On This Day: “A man salutes the President as he travels from Seneca Falls to Syracuse, N.Y. during the college affordability bus tour. Aug. 22, 2013 Photo by Pete Souza)
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NYT: Obama Cares. Look At The Numbers.
AS the predominantly black, disproportionately poor community of Ferguson, Mo., erupted in protest after the shooting death of Michael Brown, critics excoriated President Obama for his failure to empathize. Michael Eric Dyson, for example, called the president’s statement about the case on Monday a “stunning epic failure.” Mr. Obama’s defenders point to his second-term commitment to issues that touch the lives of poor communities of color, especially his initiative to assist young minority men, My Brother’s Keeper. But what both sides are ignoring is the president’s first-term record.
A true measure of a president’s priorities lies hidden in plain sight in his budget proposals. Under that standard, Mr. Obama has been more committed to communities like Ferguson than any Democratic president in the past half century. … …. Even after accounting for the higher numbers of poor people caught in the Great Recession, Mr. Obama’s record outshines his predecessors’. His proposed first-term spending per poor individual was $13,731 to Mr. Clinton’s $8,310 and Mr. Carter’s $4,431, in 2014 dollars.
More here
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Dear @cnn, when I heard you confused Capt. #RonJohnson for a gang member, I thought I might help. #Ferguson http://t.co/YlkbfsudrC
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Dab Aggin (@DabAggin) August 21, 2014****
Slate: Advice For Ferguson From The Supreme Court
Kyle Niere, 23, was arrested on Monday night in Ferguson, Missouri, for “refusing to disperse” as he attempted to leave the QuikTrip station, where hundreds have gathered to protest the police shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen. As he later relayed to NBC News, Niere, along with 12 other protesters, was arrested after cops told him and his friends that they “looked like the type that were going to stir up drama and go start looting.” According to Niere, police officers dragged him “face-first on the ground” and were “stepping on the back of our heads.” Niere and the others were held overnight and released. This has been the pattern for more than a week: Dozens of legitimate protesters arrested for essentially doing it wrong, which can be variously described as protesting about issues of race, refusing to stop protesting about issues of race, and in many cases, perhaps most outrageously, protesting while black.
usa, usa, usa. http://t.co/82zPYmJLgx
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(@amk4obama) August 22, 2014It’s virtually impossible to square the law enforcement definition of illegal protest with the snuggly warm vision of political protest put forth by a unanimous Supreme Court only two months ago in McCullen v. Coakley. That was the case in which the high court struck down a Massachusetts law barring any protests within 35 feet of an abortion clinic. That law was passed after two clinic workers were shot and killed at clinics in 1994. But there is a crucial difference between the abortion opponents whose speech rights were feted by the court in McCullen and the garden variety protesters who can still be rounded up in free speech pens and summarily arrested on the streets of Ferguson: The court was careful to explain that the protesters in Massachusetts are not actually “protesters.” They are “counselors.” This presents an obvious solution for the outraged citizens who have taken to the streets of Ferguson and been met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and incarceration: rebranding. From this day forth you should consider yourself “sidewalk counselors.”
More here
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See video here
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Brian Lord: A Little Known Robin Williams Story
Years ago I learned a very cool thing about Robin Williams, and I couldn’t watch a movie of his afterward without thinking of it. I never actually booked Robin Williams for an event, but I came close enough that his office sent over his rider. For those outside of the entertainment industry, a rider lists out an artist’s specific personal and technical needs for hosting them for an event- anything from bottled water and their green room to sound and lighting requirements. You can learn a lot about a person from their rider. When I got Robin Williams’ rider, I was very surprised by what I found.
#RobinWilliams had a rider: Any company he worked w/ had to hire a certain number of homeless people afsc.me/1tkTj8Q #1u
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(@AFSCME) August 21, 2014He actually had a requirement that for every single event or film he did, the company hiring him also had to hire a certain number of homeless people and put them to work. I never watched a Robin Williams movie the same way after that. I’m sure that on his own time and with his own money, he was working with these people in need, but he’d also decided to use his clout as an entertainer to make sure that production companies and event planners also learned the value of giving people a chance to work their way back. Thanks, Robin Williams- not just for laughs, but also for a cool example.
More here
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Nick Timiraos: Foreclosed-Property Sales Fall to Lowest Levels Since 2008
Thursday’s home-sales report offers the clearest evidence that the housing market is moving out of the emergency ward and into a rehab facility. The National Association of Realtors reported that home sales rose for the fourth straight month in July to the highest seasonally adjusted annual rate since last September. But the real sign that the housing market is out of critical condition comes courtesy of a separate survey the NAR does of its members. That survey estimates the share of distressed home sales in July fell to 9% of all sales, the lowest level since the trade group’s tally began in October 2008.
the drop in foreclosed-property sales deserves attention. Sales of non-distressed homes, using crude estimates derived from the NAR’s survey, are up slightly from a year ago. Prices are still rising, but not as sharply as they were a year ago. And higher prices could be drawing out more sellers. Inventories are at their highest levels in nearly two years—and this time, they appear to be rising because Joe and Jane Homeowner, not a bank or mortgage-processing company, wants to sell.
More here
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The Obama Diary 
😎
You there. You with the stars in your eyes. (Now, I’ll be singing that tune to myself all morning.)
I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR THE POOR…I STAND FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF COMPASSION…I ALSO DEVOUTLY FOLLOW CHRIST WHO IS A PEACEMAKER….THE PROTESTS WENT TOO FAR AND WHEN THEY GO TOO FAR…THEY LOSE THEIR POINT. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT AG HOLDER APPEARED ON THE SCENE…THAT WAS A WONDERFUL AND EXTREMELY HEARTFELT MOVE ON HIS PART. I HAVE FOUGHT MANY TIMES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN JUSTICE…PERFORMED MISSION WORK IN ST. LOUIS…SO I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE THERE…I ALWAYS SAY IN THOSE SITUATIONS…WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?…HE WOULD HAVE HANDLED IT WITH PEACE ON THE TABLE….AND IT NEVER WOULD HAVE ESCALATED THE WAY THAT IT DID ESCALATE. EVERYONE HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR PEACE TO ENTER FERGUSON…THANK YOU LORD ANS THANK YOU ERIC HOLDER…WAIT FOR THE DOJ TO DO ITS JOB AND SHOW THEM RESPECT BY DOING SO,
“THE PROTESTS WENT TOO FAR”
Have to disagree Sue, the only people who went too far in all of this were law enforcement – a contradiction in terms in Ferguson.
I was actually amazed by the restraint of the people in the face of the most extraordinary provocation and violence from the police.
A few outsiders, as we know, tried to hijack the protests to promote their own agendas, and no doubt, a few locals stepped over the line too, but we saw with our own eyes, the vast vast vast majority of the people were peaceful and non-violent, unlike the police.
And the people have the right to protest – especially when one of their own has been murdered by a cop.
THE PROTESTS BECAME AN INVITATION TO CRIMINALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY…WHEN THINGS ARE HANDLED THIS WAY…THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS AND THE PEACEFUL ONES BECOME DROWNED OUT IN THE NOISE WHICH IS NOT THEIR FAULT. OUR COUNTRY IS LOCKED IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF HATRED,GREED, SELF CONSUMPTION AND POVERTY ON SEVERAL LEVELS….PEOPLE IN FERGUSON NEED TO RUN FOR OFFICE TO CHANGE THINGS…PETITIONS COULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE WHITEHOUSE REGARDING THE RACIAL INBALANCE ON THE POLICE DEPT. A VERY LONG TIME AGO….AND IT WASN’T JUST A FEW OUTSIDERS….WHO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS GATHERING…SEVERAL FROM NEW YORK,CALIFORNIA…ETC…TO CUT THIS SHORT BECAUSE I COULD GO ON FOREVER…DON’T DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT A SEATBELT….GET SOMETHING DONE BEFORE VIOLENCE DANCES IN YOUR YARD……….AND PLEASE VOTE!
“THE PROTESTS BECAME AN INVITATION TO CRIMINALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY”
So, because some unsavory types take advantage of a peaceful protest, the peaceful protestors should give up their right to peacefully protest?
Seriously?
Should the Civil Rights marchers have given up their right to protest simply because it was likely that some trouble-makers would try to inject themselves in to the cause?
“PETITIONS COULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE WHITEHOUSE REGARDING THE RACIAL INBALANCE ON THE POLICE DEPT.”
If a petition was sent to the White House re every racially imbalanced police department in America, their server would crash. Ferguson is the tip of the iceberg, Sue, petitions aren’t the answer. I don’t what is, but it sure as hell isn’t as simple as typing your name in to a box and pressing send.
What I don’t get about all your comments on Ferguson, Sue, is that you are directing all your anger at the protestors, not at the person who murdered Michael Brown, not at police brutality, not at any of the people actually responsible for this shame.
COMMUNITY PETITIONS REGARDING THE RACIAL BALANCE ON THAT DEPT. SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT A LONG TIME AGO…DON’T LIVE IN THAT..DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO COULD AND SHOULD RUN FOR OFFICE THERE….NOW THEY HAVE JOHNSON…WHAT AN AMAZING AND WONDERFUL MAN HE IS…AS FOR MICHAEL BROWN..I WILL HOLD MY OPINION ON WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL ALL THE EVIDENCE IS IN…WHICH IS WHAT NEEDS O BE DONE…IT IS THE RIGHT OF EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY TO HAVE A TRIAL. AS FOR LOSING ONE OF YOUR OWN…MILLIONS OF PARENTS HAVE LOST ONE OF THEIR OWN…SO BELIEVE ME…NOONE IS ALONE IN THIS LOSS…I CRY FOR LOSSES EVERYDAY ALL OVER THIS WORLD….THE COP GETS A TRIAL BECAUSE THIS IS AMERICA AND THIS IS THE LAW.
“AS FOR MICHAEL BROWN..I WILL HOLD MY OPINION ON WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL ALL THE EVIDENCE IS IN…..”
“IT IS THE RIGHT OF EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY TO HAVE A TRIAL….”
If you have your doubts about Michael Brown, Sue, would you not have liked him to have a trial too for whatever offenses you believe he committed, rather than being shot six times, twice in the head, while unarmed?
Your mask is slipping, it truly is.
I BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL AS PER THE CONSTITUTION…DON’T YOU?
“I BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL AS PER THE CONSTITUTION…DON’T YOU?” I agree with you Sue, Michael Brown HAD the right to a fair trial also, but he didn’t get one, his LIFE WAS TAKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely Sue, I also believe Michael Brown had a right to life. You seem to be forgetting him in all of this.
You’ve revealed your true colors, Sue.
You are no advocate for the poor and downtrodden.
You are the same as the rightwing people that you excoriate.
Congratulations.
MY TRUE COLORS ARE LOVE AND COMPASSION….THE PROTESTS WENT OVER THE EDGE BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE…I DID NOT BLAME THE PROTESTERS…I BLAMED THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS. OUR SOCIETY TODAY IS QUITE SICK AND THIS IS WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED. THIS IS WHY AG HOLDER CAME TO FERGUSON…TO CALM THE PEOPLE AND INVESTIGATE THE TRUE CAUSES OF ALL INCIDENTS. I RESPECT WHAT THE DOJ IS DOING AND WILL WAIT FOR IT.
PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN TO READ WHAT A PERSON IS ACTUALLY SAYING BEFORE THEY JUMP ON THEM!
What’s with the large Caps on all your posts? It’s the equivalent of yelling at others. As for violence, what we have witnessed is a police riot, out of control violence towards both demonstrators and press.
Sue, if you believe that sending petitions to the WH will solve the problem of racial imbalance on the Ferguson PD, then perhaps you’re not qualified to comment on anything related to what’s going on in Ferguson.
And I echo the comments of all the others who’ve responded to your initial comment about the protests.
Sue, it seems you are outnumbered in the sentiment department. Not being facetious but seems your belief in Christ to be non-violent is not exactly true. IMO, were Christ among us, physically, he would have been in the midst of the protest as he hated injustice and violence. Being the most violence was perpetrated by the police klan, he would have been righteously indignant. You may have fought valiantly for the rights of the citizens in St. Louis, but you could never know how it feels to be them. I can empathize with one, but can’t be other than my self. Please take this into consideration when judging the aggrieved.
One last thing. I don’t want you to feel piled on but I urge you to think this out.
I am a mother, are you a mom? I admire Trayvon’s and Jordan’s and Mike’s mothers for their grace and courage. If it had been my child gunned down in the streets I would never leave that street. I would stand in the middle of it, at the site of his murder and I would scream with rage. I would cry in anguish. I don’t know that I could ever stop screaming, not ever. These kids did NOTHING 99% of all teens haven’t done, yet they were slandered by the media in an attempt to justify their murders
Vote? Sure but remember, this racism runs through BOTH parties and the inherent racism in our society must be addressed before anything changes. That means white folk like us need to do some introspection and examine our preconceptions.
In the 1960s MLK was called an agitator. He phone was tapped. He was called names and the Media treated him as the enemy. The Police jailed him many times.
In US, the Constitution grants All the Right to assemble, protest, petition, not to answer any questions posed by a law enforcement…….Is The annoyance here that some of Us have sensed is How Dare Ferguson Residents dared to rise up and scream Enough? Wow…..is Only Wilson that is reserved the 5th Amendment Rights?
Oh, the uncomfortable feelings as felt by others when any minority group dares to stop and demand that those who have ruled for so long, to stop oppressing them? C’mon.
We The People…..either applies to All or none……..Not just to a selected few.
“THE PROTESTS WENT TOO FAR”
An unarmed African-American teenager was executed in broad daylight and the cop who shot him gets a paid vacation. The residents of Ferguson have shown tremendous restraint in their actions after such horror. The majority of protesters were peaceful, and the agitators were not from the community. The brutality and violence came mostly from the police when they threw tear gas, flash grenades, threatened to kill people, slammed people to the ground, and terrorized the community after shoving the media out.
As a self proclaimed christ follower and advocate for peace, you condone that? Really, Sue?
Do you face the injustice that the people of Ferguson face day after day? Do you face the horrors they encounter day after day? Are you persecuted for the color of your skin? Do you face police brutality day after day like the African-American residents of Ferguson do?
They have a right to protest and demand justice for a murdered young man. You have no right to abuse them.
Also, keep in mind that to some degree, their protests went beyond justice for Michael Brown. It was also an accumulation of the injustices towards and neglect of the residents in this community. With regard to the protests, the “too far” was the obstruction and denial of these residents to exercise their basic rights by everyone who was suppose to be protecting their rights. The murder of Michael Brown was the catalyst that sparked Ferguson citizens to say “enough is enough” and demand that the powers that be do right by them.
I am in total accord here with Chips, nerdy and swbluega.
Went too far?
Provoked and harassed by heavily armed militia. Told to walk here not there keep walking guns in their faces. Politicians concerned with restoring peace instead of asserting the right of Michael Brown to keep breathing?
If you watched Ferguson with an open heart you would still be reeling.
The only escalation I saw came from the Police and the governor through support of what the police were doing.
“THE PROTESTS WENT TOO FAR ”
This is precisely the sentiment the media was attempting to foment when they highlighted the VERY few looters and agitators as opposed to the violent , aggressive and antagonistic behavior of the FPD . The vast majority of the protesters where righteously angry…”sick and tired of being sick and tired”. I applaud them…and, while I do not approve of looting or the destruction of property, I completely understand its meaning in the context of hundreds of years of injustice, oppression, degradation and abuse. For whatever it is worth, I proudly stand with each and every one of the protesters.
I have not lived the Black experience so I cannot fathom what my reaction would be but I can tell you how I feel as a human being. I am seething with anger. I am ashamed. I am disgusted to the point of feeling physically ill. I’m ready to hop on the next plane to march with them but instead I’ve decided to do what I can so that the curtain of denial, and apathy does not drop back over the inequality and injustice that continues in our country. I will discuss the murder of Mike Brown, the people of Ferguson and the heinous behavior of Missouri’s law enforcement with every single person I can in hopes that they will understand that this is not one town, one black teen, this is everywhere, EveryTown, USA.
Morning. I totally love the idea of protestors calling themselves “counselors” and citing the Supreme Court. The more knowledgeable we are, the less we can all be intimidated. As for the economy, it absolutely fries me that no one ever mentions the President’s role in this miraculous turnaround. If we were floundering, he would be pilloried morning, noon and night. In our small area of the world, even the houses I consider ‘dogs’ are selling after years of sitting on the market. The mood is definitely more upbeat and yet no one ever things to connect it to PBO. So let’s all shout it from the rooftops: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Hear! Hear!, Jackie.
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!
The US recovered more quickly and more forcefully than any other country – and that recovery can be blamed on the President and his administration. Funny that the GOP and the media NEVER talk about this at all – as you say, if it were in reverse we would hear nothing else.
Wishing you a most successful event tomorrow jackie – it’s raining in my world – which is very welcome – I hope it stays away for your festival – you can send it all down under. 🙂
Thanks a traaaaaaaaaabillion Nerdy, good morning to you Chelsea Girl!
Speaking of Chelsea, did you see my comment yesterday? ->
Did you ever see this poor woman on Twitter?
I’m actually in tears reading the tweets still being sent to her, a year on.
Eg
Hahahahahahahahahahaha. This is why I LOOOOOOOOOVE football. There’s no other sport quite like it.
The fans? That’s just a delightful bonus.
We take our sport and players seriously.
Poor woman. 🙂
LOL!! I saw that tweet yesterday. Didn’t understand what it was about.
🙂 This is another of my favorites GB. One of my team’s star players is Robin van Persie, ‘RvP’. When he left his previous club, Arsenal, to join Manchester United, this man got a torrent of abuse on Twitter ->
He’s a ‘Technocrat, Corporate Advisor, Columnist’ from New Delhi, India.
His Twitter name: https://twitter.com/rvp 🙂
He’s been hilarious about it, though!
Well, this makes you wonder whether Chelsea FC is a football club … Ajax !
🙂 I had the same thought, Toon Moene!
Well that was weird. The comment above posted before I touched a key or finished the sentence..so— THANK YOU PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR SAVING THE US ECONOMY!!!!!
Chips and Nerdy have this entire website programmed so that we all feel weird at certain points. And that’s fine with me, since I am one.
Good morning, jackieG, and I hope Chips and Nerdy didn’t see me “trash talk” ’em. Ha. #RunningNotRunning #AfraidNotAfraid
I’m just going to leave this here. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
To me, he’s just a puppet. Ha. Love ya!
“so that we all feel weird at certain points”
Huh, you lot don’t need any help from us, Jacqueline /runs
(Morning!)
And I wear it like a badge of honor.
#WeirdIsBeautifulWhenDoneProperlyOrSoITellMyself
😆 You truly are the weird hashtag Queen!!!
Only because I know it annoys certain people. 🙂
I remember about 3 years ago when my son “forced” me to go on Twitter. Told him “I’m addicted enough to the Obama blog, why would I want to be on Twitter.” #LookAtMeNow
Oh, you and me both Jacqueline – it’s the greatest regret of my life (well, apart from not playing for Manchester United) that I didn’t resist the Twitter machine!
We’ll resist it, again – when the next shiny object comes along!
Jackie, it cannot be said too often: THANK YOU PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR SAVING THE US ECONOMY!!!!! Wishing you a wonderfully successful weekend!
Thank you, Judith, From your lips to God’s ears.
Good morning, lovely people! 🙂
Great post, Nerdy. Thank you.
Good MoOOOOooorning, GB and thank you.
Wishing you a great day.
Darren Wilson wrote no incident report. Why is that I wonder.
Sounds like the start of the coverup of the murder of Michael Brown.
Also, anyone that calls every crisis Obama’s Katrina
GM everyone – many thanks for the R&S Nerdy – despite a little tongue in cheeck and humor – the Slate advice is well worth reading/following.
I don’t know if this nonsense still has traction, but LGF has done a great job at debunking the latest RWNJ lie:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/43759_Exposing_Gateway_Pundits_Dishonesty-_He_Altered_a_CT_Scan_Image_to_Trick_His_Readers
He’s done fantastic work on this 57, called it out from the start. Good morning to ya!
Morning, Ms. Chips! How’s my favorite elephant-sized lab?
He’s fabulous 57, and hasn’t eaten a single sock yet, so life is good! How are your rascals today?
Pearl kept me up most of the night because of the thunderstorms, but she is better than she was when we first adopted her. Thundershirt and Rescue Remedy help but there is no way to ignore her when the storms are happening.
The dogs get their ‘BioVet’ tablet after going out in the morning. Kasper still did not want to get his toesies wet, so he walked down one step, stepped back up and walked back into the kitchen and assumed the BioVet position. No sell. I’m a disciplinarian!
Nickelby throws a paw at me, as if to say ‘I’m a good boy – take my word for it” and he gets his BioVet.
It tastes like a treat. A trained herbalist friend of mine who specializes in pets, particular cancer, swears by BioVet. His Great Danes have lived to 17 years old! I’m finally consistent with them, and the dogs have great vitality and I can see a difference in Kasper’s bad ‘slippy knees” and Nickelby’s disk and joint issues. It’s just a healthy supplement.
Oh, poor Pearl. My last dog, many years ago, was terrified of thunderstorms, I found him once upstairs under the bed during one, he was shaking and kind of dazed. The vet told me later he suspected he’d had a heart attack. Good grief.
As for Danny. He was asleep beside me one evening when there was an enormous rumble of thunder, first time he’d experienced it. I held my breath, terrified he’d be freaked. But instead he went running to the back door, demanding to be let out so he could investigate. He’s a tough little fella!!
Have to look in to BioVet, your recommendation is GREAT!
what a brave boy!
Pearl is the only dog I’ve had who has had this problem. I can only imagine that she lived most of her life in some outside pen with a tin roof that was terrifying during storms. The thundershirt and Rescue Remedy definitely help, but it’s still bad. It just breaks your heart to not be able to make it go away for her.
She has come so far, from the skinny, bald (okay, she’s still kinda bald), terrified 7 year old puppy mill breeder to the Princess of the House, bossing the boys around, wrapping Daddy around her little paw. It’s the most remarkable transformation. I know we’re a little crazy to adopt these older dogs, but I have to say – every minute with her is an absolute gift.
My beloved Pilgrim – he’d bark at the first thunderstorm of the season: “Go away!” he’d tell the thunder. And then he’d realize he had no power and he’d go, “Whatever”. God I miss that dog. He was the Love of My Life.
Oh, too funny. I bet you gave Pilgrim a wonderful life, let that always comfort you.
He was probably about 5 when we adopted him. He weighed 5 pounds, and when we finally got weight on him he weighed about 10 and was still skinny – to give you an idea of how abused he had been.
A local shelter brought dogs to a Petsmart once a week. I’d called them, they had a small dog and Calliope, Mr. 57 and I went to meet him. Their truck broke down, they were two hours late but I refused to leave. Then I saw this huge guy walk into the store with a little dog on his shoulder. I said to Mr. 57, “I hope that’s him. I hope that’s him”. “That scrawny thing?” said Mr. 57. We “fell in love across a crowded room”. To this day if I hear the song, “Some Enchanted Evening” with that lyric, I cry.
He left Rudy’s shoulder (I supported the shelter until they went out of business after Rudy’s death), came into my arms and he never left my arms. We were in the aisle to buy him a collar and a leash, Rudy found us, kissed Pilgrim on the head and said, “Know that I will always love you.” It was such a wonderful moment.
Pilgrim was my dog and mine only, living to just be with me ( he did allow the other dogs to cuddle with him, but always on his terms). I always said that the rest of the world was a fog and I was the only thing in focus (not uncommon for a rescue dog). Of course it didn’t help that Mr. 57 locked him the attic by mistake the first time I left them alone!
It was an uncommon love and I am forever grateful that we had each other; but when we adopted Pearl I didn’t want for her: I wanted her to feel safe and loved in every corner of the house, and with everyone in it. And that’s what we have.
I’m going to cry, 57. You write so, so beautifully about Pilgrim’s story and your relationship with him. And what a beautiful relationship it was, be proud of yourself for giving him all that love and security.
If I didn’t work for a batshit crazy boss, I would really like to work on my blog, post photos, tell more of these stories.
I only wish I was a fraction of the person I saw reflected in Pilgrim’s eyes. Life-changing.
❤
I dreamed last night that I was looking to adopt another dog, but what I was really looking for was a dog that looked like Pilgrim……
He was most likely a yorkie-poo, heavier on the poodle but with beautiful yorkie eyes. He was gorgeous.
Mr. 57’s nickname for him was ‘Wile E. Coyote’ because he was so skinny and he would dart around.
I highly recommend BioVet. It’s liver-flavored, they love it and I really see a difference.
I’m definitely checking it out 57, thank you.
G’morning Nerdy, Chips, TOD, lurkers and congrats Chips on #1 🙂 Thanks again Nerdy for another flawless Friday R & S roundup!
I’m glad that Lawrence used his platform last night to highlight the incident report issue . I do recall some twitter folks (e.g., Reign of April) had been expressing this very concern since last week when the Ferguson released their precious video of a supposed robbery which had nothing to do with Brown’s death.
I wish that the media had been just as concerned with the incident report at THAT time – instead of running that useless video on 24-hr loop. But, better late than never…
As someone said earlier now they are trying to smear the reputation of the man who was with Michael Brown. And I bet the Ferguson police is behind that.
Being a Correctional Officer it is inconceivable to me that this cop could shoot and kill someone and not write a report. And on top of that his fellow officers let him leave the scene, I’m speechless. If I even look at an inmate the wrong way and that inmate complains to my shift lieutenant I’ve got to write a report, or a memo at the least. And on top of that my report or memo has to be turned in to my supervisors within twenty-four hours.
Someone mentioned on LOD last night that he might have been able to forego writing the incident report by exerting his fifth amendment right (possibly at the advice of an attorney). However, that does not excuse the other officers at the scene, nor the supervising and commanding officers for allowing it. There are more officers than Darren Wilson that should, at a minimum, be suspended …WITHOUT pay.
And as for McCulloch, even considering letting Darren Wilson present his side of the story during a grand jury hearing illustrates why the citizens do not trust him to be impartial and fair.
I’ve heard that when a cop screws up and knows it, the lawyer (and those that want to cover his ass) tell him not to file a report. That being said, if there was any semblance of law and truth in FPD and St. Louis PD there would be procedures demand that a report be filed.
If you care about justice and truth, that is. Which they obviously don’t.
They don’t care, all he did was kill a thug, a black man, no big deal to Darren Wilson and that police department.
Barack Obama makes a lot of congressional Democrats show their true colors….
There… I fixed it for him.
Ezra Klein and his elk make me miss Dan Rather, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley and Ed Murrow.
That top image has been one of my favorites, since I first saw it! Great selection, NW!
Good morning from retirementland! Happy Friday, if it’s Friday (is it?). ❤
I really loathe these people:
back from toilet training the monsters. phew. do your thing first and then you can go kill each other, you blighters.
So it went well, then? 😆
Why don’t you just train them to clean up after themselves?
if only. seriously thinking of locking out the blighters tonight. that’ll teach’em.
no, you may not.
How about a dog flap, then? Just make sure it’s big enough:
nope
You’re making no effort to find a Plan B here. 🙄
Yes. See? I can say yes.
All of my Chicago TOD family get through the storms and flooding okay?
Made it through. The worst part was leaving work yesterday and getting to my car only to discover the drains were clogged and I had to walk through 6 inches of water to get to it. Driving home for 50 minutes in wet shoes and socks was no fun.
Yuck, japa.
I didn’t realize the extent of the flooding until I turned on the news this morning.
We’ve been getting gushing ‘seepage’ the last few years; and I didn’t even know that Mr. 57 had used that magic rubber spray stuff and fixed it (at least the East side of the house. He still has to fix the west side but that’s just a trickle).
I was sure I was going to find a flooded basement, but not this time. If there’s sewer back up, we’re always screwed.
I’m a tad tired of the Storm of the Century happening on a regular basis.
Why is it that every RWNJ candidate sounds like Sarah Palin – do they think it helps them?
Joni Ernst in relation to the tweet
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/08/22/morning-plum-gops-obamacare-repeal-follies-continue/
“What we have to do is protect those that are on Medicaid now; those that are on Social Security now. That, we need to protect. We have made promises to these people…We have to understand there’s a problem, and address it. But those that are already engaged in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, we need to protect that for them.”
lies, lies, and more lies…….
99ts, this is code for “old people don’t worry – it’s the Dems who want to ‘cut’ Medicare’; but if you’re young we’re going to ‘fix’ it because there will be no money when you get old, so give it all to Wall St.
My sister-in-law got caught up in the last feeding frenzy of ‘turn your retirement over to Wall St. so they can gamble with it’. Let’s be clear: not everyone should have 401 (k)’s. Not everyone belongs in the market. Pension funds used to be regulated so only safe, slow-growing investments were allowed. Now the GOP has done a sell job to the young people who now think they won’t get any SS or Medicare. So let’s DESTROY it.
‘Protect the current recipients is code for keeping the old white vote. They fully intend to destroy the safety net for future generations. But they sure know how to sell it. Gotta give them credit for that.
Can’t seem to create a coherent thought today. My sister-in-law lost her entire retirement when the market crashed in the late 90’s. And she had every kind of cancer, finally dying of brain cancer in 2008. After working her entire life, she had to worry about making ends meet and taking care of her dog, who was everything to her.
Sad story, jackie. Bet there’s many out there like this.
Ezra Klein was just a tyke in school in 90s. How would he know anything about that era? He also doesn’t remember how furious the Congressional Ds were to have to defend Bill Clinton’s zipper problems.
That’s a problem with many of these young “political analysts” who are given jobs they’re unqualified to have or looked upon as experts by people twice their age. Their historical perspective is so limited and sketchy – it destroys any credibility in their analysis. And their laziness to do any investigation into what they don’t know compounds the problem.
GM, TOD! Drive-by, taking my Mom and a neighborhood Auntie to lunch. Read you later; have a Blessed day!
I remember my aunt saying when she was graduating from high school in CA back in the late 40’s all the black kids got in trouble for saying “liberty & justice for SOME”…..still true today.
Would only share this hear. For past year or so, when I get to that part, I stop and don’t say that line. That may be the wrong thing to do, but I just can’t say it. It is a LIE>
**here**
sad but true…..liberty and justice is for the rich, priviledged few, and right wingers.
Aw! This is for LL! Libraries rock!
Heartbreaking, tragic, nonsensical as can be……cute 9yr. old Chgo boy fatally shot—–for what possible reason???—-shot multiple times—–after running off after being told he couldn’t have a cupcake——may have wandered into gang territory. Another pointless loss of a child by gunfire. Sickening.
All I can say is what the hell is going on in this country, this world. Lord have mercy.
Horrific!
It seems that Ezra Klein is in the beltway, might have connections to AIPAC and has a Wife that is paid to stalk This President.
Ok I fixed my poorly worded comment from earlier. 🙂
Or, to put it as simply as possible. Klein is a JERK.
So is his Wife and all the beltway pundits.
They’re on the books and can be bought just like congress.
Hmmm!
That I agree with.
We frequently talk about Pierce and what a great writer he is. And I often say, this is the best he has done. But I have been wrong. This is the best he has done. I defy you to read the whole thing and not cry, rage, pound the wall. This should be everywhere.
They left the body in the street.
Dictators leave bodies in the street.
Petty local satraps leave bodies in the street.
Warlords leave bodies in the street.
A police officer shot Michael Brown to death. And they left his body in the street. For four hours. Bodies do not lie in the street for four hours. Not in an advanced society. Bodies lie in the street for four hours in small countries where they have perpetual civil war. Bodies lie in the street for four hours on back roads where people fight over the bare necessities of simple living, where they fight over food and water and small, useless parcels of land. Bodies lie in the street for four hours in places in which poor people fight as proxies for rich people in distant places, where they fight as proxies for the men who dig out the diamonds, or who drill out the oil, or who set ancient tribal grudges aflame for modern imperial purposes that are as far from the original grudges as bullets are from bows.
That was the beginning, and it gets better. Read it. I demand you read it, and I don’t demand very much.
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/The_Body_In_The_Street
A must-read, japa.
Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz @ 1:30pm.
Msnbc and cnn and yes Foxx are asking the question: are sleeper ISIS cells in America?
That’s because big mouth Rick Perry ran his mouth yesterday. Saying, ISIS is coming over the southern border in Texas.
Soon, ISIS will be exploding dirty bombs or mushroom clouds in our cities.
Remember how that worked out for CNN? #ratings
Maybe Perry thinks those ” terror babies ” Louie Gohmert insists are crawling across the border are all grown up now …..
The GOP always plays the ….terror…fear….terror…fear card…..
Everything seems to come over the southern border. The northern border is completely secure; right?
Thank God we don’t have a President from Texas who ignored terror threats…thanks for reminding us about that RP.
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/08/22/the-boy-in-the-street/
Lincoln Park Zoo in Chgo had a going away party for its polar bear, Anana—–like her name, means “beautiful”. She got to enjoy a fancy fish ice sculpture with a fish and honey inside—–fun and delish! She’s going to N.C. for a possible “love connection”. Who knows if she will be pleased with this arranged marriage. Depends on how cute and nice he is. 🙂