Jack & Jill Politics

deleted by author

LOOOVE this song....

If You Never - Byron Cage, Kim Burrell & J Moss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3FyCHXu1eU

Niiiice. Feelin YA!!

I had a feeling you'd feel this whiterosebuddy. :)

EVENING OPEN THREAD IS UP

For D and other JJP posters in VA:

I just heard my first Brian Moran radio ad down here in Richmond. An obviously black male voice comes on the radio saying "Terry McAuliffe is acting like he was for Obama all along, but WE remember how he did everything he could to prevent Obama from winning. He even said Obama could kiss his {bleeeeeep]."

I don't remember what the voice said about Brian Moran, as I was in shock the ad said "He even said Obama could kiss his {bleeeeep}.

It would be very funny if Moran and McAuliffe beat each other up while Deeds sits back in the cut and ends up winning the nomination.

The madness starts around 1:35- (* 5:04)

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog...

rikyrah: FLIP - FLOP:

+ Crist bails - Fla. gov. smacks Obama

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a moderate Republican who stumped for President Obama’s stimulus plan, has penned ...

... a column in The Tampa Tribune opening up some distance between himself and the president.

Crist, who faces a conservative primary challenger in his bid for the U.S. Senate, writes: [AHA!!!]

“I am a fiscal conservative. Since I took office two years ago, we have cut state spending by $7 billion, lowered property taxes by an estimated $25 billion over five years and created innovative no-cost solutions like the Florida Discount Drug Card and Cover Florida Health Care Plan.

“I oppose the president's budget proposals, in particular his willingness to increase the top tax rate on personal income from 35 to 39.6 percent. I am publicly asking him to withdraw these tax increase proposals, considering the structural damage higher tax rates will do to the long-term growth potential of our nation's economy.

“In addition, the president's plan will severely increase our national debt. Even with the increase in federal revenues resulting from higher taxes and a planned military withdrawal from Iraq, the smallest annual deficit we will see in the next 10 years is $533 billion in 2013. At the rate projected in the president's budget, the national debt will increase by $3.7 trillion by 2014. Two years ago the annual budget deficit was $162 billion."

TRYIN' 2 GET THOSE VOTES!!

I know it doesn't matter. And certainly not for politics when it is issues for me that count.

But STILL...is it true that BOTH Crist and Davis have sugar in their tank?

rikyrah: This may B OFF TOPIC;

+ SoCal gang members indicted in racist shootings

A Latino street gang waged a racist campaign to eliminate black people from a Southern California city through attempted murders and other crimes, according to federal racketeering indictments unsealed Thursday.

About 150 members and associates of the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens gang were indicted, and federal and local agencies made a series of arrests, U.S. attorney’s spokesman Thom Mrozek said.

The indictments detail attempted murder, kidnapping, firearms, narcotics and other charges related to attacks by the gang, which is predominantly Latino and mainly operates in Hawaiian Gardens, a city of about 15,000 people in southeastern Los Angeles County.

“(Varrio Hawaiian Gardens) gang members take pride in their racism and often refer to the VHG Gang as the ‘Hate Gang,’” the main indictment states. “VHG gang members have expressed a desire to rid the city of Hawaiian Gardens of all African-Americans and have engaged in a systematic effort to achieve that result by perpetrating crimes against African-Americans.”

The indictment alleges a string of attacks on black residents, including a shooting into a home with eight people inside. The indictment does not say if anyone was hit.

In another instance, two gang members allegedly chased a black man, yelled a racist epithet at him and then beat him with a garden rake. The same man was later repeatedly stabbed by two gang members, according to the indictment, which charges them with his attempted murder.

The indictments mark at least the second time in less than two years that federal authorities have accused Latino gang members of attacking black residents because of their race. Local officials have tried to downplay racial tensions.

The investigation of the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens gang was triggered in June 2005 by the murder of Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Luis Gerardo “Jerry” Ortiz. Jose Luis Orozco, a member of the gang, was sentenced to death in 2007 for the killing.

Ortiz, 35, died as he searched for Orozco, who had shot and wounded a man while he did yard work. Orozco was later found guilty of attempted murder in that case.

THOMAS WATKINS, AP

I usta work at a school where soma these "gang members" attended.

THEY WERE COLD! Annnd, they intimidated soma the "staff!"
EVEN "back then", their "bond", was so tight that U couldn't get next 2 them.
I tried! BUT - - -NO! GO!!

What a powder keg!

rikyrah: OFF TOPIC: Another FIRST:

+ A black woman's journey to the rabbinate in North Carolina

When Alysa Stanton officially becomes a rabbi next month, she'll be walking into history.

She'll become the first African-American woman ever to be ordained as a rabbi and the first African-American rabbi to lead a majority white congregation, according to the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Stanton, 45, will be ordained June 6 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she received her master's degree from the HUC-JIR, which is the rabbinical school of the Reform movement. Then in August, she will begin her new job at Congregation Bayt Shalom in Greenville, North Carolina -- long a Conservative synagogue and now affiliated with both the Reform and Conservative movements.

She describes her new position with great enthusiasm, saying the congregation -- while small -- has a lot of children, a sign of a bright future. And she says the congregation is vibrant and the region, where East Carolina University and a major medical center are located, is dynamic as well.

"My goals as a rabbi are to break down barriers, build bridges and provide hope," Stanton told CNN. "I look forward to being the spiritual leader of an inclusive sacred community that welcomes and engages all."

The HUC says the milestone reflects the diversity that permeates Jewish life.

Citing numbers from the Institute for Jewish and Community Research, the HUC-JIR says at least 20 percent of American Jews -- about 300,000 to 400,000 people -- "are racially and ethnically diverse by birth ... conversion and adoption. Approximately 20,000-30,000 marriages between Jews and African-Americans grew out of the civil rights movement. "

"This diversity, reflecting the variety and richness of Jewish heritage, is embraced by the Reform Movement of Judaism, with its commitment to inclusivity," the HUC-JIR said.

A Cleveland, Ohio, native from a Pentecostal Christian home who moved to Colorado at the age of 11, Stanton was first exposed to Judaism as a child and converted more than 20 years ago during her college days. She is a single mother of an adopted 14-year-old daughter and a psychotherapist.

How did she come to convert?

"It's been a journey, and it started when I was very young," she told CNN. "I was a seeker."

Judaism, she realized, fit her.

"People have asked me, 'was I born Jewish?' I said yes, but not to a Jewish womb."

She said she drove every week between Fort Collins and Denver to study with a Conservative rabbi in an Orthodox synagogue and eventually had a traditional conversion in 1987.

But why did she step from the role of an active congregant to pursue the arduous rabbinical education? The idea percolated in part in Denver, where she was active at Temple Emanuel. Among the factors that led her to rabbinical school, she said, were her appreciation of the role of cantors, the beauty of chanting Torah and learning of a middle-aged man who didn't let his age get in the way of entering rabbinical school.

As for Bayt Shalom, she said it's in an interesting part of the South -- more transient and more diverse because of the college population. The congregation is small, made up of about 60 families, and the position for now will be part time.

"We're hoping for growth and outreach," she said. "There's a lot of opportunity."

Before her rabbinical training, she studied social psychology, neuropsychology and interpersonal relationships at Lancaster University in England in 1983-84; received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 1988; earned a Master of Education degree in counseling and multiculturalism in 1992 from Colorado State University; and received a professional counselor license in 1998.

Stanton worked as a student rabbi, served as a chaplain, had clinical pastoral training and promoted interfaith dialogue at Reform communities in the United States. She studied at the HUC-JIR campus in Jerusalem and then at Cincinnati, Ohio.

She said her daughter experienced racial bigotry in Israel, but that reality toughened her and did not deter her from her goals or her love for Israel and its people.

"I learned that my child and I are stronger than ever dreamed possible," she said of life in Jerusalem. "I learned the tenacity of the human spirit goes a long way. I learned there are some great people in this world."

Michael Barondes, Bayt Shalom president, said Stanton "was quite impressive" to the rabbinical search committee of the small, Jewishly diverse congregation in a "one-synagogue town" in the Bible Belt founded in 1975.

"Rabbi Stanton energized this community in a way that was really impressive, across all lines. I think that she's a special person," Barondes said.

"I think you would have to be a special person to unite a diverse Jewish community," said Barondes, saying it's rare to have one congregation affiliated with both the Reform and Conservative movements.

He said Stanton has a special interest in pursuing work in a small community.

"There's a different flavor of Judaism when you are in a small town. There's much more volunteerism, much more involvement. There's something very rewarding in that," he said.

The congregation at present doesn't have black members, but Barondes said a previous rabbi had converted several African-Americans. As for the rabbi's part-time role, Barondes said it's "more like two-thirds' time."

The present rabbi of the congregation, Steven J. Kirschner, said in a note to congregants in the synagogue's newsletter that "I know that you will welcome Rabbi Stanton with open arms, and I hope that she will be a dynamic force in the growth and spiritual development of the CBS community for many years to come."

Stanton said she's excited to be there and "they are excited to have me."

"I'm glad to be a visual presence of the diversity that is represented in Judaism," she said.

CONGRATULATIONS - - -soon-2-B: RABBI ALYSA STANTON :>) God Bless.

The White House Poetry Jam is online!

Hat tip to a commentator at Mrs-O.org!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/President-and-M...

rikyrah: Another APPOINTMENT:

+ Cleland's consolation - Obama nominates ex-senator

President Obama has nominated former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland to be secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and former VA administrator, was viewed as a possible candidate for secretary of the Army.

Cheney Speech: When Subliminal Messaging is Accurate
http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/5/21/114353/637

dj: LOL!! :>) Good GET! :>)

rikyrah: This has a fuller coverage:

+ Obama Hosts Pittsburgh Steelers At The White House (PHOTOS)

[SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS]


AP: President Barack Obama may be a Chicago Bears fan at heart. But at least on Thursday, the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers were his football favorites.

The president celebrated the Steelers' title at a White House ceremony.

"It's no secret that I was pulling for the Steelers during the Super Bowl," Obama said. "That's part of the reason why this is so much fun for me."

The president and the players also spent time meeting with wounded U.S. service members and assembling care packages for troops serving overseas.

The Steelers are "generous with their time for charity and for their communities," Obama said.

Joining the president on the sunny afternoon on the White House lawn were Pennsylvania's two Democratic senators, Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, along with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, whom Obama called "a maniacal Pittsburgh Steeler fan."

During the presidential election, Steelers owner Dan Rooney, a lifelong Republican, campaigned for Obama in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. In March, Obama named Rooney U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

One Steelers' star didn't make the trip to Washington _ linebacker James Harrison.
Story continues below

Harrison skipped out on the traditional ceremony, just as he did when the Steelers were honored by President George W. Bush at the White House in June 2006.

Harrison's fear of flying may have played a role in his decision, though Harrison joked that the White House isn't in one of Washington's safer areas.

"It's not a good neighborhood over there," Harrison said. "It's a bad neighborhood."

Harrison MAY have a "fear of flyin'", BUT - - -he doesn't have a FEAR of FLYIN' OFF AT THE MOUTH!! WHAT! AN! IDIOT!! Saaaaa-LAP!!

GO JESSE, GO!! Tell the truth and shame these devils!

rikyrah: HERE R SOME PICS!! :>)

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (C) helps Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Hines Ward (L) and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) assemble USO care packages for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, May 21, 2009.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (L) helps assemble a USO care package for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan along with U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) as Obama welcomes the Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, at the White House in Washington, May 21, 2009.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (C) helps Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Hines Ward (2nd L) and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) assemble USO care packages for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, May 21, 2009.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (L) poses with Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney (C) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (R) during a picture with the 2009 NFL Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the East Room of the White House May 21, 2009 in Washington, DC.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (L) holds up a jersey as Pittsburgh Steelers as President Art Rooney II (3rd R), looks on at the South Portico of White House May 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Steelers deafeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (4th R) holds up a jersey as Pittsburgh Steelers as President Art Rooney II (3rd R), Chairman Dan Rooney (2nd R) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (R) looks on at the South Portico of White House May 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Steelers deafeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

+ U.S. President Barack Obama (C) speaks as head coach of Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin (R) listens at the South Lawn of the White House May 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers and wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center with their families in conjunction with packing care packages for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

HUMANITARIAN! JUST WONDERFUL!! :>) ENJOY THESE MOMENTS!! :>)

rikyrah: Heeeeeeeere's FIRST LADY - - on a COVER: :>)

+ Time Magazine: The Meaning of Mrs. O

Mrs. O appears on the cover of Time, accompanied by a feature article inside and a collection of photographs by Callie Shell.

“…My message to women, if anything, over the course of this, is, find your space. Find your spot. Wear what you love. Choose the careers that may have meaning to you.

She's sayin' - - -U! B! U!! :>) 'cause THAT's what SHE is doin'! :>) :>)

+ Behind the Scenes with Michelle Obama

THESE R GR8!! :>) ENJOY!!

CONGRATS - - FIRST LADY!! :>)

Yeah baby!! The secret to life...U B U

In a word: POWERFUL

Lawd, I'm starting to tear up again!

Sepia: I KNOW!! :>) RIGHT!! :>)

rikyrah: AUTOMOBILE GLITCHES - - :>)

Obama has been meeting with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is now about the leave the WH. The doors to the West Wing are wide open, meaning a departure is coming within minutes. -- Amie Parnes (5:05 p.m.)
And Kikwete of Tanzania has left the WH. But he left behind a present: one car in his motorcade, which failed to start even after a jump.

Members of the presidents entourage hopped in an SUV instead. -- Amie Parnes (5:10 p.m.) :>)

I like it! I like it!! Make AFRICA the KING of auto!!

If Toyota can do it, we can too. Show them the origin of innovation. US!!!

OH NO, OH NO, NOW THEY GOT BROKE DOWN CARS AT THE WHITE HOUSE! I *TOLD* YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN IF ONE OF THEM GOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE! [/republicanspinmachine]

LOL! But wait, soon they'll bring out the folding weaved lawn chairs.

Imagine a Kente cloth colored AUTo.

or green, red or black auto with Kente cloth seats!!

hanahahahahah!

Girl, you know the KENTE cloth would be FIERCE!!!!

Town: LOL!!! :>)

Annnnnd, It IS the PRESIDENT's FAULT 'cause HE tried 2 bring some ACCOUNTABILITY 2 the AUTO INDUSTRY!!

THEY WILL SHOW HIM!! :>)

***shakin' my head***

rikyrah: FIRST LADY is GOIN' 2 Ghana 2:

+ Michelle to Africa - Joining POTUS in Ghana

First lady Michelle Obama will travel with her husband to Accra, Ghana, from July 10 to July 11. Details are still being worked out ...

... in the East Wing as to whether she will accompany the president to Moscow and Italy for the G-8 summit there.

The Obamas last traveled together in Africa in August 2006, when they visited Kenya, where the president’s father was born.

HOW ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!! :>)

GOOD ON BOTH OF THEM!! GOD BLESS!! :>)

You just gotta know that Michelle looooves meeting with African Queens!!!

WRB: "ONE QUEEN" [FIRST LADY] - - - -2 another! :>)

rikyrah: Supportin' the STEELERS [ minus 1]:

+ Obama meets the Steelers

Football fest at W.H.

ENJOY!! :>)

rikyrah: Another WITNESS:

+ Kerry: CIA Lied About Contra-Cocaine Connections

House Minority Leader John Boehner pushed on Thursday for a bipartisan panel of lawmakers to investigate the veracity of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's claim that the CIA lied to her about whether it was waterboarding detainees.

"Her allegation that the CIA lied to her and that they misled Congress ... is a very serious charge," said Boehner (R-Ohio). "The Speaker has had a full week to produce evidence to back up her allegations, and I'm frankly disappointed that she has not done so."

The Central Intelligence Agency would never lie to Congress about breaking the law, would it?

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) knows a little something about that. During the late 1980s, he led a two-and-a-half year investigation into the CIA, the Nicaraguan Contras and cocaine trafficking, and the senator was on the receiving end of CIA deception.

So, would the CIA ever lie?

"In the case of one person who was tried and convicted, they lied. He overtly lied and was prosecuted for it by the government of the United States," said Kerry just off the Senate floor. "He was the director of operations for the region."

The CIA's inspector general later opened a second investigation looking into the matter and also determined that the agency was aware of the Contra involvement in drug trafficking, did nothing to stop it and in fact interceded with the Drug Enforcement Administration to block investigations -- and then misled Congress about it.

Besides drug trafficking, the Contras were also funded by proceeds from illegal arms sales to Iran. The CIA lied to Congress about that too, numerous investigations found.
Story continues below

Ohhhhh! YES!! LET THIS INVESTIGATION - - -CONTINUE!!!

NOW! - - -DICK - - -ANY COMMENTS!???

This doesn't excuse Pelosi from lying.

Pelosi didn't lie.

Stop drinking the juice.

So Rob you would believe the CIA?

In this case yes.

why?

So I guess its a slam dunk huh?

Hee, hee.

rikyrah: LET THE RECORDS [DATA] SHOW!! :>)

+ Dems Making Massive Gains As GOP Deteriorates: Pew Poll

In seven short years, the American electorate has radically changed, as voters' priorities have shifted to the economy and away from such wedge issues as abortion and gay rights, as well as away from the threat of terrorism and from the war in Iraq, according to a comprehensive survey released Thursday morning by the Pew Research Center.

From 2002 to 2009, voters' partisan identification has moved from virtual parity -- 43 percent Republican and 43 percent Democratic at the height of George W. Bush's popularity in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 -- to a massive Democratic advantage today of 53 to 36, a 17 percentage point split, by far the largest difference in the past two decades.

In seven short years, the American electorate has radically changed, as voters' priorities have shifted to the economy and away from such wedge issues as abortion and gay rights, as well as away from the threat of terrorism and from the war in Iraq, according to a comprehensive survey released Thursday morning by the Pew Research Center.

The Pew survey is a testament to the miscalculations of the Bush administration and of the Republican leadership in Congress. The two were handed an extraordinary opportunity to build on an outpouring of public support in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Instead, those chances to revive a Republican majority were squandered on a mismanaged invasion of Iraq and dissipated by ill-advised culture war offensives, as well as by disclosure of corrupt lobbying and spending scandals in Congress under Republican rule.

"There is an enormous amount of material about the deterioration of the Republican Party in this survey," Andy Kohut, who runs the Pew Research Center, told the Huffington Post. The GOP is currently 88 percent non-Hispanic white; it has grown steadily older, from an average of 45.5 years in 2000 to 48.3 years in 2009; it is increasingly dependent on self-identified white evangelicals (35 percent of today's GOP, on Southerners (39 percent of today's GOP), and on voters who describe themselves as conservative (66 percent of today's Republican electorate). Those who espouse conservative views on the family, homosexuality and civil liberties -- a population which was in the majority in 1987 -- have fallen to the 50 percent level or below, the Pew survey found.

"The Republican Party is facing formidable demographic challenges," Kohut wrote in a report describing the new Pew findings. "Its constituents are aging and do not reflect the growing ethnic and racial diversity of the general public. As was the case at the beginning of this decade, Republicans are predominantly non-Hispanic whites (88%). Among Democrats, the proportion of non-Hispanic whites has declined from 64% in 2000 to 56%, as Latinos and people from other racial backgrounds have joined the ranks of the Democrats."

THERE IS MORE.

YET, THEY CONTINUE THEIR "DOWNHILL SLIDE" by SPEAKIN'!!!


ROLE CALL!:

DICK "Cain't Leave The Stage" Cheney, "Thrush Limpballs", "MACK DADDY" Michael - BLING! BLING! - MAN-O'-STEELE, "The Gov. - AKA "SNO HO" Palin, and the NEVER BRILLIANT - "Weakest Link" - Mr. Jindal's Neighborhood!!

ALLA these in ONE PARTY!! UN-BE-LIEV-A-BLE!! *** shakin' my head*** :>)

GET A CLUE - - -- -SHUT! UP!!!

SnoHO, MackDaddy and PIMPdaddyCheney...need to leave the stage...they are ALL a BAD Apollo theater act.

Where's the Hook?

WRB: HERE YA GO!

+ APOLLO HOOK! :>) :>)

Yeah!! that's what I'm talking about!!

GET A CLUE - - -- -SHUT! UP!!!

No, no we mustn't tell them that. After all, when a man is digging a hole for himself the best thing to do is to buy him extra shovels to finish the job (LOL).

MsKitty: POINT!! :>)

spirit: LOL!! :>) I'm DIGGIN' U!!! :>)

+ Barack Obama "Barack Theme" -SHAFT Parody by Brett Eidman :>)

CAN U DIG IT! :>) :>)

Yes, I can he was SHAFT today with that National Security speech!!

Shutyourmouth!

He called on the rest of the lame ass elected & appointed officials to do their FUCKING JOBS!!!

WRB: AB - SO - LUTE - LY!! :>)

F-I-E-R-C-E!! :>)

I can DIG it, GreenLady. LOL!

spirit: LOL!!! :>)

The Rude Pundit nails it again
A Few Notes Regarding Today's Speech(es):
Sure, the Rude Pundit's biased, but, c'mon, no matter what side you're on, you gotta admit: President Barack Obama knows how to nut up. Attacked on the left and right for what both perceived as weakness either on his promises of change in Bush policies or on security itself, Obama spoke today at the National Archives to say, more or less, "Stop acting like the other guy is still President, you poor, traumatized bastards."

On one level, Obama's speech was a rhetorical technique from his campaign: when people are talking shit about you, confront the shit directly. So there he was, slapping down the bases for torture, for Gitmo, for the prosecution of the retarded "war on terror," saying that he didn't run the car off the cliff, but he sure as fuck is gonna pick up the glass and mop up the blood: "In other words, the problem of what to do with Guantanamo detainees was not caused by my decision to close the facility; the problem exists because of the decision to open Guantanamo in the first place." And then he laid out a framework for understanding what has to happen on the road to closing Gitmo. He treated us like grown-ups, like he wasn't reading My Pet Goat to grade school students, but teaching De Tocqueville to college seniors.

But on another level, what Obama was doing was removing the unitary executive idea from the center of the government. Said the President, "[W]e are indeed at war with al Qaeda and its affiliates. We do need to update our institutions to deal with this threat. But we must do so with an abiding confidence in the rule of law and due process; in checks and balances and accountability." He voiced, again and again, that things are different now; essentially, what he's saying is "The Bush administration made the other branches into accessories, cock rings to enhance its fucking. But they are cocks that can stand and fuck on their own. Grow the fuck up, Congress." And so he repeatedly insisted that Congress and the courts exercise their oversight responsibilities. He, in essence, set them free from the shackles Bush and Cheney had clasped them in. Obama actually respects the nation and, as he pointed out, the will of the people in the last election. (Obama went out of his way a bit to give his perspective on Gitmo and torture bipartisan street cred.)

Most stunning, though, was his assertion of how the government should deal with the crimes of the past administration, and it ain't a Truth Commission: "I have opposed the creation of such a Commission because I believe that our existing democratic institutions are strong enough to deliver accountability. The Congress can review abuses of our values, and there are ongoing inquiries by the Congress into matters like enhanced interrogation techniques. The Department of Justice and our courts can work through and punish any violations of our laws."

Do you get that? President Obama is telling the Congress not to be punk ass bitches about investigating, that the legislative branch should keep the executive branch honest, that punishing crimes is what we're supposed to do. Obama used this speech on national security to say that the way to be safe is to defend what makes America American and for everyone to do their fucking jobs.

Finally, he kicked Bush and Cheney in their taints at the close of his speech: "We will not be safe if we see national security as a wedge that divides America - it can and must be a cause that unites us as one people, as one nation. We have done so before in times that were more perilous than ours." Now that's how to stand tall and say, "C'mon, fuck with me."

Cheney, Briefly: Dick Cheney, wheezing his way through his speech, opened by talking about how he was cowering in a bunker on 9/11 and his horribly scarred psyche changed how he thought about the world. The fact that Cheney admitted that he was a PTSD sufferer and that's how he responded to the world pretty much negates everything he said after. Fuck him. He's not worthy to be called Cthulu or Satan anymore.

I soooo agree. I had the same thought today. His views are shaped by the PTSD he suffers from based on them putting him in a bunker that day!!!

He is scarred and useless...chicken little..

Had he served in the military he might have been able to respond appropriately. but he was soooo scared he forsaked our countries principles and the Constituiton to mask his own fears.

Coward, chickenshit, bully

Well...fine. But does Obama think Congress is a group of academics who'll print off his speech and comb through it for hidden messages?

Does Obama think all he has to do is stand on the mountain top and say "Change, dammit!" and everybody changes?

no Truth - he is saying we have additional branches of government. He isn't the beginning and the end of it all so he is saying do your jobs.

I recall him saying that he was going to Washington to change it... I imagined he had a plan to do so..other than lectures/speeches.

Thank you. He is saying he is only ONE branch. And he knows what is right and is wiling to STAND ON & tell the world he stands on principles...but he is powerless withOUT the other branches,

Same thing he said during the campaign.
I can't do it alone.

YOU have to be active. YOU have to be bring Congress to their knees. I am only one person. BUT if you believe what I believe than YOU have to bring that pressure to bear on OUR government.

I am so sick of folks thinking he can do it alone. He can't. This is a democracy with THREE ..CO-EQUAL branches. Obama is ONE voice and if the people want their voices heard then WE have to write/fax/call our Senators and congresspreople

Preach! President Obama comes before the American people and said know your govenment. Learn how it works and who does what.

If you want to whine and scream, the president has lied, and is not keeping his promises and not hold the rest of Washington accountable, go ahead and whine or stand up and fight for the other folks you voted for to DO THEIR FUCKING JOBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No. I think what President Obama is saying uphold the Constitution, you the Congress have the power to investigate and indict and the courts to adjudicate.If you have the balls let the games began if not STFU.

You got that from his speech? Maybe you are correct, but understanding is somewhat subjective. Perhaps the intention of the speech is not to sway congress, but tickle the observers?

Lets see if his words and your interpretation have any effect......as opposed to just affect.

Yes! I too got that from his speech. He told us ALL as Americans. If you believe in the Constitution STAND UP. I am STANDING but I can NOT do it ALONE!!

I would want all the MF's that is the rethugs strung up and hanged,thats just my opinion.But it is not up to the President to make that call.If the congress read and understand their duties under the Constitution then we will have justice.Other than that we are just pissing in the wind and it will not be President Obamas fault, the fault will be on us for electing a bunch of idiots who do not know their duties.

Thank you.

WE THE PEOPLE are the government. We elected a leader. Now get behind him, and he can lead.

Well, dj...

Obama said he was going to change Washington...I hope he has a plan B..'cause the eloquent speeches aren't hitting the mark.

O...they are hitting the mark. He WILL change Washington. BUT he needs the American people to STAND. We have to stand WITH him.

He is telling us..his posture has not changed. He is doing all he can as a leader..BUT he is nothing withOUT the voice of the American people behind him.

So, if you believe in him then STAND TALL...cause he IS on our side. The same side we all voted for. But in our government it takes more than a President to lead the way.

He is willing to be our leader.

But a leader is only as strong as those who will follow him.

Leaders don't lead, people FOLLOW them.

KNOW that and you can win. This is not a tyranny.

WE ARE THE CHANGE


we have been waiting for.

He said that consistently throughout his campaign...maybe some folks didn't get that.

Maybe some folks did not understand that the power of the PRESIDENCY rests in the WILL of the people.

If you do know that GET busy. GET busy making this democracy work for you. You have a leader in the WH. GET behind him. If we do, we will get change, cause he will stand UP for it,.

But he can't do it ...withOUT US!!

A leader must provide a framework, instructions and impetus for that type of activism. It seems with each defeat, the Organizer/President comes out with a talk show appearance or eloquent speech, but no concrete instructions on what his supporters should DO. In fact, it would be more effective if the instructions/activism came BEFORE the critical vote etc..rather than after it..when it's too late.

Keep saying that! Folks have their own agendas and ideas on how they see and want things done. Well, guess what, you aint the fucking PRESIDENT.

As long as folks have their own agendas and don't get their way when they want it, they will continue to whine and distrust, and blame the president for any and everything.

You got a ticket, when you voted for him, now get on the train because it's moving. If you want off, get the FUCK off!

Spirit and WRB, you ladies are speaking truth to power.

President Obama's message was plain and clear, its just that some folks want to find something to criticize him about. Well, I guess they'll be left at the train station talking to themselves.

PREACH!!!

Train is moving BAAAAbeeee!!!

"Do you get that? President Obama is telling the Congress not to be punk ass bitches about investigating, that the legislative branch should keep the executive branch honest, that punishing crimes is what we're supposed to do. Obama used this speech on national security to say that the way to be safe is to defend what makes America American and for everyone to do their fucking jobs."

The way I read this is President Obama is making a bet Congress doesn't have the balls to investigate itself because one they damn near all knew that torture was going on and two, both President Obama and the Congress don't want to deal w/ this:
Graham, speaking after Rumsfeld’s Senate testimony, suggested that material in at least one tape held by Defense Department investigators could be by far the most-damaging yet to the U.S. military effort in Iraq and its prestige around the world.
"The American public needs to understand, we’re talking about rape and murder here. We’re not just talking about giving people a humiliating experience. We’re talking about rape and murder and some very serious charges,’’ Graham said to reporters. Graham said, however, he hadn’t seen the videos that are part of the investigation into the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers and military contractors.

Rumsfeld, too, said that even more damaging evidence is likely to come.

"There are a lot more photographs and videos that exist. If these are released to the public, obviously it’s going to make matters worse."
Read the rest hat tip Pam's House Blend
http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/11090/a-nation-...

I'd love to hear what Rude Pundit has to say about this

You lost in the sauce. In the minutae. ALL you gotta do is STAND with the President. STAND and be counted. LET Congess know where you STAND. Make them undersTAND where you STAND. Then we can get what we want. He is ONLY one branch. Stand WITH him and WE win. Stand on the sidelines and critique and bitch and moan..and we lose!!

This is not church. This is a blog. You can be guilty of writing off the cuff and w/ more than passion than thought. Sometimes the issue is that galvanizing that passion and thought flow like fire.
Morehouse's administration totally totally TOM TOM ed the instituiton and their alumane with their NIGGER behavior by allowing a student whom SHOT w/ a gun another student to remain at school. You can't pull that shit in high school. It is irrevelant that it was off campus. I would sue the shit of out of them for allowing a hostile enivironment if my son went there.
All you had to say was protect out instituition. Our institutions have to protect themselves by their actions. You have it all wrong.
Now I am supposed to go to church and let the minister and his deacons fuck the choir and rob the collection plate and say nothing because I have solace in my Church. Solace is w/ God not the pastor or the Church. You pray to God.
Every piece of criticism I have give w/ you has been supported by facts and documentation. I ask you to use your grey matter and you say look the other way at sin. STFU.

OK, Rob...this thread is not about Morehouse ...did you post this inadvertenly on the wrongthread?

If not, it is never irrelevant that AN event occurs in a PUBLIC domain. No institution is accountable for what PRIVATE citizens do off campus. What a PRIVATE citizen does in a PUBLIC venue is WAY revelant!! IT IS THE ENTIRE POINT!

I AGREE,
this is NOT HS and the so called perpetrator was found NOT GUILTY in a law of court. So his actions are not only MUTE in the public domain but completely irrelevan to the instituion he was matriculting at.

WHICH IS MY ENTIRE POINT!! JUST CAUSE THEY ARE STUDENTS AT MOREHOUSE DOES NOT MAKE MOREHOUSE ACCOUTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN!!!\

WAKE THE PHUCK UP AND STOP SIPPING THE GIN&JUICE

I did say repeatedly that institution should be respect when it comes to prestige AND I gave Harvard as an example of that. What about that did you miss in my posts.

I have it RIGHT. You couldn't sue the shyt of of nobody for something that did not occur on their watch.

NO, aLL Y0UR examples did NOT happen in the church. They happened OUTSIDE of church. So if we use them..is the church responsible for what their parishoners do OUTside of church?

NO THEY ARE NOT!!!!

I rest my case.

The church is full of sinners who prostitute, take drugs, steal, and abuse their kids...and the

CHURCH is

NEVER NEVER NEVER\\\


E.

V.

E..

. R...


held accountable for what their parishoners do!!

YOU need to use your grey matter and wrap it around that!!

and

STFU

And just so you know your use of the word NIg@@@r is COMPLETLY out of line. Talk about passion.

Rob I read and truly respect what you have to say, but you lost me with this.I dont think none of us here look the other way.I can say we do try to protect our President against the bullshit that is out here.That is not to say we wont call the kettle black if thats how we see it.This is what makes us stronger,we dont fall lockstep because this is our guy.What we do is educate each other so we can have fairer policies that in the long run will benefit us all.

I just find whiterosebuddy's arguements irrational.
I've expressed how I feel on the college.
I do not think the President is above criticism because he and I are AA's. Nor does being an AA give me greater insight as to how to criticize him. I do know that my criticism isn't the off the cuff thrown over the fence in the middle of the night cowardly shit. I back it up and always make the point that w/o money and a sense that the public has been treated fairly in regard to money spent on financial institutions and the interlinkage with the public home the President will fail in his attempt to do so many programs I want to see instituted; nationwide basic single payer healthcare, revamping of education policy.

aND YOU KNOW WHAT? phuxk ir...if that is how folks wanna rolll tThen U knowwhat? Yes, I support MY President..cause he not only is black but he aint] doin nothing the other 43 didn't...so you knowwhat if it comes down to a racee thang.

I am rolling BLACK..baby!!

That's right. I said it. Same as family. Don't phuck with mine.
I'll deal with policy, I'll talk politics. But in the end, if you ain't right and I know that then

I am rollig BLACK.

Don't make it right..but it does make me AMERICAN!!!

They roll with theirs and I damn sho will roll with MINE!~

feel me?

CO-SIGN!

"I am rollig BLACK.

That's right. I said it. Same as family. Don't phuck with mine.

I'll deal with policy, I'll talk politics. But in the end, if you ain't right and I know that then

I am rollig BLACK."

No I don't feel you. I am reading stupidity.

Naw. You ain't reading, period.

Go to church and tell them they are accountable for the sinners that go there. Go tell them the minister is responsible and going to be held accountable cause Mrs.Lovely phucks MrHard in the afternoon at his place before his wife comes home. Go tell the minister he is going to be held accountable cause 4 boys in the Youth Group were involved in a driveby shooting and then tell them the minister is going to be held accountable for Pervis sexually assaulting LulaMae on the playground. And most importantly call the local news and disparage and condemn the ZION CHURCH of WORSHIP
and see how folks look at you for your blasphemous mouth.

See how irrational the church will will think you are.

Your arguments are what should be read as STOOOPID.

Cause your so-called evidence and documentation is not only non-existence but the facts completely refute your 'passion' on this.

.

You're as bad as conserv1.

Ah. the curse of thinking like pundits and politicians, not citizens.

rikyrah: ***HUGS 2*** :>)

Big smooches to Rude Pundit

Pundit, you're the best!

RNC: Constitution was right to count blacks as 3/5ths a man and allow slavery
http://www.americablog.com/2009/05/rnc-constitu...

Five ALABAMA state troopers fired for beating a brother(he got 20 years).
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_...

Was this the videotape that floated around for over a YEAR?

Story says the event happened in Jan of this year.

Yes. and 11 seconds of the beating magically appears.

U.S. unemployment likely to peak above 10 percent: CBO … Yeah, right. More like 20-30% by the end of 2009.

Just like the stock market was going to tank.Look I don't think the market is an indicator of the overall economy but your chicken little predictions are a bit tired.I told you pace yourself, you have 92 months to go and I don't want you to have a stroke from your Obama derangement syndrome.

It did tank - CHART - and will tank lots more. The recent bump is a dead-cat-bounce...

The recent bump is on your head because you are truly delusional.

dj: LOL!! :>) :>)

Some people are more optimistic than I am about the Sen Dems and Gitmo closer. I'm betting that plan or not, Sen Dems particularly Harry Reid, will not approve the plan.

Harry Reid: We still need Gitmo details
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22816...

Dont' worry ya'll Harry's just harder on Obama because he cares.

This is MY President!!


“I ran for President promising transparency, and I meant what I said. That is why, whenever possible, we will make information available to the American people so that they can make informed judgments and hold us accountable. But I have never argued - and never will - that our most sensitive national security matters should be an open book. I will never abandon - and I will vigorously defend - the necessity of classification to defend our troops at war; to protect sources and methods; and to safeguard confidential actions that keep the American people safe. And so, whenever we cannot release certain information to the public for valid national security reasons, I will insist that there is oversight of my actions - by Congress or by the courts.”

This is to f@#$%^& easy. Tell Pelosi to STFU!

The only problem I have with Pelosi is she didnt exercise her power when bush/cheney was in power.

What power did she have?

Have we short memories.The then rethug speaker brought impeachment against Clinton for a blowjob.Now I understand why she didnt do it even though she had the power as speaker to bring charges against bush/cheney even if I dont accept that reason.

Jobless Claims in U.S. Decreased 12,000 to 631,000 - The total number of people collecting benefits rose to 6.66 million, a record reading for a 16th straight week, and a sign companies are still not hiring.

Liberals will be begging for the return to Capitalism before this is over! This is just the beginning, folks…

-Ummmmmm Let's Seee. WHEN did ALL of THIS ECONOMIC "HOT MESS" BEGIN???

Ima guess - - - AT LEAST -'bout 8 YEARS AGO!!

This is just the beginning, folks…of the unfettered insanity of Joe Btfsplk.

I liked Richard Wolfe during the campaign, but lately when I've seen him on Olbermann, I've been annoyed. I just can't put my finger on it.

Anyway:

Obama 'distracted' by Biden: VP 'can't keep his mouth shut'

Obama is "distracted by his vice president's indiscipline," according to a new book by former Newsweek journalist Richard Wolffe ...

... Fox News reports.

"He can't keep his mouth shut," a senior administration official is quoted as saying about Biden.

Wolffe also reports that soon after Valerie Jarrett pulled her name out of contention to fill Obama's Senate seat, the president had to reprimand Biden for a joke he made at Jarrett's expense.

Wolffe writes that "soon after Jarrett pulled out of consideration for the Senate seat, the senior transition team met to discuss Cabinet picks."

"Biden tried to compliment Jarrett after one contribution. 'You should be in the Senate,' he quipped. After the meeting, as everyone returned to their offices, Obama stopped Biden to warn him not to say anything like that again. 'It's not funny,' he told him"

Jarett response:

UPDATE: Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander emails over a quote from Jarrett dismissing the story: “Any suggestion that I was insulted by the Vice President’s gracious comments regarding my potential for public service is ridiculous. I was very flattered by his kind words at the time, and enjoy working closely with him in the White House,” said Valerie Jarrett.."

Biden thought that was a compliment since she has never been a Senator, and he was one for over 20 years, so he holds the stature highly. How EVER....he also thought saying that Obama was a 'clean articulate AA" was a compliment.

Biden doesn't get nuance.

WRB: Biden doesn't get nuance. :>)

Guess THIS contributes 2 HIS "RIDE or DIE" persona! :>)

Yes. He is like a brotha from the hood, that rose higher than his intellect.

I LIKE Biden for that reason and forebear his errors cause of that, so does Obama.

Biden's heart is in the right place, even if his words don't always say it in the right way...he consitently MEANS well.

Obama knows that too...else he wouldn't be VP

Vatican Newspaper: "Obama is Not a Pro-Abortion President"

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/05/21/vati...

First L'Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper, ran an article giving Obama's first 100 days a tentative thumbs-up. Then, as conservative Catholics in the U.S. were wringing their hands about the horror of Barack Obama's scheduled appearance at Notre Dame, the newspaper--and the Vatican in general--was conspicuously silent. Then, when the paper did report on Obama's speech, its calm, fairly positive take was in stark contrast to the furious reaction of many conservative Catholics here.

But this takes the cake. In an interview with an Italian newspaper the day after Obama's speech, Giavonni Maria Vian, editor-in-chief of L'Osservatore Romano, seemed to forcefully push back against the view that Obama is a threat to Catholic values and religious freedom. “Obama has not upset the world,” said Vian. “His speech at Notre Dame has been respectful toward every position. He tried to engage the debate stepping out from every ideological position and outside every ‘confrontational mentality.' To this extent his speech is to be appreciated.”

After reaffirming that the Vatican newspaper shares the American bishops' staunch opposition to abortion, Vian went further. "What I want to stress is that yesterday, on this precise and very delicate issue, the President said that the approval of the new law on abortion is not a priority of his administration. The fact that he said that is very reassuring to me. It also underlines my own clear belief: Obama is not a pro-abortion president."

Uh, oh. It sounds like the Vatican newspaper "doesn't understand what it means to be Catholic."

When will these numbnuts get it. No one advocates Pro-abortion, but PRO-CHOICE.

But Pat Buchanan will tell you what it means to be catholic with Newt Gingrich co-signing.

Fuck 'em both.

Thank you...

Newt's a fucking convert. He wouldn't have been able to get all those goddamned divorces and remarried like he did before as a cradle Catholic. Fucking loser.

Co-Sign Admiral!

Serious question - What was the stated purpose of former VP Cheney's 'speech''? Was it supposed to be the Republican response?

isonprize: ACTUALLY, I'm thinkin' that his PREVIOUS FALL injured MORE than his hip/legs! :>)

We were just NOT TOLD that "HE BUMPED HIS HEAD!!"

NOW - - -WE KNOW!! :>)

Strangely enough, got no problem with Cheney hogging the airwaves. I've said it before the more he runs his mouth, the closer he gets to slipping up and saying something that will incriminate him.

Keep talking Dick, keep talking yourself into that orange jumspuit.

It's just the MSM still kissing the Repukes' asses, which is why you see more of them on the Sunday news shows than Dems. The Press likes to put PBO on the defensive. They still haven't learned what he's about. He's just daring the Administration to come after him.

Did you see he post on the hair braider?

Uh..no, got a link? :)

Cassandracreations.com, She is West Oak Lane in Philly.

Is he asking for a butt kick from Obama...like, I am going to move forward not back...NOT!

Trusts & Estates
Adult Adoptions Generate Legal Disputes over Trust Rights
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Adult adoptions are sometimes used by trust fund beneficiaries who want to transfer the trust money to a same-sex partner after death, but in some cases the device is leading to legal disputes.

Adult adoptions are barred in almost half the states, the New York Times reports. Elsewhere, a current trust beneficiary sometimes adopts a same-sex partner if the trust designates the beneficiary’s children as next in line to receive the money. Such adoptions can produce legal battles over the intent of the trust creator.
The New York Times reports on an appeal by the one-time lesbian partner of a woman whose grandfather founded IBM. The granddaughter, Olive Watson, was 43 when she adopted her lesbian partner, Patricia Ann Spado, who was one year older. They had been together 14 years at the time of the adoption, but they broke up less than a year later.

Spado’s lawyer, David Keko of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in New York, wrote a letter to the family lawyer asserting his client's right to a portion of the family trusts after Watson’s mother died.
A probate judge in Greenwich, Conn., ruled the trusts were designed for grandchildren who had a “typical parent/child relationship” with Watson and her siblings, and Spado was not an intended beneficiary, the story says. Spado has appealed. In a separate action, a probate judge has annulled the adoption 17 years after it took place. Spado has also appealed that decision.

Keko told the Times that estate planners need to be aware that adoptions can complicate trusts. “If you leave things in trust, which is a great estate-planning device, you give your children the ability to some degree to manipulate that by adoption,” he said.
A trust creator can foil such plans by excluding beneficiaries who are adopted after a certain age, the story says.

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

Wider Confidence Lifts Economy From Winter's Deep, Dark Freeze

By Neil Irwin and David Cho
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, May 21, 2009

The financial system, frozen solid for the past nine months, is in a spring thaw. And it's happening even though many of the Obama administration's major rescue programs have yet to get off the ground.

The improvement reflects the combined impact of a wide range of actions, many of them taken with little public attention, according to government officials and private economists. But more important than any single program, the sources say, is a deepening confidence from financial markets that the government is prepared to take aggressive action -- a confidence that Obama officials have repeatedly worked to cultivate in speeches and public appearances.

Since early this month, major banks have raised or said they would raise $56 billion in private capital -- the type of surge that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said in March would signal the financial system is recovering. The premium that banks charge to lend to one another, another sign of the system's health, is at its lowest level since the financial crisis began in 2007, based on one key measure.

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

By their own admission the real economy is stuck in the mud and 1/50 of Government money for programs to help cconsmers has not been used. WTF 1/50? someone needs to get off their ass.

House Approves Measure to Allow Guns Into National Parks

By Perry Bacon Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 21, 2009

Gun rights advocates have found a sweet spot in Democratic-dominated Washington, and they are using it to aggressively push legislation.
Their latest victory came yesterday when the House passed a bill that will allow people to bring concealed and loaded guns into national parks. Advocates won with the help of moderate Democrats.

Those Democrats, many from states in the South and Midwest, joined nearly all House Republicans to back yesterday's provision, which has passed in the Senate and could become law this week. The gun bill passed 279 to 147 in the House with the help of 105 Democratic votes; 145 Democrats opposed the bill.

The legislation was the latest defeat for gun-control advocates, who had expected more success with a Democratic president and Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The bill to grant the District of Columbia a voting member in the House remains stalled after Senate Republicans attached a provision to the legislation that effectively would repeal many of Washington's gun restrictions.

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

If it's "good law", then PBO will sign it. If it ain't, he won't.