Hi, Melanie. I anticipate a lot of the country support the team on this issue. Newtown was just too horrendous – those children were doing what they were supposed to be doing in a place that was supposed to be ‘safe’.
Agree with you VC. As horrendous as Newtown was though I keep think about the many Americans that have been affected. The people in the Sikh temple, those at the movie theater and the mall, and of course the kids in Baltiimore, Philly and Chicago that have been dying everyday. This is for them too. Congrats on #1 VC.
WH reacts to NRA ad with anger: "To make the safety of the president's children the subject of an attack ad is repugnant and cowardly.”— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) January 16, 2013
Which brings me to the most important thing about the initiative that will be undertaken by the president today. It is genuinely dangerous.
He took a tentative step toward recognizing that danger at his press conference the other day, when he talked about how effective the NRA and its satellite propagandists are at ginning up an atmosphere of fear and dread over even the baguest hint of a whisper of a threat concerning gun control legislation. At least he said it out loud, which is a start. The dangerous terror is not the threat the NRA holds over the electoral futures of various congresscritters — which is largely illusory anyway — but, rather, the wilderness of scarecrows that it erects in the minds of the people at whom it aims its horror stories. It is simply perilous to the nation continually to inflate every tentative step towards regulating the “militia” well as a global threat to human freedom, or as a precursor to tyranny. Not everyone listens to Alex Jones purely for entertainment. Not everyone reads Glenn Beck purely for the unintentional comedy. There is a serious constituency for this brand of traditional American unreason, and it is strong, and it is armed, and the NRA, as witness to its most recent, revolting advertisement, is not averse to playing to that constituency, which never has been sold on this president in the first place. The president has stepped into an ammunition bunker fully aware that his political opposition is running around the joint with blowtorches. . .
But, if you’ve been out in the country any time in the last couple of years, listening to the radio or talking to the people who do, there’s one thing you can say for the attempt. It’s fearless.
” …. the wilderness of scarecrows that it erects in the minds of the people at whom it aims its horror stories.”
He is just brilliant, I really don’t think there’s a finer political writer out there. Thanks for this Japa, I checked his blog earlier but he hadn’t posted this yet.
I think it may be coming from working side by side with greatness, job satisfaction, and the love of several good women who’ve been in his life! (Everything comes from that last part!)
Emotional statement about how they are our children and this is what they’re thinking about. How we must protect them and allow them to pursue their dreams.
Pres. Obama wants congress to require a universal background check for anyone who wants to buy a gun. Crowd applauds.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
We will bring our energies around helping POTUS to push Congress to confirm Todd Jones We will beg as little precious Julie asked POTUS to “beg really hard.” I am committed. These children were my life. I will fight with my spirit and energy to help them again.HZ
So will the Right dig up Reagan's bones so they can impeach him for wanting to ban assault weapons?— Liberal Librarian (@Lib_Librarian) January 16, 2013
I don’t know ha ha but I would like progressive organizations to dig up the old tape of Reagan talking about this, and use it in commercials. On prime time tv. So the far right won’t be able to deny what their HERO said !!
POTUS: "There will be pundits publicly warning of an assault & all out tyranny. Not because it's true but because they want to gin up fear"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
President Obama: "If [we] stand up & say 'enough, we ….. care too much about our children to allow this continue', then change will come'.— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says of congress: "What is more important, getting an 'A" grade from the gun lobby or making sure your first grader is safe?"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says Americans have the right to peaceably assemble but that right was denied to shoppers, Sikhs, and children at Newtown.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
OH HOW I LOVE MY PRESIDENT….THIS INDEED IS “HOW WE WILL BE JUDGED” BY ……………..GOD! WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY…AND THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE POLITICAL AND GREEDFUL REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO…AND THEN THERE ARE THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS WHO THINK PBO IS HITLER….SHAME ON THEM…FOR GOD WILL JUDGE THEIR HEARTS!
THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH WAS STERN AND BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME. AMERICA NEEDS TO GET ITS PRIORITIES AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE IN ORDER OR IT WILL LOSE!
PBO telling the story of Grace, who was killed at Sandy Hook. She wanted to become a painter. Her father gave POTUS a painting she’d done and he hung it in his study off the Oval Office. He thinks about her every time he looks at it.
Thank you Chips for providing the link to the President’s announcement – I have already sent emails and tweets to my Congressman Sean Duffy and my Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. Congress needs to step up and act on gun control legislation now. I look forward to reading all of the executive orders that the President signed today.
His words were so moving on this. And his words seemed to give her parents some measure of gratification, especially when he said he hung her painting in his study and he thinks of her every day and what must be done to keep our children safe.
Wonderful Mr. President and Mr. Vice President. Thank you, yes sir Mr. President; with rights come responsibilities. Grace’s parents l love the looks they gave each other when the President spoke about her.
Wow oh wow oh wow. President Obama at his absolute best again. There is no other like him, and there will never be again. He said everything as well as it possibly could be said. I am so proud of and grateful for this president. I so hope decent people from unexpected corners were stirred to action to join those already on board, who already realize how necessary, how vital, this common sense gun legislation is.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS INAUGURATION…I WILL DEHYDRATE FROM CRYING SO! I HAVE LOADED UP ON KLEENEX AND IF I WEREN’T ILL…I WOULD MOST CERTAINLT BE THERE…BUT, I WILL BE THERE IN HEART AND SPIRIT!
Bless you Sue, I am sure there will be a shortage of kleenex here in this part of the UK also, and along with you I shall be there in spirit. If only I could travel to the US I would have loved to be there in person too.
As of today, PBO has taken on: the health insurance lobby, the bank lobby, and now the gun lobby. Tell me how he's a corporate shill again.— The People's View (@thepeoplesview) January 16, 2013
Why in the world would NBC News have Sen. Inhoffe on immediately after PBO for his partisan commentary? I’m starting to feel that NBC is an enemy within——always so afraid to air the president’s appearances without giving the opposition the opportunity to criticize and tear him down. Who are they afraid of? The NRA? The Republicans? Why can’t they ever just air the news without negative commentary?
MSNBC had David Gregory on sounding like spokesperson and attorney for the NRA…
Everything President Obama said or proposes has a problem – and it’s all entirely up to the Democrats to draft and pass laws that will address this issue…
Dotster, if, God forbid, our PBO were assassinated, they would air the procession, and bring on someone to declare how PBO brought it on himself. Don’t ever put anything past these miscreants. They hate him for his audacity to be audacious.
What a GREAT president this man is. He ALWAYS elevates the debate. Giving a moral compass to the nation. His seriousness of purpose, his big heart, his courage, and his wisdom. His way of always bringing it back to what’s real, to what’s important in people’s lives. I could go on and on….
And I love Joe Biden too. He’s intelligent and knowledgeable, but most importantly he’s such a good and honest man. A man of character. And a GREAT public servant.
America is lucky to have both of them at the helm.
This was such an emotionally powerful statement by our president that I’m sitting here with tears streaming. The story of little Grace was heartbreaking–I don’t know how the parents could bear it. But our president was never hard or belligerent, never acted like a tough guy taking on the giants, he spoke from the heart, called on the best natures of all of us– gun lovers and non-gun lovers alike, But signing the EO’s right there–that was the firmness the resolution that told everyone, every member of Congress and every person in the US, that he’s not fooling around. Yes, as Pierce says he’ fearless, but he always was. He knew what would happen when he stepped up to run for president in 2007. He knew and he took it on because he understood “the fierce urgency of now.” If he had done the safe thing and waited, the country might have gone to far in the wrong direction that it wasn’t recoverable. He had to try, he had to face the fear and go on. Today, too, was a “fierce urgency of now” moment. History shows that when a great tragedy occurs, you generally have only one month before people become distracted, before the fierce urgency is lost. So he had to do it, for the sake of the little children and because this is when the great American public is still paying attention, is still sick about the senseless deaths. The backlash will be fierce and he will be called every name in the book by every pseudo macho gun obsessed looney in the land. But today Barack Obama proved that there is only one truly brave person in this country and we are blessed to have him as our president.
For those who missed the speech, I’ll post my live tweets. It was breathtakingly powerful. As POTUS, Pres. Obama keeps getting better.
VP Biden says he admires the grace the Newtown parents have shown since the tragedy at Sandy Hook occurred.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
VP Biden: "I have never seen a nation's conscience so shaken by what happened at Sandy Hook. The world has changed."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
VP Biden: "We must act as quickly as we can and we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
VP Biden: "We must do what we can now & there is no person more committed to this moral obligation than the President of the United States"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
POTUS reads kids letters: "I feel terrible for the parents who lost their children. I love my country & I want everyone to be happy & safe"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
POTUS reads kids letters: "I'm not scared for my safety, I'm scared for others. I have four brothers & I could not bear to lose any of them"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama: "This is our first task as a society: keeping our children safe. This is how we will be judged."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obamas says there've been more than 900 deaths in the past month since the Newtown tragedy and something must be done.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says he will sign a directive that will give cops, mental health professionals, and schools the tools to protect society.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama: "If there is one life to be saved, we have an obligation to try."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama wants congress to require a universal background check for anyone who wants to buy a gun. Crowd applauds.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says that more than 70% of NRA members want a background check for gun purchasers.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama wants congress to renew the assault weapons ban and wants a 10 round limit on magazines.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama: “Weapons designed for a theater of war have no place in a movie theater.”— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says congress should monitor those who purchase weapons and turn around to sell them illegally.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says he believes gun owners can respect the 2nd amendment without tolerating assault weapons on the streets.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
I didn’t read all the comments so I’m probably repeating what has been said, but don’t you just love the fact that President Obama took the far right to school on what TRUE LIBERTY is, in the context of a SOCIETY.
He always make his political opponents look so small.
POTUS: "There will be pundits publicly warning of an assault & all out tyranny. Not because it's true but because they want to gin up fear"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says he and VP Biden are ready to face the challenges ahead but they need the American people to speak up too.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama: "This will not happen unless the American people demand it."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama: If Americans of every background stand up and say enough; we've suffered too much then change will occur."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
'Thank you, Mr President' – with children who wrote him letters about gun control after Sandy Hook. http://t.co/LJBVekce— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says Americans should ask their congress to support gun safety legislation and if they refuse ask them why.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says if your congress members refuse to support gun safety measures ask them if they're ok with innocent children being killed.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says of congress: "What is more important, getting an 'A" grade from the gun lobby or making sure your first grader is safe?"— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says Americans have the right to peaceably assemble but that right was denied to shoppers, Sikhs, and children at Newtown.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama says that Grace's parents gave him a painting done by their daughter & it hangs in his private study: "Let's do this for Grace."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama: "Let's do the right thing. Let's do this for them and the country that we love so much."— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Pres. Obama signs executive order and hugs the children who wrote to him begging him to fight for gun safety after the Newtown shooting.— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
President Obama: You know, in the letter that Julia wrote me, she said “I know that laws have to be passed by Congress, but I beg you to try very hard.”
- – -
This is the land of the free, and it always will be. As Americans we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights that no man or government can take away from us. But we’ve also long recognized, as our founders recognized, that with rights come responsibilities.
Along with our freedom to live our lives as we will comes an obligation to allow others to do the same. We don’t live in isolation. We live in a society, a government for and by the people. We are responsible for each other. We have the right to worship freely and safely; that right was denied to Sikhs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The right to assemble peacefully; that right was denied shoppers in Clackamas, Oregon, and moviegoers in Aurora, Colorado.
That most fundamental set of rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, fundamental rights that were denied to college students at Virginia Tech and high school students at Columbine and elementary school students in Newtown; and kids on street corners in Chicago on too frequent basis to tolerate; and all the families who never imagined they’d lose a loved one to — to a bullet, those rights are at stake. We’re responsible.
from the Declaration of Independence…
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
I am so proud of President Obama, and I am so afraid of the darkness that is the NRA, and some of it’s rabid supporters. I am afraid that they will try to assassinate PBO now as a result of these efforts, especially if they are seen to be successful. I am praying that the secret service, the military, and anyone else involved in keeping PBO and his family safe, do their job diligently. Sorry to be such a downer, but I can’t help thinking of our history.
Betsy, we have to follow PBO as a model of fearlessness. We’re all afraid, but I’ll bet the Secret Service is geared up for this and Homeland Security is on the job. Keep praying. This kind of fear is exactly what the NRA and its goons are counting on. Paralyze us with fear and get us to do nothing. PBO just said no. So should we.
I agree. We have to summon up our own individual courage, forget what could happen (no matter how hard that is), and move forward – not in fear, but with resolve. We are like the pioneers of old who want a stake in our country and need to build better roads to take us there. Surely if they could do what they did, we can do what we must.
PBO has been aware of this since the day he decided to run for President. He has accepted that challenge and has said he comes from a place of doing what’s right. He and his family have sacrificed in serving our country. He stands tall among those who would do him harm, and taller among those who support him. He doesn’t govern from a position of fear. His universe is for the good of all people, including his enemies. There is no reason to voice those fears into the universe. Each person must continue to do whatever they do in calling upon their powers that be, to protect him and all of us.
No problem Betsy, we’ve all had nail biting times for PBO. When that happens, it’s good to know that TODville is a place we can come for support and assurance. Hey, it’s the same place we gather to join each other on the naughty mats. The great over the top swooning feelings as well as overly cautious concerned feelings are what makes us TODsters.
“the last time”??? I have never expressed these views before and thanks to others above am choosing to be positive. I did not mean to offend you by expressing my fears. I am sorry. I will revert back to just writing short sentences of support and keep my feelings to myself.
I think she probably meant this is, hopefully, the last time you will feel so fearful. We will keep you encouraged. These are indeed perilous times, but good does prevail. I firmly believe that. I know that President Obama is doing the right thing, and that there is a “Mighty cloud of witnesses” praying for his protection in many different ways and in many different places. Keep your courage up.
This is a test for the entire country, not him. We know where he is and what he stands for. We all need to stand tall and with him and the VP, for the future of the country.
He hit all the right notes, and will be hacked at by all of the same people……their tales are getting old, and many more people are catching on and refusing to be persuaded by the fear.
We will, as a country, come through this time, and be a better country afterwards.
This afternoon, President Obama announced a package of proposals to reduce gun violence. These are executive actions, not legislation, and will—among other things—strengthen law enforcement efforts against gun crime, encourage more stringent background checks, and provide resources for gun safety. Here is the full list:
1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.
2. Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system.
3. Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.
4. Direct the Attorney General to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.
5. Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.
6. Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.
7. Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.
8. Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
9. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.
10. Release a DOJ report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement.
11. Nominate an ATF director.
12. Provide law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.
13. Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.
14. Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.
15. Direct the Attorney General to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies.
16. Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.
17. Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.
18. Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.
19. Develop model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.
20. Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.
21. Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within ACA exchanges.
22. Commit to finalizing mental health parity regulations.
23. Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health.
"If [we] stand up & say 'enough, we care too much about our children to allow this continue', then change will come." http://t.co/9YAuITRm— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) January 16, 2013
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/letters-provided-white-house-children-left-julia-11-photo-152304250–politics.html
These letters, provided by the White House, from children, from left, Julia, 11, of Washington; Grant, 8, of Maryland, and Taejah, 10 of Georgia; ask President Barack Obama to change gun laws. On Wednesday, when the president makes his long-awaited announcement of proposals to reduce gun violence, he will be joined by Grant, Tajeah and other children from across the U.S. who expressed their concerns about gun violence and school safety to the one person they think can make a difference: the president. (AP Photo/White House)
http://bigstory.ap.org/photo/barack-obama-hinna-zeejah-taejah-goode-julia-stokes-grant-fritz
From left to right: Hinna Zeejah, 8, Taejah Goode, 10, Julia Stokes, 11, and Grant Fritz, 8, who wrote letters to President Barack Obama about the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., watch as Obama signs executive orders outlining proposals to reduce gun violence, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
And did you see the clip of vile Rush mocking these kids, imitating them crying, saying, “I’m a little child, please don’t kill me, boo hoo hoo”? It may be the ugliest piece of media tape I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen ugly. Revolting.
dotster3, the only time I see anything about that sicko Limbaugh is when the people on MSNBC show him, and I think they show him to darn much sometimes. But I refuse to go out of my way to listen to that whale of a sicko.
I sure agree with that. they are so obessed with this blow-heart, they give him just what he wants, more eyeballs and ears. same with the nra video on sasha and malia. it is being looped on msnbc, yet it was never televised by the nra. it was a web video. i think we need to know what’s out there, but why do their job for them all day long?
“I’m not scared for my safety, I’m scared for others. I have four brothers and sisters, and I know I would not be able to bear the thought of losing any of them.” —Julia Stokes, 11; in a letter to President Obama after Newtown
It’s sad that this cowardly and useless piece of crap is allowed to pollute the public airways. Besides running off his ugly mouth, and being paid millions, what exactly has Rush Limbaugh ever done for the good of the country? I think it’s time again to target his sponsors and boycott their businesses.
Remember Bill these are the same folks who at some point of time thought Herman Cain, Bachmann, Newt, Perry, Paul, Santorum, and Romney were their future, so why not the tea party piece of crap Marco Rubio.
Not wanting to sound inane but, F*** Rubio. What about the sicko’s who want to abuse and take away a person’s fundamental rights, especially their right to life. I think PBO is incredible and what he has said and done today just goes to prove that he really is the right President for these times, strong, compassionate, insightful and determined to do the right thing for America.
Cubans in Florida went for Obama. Rubio came to office on the backs of teabutts. they are not happy with him now. he will go the way of the Scott Brown contingency. they loved him when he said what they wanted to hear, they’ll dump him now that he’s talking immigration. Say g’nite Rube
This is the list of the 23 Executive Orders Pres. Obama signed into law and proposals he wants congress to pass. prospect.org/article/presid…— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 16, 2013
Chicago woman whose only child was shot in 2007: “You too could be me, and I don’t want what happened to me to happen to you.”— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 16, 2013
Aurora victim’s mother: “If you think that this cannot happen to you…you are fooling yourself.”— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 16, 2013
Beau Biden is on CNN and calls the NRA ad about Pres. Obama’s children “out of bounds” “out of touch” and shows that they are not in step with the mainstream society. Says citizens unfortunately know why presidents and their families require Secret Service protection and to target the president’s family is unconscionable.
well, i used to read his “field” blog when he was writing a lot there, and he censored his comments. stuff is already moderated here and i wish it would be even more so the comments aren’t filling with whining about whatever joe scarboroough or chris matthews says today, so i’m all for banning that kind of talk. aren’t we all very aware of that issue already?!? all it serves to do is spread worry and doubt, which diminishes momentum of the obama movement.
Cherish the Children (Pres Barack Obama with 11-yr-old Julia Stokes who wrote a letter to him asking for gun control) http://t.co/QYjgZWLd— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) January 16, 2013
When President Obama talks of perfecting our union- he means it. He continues not only to raise the bar on himself, on The Presidency itself.. but on us, the people of this nation- always always reminding us that we can do better- and always in such a way that is marked by common sense, by decency. This is no preacher.. he is our guide, a northstar. People tweet after nearly every speech, every statement by this President: “never been prouder”, “THIS is Leadership”This is the President I love” and on and on… But the truth is that this President has the same stripes, the same stance, the same behavior he has had since he came into our sight- a man of leadership, a man of true vision who responds to the needs, wants of the majority of the people of this nation.. something I do NOT recall any President so purposely doing. He is attentive, he is aware, he is savvy, his humanity, his human character drives his moral code, he is a DOER, he has courage and whats more he really does inspire the rest of us to be just as courageous..just as moral.. imo. I have never admired or respected any one person as much as I do him. period.
I wrote Brian Williams castigating him for having Jim Inhofe (one of my senators……) on immediately following the President. I told him that was obscene and Inhofe is not worthy to be in the same room as the President! I asked him why he is becoming a propagandist for the far right, and informed him that because of this, he is losing credibility.
I had to walk out of the room just before Inhofe came on, I CANNOT STAND HIM!!! My husband stayed and listened. He said he had little to say, just tried to dispute some data. The man is not bright, he is just a tool of big insurance and the NRA. This is what we have to put up with in our state. Our governor is no better.
Contact your congress people—–urge them to support these common sense gun safety measures—–beg hard if you have to, shame them if you can—–ask them what is more impt., the grade A from the NRA or giving parents some peace of mind and doing all he/she can to keep our children safe.
“There will be pundits and politicians and special interest lobbyists publicly warning of a tyrannical all-out assault on liberty, not because that’s true, but because they want to gin up fear or higher ratings or revenue for themselves.
The parents of Dylan Hockley, killed at Sandy Hook, spoke to the BBC
“And behind the scenes, they’ll do everything they can to block any common-sense reform and make sure nothing changes whatsoever.”
MSNBC/Andrea Mitchell now has on a Gun Owners of America rep. on to dispute all of what Obama proposed. She’s trying to push back on his ugly nonsense—-sortof—-but why give him the platform——where is it written that you always have to give air time to the nuttiest among us? That media practice has proven so damaging and prevents the bare truth from being told to the public. The guy now is defending the NRA using the Obama girls in the ad. These people are roadkill.
What do you all expect from Mrs. Alan Greenspan? I will watch Martin Bashir, Rev. Al, Ed, O’Donnell, and some time Rachel, and every now and then Matthews.
[From Smartypants! And some encouragement from Rev. Lowery.]:
[.....] As our history shows us, this small group of fearful racists can do a lot of damage. We’re seeing some of that unfold as the President begins to discuss a very courageous agenda on gun control today. So what should our response be to all of that? To have his back like we’ve never done before and to continue to believe in “good crazy.”
.
Okay, I’m ready to hear what the proposals are. Not even quivering inside, because the time is right.
Come on guys, there’s lots of space for everyone!
Okay, I’ll relax till you all get here.
*scoots in next to VC to wait for the President*
{{PolJ}} Yes please.
me too
I’m ready as well
Very proud that PBO is taking this important and immediate action. We all need to get behind him.
Hi, Melanie. I anticipate a lot of the country support the team on this issue. Newtown was just too horrendous – those children were doing what they were supposed to be doing in a place that was supposed to be ‘safe’.
Agree with you VC. As horrendous as Newtown was though I keep think about the many Americans that have been affected. The people in the Sikh temple, those at the movie theater and the mall, and of course the kids in Baltiimore, Philly and Chicago that have been dying everyday. This is for them too. Congrats on #1 VC.
Thanks, and yes it is for everyone, but this latest attack woke up the consciences of far more people than before.
Looking so forward to this, thanks Chips for posting it for us
My pleasure sherijr, thank you – so looking forward to it too.
Especially happy because I slept in.
We love you, Mr. President…Go Big!!
it truly is ugly! Enough!
I love my President and he has my full support. I’ve never been prouder of him. We’ve got your back, President Obama!
Here’s a good reminder for whom we are ‘fighting’.
Gorgeous!!! Hiya VC.
Hi, dear!
Too cute.
If anybody has live-blogging talent, please transcribe for those of us who can’t watch/listen in real time. Thank you! ♥ ♥ ♥
Wow, is the President signing EOs today?
Wow, it sures looks like they’ve set that up. WOW.
Exactly Meta, when I saw the desk and pens I gasped.
Pierce, as usual, hits all the right notes:
Which brings me to the most important thing about the initiative that will be undertaken by the president today. It is genuinely dangerous.
He took a tentative step toward recognizing that danger at his press conference the other day, when he talked about how effective the NRA and its satellite propagandists are at ginning up an atmosphere of fear and dread over even the baguest hint of a whisper of a threat concerning gun control legislation. At least he said it out loud, which is a start. The dangerous terror is not the threat the NRA holds over the electoral futures of various congresscritters — which is largely illusory anyway — but, rather, the wilderness of scarecrows that it erects in the minds of the people at whom it aims its horror stories. It is simply perilous to the nation continually to inflate every tentative step towards regulating the “militia” well as a global threat to human freedom, or as a precursor to tyranny. Not everyone listens to Alex Jones purely for entertainment. Not everyone reads Glenn Beck purely for the unintentional comedy. There is a serious constituency for this brand of traditional American unreason, and it is strong, and it is armed, and the NRA, as witness to its most recent, revolting advertisement, is not averse to playing to that constituency, which never has been sold on this president in the first place. The president has stepped into an ammunition bunker fully aware that his political opposition is running around the joint with blowtorches. . .
But, if you’ve been out in the country any time in the last couple of years, listening to the radio or talking to the people who do, there’s one thing you can say for the attempt. It’s fearless.
Read more: Daily Politics Blog – Charles P. Pierce – Political Blogging – Esquire http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/#ixzz2I9rrTAyd
Read more: Daily Politics Blog – Charles P. Pierce – Political Blogging – Esquire http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/#ixzz2I9rU6KKQ
” …. the wilderness of scarecrows that it erects in the minds of the people at whom it aims its horror stories.”
He is just brilliant, I really don’t think there’s a finer political writer out there. Thanks for this Japa, I checked his blog earlier but he hadn’t posted this yet.
Such excellent writing here. I am a student of this writing.
I’m ready!
I switched through all of the local channels and this is on all of them. Great.
Is VP Joe getting younger?
Not sure … I was too busy watching VP Joe getting younger.
tee hee, I thought it was the TV. Dang, if he ain’t looking good. Better than the day he was sworn into office, imo.
I think it may be coming from working side by side with greatness, job satisfaction, and the love of several good women who’ve been in his life! (Everything comes from that last part!)
VP Joe intros POTUS and POTUS thanks VP Joe for all his hard work on this issue.
POTUS acknowledging children onstage and reading parts of the letters they sent him.
Emotional statement about how they are our children and this is what they’re thinking about. How we must protect them and allow them to pursue their dreams.
POTUS now citing the stats of 900 gun deaths since Sandy Hook.
POTUS will sign today an EO offering better background checks, mental health professional changes for reporting, safety measures for schools.
He is directing more research for the causes and effects of gun violence. We do not benefit from not knowing the science of this epidemic of violence.
Now imploring Congress to step up and improve our laws.
thanks Meta!
President Obama announcing 23 anti-gun violence executive actions – magnificent.
Good Morning Chips and TOD Family. Bless our POTUS and VPOTUS this day. We thank you for our president.
President Obama: “Weapons designed for the theater of war have no place in a movie theater.”
We will bring our energies around helping POTUS to push Congress to confirm Todd Jones We will beg as little precious Julie asked POTUS to “beg really hard.” I am committed. These children were my life. I will fight with my spirit and energy to help them again.HZ
I don’t know ha ha but I would like progressive organizations to dig up the old tape of Reagan talking about this, and use it in commercials. On prime time tv. So the far right won’t be able to deny what their HERO said !!
PBO now addressing the lobbies for the status quo and asking all of us to stand up and demand change.
This is so powerful!!!! I love this man who is our President.
OH HOW I LOVE MY PRESIDENT….THIS INDEED IS “HOW WE WILL BE JUDGED” BY ……………..GOD! WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY…AND THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE POLITICAL AND GREEDFUL REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO…AND THEN THERE ARE THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS WHO THINK PBO IS HITLER….SHAME ON THEM…FOR GOD WILL JUDGE THEIR HEARTS!
THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH WAS STERN AND BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME. AMERICA NEEDS TO GET ITS PRIORITIES AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE IN ORDER OR IT WILL LOSE!
PBO telling the story of Grace, who was killed at Sandy Hook. She wanted to become a painter. Her father gave POTUS a painting she’d done and he hung it in his study off the Oval Office. He thinks about her every time he looks at it.
That was a powerful event.
OMG, such a moment of truth. POTUS kept it real and he let us know how strongly he believes in this. WOW.
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!….YOU GO PBO! AND GOD BLESS MY WONDERFUL JOE!
Beautiful as always in word and deed. Bravo Mr. President
Thank you Chips for providing the link to the President’s announcement – I have already sent emails and tweets to my Congressman Sean Duffy and my Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. Congress needs to step up and act on gun control legislation now. I look forward to reading all of the executive orders that the President signed today.
Parents of Grace McDonnell, one of the children killed in Newtown, gave President Obama one of her paintings, it hangs in his WH study.
BEAUTIFUL….AND REMEMBER…SANDY HOOK…THE WORST DAY OF HIS PRESIDENCY!
His words were so moving on this. And his words seemed to give her parents some measure of gratification, especially when he said he hung her painting in his study and he thinks of her every day and what must be done to keep our children safe.
Wonderful Mr. President and Mr. Vice President. Thank you, yes sir Mr. President; with rights come responsibilities. Grace’s parents l love the looks they gave each other when the President spoke about her.
Wow oh wow oh wow. President Obama at his absolute best again. There is no other like him, and there will never be again. He said everything as well as it possibly could be said. I am so proud of and grateful for this president. I so hope decent people from unexpected corners were stirred to action to join those already on board, who already realize how necessary, how vital, this common sense gun legislation is.
“We don’t live in isolation … we live in a society … ”
Thank you, Mr. President. Cannot wait to see the written transcript of his remarks. Gonna hang on every word.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS INAUGURATION…I WILL DEHYDRATE FROM CRYING SO! I HAVE LOADED UP ON KLEENEX AND IF I WEREN’T ILL…I WOULD MOST CERTAINLT BE THERE…BUT, I WILL BE THERE IN HEART AND SPIRIT!
THAT’S ‘CERTAINLY’…:)
Bless you Sue, I am sure there will be a shortage of kleenex here in this part of the UK also, and along with you I shall be there in spirit. If only I could travel to the US I would have loved to be there in person too.
I’m happiest that POTUS and VPOTUS are quietly taking down Grover “the pledge the pledge” Norquist and the effin’ NRA.
100% concur.
POWERFUL, MASTERFUL delivery by a compassionate, pragmatic Commander-in-Chief. Well done Sir.
Thank you also to VP Biden for your hard work and allegiance to the President.
And, now, suffer the little children … to stand by as the President tries to make their lives a whole lot safer.
Yes, J’OB…and he had a no nonsense attitude today.
Yes, and I’m surprised he and Joe didn’t lose it, but I bet they shed tears both before and after the remarks on camera.
Why in the world would NBC News have Sen. Inhoffe on immediately after PBO for his partisan commentary? I’m starting to feel that NBC is an enemy within——always so afraid to air the president’s appearances without giving the opposition the opportunity to criticize and tear him down. Who are they afraid of? The NRA? The Republicans? Why can’t they ever just air the news without negative commentary?
MSNBC had David Gregory on sounding like spokesperson and attorney for the NRA…
Everything President Obama said or proposes has a problem – and it’s all entirely up to the Democrats to draft and pass laws that will address this issue…
NBC is sponsoring the largest gun show in the country….in Las Vegas…March 2,3 rd.
NBC is sponsoring the largest gun show in the country….in Las Vegas…March 2,3 rd.
Well, THIS explains a lot….
Dotster, if, God forbid, our PBO were assassinated, they would air the procession, and bring on someone to declare how PBO brought it on himself. Don’t ever put anything past these miscreants. They hate him for his audacity to be audacious.
Please let’s not talk about things like this…
I agree. It gives me the creeps.
What a GREAT president this man is. He ALWAYS elevates the debate. Giving a moral compass to the nation. His seriousness of purpose, his big heart, his courage, and his wisdom. His way of always bringing it back to what’s real, to what’s important in people’s lives. I could go on and on….
And I love Joe Biden too. He’s intelligent and knowledgeable, but most importantly he’s such a good and honest man. A man of character. And a GREAT public servant.
America is lucky to have both of them at the helm.
We have to have the President’s back. We therefore have to call our congress-people on this gun issue.
Yes, to the naysayers, this is STILL what change looks like.
This was such an emotionally powerful statement by our president that I’m sitting here with tears streaming. The story of little Grace was heartbreaking–I don’t know how the parents could bear it. But our president was never hard or belligerent, never acted like a tough guy taking on the giants, he spoke from the heart, called on the best natures of all of us– gun lovers and non-gun lovers alike, But signing the EO’s right there–that was the firmness the resolution that told everyone, every member of Congress and every person in the US, that he’s not fooling around. Yes, as Pierce says he’ fearless, but he always was. He knew what would happen when he stepped up to run for president in 2007. He knew and he took it on because he understood “the fierce urgency of now.” If he had done the safe thing and waited, the country might have gone to far in the wrong direction that it wasn’t recoverable. He had to try, he had to face the fear and go on. Today, too, was a “fierce urgency of now” moment. History shows that when a great tragedy occurs, you generally have only one month before people become distracted, before the fierce urgency is lost. So he had to do it, for the sake of the little children and because this is when the great American public is still paying attention, is still sick about the senseless deaths. The backlash will be fierce and he will be called every name in the book by every pseudo macho gun obsessed looney in the land. But today Barack Obama proved that there is only one truly brave person in this country and we are blessed to have him as our president.
Yes, jackie. Well said.
For those who missed the speech, I’ll post my live tweets. It was breathtakingly powerful. As POTUS, Pres. Obama keeps getting better.
Sounds like our VP did a wonderful job too. And he is so compassionate, as well as our President is.
The NRA has a commercial with Sasha and Malia in it? That’s crossing the line. I missed most of the press conference but it seemed very substantial.
Texas and Arizona are considering loosening their gun laws. LOL. I wish I could avoid Texas like the plague but I live in New Mexico.
I live in New Mexico also Jessica and I totally agree with you about wholeheartedly!
about Texas! See, I don’t even want to type the word! LOL!
Brilliant stuff UT, you were a huge help to people who couldn’t watch.
Bless your heart Chips. Thanks for the kind words.
Transcript, summary and fact sheet about today’s remarks and actions:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-obamas-remarks-on-new-gun-control-proposals-jan-16-2013-transcript/2013/01/16/528e7758-5ffc-11e2-b05a-605528f6b712_story.html?hpid=z1
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you so much, meta, for sharing this! Now is the time for us to mobilize to support the President on this.
I didn’t read all the comments so I’m probably repeating what has been said, but don’t you just love the fact that President Obama took the far right to school on what TRUE LIBERTY is, in the context of a SOCIETY.
He always make his political opponents look so small.
President Obama: You know, in the letter that Julia wrote me, she said “I know that laws have to be passed by Congress, but I beg you to try very hard.”
- – -
This is the land of the free, and it always will be. As Americans we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights that no man or government can take away from us. But we’ve also long recognized, as our founders recognized, that with rights come responsibilities.
Along with our freedom to live our lives as we will comes an obligation to allow others to do the same. We don’t live in isolation. We live in a society, a government for and by the people. We are responsible for each other. We have the right to worship freely and safely; that right was denied to Sikhs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The right to assemble peacefully; that right was denied shoppers in Clackamas, Oregon, and moviegoers in Aurora, Colorado.
That most fundamental set of rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, fundamental rights that were denied to college students at Virginia Tech and high school students at Columbine and elementary school students in Newtown; and kids on street corners in Chicago on too frequent basis to tolerate; and all the families who never imagined they’d lose a loved one to — to a bullet, those rights are at stake. We’re responsible.
from the Declaration of Independence…
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
I am so proud of President Obama, and I am so afraid of the darkness that is the NRA, and some of it’s rabid supporters. I am afraid that they will try to assassinate PBO now as a result of these efforts, especially if they are seen to be successful. I am praying that the secret service, the military, and anyone else involved in keeping PBO and his family safe, do their job diligently. Sorry to be such a downer, but I can’t help thinking of our history.
Betsy, we have to follow PBO as a model of fearlessness. We’re all afraid, but I’ll bet the Secret Service is geared up for this and Homeland Security is on the job. Keep praying. This kind of fear is exactly what the NRA and its goons are counting on. Paralyze us with fear and get us to do nothing. PBO just said no. So should we.
I agree. We have to summon up our own individual courage, forget what could happen (no matter how hard that is), and move forward – not in fear, but with resolve. We are like the pioneers of old who want a stake in our country and need to build better roads to take us there. Surely if they could do what they did, we can do what we must.
Amen Jackie, JOB and cookemom. I refuse to satisfy their fear-mongering. No fear. Forward.
Well said Jackie G!
PBO has been aware of this since the day he decided to run for President. He has accepted that challenge and has said he comes from a place of doing what’s right. He and his family have sacrificed in serving our country. He stands tall among those who would do him harm, and taller among those who support him. He doesn’t govern from a position of fear. His universe is for the good of all people, including his enemies. There is no reason to voice those fears into the universe. Each person must continue to do whatever they do in calling upon their powers that be, to protect him and all of us.
Thank you to both of you. You are right. I must not give into fear, but be confident and supportive. Thanks again.
No problem Betsy, we’ve all had nail biting times for PBO. When that happens, it’s good to know that TODville is a place we can come for support and assurance. Hey, it’s the same place we gather to join each other on the naughty mats. The great over the top swooning feelings as well as overly cautious concerned feelings are what makes us TODsters.
I hope this is the last time you will voice those fears on this blog. Be blessed.
“the last time”??? I have never expressed these views before and thanks to others above am choosing to be positive. I did not mean to offend you by expressing my fears. I am sorry. I will revert back to just writing short sentences of support and keep my feelings to myself.
I think she probably meant this is, hopefully, the last time you will feel so fearful. We will keep you encouraged. These are indeed perilous times, but good does prevail. I firmly believe that. I know that President Obama is doing the right thing, and that there is a “Mighty cloud of witnesses” praying for his protection in many different ways and in many different places. Keep your courage up.
This is a test for the entire country, not him. We know where he is and what he stands for. We all need to stand tall and with him and the VP, for the future of the country.
He hit all the right notes, and will be hacked at by all of the same people……their tales are getting old, and many more people are catching on and refusing to be persuaded by the fear.
We will, as a country, come through this time, and be a better country afterwards.
“Mighty cloud of witnesses” —
David McCullough, “What the Fog Wrought: The Revolution’s Dunkirk, August 29, 1776″
What Ifs? Of American History: Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been
http://books.google.com/books?id=KedlQwhZ7b4C&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=david+mccullough+fog+american+revolution
It was called “a peculiar providential occurrence,” “manifestly providential,” “very favorable to the design, “an unusual fog,” “a friendly fog,” “an American fog”…
Well said Carolyn, thank you.
LIST OF EXEC ORDERS
VIA: https://prospect.org/article/president-obama-announces-action-gun-control-23-new-executive-orders
This afternoon, President Obama announced a package of proposals to reduce gun violence. These are executive actions, not legislation, and will—among other things—strengthen law enforcement efforts against gun crime, encourage more stringent background checks, and provide resources for gun safety. Here is the full list:
1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.
2. Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system.
3. Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.
4. Direct the Attorney General to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.
5. Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.
6. Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.
7. Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.
8. Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
9. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.
MORE….
10. Release a DOJ report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement.
11. Nominate an ATF director.
12. Provide law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.
13. Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.
14. Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.
15. Direct the Attorney General to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies.
16. Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.
17. Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.
18. Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.
FINALLY….
19. Develop model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.
20. Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.
21. Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within ACA exchanges.
22. Commit to finalizing mental health parity regulations.
23. Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health.
Thank you GB
one stop reading for those at work or just lazy like myself
Yes a national dialogue on mental health is nice!
thank you gobrooklyn- awesome of you to do this!
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/letters-provided-white-house-children-left-julia-11-photo-152304250–politics.html
These letters, provided by the White House, from children, from left, Julia, 11, of Washington; Grant, 8, of Maryland, and Taejah, 10 of Georgia; ask President Barack Obama to change gun laws. On Wednesday, when the president makes his long-awaited announcement of proposals to reduce gun violence, he will be joined by Grant, Tajeah and other children from across the U.S. who expressed their concerns about gun violence and school safety to the one person they think can make a difference: the president. (AP Photo/White House)
found their names!
http://bigstory.ap.org/photo/barack-obama-hinna-zeejah-taejah-goode-julia-stokes-grant-fritz
From left to right: Hinna Zeejah, 8, Taejah Goode, 10, Julia Stokes, 11, and Grant Fritz, 8, who wrote letters to President Barack Obama about the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., watch as Obama signs executive orders outlining proposals to reduce gun violence, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
And did you see the clip of vile Rush mocking these kids, imitating them crying, saying, “I’m a little child, please don’t kill me, boo hoo hoo”? It may be the ugliest piece of media tape I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen ugly. Revolting.
dotster3, the only time I see anything about that sicko Limbaugh is when the people on MSNBC show him, and I think they show him to darn much sometimes. But I refuse to go out of my way to listen to that whale of a sicko.
I sure agree with that. they are so obessed with this blow-heart, they give him just what he wants, more eyeballs and ears. same with the nra video on sasha and malia. it is being looped on msnbc, yet it was never televised by the nra. it was a web video. i think we need to know what’s out there, but why do their job for them all day long?
“I’m not scared for my safety, I’m scared for others. I have four brothers and sisters, and I know I would not be able to bear the thought of losing any of them.” —Julia Stokes, 11; in a letter to President Obama after Newtown
It’s sad that this cowardly and useless piece of crap is allowed to pollute the public airways. Besides running off his ugly mouth, and being paid millions, what exactly has Rush Limbaugh ever done for the good of the country? I think it’s time again to target his sponsors and boycott their businesses.
Marco Rubio just said PBO is “abusing” his powers.
Rubio is nothing but an opportunist with no values at all. And some in the GOP think he is their future.
Remember Bill these are the same folks who at some point of time thought Herman Cain, Bachmann, Newt, Perry, Paul, Santorum, and Romney were their future, so why not the tea party piece of crap Marco Rubio.
Not wanting to sound inane but, F*** Rubio. What about the sicko’s who want to abuse and take away a person’s fundamental rights, especially their right to life. I think PBO is incredible and what he has said and done today just goes to prove that he really is the right President for these times, strong, compassionate, insightful and determined to do the right thing for America.
Oh, eff that chubby-faced fraud.
Cubans in Florida went for Obama. Rubio came to office on the backs of teabutts. they are not happy with him now. he will go the way of the Scott Brown contingency. they loved him when he said what they wanted to hear, they’ll dump him now that he’s talking immigration. Say g’nite Rube
SEND HIM BACK TO HIS FAMILY HOMELAND FOR AWHILE SO HE CAN SEE THE TRUE MEANING OF THAT B.S.
UT, thanks so much for your tweets! Awesomeness!
typo corrected ….
Nice.
Beau Biden is on CNN and calls the NRA ad about Pres. Obama’s children “out of bounds” “out of touch” and shows that they are not in step with the mainstream society. Says citizens unfortunately know why presidents and their families require Secret Service protection and to target the president’s family is unconscionable.
The NRA is run by a bunch of low life pigs.
This is the white house’s website on preventing gun violence.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/preventing-gun-violence
Talk about a profile in courage. Gabby Giffords is one very remarkable woman.
True ….
Chips — this is a long-shot request, but I’m asking anyway.
Would you consider a ban on fear of assassination talk here?
Never a good idea. /Al Giordano
well, i used to read his “field” blog when he was writing a lot there, and he censored his comments. stuff is already moderated here and i wish it would be even more so the comments aren’t filling with whining about whatever joe scarboroough or chris matthews says today, so i’m all for banning that kind of talk. aren’t we all very aware of that issue already?!? all it serves to do is spread worry and doubt, which diminishes momentum of the obama movement.
When President Obama talks of perfecting our union- he means it. He continues not only to raise the bar on himself, on The Presidency itself.. but on us, the people of this nation- always always reminding us that we can do better- and always in such a way that is marked by common sense, by decency. This is no preacher.. he is our guide, a northstar. People tweet after nearly every speech, every statement by this President: “never been prouder”, “THIS is Leadership”This is the President I love” and on and on… But the truth is that this President has the same stripes, the same stance, the same behavior he has had since he came into our sight- a man of leadership, a man of true vision who responds to the needs, wants of the majority of the people of this nation.. something I do NOT recall any President so purposely doing. He is attentive, he is aware, he is savvy, his humanity, his human character drives his moral code, he is a DOER, he has courage and whats more he really does inspire the rest of us to be just as courageous..just as moral.. imo. I have never admired or respected any one person as much as I do him. period.
PERFECTLY said. Thank you.
thank you very much.
wow. great comment!!
Yes, sheri, yes. Bravissima!
thank you both very much.. it is just how I see President Obama, who I believe him to be.
Please, please, please… write him a letter and tell him this!! He needs to hear it from one of us on behalf of all of us. Thank you sherijr!
I might just do that Dudette, thank you for suggesting it
Well said, sherijr!
thank you nath.. it is always good to hear from you
I wrote Brian Williams castigating him for having Jim Inhofe (one of my senators……) on immediately following the President. I told him that was obscene and Inhofe is not worthy to be in the same room as the President! I asked him why he is becoming a propagandist for the far right, and informed him that because of this, he is losing credibility.
I had to walk out of the room just before Inhofe came on, I CANNOT STAND HIM!!! My husband stayed and listened. He said he had little to say, just tried to dispute some data. The man is not bright, he is just a tool of big insurance and the NRA. This is what we have to put up with in our state. Our governor is no better.
Good for you Carolyn…
We should challenge them, call them out…
Especially those of them with a semblance of a conscience and the potential for introspection – and to do better…
Contact your congress people—–urge them to support these common sense gun safety measures—–beg hard if you have to, shame them if you can—–ask them what is more impt., the grade A from the NRA or giving parents some peace of mind and doing all he/she can to keep our children safe.
Useful ….
BBC
“This will be difficult,” he said.
“There will be pundits and politicians and special interest lobbyists publicly warning of a tyrannical all-out assault on liberty, not because that’s true, but because they want to gin up fear or higher ratings or revenue for themselves.
The parents of Dylan Hockley, killed at Sandy Hook, spoke to the BBC
“And behind the scenes, they’ll do everything they can to block any common-sense reform and make sure nothing changes whatsoever.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21049942
GObama. Bravo.
Another piece of evidence in the meme of the coming GOP civil war:
MSNBC/Andrea Mitchell now has on a Gun Owners of America rep. on to dispute all of what Obama proposed. She’s trying to push back on his ugly nonsense—-sortof—-but why give him the platform——where is it written that you always have to give air time to the nuttiest among us? That media practice has proven so damaging and prevents the bare truth from being told to the public. The guy now is defending the NRA using the Obama girls in the ad. These people are roadkill.
What do you all expect from Mrs. Alan Greenspan? I will watch Martin Bashir, Rev. Al, Ed, O’Donnell, and some time Rachel, and every now and then Matthews.
http://www.dccc.org/page/s/end-gun-violence?source=2013.01.16_kw_all
Hi Everybody! Did anything interesting happen in the news today?
VP Joe said, ‘this is a BFD” or something like that.
Thanks for getting me up to speed, cookemom! Immensely helpful!
Great article that overseasgranny mention in a tweet from last night. Very encouraging Alzheimer’s research!
Take to the twitter/FB and other social media. Call out any media thug shilling for nra and gun nuts.
[From Smartypants! And some encouragement from Rev. Lowery.]:
[.....] As our history shows us, this small group of fearful racists can do a lot of damage. We’re seeing some of that unfold as the President begins to discuss a very courageous agenda on gun control today. So what should our response be to all of that? To have his back like we’ve never done before and to continue to believe in “good crazy.”
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Lots more here: http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/01/and-now-were-down-to-racism.html
SMDH! Raise your hand if you’re surprised by this guy’s suggestion.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/01/16/change-12/