I first picked up Toni Morrison’s novels when I was entering college, and her voice fundamentally changed my perspective on the world. This Black History Month, I reflected on the impact that her writing has had on my life. https://t.co/zSLkfkHmETpic.twitter.com/W6Yn1YYaSF
Any minute now the House will begin the vote on HR1 the bill that expands voting rights.
🚨SOON! At 6:15 PM ET, the U.S. House will gavel in to begin voting on #HR1, the omnibus democracy reform bill that will protect and expand voting rights. Follow along with us as we live-tweet the vote!
The ability to participate in our democracy shouldn’t be determined by your state of residence.
With Republican state legislatures rolling back the clock on voting rights, it’s critical Congress pass #HR1 & #HR4 to ensure equal access to the ballot box. https://t.co/wCTu4MUBo5
📺WATCH! We're seeing an avalanche of voter suppression laws coming out of Republican legislatures. #HR1 is the bulwark against these cynical attacks and ensures everyone not only has a right to cast a ballot—but to have it count.@chrislhayes@allinwithchrispic.twitter.com/dioqu6XxGY
On March 3, 1865, the Freedman’s Bank was established to help newly freed African American men & women as they transitioned to freedom. Despite initial successes & intervention from Frederick Douglass, the bank closed after less than a decade — devastating thousands. (1/2)
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 3, 2021
As a member of @SenateBanking, I promise to continue to build on the legacy of the Freedman's Bank by working with underserved communities to establish trust in banking, build financial literacy & take further steps to close the wealth gap. (2/2)
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 3, 2021
Honor the life and legacy of one of the most influential African American thought leaders. "Vernon Jordan: Make it Plain" is now streaming on the free PBS Video app: https://t.co/3kYVUKlPdL. pic.twitter.com/9p31n02dz9
🚨BREAKING: #HR1 PASSES the U.S. House 220-210. If enacted, the #ForThePeopleAct would implement automatic voter registration, make Election Day a federal holiday, expand vote by mail and more. The bill now heads to the Senate.https://t.co/vw5TdjEEWq
{{{VC}}} ~ prolly because when the thread gets too much longer, ol’ WMPW is brutally locked out by WordPress, biding my time until UTAL/NW opens a new one!! 🕊💕👏🏼💕🕊
“Anti-Asian racism and violence spiking during pandemic”
“Michellle Kim says on The ReidOut that,
“We’re seeing increased violence because, in part, the normalization of the rhetoric by the previous govt.
But also because of the lack of safety net that’s creating so much scarcity in all communities right now.”
“Voting is the Right on Which Everything Else Hinges”
Congressman Schiff, Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Hayes discuss HR1, the sweeping democracy reform package that would safeguard the right to vote, root out corruption and increase transparency, and protect and strengthen our democracy. Schiff also discussed Republican efforts to disenfranchise voters of color and gerrymander districts, thereby sealing in a decade of Republican rule, despite their increasing unpopularity.”
“Uh-Oh, Nevada Wants To Let Corporations Form Their Own Governments”
“In Stephen’s unfortunate new segment “Uh-Oh,” he takes a look at the dangers posed by a Nevada bill that would allow big tech companies to build and govern their own cities without state oversight. What could go wrong?”
—Please no.
“Ethics Probe Made Criminal Referral For Elaine Chao; Not Unique Among Trump Cabinet”
“Maddow shares details of an inspector general report finding that Trump Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao misused her office and referring her to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.
Chao is at least the fourth Trump Cabinet member referred to the DOJ.”
Trump: “I have the absolute right to do what I want with the Justice Department.”
Merrick Garland: “The president is constrained by the Constitution.”
Steven Sund, fmr chief of the U.S. Capitol Police:
“They came prepared for war.”
Senator Warren:
“Understand this. The filibuster gives veto power to Mitch McConnell. And to the gun industry. And to the oil industry. For generations, racist senators used the filibuster to block anti-lynching laws and civil rights bills. It’s still blocking progress today. It’s got to go.”
We all know this. Unless the filibuster goes, all these bills that are desperately needed to preserve our democracy, build back better (infrastructure), immigration……. will all die in the Senate. We love Joe, but he keeps saying he’s not in favor of getting rid of the filibuster. I do.not.understand. Can anyone explain?!?!
🚨🚨Federal investigators are examining records of communications between members of Congress & pro-Trump rioters that attacked the US Capitol, a US official briefed on the matter tells @evanperez. https://t.co/09H6JuYTpS
"The data gathered so far includes indications of contact with lawmakers . . . as well as communications between alleged rioters discussing their associations with members of Congress." @evanperez@CNNhttps://t.co/TpkqpcSrRB
Anyone still wondering why FBI Director Chris Wray danced around Senators’ questions about cell phone records? Federal investigators are examining communications between US lawmakers and Capitol riotershttps://t.co/ZyNtCUlqrM
There are just too many outstanding women to name just four, so I'll go with naming four per day. Thank goodness March has 31 days! I'll see your four fo 3/1, and for 3/2 I'll raise Maxine Waters, Mary Gay Scanlon, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Stacy Plaskett. More tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/fZ6EOv3wKx
— The UnRuley Retired Marine 💛🐝💛 (@TheUnruley) March 2, 2021
— The Oval Pawffice® 🇺🇸 Fans (@TheOvalPawffice) March 5, 2021
🐾♥️ You are a pawdorable black puma. We have a soft spot for black kitties, you’re the best. Rest pawssured, Winston Biden First Cat is repurrsenting you, he is COTUS de facto until our parents adopt the new kitty. (He is the only Biden cat for now, his mama is @NaomiBiden). pic.twitter.com/HZMcTedqqK
— The Oval Pawffice® 🇺🇸 Fans (@TheOvalPawffice) March 5, 2021
.@FareedZakaria: "The Biden presidency is still in its early days, but it is not too soon to point to its most impressive accomplishment…Biden is demonstrating to Americans and to the world that the U.S. government can, once again, work." https://t.co/5rbxsbunGG
Astronauts Kate Rubins and Soichi Noguchi have exited the Quest airlock 260 miles above the Atlantic Ocean. They will maneuver to the station's far-left side to begin installing solar array modification kits. #AskNASA | https://t.co/yuOTrYN8CVpic.twitter.com/dxevCPV0SS
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) March 5, 2021
The commute is long (and speedy), but working from space has its benefits. Like these views, for example.
Young researcher to be first person in space with a prosthesis.
As bone cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux prepares to be the first person to travel into space with a prosthesis, she hopes that she can inspire others https://t.co/9ChfvhC69S 👩🚀 pic.twitter.com/yd4yvVk28S
Arceneaux will be among the first civilian American women to reach space, following Anousheh Ansari, who flew to the ISS in 2006, and Beth Moses, who flew on a suborbital flight in 2019. https://t.co/IBz59bEz20
The crew will all be non-astronauts, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, who bought the flight from @SpaceX and set aside two seats for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://t.co/IBz59bEz20
The crew will all be non-astronauts, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, who bought the flight from @SpaceX and set aside two seats for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://t.co/IBz59bEz20
Arceneaux said she’s most excited about serving as a beacon of hope for other cancer patients who often don’t see themselves represented in historic milestones.
ALERT: House impeachment manager Eric Swalwell (D-CA) files federal civil suit against Donald Trump, R. Giuliani, Rep Mo Brooks (R-AL) seeking $$$ damages, court ordered notifications of future rallies
Lebron James, one of the organizers of the @morethanavote organization that aims to stop Black voter suppression, will narrate an ad that will be aired for the first time during Sunday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta. #gapolhttps://t.co/xF7werae9C
Protesters waving signs that read “Thou Shalt Not Suppress Votes” and “Stop Voter Suppression” rallied outside Georgia House @SpeakerRalston’s office in heavily-GOP Fannin County today to demonstrate against elections restrictions measures advancing thru the Legislature. #gapolpic.twitter.com/UuBLhRVjNB
Because Georgians made their voices heard, we are advancing a big & bold COVID relief plan that will help millions across our nation. Thank you, Georgia—you made this possible.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 4, 2021
From left, Karyn Carson, John Carson, Lois Houser and Matthew Giannini, supporters of former President Donald Trump, stand near the security perimeter outside of the U.S. Capitol Building, hoping to see evidence of an inauguration of former President Trump. Photo by @LeahMillispic.twitter.com/ptTiS1rG9x
As of March 1, national forecasts predict that 4,400–12,900 new #COVID19 deaths will be reported during the week ending March 27, bringing the projected total number of deaths to 540,000–564,000. More: https://t.co/rcqjOX3Ypl. pic.twitter.com/EPoWsZBpKa
Canada is getting a fourth vaccine to prevent COVID-19 as the country's health regulator cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose instead of two, a person familiar with the matter told @AP. https://t.co/WYYys3oKon
The poll shows that 70% of Americans back his handling of the virus response, including 44% of Republicans. Fewer approve of his handling of the economy, at 55%. https://t.co/7SoLmQ9YWlpic.twitter.com/hhlHsI18Jj
“What Supporters Of The Filibuster Get Wrong About How It Works | Rachel Maddow”
“Senator Chris Murphy explains why the ideal of the filibuster forcing the parties to work together to pass legislation in the Senate doesn’t actually work that way, and is instead a vehicle for the minority to exercise a veto over any legislation they don’t like or don’t want to see the opposing party get credit for passing”
Hey @Delta I'm a platinum medallion flyer. I'd love to know if you're going to stand with @BlackVotersMtr and @NewGAProject and stand for voting rights against the current bills in your home state of Georgia. You said you were behind #BLM but I want to see you do something.
.@BillGates' new book is an exceptionally clear and accessible primer on climate change. He's unblinking in the difficulty of meeting this challenge but maintains a cautious optimism that it can be met—and provides a framework for action that is both specific and workable. pic.twitter.com/Ukms2M9iK5
“The economy beat job growth estimates
by adding 379,000 new jobs in February, as signs are that the economy is moving in the right direction”
NBC: “The U.S. economy added 379,000 jobs in February, roundly beating economists’ estimates of 210,000,
and indicating that one year into the pandemic, the labor market is finally showing signs of recovery. In the first full monthly employment report under President Joe Biden, the unemployment rate fell to 6.2 percent,from 6.3 percent in January, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”
(politicus.usa)
“Sacha Baron Cohen
On ‘Incredible Courage’ Of Protesters From 1968 To Today”
“Sacha Baron Cohen and Aaron Sorkin join Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss the danger of misinformation on social media, the “mass sense of communal courage” of protesters worldwide and their new movie,
“The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Speaker Pelosi
Statement on February Jobs Report:
“The February jobs report shows some progress, but much more is needed to address the daily reality of joblessness and financial insecurity facing millions of Americans. State and local governments continue to be forced to slash our heroes’ jobs, particularly in education, millions of parents are unable to look for work and pushed out of the labor force because they are staying home with their children and nearly ten million jobs have still not come back.
The need for decisive action to save lives and livelihoods could not be more urgent – which is why, last week, House Democrats passed the Biden American Rescue Plan. This vital legislation will put vaccines in people’s arms, money in workers’ pockets, children safely back in school and people back in work – all while stimulating the economy, cutting child poverty in half and lifting nearly 12 million people out of poverty.
Senate Republicans must end their obstruction and delay tactics, which demonstrate a great disdain for the suffering of the American people, and work with the Senate Democratic Majority to pass and send this bill to the President’s desk. Democrats stand with the overwhelming majority of the American people demanding this legislation, as we work expeditiously to ensure the American Rescue Plan is the law of the land and that
Help Is On the Way.”
(speaker.gov)
JUSTICE for Mr. Jamal Khashoggi, his family, his colleagues…update…
“The good news is that the US judiciary remains independent of both political branches and is not subject to a p
presidential veto; it might well provide the means to achieve justice for MBS’s crimes.
Three cases have been brought against the crown prince in US federal courts,
one for the murder of Khashoggi;
the second for the attempted murder of the exiled former senior intelligence official Saad Aljabri;
the third for the hacking, harassment and defamation of Al Jazeera anchor Ghada Oueiss.
Recent developments bode well for the plaintiffs in all three cases.
The Biden administration has indicated that it considers MBS as Saudi defence minister to be on the same level as the US secretary of defence, a designation that will almost certainly deny him head of state immunity from these lawsuits.”
(https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/3/3/see-you-in-court-mr-crown-prince)
The Biden administration just announced the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta will serve as a federally-run vaccine site capable of administering 6K shots each day. #gapol
Rachel Maddow spent some time on her show tonight talking about this speech, so here it is.
I went to the Senate floor today to address, one by one, the disturbingly disingenuous Republican criticisms of the American Rescue Plan. pic.twitter.com/OiRyMzpPSj
The Obama Diary 
Good Evening TOD Family! 😄
Thank you Nerdy! 😘
Happy Friday, Dudette. Hope you have a great day! It’s almost spring.
Any minute now the House will begin the vote on HR1 the bill that expands voting rights.
Some details about the bill:
https://hr1-cha.house.gov//
Inclusion Matters
My Senator just keeping being excellent!
Thank you President Biden!!
SOON – Speaker Pelosi holds news conference – https://abcnews.go.com/live/video/special-live-1
This is so great to listen to this again. Thank you jazziz2!
Yes Gawja! 😁
Voting Rights are sooo close!
Good morning dear Ones,
Thank you NW, bbl
Take care {{{TOD}}}
🕊🕯💙🕯🕊
Greeting to you, P. So unusual to rendez-vous at the same time, you and I!
{{{VC}}} ~ prolly because when the thread gets too much longer, ol’ WMPW is brutally locked out by WordPress, biding my time until UTAL/NW opens a new one!! 🕊💕👏🏼💕🕊
I hear you! {{{P}}} ❤ ❤
“Anti-Asian racism and violence spiking during pandemic”
“Michellle Kim says on The ReidOut that,
“We’re seeing increased violence because, in part, the normalization of the rhetoric by the previous govt.
But also because of the lack of safety net that’s creating so much scarcity in all communities right now.”
I’m glad that Joy addressed this issue. It’s horrific to see older Asian people being physically assaulted just because of their race.
Noticing…where are all the lovely Asian woman and men in those glamor ads, and family ads, etc, which seem more diverse finally.
“Why it matters that Amy Klobuchar would ‘get rid of the filibuster'”
“The more Mitch McConnell and his members refuse to work constructively, the more they push Dems like Amy Klobuchar to consider ending filibusters.” (Benen)
(https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/why-it-matters-amy-klobuchar-would-get-rid-filibuster-n1259611)
NASA MARS.
Taking Flight: How Girls Can Grow Up to be Engineers
Tune in:
March 8, 2021
4 p.m. PST / 7 p.m. EST
Join Webinar
(https://mars.nasa.gov)
“Voting is the Right on Which Everything Else Hinges”
Congressman Schiff, Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Hayes discuss HR1, the sweeping democracy reform package that would safeguard the right to vote, root out corruption and increase transparency, and protect and strengthen our democracy. Schiff also discussed Republican efforts to disenfranchise voters of color and gerrymander districts, thereby sealing in a decade of Republican rule, despite their increasing unpopularity.”
imo…is the idea to wreck the D.C. Capitol and create e.g. Google self-governed enclaves?
Correction: this comment applies to the post below!
“Uh-Oh, Nevada Wants To Let Corporations Form Their Own Governments”
“In Stephen’s unfortunate new segment “Uh-Oh,” he takes a look at the dangers posed by a Nevada bill that would allow big tech companies to build and govern their own cities without state oversight. What could go wrong?”
—Please no.
WTH?
“Ethics Probe Made Criminal Referral For Elaine Chao; Not Unique Among Trump Cabinet”
“Maddow shares details of an inspector general report finding that Trump Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao misused her office and referring her to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.
Chao is at least the fourth Trump Cabinet member referred to the DOJ.”
Trump: “I have the absolute right to do what I want with the Justice Department.”
Merrick Garland: “The president is constrained by the Constitution.”
Steven Sund, fmr chief of the U.S. Capitol Police:
“They came prepared for war.”
Senator Warren:
“Understand this. The filibuster gives veto power to Mitch McConnell. And to the gun industry. And to the oil industry. For generations, racist senators used the filibuster to block anti-lynching laws and civil rights bills. It’s still blocking progress today. It’s got to go.”
We all know this. Unless the filibuster goes, all these bills that are desperately needed to preserve our democracy, build back better (infrastructure), immigration……. will all die in the Senate. We love Joe, but he keeps saying he’s not in favor of getting rid of the filibuster. I do.not.understand. Can anyone explain?!?!
😁😁😁
That is hilarious! Made my morning!
❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️
Excellent! I’d like to see more of these too. They should be run on TV like those “The More You Know” PSAs.
Bloop!
Senator Klobuchar: This is how you do it.
🐶😸
People are walking in space this very minute! 🧑🏽🚀👨🏼🚀
Live feed from today’s spacewalk
Young researcher to be first person in space with a prosthesis.
Yes we did!
Madam All-Star! 😆😆😆
🗣 Vote Blue in ‘22 🗣
Dear Basketball 😭
Zaddy Swalls wants justice! Thank goodness!
Some inauguration! 😆
Speaking of inaugurations! ❤️
The 3rd season of Pose will be its last. ☹️
Also: https://abcnews.go.com/live/video/special-live-09
“What Supporters Of The Filibuster Get Wrong About How It Works | Rachel Maddow”
“Senator Chris Murphy explains why the ideal of the filibuster forcing the parties to work together to pass legislation in the Senate doesn’t actually work that way, and is instead a vehicle for the minority to exercise a veto over any legislation they don’t like or don’t want to see the opposing party get credit for passing”
This is how you do it!
“The economy beat job growth estimates
by adding 379,000 new jobs in February, as signs are that the economy is moving in the right direction”
NBC: “The U.S. economy added 379,000 jobs in February, roundly beating economists’ estimates of 210,000,
and indicating that one year into the pandemic, the labor market is finally showing signs of recovery. In the first full monthly employment report under President Joe Biden, the unemployment rate fell to 6.2 percent,from 6.3 percent in January, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”
(politicus.usa)
“Sacha Baron Cohen
On ‘Incredible Courage’ Of Protesters From 1968 To Today”
“Sacha Baron Cohen and Aaron Sorkin join Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss the danger of misinformation on social media, the “mass sense of communal courage” of protesters worldwide and their new movie,
“The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Great Ideas from Norm Orestine…he was on Lawrence O’donnels program last evening…i hope that he runs this by Shumer, Pelosi, VP…POTUS
The portion of program that talks about this starts at 13:04
thanks Sheila-
was a great segment.,..i hope that that Orestine has made contact with Schumer, Pres Biden
Speaker Pelosi
Statement on February Jobs Report:
“The February jobs report shows some progress, but much more is needed to address the daily reality of joblessness and financial insecurity facing millions of Americans. State and local governments continue to be forced to slash our heroes’ jobs, particularly in education, millions of parents are unable to look for work and pushed out of the labor force because they are staying home with their children and nearly ten million jobs have still not come back.
The need for decisive action to save lives and livelihoods could not be more urgent – which is why, last week, House Democrats passed the Biden American Rescue Plan. This vital legislation will put vaccines in people’s arms, money in workers’ pockets, children safely back in school and people back in work – all while stimulating the economy, cutting child poverty in half and lifting nearly 12 million people out of poverty.
Senate Republicans must end their obstruction and delay tactics, which demonstrate a great disdain for the suffering of the American people, and work with the Senate Democratic Majority to pass and send this bill to the President’s desk. Democrats stand with the overwhelming majority of the American people demanding this legislation, as we work expeditiously to ensure the American Rescue Plan is the law of the land and that
Help Is On the Way.”
(speaker.gov)
JUSTICE for Mr. Jamal Khashoggi, his family, his colleagues…update…
“The good news is that the US judiciary remains independent of both political branches and is not subject to a p
presidential veto; it might well provide the means to achieve justice for MBS’s crimes.
Three cases have been brought against the crown prince in US federal courts,
one for the murder of Khashoggi;
the second for the attempted murder of the exiled former senior intelligence official Saad Aljabri;
the third for the hacking, harassment and defamation of Al Jazeera anchor Ghada Oueiss.
Recent developments bode well for the plaintiffs in all three cases.
The Biden administration has indicated that it considers MBS as Saudi defence minister to be on the same level as the US secretary of defence, a designation that will almost certainly deny him head of state immunity from these lawsuits.”
(https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/3/3/see-you-in-court-mr-crown-prince)
New post.
https://obamadiary.wordpress.com/2021/03/05/well-read-black-girl-book-club/
Good news for Atlanta