On This Day: President Obama reacts to a picture presented to him of a younger Robert Gibbs, who played soccer at North Carolina State, following a town hall meeting at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. on July 29, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Today (All Times Eastern)
11:15: The President meets with a group of House Democrats on economic issues, Roosevelt Room
12:0: White House press briefing
3:0: The President departs White House
3:25: Meets with wounded service members, Walter Reed Hospital
5:15: Departs Bethesda, Maryland
7:0 CT: Arrives Kansas City, Missouri
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The Week Ahead
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Reuters: Table For Five: Obama To Dine With Kansas City Penpals
Valerie, a single mom from Kansas City, Missouri, who owns a small business, wrote to President Barack Obama last week “in the middle of the night,” describing just how hard she works.
On Tuesday, she will get the chance to tell Obama in person as one of four people the president dines with in a visit to the midwestern city – part of a summertime White House campaign to rouse Democratic voters ahead of November midterm elections.
“Are you serious?” said Valerie – whose last name was not provided – to Josh Earnest, Obama’s press secretary, who phoned her to invite her to the dinner.
“Oh my God! I would love it!” she told Earnest in a video made by the White House.
More here
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“It’s up to us to change the conversation.” —FLOTUS on helping working #FamiliesSucceed: http://t.co/lRvEkz0ScE via @Upworthy
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) July 29, 2014
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MUST READ // Inside the Obama-Romney Rematch Numbers: CNN’s Deception and the Return of the PUMAs — The People’s View http://t.co/ffYMgNzGkq
— LiberalPhenom (@LiberalPhenom) July 29, 2014
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BBC: Israel Intensifies Gaza Attacks After Netanyahu Warning
At least 60 Palestinians are said to have been killed after Israel intensified its bombardment of Gaza and warned of a long conflict ahead.
Gaza’s only power plant caught fire as Israel carried out 60 air strikes, targeting sites associated with Hamas, the Islamist group which controls Gaza.
UN staff members are said to be among those killed.
….. A huge plume of smoke rose over the strip’s only power plant after one of its fuel tanks was reportedly set alight by Israeli tank shells, and the plant was forced to shut down.
More here
Israel’s military campaign continues: Gaza Strip’s only power station bombed: http://t.co/sW5YseufYf (Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/bXkQYP3Zmp
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 29, 2014
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Israeli PM Netanyahu Says Gaza War Could Be ‘Prolonged’ http://t.co/dmOSw1G9FM
— NPR News (@nprnews) July 29, 2014
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Jesse Rosenfeld: Israel Creates ‘No Man’s Land’ In Gaza, Shrinking Strip By 40 Percent
To protect itself from Hamas rockets and tunnels, Israel is forcing tens of thousands of people out of their homes, turning their old neighborhoods into a no-man’s land.
BEIT HANOUN, Gaza — This narrow strip of land that used to be called “the Gaza Strip,” already one of the more densely populated places on earth, is growing dramatically smaller. The Israeli military, relentlessly and methodically, is driving people out of the three-kilometer (1.8 mile) buffer zone it says it needs to protect against Hamas rockets and tunnels. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the buffer zone eats up about 44 percent of Gaza’s territory.
What that means on the ground is scenes of extraordinary devastation in places like the Al Shajaya district approaching Gaza’s eastern frontier, and Beit Hanoun in the north. These were crowded neighborhoods less than three weeks ago. Now they have been literally depopulated, the residents joining more than 160,000 internally displaced people in refuges and makeshift shelters. Apartment blocks are fields of rubble, and as I move through this hostile landscape the phrase that keeps ringing in my head is “scorched earth.”
More here
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Michael Hiltzik: Here’s The Single Best Analysis Of The Halbig Anti-Obamacare Ruling
Northwestern University law and political science professor Andrew Koppelman moves past the absurd legal theory underlying the Halbig ruling on the Affordable Care Act — in which a federal appeals court invalidated subsidies provided to insurance buyers on federal, as opposed to state, insurance exchanges — to ask why the lawsuit’s backers brought the case in the first place. We know the consequences of the ruling: If it stands, about 4.8 million Americans will lose their subsidies and likely their health insurance, since it would be rendered unaffordable; there are residents of as many as 36 states that let the federal government establish their exchanges.
Are 4.8 million Americans losing their health insurance ‘collateral damage’? The Halbig lawyers don’t care: http://t.co/49zRzXG8YZ
— Michael Hiltzik (@hiltzikm) July 29, 2014
But is that what the plaintiffs and their backers really desired? And if not, what was their real goal? Koppelman’s conclusion is that the lawsuit is a product of the “moral dysfunction” infecting the fight over Obamacare. “The opponents of Obamacare,” he writes in the New Republic, “have from the beginning found themselves driven by the logic of their position to make arguments that are increasingly morally repulsive.” In this case and others aimed at overturning the ACA, he writes, the argument is that “if you get sick and you can’t pay for it, that’s your tough luck.” Koppelman doesn’t think the plaintiffs really believe that. He thinks they’re merely out to make a narrow ideological point about government responsibility, and the 4.8 million possible victims of their campaign are merely collateral damage.
More here
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Business Insider: Israel Grants First Golan Heights Oil Drilling License To Dick Cheney-Linked Company
Israel has granted a U.S. company the first license to explore for oil and gas in the occupied Golan Heights, John Reed of the Financial Times reports.
A local subsidiary of the New York-listed company Genie Energy — which is advised by former vice president Dick Cheney and whose shareholders include Jacob Rothschild and Rupert Murdoch — will now have exclusive rights to a 153-square mile radius in the southern part of the Golan Heights.
That geographic location will likely prove controversial. Israel seized the Golan Heights in the Six-Day War in 1967 and annexed the territory in 1981. Its administration of the area — which is not recognized by international law — has been mostly peaceful until the Syrian civil war broke out 23 months ago.
More here
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BBC: Russia ‘Violated 1987 Nuclear Missile Treaty’, Says US
Russia has violated a key arms control treaty by testing a nuclear cruise missile, the US government says.
Russia tested a ground-launched cruise missile, breaking the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed in 1987 during the Cold War, the US said.
A senior US official did not provide further details on the alleged breach, but described it as “very serious”.
The bilateral agreement banned medium-range missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 km (300 to 3,400 miles).
More here
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BBC: EU Set To Widen Sanctions On Russia Over Ukraine
The European Union is set to agree new sanctions against Russia, targeting its finance, energy and defence sectors over the conflict in Ukraine.
Top Russian individuals and entities are already subject to EU sanctions for their alleged role in Ukraine’s crisis.
Calls for the EU to act have been fuelled by the downing of flight MH17.
An international team has again failed to access the crash site in eastern Ukraine, amid heavy fighting between government forces and rebels there.
This is the third time in as many days that the team, which includes Dutch and Australian police officers, has had to abandon attempts to reach the site.
More here
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Michael Felberbaum: US Court: Virginia Marriage Is For All Lovers
Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban was ruled unconstitutional on Monday in the first such decision by a federal appellate court in the South. “We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable. However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws,” Judge Henry F. Floyd wrote. The 2-1 ruling applies throughout the circuit that also includes West Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas, where the attorneys general split Monday on what they’ll do next. Virginians voted 57 percent to 43 percent in 2006 to amend their constitution to ban gay marriage.
Virginia laws prohibit recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. Floyd said such measures “impermissibly infringe on its citizens’ fundamental right to marry.” The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond is the second federal appellate court to overturn gay marriage bans, and the first to affect the South, a region where the rising tide of rulings favoring marriage equality is testing concepts of states’ rights that have long held sway. Gay marriage proponents have won more than 20 legal decisions around the country since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year. Most are still under appeal. More than 70 cases have been filed in all 31 states that prohibit same-sex marriage. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia allow such marriages.
More here
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Big jump in consumer confidence index to 90.9 (f/c 85.3). Large gain in expectations (92.7 vs revised 86.4) bodes well for spending.
— Jeoff Hall (@JeoffHall) July 29, 2014
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CNBC: US Confidence Jumps In July As Consumers See Better Days Ahead
Consumers grew more confident about the economy in July, The Conference Board reported on Tuesday, with stock markets perched near record highs and expectations building for the recovery. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 90.9, higher than expectations and above the prior month’s showing of 86.4. That was the component’s highest since October 2007.
More here
• • •
On This Day
President Obama eats a peach following a town hall meeting at Kroger’s Supermarket in Bristol, Va. on July 29, 2009. Seconds later, the President handed a dollar bill to the CEO of Kroger’s, who attended the event (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama listens to a question at a town hall meeting at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. on July 29, 2009 (Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
The hands of U.S. Secret Service agents as President Obama shakes hands along a rope line following a health care town hall meeting at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C on July 29, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
• • •
Crime victim Lisa Marie Iyotte gets emotional while introducing President Obama before he signed the Tribal Law and Order Act during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House, on July 29, 2010
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First Lady Michelle Obama greets U.S. military families at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, July 29, 2012
• • •
The Obama Diary 
Good morning, TOD
This is a Chelsea conspiracy 🙄
Mooooorning Vicki, and mooooooorning Nerdy – thank you for a completely wonderful news-packed R&S, legend!!
Thanks, Chips.
Thanks, Nerdy:) What a great tree that is outside the Oval Office!
Thanks, DF.
GM all
Thank you Nerdy for a sensational R & S. You’ve provided us with all the news that matters. Sa news and glad news.
On the Chelsea issue, Chips, this will be a mammoth learning experience for me. The teams, the strategies, the history all of it. what fun!!
And now, a special sideline issue Chelsea! not your team, Chips. Not after the unpleasantness of your remarks yesterday.
Plus the original intent—backing the New York team. Yesterday I didn’t even have Frank Lanyard’s name straight. Let alson his outstanding scoring record.
One of the pluses of living to an advanced age is that you havethe time to learn new things. Adding them to your life. Hope everyone on TOD and in the wider world gets to live a long and healthy life.
Vicki, if you are an advanced age, I’m Methusala. We are as young as we feel and I’m feeling younger by the minute as we gear up to fight for November.
You make my point, jackieg. Still learning and thriving!!!
Okay Nerdy Wonka let me say this, I don’t hate Hillary, I don’t dislike Hillary, but I was enjoying the pictures till I got to the ones of her. Maybe I shouldn’t say that, but it’s how I feel. Don’t anyone get me wrong, if she decides to run in 2016 and she wins the Democratic nomination I will vote for her. Because I refuse to not cast my vote and help some piece of crap Republican win.
Thank you NW, I appreciate you all for the info I get here, and of course the wonderful pictures of POTUS, and FLOTUS.
You’re welcome.
🙂 I don’t mind those pictures at all because they counteract the toxic MSM narrative of HRC “distancing” herself from PBO. They also serve as a reminder that she was once part and parcel of the Obama administration – which actually HELPED her standing and reputation in the world of politics, and ultimately, she’s going to have to endorse policies that resonate with those who support PBO if she decides to run in 2016 and wants to actually win. 🙂
Good point.
You and me, Annibella.
Maybe we can put this up here??
http://www.tickld.com/x/wtf-is-wrong-is-wrong-with-americans-this-guy-nails-it
Morning. It takes a special kind of spirit to keep on keeping on with your full focus on the goal, the way our President does every day. With world crises all around, the madness of Netanyahu and Putin, the explosion of violence in the ME, the ugly tactics of a crazed GOP, the president continues to focus on people to remind all of us that he’s working for us every day. The November election is going to be decided on what party people believe is on their side when times get tough and he’s showing us that it’s the man in the Oval Office who’s plowing the field and bringing in the harvest each day, not the idiots who throw stink bombs from the sidelines.
By the way, why are some Jews attacking S.O.S John Kerry?
actually I don’t mind it. I believe in attacking Kerry, Israel made a big mistake.
POTUS will not stand by and allow anyone to malign someone from his administration. Especially someone with Kerry’s level of integrity. This is where I think things will change on how US handles this crises.
Kerry is being attacked for being even handed and not favoring Israel enough.
AB, some Israelis interpreted the ceasefire plan Kerry worked out as “too favorable” to Palestine and Hamas. It was a reasonable plan, marked by common sense, but for Israelis it had to be 100 percent pro Israeli to get their backing. Ironically, Hamas felt the plan favored Israel, so it was rejected by both sides. Then Israeli added fuel to the fire by blaming the guy trying the hardest to help–John Kerry.
If like me you are feeling helpless watching Gaza bombed here is one thing you can do.
Stop calling it a War. There is only one military outfit involved here with an airforce, ground troops, and navy bombarding a small and shrinking blockaded area.
What is going on now is a Siege. Nothing, or very little allowed in and nobody gets out.
The goal of any siege is the Annihilation of the the besieged population. It is medieval warfare waged with modern weapons.
The goal of any siege is the Annihilation of the the besieged population. It is medieval warfare waged with modern weapons..
********************************
I have been writing to govt officials speaking out against this massacre. Also sent to POTUS and VPOTUS so they knew we see this for what it is. I always end it with a demand that they not fund Bibi’s wars with US taxpayer dollars when we at home have work to do and legitimate programs i.e. VA issues, border crises etc. that remain unfunded.
Thanks for this. It goes a long way to counteracting that sense of complete helplessness which I’ve been feeling since the madness started.
In a way you’re right about funding Israel war .
Although, iron dome is defensive, Bibi would not be so confident if it were not for iron dome that we pay for.
But I’ll tell you this… If Israel really really wanted to, those 1.8 million Palestinians would not be here.
Food for thought.
“If Israel really really wanted to, those 1.8 million Palestinians would not be here.”
I disagree. That is like me saying, if I really really wanted to, my neighbors would not be here.
With all things come responsibility and accountability.
He wants to meet you.
GOP OPENED IMPEACHMENT DOOR, NOW MAD DEMS HAVE WALKED THROUGH IT.
2.1 million reasons why Dems love the GOP’s anti-Obama push
By Steve Benen
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It wasn’t an isolated comment. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) said in April 2013 he wanted to impeach Obama because of ”all of the czars,” while Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) talked in March 2013 about impeaching Obama for no apparent reason. What’s more, Fox News’ Neil Cavuto suggested in 2012 that Obama might be liable to impeachment over recess appointments; Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) raised the prospect of impeaching Obama over DOMA; and Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) talked up the idea of presidential impeachment because “it would tie things up” in Washington for a while, making governing impossible. Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) even introduced an impeachment resolution, just in case Obama sends U.S. troops to Syria.
.
.
Some on the right may find all of this embarrassing now, but accusing Dems of “ginning up” the story out of nothing just isn’t true. The GOP opened the impeachment door; Republicans can’t be too upset now that Democrats have walked through it.
———————————-
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/21-million-reasons-why-dems-love-the-gops-anti-obama-push
Good morning, TODers!!
Listening to those phone calls Josh made reminds me of Donna Dem’s chat with POTUS. What a wonderful surprise for Kansas City. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Ya they would never do that???
He just what’s to stop the fundraising.
House whip won’t rule out impeachment
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/house-whip-steve-scalise-wont-rule-out-impeachment
Hah!
Super Fantastic Rise and Shine…..so important….so necessary….as we struggle to move forward….being armed with truthful information…is piivtol
Good morning TODers.
GM yard
Hiya pretty. Sorry it took so long to get back. Doing some serious multitasking over here. 🙂
no problemo
G’morning Nerdy, Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone and congrats Vicki on #1! 🙂 Happy Tuesday and thank you NW for another grand R & S round-up!
Thanks, HF.
I’m sure that John Kerry was making a direct reference to the US Media’s vicious and baseless attacks on him during his 2004 Presidential campaign…
If it was 1000 Israelis dead instead of 1000 Palestinians the Israel media would be singing a whole different song. S.O.S Kerry is just trying to help, and they should respect him for that.
Amid a daily barrage of Palestinian rocket fire, Iron Dome has been credited with knocking hundreds out of the sky. Even as the Obama administration presses for a ceasefire, it has backed Israel’s request to replenish its missile defense stockpiles while it is fighting, with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel asking Congress to approve the measure.
There is no real conflict in Congress…..about sending military aid to Israel….misleading headline..
what a bunch of proud stormtroopers. I can’t believe congress is going to agree to funding these monsters. Thanks AIPAC
They could have sent Israel a real message by saying no. But who am I kidding? That was never an option. The US Congress is in Israel’s back pocket.
derbingle. Don’t you think the Cheney oil deal for the Golan Heights goes a long way to explain—well, everything?
Yeah I saw that. It explains the greed side of things. That’s for sure.
hf – thank you for posting this!
I knew there was “good news” somewhere out in the world to share. 🙂
🙂
Grover calls her Mrs. O. Mrs. O and Grover are cool. Where’s Elmo?
Hahahahaha!
What do the republicans call the workers like this?
They call them criminal Aliens.
Not kidding!
I will wait for a PBO statement on this!
Naturally! 🙂
Seems like a trail balloon . If he does this….the rich will have to put their domestics and grounds people on the books.
Also…those employers who hire undocumented workers…..
Mrs Greenspan says 2 UN workers have been killed in Gaza.
and is mum about the children being killed in Gaza. Probably watches it on her 60 inch screen while drinking a martini.
Nothing Israel is doing- except using iron dome, that I am in favor of.
Albeit, Hamas can be instigators and do not recognize Israel.
So, around and around we go…
NO, Jovie.
You are using RW framing.
This is not a “both sides” situation.
A heavily armed military is bombarding an imprisoned populace by air land and sea.
A totally undefended population on a shrinking patch of land has lost almost all power and water. What would you have them do, Jovie?
Their leaders are fighting against slow death including by gradual starvation.
I am just going in the fact that I have talked to both sides over there.
And they both hate each other, and some want to see other side eliminated.
They don’t all hate each other. You can flip that record over now.
Please note that Jovie said he only approves of Israel’s use of the Iron Dome and nothing else.
And yes, Hamas has its own input into what is happening.
Part of the problem is that even if Hamas stopped the shelling, nothing would really change for the people in Gaza. They still would be victims of Israel’s non-military policies.
Israel talks about the right to defend itself. It never talks about how its policies drive the Palestinians to desperation, to the point of letting Hamas get out of control.
it is hard to separate Hamas from the Palestinians, although, like in Israel, many Palestinians want peace and co-existence.
It is easy to say “A pox on both their houses”, but many residents of both houses are innocent victims of the policies promulgated by both Hamas and the RW leadership of Israel. .
Well said.
True Japa, very true.
i think that if were 1000s of Israelis being killed…Netanyahu would be singing a different tune…it is because of the Iron Dome… along with having the US as their ally….that Netanyahu has this air of invincibility….
Gaza and the West Bank are Israel occupied territories. International law recognizes the right of colonized people to struggle for self-determination. Israel can solve this problem by allowing Palestinians total sovereignty in their own viable Palestinian state, preferably in accordance to the 1947 partition of the originally British ruled Palestine. Right now Israel has total control over all the land that was Palestine before it was unwisely divided between Jews and Palestinians in 1947. Then 1967, Israel occupied the Palestinian part. It’s obvious that Israel does not wish to relinquish control over Palestinians. As long as Palestinians are not free with a sovereign state of their own, Israel has to be prepared to fight a perpetual war. Israel can’t have it both ways: refusing to allow Palestinians, many of whom were expelled from the land that is now Israel, to have their own viable Independent State, and then expect them to remain obedient colonized subjects with no rights that Israelis are bound to respect.
This picture almost looks like a painting, it’s surreal.
At first I thought it was something out of Comic-Con. It’s beautiful, Jovie!
Hello TOD.
Tuesday, it is. So Happy Tuesday to all.
Excellent R&S. Thanks.
Congrats to all the Gold Medalists starting with this thread and 3 back.
You see? So POTUS comes out with his own plan, before boners kick children out of America plan?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-20
7-29-14 WH presser with Josh “The Voice” Earnest is about to Begin.
Ha !
Broke ass pretender! Ha! I’m pissed that he bought the Old Post Office building in DC. Beautiful old building. He’s going to renovate it, make it a hotel. I’m imagining his ego smeared all over it! Uggh!
Anytime Trump wants to buy something you better ask for the money upfront and make sure the check clears.
Yep, that ponzi life scheme of his is about to bite him.
Ponzi life scheme. I am so stealing that.
🙂 🙂
Both sides???? NOT.
Israeli civilian deaths—-2
Gazan civilian deaths—–800+
Israel merely has to allow the opening of the Rafah Gate, or any other gate, or the sea blockade for that matter, in order to “defend itself”
No guns needed at all.
Again if not for the defensive iron done many more Israeli people would be dead.
Why oh why is that so hard to understand?
One more time…
Iron dome is a defensive weapon, and US tax payers only are currently paying for this weapon.
And it has saved lives.
It’s true. It has saved lives.
The Iron Dome is being Marketed now for Profit thanks to the blood of the dead Palestinians. Also, too, it has maybe, saved lives.
The point of the Annihilation going on now, as it is with most conflicts is nothing noble like preservation of life, liberty and democracy.
it is about for instance, Profits from sale of military goods armaments and protective domes.
And of course, for resources—see Oil in Golan Heights.
Put away the defend israel excuse and you will begin to get what is happening.
I didn’t say that? You’re putting words in my mouth. I said I only condone the use of iron dome that saves lives.
You said that you’ve contacted all government officials wanting this system stopped.
This system, although is only saving Israeli lives, is a defensive weapon.
No offensive weapons are being paid for by US tax payers.
That is a Lie!
Anyways….
I think I agree…Israel should use the iron dome shield and only target where Hamas is firing from. I would think Israel could do less damage if they want. I don’t think they want to spare the women and children. This is about taking complete power over the land & removal of the Palestinians. This is what the US Federal government did to the Native Americans. They fought with bows and arrow while the military used guns and artillery. The US slaughtered Indians and they still never recovered from their land being stolen. It’s one thing claiming a land but the UN was wrong to give Jews land that was already occupied with no consideration to the Palistenians.
The UN broke it they should fix it…..if they can give land then they can take land away.
It might have been in the wrong place? But after what happened in WWII the slaughter of six million Jews in gas chambers.
I understand why they gave some land to the Jews.
I just wish it had been elsewhere.
You and the Palestinians. Because since 1949 all Israel has done is grind these people into the dust.
Maybe it could’ve been all of New York. No doubt everyone would have agreed to that.
Well the British offered Jews a homeland in Uganda and the Jews refused. Personally, I think they should have offered Jews part of Germany since it was the German Nazis who slaughtered six million Jews in gas chambers. In any case, It’s Israel , which is occupying the land that belongs to the Palestinians Arabs based on the partition of Palestine in 1947, which created Israel as a Jewish homeland. After the 1967 war, Israel occupied Gaza and the West Bank. Actually, Israel has annexed most of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which belonged to the Palestinians. For you to keep insisting that both sides are equally guilty is, in my opinion, very simplistic, and fails to take into account the fact that Palestinians not only lost their land, but they have been living under a brutal occupation by Israel.
“Again if not for the defensive iron done many more Israeli people would be dead.
Why oh why is that so hard to understand?”
If the “Iron Dome” is saving Israel lives, then why is Israel unleashing such horrific devastation on the people of Gaza? International law of war recognizes the principal of “proportionality.” Right now Israel has not responded proportionally to the nearly harmless crude Hams rockets because they are easily intercepted by the “Iron Dome.” The ratio of 800+:2 Gazan to Israelis tells the whole story.
As far as I am concerned, Israel’s devastation of Gaza has nothing to do with Israeli security. I am convinced that Natanyahu launched this war because Hamas and Fatah had reconciled and agreed to negotiate jointly with Israel for Palestinian independence. I also think it was aimed at derailing the positive Iran’s nuclear disarmament talks.The hardliners in Iran who support Hamas are likely to gain support and derail the talks by pointing out Israel’s brutal destruction of Gaza to argue that Iran cannot give up the right to use every means to defend itself.
Hmmm! The CDC you say? Hmmmm ! Telling US doctors to be vigilant?
You don’t say?
Mornin’.
Have a great Tuesday, and let’s keep our heads up!
GM J’OB 🙂
Afternoon here, now, so GA, GGail! Ha.
Ha!, still morning here J’OB. And we west coasters thank you folks for leaving us some lovely sunshine today 🙂
Where is faypax?
GM, Hopef. I asked that months(?) ago and got no answer. At the time I couldn’t remember the exact spelling of her name (was trying faypal) so was unsuccessful when I tried to locate her on twitter or on her blog. I ran into a restricted account, if I remember correctly.
Josh was just asked about Cease-Fire in the I/P Gaza slaughter bombardment.
Josh said: I don’t know. I have not heard it, unless, it was just reported on the Israeli TV. Has anyone else gotten this story? It is heard to hear for I am busy and my concentration is not fully devoted to hearing the LIVE WH presser.
Thanks Doc.
I was shocked to have heard the question posed.
The Egyptian continue to try for the ceasefire, Nena. Lots of confusion.
Important readout of Secretary Kerry’s press event …
bbl
Thanks again, Doc. I appreciate all you do.
Lol
Although I wouldn’t believe him normally either, I believe him on this matter. Impeachment at this time would be electoral suicide for the GOP. If just rumors of impeachment motivate Dems this much, imagine if actual articles of impeachment were brought up.
I think if if if they win senate boner will be changing his tune.
Wouldn’t matter. They still wouldn’t get 67 votes to convict.
I am sure they know that they won’t get 67 votes to remove the President! But I am convinced that after the November election, and if Republicans retain their majority in the House of Rep., they will impeach President Obama in order to tarnish his legacy.
Hay Ronnie Price, that’s not nice. I agree I don’t believe anything Boehner says, but I would offer him a cup of water.
I’m confused, how does this effect the suit that Boehner plans to bring against the President, or is the suit and the impeachment the same thing?
A prelude.
Attention getting – it’s an old pre-schoolers ploy to keep adults from getting other things done.
Delta Aquarids meteor showers, 29 July +- 3 days at 15 meteors/hour
Oh my God:
“In other news, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is demanding that Republicans refuse to vote for any border bill unless the bill also prohibits the president from issuing more executive orders.”
How about Jeff doesn’t get to take a vacation this August. Or, can We-The-People just fire their dumb asses? Then they could go on permanent vacation. That dream’s coming true November 2014, I tell ya!. 🙂
Because he has a complete grasp of the three branches of government, in a democracy such as ours.
I think he found the Lost Weekend.
We can only hope even the imbeciles who keep electing him are finally becoming embarrassed at his dumbassery.
What would you want to bet his voting imbeciles probably see this as him being a “strong” leader?
That paragraph sounds so stretched out. Is NYT making up shit again? Pardon me if I’m wrong, couldn’t get myself to click & read the whole article.
That looks like the entrance to …. hell?
It’s the silver surfers fault! 🙂
Looks like a bomb test to me.
I think Wolf Blitzer should climb in and investigate.
He could find that missing plane there…..go for it wolfman!
🙂 Sounds like a plan. 🙂
I did not vote for BiBi….and I am sick of him and our media questioning Sec. Kerry.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/white-house-boehner-impeachment-scam
“Well if that’s the case then I suspect that there may be members of the Republican conference that didn’t receive the memo,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily briefing, proceeding to rattle off a list of Republicans who have floated impeachment.
“We’ve seen comments in recent months from Congressman Steve King from Iowa, Congressman Ted Yoho from Florida, Congressman Lou Barletta from Pennsylvania, the distinguished Congressman Steve Stockman from Texas; his fellow Texan Blake Farenthold has raised this prospect. We’ve even seen Kerry Bentivolio from Michigan call this a dream come true. I think that was about 9 or 10 months ago,” Earnest said. “So that’s an indication that if the case then maybe the Speaker should direct that attention and that message to members of his own conference.”
BAM!
Scary eyes! I do not want to meet him in a well-lit alley. 🙂
And that menacing snarl….he could be Cheney’s cousin in law.
Dick’s brother, from one of Delay’s immediate relative — shout to Linda (“Tom Delay eyes”)! LOL. 🙂
Tom Delay eyes.
Ask Mark Knoller to give us a quick count of the number of giraffes in this pic….
HaHaHaHa!!!!!!!!!
I ❤ ❤ ❤ this twitpic.
this talk of Impeachment is being driven by the GOP enables know as the Press….the GOP have been talking about Impeaching the President since 2009…..but this summer is it on the lips of the MSM
this reminds me of how the press drove the issue of “birtherism”..In fact the talk of Impeachment is the MSM new shiny birtherism coin….
It must be for I heard at the WH presser, Jon GOPer Karl from ABC foaming on the mouth insinuating that Dems and the WH were coordinating and raising funds of the impeachment. Again, Blaming Dems for what the TBGOPers do, say and act on.
Iran Supreme Leader, per Huffpost is saying what? That the Muslim world are obligated to arm the Palestinians. I hope this by the Netanyahu’s regime…… slaughtering of Civilians in Gaza stops, Now. This is not 1967. This 2014.
Heavens help Us all.
He’s in charge of Hamas. .
I have not read that he is in charge of Hamas. It is probably unlikely. Why? Iranian Supreme Leaders are Shiite. Hamas on Gaza are Sunnis.
Pardon me….In Gaza.
He funds them. He funds Hezbollah in Lebanon too.
You mean like We, USA, funds Israel? But US isn’t in charge of Israel.
Many nations send funds for one reason or another. It isn’t the same as being in charge.
I’ll give you that but I also wouldn’t say the ayatollah is a nice man. Lol
Don’t tell me…you talked to him..LOL
This is nonsense! There is difference between support and being in charge. Unless you want to say that the U.S. is in charge of Israel. By the way, as I wrote earlier, this Gaza devastation is intended by Netanyahu to further inflame and radicalize Palestinians and muslims throughout the world. That way Israel can play victim and delay negotiating a Palestinian State; and may be also find a justification to attack Iran expecting strong support from members of Congress of both parties.
Hahahaha 😆 🙂 😆
I didn’t hear the part about the speaker talking to his caucus.
Awesome, Josh!
As I expressed a few months ago Climate Change is probably the one action item on the President’s agenda that I simply didn’t have a passion for. It’s not that I’m not environmentally conscience or concerned about our Climate it’s just not something that I felt comfortable selling to the public.
Then along comes this gawd awful war and after the last few days of watching Israel bomb the hell out of Gaza the activist in me was itching to get something else on my mind.
So last week when my old OFA Director called me and asked if I would attend a rally and press conference on Climate Change I jumped at the chance to get involved in something meaningful that would help spur awareness of the President’s cause.
Today at the EPA a few hundred of us rallied in support of clean energy. Delaware Governor Jack Markell spoke of how he has reduced Delaware’s energy consumption by 15%. Two of the US Senates strongest voices on how to combat climate change Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon spoke on the President’s plan to double the production of clean energy by 2020 and to prepare us for the impacts of climate change.
We also had a representative from VotoLatino whose name escapes me but he spoke passionately about the impact of climate change on the Latino community.
All in all it was a wonderful experience. Being in the presence of members from “Moms Clean Air Force” and members of the “Sierra Club” and seeing their passion for clean air was indeed an inspiration for me. I’m still not sure that I would be the best at selling climate change to the deniers but because of today I feel a few steps closer to that maybe becoming a reality.
Sign up here if you would like to take action on Climate Change
http://ofa.barackobama.com/climate/
Brava Donna. I think if we can sell the climate change issue as something that ultimately and directly affects people’s health and financial well-being, it would be well received.
Oh, I’m so excited to hear you got involved and so glad you met some great people who are working on this.
I’ve very passionate about this issue because I’m seeing the devastating effects very clearly in my own state. There is also a solar energy revolution going on here. But I’ve always been a strong advocate for public transportation and cleaner air. I really hope PBO can gain more traction on this.
Exactly…they were totally on board with this impeachment/sue thing until it backfired in their faces (and asses) and now they want to cry foul with their GOP friends.
Too late…too late…PBO is always 10 steps ahead of your sorry arses!
Yep. They were okay with the impeachment talks until POTUS said: “So Sue Me” and now that the Public isn’t with their bat poop Impeachment witch hunt……the DC unruly GOPer followers are making it Dems’ fault. It has backfired big time…… Hearing Jon Karl today was golden. The guy was fuming.
I caught that! He tried to pin Josh into confessing that he and Dan coordinated with DCCC, so expect Karl to ratchet up Hatch Act hysteria.
This I agree with, especially since the DCCC raised 2.2 million on 4 days off of this nonsense.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/07/29/first-lady-michelle-obama-presents-the-most-important-meal-of-the-day/
EPA hearings today in several cities. Donna has tweeted about this.
Here’s another one with a link to sign the Sierra Club’s petition: http://twitter.com/FardigJudith/status/494178262076370944
http://www.weather.com/health/american-doctor-treating-patients-liberia-tests-positive-deadly-ebola-virus-20140727
An American doctor is in grave condition after contracting the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa. Dr. Kent Brantly, 33, who works with Ebola patients is now fighting for his own survival in an isolation unit on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia.
“I’m praying fervently that God will help me survive this disease,” Brantly said in an email Monday.
Brantly’s prognosis is grave and efforts to evacuate him to Europe for treatment have been thwarted as Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has closed border crossings.
A second American aid worker, Nancy Writebol, tested positive for the Ebola virus at the same hospital, a relief group official said Sunday. Brantly also asked that prayers be extended for Writebol, who worked as the personnel coordinator for Serving in Mission, or SIM, in Monrovia, CNN reports. She is reportedly in stable and serious condition.