Pure Randomness: President Obama greets the children of U.S. embassy staff during a reception at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 18, 2012 – Photo by Pete Souza
It’s Thursday…..I think! GoooOoooddd MoooOooorrNning, ‘local’ TODobots! GoooOoooddd Eeeveening/Niggght other TODobots! It’s a refreshing cool day in the neighbourhood, with lots of running ins and outs on the agenda! 🙂
🙂 I did, Zizi-gurl! I’m running in and out getting last minute things done for offspring’s convocation tomorrow morning. Not that I *need* to do anything other than get myself ready, but there it is – females always feeling that they have to prep-up even when the occasion has little to do with them. /smh/ 😉 😉
It’s almost entertaining watching the GOP/MSM trying to keep up with President Obama. While they try to pick apart his current accomplishment(s) — faux scandals unlimited/fake polls inc. — he has moved on to his next achievement. After 5+ years, they still haven’t learned. SMH
That’s the truth, SW. They’re back fussing over that poor young man, Bergdahl, and he’s way down the road, working on the elections and planning how to get immigration reform passed. It must be confusing for R voters as well. They get up a big head of steam about something and before they can work up a real sweat, the rest of the world has moved on and could care less.
Hel-lo Sw & JackieG! It is entertaining to me, particularly because PBO **is** getting STUFF done while they are turning around and around trying to grasp their tails. They have almost forced me to change my credo that everybody *can* learn – now I’m considering ‘Everybody can learn, except GOPs’. 😉 😉
Unfortunately, with that, as with every other “issue”, it takes them a while to realize that no one cares and [as JackieG said] that everyone has moved on.
Morning. This is the week when a lot of local party leadership is decided in this state, which makes a big difference in the momentum toward the election. Heard this morning that local Republicans held a three and one-half hour meeting to determine their leadership. Ours is tonight and if it goes on three and half hours, you may hear reports of a mad woman screaming in the streets. So glad the President is going to be campaigning hard for this election. We have do much to do to restore sanity and rev up voters. First, you have to believe you can win, then you fight like hell for it, and then you win. Have a great day.
I think the Dem party knows (despite MSM reports to the contrary) that PBO remains the strongest, most trustworthy Dem politician on a national scale, and they NEED him. 🙂
I am seeing and hearing the drums of war everywhere—–disturbing, to say the least——NBC saying Iraq more dangerous than it ever was, “new bin Ladens are being born there” etc., fear and war-mongering reported by 3 or 4 different reporters, including Richard Engle, who I don’t think wants to come home.
There are some things, that once they are set in motion, are hard to reign in. GWB injecting us into an unnecessary war is just one of such things that he set into motion. The situation that you are talking about, dotster3, is fallout from reckless and selfish decisions made in the prior administration. Cleaning it up and trying to turn this around is one of the headaches that has fallen to this President to resolve…even as those who refuse to take ownership of this mess try to obstruct his efforts at every turn.
Now that a nuclear deal is being reached, the media is trying to look for some other way to prolong the conflict. Richard Engle needs to find a new skill area in his profession, revamp his resume and brush up on his interviewing skills. The wars are ending. PERIOD.
Jenna Bush (NBC) is interviewing her grandfather Bush 41 today. She interviewed her Dad Bush 43 a couple months ago. Talk about conflicts of interest galore! I could see her interviewing the Obamas (as current WH occupants and who are unrelated to her), but she should not be interviewing her own immediate relatives in a professional work setting. That’s just not ethical in my view.
If it ever comes to a point where adult Sasha or Malia are to interview PBO in a professional setting, you won’t hear the end of it…protests, endless discussions about the ethics, optics, professional implications,etc… But, what do I know – I’m sleep…
We have a big black bear travelling across northern Illinois heading toward my house. Hi bear. Wildlife officials think he’s a young guy, kicked out of his family when new cubs were born—sad——and he’s out looking for a cute gal bear——-which is really sad because there are slim pickins in that department here, as in no other bears, gal or guy. He’s been nice so far—–just stopping by backyards to snack from their bird feeders and berry bushes and then moving on in his unsuccessful search—–hope he turns north soon and heads back up into Wisconsin—may have more luck there.
Dotster, I hope you have steel outer doors. A bear broke through my sister’s attached studio door by munching through the wood. She had some pet food in the studio and he smelled it through the door, got in and ate it all. He kept coming back after that, but they had installed a steel door that very day.
We’re getting a lot of sightings around metro Atlanta of bears, foxes [rabid], poisonous snakes, and even coyotes. Not long ago there were a couple of young deer in my backyard (drove my dog crazy).
Elizabeth Warren Declares War on Mitch McConnell After He Blocked Her Student Loan Bill
By: Jason Easley
Wednesday, June, 11th, 2014, 10:22 pm
On MSNBC tonight, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) virtually declared war on Mitch McConnell after he blocked her student loan bill. Warren told viewers to donate money to Alison Lundergan Grimes, and announced that she will be going to Kentucky to campaign for the Democrat.
Warren said she is going to fight back and hold Republicans accountable for the obstruction by going to Kentucky to call out Mitch McConnell on his own turf:
Just watched this fun interview with this great dad. And for those who were curious, Jenna Bush said she was there on Sasha’s bday and there was a big group of friends there with gifts and sleeping bags, a bday sleepover in the WH.
In the latest KY poll, Allison Grimes (D) is ahead of McConnell (R) 49-46. Crickets from the media…until they can find a way to report how she’s distancing herself from PBO.
I saw this commercial yesterday after going to one of the links that was on a post yesterday. I thought it was sweet. It gave recognition to fathers that they don’t typically get.
When I watch my nephew with his two little girls, I’m just so utterly astonished at what an amazing father he is. He shares 100% responsibility for their care taking and the bond of love is just a thrill to see. Both parents are high school teachers and he has been named teacher of the year. Can’t wait to see him on Father’s Day.
Sorry, but I’m not buying the latest “sky-is-falling” in Iraq that the US media seems to be trying to peddle these last few days…I will take my cues from the only I person I trust – the President and his FP team. If I see them raising alarm bells, then I will react accordingly. Otherwise, I’m taking these media reports with the appropriate amount of salt.
Yes, but Maliki chose not to give our soldiers immunity from prosecution in the SOFA…and PBO would not leave combat troops there without that guarantee.
And we have our own “worrisome” situations right here in the US, when two police officers get murdered by RW extremists, when school children and their parents fear for their safety, etc…
More than the pressing issues inside your borders, I don’t want US & Europe meddling with ME anymore and make the situation worse. Past history demands it.
Crisis grips Iraq, spurring a familiar U.S. debate
By Steve Benen
——————————-
But elsewhere in Washington, a predictable dynamic is taking shape: the same conservatives who were wrong about the war in Iraq before are not only blaming the U.S. president for Iraq’s current crisis, they’re also suggesting Americans re-enter the fight. That includes Kenneth Pollack, as well as Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.):
.
.
As for the reflexive willingness of some Republicans to blame U.S. leaders for violence in the Middle East, Fred Kaplan makes a compelling case that Iraq’s crisis “has little to do with the withdrawal of American troops and everything to do with the political failure of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.”
When will it be truly worrisome for you and the news media to be outraged about our babies being slaughtered on school grounds; police officers slaughtered while eating lunch and the Bergdahl family being assassinated across the air waves?
Oooooohhhhhh, I forgot, not enough money to be made here.
They can’t stand that the President’s foreign policy has ended two wars. They must now make him responsible for the whole world falling apart.
I’m sure the situation in Iraq is serious. I know some measures of assistance are being considered now at the WH, but we have ended our engagement there.
I hate to be miss correctin’, but since this is pretty confusing… if you look at the slides of the states, it starts with the 10 most religious, then goes to the 10 least. The top 10 are above, i.e. MS-OK. What bugs me is they don’t explain how they’ve come up with these %s. Anyway, I’m glad to see that my favorite state, VT, is #51 🙂
THERE IS NO WAY OUR SOLDIERS WILL GO BACK INTO IRAQ…AN UNJUST WAR THAT IS FRANKLY BUSH’S HELLHOLE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE TO HIS GRAVE…AND IF THEIR SOLDIERS DO NOT WANT TO FIGHT BACK…THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM…GIVE THEM A HIGHCHAIR AND CHOOCHIE AND TELL THEM TO GET THEIR BIG PANTS ON!
Iraq is free to go to the UN and ask for international help as other beleaguered countries do. It is not up to the US to step in to solve all problems.
We are NOT going to get involved in tactical support of the situation in Iraq. So that’s what the press will be chewing in the days ahead in order to undermine our President’s credibility. But they are tone deaf to American sentiment about war.
THERE ARE TWO CORRECTIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE ON THIS….I LOVE PBO…HOWEVER I BELIEVE IN PRAYER IN SCHOOLS AND I HAVE GAY FRIENDS AND DON’T HATE GAY PEOPLE…THE BIBLE HOWEVER STATES GOD’S SIDE….SO BECAUSE I LOVE THE LORS OVER ALL THINGS…I AM NOT A RIGHT WING INDIVIDUAL..I HAVE COMMON SENSE! I WORKED EXTREMELY HARD IN 2008 TO GET THIS PRESIDENT IN OFFICE AND I THANK GOD FOR HIM.
Prayer in schools is a form of state-sponsored religion – there is either subtle or overt pressure to conform religion and it does not belong in schools. The Bible is not exactly clear on homosexuality – and the Bible as we read it now has been translated and re-translated and never from a source close to the original writing – so we can ‘interpret’ the Bible in ways that are meaningful to current society, but we cannot assume that we are in possession of its actual, literal message as was meant two millennia ago. And I would also place 2,000 year old views in historical context.
We can agree to disagree on this Sue, as we have done before. But the strength of our country is in our secular, Enlightenment ideals.
As a Jewish girl who was in the religious minority, I am grateful for the freedom that America has given me from anything close to a theocratic government and I will fight to my dying day to defend these American principles.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Good Thursday Chipsticks…TODers!!!
Everyone have an AWESOME day and find something to smile about!!! 😀
CONGRATS on 1st swbluega!
ENJOY ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL DAY!
Thanks Cindy! I’m off to a good start. 🙂
Be blessed!
Moooooooorning swbluega, mooooooorning everyone!
President Obama + Children *always* = 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
No such thing as a bad photo of our President … thanks for another happy one to start the day !
I so agree with you. 😊
Good morning Chips and TOD
Good BEAUTIFUL and WONDERFUL THURSDAY Chipsticks, DannyStix and TOD FAMILY!
Wishing everyone a very AWESOME DAY!
Don’t forget to count your blessings today, and if you complain that you have too many, please give some away.
To President Barack H. Obama,
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you WIN!!!”
*******************
To Eric Cantor,
First you win, then you fight President Barack H. Obama to no in, then they quietly begin to “LAUGH” at “YOU”, then they “IGNORE YOU” and
then they KICK your rear to the curve; ERIC CANTOR! you have been served.
SEE YA, DON’T WANT TO BE YA!
HAPPY THURSDAY!!!
😀 😀 😀
On point. THIS!
It’s Thursday…..I think! GoooOoooddd MoooOooorrNning, ‘local’ TODobots! GoooOoooddd Eeeveening/Niggght other TODobots! It’s a refreshing cool day in the neighbourhood, with lots of running ins and outs on the agenda! 🙂
Have/Hope you’ve had a Terrific Thursday!!
You’re very chirpy this morn, VC. Woke up on right side of bed? 🙂
🙂 I did, Zizi-gurl! I’m running in and out getting last minute things done for offspring’s convocation tomorrow morning. Not that I *need* to do anything other than get myself ready, but there it is – females always feeling that they have to prep-up even when the occasion has little to do with them. /smh/ 😉 😉
It’s almost entertaining watching the GOP/MSM trying to keep up with President Obama. While they try to pick apart his current accomplishment(s) — faux scandals unlimited/fake polls inc. — he has moved on to his next achievement. After 5+ years, they still haven’t learned. SMH
That’s the truth, SW. They’re back fussing over that poor young man, Bergdahl, and he’s way down the road, working on the elections and planning how to get immigration reform passed. It must be confusing for R voters as well. They get up a big head of steam about something and before they can work up a real sweat, the rest of the world has moved on and could care less.
Hel-lo Sw & JackieG! It is entertaining to me, particularly because PBO **is** getting STUFF done while they are turning around and around trying to grasp their tails. They have almost forced me to change my credo that everybody *can* learn – now I’m considering ‘Everybody can learn, except GOPs’. 😉 😉
” …‘Everybody can learn, except GOPs’ ”
Well you know what they say…. “You Can’t Fix Stupid.”
One of my most favourite response visual, SW! I keep two or three versions of it in my files so I can drop it on twitter once in a while. 😀
I toldja last week that Bergdhal “issue” had a short shelf life.
Unfortunately, with that, as with every other “issue”, it takes them a while to realize that no one cares and [as JackieG said] that everyone has moved on.
Morning. This is the week when a lot of local party leadership is decided in this state, which makes a big difference in the momentum toward the election. Heard this morning that local Republicans held a three and one-half hour meeting to determine their leadership. Ours is tonight and if it goes on three and half hours, you may hear reports of a mad woman screaming in the streets. So glad the President is going to be campaigning hard for this election. We have do much to do to restore sanity and rev up voters. First, you have to believe you can win, then you fight like hell for it, and then you win. Have a great day.
I think the Dem party knows (despite MSM reports to the contrary) that PBO remains the strongest, most trustworthy Dem politician on a national scale, and they NEED him. 🙂
G’morning Chips & TOD! Happy Thursday everyone 🙂
I am seeing and hearing the drums of war everywhere—–disturbing, to say the least——NBC saying Iraq more dangerous than it ever was, “new bin Ladens are being born there” etc., fear and war-mongering reported by 3 or 4 different reporters, including Richard Engle, who I don’t think wants to come home.
There are some things, that once they are set in motion, are hard to reign in. GWB injecting us into an unnecessary war is just one of such things that he set into motion. The situation that you are talking about, dotster3, is fallout from reckless and selfish decisions made in the prior administration. Cleaning it up and trying to turn this around is one of the headaches that has fallen to this President to resolve…even as those who refuse to take ownership of this mess try to obstruct his efforts at every turn.
Now that a nuclear deal is being reached, the media is trying to look for some other way to prolong the conflict. Richard Engle needs to find a new skill area in his profession, revamp his resume and brush up on his interviewing skills. The wars are ending. PERIOD.
This—-100 times.
Nuclear deal with Iran is a foreign policy triumph so immense that the effort to stop and discredit it will be extraordinary.
Richard Engel reluctant peacenik—endles war is his thisn
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
Jenna Bush (NBC) is interviewing her grandfather Bush 41 today. She interviewed her Dad Bush 43 a couple months ago. Talk about conflicts of interest galore! I could see her interviewing the Obamas (as current WH occupants and who are unrelated to her), but she should not be interviewing her own immediate relatives in a professional work setting. That’s just not ethical in my view.
If it ever comes to a point where adult Sasha or Malia are to interview PBO in a professional setting, you won’t hear the end of it…protests, endless discussions about the ethics, optics, professional implications,etc… But, what do I know – I’m sleep…
We have a big black bear travelling across northern Illinois heading toward my house. Hi bear. Wildlife officials think he’s a young guy, kicked out of his family when new cubs were born—sad——and he’s out looking for a cute gal bear——-which is really sad because there are slim pickins in that department here, as in no other bears, gal or guy. He’s been nice so far—–just stopping by backyards to snack from their bird feeders and berry bushes and then moving on in his unsuccessful search—–hope he turns north soon and heads back up into Wisconsin—may have more luck there.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/DNR-Warns-Residents-After-Black-Bear-Sightings-in-Northern-Illinois-262732201.html
Once bears taste human food, they can’t get enough of it! Yogi probably wants a cute gal AND a nice dinner 🙂
Dotster, I hope you have steel outer doors. A bear broke through my sister’s attached studio door by munching through the wood. She had some pet food in the studio and he smelled it through the door, got in and ate it all. He kept coming back after that, but they had installed a steel door that very day.
Uh oh, I’m in troubs then. My outer doors are not steel, but screen. I’m preparing the porridge now—–not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
We’re getting a lot of sightings around metro Atlanta of bears, foxes [rabid], poisonous snakes, and even coyotes. Not long ago there were a couple of young deer in my backyard (drove my dog crazy).
Good morning everyone! All those smiling faces could light up a city block!!
Elizabeth Warren Declares War on Mitch McConnell After He Blocked Her Student Loan Bill
By: Jason Easley
Wednesday, June, 11th, 2014, 10:22 pm
On MSNBC tonight, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) virtually declared war on Mitch McConnell after he blocked her student loan bill. Warren told viewers to donate money to Alison Lundergan Grimes, and announced that she will be going to Kentucky to campaign for the Democrat.
Warren said she is going to fight back and hold Republicans accountable for the obstruction by going to Kentucky to call out Mitch McConnell on his own turf:
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/06/11/elizabeth-warren-declares-war-mitch-mcconnell-blocked-student-loan-bill.html
Excellent. Go EW.
Just watched this fun interview with this great dad. And for those who were curious, Jenna Bush said she was there on Sasha’s bday and there was a big group of friends there with gifts and sleeping bags, a bday sleepover in the WH.
The Bush Twins have always been kind and “big sisterly” towards the First Daughters.
Here’s a cute pic with Jenna having fun with the girls when they first moved to the WH! 🙂
Has the kenyan muslin been impeached yet ? … No ? Dammit.
In the latest KY poll, Allison Grimes (D) is ahead of McConnell (R) 49-46. Crickets from the media…until they can find a way to report how she’s distancing herself from PBO.
I saw this commercial yesterday after going to one of the links that was on a post yesterday. I thought it was sweet. It gave recognition to fathers that they don’t typically get.
And yes, it made me smile. 😀 😀 😀
I saw it yesterday too and it melted my heart.
Thanks for the smiles, swbluega.
When I watch my nephew with his two little girls, I’m just so utterly astonished at what an amazing father he is. He shares 100% responsibility for their care taking and the bond of love is just a thrill to see. Both parents are high school teachers and he has been named teacher of the year. Can’t wait to see him on Father’s Day.
Sorry, but I’m not buying the latest “sky-is-falling” in Iraq that the US media seems to be trying to peddle these last few days…I will take my cues from the only I person I trust – the President and his FP team. If I see them raising alarm bells, then I will react accordingly. Otherwise, I’m taking these media reports with the appropriate amount of salt.
Iraq made it’s choice…..now they need to live with it.
I don’t believe they chose to be invaded and occupied for 10+ years. WE created this hell they’re now living in.
Yes, but Maliki chose not to give our soldiers immunity from prosecution in the SOFA…and PBO would not leave combat troops there without that guarantee.
Right, Linda. Maliki and now in Afghanitan, Kharzai refuse to sign security agreements.
Let’s see what Kharzai’s successors do.
BOOM! Excellent tweet amk 🙂
And we have our own “worrisome” situations right here in the US, when two police officers get murdered by RW extremists, when school children and their parents fear for their safety, etc…
More than the pressing issues inside your borders, I don’t want US & Europe meddling with ME anymore and make the situation worse. Past history demands it.
Crisis grips Iraq, spurring a familiar U.S. debate
By Steve Benen
——————————-
But elsewhere in Washington, a predictable dynamic is taking shape: the same conservatives who were wrong about the war in Iraq before are not only blaming the U.S. president for Iraq’s current crisis, they’re also suggesting Americans re-enter the fight. That includes Kenneth Pollack, as well as Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.):
.
.
As for the reflexive willingness of some Republicans to blame U.S. leaders for violence in the Middle East, Fred Kaplan makes a compelling case that Iraq’s crisis “has little to do with the withdrawal of American troops and everything to do with the political failure of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.”
——————————-
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/crisis-grips-iraq-spurring-familiar-us-debate#break
Mr. Blow,
When will it be truly worrisome for you and the news media to be outraged about our babies being slaughtered on school grounds; police officers slaughtered while eating lunch and the Bergdahl family being assassinated across the air waves?
Oooooohhhhhh, I forgot, not enough money to be made here.
They can’t stand that the President’s foreign policy has ended two wars. They must now make him responsible for the whole world falling apart.
I’m sure the situation in Iraq is serious. I know some measures of assistance are being considered now at the WH, but we have ended our engagement there.
Indeed meta.
The top 10 least religious States….yet the South is still referred to as the Bible Belt
1.Mississippi
2.Utah
3.Alabama
4.Louisiana
5.Arkansas
6.South Carolina
7.Tennessee
8.North Carolina
9.Georgia
10.Oklahoma
where is this list from, Linda?
It is below this article ….( I wanted to bring the video from the article over too, but it is not in youtube format. )
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/11/religious-liberty_n_5485293.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
I hate to be miss correctin’, but since this is pretty confusing… if you look at the slides of the states, it starts with the 10 most religious, then goes to the 10 least. The top 10 are above, i.e. MS-OK. What bugs me is they don’t explain how they’ve come up with these %s. Anyway, I’m glad to see that my favorite state, VT, is #51 🙂
Okay – so this explains the US media clamoring for another war and ramping up those Iraq reports….
Ban news for John McWar ?
THERE IS NO WAY OUR SOLDIERS WILL GO BACK INTO IRAQ…AN UNJUST WAR THAT IS FRANKLY BUSH’S HELLHOLE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE TO HIS GRAVE…AND IF THEIR SOLDIERS DO NOT WANT TO FIGHT BACK…THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM…GIVE THEM A HIGHCHAIR AND CHOOCHIE AND TELL THEM TO GET THEIR BIG PANTS ON!
I thought al-Maliki didn’t want the US anywhere near Iraq. Now he wants airstrikes? Then what more American troops?
Iraq is free to go to the UN and ask for international help as other beleaguered countries do. It is not up to the US to step in to solve all problems.
We are NOT going to get involved in tactical support of the situation in Iraq. So that’s what the press will be chewing in the days ahead in order to undermine our President’s credibility. But they are tone deaf to American sentiment about war.
Another MSM FAIL.
THERE ARE TWO CORRECTIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE ON THIS….I LOVE PBO…HOWEVER I BELIEVE IN PRAYER IN SCHOOLS AND I HAVE GAY FRIENDS AND DON’T HATE GAY PEOPLE…THE BIBLE HOWEVER STATES GOD’S SIDE….SO BECAUSE I LOVE THE LORS OVER ALL THINGS…I AM NOT A RIGHT WING INDIVIDUAL..I HAVE COMMON SENSE! I WORKED EXTREMELY HARD IN 2008 TO GET THIS PRESIDENT IN OFFICE AND I THANK GOD FOR HIM.
THAT’S ‘LORD’ AND MY TYPO!
Prayer in schools is a form of state-sponsored religion – there is either subtle or overt pressure to conform religion and it does not belong in schools. The Bible is not exactly clear on homosexuality – and the Bible as we read it now has been translated and re-translated and never from a source close to the original writing – so we can ‘interpret’ the Bible in ways that are meaningful to current society, but we cannot assume that we are in possession of its actual, literal message as was meant two millennia ago. And I would also place 2,000 year old views in historical context.
We can agree to disagree on this Sue, as we have done before. But the strength of our country is in our secular, Enlightenment ideals.
As a Jewish girl who was in the religious minority, I am grateful for the freedom that America has given me from anything close to a theocratic government and I will fight to my dying day to defend these American principles.
Happy Thursday TODers.
Heeeeeeeya Chips!!
Heart-wrenching…just SAD. 😦
President Obama had a nice message for ex-Pres. H.W. Bush, who is celebrating his 90th bday today by skydiving—-again.
http://www.today.com/news/george-h-w-bush-skydive-thats-one-way-celebrate-90-2D79795298
Shooting priests now—-continuing daily gun violence in America…..
Mooooooorning!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/06/12/rise-and-shine-841/