Good afternoon, everyone! Looks like there was rumpus going on at the White House this morning. Just left the last thread. So much fun. I couldn’t say it any better than teacher of the year, Rebecca Mieliwocki, “I couldn’t be prouder that you’re my president.” Amen! Amen! Amen!
President Barack Obama arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport this morning, on his way to UNC for a talk on student debt and an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Read more »
Nope…nobody applauding or cheering or saying “we love you” and he saying “I love you back”. None of that stuff. They just standing there looking bored….
America loves FLOTUS. Even the Repubs that want to hate her can’t bring themselves to do it. They adore her as well. Oh and japa, yardarm and amk will kick their butts if they don’t. Just sayin…..
I would. There are 3 people who I will not tolerate being dissed: My mom (unfortuantely long departed from this world), my wife (who for some reason is still putting up with me after 37+ years) and FLOTUS. Well, maybe add Jill Biden, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, my kids, grandkids, daughets-in-law. And also Chips, despite her recent libeling of my good name.
Melaine, I love that line, we got married poor. That is relating to people, when you can talk to them about things they are going through because you have been through the same. It’s not something you read about, or someone wrote down for you to say it. Now watch the Romney camp and the media start crying he’s talking about Mitt Romney.
I’m sure the Romney Camp watches these events and just shakes their heads and say, “Oh My God…How are we going to beat this”. Ha!!! You Can’t Mr. Romney…You Can’t.
Please Donna, on Willard Myth’s best day he can’t beat President Obama. He is untrustworthy, he in inconsitent, and he is unreliable. Folks don’t know what they will get with this man because he has never been one who takes a stand.
I loved the look on PBO’s face when he was talking about student loans and said, “I didn’t just READ about this.” It was priceless. And good advice just now—telling them before they vote know where their candidates stand on student loans and other issues important to their interests.
Yes I agree. People can’t forget that voting for Congress members is just as important as voting for POTUS. He can’t get ish done if we don’t have Dems in the House and Senate supporting him.
Good Day Chips and TOD Family, POB is so fighting for his young people. He is the hardest working POTUS I have ever known in my lifetime.
America, our President is on fire today in North Carolina. Look at that “American Crowd.” Now that is what we look like. Dang, I need another cup of tea as I make these calls. I am tired from yesterday, but everytime I see POB out there giving his all, I have to take the pain meds, and PRESSON!!! I love my President!!!!! (((((((((((((((((Hugs to you, Chips and thank you for Everything))))))))))))))))HZ
This conversation about student loans is so necessary. The economy is just doing okay; therefore, people are not donating to scholarships due to their lack of finances, which means students have to turn to the government for help with their tuition. For some people to assume that college students want to take out private or federal loans is incorrect. I am thankful for what President Obama is doing to address the price of a college education.
Oh Hell Yes!!!! As far as I am concerned the re-election campaign started today. I was in tears, I was in awe! Great speech! This man is a fantastic statesman and president!
Go ahead Mitt Romney.. try and compete with this man. I’m so looking forward to the debates, the townhalls.. the massive speeches. He just gets stronger & better and more unbeatable everyday. That was a fun crowd and an awesome President
Mitt’s probably driving around the area hoping some of the goodwill in the air will waft his way. Didn’t his campaign say they would shadow the president, I think, in an effort to un-nerve him? Whatever.
That was noot’s boast during primaries. mehmney doesn’t have single original bone in his pathetic body. Typical of the greedy corporate raider who destroys what others have built.
Huge cheer when he waves goodbye—–a love fest. Get these students to the polls. And any devious Repub controlled states that try to interfere need to be fought with all our might.
You hit the key. People can love him, be enthusiastic about seeing him, but if they don’t go to the polls, it is almost meaningless. (I say almost because just people seeing this type of reaction from others can move them.) And not only is it important they get out there to vote for him, but for every Dem on every ballot.
Generally, the Obama people make sure they get the signatures and e-mails of all the students standing in line waiting to get into these events. Even in Wisconsin in Feb 2008 (during the primaries) when it was below zero and students were standing covered with blankets, with snowmobile suits on….. some even hobbling around in sleeping bags!!
Hi Chips
First of all I want to thank for the oasis you created here. Other than coming out to donate through TOD, I don’t comment much but I lurk around here every day to get unfiltered information and around caring people. After listening to President Obama’s speech today I finally got the courage to post our family story just to point out how important this election is.
Nearly thirty years ago Michigan State University (MSU) offered both my husband and I, each a half- time graduate assistantship, to pursue a PhD in mathematical statistics. For two people living day today with a small daughter in a poor third world country it was a god’s send. There was one catch. We had to pay our own way to get to US. After selling everything we owned, we had just enough money to buy tickets for two of us but not for our daughter. Then we found out, at that time, airlines allow children under the age of two to travel free as long as they sat on their parents lap. So, we booked our flights and came to this wonderful country two days before our daughter’s second birthday with two suitcases and only $50 in hand but most importantly with a lot of hope.
In the middle of our studies, I remember my advisor telling me that due to the Reagan budgets cuts to higher education, MSU had to reduce my assistantship in half. That was my first experience with a republican administration. Living in Michigan as full time graduate students taking care of a little girl with a small stipend wasn’t easy. We could never afford new clothes, books, cars or really anything new for that matter. I can remember in winter, walking knee deep snow, carrying grocery bags with my little girl trotting behind me making snow angles on her way bundled up in the warm jacket that others had donated to the community swap box.
Fast forward a few years, and after a lot of hard work both my husband and I earned our PhDs and went to become college professors and today we can send our daughter to a graduate school without worrying about loans. In fact, today we are living our American dream. That is why when I heard, then Senator Obama gave that rousing speech at the 2004 convention, I thought to myself, that is my story he is telling. By the time he started saying, “no other country on earth my story is even possible” tears were rolling down my cheeks. We knew that was true, because we had lived through it. After that speech, I started reading everything I could, including his two books, to better understand how someone could so completely understand what we to saw as the American dream. The day his candidacy was announced, I was elated at the news.
I used to tell my daughter, when she complained, that it is not the material things that matter, it is something we have to understand and enjoy immensely everyday in this country – it is freedom and education that matters. The country I came from practically had no freedom of speech, no freedom of press or none of the freedoms that we take for granted here. Yet, we had one important right, every six years we are allowed to vote to elect a government of our choice. This is the only freedom we have without government intrusion, the only chance we get to say something about our government without getting beaten. We treasured and guarded it with our lives. That is why usually almost 95% of the population votes every time there is an election, some even risking their lives. We always knew how important voting is and we never took that right for granted. We know the power it has on our education, the power it has on our social well being, the power it has in every aspect of our lives. The
Growing up in this country, my daughter was so cynical and skeptical about politics. So, when Senator Obama announced his candidacy I just asked my daughter one simple thing, just listen to him and make your own judgment. When my daughter believes in something, she does everything to see it through. So, she took a break from her graduate program, became a field organizer for the 2008 Obama campaign and started telling our story at house parties and meetings, bringing tears to the audience and convincing them how much we need his vision and to vote and organize for him .
I don’t know whether I am as good as she is at telling this, but if I can convince at least one person how much is at stake in this election, how much we need President Obama to save our education and our social well being, I have accomplished something. We need to organize, donate as much as we can and volunteer. I know one thing for sure we need him now more than ever.
Wow–This is a powerful and lovely story. First the President had me in tears and now you do Chitra. Thanks you so much for sharing your wonderful story. It is inspiring and so are you.
So nice to meet you Chitra.. your story is indeed moving, and how kind of you to share it here. Thank you. I’m glad you’re here, glad you and your family are on our side, on President Obama’s side.
Beautiful testimony Chitra, and a big welcome to you. Your story should be sent to PBO to be included in maybe one of his speeches. Very inspiring. Now I know I need to complete the degree I never got. Thank you so much.
Chitra, as one fellow MSU grad to another, thank you so much for that story. Our President is working very hard to make stories such as yours rarer by making it easier for people such as yourself to get that education you dreamed of. Nobody should have to do without the basics of life to get an eductaion that they are qualified to get. That you for delurking and get into the conversation more often.
Chitra, I’ve only just seen your comment and it’s absolutely beautiful, if it’s okay with you I’d love to post later today? Thank you so, so much, it was wonderful.
I add my appreciation, chitra, for your sharing of this heartwarming and important personal story. Very moving, and I agree this election is critical for all of us, for our country’s future.
My god, Chitra, what an amazing comment. I just shanghaied my partner to read it. You touched my heart so deeply. Please, PLEASE send this to PBO and/or Axelrod and Messina. The right to vote is taken for granted and too often pissed away for picayune reasons.
Also, as you so beautifully expressed, access/opportunity is the only equalizer and if we lose that we WILL become a banana republic.
Thank you, Chitra, for “delurking” and sharing your experience with us.
OMG, this is such an important and powerful story for all of us. We are so much stronger as a nation when we work to support each other, when we are together. Your life struggles and joys brought tears to my eyes because I know there are millions and millions just like you. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Please join the conversation more often when you can!!
We know, for example, that Romney wants to eliminate the entirety of the Affordable Care Act, which will immediately take health care coverage away from millions of young people aged 18 to 25, who can now remain on their family plans thanks to the reform law. “Vote for me and I promise to take away your health insurance” is not a winning message.
We also know that Romney wants to scrap college aid for millions of younger Americans. For this constituency, it’s one of the single biggest issues on the policy landscape, and the former governor’s message to them is, “Tough luck.”
Making matters slightly worse, Democrats streamlined the student loan system in 2010, eliminating needless subsidies to banks, and redirecting the savings to help cover tuition costs. Romney opposes those reforms.
I found this quote in the above article very reflective of Mitt’s potential.
‘Alex Seitz-Wald reports that the Romney campaign couldn’t come up with much to say.
In its effort to reach out to young voters, Mitt Romney’s campaign held a conference call with reporters today to discuss what the presumed GOP nominee thinks of President Obama’s record on the youth (not much) and what they have to offer young Americans (also not much). [...]
So, if Obama was so bad, what would a Romney presidency do instead? The septuagenarian Brown, joined on the call by Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) and College Republican National Committee Chairman Alex Schriver, didn’t really have much to offer.
The problem for the presumptive Republican nominee is that so much of his policy agenda makes it difficult to do meaningful outreach to younger voters’
So much for Mitt copying PBO’s strategy of having something planned on the same days.
Literally withing 2 minutes of POTUS stating the Hashtag #DontDoubleMyRate… it was trending worldwide on twitter. When POTUS speaks, truly the WORLD is listening. He is amazing.
Hello TOD. Home today, had Dr.s appt. Home just in time to view the beauty which is Barack H. Obama. Anybody here as fired up as I am? Is it the same as in 2008 for you? So where is all that “lack of enthusiasm”? I am as excited viewing that speech and the crowd, and the cheering and the smiles, and the hand reaching…..as I have ever been. Oh, and I got to experience an aspect of the ACA today. My company switched insurance companies January 2011, and the cost of my annual (in mixed company, pap smear) test was “$0″. What a pleasant surprise. Like the young cadet said yesterday, “you the man”, PBO
To be honest, I am more enthused now than I was in 2008, and I was pretty enthused then. But back then much of my enthusiasm was absed on hope. Now it is based upon belief. He has proven to me what kind of a man and a President he is. And he has accomplished more than I could have dreamed of if I had been aware of the deep level of hatred that he has received from the Republican Party. Back then, I felt he could work with them, but then they went completely insane. If I knew then what I know now, I would have rpedicted that he woudl have been able to accomplish very little. So now my enthusiasm is greater because I know what he can accomplish and what he will be able to do if he is re-elected and we can give him the support from Congress that he needs.
Well said japa21. Makes perfect sense in that, back then we believed, now we know what he is capable of doing. He’s really pretty powerful in his calm way.
Rep. Virginia Foxx On People With Student Loans: ‘I Have Very Little Tolerance’ For Them
—————————————-
FOXX: I went through school, I worked my way through, it took me seven years, I never borrowed a dime of money. He borrowed a little bit because we both were totally on our own when we went to college, totally. [...] I have very little tolerance for people who tell me that they graduate with $200,000 of debt or even $80,000 of debt because there’s no reason for that. We live in an opportunity society and people are forgetting that. I remind folks all the time that the Declaration of Independence says “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” You don’t have it dumped in your lap.
When I went through college in the North Carolina state university system, I was only spending something like $5,000 or so a year in exchange for tuition, books, food and lodging. With Pell grants, work-study (which went to my own spending money) and student loans, I graduated with $6,000 in debt after 5 years (I changed my major, then *almost* double-majored), which I paid off in the Summer right after I finished school.
Whatever you think of the politics, most people just aren’t getting that kind of a deal in 2012.
University of North Carolina students were on FIRE for President Obama's student loan speech today #DontDoubleMyRate— Donna NoShock (@NoShock) April 24, 2012
What we witness today is the very reason why the lying crooked Republicans came up with this voter ID mess. They know if blacks, young people, hispanics turn out like they did in 2008 better than 2008,, President Obama would win by a land slide.
VIRGINIA FOXX IS THE HOUSE CHAIR ON HIGHER EDUCATION?
The Sympathy Gap
————————-
There are a few relevant angles to comments like Foxx’s. For one thing, House Republicans made Foxx the chair of the House panel on higher education, which make her comments that much more disconcerting. For another, she went to a state school four decades ago, when tuition was far more affordable, and students and their families didn’t need to take out exorbitant loans.
There’s also the matter of Foxx’s party’s presumptive presidential nominee, who put himself through school thanks to money from family stock sales, and who now wants to scrap college aid for millions of American students, on purpose, for ideological reasons.
But what also stood out for me is Foxx’s choice of words: she lacks “tolerance” for families burdened by massive debts, because they had the nerve to want more education.
Morning all. Just got done with my Storytime, and my throat is RAW. If you have little ones, I cannot recommend the “Pete the Cat” series highly enough. I read the kids “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” today. Hell, get it for yourself and listen to the song. You’ll have it in your head for days.
Now, onto matters political. I think what we’re seeing between PBO’s stellar poll numbers, the Socialist winning in France promising growth, and the Dutch government collapsing because of austerity is a turn by the populace of the Western democracies against drastic cuts in their social safety nets and the valuation of deficit reduction over everything. The IMF says that it’s possible to have both deficit reduction and growth policies. If so, would they be so kind as to lay out a blueprint? Because so far no one’s figured out how to do it. The deficit reduction that the US experienced under Clinton was a result of higher tax rates and economic growth, not austerity. Grow the economy and collect more taxes and deficits will go down. That’s all that’s ever worked.
Of course you can have deficit reduction and growth policies – the trick is that you have to increase the upper layers of the tax rates (the top layer in the Netherlands is 52 %).
Now try to have a “center-right wing” (HAHAHAHAHAHA) government raise taxes on the rich
You’ve hit the nail on the head. If you want deficit/debt reduction, you have to grow the economy. To grow the economy, you need investment. To provide investment, you need money. To get money, you need a certain level of taxation. The group that can most afford higher taxation is the upper class. Raise upper bracket taxes, invest, grow economy, deficit/debt comes down. Even Reagan knew Reaganomics was a failure; that’s why he raised taxes more than any other president.
LOVE PETE THE CAT!!!! “I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes…..I love my brown shoes, I love my brown shoes….” Thanks. Now I’ll have that song stuck in my head all day:)
I made it home in time to see our wonderful President in NC. He was great now I am even more fired up than normal. I was asked to come on a local radio show to talk about my Facebook page about President Obama. Thanks to all the news and information my family here on TOD post I have a strong following hungry for news about Our President. It’s inspired me to do more.
New tweet
#Don’t double my rate.
Tweet Congress
Student loan interest rates
President Barack Obama discussed college affordability before a crowd of about 8,000 at Carmichael Arena today.
The speech started after 1 p.m. and is part of a two-day tour with stops at UNC, the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Iowa. Obama is campaigning to extend legislation that lowered interest rates for student loans in the past four years. Without the extension, the rates will revert to 2008’s levels — twice today’s rate of 3.4 percent.
RT @C_LION92: All these #obamaatunc tweets are making me wish I were in Chapel Hill right now rather than West Virginia— UNC-Chapel Hill (@Carolina_News) April 24, 2012
RT @1360WCHL: Crowd goes wild as President Obama leaves the arena. Band strikes up the fight song. #ObamaAtUNC— UNC-Chapel Hill (@Carolina_News) April 24, 2012
I’m heading back to work so keep it trending TOD twitter brigade.
United States trends
#LGParentism Promoted
10 Must-Follow Tumblrs
#IfYouWereSmart
#DontDoubleMyRate
#DreadedZaunPhrase
Google Drive
DRM
Brian McKnight
Overeem
Wells Fargo
Great gettin’ up day in TODsville all you O’s!!! Well, I just heard PBO and my oh my what a guy!!! Now, I’m doing the happy dance, ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around…..
Granted, the article is offering an analysis that the costs of overseas expansion is offsetting U.S. profits, but it seems telling that Netflix didn’t even post a loss during the 2008 economic meltdown, but it is now.
Whether or not the boycott was the only factor, I would assume that it was a significant one.
Consider, of all the companies frequented by the highly plugged-in participants on Twitter, an online content service is one of the fastest things you can cancel — and one of the easiest things you can offer an alternative to. While the expiration of their Starz deal might impact streaming movies, having this controversy at a time when DVD sales were falling was a very bad idea — because DVD sales are a discretionary and deliberate purchasing decision, someone buying a DVD or streaming film can choose to go elsewhere when browsing content, as opposed to having a subscription unconsciously delivered to their screen.
Having a bunch of tweets with links to their competitors flashing before the eyes of outraged customers who wanted to make an immediate statement was… unfortunate.
Whatever your position on the boycott, I think this is a fascinating business and public-relations story as well, and shows just how sensitive online businesses in particular can be to a major social-media movement.
1st
WHoop Whoop!!!
Winner!!!!
Helloooooooooooo LOL
The crowd is fired up.
I’m 2nd!!!
where are u guys watching this, all I see is a woman talking?
Here’s the right WH link, aristac:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/president-obama-speaks-interest-rates-student-loans
Streaming has started here:
http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
and here
http://edition.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=4
Thanks Chips
The first link is audio only.. It is also on MSNBC.
Chips has links up above. I’m watching on cspan
perdue is hot. wwwwhat ?
Bev Perdue is a good Governor, I’m just sorry she won’t be running for re-election. She has always shown President Obama the up most respect.
Yes she has and I really admire her for always respecting President Obama. Maybe she will get a post in the 2nd term.
Yes, make her HHS and move Sebelius to State.
Good afternoon, everyone! Looks like there was rumpus going on at the White House this morning. Just left the last thread. So much fun. I couldn’t say it any better than teacher of the year, Rebecca Mieliwocki, “I couldn’t be prouder that you’re my president.” Amen! Amen! Amen!
On c-span, AZ is a toss-up for GE. Eat that brewer.
He’s being introduced now.
President Barack Obama arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport this morning, on his way to UNC for a talk on student debt and an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Read more »
http://www.dailytarheel.com/
PBO is being introduced. The crowd is super excited!
Doesn’t look to me like PBO has lost the youth vote.
And the crowd goes crazy!!!!!!!!!
Amen!
The crowd is going bananas!
Amen & amen!
I see a few Indian gals behind him.
You’re very observant today amk
I mean. They are right there, behind him. What nerdy obots.
By these comments, my guess is that PBO is not-connecting again.
Nope…nobody applauding or cheering or saying “we love you” and he saying “I love you back”. None of that stuff. They just standing there looking bored….
Girl this crowd is on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to see it later. Damn class!! LOL
Firedup and ready to go!!!!!!!!! Mr President at his best.
It’s crazy how when he just says Michelle’s name the crowd goes crazy. I’ve noticed that several times in the last few speeches.
America loves FLOTUS. Even the Repubs that want to hate her can’t bring themselves to do it. They adore her as well. Oh and japa, yardarm and amk will kick their butts if they don’t. Just sayin…..
I would. There are 3 people who I will not tolerate being dissed: My mom (unfortuantely long departed from this world), my wife (who for some reason is still putting up with me after 37+ years) and FLOTUS. Well, maybe add Jill Biden, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, my kids, grandkids, daughets-in-law. And also Chips, despite her recent libeling of my good name.
japa21, I am with you 100% about tolerating FLOTUS being dissed, I won’t. I won’t tolerate POTUS being dissed either.
You betcha. Also. Too.
The kids are loving it. He took a dig memhney’s sudden concern for these kids.
Wowee! I didn’t just read about this. I didn’t just get a briefing on this.
The man is good!
When we got married, we got poor together.
“I didn’t just read about it. When we got married we got poor together.” Some great lines today!!
He is GREAT. Of course no one is connecting with him in that audience.
Melaine, I love that line, we got married poor. That is relating to people, when you can talk to them about things they are going through because you have been through the same. It’s not something you read about, or someone wrote down for you to say it. Now watch the Romney camp and the media start crying he’s talking about Mitt Romney.
PBO is just not CONNECTING! Shucks. This is soooo sweet! If you are at work now, you HAVE to watch this later!
I’m sure the Romney Camp watches these events and just shakes their heads and say, “Oh My God…How are we going to beat this”. Ha!!! You Can’t Mr. Romney…You Can’t.
Please Donna, on Willard Myth’s best day he can’t beat President Obama. He is untrustworthy, he in inconsitent, and he is unreliable. Folks don’t know what they will get with this man because he has never been one who takes a stand.
He takes it to the banks and their rethug shills. The kids loving it.
Thanks for the live-blogging, guys. Sounds like PBO is on fire! Can’t wait to watch later.
fI appreciate the live-blogging as well. I’m giving an exam to a college class at the moment……
I loved the look on PBO’s face when he was talking about student loans and said, “I didn’t just READ about this.” It was priceless. And good advice just now—telling them before they vote know where their candidates stand on student loans and other issues important to their interests.
Yes I agree. People can’t forget that voting for Congress members is just as important as voting for POTUS. He can’t get ish done if we don’t have Dems in the House and Senate supporting him.
OT: Something has gone seriously wrong at Gallup, they have the President at 50%. Heads will roll.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx
Two days in a row Chica! You can be sure they will have him down to 42% by the end of the week. Meanwhile crickets from the media on the 50%
Chips you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet, love. Check this out
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/04/24/obama_holds_lead_nationally.html
Good Day Chips and TOD Family, POB is so fighting for his young people. He is the hardest working POTUS I have ever known in my lifetime.
America, our President is on fire today in North Carolina. Look at that “American Crowd.” Now that is what we look like. Dang, I need another cup of tea as I make these calls. I am tired from yesterday, but everytime I see POB out there giving his all, I have to take the pain meds, and PRESSON!!! I love my President!!!!! (((((((((((((((((Hugs to you, Chips and thank you for Everything))))))))))))))))HZ
He is socking it to the rethugs. Love this.
Lay on the facts, Mr. President! List all the votes/non-votes Repubs have made to facilitate THEIR buddies.
This conversation about student loans is so necessary. The economy is just doing okay; therefore, people are not donating to scholarships due to their lack of finances, which means students have to turn to the government for help with their tuition. For some people to assume that college students want to take out private or federal loans is incorrect. I am thankful for what President Obama is doing to address the price of a college education.
#Don’t Double My Rate—–tweet ready.
Obama has lost the youth vote! LOL!
Slap that podium Mr. President!!!!!!!!!1
Shouts of four more years.
Four More Years
Four More Years
Four More Years
Wow—-no one better. UNC got their money’s worth. PBO at the top of his game, lots of love in return. 4 more years chant.
Oh Hell Yes!!!! As far as I am concerned the re-election campaign started today. I was in tears, I was in awe! Great speech! This man is a fantastic statesman and president!
#dontdoublemyrate is trending
Go ahead Mitt Romney.. try and compete with this man. I’m so looking forward to the debates, the townhalls.. the massive speeches. He just gets stronger & better and more unbeatable everyday. That was a fun crowd and an awesome President
**I** PARTICULARLY love this speech for its content, energy and delivery!!
(until he does the next one) 
Kids taking pics and then checking if they screwed up the moment.
Four more years!!! But He’s losing the youth vote to Romney…..POTUS is dooooooomed.
This is the kind of doom I just love! It looked good, real good.
Univ of Colorado today and Univ of Iowa tomorrow. Mehmney, let’s see you do that.
Mitt’s probably driving around the area hoping some of the goodwill in the air will waft his way. Didn’t his campaign say they would shadow the president, I think, in an effort to un-nerve him? Whatever.
I wonder if his bus was driving around UNC, wasn’t the plan to stalk the President? LOL
That was noot’s boast during primaries. mehmney doesn’t have single original bone in his pathetic body. Typical of the greedy corporate raider who destroys what others have built.
Huge cheer when he waves goodbye—–a love fest. Get these students to the polls. And any devious Repub controlled states that try to interfere need to be fought with all our might.
You hit the key. People can love him, be enthusiastic about seeing him, but if they don’t go to the polls, it is almost meaningless. (I say almost because just people seeing this type of reaction from others can move them.) And not only is it important they get out there to vote for him, but for every Dem on every ballot.
Fabulous, just fabulous! I trust there are students set up on campus right now making sure the students know the requirements for voting!
Generally, the Obama people make sure they get the signatures and e-mails of all the students standing in line waiting to get into these events. Even in Wisconsin in Feb 2008 (during the primaries) when it was below zero and students were standing covered with blankets, with snowmobile suits on….. some even hobbling around in sleeping bags!!
Good to know – thanks P48.
As always one day, the media is concern trolling over some group or another who the “President is losing” only to look like fools the next day!
That comment he read about what some Republican Congresswoman said, it was Congresswoman Fox from North Carolina, she looks like a fox.
That racist scum vriginia foxx ?
Yes…who graduated in 1968…when college cost very little…..but she is still ugly.
She is a blivit!
In the privacy of my office I used saltier language. But we’re in mixed company, so I shall abstain from repeating it here.
Hi Chips
First of all I want to thank for the oasis you created here. Other than coming out to donate through TOD, I don’t comment much but I lurk around here every day to get unfiltered information and around caring people. After listening to President Obama’s speech today I finally got the courage to post our family story just to point out how important this election is.
Nearly thirty years ago Michigan State University (MSU) offered both my husband and I, each a half- time graduate assistantship, to pursue a PhD in mathematical statistics. For two people living day today with a small daughter in a poor third world country it was a god’s send. There was one catch. We had to pay our own way to get to US. After selling everything we owned, we had just enough money to buy tickets for two of us but not for our daughter. Then we found out, at that time, airlines allow children under the age of two to travel free as long as they sat on their parents lap. So, we booked our flights and came to this wonderful country two days before our daughter’s second birthday with two suitcases and only $50 in hand but most importantly with a lot of hope.
In the middle of our studies, I remember my advisor telling me that due to the Reagan budgets cuts to higher education, MSU had to reduce my assistantship in half. That was my first experience with a republican administration. Living in Michigan as full time graduate students taking care of a little girl with a small stipend wasn’t easy. We could never afford new clothes, books, cars or really anything new for that matter. I can remember in winter, walking knee deep snow, carrying grocery bags with my little girl trotting behind me making snow angles on her way bundled up in the warm jacket that others had donated to the community swap box.
Fast forward a few years, and after a lot of hard work both my husband and I earned our PhDs and went to become college professors and today we can send our daughter to a graduate school without worrying about loans. In fact, today we are living our American dream. That is why when I heard, then Senator Obama gave that rousing speech at the 2004 convention, I thought to myself, that is my story he is telling. By the time he started saying, “no other country on earth my story is even possible” tears were rolling down my cheeks. We knew that was true, because we had lived through it. After that speech, I started reading everything I could, including his two books, to better understand how someone could so completely understand what we to saw as the American dream. The day his candidacy was announced, I was elated at the news.
I used to tell my daughter, when she complained, that it is not the material things that matter, it is something we have to understand and enjoy immensely everyday in this country – it is freedom and education that matters. The country I came from practically had no freedom of speech, no freedom of press or none of the freedoms that we take for granted here. Yet, we had one important right, every six years we are allowed to vote to elect a government of our choice. This is the only freedom we have without government intrusion, the only chance we get to say something about our government without getting beaten. We treasured and guarded it with our lives. That is why usually almost 95% of the population votes every time there is an election, some even risking their lives. We always knew how important voting is and we never took that right for granted. We know the power it has on our education, the power it has on our social well being, the power it has in every aspect of our lives. The
Growing up in this country, my daughter was so cynical and skeptical about politics. So, when Senator Obama announced his candidacy I just asked my daughter one simple thing, just listen to him and make your own judgment. When my daughter believes in something, she does everything to see it through. So, she took a break from her graduate program, became a field organizer for the 2008 Obama campaign and started telling our story at house parties and meetings, bringing tears to the audience and convincing them how much we need his vision and to vote and organize for him .
I don’t know whether I am as good as she is at telling this, but if I can convince at least one person how much is at stake in this election, how much we need President Obama to save our education and our social well being, I have accomplished something. We need to organize, donate as much as we can and volunteer. I know one thing for sure we need him now more than ever.
Chitra
Wow–This is a powerful and lovely story. First the President had me in tears and now you do Chitra. Thanks you so much for sharing your wonderful story. It is inspiring and so are you.
So nice to meet you Chitra.. your story is indeed moving, and how kind of you to share it here. Thank you. I’m glad you’re here, glad you and your family are on our side, on President Obama’s side.
What a beautiful story, Chitra. You said it right, we need him now more than ever, especially given the outright wingnuttery from the other side.
Your story is beautiful, Chitra. We do need him more than ever.
Beautiful testimony Chitra, and a big welcome to you. Your story should be sent to PBO to be included in maybe one of his speeches. Very inspiring. Now I know I need to complete the degree I never got. Thank you so much.
Chitra, as one fellow MSU grad to another, thank you so much for that story. Our President is working very hard to make stories such as yours rarer by making it easier for people such as yourself to get that education you dreamed of. Nobody should have to do without the basics of life to get an eductaion that they are qualified to get. That you for delurking and get into the conversation more often.
Welcome Chitra. Yours is quite a testimony. and I don’t think your daughter could tell it better. Truly inspiring.
Oh my, what a beautiful story Chitra. Thanks for sharing.
Oh My Chitra that is so beautiful.
Chips, this sounds like a headliner to me (if Chitra doesn’t mind).
Chips can use it any way she like.
Chitra, I’ve only just seen your comment and it’s absolutely beautiful, if it’s okay with you I’d love to post later today? Thank you so, so much, it was wonderful.
Chips it’s all yours
I add my appreciation, chitra, for your sharing of this heartwarming and important personal story. Very moving, and I agree this election is critical for all of us, for our country’s future.
My god, Chitra, what an amazing comment. I just shanghaied my partner to read it. You touched my heart so deeply. Please, PLEASE send this to PBO and/or Axelrod and Messina. The right to vote is taken for granted and too often pissed away for picayune reasons.
Also, as you so beautifully expressed, access/opportunity is the only equalizer and if we lose that we WILL become a banana republic.
Thank you, Chitra, for “delurking” and sharing your experience with us.
sorry, forgot to add “access/opportunity”… TO EDUCATION “is the equalizer…”
Thank you Chitra. That was absolutely beautiful.
OMG, this is such an important and powerful story for all of us. We are so much stronger as a nation when we work to support each other, when we are together. Your life struggles and joys brought tears to my eyes because I know there are millions and millions just like you. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Please join the conversation more often when you can!!
Perfection!
Competing for the youth vote
By Steve Benen
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We know, for example, that Romney wants to eliminate the entirety of the Affordable Care Act, which will immediately take health care coverage away from millions of young people aged 18 to 25, who can now remain on their family plans thanks to the reform law. “Vote for me and I promise to take away your health insurance” is not a winning message.
We also know that Romney wants to scrap college aid for millions of younger Americans. For this constituency, it’s one of the single biggest issues on the policy landscape, and the former governor’s message to them is, “Tough luck.”
Making matters slightly worse, Democrats streamlined the student loan system in 2010, eliminating needless subsidies to banks, and redirecting the savings to help cover tuition costs. Romney opposes those reforms.
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http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/24/11373190-competing-for-the-youth-vote
I found this quote in the above article very reflective of Mitt’s potential.
‘Alex Seitz-Wald reports that the Romney campaign couldn’t come up with much to say.
In its effort to reach out to young voters, Mitt Romney’s campaign held a conference call with reporters today to discuss what the presumed GOP nominee thinks of President Obama’s record on the youth (not much) and what they have to offer young Americans (also not much). [...]
So, if Obama was so bad, what would a Romney presidency do instead? The septuagenarian Brown, joined on the call by Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) and College Republican National Committee Chairman Alex Schriver, didn’t really have much to offer.
The problem for the presumptive Republican nominee is that so much of his policy agenda makes it difficult to do meaningful outreach to younger voters’
So much for Mitt copying PBO’s strategy of having something planned on the same days.
Literally withing 2 minutes of POTUS stating the Hashtag #DontDoubleMyRate… it was trending worldwide on twitter. When POTUS speaks, truly the WORLD is listening. He is amazing.
LOVE reading this!
yes! He is something. And the response by the people- gives proof positive that we are paying attention and we are with him.
He knows the modern forms of communication totally bypassed the msm bs and knows how to effectively use them. An american spring is long overdue.
Yep, one of the great things about POTUS is that he learns.. he grows. I love his savvy.
Hello TOD. Home today, had Dr.s appt. Home just in time to view the beauty which is Barack H. Obama. Anybody here as fired up as I am? Is it the same as in 2008 for you? So where is all that “lack of enthusiasm”? I am as excited viewing that speech and the crowd, and the cheering and the smiles, and the hand reaching…..as I have ever been. Oh, and I got to experience an aspect of the ACA today. My company switched insurance companies January 2011, and the cost of my annual (in mixed company, pap smear) test was “$0″. What a pleasant surprise. Like the young cadet said yesterday, “you the man”, PBO
To be honest, I am more enthused now than I was in 2008, and I was pretty enthused then. But back then much of my enthusiasm was absed on hope. Now it is based upon belief. He has proven to me what kind of a man and a President he is. And he has accomplished more than I could have dreamed of if I had been aware of the deep level of hatred that he has received from the Republican Party. Back then, I felt he could work with them, but then they went completely insane. If I knew then what I know now, I would have rpedicted that he woudl have been able to accomplish very little. So now my enthusiasm is greater because I know what he can accomplish and what he will be able to do if he is re-elected and we can give him the support from Congress that he needs.
Well said japa21. Makes perfect sense in that, back then we believed, now we know what he is capable of doing. He’s really pretty powerful in his calm way.
Rep. Virginia Foxx On People With Student Loans: ‘I Have Very Little Tolerance’ For Them
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FOXX: I went through school, I worked my way through, it took me seven years, I never borrowed a dime of money. He borrowed a little bit because we both were totally on our own when we went to college, totally. [...] I have very little tolerance for people who tell me that they graduate with $200,000 of debt or even $80,000 of debt because there’s no reason for that. We live in an opportunity society and people are forgetting that. I remind folks all the time that the Declaration of Independence says “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” You don’t have it dumped in your lap.
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http://thinkprogress.org/education/2012/04/13/464154/foxx-tolerance-student-loans/
She’s an idiot. I wonder what school she went to.
When I went through college in the North Carolina state university system, I was only spending something like $5,000 or so a year in exchange for tuition, books, food and lodging. With Pell grants, work-study (which went to my own spending money) and student loans, I graduated with $6,000 in debt after 5 years (I changed my major, then *almost* double-majored), which I paid off in the Summer right after I finished school.
Whatever you think of the politics, most people just aren’t getting that kind of a deal in 2012.
#DontDoubleMyRate
What we witness today is the very reason why the lying crooked Republicans came up with this voter ID mess. They know if blacks, young people, hispanics turn out like they did in 2008 better than 2008,, President Obama would win by a land slide.
Ergo, voter suppression is a rethug priority.
VIRGINIA FOXX IS THE HOUSE CHAIR ON HIGHER EDUCATION?
The Sympathy Gap
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There are a few relevant angles to comments like Foxx’s. For one thing, House Republicans made Foxx the chair of the House panel on higher education, which make her comments that much more disconcerting. For another, she went to a state school four decades ago, when tuition was far more affordable, and students and their families didn’t need to take out exorbitant loans.
There’s also the matter of Foxx’s party’s presumptive presidential nominee, who put himself through school thanks to money from family stock sales, and who now wants to scrap college aid for millions of American students, on purpose, for ideological reasons.
But what also stood out for me is Foxx’s choice of words: she lacks “tolerance” for families burdened by massive debts, because they had the nerve to want more education.
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http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/18/11264488-the-sympathy-gap
http://www.kirk.senate.gov/images/markkirk.jpg
Sen. Mark Kirk’s Office Releases Photo Of Recovering Senator
I think he’s had a rough go—–stroke much more serious than first let on.
Why should we care about kirk ?
http://www.americanbridgepac.org/2012/01/wire/research/memo-12-things-we-could-learn-from-previous-romney-tax-returns/ I am sure this was on a much earlier post but I think this should looked at again. This is how the VERY rich people use the laws to evade paying millions of $.
It’s up!!!
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-Discusses-Student-Loan-Interest-Rates/10737430099/
Morning all. Just got done with my Storytime, and my throat is RAW. If you have little ones, I cannot recommend the “Pete the Cat” series highly enough. I read the kids “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” today. Hell, get it for yourself and listen to the song. You’ll have it in your head for days.
Now, onto matters political. I think what we’re seeing between PBO’s stellar poll numbers, the Socialist winning in France promising growth, and the Dutch government collapsing because of austerity is a turn by the populace of the Western democracies against drastic cuts in their social safety nets and the valuation of deficit reduction over everything. The IMF says that it’s possible to have both deficit reduction and growth policies. If so, would they be so kind as to lay out a blueprint? Because so far no one’s figured out how to do it. The deficit reduction that the US experienced under Clinton was a result of higher tax rates and economic growth, not austerity. Grow the economy and collect more taxes and deficits will go down. That’s all that’s ever worked.
Of course you can have deficit reduction and growth policies – the trick is that you have to increase the upper layers of the tax rates (the top layer in the Netherlands is 52 %).
Now try to have a “center-right wing” (HAHAHAHAHAHA) government raise taxes on the rich
You’ve hit the nail on the head. If you want deficit/debt reduction, you have to grow the economy. To grow the economy, you need investment. To provide investment, you need money. To get money, you need a certain level of taxation. The group that can most afford higher taxation is the upper class. Raise upper bracket taxes, invest, grow economy, deficit/debt comes down. Even Reagan knew Reaganomics was a failure; that’s why he raised taxes more than any other president.
LOVE PETE THE CAT!!!! “I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes…..I love my brown shoes, I love my brown shoes….” Thanks. Now I’ll have that song stuck in my head all day:)
I made it home in time to see our wonderful President in NC. He was great now I am even more fired up than normal. I was asked to come on a local radio show to talk about my Facebook page about President Obama. Thanks to all the news and information my family here on TOD post I have a strong following hungry for news about Our President. It’s inspired me to do more.
New tweet
#Don’t double my rate.
Tweet Congress
Student loan interest rates
Way to go! Congrats Sonjia, and may you be relaxed and confident as you share!
Wow, Congratulations Sonjia! Have fun.. please tell us all about it when you finish
President Barack Obama discussed college affordability before a crowd of about 8,000 at Carmichael Arena today.
The speech started after 1 p.m. and is part of a two-day tour with stops at UNC, the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Iowa. Obama is campaigning to extend legislation that lowered interest rates for student loans in the past four years. Without the extension, the rates will revert to 2008’s levels — twice today’s rate of 3.4 percent.
http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2012/04/obama_speaks_on_college_affordability_at_unc
Yup!
I’m heading back to work so keep it trending TOD twitter brigade.
United States trends
#LGParentism Promoted
10 Must-Follow Tumblrs
#IfYouWereSmart
#DontDoubleMyRate
#DreadedZaunPhrase
Google Drive
DRM
Brian McKnight
Overeem
Wells Fargo
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/04/24/hes-lost-the-youth-you-know-3/
Great gettin’ up day in TODsville all you O’s!!! Well, I just heard PBO and my oh my what a guy!!! Now, I’m doing the happy dance, ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around…..
For those of you involved with the boycott of Rush Limbaugh’s advertisers, you might find the following article interesting…
Netflix Posts First Loss Since 2005, Shares Plunge
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/04/netflix-posts-first-loss-since-2005-shares-plunge.html
Granted, the article is offering an analysis that the costs of overseas expansion is offsetting U.S. profits, but it seems telling that Netflix didn’t even post a loss during the 2008 economic meltdown, but it is now.
Whether or not the boycott was the only factor, I would assume that it was a significant one.
Consider, of all the companies frequented by the highly plugged-in participants on Twitter, an online content service is one of the fastest things you can cancel — and one of the easiest things you can offer an alternative to. While the expiration of their Starz deal might impact streaming movies, having this controversy at a time when DVD sales were falling was a very bad idea — because DVD sales are a discretionary and deliberate purchasing decision, someone buying a DVD or streaming film can choose to go elsewhere when browsing content, as opposed to having a subscription unconsciously delivered to their screen.
Having a bunch of tweets with links to their competitors flashing before the eyes of outraged customers who wanted to make an immediate statement was… unfortunate.
Whatever your position on the boycott, I think this is a fascinating business and public-relations story as well, and shows just how sensitive online businesses in particular can be to a major social-media movement.
CAUGHT PBO ON MSNBC…THE STUDENTS AT CHAPEL HILL WERE FIRED UP! …AWESOME!!!!!!