On This Day: President Obama looks out the window from the cell where Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid legend, was once jailed on Robben Island, on June 30, 2013
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Today (all times Eastern)
2:05: President Obama Signs the Defending Public Safety Employees’ Retirement Act & the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015
6:0: Hosts a working dinner with President Rousseff of Brazil
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Our beauuuuuuuuuuutiful westie TODers (and LL)!!!!
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On This Day
President Barack Obama listens to former prisoner Ahmed Kathrada as he stands in former South African President Nelson Mandela’s cell during a tour of Robben Island Prison on Robben Island in Cape Town, South Africa, June 30, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First lady Michelle Obama tour the cell block on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held captive near Cape Town, June 30, 2013
President Obama greets Archbishop Desmond Tutu as he arrives at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, June 30, 2013 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their family tour a limestone quarry where prisoners would work at Robben Island outside Cape Town, South Africa, on June 30, 2013
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Morning everyone!
The Obama Diary 
Morning:)
MooooooooOOooOOoooOOooOOooooorning DF!!
Boy, does that say it so well. We have all been saying this.
YES…AND I LOVE IT WHEN THE MEDIA TELLS EVERYONE INCLUDING THE TERRORISTS HOW TO LOCATE THE LATEST IN OUR MILITARY PLANS AND STRATEGIC POSITIONS,,, THEY MAKE DUMB AND DUMBER LOOK LIKE GENIUS LEVEL PROFESSORS! GOD MORNING EVERYONE…SUCH AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHS…UNSPEAKABLE TORTURE AND PAIN. I CAN SMILE THIS MORNING BECAUSE MORNING JOE HONORED PBOS EULOGY IN CHARLESTON AND IT HAS BEEN REPEATED SO OFTEN…THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT…YOU ARE SO LOVED!
THAT’S ‘GOOD MORNING’….MY HAIRCOLR REFUSES TO ALLOW ME TO TYPE WELL…………..
Wow – when did Sagan say that, RanMan? Precient!
At last!!
Excellent! Will still have to keep debunking the lies being told, but they won’t have the same power now that people will be able to read whatever President Obama’s team negotiates for us.
Good morning again.
Re-posting 2 news items:
FBI has opened an investigation into 7 Church arsons, acts of terror stemming from racism. Nightmares by any name.
@POTUS now at 2.96 followers almost to 3 million.
Glad to hear the FBI is responding to these acts of terrorism.
From SCOTUS
Glossip. Alito. – Scalia concurs, as does Thomas (joined by Scalia); Breyer dissents, joined by RBG Sotomayor dissents, joined by RBG, Breyer, and Kagan
The Court rules that the death-row inmates have failed to establish a likelihood of success on the merits on their claim that the use of midazolam violates the Eighth Amendment.
So the DP states will still be using their weird mixture of whatever.
From ScotusBlog
Justice Breyer, joined by RBG, would ask for broader briefing on whether the death penalty is constitutional. That’s major. But they obviously do not have the votes for that.
yet another vote or lose reaffirmation.
SC just approved cruel and inhumane punishment for the death penalty…
Ugh.
Breyer and Sotomayor both reading their dissents. I may live to see the US declare the death penalty unconsitutional.
what amk private plan ride?
stop making stuff up.
😆
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks and thanks so much for FPing us Westies 😀
Oh Lord did we have a great GREAT time! We were there for three hours!!!
Loved that pic of your smiling faces!
Thanks Judith – we were smiling because we were having a GREAT time together and we like one another 🙂
She meant amk’s private PLANE ride. You promised! Don’t try to renege now dood! 😀
juncker’s feefees are now hurt, poor dood. #fuckingfatcat.
Just a quick good morning to all TODers ….
bbl …. long day already!
❤
Please keep a positive thought for the AZ redistricting case…HUGE!! We hope they are favorable toward the Independent Commission to drawn the boundaries….that was the people’s will.
Yes, this affects California too…..
HUGE! We have Arizona. RBG writing. ( from SCOTUS blog) Hope this is a good sign!!
You won that one df 🙂
Yay. partay, partay, partay.
And no. Youse are paying.
That means a definite win.
Fantastic for Arizona and also California!!!
The death penalty should be ruled unconstitutional in all the land. Barbaric.
One day df…..lets pray one day it will be unconstitutional and no states will put people to death. I hope it will be like marriage equality that one by one states declare it unconstitutional and a new make up of the SCOTUS will end this practice forever.
SCOTUS are still reading the Glossip case – 4 speakers so far – according to ScotusBlog
“Scalia is now reading from his concurrence to respond to Breyer. There are some strong feelings going on here.”
A VERY divided 5:4 on this one – I doubt the debate is over
The Arizona legislature does have standing. – 5:4 Kennedy joins majority.
But then it rules that both the Elections Clause and the federal statute at issue allow Arizona to use a commission to draft federal congressional districts.
I think this is good – no gerrymandering as per people voting for a commission?
From the blog
“The Court has several times refused to address the question whether partisan gerrymandering violates the Constitution. This decision gives the states an opportunity to deal with partisan gerrymandering by giving an independent commission power to draw federal congressional districts.”
This is VERY good, and frankly I wasn’t hopeful on this one.
Quite interesting on ScotusBlog where they said SCOTUS will not buy into gerrymandering but this is a way that can be used to avoid same. Hope other states take it up.
CA was on its way to doing this, awaiting the SCOTUS decision.
My state gerrymandered for years at the state level (eventually stopped when with a mammoth effort the party doing same were defeated) but the Feds have had a commission to set their boundaries for as long as I can remember. Works well.
Enjoy the day – I’ve been heading to bed for the last hour or so 🙂
Morning, all. Congrats to desertflower! A little bit jealous of the the SoCal peeps who got together, but hoping we can all gather in 2017 in DC for a rousing Obama thank you.
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS!!
Huge and important VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the real world….Greece is NOT on the verge of collapse as our agenda driven media is spouting
They will be is ” arrears ” after tomorrow, not in default. That date is July 20th. NOT tomorrow.
I think they may have ruled on AZ but I’m not sure…..
Yes, see just above!
{{{{meta}}}}} thank you!!
GREAT news, df!!
And another hard blow to the thievery of the GOP
Truth! I can’t tell you what a relief this is…when I heard the rumor that RBG was writing this opinion I felt more positive though:)
This is good news.
I’LL BE HOME ALL DAY…WILL CHECK THE ENERGIZER AT 2:05…:)….X0X0X0X0…EVERYONE!
Here’s the full opinion. Any lawyers here to help us out?? I just want the gist of it…crazy ass TP’ers get to choose(legislature) or the Independent Commission?
Click to access 13-1314_kjfl.pdf
The Commission is legal under the constitution and allowed to set the federal boundaries DF – you definitely won this one
I say the PEOPLE of this state won this one:) The crazies in this legislature shouldn’t be doing jack, never mind deciding this!!
They were VERY smart to vote for this – hope other states follow suit. We have an Electoral Commission that covers all states. Seems to work well.
Gerrymandering and Citizens United are both poxes on our democracy. Now to overturn the “corporations are people” with loud voices travesty…
That will take a Democratic Congress, Senate and White House. Which is why this election in 2016 is critical and not just for the WH but for down tickets as well. We must get back at least the Senate in 2016.
Totally agree, Donna!
And Business won against the EPA – pffffffft
Yes, UGH.
What about the costs to human health from air and water pollution? Isn’t that more important than the costs incurred by fossil fuels-dependent power plants?
This was my very same thought. This was a bad, short sighted decision.
. Costs for People??? Profits are much more important. YUCK.
“The opinion remands the case to the D.C. Circuit for further proceedings. But from the opinion it seems likely that the agency will have to try again, finding some mechanism to consider costs, before it can act on this issue.”
So the EPA has to pay companies to look after the environment??????????????? And congress sure does not want to fund the EPA
I don’t think this is such a big deal…..they are just saying the costs need to be considered before the EPA issues regulations.
If companies are polluting – I don’t think the cost to clean up their act should be any sort of consideration – not sure how else to read this?
If they can just say “We have considered the costs – and the company can afford it” – fine – but is this what was meant?
I think they would have to show proof that the costs would not be significantly harmful……although I could be wrong.
Hope you are right 🙂 you would have a much better idea than me as I am a long way away, I know the EPA in my world has much trouble when RW governments are in power
Enjoy your day – I’m heading for some shuteye
Good Morning TOD
My question of the day. I ❤ this persons response.
GM DD, this is a great tweet and response!
YES! California will benefit from this decision too!!!
Yes they will! By the way, nice pic and so glad the TOD clan had a great time yesterday:)
GM DF and thanks girl, we had a marvelous rip-roaring good time 😀
I know you did:)
Gorgeous crew! Wish we all weren’t so far apart because I know we TODers would have us some FUN.
meta, we’re gonna find a way to get you included – some how/some way! 🙂
I’m enjoying being an honorary member!
You and VC 🙂
Truly, truly right Jon!!
How ironic would it be that the cesspool that we have for governance here, turns out to be the thing that has the most impact .after this ruling…..on ALL of America?!! Things sometimes work in mysterious ways:)
Jon Favreau is on to something here, isn’t he?
damn straight!
I saw her talking about it…although she did say that, she also predicted a win……
A caveat:
this doesn’t bother me… it will be the people’s choice, not the legislature’s choice.
https://mobile.twitter.com/globalcitizenln/status/615537226865344512?p=p
Linda Kyambadde – @globalcitizenln
@GOP conservative “prolife” hypocrisy always on display. exhibit A: no ACA but support Oklahoma lethal injection, #Mercury pollution #SCOTUS
8:08 AM – 29 Jun 2015
That’s how they roll….
Pro life – until a child is born or a person is sentenced to death.
Precisely.
Enjoy the win and the day df – and g’nite time for me
NIghty night, 99ts:) Thanks!
A victory in NYC this morning, too.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has banned the “poor door” policy in buildings getting tax rebates to include affordable housing.
I’m not sure how far-reaching this ruling is but avoiding injustice anywhere is good for justice everywhere. (As Our Beloved POTUS might put it)
Bravo! Mayor de Blasio
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/29/3673866/supreme-court-epa-mercury-pollution/
While environmentalists may be disappointed with the ruling, Bloomberg Business pointed out on Wednesday that there could be a silver lining. Pro-coal states have been using MATS as a key argument against the EPA’s proposed regulations on carbon emissions from power plants, regulations seen as important to fighting climate change. According to that argument, MATS precludes the carbon rule, since MATS already regulates pollutants from power plants.
If MATS is invalidated, the article asserts, the preclusion argument might go out the window with it. Then, the EPA would essentially be free to regulate carbon dioxide, and would also be free to regulate mercury at a later date. You can read more about how that would work here.
I think they may have shut a window, but opened a door????
so, all in all, the famed lame ducky thingy is working out rather well?
Pretty much:)
More huge news for AZ>>>> http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/29/us-usa-court-voter-idUSKCN0P91RI20150629
U.S. justices turn down states over voter registration restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a new case on voter registration in Arizona and Kansas, meaning the two states will not be able to require applicants to show proof of citizenship.
By rejecting a joint appeal by the states, the high court left in place a November 2014 ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That appeals court decided that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a federal agency that oversees changes to state voter registration procedures, was not required to grant the states’ request that proof of citizenship be added to registration requirements.
An earlier version of the legal battle made it to the high court in 2013. Then, the court struck down an Arizona law that required people registering to vote in federal elections to show proof of citizenship. In the ruling, Justice Antonin Scalia had said that Arizona could ask the federal commission to include a citizenship provision on the federal form.
you seem to be a roll today.
Slept good:) AND, lots of SC rulings that deal with AZ issues….whenever this crazy ass state gets some GOOD NEWS for a change, I’m all over it!
Hopefully this is a start of the turning tide not just in AZ, but all over US. The last six years have really seen some peak wingnuttery.
Good morning, TOD! Regarding the food loss that I mentioned on the late night thread, my insurance company ACH posted to my account this AM… I’m Blessed…
Relieved to hear it!
Was GOING to say…glad that worked out for you!
😉 🙂 Oh, yeah….someone’s going grocery shopping today…. G
Look at that outreach!!
What a motivator that Donald Trump guy is! 😀
I certainly hope Trump continues to climb in the Republican polls. In fact, my dream is that he wins the Republican Nomination. I can’t think of a better motivator to GOTV on our side.
Well, now.
🙄 Why Canada?
.
.
😀
Donald Trump hasn’t voted in last six presidential elections: conservative website reports
An investigation by Jillian Kay Melchior of Trump’s voting record shows that the self-promoting businessman hasn’t found his way to the polls for the last six election cycles, including 2000 and 2004, years in which he floated his own name as a possible presidential contender.
While Trump is running as a Republican, the New York businessman has been quite generous with contributions to the Democratic Party, writing checks for $476,000 to Democratic candidates and committees — compared to $452,000 to Republicans.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/06/donald-trump-hasnt-voted-in-last-six-presidential-elections-conservative-website-reports/
Ha,,,,this is hilarious.
mebbe he really is a dem covert operative to troll the goppers.
Wouldn’t that be something…however, I don’t think Dems need/want his “help” any more than the RWNJ’s do.
Politico reports that Donald Trump is making Republican officials nervous: “[I]nsiders worry that the loud-mouthed mogul is more than just a minor comedic nuisance on cable news; they fret that he’s a loose cannon whose rants about Mexicans and scorched-earth attacks on his rivals will damage the eventual nominee and hurt a party struggling to connect with women and minorities and desperate to win.”
Just a reminder. Dateline January 20, 2012…
Ron Paul’s “South Was Right” Civil War Speech With Confederate Flag
Ron Paul has made no secret the fact that he thought that the South was right in the Civil War. Here he is giving a speech in front of a giant Confederate Flag about why he believes the North was wrong in the Civil War and why the South was right.
Ron Paul is a neo-Confederate, and proud member of the Ludwig Von Mises Institute, which has been labeled as a neo-Confederate organization. In the video he claims that the North should have paid to buy slaves from southern slave owners to avoid the war, rather than the South renouncing slavery. Paul also fails to bring up the fact that it was the South that started the war by attacking the North in 1861.
I keep seeing a very weird commercial with him fearmongering a coming financial crash……
I saw part of it this morning. is he pushing the gold standard again? That’s been his tune for decades.
Thomas is up there but I take his point. He is in his own quiet way arguably the cruddiest sleazeball on the court and that’s saying something.
MSNB just did a report on this. The FBI and ATF are investigating 3 of the fires.
IMPRESSIVE LIST
This is what happens when American’s walk around with their heads up their butts.
Angry man complains that local NBC station changed its peacock logo to ‘the colors of gays’
One Facebook user admonished his local NBC affiliate for changing its station’s peacock logo to rainbow colors.
“Your changing your station logo with the colors of gays is a disgrace,” complained Facebook user Don Stair. “Just stay out of it… Your integrity is ruined… ABC KATV is my choice in the future for all Little Rock station viewing… Shame on you!”
The station told Stair that the logo had never changed.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/06/angry-man-complains-that-local-nbc-station-changed-its-peacock-logo-to-the-colors-of-gays/
J’OB, here’s my thoughts and prayer that your son is resting comfortably now ❤
JackieO, you and your sin are in my prayers. Will be with you in faith, praying for a good report.
Your Son.
AMEN
Delivering the opinion of the court, Justice Alito said the inmates had “failed to identify a known and available alternative method of execution that entails a lesser risk of pain”.
why didn’t you find a way to kill yourself easily?
what a cruel asshole. and he will be there doing harm till he dies.
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/06/29/what-did-scotus-do-today/