***
Podcast Tuesday comes early! We interview Valerie Jarrett (@vj44), Senior Advisor to @POTUS! https://t.co/NZDHPHW8lS pic.twitter.com/g7jDfZ6Be4
— Another Round (@anotherround) January 11, 2025
***
“We go to the White House and talk to Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, about everything from gun control to Hamilton to Kendrick Lamar.”
This is the most candid, raw, and revealing interview I’ve ever heard Valerie Jarrett give. It’s worth listening to if only for the incredible anecdote revealed about racism her father experienced as a doctor in the U.S. and the income inequality that catapulted her parents move to Iran, where she was born. The interview starts ~9 min mark and goes until ~41-minute mark.
If you have issues fast forwarding….just move your mouse to Ep.37 The Room Where it Happens: and click (it will open a new tab with FF & Rewind at the bottom)
***
Kendrick Lamar Recalls That One Unforgettable Time He Met President Barack Obama
***
.@Potus to @Kendricklamar “Can you believe that we’re both sitting in this Oval Office?” https://t.co/rHoa8G2ISH pic.twitter.com/QIsrFmLIDa
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) January 13, 2025
***
“….One could assume the first black president and America’s most prominent rapper were pondering the power of their positions. To understand the significance of the moment, look no further than Lamar’s critically acclaimed sophomore album, “To Pimp A Butterfly.” Immediately notable is the subversive cover art The cover features the Compton, California, rapper in front of the White House, surrounded by a bloc of young black men, pulsating a jubilant, defiant and unapologetically black energy. The group crowds around a dead white judge with a gavel in his hand, symbolizing the systemic racism in the criminal justice system.
Obama has spoken out about this issue before, including the need to address disparate treatment of black people in America. Most recently, he discussed it in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. “I think the reason the organizers used the phrase ‘black lives matter’ was not because they were suggesting that nobody else’s lives matter,” the president said. “Rather, what they were suggesting was that there is a specific problem that is happening in the African-American community that is not happening in other communities. And that is a legitimate issue that we’ve got to address.”
***
“Pay it Forward” Part of #MyBrothersKeeper initiative
***
Hiya LP, thanks for posting the Podcast. I’m going to take a listen now :-)
Congrats, GGail! Hope you enjoy it….I found it very illuminating :)
LP, great interview. I could listen to Valerie talk all day. She is one smart and down to earth person. No wonder FLOTUS & POTUS admire and respect her!
Hi, there, GGail!
Hi J’OB! How’s Steve? Maintaining, I hope :-)
Yes, thanks, GGail. Waiting for a CT scan this month, then - hopefully - the final surgery to “close up his shark bite” in February!
I wish him all the best {{{hugs}}}
Thanks a gazillion! <3
Hi, LP!
Hello Mrs. JB :cool:
Hi LP. Lots of amazing material to learn from your post. Thanks.
Hi, jackieG!
YW, Jackie! Time for me to go eat some lunch. Enjoy your afternoon :D
Donald Trump Op-Ed by 13-Year-Old 8th Grade Student Matthew Wi…
GA TODville.
LP, thanks for new thread!
For those in PA (JO’B, JackieG, PF58, others):
Arapaho, Wolf is a good, caring, competent Democratic governor. Compare and Contrast with Snyder of Michigan, Christie of New Jersey, Walker of Wisconsin and that toad, Scott of Florida.
AMEN JackieG…
(Actually, I’m in IL - but thanks for the info - have family and friends in PA.)
Do’h. I knew that — must have gotten you mixed up with Alycee. :(
I blame my shock at Trump’s latest outrage.
Patiently waiting for LL’s (justified) essay on the state of campaign 2016. Unbelievable that American’s ignorance is on full display for the world to marvel at.
It’s totally unbelievable! Save us from this hell, somebody. :)
Hmmm.
Tried to reply, but nothing happened — must have had a banned word in my response.
Knew you’re in Illinois — I blame Trump’s latest hubris on addling my thought process.
Astounds me that American’s ignorance is on full display for the world to see.
Yes, soon we’ll all have Trump-itis and our thought processes will be gone. His left him a long time ago.
We are living though an absolute apocalypse of snow. I grew up in New York state and have lived in Pa for 15 years and have never seen anything like the torrents of snow that have been falling endlessly since Friday night. It’s like Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”-endless, endless snow piling everywhere. It’s hopeless to even attempt plowing because it just piles up behind you and you have to start all over again. Imagine what it was like for pioneers to live through blizzards in isolated cabins where they could be confined for weeks on end. It’s no wonder they didn’t all end up barking mad.
Wow, thanks JackieG for the perspective (from someone who can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen snow falling — once in Seattle I rushed into a coffee shop excited because it was snowing, but the girl behind the counter said “I’m from Montana, that’s sleet” — she did take pity on me when I looked so disappointed and added “but it was snowing earlier.” LOL).
And surprise, surprise, Climate Change (specifically warmer ocean temps — which is adversely affecting CA now too) is to blame.
RT’d this tweet:
More… (crossing fingers that power stays on for everyone):
Arapaho, you are welcome to all the snow you can transport-bushels, barrels, trainloads of it. I gladly give it all to you.
Finally good use of that space usually occupied only by hot air.
here are our sledders in Philadelphia sledding down the steps (aka Rocky Steps :D ) of the Iconic Art Museum
Steinberg: Rauner does the impossible
WRITTEN BY NEIL STEINBERG
POSTED: 01/21/2016, 04:21PM
Sure, anyone paying attention to Illinois is compelled to believe that Bruce Rauner has accomplished nothing in his first year in office except shred programs for children, the disabled and the poor.
Not only did Rauner fail to make tangible progress, but he didn’t even tread water properly. The normal operation of the state, such as passing an annual budget, failed to occur, sacrificed on the altar of the governor’s hunger for term limits, union enfeeblement and other unrelated pet causes. He’s like an office manager getting himself hired by promising to expand a business who then promptly fails to pay the electric bill, as a point of principle against the electric company monopoly, so they turn the lights off. Now we’re sitting in the dark, listening to him explain.
The temptation is to conclude Illinois would do better with no governor at all, than this one who can’t seem to manage basic human interactions. On Thursday, Rauner announced his support for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s pension-reform plan, only to have Cullerton immediately cringe away, shivering, from the governor’s embrace. “It’s not my plan,” Cullerton said, explaining that Rauner had twisted his idea.
But give credit where due: Rauner has accomplished something real, something that I would have thought impossible:
He makes Rod Blagojevich look good.
Why do men NOT like to wear hats in the cold? Is it a macho thing?
A foolish macho thing.
I’ll take this one guys.
To answer your question hopefruit2, and Donna. The reason men don’t wear hats in the cold is that they’re probably not cold, it has nothing to do with machismo, some guys just don’t like the feel of a hat or a cap on their heads. Me personally, I don’t like the feel of a hat or a cap on my head.
“some guys just don’t like the feel of a hat or a cap on their heads.”
Hmm…I don’t think we women necessarily like the feel of a hat or a cap on our heads either…not to mention it ruins our hairstyle. But I think for us, the discomfort associated with feeling cold far exceeds the discomfort from the hat itself. And I do agree that men don’t seem to feel as cold as we do.
“But I think for us, the discomfort associated with feeling cold far exceeds the discomfort from the hat itself.”
Awwww, bless your heart hopefruit2, you’re still trying to make sense out of some of the things we do. Hopefruit, I once left the house when it was raining and I didn’t bother to walk the extra three feet just to get a raincoat out of the closet. My thought was that when it stopped raining I’m going to be stuck with carrying a raincoat around. Now would have it been practical to get a raincoat? Yes, but for me the thought of carrying around a raincoat when it stopped raining would have been cumbersome and it would have put me in a foul mood.
Don, I am with you on this one! I just don’t like carrying around raincoats or umbrellas when it stops raining. When I was young I was not into wearing hats either, but now that I am older, my head gets really cold in winter and I have to have a hat or a cap on my head to be able to function. Most men in my age group like wearing hats/caps.
I’m afraid I hate to wear hats. I don’t like the feel and sometimes I end up with a headache. It makes recess duty interesting in the winter, let me tell you. I will put the (loose) hood of my coat up, but that’s about all.
Ears freeze, whether you’re male or female, Don, so something to cover your ears seems pretty important in frigid weather. My husband and I take long walks, whether it’s cold or hot and it actually gets painful for him if he doesn’t cover his ears in winter.
I’m not saying that all men wouldn’t cover themselves when the weather turns cold. I’m just saying that in some instances men will brave the elements out of practicality that might not necessarily register with women.
Ladies, I’ll be here all day to answer any of your questions that have to do with men and their thought process.
*chuckle-chuckle*
You are just too cute ;)
Thanks Don! I may have more puzzling questions about men during #snowzilla. :)
An interesting conversation Don. When I lived in London, I never wore a hat - hated the feel on the head. Mr 99 on the other hand - never went out without one - even wears the stupid thing back in Oz - where the temp never gets below 5C - around 40F I think.
Hey, Hopefruit! It’s not all men. I know men in my age-group can’t function in the cold without hats/caps. Even here in sunny California, whenever it gets cold the first parts of my body to feel that cold more intensely are my ears and my head.
uh huh
uh huh
Stop acting like women don’t know what’s best for them and their lives.
……………………………
Mitchell: Are black women being singled out on abortions?
WRITTEN BY MARY MITCHELL
POSTED: 01/18/2016, 06:19PM
………………………………….
A few years ago, however, abortion-rights activists confronted the shocking “Endangered Species” anti-abortion ad campaign that targeted the African-American community.
In 2011 the Texas-based Life Always anti-abortion group put up billboards in several cities, including Chicago, with text that included: “The most dangerous place for African-Americans is in the womb.”
A lot of black women considered the campaign offensive and an attempt to shame the black community.
………………………………………….
Unfortunately, the “shaming” theme popped up again on Sunday when thousands of anti-abortion activists braved the extreme cold to participate in the March for Life Chicago rally downtown.
The Rev. Corey Brooks, pastor of the New Beginnings Church in Woodlawn and an early supporter of Gov. Bruce Rauner, called on the activists to take their fight to the black community.
“No longer will we stand on the sideline and let these abortions happen in our community and be silent while babies go unborn,” he said.
VC, check your twitter DM please.
Progressive Whites will never truly understand what it’s like to live the African-American experience, no matter how many James Baldwin or Toni Morrison books they read. They’ll never know what it’s like to get pulled over by the men sworn to protect you and be fearful that you might end up dead. They’ll never know the fear of raising a child in a world that sees him expendable as Ta-Nehisi Coates and countless others do and have done. Yet, despite this lack of personal experience, White progressives can still be valuable allies in the Black Lives Matter Movement.
***********
my comment:
a really open article…but i must say that BLM is already legitimate…the addition of white folks won’t make it more legitimate…but the addition of white folks to the struggle may help break this re-occurring cycle of oppression that seems to go on and on from one generation to the next…
BOBfr from the Obama Diary has often talked about “Truth and Reconciliation and the role that white people must play in the struggle against racism…
i appreciate you and him…it gives me hope
WHITES NEED TO STAND UP AGAINST RACISM…PERIOD…IT’S A MATTER OF CHARACTER AND STRENGTH AND WITHOUT THE COURAGE TO STAND FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ALL COLORS…HOPE HASN’T GOT A CHANCE…IT WILL SUFFOCATE…SOCIETY WILL BECOME STAGNANT AND WE WILL HAVE LOST OUR PURPOSE IN THIS LIFE.
all the Latinos that GENUINELY are from that area…
and, the best they can do is some carpetbagger?
I can’t stand Madigan, but..
PHUCK.OUTTA.HERE.
………………………….
Brown: The man who wants to replace Mike Madigan
WRITTEN BY MARK BROWN
POSTED: 01/16/2016, 10:59PM
But that was before state Republicans led by Gov. Bruce Rauner focused the blame on Madigan as the central cause of everything wrong with Illinois.
Removing Madigan from power has since become a rallying cry for many voters around the state.
Into that opportunity steps Gonzales, a political newcomer. He didn’t live in Madigan’s 22ndHouse district before deciding to explore a campaign against him in 2014 and makes no bones about expecting to receive much of his financial support from Republicans and Rauner supporters. They’ve already supplied the bulk of the $45,840 he’s reported so far.
…………………………………..
Gonzales, born in Elgin, grew up in Carpentersville and said he dropped out of Barrington High School at 16.
……………………………………………..
Gonzales’ campaign materials gloss over his suburban origins, suggesting he was a neighborhood kid who “spent his early years” on the Southwest Side in South Lawndale, “where my family owned a home.”
When questioned, Gonzales allowed it was his grandmother’s home and that the closest he came to spending his early years there (a considerable distance from Madigan’s Midway Airport legislative district) was visiting her on weekends.
Nope.
Not one frigging one.
……………..
Brown: Can you name one of Rauner’s accomplishments?
WRITTEN BY MARK BROWN
POSTED: 01/12/2016, 06:19PM
Bruce Rauner has been Illinois’ governor for one year now, and I would defy you to name one thing off the top of your head that he has accomplished during that time.
…………………..
Would he be a pragmatic businessman eager to cut deals with Democrats to put his imprimatur on an Illinois economic recovery, or would he be a confrontational ideologue looking to leverage the state’s extensive problems to promote his political vision?
We now know it’s the latter, and I realize a lot of Illinois voters who share his vision are fine with that, although I’m also sure they are fewer in number than when he was elected.
Hello TOD on a Saturday Afternoon. Yes, it feels like Saturday today ;)
Congrats on a Brilliant Post, LP. Thank you.
Congrats to all the Gold :star: winners, starting with this post and in all the posts since last night.
I will never forget how hard Rachel Maddow has gone after first, the EFM issue in Michigan where majority black cities are denied the electoral process and given managers with two days training and a huge salary paid by the community in question, and now this water scandal/tragedy/crime. Without her these things would have flown under the radar. She has made the water issue especially a national issue and this makes it harder for Snyder, now trying to help the citizens of Flint by hiring 2 p.r. firms to try to limit the damage to HIM, to sneak away.
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND…AND THERE IS MORE THAN ONE DRIP IN THE POND. UNFORTUNATELY ACROSS THE COUNTRY…CHEMICALS ARE BEING UTILIZED AND PROPER TREATMENTS ARE OVERLOOKED TO MATCH SCANT BUDGETS BIRTHED BY A CONGRESS THAT WOULD RATHER SPEND MONEY ON ITS OWN INTEREST..AND NONE OF THEM INVOLVE HEALTHCARE FOR WE THE PEOPLE.,,,FLINT JUST PLAIN GOT CAUGHT!
REMINDS ME OF THE TIME THE JERKS IN WAUKESHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN SPRAYED WEED RIDDEN HIGHWAYS WITH A DERIVATIVE OF AGENT ORANGE…245-T…ALSO FOUND IN HOUSEHOLD PETICIDES. ALTHOUGH IT WAS BANNED IN 1976…YOU COULD STILL GET THESE WEED KILLERS OFF THE SHELF AT YOUR LOCAL DISCOUNT STORE. KENOSHA, WISCONSIN COURTS WERE THE AREAS CHOSEN FOR MANY AN AGENT ORANGE TRIAL…DOW CHEMICAL WOULD DANCE IN WITH 5 OF THEIR OWN VERY PROFESSIONAL ATTORNEYS AND VICTIMIZE ALL TOO MANY WHO HAVE DIED FROM THIS HORRIFIC POISONING. WATCH WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR PETUNIAS!
Maddow on Emergency Manager Takeover of Benton Harbor, Michigan
——————————————-
Uploaded on Apr 19, 2025
Rachel Maddow story on state-appointed Emergency Financial Manager takeover of Benton Harbor, Michigan. Under the new law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, Emergency Managers have unchecked power to cancel contracts and take away collective bargaining rights for public workers.
————————————————
I laughed so hard until I’m crying. :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Good to know the dinosaurs are out helping during snowpocalypse 2016. At least the snow looks pretty light.
HAHAHAHA…
NOW THAT IS A SUPER AWESOME NEIGHBOR WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR…LOOKS LIKE HE’S LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR A VERY LONG TIME…:)
“SNOW SISTAH” :D
:lol: Love it! But typical Anthea, couldn’t retweet, had to take it :roll:
Thank yooooooooooooooou LP!!
My pleasure, Chips!
Thanks, Donna. Signed.
The twins are so cute.
Thanks!
Thanks, LP for the post. I’m listening to the podcast with Valerie Jarrett now.
If Donald trump is president the far right will be emboldened and a second civil war is very possible.
My question is where did Trump fine this idiot from? Didn’t have far to look considering he is a dam idiot.
PURE BREEDS?…CERTAINLY EVIDENCE OF ARIAN BROTHERHOOD ETHNIC CLEANSING OPPORTUNITIES HERE…A ROAD THAT HAS BEEN CARVED OUT ACROSS THE NATION…CHECK THE STATS…THEN REALIZE THAT IT IS DAMNED DANGEROUS AND THE BIRTH OF AN EVIL SOCIETY THAT IS QUITE CAPABLE OF REPEATING AN UNFORTUNATE HISTORY.
White southern americans have 11% African blood in them.
wow, al giordano is running for president now too?!? ;)
Cute !!
Good idea ….
;)
bbl …
NYC got a a bit more snow that initially predicted, and right now, apparently, there’s a nasty band of snow that’s just sitting on top of the city - baffling even the experienced meteorologists. It should be moving out by now, but it’s not..
Ooops…I’m not sure how this got to be posted here. Sorry Bobfr…I must have been planning to respond to your post and then got distracted and posted something completely unrelated! :)
The Des Moines Register has endorsed Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Democrat Hillary Clinton for their parties’ presidential nominations, nine days before the Iowa caucuses.
“At his best, Rubio offers an uplifting message of a ‘new American century.’ He shares his compelling story and calls for a referendum on the nation’s identity,” the paper said.
“Clinton has demonstrated that she is a thoughtful, hardworking public servant who has earned the respect of leaders at home and abroad. She stands ready to take on the most demanding job in the world,” the paper said.
Get complete coverage of breaking news on CNN TV, CNN.com
If Rubio has a compelling story - I should run for President (despite not being eligible)
<3 Here is MP, ecstatic ~ one of my younger brothers just became a Grandpa today, at 4:16pm EST, in this magnificent weather event, in Pittsburgh. Of course we are all delighted!! I am now GreatAuntieMP to 6 youngsters. I bless them for coming in to clean up our mess! <3
God Bless you MightyP
Congrats!!!
congratulations to you and the rest of your family
Little ones come when they want - weather be no barrier - blessings to you all MP
I WANT ONE OF THOSE!
Me too!!!!!!!!!!!
ME TOOOOO
Love that PF - if only!
i know
Their slogans are about Them….the President’s slogan was about US…
Exactly, Prettyfoot!
Prettyfoot, as candidate Barack Obama said; “We are the one’s we’ve been waiting for”. <3 <3 <3
:lol:
PRICELESS…THIS WOULD ALSO BE A GREAT MAILBOX FOR CONGRESS…THAT’S WHERE THEIR BRAINS ARE LOCATED!
I AM HAPPY TO SEE THIS..I WAS WONDERING WHERE IN THE WORLD THEY WERE GOING IN THIS MESS!
I see where Trump says he could stand on the street and shoot someone and his supporters would still vote/ be there for him. So in essence he can become a murderer and lose not one supporter. Which says everything we should all ever need to know of Trump and those that follow him. Isn’t this what Hitler & other radical/ violent leaders had too- supporters/followers who were all in no.matter.what. ?
Chat on
http://theobamadiary.com/2016/01/23/aaaaaaaw/
Thank you, LPlains. I finally listened to the Jarrett interview (appreciate your telling us the exact start and finish) and really enjoyed it. All of the Obama close associates that I’ve ‘met’ display a certain naturalness and authenticity. God bless ’em!
You’re welcome old friend :) “(appreciate your telling us the exact start and finish)” ….I figured anything to make your listening experience as efficient as possible may nudge you to take a gander :???:
You strategy worked!
BTW, take it easy on the ‘old’ there, you youngster. :D
Thank you LP - I’m some hours behind (or ahead) but get there eventually.
Thank you for this great post, LP!! Especially the interview with Valerie Jarrett. She really sounds like a brilliant, lovely person. Just the sort of person you’d expect to be close friends of POTUS and FLOTUS.
My pleasure, Meta!