On This Day: President Obama makes Congressional calls from the Oval Office before the final Senate vote repealing the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the military, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
Here’s to all republicans and their media bigot pushers: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/furor-over-arabic-assignment-leads-virginia-school-district-to-close-friday/ar-BBnGx4T?ocid=spartanntp YOU Built this.
Sheri, the bigotry and hatred ginned up on a daily basis is turning the US into a country I no longer recognize. People had better wake up soon or it will be too late.
First Sheri, we have to hope there’s a Dem president to keep the lid on things, even if we don’t like her. Next we have to be sure we regain the Senate and a fair number of House seats, even if we don’t regain the majority. Then we have to get to work letting everyone we know and interact with that we don’t tolerate bigotry and we refuse to give in to fear mongers. PBO has been our role model for many years and that won’t end just because he isn’t president anymore.
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Friday morning. TGIF>> Congrats Jackie, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope you have an exciting, fun-filled, and lively day today. <3<3<3
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
Df, I saw a brief viddo clip with this statement from Cruz’s wife-“When I first saw him (Ted) I thought he looked like a 1950’s matinee idol.” I’ve been trying to figure out what fifties era ‘matinee idol’ this creep reminder her of-Mr. Ed, the Talking Horse? Raymond Burr, the killer in “Rear Window”? The 1950’s version of “The Thing”? Or maybe she saw clips of the McCarthy hearings and thought Joe McCarthy was a matinee idol. It’s mystifying.
May I just mention how much I really enjoyed watching PBO in the Alaskan wilderness last night….down to earth, real and approachable….with a killer sense of humor and good nature:) What’s not to love? Bear seemed utterly honored to have had this time with President Obama and seemed to be taken with his genuineness… almost like he was slightly surprised, but nicely so. I thought that was the best hour of watching the idiot box I’ve spent in a long while…glad I also set the dvr…..I would definitely watch again:)
The day is FINALLY here…last day of school before winter break….3:30 can’t come soon enough!
Good morning all. df, From experience, I know exactly how you feel. This leads me to share what I woke up to this morning.
A PM on Facebook from a former student. Thanking me for what she learned from me……and not just the “school” stuff, but all the other things…….how it changed her, enabled her to have had a wonderful career, etc., etc. After blubbering for a few minutes, I was able to (barely) get out to my husband: “THIS is what teaching is all about.” WOW! What a way to begin my day!
Hope your day goes well and you have a wonderful break. I DO understand. :):):)
Tn, what a wonderful tribute from your former student. You influenced a life, which is a great achievement. I think you just got the best Christmas present of the year.
“The moderators of last night’s CNN presidential debate provided a two hour platform for every Republican candidate to further fear and hatred against Muslims,” said Steven Renderos of the Center for Media Justice.
From calls to ban non-American Muslims to pledges to carpet bomb densely-populated cities, the rise of hateful rhetoric among 2016 presidential candidates—and the real, violent consequences for those communities targeted—has raised widespread concern.
But also on display during the fifth GOP debate on “national security” was the role of corporate media outlets such as CNN in stoking racist and dangerous rhetoric, observers argued Wednesday, in a bid to boost ratings.
“Framing the problem of political violence as a struggle of ‘us’ against ‘ them,’ of creating a demonized other by stoking fear, is a tried and true strategy for building an audience,” Jim Naureckas, the editor of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting’s watchdog journal Extra!, told Common Dreams.
“The debates are seen not as a public service but as a money-making opportunity for the networks,” Naureckas added. “More than anything, they want high ratings.”
I stand in awe of these women. They force you to examine yourself and ask whether you could be this courageous under similar circumstances. The true answer is, I have no idea, and pray I would never have to be put to the test.
So young and so brave and courageous…. the men are squirming at the evil men do…then protections need to be in place to assure that this can’t happen… (I have not read her story. I’m afraid to)
Her story, as would be the case for thousands of other women and girls who’ve been victims of #DAESH barbarians (redundant), is gut wrenching, df. Be gentle on yourself.
Bob, this is the bravest young women ever!! I wrote yesterday that she has walked the streets of hell and has the courage to tell her story before an international audience and we have a country where people in comfortable circumstances are cowering in fear over imaginary bogeymen. Most Americans could not walk one minute in Nadia’s shoes. How I wish young women in this country could hear her story and understand what it is to stand tall in the face of overwhelming horror.
“…. and we have a country where people in comfortable circumstances are cowering in fear over imaginary bogeymen.”
The contrast is beyond ‘stark,’ Jackie, and tragic, mostly because we have the history of other peoples, other societies that were similarly willing to be fooled by the fear mongers not realizing that the fear mongers were laughing all the way to the bank.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bs-md-ci-police-body-camera-footage-20151216-story.html B’more police with body cams. This officer imo seems a little too concerned or hooked/aware of the camera.. like he needs to vent, but can’t really. Anyway I’ve never been a fan of police (sorry folks).. so maybe I’m biased. Just very glad they’re doing this, it is long overdue.
We thoroughly enjoyed the show with Bear and POTUS last evening. It was awesome how POTUS was able to discuss the effects of climate change while right there at a glacier. OTOH, this morning on the CBS “news” - all they showed of that wonderful program was the discussion on urine. :-(
I Tivoed the show and enjoyed it so much. I plan to save it for a long time since I think it is a good argument towards the motivation of our President. I especially loved his answering of the question about what advise he passes on to his daughters concerning future jobs. He said it was important they decide to do something useful to others and that they are kind. That tells the story of our President in a nutshell. He is a wonderful human being.
Posted a comment above to Desertflower, but just for fun, was hoping others would have an idea. Cruz’s wife said that when she first met him, he reminded her of a 1950’s matinee idol. The only ideas I had I listed above and they focused on villains and talking animals. Has anyone else got a thought?
I WATCHED THE BEAR WITH THE BEAR LAST NIGHT..LOVED THAT CRUNCHY SALMON TAKE WITH OBVIOUS BEAR INCISOR DESTRUCTION AS AN APPETIZER…MAKES MY CHEST GROW HAIR JUST THINKING ABOUT IT!
I DVR’d the Running Wild episode with PBo and just finished watching it this morning. Our president is everything! Funny, smart, ready for anything and such a guy ( I always find the latter such a hoot in a man who was raised primarily by women and is completely surrounded by them at home)! The entire theme of PBO’s presidency is the quote: “never before has a sitting president done anything like this” which is something so many have said about him on so many occasions throughout his tenure (the same can and has been said about MO as well). People keep forgetting that PBO has said that it is about doing something, not being something when it comes to public office; they forget that his mantra is change. The way that it has always been done in the past has stunted our growth, left too many people out, and made our govt. an ignorant and hated bully it its foreign relationships. We needed a new, innovative, people centered approach to public policy and he has brought it as he promised. He and MO have shown that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get their messages across while being themselves. People who meet them are drawn to their authenticity and their kindness.
It was also nice to see the respect and the admiration that Bear showed to PBO, and so touching to see him offer a prayer (our PBO is probably the most prayed up president that we have had).
Another thing that I liked about the special is how the behind-the-scene shots were included; this made the “reality show” more real. Even with all of this however, what stood out the most was that these were too guys who had respect for each other hanging out in the woods, teasing each other and sharing important parts of themselves even as they focused on an important issue.
It is so cool that the White House reached out to Bear and to the show to do this and even more cool to see an ultimate example of “the bear is loose.” I’ll bet the Secret Service members almost wet their pants during this entire thing.
Unless there was a sharpshooter right by their side, I honestly don’t see how the SS let PBO hike in the bear ridden wilderness! And letting his ingest the water, etc,……WILD!!
I saw the program last night and PBO did not ingest the water especially after Bear told him that untreated it would give him diarrhea. PBO is smart enough not to ingest anything that is tainted. The salmon that PBO tasted, not sure how much he ate, but he ate very little on camera was cooked. From watching enough of these shows once the meat is thoroughly cooked there is no harm. I think there were enough helicopters and sharp shooters close by that the president was not in huge danger.
Yes, but Bear did not get water from the stream did he? If Bear did, I am sure he used purified pills to purify the water before allowing PBO drink from the same canteen.
Good morning, TOD! Stuck in the house today due to my own negligence; therefore, this PSA:
ALWAYS READ YOUR MEDICATION LABELS BEFORE INGESTING MEDS!!!!
Prednisone 5mg and Furosemide 20mg look almost exactly alike. I intended to take 15mg of Prednisone, instead I took 60mg of Furosemide. Needless to say, I’m moving my office into the bathroom for the remainder of the day… Life 101…
I am going to ruffle some feathers here, so pahdon me.
I hate when PBO does the ‘praying routine’. One of the things I disagree with him. I expect pols to keep their religion private and to say FU to the ‘voters’ who are nosey parkers about their religious preferences.
Not ruffled at all. Unfortunately, he has to pick his battles, and this religious pomposity has been required for decades. This is a genie that should go back in the bottle, but good luck with that.
See ya all this evening, have a blissful day!
Have a great time at your party, Chips.
See you later, party girl!! I hope you have a great time!!
FURST.
the lunacy that is gop.
That mouth image is really creepy. This country and its sick media have sunk to a new low with this crew. It’s actually nauseating.
G’day amk & mates….has this been tweeted?
good day, sailor. afaik, not the toddys.
oh man I read that article today about Putin & Trump’s admiration for one another- this toon is perfecto, Amk.
two creepeas in a pod.
I agree to that, amk.
All of these toons are perfect, AMK, but the Putin one-is pure genius.
danke.
Great toons,…AMK…they say so much…you always bring awesome powerful toons…thank you
Good Friday, Chipsticks…TOD Family!!!
Great ‘toons AMK!
Everyone enjoy your day.
G’morning Chips & TOD!! Happy Friday everyone. :) Does anyone know approx. what time our President will be having his year-end presser?
I just saw TeaNN say it is at 1:40 PM.
Here’s to all republicans and their media bigot pushers: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/furor-over-arabic-assignment-leads-virginia-school-district-to-close-friday/ar-BBnGx4T?ocid=spartanntp YOU Built this.
This makes me so angry.
What next ? Banning Arabic numerals and forcing us to use Roman numerals instead ?
These people are idiots.
I don’t know - but this is some sick bs.
Sheri, the bigotry and hatred ginned up on a daily basis is turning the US into a country I no longer recognize. People had better wake up soon or it will be too late.
It’s crazy Jackie.. I feel like the only thing keeping a lid on this insanity is President Obama- and when he’s gone, then what?
THIS!!
First Sheri, we have to hope there’s a Dem president to keep the lid on things, even if we don’t like her. Next we have to be sure we regain the Senate and a fair number of House seats, even if we don’t regain the majority. Then we have to get to work letting everyone we know and interact with that we don’t tolerate bigotry and we refuse to give in to fear mongers. PBO has been our role model for many years and that won’t end just because he isn’t president anymore.
totally agree on all counts Jackie.
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Friday morning. TGIF>> Congrats Jackie, on being first this morning.
To all, I hope you have an exciting, fun-filled, and lively day today. <3 <3 <3
Thank God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
Happy Friday!! This is the “Religious Rights” man! Look how holy and pure:)
Df, I saw a brief viddo clip with this statement from Cruz’s wife-“When I first saw him (Ted) I thought he looked like a 1950’s matinee idol.” I’ve been trying to figure out what fifties era ‘matinee idol’ this creep reminder her of-Mr. Ed, the Talking Horse? Raymond Burr, the killer in “Rear Window”? The 1950’s version of “The Thing”? Or maybe she saw clips of the McCarthy hearings and thought Joe McCarthy was a matinee idol. It’s mystifying.
Ha Ha Ha!!!!
May I just mention how much I really enjoyed watching PBO in the Alaskan wilderness last night….down to earth, real and approachable….with a killer sense of humor and good nature:) What’s not to love? Bear seemed utterly honored to have had this time with President Obama and seemed to be taken with his genuineness… almost like he was slightly surprised, but nicely so. I thought that was the best hour of watching the idiot box I’ve spent in a long while…glad I also set the dvr…..I would definitely watch again:)
The day is FINALLY here…last day of school before winter break….3:30 can’t come soon enough!
Good morning all. df, From experience, I know exactly how you feel. This leads me to share what I woke up to this morning.
A PM on Facebook from a former student. Thanking me for what she learned from me……and not just the “school” stuff, but all the other things…….how it changed her, enabled her to have had a wonderful career, etc., etc. After blubbering for a few minutes, I was able to (barely) get out to my husband: “THIS is what teaching is all about.” WOW! What a way to begin my day!
Hope your day goes well and you have a wonderful break. I DO understand. :) :) :)
{{{tnmtngirl}}} Kindred souls:) What a nice gift to wake up to…it’s why we do what we do…
It makes everything worthwhile. I am so happy for you to get such meaningful feedback.
Tn, what a wonderful tribute from your former student. You influenced a life, which is a great achievement. I think you just got the best Christmas present of the year.
Yes, Jackie. I totally agree. Best ever! Things $$$$$$$$$ can’t buy.
Best feedback for a teacher to have. My dad was one. I still have his students complimenting him.
How wonderful for you!!! This is why we do it, right?
Correct.
http://www.juancole.com/2015/12/corporate-enabler-speech.html
“The moderators of last night’s CNN presidential debate provided a two hour platform for every Republican candidate to further fear and hatred against Muslims,” said Steven Renderos of the Center for Media Justice.
From calls to ban non-American Muslims to pledges to carpet bomb densely-populated cities, the rise of hateful rhetoric among 2016 presidential candidates—and the real, violent consequences for those communities targeted—has raised widespread concern.
But also on display during the fifth GOP debate on “national security” was the role of corporate media outlets such as CNN in stoking racist and dangerous rhetoric, observers argued Wednesday, in a bid to boost ratings.
“Framing the problem of political violence as a struggle of ‘us’ against ‘ them,’ of creating a demonized other by stoking fear, is a tried and true strategy for building an audience,” Jim Naureckas, the editor of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting’s watchdog journal Extra!, told Common Dreams.
“The debates are seen not as a public service but as a money-making opportunity for the networks,” Naureckas added. “More than anything, they want high ratings.”
rwnj’s with indian spice. nucking futs everywhere.
http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/no-screening-of-bajirao-mastani-in-pune-bjp-mla/20151218.htm
Good morning TOD
Notice the reactions ….
#Hope4ALL
I stand in awe of these women. They force you to examine yourself and ask whether you could be this courageous under similar circumstances. The true answer is, I have no idea, and pray I would never have to be put to the test.
So young and so brave and courageous…. the men are squirming at the evil men do…then protections need to be in place to assure that this can’t happen… (I have not read her story. I’m afraid to)
Her story, as would be the case for thousands of other women and girls who’ve been victims of #DAESH barbarians (redundant), is gut wrenching, df. Be gentle on yourself.
Bob, this is the bravest young women ever!! I wrote yesterday that she has walked the streets of hell and has the courage to tell her story before an international audience and we have a country where people in comfortable circumstances are cowering in fear over imaginary bogeymen. Most Americans could not walk one minute in Nadia’s shoes. How I wish young women in this country could hear her story and understand what it is to stand tall in the face of overwhelming horror.
“…. and we have a country where people in comfortable circumstances are cowering in fear over imaginary bogeymen.”
The contrast is beyond ‘stark,’ Jackie, and tragic, mostly because we have the history of other peoples, other societies that were similarly willing to be fooled by the fear mongers not realizing that the fear mongers were laughing all the way to the bank.
Here is the link to her statement to the UNSC …
http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/security-council/watch/nadia-murad-basee-taha-isil-victim-on-trafficking-of-persons-in-situations-of-conflict-security-council-7585th-meeting/4665835954001
Warning - really horrible …
Global refugees and displaced to hit record, UN says.
The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide will “far surpass” a record 60 million this year, the UN says.
The report by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said “one in every 122 humans is today someone who has been forced to flee their homes”.
The figure includes 20.2 million refugees, the highest total since 1992, the UNHCR added.
The numbers were mainly driven by the Syrian war, conflict in Ukraine and other protracted conflicts, it said.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35130213
And yet murka, the greatest country as per rethugs, wants nothing to do with it.
Yazidi woman begs U.N. Security Council to wipe out Islamic State
http://in.reuters.com/article/islamic-state-un-idINKBN0TZ33B20151216
Good read…I missed it yesterday
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-great-fracturing-of-the-republican-party/2015/12/17/182a146a-a503-11e5-9c4e-be37f66848bb_story.html
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bs-md-ci-police-body-camera-footage-20151216-story.html B’more police with body cams. This officer imo seems a little too concerned or hooked/aware of the camera.. like he needs to vent, but can’t really. Anyway I’ve never been a fan of police (sorry folks).. so maybe I’m biased. Just very glad they’re doing this, it is long overdue.
More updates in the sidebar …. wishing all of you a fulfilling Friday …..
LOVE THE EARRINGS!!!!
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks & TOD family.
Have fun Chips!
GM TODville.
In case any BTs missed it last night, Chips is hoping y’all will fill in for her during her (workplace?) holiday party today.
Look forward to NerdyW’s posts today, and hope that other BTs will join in too.
LP volunteered to help, and he also provided a link last night to this wonderful interview:
May need to signup for cable just to watch this online (which I missed because I abandoned television last year :( ).
We thoroughly enjoyed the show with Bear and POTUS last evening. It was awesome how POTUS was able to discuss the effects of climate change while right there at a glacier. OTOH, this morning on the CBS “news” - all they showed of that wonderful program was the discussion on urine. :-(
I Tivoed the show and enjoyed it so much. I plan to save it for a long time since I think it is a good argument towards the motivation of our President. I especially loved his answering of the question about what advise he passes on to his daughters concerning future jobs. He said it was important they decide to do something useful to others and that they are kind. That tells the story of our President in a nutshell. He is a wonderful human being.
TODville will be going through daily WHPBs withdrawal until next year, so here’s a sample of the last WHPB of year from Josh Earnest.
P.S. PBO’s last press conference of year is scheduled for 1:50pm EST (10:50am PST) today.
Posted a comment above to Desertflower, but just for fun, was hoping others would have an idea. Cruz’s wife said that when she first met him, he reminded her of a 1950’s matinee idol. The only ideas I had I listed above and they focused on villains and talking animals. Has anyone else got a thought?
Good Friday morning, TODville!
In case you missed this FABULOUS event, you can watch it here:
I WATCHED THE BEAR WITH THE BEAR LAST NIGHT..LOVED THAT CRUNCHY SALMON TAKE WITH OBVIOUS BEAR INCISOR DESTRUCTION AS AN APPETIZER…MAKES MY CHEST GROW HAIR JUST THINKING ABOUT IT!
I WILL HOWEVER PASS ON THE DRINKING THE URINE THING UNLESS YOU WANT TO MARKET THOSE AS REPUGNANT COCKTAILS!
Totally loved it!
THIS
effing context.
also. too. I don’t know how my earliest post ended up as meta’s tail.
Wow. Just. wow.
as the pic sez ….
OH. MY. GAWD.
CHRISTMAS HERE WILL INDEED BE PACKING UNTIL I GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS ONE HORSE RACIST TOWN!..I HAVE A NEW APPRECIATION FOR CORRUGATED CARDBOARD!
HAPPY FRIDAY TODers
Heeeeeeeeya Chips!!
GM, TOD ohana
I DVR’d the Running Wild episode with PBo and just finished watching it this morning. Our president is everything! Funny, smart, ready for anything and such a guy ( I always find the latter such a hoot in a man who was raised primarily by women and is completely surrounded by them at home)! The entire theme of PBO’s presidency is the quote: “never before has a sitting president done anything like this” which is something so many have said about him on so many occasions throughout his tenure (the same can and has been said about MO as well). People keep forgetting that PBO has said that it is about doing something, not being something when it comes to public office; they forget that his mantra is change. The way that it has always been done in the past has stunted our growth, left too many people out, and made our govt. an ignorant and hated bully it its foreign relationships. We needed a new, innovative, people centered approach to public policy and he has brought it as he promised. He and MO have shown that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get their messages across while being themselves. People who meet them are drawn to their authenticity and their kindness.
It was also nice to see the respect and the admiration that Bear showed to PBO, and so touching to see him offer a prayer (our PBO is probably the most prayed up president that we have had).
Another thing that I liked about the special is how the behind-the-scene shots were included; this made the “reality show” more real. Even with all of this however, what stood out the most was that these were too guys who had respect for each other hanging out in the woods, teasing each other and sharing important parts of themselves even as they focused on an important issue.
It is so cool that the White House reached out to Bear and to the show to do this and even more cool to see an ultimate example of “the bear is loose.” I’ll bet the Secret Service members almost wet their pants during this entire thing.
Should be: “two guys…”.
Unless there was a sharpshooter right by their side, I honestly don’t see how the SS let PBO hike in the bear ridden wilderness! And letting his ingest the water, etc,……WILD!!
I saw the program last night and PBO did not ingest the water especially after Bear told him that untreated it would give him diarrhea. PBO is smart enough not to ingest anything that is tainted. The salmon that PBO tasted, not sure how much he ate, but he ate very little on camera was cooked. From watching enough of these shows once the meat is thoroughly cooked there is no harm. I think there were enough helicopters and sharp shooters close by that the president was not in huge danger.
Yes, he was very careful! But I did see him drink from Bear’s canteen.
Yes, but Bear did not get water from the stream did he? If Bear did, I am sure he used purified pills to purify the water before allowing PBO drink from the same canteen.
Right.
I was just about to ask what time is POTUS press conference? I see that it is 1:50pm
One more question, who in their right mind is impress by the praise Putin is laying on that racists bigot Donald Trump?.
Thanks amk for the Putin cartoon.
PERFECT…TRUE LOVE IN BLOOM…I CAN SEE IT NOW…A VLAD/TRUMP UNION AND OH MY…THE CHILDREN IT SHALL CREATE!
Good morning, TOD! Stuck in the house today due to my own negligence; therefore, this PSA:
ALWAYS READ YOUR MEDICATION LABELS BEFORE INGESTING MEDS!!!!
Prednisone 5mg and Furosemide 20mg look almost exactly alike. I intended to take 15mg of Prednisone, instead I took 60mg of Furosemide. Needless to say, I’m moving my office into the bathroom for the remainder of the day… Life 101…
Good Morning Everybody.
I am going to ruffle some feathers here, so pahdon me.
I hate when PBO does the ‘praying routine’. One of the things I disagree with him. I expect pols to keep their religion private and to say FU to the ‘voters’ who are nosey parkers about their religious preferences.
Unruffled …..
;)
Not ruffled at all. Unfortunately, he has to pick his battles, and this religious pomposity has been required for decades. This is a genie that should go back in the bottle, but good luck with that.
religious pomposity.
nailed it.
TAIN’T THAT THE TRUTH!….VOTERS CRUZIN’ FOR A BRUISIN’!!
Isn’t it illegal for Cruz to run for POTUS if he was NOT born in the United States? this is why I need ANON to post his birth certificate online
ADIOS AMIGOS…TIME TO GET TO WORK!
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/12/18/nottheonion/
Good Morning, Everyone :)
So sweet.