05
Sep
15
124 Responses to “Chat Away”
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The People’s View
- Follow me at my new venture: Reclaim the Fight
- Ignore the bait: Why itās the right strategy for Democrats to focus SCOTUS fight on health care
- BIG: Judge halts Trump administration attempt to shortcut the census
- Trump doesn't want peaceful transition of power. Legally, it doesnāt matter.
- Fauci goes off on Rand Paul
- Rule 44: Why Obamacare is not lost even in a deadlocked Supreme Court, but only if Biden wins
- Time to suit up. This is war.
- BREAKING: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed
- Bothsidesism comes to fact-checking: CNN's āfact-checkā calling Biden ad 'misleading' proves the opposite
- Pardon me: How Donald Trump's stooges conspired with Julian Assange to exonerate Russia and undermine US Intlligence
Smartypants
- Durham to Right Wingers: "Blame Hillary"
- That Time When Refusing to Negotiate With Hostage-Takers Worked
- The Other Christian Nationalists: Leonard Leo and Opus Dei
- Hawley Demonstrates That He's an Ignorant Liar
- DeSantis Board Votes to Counter-Sue Disney Over Something...Anything
- Hunter Biden's Laptop Is a Total Nothingburger
- What DeSantis Couldn't Say in Response to Disney's Lawsuit
- Disney Skewers DeSantis With His Own Words
- Populism Without Civil Rights Is Fascism
- Glenn Greenwald gets triggered by smart competent women like Rep. Stacey Plaskett
Steve Benen
- Joe: The Judicial Branch didn't mindlessly follow Trump on Jan. 6 rioters
- Vets from different wars bond over fly-fishing in 'Mending the Line'
- Outlines of a deal in Washington are starting to emerge
- Joe: We are grateful for the men and women who serve across the globe
- The sage example of Timothy Keller
- Doris Kearns Goodwin: The accountability of law is holding up
- 'Real-world impacts' of debt stalemate will only get worse as we near deadline, says Treasury
- 'Party of One' looks at the life and political rise of Xi Jinping
- CPAC treasurer resigns citing financial mismanagement
- Training seeks to ease mental health crisis among first responders
The Obama Diary 
See ya later!
Thanks, Chips!
Congrats Judith and keep working on Wyden.
š
Still trying to talk sense into Ron Wyden who is up for re-election in peace-loving Oregon. Wish we could primary him if he opposes the Iran Deal.
Judith, it’s not too late to find a primary opponent. Is the state Dem party well organized in OR? If so, some well-placed calls to the Director’s office might light a fire under somebody.
Since I am with OFA, I have no clout with the Democratic Party of Oregon. Doubt if they would entertain a primary opponent since they don’t want to have to burn any $ on a Senate race.
Thanks for your hard work Judith. I do not get Wyden. I have wrtitten letters and called Cantwell but nothing….
Wyden is very much aligned with AIPAC and Schumer. Oregon members of J Street and Jewish Voices For Peace have been working on him along with most progressive groups here. He keeps stonewalling and saying he will announce at the last minute, but he sounds dug in. His wife owns the Strand Bookstore in NYC, and they seem more NYC than OR now.
Cantwell’s office says she is busy focused on the wild fires, but I know she can multi-task and pointed that out.
*I know she can multi-task and pointed that out*
Love your take-no-prisoners attitude, Judith! Thanks.
Thanks Judith. I thought the office was more closed off and non communicative than on previous issues. So I am baffled. Her constituents are clearly anti war.. so this delay is frustrating.
President Obama is playing golf at Army-Navy Country Club.
Is Brother Mark on it? š
You and your new brother!!!!! Makes me laugh ever since you adopted him with Brother West’s blessing.
and this too to keep his Von Count meme in tact.
Judith, well done for coming in first. Chips, the cartoon is brilliant, although I have to say that woman’s face is enough to frighten small children. Can’t imagine having to see and work with her every day. We are all set up for a birthday party for our little granddaughter, but the birthday girl has not yet arrived due to a VERY late start on the part of her parents (SIGH). She’s a big fan of Shaun the Sheep, so have a Shaun b-day cake waiting on the counter. That sheep is really homely and I think the poor baker was slightly repelled. Oh well, whatever works.
Thanks, Jackie! Enjoy the birthday party. Shaun might make it easy not to eat too much cake. š
Hey, guys. Have a great Saturday. Look at this happy dog.
omg he/she is irresistible !
Completely. Totally.
This just makes you smile.
Also makes me want a dog.
Puppy loves his humans. I love the video! He might be waiting for 57Female.
How are you GoBrooklyn? š
I’m okay, Carol. Trying to find something on TV to watch while browsing online sales. šš. How are you? Any plans this weekend?
I’m fine too GoBrooklyn. Nothing planned except enjoy the beautiful day in our garden.
Pffft….sounds like a plan to me.
JackieG, I hope your granddaughter enjoys her cake šš
Sweet! Enjoy it all!
It’s hard to know whom to trust at times – at least it seems that way.
Administrator of Chicago-Area Home Visiting Physician Practice Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Role in $4 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
The lead administrator of a Chicago-area visiting physician practice was sentenced to 87 months in prison for his role in a $4 million health care fraud scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Departmentās Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) in Chicago and Acting Special Agent in Charge John A. Brown of the FBIās Chicago Division made the announcement.
Rick Brown, 58, of Rockford, Illinois, was convicted in May 2015 following a jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, six counts of health care fraud and three counts of false statements relating to a health care matter. In addition to imposing the prison term, U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman of the Northern District of Illinois ordered Brown to pay $1.3 million in restitution.
From 2007 to 2011, Brown was the President of Home Care America Inc., which managed the daily business operations of Medicall Physicians Group Ltd. (Medicall), a physician practice that visited patients in their homes and prescribed home health care. ………………………..
………………………………..
Mary Talaga, 54, of Elmwood Park, Illinois, and Roger A. Lucero, 64, of Elmhurst, Illinois, also have been convicted of offenses based on their roles in the scheme. Talaga, Home Care Americaās biller, was convicted along with Brown at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 18, 2015. Lucero, Medicallās Medical Director, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at a later date.
The case was investigated by HHS-OIG and the FBI, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Divisionās Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorneyās Office of the Northern District of Illinois. This case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Brooke Harper and Senior Trial Attorney Jon Juenger of the Criminal Divisionās Fraud Section.
………………………………………………….. //
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/administrator-chicago-area-home-visiting-physician-practice-sentenced-more-seven-years-prison
wonder what all these “Christians” would do if someone from a non-Christian (or no religion at all) would use the same excuse, of “religious liberty”, to deny them services because (e.g, they women are not covered up in a conservative manner);
one day, we had one of those “war on Christmas” crap with a group of local evangelicals who wanted to put up a nativity scene at the state house lawn;
I discussed with my friends what would happen if we encouraged the local mosque to go and get space on the same state house lawn and put up their religious items next to the nativity scene.
at the time the end of Ramadan (and hence the Muslim Holiday of Idi) coincided with the Christmas festivities;
it was not hard to imagine how these same “Christians” would have reacted towards scenes of celebration from another religion;
this world is changing, I want laws to protect me from other people imposing their religious beliefs on me – not matter what they are;
U.S. Constitution – Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.
Last week I mentioned that there was a house fire that took the lives of a couple in their 60s in my neighborhood… today the Fire Dept is knocking on doors to make sure everyone has smoke alarms. So happy they’re doing this š Yay Baltimore!
That’s such a good thing for the to do. Thoughtful and caring public servants.
So sorry about your elderly neighbors. I am glad they are being proactive. Due to the drought the city is requiring all home owners to use low flow showerheads. They should require all homeowners have smoke alarms and install free for low income senior homeowners.
I believe they were installing them for everyone today that didn’t have them, one on each floor they said. I have mine already (excessive amount š as I really do fear fires in these old houses. So the fact that pretty much everyone will have smoke alarms means we are allll going to be much safer here.
Good East/West morning/afternoon Chipsticks & TOD family.
Looking good on First, Judith āŗļø
Thanks, GGail. Are you on vacation now?
Yes I am Judith āļø
Hey gurl…..are you having fun? Is everyone glad to see you?
Hey JoJo. Yes, having wonderful time and looking forward to seeing more family tomorrow when we BBQ and family & friends drop by. It usually goes on well into the morning!
Wow, well you are the guest of honor so have a good time.
Thank you jojo ā¤
As ususal the over zealous GOP is trying to make discrimination constitutional. One day we could have a city or county that is not Christian and impose their religion on them but thanks to GOP this can happen
ā¤
Just finished watching the WWW. The people who edit all the material to make it must really know what we the public want to see each week. I love this one, especially the “cone or cup” š
Washington State Supreme Court ruled Friday (unusualsince normally decision are released on Thursdays) that charter schools are not “common schools” within the meaning of the Washington state constitution and therefore can NOT share in common school funding. Common schools must be under the control of the local voters of the school district and the initiative set up a charter school board which did not comply with the constitution and with case law defining the term common school. They also reffirmed previous rulings that the initiative process in Washington can not be used to amend the state consitution.
Woohoo! Go Washington!! I was at a union conference this summer (Michigan Education Association) and their big point was that the state education budget (something like $13B) is the last big pot of public money that is out of their reach, and the only way they can get their sticky fingers in it is to destroy public school and privatize. Good for you for throwing a stumbling block in their way. Our Republican governor and legislature are all in favor. š¦
Bob, can you explain this?
Certainly Bill. Apparently Senator Reid has already ‘whipped’ a minimum of 41 No votes.
And, he knows that Sen Manchin is a No on an actual vote and will similarly vote to sustain a veto.
But, Sen Manchin is against blocking debate with a Filibuster.
So, Senator Reid tells Senator McConnell we won’t filibuster. Have the debate, but totally consistent with McConnell’s requirement while Dems held the majority, Senator Reid is saying that after debate the vote must meet a 60 vote threshold.
If McConnell balks, then Manchin knows the ‘debate’ is a farce and all McConnell wants to do is get away with being a hypocrite & force the President to veto the bill.
If McConnell goes with it, he knows the bill will fail. If it fails, no matter what the House does, it dies in Congress and never reaches the President’s desk.
In any scenario, what we all now know (if what is ascribed to Senator Reid is accurate) is that the GOP has lost yet another battle with PBO.
So in other words the only thing stopping the Iran deal from going through is Armageddon?
Something like that, Don š
Though, seriously, the one action Iran could take to kill the deal would be to be the indisputable sponsor of a terrorist attack on US or EU citizens (they wouldn’t dare attack Russians or Chinese citizens).
I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in paradise that they would do that.
Neither do I, Don š
Thanks for this explanation, Bobfr!
You’re welcome, Judith š
Thanks for the explanation. A clever move by Reid, and puts the obstructors like Manchin on the spot, as well as McConnell. This will appeal to the Dem senators who are wobbly, they only have to take one vote.
egg.zack.leeee (as amk would say) š
Oh my God, Bob. Thank you so much for the excellent explanation. You are invaluable.
I totally take back my snide, uninformed comment about Reid. This is brilliant.
various other updates in the sidebar ….
This Charles Payne guy makes me cringe.
Rafael Nadal lost in š¦ š¦ š¦ 5 sets to some Bloke.
Tim Tebow is released from the Philadelphia Eagles. It was funny how some so called Sports Analysts were so sure that poor Tebow had made the cut. I do feel for him.
The guy couldn’t throw the football, and if you are a quarterback in the NFL one of the perquisites is that you have to be able to throw the football.
In college in the SEC Tebow could get away with having a noodle for an arm, but in the big boy league they don’t take too kindly to rag arm quarterbacks.
I saw this on C-SPAN. I didn’t watch it all. Some of the uninformed callers were Crazy…..but Trita did a good job. The AEI guy was Typical…..
I think you’ll enjoy this tweet from Trita, Nena š
In_deed Doc…. š the rightie organized staged Callers were totally bonkers!
It always intriguingly annoying at the Fatuousness of some of fellow Citizens……filled with ignorance and racism.
Seriously?
Pres Obama has done it yet AGAIN……. now he is a what? Christian Muslim?
why does the press keep asking the question
Because they know the answer they are trying to elicit, pf58, and they will continue playing that record no matter the truth. It’s just the pablum White Supremacists devour.
speaking truth
SICK BASTARDS! I CALL THEM AS I SEE THEM…THEY DISGUST ME!
Bob, your way with words – you crack me up with the TRUTH “pablum White Supremacists devour”.
I find this so stupid – religion should not even matter – I’m so pleased we had a pm who was part of no religion.
Fox and WSJ and the New York Post have all tried to Take TRUMP down……Failed!
They could not kill their King of Birthrism…….in 2011, at the WHCD, it was Fox who had Trump at their table…..if memory serves me right.
And now, Murdoch thinks that Dr. Ben Carson is his man to do it?
Nope. Sorry Pops. The GOPers will Never replace Pres Obama with Dr. BenC. They are looking for a ‘White Hope’ and for now, TRUMP is their man.
LOL!!! Right, because the GOP is looking for someone like Dr. Ben Carson to represent their party.
THE EVANGLICALS ARE HEAVILY BACKIING CARSON BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TRUMP WILL WIN…
Carson and Trump have been stumped by Foreign Policy questions. They both reminded me of SPalin š š
TRUMP HAS SAID HE WOULD PUT PALIN IN HIS ADMIN……………………HAVE FUN IMAGINING THAT SITUATION!
Hahaha – does Murdock not know that Ben Carson has the wrong color skin for the GOP – Trump is winning because white guy hating on anyone else. Murdoch also tweeting to entrench our RWNJ PM – another fail. The guy isn’t coping with the massive downturn in the newspaper business – he can no longer control the masses with his propaganda.
Both Austria and Germany
Finland, Sweden, etc are finally trying to ease the Crisis in EU.
yessssss..
So true Bob, so true!
Is anyone shock that there are racists out there? I am not one bit shock.
THE CONDITION OF OUR SOCIETY IS…HIS AUDIENCE…:(
Talk about irony ….
You tell it Charles!
GOD WILL PUNIISH ANYONE WHO MISTREATS IMMIGRANTS…IT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE EVERYWHERE! HIS HIGHEST COMMAND IS TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF…IF YOU HATE YOUR BROTHER YOU ARE NOT HIS!
The shift to energy that is generated from natural resources ā including wind power, solar power and geothermal heat ā follows a ādecade-plusā city goal, said city Utilities and Environmental Initiatives Director David Hornbacher.
āIt was a very forward-thinking goal and truly remarkable achievement,ā Hornbacher said. āThis means we are powered by the forces of nature, predominately water and wind with a touch of solar and landfill gas.ā
The first two U.S. cities to reach the goal were Burlington, Vermont, followed by Greensburg, Kansas.
this makes me happy…we are moving forward….more things to make me nervous about the President leaving office
AS SOON AS PBO IS GONE…THE KICKBACKK CRONIES WILL GO BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL SCHEMES AND CERTAINLY THEIR AGENDA! YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW!
AS SOON AS PBO IS GONE…THIS GIIRL IS GOING TO BE CRYIN’…..BEST PRESIDENT EVA’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This one is too!
welp I already cry occasionally just thinking about it. I honestly don’t know how this country is going to manage without him as leader.
i feel as you do….i really do…i try to think about the Obama Foundation…but i have become so used to keeping up with his daily activities…i will feel so lost without that..
yes- the daily connection will be sorely missed. Hopefully the O foundation will keep us connected and involved and possibly it will be even more of a force w/ him as citizen Obama. Thanks for reminding me of the Obama Foundation, PF š
your are so welcome… š
i hope that does not make me too pathetic
Sweet Treat break!!
BBL..IF I EAT THAT…THEY’LL THROW ME OFF THE PLANE MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…LATER…<3…XOXOXO!
š
HI Bob,
What does this mean??
also this….not understanding
Reid has been fine, but far from perfect as Dem Senate Leader. This is again proof.
I haven’t been around much since yesterday. Can someone bring me up to date on the numbers for the Iran deal?
i think that we are at 38
Okay, I thought I’d heard 60 but I couldn’t find the info. Thanks.
Link to Bob’s comment 57 – The numbers game in the US senate is almost beyond my understanding – but Bob sure knows how it works š
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/09/05/chat-away-659/#comment-1396756
Hi Allison & 57&F – I explained it up-thread to Bill and others. Exceptionally cool move by Senator Reid, for sure!
Chips New Post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/09/05/chat-away-660/