
June 18, 2025 - Pete Souza: “The First Lady reacts as she watches Laura Jarrett and Tony Balkissoon take their vows during their wedding at Valerie Jarrett’s home in Chicago.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
See more White House photos here
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I’m baaaaaack! Okay, need to catch up with what’s happening, back soon.

























Helloooo Ms Chips!
Hellooooooooooooo andogriff! Okay, I’m back to restore order, I presume things have been outrageous around here since I had to fly?
Chips - aka Blogmommy - Thanks for ringing in the New Year with all of us, with your beautiful posts and photos, and support for President Obama. You are loved!
You, Jacquelineoboomer, are ginormously loved too! Thank you so much - although I’ve neglected you all the last 24 hours, but I’m back to protect you from Amk’s jokes, etc.
Yes, that was my underlying theme. Ha!
If ya wanna see a couple minutes of bipartisanship in the Senate, see the video of all Rs and Ds lining up on the steps just now, waiting for returning R Sen. Ron Kirk of IL (after his rehabilitation for a year with a stroke) to climb the steps up to the entrance doors, with Vice President Biden leading the way. Maybe that will give them a new idea on how to “Proceed, Republicans.”
Good morning. Tough job indeed! :-D
Hellooooooooooo shipmate! I think we’re safe for a bit, I’m presume he’s asleep? How are you on this fine day?
Finer than frog hair. The point is how are you? This old salt was about to get in a bit of a snit yesterday when you left on extended liberty.
:-) Next time I go on shore leave I’ll bring you with me, promise!!!
Aye, aye Admiral. Me thinks you may also need some Shore Patrol(Navy cops) too. :-)
Oooh Yardarm, I’m always in need of Shore Patrol, especially when too much cheap wine has been had. That’s it - you’re booked for next time!
They’re on standby!
Phew, thanks Yardarm. It’s when I start trying to body surf on dry land that I most need assistance.
NOT a very good idea. That can be painful and hazardous to ones health.
I second that jacqueline…. don’t know what we would do without Ms Chips, I look forward to these posts so much, even though I don’t comment very often!
Congratsssssssssssssss On 1sttttttttttt
Thanks so much, prettyfoot!
Hi Everybody! Congrats on first andogriff!
Thanks Dudette! Love your posts!
What a gorgeous photo… look at him, looking at her!!
I know… and look at her looking at them. Speechless.
GORGEOUS
The Obama’s really look nice in this photo?
The short answer is yes.
The long answer is also yes.
The look of love.
Have a great day everyone, love to all….
Hi, AndoG, congrats on 1st and have a great day yourself!
Thanks so much vc! I thought I’d come back for another visit… can’t keep away for too long!
A compelling feeling, THAT! ;)
Had to :) Dedicated to the RWNJ’S ….
Picture each and every one of these guys…http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/01/03/1386821/ten-people-we-are-grateful-are-no-longer-members-of-congress/
doing this cat thing off the balcony. Then smile :)
2 things: I keep playing the cat vid over and over and laughing hysterically (then I feel guilty cuz I think: poor kitty kat) and 2 ~
And yet, they all have healthcare for life…
What, no parachute?
:shock: I didn’t wanna laugh, but df MADE me!!! :razz:
Moi?????????????? :)
By the way…………..simply stunning!
Brought from last thread. Just received this from Elizabeth Warren. Can’t wait to see photos.
Susan —
In just a few minutes, I’m heading down to the Senate chamber to take the oath of office to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This day is not mine alone.
It belongs to the hundreds of thousands of people who waited in line to vote because they believed that our future matters.
It belongs to the more than 20,000 people who volunteered on Election Day to get out the vote.
And it belongs to you. You made an investment in this campaign every time you talked to your friends on Facebook and Twitter, contributed to our campaign, and yes, read email after email at sometimes never-ending pace asking for your help.
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your Senator.
I am grateful for your hard work and your support.
I am deeply touched by the trust and faith that you have put in me.
And I pledge today that I will never stop fighting for you.
Thank you for being a part of this,
Elizabeth
Saw that. I need to plop myself in front of c-span…
I love the look in his eyes as he looks at her!!!!!
What him are you talking about? Is there a him in that picture? I don’t see any him there, at least no him of consequence.
Snap out of it. If we can “notice” her, you can wake up to the both of them. Ha!
Congrats andogriff. Why I put a question mark at the end, only my iPad knows. Having a rough couple days with this iPad.
Thanks carolmaewy! It was sheer luck! Have been in the kitchen for most of the holidays, nice to come up for air and be with my TOD family for a change!
:)
Vice President Biden is on C-Span, welcoming Sen. Ron Kirk (R-IL) who’s returning to the Senate after suffering a stroke almost a year ago.
https://twitter.com/NJedwina/status/286876810694754305
Time to send in the Baby Whisperer!
PBO sure does have that Look of Love…Wow!!!
Always loved her voice! Great piece.
Reminds me of this one :-)
Dudette, you are the bomb!
I love Dione’s rendition of that song.
Donna, you are so connected to the souls of folks with your music. What a gift!
Donna, it’s people like you that make me love this space so, so much! Dione Warwick, like POTUS and FLOTUS, is the real deal! I really love and appreciate all your contributions.
Ahhh Thanks Nath. You are such a kind soul. I love ya back brother ;)
Chips sneaked right by me! :roll: I can see 2013 for me is going to be much like TOD 2012 - running behind the pack. Good thing is that means I can still run and the possibility to catch up occasionally still exists. There’s always room for a little sunlight in the darkest day if I look carefully. (VC philosophy)
Coming up right behind ya vc. I’ve made it through the 500+ Chat Away from yesterday. Phew! That was a big one! Gotta catch my breath!
‘k, back to today’s Rise and Shine. See ya in a bit. :-D
The thing I hate the most on this blog, Dudette, is playing catch up, because even when Chips is away the blog doesn’t stand still and it’s no easier running behind on one post that it is with two or three. In order to know what has gone on, you virtually have to read everyone’s comment since the moment you skip a comment it’s the very one that someone alludes to later. Drives me ‘crazy’ when I don’t know to what they are referring! Right now I’m deciding whether to finish reading this thread, or go to the next so that I can be a part of the CURRENT conversation. Ahhh, decisions, decisions. The fact that I’m writing this now also means that I missed the ‘live’ swearing in. This political nosiness is far more consuming than I am/was prepared for and it’s all Pres Obama’s fault! Humpfff.
Bringing from previous thread:
Kudos to Gore & Co for sparing us this BS:
Glenn Beck tried to buy Current TV
Thank goodness!
I like the story behind the picture of the President driving Gibbs’ Volt … how the SS were told not to open the gates under any circumstances. It is like the interviews with Michelle when she says she is often tempted to dress down and make a run to Target without the SS. It is funny and it shows the spirit of our President and First Lady. I am sure the SS could just envision the Volt bolting through the gates with the President waving and happily cruising around D.C.
I’ve often wondered exactly how they were planning to stop him from driving through those gates…
I can’t stop staring at this gorgeous picture. *le sigh*
*Le double sigh* It’s a beautiful picture and so much more.
Hey, C-Span announcer: Cold sore on lip = not a good look for ya. (What? No paid sick leave?)
Signed,
Shallow Public
LOL. not a cold sore more like a birth mark. It has been there as long as I have seen him on TV.
That made me feel a lot better (but for the fact I mocked a birthmark!). Oops.
Official Online Presidential Inauguration Store!!
https://store.2013pic.org/?limit=9999
Oooooh, lots of lovely things - thank you DF!!
Don’t you think that amk would like to gift us all with that lovely medallion set? Africa (continent!) has been very, very good to him! He said so:) I’m sure that he wouldn’t mind……
That is a highly excellent idea, Desertflower - apart from Africa (continent!) being good to him, he needs to make up for those jokes. We’ll put the proposal to him when he wakes up.
That’s a FINE idea!
Thanks df- I will definitely be making one or two purchases! :)
Oh man, I’m in trouble!
The 112th Done Nothing Congress is Adjourned Sine Die, which means “without day.”
To which I add: Hooray.
i concur mdm jacqueline! :-)
:)
Everyone must, must, must check out Pete Souza’s year in 2012 pictures. He has the beautiful photo of POTUS and FLOTUS at Valerie Jarrett’s daughter’s wedding, Pres. Obama chilling with George Clooney, Tobey Maguire, and Don Cheadle, the moment Pres. Obama found out ObamaCare had been upheld, Daniel Day Lewis in the Lincoln Bedroom viewing the Gettysburg Address, the moment the election was called for Pres. Obama and also poignant powerful pictures of Pres. Obama captured between the portraits/photographs of Lincoln, Washington, and Martin Luther King, Jr, the moment Pres. Obama was informed about the horrible shootings at Sandy Hook, a sweet picture of Pres. Obama with relatives of one of the victims, etc. It is an awe inspiring collection.
These pictures tell the true story of this man’s Presidency.
I just talked to Sen Udall’s office.
She said it appears Reid will adjorn until the 22nd so he can still take up filibuster reform and have that be the first day of Senate business.
She was not allowed to say which Senators are wavering….
Thanks, Linda….I thought they might do that. More time.
thanks, hf:)
Folks get your cellphones out - I wanna know: Does the President love his First Lady? Text ‘A’ for yes, ‘B’ for no. We’ll bring you the results later in the show. #BigEdQuestions
ROFL!
Anyone who texts “B” should be locked in a cage with the gorilla from Trading Places
What do you have against gorillas? :-D
LOL! Nothing if they’re nice to me.
Grrrr!
I vote for locking them up with hyenas!
Did y’all see John Boehner walking onto the floor of the House, alone for a few minutes with no gladhanders around? Looked like the loneliest guy on the planet.
And I laugh.
The House Speaker nominations then election coming up should be fun, since I believe each representative has to call his or her vote out loud. No hiding behind an electronic vote. And all the Dems get to say Nancy Smash’s name, if they want, because she’d be their choice but for the fact we don’t have the majority.
After catching some of the comments made by him in Congress (I guess it was yesterday, maybe this morning) by his colleagues, I am surprised he felt it safe to leave his house (unless he has a bodyguard with him).
So why is it that I’m the last one to know that everybody has moved on? I was busy posting the ADP job numbers earlier, only to find y’all swimming in the ocean with PBO. Then, I dip my toe in the water to join in the body surfing, only to find everyone is over here at the wedding. When did y’all dry off and get dressed for these festivities?
VP Biden is swearing in the 113th senate and we’re waiting for the speakership vote. Fascinating stuff.
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Convenes-First-Session-of-the-113th-Congress/10737436963-1/
We’re moving #forward.
good morning todville! that’s hawaii’s mazie hirono on the left, being sworn in as senator. female, asian-american, buddhist, and votes to the left of our previous (wonderful) dem senators.
Yay Tim Kaine! Yay Mazie Hirono! Yay America!
Is that DeMint….holding on to the string on his replacements back ?
I love the fact South Carolina now has two “confirmed bachelor” Republican Senators. And “Appalachian Trail” Sanford is waiting in the wings to run for Congress.
Can’t stop saying it …. “confirmed bachelor” Bwahahahahaha!!! Denial is a river in Egypt! LOL!!
Thanks so much for highlighting this fabulous picture! They both look gorgeous and I LOVE the way our President is looking at his wife. All you need is love!
Thanks for this picture! And also the picture of the woman from Hawaii being sworn in, standing next to Tim Kaine.
senator mazie hirono :)
Speakership nomination and election has begun. It’s quite interesting.
Yes, it is. Even more interesting would be if the gods and goddesses allowed Nancy Smash to accidentally get the votes to be Speaker. If enough vote “Other/Present,” maybe we’ll see another historic chapter in our democracy. (Hey, a woman can dream, can’t I?)
Okay get ready for Boehner to start crying uncontrollably when he speaks.
Off topic….which I frequently am…..but maybe not so much since this is new Senator swearing in day. Someone on previous thread was trying to remember how many AA Senators we’ve had: Three elected and two appointed. The three elected are: Sen. Edward Brooke, R-MA, Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, D-IL, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Il. The two appointments are: Roland Burris, D-IL appointed to take Pres. Obama’s seat, served for almost two years, and the now appointed Tim Scott, R-SC. That is not a good enough number; Illinois has sent three of the five.
Very much on topic, especially on this day of swearing in.
Just to gossip, Sen. Edward Brooke was the man outed by the ghastly Barbara Walters, once upon a time a few years back when she was selling a memoir, as being her lover when he was married to his first wife. He’s 93 now and still hasn’t commented.
post Reconstruction. There were two during the “Reconstruction” era - Hiram Rhodes Revels, Republican - Mississippi and Blanche Bruce, Republican - Mississippi. (back when Republicans were “the Party of Lincoln”)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans_in_the_United_States_Congress
That’s just Post Reconstruction! Mississippi sent two AA to the U.S. Senate during Reconstruction.
House Speaker vote taking place. Pelosi and Boehner nominated by their respective parties.
CSPAN1 http://www.c-span.org/flvPop.aspx?src=cspan1&msg=You+are+watching+the+C-SPAN+Networks&start=5831.776&end=-1
Ten People We Are Grateful Are No Longer Members Of Congress
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/01/03/1386821/ten-people-we-are-grateful-are-no-longer-members-of-congress/
Hi everyone !
Waiting to see what happens in the House. The talk in DC seems to be about Boehner and Cantor. Am I the only one wondering if, in order to avoid a schism, House republicans will draft a third candidate, like Paul Ryan ?
The last thing Cantor wants is to be Speaker. He’s not that suicidal. He’d have to actually make decisions that would go against the teabutts. He’d lose his bagger creds.
It’s quite funny that the whole DC Beltway has been saying for months, even years, that Cantor wants the job. “Conventional wisdom” is false, as usual.
OK, I just saw that Boehner is the nominee. Will all House republicans cast their vote ? Or will some decide to not vote at all ?
Boehner and Pelosi have been nominated by their parties. Five so far have decided to vote for other than those two.
why did they take the tally away???
I wonder who are the few (5 right now) who are voting for other than Boehner or Pelosi. Also, when does $arah Pay’em get the gavel? Is she waiting in the wings somewhere? Oh drat, another missed opportunity.
Someone nominated Colin Powell for Speaker.
So far, there are 5 folks who nominated someone other than Boehner or Pelosi. I’m curious who they are.
Rep. Jim Cooper (Tn) voted for Colin Powell instead of Pelosi, why, I have no idea.
Did you catch Issa’s vote? I don’t think he went for Bonehead. Curiouser and curiouser these folks. And in front of the kids no less.
Cooper is hard to figure out. He is a Rhodes Scholar and Harvard Law graduate. Maybe being from TN he must watch out for teabaggers.
Why did she just call Alan West’s name ?
yes…Louie “I’m batshit crazy” Gommert voted for him to be speaker
If Gohmert were any crazier he could not find the Capitol.
I think Gohmert voted for him, but I am not certain.
Louie Goehmert voted for Allen West as Speaker. The expression on Cantor’s face was priceless. :lol:
Thank you for watching Cantor’s face, so we don’t have to. :)
BWHAAAAA!!!!!
I think Louis Gohmert is the dumbest Representative in the House.
“Louie”.
Did you see the Hoyer for Pelosi vote? the Dems were appreciative and Nancy gave hi a big ol’ grin and thank you. Will somebody tell me why Allen West has 2 votes for Speaker and so far Palin has none? I see a brawl a-brewin’
I do not think Palin has anyone in office supporting her, but only very sick, uneducated, trashy people spread around red states.
that’s because they didn’t get the memo soon enough. They just found out about the little passage in the Constitution that anyone can be Speaker. Given enough time, we may have had the opportunity to see a good ol’ fashion beat down among the warring factions of Dixie Like the Hatfields and McCoys, unparallelled in its intensity, never before seen in the sacred halls of gubmint.
Cookemon,
You are right. Just give these crazies time. They will surprise us.
Love that little ol’ reminder.
It really is history. Amazing, incredible, awesome history.
Don’t go away mad, 112th Congress, just go away
By Steve Benen
————————
The Congress that ended less than an hour ago didn’t legislate, couldn’t complete basic tasks, saw its public support drop to the lowest point since the dawn of modern polling, and undermined the national economy more than once.
To reiterate a point we’ve discussed before, it’s worth noting one of the consequences of having a Congress this abysmal is the extent to which it shapes our expectations. I felt great relief on several occasions over the last two years when lawmakers managed to avoid government shutdowns that lawmakers themselves had threatened — which was depressing, since I really shouldn’t have been impressed when the legislative branch of the United States government manages, just barely, to keep its own lights on.
.
.
When voters headed to the polls in the 2010 midterms, they elected some of the most manifestly unqualified policymakers in a generation, and the result was a Congress that was hard to watch without covering your eyes.
So long, 112th. You won’t be missed.
—————————————
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/03/16326972-dont-go-away-mad-112th-congress-just-go-away?lite
Senator Bachus just objected to Merkley’s resolution on filibuster reform I think…
Is Bob here? I hope he’s watching this…he’s been on a mission for Pelosi
So far, coupled with the other/present votes, she is only 5 votes behind. This won’t hold, but at least it’s encouraging to see the Dems stick together, except for the guy from TN, who has to keep the teabutts off his trail.
https://twitter.com/NJedwina/status/286895273681231872
David Schuster please listen to Tomasky. :)
he was horrible today on Stephanie Miller. Even jackie schechner was terrible. The notion that any and all discussion of more revenue is permanently over, drives me insane.
Jackie Schechner is way over-rated, in my opinion. To listen to her, you’d think she personally got healthcare passed. I heard two sentences of her drivel and changed the channel to music. If you asked her or Shuster about the details of that deal, and what they might have done differently to ensure the unemployment benefits, the stimulative tax cuts and many other benefits that were protected in this deal, in exchange for a $450K threshold - they wouldn’t have a clue.
I was shocked that she hadn’t even bothered to study p on the basics of the fiscal cliff vote…
Or maybe she was hedging so as not to contradict that spiteful moron David Shuster…
In a way this morning made me realize that I mightn’t even miss Steph on Current after Al Jazeera takes over…
Hal Sparks seems to be the only one who really does his homework and pushes back effectively…cedes no ground and allows no room for outright lies and half truths…he just refuses to indulge the David Shuster’s of the world…
Steph wasn’t even able to contradict Shuster’s recycled and dishonest emoprog tripe - or was she just unwilling to take on her friend…
So true - the exact same thought went through my mind: “I won’t miss Stephanie when AJ takes over”. I’m ready to get my life back, anyway.
I find Jackie’s explanations of health care issues quite helpful. But you make a great point: these pundits have absolutely no idea (or interest) in what is actually in this bill.
It’s nonsense to compare our Dream Bill to not only what is possible under the most horrific political situation I’ve seen in my 62 years; but to see what PBO FIXED — it’s a God damned thing of beauty. Doc fix, AMT, the first time in 20+ years we got any Republicans to vote for ANY tax increase. When did progressives stop cheering for such landmark changes? Let me see, when Barack Obama couldn’t deliver all the ponies to their door. Disgusting.
You’re right - she gives out a lot of helpful information on the health care law, and I’ll give her credit for that. I just wish she would occasionally acknowledge that the President deserves credit for that bill passage, as well.
There would have been no health care bill at all without PBO. You think Hillary would have tackled it? This is what makes me crazy: not that long ago all Democrats/progressives would have cheered such progress. But not under this President. If the party had framed their message, been enthusiastic we never would have had the 2010 debacle. Outrageous behavior.
I almost had to pull off the road when I heard David Shuster call President Obama a “wuss” - Shuster, who has basically failed at everything he’s attempted so far in life. I could hear that Stephanie Miller was ready to pull the plug on him, too. I switched the station immediately after that - I’m sick of these people.
David Shuster is another one of those small, insecure, spiteful, bitter little men whose lives are so empty and littered with failure, they end up hating successful, accomplished, secure men like President Obama…
Your remember the girl that interviewed President Obama for Bloomberg a short while ago…that’s Shuster’s ex wife…
Yup - she’s one of President Obama’s favourite reporters, apparently.
Anybody else think that seeing some of these House representatives up close is like watching The Walking Dead?
I knew there was a strange feeling when I watched them too much and for too long. Now I know why: The Walking Dead. Beautiful.
Ever see the movie “They Live”?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Live
Someone voted for Raul Labrodor for speaker—-never heard of him—-isn’t it interesting that some names we never hear? Google informs me that Labrodor is of Puerto Rican descent, a Mormon convert in Idaho, Repub of course, conservative. Also someone, in his infinite wisdom, voted for Mittens—-nostalgic vote, for old times sake, I guess. Cuckoos.
This guy. http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/12/13/1327511/gop-threatens-to-hold-disaster-relief-hostage-to-spending-cuts-again/
The White House last week requested $60 billion in federal disaster relief to rebuild the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, but some Republicans are again threatening to hold disaster relief funding hostage unless it is offset by other budget cuts.
A day after Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) called disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy “wasteful spending,” Reps. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Steve King (R-IA), Raul Labrador (R-ID), and Jeff Landry (R-LA), all from the more conservative wing of the House GOP, told The Hill that they will demand offsets for disaster spending:
Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who sits on the Appropriations Committee, said she will need to see offsets on Wednesday as did Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho).
“We have these emergencies every year and we should prepare for that in our budget,” Labrador said.
“No pun intended, we should have a rainy day fund,” Rep. Jeff Landry (R-La.) said.
What a sweetie pie. Errrr, I mean, what a jerk.
Yes…they all sound so “nice” don’t they? Wonder if Rep Landry said the same thing after Katrina? One of the “I got mine, screw you” mentality…
I got their offsets for them: end subsidies to oil companies. End farm subsidies to multi-national food corporations.
Indeed - it’ll be nice to see how they reject the spending cuts that President Obama has been calling for these past four years - oil and farm subsidies, tax loopholes for the wealthy, defense spending, government areas of waste. They want spending cuts? They’ll get spending cuts.
Yup. Lots of them. Lots of POPULAR ways to cut spending. All you have to do is listen to him over the last week: he’s already said what he’s willing to ‘cut’ and he’s gonna sell it to the American people. I’ve never seen a Speaker so beaten on the day he was re-chosen for his position.
https://twitter.com/Dudette9t9/status/286900361241964544
Oh for heaven’s sake! Totally wrong historically-awesome document! Smacking myself in the head!
Fixed the tweet below…
https://twitter.com/Dudette9t9/status/286901075661967361
“Then she forgets to attach the friggin photo!”
Good Lawd, I’m an idiot! Just toss me off a bridge now!! But first, a stiff drink please…
I see on twitter that McConnell is making all kinds of threats at PBO re. debt ceiling debate. Fermez la bouche, Turtle. (rusty French, hoping I said ‘shut your mouth, mr. turtle’)
Yeah…I just bet that PBO is shaking in his boots. NOT!
That’s practically the only French I remember from high school! That might say more about me than my French teacher, eh?
In meetings, no time to watch CSPAN …
Have a good day folks - will try to inject a tweet or two as the day unfolds :)
#TrustBarack
we were thinking of you….have productive meetings!
Hmmm. One of you has to face re-election eventually and a possible primary challenge from the nationally well-known and well-loved Ashley Judd.
And one of you has been re-elected with 51% of the popular vote and never needs to campaign for elected office ever again in his life.
Tell me Mitch, which one of you actually has the upper hand?
Indeed.
Precisely…
If PBO ignore McConnell and refuse to play, is McConnell going to play by himself? PBO has said on several occasions that he will not play this game, and I totally believe him. He is always very stern when he says that he won’t play. Regarding majority speaker of the House, I don’t think anyone else want that job. Bohner is a default speaker. The fact that Bohner’s speaker position was in jeopardy was a media driven meme only.
I’m excited to see PBO’s game plan for this, and we know for sure he’s got one. Shutting down the government is possible; and even some level headed progressives yesterday (Hal Sparks for one) was wondering how PBO could avoid the debate since he’d played this game in 2011. But there is no way PBO doesn’t have a plan. Just sitting back and waiting……
I almost wish he could let the government shut down, so those who don’t understand what the government actually does can get a clue. All those seniors who rail against government would see whether they appreciate their social security and medicare checks or not. The wars would go unfunded. Trash wouldn’t get picked up. Schools would have to be closed. Police and firefighters would be working under emergency orders. The truth is - he’ll never let it get that far. The harm to the innocent would be too great. But, maybe the threat alone will be enough for the Wall Street folks to start screeching for relief, because the markets will surely tumble.
Well, police and firefrighters are not federally funded. Nor the schools or trash pick up. But social security checks wouldn’t go out. And PBO would make sure necessary services would be maintained. So many people have no appreciation for the pain he shields them from. We’re still not effective enough at messaging that.
Oh, I just love the fact that Rep. Tammy Duckworth is sitting in the front row.
Another round of Boner. He did so well the last time!
Boehner: ‘Rats!!’
Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) are trying to stop the new tax on medical devices that they voted for in 2010 that kicked in yesterday
Hey, Boehner, you buyin’?
Perfect! You are a riot!
:-D
Probably should have qualified that further and said “him” (instead of ’em). Can’t think of any other Presidents in their bare feet who would arouse the same reaction from me! ;-D
I love that pic!
Is it me, or do a lot of these old coots have very young kids? Tell me they’re the grandkids. My mental picture can’t take the alternative.
Viagra and Cialis ARE covered under insurance, you know! Unlike those “nasty” birth control pills!
Yeah, but it takes two to tango. Who are those wimmin?
:) Got me there!
Aw lawd, did you HAVE to enhance the gross mental picture, desertflower? … EW!
sorry! :)
Wow, I had never seen that photo….it speaks volumes. Of their history with the Jarretts and then the way the President is looking at his wife. Priceless. And the First Lady looks so beautiful. I do not know how she does it…she manages to always look amazing…these photos are never retouched. Me, I’m always ducking out of photos! She is photographed practically every day of her life and manages to look like this? This photo is just perfect.
I love this photo too—-but, to be technical—-I don’t see PBO looking at Michelle—-I see him looking—over there—-at perhaps whomever is in that blurry sleeve on the left. But I have seen the look of love many times—-and both are beautiful in this photo.
Hi Dotster, thanks for saying this. I was thinking I was crazy because I’m like, “he doesn’t look like he looking at her to me.” But it’s still a BEAUTIFUL pic!
The only lovefest in regards to Christie is his love affair with the cheeseburger. Oops, did I say that?
:-)
Thank you! The praise for this jackass yesterday was absurd. I read something earlier (I paraphrase): Boehner now knows what it’s like to be treated like a NJ teacher.
He’s still denying the Medicaid expansion.
A 90-year-old woman, family member of a sworn-in Senator, just was flirting with Joey Biden at the photo op. He kidded with her, and cupped her face in his hand.
Down, girl. (Me, not her.)
Joe’s on a hot mic. Hope he knows it. Ha! He just told some little kid “This is a big deal.” I held my breath!
LOL!
I just noticed that FLOTUS seems to have tears in her eyes in this picture. I’m sure this was a very moving moment for her. She has proabably watched Ms. Jarrett’s daughter (Laura) grow up to be a very beautiful and successful woman. It looks like this was a very special event for the First Couple.
p.s. The dress Mrs O is wearing is gorgeous.
Yes, or thinking ahead to the day…..
Yep, I thought that as well. In addition to being so happy for the young lady she has seen grow up, perhaps she is thinking about Malia and Sasha….
It took Bauchman and that other crazy woman Marsha What’sHerFace, who intentionally missed the initial vote, to come to chambers and cast their vote for Bonehead. Those two votes are what put him over the top. Without those votes, a second round of votes would have had to occur.
Boner re-elected Speaker. Waterworks commence in 3, 2, 1…
Are any of you going on the Straight Ahead Jazz Cruise this January? Just checking!
Looking at Orange Man entering the august chamber, one feels that he believes for a brief second he is the president. Ha!
He looks like he wishes it was anybody but him. He knows he has to preside over the worse Congress in history……again. There’s a reason he went unchallenged for the job.
So all that talk that our lazy, sloppy good for nothing media did about “Boehner being on the ropes” was no more than them blowing smoke to create drama.
This is why they lost ALL credibility with me after the FIRST Inauguration of President Obama. I cannot stand our horrible media in this country.
That’s why it doesn’t pay to get too bent out of shape over those numbnuts. It’s all about the Benjamin’s no more, no less. Thank goodness we’re in the age of innerwebz and can seek out our own information, draw our own conclusions, and weed out the noise. It’s up to us informed political junkies to make sure those, who for whatever reason are not as informed, aware. You’ve always been good at calls for action for this very reason. Keep it up!
I gotta say that watching Kirk climb those Senate steps was an inspiration and a bit of a tear jerker.
I hear he has had a “come to Jesus” moment after his stroke regarding medicaid. He said that people on medicaid are only allowed a limited amount of therapy treatments and had it been him he would not have recovered to the point that he has today.
It’s a shame that only when they are touched personally by tragedy do they begin to understand what the least of these go through everyday.
I wish him a full recovery.
He was lying. I can personally testify about the limited therapy.
yep, I’m glad to see him on his feet, but make no mistake, he will not be supportive of any healthcare reform that will improve the welfare of those not as fortunate as he.
My mistake, i meant to say he WASN’T lying. Therapy is limited by time and dollar amounts. I got booted before I was finished because if those stupid rules.
He wasn’t lying about the limited amount of time one has to take advantage of the resources. However, I don’t think he intends to do anything about it. I hope you were able to maintain your steady post at the helm on strong sea legs, despite not having access to a full and vigorous rehabilitation.
It could be better mom.
Mark Kirk always picks a liberal issue to mask his Republican b.s. Don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. Of course, he has no consideration for the people who make just enough money not to qualify for Medicaid at all. How many therapy sessions do those people get? NONE.
p.s. Boehner is crying again.
The people get what they vote for. I take it there was no mention from her what her alternative proposal is to provide healthcare for 35 million, or reduce the cost of healthcare, or help seniors with annual check ups, children with health visits, ensure the rest of us don’t get sick because someone can’t afford to go to a doctor - and they end up infecting all of us?
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/01/03/its-a-beautiful-day/
I believe the dear Speaker of the House was near tears as usual. Was he crying for those that didn’t vote him back? or was he crying for the weight of the job ahead? Or, is it the feeling of the Tea-baggers’ strenght that is saddening him? Whatever it is, and we will never know, the Speaker of the House never looked more like the Orange Man he is. On this day. At this moment. May the Tea-baggers have a field day.
What’s up with the Republican lip smack? Romney had the same affliction. Is it because their tongue knows it’s about to lie?
Did I just hear him talk to the Norquist empty chair?
Yeap! He pulled that handkerchief. He is crying, alright. Can’t help it.
My gosh!!! This man needs to run to the Emergency Room. He cries too much. What a display of strenght and character! (He must be the fear of the Tea-Baggers he is looking at.)
Indeed, so help us God!
CORRECTION: It must me and not He must be!
CORRECTION TAKE 2: It must be… wow!
Looking at the Dear Speaker has a bad effect on my spelling.
How cute…new Senator Chris Murphy’s -D CT little baby is taking the oath too….
What a sweetie.
What a stunning picture of POTUS & FLOTUS.. love the looks on their faces, the elegant matching carmel colors of their suit & dress… my gawd they are graceful.
It’s as if PBO saying “I’m the luckiest man alive and don’t I (and everyone else) know it.”
Yep- and they would both be right- he & she both the luckiest ever.. and the most gracious & gorgeous toboot :)
Sherijr, I totally agree. Now, that brought tears to my eyes, the “Look Of Love”.
Both of them are just so beautiful individuals, but together is something to behold.
FLOTUS is definitely overwhelmed by the ceremony and POTUS is overwhelmed by her being overwhelmed. What a lovely picture!
And……they always are touching each other, connected, holding hands, drawing energy from each other.
Is there any reason why he got the heck out of DC? I posted earlier that I was waiting for him to get on the plane while we were all waiting for the vote to come in. I had no “inside knowledge” or “SS connection”. I felt from spirit to spirit that was where he needed to be.
After seeing this picture and they how they are glowing, the love is flowing all around, this is what love looks like.
It is beautiful!
I completely agree with you…
Their love, bond and intimacy accounts for much of why I love and support them both…
They are at their very best when they are together…something always seems to be missing whenever they are photographed without the other…