Wow what a great post! As others have said, so wonderful to see him looking so relaxed. Obviously, the British royal family is crazy about him, as they well should be. So good to see him with the Bidens again, and both of them present at an event they both respect and advocate. What a reception he got, here and at the speech. Just more evidence that he is the most admired man in the world. Our POTUS!
Lol, if only it wasn’t true, it would be funny… love the toonists for getting in the faces of the corrupt buggers who will never have enough until the earth herself is broken and dead.
My apologies for my NOVEL below! 🙂 Sorry, there is no Too Long Didn’t Read version of it. 😉
In the last thread, hopefruit posted a tweet of BWD’s, referencing an article in Maclean’s magazine about PBO’s visit to Toronto. I liked the quote, which was basically about the attendees being completely rapt by PBO, because that’s 100% truth. But some of the article didn’t ring true for me as a Canadian. I hate when writers make sweeping generalizations about and attempt to speak for an entire country’s population. Where is the eye roll emoji?
Speaking for myself and for the woke Canadians that I know, who adore PBO, we don’t do so merely because he’s an American Democrat, or because we’ve lacked anybody worthy of similar respect. We adore and respect *him*, the man, specifically – for his intelligence, his strength of character, his courage, ethics, morals, compassion, his humanity and his devotion to his family, his faith, and his country, AND for his actions, decisions, and accomplishments as POTUS, and especially while also knowing full well the wall of obstruction in Congress, the hatred from racists, and the lies from the mainstream media (and countless garbage media outlets) that he faced and triumphed over, for 8 years.
Back in 2008 when PBO became president, my employer at that time, located in a smallish, fairly conservative (by Canadian standards – not as many Tea Party types) town north of Toronto, had arranged for a live-streaming of the inauguration ceremony in our cafeteria/employee town hall area. If they had not done so, employees would have completely crashed the company’s massive servers due to so many of us determined to watch the live ceremony at our individual desks. There were at least 200 of us crammed into the space. When PBO took the oath of office, officially making him President, our rapt crowd of 200+ mostly white, mostly not college-educated, mostly poorly paid working-class grunts, went crazy, just as crazy as the crowds that greet PBO everywhere to this day – wild applause, screaming, cheering, and many of us, including myself, bawling tears of joy. The naive optimists among us thought that the US had made a gigantic step forward, simply in electing an African American as President. Yes, we were impressed by his speeches, the ‘hope and change’ was inspiring, but it was mostly just the fact that in a country that I and most of my friends view/ed as still being rife with racism at all levels, PBO had defied the odds, and it was cause for a massive celebration, celebrating the wisdom of a majority of our neighbours to the south.
I mention the “mostly white, mostly not college-educated, mostly poorly paid working-class grunts” simply because every time I see mention of the “ignored/abandoned poor white underclass” or “economic anxiety” as being reasons for Trump’s election, I want to scream!!! That’s just such complete utter bullshit. It was flat out racism, and plain old dumb-as-dirt stupidity on the part of those who believe every word of the far-right media, and ‘fake-Christian’ fundamentalists, telling them their own woes were all the fault of the Other, instead of the fault of the local/state politicos that *they* stupidly repeatedly voted for, who gleefully screwed them over while also falsely blaming the Other for all their woes.
Something else that always comes to mind for me, is the music and politics of Bruce Springsteen (whom I adore as well). I laugh when so-called fans of his freak out on social media about his political statements and tell him to leave politics out of his music. Hello, he’s never NOT been political with his music! If they haven’t noticed that, they haven’t been paying attention! Again, he sings of blue collar, down-trodden folk, unemployed, their factories and workplaces closing all over the place, and yet he has millions of fans and supporters who absolutely have lived the life that he sings about, and who love him for singing about it, AND who are also huge PBO and Hillary Clinton supporters.
But, I’m only speaking for me and for my close Canadian friends and colleagues. In our view, PBO’s election (TWICE!!! 🙂 ) does remain a massive step forward, and I also have no doubt whatsoever that without endless attempts (many successful!) at voter suppression all over the place, gerrymandering, Citizens United, and of course, Russian interference, that Hillary would be your current and first female POTUS. PBO would also be a third term president, if the laws and Michelle Obama had allowed. 😀 I left out the Bernie Bros, and all the Purity Ponies’ interference only because, with the internet being what it is, with the proliferation of all manner of bots, I don’t know how many of those were real, or how many were paid to be social media (and live event) shit-disturbers/instigators, etc. I feel that the USA has reached the point at which the only way the crazies (Trump et al) can win is by cheating, and that fact, for the rest of us, the good guys, is progress. Now if only Robert Mueller can succeed (please, please please!) in sending Trump and his Klan to prison – I think there will be bigger celebrations than there were for PBO’s electoral wins! Okay, maybe not. Just the *world’s* largest sigh of relief. 🙂 However, voter suppression, gerrymandering, Citizens United, and foreign interference will still need to be done away with.
A question — what will it take for ALL Americans to realize that their vote does count, and *especially* to realize that midterm and local elections are JUST AS important as presidential elections, and to treat their right to vote as both a privilege and a serious responsibility as citizens? And for all of that to happen before next year’s elections? As one of AMK’s posts above mentions, why do too many Americans not have a clue how their own government operates, as in, what the three branches of government are, and what the responsibilities, and especially the limitations*** , are of each of those branches? If they knew all that stuff (and there’s not much ‘stuff’ to even know — it’s not rocket science!) surely that would help them realize that midterm elections are really a BFD? (and yeah, I’m pretty sure the current nonpresident *still* has no clue about any of that as well).
*** I mention that specifically, because I saw way too many people in the media and elsewhere who expressed disappointment with PBO because he didn’t just snap his fingers and instantly make their whole world perfect for them.
Thanks a lot for these words! Yes, I read all of it – not too long so no need for you to apologize. Most importantly, I concur with all that you expressed.
I fully agree Keltuc. I was on the subway in Toronto on the morning after PBO won the first time, I can’t describe the quiet joyous feeling/mood (I felt) from the transit riders of a very very packed train. Strangers were making eye contact and smiling. It was truly an incredible feeling. Likewise folks in our office too were glued to the TV for PBO’s inauguration.
I think his election lifted the spirits of many people around the world, just as his mere appearance in public does now these days. 🙂 As a veteran Toronto subway rider, I know that for people to make eye contact and even smile at one another there is practically against the law, it’s so rare. 😀
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, keltuc. All of us here would pretty much agree with this. As far as the last question about what it would take to get Americans to vote all the time….good question. We take a lot for granted here. Maybe this monster that has been installed in the WH will open some eyes in that regard and make people vote because they finally see the correlation between what happens when you do and don’t. Who knows. Personally, I think that this civic-minded obligation should be taught by parents long before children are even old enough to vote. I talked to my children from the time they were young, brought them with me into the voting booth and let them pull the lever and made a big celebration out of the process. I remember waiting in line at the firehouse and people chatting in line and the atmosphere that surrounded an election day. I made sure that when my children got older and could vote, they registered and DID VOTE, each and every time. Without fail. Like breathing. I engrained the importance and what it meant and the fact that people DIED for them to have this right. Anyway, you get my drift. It’s not a casual thing in my family. It’s a necessary and responsible thing, a prideful thing. I think we start there. my 2 cents.
My parents tried to instill that in my siblings and I as well. Neither of my parents (both born in the 1930’s) were even high school grads. But they could certainly READ, and they took it upon themselves to educate themselves about the issues and candidates, and what is truly to blame for a region’s problems (very generally speaking – corporate greed) and to vote accordingly, and they impressed that upon us as well. We were never told who to vote for, never expected to fall in line and vote the same way they did. They didn’t tolerate self-pity or blaming others for their problems. We often heard the common refrain, “if you don’t vote, then don’t complain when you don’t get what you want.”
Thank you, a worthy read, much thought and heart has gone into this writing, keltuc; there is, as yet, no clear answer to some of your questions. The deep-seated brainwashing of a certain sector of America is exactly that: deep-seated, and challenging to challenge. When Robert Mueller is done, therein lies the awakening for those who refuse to see, and therein lies the rebirth of Hope and Change and the Reconstruction, and it will move forward at Light speed, since time is running out, and what we have left must not be wasted. ❤️ Keep You The Heart ❤️ and thank you for seeing the good in us, and for standing by us!
Thanks, Pamela. It’s very easy to see the good in all of you and the country as a whole. I also have a few friends and family members in the US. I really do hope that the end result of Mueller’s investigation are criminal convictions for Trump and his entire administration. But the pessimist in me feels that even if and when Trump goes down in flames, his core supporters will still be supporting him, won’t believe that the convictions are deserved or legitimate, and no doubt the media will be giving all of their conspiracy theories endless airtime. I was thinking out loud again about my own question in a response to one of Don’s posts way down below.
And, here is a real treat! It’s the introduction video that was played at today’s Canada 2020 event in Toronto. It’s fabulous! 🙂 Hopefully the Canada 2020 youtube page will post the entire event as well!
You’re welcome, CEB. TOD’s regular contributors are real warriors, and their words and photos they post give me hope, as I know they do for so many others.
I cannot help myself, when I see things such as this, I break down and cry at what we had compared to what we now have. The Devil that resides in our White House that is systematically trying to destroy the legacy of our beloved President Obama – #MyPresident.
“In politics and in life, ignorance is not a virtue. It’s not cool to not know what you’re talking about. That’s not keeping it real or telling it like it is. That’s not challenging political correctness. That’s just not knowing what you’re talking about.” ~ PBO
The pictures and videos of PBO over the last few days make me smile, but also make me want to cry at the same time. It is because I have been spoiled by the greatness that is Barack Obama and the eight years that showed us and the world what a REAL President is. Thanks to all who brought these pictures and videos to this site. Thank you Nerdy for maintaining this site so that we will continue to have the opportunity to follow our POTUS and FLOTUS and keep the hope that they have inspired us to have. Thanks to Chipsticks for creating this haven. Miss you!!!
Twin airline pilots retire by landing at Heathrow together.
Twin brothers have retired as airline pilots, landing their final flights 30 seconds apart.
Captains Jeremy and Nick Hart marked their 60th birthdays on Thursday by landing their planes together at Heathrow Airport.
Jeremy from Flitton in Bedfordshire described retiring alongside his brother as “a good way to finish”.
Nick from Banbury, Oxfordshire, said: “Like every aeroplane has its last landing, so does a pilot.”
/
Jeremy, who landed an Airbus A320 at 12:34 BST from Gothenburg, Sweden, said: “I’ve spent more than two and-a-half years in the air – a lot of it in the holding pattern over Heathrow.”
Nick, who flew from Geneva, landing at 12:35, said: “I’ve done 28 years short-haul flying. That’s about 11,000 flights. It’s at least 1.2 million passengers.”
British Airways’ head Airbus pilot James Basnett said: “They arrived in the world 30 minutes apart, flew the same aircraft in the same airline, and then departed in the same manner that they arrived – minutes apart.
“A fitting finale to long and impressive careers and I know that they will be sorely missed on the fleet.”
Quick update from #PuertoRico: Firing on all burners – sandwiches, pastelon, paella, food trucks. Trying to deliver as many meals as we can! pic.twitter.com/o941hEAnqe
Trump can take a lesson from this American. Instead, he choose to ride his fat a$$ around on his golf cart and criticize citizens who are trying to help PR. Trump is a despicable, nasty man; and that is putting it mildly.
Have you seen Trump tweets this morning? Trump is lashing out against the the Mayor in Puerto Rico. How low can a so call President be? People are suffering over there and he is worrying over what someone might have said about him.What a disgrace.
Poor leadership would be hiding at a country club golfing while fellow Americans are suffering and dying. She's not doing that. You are. https://t.co/N4wJg5nrGQ
Count on it. The head of the Party of so called “personal responsibility” never takes any. NEVER.
You're going straight to hell, @realDonaldTrump. No long lines for you. Someone will say, "Right this way, sir." They'll clear a path. https://t.co/xXfJH0KJmw
This week Alabama looked into the eyes of Judge Roy Moore and proudly said “We want Moore.” This was after Moore spent a life time of saying the most outrageous things that he could think of. Keep in mind that Alabama is one of the poorest and reddest states in America, and still they chose a demagogue to lead them. I mean I’m no phi beta kappa, I’m of average intelligence and more times than naught I’ll make the right decision. I know right from left and I know all of my colors, well most of them, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why states like Alabama and Kentucky continue to elect the worst candidates for office. It has to be more than just about race, it simply has to. In my lifetime I’ve read hundreds of books on religion, race, psychology, sex and other subjects. And the strongest thing about human beings, the one thing that stands out the most is “self preservation.” Everything we do as human beings is based on self preservation, now that doesn’t mean that we won’t do life threating dumb shit from time to time, but overall everything we do is based on self preservation. So with that in mind, why do people continue to vote against their own best interest time and time again?
Don, That’s the $64,000 question. I ponder this frequently. So far,I haven’t come up with anything reasonable. When you *think* about it, self preservation doesn’t fit here because it’s the opposite. They end up hurting themselves–voting against their own best interests is the usual saying. So what is it?!?!?!?!?!?!
How low can he go? Who knows? I am positive that we haven’t seen that yet and isn’t that scary?
I cannot even fathom that Moore is a judge let alone about to be a SENATOR. He is one of the most despicable idiots and yet apparently he closely mirrors the attitudes and dreams of Alabama. UGH UGH UGH
Nothing runs as deep as racism and bigotry in the human psyche, not even survival. Trump is a great example of that right now. Trumpaloons cheer his warmongering with North Korea even when it means NUCLEAR WAR. I mean, how do you freakin’ explain that?
Blind allegiance to Party? Voting for the same old thing just because their parents and grandparents and great grandparents did? Even though the generational differences in party policies can be massive? Plain old stupidity, willfully blind to facts or reason or science? Illiteracy? Extremely inadequate schools/curriculum? A degree of white and economic privilege such that they believe that only ‘others’ will be affected or harmed by RW policies? And of course, Fox Noise and too many similar-minded media outlets, being allowed to broadcast endless propaganda and BS. There certainly does seem to be a huge cult of stupidity, people proud of their ignorance as well.
I recall reading an article posted here last year in which a female Trump voter (ugh) was interviewed. She said, words to the effect of “Yeah, I know he’s crazy. Yeah, I know he might get us all killed. But I’m voting for him because he’s the only one that I can understand when he speaks.” So when I and countless others hear PBO speaking, we think “Wow, what eloquence, what intelligence.” But it’s clear that there are way too many people out there thinking “what the fuck is he even saying?” because they seemingly don’t even understand the “big words” that PBO or Hillary use and don’t want to make any effort to do so. We’ve even seen evidence of this when Google searches for specific words have actually made headlines. Demagogue/Plagiarism come to mind right off the top of my head, but there have been many others.
And I also recall an article from much longer ago, when PBO was crossing the country trying to build grassroots support for policies that were being blocked by the GOP house and congress. He would be in very red areas, and would still be greeted like a rockstar by them. People would tell them how much they loved him and his family, but would also willingly share that they had not actually voted for him. When questioned (not by PBO) why she voted for the GOP instead, one woman replied that she did so because that’s who her family has always voted for, and until something “really drastic” (her words) happens, she “has” to keep voting GOP. Now obviously, that’s some gigantic privilege there, because clearly she’s not adversely affected “enough” by the shitty GOP policies. But also, just plain stupid! It boggles my mind.
The Real Truth🕊️ To 45 & those who say it's taking so long to help #PuertoRico cause "It's in the middle of the ocean" check out this map… pic.twitter.com/1HOZXOOL9F
Caught up on the continuing malevolence of FUBAR this morning (which WILL NEVER CHANGE for the duration that he’s in the WH), but returning to this thread’s topic, reposting a BWD tweet from yesterday, with @Canada2020’s “Obama’s Most Iconic Moments” video.
(1/2)"A video of the president’s 'most iconic moments' was then played, to cheers. When they got to the clip of Obama singing Amazing Grace" https://t.co/u1VPHD6bK5
L-M, probably the nicest guy in the world, is not having it.
You're going straight to hell, @realDonaldTrump. No long lines for you. Someone will say, "Right this way, sir." They'll clear a path. https://t.co/xXfJH0KJmw
The only 'poor leadership' we've seen is from you and your Administration. Our fellow Americans need us. Lay off the tweets, more action. https://t.co/O4yFgWNoDS
I am at my wit’s end. I don’t see this divide in our nation getting any better until and unless we get rid of venues like Fox News and the GOP lie peddlers who are poisoning generations of angry white people.
We also need to put the Koch Brothers, the Mercers, dad and daughter, in jail too and throw away the key; not to mention the folks in the Heritage Foundation who want to create a theocracy with themselves in charge. It’s all sick.
Every time you try to fix it, it gets stupider and more importantly, nastier. Time to give their own bitter medicine of threat of secession and see where it goes.
Souped up Tea Party: (Another corporate-backed distraction and threat strategy) to the GOP rescue? “With or without Trump, GOP insurgency plans for a civil war in 2018 midterms.” (WaPo) Hey Don have really enjoyed your company and of course– not you as you said above—but I really am out. Like you I’ve undaunted incorrigible humor about life in general, but it’s so important to kick up a stink and do some ballistic when Trumputin puts golfing and going after the NFL before the lives of (non-white disenfranchised) PR American citizens. The day before yesterday I saw “Desert Flower” and the life of Somalian Waris Diirye who was circumcised at 3 years of age and became a top U.S. model. I fast-forward violence in movies but saw enough of the final scene to see what looked like a real 3 year old terrified out of her mind by 2 female actors doing the deed. We know a three year old cannot act terror. On top of the 8,000 per day of girls who are circumcised, this aspect of the movie turned a switch. Abuse enacted by one human upon another for money, the abuse that was poured upon PBO for being beautiful inside and out. And
here now will Trump and his GOP band of vagabonds go on getting away with murder? So be well and love to all. PBO and MO and a few other transcendents are here for us at a turning point in the globe. They’re the really real thing.
Parting shot.
“If an opponent frightens you or confuses you, it means you lack true insight. Solve the koan of
‘Originally not one thing exists’ (honrai muichibutsu) and nothing will obstruct you”. (Zen master Ganno)
-love-
This Post with all the Glossy Photographs are Fantastic.
What a Job you did, Lady Nerdy Wonka. Thank you!
Congrats, Jazz for your Au ⭐ Furst 😉
{{{ ❤ Chips ❤ }}}
The TOD Twitter Brigades, I Salute You! Brava! Bravo!
Obrigada! Obrigado!
The Obama Diary 
Hello???
Hello Jazz.
Oh they are all so beautiful ! Thank you Nerdy 🙂 🙂
😀 😀 😀
You just brought a ton of happiness into our hearts, darlin’! ❤
How true is that 🙂
I’m imagining the conversation in that first picture & giggling loudly.
I did, too!!!! 🙂
Yes, thank you for this and every post. You are helping me keep hope alive. Just love you for this and everyone that contributes here.
So beautiful. Sigh.
Thanks for adding these photos, NW. I love seeing PBO so relaxed, laughing out loud, and surrounded by people who admire and appreciate him.
Congrats jazz!!!
Thank you {{{{{NW}}}}}
The contrast could not be more stark ….
Goodnight TOD ….
#TrustBarack
Ah, what a refreshing post. Thanks, NW!
I don’t care hold old he would be—-he’d have my full support if he decided to run. I’d work tirelessly to campaign for him. #DoItJoe
got so excited I misspelled *how (not hold) 😀
Missed him! He looks great.
I LOVE our President!!!
Thanks President Obama 🙂
ALWAYS..<3
Wow what a great post! As others have said, so wonderful to see him looking so relaxed. Obviously, the British royal family is crazy about him, as they well should be. So good to see him with the Bidens again, and both of them present at an event they both respect and advocate. What a reception he got, here and at the speech. Just more evidence that he is the most admired man in the world. Our POTUS!
44 looks fabulous 😄
Just so very fine!! ❤️🔥👁👁🎶
nope, not putting up the tweet showing the corrupt turd’s fugly face.
I’m for Os and Bs, too!
#bandwagoner
that’s more than one pig a month. but thank god, they are all gone including jim fucking comey.
except sally, of course. The corrupt intent started with that one.
The systematic dumbing-down of America.
An ignorant, apathetic (and racist and xenophobic and tribalist) electorate is ripe for Republican grift and propaganda.
Exactly, Sandy.
lol @ all those bidness class peeps’ faces.
Lol, if only it wasn’t true, it would be funny… love the toonists for getting in the faces of the corrupt buggers who will never have enough until the earth herself is broken and dead.
applies to every fucking ‘nominee’.
OMG—tears, sadness, happiness. Love these people so much. Wished this nation could have their leadership for all eternity.
My apologies for my NOVEL below! 🙂 Sorry, there is no Too Long Didn’t Read version of it. 😉
In the last thread, hopefruit posted a tweet of BWD’s, referencing an article in Maclean’s magazine about PBO’s visit to Toronto. I liked the quote, which was basically about the attendees being completely rapt by PBO, because that’s 100% truth. But some of the article didn’t ring true for me as a Canadian. I hate when writers make sweeping generalizations about and attempt to speak for an entire country’s population. Where is the eye roll emoji?
Speaking for myself and for the woke Canadians that I know, who adore PBO, we don’t do so merely because he’s an American Democrat, or because we’ve lacked anybody worthy of similar respect. We adore and respect *him*, the man, specifically – for his intelligence, his strength of character, his courage, ethics, morals, compassion, his humanity and his devotion to his family, his faith, and his country, AND for his actions, decisions, and accomplishments as POTUS, and especially while also knowing full well the wall of obstruction in Congress, the hatred from racists, and the lies from the mainstream media (and countless garbage media outlets) that he faced and triumphed over, for 8 years.
Back in 2008 when PBO became president, my employer at that time, located in a smallish, fairly conservative (by Canadian standards – not as many Tea Party types) town north of Toronto, had arranged for a live-streaming of the inauguration ceremony in our cafeteria/employee town hall area. If they had not done so, employees would have completely crashed the company’s massive servers due to so many of us determined to watch the live ceremony at our individual desks. There were at least 200 of us crammed into the space. When PBO took the oath of office, officially making him President, our rapt crowd of 200+ mostly white, mostly not college-educated, mostly poorly paid working-class grunts, went crazy, just as crazy as the crowds that greet PBO everywhere to this day – wild applause, screaming, cheering, and many of us, including myself, bawling tears of joy. The naive optimists among us thought that the US had made a gigantic step forward, simply in electing an African American as President. Yes, we were impressed by his speeches, the ‘hope and change’ was inspiring, but it was mostly just the fact that in a country that I and most of my friends view/ed as still being rife with racism at all levels, PBO had defied the odds, and it was cause for a massive celebration, celebrating the wisdom of a majority of our neighbours to the south.
I mention the “mostly white, mostly not college-educated, mostly poorly paid working-class grunts” simply because every time I see mention of the “ignored/abandoned poor white underclass” or “economic anxiety” as being reasons for Trump’s election, I want to scream!!! That’s just such complete utter bullshit. It was flat out racism, and plain old dumb-as-dirt stupidity on the part of those who believe every word of the far-right media, and ‘fake-Christian’ fundamentalists, telling them their own woes were all the fault of the Other, instead of the fault of the local/state politicos that *they* stupidly repeatedly voted for, who gleefully screwed them over while also falsely blaming the Other for all their woes.
Something else that always comes to mind for me, is the music and politics of Bruce Springsteen (whom I adore as well). I laugh when so-called fans of his freak out on social media about his political statements and tell him to leave politics out of his music. Hello, he’s never NOT been political with his music! If they haven’t noticed that, they haven’t been paying attention! Again, he sings of blue collar, down-trodden folk, unemployed, their factories and workplaces closing all over the place, and yet he has millions of fans and supporters who absolutely have lived the life that he sings about, and who love him for singing about it, AND who are also huge PBO and Hillary Clinton supporters.
But, I’m only speaking for me and for my close Canadian friends and colleagues. In our view, PBO’s election (TWICE!!! 🙂 ) does remain a massive step forward, and I also have no doubt whatsoever that without endless attempts (many successful!) at voter suppression all over the place, gerrymandering, Citizens United, and of course, Russian interference, that Hillary would be your current and first female POTUS. PBO would also be a third term president, if the laws and Michelle Obama had allowed. 😀 I left out the Bernie Bros, and all the Purity Ponies’ interference only because, with the internet being what it is, with the proliferation of all manner of bots, I don’t know how many of those were real, or how many were paid to be social media (and live event) shit-disturbers/instigators, etc. I feel that the USA has reached the point at which the only way the crazies (Trump et al) can win is by cheating, and that fact, for the rest of us, the good guys, is progress. Now if only Robert Mueller can succeed (please, please please!) in sending Trump and his Klan to prison – I think there will be bigger celebrations than there were for PBO’s electoral wins! Okay, maybe not. Just the *world’s* largest sigh of relief. 🙂 However, voter suppression, gerrymandering, Citizens United, and foreign interference will still need to be done away with.
A question — what will it take for ALL Americans to realize that their vote does count, and *especially* to realize that midterm and local elections are JUST AS important as presidential elections, and to treat their right to vote as both a privilege and a serious responsibility as citizens? And for all of that to happen before next year’s elections? As one of AMK’s posts above mentions, why do too many Americans not have a clue how their own government operates, as in, what the three branches of government are, and what the responsibilities, and especially the limitations*** , are of each of those branches? If they knew all that stuff (and there’s not much ‘stuff’ to even know — it’s not rocket science!) surely that would help them realize that midterm elections are really a BFD? (and yeah, I’m pretty sure the current nonpresident *still* has no clue about any of that as well).
*** I mention that specifically, because I saw way too many people in the media and elsewhere who expressed disappointment with PBO because he didn’t just snap his fingers and instantly make their whole world perfect for them.
<>
Right so and many thanks keltuc.
Thanks a lot for these words! Yes, I read all of it – not too long so no need for you to apologize. Most importantly, I concur with all that you expressed.
Thanks, gcl. I don’t often have the time or bandwidth to participate here, but I try to keep up. So when I have the time to write – watch out. 😀 😀
I fully agree Keltuc. I was on the subway in Toronto on the morning after PBO won the first time, I can’t describe the quiet joyous feeling/mood (I felt) from the transit riders of a very very packed train. Strangers were making eye contact and smiling. It was truly an incredible feeling. Likewise folks in our office too were glued to the TV for PBO’s inauguration.
I think his election lifted the spirits of many people around the world, just as his mere appearance in public does now these days. 🙂 As a veteran Toronto subway rider, I know that for people to make eye contact and even smile at one another there is practically against the law, it’s so rare. 😀
Excellent commentary, imo, Keltuc- all of it so knowledgeable and insightful, thank you.
Thanks, sherijr. Glad you could make it through my ramblings, and that it made a little bit of sense. It was a bit late when I posted it. 🙂
not rambling at all, like I said insightful and thoughtful 🙂
Oh gosh sorry I haven’t been following you on twitter- am now though ! thank you.
LOL, I’m not much of a participant on twitter. I ‘like’ a lot of posts – that’s about it. 😉
me too, likes & retweets.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, keltuc. All of us here would pretty much agree with this. As far as the last question about what it would take to get Americans to vote all the time….good question. We take a lot for granted here. Maybe this monster that has been installed in the WH will open some eyes in that regard and make people vote because they finally see the correlation between what happens when you do and don’t. Who knows. Personally, I think that this civic-minded obligation should be taught by parents long before children are even old enough to vote. I talked to my children from the time they were young, brought them with me into the voting booth and let them pull the lever and made a big celebration out of the process. I remember waiting in line at the firehouse and people chatting in line and the atmosphere that surrounded an election day. I made sure that when my children got older and could vote, they registered and DID VOTE, each and every time. Without fail. Like breathing. I engrained the importance and what it meant and the fact that people DIED for them to have this right. Anyway, you get my drift. It’s not a casual thing in my family. It’s a necessary and responsible thing, a prideful thing. I think we start there. my 2 cents.
LIke swimming lessons. A life skill…not like dance or football. Voting isn’t optional. (How I explained the necessity to my kids:)
My parents tried to instill that in my siblings and I as well. Neither of my parents (both born in the 1930’s) were even high school grads. But they could certainly READ, and they took it upon themselves to educate themselves about the issues and candidates, and what is truly to blame for a region’s problems (very generally speaking – corporate greed) and to vote accordingly, and they impressed that upon us as well. We were never told who to vote for, never expected to fall in line and vote the same way they did. They didn’t tolerate self-pity or blaming others for their problems. We often heard the common refrain, “if you don’t vote, then don’t complain when you don’t get what you want.”
❤️
Very impressive post Keltuc, as my time here at TOD draws to a close I think I’m going to bestow upon you the honor of being my heir apparent.
Where you going?
No way, Don, you’re not allowed to leave. 😦 Your posts are too valuable, and your righteous rants always give me strength.
Okay I’ll stay.
Thank goodness. No one does 1st like you! 🙂
Whew
Hold on just a goldarned minute, Mister, you ain’t goin’ nowhere!! (please) 🙏🏻
NO NO NO NO NO, you don’t have any permission to go anywhere. NEVER EVERRRRRRR.
Thank you, a worthy read, much thought and heart has gone into this writing, keltuc; there is, as yet, no clear answer to some of your questions. The deep-seated brainwashing of a certain sector of America is exactly that: deep-seated, and challenging to challenge. When Robert Mueller is done, therein lies the awakening for those who refuse to see, and therein lies the rebirth of Hope and Change and the Reconstruction, and it will move forward at Light speed, since time is running out, and what we have left must not be wasted. ❤️ Keep You The Heart ❤️ and thank you for seeing the good in us, and for standing by us!
Thanks, Pamela. It’s very easy to see the good in all of you and the country as a whole. I also have a few friends and family members in the US. I really do hope that the end result of Mueller’s investigation are criminal convictions for Trump and his entire administration. But the pessimist in me feels that even if and when Trump goes down in flames, his core supporters will still be supporting him, won’t believe that the convictions are deserved or legitimate, and no doubt the media will be giving all of their conspiracy theories endless airtime. I was thinking out loud again about my own question in a response to one of Don’s posts way down below.
Oh boy, what a yummy post!
Thanks NW 😘
#2018elections
And, here is a real treat! It’s the introduction video that was played at today’s Canada 2020 event in Toronto. It’s fabulous! 🙂 Hopefully the Canada 2020 youtube page will post the entire event as well!
Thank you so much for adding this to the thread, as well as your other comments, keltuc. What a good way to start the weekend.
You’re welcome, CEB. TOD’s regular contributors are real warriors, and their words and photos they post give me hope, as I know they do for so many others.
That is so beautiful 💕
Thank you Canada!
I cannot help myself, when I see things such as this, I break down and cry at what we had compared to what we now have. The Devil that resides in our White House that is systematically trying to destroy the legacy of our beloved President Obama – #MyPresident.
I did the same thing Dianne.
“In politics and in life, ignorance is not a virtue. It’s not cool to not know what you’re talking about. That’s not keeping it real or telling it like it is. That’s not challenging political correctness. That’s just not knowing what you’re talking about.” ~ PBO
Good Morning TOD Family!!!
The pictures and videos of PBO over the last few days make me smile, but also make me want to cry at the same time. It is because I have been spoiled by the greatness that is Barack Obama and the eight years that showed us and the world what a REAL President is. Thanks to all who brought these pictures and videos to this site. Thank you Nerdy for maintaining this site so that we will continue to have the opportunity to follow our POTUS and FLOTUS and keep the hope that they have inspired us to have. Thanks to Chipsticks for creating this haven. Miss you!!!
cool story.
Twin airline pilots retire by landing at Heathrow together.
Twin brothers have retired as airline pilots, landing their final flights 30 seconds apart.
Captains Jeremy and Nick Hart marked their 60th birthdays on Thursday by landing their planes together at Heathrow Airport.
Jeremy from Flitton in Bedfordshire described retiring alongside his brother as “a good way to finish”.
Nick from Banbury, Oxfordshire, said: “Like every aeroplane has its last landing, so does a pilot.”
/
Jeremy, who landed an Airbus A320 at 12:34 BST from Gothenburg, Sweden, said: “I’ve spent more than two and-a-half years in the air – a lot of it in the holding pattern over Heathrow.”
Nick, who flew from Geneva, landing at 12:35, said: “I’ve done 28 years short-haul flying. That’s about 11,000 flights. It’s at least 1.2 million passengers.”
British Airways’ head Airbus pilot James Basnett said: “They arrived in the world 30 minutes apart, flew the same aircraft in the same airline, and then departed in the same manner that they arrived – minutes apart.
“A fitting finale to long and impressive careers and I know that they will be sorely missed on the fleet.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-41446043
a lot of it in the holding pattern over Heathrow.
LOL.
Lol! Loved this, shared!
SO much beautiful. Inside and out. From everyone in those photos. Morning everyone…now off to read keltuc’s post!
Trump can take a lesson from this American. Instead, he choose to ride his fat a$$ around on his golf cart and criticize citizens who are trying to help PR. Trump is a despicable, nasty man; and that is putting it mildly.
the turd is busy tweeting against PR pols. btw, don’t most PRcans vote rethugs for their local offices?
Difference – kenyan muslin usurper of a tyrant.
Have you seen Trump tweets this morning? Trump is lashing out against the the Mayor in Puerto Rico. How low can a so call President be? People are suffering over there and he is worrying over what someone might have said about him.What a disgrace.
My apology, the mayor of San Juan.
David Corn, To me Trump prove he was a racists with that birther B.S.
fucking cowardly pos.
Misogyny kicking in….in addition to the rest
yeah, the typical scum of a bully.
yes.
Trump said the KKK, Nazis, White Supremacists,there were very fine people among those marching. The black football players are SOB.
again, fucking cowardly pos.
Count on it. The head of the Party of so called “personal responsibility” never takes any. NEVER.
{{{ NW }}} the energy in these photos is so lifting and healing, we have all been bereft for too long… ❤️
This week Alabama looked into the eyes of Judge Roy Moore and proudly said “We want Moore.” This was after Moore spent a life time of saying the most outrageous things that he could think of. Keep in mind that Alabama is one of the poorest and reddest states in America, and still they chose a demagogue to lead them. I mean I’m no phi beta kappa, I’m of average intelligence and more times than naught I’ll make the right decision. I know right from left and I know all of my colors, well most of them, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why states like Alabama and Kentucky continue to elect the worst candidates for office. It has to be more than just about race, it simply has to. In my lifetime I’ve read hundreds of books on religion, race, psychology, sex and other subjects. And the strongest thing about human beings, the one thing that stands out the most is “self preservation.” Everything we do as human beings is based on self preservation, now that doesn’t mean that we won’t do life threating dumb shit from time to time, but overall everything we do is based on self preservation. So with that in mind, why do people continue to vote against their own best interest time and time again?
Don, That’s the $64,000 question. I ponder this frequently. So far,I haven’t come up with anything reasonable. When you *think* about it, self preservation doesn’t fit here because it’s the opposite. They end up hurting themselves–voting against their own best interests is the usual saying. So what is it?!?!?!?!?!?!
How low can he go? Who knows? I am positive that we haven’t seen that yet and isn’t that scary?
No we haven’t.
I cannot even fathom that Moore is a judge let alone about to be a SENATOR. He is one of the most despicable idiots and yet apparently he closely mirrors the attitudes and dreams of Alabama. UGH UGH UGH
Nothing runs as deep as racism and bigotry in the human psyche, not even survival. Trump is a great example of that right now. Trumpaloons cheer his warmongering with North Korea even when it means NUCLEAR WAR. I mean, how do you freakin’ explain that?
Blind allegiance to Party? Voting for the same old thing just because their parents and grandparents and great grandparents did? Even though the generational differences in party policies can be massive? Plain old stupidity, willfully blind to facts or reason or science? Illiteracy? Extremely inadequate schools/curriculum? A degree of white and economic privilege such that they believe that only ‘others’ will be affected or harmed by RW policies? And of course, Fox Noise and too many similar-minded media outlets, being allowed to broadcast endless propaganda and BS. There certainly does seem to be a huge cult of stupidity, people proud of their ignorance as well.
I recall reading an article posted here last year in which a female Trump voter (ugh) was interviewed. She said, words to the effect of “Yeah, I know he’s crazy. Yeah, I know he might get us all killed. But I’m voting for him because he’s the only one that I can understand when he speaks.” So when I and countless others hear PBO speaking, we think “Wow, what eloquence, what intelligence.” But it’s clear that there are way too many people out there thinking “what the fuck is he even saying?” because they seemingly don’t even understand the “big words” that PBO or Hillary use and don’t want to make any effort to do so. We’ve even seen evidence of this when Google searches for specific words have actually made headlines. Demagogue/Plagiarism come to mind right off the top of my head, but there have been many others.
And I also recall an article from much longer ago, when PBO was crossing the country trying to build grassroots support for policies that were being blocked by the GOP house and congress. He would be in very red areas, and would still be greeted like a rockstar by them. People would tell them how much they loved him and his family, but would also willingly share that they had not actually voted for him. When questioned (not by PBO) why she voted for the GOP instead, one woman replied that she did so because that’s who her family has always voted for, and until something “really drastic” (her words) happens, she “has” to keep voting GOP. Now obviously, that’s some gigantic privilege there, because clearly she’s not adversely affected “enough” by the shitty GOP policies. But also, just plain stupid! It boggles my mind.
every day, the scum is disgracing and degrading the post of presidency.
The most two easiest emotions to fake are empathy and sympathy, Trump can’t even do that right.
EXACTLY. Because he’s a SADIST.
Got that right.
GM TODville.
Caught up on the continuing malevolence of FUBAR this morning (which WILL NEVER CHANGE for the duration that he’s in the WH), but returning to this thread’s topic, reposting a BWD tweet from yesterday, with @Canada2020’s “Obama’s Most Iconic Moments” video.
Link to Maclean’s article:
Quote from Maclean’s article:
“Obama Most Iconic Moments” video (4:39 length):
People will die and it will be completely on him. He can rot in hell.
L-M, probably the nicest guy in the world, is not having it.
Time to consider blue states ‘confederacy’ and secede?
I am at my wit’s end. I don’t see this divide in our nation getting any better until and unless we get rid of venues like Fox News and the GOP lie peddlers who are poisoning generations of angry white people.
We also need to put the Koch Brothers, the Mercers, dad and daughter, in jail too and throw away the key; not to mention the folks in the Heritage Foundation who want to create a theocracy with themselves in charge. It’s all sick.
YES, agree 1000000%
No. Time to fucking fix the stupid ones!!
Every time you try to fix it, it gets stupider and more importantly, nastier. Time to give their own bitter medicine of threat of secession and see where it goes.
Mood
Souped up Tea Party: (Another corporate-backed distraction and threat strategy) to the GOP rescue? “With or without Trump, GOP insurgency plans for a civil war in 2018 midterms.” (WaPo) Hey Don have really enjoyed your company and of course– not you as you said above—but I really am out. Like you I’ve undaunted incorrigible humor about life in general, but it’s so important to kick up a stink and do some ballistic when Trumputin puts golfing and going after the NFL before the lives of (non-white disenfranchised) PR American citizens. The day before yesterday I saw “Desert Flower” and the life of Somalian Waris Diirye who was circumcised at 3 years of age and became a top U.S. model. I fast-forward violence in movies but saw enough of the final scene to see what looked like a real 3 year old terrified out of her mind by 2 female actors doing the deed. We know a three year old cannot act terror. On top of the 8,000 per day of girls who are circumcised, this aspect of the movie turned a switch. Abuse enacted by one human upon another for money, the abuse that was poured upon PBO for being beautiful inside and out. And
here now will Trump and his GOP band of vagabonds go on getting away with murder? So be well and love to all. PBO and MO and a few other transcendents are here for us at a turning point in the globe. They’re the really real thing.
Parting shot.
“If an opponent frightens you or confuses you, it means you lack true insight. Solve the koan of
‘Originally not one thing exists’ (honrai muichibutsu) and nothing will obstruct you”. (Zen master Ganno)
-love-
They are all incompetent pigs
His pinned tweet. Worth repeating. Zillion times.
Posted this further up… Gen. Honore lays it out on what is need to aid Puerto Rico in recovery.
This Post with all the Glossy Photographs are Fantastic.
What a Job you did, Lady Nerdy Wonka. Thank you!
Congrats, Jazz for your Au ⭐ Furst 😉
{{{ ❤ Chips ❤ }}}
The TOD Twitter Brigades, I Salute You! Brava! Bravo!
Obrigada! Obrigado!
Scary, to say the least.
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2017/09/30/helping-our-fellow-americans/