President Barack Obama talks with Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, regarding a statement on Iraq and the situation in Ferguson, Missouri, in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., Aug. 14, 2014. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. listens, at right. At left, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice talks with Anita Breckenridge, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. Photo by Pete Souza)
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LIVE NOW: Secretary of State John Kerry Speaks at the Opening Ceremony for U.S. Embassy Havana
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Really insightful piece on how Obama understands the Iran nuclear deal. twitter.com/Max_Fisher/sta…
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J. Dana Stuster (@JDanaStuster) August 07, 2025****
Max Fisher: Obama Opens Up On Iran
But Obama’s primary message was one of certainty. “Of all the foreign policy issues that I’ve addressed since I’ve been president,” he said, “I’ve never been more certain that this is sound policy, that it’s the right thing to do for the United States, that it’s the right thing to do for our allies.” In terms of decisions I make, I do think that I have a better sense of how military action can result in unintended consequences. And I am confirmed in my belief that much of the time, we are making judgments based on percentages, and no decision we make in foreign policy — or for that matter, any policy — is completely without hair on it, which is how we kind of describe it. I mean, there are always going to be some complications. But that’s why, when I say that this to me is not a close call, I say that based on having made a lot of tough calls. So if you look at Libya, I was deeply concerned about what would happen after [Libyan leader Moammar] Gadhafi was gone.
I (and a few others) sat down with Obama to talk about Iran. Here's what I learned. vox.com/2015/8/7/91156… http://t.co/QaCTxXVUeg
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Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) August 07, 2025I was deeply concerned about the ability of some of our European partners who were forward-leaning on that issue to sustain their efforts. We organized the campaign in such a way that I could guarantee they had to step up, and it wasn’t just riding on our coattails to get it done, and that there was broad international support. And to this day, I would say that, had we not gone after Gadhafi, you’d have some version of what happened in Syria in Libya, because he had already lost control of big chunks of the country. But even factoring all that stuff in, Libya is still a mess right now. And so maybe at the same time as I’m more confident today, I’m also more humble. And that’s part of the reason why when I see a situation like this one, where we can achieve an objective with a unified world behind us, and we preserve our hedge against it not working out, I think it would be foolish — even tragic — for us to pass up on that opportunity.
More here
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After thoughtful deliberation, it’s clear @TheIranDeal is the only option right now to stop #Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
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Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) August 13, 2025Republican RT @barbaraslavin1: Former US national security adviser Brent #Scowcroft endorses @theIrandeal almon.co/2hrf
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Laura Rozen (@lrozen) August 13, 2025****
#IranDeal critics undermine American leadership: excellent piece by @JoelMartinRubin bit.ly/1ILmgnp
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Joe Cirincione (@Cirincione) August 13, 2025Rep. Farr backs Iran deal. "After two decades in Congress, this is the first time I will be able to vote for peace, not just against war."
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Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) August 13, 2025****
President Barack Obama addresses a town hall meeting on health care insurance reform inside a hangar at Gallatin Field in Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama confers with Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, and Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., right, regarding a statement on Iraq and the situation in Ferguson, Missouri, in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., August 14, 2014. Anita Breckenridge, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, stands in the background at left. Photo by Pete Souza
Members of the audience listen as President Barack Obama addresses a town hall meeting on health care insurance reform inside a hangar at Gallatin Field in Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
A young girl in the audience as President Barack Obama addresses a town hall meeting on health care insurance reform inside a hangar at Gallatin Field in Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama points to a questioner during a town hall meeting on health care insurance reform inside a hangar at Gallatin Field in Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009. Photo by Samantha Appleton
President Barack Obama works a rope line following after his town hall on health care insurance reform inside a hangar at Gallatin Field in Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama meets with Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer following a town hall meeting on health care insurance reform in Belgrade, Montana, on Aug. 14, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
White House.gov
GM Nerdy
ONG I am FURST 🌟🌟🌟🌟👍🏻🎈
Celebration 😳
Yay Roberta! Congrats! :-)
Dancing the happy dance for you on first, Roberta!
Good MOOOOOrning, Roberta. :)
Good Morning NW and TOD.
LIVE NOW: Secretary Kerry Arrives In Cuba – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Morning, JER.
Thanks for the link. :)
GM JER and TODville.
what a lovely ceremony! such a great story of the 3 men that took the flag down were there to raise it again.
Helloooooo
Morning Roberta, morning JER! Congrats on First and Second!
Morning fabulous Nerdy. I’ll bet your ears were ringing last night with all the praise directed at you as people said hello to Chips. Congratulations on first Roberta. Hope you have a terrific day.
Morning, awesome Jackie. :)
I just went back and read the comments. Thanks to you and all other TODers for the wonderful and heartwarming comments.
You all are fantastic!
No, YOU’RE FANTASTIC!
We just get to bask in how fantastic you are!
Agree 57and female. Nerdy is one of a kind. She has beena Godsend while Chips has been away on vacation
:)
Awww…. thanks! :)
Good West Coast morning NW & TOD family and a very long GOOOOOAL morning to my dear Chipsticks & Danny. Welcome Home. Miss you like crazy, but NW helped me maintain my sanity. LL & amk participated too 😎
Hi GGail! Heard you had a fun time with your California TOD buddies. Can’t wait to see the photos.
Hey JackieG, we had a dancing good time last night. I can still hear the live band playing in my head👣👣
I’ll send the pics to the girls when I get to work so one of them, probably jojo can post it.
GM GGail.
And Zizi’s powerful essay.
I sent a “welcome back” “Thank you for TOD” tweet to Chips:
Good hot morning Arapaho. It’s 70 already here in Monrovia 😳
70 already? I WISH FOR 70! It’s 95 here and on the way to a stupid hot of around 115….Morning, GGail…I hope you have a great day today:) I will do everything in my power NOT to be outside today:)
Morning DF, I’m not looking forward to this evenings heat either. Stay cool girl
I’ll try!! you too:)
gm df - and that is HOT - even in my part of the world.
Yikes! That’s scary hot!
Stay cool df!
115F OMG.
Heard on radio that forecast high is 117F in Palm Springs, 107F for Woodland Hills (west San Fernando Valley).
Really dislike it when the low temps don’t dip into the 60s — per GGail, 70F at sunrise. :(
Good MOOOrning, GGail. :)
CUBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good morning TOD. I see Chips checked in on thread I missed last night. She and Danny are having a wonderful vacation. Well, Danny is for sure.
NY Times in their usual mode of ignoring or downplaying any achievement of President Barack Obama, managed to get in a snide article from the chief turd who covers the President.
The framing of the Times piece on Cuba is how it almost didn’t happen.
I’m going to turn my TV on now and enjoy this triumph.
Good Morning! Beautiful day to make history! Thank you President Obama!
He forgot to mention that his brother released Al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIL, from prison in 2004.
00ps
Hey, Nerdy! Thank you and good morning!
:)
http://www.c-span.org/video/?327637-1/us-embassy-cuba-flagraising-ceremony
U.S. Embassy in Cuba Flag-Raising Ceremony
Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Havana, Cuba to participate in the re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. Diplomatic relations with the country were restored last month.
Good Morning TOD, waiting for SOS Kerry to come on the scene. Is this televised by any national TV or just on line? I didn’t see it on C-Span either.
Was going to ask that same question. ??????
:-) :-) :-)
whitehouse.gov will be carrying SOS Kerry’s speech at 9:45am
Watching it on C-Span 2 right now.
I think it is awesome they are going to use the same Marines that took it down to put it back up. What and honor and glad they are still alive to participate in this ceremony.
Happy Friday to my favorite people on the internet. Have a great day!
You, too, chica!
Wishing you the same, Superstar!
😄😄😄
Great read from Milt Shook
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/the-iran-deal-matters/
Except for that Schumer crap at the end. Whatever.
Good morning Nerdy, Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Friday morning. Congrats Roberta, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope you have a heart-thumping, foot-stomping, jaw-dropping good-time today. TGIF <3 <3 <3
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
There are only a couple dozen protesters in Little Havana. The poor media doesn’t know what to say about that…
teehee
Heh.
The diehards are now up there in years. They are probably at the doctor’s office, taking advantage of Medicare that they want to deny to further generations.
TGIF Good Morning TOD. I see I slept through the visit from our Birthday Girl Ms. Chips. I hope she continues to have a wonderful Holiday Vacation with Danny.
Nerdy Wonka, as a co-partner with Ms. Chips on The Obama Diary I have to say that I am so grateful that you stepped up when Chips put out that call for help a few years ago. The dedication to keeping us informed by the two of you has been nothing short of masterful. Your full time fill-in while Chips has been able to take a vaca has been so generous on your part. I can personally never thank you enough for the live tweets, the constant updates on ObamaCare, your crazy sense of humor with your end the day with laughter threads and your relentless calls for justice and equal rights. You are a jewel and I can never say THANK YOU enough!!!!
p.s. and many, many thanks to all the other bt’s as well.
Have a great O’Day Everyone!
Friday’s Good
I wholeheartedly second that emotion. Nerdy Wonka is the very best in all the ways that make this place the greatest online community. I hope she knows how much we love and appreciate her every single day. Massively.
^^^ THIS! Thanks, Nerdy Wonka!
:)
THISSSSSSSS a 1000 times…
:)
THIS to infinity!
:)
Thanks so much, Meta!
Every drop of this goodness:)
:)
Nerdy, I agree with every last word donna dem said. Thank you Donna for writing and sharing such wonderful words. 👍👌👊
:)
All of THIS!!!!!
:)
I thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You rock, Donna!
WH feed on now!
https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/08/14/clone-follow-along-re-opening-our-embassy-havana-cuba
well earned snarky comments like this earns you a….who am I kidding?
#nomoreclintons #none
OH look! There’s my senator , Jeff Flake, smiling, shaking hands and taking a selfie….. wonder if he could vision this scenario with him in Iran in a few years?
Nice in depth commentary DF, if I close eyes I can almost smell the empanadas being cooked by the roadside vendors.
Look at the old cars lining the street in the WH feed:)
Get ’em Nerdy!
oh and THANK YOU for all your amazing work over the past weeks. You totally ROCK!
WOW, the three gentlemen who will raise the flag just stepped out onto the stage. WOW!
They are carrying the flag once again.
Richard Blanco!
This is a genuine Mission Accomplished.
Magnificent.
Richard Blanco Unity. Together.
Original Marines from 1961 raising the Flag they once lowered
BiPartisan Senate representation.
Our Great American Heros. PBO SOS Kerry and VP Biden
Had to bust out of lurking briefly to say g’morning to TOD, and many, many thanks to Nerdy for bringing us this live coverage of this historic moment in Cuba!
:)
Kerry speaks spanish too?
si!
I think he speaks at least four languages. I know he speaks English, french, & spanish. I’m not sure about the rest.
<3
The more I see S>O>S> Kerry, the more I am impressed with his ability and knowledge of languages. Just love our POTUSs choice of cabinet members. He really puts Hillary’s time as SOS to shame.
Fox is covering the Iowa Fair
This is soooo cool!
Lots of tears here! Amazing!!!!!!
I know, me too!
Ain’t that the truth.
Well, I certainly shed a tear at the handing over of that flag!
And I saw one of the old Marines wipe a tear away, as well. #PromiseMadePromiseKept
dang, not a sniff of wind even though we are at the beach front.
Some people just can’t catch a break.
Me too!
both aj and bbc covered it live. how did the murkan networks do?
Msnbc had it live but oops, the camera fell to ground just as flag was being attached (omg!) so I switched to AJ. They had a better angle anyway.
C-span here. Did the MSNBC yappers shut up for the poem? I finally changed it few minutes before that.
CNN and MSNBC covered it.
The President wasn’t attending, so the networks covered it live. As usual.
Yep
Allison that pretty much sums it up. RWNJ’s aren’t going to accept that, it’s all OBAMA’s fault. Bad day typing. LOL
This explanation is AWESOME! I hope NW will be able to FP it.
It should be read very slowly and definitely placed on as many facebooks sites as possible.
Thank you so much Allison for posting it.
This is too hilarious by half:
I know I shouldn’t - but Greta looks weird in that photo. Seriously weird
I’m old enough to remember when Greta was considered “liberal”.
She got mad that CNN fired her friend, so she left to go to Fox. Her husband had/has an unnatural crush on Palin. Greta has gone completely off the deep end.
I have the age but not the knowledge - first time I heard of them was during the Palin love fest.
She had a show with a guy whose name I don’t remember. Started during the Clinton years. They were both lawyers and gave the legal perspective. She was the “liberal” and the other guy was the conservative. I actually loved her in those days - she was articulate, clear about the law and very informative. There was a shake-up at CNN - they got rid of their decent news people and were turning to more “personalities.”. I remember thinking, is Fox going to let her be a liberal voice? She turned on a dime - became a cheerleader for everything insane. And then the Palin lovefest. It was (and is) mind boggling.
53 years of utter nonsense brought to an end by one man.
One extraordinary, brilliant, GREAT man!
Re-opening of US Embassy in Cuba very very moving ceremony.
Yea for renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba!
That was a moving ceremony. ‘Promises made. Promises kept!’
Another step forward ✔ - Thank you President Obama. #FORWARD we continue with you!
Good morning, TODobots!
Good morning and thank you for being on the job, Ms NerdyW! You continue to do terrific work, and we continue to be very appreciative!
Good morning vc
A very ‘good morning to you, GxG’!
I sneaked out for a while to have an early lunch - just because I felt like it. Now I’m dealing with a few guilty pangs because that lunch included a big ice-cream sandwich. :D
Nothing on Fox. CNN and MSNBC whining and negative.
CNN and MSNBC only care about Donald Trump, they think everybody wants to see Trump.
Not true. Alot of people don’t think anything of Donald Trump.
‘a courageous decision to stop being prisoners of history’
I guess Marco Rubio is having a darn fit. He is drinking something alittle stronger then that water he kept gulping after the SOTU.
Poor Marco Rubio, young, hot, sexy, and still he gets his ass handed to him by President Obama.
I can’t tell if Mrs Greenspan is having flashbacks or hot flashes.
LOL!!!!!
I swear that woman has more than flash back. She has a speech impediment and memory loss impediment. :-) I can’t stand listening to her or watching her or her husband.
Lady Greenspan!
I can’t stand to watch A. Mitchell.
Historic:
Poignant:
Good morning TOD family. So glad to see my Senator Tester came out for the Iran deal. I did call. The pictures of PBO in Belgrade bring back many memories. I wasn’t inside the building, we were outside across from all the tea partiers. They asked us if we were being paid. We had 2 buses of union folks from Missoula.
What a great day. Raising the flag in Cuba. I do hope one day to go there.
Good morning Marilyn, I am thinking of planning a trip to Cuba myself.
We should plan a TOD trip. My busy week is finally over and now I can start thinking about our trip to So Cal. Off to do some shopping.
Missed the ceremony. Know the whole video will be posted soon. Thanks NW!!!!!
that’s good. tester was always a calculative sob.
😆
Wooooooot!
It must be frustrating being a Republican, once you think you’ve got a handle on this Obama fella he ups and reopens an embassy in Cuba. In all my years of watching and studying politics I have never seen one person outsmart an entire political party even when that political party has basically all the power. I mean at some point the Republicans will win a battle against President Obama, I mean the law of averages have to work for them at some point in time.
Don, you and I were thinking the same thing today! It must smart like hell to be a powerful, well monied political party and you keep getting bested by this skinny, big eared, black guy.
ROFLMBAO!!!!!
Yep, I can just imagine some of those Senators sitting in their private rooms saying “that (fill in the blank) beat us again”.
This right here, Don and GGail.
at some point the Republicans will win a battle against President Obama
Yea, on January 20, 2017.
Forgive me y’all: New Moon, 21.31 Leo. Actually was 1/2 an hour ago: 10:53 am EDT, 7:53 PDT. No excuses, just distraction, and I’m not even on holidays! :bear: <3
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/08/14/chat-away-645/