President Obama, followed by White House Chief of Staff William Daley, walks out from the Oval Office before his departure to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
President Obama and first lady Michelle arrive at Pope Army Field in Fort Bragg, N.C.
It’s fun to catch a thread just as it goes up. And Chips is so generous she gives us lots of chances. We can also couple the honor of getting the first comment with donating. Just one more opportunity to support our President and VP Biden.
Pennsylvania GOP’s Budget Cuts Mean Police Response To 911 Calls Could Take Days
By Marie Diamond on Dec 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) has consistently advocated for steep budget cuts that compromise public safety and essential government services. For instance, he signed into law a budget that slashed education funding by $900 million. Instead of lawnmowers, one school district had to resort to using sheep to cut grass.
Now, The Patriot-News reports that the state’s proposed budget cuts could force the Pennsylvania State Police to layoff 500 state troopers. As a result, Pennsylvanians who call 911 for emergency assistance may have to wait days before the police can respond:
creolechild, I will never forget the people who didn’t go vote in 2010. They are to blame for all these crazy radical Republicans in office. Instead of some wanting to blame Obama for everything, they need to remember Obama is just one vote, if people would had listen to him there wouldn’t be all these voter ID, this sorry do nothing Congress, these GOP Governors doing all these crazy things.
You are so right anniebella. People had no idea what mess that were creating when they stayed home in 2010. They handed Corbett the governorship without a thought and now they are reaping the whirlwind. PA also has no provision for recalling anybody. This guy is riding roughshod over everybody and he’s got a majority legislature to back him up. What a mess.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday objected to a Democratic request to vote on a House-passed extension of the payroll tax holiday, citing concerns about a possible government shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said McConnell blocked a vote on the bill because Republican senators did not want to take a stance on controversial provisions in the bill, such as requiring the recipients of unemployment benefits to take drug tests.
Reid offered a motion to fast-track a short-term spending measure to keep the government operating into next week but McConnell objected to that request.
McConnell said Congress should first take up an omnibus spending bill to fund the government for fiscal year 2012.
What the H.E.2.L. I thought Harry Reid was the leader the Senate. Does this have anything to do with that 60 vote filibuster thingy? And, I too object to turtleneck.
I think he is lucky to have such a smart sexy beautiful woman for his wife, they both are bless to have one another and we are bless to have POTUS as our President and FLOTUS as our First Lady. We are double bless. America just have to realize that and get their asses out to re-elect President Obama in 2012.
FLOTUS looks fine here this morning. She looks like the lawyer FLOTUS or maybe 2016 President Michelle Obama. Just kidding I know when the President second term is up she and POTUS will be ready to run from Washington D.C.
Oh! I LOVE this, how he reaches for her hand in so loving and natural way….World Leaders take note, it’s okay to be human, in fact, this man has changed the paradigm! Bless them both on this historic day!
Romney Admitted Stat About Obama Regulations Was A Lie, Keeps Using It Anyway
By Pat Garofalo on Dec 12, 2025 at 5:45 pm
During an event in New Hampshire, Romney claimed that the rate of new regulations under Obama has “increased four-fold,” resulting in businesses being buried under a pile of red tape:
- In fact, it isn’t true according to the Romney campaign. When Romney made the same claim during an interview with NPR in September, NPR asked the Romney campaign for verification, at which point the campaign was forced to admit that “the Governor misspoke.”
- Instead, the Romney camp told NPR that new regulations under Obama are twice what they were under President George W. Bush. Trouble is, that’s not true either, as Bloomberg News pointed out….
- Later on during the event, Romney claimed that, according to an official government report, regulations costs the U.S. economy $1.7 trillion annually. That number, according to economists, also isn’t true…
Important speech for President Obama at Fort Bragg. The Iraq War is Over!! Sweet words. He’ll focus on the troops and their families, the losses and the pride in a job well done.
I hope dubya will be watching. The GOP can’t stand it that their war of choice is over and I can’t stand the GOP.
This morning I heard my local progressive critic of PBO talk about now that the war in Iraq is over the unemployment at Ft Bragg is going to be very high. All he could talk about was bringing the troops home and criticizing PBO now that they are almost all home from Iraq he is going to criticize PBO because of the new unemployment it creates. Sounds like a GOPer to me! With friends like that who needs enemies?
Medtronic to pay $23.5M to settle kickback claims
December 14, 2025 | Stephanie Bouchard, Associate Editor
WASHINGTON – Medical device giant, Medtronic, admits no wrongdoing but has agreed to pay the federal government $23.5 million to settle claims that it paid doctors kickbacks to get them to use its pacemakers and defibrillators.
The U.S. Justice Department accused Medtronic of causing false claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid and of paying doctors participating in some of the company’s post-market studies and device registries $1,000 to $2,000 per patient. The studies and registries required a new or previous implant of a Medtronic device in each patient, said the Justice Department in a statement about the settlement.
Young nurse workforce grows by 62 percent
December 14, 2025 | Rene Letourneau, Managing Editor
BETHESDA, MD – The number of young people entering the nursing profession is surging, providing relief from the recent nursing shortage, according to an article in the December issue of Health Affairs.
In the article, “Registered Nurse Supply Grows Faster Than Projected Amid Surge in New Entrants Ages 23-26,” authors David I. Auerbach, Peter I. Buerhaus and Douglas O. Staiger report that the number of full-time registered nurses ages 23-26 increased by 62 percent between 2002 and 2009. [See also: Nurses have more career opportunities under healthcare reform]
“If these young nurses follow the same life-cycle employment patterns as those who preceded them – as they appear to be thus far – then they will be the largest cohort of registered nurses ever observed,” the authors wrote in the article.
Just heard Barbara Walters say she was going today to interview President and Mrs. Obama—-after they get back?—-and didn’t catch when that would air—-Friday night?
UGH. Can’t stand her but I’ll take it. I was just wondering this morning if they were going to do a Christmas interview. I guess this is it. You can bet she’ll throw in some trash and that our POTUS and FLOTUS will be entirely gracious as always.
I would prefer Oprah too, Walters asks stupid questions. There is always a RW slant, and I hope we don’t get the “roses and thorns” questions, that seems to be her favorite for PBO/Flotus.
Hey TOD: Heads Up. Barbara Walters is interviewing the Obamas for An Obama Christmas and part of it will air on World News with Dianne Sawyer tomorrow Thursday Dec. 15, 2011 at 6:30PM ET/ 5:30PM CT on ABC.
When I see him have this “look” I think about BWD’s tagline on her blog from our VP Joe, “He’s got a backbone like a ramrod, a brain bigger than his skull and a heart that just keeps beatin’” ——-AMEN!!!
I always think of some very, very, heavy duty business just went down or is trying to go down, and POB is not happy with the possible outcomes that they are throwing his way.
When he grinds those teeth, watch out, somebody. Something is going down for sure. HZ
I agree Donna, those shoes are a thing of beauty and they look particularly great on FLOTUS! That was my first reaction to the pics…..oh, those shoes!!!!!!!!
This is a make or break moment for the middle class, and all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.
There are some who seem to be suffering from a kind of collective amnesia. They want to return to the same practices that got us into this mess.
Their philosophy is simple: we are better off when everyone is left to fend for themselves and play by their own rules.
Well, I’m here to say they are wrong. I’m here to reaffirm my deep conviction that we are greater together than we are on our own.
I believe that this country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, when everyone does their fair share, and when everyone plays by the same rules.
Obama :: Osawatomie :: A make or break moment for the middle class
An Afghan woman jailed for adultery after a relative raped her has been freed, her lawyer has told the BBC.
The woman, known only as Gulnaz, was released on the orders of President Hamid Karzai, who pardoned her earlier this month.
Her lawyer told the BBC that she was released without precondition, dispelling fears that she may have to marry her attacker.
The case drew international attention to the plight of many Afghan women.
Gulnaz - who was sentenced to 12 years in prison after reporting that she had been raped by her cousin’s husband - recently gave birth in jail to a daughter.
Her lawyer, Kimberley Motley, told the BBC that she was healthy and happy to be released.
Don’t you just love the wingnuts and their “Military hates Obama” meme. Here is Admiral McRaven (the one who commanded the Bin Laden raid) and what he thinks of this Commander in Chief and the last
McRaven speaks respectfully of Bush as Commander in Chief, saying he “made some very, very tough decisions.” About Obama, without a question to prompt him, he waxes lyrical and at length. The planning and decisionmaking for the bin Laden raid, he volunteers, “was really everything the American public would expect from their national leadership.”
“The President was at all times presidential,” he says. “I would contend he was the smartest guy in the room. He had leadership skills we’d expect from a guy who had 35 years in the military.” The sentiments appear to be mutual, for McRaven and his special-operations units. In April, a month before the bin Laden raid, Obama tapped McRaven for his fourth star and nominated him to lead the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Wow! This doesn’t surprise me. Watching this president every day, the strenght of character and the wisdom are so obvious. But I’m SO happy to see military people going PUBLIC about their respect and admiration for him.
Folks, keep this link and send it to everyone you knoe, especially to every conservative you know. Conservatives in general respect the opinion of military people.
Look at the looks on the people’s faces as they watch President and Mrs. Obama leave the White House. They are fascinating. I CANNOT imagine any sane person having the same looks for ANY of the losers vying for the Republican nomination.
White House.gov
Morning all. Another great day to talk with friends and neighbors and community about why we must reelect this great team!
First first ever! Woo hoot
Fierce!
Congrats on being first, it IS a super feeling!
Why is it? This first thing confounds me.
It’s fun to catch a thread just as it goes up. And Chips is so generous she gives us lots of chances. We can also couple the honor of getting the first comment with donating. Just one more opportunity to support our President and VP Biden.
Can’t wait to welcome you and the First Lady to North Carolina Mr. President. W-E-L-C-O-M-E ……W-E-L-C-O-M-E….W-E-L-C-O-M-E.
Pennsylvania GOP’s Budget Cuts Mean Police Response To 911 Calls Could Take Days
By Marie Diamond on Dec 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) has consistently advocated for steep budget cuts that compromise public safety and essential government services. For instance, he signed into law a budget that slashed education funding by $900 million. Instead of lawnmowers, one school district had to resort to using sheep to cut grass.
Now, The Patriot-News reports that the state’s proposed budget cuts could force the Pennsylvania State Police to layoff 500 state troopers. As a result, Pennsylvanians who call 911 for emergency assistance may have to wait days before the police can respond:
~snip~
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/12/13/388417/911-response-pennsylvania-budget-cuts/
creolechild, I will never forget the people who didn’t go vote in 2010. They are to blame for all these crazy radical Republicans in office. Instead of some wanting to blame Obama for everything, they need to remember Obama is just one vote, if people would had listen to him there wouldn’t be all these voter ID, this sorry do nothing Congress, these GOP Governors doing all these crazy things.
You are so right anniebella. People had no idea what mess that were creating when they stayed home in 2010. They handed Corbett the governorship without a thought and now they are reaping the whirlwind. PA also has no provision for recalling anybody. This guy is riding roughshod over everybody and he’s got a majority legislature to back him up. What a mess.
I guess this is what the GOP means by “American exceptionalism”.
oooo he looks good. yes ma’am!
Been tweeting like crazy this morning about the ACA and how it helped insure young adults. This can’t be ignored.
it is all over - I see lots of tweets about it.
good!
Keep up the good work College Kay.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday objected to a Democratic request to vote on a House-passed extension of the payroll tax holiday, citing concerns about a possible government shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said McConnell blocked a vote on the bill because Republican senators did not want to take a stance on controversial provisions in the bill, such as requiring the recipients of unemployment benefits to take drug tests.
Reid offered a motion to fast-track a short-term spending measure to keep the government operating into next week but McConnell objected to that request.
McConnell said Congress should first take up an omnibus spending bill to fund the government for fiscal year 2012.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/199301-mcconnell-blocks-senate-vote-on-house-payroll-tax-bill
Ummmm, ok!
I object to McConnell.
Pamela, you are not the only one. I can not stand that man Mitch McConnell.
What the H.E.2.L. I thought Harry Reid was the leader the Senate. Does this have anything to do with that 60 vote filibuster thingy? And, I too object to turtleneck.
Daaaamn, PBO looks fine!!!!!
Mmmm, Hmmmm, yes he does, he just can’t help it, can he?
Whoooot!!!!!!
Our FLOTUS is beautiful and lucky to have such a hottie for a hubby!!!
I think he is lucky to have such a smart sexy beautiful woman for his wife, they both are bless to have one another and we are bless to have POTUS as our President and FLOTUS as our First Lady. We are double bless. America just have to realize that and get their asses out to re-elect President Obama in 2012.
FLOTUS looks HOT!!!! Loving those shoes
collegeday, I notice those shoes too. FLOTUS has great taste. I know I couldn’t wear those shoes, but I love them.
That was the first thing I noticed. Very cool. They look like Vivienne Westwood style of shoes. Tres Chic!
Good grief he’s fierce and beautiful.
Stop that teeth grinding, Barack. (channeling my mom)
FLOTUS looks fine here this morning. She looks like the lawyer FLOTUS or maybe 2016 President Michelle Obama. Just kidding I know when the President second term is up she and POTUS will be ready to run from Washington D.C.
I’m sure you are right, anniebella!
Hawaii or Chicago? Which one would you guys choose?
Love her suit! Great classic look, great cut, fits beautifully.
LOLAPALOOZA, PBO looks fierce and dashing. Whew! And Mrs. O, beyond gorgeous. LOVE the suit and the Mary Janes. Stunning and loving pair!!
Oh! I LOVE this, how he reaches for her hand in so loving and natural way….World Leaders take note, it’s okay to be human, in fact, this man has changed the paradigm! Bless them both on this historic day!
Yes, that’s what I noticed. He reaches out to her just automatically. What a lovely couple they are. And FLOTUS rocks those shoes!
Liar, liar….
Romney Admitted Stat About Obama Regulations Was A Lie, Keeps Using It Anyway
By Pat Garofalo on Dec 12, 2025 at 5:45 pm
During an event in New Hampshire, Romney claimed that the rate of new regulations under Obama has “increased four-fold,” resulting in businesses being buried under a pile of red tape:
- In fact, it isn’t true according to the Romney campaign. When Romney made the same claim during an interview with NPR in September, NPR asked the Romney campaign for verification, at which point the campaign was forced to admit that “the Governor misspoke.”
- Instead, the Romney camp told NPR that new regulations under Obama are twice what they were under President George W. Bush. Trouble is, that’s not true either, as Bloomberg News pointed out….
- Later on during the event, Romney claimed that, according to an official government report, regulations costs the U.S. economy $1.7 trillion annually. That number, according to economists, also isn’t true…
~snip~
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/12/12/387762/romney-regulation-lies/
This is exactly what he’d be doing as president..lying to the American People..insulting their intelligence. He’s such a stupid craven needy asshole.
Important speech for President Obama at Fort Bragg. The Iraq War is Over!! Sweet words. He’ll focus on the troops and their families, the losses and the pride in a job well done.
I hope dubya will be watching. The GOP can’t stand it that their war of choice is over and I can’t stand the GOP.
This morning I heard my local progressive critic of PBO talk about now that the war in Iraq is over the unemployment at Ft Bragg is going to be very high. All he could talk about was bringing the troops home and criticizing PBO now that they are almost all home from Iraq he is going to criticize PBO because of the new unemployment it creates. Sounds like a GOPer to me! With friends like that who needs enemies?
If they’re so worried about unemployment, then maybe they should push for the AJA to pass, since their Bush tax cuts have failed to create jobs.
MIT’s trillion frames per second light-tracking camera.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/technology-16163931
Love that suit, FLOTUS! Can’t wait to watch them address our troops.
First Lady Michelle is looking good.
X2
Medtronic to pay $23.5M to settle kickback claims
December 14, 2025 | Stephanie Bouchard, Associate Editor
WASHINGTON – Medical device giant, Medtronic, admits no wrongdoing but has agreed to pay the federal government $23.5 million to settle claims that it paid doctors kickbacks to get them to use its pacemakers and defibrillators.
The U.S. Justice Department accused Medtronic of causing false claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid and of paying doctors participating in some of the company’s post-market studies and device registries $1,000 to $2,000 per patient. The studies and registries required a new or previous implant of a Medtronic device in each patient, said the Justice Department in a statement about the settlement.
Read more: http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/medtronic-pay-235m-settle-kickback-claims
Young nurse workforce grows by 62 percent
December 14, 2025 | Rene Letourneau, Managing Editor
BETHESDA, MD – The number of young people entering the nursing profession is surging, providing relief from the recent nursing shortage, according to an article in the December issue of Health Affairs.
In the article, “Registered Nurse Supply Grows Faster Than Projected Amid Surge in New Entrants Ages 23-26,” authors David I. Auerbach, Peter I. Buerhaus and Douglas O. Staiger report that the number of full-time registered nurses ages 23-26 increased by 62 percent between 2002 and 2009. [See also: Nurses have more career opportunities under healthcare reform]
“If these young nurses follow the same life-cycle employment patterns as those who preceded them – as they appear to be thus far – then they will be the largest cohort of registered nurses ever observed,” the authors wrote in the article.
~snip~
http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/young-nurse-workforce-grows-62-percent
Just heard Barbara Walters say she was going today to interview President and Mrs. Obama—-after they get back?—-and didn’t catch when that would air—-Friday night?
UGH. Can’t stand her but I’ll take it. I was just wondering this morning if they were going to do a Christmas interview. I guess this is it. You can bet she’ll throw in some trash and that our POTUS and FLOTUS will be entirely gracious as always.
I would prefer Oprah over Walters. They could have shown it on Oprah’s network.
I would prefer Oprah too, Walters asks stupid questions. There is always a RW slant, and I hope we don’t get the “roses and thorns” questions, that seems to be her favorite for PBO/Flotus.
If it would have been on Oprah network I wouldn’t have been able to see POTUS and FLOTUS, so I’m glad it’s Barbara in a way.
I was just thinking Oprah should be doing a special with them for next year on OWN, maybe next year. I liked her first special.
I was hoping they wouldn’t let her back into the White House, after her behavior this year.
THAT’S OUR AMAZING…ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS FIRST COUPLE! I’LL BE WATCHING…THEY LOVE THE TROOPS SO AND I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR THEM!
Hey TOD: Heads Up. Barbara Walters is interviewing the Obamas for An Obama Christmas and part of it will air on World News with Dianne Sawyer tomorrow Thursday Dec. 15, 2011 at 6:30PM ET/ 5:30PM CT on ABC.
Thanks for that UT!
Thanks UT!
Bill Daley looks like he’s desperately trying to get in the last word!!
When I see him have this “look” I think about BWD’s tagline on her blog from our VP Joe, “He’s got a backbone like a ramrod, a brain bigger than his skull and a heart that just keeps beatin’” ——-AMEN!!!
For sure. I’m dying to know the subject.
I always think of some very, very, heavy duty business just went down or is trying to go down, and POB is not happy with the possible outcomes that they are throwing his way.
When he grinds those teeth, watch out, somebody. Something is going down for sure. HZ
I noticed those clenched jaws too.
LHM PBO is so FINE in that picture and FLOTUS is the picture of beauty. I want those SHOES!!!!
I agree Donna, those shoes are a thing of beauty and they look particularly great on FLOTUS! That was my first reaction to the pics…..oh, those shoes!!!!!!!!
We are lovin’ those shoes!
Good Morning TOD family
Let’s start by reading about another one of those amazing OFA volunteers.
Fighting For the Future of Education
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/fighting-for-future-of-education.html
This guy is so cute, it’s the dimples
Hiring Vets Is Smart Business
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/hiring-vets-is-smart-business.html
After losing fed loan, military solar project a go
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/after-losing-fed-loan-military-solar.html
Saved the best for last
the clip of the day for the Osawatomie speech
Key Phrases:
This is a make or break moment for the middle class, and all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.
There are some who seem to be suffering from a kind of collective amnesia. They want to return to the same practices that got us into this mess.
Their philosophy is simple: we are better off when everyone is left to fend for themselves and play by their own rules.
Well, I’m here to say they are wrong. I’m here to reaffirm my deep conviction that we are greater together than we are on our own.
I believe that this country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, when everyone does their fair share, and when everyone plays by the same rules.
Obama :: Osawatomie :: A make or break moment for the middle class
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/obama-osawatomie-make-or-break-moment.html
for those who couldn’t watch the entire hour long speech - this clip captures the spirit of the speech
Excellent WiW, fantastic work
Soooo Muuuch EYE CANDY. Hot, hot, & fierce. Thank you Santa.
Mark Knoller@markknoller
Speaker Boehner invites Pres Obama to deliver State of the Union to Joint Session of Congress on Jan. 24, 2012.
Thank you, sym.
It should be a doozie after a year of this do nothing House of Representatives.
Hopefully for the next State of the Union address, it will be Speaker Pelosi inviting the President.
From your lips to God’s ears.
Man I can’t wait till it will read Speaker Pelosi invites President Barack Obama to deliver State of the Union Jan. 2013.
Nice to see he hasn’t completely lost his mind and all sense of civility.
I think he learned his lesson after the fiasco last time. The President dominated the airwaves.
AF1 coming in for a landing to the sound of troops cheering.
An Afghan woman jailed for adultery after a relative raped her has been freed, her lawyer has told the BBC.
The woman, known only as Gulnaz, was released on the orders of President Hamid Karzai, who pardoned her earlier this month.
Her lawyer told the BBC that she was released without precondition, dispelling fears that she may have to marry her attacker.
The case drew international attention to the plight of many Afghan women.
Gulnaz - who was sentenced to 12 years in prison after reporting that she had been raped by her cousin’s husband - recently gave birth in jail to a daughter.
Her lawyer, Kimberley Motley, told the BBC that she was healthy and happy to be released.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-asia-16179236
Don’t you just love the wingnuts and their “Military hates Obama” meme. Here is Admiral McRaven (the one who commanded the Bin Laden raid) and what he thinks of this Commander in Chief and the last
McRaven speaks respectfully of Bush as Commander in Chief, saying he “made some very, very tough decisions.” About Obama, without a question to prompt him, he waxes lyrical and at length. The planning and decisionmaking for the bin Laden raid, he volunteers, “was really everything the American public would expect from their national leadership.”
“The President was at all times presidential,” he says. “I would contend he was the smartest guy in the room. He had leadership skills we’d expect from a guy who had 35 years in the military.” The sentiments appear to be mutual, for McRaven and his special-operations units. In April, a month before the bin Laden raid, Obama tapped McRaven for his fourth star and nominated him to lead the U.S. Special Operations Command.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/printout/0,29239,2101745_2102133_2102330,00.html
Sweet. Gonna tweet
Brilliant - for this esteemed military man to say the President was like a 35 year veteran is high praise.
Wow! This doesn’t surprise me. Watching this president every day, the strenght of character and the wisdom are so obvious. But I’m SO happy to see military people going PUBLIC about their respect and admiration for him.
Folks, keep this link and send it to everyone you knoe, especially to every conservative you know. Conservatives in general respect the opinion of military people.
Heads up everyone:
http://obamadiary.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/heads-up-81/
Dang… FLOTUS looks “sort the hell out”*
*Jamaican term for she looks absolutely gorgeous.
Look at the looks on the people’s faces as they watch President and Mrs. Obama leave the White House. They are fascinating. I CANNOT imagine any sane person having the same looks for ANY of the losers vying for the Republican nomination.