Mostly luck, Shirlee: I start looking in earnest as each thread approaches 50 responses. It's better now that it'll actually upload pics from my computer (wouldn't for about 18 months--had to be a live capture).
This group is continually amazing to me: the depth, width, gentleness, brightness, caring, interests, willingness to work at what's believed in. Something about Howard's heart. . . .
Something indeed! He and DFA folks made politics exciting and possible for many of us who had always voted and volunteered when we could. He made it real to me when he put political actions on a grade scale. Now, that was something even the most air headed academic could relate to.
You vote? Good,you get a D! Me?
Even in the small town of Palacios, TX (population 5,000) I found there was organizing I could help with as well as plenty of opportunity in the local book store to try and change people's minds.
And even though I could not communicate with you all, I got to know the major players :)
I appreciate your encouragement, puddle. I don't feel much like a Wonder Woman ~ way too tired out for that. But I am going to work at the polls on Tuesday, for our Town Meeting Day, and will help count the Absentee Ballots for the first time. That's something at least.
Howard Dean is such an inspiration and I wish we heard from him more.
Yes, Puddle, your graphics and text are evidence of your art. Wonderful.
Good people here: fine minds, big hearts, varied life experiences, active participants in life and culture, family and friendship. I'm grateful and appreciative.
We discovered we are still precinct captains. We had turned it over to another couple, who left on a world sailing trip. No one else picked up the responsibilities, so it looks like we'll be managing for the upcoming caucus.
Yes, Howard Dean is missed, much revered, and his efforts have been crucial. I also am so grateful for Barack Obama, going ahead making the changes that need to be made despite an obstructive, stupid, and self-serving Congress. Thank you, President Barack Obama.
Yes, indeed--thank you Mr. President for everything. Especially the ACA! My very good Blue Cross has gotten even better and prescription prices are WAY down. FDR --Social Security, LBJ-Medicare, BHO-Affordable Care Act! Three great acts, three great presidents--all Democrats. No wonder the Republicans are cranky. What have they done to match that?
never fear Shirlee - I can always tell that it is you when you post as anonymous! you don't sound anything like our other anon poster, not by a long shot, LOL!
I feel blessed to have such kind, intelligent and interesting souls join me here. you have added so much to my life and happiness - and knowledge! I love you all! xo
Yes, I was startled, read your post several times, Shirlee, and then, yes, that was you.
On USA Today website, a short video of Barack Obama and Joe Biden jogging down the aisles of the White House and porch in honor of Michelle and Jill's "Get Moving Program." Then then toasted them with a glass of water. When have we seen fun like that in the White House in the past decade or more?!
Published on Friday, February 28, 2014 by Common Dreams Students to Obama: Done With Hope, We Demand Climate Action XL Dissent protest this weekend at White House could be largest youth-led civil disobedience action in a generation sea
"Even so, I was fascinated to learn through recent communications from Democracy for America of an intriguing coalition of Democrats and one Independent who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the issue of economic justice, particularly with respect to the campaign to raise the minimum wage. Gov. Dean and Sen. Sanders have written to encourage DFA members to host house party screenings of Secretary Reich's recent film "Inequality for All" on Thursday. Dean has indicated that both Reich and Sen. Warren will be joining in for the "watch parties." I could scarcely be more impressed and encouraged than to see a unit with the credentials of Dean, Sanders, Warren and Reich team up to lead a political movement against the current Democratic oligarchy." unquote ********************* There may be hope yet. Sea
Has anyone heard anything lately from Hillary Rodham Clinton about running for President? I'm just wondering if she's still interested, because Howard Dean said last Summer in an interview (which I witnessed live) that he won't run in 2016 is Hillary is.
I would certainly support a DEAN/WARREN or WARREN/DEAN ticket in 2016…!
From what I am reading a lot of people are expecting her to run and are supporting her. A good many would love for Elizabeth Warren to give it a go, but she loves being in the Senate and is doing a superb job, I would not want to see the Dems take a chance on losing that seat! If there is another strong Dem contender out there who is interested they seem not to be making It known. Here is hoping Hillary has toughened up on campaigning techniques.
I don't want Hillary to run. period. and if Howard runs I think it will be for the same reason that Bernie might - not because they want to win but because they want the primary candidates to be talking about the important issues, that's why Howard ran last time. I think we'll start seeing who is really on the mix soon after the midterms.
All of the female Democratic senators signed a secret letter to Hillary Rodham Clinton early this year encouraging her to run for president in 2016 – a letter that includes the signature of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other senators who are mentioned as potential candidates, two high-ranking Democratic Senate aides told ABC News.
The letter, organized at the urging of Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was meant to be a private show of support from a group of 16 high-profile former colleagues and fans who are now senators, urging Clinton to do what much of the Democratic Party assumes she will, the aides said.
We're in a snow globe this morning, the sky white, the trees filigreed in white, the snow like rain.
A thought: Barack Obama has kept us out of war, is gradually changing the ethos of militarism and policing the world: reduction of troops, withdrawal, Chuck Hagel in reducing the military budget, and initiatives like "My Brother's Keeper." Just wonderful.
In almost every area, there has been at the least minimal improvement, corrections, and initiatives. Gradually, as David says, if we haven't turned the barge of state, it has certainly twitched and strained. Again, he is the greatest president of my lifetime, and I predict when he leaves office, the ethos will have changed from rabid ideological wars to reason, to a sense of the common good, something Reagan excised from our political dialogue.
Meanwhile, I admire Hillary Clinton, think she's probably the most influential woman in my lifetime, am grateful for her intellect, her efforts, and achievements, but if the race came to between Joe Biden and Hillary, I'd have a hard time deciding. Joe Biden is kind, a humanitarian, gets along with all kinds of people, is a negotiator, peace oriented. It would be a tough decision.
What I still can't understand is the depth of hatred for President Obama. It seems to pop up in any comment section of any news website. Even the most rational commenters--"he hasn't gotten enough done"--don't admit or don't know how much opposition he has had. It has only gotten worse. The ACA would never pass now.
It does seem to me that whoever is our first female President she will be barraged with the same level of nastiness.
Nancy came down to clear the ice path from my car to the porch with her pickax. Failed. So tomorrow is bringing wood ash to spread so she can deliver eggs before the biggol snow headed our way. Love that woman!
I'm not a Hill fan for about the same reason I'm not a Bill fan: way too right for me. But under no delusion that either wouldn't be miles and miles ahead of *anything* the rePublicans have ready to offer.
I'm concerned about Russia's incursion into Crimea. I wish all the war makers were out of power. The trouble is, it takes someone willing to go toe to toe all the time to be in power. The peace lovers seldom enjoy such roles. It makes me all the more appreciative of Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
Glory be to God for dappled things – For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough; And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise him.
Thank you for this, Puddle. It has been a long time since I read it. Lovely. Good day here in GSO. Brenda created a delicious salmon, vegetable, garlic and butter dinner in her magical steamer cooker!
A lovely sunset out my bedroom window showing golden orange behind a lovely 1920's brick office building a block away.
Hope everyone had a lovely Sunday,,,,and not too cold!
I hope so too, Puddle, but rain has already started here to be followed by sleet and snow. I have changed a doc appointment scheduled for tomorrow. This body and it's handy dandy three wheel cart does NOT do well in this mess. Take Care!
We appear to have five or six inches. So far. Half of this family is purely *delighted*!! Despite a -3 windchill, took some work to get him back inside.
About a third of the porch is swept. (Lotsa wind action, so about four inches on the porch.)
Phil Specht If there is another polar vortex storm when it comes around again in three weeks call that sucker Orca. Our friendly bewhiskered faces will pop up in April my fellow Earls. Julie Li Earl A poem by Louis Jenkins From His Book "North of the Cities"
In Sitka, because they are fond of them, People have named the seals. Every seal is named Earl because they are killed one after another by the Orcas, the killer whale; seal bodies are tossed left and right into the air. "At least he didn’t get Earl," someone says. And sure enough after a time, that same friendly bewhiskered face bobs to the surface. It’s Earl again. Well, how else are you to live except by denial, by some palatable fiction, some little song to sing while the inevitable, the black and white blindsiding fact, comes hurtling toward you out of the deep?
Yes, and my family in Michigan are still tunneling through snow banks, dealing with frozen pipes, roof and kitchen damage. Son lost a lean-to on the largest building of his business because of weight of the snow. Glad not to be there any longer!
Pretty much everything closed here today--except merchants, Schools, doctors offices--yep we are wimps! Some combination of rain, sleet, ice, snow all day. Good day to stay inside and read, play on the nets, just bum out! Stay safe all!
Oh my, I am sooo tired here. Worked Saturday, had Grand here yesterday and today, culminating in her first Tap Dance class. Fun! But it takes such energy to keep up with her. Her latest is to begin telling you a story while you are about halfway through your first sentence relating to her something important.
Must get to sleep early, therefore, as I am working at the polls tomorrow, then working at the Library. Recheck with the retina specialist on Wednesday, then Watercolour class again.
We made it down to -7F last night, headed for -10F. About 3" of new snow yesterday, sunshine today.
I love that it's March, with the lengthening light. So of course we are stuck with another foolish Spring Forward the clocks this Sunday, when all was going so well.
Town Meeting Day in Vermont, here in Jericho, featured a long discussion about the Fire Department, news that the footbridge by the Old Red Mill will finally be rebuilt this year, and I counted as many as three women knitting in one row. I was pleased to work at the polls again, as I have every year since Howard Dean ran for President. Now awaiting results of the town Selectboard and Library Trustee elections.
I wonder how tomorrow will go. I have a 1:00pm appointment with the retina specialist and watercolor class that runs 4-6pm. Just yesterday I learned that my appointment might take 3 hours and my eyes will be widely dilated. I wonder if I'll be able to drive to class and bear the bright room we meet in. Hmmm…
If you've ever driven with dilated eyes, got any tips? I do have two pairs of sunglasses to use together (prescription with big nonprescription "Atom Ant" style sunglasses over them.)
I wouldn't plan on driving for a few hours after the dilation listener - you might check with your doc, many don't allow people to drive themselves after getting the drops. I've had trouble walking just a few blocks and seeing well enough to cross streets soon after my appointment. and definitely do the sunglasses if it's sunny out, bright light can surely be painful. I would cancel on the class, but that's just me. it's terribly hard to focus on anything for a long time after the drops.
I used to have my appointments at Timberlane and would park at my Mom's across the street in Manor Woods. it was all I could do to get across Kennedy Drive to get back to her place and that intersection has a really long crossing time! perhaps they dilate my eyes differently than they will you, they use 2 different drops now. please check with your doc, I would hate to give you info that doesn't apply to you.
Well, on February 10th my eyes were dilated 3 times lasting for 8 hours because I saw two different doctors at two offices and waited a lot in between. I didn't experience a lot of blurry vision or anything like that. But I also didn't have to drive that day.
Once, a year or so ago, I had a regular eye exam and couldn't go to work that day because I felt so odd afterward. So I don't know why it all the dilation didn't bother me too much in February. Maybe I was so distracted by seeing all the dots and cascades in my field of vision that I didn't notice the rest?
I did send the instructor a note about my situation, so that if I don't show up she won't think I'm blowing her off. It was just getting interesting at class too, and we didn't have a class last week due to school vacation. =Sigh=
I agree with Jo here, Listener. My eye docs always Insisted I wait until my eyes cleared before leaving their premises. If I really needed to be home sooner I had someone drive me. Too dangerous.
Last night we went to the caucuses. There were only 16 people there, none except David and me for our precinct. It took very little time, and by 7:30 we were heading home in a blizzard, the like we haven't seen in years: snow blowing towards us creating a whiteout situation.
The ten miles to our access road were very long as we followed the tire tracks of a car in front of us. It wouldn't have taken much to slide into a mountain or over the edge of where the road was flooded. But, slowly, tensely we made it to Drake and the four miles up our access road.
Shortly after the snow and wind stopped and we have about 5 inches accumulation which should melt today or tomorrow when the forecast is for 60 degrees F.
The Dean years of Meetups were so invigorating and rewarding as we got to know our neighbors in Estes Park. I wish somehow we could continue that kind of healthy activism.
Well, I hope your eye exam goes well, Listener. Mine is tomorrow.
Yes, Listener, be careful. sounds like it would be far safer for you to have a driver for that day. if you will be there for a long time, no reason they would need to stay there and come back close to the estimated time that the drs are through with putting your eyes through the paces.
We have legislative district caucuses on Sunday. I'll do refreshments as usual. Burt and I might volunteer to be delegates to the State convention that will be in Spokane. A good excuse to get over to the eastern side of the state and see his brother.
SO glad to see this wonderful community. much love and hugs to all.
Almost that warm here, but the brick floored atrium at the Lofts still had some snow and ice on it last night. Scheduled to get my hair cut today so the hair dresser Just across the street came over to help me across and back. Lovely people.
I HAD to get it done because this week-end as part of my birthday celebration there are PLANS! Brenda has made plans that we go to Charlotte, pick up daughter Dana and her husband. That evening there are tickets to a Carolina Chocolate Drops concert! GSO is especially proud of this group because Rhiannon is a product of a good musical training in school here and t.hen at Oberlin. Now tour all over. I may have mentioned them in the past but their website is CarolinaChocolateDrops.com--interesting backgrounds. They won a Grammy for one of their first cds---Genuine Negro Jig. We have lost Doc Watson but their is a lot of varied and wonderful music in these hills yet!.
There's nothing like sitting in the retina specialist's chair, with an incredibly dilated eye as he peers into your eye with an intense light, to remind you that you're mortal. Ash Wednesday observance: check!
The good news is that all is well, and I am free to jostle again. :-)
Only one eye was examined, so only that one was dilated. It was a little blurry when I left the office, but I was able to shut that eye if needed. It really didn't bother me, though…kind of like driving with a fingerprint on one lens.
So I made it to class! :-) Class was only 20 minutes from the doctor's office and by the time I was heading home it was twilight and my eye was half way back to normal.
Loved all the Mercies you all sent my way on Wednesday! :-) I should have mentioned that Bill works about 4 minutes from the doc's office and was willing to fetch me if needed. I'm glad it wasn't needed because he works long hours as it is, and then I'd be home and my car wouldn't be! Ha!
We plan to! We actually left GSO yesterday afternoon a day ahead of schedule because another of those fine and dandy rain/sleet/ice/snow storms was moving in. We were lucky when Brenda called Hampton Inn and our rooms were available for an extra night. Dana and Charlie fly in today. We are on the south side of Charlotte because the concert is just over the line in York, S.C.
I am glad we left when we did it was raining in GSO and just got worse as we came south. Haven't checked today's news yet, but I am betting everything in GSO is closed down again.
The good Guv would appreciate it if folks would send a card to his Mom who isn't feeling well. I can give you more info, but not on a blog where it could be Googled. If you're interested, send me an email and I'll send you the address and particulars.
Warmish and cloudy today. Good numbers and predictions ten days out. AND we get more light starting this weekend! At least, more useable light during my awake hours. . . .
Cold, about six inches of snow at least, our roads a mess. No going down to Daz Bog and poetry sessions today.
On Monday, our Drake post office should be open, only took six months. Naturally we've changed our addresses to our post office box in Estes Park. We'll keep both to see how the Drake post office survives the spring runoff.
March is Colorado's snowiest month. I guess I should celebrate these spring storms, since they do presage spring, but oh we are tired of winter!
Take good care of yourselves, have an enjoyable day.
"The Obama administration’s rationale for supporting the fascist-led coup in Ukraine collapsed on Wednesday when a “hacked” phone call between EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and Estonian foreign minister Urmas Paet revealed that the snipers who fired on protestors in Maidan Square in Kiev were not aligned with President Viktor Yanukovych, but with the protest leaders themselves. The significance of the discovery cannot be overstated since the Obama team has used the killing of protestors to justify its support for the new imposter government. Now it appears that members of the new government may be implicated in the killing of innocent civilians"
"To its credit, the UK Guardian published an article reporting the basic facts, but there’s been no coverage by the New York Times, the Washington Post or any of the major TV News networks. America’s elite media are engaged in a coordinated news blackout to keep people from seeing that the Obama administration and their EU collaborators are supporting a group of far-right extremists who were directly involved in the killing of civilians in order to topple a democratically-elected government. Here’s more from the same article:
“…there is a stronger and stronger understanding that behind snipers it was not Yanukovych, it was somebody from the new coalition,” Paet says…the same handwriting, the same type of bullets, and it’s really disturbing that now the new coalition, that they don’t want to investigate what exactly happened.” (“Ukraine crisis: bugged call reveals conspiracy theory about Kiev snipers“, Guardian)
There won’t be an investigation because an investigation would reveal the truth, and the truth would undermine Obama’s plan to install a puppet regime in Kiev. The new government has already shown that it is more than willing to do Washington’s bidding, that is, to impose austerity measures on the working people of Ukraine, to pay off fatcat bondholders in Berlin and Brussels via more extortionist IMF loans, to extend NATO to Russia’s border in contravention of agreements made with Bush the Elder following the fall of the Berlin Wall, and to pursue the crackpot dreams of global hegemony laid out in “The Grand Chessboard” by New World Order fantasist Zbigniew Brzezinski. These are the primary objectives of the present policy which could be upended by the allegations of foul play."
"The trouble in the Crimea has nothing to do with the United States. We have no dog in this fight. This is about military expansion into Eurasia, this is about pipeline corridors and oil fields, this is about dismantling the Russian Federation and positioning multinational corporations and Wall Street investment banks in Asia for the new century. "
Just reporting the Carolina Chocolate Drops just get better and better with each performance. They were in a small 400-500swat auditorium of a 1920's high school in York, S.C. Which is now part of their cultural center. Sold Out. The residents of York are proud of their cultural/historical center and their town. I think we are seeing an improvement in and dedication to our older, smaller towns and not just letting them go for something larger and glitzier.. Continuing to have a great birthday week-end. We all head home tomorrow. I hope our lovely Greensboro did not suffer too much damage to our wonderful old trees. Love to all.
" Here’s a brief excerpt from an interview with Stephen Cohen, professor of Russian studies and history emeritus at New York University on Monday on PBS Newshour. Cohen helps to clarify what is really going on viv a vis the US and Russia:
“What we’re watching today is the worst kind of history being made, the descent of a new Cold War divide between West and East in Europe, this time not in faraway Berlin, but right on Russia’s borders through Ukraine. That will be instability and the prospect of war for decades to come for our kids and our grandchildren. The official version is that Putin is to blame; he did this. But it simply isn’t true. This began 20 years ago when Clinton began the movement of NATO toward Russia, a movement that’s continued.
…the fundamental issue here is that, three or four years ago, Putin made absolutely clear he had two red lines…One was in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. (Putin would not allow NATO in Georgia) The other was in Ukraine. We crossed both. You got a war in Georgia in 2008, and you have got today in Ukraine because we, the United States and Europe, crossed Putin’s red line.” (PBS News Hour)
There’s no doubt who is to blame for the present conflict in Cohen’s mind. It’s Washington." ********************* Thank god for hackers and whistle-blowers.
begin quote "Fascinating Discussion with 5 Differing Opinions about what's going on in Ukraine...well worth the WEEKEND WATCH! BALANCED DISCUSSION! " unquote
Quick hello, sunny, mild, melting all over the place.
The Putin actions are disturbing, but we also went into Iraq under false pretenses. Then there was Vietnam, Nixon's secret bombing of Cambodia, our CIA efforts in Afghanistan when the Russians invaded, Reagan's invasion of Granada, and so it goes. Of course, during Eisenhower's tenure, we installed the Shah after overthrowing via the CIA the democratically elected President. And more and more.
Still, to hear our Congress continue to undermine our President is sick, sad, and destructive. They laud Putin as a strong leader and Obama a bunny; McCain wants to bomb; and Obama is both weak and a dictator with the expressed purpose of Republicans to undermine him in every possible way.
What has happened to us?! I wonder if the ideologues, the denigraters, the racists, the vicious, the uninformed, the extremists will bring this country down.
What will it take to recognize the common good, to live the principle that a government is to take care of its citizens with infrastructure, protections, opportunities, laws that stand for fairness, justice, and mercy? What will it take?
It's our generation who are the most prominent recidivists, radicals, and racists. My hope is in the Millenials.
I spoke with a couple from France today and asked them what the French people, in general, thought of Obama. They said, "They like him." When I asked specifically why, they answered, "Because he's black." That about blew me away. It also smacks of some sort of inverted racism. It would be like voting for Hillary becuz she's a woman.
Yesterday, I was talking with 2 local Ticos, one man, one woman and I asked, "What do you think of Putin?" They both said, "Puta." So I asked what they thought of Obama and they said, "Los dos, Putas." (both *&^$#)
Go, Bernie!
That's certainly way more than enuf from me. Be well, everyone.
Went to the eye doctor, and yes, I'll have surgery to have cataracts removed. What a blessing to have this technology. I asked the doctor, what did people do before this procedure. They went blind, he said.
He also said he'd just come back from Honduras where he operated on people with cataracts as a service. He said they were amazed at the technology.
And yes, there are good people in this world, people who see their lives as service, as helping others, as contributing, and I'd say they are in the majority.
It's the destructive that seem to have so much attention that worry me.
When the average American reads less than one book a year, I'd have to say opinions aren't worth much.
Well, we carry on. I'm grateful for the conversation here even when we disagree.
72 comments:
Thanks again to Howard for bringing this remarkable assortment of women together!!
♥
yep, indeed! I love it, thank you Ms. Puddle!
I am always amazed at the wonderful
Images you create for each thread, Puddle.
This is wonderful!
Mostly luck, Shirlee: I start looking in earnest as each thread approaches 50 responses. It's better now that it'll actually upload pics from my computer (wouldn't for about 18 months--had to be a live capture).
This group is continually amazing to me: the depth, width, gentleness, brightness, caring, interests, willingness to work at what's believed in. Something about Howard's heart. . . .
Something indeed! He and DFA folks made politics exciting and possible for many of us who had always voted and volunteered when we could. He made it real to me when he put political actions on a grade scale.
Now, that was something even the most air headed academic could relate to.
You vote? Good,you get a D! Me?
Even in the small town of Palacios, TX (population
5,000) I found there was organizing I could help with
as well as plenty of opportunity in the local book store
to try and change people's minds.
And even though I could not communicate with you
all, I got to know the major players :)
Oh, lol! I became *such* a vote robot, no place was safe--lines in grocery stores, waiting for gas, the post office, library, hardware store. . . .
I appreciate your encouragement, puddle. I don't feel much like a Wonder Woman ~ way too tired out for that. But I am going to work at the polls on Tuesday, for our Town Meeting Day, and will help count the Absentee Ballots for the first time. That's something at least.
Howard Dean is such an inspiration and I wish we heard from him more.
Good Morning,
Yes, Puddle, your graphics and text are evidence of your art. Wonderful.
Good people here: fine minds, big hearts, varied life experiences, active participants in life and culture, family and friendship.
I'm grateful and appreciative.
We discovered we are still precinct captains. We had turned it over to another couple, who left on a world sailing trip. No one else picked up the responsibilities, so it looks like we'll be managing for the upcoming caucus.
Yes, Howard Dean is missed, much revered, and his efforts have been crucial. I also am so grateful for Barack Obama, going ahead making the changes that need to be made despite an obstructive, stupid, and self-serving Congress. Thank you, President Barack Obama.
Yes, indeed--thank you Mr. President for everything.
Especially the ACA! My very good Blue Cross has gotten even better and prescription prices are WAY down.
FDR --Social Security, LBJ-Medicare, BHO-Affordable
Care Act! Three great acts, three great presidents--all
Democrats. No wonder the Republicans are cranky.
What have they done to match that?
Well, darn--that was me here in Greensboro.
Sometimes have trouble hitting the proper circle!
never fear Shirlee - I can always tell that it is you when you post as anonymous! you don't sound anything like our other anon poster, not by a long shot, LOL!
I feel blessed to have such kind, intelligent and interesting souls join me here. you have added so much to my life and happiness - and knowledge! I love you all! xo
Yes, I was startled, read your post several times, Shirlee, and then, yes, that was you.
On USA Today website, a short video of Barack Obama and Joe Biden jogging down the aisles of the White House and porch in honor of Michelle and Jill's "Get Moving Program." Then then toasted them with a glass of water. When have we seen fun like that in the White House in the past decade or more?!
Here's the URL if it helps.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2014/02/28/obama-biden-lets-move-video-michelle-obama-jill-biden/5892193/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+(USATODAY
Published on Friday, February 28, 2014 by Common Dreams
Students to Obama: Done With Hope, We Demand Climate Action
XL Dissent protest this weekend at White House could be largest youth-led civil disobedience action in a generation
sea
Dean, Sanders, Reich and Warren team up!!!
begin quote from Tom B.
"Even so, I was fascinated to learn
through recent communications from Democracy for America of an intriguing
coalition of Democrats and one Independent who have joined together for the
purpose of promoting the issue of economic justice, particularly with
respect to the campaign to raise the minimum wage. Gov. Dean and Sen.
Sanders have written to encourage DFA members to host house party
screenings of Secretary Reich's recent film "Inequality for All" on
Thursday. Dean has indicated that both Reich and Sen. Warren will be
joining in for the "watch parties." I could scarcely be more impressed and
encouraged than to see a unit with the credentials of Dean, Sanders, Warren
and Reich team up to lead a political movement against the current
Democratic oligarchy." unquote
*********************
There may be hope yet.
Sea
Has anyone heard anything lately from Hillary Rodham Clinton about running for President? I'm just wondering if she's still interested, because Howard Dean said last Summer in an interview (which I witnessed live) that he won't run in 2016 is Hillary is.
I would certainly support a DEAN/WARREN or WARREN/DEAN ticket in 2016…!
From what I am reading a lot of people are expecting her to run and are supporting her. A good many would love for Elizabeth Warren to give it a go,
but she loves being in the Senate and is doing a superb
job, I would not want to see the Dems take a chance on
losing that seat! If there is another strong Dem contender
out there who is interested they seem not to be making
It known. Here is hoping Hillary has toughened up on
campaigning techniques.
I don't want Hillary to run. period. and if Howard runs I think it will be for the same reason that Bernie might - not because they want to win but because they want the primary candidates to be talking about the important issues, that's why Howard ran last time. I think we'll start seeing who is really on the mix soon after the midterms.
IN the mix, LOL!
Oct 30, 2013 12:50pm
All of the female Democratic senators signed a secret letter to Hillary Rodham Clinton early this year encouraging her to run for president in 2016 – a letter that includes the signature of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other senators who are mentioned as potential candidates, two high-ranking Democratic Senate aides told ABC News.
The letter, organized at the urging of Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was meant to be a private show of support from a group of 16 high-profile former colleagues and fans who are now senators, urging Clinton to do what much of the Democratic Party assumes she will, the aides said.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/in-secret-letter-senate-democratic-women-rally-behind-hillary-clinton/
Good Morning,
We're in a snow globe this morning, the sky white, the trees filigreed in white, the snow like rain.
A thought: Barack Obama has kept us out of war, is gradually changing the ethos of militarism and policing the world: reduction of troops, withdrawal, Chuck Hagel in reducing the military budget, and initiatives like "My Brother's Keeper." Just wonderful.
In almost every area, there has been at the least minimal improvement, corrections, and initiatives. Gradually, as David says, if we haven't turned the barge of state, it has certainly twitched and strained. Again, he is the greatest president of my lifetime, and I predict when he leaves office, the ethos will have changed from rabid ideological wars to reason, to a sense of the common good, something Reagan excised from our political dialogue.
Meanwhile, I admire Hillary Clinton, think she's probably the most influential woman in my lifetime, am grateful for her intellect, her efforts, and achievements, but if the race came to between Joe Biden and Hillary, I'd have a hard time deciding. Joe Biden is kind, a humanitarian, gets along with all kinds of people, is a negotiator, peace oriented. It would be a tough decision.
Meanwhile, have a good day, friends.
What I still can't understand is the depth of hatred
for President Obama. It seems to pop up in any comment
section of any news website. Even the most rational
commenters--"he hasn't gotten enough done"--don't admit or don't know how much opposition he has had. It has only gotten worse. The ACA would never pass now.
It does seem to me that whoever is our first female President she will be barraged with the same level
of nastiness.
I
Nancy came down to clear the ice path from my car to the porch with her pickax. Failed. So tomorrow is bringing wood ash to spread so she can deliver eggs before the biggol snow headed our way. Love that woman!
I'm not a Hill fan for about the same reason I'm not a Bill fan: way too right for me. But under no delusion that either wouldn't be miles and miles ahead of *anything* the rePublicans have ready to offer.
I'm concerned about Russia's incursion into Crimea. I wish all the war makers were out of power. The trouble is, it takes someone willing to go toe to toe all the time to be in power. The peace lovers seldom enjoy such roles. It makes me all the more appreciative of Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates
puddle, Sully has you pegged for 6-10" of snow, though totals might be less than predicted.
Pied Beauty
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
Glory be to God for dappled things –
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.
Thank you for this, Puddle. It has been a long time
since I read it. Lovely. Good day here in GSO.
Brenda created a delicious salmon, vegetable, garlic
and butter dinner in her magical steamer cooker!
A lovely sunset out my bedroom window showing
golden orange behind a lovely 1920's brick office
building a block away.
Hope everyone had a lovely Sunday,,,,and not too cold!
Warm and rainy. Had to turn the second space heater, lol! Tomorrow? 8-12" nasty wet icy snow. Sure hope they're dead wrong. . . .
turn OFF
I hope so too, Puddle, but rain has already started here
to be followed by sleet and snow. I have changed a doc appointment scheduled for tomorrow. This body and it's
handy dandy three wheel cart does NOT do well in this
mess. Take Care!
We appear to have five or six inches. So far. Half of this family is purely *delighted*!! Despite a -3 windchill, took some work to get him back inside.
About a third of the porch is swept. (Lotsa wind action, so about four inches on the porch.)
I WANT spring!!!!!
It could be worse: Phil's reporting a minus 30 windchill. . . .
Phil Specht
If there is another polar vortex storm when it comes around again in three weeks call that sucker Orca. Our friendly bewhiskered faces will pop up in April my fellow Earls.
Julie Li
Earl
A poem by Louis Jenkins
From His Book
"North of the Cities"
In Sitka, because they are fond of them,
People have named the seals. Every seal
is named Earl because they are killed one
after another by the Orcas, the killer
whale; seal bodies are tossed left and right
into the air. "At least he didn’t get
Earl," someone says. And sure enough
after a time, that same friendly
bewhiskered face bobs to the surface.
It’s Earl again. Well, how else are you
to live except by denial, by some
palatable fiction, some little song to
sing while the inevitable, the black and
white blindsiding fact, comes hurtling
toward you out of the deep?
Yes, and my family in Michigan are still tunneling through
snow banks, dealing with frozen pipes, roof and kitchen
damage. Son lost a lean-to on the largest building of his
business because of weight of the snow. Glad not to
be there any longer!
Pretty much everything closed here today--except merchants, Schools, doctors offices--yep we are
wimps! Some combination of rain, sleet, ice, snow
all day. Good day to stay inside and read, play on
the nets, just bum out! Stay safe all!
Oh my, I am sooo tired here. Worked Saturday, had Grand here yesterday and today, culminating in her first Tap Dance class. Fun! But it takes such energy to keep up with her. Her latest is to begin telling you a story while you are about halfway through your first sentence relating to her something important.
Must get to sleep early, therefore, as I am working at the polls tomorrow, then working at the Library. Recheck with the retina specialist on Wednesday, then Watercolour class again.
The days are just packed!
We made it down to -7F last night, headed for -10F. About 3" of new snow yesterday, sunshine today.
I love that it's March, with the lengthening light. So of course we are stuck with another foolish Spring Forward the clocks this Sunday, when all was going so well.
Final total, ten inches. Bottom layer reputed (reported by Nancy) to be ice. Haven't found that yet, so's you'd notice. . . .
Beau adores the stuff! Almost impossible to get him in, he's playing so hard in it, lol! Have to go out and claim his cable. . . .
22º-- bright and sparkly. Waiting on spring, I is. Indeed.
Bright here also, but cold. The mess has stopped but apparently in for more cold.
Town Meeting Day in Vermont, here in Jericho, featured a long discussion about the Fire Department, news that the footbridge by the Old Red Mill will finally be rebuilt this year, and I counted as many as three women knitting in one row. I was pleased to work at the polls again, as I have every year since Howard Dean ran for President. Now awaiting results of the town Selectboard and Library Trustee elections.
I wonder how tomorrow will go. I have a 1:00pm appointment with the retina specialist and watercolor class that runs 4-6pm. Just yesterday I learned that my appointment might take 3 hours and my eyes will be widely dilated. I wonder if I'll be able to drive to class and bear the bright room we meet in. Hmmm…
If you've ever driven with dilated eyes, got any tips? I do have two pairs of sunglasses to use together (prescription with big nonprescription "Atom Ant" style sunglasses over them.)
I wouldn't plan on driving for a few hours after the dilation listener - you might check with your doc, many don't allow people to drive themselves after getting the drops. I've had trouble walking just a few blocks and seeing well enough to cross streets soon after my appointment. and definitely do the sunglasses if it's sunny out, bright light can surely be painful. I would cancel on the class, but that's just me. it's terribly hard to focus on anything for a long time after the drops.
I used to have my appointments at Timberlane and would park at my Mom's across the street in Manor Woods. it was all I could do to get across Kennedy Drive to get back to her place and that intersection has a really long crossing time! perhaps they dilate my eyes differently than they will you, they use 2 different drops now. please check with your doc, I would hate to give you info that doesn't apply to you.
Thanks, Jo!
Well, on February 10th my eyes were dilated 3 times lasting for 8 hours because I saw two different doctors at two offices and waited a lot in between. I didn't experience a lot of blurry vision or anything like that. But I also didn't have to drive that day.
Once, a year or so ago, I had a regular eye exam and couldn't go to work that day because I felt so odd afterward. So I don't know why it all the dilation didn't bother me too much in February. Maybe I was so distracted by seeing all the dots and cascades in my field of vision that I didn't notice the rest?
I did send the instructor a note about my situation, so that if I don't show up she won't think I'm blowing her off. It was just getting interesting at class too, and we didn't have a class last week due to school vacation. =Sigh=
I agree with Jo here, Listener. My eye docs always
Insisted I wait until my eyes cleared before leaving
their premises. If I really needed to be home sooner
I had someone drive me. Too dangerous.
Good Morning,
Last night we went to the caucuses. There were only 16 people there, none except David and me for our precinct. It took very little time, and by 7:30 we were heading home in a blizzard, the like we haven't seen in years: snow blowing towards us creating a whiteout situation.
The ten miles to our access road were very long as we followed the tire tracks of a car in front of us. It wouldn't have taken much to slide into a mountain or over the edge of where the road was flooded. But, slowly, tensely we made it to Drake and the four miles up our access road.
Shortly after the snow and wind stopped and we have about 5 inches accumulation which should melt today or tomorrow when the forecast is for 60 degrees F.
The Dean years of Meetups were so invigorating and rewarding as we got to know our neighbors in Estes Park. I wish somehow we could continue that kind of healthy activism.
Well, I hope your eye exam goes well, Listener. Mine is tomorrow.
Traveling mercies, listener!
Yes, Listener, be careful. sounds like it would be far safer for you to have a driver for that day. if you will be there for a long time, no reason they would need to stay there and come back close to the estimated time that the drs are through with putting your eyes through the paces.
We have legislative district caucuses on Sunday. I'll do refreshments as usual. Burt and I might volunteer to be delegates to the State convention that will be in Spokane. A good excuse to get over to the eastern side of the state and see his brother.
SO glad to see this wonderful community. much love and hugs to all.
Sunny and nearly fifty degrees! Got the porch and stairs cleared. Maybe this will be the last snow of this season. (pray, hope, plead)
Almost that warm here, but the brick floored atrium at the
Lofts still had some snow and ice on it last night.
Scheduled to get my hair cut today so the hair dresser
Just across the street came over to help me across and back. Lovely people.
I HAD to get it done because this week-end as part of
my birthday celebration there are PLANS! Brenda has
made plans that we go to Charlotte, pick up daughter
Dana and her husband. That evening there are tickets
to a Carolina Chocolate Drops concert! GSO is especially proud of this group because Rhiannon
is a product of a good musical training in school here and t.hen at Oberlin. Now tour all over. I may have mentioned them in the past but their website is
CarolinaChocolateDrops.com--interesting backgrounds. They won a Grammy for one of their
first cds---Genuine Negro Jig. We have lost Doc Watson but their is a lot of varied and wonderful music
in these hills yet!.
I hope Listener is fine and got home safely.
heavens--there--not their!
There's nothing like sitting in the retina specialist's chair, with an incredibly dilated eye as he peers into your eye with an intense light, to remind you that you're mortal. Ash Wednesday observance: check!
The good news is that all is well, and I am free to jostle again. :-)
Only one eye was examined, so only that one was dilated. It was a little blurry when I left the office, but I was able to shut that eye if needed. It really didn't bother me, though…kind of like driving with a fingerprint on one lens.
So I made it to class! :-) Class was only 20 minutes from the doctor's office and by the time I was heading home it was twilight and my eye was half way back to normal.
May your visit go as well as mine, Pat! ♥
Loved all the Mercies you all sent my way on Wednesday! :-) I should have mentioned that Bill works about 4 minutes from the doc's office and was willing to fetch me if needed. I'm glad it wasn't needed because he works long hours as it is, and then I'd be home and my car wouldn't be! Ha!
Got all the way up into the thirties, today! Progressively warmer for the coming ten, and NO "snow" mentioned!!
Shirlee, that sounds like a terrific windup for the birthday!! Have Fun!!!
We plan to! We actually left GSO yesterday afternoon
a day ahead of schedule because another of those fine and dandy rain/sleet/ice/snow storms was moving in.
We were lucky when Brenda called Hampton Inn and our
rooms were available for an extra night. Dana and Charlie fly in today. We are on the south side of Charlotte because the concert is just over the line in York, S.C.
I am glad we left when we did it was raining in GSO and just got worse as we came south. Haven't checked today's news yet, but I am betting everything in GSO is closed down again.
* * * Action Item * * *
The good Guv would appreciate it if folks would send a card to his Mom who isn't feeling well. I can give you more info, but not on a blog where it could be Googled. If you're interested, send me an email and I'll send you the address and particulars.
Let me know here if you need my address.
Warmish and cloudy today. Good numbers and predictions ten days out. AND we get more light starting this weekend! At least, more useable light during my awake hours. . . .
Good Morning,
Cold, about six inches of snow at least, our roads a mess. No going down to Daz Bog and poetry sessions today.
On Monday, our Drake post office should be open, only took six months. Naturally we've changed our addresses to our post office box in Estes Park. We'll keep both to see how the Drake post office survives the spring runoff.
March is Colorado's snowiest month. I guess I should celebrate these spring storms, since they do presage spring, but oh we are tired of winter!
Take good care of yourselves, have an enjoyable day.
Tropical and sunny! Set my clock ahead last night, and my computer this morning! I am good to go.
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/03/07/directing-war-strategies-from-the-shadows/
"The Obama administration’s rationale for supporting the fascist-led coup in Ukraine collapsed on Wednesday when a “hacked” phone call between EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and Estonian foreign minister Urmas Paet revealed that the snipers who fired on protestors in Maidan Square in Kiev were not aligned with President Viktor Yanukovych, but with the protest leaders themselves. The significance of the discovery cannot be overstated since the Obama team has used the killing of protestors to justify its support for the new imposter government. Now it appears that members of the new government may be implicated in the killing of innocent civilians"
much more. A tour de forde
Sea
more from the article"
"To its credit, the UK Guardian published an article reporting the basic facts, but there’s been no coverage by the New York Times, the Washington Post or any of the major TV News networks. America’s elite media are engaged in a coordinated news blackout to keep people from seeing that the Obama administration and their EU collaborators are supporting a group of far-right extremists who were directly involved in the killing of civilians in order to topple a democratically-elected government. Here’s more from the same article:
“…there is a stronger and stronger understanding that behind snipers it was not Yanukovych, it was somebody from the new coalition,” Paet says…the same handwriting, the same type of bullets, and it’s really disturbing that now the new coalition, that they don’t want to investigate what exactly happened.” (“Ukraine crisis: bugged call reveals conspiracy theory about Kiev snipers“, Guardian)
There won’t be an investigation because an investigation would reveal the truth, and the truth would undermine Obama’s plan to install a puppet regime in Kiev. The new government has already shown that it is more than willing to do Washington’s bidding, that is, to impose austerity measures on the working people of Ukraine, to pay off fatcat bondholders in Berlin and Brussels via more extortionist IMF loans, to extend NATO to Russia’s border in contravention of agreements made with Bush the Elder following the fall of the Berlin Wall, and to pursue the crackpot dreams of global hegemony laid out in “The Grand Chessboard” by New World Order fantasist Zbigniew Brzezinski. These are the primary objectives of the present policy which could be upended by the allegations of foul play."
"The trouble in the Crimea has nothing to do with the United States. We have no dog in this fight. This is about military expansion into Eurasia, this is about pipeline corridors and oil fields, this is about dismantling the Russian Federation and positioning multinational corporations and Wall Street investment banks in Asia for the new century. "
Just reporting the Carolina Chocolate Drops just get better and better with each performance. They were in a small
400-500swat auditorium of a 1920's high school in York,
S.C. Which is now part of their cultural center. Sold Out.
The residents of York are proud of their cultural/historical center and their town. I think we are seeing an improvement in and dedication to our older, smaller towns and not just letting them go for something larger and glitzier.. Continuing to have a great birthday week-end.
We all head home tomorrow. I hope our lovely Greensboro did not suffer too much damage to our wonderful old trees. Love to all.
"
Here’s a brief excerpt from an interview with Stephen Cohen, professor of Russian studies and history emeritus at New York University on Monday on PBS Newshour. Cohen helps to clarify what is really going on viv a vis the US and Russia:
“What we’re watching today is the worst kind of history being made, the descent of a new Cold War divide between West and East in Europe, this time not in faraway Berlin, but right on Russia’s borders through Ukraine. That will be instability and the prospect of war for decades to come for our kids and our grandchildren. The official version is that Putin is to blame; he did this. But it simply isn’t true. This began 20 years ago when Clinton began the movement of NATO toward Russia, a movement that’s continued.
…the fundamental issue here is that, three or four years ago, Putin made absolutely clear he had two red lines…One was in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. (Putin would not allow NATO in Georgia) The other was in Ukraine. We crossed both. You got a war in Georgia in 2008, and you have got today in Ukraine because we, the United States and Europe, crossed Putin’s red line.” (PBS News Hour)
There’s no doubt who is to blame for the present conflict in Cohen’s mind. It’s Washington."
*********************
Thank god for hackers and whistle-blowers.
http://www.thenation.com/blog/178717/bernie-sanders-i-am-prepared-run-president-united-states
Bernie Sanders: 'I Am Prepared to Run for President of the United States' | The Nation
The Nation. (blog) - 2 days ago
****************
Another tour de force interview. Go, Bernie!!!
Democracy Now..ROUNDTABLE Discussion on PUTIN/CRIMEA/NEW DEVELOPMENTS (2 Parts)
Democracy Now..ROUNDTABLE Discussion on PUTIN/CRIMEA/NEW DEVELOPMENTS
TRANSCRIPT HERE:
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/3/7/roundtable_as_crimea_threatens_secession_does
begin quote "Fascinating Discussion with 5 Differing Opinions about what's going on in Ukraine...well worth the WEEKEND WATCH! BALANCED DISCUSSION! " unquote
Quick hello, sunny, mild, melting all over the place.
The Putin actions are disturbing, but we also went into Iraq under false pretenses. Then there was Vietnam, Nixon's secret bombing of Cambodia, our CIA efforts in Afghanistan when the Russians invaded, Reagan's invasion of Granada, and so it goes. Of course, during Eisenhower's tenure, we installed the Shah after overthrowing via the CIA the democratically elected President. And more and more.
Still, to hear our Congress continue to undermine our President is sick, sad, and destructive. They laud Putin as a strong leader and Obama a bunny; McCain wants to bomb; and Obama is both weak and a dictator with the expressed purpose of Republicans to undermine him in every possible way.
What has happened to us?! I wonder if the ideologues, the denigraters, the racists, the vicious, the uninformed, the extremists will bring this country down.
What will it take to recognize the common good, to live the principle that a government is to take care of its citizens with infrastructure, protections, opportunities, laws that stand for fairness, justice, and mercy? What will it take?
It's our generation who are the most prominent recidivists, radicals, and racists. My hope is in the Millenials.
Well, just my two cents. May diplomacy work!
Interesting side note.
I spoke with a couple from France today and asked them what the French people, in general, thought of Obama. They said, "They like him." When I asked specifically why, they answered, "Because he's black." That about blew me away. It also smacks of some sort of inverted racism. It would be like voting for Hillary becuz she's a woman.
Yesterday, I was talking with 2 local Ticos, one man, one woman and I asked, "What do you think of Putin?" They both said, "Puta." So I asked what they thought of Obama and they said, "Los dos, Putas." (both *&^$#)
Go, Bernie!
That's certainly way more than enuf from me. Be well, everyone.
Hi again,
Went to the eye doctor, and yes, I'll have surgery to have cataracts removed. What a blessing to have this technology. I asked the doctor, what did people do before this procedure. They went blind, he said.
He also said he'd just come back from Honduras where he operated on people with cataracts as a service. He said they were amazed at the technology.
And yes, there are good people in this world, people who see their lives as service, as helping others, as contributing, and I'd say they are in the majority.
It's the destructive that seem to have so much attention that worry me.
When the average American reads less than one book a year, I'd have to say opinions aren't worth much.
Well, we carry on. I'm grateful for the conversation here even when we disagree.
New clean thread!
Thank You, Puddle!
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