by @HenryHealy
Hello to all my friends at The Obama Diary!
I hope you are keeping well.
We have great news in Moneygall! A visitor centre named after President Obama, which will focus on his ancestry, will open in two weeks’ time.
It will serve as a welcoming point into the ancestral home of the President and will tell the story of his Irish Ancestry and of that historic trip to Moneygall on 05/23/11 (3 years this Friday).
We will also highlight the other 21 American Presidents with Irish ancestry and many more famous Irish Americans. It will be an Oasis on the M7 Motorway, only 1.5 hours from Dublin.
This centre will be free to visit and I have been tasked with getting memorabilia for the area.
I was wondering if any of The Obama Diary’s followers would like to send us anything connected with President Obama, his 1st election, inauguration and the subsequent election and inauguration, that we could put on display in the centre?
If people are willing to share badges, bumper stickers, newspapers, election posters, etc, we would be delighted.
We understand people would like to keep these items, but maybe if they had duplicates – eg two copies of the same newspaper or magazine – they might consider sending them to me.
(Note from Chips: Anyone who would like to send items to Henry, just email me at TheObamaDiary@gmail.com and I will give you his address)
We want this to be an exciting location with lots for people to see, so hopefully the dedicated The Obama Diary contributors and followers can send something to us for our exhibitions – and when you visit Moneygall, we will ensure you all receive the warmest of welcomes!
Kind Regards to everyone at The Obama Diary, and many thanks,
Henry
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet Henry Healy, the President’s distant cousin, after arriving in Moneygall, Ireland, May 23, 2011 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama celebrates St. Patrick’s day at the Dubliner Irish pub in Washington, DC with Henry Healy, March 17, 2012
Henry Healy and Ollie Hayes at an inauguration event with President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, VP Biden and Dr Jill Biden, 2013 (Photo courtesy of Ollie Hayes)
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I ♥ Henry Healy, and I’m always chuffed when he gets in touch, not just because he’s the President’s cousin and is always very kind about and supportive of our little blog, but because he’s a very, very lovely man.
But. It hurt a little that he didn’t make a specific request for copies of any of my photos from the 2009 Inauguration for the Moneygall Visitor Center, eg
My Souza-esque Close-Up of the President at the ‘We Are One’ Concert ->
The Loos ->
The Horse Poo ->
More Loos ->
Even More Loos ->
And My View of DC At The End of Inauguration Day ->
Maybe Henry thought I’d charge too much for the images – no worries, I’ll send them to him for free, and look forward to seeing them take pride of place at the Barack Obama Plaza Visitor Center.
😎
Any way, if you could help Henry out, that would be wonderful!
****
Update:
Comment left by Henry Healy
“Thanks Chips for sharing my request! Any item big or small would be most welcome!! I would love to get those photos Chips they could be very well served in the restrooms 😜!”
😯
@TheObamaDiary I was more positioning them than dissing them!! Ha
— Henry Healy (@henryhealy) May 20, 2014
The Obama Diary 
Well I….
Well done!
Derbingle!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I was minding my own business when suddenly the new post alarm went off.
Congrats on 1st!!!!
Hello
Congrats on your gold.
Hello Henry!
Hi
Good luck with great project
Wow! This is wonderful. It would be a tremendous honor to contribute something that might be displayed in the center. Thank you so much for offering this opportunity to be even a tiny part of our President’s history. I’m going to dig through my souvenir boxes as soon as I get home tonight!
This is so exciting! 😀
Actually I might have some extra items.. duplicates that I can send… I just have to find that box, fortunately I still haven’t fully unpacked since moving here a year and a half ago 🙂
That would be great I’d really appreciate anything you can give
Henry, for you anything 🙂 So good always to see you and thank you for asking us to participate, its very exciting.
WOW!…how wonderful is this…Love It
ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS….I LOVE IT WHEN NICE THINGS ARE DONE FOR PBO…….CERTAINLY A CHANGE FROM THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY….OBAMA DIARY HAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY THINGS!…THIS WILL BE MIGHTY AWESOME!
yess
Don’t you fret now, ❤ Chipsticks ❤ – Henery the Eighth was no doubt shy about asking for pics, as he knows the contribution you have already made to the first visitors' centre! Once he reads this post, he will be on the phone… (ps: if he asks you out, just say Yess!) 😉
That’s what I’m hoping MightyP, maybe he thought it would be like asking Leonardo for a copy of the Mona Lisa??
Natch. He is a humble man..
Love to see POTUS in Moneygall. Like Henry very much too. A nice relative.
egg zack lee, as AMK would say
I will even consider looking thru the collectibles I have in keeping for my grandchildren (if I ever have any), but what I would like most is to make a trip to Moneygall with a box full of treasures from both campaigns, and donate in person. Afterwards, I would appreciate a swim with young DannyO’Sticks!! And tea with his Mum and his grandMum!! (boy, some folks don’t ask for much, eh?)
The welcome mat will be out when you arrive
❤ HHVIII ❤
This is a wonderful tribute. Nice of Henry to keep us up to date on what is happening in Moneygall!
Fantastic tribute, Henry. Thank you and please extend our gratitude to your colleagues.
p.s. please do ask Chips for one of her masterpieces 😉 I particularly enjoy the last one she posted, above.
Thank you Bob, it’s nice to see my art appreciated.
😀
The terrorists have a large number of bodies that they need to return to Russia. Wonder how Putin’s gonna explain all those dead to their families ….
Unfortunately, all I have are memories, which are hard to send to him.
🙂 Ah, lovely Japa.
Hey, a good story well-presented is always a worthy keepsake, japa. Write down your memories and frame them. Or videotape yourself telling your story. Even if you don’t send it to Henry, you’ll have it to preserve and share with your family.
This is magnificent. From adorable baby in his mothers arms to smiling boy with baseball bat. To a man who shook the world. I am so happy I’ve lived in Obama time. These words are wholly inadequate but I wanted to say something. OK, how about I Love Our President.
Thank you, Linda. I hadn’t seen this one until now, just brilliant. Am in tears. We will never witness anything like The Age of Obama again. We are so very blessed.
YW….I get the chills with this one
That was just beautiful Linda.
Here come the waterworks again.
I feel so lucky to be living in these times and to witness the start of President Obama’s legacy.
I’m eternally grateful to have the TOD community with which to share the experience.
Thanks Chips, Nerdy, LL, LP, Amk, Zizi, other Blog Tyrants and all the kind, smart, funny, committed, amazing posters and friends all across the big blue marble. I love you guys!
Henry!!!!
Yes, I have a photo from when POTUS spoke at a Univ. Southern Calif (USC) event. And I can send a photo of my t-shirt of POTUS getting out of the Beast in his raybans. T-shirt stays with me 🙂
I have other goodies that I’ll look and see what I can part with. This is exciting!
Good for them to think of opening a Centre such as this and kind to extend space to “the others” 😀
Chips – I think he and that part of the world REALLY needs to see your “Poo” photo. It shows so much of what America is made up of!!
Exactly GGail, thank you for your arty review of my work 😆
🙂 it’s indeed my pleasure to translate that which you attempt to convey in picture, Chips
😎 It’s not easy to find the words, though, GGail – and you, heroically, did 🙂
I’d appreciate anything you can contribute
Oh my goodness – Henry!!!!
You replied!!!!!
What a thrill to hear such great news from Henry!! I’m so grateful to Moneygall for honoring our POTUS this way and I’d so love to visit. Very best to you and Moneygall, Cousin Henry!!
Just a quick cursory look through some of my things brings tears to my eyes, especially the Inauguration program and invite from Nancy Pelosi and the hologram volunteer pass from the 2008 DNC convention. So so so many great memories……
I think I may have some duplicates of stuff I picked up from backstage at the convention that I can send. I’m wondering if Henry has any more specific guidelines for the kind of things he wants……
Meta,
Anything you can afford to part with. We want to have as much genuine items as possibly so we can rotate the exhibition and keep people curious as to what we have next to display.
Henry
OK, thanks.
Thanks Chips for sharing my request! Any item big or small would be most welcome!! I would love to get those photos Chips they could be very well served in the restrooms 😜!
Henry
Henry, I’m thinking it might be a good idea to take some photos of some of my things and have Chips send the digital jpegs to you to see if anything I may have is what you have in mind. Would that work?
That would be fantastic
Good! I’ll do that if Chips doesn’t mind. Thanks so much, Henry. Please keep us informed about the progress there!
Excuse me, did you see what Henry said about my pics – why are you even speaking to that rascal?????
Well, Chips, I think he was just trying to find a way to guarantee that everybody sees them.
That’s waaaaay too positive a spin! 🙂
🙂
Hahahaaaaa!! Sweet!!
“I would love to get those photos Chips they could be very well served in the restrooms 😜! ”
😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯
Deleting post, right now!!!!!! 😆
I’d forgotten your penchant for portable loos, Chips. I think it’s an underexplored artistic theme.
😀
Wow! That is awesome.
Fantastic.
Cousin Henry! I will be happy to go through my mementos and see what I can contribute. Barack Obama Plaza! How exciting!
Dakota, thank you I’d appreciate that
You’re most welcome Henry.
Hello TOD and Friends.
henry the 8th is such a cool guy!!
Now, I want to visit Ireland, just to see the Be arack Obama Centre.
An added note about my letter to the Ready For Hillary request. After I posted the previous entry about what I wrote, and just before I sealed the envelope, I wrote: “If he runs, I’m Ridin’ with Biden!”
eeeeeek!
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge John Jones’ decision in Whitewood v. Wolf, the suit filed last year on behalf of 21 same-sex couples, strikes down Pennsylvania’s Defense of Marriage Act. His ruling comes one day after a federal judge ruled against Oregon’s gay marriage ban, and marks the 14th legal victory in a row for marriage equality.
The decision was left to Jones after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) and the plaintiffs decided to avoid a trial.
Dear Ms Chips I will email to get cousin H8 address and send him my Obama mags, tees, unused bumper stickers and pins. I have no one to hand them down too and knowing they will be displayed for all to see, I will be honored. I hope to visit one day because it is a beautiful place
Oh, you’re a gem JoJo, thank you so so much!
Thanks JoJo
Wooooot!
I saw a Facebook post that had some wonderful quotes from this decision – this is the kind decision-writing that will go down in history. Will try to track down the decision, because I couldn’t link from the FB post.
I love this comment. We ARE, overall, a much better people than these hateful laws. I am so happy that one by one they are being toppled and consigned to the “ash heap of history.”
What a lovely idea is this center: The Barack Obama Plaza; one of the first of many public places that will bear the name of our dear PBO. As we have often observed, he is also a one man stimulus plan.
ooh! I’ve got an Obama 2008 t-shirt. I would only give it up to Ireland! Thanks so for all you do, Henry. We luuuv you!
Kathleenp444, That would be amazing. Thank you
Such a great idea! Now I really have to go visit Moneygall!
I can share: 1. A pic of PBO with Pennsylvania veterans
2. A custom PA Veterans for Obama campaign button (Obama sunrise morphed into the Liberty Bell)
3. Copy of the speech on Race, but not my autographed copy…
Alycee, Wow that would all be amazing to have! Thank You
HEADS UP:
Breaks my heart …..
“China, Russia Fail to Close Gas Deal
Hopes that China and Russia would finish decade-long negotiations on a natural gas deal proved premature.
“However, given widespread expectations that the deal would be signed during Putin’s visit to China this week, talk of “significant progress” in negotiations comes as a let-down. “We are just one digit away,” Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller had said late last week before heading to China to continue negotiations. Apparently that one digit was a larger hurdle than Miller had expected. The price point of the natural gas has been the main hang-up in talks, with many assuming that China is playing hardball on price as it senses increasing desperation in Moscow to reduce reliance on the West.
Despite indications last week from China Daily that the final price would be “close to Russia’s demands,” it seems Beijing and Moscow are still far away on this issue. Reuters, citing sources at Gazprom, reports that the current hang-up involves a Gazprom request for China to pay $25 billion in advance to secure the deal, even though the flow of natural gas is not expected to begin until 2018.”
2nd link in the tweet:
… NOT …..
And, President Obama is only going to bring the pain to Tzar Vlad regarding the US’s ability to leverage its increasing natural gas production.
Am truly enjoying this news …. and btw #TrustBarack 🙂
“But this news puts Russia’s Asia strategy in serious doubt. The Russia-China strategic partnership had been in the works since Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin announced it in 1996. But other than joint military exercises, the relationship has grown stale. This energy deal was supposed to change that.
It also has serious implications for the Ukraine crisis. One of the reasons Russia sought the partnership with China was to wean itself off of European energy money. If it diversified exports, the relationship with Europe became less important and Europe would lose leverage over Moscow. This could free Russia up to act across Eastern Europe as it has in Ukraine.
Proof of this can be seen in today’s market. Russian stocks (other than Gazprom) rallied on the news that the deal failed, as it’s now seen as less likely that Putin would intervene in Ukraine’s May 25 elections, or dispute their aftermath.
The lack of an agreement also emboldens Obama’s strategy to freeze out Russia through economic sanctions. If Europe were to sanction Russia’s energy sector – an unlikely but possible outcome – it could squeeze the life out of the Russian economy.”
– See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/05/20/Did-China-Just-Checkmate-Russia-Ukraine#sthash.wbvYMuEQ.IqxNljGN.dpuf
Chips and Henry,
I have my yard sign and other items that I can share.
Jer, That would be fantastic!
Get ready to watch the turnaround & arts talent show
Is that Sarah Jessica Parker?
A quick lesson for all of us not to be too quick to judge something we see or hear. Yesterday someone posted an answerMichelle Nunn gave on the ACA. Pierce over at Esquire excoriated her for the answer. Same here and elsewhere.
The problem is, as pmcarpenter noted, almost 300 words were deleted from the actual transcript of the interview and things were posted as if they went together when they didn’t.
Check here for the actual interview: http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/05/19/read_what_georgia_s_michelle_nunn_actually_said_about_obamacare.html
Could she have answered better? Perhaps, but she is running in GA and it is obvious that she supports the law, wants to improve it and expand it and is critical of GA for not taking the Medicaid expansion.
Sound advice. The msm has an agenda which colors/taints muxh of its political coverage. The meme of democrats running away from the aca or PBO has not yet been replaced by the gop, so the msm propagandists are hard at work creating divisions where they don’t exist. Classic divide and conquer. Also it is important to accept the reality that a candidate running for office down South cannot run the same campaign as a northern candidate. All politics is local.
Wise advice, John!!
I wondered what was so terrible about her answer when I saw it aired also—–she’s not waving an Obamacare flag, but she gave a perfectly acceptable answer for a Dem in Ga.
Don’t believe the polls. Consider the source first.
A friend wants to donate her tee shirt.
Amazing Generosity
I’m back from TaiChi class now. Chipsticks and Henry, I am recognizing this place of dedication to PBO is the reason I bought a 2nd VOTE! 2012 poster, from GA DEMS. Signed and numbered: 32/50. It would be an honor to mail it to Moneygall, in the original mailing tube, which I think I will place in another tube, so the postage stamps from 2012 will become part of the collection as well!! There may be more, as time goes by. This is totally exciting!!
I love that poster MP, what an awesome addition it will be, so kind of you.
I have one also…..# 39
MightyPamela wow your generosity is unbelievable
The parcel is wrapped and ready for posting, Henry, just waiting for Chipsticks to email me your address. Found a few extra goodies to add! It is a delightful opportunity to share with others the excitement and energy around PBO!
Thank you so much!
Those kids are so cute.
One little kid had to go get a hug from FLOTUS.
Bush-Appointed Judge Cites Scalia In Axing Pennsylania Gay Marriage Ban
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/judge-cites-scalia-pennsylvania-gay-marriage
Maybe Scalia will get so mad he will retire ?
And was supported by then sen Richard Santorum.
That center to our POTUS in Moneygall is way Kool!
I am enjoying this talent show.
Those kids from the New Orleans school was really good. FLOTUS gave a hug to one young girl who was crying, so touching.
All the kids are good. FLOTUS has been dancing through the whole talent show.
Hello everyone – for reasons of %$#@!&%#! – I am up at 5am again – but what a glorious post to be my first read of the day. TOD is the world wide knowledge base on all things “Obama!” – and of course “O’Bama!”
I see chips took advantage of another opportunity to again show off her award winning, creative and unique inauguration photography. I suppose I have to respond by again praising her fine work and saying that these images she was able to capture are my favorites of the festivities that day—never cease to be impressed—–just can’t get enough of them! 🙂
Chips and Henry, I have the Nov.17, 2008 New Yorker magazine with the “O” in yorker in gold and a picture of the Lincoln memorial gleaming. It is a lovely tribute to our newly elected President and I will be happy to send it to you.
Vicki that sound spectacular and amazing to have. Thank You
Hay see who stop by at the talent show?
POTUS. And the kid were so excited. I said it before but I really enjoyed the show and this is truly a worth while project. Thanks to POTUS and FLOTUS and all who have reach out to help these kids in these schools.
I thought he might stop by, sometimes he does when FLOTUS has something like this. I hope the arts can be put back in the schools all over this country.
It is so important. Some thing that only sports matter, but the arts is so important. Just watching these kids today show how important they are. These kids were fantastic.
POTUS walk out on stage and said that he has talent, but he wasn’t invited. 🙂
Nice save Cousin Henry! “I was more positioning them than dissing them!!” And my dear Chips, I’m changing that kid’s song back from “lou” to the original “loo”. So, skip to the Loo, my darling! Your loos are a wonder to behold! 🙂 🙂 xoxo
And actually, since those ‘comfort stations’ are a universally welcome thing, it is fitting the photos of them ought to be placed in the restrooms, as it is a relatable spot for all!!
That is so awesome!! I love Moneygall, Ireland 🙂 🙂 🙂
what a lovely post Chips – and great to hear from Henry! I think your DC picture is very avant-garde and that we could name it. Hmmm can’t think of anything right now. 🙂
Good luck Henry!
Speech from a Charlie Chaplin movie just before WWII.
Nothing’s much changed in our hearts, has it? Except for now having our current President’s example on the world stage, of course, for those not too blind to see it.
Not much has changed other than lynching!
This is from that wicked fool from FL, Rep Yoho.
He wants property ownership for a requirement to Vote? Holy smokes. This is unconstitutional. I hope those in that district vote this racist teabagger out in Nov.
So TV Game Show Host, Pat Sajak, is calling those who believe in Climate Change racists and unpatriotic? I knew the guy is a whacked job, but I had no clue to how fatuously idiotic he is.
Well, he has made enough money and perhaps, it is time for him to retire.
Not surprised he used to be a weather talking head/model when he was just starting out. He does not know the difference between weather and climate changes
Have Sajak spun that wheel to much, that he is losing it. I never was a fan of Wheel of Fortune or Sajak.
Jeff Zucker of CNN is saying that CNN will not be shamed into covering BENGHAZI hearings unless and only if it was to be news worthy. Hmm? Time will tell.
CNN is still covering Climate Change 50/50. Seeing is believing when it comes to CNN and their Journalistic pedigree.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/cnn-will-not-be-shamed-covering-benghazi
“We’re not going to be shamed into it by others who have political beliefs that want to try to have temper tantrums to shame other news organizations into covering something,” he said when asked if CNN would cover the committee during an interview at a Deadline Club dinner, as recorded by Capital New York. “If it’s of real news value, we’ll cover it.”
POTUS today with some business leaders.
I see ABC’s Diane Sawyer is going to do a primetime special interview w/Hillary, the first of her book blitz interviews. I have never seen such an all out push for a candidate in my life.
From now on I am refusing to read anything about Hillary Clinton.
Fed up with Hillary.
Chat away:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/05/20/chat-away-372/