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President Barack Obama
Happy Presidents Day, everyone! Last week, I traveled back to Springfield, Illinois – where I got a chance to reflect a little bit on my favorite president and fellow Illinoisan - Abraham Lincoln.
As I said there, Lincoln wasn’t always the giant of history that we think of today. He didn’t have formal schooling. His businesses and his law practice often struggled. He left Congress after just one term because his opposition to the Mexican-American War damaged his reputation. But then, something happened that shook his conscience. Congress effectively overturned the Missouri Compromise, that flawed law that had prohibited slavery in the North and legalized it in the South.
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Over the next six years, his arguments with Stephen Douglas and others helped shape the national debate around slavery. And it was on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield where he uttered those brilliant words, that “A house divided against itself cannot stand;” and that “this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free.”
Lincoln went on to become the first Republican President, and I believe our greatest president. Through his will, his words, and most of all, his character, he held a nation together and helped free a people.
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Late at night, I sometimes walk down the hall to a room Lincoln used as his office that contains an original copy of the Gettysburg address. I linger on a few words that have helped define our American experiment: “A new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Lincoln grasped, maybe more than anyone, the burdens required to give those words meaning. And he understood that it is through the toil and sacrifice of ordinary men and women that our country is built and freedom is preserved.
Just entered with a Leave a Message Greetings ;) Thanks, NW!
Good Afternoon.
Off I Go, back later ;)
What a landing!!! Congrats, Nena.
;)
Way to Nena! Congrats!
:)
“A house divided against itself cannot stand;” and that “this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free.”
And the fight continues…
Thanks NW for posting this!
Congrats Nena on First :-)
:cool:
Good afternoon, TOD - and Happy President’s Day, President Barack Obama!
That’s because we had Dems telling other Dems not to vote because they wanted to teach President Obama a lesson. And what subsequently got elected were a bunch of know-nothings that were hell bent on rolling back all the voter protection laws.
So true!
And those folks who were telling people not to vote still have their big salaries and jobs. They have not lost anything. In the long run, we are the ones who suffered from not voting. Where is Ed Schultz, Mr. faux progressive?
Thom Hartmann, Ed Schultz, Norman Goldman, and Bernie Sanders are ALL FAUX PROGRESSIVES because none are true Democrats.
Yep!
say it again Don.
And don’t forget the “liberal” media that encouraged this again and again. The media is the third arm of the GOP yet they still rant about the “liberal” media - ranting about the odd occasion they are called out on a lie. Cruz does it incessantly. The sooner Donald Trump goes full birther on Cruz the better. Wonder how the media will react to that.
Powerful wonderful moving. Lovely combination of our great President’s reflections on Lincoln and these images of PBO taking care of our Nation’s Business in a room where Dr. King and Honest Abe have his back. And we have his back! Happy President’s Day, with the Greatest President in our history leading us from the White House.
This freak is going after Bernie voters and they just might fall for it if Bernie doesn’t win.
Bernie’s late with that “revolution” bullshit. Already happening…it’s called the GOP!!
The writer felt compelled to speculate that a dem congress would do the same. That is not true. A dem congress brought us SS,medicare, Medicaid, ACA, Wall Street reform. This is what dems do
Good Afternoon Everyone :)
Excellent post, Nerdy!
Thank you just doesn’t seem enough! You totally ROCK! 😘
You are awesome and wonderful.
Thanks so much, Dudette! :)
I claim not even a fraction of your awesomeness and wonderfulness, Nerdy-Dear! <3
What about the wall and deportation?????
Has he checked the numbers and are now trolling for votes???
I have to wonder what is going into this calculation.
He just claimed he never said that or did not hear the question…..
Allison, I don’t believe Trump thinks clearly and has no principles or beliefs to rely on. He says whatever comes to his mind at the moment to get a rise out of people or because he doesn’t really understand the question. Whatever “success” he’s had in his life is because he’s brash and a bully who pretty much bulldozes over people the way he bulldozes over property to put up one of his monstrous buildings. It’s beyond sad that this failed human being is pushing his way to the Republican nomination. His approach to the presidency would be to act as a human wrecking ball, destroying everything in sight, including any chance that this country would remain a democracy. Should he become the R nominee, the only hope for the US rests with Democratic voters.
Trumps says whatever he believes the audience of the moment needs to hear This approach works *well* for him because he doesn’t stand for people questioning him or challenging him. He throws a similar kind of tantrum to the ones of other Republicans in office who pout, obstruct and grandstand when they don’t get their own way. What a Republican leader! :/
MSNBC had an hour show put together featuring Trump and his history last year. They presented negatives as well as positives in his life though I felt they skipped over much of the negative business scams. I do remember thinking how Trump explained getting financial backers for his Atlantic City property deal pretty much represented his way of dealing with life in general. He said he got together all the construction equipment he could, telling the operators to just look busy moving dirt etc. Then when the potential backers saw what a big operation it was they were in instantly. Seems like a giant con man to me. And proud of it. No moral compass! We do not need that kind of person for the leader of the free world.
He is a SICK DRIFTER shape-shifter.
hahahahahahahahahahaha
The energy of our President is almost beyond human. The number of people who could golf for five hours and then function at top form during an international conference is probably close to nil. He never ceases to amaze me.
He’s unbelievable!!!!
He has probably exchanged his pick up basketball games he used to do to relieve stress for a more age appropriate at this time golf session.
Congrats Nena :)
Anyone surprised ….
BTW, yet again today, Trump attacks the GOP in ways no “establishment” Republican (elected or otherwise) ever would dare.
As noted late last night in a previous thread, I’m beginning to wonder just what his ‘agenda’ is.
If it’s to nuke the party of Nixon/Reagan/GWB, he’s doing a rather spectacular job.
Couldn’t resist ….
If nuking the R party is his goal, I congratulate him. If he’s actually trying to become president, I will do everything in my limited power to stop him.
No way any sane person is going to enable the kook to become President, JackieG!!
I’m just beginning to wonder how far this guy is willing to go in his ‘march to the sea,’ ‘take no prisoners’ approach to the GOP. At this point, I see zero indication he intends to stop and I also see no Republican even beginning to have the fortitude or credibility to stop him.
We are witnessing US Political History, in real time, the likes of which haven’t been seen since Senator Jeff Davis decided to destroy the United States of America.
And let us all hope he has the same fate as Jeff Davis and takes the whole Republican Party down with him.
“No way any sane person is going to enable the kook to become President, JackieG!!”
worth repeating
Yes, nospin, but we’ve got to hope that the number of ‘sane’ outnumbers the insane come November.
He’s manipulating the hell out of EVERYBODY.
;)
Thanks for making this into a post Nerdy Wonka.
Happy President’s Day TOD!
Still visualizing peace among the dogies for Chips.
HRC was sooooo not my first choice, but she is definitely growing on me lately. I really think her time with PBO, working with him and watching him, and maybe also the experience of losing in 2008, has made her a better-qualified candidate.
Gotta tend to my To-do list, but ran across this article this morning and wanted to share the last paragraph:
Hillary Captures Flint Endorsements
“In announcing the endorsements, the campaign also said Clinton is asking campaign volunteers to join the Red Cross and United Way to distribute water to residents of Flint, rather than canvass for votes. Clinton is also calling on President Barack Obama to issue a Medicaid waiver to Michigan so that Flint residents under the age of 21 will receive universal Medicaid coverage.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/hillary-clinton-flint-endorsements-219293
MS, Hillary Clinton is very pragmatic and figures out how to get things done, instead of just talking about them. I like that about her and I know that PBO did as well when she was working with him as SOS. If she becomes president, she will work long and hard to “get things done’ that will help people in a practical way. She will build on PBO’s legacy and not destroy it as any of the other candidates, including Bernie, will do.
I know Bernie seems to be more inspirational than Hillary, but she is a worker bee. She has practical plans that have been thought out not impossible dreams that excite the crowd. The problem is Barack was both the inspirational speaker that could excite the crowd plus a pragmatic practical hard worker that could get things done. It is hard to replace him. Now we have to choose which we want instead of getting both in one person.
In retrospect I am thinking of my Orthopedic surgeon who has operated on replacing one of my knees and one of my hips. I stay with him as a surgeon due to his technical excellence even though his bedside manner sucks. He will be replacing my other knee in May.
THE GREATEST PRESIDENT AMERICA WILL EVER SEE……………..FILLED WITH GRACE AND INTEGRITY AND HUMILITY…ALWAYS RISING ABOVE THE CONSTANT OBSTRUCTION FROM THE REPUGNANTS!..THANK YOU WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH!..DON’T GET ME STARTED..I GET DEPRESSED!
BEGINNING SHORTLY - President Obama Holds a Meeting with ASEAN Leaders
THESE MEETNGS ARE SO IMPORTANT…PBO LOOKS GREAT…THAT SUNSHINE IS SO GOOD FOR HIM!
This guy has NO idea - ZIP, ZERO - who he’s talking about:
Trump is a grown man in his late sixties who has the audacity to run for president and DOES NOT KNOW what the term, “Dreamers” means. He has the ignorance you would expect of a young adolescent who never follows the news and has no Latino friends. That this would be an acceptable level of ignorance to a large swath of Republican voters is beyond tragic. You have to truly hate your country to think a political illiterate is qualified to run it.
That is what I thought too when he said dreamers that come from the United States. I think Trump is into changing the subject and BSing his way through what he does not know. Not Presidential material!
THE RESPECT AND LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS!…<3
Awesome!!
WOW…is this really happening
G.W. look as pitiful as Jeb.
YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW MY DEAR…THE PUPPET HAS DECAYING STRINGS!..CHENEY WAS BUSY TODAY BLAMING ALL G.W’S PROBLEMS ON THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION…IF WE KEEP GOING…WE COULD WORK OUR WAY BACK TO THE FLINTSTONES.BARNEY AND WILMA!..DON’T FORGET BAM-BAM!
YES!!!! I love this tweet NW!
PA: The Republican incumbent Patrick Toomey wants to stay in the Senate, but he is not a very popular politician in this state. The two leading Democrats are Katie McGinty (former chief of staff to Governor Tom Wolf) and former Representative Joe Sestak, whom Toomey narrowly defeated six years ago as part of the GOP wave. Pennsylvania will also see a highly competitive race for president, even though a GOP presidential candidate hasn’t won Pennsylvania since 1988. A strong Democratic turnout could doom Toomey’s re-election bid and help the Democratss take back the Senate. Possible Democratic pickup.
Pf, we would have been in a better position for the Senate race if Ed Rendell had not pushed McGinty into the race out of his resentment for Sestak. Once again, Sestak will have to spend a lot of money in the primary and be in a weakened position financially for the general if he wins. If McGinty wins, I truly question her ability to go up against Toomey, as she’s never really won an elected office. Rendell always manages to put his thumb on the scale when it comes to high stakes elections in this state. He does a disservice to all Democrats in the state.
that was my thought as well…
Rendell would rather Toomey win than Sestak…that was my take
I just saw this on NW’s tweeter feed & I love It!
“That moment you realize that for 7 years, we’ve had a POTUS who doesn’t speak gibberish”
Beautiful - thanks a million Nerdy!!
I got here just in time to hear POTUS speaking.
I really don’t get these people.
Is it enough to take him down? Motherfucker please, oh you mean like you and every other fucker out there that tried to take down President Obama just because he did it his way? The balls on these guys, now that they see that the bullshit that Bernie has been feeding them don’t smell of rosy, they want everybody to take it easy on Bernie. No motherfucker it doesn’t work like that, because when you come for the king you best not miss.
OMG, THANK YOU.
THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS>>>
When you come for the King,..you best not miss!!
Aloha Todville!
Have you read this article from WaPo? Lots in here is news to me.
‘ Few have even heard of Mosteller, but if you look closely at photographs taken inside the White House, you can often glimpse him at the edge of the frame, omnipresent. From his chair, he is the only person in the White House with a direct view of the president at his desk. No one gets in the Oval Office without going past him. ‘
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/02/15/meet-the-man-president-obama-depends-on-to-get-through-his-day/
Oh my gosh. What a wonderful MUST READ piece. I’ve always admired Brian and his devotion to President Obama. And now we get to read more about him and his work. A wonderful man with incredible memories of his life in the White House serving the President. Thank you, susanne!
great story….thanks for bringing it here
This is a terrific read. Thanks so much for sharing. I loved this ……..
———————-
Then he met Obama.
It wasn’t the young politician’s oratory skills that drew Mosteller in, though he was as impressed with those as most of America was back then. It was something intangible that Mosteller now has trouble describing. There was a kindness, an authenticity, he said, that made him want to give up everything to join the shoestring campaign.
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What a wonderful and well written article.
My dream would be for President Obama to make his announcement for the vacant SCOTUS spot while he and Rev. All are playing a round of golf.
http://www.wmur.com/politics/state-republican-party-launches-online-petition-supporting-bernie-sanders/37999744
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS……………….
…so his followers flock to defend Saint Bernard from any wrongdoing or misleading statements rather than dealing with reality, and they’re oblivious to the fact that the GOP can’t wait to use this kind of oppo in the GE.
Hillary needs to lock down these primaries to make sure that Sanders can’t get away with riding to the nomination after hitching a ride on the Democratic party and blowing the GE.
Felt like a holy place, when I visited there.
I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF THAT AT HOME…AND MUCHO MANY OF PBO…WHICH NOONE IS GETTING BY THE WAY…SO DON’T ASK!
I won’t ask! Ha!
Video of Ramona Brant’s release from prison
Wow, thank you for this Jazz, truly overwhelming
<3 <3 <3
Sad, touching, absolutely wonderful. Here’s to a much happier life for her!
Alycee, thanks for posting this. God bless Ramona. I wish her all the best for her future.
So happy for her! God bless President Obama!
That moment when you could see her just savoring a bite of food in freedom!
Thanks for sharing this video jazziz!
OH MY…WHAT A BLESSING!…THANK YOU FOR THE PEEK…IT’S WONDERFUL!
I just read that Vanity passed away! So sad.
What happen to Denise Matthew? I remember seeing her on the christian channel TBN talking about her life when she was in rock music.
May she rest in peace.
Oh no! Not another one gone!
My local news just showed massive snowing in the Washington DC area now and an expected large amount of accumulation tonight. WOW!
EVERYONE STAY SAFE IN DC NOW….ANGEL DANDRUFF FALLING EVERYWHERE…HAVE A BLESSED NIGHT…STAGE LEFT…<3
HOW COOL IS THIS??!!
New post
http://theobamadiary.com/2016/02/15/happy-presidents-day-president-obama/