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02
May
16
93 Responses to “Early Bird Chat”
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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
- Christie enters race, blasts Trump as 'lonely, self-consumed...mirror hog'
- Writer who left day job and traveled the country details experience in 'America the Beautiful?'
- Army Secretary: 'Woke military' criticisms are undermining our recruiting
- Everyone in the golf world caught off guard by merger, says writer
- The impact of big tech rolling back misinformation measures
- Steve Rattner breaks down what's driving America's sour mood
- Joe: Gov. Newsom is calling out 'abhorrent' moves by DeSantis
- Richard Haass: PGA/LIV Golf merger a question of 'when' and not 'if'
- Trump's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, testifies before grand jury
- 'Kimberly Akimbo' star says show has taught her the preciousness of life
The Obama Diary 
My man, the B O S S in chief!
Mittens!!!! š
Hey there, just checking in. I’ve got the morning coffee on and trying to motivate myself to complete two term papers before Noon here on East Coast.
Two before noon?!?! Holy smokes Mittens, that’ll be world record stuff!!
Nah, they are 500 words or more. Trust me, 540 maybe is all they’ll be each!
Aaaaaaah, that’s not so bad – I feared you had 25,000 words to write before noon!!! #Phew
Morning TODville! I m up early this morning hoping to complete two term papers before NOON. This week is finals. I’ll have two weeks off until first summer term starts 23 May until 5 July. Then, 8 weeks off until Fall term. So busy wrapping up a complex course load. It’s been a remarkable year for me. Hopefully soon I can write about it on my new blog. Stay tuned. PS Thank you PRESIDENT OBAMA! You alone inspired me and your staff assisted in redress of my Veterans Administration dilemma. Millions of thanks to all.
Good luck! Keep us posted.
GM Ms Chips and TOD – wtg on 1st Mittens – good luck with the papers. After 18 years of school & university I can still remember the feeling of no more papers, no more exams. It was heaven here on earth š
Good evening 99ts! But I still have nightmares about being in the middle of an exam, the relief when I wake up in the terrors and then realize it was just a nightmare is indescribable!
End of a 3 day weekend here – we have the 1st Monday in May as Labor day holiday. We had a return to warmer temps as well – and no exams – so life sometimes is good š
Pour yourself a glass of wine, that will complete the bliss!
That happened some hours ago – being as the days are shorter – the wine can be consumed earlier – not that one needs an excuse.
“…… being as the days are shorter” š You’re my kinda gal!
I know the feeling, Chips. For me, it’s always an exam that I’m completely unprepared for and haven’t the foggiest clue what to do.
You mean there are other kinds of exams?????
š Morning Jackie!
Morning, Chips. Met up with a friend who has sole responsibility for THREE sick and aging parents–her mother, her father and her stepmother plus her mom’s 17-year old dog. I always wondered why the Chinese preferred sons. It’s the daughters that actually end up caring for the elderly.
The son’s wife takes care of his family members. I wonder who takes care of the wife’s family?
I’m actually enjoying it ( this time around) first time not so much. The Veterans Administration has been wonderful ( finally) addressing my needs and situating me to take back control of my destiny. It wasn’t smooth sailing before December 2015. Perseverance and many letters to White House got things on correct path – FINALLY. A remarkable story I hope to share when I get time off to compose a lengthy blog post of this incredible traverse. Have good day all. I’ll pop-in later this afternoon EST.
Would love to hear your story, Mittens. Good luck to you on your papers and everything else you undertake.
Pleased that it all worked out – my mother taught me years ago – when you have issues – write to the politician. I find it can resolve things very quickly.
Be sure to post your blog link so we can all read it!
That is excellent news. Looking forward to the complete story.
Morning all. Today is Hispanic Initiative meeting today, so there’s lots to do. I’m glad PBO can get a break from public events and speeches. I’m sure he cherishes desk and staff time when he can catch up. Tomorrow is the Indiana primary and Nate Silver has HRC ahead by ten points. I wish the farce of the Bernie campaign would just go away. It’s long past time for him to rail at the wind, rain and windmills, rather than the rest of us.
Head in hands…….
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/gerry-adams-defends-django-unchained-n-word-tweet-1.2632112
His apology:
http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/39725
Glad to see Irish politicians put their foot in it as clumsily as our guys do.
I can’t believe it Jackie, for all his faults (and there are many), I never thought he’d do something as crappy as that.
I think it’s called “letting your mouth/keyboard engage before your brain” syndrome.
I was re-reading a diary of one of my Scottish forebears, who headed down under in 1833. Being a good Scotsman he included great detail of the costs involved in the trip. They lost a mast at sea and were lucky to make it into Rio de Janeiro for supplies and repairs.
He listed the price per lb of many food items and the cost per foot of the new mast. He also mentioned the cost of labour to make the mast but then noted – “Most of the work was done by the slaves”. I’ve read this a number of times and never before noticed the matter of fact way in which this was written – just mentioned in passing related to the cost of the trip. They never owned slaves, nor lived anywhere where they existed, yet it seemed to be an accepted issue. Wish I could ask him about it.
99, even if you could ask him, I’m betting he wouldn’t understand your modern sensibility. Slavery and brutality were so common in that era that he probably didn’t think about it.
Probably right Jackie – in every other way he comes across as such a kind caring man – yet I think it was written without another thought.
Oh, crikey!
When will people learn? Hello, Gerry? You are whiter than white. You are ecru. You don’t get to while watching Django think it’s great to fire off a tweet using the n-word and then say, “context.”
That’s not how it works.
go chelsea.
morning everyone:) My eyes are still trying to focus.
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Bloom off the rose? Writing on the wall?
I thought I read that BS raised $40M. That is a steep decline in fundraising. I’m hearing more and more people say they were BS supporters and now can’t stand him. I don’t think he’s adding anyone new. And if he drags the convention down the rabbit hole, and continues to demonize the Democratic party, he’s going to ruin his brand (which was fake anyway) and turn off a lot of voters.
“Responsible” gun owners?
only in murka. exact opposite of rest of the world
“Exceptionalism” you know.
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks & TOD family.
I wish I had no public events scheduled today š
I thought it was funny. Stay till the end:)
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congrats Mittens on #1! š Happy Monday everyone!
I am actually looking forward to hearing MIttens VA story soon:) One question. WHY DID YOU LEAVE 2 TERM PAPERS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE???!!!
Must be some benefit – Mr 99 used to do that ALL the time – sent me crazy with the 24 hour sprint followed by the big collapse.
Today begins my last week ever of teaching college. I “retired” in January 2006, and in September 2006 started teaching part time again….adjunct status. I’ve enjoyed it, but know the time has come to stop. I have to admit that my teaching has been what has made me get up and function this year, but I am ready to spend weekends doing something other than grading papers. Also, the age span between college freshmen and me has just gotten too big! I’ve taught, high school and college, for over 50 years……it’s time for the young ones to take over.
Today I’ll be taking the information for the name tags to my colleague, and I’ll see what an attractive name tag he can design.
This Friday I’m going to Dallas to spend Mother’s Day with my son, d-I-l and grandkids! Looking forward to that. Then next Tuesday I give my LAST EVER EXAM!!!!
Good luck to all of you studying for exams, it is a stressful time, I know.
Oh sweet, carolyn. Congratulations! You definitely deserve this rest and relaxation for your future. You’ve given so much and undoubtedly made a HUGE difference in hundreds/thousands of lives. Bless you and may you have a bright and happy future. Thank you for all those years of devotion and dedication.
Congratulations on your decision to transition to family, travel and relaxation! You earned it, and then some:) Bet you are an awesome teacher and you will be missed by your students. I know that being at work, with your students and peers, was the saving grace for you after your husband passed away….Time for the next part of life’s journey now. Enjoy! {{{carolyn}}}
Congratulations, Carolyn, we’ve all had teachers that have inspired us to do great things. Over the course of your career, just know that you’ve inspired many.
Congratulations on the next adventure, carolyn.
You are loved, my friend.
Congratulations Carolyn! All the best to you.
Carolyn, I’m sure this was a tough decision to make, especially when the work helped you through a difficult time. But I hope you’ll be able to fully embrace your retirement and use your weekends to enjoy outings with your friends or just some self time reading and pampering yourself. You have a lot to be proud of in your life’s work. Not many people can say they made a difference in so many lives. Hope you have a glorious time with your family and a fantastic Mother’s Day.
Your students were very lucky to have you as their teacher. Thank you for dedicating so much of your life to them. Good luck and enjoy your children and grandchildren.
Good Morning, Everyone š
Niceeeeeeee
Pf, the Bernie delusion is so deep, he’s going to drown in it. What a sad, pathetic man.
Good Morning Chips and TOD.
Morning BFF!
COMING UP AT 11 AM: Bernie Sanders rally in Indiana – http://www.msnbc.com/live-online/watch/coming-up-bernie-sanders-rally-in-indiana-677687875602
You are just too funny š š š š š
Water is wet news.
……………………………….
Money, Race and Success: How Your School District Compares
By MOTOKO RICH, AMANDA COX and MATTHEW BLOCH
APRIL 29, 2016
Sixth graders in the richest school districts are four grade levels ahead of children in the poorest districts.
Weāve long known of the persistent and troublesome academic gap between white students and their black and Hispanic peers in public schools.
Weāve long understood the primary reason, too: A higher proportion of black and Hispanic children come from poor families. A new analysis of reading and math test score data from across the country confirms just how much socioeconomic conditions matter.
Children in the school districts with the highest concentrations of poverty score an average of more than four grade levels below children in the richest districts.
Even more sobering, the analysis shows that the largest gaps between white children and their minority classmates emerge in some of the wealthiest communities, such as Berkeley, Calif.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; and Evanston, Ill. (Reliable estimates were not available for Asian-Americans.)
The study, by Sean F. Reardon, Demetra Kalogrides and Kenneth Shores of Stanford, also reveals large academic gaps in places like Atlanta and Menlo Park, Calif., which have high levels of segregation in the public schools.
Why racial achievement gaps were so pronounced in affluent school districts is a puzzling question raised by the data. Part of the answer might be that in such communities, students and parents from wealthier families are constantly competing for ever more academic success. As parents hire tutors, enroll their children in robotics classes and push them to solve obscure math theorems, those children keep pulling away from those who canāt afford the enrichment.
In better off communities parents and children have access to more nourishing foods, which builds stronger brains and bodies. And these parents can also afford to send their children to preschool. In doing so their children already know their ABCs and so much more. And for Latino children, if their parents can afford to send them to preschool, they can then speak and understand English when they enter Kindergarten. Without that early access to the basics of an education, children can be immediately left on the sidelines from day one in Kindergarten. And then the struggle to catch up never quite succeeds without a ton of intervention on many people’s parts.
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Monday morning. Congrats Mittens, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope that your absolute terrific, extremely wonderful, and extraordinarily great persona is on full display today. ā¤ ā¤ ā¤
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. āš āš āš
Feds subpoena Detroit for blight removal records
Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press 10:49 p.m. EDT May 1, 2016
Federal investigators have subpoenaed Detroit’s Auditor General’s office requesting records related to the use of federal funds in the city’s massive demolition program, the Free Press has learned.
Detroit auditor general Mark Lockridge, whose office has been investigating Mayor Mike Dugganās demolition program since October, said the subpoena delivered to his office on Thursday is from the investigative division of the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or SIGTARP.
āTheyāre not just doing an audit of course,ā Lockridge said today. āSome type of investigation.ā
Detroitās blight demolition program under Duggan largely has been paid for with federal dollars from the Hardest Hit Fund, a TARP program. Detroit so far has been allocated $172 million from the federal Hardest Hit Fund and has torn down more than 8,000 blighted homes since 2014.
His trifling ass is always under investigation, playing three card Monty with federal funds. He’d rather have poor senior citizens move, than get a grant to repair their homes.
I think this museum is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to go to Washington and visit it.
………………………………………
African American museum visits American heartland to unearth story of free black farmers in the early 19th century
By Peggy McGlone
April 29
The heartland is coming to Washington, and with it a forgotten chapter of American history.
Officials from the Smithsonianās National Museum of African American History and Culture will be in Lyles Station, Indiana tomorrow for a ceremonial digging of the soil of Greer Farm, where African Americans have worked the land for generations. Together with residents of the community, museum officials will retrieve some of the dirt to put on display in the museum when it opens Sept. 24.
The event honors the historically African American community on Indianaās southwestern border and its residentsā courage and heritage, according to museum curator Paul Gardullo, one of those from D.C. who will participate in the morning ceremony. Stanley Madison, president of the Lyles Station Historical Corp., said residents are proud to have their story included in the long-awaited museum.
āNo oneās ever talked about it, (and) the reason is the stories that were written down were the ones people wanted to hear,ā Madison said. āWeāre excited about this opportunity ā¦ so people can learn about the African American farmer.ā
i agree with you
He’s going to beg our President for some money, that he knows full well, that the tea party congress is unwilling to give. Snyder is sitting on millions of dollars that he stole from seniors and poor folk.
Well its either this or to read their timelines….she’s going to be indicted (they are hoping and praying and crossing fingers and toes and anything else) and then by default Bernie will be the nominee. Such lunacy!
https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2016-05/1/23/enhanced/webdr12/enhanced-buzz-wide-16823-1462158151-8.jpg?no-auto
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, right, talks with her deputy chief of staff Shirlethia Franklin, left, and counselor James Cadogan during a flight to the Talladega Federal Correctional Institution in Talladega, Ala., on Friday, April 29, 2016.
We’ve all always known that.
Luvvie’s post on the NerdProm.
15 Best Jokes From President Obama at His Final Nerd Prom
Awesomely Luvvie ā May 1, 2016 7 19
The 2016 White House Correspondent Dinner (aka Nerd Prom) was bittersweet because it was President Barack Obamaās final one. Itās definitely one event to look forward to every year because he lets loose and roasts the hell outta Washington DCās finest: the media, Congress, and himself.
Hee hee hee
I clearly needed to refresh the page.
awe
Wow and to think I use to think that this show was such an inspiration. In reality, it was a complete mess and these contestants are paying a big price for losing all that weight under those circumstances.
This made my day!
Cuz….sometimes you just feel like dancing up a wall š š š
Op-Ed Why has there been an exodus of black residents from West Coast liberal hubs?
The Black Lives Matter movement has brought the challenges facing black America to the fore, and introduced racially conscious quality-of-life questions into the national debate. How are black residents in America’s cities faring? And how are those cities doing in meeting the aspirations of their black residents, judged especially by the ultimate barometer: whether blacks choose to move to these cities, or stay in them?
Though results vary to some extent, the broad trend is clear: West Coast progressive enclaves are either seeing an exodus of blacks or are failing to attract them. Midwestern and Northeastern urban areas are attracting blacks to the extent that they are affordable or providing middle class economic opportunities. And Southern cities are now experiencing the most significant gains.
Portland is part of the fifth-whitest major metropolitan area in America. Almost 75% of the region is white, and it has the third-lowest percentage of blacks, at only 3.1%. (America as a whole is 13.2% black.) Portland proper is often portrayed as a boomtown, but the city’s shrinking black population doesn’t seem to think so. The city has lost more than 11.5% of its black residents in just four years. It’s similar to Seattle, where the central city’s black population has fallen as the overall region’s has grown.
Lower down the coast, the San Francisco Bay area has lost black residents since 2000, though recent estimates suggest that it may have halted the exodus since 2010. San Francisco proper is only 5.4% black, and the rate is falling. The Los Angeles metro area, too, has fewer black residents today than in 2000.
Election-year divisions rock North Carolinaās GOP
05/02/16 10:40 AMāUPDATED 05/02/16 10:53 AM
By Steve Benen
Things could be better for North Carolina Republicans right now. After significant victories in 2012 and 2014, GOP policymakers are in a dominant position in the Tar Heel State, but as things stand, the rightās hold on North Carolina may not last much longer.
The debacle surrounding the anti-LGBT HB2 continues to haunt the Republicans who rushed the law through, and the consequences are likely to linger. Gov. Pat McCrory (R), who was apparently caught off guard by the entire controversy, continues to struggle with the mess he helped create.
Voters have noticed. A conservative group released a statewide poll on Friday that found McCrory losing his re-election bid to state Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) by 10 points, 46% to 36%. And while Mitt Romney won North Carolina four years ago, this same poll showed Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump in North Carolina by 12 points.
Sen. Richard Burr (R), meanwhile, is also seeking a second term this year, despite a low approval rating and a dwindling lead over his Democratic challenger.
SOON: Hillary Clinton Meets with Retired Mine Workers in Williamson, WV – http://abcnews.go.com/Live?stream=1