In case you missed it: Obamas vacationing on Martha's Vineyard

This is nothing new.

The Obama's vacationed there several times, more recently in 2007. It was 2007 that Caroline Kennedy's children had their mother take them to meet, then Senator Barack Obama who was running for the Democratic Nomination.

It’s official: The sandbox for the stars is once again becoming a presidential playground.

President Obama and his family are planning to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard next month, the White House confirmed yesterday without releasing details.

The visit, which will occur during the last week of August, has been rumored for months, and the Secret Service has already booked reservations at several hotels. It is unclear where the family of four will stay, but one option could be Oak Bluffs, the historical center of the island’s black community.

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President Obama's Weekly Address, July 18, 2009

Health Care Reform Cannot Wait


download .mp3 |download .mp4 (68.5 MB) | read the transcript | youtube

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President Obama's Statement on the passing of Walter Cronkite (Video)

"For decades, Walter Cronkite was the most trusted voice in America. His rich baritone reached millions of living rooms every night, and in an industry of icons, Walter set the standard by which all others have been judged. He was there through wars and riots, marches and milestones, calmly telling us what we needed to know. And through it all, he never lost the integrity he gained growing up in the heartland.

But Walter was always more than just an anchor. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most important issues of the day; a voice of certainty in an uncertain world. He was family. He invited us to believe in him, and he never let us down. This country has lost an icon and a dear friend, and he will be truly missed." — President Barack Obama

Big Name Pay Tribute to Walter Cronkite

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A real journalist died today, Walter Cronkite, Age 92 (Video)

Walter Cronkite, Gold Standard
CBS
New York Times
Memorable Video
Walter Cronkite
Wiki

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Obama, "Health care reform can't wait" (Video)

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President Obama's News Conference, Wednesday, July 22, 2009

[UPDATE] President Obama's full press conference, July 22, 2009, here.

From the WH Twitter Account:

You heard it here first: Primetime presidential news conference at the White House, Wed. 7/22 @ 9PM EDT

You know all the questions will be Sonia, Economy, Health Care, Congress....

Take your pick....

Set your TIVO....

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More Republican Support for Sonia Sotomayor

More Republicans are coming on board...

Three centrist Republicans announced they'd support Sotomayor even as the Senate's minority leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he'd vote no. The split was a vivid reflection of the divisions in the GOP as the party faces a tricky vote on Sotomayor, wary of alienating its conservative base but equally afraid to anger Hispanic and women voters.

GOP Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the Senate's most senior Republican, Mel Martinez of Florida, its lone Hispanic Republican, and Olympia Snowe of Maine all announced they'd vote for Sotomayor, praising her qualifications and her testimony at four days of Judiciary Committee hearings this week.

"I was pleased that Judge Sotomayor repeatedly recognized in her responses this week that 'the job of a judge is to apply the law' rather than independently make policy, and that it is the law, rather than one's own sympathies that 'compels conclusions in cases,' " Snowe said in a statement.

McConnell planned a speech Monday in which he'll say the 55-year-old appeals court judge's past statements demonstrate an "alarming lack of respect for the notion of equal justice," and question her ability to separate her sympathies and prejudices from her decisions.

McConnell joins other GOP conservatives who are lining up firmly against Sotomayor, including Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, who announced Friday that he'll vote no, citing her position on gun rights and comments he said indicate "a tendency toward judicial activism." But with solid backing from Democrats, who enjoy a lopsided majority, and a growing number of Republicans, there's virtually no doubt the judge will be confirmed as the 111th Supreme Court justice. read more here....

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Wow, now Sonia Sotomayor is a "Quota Queen" from none other than Bay Buchanan (Video)

Bay Buchanan is channeling her brother, Pat.



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Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) will vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Lugar statement on Judge Sotomayor


U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar released the following statement on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:


“I have listened to the testimony of Judge Sonia Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee, carefully reviewed her public service record, and reviewed recommendations from Indiana constituents and colleagues here in the Senate. Judge Sotomayor is clearly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and she has demonstrated a judicial temperament during her week-long nomination hearing. Judge Sotomayor has had a distinguished career of public service. She is well regarded in the legal community and by her peers. I will vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.”



# # #



Ben LaBolt

Office of the Press Secretary

The White House

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Secretary Clinton's Op-Ed in Times of India

Encourage Pakistan as it confronts extremism

At a time when headlines are often depressing, the United States' growing relationship with India is welcome good news. Recent elections in both countries have provided our new governments with an opportunity to broaden our partnership and take on the world's most pressing challenges. President Obama and I are personally committed to this task, and I am working to advance this goal during my visit to New Delhi and Mumbai this week.

Our two countries are defined by their demography, their democracy, and their diversity. Together, they are home to almost one out of every four human beings on the planet. Our people share common interests, common values, and a common stake in the 21st century. We and the rest of the world have a lot to gain from our enhanced cooperation.

India's 6% growth rate is a bright spot amid the global economic downturn, and bilateral trade and investment flows between our nations have doubled in the last five years. Some Americans fear that greater partnership with India will mean lost jobs or falling wages in the United States. But if we manage our relationship well, both sides can benefit from India's economic progress.

The 300 million members of India's burgeoning middle class present a vast new market and opportunity. Our countries should work together to open that market and spread the benefits of sustainable prosperity.

We have a shared asset in this task. Millions of Indian-Americans are active throughout every sector of our society. And there are 90,000 Indian students in the United States. In medicine, finance, engineering, and education, these unofficial envoys can serve as a conduit for future collaboration.

But for the United States, India's ascent is more than an economic phenomenon. Our nations should also work together to address common challenges including security, non-proliferation, and climate change.

Our countries have experienced searing terrorist attacks. We both seek a more secure world for our citizens. We should intensify our defense and law enforcement cooperation to that end. And we should encourage Pakistan as that nation confronts the challenge of violent extremism. read more here....

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Outrageous comment by former Democratic Georgia Governor Zell Miller

The man is a nut, period. And a democrat? Your guess is as good as mine's.

Just when President Obama's appearance before the NAACP signaled how far the country has come, Zell Miller popped up and popped off, signaling that we're not quite there yet.

The former Democratic governor of Georgia is most known for his speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention bashing his party on national security. At a meeting Thursday of the conservative and Republican-oriented American Legislative Exchange Council in Atlanta, Miller continued his critique of Democrats.

Obama, "our globe-trotting president," Miller said, "needs to stop and take a break and quit gallivanting all around. I think [chief of staff] Rahm Emanuel ought to get some Gorilla Glue put it in that chair in the Oval Office and say 'Sit here awhile.' "

Sigh.

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Rachel Maddow challenges Pat Buchanan on race (Video)

Pat Buchanan wears his racist views well. Unbelievable.

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MSNBC's resident racist Pat Buchanan continues his racist rhetoric against Judge Sonia Sotomayor (Video)

He is not helping the GOP, at all. Believe me, he is not. The Latino community is listening very closely and will voice their opinions at the ballot boxes in 2010.



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President Obama's Speech at the NAACP Convention, July 16, 2009 (Video and Transcript)

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Transcript

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Obama/Biden hitting the campaign trail (Video)

Obama for embattled Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Biden for Craig Deeds the Democratic Nominee for Governor in Virginia.

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Yes, Politicians who cheat

ABC has composed photos, but more importantly all video of these politicians and their teary eyed, apologies.

Yes, cheaters on both sides of the aisle. I agree with the right, both sides cheat, but unlike their Democratic couterparts, Republicans are quick to throw family values, bible verses and point that finger at you if you even attempt to slip.

Don't believe it? Two words: Bill Clinton.

Former President Bill Clinton slipped badly. In fact, he is probably the main reason why all these conservative, bible quoting, Republicans won't resign. Hell, he was in the highest office of the land, if he did not step down, why should we? But the thing is, they must stand up and answer to their constiuents and that is another story.

My eye is on Senator David Vitter (R-LA), who paid prostitutes, was on the DC madam's rolodex and admitted to paying for his piece on the side. If he wins in 2010, then there is hope for the others, but if he goes down, the others should worry.

Senator John Ensign (R-NV) sex scandal is so outrageous that an investigation into his activities is warranted, not demanded by his peers, but out of the hands of congress and into the hands of the IRS. His parents paid his piece on the side up to $100,000.000, for her silence. There is no other way around it. And Ensign has the gaul to run in 2012.

Then of course, Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC) and his traveling to Argentina for his piece on the side. Though, I give him credit for stating out loud that he found his soul mate, not his wife and is in love with his soul mate, not his wife. At least, he is keeping it honest though this is one of the most bizarre sex scandals out there.

The Democrats are not saints, but then the Democrats never ran on Family Values, never ran on quoting Bible scriptures as guiding their judgment, did not run on point any fingers. This makes the Republican scandals just out right hypocritical.

View, Politicians who cheat, here.

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In case you missed it: President Obama Announces the American Graduation Initiative (Video and Transcript)

Transcript
Obama wants 12B for 2 year colleges

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Rachel Maddow calls Pat Buchanan out for his racial rhetoric (Video)

NOTE: Buchanan will be on Rachel's show tonight. 9PM EST, MSNBC



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MSNBC's resident racist, Pat Buchanan. Just listening to him is a shame. (Video)

And he is one of the reasons, why the Republicans are OUT. If anyone listened to Judge Sonia Sotomayor, one word you will not come up with is militant, but not by the resident racist. The man is just shameful. This is from Hardball.



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Day Four: Live Stream Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Senate Confirmation Hearing (Video)

Live streaming has concluded for the day.

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Rachel Maddow on the "C-Street Cult", linked to Sanford, Ensign and their hypocrisy (Video)

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Senator Al Franken questions Judge Sonia Sotomayor (Video)

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Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton's Speech at Council on Foreign Relations (Video & Transcript)

Transcript

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President Obama's remarks on health care with the American Nurses Association (Video & Transcript)

This afternoon the President was joined by members of the American Nurses Association in the Rose Garden, where he spoke strongly on the urgent need for health care reform. He explained that the status quo is not an option, and that deferring reform is akin to defending that status quo.



download .mp4 (104.3) | read the transcript

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President Obama's interview on health care with Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC (Video)

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Organizing for America Health Care Ad: "It's Time"

The ad will air in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. The ad will also air on national cable channels.



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ABC's Jake Tapper, REVEALED

One thing I told my husband and brother about emails, especially Twitter, what you write about and feel is real, put out there and if controversial, you will be put on blast. As Jake Tapper.

Jake Tapper is a journalist, so he says, and works for one of the "big three" as in regular television channels in the United States of America. Being a journalist means whatever bias you have, needs to be checked and left at the door. Apparently, Jake Tapper forgot that from basic journalist class 101, because he has gotten caught in his own trick bag. This exchange is all about the absent, out of town and out of mind, Governor Sanford of South Carolina. This exchange is about how he is playing softball, instead of asking the hard questions, like "WHERE THE FUCK IS THE GOVERNOR AT?"

The e-mails show a range of strategies: ABC's Jake Tapper seemed to imply his network would not report a critical story, slamming NBC reporting as "slimy" (he's since apologized), a Fox News correspondent offered positive coverage to "dispell" the "ridiculous" story, and a Washington Times staffer (who was involved in Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign) offered "friendly ground."

One reporter who did not slam his competitors for negative coverage or promise positive coverage is Chris Cillizza of WaPo, who simply asked whether the office had anything to say about Sanford's disappearance and whether or not Sanford was okay.

Thanks to the continued good work of the reporters at The State, you can read the e-mails yourself.

Jake Tapper of ABC:

SUBJECT: NBC spot was slimy
For the record I think TODAY Show spot was pretty insulting...

SUBJECT: And fyi
David Gregory of NBC just tweeted: Fm First Read re Gov Sanford: U should be concerned if "your wife say(s) that she doesn't know where you are but that she isn't concerned"

Joseph Deoudes of The Washington Times (Deoudes was also apparently a Huckabee alternate delegate):

You know that you will be on friendly ground here!

Griff Jenkins of Fox:

If the Gov does an interview and its exclusive, it will make air on the tv channel and our radio news service all across the country. And I'm not sure if you've seen the stuff I do on the channel as a reporter, but I work mostly for our primetime coverage - Oreilly, Hannity, Greta, Beck -- so there likely would be primetime coverage as well for some soundbites of the gov dispelling this flap...

Having known the Governor for years and even having worked with him when he would host radio shows for me - I find this story and the media frenzy surrounding it to be absolutely ridiculous!

Please give him my best.

Read all the email from JOURNALISTS exchange here. h/t to Daily Kos, here.

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Wow, Governor Sanford is taking his WIFE on a personal trip!!!

While still pining for his Maria, no doubt....Sorry, but the man is the biggest hypocrite running around here, but I give him credit, he is an honest one....

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has cleared his schedule this week to take a personal trip with his wife, three weeks after announcing his extramarital affair with an Argentine woman, his office announced Wednesday.

Sanford is taking off the rest of the week for a trip out of state with first lady Jenny Sanford, spokesman Joel Sawyer said.

"This trip is personal in nature, and we're not going to offer any further comment," said Sawyer, who said the couple will be gone through this coming weekend. "The governor remains committed to repairing the damage he's done to his marriage, and so it shouldn't be any surprise that spending personal time with his wife is a part of that process."

The couple's four sons will not be with them on the trip, Sawyer said. read more here.....

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President Obama talks baseball with Bob Costas (Video)

POTUS w/Willie Mays



POTUS in the clubhouses



POTUS throws out the first pitch @ All Star Game



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Senate Committee Passes Health Bill (Video and Update)

First panel acting on President Obama's overhaul of the health care system.

The Senate health committee has passed legislation to revamp health care, becoming the first congressional committee to act on President Barack Obama's goal of overhauling the system this year.

The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 13-10 along party lines to pass a $600-billion measure that would expand coverage to nearly all Americans by requiring individuals get insurance and employers to contribute to the cost.

The bill would provide federal aid to families and individuals making less than four times the poverty level, or about $88,000 for a family of four.

On the other side of the aisle House Democratic leaders are offering a $1.5 trillion plan that for the first time would make health care a right and a responsibility for all Americans. Left to pick up most of the tab were medical providers, employers and the wealthy.

"We cannot allow this issue to be delayed. We cannot put it off again," Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee, said Tuesday. "We, quite frankly, cannot go home for a recess unless the House and the Senate both pass bills to reform and restructure our health care system."

In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wanted floor debate to begin a week from Monday. With the Senate Finance Committee still struggling to reach consensus, that timetable could slip. Even so, it underscored a renewed sense of urgency.

Obama himself was driving the action, going off-script to push the issue during a speech in Michigan and scheduling a Rose Garden news conference for Wednesday to make more comments on the topic.

"There's going to be a major debate over the next three weeks," Obama said in Warren, Mich., deviating from his prepared text on new spending for community colleges. "And don't be fooled by folks trying to scare you saying we can't change the health care system. We have no choice but to change the health care system because right now it's broken for too many Americans."

Obama's political organization is launching a series of 30-second television ads on health care, which will begin airing Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and on cable TV nationally. A version will run on local stations in eight states — Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, North Dakota, Nebraska and Ohio — to prod senators to back the health care effort. They will run for two weeks. read more here....

President Obama had to put his skin in the game.

Again, I know I am harping, but a health care bill with a strong public option, must pass the senate. Health care is directly related to many Americans and the economy, period. One good thing is that is does not deny anyone with pre-existing conditions and this bill should worry the heck out of the insurance and health care industries who are lobbying congress at a 1.4M clip a day.

UPDATE: Senator Kennedy's Statement

"This room is a special place. In this room, my two brothers declared their candidacy for the presidency. Today, the nation takes another major step toward reaching the goals to which they dedicated their careers, and for which they gave their lives. They strived, as I have tried to do, for a fairer and more just America - a nation where every American could share fully in the promise of quality health care.

As you vote today, know that I am with you in heart and mind and soul, and I wish very much that I could be with you in person.

I could not be prouder of our committee. We have done the hard work that the American people sent us here to do. We have considered hundreds of proposals. Where we have been able to reach principled compromise, we have done so. Where we have not been able to resolve our differences, we have treated those with whom we disagree with respect and patience. I thank all the members of our committee - Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike - for their dedication and devotion to the great cause of quality, affordable health care for all our people.

Extraordinary thanks go to Chris Dodd. No man has ever had a truer or more generous friend than he has been to me, and no cause has ever had a more able leader than he has been in the great effort to enact health reform.

It is a cause that knows no boundary of party, region, or philosophy. It is a cause that can and should unite us all as Americans. We know, however, that our work is not over - far from it. As we move from our committee room to the Senate floor, we must continue the search for solutions that unite us, so that the great promise of quality affordable health care for all can be fulfilled.

As I said, this room is a special place - and I believe our committee's actions have added a glorious chapter to the honor roll of history that has been made here.

Americans are an extraordinary people. We have created a nation of liberty and justice. We have defeated forces of oppression, and we have spread prosperity and progress across the globe. When the American people are on the march, there is no barrier that can resist them, no obstacle that can block their path.

The American people are on the march once more, and they will not stop until quality, affordable health care is the birthright of every American. And we are with them every step of the way."

Remarks from Senator Jeff Merkley, D-OR

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Concerned Troll, Joe Scarborough mocks Obama throwing the pitch at the All Star Game, "like a girl" (Video)

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Matthew Yglesias, "Thought of the Day" nailed it on Sotomayor and Sessions...

I would pay good money to hear Sonia Sotomayor say, “Senator Sessions, I think it’s ironic to be facing these questions from a man whose judicial nomination was rejected by this very committee on the grounds that he’s a huge racist.”

I would pay top dollar for that to happen, TOO.

Senator Jeff Sessions, a.k.a., KKK lover, known racist, has nerve to question Judge Sonia Sotomayor? Just watching these exchanges with Sotomayor and these GOP senators, reaffirm my feelings that these "old white men", are very out of touch. Just look at them???

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Day Three: Live Stream of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Senate Confirmation Hearing (Video)

The Live Streaming is done for today.

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In case you missed it: President Obama on Urban Policy (Video)

Yes, the teleprompter fell down, too...

The White House Office of Urban Affairs and the Domestic Policy Council host a roundtable about the future of America's urban and metropolitan areas. In his remarks, the President addresses some of the challenges facing these communities, and highlights innovative solutions. July 13, 2009.



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President Obama throws out the first pitch at the All Star Game, along with a message (Video)

President Obama arrives at St. Louis, Missouri with Hall of Famer, Willie Mays



Obama goes low with All-Star first pitch

President Barack Obama was true to his word: He didn’t bounce it.

Obama’s ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star game barely reached the plate Tuesday night. St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols helped the president, moving up on the plate and reaching out to scoop the low toss.

Obama had warmed up on the White House grounds Monday night, and was determined his pitch would get there on a fly.

“We did a little practicing in the Rose Garden,” he said during a half-inning with the FOX broadcasters. “This is as much fun as I’ve had in quite some time.”

Wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket, jeans and sneakers, and cheered by the sellout crowd at Busch Stadium, Obama walked out of the National League’s dugout on the first-base side, shook hands with Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial and trotted to the mound.

From right on the rubber, 60 feet and 6 inches away, Obama wound up and bit his lip as he let go. The left-hander grimaced slightly, and gave a fist pump when Pujols — a Gold Glove first baseman — made the neat grab with a specially made black mitt with “Obama .44” and an American flag on it.

Obama became the latest Chicago hoopster to try his hand at baseball. Like Michael Jordan, the president looked more natural in his other job.

“I did not play organized baseball when I was a kid and so, you know, I think some of these natural moves aren’t so natural to me,” Obama said.

The All-Star game capped off a big sports outing for the president. He began the day by greeting Wimbledon champion Serena Williams at the White House, then picked up Hall of Famer Willie Mays in Michigan for the flight to St. Louis.

Asked what advice he gave Obama, the Say Hey Kid said: “Follow through.”

“He’ll be fine. I guarantee it,” Mays said aboard Air Force One. read more here.....

President Obama with the legendary Stan Musial

More photos by Al Rodgers


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Ed Schultz on Liz Cheney attempting to defend her daddy on morning joe (Video)

Here is is Liz Cheney on morning joe

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For Obama creating jobs a huge task (Video)

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Obama and his pitching style for tonight All-Star Game (Video)

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Correction: First Lady Michelle Obama's father was NOT buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Illinois, a scene which has become a national scandal

[UPDATE CORRECTION]

The White House has corrected an earlier report and now says Michelle Obama's father is not buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, the Alsip facility involved in a grave desecration scandal.

Earlier today, Camille Johnston, the first lady's communications director, said that Fraser Robinson III was buried at the cemetery.

But the White House now says that was wrong. It said Robinson is buried at Lincoln Cemetery, which is near Burr Oak. read more here...

MSNBC just reported from Andrea Mitchell, that First Lady Michelle Obama's father, Frazier Robinson III was buried at the Burr Oak Cemetery. This cemetery has become a national scandal due to over 300 bodies being disturbed, tossed and the cemetery plot, RESOLD. Nothing is known, yet, if his remains were disturbed.

Authorities believe at least 300 bodies at Burr Oak were illegally dug up and discarded in a pile so their gravesites could be resold. Thousands of other dead buried at the cemetery, including babies, have not been accounted for by their survivors.

"Given the unconscionable discovery at Burr Oak, I don't want to take a chance that similar circumstances could be occurring under Perpetua's management at its other Illinois cemetery," Hynes said. "The fraud and betrayal of consumers by Burr Oak's employees warrant the revocation of all of Perpetua's licenses."

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This is why Judge Sonia Sotomayor will be a solid Supreme Court Justice (Video)

Poor Senator Sessions, he was up for an appointment as a federal judge in the 80s, but did not get it based on his racist viewpoints.....

A Failed Nomination

It was 23 years ago that a Judiciary Committee controlled by Republicans rejected then-U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions' nomination by Ronald Reagan for an appointment as a federal judge. During confirmation hearings, Sessions sought to rebut accusations from former colleagues that as a federal prosecutor, he was racially insensitive.

At the time, Sessions said he was not a racist and was a civil rights supporter.

But in the end, even Alabama Democrat Howell Heflin, who originally sponsored Sessions' nomination, voted against him. The committee vote was 10-8 against Sessions. Two Republicans and every Democrat opposed his nomination, including ranking Democrat Joe Biden.

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In case you missed it: President Obama's Speech in Ghana, Africa (Video/Transcript)

MSNBC Video

Transcript

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Norah O'Donnell shows and reads GOP talking points against Judge Sonia Sotomayor (Video)

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A truly, "WTF" read....

Ah, the birthers. They continue the good fight. Don't know who they are? They are the folk that have been continuing to state that Barack Obama is not a naturalized U.S. citizen, even though, the hospital in Honolulu, HI put his birth certificate ON LINE during the campaign. These individuals continue to not believe that President Obama is a U.S. citizen, or maybe it is just a race issue for the majority of them and they hide behind this weak argument. Anyway, they continue to live on the internet and they continue to be the right-winged extremists that continue to hover in the Republican Party.

U.S. Army Maj. Stefan Frederick Cook is seeking a federal court order to stall and eventually prevent an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

In the 20-page document — filed July 8 with the United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia — Cook's California-based attorney, Orly Taitz, asks the court to consider granting his client's request based upon Cook's belief that President Barrack Obama is not a natural-born citizen of the United States and is therefore ineligible to serve as commander-in-chief of U.S Armed Forces.

Cook further states he "would be acting in violation of international law by engaging in military actions outside the United States under this President’s command, and that Plaintiff would thus be simultaneously unable to perform his duties in good Rule 65(b) Application for Temporary Restraining Order 22 conscience and yet be simultaneously subjecting himself to possible prosecution as a war criminal by the faithful execution of these duties." read more here....

Is this more about not going to Afghanistan and using a red herring to avert the truth?

h/t Daily Kos

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Alberto Gonzales is NO COMMENT on Dick Cheney's secret CIA counterterrorism program (Video)

Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales deflected questions Tuesday regarding whether he knew anything about former Vice President Dick Cheney's alleged orders to the CIA to keep its counterterrorism program secret from Congress.

"It's very difficult to talk about classified activities in an unclassified setting," Gonzales told CBS' "The Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith.

"We tried to work as hard as we could with Congress in making sure they understood what was going on," in the executive branch Gonzales said.

On Monday, some members of Congress called for an investigation into the mysterious program, which government officials told AP allegedly sought to kill or capture suspected al Qaeda militants at close range, as opposed to using airstrikes.

Last Month, CIA Director Leon Panetta ended the program upon learning of its existence and its lack of results, and the fact that Congress had been unaware of it since its inception soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, according to one official with direct knowledge of the plan told AP.

Gonzales' hesitancy to talk may stem from a 2008 Justice Department report that charged he mishandled highly classified and sensitive documents relating to the Bush administration's counterterrorism plans. read more here....

There you have it, the dumbest Attorney General to ever grace the office!!

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morning joe continues to enable Liz Cheney and her talking points (Video)

The tough questions did not come from morning joke or joe, definitely not from Mika Brzezinski who tip-toed around Liz Cheney without the continuing interruption from loud mouth Joe Scarborough.

The fact is that over time, Liz Cheney has done a damn good job promoting her daddy, helping him secure a huge book deal, kept to her talking points and it was hard for any journalist to pin her down. But the obvious is this, her daddy, former Vice President Dick Cheney deliberately kept a secret counterterrorist program from congress, period. He told the CIA to not say anything and to keep it quiet. Now that is what happened, period. And that was illegal, period.

morning joe performed DISSERVICE to the show and the public by the soft ball questions to Liz Cheney. If Liz Cheney is out there speaking on BEHALF of her daddy, then ask her the questions directly, since she continues to sit up on television like she is an authority on it all. Don't keep letting her slip-slide away with her talking points and not challenge her. To sit and watch journalists, with exception of Eugene Robinson, ask her or point out to her that what her daddy did was illegal, wrong but no one challenge her was a joke.

Mika Brzezinski showed us today what a good journalist, she is not. Again, Rachel Maddow is the most intelligent woman journalist on television, who asks all the questions with no sugar coat. Will Liz Cheney go on that show? I doubt it, because she would not be able to get away with her talking points BULLSHIT.

Leon Panetta the current Director of the CIA, who is a conservative Democrat and straight shooter shut this program down, abruptly, informed congress about this program and said the program was kept secret specifically by former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Mr. Panetta scuttled the program, which would have relied on paramilitary teams, shortly after the C.I.A.’s counterterrorism center recently informed him of its existence. The next day, June 24, he told the two Congressional Intelligence Committees that the plan had been hidden from lawmakers, initially at the instruction of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

There is nothing there for the right to go after Panetta for or about. It is hard to go after someone for simply, telling the truth. Yes, we all hear crickets at this point.

To Mika, I too, like nice intelligent conversation but not what was on television this morning. Eventually, when all the dust is settled, Dick Cheney will have been found to have broken the law. Cheney, who was president to many without the title, took and abused powers far beyond any other president in that position. There is a reason that the law indicates that the CIA is supposed to informed congress of any programs in the open and otherwise, but to run a program for eight years and no one knew a peep about it is just the beginning of the can being opened.

Mika, your responsibility as a journalist is not to make nice with guests, but to be forthcoming with the real questions, nice and otherwise. That did not happen this morning. You had no command over your guest, you could not shut her down, you allowed your guest, Eugene Robinson to be badgered and you call it good, honest intelligent debate? This was another opportunity lost to you, but won for Cheney where she was given a platform with no opposition to, "...make outrageously partisan and inaccurate claims, often without being challenged by her hosts." Yep, that is just the climate that Liz Cheney was given, to clean up her daddy's illegal position on a show that did not have the guts to ask the hard questions without upsetting Lady Liz. Yep, the way Liz Cheney is enabled on morning joe, you would think she was royalty or walked on water.

Lastly, as long as media like morning joe and others, continue to let Lady Liz's talking point of the "Democrats can not be trusted with National Security" go unchecked, how will the truth ever be totally dissected and told to the public? Surely not by allowing enablers of the likes of morning joe to continue. That is a fact.

Just keepin' it real.

Cross-posted @ Daily Kos

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Day Two: Live Stream of Senate Confirmation Hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor (Video)

Live Streaming for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Day Three, Here.

...and Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Opening Statement, if you missed it.....



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Radio Ad going after King Rush and the Republicans for their racism against Judge Sonia Sotomayor (Audio)

Again, I said that if these Republicans think that the Latino community has their heads in the sand, think again. The Republican Party's poll numbers have fallen and just eroded with their racist remarks against Sonia Sotomayor within the Latino community. Did they think these folks were asleep? Not hearing what is and was being said? Telemundo and Univision have been ON IT with all these comments and believe me, the Latino community is fully engaged and KNOWS what is going on, being said.

As we saw today with the Republican Senators during the confirmation, they praised Judge Sotomayor and then turned their guns to President Obama. I don't know if that will work, but the Republicans just need to get real here, they don't have the votes and Judge Sotomayor is going to be the next sitting Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. GUARANTEED. These ads are airing in Florida, home to King Rush!!!



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David Shuster takes on Free Republic and the racist comments against Malia Obama (Video)

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Rachel Maddow was spot on about Sarah Palin (Video)

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Out with the old, In with the new

That is what the battle for the senate Democratic nomination will end up being about in Pennsylvania.

Again, I don't know if Obama/Biden made a wise pick in standing with and supporting Arlen Specter. For those who don't know who he is, he is the Republican that switched to the Democratic Party once the polling indicated that he would lose in his Republican Primary.

Enter Joe Sestak, a retired Navy Vice Admiral, a current congressman, and the one who is going to give Arlen Specter a run for his money.

President Obama and Vice President Biden will have to literally pull Specter across the finish line when this is said and done, I think. The words and battle lines are being drawn and Democrats are not that crazy about Specter jumping from one party to another because he was afraid of defeat.

There is something to "earning your way" that will be very relevant when the primaries come around for Specter. And Specter just has not earned his way here.

Verbal attacks are flying between Senator Arlen Specter and Representative Joe Sestak in the battle for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s senate seat, suggesting that the contest will become one of the more vicious for next year’s midterm elections.

Mr. Specter, a moderate Republican who became a Democrat in April because he was losing badly in polls to conservative challenger Pat Toomey, issued his first response on Thursday to a steady drumbeat of recent attacks from Mr. Sestak.

Mr Specter called his opponent a “flagrant hypocrite” because, like Mr. Specter, he wasn’t always a member of the Democratic Party.

“Congressman Sestak is a flagrant hypocrite in challenging my being a real Democrat when he did not register as a Democrat until 2006 just in time to run for Congress,” Mr. Specter said in a statement. “His lame excuse for avoiding party affiliation, because he was in the service, is undercut by his documented disinterest in the political process,” he said, citing records that show Mr. Sestak voted in just 12 out of 35 elections from 1971-2005.

On Monday, Mr. Sestak fired back in an e-mail message to supporters.

“Arlen has decided to start running his ‘GOP negative style campaign’ against us!” Mr. Sestak said. He was a registered Independent during his 35-year naval career, he said, “because, like Generals Colin Powell and Wesley Clark - who were also registered as Independents, I believe it is important that military officers should be nonpartisan.” read more here....

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Calls mounting for investigation of secret CIA program (Video)

Led by former Vice President Dick Cheney, the cat is now out of the bag about how Cheney told the CIA not to let congress know about this particular secret CIA program.

I think no one should be in shock or in awe. We are talking about Dick Cheney one of the biggest liars walking around here, coupled with the CIA, a recipe for disaster.

Congressional demands for an investigation grew on Monday over new disclosures that a secret CIA program to capture or kill al-Qaida leaders was concealed from Congress for eight years, perhaps at the behest of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

The program, which never got off the ground and remains shrouded in mystery, was designed to target leaders of the terrorism network at close range, rather than with air strikes that risked civilian casualties, government officials with knowledge of the operation said Monday.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly. The program was canceled last month by CIA Director Leon Panetta shortly after he himself first learned of it. ,read more here....

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Frank Rich tells it like it is about Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin is about Sarah Palin. For anyone to think that she quit her post as Governor of Alaska, for Alaska is living in a bubble. Once she is officially done in a week or so, she will proudly march into the lower 48, grab her cash and never think about Alaska, AGAIN. That is what is going to happen, but Frank Rich puts it out there about Sarah Palin and her "Americanism".

The essence of Palinism is emotional, not ideological. Yes, she is of the religious right, even if she winks literally and figuratively at her own daughter’s flagrant disregard of abstinence and marriage. But family-values politics, now more devalued than the dollar by the philandering of ostentatiously Christian Republican politicians, can only take her so far. The real wave she’s riding is a loud, resonant surge of resentment and victimization that’s larger than issues like abortion and gay civil rights.

That resentment is in part about race, of course. When Palin referred to Alaska as “a microcosm of America” during the 2008 campaign, it was in defiance of the statistical reality that her state’s tiny black and Hispanic populations are unrepresentative of her nation. She stood for the “real America,” she insisted, and the identity of the unreal America didn’t have to be stated explicitly for audiences to catch her drift. Her convention speech’s signature line was a deftly coded putdown of her presumably shiftless big-city opponent: “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.” (Funny how this wisdom has been forgotten by her supporters now that she has abandoned her own actual responsibilities in public office.)

I point out these two paragraphs because as I watched Palin in 2008's Election, I never understood how she could honestly say that Alaska was a microcosm of America, when in fact it is not. It has the fewest African-Americans and Latino voters, which is what the Republicans needed in the lower 48 to win, which they failed to get. I also did not get her thing about "real America", because the folks she needed to speak to like the "real Americans in cities and suburbs" in this country rejected her speak and voted for Obama/Biden. So, in other words, she just did not get much, at all.

Well, yes she did, she got the 25% of the hard right winged base of the Republican Patty, but again that won't win you the White House in the end. So, since she is not the Governor of Alaska, SOON, don't expect anymore apologies from the likes of David Letterman who has hammered her ever since she submitted her verbal resignation. And I mean he has not been NICE to Governor Palin, which goes back to politics and picking the battles you can win. In the end, let's just call it the way it is, she is a fraud and is the only excitement to a very dated party that needs rejuvenation. And if she is all they have to offer, they are in a very bad way for a very long time.

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As Obama announces Dr. Regina Benjamin for Surgeon General, he took a shot across the bow on health care, "Don't Bet Against Us" (Video)

In the conveniently timed intermission during the Sotomayor hearings, President Obama announced Regina Benjamin to be his pick for surgeon general.

But the president also used the announcement as a kind pep talk on health-care reform, as congressional watchers and the press have begun to doubt whether Congress can meet his goal to pass reform bills before it goes on its August recess.

"We are going to get this done," Obama said. "Inaction is not a option."
He added, "Don't bet against us. We are going to make this happen."

He needed to state that and remind the public that health care reform will happen. Since he was gone for a week, the House Blue Dog Democrats were threatening to halt any bill and of course, the Republicans in the Senate was stating, "it won't happen."

Obama must put his skin in this game and win it, outright. The public demands it, they want it and are watching very closely at the whole process. With the economy in uncertain waters, this health care bill must be passed. Not only for political clout, but survival for moving into 2010 and 2012.



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Live Stream of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Senate Confirmation Hearing (Video)

Day Three of Live Streaming Senate Hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, here.


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Pat Buchanan states that the First Dude, Todd Palin should take"Levi down to the creek and hold his head underwater until the thrashing stops" (Video)

This exchange happened on the morning joke or joe show on MSNBC. From none other that Pat Buchanan, MSNBCs resident racist.

First, Levi Johnston was on the NBCs Today Show giving his take on why Sarah Palin has all of a sudden quit her job as Governor of Alaska. He said it is about money for the Palins. And to be honest, IT IS. Again, she hit the lower 48 and loved the opportunity for making big money. Look, that is what she is doing and what she is about. Now is Johnston all candy and sweet, of course not, he is about money too. He knows the dirt and is willing to put it out there for a nice dollar amount. Lastly, Johnston states that Sarah Palin said it would be nice to "take the money and run." Nice coming from a reformer and a person who cares about the citizens of Alaska. What a joke.

Now, Pat Buchanan's ridiculous remarks:



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Dr. Regina Benjamin for Surgeon General

President Obama will make the announcement at 11:40 AM EST.

President Barack Obama has selected Dr. Regina Benjamin, an Alabama family physician, as the U.S. surgeon general, an administration official said on Monday.

Obama was to announce Benjamin as the top authority on U.S. medical matters at a Rose Garden ceremony at 11:40 a.m. EDT/1540 GMT, the official said on condition of anonymity.

A biography of her by the MacArthur Foundation said Benjamin is a "rural family physician forging an inspiring model of compassionate and effective medical care in one of the most underserved regions of the United States."

It said that in 1990, she founded the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic to serve the Gulf Coast fishing community of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, a village of approximately 2,500 people devastated twice in the past decade by Hurricanes Georges, in 1998, and Katrina, in 2005.

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See what bad publicity and lawsuits will do for WHITE ONLY Swim Club to welcome back the racially mixed kids!!!!

Well, what a difference a bad publicity WEEK MAKES!!

White only, yes, I am calling it THAT after what the white members called the children WHO PAID to be there and how the facility botched it up in handling this. Yes, the white only swim club now want the kids to "COME ON DOWN!!!"

A suburban Philadelphia swim club has invited children from a largely minority day-care center to come back after a June reversal that fueled allegations of racism against the club, a spokeswoman said Sunday.

The development came during a hastily called Sunday afternoon meeting of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Club members voted overwhelmingly to try to work things out with the day-care center, which accused some swim club members of making racist comments to black and Hispanic children contracted to use the pool, said Bernice Duesler, the club director's wife.

Duesler said the club canceled its contract with the Creative Steps day-care because of safety, crowding and noise concerns, not racism.

"As long as we can work out safety issues, we'd like to have them back," she told CNN.

She said the club has been subpoenaed by the state Human Rights Commission, which has begun a fact-finding investigation, "and the legal advice was to try to get together with these camps, " Duesler added.

Alethea Wright, Creative Steps' director, said, "They should have done that before."

Wright has repeatedly lambasted the club for its tepid response to the charges and said the children in her care were "emotionally damaged" by the incident.

"These children are scarred. How can I take those children back there?" she said.

However, Wright's lawyer, Carolyn Nicholas, said the center will give the Valley Club's offer "due consideration" once it is received and looks forward to sitting down with the parties.

"The children are our primary concern," Nicholas told CNN. read more here...

The thing the swim club did not or does not understand is that this is the YEAR 2009 and NO ONE, I don't care where you live, expected to have to hear or read about minority children getting turned away from a facility that they not only paid to use, but had to endure the racist rhetoric from the swim club's particpants.

A lawsuit is warranted, not only for how outrageous this is, but that this kind of behavior should not be tolerated nor expected, period. This is not 1959 and if you are non-white that you move to the back of the bus, this is 2009 and that day is and should be OVER.

You would think!!!

MSNBC

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Juan Williams of FOX NEWS calls out the scare tactics used against health care/public option (Video)

See the whole exchange and read the transcript, here

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Meet the Press, July 12, 2009 (Video and Transcript)

The GOP's 2008 presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), joins us exclusively Sunday. He weighs in on the still-faltering economy, prospects for health care reform, global hot-spots, the upcoming Supreme Court nominee hearings, the direction of the Republican party and his former running mate Sarah Palin's political future. Then, the view from the other side of the aisle with Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Plus insights and analysis from our political roundtable: Fmr. Adviser to Pres. George W. Bush, Karen Hughes; NBC's Andrea Mitchell; Democratic Strategist Bob Shrum; and Politico's Roger Simon.

Transcript

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Dick Cheney ordered CIA to hide counterterrorism program from congress

Remember when REPUBLICANS went after Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her comments that the CIA has not been forthcoming and honest with congress? Well, the Republicans have nothing to say now. Not when former Vice-President Dick Cheney ordered the CIA to hide a counterterrorism program from congress. Sigh. Are you shocked? You should not be. Remember, the CIA are professional LIARS, that is what they do. Now what? Justice Department?

Former Vice President Dick Cheney directed the CIA eight years ago not to inform Congress about a nascent counterterrorism program that CIA Director Leon Panetta terminated in June, officials with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday.

Subsequent CIA directors did not inform Congress because the intelligence-gathering effort had not developed to the point that they believed merited a congressional briefing, said a former intelligence official and another government official familiar with Panetta's June 24 briefing to the House and Senate Intelligence committees.

Panetta did not agree.

Upon learning of the program June 23 from within the CIA, Panetta terminated it and the next day called an emergency meeting with the House and Senate Intelligence committees to inform them of the program and that it was canceled.

Cheney played a central role in overseeing the Bush administration's surveillance program that was the subject of an inspectors general report this past week. That report noted that Cheney's chief of staff, David Addington, personally decided who in Bush's inner circle could even know about the secret program.

But revelations about Cheney's role in making decisions for the CIA on whether to notify Congress came as a surprise to some on the committees, said another government official. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the program publicly. read more here....

Cheney Is Linked to Concealment of C.I.A. Project"
Read Jesselyn Radack here

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