On This Day: President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder attend the 32nd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on May 15, 2013
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Today (All times Eastern)
9:40 AM: The President and First Lady tour the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, New York City
10:0 AM: The President delivers remarks
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Also at White House Live
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11:20 AM: Depart New York City
12:30 PM: Arrive White House
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A quote from Virgil seen during a press preview of the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center site May 14, 2014 in New York
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Morgan Whitaker: Obamacare Saved Consumers Billions, New Report Finds
A new analysis finds American consumers saved billions in 2011 and 2012 thanks to a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. The report from The Commonwealth Fund released Tuesday finds the medical loss ratio provision, which caps profits for health insurance companies, benefited consumers by about $3 billion over the past two years through a combination of rebates from insurance companies and reduced overhead spending. The law’s provision limits insurance companies to spending a minimum of 80-85% of premiums specifically on treatment and medical costs, rather than overhead and profits.
The rebate receipts sent to consumers hit $1 billion in 2011 and about $500 million in 2012, an indication that insurance providers successfully shifted business models to fit the new spending requirements. In addition to the rebates provided to consumers, insurers reduced profits and spending on general overhead by about $1.4 billion, the report finds. “The medical loss ratio requirement of the Affordable Care Act creates a higher-value insurance product for consumers,” said The Commonwealth Fund President David Blumenthal said in the report. “It ensures that a substantial portion of their premium dollar pays for medical care, as opposed to administrative costs and profits. It also encourages insurers to improve the care their customers receive, by investing in initiatives that will help achieve better outcomes for patients.”
More here
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ABC News: Obama Aide To Oversee VA Review
President Barack Obama is dispatching one of his closest White House advisers to oversee a review of the beleaguered Veterans Affairs Department as the agency grapples with allegations of treatment delays and preventable deaths at a Phoenix veterans hospital. White House deputy chief of staff Rob Nabors will be temporarily assigned to the VA to work on a review focused on policies for patient safety rules and the scheduling of patient appointments, officials said Wednesday. The move signals Obama’s growing concern over problems at the department, particularly recent reports that hospital administrators in Phoenix kept an off-the-books list to conceal long wait times as 40 veterans died waiting to get an appointment. Similar problems have since been reported in other states.
“While we get to the bottom of what happened in Phoenix, it’s clear the VA needs to do more to ensure quality care for our veterans,” Obama said in a statement. “I’m grateful that Rob, one of my most trusted advisers, has agreed to work with Secretary Shinseki to help the team at this important moment.” Despite calls for Shinseki to step down, the White House insists that Obama continues to have confidence in the secretary, a retired four-star Army general. Shinseki said he welcomed Nabors’ help in ensuring veterans have access to timely, quality health care. Though Nabors has kept a low public profile, he is one of Obama’s closest advisers and has played key roles in the president’s fiscal battles with congressional Republicans. Nabors, the son of an Army veteran, was appointed deputy chief of staff following Obama’s re-election and previously served as the president’s chief congressional liaison and deputy budget director.
More here
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Rick Ungar: Who Says Obamacare Is Turning Out To Be Good For The Economy? Goldman Sachs Does, That’s Who!
The news just keeps getting better and better for Obamacare. Marketwatch is reporting that an advisory issued by economic researcher Alec Phillips over at Goldman Sachs reports that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) boosted GDP in the first quarter of 2014 and projects that the same will occur in the second quarter. While Phillips—and other Goldman analysts—had initially been quite skeptical about the impact of the government subsidies provided to the many Americans who will now be able to purchase health insurance, the group has turned a corner and now views the subsidies as a major, beneficial contributor to first quarter numbers and what they project to be second quarter growth of 3.9 percent. Of even greater interest is the explanation provided by the Goldman analyst as to why healthcare spending rose 9.9 percent in the first quarter. Phillips pins the rise not on some undesired side-effect of Obamacare but on the fact that people had money in their pocket to spend on the health of their families as a result of $37 billion boost in personal income—something also projected to continue into the second quarter.
While the U.S. Bureau of Economics had predicted a higher spending figure on healthcare for the first quarter than what turned out to be the case, it is worth noting that the Congressional Budget Office—back when first reviewing the Senate bill to reform healthcare—predicted that we would see such a boost following the first enrollment period of Obamacare. Just because healthcare spending increased substantially in the first quarter does not mean that healthcare prices increased—a detail the GOP hopes you will miss. It simply means that more people were able to get the healthcare they were previously unable to afford; not that those of us who already had access to care had to pay more for that care. Phillips sees the trend continuing, suggesting that the positive effects of Obamacare will boost the economy in 2015 and 2016.
More here
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Katie Lobosco: Washington State Defies Minimum Wage Logic
Raising the minimum wage could lift hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers out of poverty, but it’s also a job killer. Right?
Not so fast. In Washington state, small businesses are adding jobs faster than any other state in the country, according to a report from Paychex and IHS. It’s also the state where minimum wage, at $9.32 per hour, is the highest. The federal minimum wage is just $7.25 an hour, and a battle is raging about whether it should be raised to $10.10. Small businesses, often called the engine of the U.S. economy, find themselves at the heart of the debate. Critics of a wage hike say that raising the minimum wage too high and too fast could put them out of business.
But the report from Paychex and IHS, which measured job additions and layoffs at 350,000 small businesses, could dispute that claim. Not only was Washington the strongest state, San Francisco — with a minimum wage of $10.74, the country’s highest — had the greatest job gains in the past year among cities measured. Washington state has been progressive on the issue for years. The state’s minimum wage rate has been tied to inflation since 1998, and the mayor of Seattle is currently pushing to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15.
More here
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Paulette Brown to Become the First Black Woman President of the American Bar Association forharriet.com/2014/05/paulet…
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For Harriet (@ForHarriet) May 14, 2014****
The Drug War Was the Wrong War - How We Missed the Battlefield by Light-years lgf.bz/1mOSTZr
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Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) May 13, 2014****
Russ Britt: Obamacare Is Good For The Economy, Goldman Sachs Researcher Says
Obamacare is good for the economy? That’s what one venerable Wall Street brokerage is saying. Alec Phillips, economic researcher at Goldman Sachs, said in a note issued late last week to clients that subsidies from the Affordable Care Act boosted gross domestic product during the first quarter and are likely to do the same during the second quarter. Phillips says that he now has a more optimistic view of the second quarter’s GDP growth, with a gain of 3.9% now estimated, and 4.5% annualized growth in real personal consumption.
“While we were initially skeptical of the large estimated effect of the new subsidies on personal income, these now look more reasonable to us in light of revisions, greater enrollment than expected several months ago, and the fact that states are likely contributing to the subsidies on top of the well-known estimates of federal costs,” Phillips said. But the health-care industry won’t be the only one to benefit, Phillips says, as subsidies will free up income for those who had no coverage before, as well as those who had insurance but were paying for it themselves. “Overall, around 40% of the subsidies should find their way to non-health consumption this year,” he wrote.
More here
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‘I told Michelle in 2012 this was my last campaign. She said, hallelujah!’ http://t.co/EiJ1OA00nH pic.twitter.com/ulLdLSDU5C
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) May 15, 2014
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America’s Foremost Dumb Dumb
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William Douglas: McCain: Send U.S. Troops To Rescue Kidnapped Girls In Nigeria
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wants to see more than hashtag messages voicing displeasure over the abduction of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls by the terrorist group Boko Haram. He wants to see U.S. troops go into Nigera and rescue the girls, even if it means doing so without permission from the Nigerian government. ‘If they knew where they were, I certainly would send in U.S. troops to rescue them, in a New York minute I would, without the permission of the host country,’ McCain said Tuesday. Referring to Nigeria’s president, McCain added: ‘I wouldn’t be waiting for some kind of permission from some guy named Goodluck Jonathan.’
Fact check: State Dept. under Hillary Clinton designated leaders of Boko Haram as terrorists: mm4a.org/1s7J2Lq http://t.co/5IktgAlyBT
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Media Matters (@mmfa) May 09, 2014Thus far, the Obama administration has sent a team to Nigeria that includes FBI officials with hostage negotiation skills, five State Department officials, including a team leader, two strategic communications experts, a civiliam security expert and a regional medical support officer. There are also 10 Defense Department planners and advisers who were already in Nigeria and have been instructed to provide support to the kidnapping response, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.
More here
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San Francisco—with a min wage of $10.74, the country's highest—had the greatest job gains last year: goo.gl/0vxYdu #RaiseTheWage
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Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) May 14, 2014****
Breaking: Arkansas Supreme Court dismisses marriage case appeal bc there is no final order, denies stay request. bzfd.it/1jgVNUp
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Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) May 14, 2014****
TPM: Federal Judge Denies Governor’s Motion To Put Idaho Gay Marriages On Hold
A federal magistrate judge has refused to put gay marriages on hold in Idaho pending an appeal from the state’s governor. U.S. District Magistrate Judge Candy Dale wrote Wednesday morning that Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s appeal isn’t likely to succeed, and so there’s no reason to keep same-sex couples from seeking marriage licenses or marrying on Friday. On Tuesday, Dale struck down Idaho’s same-sex marriage ban in response to a lawsuit from four Idaho couples.
Dale said Idaho’s law unconstitutionally denies gay and lesbian couples their fundamental right to marry and wrongly stigmatizes their families. She said the state must start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Friday morning. Gay marriage is legal in 17 states and the District of Columbia.
More here
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#FastFoodGlobal protests Thursday as workers fight for higher wages nbcnews.to/1ltbLGP http://t.co/taWtFghlcM
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NBC News (@NBCNews) May 15, 2014****
Looking forward to lots of conservative tweets about Fox poll showing slightly more think Ocare will be good for country in long run
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Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) May 15, 2014****
Greg Sargent: Time To Revisit Conventional Wisdom About Politics Of Obamacare
The initial conventional wisdom about the Arkansas Senate race — that incumbent Mark Pryor is the nation’s preeminent Dead Dem Walking — is rapidly getting revised in the wake of new polls showing him ahead of GOP Rep. Tom Cotton. So perhaps, in the context of the Arkansas race, it’s also worth revisiting the conventional wisdom that Obamacare is nothing but a hideous liability for Democrats, and can only shower Republicans with political gold from now until election day. One of Senator Pryor’s senior campaign strategists tells me Pryor will not shy away from making the case that the state’s “private option” —
its version of the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare — represents Pryor’s brand of good governance, and that Cotton’s repeal stance is extreme and bad for the state. This is particularly relevant right now, as a fascinating new report from David Ramsey of the Arkansas Times demonstrates. Ramsey reports that the bipartisan private option — which uses Medicaid funds to expand private coverage to 150,000 Arkansans — has become a major issue in several state legislative Republican primaries.
More here
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The Pope read the bible and says it demands a redistribution of wealth thkpr.gs/1ixoKK1
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Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) May 09, 2014****
Dairy Queen CEO: Paying Workers A ‘Fair Wage’ Helps Us thkpr.gs/1kX2ian via
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Steve Wallace (@Stwallace23) May 10, 2014****
Louise Radnofsky: A Washington State Health Insurer Plans To Cut Rates In 2015
An insurer in Washington state selling plans under the Affordable Care Act is proposing to lower customers’ health premiums next year in what appears to be one of the first such decreases proposed for 2015. The proposal by Molina Healthcare Inc. MOH +0.60% was part of a batch of state rate filings released Monday that included Washington and Indiana. While most carriers are seeking increases, Molina’s filing signals that insurers that priced cautiously for 2014 could face pressure to be more competitive in the second full year of the law’s insurance marketplaces. Molina proposed a decrease averaging 6.8% for Washington customers for 2015. It told state regulators in its rate filing that it was betting that people signing up through the insurance exchange were in better health than the carrier previously thought,
and that it anticipated new entrants when the law’s penalties for not carrying coverage grow next year. Molina, a company that historically has focused on managed Medicaid plans, offered some of the most expensive premiums among insurers selling on the Washington exchange in this year. It said it had only about 1,200 members in 2014. Ben Lynam, vice president for Molina’s actuarial pricing, said in an interview that the company had made conservative assumptions for 2014 about the medical claims likely to be incurred by its enrollees, in part because it hadn’t had much previous commercial experience. “With hindsight and looking at what’s going on across the country…we’ve improved those assumptions and lowered our rates in 2015,” he said.
More here
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I've talked a lot about the negative influence of Koch money. At 9:30 am, I’ll offer a solution to the problem. c-span.org/live/?channel=…
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Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) May 15, 2014****
It’s been 321 days since the Senate passed bipartisan Immigration reform. The #TimeIsNow for the House GOP to act. http://t.co/YLI2nEYGwK
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Sen. Barbara Boxer (@SenatorBoxer) May 14, 2014****
Reuters: Jobless Claims Hit Seven-Year Low, Inflation Ticks Up
New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits hit a seven-year low last week while consumer prices recorded their largest increase in 10 months in April, pointing to a firming economy. The economy’s outlook was further brightened by other data on Thursday showing factory activity in New York state expanding at its quickest pace in nearly four years in May. “It conveys the message of solid economic activity. Labor conditions continue to improve and I expect this will be validated by payroll reports over the next few months,” said Anthony Karydakis, chief economic strategist at Miller Tabak in New York.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 24,000 to a seasonally adjusted 297,000, the Labor Department said, offering fresh evidence the jobs market was strengthening. That was the lowest reading since May 2007 and brought claims back to their pre-recession level. Economists had forecast first-time applications ticking up to 320,000 last week. In a second report, the department said its Consumer Price Index increased 0.3 percent last month as food prices rose for a fourth consecutive month and the cost of gasoline surged. The rise in the CPI was the biggest rise since June last year and added to March’s 0.2 percent rise. The combination of a strengthening jobs market and an uptick in inflation pressures should give the Federal Reserve ammunition to continue scaling back its monetary stimulus. However, the U.S. central bank is not expected to start raising overnight interest rates, currently near zero, before the second half of 2015.
More here
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Reuters wants to keep stories under 500 words. Editor takes 1174 to explain why. bit.ly/1lpRCnL
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Sam Jacobs (@sampjacobs) May 12, 2014****
Florida couple fined $746 for crime of feeding homeless people thkpr.gs/1iL77qq http://t.co/buxNJxh7lR
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ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) May 12, 2014****
On This Day
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins gives President Obama a Phillies jersey and autographed baseball while Obama welcomes the 2008 Major League Baseball World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies at the White House, May 15, 2009
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First Lady Michelle Obama addresses Spelman graduates at their May 15, 2011 commencement.
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President Obama and Attorney General Holder attend the 32nd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on May 15, 2013
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President Obama poses with a souvenir jersey as he is flanked by players David Beckham and Landon Donovan, members of the LA Galaxy, Major League Soccer’s Championship team, at the White House, May 15, 2012
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The Obama Diary 
GM!!!!
GM df – congrats on the gold 🙂
Thanks, 99ts:) I had to go back and read all the goodness that is R/S!
I was just doing the same myself – and catching up on the early bird thread – wherein I spent some time talking to a dot. Sigh.
😆
GM, DF and congratulations on your win!
yesssss
Nerdy, you are a LEEEEEEEGGGGGEEEEENNNNND!!! Thank you so much for another exceptional R&S, you’re the best!
Thank you, Chiparooooooooooo.
Morning Nerdy. Great R&S. I’m bringing this over from the last thread.
We had a spectacular example recently of how going too negative can backfire on a candidate, which should serve as a warning to Republicans who think a 100 percent attack focus on the President and his party will work for them in a general election. We have a good candidate for PA governor, Rob McCord, that I and many others supported until he started running vicious attack ads against front runner, Tom Wolf. Rather than hurt Wolf, the ads backfired big time and both McCord’s party support and his polls have plummeted. In the list of things that could hurt Republicans in the fall, I’m adding nastiness because I think that’s their first instinct and the one that most repels middle of the road voters.
I see your point, jackieg.
So Tom Wolf will be Corbetts opponnent? Alison K’s Obamamcare support did or did not matter??
Schwartz…dropped the ball …last summer she started having meetings and events about Obamamcare…and then it seems she just dropped out of sight…..NOW…she decides to run ads about Obamacare and her support for PBO…too little too late….
although Wolf has not made any ads about Health Care…his website states that he would do the Medicaid expansion.
Vicki–Allyson was not that supportive of ObamaCare while in Congress since her pattern was always to triangulate with Rs. Her late term support for ObamaCare was intended to reassure progressives that she was one of them and to capitalize on its success. Those who know her say that’s been a pattern for some time–appeasing Progressives to win and then moving away from them while in office. We won’t know for sure what happens on Tuesday, but Wolf has a double digit lead over his opponents.
Also, Allyson has totally shut out any but the Philadelphia area voters. She did not even send brochures to our county, let alone send a rep.
GM Jackie…..
you are so right….
Good Morning Chips and TOD.
I told Michelle in 2012 this was my last campaign. She said, hallelujah! And then I had to go back to her about six months ago and say, actually, honey, let me amend that. (Laughter.) We’ve got one more campaign. Because if we are going to realize the potential that we have right now, then we’ve got to perform better during these midterm elections. I have to have partners in Congress. I have to have partners in Congress.
Remarks by the President at DSCC Dinner – May 14, 2014. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/14/remarks-president-dscc-dinner-ny-ny
Thank you JER!!
Right Onnnnnnn….Right Onnnnnnn!
Let’s make 2014 the last campaign for potus & flotus by giving them majorities in the house and senate. It will never be the last campaign for us. We have to work hard in electing good quality Dems.
JoJo – right on!
Good morning all.
Ooooo, I love that silhouette!
Morning, Nerdy! Nice to see you up and about – and thank you for R & S.
MooOoorning. Chips Chica & DannyO!
Morning/Evening/Noon/Night TODobots, wherever you are! It’s Thursday and somebody is having a day off work. Life is good. 🙂
You’re welcome, VC.
Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeee R & S……Newssssssssss that we can Use
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/15/morning-plum-harry-reid-calls-for-constitutional-amendment-on-campaign-cash/
Today, Harry Reid will go out on the Senate floor and call for a constitutional amendment to reverse recent Supreme Court decisions maximizing the influence of big money in politics. It’s a significant escalation of Reid’s war on the Koch brothers — and, more broadly, of the Dem strategy in 2014, which is in effect a strategy of running against plutocracy.
Reid will say that hearings are set for next month on the proposed amendment, which would “grant Congress the authority to regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for federal political campaigns,” as Reid will put it. Buzzfeed reported yesterday that Reid will throw his weight behind the proposal — first put forth by Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet – and will force “multiple votes” on it.
Amen to that, Senator.
THIS NEEDS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED!!! Sidebar?? Pass it on.
http://realkochfacts.com/
Ah, GREAT link DF!
Good Morning Nerdy Wonka – this is indeed a wonderful rise and shine – could I just note that I could have done without the McCain Horror Picture – that is not kind to the eyes or the sensibilities.
😆
What an emotional experience in NYC today.
You mean to tell me Hillary has time to be there, I thought she was to busy running for 2016.
I’m surprise Bill is not speaking this morning too. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the Clintons.
From the tail end of ‘Early Bird’. Faux and CNN are gonna be busy, huh? 😮
so, where are they gonna find the other 9,999,900 racists?
Skid row and Idaho. Plus those yahoo’s at the Bundy ranch.
ok. That still leaves them 9,999,800 short.
Yup. Unless they get Flush Limp and they can reduce that number by 10.
The Bundy lot are supporting from afar – so skid row and Idaho it is. Except the latter are probably busy on the farm ( I have some distant relatives that have been farming in Idaho since about 1870) – so down to skid row – and they really don’t like central DC – so maybe 10 folks will turn up – except rain is predicted so they might change the day.
Trust me. Northern Idaho is crawling with ’em.
I trust you sailor – my lot are probably part of ’em
I’ve been there to visit a long time ago. Strange people. A shipmate of mine kept a great horn owl in his living room with guns all over the place. His buddies all had guns and wierd pets too. They all lived in the city of Coeur d’Alene.
You are so correct, Yardarm. Idaho is crawling with rwnjs; it is vile and disgusting.
Yardarm, if even 100 people show up, FAUX will report it as 10 mill. I read that they don’t even have buses organized for this ‘great’ event. And , of course, they’re “patriots” and the rest of the people who come to DC to march are not. If they end of clogging rush hour DC traffic on a Friday night, they are going to regret the day they were born. This is not Nevada and DC commuters to not play games when they’re trying to get home for the weekend.
I wish them well…..NOT!
I saw a question yesterday asking if anybody lived in the San Diego area. Well, my sister does. She lives in North County, San Marcos to be exact, which is much in the news.
I called her last night, very worried. She said the fires are on the other side of the freeway from her, and they have had no evacuation notice, but the air is heavy with smoke and ash, and they are living in anxiety, waiting for they know not what.
She said the evacuation and closing of Cal State San Marcos and several schools was because the admin did not want students and faculty driving the freeways, which are jammed, and also they are being used as staging areas for fire personnel, and shelters for those who need them. The weather is supposed to shift tomorrow, with ocean winds and moisture coming in. This will damp down the fires, and give fire fighters a chance.
She said she had not been outside all day, except to walk her dogs in the early morning. She was even going to leave her A/C on all night, because she didn’t want to open windows. That is a BIG concession for her.
I went to NBCSan Diego this morning, and some evac orders have been lifted, people can return home. Also, I saw that the ocean breezes are approaching the coast, and today is the last day of 90 degree temps.
Thanks for your concern.
Several years ago I visited her a couple of months after another big fire…..looked like a lunar landscape.
All good thoughts to your sister carolyn – I had cousins caught up in our Blue Mountain fires about 18 months ago – they eventually left before the call to evacuate because one of them just couldn’t handle the stress. It is truly something you could not wish on anyone including your worst enemies.
It seems from the end of your post things are getting better – do hope that holds true.
Wishing your sister all the best in getting through this crisis, Carolyn. The hardest part is waiting and not know what will happen.
Rove knew exactly what he was doing.
“A Republican strategist suggested Wednesday that Hillary Clinton could clear up the speculation surrounding her health by releasing her records.”
So are we going to have “healthers” demanding to see the health records for the next 5 years!
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fox-guest-hillary-clinton-should-release-health-records-end-speculation
hillary’s burt cert moment. Precious. Karma doing her evil work.
A Clinton spokesman aggressively responded “Karl Rove has deceived the country for years, but there are no words for this level of lying.”
This is the kinda meaningless epithet filled drama that will surround her campaign.
Streaming has started:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
this is going to be tough.. I admit to staying away from most things related to 9-11, just too hard.
I’m confused, is Bloomberg still mayor? I should know this I realize.. but I’m lost 90% of the time.
Never mind, got my answer from POTUS “Mayor DeBlasio” 🙂
Watching PBO now. No one delivers remarks during trying times like President Obama! I saw Christie leaning forward. Probably taking notes on how to be a leader to all people. But he doesn’t have it in him to be a leader to all people. (JMHO)
Is that for real!!!
I hope so!!!!
I guess not – but I love that song – one that my daughter can sing to perfection – I hate any link with it to Christie – even in a joke.
blimey – Christie is speaking now – the wife with the usual smirk – that man has no shame – none whatsoever
My only comment today re Christie – Was he too afraid to stand there on his own? He was the only politician who needed his spouse present at his side as he delivered his remarks.
My only comment today re Christie’s ‘wife with the usual smirk- – Do consider TS, maybe she doesn’t know how to keep her face blank, or how to smile. Maybe the smirk is all she has.
Whenever I have seen her – she seems to be laughing AT people, not with people. Perhaps she has lived with the Gov for just too long.
In the same way that Sarah Palin uses her children as a shield, I believe Gov Christie uses his wife as a shield. She stops people getting too close – she stands between him and those who would use the occasion to force an issue. There are some pictures of her laughing at a schoolteacher who dared to be critical of the governor – that seems to be her role.
Yes, I remember that picture with the teacher.
I’d say that wife having to hover as his protector does greatly highlight his leadership skills. 😉
Looks like Amazing Grace is following Christie. I did not hear who was singing it. (not Idina Menzel))
Anyone who sees this comment, please describe the photo in the tweet, which does not appear in either of my browsers (Chrome or IE).
Thanks.
It has text saying that Gov Christie will speak – immediately followed by the song “Bridge over Troubled Water”
I could just cry hearing the story of the young man in the red bandana.
Ann_T, me too. This young man with the red bandana gave his life trying to save others. What a hero.
I am not trying to sound mean, but why is Christie’s wife standing on stage with him?
He uses his wife as a cover – same way that Palin uses her children
I know what you mean. I didn’t understand it. Especially since she didn’t speak. 😕
THIS .. is one really difficult memorial ceremony.
GM VC and TOD. Yes it is.
Intensely emotional event. PBO is the perfect example of grace and honor. How blessed we are to witness his greatness.
meta – such a wonderful way to speak of the President – we are indeed blessed to have lived in his time.
RUBIOOOOO! – smh
Beautiful service!
THE PRESIDENT’S WORDS WERE SO BEAUTIFUL AND THIS IS SO HEARTWRENCHING…..PBO AS ALWAYS…WEARS HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE!
GM Beautiful TOD Family.
Happy FRIDAY-Ish 😉
Congrats to all the Au Medalists 4 threads over.
Excellent R&S NW.
Trying to listen to the 9-11 Museum Opening. Tears are pouring out of my eyes. Blessed are Those who were lost and wounded on that day. May the Gracious Lord continue to protect and guide their families.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/jobless-claims-improve-seven-year-low
Fanfare for the Common Man is producing no sound on my computer.
Finally, it burst through.
oh man that was sad and heart wrenching, but so beautifully done. No hate.. just love and hopefulness.
Here is my take on this intensely moving ceremony. Wonderful job by Bloomberg and the committee that built this memorial and made this dedication memorable. POTUs was perfect and heartbreaking.
It is noteworthy that PBO did not give a shoutout to Billary.
Nobody else on the podium mentioned Billary either.
Every other official, past and present spoke. Even past governors who are barely remembered. Not Billary.
The only way you’ll see Billary is in tweets and gossip media noting their presence.
They are out-of-office and irrelevant except in their dogged pursuit of camera time. Pathetic.
George Bush wasn’t around at all.
Probably just as well – retirement out of the public eye is a good idea for GWB
Daughter unit off to present a paper in a doctors forum. Just took the night train. Won’t be sleeping tonight. Sigh…
Good luck to her. She a very smart young woman and I’m sure will do brilliantly.
Thanks jackie. I am more worried about the train journey part, given the recent terrorist attack on a train.
I remember your son taking driving lessons not too long ago; has your daughter, and when will you give her ‘the’ car? Or isn’t she allowed to drive there? Seriously educate me here – Given the craziness re trains, I somehow think as a parent I’d feel marginally better if she were driving. What say you?
I gave her car even when she was an undergrad (and of course was always the front seat co-driver, annoying her to no end). This is a 450 klicks drive. No way in hell I’ll let her drive, especially in the night, especially in India. Crazy mofos on the road.
She wanted a two-wheeler ever since she was a high schooler. I told her, over my dead body.
Thanks for answering. I know we can’t always be with them, and that our being there doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be safe, but I wondered. I’m personally pro driving (for myself), even long distances, just because I operate under the illusion that this way I’m in control, but I do hear your concerns. Sending positive vibes that all goes well both in her travel to and fro, and in her presentation.
Thanks vc. You are right, worrying from afar or near won’t change much.
Hey, as parents, worrying is part of the package. At least it’s part of every parenting package *I* have seen (even some of the prenatal packages). 😉
yeahtellmeaboutit.
But pride will keep you alert……..
Know how you are feeling amk, yet we can’t always be there with them as they grow & no doubt she wants to be at the forum.
You have reminded me of a time in my youth when I headed off to catch the night train late on a Sunday (had to be at work monday). The guard at the station told me this was no train for a young lady to be on alone & I should go back where I came from and come back in the morning. I had been so brought up to “respect authority” that I did exactly what he said & was quite some hours late for work.
I know. She has always travelled all over India on her own pretty much and it never bothered me until the recent incident. She told me that she checked for terrists in the train and found none and so I can relax. Kidz/smh
awwww…i love that…..she loves you dearly…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/15/lawrence-odonnell-car-accident_n_5329691.html?utm_hp_ref=media#comments
“Last Word” host Lawrence O’Donnell has been off the air since April, and he called into his show Wednesday to tell viewers how he is doing.
O’Donnell was in a car accident while traveling outside of the country last month.
Speaking to guest host Ari Melber on Wednesday, O’Donnell revealed more details about his injuries, which included a broken hip. He said he had to undergo surgery for the first time in his life.
“I’m getting pretty good on crutches, and one thing I want everything to know — the Karl Rove rumor that I’ve had brain damage, that is completely untrue,” he joked.
Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in San Diego County due to the fires.
Unemployment claims were 297,000 the LOWEST NUMBER SINCE 2007!!!! Obama’s economy
Chat away:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/05/15/chat-away-369/
Today IS Dakota’s birthday. I’m SURE of it this time!
LOL!
Have yourself a wonderful TIME [I saw your previous comment about the days of celebration 😉 ], Dakota! You can tell me if the French cuisine was to your taste another time., 🙂
Happy Birthday, Dakota! Enjoy it thoroughly!
This didn’t take long.
NW – Too wired to sleep, but guess I’d better. It’s taken me nearly 24 hours to see your R&S (and all the other posts), but THIS is GREAT. Thanks for each and every piece of it.