When Is Enough Enough?

by VC

A poll of Americans today would likely reveal most generally accept as an irrefutable fact that to become president of the United States you campaign for years through a long drawn-out process.  The actual governing of a country as vast in space, huge of population and as diverse as is the USA, ought to be a team effort with checks and balances.  The Founding Fathers thought so.  The Constitution decrees it.  Consequently, you would think it is commonly accepted that once the winner has been declared, politicking would pause and, as president, you get the opportunity to work *WITH* the members of each branch of government for the progress of the entire nation.  In other words, victory (or defeat) ought to be what pushes the pause button on campaigning and grandstanding, so that the will of the people can be respected and enacted …… at least until the next round of elections.  It ought to be commonly accepted, but it is not!  Instead, by their actions, Republicans have continuously displayed contempt for the democratic process and it has been heartbreaking to see them stomping all over opportunities for governance, even in areas that previously were relatively straightforward.

As we all know, when Barack H. Obama (along with Joe Biden) won a decisive victory to lead the USA in November 2008,  senior Republicans met secretly less than three months later,  to plot a strategy to derail the nation’s legally elected leader, …..

…and their chosen strategy was to deliberately and unanimously prevent the USA from pulling itself out of a major financial slump by never supporting any of the new president’s proposals!

And so Ladies & Gentlemen that's the way it's been since January '09 but the MSM ignores that piece of information. http://t.co/0kH05uZMbJ

—
Donna NoShock (@NoShock) September 10, 2015

To this day I still find it shocking that Republicans took great pride in their decision to deliberately sabotage the government!  They broadcasted it shamelessly, stating their primary goal was – not to govern, but – to make President Obama a one-term president!

Theirs was an audacious goal and an even more audacious dereliction of the duties attached to their jobs, and Republicans have continued to play the ‘Block-the-President’ game since 2009 with painful repercussions for civilians and veterans alike.  The fact they have been able to get away with deliberately hurting actual citizens for so long, even after the majority of Americans gave the Obama-Admin a second term, is scary.   In addition, watching them in action it is hard not to conclude that the media have played a major role in encouraging the Republican leadership to dismiss the result of both elections. The MSM have done so, IMO, by not highlighting, en masse,  GOP malfeasance when it occurred, and not calling out the fact that Republicans have a tendency to routinely ignore results that don’t go their way.

2014: VC’s Most Memorable Moments

by VC

In a community such as the one built and nurtured here, it is understandable that a sharing of memorable moments will overlap. My ‘personal’ top 2014 MMs have already been featured, repeatedly (yet primarily by Arapaho)! I’ve summarized my version to reflect two main facts …

(1) President & Mrs. Obama are committed to our young people, at home and abroad.

a) In their ‘business’ travels The Obamas consistently meet with and listen to the future leaders of the WORLD! In 2014, this happened in Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan; Standing Rock Native youths, etc.

b) My Brother’s Keeper

“That’s what ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ is all about – Helping more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works – when it works, in those critical life-changing moments.” ~ President Barack Obama: February 27, 2014

Get Involved

My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge

In September 2014, President Obama issued a challenge to cities, towns, counties and tribes across the country to become “MBK Communities.” This challenge represents a call to action for all members of our communities, and mayors in particular, as they often sit at the intersection of many of the vital forces and structural components needed to enact sustainable change through policy, programs, and partnerships.

More here

c) They bring young people to WH or to USA for leadership networking & training.

Examples: i) August’s African Nations Summit at White House + the Town Hall with young African leaders

ii) On October 30, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) held its first Young Leaders Dialogue (YLD) Google+ Hangout on Education. This is the first of four YLDs happening in conjunction with the E3! Ambassadors Program, comprised of 34 young leaders across the nation committed to increasing opportunity and improving the quality of life for AAPIs. These E3! Ambassadors aim to “Educate, Engage and Empower” young leaders, by highlighting federal programs and resources for AAPIs around the issues of education, mental health, pathways to public service and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

iii) Nov 20 2014 FL Michelle Obama & Pres Obama have lunch with members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Youth. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(2) PBO, and his Admin, also show a consistent commitment to making the world a better place

For this latter, I will mention only the most recent example that many have already cited.
a) The rapprochement between the United States and Cuba – This one was particularly moving for me because even though we saw Castro unclenching his fist at Mandela’s memorial in 2013 (remember the media furor that caused), I was not expecting the announcement that both countries had started to move closer together so soon.

Photo Of The Year: January & February

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January

 (1) Golfing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe

(2) First Lady Michelle Obama tapes a “Let’s Move!” public service announcement with 2013 NBA Champion Miami Heat players LeBron James, left, and Dwyane Wade, in the Map Room of the White House (Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

(3) President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Personal Secretary Anita Decker react to a video on Decker’s computer monitor in the Outer Oval Office (Photo by Pete Souza)

(4) President Obama waits with Sergeants at Arms and Members of Congress before entering the House Chamber to deliver the State of the Union address. Standing with the President are, from left: Paul Irving, House Sergeant at Arms; House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va.; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; and Terrance Gainer, Senate Sergeant at Arms (Photo by Pete Souza)

(5) @petesouza: POTUS at Costco in Lanham, Md.

(6) President Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom in the Oval Office (Photo by Pete Souza)

(7) First Lady Michelle Obama poses for a selfie with Ryan Seacrest after taping a “Let’s Move!” interview at E! Networks in Los Angeles (Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

(8) First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden tape a Super Bowl message honoring troops and veterans, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House (Photo by Amanda Lucidon)