UN Security Council To Consider Situation In Ukraine Following Presidential Election On Wednesday (3p ET, I think) http://un.ua/eng/article/512409.html
Judge Who Halted Scott Walker Probe Attended Koch-Backed Judicial Junkets
The liberal Center for Media and Democracy has dug up a financial link between conservative interest groups and the federal judge who dramatically shut down a state-level investigation into Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) 2012 recall election.
Financial disclosure forms examined by the center show that U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa has been a regular attendee at “judicial junkets” organized by George Mason University and financed by groups including the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Randa attended the all-expenses-paid judicial seminars in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. The seminars are privately-funded, and the backers also include corporations like BP, Exxon Mobil, and Dow Chemical.
There aren’t enough votes in the Senate to amend the constitution. And hopefully this will be true after this November. People like Hatch is why we all have to get out there and vote.
Two of my favorite quotes that I learned from Maya Angelou that I live by, paraphrasing:
“When someone show you who they are, believe them.”
“People may not always remember what you said to them, but they will remember how you made them feel.”
Good afternoon…..an interesting day. Good because of our President’s speech. Heard BBC’s news, and I think the entire world is happy and relieved at his doctrine. Let the RWingers squeal…..they are trash.
Sad because of the loss of Maya Angelou. I had the privilege of hearing her speak at a writer’s conference about fifteen years ago in Grand Rapids, MI at Calvin College. I exemplify her saying “People may not always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel” because, yes I don’t remember exactly what she said…..she told stories from her life and read poems, but I do remember the feeling she gave……a great soul of great wisdom and love. She will be missed.
Mark Mardell continously reported from the US from the prospective of the RW, had on mostly RW politicians, pundits and has always tried to portray PBO as incompetent, ineffective and unpopular.
I believe he has been replaced but continues to be -ve 24/7.
From your pen strokes we came to know WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS!
You were the essence of a PHENOMENAL WOMAN!
By all means the true HEART of A WOMAN!
You spoke with eloquence, wisdom, and love.
Your writing mood was silence and a glass of fine wine.
You never allowed yourself to be broken.
Your words became the survival kit for many who struggled with life.
Poetry was honored and blessed to have pieces of your thoughts and emotions stained on to pages to be timeless.
You didn’t just exist but have left a mark and inspired many.
Now, you shall be greeted with song from Nicholas Ashford, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Mahalia Jackson.
Followed by poetic rhythms from Phyllis Wheatley, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, & June Jordan.
And Alvin Ailey will dance a dance beyond angelic and graceful.
What a heavenly welcome to receive.
For here on earth you were one of literary’s special angels.-R.I.P.
I’ve thought this all along. He doesn’t know, because he never had to “care” before. This just blew up, so now he has to pretend to give a shit. He’s voted against veterans for forever. He needs to retire.
Oh, look! Why didn’t Cornyn, or Cruz, or any of the dozens of R’s from Texas that love to fly the flag and put yellow ribbons on trees ….etc etc , ad nauseum…why didn’t THEY know??
Emails and VA memos obtained exclusively by The Daily Beast provide what is among the most comprehensive accounts yet of how high-level VA hospital employees conspired to game the system. It shows not only how they manipulated hospital wait lists but why—to cover up the weeks and months veterans spent waiting for needed medical care. If those lag times had been revealed, it would have threatened the executives’ bonus pay.
What’s worse, the documents show the wrongdoing going unpunished for years, even after it was repeatedly reported to local and national VA authorities. That indicates a new troubling angle to the VA scandal: that the much touted investigations may be incapable of finding violations that are hiding in plain sight.
“For lack of a better term, you’ve got an organized crime syndicate,” a whistleblower who works in the Texas VA told The Daily Beast. “People up on top are suddenly afraid they may actually be prosecuted and they’re pressuring the little guys down below to cover it all up.”
“I see it in the executives’ eyes,” the whistleblower added. “They are worried.”
Exactly, that’s the question that the lazy media stenographers should be asking. Meanwhile, whenever President Obama makes a speech or deals with any issue foreign or domestic, Senator McCain makes skid marks to the nearest microphone to criticize and second guess. It’s disgusting.
That’s the first thing I thought of when I heard it was the VA hospital in Phoenix. Where were the representatives of Arizona. Didn’t they filibuster the bill to extend benefits to the VA.
Life is too busy, wearying me
Questions and answers and heavy thought.
I’ve subtracted and added and multiplied,
and all my figuring has come to naught.
Today I’ll give up living. ~ Maya Angelou (final verse of poem ‘The Last Decision’)
Farewell, Ms Angelou! You have fought a good fight, and in the process made a tremendous impact on many a life. Your walk through this life won’t be forgotten. Thank you for the paths you cleared!
So well put. I never ask for anything for Christmas, but many years ago I mentioned one of her books and got it! I still turn to it for inspiration. What a full and rewarding life she had. I will never forget her.
Opened up TOD to see the great Maya Angelou has passed. I am sad but happy that she is moving on to her next great adventure. She gave us so much while she was here.
Thank you LL for this tribute. I cannot myself do better than our dear President in his words honoring her spirit, story, work, art and life. Somehow I feel it is a beautiful thing that she passed during PBO’s time, while he is doing so much to bring this country and this world into a place of light. I feel like her soul must be more at peace because of this awareness.
I hope that he doesn’t resign. Udall reminds me of Russ Feingold (Mr. Purity). I feel the same way Linda and 57. They make me sick. I will never forget how Shirley Sherod was thrown under the bus by Dems.
They react to GOP tantrums and think they’re actually going to get somewhere with this b.s. Haven’t they learned ANYTHING since 2008?!?!?!
GOP would defend their guys no matter what and do it with sufficient outrage. PBO and Shinseki have opened up the VA to many veterans who couldn’t get into the system while Bush/Cheney were in office; and even with the extra load, they have cut the back log IN HALF. Have you heard ANY Dem DEFENDING this President’ record with the VA?
Frankly, Bernie Sanders did the other day. Go figure. But it was conspicuous in the fact that he was the lone voice.
The liars at Phoenix with the b.s. waiting lists. Clean house. Fix the procedures. Remind the public that The GOP filibustered any funds to help the VA.
Talk about ‘bad apples’ and then remind everyone that there are more vets going back to Vietnam who now have health care because of PBO.
Why the hell can’t they LEARN how to do this and set the narrative and stop reacting with fear to every faux outrage by the GOP?
I wouldn’t stand up to the background check. Trust me.
Imagine where we would be – even with the obstruction of the GOP – if Dems had acted with message discipline and didn’t believe that just because the GOP outraged, they should follow them down the rabbit hole.
I really believe if Dems stood up the way GOP stands together, some of the press would change.
To me calling for the resignation of the head of a department is the old way of outrage and fire someone as an answer to the problem. The press then drops the topic as if it has been addressed whereas it just buries it instead of solving the actual problem.
PBO wants to get to the bottom of the situation before deciding if the head needs to go. Thoughtful research and a plan of action for change is the new better way IMO.
Now alex just said that a republican president w hav the same foreign policy as obama. That is ending the wars and not starting new ones.
She’s not talking about his speech just the stupid va scandal. Like it’s breaking news.
Fuck her and msnbc for doing the republicans bidding.
A Romney administration or McCain would certainly have us in more wars.
She’s insane!!!!!!!
Where’s the great speech by the president today stuff on tv?
Ohhhh! Now I am starting to get mad again. 😦
I just found out on that AG Holder’s daughter is also named after this amazing woman. So our current President AND Attorney General have close family members named after Maya Angelou.
Thank you LL. Mrs. Angelou was a human rights activist and a civil rights activist. She fought for the rights of all human beings and especially women. She became my hero when I first read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” back in the 70’s. She was a force in the Civil Rights movement and constantly reminded the male leaders with “where are the women”? I loved to watch her dance and act. I will miss her tremendously.
Thank you LL for a beautiful tribute.
AG Holder said it all. I was hesitant to leave anything after his heartfelt profound words.
She is a true example of a “Lady”.
I am forever grateful God allowed this beautiful spirit to walk among us and left words of encouragement to inspire us to be more than we ever thought we were capable, “still to rise”.
I’ve missed most of the day of news. So glad I saw this on TOD, before hearing it on some unaffected and uncaring cable news show. Maya Angelou has been one of my favorite poets since the 1980s. Loved her. My only regret “for her” was that she didn’t have the chance to present her “first” inaugural poem in 2009, for President Obama. Going to go back and familiarize myself with her full life, again. Believe I’m recalling she and her mother had quite the unique relationship. Rest in peace, Dr. Angelou. We will always value your legacy of words, thoughts, and deeds. Job well done.
WH Tumblr
My Heart is broken!
❤
Congrats on 1st Carla.
Thank you, LL.
UN Security Council To Consider Situation In Ukraine Following Presidential Election On Wednesday (3p ET, I think)
http://un.ua/eng/article/512409.html
Here’s a link http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/security-council-ukraine/3086187116001
Confirmed as starting at 3p ET
Live now …. session should be starting, shortly ….
I’ll post the video of the session as soon as it’s available. Wish I could watch but next conf call starts in 3 min ….
Judge Who Halted Scott Walker Probe Attended Koch-Backed Judicial Junkets
The liberal Center for Media and Democracy has dug up a financial link between conservative interest groups and the federal judge who dramatically shut down a state-level investigation into Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) 2012 recall election.
Financial disclosure forms examined by the center show that U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa has been a regular attendee at “judicial junkets” organized by George Mason University and financed by groups including the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Randa attended the all-expenses-paid judicial seminars in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. The seminars are privately-funded, and the backers also include corporations like BP, Exxon Mobil, and Dow Chemical.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/rudolph-randa-koch-george-mason-junkets
LL, thank you so much for taking the time to put together this lovely tribute to our late Poet Maya Angelou.
Maya has already chosen her throne and crown of glory and she’s sitting at Jesus’ feet – preparing him a lovely poem. ❤
Yes, thank you so much LL. This was beautiful. A fitting tribute to such a remarkable and accomplished woman. RIP Maya.
Good question. Given their racism, homophobia and xenophobia, how they get any votes is a wonder to me.
Hatch: If SCOTUS Rules Against Hobby Lobby I’ll Push To Amend Constitution
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/hatch-hobby-lobby-constitutional-amendment
When that dude talks about ‘nuts’ he most definitely is staring at his reflection in the mirror ….
There aren’t enough votes in the Senate to amend the constitution. And hopefully this will be true after this November. People like Hatch is why we all have to get out there and vote.
Morning all.
Thanks to Nerdy and Chips for posting my piece.
Two of my favorite quotes that I learned from Maya Angelou that I live by, paraphrasing:
“When someone show you who they are, believe them.”
“People may not always remember what you said to them, but they will remember how you made them feel.”
thank you for this beautiful tribute
Nice story …
Good afternoon…..an interesting day. Good because of our President’s speech. Heard BBC’s news, and I think the entire world is happy and relieved at his doctrine. Let the RWingers squeal…..they are trash.
Sad because of the loss of Maya Angelou. I had the privilege of hearing her speak at a writer’s conference about fifteen years ago in Grand Rapids, MI at Calvin College. I exemplify her saying “People may not always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel” because, yes I don’t remember exactly what she said…..she told stories from her life and read poems, but I do remember the feeling she gave……a great soul of great wisdom and love. She will be missed.
Just went to the BBC. They have a think piece by Mardell asking “Is US foreign policy vacuous?” He and Katy Kay have been in the US too long.
Far too long.
Mark Mardell continously reported from the US from the prospective of the RW, had on mostly RW politicians, pundits and has always tried to portray PBO as incompetent, ineffective and unpopular.
I believe he has been replaced but continues to be -ve 24/7.
Shared by a FB connect:
A Heavenly Welcome
A poem for Maya Angelou
From your pen strokes we came to know WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS!
You were the essence of a PHENOMENAL WOMAN!
By all means the true HEART of A WOMAN!
You spoke with eloquence, wisdom, and love.
Your writing mood was silence and a glass of fine wine.
You never allowed yourself to be broken.
Your words became the survival kit for many who struggled with life.
Poetry was honored and blessed to have pieces of your thoughts and emotions stained on to pages to be timeless.
You didn’t just exist but have left a mark and inspired many.
Now, you shall be greeted with song from Nicholas Ashford, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Mahalia Jackson.
Followed by poetic rhythms from Phyllis Wheatley, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, & June Jordan.
And Alvin Ailey will dance a dance beyond angelic and graceful.
What a heavenly welcome to receive.
For here on earth you were one of literary’s special angels.-R.I.P.
05/28/14
Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns
Thank you Alycee for sharing this!!
Alycee – that’s beautiful ! Thanks so much for sharing it.
❤
Stunning tribute to Maya. Her time here is done, I believe she left her mark!
Thanks, LL for putting up this tribute thread to Maya Angelou.
Even in this age of video, we were so blessed to have seen and heard her words of thoughtful inspiration. She travels in the company of angels.
Retweeted by LOLGOP
Joe Sonka @joesonka · 2h
The Kynect website w/out the #ACA would have the same practical impact on healthcare as a tumblr page of kittens playing w/ puppies. #kysen
An interesting read:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_05/the_origins_of_the_modern_gop050538.php
So pretty much their roots are in racism. I remember the Bob Jones decision quite well, although I was a young girl in Canada at the time.
Yup. A very interesting post.
I Love this photo. Love it.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/remembering-maya-angelou/moment-time-obama-awards-maya-angelou-medal-freedom-2010-n116286
Retweeted by LOLGOP
Russell Schaffer @RussOnPolitics · 17m
Why didn’t veteran John McCain know what was happening to vets in his own state. Maybe he should resign.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/29/us/va-report-confirms-improper-waiting-lists-at-phoenix-center.html?emc=edit_na_20140528&nlid=20292386 …
I’ve thought this all along. He doesn’t know, because he never had to “care” before. This just blew up, so now he has to pretend to give a shit. He’s voted against veterans for forever. He needs to retire.
Oh, look! Why didn’t Cornyn, or Cruz, or any of the dozens of R’s from Texas that love to fly the flag and put yellow ribbons on trees ….etc etc , ad nauseum…why didn’t THEY know??
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/27/exclusive-texas-va-run-like-a-crime-syndicate-whistleblower-says.html
Emails and VA memos obtained exclusively by The Daily Beast provide what is among the most comprehensive accounts yet of how high-level VA hospital employees conspired to game the system. It shows not only how they manipulated hospital wait lists but why—to cover up the weeks and months veterans spent waiting for needed medical care. If those lag times had been revealed, it would have threatened the executives’ bonus pay.
What’s worse, the documents show the wrongdoing going unpunished for years, even after it was repeatedly reported to local and national VA authorities. That indicates a new troubling angle to the VA scandal: that the much touted investigations may be incapable of finding violations that are hiding in plain sight.
“For lack of a better term, you’ve got an organized crime syndicate,” a whistleblower who works in the Texas VA told The Daily Beast. “People up on top are suddenly afraid they may actually be prosecuted and they’re pressuring the little guys down below to cover it all up.”
“I see it in the executives’ eyes,” the whistleblower added. “They are worried.”
Why didn’t THEY know??
Exactly, that’s the question that the lazy media stenographers should be asking. Meanwhile, whenever President Obama makes a speech or deals with any issue foreign or domestic, Senator McCain makes skid marks to the nearest microphone to criticize and second guess. It’s disgusting.
Precisely. They CHOSE not to know….or pay attention….or get involved…..or care.
The only skid marks that old codger should have are in his skivvies. Why didn’t he know about the AZ VA before now?
That’s the first thing I thought of when I heard it was the VA hospital in Phoenix. Where were the representatives of Arizona. Didn’t they filibuster the bill to extend benefits to the VA.
Life is too busy, wearying me
Questions and answers and heavy thought.
I’ve subtracted and added and multiplied,
and all my figuring has come to naught.
Today I’ll give up living. ~ Maya Angelou (final verse of poem ‘The Last Decision’)
Farewell, Ms Angelou! You have fought a good fight, and in the process made a tremendous impact on many a life. Your walk through this life won’t be forgotten. Thank you for the paths you cleared!
❤
So well put. I never ask for anything for Christmas, but many years ago I mentioned one of her books and got it! I still turn to it for inspiration. What a full and rewarding life she had. I will never forget her.
How did you know that I went back to page through my copy of “Poems”? ❤
Opened up TOD to see the great Maya Angelou has passed. I am sad but happy that she is moving on to her next great adventure. She gave us so much while she was here.
Thank you LL for this tribute. I cannot myself do better than our dear President in his words honoring her spirit, story, work, art and life. Somehow I feel it is a beautiful thing that she passed during PBO’s time, while he is doing so much to bring this country and this world into a place of light. I feel like her soul must be more at peace because of this awareness.
She was an elegant, powerful and amazing woman.
Sen Udall calling for Sec Shinsiki to resign…..
Dems have NO BACKBONES !
I’m so PISSED at all of them!
I hope that he doesn’t resign. Udall reminds me of Russ Feingold (Mr. Purity). I feel the same way Linda and 57. They make me sick. I will never forget how Shirley Sherod was thrown under the bus by Dems.
And ACORN, and ACA by many in 2010……
They react to GOP tantrums and think they’re actually going to get somewhere with this b.s. Haven’t they learned ANYTHING since 2008?!?!?!
GOP would defend their guys no matter what and do it with sufficient outrage. PBO and Shinseki have opened up the VA to many veterans who couldn’t get into the system while Bush/Cheney were in office; and even with the extra load, they have cut the back log IN HALF. Have you heard ANY Dem DEFENDING this President’ record with the VA?
Frankly, Bernie Sanders did the other day. Go figure. But it was conspicuous in the fact that he was the lone voice.
The liars at Phoenix with the b.s. waiting lists. Clean house. Fix the procedures. Remind the public that The GOP filibustered any funds to help the VA.
Talk about ‘bad apples’ and then remind everyone that there are more vets going back to Vietnam who now have health care because of PBO.
Why the hell can’t they LEARN how to do this and set the narrative and stop reacting with fear to every faux outrage by the GOP?
This! This! This! Honest to God….woman, run for office!:) I’ll vote for you:)
I wouldn’t stand up to the background check. Trust me.
Imagine where we would be – even with the obstruction of the GOP – if Dems had acted with message discipline and didn’t believe that just because the GOP outraged, they should follow them down the rabbit hole.
I really believe if Dems stood up the way GOP stands together, some of the press would change.
To me calling for the resignation of the head of a department is the old way of outrage and fire someone as an answer to the problem. The press then drops the topic as if it has been addressed whereas it just buries it instead of solving the actual problem.
PBO wants to get to the bottom of the situation before deciding if the head needs to go. Thoughtful research and a plan of action for change is the new better way IMO.
Now alex just said that a republican president w hav the same foreign policy as obama. That is ending the wars and not starting new ones.
She’s not talking about his speech just the stupid va scandal. Like it’s breaking news.
Fuck her and msnbc for doing the republicans bidding.
A Romney administration or McCain would certainly have us in more wars.
She’s insane!!!!!!!
Where’s the great speech by the president today stuff on tv?
Ohhhh! Now I am starting to get mad again. 😦
I only watch a few shows on MSNBC now to keep my blood pressure down. LOL.
Nerdy’s new post:
https://theobamadiary.com/2014/05/28/the-commander-in-chief-at-west-point/
Thank You LL for this heartfelt tribute! 🙂
I just found out on that AG Holder’s daughter is also named after this amazing woman. So our current President AND Attorney General have close family members named after Maya Angelou.
hopefruit2, thank you for posting this. I had it in my box, but I tried to place the link; but it does not work. Something I did or did not do. HZ
Anytime HZ! 🙂
Thank you LL. Mrs. Angelou was a human rights activist and a civil rights activist. She fought for the rights of all human beings and especially women. She became my hero when I first read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” back in the 70’s. She was a force in the Civil Rights movement and constantly reminded the male leaders with “where are the women”? I loved to watch her dance and act. I will miss her tremendously.
Beautifully elegant tribute:
Thank you LL for a beautiful tribute.
AG Holder said it all. I was hesitant to leave anything after his heartfelt profound words.
She is a true example of a “Lady”.
I am forever grateful God allowed this beautiful spirit to walk among us and left words of encouragement to inspire us to be more than we ever thought we were capable, “still to rise”.
I’ve missed most of the day of news. So glad I saw this on TOD, before hearing it on some unaffected and uncaring cable news show. Maya Angelou has been one of my favorite poets since the 1980s. Loved her. My only regret “for her” was that she didn’t have the chance to present her “first” inaugural poem in 2009, for President Obama. Going to go back and familiarize myself with her full life, again. Believe I’m recalling she and her mother had quite the unique relationship. Rest in peace, Dr. Angelou. We will always value your legacy of words, thoughts, and deeds. Job well done.
Beautiful, Jacqueline. And thank you LL for this lovely tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou.HZ
Beautiful tribute!
HZ – I just posted Dr. Angelou’s story about her mother on the current thread, if you haven’t read it in a while.