GOOD morning TOD family. Congrats on First vetivera24 NerdyWonka you are the best, everyday always. Thank you thank you thank you. Blessings on you Miss Chipsticks, founder and faithful creator of this good sacred nourishing essential place. Hello RanMan who always lifts us up with good and inspiring focused insightful witty kind and powerful greetings and vision. This is excellent. Sharing widely. LOVE the script — brilliant! Praying calling sharing. Focusing on another day in which POTUS and FIrst Family woke up in the White House, still leading us Forward.
The New York Times had an interesting article this week about the health care industry and its anxieties surrounding the changes Donald Trump and congressional Republicans intend to impose on the system. The piece, however, was a little short on quotes, and as it turns out, there was a specific reason for that.
“Some companies, anxious about changes in health policy, said they were afraid to speak out because they feared that Mr. Trump would attack them on Twitter, as he has badgered Boeing, Ford, General Motors, Lockheed Martin and Toyota,” the Times explained.
President Obama spoke at MacDill Air Force Base last month, where he celebrated one of the great American freedoms: we can “criticize a president without retribution.” Evidently, that freedom is a little less secure in the Trump era.
Indeed, the New York Times’ report followed a related piece on tech companies on the West coast adjusting their schedules, making sure “someone is up at 3 a.m. local time to catch the [president-elect’s] tweets out of fear that a Trump tweet could crash their stock and put their company into a frenzy.”
Done! Made the phone calls, although I regularly call and email my Senators and Representative. Not sure my calls help though as they are all Dems planning to vote that way anyhow.
Calls to our Dem reps are just as important as the calls to the GOP reps. Our reps need to hear that we are paying attention to what work they are doing. It also lets them know that they had better be working on your behalf – because *you are* paying attention.
See how that works.
Thanks OG for being an active participant in this thing called citizenship 🙂
Thanks for clarifying this, GGail. All the Hawaii Senators and Congress members are Dems (though Tulsi…. not actually sure any more). I have received numerous emails and FB posts from them, announcing their opposition to DT’s cabinet candidates, to the anti-ACA votes, and so on. I do respond with my thanks, but often wonder if I should be calling Rs in leadership positions. The ones setting all this mess up– will it matter a whit if a Dem from Hawaii calls McConnell or Ryan to say: you represent me too; don’t do this dirty deed. ? Honestly, with the time difference, by the time I’m up in the morning, their day is done. But I do not want to fail to take viable action at this critical time. Advice? Mahalo TOD ohana!
Over the last eight years upon trying to contact other Reps and Senators I noticed most were set up to only accept those that were in their zip code zone. I think when it is a position like Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader all zip codes should be accepted.
Mail matters. VM’s are full, tweets and emails are ignored. Suggestion: go to the post office and pick up a stack of prepaid post cards. Jot down your message, send it to your representative or senators. It can take seconds if you have them handy, and make a significant impact.
On Tuesday night, Barack Obama gave his final address as President of the United States. It was emotional and powerful, and it bears noting that his thank you to his wife of 25 years was the “not-a-dry-eye-in-the-house” moment.
As many Americans begin the long tearful goodbye to the Obamas, a new book of essays puts what the First Lady has meant to so many over the last eight years into words.
The book, The Meaning of Michelle seems to be just what the doctor ordered for those who want to bask in her Black Girl Magic a little while longer. NBCBLK spoke to the editor, award-winning journalist and author Veronica Chambers, who brought 15 writers to the page to weigh in on the impact of Michelle Obama.
How did the book come about?
Elisabeth Dyssegaard, who is an old friend suggested it one day when we were having lunch. It has kind of been our thing over the last 8 years. We have lunch and at some point in the lunch, we have a Michelle Obama appreciation moment. Then about a year ago, she suggested we channel all this admiration and appreciation into a book project.
Glad to see that this (surprise?) announcement allowed TOD a heads up. (Wasn’t on whitehouse.gov/live schedule earlier today, and my WHPC feed seems to be consumed mostly by all-things DJT (ugh) related.
“Property brothers” is an HGTV (reality tv real estate show) involving the Canadian twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott (pictured in the tweet). Not sure whether Eric is going to make a cameo appearance, or whether he’s going to be a permanent on the show. LOL… 🙂
Inauguration should be a celebration. But we have nothing to celebrate on Jan 20. Instead of attending, I will be organizing. pic.twitter.com/P4whhl91ll
Here's the moment Russia Today took over the C-SPAN1 feed. Unclear what happened. RT aired for about ten minutes before C-SPAN1 came back. pic.twitter.com/mhWVgCoFxF
Wow. I am amazed, I am proud, I am thankful that I lived to see our President and VP and their family. What a honor. What a honor. Amazing. I will stand up to anyone who try to put my President, VP, First Lady and Second Lady down. They have more class and dignity in their big toe then the thing that is soon to be President and VP. All I can say is WOW! Thank you President and VP.
Our guys never make it about themselves. So much of Joe’s speech was about Barack and their families. I cried almost as much as Joe did who was so surprised and overwhelmed to receive this honor. This administration, these families, the President/Vice President partnership have set the new gold standard.
I’m a wreck! I cried through the whole ceremony. So touching…we will NEVER see anything like this again. A beautiful relationship between the two families. Congratulations Uncle Joe. So well deserved.
Tweets from Tuesday, the day MSM was atwitter because of @cnn published speculation as to whether Russia had more “goods” on DJT (we all know the answer to that):
I agree with all of you. What a surprise that our President did this for VP Biden. He so much deserved it. God, are we going to miss these two and their spouses. But, they will be out there working for all of the American people to make this USA a better place and empower everyone in their Citizenship and their duties to their country.
Thanks you Nerdy, Chips, amk, LL for making this the place to come for news, support and smart analysis. ((((hugs)))) to all my TOD family.
President Barack Obama is ending the longstanding “wet foot, dry foot” policy that allows Cubans who arrive in the United States without a visa to become permanent residents, two senior US officials told CNN Thursday.
The policy has applied solely to Cubans. Other immigrants who attempt to enter the United States without a visa face arrest and deportation. Havana has long argued the policy encourages Cubans to make the dangerous crossing from Cuba to Florida.
The decision was likely Obama’s last move in his historic dealings with Cuba. In 2014, he reopened US relations with the island nation after a half-century of frozen diplomatic ties.
Don’t know if this has already been posted here but the National Democratic Redistricting Committee headed up by Former AG Eric Holder and which our illustrious Prez is going to be heavily involved with after he leaves the White House is up and running. See below. Sign up, follow on Twitter; Facebook; GET. INVOLVED. This is not a drill. 🙂
Haven’t clicked on the article (will find a non-paywall article to find out more), but as a lifelong Californian who adores the western US, stunned to see California Coastal Monument and Cascade-Siskiyou on this list.
I’ve been to the CA Lost Coast (harrowing to get to — there’s only one road that leads to it, and as a passenger could look down sheer drops of at least 1,000 feet on the road’s hairpin turns) — gorgeous and desolate area.
And love camping in the Siskiyou mountains — not sure what it’s like now, but many years ago you could camp and not see another soul while there.
(Amusing to me that Twitter offers to translate this tweet from Romanian.)
The tears have been flowing a lot lately. But as the tears flow, and as I watch the various farewell/appreciation/thank-you events, I find myself with a big smile on my face… the pride, the respect, and the admiration that I feel for President and Mrs. Obama, and Vice-President and Dr. Biden. They made us feel good and made us eager to stay abreast of what was happening in the country and in the world. They made us feel included. And they have truly served as role models for our young citizens — inspiring and encouraging. They have touched us in ways that are lasting.
The League is proud to partner with the #WomensMarch As women & defenders of our democracy, there is more that unites us than divides us! pic.twitter.com/EXecJW0D6R
I voted no on a GOP resolution to begin gutting #ACA last night bc this is the replacement plan the Republicans have presented to Americans: pic.twitter.com/D3XNqOWwUk
The Obama Diary 
Good morning TOD folks! Praying like never before.
GOOD morning TOD family. Congrats on First vetivera24 NerdyWonka you are the best, everyday always. Thank you thank you thank you. Blessings on you Miss Chipsticks, founder and faithful creator of this good sacred nourishing essential place. Hello RanMan who always lifts us up with good and inspiring focused insightful witty kind and powerful greetings and vision. This is excellent. Sharing widely. LOVE the script — brilliant! Praying calling sharing. Focusing on another day in which POTUS and FIrst Family woke up in the White House, still leading us Forward.
Trump not above using his notoriety to reward allies, punish critics
01/12/17 10:54 AM
By Steve Benen
The New York Times had an interesting article this week about the health care industry and its anxieties surrounding the changes Donald Trump and congressional Republicans intend to impose on the system. The piece, however, was a little short on quotes, and as it turns out, there was a specific reason for that.
“Some companies, anxious about changes in health policy, said they were afraid to speak out because they feared that Mr. Trump would attack them on Twitter, as he has badgered Boeing, Ford, General Motors, Lockheed Martin and Toyota,” the Times explained.
President Obama spoke at MacDill Air Force Base last month, where he celebrated one of the great American freedoms: we can “criticize a president without retribution.” Evidently, that freedom is a little less secure in the Trump era.
Indeed, the New York Times’ report followed a related piece on tech companies on the West coast adjusting their schedules, making sure “someone is up at 3 a.m. local time to catch the [president-elect’s] tweets out of fear that a Trump tweet could crash their stock and put their company into a frenzy.”
Trump is ‘not above’ anything. Anything. No matter how low, he will go there.
Done! Made the phone calls, although I regularly call and email my Senators and Representative. Not sure my calls help though as they are all Dems planning to vote that way anyhow.
Calls to our Dem reps are just as important as the calls to the GOP reps. Our reps need to hear that we are paying attention to what work they are doing. It also lets them know that they had better be working on your behalf – because *you are* paying attention.
See how that works.
Thanks OG for being an active participant in this thing called citizenship 🙂
Thanks for clarifying this, GGail. All the Hawaii Senators and Congress members are Dems (though Tulsi…. not actually sure any more). I have received numerous emails and FB posts from them, announcing their opposition to DT’s cabinet candidates, to the anti-ACA votes, and so on. I do respond with my thanks, but often wonder if I should be calling Rs in leadership positions. The ones setting all this mess up– will it matter a whit if a Dem from Hawaii calls McConnell or Ryan to say: you represent me too; don’t do this dirty deed. ? Honestly, with the time difference, by the time I’m up in the morning, their day is done. But I do not want to fail to take viable action at this critical time. Advice? Mahalo TOD ohana!
Over the last eight years upon trying to contact other Reps and Senators I noticed most were set up to only accept those that were in their zip code zone. I think when it is a position like Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader all zip codes should be accepted.
agree!
Mail matters. VM’s are full, tweets and emails are ignored. Suggestion: go to the post office and pick up a stack of prepaid post cards. Jot down your message, send it to your representative or senators. It can take seconds if you have them handy, and make a significant impact.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/12/1619728/-CVS-just-released-a-new-generic-alternative-to-EpiPen-that-costs-what-it-used-to-cost
yayyyy
Glad CVS is my pharmacy.
not much time….
will all investigations cease when trump is inaugurated??
This is the Inspector General of the Justice Dept. He stays on, not dependent on administrations.
thank you Bill..can trump fire him..
🙂
❤
‘The Meaning of Michelle’: Writers Pen Love Letters to the First Lady
by ANDREA KING COLLIER
On Tuesday night, Barack Obama gave his final address as President of the United States. It was emotional and powerful, and it bears noting that his thank you to his wife of 25 years was the “not-a-dry-eye-in-the-house” moment.
As many Americans begin the long tearful goodbye to the Obamas, a new book of essays puts what the First Lady has meant to so many over the last eight years into words.
The book, The Meaning of Michelle seems to be just what the doctor ordered for those who want to bask in her Black Girl Magic a little while longer. NBCBLK spoke to the editor, award-winning journalist and author Veronica Chambers, who brought 15 writers to the page to weigh in on the impact of Michelle Obama.
How did the book come about?
Elisabeth Dyssegaard, who is an old friend suggested it one day when we were having lunch. It has kind of been our thing over the last 8 years. We have lunch and at some point in the lunch, we have a Michelle Obama appreciation moment. Then about a year ago, she suggested we channel all this admiration and appreciation into a book project.
I’m interested in purchasing this book. Thanks rikyrah!
Michelle was at peak adorableness on Fallon last night.
Indeed she was…had me smiling the whole time
GA TODville…
Something NONE of want to miss — if you can, looks like this is happening in 25 minutes…
Thanks for the heads-up ar-415. Here’s a link to the event 🙂
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/biden-family-and-friends-end-administration-appreciation-reception
THANKS HF2!
Glad to see that this (surprise?) announcement allowed TOD a heads up. (Wasn’t on whitehouse.gov/live schedule earlier today, and my WHPC feed seems to be consumed mostly by all-things DJT (ugh) related.
This was so wonderful! Painful, but very sweet.
Question for popular culture savvy TODville community.
Do you think this is a joke?
Who/what are property brothers?
They have shows on HGTV.
“Property brothers” is an HGTV (reality tv real estate show) involving the Canadian twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott (pictured in the tweet). Not sure whether Eric is going to make a cameo appearance, or whether he’s going to be a permanent on the show. LOL… 🙂
Thanks Linda and HF2.
Back when I had TV and cable, pretty much only watched HGTV and msnbc evening pundits.
Interesting change of pace for Eric, best of luck to him.
COUNTDOWN to PBO toast to @VP… in 11+ minutes…
One more reminder… at 2:30 pm PST, 5:30 pm EST today:
Assume EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS A LIE. Make him prove its NOT!
OH. MY. GOD. WTH is happening???
wtf is going on?? Holy smokes.
Now they’re just f*cking with us for laughs.
Here’s @cspan’s response… “internal routing issue” (yeah, right).
PBO’s toast to @VP starting NOW (50 minutes late).
I’m watching!!!!
Boy! That was really a tear jerker. So glad to have been alive and aware of their greatness in real time. It makes what is to come so much worse.
What happen to the event for VP Biden?
It just started – here’s the link.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/biden-family-and-friends-end-administration-appreciation-reception
I’m watching now.
Our Joe Biden is awarded of The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
with distinction!!! Totally deserved. Thanks, Obama.
back to work ….
…. now, back to work while I still have the opportunity to do so ….
Oh what a wonderful honor for Joe. So very happy for him. I will miss him. I am so grateful for his loyalty and love to POTUS.
This is so special, so wonderful.I am going to miss the Obamas and Bidens so much. So much.
Wow. I am amazed, I am proud, I am thankful that I lived to see our President and VP and their family. What a honor. What a honor. Amazing. I will stand up to anyone who try to put my President, VP, First Lady and Second Lady down. They have more class and dignity in their big toe then the thing that is soon to be President and VP. All I can say is WOW! Thank you President and VP.
Thank you President Obama and VP Biden.
With you 1000% Bella.
Joe’s about to make me cry. This is so wonderful !!
Our guys never make it about themselves. So much of Joe’s speech was about Barack and their families. I cried almost as much as Joe did who was so surprised and overwhelmed to receive this honor. This administration, these families, the President/Vice President partnership have set the new gold standard.
Obama Diary Family please watch this, it is worth it.
POTUS spoke wonderful about VP Biden and he spoke wonderful about POTUS.
I’m a wreck! I cried through the whole ceremony. So touching…we will NEVER see anything like this again. A beautiful relationship between the two families. Congratulations Uncle Joe. So well deserved.
WOW, what a remarkable moment for Joe and his family. I cried through the whole thing. Such an honor to witness these GIANTS.
Let be say this, I think I saw Sasha and Malia there, I hope Sasha got a good grade on that exam. “Smile”
Oh, I didn’t see them. I hope there are photos.
I truly hope this guy is going DOWN.
Did yu see the tweet about cspan being taken over by RT Russian tv
Yup. Oh. My. God.
Yes, I posted it above.
Comey help Trump too, and I will never have any respect for him.
GA Meta.
Comey’s actions, in collusion with Giuliani and Chaffetz are all very troubling.
Sheila asked earlier whether DOJ OIG investigation could be undone by DJT, and sadly for democracy and this country, the answer is “yes.”
Tweets from Tuesday, the day MSM was atwitter because of @cnn published speculation as to whether Russia had more “goods” on DJT (we all know the answer to that):
The problem is that if he goes down, DT will appoint the next director to a 10 year term. I suspect that is the reason PBO did not fire him.
Good day everyone.
Thank you so much for giving us President Obama and VP Biden.
Two amazing men with amazing families.
Never mind that both made me cry while watching the farewell for VP 🙂
They are truly exemplary men whom we should all learn from. Simply remarkable.
Watching VP Joe’s goodbye. So moving. VP Joe awarded the Presidential medal of honor.
I agree with all of you. What a surprise that our President did this for VP Biden. He so much deserved it. God, are we going to miss these two and their spouses. But, they will be out there working for all of the American people to make this USA a better place and empower everyone in their Citizenship and their duties to their country.
Thanks you Nerdy, Chips, amk, LL for making this the place to come for news, support and smart analysis. ((((hugs)))) to all my TOD family.
President Barack Obama is ending the longstanding “wet foot, dry foot” policy that allows Cubans who arrive in the United States without a visa to become permanent residents, two senior US officials told CNN Thursday.
The policy has applied solely to Cubans. Other immigrants who attempt to enter the United States without a visa face arrest and deportation. Havana has long argued the policy encourages Cubans to make the dangerous crossing from Cuba to Florida.
The decision was likely Obama’s last move in his historic dealings with Cuba. In 2014, he reopened US relations with the island nation after a half-century of frozen diplomatic ties.
GOOD!
I have got to stop crying while at work!
PBO and VP Joe are remarkable men.
What ho Peeps,
Don’t know if this has already been posted here but the National Democratic Redistricting Committee headed up by Former AG Eric Holder and which our illustrious Prez is going to be heavily involved with after he leaves the White House is up and running. See below. Sign up, follow on Twitter; Facebook; GET. INVOLVED. This is not a drill. 🙂
http://www.democraticredistricting.com
Please and thank you. 🙂
Thanks PSLA. Done 🙂
AWESOME ❤
My brothers:
GE JER.
Haven’t clicked on the article (will find a non-paywall article to find out more), but as a lifelong Californian who adores the western US, stunned to see California Coastal Monument and Cascade-Siskiyou on this list.
I’ve been to the CA Lost Coast (harrowing to get to — there’s only one road that leads to it, and as a passenger could look down sheer drops of at least 1,000 feet on the road’s hairpin turns) — gorgeous and desolate area.
And love camping in the Siskiyou mountains — not sure what it’s like now, but many years ago you could camp and not see another soul while there.
(Amusing to me that Twitter offers to translate this tweet from Romanian.)
OMG, if you don’t tear up at this, you don’t have a pulse!!
Yes meta. And it gets me each time I watch it.
I’m still at work – so cut it out! LOL!!!
I’m right there with you – yelling crying screaming.
Can’t do the yelling, screaming if I want to keep this job, idon, but I get what you mean. LOL!
The tears have been flowing a lot lately. But as the tears flow, and as I watch the various farewell/appreciation/thank-you events, I find myself with a big smile on my face… the pride, the respect, and the admiration that I feel for President and Mrs. Obama, and Vice-President and Dr. Biden. They made us feel good and made us eager to stay abreast of what was happening in the country and in the world. They made us feel included. And they have truly served as role models for our young citizens — inspiring and encouraging. They have touched us in ways that are lasting.
So very true swbluega {{{hugs}}}
{{{GGail}}}
THIS!!!!! Swbluega, you expressed my feelings exactly.
More boxing in policy:
Ha! take that Trump 🙂 🙂 I do love our President.
CBS News, Sunny is a female dog.
Yeah, I caught that, too!
Surely we at TOD have seen this beautiful relationship move all of us. Thank you Mr. President for choosing VP Biden.HZ
Dudette, I thought of you when I saw this amazing thing!!
how is dudette….
I don’t know but I wish I did.
In the “old days of the republic,” we used to build statues to guys like Joe Biden. When’s somebody gonna get working on that? 🙂
#Crying
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2017/01/12/a-heartfelt-tribute-for-an-amazing-vice-president/