This is simply AMAZING! I saw him play as a high school junior. We were still living in northern OH and I was teaching at the local high school. His team came to play in a tournament that was held at the high school where I taught. Of course, he was already a major ‘thing’ all around OH and certainly northern OH. He was almost unbelievable then. What a treat and how special for me to say I saw him play as a teenager.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer: pic.twitter.com/g5fbU190IZ
Jamelle Bouie: American democracy isn’t very democratic.
Jamelle Bouie, NYT, discusses with Lawrence O’Donnell
his incentives within the American political system that encourage Republicans to appeal to a minority of the electorate and the unconstitutionality of the GOP’s current stance on the debt ceiling.
it's kindof amazing that the gop got completely washed in the midterms bc their candidates are all obsessed with extremely weird, online shit and the party took a look at that and said "stay the course folks" pic.twitter.com/wmWOs5YmWn
The Voyager Scholarship
THE OBAMA-CHESKY SCHOLARSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
Shaping the next generation of public service leaders
An increasingly globalized world needs young leaders who can bridge divides and help solve our biggest challenges together.
The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-founder and CEO, to help shape such leaders. Even though they come from different backgrounds, both the President and Brian believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation which equips the next generation to create meaningful change.
This scholarship gives college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by @POTUS will create good-paying union jobs for workers like Saria Gwin-Maye of @TheIronworkers, who will work to rebuild the Brent Spence Bridge in Ohio. pic.twitter.com/tTBipOITxb
Ms. Gwin-Maye, Cowboy in the Sky: “It’s the adrenalin catcher for me…it’s peaceful for me…brings work to our cities…have a passion for iron work…hope this brings more diversity…i’m hoping for a lot with this one.”
Biden calls out Republicans who heckled his State of the Union speech
“My Republican friends, they seemed shocked when I raised the plans of some of their members and their caucus to cut Social Security and Marjorie Taylor and others stood up and said, ‘Liar, liar,'” Biden said in remarks on the economy at an event in DeForest, Wis.
Biden then pointed to a plan floated by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., last year when he chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I got his brochure right here,” said Biden, who held it up and read from it, “All federal legislation sunsets every five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.”
Watch Jamie Raskin Explain The First Amendment To Republicans
Raskin said:
“In America, private media companies can decide what to publish or how to curate
content however they want. If Twitter wants to have nothing but tweets commenting on New York Post articles all day, they can do that. If makes such posts never see the light of day, they can do that too. That’s what the First Amendment means.
Twitter can ban Donald Trump for inciting violent insurrenction against the union, as he was impeached by the House of Representatives and as 57 of 100 senators found he did, and it can also try to resurrect his career.
Elon Musk just purchased Twitter. He controls its editorial content, and among the first things he did was fire some people, hire some people, denounce some prior decisions, and reinstate an unrepentant and still lying Donald Trump to the platform.
Those decisions, no matter how heroic or imbecilic you think they might be are protected by the First Amendment in the United States of America.”
Jason Easley: “The entire House Republican committee majority hearing about Twitter wasn’t about censorship of conservatives but Republicans abusing their power to threaten media companies and infringe on their First Amendment rights.
Constitutional expert Jamie Raskin had to explain to Republicans what the First Amendment means.
This is the state of the Republican Party and the people who are supposed to be conducting legislative oversight.”
A congressional hearing on Twitter’s handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story took a hilarious turn when an ex-Twitter employee made the revelation.
Chrissy Teigen was actually spot-on.
Then-President Donald Trump’s White House apparently asked Twitter to take down a 2019 tweet in which the model called Trump a “pussy ass bitch” —
which, to be fair, is a pretty pussy ass move by the Trump administration.
The revelation emerged during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday regarding Twitter’s supposedly left-leaning bias in censoring posts about the Hunter Biden laptop story.
Elyse Wanshel: (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-asked-twitter-to-remove-chrissy-teigens-expletive-filled-post-about-him_n_63e3fbf8e4b0c8e3fc89358f)
"This balloon had the ability to eavesdrop": Dan De Luce reports on the State Department's confirmation that the Chinese balloon that flew over the U.S. for several days contained multiple antennas that were capable of collecting signals intelligence. https://t.co/whAAnW6UWVpic.twitter.com/qnEWkZt2eM
This day 1944: Harry McAlpin became the first black reporter admitted to a White House press conference. Bigots in the White House Correspondents’ Association fought to prevent him from attending – but President Roosevelt overruled them #WHCApic.twitter.com/sYu7fK8BSQ
— West Wing Reports / Paul Brandus (and on Mastodon) (@WestWingReport) February 9, 2023
“I think African American children need to realize that this is their world too and they have every right to all the success and opportunity that everybody has.” —Martin Nesbitt
“Today, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is launching the Fox News reboot of the House Un-American Activities Committee with a political stunt that weaponizes Congress to carry out the priorities of extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress.
Instead of working with President Biden to address the top priorities of the American people – fighting inflation and lowering costs, creating jobs, boosting manufacturing and infrastructure, and protecting and expanding people’s health care and rights – this is what House Republicans are focused on.
Led by Jordan and Congressman Matt Gaetz, this committee plans to weaponize the MAGA agenda against their perceived political enemies, going after civil servants, private citizens, and the rule of law—all in service of getting booked on Fox News. In fact, its initial hearing even will include “witness testimony” from multiple Fox News commentators.
It appears the committee plans to target “ongoing criminal investigations,” protect insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol, and continue the never-ending quest to deny and relitigate the outcome of the 2020 election.”
(Ian Sams) https://assets.bwbx.io/documents/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/r8hUrpYiyDzE/v0
"Republicans are living in a reality distortion field."
"The facts — reality — simply do not matter. It didn’t move one Republican when the Twitter executives they had subpoenaed before the committee refuted their claims."
“Today is my 1st time inside the Capitol since Jan 6. Everything looks the same but it doesn’t feel the same. Maybe I’ll get used to it again but now it feels like a visit to an historic battlefield. Out of every window you see the paths of the attackers.”
(Lawrence O’Donnell, Feb 2 2023)
The name of Jim Jordan's new "Weaponization of the Federal Government" subcommittee is a psychological projection and political confession.
Their obvious—and demonstrable—purpose is to abuse the power of Congress to send Donald Trump back to the White House in 2024. pic.twitter.com/vC8x1UbPQS
—-Imagine trying to say the FDA ruling was wrong…after mifepristone pill has been safe and effective for 22 years! Anti-abortion judge may make baseless claims about the FDA.
Americans have paid into and earned their Social Security and Medicare.
Millions of seniors depend on these programs to support their livelihoods.
While Congressional Republicans continue to push plans to cut these programs, President Biden is committed to strengthening them. pic.twitter.com/DGZipFlw1A
Brandon Tsay, Biden’s State of the Union guest, says he’s still processing Monterey Park shooting
Tsay said that seeking help isn’t common in the Asian American community, but the shooting has changed his perspective.
“In my environment, growing up, I feel that I was reinforced [with] the idea that I should … be strong, keep your feelings bottled up and try to be the male, dominant person in your house,” Tsay said. “But now that I have somewhat had time to process, I know now that I need to seek professional help because these feelings that came about with this situation are too much of a burden to bear by myself.”
Ukrainian rescuers fly in from war zone to save lives in Turkey
Kyiv sends 88 people to Turkey to help with a disaster that has killed more than 20,000 people there and in Syria.
“The Ukrainian team has built tents near the Turkish city of Antakya close to the Syrian border to provide emergency shelter and set up generators for those left homeless by the earthquakes.
They joined rescue workers from Turkey and around the world, including Russia, which invaded Ukraine a year ago.”
Rep. Ro Khanna talks growing Hindu nationalism and visa wait times as he prepares to helm India Caucus
The California Democrat told NBC News in an exclusive interview that he will be a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
““Because of my grandfather, I was influenced by Gandhi’s thinking, by Nehru’s beautiful speeches about liberal democracy, about pluralism,” he said. “Those are the values I champion. … I’ve spoken out where I think those values are being challenged.”
An unexpected farewell from an amazing @WhiteHouse team. I will never ever ever forget this. I love these people and all they have done to deliver for the American people. https://t.co/4nUMHPXelc
Indigenous artists named USA Fellows
Native dancers, directors, performers, writers and artisans are among the USA Artists Fellows this year
by Sandra Hale Schulman
Ten Indigenous artists have been selected by United States Artists for the 2023 USA Fellows awards, which offer an unrestricted $50,000 prize in 10 different disciplines.
(https://ictnews.org/news/indigenous-artists-named-usa-fellows
Tribal education is a matter of cultural survival
Navajo, Pueblo leaders urge lawmakers to show they’re ‘willing to invest in the hopes and dreams of Native children
by Austin Fisher
“Let’s continue to hold onto it so that our generations ahead of us can enjoy the language and culture that really encompass what it means to be Indian, to be Pueblo, to be Zuni, to be Apache, to be Navajo,” he said.
The Pueblos have some of the most ancient and distinct languages in America, Mitchell said.
“Pueblo worldview is contained in our languages,” he said. “Some Pueblo languages are so unique, they are not spoken anywhere in the world.”
But unfortunately, language loss has reached a critical stage, he said.
“Whether our culture, our traditions, will survive will depend on whether our children can speak our language,” Mitchell said.
Students who speak a language other than English demonstrate a sustainable improvement in their academic performance and testing, Mitchell pointed out. Native languages offer a unique thought process, he emphasized, and a tribal way of interpreting the world that can’t be lost.
“We could use the state’s help by increasing funding for our tribal education departments,” Mitchell said. “We do have language programs and preservation programs and efforts in place. However, the issue always is funding.”
Native America Calling: Ensuring a long life for sturgeon
Sturgeon survive from the time dinosaurs walked the earth. But some species are having a tough time weathering human-made encroachment.
Lake sturgeon can live 100 years, but the species is on track to be designated endangered next year, threatening traditional Native fishing methods.
As the brief sturgeon spearfishing seasons are getting underway, Native America Calling looks at the ecological status of sturgeons, the traditional harvest methods and tribal efforts to protect them.
(https://www.indianz.com/News/2023/02/06/native-america-calling-ensuring-a-long-life-for-sturgeon/)
Sen. Mazie Hirono to bring Native Hawaiian sex trafficking survivor as State of the Union guest
“I was trapped in this terrible existence out of fear, intimidation and threats to my life and the lives of those I loved,” survivor Kalei Grant has said.
By Kimmy Yam
A human trafficking advocate and former victim herself will be Sen. Mazie Hirono’s guest at the State of the Union address Tuesday night
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/sen-mazie-hirono-bring-native-hawaiian-sex-trafficking-survivor-state-rcna69524)
Queer-Friendly Fashion Show That Widens the Lens on Asian Identity
The art collective CFGNY held a conceptual fashion show at the Japan Society.
By Whitney Mallett
New York Fashion Week was more than 10 days away, but CFGNY, an art collective founded in New York City that challenges dominant narratives around Asian American identity, held a conceptual fashion show at the Japan Society in Manhattan on Saturday.
CFGNY, which stands for Concept Foreign Garments New York (its original name included the words “cute” and “gay”), is led by four New York artists — Tin Nguyen, Daniel Chew, Ten Izu and Kirsten Kilponen — who use art and fashion to explore the term “vaguely Asian” and how it is often used to homogenize very different cultures.
During their eight years in office, @BarackObama and @MichelleObama showcased artwork that depicted important chapters of our country’s story. White House visitors and staffers alike were reminded of how far we’ve come as a nation—and the work that remains left undone. pic.twitter.com/hFqcrrjx1W
The Administration, and all Americans, are fortunate to benefit from Jeff Zients' steady, experienced hand – implementing Democrats’ historic legislative achievements, while recognizing that more needs to be done, with a focus on justice and opportunity for all. Congrats @WHCOS! pic.twitter.com/3KHA4ESHdm
Orphaned oil and gas wells are scattered across the area. Today, we visited one of the first projects funded in Pennsylvania. Investing in communities will clean up toxic sites, revitalize the local economy and provide cleaner air and water. pic.twitter.com/wR0bXJtvVe
The Biden-Harris administration is on the road to showcase the progress we’ve made over the past two years. Today, I’m in Pittsburgh to hear about how efforts to address legacy pollution and create good paying union jobs are made possible by @Potus’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. pic.twitter.com/WJpTlAMUwU
The new map of Russia, already in stores and soon – in the classrooms. So disgusting and so patently absurd – many "Russian" territories are not even controlled by the Russian forces. Orwellian. pic.twitter.com/8yZqmX0xAJ
Democrats sweep special elections, affirming first Pa. House majority in 12 years
by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG — Democrats have swept three Allegheny County special elections, cementing their one-vote majority in the Pennsylvania state House and ending a two-month debate over which party controls the chamber.
With the wins, Democrats can now set the state House agenda for the first time since 2010 and will enjoy extra leverage in coming budget talks over how to spend more than $40 billion in projected state revenue. The party also will be able to push policy priorities like a minimum wage hike or LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections.
Maybe if you don’t want to be accused of wiping out social security, you should stop doubling down on your plan to wipe out social security? https://t.co/WDYEGRjDZs
My Chinese Generation Is Losing the Ability to Express Itself
By Mengyin Lin
Ms. Lin is a Chinese writer living in the United States.
(excerpts):
“If language shapes the way we think, and most people think only in their own language, how can China’s youth conjure up an effective and lasting resistance movement with words that they don’t have?
The problem isn’t the Chinese language itself. “Freedom,” “rights,” “democracy” — these exist in Mandarin, as they do in nearly every language. They are universal values.
Both the May Fourth Movement in 1919 — a student-led uprising against Western colonial encroachment on China and the incompetence of Chinese leaders — and the student movement in 1989 weaponized Mandarin in both long-form writing and short slogans. But decades of censorship and fear of violating it have made Chinese people scared to even think with such words, let alone speak or write with them.”
“Censorship determines what we can’t say. Propaganda provides what we can,
and has seeped into the speech patterns of ordinary people. I live in the United States now. Last fall, during a video call with my mother back in China, I lamented how we had not seen each other for three years. I blamed the “zero Covid” policy, and told her that I missed her. She replied that the government’s decisions were always correct because it knows what’s best for the majority of the people. I was selfish to view the pandemic as a matter between the two of us, she went on. We needed to do everything we could for the good of the country.
It broke my heart that my mother was unwilling, perhaps unable, to admit that she missed me, too, and that the government might be responsible for our separation. In that moment, she no longer possessed a private language; she had let partyspeak infiltrate her most intimate relationship. Many of my friends have experienced similar generational schisms. One told me she would no longer argue with her parents. I said the same. We would self-censor, once again, to prevent the Communist Party from tearing apart our families.”
“Before his death, Dr. Li reportedly said that “a healthy society should not have just one voice.” But words that go unused, and ideas that are no longer contemplated, face oblivion. The question for my Chinese generation, and those that follow, is not just whether they will make their voices heard, but whether they can find the words.”
imho, trump made our every waking moment about him and his zeal to win at all costs. The job of us, as minions, was to make sure he won or be the enemy.
DeSantis busy taking away books, language from children…harder to think their way through something. Messing up schools and colleges. Remember trump and his language. Have relatives in FL…god help them.
Breaking: A white supermajority of the Mississippi House voted to create a separate court system and expanded police force within the city of Jackson — the Blackest city in America — that would be appointed completely by white state officials. https://t.co/XEJOO5ztBv
Reflections from Women Scientists post-Pandemic: 2023 International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Sarah Sheff
“While February 11th may be the official day to celebrate and honor women and girls in science, I hope the words from our colleagues (and Michelle Obama) inspire us all to celebrate how far we’ve come, recognize we have room to grow, and take daily action to elevate the women in science in our lives.”
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! I’m so proud to celebrate women around the world who are breaking barriers in #STEM – including Betty, a member of the @girlsalliance from Kenya who gives girls with disabilities access to #STEM education.
Same to you, Gail. We watched church online today. It’s very very yucky outside here. Good day to stay inside. My daughter and granddaughter will be here later for the game. My daughter has the food planned and will be doing (with my help) most of it. She has lost 37 pounds since November. Looks and feels fabulous.
I haven’t shared with y’all that grandson Mason joined the Navy in November with a delayed entry until mid January. So he is at Great Lakes Recruit Command now. Overall, doing okay. A little homesick, but that is to be expected. He is in the Performance Unit and playing the trumpet. Hadn’t touched one since end of his junior year in high school (2019). He scored high enough on the pretest to have his choice of what area he wants to do. He chose the Nuclear Power Propulsion Program/subs. He is the third generation to do this. PopPop (my husband) was a nuke/subs, his dad was also. It is a VERY difficult program. If he makes it through, fine. If he finds it too stressful and has to switch to another area, that will be fine too. We are proud and thankful that he finally has gotten it together and is not drifting from day to day, month to month. As we all know, he will do a lot of growing up during boot camp. His Dad has a friend at Great Lakes so he found Mason couple weeks ago and checked on him. He told his dad that he is one of the better recruits they have there now.
Enjoy the game. I hope it is a good game and not a one-sided game. And, that everyone remains safe and uninjured. I really like both teams so not choosing a specific team to win.
Hi! Hope yours was fun! I hung out with my folks! Dad was pulling for KC, Mom & I (neither of us actually follow football) were cheering Philly. Dad talked trash all night. Can’t believe Mom really watched, that is, until she fell asleep in the 2nd half. Oh well, at least she got to see Rihanna! 😁
Spring travelers, I’ve just been alerted that a seasonal increase in passport applications has increased processing times to 8-11 weeks for regular apps and 5-7 weeks for expedited apps. If you have travel plans, please submit your application ASAP. https://t.co/EbiT8eSz4w
—Thx for listening.
—You need a birth certificate for a passport right?
But my son who HAS a passport cannot get a copy their birth certificate, which he lost somehow. This travesty has been going on a year for no apparent reason.
I live in the house in which they were born, in the town in which they were born and the local office couldn’t help. Utterly unacceptable.
This is how to raise children. His parents should be proud. Watching this young man makes feel happy. What a wonderful boy.#LifeIsYourStage Pastor Uche Aigbe Nketiah Sophie #PGMOL Gmail Obi of Onitsha Oba of Lagos Grealish INEC #PeterObiInLagos#EndSARS mee Mason sabitzer pic.twitter.com/hgTbJFwyFp
Super Bowl congrats from the coolest President ever!
Congratulations to the Kansas City @Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid for a great Super Bowl win and for sustained excellence. And shout out to the @Eagles and Jalen Hurts—outstanding competitors with a bright future.
@VP Kamala Harris has always been a fierce believer in the work of Diplomacy. It’s no surprise that not even 2 years into her term as Vice President she was being referred to as ✨Diplomat-in-Chief✨Her diplomatic work is not just inspiring, its encouraging.
To the Supreme Court, the 20th Century Was Wrongly Decided
Michael Podhorzer
“When, in the Dobbs decision, Samuel Alito declared that Roe v. Wade had been “wrongly decided,” he succinctly stated the credo of a resurgent revanchist coalition that believes the Twentieth Century was wrongly decided. Over the last two decades, the Supreme Court has been instrumental in advancing this coalition’s agenda, which is to dismantle the New Deal order and reverse the civil and social rights gains made since the postwar period.
The execution of this agenda has been nothing short of a slow-motion coup against our freedoms. The Supreme Court has not only transformed itself into a democratically unaccountable lawmaking body; it has used this illegitimate power to create a one-way ratchet that makes the rest of our system less democratically accountable. Yet no matter how many times the Court tightens this ratchet, our political and opinion leaders keep asking whether the Court risks losing its legitimacy if it keeps this up – not what we should do now that legitimacy is a distant memory at best.
We hear of “conservative” judges, yet not one of the six Republican-appointed justices demonstrate fealty to any consistent set of principles beyond giving more power to the gatekeepers who put them on the Court. Instead, we must call them the Federalist Society justices. All six are current or former members of the Federalist Society, an enterprise sponsored by right wing billionaires and corporations whose intention was capture of the legal system – and capture it they did. They knew this capture would be necessary in order to implement their agenda, since they couldn’t count on the majority of Americans to vote against their own rights and freedoms.
The campaign to repeal and replace the 20th century is an extremely well-funded enterprise, organized by people who have never made any secret of their plans. None of this is happening by accident.”
It’s time to do more on mental health, especially for our kids.
Let’s pass bipartisan online safety legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting data on young people online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose limits on the data these companies collect on all of us.
Insulin costs $10 a vial to make.
Big Pharma charges people hundreds for it.
Not anymore. We capped insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare. Now, let’s finish the job and cap it for every American.
Let’s protect lower drug costs for seniors.
Let’s expand health coverage so more people can get it.
Let’s defend and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
Let’s finish the job.
"I could not ask for a better life partner and in my humble opinion, America could not have asked for a better First Lady.” —@BarackObama on @MichelleObama
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
PBO congratulates Lebron James
This is simply AMAZING! I saw him play as a high school junior. We were still living in northern OH and I was teaching at the local high school. His team came to play in a tournament that was held at the high school where I taught. Of course, he was already a major ‘thing’ all around OH and certainly northern OH. He was almost unbelievable then. What a treat and how special for me to say I saw him play as a teenager.
Chris Hayes did a very nice tribute piece on him tonight on his show.
He’s an incredibly special person. I’m so happy to see him reach this amazing milestone.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1623184564511248384?s=20&t=fl7bdXsMnSwrSPpuKCWXcA
The Look of Love, Anyone Who Had a Heart, Close to You, I Say a Little Prayer, Walk On By…a long list. Peace and best wishes to the Bacharach family.
Realigners: Partisan Hacks, Political Visionaries, and the Struggle to Rule American Democracy, by Timothy Shenk.
Jamelle Bouie: American democracy isn’t very democratic.
Jamelle Bouie, NYT, discusses with Lawrence O’Donnell
his incentives within the American political system that encourage Republicans to appeal to a minority of the electorate and the unconstitutionality of the GOP’s current stance on the debt ceiling.
Why the hearing on Twitter, Hunter Biden backfired on Republicans
Republicans held an oversight hearing, intending to prove government abuses. It backfired in ways the GOP should’ve seen coming.
Stever Benen: (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/twitterhunter-biden-hearing-backfired-republicans-rcna69864)
Steve Benen
Remarks by President Biden on the Economy
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/02/08/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-economy-6/)
Remarks by Vice President Harris in a Moderated Conversation on Climate
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/02/08/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-in-a-moderated-conversation-on-climate-2/
The Voyager Scholarship
THE OBAMA-CHESKY SCHOLARSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
Shaping the next generation of public service leaders
An increasingly globalized world needs young leaders who can bridge divides and help solve our biggest challenges together.
The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-founder and CEO, to help shape such leaders. Even though they come from different backgrounds, both the President and Brian believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation which equips the next generation to create meaningful change.
This scholarship gives college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them.
Jump to full eligibility requirements:
https://www.obama.org/voyager-scholarship/
Erika Dinkel-Smith
Brent Spence Bridge will be built by @TheIronworkers members like Saira! #sotu2023 #union We’re building back better for everyone.
Ms. Gwin-Maye, Cowboy in the Sky: “It’s the adrenalin catcher for me…it’s peaceful for me…brings work to our cities…have a passion for iron work…hope this brings more diversity…i’m hoping for a lot with this one.”
Biden calls out Republicans who heckled his State of the Union speech
“My Republican friends, they seemed shocked when I raised the plans of some of their members and their caucus to cut Social Security and Marjorie Taylor and others stood up and said, ‘Liar, liar,'” Biden said in remarks on the economy at an event in DeForest, Wis.
Biden then pointed to a plan floated by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., last year when he chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I got his brochure right here,” said Biden, who held it up and read from it, “All federal legislation sunsets every five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.”
(https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-calls-republicans-heckled-state-union-speech-rcna69775)
‘We got a deal’: Biden thanks Republicans for agreeing to keep Social Security and Medicare
Watch Jamie Raskin Explain The First Amendment To Republicans
Raskin said:
“In America, private media companies can decide what to publish or how to curate
content however they want. If Twitter wants to have nothing but tweets commenting on New York Post articles all day, they can do that. If makes such posts never see the light of day, they can do that too. That’s what the First Amendment means.
Twitter can ban Donald Trump for inciting violent insurrenction against the union, as he was impeached by the House of Representatives and as 57 of 100 senators found he did, and it can also try to resurrect his career.
Elon Musk just purchased Twitter. He controls its editorial content, and among the first things he did was fire some people, hire some people, denounce some prior decisions, and reinstate an unrepentant and still lying Donald Trump to the platform.
Those decisions, no matter how heroic or imbecilic you think they might be are protected by the First Amendment in the United States of America.”
(https://www.politicususa.com/2023/02/08/watch-jamie-raskin-explain-the-first-amendment-to-republicans.html)
Jason Easley: “The entire House Republican committee majority hearing about Twitter wasn’t about censorship of conservatives but Republicans abusing their power to threaten media companies and infringe on their First Amendment rights.
Constitutional expert Jamie Raskin had to explain to Republicans what the First Amendment means.
This is the state of the Republican Party and the people who are supposed to be conducting legislative oversight.”
A congressional hearing on Twitter’s handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story took a hilarious turn when an ex-Twitter employee made the revelation.
Chrissy Teigen was actually spot-on.
Then-President Donald Trump’s White House apparently asked Twitter to take down a 2019 tweet in which the model called Trump a “pussy ass bitch” —
which, to be fair, is a pretty pussy ass move by the Trump administration.
The revelation emerged during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday regarding Twitter’s supposedly left-leaning bias in censoring posts about the Hunter Biden laptop story.
Elyse Wanshel: (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-asked-twitter-to-remove-chrissy-teigens-expletive-filled-post-about-him_n_63e3fbf8e4b0c8e3fc89358f)
—balloon citings all over. Bravo President Biden.
An all time *effing* debate, most marvelous.
stunning, thx Gazelle
President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address
totally brill.
Mike Pence subpoenaed by special counsel overseeing Trump probes: Sources
It follows months of negotiations between prosecutors and Pence’s legal team.
Katherine Faulders and John Santucci
(https://abcnews.go.com/US/mike-pence-subpoenaed-special-counsel-overseeing-trump-probes/story?id=97018886)
FBI searching Mike Pence’s home for classified documents
(NBC)
“Today, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is launching the Fox News reboot of the House Un-American Activities Committee with a political stunt that weaponizes Congress to carry out the priorities of extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress.
Instead of working with President Biden to address the top priorities of the American people – fighting inflation and lowering costs, creating jobs, boosting manufacturing and infrastructure, and protecting and expanding people’s health care and rights – this is what House Republicans are focused on.
Led by Jordan and Congressman Matt Gaetz, this committee plans to weaponize the MAGA agenda against their perceived political enemies, going after civil servants, private citizens, and the rule of law—all in service of getting booked on Fox News. In fact, its initial hearing even will include “witness testimony” from multiple Fox News commentators.
It appears the committee plans to target “ongoing criminal investigations,” protect insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol, and continue the never-ending quest to deny and relitigate the outcome of the 2020 election.”
(Ian Sams)
https://assets.bwbx.io/documents/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/r8hUrpYiyDzE/v0
“Today is my 1st time inside the Capitol since Jan 6. Everything looks the same but it doesn’t feel the same. Maybe I’ll get used to it again but now it feels like a visit to an historic battlefield. Out of every window you see the paths of the attackers.”
(Lawrence O’Donnell, Feb 2 2023)
“When they accuse you…they’re usually telling you want their own plans are.”
Correction: “what their own plans are”.
A Texas judge could soon force major abortion pill off market nationwide. Here’s what to know.
Christine Fernando: (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/02/09/texas-judge-fda-abortion-pill-medication-abortion-mifepristone/11203396002/)
—-Imagine trying to say the FDA ruling was wrong…after mifepristone pill has been safe and effective for 22 years! Anti-abortion judge may make baseless claims about the FDA.
Abortion Pills Now Account for More Than Half of U.S. Abortions (NYT)
Brandon Tsay, Biden’s State of the Union guest, says he’s still processing Monterey Park shooting
Tsay said that seeking help isn’t common in the Asian American community, but the shooting has changed his perspective.
“In my environment, growing up, I feel that I was reinforced [with] the idea that I should … be strong, keep your feelings bottled up and try to be the male, dominant person in your house,” Tsay said. “But now that I have somewhat had time to process, I know now that I need to seek professional help because these feelings that came about with this situation are too much of a burden to bear by myself.”
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/bidens-state-union-guest-brandon-tsay-says-s-therapy-monterey-park-sho-rcna69527)
Ukrainian rescuers fly in from war zone to save lives in Turkey
Kyiv sends 88 people to Turkey to help with a disaster that has killed more than 20,000 people there and in Syria.
“The Ukrainian team has built tents near the Turkish city of Antakya close to the Syrian border to provide emergency shelter and set up generators for those left homeless by the earthquakes.
They joined rescue workers from Turkey and around the world, including Russia, which invaded Ukraine a year ago.”
(https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/9/ukrainian-rescuers-fly-in-from-war-zone-to-save-lives-in-turkey)
—wow, Ukraine sent in its rescue team, talk about co-operation and compassion.
Turkey, Syria earthquake death toll and devastation: Live tracker
At least 19,388 deaths have been reported in Turkey, while 3,377 people have died in Syria.
(https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/turkey-syria-earthquake-death-toll-and-devastation-live-tracker)
Congressman Ro Khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna talks growing Hindu nationalism and visa wait times as he prepares to helm India Caucus
The California Democrat told NBC News in an exclusive interview that he will be a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
““Because of my grandfather, I was influenced by Gandhi’s thinking, by Nehru’s beautiful speeches about liberal democracy, about pluralism,” he said. “Those are the values I champion. … I’ve spoken out where I think those values are being challenged.”
Sakshi Venkatraman: (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/rep-ro-khanna-will-first-indian-american-chair-congressional-india-cau-rcna68702)
Indigenous artists named USA Fellows
Native dancers, directors, performers, writers and artisans are among the USA Artists Fellows this year
by Sandra Hale Schulman
Ten Indigenous artists have been selected by United States Artists for the 2023 USA Fellows awards, which offer an unrestricted $50,000 prize in 10 different disciplines.
(https://ictnews.org/news/indigenous-artists-named-usa-fellows
Cherokee Nation referee set for Super Bowl
Jerod Phillips will likely make history as the first Cherokee Nation citizen to officiate a Super Bowl
by Dalton Walker
(https://ictnews.org/news/cherokee-nation-referee-set-for-super-bowl)
Wow! Cool!
Tribal education is a matter of cultural survival
Navajo, Pueblo leaders urge lawmakers to show they’re ‘willing to invest in the hopes and dreams of Native children
by Austin Fisher
“Let’s continue to hold onto it so that our generations ahead of us can enjoy the language and culture that really encompass what it means to be Indian, to be Pueblo, to be Zuni, to be Apache, to be Navajo,” he said.
The Pueblos have some of the most ancient and distinct languages in America, Mitchell said.
“Pueblo worldview is contained in our languages,” he said. “Some Pueblo languages are so unique, they are not spoken anywhere in the world.”
But unfortunately, language loss has reached a critical stage, he said.
“Whether our culture, our traditions, will survive will depend on whether our children can speak our language,” Mitchell said.
Students who speak a language other than English demonstrate a sustainable improvement in their academic performance and testing, Mitchell pointed out. Native languages offer a unique thought process, he emphasized, and a tribal way of interpreting the world that can’t be lost.
“We could use the state’s help by increasing funding for our tribal education departments,” Mitchell said. “We do have language programs and preservation programs and efforts in place. However, the issue always is funding.”
(https://ictnews.org/news/tribal-education-is-a-matter-of-cultural-survival)
Native America Calling: Ensuring a long life for sturgeon
Sturgeon survive from the time dinosaurs walked the earth. But some species are having a tough time weathering human-made encroachment.
Lake sturgeon can live 100 years, but the species is on track to be designated endangered next year, threatening traditional Native fishing methods.
As the brief sturgeon spearfishing seasons are getting underway, Native America Calling looks at the ecological status of sturgeons, the traditional harvest methods and tribal efforts to protect them.
(https://www.indianz.com/News/2023/02/06/native-america-calling-ensuring-a-long-life-for-sturgeon/)
Sen. Mazie Hirono to bring Native Hawaiian sex trafficking survivor as State of the Union guest
“I was trapped in this terrible existence out of fear, intimidation and threats to my life and the lives of those I loved,” survivor Kalei Grant has said.
By Kimmy Yam
A human trafficking advocate and former victim herself will be Sen. Mazie Hirono’s guest at the State of the Union address Tuesday night
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/sen-mazie-hirono-bring-native-hawaiian-sex-trafficking-survivor-state-rcna69524)
Asian American creatives say disclosing their layoffs to their families can be complicated
In a time of high-profile layoffs, children of immigrants say talking about being laid off can be hard when their families questioned their career paths in creative fields in the first place.
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-american-creatives-say-disclosing-layoffs-families-can-complicat-rcna68488)
Queer-Friendly Fashion Show That Widens the Lens on Asian Identity
The art collective CFGNY held a conceptual fashion show at the Japan Society.
By Whitney Mallett
New York Fashion Week was more than 10 days away, but CFGNY, an art collective founded in New York City that challenges dominant narratives around Asian American identity, held a conceptual fashion show at the Japan Society in Manhattan on Saturday.
CFGNY, which stands for Concept Foreign Garments New York (its original name included the words “cute” and “gay”), is led by four New York artists — Tin Nguyen, Daniel Chew, Ten Izu and Kirsten Kilponen — who use art and fashion to explore the term “vaguely Asian” and how it is often used to homogenize very different cultures.
(https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/style/cfgny-fashion-show-asian-queer-art-collective.html)
Stardate: Feb 10, 2023
–Keep on loving!
Life is a humorous situation
but it is not mocking us.
(Chögyam Trungpa)
ARETHA!!
그냥…just because.
Ran across this bit of loveliness and that my TOD needed to see it! 💕💙💕
Thanks for posting…i love her choice of gowns…from the elegant to the sexy….
Me too. I love her style.
The Defiance of Salman Rushdie
After a near-fatal stabbing—and decades of threats—the novelist speaks about writing as a death-defying act.
David Remnick:
(https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/salman-rushdie-recovery-victory-city)
–brown is Ukraine, Orange is Crimea…out to brainwash the children.
Banned by Putin: Editor at Russian Outlet Meduza on Censorship, Eroding Freedoms & Ending Ukraine War
(https://www.democracynow.org/2023/2/9/alexey_kovalev_russia_ukraine_press_freedom)
Democrats sweep special elections, affirming first Pa. House majority in 12 years
by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG — Democrats have swept three Allegheny County special elections, cementing their one-vote majority in the Pennsylvania state House and ending a two-month debate over which party controls the chamber.
With the wins, Democrats can now set the state House agenda for the first time since 2010 and will enjoy extra leverage in coming budget talks over how to spend more than $40 billion in projected state revenue. The party also will be able to push policy priorities like a minimum wage hike or LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections.
(https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/02/special-elections-pennsylvania-house-democratic-majority/
💙💙💙
NASA Awards Millions to Historically Black Colleges, Universities
(https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-millions-to-historically-black-colleges-universities)
Pod Save America
My Chinese Generation Is Losing the Ability to Express Itself
By Mengyin Lin
Ms. Lin is a Chinese writer living in the United States.
(excerpts):
“If language shapes the way we think, and most people think only in their own language, how can China’s youth conjure up an effective and lasting resistance movement with words that they don’t have?
The problem isn’t the Chinese language itself. “Freedom,” “rights,” “democracy” — these exist in Mandarin, as they do in nearly every language. They are universal values.
Both the May Fourth Movement in 1919 — a student-led uprising against Western colonial encroachment on China and the incompetence of Chinese leaders — and the student movement in 1989 weaponized Mandarin in both long-form writing and short slogans. But decades of censorship and fear of violating it have made Chinese people scared to even think with such words, let alone speak or write with them.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/10/opinion/china-politics-language.html)
“Censorship determines what we can’t say. Propaganda provides what we can,
and has seeped into the speech patterns of ordinary people. I live in the United States now. Last fall, during a video call with my mother back in China, I lamented how we had not seen each other for three years. I blamed the “zero Covid” policy, and told her that I missed her. She replied that the government’s decisions were always correct because it knows what’s best for the majority of the people. I was selfish to view the pandemic as a matter between the two of us, she went on. We needed to do everything we could for the good of the country.
It broke my heart that my mother was unwilling, perhaps unable, to admit that she missed me, too, and that the government might be responsible for our separation. In that moment, she no longer possessed a private language; she had let partyspeak infiltrate her most intimate relationship. Many of my friends have experienced similar generational schisms. One told me she would no longer argue with her parents. I said the same. We would self-censor, once again, to prevent the Communist Party from tearing apart our families.”
“Before his death, Dr. Li reportedly said that “a healthy society should not have just one voice.” But words that go unused, and ideas that are no longer contemplated, face oblivion. The question for my Chinese generation, and those that follow, is not just whether they will make their voices heard, but whether they can find the words.”
imho, trump made our every waking moment about him and his zeal to win at all costs. The job of us, as minions, was to make sure he won or be the enemy.
DeSantis busy taking away books, language from children…harder to think their way through something. Messing up schools and colleges. Remember trump and his language. Have relatives in FL…god help them.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5TFCfFsvKM)
Tribute to King James
The GOP Is Starting to Plot Against Donald Trump
Republican Party donors and leaders are talking about how best to stop Trump from running away with the nomination again in 2024. But they don’t have a clear plan to stop him.
(https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/09/gop-trump-2024-election-00081944)
Whatever.
Evil prevailing. 😞
Reflections from Women Scientists post-Pandemic: 2023 International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Sarah Sheff
“While February 11th may be the official day to celebrate and honor women and girls in science, I hope the words from our colleagues (and Michelle Obama) inspire us all to celebrate how far we’ve come, recognize we have room to grow, and take daily action to elevate the women in science in our lives.”
(https://www.rti.org/insights/international-day-of-women-girls-in-science-2023)
Right ON!
Girl power!!!
Good West Coast Sunday, Nerdy-girl & TOD family.
Have a super bowl day! 🏈
Same to you, Gail. We watched church online today. It’s very very yucky outside here. Good day to stay inside. My daughter and granddaughter will be here later for the game. My daughter has the food planned and will be doing (with my help) most of it. She has lost 37 pounds since November. Looks and feels fabulous.
I haven’t shared with y’all that grandson Mason joined the Navy in November with a delayed entry until mid January. So he is at Great Lakes Recruit Command now. Overall, doing okay. A little homesick, but that is to be expected. He is in the Performance Unit and playing the trumpet. Hadn’t touched one since end of his junior year in high school (2019). He scored high enough on the pretest to have his choice of what area he wants to do. He chose the Nuclear Power Propulsion Program/subs. He is the third generation to do this. PopPop (my husband) was a nuke/subs, his dad was also. It is a VERY difficult program. If he makes it through, fine. If he finds it too stressful and has to switch to another area, that will be fine too. We are proud and thankful that he finally has gotten it together and is not drifting from day to day, month to month. As we all know, he will do a lot of growing up during boot camp. His Dad has a friend at Great Lakes so he found Mason couple weeks ago and checked on him. He told his dad that he is one of the better recruits they have there now.
Enjoy the game. I hope it is a good game and not a one-sided game. And, that everyone remains safe and uninjured. I really like both teams so not choosing a specific team to win.
Hi! Hope yours was fun! I hung out with my folks! Dad was pulling for KC, Mom & I (neither of us actually follow football) were cheering Philly. Dad talked trash all night. Can’t believe Mom really watched, that is, until she fell asleep in the 2nd half. Oh well, at least she got to see Rihanna! 😁
—Thx for listening.
—You need a birth certificate for a passport right?
But my son who HAS a passport cannot get a copy their birth certificate, which he lost somehow. This travesty has been going on a year for no apparent reason.
I live in the house in which they were born, in the town in which they were born and the local office couldn’t help. Utterly unacceptable.
Bureaucracy! Arrgh! 😡
best wishes for a fun Super Bowl day to everyone !!
Congrats!! to the Kansas City Chiefs…and to the Philadelphia Eagles for a great season…the beginning and the end were great.
An amazing young man! I’ve seen some of his reporting. He puts quite a few of the veteran pros to shame. Rumble, young man, rumble!
been hearing about him…talent coming out of the very pores.
Super Bowl congrats from the coolest President ever!
For those still wondering where MVP is and what she’s doing
And this…
Sheryl Lee Ralph performs at the Super Bowl 2023.
–unreal, deadly, as we say!! incredible.
To the Supreme Court, the 20th Century Was Wrongly Decided
Michael Podhorzer
“When, in the Dobbs decision, Samuel Alito declared that Roe v. Wade had been “wrongly decided,” he succinctly stated the credo of a resurgent revanchist coalition that believes the Twentieth Century was wrongly decided. Over the last two decades, the Supreme Court has been instrumental in advancing this coalition’s agenda, which is to dismantle the New Deal order and reverse the civil and social rights gains made since the postwar period.
The execution of this agenda has been nothing short of a slow-motion coup against our freedoms. The Supreme Court has not only transformed itself into a democratically unaccountable lawmaking body; it has used this illegitimate power to create a one-way ratchet that makes the rest of our system less democratically accountable. Yet no matter how many times the Court tightens this ratchet, our political and opinion leaders keep asking whether the Court risks losing its legitimacy if it keeps this up – not what we should do now that legitimacy is a distant memory at best.
We hear of “conservative” judges, yet not one of the six Republican-appointed justices demonstrate fealty to any consistent set of principles beyond giving more power to the gatekeepers who put them on the Court. Instead, we must call them the Federalist Society justices. All six are current or former members of the Federalist Society, an enterprise sponsored by right wing billionaires and corporations whose intention was capture of the legal system – and capture it they did. They knew this capture would be necessary in order to implement their agenda, since they couldn’t count on the majority of Americans to vote against their own rights and freedoms.
The campaign to repeal and replace the 20th century is an extremely well-funded enterprise, organized by people who have never made any secret of their plans. None of this is happening by accident.”
more…(https://aflcio.org/author/michael-podhorzer)
President Biden
It’s time to do more on mental health, especially for our kids.
Let’s pass bipartisan online safety legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting data on young people online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose limits on the data these companies collect on all of us.
Insulin costs $10 a vial to make.
Big Pharma charges people hundreds for it.
Not anymore. We capped insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare. Now, let’s finish the job and cap it for every American.
Let’s protect lower drug costs for seniors.
Let’s expand health coverage so more people can get it.
Let’s defend and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
Let’s finish the job.
Happy Val’s Day to all !!
Taking some time out…see thee anon.
❄️⚡️💥
🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗
Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥️
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too! ♥️
Good Good Love!
An American History moment comes to the White House this Thursday
Happy Valentine’s Day TOD! ❤️❤️❤️
Ditto! 🙂 Especially NW. We appreciate you.
New post