March 2011
President Obama: … even after Gadhafi does leave power, 40 years of tyranny has left Libya fractured and without strong civil institutions. The transition to a legitimate government that is responsive to the Libyan people will be a difficult task. And while the United States will do our part to help, it will be a task for the international community, and more importantly a task for the Libyan people themselves.
…. We have intervened to stop a massacre, and we will work with our allies and partners as they’re in the lead to maintain the safety of civilians. We will deny the regime arms, cut off its supply of cash, assist the opposition and work with other nations to hasten the day when Gadhafi leaves power.
It may not happen overnight, as a badly weakened Gadhafi tries desperately to hang on to power. But it should be clear to those around Gadhafi and to every Libyan, that history is not on Gadhafi’s side. With the time and space that we have provided for the Libyan people, they will be able to determine their own destiny, and that is how it should be.
Full text of remarks here
****
Remember the President’s “one voice can change a room …… one voice can change the world” speech from the campaign?
Crikey, I didn’t think he meant it literally
Thank you President Obama. I am so happy that you are our President.
Co-sign!
YES.WE.CAN…DO.(Much)More, Together!
YES.WE.CAN, Again…Obama/Biden 2012!
I love you PBO.
Me too.
I wouldn’t expect a statement tonight unless the big fish Gaddafi is arrested or flees and is confirmed in exile. I can’t imagine him heading into exile now given his kids have all been detained – “Sorry kids, I’m fleeing with millions, but couldn’t take you”. I suspect those transferring money out were high ranking officials acting on their own.
I agree. He will not say anything until he has all the ducks in a row. He doesn’t do anything rash.
And cue the media Heathers bemoaning that he hasn’t given a statemen yett. You know it’s coming. Andrea’s BS “awkward” comment was the setup for that to be spiked.
That’s because they are so used to Bush taking credit for what others do.
I wouldn’t put it pass him.
Democratic view: We can’t just sit idly by
By Bill Burton
Republicans are raising hundreds of millions of dollars to advance a right-wing agenda, President Obama is under attack even as he tries to keep our nation out of default, and Republican presidential candidates are in a race to the bottom to be the champion of the most radical ideology. Now is not the time for Democrats to sit idly by as a conservative ideology sweeps across our airwaves……
GOP political strategist Karl Rove, the wealthy conservative Koch brothers and others have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to elect one of these candidates — and allies of all three have set up outside groups that are already raising millions.
We started Priorities USA Action and Priorities USA because we believe deeply in progressive values and the things that make this country great — and we are going to play by the rules we have, not just the rules we want, in order to protect them.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2011-08-21-campaign-finance-priorities-usa_n.htm
A frightening reality presented by Burton. We are going to be up against it. And it should be so clear how vital it is that all segments of the Dem Party pull together and work together instead of foolishly putting their efforts into dividing and dispiriting our voters.
and his speech in Cairo: ‘New Beginning’
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf
I think it’s because of this speech why Libyans felt they could plead with President Obama to help them evict the dictator and mass murderer who oppressed them for over forty years.
Tripoli: #Gaddafi, No matter where you go, no matter what country you cower in, we WILL find you, your life is ours. #Libya #Feb17
#Libyana phone company has taken over and texts are being sent that are greeting the Libyan people. #Libya #Feb171
#Tripoli: Head of Libyan State TV was arrested. RT via @ navyjoc1655 #Libya #Feb17
John Boehner’s office is now following me on Twitter. I’m sooooo honored.
ooooooooooh! They’re SCARED of you Proud of Obama!
Ask that jackass where the jobs he promised are?
LOL, Sue. I will exactly that.
Bet you will be UNfollowed with a quickness! I can only imagine the skeeve-creepy people who work for that man. /shudders
Then ask him if he does his best thinking on the golf course. Seems that is what occupies most of his time.
We need to hand the gavel back to Nancy Pelsoi, someone that takes her responsibilities seriously. Boehner seems to have made golfing his number one priority, booze his second, and tanning his third. I am afraid the American people that he was elected to serve are much farther down on his daily to do list.
Mentioned on the previous thread that I had contacted Andrea Mitchell about her “awkward” comment on MSNBC tonight, about the President’s not being in town. She emailed me back:
“im afraid i was misquoted to you – that is not the context of what i said at all”
Oh, sorry, Andrea. YOU were misquoted and taken out of context. (1) Who cares; (2) LMAO.
I guess she misquoted herself? Tool.
Why does he need to be in town?
I was going to credit Mitchell for trying to make nice because she just said that tonight is a vindication of Obama’s policy. And NATO’s. And then said something about she never thought she’d see the day. So I was a little happier there with her for a minute. AND THEN—–she went into the whole vacation thing again, saying of course Obama can be updated and make decisions wherever he is, but it’s the OPTICS of it that looks bad. And she referenced everyone’s gripes on MTP and other a.m. shows about this today, as if the Repub criticism was significant. So—-back to her usual form, unsurprisingly.
Tell her to concern herself with substance rather than ‘optics’. Step out of the spin cycle and join the rest of us in the real world.
Optics is becoming my new, least favorite word. Last week it was weak. The week before caved.
AJE had an analyst from my hometown of L.A. on talking about the days events. At the end of the interview he commented that what’s happening will rebound to Obama’s benefit, and lauded his style of leadership which led to Gaddafi’s fall.
Dear GOP/Tsps,
Please enjoy your 5k liter tanker of STFU.
Can you imagine all he has accomplished domestically and internationally in just one term (that isn’t over yet). He makes history every freaking day and we haven’t even gotten to his second term yet. My goodness. EVERYDAY I am immensely GRATEFUL for President Obama. That’s why I will never hesistate or backdown in calling out the GOP, Media, and Teabaggers everytime they come at him with lies lies lies.
Not to mention the INSANE opposition and the cowards D. He’s just so special, he’s my inspiration.
Just seen on TWITTER:
When THIS President is on vacation, he is not clearing brush, he’s clearing dictators
That’s a good one Tally
The best tweet so far!
LOVE IT!!!
HA!
I’m new on this site but I love your snarky tone Tally.
Welcome, Pam!
Missed you Hachikō, how have you been?
Hi Chip! I’m ok. Going through some stuff, but I’m still here.
thanks for asking, love. 
Hiya Hachikō, think of you always, as ever wishing you better days, you’re a warrior, love ya.
Thank you
Magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where do you get your photos – ones that are not marked AP? We were provided some of those photos that we were told daycare staff took, but it looks like they are on your site. I am with the Chatfield News of Chatfield, MN and would like to run a few of the photos of the President taken with the children. Is that a possibility? How should I credit them?
Thank you, Lisa Brainard, Chatfield News, editor
Hi Lisa,
The photos here come from all over the place – but most of the non-AP photos are from Daylife (http://www.daylife.com), the White House Flickr site or just general searches on Google Images.
The White House Flickr site is easily the best, lots of Pete Souza magnificence there!
Which daycare staff photos are you referring to, I can check the post and see where they came from.
Child’s Play on Aug. 15
Hello Lisa, if you go to the archive for the date of 8-15-2011 those pictures are from the Associated Press.
Thanks!! Am comparing what we have to what’s on AP. We have a big group shot that is not theirs. Different facial expressions on the one we have. We had some coming in from the daycare people, but just weren’t sure which was which. I’ll be sure not to use AP! : )
Thanks again!
Checkout this pic of PBO &: The Righteous Man Poem by James Allen
http://img.ly/6j1J
Now that’s nice and I will leave it at that, lol.
Did you see this one, too? http://img.ly/7zLw
Yeah, I think Chips had that one up, but this old lady will enjoy it again.
I immediatley chose this photo of President Obama walking next to Marine One as my screensaver the second! Chica posted it.
I may have to swap it back and forth with the Righteous Man poem. It really is true. Righteous, indeed.
Thank you for sharing this. I had the pic, but love to see the poem with image of a righteous man beside it!
You’re very welcome!
Wowzer.
Love it….so true.
Le Monde: “Today we celebrate the victory, I appeal to your conscience and your responsibility: do not retaliate, do not plunder, do not blame foreigners and respect the prisoners,” said Mahmoud Jibril, one of the main leaders of the National Transitional Council (TNC), in a formal address on the rebel television Libya al-Ahrar.
The TNC is a class act – they’ve been broadcasting for the past 24 h from Benghazi minute long messages based on the Geneva Conventions, to all their freedom fighters.
On a lighter note, from a good bud:
Rixos journos want out or else they have to make their own breakfast. boo hoo!
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/07/08/dont-call-us-rebels-0#comment-292770670
Yes.We.Can. … DO.More.Together!
A guestion . . .
When the Libyans say they are renaming Tripoli Square to Marthaz Square, who or where they referencing? . . . Would it be that the President is at Martha’s Vinyard and they are making a tribute?? Just a stupid questions? Not understanding much of what is happening.
Marlz – they are renaming it Martyr’s Square in honor of all their fellow Libyans that Daffi slaughtered in Green Square (and elsewhere) since 17 Feb.
Martyr’s Square, not Martha’s Square.
Thanks for the responses. . . Have been catching up on what’s happening in Libya!
It’s alright, we’re here to help you with your questions Marlz. Before Gaddafi took power about 41 years ago, the square was called “Martyr’s Square.” Gaddafi took over and renamed it “Green Square.” Now the rebels have taken over Tripoli and have reverted to the proper and true name of the Square.
David Gergen (CNN) Tweeted this:
/// David_Gergen David Gergen
#Gadhafi seems finished! If so, #Obama/alliance approach vindicated. Critics (including me, Neo-cons,GOP, etc.) shd give credit.
38 seconds ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply ///
Duh. . .We (the smarter ones) could have told them!
The President should be vindicated for all the lies they have stated. . . not only this. . . but I will accept. I guess they are turning sssslllllooooowwwwllllyy!
thanks, but no thanks. take your credit and stick it up your……………
Wow. Somebody please thank David Gergen.
I did. I think that’s what the President would do.
He has a follow-up tweet: Gadhafi about to fall. Does #Obama deserve more credit than we (I, too) have given him for low US profile? I think so.
I thanked him. That was classy of him to say.
Flip Flop McCain will take it back tomorrow and give someone else credit.
Fuck you, John McCain. You’re a despicable old man.
Hachikō, what did he say?
Does he have to say anything? : )
Exactly! That old fart thinks he’s some kind of self-appointed shadow president. I despise him. I blame McCain for unleashing Palin and her teabsggers.
I am a compassionate and forgiving person by nature, but I will NEVER forgive McGeezer for bringing that bitzach out of obscurity, now we all have to live with his poor judgement.
He’s trying to crap on PBO and what’s going on in Libya. Really, he’s just a complete joke.
We don’t even have confirmation qaddafi’s been captured yet, but that petty, grudgeful old man is already ‘issuing statements.” fuck him! What an irresponsible ass. Thank God President Obama’s in charge and not him.
He and Lindsay Graham issued a “lengthy statement” according to Wolfe Blitzer, part of which read, “…Americans can be proud of the role our country has played to defeat Qaddafi, BUT WE REGRET THAT THE SUCCESS WAS SO LONG IN COMING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE UNITED STATES TO EMPLOY THE FULL WEIGHT OF OUR AIR POWER…”
Seriously, they are beyond pathetic. Bitter, old, irrelevant creeps who can’t stand up for America when a Dem is involved.
and ieberman too. saw it on MSNBFOX. The war hawks did a joint statement.
sorry, Lieberman
The three stooges.
These are the same bozos who were complaining a few short months ago and questioning PBO’s every move on the situation in Libya. I didn’t listen to them then, and I’m not listening to them now. PBO is receiving his props from those who matter: the Libyans. McCain would have put boots on the ground in Libya and only made things worse. The Libyan people have confirmed validity of the political science concept of self determination, which is EXACTLY what PBO had in mind. The Libyans don’t need a superpower coming in and telling them what to do. PBO knew this, so he encouraged them to take their fate into their own hands. They did, and imo, I think they did a wonderful job, so Graham, McCain, Lieberman and all the others can sit in the dunce corner where they belong. PBO comes out looking like the adult AGAIN because he said he wanted to get more information BEFORE issuing a statement. The GOP is trying to “get ahead” of this to try to convince the low information voters that although PBO’s plan worked, he was much too slow in getting it done and his strategy was wrong, and that he should have gone in with guns a blazing since it worked out so well for us in Iraq when GWB did it that we’re now into our 8th year there. I expect one of the dodo heads running for president in the GOP to recite this same BS fairly soon.
You can always count on John McCain to dish up “the bitters”. Insufferable and bitter little man.
Sue, I think that is his favorite vitamin first thing in the morning.
Oh because when the United States Republican president gets involved it NEVER takes this long……like when the Iraqi’s and people of afghanistan greeted Bush as a liberator and we left the next day…oh wait, make that we left it for the next president to clean up eight yrs later.
irrelevant old bastard.
Seems like Gadhafi could be in the Rixos Hotel where international journo’s have been staying. Makes sense as NATO wouldn’t bomb it knowing the journo’s were there. Journalists seem to be almost hostages there as they’re prevented from leaving by snipers, and are essentially trapped on the top floors, and could be used as human shield or bartering chips.
This is all conjecture, but some of the journo’s are concerned with such a possibility.
http://twitpic.com/69rcr0
Libyan-Americans celebrating outside of the White House
Andrea Mitchell correcting herself, that personally she doesn’t have a problem with where PBO is now, she just meant the optics of where he is for all the talking heads especially with Maxine Waters, jobs and domestic issues in regards to political foes and friends alike. She said it’s not like he’s vacationing in _____________, he’s is a well to do part of the country ( Martha’s Vineyard.) Apparently if he’d just vacationed in Bumfuck, Nowheresland, nobody would be complaining. The nerve of the man! Not vacationing on his million dollar ranch or even in his multimillion dollar luxury pad. Instead, he goes to ritzy titzy Martha’s Vineyard where a lot of other presidents have vacationed! Curse him and his tacit disregard for the media’s sensibilities!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe Obama didn’t go on vacation to where our news media, who only have his best interests in mind, cough cough— wanted him to go! It is just so brazen of him to ignore their recommendations—-some little corner of Oklahoma would have been nice—-and go where he wants to go on vacation! I couldn’t believe Politico or some dumb place actually had a story up on where Obama should go instead of Martha’s Vineyard—-as if it’s anyone else’s business. And by the way, he’s the President of the United States! I never cease to be amazed.
Lisalovesobama , remember Andrea Mitchell is married to Alan Greenspan EX head of the FED who help the country get into this mess.So of course she doesn’t want the President to hang out in the Vineyard and have the money to afford the $50,000.00 weekly rental fee for his location.Plus it comes out of his pocket not the tax payers. That is what makes the so mad.
Really, could they just drop the inane vacation meme. Does Andre think we should dictate where she takes her vacations?
They make me want to hurl.
She obviously has no knowledge of AA’s history with Martha’s Vineyard, in particular Oak Bluffs. The arrogance of these people to think they can dictate where the President vacations, or even that he vacations. Makes you wanna holler!
To All IN Our Community Remember Our Beloved President Does more on Vacation And When He gives a Roasting Speech Than any other President ever. So when the talking heads start their rants just SMILE AND SAY I KNOW HE’s GOT THIS UNDER CONTROL ALONG WITH IS SIDE KICK Vice President Biden. They Are better than The Lone Ranger And Tonto.They do more in 3 years than Jack Bauer on”24″ did in 8 years. Also according to the GREED OVER PEOPLE PARTY ,He leads from BEHIND, Well If He ever LEADS from in Front GOD help us all to hang on for This Country will turn into a Bullet Train crossing the world like a comet out of control with ONE HELLVA Head Engineer President Barack Obama Keeping us on the rails.
So agree. We know that when this President is most at ease, there is something big happening.
Bravo!
“Vice President Biden.”
and we all love our Vice President
Thanks for giving a shout out to the best VP ever.
Libyan-Americans celebrating outside of the White House
http://twitpic.com/69rcr0
“Hiphip hooray. Gaddafi’s gone today. One two three, Libya is free” — chants by Libyan Americans outside of the WH
via Felicia Sonmez
@2chambers
Let’s try to make #Isupportthepresident trend.
Just tweeted!
Ha!
@TweetEverstrong
BREAKING: Obama topples a dictator while eating ice cream in Martha’s Vineyard.
hahhahahhahahahahahhaahaha!!! Awesome and too fricking true!!!
lol
Well in fairness, this is a result of the efforts of the Libyan people but our President did help to tip the scales.
LOL
Steve Weinstein (@steveweinstein)
22/08/2011 03:11
GOP trying desperately to figure out how they can be on the side of Gaddafi. I mean President Obama & THE FRENCH were against him. #p2
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love it!!!!!!
Chips, is this the picture the editor is referring to.
http://www.shoppingblog.com/blog/6111117
Ah, maybe Doris. If it is, then that’s another Pete Souza gem from the WH Flickr site –
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5875534522/
Yes, I just googled it. Wasn’t sure if it was sure how to really maneuver flickr. You are the Queen of getting these great pics!!!
yuck, bad sentence. you know, lol.
I just wish I was able to take pics like that Doris. I’m a photography fanatic, but 63.25% of my photos still feature my thumb partly covering the lens
LOL. That’s okay honey, you know how to tap into the best. But, practice makes perfect. Would love to see some of your work. We would be thrilled.
I don’t think that’s the picture Doris. This is a pic of a daycare in Bethesda MD taken several months back. The editor is from Minnesota, so she must have been referring to one of the recent pics in the post where all the children were with President Obama during his bus tour. I believe she specifically said the post from August 15. She must have been referring to a “day care” for older children off from school in the summer.