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Today
2:10: The President meets with Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa
5:40: Hosts a reception for Greek Independence Day
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Rest in Peace, Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) pic.twitter.com/PzfB0XwO9V
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 4, 2014
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Paul Krugman: Rube Goldberg Survives
Holy seven million, Batman! The Affordable Care Act, a k a Obamacare, has made a stunning comeback from its shambolic start. As the March 31 deadline for 2014 coverage approached, there was a surge in applications at the “exchanges” — the special insurance marketplaces the law set up. And the original target of seven million signups, widely dismissed as unattainable, has been surpassed.
But what does it mean? That depends on whether you ask the law’s opponents or its supporters. You see, the opponents think that it means a lot, while the law’s supporters are being very cautious. And, in this one case, the enemies of health reform are right. This is a very big deal indeed.
Of course, you don’t find many Obamacare opponents admitting outright that 7.1 million and counting signups is a huge victory for reform. But their reaction to the results — It’s a fraud! They’re cooking the books! — tells the tale. Conservative thinking and Republican political strategy were based entirely on the assumption that it would always be October, that Obamacare’s rollout would be an unremitting tale of disaster. They have no idea what to do now that it’s turning into a success story.
More here
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By 2017, #Obamacare will cover 36 million grateful Americans. http://t.co/wT4PcJymHq pic.twitter.com/AvTtd2QgQ8 #ACAWorks #ThanksObama
— Wisdom Rocks (@GetWisdomDude) April 3, 2014
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‘The Right Is Wrong Again: Obamacare Hits 7 Million Enrollment Goal’ pic.twitter.com/65d962ZydD
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 4, 2014
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Politicususa: Harry Reid Completely Hammers Mitch McConnell On Obamacare Success In Kentucky
During a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) tore into Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) regarding the success story that the Affordable Care Act has been in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky. Days after it was revealed that the number of people who signed up for private insurance plans on the state and federal exchanges under Obamacare exceeded the administration’s goals, Reid pointed out some basic facts in regards to the health care law’s effect in Kentucky.
More here
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Revealed: GWB’s painting. pic.twitter.com/ijWQxWVSQl
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 4, 2014
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‘Minimalist – George Bush’ pic.twitter.com/jdHuMqUvrq
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 4, 2014
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Steve Benen: Job market continues to show signs of life
After discouraging monthly job reports in December and January, there were broad concerns about which way the job market was headed. Would it remain stuck or start to bounce back?
The latest evidence seems to suggest the latter. In fact, the new report from Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the U.S. economy added 192,000 jobs in March, roughly in line with economists’ expectations. The unemployment rate remained the same at 6.7%.
For the second consecutive month, public-sector layoffs did not drag down the overall employment figures. Though jobs reports over the last few years have shown monthly government job losses, in March, the private sector added 192,000 while the public sector broke even.
More here
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Obama something something impeach! RT @CNNMoney: Dow and S&P 500 open at record highs following a solid jobs report. http://t.co/drXxbImkPt”
— BWD (@theonlyadult) April 4, 2014
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Michael Grunwald: Republicans Want Us To Be Europe
The party that talks the most about the dangers of America going Continental is the one dead set on making it happen. When it comes to economics, the GOP is the party of croissants and lederhosen
The basic Republican critique of President Obama is that he’s Europeanizing America. In the last campaign, Mitt Romney claimed Obama “takes his inspiration from the capitals of Europe.” Paul Ryan warned “we will turn out just like Europe if we stick with European policies.” Europe’s continuing economic stagnation—12 percent unemployment, near deflation, tepid growth—is certainly an unattractive model for the United States. You can see why conservative cartoonists like to draw Obama in a beret.
But the policies that created the mess in Europe are not Obama’s policies. They are the policies—especially tight money and fiscal austerity—that Republicans have pushed for America. And where economics is concerned, the GOP is still the party of croissants and lederhosen.
More here
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No way on God’s green earth wld any white President be snubbed by the media for primetime airing on an accomplishment of healthcare reform. — 3ChicsPolitico (@3ChicsPolitico) April 3, 2014
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#ShameOnNetworkNews @ABC @CBS @NBC You don’t deny the President of the United States when he wants 2 address the Nation #7MillionAndCounting
— Donna NoShock (@NoShock) April 3, 2014
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TPM: TV Networks Denied Obama Airtime To Tout Obamacare Enrollment
The White House reportedly wanted to put President Barack Obama on primetime television Tuesday to tout Obamacare’s 7 million enrollees — but network TV officials denied him the airtime.
BuzzFeed had the scoop, citing three sources with knowledge of the request. Details of the request are unclear from the report, but it appears that the White House was seeking primetime space on broadcast TV networks.
More here
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Someone who isn’t blocked by @markknoller should ask him when was the last time @CBS denied POTUS request for prime time address. — BWD (@theonlyadult) April 3, 2014
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@chucktodd You’re the political director. Tell me when your network refused another PRESIDENT airtime to discuss a law. DISGUSTING!!!!
— LiberalPhenom (@LiberalPhenom) April 3, 2014
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NYT: After Push by Obama, Minimum-Wage Action Is Moving to the States
The more President Obama talks about the need to raise the federal minimum wage, the less likely it appears that Republicans in Congress are inclined to do it.
But the stalemate matters less and less. In the last 14 months, since Mr. Obama first called for the wage increase in his 2013 State of the Union address, seven states and the District of Columbia have raised their own minimum wages, and 34 states have begun legislative debates on the matter. Activists in an additional eight states are pursuing ballot referendums this year to demand an increase in wages for their lowest-paid workers.
More here
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Read the facts about the Kochs’ radical agenda: http://t.co/TwbsEaU6it
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) April 3, 2014
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Charles Pierce: The Cri De Koch
…. Anybody who had any doubts about whether or not the Kochs have imbibed fully their father’s devotion to the old Birchite view of things can rest easy, This is something out of the collected works of John Stormer, the stuff that was supposed to have died in conservatism with the end of the Goldwater campaign. None Dare Call It Antiquated. But, if you have more money than God and Solomon, you can bring even the most decomposed ideology back to life, I guess.
…..Koch: “….. Those in power fail to see that more government means less liberty, and liberty is the essence of what it means to be American. Love of liberty is the American ideal.”
Says the gentleman who’s poured more millions into voter-suppression efforts all over the country. Again, all done out of altruism and in the name of saving America from the tyranny of clean air and insurance-friendly health-care reform. If I’m Harry Reid, I keep pounding on these guys. The public butthurt is getting quite entertaining.
Full post here
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The shooter Muslim? He’s a terrorist! He Latino? Tougher immigration laws, please! Was he white? Aw, needed medical help. 😦 #FortHood
— Josh Shahryar (@JShahryar) April 3, 2014
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ThinkProgress: Why The Fort Hood Shooter Was Able To Purchase A Gun Despite Serious Mental Health Issues
A gunman identified as 34-year-old Iraq War veteran Ivan Lopez opened fire at the Fort Hood military base in Killeen, Texas on Wednesday, reportedly killing three service members before committing suicide. Officials reported that Lopez was being treated for several mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, and was being screened for possible Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But despite his ongoing treatment, Lopez wasn’t barred from owning a gun. In fact, he recently purchased the .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol that he used during Wednesday’s shooting spree.
More here
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What it takes to get action against a corporate wrongdoer: 8 deaths http://t.co/wZLhe4zf3P
— Michael Hiltzik (@hiltzikm) April 3, 2014
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ThinkProgress: Stand Your Ground Is About To Get Even Worse In Florida
Attempts to roll back any of the Florida Stand Your Ground law’s most incendiary elements have foundered more than two years after the death of Trayvon Martin. But a bill to expand the law passed Thursday, mere months after it was introduced. The National Rifle Association-backed bill would expand Stand Your Ground-like protections to those who point a gun at an attacker or fire a gun as a self-defense threat or warning, expanding the scope of the discretion judges and juries retain to exempt shooters from criminal charges for gun violence. The final bill also includes a provision to keep Stand Your Ground records secret. More here
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PHOTOS – #Obama brings #minimumwage populism and campaign-style energy to Ann Arbor (by @Anne_Savage) http://t.co/BDWiXSueMA #POTUSatUMich — Chris Savage (@Eclectablog) April 3, 2014
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On This Day
President Obama’s personal aide Reggie Love, left, and White House physician Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman check their notes as they travel in the Presidential motorcade April 4, 2009 in Strasbourg, France (Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama smiles before boarding Marine One helicopter from a field overlooking the iconic golden gate bridge in San Francisco, California, on April 4, 2013
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MoooOOOooorning – Happy Friday!
The Obama Diary 
Good morning TOD
Moooooorning Mariele, moooooorning everyone!
Congrats Mariele! Great way to start a beautiful Friday!
Happy Friday TODville!!!
Morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dems are LIVE on the Ryan budget:
http://www.dems.gov/live/
Good morning everyone. Had to go back to read this great R&S! Chips, thanks for the wonderful round up. We know where to come for the real news.
Ah, thank yoooooou Marilyn!!
Goooood mooorrrnninnngggg, Chips!
Thank you for another great set of memories. WOW, as the days go by, we see just how far and wide our POTUS has traveled and how much progress we’ve made in these times.
Mooooooooooorning Meta!!! Turns out lots of my faves are from April 4!
Heh, mine, tooooo! You’re so sweeeeet. Where he lands there is one of the most breathtaking areas of SF, so I’m pleased that he has that moment to take it all in each time. I have this fantasy that Malia goes to Stanford and they have a little place in the hills just north of here. Hee.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/04/a-most-revealing-week-for-republicans.html
If you haven’t done so yet, I urge you to take three minutes here with me to reflect on this unusually revealing week. Three big developments—the Obamacare enrollment deadline, the Paul Ryan budget, and the Supreme Court’s McCutcheon decision—return us to first principles, so to speak; remind us of what our two parties (and the philosophical positions behind them) are really and truly about. And they remind me, at least, of why the Republican Party, on a very basic level, can’t ever be truthful with the American people about what matters to it most at the end of the day.
So what is it that matters most to the Republican Party? A lot of things do, and for different Republicans, the answer will be different: abhorrence of abortion, disgust at social relativism, hatred of big government. These things matter. But they don’t, in my view, matter most. What matters most, especially to elected Republicans in Washington (that is, more so than the rank-and-file), is this: Protect the well-off from redistribution of their wealth to those who don’t deserve it.
Great article DF. Thanks for always finding these great posts! Hope you have a great day.
Thank you:) You too, mtmarilyn!!
And I would add
those who speak of abhorrence of abortion are simply speaking of a desire to control women
those who have disgust about social relativism have no idea as to the joy and love of family – all family – any family
those who have a hatred of big government usually receive much of their income/wealth via that government – directly or indirectly.
None of the above are relevant to the point of the article – yet the article has to allow them because “both sides”. When the media can say the goal of the GOP is to “Protect the well-off from redistribution of their wealth to those who don’t deserve it.” and not give excuses or claim the GOP has any other mission in life – then the media can reclaim it’s place in democracy.
We know that this economy would be alot stronger if Nancy Pelosi were still Speaker of the House. I’m so glad to see Mr. Favreau sees that too. You would expect Robert Gibbs would be on tv saying things like that, but it seem he has turn against this administration. The only thing the Republicans want to do is keep this economy struggling and then blame Obama for it. Boehner have the dam nerve to talk about where are the jobs and as leader of the House he hasn’t done a dam thing about creating jobs. I guess when you are speaker in name only you can’t do anything even if you wanted too. It is clear that the Republicans strategy has been to sabotage and obstruct. My hope is that the people aren’t stupid enough to believe these Republicans.
WORD.
GM NW….
This is my favorite quote by DR King…..
Pbo has shown this measure time and time again….
Thank you Nerdy Wonka for sharing this quote from Dr King. His words still challenge to us today!
Christine Romans of CNN was letting us know that the jobs numbers were a disappointment because they were expecting 213,000.
Who are “they” ?
Linda, I don’t know because I turn the tv instead of listen to anymore of Ms. Romans.
Maybe Ms. Romans is really “disappointed” about the [lack of] romance in her life….
I still can’t get over the fact that the Rosie’s had been writing to the White House since the Clinton Years and it took an Obama/Biden administration to at least connect with them and allow them to get the recognition they deserved and get a full week hanging out in DC to boot.
It really is amazing Nospin that they were never invited before, and a complete joy to see how much it meant to them.
Apparently the saying “Good things come to those who wait” was especially relevant in the Rosie’s case! They really got to visit the WH at the BEST time ever!!! 🙂 🙂
For some of the “old timers,” including myself!
Thank you JOB for this. I cry everytime I hear that song.
Her version is the best!
thanks for sharing this!
I never heard her version before
Makes you weep, doesn’t it?
Yes, Indeed, JOB! Thank you for sharing this.
Nancy Smash urging the press to get the word out about how Ryan’s budget really hurts the middle class and is worse than any previous iteration from the GOP.
Can’t trust the media, these days they are working hand in hand with the Republicans.
Great R&S, Chips.
A thousand times THIS.
This country doesn’t give a crap or treat you as a human being with all the burdens that come with it until they identify that you’re white when you shoot someone or commit a bloody massacre. It’s maybe he’s a terrorist because he has a muslim name. Maybe he’s an undocumented immigrant who hates America. Then they find out you’re white and it’s oh, that poor boy. What was his home life like? Did his parents get divorced? Did his parents stop living the millionaire life and he got bumped down to upper middle class? Is he depressed? Is he suffering from anxiety? Oh, his girlfriend dumped him? Oh, so sad. When did he take a wrong turn? Oh, that poor, poor, misunderstood boy.
The faster than the speed of light way media and society’s narratives change when they find out the perpetrator is white is breathtakingly shocking.
Nope. You’re not “misunderstood.” You’re the same as everyone else and your psyche doesn’t deserve greater concern than others who commit the same crime.
x 1,000,000,000,000 Nerdy, every single friggin’ time a shooter is identified as white and/or ‘Christian’ we get this line, it must have been a mental health issue. And often it is, but the same standard is never applied to ‘non-white’ non-Christian killers. It’s disgusting.
^^^ THIS
THIS
I’d like to see that on billboards on every highway in the country, so nobody forgets.
Have you guys seen G.W. Bush paintings? I think I saw the one he painted of the right wing haters President, Putin. I wonder if he painted one of Dick “the torture” Cheney?
GM TODable TODers 😉
In Duluth MN, 3 feet of snow. In My area, over 1 foot of snow. But the sun has shown it’s bright face 🙂 and all will be okay.
Now I will go and catch up from where I stopped last evening.
Home Bound today. TGIF 😉
3 feet of snow Nena? 😦 Keep warm!!
My Typos are getting ridiculous.
Duluth, MN had over 13 inches of snow.
13?! Holy smokes!!!!
Just throwing in a frivolous—-I love Duluth (in the summer time)—–great Dem city——and the awesome drive north from there. –
Is that the BEST West Wing Week video ever or what?
April does bring some fabulous news and pictures (Rise and Shine pictures):
ObamaCare: 7 million and counting.
First Lady Michelle Obama showing the world how fun and appetizing veggies are and being fantastic with the school children. Their delighted faces said it all.
The Rosie’s had an awesome time with President Obama and Vice President Biden.
President Obama showed again why we love him by not ignoring the cop on duty at the Boston Red Sox ceremony and giving him an enthusiastic handshake.
President Obama granting military men and women selfie after selfie after selfie. What a wonderful man.
Thanks, Chiparoo!
Ha, great minds, Nerdy! I just took out the endless selfies bit, it’s a hoot!
Fabulous! The President is ALWAYS in the moment. Love that man!
Thanks, Chips!
Moooooooooooorning Jacqueline!!!
Hello, darlin’! And I’ll add a s–t kickin’ song for you, ’cause I’m in the mood to kick somebody! (Ha. Not really.) (Okay, maybe RWNJs.)
Ooooh, I better watch my ass in case you kick it today!!! 🙂
Ha. Not yours, no worries! Not anybody who loves the Prez! (I’m just so sick of wintry days, I want to take it out on strangers! #FindMeAStranger)
Reminder from Greg Sargent…
Regular reminder: Republicans — who are already tweeting madly about today’s numbers — used to support federal infrastructure spending to create jobs, before Obama was president.
Excellent! Looks like the inside of his brain, also, too.
😆
I shouldn’t laugh but hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
You are so bad, Chips.
And this:
TWEET OF THE DAY, JOBS REPORT EDITION: Courtesy of Steven Dennis: “The federal government has 85,000 fewer employees than a year ago, per BLS.” #Obummer Big Gummint…
Yesterday at the DOJ 2015 budget hearing AG Holder said that the Federal hiring freeze is damaging his ability to get things done. When people leave, they are not replaced……
I know Linda. I saw the AG Holder before the committee. These evil scumbags really want that to happen to the DOJ especially. Sorry people hurting our people and this department in our government. Please keep AG Holder and his entire department in your goodness space. TY. This is very close to my heart because of personal reasons. {{{{{TY, Linda.}}}}}HZ
At the same time as the shrinking of Government desertflower mentions, we are hearing that the need for health care workers is large and growing. Problem—out-of-work people—meet solution.
Does anybody know about the Community health Clinics that the ACA is going to be funding? That may be a good source of jobs at multiple skill levels, not to mention how excellent it would be for healthier communities.
There you go making sense again!
if I am not mistaken, some of the Community Health Clinics have already been constructed – especially in previously under-served low income communities;
at least in my town, the Democratic Mayor has already open two in very poor neighborhoods and has proudly put a plaque that it was funded thanks in large part to the Feds under PBO;
in some areas, the process involves renovating older community health centers and some include with working the Free Clinics organization
One has recently been built in my small rural town. Its getting great reviews and is being well used.
President Obama at Zingerman’s.
Excellent, thank you Nerdy!
G’day mates. I’m heading for “cheesehead” land again to rest myeye. Hopefully amk will take charge of the Naughty mat locker while I’m gone. In the mean time I leave you with this bito’ wisdom. ♥
ENLIGHTENED PERSPECTIVE
They’re written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words.Enjoy……..
I’ve learned…. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I’ve learned…. That when you’re in love, it shows.
I’ve learned…. That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.
I’ve learned…. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I’ve learned…. That being kind is more important than being right.
I’ve learned…. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I’ve learned…. That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
I’ve learned…. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I’ve learned…. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I’ve learned…. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I’ve learned…. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I’ve learned…. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I’ve learned…. That money doesn’t buy class.
I’ve learned…. That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I’ve learned…. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I’ve learned…. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I’ve learned…. That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I’ve learned…. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I’ve learned…. That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I’ve learned…. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I’ve learned… That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
I’ve learned…. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I’ve learned…. That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I’ve learned…. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I’ve learned…. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I’ve learned…. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I’ve learned…. That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.
I’ve learned…. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
I’ve learned…. That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
Have fun! Bring spring back with ya!
Have a blissful break Shipmate, see ya soon!
Thks Admirals. I’ll try to look in once in a while if I can get a wifi connection…..smooches!
🙂 Smooches back at ya!
I love these beautiful life nuggets of wisdom! Thanks, yardarm
“That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life. ”
stay safe sailor & keep this one in mind
Happy Friday, TOD!!! 🙂
Hope you all have a great weekend.
You, too, GoB!
Happy Friday to you too! Hope you are feeling great.
G ❤ B
Happy Friday to you too.
YES!
I now just got to watch President Obama’s Michigans “Addresss”.
And an address it was – he finally got to the point to “address” the Rebuplican *ideology*, so that we can tear down this silly notion of having the top 1% create the jobs for us.
Hurray – let the Reconstruction (of the economical theories) begin !
I know that painting can be soothing. GW Bush stopped drinking so he is painting his Colored Clouded World instead of thinking about the mess he mad of the World and Us in particular?
GW Bush often said that Jesus Christ was his Father. Hmm? If only he had acted a tad Christ-Like?
I have seen some tweets on Peggy N of the NYT. I say ignore her for she has lived out her usefulness. When many tweet and comment about her, that makes her relevant and keeps her circulating and being booked for the Sunday Shows. The same goes for the MoDo. These people live on attention. Without that, they will simply fade away.
Thanks for the R&S Chips. Great work as always.
Now, I have finally gotten my Morning Dose of Information. Thanks.
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/04/04/what-to-do-now/
Thank you Chips . You are such a beautiful soul. I hope that your space will always be filled with so much good and beautifulness in life. You have given me such a joyful gift each day through this beautiful place. {{{{{TY, Chips}}}}}HZ