Jack & Jill Politics

Rikyrah,
Thanks for posting this JeffersonJackson speech. It was one of the best moments in thecampaign for me. There was so much emotion and momentum for Obama that night. I knew Hillary was going to be a dud. Cause Obama just pumped up everyone.

I felt the vibe from Pelosi, when she called him the next President of the United States and then they embraced with such warmth and affection..you could tell they genuinely liked each other. It kinda reminded me of childhood moments when a teacher took time to give you extra support or guidance and you felt they cared about you...it would be like an 'aha moment' whenyou were 7 or 8 you would walk away knowing 'she likes me' and that just made you happy the rest of the day.

I also loved the way Obama beleives in pomp and circumstance. His having that Bulls anthem and the Bulls announcer was just so ALIVE!! The music started playing and the lights were circling the arena and I was sitting in front of my TV going, now THIS is what I am talking about! A President with some SPIRIT, and then to hear the announcer say 'a six foot two force for change' as Obama shook hands with folks like he was running through the team line...I was like GWON with your BAD self...Hillary had been squashed...then to top that off, Obama preceeded to bounce up the steps with swagger & poise like a BROTHA who KNOWS he is DA MAN.

I was sooo overcome with joy...thinking is THIS the new AMERICA...cause I am lovin it...and then after he did all that brouhaha and show..he BRUNG IT with his speech...he was on his A game that night.

Talking about how 'those same old washington text book campaigns..JUST WON't DO!
how we had to lead 'not by calculation but conviction' and how this was our moment...'America our moment is now' ....and he talked about the 'fierce urgency of now'

Very moving event.

Thanks for bringing it all back.

WE WON!!!


BTW, this is also when Hillary tried to do a call & response with the audience..hahahahah ...she had some crazy mess about 'can't stand the heat' get out the kitchen...and placards with 'yes we will'

I knew then she had LOST!!!

rikyrah: This is the kind of article that I mentioned in my post re school violence. This would have gone into my binder. One of the other factors which I looked at was the AGE of the students involved in the incidents.

6-year-old brings loaded handgun to Calif.school

VICTORVILLE, Calif. -- A 6-year-old boy brought a loaded handgun to his Southern California elementary school and it wasn't discovered until recess when he was sent to the campus office because of sagging pants.

The .45-caliber handgun slipped down the first-grader's pant leg Wednesday while a clerk at the Victorville school was helping him put on a belt.

San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Karen Hunt says the boy took the gun from his father's vehicle. Investigators in the town about 80 miles west of Los Angeles say the weapon was stolen during a November robbery.

The boy's father Michael Lewis has now been arrested and booked for investigation of receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The 6-year-old boy, who will be expelled under the school's zero-tolerance weapons policy, has been released to the custody of his mother.

The father will also face charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and some form of child abuse, etc.

The student will be provided with education in some form. [and counseling]

Educators face these situations daily. YES, even in high SES areas - though I had not seen a case like this with a student so young.

Again, THIS IS SO SAD!!

rikyrah: Hasn't he LEFT YET!!? GEEZ!!:

BUSH TO PUSH FOR BALANCE OF BAILOUT BILLIONS [Threatens Veto If Denied]

Senior Bush administration officials, consulting with the Obama transition team, have prepared a plan to ask lawmakers for the second half of the $700 billion financial rescue package despite intense opposition in Congress, sources familiar with the discussions said.

The initiative could create an unusual political scenario straddling the Bush and Obama administrations. If Congress were to vote down the measure, either President Bush or Obama would have to exercise a veto to get the money.

Obama officials would prefer that Bush exercise any veto rather than leave the new president with the unsavory task of rebuffing his fellow Democrats in Congress to advance a widely unpopular program, sources said. The White House has declined to say publicly whether Bush would be willing to issue the veto.

"There have been discussions between the administration and the transition team on how to proceed should the president-elect determine that he would like President Bush to notify Congress on his behalf of the intent to use the remaining $350 billion so that it will be available early in the new administration," White House press secretary Dana Perino said. "No final decisions have been made."

But Democratic Senate aides were notified in a meeting yesterday afternoon that the request could come as soon as this weekend and that a vote could be held as early as next week, said congressional sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because no decisions have been made.

Under the emergency rescue legislation approved by Congress in October, the administration must inform lawmakers that it wants access to the second installment of $350 billion. Unless Congress passes a resolution rejecting the request within 15 days, the Treasury can begin to tap the funds. If Congress turns down the request, the president could veto the resolution and then the Treasury could proceed. The money would be blocked only if Congress overrides the veto, which would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers

THERE IS MORE.

O.K. This "FOOL" has spent 8 years messing up this country [and other parts of the world] and NOW - 10 days B4 he LEAVES, he has the NERVE to make THREATS and DEMANDS!!

CONGRESS - - PUL-EEZE grow "some" and tell this FOOL where to go!!

THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!

rikyrah: this was dated for SAT., Jan.10, 2009 [sorry 'bout the source]:

Obama Transition Team Concedes on Energy Tax Breaks

Economic advisers with Obama's transition team told Democratic lawmakers they were willing to boost from $10 billion to $20 billion the amount of energy tax breaks in the administration's forthcoming economic stimulus plan.

Congressional sources confirmed to FOX the Obama concession came after two days of intense closed-door debate on the contours of the massive bill. The current projected price tag at submission is $775 billion but Democratic lawmakers say the final amount could approach $1 trillion in deficit-financed spending over two years.

In a package that large, a $10 billion alteration doesn't amount to an overhaul. But it does reflect the early ability of Democrats to put their stamp on a measure sure to be as large and quite possibly larger than the financial industry bailout. That $700 billion law has caused lawmakers - Democrat and Republican - no end of headaches as voters have grown increasingly upset with lax oversight and news accounts of banks taking federal subsidies and using them to beef up cash reserves, pay dividends or bankroll executive bonuses.

"There's a real hangover from the first bailout bill and Democrats want to have their say in this stimulus bill," a senior congressional aide said. "And there's another factor: for four years Democrats have campaigned against a rubber stamp Congress following a president of the same party. Democrats want to engage the Obama team early and prove they won't do whatever the new White House says."

Democrats are pushing for other changes in the stimulus bill such as down-sizing the proposed $3,000 tax credit for companies that keep or create a job. Skeptics in both parties doubt the credit will save or create jobs in an economy where short-term consumer spending forecasts are bleak. Democrats want more of funds currently set aside for the job tax credit directed to infrastructure projects.

Another senior Democrat called the stimulus talks with the Obama team "a work in progress."

Senate Democrats will meet again with Obama's economic advisers following a rare Sunday session devoted to a procedural vote on a long-delayed catchall federal lands bill.

FOX News' Major Garrett contributed to this report.

Ima check this out through other sources.

OMG!!
Has anyone seen this. Warning..it is gross.

What is unbeleivable is how the daughter hands her mom toilet paper.

This happened on a public street!!

http://www.thepoliticalcesspool.org/jamesedward..

Associated Press
January 11, 2009 Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

__

ABC's "This Week" _ President-elect Barack Obama

___

CBS' "Face the Nation" _ Former Illinois Attorney General (and Senate appointee) Roland Burris, Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

___

NBC's "Meet the Press" _ Comedian and author Bill Cosby, author Alvin Poussaint, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty and former Mich. Rep. David Bonior.

___

CNN's "Late Edition" _ Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"Fox News Sunday" _ President Bush and former President George H.W. Bush.










http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/09/gue...

Very interesting read...

Perpective On Oscar Grant Protests/Riots from Oakland Resident

Yeah that was pretty deep...especially this line:

A metal hulk slowly rolls out of a backlit cloud of smoke. it is a paramilitary tank with a mounted water cannon. Is this my neighborhood?

MEET THE PRESS GUEST LIST FOR JANUARY 11, 2009

BILL COSBY
Co-Author, "Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors"

DR. ALVIN F. POUSSAINT
Director of the Media Center, Judge Baker Children's Center
Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Co-Author, "Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors"

REP. MAXINE WATERS (D-CA)
Chairwoman, Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity

ADRIAN FENTY
Mayor of Washington, D.C.

FMR. REP. DAVID BONIOR (D-MI)
Member of President-elect Barack Obama's Economic Transition Team

PAUL GIGOT
Editorial Page Editor, Wall Street Journal

JOHN HARWOOD
New York Times
Chief Washington Correspondent, CNBC

BETHANY MCLEAN
Contributing Editor, Vanity Fair

MARK ZANDI
Chief Economist, Moody's Economy.com
Author, "Financial Shock: A 360º Look at the Subprime Mortgage Implosion, and How to Avoid the Next Financial Crisis"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/389880

MTP is a re-run.

I guess Gregory is on vacation already.

PEO's first inteview since arriving in Washington

ABC News' 'This Week'
Find Out Who and What Will Be on the Show This Sunday
Jan. 11, 2009
Guest: *President-elect Barack Obama

http://abcnews.go.com/thisweek/news/story?id=466

I will watch ABC...this should be pretty good.

Are you headed to the Inauguration? If so, here is important info on that day"

http://inaugural.senate.gov/media/releases/rele...

Naw, I didn't get my ticket; haven't you heard?

A Texas death row inmate, diagnosed with mental problems and yet declared competent enough to stand trial for his murderous crimes, has apparently pulled out his own eye--and eaten it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090110/ap_on_re_us...

I'm thinking he is beyond "rehabilitation".

A lot of people will pay for this presidency with their lives. They don't want the negras to think they done did something. Not even Dick and Harry.

Ooops, I posted this in the wrong place. It was in response tot he story about the black man killed in New Orleans by the police. And the one in CA and the other one shot in his father's driveway and ....... how many has it been?

Nate,

I saw that. Good Lord!

Eye get it.

I don't see it.

He's got ME convinced.

Oh lawd, I can't even read that story. I don't think I want him on the streets though.

Justice58: When I was serving as an administrator for Student Services I began collecting articles on violence in schools. I expanded my search to include violence in schools in the WORLD.

I started with a 2 inch 3-ring binder. Within 2 years, I had filled a 5-inch binder!

I forgot my stats, but at least 100 incidents can occur EACH DAY!

It was also interesting to NOTE the differences in the WEAPONS of CHOICE in various COUNTRIES.
Examples: hatchets, rakes, machetes, hoes [:>) :>) the garden tools; I always laughed at that one! :>)], bombs, shovels, of course knives [especially hunting knives], YES-- a bow and arrow, etc.

There were only a few states and a few countries where not one incident was reported -AT THAT TIME [2006]. Betcha that has changed.

I didn't keep these binders when I retired. Hmmmm. I'm sure that I would have, at least, 3 or four by now!

Students can experience such violence at school. SAD.

It's just too sad, GreenLady!

What has happened? SMH!

Justice58: Sooooo many factors! Hmmmm.

Yes, really!

It's out of control! The saddest thing ever!

New Orleans police shoot black man 12 times in the back on New Year's Day.

This is getting a bit too coincidental to be believed.

He had just driven up from Texas to celebrate New Years with family! It's so heartbreaking! IIRC, he had a very young baby too. Just devastating. Another child left without a father!

It certainly is.

Houston.
Oakland.
New Orleans.

There are no words.

yes, there are words.

THESE YOUNG BLACK MEN WERE MURDERED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE PO PO!, THE COPS, THE POLICE!!

spirit: Co-sign! HEAD BOW to all.

Yes, murdered!

12 shots in the back? My Lord!

IL SoS, Jesse White signed Roland Burris' certificate

Now what Harry and Dick?

O goody!!

Hot DAmn!!

Now let's see how Reid and Durbin twist in the wind ...Roland is certified!!!

BWA HA HA HA HA

Harry, Dick, there's something just plain... prickish about these two dudes.

iceberg, do you think they're stalling, waiting for Blago's impeachment?

ABSOLUTELY. DC wants to appoint their own senator under Quinn if he becomes governor. This will be a mess, Burris will take this to the supreme court.

Reid: "It's missing the notary stamp."

LMAO

White certified him on a seperate piece of paper, instead it was in the decision of what the SoS could do, if he wanted to certify. Burris has the offiical seal of the state.

But Dirty Harry's not racist. And White says they're going to use him as the fall guy. Let's get the ROAD ON THE SHOW!

Thank goodness...I wanted her gone:

CDC Director Resigns

ATLANTA - The head of the federal government's public health agency is out, according to an e-mail sent Friday night to federal employees.

Dr. Julie Gerberding has resigned as director of the Atlanta-based U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will be replaced as of Jan. 20 by a deputy who will serve as interim director.

Gerberding is leaving at the request of President-elect Barack Obama, according to a statement from CDC spokesman Glen Nowak, reported in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28585195

Nice gig if you can get it.

The Somali pirates have apparently gotten their $3mil ransom for the Saudi ship that had $100 mil worth of oil in it. They snatched this ship in the Indian Ocean, 500 MILES southeast of Mombasa, Kenya.

From the article:

"The pirates are trained fighters, often dressed in military fatigues, using speedboats equipped with satellite phones and GPS equipment. They are typically armed with automatic weapons, anti-tank rocket launchers and various types of grenades. Far out to sea, their speedboats operate from larger mother ships.

Most hijackings end with million-dollar pay-outs. Piracy is considered the biggest moneymaker in Somalia, a country that has had no stable government for decades. A recent report by the London-based think-tank Chatham House said pirates raked in more than $30 million in ransoms last year.

The U.S. Navy and other nations have international authority to battle pirates in the open seas and come to the aid of vessels under attack. But forces have been stymied on how to respond to ships under pirate control, fearing an all-out assault could endanger the crew members held hostage.

Other ships being held include the Ukrainian cargo ship, which is carrying 33 battle tanks. "

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_on_re_af...

Well Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum..........WTH?!?!? This whole pirate thing is a trip. How in the hell in the 21st century can "pirates" still be taking over..and successfully I might add...this is bizarre.

All those Johnny Depp Pirates of the Carribean movies are inspring them matey! Me thinks they'll walk the plank.

The things that ALWAYS makes me LOL at this situation?

The Pirates have a SPOKESMAN.

A SPOKESMAN.

Don't ask why....but I do wish the Spokesman would put a parrot on his shoulder.

ARGH! MATEY!

http://web.media.mit.edu/~stefanm/images/parrot...

LOL!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Hardball Transcript (****Still looking for the video)

Michelle Bernard rocked it on Dirty Harry Reid.


MATTHEWS: We‘re back. It‘s time for the politics fix. Joining me is political analyst Michelle Bernard and WashingtonPost.com‘s Chris Cillizza. Chris, you first. Let‘s look at this, young fellow. It used to be when you left the White House, you were unpopular, you stayed unpopular, like Herbert Hoover stayed unpopular for a long time, and Harry Truman for a very long time, until he made his comeback thanks to David McCullough.

Look at these job approval numbers on the former presidents who met with President Bush, the young President Bush, the current President Bush, the former President Bush, Barack Obama, the incoming president, and Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former presidents. Look at those numbers, the former President Bush, 41 he‘s called, is now up to 60 percent job approval. He was way down when he got beaten for re-election.

Jimmy Carter, also beaten for re-election, is up to 64 percent right now in job approval, as seen by the American people. President Clinton was always pretty popular. He went from 66 up to 69, so he‘s gained a couple of points. And of course the current president is down at 27. He‘s not doing so well, but he has time to recover if you look at history, although he‘s got a long way to come back.

What do you make of this, the high numbers for the exs?

CHRIS CILLIZZA, WASHINGTONPOST.COM: Well, Chris, first of all, I was going to make the point you had two one-term presidents there. So if people loved them so much when they were in office, they wouldn‘t have had that problem. Look, I think what happens is when you‘re president, inevitably you‘re making decisions, lots of decisions, that are going to divide the American public. Lots of people are going to agree with you. Lots of people are going to disagree with you.

You get out of office—look at Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush as examples—you‘re doing philanthropy work, raising money for the hurricane, that sort of thing. You‘re doing humanitarian work that I think it‘s hard to sort of take issue with. Most people would say, yes, it‘s a good thing, we should raise money and help victims of natural disaster. So you‘re not in that partisan mix nearly as much. As an example, you saw Bill Clinton‘s numbers dip down. They have recovered but, dip down during his wife‘s presidential candidacy, because, again, he was seen through that partisan lens.

And so I think, you know, it‘s hard to imagine now, but I think George W. Bush, his numbers are likely to tick up after he gets out of office. It may not be immediately, but sometime down the road if he follows this trend line.

MATTHEWS: Well, I don‘t know. I don‘t know. I just don‘t know. I mean, I don‘t think he‘s going to do Habitat for Humanity like Jimmy Carter. I just don‘t know.

MICHELLE BERNARD, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: I don‘t know what the president will do, but depending on what happens in Iraq, if 50 years, 100 years from now, Iraq turns out to be a resounding success story and is really truly a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, he might have pretty high approval ratings, and history might look at him differently than we do right now.

MATTHEWS: Yes. I agree with that. Let‘s talk about something a little more troubling in our current politics. That‘s the Fandango that went on at Capitol Hill involving Senator-Designate—we have to come up with new phrases all the time—Roland Burris. He went in to meet with Harry Reid, the Senate leader, and Dick Durbin, the number two Democratic leader. He‘s also the senior senator from Illinois. And out they came. And let‘s hear what Senator Harry Reid had to say about his meeting with the senator designate today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HARRY REID (D), MAJORITY LEADER: I was very interested in his political career. He went through that line by line. It was extremely interesting. He obviously is a very engaging, extremely nice man. He presents himself very well. He‘s very proud of his family. He‘s got two PHDs and two law degrees, and he talked about how proud he was of everyone having those degrees.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEWS: You took umbrage at those comments. Please explain.

BERNARD: I did. It‘s sort of like a Supreme Court decision that was talking about pornography. You don‘t really know how to describe it. You just know it when you see it. And this seemed very condescending. I know that there is a generation gap in the way that we look at race and these type of issues. But from my perspective and from someone in my skin, well, of course, black people love their families and, of course, we have degrees. We‘ve been going to college for many, many years. I think Harry Reid has fallen into the race trap and was so frightened of being labeled a racist that he went overboard in saying how wonderful this man is. He is very clearly qualified. It was just as bad as saying, every time you see a black person, they are articulate or clean. What else would you expect?

MATTHEWS: OK. I don‘t agree. But it‘s your point of view. That‘s why you‘re here. What do you think, Chris Cillizza? I have a couple theories. One of them is, that may be completely wrong. He‘s simply saying something nice about the guy. He didn‘t want to endorse him politically, but he will endorse him personally. It‘s all possibly true.

The other problem I have is suppose the Democratic leadership had acted like complete hacks and from the second they got Blagojevich‘s appointee, in this case a guy they never heard of, Roland Burris, they said, fine, we‘ll slap him into a seat. We‘ll swear him in. We‘ll put him aboard because Blagojevich is a Democrat and we‘re Democrats. No problem. They would have been considered hacks and bums, bums.

No, because they objected to it, they‘re bums. Sometimes in politics you‘re put in a position, no matter what you do, you‘re a bum. Harry Reid and the Democrats in the Senate accepted him. If they had accepted him they would have been bums. Because they didn‘t accept him, they are bums. What were they supposed to do. Let me go to Chris on this one. I‘ll go back to you. What could they have done to avoid being blamed for this sag of absurdity here?

CILLIZZA: There was nothing they could do, frankly, once Rod Blagojevich called their bluff. That‘s my attitude. Their best bet—when this thing went off the rails, if you think it went off the rails for Harry Reid—I happen to think it sort of did—was when he said, no, I don‘t think there should be a special election; I think we should have an appointment. Basically, what they did then is dared Rod Blagojevich, thinking no one could have the gall in Rod Blagojevich‘s situation to think he could appoint someone.

Well, along comes Rod Blagojevich. He appoints Roland Burris. If he had been picked by anyone other than Rod Blagojevich, I don‘t think there would be any issue there. Then Harry Reid is stuck, because I do think—this is to Michelle‘s point—I do think Harry Reid, Dick Durbin are all very aware that they are currently or were currently barring the lone African-American senator who would be sworn into that chamber from getting that post. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin both said, this isn‘t about race. And Roland Burris told us it wasn‘t about race.

That was not by accident. They back themselves into a corner of their own making.

MATTHEWS: Do you agree with Michelle‘s belief that using lines like he‘s a very engaging and extremely nice man; he obviously is a very engaging, extremely nice man. He presents himself very well. He‘s very proud of his family. He‘s got two PHDs and two law degrees and he talked about how proud he was about having these degrees. Was that condescending, ethnically, in any way? I‘m asking you.

CILLIZZA: My take was that Harry Reid was essentially trying to lay the foundation so that he could back pedal and that Roland Burris would eventually be sworn in. I didn‘t see it through a racial lense. I thought it was just Harry Reid saying, this is a very credible guy. We‘re going to have to go through the procedures that are required. If, in the end, he passes those procedures, then he‘s more than welcome in the Senate.

MATTHEWS: And you‘re sticking to your guns.

BERNARD: I‘m sticking to my guns.

MATTHEWS: That‘s why you‘re here. Michelle Bernard, Chris Cillizza with different takes. I sort of agree with you and I sort of agree with them. But a lot of it is—I hate to say generational. Harry Reid is not much older than me. But I‘ll tell you, sometimes the way words are said these days have a lot more power than they are intended to have. When you really intend to say something right, you may make someone else feel you said something wrong. We live in a complicated world in terms of lingo. You‘re watching HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MATTHEWS: We‘re back with Michelle Bernard and Chris Cillizza for more of the politics fix. This is pure candy here for political people, Chris. You‘ve got to listen closely. Here‘s the president, former President Bill Clinton, as I said, one of the smartest guys ever to be president. But the things he chooses to focus on are so fascinating. Here he is with the other former presidents saying, I love that rug. Watch this scene. It‘s a couple seconds here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I

love this rug.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEWS: Well, there he was. You had to see the picture. It was just not quite synchronized there. They‘re looking for small talk, Chris. And the former president said, let‘s talk about the rug. I don‘t know what it all means.

CILLIZZA: They had obviously already used the man, is it cold and rainy here in Washington line. It reminded me of the “Big Lebowski.” The rug really brought the room together.

MATTHEWS: I know that. David Marinas (ph), the great biographer of President Clinton said that if he doesn‘t like you, he comes up to you and says, I really like that tie. I don‘t know what the rug thing was about.

BERNARD: He could have been feeling a little nostalgic and wishing that he was back as the president in the White House or standing there with his wife.

CILLIZZA: Chris, and I said this during the campaign and I‘ll keep saying it, Bill Clinton has a way of making sure your eyes are on him in almost any political venue. It is a unique gift. Even when you‘re standing with three former presidents, one current president and the president-elect, he somehow manages to be the story.

MATTHEWS: You know what I noticed about these guys? Men don‘t like to stand too close to each other, and they were packed, like dense packed, like they were Temptations, some group. Look at them, they‘re really tight together there, except for Jimmy Carter, as the camera pans to the right. It probably won‘t pan now. Jimmy Carter was a bit away from the rest of them. I thought that was interesting.

What a great group. It‘s a great country. I love to see them all together. You‘ll notice the Democrats are wearing red ties.

BERNARD: Only two of them, Carter and Clinton.

MATTHEWS: And maybe that‘s—not red state people tonight. But, you know, everybody talks race in America, as we have to because of our history, but I never thought of it for a second today when I saw him in the middle. He seemed to be just right there, not the odd man out at all, Barack Obama. He looks like our next president. He is. And great show.

BERNARD: And he‘ll make me proud.

MATTHEWS: It makes me proud to see former presidents all standing together. Thank you, Michelle Bernard. And they‘re not at a funeral. That‘s a nice thing too. Chris Cillizza, your analysis, by the way, a couple seconds ago about why former presidents are more popular than current presidents was skillful.

CILLIZZA: I try to bring my a game for you, Chris.

MATTHEWS: I‘m not been condescending. No matter what Michelle says. Join us again tomorrow night at 5:00 and 7:00 Eastern for more HARDBALL. right now it‘s time for “1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE” with David Shuster.

Read the entire show transcipt

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28580585/

She ROCKED IT

Hell yeah, she did!

I was like...tell it, Michelle!

I saw it - Tweety played like he didn't get it.

I thought ....WTF.... when Harry Reid said Burris has 3 degrees, he loves his family. What? Is this moron for real?

Well, I guess he's okay....

Even if he's black in all........

Dirty Harry and Dick, two pricks.

Fuck Tweety. Michelle is not Mika. This was by far her second best performance for me; the first being election night. It was brilliant!

Tweety over rates his brilliance, even though he's not.

He'd over analize the shit out of a turd until it dropped out of his ass.

LOL - that sums him up.

anyone else see this... Lisa Bonet's New Baby: Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa WTF!!!

Lamh31: Yes. I posted it yesterday. Each part of the name has a meaning. I believe that it is Samoan.

BUT. . .

Hope the child is not in college B4 he can SPELL & PRONOUNCE his NAME.

I'm just sayin'. . . . .

...The dad must be Samoan or Hawaiian.

Or she's tripping on those names big time.

blksista: YOU WIN! Hawaiian!
Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa (born August 1, 1979 in Honolulu, Hawaii)

So there we are.

Goodness Lisa Bonet has her hands full.

Those babies are 16 months apart...lots of work.

The girl and dad are Little Leos..the boy is a Sag...nothing but Fire all up in the Momoa household!!

whiterosebuddy: ABSOLUTELY!! :>)

oops, didn't see your comment. i think he is.

Lisa's preparing WOLF to win the National Speling Bee Championshp.

LOL. isn't the dad hawaiian? maybe it's a family name...

I believe that qualifies as a mild form of child abuse.

PREPARE TO BE MAD:
Jamie and Gladys Scott have been wrongfully convicted for armed robbery and received double life sentences each. No one was murdered or taken to the hospital during this robbery, no one was even injured. The transcripts state that 9, 10 or 11 dollars was stolen. They have been in prison now for 14 years.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Poor-Are-E...

More info on the case:
http://www.blackcommentator.com/300/300_mississ...

does anyone watch "The Game"? Jason has lost his mind!!!

I'm going to have to Season Pass it again. What happened?

well Jason gave Kelly a quick 5 mill and withdrew the prenup, shopping spree and etc no conditions but Kelly said no. Then talked to her girls, gave him his money back and decided to do a separation. He said no deal, (since she wouldn't do it on his terms) going through with the divorce and threatened to try and take Britney since she would be working and he is retiring.

She countered with a request for 30 mill and threatened to out him for steroid use since he was being such a jerk!

DAMMIT! I keep forgetting it comes on on Friday's!!

me, too!! this is my first time watching it in forever. Jason acted an a%%. Kelly and Jason are getting on my nerves!!!!

Oops....Kelly just called Jason's bluff......

Ths sounds like it will be a very good book. I think the book critic just doesn't "get it"....I can relate to this woman and I don't know her, didn't grow up in similar family or geographical circumstances...yet I know her more than the critic ever will.

The Black Girl Next Door
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/books/09book....

I get the same vibe as you do. He talks about focusing on hair and Judy Blume books. That was me and my friends as teenaged girls in Detroit in the 80s.

I think a lot of people "don't get it." Not all black people live in the hood, and not all people in the hood are poor, and that doesn't match up with what they "know" about black folks.

He almost sounds disappointed that she didn't turn into the Angry Black Woman wearing an Africa medallion and blasting Public Enemy or better yet, NWA.

My library has it, so I put it on hold! Thanks for the heads up.

"He almost sounds disappointed that she didn't turn into the Angry Black Woman wearing an Africa medallion and blasting Public Enemy or better yet, NWA."

LOL! CLASSIC!! That was the vibe I got!

Or maybe he would have liked it better if she got her bougie ass turned out by Juantonio from the old neighborhood, then had to struggle to get off the pipe and the pole. Yeah, I think I like this scenario better.

Wolf Blitzer Dances on Ellen- eewww!


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/09/wolf-b...

Jack Cafferty dogged him out. Wolf was feeling that beat.

I don't know what wolf was feeling but I don't think it was the beat.

womanistmusing: BWAHAHAHA!! NO WHERE NEAR IT!!! :>)

Jack was spot on!! :>) :>)

I'd love to see Jack ....... naw, that would completely ruin my image of him.

I must admit, Jack is growing on me. Since he called out Missy Palin for her stupidity, I like him more and more.

isonprize: Co-sign. My sister and I talk about him almost daily!! :>)

We like him 2 ! :>) :>)

MsKitty, this is for you! :-))))) Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

It's Raining Cats in Germany

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/its-raining-c...

I know Miranda has posted the Voters Rights article, but thought the San
Fransico Illustration along with the article was interesting to post.

U.S. SUPREME COURT TO RULE ON VOTING RIGHTS ACT

http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18657

I don't even want to think of the ramifications if this act is repealed.

I know that's right. There's power in the act and results of all those Black folks who came out to vote in November, even after those mofos tried to SUPPRESS THE VOTE!

US TROOPS IN IRAQ GET TO DRINK BEER FOR SUPER BOWL

BAGHDAD — American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.

In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Raymond Odierno, issued a waiver Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition.

Super Bowl XLIII will be played Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla., but it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game.

A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be allowed only Feb. 1-2 and service members will be limited to two 12-ounce beers each
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/M...

I think this is just plain wrong on so many levels.

Why is alcohol being used as a reward?
Why would watching a sporting event necessitate beer to be enjoyable?
Having told the world that our boys are at high risk of being inebriated ..what it they are targeted for an attack...will every one fumble with their weapons and kill folks with 'friendlyfire'

Why o why is beer a morale boost...everyone knows alcohol is a mental depressant.

Two 12oz beers is enough to get a DUI so why would we believe that military folks need to have their timing reactions slowed and coordination impaired while handling guns...if you can't drive with 2 beers why the heck should you be capable of managing loaded weapons?

ugh...just sounds like an incredibly dumb idea.

Anyone else get their invite by mail from the transition team? Such a classy gesture to do.

TriniPrincess:
****slowly walking back to the store with my "ball gown" in the bag annnnnnd, the receipt, in preparation for RETURNING it and getting a refund or an alternative garment.****

HaH! Actually, I did NOT request an invitation. :>) :>)

CONGRATULATIONS!! Represent!! :>) :>)

Got mine yesterday

Texas_Girl: Whoooo! Hoo! :>)

CONGRATULATIONS!! Represent!! :>)

No, it's an invite...not a ticket.

I wish I could go...busy time at work.

Texas_Girl: Oh. O.K. :>) :>) Thanks for clarifying. :>)

That's exciting TriniPrincess; sharing in your joy.

YEAH~~~ Mine is actually from the Presidential Inaugural Committee. WooT!!! I'm there!! I FEEL LIKE A KID IN A CANDY STORE!!

isonprize: Whoooo! Hooo!

CONGRATULATIONS! Represent!! :>) :>)

isonprize, SWEET!

I received mine as well. I guess everyone who volunteered or donated to the campaign receives one.

jelana: U GO GUURL!! :>)

CONGRATULATIONS!!

i'm mad that the mail carrier shoved mine inside the box because it's bent. the invitation is frameworthy.

regardless, it's a thoughtful gesture.

Turn it over, place a slightly damp towel on the back of it, and iron.
It should be okay once you frame it.

caligirl: SORRY!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Some folks were kinda bent about it being 'commemorative' and not the real thing. I think they are beautiful keepsakes. I think, however, some folk might really get salty if they go to DC thinking that the keepsake' version is the official "Uh, sir, you are in my seat" ticket.

So, unless I am mistaken, (and I know ya'll WILL correct me if I am wrong... wink!!) you can only get tickets for seating at the Presidential Inauguration 'swearing in' ceremony from your US elected member of Congress or the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

And those tickets are either picked up in person or sent 'special delivery.'

The PIC had 5,000 bleacher seats for the inaugural parade on sale for $25 at 1:00pm today. They sold out in less than a minute.

LOL! if anybody thinks they have a seat based on these invitations then they have serious issues!

i agree that these are beautiful though. i'm in southern california, so i'll be happily watching it all on tv.

Well... I'm not sure everyone who volunteered got inaugural tickets. There wouldn't be enough space in all of DC for every volunteer who wanted to attend. As it is, I really think the PIC is actively planning events outside of DC to keep folks home.

I know a bunch of folks changed their minds from attempting the trip to DC when President-Elect Obama announced that he was having a public event in Philadelphia and then taking the train to pick up Vice President-Elect Biden in Wilmington on Jan 17. The train is also stopping in Baltimore.

So that's a good chunk of east coast folk who will participate but not be in DC 'proper.'

But since I've got an actual place to sit, I want to be in DC to see the whole inauguration with my own eyes, I'll even watch 'em "mike check 1, 2, 1, 2 " the sound system if I can. I guess I'm a geek like that...

I donated and volunteered and I haven't received an invitation.

msmartin: I donated. BUT about the invitation. . . . . .

Ima stand by my mailbox and "beat down" the mail carrier IFFFF he/she doesn't deliver mine! :>) :>)

O.K. JUST KIDDING!! :>) :>)

GreenLady,

I donated, made tons of phone calls religiously & was a Precinct Captain and I haven't received anything! I'm kinda disappointed!

Justice58: ****patting you on the shoulder***

I'm sorry! OUR REWARD is our SERVICE. :>) :>)

***sigh*** :>)

I didn't get anything either.

That is sooooo not change I can believe in!
:-p

Sepia: ***patting you on your shoulder at the same time that I'm patting spirit on her shoulder***

I'm sorry. What I said 2 her! :>) :>)

There, there, Sepia...with my right hand taping under Sepia's chin.
It's on the way.

it's probably on its way.

unfold your arms and get that look off yo face young lady! I mean it!

LOL

Yep, you're right, I'm pouting. But truly happy for everyone that received an invitation and is able to go.

msmartin: ****patting you on your shoulder immediately after patting Justice58 annnnnd Sepia ****


Annnnnnd, "what I said 2 them!""

LAWD HA'MERCY!! :>) ***shakin' my head**** :>)

I even donated when I didn't have a job. Hell, I gave him my last $5 dollars.

msmartin: I know you did!! I 'member when U got your job!! ***shakin' my head**

It's a ruff life!! :>)

msmartin, imma make you one if you don't get one.

Thank you spirit

I had NEVER donated to a political campaign until this one - and I still can't get over that I actually gave regularly - every 15th, a payment to Sallie Mae, Geico and Barack Obama.........the PEO had me like one of Superfly's girls...DED-I-CA-TED.

I often said he was imping me. I had to draw the line at the inauguration donations.

It's hard out here for a pimp

Sorry, absolutely no disrespect meant, but just I couldn't resist this one....

isonprize:

U gotta do what-choo gotta do! :>) :>)

ROFLMAO! I remember one of my friends said "dang, how Obama get us this strung out that we giving him our money?"

Dont hate the playa...hate the game.

how Obama get us this strung out that we giving him our money?"


Swag? lol

Justice58:



FAN!

No one on the corner got swagga like prez.

msmartin:


FAN!

No one, MsMartin. No one!

He looks so dang good walking out to do his press conferences!

Hubba Hubba! lol

Justice58:


USE YOUR FAN!!

ROTFLMAO!!

He looks so good doing anything.

Msmartin:

YOUR FAN!!

Flashing that pretty smile! Priceless!

Perhaps you will receive yours tomorrow. I volunteered and I donated. That
is the only explanation
I can come up with.

Good for you Jelana! :-)

rikyrah: ANOTHER "Special Edition" P-EO DVD: Yaaaa! :>)

“60 Minutes” unveils special edition DVD on Obama

Taking its cue from Barack Obama’s slogan “Yes we can,” the team at venerable news program “60 Minutes” is taking its chances in the DVD market with a special edition disc covering the president-elect’s path to the White House.

News programing has never been as hot an item as movies or television dramas on DVDs but CBS, the network behind “60 Minutes, says it could release future discs using the program’s brand despite the short shelf-life of news programing.

“We’re always looking for the right opportunity to do this, and you couldn’t find a better example than the Barack Obama story,” said Jeff Fager, executive producer of “60 Minutes.”

The DVD special will be called “Obama: All Access.” It goes on sale the first week of February following Obama’s inauguration January 20. Executives at CBS, which is owned by CBS Corp,, declined to predict how many units might sell.

It is the first time “60 Minutes” has released a special edition DVD with material that never aired on TV which, combined with its four-hour length, sets “Obama: All Access” apart from other “60 Minutes” discs sold in the past two years, network executives said. Those DVDs contained the latest “60 Minutes” stories, but only as they appeared on the program.

The DVD will show Obama’s complete inaugural speech, and other notable campaign speeches. Other features include his first post-election TV interview on “60 Minutes,” which lured 25 million viewers, and previously unaired footage such as him talking about Abraham Lincoln in the Illinois statehouse.

The disc also shows Obama behind-the-scenes with family.

THERE IS MORE. :>)

Ima start saving my pennies! :>) :>) It will go on the "MR. PRESIDENT" shelf in the chiffarobe. I've moved alllllll the "what-nots!" :>) :>)

I want it. I had all the speeches saved on my TiVo, then the drive crashed before I could transfer it to a DVD.

I even have OBAMA as a wishlist keyword. But I delete the coin commercials. And the Extra! shows about the girls.

vulcan girl: U just go get yours!! :>) U've LOST 2 much!! :>) :>)

DANG - - technology!!! :>) :>)

It is unbelievable how Obama is being marketed for profit. News stations are suppose to provide this type of coverage for free and now the public is being charged for it.

whiterosebuddy: As I've oft stated, he's a "One Man Economic Stimulus Package!" :>) :>)

He cain't help it!! :>) :>)

Whiterosebuddy, news departments (especially those tied to CNN, Fox, or a broadcast network) have been under pressure bring in profits to pay for themselves for a good while now. Their grunt work in gathering/packaging the news certainly wasn't free, and the nets are no longer flush with so many profits from other shows to subsidize their existence. If you're accessing their stories through cable, you are paying through your subscriber fees (AND advertising, a dual stream that is permitting cable to profit more from original programming and could be causing the broadcast networks to consider less--see NBC and Jay Leno.).

I'm not terribly offended by this example, as CBS' "60 Minutes", even as a commercial vehicle, stills brings higher minded journalism than anything found on everyday cable news. And the 2008 election was undeniably historic for none of the usual reasons. I don't mind CBS News selling DVDs with those Barack Obama reports, as they will likely sell and be keepsakes of history. Hell, I might be in the market for them.

Get offended at the Obama condoms, those are way worse than this.

Wow. How crass.

This nation never ceases to amaze me with how low they can go.

I suppose what makes me the most angry is how they will dimish the dignity, respect and authority of the Presidency with trash like this, now that we have a black President....this is just terrible.

I hear what you are saying about the news as profit centers. It is just that you can't have a democracy without an informed public and it is just terrible how the networks have failed to provide thorough coverage of Obama's meteroic political rise, let alone his historic win and all of his speeches.

This stuff should be being covered and shown on network and cable.

Alas, this is what happens when we are sooo capitalistic

Nate: LOL!! :>)

Barack Obama = ONE MAN STIMULUS PACKAGE...

I could say something very wrong here, but since I like my life, and since Michelle ain't having it, I will keep my thought to myself...

isonprize: ***passing through the room***

-Er -ummmm What were you sayin' about a . . . . . .

I cain't say dat!!! :>) :>)

"SHUT YO MOUF!!"

Isaac Hayes - Shaft

***leavin' the room, after startin' som'in****

LOL. i know what you're thinking.

tee hee..snicker, snort....hahah

Not really. What's ON the DVD was free to the public when it aired on the networks...but if they put it all on a nice convenient DVD for you, you gotta pay for that.

It should simply be aired as re-runs...

People could record it themselves too, but if you want the convenience of a nice DVD with all the extra footage, a menu, and scene clips, you gotta pay for that.

You can find each and every moment of it on Youtube.

KO is in rare form tonight. Starting off Countdown with Blago and a limerick.
There once was a man from Nantucket......lol

OMG.......are you watching the clips of Bush giving the speech defending No Child Left Behind? Good grief, I think I'll read the dictionary tomorrow...try and get back some of those brain cells.

LOL - you are sick.

Saw it.

The only claim he can make to "No Child Left Behind," was September 11, 2001, when he sat in that Florida Classroom with the children reading the book "MY PET GOAT."

spirit: *** making eye-to-eye contact*** :>) :>)

Spare the Rod.

Steps Taken to Protect Obama

Video

I was dying laughing when Obama told Kroft, this stuff during the interview:



" when asked by "60 Minutes" if Robinson would move in, he quipped: "Well, I don't tell my mother-in-law what to do. But I'm not stupid. That's why I got elected president, man."

too cute. I know Obama, the girls, and Michelle are comforted to have her around. I hope she feels comfortable.

R.Kelly's wife has had enough. The divorce is final.

Huh? Somebody actually MARRIED R. Kelly? (Asides from the Aaliyah one, obviously.)

No wonder I didn't remember knowing it, it seemed unthinkable to begin with.

That is probably one helluva settlement - all kinds of clauses where she can NEVA speak about anything that fool did.

Oh...for those Real Housewives of Atlanta fans.....you won't believe the basis that Sherree is using to appeal her divorce settlement..."I'm too stupid"
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shar...

Sheree needs to let it go. First off, she blabbed it all on television. When you are in negotiations, like that, a NO-NO.

As my husband said, "girl need to go to work". for real.

she got a lump sum of a million and is receiving over a 100K annually. So, if she can't make it on that yeah, she needs a gig!

Come'on now...do you know how much a good pair of Manolo's cost??? LOL!!!!!!

girl, actually I don't but I know that money won't afford it. I am po' can't afford the other o and r. So, that is why she needs She by Sheree to take off, lol or find a new rich man.

LMAO!!

Did you see the episode where Sherree's "shoe stylist" came over and she bought 6 pairs of shoes and the bill was $6000??

Hell yeah, she walked away on her terms and notice she can keep her LIPS ZIPPED. She knows the REAL DEAL on R. Kelly.

Two words: THANK GOD

He is despicable, period.

AGREED!!

Finally Bountiful in Bountiful: Looking at the arrest of polygamist leaders in British Columbia Canada

The Other half of the Choice: Looking all the reasons why motherhood should be celebrated as an active choice.

"Destruction and Mayhem".....that is too cute!! I love that! I immediately thought of my two nephews 3 and 5. I kept them one weekend, I've lived in this condo or 2 years, never met the person that lives directly below me...until that weekend, when he had to come up and ask me to please keep the thumping and bumping down. LOL

Believe me those nicknames are extremely fitting. They are cute as hell but a day without some kind of trouble, or disaster means that one of them is not feeling well. Tonight alone Destruction took a bath in his fathers cologne. Stunk up the place to high heaven.

ROFLMAO!!!

Saddened and dismayed at one of the cities that I call home.


Baltimore Mayor indicted on theft, perjury
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_on_re_us...

I think her and the mayor of Birmingham might have a lot to talk about, though it could be much, much worse for Mrs. Dixon. Larry Langford's got the feds after him.

Miss_Me: Co-sign. I wasn't aware that she was a sista until I saw her pic today.

BUT, she SAID that she is "innocent!" ***shrug***

What say ye - - "locals"? :>) Thank you.

GReenLady, I was born in B-morebut never lived there. I left Maryland shortly after "That bitch set me up" Mayor Marion Barry got stung.

spirit: Thank you. :>) :>) Ya mean - - "she di' int?" :>) :>)

Oin't know, GreenLady. We'll have ta gather the facts and see.

spirit: LOL!! :>)

It was a long time coming. David Simon, who created the Wire, must be snickering, as his show predicted a lot of this. I just hope she doesn't have appoint anyone to fill a vacated seat for anything (smile).

actually, i'm pretty sure that the writers of the wire got their idea from the hbo miniseries "the corner" (which was based on a true story) with that one guy who is a brilliant actor and an ex-convict... i can't remember his name right now.

Chris Chambers: HEY! :>) :>)

O.K. Thank you. ***shakin' my head***

When will we eva learn!! Hmmm.

Maryland has long been known to be a corrupt sinkhole, politically speaking.

Considering that O'Malley is now governor, I'd have to agree with you a bit. What I did get from the article is that it some of the things don't really match up.

The truth comes out because it's hard to hide it in Baltimore.

How to get Van Jones Gren jobs into the hands of those whom need them most; courtesy Robert Reich: http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/01/stimulu...

Good news if you have amortgage and a job. Cramdowns are coming and why they are good for the economy; courtesy calcaulated risk:
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2009/01/citi-...
Read Tanta's article on cram downs that is within the post.

That is definitely good news.