Could you tell us what the First Family has been doing on their vacation, have they been reading, has the First Lady been exercising, what activites are MRS Obama and the kids doing? Is Sasha here yet?
Gawd, what an embarrassment. I could not believe that question. The jackals are nothing but nosy gossip columnists. They parrot the silly GOP talking points about PBO being on vacation while (fill in the blank terrible thing is happening in the world). Then they want to know every private detail about what the family is doing on their vacation. smdh
WHPC - making fools of themselves around the world. Milbank really stepped in it with a gratuitously nasty column about the President’s vacation which I won’t link here.
@TheFix So don't add to it! @Milbank column was lazy & vindictive. Unlike #GWB, .@BarackObama can multi-task.
They are obsessed with this President and his family on vacation. They have to keep a daily journal of all their “vacation” activities including First Dogs Sunny and Bo.
The “…have they been reading?” question is particularly snide and of the special dog-whistle category. This is the sorry, racist and faux-friendly bookend to the dishonest spotlight on vacation days and world issues. One good thing about the WHPC’s tireless bad behavior and transparent bigotry and hypocrisy is that every offense makes it clearer what they are up to and who they are. They think they control the message, and they are wrong about that, too.
It’s absolutely insane. When Eric said something like, “you know, they’ll be hiking, biking, eating in restaurants, the usual vacation stuff,” the jackal said, “yes, we can see all that but what about what they’re doing in the house when we can’t see them?”
OMFG!!!! These people need psychiatric help!!
Maybe Eric should have said something like, “oh, yeah, the First Family have been sitting around the dining room table plotting how to take away your 1st and 2nd amendment rights while eating cheeseburgers, pizza, doughnuts and ice cream.”
“yes, we can see all that but what about what they’re doing in the house when we can’t see them?”
That question has a creepy, stalkerish vibe to it. These reporters do need psychiatric help because they’re afflicted with voyeurism where our First Family is concerned.
H A P P Y
B I R T H D A Y
C H I P S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rescued from bottom of last thread — Happy birthday, dear Chips! Delurking to wish you a wonderful 23rd-ish. To think you were only 17 when you started this wondrous site! What a prodigy. Thank you for creating the best blog in the entire universe. :))
Makers! At 11am PT, take a virtual field trip to the @WhiteHouse Kitchen Garden: goo.gl/cLXIdg #MakerCamp http://t.co/j0XHrUi2kQ— A Googler (@google) August 13, 2025
It’s been amazing how a shaved head starts conversations out in public and, therefore, she’s been able to share her story and get some donations from strangers. They went to a comedy club last week and the comedian was Tom Arnold. He wanted to know why her head was shaved. They have a picture with his arm around each of them. Cool, huh?
The Fix, WashPo and their Ugly cousins Know the facts, but Hate, Bitterness, Envy, Cruelty, Bigotry, etc have stopped the US Mews Media from doing their Duty…….Reporting Factually based information.
@EricBoehlert Just going to leave this here… pic.twitter.com/O1ImTHiboW
We’ll remember next Wednesday in case Chips forgets. You know how when you reach 23 your memory starts going. Oh, you wouldn’t know that yet. Wait ’til next Thursday, by which time you will have forgotten that I said this.
Marilyn Monroe sings Happy Birthday to the initimable Chipsticks @TheObamaDiary and JFK. Cheers! http://t.co/4SaVJdYM7p— Tracy (@taiping2) August 13, 2025
Happy Happy Birthday to our beloved Blog Mistress! 23 and counting backwards like Merlin.
The militarization of local police really burns me, especially since that fire power is brought to bear on folks of color and the poor. Do ya’ll recall seeing this type of fire power displayed at the rwnj’s at the Bundy Ranch???
@GovJayNixon Why do local police have military grade weapons & vehicles, yet police cars don't have dash cams? #Ferguson cc: @CivilRights
Another Primary day has come and gone with nary a whisper, unless it was in your state, of course.
So, Tell me again, do you think the GOP would be ignoring anything election-related if they liked their chances in November?
No? Me neither.
Good point Vicki: very good point!! Media more interested in ‘Obama-Clinton hug’ tonight, or First Family’s vacation activities than they are in the primary elections for the midterms. Hmmm….
PM: Humanitarian assistance to Ukraine can be provided only through the Red Cross
13.08.2025 | 13:06
“”Ukraine can accept any kind of humanitarian aid solely within international law and solely from the Red Cross”, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk at a Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday, August 13.
“The level of Russian cynicism has no boundaries. First, they supply tanks, Grads, terrorists, bandits who shoot Ukrainians, and then they supply water and salt,” said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
He said that together with international partners it was collected about $ 6 million to the Aid fund, managed by the UN High Commissioner. “We as the Government of Ukraine along with the President of Ukraine supply essential goods in all the liberated territories. We as the Ukrainian state have provided and are able to provide their citizens. Therefore, the Government allocates additional UAH 10 million for the purchase of essential goods,” underlined the Prime Minister.
He also instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Agrarian Policy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs under the leadership of Vice Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman to form one more convoy to pass on essential goods onto the corresponding territories. Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that 270 tons of aid has been already delivered to these areas.
“I separately appeal to the Red Cross to make these loads reach people. As the territories are controlled by Russia-backed terrorists, it would be better that they sent empty KAMAZ trucks, Russians, took their bandits back, and then there will be no need to send humanitarian aid”, stressed Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
The meeting has been started with a minute of silence of the Government for the dead during the anti-terrorist operation. Today, the funeral of Mykola Berezovyi, the husband of our Head of the Government’s National Anti-Corruption Committee, takes place. “Mykola Berezovyi – our Tatiana Chornovol’s husband - was killed in battle, as hundreds of Ukrainian heroes who are defending our country and independence,” noted the Prime Minister, informing that the funeral is attended by a governmental delegation.”
The UN is ready to engage in coordination of the international humanitarian assistance for Ukraine
“President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.
The UN Secretary-General touched upon the issue of the international humanitarian assistance for Luhansk initiated by the Ukrainian President. Ban Ki-moon offered the participation of the UN in coordination of actions with the ICRC in order to ensure compliance with the international law.
President Poroshenko informed that the Ukrainian government had created an interagency coordination mechanism and assured Ban Ki-moon that the Ukrainian party was doing everything to ensure compliance with the international law regulations and Ukrainian procedures. The Head of State commended the willingness of the UN to engage in coordination of the international humanitarian assistance.
Ban Ki-moon noted that there was a growing concern over the recent developments in Ukraine. He also informed that he was closely watching the situation in Ukraine and expressed support to the peace plan of the Ukrainian President. “I am inspired by your devotion to the intension of restoring peace,” he said.
The Head of State emphasized that it was necessary to focus the attention of global community on the kidnapping of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko who was imprisoned in Russia. The President asked the UN Secretary-General to facilitate the solution of the given issue in his dialogue with Russia.”
Bob, choosing the ICRC as the group to deliver humanitarian aid and having a way to scan the aid trucks at a checkpoint are good decisions. The ICRC staff have tremendous courage, but they are putting themselves at great risk here, so I hope there are some serious means of protecting them. Russia doesn’t like to be thwarted, so I put nothing past them if they can’t go forward with their disguised invasion.
De-lurking to wish Chips the happiest Birthday..and many many more dear one:-)
Thank you so much for giving me a place where I can distract myself from the world. You truly Are God-sent
Love you dearly!
~ Kasai
(((Gail)) Thank you….I swear my son thinks I am losing it….texting him too much,,,be careful..on and on,,,I need to calm down, i know Gail, what is a mother to do.
You inspire me and bless the world with your presence, here and on twitter, etc. I hang my head in shame and sorrow that you and all mothers whose sons are young men of color carry this burden, this horrifying weight, which mothers of white sons need not carry or even see. It is wrong and evil and destructive. I will do more to change this, and I will keep your son and young men of color high on the prayer list. Take care.
We love you too, K! It *has* been an unbelievably, emotionally hard weekend, but we soldier on … towards justice and a long-overdue acceptance of our common humanity.
Kasai, the worry for your son is the most natural thing in the world and it’s good for him to know how much you love him. If we didn’t worry about those we love, we wouldn’t be human.
Friend on FB shared something this morning from a friend of her’s. They are both from STL. It was a LONG status that was mostly the “police report” of the shooting, then the person’s thoughts on the incident. Just to give you some of the descriptions/wording: Mike was over 300 lbs. 6’3″ tall……he attacked the officer…..lengthy description about that…..the struggle for the gun, etc. Goes on to say that Mike was a thug that attacked a police officer. I wasn’t going to comment, then decided to make it short so I said: No comment. Yes, one. This should be deleted. Shameful. My friend responded that this area is very dear to her and that people are frightened and having to protect themselves.
My response to her: I know that, J—-. However, the stories do not ‘jive’……not even close and there’s a number of words/terms in this that frankly turn my stomach. To be blunt, if Aliya were a black boy instead of a girl, these references could apply to her. Every time a young black teen is gunned down, I am eternally grateful that we have an AA granddaughter instead of a grandson. We should all try harder to put ourselves in other’s shoes. She responded that she didn’t mean to offend anyone.
Aaaarrrrrgggghhhhh! S— like this is what we are battling all across this country.
Did Hassan Rouhani use the picture with her hair and head uncovered?
Well, pinch me……. ;)
Just weeks ago, Dancing to the HAPPY song, brought punishment. Now this? Okay…..I say: FORWARD! I hope this is a great sign that progress comes soon with the P5+1 in Sept. Might I be sounding too optimistic? Well, that is how I am feeling right now. We Need GOOD News.
That he tweets is cool. That he congratulated a female Iranian via twitter is note worthy. That he specifically also included a photo of Maryam Mirzakhani with her hair and head not covered is way out there!!!
I’ve screen captured the tweet just in case the SL demands that he delete it ;)
I’ve heard that the new Iranian president is very progressive compared to many of his predecessors. Iran is a better country than say Saudi Arabia, believe it or not.
Breaking News: U.S. Could Use Ground Troops to Save Iraqi Refugees
http://t.co/BvojGsm81i
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 13, 2025
Yesterday, I applauded NYT for using the Correct pictorial from Ferguson. Today, I scorn them. The Headline is misleading on what Ben Rhodes said.
Ben Rhodes also made that point and emphasized on it. To Help Iraqis and assist the Kurdish to evacuate the trapped Yazidis. There is a difference.
But NYT were misleading in their Headline.
I understand the need for a “clean” look, but WTH on the braid restrictions? Makes no sense at all.
When I was in high school (many years ago, to be sure) the girls in the marching band had to either have short hair or pin it up to tuck under the hats they wore.
The school wanted a clean look for the marching band — but to have restrictions on *how* to tuck your hair under your hat would have been asinine.
Rules must have been written by a white male West Point grad, probably a lieutenant.
This reminds me about something else in the FB post I shared earlier. There were 3 or 4 sentences about the friend who was with him. All of them talking about his “appearance” or the way he looked SO he was definitely lying. The hate andracism oozes, doesn’t it?
In the 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to raise the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour, and soon after signed an Executive Order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for the individuals working on new federal service contracts.
Raising the minimum wage nationwide will increase earnings for millions of workers, and boost the bottom lines of businesses across the country. While Republicans in Congress continue to block the President’s proposal, a number of state legislatures and governors, mayors and city councils, and business owners have answered the President’s call and raised wages for their residents and employees. Read a report on the progress that’s been made so far across the country.
Learn more below about why we need to raise the wage, and share this page with your friends and family.
……………………………//
Here's a state-by-state breakdown of how raising the minimum wage would benefit millions of Americans → http://t.co/lbgGpeIT6m #RaiseTheWage
When was the last time you checked out ……E & C ……. at the White House site? Did you know there was a White House Mobile app? [Now don’t be asking me what that means* ;) instead follow the link and see for yourself. * = I don’t know] The mobile app info link is in the middle section, near the top of the page.
Engage and Connect
President Obama is committed to making this the most open and participatory administration in history. That begins with taking your questions and comments, inviting you to join online events with White House officials, and giving you a way to engage with your government on the issues that matter the most.
Signs of fascism in Israel reached new peak during Gaza op, says renowned scholar
Israel Prize laureate and renowned scholar Zeev Sternhell fears the collapse of Israeli democracy, and compares the current atmosphere with that of 1940s’ France. The time we have left to reverse this frightening trend is running out, he warns
Prof Zeev Sternhell: "The intellectual bankruptcy of the mass media [in Israel} in this war is total. http://t.co/eHeo14M8DD
Hagel changes hair policy after controversy
Aug. 12, 2014 - 06:00AM
Dreadlocks, cornrows, twisted braids and other hairstyles popular among African American women will be more accepted across the military after a forcewide review of hairstyle policies prompted several changes, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
The three-month review came after a spate of complaints that service-level grooming policies were racially biased against black women who choose to wear their hair naturally curly rather than use heat or chemicals to straighten it.
“Each service reviewed its hairstyle policies to ensure standards are fair and respectful while also meeting military requirements,” Hagel wrote in a letter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill notifying them of the changes Monday. “These reviews were informed by a panel of military personnel of mixed demographics reflective of our diverse force.”
Three services — the Army, Navy and Air Force — have authorized additional hair styles, Hagel said.
The Marine Corps agreed to hold a special meeting of its uniform board later this year and is conducting a forcewide survey about whether the “twist” or “dreadlocks” styles should be permitted while in uniform.
The review concluded that the terms “matted and unkempt,” which the Army and Air Force used to describe some dreadlocks and braids, are “offensive” and were removed from service grooming policies, Hagel said.
The marines always seem to be the very last to do anything when it comes to these types of things. Not to say that the Marine Corps is a bad branch, lots of great things to admire about it. However I wish they weren’t so… Strict about everything.
regardless of who that guy, w.t.f was mccain and lindsay doing there anyway at that time?!? have they ever explained why they, as sitting u.s. senators for meet with rebels groups, and who those people were exactly?!? of course nothing from our “news reporters” i’m sure (unless it’s some made up knock against president obama)
All I can tell Nate Silver is we who support President Obama do not like what she said in that Atlantic interview. Well I can’t speak for anyone else, I know I didn’t like it.
Hf, it’s gotten so that I automatically dismiss any sentence that starts..”Nate Silver,” especially when it comes in an e-mail intended to scare me into donating.
He has no idea what he is talking about. Not saying I do either. Just that it is early days for this chat and people who genuinely care about this country are ocused on November, 2014.
Vicki, the thing is, we already have concrete evidence that Silver’s analysis is way off-base. 2008 was a glaring example. If the “left” didn’t care about HRC’s hawkish policies, PBO would not have been nominated in the Dem primaries. And what just happened the last couple days is another example. The huge negative reaction on Twitter and elsewhere was not an illusion. Even pro-Clinton Moveon.org publicly chastised her for it HRC and her PR people immediately had to backpedal, call PBO to “clarify” and apologize for her “mistake.” . Do you think they would take the pains to do this if they felt that it “didn’t matter to the left” as Silver is claiming?
I am with you all the way, hopefruit. Maybe as many folks say the Iraq vote was the line between PBO and HRC that gave him the primaries.
It sure helped us.
But I think in 2008 the biggest factor was and remains the overwhelming charisma of PBO. Nobody can stop this man. Let alone, beat him.
Dure, HRC’s hawkish self is a turn-off.
And i couldn’t agree more that this speech with Jefferey Goldberg is going to be if not the last nail, certainly a BIG nail in the Clinton column.
Everyone is recalling with a shudder how grating and untruthful and careless Hillary is.
The exasperated,”What difference does it make?” during Benghazi hearings was a good reminder of her weaknesses. Way too many of them
Nate Silver’s effort is silly. Not a matter of left and or more left or not left enough. He clearly is listening to his own voice too much.
.
2008 Re-dux..
We did not like her then.
We will not choose her now.
Not in a car and not………..
Happy birthday to the mighty, insight-y, always right-y (as in ‘correct’, not ‘-wing’), never flighty, star-bright-y founder, creator, CEO, pilot, curator, and guiding light of The Obama Diary, without which……can’t even finish the thought. Unimaginable, getting through the day week month and year without the feast, medicine, laughter, compassion, truth, and inspiration of this community. Thank you for this family. Wish I could send you an actual cake, but please accept a virtual cake with 23 glowing candles and your favorite flavors of cake and icing and ice cream on the side. Here is a little giggle, because you are a such a very good egg.
Nancie- You’re right about it being unimaginable to get through the day without this place that Chips created, but I’m going to have trouble cracking an egg from now on.
Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.
Sai Baba
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_life.html#FS7WwcD6hwxCh2B3.99
White House.gov
FURST.
And oh yeah, bye.
Drat!
.
.
Drat. Draaatttt!
.
Phew! I feel better now.
One of the qurestions asked by the press:
Could you tell us what the First Family has been doing on their vacation, have they been reading, has the First Lady been exercising, what activites are MRS Obama and the kids doing? Is Sasha here yet?
You. Are. Kidding. Me?
I.Am.Not.Kidding.You.
let’s see.. none of your business, none of your business, none of your business and yes, none of your business…next question!
Gawd, what an embarrassment. I could not believe that question. The jackals are nothing but nosy gossip columnists. They parrot the silly GOP talking points about PBO being on vacation while (fill in the blank terrible thing is happening in the world). Then they want to know every private detail about what the family is doing on their vacation. smdh
WHPC - making fools of themselves around the world. Milbank really stepped in it with a gratuitously nasty column about the President’s vacation which I won’t link here.
Beltway media still preoccupied with Obama’s downtime
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/beltway-media-still-preoccupied-obamas-downtime#break
They are obsessed with this President and his family on vacation. They have to keep a daily journal of all their “vacation” activities including First Dogs Sunny and Bo.
Good tweet Judith !
Great response Judith. Fav’d and RT’d :)
The “…have they been reading?” question is particularly snide and of the special dog-whistle category. This is the sorry, racist and faux-friendly bookend to the dishonest spotlight on vacation days and world issues. One good thing about the WHPC’s tireless bad behavior and transparent bigotry and hypocrisy is that every offense makes it clearer what they are up to and who they are. They think they control the message, and they are wrong about that, too.
hopefruit2, I hope you are kidding when you talk of the press asking about the Obamas vacation, what they are doing?
Why is it that Congress deserve a five week vacation, but the President doesn’t deserve a two week vacation. This mess makes no sense at all.
I have never cared for Milbank. Rev. Al have him on his show to darn much.
No I’m not kidding. And the deputy press sec was a lot kinder than I am.
It’s absolutely insane. When Eric said something like, “you know, they’ll be hiking, biking, eating in restaurants, the usual vacation stuff,” the jackal said, “yes, we can see all that but what about what they’re doing in the house when we can’t see them?”
OMFG!!!! These people need psychiatric help!!
Maybe Eric should have said something like, “oh, yeah, the First Family have been sitting around the dining room table plotting how to take away your 1st and 2nd amendment rights while eating cheeseburgers, pizza, doughnuts and ice cream.”
IDIOTS.
“yes, we can see all that but what about what they’re doing in the house when we can’t see them?”
That question has a creepy, stalkerish vibe to it. These reporters do need psychiatric help because they’re afflicted with voyeurism where our First Family is concerned.
Looks like I can delurk in first place specially to wish Chips a Happy Birthday. Many Happy Returns, Chips.
Thank yooooooou Beverly!!!
H A P P Y
B I R T H D A Y
C H I P S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:lol: Thank you Jacqueline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22?
<3
Alas Jacqueline, a whole year older: 23. :cry:
Oh, wow. Sorry. Ha!
JOB, that year makes such a difference, doesn’t it. Soon we’ll be calling our blog queen the ‘venerable Chips.’
Ha!
Ok, now even I am on Wednesday - Happy Birthday Chips!
New student at Tx. school——-Al E. Gator
Rescued from bottom of last thread — Happy birthday, dear Chips! Delurking to wish you a wonderful 23rd-ish. To think you were only 17 when you started this wondrous site! What a prodigy. Thank you for creating the best blog in the entire universe. :))
Thank yooooooooooooou Betseyc!!!!
i hate when this happens :-(
Good afternoon, TOD. I’m currently having tax hours, but wanted to drop in to leave my contribution for the dessert table.
Happy Birthday, Chips! Thank you for this oasis in the desert! May you continue to be Blessed with love, peace, and joy!
Hi, Saw your message few days ago. Bless you again for donating.
Great! I know she exceeded her goal. Tell her to feel free to add my name to next year’s request list .
Thank you!
It’s been amazing how a shaved head starts conversations out in public and, therefore, she’s been able to share her story and get some donations from strangers. They went to a comedy club last week and the comedian was Tom Arnold. He wanted to know why her head was shaved. They have a picture with his arm around each of them. Cool, huh?
The Fix, WashPo and their Ugly cousins Know the facts, but Hate, Bitterness, Envy, Cruelty, Bigotry, etc have stopped the US Mews Media from doing their Duty…….Reporting Factually based information.
Nena 20409, Don’t you know the black President ain’t the white President and he can’t do what the white man do.
Y’all know that Chips is a week older than me so I’ve got another week of being 22. Hehehe……………
We’ll remember next Wednesday in case Chips forgets. You know how when you reach 23 your memory starts going. Oh, you wouldn’t know that yet. Wait ’til next Thursday, by which time you will have forgotten that I said this.
Wish I could see that.
Lol. Lol. Thanks.
Wrong place. WP must be having a par-tty today. Oh well.
Happy Happy Birthday to our beloved Blog Mistress! 23 and counting backwards like Merlin.
The militarization of local police really burns me, especially since that fire power is brought to bear on folks of color and the poor. Do ya’ll recall seeing this type of fire power displayed at the rwnj’s at the Bundy Ranch???
Excellent points and tweet!
Good question Alycee !
Another Primary day has come and gone with nary a whisper, unless it was in your state, of course.
So, Tell me again, do you think the GOP would be ignoring anything election-related if they liked their chances in November?
No? Me neither.
Good point Vicki: very good point!! Media more interested in ‘Obama-Clinton hug’ tonight, or First Family’s vacation activities than they are in the primary elections for the midterms. Hmmm….
Co-sign, Edwina!
PM: Humanitarian assistance to Ukraine can be provided only through the Red Cross
13.08.2025 | 13:06
“”Ukraine can accept any kind of humanitarian aid solely within international law and solely from the Red Cross”, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk at a Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday, August 13.
“The level of Russian cynicism has no boundaries. First, they supply tanks, Grads, terrorists, bandits who shoot Ukrainians, and then they supply water and salt,” said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
He said that together with international partners it was collected about $ 6 million to the Aid fund, managed by the UN High Commissioner. “We as the Government of Ukraine along with the President of Ukraine supply essential goods in all the liberated territories. We as the Ukrainian state have provided and are able to provide their citizens. Therefore, the Government allocates additional UAH 10 million for the purchase of essential goods,” underlined the Prime Minister.
He also instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Agrarian Policy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs under the leadership of Vice Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman to form one more convoy to pass on essential goods onto the corresponding territories. Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that 270 tons of aid has been already delivered to these areas.
“I separately appeal to the Red Cross to make these loads reach people. As the territories are controlled by Russia-backed terrorists, it would be better that they sent empty KAMAZ trucks, Russians, took their bandits back, and then there will be no need to send humanitarian aid”, stressed Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
The meeting has been started with a minute of silence of the Government for the dead during the anti-terrorist operation. Today, the funeral of Mykola Berezovyi, the husband of our Head of the Government’s National Anti-Corruption Committee, takes place. “Mykola Berezovyi – our Tatiana Chornovol’s husband - was killed in battle, as hundreds of Ukrainian heroes who are defending our country and independence,” noted the Prime Minister, informing that the funeral is attended by a governmental delegation.”
http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/article;jsessionid=712910B52822390381E9E1A9765A1C72.vapp53?art_id=247520063&cat_id=244314971
The UN is ready to engage in coordination of the international humanitarian assistance for Ukraine
“President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.
The UN Secretary-General touched upon the issue of the international humanitarian assistance for Luhansk initiated by the Ukrainian President. Ban Ki-moon offered the participation of the UN in coordination of actions with the ICRC in order to ensure compliance with the international law.
President Poroshenko informed that the Ukrainian government had created an interagency coordination mechanism and assured Ban Ki-moon that the Ukrainian party was doing everything to ensure compliance with the international law regulations and Ukrainian procedures. The Head of State commended the willingness of the UN to engage in coordination of the international humanitarian assistance.
Ban Ki-moon noted that there was a growing concern over the recent developments in Ukraine. He also informed that he was closely watching the situation in Ukraine and expressed support to the peace plan of the Ukrainian President. “I am inspired by your devotion to the intension of restoring peace,” he said.
The Head of State emphasized that it was necessary to focus the attention of global community on the kidnapping of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko who was imprisoned in Russia. The President asked the UN Secretary-General to facilitate the solution of the given issue in his dialogue with Russia.”
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/30980.html
Bob, choosing the ICRC as the group to deliver humanitarian aid and having a way to scan the aid trucks at a checkpoint are good decisions. The ICRC staff have tremendous courage, but they are putting themselves at great risk here, so I hope there are some serious means of protecting them. Russia doesn’t like to be thwarted, so I put nothing past them if they can’t go forward with their disguised invasion.
My heart it’s been heavy these couple of days…….
De-lurking to wish Chips the happiest Birthday..and many many more dear one:-)
Thank you so much for giving me a place where I can distract myself from the world. You truly Are God-sent
Love you dearly!
~ Kasai
{{{{kasai}}}}
We are here to lean on one another. Come on - where’s that pretty smile of yours???? :-)
(((Gail)) Thank you….I swear my son thinks I am losing it….texting him too much,,,be careful..on and on,,,I need to calm down, i know Gail, what is a mother to do.
You inspire me and bless the world with your presence, here and on twitter, etc. I hang my head in shame and sorrow that you and all mothers whose sons are young men of color carry this burden, this horrifying weight, which mothers of white sons need not carry or even see. It is wrong and evil and destructive. I will do more to change this, and I will keep your son and young men of color high on the prayer list. Take care.
Thank you so much Nancie:-)
(hugs)
{{{{{Kasai}}}}} I hear you and simply want to remind you, ‘You are not alone’.
Thank you ((((VC)))) I appreciate you and everyone on this blog..It has kept me sane.
Much love!
We love you too, K! It *has* been an unbelievably, emotionally hard weekend, but we soldier on … towards justice and a long-overdue acceptance of our common humanity.
(((VC))) Yes we do:-)
Kasai, the worry for your son is the most natural thing in the world and it’s good for him to know how much you love him. If we didn’t worry about those we love, we wouldn’t be human.
Right along side you, Kasai. Take care
Thank you Bob…
Love you, my dear. We are all in this together. XOXO
Love Bites? Karma? Fate? Providence? Poetic Justice? Love on the Rocks ;) ?
Texas…..Sheesh.
Friend on FB shared something this morning from a friend of her’s. They are both from STL. It was a LONG status that was mostly the “police report” of the shooting, then the person’s thoughts on the incident. Just to give you some of the descriptions/wording: Mike was over 300 lbs. 6’3″ tall……he attacked the officer…..lengthy description about that…..the struggle for the gun, etc. Goes on to say that Mike was a thug that attacked a police officer. I wasn’t going to comment, then decided to make it short so I said: No comment. Yes, one. This should be deleted. Shameful. My friend responded that this area is very dear to her and that people are frightened and having to protect themselves.
My response to her: I know that, J—-. However, the stories do not ‘jive’……not even close and there’s a number of words/terms in this that frankly turn my stomach. To be blunt, if Aliya were a black boy instead of a girl, these references could apply to her. Every time a young black teen is gunned down, I am eternally grateful that we have an AA granddaughter instead of a grandson. We should all try harder to put ourselves in other’s shoes. She responded that she didn’t mean to offend anyone.
Aaaarrrrrgggghhhhh! S— like this is what we are battling all across this country.
You were wise to close the conversation with your friend, but my question is, “What are people afraid of?”
Are they “afraid” of the residents of #Ferguson who have limited mobility (i.e., transportation options) or of the police?
My guess would be the former.
However, see these two tweets on the same subject (links to the same @nytimes articles published June 8).
Read the text that accompanies the second tweet:
This makes me sick and livid and fills me with sadness and dismay.
This tweet is fascinating for many reasons …
Did Hassan Rouhani use the picture with her hair and head uncovered?
Well, pinch me……. ;)
Just weeks ago, Dancing to the HAPPY song, brought punishment. Now this? Okay…..I say: FORWARD! I hope this is a great sign that progress comes soon with the P5+1 in Sept. Might I be sounding too optimistic? Well, that is how I am feeling right now. We Need GOOD News.
That he tweets is cool. That he congratulated a female Iranian via twitter is note worthy. That he specifically also included a photo of Maryam Mirzakhani with her hair and head not covered is way out there!!!
I’ve screen captured the tweet just in case the SL demands that he delete it ;)
And, yes Nena, we need good news!!!
Wow! This is very surprising! :)
I’ve heard that the new Iranian president is very progressive compared to many of his predecessors. Iran is a better country than say Saudi Arabia, believe it or not.
Yesterday, I applauded NYT for using the Correct pictorial from Ferguson. Today, I scorn them. The Headline is misleading on what Ben Rhodes said.
Ben Rhodes also made that point and emphasized on it. To Help Iraqis and assist the Kurdish to evacuate the trapped Yazidis. There is a difference.
But NYT were misleading in their Headline.
:oops: NTY got the Headline….. right. My eyes saw a different Headline…….perhaps, I need a new set of specs.
yet more misleading headlines from the New York Times. No wonder that they’ve been losing readers.
Happy 23rd Birthday Chips. Queen of TOD village. I hope your day is filled with love, light and happiness.
Now, that is GOOD News.
I understand the need for a “clean” look, but WTH on the braid restrictions? Makes no sense at all.
When I was in high school (many years ago, to be sure) the girls in the marching band had to either have short hair or pin it up to tuck under the hats they wore.
The school wanted a clean look for the marching band — but to have restrictions on *how* to tuck your hair under your hat would have been asinine.
Rules must have been written by a white male West Point grad, probably a lieutenant.
This reminds me about something else in the FB post I shared earlier. There were 3 or 4 sentences about the friend who was with him. All of them talking about his “appearance” or the way he looked SO he was definitely lying. The hate andracism oozes, doesn’t it?
In the 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to raise the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour, and soon after signed an Executive Order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for the individuals working on new federal service contracts.
Raising the minimum wage nationwide will increase earnings for millions of workers, and boost the bottom lines of businesses across the country. While Republicans in Congress continue to block the President’s proposal, a number of state legislatures and governors, mayors and city councils, and business owners have answered the President’s call and raised wages for their residents and employees. Read a report on the progress that’s been made so far across the country.
Learn more below about why we need to raise the wage, and share this page with your friends and family.
……………………………//
When was the last time you checked out ……E & C ……. at the White House site? Did you know there was a White House Mobile app? [Now don’t be asking me what that means* ;) instead follow the link and see for yourself. * = I don’t know] The mobile app info link is in the middle section, near the top of the page.
Engage and Connect
President Obama is committed to making this the most open and participatory administration in history. That begins with taking your questions and comments, inviting you to join online events with White House officials, and giving you a way to engage with your government on the issues that matter the most.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/engage
Signs of fascism in Israel reached new peak during Gaza op, says renowned scholar
Israel Prize laureate and renowned scholar Zeev Sternhell fears the collapse of Israeli democracy, and compares the current atmosphere with that of 1940s’ France. The time we have left to reverse this frightening trend is running out, he warns
Hagel changes hair policy after controversy
Aug. 12, 2014 - 06:00AM
Dreadlocks, cornrows, twisted braids and other hairstyles popular among African American women will be more accepted across the military after a forcewide review of hairstyle policies prompted several changes, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
The three-month review came after a spate of complaints that service-level grooming policies were racially biased against black women who choose to wear their hair naturally curly rather than use heat or chemicals to straighten it.
“Each service reviewed its hairstyle policies to ensure standards are fair and respectful while also meeting military requirements,” Hagel wrote in a letter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill notifying them of the changes Monday. “These reviews were informed by a panel of military personnel of mixed demographics reflective of our diverse force.”
Three services — the Army, Navy and Air Force — have authorized additional hair styles, Hagel said.
The Marine Corps agreed to hold a special meeting of its uniform board later this year and is conducting a forcewide survey about whether the “twist” or “dreadlocks” styles should be permitted while in uniform.
The review concluded that the terms “matted and unkempt,” which the Army and Air Force used to describe some dreadlocks and braids, are “offensive” and were removed from service grooming policies, Hagel said.
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140812/NEWS07/308120068/Hagel-changes-hair-policy-after-controversy
The marines always seem to be the very last to do anything when it comes to these types of things. Not to say that the Marine Corps is a bad branch, lots of great things to admire about it. However I wish they weren’t so… Strict about everything.
Opps.
he would deny it anyway.
This is him for sure.
regardless of who that guy, w.t.f was mccain and lindsay doing there anyway at that time?!? have they ever explained why they, as sitting u.s. senators for meet with rebels groups, and who those people were exactly?!? of course nothing from our “news reporters” i’m sure (unless it’s some made up knock against president obama)
I just sent that to Candy Crowley so she can ask her bff McBitter about it.
hmm
Ms. Chips,
Here is wishing you a Very Happy 23rd Birthday !!
Hoping that you have very many more and blessings in all you do;
thanks for helping to keep many of us sane with this bountiful oasis
Oh here comes Little Nate to tell liberals/DEM that Hillary can do/say whatever the hell she pleases and it won’t be a problem at all for the “left.”
I think Nate little success have gone to his GIANT head.
Thank goodness people can see through the B.S. and are pushing back.
All I can tell Nate Silver is we who support President Obama do not like what she said in that Atlantic interview. Well I can’t speak for anyone else, I know I didn’t like it.
Hf, it’s gotten so that I automatically dismiss any sentence that starts..”Nate Silver,” especially when it comes in an e-mail intended to scare me into donating.
He has no idea what he is talking about. Not saying I do either. Just that it is early days for this chat and people who genuinely care about this country are ocused on November, 2014.
Vicki, the thing is, we already have concrete evidence that Silver’s analysis is way off-base. 2008 was a glaring example. If the “left” didn’t care about HRC’s hawkish policies, PBO would not have been nominated in the Dem primaries. And what just happened the last couple days is another example. The huge negative reaction on Twitter and elsewhere was not an illusion. Even pro-Clinton Moveon.org publicly chastised her for it HRC and her PR people immediately had to backpedal, call PBO to “clarify” and apologize for her “mistake.” . Do you think they would take the pains to do this if they felt that it “didn’t matter to the left” as Silver is claiming?
I am with you all the way, hopefruit. Maybe as many folks say the Iraq vote was the line between PBO and HRC that gave him the primaries.
It sure helped us.
But I think in 2008 the biggest factor was and remains the overwhelming charisma of PBO. Nobody can stop this man. Let alone, beat him.
Dure, HRC’s hawkish self is a turn-off.
And i couldn’t agree more that this speech with Jefferey Goldberg is going to be if not the last nail, certainly a BIG nail in the Clinton column.
Everyone is recalling with a shudder how grating and untruthful and careless Hillary is.
The exasperated,”What difference does it make?” during Benghazi hearings was a good reminder of her weaknesses. Way too many of them
Nate Silver’s effort is silly. Not a matter of left and or more left or not left enough. He clearly is listening to his own voice too much.
.
2008 Re-dux..
We did not like her then.
We will not choose her now.
Not in a car and not………..
LOVE this man:
Great news. Love him…….almost as much as our President.
great !
Happy birthday to the mighty, insight-y, always right-y (as in ‘correct’, not ‘-wing’), never flighty, star-bright-y founder, creator, CEO, pilot, curator, and guiding light of The Obama Diary, without which……can’t even finish the thought. Unimaginable, getting through the day week month and year without the feast, medicine, laughter, compassion, truth, and inspiration of this community. Thank you for this family. Wish I could send you an actual cake, but please accept a virtual cake with 23 glowing candles and your favorite flavors of cake and icing and ice cream on the side. Here is a little giggle, because you are a such a very good egg.
Nancie- You’re right about it being unimaginable to get through the day without this place that Chips created, but I’m going to have trouble cracking an egg from now on.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/08/13/happy-birthday-chiparooooo/
Happy Birthday Ms. Chips!
Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.
Sai Baba
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_life.html#FS7WwcD6hwxCh2B3.99