Happy Easter/Passover everyone. Back in the bosom of my family, and about to go pick up some Lebanese food for our Easter dinner. (First to BevMo to stock up on cocktail fixings, though.)
Happy Easter/Passover to everyone here, to friends and family everywhere, and yup – off to BevMo (or my local “off license” as the Brits say.) Everyone enjoy the days of hope and renewal even if you’re not a believer. See there’s no snow in the photo? That alone calls for rejoicing.
Kansas welfare recipients will be unable to get more than $25 per day in benefits under a new law sent this week to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s desk by the state legislature.
The bill also prohibits welfare recipients from spending their benefits at certain types of businesses, including liquor stores, fortune tellers, swimming pools and cruise ships.
“We’re trying to make sure those benefits are used the way they were intended,” state Rep. Michael O’Donnell (R) said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. “This is about prosperity. This is about having a great life.”
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, often known as “welfare,” is one of several federal programs administered by states at the ground level. The Kansas TANF program, known locally as the Successful Families Program, offers a family of three as much as $429 per month in cash benefits. Kansas is one of at least 37 states that distributes benefits on government-issued debit cards, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
…………………………..
I figure I ate like a king for less than 150 bucks a month back then. But it took a lot of work, it took planning and coupon clipping and watching for sales, and most of all, it took a hunk of money all at once.
Sam Brownback is the biggest mistake for KS. The voters showed their indifference and stupidity. I live in this wicked state, I vote and I write letters (no emails or texts!) to the senators so I feel I have every right to voice my disgust about their blatant behavior and hate.
I think they all are growing into who are they are very gracefully. FLOTUS is beautiful, POTUS is oh so handsome and the girls are lovely young ladies. I am so proud they are my First Family.
It was Packed! You know, all those people who only attend Church on Christmas & Easter? well they were all there! 😀 😀
Overall, it was all good. Then I had dinner with a couple of friends at Black Angus. I brought Carrot Cake home. I’m trying so hard not to eat it just yet, but it’s calling my name….
I’m loving the color choice of Sasha’s top and skirt. So cute and very flattering. I may try the color combo myself – I think it works very well.
I also think the girls’ shoes are cute. Wonder what brand they are? Hope we can find out soon, before they sell out.
PBO is such a moral man. I admire him greatly for standing firm in his positions and for taking the time to explain – over and over where he stands and why. We truly will never have another President like him.
Thanks, PF. That was a long interview, but well worth listening to! I haven’t heard another president express himself with such clarity on the history of the region as well as so clearly express his vision for its future. If only the majority of Congress was half as open-minded and intelligent!
“AMB. SEYED HOSSEN MOUSAVIAN: I think there’s no difference between Israel and North Korea because North Korea has a few number of nuclear bombs. Israel has about 400 nuclear bombs. Therefore, they both are the same. They have nuclear bombs. There is a big difference between Iran and Israel. They really belong to two different wars on nonproliferation. Iran is member of the Nonproliferation Treaty and Israel has never been ready to accept it. There is no evidence in Iranian nuclear program. Iran does not have nuclear bomb. Israel has about 400 nuclear bombs. During last 10 years, Iran has given more than 7000 mandate inspections to International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA. This is completely unprecedented during the history of IAEA, no other country in the world has given access to IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, like Iran during the last decade. Israel, during last 50, 60 years, has not given even one inspection to the IAEA. Therefore, I believe the war and international community, they should judge who is wrong, who is right. Iran does not have nuclear bomb. Iran has accepted every level of inspection, transparency. Iran has accepted to have completely open nuclear program, and Israel does have a nuclear bomb and the country which does have nuclear bomb is blaming Iran, which does not have nuclear bomb.”
Absolutely crucial insight …. because it is true ….
“AMB. SEYED HOSSEN MOUSAVIAN: I believe this is a very, very important question, not because of the nuclear deal, because of the future negotiations between Iran and the U.S. The narrative in the U.S. Congress is, the deal is done because of U.S. sanctions and pressures. But, the fact is, the deal was signed yesterday is the principles, the framework is exactly like the principles and frameworks we proposed European countries in 2003 and 2005, between 2003 to 2005. The same principles, Iran was not on the sanctions 2003-2005. After eight years of sanctions, pressures, the U.S. accepted the same principles. Why the deal was done, why the deal was possible? There was only and only one reason; in 2003 to 2005, the U.S. was not ready to accept the legitimate rights of Iran on their NPT for enrichment. U.S. would saying the red line is enrichment. Iran cannot have one centrifuges. Iran should have zero enrichment. That’s why we couldn’t make the deal.
In 2013, the preliminary deal was signed. The U.S. changed, moderated its position. The U.S. said, now Iran can have enrichment on their nonproliferation treaty, but limited and for its practical needs. But, Iran should give all assurances that would not seek nuclear bomb. Therefore, really, the reason for the deal was not pressures and sanctions, was the U.S. to realize and to respect the nonproliferation treaty. Sanctions had two different impacts. One, on the nuclear issue, sanctions only caused increase of Iranian nuclear program. Before sanctions, Iran had a few hundred of centrifuges. After sanctions, Iran reached to 22,000 centrifuges. Before sanctions, Iran had a few hundred kilogram of stockpile of enriched uranium. After sanctions, about 9000 kilogram. Before sanctions, Iran was enriching below 5 percent. After sanctions, Iran increased the enrichment to 20 percent. Therefore, Congress and Israeli policy for sanctions only led to the increased Iranian nuclear and capacity. Until the point which the U.S. recognized Iran has only three months to breakout, then the U.S. accepted enrichment in Iran and decided to have verification, transparency, and change the red line from zero enrichment to zero nuclear bomb.
But the second that I mention of the sanction is on Iranian economy, Iranian people. Definitely, sanctions harmed the Iranian economy. Definitely, sanctions harmed Iranian nation. There is no doubt about it. But, if the objective of sanctions was limiting the Iranian nuclear program, this was 100% counterproductive. This is a good lesson for the U.S. Congress and for Israelis. More pressure, more threat, Iran would become more aggressive. But, if you go for mutual respect, negotiating with Iran based on mutual respect and based on international rules and regulations, you would find a very, very cooperative, a flexible Iran.”
Mutual respect and mutual willingness to trust but verify. People think Iran is full of oil so its has no problems, but I understand its refinery capacity is very small. Nuclear power is important to it. The day of the deal I tweeted that the amount Iran agreed to indicated it really didn’t ever want to have a nuclear weapon program. The very next day, Juan Cole, someone I trust greatly when it comes to the Middle East, said the same thing.
I remember your saying that, japa, and thought it was an insightful statement. You have been proven right on many insights on Iran these last months. Our Congress will just not read and investigate. All their responses are kneejerk reactions informed only by far right ideology. Their minds are totally closed. So sad.
What a picture perfect of the First Family! Thank you for posting.
I can’t believe that some Mormon guy would find something negative to say about the girls’ dresses. Maybe he would like to see them wear the underwear that Mr. 47% wears! Those Mormon weird undergarment!!!
They are lovely young girls and I was just waiting for those haters to fine some fault. Maybe a modest lesson on a grown man staring at the length of a 13 and 16 year old skirt would be good for the pervert Blake Oakey..
They couldn’t look at the picture and say a nice picture of the President family. They have to search for negative things to say. That’s the right wing hate for you.
i recently re-read this excellent book, which carefully describes just how our great nation became the little buddy of the saud royal family. highly recommended refresher course, as we (shudder) watch the bush family attempt another run at the presidency.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Happy Easter everyone! What a gorgeous First Family!!
⭐
Allison!
Hey Chips! Hope all is well with you and Danny.
Couldn’t agree more, Allison! Happy #1
❤
Well Dang! Where is everybody? Sleeping off the Easter Candy?
Adore the photo, especially Bo: he’s like, ‘jeez, I have to do this AGAIN?’
I think it’s more like “Well, SOMEONE has to be serious.”
🙂 Or: ‘FFS Sunny, keep your tongue in.’
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!
Wow, they ALWAYS have beautiful family photos but this outdoors one has to be the most gorgeous family picture they’ve ever taken!
Happy Easter/Passover everyone. Back in the bosom of my family, and about to go pick up some Lebanese food for our Easter dinner. (First to BevMo to stock up on cocktail fixings, though.)
Happy Easter everyone. That photo is gorgeous!!!
Happy Easter/Passover to everyone here, to friends and family everywhere, and yup – off to BevMo (or my local “off license” as the Brits say.) Everyone enjoy the days of hope and renewal even if you’re not a believer. See there’s no snow in the photo? That alone calls for rejoicing.
What a wonderful photo of our dazzlingly lovely First family.
Nice photo! Malia looks like her grandmother Marian here.
Our First Family just looks gorgeous!
1. We have a wonderful and gorgeous First Family. We’re so lucky!
2. I love the smiles and expressions. It makes the picture even more beautiful because one can see the trust they have in Pete Souza.
3. How they got the First Dogs to stay still and regal is a miracle. Yay Bo and Sunny!
4. Thank you, Pete!
Found this just now in my inbox – simply had to share. I really need a cup of tea! Happy and blessed Easter TOD! 🙂
What a nice picture of our First Family. POTUS, FLOTUS, Malia, Sasha, Bo and Sunny.
Hay have anyone learn the GimmeFive Dance moves yet?
they continue to show why they are evil
………………..
How to Waste Food Benefits
Posted by John Cole at 4:15 pm
Apr 05, 2015
By giving it all to the banks in service fees:
Yeah – next time we see a “cruise” for “welfare recipients,” we’ll worry. Evil.
Sam Brownback is the biggest mistake for KS. The voters showed their indifference and stupidity. I live in this wicked state, I vote and I write letters (no emails or texts!) to the senators so I feel I have every right to voice my disgust about their blatant behavior and hate.
Yay!
She won? That’s GREAT! Thanks NW for letting us know! Congratulations Serena
At 33 yrs old, Serena is breaking Tennis Record for Women left and right.
Congrats.
Look at those girls 😯
I know!!! 🙂 But as the Twitterers said, Michelle is getting younger!
I think they all are growing into who are they are very gracefully. FLOTUS is beautiful, POTUS is oh so handsome and the girls are lovely young ladies. I am so proud they are my First Family.
Thanks Chips for posting this 🙂
they are still wearing Mary Janes…haha
Fantastic.
10 yrs = A Decade
Awesome.
Only Pete could get the girls, especially Sasha, to give genuine smiles.
I was thinking the same thing earlier, GGail! They knew they were with “a friend” behind the camera!
Yes, J’OB. It shows 🙂
Indeed GGail. And only Pete could get Sunny & Bo to cooperate for this still photo 🙂
HF, I was wondering how many pics did Pete actually have to take to get Sunny that still 😀
Yes, that Sunny!
Yes. They can trust him and he is a trustworthy awesome person. beautiful; gorgeous family. Oh i love them so much
True idon. The trust in the relationship shows in his pictures
DON’T FORGET TONIGHT.
If you have cable, you have BET. Go find it. This is going to be awesome!
I have DVR’d it to watch later.
THIS is an awesome picture! I am particularly wide-eyed by the changes in Sasha! I ❤ ❤ ❤ * ❤ * this!
Thanks for the jpeg version Ms Chips – I wasn't able to save it from Instagram. 🙂 🙂
Hi vc. Have you had a wonderful day today?
A wonderfully quiet day – yes, and thank you for asking.
I notice earlier that you were heading out to church – how was that?
It was Packed! You know, all those people who only attend Church on Christmas & Easter? well they were all there! 😀 😀
Overall, it was all good. Then I had dinner with a couple of friends at Black Angus. I brought Carrot Cake home. I’m trying so hard not to eat it just yet, but it’s calling my name….
😀 😀 You might as well answer the call now since it’s unlikely to stop until you do.
I’m trying to wait till 5pm and you’re not helping!
Why wait? What’s the significance of 5pm? I say go for it – you can always have another slice at 5pm if you still feel like it. 😀
I only have one slice and I want it for my evening dessert. Now, let’s stop talking about the “cake”, please it’s only 3:30pm 😀 😀
smh – people and rules often puzzle me! Okay if you choose to torture yourself for over an hour more – mum’s the word from me.
OOooooooh, no you didn’t! 😀 😀 😀
I’m loving the color choice of Sasha’s top and skirt. So cute and very flattering. I may try the color combo myself – I think it works very well.
I also think the girls’ shoes are cute. Wonder what brand they are? Hope we can find out soon, before they sell out.
Congrats on the lightning first, Allison 🙂
good interview…there is a video of the interview…
Excellent interview! Thank you pf58!!
yw…Bob 🙂
PBO is such a moral man. I admire him greatly for standing firm in his positions and for taking the time to explain – over and over where he stands and why. We truly will never have another President like him.
Thanks PF for posting this.
yw..Gail
The Video is 46 mins long.
Thanks, PF. That was a long interview, but well worth listening to! I haven’t heard another president express himself with such clarity on the history of the region as well as so clearly express his vision for its future. If only the majority of Congress was half as open-minded and intelligent!
Off to feed my face.
“AMB. SEYED HOSSEN MOUSAVIAN: I think there’s no difference between Israel and North Korea because North Korea has a few number of nuclear bombs. Israel has about 400 nuclear bombs. Therefore, they both are the same. They have nuclear bombs. There is a big difference between Iran and Israel. They really belong to two different wars on nonproliferation. Iran is member of the Nonproliferation Treaty and Israel has never been ready to accept it. There is no evidence in Iranian nuclear program. Iran does not have nuclear bomb. Israel has about 400 nuclear bombs. During last 10 years, Iran has given more than 7000 mandate inspections to International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA. This is completely unprecedented during the history of IAEA, no other country in the world has given access to IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, like Iran during the last decade. Israel, during last 50, 60 years, has not given even one inspection to the IAEA. Therefore, I believe the war and international community, they should judge who is wrong, who is right. Iran does not have nuclear bomb. Iran has accepted every level of inspection, transparency. Iran has accepted to have completely open nuclear program, and Israel does have a nuclear bomb and the country which does have nuclear bomb is blaming Iran, which does not have nuclear bomb.”
You all know my opinion on this matter so I won’t repeat it …..
Absolutely crucial insight …. because it is true ….
“AMB. SEYED HOSSEN MOUSAVIAN: I believe this is a very, very important question, not because of the nuclear deal, because of the future negotiations between Iran and the U.S. The narrative in the U.S. Congress is, the deal is done because of U.S. sanctions and pressures. But, the fact is, the deal was signed yesterday is the principles, the framework is exactly like the principles and frameworks we proposed European countries in 2003 and 2005, between 2003 to 2005. The same principles, Iran was not on the sanctions 2003-2005. After eight years of sanctions, pressures, the U.S. accepted the same principles. Why the deal was done, why the deal was possible? There was only and only one reason; in 2003 to 2005, the U.S. was not ready to accept the legitimate rights of Iran on their NPT for enrichment. U.S. would saying the red line is enrichment. Iran cannot have one centrifuges. Iran should have zero enrichment. That’s why we couldn’t make the deal.
In 2013, the preliminary deal was signed. The U.S. changed, moderated its position. The U.S. said, now Iran can have enrichment on their nonproliferation treaty, but limited and for its practical needs. But, Iran should give all assurances that would not seek nuclear bomb. Therefore, really, the reason for the deal was not pressures and sanctions, was the U.S. to realize and to respect the nonproliferation treaty. Sanctions had two different impacts. One, on the nuclear issue, sanctions only caused increase of Iranian nuclear program. Before sanctions, Iran had a few hundred of centrifuges. After sanctions, Iran reached to 22,000 centrifuges. Before sanctions, Iran had a few hundred kilogram of stockpile of enriched uranium. After sanctions, about 9000 kilogram. Before sanctions, Iran was enriching below 5 percent. After sanctions, Iran increased the enrichment to 20 percent. Therefore, Congress and Israeli policy for sanctions only led to the increased Iranian nuclear and capacity. Until the point which the U.S. recognized Iran has only three months to breakout, then the U.S. accepted enrichment in Iran and decided to have verification, transparency, and change the red line from zero enrichment to zero nuclear bomb.
But the second that I mention of the sanction is on Iranian economy, Iranian people. Definitely, sanctions harmed the Iranian economy. Definitely, sanctions harmed Iranian nation. There is no doubt about it. But, if the objective of sanctions was limiting the Iranian nuclear program, this was 100% counterproductive. This is a good lesson for the U.S. Congress and for Israelis. More pressure, more threat, Iran would become more aggressive. But, if you go for mutual respect, negotiating with Iran based on mutual respect and based on international rules and regulations, you would find a very, very cooperative, a flexible Iran.”
ibid.
Mutual respect and mutual willingness to trust but verify. People think Iran is full of oil so its has no problems, but I understand its refinery capacity is very small. Nuclear power is important to it. The day of the deal I tweeted that the amount Iran agreed to indicated it really didn’t ever want to have a nuclear weapon program. The very next day, Juan Cole, someone I trust greatly when it comes to the Middle East, said the same thing.
I remember your saying that, japa, and thought it was an insightful statement. You have been proven right on many insights on Iran these last months. Our Congress will just not read and investigate. All their responses are kneejerk reactions informed only by far right ideology. Their minds are totally closed. So sad.
Unfortunately, it goes beyond sad. It is dangerous to a point where they can create tragic consequences for all of us.
there is a surprise line …you will know it when you come to it
pf58 – I’m still smiling at the ‘surprise’! Won’t give it away because everyone really should read Juan Cole’s scenario.
Sorry for the duplicate post!
The female POTUS. Mr. Cole is dreaming. 🙂
Agree, John. My attitude has been that if Iran had wanted a nuclear weapon they would have had one by the middle of the past decade.
Wonderful picture, and I’m glad that they went in house with photographer this time. Thank you Pete Souza!!!
SHEILA E. is KILLING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#BlackGirlsRock!!!!!
Did anyone see Jill Scott singing ? WOW!!!!! Can’t wait till FLOTUS come.
They never learn. He deserves the dragging coming to him.
Good Evening TODVille.
What a picture perfect of the First Family! Thank you for posting.
I can’t believe that some Mormon guy would find something negative to say about the girls’ dresses. Maybe he would like to see them wear the underwear that Mr. 47% wears! Those Mormon weird undergarment!!!
Good gawd, he really is something
This dude should be unemployed before COB, tomorrow ….
They are lovely young girls and I was just waiting for those haters to fine some fault. Maybe a modest lesson on a grown man staring at the length of a 13 and 16 year old skirt would be good for the pervert Blake Oakey..
They couldn’t look at the picture and say a nice picture of the President family. They have to search for negative things to say. That’s the right wing hate for you.
Oakey pulling his head out of his ass would be good, too. It must be painfully imbedded.
i recently re-read this excellent book, which carefully describes just how our great nation became the little buddy of the saud royal family. highly recommended refresher course, as we (shudder) watch the bush family attempt another run at the presidency.
http://www.amazon.com/House-Bush-Saud-Relationship-Dynasties/dp/0743253396/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428279279&sr=1-1&keywords=house+of+bush+house+of+saud
Beautiful picture of first family. They are a shining example of role models, not because of a photo but because they live it every day!
This NYT interview with PBO is amazing! What a stark contrast with GWB.
Agree. One of the best interviews of President Obama I’ve ever seen.
What interview are you speaking about? The Thomas Friedman interview? I haven’t read it or watched it yet……
Just watched FLOTUS speak.
He asked for it ….
Beautiful Black First Lady who rocks.
Chat on
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/04/05/chat-on-94/