White House live * CNN * CBS
****
Likely to be late, welcoming ceremony only happening now: CNN
****
****
All Israel, West Bank, Jordan posts here
****
President Obama leaving Israel – the daughters of the US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, get a special hug (Thanks to BWD for the link)
Hello
Congrats ut on #1
Hellooooooooooooooooooooo UT!
1st ?
You’ve snagged the Silver Medal – congrats!
Thank you, Chips!
Ha ha – I just tweeted the whitehouse.gov link to Alex Witt, in case msnbc doesn’t know there’s a presidential trip goin’ on. Every now and then, they do a one-liner on it … it would be so nice if they aired the press conference, but their goal isn’t to be nice or do their jobs or anything, there’s that, so we’ll see.
They showed it for 30 seconds – and now – blurrrrrrrrrrrr
I got to see the camels. Maybe I should send them a thank-you card.
That’s about what I saw – I did see the band before the camels – and then Joe Lieberman!!!
What planet are they on
The Joe Lieberman planet, apparently. Where all the has-been people are.
This. She’s the reason why dumb blonde jokes were invented. She’s there to look pretty and read a teleprompter. It’s so disheartening. I tried watching her weekend show but found out Cartoon Network provides more mental stimulation and makes more sense.
I’ll have to check my guide for Cartoon Network. Alex is now interviewing Joe Lieberman about the presidential trip, but my TV is now trained to hit mute all by itself, so he’s just sayin’ yada yada yada, as far as I can hear.
I will never understand why they interview someone about the event – rather than show the event.
Just like football in my world – and tennis – and golf – old f…ts talking about the game – and not letting anyone watch.
Who decided the media should be this stupid?
I think it was a self-imposed stupidity when they learned the term “no dead air.” I’d rather have silence, than their voices telling us how to spell cat, and how to spell dog.
Although I was able to use the cat and dog thingie in a sentence on Twitter:
Like I’ve said so often – TOD has amazing tweeters – perfect is this – nothing like media tarts talking about pop-tarts
*nothing like media tarts talking about pop-tarts*
Laugh of me night!
You can see how late I am this day – it’s almost lunch time in my world & I’m not long from the land of nod – but my gosh – in any part of the world they truly are media tarts – all about self. Chuck Todd leads the pack.
From what I heard from Alex Witt and former Senator Lieberman, they said good things about the President’s speech and trip.I admit I have not been listening to Witt all morning.
I knew they’d say good things, because old Joe wants to come back from the political grave and take credit. Like his old buddy McCain. I’m not listening, either, just keeping the picture alive in case – God forbid – they show President Obama in Jordan on the big screen.
Only time I ever thought Lieberman was useful was the evening he stopped Sarah Palin getting a photo op with PBO – who was no way interested. Think it was a Governor’s dinner? before she gave up governing for being a media tart.
Yes, she’s the biggest media tart of ‘em all!
“Cartoon Network provides more mental stimulation” Love it.
GM Chipsticks,TOD. Congrats UT, you did us all a favor b/c its looks like AMK was lurking….
I’m an unabashed non-lurker. Ask anyone.
Ok, so I’m an idiot. Can someone explain the connection between bagpipes and the Jordan military reception?
“Gotcha! That’ll teach you to wake me out of my slumber.” – Pontecana Phil
Is Pontecana Phil the Chicago version of the dastardly Punxsutawney Phil, for whom I now have issued a BOLO?
Heck, I thought I was referring to Punxsutawney Phil! Now you can see how addled the cold has gotten me. Darn that rodent!
It’s okay. I’m sitting on my cold hands in River City, Midwest, with the heat on and the sun shining in, so I know how ya feel.
I dont know if this was posted already…..but a great video of the reaction of Israeli’s to PBO’s speech.
oh, mittbot’ ME trip was ‘memorable’ alright.
Well – Mitt sure found out that those who live in Israel don’t have the required photo id to vote in the US – the media thought they could vote anyways
Okay, I need to go back to bed — typed this long-azz comment on the other thread around 11:15 and forgot to hit “post” until a few minutes ago. Of course, you guys had run off and left me! LOL fr last thread…
“Good morning TOD Fam. PBO’s trip is going to kill me. Was up all night so that I could watch wreath laying and museum. Dozed off while PBO & Bibi ate lunch, so I missed Bethlehem; will search for video. I used to do this stuff, boots on the ground with our congresscritters — was never this tired; then I realize that that was 30 years ago!!!! Seems like yesterday…
I am looking for video of the remarks after PBO signed the book at Yad Vashem. The Director of Yad Vashem prsented PBO with a remembrance folder containing a copy of a song composed by a cantor killed in one of the death camps. Apparently, a women from Michigan found it among a relative’s papers and she donated it to Yad Vashem. The gift to PBO contained copies of the letter, the lyrics, and the cantors picture and bio. Unfortunately, I was watching on my laptop and the sound kept cutting out.”
Nothing like using camels in a welcoming ceremony! Love it, Jordan!
That was one heck of a fantastic welcome ceremony. Music, red carpet, soldiers, tanks, camels. Niiiiiiiiice.
Seriously!
Good Morning, Everyone
They were groovy bagpipes!!!
Yes, but confusingly groovy bagpipes. Is there a Scottish-Jordanian connection that we’re unaware of??
I wondered that myself AJ!! Very odd!
When I was a child, Rufus Harley (family friend; African American professional bagpipe musician) told me that bagpipes originated in Africa — I accepted that as fact.
Here is wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagpipes
Possible ancient origins
The evidence for Roman and pre-Roman era bagpipes is still uncertain but several textual and visual clues have been suggested. The Oxford History of Music says that a sculpture of bagpipes has been found on a Hittite slab at Eyuk in the Middle East, dated to 1000 BC. In the 2nd century AD, Suetonius described the Roman Emperor Nero as a player of the tibia utricularis.[1] Dio Chrysostom, who also flourished in the 1st century, wrote about a contemporary sovereign (possibly Nero) who could play a pipe (tibia, Roman reedpipes, similar to Greek aulos) with his mouth as well as with his “armpit”.[2]
Teach, Teacher!
I was aware of that, also Alycee.
It would amaze a lot of people what originated in Africa. My nephew made me watch “Hidden Colors” after a family wedding. He is only 25.
Strongly supports and works very hard in the community for PBO. Adores FLOTUS to death…..I introduced him to TOD ville. He lurks often.
Thanks for that info, Alycee.
You’re welcome. Prompted me to take a look
Oooo Al. You went way back. I had all but forgotten about Rufus.
Beautiful – the man, and the gesture.
A letter from former PA Gov. Ed Rendell:
Right now, Republicans in our state are trying to diminish Pennsylvania’s importance in future presidential elections — meaning that the issues that are important to you and me will get less attention at the national level. They know they can’t win our state on the issues, so they’re resorting to underhanded tactics and undermining the influence of our voters.
Their plan would change the way Pennsylvania allocates its Electoral College votes — splitting our votes between the winner and the loser, rather than the traditional winner-take-all approach we’ve used for centuries. It would end our historical role as a critical electoral state, and create a detour around Pennsylvania on the road to the White House.
In short, it’s a bad idea that will hurt every Pennsylvanian, Democrat and Republican alike. And it’s up to us to do everything we can to stop it.
Call Governor Tom Corbett’s office right now at (717) 787-2500 and politely let him know you oppose this plan because it’s neither fair nor the right thing for Pennsylvania. Here’s a sample script you can use:
My name is (YOUR NAME) and I live in (CITY). I am calling today because I am opposed to changing the way Pennsylvania allocates its Electoral College votes. This plan will diminish Pennsylvania’s importance in future elections and its historical role as a key swing state where candidates spend time and money focusing on issues that are important to Pennsylvanians. I urge you to publicly oppose Senate Bill 538.
Look, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why Republicans are trying to pull this trick in Pennsylvania: They haven’t carried our state in a presidential election since 1988. They haven’t been able to beat us, so now they’re trying to rig the game.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Pennsylvania Republicans try to rig the election in their favor. In 2012, they tried to change the rules by passing burdensome voter ID laws that would have had the effect of disenfranchising thousands of Pennsylvanians. We fought those laws in the courts, and won.
Now let’s join together again and make sure this latest scheme doesn’t fly.
Call Governor Corbett at (717) 787-2500, and tell him to stop this bill. Then, click below to report your call:
Let’s do this,
Ed
Governor Ed Rendell
P.S. — I can tell you from my experience as Governor: these calls make a difference.
Done, spoke with Audrey, she initially gave a perfunctory listen; asked in a sort of snide voice if I had called my sen & rep; when I said I call Ted Erickson & Bill Adolph’s offices regularly, she perked up. Had the nerve to say “you know their names?” DUH…
While I had her on the phone, I also expressed my displeasure in Corbett trying to privatize the state stores. Move that is penny-wise and pound foolish.
Past my bedtime – I’ll have to check in the morning for the press conference – and the birthday cake
nite all
HAHAHA! BWD now has Chuckie Toddler on the defensive…. it’s about time he answers for his garbage reporting – the criticisms must be really getting to him.
I see he’s still trying to justify his miserable existence.
[Reposting from previous thread, you're too fast for me! OT, but this had me LOL, especially the 2nd paragraph! Counting chickens ... ]:
It’s one of the great untold stories of the 2012 presidential campaign, a tale of ego and intrigue that nearly upended the Republican primary contest and might even have produced a different nominee: As Mitt Romney struggled in the weeks leading up to the Michigan primary, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum nearly agreed to form a joint “Unity Ticket” to consolidate conservative support and topple Romney. “We were close,” former Representative Bob Walker, a Gingrich ally, says. “Everybody thought there was an opportunity.” “It would have sent shock waves through the establishment and the Romney campaign,” says John Brabender, Santorum’s chief strategist.
But the negotiations collapsed in acrimony because Gingrich and Santorum could not agree on who would get to be president. “In the end,” Gingrich says, “it was just too hard to negotiate.” [.....]
.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-22/the-secret-gingrich-santorum-unity-ticket-that-nearly-toppled-romney#r=hp-lst
They need not have wasted their energy. It was never going to happen that either of them would be president. They completely underestimated the sane Americans and the President, himself.
Indeed, Theo! That’s why I had the best cackle so far today. Talk about delusional! Bottom of the pile were going to gets votes for their stink & become Prez! Uh-huh! Jeebus! I feel another cackle rising up!
Proud of Obama has Chuckie on the defensive. Good they’re calling him out and he’s concerned enough to respond. It’s having an impact.
Go on & keep at him! Sounds like his nerves are rattled, jumping & crawling all over his skin!
WooHoo – reading that is better than getting first on the thread – and I manage that – on average twice each year
[Hmmm. Well now!]:
Contrary to reports he was trying to push her aside, ABC News has learned that Bill Clinton encouraged Ashely Judd to enter the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky “and promised he would help her, according to several Kentucky political sources. That conversation happened sometime between the November election and President Obama’s second inauguration.”
.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/03/22/clinton_encouraged_judd_to_run.html
Typical Clinton tri-angulating probably realizes that alienating staunch Obama supporter Ashley judd could have costly consequences.
Howard Fineman’s sources are not helping him.
The same “sources” he used to disparage PBO during the election.
Tell him Real Men don’t wear Brown Suits.
Actually, real men can get away with brown suits, but I loved that!
Almost wish I twittered – Chuck Todd thinks it’s “appropriate” to insinuate that the “efforts” of the President in his first term FAILED. That the media and the GOP FAILED in their attempt to make the President a failure – is the big story.
As for the nonsense of asking questions related to internal US happenings while the President is overseas – they did it in my country – not ONE question about US/Australia relationships – why your military was having a new base here – nothing – just carrying on with the GOP water carrying. I wish PBO would NEVER let Todd ask another question.
gavin hewitt of bbc
Whatever the outcome, the legacy will be one of bitterness. I have seen anti-German posters and heard anti-German rhetoric in Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal. But never has it been so open as in Cyprus.
Even if the Germans are right – and the Cypriot banking sector needs cutting in half – they are perceived as bullying outsiders.
This crisis has revealed yet again the faultline at the heart of the euro. Economic and monetary union has yoked together very different economies and cultures.
The stress of trying to blend them together is putting the European project under severe strain. Some economies are in a depression and the political fallout from this still lies ahead.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21893911
Perfect – much better than I could say – but exactly the sentiment
OOOOHHHHHH, you found it!! ROCK STAR CHIPS.
You are the best!
Sad to say, but NBC has not done itself proud on this trip. Sending a C class reporter with the President, not having BriWi anchor from Jerusalem shows their priorities are not straight. Did ABC or CBS do a better job? I didn’t watch any network coverage, but I trust the comments here. These networks need to hear from us, and I know they have from many of us. Our local NBC affiliate did a much better job than national.
I don’t get it. They wring their hands in public about when will the President visit as President, then when he visits they don’t really cover it.
ABC covered it, but tended toward the snarky, sarcastic, searching out the negative, which were few—-like the Beast breakdown, and some tree planting problem—–and ignoring or glossing over the positive. It was almost as if the reporter was under orders to not record President Obama and his visit in a good light. I’m disgusted with the whole lot of them—–and their seeming contest of who can be the nastiest.
Bob Shrum: Memo to GOP: You Can’t Put Lipstick on an Elephant
[.....] And so far, what’s plainly and decidedly dead, for all the Beltway blather about it, is the Republican makeover. [.....]
.
Whole article here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/22/memo-to-gop-you-can-t-put-lipstick-on-an-elephant.html
Former State Department spokesman:
I guess I’m a political junkie, too, since I understood that, and have only had one cup of coffee. Ha! Love David Axelrod!
While we’re waiting—an OT tidbit. A high school in my area is all excited today because they are getting a visit and concert by Rihanna. She sponsored some video contest for schools to highlight their community service using her song Like a Diamond, and they won. It’s worth checking the vid they made——they have raised millions of dollars for charities, have contributed thousands and thousands of hours to community service—-it’s a great testament to what even high school kids can accomplish and good training for future good citizens.
http://www.nwherald.com/2013/03/22/video-thrills-the-radio-star-rihanna-visits-barrington-today/ai7ur1p/
[Couple of pics at link I hadn't seen. Was Bibi stuck to PBO's side the entire time? LOL!]
[.....] Obama said goodbye to senior officials, shaking hands with Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Oren, hugging US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro and even taking the time to stand for a family picture with the Shapiros.
“Say Cheese,” the president said as press snapped the last photos of the US presidents in Israel before his next stop – Jordan.
Before taking of, the US President climbed the stares of Air Force 1, turned around and flashed one last smile at Israel. [.....]
.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4359966,00.html
“Was Bibi stuck to PBO’s side the entire time?” Yeah, he was — LOL.
While the Director of Yad Vashem was presenting a gift to PBO, Bibi maneuvered himself dead center behind the gift to make it appear that he was part of the presentation.
A couple stunning photos from Israel trip, ignore & scroll past one of them:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/449188/20130322/obama-israel-rabin-pics.htm
The raprochemont between Turkey and Israel underscores the lie that this trip was all charm and no policy.
Huge development. turkey and israel talking again and the 9 victims of Israeli assault will be compensated. Yay!
You covered that better than the US media will, for sure. Well said!
Thank you, job
I emailed all three networks telling them “I trusted” that they would cover this apology tonight giving credit to our President for brokering this, after THREE years’ work, as I had just heard the BBC do. I suggested to all three that they could copy the BBC in their fair and complete coverage.
I went to the CBS page and they have some excellent pictures of the President’s trip.
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Friday rejected an effort by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to repeal Obamacare, an outcome that was expected but is far from the last attempt by Republicans to dismantle President Barack Obama’s signature accomplishment.
Cruz’s amendment to the Democratic budget resolution failed 45 to 54. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) voted “no” with the Democrats.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) noted that Friday’s vote is the 36th time that Senate Republicans have tried — and failed — to repeal Obamacare. But this time, he said, the Cruz amendment would also strip out money for Pell Grants, historically black colleges and $2 billion for community colleges.
How much has this 36-times failed effort from the “fiscal conservatives” cost taxpayers? What could have been achieved or funded instead of dong this crap?
I cannot find anything on the daily costs to run Congress.
Thanks for looking, Linda. I know someone put out an estimated cost when they were still in the 20th tries to repeal the law. By now, surely, it’s even higher. And when one thinks that they never lifted a finger to help this country find its way out of the recession they caused, but they can do these stunts 36 times – it’s criminal!
LOL! We have Chuck Todd on the ropes on twitter. First he tried to hijack the hashtag, now he’s playing the victim. It’s hilarious.
Fun and funny to follow those tweets. Chuckles must really be feeling it to respond so immediately to people he doesn’t even know. He is really defensive. My dream is that the head of NBC calls him in and says “Chuck, you embarrassed us this week in Israel and Jordan. You will no longer be political chief. We think you’d do well in Buffalo. See ya.”
Indeed. I posted some of your tweets upthread. He deserves every criticism he gets. He (and his corporate masters at NBC) will think twice the next time he tries to pull this BS. He’s getting a 7-figure salary and must be held accountable for his GOP shilling. When BWD confronted him with NBC’s role in the birth certificate issue, he was unable to refute it.
I am late reading all this – but furious with that question – under what logic did PBO “fail” in his first term in relation to peace in the middle east. Did he start a couple more wars that will last 10 years? Did he allow Israel to goad him into a war with Iran?
In my book it was a very successful 4 years of bringing some truth into the discussions. Todd needs to put his head under the tap and check if there is anything between his ears.
He’s pathetic. Isn’t he supposed to be working and reporting on the President’s visit? Why is he there? He could stroke his ego on US soil. No need to travel with the President to try and make news about himself.
It is time MSM was held accountable for how they treat our POTUS.
I agree. We should never allow them to bully our President & spread false propaganda under the guise of reporting. This ultimately hurts the country and the international community because it keeps people uninformed, disillusioned and apathetic. Swift and prompt pushback at all times is necessary.
The MSM is Clint Eastwood yelling at an empty chair. Their PBO is entirely imaginary. This has been noted by tons of folks but if there is a solution to this maddening dilemma it has eluded me.
They are paid to address the Imaginary President to whom they attribute dubious motives and suspect behavior. Apparently waking up and reporting on our Actual President is outside their job descriptions.
So, it is up to us.
And quite the good job we are doing here, TOD. Pats on our backs all around.
I don’t tweet, but Chuck needs to be reminded that for the first three years of his first term, President Obama was rescuing us economically from GWB’s disaster, and also, it took SOS Clinton and President Obama four years to rebuild diplomacy so this trip could take place. These people live in a world of 24 hour news cycles, and never look to the big picture. Chuck made NBC a world laughingstock, whether he admits it or not. Has upchuck said anything about Bibi’s apology to the Turkish PM? BBC right is now reporting on that and giving President Obama all the credit!!!
Chuckie Toad knows fully well what transpired during the first term, but his question was not designed to elicit information in an honest manner – he was out to embarrass the President, but it backfired.
Kinda confirms why PBO got the Nobel Peace Prize. He dares to go where no one else does or translated he will speak to truth (speech content to college students) not just political jargon.
ty grandmama – how real is your comment
[My POTUS is amazing! OK, I'll share: Out POTUS is amazing!
]:
In a dramatic reconciliation demanded and brokered by President Barack Obama shortly before he left Israel on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone and agreed to end three years of frozen relations.
In the call, Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish people “for any errors that could have led to loss of life” in the May 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, “and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation,” his office later said in a statement. Erdogan reportedly said he accepted the Israeli apology. [.....]
.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/obama-applauds-call-between-israeli-turkish-prime-ministers/
Had to LOL at this!
That is funny. At the University of Maryland and at West Virginia University fans burn furniture in the streets after big upsets.
Is that Peggy Noonan, second from the right ?
Probably not, she would be drunk.
PBO Live stream: http://edition.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=4
Another day with tears in my eyes, seeing our humble President in Jordan, being respected and honored.
These heads of state must be sighing to themselves and wishing they had a local son who inspired like PBO.
More photos of Israel trip:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/obama-in-israel-photos-365701.html
Little children on hand to welcome President Obama!!!!!!
So the other shoe has dropped on the media. There are reports that the Daily Caller & that idiot Tucker Carlson are the ones who paid prostitutes from the Dominican Republic to say they had sex with Sen. Menendez.
A new low, even for that wretched outfit. That should be the end of Daily Caller—–but it probably won’t matter to the haters who congregate there.
I do hope it turns out to be true but everyone in this story seems to be pretty shady.
All of this seems like a big mess. Wonder if we’ll ever learn the truth?
The need to have their asses handed to them via a magnificent lawsuit. Seriously, thought, can they just get away w/ that shit?
The Tucker Carlson…the website is funded by the Billionaire that was sponsoring Rick Santorum’s Super PAC. Today, Tucker Carlson is also any employee of Fox. He has been from what I have read at the Mediabistro.com as their latest fill-in for their male guy Fox & Friends on Weekends.
Tucker Carlson is an insecure little tall man.
Chris Christie Answers Kindergartener’s Question: Was Michelle Obama ‘Enchanting’? (check the video in article at ~ 6:27)
// Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) went to Stone Harbor Elementary School in New Jersey on Wednesday, where he fielded questions from kindergarteners. Christie visited the newly re-opened elementary school after it was closed in October due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. A young girl sitting on a rug with her classmates asked the governor about First Lady Michelle Obama. “Was the president’s wife enchanting?” she asked. “Yes, actually she was,” Christie responded to the class. “She went to the same college that my son goes to,” he added.
The first lady and Christie sat next to each other at the Governor’s Ball at the White House in February. Christie told the kids about how he arrived at the school in a helicopter, how big his house is and how many times he has met President Barack Obama. //
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/22/chris-christie-school-questions_n_2931978.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
I think Christie will use any tie-in he can to the likeability of the Obama’s and still call himself a Pub to keep that high rating with Dems. He released this cuter than puppies PR video with one thing in mind, staying in the good graces of Dems. In the meantime, he’s doing his usual Pub thing, while taking cover under CPAC’s rejection and the Obama family. I hope folks aren’t falling for that stuff. It amazes me that Dems are so supporting of this guy.
I totally agree with you, Cookemom. The fact that he keeps peppering the Obama’s into his remarks – he’s an opportunist. Shame on any Dems giving credibility to the same guy who was making fun of the President’s leadership abilities only two weeks before the storm, and then came crying to the same President to solve the crisis in his state when it happened. Christie’s a bully, and his record speaks for itself.
Yes, he’s clearly trying to get the NJ Dems vote as he runs for a 2nd term as gov. We will remind him of that when he tries to run for Pres in 2016 and tries to pander to his teabag base. We don’t forget. This video will be going viral.
Remember his first run? His ads had Obama voiceovers.
“A young girl sitting on a rug with her classmates asked the governor about First Lady Michelle Obama. “Was the president’s wife enchanting?” she asked. ”
You guys missed a key point — This little girl is being raised in a household where FLOTUS is discussed is positive, glowing terms…
You are right Alycee. In fact earlier in the video – well before the girl asked that question, when Christie was talking about POTUS, you could hear audible ooh’s and aah’s of delight from the kids when he mentioned that he had met FLOTUS
Must be a “blue” part of town
Although I’m sure even Repub kids would love our FLOTUS if they are allowed to meet her independently!
Your right about Repub kids. A couple of years ago I was grocery shopping in the ruby red town next door; all of a sudden this little kid (about 2 yrs old) starts jumping up and down in the cart seat, screaming over and over at the top of his lungs “BARACK OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA…”; everyone, including me starts looking around when his mom taps me on the arm and says “he’s pointing at your shirt.” Kid’s grandmother (stick up her butt rethug) looked mortified…
I was thinking that – all the children’s questions seem to have related to PBO and FLOTUS
Well—poo—-I have to leave. I expect y’all will have a full report here for me on the press conf. when I return.
Okay, it’s noon in my world, and my eye’s already twitching from following the lack of coverage by the MSM, so I’m just going to keep the Jordan live stream open but otherwise close out my other temptations (TOD, Twitter), and calm myself down for a couple of hours!
One almost needs rehab or something being around the Chuck Todds of the world, for too long. #HereIComeYouTubeMusicIsTheOnlyAnswer
Interesting & heartwarming report from BWD regarding family/friends in Israel…
Stop me! More photos, about 76, some you’ve seen. #43 is just lovely — PBO & PSP walking in the garden & the sunlight just came through the trees & spotlighted them:
http://photos.denverpost.com/2013/03/20/photos-president-barack-obama-visits-israel/#53
Fantastic – thanks Gazelle. Beautiful pics.
You’re welcome, HF. It was a feast for mine eyes! At least this feast doesn’t add to north-south posterior bits & pieces!
Every part of the world wants their own Obama. I say let’s clone that kenyan muslin and ship him everywhere.
Kenyan muslim socialist. Let’s get it right now.
10 minute warning for presser with PBO.
I don’t see Chucky and do not recognize any of the reporters……I hope ours got left behind
Thanks for posting this ut – was just about to do the same
Barack Obama, Shimon Peres and Benjamin Netanyahu raised their glasses and shared a few laughs at the official state dinner in Jerusalem on March 21, 2013. As part of the festivities, Rita, an Israeli-American pop singer performed for the heads of state, even blowing a kiss to Obama.
Rita Hayan-Feruz Kleinstein was born in Iran, and moved to Israel when she was eight years old. Since then, she has been a successful actress and singer, receiving accolades for her work since the eighties. As of late, she has become a cultural ambassador, especially with her new album “My Joys,” which is a mix of Iranian and Israeli standards.
.
http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2013/03/4830/israeli-iranian-pop-star-rita-performs-for-obama/#more-4830
This man blows my mind.
THIS!!! His brilliance is awesome.
Figured about time for another #GOPspeak tweet
[Unbelievable!]:
For the first time in weeks, Congress moved to take bipartisan action. But this wasn’t a move to satisfy Washington’s desire for a “grand bargain. Rather, it was an effort in the opposite direction. By a 79 to 20 vote, the Senate passed an amendment to the GOP budget that would repeal the tax on medical devices — a key part of President Obama’s health care law. It’s a symbolic move — there’s no chance the GOP budget will pass the Democratic-controlled Senate — but it says a lot about the actual priorities of our lawmakers, and in particular, the deficit hawks.
The excise tax was enacted to help pay for the expansion of health care coverage under Obamacare. In fact, it’s one of several taxes imposed on various elements of the health care industry. The rationale, beyond raising revenue, is straightforward. By rooting health care reform within the private sector, the Affordable Care Act is something of a huge subsidy to hospitals, health insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, and device manufacturers.
In expanding health coverage to 27 million more Americans, Obamacare will generate new demand for medical services, and increase revenue for most stakeholders, including device manufacturers. The excise tax is meant to capture some of that value, and direct it to new services. Over the next ten years, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the excise tax will raise $29 billion. If Congress hews to pay-as-you-go procedures, repealing the tax will require lawmakers to increase other taxes or reduce benefits for recipients. If it doesn’t, then repealing the tax will increase the deficit.
.
More here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/03/22/phony-deficit-hawks/
I think I saw that Amy (?) Klobuchar supported this.
King Abdullah is very impressive.
Yes he is. Today he and the President showed what two world class leaders are. He is a friend to us.
I am jealous of our President…….he gets to visit Petra tomorrow! That is one of the top places on my bucket list!
Yup. He is very eloquent.
The PC at Jordan is very interesting and polite. Both PBO and King Abdullah are being very effective in conveying the message.
So far, for PBO’s entire trip, Mark Knoller has tweeted only FIVE tweets, none of which detail our President’s speech yesterday or his receipt of Medal of Distinction.
He still has a sad over Israelis loving PBO. Well that and The President won’t be golfing on this trip.
Good observation HF. We all know that Mark Knoller (aka Count von Count) just loves to count things relating to President Obama. So it is curious that we did not see any tweets about (for example) the number of standing ovations President Obama got during his speech. I just can’t imagine why he ignored that phenomenon.
And of course, here comes an american msm moron raising the iran is developing nukular weapons boogies.
And PBO smacks him down with ‘I won’t answer hypotheticals’ and I will continue to use soft powers instead of sabre rattling as the punk reporter wants. Who was this dumb bastid ?
Wasn’t it Jon Karl of ABC?
Wasn’t it PBO who first started that whole “Google + Hangout” forum?
Now the MSM is copying. CBS had one after the SOTU address in Feb.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
President Obama will designate five national monuments Monday including one commemorating Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in Maryland, according to several environmental groups.
The other four are the First State National Monument in Delaware and Pennsylvania; New Mexico’s Rio Grande del Norte National Monument; San Juan Islands National Monument in Washington state; and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio.
http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/03/21/obama-to-declare-five-national-monuments-monday-sources-say/
[Awwww, I'm sad. RIP Chinua Achebe. Apart from his genius, he was also a lovely man.]
Chinua Achebe, African Literary Titan, Dies at 82
Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian writer who was one of Africa’s most widely read novelists and one of the continent’s towering men of letters, died on Thursday in Boston. He was 82.
His death was confirmed by Brown University, where he had been on the faculty since 2009.
[.....] Mr. Achebe burst onto the world literary scene with the publication in 1958 of his first novel, “Things Fall Apart,” which has sold more than 10 million copies and been translated into 45 different languages.
.
Lots more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/world/africa/chinua-achebe-nigerian-writer-dies-at-82.html?_r=0
Another lesson in compassion empathy and common sense defeating Jon Karl crap talking points.
The first USA reporter Julie Pace, I think it was asked real questions. Who let her in?
Chat away!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/03/22/chat-away-131/