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12:05PM: President Obama welcomes the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House
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12:45PM: Press Secretary Josh Earnest holds the White House Briefing
2:35PM: President Obama departs the White House en route to Jerusalem for the funeral of President Shimon Peres
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First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama walk to Marine One after arriving at Castle Airport in Merced County, California
St. Louis Rams’ Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt put their hands up to show support for Michael Brown before a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Edward Jones Dome.
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https://twitter.com/theonlyadult/status/539131886178533377
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Tavon Austin #11, Jared Cook #89, Chris Givens #13 of the St. Louis Rams pay homage to Mike Brown
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Professional sport, as we know, is generally an amoral cesspit (eg see Ray Rice’s reinstatement) jammed with self-absorbed, overpaid twats who couldn’t give a crap about anything outside their own ludicrous worlds or anything that doesn’t feed their egos.
But then, occasionally, we get gestures like today’s from those Rams players, and from the Miami Heat back in 2012. And they’re powerful, not least to the kids for whom these guys are idols.
And their idols honored Michael Brown and protested against what was done to him. That matters. That’s good.
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In this image posted to Miami Heat basketball player LeBron James’ Twitter page, Miami Heat players wear team hoodies. Heat stars Dwyane Wade and James decided, March 22, 2012, to make their reactions about the Trayvon Martin situation public, and James felt the best way to do that was the team photo with everyone wearing hoodies.
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https://twitter.com/TheObamaDiary/status/539138753693245440****
Not remotely comparing the Rams and Miami Heat players to Tommie Smith and John Carlos, universes and life experiences apart – but, the gesture …
“The move was a symbolic protest against racism in the United States…..”
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“1968: American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists and give the Black Power Salute at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
The move was a symbolic protest against racism in the United States.
Smith, the gold medal winner, and Carlos, the bronze medal winner, were subsequently suspended from their team for their actions.”
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St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt puts his hands up to show support for Michael Brown.
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“The move was a symbolic protest against racism in the United States…..”
The more things change, the more they stay the same?
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Mooooooorning again everyone – the R&S vacation is nearly over, hang in there! And chat on.
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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha wait for Old Faithful to erupt during their visit to Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 15, 2009 (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann)
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Another favorite. Pete Souza, of course.
Chat on!
Completely Random Old Pic That I Adore: Coralville, Iowa, 2008 – Photo by Scout Tufankjian
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MoooOOOooorning Early Birds
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President Barack Obama stands with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during the transfer of remains ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 14, marking the return to the United States of the remains of the four Americans killed in Benghazi, Libya (Pete Souza)
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President Obama talks with Mario Orosa, a native Ohioan, before dinner at the Smith Commons Dining Room and Public House in Washington, DC, on October 12, 2012. Orosa was one of the three winners of the final “Dinner with Barack” fundraising contest. The winners are Kimberley Cathey, Mario Orosa and Joe Laliberte (UPI/Pete Marovich)
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More soon – still catching up with the news.
Obama White House.gov WH Tumblr The People’s View Smartypants Steve Benen
The Obama Diary 
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