10:25 EDT: President Obama makes a statement on Iraq
Also at White House Live
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US Military Air-Drop of Food and Water over Sinjar in Iraq
(What A Difference From Dropping Bombs)
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Aircraft from USS George HW Bush, president who abandoned the Kurds in 1991, now helping to save the Kurds.
— Rajiv Chandrasekaran (@rajivwashpost) August 8, 2014
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The President’s NYT Interview
NYT: Obama on the World
President Obama Talks to Thomas L. Friedman About Iraq, Putin and Israel
President Obama’s hair is definitely grayer these days, and no doubt trying to manage foreign policy in a world of increasing disorder accounts for at least half of those gray hairs. (The Tea Party can claim the other half.) But having had a chance to spend an hour touring the horizon with him in the White House Map Room late Friday afternoon, it’s clear that the president has a take on the world, born of many lessons over the last six years, and he has feisty answers for all his foreign policy critics.
Obama made clear that he is only going to involve America more deeply in places like the Middle East to the extent that the different communities there agree to an inclusive politics of no victor/no vanquished. The United States is not going to be the air force of Iraqi Shiites or any other faction. Despite Western sanctions, he cautioned, President Vladimir Putin of Russia “could invade” Ukraine at any time, and, if he does, “trying to find our way back to a cooperative functioning relationship with Russia during the remainder of my term will be much more difficult.” Intervening in Libya to prevent a massacre was the right thing to do, Obama argued, but doing it without sufficient follow-up on the ground to manage Libya’s transition to more democratic politics is probably his biggest foreign policy regret.
More here
On Israel
On Libya
On Iraq
On China
Thanks a gazillion to LP for the links and to Nerdy for putting them together in a draft
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Guess who’s criticizing PBO’s Iraq strategy… but skipped meeting about it at WH last week? http://t.co/ytP3cC0ro9 pic.twitter.com/MnnUsoaLU3
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) August 8, 2014
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This made me smile – Knoller has been getting epic push-back on Twitter in recent days for his shilling, and his obsession with the President’s vacation. So much so, he now has an army of Teabaggers following him (just check any of the comments under his tweets). So, maybe the pressure actually left him feeling obliged to tweet at least one bit of honesty:
Black president 125 vacation days > white president 381 vacation days. #math #fact #PostRacialAmerica pic.twitter.com/JjLM99D22l
— BWD (@theonlyadult) August 9, 2014
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In Case You Missed It
See @PeteSouza‘s beautiful photos from the US-Africa Leaders Summit here: http://t.co/sDEfsmnfbq pic.twitter.com/YRfJPwnFAS
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) August 8, 2014
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A President Who Doesn’t Hide The Cost Of War
Pete Souza: “The President, in the process of saluting, participates in a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of U.S. and Afghan personnel who died in Afghanistan a few days earlier. Many family members and friends of the special forces who died in this incident requested a copy of the photograph and later wrote me how much it meant to them.” Aug. 9, 2011
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Rascal
On This Day – Pete Souza: “We were walking through a locker room at the University of Texas when White House Trip Director Marvin Nicholson stopped to weigh himself on a scale. Unbeknownst to him, the President was stepping on the back of the scale, as Marvin continued to slide the scale lever. Everyone but Marvin was in on the joke.” Aug. 9, 2010
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MoooOOOooorning everyone! Another rushed R&S, will try to catch up through the day.
Happy Saturday!
The Obama Diary 
1st!
Hellooooooooo Don, happy Saturday!!
GM Chips and TOD.
Morning COS!
Thurd!
What has Danny done to TOD??? 😆 Mooooooorning Desertflower!!!!
🙂 Morning, Chipster!
Danny, AND unowho-1 and unowho-2!
Yardarm reporting for duty. Congrats Don……..Now on to day number 3 of “What the President SHOULD be doing”! 😦
🙂 Mooooooorning Shipmate!!
‘Morning Admiral. Day #3 of Obama bashing ahead, eh?
I think by now we have learn that John Boehner, Speaker of the House isn’t worth dog doo.
THERE ARE BETTER WORDS FOR DOG DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THAT HE DOOOOOOOOOOO DESERVE….HE HAS HATED THIS PRESIDENT SINCE HE CAME INTO OFFICE…WRONG COLOR…WRONG PARTY…MIX THAT WITH ENVY,JEALOUSY AND COMPLETE INEPTNESS OTHER THAN CLIMBING ON A BARSTOOL…WHAT HAVE YOU GOT…????? RUSTY ON THE ROCKS!
got a juicy one. wondering if I should post it….. nah.
Post it! but quick!
photo of a pitcher of oj?
I’m not a Thomas Friedman guy having heard and read his pitch before, but I must say he did a good job of interviewing President Obama. I think to call President Obama the smartest person in the room is an understatement, the way he talks about the Middle East is beyond impressive. You have to know the history and the peoples of the Middle East to really understand their reasoning, and President Obama more than proves he knows the Middle East; his intellect is unmatched.
Agree –Friedman should be an interviewer instead of a columnist. He’s just embarrassingly awful in his NYT columns; in both his bizarre analysis and his style of writing.
To agree with forus—This is the first Tom Friedman column I’ve read in years. And the New York Times is delivered to my doorstep every day.
I read todays column thoroughly because it is 90% PBO in his own words.
Now I intend to watch the tape kindly provided at TOD. Never get enough POTUS.
As I was told so aptly by my friend yesterday morning, PBO is the most educated and the smartest President that we have ever had. Ever.
Is that true?
Jimmy Carter was a nuclear engineer.
Agree that he’s the *deepest,* most thoughtful and most broadly intelligent President ever, but I’m not sure I would agree as “most educated” in the ivory tower university sense.
I’m a big believer in learning from experience, so PBO’s education while he was “walking the walk” contributes hugely to his educational experience..
WATCHING……………HAPPY SATURDAY MORNING EVERYONE……
Bush…381 days of vacation Obama….125 days of vacation. The conclusion I come up with is the right wing don’t think this black President and his family is worthy of any vacation, but the white President is worthy of all the vacation time he wants. But hay it ain’t got nothing to do with race. Now if I’m not mistaken it cost the taxpayers when Bush and his family went on their vacations or was it free?
I will listen to the Friedman interview after POTUS speak.
I wish those interviews went on longer. I could listen to his thoughts on these issues all day long. ” Do we have an answer the day after?” A question that was never asked/ answered by any neocon.
C-SPAN 1 is going to carry PBO
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks & TOD family.
Thanks Chips, LP & NW. I’m looking forward to the videos.
Hahaha, Knoller got smacked down 😀
You are late!
.
.
😉 Good Morning, GGail.
Good Saturday morning vc. Notice what day it is? 😀
What is it with East coast time zone folks? I received a call at 7am pst and the caller asked me “did I wake you?” 😯
Fortunately I was already awake, but not looking to talk…yet 🙂
Now here you are… 😀
Glad I got to see & hear PBO this morning.
I know what day it is, was checking to see if you did!
Don’t you just hate those ‘did I wake you’ calls? If you think you might wake me DO NOT CALL ME! Seems simple enough to me. I usually say ‘yes’; of course they never believe me. 😀 😀
Because I sometimes have cheeky moments, if the call is late at night I’ve been known to actually answer the call with a ‘Do you know what time it is?’ instead of the traditional ‘hello’. I got a startled ‘sorry’ response for that once from some stranger selling something. Friends tend to want to discuss if that’s any way to answer my phone. 😉 😉
Enjoy your west coast Saturday!
Hahaha!
The sun is burning thru the overcast and it’s gonna be a nice Saturday. The caller was due to arrive today, but can’t make it till Monday. I get a reprieve – YAY!
You enjoy your day too vc 🙂
Forgot to hit “post comment” on earlier thread 😳 :
I know japa21 (Chips’ intendee) usually has other fish to fry (take note, HF2, LOL) on the weekends, but this is for japa “I hate this winter” 21:
First question out of the box. “How long….” Dumb ass WHPC.
Humanitarian daily rations
2,200 Calories in each daily pack for one person
2 main courses such as lentil stew or beans with rice
2 or more carbohydrate snacks such as crackers or flat bread
2 sachets of high calorie spreads: usually peanut butter and jam
Also raisins and/or fruit bar/pastry, condiments, alcohol-free wipe, spoon
US Department of Defense
The press is asking real questions for a change. I am shocked.
It must be the weekend press crew; cannot be the regular idiots.
gm Ms Chips and everyone – way past my bedtime but dropped in to thank you for a fabulous summary of events on R&S. May you all have a wonderful Saturday.
African Leaders summit photos – should be front page around the world.
And now, dear Sir, finest President in the history of History ~ please gather your wonderful family get aboard that chopper, and have a splendid and long overdue, well-deserved holiday! TOD will hold the Fort, right y’all?! 😉 ❤ 🐻 ❤
I must say that the questions (and tone) so far today are more in line of what I would expect from media. A very sane, responsible approach. Wonder who will spoil things?
That final question >>>>> Thank you God that Professor Obama is a patient teacher.
O lord, I absolutely ❤ that patient, detailed slap to that last questioner! Way to go, Pres O!
Perhaps, the mocking by Those Bent on Demanding Accuracy in the News Media Reporting on Thursday and Count Von Knoller’s sudden accomodations in Content ih his number counting on GW Bush’s Vacy days……perhaps, all those push back are finally having an audience since…..the DC/NY pollsters are NOT seeing a TBGOPer wave coming on Nov 4th, 2014.
Hi, Nena.
Perhaps. One can hope, anyways. (As soon as I typed ‘hope’ I remembered…
“Cynicism is Popular, but Hope is Better” ~PBO (town hall in MN June 26/’14) 😉
He looks like he has lost some weight.
Nope. Same size. Same skinny POTUS.
The reason he prefers standing behind a podium Vs sitting down behind a desk in the Oval Office when addressing the nation. To date, Pres Obama has done just 2…….since Jan 20th, 2009.
2nd thoughts about pulling out from Iraq? stupidity strikes.
SOFA was signed by dumbya and the corrupt maliki wanted US out.
PBO just dropped the mic on their dumb asses.
I actually like these STOOPID questions so that POTUS gets to call out the bogus GOP talking points (i.e. leaving troops there, etc. etc.)..
Yup. You hit the nail on the head.
SMACK! HE IS NOT PLAYING WITH THESE MORONS ANYMORE! Thing of beauty
THIS!!!!
The dood is very clear about his goals and the means of doing it. neocons wet dream not gonna happen.
she doesn’t know her mom died in airstrike
dinner time !!!
😆 As VC said yesterday, will someone take Amk’s crayons off him?!!
talk to these guyz.
🙂
adorable.
Hel-loooo! VC said *CHIPS* should take Amk’s crayons!!! None of this leading from behind tactic for you; step up, take the crayons! Or, at the very least go with DannyO and do it! /smh – O what’s the use? She probably has boehneritis./
??????
Sigh!
.
.
.
.
(Reminds me a bit of old typewriter ribbons. Don’t know why.)
:). Yes, I remember them. We used to have them in our factory in 80’s.
Not trying to hint I’m old, are you? I mean, I know you are, but just because I remember old typewriters in a moment of weird, doesn’t mean anything, okay?
found it.
I want the blog to sign me up for that research skills course that you and CC have obviously taken.
ONLY ONE COMMENT NEEDED…………….THE PRESIDENT THAT IS TOO GOOD FOR A COUNTRY! BON VOYAGE PBO…HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME WHEREVER YOU GO…KNOW YOU ARE LOVED AND WISHED THE VERY BEST…HOP ON THAT CHOPPER AND LEAVE BEHIND THE PEST!
Live streaming: Obamas leaving WH
http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Don’t you just love it when President Obama all but laughs in the face of reporters when then ask stupid questions?
Honestly…they’re such idiots. They bring this on themselves with their selective memories, vailed digs, and repetitive questions….”history” that was a few years ago, and they fucking pretend not to remember. They deserve every tongue lashing they get from this President. They’re either stupid or lying, so either one makes them unqualified to inform the American public about anything.
NW, you’re the best. Thanks for the tweets. I missed the PC.
Watching the helicopter take off I suddenly thought – wonder if the Obama girls actually like flying? And don’t you all roll your eyes!
No eye rolling here! Been wondering if you “fixed” your computer problems…
/whisper/ I think so, Desertf. Whispering because I don’t want to give it any encouragement to act up. 😉
You finished your outdoor Saturday work already, or do you have tutoring lined up?
Good:) (whispering so as not to jinx) Nah…today the guys all come home and converge on my clean. quiet house…the one with everything in its place and no laundry that needs doing….to bring me loads of laundry, and raucousness…{{{sigh}}} No tutoring today..airport pickup day! I’d rather be tutoring….. 🙂
I suspect you’re only saying that, Df. You are probably tickled to have the guys coming back, to give you more work to do later in the week. 😉
Drive carefully, enjoying the air conditioned quiet as you head to the airport! 😀
Frankly, never thought about it. If they do, they have had to learn to deal with it. No doubt, whatever the case, they do fine. This family is simply THE BEST!
They are indeed the best, TnMG; we deserve the best!
Happy Saturday wishes to you, nice to see that your back has been doing better.
TnMG, it amazes me the weird thoughts that often pop into my head. Unfortunately for me, and you all, 😉 if I don’t air them out they continue to circle around and back over and over. Once aired tho, off they go ….. leaving space for another at another time. 🙄
LOL, vc. You always brighten my day or night. Love your wit!
TY, TnMG.
Oh, this wonderful photo just chokes me up. BRAVO to POTUS and to all those who carried out the mission.
LIVE NOW: President Obama Departs for Martha’s Vineyard – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
AMAZING round-up, Chips.
Anyone know this one?
That was magnificent. We have got to get that on video!!
Sweetness:)
POTUS slam dunked. What a man!!
The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
Rumble young man, rumble!
THISSSSSS!! BWAHHHAAAAAA!!
This week reminds me of a couple of weeks ago whenPresident Obama went to Texas and everybody was clamoring for him to go to the border and Governor Perry was talking big shit about who knows what. President Obama slides into town has a sit down with the Governor and punks him at some meeting. And on the way out of town President Obama stops by some bbq joint and grab a couple of slabs and heads back to Washington on Air Force One eating ribs and laughing with Valarie Jarrett.
This is a snapshot of how he lives his life. He has focus and drive to always do the right thing and lets all the white noise & hateful distractions roll off. And every now and then he pulls over a royal pwn. He’s just exquisite.
Tell it, he does it so effectively.
He taught at a Law School for nearly 11 yrs.
Remember the Education of the GOPers in 2010 in VA before ACA was passed? The 7-8hrs tutorial of the selected few at the WH where POTUS said to McCain that the election was over?
And the many pressers where POTUS has schooled the unruly WHPC…..unfortunately, instead of learning to pass the 101 Journalism Class, they cram TBGOPers talking points and have failed miserably from the basic understanding of the Era of Pres Obama 😉
Let me tell you, I was so glad to hear our President put that reporter in his place when he asked that stupid question, Mr. President do you regret not leaving American forces in Iraq. I stood up and gave our President a standing ovation.
That fabric FLOTUS wearing looks like African fabric. I have to see it close up. Yes, a well deserved vacay.
So I take it I missed some awesomeness this morning.
You did – Manchester United signed Messi!1!1!
Boo hiss.
🙂 Morning Maestro!!
Morning Miss!
Enjoy your vacation POTUS, FLOTUS and Malia. Where is Sasha?
Ukraine closes in on Donetsk rebels
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28724487
They don’t want to remember. GW Bush went to Iraq and shoes were thrown at him then……this was in Dec of 2008. This was when Bush and Maliki sealed there agreement.
Just finished watching the take- off of AF1. Can never see it enough. Thank you JER for the heads-up you so diligently give us.
I must say that watching the take-off and landings of our PBO is so much more interesting than hearing the talking heads
in the MSM regurgitate their stale talking points. I switched the minute my president stopped talking..and found watching
his departure infinitely more interesting.
The President’s press conference was a thing of beauty. Love this man.
Chinese users of instant messaging apps will have to register their real names, and seek approval before publishing political news, under new regulations.
Public users of popular services such as WeChat will also have to sign agreements promising to uphold “the socialist system”, state media say.
It comes as South Korean officials said access to foreign messaging apps such as KakaoTalk and Line had been blocked.
China has imposed similar restrictions on microblogs over the past two years.
China’s internet is tightly restricted, with social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter blocked.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-28694890
she is just an inch shorter than him.
It’s amazing! My gawd, she is the most beautiful girl – well, joint first with Sasha. 🙂
and very graceful too.
She is growing into a beautiful young lady, one that I’m sure POTUS and FLOTUS are so proud of.
Where is Sasha?
gunnite folks.
Chat away
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/08/09/have-a-wonderful-richly-deserved-vacation/
Scrumptious R&S. Just Fantastic.