President Barack Obama meets with bicameral congressional leaders and the chairs and ranking members of congressional national security committees to consult with them about ongoing U.S. efforts to respond to the conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq, Gaza, Syria, and other issues, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. July 31, 2014. Photo by Pete Souza
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All Times Eastern
10:00AM: President Barack Obama receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
1:00PM: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
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President Barack Obama greets four of the nine 2014 Kavli Prize laureates with representatives from the Kavli Foundation and other guests in the Oval Office. July 31, 2014 Photo by Pete Souza
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Bradley Burston: I Live In Israel, In Iran’s Shadow. I Voted For Obama. I’m Glad I Did
I live in Israel. I live in the shadow of Iran. I hold American citizenship as well as Israeli. I pay taxes to both countries. I vote in the elections of each. In 2008 and 2012, I voted for Barack Obama. I’m glad I did. I’m glad not only because of landmark changes to America on his watch, not only because of moments of inspiration, of unexpected hope, of enfranchisement, of movement on issues long dismissed as immutable. I’m glad because I believe that no one but this president would have tried, and succeeded, to land a deal with Iran on nuclear weapons.
Bradley Burston: I live in Israel, in Iran's shadow. I voted for Obama. I'm glad I did. - haaretz.com/blogs/a-specia…
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Chemi Shalev (@ChemiShalev) July 24, 2015I believe that Barack Obama is making the best effort that anyone is, to keep my family safe from the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon. And what about Benjamin Netanyahu? Don’t I trust him? Don’t I trust him to keep us safe, to safeguard Israel’s vital interests, to keep war at bay? No. Not at all. Absolutely not. Barack Obama could have taken the easy way out, and ducked the most difficult foreign policy challenge of his presidency – a nuclear Iran. Instead, against all odds, against some of the most stringent pressures American politics can dish out, he has driven forward. Thank you, Mr. President, for this deal.
More here
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The #IranDeal is a historic agreement that should be supported by Congress. Here's why: vanhollen.house.gov/media-center/s…
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Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) July 30, 2015I am confident that the #IranDeal will verifiably prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and make the world a safer place. 1.usa.gov/1JySxQs
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David E. Price (@RepDavidEPrice) July 30, 2015****
Nicholas Kristof: Why The Naysayers Are Wrong About The Iran Deal
You doves think that a nuclear deal will empower reformers in Iran and turn it once more into the pro-American and pro-Israeli power it was under the shah. But sanctions relief may just give this regime a new lease on life. Iran’s people are perhaps the most pro-American and secular of those of any country I’ve been to in the Middle East. (On my last trip to Iran, I took two of my kids along, and Iranians bought them meals and ice cream, and served them illegal mojitos.) The public weariness with the regime’s corruption, oppression and economic failings is manifest. I would guess that after the supreme leader dies, Iran will begin a process of change like that in China after Mao died.
Look, even you admit that this is a flawed deal. So why risk it? As Rick Perry says, “No deal is better and safer than a bad deal.” We have a glimpse of what might happen. In 2003, Iran seemingly offered a comprehensive “grand bargain” to resolve relations with the United States, but George W. Bush’s administration dismissed it. Since then, Iran has gone from a tiny number of centrifuges to 19,000, getting within two months of “breakout” to a nuclear weapon. The point: Fulmination is not a substitute for policy, and a multilateral international agreement achieves far more protection than finger-wagging.
More here
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Samuel Vincent Ramone Dubose, 9, talks about his father's death at a #BlackLivesMatter rally on Wed. #SamDubose @WCPO http://t.co/2YMNMr4WOA
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Taylor Mirfendereski (@TaylorMirf) July 30, 2015almost one year post-Ferguson, national conversation on policing - across political & racial spectrum - has changed
twitter.com/deray/status/6…
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Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) July 30, 2015****
Michael McLaughlin: Officers Involved In Samuel DuBose Shooting Were Sued In Earlier Death Of Unarmed Black Man
Two University of Cincinnati police officers involved in a colleague’s recent fatal shooting of Samuel DuBose also were on hand for a 2010 struggle with a psychiatric patient who later died. Officers Eric Weibel and Phillip Kidd were among seven University of Cincinnati police officers and other officials named in a lawsuit alleging the wrongful death of Kelly Brinson, a 45-year-old mentally ill university hospital patient. Hospital staff summoned officers to help subdue Brinson, who became agitated when put in seclusion, according to court documents first reported by The Guardian. Kidd and Weibel gave written statements that they restrained Brinson, while another officer used a Taser stun gun on him.
Brinson went into cardiac arrest and died days later, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The Hamilton County coroner ruled Brinson died from natural causes. His family settled the lawsuit for $638,000. Both officers also were involved in the July 19 traffic stop that led to the death of DuBose. Kidd gave statements to investigators that he saw DuBose, 43, drive away and drag Officer Ray Tensing before Tensing shot the motorist. Weibel wrote in a report that Tensing’s uniform looked like he’d been dragged. Footage from Tensing’s body camera, however, appeared to show that DuBose wasn’t driving away when the officer shot him, as Tensing and Kidd had claimed.
More here
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Zeba Blay: How White People Sound When They Argue About Racism
On July 27, the Black Girl Dangerous Twitter account shared some hilarious — but also painfully accurate — examples of what white people sound like when they dismiss the experiences of people of color. Mia McKenzie, creator of the Black Girl Dangerous organization was behind the series of tweets, prefaced by noting, “I’ve been saying publicly for like four years that IDGAF what you think about shit you don’t experience.” She then described a series of ridiculous scenarios in which people speak about or disagree with experiences that they have no first-hand knowledge of.
More here
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House Democratic Leaders Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., and Steny Hoyer, D-Md., present a birthday cake to President Barack Obama during a meeting with the House Democratic Caucus at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., July 31, 2013. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama meets with from left: Rob Nabors, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy; Kathryn Ruemmler, Counsel to the President; Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, and Chief of Staff Denis McDonough in the Rose Garden of the White House, July 31, 2013. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama greets HUD staff following remarks at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., July 31, 2014. Photo by Pete Souza
gm NW, gm TOD
We’re twins, 99ts!
good looking ones at that 🙂 Smart & intelligent as well. All things considered, quite exceptional.
Well one of us is (I’m looking at you, kid!)
Looking right back at you 🙂
Good evening, 99ts! 🙂
I could handle a picture reward – the thread needs more PBO. 🙂
You still waiting? Well, here is a little something…
//c2.staticflickr.com/8/7287/16600667080_11f75504a2_n.jpg
Maybe this one will work…
Thank you JER 🙂
Here you go.
Be still your heart. 😉
Bless you – what more could a girl (well “older woman”) want.
Woot. Congrats, 99ts.
Good to spread the furstness beyond even amk, LOL.
Far in distance – close in thought 🙂
Congrats on 1st 99 🙂
NW, this is a potent R&S!! Thank you very much!
Thanks, Bob!
Good morning, TOD.
GM NW and TOD.
Good West Coast morning NW & TOD family.
I’m so happy it’s Friday.
You have no idea how glad I am……….
I think I do 57 💙
Goood MOOOorning, GGail. 🙂
Hey girl 🙂
So we have an education minister – who seems to want to privatise education – it works so well in the US! and he has written a book called
“A letter to my Children”. I was wondering where that name might have come from. Sigh.
Good evening, good morning, NW and TODville. Happy Friday!
And very special thoughts of safe healing for JO’B’s Steve.
WHITE HOUSE MOCKS TOM COTTON FOR A WASTED TRIP TO AUSTRIA
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Are “a bunch of Republicans, who claim that they aren’t climate scientists and, therefore, can’t evaluate humankind’s impact on climate change, all of a sudden anointing themselves as nuclear physicists and nuclear experts?” Earnest asked rhetorically. “That they’re the only ones who are in a position to evaluate whether or not this will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon?
“If that’s the case, I wouldn’t have a whole lot of confidence in that. I would have a whole lot of confidence in the ability of the IAEA, an international, impartial organization, filled with nuclear scientists, who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. I think I would have some confidence in their ability to evaluate Iran’s nuclear program.”
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http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wh-mocks-cotton-for-a-wasted-trip-to-austria/article/2569296
Morning all. And thanks, Nerdy, for keeping us going. Hope you, too, have a vacation in your future. You’ve certainly earned it. I’ve been noodling a thought around in my brain regarding the false arrests that result in jail cell atrocities and so-called suicides. Back in the sixties, many protestors had a number to call for legal help so that their time in jail was very brief and someone was on the spot to provide counsel in a short amount of time. I wonder whether it’s possible to organize a county by county network of legal advocates who would immediately be on call to help in situations like the one that Sandra Bland found herself. There would have to be strict rules for how you could use the legal advocate, but that could all be worked out with good planning. Knowing there was qualified legal counsel on call would help empower the victims. I’m also thinking that just the knowledge that their “targets” might have good legal protection behind them could lessen some of the over the top aggression. Does this seem crazy?
Not crazy. Excellent idea. Wouldn’t know how to go about it, but is a good idea.
Not crazy and it would be a good plan to have money in a fund readily available for bail. We could all contribute a few dollars a month. No one should wait in jail because five hundred dollars was not available.
Good Morning, Jackie.
Not crazy at all. A good idea. I do know that there are legal advocates assigned for when #BlackLivesMatter marches are organized so that if people are arrested, they can be bailed out. I also think something is in the works like what you suggested, but as you pointed out it requires good foundational planning so that it is effective.
I’m thinking that a national organization could provide a “hotline” that would channel the calls to the local legal advocate. This would be similar to the election day “hotlines” where you can call a national number to report voting suppression tactics, or, in many counties, your local advocate. It would take a strong national organization to set it up, but it seems like putting some kind of power in people’s hands is better than having people feel afraid all the time.
Didn’t NAACP use to do that kind of service?
Good Morning Everybody.
Hillary speaking today at the National Urban League conference.
NW, what is this “special burden” that Hillary speaks of? How ’bout standing up for racial equality – that should take that “special burden” off of you.
How ’bout white America holding each Police Department accountable for their officers and training.
Yeah, that line displayed a historical ignorance and harkened back to the “white man’s burden” trope.
She could have said, they have a moral obligation, or a duty as decent human human beings, etc.
Good parts of the speech where she addresses important issues, but that line sure stood out.
I had the same response when I saw that line.
Why is treating others as equals and with respect a “special burden” for white people? How is their white privilege a burden? It also calls up for me an old trope emblematic of colonialism: the “white man’s burden.” I think she’s always trying too hard to stay relevant and not really listening to how she might sound.
These were my tweets when I saw that she used that phrase:
This lady talks through both sides of her mouth. Anything she says I take with a grain of salt. She is also late to the bandwagon sometimes, it’s like you have to force things out of her.
PBO and VP Joe are the only ones who’ve walked the walk consistently over time.
Now that’s a Prosecutor!
He sure is. He can practice law, he can do a lot with his law degree. They don’t have to elect him again, in fact maybe he is not even going to run. God bless him!
❤
Morning, girlfriend!
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SITE HERE AGAIN…NO PICS…GOOD MORNING HALF OF TOD FAMILY…POUTING HERE….WHERE IS THE REST OF YOU?
I’LL CHECK BACK LATER…IT’S EITHER THAT OR YOU ALL TURNED WHITE ON ME………………:(
Sue, turn off and then turn back on your computer – because we have not all turned white! 😀
He went to the National Urban League? He showed his face there?
For Real NW!!!
I have been after them for weeks on twitter and FB and not one has given me a plausible answer as to how he is going to get all these pipe dreams through Congress. Their ignorance is astounding!!!!
Congressional coalition = virtually nada.
How do you plan to pay for all the free things = silence.
But this is someone they want blind support for as he is running for the most important job in the country.
*sigh*
It seems to me that they think that the real reason these things have not gotten thru Congress is because you know …because of the Blk Guy…he just doesn’t know how to do it..but you know they will not treat me the same because you know I’m White…
GM TODville.
Hope this gets some traction.
Although whites are distressed about losing their privileged status, seems MSM may (finally) be waking up to the fact that white is NOT the default when reporting news (from a couple of days ago):
Sorry, the original tweets didn’t appear to my responses. 😦
Here they are:
faith based prison?
what the fuck is that? you don’t get to eat unless you pray?
effing weirdos all.
Must you keep saying what I’m thinking and saying not nearly as well?
:D. Go on, tell it. bt is not around (not that she would mind. …. as a matter of fact, I blame her)
I did tell it – right below your post. Maybe you have to live in the US to know what is a “faith based” prison. Next door to a church?
And we lost the cricket – which is a shallow comment – but it avoids thinking about another Bush.
ha. ha. and what a humiliating defeat it is. #under3daze.
I am reading about your own racism in afl. and yeah, fuck you shane warne.
They are a disgusting lot – footballers especially – Shane is your true school bully – looks it and acts it.
and good for your afl cap’ns.
The captains of all 18 Australian Rules football clubs have called on fans to stop booing football star Adam Goodes.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-33729756
The crowds are like the people that support Trump. They love the boos – but it definitely isn’t racism – they just don’t like the guy.
but it definitely isn’t racism.
ummmmm
Australia, you should look in the mirror…this was just 20 years ago
“the then Collingwood president unwittingly added to the controversy, saying, ”As long as they [Aborigines] conduct themselves like white people, well, off the field, everyone will admire and respect them,”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-day-nicky-winmar-drew-the-line-20130416-2hydd.html#ixzz3hU7oSqmD
also. too.
As long as you’re around, amk …. not entirely 🙂
And you too Bobfr 🙂
TY 99 … and, same for you 🙂
gary t, will ya?
You and amk have a much greater knowledge of what is happening in our world – I appreciate learning from you both – despite amk is a little terse in how he describes the issues 🙂
flattery will get you
nowhereno twitter. 🙂DARN!!!
I have to find someway to get your terse eloquence back into the Twitterverse 🙂
What is a “faith based” prison? Does it educate the prisoners? Does it keep them safe from attack by other prisoners? Does it rehabilitate and allow for a successful life when they return to the community? I find it ghastly that prison seems to be treated as just another “business” in the US – with or without faith.
Good tweets for retweetng, NW! It should be noted that Jeb Bush also authorized the first Roman Catholic only city in Florida, with no legal rights, a theocracy ruled by reactionary Catholic owner of Domino’s Pizza. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2014/11/ave-maria-catholic-theocracy-in-florida/
Nerdy Wonka, thanks to you I know so much. This Jeb man went to the Urban League and boasted about a prison? So dumb, so very dumb.
NW, you got me cracking up over here at work with these facial expressions – GURRRRRRL! 😀 😀 😀
She is on FIRE this morning!
Good morning Donna – she sure is 🙂
😀 😀 😀
The man is ridiculous.
I actually have no words.
hey dem voters, consider this the warning shot.
WOWZA…YES…TRUE INDEED….THE CLOWN ACT IS ON………………………….AND EVERYONE IS STILL WHITE….WILL TRY BACK LATER…POUTING STAGE CONTINUES!…OFF TO ERRANDS…I LOVE MY ENERGIZER PRESIDENT…MAILED HIS VERY FUNNY CARD YESTERDAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY…..NOW..IF WE COULD ONLY FIND THE CERTIFICATE!…LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
Thanks Nerdy for all that you do to keep things running here at TOD!
Good Morning TOD and Happy Friday
My Call to Action in support of the President’s Iran Deal. Please share the link with friends and family, on Facebook and retweet on Twitter.
Daily Bloggers: If I am not around or too busy here at work when a new thread comes up please re-post my tweet if you can.
Thanks and have a great O’Day!
In_Deed, Sir, In_Deed …..
Updates on various topics in the sidebar 🙂
looks like the iranians have moved past square 1.
Hey you, I saw you created a Post this morning, good job, and thanks.
Have a safe trip and see if you can’t work another Post in while you’re idling in the airport 🙂
Oh go on! you know you like me, you really do 😀 😀 😀
😀
wimminz/smh
As we’ve discussed here many times, amk, the gravest fear of Bibi and his fellow #NEOCONSTERS is one of the most obvious consequences of successful implementation of the #IranDeal is the level of international pressure that will be brought to Israel, in particular, as well as, Pakistan, India and NK, to:
First – come into full compliance with the NPT – beginning with enormous pressure on each of those states to sign the NPT
Second – for all nuclear weapon states to begin moving on a path of complete disarmament
Bibi and the warmongers are now s*^%ting bricks because that reality-train is headed straight at them …. I could not be more delighted 🙂
#TrustBarack …. and remember why he won his (1st) Nobel Prize, Bibi …..
Very astute, Bobr. Bibi wants to stoke the fear in order to justify Israel having a bomb. It’s outrageous, and all it took was a little fear mongering right before the election to get the Israel to again vote their fears. Sigh.
Sadly true, 57.
Bibi’s got plenty of nukes, as you probably know. The Iranians will use that fact to align even their foes in the ME (like SA) to demand, at the UN, and elsewhere, that Israel disclose, submit to IAEA inspections and, at a minimum, sign the NPT.
FM Zarif fired the first Iranian public salvo via a Tweet – got love the 21st Centure 🙂
Mornin’. Son’s undergoing another medical procedure in the hospital, as I write this, as I pray and ask for continuing prayers and good thoughts for him. We both really appreciate it. I spoke with him twice this morning – during the first call, he said he’s not nervous, but apprehensive, concentrating more on how his throat will hurt, after the bronchoscopy. Had him laughing by the second call – told him my friend suggested I tweet the Pope (who also had one lung removed when he was young) to include him in his prayers but I didn’t want to appear haughty …
… my son said “Haughty? You’re worried about being haughty at a time like this?” 🙂
I said “Well, I tweeted him in Latin, some priest answers those for him in Latin, so that’ll work. And, besides, I put a big post on the blog last night, asking for thoughts and prayers!!!!!” 🙂
And he said “How haughty.” And he laughed. Works for me.
Later.
Good morning Jacqueline … just know that you and your son are constantly in my thoughts and I hope that today goes as well as possible.
Love that you tweeted @Pontifex!!!
{{{{{{{{jacquelineoboomer and son}}}}}}}}}}} Sending positive and healing energy your way.
:D. That’s the spirit. Best wishes to him.
Sending positive thoughts you and your son’s way. May he come through this healthier and stronger.
We heart you, Ms. J’OB!
Morning J’OB
With you having a direct line to the Pope, we’ll be your backup Angels, singing and praying for your son. Okay? 🙂
Thoughts and Prayers J’OB.
Thinking of you both jacqueline.
YOU GO, GIRL!!
Highest healing for Steve, for a good and speedy recovery and continued strength for you both. XOXO
JOB, wishing the very best for your son. He has your spirit and is bound to pull through whatever comes his way. You did well in raising him. Let us know how things go today. Hugs for you both.
Healing thoughts and prayers for your son Jacqueline.
Continued Blessings to you and your son….
Thanks so much, pf.
And to all who offered such sweet comments, thoughts and prayers!
My son called following his procedure and is doing great! Has to take it easy, and will probably be in the hospital for another week, so the doctors can keep an eye out for another bout of pneumonia plus infections. The surgeon described the procedure as “excellent” and said it took him two hours because he was being ultra precise (while gently confirming it may have to be repeated, if the bio-glue repairing the fistula doesn’t fully take, which can occur — the good part of that is that a second attempt, only if necessary, would prelude the next stage – a serious operation which would leave him in lots of follow-on pain).
We continue to be very hopeful, and my son has great resilience and attitude, and his kids and grandkids are all pulling for him, so, yeah.
Life is good. And a big shout-out to “the man upstairs.”
It’s called #TruthAndReconciliation Madame Hillary, and it’s about ACTION not platitudes about like ‘special burden’ which you and your husband have pandered, but never done anything to ignite and sustain the massive effort required to eliminate centuries of American systemic racism.
THANK YOU
{{{{{Bob}}}}}
TY meta and Gail!!
So I tweeted this.
Response.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaa
How funny 😀 😀 😀
LIVE NOW: Sandra Bland Press Conference – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
PBO is not playing ….
P.S…I FOUND MY OBAMA HAT WHEN I CLEANED OUT MY CLOSET…….WOOOOOT…WOOOOOOOOOOOOT…WEARING ‘O’ STUFF IN ARIZONA!….
Way to go, Sue 😀
JER, for some reason, this picture doesn’t show up
I embedded the above tweet in my tweet to Senate Dems:
meta, you are so clever 🙂
Hahahaaa!
My simple slogan for all the dem candies contesting at all levels.
All the gop wants to is hurt you and your family and your children’s future. Why would you vote for them?
Keep hammering it.
TWEET IT, DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Even though it’s a small group on the ideological margins of the settlement movement that is responsible for the murder of an 18-month-old Palestinian boy and the attempted murder of his family – as it was for previous terrorist attacks on mosques, churches and Palestinian homes – it’s impossible to be impressed by the condemnations and professions of shock that came from Israel’s leadership and settler heads on Friday morning.
The forgiveness the state has shown over many long years toward the violence of the extreme right – which was also evident this week at Beit El (none of those attacking the police are now in detention) – is also what makes possible the murderous hate crimes like Friday’s in the village of Douma. There is a price for the gentle hand.
Political struggle, including when it is waged against implementation of a court order, is part of the legitimate discourse. However, when the elected (and appallingly weak) settlement leadership tacitly accepts this rampage, while government ministers and Knesset members vie to show contempt toward the High Court of Justice, it’s hard to perceive the infant’s murder as a bolt from the blue – even if the clear majority of settlers are opposed to the deeds of the handful of Jewish terrorists.”
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/07/31/chat-away-637/