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The President has no public events schedule for today
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This is a scheduled post, so I can’t say moooOOOooorning til I get home. See ya in a bit.
01
Apr
15
128 Responses to “Early Bird Rise and Shine”
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Good Morning Chips.
I love this picture.
Hi, NCLB, Chips and morning TODers. I don’t know if the lack of scheduled events for our President is a good sign or a bad one. Or maybe he has a full schedule and the WH is making an April Fool’s joke. In any case, Happy April!!!!!
Last night’s “Hey” post was wonderful. Could put the video on a continuous loop and be happy all day.
Good morning TOD.
No deal? Nothing happened overnight.
Iranian/Russian announcements (and mine) were premature celebration, at least so far.
NYT front page has a single gloomy sentence, “Iran and US may be unable to overcome decades of suspicions to reach a deal.”
Good morning Chips and TOD.
Good morning! It would be a “faux pas” of sorts to come to any agreement on April 1. Silly things that must be considered huh?
Vicki, this may be the wish of the NYT and the not the reality. Note the word “may.” Kerry said the work would continue into today and the President has nothing scheduled.
Their phrasing is not the best but the NYT may be right.
/shrug/ What it’s unlikely the NYT writer factored into his/her ‘analysis’ is that PBO does not have ‘decades of suspicion’ towards Iran.
G’morning Chip & TOD! Happy Wednesday everyone. :)
LH, one very good point in this article is that congressmen, who live in partisan bubbles because of redistricting, can get away with just talking and not leading. As PBO has often said, a governor has to deal with reality and the many challenges of keeping a state operating. It is in these positions that the wheat gets separated from the chaff. Pence is essentially a partisan hack best suited to mouthing off in Congress. He, like many ideologues before him, is a terrible leader.
Yup. Got elected in a bubble. Trying to govern in a bubble ain’t gonna happen.
Thissssssss
“Being a governor is different. It’s about being a leader who is forced every day to think pragmatically, ”
I don’t buy it. Depending on the state you can as ideological as you want to be. What Pence did was not anticipate the backlash and all the people egging him on seem to have disappeared into the shadows so he’s taking the heat all by his lonesome. Bryan Fisher can tell him what he should do but you’ll notice Fischer is not racing to Indiana to stand with Pence.
I disagree. I didn’t happen with whasshername in AZ. Not happening with the IN dunce. You say AR? Just wait and watch.
I should have been clearer. I’m talking ideology in general. See Scott Walker in WI and Bobby Jindal in La and a few other places. On this issue the only thing stopping Pence from riding it out is all his supporters went into hiding. If they were rallying to him Pence wouldn’t change one word of this bill. They ran so look for him to bail out as well.
With Arkansas you are right we will see. The Arkansas legislature passed theirs knowing full well what happened in Indiana. Right now Hutchinson is saying he will sign it.
yes, walker case perplexes me too. too little turnout ? are voters stupid ? bobby, the poser, will be soon be exposed.
When I think of an obvious mistake like Walker not being recalled due to the vote count I remember how the vote did not turn out to be in his favor till the end. Makes me suspicious! DeBold machines?
Der Bingle, there may be a few states that don’t care how far into the pit they go as long as their governor has an R after his name, but in the state of PA the far right ideologue, Tom Corbett, got booted out the door after one term for not acting like a leader. A one-term governor is a radical departure from PA history, but lousy leadership does have consequences.
Corbett stunk but in the right state an ideological governor has no worries. Walker was an ideologue from the word go. Wisconsinites knew it and not only elected him but gave him another term. Now he’s trying to take that state back to 1904. There’s a lot more than a few states where ideology is perfectly alright with the citizens.
Our governor, Mary Fallin, was also a representative from a safe Republican district before she became governor. She was a very hard right ideologue her first term, refusing the federal money for Medicaid expansion…..which was a stupid thing to do, and people were furious with her. However, she was elected to a second term, but she has moderated a bit……she’s had to. As hard as the state rep from my district has tried, no bill such as Indiana’s has even been proposed in out legislature…..for that I am grateful. We have a fair sized, wealthy, professional , gay population in our city, with some clout, and I’m not sure Fallin would sign such a bill.
GM Jackie…i think what makes this situation different…is the type of backlash that has happened…Indiana is getting hit from all angles and not just by the “usual” suspects…he is getting hit by business leaders…sports representatives…celebrities…etc….couple that with the potential loss of significant revenue…
that is why his so called supporters (ALEC) have scurried back into the shadows…
These cookie cutter bills are so signature of ALEC…like the anti abortion…anti worker…voter suppression…pro gun laws sweeping across our country…
Great point Jackie. Pence was expecting protest from the so called liberal quarters but NASCAR? Not even a little bit. Right now he’s a man alone because all the people egging him on have hung him out to dry
HE FITS IN WELL IN INDIANA…IT’S CALLED DYSFUNCTION!
Sneed exclusive: Urban League CEO Andrea Zopp urged to run for Kirk’s seat
Posted: 03/31/2015, 07:05pm | Michael Sneed
Getting Zopped?
Sneed has learned that Urban League President and CEO Andrea Zopp, whose resume reads like a corporate bible, is being urged to run for the U.S. Senate and is mulling it over.
Sneed also hears former White House chief of staff William Daley, the brother and son of former Chicago mayors — and others — have talked to the uber-credentialed Zopp about being a potential candidate against GOP U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk.
“Yes, I have talked to her about it and have enormous respect for her, consider her my friend, and think she would be great in government and politics — but I can’t push anybody — anyone to run,” Daley tells Sneed.
Sneed hears that a cadre of top Dem leaders are very concerned about an absence of persons of color on the Illinois Dem ticket, besides perennial Dem candidate Jesse White, whose latest incarnation is secretary of state.
“A lot of people in the African-American community are still shaking their heads they have no mayoral candidate this time around,” a top Dem party source said. “Barack Obama will not be on the next ticket, which will be the first time since 2004. And Zopp would be an exciting candidate!”
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/486504/sneed-urban-league-ceo-andrea-zopp-urged-run-kirks-seat
Isn’t Tammy Duckworth, is that her name? Didn’t she announce she was running against Kirk?
Yes she did.
No I thought it was Shocks seat
Incorrect. Tammy Duckworth is already a U.S. representative. She won in 2012 and unseated the odious Joe Walsh. She is running for Senator to unseat the miserable twit, Mark Kirk.
Bill Daley is a faux Democrat, helping the transition team for Rauner, the Scott Walker wannabe who IL stupidly elected governor.
What passes for a “Democrat” in IL is often not what we consider “Democrat”. There are plenty of decent Dems in the state, but the Daleys weren’t really Democrats and it’s clear that Rauner is passing out favors to the IL legislature and many Dems appear to be picking up prizes.
I don’t know anything about Andrea Zopp and I will do my research before I form an opinion. But I lost ALL respect for Bill Daley when he signed on with Rauner.
Good Morning, Everyone :)
Good morning, TODVille.
More wait and see….
why is she considered as expert on these things again?
There are no experts, they don’t exist.
It never ends-the ugliness, the insanity, the deep-seated bigotry that infects and rots these United States.
yanno Jackie…there are just no words to say…..
but Rep Lewis’ words encourages me…
ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE WHO OCCUPY MY HEART…I SO LOVE JOHN LEWIS!!!!!
How disgusting. Why would anyone do something like that, it is not funny. Maybe they are not trying to be funny.
They know exactly what that noose represent.
TYPICAL OF MINDS WITH NO HEARTS THAT I QUICKLY COMBINE WITH THE SCENT OF A FLOWING SEWER FILLED WITH THEIR FRIENDS!
I am raising an early morning toast to the month of April. Those of us who have endured an endless, truly debilitating winter have longed for this day, April Fools or not. April is the month of hope. It is the ‘child’ of the year-the one that comes before the ripeness of May and June and the long, hot sultry days of summer. April is fickle-sunny one day, rainy the next, but it does slowly, inexorably bring all the promises of Spring. To paraphrase an old rhyme, “April, April, laugh thy golden laughter. Then a moment after, weep thy golden tears.” April is tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and magnolias. Really, what’s not to love?
Oh, jg…..I like that April poem…..much better than T.S. Eliot’s “April is the cruelest month…….”
Our flowers are beginning to bloom here, in fact the daffodils are already past. My lilac bush has leaves on it, and my peony bushes are coming up. I can look forward to those magnificent blossoms, which I love. One is enough for a bouquet.
Happy April everyone……we started April last night with rain….as jg says, “What’s not to love?”
Carolyn, how lucky you are. We’ve yet to see the daffodils or the hyacinths and the buds on all bushes and trees are still small. Even the local nurseries are still closed and they almost always open up in March with their displays of pansies and herbs. But it will all come soon. It’s like feeling life again from the cold hard ground.
I have daffodils on my table and I LOVE lilac and peonies, which are very expensive here so DO enjoy them to the fullest. Happy April!
And April showers bring May flowers! I also love April and all the gorgeous flowers and fruit it brings to our tables. Primavera!
GM JackieG, Carolyn, Meta.
What a wonderful way to start the day — my favorite have always been daffodils — as a novice patio gardener, potted some bulbs in the Fall, most of which have bloomed wonderfully (including some tulips), except for the daffodils. :(
Sad to say that from my SoCal perch, Spring has sprung. Hillsides that were brilliant emerald just last week are now turning brown, and I think the last of my experiments may bloom this week in time for Easter.
JackieG — had no idea that nurseries closed in the winter. I’ve been frequenting nurseries recently, and it seems the best selection of tempting plants were available in the winter — now their offerings look like they’re suffering from the heat. :(
Arapaho, after the holiday rush selling trees and garlands, all the local nurseries close down for the harsh months of January, February and early March. This is the first year I’ve remembered when they didn’t open in March.
VERY BEAUTIFUL JACKIE…I LOVE YOUR APRIL POEM!!!!…PERFECTION!
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks & TOD family.
Good morning everyone:) It’s Wednesday already! Have a great day today..
If that doesn’t look like people working hard to get a deal I don’t know what does.
I AM VERY ANGRY THAT RUSTY AND HIS TURTLE COMPADRE ARE IN GOD’S HOLY LAND…I SEE RUSTY IS CHEWING…MUST BE NICORETTE…RUSTY SNEAKING A SMOKE IN ISRAEL…WHAT A HOOT…I WONDER IF BIBI TOOK HIS BUDDIES TO A BAR SO RUSTY DOESN’T GET THE SHAKES…CERTAINLY HE HAS A LIQUID SUPPLY PROVIDED IN HIS SUITCASE!
BIBI AND BUDS DOING ALL THAT THEY CAN TO DEMOTE OUR PRESIDENT…I HEAR RUSTY AND BIBI HAD A VERY SHORT NEWS CONFERENCE…INDEED…RUSTY HAD TO RUN TO HIS SUITCASE FOR A LIQUID FLUSH…I LOVE MY ENERGIZER PRESIDENT…HOPE HE IS ENJOYING THIS DAY!
While I don’t know much about Jonathan Goodluck, the defeated Nigerian president, he always appears as someone not too serious about the problems facing his country. Perhaps this man is a welcomed change.
I’m not knowledgeable at all about African countries/politics, but from what I’ve read, Goodluck is a corrupt thug — his inert government allowed Boko Hurum to thrive.
Concerned about the military dictator background of Buhari, but that part of his history was a long time ago.
Seems to me that any change from Goodluck is good for Nigeria.
Nigeria holds so much promise — it could truly thrive and be a leader for other African nations with the right progressive leadership.
beebs claims he is reputed to be incorruptible. that’s a big, big plus with me.
goodluck seems to be incompetent leader.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32150234
gotta scroll down to “Muhammadu Buhari in focus”
<3
Yea, Good Day, every. one! :) :) :)
It’s April Fiiiiirst (#getit?amk) – the first day of my official 5 month sabbatical! :grin: :grin: What’s on the agenda? We-ell….
↓
MONTH-1 – Think and plan how best to use the time.
Possibilities =
a) Outline a plan to write your autobiography.
b) Prepare a possible schema for writing offspring’s biography.
c) Seriously investigate, and start, learning a new language.
d) Keep a sharp eye on TODland, but give a, b &/ c some actual (token)hours/days.
e) Shred the decades of personal paper residing not-so comfortably in the home space.
↓
MONTH-2
a) Review the Month 1 planning list to see if it needs tweaking.
b) Relax after the strenuous planning…and review in month 1 - if attempted.
↓
MONTH-3
a) Reconsider whether it makes practical sense to try to do so much in only 5 (well 3 now) months.
b) Check out TODland more assiduously while deciding on a).
↓
MONTHS 4-5
a) Too much planning hampers spontaneity. ;) Going with the flow – might provide exciting stories to add to either biography. :D
Hope you are all having a sunny (or rainy for west coasters) and pleasant April 1st! I’m off to catch up on the previous posts [no one could expect me to start any serious work on the very fiiiirst day of the sabbatical]. Ciao!
5 month sabbatical ?????????????????
wanna switch place?
#whatsitworthtoyou
how about I go awol from tod? That’s a biggie in my favor, right?
#no
That didn’t work so well last time (in fact it angered me…and if I were you I wouldn’t remind me of it). #conflictneedsa…er….partner
why? I think it’s a win/win for everyone !!!
:roll: #idont
#liar
#libel
Anyone here know an outstanding Indian-North American lawyer - one who can legally practise in both places?
me, me, me.
Smart, eh? If I can love me, I can love anyone, even … ! :grin: :grin:
even amk. say it.
how many times you gonna let that cat getcher tongue?
ask mark knoller; he’s the numbers guy
Love your plan, VC. Enjoy your sabbatical.
TY, NC - that’s at the heart of all ‘my planning’! ;) ;) Congrats to you on your regular jaunt to the top of the heap!
GM vc. Not working for 5 months? I am not ready yet. I remember when I was recovering from surgery and going through Radiation, I was starting to feel dumbness coming over me. I don’t know if it was the effects of the chemo, surgery, and radiation, but I was feeling like I was losing the English language. I found that I missed the daily challenges at work, the interaction with co-workers, my brain was getting lazy. So, I think when I officially retire, I’ll probably do something part-time or temp because I don’t think (and this position is not in stone) I can not get dressed in business attire for 5 straight months. Let’s revisit this in a couple of years and see what I say then :D
E & west coast ‘Morning’, Gx2. :)
Grandmother used to say ‘Every captain runs his ship differently’, implying that the ships get to their destination in spite of the differences of the captains’ leadership skills. Apart from the fact that a sabbatical does not in any way prevent one from stimulating/challenging one’s minds or from interaction with others (if they so choose), I concluded ages ago that I am by nature indolent, with a very indolent [ ;) I prefer ‘indolent’ to ‘lazy’ - sounds so much more classy to me] brain. Also, too, 5 months pass quickly - I do have to return to work (with others) at the end of that time. :/
It’s good to know oneself; indolent by nature, I like how you identified your nature :-)
Well, since you have soooooo much time on your hands, us TOD SoCal peeps would love for you to visit - just pop over for a couple of days - you choose - just give us a heads up and we’ll do a grand brunch :-)
*chuckle* *chuckle* You always forget that I don’t like to fly. :D Plus, have you also already forgotten that I have ‘plans’ for each month off? :grin:
{{{{{ VC }}}}} I would venture to recommend getting onto that Month 1, e) project without further ado. It is terrifically exhausting, kind of addictive in a way, and utterly exhilarating when the mounds and boxes of paper are all gone. BuhBye. Trust me, I know, I really know. <3
:grin: Pamela, it’s probably the only thing on my list that absolutely *has* to be more than attempted; however, not today for sure! :grin: :grin:
Don’t know if this was posted in NW’s Post last night, but…
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/03/31/3640665/jim-keady-christie/
During a Belmar, New Jersey press conference last October, Gov. Chris Christie famously told Jim Keady to “sit down and shut up” when Keady and others protested the governor’s failed Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. Keady is not listening to the governor.
Instead, he announced last week that he’s running to represent New Jersey’s 30th District in the state Assembly. While reexamining the state’s hurricane recovery efforts would be a priority, the restaurant owner and activist with the New Jersey Organizing Project told ThinkProgress he would use the position to advocate for fixing the state’s failing pension plan, reforming the education system and advocating for the environment of his hometown — all with input from constituents.
Professor Franke says, “Now is the time to ask whether progressives can use these religious freedom laws, too.” For instance, she could imagine a private business owner in Indiana using the new “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” to challenge the state’s open carry permit law: A private business owner whose sincerely held religious beliefs include peace and non-violence could object to an individual being allowed to enter her store or restaurant with a weapon. Indiana also has proposed legislation to require public school teachers to carry weapons; but were such a mandate to pass, a teacher could file suit because such a requirement violated his religious freedom.
I think this is why there is such a visceral outage re: this law…there was no shade..in this law it was out and out ..JIM Crow….and that struck a nerve with many Americans..
I wish the same level of outrage is expressed against the voter suppression laws that are alive and well.
i agree…but there is plenty of shade thrown to voter suppression laws..in addition discrimination against people of color is as American as Apple Pie….
another point….Folks do not see the threat to Democracy in voter suppression laws…because as the President has said…even if all of the voter suppression laws were repealed the US would still have the lowest voter turnout of countries that have free elections..
outage=outrage
For the gun lovers….
Will they allow guns in the State House….in the galley of the legislative chamber…
There is no limit to these people’s pipe dreams of restoring a WILD WILD WEST type society wherever they can.
i wonder if they trust the gun nuts not to shoot them in the chamber….
Arkansas Gov requests changing to the bigotry bill before signing.
i like that…calling it the “Bigotry Bill”….
I followed it a bit but wonder what tweaks he is actually looking for before he signs the bill.
lmao. I was just predicting this above. #bubbleburst
I bet it happens with the treasonous cong critters too soon.
You called it amk. Hutchinson said no thanks to a headache.
:)
CIC: thou art not the only one who receives ‘odd’ enquiries, from my SPAM folder today: “Pamela - But thought how wide the world the times, and a pound of rice, and a cranberry tart..” did I read on? Uh, No.
Greetings, P. You should have read on! How do you know the formula for riches wasn’t contained in the latter portion? :D
Oh, VC, of course I read it in its entirety before making my well-thought out comment, of course I did!! It is the bogey of the list, however, and this I know, as you know. It is the one that if tackled first will be done, if tackled later or last, it may contain the seeds of defeat. Trust me on this one, dear friend. Having said this wholeheartedly, I pause to wonder how 99ts and Mr99ts are getting along with their downsizing, the move grows closer by the day. Must away, y’all, Trader Joe is awaiting for MP. Don’t like to leave Easter food shopping too close to the weekend, also learned from experience. <3
O yes, I probably should do some Easter food shopping myself. I had forgotten about that. I think I’ll do mine tomorrow after my doctor’s appointment. Enjoy your shopping!
VC, please ignore my comment here - I seem to have gone o/t, thinking we were still talking about your sabbatical.. must have been one foot out the door and not concentrating. Oh well.
:lol: I would definitely read on MightyP, that sounds fascinating!!!
Afternoon!
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/04/01/chat-away-560/
SB 292 would allow health-care professionals and institutions to refuse to provide prescriptions for contraceptives and abortifacients or participate in health-care services that violate their conscience, and would immunize health-care professionals and institutions from civil and criminal liability based on their refusal to provide prescriptions or participate in health-care services that violate their conscience.
The bill would also prevent any kind of discrimination against health-care professionals who refuse to participate in health-care services that violate their conscience.
***************************
This bill was proposed in the state house….Jan /2015
take note of the wording of the bill and its similarity to the Bigotry bills in AK and IN…typical ALEC cookie cutter bills…