Jack & Jill Politics

Here's the First Couple departing Air Force One, north of London:

http://www.daylife.com/photo/0erY5gNcax0kz

Check out the other pics as well.

Great pics. Thanks, Monie.

Michelle really looks beautiful in yellow!

JJP, I wanted to let you know that

April is AUTISM Awareness Month

and as a parent with multiple children diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder, I wanted to raise attention to the fastest growing development delay our children are experiencing today, outpacing all other juvenile diseases and ailments.

Also, Defeat Autism Now! will be having their conference in Atlanta, Georgia in the next few weeks.

Check out the link:

http://www.defeatautismnow.com/

Monie,

I pray God's blessings upon you and your family. May God's divine Spirit embrace you.

In Jesus Name!

Thanks for the reminder and the link, Monie.

thanks for the post Monie.

Monie & other JJP family:

Wishing all of U continuing BLESSINGS!!

THE LORD BLESS YOU & KEEP YOU

A-men! :>)

Does it seem to anyone else that the MSM press are trying to play-up the possible "difficult time" that POTUS will encounter at the G20? Now don't get me wrong, I know that this trip ain't just a "European vay-kay" like I called it in another post, but still it just seems like the story the press really would like to tell is one in which POTUS/FLOTUS does not receive as well a welcome as they will, particulary POTUS.

Naw, it's probably just me!

lamh32: NAAAAAW! IT! AIN'T!! Ima STR8 CO-SIGN!!!

THAT NEGATIVE MEME was sooooo CONTRIVED!!

What WE didn't have access 2 was EXACTLY WHAT the international news media was reporting. HENCE - - - 1-sided NEWS!!

rikyrah: This comes under several HEADINGS: 1. WHAT THE HECK!!?? 2.DISGRACEFUL!!

Andover family objects to KKK board game as learning tool

Parents of a seventh-grade Andover Middle School student have contacted the Wichita branch NAACP about a Ku Klux Klan board game a student created for a class project.

The student took it to school as part of a research assignment about historical figures.

Terica Davis, who is African-American and has a child attending the school, saw the game displayed at a recent open house and took photos of it.

Davis objected to the game, saying it was offensive.

Among the game captions: “You forget to clean your white robe so you can’t go to the lynching. You are punished. Move back two spaces.”

A school spokeswoman said she’s looking into the matter.

CHRISTINA M. WOODS, Wichita Eagle

UN - BE - LIEV - -A - - BLE!!! ***shakin' my head - - - - HARD!!***

Here is what the economy looks like on a graphic basis for Mar 09. Remember most of these are the preliminary numbers. The trend is what you can't ignore.
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2009/03/march...

rikyrah: THEY R 'bout 2 LAND!! :>) :>)

LYBAO here. I am waiting to see the women of all these high bonus marriages go to London for their divorces. the one whom wanted $53,000 a week has nothing on these women:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109...

rikyrah: Some GOOD STATS 4 MR. PRESIDENT!!:

Blame for Downturn Not Fixed on Obama - 6 in 10 Back His Handling of Economy

[NOTE: THIS is AS IT SHOULD B! HE INHERITED the "HOT MESS" - -CREATED over 8 YEARS!!]

The number of Americans who believe that the nation is headed in the right direction has roughly tripled since Barack Obama's election, and the public overwhelmingly blames the excesses of the financial industry, rather than the new president, for turmoil in the economy, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

At this early stage in his presidency, Obama continues to benefit from a broadly held perception that others should bear the bulk of responsibility for the severe economic problems that confront his administration. Americans see plenty of offenders, but only about a quarter blame the president and his team for an economy that's in the ditch.

SKIP

The percentage of Americans in the new poll who said the country is on the right track still stands at just 42 percent, but that is the highest percentage saying so in five years and marks a sharp turnabout from last fall, when as many as nine in 10 said the country was heading in the wrong direction. Fifty-seven percent now consider the nation as moving on the wrong track

Two-thirds of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling the country's top job, and six in 10 give him good marks on issue No. 1, the flagging economy.

THERE IS MORE.

GOOD ON MR. PRESIDENT!! God Bless HIM!! :>)

ADMINISTRATION COULDN'T FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR CITI'S CEO SO HE GOT TO KEEP HIS JOB ~ NOTE TO CEOs OF COMPANIES RECEIVING BAILOUT MONEY: ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS AND YOU TOO CAN KEEP YOUR JOB

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123838194061068...

I guess the question was who was the least corrupt????

maybe????

I'm taking the administration at its word. Nothing in the explanation suggested corruption on the part of Pandit or any other bankers. In fact, I am not aware of the administration ever having accused these guys of corruption. Bad business practices certainly but everything they did was legal at the time. If corruption was the issue then there could be no justification for allowing Pandit to remain CEO. And frankly, there are too many bankers on Wall Street and elsewhere for someone to seriously think that a replacement could not have been found. I'm sure there are other "Liddys" walking around.

Bull shit. there are a town of people whom can liquidate Citigroup and run a bank. this to big to fail misses the fact you can be too big to mange effectively. KISS

EXACTLY! I recall that there were at least four guys up against Pandit for the job. Where are they? Surely they were qualified. They couldn't cajole Sandy Weil to step in for a bit to save his baby? NOT. BUYING. IT.

Eugene Robinson is getting in my last nerve! My response to his bull shit column in today's WaPo:

You've really made a fool of yourself with this column, Eugene. In your haste to please your masters at MSNBC you left out a few inconvenient facts:
1) Detroit was shedding billions before the economic collapse.
2) Americans stopped buying American autos looooong before the economic collapse.
3) Rick Wagoner and the other "big 3" American auto CEO's dismissed and ridiculed then candidate Senator Obama when he spoke before them in '08 warning them that their lack of vision and failed business models were leading to the imminent extinction of the American auto industry. The following day he was ridiculed by none other than Joe Scarborough and Jim Cramer for being politically naive in lecturing deep pocketed auto CEO's.

It's only been a year and now those same but now empty pocketed CEO's are begging PRESIDENT OBAMA for cash!

You conveniently leave out those FACTS!

It doesn't take an economist to explain the difference between Wall Street and Detroit. WE, the country, need capital from investors. We need them to continue to take risks. Further collapse of large banks and AIG would have systemic global consequences; whereas, the collapse of Detroit would have a regional impact--quite sad--but not catastrophic to the nation's or global economies.

In short, we need Wall Street to survive; we would like Detroit to survive if for nothing more than symbolism.

Lastly, in your lame attempt to stoke populist anger among Americans, you conveniently overlook one "minor" fact: If Americans were buying American made cars, the American auto industry wouldn't be in the condition it is. Whose fault is that? Damn sure not the President's.

If Americans are upset about Detroit, tell them to look in the mirror!

Maybe we read a different piece by Eugene Robinson. I read this one http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar... and he clearly acknowledges the decades old problems with the auto industry and why it's hemorraging and that this was happening long before the economic collapse. His issue is that while Wagoner was given the boot (which he agrees with), on that same day Wall Street honchos were treated to lunch at the White House. His point is if the administration was going to go hard, why didn't it go hard on one of the head honchos whose received $1T v. $17B for the auto industry. Replacing one of those guys with another one of their ilk would have sent a clear message and they could continue their risk taking adventures - doubtful it would have had "systematic global consequences."

and he clearly acknowledges the decades old problems with the auto industry and why it's hemorraging and that this was happening long before the economic collapse.

His writing one sentence saying, "General Motors and Chrysler have been ailing companies for decades" is not acknowleding the problems with the auto industry.

Ironically, Eugene said on Hardball today that maybe PBO's firing Wagoner was his way of sending a warning shot to Wall St., and now maybe they'll get their act together and start lending.

JJPer, lamh32, posted a link to a very interesting blog post by JJPer, Icebergslim, where she really delves into the auto industry problems, and calls out the Michigan politicans for their part in this -- something which none of the MSM will discuss, only choosing to focus on why PBO axed Wags and not the bankers.

In her post, Iceberg makes a good point:

"I know many are also angered at President Obama about not doing enough to Wall Street. I don't know how many times I must write this, Obama does nothing without all the facts. The banks have not opened up all their books, the stress tests on these banks are not done. When this is complete and they need more money, as the car industry does, you will hear the Obama blast to them, as we heard today to the car industry."

Rest of article: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/3/30/714....

Thanks Sepia.

american auto system has been failing for years now. we bailed chrysler out in what the 80's only to have them to be bailed out again. Chrysler has lost billions of dollars over the last 8 years and i think wagner was the guy who killed the electric car in 2000 wasnt he?

HEH HEh Heh heh!

I know that JJP will be the one stop shop for the European Vay-kay, but does anyone have any recommendations for some ethnic blogs from any of the countries that the POTUS/FLOTUS will be visiting. I know many of them may be in another language, but I'm assuming that there may be a few good ex-pat blogs to keep up with for the duration of the trip?

rikyrah: There is NO BATTLE!! FIRST LADY - - - -WON!! :>)

G20 Summit: fashion battle of the 'first ladies'

The 'summit wives' at the London G20 meeting, including Michelle Obama and Sarah Brown, will be engaged in their own battle - on the fashion front.

The ‘First Ladies’ of the United States and Britain are poised to be the key protaganists in the sartorial battle after Paris confirmed that Carla Bruni-Sarkozy would sadly not be accompanying her husband - President Nicolas - to London.

And what can we expect them to be packing right now in their wardrobe arsenal for fashion’s equivalent of the American War of Independence?

As I stated - - - - FIRST LADY - - - WON! :>)

BUT - - - We'll ENJOY the CONTEST! :>) :>)

I am listening to Dave Tosh, and he says that George Bush is what happens when you tell a retarded kid he can be anything. I laughed. I know it was wrong but I laughed.

R.A.O.T.F.L.M.A.O

That' s so wrong but so funny!

That's so bad, but I'm LMAO!

I know it was bad, but all I could think was darn, that was spot on.

TARP WATCHDOG: "WE DO NOT SEEM TO BE A PRIORITY FOR THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/31/tarp-a...

Better get on the stick because I think these financial institutions are insolvent and will not pass the stress test. if you can't answer the publics questions President Obama isn't going to say you can;t govern from anger if you do not give people the truth.

I'm just shocked that at this stage in the game we're still talking about a lack of accountability standards. One would think that after the "bonus" fiasco accountability and oversight would be top priority. BTW, have you heard when we will learn of the results from the stress tests? I don't think another dollar should be spent until we learn whether these companies are in fact, solvent/viable.

No later than the end of April:
http://news.hereisthecity.com/news/business_new...

rikyrah: Posting this - -in order 2 show a CLOSE-UP of the FIRST LADY's PIN!! :>)

IT IS GORGEOUS!! Wooo! Hoo!

Michelle Obama Travels In Style, Channels Jackie Kennedy (PHOTOS)

When Michelle Obama departed the White House in a white coat on Tuesday en route to London, she wore an outfit reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy's travel attire.

See below.

PIN = #5 & #6 BEAUTIFUL!! :>) ENJOY!! :>)

NOTE: JUST FOCUSING ON HER PIN! :>)

rikyrah: Watchin' Andrea "still a Hillpataine - - foreva" Mitchell-Greenspan- - -INTERVIEWING [code 4 givin' her AIR-TIME] Madam S.S.

Still tryin' to "pump her credentials up!" B-O-R-I-N-G!!!

For those who haven't read the First Lady's interview with Oprah or picked up that copy of 'O' mag yet

Here's the link:
http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/20090223...

Politics aside, I can NEVER get enough of our First Family....Michelle is "every woman"

great interview
LOVES IT!!!!

rikyrah: This comes under the HEADING - - "SAY WHAT??":

Kilpatrick wants restitution repayment terms eased

Ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, ordered to make restitution to the City of Detroit in monthly installments of $6,000, claims his personal expenses leave him with $6 a month to pay off the $958,000 balance.

Kilpatrick’s lawyers have filed a motion in Wayne County Circuit Court seeking relief from the 5-year payment schedule required by Judge David Groner. The documents show Kilpatrick is earning at least $10,000 a month as a salesman in Texas, but house, car lease and other expenses leave only $6 for restitution payments.

Kilpatrick spent 99 days in jail after entering pleas in two criminal cases. He and ex-top aide Christine Beatty were charged with lying on the stand during a police whistle-blowers’ trial. The case turned in part on thousands of sexually explicit text messages the two exchanged in 2002 and 2003.

The ex-mayor’s newest attorney, Michael Alan Schwartz, believes Groner wants Kilpatrick to fail to make the mandated payments — a potential probation violation that could send Kilpatrick back to jail.

The Detroit News says Groner has not scheduled a hearing on whether to reconsider the repayment schedule.

Several things:

1. Do YOU recall how YOU ran the PEOPLE of Detroit into MAJOR DEBT!!

2. YOU KNEW that there would B severe consequences - - - WHEN U GOT CAUGHT!

YOU PLAYED! NOW PAY!!

3. $6 - - U JUST TROT right ova 2 the 99cent store!! :>)

4. Eva heard of a SECOND JOB!?? Get ta steppin'!!! :>)

I'm THA-ROUGH!! :>)

Why can't he have a cheaper home, he can rent low budget housing. Why does he even need to lease a car. Use public transportation. Other than expenses for food and shelter for his kids...he owes the taxpayers.

So pay up!!

WRB: HE CAN.

He just wants ta lead the "life" that his use of taxpayer's money got him ACCUSTOMED 2!

That's ALL!!

Yo, Kwame!

Send the judge a text message!

Admiral: LOL!! :>) :>) :>)

GOOD ONE!!! :>) :>)

rikyrah: MARCH 31, 2009, -DAY 71- Of His FIRST 100 DAYS! :>)

1. Leaving on a jet plane VIDEO [a repeat]

+ Leaving On A Jet Plane :>) ENJOY!! :>)

2. Obama's trip by the numbers

President Obama will have six legs on Air Force One totaling 10,997 miles ...

... Andrews AFB to London: 3,674 miles … London to Strasbourg, France: 401 miles … Strasbourg to Prague, Czech Republic: 322 miles … Prague to Ankara, Turkey: 1,134 miles … Ankara to Istanbul, Turkey: 217 miles … Istanbul to Andrews AFB: 5,229 miles.

3. World debut - FLOTUS enjoys strong numbers

As she prepares to make her debut on the world stage, new FLOTUS poll numbers show
that a majority of Americans have a "strongly

favorable" view of her--76 percent--and that Republicans are on the FLOTUS bandwagon too.

According to the poll, the recent boost in her approval ratings--about 4 points--comes from Republicans. Before the inauguration, 47 percent viewed her positively, now 59 percent have favorable views of her. The FLOTUS love among Republican men has jumped to 63 percent, up 18 points from June. Women with children are the biggest FLOTUS fans, with 79 percent viewing her favorably.

[NOTE: HER MOM IS RIGHT THERE WITH HER DAUGHTER! :>)]

4. Obama honors Obey - Salutes Approps chairman

Obama made a surprise stop last night at fundraiser thrown for Congressman David Obey.

“Hey,” the president said as he entered a basement ballroom at the Washington Court Hotel unannounced.

After shaking hands with Obey, who was on stage where a band had been playing in the room, Obama spoke briefly.

“I wanted to come by – and don’t worry I’m not singing,” Obama joked.

“The harmonica,” a woman shouted.

“I’m not playing the harmonica either,” Obama said.

“Bowling,” a man yelled.

“I’m not bowling,” Obama responded.

“I’m here to do one simple thing and that is to publicly thank David Obey," Obama said.

“He has been there through thick and through thin, in the majority and the minority. He has consistently held to his values. He has been a passionate advocate for working men and women, and making sure that everybody’s got a fair shot in our society. He has been guided by his conscience. He has been directed by his fierce intelligence and great courage. And so many of us have him to thank for the path that he has created as we entered into politics."

Obama said Obey "is continuing to do outstanding work each and every day, including partnering with me to help get a whole bunch of stuff done that needs to get done on behalf of the American people.”

5. US President Barack Obama (L) and First Lady Michelle Obama walk to Marine One to begin his European trip on March 31, 2009 at the White House in Washington, DC. Obama departed Tuesday on the first overseas trip of his young presidency, holding crucial meetings in Europe on the economic crisis and with America's military partners in NATO. President Obama's debut at the NATO summit on April 3 and 4 marks his first test abroad as US commander in chief and his best chance to sell his new plan for the Afghan war to wary allies. AFP PHOTO / Tim Sloan.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and the first lady, Michelle Obama, leave the White House before departing for Europe, March 31, 2009.


+ President Barack Obama salutes a Marine honor guard as he and first lady Michelle Obama board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2009, as they began their first European trip.

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! ENJOY YOUR DAY!! :>)

Random thought:

Matthew Reeve, son of the late Dana and Christopher Reeve has really matured.....I remember his boyish face, and my, has he grown up.

Here's a photo with him and the President at the bill signing
http://www.daylife.com/photo/03Xy1i22lr8ix?q=Ba...

Huge computer virus may hit tomorrow, April 1
by John Aravosis (DC) on 3/31/2009 11:09:00 AM
This is not a joke. Update your anti-virus now. And even then, it may be too late. This is a Windows virus.
Read More:
http://www.americablog.com/2009/03/huge-compute...

Guess that means that the Republicans won't get that budget out after all.

lol. Admiral - I can hardly wait for tomorrow just because I want to see that budget.

Over at daylife, some great images of the First couple departing for Europe:

http://www.daylife.com/photo/02ae1wZ6Gi3zw?q=ba...

Thank you, Monie.

Contract Law
US Seeks Power to Rewrite Employment Contracts Outside of Bankruptcy
Posted 3 hours, 30 minutes ago
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Employees who work for troubled companies and municipalities under contracts specifying pay, benefits and bonuses could see those agreements go by the wayside.

The U.S. government is seeking the power to rewrite employment contracts outside of bankruptcy court when it intervenes to help save troubled companies, the New York Times reports. The Treasury Department wants to be able to modify employee contracts when it seizes financial institutions, and President Obama’s auto task force wants to change union contracts at General Motors and Chrysler, according to the story.

Meanwhile, in a closely watched case, a bankruptcy judge has given the city of Vallejo, Calif., permission to alter its contracts with firefighters and other workers. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael McManus turned down workers’ arguments that state labor laws protected the contracts, holding that federal bankruptcy law trumped the state provisions. Other cities are hopeful the case suggests that their worker contracts, protected by statutory and constitutional provisions, can also be changed by bankruptcy courts.

University of Pennsylvania law professor David Skeel said contracts are often at risk in economic downturns. “We run roughshod over some contracts and not over others,” he told the Times. “Right now, employment contracts seem to be the type of contract that is viewed as eminently rewritable.”

A column in Forbes magazine complains that a populist backlash has made tearing up contracts “a national sport.” The article says a watershed Supreme Court decision during the Depression era gave government broad leeway to alter private contracts. The decision, HomeBuilding & Loan Association v. Blaisdell, held that a Minnesota law exempting property from foreclosure did not violate the Constitution’s contracts clause.

Law professor David Gregory of St. John’s University told the Times that if the U.S. government modifies contracts outside of court, it would be easier to change provisions regarding retiree benefits.

“The issue is, how can the government calibrate and contour and control the process of reorganization,” without the time, expense and compromise of bankruptcy proceedings, Gregory told the newspaper. “The executive branch is proposing to do what the bankruptcy courts have had the exclusive prerogative to do.”

http://www.abajournal.com/news/us_seeks_power_t...

The executive branch has it. For anyone who read TARP. Section 103 subsection 2 & 3. This is getting lame.

» A Census spokesman shows 'The Federal Eye' Ed O'Keefe how to use one of the handheld devices that 140,000 temporary Census workers will use starting this week.

Video

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/vi...

Racist Rev. Wright to speak at University of Memphis. (Note: Obama was a member of Wright’s “Church of Hate” for 20-years.)

We know you went wright down to get your ticket to attend.

The republicans are pissed, though.

They needed your help to roll out that new non-numbered Republican budget that will be unveiled on Wednesday.

You know, April, fool!

That's great news, Karmi!!!! did you know that First lady Michelle Obama has tapped another WRIGHT?

Check out her new hairdresser, Johnny Wright!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

Two Wrights in one century; you know what they say: Two WRIGHTS don't make a WRONG!!!! BWA HA HA HA!!!!!!

spirit: LOL!! :>)

BUT - - - K DOESN'T KNOW - - - -anything 'bout OUR HAIR!! :>) :>)

LOL! Exactly, GreenLady. K doesn't know a lot about NOTHING!!!!

spirit: Ta-rue dat!! :>)

Jeremiah Wright Goes to War
By Amy Sullivan/Washington Monday, Apr. 28, 2008
Jeremiah Wright
Rev. Jeremiah Wright, addresses the National Press Club April 28, 2008 in Washington, DC.

Maybe Barack Obama skimped on his contribution when the offering plate came past at Trinity United Church of Christ. Or perhaps he nodded off during one of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's sermons. It's hard to think of another reason why the Illinois Senator's former pastor would put on the kind of performance yesterday at the National Press Club that can only be described as a political disaster.

Until the question-and-answer portion of his appearance, Wright had been using the multi-city tour to redeem his reputation as a teachable moment. In an hour-long interview with Bill Moyers on PBS last week, Wright discussed in detail the history of the African-American religious tradition and presented a calm, erudite counterpoint to the outrageous caricature that most Americans have seen in the short clips of his sermons on YouTube. His speech to the Press Club continued in the same vein, providing context for what he sarcastically referred to as "the unknown phenomenon of the black church."

But while Wright is a theologian, a teacher and a pastor, he is ultimately a performer. In front of a cheering crowd of supporters that included a whistling Cornel West, he gave into temptation and lustily went after his critics. As soon as the questions began, Wright transformed into a defiant, derisive figure, snapping one-liners at the unfortunate moderator tasked with reading the questions and stepping back with a grin on his face after each one, clearly enjoying himself.

Could he explain the context behind the sermon he gave after September 11, 2001? "Have you heard the whole sermon? No? That nullifies that question." How does he respond to critics who charge that he is unpatriotic? "How many years did Cheney serve?" Does the fact that Obama says he never heard Wright's most controversial sermons mean he's not much of a churchgoer? "He goes to church as much as you do. What did your pastor preach on last week?"

It continued through a defense of Louis Farrakhan and Wright's insistence that the U.S. government may have introduced AIDS into the black community. Not surprisingly, the Obama campaign has strenuously refused to comment on Wright's remarks. But top strategist David Axelrod reminded MSNBC viewers this morning that Wright was "out there doing his own thing." "It's a free country," he added. "But to the extent that people impute to Senator Obama words that are not his and sentiments that are not his, it's obviously not helpful."

The combative pose that Wright chose to strike is perhaps most damaging not to Obama's candidacy — although the candidate will surely endure yet another round of scrutiny regarding his relationship to the minister and his positions on Wright's views — but to Wright's own message. Because he is right when he says that most Americans don't understand the black church and that their resulting confusion and fear contributes to a racial divide.

Many Americans who were shocked by the clips of Wright's sermons have only known a Disney-fied version of the black church. We know about the good music, but don't listen to the lyrics of pain and suffering. We praise the rousing preaching without paying attention to the words. Civil rights leaders have become aging wise men revered for their inspirational sayings, not radical activists who preached truth to power. "There is so much more going on in black churches than gospel music," says Emilie Townes, professor of African American religion at Yale Divinity School.

The poster boy of the reimagined black church is Martin Luther King, Jr. "King said America suffered from a 'congenital disease' and that disease is racism," notes Eddie Glaude, Princeton professor of religion. He says that King's speech against the Vietnam War, delivered at Riverside Church in April 1967, was not a feel-good speech. "It was a passionate cry to speak to these enormous problems that were linked to America's imperialism and militarism, and what he saw as the evils of capitalism." By that point int his career, King had been banned from Lyndon Johnson's White House. The New York Times condemned his speech, running an editorial calling it "Dr. King's Error." And Barry Goldwater said King "bordered a little bit on treason."

But that King, the one who sounded a little bit like Jeremiah Wright, is not the one we remember every January. It's because the prophetic black church tradition has been filtered into an unthreatening form suitable for public consumption, so that it has been rendered, in Wright's word, "invisible." And it is because of that invisibility that Wright's sermons seemed so shocking and out of the mainstream. In reality, the two strands fit together — the unbearable optimism of "I Have a Dream" and the righteous anger of "I cannot be silent."

Wright acknowledged that fact when he ended his remarks at the Press Club by talking about the need for reconciliation. It is "where the hardest work is found for those of us in the Christian community," he said. The way in which he responded to questioning shows just how hard that work will be, both for Wright and his most famous congregant.

How's the Republican no-number budget doing?
You know, the one Republicans will unveil tomorrow?
April, fool!

Rep. Paul Ryan Concedes GOP Alternative Budget Would Increase The Deficit ‘A Lot’
Last week, the House GOP presented its alternative budget proposal. Members of the media, including conservative commentators, widely panned the document for being scant on details and appearing more as “campaign-style talking points.” Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), ranking member of the House Budget Committee, has said he will release yet another budget proposal, but this time with more specifics.

Though Ryan has been most critical of the deficit impact of Obama’s budget, he has been unable to assess the deficit impact of his own budget. After being repeatedly asked this weekend by Bloomberg’s Al Hunt about “how large” the deficit would be under the Republican plan, Ryan finally respond, “A lot”:
Read More :
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/30/ryan-gop-bu...

"A LOT" BWA HA HA HA!!!!

LOT =LORDS OF TROUBLE

LMAO!

Spirit, Spirit,

You have a way with words! lol

a lot. HEH HEh Heh heh! LMBAO

Piece of My Love- Guy

I DO LOOOVE YOOOOU !!!
(oooooooooooooooh)
you can have a piece of my love (OOOoooooooh)
it's waitin for you (oooooooooh)
girl it's true
(IIIIIIIIIIIIIII)
you can have a piece of my love (lovin baby)
it's waiting for you (heeey)
girl it's true
you can have a--
baby you can't have all of me
'cuz i'm not totally free
i can't tell you everything that's goin on
baby
there's a few things in my past
that should not be explained
i'm askin you baby
be with me----for a lil while (you can have a--)
please hush
no questions asked
lay back and relax girl (i do love you-girl it's true)
now kick off your shoes
now put your head down (is waiting for you)
since we're here now baby
i'm givin you a piece of me you can't have (you can have a-)
(CHORUS:)
you can have a piece of my love (1 & 2-my love)
it's waiting for you (1-for you)(2-waiting for you)
girl it's true (1-you can have a piece of my love)
REPEAT
I DO LOOOOVE YOOOOOOU !!!!
i know that this is wrong
but the feelin's so strong
i wish this could last forever
but it wouldn't be the same
tell me who would be to blame?
is we were to hurt all over again? (you can have a-)
please hush (you can have a piece of my love)
no questions asked
lay back and relax (I DOOO LOOOVE YOOU!!)
take off your shoes
let your pretty sexy hair down (girl it's true)
it's time now baby
i'm givin' you a piece of my love (you can have a-)
CHORUS:
you can have a piece of my love (1 & 2-my love baby)
it's waitin' for you (2-my love, my love, woah yeeaaaaah !!!)
girl it's true (1-you can have a piece of my love)
REPEAT
you can have a-
(INSTRUMENTAL)
(I DOOO YOU LOVE-girl it's true)
kick off your shoes
let your pretty head down
let's make love...over and over and over and over AGAIN !!! (you can
have a-)
CHORUS:
you can have a piece of my love (1 & 2-my love baby)
it's waitin for you (1 & 2-for you...
i wanna make love over and over and over again !!!)
girl it's true
I DO LOVE YOU !!!
~*REPEAT*~ ~*AD LIB BY LEAD*~
~~*fade

carolinagirl: Welllllllll. THIS is your REQUEST!! :>) :>)

GUY: Groove Me / Piece Of My Love / Lets Chill / Teddy Jam :>)

{Sorry 'bout the quality.} :>(

Love the pics ( though I'm sure Iceberg Slim or Green Lady Here will post a MUCH better presentation) soon. Enjoy: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/31/obama-...

Shazza: HEY! :>)

THIS is a GREAT GET!!! :>) U GOT IT!!! :>) :>)

Michelle's Image: From Off-Putting To Spot-On
By Lois Romano
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 31, 2009; Page C01

At first, they didn't like the way she was talking about her husband's dirty socks. Then, they said she always looked angry. Later, they questioned her patriotism when she commented that she only recently became proud of her country. They even made hay over her biceps when she dared show up sleeveless for her husband's address to Congress in January.

Now, two months into her husband's presidency, as Michelle Obama embarks on her maiden official overseas trip, the first lady is enjoying a second look from the American public -- particularly from those who were put off by her as a candidate's wife, but are warming to her as the president's wife.

A Washington Post-ABC News survey conducted over the past few days shows a dramatic turnaround: Her favorability ratings are at 76 percent, up 28 points since summer. The number of people who view her negatively has plummeted. Her most striking inroads have come among Republicans who viewed her negatively last year, perhaps in part because of comments she made about feeling proud of her country for the first time.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

IMHO i think that the pictures of the FLOTUS at schools hugging delighted kids, digging in the garden with the kids, and acting like a loving mom has humanized her and made her the mom next door.

The FLOTUS is HUMAN and has always been a loving mom. She doesn't need to act like a loving mom or the mom next door. and she doens't need pictures to humanize her.

Folks will draw their own conclusions regardless of what FLOTUS wears, how she acts, how she looks, how she act or doen't act or what she says or doesn't say at the whim of folks.

Co-sign! :>) She IS!! :>)

Who wants Jet Magazine from beginning to present:
THIS....

IS WAAAYYY Cool !
You can ACTUALLY see every edition of JET AND read them !!!!

This is Black American History at its best!!!

This was forwarded to me and I knew I had to share. Check it out when
you have time. This e-mail contains copies of Jet Magazine going all the
way back to 1950s copies.

Not only do you get the covers of all the issues of Jet Magazine, but
you can actually read the issues. Good tool for your children and
grandchildren.

This is definitely a keeper!

http://books.google.com/books?id=Db4DAAAAMBAJ&h...

RobM: WOW!!! GREAT GET!! :>) Thanks! :>)

Thanks!

For those interested in understanding how securitization of financial instruments works read this. The author was a computer programer whom wrote the code that is the current industry standard. Please be aware securitization was occuring long before he came along. That is what FNM and others did. What is critical is, Is/was the underlying instrument sound? with FNM this was true for years; 205 down, income verification, credit scores, et al. It wasn't hard to figure out mathematically what the failure rate would be once all the mortgages were scuritized put into a bond.
http://nymag.com/news/business/55687/

Pension insurer shifted to stocks
Concern increases as losses mount; Failing plans could overwhelm agency
WASHINGTON - Just months before the start of last year's stock market collapse, the federal agency that insures the retirement funds of 44 million Americans departed from its conservative investment strategy and decided to put much of its $64 billion insurance fund into stocks.
Read More:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/ar...

It's crystal clear the Bush administration was interested in making the average American destitute.

Does Sextexting Lead To Sex? It seems that more and more teens are sextexting. The judicial system has decided that this constitutes child pornography and in the case of 15 year old Marissa Miller could lead to a charge of sexual abuse of a minor. Should a girl taking pictures of herself in a bra really result in a criminal record and jail time?

From Détente to Taunts
Obama's promise of post-partisanship is almost completely gone.
Once upon a time, the Obama administration tried hard to show it listened to Republican ideas. Two months ago, when Congress was debating the stimulus bill, presidential aides pointed to tax cuts in the legislation that Republicans had requested (even though lots of Democrats asked for the same tax cuts). They said Minority Whip Eric Cantor had given them the idea of tracking stimulus spending online (even though they were already planning to do that).
Read More:
http://www.slate.com/id/2214963/

Why should Obama continue to listen to people who publicly claim they want him to fail?

Amen, Craig! You can only turn the other cheek so many times.

Now this is some sad news.No more Pistachio Ice Cream.
Don't eat the pistachios
by Chris in Paris on 3/31/2009 06:14:00 AM
How about we come up with a list of foods that are OK to eat? I'm guessing that list will be a lot shorter than the list of tainted foods that are floating around. Industry self regulation that the Republicans had to have was a failure so let's stop acting as though the entire system can be saved with a few small changes. How about the US has a food safety system worthy of the US?
Federal food safety officials warned Monday that consumers should stop eating all foods containing pistachios while they figure out the source of a possible salmonella contamination.

Still reeling from the national salmonella outbreak in peanuts, the Food and Drug Administration said central California-based Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., the nation's second-largest pistachio processor, was voluntarily recalling a portion of the roasted nuts it has been shipping since last fall. A Setton spokeswoman said that amounts to more than 2 million pounds of nuts
http://www.americablog.com/2009/03/dont-eat-pis...

Sen Robert Corker (R) of Tenn was just on Bloomberg. He was commenting on the GM bailout and basically trying to save the Saturn plant in Tenn. Part of his complaint was President Obama was picking CEO's and added a lot of who shot john. The reporter then asked him was he in favor of President Obama replacing CEO's in the financial industry. He said yes if the banks cannot meet the stress test.
I hope this happens. Putting the screws to them will be a welcome salve to the wounds of those whom are going to lose their jobs, pensions and medical insurance in the auto reorganization to those whom will still have their jobs after the reorganization but w/ a cutback in wages and benefits and to all the others like those at FEDEX, your stae and local governments whom have foregone wage and beneift increases or have given back wages. Corporate America has in many cases done this across the board like FEDEX.
Its for reasons like this the bonus' at AIG are not water under the bridge. If there is to be a sense of self sacrifice espoused by the White House it has to extend to everyone. It will be governance by anger if the sense of self sacrifice is not shared. A good place to start is w/ Rick Waggoner pension. He is reportedly getting $20 million severance as part of his contract. It should defintely be cut back as everyone else's at GM has been.
found this later in WaPO: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

How bad is the economy going to get? GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO WARN OF SADNESS/CRYING OVER ECONOMY - The U.S. government is set to offer an online emotional rescue kit! "Getting Through Tough Economic Times" will launch Tuesday with a media push across all platforms … The feds will warn of depression, suicidal thinking and other serious mental illnesses. It will raise warning flags for: Persistent sadness/crying; Excessive anxiety; Lack of sleep/constant fatigue; Excessive irritability/anger … The guide will be available starting at midnight at http://www.samhsa.gov/economy.

Thanks for the “Change,” Obama!

HERE R the Rethug- - - UPDATING THEIR BUDGET!! HAH!!

RETHUG BUDGET UPDATE!!

Annnnd- CALCULATIN' those --- "20 years . . . . . ya know!!"

No-number budget.
April, fool!

This shows just how far Obama – and his administration – is ‘in-over-his-head’. The site is already up (for now) and it has this Special Note to Journalists

For ideas on how to best cover sensitive issues like suicide prevention in a thoughtful and constructive manner you can check out suggestions developed by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in conjunction with leading suicide prevention experts and journalists.

Think … Chicago Annenberg Challenge and the Obama-Ayers relationship. This looks like another – of MANY – blooper by Obama, and the site may end up being taken down…

No-number budget.
April, fool!

Karmi,

What happen to the republicans budget proposal? What were they thinking? There were no numbers?

Republicans thinking LOL!!!!Just spit my coffee through my nose.Thinking republicans HA!!!

Have you ever heard of Clearsil. If you use it you will not spew pus on these pages like a teenager popping a zit in the mirror.

Its telling you quote a Mental health study because you are bat-sh*t crazy!!!!
Matt Drudge's latest "scoop":
NANNY STATE: GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO WARN OF SADNESS/CRYING OVER ECONOMY
The U.S. government is set to offer an online emotional rescue kit!
"Getting Through Tough Economic Time" will launch Tuesday with a media push across all platforms.
The site is meant to help people identify health concerns related to financial worries.
The feds will warn of depression, suicidal thinking and other serious mental illnesses. It will raise warning flags for: Persistent sadness/crying; Excessive anxiety; Lack of sleep/constant fatigue; Excessive irritability/anger.

The guide will be available starting at midnight at http://www.samhsa.gov/economy.

Developing...

Oh, give me a break.

SAMSHA, which approaches these issues from a public-health perspective, has been generating material like this for years. Most of it is for mental-health professionals, but some of it is aimed at the general public. I don't recall a big Drudge headline, when, during Katrina (you'll recall that the president at the time of Katrina was a presumably non-nanny-state cowboy named Bush), SAMSHA offered the general public a number of lists of recommendations for recognizing and dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in the wake of disasters. Scroll down here for more SAMSHA fact sheets and publications aimed at the ordinary citizens; let's see, this one ("Care Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life") is from 2003, this one ("How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety") is from June of 2002, and so on.

Gee -- what might have motivated a government agency focused on mental health to prepare lists of coping strategies back in 2002 and 2003? Could it have been a certain traumatic incident in 2001? In fact, SAMSHA published Mental Health Response to Mass Violence and Terrorism, a 192-page training manual for professionals, in 2004 (PDF). Page 17 lists some possible emotional reactions to terrorist acts, which include "Sadness, grief," "Anxiety, fear, worry about safety," "Anger, rage, desire for revenge," and "Irritability, short temper." Sound familiar, Matt?

Look, if you want to be libertarian about this, you can argue that this sort of thing, or maybe just the outreach to the general public, has always been a waste of tax dollars -- I won't agree with you, but you can make that argument.

But Drudge is implying that this is a new Obama-era nanny-state absurdity. And that's a damned lie.
http://nomoremister.blogspot.com/

That article is just a VERY TRANSPARENT way to give license to WHITE folks to display self-RIGHTEOUS ANGER.

Blame it on the Black president. GTFOH!

Yeah, and the government didn't do anything after September 11, 2001, right? Didn't offer any counseling or or anything after Columbine? Didn't say one word after that fool shot up the little Amish girls in Pennsylvania or the American terrorist Tim McVeigh blew up the Murrah Federal building?

Yeah, the "government" hasn't offered any mental health support or counseling until President Obama got in office.

Karmi, you are truly delusional. You might want to check out some of that counseling help for yourself. It's the first step that is difficult. May peace be with you,

Admiral, I'm adding August 2005 KATRINA.

Boom.
Sha-lak-lak.
Boom.

Direct hit.

Nice.

HomeDiariesBreaking BlueE-Wire 2008Optimism Is On The March
by Todd Beeton, Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 06:55:05 AM EST
Some good news out of the new ABC News/WaPo poll on people's attitudes toward President Obama and the economy:
The percentage of Americans in the new poll who said the country is on the right track still stands at just 42 percent, but that is the highest percentage saying so in five years and marks a sharp turnabout from last fall, when as many as nine in 10 said the country was heading in the wrong direction. Fifty-seven percent now consider the nation as moving on the wrong track.
Read More:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/31/6555/11119

'Get a good lawyer,' attorney tells former Bush official
John Byrne
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Get_good_lawyer_l...

Obstruction of Justice
By Chris Hedges
U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema is scheduled to issue a ruling in the Eastern District of Virginia at the end of April in a case that will send a signal to the Muslim world and beyond whether the American judicial system has regained its independence after eight years of flagrant manipulation and intimidation by the Bush administration. Brinkema will decide whether the Palestinian activist Dr. Sami Amin Al-Arian, held for over six years in prison and under house arrest in Virginia since Sept 2, is guilty or innocent of two counts of criminal contempt.
Read More:
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090330_ob...

Good Morning Your Tuesday Morning heat. Enjoy
Salsoul Orchestra & Loleatta Holloway - Runaway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsX20w3N1p8

dj: GREAT!! ***tryin' out my latest - - -dance move***

Wait - a - minute. . . . . . .

It looks just like my other dance move! :>) :>)

Oh well! :>)