No terrorist has ever done this scale of harm to America bit.ly/120qvsZ That's what the GOP's #Sequester does. #JobsNotCuts @maddow— Bobfr (@Our4thEstate) February 25, 2025
Thank you theo. 8 min before a meeting that will last a few hours so wanted to get in a few tweets and RTs for all the folk contributing to the #JobsNotCuts barrage on Twitter
#JobsNotCuts Why won't the GOP support America to #ProsperNotSequester? Why does the GOP Hate Americans? Why? We Will Remember in #2014.— Bobfr (@Our4thEstate) February 25, 2025
Always loved Mighty Mouse. Favorite line is -”Good luck Might Mouse. You’ll need it.” I always say this to myself at the beginning of a day when there are a lot of tough things to face. Weirdly enough, it always braces me up.
I'm going to point anyone with Unite Blue confusion to @karoli, @expatina and @shoq's timelines. And of course: drumsnwhistles.com/2013/02/25/uni…— Liz (@childfreediva) February 25, 2025
Oscars 2013: Jay-Z And The Smiths Cast Oscar Nominee Quvenzhane Wallis As Annie - Broadway Black broadwayblack.com/jay-z-smith-wi…— Alycee (@jazziz2) February 25, 2025
Law of unintended consequences: Think #Sequestration Will Cut The Deficit By $1.2 Trillion? Think Again. bit.ly/13afAN2— Kennett Area Dems (@KennettDems) February 25, 2025
Indeed - if 800,000 more people will be unemployed and drawing on unemployment insurance, and if the economy takes a hit, then how can an increase in federal benefit spending result in a decrease in the deficit? Isn’t the deficit reduction supposed to be that more people working pay into federal taxes, thereby helping reduce the deficit? One more piece of evidence that the GOP don’t have a clue about governing or economics.
It’s never been about deficit reduction. It’s only about making things difficult for PBO and forcing him to make cuts to so-called entitlements. Republicans could care less what happens to people and the economy as long as it reflects badly on the president. Their hatred knows no bounds. That’s why we have to make sure the blame lands in the right place, although that doesn’t do a thing to help the real people who are hurting.
Being very serious here, no. I happen to have Adele! Sigh! How beautiful was it when she came up to accept that gold statue…. I repeat : sigh. I was thinking, “Adele is a miracle.”
Our President really is invested in our future (children). At first I thought he was holding Sasha’s hand but a look at the original says he’s ‘holding hands with a little girl’. There’s an entire generation out there who is being introduced to a more accessible president/presidency and one which I feel will be more involved politically as a result.
PBO: WE HAVE TO STOP CAREENING FROM MANUFACTURED CRISIS TO MANUFACTURED CRISIS.
Remarks by the President and Vice President at Meeting of the National Governors Association
State Dining Room (February 25, 2025)
————————-
Let me just close with this. There are always going to be areas where we have some genuine disagreement, here in Washington and in your respective states. But there are more areas where we can do a lot more cooperating than I think we’ve seen over the last several years. To do that, though, this town has to get past its obsession with focusing on the next election instead of the next generation.
All of us are elected officials. All of us are concerned about our politics, both in our own party’s as well as the other party’s. But at some point, we’ve got to do some governing. And certainly what we can’t do is keep careening from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis. As I said in the State of the Union, the American people have worked hard and long to dig themselves out of one crisis; they don’t need us creating another one. And unfortunately, that’s what we’ve been seeing too much out there.
The American people are out there every single day, meeting their responsibilities, giving it their all to provide for their families and their communities. A lot of you are doing the same things in your respective states. Well, we need that same kind of attitude here in Washington. At the very least, the American people have a right to expect that from their representatives.
Already available on your local toy store shelf. I was looking for gifts during Christmas time and saw remote controlled flying devices (planes/helicopters) with “super spy” cameras on them in K-Mart.
On Spending, Why Won’t Republicans Take Yes for an Answer?
By Matthew Yglesias
———————————
Nice long Eric Cantor profile from Ryan Lizza is ably summarized by my colleague David Weigel, who observes that there’s a deep reason why Cantor’s bets on rejecting compromise keep not paying off: “The idea that you can be a deficit hawk while ruling out any tax increase, ever, is politically and mathematically untenable.”
What I don’t understand, and what I think reams of congressional reporting haven’t yet explained adequately, is why Republicans are ruling out any tax increase. If you think back to the failed grand bargain talks, Obama was offering a bigger spending cut than House Republicans were proposing, but the GOP preferred an equilibrium with higher spending and lower taxes to one with lower spending and higher taxes. That’s a sensible preference ranking for a movement that’s deeply invested in Old Keynesian ideas about countercyclical fiscal policy, but it wasn’t Paul Krugman who rejected the Obama austerity package—it was John Boehner and Eric Cantor.
The Ryan Lizza profile is well worth reading. Lizza’s characterization is a vivid illustration of Cantor’s only goal being power with no clear political beliefs or philosophy.
Sotomayor slams TX DA's Race Baiting "You've got African-Americans.. got Hispanics, you've got a bag full of money.." livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/sotomayo…— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) February 25, 2025
also too, those of us who arrive late to the party, sometimes can’t make it back through all the previous comments, so we appreciate when good stuff gets repeated or developed!
GOP GIVES UP ON GOVERNING AND FOCUSES ON ‘INCOHERENT’ MESSAGING
A muddled message gets messier and more mendacious
By Steve Benen
—————————————-
With the sequestration cuts just days away, Republicans have spent the last several focused on rhetoric instead of policy. By any sensible standard, GOP policymakers have invested no real effort on resolving the problem, and have instead devoted all of their energies in winning a public-relations fight once the sequester starts doing real damage.
.
.
And yet, Republicans’ sequestration message “is all over the place.” GOP leaders believe the sequester will be awful but they want to let it happen. The policy was integral to the Republican fiscal plan and it’s entirely the White House’s idea. When Republicans say the cuts will hurt, that’s fine; when Democrats say the cuts will hurt, it’s evidence of scare tactics.
And now Republicans are simultaneously convinced the cuts will hurt and help the economy.
Which GOPers have hedged against America? Check who makes $$ after Boehner's 4p ET conf. @whitehouse @SenatorReid @NancyPelosi #JobsNotCuts— Bobfr (@Our4thEstate) February 25, 2025
#ProsperNotSequester
back to my meeting …. Hi VC, my mind is always focused, but flexible!!
Bonehead to give a presser on sequester soon. Well that rhymes, get it……a presser on sequester. Now if only his message amounted to more than a nursery rhyme straight out of ding, dong school. Not to disparage my preschool learning in the days before what is commonly known as day care these days.
Right about now Boehner is shitting bricks; he so badly wants a way out of this self-created shit-storm. I guess that 98% he bragged about getting turned out to be worthless. Silly rabbit, he actually thought he was going to outsmart that Kenyan.
Just keep your eye on the bouncin’ hopey-changey ball. We might be allowing “immigrants” to stay or something. My immigrant great grandparents would be smiling, I’m sure.
I’m so sick of Karzai, he is claiming U.S. forces raped, and tortured Afghan locals. I know the strategic importance off leaving a footprint in Afhganistan ( keep eye on Pakistani Nuke) but im sick of this joker using our brave soldiers for local political gains.
Afghanistan Bars U.S. Troops From Key Province "If enforced, would exclude the U.S.'s source of offensive firepower" nyti.ms/VGm3uq— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) February 25, 2025
lovelyplains, Karzai has to play this game in order to keep Al-Qaeda off his ass. Tust me, in his heart of hearts he wants a strong U.S. presence in Afghanistan.
I know he has to play this game, my only problem is the moron always overplays his hand, and then the riots come……….and then the attacks on forward military installations………and then embassy staff and soldiers lives are put at unnecessary risk.
I heard something about this the other day. From what I gather, it’s not American troops, but special forces who work with Afghans as subcontractors - and it’s the subcontractors who were committing the crimes. I may be wrong, but it didn’t sound like it was actually the American troops who were committing the crimes; just the people they were partnered with. Either way, I cannot blame Karzai for being offended by this kind of behavior - the Afghans who are being victimized are people who also need protection from violence - no matter the source.
Then why won’t the media say it’s the subcontractors instead of smearing our troops with the dirty deeds of the damned mercenaries?
Oh, never mind… that was a rhetorical question.
“New Jerseyans don’t really care what big-money Washington DC groups do to distort records to support their big government agendas,” Christie spokesperson Mike DuHaime told TPM by email.
The Descendants - Stories of 9 decendants fr lineages of some Af-Amer historical families on.thegrio.com/126tu31 via @theGrio— Alycee (@jazziz2) February 25, 2025
good news from science (they had me with the title):
‘ Pivotal research in the New England Journal of Medicine today confirmed well-worn notions that the Mediterranean diet — including produce, olive oil, nuts, etc. — significantly reduced rates of heart attacks and strokes, as compared to a low-fat diet. Now, to make these foods as accessible as corn sugar. ‘
I love that they’ve all picked such bright, happy, relaxed and casual pictures for their official portraits this time. No more elections - just all business and fun; no political nonsense. Love it!
What #sequester means 4 education $725M cuts, 2,700 schools 1.2M students 9,880 staff at risk ampr.gs/XpDeRl http://t.co/sJSJznFmsk— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) February 25, 2025
The Republicans said at their five minute presser that PBO and Harry Reid must work things out. They criticized PBO for going on the road and offered nothing.
Who was it that said he would not work with the President one on one anymore? I believe it was John Boehner. Who was it that just got back from a ten day vacation? Boehner and the House .
Um… how come Boehner has each new Congress read out the Constitution at the start of each session and he doesn’t know what’s in it. It’s the job of the US House to set spending. Does he think his role is merely decorative? If so, the decoration stinks.
As certain as you need oxygen to live, you know when Boehner opens his mouth LIES will flow. #JobsNotCuts cc @whitehouse @PressSec @VP @vj44— Bobfr (@Our4thEstate) February 25, 2025
Interesting development….. Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist’s are raising money to use for Police Dept. gun buyback programs!!
VC's want your guns "We struggled… We wanted to do something… in memory of SandyHook & to protect our own kids." buzzfeed.com/justinesharroc…— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) February 25, 2025
just curious-does anyone know what happens to all the guns collected in these buy-back programs? are they melted down and made into playground equipment? redistributed to police and militia, saving tax dollars? buried in a toxic waste dump?
Not sure in all cases, but for example Corey Books melts the guns and makes jewelry out of them w/ the gun’s serial numbers on it. http://calibercollection.com/
Anytime susanne, please excuse my typing for the remainder of the day, for that matter in perpetuity, if can manage to stay awake……Had to pull an all-niter writing a paper and my eyes are half open…thus my wonderful spelling and mastery of the english dictionary! (Books=Booker?)
The Stranger!
A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey.
But the stranger… he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.
If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind.
Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.)
Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home - not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our long time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.
My Dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked … And NEVER asked to leave.
More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family.. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
His name? ….
We just call him “TV.”
(Note: This should be required
reading for every household!)
He has a wife now….we call her ‘Computer.’
Their first child is “Cell Phone”.
Second child “I Pod”
And Just Born Last Year Was a Grandchild:
“iPad”
The wonderful Ryan family going to a shelter and pretending that they care about the people in that shelter, and washing dishes, pots and pans which was not dirty. Phonies.
I was going to try to do a search about little Mrs. Janna, but I almost threw up a little in my mouth thinking about them, if you’ll pardon that expression, and will have to turn that over to somebody else.
UPS and FEDEX want the USPS to close, but both - at least I’ve recently personally confirmed that for FEDEX - use the Postal Service to deliver some of their packages. The “word” is that’s in rural communities, but I live in a city and received two FEDEX-shipped packages delivered to my door by the USPS, and both UPS and FEDEX trucks are on my street every damn day.
I don’t know. Maybe my brain is in shock, but is that not the worst thing Eric Cantor’s tried (that isn’t connected to a woman’s vagina, of course)? Just when we think it can’t get any worse … Eric Cantor regurgitates something else more despicable than his last spew. This guy needs a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past, not to mention the Ghost of FDR.
Come on, unions, use THIS to increase your membership! First the American Dream concept of a full-time-permanent job with benefits goes away in lieu of all part-time or temporary with no benefits work, then no overtime pay, then what?
I just sent this out individually, to as many unions as I could think of:
@UAW Eric Cantor proposes killing law that requires overtime pay? Please use this to increase your membership. m.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/…— (@JOBoomr) February 25, 2025
Retweeted them all. Here are lists of other unions if you want to contact more of them:
http://www.iqunions.org/list-of-unions.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_trade_unions#United_States
Thank you - I shall! I used a list on Twitter, but took a little break. Gotta do this small thing for my grandfather, who went into a coal mine when he was 11 years old in 1896, before unions and child labor laws, etc., which I think I’ve mentioned here a gazillion times and probably will, again. He was my hero!
Carpenters Union “old school” - had to e-mail them to see if they had a Twitter account, and they responded giving me their postal address. On to the next unions, but I might make it tomorrow, when I’m more awake!
The mother of all oxymorons: Republican leadership. Apparently their idea of leadership is to have Obama and the Dems lead,— john miller (@deaconmill) February 25, 2025
@deaconmill Well done! You just turned that into something positive about them: At least they know their own limitations. — Dudette (@Dudette9t9) February 25, 2025
‘ Between January and November 2012, in a study of 37 newspapers from the New York Times to the Traverse City Record Eagle in Michigan, women were quoted in 20 percent of all stories about the election.
Throughout the year, women were used as sources in 18 percent of print stories in major newspapers and also on television, with a high of 23 percent of sources being women on National Public Radio. The lowest percentage of women used as sources was 11.9 percent at Fox News, with a high of 27.3 percent of sources being women at Time Warner. Women accounted for 25 percent of all guests on Sunday pundit shows, with only 14 percent of interview subjects on those shows being women.
This explains why I am often screaming at the television, throwing down the newspaper, clicking out of a digital news site or raging at the radio. The voices and viewpoints of women are not heard because so few journalists ask them to speak.
~
The lack of women is not just in news media. Some claim the Oscars were watched globally Sunday by 1 billion viewers. The 81st Academy Awards featured more actresses than actors on the red carpet, but not nearly as many women behind the scenes. Only 9 percent of directors of the 250 top grossing films in 2012 were women, with documentaries having 39 percent female directors.
And though much has been made about HBO’s series, Girls, only 26 percent of creators of television shows were women, and 15 percent of television show directors in 2012 were women as well.
Herein lies the insidious nature of the progress of women in our culture that does start with media. The person in the newsroom becomes the person in the media boardroom who becomes the person who decides who is quoted, who is featured, who is on the TV show who by having a profile as a public intellectual or thought leader becomes the person who is regarded in the larger world as an influencer. ‘
#ProsperNotSequester @whitehouse @VP @vj44 @SenatorReid @NancyPelosi That's what the majority of Americans want. Let's Get It Done #FORWARD— Bobfr (@Our4thEstate) February 25, 2025
@TheJusticeDept hope you are tracking which Senators & Reps are hedging against America & stand the most to lose if the #Sequester is halted— Bobfr (@Our4thEstate) February 25, 2025
EXCELLENT Bob - we well know who would be in line to do just this. I have a personal opinion that all hedge funds should be disbanded - period. People making money out of others misfortunes (failing companies) is obscene. Massive economic harm has been achieved by hedge funds - worldwide.
I know many of you have seen the United Blue Ribbons on Twitter…I was very skeptical from the beginning..
This Dm was sent to me..and wanted to share what you think…Thanks
2 good reads.. headline out of #1 Bob Woodward, well no explanation needed #2 Eric Cantor confirms on the record he is Brutus reincarnated.
Hypocrisy of Bob Woodward @jonathanchait nymag.com/daily/intellig… & OTR E. Cantor admits blowing up the Grand Bargain newyorker.com/reporting/2013…— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) February 25, 2025
Holding hands sent me to you tube. Hope you enjoy. Please be aware I do not share the religious statement written at end, but it shouldn’t be offensive. The song is repetitive, so you might not get that far anyway.
http://t.co/FcXHurekyW
Oops, boy did I post the wrong video. Please excuse me. This is the song going around and around my head. I was going to post this to LL. Chips might take it down, but it was on live Network TV. I stayed up later than usual.
Really. I will tell you, I don’t know how POTUS does it because I couldn’t trust McCain or Graham. And would not want to meet with either one of the weasels.
Oh Anniebella, you took the words right out of my mouth. The POTUS must a “saint” to be able to deal with this vermin! I don’t want them anywhere near my POTUS…breathing their foul stench on him! I couldn’t do it. I’d be doing time.
In case you’re interested or know someone who might be [collegekay, are you out there?]
Meet Presidential Innovation Fellow @henryweimd! (& then apply to be a PIF!) youtube.com/watch?v=j1aoiO… #InnovateGov— OSTP (@whitehouseostp) February 25, 2025
MT @GradEdChallenge: check out @NSF's new Innovation in Graduate Education Challenge! nsf.gov/news/special_r… #STEM— OSTP (@whitehouseostp) February 25, 2025
Photo of the Day: President Obama takes questions during a meeting with the National Governors Association at the WH: http://t.co/yxaGapFva5— The White House (@whitehouse) February 25, 2025
Why does Gov Christie seem to be at the forefront of the Gov pictures? Are the dems trying to turn him dem - or does he think the close association with the President will make his state’s voters forget who he really is?
Photo of the Day: President Obama takes questions during a meeting with the National Governors Association at the WH: http://t.co/yxaGapFva5— The White House (@whitehouse) February 25, 2025
Whoops wrong link………..ok I am close to entering a state of comatose. Lets try this again AHHHHH…..the irony
In honor of the Oscars, what is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Kicker:Sheldon Adelson Sues Rupert Murdoch For Libel livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/sheldon-…— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) February 25, 2025
Obstruction thy name is Republican (or maybe that’s the other way around - either way it’s messed up)
——————-
Senate Confirms Robert Bacharach to the United States Court of Appeals
Jennifer Palmieri
February 25, 2025
06:14 PM EST
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog
This evening the Senate confirmed Robert Bacharach to the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Oklahoma. Judge Bacharach waited 263 days for a Senate floor vote, only to be approved overwhelmingly, by a vote of 93-0. Not only was Judge Bacharach supported by the two Republican Senators from Oklahoma, he was recommended to the White House for this judgeship by Senator Coburn in October 2011. Yet, early last summer, Senate Republicans blocked Judge Bacharach from even getting an up or down vote – the first successful filibuster of a judicial nominee who had bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In short, Republicans recommended Robert Bacharach for this important position, endorsed him publicly, supported him nearly unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee, then blocked him from getting a vote – and now, after almost a year of pointless delay, joined in unanimously confirming him. Even Senator Coburn, himself a participant in this partisan chicanery, called this “stupid.”
Unfortunately this is not a unique case. On February 13, the Senate confirmed William Kayatta for the First Circuit from Maine. His nomination languished for 300 days, yet he was easily confirmed with 88 Senators supporting him. And next up is Richard Taranto for the Federal Circuit, whose nomination has been pending for 333 days.
To put this obstruction in some perspective, the average wait time for President George W. Bush’s federal appellate judicial nominees, from Committee vote to confirmation, at this point in his presidency was 35 days. By contrast, the average wait time for President Obama’s federal appellate judicial nominees has been 147 days… [more in the article]
White House.gov
Congratulations, Bob. Good tweet!
Thank you theo. 8 min before a meeting that will last a few hours so wanted to get in a few tweets and RTs for all the folk contributing to the #JobsNotCuts barrage on Twitter
bbl …
Have a good meeting, Bobfr, with your mind focused on the issues you’ll be discussing!
Congrats Bob4r….leading the brigade.
The GOP’s unrelenting economic terrorism and insurgency against us and our President are being exposed for all to witness.
#ProsperNotSequester
Yes We Can
Congrats Bob, you are Numero Uno! So appropriate to start with a great tweet. I love retweeting you. Great tweets all week-end.
Congrats on 1st Bob and thanks for the sound advice on previous thread. I intend to take it.
Thank you VC, lp, Carol & Jackie.
Jackie, so good to know you are being gentle on yourself as you recover!!
#FORWARD Together
Stop making excuses Woman! Did you hear Wonder Woman ever make excuses for not saving the day?
Nothing done? Did you at least get a little mental ‘down’ time while waiting to do something? If yes, that’s something.
I thought it was Mighty Mouse who saved the day. (God, I am dating myself)
Move over.
Room for one more?
Always, honey bunch.
Add me…
Always loved Mighty Mouse. Favorite line is -”Good luck Might Mouse. You’ll need it.” I always say this to myself at the beginning of a day when there are a lot of tough things to face. Weirdly enough, it always braces me up.
Yikes:
and
http://rmuse.p2blogs.com/2013/02/24/uniteblue-developing-revolution-or-business-development-scheme/
Yep, removed the UniteBlue logo from avatar last week when all the info about the questionable origin was floating around. Thanks for this!
I removed Unite Blue twibbon and hashtag from my account as well.
Okay, I’m sneaking this one in before things get all somber again!
Then it’s back to work for me.
Awwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
Hilarious!!!
I have a feeling those two kitties are spoiled.
Love this vid!!!! One of my faves.
OT: Looking forward to seeing this remake!
Heard that on the radio this morning. Pretty cool!
They had that info on the Red Carpet last night!!! COME ON!!!!
I know I should be ashamed… I was otherwise occupied during the Red Carpet broadcast. I’m a fashion slacker, I admit it.
Indeed - if 800,000 more people will be unemployed and drawing on unemployment insurance, and if the economy takes a hit, then how can an increase in federal benefit spending result in a decrease in the deficit? Isn’t the deficit reduction supposed to be that more people working pay into federal taxes, thereby helping reduce the deficit? One more piece of evidence that the GOP don’t have a clue about governing or economics.
It’s never been about deficit reduction. It’s only about making things difficult for PBO and forcing him to make cuts to so-called entitlements. Republicans could care less what happens to people and the economy as long as it reflects badly on the president. Their hatred knows no bounds. That’s why we have to make sure the blame lands in the right place, although that doesn’t do a thing to help the real people who are hurting.
FYI, Chips Chica, I’m already all ‘chatted’ out!
Not to be unserious, but does anyone else have Dame Shirley Bassey playing on an endless loop in their heads?
Not until that started back up for me, just this moment. Uh, thanks.
I share my pain/pleasure.
Enjoy!
She’s wonderful! Here’s another great one:
La la la.
The first James Bond movie I saw was Goldfinger…..that song and Shirley Bassey singing it, to me, just exemplify and encapsulate James Bond.
Totally agree! The man with the Midas touch!
Was Pussy Galore in it?
Being very serious here, no. I happen to have Adele! Sigh! How beautiful was it when she came up to accept that gold statue…. I repeat : sigh. I was thinking, “Adele is a miracle.”
{{{{Dudette! You rock!}}}}
Such a sweetie!
BEST OSCARS EVER!!!!! I want to BE Shirley Bassey when I grow up. She ROCKED IT LAST NIGHT.
Love, love, LOVE her!!
Does Dame Bassey still have the pipes or what? Gave me chills!
Our President really is invested in our future (children). At first I thought he was holding Sasha’s hand but a look at the original says he’s ‘holding hands with a little girl’. There’s an entire generation out there who is being introduced to a more accessible president/presidency and one which I feel will be more involved politically as a result.
PBO: WE HAVE TO STOP CAREENING FROM MANUFACTURED CRISIS TO MANUFACTURED CRISIS.
Remarks by the President and Vice President at Meeting of the National Governors Association
State Dining Room (February 25, 2025)
————————-
Let me just close with this. There are always going to be areas where we have some genuine disagreement, here in Washington and in your respective states. But there are more areas where we can do a lot more cooperating than I think we’ve seen over the last several years. To do that, though, this town has to get past its obsession with focusing on the next election instead of the next generation.
All of us are elected officials. All of us are concerned about our politics, both in our own party’s as well as the other party’s. But at some point, we’ve got to do some governing. And certainly what we can’t do is keep careening from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis. As I said in the State of the Union, the American people have worked hard and long to dig themselves out of one crisis; they don’t need us creating another one. And unfortunately, that’s what we’ve been seeing too much out there.
The American people are out there every single day, meeting their responsibilities, giving it their all to provide for their families and their communities. A lot of you are doing the same things in your respective states. Well, we need that same kind of attitude here in Washington. At the very least, the American people have a right to expect that from their representatives.
———————————
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/25/remarks-president-and-vice-president-meeting-national-governors-associat
Who will be the first on your block to have one?????
Already available on your local toy store shelf. I was looking for gifts during Christmas time and saw remote controlled flying devices (planes/helicopters) with “super spy” cameras on them in K-Mart.
On Spending, Why Won’t Republicans Take Yes for an Answer?
By Matthew Yglesias
———————————
Nice long Eric Cantor profile from Ryan Lizza is ably summarized by my colleague David Weigel, who observes that there’s a deep reason why Cantor’s bets on rejecting compromise keep not paying off: “The idea that you can be a deficit hawk while ruling out any tax increase, ever, is politically and mathematically untenable.”
What I don’t understand, and what I think reams of congressional reporting haven’t yet explained adequately, is why Republicans are ruling out any tax increase. If you think back to the failed grand bargain talks, Obama was offering a bigger spending cut than House Republicans were proposing, but the GOP preferred an equilibrium with higher spending and lower taxes to one with lower spending and higher taxes. That’s a sensible preference ranking for a movement that’s deeply invested in Old Keynesian ideas about countercyclical fiscal policy, but it wasn’t Paul Krugman who rejected the Obama austerity package—it was John Boehner and Eric Cantor.
————————————————
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/02/25/gop_tactic_why_not_take_yes_for_an_answer_on_the_ground_bargain.html
The Ryan Lizza profile is well worth reading. Lizza’s characterization is a vivid illustration of Cantor’s only goal being power with no clear political beliefs or philosophy.
I saw a snippet of that earlier. Thanks for posting the story.
NP, I have been gone since the morning hope, have not read the threads, hope I did not step on anybody’s post.
Nobody steps on anybody around here, that’s why we’re all here! It’s all good.
also too, those of us who arrive late to the party, sometimes can’t make it back through all the previous comments, so we appreciate when good stuff gets repeated or developed!
Excellent point!
I <3 Justice Sotomayor.
THIS!!
GOP GIVES UP ON GOVERNING AND FOCUSES ON ‘INCOHERENT’ MESSAGING
A muddled message gets messier and more mendacious
By Steve Benen
—————————————-
With the sequestration cuts just days away, Republicans have spent the last several focused on rhetoric instead of policy. By any sensible standard, GOP policymakers have invested no real effort on resolving the problem, and have instead devoted all of their energies in winning a public-relations fight once the sequester starts doing real damage.
.
.
And yet, Republicans’ sequestration message “is all over the place.” GOP leaders believe the sequester will be awful but they want to let it happen. The policy was integral to the Republican fiscal plan and it’s entirely the White House’s idea. When Republicans say the cuts will hurt, that’s fine; when Democrats say the cuts will hurt, it’s evidence of scare tactics.
And now Republicans are simultaneously convinced the cuts will hurt and help the economy.
————————————————-
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/02/25/17087809-a-muddled-message-gets-messier-and-more-mendacious?lite
Quick Twitter break … inquiring minds …
#ProsperNotSequester
back to my meeting …. Hi VC, my mind is always focused, but flexible!!
Do your colleagues know that this was a twitter break, or did you pass it off as a ‘nature’ break?
2nd ‘break’ ….
Everything is ‘biological’ VC
(and Tweetdeck on the iPhone is so helpful 
)
your mind is a national treasure! thanks for keeping the pressure on the rethug insurgency, bob!
Bonehead to give a presser on sequester soon. Well that rhymes, get it……a presser on sequester. Now if only his message amounted to more than a nursery rhyme straight out of ding, dong school. Not to disparage my preschool learning in the days before what is commonly known as day care these days.
C-SPAN @ 4:00 PM EST.
Sorry, can’t watch it. Have to water my cactus and de-lint my sweater.
I know what you mean. Got a book two years ago, and today seems like a good day to finish it.
raining, but i think i’ll hang out some laundry.
Yes, dance in it. Much better alternative.
I enjoy watching him cry.
Right about now Boehner is shitting bricks; he so badly wants a way out of this self-created shit-storm. I guess that 98% he bragged about getting turned out to be worthless. Silly rabbit, he actually thought he was going to outsmart that Kenyan.
Trix are for kids!
Uh… when is our next manufactured national crisis episode II due, after the sequestration thingy? Can’t wait for the sequel sponsored by the GOP.
Just keep your eye on the bouncin’ hopey-changey ball. We might be allowing “immigrants” to stay or something. My immigrant great grandparents would be smiling, I’m sure.
I’m so sick of Karzai, he is claiming U.S. forces raped, and tortured Afghan locals. I know the strategic importance off leaving a footprint in Afhganistan ( keep eye on Pakistani Nuke) but im sick of this joker using our brave soldiers for local political gains.
lovelyplains, Karzai has to play this game in order to keep Al-Qaeda off his ass. Tust me, in his heart of hearts he wants a strong U.S. presence in Afghanistan.
I agree. It’s ugly, but I think you’ve captured it.
I know he has to play this game, my only problem is the moron always overplays his hand, and then the riots come……….and then the attacks on forward military installations………and then embassy staff and soldiers lives are put at unnecessary risk.
lovelyplains, you are so right about almost everybody that goes up against President Obama, they overplay their hand.
I heard something about this the other day. From what I gather, it’s not American troops, but special forces who work with Afghans as subcontractors - and it’s the subcontractors who were committing the crimes. I may be wrong, but it didn’t sound like it was actually the American troops who were committing the crimes; just the people they were partnered with. Either way, I cannot blame Karzai for being offended by this kind of behavior - the Afghans who are being victimized are people who also need protection from violence - no matter the source.
Then why won’t the media say it’s the subcontractors instead of smearing our troops with the dirty deeds of the damned mercenaries?
Oh, never mind… that was a rhetorical question.
The bully fights back against Emily’s List campaign against Chris Christie … his staff seems to use the word “big” a lot … just sayin’ …
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/team-christie-responds-to-emilys-list-new-jersyans
“New Jerseyans don’t really care what big-money Washington DC groups do to distort records to support their big government agendas,” Christie spokesperson Mike DuHaime told TPM by email.
good morning chips and tod ohana!
good news from science (they had me with the title):
‘ Pivotal research in the New England Journal of Medicine today confirmed well-worn notions that the Mediterranean diet — including produce, olive oil, nuts, etc. — significantly reduced rates of heart attacks and strokes, as compared to a low-fat diet. Now, to make these foods as accessible as corn sugar. ‘
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/02/at-least-7-glasses-of-wine-each-week/273473/
Paging jacquelineoboomer, I repeat paging jacquelineoboomer…………..
OMG. I was scrolling up quickly to see what lovely person posted this, so I could add a thank you. Saw my “name” and cracked up.
Be still my ol’ baby boomer heart. Most cheerful thing I’ve seen today!!!
P.S. Thank you.
I was wondering how they got my picture.
Quite the handsome fella:)
That he is! Looks like he’s just having a ball everyday! Love him!
I love that they’ve all picked such bright, happy, relaxed and casual pictures for their official portraits this time. No more elections - just all business and fun; no political nonsense. Love it!
Fantastic!
Yum. Yum. Yum. (is it okay to say that?)
Yes, indeed, Pamela. I will say it with you,”Yum, Yum. Yum. Yummy.” HZ
That one thing alone ought to make them dump it.
More good news, instantaneous fightin’ back - for a change, on CNN:
The Republicans said at their five minute presser that PBO and Harry Reid must work things out. They criticized PBO for going on the road and offered nothing.
Who was it that said he would not work with the President one on one anymore? I believe it was John Boehner. Who was it that just got back from a ten day vacation? Boehner and the House .
Um… how come Boehner has each new Congress read out the Constitution at the start of each session and he doesn’t know what’s in it. It’s the job of the US House to set spending. Does he think his role is merely decorative? If so, the decoration stinks.
And Boehner job is to do what?
Somebody give me worse expletives than I’m thinking about Eric Cantor, please. I’ve run out of ones that really hit the mark.
I can think of many jacqueline but one that springs to mind isn’t even an expletive, just a word which sums up that awful man - miscreant .
Oh go on then, just one expletive awful enough to describe him - w**k splat!
Knew I’d drag somebody out!
lots of ugly images, but none for print
I know that feelin’! I feel stymied.
This is not an expletive but it sums up my view of Eric Cantor: “Pure Evil!”
That works!
So, Boehner “came here to save the American Dream.” And I’m gonna buy y’all a new bicycle today.
Where’s that spray paint?
He tells the truth, just depends on whose American dream you speak of. The drams of the top 1% he wants to save. The rest, not so much.
Interesting development….. Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist’s are raising money to use for Police Dept. gun buyback programs!!
just curious-does anyone know what happens to all the guns collected in these buy-back programs? are they melted down and made into playground equipment? redistributed to police and militia, saving tax dollars? buried in a toxic waste dump?
Not sure in all cases, but for example Corey Books melts the guns and makes jewelry out of them w/ the gun’s serial numbers on it. http://calibercollection.com/
wow- thanks lovely!
Anytime susanne, please excuse my typing for the remainder of the day, for that matter in perpetuity, if can manage to stay awake……Had to pull an all-niter writing a paper and my eyes are half open…thus my wonderful spelling and mastery of the english dictionary! (Books=Booker?)
blanket pass on typing hereby issued in perpetuity to lovelyplains…. and everybody else too!
The Stranger!
A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey.
But the stranger… he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.
If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind.
Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.)
Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home - not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our long time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.
My Dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked … And NEVER asked to leave.
More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family.. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
His name? ….
We just call him “TV.”
(Note: This should be required
reading for every household!)
He has a wife now….we call her ‘Computer.’
Their first child is “Cell Phone”.
Second child “I Pod”
And Just Born Last Year Was a Grandchild:
“iPad”
HOW TRUE THIS IS!!!
That is fantastic yardarm. How true is this. I love it.
Love that!
Is this story about Mrs. Paul Ryan and the postal service true? I haven’t followed it further that the info in the tweet …..
What’s next for the Ryans, dismantling Homeless Shelters?
The wonderful Ryan family going to a shelter and pretending that they care about the people in that shelter, and washing dishes, pots and pans which was not dirty. Phonies.
I was going to try to do a search about little Mrs. Janna, but I almost threw up a little in my mouth thinking about them, if you’ll pardon that expression, and will have to turn that over to somebody else.
UPS and FEDEX want the USPS to close, but both - at least I’ve recently personally confirmed that for FEDEX - use the Postal Service to deliver some of their packages. The “word” is that’s in rural communities, but I live in a city and received two FEDEX-shipped packages delivered to my door by the USPS, and both UPS and FEDEX trucks are on my street every damn day.
I don’t post anything from Kos, but this is worth a read. Eric Cantor needs to suck eggs.
http://m.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/25/1189635/-Eric-Cantor-will-propose-Federal-Law-that-Ends-Overtime-Pay-for-hourly-workers%E2%80%9D
I don’t know. Maybe my brain is in shock, but is that not the worst thing Eric Cantor’s tried (that isn’t connected to a woman’s vagina, of course)? Just when we think it can’t get any worse … Eric Cantor regurgitates something else more despicable than his last spew. This guy needs a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past, not to mention the Ghost of FDR.
Come on, unions, use THIS to increase your membership! First the American Dream concept of a full-time-permanent job with benefits goes away in lieu of all part-time or temporary with no benefits work, then no overtime pay, then what?
In his mind, this is a blow against unions. In reality, most people earn hourly wages and they won’t be happy with this.
To them, what we call “people” are either “unions” or “corporations.” And don’t forget the big ones, “takers” and “job creators.”
I just sent this out individually, to as many unions as I could think of:
Retweeted them all. Here are lists of other unions if you want to contact more of them:
http://www.iqunions.org/list-of-unions.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_trade_unions#United_States
Thank you - I shall! I used a list on Twitter, but took a little break. Gotta do this small thing for my grandfather, who went into a coal mine when he was 11 years old in 1896, before unions and child labor laws, etc., which I think I’ve mentioned here a gazillion times and probably will, again. He was my hero!
You’re doing him proud!
Thank you. Tracking down the Carpenters Union Twitter account, next!
All RT’d. Thank you Jacqueline!!
Yes We Can
Carpenters Union “old school” - had to e-mail them to see if they had a Twitter account, and they responded giving me their postal address. On to the next unions, but I might make it tomorrow, when I’m more awake!
Great tweet, Japa!
What we have to remember is 2014…2014…2014….2014….2014
women’s voices in journalism- excellent read:
‘ Between January and November 2012, in a study of 37 newspapers from the New York Times to the Traverse City Record Eagle in Michigan, women were quoted in 20 percent of all stories about the election.
Throughout the year, women were used as sources in 18 percent of print stories in major newspapers and also on television, with a high of 23 percent of sources being women on National Public Radio. The lowest percentage of women used as sources was 11.9 percent at Fox News, with a high of 27.3 percent of sources being women at Time Warner. Women accounted for 25 percent of all guests on Sunday pundit shows, with only 14 percent of interview subjects on those shows being women.
This explains why I am often screaming at the television, throwing down the newspaper, clicking out of a digital news site or raging at the radio. The voices and viewpoints of women are not heard because so few journalists ask them to speak.
~
The lack of women is not just in news media. Some claim the Oscars were watched globally Sunday by 1 billion viewers. The 81st Academy Awards featured more actresses than actors on the red carpet, but not nearly as many women behind the scenes. Only 9 percent of directors of the 250 top grossing films in 2012 were women, with documentaries having 39 percent female directors.
And though much has been made about HBO’s series, Girls, only 26 percent of creators of television shows were women, and 15 percent of television show directors in 2012 were women as well.
Herein lies the insidious nature of the progress of women in our culture that does start with media. The person in the newsroom becomes the person in the media boardroom who becomes the person who decides who is quoted, who is featured, who is on the TV show who by having a profile as a public intellectual or thought leader becomes the person who is regarded in the larger world as an influencer. ‘
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/02/20132259405825710.html
Excellent article, Susanne. Tweeted and FB’d
Motive ….
Yes We Know
EXCELLENT Bob - we well know who would be in line to do just this. I have a personal opinion that all hedge funds should be disbanded - period. People making money out of others misfortunes (failing companies) is obscene. Massive economic harm has been achieved by hedge funds - worldwide.
Good Day Tods’
I know many of you have seen the United Blue Ribbons on Twitter…I was very skeptical from the beginning..
This Dm was sent to me..and wanted to share what you think…Thanks
http://rmuse.p2blogs.com/2013/02/24/uniteblue-developing-revolution-or-business-development-scheme/
LOL!!! Strike that…that’s what I get for not reading the entire blog…lol!
My apologies for re-posting.
It needed repeating, Kasai!
#WeThePeople
2 good reads.. headline out of #1 Bob Woodward, well no explanation needed #2 Eric Cantor confirms on the record he is Brutus reincarnated.
Cantor is thrilled to be Brutus - he has no doubt been studying the role for many years. His life work - to destroy democracy.
Holding hands sent me to you tube. Hope you enjoy. Please be aware I do not share the religious statement written at end, but it shouldn’t be offensive. The song is repetitive, so you might not get that far anyway.
http://t.co/FcXHurekyW
Oops, boy did I post the wrong video. Please excuse me. This is the song going around and around my head. I was going to post this to LL. Chips might take it down, but it was on live Network TV. I stayed up later than usual.
This is the YouTube video I intended to post. God, please give me another day.
That was lovely!
Thanks.
Really. I will tell you, I don’t know how POTUS does it because I couldn’t trust McCain or Graham. And would not want to meet with either one of the weasels.
Oh Anniebella, you took the words right out of my mouth. The POTUS must a “saint” to be able to deal with this vermin! I don’t want them anywhere near my POTUS…breathing their foul stench on him! I couldn’t do it. I’d be doing time.
In case you’re interested or know someone who might be [collegekay, are you out there?]
Why does Gov Christie seem to be at the forefront of the Gov pictures? Are the dems trying to turn him dem - or does he think the close association with the President will make his state’s voters forget who he really is?
Ben Affleck talks about how cool it was having First Lady Michelle Obama at the Oscars.
Ahhh…..the irony
Whoops wrong link………..ok I am close to entering a state of comatose. Lets try this again AHHHHH…..the irony
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/02/25/monday-a-video-and-image-or-two/
Obstruction thy name is Republican (or maybe that’s the other way around - either way it’s messed up)
——————-
Senate Confirms Robert Bacharach to the United States Court of Appeals
Jennifer Palmieri
February 25, 2025
06:14 PM EST
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog
This evening the Senate confirmed Robert Bacharach to the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Oklahoma. Judge Bacharach waited 263 days for a Senate floor vote, only to be approved overwhelmingly, by a vote of 93-0. Not only was Judge Bacharach supported by the two Republican Senators from Oklahoma, he was recommended to the White House for this judgeship by Senator Coburn in October 2011. Yet, early last summer, Senate Republicans blocked Judge Bacharach from even getting an up or down vote – the first successful filibuster of a judicial nominee who had bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In short, Republicans recommended Robert Bacharach for this important position, endorsed him publicly, supported him nearly unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee, then blocked him from getting a vote – and now, after almost a year of pointless delay, joined in unanimously confirming him. Even Senator Coburn, himself a participant in this partisan chicanery, called this “stupid.”
Unfortunately this is not a unique case. On February 13, the Senate confirmed William Kayatta for the First Circuit from Maine. His nomination languished for 300 days, yet he was easily confirmed with 88 Senators supporting him. And next up is Richard Taranto for the Federal Circuit, whose nomination has been pending for 333 days.
To put this obstruction in some perspective, the average wait time for President George W. Bush’s federal appellate judicial nominees, from Committee vote to confirmation, at this point in his presidency was 35 days. By contrast, the average wait time for President Obama’s federal appellate judicial nominees has been 147 days… [more in the article]
Ooops — better link to the article here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/02/25/senate-confirms-robert-bacharach-united-states-court-appeals
yo