2014: More Most Memorable Moments

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by Prettyfoot

 There were so many outstanding moments in 2014.. it is very hard to choose…. but here are my top moments…

The President hosting the Young African Leaders summit town hall 

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My Brother’s Keeper town hall

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Between Two Ferns

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 Post midterm elections press conference

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The News: End Of The Year Edition

America’s businesses added 10.9 million jobs over 57 straight months of job growth → go.wh.gov/year-in-review http://t.co/PfRpRQmFS2

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 30, 2014

President Obama took steps to fix our broken immigration system in 2014 → go.wh.gov/year-in-review #ImmigrationAction http://t.co/KjBC3F3Qzv

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 29, 2014

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Our businesses added 2.65 million jobs in the first 11 months of 2014 → go.wh.gov/year-in-review http://t.co/PfRpRQmFS2

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 30, 2014

2014 in review: President Obama urged the @FCC to keep the internet open and free → go.wh.gov/year-in-review http://t.co/ifCoS1ty8j

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 29, 2014

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President Obama took historic steps to cut carbon pollution and #ActOnClimate in 2014 → go.wh.gov/year-in-review http://t.co/AROcpiRnhl

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 29, 2014

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, about 10 million Americans gained health coverage in 2014 → go.wh.gov/year-in-review http://t.co/mJ3abhSgSB

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 29, 2014

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America made a lot of progress this year. Check out the highlights from 2014 → go.wh.gov/year-in-review http://t.co/PfRpRQmFS2

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 29, 2014

"The longest war in American history is coming to a responsible conclusion." —President Obama #Afghanistan http://t.co/0nNdyMZzDJ

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The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 28, 2014

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Ringing Out The Year

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Various TODers have done such a good job remembering 2014’s highlights that I feel no need to add to that. So allow me to pen a tribute.

And the tribute is to all of you.

I’ve had many homes online since the long ago days of the 90s. (And you’d be shocked at some of the places I called “home”. I’ll leave that to your imaginations.)

I thought DailyKos would be my political home in the darkness of the Bush regime. But after Barack Obama’s election, it was soon apparent that rage was all Markos trafficked in. Rage at Mr. Bush for destroying the country. Rage at Pres. Obama for not magically making everything right. And as I’ve written before, rage gets tiring, and rage fixes nothing. Rage is the cheap drug which keeps you sated for a bit. But you have to increase the dosage every time to get the same high, until your mind is addled and clear thought is banished.

I first found BWD, and her site was wonderful. But it was shortlived, as people as lofty as Glenn Greenwald called her a Leni Riefenstahl for daring to defend a just-elected president who had barely gotten his feet in the door. I don’t blame her for saying “fuck it” and sticking to Twitter.

Many of us found our way here by the same path, from DKos and BWD’s blog. It took me a while to start posting. I observed for a while. But you magnificent bastards pulled me in, and suddenly I realized that I had found like minds. It’s thrilling when one finds a group of people who have the same general outlook on life. Not just about politics, but on how to live one’s life, in kindness, consideration, and empathy. It was something I’d been looking for for a long time, never finding it. It was, quite simply, revelatory.

And as I spent more time here, the more I came to consider this an extended family. From Mama Chips to little sister Nerdy to crazy uncle amk to wise uncle Bob, I could share my troubles, my joys, my frustrations. We all could. We knew when someone was sick, or soul-hurt, or ecstatic. Donna’s grandbabies, Chips’ Danny, Carolyn’s husband’s medical issues: we knew them all, sorrowed, commiserated, or grew joyful, shared in the highs and lows. And there just aren’t that many places where one can say that online. Definitely not on a blog ostensibly dedicated to politics.

But that’s the thing; sure this is “The Obama Diary”, but it’s become more than just about this president or his policies. The blog embodies his humanity, his empathy, his genuine concern. We have become a family in large part because a man like Barack Obama attracts a certain type of person. He speaks to the quintessentially human, to the genuinely kind. And because we support him, for the most part we take after him. But if we weren’t already on that path, we wouldn’t be here.

January 1 starts a new year, and new battles. But, for now, sit, quietly, and wonder at the different points which brought us here. This little community, where injustice is condemned, where good is sought. This little community which is only as strong as its weakest member, and cherishes that member. This little family.

I thank you all. I’d be lost without this place. Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2015.

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2014: VC’s Most Memorable Moments

by VC

In a community such as the one built and nurtured here, it is understandable that a sharing of memorable moments will overlap. My ‘personal’ top 2014 MMs have already been featured, repeatedly (yet primarily by Arapaho)! I’ve summarized my version to reflect two main facts …

(1) President & Mrs. Obama are committed to our young people, at home and abroad.

a) In their ‘business’ travels The Obamas consistently meet with and listen to the future leaders of the WORLD! In 2014, this happened in Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan; Standing Rock Native youths, etc.

b) My Brother’s Keeper

“That’s what ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ is all about – Helping more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works – when it works, in those critical life-changing moments.” ~ President Barack Obama: February 27, 2014

Get Involved

My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge

In September 2014, President Obama issued a challenge to cities, towns, counties and tribes across the country to become “MBK Communities.” This challenge represents a call to action for all members of our communities, and mayors in particular, as they often sit at the intersection of many of the vital forces and structural components needed to enact sustainable change through policy, programs, and partnerships.

More here

c) They bring young people to WH or to USA for leadership networking & training.

Examples: i) August’s African Nations Summit at White House + the Town Hall with young African leaders

ii) On October 30, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) held its first Young Leaders Dialogue (YLD) Google+ Hangout on Education. This is the first of four YLDs happening in conjunction with the E3! Ambassadors Program, comprised of 34 young leaders across the nation committed to increasing opportunity and improving the quality of life for AAPIs. These E3! Ambassadors aim to “Educate, Engage and Empower” young leaders, by highlighting federal programs and resources for AAPIs around the issues of education, mental health, pathways to public service and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

iii) Nov 20 2014 FL Michelle Obama & Pres Obama have lunch with members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Youth. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(2) PBO, and his Admin, also show a consistent commitment to making the world a better place

For this latter, I will mention only the most recent example that many have already cited.
a) The rapprochement between the United States and Cuba – This one was particularly moving for me because even though we saw Castro unclenching his fist at Mandela’s memorial in 2013 (remember the media furor that caused), I was not expecting the announcement that both countries had started to move closer together so soon.

Photo of the Year: Vote!

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Click ↓ to see your Photo of the Year choices – then vote!

Early Bird Rise and Shine

PBO can even sit on his desk, and it doesn’t collapse.

😦

MoooOOOooorning!