President Barack Obama takes the stage to deliver remarks on housing and home ownership at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Ariz., Aug. 6, 2013. Photo by Pete Souza
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All Times Eastern
12:30PM: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest
2:10PM: President Obama holds a video conference to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Congressman John Lewis and Attorney General Loretta Lynch will join him. It will be live streamed at WhiteHouse.gov/VotingRightsAct
****
The U.S. has begun conducting air strikes over Syria from a base in southern Turkey wapo.st/1MP3RZR
—
Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 05, 2015****
Missy Ryan: U.S. Conducts First Islamic State Strike Launched From Turkish Soil
The United States has begun conducting airstrikes over Syria from a base in southern Turkey, the Pentagon said Wednesday, opening a new front in the Obama administration’s air war against the Islamic State. Capt. Jeff Davis, a Defense Department spokesman, told reporters at the Pentagon that a U.S. drone had hit an Islamic State target in Syria on Tuesday. He declined to say exactly where the strike took place or whether it was successful. The beginning of combat flights from Incirlik Air Base is a sign of deepening U.S.-Turkish cooperation against militants in Syria, where the expansion of the Islamic State poses a growing threat to Turkey and the West.
More here
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What has changed in the year since Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson — and what hasn't? wapo.st/1OQVmvK http://t.co/rtpVX1NIf0
—
Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 05, 2015****
Christopher Ingraham: Americans Say Racism Is A Bigger Problem Today Than At Any Point In The Past 20 Years
Half of Americans — exactly 50 percent — say racism is a “big problem” in this country, according to a fascinating new Pew poll released today. That’s up an astonishing 17 points since the last time pollsters asked this question in 2010. And it represents the highest level of concern about racism in this country in at least 20 years. So what’s changed? In a word: Ferguson.
And of course, everything that’s followed since. The Pew numbers reflect some of this. Americans are divided on the extent of the racism problem in this country. 73 percent of blacks call it a big problem, compared to 44 percent of whites. Democrats (61 percent) are also considerably more likely to see a major problem than Republicans (41 percent).
More here
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Poll shows why #BlackLivesMatter activists should be proud huff.to/1MPT8OA
—
HuffPost BlackVoices (@blackvoices) August 06, 2015****
Simon McCormack: Poll Shows Why Black Lives Matter Activists Should Be Proud
Nearly one year after Michael Brown was shot dead by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, a new poll shows a growing number of people believe there’s much to be done before black lives will be valued as much as others. Fifty-nine percent of Americans now believe changes are needed to give African-Americans equal rights, according to a Pew Research Center poll released on Wednesday. That’s up from 46 percent in a Pew poll just last year, before Brown was killed by officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, setting off a series of demonstrations and fueling the Black Lives Matter movement.
The poll saw increases in the number of blacks, whites and Hispanics who felt more changes were needed. In 2014, only 39 percent of whites said more needed to be done. In 2015, that number jumped to 53 percent. For blacks, the numbers increased from 79 percent to 86 percent, and for Hispanics, 54 percent to 70 percent. The Pew poll comes after a year of heightened Black Lives Matter activism, including numerous rallies, die-ins and acts of civil disobedience.
More here
****
President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2014. Photo by Pete Souza
First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Laura Bush participate in a symposium on advancement for women and girls in Africa, with U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit spouses at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2014. Photo by Amanda Lucidon
President Barack Obama walks with Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the South Lawn of the White House upon returning from the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
First Lady Michelle Obama watches a performance during a symposium program on advancement for women and girls in Africa, with U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit spouses at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2014. Seated with her, from left, are: Constancia Mangue de Obiang, First Lady of Equatorial Guinea; former First Lady Laura Bush; Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic; and Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady. Photo by Amanda Lucidon
President Barack Obama joins Jay Leno for a taping of the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in Burbank, Calif., Aug. 6, 2013. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama autographs a banner following his remarks on the economy at Gelberg Signs in Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza)
The Obama Diary 
Good morning TOD.
Congrats mrm on First!
Good Morning one and all at the TOD Nation have a great day, belated birthday greetings to GoB …I am (almost) furst
Good morning. Wonderful to begin the day with images of our fearless President attacking every problem with both brilliance and subtlety. We must treasure every day we have this superb leader as our President.
Remember Comedy time @ Fox get your popcorn, drinks and Kleenex, be prepared to laugh, shocked, bewildered and downright flummoxed
LOL…What time does it start? 🙂 I need to be prepared…
Eastern Time 9pm
Okay – thanks!
gm TOD – congrats on first Mariele
Thank you Nerdy Wonka – what an array of pictures and news.
And a seriously down market comment – my gosh Jay Leno seems to have a very large head.
LMAO.
G’morning Nerdy, TOD, even amk, lurkers, (Chips & Danny too!) and Happy Thursday everyone. 🙂 Thanks Nerdy for your excellent R & S round-up!!
Congrats Mariele on #1 🙂
Good Morning Everybody.
Ha! He’ll be catching up on sports while the clowns have a go at it… 🙂
I’LL DEFINITELY BE WATCHING BECAUSE I NEED A GOOD LAUGH….
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
GM Everyone!
Reminds me of our emoprogs…
Oh just stand up already 😀😀
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha….OMG. Kid? Put both legs down and stand up.
Inorite? 😀 😀
Good West Coast morning NW & TOD family.
Is this almost the end of the second week of Chips vacation? I miss her, but I’m damn happy that NW is here for us. I would be in deep shit if TOD was on hiatus 😳
Morning GGail. Agree 1000%
Good morning almablanca! It’s nice to see you in the morning 💙 and thanks for understanding 😊
Oh you sweet talker, you.
Thanks, GGail. 🙂
Shoot! I’ve figured out a way to sweet talk NW into giving me a picture – hot dayum! 😀
Good morning Nerdy, Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Thursday morning. Congrats mrm, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope you have such a day today that you would not hesitate to do it again. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
Good morning TOD folks! I personally am giving a pass on the debate. I wish them well.
So am I. Can’t do it.
GOOD MORNING TOD FAMILY…AM HOPING EVERYONE WATCHES THE DEBATE BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE YAHOOS ARE PUTTING OUT THERE AND I HOPE IT IS EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING FOR RIGHT WINGERS!!!!
Good morning Sue. I’ll watch because I do want to hear what they have to say on how they plan to improve America.
IN ORDER TO FIGHT THE PILES OF ELEPHANT DUNG…ONE MUST WADE IN THE CURRENT TO SEE HOW STAGNANT THE WATER IS…PHEW!!!!! STINKYBOMBS TONIGHT!
Good morning TOD.
In my humble and unsupported by hard evidence opinion, Jon Stewart has pulled the plug because he couldn’t bear covering the 2016 race to the WH.
If you Google “Jon Stewart death march” you’ll see that he called the Democratic party primary race a “joyless death march.” A very similar phrase to what I’ve been saying this week.
I know—TOD has been disenchanted with Jon for years.
Me too.
But I watched each episode this week and I am glad I did.
The other gem was Jon saying that at one of the meetings PBO called him in for, The President expressed concern that Jon was adding to the general cynicism. right.
That is why many of us stopped watching Mr. Stewart a while ago.
It interested me to hear that this matter was a concern to POTUS.
Hi Vicki,
I was not surprised that Jon Stewart decided to quit. Steve Carell was nominated for an Oscar; Stephen Colbert got the Late Show; Ed Helms is doing movies too; Larry Wilmore’s doing a great job with the Nightly Show (yes, I know Jon’s a producer but Larry’s making it new); Jon Oliver has a show on HBO. I think Jon just couldn’t bear to be doing the same thing while all the people who worked on his show are surpassing him.
So interesting that PBO called Jon out on the cynicism. I stopped watching the Daily Show around the time of that awful 2010 rally for that reason, for the fact that he and the writers seemed to be phoning it in while they were writing the second DS book, and because he was so disrespectful to PBO. I too decided to try to watch this final week, but had to FFwd when the part about Jon meeting PBO came on because I didn’t want to see a bunch of clips of him talking s#!* about PBO, put together just to bolster his cred. Thanks for being braver than I am, Vicki 🙂
I have always said Jon Stewart was attempting to make young people cynical toward PBO and the hope and change he promised. It was obvious what he was attempting to do and that is why I stopped watching him (that and that bullshit rally he had and didn’t have the balls to say anything of substance). It was never clear to me why exactly Stewart was doing this. Was he a corporate shill attacking PBO from the left? Was he “disappointed” in a particular policy issue? Was he attempting to be cool and hip by being cynical (most posers hide behind a deadening cynicism to protect them from real politic’s/life’s inevitable disappointments and setbacks). Stewart posing as an outsider railing against the Man. Whatever his rationale, he was definitely a threat due to his influence among young people, who often lack the experience to realize that change occurs neither overnight nor without a fight. I say good riddance.
Madams Soph and Eric,
I see we all agree. Jon’s attitude towards PBO and that hideous rally where he added to voter suppression and apathy—reason enough to not tune in.
I see what you are saying, MS about Jon’s apprentices surpassing him.
To Eric—it may or may not matter that Jon’s brother was the head of the NYStock Exchange, and for all I know about that universe, maybe he still is.
The depth of wicked azz Andrea Mitchell’s dishonest and unprincipled character is again validated by her abandoning the truth about IAEA/Iran agreement. When she was in Vienna with SoS John Kerry she stated the truth that the IAEA/Iran Agreement is standard protocol and is not a side deal or a secret agreement.
Now she is pushing the RW talking-point by referring to the IAEA/Iran Agreement as a side deal/secret agreement. She knows that the agreement is not a side deal or secret agreement. That’s a damn shame. SMDH
CALL HER OUT SO THAT SHE IS FORCED TO APOLOGIZE AND CORRECT THE RECORD!!
I think we have all learn by now that the media of today is all about stirring trouble, even if what they are saying is a full blown lie. They don’t care.
JOURNALISM USED TO BE A CREDIBLE CAREER…IT DIED WITH PETER JENNINGS..NOW IT’S ENTERTAINMENT AND WHO CAN GAIN THE RATINGS…IN BETWEEN…THERE IS NO LEGITIMACY AND THEY DON’T CARE WHO THEY SACRIFICE!
Morning everyone!! It’s KKKlown KKKar Day!! If you can’t stand their grating voices (that would be me) then try to pop over to ThinkProgress.org and check out their live blogging…they listen so you don’t have to:) They always do such a great job…AND they fact check!!
I remember when her came to Desert Vista HS and I was soooooo disappointed that I wouldn’t get to go see him…so close and yet so far!
Can’t wait to wear my “Science Says So” tshirt today….please, please let someone say something about it:) (AZ actually elected a state rep that thinks the Earth is only 6,000 years old….yes they did….omfg.)
Morning DF, take Sadie for a stroll in a park and then go to a Trader Joe’s. I bet you’ll get glances if not comment. 😊
At TJ’s they’ll all AGREE with the shirt!! I want someone to say something that DOESN’T:) Too hot to walk the dog now…would burn her paws…in Oct would be fine:) Now, she has to settle for running around a big yard. It’s so hot that she doesn’t even do much of that, either, October’s coming! One of my favorite months here…
df, YOu’re right about TJ’s folks agreeing with ‘our’ short. Hope mine comes today.
I hope so too!! It’ll come soon….
That’s true DF. I thought you just wanted people to *see* your new t-shirt, you’re looking to cause controversy, I now understand 😀
Yes, I can imagine it probably is too hot in AZ for Sadie’s paws – stay cool y’all 🙂
Good Morning TOD!
Just wanted to thank Nerdy for the link to the YouTube of PBO’s Iran Speech. I’ve been super busy recently but have been able to keep up on PBO thanks to TOD and everyone here who contributes. Last week I sent F&F the Jack Black/Morgan Freeman YouTube with links to find their individual Senate & House Reps’ DC and local contact info, with a reminder that their local offices are probably the place to call during the August recess (thank you to the TODer who posted that tip). Now I will be sending a link to PBO’s Iran Speech for those who missed it. I continue to be grateful for TOD. Hope Chips and Danny are having a wonderful vacation.
We always say his most recent speech is his best, but this one felt different to me. He was completely comfortable in who he was, what he knew and where he and this deal belongs in history. Talk about not having any effs left to give! He was the POTUS. T he country and Israel have veered into dangerous territory that does not reflect what adults should do and spits on what truly makes America exceptional. This complicated subject flowed with an ease that he will get no credit for. It’s not just that he has had it with the insanity; but his answer to that was to tower over the pettiness and embody POTUS like he never has before.
It was astounding. If this deal is killed (and I don’t think it will be), this speech will be referred back to by the history books as a Churchillian warning to the world. Magnificent.
🙂
Good Morning Everyone! I will take sometime today to pause and remember Horoshima. Today’s anniversary makes PBO’s #IranDeal more timely & crucial
P.S. Won’t be watching the Repub clown show tonight. I refuse to give them the ratings, even online. I know TOD will share the LOL/SMH/ICYMI parts, so I’ll check in here for tidbits afterwards 🙂
Link to ThinkProgress.org and see the live blog there…its really very good
A grateful post from booman – the absence of evidence is the best evidence
“I am so grateful for No Drama. I don’t want it to ever end.”
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2015/8/6/03855/15625
We get manufactured drama from the media instead….PBO’s 100th Katrina when there has been NONE, why can’t PBO fix the entire world and mess-ups created by others, why did he really wear a tan suit that drove the media insane, and of course the GOP created hysteria.
…it is more than an absence of Bush….it is the Presence of OBAMA! that is the difference
It is – and the absence of fear mongering. They are trying so hard to bring that back.
Oh Ms. Midler!!!!!!!!!!!
Gotta love Bette!
🙂
Bada-BOOM!
The day has been won.
Give that lady a seat! You go Bette.
LOL!!!
Hahahahaha – Bette, how right you are!!!
Howling!!!!!!!
love the divine Ms M
tweet of the day.
If amk wonders by – don’t let him talk about cricket. Thanking you in advance.
We are not amused
After one season with the crap Man United, the pretty awesome player, Angel di Maria says BUH-BYE to Man United.
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The Chelsea domination continues.
Good riddence! He knows he won’t the only shining star on ManU and he couldn’t handle it 😀 😀
http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/08/06/3688422/the-arguments-against-the-iran-deal-bear-a-striking-resemblance-to-the-arguments-for-the-iraq-war/
Who can we send THIS to?? Because, you know…
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/08/06/black-unemployment-rate-falls-below-10.html
THIS!
Ah…those were the days…
PRETEND IS THE WORD DEAR…WHEN YOU STEAL A COUNTRY FROM NATIVE AMERICANS AND ENSLAVE AFRICANS…YOUR FOUNDATION IS MADE OF QUICKSAND………………….
Good Morning Fellow TOD’ers! Nerdy and BT’s thank you for keeping things going during Chips well deserved vacation. I hope she is having a BLAST!!!
My take on tonight is a little different than most. I actually don’t think that it’s going to be the fireworks most are anticipated it to be. There will be a lot of focus on Donald but he has never debated before so I expect him to just stand there in the middle spouting off his stump speech talking points (that the extreme right seems to love) and mainly taking shots at Clinton and PBO. In their minds PBO is a complete failure and their minions agree with that assessment so they are going to be tying HRC to PBO and bashing the two of them for 2 straight hours.
Now, I think that if someone takes a shot at Donald he will fire back at them but I don’t see much of that happening tonight. I could be wrong but these things get all hyped up for ratings and generally don’t pan out to be what we expect. Although it would make for great entertainment if they did go after each other. 😯
They are really scared that PBO is going to get a third term. Maybe someone will start up a “write-in” campaign!
Sadly, Donna, I completely agree.
Nevertheless, PBO has asked us to watch this and I will do do. Popcorn at hand.
GM Donna.
I’ll be watching to hear what each have to say about “making America better”. If some of it is hilarious – that will be bonus points 🙂
Morning all. I will not watch the GOP comedy hour tonight, but will be here for your comments. When does PBO’s interview with Fareed Air on CNN?
LOL….
Joe Scarborough: Obama’s Iran Speech Was “Partisan, Condescending, Arrogant”
http://mediamatters.org/video/2015/08/06/joe-scarborough-obamas-iran-speech-was-partisan/204796
REPUBLICANS DON’T LIKE TRUTH…THEY MANUFACTURE THEIR OWN…JUST LIKE THE BIBLE…THEY REWRITE IT TO SUIT THEIR OWN DESIRES!..GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD!
When all else fails, count on the GOP to trot out their “Uppity Negro” chestnut to fire up the wingnuts.
Good morning (afternoon, evening) TOD community …. thank you for another fine R&S, NW …. congrats Mariele on 1st!
Then there’s this ….
Thanks OBAMA
The entire ME could change course…just because of this deal…for the better. Hard to wrap my head around the fact that some want the anger, rage, hate to continue…
Do they even realize the damage they are doing to ALL future US negotiations when they carry on in this way. Easy to see why some countries do not trust the US to keep their side of a decision.
YUP!!
First time I have ever thought that negotiations by the US Sec of State were anything other than 100% the position of the United States.
No question about it, df. We are already seeing major shifts in the GCC, especially Saudi Arabia, re: Daesh and all kinds of undercurrents of unleashed interactions among European Nations and Iran …… a non-aggression policy between Iran and the US is the way to begin solving many ME problems.
Fact is that an Israeli gov hell bent on an apartheid state and effective eradication of Palestinian presence in the West Bank + 2nd class (essentially classless) citizenship for non-Jewish Israelis will ever more become the focus of attention. That’s 1 of two of Bibi’s biggest concerns; the other is the harsh reality that Israel is non-compliant with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The other fact that will emerge is that Iran is interested in becoming a major economic power in the ME and, despite all the rhetoric, has less than zero interest in starting a war with Israel. NEONCONSTERS like Bibi and US MIC will get no joy from Iran. More and more Israeli citizens will awaken to that simple reality, I hope, as the Iran Deal is implemented and they see Iranians focusing on commerce, education, technology innovation, etc.
#TrustBarack …. I can see him in Tehran before the end of his Presidency 🙂
Yes…I believe all of this is true. The stunning stat that sticks in my head is that 60% of Iranians are under 30 years old! That’s amazing to me, and one of the huge reasons that this country is moving away from NEOCON mentality into a new age. They are young and highly educated and have no time for this bluster…they want to participate in the global community and share their knowledge with the world…we should welcome them with open arms and see what kind of change and partnerships develop:) Oh the possibilities!!!
Yes, df.
Most Americans do not realize what you’ve just stated, clearly.
Once they do, thanks to President Obama not starting a war, they will realize that being friends with a vibrant, young population that happens to be rooted in a 5000+ year old civilization is rather cool!!
What most Americans also don’t know is that the reason why the demographics of Iran are what they are is because more than 1 MILLION Iranians died in the Iran/Iraq War – effectively eliminating an entire generation.
#TrustBarack …. because he does know, the facts!
Thank you Bobfr, for all your insights into the Middle East. I knew nothing about that part of the world until I began lurking here and reading your insightful posts.
Thank you Bobfr for all of your time and effort to keep us up to date on what is occurring in the Middle East. Until I began lurking here and reading your posts I knew next to nothing about the goings on in the ME. Thank you for opening my mind to that region of the world and its people.
So, that’s your Iran Deal wrap for now …. bbl … 🙂
Thank you Bob for bringing over all of this positive news. And YAY for “girl power”. Wendy Sherman is awesome and I’m proud of all of the women who participated on the IranDeal.
TY Gail!
Good morning, NW and TODers.
❤
GoB – Happy Belated Birthday wishes to you. ❤
I wanna be you Donna when I grow up.
🙂 🙂
I think I’m gonna troll him every chance I get today. He’ll probably block me by the end of the day and then I’ll call his office again and give them another piece of my mind. Just sayin…..!!!!
This schedule allows time for VP Biden to make up his mind.
He needs to get going!
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/08/06/3688609/birth-control-cancer-study/
What you say now, Republicans??
Existing While Black.
…………..
Wesley Lowery ✔ @WesleyLowery
6 in 10 black men say they personally have been treated unfairly by police because of their race http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_AP_POLL_BLACKS_AND_POLICE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT …
Only six in ten?
What about being followed in department stores, what about people locking their car doors when you walk by. I’ve had people lock their car doors when I walked by, and I had my son with me. Now that’s some shit to behold, walking down the street with your child and someone locks their car door. If even black men survive an encounter with a police office he still must navigate through society.
Good morning TOD. #DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear
What!!!??? Fox News is banning guns tonight in the studio??? Shocking! 😯
Good morning JER 🙂
Good morning GGail.
😀 😀 😀
Koch Bros. bankrolled and preferred candidate..
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/scott-walker-investigation-real-estate-deal
Court Docs: ‘Probable Cause To Believe’ Walker Committed Felony
Happy Thursday, TODobots and friends! {Morning CC & DannyO, wherever you are. Don’t cause any trouble today, please, but enjoy yourselves!]
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I got the PBO letter about watching the GOP circus tonight, but I’m going to rely on whatever feedback I get here in the village. Circuses have never appealed to me, and knowing the animals in this one are well-trained but not particularly smart will make it harder to stomach.
Good morning vc.
Since you’re not an American, you’re allowed to be excused and miss the debate, but IMO, voters on both sides of the American isle should watch and listen to these candidates. Look at their body language, listen to how they answer the questions – these are important.
Know thy enemy, study thy enemy in order to be prepared to defeat the enemy.
Good morning, GxG.
This!!!, GGail
I am going down to the laundry room, listen to some reggae on my i-pod do a puzzle or two and come back and see what NordyWonka tweets. That’s good enough for me. I get all my info from this blog. Smart folks we have here, all of you!
TY for not making me feel the irrelevant foreigner I am, Miss Pat. I might even join you in the laundry room and try one of your puzzles. 🙂
It seems to me that the Democratic Party is in rush to get back to their old ways of doing business before President Obama got elected.
yet another reason we can’t have nice things.
You got that right.
Under the Clintons, it will be back to “politics” before policy. My hope is that Barack Obama will still have a lot of influence with the base. So democratic politicians will receive lots of pushback when they return to the status quo and “politics as usual” .
in re, tonight’s (???) kkklown show.
Eric’s Tweets on the debate questions are hilarious.
And then some of them are just right on point!
I work for the government, and have done so for the last sixteen years. I often wonder why people that work for the government hate it so much. And the answer is I don’t know. I love my job and I love working for the government.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/08/06/chat-away-640/