I have to continue to thank you for all that you do here at TOD. You really are a treasure. Not just your posts, but your personal tweets are always informative.
If historical trends hold, only about half of the young Americans eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election will actually do so. Despite abundant media coverage about millennials fired up about their respective candidates, a poll this spring by the Harvard Institute of Politics showed that only 50 percent of 18 to 29 year olds were planning to “definitely” vote in the fall. That’s on par with the 49 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 who said the same in 2012 and the 45 percent who actually did. By contrast, 72 percent of seniors cast a ballot that year.
“Bernie Bros” aside, youth turnout at the polls is dismal in comparison to older voters. Seeking to help counter those trends, many colleges encourage their students to vote by offering campus polling sites, voter registration forms in dorm move-in packets, candidate forums, and so forth. While those efforts are all well and good, it’s also clear that they’re falling short. That’s why it might be time to try some sticks along with the carrots to boost youth turnout.
Specifically, colleges and universities should require their students to vote as a condition of their enrollment. Instead of just nudging students to vote, make them do it. Graduate them into voters like the schools mean it.
After all, if Yale University can establish carbon pricing on campus to curb carbon pollution, why not establish a voting duty for its students? If Liberty University can dictate hairstyles and require all students to attend “convocation” three times a week, why not require participation in elections?
Rikyrah, colleges can do more to urge students to vote, but I have found college administrations so scrupulous about offending people that they shy away from the whole issue of voting. But there’s still a lot that all of us can do. We can try reaching out to sympathetic faculty members and any on campus groups that have Democratic leanings. College students can be recruited for phone banking and lit drops and some colleges will allow their Democratic clubs to have mini town halls with candidates. Really good campaigns, like Obama 08 and 12 had first class college outreach efforts and I’m hoping does as well.
Morning Rikyrah and thanks, Nerdy, for opening up this morning. Any word from Chips on how she’s doing?
It’s painful to see our President, First Lady, VP and VFLOTUS have to go through the endless agony of attending funerals for those who died from gun violence. And all because current majority party in Congress is in thrall to the gun industry. The imperative to change this Congress has never been more urgent. All the rallies and pleas in the world are not going to be as effective as gun laws that keep military grade weapons out of the hands of ordinary citizens and denies guns to psychopaths.
Donald Trump’s vast history of controversial comments about women is no secret — and a new trove of radio clips from the mid-2000s provides even more fodder on that front.
The newly discovered Trump clips, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, are from “Trumped!”, a series of 60-second commentary clips from Trump that aired on syndicated radio from 2004 to 2008. In one, he suggested presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would “make a good president”– but he also spoke frequently and extensively about other women, and in ways that will do nothing to further endear him to female voters.
In one clip, Trump said he was surprised that most women disapproved of having one-night stands.
“I thought today’s women were independent and had a lot of sexual freedom,” he said in a 2006 clip. “Well, I guess they fooled me.”
Another clip focuses on a man in Saudi Arabia who divorced his wife because his wife had been alone with a man — referring to a presenter she’d only ever watched on TV.
“There are a lot of male chauvinists in this country who really agree with what’s going on over there,” Trump said. “Men in Saudi Arabia have the authority to divorce their wives without going to the courts. I guess that would also mean they don’t need prenuptial agreements.”
He continued: “Saudi Arabia sounds like a very good place to get a divorce.”
Good morning, NW, and TODville (and hugs to Chips!) – While many of these tweets are heart-wrenching, many are totally heartwarming. Appreciate them all.
All my local news reports are on the police officers who were killed. Are there any news reports on the investigation into the killing of Anton and Castile??
God bless President and Mrs. Obama, VP Joe and Dr. Jill, and George and Laura Bush, as they all attend today’s memorial. May the President’s words bring comfort to all those suffering – not just in Dallas, but around the country and across the globe. It’s a big task, but we all know he’s up to it. I believe he’s been sent. President Obama arrived on scene just when we needed him, and we can never repay him – other than to thank and respect and honor him, every day of the rest of our lives!
But the best way to honor good people is to try to emulate them and their kind hearts and strong convictions. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
Republicans Hold Zika Funding Hostage In Order to Fly the Confederate Flag
Oh, sorry an American died from Zika and so sorry to the nearly 3,700 people in the U.S. (and territories) who have it, but Republicans will only fund the Zika emergency if they can fly the Confederate flag, create more abortions by refusing to fund birth control provided by Planned Parenthood, poison more water by exempting pesticides from the Clean Water Act, cut veterans funding and more.
Reid charged that due to the Republican provisions, the report now:
It restricts funding for birth control provided by Planned Parenthood.
It exempts pesticide spraying from the Clean Water Act.
It cuts veterans’ funding by $500 million below the Senate bill.
It cuts Ebola funding by $107 million.
It rescinds $543 million from Obamacare.
It strikes a prohibition on displaying the Confederate flag that was in the House bill.
You might be worried because seven babies have been born in the US with birth defects caused by Zika. But, sorry pregnant ladies whose labs came back with evidence of Zika virus infection (as of June 30, the CDC stats are 320 women in the US States and DC and 279 in territories) — the “pro-life” Republicans must be allowed to fly the Confederate flag and they feel that is more important than your baby.
Morning GGail, and everyone. I agree the law professor’s reply is very interesting and on point. And I love this paragraph in his Part II (his critique of their writing skills)
“When you are writing to someone who has a formal title (e.g., Doctor, Professor, Dean, Judge, Senator) you should address him or her using that title. To do otherwise appears either ignorant or disrespectful. Whether or not you actually have any respect for the person is completely irrelevant. I take that back. It might be more important to follow the normal writing conventions when you don’t respect the individual person. Otherwise, you are risking trading the credibility of your entire message for the momentary satisfaction derived from communicating your disdain.”
I thought this was something that should be specifically pointed out to all those who enjoy calling POTUS, FLOTUS, etc., by their first names, or without their title, or by a derived nickname. They do not realize the credibility of their entire message disappears, and they look the fool…. On second thought, I’d rather they look the fool than not, so lets not point it out to them. 🙂
I think what the world is seeing lately is that black women in the US are a force of nature who will fiercely and relentlessly defend and protect their sons, brothers and loved ones. Images after images are revealing the women warriors who are standing tall and fearless against the violence and bigotry that threatens to destroy their lives. They are the sisters of the Kurdish women armies that are fighting against ISIL. They’re the sisters of the women in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan who are pushing against the suffocating wall of prejudice that denies them their humanity. Women are tired of having things happen to them. They are pushing back with a mighty force and they’re not going to be deterred by threats or danger.
jackiegrumbacher – your words reflected my feelings today as I read about so many black women standing up fearless to say enough.
and to this…”They are the sisters of the Kurdish women armies that are fighting against ISIL. They’re the sisters of the women in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan who are pushing against the suffocating wall of prejudice that denies them their humanity. Women are tired of having things happen to them. They are pushing back with a mighty force and they’re not going to be deterred by threats or danger.”
You may recall Fr. James Martin, the nice liberal Jesuit priest who’s often on MSNBC talking “non-politically.” He shared this with the note, “Yesterday a Vatican journalist friend described Paloma Garcia Ovejero to me as ‘freaking amazing.'” Ha.
Our wonderful President once again finds himself in a amazingly difficult position…..trying to offer words of care and sympathy all the while knowing others are watching for him to say something they can criticize…….did he say too much or did he say not enough…..he doesn’t really care about me. Two of the people speaking before him have been “on the other side.” I’m so thankful that Michelle and Vice President and Mrs. Biden are there with him and will give him their emotional support. I am praying for our President today especially hard.
OH HOW I REMEMBER 08 AND THE THINGS THEY DID TO ME FOR SUPPORTING THEN SENATOR OBAMA..THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATON WHO ARE RACISTS HAVE DIVIDED THIS NATION…THE PRESIDENT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT………………………BBL
Until WE force those WE elect to focus on the cause of the #DeathByGun Epidemic more and more folk will die.
The cause has been ‘hiding in plain sight’ for decades. The cause is NOT the NRA and GOP. They are paid propagandists and lackeys. The cause are Executives and major shareholders of the Weapons Industry who have created a business model that literally PRINTS MONEY EVERY TIME SOMEONE DIES BY GUN.
Beautiful. I’m trying to write a poem about the original image, but I just keep staring at her. Can’t take my eyes off the original scene, every time it pops up.
That’s the thing about lying. You always have to work to remember what you said before, or what you need to say now. When you speak the truth, when you speak from the heart and from a place of intelligent knowing as our POTUS and VPOTUS do, you never need to prepare. You never need to practice. You just show up and participate in the conversation. This is one reason our POTUS can do so many things in each day, because he never has to play these games. He just tells the truth each and every time.
This fool with big eyes will never learn. What better signal to give to all those racist morons who see nothing wrong about the killing of innocent black people than to show up side by side with POTUS?
Good morning everyone….Nerdy, thank you for this smorgasbord of important info…everything is immensely important and relevant to this moment…I must say that the DJ was spot on. Also, if I were younger and could do my life over again…I sure would love to go to law school and have this Professor as a teacher. Everything is a teaching moment. This certainly was.
Dearest Chips…you are in my thoughts. I’m missing you and think of you during some part of every day. Wishing you strength and peace and love. Please hug Danny.
I gave blood yesterday for the first time ever. I don’t know why it was the first time ever. I have no excuse. My husband always does it and has for many years. What drove me to this choice was that our local high school, the one both my children attended, has had tragedy after tragedy this summer. The newly graduated brother of a student in my school that I have known and had in class with me, lost him to a car accident while 4 best friends were coming home from a trip together to CA after graduation. They didn’t do anything wrong….someone hit them, and one was killed. I couldn’t bring him back for her…but I felt like my little time and donation might be able to help those other’s that were severely injured. I felt good to maybe help and step out of my comfort zone to help another in need…which goes to the feeling that the country needs to have…we need to help each other, have empathy and care for human beings and step out of our comfort zone to do the right thing. Once you do it, you put one foot in front of the other and do it again, And again. And again. Until it is as normal as taking a breath. People need people.We need one another to make the country, the world, a better, more just and fair place for all of us.
To see that sister stand before an army of police officers in riot gear and not flinch, to see that sister last year climb up a flag pole to pull down a symbol of hate. To see a sister, stand brave and record the last moments of her companion’s life as it fades away. All of them strong, fearless, bold and black.
Gun Control Legislation House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Vice Chair Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) spoke to reporters about Democrats’ legislative efforts on gun violence prevention.
The ones who were afraid in Baton Rouge
Were the ones carrying the “red sticks”
Not the warrior queen who visited from the north
On behalf of her five-year old son
So she might invest in
His having a better life.
A better life
Than the sons of other mothers
She had gone there to mourn with
And stand proudly for.
She repelled the “red sticks”
Who were few in number
But seemed to grow into
A wall before her
As she stood her ground
Quietly in front of them.
She was a nurse who cared for others
Who said she was now “a vessel”
Doing God’s work.
The young queen arrived in regal garb
Regal in that it adorned her presence
Regal in that it could almost be said
To adorn ours.
She dressed for the moment
So that – standing in the hot sun
Of righteousness and pride –
She could feel as though
She were floating
In God’s air
In Baton Rouge.
The “red sticks” took her away
Took her away from her son
Took her away from her duties
Took her away from the cameras
And the tributes.
But the imprint she left
In the hearts and minds and souls
Of all of us
Remains
As though someone had gone out
And built a statue
Of a modern-day goddess
In every town in America.
The young queen
In the flowing garb
With diamonds in her closed eyes
With grief in her open heart
Sharing the secret:
How to be a woman
How to be a mother
How to be the vessel
How to show us the way
To Baton Rouge.
She stood silently on the gravel
She never spoke
But when we close our eyes
We can almost hear her say
“Ain’t I a woman?”
So that someday her son may say
“I am a man.”
I went in search of answers to my question – what’s going on with the police shooting investigations on behalf of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/12/us/police-shootings-investigations/
Abdullah Muflahi, the owner of the convenience store where Alton Sterling was shot to death, is suing the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and its police department. According to the suit, Muflahi accuses authorities of illegally taking him into custody and confiscating his entire security system without a warrant.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tv-s-judge-hatchett-says-she-s-representing-philando-castile-n607596
The family of Philando Castile, the black Minnesota man shot and killed last week by police, has hired the former host of TV’s “Judge Hatchett” show to represent it in a potential civil lawsuit, her law firm said Monday. Glenda Hatchett, 65, a former chief judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court in Atlanta, said she has scheduled a news conference with Castile’s mother, Valerie Castile, for Tuesday morning at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
I am adding my thanks to the Senator from Vermont and wish him well… in Vermont, after he campaigns day and night to win the hearts of his young revolutionaries for HRC.
Yesterday I felt compelled to take a day off from news, twitter, even here (except I peaked in last night, can’t stay away from my fellow TODer’s :D); not really sure why, I just did. I felt guilty for it, however, because some people never get to take a day off from their grief, their sorrow, the injustice they face everyday. As a white person, even writing this now, feels like privilege. I will never be able to “walk in your shoes” because I will never be black, but I will listen and I will pray and I will try to make this world a better place where I will determine to treat all my fellow human beings as my equals.
And Betsy, I know you and your husband to be the type of white people we need more of in this world. You don’t just talk the talk, you also show it by your actions and interactions. Thank you {{{hugs}}} ❤
Been thinking about and listening to Andra Day’s song “Rise Up.” Here are some of the lyrics:
I’ll rise up
I’ll rise up like the day.
I’ll rise up
I’ll rise up unafraid.
I’ll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again.
When the silence isn’t quiet
And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet
And move mountains.
All we need, all we need is hope
And for that we have each other
And for that we have each other.
We will rise, we will rise, we’ll rise, we’ll rise.
I would like for the first paragraph of Part II to be inscribed in Maureen Dowd’s hand for reference every time she writes about the president disrespectfully. There are other offenders, but she leaps to mind.
The Obama Diary 
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
NW,
I have to continue to thank you for all that you do here at TOD. You really are a treasure. Not just your posts, but your personal tweets are always informative.
Thank you so very much, Rikyrah.
Voting Should Be Mandatory on America’s College Campuses
Requiring students to vote as a condition of enrollment could help boost dismal youth turnout.
by Katherine Oh
July 12, 2016
If historical trends hold, only about half of the young Americans eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election will actually do so. Despite abundant media coverage about millennials fired up about their respective candidates, a poll this spring by the Harvard Institute of Politics showed that only 50 percent of 18 to 29 year olds were planning to “definitely” vote in the fall. That’s on par with the 49 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 who said the same in 2012 and the 45 percent who actually did. By contrast, 72 percent of seniors cast a ballot that year.
“Bernie Bros” aside, youth turnout at the polls is dismal in comparison to older voters. Seeking to help counter those trends, many colleges encourage their students to vote by offering campus polling sites, voter registration forms in dorm move-in packets, candidate forums, and so forth. While those efforts are all well and good, it’s also clear that they’re falling short. That’s why it might be time to try some sticks along with the carrots to boost youth turnout.
Specifically, colleges and universities should require their students to vote as a condition of their enrollment. Instead of just nudging students to vote, make them do it. Graduate them into voters like the schools mean it.
After all, if Yale University can establish carbon pricing on campus to curb carbon pollution, why not establish a voting duty for its students? If Liberty University can dictate hairstyles and require all students to attend “convocation” three times a week, why not require participation in elections?
Rikyrah, colleges can do more to urge students to vote, but I have found college administrations so scrupulous about offending people that they shy away from the whole issue of voting. But there’s still a lot that all of us can do. We can try reaching out to sympathetic faculty members and any on campus groups that have Democratic leanings. College students can be recruited for phone banking and lit drops and some colleges will allow their Democratic clubs to have mini town halls with candidates. Really good campaigns, like Obama 08 and 12 had first class college outreach efforts and I’m hoping does as well.
..meant to say, “hoping HRC’s campaign does as well.”
Look at Australia
Morning Rikyrah and thanks, Nerdy, for opening up this morning. Any word from Chips on how she’s doing?
It’s painful to see our President, First Lady, VP and VFLOTUS have to go through the endless agony of attending funerals for those who died from gun violence. And all because current majority party in Congress is in thrall to the gun industry. The imperative to change this Congress has never been more urgent. All the rallies and pleas in the world are not going to be as effective as gun laws that keep military grade weapons out of the hands of ordinary citizens and denies guns to psychopaths.
Well said, Jackie! Congratulations to Rikyrah, and endless thanks to Nerdy Wonka.
Uh huh
Uh huh
………………………….
New radio clips find more controversial Trump comments on women
Donald Trump’s vast history of controversial comments about women is no secret — and a new trove of radio clips from the mid-2000s provides even more fodder on that front.
The newly discovered Trump clips, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, are from “Trumped!”, a series of 60-second commentary clips from Trump that aired on syndicated radio from 2004 to 2008. In one, he suggested presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would “make a good president”– but he also spoke frequently and extensively about other women, and in ways that will do nothing to further endear him to female voters.
In one clip, Trump said he was surprised that most women disapproved of having one-night stands.
“I thought today’s women were independent and had a lot of sexual freedom,” he said in a 2006 clip. “Well, I guess they fooled me.”
Another clip focuses on a man in Saudi Arabia who divorced his wife because his wife had been alone with a man — referring to a presenter she’d only ever watched on TV.
“There are a lot of male chauvinists in this country who really agree with what’s going on over there,” Trump said. “Men in Saudi Arabia have the authority to divorce their wives without going to the courts. I guess that would also mean they don’t need prenuptial agreements.”
He continued: “Saudi Arabia sounds like a very good place to get a divorce.”
Thanks for such a great round-up! Love the last photo. Hope today goes well
🙂
{{{{{ 💞❤💞❤💞 }}}}}
Morning TOD family. Thanks NW for staying strong 🌹
In my dream last night, I was replying to a comment made by our beloved Chips. I miss you so much and love you dearly Chips❤️
Good morning, NW, and TODville (and hugs to Chips!) – While many of these tweets are heart-wrenching, many are totally heartwarming. Appreciate them all.
All my local news reports are on the police officers who were killed. Are there any news reports on the investigation into the killing of Anton and Castile??
God bless President and Mrs. Obama, VP Joe and Dr. Jill, and George and Laura Bush, as they all attend today’s memorial. May the President’s words bring comfort to all those suffering – not just in Dallas, but around the country and across the globe. It’s a big task, but we all know he’s up to it. I believe he’s been sent. President Obama arrived on scene just when we needed him, and we can never repay him – other than to thank and respect and honor him, every day of the rest of our lives!
But the best way to honor good people is to try to emulate them and their kind hearts and strong convictions. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
This. ❤🕉
❤
Republicans Hold Zika Funding Hostage In Order to Fly the Confederate Flag
Oh, sorry an American died from Zika and so sorry to the nearly 3,700 people in the U.S. (and territories) who have it, but Republicans will only fund the Zika emergency if they can fly the Confederate flag, create more abortions by refusing to fund birth control provided by Planned Parenthood, poison more water by exempting pesticides from the Clean Water Act, cut veterans funding and more.
Reid charged that due to the Republican provisions, the report now:
It restricts funding for birth control provided by Planned Parenthood.
It exempts pesticide spraying from the Clean Water Act.
It cuts veterans’ funding by $500 million below the Senate bill.
It cuts Ebola funding by $107 million.
It rescinds $543 million from Obamacare.
It strikes a prohibition on displaying the Confederate flag that was in the House bill.
You might be worried because seven babies have been born in the US with birth defects caused by Zika. But, sorry pregnant ladies whose labs came back with evidence of Zika virus infection (as of June 30, the CDC stats are 320 women in the US States and DC and 279 in territories) — the “pro-life” Republicans must be allowed to fly the Confederate flag and they feel that is more important than your baby.
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/07/12/republicans-hold-zika-funding-hostage-order-fly-confederate-flag.html
Good morning and thank you, NW and TODville.
The note from the young student to Philando Castile is absolutely crushing.
This is the young girl who wrote the note:
The law professor’s reply is extremely interesting, but, I must leave for work. Will resume reading at work.
Morning GGail, and everyone. I agree the law professor’s reply is very interesting and on point. And I love this paragraph in his Part II (his critique of their writing skills)
“When you are writing to someone who has a formal title (e.g., Doctor, Professor, Dean, Judge, Senator) you should address him or her using that title. To do otherwise appears either ignorant or disrespectful. Whether or not you actually have any respect for the person is completely irrelevant. I take that back. It might be more important to follow the normal writing conventions when you don’t respect the individual person. Otherwise, you are risking trading the credibility of your entire message for the momentary satisfaction derived from communicating your disdain.”
I thought this was something that should be specifically pointed out to all those who enjoy calling POTUS, FLOTUS, etc., by their first names, or without their title, or by a derived nickname. They do not realize the credibility of their entire message disappears, and they look the fool…. On second thought, I’d rather they look the fool than not, so lets not point it out to them. 🙂
Things got worse for Pam Bondi? Yay!
I think what the world is seeing lately is that black women in the US are a force of nature who will fiercely and relentlessly defend and protect their sons, brothers and loved ones. Images after images are revealing the women warriors who are standing tall and fearless against the violence and bigotry that threatens to destroy their lives. They are the sisters of the Kurdish women armies that are fighting against ISIL. They’re the sisters of the women in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan who are pushing against the suffocating wall of prejudice that denies them their humanity. Women are tired of having things happen to them. They are pushing back with a mighty force and they’re not going to be deterred by threats or danger.
jackiegrumbacher – your words reflected my feelings today as I read about so many black women standing up fearless to say enough.
and to this…”They are the sisters of the Kurdish women armies that are fighting against ISIL. They’re the sisters of the women in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan who are pushing against the suffocating wall of prejudice that denies them their humanity. Women are tired of having things happen to them. They are pushing back with a mighty force and they’re not going to be deterred by threats or danger.”
I say, yes, yes and a thousand times yes.
You may recall Fr. James Martin, the nice liberal Jesuit priest who’s often on MSNBC talking “non-politically.” He shared this with the note, “Yesterday a Vatican journalist friend described Paloma Garcia Ovejero to me as ‘freaking amazing.'” Ha.
Good Morning Everybody.
Good morning and thank you very much, JER.
Our wonderful President once again finds himself in a amazingly difficult position…..trying to offer words of care and sympathy all the while knowing others are watching for him to say something they can criticize…….did he say too much or did he say not enough…..he doesn’t really care about me. Two of the people speaking before him have been “on the other side.” I’m so thankful that Michelle and Vice President and Mrs. Biden are there with him and will give him their emotional support. I am praying for our President today especially hard.
OH HOW I REMEMBER 08 AND THE THINGS THEY DID TO ME FOR SUPPORTING THEN SENATOR OBAMA..THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATON WHO ARE RACISTS HAVE DIVIDED THIS NATION…THE PRESIDENT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT………………………BBL
Regret being persistent on this issue, but no epidemic has ever been cured by treating symptoms ….
Until WE force those WE elect to focus on the cause of the #DeathByGun Epidemic more and more folk will die.
The cause has been ‘hiding in plain sight’ for decades. The cause is NOT the NRA and GOP. They are paid propagandists and lackeys. The cause are Executives and major shareholders of the Weapons Industry who have created a business model that literally PRINTS MONEY EVERY TIME SOMEONE DIES BY GUN.
Yes WE Can
The world as it should be:
Beautiful. I’m trying to write a poem about the original image, but I just keep staring at her. Can’t take my eyes off the original scene, every time it pops up.
I like your version better!
totd.
Marine One just departed the White House.
[Expletive(s) deleted.]
President Obama, ever gracious…..Ryan, ever inside ugly.
carolyn that ugliness have been the Republicans way every since POTUS walk into that oval office.
THIS!
Paul Ryan town hall meeting tonight on CNN is more important.
It would have been nice if Speaker Ryan and Mitch McConnell had went.
Lyin Ryan is doing a Town Hall on CNN with Jake Tapper today. He needs to practices his lies.
That’s the thing about lying. You always have to work to remember what you said before, or what you need to say now. When you speak the truth, when you speak from the heart and from a place of intelligent knowing as our POTUS and VPOTUS do, you never need to prepare. You never need to practice. You just show up and participate in the conversation. This is one reason our POTUS can do so many things in each day, because he never has to play these games. He just tells the truth each and every time.
I wonder who’s idea it was to publicly point this out? 🙂
cowardly corrupt pos. the white murkans who vote for rethugs every election need to wake up and smell the stench from their cong critters.
This fool with big eyes will never learn. What better signal to give to all those racist morons who see nothing wrong about the killing of innocent black people than to show up side by side with POTUS?
Good morning everyone….Nerdy, thank you for this smorgasbord of important info…everything is immensely important and relevant to this moment…I must say that the DJ was spot on. Also, if I were younger and could do my life over again…I sure would love to go to law school and have this Professor as a teacher. Everything is a teaching moment. This certainly was.
Dearest Chips…you are in my thoughts. I’m missing you and think of you during some part of every day. Wishing you strength and peace and love. Please hug Danny.
I gave blood yesterday for the first time ever. I don’t know why it was the first time ever. I have no excuse. My husband always does it and has for many years. What drove me to this choice was that our local high school, the one both my children attended, has had tragedy after tragedy this summer. The newly graduated brother of a student in my school that I have known and had in class with me, lost him to a car accident while 4 best friends were coming home from a trip together to CA after graduation. They didn’t do anything wrong….someone hit them, and one was killed. I couldn’t bring him back for her…but I felt like my little time and donation might be able to help those other’s that were severely injured. I felt good to maybe help and step out of my comfort zone to help another in need…which goes to the feeling that the country needs to have…we need to help each other, have empathy and care for human beings and step out of our comfort zone to do the right thing. Once you do it, you put one foot in front of the other and do it again, And again. And again. Until it is as normal as taking a breath. People need people.We need one another to make the country, the world, a better, more just and fair place for all of us.
{{{df}}}
Me, too:)
To see that sister stand before an army of police officers in riot gear and not flinch, to see that sister last year climb up a flag pole to pull down a symbol of hate. To see a sister, stand brave and record the last moments of her companion’s life as it fades away. All of them strong, fearless, bold and black.
Thank you my brother {{{Don}}}
J’OB…if you’re here, read this. May help you with the poem:) Can’t wait!
https://www.balloon-juice.com/2016/07/12/tuesday-morning-open-thread-ieshia-evans/
can’t be said enough
GOOD MORNING, TODville!!!!
Well…well…well…well…. 🙂 🙂
House Democrats Call for Gun Control Legislation
Gun Control Legislation House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Vice Chair Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) spoke to reporters about Democrats’ legislative efforts on gun violence prevention.
http://www.c-span.org/video/?412609-1/house-democrats-call-gun-control-legislation
Lawd!
Inorite?
LIVE NOW: Sanders Joins Clinton In Portsmouth, NH – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
I might have to see this with my own eyes. LOLz.
Iesha Evans on the Bayou
The ones who were afraid in Baton Rouge
Were the ones carrying the “red sticks”
Not the warrior queen who visited from the north
On behalf of her five-year old son
So she might invest in
His having a better life.
A better life
Than the sons of other mothers
She had gone there to mourn with
And stand proudly for.
She repelled the “red sticks”
Who were few in number
But seemed to grow into
A wall before her
As she stood her ground
Quietly in front of them.
She was a nurse who cared for others
Who said she was now “a vessel”
Doing God’s work.
The young queen arrived in regal garb
Regal in that it adorned her presence
Regal in that it could almost be said
To adorn ours.
She dressed for the moment
So that – standing in the hot sun
Of righteousness and pride –
She could feel as though
She were floating
In God’s air
In Baton Rouge.
The “red sticks” took her away
Took her away from her son
Took her away from her duties
Took her away from the cameras
And the tributes.
But the imprint she left
In the hearts and minds and souls
Of all of us
Remains
As though someone had gone out
And built a statue
Of a modern-day goddess
In every town in America.
The young queen
In the flowing garb
With diamonds in her closed eyes
With grief in her open heart
Sharing the secret:
How to be a woman
How to be a mother
How to be the vessel
How to show us the way
To Baton Rouge.
She stood silently on the gravel
She never spoke
But when we close our eyes
We can almost hear her say
“Ain’t I a woman?”
So that someday her son may say
“I am a man.”
Magnificent. Truly magnificent. Thank you, J’OB.
Beautiful, Booms. XOXO.
Thank you for the healing tears this morning. You are such a gift to us.
Absolutely beautiful,JO’B. You have a rare talent.
The last stanza brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for using your gift to offer truths and to lift us up.
Jo’B….what a gift you have. I cried too. Deep, meaningful and beautiful.
this was beautiful. thank you.
Thank you all very much. Now you got me crying!
Jacquie, you are the best!
Fabulous
{{{jacquelineoboomer}}} I only lurk much anymore, but I had to log in to thank you for this.
cookemom, don’t quite know why it’s showing this user name
cookemom!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Long time no see. 🙂
🙂
Thanks so much!
Wow J’OB, I am lost for words. That is so magnificent. Thanks for sharing.
Wow – thanks so much, RanMan!
Bernie talking about himself so far. Revolution!!
I went in search of answers to my question – what’s going on with the police shooting investigations on behalf of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/12/us/police-shootings-investigations/
Abdullah Muflahi, the owner of the convenience store where Alton Sterling was shot to death, is suing the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and its police department. According to the suit, Muflahi accuses authorities of illegally taking him into custody and confiscating his entire security system without a warrant.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tv-s-judge-hatchett-says-she-s-representing-philando-castile-n607596
The family of Philando Castile, the black Minnesota man shot and killed last week by police, has hired the former host of TV’s “Judge Hatchett” show to represent it in a potential civil lawsuit, her law firm said Monday. Glenda Hatchett, 65, a former chief judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court in Atlanta, said she has scheduled a news conference with Castile’s mother, Valerie Castile, for Tuesday morning at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
The last pic is fabulous. It’s the fucking adults who bring in all the hate and bigotry.
Children are born perfect. We are the ones that fuck them up.
So true.
*through clenched teeth
Thanks, Bernie
Don, you crack me up.
I am adding my thanks to the Senator from Vermont and wish him well… in Vermont, after he campaigns day and night to win the hearts of his young revolutionaries for HRC.
I’m glad he finally came around, but this guy broke balls in the worst way.
Agreed.
Good Morning. Are you one of the 1m followers? 🙂
G’morning Nerdy & TOD!!
Paging the “economic anxiety” folks in the media, GOP & elsewhere….
Yesterday I felt compelled to take a day off from news, twitter, even here (except I peaked in last night, can’t stay away from my fellow TODer’s :D); not really sure why, I just did. I felt guilty for it, however, because some people never get to take a day off from their grief, their sorrow, the injustice they face everyday. As a white person, even writing this now, feels like privilege. I will never be able to “walk in your shoes” because I will never be black, but I will listen and I will pray and I will try to make this world a better place where I will determine to treat all my fellow human beings as my equals.
Being who you are is enough.
And Betsy, I know you and your husband to be the type of white people we need more of in this world. You don’t just talk the talk, you also show it by your actions and interactions. Thank you {{{hugs}}} ❤
❤ ❤ ❤
Chips, just wanted you to know that I am still thinking of you.
wow, bs endorsing hillz is making news even here.
http://news.rediff.com/commentary/2016/jul/12/liveupdates.htm
Been thinking about and listening to Andra Day’s song “Rise Up.” Here are some of the lyrics:
I’ll rise up
I’ll rise up like the day.
I’ll rise up
I’ll rise up unafraid.
I’ll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again.
When the silence isn’t quiet
And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet
And move mountains.
All we need, all we need is hope
And for that we have each other
And for that we have each other.
We will rise, we will rise, we’ll rise, we’ll rise.
that law prof’s ‘rebuttal’ is phenomenal, especially about the “law”.
Yep, read it this morning, his strike was surgical.
I would like for the first paragraph of Part II to be inscribed in Maureen Dowd’s hand for reference every time she writes about the president disrespectfully. There are other offenders, but she leaps to mind.
I sometimes still can’t believe we’re lucky enough to witness the brilliance of this man.
This is an old but a good tweet:
Will only edit the last section:”…we don’t want them to be tried and executed on the sidewalk.”
YES.
STREAM’S UP NOW: Interfaith Memorial Service For Five Slain Police Officers In Dallas. http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
SOON: The President and First Lady arrive Dallas, Texas.
Click here ► ► http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Obama-to-Offer-Dallas-Some-Measure-of-Comfort-Spokesman-AP-Photo-DCJM101-386434671.html
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/07/12/president-obama-delivers-remarks-at-an-interfaith-memorial-service/
karma b at work for teabaggers
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/tim-huelskamp-kansas-ryan-boehner-225384