks
              March 18, 2014 at 11:15 am

              Yes they do!! 😆 I noticed a big improvement too with Mavericks …. but then my ‘puter starting freezing every so often. I definitely got a dud, and the flippin’ thing nearly cost more than my home. I need to call them back and get this sorted!

          • 36 amk for obama
            March 18, 2014 at 11:09 am

            yeah, blame the dance floor.

          • 37 meta
            March 18, 2014 at 11:11 am

            Have you taken it to a Genius Bar? They really know how to analyze and clear out what may be slowing you down. Totally worth the time and effort.

            • 38 Chipsticks
              March 18, 2014 at 11:13 am

              Hiya Meta, I rang them about it months ago and they told me to leave it in to a place and they would check it out ….. do you think I ever got around to doing it? 😳 Stoopid. It’s just it would be such a pain to be without it for a few days, I use it for work, but I should have done it. Grr. Might get around to it one day!

              • 39 meta
                March 18, 2014 at 11:16 am

                Oh, I wouldn’t leave it either. I just made an appt and showed up and the cool guy went through his schtick while I watched and waited. It only took about 20 mins but he really found all the stuff that was jamming me up.

                Also, you work too much!

                • 40 Chipsticks
                  March 18, 2014 at 11:19 am

                  “you work too much!”

                  Meta, if my boss saw that he would need his sides restitched 😕

                  Ah, I definitely need to find one of those cool guys. My niece almost punches me now when I complain about it, her not unreasonable response is:

                  “WHY THE FLIPPIN’ HECK DIDN’T YOU BRING IT IN TO BE FIXED AS THEY FLIPPIN’ TOLD YOU TO DO?!?!?!”

        • 41 MightyPamela
          March 18, 2014 at 2:20 pm

          I am taking my cues from the info you intelligent provide for me. I have all apple/Mac, and am hesitant to add stuff unless/until I really comprehend what it’s going to do, and if it’s a benefit or a deficit. Thank you for the feedback.

          • 42 Nerdy Wonka
            March 18, 2014 at 2:35 pm

            Since you have all Apple/Mac products and if they are all working efficiently, I say, don’t add the app. Why borrow trouble when you don’t need it? Apple protects its products very, very well and if your internet service is working very well for you, then I don’t see the need for an app that promises this and that and this and that.

            I have Apple/Mac products and my laptop is working perfectly well. I recently upgraded to OS X Mavericks and it’s even faster than the operating system that came before Mavericks. That was an Apple approved upgrade.

            I say, don’t add apps you may not need and that will interfere with your browsing and work you need to do when your Apple products are working just fine.

      • 43 lovelyplains
        March 18, 2014 at 11:08 am

        My pleasure, Chips! I had a bit of a learning curve as well……. make sure you are in “list view” not “visual page”(it does show a cool spider web of everything attempting to track you) anything in Green is blocked…….so for TOD I clicked on the ‘twitter icon’ so you can see tweets in comments……… the other thing you may want to uncheck is under “content” …….the Google box-blocks all Youtube Videos, ‘Automattic’ ex.37 requests—-> that blocks everyone’s Gravitar(if you log in w/ a WP account) and also blocks notifications. I kept Advertising, Analytics, Social (above) Content all blocked. On the top toolbar Google/Facebook is blocked(i.e. Green) only Twitter is (Grey/unchecked) let me know if you have any other questions…… everytime you uncheck something it will reload this thread, and you can check to see what % faster the page is loading by just moving the mouse over (Time saved/Bandwith Saved)

        • 44 Chipsticks
          March 18, 2014 at 11:11 am

          Ah, excellent tips LP! I was sitting there like an eejit (hush, Amk) wondering if checking things blocked or unblocked them – in the end, I kinda blocked the entire internet. Will follow your tips and play around with the settings. Thank yooooooou!

        • 45 MightyPamela
          March 18, 2014 at 2:22 pm

          Oh dear, now I am drooling in my idiocy..

          • 46 lovelyplains
            March 18, 2014 at 2:25 pm

            Lets turn that frown upside down……… did you try the APP? What questions do you have…… I have to run out for a minute but am happy to walk you through any process if you like when I get back shortly 🙂

  10. 47 Nerdy Wonka
    March 18, 2014 at 10:52 am

  11. 48 57andfemale
    March 18, 2014 at 10:57 am

    “A few days ago I was in physical pain, direct suffering that doesn’t yield to argument, and now I’m not, and the reason I’m not is that the Democrats swept the 2008 elections and enacted this incrementalist half-measure. ”

    It’s dkos but the kind of story we must tell over and over:

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/03/17/1285540/-My-experience-with-Obamacare

  12. 50 amk for obama
    March 18, 2014 at 11:08 am

  13. 58 Nerdy Wonka
    March 18, 2014 at 11:16 am

  14. 59 amk for obama
    March 18, 2014 at 11:19 am

  15. 60 amk for obama
    March 18, 2014 at 11:19 am

  16. 62 amk for obama
    March 18, 2014 at 11:20 am

  17. 64 amk for obama
    March 18, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Now to ruffle some feathers, while I go off to watch die hard and zzzzzz.

  18. 76 hopefruit2
    March 18, 2014 at 11:26 am

  19. 77 Dakota
    March 18, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Good Morning TOD Family!

    Mostly lurking these days. Made a trip to Cali…wedding preparations. (My opinion of daughter’s fiance hasn’t changed…at least we don’t live in the same state!)

    Thank you Chips and NW for the great posts…so very happy for these veteran’s and their families. Forgive the understatement, but President Obama is an amazing human being. We must continue to pray for him each and every day.

    I’d like to send my sincere condolences to symmetry on loss of her mother. Peace and Blessings.

  20. 82 vetivera24
    March 18, 2014 at 11:34 am

    Good morning all. Thanks for a lovely informative and pictorial rise and shine. Love to start my day with a smiling PBO.

  21. 83 Chipsticks
    March 18, 2014 at 11:35 am

  22. 84 dotster3
    March 18, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Education is key———as both Obamas have tried to make clear…….

  23. 85 hopefruit2
    March 18, 2014 at 11:42 am

  24. 86 57andfemale
    March 18, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Oh my GOD! I got caught up on Cosmos last night. This show is freaking AWESOME!!!!!!!!

    • 87 Nerdy Wonka
      March 18, 2014 at 11:53 am

      It’s the best.

      I was looking for something to fill the time slot after the amazing True Detective, and Cosmos does that and more. It’s mind blowing.

  25. 88 dotster3
    March 18, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Laughing with my Ct. daughter about their excursion to a St. Pat’s parade in New Haven which turned out to be an “educational” experience—–her 2 kids—-my grands—–learned the term “paddy wagon” and got to see it in action. 🙂 (hope that’s not a derogatory term) Anyhoo—–she said she may have been a tad naïve in thinking this would be a nice little family outing to watch a parade, kids were all geared out in their green etc.—–but——shocker!—–it turned out to be a big exposure to all kinds of folks in extreme overserved mode. It got pretty gross and then someone shouted, “Here comes the paddy wagon!” and kids asked, “What’s a paddy wagon?” And then they got to see it in action—–daughter trying to shield poor kids’ innocent eyes, especially when one guy who misplaced his pants and underwear was being stuffed in the wagon. An unforgettable fam event for one and all. They were even interviewed by the local paper because, my daughter surmised, they were the only ones still upright and coherent at the event.

  26. 91 hopefruit2
    March 18, 2014 at 12:07 pm

  27. 93 JER
    March 18, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    LIVE NOW: Helicopter Crash In Washington State – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml

    2 confirmed dead, 37yo man taken to Harborview in critical condition.

    • 94 Dakota
      March 18, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      This so upsets me. A helicopter crashed into a house 5 houses down from ours when I was 11 years old. It was gruesome and I never really got over it. May they rest in peace.

  28. 95 Chipsticks
    March 18, 2014 at 12:11 pm

  29. 98 Bobfr (@Our4thEstate)
    March 18, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    HEADS UP …..

  31. 102 Nena20409
    March 18, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    Hello TOD. Good Afternoon.

    BBL

  32. 104 Bobfr (@Our4thEstate)
    March 18, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    More geo-political (geo-military) reality for Putin …

    “While the sea-port of Sevastopol has been lauded for its strategic importance as the only warm water port in the Black Sea Russia controls, restriction to it would be a self-made prison. Russian activity in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean is dependent on this passage to Crimea, and restriction would cut off arms shipments between Russia and the Syrian port in Tartus, as as well as lucrative arms deals with Egypt. As Amatzia Baram of Haaretz writes, “for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Sevastopol port is indirectly the key to Syria and perhaps to Egypt and the entire Mediterranean in the future.””

    Turkey Warns Russia it Will Blockade Bosphorus if Violence Occurs

    http://ukrainianpolicy.com/turkey-warns-russia-it-will-blockade-bosphorus/

    Have no doubt that Turkey will act.

  33. 105 Bobfr (@Our4thEstate)
    March 18, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    Welcome to ‘freedom’ ….

  34. 106 Chipsticks
    March 18, 2014 at 12:30 pm

  35. 109 Bobfr (@Our4thEstate)
    March 18, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    UN General Assembly is to meet on 20 March 2014 to take up the situation in Ukraine, possibly with a resolution that Russia cannot veto (veto right only applies to UN Security Council resolutions and other UNSC actions).

    After the escalation today, will not surprise me if that meeting is held earlier and if the UNSC will hold another session, soon.


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