President Barack Obama holds a baby while greeting guests during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, July 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Jamelle Bouie: In the United States, voting rights don’t march forward as much as they ebb and flow. Often, it happens like this: The prospect of short-term political gain leads one of the two parties to make a massive push for democratic participation, which is then countered by the other side, which has an equally large interest in maintaining a smaller electorate of particular people. After North Carolina Democrats won unified control of state government in 2006—thanks to wide dissatisfaction with the Republican Party and high turnout from black voters—they moved to expand voting with same-day registration. Greater participation, they argued, was a good in itself. North Carolina Republicans took control of the legislature in 2010, and in the same vein, promptly moved to restrict voting where it was previously open. In 2011, then-Governor Bev Purdue vetoed a bill that would have required identification for all voters, end same-day registration, restrict early voting, and end voting on the Sunday before an election.
Now, however, Republicans have the governorship as well as a veto-proof majority. And with the Supreme Court’s decision last week—which gutted the Voting Rights Act and ended the pre-clearance requirement for North Carolina, among other states—the GOP has a chance to turn this proposal into law. They aren’t wasting any time.
With the Supreme Court’s decision on the Voting Rights Act—as well as the actions in states like North Carolina—that’s where the fight is now. Are we still a country that’s serious about opening the polls to all of its citizens, or do we believe that voting is for some, and not for others?
More here
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President Barack Obama holds a baby while greeting guests during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, July 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Washington Post: the Obama administration announced that it would delay the “employer mandate” provision of the Affordable Care Act, which requires businesses of 50 employees or more to provide health insurance or face a penalty. The reason for the delay, as Sarah Kliff reports for The Post, is that the administration has heard “significant concerns from employers about the challenges of implementing it.” As far as policy is concerned, this isn’t a huge blow to the ACA.
Indeed, there’s a case for repealing the employer mandate altogether, given how little it matters to the full scheme of the law. But such an administrative reform is only possible in a settled political environment, where both sides accept the reality of the Affordable Care Act. As it stands, the Republican Party is still committed to repealing every portion of Obamacare, regardless of the costs. Indeed, after news of the delay broke, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor responded on Twitter with a simple declaration. “Rather than simply delaying the pain, we should go ahead and scrap this entire law before any more damage is done.”
More here
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch from the White House roof as fireworks erupt over the National Mall, July 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Urban Institute: On Tuesday, the Obama administration announced a 1-year delay in the implementation of employer penalties associated with large employers (50 or more workers) who do not offer affordable coverage to their full-time workers (30 or more hours per week). Our prior analyses show these penalties are not the driving force behind the ACA’s coverage expansions. Nor are the penalties a significant source of federal revenue. Contrary to some initial reactions, the employer responsibility requirement is not a critical factor in meeting the goals of the law.
As we have explained elsewhere, there is very little in the ACA that changes the incentives facing employers that already offer coverage to their workers, and fully 96 percent of employers with 50 or more workers already offer today. Competition for labor, the fact that most employees get greater value from the tax exclusion for employer sponsored insurance than they would from exchange-based subsidies, and the introduction of a requirement for individuals to obtain coverage or pay a penalty themselves, are the major factors that will keep the lion’s share of employers continuing to do just what they do today with no requirements in place to do so.
Throughout the development and the implementation of the ACA, there has been more worry than warranted that employers will drop insurance coverage. The current furor over the delay of the employer penalties appears to be more of the same. With or without the penalties, most people will still get coverage through their employers; the fundamental structure of the law will remain intact.
More here
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A Year Ago Today
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A young girl salutes President Barack Obama as he shakes hands along a ropeline with members of the military and their families during the Fourth of July celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, July 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Coral Davenport: Within hours of President Obama’s sweeping climate speech last week, Republican campaign committees reignited the charge that the president has declared “War on Coal.” They blasted inboxes and airwaves with “War on Coal” talking points, now aimed squarely at Democrats running in Senate and House races in 2014. The “War on Coal campaign” failed to unseat Obama in the 2012 presidential campaign. And despite the potency of the rhetorical attack, it’s unlikely to have much impact on the 2014 races.
Here’s why: As National Journal reported last week, the political power of coal has fundamentally weakened, a shift laid bare by last year’s elections. Between 2008 and 2012, the coal industry nearly quadrupled its political contributions, directing 90 percent of its money towards Republicans. But Obama still won comfortably in the four key swing states that produce the most coal: Virginia, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Thanks to a recent boom in cheap natural gas—which has brought with it a boom in domestic manufacturing—coal is a smaller piece of the economy than it once was. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are only 84,000 people employed in the coal-mining industry—a number that just isn’t enough to make a difference in a national election.
More here
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch fireworks from the roof of the White House, July 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Texas Tribune: After closing public testimony just after midnight, the House State Affairs Committee voted 8-3, along party lines, to approve House Bill 2. Public testimony was closed before more than 1,000 people who wished to testify on the bill were given the opportunity. Of the 3,543 people who registered a position on the bill, fewer than 100 testified — in nearly equal number for and against the bill — before midnight. According to House officials, 2,181 people registered against the bill, while 1,355 registered for the bill.
“The time clock has not run out on this special session, and I do believe the people who come here do have a right to have their voices heard,” state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, told the committee. He voted against the bill. People waiting in the committee room called out requests to testify. “My mom died of a back-alley abortion, and I want to testify,” a man called out from the audience. He added that he’d waited more than seven hours.
More here
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Fireworks begin as the Killers perform on the South Lawn of the White House, July 4, 2010, during the Fourth of July celebration. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Note: The media should stop referring to them as “abortion clinics.” They are “Women’s Health Clinics” which provide a range of healthcare services to women and men alike.
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Tara Culp-Ressler: In addition to criminalizing abortion services after 20 weeks, the other provisions in Texas’ abortion proposals would impose harsh restrictions on abortion providers. By subjecting abortion clinics to new regulations that would force them to make expensive updates to their facilities — unnecessary measures that major medical groups, like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, oppose — Texas’ bill would force 90 percent of the state’s clinics to close their doors. That would leave just five abortion clinics in the entire Lone Star State, which happens to be the second most populous state in the country.
Texas is 773 miles wide and 790 miles long. The proposed restrictions would wipe out all of the abortion clinics in the western half of the state, leaving just a handful remaining in urban centers. If the measures currently being advanced in the legislature become law, many women living in rural areas will be forced to travel hundreds of miles to get to the nearest clinic — a trek that low-income women, who struggle to take time off work and pay for transportation, aren’t likely to be able to afford. And the real catch? Outside of the debate about abortion access after 20 weeks — even outside of the fight for abortion rights altogether — the “abortion clinics” in question are often providing health services that encompass much more than helping women terminate a pregnancy. Many of them also provide preventative care, family planning counseling, STD testing, and cancer screenings. And they offer those health services to Texans of both genders who are typically uninsured.
Under Texas’ proposed legislation, many clinics that currently offer birth controls and condoms would have to cease those services for some of Texas’ neediest residents. “That is part of the concern that’s getting drowned out in the abortions versus pro-life soundbite,” Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D) told ABC News in a recent phone interview.
More here
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pretend to march to music in the Blue Room of the White House, July 4, 2010, before delivering remarks to military families during a Fourth of July celebration. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Presidential Daily Schedule (All Times Eastern)
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President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host military heroes and their families for an Independence Day celebration with a barbeque, concert and a view of fireworks on the South Lawn. Staff and their families from throughout the Administration will also attend this event for the concert and fireworks viewing
6:00PM: Pres. Obama will deliver remarks
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch the fireworks over the National Mall from the roof of the White House, July 4, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Have A Safe Fireworksstacular Fourth Of July! :D
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yesss!!!
Happy 4th of July to our men and women who have fought and is still fighting to keep our country safe. Happy 4th of July to our President and First Lady, and the first family. Happy 4th of July to all of you guys. And Happy 15th Birthday to the first daughter, Malia Obama.
GM Amk, Happy Fourth and Congrats on being 1st.
GM ab and africa. Happy 4th.
Good morning, amk!
GM maryl. Happy 4th.
Thanks, amk. Actually after I posted I realized I don’t really know what time of day it is in your part of the world!
It’s 7pm.
I amend my greeting to “good evening”!
Happy Fourth for all. The sun is finally shining here after ten straight days of rain and clouds. Have a great day.
Happy Fourth of July everyone….just got a twinkle of sun…just a teaser…rained so much I have to go let water out of the pool which is a lot of rain since pool is 33,000 gals…..at least it makes pulling weeds easier….enjoy the day!…..and Happy Birthday, Malia
Happy 4th of July Chips and TOD.
You are #1 Amk.
Malia is 15 today? Enjoy your special day, Sweet Girl.
Is the loony left forcing her to retire?
I think the concern is she will stay too long until a Republican might replace her. Whoever replaces her will probably be less liberal.
Why are the left wingnuts trying to force Judge Ginsburg to retire.
I guess as Bill said, they want President Obama to be able to pick her replacement before he leaves office in 2016. She will retire when and as she sees fit.
G’morning UT, Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congrats amk on #1! Happy 4th of July to everyone :) :)
PBO probably has his favorite navy blue shirt ready to wear for today’s celebrations! :) Also, Happy 15th birthday to First Daughter Malia!
I like the navy shirt—-just hoping for something diff on the bottom——those old pleated khakis deserve a rest—-they have served PBO long and well. And again, there are probably a couple of things more important to be concerned about—-just chiming in with my expert fashion opinion. :)
LOL! I think he plans to wear his old trusted Khakis as well. We’ll see…let’s hope…perhaps he lurks on TOD, and might see your post ? :)
Happy 4 of July my friends! :-)
15 already! They grow up so fast!
I really like this picture of Malia here.
LMAO!
Co-sign.
Moooooooooooorning everyone, happy 4th of July!!! Thank you the mighty UT for rising and shining us sooooo beautifully! Back in a while, only 13 hours late for my work deadline :cool:
Chips, I love your new Obamasunglasses I want a pair just like it! :)
You’re welcome Mrs. Red Devils. :D
Congrats on 1st AMK. I enjoy your Toon Posts….they make me LOL :)
Thanks Hope44. This one is for you.
:) :) :) Thanks.
There is also a version of the ad with Rand Paul.
It’s hard to grasp how anyone intelligent gives validity to such an insanely stupid idea. But, then again, these morons want to get rid of taxes altogether. Of course, I’ve not heard of any plan to replace either.
HF2….Is it any wonder their ratings are in the toilet??? Ted Cruz…go figure!
Answer: $$$$
MSNBC is going down the toilet.
Good Afternoon ALL & happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July all TODers. May you all have fun whatever you do.
Kevin drum at Mother Jones changes headline in piece, claims it’s tongue in cheek.
I sent Kevin Drum (Mother Jones) a email and told him exactly what I thought of what he did.
And it might well have been, but there is a time and a place for tongue-in-cheek and This Isn’t It.
Well, I thought I had timed it right to be the 20,000,000th hit, but missed by 904. Fireworkds will be in order. Hope you provide them Chips.
And yes, I meant fireworks. Fitting that today will be when that milestone is hit. All of us who reside in this country love it dearly and many of those who come here from afar have a deep respect for the US or they wouldn’t be here. So on this nation’s birthday (of a sorts) we hit a milestone and fireworks and all, and I realize I am rambling, so I will shut up now.
Just 31 more, japa, 31 more.
That’s so funny! God is now above LOLGOP in my humor ranking. Ironic? :)
Go 4th and prosper on this Independence Day!
I’m just going to sit back and laugh. Dumb Greenwald and Snowden. Countries all over the world do this.
The faux outrage from France was especially hilarious since they spy every chance they get. Germany contends that they lose more economic growth to French industrial espionage than they do to China and the like.
Please be advised that Chuck Todd is from Florida.
heh.
You should reply with that!
Happy Birthday to Malia Obama!
Dear Rachel Maddow: Last Week Was Not a Civil Rights Victory for All People
Home Posted about 23 hours ago -
Dearest Rachel…
It’s me, Betsy. I am writing to say congratulations to you and all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans. It has been a great week for all our LBGT brethren. Sadly, it is a little less so for those whose complexion is black or brown. Who am I kidding? It has been an awful week for America as a whole. Once again, we have done as we did since the day of our founding — we denied our brothers and sisters equal rights. I hope you understand that while I too think anytime rights are afforded to an individual or group it is a good time, a time to celebrate, this time I cannot. Indeed, I do not see a day when I will reflect on the Supreme Court’s rulings and be ready, willing, and able to rejoice.
Affirmative Action lost. The inalienable right to cast a ballot for your Representatives is gone. It was not that either of these laws, in practice, ever brought about equality, but a girl can dream. I had hope. Now, I do not. Today, with my heart broken, I can only reflect on the old adage: if my brother is poor or in pain then so too am I. John Donne spoke for me when he said, “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
I am unsure if you are with me Rachel. I listened to your review of the week and felt confused. Therefore I ask. On Thursday, June 27, 2013, you spoke of the angst yourself. You recounted the woe millions of California voters expressed on election night 2008. First, there was elation, the first black man was elected President of the United States. It seemed we had arrived. It was as you exclaimed, a “civil rights milestone.” People took to the streets and danced. Corks were popped. Confetti fell from sky-high windows. Then, as more ballots were tallied, a dark realization set in. In California, marriages once declared legal would not be going forward. As you stated, “That whiplash moment, that California, alone, experienced the night President Obama was first elected” was devastating. Perhaps, the man in the video clip you played this Thursday evening said it best for the LBGT community.
“In 2008, when we elected the first African-American president, it was a glorious day, but later that night it was a horrible night when the returns for Prop 8 came in saying that we were going to be treated as second-class citizens, and we just could not fathom being treated like that anymore.”
Therein lies the difference Rachel, one of many that I see. People of color can fathom being treated like scum. Of course, persons in the LBGT community can too. That said, the two experiences are not one. The color of our skin cannot be camouflaged. Sexual orientation is perhaps but a subtle “clue.” In other words, Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders come out of the closet. Blacks and Browns are more likely to be invited into the [water] closet to clean the mess white persons’ leave behind. Caucasians can be so cruel, as can those of a certain socio-economic “class.”
- See more at: http://thecontributor.com/gay-new-black#sthash.pMyBVJ36.dpuf
Rikyrah, thank you for sharing this with us. Did you write this? As a white 57 year old women, I agree with you. My daughter told us she was gay last year. I told her I was really happy that the Supreme Court ruled that prop 8 and Doma was unconstitutional, but that I was still furious about Section 4 being ruled unconstitutional. I also told her the ruling they issued the day after contradicted with the ruling they eventually cited for overturning section 4.
Wow. Anyone else follow Mona Eltahawy’s twitter convo taking on some know it alls?
I follow her and saw that live last night - just disgusting commentary from those two guys. And for what reason? None at all; she tweeted she was tired because she had done 8 media events during the day which prompted Jeremy Scahill to tweet “Sacrifice”.
A wonderful article. Especially on a day such as this one.
Happy 4th of July TOD .. I love this day :)
Please add this to the PBO in Africa memories - could have missed it earlier.
Video compilation has some hot mic comments of PBO’s impression the welcome from the people of Tanzania - they did Africa proud!
Thanks GGL, this is great!
My Ct. daughter just passed along an email from her French exchange student who arrives this weekend. It was in response to one sent my daughter asking her about food likes and dislikes etc. and if there was any activity she was particularly interested in. The one thing she mentioned was that she would like to go in a church if there is one with a gospel choir “because I think it would be really interesting and amazing to experience that.”
I thought that was pretty cool.
Radwanska 4-6 6-2 1-0 Lisicki
A very good semifinal.
happy 4th july my friends on that side of the pond. Hope you all enjoy yourselves xxx
France’s foreign intelligence service intercepts computer and telephone data on a vast scale, like the controversial US Prism programme, according to the French daily Le Monde.
The data is stored on a supercomputer at the headquarters of the DGSE intelligence service, the paper says.
The operation is “outside the law, and beyond any proper supervision”, Le Monde says.
Other French intelligence agencies allegedly access the data secretly.
It is not clear however whether the DGSE surveillance goes as far as Prism. So far French officials have not commented on Le Monde’s allegations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23178284
And that french dood was all acting poutraged just 48 hours back even wanting to delay is trade deal. Karma bitchez.
Watch out France. The saviors of Democracy cometh.
Crossing the threshold to 20 Million Hits coming up in just a few minutes!
Woooooooooooooot!!! Go Chips! Go TOD!! :-D
Happy 4th to all TOD family!! Happy Birthday to Malia Obama ! God bless you!
GM TODers :)
19,999,995
Wow…..On a 4th of July, Malia’s Birthday?
Congratulations TOD.
Let The Party Begin. Yes, yes, yes.
20M it is Now ;)
Happy Independence Day America!!
20, 000, 334…..who popped the Champagne?
Congratulations Chips…….TODers……Fantastic.
TOD is simply unbeatable.
。☆。*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
CONGRATS
CHIPS & TOD’ERS
★。／｜＼。★
。☆。*。☆。
Radwanska 4-6 6-2 4-4 Lisicki
This is getting better and better
Excellent match. 6-6 in the final set.
A very Happy Birthday to First Daughter Malia Obama!!! Beautiful, elegant, and reportedly a smart young who is full of empathy. Proud of you
Happy 4th of July :!:
Here’s Ray Charles:
And here’s Whitney Houston:
My very Favorite…..By Marvin Gaye at 1983 All Stars
My heart SINGS!!! :-D
Lady you were on Video Fire last night……Thank You.
Happy 4th!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Malia!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I turn the “perpetual 16 yrs old”. Hard to imagine how I feel as an immigrant to share my birthday with America & with First Daughter Malia Obama!!!
Many Happy Returns of the day, gci!
thanks a lot for the good wishes
Global, Happy Birthday. I won’t ask you what “perpetual 16” is, but enjoy it anyway.
thanks!
remember Will Smith’s real life friend & DJ who played the same part in Fresh Prince?
Once they asked him in the show WHY he never left the 7th (?) grade - he was held back repeatedly in the same grade.
His answer was that once he found a grade he liked he stuck with it (hence a perpetual 7th grader).
In found sweet sixteen and stuck with that age - no matter how many decades pass
16 yrs! Congrats GCL! It’s a great day to be an American. Barack Obama is President!
thanks a lot for the good wishes - 16 yrs forever!!
Happy Birthday, Linda!
Congrats to Chips on over 20 million hits. WAY TO GO :D :D
Very fitting that this milestone occurred on 4th of July!! :) Congrats to Lady Chips, mini-blog tyrants, and to all the regulars and lurkers! :)
LOLGOP @LOLGOP 1h
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It’s amazing to me there isn’t a PAC designed to let every American who is being denied Medicaid expansion know what the GOP is up to.
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Happy 4th of July!!!
Happy Birthday Malia Obama!!!
Congratulations Chips on passing the 20 million mark!!!!!
20 Million………….Congratulations TOD!!!
LMAO! The international clown show of 2013 continues….
World becoming smaller and smaller. Assange and Greenwald, pfttt.
A short documentary of Lady Liberty…..Oct 28 1886
Radwanska 4-6 6-2 7-6 Lisicki
The ladies are really slugging out. One of the best matches.
Congrats Chips!!
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/04/what-kind-of-free-is-this/
Just wanted to drop by and congratulate everyone for the 20 Million hits. Spectacular job and couldn’t happen on a better day to a better crowd. Chips, you are a Goddess.
How are you?
I am well, thank you. Up to my eyeballs in local politics = very little time.
glad to hear from you.
Rise - check.
Shine - not yet. Maybe soon!
Happy Fourth, all!
Radwanska 4-6 6-2 7-9 Lisicki
Lisicki wins the semis. Spectacular match.
Is she the one who defeated Serena? I tell you after Serena lost, that was it with me. I was so disappointed that Serena lost that match.
What country is she from?
***Happy 4th to the TOD’s Family***
***Congratulations***
You’re Simply the Best!!!!! Love you all:-)
WAS I 19,999,9999 ??????
A beautiful and well deserved 20M hits for the best of the best, our beautiful angel, Chips. (((((((((((( Deserving Hugs, Chips))))))))))))HZ
A most enjoyable 4th celebration to my TOD family and your families.
A most grateful thank you to our service men and women who keep our country safe.
A grateful thank you to the best POTUS Ever!! Thank you, Mr. President.
A joyful and beautiful celebration to you, Malia on your perfect 15th birthday. You are a most lovely First Daughter.
May all of my TOD family have a wonderful day. Be safe and always be grateful. ()HZ
Happy 4th of July to all, and especially those who are serving or served our country. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, Malia.
Congratulations on 20 milllion hits, Chips and TOD.