Sunday, March 20
Old Havana Walking Tour
On the day they touch down in Cuba, President Obama and his family will visit Old Havana. When the First Family visits the Havana Cathedral during their walk, they will be met by Cardinal Ortega, the Latin Rite Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Havana and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church.
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Monday, March 21
José Martí Memorial
The following day, the President will lay a wreath and sign a guestbook in a ceremony at the José Martí Memorial. José Martí, known as “the Apostle of Cuban Independence,” was an influential poet, journalist, and political theorist who became a symbol for the Cuban people’s bid for independence.
Discussion on Entrepreneurship and Opportunity
In Havana, the President will meet with Cuban entrepreneurs, or cuentapropistas, to hear their experiences. The event will include American entrepreneurs who will share their own experiences with their Cuban counterparts and look for opportunities to build long-term relationships.
Bilateral Meetings and State Dinner at the Revolutionary Palace
During the day, President Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Revolutionary Palace to discuss a full host of bilateral and regional issues.
Later that evening, the President and First Lady will return for a State Dinner.
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Tuesday, March 22
Meeting with Civil Society Members
Just as he will meet with the government, the President will meet with a group of Cuban civil society, including human rights activists.
Remarks to the Cuban People
President Obama will have the opportunity to speak directly to the Cuban people with remarks at the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater.
Major League Baseball Game
The Tampa Bay Rays are traveling to Cuba to represent Major League Baseball in an exhibition game against the Cuban National Team at Estadio Latinamericano, which first hosted Jackie Robinson’s Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The President will attend.
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Full details here
1st!
How exciting this is!! Congrats, Don!
I can’t wait to see the President wearing a guayabera.
Me too! (what’s that? The hat? )
S H I R T :) Got it:)
I used to wear a guayabera back in my youth when I was a young revolutionary.
Handsome!
We will add it to our esteemed collection of PBO in awesome swag. Maybe he’ll even sport a straw fedora!
This will be another history making event.
I think we’re going to see a LOT Of history on this trip. The arrival ceremony, State Dinner with POTUS and FLOTUS, meeting with human rights activists, an MLB team in historic Baseball game and of course, PBO and First Family being their own amazing selves on the streets of Havana. This will be a trip for the ages!!
Not to mention the econ and trade developments!!
Wow!
The Secret Service is on the job:
I am so moved, so happy, so amazed and grateful. I was just reading along beaming, and then I got to this, and that made me cry, in the good way. Oh what a precious, wonderful thing, all of this. I cannot believe how much goodness and light and connection and understanding flows into the world, while the loud screamy-meany-nasty claptrap dominates the airwaves and blocks out the sun if we let it, the goodness and intentional lifting up, opening out, making room, sharing and connecting that Our President Barack Obama and Our First Lady Michelle Robinson Obama and their lovely precious deeply wonderful daughters and Mrs. Robinson, shine into the world. It is such a gift. It cannot be undone or taken away. That is why the bad people are so mad — they can do their dirty deeds but they cannot stop him nor block him nor take things back to when they were in charge of the story and the machine. Thank you for this place to see and share and spread the goodness and truth of the First Family’s time in Leadership of the World. It will not end in January — it will merely change. Thankful for TOD, Chipsticks, NerdyWonka, all the faithful voices here and the lurkers too. Viva El Presidente Obama y Familia en Cuba! Vaya con Dios, beloved First Family, and safe travels till you come back home to the White House where you belong.
The “This!” that moved me so much is the note of the baseball game.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are traveling to Cuba to represent Major League Baseball in an exhibition game against the Cuban National Team at Estadio Latinamericano, which first hosted Jackie Robinson’s Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The President will attend.”
This is what moved me so much. Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers were there, and now POTUS will be there for us. Sacred. Blessed. Precious.
Holy Smokes, lady Chips, You are Faster than Usain Bolt.
The WH Presser has just concluded and there You are with the Week ahead for POTUS, FLOTUS & Family for their trip to CUBA & Argentina. >-I >-I >-I
Thanks, Lady!
This!!! You are to fast Chips. Next week is going to be an exciting week. When Josh says first family, does this mean that the girls are going?
Congrats, Don. Gold :star: is your color.
This is tremendous! Our history-making President continues to break the mold!
Hooray for Oregon!
Oh what incredible news! Do mine eyes deceive me?
:D :D
How utterly condescending.
Beyond belief DF, I just don’t know where to start with it.
That’s some privilege, right there! Doesn’t look good on ANYONE! We See You!
Wow. Just. wow.
Speechless, 57.
Flat-out unapologetic blatant racism. With a nasty side of misogyny. And the bit about BS’s consistent commitment to their fundamental cause over half a century — would be hilarious if it were not such a dangerous and powerful lie. This is the “free stuff” trope so beloved by right wing people. Horrifying; and I don’t think anyone in their camp would begin to listen to any truth or insight about it. Klanspeople in white robes are clear about their beliefs and intentions. This is an odorless tasteless poison and the source of so much harm.
Wow, can’t believe this.
These are the kind of statements from Bernie people that make me feel violent and I hate violence of any sort. Just who in hell do they think they are?
He and his supporters are a bunch of thin skins, projecting their issues onto Hillary and her support base.
How did this flip around so neatly from 2008?
At any rate, he is NOT presidential material and couldn’t hold up to a month’s worth of the pressure, criticism and scrutiny thrown at PBO his entire term.
Imagine how he’d react to his first WHPconference! He’d never make it. He is NOT ready for prime time.
Looking more & more like Trump
Wow!
Well, Dudette, that is ignorance on a mega scale. Not to mention arrogance and self absorption.
Privilege
How telling: Only white male presidents can be of any ‘help’ to white males according to this straight white male.
It’s another spin on the Good Ol’ Boy network.
Grrrr!
I soooo look forward to our First Family’s historic visit. Thanks Chips for posting this itinerary! :) :)
A pleasure, thank you Hopefruit!
This was from the era when Republican presidents kept up the pretense of seeming sane when they talked. Reagan was a terrible and destructive president, but he knew how to put a public face on it, which is the kind of candidate/president establishment Republicans dream of.
INDEED…I’M GLAD YOU SAID THAT…………………………HE WAS AN ACTOR WHO COULD CONTROL THE PODIUM..BUT FRANKLY LACKED HIS OWN SUBSTANCE…PBO IS A DEEPER INDIVIDUAL WHO EXHIBITS A WEALTH OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY…ALSO AN ABUNDANCE OF INTELLIGENCE BALANCED WITH COMPASSION!
Perfect, we have a President that’s about to set foot in Cuba, fresh off his disarming of a nuclear Iran. And we have a former talk show host would be President blasting some asshole about a job he got fired from.
This is the kind of pettiness that you might expect in junior high school. Does Trump ever grow up?
In a word “No” — he’s stuck in 7th grade
And the response:
Rubio’s attack on Trump about his hands may be one of the few lasting aspects of his campaign.
…or should I say memorable.
Here’s his tweet, Nena :)
How cool is that we have Prime Ministers and our President doing the twitter thing :)
Thank you!
now, I really need to get back to work ….
#AliciaAlonso is one of the greatest ballerinas, ever.
She is also a gifted choreographer and her ballet school & company - Ballet Nacional de Cuba - which she founded in Havana in 1948 is considered one of the world’s finest (with many who consider it # 1).
BTW, she was dancing, as was Martha Graham, well into her 70s.
If you ever have the opportunity to see Ballet Nacional de Cuba perform don’t miss it!!
back to work ….
Thank you for this, Bob. Wonderful images.
http://images.dailykos.com/images/220662/story_image/3-6-mcfadden-KOS.png?
Ted Cruz is no better then Donald Trump.
PRESS SECRETARY JOSH EARNEST RESPONDED TO A SIMILAR QUESTION FROM APRIL RYAN ON 3/16/2016
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 3/16/2016
April.
Q Okay, next, there is a segment of this country, your constituents, who was hopeful from day one that there would be a Supreme Court nominee who could possibly — not necessarily, but possibly fill the shoes of Thurgood Marshall. And their hopes have been dashed now. They’re feeling that there’s no more chance. What do you say to some of those people who were hopeful — were in the Rose Garden when the President made the announcement today, and they’re supporting the President but they’re still somewhat hurt by not having that potential?
MR. EARNEST: Well, April, I can tell you that the President considered a diverse array of candidates, and I think that’s what you’d expect considering the diverse array of individuals that the White House consulted in advance of the President making his decision. The President took that advice quite seriously and considered a diverse array of candidates.
The President ultimately settled on Chief Judge Garland for one reason, and one reason only, and that is simply that he believes that Chief Judge Garland is the best person in America to do that job. And that’s how the President made the decision.
At the same time, April, I can tell you that the President himself has talked on a number of occasions about how important it is to ensure that the federal bench is as diverse as the rest of the country. And when you take a look at the President’s track record, it’s quite strong. That starts with the two previous appointments that the President has made to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court. He appointed the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court in the form of Justice Sotomayor. He appointed the third and fourth women to serve on the Supreme Court in Justice Sotomayor and Justice Kagan. He has appointed 117 minorities to the federal judiciary. That’s more than any other President. He has appointed 26 African American women to the federal bench. That is more than any other President. He’s appointed 37 Hispanics to the federal bench. That is more than any other President. He’s appointed 20 Asians to the federal bench. That is more than any other President. And he has appointed 11 LGBT judges. That is more than every other President combined.
So the President’s commitment to the principle of ensuring we have a judiciary that looks like the rest of the country is rock-solid. And the other principle that he has strongly adhered to is making sure that he’s choosing the best person for the job, and I think he’s demonstrated over the course of his seven years in office that it is absolutely possible to do both.
Q So clearly you were ready for this question. Now —
MR. EARNEST: You think? (Laughter.) I did my homework last night.
Q You really did. But when it comes to the African American community, he has appointed more African American federal judges than any other President — that is true. But was that in, I guess, the mix at all when you were thinking of the possibility of the next Supreme Court justice, to bring it a step further?
MR. EARNEST: Well, I think what is true — well, let me say a couple things about that. One of the reasons the President does believe it’s important to diversify the federal bench is that it’s important that we have judges who look like the rest of America. And that certainly is an important part of this decision-making process. The other thing that’s important is that choosing someone to serve on the Supreme Court that has previous experience being a federal judge is, of course, not required, but it’s a pretty good credential to bring with you. And the fact that the President has just nominated Chief Judge Garland, somebody who has more federal judiciary experience than any other Supreme Court nominee in American history, I think is an indication that the President certainly prioritizes that kind of experience.
So it is certainly possible that by diversifying the federal bench more broadly the President is creating a more diverse array of choices for future Presidents as they consider nominees to fill future vacancies on the Supreme Court.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/16/press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-3162016
If *you* haven’t listened to the President in *this* interview, you *NEED* to do so! Really, truly. Then be absolutely sure to pass it along!
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.
PLEASE!
Thanks for posting this interview. I shared it on Facebook.
:) YW, Terri.
Hey Allison, this is your ‘thanks’ too for bringing it to our attention! It’s so worth passing along for sensible people to hear how thoroughly, and intelligently, Pres O answers their silly ‘Why a white male?’ Aren’t white males Americans too? As usual the President’s answer reveals a mind to be respected. :)
Excellent! Good for her:)
Now that’s a shrewd move by Romney voting for Cruz.
LOL.
Ya, then at an open convention they can appoint Mitt, the companies are people my friend guy.
That reminds me of when I received my million supporter t-shirt from the 2008 Obama campaign. That was pretty early into the campaign.
Thanks, Nena:) That was enjoyable!
Thank you for posting Nena. Love how he uses every question even the stupid one (can you really blame the repugs for what they’re doing? even you said the Dems historically weren’t blameless in prior confirmations) to put on a master clinic and provide FACTS in a calm logical fashion to blow the Repugs nonsensical arguments out of the water and not let their nonsense take hold as if it’s perfectly acceptable and normal. #ILOVEMYPRESIDENT
ON MY FB…………………….
http://images.dailykos.com/images/220662/story_image/3-6-mcfadden-KOS.png?1457373561
This is what I meant to post.
Next crew is about to head up to the Space Station
This made me crack up.
I prefer those upcoming first spouses that don’t get ambushed.
#MediaFail, again.
I fear that Americans will riot if these reporters ask sensible questions instead of stupid a$$ questions.
WHAAAAT??????? Eye roll!
On another topic, maybe. It’s the stupid that made me do it. I get an email every day from the small town in northeast TN where we are from. In big bold headline was the Representative from that district saying that PO had ignored the Constitution and abused his powers…..or something like that. I called his office and “went off” on the guy who answered. Pointed out that PO is a Constitutional lawyer and taught it at UofC. Also pointed out that since this President KNOWS how much he is hated by the R’s, why would he take the chance of doing any tiny thing wrong and go against the Constitution, knowing that they would jump on it and begin impeachment charges. I said a lot of other things. I was incensed! Sure it made no difference to the Rep. but I sure felt better! :)
ohhhhhhhh gooodnessss….now boys and girls…what should she do???
Later, TOD ;)
Stephanie better not toe that company line. I’ve seen many a decent Dem go down that rabbit hole at NBC.
Agree, 57. That was my instant thought. Also, regarding Joy Reid. She had a show and MSNBC cancelled it. I don’t “get” this.
They just play games over there.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
Chat on
http://theobamadiary.com/2016/03/18/perfect-2/