President Barack Obama returns to the White House after a trip to Europe where he attended the 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw Poland, and met with King Don Felipe VI of Spain in Madrid, Spain
GM Nerdy, Chips & Danny, Congrats on 1st-est Bobfr. Thank you for posting this info, it is amazing what our First Lady has accomplished to put this front and center and have the women of the world realize that it is their future and their children’s. Got to LOVE our POTUS & FLOTUS>
Have a great day. Another rainy thundering day in Duluth. 😦
I feel for this man, that has tried so hard to get people to understand, we all fall or rise together. And to come home to the shit storm tat is brewing is heartbreaking to say the least. He looks tired and disgusted in that picture. Thanks Nerdy.
Here here! come November we will be on our own, the wolves are lining up, but I’m of the mindset that hopefully he will have the elected officials that we want in office.
I am fully behind the election of Hillary Clinton. That being said I don’t want to take my eyes off of our amazing President and his wife for one millisecond. They are my inspiration and my fascination. Nothing I have ever seen compares to the consistant good these two people do and the integrity that they maintain. After Barack Obama leaves office I am still going to take my cues from his recommendations. I trust him completely because he’s earned it.
Would Republicans accept a pro-choice VP candidate?
07/11/16 08:40 AM
By Steve Benen
When putting together a list of possible running mates for Donald Trump, it’s not hard to rattle off the names of assorted governors and members of Congress. But the Washington Post threw the political world a curve-ball over the weekend, reporting that the presumptive Republican nominee is “slightly bored” with the usual suspects and is “increasingly intrigued by the idea of tapping retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn” for his ticket.
And while this article came as something of a surprise, it’s easy to see why the GOP candidate would be enamored with the retired general. Remember, the one person in the world who most impresses Donald J. Trump is, of course, Donald J. Trump. Mike Flynn has a record of military service the presumptive nominee can’t match, but Flynn is also a political amateur with literally no experience in elected office, a prominent anti-Muslim voice, a fierce critic of President Obama, and someone who’s a little too cozy with Vladimir Putin.
Second, the law empaneled an independent Commission on Care to study the VA and recommend sweeping reforms, with privatization very much on the agenda. Indeed, representatives from two Koch brothers-allied pro-privatization groups were given seats on the commission, as were several executives from major medical centers that stand to profit from outsourcing VA care. The fix, it seemed, was in.
Neither the Choice Program’s implementation nor the Commission on Care’s deliberations has gotten much coverage in the mainstream media. But as regular Washington Monthly readers know, we’ve been watching both very closely indeed.
Among other things, we reported that research commissioned by Congress and ratified by the Commission concluded that while the VA has major problems, such as severe shortages of some doctors, VA health care nevertheless performs as well or better than the private sector on nearly every metric of quality, including average wait times to see doctors.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidates also took positions on the VA issue. Donald Trump’s campaign backed aggressive privatization. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, announced her opposition to privatization but support for expanding existing “purchased care” programs wherein the VA contracts with outside providers to alleviate care shortages but maintains tight oversight to guarantee information-sharing, care integration, and quality and cost controls.
On Wednesday, the Commission released its final report. To the surprise of most observers, the commission rejected privatization as the solution. While detailing a host of serious failings with the VA, the report notes that “care delivered by VA is in many ways comparable or better in clinical quality to that generally available in the private sector.” It concludes that the new Choice Program was “flawed” in both its design and execution, adding that “the program has aggravated wait times and frustrated veterans, private-sector health care providers participating in networks, and V.H.A. alike.” Rather than wholesale outsourcing, the report recommends addressing issues of access by “standing up integrated veteran-centric, community-based delivery networks,” a plan roughly similar to the one Hillary Clinton had called for.
Glad the Commission listened to the stakeholders! I’m extremely satisfied with the care I receive at the VA! Additionally, I’ve been referred to the Choice program with mixed results. When I’ve been authorized to outsource for treatment/testing due to extended wait times at the VA, I’ve found similar scheduling delays in the private sector. When I’ve been outsourced for specialties NOT AVAILABLE at the VA, I’ve received excellent, timely care! Outsourcing for unavailable specialties is not new; the benefit of receiving specialty care under the Choice program is that I can choose the doctor or facility (in my case, closest to my home) vice being required to go to a contracted facility in the city. For that, I am thankful.
Good morning TOD, Nerdy and Chips! So thrilled with the Women’s Gymnastics Team for Rio! Finished watching the trials just before bedtime last night and I was so worried that Gabby may not make the team this year. She’s had a rough year and not the best trials. Sigh of relief:-) Fell in love with her in the last Olympics. And we also have a Latina on this year’s team!
But that lead me to remember how thrilled we were in 2012 because she was the first AA gymnast to win Gold for the US. And then there are Serena and Venus on the tennis courts, and Misty leading the ballet world, and on and on. We have and are making huge progress. Finally this sport is starting to resemble our country. But I also think that progress –and the inevitable backlash to it–is part of what we are seeing in the Trump phenomenon. There are parts of this country where folks in the previous generation (and some in my generation) who have never known an AA or Latino in their lives. Hard to believe but true. And they do not know how to cope with the changes in this country in our generation. I am not condoning their racism or discomfort, but I do understand it because my parents were in that group. Not in the racism, but in the not knowing anyone that looks different from themselves. These women are challenging the old stereotypes in so many ways.
In any event, I am glad PBO is home, his voice is desperately needed at this point in time to calm the waters. And I have no idea what this country is going to do when he is gone. I cannot see either Hillary or Trump stepping into the midst of the turmoil and doing anything but further roiling the waters. For Hillary’s part, her heart is in the right place but I don’t know that she’ll ever be listened to by any more than 48% of the country.
Firefox, change is hard and many will go to their graves refusing to face it. They’re hardened in their attitudes and nothing short of divine intervention is going to change their minds. These are the people we won’t ever reach, but there are young minds and open ones that are willing to look on the world and accept new realities. If we don’t react in anger, but move relentlessly forward, those minds and hearts will be with us. PBO never loses faith or hope because he always looks at the long horizon and the bigger picture. That’s allowed him to accomplish amazing things in the midst of virulent, relentless hatred and opposition. How can we give up when he never does?
I have found that the older I get the more progressive (I have been a life-long liberal democrat), the more open-minded and accepting of all kinds of people and ideas. Usually, the more you know the better you become. We also need to get out beyond our own circle or group to really know what people who seem to be different are about and we will find that the “other” is no different from us in all of the ways that truly matter.
Our president and FLOTUS are counting on us not to let them down this November, as we did in 2010 and 2014. If everything they worked for is to be preserved and carried forward, we must elect a Democratic president and Congress and that means pulling out all the stops to make it happen. It doesn’t matter if we don’t ‘love’ Hillary Clinton with the same intensity as PBO. We have to act with all the dedication and relentless effort that we did when PBO was running because he’s asking us to carry on where he, of necessity, leaves off. The Obamas, one and all, will go on to greater accomplishments and they won’t surrender their efforts to promote the causes that matter to them. But they need us right now to make sure all their efforts haven’t been in vain. I have had actual Democrats tell me that they won’t vote for Hillary because they ‘don’t like her’ or she isn’t as ‘inspiring’ PBO and I always tell them to ‘get over themselves’ and do their jobs as citizens. We aren’t being offered a choice between PBO and HRC. Our choice is HRC or Donald Trump. How could our task be clearer?
Let’s face it: the #NeverTrump movement is an admission of embarrassment on the part of veteran Republicans, an acknowledgment that the Southern Strategy was suicidal, a concession that as a result of fifty years of playing to ignorant fears, the GOP base is largely comprised of people who think the term “animal husbandry” refers to bestiality. You can’t blame these veteran Republicans for wanting to wash their hands of their creation–and you can’t blame them for seeking alternate political routes:
For some Massachusetts Republicans, the return of Bill Weld — the law-and-order Yankee who charmed his way into two terms as governor of a liberal state — is nothing short of face-saving.
Finally, they have a reason to show up on Election Day.
“I think for a lot of Republicans, especially in a state like Massachusetts, it gives us an option,” said Virginia Buckingham, a Republican who once worked as Weld’s chief of staff, and will vote for him this fall. “We were kind of in a difficult position facing voting for Donald Trump.”
Weld’s reemergence as a vice presidential candidate on the Libertarian ticket with former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson has been viewed largely as another curiosity in a crazy election cycle in which, it seems, anything might happen…
Donald Trump has been called all sorts of things over the course of his controversial presidential campaign, but yesterday was probably the first time anyone, anywhere, said he’s positioned to play the role of “racial healer.”
CNN’s Jake Tapper interviewed Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R), a vice presidential contender, and the host noted that he’s heard from “a number of Latino-Americans, Muslim-Americans, Native-Americans, Jewish-Americans, African-Americans, all expressing concerns about some of the things Donald Trump has said.” The Republican governor insisted most Americans have the same security concerns, regardless of who wins the election.
It led to this amazing exchange.
TAPPER: Respectfully, governor, you didn’t answer my question. Do you think Donald Trump has campaigned as a racial healer?
FALLIN: I think he is trying to campaign as a racial healer. I think that has been part of his message….
In case you’re curious, the governor said this with a straight face.
I’m really curious because we’ve seen this photo a lot but I’ve not seen any explanation about what happened prior, during or after this particular moment.
From the Daily Mail: Woman who was captured in iconic arrest photo from Baton Rouge has been revealed as 28-year-old Ieshia Evans. Evans, a licensed practical nurse and mother to a five-year-old son, was attending her first protest on Saturday. Friends told Dailymail.com that she was arrested as police tried to push demonstrators back from their building. Evans found their actions unjust, as the protest was peaceful, so crossed her arms and stared them down. She was held for 24 hours but has now been released and is recovering in a hotel room before traveling home.
I thought the same the moment I saw the photo yesterday. My heart is filled with so much that I can barely express. I am also remembering Bree who last year about this time climbed that flag bowl and removed the confederate flag from the state house in S.C. Young women fighting for our future and the very soul of this nation.
I ABSOLUTELY ADORE CHIEF DAVD BROWN..PUT HIS PROFLE ON MY FB…I CAN’T WAIT FOR PBO TO MEET HIM IN DALLAS..MAYE THE ENERGIZER WLL STEAL HIM FOR THE HOME TEAM..ANDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD..THE MAN IS A DOUBLE FOR SAMUEL L. JACKSON!
She was apparently anti brexit – but didn’t add her voice to the remain campaign and has said there is no way to stop the exit. Every country in the world seems to be electing RW governments with far right leaders. We are all our biggest problem.
Bernie Sanders won’t be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate this year, but his impact on Democratic politics is hard to miss. The Washington Post reported yesterday on the party’s new national platform.
If party platforms matter – and the jury is out on that – what happened this weekend in a sweltering Hilton conference room was remarkable. The Democratic Party shifted further to the left in one election than perhaps since 1972, embracing once-unthinkable stances on carbon pricing, police reform, abortion rights, the minimum wage and the war on drugs. It did so with very little ideological resistance and a lot of comity between the supporters of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
“We have produced by far the most progressive platform that this party has seen in multiple generations,” said Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D), co-chairman of the platform committee.
It’s worth pausing to appreciate the irony: it wasn’t long ago that Sanders’ campaign team demanded Malloy’s ouster, considering him too moderate and too supportive of Clinton to oversee the platform process fairly. And yet, there was the governor, announcing the progressives’ victory.
Hey, you can do that fellow Democrats because of Barack Obama. He has changed everything. He has also built a coalition to stand behind the change we want. Thank you, Barack Obama, for everything. You, Mr. President, will be the person I compare all leaders to from now on.
“….carbon pricing, police reform, abortion rights, the minimum wage and the war on drugs”
Now this pissed me the F off. How is this any different than what PBO has been about all along? We musn’t let them (nor Benen) forget who set this off !!!
THAT PHOTO OF THE PRESIDENT BREAKS MY HEART…….HE IS SO HURT BY ALL THAT IS HAPPENING..I PRAY FOR HIS STRENGTH AND PROTECTION IN DALLAS AS HE AGAIN COMFORTS THE RESULTS OF VIOLENCE IN THE STREETS!
They duped themselves, meta. It was clear back in March that Bernie was not going to win, but he continued to lead them on a merry chase, filling their heads with thoughts of ‘revolution’ and milking them for more donations. He was on a massive ego trip and they willingly went along with it.
GM, TOD! Been mostly off line the past week and a half — preparing for the 4th, entertaining the Grandson and God-daughter… Of course, :Life 101″ intervened… Broke right foot on July 3rd; in an air cast with orders for “no weight bearing” (sure…); vacation cancelled as legally, not supposed to drive… Like I said, “Life 101.” Glad the kids 15 & 17 are “Semper Gumby” — they have really pitched in to help around here, and in lieu of the vacation, we’ve carved time out for board games and movies. The kids wanted to attend a protest in Philly, however, I didn’t feel comfortable doing it in a wheelchair; compromise was organising a vigil here at our park. Good turnout with only a FB announcement 24 hour prior. Link to story below. Later today we’ll venture into the city for some sightseeing — have wheelchair, will travel…
BTW, of course, remarks/quotes in the story are truncated; the specific call to action:
Contact local, state, and federal officials, demanding:
1. Equal protection under the law.
2. Full and honest investigations of alleged police misconduct; and when warranted by the facts, VIGOROUS prosecutions of the same.
3. An end to racist, bigoted, homophobic, misogynistic rhetoric by public officials and candidates.
3. Reinstatement of the assault weapons ban.
4. Expanded background checks
5. Passage of STRONG “No Fly; No Buy” legislation. The Feds need more than three days to make the determination (House bill that Ryan plans to bring to the floor)
Oh, Alycee, I so sorry about your broken foot and all the stress and inconvenience that’s caused you. You’re handling it like a champion and I hope you get better very, very soon.
Oh those pesky reporters, always trying to get someone to put words in PBO’s mouth and create drama where none should exists. Chief Brown apparently has learned to raise above the BS
Well he had over $10M when he bowed out of the race in 2010 or so. I hope that folks keep their $$ until Bayh explains how he spent the unaccounted $10M.
Good morning everyone…didn’t sleep a wink last night and fell asleep sometime after 3:30am…..that’s the second time in a week this happened. Not good….
Anyway, I’m up late so I have no idea if anyone posted this:
Big buzz from CNN — Evan Bayh will be announcing Monday morning that he and his $10 million war chest will be making a run for the U.S. Senate. In other words, Mitch McConnell should enjoy his time as Majority Leader now because it could be short lived.
Tom LoBianco at CNN reported the scoop in an article titled, “Evan Bayh mounting Senate return, could tip balance in November”:
An announcement about Bayh’s candidacy for the Indiana Senate seat is expected later Monday morning, said a source familiar with the plans. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they will not be released publicly until later Monday.
Bayh is easily the most popular Democrat in the state. He was a Senator from 1999 to 2011, Governor from 1989 to 1997 and Secretary of State in 1986. Bayh has been a vigorous Clinton supporter for years, so perhaps that’s why he’s changed his mind about public life and decided to jump back in to help Hillary Clinton have a Senate that will support her agenda if she wins.
Wasn’t this guy on President Obama’s short list for V.P. at one point? I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but can someone please give this guy a personality, I’ve got socks with more personality.
He’s really been a pain for Democrats and POTUS but here’s the thing about retaking the Senate: Dems would once again chair all the committees and set the agenda. We desperately need to get back in control again if we’re to make any progress.
Meta, you are so right, but the problem is that when PBO needed their help early in his first term Bayh and other Dems couldn’t or wouldn’t lift a finger to help PBO. I’m trying my best to get over the slights that PBO had to endure. Our number one goal right now should be to retake the Senate and the House, and I’m all for that so I’ll do my part.
I FEEL YOU. I didn’t realize that I held grudges until these last 8 years. I’m carrying grudges from 2007. I’m not happy about it but I’m just being honest. I have to fight it every day because I don’t know how else we’ll be able to move on. The ONE thing I really really care about is preserving as much as we can President and First Lady Michelle Obama’s legacy. Full stop.
On another happier note, I have been replaying the NBC video on the previous thread that features the women of the U.S. Olympic team. That video presentation and the women are badass. Thanks to title 9 and the societal change from “sugar and spice and everything nice” our girls and women are showing the skill and the strength that they have always had. Since the summer Atlanta games, it is the women who have been bringing home most of the metal. I am looking forward to the games (Brazil needs to get its shit together) as a welcome respite from this travesty that we call the election season.
I watched the Chief’s presser online and he was extremely open and honest about everything that has happened and what is happening right now in the department. As for the protection of POTUS, he plainly said it was too important and because of the fatigue of his officers, he didn’t want that on his conscience. It was a bit shocking that he was so truthful about it.
I think this police chief has a lot of wisdom. The emotional and physical fatigue can lead to impulsive actions and overreactions. Also, I appreciate that he didn’t take the bait to tell PBO what to say!
I think that the change in thinking about open carry and the gun culture has got to begin in Texas. I’m hoping that Mayor Rawlings can be a change agent, along with the police chief. Dallas gets a bad rap, but it is not the headquarters for this gun culture. The rural areas are where big changes in thinking and voting need to be made. If you look at a political map of Texas, Dallas, along with Austin and Houston, is blue. This is where change will begin, I think.
Yesterday my son and daughter-in-law took their children on a Dallas City tour as part of a “staycation.” A lot of the tour was about the Kennedy assassination, which was good history for their children. There was no threat or danger to them on this tour. They were perfectly safe.
For over a year, Donald Trump has used the national spotlight to attack Latinos, immigrants, and people of color. He repeatedly claimed Barack Obama’s birth certificate was fake, called Mexicans “rapists” and “criminals,” and said he would ban people from entering the U.S. based on their religion. But instead of standing up to Donald Trump and his extreme policies that target communities of color, Republicans are lining behind their Party’s nominee.
We’ll continue to update this list as other Republicans stand with Donald Trump and his anti-immigrant policies.
SO I HAVE SOME NOT SO GOOD NEWS 2DAY..NOT THAT IT WAS NOT EXPECTED…MY LEFT LEG THAT HAS ENDURED SEVERAL SURGERIES IS GIVING UP TE GHOST..SO AM WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS NEXT..OR NOT NEXT!…NOTHING SURPRISES ME ANYMORE…I JUST GET TOUGHER…LIKE SOX THAT HAVEN’T BEEN WASHED IN A MONTH…THEY CANENNNNNNNNNN STAND ALONE!..GOT IT!
THANK YOU EVERYONE…I’M STAYING POSITIVE…HOWEVER..I HAVE HAD THIS PAINFUL LEG FOR ALOT OF YEARS..I MAY JUST HAVE IT AMPUTATED TO CUT THE SCENARIO SHORT THIS TIME…I AM NOT A NEGATIVE SOUL..I AM VERY STRONG..BUT I’M ALSO A REALIST!
I’m sure it’s going to be all about privatizing and making money off of it but that article you posted earlier means there aren’t a whole lot of people on his side.
DT is such a loose cannon right now so who knows what he’s about to say or stand for at any given time. But one thing is certain: he’s a certified sociopath who is dangerous and out of touch with the real world. A REAL DUMB SH*T.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Thank you NW!!!
Good morning TOD 🙂
Folk all over the world are beginning to #GetIt ….
Take care everyone …. {{{{{Chips}}}}}
Hmmmmmmm……..where have we heard this spoken by a leader before. BRAVA.
Good morning meta 🙂
Howdy, Bobfr!
GM Nerdy, Chips & Danny, Congrats on 1st-est Bobfr. Thank you for posting this info, it is amazing what our First Lady has accomplished to put this front and center and have the women of the world realize that it is their future and their children’s. Got to LOVE our POTUS & FLOTUS>
Have a great day. Another rainy thundering day in Duluth. 😦
I feel for this man, that has tried so hard to get people to understand, we all fall or rise together. And to come home to the shit storm tat is brewing is heartbreaking to say the least. He looks tired and disgusted in that picture. Thanks Nerdy.
Here here! come November we will be on our own, the wolves are lining up, but I’m of the mindset that hopefully he will have the elected officials that we want in office.
I am fully behind the election of Hillary Clinton. That being said I don’t want to take my eyes off of our amazing President and his wife for one millisecond. They are my inspiration and my fascination. Nothing I have ever seen compares to the consistant good these two people do and the integrity that they maintain. After Barack Obama leaves office I am still going to take my cues from his recommendations. I trust him completely because he’s earned it.
AMEN
FLOTUS will be sorely missed once she exits the White House, she has inspired a generation of women and young girls.
Right on..
Good Morning Everybody.
No cooler man has ever walked this earth.
Agree
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
Would Republicans accept a pro-choice VP candidate?
07/11/16 08:40 AM
By Steve Benen
When putting together a list of possible running mates for Donald Trump, it’s not hard to rattle off the names of assorted governors and members of Congress. But the Washington Post threw the political world a curve-ball over the weekend, reporting that the presumptive Republican nominee is “slightly bored” with the usual suspects and is “increasingly intrigued by the idea of tapping retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn” for his ticket.
And while this article came as something of a surprise, it’s easy to see why the GOP candidate would be enamored with the retired general. Remember, the one person in the world who most impresses Donald J. Trump is, of course, Donald J. Trump. Mike Flynn has a record of military service the presumptive nominee can’t match, but Flynn is also a political amateur with literally no experience in elected office, a prominent anti-Muslim voice, a fierce critic of President Obama, and someone who’s a little too cozy with Vladimir Putin.
Conservatives Just Lost the War to Privatize the VA
by Paul Glastris
July 8, 2016
………………………………………..
Second, the law empaneled an independent Commission on Care to study the VA and recommend sweeping reforms, with privatization very much on the agenda. Indeed, representatives from two Koch brothers-allied pro-privatization groups were given seats on the commission, as were several executives from major medical centers that stand to profit from outsourcing VA care. The fix, it seemed, was in.
Neither the Choice Program’s implementation nor the Commission on Care’s deliberations has gotten much coverage in the mainstream media. But as regular Washington Monthly readers know, we’ve been watching both very closely indeed.
Among other things, we reported that research commissioned by Congress and ratified by the Commission concluded that while the VA has major problems, such as severe shortages of some doctors, VA health care nevertheless performs as well or better than the private sector on nearly every metric of quality, including average wait times to see doctors.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidates also took positions on the VA issue. Donald Trump’s campaign backed aggressive privatization. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, announced her opposition to privatization but support for expanding existing “purchased care” programs wherein the VA contracts with outside providers to alleviate care shortages but maintains tight oversight to guarantee information-sharing, care integration, and quality and cost controls.
On Wednesday, the Commission released its final report. To the surprise of most observers, the commission rejected privatization as the solution. While detailing a host of serious failings with the VA, the report notes that “care delivered by VA is in many ways comparable or better in clinical quality to that generally available in the private sector.” It concludes that the new Choice Program was “flawed” in both its design and execution, adding that “the program has aggravated wait times and frustrated veterans, private-sector health care providers participating in networks, and V.H.A. alike.” Rather than wholesale outsourcing, the report recommends addressing issues of access by “standing up integrated veteran-centric, community-based delivery networks,” a plan roughly similar to the one Hillary Clinton had called for.
Glad the Commission listened to the stakeholders! I’m extremely satisfied with the care I receive at the VA! Additionally, I’ve been referred to the Choice program with mixed results. When I’ve been authorized to outsource for treatment/testing due to extended wait times at the VA, I’ve found similar scheduling delays in the private sector. When I’ve been outsourced for specialties NOT AVAILABLE at the VA, I’ve received excellent, timely care! Outsourcing for unavailable specialties is not new; the benefit of receiving specialty care under the Choice program is that I can choose the doctor or facility (in my case, closest to my home) vice being required to go to a contracted facility in the city. For that, I am thankful.
that blm lady pic has reached our shores too.
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-the-black-lives-matter-photo-thats-breaking-the-internet/20160711.htm
Good morning TOD, Nerdy and Chips! So thrilled with the Women’s Gymnastics Team for Rio! Finished watching the trials just before bedtime last night and I was so worried that Gabby may not make the team this year. She’s had a rough year and not the best trials. Sigh of relief:-) Fell in love with her in the last Olympics. And we also have a Latina on this year’s team!
But that lead me to remember how thrilled we were in 2012 because she was the first AA gymnast to win Gold for the US. And then there are Serena and Venus on the tennis courts, and Misty leading the ballet world, and on and on. We have and are making huge progress. Finally this sport is starting to resemble our country. But I also think that progress –and the inevitable backlash to it–is part of what we are seeing in the Trump phenomenon. There are parts of this country where folks in the previous generation (and some in my generation) who have never known an AA or Latino in their lives. Hard to believe but true. And they do not know how to cope with the changes in this country in our generation. I am not condoning their racism or discomfort, but I do understand it because my parents were in that group. Not in the racism, but in the not knowing anyone that looks different from themselves. These women are challenging the old stereotypes in so many ways.
In any event, I am glad PBO is home, his voice is desperately needed at this point in time to calm the waters. And I have no idea what this country is going to do when he is gone. I cannot see either Hillary or Trump stepping into the midst of the turmoil and doing anything but further roiling the waters. For Hillary’s part, her heart is in the right place but I don’t know that she’ll ever be listened to by any more than 48% of the country.
Let’s hope that this week brings some healing.
Firefox, change is hard and many will go to their graves refusing to face it. They’re hardened in their attitudes and nothing short of divine intervention is going to change their minds. These are the people we won’t ever reach, but there are young minds and open ones that are willing to look on the world and accept new realities. If we don’t react in anger, but move relentlessly forward, those minds and hearts will be with us. PBO never loses faith or hope because he always looks at the long horizon and the bigger picture. That’s allowed him to accomplish amazing things in the midst of virulent, relentless hatred and opposition. How can we give up when he never does?
Love your positive attitude Jackie!
I have found that the older I get the more progressive (I have been a life-long liberal democrat), the more open-minded and accepting of all kinds of people and ideas. Usually, the more you know the better you become. We also need to get out beyond our own circle or group to really know what people who seem to be different are about and we will find that the “other” is no different from us in all of the ways that truly matter.
❤
Our president and FLOTUS are counting on us not to let them down this November, as we did in 2010 and 2014. If everything they worked for is to be preserved and carried forward, we must elect a Democratic president and Congress and that means pulling out all the stops to make it happen. It doesn’t matter if we don’t ‘love’ Hillary Clinton with the same intensity as PBO. We have to act with all the dedication and relentless effort that we did when PBO was running because he’s asking us to carry on where he, of necessity, leaves off. The Obamas, one and all, will go on to greater accomplishments and they won’t surrender their efforts to promote the causes that matter to them. But they need us right now to make sure all their efforts haven’t been in vain. I have had actual Democrats tell me that they won’t vote for Hillary because they ‘don’t like her’ or she isn’t as ‘inspiring’ PBO and I always tell them to ‘get over themselves’ and do their jobs as citizens. We aren’t being offered a choice between PBO and HRC. Our choice is HRC or Donald Trump. How could our task be clearer?
An Opportunity for #NeverTrump Republicans to Save Face
by D.R. Tucker
July 10, 2016 3:30 PM
Let’s face it: the #NeverTrump movement is an admission of embarrassment on the part of veteran Republicans, an acknowledgment that the Southern Strategy was suicidal, a concession that as a result of fifty years of playing to ignorant fears, the GOP base is largely comprised of people who think the term “animal husbandry” refers to bestiality. You can’t blame these veteran Republicans for wanting to wash their hands of their creation–and you can’t blame them for seeking alternate political routes:
For some Massachusetts Republicans, the return of Bill Weld — the law-and-order Yankee who charmed his way into two terms as governor of a liberal state — is nothing short of face-saving.
Finally, they have a reason to show up on Election Day.
“I think for a lot of Republicans, especially in a state like Massachusetts, it gives us an option,” said Virginia Buckingham, a Republican who once worked as Weld’s chief of staff, and will vote for him this fall. “We were kind of in a difficult position facing voting for Donald Trump.”
Weld’s reemergence as a vice presidential candidate on the Libertarian ticket with former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson has been viewed largely as another curiosity in a crazy election cycle in which, it seems, anything might happen…
Trump backer says he’s running ‘as a racial healer’
07/11/16 08:00 AM—UPDATED 07/11/16 08:49 AM
By Steve Benen
Donald Trump has been called all sorts of things over the course of his controversial presidential campaign, but yesterday was probably the first time anyone, anywhere, said he’s positioned to play the role of “racial healer.”
CNN’s Jake Tapper interviewed Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R), a vice presidential contender, and the host noted that he’s heard from “a number of Latino-Americans, Muslim-Americans, Native-Americans, Jewish-Americans, African-Americans, all expressing concerns about some of the things Donald Trump has said.” The Republican governor insisted most Americans have the same security concerns, regardless of who wins the election.
It led to this amazing exchange.
In case you’re curious, the governor said this with a straight face.
Worthy of a bit of reflection ….
bbl ….
Good morning, Villagers. Just knowing PBO is home calms my nerves. YES, he is that much of a force for good.
Moronic intimidation tactics. Kudos to her standing up to these thugs.
I’m really curious, does the Baton Rouge newspapers have this photo or editorial explaining the reason for the event?
I’m really curious because we’ve seen this photo a lot but I’ve not seen any explanation about what happened prior, during or after this particular moment.
From the Daily Mail: Woman who was captured in iconic arrest photo from Baton Rouge has been revealed as 28-year-old Ieshia Evans. Evans, a licensed practical nurse and mother to a five-year-old son, was attending her first protest on Saturday. Friends told Dailymail.com that she was arrested as police tried to push demonstrators back from their building. Evans found their actions unjust, as the protest was peaceful, so crossed her arms and stared them down. She was held for 24 hours but has now been released and is recovering in a hotel room before traveling home.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3683863/Woman-icon-Baton-Rouge-mother-five-year-old-son-attending-protest-wants-better-future-him.html#ixzz4E6djn4Ot
Thank you, JER.
Thank you JER ❤
This photo represents our Tiananmen Square shame photo to the world.
I thought the same the moment I saw the photo yesterday. My heart is filled with so much that I can barely express. I am also remembering Bree who last year about this time climbed that flag bowl and removed the confederate flag from the state house in S.C. Young women fighting for our future and the very soul of this nation.
Found this:
In another interview with BuzzFeed, Bachman, the photographer, said he was “humbled” by the response to his image.
“That was the first image I transferred [to Reuters] because I knew it was going to be an important photo,” he said. “You can take images of plenty of people getting arrested, but I think this one speaks more to the movement and what the demonstrators are trying to accomplish here in Baton Rouge.”
Exactly!
http://time.com/4400563/baton-rouge-protests-alton-sterling-woman-arrest-photo-iconic-reuters-jonathan-bachman/?xid=tcoshare
Oh so after the lowering of civilian complaints and other reforms they want to get rid of him?
I ABSOLUTELY ADORE CHIEF DAVD BROWN..PUT HIS PROFLE ON MY FB…I CAN’T WAIT FOR PBO TO MEET HIM IN DALLAS..MAYE THE ENERGIZER WLL STEAL HIM FOR THE HOME TEAM..ANDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD..THE MAN IS A DOUBLE FOR SAMUEL L. JACKSON!
He was such a great man, his life is seared into my memory.
Right ON!
There it is:
she is maggie thatcher 2.0. her comical attempts to ‘curb immigration’ were thrown out by the brit courts.
What a nightmare. UGH.
She was apparently anti brexit – but didn’t add her voice to the remain campaign and has said there is no way to stop the exit. Every country in the world seems to be electing RW governments with far right leaders. We are all our biggest problem.
Clinton, Dems embrace a progressive vision with little resistance
07/11/16 09:20 AM
By Steve Benen
Bernie Sanders won’t be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate this year, but his impact on Democratic politics is hard to miss. The Washington Post reported yesterday on the party’s new national platform.
If party platforms matter – and the jury is out on that – what happened this weekend in a sweltering Hilton conference room was remarkable. The Democratic Party shifted further to the left in one election than perhaps since 1972, embracing once-unthinkable stances on carbon pricing, police reform, abortion rights, the minimum wage and the war on drugs. It did so with very little ideological resistance and a lot of comity between the supporters of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
“We have produced by far the most progressive platform that this party has seen in multiple generations,” said Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D), co-chairman of the platform committee.
It’s worth pausing to appreciate the irony: it wasn’t long ago that Sanders’ campaign team demanded Malloy’s ouster, considering him too moderate and too supportive of Clinton to oversee the platform process fairly. And yet, there was the governor, announcing the progressives’ victory.
Hey, you can do that fellow Democrats because of Barack Obama. He has changed everything. He has also built a coalition to stand behind the change we want. Thank you, Barack Obama, for everything. You, Mr. President, will be the person I compare all leaders to from now on.
“….carbon pricing, police reform, abortion rights, the minimum wage and the war on drugs”
Now this pissed me the F off. How is this any different than what PBO has been about all along? We musn’t let them (nor Benen) forget who set this off !!!
Hear! Hear! And GM TODers!
That’s because HRC was further left than anyone gave her credit for. She always has been.
THAT PHOTO OF THE PRESIDENT BREAKS MY HEART…….HE IS SO HURT BY ALL THAT IS HAPPENING..I PRAY FOR HIS STRENGTH AND PROTECTION IN DALLAS AS HE AGAIN COMFORTS THE RESULTS OF VIOLENCE IN THE STREETS!
Mosul is next ….
More releases today:
They duped themselves, meta. It was clear back in March that Bernie was not going to win, but he continued to lead them on a merry chase, filling their heads with thoughts of ‘revolution’ and milking them for more donations. He was on a massive ego trip and they willingly went along with it.
This!
Oh Noes! Trump Cut Off By Bulk Email Vendor for Epic Spamming
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/oh-nos-trump-cut-off-by-bulk-email-sender-for-epic-spamming
So, adios TPP. Really reprehensible.
So the World moves on with out us…and China takes the lead…
this is our Brexit
Pretty sad moment when you think of all the great lengths this admin went to for the sake of the economy and worker protections.
it is…
GM, TOD! Been mostly off line the past week and a half — preparing for the 4th, entertaining the Grandson and God-daughter… Of course, :Life 101″ intervened… Broke right foot on July 3rd; in an air cast with orders for “no weight bearing” (sure…); vacation cancelled as legally, not supposed to drive… Like I said, “Life 101.” Glad the kids 15 & 17 are “Semper Gumby” — they have really pitched in to help around here, and in lieu of the vacation, we’ve carved time out for board games and movies. The kids wanted to attend a protest in Philly, however, I didn’t feel comfortable doing it in a wheelchair; compromise was organising a vigil here at our park. Good turnout with only a FB announcement 24 hour prior. Link to story below. Later today we’ll venture into the city for some sightseeing — have wheelchair, will travel…
BTW, of course, remarks/quotes in the story are truncated; the specific call to action:
Contact local, state, and federal officials, demanding:
1. Equal protection under the law.
2. Full and honest investigations of alleged police misconduct; and when warranted by the facts, VIGOROUS prosecutions of the same.
3. An end to racist, bigoted, homophobic, misogynistic rhetoric by public officials and candidates.
3. Reinstatement of the assault weapons ban.
4. Expanded background checks
5. Passage of STRONG “No Fly; No Buy” legislation. The Feds need more than three days to make the determination (House bill that Ryan plans to bring to the floor)
Good job Alycee!!! I’m sorry about your recent injury, but, I see it hasn’t slowed you down too much. {{{Get better soon}}} ❤
Thanks, Gail. Like I said, “have wheelchair; will travel…”
Well done!
Oh, Alycee, I so sorry about your broken foot and all the stress and inconvenience that’s caused you. You’re handling it like a champion and I hope you get better very, very soon.
Aw! I hope the foot heals quickly. I so admire your determination to not let it keep you down. What an example you’ve set for the young ones. Go Girl!
Enjoy the time with them! 😘
BOOM
cammy boy quits. self inflicted wound.
I thought that the open-carry law was the cat’s pajamas?
The realization was bound to occur, sooner or later. So sad it had to be in such a deadly manner.
Oh those pesky reporters, always trying to get someone to put words in PBO’s mouth and create drama where none should exists. Chief Brown apparently has learned to raise above the BS
HE REMINDS ME OF SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW AND CERTAINLY WOULD BE AN AWESOME ASSET TO THE OBAMA FOUNDATION!
Interesting …
LIVING OFF OF HIS WIFE’S HEFTY BIG BUCKS ON THE E TRADE BOARD..GET HIM OUT OF HERE!..THAT GUY IS A TOTAL FRAUD!
DON’T FORGET..HE ALSO TOOK A JOB AS COMMENTATOR ON FOX NEWS….BENEDICT ARNOLD IS HIS REAL NAME!
HE WILL TURN ON THE DEMS AND GO REPUGNANT..HE’S A PLANT!..WAKE UP KIDS!
Well he had over $10M when he bowed out of the race in 2010 or so. I hope that folks keep their $$ until Bayh explains how he spent the unaccounted $10M.
Good morning everyone…didn’t sleep a wink last night and fell asleep sometime after 3:30am…..that’s the second time in a week this happened. Not good….
Anyway, I’m up late so I have no idea if anyone posted this:
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/07/11/nail-mitch-mcconnells-coffin-evan-bayh-run-senate-indiana.html
Big buzz from CNN — Evan Bayh will be announcing Monday morning that he and his $10 million war chest will be making a run for the U.S. Senate. In other words, Mitch McConnell should enjoy his time as Majority Leader now because it could be short lived.
Tom LoBianco at CNN reported the scoop in an article titled, “Evan Bayh mounting Senate return, could tip balance in November”:
An announcement about Bayh’s candidacy for the Indiana Senate seat is expected later Monday morning, said a source familiar with the plans. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they will not be released publicly until later Monday.
Bayh is easily the most popular Democrat in the state. He was a Senator from 1999 to 2011, Governor from 1989 to 1997 and Secretary of State in 1986. Bayh has been a vigorous Clinton supporter for years, so perhaps that’s why he’s changed his mind about public life and decided to jump back in to help Hillary Clinton have a Senate that will support her agenda if she wins.
We welcome blue dog Democratss if it means getting our majority in the senate. 🙂
Oh yes we do! 🙂
Wasn’t this guy on President Obama’s short list for V.P. at one point? I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but can someone please give this guy a personality, I’ve got socks with more personality.
He’s really been a pain for Democrats and POTUS but here’s the thing about retaking the Senate: Dems would once again chair all the committees and set the agenda. We desperately need to get back in control again if we’re to make any progress.
Meta, you are so right, but the problem is that when PBO needed their help early in his first term Bayh and other Dems couldn’t or wouldn’t lift a finger to help PBO. I’m trying my best to get over the slights that PBO had to endure. Our number one goal right now should be to retake the Senate and the House, and I’m all for that so I’ll do my part.
I FEEL YOU. I didn’t realize that I held grudges until these last 8 years. I’m carrying grudges from 2007. I’m not happy about it but I’m just being honest. I have to fight it every day because I don’t know how else we’ll be able to move on. The ONE thing I really really care about is preserving as much as we can President and First Lady Michelle Obama’s legacy. Full stop.
I’m with you meta! There are days when I shock myself remembering some slight to PBO by someone from years ago!
Hahaaa! We really do love and protect this man and his family.
Yes we do
DITTO HERE META!…THE OBAMAS DESERVE NO LESS! I AM TIRED OF THE DECEITFUL AND GREEDFUL BASTARDS IN THIS COUNTRY!
On another happier note, I have been replaying the NBC video on the previous thread that features the women of the U.S. Olympic team. That video presentation and the women are badass. Thanks to title 9 and the societal change from “sugar and spice and everything nice” our girls and women are showing the skill and the strength that they have always had. Since the summer Atlanta games, it is the women who have been bringing home most of the metal. I am looking forward to the games (Brazil needs to get its shit together) as a welcome respite from this travesty that we call the election season.
❤️
I watched the Chief’s presser online and he was extremely open and honest about everything that has happened and what is happening right now in the department. As for the protection of POTUS, he plainly said it was too important and because of the fatigue of his officers, he didn’t want that on his conscience. It was a bit shocking that he was so truthful about it.
I think this police chief has a lot of wisdom. The emotional and physical fatigue can lead to impulsive actions and overreactions. Also, I appreciate that he didn’t take the bait to tell PBO what to say!
I think that the change in thinking about open carry and the gun culture has got to begin in Texas. I’m hoping that Mayor Rawlings can be a change agent, along with the police chief. Dallas gets a bad rap, but it is not the headquarters for this gun culture. The rural areas are where big changes in thinking and voting need to be made. If you look at a political map of Texas, Dallas, along with Austin and Houston, is blue. This is where change will begin, I think.
Yesterday my son and daughter-in-law took their children on a Dallas City tour as part of a “staycation.” A lot of the tour was about the Kennedy assassination, which was good history for their children. There was no threat or danger to them on this tour. They were perfectly safe.
This link was also included from America’s Voice…
http://republicannativistconvention.com/
For over a year, Donald Trump has used the national spotlight to attack Latinos, immigrants, and people of color. He repeatedly claimed Barack Obama’s birth certificate was fake, called Mexicans “rapists” and “criminals,” and said he would ban people from entering the U.S. based on their religion. But instead of standing up to Donald Trump and his extreme policies that target communities of color, Republicans are lining behind their Party’s nominee.
We’ll continue to update this list as other Republicans stand with Donald Trump and his anti-immigrant policies.
You can click on “Who’s With Trump” and see the people that support him and should be voted out of office if their terms are up…
Good for Uber
David Plouffe is at Uber, right? Hmm.
Yes.
Those who lust for more and more BLOOD $$$$ must be our focus …
This!!!
Did they need to include this nugget in their platform because of DT’s ignorant, hateful big mouth? Horrifying
The you are on your own party when nuclear weapons take down our electrical grid…..just like when Darth Cheney took down CA’s.
SO I HAVE SOME NOT SO GOOD NEWS 2DAY..NOT THAT IT WAS NOT EXPECTED…MY LEFT LEG THAT HAS ENDURED SEVERAL SURGERIES IS GIVING UP TE GHOST..SO AM WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS NEXT..OR NOT NEXT!…NOTHING SURPRISES ME ANYMORE…I JUST GET TOUGHER…LIKE SOX THAT HAVEN’T BEEN WASHED IN A MONTH…THEY CANENNNNNNNNNN STAND ALONE!..GOT IT!
MY NEW NICKNAME…………………….THUMPER!
GOTTA’ GO..MY CARROTS ARE OVERCOOKED!
Sending healing and positive energy your way, Sue.
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Sue.
Sue, prayers for a positive outcome. Getting older/having health challenges is a &itc#… Keep a positive attitude in the face of challenges!
THANK YOU EVERYONE…I’M STAYING POSITIVE…HOWEVER..I HAVE HAD THIS PAINFUL LEG FOR ALOT OF YEARS..I MAY JUST HAVE IT AMPUTATED TO CUT THE SCENARIO SHORT THIS TIME…I AM NOT A NEGATIVE SOUL..I AM VERY STRONG..BUT I’M ALSO A REALIST!
((Sue))
{{{{{ Sue }}}}}
Hoping for the best possible outcome for you, Sue.
THANK YOU DUDETTE..:)
Talk less, listen more. I’m with her.
http://washingtonmonthly.com/2016/07/11/hillary-clinton-listens-in-order-to-build-coalitions/
So I see from my local news site that DT is delivering a speech on VA reform….lots of ideas to break it like he breaks everything else….
I’m sure it’s going to be all about privatizing and making money off of it but that article you posted earlier means there aren’t a whole lot of people on his side.
I know…but really?
DT is such a loose cannon right now so who knows what he’s about to say or stand for at any given time. But one thing is certain: he’s a certified sociopath who is dangerous and out of touch with the real world. A REAL DUMB SH*T.
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/07/11/i-worry-so-much/
Congrats to Doc Bobfr on your Gold ⭐