Pete Souza: Throwback to seven years ago today
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The People’s View
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Smartypants
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The Obama Diary 
What is fascinating about this whole Russia thing is that how do you go from the Obama Administration not having any involvement in Russia on January 19th to the Trump Administration almost drowning in Russian involvement on January 20th. You just don’t wake up one day to find out that the President and his Administration is deeply connected to Russia. Russia had to have been cultivating members of the Trump Administration for years. Good Morning TOD!
Agreed. Morning, Don. Just want you to know that I was reading this comment on the last thread, which is why you are first and I’m not:)
Yes, that was a diversion technique, I dazzled you with my comment on the last thread thereby allowing me the time to comment first on this thread.
Correct
And just look where catching up with y’all leaves me! 🤣👁👁🌏👊🏼
Good Morning, Don and congrats.
Daily, information is coming out about connections and travels to Russia among members of 45’s campaign/transition/administration. The business dealings have been happening over years; not just recently. Ivanka is good friends with Putin’s girlfriend for goodness sake. Too many have direct ties to Russia and even more have indirect ties.
What originally seemed (to me at least) like 45 was filling cabinet positions with unqualified people who most likely had ties to Wall Street is seeming more and more as a means to cover up by putting in figure heads and while others are doing the job behind the scene. In addition, deputy positions are being filled with persons loyal to 45 rather than the picks of the cabinets leaders.
Denial, being out of the loop, or selective memory are their choices of defense… until there is evidence to the contrary… then they will probably be thrown under the bus and left to flounder on their own, while 45 — as he has done in the past — will walk away scot-free.
GM SWBG.
It’s *really* hard to keep track of all the frigging Russian connections — see my comment downthread re: plot for fiction at a dizzying speed.
You’re right, these Russian connections are deep, and embedded in GOP’s embrace of firearms, no-taxes-for-me- white nationalism/supremacy.
From this article:
And from @funder’s Newsweek screen print:
Grover Norquist, Godfather to media-endorsed “tea parties”…
We know Exxon and KOCH funded the tea party. Exxon – White House. Exxon – Russia.
Oil and gas connections abound.
$500BILLION OIL DEAL.
$500 B I L L I O N.
That’s half a TRILLION on one oil deal.
$500 BILLION is 500 BILLION reasons to steal an election, and put the thoroughly corrupt GOP in charge of literally EVERYTHING.
Saw the photos of Ivanka and Wendi Murdoch vacationing in Dubrovnik, Croatia: “I can’t recall the last time I had a conversation with her that didn’t conclude with her connecting me to four people who might become great friends or great business opportunities”. At the time, Murdoch reported to be Putin’s girlfriend. http://www.dailywire.com/news/8373/ivanka-trump-vacationing-vladimir-putins-hank-berrien
(August 15, 2016)
Makes it harder to believe that 45…or at least close family members (i.e., Ivanka) has never met Putin.
This has been in the works for a while.
We all saw most of these ties to Russia posted on this TOD site over time prior to the election. The media seemed to ignore them and constantly obsessed over giving DJT free time and his rants their time. My hopes are that DJT will fall under press scrutiny and Karma will rule. Maybe his press fake news rants will unite the press into action instead of just wanting controversy that feeds ratings.
And how do you go from “Russia, our greatest enemy” to “Russia, welcome aboard!!”. I know it’s fruitless to say it; I know IOKIYAR; I know it’s about power, not logic, but I’m still gobsmacked that not only are the highest level of GOP politicians and advisors involved or okay with this, but every single GOP voter and supporter is too! The level of cognitive dissonance it takes to turn a blind eye to a foreign country’s interference in our government and the complicity of a major political party just so that you don’t have to acknowledge you were wrong about them is astounding. And that goes triple for Bernie supporters, the most progressive of all progressives, who believe the entire Russian thing is made up.
“Russia had to have been cultivating members of the Trump Administration for years.”
Yep. Manchurian candidate = Trump.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahaha
OH, MY!!!!
lol
Well to be fair, nobody ever confused racist with being members of mensa.
Isn’t it funny that in our world it’s call lying, in politics it’s call mislead, what ever word they use. To me no if and or but, Jeff Sessions lied.
Good Morning Everybody.
Little Poindexter
Yes you are and so is your President.
Good morning all, have a great day especially Don for being first and best
Awwww, thank you Anjo.
Good Friday, Nerdy…TOD Family!
I’ve always heard that you should never discuss politics or religion in mixed/unfamiliar company.
But I have to say that I think it’s sad that we’ve come to the point that we are so divided by politics; that there’s a knee-jerk judgment of people based on their political affiliation; that there no longer seems to be an overlap between parties.
And worst of all, differences in politics have manifested into physical confrontations.
Well having mutual respect helps, my boss and I are total political opposites. I’m a Democrat and he’s a Republican, every chance I get I break his balls about the Republican Party, he stands there and takes it. Now when the ACA website failed to operate on its launch he broke my balls about it non stop, I stood there and I took it. At the end of the day I think we have a healthy respect for each other that allows the both of us to say what’s on our mind without repercussions. I couldn’t imagine not being able to voice my opinion at work because I’m afraid that something will happen, fuck that, I’m going to say what I have to say.
In this case, you’re in a familiar environment…at least with your boss. And as you said, you have a respect for each other that allows you to “break balls” about political issues/events.
Of course, my comment was more of a generalization…but one, I fear, is becoming more the norm rather than the exception as it used to be.
You are correct, with someone that you aren’t familiar with political arguments can easily turn into a fist fight.
Guy at my work thinks that he’s a damn expert on everything…he and I had words about Obamacare…I told him to drop it at work that if he wanted to go at it someplace other than work, I’ll go! He won’t talk to me now…and I was the “rude one” LOL…chicken shits
You go girl !
You handled it well. Thankfully, I don’t get into political discussions with Trump supporters at my work place at all. Not something I’m interesting in since I have nothing to say to anyone who supported a Bigot.
I am NYET a President!!!
You’re NYET my President
When will thee be the unveiling of President Obama’s portrait…any one know…
also the Profile in Courage award will that be aired on TV or on line..
GM TODville.
Deep, thoughtful, probing comments this morning, thank you.
Agree with everything said here, but still can’t figure out what DJT is doing…
Is there any way (especially for voters in those frigging Midwest states that tipped November’s election to DJT) that Midwest congresscritters could possibly confirm a budget like this???
I know, GOP elected officials will condone anything that makes sure they pay as few taxes as possible and to throw all regulations out the door if they can line their pockets with lobbyist $$$, but still…
Remember when the river caught on fire in Cleveland?
I recall the Love Canal from the early seventies. Anyone remember that one?
Yup
A guy that I work with insist that the EPA should be closed down and that “states” should have environmental control over their individual states. I live in Texas and I wouldn’t trust the Texas government to safely control anything. What is the fucking fascination with these fuckers and their need to drink water that’s polluted with god knows what?
IMO not having national, consistent laws about environment, police, voting rights, guns, death penalty, Medicaid expansion — is an insult to the intelligence.
OMG…
Check out @mattdpearce’s Twitter timeline now…
Have no idea if his speculation re: FBI arrest in threats to Jewish community centers is correct, but man, oh, man, DJT’s administration is shaping up to be one of several dozen fiction/sci-fi/spy thrillers all rolled into 40 days in office.
JHC.
If [45] is going to take credit for juicing the stock market with his promises of laissez-faire polices, he’s going to have to take some of the blame for the increase in fear and suspicion that’s making America an increasingly uncomfortable place for foreigners, especially people of color, to live or just to visit. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-trum p-is-ruining-americas-biggest-export-industry-2017-03-03?link=sfmw_tw
Many white people from other countries (see the many photos of protesters) are appalled and offended by what the chief -in-ignorance and his hateful cabinet are doing as well. Many of them will not be coming here because they do not want their pounds, etc. to be used to fund a terrorists regime (the former USA). An economic blowback, more than anything else, will help to turn the tide of the current frothing waters of hate and its results.
Another area that the USA has had an advantage in is foreigners wanting a higher education here. I bet that money intake will lesson too by many not wanting to come here or work here after college. DJT is draining our resources of world esteem.
Double post. My bad.
GM 57F.
Important stuff, should be on every thread here, IMHO (self-declared nature girl, here).
Saw a tweet last week (IIRC) that said this is the first Winter without snow in the Chicago area for… (forever? a long time?).
Sent a tweet yesterday to my flower-loving Twitter friends that it’s Spring in my patio now!
And today, even more (gorgeous) buds have opened — will tweet you a pic later today.
What’s exciting to me is that these were bulbs I planted last year which never became plants (figured they had died as bulbs) — Feb 2016 was really HOT in SoCal — but they’re LOVING this year’s rainy, cool winter, so my freesia harvest this Spring will be bountiful (heaven to me 😀 ):
Water is Life
Gorgeous!
Surprised that Trump would only allocate $10 million, more money to skim if he left it at $300 million.
When history wants yours ass, she will eventually find a way to get your ass. The thing about history is that she has a long memory.
Good. Trump’s regime needs to be brought down and as quickly as possible to minimize the damage.
What a shame that this problem has been allowed to linger for so long. Yet Michigan politicians have access to clean, safe drinking water.
So glad that he was willing to come back from his previous retirement to tighten up the SS after security and moral failures on the part of some of the agents. I felt so much better about PBO’s safety when Joe came back. Happy retirement to the director.
For every act of evil there is an act of grace.
Thank you, meta.
What a gracious young man — a role model for this country, unlike the monsters occupying the WH now.
Couldn’t hear what he said at the end of the clip… “I look forward to… ?”
Resilient and healthy… “A Kansas man who survived an apparently racially motivated shooting at a suburban Kansas City restaurant and bar is out of the hospital and has already visited the scene of the attack.”
That’s so nice to see. Good for that young man, who is a true hero.
Congratulations, Don! Hope today will bring Sessions’ resignation. Recusal is not enough!
What was interesting about Sessions’ recusal was how fast it came about. You only recuse yourself if after some deliberation you come to the conclusion that your position is untenable. Sessions recused himself not so much as a way of saving himself FROM the oncoming Russian freight train. But more so as a way of buying time TO save himself from the oncoming Russian freight train.
He needs to lawyer-up and Turn States Evidence.
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Friday morning. TGIF>> Congrats Don, on being first this morning.
Nerdy, thanks so much for helping Ms. Chips and for the sacrifices you’re making for us TOD’ers. 💫🙏👌👊❤
To all, I hope you have an amazing, breath-taking, and mind-blowing delightful day today. ❤ ❤ ❤
I am thankful to God that I lived to witness one of the greatest President of The United States of America in President Barack Hussein Obama ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
So tired of Black folks letting themselves be used by people who hate them. When they allow themselves to be used as props (the HBCU presidents and the mother and daughter who sat next to Melania) or as people who hold positions that have no real power (J. C. Watts, Condoleeza Rice, and Ben Carson), they do a grave disservice to themselves, POC in general, and well-meaning, but clueless white people. No matter the bait, or the personal reasoning (maybe I can show them that we are different from what the think, or maybe if I help on this I will be able to help by being part of it rather than on the outside) it will always turn out poorly for Black people When a person has shown you who he is, you should believe him and act accordingly. We should all remember the parable about the snake that carried the traveler on his back across the river then bit him when they reached the shore. As the person lay dying he asked “why?” and the snake replied: you knew what I was when you asked for my help.” The snake was acting according to his nature, one should not be surprised when people act out on who and what they are. Many Black people who get caught up with people like 45, Dubya, and any republican o any given day, often find out that they cannot “go home again.” They wound up isolated from the Black community and finding out that they were never really part of the white group that told them lies, fed their egos, used and then betrayed them.
While I agree with your entire statement, I assume that those Black people you named are getting some kind of (possibly financial) benefit from publicly supporting Trump. For example, Steve Harvey most likely is getting monetary support for his charities from Trump and this explains why he went from denouncing Trump all through the election cycle to coming out in support of Trump shortly after his inauguration. I’ve stopped listening to Harvey because of this stunning about face.
It’s disgusting that any Black person would associate his/herself with a man who is on record for being anti-Black. But we’ve always had Uncle Toms in our community so I’m not really surprised.
http://kdvr.com/2017/03/02/hawaii-got-more-snow-in-one-night-than-denvers-had-this-year/
Once upon a time, I would read these headlines and think they were satire. No way could it be anything but a joke.
Unfortunately, more likely than not, they are real.
GA SWBG.
They’ve been loons for a long time now, but now feeling empowered by the orange loon in WH.
Heartless, greedy risks to this country. JHC.
Increasingly, I think this is likely ….
As all of you know, I’ve speculated on the issue in the past.
Hope you’re all having as good a day as possible.
#Russia
#TaxReturns
#TrumpWillDieInJail
Did you see Rachel Last night with Adam Schiff? Comey refused to give the Intel Committee info – seems obvious it’s because Nunes and the GOP would leak every detail to Putin/Bannon immediately, if they weren’t already wearing a wire for that very purpose.
Yup Yup
Chuck ain’t playing ….
Sen. Schumer has now bought a space in the very …. very vacant lot that is supposed to contain the homegrown demagogue’s brain
Note to self of what I will need to participate fully in the resistance:
– clarity of purpose and identifying who is undermining and destroying basic values, vital programs, and potential for future progress;
– diligence, persistence, focus on priority issues, no fear of encountering opposition or uncomfortable truths;
– sharing knowledge and working with people of conscience to improve advocacy for core principles and to protect the people who are most vulnerable and are at the receiving end of this gop-sanctioned hate and destruction.
Very impressed that Ava pulled on of PJ’s greatest from the archives 🙂
GA Tally.
Cannot believe a Fox News presenter is now in a position of offering US military strategy.
Pence would be awful as President, but (I think) he would boot Bannon/Breitbart and non-political types out of NSA.
From the article:
“Since then, Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland consulted with other officials to address North Korea’s fresh series of provocations. In the meeting, held about two weeks ago, the officials discussed the possibility of a plan ‘outside the mainstream,’ the [Wall Street]Journal reported.”
snip /
“The proposals, which are now being vetted prior to Trump’s review, would certainly be met with worry from China, a long-time North Korean ally, who recently responded with an export ban against North Korea’s coal industry. Additionally, many experts fear that a direct military conflict would spark all-out warfare, including artillery barrages directed at Seoul, South Korea’s capital.”
Lives are meaningless to these greedy, heartless fools. 😦
It’s scary AF.
And I believe that Pence is compromised along with the rest of them re: Russiagate.
What is so stunning about the exchange between Sessions and Franken is that Sessions answered a question that Franken did not ask.
Franken asked basically how Sessions would go forward if there is proof anyone in the Trump campaign spoke with Russian officials while they were private citizens – “during the campaign.”
Sessions basically said he, “wasn’t guilty of talking to the Russians (not part of the question), and that he couldn’t discuss what he just said he didn’t do…” So not only did Sessions LIE to a sitting member of Congress during a confirmation hearing (felony), he VOLUNTARILY LIED.
Reminds me of the parents who come home to the teenager left alone, and the following conversation takes place:
Parents: “How was your evening? Did you eat dinner and do your homework?”
Teenager: “I didn’t break the window upstairs.”
it is truly incredible what is happening!!!!!!!
If Russia had interfered in our election in favor of Hillary Clinton, these silent Republicans would be having a dam fit right now. There would be investigations after investigations, they would be talking about impeaching Hillary. I can just imagine Fox so call news, right wing hate radio, Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly.
Really, they are all raving loons:
back to work …
I’m really liking Tom Perez as DNC chair:
Not helping him out.
O Boje Moy !!
go ahead Tom, I love this.
GA TOD
It’s a start…..
This is draconian and just plain SICK
It was the lead story on MSN an hour ago…
This is bullshit, this is what the Nazi’s did when they took families to the death camps. It’s what they did when they brought slaves over. No fucking way. If we don’t get angry and fight like hell over this, what is it going to take. I’m talking every damn American needs to rise the hell up, This makes me crazy furious.
Comey won’t give intel to the Intel Committee. Probably because of Nunes and the other GOP on the IC, because none of them can be trusted not to report everything they learn to Bannon/Putin – if not already wired during the meeting… I wonder if they’re all swept for bugs when they enter the room?
TGIF
Hello TOD on a Friday Evening.
Congrats, Don on your Au ⭐
{{{{ ❤ Chips ❤ Dudette ❤ Nerdy Wonka ❤ }}}}
All the TODable Contributors, Obrigada! Obrigado! I ❤ and Salute You All 🙂
Her Papers don’t look like they have been opened. She’s on her Phone, it seems.
When Pictures might not look as ‘We’ might want to believe?
my interpretation of the full photo is that she is looking at the information in the folder that Ms. Huma is holding and seems to contain what is probably a program of an event
38,059,685 hits
Congrats, Chips & TOD for hitting 38M+!
Wow!
Go, Nerdy! ❤
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2017/03/03/chat-away-897/