On This Day: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama participate in tree plantings at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C., April 21, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
Today
The President has meetings and delivers a statement to the press in Saudi Arabia before leaving for England this afternoon.
Morning Chips. Hope all is well in your world this morning. Tomorrow we’re leaving to visit our granddaughter and her mom and dad, of course. Can’t wait to see our little one for real and not just on Facetime. We’re spending the whole weekend with her!!
OUTSTANDING! I’ve only missed one — had to get an emergency absentee ballot. The May primary in 2001. The Thursday before, I received a call to fly out to CA on primary morning to tape a game show. Glad I went — I won!
Last night I went to a countywide Democratic meeting and was dismayed to learn that so many people are still holding on to the illusion that Bernie can win the nomination and the presidency. They’re all still trying to convince the rest of us that Bernie is a savior and they are fighting for the soul of the Democratic Party. The delusion was so depressing to witness, I felt absolutely exhausted afterwards. There is just no convincing these people, although they all vowed to support the Democratic nominee in November.
Funny, but I never heard any man say that George Washington should smile or Hamilton or Lincoln or Grant or any of the other somber men on our currency. Only the woman who endured more hardship than any one of them needs to smile.
Had to be a guy, since it’s his expectation that women look happy in his presence. Harriet Tubman was busy freeing enslaved people at great risk to herself. SMH.
That is so awesome, prettyfoot58!!! 😀 If you have a chance, maybe you can tell us some of what the people there were saying that may not have made it to the broadcast.
I had to step away for a little bit so I missed a couple of questions…
I did hear the questions from the Bernie and Undecided-leaning-towards-Bernie questions. I think her answers were persuasive *if* you were open-minded enough to receive it. The undecided voter seemed satisfied with her answer.
Hillary was at two events yesterday…she met with Moms who have lost their children thru gun violence and AG Eric Holder was there….i was at the GOTV rally….she just spoke…no questions were asked
Hopefully, voters will be able to — or find a way to — focus on the issues and HRC’s thoughtful proposals to address them, and that all the attacks and distractions will be relegated to background noise.
Maybe this will be the outcome of the Bernie Sanders campaign? The liberal side will start speaking truth to power themselves not just waiting for the President to do it all for them. I hope it also convinces young liberals to vote, and vote full time.
7 HOURS…GOOD..IT’S TIME TO GO HOME AND GET READY FOR TEA WITH THE QUEEN…ALOT MORE SUGAR THERE THAN WHERE HE IS CURRENTLY…I’M ALL FOR IT..GIDDYUP…GET THE DOUBLE H BEEF JERKY OUT OF THE SANDBOX…
This is an interesting take on how Bernie, who has raised more money than Hillary, has misspent most of it and will likely end up in debt, while she has money in the bank. If this is an example of how he would manage the federal budget, he has no business being anywhere near the oval office. Also, he may have to go hat in hand to Hilary to bail him out of his debt since he has to run a Senate campaign in 2018.
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Thursday morning. Congrats Jazz, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope that you show compassion, kindness, and selflessness, toward everyone you encounter today. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
There are many words, none of them complimentary, that the A-A community uses to describe someone like Ben Carson. I will not sully this site by repeating any of them, but many of you know what I mean.
Do we have a $2 dollar bills? Of course a racists would praise another racists. Trump knows most of his supporters would be angry about a black woman, a black slave replacing a white man. Donald J.Trump is a racists sexists big mouth bully.
On the verge of a possible upset of the Democratic Party’s longtime golden boy, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, in Tuesday’s Maryland Senate primary, Rep. Donna Edwards has a question for her fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Why aren’t more of you endorsing me?
POLITICO has learned that Edwards met privately last week with several CBC members to voice her frustration that so few African-American lawmakers had offered her their support, according to five sources familiar with the meetings.
Only four of the 46 CBC members — Reps. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Lacy Clay of Missouri, Robin Kelly of Illinois and Hank Johnson of Georgia — are backing Edwards over Van Hollen, an unusually small number for a group known for standing by fellow African-American lawmakers. Meanwhile, Van Hollen has been making hay over his growing number of endorsements from black political leaders in Maryland, including some in Edwards’ district, though he has yet to be endorsed by a CBC member.
On the other hand, Mr. Van Hollen is a very competent person. And seems to have an excellent reputation among lawmakers. Every time I see him on television, he comes off as very knowledgeable, passionate, effective, and with good communication skills.
I like Van Hollen and Edwards. It’s a shame that they’re competing against each other because while I live in Maryland, I’m not sure which one I’ll vote for in the primary.
Block Samson @insanityreport
There are black voices now that only have a platform and voice because they demanded it.
Block Samson @insanityreport
Yet you sit back quiet as fuck refusing to use or create your own platform then get mad when black folks do it
Block Samson @insanityreport
Black ppl: we want to be heard
Others: create your own space
Black ppl: fine *creates space*
Others:great now use that to promote our shit
Block Samson @insanityreport
Don’t remember companies and artist pulling out of Ohio after tamir rice’s murder like they did after that anti-trans bill passed on NC
Block Samson @insanityreport
This country is built off the backs of black people. Even its activism.
Safe journeys to Michelle and PBO to the UK.
My brother expressed concern for my state of mind when the Obamas leave. “What are you going to do?” he asked. I gave the brave talk about supporting Hillary and getting down ticket Dems elected to carry on and to extend PBO’s legacy, but I am not ready to let go. He also cracked up when I explained that many of us basically stalk PBO on line and he was like “And you admit this!” I laughed and told him that I had to find ways to get the information that the media never tells us. The funny thing was that all of this came up when I told him that PBO had sunglasses like mine and he asked incredulously, “How do you know that?” and I was happy to explain.
Have a great day everyone; will see you again in the UK.
True confessions of a TODer. I love it and its so very true. But hey I think everyone else is totally missing a once in a lifetime opportunity to closely follow this wonderful man in his presidency and to talk about it with like minded people on TOD. Again thank you Chips, Nerdy and everyone that contributes here. I love ya.
GOP’s anti-Planned Parenthood panel descends into ‘farce’
04/21/16 08:00 AM
By Steve Benen
As ridiculous as the House Republicans’ Benghazi committee has become, at least the GOP’s investigation is scrutinizing a real event. Sure, by Republicans’ own admission, the entire exercise is a partisan political stunt. And sure, the events in Benghazi in 2012 have already been investigated by seven other congressional committees. But at its root, four Americans died in a terrorist attack that actually happened.
The existence of the House Republicans’ anti-Planned Parenthood committee is arguably tougher to defend.
The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank highlighted the latest antics of the panel’s far-right chair, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who “isn’t one to worry about appearances.”
The Tennessee Republican didn’t make any pretense this week of being impartial with the committee she chairs, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, commonly known as the Planned Parenthood committee.
On the eve of her panel’s Wednesday’s hearing, Blackburn went over to Georgetown University to participate in a protest against Planned Parenthood, the very entity she is supposed to be investigating…. Then Blackburn showed up at her committee hearing the next morning and proclaimed, “My hope is that both parties can work together.”
Of course, when Blackburn talks about the parties “working together,” what she’s referring to is a hope that Democrats will simply go along with a culture-war crusade as if the GOP’s latest select committee were a legitimate exercise, probing a genuine controversy.
It was only a couple of months ago that we found out that the Smithsonian was creating an African-American museum. To make the news even better, now we know who the architect is. Her name is Zena Howard, and she is a dope Black woman architect.
Howard focuses on all of the aspects of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, but hones in on the porch, which happens to span 200 feet and it serves as an transitional space between the outside and inside of the museum.
“I think that the porch is…quintessential America,” says Howard. “In African American history, we use the porch in a different way.” It’s more “an extension of the indoor living space than probably in any other culture.” She explained that how as a child “everything was done on the porch. We ate on the porch. We sang on the porch.”
Out of all the projects that Howard has worked on, which include the Anacostia Public Library in the nation’s capital and the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina, she said that her favorite project, thus far, is the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Video taken from a police cruiser dash cam shows that sheriff’s deputies made no attempt to save three drowning Florida teens who drove into a cemetery pond after stealing a car last month.
16-year-old Dominique Battle, 15-year-old Ashaunti Butler, and 15-year-old Laniya Miller all died on March 31, following a car chase with the sheriff previously stating that officers on the scene dropped their gun belts and waded into the water trying to save the screaming teens.
THEY NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF WHO THEY ARE SKEPTICAL OF…OUR IMPD PRESENCE IN OUR NEW AFRICAN AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT A WELCOMED EVENT AND WE ARE THERE TO HELP AND LOVE ON EVERYONE. DON’T CATCH THE WHITE MAN’S DISEASE..JUDGING EVERYONE! I WOULDN’T HAVE MOVED THERE IF I HAD A DISLIKE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS.
If the girls stole the car it was WRONG. But for those officers not to even try to help them is WRONG too. I can’t help but believe if it was three white girls they would have done everything in their power to at least try to help them.
MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED…………………………THANK YOU LORD FOR PBO’S SAFE SANDBOX JOURNEY…………..FIRST THING I WOULD DO IN LONDON..IS MAKE NOSE TO NOSE FACES WITH THE PALACE GUARDS AND SEE IF THEY FLINCH..I GUESS THAT’S WHY NOONE TAKES ME THERE!..LOL!
The chancellor of a university has apologised over the hiring of a PR firm that promised to bury online search results about the pepper spraying of peaceful protesters.
Linda Katehi admitted that UC Davis, California, brought in a company “specialising in what is known as search engine optimisation”.
But she denied that the institution had sought to “rewrite history”.
Ms Katehi has faced calls to resign over the 2011 incident and its fallout.
Earlier this month, the Sacramento Bee newspaper reported that UC Davis hired the PR firm Nevins and Associates on a six-month contract at $15,000 (£10,400) per month.
The largest aid convoy so far in Syria has reached a besieged rebel-held town in the centre of the country.
Sixty-five lorries are delivering food and medicine to about 120,000 civilians in and around Rastan, in Homs province.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent convoy is the first to reach Rastan since 2012.
A key aim of the fragile cessation of hostilities that has been in place for nearly two months was to allow aid to be delivered more widely across Syria.
On Wednesday, hundreds of sick and wounded people were evacuated from four besieged rebel- and government-held towns as part of a deal overseen by the Syrian Red Crescent.
However, such aid operations have been jeopardised by escalating fighting in the country’s north-west, particularly around the divided city of Aleppo.
Turkey’s highest appeals court has overturned the convictions of 275 people, including senior military officers, accused of plotting a coup.
The appeals court ruled that the convictions were unsafe because the existence of a clandestine network called Ergenekon was unproven.
The officers, journalists, lawyers and academics were found guilty in 2013 of plotting the overthrow of then-prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The new ruling may lead to a retrial.
The Ergenekon case was one of the biggest in recent Turkish history, pitting Mr Erdogan’s supporters in the Islamist-rooted AK Party against the secularist military establishment.
donna dem, I’m sure she is because FLOTUS have to be back by Saturday to speak at the Jackson St. graduation. I believe the ceremony is at 3pm. And POTUS will be heading to Germany Sunday.
I’ve already touched on the multiple levels of Blackness involved in the story of Sistahs on the Reading Edge; the California book club thrown off a wine train for being too rowdy.
Exactly how many levels were there? Good question. Let’s review!
1. A group of Black women in a book club. (Because the only thing Black women love more than book clubs is Jesse Williams.)
2. The name of the book club being Sistahs on the Reading Edge.
3. A group of Black women in a book club called Sistahs on the Reading Edge doing a wine tour together.
4. A group of Black people having such a good time that it’s making White people uncomfortable.
5. A group of Black people doing absolutely nothing other than “enjoying life while Black” facing some sort of legal consequence.
And what I found particularly egregious is when they got kicked off the train at the next stop, the company had police there to greet them. Exactly what crime did they commit to warrant this? So glad they won.
You have to credit Kasich here… At first he tries to dodge the question and the subject. But in the end he decides to be honest. Maybe I’m too generous, but my interpretation of his use of the pronoun “they” in “they know” means he is not comfortable himself with the hypocrisy. I mean, he tries to protect himself at first, but he can’t sustain the dishonesty. Saying that in the context of the republican primary takes some guts. I don’t picture many republicans having the same courage.
My dream scenario……. We have work to do: state legislatures to win back, flipping the Senate. I want to adequately support the Presidential nominee, but I also want to work for Tammy Duckworth here in IL. I don’t want to be angry at Bernie or his childish supporters. I want to get on with it, concentrate on defeating the awful GOP.
I’m trying to release any resentment, even if it’s just little by little. But BS & his supporters are good at pushing buttons. I sense a sea change, but we’ll see.
Yes, it’s been “little by little” for me, this whole campaign season on the Democratic side! I finally limped into Hillary’s camp! (Mostly because I’m still trying to forget how joyous I’d feel if Joe were running, although I know I can’t hold onto that and he made the right choice, which I fully support.) Bernie’s supporters are not helping him AT ALL – he either doesn’t seem to notice, or isn’t able to reign ’em in, and/or is showing his lack of leadership skills. One or all of them.
Bernie lives in a fog of ideology – it has become apparent that he has no moorings to reality. And never has. A fraud perpetuated on the American people.
I believe, unfortunately, that Bernie’s supporters reflect the campaign. He’s done nothing but maybe two feeble attempts to rein it in. He is that hateful toward Democrats, he does feel that he is entitled to something, he is a Marxist. People are pawns, they are not real. And that is one way Hillary has won me – she is, against all biases, warm and personal with people, their issues, their concerns, their needs. She is comfortable in her skin. It’s a damned shame that no one in the msm reports the change in her this campaign, but supports great fallacies about Bernie.
Listening to the presser today, Ben Rhodes said the meeting between PBO and King Salman lasted 2 hours and at no time did the 9/11 legislation come up. This is the talking point the press has been pushing for many days now. So, pffffft.
And Obama’s reassurances aren’t calming them down.
April 21, 2016
President Obama “is trying but failing to reassure foreign leaders convinced that Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States. They’re in full-boil panic,” Politico reports.
“According to more than two dozen U.S. and foreign-government officials, Trump has become the starting point for what feels like every government-to-government interaction. In meetings, private dinners and phone calls, world leaders are urgently seeking explanations from Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Trade Representative Michael Froman on down. American ambassadors are asking for guidance from Washington about what they’re supposed to say.”
The Obama Diary 
Good morning, TOD! No sleep last night; hate insomnia…
Sorry to hear that Jazz. Congratulations on getting here first.
Morning Jazz!
Mornin’ Chips! How’s your Mom doing?
Congrats jazziz2 on #1. And Good morning, afternoon, evening Ms Chips and all TODers.
Story of my life. It sucks. Every once in awhile, I sleep straight through and the world looks totally different.
Get some sleep tonight!
Congrats on Furst!
Hope it’s a better day for you! Good morning!
Morning, Chps. I’ve always loved that “Pick up a shovel, Buster” look Michelle is giving PBO.
One of my very fave pics, Jackie, cracks me up! Good morning to ya!
Morning Chips. Hope all is well in your world this morning. Tomorrow we’re leaving to visit our granddaughter and her mom and dad, of course. Can’t wait to see our little one for real and not just on Facetime. We’re spending the whole weekend with her!!
Ah, brilliant Jackie, give her a big hug for TOD – and have a LOVELY time!!!
Have a great time Jackie, just be back by Tuesday!
I’ve never missed an election, Jazziz. We’re back Sunday night.
OUTSTANDING! I’ve only missed one — had to get an emergency absentee ballot. The May primary in 2001. The Thursday before, I received a call to fly out to CA on primary morning to tape a game show. Glad I went — I won!
Enjoy every minute of it (her!), jackieG!
ha, typical men.
Egg sackly.
😎
guess it’s another day of delightful wingnutz heads essplosion. #harriettubmandollar
Yep, the ever reliably nutso Ben Carson has already dutifully spoken out against Ms. Tubman on behalf of his white gop pals.
day by day, circling the ugly drain.
yep, ugly they are.
mom ok?
She was in very good form yesterday, laughing and kiddin’, so that was great. Heading over soon so hopefully she’ll be the same again. Thanks Mister!
Excellent news. Here is to cheerful mom.
That’s great new, Chips. I hope that means she’s settling in and isn’t afraid of the place anymore.
Chips, so glad to hear that Mom’s laughing. Nothing better! Been thinking about you. Have a great day!
Good news, Chips. Hope she continues to improve and do not forget to take care of yourself as well.
Hugs to you, Chips!!!!
Great News, Chips 😉
{{{{ ❤ Chips' Mom ❤ Chips ❤ }}}}
#TBT — His-story
Last night I went to a countywide Democratic meeting and was dismayed to learn that so many people are still holding on to the illusion that Bernie can win the nomination and the presidency. They’re all still trying to convince the rest of us that Bernie is a savior and they are fighting for the soul of the Democratic Party. The delusion was so depressing to witness, I felt absolutely exhausted afterwards. There is just no convincing these people, although they all vowed to support the Democratic nominee in November.
gopolitico sez latest pol has hillz leading by 10 points in PA. So, let bs bots be.
I didn’t say a disparaging word, AMK, but I couldn’t believe how hard it was for them to accept reality.
anger, resignation, acceptance – baby steps
GM JackieG.
Thankfully the folks you met with last night aren’t Bernie “supporters” like Sarandon (who will either vote for Trump [WTH] or stay home).
Did you see this yesterday?
Funny, but I never heard any man say that George Washington should smile or Hamilton or Lincoln or Grant or any of the other somber men on our currency. Only the woman who endured more hardship than any one of them needs to smile.
Ain’t that the truth.
Had to be a guy, since it’s his expectation that women look happy in his presence. Harriet Tubman was busy freeing enslaved people at great risk to herself. SMH.
Could ‘actual innocence’ save the broken US justice system?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35971935
very good read. time to shine some sunlight on the power hungry ‘prosecutors’.
This is a good read, AMK. I hope the concept spreads across the country.
“Actual innocence”…….what a concept! Thx, amk. And good morning. Or evening. Or whatever you’re doing way over there.
🙂
trevor
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/04/trevor-noah-mocks-press-calling-trump-presidential-because-he-didnt-insult-anyone-during-ny-speech/
He’s improving – worth the watch to the end.
Good Thursday, Chipsticks…TOD Family!
Watching the Hillary Clinton Town Hall in PA on GMA.
Everyone, enjoy your day! 😀
I was there….the energy was Electric….folks are excited!
smilin…
That is so awesome, prettyfoot58!!! 😀 If you have a chance, maybe you can tell us some of what the people there were saying that may not have made it to the broadcast.
I had to step away for a little bit so I missed a couple of questions…
I did hear the questions from the Bernie and Undecided-leaning-towards-Bernie questions. I think her answers were persuasive *if* you were open-minded enough to receive it. The undecided voter seemed satisfied with her answer.
Hillary was at two events yesterday…she met with Moms who have lost their children thru gun violence and AG Eric Holder was there….i was at the GOTV rally….she just spoke…no questions were asked
You’ve had an exciting two days!!! 😀
Hopefully, voters will be able to — or find a way to — focus on the issues and HRC’s thoughtful proposals to address them, and that all the attacks and distractions will be relegated to background noise.
So glad you were there, Pf. Instead of feeling the bern, we’re feeling the (C)Hillz!!!
I was there too. I’m not in that photo, but I was standing on the other side of the bar next to the girl with the camera.
Good Morning!!
Must watch video…
Even though she’s a Bernie supporter, she totally trashes Neil Cavuto
Maybe this will be the outcome of the Bernie Sanders campaign? The liberal side will start speaking truth to power themselves not just waiting for the President to do it all for them. I hope it also convinces young liberals to vote, and vote full time.
She was fabulous. She was able to knock down most of his arguments. She’s very smart and knowledgeable. I love her.
President Obama in Saudi Arabia. Click here ► ► http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Who is the guy drinking water and chewing gum?
THANKS JER…MY CBS DIDN’T WORK RIGHT SO I MISSED MOST OF IT..BUT THANK YOU!
Good Morning Chips and TOD.
Thanks Obama!
Good morning TOD 🙂
Hope you’re able to get some rest, jazz!!
Thank you Chips and wishing your mom all the best!
This is so heartbreaking.
7 HOURS…GOOD..IT’S TIME TO GO HOME AND GET READY FOR TEA WITH THE QUEEN…ALOT MORE SUGAR THERE THAN WHERE HE IS CURRENTLY…I’M ALL FOR IT..GIDDYUP…GET THE DOUBLE H BEEF JERKY OUT OF THE SANDBOX…
TAKE A NAP!..IT’S GOING TO BE A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG CURTSEY!..ADIOS..WORK CALLS…MY HOUSEKEEPER DIDN’T SHOW UP AGAIN!
This is an interesting take on how Bernie, who has raised more money than Hillary, has misspent most of it and will likely end up in debt, while she has money in the bank. If this is an example of how he would manage the federal budget, he has no business being anywhere near the oval office. Also, he may have to go hat in hand to Hilary to bail him out of his debt since he has to run a Senate campaign in 2018.
https://feralpressalliance.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/campaign-finance-math-is-more-likely-to-finish-bernie-than-election-math/
Excellent article. Remember how well run, tight-fisted OFA was. Robby Mook also believes in OFA model.
President Obama is speaking now. http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml AND http://www.msnbc.com/live-online/watch/live-obama-delivers-statement-670683715518
Look at the expressions and the body language of the men; you can tell that they really do not want to hear from a woman. He, he he!
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Thursday morning. Congrats Jazz, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope that you show compassion, kindness, and selflessness, toward everyone you encounter today. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
Any Questions?
There are many words, none of them complimentary, that the A-A community uses to describe someone like Ben Carson. I will not sully this site by repeating any of them, but many of you know what I mean.
Do we have a $2 dollar bills? Of course a racists would praise another racists. Trump knows most of his supporters would be angry about a black woman, a black slave replacing a white man. Donald J.Trump is a racists sexists big mouth bully.
GOD’S JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL…THE DONALD WILL EVENTUALLY LOSE EVERYTHING HE HAS…GOD GOES BY THE HEART…HE’S NOT IMPRESSED!
The was a two dollar bill in circulation at one time. Thomas Jefferson was on it. I still have a few.
WHY DOES THIS NOT SURPRISE ME???
This surprises no one. Racists are melting down about Tubman being on the $20 bill in 2020. Good.
See, this is why we can’t have nice things.
IF Edwards were say, another Harold Ford, Jr., I’d understand. But, she’s not.
This is also why SENATOR Barack Obama completely ignored them and passed them by on his run for the Presidency.
Edwards confronts black lawmakers over refusal to back her
Locked in a surprisingly competitive Senate race with party favorite Chris Van Hollen, Edwards is pressing for more support from the Congressional Black Caucus.
By Rachael Bade
04/21/16 05:24 AM EDT
On the verge of a possible upset of the Democratic Party’s longtime golden boy, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, in Tuesday’s Maryland Senate primary, Rep. Donna Edwards has a question for her fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Why aren’t more of you endorsing me?
POLITICO has learned that Edwards met privately last week with several CBC members to voice her frustration that so few African-American lawmakers had offered her their support, according to five sources familiar with the meetings.
Only four of the 46 CBC members — Reps. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Lacy Clay of Missouri, Robin Kelly of Illinois and Hank Johnson of Georgia — are backing Edwards over Van Hollen, an unusually small number for a group known for standing by fellow African-American lawmakers. Meanwhile, Van Hollen has been making hay over his growing number of endorsements from black political leaders in Maryland, including some in Edwards’ district, though he has yet to be endorsed by a CBC member.
On the other hand, Mr. Van Hollen is a very competent person. And seems to have an excellent reputation among lawmakers. Every time I see him on television, he comes off as very knowledgeable, passionate, effective, and with good communication skills.
I like Van Hollen and Edwards. It’s a shame that they’re competing against each other because while I live in Maryland, I’m not sure which one I’ll vote for in the primary.
the problem is that they are both really really good candidates and strong dems. It is tough to choose.
Morning everyone…
Block Samson @insanityreport
There are black voices now that only have a platform and voice because they demanded it.
Block Samson @insanityreport
Yet you sit back quiet as fuck refusing to use or create your own platform then get mad when black folks do it
Block Samson @insanityreport
Black ppl: we want to be heard
Others: create your own space
Black ppl: fine *creates space*
Others:great now use that to promote our shit
Block Samson @insanityreport
Don’t remember companies and artist pulling out of Ohio after tamir rice’s murder like they did after that anti-trans bill passed on NC
Block Samson @insanityreport
This country is built off the backs of black people. Even its activism.
Safe journeys to Michelle and PBO to the UK.
My brother expressed concern for my state of mind when the Obamas leave. “What are you going to do?” he asked. I gave the brave talk about supporting Hillary and getting down ticket Dems elected to carry on and to extend PBO’s legacy, but I am not ready to let go. He also cracked up when I explained that many of us basically stalk PBO on line and he was like “And you admit this!” I laughed and told him that I had to find ways to get the information that the media never tells us. The funny thing was that all of this came up when I told him that PBO had sunglasses like mine and he asked incredulously, “How do you know that?” and I was happy to explain.
Have a great day everyone; will see you again in the UK.
True confessions of a TODer. I love it and its so very true. But hey I think everyone else is totally missing a once in a lifetime opportunity to closely follow this wonderful man in his presidency and to talk about it with like minded people on TOD. Again thank you Chips, Nerdy and everyone that contributes here. I love ya.
GOP’s anti-Planned Parenthood panel descends into ‘farce’
04/21/16 08:00 AM
By Steve Benen
As ridiculous as the House Republicans’ Benghazi committee has become, at least the GOP’s investigation is scrutinizing a real event. Sure, by Republicans’ own admission, the entire exercise is a partisan political stunt. And sure, the events in Benghazi in 2012 have already been investigated by seven other congressional committees. But at its root, four Americans died in a terrorist attack that actually happened.
The existence of the House Republicans’ anti-Planned Parenthood committee is arguably tougher to defend.
The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank highlighted the latest antics of the panel’s far-right chair, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who “isn’t one to worry about appearances.”
The Tennessee Republican didn’t make any pretense this week of being impartial with the committee she chairs, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, commonly known as the Planned Parenthood committee.
On the eve of her panel’s Wednesday’s hearing, Blackburn went over to Georgetown University to participate in a protest against Planned Parenthood, the very entity she is supposed to be investigating…. Then Blackburn showed up at her committee hearing the next morning and proclaimed, “My hope is that both parties can work together.”
Of course, when Blackburn talks about the parties “working together,” what she’s referring to is a hope that Democrats will simply go along with a culture-war crusade as if the GOP’s latest select committee were a legitimate exercise, probing a genuine controversy.
da three lil pigs.
🙂
Pals!!!
Does that poor puppy have a name yet?!?!
oh, there is a big family feud going on about it. I am calling her jill. wanna stick with the jtp meme.
Of course you have to stick with the jtp meme! But this poor soul needs a name!
Meet the Black Woman Architect Behind the New Smithsonian Museum
POSTED ON APRIL 19, 2016
BY TRAVIS HENRY
It was only a couple of months ago that we found out that the Smithsonian was creating an African-American museum. To make the news even better, now we know who the architect is. Her name is Zena Howard, and she is a dope Black woman architect.
Howard focuses on all of the aspects of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, but hones in on the porch, which happens to span 200 feet and it serves as an transitional space between the outside and inside of the museum.
“I think that the porch is…quintessential America,” says Howard. “In African American history, we use the porch in a different way.” It’s more “an extension of the indoor living space than probably in any other culture.” She explained that how as a child “everything was done on the porch. We ate on the porch. We sang on the porch.”
Out of all the projects that Howard has worked on, which include the Anacostia Public Library in the nation’s capital and the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina, she said that her favorite project, thus far, is the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
So awesome:)
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/mlk-eleanor-roosevelt-susan-anthony.html?smid=tw-nytpolitics&smtyp=cur&_r=0
Get to Know the Historical Figures on the $5, $10 and $20 Bills
Ok, this hurt my soul.
But…they are there to ‘ Protect and Serve’.
And, it’s all in Black folks imagination – why we are skeptical of Law Enforcement.
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WATCH: Dash cam video shows Florida cops stood by as teens drowned in stolen car
Tom Boggioni
20 APR 2016 AT 22:51 ET
Video taken from a police cruiser dash cam shows that sheriff’s deputies made no attempt to save three drowning Florida teens who drove into a cemetery pond after stealing a car last month.
16-year-old Dominique Battle, 15-year-old Ashaunti Butler, and 15-year-old Laniya Miller all died on March 31, following a car chase with the sheriff previously stating that officers on the scene dropped their gun belts and waded into the water trying to save the screaming teens.
THEY NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF WHO THEY ARE SKEPTICAL OF…OUR IMPD PRESENCE IN OUR NEW AFRICAN AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT A WELCOMED EVENT AND WE ARE THERE TO HELP AND LOVE ON EVERYONE. DON’T CATCH THE WHITE MAN’S DISEASE..JUDGING EVERYONE! I WOULDN’T HAVE MOVED THERE IF I HAD A DISLIKE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS.
If the girls stole the car it was WRONG. But for those officers not to even try to help them is WRONG too. I can’t help but believe if it was three white girls they would have done everything in their power to at least try to help them.
Thanks so much, JER.
You are welcome, meta.
thanks so much
LIVE NOW:
WOWS
MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED…………………………THANK YOU LORD FOR PBO’S SAFE SANDBOX JOURNEY…………..FIRST THING I WOULD DO IN LONDON..IS MAKE NOSE TO NOSE FACES WITH THE PALACE GUARDS AND SEE IF THEY FLINCH..I GUESS THAT’S WHY NOONE TAKES ME THERE!..LOL!
beebs on Ms Tubman
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36099791
The chancellor of a university has apologised over the hiring of a PR firm that promised to bury online search results about the pepper spraying of peaceful protesters.
Linda Katehi admitted that UC Davis, California, brought in a company “specialising in what is known as search engine optimisation”.
But she denied that the institution had sought to “rewrite history”.
Ms Katehi has faced calls to resign over the 2011 incident and its fallout.
Earlier this month, the Sacramento Bee newspaper reported that UC Davis hired the PR firm Nevins and Associates on a six-month contract at $15,000 (£10,400) per month.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36102959
white washing costs so much?
Costs so much and is totally ineffective. You cannot rewrite history when the people who lived through the incident are alive.
BBL..TO CHECK OUT THE TEA AND BISCUITS!..PLEASE REMEMBER WHERE THE SALAD FORKS ARE LOCATED….I LOVE MY PRESIDENT……………………..
G’morning Chips & TOD!!! Congrats Jazziz on #1, and Happy Thursday everyone 🙂
Lies. Lies. And more lies.
http://www.vox.com/2016/3/8/11178872/donald-trump-policies
The largest aid convoy so far in Syria has reached a besieged rebel-held town in the centre of the country.
Sixty-five lorries are delivering food and medicine to about 120,000 civilians in and around Rastan, in Homs province.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent convoy is the first to reach Rastan since 2012.
A key aim of the fragile cessation of hostilities that has been in place for nearly two months was to allow aid to be delivered more widely across Syria.
On Wednesday, hundreds of sick and wounded people were evacuated from four besieged rebel- and government-held towns as part of a deal overseen by the Syrian Red Crescent.
However, such aid operations have been jeopardised by escalating fighting in the country’s north-west, particularly around the divided city of Aleppo.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36100486
Turkey’s highest appeals court has overturned the convictions of 275 people, including senior military officers, accused of plotting a coup.
The appeals court ruled that the convictions were unsafe because the existence of a clandestine network called Ergenekon was unproven.
The officers, journalists, lawyers and academics were found guilty in 2013 of plotting the overthrow of then-prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The new ruling may lead to a retrial.
The Ergenekon case was one of the biggest in recent Turkish history, pitting Mr Erdogan’s supporters in the Islamist-rooted AK Party against the secularist military establishment.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36099889
Good Morning TOD
So FLOTUS is flying to London separate from PBO. Right?
Yes, she had her Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work event yesterday, so she will arrive separately.
TY
donna dem, I’m sure she is because FLOTUS have to be back by Saturday to speak at the Jackson St. graduation. I believe the ceremony is at 3pm. And POTUS will be heading to Germany Sunday.
I love this site
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THE NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN SETTLEMENT IS THE BLACKEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Damon Young, 4/19/16
I’ve already touched on the multiple levels of Blackness involved in the story of Sistahs on the Reading Edge; the California book club thrown off a wine train for being too rowdy.
Exactly how many levels were there? Good question. Let’s review!
1. A group of Black women in a book club. (Because the only thing Black women love more than book clubs is Jesse Williams.)
2. The name of the book club being Sistahs on the Reading Edge.
3. A group of Black women in a book club called Sistahs on the Reading Edge doing a wine tour together.
4. A group of Black people having such a good time that it’s making White people uncomfortable.
5. A group of Black people doing absolutely nothing other than “enjoying life while Black” facing some sort of legal consequence.
And what I found particularly egregious is when they got kicked off the train at the next stop, the company had police there to greet them. Exactly what crime did they commit to warrant this? So glad they won.
OMG
You have to credit Kasich here… At first he tries to dodge the question and the subject. But in the end he decides to be honest. Maybe I’m too generous, but my interpretation of his use of the pronoun “they” in “they know” means he is not comfortable himself with the hypocrisy. I mean, he tries to protect himself at first, but he can’t sustain the dishonesty. Saying that in the context of the republican primary takes some guts. I don’t picture many republicans having the same courage.
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
🙂
LOL. tod.
Regal!
Just saw a post online that shared: “10 things you didn’t know about Queen Elizabeth.”
Somebody commented:
“They forgot to add she is a blood drinking reptile.”
I might save that quote for one of the RWNJs in our country.
Is Bernie still holed up in VT or has he surfaced?
Not a chance. How would he justify the millions his minions need to send him for the continuation of the show?
He’s to hold a rally today in Scranton, Pennsylvania … MSNBC just showed the venue.
Thanks. He had to emerge today.
Yes – if not, somebody might forget about him.
My dream scenario……. We have work to do: state legislatures to win back, flipping the Senate. I want to adequately support the Presidential nominee, but I also want to work for Tammy Duckworth here in IL. I don’t want to be angry at Bernie or his childish supporters. I want to get on with it, concentrate on defeating the awful GOP.
Great scenario – and plan! I’m trying to pull back, now, so I don’t have any leftover anger, either. Was happy to have voted for Tammy in the primary!
I’m trying to release any resentment, even if it’s just little by little. But BS & his supporters are good at pushing buttons. I sense a sea change, but we’ll see.
Yes, it’s been “little by little” for me, this whole campaign season on the Democratic side! I finally limped into Hillary’s camp! (Mostly because I’m still trying to forget how joyous I’d feel if Joe were running, although I know I can’t hold onto that and he made the right choice, which I fully support.) Bernie’s supporters are not helping him AT ALL – he either doesn’t seem to notice, or isn’t able to reign ’em in, and/or is showing his lack of leadership skills. One or all of them.
Bernie lives in a fog of ideology – it has become apparent that he has no moorings to reality. And never has. A fraud perpetuated on the American people.
I believe, unfortunately, that Bernie’s supporters reflect the campaign. He’s done nothing but maybe two feeble attempts to rein it in. He is that hateful toward Democrats, he does feel that he is entitled to something, he is a Marxist. People are pawns, they are not real. And that is one way Hillary has won me – she is, against all biases, warm and personal with people, their issues, their concerns, their needs. She is comfortable in her skin. It’s a damned shame that no one in the msm reports the change in her this campaign, but supports great fallacies about Bernie.
Quelle surprise!
hmmmmmmmm
Apparently, Jane is saying BS supporters may not be so magnanimous. So we have passive-aggressive. b.s. going on. But it still was a strong statement.
Listening to the presser today, Ben Rhodes said the meeting between PBO and King Salman lasted 2 hours and at no time did the 9/11 legislation come up. This is the talking point the press has been pushing for many days now. So, pffffft.
Good Morning TODVille!
HRC’s first rally after NY.
Trump Terrifies World Leaders
And Obama’s reassurances aren’t calming them down.
April 21, 2016
President Obama “is trying but failing to reassure foreign leaders convinced that Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States. They’re in full-boil panic,” Politico reports.
“According to more than two dozen U.S. and foreign-government officials, Trump has become the starting point for what feels like every government-to-government interaction. In meetings, private dinners and phone calls, world leaders are urgently seeking explanations from Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Trade Representative Michael Froman on down. American ambassadors are asking for guidance from Washington about what they’re supposed to say.”
We need to keep this outage on our radar:
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/04/21/chat-away-813/