Who can comment at The Obama Diary?
Anyone!
Kidding.
If anyone could comment here we’d be flooded with “whares teh muslins burt sirt?” queries from Teabaggers and less than cheery contributions from Firebaggers still traumatized by Barack Obama being elected President.
So, who is welcome to comment here?
Supporters of President Obama.
It’s as straightforward as that.
This really isn’t the place for you…..
(1) If you’re not a PBO supporter (there are, oooooh, a gazillion other websites where you can play).
(2) If all you intend bringing here is a whole heap of RW/Firebagger talking points and links designed to put a negative spin on every single piece of PBO-related news, no matter how encouraging it actually is. You know, the kind of person who looks for a cloud on every silver lining and won’t be content until they leave everyone feeling as demoralized as they habitually do. Like this fella:
(3) If you enjoy heaping personal abuse on other blog visitors. If you do, cheerio.
Okay, you’re none of those cranky things, you’re a PBO supporter and you’d like to comment here? Thank you, you’re very welcome.
Right, this is how it works:
You can sign in to comment using your Twitter, Facebook or WordPress.com accounts, or with your chosen username (which you must stick with each time you comment here, otherwise the blog automatically detects you as a new visitor) and email address (which won’t be visible to anyone else – well, apart from me).
You’ll see the sign-in options under the ‘Leave a reply’ box at the end of the comments under each post:
What then?
If you sign in to comment with your (non-private) Twitter or Facebook accounts, then it’ll be easy to verify that you’re not a Tea/Firebagger coming here to spread silliness, that you’re a lovely, sensible, smart and most probably utterly adorable person - you know, a PBO supporter. So, your comments will go through.
But if you signed in just using an email address your comments will go in to ‘pending’ for a while (ie they won’t show up on the blog, but they’ll be visible to me) - sorry about that, but it’s the only way of stopping trolls from infesting the place.
Once it becomes clear that you have no Tea/Firebaggerish tendencies, then you’ll be freed from pending, like a caged lion released in to the wild. 
Thanks everyone - I’ll update this page soon with more answers to regular queries about the blog.
White House.gov
That helped some. I’ve been reading this blog for several years now, I know most of the posters here(yes, I’m more of a “lurker”), but, do I have to return back to the ‘responses’ section to check for any possible feedback from my post? Everybody seems to be posting and getting feedback with such ease. Besides, my birthday is coming up in June,and I sure would like to have the Prez deliver me a cake or cupcake like you do for many of the ‘visible’ posters. Thanks Chips!
Waaaah, Chips, the president didn’t give me cupcakes for my birthday on Valentine’s Day………”sniff”………”in a corner with my blankie”……”sniff
Oh yeah”……….SECOND!!!!!!
Nooooooo, we missed your birthday???? Well, the President didn’t, needless to say:
Hope you had a perfect day, Sankofa
Testing….
It worked? I wonder…. love this place….. chips when i first started reading here for a long time i thoughtthis was a white house site with pete souza running it….and chipsticks! hahaha…… i thank you for your hard work and dedication. So many really smart people are here! And me too! Love and rely on this place. You inspire us.
I don’t use facebook or twitter. Is that the only way to post to this blog?
Hi. You can also use a WordPress account to sign in, if you have one. If you don’t have a Twitter/Facebook/Wordpress account you can use an email address, but comments won’t go through automatically for a while, until it’s clear you’re on the right site! Sorry about that, but it’s the only way to keep out the trolls.
I love this place. Just discovered it today. Will be back!
Love the pics, thanks for this blog. Very nice to be somewhere where all I read is good, positive stuff about the president, the hard work that he is doing and his family. A breath of fresh air, thank, thank you, thank you
This place is a breath of fresh air. Glad I discovered you!
Hi,
I’m happy I found this site and I hope you can help me! I am looking for a 2012 campaign volunteer opportunity in Atlanta involving data entry, stuffing envelopes, filing, sorting papers, and other activities like that, preferably close to a Marta Station, because I don’t drive. I’ve been checking the official Obama site and see opportunities for phone banking, voter registration, organizing events etc but to be honest I’m not much of a people person. Just want to help somehow and still did not find a suitable way. I’d love to help doing quiet office, clerical stuff that others may find boring. Do you have any info on that or know anybody who does? If yes, please feel free to e-mail me directly.
Thanks,
Renata
Hey Renata,
I’m not in Atlanta, but have been volunteering for Obama and OFA for 4 years—mostly doing data entry, which in many cases you can do from home and in any case is great work for vols who are not people persons. I feel sure the OFA folks in Atlanta could use your help, and could easily train you in. Look for the state field director for OFA, and if you can’t find it, email me: [email protected].
I found your site something over a year ago. I just want to say how much I appreciate your work. I read it every day, follow your links for information, and watch your wonderful videos just for joy.
Thanks
Thank you so much for this site. After reading comments about the President on other sites, I am sometimes baffeled and slightly depressed. I now save this site for last, because I know after visiting and reading the articles/comments, I will be uplifted. I inform other friends as often as the opportunity arises.
thanx for this wonderful site
Hello,
I would like to email the writer of the Obama Diary blogs. What is the email address?
Thank you
Hi there, you can email me at [email protected]
Hello to All,
This site has been very motivating for the past three years. Following the President and First Lady during his administration, being able to see positive accomplishments along with beautiful pictures are really delightful. I am reaching out to try and find work. Getting an interview has been a very difficult challenge, therefore finding work is impossible. Recently, I moved from Texas to Greensboro, NC hoping to find work. For the past twenty years I have taken whatever work I could just to stay employed while I finished my BS degree in 2004. Working as district director was my last full time employment. The jobs I have had are clerical, lab technician, volunteering, case manager, district director. I have one class to finish my license professional counseling masters program still needing to begin my practicum. I would like to work in group counseling or general counseling. Any advice on how I can get back to work will be treasured. Thank you the Obama Diary bloggers.
I have been lurking for a few years and think it’s time to join the TOD family in person. Thanks Chipsticks for all the years of reading great articles and spectacular pictures of the first family. Re Appalachia, I don’t think the actual numbers are what we should look at. It’s that they’re better than before. That is progress. Of course don’t expect the repub media to say that!
Thank you for the primer, Chipsticks! I too have lurked for several years. I have no problem with the initiation process and paying my dues to become a welcomed commenter on this site.
I know this will stay “pending,” and I don’t care. I don’t have a Facebook or Twitter account b/c I’m an older person who doesn’t use those. But I still have to say I LOVE the person who writes this blog. It is where I go after I have read the news and want to read something true and upbeat and see the pictures of President Obama smiling. I LOVE you for doing this. Thank you. You are marvelous. - Sally Davis, Albuquerque, NM