President Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
CNN
AFP
Reuters
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs called before dawn and woke Obama with the news that he had won the prestigious honor which was announced in Oslo at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT). "The president was humbled to be selected by the committee," the official said.
When told in an e-mail from Reuters that many people around the world were stunned by the announcement, Obama's senior adviser, David Axelrod, responded, "As are we."
Just as Amazing, my future second husband and current hero, Alan Grayson, D-Florida, the "Big-D" because he's larger than life in a group of often lackluster spineless politicians, made a whoop-ass speech about Health Care and presciently mentioned what the Republicans might do if Obama brought about world peace.
"(The American People) understand that if Barack Obama were somehow able to cure hunger in the world the Republicans would blame him for overpopulation"Complete Transcript: HERE
"They understand that if Barack Obama could somehow bring about world peace they would blame him for destroying the defense industry."
"In fact, they understand that if Barack Obama has a BLT sandwich tomorrow for lunch, they will try to ban bacon."
Donate to Alan Grayson: Here on ACTBlue
- Location:The Big D Fanclub
- Mood:
optimistic - Music:John Mellencamp "Peaceful World"
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Warning: The following post contains Progressive Democratic ideas.
There's a last push going on to get Congress to pass REAL Health Care Reform and not just deal-making with Insurance Companies.
What to do to Whip Up the Public Option
I'm lucky - I have insurance, although the price goes up year after year without any new benefit to us. But I think everyone deserves insurance at least as good as that of members of Congress, paid for by our tax dollars. In fact, I would feel better if my tax dollars were helping people in trouble instead of people who just want to make trouble.
UPDATE: From Helenann on Daily Kos:
At 2:00 pm today, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a new report to the press (embargoed until 5 pm EST) summarizing the views of physicians on the contentious issue of the public option in a reformed health care system.
In a survey of 6,000 US physicians conducted in April of this year, which covered physicians across all geographic regions of the US and all specialties, researchers found overwhelming support for the public option offered as a CHOICE along side private health insurance plans in health insurance reform.
63% overall support public option and 10% support single payer = 73% support public plan
NEJM link to paper
Link to RWJ report
Story was just on All Things Considered on NPR.
What isn't working = Threats to Kill President Obama
Political Carnival: Twitter Threats towards Obama and Follow-Up
The SIGNS were all there over the weekend that the Republicans need to roll back the insanity. We shouldn't be held hostage to people who are anti-government and paid for by the Insurance Companies.
Help this Video Go Viral!!!
What doesn't make any sense = Tea Baggers Marching
FAIL
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:Born in the U.S.A.
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- Location:U.S.A.
- Music:"Abraham, Martin, and John"
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Coffee May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Risk
I was also relieved that police in Gastonia, North Carolina, caught this so-called "spree killer" who was terrorizing the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina. I was terrified by this because my daughter is getting ready to move to Columbia and this guy was rumored to be moving south. The whole thing was creepy - he was just randomly shooting people for fun. I actually spent one day listening to the police scanner, and they were following every lead from kids shooting off fireworks in the woods, to strangers driving through town.
Even Though Threat is Gone, Emotional Scars Linger in Cherokee County.
George R. R. Martin, author of the Song of Ice and Fire Books, and otherwise known on Livejournal as
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
grrm, is in Helsinki for Finncon, a celebration of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Anime. Yesterday grrmwrote about visiting the Sveaborg, which he referred to as a "great island fortress" and from these Pictures it's easy to see why it would inspire him. Congratulations to Al Franken and the entire State of Minnesota on his Swearing In as Senator Number 60 for the Dems.
My nephew wondered on Facebook the other day how long it would be until Michael Jackson rose from the grave as a Zombie. It appears he didn't even wait until the burial because CNN picked up his ghost on camera!
And if that's not enough, someone has Seen his Face in a Birch Tree Stump in Stockton, California.
The Paranormal World is also mourning the death of their own enigmatical icon: Writer John Keel author of The Mothman Prophecies. He apparently died penniless and basically alone. Edit: Please read the comment below by his friend, Loren Coleman. I sincerely only mean to honor Mr. Keel and was just sorry to hear that he did not have an easy life towards the end in spite of the movie based on his life's work starring Richard Gere. I doubt the movie studio paid him half enough for his story, which is all I meant in my original post. I'm a huge fan of both Mr. Coleman and Mr. Keel, and only wanted to memorialize his work in a week when Michael Jackson got all the attention.
- Location:The Slow Lane
- Music:Supertramp "Goodbye Stranger"
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The news was depressing yesterday about the car companies in Michigan and the stock market heading downward again. I have no idea what is going to happen next.
But there was actually a huge piece of good news yesterday for tree huggers like me.
Obama signed the Public Lands Omnibus Act with is going to protect 2 Million acres of wilderness, and gives money for every single park and historic battlefield in the country, plus lots of river projects, hospitals, and even airports. Yes, those are earmarks but they are also infrastructure. If the rest of the country is like Tennessee, some of these things have been on the drawing board for years but had no funding. And those are automatic local jobs in construction, tourism, or whatever.
Political Stuff: Even my own Republican Congressman, Zach Wamp, had to vote for this bill because he has tried in vain during the Bush years to get money to fix Chickamauga Dam, which is upstream from Chattanooga on the Tenn. River and has cracks in it. It's a federal dam owned by Tennessee Valley Authority, but they never found the money to fix it (although I'm sure the overpaid CEO of TVA has had lots of nice bonuses over the years). If the dam ever broke, our city would be under 5 feet of water most of the time, so this is a no brainer. Even so, my Senator, Bob "finger in the dike" Corker who used to have more sense when he was mayor of Chattanooga, voted against it, but he was cancelled out by my other Senator, Lamar Alexander who is actually a Moderate Republican.
The point of all this is: Obama was able to get two Republicans from a red state to go against their own party and vote for an environmentally friendly bill, and that's quite an achievement!
- Location:Somewhere that's Green
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"He is much prettier and can be much more charming. And he can do that thing of being sultry and sexy. Rob can just sort of stand there and look at something and start to smoulder. And I just can't do that. I'm a natural fidget."
~ Dan Radcliffe, on the difference between himself and "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson, quoted Here
"I haven't read the last (Harry Potter) book, because I stopped reading the books when I started to feel upset that some of my favorite scenes weren't in the movies," he says with a chuckle. "I decided I'd read the last few books when the films are finished, so I wouldn't be badgering (producer) David (Heyman) by email all day going, 'Why isn't this bit in there with Lucius?' "
~Jason Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy, quoted Here
"It's good that Disney is separating itself from 'Narnia.' ....It just wasn't a good fit. What, are they going to re-enact the Passion of the Lion in a Disney theme park? 'Stab the lion right on Main Street!' Especially since Narnia is so overtly Christian, whereas Disney is more secular."
~ Brandon Gray, founder of Box Office Mojo, quoted Here talking about the fact that Fox Studios has "rescued" the Narnia franchise from Disney, who had decided to stop making movies based on those books
"It's a great day for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is continuing on that media tour he's doing. Yesterday, he was on 'The View,' the 'Today' show, and 'Good Morning America.' Today, his hair was on 'Animal Planet' and 'Unsolved Mysteries.'"
~ Craig Ferguson, quoted Here
( Read more... )
- Location:Fandom
- Mood:
happy - Music:Aretha Franklin "Freeway of Love"
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"As an exciting year of unpredictable change begins, we, too, have our work cut out for us. And we’re all in this together. . . Kind of like Alaska’s Musk… Musk ox. You know how they all… they circle up, when they’re challenged. When their young are challenged. When they’re challenged, their future. They circle up, and that’s what we gotta do."
~ Alaska Governor Sarah Palin comparing the citizens of her state to a herd of Musk Oxen on the tundra, in her 2009 State of the State Address, video found on The Political Carnival Blog
“It’s unfortunate for Vice President Cheney to have had this accident....There will be those who don’t like him, who will be writing tomorrow that he had a Dr. Strangelove appearance as he appeared today in his wheelchair. It’s not something he’ll be happy about.”
~ NBC’s Tom Brokaw during live coverage, January 20, quoted Here
"The new season of 'Lost' kicked off tonight. If you haven't seen it, 'Lost' is about a group of desperate people out of touch with the world. It's based on the true story of the Republican Party."
~ Craig Ferguson, quoted in Political Humor
"I won."
~ Obama speaking to Republican Congressional Leaders on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009
"I disagree fervently with the people on our side of the aisle who have caved and who say, 'Well, I hope he succeeds. We've got to give him a chance.' Why? . . . I hope he fails." (interruption) "What are you laughing at? See, here's the point. Everybody thinks it's outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, 'Oh, you can't do that.' Why not? Why is it any different, what's new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what's gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here."
~ Rush Limbaugh on his Radio Show,
“You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done."
~ Obama, again speaking to Republican Congressional Leaders on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009
“He’s managed to anger, in one fell swoop, the Kennedys, the Cuomos and the Clintons,” the consultant said, arguing that Ms. Kennedy’s family would be furious at the governor over the leaks against her, Mr. Cuomo at being passed over for the job, and Mrs. Clinton at the governor’s willingness to consider Ms. Kennedy in the first place after she endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential race last year.
“That’s a pretty good trifecta,” the consultant added.
~ Consultant quoted in The New York Times, speaking about New York Governor, David Paterson, who spent weeks making up his mind about who to nominate to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate; he first seemed to choose Caroline Kennedy, then suddenly gave the seat to conservative Democrat, Christine Gillibrand
"I thought about Mandela, Dr. King and Gandhi and tried to put some perspective to all this and that is what I am doing now. . . . I could bring in 15 angels and 20 saints led by Mother Theresa to testify and it wouldn't matter."
~ Governor Blagojevich of Illinois, in an interview taped for Monday's The Today Show on NBC, while facing Impeachment on Monday for trying to sell Obama's Senate seat
Now, I like old movies and I like old cowboy movies, and I want to explain how these rules work in a more understandable way. There was an old saying in the Old West. There was a cowboy who was charged with stealing a horse in town. And some of the other cowboys, especially the guy whose horse was stolen, were very unhappy with that guy. And one of the cowboys said, "Let's hang him." Then the other cowboys said, "Hold on. Before we hang him, let's first give him a fair trial. Then we'll hang him." Under these rules, I'm not even getting a fair trial. They're just hanging me. And when they hang me under these rules, that prevent due process, they're hanging the 12 million people of Illinois who twice have elected a governor.
. . . he was on the ranch with six other cowboys herding cattle and roping steers, and then he expects that when his day comes to go to court he can bring those six cowboys to say it wasn't him because he wasn't in town, he was on the ranch herding cattle -- even if he could bring those cowboys in to say that, under these rules, under 8B, it wouldn't matter. The complaint that charged him with stealing the horse would convict him because you can't challenge it and you can't have a chance to be able to contest it. Again, not fair; in fact, worse: trampling on constitutional rights.
~ Blagojevich in a Friday Press Conference using a confusing metaphor for his predicament
This is a dumb process. Senate vacancies ought to be filled by elections. The way I read the 17th amendment to the Constitution, and I do read it, I think that's the way it's supposed to be Constitutionally as well, but only nine states do it that way. The rest let the Governors give out these jobs like they're Queens picking the Knights of the Round Table, or something!
We are Americans! . . . Let Governor Blagojevich and all his cowboys be the poster children for taking this amount of power out of one person's hands. The Senate should not be this embarrassing.
~ Rachel Maddow on MSNBC after listening to Governor Blagojevich's extended cowboy metaphor, but also referring to the New York Paterson-Kennedy fiasco
( Videos of the Madness Under the Cut )
- Location:Bizarro World U.S.A.
- Mood:
dorky - Music:Beatles "Things We Said Today"
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Hey all ~ The Big Day is Here!
I'm setting this up so people can write observations about the Inauguration as it happens.
Sorry in advance to those on dial-up. This is picture intensive post because I took screencaps while I watched MSNBC.
Full Text of Obama's Inaugural Address on Time.com
Rahm Emmanuel halts all pending Bush Regulations - Yay!
Senator Kennedy in hospital doing better
About Chief Justice Roberts flubbing the Oath of Office
Inauguration Schedule
CNN Inauguration Map
Huffington Post Inauguration News Page
MSNBC Inauguration Page
News so far today:
The Senate is actually voting on some of Obama's nominees for various posts today, and unanimous votes are expected.
Dick Cheney hurt his back while moving some boxes and will attend in a wheelchair.
Court Halts Utah Oil and Gas Drilling on Federal Lands Saving 11,000 acres
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood:
jubilant - Music:"Right Here, Right Now"
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Goodbye, Dubya Bush!
Welcome, President Obama!
Barack and Michelle Obama at the Lincoln Memorial
"And yet, as I stand here today, what gives me the greatest hope of all
is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today, but what fills the spaces in between.
It is you - Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe
in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there,"
Barach Obama ~ January 18, 2009
( Alot More Under the Cut )
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:This Land Is Your Land
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I could write about alot of heavy stuff that is happening in the U.S. and the fact that the next week may be one of the most anxious in American history.
I could write about racist hoaxes, idiotic and insulting interviews from wingnut reporters who are Fox News wannabes. Or how about a $150,000 wardrobe from Neiman Marcus (Needless Mark-Ups)?
I could talk about wanting to throw something at my TV set if I hear one more story about the importance of Ohio - because at this point, who the hell cares? (No offense to Ohio, but there are 49 other states - let's hear about some of them).
But I'd rather laugh, and I'm sure you all would too. So here is some campaign humor - "Pro-Bama."
The Vet Who Did Not Vet
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood:
quixotic - Music:Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"
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lemon_ashwinder or anyone else from that great state. 
City Hall, Pease, Minnesota
Hometown of Elwin Tinklenberg
This story has been unfolding since last Friday afternoon when ultra-rightwing Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota appeared on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. Many things have happened since that day, and I've collected a bunch of videos that tell a story about real democracy in action. I should add that even before this happened, there was a movement to Dump Michelle Bachmann, and she had been Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person in the World" several times before, including on October 1st for blaming minorities for the financial meltdown on Wall Street. She was just a timebomb waiting to speak her real thoughts on what makes someone a "True American."
Have You Seen Bachmann? and The Tinklenberg Rap)
( See Tinklenberg Versus Bachmann Under the Cut )
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:Bachmann McCarthy Overdrive
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My husband is completely fed up with the RNC this week, and did not want Palin's squeaky voice blaring through the house tonight. He was nauseated at the idea of watching it, which I completely understand, as I had felt nauseous most of the day in anticipation.
I fell asleep early, which was a far, far better thing for me to do.
It's 2 a.m. and I just watched Palin's amazing speech. What was amazing about it?
( Read more... )
Now this may surprise alot of you, but I am disabling comments on this one as I will probably do with all my political posts from now on. People seem offended because I am an unapologetic Democrat. Sorry, I'm not going to change between now and the election. Just ignore me, defriend, or whatever - I won't be offended.
My husband and I have both been Democrats since we were young teenagers. He was raised by Republicans, and I was raised by Roosevelt Democrats. Neither of us ever went through an "Independent" phase at all. That may seem strange to some of you who like to keep your options open, but I consider myself ideologically a Democrat on the basis of the environment, poverty, and views about war and peace. It's simple. The Republicans do not have the agenda I believe in.
Ironically, McCain is the only Republican we ever considered voting for, back when he really was a Maverick. Those days are long past, and he has capitulated to his own party so he can try to get elected. Good luck to him, and to Ms. Palin. They will need it because now the gloves are off.
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood:
indescribable - Music:Marvin Gaye "What's Goin' On"
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Thought I'd start with something positive: Obama is finally getting his bounce:
MSNBC First Read Blog: Here Comes the Bounce
A new USA Today/Gallup poll shows Obama with a 50%-43% lead “among registered voters. In the USA TODAY Poll taken Aug. 21-23, the Illinois senator held a 4-percentage-point lead.” More: “Obama eliminated McCain's advantage as ‘a strong and decisive leader.’ By 46%-44%, those surveyed says that characteristic applies more to Obama than McCain. Before the convention, McCain held an 8-point advantage. Obama has a 13-point advantage as someone who ‘shares your values,’ almost double the edge he held before. He has an 8-point advantage as someone who is ‘honest and trustworthy’; pre-convention, they were equal.”Also: “McCain's favorable-unfavorable rating was 54%-38%, a healthy mark but his highest unfavorable this year. Obama's rating was 61%-32%.”
Meanwhile, a new CBS poll has Obama up eight points, 48%-40%.
I've already ranted several places today about Sarah Palin, such as on
exhpfan's post which is Here: Sarah Palin Should Have Thought of the Kids. But please all of you - feel free to rant if you like. We are in bizarro world territory now! It's strange because Northern Exposure is one of my favorite shows of all time, but that was because everyone on that show was so liberal except the ex-astronaut. I guess times change, or that was just "dream Alaska" and not reality. Some links about Tonight's Republican Convention:
CBS News: Palin's Speech Will Be Key Moment
CBS News: On Day of Palin's Speech, Obama Courts Women Voters
MSNBC First Read - Day 3: Palin's Big Speech
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:John Mellencamp "Little Pink Houses"
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Well, I am thrilled with the way the Democratic Convention went. What can I say? It was historical, impressive, strong, cohesive, beautiful, inspirational, goofy with all the buttons and funny hats, and everyone rose to the occasion and gave speeches of a lifetime.
I hope people will find Obama's speech online and watch it or read it, especially if you are not sure where he differs from John McCain. They are like night and day.
Last night right after Obama spoke, I was hyper, and I still am today. But so was Chris Matthews on MSNBC who got up on his soapbox and basically gave Obama's speech over again to a cheering crowd. *lol* I think this video just sums up my own excitable mood last night, and you'll get a laugh, but I'm telling you this is real emotion.
- Location:U.S.A.
- Mood: excited
- Music:5th Dimension "Let the Sunshine In"
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Who do you think he will choose? I'm wondering if it will be Joe Biden, just because he is a good campaigner and a snarky wit. But really I have no idea.
Huffington Post: Obama Says He's Made His Veep Choice
Time: Obama's VP: The Candidate Drops Some Hints
MSNBC First Read: A More Buttoned Up Biden
Politico.com is warning people to beware of Text Hoaxes. The VP is not going to be Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps.
UPDATE!!! It's Officially Biden!!! I just got the e-mail at 6 a.m.
From Obama's Campaign:
I have some important news that I want to make official.
I've chosen Joe Biden to be my running mate.
Joe and I will appear for the first time as running mates this afternoon in Springfield, Illinois -- the same place this campaign began more than 19 months ago.
I'm excited about hitting the campaign trail with Joe, but the two of us can't do this alone. We need your help to keep building this movement for change.
Please let Joe know that you're glad he's part of our team. Share your personal welcome note and we'll make sure he gets it:
http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe
Thanks for your support,
Barack
- Location:Home
- Mood:
curious - Music:John Mellencamp "Check It Out"
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I'm happy tonight that Obama has enough delegates to be the Democratic Nominee. 
I'm proud to say I voted for him in the Tennessee Primary, and I think he is a great candidate. News Here
I realize not everyone on my f-list is an Obama supporter, and some of you are not U.S. citizens. But I love Obama and I just want to celebrate his election tonight.
Update: The Associated Press is reporting that Obama has a Vice-Presidential Committee! Who knew?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama named a three-person team including Caroline Kennedy to lead his search for a running mate Wednesday while expressing confidence that the Democratic Party would soon unify after a bruising battle for the presidential nomination. "I'm very confident of how we're going to be able to bring the party together," Obama said after a brief conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton, his vanquished rival.
Campaign officials said Kennedy, who is the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, as well as former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and longtime Washington insider Jim Johnson have already begun compiling information on potential running mates. They disclosed no names.
- Location:U.S. of A
- Mood: jubilant
- Music:Tom Petty "Something in the Air"
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