President Barack Obama kayaks while spending time with friends at a beach in Edgartown, Mass., Aug. 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Wishing ALL TODvill-ians, wherever you are located, a ‘Happy Sunday’!♥ May you experience a special joy in your interactions with family and friends today. And thank you for your good wishes.
Looks like ‘happy’ is our word for the day, TODville! I posted my Sunday wishes before checking and noticed that there were a couple other ‘happy’ wishes. So BE HAPPY, you hear!
So Chips, does today’s work include going to church? If yes, say a prayer for me please…….just because I’ve been using my Sundays otherwise these days.
Oh, Sonjia, I started earlier on the memory lane thread and had smiles galore! In fact, I plan to go back periodically throughout the day to recharge. GM to you too.
It refers to the dog on the roof incident. He put his dog in a carrier for a 12 hour trip to Canada and even when the dog soiled himself in terror, Romney didn’t flinch. Just kept going.
I thought he stopped at a gas station, hosed the dog and the car down, put the poor, wet dog back in the dog crate on top of the car and continued on to Canada. Romney says the dog lived out his last days on his sister’s farm; but, I read at Dogs Against Romney that his sons told reporters off the record the dog ran away when they reached their destination in Canada. The DAR site is hilarious and their activism against Romney on this issue is going to “dog” him as long as he is in this race. Yes, pun intended.
Yes, I’ve read the dog ran away as well from multiple sources. Think about that – cats leave because, well, they’re cats, and cats allow us in their lives, not the other way around. Whereas dogs will travel thousands of miles to get back to their family. But run away? That poor dog must have been beyond traumatized to leave.
That one act of Romneys so best explains everything you need to know about what kind of non-human he is. Had anyone else done this, they’d have their own episode on Animal Cops.
I agree about dogs but I think you were a bit unkind to cats who have great love & loyalty also. Since it is Sunday morning I will tell my cat story. During one of our many moves T-Kat managed to hide himself on the moving van without anyone aware. The van left and we were doing all those things that you do before you leave your old house for your new one. We had the dog and three of the cats but T-Kat was missing. We thought he was just hiding. My son stayed behind to rattle the cookie can & bag him for the trip to our new house, while we went on to meet the movers.
Meanwhile, the movers stopped for lunch & heard a cat protesting inside the van so they opened the door. T-Kat shot out, snarled at them and took off. They couldn’t catch him so they said “oh well” to themselves and proceeded on. When they arrived & told us about the cat I prepared to go back to where they stopped to try & find him. Just about that time a very pissed off T-Kat arrived, gave everyone the whatfor as only a cat can, settled himself by the front door & glared at the movers as they unloaded our stuff.
As near as we can figure, T-Kat had to have somehow followed the van all by himself for over 5 miles. It wasn’t thousands of miles but it was pretty amazing anyway.
I’m so sorry you are scared of cats because some are so sweet and loving with lots of personality. Our biggest lesson from this experience was crate all cats before the movers arrive, LOL!
Don’t misunderstand my love of cats. I am kept by two cats who are my guardians. I’m very lucky. I’ve had cats since I was a child. And a horse, who I miss more than words can say.
Melissa Harris Perry’s opening this morning was freakin awesome. She is calling out the media for the way they are covering the GOP primaries. I am so happy she has her own show now. This is just terrific. Intelligent political discussion is sorely needed.
I was struck too by her silence on the gas price BS Dawson was pushing. The GOP is just grasping for straws here…initially they were running on a bad economy;then pivoted to ‘war on religion’, then they declared war on women and contraception. So now they’re hoping gas prices will go up so they can use it as a political bludgeon. But the fact is if a political party is waiting on something ‘bad’ to happen to win elections,then that shines a huge light on their bankruptcy of any policy solutions to the problems of our times.
Thanks for this df. I will be sending Melissa an email to congratulate her on the new show and wish her all the best. I will also include some feedback on the first two shows and send along your whitehouse.gov link on gas prices for future reference.
Exactly Linda. I don’t care whichever President is in power, he DOESN’T control gas prices. He’s not the head of OPEC so he has nothing to do with gas prices. It’s all down to the oil speculators and hedge funders on Wall Street and beyond.
I kind of think the President has done something about gas prices. When the last threat of using gas prices as political leverage and gouging came up he released a certain amount of reserves to stabilize the prices and to send a huge message that those that would harm the American people and the recovery to their own ends would regret it.
I don’t think even OPEC controls gas prices anymore. This is on the speculators and the big oil companies who are hand in glove with big $$$ to take control of our politics. Also summer gas prices always rise because these goatfiggers know that people want vacations & will suck it up to travel. And, in my state & others, there is the excuse that they have to add stuff to the gas to stop pollution so that has to “cost” us of course.
Imo, rises in gas prices are artificial and not based on supply and demand since we are exporting a lot of gas to places outside the US.
If they want to start on about gas prices, then the President can point to the fact that oil drilling has increased to highest levels ever, that he’s made significant progress on reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil, that Congress rejected legislation to restrict speculation which is a primary driver for increased gas prices, that the higher efficiency standards pushed by the EPA have helped with oil consumption, that they’ve continually rejected legislation to invest more in green technology – apart from his huge investment with the Stimulus plan – and also to assist homeowners with higher heating prices, and finally, that he warned Congress to follow his lead on Iran instead of going off half-cocked and spooking some careful negotiations that have been going on internationally.
They should go ahead and start a battle on oil prices. He’s got it covered.
She’s great with people of like minds,but has precious few interview skills against opponents. My husband was furious at how Cox walked all over her yesterday, and from all accounts the same thing happened today. The rest of yesterday’s show was very good, but interviewing repubs is not for the feint of heart and takes a long time to hone. What disturbed me the most about the segment with Cox was a naivete on Harris-Perry’s part that they would have a dignified discussion amongst intellectual equals. We’re in the battle of our lives for the soul of America and Melissa better learn how to play the game. It’s a new show and everyone gets a learning curve and I will support the show.
I watched her show yesterday and couldn’t help but feel she didn’t vet her Republican guest. He was older (served under Nixon), but was a typical rightwing nutjob.
She opened the show with commentary on the media obsession with the horse race and the hair on fire and misleading headlines about the status of the GOP primary races.
She’s too accommodating to the Repubs on her program. She introduced the Keystone pipeline subject, and I thought—good—some truth to rebut the current Repub moaning about the subject. But no—-just introduced the topic, let the Repub spin and no pushback, no truth taught. Someone else asked—-what is it with Dem/liberal hosts?—–they always go overboard trying to prove they’re ‘fair and balanced’——when rt. wing outlets never bother with same. So we have this huge disadvantage to begin with, number wise—–and when we do get someone we think will help to begin to even the score, they disappoint. Too concerned with future access to Repubs, for some reason, too nice—–we don’t need nice right now—we need determination to expose all the garbage being spread by Repubs and other media outlets.
Also—-too many religious topics when we’re over-saturated at the moment.
I had high expectations for Melissa’s show, but I must say I have been disappointed. Just like Chris Hayes and Rachel, they are giving too much time to Repubs and allowing them to get away with their lies. Why do they even have to give these people time while not spending time touting Pres Obama’s achievements? The only reason they should have a Republican on is like Rev Al does, to refute their lies.
Melissa’s show yesterday was a disaster when she let Ed Cox interrupt her and every guest. I believe I have spent my last Saturday and Sunday morning watching these shows.
this noition of how we see God in our heads…and how that image is male and how that influences how we see women in authority….
.but there was one aspect that wasn’t touched on….women have outstanding authority in the home….why doesn’t that translate into authority in the public sector
and i would caution us about making a decision about the show till we see more it …also…..just because it is not what someone might want…does not make it wrong…..just makes it different
You make several excellent points. I guess I am just frustrated that we liberals always feel the need to give republicans the chance to spew their hatred and then fail to push back hard against the lies. This tine should be spent educating viewers about how the President has helped this country. The time should be spent refuting all the lies the Republicans have out there. And we need to stop apologizing for telling the truth. Fox is proud to spew it’s lies and when they have a Dem on, it’s not really a Dem but a Repub brought on to trash the President and the party.
We are in an election year and a battle for our country. We cannot afford to be accommodating to the crazy republican party. We just can’t. This is what made people stay home in 2010. Liberal media did not help people understand the true threat of the tea party and the importance of keeping Dems in control of Congress.
yanno…sis…this notion of accomodation is what the PL is always accusing the President of….like his handling the contraception controversy…
i get tired of what passes as political dialogue….i want shows that make one think about why we think…the way we do….and how that makes us susceptible to all the memes…
this is her 2nd program and already there are folks saying how disappointed they are….
i enjoyed her programs…looking forward to next week….i am willing to give her show more time..i think we all should…
I think we are allowed to express disappointment in how these shows support or don’t support the President. We cannot repeat (and I don’t think we will) 2010.
Prettyfoot, you’re right in that we need to give her a chance after just 2 shows.
However, as Proud of Obama has indicated, in an election year when the stakes are particularly high, we cannot allow the GOP to run away with an obviously false narrative. And clearly, this latest meme about rising gas prices is simply another tool that the GOP is using to turn voters away from PBO – and it’s irresponsible of any show host to allow them to LIE blatantly on this issue. I would have expected Mellissa to firmly challenge the notion that the President is somehow responsible for this, and allude to the speculation by hedgefund managers and tie it to GOP displeasure over the Keystone pipeline.
Where are all the people and environmental groups who were protesting, even before the administration disapproved of the Keystone pipleline??? Are they now going to sit by quietly and allow the President to be blamed by the media and GOP for rising gas prices? Or are they going to have his back and stand up to the media and their GOP cronies?
What I got from her show was a ringing endorsement of the GOP ineptitude. There was a man of culture and education just repeating the same old tired GOP party line. The hosts don’t need to hang the guests. The guest is quite capable of doing it himself.
I agree with the comments made about Cox. I actually left the room when he started to aggressively talk over her and when I returned hoping he was gone there he was in the second segment dominating the other guests too. This is the problem as I see it and it’s not specific to MHP but to most normal, respectful people. I don’t recall where I read it but the reason Repubs are better at this kind of political warfare than Dems is because they lie all the time about everything and either they have no shame that they are lying or they are so deluded that they actually believe their lies. They operate in a parallel universe where there failed policies will work if they just keep implementing them over and over again. They are very cult-like, in that they repeat their talking points dogmatically and will not shut up unless someone just as forcefully smacks them with facts or turns off their mic. There has to be a brainwashing seminar or school of right-wing nut training on how to dominate any conversation with right-wing propaganda. They are like a dog with a bone; they won’t let go and they are masters at turning any topic however unrelated back on to a critique about PBO or the Dems. If the question is about Santorum or Romney by the time the segment is over everyone’s talking about PBO. They talk over you so that you can’t get the facts out without making yourself appear to be as rude and nasty as they are.
So, many of you are right. MHP, like most Democrats, is a cultured, intelligent sophisticated person who does not want to embarass herself by reaching across the table and smacking one of those Repubs (which is what I would want to do). I anticpate she will get better especially if we all send her our critiques instead of just talking about it amongst ourselves.
I sent her an email with a link to this thread encouraging her to read it in its entirety. Because she has to fly home to NOLA, there’s a chance she may be in an airport or on a plane with plenty of time to read her email. Let’s hope.
I’m at work right now, but later today gonna be heading home to NOLA. 3 days of not relaxation, but fun and excitement of Mardi Gras…way better than not working
As others have noted, we are transitioning from contraception to gas prices as a fave Obama attack. Whatever the right wing and the media think will chip away at Obama’s rising poll numbers, they’re going to give it an enthusiastic effort. The gas price thing is on every newscast and in every newspaper where I am currently in Florida, with newsreaders sternly warning that this will change peoples’ perceptions about the improving economy etc. Same in my local news back in Illinois. And the Des Moines Register article with their Bad News for Obama poll connected peoples’ dissatisfaction with gas prices in the accompanying article for their results—–misleadingly and without imparting any truth on the matter.
In other personal political news—-just got back from a long, warm, humid walk through an upscale area with lots of unenlightened residents. One big house had a car in the driveway with a bumper sticker that read “Obamacare = Bad Medicine”. I yelled out “Idiot!” real loud and in a not mature but satisfactory outburst. Just then a guy walks out to the driveway from the side of the house. Husband says, “OMG, he heard you!” And I replied, “Good!” and gave him one more “Idiot!”—just to make sure— as we continued to stroll on by.
That’s right dotster… We have to be vigilant about the gas prices narrative which will be the media/GOP’s latest weapon of attack. I’m going to tweet Axelrod, Messina, and Carney and BarackObama!
As for that stupid poll which was a RW hack job in my opinion.
They will release the reserves and stop big oil from parking tankers off our seacost, on order to keep gas prices high.
That happened the first time, I doubt it will happen this time!
But any sensible person will not fall for the Republican crap, it is not President Obama’s fault that gas prices are on the rise. I was just waiting for those lowlife Republicans to try pend it on POTUS.
What will the GOP say is the reason for increased oil prices? Domestic oil production is up. Demand is low. The pipeline wasn’t going to provide one drop of oil to the United States (unless there was a leak). What exactly are they going to say that will point to the Keystone decision as a reason for higher oil prices, or even to encourage more domestic drilling? Since we’ve increased drilling under President Obama (or rather, we’ve increased permits, but oil companies aren’t drilling all the permits they have), and oil prices are still going up – doesn’t that point out the fallacy of their thinking? Let them be angry about the Keystone decision. Remind them about the BP oil spill and the damage that was done there, and the fact that the GOP APOLOGIZED to BP for making them accountable for their stark lack of planning, and then demanded that the President clean up their mess.
OMG. Chips you were 100% right to refer to Santorum as a despicable piece of shit. Not only does he question PBO’s faith, he lies about it and said he was questioning radical environmentalists. He says that PBO included womens care in the ACA because he wants more pre-natal testing and pre-natal care so that more abortions can take place. He says that pre-natal care is all about abortions. Didn’t this pig’s wife have like 7 children? Is he trying to say that she never had any pre-natal care? He also wants to abolish federal and state funding of public schools and says his children don’t use public school and it makes them better students. This cretin was able to home school his children by ripping off PA taxpayers. Oh please, please, please let this fool continue to ratchet up GOP support. This election would be so easy.
I don’t believe she had an abortion. She did live with a man who performed abortions, and he was old enough to be her grandfather, I believe.
You might be mistaking the fact that she gave birth to a child that had zero chance of survival because of genetic defects, and their doctor had advised them to consider terminating the pregnancy, stating that the child would suffer at birth and wouldn’t be expected to live for very long at all. They opted not to terminate, and the baby lived for a few hours.
The republican war on education is just sick.. it feels to me that why they all want to do away with public education is so that they can choose the curriculum at their private schools- as in teaching creationism only, etc. And if no public education exists, then poor and low income children won’t be able to go to school.. thus they will remain basically uneducated.. the way republicans like us to be: ignorant of their policies. Santorum is the epitomy of the lying, immoral republican mindset- he & Bachmann have much in common- nothing that comes out of their mouth has anything to do with reason or humanity or honesty. What I find more worriesome are the amount of people in this country who find these crazy liars acceptable.. I cannot understand that.
I agree alma that there will always be a segment- like that 20% that still loves Bush.. but when the polls show that over 40% would still vote republican in this country, after all the harm they’ve done & atttempted to do, all their obstruction, hatred, racism and lies.. it truly boggles my mind.
This Santorum will erase several decades of progress if he makes it to the White House. Prenatal care is something that developed countries have been trying to bring to developing countries for years, because it’s safer for the baby and the mother. Now, this idiot wants to go backwards and question science? This election really is a fight for the very existence and soul of this country. The agenda of these right wing crazies is breathtakingly dangerous.
Agree theo, it really is – This election really is a fight for the very existence and soul of this country.
And much as we want to believe we have it in the bag, because we want to believe that reason and sanity and goodness will prevail- I believe we will have to work triply hard at getting everyone out to vote- and getting out the facts of this administration’s achievements these past three years.
I keep seeing POTUS having to “debate” a Santorum or a Romney.. and the lies that come out of their mouths so effortlessly.. and the lies the media helps them perpetuate.. the deck WILL be stacked against us, against President Obama.
We have to be vigilant and absolute in our fight against their BS, imo. It really must be all hands on deck.
Agree Sheri – the worst part is that facts don’t matter to these right wingers. So, it’s not so much a debate, as it is trying to remain sane and reach some of the last remaining sane “Independents”. Anyone still associating with the GOP at this point have aligned themselves with a racist, ignorant, closed-minded, greedy party. You can’t reach them. Those calling themselves “Independents” have to be ashamed of what they’re seeing. It doesn’t matter who the GOP put up on their side – as long as they’re advocating Republican failed policies, they are on the wrong side of history.
Ut, Ricky will drive you crazy if you listen to him because there is a big chunk of his brain that is unhinged. I’ve gotten to the point where I just want him to talk crazier and crazier and crazier until even the dimmest bulb gets that he’s off his meds. Ricky has never had this much national limelight and it’s making him dizzy and careless. He has lousy advisers and poor judgment so he’s letting his inner lunatic flow out from him uncensored. I say, Keep it up, Ricky. By the way, Democrats in PA started calling Santorum Little Ricky when he kept snidely referring to Bob Casey as little “Bobby” during the 2006 senatorial campaign. It was always a term of derision, not affection.
I found ONE thing that Ron Paul and I can agree on!!
TPMLivewire
10:38 AM EST
Ron Paul: Santorum Cannot Beat Obama
National Journal reports:
Ron Paul said he doesn’t think that Rick Santorum can defeat President Obama in a general election. “I don’t see how that’s possible,” he said on Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union.
Paul Ryan: Too Late For Any More GOP Prez Contenders
Paul Ryan said he thinks it’s too late for other Republicans to enter the presidential race, something a number of conservatives continue to yearn for.
“I have a hard time seeing how somebody could get in at this late date,” Ryan said on NBC’s “Meet The Press.”
The fact that he’s even talking about it shows that they know they’re done. I hope everyone keeps their eyes on Grover Norquist, who says he’s already given up on the presidency, and he’s focused on the House and Senate.
This is important. Congress has a single digit approval rating, but when people are polled about their own specific congressperson, they would rather see them re-elected. If people don’t start to tie Congress’ actions with the person who represents them and actually casts their vote in Congress, then President Obama’s second term will be wasted. People have to start educating local voters about their representative in the House and their Senators in the Senate. I’m not sure how the GOP keep getting voted in year after year, except that people don’t really understand how government plays a role in their every day lives, and the impact that their specific Congressman or Senator puts into jeopardy some of the things they rely on.
I saw a few articles this week that I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but they pointed out the hypocrisy of people who are on Medicare, or have parents who rely on social programs or whose children rely on school lunch programs – and yet they still rant about government spending and such. How can people be so obtuse? And what can we do to spread the word to these uninformed people about the consequences of their votes, if they vote Republican? This is the true challenge in 2012. It’s not about getting President Obama a second term. It’s about ensuring that he’s got a Congress that won’t keep holding this country’s progress back for another four years, and then making sure that the progress made during President Obama’s presidency carries on into future years because people are more aware of what the government does.
I will say one good thing about the redistricting that has gone on this year. For many districts a “new person” is now representing them in Congress, so the old loyalty to the incumbent has disappeared. The feeling is that “we” didn’t election this guy or woman, so we can start from scratch. We can exploit this feeling with good Democratic candidates.
The question the GOP and their followers need to answer this election season is what Chris Matthews used to stump one of his guests some time back: what has the GOP done for America and Americans in the past 30 years. Apparently, the guest had to go all the way back to Eisenhower and his example was something that was only achieved because of his work with a Democratic Congress.
If you ask a Democrat what they’ve done in the last 30 years, they can rattle off stuff easily over the past 40 years; 50 years; 100 years. From labor unions that brought about safer working conditions and fairer pay. To women’s rights, civil rights, funding for scientific research and discovery (e.g. moon exploration). Health Care Reform. Education. Diplomacy. The list goes on and on.
The GOP has objected to most of it. And ever since Reagan, they’ve only advocated deregulation and lower taxes. It’s ridiculous. One thing I have heard them talk about is that Reagan brought about the greatest accumulation of wealth in the history of the country. This might be true for the decade in the 80′s when living was easy. But the long term consequences of those Reagan decisions point to broader and deeper levels of poverty, reduced infrastructure spending, the advent of phony financial profits, increased world aggression.
The real creation of wealth was during the industrial revolution – when America became a super power through manufacturing and global interaction. That’s when wealth was more broadly experienced because the middle class was born in America. Today’s GOP wants to kill the middle class, limit the ability of the majority of Americans to be able to buy goods, start businesses, compete globally and participate in the economy. The GOP agenda is to create an oligarchy. They’ve done nothing for this country in 30 years.
I think Cantor has told so many lies in his life, he wouldn’t recognize a truth if it bit him. He’s absolutely programmed to blame Democrats for everything no matter what the issue or circumstance and therefore does not allow himself to think. The problem is that without honest self-assessment you can never adapt to changing times and environment and that ultimately will be the undoing of men like him and his party.
Regarding gas prices, it is important to note that gas prices are not consistent Nationwide. Look here: http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redirectto=http://fuelgaugereport.opisnet.com/index.asp See the variance? Notice how the gas prices are highest in Democratic leaning states? This isn’t a coincidence. Here’s a brief overview of Gas Prices just prior to and since PBO took office:
Gas prices from Consumer Reports
September 8, 2008 $3.65
[September 29, 2008 Stock Market down 777.68]
October 27, 2008 $2.66
November 17, 2008 $2.07
December 15, 2008 $1.66 [Demand was WAY down]
January 27, 2009 $1.84
June 15, 2009 $2.67
January 31, 2011 $3.10
June 6, 2011 $3.78
September 19, 2011 $3.60
Gas took a dip at the end of last year and stayed lower for a bit and now they’re going back up again. But right now, today, the record prices are only in Democratic areas. Mild winters increase demand in States where people are heavily dependent upon cars because of large distances: California and Florida. Gas prices aren’t as tied to oil prices as they once were. Supply and demand do influence prices.
Make what you will of all this, but the Republicans are fighting back. Did you expect them not to? The last battle is always the bloodiest.
Tien Le, it is my understanding that oil analysts are in agreement that the rise in oil prices and thus gas prices is due to speculation in the oil futures market. Oil production is up in the US and demand is down. Gasoline is now being exported from the US. There is so much money in the world currently, banks are not lending it and corporations are not investing it, that it is being used to speculate in the stock, bond, and commodity markets by banks and hedge fumds.
It should be illegal, but currently we have criminals in congress who control the law-making process, originally designed to protect the people from this type of behavior. We pay the price, they reap the benefit.
I don’t dispute that. Just looking at the data in a different way for now to see if there are any other explanations. Someone needs to explain to me why prices are up here when we’re exporting fuel. If demand is really down, then why isn’t the price coming down like it did when the President took office? Why are gas prices so high in a place like the Northwest where the third largest refinery is? There was a big fire there yesterday, by the way. Something just doesn’t add up.
The gas price at the pump is primarily determined by the price of oil on the world market. I suppose gas is being exported because of demand in China where the economy is still strong.
Votive is burning in our home, for your Mothers journey to our Real Home, and for your family here, Jeff, who will miss her so. She did live a full and productive life, I am sure of that. Blessings.
Jeff I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sending you and your family prayers and light right now. May you find comfort in sweet memories of her and the knowledge that her life and love carries on in you.
Jeff, I’m so so sorry. There is nothing to say when grief and loss come to you like this. I hope you have family and friends to support and see you through this. My heart goes out to you.
Condolences to you on the loss of your mother. It is hard not to grieve but I hope you will be able to celebrate her life and enjoy your memories in the near future.
I LOVE THE PADDLE PIC…THO’T PBO WAS ABLE TO SNEAK OFF FOR A LITTLE R&R! I UNFORTUNATELY…HAVE TO PICK UP FOOD FOR A FUNERAL DINNER TOMORROW….TIS’ A SAD,BUT NECESSARY ERRAND. ONE OF OUR CHURCH FAMILIES LOST THEIR 16 YEAR OLD SON UNEXPECTEDLY THIS WEEK. THIS FAMILY HAS ADOPTED OVER A DOZEN SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. THEY ARE AMAZING PARENTS. MANY OF THESE CHILDREN HAD ALSO BEEN SEVERELY ABUSED BECAUSE OF THEIR HANDICAPS. GOD CALLED CLAY HOME THIS WEEK. WILL BE BACK LATER! BLESSINGS!
GOP="We want something BAD 2 happen in USA so we have a campaign platform"+go back to what broke it+hate Obama 24/7=#GOPFAIL#GOPHATESUSA— Tally Briggs (@bardgal) February 19, 2012
You hit it on the head Tally. The GOP offers no solutions, they simply want to stand on the sidelines and cheer for bad things to happen and, in some cases, work to MAKE bad things happen. They don’t even to try pushing the “Country First” lie anymore because everyone sees through it.
great video–all the economic facts and figures can be daunting, and mind-numbing. but this makes it easy to see and understand that….(drum roll)…the stimulus worked!
That cretin is one of the most vile creatures ever to walk the earth. MSNBC finally got rid of their racist Pat Buchanan; CNN would be wise to get rid of her also. She spews venom every time.
I’m only have way down the thread, and have to run to do some stuff, but regarding Melissa, and politico shows –
If I have my own show……. I would say at the top of the interview, “I will not tolerate any talk-over, and interruptions like EVERYONE in the GOP normally does to monopolize and control the conversation, and make sure the opposite opinion is never heard. The first time you do that, and you most likely will, I will give a signal to cut your mic. If you are not okay with this method to insure that I am heard as well, since it is afterall, MY SHOW, you need to leave right now.”
I received an email a few days ago from the Women For Obama Finance Committee, inviting to an event where Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be speaking. I’m considering it, even though it’s an hour away from where I live and I’ll have get up early the next morning because hubby is giving a talk on family genealogy. Has anyone attended one of these events?
I haven’t been to one, but the opportunity to hear DWS would make me want to go no matter the distance. I hope you will go and report back to us. Of course there could be many circumstances. Good luck.
Feel like going shopping before I go to the airport. I’m all packed, but I feel like just going home with nothing and buying all new stuff while I’m in NOLA?? Just ready to get home I guess. Is that weird???
I went to Mardi Gras a couple of times pre-Katrina. I’ll have to take my friends word when they same I had a REALLY good time. Except for some absolutely sublime meals, most of my trips to NOLA remain a total blur. No wonder I thought about moving there at one time!
I love that. The article asks the question wondering what the students will find next in the Rain Forest? How about a cure for bigotry? Can they do that, please? But I’ll settle for eating polyurethane in the mean time. Great stuff.
Morning/afternoon all you O’s!!! Another great gettin up day in Ohood!! I watched the Sunday morning political shows and wonder what will be the pubs ‘hair on fire’ topic for next week. Will Santorum continue his fire and brimstone talk…Newt emerge from wherever he’s been….Mitty adopt-a-pet…. Ron Paul find a last name to go with his two first names? Oh the possibilities.
Regarding some earlier opinions about MHP’s show and not pushing back against Repubs, being disappointed, etc… she has room to grow. We also have a couple of hosts on MSNBC who regularly go after repubs: Reverend Al, Lawrence O Donnell, Ed Shultz. And compare MHP’s shows to some of the other unwatchable crap on Sunday: Fox News Sunday, Meet the Press with David Gregory, Candy Crowley, that regularly host Republicans and lob softballs and even go googly eyed after them.
Yeah I get it’s an election year and stakes are high, but I suspect MHP wants the Republicans on her show to expose how silly their talking points are. There really is no point in “pushing back” when allowing them to stick their feet in their mouths is more effective, just look at how Foster Freiss has cost Santorum female votes with his comment about putting Bayer aspirin between the legs, although I agree Andrea Mitchell should have at least shown disgust.
Regardless, President Obama continues to do well because he has demonstrated he is a leader, while the rest of these Republican clowns are opportunists.
I disagree, there is a reason to push back against lies. If something is completely false, why not say something? If she’s going to allow people to spew lies on her show then she is going to have a problem, because many are not going to want to watch another show where Republicans lies go unchallenged.
WE STILL NEED MRS PERRY TO FIGHT AND NOT JUST SIT THERE WHILE THE REPTHUGS SPOUT THEIR LIES CONTINUOSLY…WE NEED THE TRUTH…SO SHE MUST EITHER PRESENT IT OR GET OFF THE STAGE!!!!
HEY I LIKE HER AND ALL BUT WE NEED ‘SOLDIERS OF TRUTH’ RIGHT NOW…COME ON MELISSA, WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU!!!
Lynn- you said just what I wanted to say. Let them spout their lies…then break down the lies one by one. MP “What you just stated is is a lie (falsehood or what ever they want to call lies). Here are the facts….” We must push back on the lies…when lies go unchallenged they morph into a strange “collective” truth. She is just getting started, but she must change what she is doing ASAP.
Lynn, that’s exactly what I was trying to say upthread. I like Mrs. Perry and think she is very intelligent and talented. But we need liberals in these critical roles to help us get PBO reelected and kick the GOP out of power in the House and keep the Senate. That’s the ultimate goal, and if these folks aren’t going to help us get there, I can’t support them. I hope she takes the feedback she’s getting and makes some adjustments.
Point taken, especially since she’s got a segment on her show about “Foot Soldiers”. I hope she’s able to make some adjustments in the way she deals with guests with opposing views that doesn’t make it look like she’s either sucking up to them or letting them run roughshod over her.
I’m willing to give her time to grow into the new role though. The 1st five minutes of yesterday’s show where she was pretty much slapped around by that Cox guy was hard to watch — I almost turned the channel until I reminded myself that it’s her first show and maybe I should at least give her 15 minutes to settle in. I’m glad I did. The rest of the show was wonderful and definitely appealed to my nerdy sensibilities. I missed the first half of today’s show, but the 2nd half was equally great. I enjoyed the new and diverse voices that she brings on the show. On the whole, “Nerdland” is working for me. I’ll keep watching.
Maybe some of that pushback she got from Cornell West intimidated her, somewhat.
Now, she is hesitant to defend the President.
Me thinks, West knew what je was doing.
i had planned to say something here….but i will pull back and say this…time will tell if all the criticism levied at Mellissa-Harris Perry is warranted…..
one of the things that i have learned…that when you enter into the foray of public opinion you have to be able to take the bitter with the sweet…knowing that there will be more bitter than sweet….
My take, exactly. She’s great with the rest of the show. But she can’t let these repubs get away with it. Interviewing is a difficult skill and unfortunately requires real-time practice. MHP is a brilliant, principled liberal and it’s vitally important that we support the few venues liberals have on the airwaves. But lies and disrespect should not be tolerated.
I believe Rev Al has been on the national stage fighting the good fight a lot longer than MHP. Natural talent and intellect will take you far, but in the end discernment comes from experience.
He says that supply/demand, speculators, and market sentiment all play a part.
The other key factor in determining oil prices is sentiment. The mere belief that oil demand will increase dramatically at some point in the future can result in a dramatic increase in oil prices in the present as speculators and hedgers alike snap up oil futures contracts. Of course, the opposite is also true. The mere belief that oil demand will decrease at some point in the future can result in a dramatic decrease in prices in the present as oil futures contracts are sold (possibly sold short as well).
…and I am crazy about Deval Patrick! Why, oh why, can’t we have a governor like him in Georgia?
Don’t bother ing that woefully rhetorical and depressing question. I already know. (sigh!)
I would love to see him to in a huge role in the 2nd Obama administration.
you have to wonder who is being polled…i would prefer plastic Romney to bad crazy Santorum….
i wonder how many folks in the repub party actually believe the things that Santorum says…and the pundits always talk about honest Santorum is about his feelings….to that i say….the klansmen carred their bibles while they lynched black men…..Santorum represents something much more terrifying then Romney…
I didn’t want to say anything negative yesterday about Whitney’s wonderful “Going Home” service. It was wonderful. Who I didn’t want to see there was Jesse Jackson. He sat there, front row on stage, looking “above it all” sucking on his glasses and didn’t respond to even the most moving parts of the service–but then he got his butt right out there to the news people. I never have liked the guy, but when I read a comment he made about President Obama, when President Obama was still a senator, about how he could crush a part of Senator Obama’s anatomy if he wanted–I started to really dislike the guy. Maybe my opinion is a little biased, but to me he just looks like a media hog. Am I wrong? Now Rev. Al is a whole different story–love the guy.
You are not alone regarding your feelings and observations of Jesse Jackson. He certainly has made himself irrelevant with his past behaviors and especially in regards to then candidate Barack Obama because I am sure the campaign saw that it was all about “Jesse Jackson”. JJ has become a media-whore at every opportunity which is so unfortunate. At one time he was a treasure and he has become a joke.
He is no better than an ambulance chaser. He constantly inserts himself and seems consumed by his ego. But, we have to assume Cissy Houston wanted him there so I have to respect that but I don’t have to respect him.
Also, auni, it’s good that you held your comment until today because there were a few commenters who did not do that yesterday. It reminded me of something my mother said to me once to correct my behavior when I was very, very, young because I had a sharp tongue and was brutally honest at the most inopportune times. “You do not have to say out loud everything that pops into your head.” It’s still good advice today.
I embarrassed my mother so many times that she told me if I did not learn to be quiet she’d leave me at home. I can’t remember exactly how old I was, maybe 8 or 9 and possibly younger.
Karma was visited upon me a few years back when I visited a customer at her home wearing a purple outfit and her 5 or 6 year old daughter looked at me and said, “You wore that the last time you were here.” Now, I did not remember because it had been several weeks but I’m sure she was right. Her mother was so embarrassed and told her to apologize. It was too funny because it brought back childhood memories of me and my mother.
“Happy birthday, champ,” Obama told Ali through a video message, saying he wished he could have attended a swanky dinner gala in Las Vegas featuring some of the biggest names in sports, film, television and music.
“As a fighter, you were something spectacular,” Obama told Ali, who turned 70 last month. “You shocked the world, and you inspired it, too. And even after all the titles and legendary bouts, you’re still doing it.”
The gala’s 2,000 attendees were there to celebrate Ali’s life and generate millions of dollars for brain research, a mission Ali’s family says is important to him in part because of his nearly 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
A friend just posted this video on Facebook of President Obama in Orange County this week, greeting neighbors outside a private function. Not much talking, but he looks really good. Seems even taller.
Glad to hear I’m not alone in my view of JJ. When you see how Rev. Al has gotten his own TV show and is so well liked, you can sure see that “what goes around, comes around” is true. If you listen long enough you get to know who the good guys are—-. Back years ago I used to see JJ and Rev. Al Sharpton at some of the same events–here is another old timey saying—”cream rises to the top”. I think I’m muttering–just like the old gal that I am.
It irks me that we have to sit around waiting for the next wave of attack by the GOP as if we were refugees in a bomb shelter. Why not start returning fire with fire. If the R led Congress refused to pass legislation that would regulate gas price speculation, than why can’t we hammer home that point in press releases, interviews, and LTEs. Once again, this is the rich speculator controlling the masses and making all of us pay for their profit. Seems to me this could be a perfect populist issue and help to position the president as a crusader for the middle class. The Dems ought to reintroduce legislation now to control unreasonable speculation and then very loudly pin it on the R’s if it doesn’t pass. Also there’s no reason for us to let any R off the hook on the birth control issue just because they’re now scrambling away from it. They started this anti-woman crusade. They own it. We usually wait for PBO to strategically make a statement to quiet the noise, but we all ought to be shouting about it as well.
The People’s View
Morning all!! Happy Sunday.
congrats on #1!
Thanks, Hope.
Morning Africa! Morning everyone. Will be back in a while, see ya then
Ooooh that smile!! Morning Chips and TOD family.
I loveeeeeeee this PICs of our President….i do
Africa, congrats on being No. 1.
You beat me today, but I was out very early particating in our countries Corporate Run to earn monies for children’s cardiac care in Jamaica.
I will however be trying again tomorrow for the No. 1 spot (lol).
Good on you working for a superb cause!!
When and where was the picture of President Obama in the canoe taken?
President Barack Obama kayaks while spending time with friends at a beach in Edgartown, Mass., Aug. 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
GM, TODers. Warm wishes for a blessed Sunday.
Good morning, everyone!! Off to church shall return soon.
Good morning. Happy Sunday ; )
Wishing ALL TODvill-ians, wherever you are located, a ‘Happy Sunday’!♥ May you experience a special joy in your interactions with family and friends today.
And thank you for your good wishes.
Looks like ‘happy’ is our word for the day, TODville!
I posted my Sunday wishes before checking and noticed that there were a couple other ‘happy’ wishes. So BE HAPPY, you hear! 
So Chips, does today’s work include going to church? If yes, say a prayer for me please…….just because I’ve been using my Sundays otherwise these days.
Morning Chips and TOD. If i’s sunday; it’s meet my Frosties/Frosted Flakes.
And… ahem!…..ahem1… the fruits, UTAL?
Morning!
Good morning, start this day with a smile. Let see if that smile will make its way back to you.
Oh, Sonjia, I started earlier on the memory lane thread and had smiles galore! In fact, I plan to go back periodically throughout the day to recharge. GM to you too.
PBO and Lincoln fist bump: http://twitpic.com/8m0c9w
love it! happy president’s day!
Hahahahahahahaha. Mitt Romney gets the Rick Santorum treatment. So pulling a Romney means ———–> Click and find out.
http://spreadingsantorum.com/
http://spreadingromney.com/
Ewwww….I don’t get Romney’s definition. He’s all about the money. Unhuman. Fake. Why not a definition to match that?
It refers to the dog on the roof incident. He put his dog in a carrier for a 12 hour trip to Canada and even when the dog soiled himself in terror, Romney didn’t flinch. Just kept going.
And then hosed down the poor dog after they arrived!!
I thought he stopped at a gas station, hosed the dog and the car down, put the poor, wet dog back in the dog crate on top of the car and continued on to Canada. Romney says the dog lived out his last days on his sister’s farm; but, I read at Dogs Against Romney that his sons told reporters off the record the dog ran away when they reached their destination in Canada. The DAR site is hilarious and their activism against Romney on this issue is going to “dog” him as long as he is in this race. Yes, pun intended.
Yes, I’ve read the dog ran away as well from multiple sources. Think about that – cats leave because, well, they’re cats, and cats allow us in their lives, not the other way around. Whereas dogs will travel thousands of miles to get back to their family. But run away? That poor dog must have been beyond traumatized to leave.
That one act of Romneys so best explains everything you need to know about what kind of non-human he is. Had anyone else done this, they’d have their own episode on Animal Cops.
I agree about dogs but I think you were a bit unkind to cats who have great love & loyalty also. Since it is Sunday morning I will tell my cat story. During one of our many moves T-Kat managed to hide himself on the moving van without anyone aware. The van left and we were doing all those things that you do before you leave your old house for your new one. We had the dog and three of the cats but T-Kat was missing. We thought he was just hiding. My son stayed behind to rattle the cookie can & bag him for the trip to our new house, while we went on to meet the movers.
Meanwhile, the movers stopped for lunch & heard a cat protesting inside the van so they opened the door. T-Kat shot out, snarled at them and took off. They couldn’t catch him so they said “oh well” to themselves and proceeded on. When they arrived & told us about the cat I prepared to go back to where they stopped to try & find him. Just about that time a very pissed off T-Kat arrived, gave everyone the whatfor as only a cat can, settled himself by the front door & glared at the movers as they unloaded our stuff.
As near as we can figure, T-Kat had to have somehow followed the van all by himself for over 5 miles. It wasn’t thousands of miles but it was pretty amazing anyway.
I’m terrified of cats, but even I had to smile at that story. How sweet – I’m glad it had a happy ending!
I’m so sorry you are scared of cats because some are so sweet and loving with lots of personality. Our biggest lesson from this experience was crate all cats before the movers arrive, LOL!
Amazing, ag! Those movers NEEDED some glaring at!
Don’t misunderstand my love of cats. I am kept by two cats who are my guardians. I’m very lucky. I’ve had cats since I was a child. And a horse, who I miss more than words can say.
Ooooh OK. I never heard THAT part of the story. Jeebus Christ what a heartless SOB!
Happy Sunday everyone.
Melissa Harris Perry’s opening this morning was freakin awesome. She is calling out the media for the way they are covering the GOP primaries. I am so happy she has her own show now. This is just terrific. Intelligent political discussion is sorely needed.
Any details?
She started her show with another Republican like yesterday….Katon Dawson and no push back on the gas prices meme he was pushing.
I turned it off.
I was struck too by her silence on the gas price BS Dawson was pushing. The GOP is just grasping for straws here…initially they were running on a bad economy;then pivoted to ‘war on religion’, then they declared war on women and contraception. So now they’re hoping gas prices will go up so they can use it as a political bludgeon. But the fact is if a political party is waiting on something ‘bad’ to happen to win elections,then that shines a huge light on their bankruptcy of any policy solutions to the problems of our times.
Excellent comment Uche! Wish I could condense your comment into a 140-or-less character post and tweet the hell out of it.
The GOP is FLAILING big time. As someone indicated earlier, they are simply flinging mud at this point and hoping something sticks.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/energy-agenda-gas-prices Tweet this
Thanks for this df. I will be sending Melissa an email to congratulate her on the new show and wish her all the best. I will also include some feedback on the first two shows and send along your whitehouse.gov link on gas prices for future reference.
Thank you, Ladyhawke
Awesome!!!!
done. downthread. you’re welcome.
THANKS TALLY
Will retweet!
I remember when the Democrats went after Pres.Bush for high gas prices in the summer of 2008…..Both sides should just drop this…..it is a loser..
No President can control the price of gasoline……
Exactly Linda. I don’t care whichever President is in power, he DOESN’T control gas prices. He’s not the head of OPEC so he has nothing to do with gas prices. It’s all down to the oil speculators and hedge funders on Wall Street and beyond.
I kind of think the President has done something about gas prices. When the last threat of using gas prices as political leverage and gouging came up he released a certain amount of reserves to stabilize the prices and to send a huge message that those that would harm the American people and the recovery to their own ends would regret it.
another reason to end tax subsidies…they get our taxes and they get us at the pump…..
Ooooooo weeeeeee
THIS.
Checkmate!!
I don’t think even OPEC controls gas prices anymore. This is on the speculators and the big oil companies who are hand in glove with big $$$ to take control of our politics. Also summer gas prices always rise because these goatfiggers know that people want vacations & will suck it up to travel. And, in my state & others, there is the excuse that they have to add stuff to the gas to stop pollution so that has to “cost” us of course.
Imo, rises in gas prices are artificial and not based on supply and demand since we are exporting a lot of gas to places outside the US.
Just my two pesos….
If they want to start on about gas prices, then the President can point to the fact that oil drilling has increased to highest levels ever, that he’s made significant progress on reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil, that Congress rejected legislation to restrict speculation which is a primary driver for increased gas prices, that the higher efficiency standards pushed by the EPA have helped with oil consumption, that they’ve continually rejected legislation to invest more in green technology – apart from his huge investment with the Stimulus plan – and also to assist homeowners with higher heating prices, and finally, that he warned Congress to follow his lead on Iran instead of going off half-cocked and spooking some careful negotiations that have been going on internationally.
They should go ahead and start a battle on oil prices. He’s got it covered.
Beautiful, beautiful summary, Theo. I’d forgotten all about Congress rejecting restrictions on speculation. This is a great summary!
You should go over to Balloon Juice and enlighten the troll
Good stuff here, theo!
She’s great with people of like minds,but has precious few interview skills against opponents. My husband was furious at how Cox walked all over her yesterday, and from all accounts the same thing happened today. The rest of yesterday’s show was very good, but interviewing repubs is not for the feint of heart and takes a long time to hone. What disturbed me the most about the segment with Cox was a naivete on Harris-Perry’s part that they would have a dignified discussion amongst intellectual equals. We’re in the battle of our lives for the soul of America and Melissa better learn how to play the game. It’s a new show and everyone gets a learning curve and I will support the show.
wow….we have the bats out already…to smash her…..amazing how we focus on the part that we don’t like…..instead of seeing the whole pic….
Melissa better get pointers from Rev Al on how to deal with the Goppers.
Happy Sunday TOD.
I watched her show yesterday and couldn’t help but feel she didn’t vet her Republican guest. He was older (served under Nixon), but was a typical rightwing nutjob.
He married Nixon’s daughter, Tricia. Always thought he was a supercilious snob–even when he was a young man. Obviously he’s gotten worse with age.
you missed a good program….i would suggest that folks give the program a chance….be open….
Why is Mrs Perry having so many Republicans on her show?
Because she works for MSNBC, which is by and large a RW corporate outlet despite pretenses otherwise.
She opened the show with commentary on the media obsession with the horse race and the hair on fire and misleading headlines about the status of the GOP primary races.
http://mhpshow.msnbc.msn.com/
She’s too accommodating to the Repubs on her program. She introduced the Keystone pipeline subject, and I thought—good—some truth to rebut the current Repub moaning about the subject. But no—-just introduced the topic, let the Repub spin and no pushback, no truth taught. Someone else asked—-what is it with Dem/liberal hosts?—–they always go overboard trying to prove they’re ‘fair and balanced’——when rt. wing outlets never bother with same. So we have this huge disadvantage to begin with, number wise—–and when we do get someone we think will help to begin to even the score, they disappoint. Too concerned with future access to Repubs, for some reason, too nice—–we don’t need nice right now—we need determination to expose all the garbage being spread by Repubs and other media outlets.
Also—-too many religious topics when we’re over-saturated at the moment.
I had high expectations for Melissa’s show, but I must say I have been disappointed. Just like Chris Hayes and Rachel, they are giving too much time to Repubs and allowing them to get away with their lies. Why do they even have to give these people time while not spending time touting Pres Obama’s achievements? The only reason they should have a Republican on is like Rev Al does, to refute their lies.
Melissa’s show yesterday was a disaster when she let Ed Cox interrupt her and every guest. I believe I have spent my last Saturday and Sunday morning watching these shows.
While I do not judge anyone who watch these shows, I can’t watch them. I have to pick and choose what and who I watch, like Rev. Al.
you decided after 2 shows not to watch…wow
i find the dialogue fascinating….both days…..
today….
this noition of how we see God in our heads…and how that image is male and how that influences how we see women in authority….
.but there was one aspect that wasn’t touched on….women have outstanding authority in the home….why doesn’t that translate into authority in the public sector
and i would caution us about making a decision about the show till we see more it …also…..just because it is not what someone might want…does not make it wrong…..just makes it different
You make several excellent points. I guess I am just frustrated that we liberals always feel the need to give republicans the chance to spew their hatred and then fail to push back hard against the lies. This tine should be spent educating viewers about how the President has helped this country. The time should be spent refuting all the lies the Republicans have out there. And we need to stop apologizing for telling the truth. Fox is proud to spew it’s lies and when they have a Dem on, it’s not really a Dem but a Repub brought on to trash the President and the party.
We are in an election year and a battle for our country. We cannot afford to be accommodating to the crazy republican party. We just can’t. This is what made people stay home in 2010. Liberal media did not help people understand the true threat of the tea party and the importance of keeping Dems in control of Congress.
yanno…sis…this notion of accomodation is what the PL is always accusing the President of….like his handling the contraception controversy…
i get tired of what passes as political dialogue….i want shows that make one think about why we think…the way we do….and how that makes us susceptible to all the memes…
this is her 2nd program and already there are folks saying how disappointed they are….
i enjoyed her programs…looking forward to next week….i am willing to give her show more time..i think we all should…
I think we are allowed to express disappointment in how these shows support or don’t support the President. We cannot repeat (and I don’t think we will) 2010.
Prettyfoot, you’re right in that we need to give her a chance after just 2 shows.
However, as Proud of Obama has indicated, in an election year when the stakes are particularly high, we cannot allow the GOP to run away with an obviously false narrative. And clearly, this latest meme about rising gas prices is simply another tool that the GOP is using to turn voters away from PBO – and it’s irresponsible of any show host to allow them to LIE blatantly on this issue. I would have expected Mellissa to firmly challenge the notion that the President is somehow responsible for this, and allude to the speculation by hedgefund managers and tie it to GOP displeasure over the Keystone pipeline.
Where are all the people and environmental groups who were protesting, even before the administration disapproved of the Keystone pipleline??? Are they now going to sit by quietly and allow the President to be blamed by the media and GOP for rising gas prices? Or are they going to have his back and stand up to the media and their GOP cronies?
What I got from her show was a ringing endorsement of the GOP ineptitude. There was a man of culture and education just repeating the same old tired GOP party line. The hosts don’t need to hang the guests. The guest is quite capable of doing it himself.
I agree with the comments made about Cox. I actually left the room when he started to aggressively talk over her and when I returned hoping he was gone there he was in the second segment dominating the other guests too. This is the problem as I see it and it’s not specific to MHP but to most normal, respectful people. I don’t recall where I read it but the reason Repubs are better at this kind of political warfare than Dems is because they lie all the time about everything and either they have no shame that they are lying or they are so deluded that they actually believe their lies. They operate in a parallel universe where there failed policies will work if they just keep implementing them over and over again. They are very cult-like, in that they repeat their talking points dogmatically and will not shut up unless someone just as forcefully smacks them with facts or turns off their mic. There has to be a brainwashing seminar or school of right-wing nut training on how to dominate any conversation with right-wing propaganda. They are like a dog with a bone; they won’t let go and they are masters at turning any topic however unrelated back on to a critique about PBO or the Dems. If the question is about Santorum or Romney by the time the segment is over everyone’s talking about PBO. They talk over you so that you can’t get the facts out without making yourself appear to be as rude and nasty as they are.
So, many of you are right. MHP, like most Democrats, is a cultured, intelligent sophisticated person who does not want to embarass herself by reaching across the table and smacking one of those Repubs (which is what I would want to do). I anticpate she will get better especially if we all send her our critiques instead of just talking about it amongst ourselves.
I sent her an email with a link to this thread encouraging her to read it in its entirety. Because she has to fly home to NOLA, there’s a chance she may be in an airport or on a plane with plenty of time to read her email. Let’s hope.
Good Morning TOD. Does anyone know what happened to PoliticusUSA? Did I miss something?
It seems like they have been hacked. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time. Very disturbing.
Yeah, since I’ve been reading them, this is their 2nd.
I asked the same thing. According to their tweets they will be back in a few days. Their site was ‘compromised’.
Morning TOD.
I’m at work right now, but later today gonna be heading home to NOLA. 3 days of not relaxation, but fun and excitement of Mardi Gras…way better than not working
Have fun! Stay safe.
Pardon the source of this link, but this is about the best framing of the latest Repub outrage you’re going to find:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/19/1065048/-You-don-t-own-me?via=blog_1
As others have noted, we are transitioning from contraception to gas prices as a fave Obama attack. Whatever the right wing and the media think will chip away at Obama’s rising poll numbers, they’re going to give it an enthusiastic effort. The gas price thing is on every newscast and in every newspaper where I am currently in Florida, with newsreaders sternly warning that this will change peoples’ perceptions about the improving economy etc. Same in my local news back in Illinois. And the Des Moines Register article with their Bad News for Obama poll connected peoples’ dissatisfaction with gas prices in the accompanying article for their results—–misleadingly and without imparting any truth on the matter.
In other personal political news—-just got back from a long, warm, humid walk through an upscale area with lots of unenlightened residents. One big house had a car in the driveway with a bumper sticker that read “Obamacare = Bad Medicine”. I yelled out “Idiot!” real loud and in a not mature but satisfactory outburst. Just then a guy walks out to the driveway from the side of the house. Husband says, “OMG, he heard you!” And I replied, “Good!” and gave him one more “Idiot!”—just to make sure— as we continued to stroll on by.
That’s right dotster… We have to be vigilant about the gas prices narrative which will be the media/GOP’s latest weapon of attack. I’m going to tweet Axelrod, Messina, and Carney and BarackObama!
As for that stupid poll which was a RW hack job in my opinion.
They will release the reserves and stop big oil from parking tankers off our seacost, on order to keep gas prices high.
That happened the first time, I doubt it will happen this time!
This is big oil, they are pissed about Keystone.
To bad a compromise could not have been reached, like, having mega safety inspectors…
Real funny how gas prices started to go up right around the time the decision about Keystone pipe was made.
But any sensible person will not fall for the Republican crap, it is not President Obama’s fault that gas prices are on the rise. I was just waiting for those lowlife Republicans to try pend it on POTUS.
I agree. People know regardless of who’s in office that gas prices are going to fluctuate.
What will the GOP say is the reason for increased oil prices? Domestic oil production is up. Demand is low. The pipeline wasn’t going to provide one drop of oil to the United States (unless there was a leak). What exactly are they going to say that will point to the Keystone decision as a reason for higher oil prices, or even to encourage more domestic drilling? Since we’ve increased drilling under President Obama (or rather, we’ve increased permits, but oil companies aren’t drilling all the permits they have), and oil prices are still going up – doesn’t that point out the fallacy of their thinking? Let them be angry about the Keystone decision. Remind them about the BP oil spill and the damage that was done there, and the fact that the GOP APOLOGIZED to BP for making them accountable for their stark lack of planning, and then demanded that the President clean up their mess.
OMG. Chips you were 100% right to refer to Santorum as a despicable piece of shit. Not only does he question PBO’s faith, he lies about it and said he was questioning radical environmentalists. He says that PBO included womens care in the ACA because he wants more pre-natal testing and pre-natal care so that more abortions can take place. He says that pre-natal care is all about abortions. Didn’t this pig’s wife have like 7 children? Is he trying to say that she never had any pre-natal care? He also wants to abolish federal and state funding of public schools and says his children don’t use public school and it makes them better students. This cretin was able to home school his children by ripping off PA taxpayers. Oh please, please, please let this fool continue to ratchet up GOP support. This election would be so easy.
He sounds delusional. I am sorry. What utter nonsense!!
Didn’t his wife live with her then boyfriend who was a GYN…and also had an abortion then?. I read that somewhere.
Yes. IOKIYAR
I don’t believe she had an abortion. She did live with a man who performed abortions, and he was old enough to be her grandfather, I believe.
You might be mistaking the fact that she gave birth to a child that had zero chance of survival because of genetic defects, and their doctor had advised them to consider terminating the pregnancy, stating that the child would suffer at birth and wouldn’t be expected to live for very long at all. They opted not to terminate, and the baby lived for a few hours.
The republican war on education is just sick.. it feels to me that why they all want to do away with public education is so that they can choose the curriculum at their private schools- as in teaching creationism only, etc. And if no public education exists, then poor and low income children won’t be able to go to school.. thus they will remain basically uneducated.. the way republicans like us to be: ignorant of their policies. Santorum is the epitomy of the lying, immoral republican mindset- he & Bachmann have much in common- nothing that comes out of their mouth has anything to do with reason or humanity or honesty. What I find more worriesome are the amount of people in this country who find these crazy liars acceptable.. I cannot understand that.
Neither can I except that I understand that a certain mindset of people are immovable and unable to articulate anything but their rote learning.
I agree alma that there will always be a segment- like that 20% that still loves Bush.. but when the polls show that over 40% would still vote republican in this country, after all the harm they’ve done & atttempted to do, all their obstruction, hatred, racism and lies.. it truly boggles my mind.
This Santorum will erase several decades of progress if he makes it to the White House. Prenatal care is something that developed countries have been trying to bring to developing countries for years, because it’s safer for the baby and the mother. Now, this idiot wants to go backwards and question science? This election really is a fight for the very existence and soul of this country. The agenda of these right wing crazies is breathtakingly dangerous.
Agree theo, it really is – This election really is a fight for the very existence and soul of this country.
And much as we want to believe we have it in the bag, because we want to believe that reason and sanity and goodness will prevail- I believe we will have to work triply hard at getting everyone out to vote- and getting out the facts of this administration’s achievements these past three years.
I keep seeing POTUS having to “debate” a Santorum or a Romney.. and the lies that come out of their mouths so effortlessly.. and the lies the media helps them perpetuate.. the deck WILL be stacked against us, against President Obama.
We have to be vigilant and absolute in our fight against their BS, imo. It really must be all hands on deck.
Agree Sheri – the worst part is that facts don’t matter to these right wingers. So, it’s not so much a debate, as it is trying to remain sane and reach some of the last remaining sane “Independents”. Anyone still associating with the GOP at this point have aligned themselves with a racist, ignorant, closed-minded, greedy party. You can’t reach them. Those calling themselves “Independents” have to be ashamed of what they’re seeing. It doesn’t matter who the GOP put up on their side – as long as they’re advocating Republican failed policies, they are on the wrong side of history.
Ut, Ricky will drive you crazy if you listen to him because there is a big chunk of his brain that is unhinged. I’ve gotten to the point where I just want him to talk crazier and crazier and crazier until even the dimmest bulb gets that he’s off his meds. Ricky has never had this much national limelight and it’s making him dizzy and careless. He has lousy advisers and poor judgment so he’s letting his inner lunatic flow out from him uncensored. I say, Keep it up, Ricky. By the way, Democrats in PA started calling Santorum Little Ricky when he kept snidely referring to Bob Casey as little “Bobby” during the 2006 senatorial campaign. It was always a term of derision, not affection.
I found ONE thing that Ron Paul and I can agree on!!
TPMLivewire
10:38 AM EST
Ron Paul: Santorum Cannot Beat Obama
National Journal reports:
Ron Paul said he doesn’t think that Rick Santorum can defeat President Obama in a general election. “I don’t see how that’s possible,” he said on Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union.
This ad ends with ” I am Ron Paul and I approve this Message “…..but It seems odd that he would
A spoof? It says remix on the title…someone is having fun.
Even Ron Paul is more sane than Ricky.
And ONE thing I can agree with Paul Ryan on!
Paul Ryan: Too Late For Any More GOP Prez Contenders
Paul Ryan said he thinks it’s too late for other Republicans to enter the presidential race, something a number of conservatives continue to yearn for.
“I have a hard time seeing how somebody could get in at this late date,” Ryan said on NBC’s “Meet The Press.”
The fact that he’s even talking about it shows that they know they’re done. I hope everyone keeps their eyes on Grover Norquist, who says he’s already given up on the presidency, and he’s focused on the House and Senate.
This is important. Congress has a single digit approval rating, but when people are polled about their own specific congressperson, they would rather see them re-elected. If people don’t start to tie Congress’ actions with the person who represents them and actually casts their vote in Congress, then President Obama’s second term will be wasted. People have to start educating local voters about their representative in the House and their Senators in the Senate. I’m not sure how the GOP keep getting voted in year after year, except that people don’t really understand how government plays a role in their every day lives, and the impact that their specific Congressman or Senator puts into jeopardy some of the things they rely on.
I saw a few articles this week that I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but they pointed out the hypocrisy of people who are on Medicare, or have parents who rely on social programs or whose children rely on school lunch programs – and yet they still rant about government spending and such. How can people be so obtuse? And what can we do to spread the word to these uninformed people about the consequences of their votes, if they vote Republican? This is the true challenge in 2012. It’s not about getting President Obama a second term. It’s about ensuring that he’s got a Congress that won’t keep holding this country’s progress back for another four years, and then making sure that the progress made during President Obama’s presidency carries on into future years because people are more aware of what the government does.
I will say one good thing about the redistricting that has gone on this year. For many districts a “new person” is now representing them in Congress, so the old loyalty to the incumbent has disappeared. The feeling is that “we” didn’t election this guy or woman, so we can start from scratch. We can exploit this feeling with good Democratic candidates.
This will definitely be a good thing – gives me hope that we can oust some of these people.
They can’t be THIS clueless. Can they?
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/02/19/428655/cantor-gop-agenda-fox/
Cantor Can’t Explain Why Americans Oppose GOP Agenda
The question the GOP and their followers need to answer this election season is what Chris Matthews used to stump one of his guests some time back: what has the GOP done for America and Americans in the past 30 years. Apparently, the guest had to go all the way back to Eisenhower and his example was something that was only achieved because of his work with a Democratic Congress.
If you ask a Democrat what they’ve done in the last 30 years, they can rattle off stuff easily over the past 40 years; 50 years; 100 years. From labor unions that brought about safer working conditions and fairer pay. To women’s rights, civil rights, funding for scientific research and discovery (e.g. moon exploration). Health Care Reform. Education. Diplomacy. The list goes on and on.
The GOP has objected to most of it. And ever since Reagan, they’ve only advocated deregulation and lower taxes. It’s ridiculous. One thing I have heard them talk about is that Reagan brought about the greatest accumulation of wealth in the history of the country. This might be true for the decade in the 80′s when living was easy. But the long term consequences of those Reagan decisions point to broader and deeper levels of poverty, reduced infrastructure spending, the advent of phony financial profits, increased world aggression.
The real creation of wealth was during the industrial revolution – when America became a super power through manufacturing and global interaction. That’s when wealth was more broadly experienced because the middle class was born in America. Today’s GOP wants to kill the middle class, limit the ability of the majority of Americans to be able to buy goods, start businesses, compete globally and participate in the economy. The GOP agenda is to create an oligarchy. They’ve done nothing for this country in 30 years.
I think Cantor has told so many lies in his life, he wouldn’t recognize a truth if it bit him. He’s absolutely programmed to blame Democrats for everything no matter what the issue or circumstance and therefore does not allow himself to think. The problem is that without honest self-assessment you can never adapt to changing times and environment and that ultimately will be the undoing of men like him and his party.
Good morning all.
I am a bit late, but it was all for a good cause.
Have a great day.
Happy Sunday…everyone….very nice day here in Philadelphia….
Intriguing…show today… on Melissa Harris-Perry….i like it…..
have a great day TODers
Happy Sunday. Hope all is well with you.
Hi guyz. Waving from the famed birther country. Finally arrived after a long day of sitting in planes and 3 different airports.
Gonna catch up on all the wonderful vids in the last thread and then crash out. Gin and tonic ready by the side.
Have a great sunday everyone.
Glad to know you have arrived safely, oh, Quester of the holy birtsert….
I remember sipping copious amounts of gin and tonic in Zimbabwe – for medicinal purposes, of course… Glad you’ve arrived safely!
Regarding gas prices, it is important to note that gas prices are not consistent Nationwide. Look here: http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redirectto=http://fuelgaugereport.opisnet.com/index.asp See the variance? Notice how the gas prices are highest in Democratic leaning states? This isn’t a coincidence. Here’s a brief overview of Gas Prices just prior to and since PBO took office:
Gas prices from Consumer Reports
September 8, 2008 $3.65
[September 29, 2008 Stock Market down 777.68]
October 27, 2008 $2.66
November 17, 2008 $2.07
December 15, 2008 $1.66 [Demand was WAY down]
January 27, 2009 $1.84
June 15, 2009 $2.67
January 31, 2011 $3.10
June 6, 2011 $3.78
September 19, 2011 $3.60
Gas took a dip at the end of last year and stayed lower for a bit and now they’re going back up again. But right now, today, the record prices are only in Democratic areas. Mild winters increase demand in States where people are heavily dependent upon cars because of large distances: California and Florida. Gas prices aren’t as tied to oil prices as they once were. Supply and demand do influence prices.
Make what you will of all this, but the Republicans are fighting back. Did you expect them not to? The last battle is always the bloodiest.
Tien Le, it is my understanding that oil analysts are in agreement that the rise in oil prices and thus gas prices is due to speculation in the oil futures market. Oil production is up in the US and demand is down. Gasoline is now being exported from the US. There is so much money in the world currently, banks are not lending it and corporations are not investing it, that it is being used to speculate in the stock, bond, and commodity markets by banks and hedge fumds.
It should be illegal, but currently we have criminals in congress who control the law-making process, originally designed to protect the people from this type of behavior. We pay the price, they reap the benefit.
I don’t dispute that. Just looking at the data in a different way for now to see if there are any other explanations. Someone needs to explain to me why prices are up here when we’re exporting fuel. If demand is really down, then why isn’t the price coming down like it did when the President took office? Why are gas prices so high in a place like the Northwest where the third largest refinery is? There was a big fire there yesterday, by the way. Something just doesn’t add up.
The gas price at the pump is primarily determined by the price of oil on the world market. I suppose gas is being exported because of demand in China where the economy is still strong.
The important thing to keep in mind is that President Obama has no control over gas prices.
I just wanted to share that my mom passed away today. I think I will be taking a hiatus but will stop by more just to watch the conversation.
jeff, I am so sorry to hear that, I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Let me express my sincere regrets…may the Creater keep you and your family….my prayers are with you….
Sorry for your loss.
Jeff,
So sorry about your loss. I will be praying for you and your family. May you be comforted by the precious memories you have of her.
X 2
VC
please except my condolences.
Condolences to you Jeff. I am sorry.
Sorry to hear that, jeff. My condolences.
My condolences Jeff. God Bless you and your family.
BLESS YOU JEFF,I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS…I PRAY THE LORD WILL COMFORT YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED AS HE IS NOW HOLDING YOUR MOTHER IN HIS LOVING ARMS.
Desperately sorry for your loss Jeff, thinking of you and your family, take care of yourself.
Jeff, please accept my deepest condolences.
So sorry for your loss Jeff, you have our prayers during this difficult time.
Jeff, so sorry!! (((((((hugs))))). You will remain in my prayers constantly.
You and your family will be in my prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear Jeff…pray God gives you and your family the strength to come to terms with this loss. May she RIP.
Votive is burning in our home, for your Mothers journey to our Real Home, and for your family here, Jeff, who will miss her so. She did live a full and productive life, I am sure of that. Blessings.
So sorry to hear that, jeff.Big hugs to you…I hope that you spent the time you needed with her.
Jeff – so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Also so sorry for your loss Jeff.
Sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts!
I’m so sorry to hear that, Jeff. At least you got to be with her. Very sad. {{{{hugs}}}}
Jeff, my thoughts and prayers are with you. so sorry for your loss!
Sorry to hear jeff. Condolences.
Jeff, I m so sorry for you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.
Jeff I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sending you and your family prayers and light right now. May you find comfort in sweet memories of her and the knowledge that her life and love carries on in you.
I too am so sorry for your loss Jeff, take care and best wishes to you and to your loved ones.
I am so sorry for your loss Jeff. Sending comforting thoughts your way.
I want to add my sympathy for your loss, Jeff. So sorry to hear the sad news.
Oh Jeff, so sorry. Take care of yourself just as your mom would want you to.
Condolences on your loss. Blessings to you and family in this time of sorrow.
I am so sorry for your loss. May she R.I.P.
Jeff, Blessings on you and your family. There is nothing harder than losing your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
My condolences on your loss.
My condolences, jeff. Take care of yourself and your family.
In the quietest of moments you will feel her spirit and know that she is always with you. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
So sorry to hear of her passing jeff. May she live forever in your heart and may her memories bring a smile to your soul. Peace
So sorry to hear about your mom jeff. My prayers are with you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear that Jeff. I wish you the best.
Jeff, I’m so so sorry. There is nothing to say when grief and loss come to you like this. I hope you have family and friends to support and see you through this. My heart goes out to you.
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
deepest condolences, jeff. that is so hard to bear. our hearts are with you.
My condolences…so sorry for your loss
Condolences to you on the loss of your mother. It is hard not to grieve but I hope you will be able to celebrate her life and enjoy your memories in the near future.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your mom. You are in my thoughts and prayers, may she rest in peace.
I LOVE THE PADDLE PIC…THO’T PBO WAS ABLE TO SNEAK OFF FOR A LITTLE R&R! I UNFORTUNATELY…HAVE TO PICK UP FOOD FOR A FUNERAL DINNER TOMORROW….TIS’ A SAD,BUT NECESSARY ERRAND. ONE OF OUR CHURCH FAMILIES LOST THEIR 16 YEAR OLD SON UNEXPECTEDLY THIS WEEK. THIS FAMILY HAS ADOPTED OVER A DOZEN SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. THEY ARE AMAZING PARENTS. MANY OF THESE CHILDREN HAD ALSO BEEN SEVERELY ABUSED BECAUSE OF THEIR HANDICAPS. GOD CALLED CLAY HOME THIS WEEK. WILL BE BACK LATER! BLESSINGS!
My dearest sweet Sue, you are a treasure. So sorry to hear of your church members’ loss, Gods blessings and prayers to them and their family.
Prayers and blessings for Clay’s Soul, and his safe passage back into The Light from which we all come.
Sue Duvall Smith, How sad. We know that death is a part of life, but it still is hard.
Hi Tally…Good Sunday morning!
Bonjour ZhoZho!
You hit it on the head Tally. The GOP offers no solutions, they simply want to stand on the sidelines and cheer for bad things to happen and, in some cases, work to MAKE bad things happen. They don’t even to try pushing the “Country First” lie anymore because everyone sees through it.
Love this video. Thanks Uche.
great video–all the economic facts and figures can be daunting, and mind-numbing. but this makes it easy to see and understand that….(drum roll)…the stimulus worked!
CNN Contributor Dana Loesch Defends Virginia State-Sponsored Rape Bill As No Different Than Consensual Sex
http://thinkprogress.org/
That cretin is one of the most vile creatures ever to walk the earth. MSNBC finally got rid of their racist Pat Buchanan; CNN would be wise to get rid of her also. She spews venom every time.
Her husband was one of those Rappers at CPAC who used the N-Word in his Rap
I’m only have way down the thread, and have to run to do some stuff, but regarding Melissa, and politico shows –
If I have my own show…….
I would say at the top of the interview, “I will not tolerate any talk-over, and interruptions like EVERYONE in the GOP normally does to monopolize and control the conversation, and make sure the opposite opinion is never heard. The first time you do that, and you most likely will, I will give a signal to cut your mic. If you are not okay with this method to insure that I am heard as well, since it is afterall, MY SHOW, you need to leave right now.”
I wonder how many would walk.
back later
omg – I didn’t realize I wrote it like it could happen, “have” – haaaaaaaaa.
If you dream it, you can achieve it, baby!
We caught it Tally, but it is one of those simple to forgive booboos, like Hypocratic! Hee!
I received an email a few days ago from the Women For Obama Finance Committee, inviting to an event where Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be speaking. I’m considering it, even though it’s an hour away from where I live and I’ll have get up early the next morning because hubby is giving a talk on family genealogy. Has anyone attended one of these events?
I haven’t been to one, but the opportunity to hear DWS would make me want to go no matter the distance. I hope you will go and report back to us. Of course there could be many circumstances. Good luck.
Feel like going shopping before I go to the airport. I’m all packed, but I feel like just going home with nothing and buying all new stuff while I’m in NOLA?? Just ready to get home I guess. Is that weird???
Stores will be PACKED and the whole town crazy……… you need to report in a LOT, so we can all Mardi Gras vicariously through you!
Nola.com has webcams. Hope everyone’s on good behavior or at least has on a mask.
Have a great time lamh31!
I went to Mardi Gras a couple of times pre-Katrina. I’ll have to take my friends word when they same I had a REALLY good time. Except for some absolutely sublime meals, most of my trips to NOLA remain a total blur. No wonder I thought about moving there at one time!
What PLANET is this woman from????????????????????????
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/bachmann-gop-is-extremely-pro-woman ROTFLMAO
desertflower, no need to ask what planet Michelle Bachmann is from? Everyone already knows that is one nutty woman.
Seriously…I really think she has mental health issues. I’m not being funny.
Nuttier than a squirrel’s turd
hmmm…maybe from neut’s moon colony?
Right on Michelle!! Because hey look how well you did in the primaries.
Neptune…it is the planet which represents people who are delusional.
Good Morning TOD family
Wanted to share an OFA story.
Went to a training in Nor. Cal yesterday – they expected 60 and had 75. Folks are a combination of motivated and terrified, that works for me.
I am very encouraged. The base is returning (if it ever left). New folks are joining. We have the momentum.
California OFA will be working in Nevada, Arizona (which is now in play), and Colorado so I may see some of your there in the future.
Press On.
That’s wonderful news Linda, really encouraging. Thank you for sharing
Great news!!
Hope to see you there…I am going to a Women for Obama meeting in Pasadena on Wednesday.
What a luxury to have. Thanks for sharing this great news.
Woot!
Obama’s Seven Investments For Building A ‘Fair And Stable Economy For The LGBT Community’
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/obamas-seven-investments-for-building.html
5.6 Million Americans Have Switched Their Banks In The Last 90 Days
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/56-million-americans-have-switched.html
I’m one of those people who moved from BofA because of their fees. Much happier now.
Healthcare costs decrease over time when low-income uninsured are provided coverage
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/healthcare-costs-decrease-over-time.html
This one’s for Tien Le and all the folks who are worried about pollution from plastic
Fungi Discovered In The Amazon Will Eat Your Plastic
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/fungi-discovered-in-amazon-will-eat.html
I love that. The article asks the question wondering what the students will find next in the Rain Forest? How about a cure for bigotry? Can they do that, please? But I’ll settle for eating polyurethane in the mean time. Great stuff.
ZOMG BEST THING EVER!!!!!
Lazy Sunday fun!
http://pinterest.com/ More online addiction:) Not political, just interesting…good stuff
Chips, Thanks a bunch for the vids in the last thread. An amazing man,
Morning/afternoon all you O’s!!! Another great gettin up day in Ohood!! I watched the Sunday morning political shows and wonder what will be the pubs ‘hair on fire’ topic for next week. Will Santorum continue his fire and brimstone talk…Newt emerge from wherever he’s been….Mitty adopt-a-pet…. Ron Paul find a last name to go with his two first names? Oh the possibilities.
High Gas Prices will be the RAGE next week! It already started on the “talk shows”
Regarding some earlier opinions about MHP’s show and not pushing back against Repubs, being disappointed, etc… she has room to grow. We also have a couple of hosts on MSNBC who regularly go after repubs: Reverend Al, Lawrence O Donnell, Ed Shultz. And compare MHP’s shows to some of the other unwatchable crap on Sunday: Fox News Sunday, Meet the Press with David Gregory, Candy Crowley, that regularly host Republicans and lob softballs and even go googly eyed after them.
Yeah I get it’s an election year and stakes are high, but I suspect MHP wants the Republicans on her show to expose how silly their talking points are. There really is no point in “pushing back” when allowing them to stick their feet in their mouths is more effective, just look at how Foster Freiss has cost Santorum female votes with his comment about putting Bayer aspirin between the legs, although I agree Andrea Mitchell should have at least shown disgust.
Regardless, President Obama continues to do well because he has demonstrated he is a leader, while the rest of these Republican clowns are opportunists.
I disagree, there is a reason to push back against lies. If something is completely false, why not say something? If she’s going to allow people to spew lies on her show then she is going to have a problem, because many are not going to want to watch another show where Republicans lies go unchallenged.
Tamron Hall at times does a good job pushing back on Republicans BS. Along with Martin and Rev. Al.
WE STILL NEED MRS PERRY TO FIGHT AND NOT JUST SIT THERE WHILE THE REPTHUGS SPOUT THEIR LIES CONTINUOSLY…WE NEED THE TRUTH…SO SHE MUST EITHER PRESENT IT OR GET OFF THE STAGE!!!!
HEY I LIKE HER AND ALL BUT WE NEED ‘SOLDIERS OF TRUTH’ RIGHT NOW…COME ON MELISSA, WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU!!!
Lynn- you said just what I wanted to say. Let them spout their lies…then break down the lies one by one. MP “What you just stated is is a lie (falsehood or what ever they want to call lies). Here are the facts….” We must push back on the lies…when lies go unchallenged they morph into a strange “collective” truth. She is just getting started, but she must change what she is doing ASAP.
Lynn, that’s exactly what I was trying to say upthread. I like Mrs. Perry and think she is very intelligent and talented. But we need liberals in these critical roles to help us get PBO reelected and kick the GOP out of power in the House and keep the Senate. That’s the ultimate goal, and if these folks aren’t going to help us get there, I can’t support them. I hope she takes the feedback she’s getting and makes some adjustments.
Point taken, especially since she’s got a segment on her show about “Foot Soldiers”. I hope she’s able to make some adjustments in the way she deals with guests with opposing views that doesn’t make it look like she’s either sucking up to them or letting them run roughshod over her.
I’m willing to give her time to grow into the new role though. The 1st five minutes of yesterday’s show where she was pretty much slapped around by that Cox guy was hard to watch — I almost turned the channel until I reminded myself that it’s her first show and maybe I should at least give her 15 minutes to settle in. I’m glad I did. The rest of the show was wonderful and definitely appealed to my nerdy sensibilities. I missed the first half of today’s show, but the 2nd half was equally great. I enjoyed the new and diverse voices that she brings on the show. On the whole, “Nerdland” is working for me. I’ll keep watching.
Maybe some of that pushback she got from Cornell West intimidated her, somewhat.
Now, she is hesitant to defend the President.
Me thinks, West knew what je was doing.
i had planned to say something here….but i will pull back and say this…time will tell if all the criticism levied at Mellissa-Harris Perry is warranted…..
one of the things that i have learned…that when you enter into the foray of public opinion you have to be able to take the bitter with the sweet…knowing that there will be more bitter than sweet….
Pressssssss ON
My take, exactly. She’s great with the rest of the show. But she can’t let these repubs get away with it. Interviewing is a difficult skill and unfortunately requires real-time practice. MHP is a brilliant, principled liberal and it’s vitally important that we support the few venues liberals have on the airwaves. But lies and disrespect should not be tolerated.
Rev. Al will not allow any Republican to come on his show and spread lies. Rev. Al will call them out on there lies.
I believe Rev Al has been on the national stage fighting the good fight a lot longer than MHP. Natural talent and intellect will take you far, but in the end discernment comes from experience.
VIRGINIA’S SHAME
http://emiliawahoo76.blogspot.com/2012/02/virginias-shame.html?spref=tw
THE GASOLINE CONSPIRACY THEORY
http://bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2012/02/the-gasoline-conspiracy-theory.html
http://pinterest.com/pin/180847741256118795/ I like this saying….
A tutorial http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/determining-oil-prices.asp#axzz1mrGOTnMH
He says that supply/demand, speculators, and market sentiment all play a part.
The other key factor in determining oil prices is sentiment. The mere belief that oil demand will increase dramatically at some point in the future can result in a dramatic increase in oil prices in the present as speculators and hedgers alike snap up oil futures contracts. Of course, the opposite is also true. The mere belief that oil demand will decrease at some point in the future can result in a dramatic decrease in prices in the present as oil futures contracts are sold (possibly sold short as well).
Deval Patrick is crazy about President Obama …
http://www.necn.com/02/06/12/Patrick-says-hes-not-running-for-anythin/landing.html?blockID=646326&tagID=113951
…and I am crazy about Deval Patrick! Why, oh why, can’t we have a governor like him in Georgia?
Don’t bother ing that woefully rhetorical and depressing question. I already know. (sigh!)
I would love to see him to in a huge role in the 2nd Obama administration.
Hey Dudette….
At least we dodged the a bullet ….We could have ended up with Karen Handel. We did win a race to the top Grant and a waiver for No Child Left Behind.
I was worried about Deal….but she would have been worse, IMO
True Linda! I’ll have to take some small solace in that.
HEY!!!! NO!! We need him in MA
Off-topic: Has anyone else been watching Key & Peele on Comedy Central? OMG, they are HI-larious!! My stomach hurts from laughing so hard!
My son watches it. Turned me on to it last night. Funny as all get up.
This is what is meant by *drops mic and walks away*
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=407816&title=preview-obama-raps&xrs=share_copy
Hahahahahahahaha!!!
They’re hilarious.
I like the commercial where fake PBO says “Some in the media say that my policies haven’t been working”
and Shorter PBO says: “Bc y’all motherfuckers ain’t listening!”
YES. Love them! Tha Obama raps had me laughing LOUD.
I like them too. Original and well thought out. I hope they don’t get cancelled. So many of Comedy Central’s shows get cancelled.
I have been watching. I agree, it’s a very funny show.
Santorum is ahead on Robney nationally 36-28, in Gallup!
What is the date range of the poll ? He stepped in several piles the last couple of days.
Friday-Sunday!
you have to wonder who is being polled…i would prefer plastic Romney to bad crazy Santorum….
i wonder how many folks in the repub party actually believe the things that Santorum says…and the pundits always talk about honest Santorum is about his feelings….to that i say….the klansmen carred their bibles while they lynched black men…..Santorum represents something much more terrifying then Romney…
Creolechild sent me this video of Melissa Harris Perry on unions
Melissa Harris-Perry: All Workers Do Well When Union Workers Do Well
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/melissa-harris-perry-all-workers-do.html
I didn’t want to say anything negative yesterday about Whitney’s wonderful “Going Home” service. It was wonderful. Who I didn’t want to see there was Jesse Jackson. He sat there, front row on stage, looking “above it all” sucking on his glasses and didn’t respond to even the most moving parts of the service–but then he got his butt right out there to the news people. I never have liked the guy, but when I read a comment he made about President Obama, when President Obama was still a senator, about how he could crush a part of Senator Obama’s anatomy if he wanted–I started to really dislike the guy. Maybe my opinion is a little biased, but to me he just looks like a media hog. Am I wrong? Now Rev. Al is a whole different story–love the guy.
I was surprised that he had that seat……but …ignore him….he is not relevant in any way.
You are not alone regarding your feelings and observations of Jesse Jackson. He certainly has made himself irrelevant with his past behaviors and especially in regards to then candidate Barack Obama because I am sure the campaign saw that it was all about “Jesse Jackson”. JJ has become a media-whore at every opportunity which is so unfortunate. At one time he was a treasure and he has become a joke.
He is no better than an ambulance chaser. He constantly inserts himself and seems consumed by his ego. But, we have to assume Cissy Houston wanted him there so I have to respect that but I don’t have to respect him.
Also, auni, it’s good that you held your comment until today because there were a few commenters who did not do that yesterday. It reminded me of something my mother said to me once to correct my behavior when I was very, very, young because I had a sharp tongue and was brutally honest at the most inopportune times. “You do not have to say out loud everything that pops into your head.” It’s still good advice today.
that is great advice, and i wish somebody had told me that when i was young!
I embarrassed my mother so many times that she told me if I did not learn to be quiet she’d leave me at home. I can’t remember exactly how old I was, maybe 8 or 9 and possibly younger.
Karma was visited upon me a few years back when I visited a customer at her home wearing a purple outfit and her 5 or 6 year old daughter looked at me and said, “You wore that the last time you were here.” Now, I did not remember because it had been several weeks but I’m sure she was right. Her mother was so embarrassed and told her to apologize. It was too funny because it brought back childhood memories of me and my mother.
A MUST READ! Smartypants knocks it out of the park!
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2012/02/keeping-eye-on-forest.html
This quote from a Huffpo commenter sums up my view on religion perfectly. I may embroider this saying and turn it into a wall hanging.
“Religion is like a penis.
It’s fine to have one.
It’s fine to be proud of it.
But please don’t whip it out in public and start waving it around.
And PLEASE don’t try to shove it down my throat.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/19/santorum-phony-theology_n_1287475.html
hahahaha…that is good…..I wonder how it got past their Moderators….
lol
Muhammad Ali’s 70th Birthday Gala was last night. PBO had took part by video (still looking for the actual video)
http://www.newsday.com/sports/obama-to-ali-you-shocked-the-world-1.3541295
LAS VEGAS – (AP) — President Barack Obama lauded Muhammad Ali Saturday as he joined some of the country’s most famous people in offering birthday wishes to the boxer known simply as “The Greatest.”
“Happy birthday, champ,” Obama told Ali through a video message, saying he wished he could have attended a swanky dinner gala in Las Vegas featuring some of the biggest names in sports, film, television and music.
“As a fighter, you were something spectacular,” Obama told Ali, who turned 70 last month. “You shocked the world, and you inspired it, too. And even after all the titles and legendary bouts, you’re still doing it.”
The gala’s 2,000 attendees were there to celebrate Ali’s life and generate millions of dollars for brain research, a mission Ali’s family says is important to him in part because of his nearly 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
A friend just posted this video on Facebook of President Obama in Orange County this week, greeting neighbors outside a private function. Not much talking, but he looks really good. Seems even taller.
Oh that smile. Kills me everytime.
Interesting choice of music, but ummm, okay.
Thanks,theo!!! That is some serious SWOON MATERIAL!!!!!!!!!!
How sweet ….the boys are adorable….
Glad to hear I’m not alone in my view of JJ. When you see how Rev. Al has gotten his own TV show and is so well liked, you can sure see that “what goes around, comes around” is true. If you listen long enough you get to know who the good guys are—-. Back years ago I used to see JJ and Rev. Al Sharpton at some of the same events–here is another old timey saying—”cream rises to the top”. I think I’m muttering–just like the old gal that I am.
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/02/19/video-saturday-night-live-really-with-seth-and-amy-birth-control/
Funny….
I wonder if the name ” Really ” is a mocking of Erin Burnett’s ” Seriously “
Really!
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/02/19/meeting-greeting/
“Decoding the Campaigns”- Decoding political misinformation with Kathleen Hall Jamieson. By Bill Moyers
great video – we gotta send Bill some love
http://billmoyers.com/segment/kathleen-hall-jamieson-on-campaign-misinformation/
It irks me that we have to sit around waiting for the next wave of attack by the GOP as if we were refugees in a bomb shelter. Why not start returning fire with fire. If the R led Congress refused to pass legislation that would regulate gas price speculation, than why can’t we hammer home that point in press releases, interviews, and LTEs. Once again, this is the rich speculator controlling the masses and making all of us pay for their profit. Seems to me this could be a perfect populist issue and help to position the president as a crusader for the middle class. The Dems ought to reintroduce legislation now to control unreasonable speculation and then very loudly pin it on the R’s if it doesn’t pass. Also there’s no reason for us to let any R off the hook on the birth control issue just because they’re now scrambling away from it. They started this anti-woman crusade. They own it. We usually wait for PBO to strategically make a statement to quiet the noise, but we all ought to be shouting about it as well.
Why the he’ll is McCain/ Graham negotiating the Peace deal with Karzai and the Taliban?
Has this administration lost its mind? Seriously!
http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/rss.jsp?rssid=613&item=http%3a%2f%2fwww.washingtonpost.com%2fworld%2fmiddle_east%2fus-senators-afghan-leaders-discuss-deal-parameters%2f2012%2f02%2f19%2fgIQA036NNR_mobile.mobile&cid=961405
This is a huge mistake!!!
So now you’re gonna take something the Washington Post says as gospel?