President Obama hugs a first responder after touring the mud slide damage in Oso, Washington
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President Obama hugs Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., as he arrives at Paine Field Airport. Also greeting the president from left, Major General Bret Daugherty, The Adjutant General, Washington, Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Jon Lovick, Snohomish County Executive, Ray Stephanson, Mayor of Everett, and Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington
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Marine One, carrying President Obama, takes an aerial tour of Oso
Casey Larsen waits for President Obama’s motorcade to arrive during his visit to Oso, Washington pic.twitter.com/VFR4UzPzos
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 23, 2025
Debbie Larsen tapes a sign to her family’s 1966 Ford AC Cobra to welcome President Obama during his visit to Oso pic.twitter.com/ifrjZQvmdO
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 23, 2025
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Schoolchildren watch President Obama’s motorcade travel past their bus on Washington Highway 530 near Oso
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TY 1st responders! RT @TheObamaDiary: President Obama hugs a first responder after touring the OSO mud slide damage pic.twitter.com/TI67EVwkWC
— Air National Guard (@AirNatlGuard) April 23, 2025
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President Obama speaks to first responders after touring the mudslide damage in Oso
White House.gov
He is such a generous, kind person, our President!!
Hiya Bob!
He sure is Bob!
Congrats on First fella :-)
Thank you Chips and Gail for the greetings!!
How appropriate that a WA state resident snagged first on this post. Congratulations, Bobfr!
:)
Thank you Judith!!
bbl … time to prepare some dinner ….
Hi Bobfr!
Good evening oh ‘quiet one’ :)
Working hard to live up to my name this week. :) :)
I have no idea how *you* keep all your irons in the fire warm!
Maximal leverage of modern technology :)
Rules me out right there! Sigh. :)
Good thing you are a part of this community - leverage away, ‘old boy’ and I’ll try to follow along where possible. ;)
Will do so :D
“Quiet one”??? 8O
From bottom of previous thread - the video is very important so I wanted to be sure everyone who visits TOD tonight and early tomorrow see it ….
“In a web chat hosted by the Atlantic Council today, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), claimed that there are as many as 100 Russian military intelligence or special forces officers operating in Ukraine at the moment.
Nalyvaichenko said that separatist actions in Slavyansk were being lead by a group of 30 GRU officers, lead by Colonel Igor Stelkov, who the SBU claimed to have identified via phone recordings on April 14. Nalyvaichenko said today that the SBU is has arrested and is interrogating three GRU officers, currently being held in Kiev.
Nalyvaichenko also mentioned that he was satisfied with the “intensive” and “well organised” intelligence cooperation with the United States. Other topics of discussion include the relationship between economic hardship and propaganda in the eastern regions, the difficulties Ukraine has had in responding to the Russian threat, and Ukraine’s hopes for help from international monitoring missions.”
As each day passes, I’m ever more impressed with those Ukrainians whom have risen to daunting challenge of preserving and expanding their democracy. Just amazing how insightful, empathetic, strategic and pragmatic they are.
#TrustBarack
Urge all of you to read the full text of “Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv – 22 April 2014″
Here’s just a sample …
“Since the official start of the “anti-terrorist operation” on April 14, the Turchynov/Yatseniuk government has faced extensive criticism for its apparent inaction in the face of armed bandits/separatists/hoodlums occupying government buildings in the eastern oblasts. Although much of this criticism may be warranted, personally, I have some sympathy for Ukraine’s post-revolutionary leaders. According to the values of the Maidan, and of the new Ukraine more generally, human life is an absolute. Active resistance to Russian aggression by government forces will inevitably involve loss of life – more specifically, dead and wounded Ukrainian citizens. One can argue that these citizens are misinformed and/or duped by Russian subversives, but nevertheless, they are human beings, and they are citizens of this country. Having witnessed the violence of the Maidan, if I were asked to order their shootings, I’m not sure I would be able to. One can argue that if a person chooses to pursue a country’s highest political office, that person should be prepared to potentially take responsibility for loss of life. But could an equally valid argument not be made that the differentia of Ukraine (and its strength in the face of aggression) is its refusal to resort to violence?”
… and it resonates coherently with exactly what Valentyn Nalyvaichenko stated in the video, above.
He also notes …
“One shouldn’t blame international journalists for their superficial reporting, but given what is at stake (i.e. world peace), a more nuanced understanding of both realities on the ground, and more specifically of the disconnect between international diplomacy and local events, should become (in my opinion) a question of professional ethics for media professionals.”
Obviously, he’s as unimpressed with #NEWSTAINERS as we are.
Link to the full text: http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/04/23/mychailo-wynnyckyj-thoughts-from-kyiv-22-april-2014/
Be prepared, if you read all of it, to feel really uncomfortable. 9 May, is not long away.
#TrustBarack
Bob, I can only imagine the rage the Ukrainians feel about these Russian provocateurs. I wonder if Putin expected that his terrorist operatives would be found out like this.
Hi Jackie, I think Tzar Vlad has severely underestimated Ukrainians.
Also, Jackie, I think Putin underestimated the power of The Internet.
His ridiculous stunt, today, regarding Facebook and threats to take over Skype access in Russia are further indications that he has no idea how this will only show the rest of the world that he’s trying to out North Korea, North Korea.
And, his biggest and most immediate downside is going to be how many folk living in the Russian Federation are going to be really PO’d.
Bob, for someone with his massive ego, Putin actually appears to be flailing. He doesn’t seem to realize that the Geneva agreement gave him a chance to save massive face and eventually restore his place in the world and get the Russian economy back on track. Now he’s shown the world that he can’t be trusted, his word is worthless and he’s a cruel (and not terribly smart) tyrant. Seems to me he’s falling deeper and deeper in a hole and there must be a lot of his supporters in Russia who are wondering if they want to sink into that hole with him.
“Now he’s shown the world that he can’t be trusted, his word is worthless and he’s a cruel (and not terribly smart) tyrant.”
And, the world has recognized it and President Obama is acting accordingly - note US Army deployments to the Balkans as a for instance.
Tzar Vlad is in way over his head - a common fate of megalomaniacs. The open issue is how many people will die before he’s received adequate therapy to ablate his disease.
Sorry to interrupt, but if today is your birthday, I wanted to say Happy Birthday! :)
Evening family:) Oh look! Expanding Medicaid is even BETTER than first thought!!
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=4131
CBO Finds Health Reform’s Medicaid Expansion Is an Even Better Deal for States
CBO now estimates that the federal government will, on average, pick up more than 95 percent of the total cost of the Medicaid expansion and other health reform-related costs in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) over the next ten years (2015-2024).
States will spend only 1.6 percent more on Medicaid and CHIP due to health reform than they would have spent without health reform (see Figure 1). That’s about one-third less than CBO projected in February.[2] And the 1.6 percent figure is before counting the state savings that the Medicaid expansion will produce in state expenditures for services such as mental health and substance abuse treatment provided to the uninsured.
Any Dem running in any RWNJ state should beat their opponents over the head with this until all they have left is a bloody stump. I’m serious as heart attack.
And in spite of this good news, our STUPID governor and lege refuse to expand Medicaid, and do we need it! The stupid and mean really hurt.
On a lighter note…..our PBO has on what I call his ‘disaster” shoes…..the ones he always wears to walk through rubble from storms, floods, explosions….etc.
In my life, I have never seen people reach out to a President like they do this one. Grown men are not embarrassed to seek consolation and comfort from him…..amazing. He must have deep wells inside him to keep giving, and giving, and giving.
Yes, well…the extra special stupid in OUR legislature weren’t quite done being Koch/ALEC whores….the ONE THING Jan Brewer did right in her time as gov…ONE THING, and expanding Medicaid was it…well, all the little shit for brains that didn’t like that she did this, took her to court and now the court will hear this. I have no idea if it will go anywhere, but the fact that it will cost taxpayer $$$ to do this and all the rest of the dog and pony show that goes along with this….I could literally pull my hair out. I’m so over stupid, nasty, selfish, vindictive people.Over them.
PLEASE TAKE THAT VIDEO OFF YOUR WEBSITE HE’S NOT AN OBAMA FAN!!!!!!!!!! FOR SOMEONE TO WISH SOMETHING WOULD BLOW UP WITH THE PRESIDENT IN IT HE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. WHY WAS THIS VIDEO POSTED???????
What video is LISA talking about in all caps?
Woah, relax Lisa. My mistake - I didn’t listen to the video, just thought it was coverage of PBO’s arrival in Washington today.
Next time just let me know, less of the hysterics, okay?
I’m sorry but when I started listening I was taken aback. That guy said some sick things. Again Sorry for the way I posted my comments. Thanks for all you do.
Lots of us have done what you just did…I know I have had MY hair on fire for something I posted here more than once and just wanted Chips to see it in the maze of all these comments:) So I screamed…like you did, to get her attention. It’s just a little jarring, but I’m sure that Chips understands:) If she doesn’t, ask for the Dannysticks…he might cut you some slack:)
Thank you Lisa for coming back and apologizing. Chips has provided a wonderful haven here and is due much respect.
Lisa gurl you need to check yourself
Wow. Thanks for the heads up Lisa.
Glad I missed it though - Between the affirmative action ruling and seeing people justify iot on Twitter & then reading some guy using a Black man’s avatar to talk crap about Black people - I don’t think my nerves can take any more nonsense today
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-birth-control-mandate-obamacare-support-20140422,0,2520891.story
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say health plans should cover birth control
LOVE the posters in this story…check them out :) And DUH!
(probably a repeat here) AG Holder re expanding clemency criteria
Heads up, everyone! You HAVE TO DO THIS!! http://1.USA.gov/PfjXln I just found it, but hurry - NASA is sponsoring a #GlobalSelfie Day for Earth Day and Climate Change… TOD must have good representation.. I have already posted my Selfie from the rooftop (where I did not see AF1, btw) Now - GO!!
http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/globalselfie/
Hi Chips, in the third photo you may also want to add that the person President Obama is hugging is Senator Murray :)
Hi Bob, do you mean the second photo? Caption says Sen Murray.
I’m BLIND!!! Sorry dear!!! :)
No worries!
That’s our Mom in Tennis Shoes, she is one tiny, powerful woman!
Until this comment, I did see the photo and the caption, but I didn’t see the senator. :) I went back and then saw the partial glasses and then, senator Murray, the former RN. Thanks.
So, what do you all know about EMILY’s List (- electing women to make progressive change)? I don’t know anything, but this looks worthy of a 2nd look. TOD Georgians, and others, what say you?
‘We read through hundreds of nominations from all around the country, narrowed them down to a short list of nominees, and counted thousands of your votes. And now I’m excited to announce the winner of this year’s Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award: Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams!
The Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award honors a young woman serving in state or local office who shows the same passion and dedication to public service as this award’s namesake.
…………(snip)
Stacey, the 40-year-old Georgia House Minority Leader, is the first woman to lead either party in the General Assembly and the first African-American to lead the in state House. But she’s done more than make history — she’s made a real difference for Georgia women and families. And she’s earned a reputation as a force for good in the face of the GOP’s extreme agenda.
It says a lot about the exciting state of women in politics that this decision was so tough.
…………………………//
http://tiny.cc/a5xqex
I read that over again just now, and it registered that they called a 40 year old woman ‘young’ [Rising Star Award honors a young woman]! Anyone wants to know my age from now on, I’m 40 - I was only sitting at 39 because I didn’t realize 40 was still considered young by the general populace. The things you learn when you choose to read! :) :) :)
Ah vc, that logic is good for me too!
And congrats to that young woman. She deserves our support!
Truthfully, Gx2, it will take a bit of time for me to reconcile myself to 40 as ‘young’.
:-)
Hey, VC, for people like me, any one in their 40s is practically a baby! I confess though that I didn’t feel like that when I turned 40, decades ago.
{{Nathk}} Hel-lo! We’ve got to stop meeting like this! :) :)
cool cars.
If you’re not watching Fargo on FX…then WHAAAAAAAAAT?!
Get on that right quick.
Ethan and Joel Coen who produced the movie are also producing the show and it’s nothing like the movie.
Fantastic, disturbing, funny, weird, hilarious, weird, very weird, polite, funny, and grim.
Fills up the True Detective void quite nicely.
I suspect I’m not too far away from turning in as my eyes are burning, so before I fade out here’s your good night treat from me… & the Dept. of Interior ;)
Wonder if Brooks feels like the asswipe he is? What a freaking tool.
Wow!
Posting again for Joe Biden fans, ICYMI on previous post.
Wow.
photo/1
tomorrow.me.vote
Yeah! Seems like you guys have been voting for a month! Is it almost time to be done?? :)
big country. 800 million voters. polls into May.
all charms of india. and the best part? we throw out the bums all the time.
We want to see your purple thumb or your “I voted” sticker tomorrow.
you better think twice about what you wish for.
(It’s index finer. thankfully)
Hahaha! amk!
Deep love and respect for this man. More every day.
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For Carolyn and all of TODville, this is a must-see @Maddow segment last night.
Ladyhawke posted a link in the Early Bird thread this morning, but I’m having problems getting the video to load on this computer (watched it on another computer) — there was a clever graphic that sliced off a section of a red-to-blue continuum in the shape of Oklahoma — meaning that Oklahoma out-does every other red state in just how crazy they are.
She opened with a discussion of Clarence Aarons, who was convicted in 1992 of being involved in a cocaine deal and got 3 life sentences (more than the dealer or the seller — the prosecutor said he should be pardoned, but was overruled by the US Pardons attorney (appointed by GWBush) who will soon be replaced by Attorney General Holder.
We Obots have an issue with Julia Ioffe — I remember being outraged at her, but now can’t remember why, LOL.
But…
Sorry, but I wouldn’t be impressed. I sure wouldn’t be making that kind of a commitment to any guy who needs to stand behind his dog at such a time. :roll:
Lots of ‘legal’ scope there for him to say he never asked.
Your faith in ‘man’kind is touching.
Realistic.
A couple of Earth Day tweets.
I remember the first Earth Day very well. One of my best friends and I spent the day at San Diego State (we were in High School) — I’m so glad it’s still around. The pollution (air in big cities, lakes in the Great Lakes and Northeast) was really out of control back then.
Now that we’ve got a path forward from fossil fuels and nuclear, we’ve got the Kochs and their ilk clinging to keep polluting and ravaging our environment.
In addition to applying the brakes on our awful SCOTUS, keeping the momentum going on applying the brakes to fossil fuel consumption is another reason Dems cannot afford to sit out this November’s election:
The good news is that the cost of solar is plunging now that Barack Obama is President (posted over the weekend):
Hmm? Who is mad?
The KOCHroaches.
Looks like Pete Souza in that first photo, wearing his mud boots. Love that guy - what a trooper!
I know! I found I was so excited to see Pete in the frame of another’s camera, watching him work is just so fantastic! I kept saying, “Pete!” “There’s Pete!”, all while knowing we would soon be seeing some fantastic pics from him!!
Our hero! He really has the eye, and is a master at his craft.
Of course, ANY image of POTUS and FLOTUS, not to mention the VP and Jill, is a treasure.
Donald Trump is one pitiful old ugly white man. Now it concerns him how President Obama walks down the stairs on AirForce1. He is just jealous cause he will never walk down those steps as a guess on AF1 or President.
Donald Trump stays up at night wishing he were other people, including President Obama. He’s rubbish and we shouldn’t worry ourselves about him.
Begone, Trump! Go back to your tower and talk to yourself.
When people say Kennedy is a moderate/swing justice on SCOTUS - just what are they talking about ???
I am sorry but during those times when the very vulnerable have most needed his vote, more often than not, it has been cast in favor of the wealthy and in preservation of the status quo;
https://twitter.com/globalcitizenln/status/458796057607290881
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It shows that PBO is a man with a lot of energy, full of love for his fellow man, and loves what he does NO MATTER ALL THE CRAP THE GOP/KKK/HATER/TEABAGGERS throw at him….
I’m no photo detective, but … something tells me that in the Air National Guard tweet above (also the first photo caption of the post), the “first responder” who is being hugged may actually be Jon Lovick, Snohomish County Executive. Mr. Lovick met the President at the Paine Field Airport with the other officials, and is shown in that photo, also standing near Senator Cantwell. Maybe he was a first responder, too, but thought I’d mention.
Beautiful, Bob! I really miss Martin.
Thank you Jacqueline. While I never watch any of these folk ‘live,’ Martin is one of the very few whose insights and advice should be airing.
Swoon! O_o
So, out here the rain has moved in again. About an hour before PBO was due in, the clouds broke and the sun came through, air warmed up nicely. It stayed that way, with massive cloud formations all around, big bright open sky, but no sight of Mt. Rainier today; about an hour after AF1 departed, the sky was grey. Now wonderful rain tapping on the roof and walls, and windows. Yes, he brings magic with him, and it follows him wherever he goes. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
And I just saw a flock of crows departing for their night roost. At this hour.. Amazing.
MightyPamela, you are a beautiful soul. Your words are a glowing light filled with much wisdom. Thank you dear beautiful spirit. HZ
Yes, I believe Trump wants a date with PBO…
This is alot of B.S.
Good night Donald Trump. You are not worth one more thought.
Obama trumps Trump: because PRESIDENT Obama flew that Boeing 747 back to exactly where it was built!! He da’ Man!
New post: http://theobamadiary.com/2014/04/22/night-owl-chat-elvis-costello/
May a loving heart always show the kindness that it beats for all goodness within our space keep our candles brightly burning for the beautiful souls like those of President Barack Obama, VP,, Joe Biden and the elegant loving women that they have beside them, First Lady Michelle, and Dr. Jill Biden. TOD, we are so blessed to have this beautiful team.
May God’s powerful hand keep them all safe and secure. May compassion, love, wisdom, and a peaceful heart keep them all strong and safe. Bless the work that VP Biden and his team will do this week, and bless the work that President Obama will also accomplish during his traveling.
Spirit of truth walk beside them
Spirit of love guide them
Spirit of compassion speak to them
And Spirit of wisdom work through them. Amen.HZ
My lovely Chips and TOD family, do not worry about me, if you do not see me commenting daily; I will be fine. Some dreadful pain in the gut, but my spirit will not be broken. I love you all so dearly. And remember, we will be fine on this journey. Keep our POTUS and VPOTUS in your daily thoughts, prayers, and meditative quiet time. Just a beautiful word sent forth for their space will be just fine. Trust me. Good Nite everyone.HZ
Oh, HZ, God love you. After a really difficult night, you had me in tears at loving heart. Your spirit and message was exactly what I needed… but now to know you’re in dreadful pain? I don’t know how to be as lovely and giving as you, but please know my heart is full for you and I’m pleading that you take care of yourself as well as you do us. Please keep us informed, dear one.