President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s hands rest on the railing of a boat during their tour of St. Andrews Bay in Panama City Beach, Fla., Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza
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#Cuba This man wears his t-shirt wit a picture of @BarackObama in front of the @USEmbCuba 14ymedio.com/nacional/vivo-… http://t.co/9YhCeoBQVN
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Yoani Sanchez (@yoanifromcuba) August 14, 2025JUST IN: Retail sales show broad-based gain as U.S. consumers spur growth bloom.bg/1IJZ1tI
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Bloomberg Business (@business) August 13, 2025****
Sho Chandra: Retail Sales Show Broad Gain As U.S. Consumers Spur Growth
Sales at U.S. retailers rose in July on growing demand for everything from cars to clothing, and a decline the previous month was wiped away, signaling consumers are propelling growth in the world’s largest economy. Eleven of 13 major categories showed gains. Rising employment, stronger finances and still-cheap fuel is helping draw consumers into stores and auto dealerships.
Growth in household spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy, is bolstering the expansion as Federal Reserve policy makers move toward lifting interest rates this year for the first time since 2006. “The consumer-driven recovery of the economy continues on track,” said Harm Bandholz, chief U.S. economist at UniCredit Group in New York, who correctly projected the gain. “The fundamentals are all in place for solid consumer spending. The outlook remains strong for the second half of the year.”
More here
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Pretty direct. Why we disagree with Chuck Schumer on the Iran deal reut.rs/1Eqw4Px
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Valerie Plame Wilson (@ValeriePlame) August 14, 2025Obama said to approve crude oil exports to Mexico, easing ban bloom.bg/1DQn3oo
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Bloomberg Business (@business) August 14, 2025****
.@joshtpm: Schumer’s opposition to the Iran nuclear deal is "unforgivable" bit.ly/1KlweK3 http://t.co/W3iuUvkAZF
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Talking Points Memo (@TPM) August 14, 2025Ex-senators Lugar and Johnston: Why we disagree with Chuck Schumer on the Iran deal: reut.rs/1gGMcH9 http://t.co/alRNGIRoAd
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Reuters Opinion (@ReutersOpinion) August 14, 2025****
My open letter to Senator Schumer about his criticism of the #Iran deal: wapo.st/1hAIwaG
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Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) August 14, 2025Joined current & former House Intel Members expressing confidence #IranDeal is strong & deserves support: goo.gl/YNsC4B
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Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) August 14, 2025****
Tester makes 30 supporters or lean supporters on Iran deal. Obama needs 34. washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/w… http://t.co/90kTY8tUHh
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Aaron Blake (@AaronBlakeWP) August 13, 2025.@nikiinthehouse has chosen diplomacy over war, coming out for #IranDeal #NoWarWithIran http://t.co/FAQTiqpGXK
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MoveOn.org (@MoveOn) August 13, 2025****
I believe the JCPOA is in best interest of US, Israel & the world & support agreement to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran: 1.usa.gov/1Wm9i6w
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Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) August 13, 2025****
President Barack Obama greets people outside the Old Market Deli in Cannon Falls, Minn. Aug. 15, 2011. The President stopped to have lunch with five post-9/11 veterans from Minnesota during a three-day bus tour in the Midwest. Photo by Samantha Appleton
President Barack Obama holds a baby as he arrives for lunch at the Old Market Deli in Cannon Falls, Minn., during a three-day bus tour in the Midwest, Aug. 15, 2011. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama prepares to autographs books and photographs in a backstage holding room following a town hall meeting on health care insurance reform at Central High School in Grand Junction, Colo. on Aug. 15, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama waves to people along a road in Harmony, Minn., Aug. 15, 2011, during a three-day bus tour in the Midwest. Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama visits Sunset Lake in Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 15, 2009. Photo by Pete Souza
White House.gov
GM & thanks, NerdyW!
Good Morning, TODobots & friends! It feels mah-ve-lous to be alive at this time in our history!
Wishing you all the kind of Saturday you need!
Good Morning, VC.
Hi, TOD’s very own busy bee! 😀
hey VC! How’s by you?
All’s good, Alice! Much for which to give thanks!😀
Trust you are also in a great place this morning!
Indeed M’ Lady tis true. It’s Saturday and a fine day it is here in the North.
😀😀
Good Morning and Congrats on first VC!
TY, D. I woke with lots of energy this a.m. 😀
Good morning VC and congrats on First!
TY, mi chile; it’s good to be up and about with lovely sunshine in the background. I notice, and heard, you were recently out on the town, dancing up a storm - good for you!
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the lovely sunshine you have, I enjoyed your sunshine every day I was there. Fire up that BBQ grill girl!
😀
INDEED…THANK YOU AND IT IS TIME….I HAVE HAD CUBAN FRIENDS AND LOVE THEM SO..THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ACTIONS OF AN EXTREMIST ASSHOLE…AND I AM NOT APOLOGIZING FOR THAT DESCRIPTION!….THE FLAG RAISING TOO WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY DONE…SHAME ON JEB AND RUBIO FOR THEIR STATEMENTS AND RUBIO HIMSELF SHOULD KNOW BETTER. IF PEOPLE RECEIVE KINDNESS…THEY WILL UNITE AGAINST THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE SAME! I LOVE MY ENERGIZER PRESIDENT AND HOPE HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE DOING WELL.
VP Biden said it best: We are not prisoners of history.
Hello TOD Good Job NW! Hope everyone is going to have a great day!
^5 a4A!
Great to have company coming through the gate!
Wishing you a great day too!
Good morning, nerdy.
Thank you for the morning edition of the news of the day.
You’re welcome, Vicki.
Good Saturday Morning TOD and TY Nerdy for all the morning news we can use.
Have a great O’Day Everyone!
Have a great O’day too, Donna!
Good morning. I’m off to pass out flyers for our Fiesta Latina next Saturday. We’re got a thousand to hand out! Still massive number of things to do to pull off this event. See you all later.
good luck Jackie - hope you get a good turn out!
Wishing you good luck, Jackie!
We’re with you in spirit, jackieG! Brava!
It’s another day for me to pound away at Chuck Schumer
Here is another really good piece on Schumer. I agree with all his points, especially that Schumer should be denied any leadership position, not because of party loyalty, but because of the gravity of this issue.
“I say all this with some regret since I’ve always liked Schumer. And I should make clear that I see fidelity to a President of one’s own party - even on an issue central to his presidency - as a non-issue in this case. The issue is that this agreement is a matter of grave importance. And Schumer’s position is wrong. Indeed, what makes it an issue for me is that it is more than wrong. His stated arguments are simply nonsensical and obviously tendentious…Schumer also calls the 24 days canard “troubling”. Again, here Schumer’s own smarts indicts him. He’s not that dumb. We shouldn’t accept Fox News arguments as legitimate points of argument from someone who aspires to be Senate Majority Leader.”
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/disqualified
Thanks, Donna! You give us great tweets on #IranDeal to RT
I got to flee flee fly off to my errands BBL - have fun everyone! 😀
This morning’s full page NY Times ad is directed at Cory Booker urging him to join Chuck Schumer in voting against the Iran Deal. brought to you by the ZOA. Zionist Org of America.
Senators hanging back with their Yes Votes could possibly impact these assaults. If you are with PBO, please say so ASAP.
Clearly, if we had the 41 Yes votes to avoid a Senate vote altogether the attacks would seem even stupider and perhaps would cease.
I’m glad the spotlight is on Cory Booker, now he has to show what he’s made of. Saving cats stuck in trees is one thing but standing up for peace is another.
The devil in me says this would make a good tweet to Cory Booker. You know, Cory, the cat’s okay, but now we need you to help shake the Iran deal loose from the Schumer tree.
I don’t think they have to hurry. Everyone is getting their moment as they step forward to support the Deal. Still time.
Good Morning NW and TOD. Great posts NW. So appreciate what you do.
Here is a selection from POTUS’ Daytime Plalylist:
Enjoy and Have a Good Day!
Thanks, JER and thank you for the music!
P-E-R-F-ECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Morning Family!
GM Nerdy great R & S today. Thanks for including MN. Cannon falls is 30 miles from where I reside.:-) Congrats on FURST vc and Good Morning to all the TOD Family. Another hot one in MN.😦. However, DF, I hear you guys are really getting hit with some HOT weather. Take care and go in your Olympic Pool you have there.
Morning, Roberta!
Oh.My.God. I can not even begin to explain how flipping hot 117 feels like. You can’t even imagine….it’s like the low setting on the oven…its painful..and you can’t breathe..it literally takes your breath away. I have to tutor this morning..and then we are hosting all the lifeguards that work with my daughter…at our house, with our NOT Olympic pool….for an end of the season party, before they all go back to college for the year….and it will be another 117 degree day today. Whatever shithead says that global warming is a hoax needs to be tied to a stake and made to endure what this feels like, and stay there until they admit they were wrong and beg for mercy and forgiveness! You just can’t take enough clothes off….so I will be in the pool, or the house in the air conditioning today….everyone else, stay cool…winter is around the corner:)
Take carer DF. My niece lives in Wadell and she took a picture of her temp in the car yesterday 126. I know the feeling you are going through. I am still having trouble breathing today in this weather. Not an outside day today Made a couple loves of bread instead. LOL.
Enjoy your party.
You take it easy, too:) Wish I was able to smell that baking bread from here!!
Sending smelly bread to you. ~~~~~~~~~
I grew up here and have lived through 123 degree weather and all we had was a swamp cooler. Thank God for air conditioning.
OP-ED FRI AUG 14 2015
Why Wishing for a Hurricane Katrina in Chicago is Racist
By Dave Stieber
Last night I read an article in the Chicago Tribune in which the columnist and editorial board member Kirsten McQueary “metaphorically” wished a Hurricane Katrina would wipe out Chicago. I wish I were making this up, please read this piece. Even while I and many others were tweeting her about how offensive her column is, she sent out the following tweet:
What Hurricane Katrina did was kill nearly 2,000 people and displace and relocate 1 million people throughout the Gulf Coast. In New Orleans the population of the city fell by half due to loss of homes and displacement. Fifty percent of the city’s residents’ homes were uninhabitable or lost, and multiple generations of New Orleanians were forced to move. Historical and proudly black communities were wiped out.
Now some people like McQueary will likely say, but New Orleans is back! Who is New Orleans back for? For people who look like me (i.e. white people). Not the people who lived in those predominantly black precincts.
By wishing for a Katrina here in Chicago she is basically saying to get to rid of the black people and let the whites move in wherever they want. It would be like white flight in reverse, coming back from the ‘burbs to the city. We (white people) could proudly colonize, I mean move into Englewood and then joke on our porches while sipping tea about what life used to be like on the corner of 63rd and Racine, while we watch that new yoga studio go in. We would colonize Woodlawn, Roseland, and Austin, too, and the best part is we (white people) would get that land for cheap thanks to Katrina part II and Disaster Capitalism.
Arne Duncan (one of our fellow white brethren) said it best when he said, “Hurricane Katrina was the best thing for New Orleans Schools.” I mean to actually fix the schools for the kids who live there, that is preposterous and besides, that would be too much work. What is great is getting to have new (wealthier and/or whiter) kids move in, then rebuild the schools and boom, schools are “great” now.
http://gapersblock.com/mechanics/2015/08/14/why-wishing-for-a-hurricane-katrina-in-chicago-is-racist/
I read that filth a few days ago by Kristen McQueary and wanted to throw up. Black lives, property, well being, families, etc., were decimated. To wish that kind of trauma on another city (metaphorically or otherwise) with predominantly minority residents, is vile.
It’s okay for her to want Hurricane Katrina, because when Chicago like New Orleans rebuilds, a lot of white people will benefit. Their material comfort will match or exceed what was before. Meanwhile, the black people who toiled and contributed to the city will be driven out of their homes, their schools, their communities.
McQueary is a sadistic asshole. It’s good that she’s feeling the heat on Twitter.
Nerdy, did you watch Treme? I don’t recall us talking about it.
Treme is an HOB series that ran for a few years and focused on the lives lost ruined and impacted by the Storm as well as the political ramifications of why the levees did not hold and the subsequent rebuilding.
David Simon in same mode as The Wire but filled with the music and culture of New Orleans. many of ourfavorite actors from The Wire are in Treme. (Not Idris)
EXACTLY…AND AS HITLER BLAMED THE JEWS FOR EVERYTHING TO DISTRACT HIS PEOPLE…THE REPUGNANTS BLAME IMMIGRANTS IN ORDER TO DISTRACT PEOPLE. THE REPUBLICANS ARE NAZIS!
Dudette, I love his tweets! Thanks for bringing them here 😊
WHEN PBO LEAVES…THIS COUNTRY IS SCREWED…WE HAVE HAD THE BEST AND DIDN’T APPRECIATE IT…INSTEAD WE MADE THIS PRESIDENT CONSTANTLY WALK ON HOT COALS…WE BELITTLED HIS RACE…WE DISRESPECTED HIS INTEGRITY AND I HOPE TO GOD…THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY…RECEIVE OUR SOVEREIGN LORD’S JUSTICE…THAT IS MY PRAYER!
uh huh
uh huh
Kevin Powell @kevin_powell
Janelle Monàe was cut off on “Today” when she started speaking about police brutality http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/55cdff7fe4b07addcb42acdb … via @blackvoices
If she was talking about that bozo Donald Trump they would have let her speak for hours.
Gooood Morning…..
Thank you so very much Nerdyyyyyyyy for your continued dedication to TOD and the Truth that needs to be spoken…Thank you!
Listening to the President’s playlist on Spotify….gives me a thrill to listen to the music that our President is listening to….how so very koooooool is that…big smile on my face….these are the moments that cherish about our President…
also that WEST WING Week posted in the last thread…is one of the most awesome ….cannot play that one enough….
feeling gooooood this morning..as i jam to the Isley Brothers…Livin’ It Up….number 2 on the President’s playlist…😀😀
I have to check that list out! ( ANYTHING by the Isley Brothers works for me!) Link for that list please, pf???
Isley Brothers, hmmmm
*gently strokes his beard
They come swim in my NOT Olympic pool….
DF, here is the link for PBO’s Spotify playlist.
President Obama’s Summer Playlist: Day
If this doesn’t work, just Google President Obama’s Spotify playlist and get the link from White House site
He has a lot of great music and since I’m already a member of spotify, I’ve added his collection to my playlist - so COOL!
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/08/14/heres-what-president-obama-is-reading-this-summer
yes…
the link is at the end of the article
this was the specific link
https://play.spotify.com/potusplaylist1
but it is not there anymore…. i sent them a tweet asking them if it was deleted?
You’re welcome, PF.
Good morning Nerdy, Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Saturday morning. Congrats VC, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope you have an unforgettable, marvelous and outstanding day today. ❤ ❤❤
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
❤
Good West Coast morning NW & TOD family.
Stay cool everyone 😎
Lots of interesting reading, thank you. The one by Valerie Plame just makes me so angry at Schumer and co., and republicans.
I find it both ironic and tragic the republicans in Congress, who bitch and moan about America’s leadership being “weakened” by President Obama , ARE IN FACT THE ONES DOING THE DAMAGE to America’s leadership and credibility. (Schumer is a special case too.)
The world is watching. And make no mistake about it, even if the deal is preserved by a sustained presidential’s veto, this episode has ALREADY weakened America’s credibility and leadership on the international scene, and its strength in other potential international negotiations. Other countries will always be WORRIED about what the lunatics in America can do to ANY international deal, agreement, etc.
No wonder the president is disgusted.
It’s okay. I’m sure every time the President hits golf balls this week, he’s picturing Schumer and Boehner’s faces on ’em.
I’m good with that.
And there’s an endless supply of paint.
Good morning, NW and TODer OBOTs. Hot coffee or tea all around except for df, who is getting the coolest beverage one can find. The common expression “stay thirsty” is converted to “stay hydrated” just for you.
I’ll start the day on a note of peace:
Good morning meta, it’s going up to around 102 here in Monrovia. What temps are you expecting up there?
GM, GGail. It’s 65 right now and is expected to reach 86. That’s pretty warm for SF! But it’s the rest of the Bay Area that will be much higher like SoCal. Stay cool, GG!
I was born in Arizona and have never lived anywhere else. I was at the beach in Carlsbad last week and it was in the 90’s and got the worst sunburn I have ever had in my life. Go figure.
Wow, that is weird!
Jackie4O - It was due to the reflection off the water and the sand. So it comes at you from all sides, not just down from the sun. Sorry you had that happen to you. Hope you are doing better,
Currently - at 8:52am PST, it’s 84. I think I’ve reached the limit of having the doors & windows open with the fans going. Might be time to turn on the AC. We’re entering the hottest part of our Summer, the part before Fall begins.
I can’t believe it’s the middle of August - already? Time is flying by
It was very warm in SF yesterday and as I was waiting for a bus a couple approached me and asked for directions. We struck up a conversation and they told me they were from Arizona. They were headed to the marina near the GG Bridge and talked about what a treat it was to be away from the insufferable heat at home. I thought of you, df!
G’morning Nerdy, TOD, even amk, lurkers, etc. and congrats VC on #1
Thanks Nerdy for this amazing Saturday R & S round-up. Great selection of tweets, pics, and info that we could use - THANKS a million!
You’re welcome, HF.
I have an announcement to make. I LOVE President Obama! And that’s even before I looked at ALL the photos!
Good Saturday morning, TODville.
HHhaaahaaa! You are not alone, my dear.
How is your son? Still smiling and improving each day, I hope.
Yes, thanks, he is! He’s off for his next consultation with the surgeon for the “real fix,” on Wednesday. In the meantime, he’s getting his two youngest on the plane tonight, back to FL before school starts, so he’s enjoying the heck out of ’em while they’re here and he’s home with them … as am I!
I worked there when Huey Newton was a student. Always interesting when he came to campus.
Good morning (afternoon, evening) TOD ….
note the prominence of AIPAC, as well …. people are not fooled!!
more updates in the sidebar …
Fabulous!
Treat yourself to this interview with Leslie Odom, Jr, who stars as Aaron Burr in the musical, Hamilton. And, yes, they do get around to talking about PBO and the Obama era!
http://www.charlierose.com/watch/60603565
An implacable, hateful bigot is precisely who Bibi is ….
“And what of the current Israeli prime minister? Does he possess the strategic vision—and political courage—to match his very considerable acumen in Israeli politics, which has made him one of the longest-serving premiers in Israel’s history? Consider: At a time when the Arab world is overrun with anti-Western Islamist radicals or new militarist dictators (as in Egypt), Netanyahu has failed to seize this unique moment in history and illuminate Israel’s new role to the world as a pro-Western and democratic island in a sea of increasingly anti-Western and unstable enemies. At a time of intense anti-Arab phobia in the West, when a genuine Israeli gesture toward peace with the Palestinians would have won Israel endless admiration—and support—even among European nations that harbor more than their share of anti-Semites, Netanyahu ratcheted up settlements instead. After the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris in January, a vote of solidarity with France would have won Netanyahu admiration even in one of the most anti-Semitic countries in Europe. Netanyahu did the opposite, impudently calling on French Jews to retreat to Israel. And now, over Iran, Netanyahu has totally isolated his nation at a time when the known world powers have backed the historic Iran agreement.”
So in other words Netanyahu is following the Bush Doctrine which is to keep your enemies close and tell your friends to go fuck off.
Perfect synopsis, Don!!!! Truly!!!!
ONLY GOD CAN TAKE CARE OF ISRAEL AND BIBI IS A SILLY FOOL FOR NOT BELIEVING THAT ABSOLUTE FACT…IT IS WRITTEN!!!!!
Hatred is Not policy.
Netanyahu should read the Rise and Fall of many past powers, be them world, Continental or Regional ………he has been at the helm of the Israeli politicking for decades. He has managed to do whatever for the fast some…..have sanctioned his form of divisiveness.
HAVE A BLESSED AND BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE…I HAVE TO WORK ON ERRANDS AND CLEANING OUT THE BARN TODAY.XOXOXOXO…HUGS!
Hello TOD. Thank you for the R&S, NW.
Twin Gold⭐ winners : VC and a4alice😉 Congrats!
Anyone know a book that gives advice on how to deal with a die hard Bernie supporter? Having the toughest time keeping my emotions in check as I’ve been having to hear it nonstop about how great Bernie is that he marched with MLK among 250,000 supporters and he’s the greatest gift towards blacks and how all blacks should be thankful for he’s done so much better on civil rights than Hillary Clinton.
So annoyed that I want to slap him so he can wake the fuck up.
This article is your friend.
Eventually electability factor is going to sink in. A number articles about how “insurgents” climb at this stage in primary, fade later as electability factor is factored in. Bernie Sanders will be 75 two months before election. He is a self declared socialist from Vermont. That doesn’t spell electable to me. Message is not bad, unrealistic, but messenger not electable.
Check out this brief summary of Bernie’s historical ‘greatness’.
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2015/08/15/the-presidents-yester-day-of-golfing/