On This Day – Pete Souza: “Two days after the shootings at Newtown, the President traveled to Connecticut to meet with the victims’ families and give remarks at a prayer vigil. The President spent hours greeting family members. Difficult as that was for everyone, the one moment that helped sooth the pain was when he posed for a photo with the siblings and cousins of Emilie Parker, one of the 20 children who died that day in Newtown. I see both sadness and hope in this photograph, and I know after a lot of tears that day, it meant so much to the President that everyone was able to smile for a moment in this family photo. Thanks to the Parker family for allowing us to show this photograph publicly.” Dec. 16, 2012
Morning, Df. I hope you have a happy day ahead of you. Is there sunshine in your area today? If so, will you let me know what it feels like? I haven’t seen the sun for so long, it seems as if it’s just a myth. Today there is a 96 percent chance of rain—again.
Thanks:) I seem to be coming down with something…very sore throat…who knows. Figures though…almost time for our winter break at school so of course I should get sick now! No. No sun for us this week…we’re getting all the rain that CA had. Not seeing the sun for a little while is a pleasant diversion here. We have the sun nearly every day, so when we really do get “weather”…it’s an event! Did you know they actually PAY people to be weather people here? Stand next to that green screen everyday and report to AZ that it’s going to be sunny and hot. Maybe in my next life:) Have a good day…I do remember those dreary winter Ohio days….no thanks!
What the taliban has done in pakistan to innocent children is horrific and beyond comprehension. What do they aim achieve by this senseless killing of their own people, especially kids?
It’s high time the moderate muslims, who are the majority, stopped being silent and raise hell over this continuing atrocity. For years, pakistan’s pols and its shady isi have been breeding and feeding these taliban and other extremist monsters in their stupid proxy fight with us and now the monsters have come home to roost to kill innocent kids. In the inconsolable words of an uncle, it takes years to raise a child and the terrorists just took his life away in a second.
AMK, your first question is really the critical one–“what do they hope to achieve with senseless killing of their own people…” ? I can only suppose they feel a sense of power if they can terrorize people at will and so force them to obey without question. This is what tyrants have always done to create docile ‘subjects.’ People have to come to a point where they’ve had enough and their outrage overwhelms their fear. I hope that comes very soon for Pakistan.
I read a comment from one of the mothers who said something like ‘my son was my dream and now my dream is dead’ and I just ache for her and all the parents and loved ones. And we are two years from the massacre at Newtown and not even that horror can shake us enough to deal with gun violence. There is just so much suffering and I can’t help but notice that it is usually because some men are so hungry for power or money or both that they are willing to sacrifice children in the process.
The idea that violence will solve anything persists no matter how many times it is proven false. We are dealing with it when we talk about police violence, or the war on drugs. The problems will not be solved with violence–only care and compassion and kindness.
Things seem so out of whack right now. I find myself looking to the first family for some measure of sanity and example. I really don’t know how they sustain themselves with all the ugliness they have to deal with but I think they must have tremendous faith.
Momsense, I can’t even imagine the depths of despair these mothers must be feeling. The senseless, brutal, sadistic, unfeeling callousness of it all. At Sandyhook, people managed to convince themselves that it was one crazy kid who lost control. But this attack, even more massive in scope, was organized and planned by a team. What level of depravity and inhumanity must human beings reach to think that massacring children is an appropriate response to a political issue. This is what ‘evil’ really is–no heart, no capacity for fellow feeling of any sort, just a desire to kill and destroy. And this isn’t madness–this is a deliberate political tactic. May these murderers rot in hell with no mercy.
Chips, thank you for the poignant reminder of the young children who were relatives of those who died at Sandyhook. Our president’s gentle, loving ways gave them a moment of safety, reassurance and comfort so they could laugh and just be kids. His deep connection with children is one of the infinite reasons why our president is so loved by millions, despite all the crap spewed out by the so-called media in this country. We at TOD have been especially blessed, thanks to you, because we get to see the visual proof of our president’s greatness every day in the photo, stories and videos you gift us with. You may not have finished your “official” Christmas shopping, but you give us a Christmas gift here every day, which is why we all can’t stop saying “thank you” in our many different ways.
JackieG, my eyes have been so painful in these last few days, however, I am able to read your comment and tears just began to flow from my eyes. Your words speak for my heart to our beautiful Chips. {{{{{{{{{TY, beautiful JackieG.}}}}}}}}}}HZ
Yes, and he would never have been confirmed if Reid had waited until January. So kudos to him for taking advantage of Cruz’s blunder and getting something positive done with this Congress. Congress IS in a state of disrepair and in November those who bothered to vote said that that was AOK with them. Until the people in this country wise up, say enough and get themselves out to the polls, we will always be in a world of hurt from a broken Congress and grossly corrupt right wing of the Supreme Court.
Why would you not care how your own congress critters abuse and ill treat well qualified nominees, who are btw willing to serve you for peanuts? With the way thugs have acted in the last six years, how do you think qualified people will agree to serve in the government and in turn serve you in future?
Only 51 votes, remember the Republicans are more afraid of the NRA then anyone else. These are the same men and women who saw what the mood were after Sandy Hook, but who did the Republicans obey? The NRA.
Unspeakable horror in Pakistan in the news today, reminds me of the Chechen siege in
Cannot comprehend this evil.
Here’s an update on the Richmond Police Chief — the pushback he’s gotten is from the Richmond Police Officers Association (for violating rules against politicking in uniform).
From the article:
“As for how the chief would have felt if one of his officers had held up a sign in support of Ferguson, Mo., police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, triggering protests across the county?
‘I would have been appalled. And I think there is a real difference,’ Magnus said. ‘My statement was about building bridges.'”
It wouldn’t hurt if other police officers were to hold up these signs “Black Lives Matter”. It wouldn’t hurt if police officers were to come out and say we agree with the sign, because to us all lives matter. I can see where the Richmond chief is not making any statement about Ferguson verdict, but what he is saying to the black community he serve, is that your lives matter just as much as the white man. And all police officers should act like it does.
Good morning everyone. That picture of the Newtown children is heartwarming. I would love to see these kids in a similar picture with the President now, two years later. Kids grow up so fast.
This will always weigh heavily upon my heart because of what our president had to sit quietly and listen to the briefings by each appropriate department head immediately after this awful day at Sandy Hook. His faith held him as strong as he could be to prepare for what followed.
Many within our family often ask how he moves through all of these painful things, and the obstruction within the Congress; his supporting faith and having people around him like Joshua(however, Joshua is no longer there), but the same devotional time that millions of us all over this nation and the world daily lift our president and his Cabinet up in our meditations and prayers.
This was a really, really difficult one for our president. I have found Joshua DuBois to have been a great source of encouragement for our president daily. They both were such a perfect fit. It will be imperative that we continue to pray for those with the strength and source of encouragement such as Joshua DuBois to surround our president in times like this awful day at Sandy Hook and other places around this nation. This one just remains to be a heavy one to lift daily for him because of the precious little ones had not even had the opportunity to really live their precious lives as they so deserved to do. It pains my heart, and I know it pains President Obama’s heart.
By the way, Joshua did a beautiful job on this book. Read it or share it with a dear friend. HZ
How could Sen. Coburn do this, he claim to be such a christian. These men and women who go to fight for this country deserve all the help they need.War is hell. There are times when politics ought to be at the back of the bus, and don’t go giving me the B.S. about what it might cost. What is Coburn reason for blocking this?
Christian my foot……..this basta*d voted for the Iraq war and the Afghan war without ever demanding for how it got paid. I hope his life after Congress is a hellish one.
Liberal state lawmakers form new group to counter growing GOP power
By Tom Hamburger December 15 at 2:00 PM
As Republicans assume greater control over state government than at any time in recent history, a group of left-leaning Democrats gathered this weekend to make plans to fight back in 2015.
More than 200 state legislators, Democratic consultants, liberal donors and interest group activists gathered for the first national meeting of the State Innovation Exchange, a coalition designed to counter the impact of state-focused groups on the right, including the corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council.
The SiX session at the Omni Shoreham hotel included an address by Gara LaMarche, chairman of the Democracy Alliance, a group of wealthy liberal donors who have turned to state activism as an important new area for political investment.
Well I’m sorry, Rikyhah, but this Democratic strategy session is a day late and a dollar short. We all knew what was going on years ago and ALEC has been writing state laws for years. So now they’re meeting. Nothing like trying to lock the barn door after the horses are gone.
Better Late than never and they better start with Having Core principles they must stand firmly and fight for them. They better start an effective way to communicate and build grassroots who are willing to be foot-activists. They better stop cowering and build a sustained Media Echo Chamber or there is very little hope and their party will quickly die out.
The Obama Diary 
Morning!
Good Morning df! Congrats on the Gold!
Morning:)
Good morning to ya DF, you are on a golden roll!!!
I am? Because I wake up so early 🙂
Morning, Df. I hope you have a happy day ahead of you. Is there sunshine in your area today? If so, will you let me know what it feels like? I haven’t seen the sun for so long, it seems as if it’s just a myth. Today there is a 96 percent chance of rain—again.
Thanks:) I seem to be coming down with something…very sore throat…who knows. Figures though…almost time for our winter break at school so of course I should get sick now! No. No sun for us this week…we’re getting all the rain that CA had. Not seeing the sun for a little while is a pleasant diversion here. We have the sun nearly every day, so when we really do get “weather”…it’s an event! Did you know they actually PAY people to be weather people here? Stand next to that green screen everyday and report to AZ that it’s going to be sunny and hot. Maybe in my next life:) Have a good day…I do remember those dreary winter Ohio days….no thanks!
Good morning. Food pantry day, then Christmas lunch with women friends . I’ll lurk off and on. Good day wishes to all!
What the taliban has done in pakistan to innocent children is horrific and beyond comprehension. What do they aim achieve by this senseless killing of their own people, especially kids?
It’s high time the moderate muslims, who are the majority, stopped being silent and raise hell over this continuing atrocity. For years, pakistan’s pols and its shady isi have been breeding and feeding these taliban and other extremist monsters in their stupid proxy fight with us and now the monsters have come home to roost to kill innocent kids. In the inconsolable words of an uncle, it takes years to raise a child and the terrorists just took his life away in a second.
AMK, your first question is really the critical one–“what do they hope to achieve with senseless killing of their own people…” ? I can only suppose they feel a sense of power if they can terrorize people at will and so force them to obey without question. This is what tyrants have always done to create docile ‘subjects.’ People have to come to a point where they’ve had enough and their outrage overwhelms their fear. I hope that comes very soon for Pakistan.
This horrific act of violence is beyond comprehension. So many innocent children in this bloodbath. So much heinous depravity grips our world.
There just are no words for this, where the fuck does this evil come from?
can’t even read this story…hurts my heart. I saw all I could wrap my head around with just the headlines….just so, so sad.
I read a comment from one of the mothers who said something like ‘my son was my dream and now my dream is dead’ and I just ache for her and all the parents and loved ones. And we are two years from the massacre at Newtown and not even that horror can shake us enough to deal with gun violence. There is just so much suffering and I can’t help but notice that it is usually because some men are so hungry for power or money or both that they are willing to sacrifice children in the process.
The idea that violence will solve anything persists no matter how many times it is proven false. We are dealing with it when we talk about police violence, or the war on drugs. The problems will not be solved with violence–only care and compassion and kindness.
Things seem so out of whack right now. I find myself looking to the first family for some measure of sanity and example. I really don’t know how they sustain themselves with all the ugliness they have to deal with but I think they must have tremendous faith.
Momsense, I can’t even imagine the depths of despair these mothers must be feeling. The senseless, brutal, sadistic, unfeeling callousness of it all. At Sandyhook, people managed to convince themselves that it was one crazy kid who lost control. But this attack, even more massive in scope, was organized and planned by a team. What level of depravity and inhumanity must human beings reach to think that massacring children is an appropriate response to a political issue. This is what ‘evil’ really is–no heart, no capacity for fellow feeling of any sort, just a desire to kill and destroy. And this isn’t madness–this is a deliberate political tactic. May these murderers rot in hell with no mercy.
There is no purpose to this. It is the personification of evil, working through humans. Again. And again. _/|\_
We mentioned this yesterday and here’s more info:
Chips, thank you for the poignant reminder of the young children who were relatives of those who died at Sandyhook. Our president’s gentle, loving ways gave them a moment of safety, reassurance and comfort so they could laugh and just be kids. His deep connection with children is one of the infinite reasons why our president is so loved by millions, despite all the crap spewed out by the so-called media in this country. We at TOD have been especially blessed, thanks to you, because we get to see the visual proof of our president’s greatness every day in the photo, stories and videos you gift us with. You may not have finished your “official” Christmas shopping, but you give us a Christmas gift here every day, which is why we all can’t stop saying “thank you” in our many different ways.
JackieG, my eyes have been so painful in these last few days, however, I am able to read your comment and tears just began to flow from my eyes. Your words speak for my heart to our beautiful Chips. {{{{{{{{{TY, beautiful JackieG.}}}}}}}}}}HZ
Oh Jackie, just saw your comment now, you’re lovely, kind and gorgeous!
Finished my shopping?
I haven’t started!1!1!
Seriously 😳
PBO’s sanctions at work.
Good Tuesday, Chipsticks…TOD Family!
where’s cookemom? There’s been a few that I haven’t seen in awhile and if they’re lurking….I’m thinking about all of you and hope that all is well:)
I don’t care how many he got as long as it was enough to confirm him. In this day and age of politics you take what you can get.
Yes, and he would never have been confirmed if Reid had waited until January. So kudos to him for taking advantage of Cruz’s blunder and getting something positive done with this Congress. Congress IS in a state of disrepair and in November those who bothered to vote said that that was AOK with them. Until the people in this country wise up, say enough and get themselves out to the polls, we will always be in a world of hurt from a broken Congress and grossly corrupt right wing of the Supreme Court.
Why would you not care how your own congress critters abuse and ill treat well qualified nominees, who are btw willing to serve you for peanuts? With the way thugs have acted in the last six years, how do you think qualified people will agree to serve in the government and in turn serve you in future?
Donnelly , Heitkaamp and Manchin were the Dem NO votes.
Only 51 votes, remember the Republicans are more afraid of the NRA then anyone else. These are the same men and women who saw what the mood were after Sandy Hook, but who did the Republicans obey? The NRA.
GM TODville.
Unspeakable horror in Pakistan in the news today, reminds me of the Chechen siege in
Cannot comprehend this evil.
Here’s an update on the Richmond Police Chief — the pushback he’s gotten is from the Richmond Police Officers Association (for violating rules against politicking in uniform).
From the article:
“As for how the chief would have felt if one of his officers had held up a sign in support of Ferguson, Mo., police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, triggering protests across the county?
‘I would have been appalled. And I think there is a real difference,’ Magnus said. ‘My statement was about building bridges.'”
It wouldn’t hurt if other police officers were to hold up these signs “Black Lives Matter”. It wouldn’t hurt if police officers were to come out and say we agree with the sign, because to us all lives matter. I can see where the Richmond chief is not making any statement about Ferguson verdict, but what he is saying to the black community he serve, is that your lives matter just as much as the white man. And all police officers should act like it does.
G’morning Chips & TOD! Wishing everyone a good Tuesday. 🙂
Good morning everyone. That picture of the Newtown children is heartwarming. I would love to see these kids in a similar picture with the President now, two years later. Kids grow up so fast.
I agree with that one, Jackie. Am curious about their lives growing up without a sibling or loved relative.
I will never understand the impulse to kill innocent children. The anniversary of Sandy Hook and now today’s horror. It is incomprehensible evil.
This will always weigh heavily upon my heart because of what our president had to sit quietly and listen to the briefings by each appropriate department head immediately after this awful day at Sandy Hook. His faith held him as strong as he could be to prepare for what followed.
Many within our family often ask how he moves through all of these painful things, and the obstruction within the Congress; his supporting faith and having people around him like Joshua(however, Joshua is no longer there), but the same devotional time that millions of us all over this nation and the world daily lift our president and his Cabinet up in our meditations and prayers.
This was a really, really difficult one for our president. I have found Joshua DuBois to have been a great source of encouragement for our president daily. They both were such a perfect fit. It will be imperative that we continue to pray for those with the strength and source of encouragement such as Joshua DuBois to surround our president in times like this awful day at Sandy Hook and other places around this nation. This one just remains to be a heavy one to lift daily for him because of the precious little ones had not even had the opportunity to really live their precious lives as they so deserved to do. It pains my heart, and I know it pains President Obama’s heart.
By the way, Joshua did a beautiful job on this book. Read it or share it with a dear friend. HZ
They had better. The peak was 175K Nuns in US. Today the number is 50K and the average Nun is in her early to Mid 70s.
Good Morning everyone!
Sen. Coburn Blasted for Blocking Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill
http://iava.org/press-release/post-911-veterans-blast-senator-coburn-for-blocking-crucial-veteran-suicide-prevention-bill/
How could Sen. Coburn do this, he claim to be such a christian. These men and women who go to fight for this country deserve all the help they need.War is hell. There are times when politics ought to be at the back of the bus, and don’t go giving me the B.S. about what it might cost. What is Coburn reason for blocking this?
Christian my foot……..this basta*d voted for the Iraq war and the Afghan war without ever demanding for how it got paid. I hope his life after Congress is a hellish one.
Liberal state lawmakers form new group to counter growing GOP power
By Tom Hamburger December 15 at 2:00 PM
As Republicans assume greater control over state government than at any time in recent history, a group of left-leaning Democrats gathered this weekend to make plans to fight back in 2015.
More than 200 state legislators, Democratic consultants, liberal donors and interest group activists gathered for the first national meeting of the State Innovation Exchange, a coalition designed to counter the impact of state-focused groups on the right, including the corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council.
The SiX session at the Omni Shoreham hotel included an address by Gara LaMarche, chairman of the Democracy Alliance, a group of wealthy liberal donors who have turned to state activism as an important new area for political investment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/12/15/liberal-state-lawmakers-form-new-group-to-counter-growing-gop-power/
Well I’m sorry, Rikyhah, but this Democratic strategy session is a day late and a dollar short. We all knew what was going on years ago and ALEC has been writing state laws for years. So now they’re meeting. Nothing like trying to lock the barn door after the horses are gone.
Better Late than never and they better start with Having Core principles they must stand firmly and fight for them. They better start an effective way to communicate and build grassroots who are willing to be foot-activists. They better stop cowering and build a sustained Media Echo Chamber or there is very little hope and their party will quickly die out.
Morning:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/16/rise-and-shine-983/