Interesting, because my 1st thought was why did Kaili Joy add ‘lol’. You see, given that it was rwnj Santorum, my 1st thought was that ‘bang’ was in reference to bang-bang, shoot ‘em up. Nice to see from the comments above that I was off-script on this.
Actually, your 1st thought is correct because Santorum was addressing Iowa GOP. However, he is so sexually repressed/hung-up that he can’t help but use double-entendre in reference to the President.
Beautiful glorious Sat. to my Chips and all of my TOD family. {{{{{{{{{{ To my grandson, Danny O.}}}}}}}}}}}
I finally got the patio looking fit for our President. Jackie G., said a goodness of word for your space as I looked at the lovely tropical looking centerpiece on one of the patio table. {{{{{{{{{ Many beautiful thoughts and hopes for your great niece and her future}}}}}}}}}}
A beautiful hug to Vicki{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ You take your time and refresh as you need to and please come back when you are ready.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
You know I love you and will light a candle for you in my space. Enjoy your space and take your time. We need you , but when you are ready.
Now, all of the West Coast TODers ordered beautiful weather for our great POTUS, and it is lovely. We will stand together for his great speech to the wonderful graduates at the beautiful campus of UCI. That is a lovely campus. Lived in the area and loved every minutes of my stay while living in Orange County.
We are praying for a great time for our President and all of the families who will be in attendance. Let us have a wonderful day, and pray for our President to have a glorious day as well. I hope that will get to play a little golf while here as well. Just nothing but goodness going forth in his space.
I had my beautiful private call from my precious brother, and we will be fine. We take one step with goodness in our faith and enjoy each moment. I trust his calmness and his brilliant mind to do the best and believe in the best of the better angels within all of us. We will make this journey, moment by moment. He even got me to laugh that laugh that only our mother taught us to always carry to each other during our time on this earth. I love him so; so please pray for his wisdom, and his strength and safety. Enjoy the day, my TOD family. Love you all so much.HZ
HZ, I loved your statement that your brother got you to laugh the laugh your mother taught you. I can’t imagine a more beautiful reflection of the bond between you, your brother and your mother. I wish we all could laugh that kind of laugh when we’re feeling low or troubled in some way. It seems a very healing thing to do. And, thank you, my dear friend, for the beautiful space you created with thoughts for me and my lovely niece. She is a special, caring person and the two of you would love each other. Just a note about your “kinship” with my niece: the school bus driver came to her party and told us she was the only student he ever drove who each day stopped to ask him about himself and his family and did it with real interest and a kind heart. That sounds a lot like you. Bless you.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Love you Jackie G., and your lovely niece and you sound like we just maybe of the loving “kinship” that beautiful parents of both generations generously gave us. Thank you, jackiegrumbacher. What a blessed bus driver!! HZ
Morning, HZ:) Hugs and love coming your way! I must have missed something along the way…I hope your brother is alright, I know how dearly you love him and how close the two of you are…is he ok? I would feel awful if he was struggling right now…my love and good thoughts to both of you. Always
GM, my love. Yes, he is fine. It is his career responsibilities during these times. Security awareness and counsels. He has been blessed so much,, but you know how big sisters are in these circumstance. It comes with the space that he is in; but all is fine. Just me always worrying but he is so calm and always on task. But if never hurts to ask for some loving prayers from my dear loving family here.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Love you, and thanks for asking.}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I try so hard to keep quiet, but when we are just a stone away, sis gets a little teary. But rest assure, he is fine. Thank you my beautiful flower of the desert. HZ
Glad to hear it:) You had me worried there for a moment:) I love how you love and worry about him. Family is everything.. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful, relaxing day…on your beautiful patio…. :)
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Love you back our beautiful DF.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I will be watching our President and the patio is safe and lovely looking out when I do downstairs. Will enjoy it this late afternoon. HZ
Didn’t realize the significance of all the American flags…..
KX News & KFYR news forgot to mention that each flag was for a American Indian who served and were K.I.A #PrezRezVisit
— Brooke Yellow Hammer (@BrookeLeeteeny) June 14, 2025
Audio of a radio program after President Obama’s visit from people who are journalists for Indian Country Today https://twitter.com/indiancountry
The call out the MSM for not covering the historic visit…..say their contacts told them ahead of time it would be a side note if even shown!
Listen to our new episode The Native Trailblazers Radio Show #JUNEJAMZ INDIE SHOWCASE PART 1 at http://t.co/nyEUfFmVC7.
— Vincent Schilling (@VinceSchilling) June 14, 2025
Further insights into the situation in Eastern Ukraine ….
“Our Enemies Will Vanish?
Posted on June 14, 2025 by chervonaruta
By Mykola Savelyev
05.28.2014 Ratusha
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Perhaps. But believe me, not all at once. According to those who are fighting here, there are at the most 100-150 real Russian spies and saboteurs here. The rest are Russian “National Bolsheviks,” fascists, opportunists, Cossacks, mercenaries, Ukrainian-Russian criminals, and the dominant power—thieves, lumpen, and declassed elements. A hell of a lot of those in here! All of the checkpoints, which our guys recaptured from the separatists, and the nearby areas are just littered with syringes! In the pockets of those arrested—there is amphetamine. From among those who blocked the way for vehicles nearby, half are incurable alcoholics and a third—complete drug addicts!
200 Hryvnias/UAH is an incredible amount of money for many! There are whole dynasties where the great-grandfather, the grandfather, the father, the son and the grandson served time! Poverty, fights, bicycles, swearing, embittered women, horrible deserted roads—that’s the foundation of this life. Hope—is FORBIDDEN! Let’s be honest: support among the local population (the normal people–not the addicts or alcoholics) for the course of action of these lumpen-terrorists is under 70% (recently it [the support] began to sharply decline—here they [the locals] respect POWER and they saw that the rednecks who came from Russia to help them are no better than the native local criminals). According to experts, the military phase can be completed in three to four months, but then it will take years to win back the people’s souls left riddled with Soviet wormholes.”
More at the link in the tweet: https://twitter.com/MaidanOnline/statuses/477873163783503873
So the Iran-backed Iraqi govt wants US help against Sunni militants once supported by the Iran-backed Syrian govt against US forces in Iraq
— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) June 13, 2025
This is the most comprehensive thing I’ve read on the state of play in Iraq http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/12/opinion/pregent-harvey-northern-iraq-collapse/
These “tourists” are kinda crazy….
Kurdish forces, who speak no English, explain to 2 western tourists Y they cant let them go 2 ISIS controlled #Mosul https://t.co/4mgrDJxGei
Random thoughts on a Saturday afternoon…..HZ thank you for your wonderful assurances with regard to PBO. I take them seriously and to heart.
I’ve heard it said you can judge a person by their enemies. By this adage, President Obama is doing VERY well. We all know there is an absolutely unparalleled obsession with the president, from every part of the political spectrum. There was obsession with JFK, but there was no social media, so it didn’t climb so ridiculously high. So, these people can’t help disagreeing with him, writing about him, making up things about him, accusing him, etc., etc., etc.
I think he is obviously doing most things right, if you look at who thinks he’s wrong! I know he is angering the Military Industrial Complex by stating up front troops will not go to Iraq. More than anything, the MIC wants WAR, and they will yell like scalded chickens when they can’t have it. They do NOT like peacetime. Neither do all the contractors who work for the military overseas…..those are good paying jobs. Neither does the media, because reporting on war is exciting, adrenalin pushing, and peace is boring. Commentators who have never put on a uniform, still love war, because they can sit in their comfy offices and bloviate endlessly about it and second guess the president. Congresscritters love it because they get face time on TV…….although, I’m thinking fewer and fewer people pay any attention to them.
So, I take great comfort in this knowing a man by his enemies, and I think PBO is smart enough to know he has rattled so many chains, and exposed so many skeletons, that he knows he is on the right track. I firmly believe the country will realize this in time, also.
Some never will, but once again, the quality of the enemy says it all.
Carolyn, I always love your posts so much. You just cut through the heart of the matter.
I’ve watched this man for more than six years now, and it’s obvious to me that he is the first president since Kennedy who demonstrates some independence from the national security establishment, and the MIC. I agree that the military contractors love war time because it means good business. But I think that in the case of the military brass and the different institutions interested in foreign policy, there is also, at play, a refusal / an incapacity to accept that the world is becoming much more complex and that the United States has to change its ways. The USA can’t dictate, control everything. President Obama is trying to change the paradigm; he knows and understands history and is much more realistic about what the role of the United States can be. President Obama is fundamentally convinced that the only way to build a better world IN THE LONG TERM is to facilitate the march of peoples towards self-government. The President understands that controlling governments, putting “puppets” at the head of countries is only a band-aid. It may help “stability” for a while, but it only serves to delay the necessary process of conflict resolution towards true democracy. He understands though that sometimes the price to pay is some instability in the short term. Things have to get worse before they get better.
Lovepolitics…….absolutely correct in comments about military and changing the paradigm. Once again we see PBO taking the long view, and the others thinking about the next 24 hour news cycle. Hard as it has been, I think the paradigm is actually changing. The younger generation……those now in college and just graduating, do not want perpetual war.
I just listened to the last part of the President’s commencement speech at UCI. He is trying to lead us to more productive days economically, as well as saving the earth. If people will listen and act…….much better days are ahead. I think what he calls the 9/11 generation gets it. Wish the older ones would
By the way…..the part of the speech I heard…..the last ten minutes…was great!!
Isn’t it grand to have a well-educated, well rounded, well read, intelligent president!!!!!
Carolyn, I thought the same. He showed such an appreciation for their accomplishment, their intellect, and the hope he as in them to help their country do great things, no matter which choose. Then to hear a president who is” well-educated, well rounded, well read, and just so intelligent as a president!!!!!!.” What a joy to be living during these times.
I can see you as that wonderful teacher to your students as well, Carolyn. Thank you for loving what you do to inspire your students. HZ
Carolyn, thank you for your comment. I concur, you always get right to the heart of the matter. I am with you and count it an honor to be here with such wonderful TODers. We surely are so blessed in so many ways.
My quietness in a lot of things are just that because of security. I will leave it there. However, as a loving citizen, I think that we have much to be assured concerning our president’s safety. He has some of the very, very best. He does not walk in fear or want others to walk in fear. He takes his job seriously and he has total respect for those who keep watch over him, his family, his Cabinet Members, and all Americans. He does not entertain foolishness in how he carries himself because he realizes that families have love ones who depend on them coming home safely to them as well. However, I always try to convey to our TOD family to rest assure that he knows that the road he walks is not always one that is going to be free of bumps; however, he trust the bright, and the best to do their jobs, and he and our FLOTUS are so grateful for every ounce that is put forth for every minutes those protecting them are at its best. Trust me on this one.
.POB knows that there are people who really hate his very being, but he will not dwell on that. However, it pains him to see others have to hurt and get a little down when these ugly and inappropriate comments, actions, and obstructions are at the expense of the people he loves so much. That is the one thing that frustrations him; however, he will Not give up or give in. He keeps moving with faith , hope, and hard work. Hardest working President in my lifetime. But he will continue to work hard because he knows that there is a bright future out there and the older, oldest, and young and youngest will carry on, even when he leaves office.
That is one reason I loved his speech at UCI today. Right on point. President Obama is a man of deep thinking and a great listener. That is why a lot of great people give up lucrative careers to serve with him on this journey. I am greatly blessed to see a little of that in my own private way. I too wish that our mother and father could have been here to witness all of this including the contributions of their baby son, my loving brother. But I am so grateful. I do not give time or space to hater, but I am human as all of us here within this family display everyday. But we have each other and we have this great and decent hardworking president who Will not give up.
So when we all need a little time to replenish our wells of hope, let us do that and encourage our family members here to do so as well; but do remember: We Are On the Right Side of History ,and we have a President Who Will Be There All the Way on as well. This History we all making together.
So, keep your candles lit so others can take in a little light within their paths; but know that we did not come this far to quit. He is not a quitter, nor are we, TOD family. I hope we all will give some love for those graduates who heard their president today, and we will hope, and pray that they will take up the baton and keep running this race FORWARD with goodness of heart, peaceful minds, and really hard work. Now let us hope that our beautiful President, Barack Obama will have a continued great trip while on the West Coast and enjoy the lovely weather we are having.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ I love our Chips and our TOD family.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} We Are One.HZ
oh, I can’t take it!! does anyone know a way I could catch it live without a connection to the above links? google’s not helping me and I’m having a major sad!
Of course, UCI is the school that we UCLA Bruins like to laugh at. HOWEVER, I did once go there to attend a lecture by Jacques Derrida. He had a yearly class there for about a decade. Awesome.
Debbie Asplen Ingraham
5 hrs ·
My friend - a Gold Star Mother says
Celeste Zappala
Iraq is imploding. The Us could have stayed in Iraq for 20 years instead of ten, we could have lost 8,945 soldiers not just 4,472 we could have spent 4.4 Trillion dollars- and Iraq would still have dissolved in to chaos. Two incidents this week absolutely convinced me of this truth- the Iraqi soldiers defending the North stripped off their uniforms and left all their US bought weapons for the invading militants. Maliki could not raise a quorum of his own government to begin to decide what to do about the quickly approaching invaders. I know people want to blame Obama- that’s too easy. We can not fix Iraq, we destroyed it, but we can not fix it. A folded flag in my room reminds me of that everyday.
How long will we have to deal with the debris of the GWB administration…for a very long time. However just think how long and how much all will benefit from PBO’s time in office.
Yep. He is an exceptional president. Brilliance, wisdom, vision, courage, empathy, and on and on…
Post presidency, he’ll still be very influential I think.
In fact, I suspect that even if he plans to be low profile for a while, he’ll be forced to stay very much in the public eye. He is a natural leader for the youth, and he won’t have the choice but to get back on the “campaign trail”. As a more prominent leader of OFA for example. A motivator. For rebuilding the LEVEL of excitement and participation of the 2008 campaign. He’s doing his best within the constraints of the presidency. But change is hard and for doing “big things”, there needs to be grassroots activism on the same level as 2008… heck, on the same level as during the civil rights movement of the 60s.
How can he do this every single time- inspire, motivate, educate, nurture and love thousands of folks at once? He never fails. The truest heart I’ve ever seen. I feel so privileged each time I listen to him.
“Iran sends troops into Iraq to aid fight against Isis militants
Tehran hints at cooperation with US to aid Nouri al-Maliki as jihadist group threatens to take Baghdad
Iran has sent 2,000 advance troops to Iraq in the past 48 hours to help tackle a jihadist insurgency, a senior Iraqi official has told the Guardian.
The confirmation comes as the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, said Iran was ready to support Iraq from the mortal threat fast spreading through the country, while the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, called on citizens to take up arms in their country’s defence.
Addressing the country on Saturday, Maliki said rebels from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) had given “an incentive to the army and to Iraqis to act bravely”. His call to arms came after reports surfaced that hundreds of young men were flocking to volunteer centres across Baghdad to join the fight against Isis.
In Iran, Rouhani raised the prospect of Teheran cooperating with its old enemy Washington to defeat the Sunni insurgent group – which is attempting to ignite a sectarian war beyond Iraq’s borders.”
More at the link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/14/iran-iraq-isis-fight-militants-nouri-maliki
Perhaps ….
@AmbassadorRice @JohnKerry Perhaps Iran can now emerge as an effective US/EU Ally in Iraq. What sweet irony that would be. cc @PressSec
Just finished listening to the speech at the UC Irvine. Loved the Truth as told by the president on Climate Change directed at the denialists and especially at the National Media.
So glad He shamed the Media for not covering the danger of climate change….and when they do, only have political pundits rather than scientists. I believe the young people will be the change, exactly why PBO loves speaking directly to them, here and abroad..
okay now heres the funny thing… it was YOUR POTUS quote ‘Cynicism is a choice, Hope is a better choice” PBO that I tweeted and he Peter retweeted. So thank YOU :)
L.A. Times: L.A. Now @LANow · 20m
Obama at UCI: Speech focused on climate change. Announced a $1-billion fund for states affected by severe weather http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-obama-live-20140614-story.html …
Have I said lately how much I love and admire our fantastic President?! How blessed we all are to live in a time with a leader like this! :o)
What an amazing speech! He never fails to amaze me.
My son graduated from UCLA last night. The speaker was a Nobel Prize winner named Randy Schekman. who attended UCLA in the 60’s. He gave an amazing speech. He’s now on the faculty at UC Berkley and has been for 35 years. He gave some amazing statistics. He talked about how much it cost to go to UCLA when he attended. It was astonishing how cheap it was. He said this is the place middle class students went, as it was cheaper than private colleges. He said at that time, California paid 80% per student. Now he says California only pays 10%! He also said its more expensive to go to a UC than a private college at this time. I loved what an advocate he was for the students. He had all the students on pell grants stand. It was a large amount, thanks to our great President, who made the grants more accessible. During the speech I kept commenting “exactly” over and over again.
Stonekettle Station has a blog up on the Iraq implosion. It is really a must read.
Thanks for all you have posted Chips, & NW the last couple of days. I will go back and watch the President’s Speech later. Have a wonderful afternoon. and evening you all.
White House.gov
Thanks.
A pleasure COS!
Hey Chips and TOD. I wonder if this will be shown on our local channels here?
Hello!
Its always inspiring to hear him speak.
So far, the weather is perfect.
COS, Vetivera24 and Layla,
Triplets Au :star: :star: :star:
Congrats ;)
Is Santorum projecting?
OMG!!!!!! Too funny!!!!!!!
Oooooooooooh Rick!
LOl was there a show of hands…
:-)
WOW!!!!! Do I sense a little jealousy?
Santorum is being his normal goofball self, I see.
On another note, can’t wait to see how many R/Ts that gets! Ha.
Interesting, because my 1st thought was why did Kaili Joy add ‘lol’. You see, given that it was rwnj Santorum, my 1st thought was that ‘bang’ was in reference to bang-bang, shoot ‘em up. Nice to see from the comments above that I was off-script on this.
Actually, your 1st thought is correct because Santorum was addressing Iowa GOP. However, he is so sexually repressed/hung-up that he can’t help but use double-entendre in reference to the President.
I knew the Santorum in 2012 was having some issues. His subconscious thoughts are willfully letting his loose lips verbalize his truisms.
I think all the GOP men and women want to bang the President.
Beautiful glorious Sat. to my Chips and all of my TOD family. {{{{{{{{{{ To my grandson, Danny O.}}}}}}}}}}}
I finally got the patio looking fit for our President. Jackie G., said a goodness of word for your space as I looked at the lovely tropical looking centerpiece on one of the patio table. {{{{{{{{{ Many beautiful thoughts and hopes for your great niece and her future}}}}}}}}}}
A beautiful hug to Vicki{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ You take your time and refresh as you need to and please come back when you are ready.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
You know I love you and will light a candle for you in my space. Enjoy your space and take your time. We need you , but when you are ready.
Now, all of the West Coast TODers ordered beautiful weather for our great POTUS, and it is lovely. We will stand together for his great speech to the wonderful graduates at the beautiful campus of UCI. That is a lovely campus. Lived in the area and loved every minutes of my stay while living in Orange County.
We are praying for a great time for our President and all of the families who will be in attendance. Let us have a wonderful day, and pray for our President to have a glorious day as well. I hope that will get to play a little golf while here as well. Just nothing but goodness going forth in his space.
I had my beautiful private call from my precious brother, and we will be fine. We take one step with goodness in our faith and enjoy each moment. I trust his calmness and his brilliant mind to do the best and believe in the best of the better angels within all of us. We will make this journey, moment by moment. He even got me to laugh that laugh that only our mother taught us to always carry to each other during our time on this earth. I love him so; so please pray for his wisdom, and his strength and safety. Enjoy the day, my TOD family. Love you all so much.HZ
HZ, I loved your statement that your brother got you to laugh the laugh your mother taught you. I can’t imagine a more beautiful reflection of the bond between you, your brother and your mother. I wish we all could laugh that kind of laugh when we’re feeling low or troubled in some way. It seems a very healing thing to do. And, thank you, my dear friend, for the beautiful space you created with thoughts for me and my lovely niece. She is a special, caring person and the two of you would love each other. Just a note about your “kinship” with my niece: the school bus driver came to her party and told us she was the only student he ever drove who each day stopped to ask him about himself and his family and did it with real interest and a kind heart. That sounds a lot like you. Bless you.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Love you Jackie G., and your lovely niece and you sound like we just maybe of the loving “kinship” that beautiful parents of both generations generously gave us. Thank you, jackiegrumbacher. What a blessed bus driver!! HZ
O/T for this thread…but the incomparable Smartypants has something important to say:)
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2014/06/from-protesting-to-governing.html
Morning, HZ:) Hugs and love coming your way! I must have missed something along the way…I hope your brother is alright, I know how dearly you love him and how close the two of you are…is he ok? I would feel awful if he was struggling right now…my love and good thoughts to both of you. Always
GM, my love. Yes, he is fine. It is his career responsibilities during these times. Security awareness and counsels. He has been blessed so much,, but you know how big sisters are in these circumstance. It comes with the space that he is in; but all is fine. Just me always worrying but he is so calm and always on task. But if never hurts to ask for some loving prayers from my dear loving family here.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Love you, and thanks for asking.}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I try so hard to keep quiet, but when we are just a stone away, sis gets a little teary. But rest assure, he is fine. Thank you my beautiful flower of the desert. HZ
Glad to hear it:) You had me worried there for a moment:) I love how you love and worry about him. Family is everything.. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful, relaxing day…on your beautiful patio…. :)
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Love you back our beautiful DF.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I will be watching our President and the patio is safe and lovely looking out when I do downstairs. Will enjoy it this late afternoon. HZ
UC Irvine commencement already streaming here:
http://www.commencement.uci.edu/webstream.php
Thanks for the link COS :)
Didn’t realize the significance of all the American flags…..
Audio of a radio program after President Obama’s visit from people who are journalists for Indian Country Today https://twitter.com/indiancountry
The call out the MSM for not covering the historic visit…..say their contacts told them ahead of time it would be a side note if even shown!
Remind me to never streak at a Rugby match :mrgreen:
Ayoy!!!!!!!
Further insights into the situation in Eastern Ukraine ….
“Our Enemies Will Vanish?
Posted on June 14, 2025 by chervonaruta
By Mykola Savelyev
05.28.2014 Ratusha
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Perhaps. But believe me, not all at once. According to those who are fighting here, there are at the most 100-150 real Russian spies and saboteurs here. The rest are Russian “National Bolsheviks,” fascists, opportunists, Cossacks, mercenaries, Ukrainian-Russian criminals, and the dominant power—thieves, lumpen, and declassed elements. A hell of a lot of those in here! All of the checkpoints, which our guys recaptured from the separatists, and the nearby areas are just littered with syringes! In the pockets of those arrested—there is amphetamine. From among those who blocked the way for vehicles nearby, half are incurable alcoholics and a third—complete drug addicts!
200 Hryvnias/UAH is an incredible amount of money for many! There are whole dynasties where the great-grandfather, the grandfather, the father, the son and the grandson served time! Poverty, fights, bicycles, swearing, embittered women, horrible deserted roads—that’s the foundation of this life. Hope—is FORBIDDEN! Let’s be honest: support among the local population (the normal people–not the addicts or alcoholics) for the course of action of these lumpen-terrorists is under 70% (recently it [the support] began to sharply decline—here they [the locals] respect POWER and they saw that the rednecks who came from Russia to help them are no better than the native local criminals). According to experts, the military phase can be completed in three to four months, but then it will take years to win back the people’s souls left riddled with Soviet wormholes.”
More at the link in the tweet: https://twitter.com/MaidanOnline/statuses/477873163783503873
This is the most comprehensive thing I’ve read on the state of play in Iraq http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/12/opinion/pregent-harvey-northern-iraq-collapse/
These “tourists” are kinda crazy….
Wow!
I hope these people listened to the warnings from the Kurdish forces;
life changes so fast so if you don’t pay attention to the news you can land in deep trouble;
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ JER, I really do appreciate you so much. TY, TY, TY.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}HZ
<3 <3 <3
Just another day at Costco…..
How cute…who would think that a scotus would be in Costco..
I love COSTCO.
Shop there whenever I could.
The Justice is looking well so is the former SoS Clinton.
#nomoreclintons
Random thoughts on a Saturday afternoon…..HZ thank you for your wonderful assurances with regard to PBO. I take them seriously and to heart.
I’ve heard it said you can judge a person by their enemies. By this adage, President Obama is doing VERY well. We all know there is an absolutely unparalleled obsession with the president, from every part of the political spectrum. There was obsession with JFK, but there was no social media, so it didn’t climb so ridiculously high. So, these people can’t help disagreeing with him, writing about him, making up things about him, accusing him, etc., etc., etc.
I think he is obviously doing most things right, if you look at who thinks he’s wrong! I know he is angering the Military Industrial Complex by stating up front troops will not go to Iraq. More than anything, the MIC wants WAR, and they will yell like scalded chickens when they can’t have it. They do NOT like peacetime. Neither do all the contractors who work for the military overseas…..those are good paying jobs. Neither does the media, because reporting on war is exciting, adrenalin pushing, and peace is boring. Commentators who have never put on a uniform, still love war, because they can sit in their comfy offices and bloviate endlessly about it and second guess the president. Congresscritters love it because they get face time on TV…….although, I’m thinking fewer and fewer people pay any attention to them.
So, I take great comfort in this knowing a man by his enemies, and I think PBO is smart enough to know he has rattled so many chains, and exposed so many skeletons, that he knows he is on the right track. I firmly believe the country will realize this in time, also.
Some never will, but once again, the quality of the enemy says it all.
Beautiful comment and I couldn’t agree more, Carolyn.
Carolyn, I always love your posts so much. You just cut through the heart of the matter.
I’ve watched this man for more than six years now, and it’s obvious to me that he is the first president since Kennedy who demonstrates some independence from the national security establishment, and the MIC. I agree that the military contractors love war time because it means good business. But I think that in the case of the military brass and the different institutions interested in foreign policy, there is also, at play, a refusal / an incapacity to accept that the world is becoming much more complex and that the United States has to change its ways. The USA can’t dictate, control everything. President Obama is trying to change the paradigm; he knows and understands history and is much more realistic about what the role of the United States can be. President Obama is fundamentally convinced that the only way to build a better world IN THE LONG TERM is to facilitate the march of peoples towards self-government. The President understands that controlling governments, putting “puppets” at the head of countries is only a band-aid. It may help “stability” for a while, but it only serves to delay the necessary process of conflict resolution towards true democracy. He understands though that sometimes the price to pay is some instability in the short term. Things have to get worse before they get better.
Lovepolitics…….absolutely correct in comments about military and changing the paradigm. Once again we see PBO taking the long view, and the others thinking about the next 24 hour news cycle. Hard as it has been, I think the paradigm is actually changing. The younger generation……those now in college and just graduating, do not want perpetual war.
I just listened to the last part of the President’s commencement speech at UCI. He is trying to lead us to more productive days economically, as well as saving the earth. If people will listen and act…….much better days are ahead. I think what he calls the 9/11 generation gets it. Wish the older ones would
By the way…..the part of the speech I heard…..the last ten minutes…was great!!
Isn’t it grand to have a well-educated, well rounded, well read, intelligent president!!!!!
Carolyn, I thought the same. He showed such an appreciation for their accomplishment, their intellect, and the hope he as in them to help their country do great things, no matter which choose. Then to hear a president who is” well-educated, well rounded, well read, and just so intelligent as a president!!!!!!.” What a joy to be living during these times.
I can see you as that wonderful teacher to your students as well, Carolyn. Thank you for loving what you do to inspire your students. HZ
Carolyn, thank you for your comment. I concur, you always get right to the heart of the matter. I am with you and count it an honor to be here with such wonderful TODers. We surely are so blessed in so many ways.
My quietness in a lot of things are just that because of security. I will leave it there. However, as a loving citizen, I think that we have much to be assured concerning our president’s safety. He has some of the very, very best. He does not walk in fear or want others to walk in fear. He takes his job seriously and he has total respect for those who keep watch over him, his family, his Cabinet Members, and all Americans. He does not entertain foolishness in how he carries himself because he realizes that families have love ones who depend on them coming home safely to them as well. However, I always try to convey to our TOD family to rest assure that he knows that the road he walks is not always one that is going to be free of bumps; however, he trust the bright, and the best to do their jobs, and he and our FLOTUS are so grateful for every ounce that is put forth for every minutes those protecting them are at its best. Trust me on this one.
.POB knows that there are people who really hate his very being, but he will not dwell on that. However, it pains him to see others have to hurt and get a little down when these ugly and inappropriate comments, actions, and obstructions are at the expense of the people he loves so much. That is the one thing that frustrations him; however, he will Not give up or give in. He keeps moving with faith , hope, and hard work. Hardest working President in my lifetime. But he will continue to work hard because he knows that there is a bright future out there and the older, oldest, and young and youngest will carry on, even when he leaves office.
That is one reason I loved his speech at UCI today. Right on point. President Obama is a man of deep thinking and a great listener. That is why a lot of great people give up lucrative careers to serve with him on this journey. I am greatly blessed to see a little of that in my own private way. I too wish that our mother and father could have been here to witness all of this including the contributions of their baby son, my loving brother. But I am so grateful. I do not give time or space to hater, but I am human as all of us here within this family display everyday. But we have each other and we have this great and decent hardworking president who Will not give up.
So when we all need a little time to replenish our wells of hope, let us do that and encourage our family members here to do so as well; but do remember: We Are On the Right Side of History ,and we have a President Who Will Be There All the Way on as well. This History we all making together.
So, keep your candles lit so others can take in a little light within their paths; but know that we did not come this far to quit. He is not a quitter, nor are we, TOD family. I hope we all will give some love for those graduates who heard their president today, and we will hope, and pray that they will take up the baton and keep running this race FORWARD with goodness of heart, peaceful minds, and really hard work. Now let us hope that our beautiful President, Barack Obama will have a continued great trip while on the West Coast and enjoy the lovely weather we are having.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ I love our Chips and our TOD family.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} We Are One.HZ
Gaahhh! Is anyone getting the live feed? what am i doing wrong?
Have you tried the YouTube link Kathleen, it’s a bit glitchy but it’s working for me.
Is youtube one of the links above, Chips? all I have are two black screens with no connection- can’t find it on youtube.
Yikes, that’s weird Kathleen, the YouTube link is in the post, still working for me.
must be a problem on my end, chips. thanks, anyway. hopefully will catch it in a later post.
Awesome cheers for our President!! woohoo :)
“Eater Nation”——:)
:)
Good almost afternoon, everyone.
Hiya LL! The graduation ceremony is now underway but PBO has not spoken yet. The grads are pumped!
oh, I can’t take it!! does anyone know a way I could catch it live without a connection to the above links? google’s not helping me and I’m having a major sad!
Will C-Span work for you Kathleen?
http://www.c-span.org/live/
great chips, thank you! a few minutes ago it didn’t look like c-span was going to carry it. yay!
Pheeeeeeeeeeeeew!! :-) Thrilled you have it, Kathleen!
It is also showing on C-Span live TV.
for some reason I’m just chuckling that a Dem president is going behind the Orange Curtain. Reagan country my ass.
Gooooooood morning/afternoon Mister!
I went to bed at 10 last night and didn’t rouse until 11. I so needed it.
cspan will also be showing the it.
Of course, UCI is the school that we UCLA Bruins like to laugh at. HOWEVER, I did once go there to attend a lecture by Jacques Derrida. He had a yearly class there for about a decade. Awesome.
is it zoot or zot ?? :)
From my FB timeline:
Debbie Asplen Ingraham
5 hrs ·
My friend - a Gold Star Mother says
Celeste Zappala
Iraq is imploding. The Us could have stayed in Iraq for 20 years instead of ten, we could have lost 8,945 soldiers not just 4,472 we could have spent 4.4 Trillion dollars- and Iraq would still have dissolved in to chaos. Two incidents this week absolutely convinced me of this truth- the Iraqi soldiers defending the North stripped off their uniforms and left all their US bought weapons for the invading militants. Maliki could not raise a quorum of his own government to begin to decide what to do about the quickly approaching invaders. I know people want to blame Obama- that’s too easy. We can not fix Iraq, we destroyed it, but we can not fix it. A folded flag in my room reminds me of that everyday.
Celeste Zappala is correct.
Yes, from everything I read, and from what I learned and observed from 2001-2009…..sadly, absolutely correct.
How long will we have to deal with the debris of the GWB administration!!!!! And there he sits, painting pictures of himself.
How long will we have to deal with the debris of the GWB administration…for a very long time. However just think how long and how much all will benefit from PBO’s time in office.
Outstanding grad speech by President Obama. Key point after key point. I can’t imagine how bleak it’s going to be post-Obama presidency.
Yep. He is an exceptional president. Brilliance, wisdom, vision, courage, empathy, and on and on…
Post presidency, he’ll still be very influential I think.
In fact, I suspect that even if he plans to be low profile for a while, he’ll be forced to stay very much in the public eye. He is a natural leader for the youth, and he won’t have the choice but to get back on the “campaign trail”. As a more prominent leader of OFA for example. A motivator. For rebuilding the LEVEL of excitement and participation of the 2008 campaign. He’s doing his best within the constraints of the presidency. But change is hard and for doing “big things”, there needs to be grassroots activism on the same level as 2008… heck, on the same level as during the civil rights movement of the 60s.
How can he do this every single time- inspire, motivate, educate, nurture and love thousands of folks at once? He never fails. The truest heart I’ve ever seen. I feel so privileged each time I listen to him.
yup, sheri… every. single. time. love him so.
me too Kathleen~
‘Cynicism is a choice, Hope is a better choice” PBO
Millions of Afghan citizens agree with #PBO …
Zero surprise ….
“Iran sends troops into Iraq to aid fight against Isis militants
Tehran hints at cooperation with US to aid Nouri al-Maliki as jihadist group threatens to take Baghdad
Iran has sent 2,000 advance troops to Iraq in the past 48 hours to help tackle a jihadist insurgency, a senior Iraqi official has told the Guardian.
The confirmation comes as the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, said Iran was ready to support Iraq from the mortal threat fast spreading through the country, while the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, called on citizens to take up arms in their country’s defence.
Addressing the country on Saturday, Maliki said rebels from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) had given “an incentive to the army and to Iraqis to act bravely”. His call to arms came after reports surfaced that hundreds of young men were flocking to volunteer centres across Baghdad to join the fight against Isis.
In Iran, Rouhani raised the prospect of Teheran cooperating with its old enemy Washington to defeat the Sunni insurgent group – which is attempting to ignite a sectarian war beyond Iraq’s borders.”
More at the link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/14/iran-iraq-isis-fight-militants-nouri-maliki
Perhaps ….
#TrustBarack
” Nouri al-Maliki, called on citizens to take up arms in their country’s defence.”
It’s going to be hard to convince of that given the fact they’ve seen their army run past them in the face of underwhelming odds.
I had to run out so I missed POTUS commencement speech, I amm counting on Chipsticks or someone to post it here……Pretty Please with sugar on top.
What say you Wisconsin (just a cheese/Walker joke)
and the crowd chants …Yes We Can! Yes We Can! Love it!
Good Day Tods…Enjoy your Weekend..thanks for the coverage…
Just finished listening to the speech at the UC Irvine. Loved the Truth as told by the president on Climate Change directed at the denialists and especially at the National Media.
So glad He shamed the Media for not covering the danger of climate change….and when they do, only have political pundits rather than scientists. I believe the young people will be the change, exactly why PBO loves speaking directly to them, here and abroad..
Amen, Kasai!!!!HZ
(((HZ))) Love ya
I know this was mentioned about Presidents visiting Native American reservations. I checked out Coolidge and saw this
“I don’t care what it looks like. I’m putting on the tribal chief head gear.”
He was Abenaki and apparently didn’t hide it. The Indian Citizen Act he signed was flawed but Coolidge really tried to change things for the better.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/coolidge-signs-indian-citizen-act
I’d just like all of you to know that I… was just retweeted by Peter the Anteater :) :)
Cool! Here’s Pete..
thanks Layla! how cool :)
okay now heres the funny thing… it was YOUR POTUS quote ‘Cynicism is a choice, Hope is a better choice” PBO that I tweeted and he Peter retweeted. So thank YOU :)
L.A. Times: L.A. Now @LANow · 20m
Obama at UCI: Speech focused on climate change. Announced a $1-billion fund for states affected by severe weather http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-obama-live-20140614-story.html …
Have I said lately how much I love and admire our fantastic President?! How blessed we all are to live in a time with a leader like this! :o)
What an amazing speech! He never fails to amaze me.
My son graduated from UCLA last night. The speaker was a Nobel Prize winner named Randy Schekman. who attended UCLA in the 60’s. He gave an amazing speech. He’s now on the faculty at UC Berkley and has been for 35 years. He gave some amazing statistics. He talked about how much it cost to go to UCLA when he attended. It was astonishing how cheap it was. He said this is the place middle class students went, as it was cheaper than private colleges. He said at that time, California paid 80% per student. Now he says California only pays 10%! He also said its more expensive to go to a UC than a private college at this time. I loved what an advocate he was for the students. He had all the students on pell grants stand. It was a large amount, thanks to our great President, who made the grants more accessible. During the speech I kept commenting “exactly” over and over again.
Uruguay beaten by Costa Rica?
Wow. Two small countries, but URU was supposed to beat CRC
Stonekettle Station has a blog up on the Iraq implosion. It is really a must read.
Thanks for all you have posted Chips, & NW the last couple of days. I will go back and watch the President’s Speech later. Have a wonderful afternoon. and evening you all.
OMG!! This article should be a post all by itself especially considering what the American people will be told tomorrow on the repub Sunday shows!
Many thanks Roberta
Chat on!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/06/14/chat-away-392/
Hey Chips, you might consider the above…just a thought
What a day!