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Colleen Barry: Michelle Obama Lights Candles For US Shooting Victims In Milan’s Duomo Cathedral
Michelle Obama and her elder daughter visited Milan’s Duomo cathedral on Thursday, where an official traveling with her said they lit candles in memory of the victims of the shooting in South Carolina. The first lady and her daughter Malia were seen by photographers entering the Gothic-inspired cathedral on the unannounced stop. Mrs. Obama was dressed in black with dark glasses, while Malia wore a white blouse with black trousers. Mrs. Obama made no comment and issued no statement. Nine people, including the pastor, were killed overnight at a prayer meeting inside a historic black church in downtown Charleston.
Earlier Thursday, Mrs. Obama visited the Expo 2015 World’s Fair in Milan, which focuses on food and nutrition. She found kindred spirits in her campaign to promote healthy eating during visits to the U.S. and the Italian pavilions. Mrs. Obama was greeted by a video image of her husband, President Barack Obama, as she entered the U.S. pavilion, guided by U.S. student delegates to Expo from universities around the United States. She spent some time discussing the vertical garden covering the length of pavilion, which has rotating panels of herbs and vegetables that are engineered to maximize sunlight exposure. Mrs. Obama said the pavilion was “awe-inspiring.” “The most impactful part of it, obviously, is the vertical farm, the largest of its kind. And I couldn’t help but think about all the issues we face around hunger, around food deserts in our countries and places all over the world. And when you walk around this pavilion, you think the solutions are right in our grasp,” Mrs. Obama told some 60 student delegates during a question-and-answer session at the end of the tour.
More here
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Italy’s First Lady Agnese Landini welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama to the 2015 Expo in Rho, near Milan, Italy. First Lady Michelle Obama is leading a presidential delegation to the world’s fair, organized around issues concerning food and nutrition, which dovetails with her “Let’s Move” initiative to fight childhood obesity
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits the United States pavilion, which featured a vertical garden at the 2015 Expo
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First Lady Michelle Obama listens to a video taped welcome message from President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama with workers of the United States pavilion at the 2015 Expo
The Obama Diary 
Uh Huh
Uh Huh
……….
WSJ On Charleston: Don’t Blame ‘Institutionalized Racism’ — It ‘No Longer Exists’
ByCatherine Thompson
PublishedJune 19, 2015, 11:40 AM EDT 1
The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal on Friday suggested that “institutionalized racism” was not a driving force in the massacre of nine people Wednesday night at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina because it “no longer exists.”
“What causes young men such as Dylann Roof to erupt in homicidal rage, whatever their motivation, is a problem that defies explanation beyond the reality that evil still stalks humanity,” the editorial stated. “It is no small solace that in committing such an act today, he stands alone.”
Politicians and pundits like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) have also said that the suspected killer’s motive remains unknown, even though authorities at both the federal and local levels are investigating the shooting as a hate crime.
The Wall Street Journal editorial added that Roof “brings to mind the mentally troubled young men who committed horrific mass murders” in places like Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/wsj-charleston-shooting-editorial
WSJ used to have a better use than being just something to wipe my ass with – now it’s not even good enough for that.
Utter bullshit. No one is buying it.
You said it, rikyrah.
uh huh
uh huh
Written by a bunch of white men who would never experience “institutionalized racism” but I am sure they practice it everyday buy limiting the opportunities of AA’s that work for them or want to work for them. I wonder how many AA’s work at WSJ? The Supreme Court just made “institutional racism” easier by gutting the Voting Rights Act and the mostly white House & Senate won’t try and fix it.
The heart looks heavy on the faces of FLOTUS and her daughters at the church.
Shallow point. I believe the dress that FLOTUS is wearing is a Missoni
The black one or the multi colored one?
both are gorgeous – and the First Lady is even more so!
the multi-colored one
I love that vertical garden! I wish I could see more of it. What a novel idea.
I also love the pics of FLOTUS in casual pose with her daughters.
Thanks Chips.
WORD!
Jeb Bush is a craven coward
Nerdy, endless thanks for the beautiful post, you’re a megastar.
Thanks so much, Chips.
hat tip-BJ
James Baldwin – The Prophet
^^^THIS!^^^
Belated hello sailor – one of your ships is in my town with a few thousand of the crew let loose on the town 🙂
[Don’t you go llama-ing and take one home]
Ah the young days – someone from the “boat” used to call up all the places where “young ladies” lived – colleges, nurses homes – and invite them out for a night on the town! More memories
GIVE ‘EM A BEER AND SEND THEM BACK TO THE SHIP. 😆
I believe they are getting a “right royal welcome” – everyone loves a sailor! 🙂
And well they should……..new money, eh? 😉
What a cynic – its the luurv
Yeah right ya are. (smirk)
Thank you David Remnick.
http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/charleston-and-the-age-of-obama
Yes, good except for the puzzling comment about “Obama is a flawed President”, to which I say WHAT?? If anyone can explain this to me, as the author meant it, I’d be grateful. I hardly see PBO as a ‘flawed President’, much more that the system he is up against is so flawed and broken, it reflects back on him, once again, over and over, because he cannot work a fucking miracle and make everything all better? Overall, the article is well-written, and supportive, why leave a comment like this in an otherwise helpful, clarifying point of view? I ask David Remnick.
Bye for now. ❤
I took that to mean we are all “flawed” as human beings…no one of us is perfect…thus, he is flawed. IMO
that ‘flawed president’ line made my blood boil. he’s human, yes, as are we all. so it’s really not necessary to toss this bone to the oh-so-serious people who feel they’ve been let down by the best president of their lifetime (and many more lifetimes). otherwise, a good article, but i didn’t link to it because i consider it ‘flawed’.
An excellent piece of writing by Mr. Remnick. Must Read for sure. Thanks for posting this.
Remnick has written about POTUS several times and has done many interviews with him. I wonder if PBO will choose him to be his official biographer when he is out of office.
Wonder if PBO will have an “official” biographer?
As LovePolitics2008 said last year, MSM seethe knowing that they will never be able to match PBO’s effortless, engaging writing prowess. In addition to their corporate overlords, this explains a lot about MSM’s ODS.
As you mentioned, Remnick has already a book and numerous worth reading articles about PBO, so he might move on to other sources for inspiration after Jan 2017.
PBO’s memoir will be a blockbuster best-seller, and TODville will be the first in line to purchase!
PBO is a phenomenal writer in his own right with a beautiful lyrical mind and poetic perspective that comes through in his long work. I’d put money on him writing his own memoir.
I hope so. Only PBO can write this memoir and yes it will out sell any of the prior presidents.
this.
Watching the Warriors parade. Very happy…wishing I was home to participate, but the sadness of the past few days is still with me.
They were OUTSIDE OF HIS HOME ON THE STREET…
but, HE felt THREATENED?
get da phuq outta here.
He had to OPEN HIS DOOR AND LEAVE HIS HOME.
…………………………………………….
Send the n*****s back to Youngstown where they belong:’ Ohio man terrorizes children with gun
June 19, 2015
An Ohio man harassed a group of children, at least some of whom were black, while pursuing them on foot through his neighborhood, hurling racial epithets in their direction, threatening them with a gun, and urging police to come arrest the children, WKBN reports.
On Monday Gust Mamounis observed two children outside his home begin to fight, while five other children looked on. In a video obtained by police, Mamounis exited his house and cocked his gun.
The children, feeling threatened, dispersed. But Mamounis, a 38-year-old man, followed them, shouting racial slurs. Police can confirm Mamounis did this because he was on the phone with 911 at the time, and the four-minute recording is part of the evidence police used to charged the Struthers man with aggravated menacing, disorderly conduct, and inducing panic.
WKBN obtained a recording of Mamounis’ 911 call, which it says it will not publish because the tape is “filled with so many expletives and racial slurs.”
The news outlet reports Mamounis used the word “n****r” nine times and the word “fuck” 29 times during his phone conservation with the Struthers police.
The tape catches Mamounis yelling at the group — whose only apparent offense is walking in the neighborhood — threatening to harm them, and calling them “n****r.”
…………………….
When police arrive at the scene, Mamounis instructs the officers to arrest all of the children. The cops arrested Mamounis instead
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/06/send-the-ns-back-to-youngstown-where-they-belong-ohio-man-terrorizes-children-with-gun/
Like Romney, this foolish man will be a one term gov……thanks Martha Coakley…….you lost an easy race, a 2nd time……To Brown in 2010 and to this idiot in 2014.
People keep trying to Stow away in desperation. So sad.
meta, I’m watching Oakland show their love for the Warriors.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/LIVE-BLOG-Oakland-Celebrates-Golden-States-Warriors-at-Parade-308242151.html
Hey GGail I’m watching it too. JUst wonderful
I’ve been running around and just got home. Thanks for the link!
A very very very dry heat. It will feel like he’s standing in front of an open oven when he steps outside during the day 😀 😀
I WAS IN VEGAS AT THE TIME AT 126 DEGREES….YOU MUST USE SUN PROTECTION BUT IT DOESN’T FEEL THAT HOT. BTW…I HOPE THEY HAVE ALOT OF SS WITH THE OBAMA LADIES…I DON’T TRUST ANYBODY ANYMORE. I HOPE MRS. O BRINGS PBO LOTS OF WONDERFUL CLOTHES FROM MILAN…FOR FATHER’S DAY…HE DESERVES THE VERY BEST FOR BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER.
JUST LIKE MY WEATHER:) It’s hotter than hell outside.. Dry heat or not. IT’S HOT!!!
The difference between a dry heat and a humid heat is that between baking and steaming. Don’t much like either.
Yes, our August-September heat wave has settled in two months early (like everything else this HOT year — thermometers neared 100F several times this April, and the Jacarandas were in bloom then [they normally bloom NOW, in June])/
And I agree with LL — absolutely HATE hot weather.
I received this in my Inbox – a minute ago…
President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative seeks to improve the lives of young people to ensure that they can reach their full potential. “RISE: The Promise of My Brother’s Keeper,” documents the lives of young people in four MBK-principled programs around the country.
Don’t miss it! Watch “RISE: The Promise of My Brother’s Keeper” posted on our Facebook page now. You can also tune in to watch on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, at 7 p.m. ET on the Discovery Channel or OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
Share this powerful video with your Facebook network and spread the word about the impact of improving the lives of young people.
Let’s help ALL young people reach their full potential! Find out what’s working and how you can make a difference: #MyBrothersKeeper.
In service,
Ted Miller
Chief of External Affairs
I CAN’T WAIT TO GET THE NATIVE AMERICAN YOUNG MEN INVOLVED WHEN I MOVE…THEY NEED THIS SOOOOO BADLY.
Me too GGail…
#Juneteenth
Reality
While awaiting a moderator ….
I was haunted by the image in this tweet all night and still am.
Their sacrifices for the sake of All Americans are enormous.
Just imagine that you spend every single moment of your life in fear for the life of the person you love more than any other – your husband, your father. Many of us have had that type of fear seared into our being because of a family member being in a war zone, etc.
But then imagine compounding that fear by knowing that an entire segment, a very large segment, of a society not only despise the person you love but actively engage in inciting hate toward that person, incessantly, FOR YEARS.
That’s the burden those three women have experienced every damn day since he announced his candidacy for President (and, on a less intense level, perhaps, since he began his political career).
That’s what they have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for the sake of even the people who hate them – because their father is truly the President of the United States of America not the craven minion of the 1%.
Moreover, two of those (young) women have had to make that sacrifice as they matured from childhood.
bbl ….
LIVE NOW: Arraignment For Dylann Roof – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
I CAN’T WATCH THAT PIG TODAY…BEEN CRYING TODAY AND STILL ANGRY…TRYING TO WORK OUT OF IT!
IF RACE MEANT SO MUCH TO THE SOUTHERN CAROLINIANS…YOU WOULDN’T FIND THAT CONFEDERATE FLAG FLYING IN THE BREEZE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVER STINKING POLITICAL REP. IN THIS COUNTRY SPEND 2 WEEKS LIVING IN A POVERTY STRICKEN BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD….THEN THEY CAN TALK TO ME!
THAT’S EVERY STINKING…I DON’T WANT TO MISS ANYONE!
I had such high hopes for O’Malley. This is nothing to stumble over. It is in your face racism. The little criminal’s actions and words proved it.
He stumbles and Mika wants the black President to take care of it. SMH
The Family members show LOVE and Kindness denied their murdered 9 family members.
{{{{{ ❤ ❤ ❤ }}}}}
I find it truly irksome when the media keeps referring to criminals as ‘alleged’ when it’s obvious they did the deed. Heck, this one was not hesitant to admit his culpability! And, yea, don’t remind me about ‘innocent until proven guilty’. He did the crime. He admitted the crime. We are not alleging he’s the gunman – he IS!
Maybe the people he was going to stay with in North Carolina and his parents will come up with the money. But why did they even offer bail? Is that standard procedure?
I don’t think this means that there won’t be a bail hearing on the murder charges. he isn’t getting out of jail, I don’t think.
And Jebbie is still playing with words?
Even Perry knew better than Jebbie……that is saying something.
HE’S PROBABLY WEARING CONFEDERATE SHORTS…EVERY ONE OF THESE PEOPLE WILL PLAY A VIOLIN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN THEY’LL FORGET ABOUT IT…9/11 SAME THING…THE ONLY TIME I SEE ANY UNITY IS IN TRAGEDY AND THAT IS EXTREMELY SAD COMMENTARY ON THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY…BBL…
This talk about taking down the flag is just BS….their base will cut them to shreds if they touch that flag. They are the ones who put it up there….
WTH was that judge talking about that his family are victims as well. They very well maybe but that wasn’t the time to bring this up. Their pain cannot compare to the pain that has been inflicted on those that lost love ones. Geesh!!!
The judge said that? So because he son is a murderer the parents are victims? Victims my foot, they created the monster,
The media would be ripping into the family background looking for dirt if this was a black perpetrator. But the white racist’s family gets sympathy from the judge?!?!
This kid dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. his family is either clueless or most likely complicit in the deranged views that led to this massacre. At the very least, MSM would have been all over the “bad parenting” if this kid was black.
It’s despicable.
It’s too bad they’ve lost their son but I’d put money on the fact that his parents are likely the people who fed and condoned his murderous derangement.
After all, they are the ones who put a gun in his hand.
I’m hoping I and all Americans will always remember the face and story of those beautiful people who were slain. I saw one tweet that in the preliminary hearing today of the terrorist and the families, there was never a clearer contrast of good vs. evil.
The Confederate flag at the Capitol in SC is padlocked to the flagpole.
If they are so proud of it, why do they need to lock it on ?
Okay Nikki, show us some true compassion, leadership, take that damn terrorist flag down! I am tired of seeing that POS.
The best thing that political witch could do would be to hold a press conference where she does just that. She can put it in a time capsule and then we can put it on a ship and dump it in the ocean, with the rest of the trash we’re so good at dumping deep. Until she does that, she can keep her damn tears.
Pffft…..the nerve.
I just saw PBO climb the stairs to AF1 at LAX on his way to SF.
Thanks for the handoff, GGail!
My sweet 84 year old husband and I were watching TV yesterday, about the shooting…..and he said “We white males haven’t done very well for the world have we. I’m almost embarrassed to be what I am.” Then this morning when he got up he was crying…..something he NEVER does…I asked what was wrong, and he said “”Were more people killed last night?” These two days have been very hard for these two people. I’ve read wonderful comments here, read LL’s great poem, watched the president and others…..but have not been able to say much at all.
As I’ve been sitting here this past short period of time, reading TOD…..I realized what I’m feeling: grief. Grief for so much…..the families of those killed, the fabric of our society, president Obama and his family, the ideal I once had for the hope of this country, and the reality I’m facing and dealing with…..a very global sense of grief that is deep, and not likely to leave soon……
Thanks to all of you for your insights, comments…….
I just have one idea which I firmly believe needs to be discussed, and what nobody is yet willing to approach: the violent male culture rampant in some places. The facts are that 71% of all these mass shootings are conducted by white males, yet no one will say anything about this. It has to be brought out and exposed.
Carolyn, thank you for this. I don’t know how to express how much sorrow I feel, and I know my prayers aren’t going to change anything.
I thank Chips, Nerdy, LL and all the people that comment here on TOD that keep me so informed.
we are all so sad– for the lost 9, their families, their church community. but also for our country, which is still not facing up to its complicity. my husband is also an older white man who feels shame and horror and deep sadness for what was done. soon, all our grieving will turn to action. but for today, it is good to cry.
{{{{{Carolyn and husband}}}}}
{{{Carolyn & 84 yr old husband}}} All our hearts are broken.
Haven’t seen much mention of PBO in Highland Park this morning, taping a podcast of WTF — which I have never heard of before — and which seems to be true of @marcmaron’s neighbors, too, LOL.
From the pool report:
“The motorcade slowed to a crawl in the narrow streets of the Highland Park neighborhood, not far from Occidental College where POTUS attended school.
Neighbors filled the sidewalks around the Maron garage and the block took on a carnival atmosphere, complete with an actual clown wearing makeup and juggling.
Neighbors say they learned of the potus visit on Wednesday when the ‘no parking — tow away zone’ signs went up on the trees and poles. One group of women said they had never heard of the Maron “WTF” podcast that happens in their neighborhood before then.
‘I’ve heard the initials,’ said Yolanda Lem, a poll inspector who lives nearby.”
LOL.
am i the only one feeling sorry for the plant? this beautiful creature, just about to burst into bloom, and someone hung a traffic sign on it.
Ha!
The cactus is probably enjoying the heat wave that’s rolling in.
I have developed a love affair with succulents (if you could see my patio, you would no doubt think I’ve gone overboard 😉 ).
Lots of budding going on now. 🙂
This cactus looks resilient — probably honored to stand sentry for PBO.
From this to now……..and we talk about love?
As a black man, sometimes I’m stuck between looking for payback and looking towards the future.
Me too Don. I’m as ambivalent as all hell. I’m tired of tears of fear, sorrow, frustration and anger…..Right now my tank is empty!
You are not alone, Don! I am sorry, but I refuse to love and forgive white supremacists or their apologists.
Brilliant tweet, yardarm! By the way, I don’t know of any other people in the world who have been willing to love and forgive their oppressors as Black people have. Sadly, our humanity, and our willingness to love and forgive our enemies, has always been reciprocated with more oppression and more hatred.
Our survival instincts are centuries strong.
We are an Id driven society; our base needs are what rule the day. At this point in time we haven’t evolved fully. Yes, some of us are geniuses but so what, even a clock is right twice a day.
……says the guy that lived on a ranch named n****rhead.
Which he thinks the rest of us have forgotten.
Exactly!
Evenin’, nath!
The President Arrives San Francisco, California.
Click here ► ► http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Warriors-Parade-Obama-Heavy-Traffic-Bay-Area-308337301.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_BAYBrand
Photographs of the nine victims killed at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina are held up by congregants during a prayer vigil at the the Metropolitan AME Church June 19, 2015 in Washington, DC. Earlier today the suspect in the case, Dylan Storm Roof, was charged with nine counts of murder.
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/thshhsOxdjO/Vigil+Held+Victims+Charleston+Church+Shooting/wpzoW_LryQc
Thank you for the pics of the Obama ladies in Italy, NerdyW! I lost track of them with all that’s been going on in my life and in the village. This has been an upsetting week in both areas.
Thank you for the glorious pics at the top of the thread – it was a delight to wake to the very positive side of the US
And thank you for this tweet – this has been just so awful there are no words to describe how we feel.
WE LOVE YOU, POTUS
the embedded tweet:
i think i understand why it’s important for those whose loved ones were murdered by this terrorist to extend forgiveness– carrying hate in your heart is corrosive. but it bothers me that it may appear to absolve the perpetrators (plural, because i blame a whole list of people and organizations). as a nation, we need to feel the heat of shame from this crime, and not get the sense that it’s all understood and get over it.
I agree with you, susanne.
Well said, Susanne.
Looks like it’s HOT in LA!
It’s about 2PM and a pleasant 87% with a nice breeze indoors with the windows open. Yes it you are outside in the sun it’s warm..even hot.
OT: I received a notice from Pasadena PD that certain streets where closed off due to PBO being in the area. Highland Park is very close to Pasadena but I had no idea this is what he was doing. I hope we get to hear it….
The President is absolutely right. The Confederate flag should be displayed in the museum next to the Nazi swastika as symbols of ideologies based on hatred and human exploitation.
Heads up
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/06/19/president-speaks-to-the-u-s-conference-of-mayors/
PBO is heading directly to the 83rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. The conference focus is the economy but I’m guessing PBO will bring up TPP and probably gun sense legislation.
Then he’s doing a fundraiser with Nancy Pelosi at the home of Tom Steyer, who has very deep pockets and is hugely passionate about the environment.
PBO will also do a high-dollar roundtable with 30 people at the home of venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar, a venture capitalist with investments in Uber, Munchery, Airbnb, Shyp, MachineZone, Warby Parker, Beepi, Hyperloop, Cue, PillPack,Stance.
POTUS will spend the night in San Francisco before departing for at about 9:40am tomorrow morning. I don’t know where he’s staying but it’s likely going to be The Fairmont in Nob Hill, which is where he stayed last time he was here. Very nice weather here today, although pretty windy.
It’s a nice coolish breeze unlike the warm Santa Ana’s.