Positive Obama thread

ijl

djd,

Not matter what Israel does, they will not be liked by Iran or Iraq. They need to do whatever they can to protect themselves. My daugther is studying in Israel right now and I am very scared of course as any mother would. But this Gaza situation has to be resolved. I hope that Israel will go in just enough to push rocket launchers to a safe disance from Israeli cities.

.

djd

Madalyn -

Yes!  I am going to DC for the Inauguration (see my other thread in this forum).  I don't have tickets to the event, but I intend to celebrate with 4 million other happy Americans in our Nation's Capitol :-)

djd

Hey all!  The recount is done in MN, and Al Franken won by 225 votes!

Talk about every vote counting!!

Wonder if Billo is already being comfortably sedated in a rubber room?  LOL

mke

Actually I don't like Franken that much, but from what I hear from my siblings in MN, they didn't like him or his opponent much either. However I will say this for Minnesotans - they run honest elections, none of this Illinois nonsense.

Anonymous

Madalyn, it  may be inconvenient but it would be memorable ... 20  years later the girls can point to both houses and tell their stories ... I would take every opportunity available if I were him ...  and just like his middle name --- I would go with traditiion in using it like the past inaugurees.  I am glad he decided to use it -- we are who we are and he has never seem to run from that. 

Anonymous

Madalyn, one of the considerations for the Obamas moving into Blair House for the last few days is logistics on inauguration day.  The planning that the secret service started a very long time ago was based on them spending the night before at Blair House...not to mention opening up a number of additional hotel rooms for inauguration visitors since the "public" wouldn't be put in the rooms next to the Obamas.

I think it is rather considerate of them to make the change. 

NoH8

Ok- here's another reason the US sucks.

Diplomats say US blocks UN statement on Gaza

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press Writer - Sun Jan 4, 5:04 am ET

Alejandro Wolff, US Ambassador to UN waits to speak to reporters at UN Headquarters on the situation ...

UNITED NATIONS - The United States has blocked approval of a U.N. Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers, diplomats said.

French U.N. Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, the council president, said the 15 council members could not agree on a statement in closed discussions held after Israel launched a ground invasion into the Gaza Strip on Saturday. But he said there were "strong convergences" among the members to express concern about the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the need for "an immediate, permanent and fully respected cease-fire."

Libyan Ambassador Giadalla Ettalhi said the United States during the discussions late Saturday objected to "any outcome" on the proposed statement. He said efforts were made to compromise on a weaker press statement but there was no consensus.

Several other council members, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were closed, also said the U.S. was responsible for the council's failure to issue a statement.

The U.S., Israel's closest ally, has designated Hamas a terrorist organization. U.S. deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the United States saw no prospect of Hamas abiding by last week's council call for an immediate end to the violence. Therefore, he said, a new statement "would not be adhered to and would have no underpinning for success, (and) would not do credit to the council."

Libya, the only Arab nation on the council, called the emergency meeting after Israel sent tanks and infantry across the border into Gaza on the eighth day of its offensive against Hamas militants. The ground attack followed a week of air strikes, which Hamas responded to with salvos of rocket fired into southern Israel.

Arab nations demanded that the council adopt a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire and expressing "serious concern at the escalation of violence and the deterioration of the situation in Gaza and southern Israel," a view echoed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

If it had been approved, the statement would have become part of the council's official record but would not have the weight of a Security Council resolution, which is legally binding.

Egypt's U.N. Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz said it was regrettable that one permanent council member - a clear reference to the U.S. - refused to accept any statement at a time when "the aggression is escalating and more people are dying and the military attack on the ground is at its full scale."

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. observer, said: "We have war. We have aggression against the Palestinian people, and it is a sad and tragic moment when the Security Council cannot address this issue by at least demanding from Israel ... to stop this aggression immediately."

More than 480 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 3,000 injured in Gaza, and four people have been killed in Israel.

Israel maintains the offensive is aimed at stopping the rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza that have traumatized southern Israel.

Though the Security Council took no action on Saturday night, an Arab draft resolution circulated by Libya on Wednesday night that would condemn Israel and halt its military attacks on Gaza remains on the table. It would have to be revised, however, since the United States has already called it "unacceptable" and "unbalanced" because it doesn't call for an end to the Hamas rocketing of Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected in New York on Tuesday, along with half a dozen Arab foreign ministers who will be at the U.N. on Monday, to press for a cease-fire resolution.

Mansour said he hopes Abbas and the ministers will succeed in pushing through a resolution "so that we will have a durable and sustainable cease-fire between us and the Israelis."

Asked what kind of resolution would be acceptable to the United States, Wolff said: "The important point to focus on here is establishing the understanding of what type of cease-fire we're talking about and to ensure that it's lasting, and to ensure that we don't return to a situation that led to the current situation."

 Can the world survive 2 more weeks of the Bush administration?

djd- did they certify the election or is this going to end up in court? He's good enough I don't know much about Franken except He's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggonit, 225 more voters in Minnesota like him more than the creepy republican.

mad- I think the school was a good choice. I hope the press gives them their privacy. Sarah Palin paraded her kids out as part of her political persona. She used being a "hockey mom" as her persona so I can understand the press covering Bristol's pregnancy and the arrest of her future MIL, the teens dropping out of HS, trying to sell the baby pics (the trailer trash part apart from the pregnancy). Going after a 16/17 yo trying to financially profit is different than going after kids.The Obamas never used their daughters that way and those girls are much younger so the deserve the respect and privacy of the media. Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton were treated badly by the press. The Clintons I think took the 'chelsea is untouchable" thing way too far, considering the way she acted in the beginning of her mother's presidency. If you're part of the campaign, you're fodder for the media..... anyway... I digress.

ijl

Latest from Illinois:

Apparently Blagos shared his conversation with Reid, where the latter asked not to nominate any of 3 possible African American candidates. And now the Democrats are planning a human chain to disallow Burris (Blago's African American nominee) to take his Senate set next week.

Needless to say African American community is up in arms about it. And justifiably so.

crazy4carrots

Interesting article in The Toronto Star today entitled "Obama Offers New Hope for Science".  You can read it by going to www.thestar.com/news/article/561350

I knew Bush was against stem cell research, but didn't realize how much he and his administration were anti-science and scientific endeavours - whether for monetary or religious reasons.  I'm truly appalled.

Anonymous

Bush was awful when it came to progression in stem cell research.  I was watching a news report and a dr was the guest "reporter" .. she is so excited about the coming admin because of the support of stem cell research.  She said they should use the research in a moral way but the talks and advances need to be together, not separate discussions.

NoH8

Linda, my theory is that Bush was so anti-scientific because he wasn't bright enough to understand things. I am puzzled why  people who aren't educated or intelligent on certain things don't seek the opinion and value of those who are. I know when I am not unable to do something competently, I seek out help. You'll never see me trying to change a tire or change oil on my (ex)car. I know what needs to be done, but I can't do it myself. Bush would probably say, oil and tires don't need to be changed, lets make laws to prevent people from doing that. I'd like to personally welcome the so called intellectual elite back to washington. They have been sorely missed. Bush's antiscience stance has been hurtful to the environment, to wild life, to people with illnesses, and to women.

Watching the Sunday morning talk shows, I see a big difference between the republicans and the repugs. I think there are some decent republicans who we can agree to disagree with, who hope for a successful presidency for Obama.  A few of the trouble makers are still race baiting and trying to cause democrats to fight amongst themselves with the Blago nomination. I'd laugh if they didn't take themselves so seriously.

ijl

Amy,

 You can ignore me of course, but you do sound quite ridiculous   with your accusations that Republicans are stirring trouble with Blago's nomination. Please name ONE republican who is involved in this. The human chain that supposedly will be formed to prevent  Burris from entering will be made up entirely by Democrats. Republicans are actually for the nomination, because the reason that the Democrats don't want the nominee is that they think he will lose his seat in general elections to Republicans. Apparenlty that is the reason Reid did not want any of other African American candidates, he though they would lose in the next elections.

You can make up your pretend world but don't take the rest of us for idiots. The facts speak for themselves.Republicans like me are just having fun watching it from sideline. The only problem I see is that it detracts the new administration a bit from more serious problems.

djd

Michelle and the girls are getting settled in at the hotel today.  School starts tomorrow.  Barack will be in DC by tonight (I think I have that right).

Change is in the air!

Whoooohooooooo!!  Only 15 more days, ladies!

Anonymous

ijl - you are ridiculous posting your combative posts here and stirring the pot on the republican thread with comments like this:

"....Or wait Amy on the other thread did say that it was Republicans fault. I am surprised they did not blame it on Carl Rove devious machinations. ..."

this is where i use the ignore feature.  no room for the likes of this nonsense in 2009.

onward and upward.

Ivylane

Laura:  Why bother responding?  She makes no sense...

ijl

 Laura and Ivy

I am not making sense ! Yuu gals are a typical example of "ad homeniem" attack. WHen you cannot dispute the facts, attack a person. This usually is a proof that a responder cannot dispute facts in evidence and thereby are trying to discredit a person presenting them.

So far the only democrat that I know who blames Republicans for Blago is Amy. And that's what I said on this and the other thread. Like Obama I strive for full transparency.

Why is my post comabtive though? That is what happening right now. Again this is a POSITVIE OBAMA THREAD and I am in no way connecting this to Obama. Although I do see this is as yet another problem he needs to deal with and frankly I am not happy about it either. He has other more serious things to worry about right now.

Anonymous

I bet Obama's little girls are so excited.  What an event for them and with Obama's inauguration, what a life time event for all of us.

Merry

traceyz

Ladies,

I am so happy to be living in this time of change. The last 8 years have been rough. The war, the economy, gas prices, healthcare and shady politicians! I mean think about it, it has truly been some grey years. So I am looking to the new administration as a breath of fresh air or maybe a tall glass of ice cold lemonade on a scorching hot summer day! It feels soooooooooooooo good to dream about the change in direction that this country will take, and it feels even better to be alive to experience it. So as I have said so many times before, yes ladies America has spoken LOUD and VERY CLEAR! Change is arriving in a few short weeks and wow how wonderful that we are all apart of this awesome, historic and above all REFRESHING moment!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Change we can ALL be proud of YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tracey

Anonymous

Laura, Ivy is right. I know it's hard to not unblock someone once you put them on ignore, but stick to your guns and keep the antagonism at bay. Much less stressful that way! (BTW, we must compare "Ignore" lists sometime! Bet mine is longer than yours ...)

Tracey,  in less than two weeks, Bush and all the ugliness that he brought with him - and yes, that does include Rove - will be nothing but a freaking memory. Go ahead and cheer, girl!

Belinda44

Tracey, I agree with everything you wrote!  Woohoo!  It's soooooo good to begin 2009 feeling postive and hopeful!

NoH8

Susan Rice is our new UN ambassador. She and Bolton are like night and day.

You guys are right about the last 8 years being hell. Bush treated LGBTs as if we were barely above criminals, deserving of more rights than the hostages we've been holding at gitmo, but not much more. As a country we have invaded, attacked, held hostages, tortured, lied to the American people and the world, spied on citizens, maginalized the poor and middle class, taken away women's medical rights, given tax breaks to the wealthy while cutting services to the poor, left 45 million people without health care, eroded civil rights, killed countless Iraqis and sent our troops into harms way to avenge Bush's daddy's loss, attempted to replace secular social services with religious ones, made a mockery of the constitution and probably alot of other terrible things I can't think of offthe topof my head. We have been an embarrassment and I am so relieved for this to be over in 2 weeks.

So who's showing up in the chatroom for the inauguration???? Does anyone know if there wil be cameras at the inauguration balls? I boycotted tv coverage of Bush's festivities and went into mourning.  It's time to rip of that black dress and party hearty!

I added to my ignore list, but I still think it's smaller than yours felicia ;.

I'm really sad about Bill Richardson. My gut tells me he's innocent and this is a witchhunt. He strikes me as a man of integrity. (just like my gut tells me Blago is in up to his ears). I really like and respect him and I bet when Hillary leaves her post he'll take her place.

ijl

I think Bill Richardson will be a likely candidate now that he is no longer anominee for  Commerce Secretary. He had previous experience that could come in handy.

But I don't trust UN in general , they had so much corruption especially in that food for oil program, that as a taxpayer I feel that we could use the money for our internal problems. Think about how much money we could save if we stop being the biggest contributor and maybe relocate UN offices somewhere  and sell their building. They are occupying the prime real estate with plush offices where they stand up and say how they hate America. Let them do on their own dime sort of speak. With the current economy US can use the money for our stimilus package

ijl

I have been accused of being negative by bringing up some problems in Democratic party.

But I do feel optimistic about Obama. On Nov 8th I was a bit scared but the more I see him in action the more relieved I am. With my husband losing his job and college tuition and mortgage to pay, I do really hope that the stimulus package will jump start this economy.

I am also hoping for some kind of health care reform where we would get a basic critical care available to all of us regardless of our employment status. I have to admit that I've changed my position on this due to our circumstances as I realized we are one job away from losing insurance. And with me having a black mark for BC, it will be hard to get one. I guess  for 25 years we were fortunate to always have jobs and now it's an eye opening experience.

And I look at our stock market that seems to be also going up in anticipation of good things to come and I hope it continues to do so. One cannot deny that there is hope and optimism in the air. And I hope it will come true. On the Inauguration day I will raise my glass of wine to Obama and his team to wish them all (and us) success in the next 4 years. And if he succeeds, I will be at the polls 4 years from now, voting for him.

Ivylane

Madalyn:  I am afraid that I am guilty of the same thing (the spelling)...sometimes I'll type a word and even thought it IS spelled correctly, it just LOOKS wrong.... I am looking into the Richardson withdrawal as well... I am upset about this because I think he is a strong candidate, but I think once this blows over Obama will utilize his expertise in another area.  I hope so anyway. 

sccruiser

Nearing the 14 days till Obama's Inauguration time!! Can't wait.

Sorry about Richardson dropping out.

How many of you are going to the inauguration?

Are many going to be online during the day?

I can't wait for Bush's bus to leave the city! He so belongs in Texas. That way we can forget him! 

LAphoenix

ijl: I hope your daughter stays safe in Israel. 

We need a fresh diplomatic approach to the Middle East, but that will only happen if all parties are willing.  Moderates on both sides need to prevail.  I do think that Americans get a somewhat one-sided view of things over there.  I was watching the CNN coverage earlier and the only people they were interviewing were Israelis and Americans.  You know the situation is a lot more complex than "good guys vs. bad guys."     

Too bad about Richardson, but I think he did the right thing to withdraw.  Just wish Blago would be so patriotic! 

Sidwell Friends sounds like a great school for Sasha and Malia.  Probably as close to normal as they're going to get.

Did you hear Obama made Blackwell's (or rather his successor's) best dress list?  Based on those Hawaii pics, I'd say he's the best "not so dressed" too!

djd

bygrace1 wrote:

I can't wait for Bush's bus to leave the city! He so belongs in Texas. That way we can forget him! 

***

bygrace - please don't wish him back to Texas so gleefully - some of "us" LIVE there!  The sad thing is, Bush is moving into a prestigious neighborhood in Dallas that, until 2001, stipulated in the homeowner's covenants that only "whites" were allowed to live there.

I don't blame Bush, but it sure says plenty about Dallas, Texas. 

I only live here...I am *not* a Texan!

NoH8

LAP- did you hear one of the obituaries about Blackwell? "apparently he was caught dead in that outfit." I think Harvey would have approved. Your point about CNN is exactly what I've been complaining about. There is more than one side of the story, other than the US/Israel opinion. Palestinians count too. There was a great documentary on HBO called To Die in Jerusalem telling the stories of 2 mothers, one palestini and the other Israeli who's teenage daughters died in a suicide bombing. One girl was the bomber, another the only victim. It gave me a lot on insight.

djd- omg- that's horrible about the neighborhood, but not surprising. Was that written down or was it a wink and a nod thing?

grace- I will be online unless the weather is 70 degrees then I'll do the road trip to dc--- so that means i'll be home.

There is so much hope and optimism in the country right now. Certain republicans are ready to pounce, hoping for Obama's first mistake, while other republicans are putting country first and hoping for Obama's success.

Al Franken is said to be certified as senator today, but Coleman is expected to file an appeal.

Burris is expected to meet with Harry Reid. I hope Burris's rationality comes back.  Surely Burris can't not realize how he is being used by Blago, and even worse, used because of his race. That's such a bigotted act by Blago.  The senate needs to be more diverse, more people of color, women, lgbts etc.. This appointment by Blago should be seen as a dare by Blago to democrats not to seat Burris by playing the race card, nor should democrats be afraid not to seat Burris because he is black. Harry Reid is getting screwed by bad spinning from republicans and a very few misguided dems. On Morning Joe this morning  a black journalist (who's name escapes me, bald guy) talked about how Blago is using blacks. He cited how, on the day after his arrest, Blago called a bunch of black preachers and then the appointment with the tacit addendum "you can't diss the black guy or I'm the good guy and you're racists."

ijl

One can spin Burris fiasco any way one likes and blame Republicans somehow who are really staying out of it.This is African American community who is up in arms and who can blame them. Reid rejected ALL black candidates as not "good enough" and wanted Blago to select one of the white ones. Apparently there is no qualified black candidate in the whole state of Illinois to replace Barak Obama. There not that many black senators to begin with, so Democrats should strive for diversity but they apparently don't.

 I don't even see how one can see it differently. Can someone explain to me why African American community should not take personally whtout personal attacks? I would really like to hear it.

Anonymous

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

14 days away from starting to get this great country out of the ditch that the decider drove us into.

ivy, felicia - point taken ... 

donna - hope you wear your obama shirt under your layers of warmth in d.c.

 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

President-elect Obama is in the house!

onward and upward.