****
Against that backdrop, the private gatherings among the sisterhood are a source of both power and perspective. They occur every few weeks or months, depending on the need. Venues include the Senators’ homes—and occasionally the unlikely confines of the Capitol’s Strom Thurmond Room, a space named for one of the chamber’s most notorious womanizers. “We started the dinners 20 years ago on the idea that there has to be a zone of civility,” says Mikulski. Once a year the group also dines with the female Supreme Court Justices. Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Select Committee on Intelligence, holds regular dinners for women in the national-security world. Even the female chiefs of staff and communications directors have started regular get-togethers of their own.
In April the Senate women breached their no-outsider rule by agreeing to dine at the White House with President Obama. Going around the table, California Senator Barbara Boxer remarked that 100 years ago they’d have been meeting outside the White House gates to demand the right to vote. (“A hundred years ago, I’d have been serving you,” Obama replied.)
****
This excerpt is from a TIME Magazine article about the adults in Washington being women. The interaction between Sen. Boxer and President Obama stood out to me. You can read the rest of the piece here
****
Heeeeeloooo UTA
Helloooooooooooooo Roberta!
Helloooooo!!!
Thank yoooooooou UT! My work is done, only 6.3 hours late, my food is almost eaten, ready to play!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Come hang with the cool kids. Despite being a Man U fan :roll: we’re giving you a free pass. :D
I ate too much garlic. I feel ill. :-(
Wil this help?
No, that doesn’t flippin’ help at all! PS In your dreams, Bayern.
Oh crap. I didn’t notice that when I chose that picture. Let me make amends. :lol:
Does this help?
Ooooh, waaaaay better!!!! Look at my little cherub.
I have never discovered any such quantity of garlic.
Lockewasright, I’m contemplating adding garlic to the banned words list on TOD, I have concluded it’s pure evil.
I think any vampire that bit me would experience spontaneous combustion! I love the stuff. I hope that you feel better soon.
My mother in law gets terrible reflux if she eats it. (as if keeping the vampires away wasn’t a good enough reason for me to like the stuff)
Barbara Boxer is almost invariably referred to as “endangered” every time she’s up for re-election. And yet she kicks ass every time. I vote for DiFi because I’m a Democrat. I vote for Babs because she rocks the house.
President Obama is kick ass!
Such a list of political demands, yet media in general wouldn’t emphasize that it was GOP that was using the shutdown as a ‘political WEAPON’!
Thanks so much for bringing this story here, UT! Go, Mr. President, friend of women! Not afraid of women! Less scared of powerful women than so many others! (I credit his mother.)
You’re welcome J’OB! :D
Can’t stop watching that vid of PBO saying “No” to that reporter’s question. So awesome. :)
guilty of doing the same - even after seeing the live event when it happened
:lol:
Hey Meta, looks like the media is now clued in to what you shared with us today. What a jerk.
Coldblooded move.
Ohhh - I didn’t see that before I posted below - we are all on the same wavelength today
Honestly, ut, I was so utterly disgusted by this ugly show of disregard for his wife and family. Just makes me sick how anyone could disrespect someone like this. UGH.
Meta, this is an exact reflection of how he would have treated the American people had he somehow become Senator. He showed in that move why the people of NJ were wise to reject him.
For these GOP pigs, women are props to get them elected, and objects to conceive, grow and nurture their sperm into viable human beings, and that’s about it. And when one or more of the above doesn’t happen, there’s hell to pay…
watched the video of this creep’s speech yesterday night and this act of shoving away his wife’s hand stood out to me so much I had to rewind it to ensure my eyes were not playing tricks on me.
what a looser!
Hey all. I saw that bad display but had a different take. I thought she was being inappropriate during a very serious and public event, treating him like a scorned child. Then, he was like a mean, unappreciative jackass so full of himself, with that lie about not “wanting this job anyway”. Yeah, so he ran to get away from his wife? They deserve each other. She is an enabler, and haven’t we seen just too many women like them, taking shit from their derelict hubbies? Thankful that we have “real” married couples to emulate- POTUS and FLOTUS, VP and SFL, etc.
touching your husband in the way she did is never inappropriate. The man is an asshole.
That poor man. The love of my wife is the single most important thing in my life and having it means that I will be alright no matter what else happens in my life. Lonegan is a fool if he pushes something like that away. They don’t make power or offices or anything else that approaches its value. New Jersey is better off without such a man representing them.
Congrats on 1st Roberta!!!
Hope everyone at TOD has been having a good day!
That is a stunningly truthful exchange between Senator Boxer and the President, UT. Thank you for highlighting it.
#TrustBarack
Yes We Can
It gave me goosebumps. Thanks Bob!
Even Charlie Cook…
And if the Repubs act up again in February, hopefully some more races will tilt towards the Democrats.
Three more is all we need. Four or five more would be heaven. Keep it up Republicans.
This sounds like a silly question, but what happened to the letter or threat they got from the Heritage Foundation about being primaried?
I’m sure the Heritage Foundation will primary any Repub who voted to reopen the government and up the debt ceiling. I don’t see how it helps the Repubs to go more to the right.
Nothing about them makes sense.
Great story! Thanks UT
You’re welcome!
I think it’s time to share the “Baltimore Massacre” again - it shows how completely masterful our President is!
Saw this on an earlier thread - this is how so many in the GOP treat their wives. It would be nice to use the McCain excuse for the stupid “If someone has no intelligence, I don’t view it as being a malicious statement’
but this wasn’t a statement - it was a malicious act (by a man who has no intelligence) against his wife. No-one deserves to be treated in this fashion. We have all known abused wives - they hide the hurt and they hide the tears - I grade men on how they treat their wives and this animal showed it by brushing her away like one does with an annoying fly.
This party has NO family values - absolutely none.
McCain cursed out his wife in front of reporters when she joked about his thinning hair during the 2008 campaign, and the MSM yawned. Wonder how they would have reacted had then Senator Obama (or any Democrat) done the same thing? GOPers know they get a pass from the media so they lie, flip flop and mistreat their spouses with impunity (remember Rudy Guilliani). They are free to let their “inner asshole” out, and rarely miss an opportunity to do so.
When I was returning home from the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver, Barbara Boxer was standing in line right in front of me at the airport. She is a very sweet and gracious woman and —- very short! She was with some of her family. I have always admired her and am so grateful for her leadership for California and for the nation.
hoping Dems can stun the political idiots by coming out in full force for Ms. Buono & defeating Pompous Christie
I.Will.Laugh.All.Night.If.That.Happens.
Fingers crossed! We need another “stunner” in NJ, as you said, and all across the land.
Maybe when Buono wins, and the people of New Jersey see what a difference it makes to have a real public servant, they won’t be satisfied with 24% voter turnout in the future…
“A hundred years ago, I’d have been serving you,” Obama replied.
Absolutely in tears…………
It sent chills down my spine Meta. We’ve made progress but damn, we still have so far to go.
For a President of the United States to acknowledge the road he’s traveled in this way - and is still traveling to this very day, as we have all witnessed - just really puts everything into perspective and truly reveals how conscious PBO is of the ongoing context of his own destiny in relationship to other oppressed groups…….it just knocks me out.
Unlike the GOP - the President does not try to change history to bypass reality. As he explained in his latest speech - you use democracy, not blackmail, to change the rules. He is the equal of Nelson Mandela - I see not another politician that comes close to either of them. All other revered political leaders have a military uprising or external war on which their greatness hinged.
Sometimes I think his greatness cannot be measured.
I agree. I cannot imagine a time when he is not my Beloved President.
I think you’re absolutely right, Meta - and we haven’t seen the full extent of it yet, either. I think he will move on to bigger and greater things to come.
Hi Everyone!
Appointments went smoothly today. I will probably get results during next week’s appointment. Good news of the day is that I was approved for Medicaid. I was worried because here in Florida you have to have children, be over 65 or disabled to get Medicaid. I applied as disabled, they verified my info/medical records and I’ve been approved. Now I don’t have to worry about being bankrupted by medical bills.
Oh GB, that is utterly fantastic news!! So, so, so, so happy for you! Wishing you all the very best with your results, love ya.
Love ya back!!!!
xoxo!!
((hugs))
So happy for your good news GB and wishing you continued positive progress. Thanks for updating us.
Thanks, UT!
Wonderful news:) You can breathe now!
Yes I can! whew!
{{{{GB}}}}}
Fantastic news, GoB!! You are an astonishing person, dealing with so much on your plate. But I’m so glad to hear that the breaks are going your way. Hang onto that thought. YAYAYAY!!
YAY!! :) :)
So glad for you, GB. Good news, and one less stressful thing in your recovery!
Oh, indeed. It was all I could think about.
Hi GB - always love seeing you on TOD - and hearing your news - take care of you.
Awww…thanks :)
So glad to hear the relief in your post. Hope next week turns into a miracle too.
Not expecting any miracles. If the tests come back showing I’m not getting worse — I’d be happy with that.
You just sound better and that’s great. Does that mean you’re in Florida for the long haul?
hopefully only for a year.
Hope you like it there.
AWEsome!!!
:)
So wonderful to hear your news, I pray for you whenever you cross my mind, it works, prayer does work. Keep positive, everyday will be better
Thanks, Anjo!
Good to hear gobrooklyn.
thanks, pkayden!
That is such magnificent news, GB!!! So happy for you!!!!!
Great news indeed, Bob!
well, that’s gotta be a relief GB. Here’s hoping to better days lady! :-)
Heck yeah! :)
That’s great, GOB. Nobody needs that extra anxiety when they’re trying to get better. So glad you got this done.
me too.
Evening TOD:) Brilliant speech by the President today! Too damn bad he had to give it in the first place. Thought you might like to read this:
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/cut-the-crap-this-is-all-the-republicans-fault/
This is the first government shutdown in about 18 years, and it was engineered by House Republicans, who are actually doing all of this for a political purpose, believe it or not. They are simultaneously trying to feed their Tea Party whacko “base” and trying to make as many voters upset with “the system” as possible, so they’ll stay home in 2014 and 2016. They want you pissed off. They want you upset and they want you to think everything is the two parties not getting along, because they know that such thoughts will make people stay home. It’s their main strategy for electoral success;their far right base will show up and vote obsessively for any Republican. The only way they can win is if everyone else decides to stay home.
Just a friendly reminder about WHY WE CAN’T EVER NOT VOTE
Most importantly, they don’t want you to blame the GOP for the dysfunction. That is where their little plan fell apart, as evidenced by the GOP’s cratering poll numbers. Further proof of the fact that the MSM’s “both sides do it” meme is not an accident, but is a vital part of the GOP’s game plan. Thank God the MSM’s propaganda is becoming less and less effective in protecting the GOP.
Agreed. He addressed that too:)
The New Twilight Zone, or what?
The words “low turn out”should never again be associated with Democrats in any election; special, midterm, national or anything else. By now, Democrats across this nation should have learned how important it is to show our size and validate our impact. It doesn’t matter if we think our candidate is going to win or not, by coming out in large numbers we show our support for the party and especially the policies of President Obama. Voting should be 2nd nature for Democrats, not a choice, but responsibility we feel for one another.
I’m hoping that Lana visits this thread.
She asked BobFR on an earlier thread to tweet this photo from today’s R&S. Not sure if BobFr sent the tweet out, but here’s my tweet on our favorite subject: bash upChuck.
Hard not to notice that hardened scowl. Ugly.
Not even worth anyone’s knuckle skin to punch it. (Still tempting though)
The party he shills for everyday in every way, just had a humiliating defeat so I’m not at all surprised by the disdain his ugly mug displays at the sight of the man who just kicked his master’s ass.
Like I mentioned this morning, PBO’s speech today, was the bitch slap heard around the world:) If Upchuck haz a sad, too fucking bad, I’m having a good day!
With you DF - and imagine the smile of UPChuck if the GOP had refused to accept reality - the hate - it shows in all their faces
:) You guys stay safe down there…I know about how terrible, unnerving and destructive those wildfires can be living in AZ….happens EVERY YEAR….but there’s no global warming
The greens (a minority party) have dared to mention the new governments denier status - and the outrage from the govt spokespeople “how dare they use the fires as a political opportunity”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-18/adam-bandt-defends-bushfire-attack-on-abbott/5030368
They HAVE to use these events to show how backward are RW governments. The stupid is worldwide.
I’m safe - well away from the fires - for reasons of weird climate - the high heat is to the south.
Too busy admiring President Obama to notice anyone else in that room. Love his stride.
that is what I saw as well pkayden. lol
That’s some strut! Does something to me:)
Arapaho, I’ve only had a few glimpses at TOD today given an even more massive workload than usual crazy. Chuckie’s hate is palpable, for sure.
Yes, the blog tyrants have been working overtime keeping up with the treasonous debt ceiling drama, and now today with TODville’s relief and schadenfreude.
Agree with DF that our President’s statement today was stellar and historic; it also served the purpose of quieting our incompetent WH press corps.
And this was the best part of PBO’s statement:
Tweeted! Thanks, Arapaho! And I saw a photo of PBO leaving on another site that showed them standing at the end (not the one on TOD) and Chuckie was nowhere to be found… either sitting back or gone (think it was Benen’s blog). Even Jake Tapper was standing, but no Chuckie. Oh, who could imagine that he would EVER be even remotely fair-handed about our President? I really am nervous about how these people make me feel… they are making me over in their image… I’m starting to hate and it scares me.
Understand the emotive forces these despicable people elicit, Lana.
But, don’t get angry; don’t hate; JUST CRUSH’UM where it matters - on Election Day!
Yes WE Can …. AND, WILL ….
You are right, Bob! I will try to be more like President Obama and just dust my shoulder off and help GOTV for all elections.
Yes we did… TWICE!
Lana!
Glad to see you here, that you know your request was fulfilled.
I’m just hoping that the MSM will fade into irrelevance. But HF2 reminded us that the MSM was constantly wrong last year (e.g., Hillary will replace Joe as VP!), and everyone still has their jobs.
They have to be wrong, or their masters will put someone else in their seat, I fear! But thanks again. That needed to be out there in the Twitter world.
99ts,
Australia and the Western US share similar histories of raging wildfires.
But most of the blazes here are in our more mountainous areas which support chaparral or pine forests, so we don’t get the flat landscape view of wildfires as this picture seems to depict:
Holy!! Stay safe everyone…the air quality must be awful.
Most of our worst fires are in the mountains also, but the do have areas in the outskirts of Sydney that are also at risk - and the temperatures and winds over the past few days took their effect.
Whenever I see Ted Cruz, he always seems very sweaty. Kind of like Mitt Romnay. UGH. And then there’s this:
My kid swears he looks like squidward….
From the previous thread:
“Asked ‘When is Joy Reid getting her own show,’ a senior MSNBC source replied ‘Stay tuned.'”
Nena and ObamaGrandma were wondering if Joy gets a show if it would be weekends.
That’s the usual MSNBC pattern, which makes sense for the staff. It must be daunting to assemble a new production team for a daily show, so getting everyone familiar with the ropes for a one- or two-day a week show at first makes sense.
Once everyone feels comfortable at their job, then give Joy a prime time slot! Chris Hayes is just unbearable to watch. Everything is on a scale of 11 with him.
The next three years are when we educate and motivate every American to stop supporting those who seek to destroy our Constitution and enslave 98 % of Americans. Make no mistake, that is exactly what the Kochs and their fellow plutocrats want to do.
Yes WE Can
Don’t forget their numbers, wonder boy in the House Paul Ryan, who voted to default as well. He thinks that as soon as all the votes are counted in Ohio, he’ll have a leg up on the competition as sitting VP.
Ah yes, cookemom. The graphic in the tweet was merely a ‘teaser’ of whom we will target. And, thanks to YouTube we have a vast library of material we can use against everyone of the #KOCHSTERS - Ryan, Cantor, Demint(ed), …………..
Yes WE Can …. AND, WILL!!!!!!!!!!
A quick revision of Frank Schaeffer’s PERFECT tweet:
One brilliant compassionate progressive black Christian president JUST CRUSHED a houseful of white southern fundamentalist rube bigots. And now they are lying and spewing and spinning and hating as hard and fast as they can.
Revision accepted, magapie :)
WOOOOOT!!!!
WOOOOOT, indeed!!!
Something tells me that the entire WH Team has @NerdyWonka on their Twitter radar, and quite appropriately I might add.
I think you’re right, HF2.
Nobody, paid or otherwise, can match @NerdyWonka’s tweets that so speedily and efficiently capture our President’s core points in his speeches.
It’s a true gift and OFA and WH must have been alerted to these gems.
WTG, UT!
I think you’re right, Hope. She’s a star! And rightly so! :)
Wow, UT! Quite a compliment!!!
Was this posted today? Holy shit. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/16/study-congresss-budget-battles-have-cost-us-700-billion/
:)
https://twitter.com/Jovie46955305/status/391010669971374080
I am hoping POTUS, FLOTUS and the girls will be able to go to Hawaii for Christmas.
https://twitter.com/Jovie46955305/status/391013784305037312
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/10/17/this-that-and-a-little-bit-of-the-other/
Wow… Obama’s comment is so powerful… And it wasn’t a “talking point”… It’s something he KNOWS… From his heart and soul. Awesome.
Gato