Video: Senator Al Franken sworn in today

5

Celebrating 'Father's Day' at The White House with President Obama and Vice President Biden

A Measure Of Equality Via Executive Order?

Update, Wednesday, June 17, 2009: The President signed a Presidential Memorandum that will expire when his Presidency ends.

It is a beginning. Not enough, but a beginning.

--------------------------------------

It is expected that today, President Obama will extend a measure of equality to same-sex partners of federal employees.

Well, I hate to be the one to explain a rights struggle to the first Black President, but the equality movement is not a grab bag of rights. You don't get to reach in and see which prize you've won. Each of the rights discussed above - the right to benefits for your partner, the right to serve openly in the military and the right to access the same tax breaks and immigration privileges given to heterosexual couples - should be granted. Immediately. Granting one does not absolve trespass over the other rights.

Obama has made it clear that he will do only the minimum necessary to avoid a gay revolution. Gay rights are consistently moved to the bottom of the political barrel. He thinks extending benefits to a few federal employees is sufficient.

It's our job to let him know that is not enough. source: The Huffington Post

Very curious timing as yesterday it was reported on Politico that gay and lesbian activists are pulling out of a Biden fundraiser. Okay. I need to correct that. I meant to say prominent (i.e. wealthy) persons from the LGBT community.

Joe in Kosovo

“Gentlemen, They’re Navy SEALS”

Friday, May 15, 2009, from The White House Blog:

Yesterday the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden were in San Diego, California with U.S. Sailors and their families at Naval Base Coronado. They had lunch with Sailors onboard the USS Ronald Reagan, Dr. Biden discussed the trials of missing loved ones with military families, and the Vice President toured the base. The Vice President began his remarks with a story:

Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great, great honor to be here on behalf of President Barack Obama and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen. I bring you their greetings.

But I also have to tell you a little story. Admiral Mullen, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral, is supposed to be even-handed in terms of all the military services -- and he is. But I got to tell you a story, and I asked his permission to tell the story. I can't tell you the event because it's classified, but I can tell you what happened.

Not long ago we were down in the Situation Room with the President presiding -- and members of the Joint Chiefs, as well as the National Security Advisor, Secretary of State, myself, the Secretary of Defense. And there was a particular mission that was incredibly risky and required an immense -- immense amount of skill to pull off. And several of my uniformed brethren who weren't wearing Navy colors sat there and said, I think that's almost impossible. I'm not sure that can be done.

And this is a true story, Admiral. Without missing a beat, spontaneously, not his prejudice but his pride showed through, and he said, gentlemen, they're Navy SEALS. That was it. It could be done, no matter what it was, with regard to the Navy. And you've all proven him to be right.

(Vice President Joe Biden speaks to 1,500 Sailors in front of the USS Ronald Reagan on Coronado Island,
California, Thursday, May 14, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)


(Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with sailors in front of the USS Ronald Reagan on Coronado Island,
California, Thursday, May 14, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

(Vice President Joe Biden speaks to SEAL trainees at the Special Warfare Training Center at Coronado
Naval Base, California, Thursday, May 14, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Video: Vice President Biden: 'Labor built this country and labor should get a share of the benefits of this country...'

Video: The President and Vice President Honor Top Cops

President Obama promised $2 billion in additional funding to help police officers keep their jobs at a ceremony honoring some of the nation's top cops in the Rose Garden on Tuesday.

Obama presented an award from the National Association of Police Organizations to a number of top cops from around the country who he said have "literally walked through fire" to help their communities. source: CNN

Pretty Picture Time!: Senator Elect Franken and Vice President Biden

From the Organizing for America Blog

The Fellers Go Out to Lunch: Yummy Burgers

The President said they have to pay for it. They don't want to get written about for being free loaders. I thought they weren't allowed to carry cash. Maybe that's just some myth I picked up from a movie, or maybe it's just 'Renegade' is breaking more rules.

Makes me wonder what Joe's code name is.

From The Political Carnival

The Day in 100 Seconds

tuesday, cinco de mayo, gentleman start your engines, it's the economy, the markets, on a roll, soaring, up up up with the 401K, sunshine bob, bottoming out, slowing, good news, growth, boredom, cough into your sleeve, thriving, struggling, suffering, burgers, mustard, hot sauce, ten ounce burger, fantastic, thanks for the hug, thank you

Video: 'Cinco de Mayo' at The White House

From The Political Carnival...

President Barack Obama joked it was 'Cinco de Cuatro,' botching a play on the Spanish word for 'four' when he meant to say 'Cuatro de Mayo' or the Fourth of May. It happened during an event at the White House on the eve of the Mexican holiday.

Margarita time!

Yesterday in 100 Seconds

Thursday, Day 101, Chrysler Corporation, Mini Van, Time is Up, Necessary Steps Have Been Taken, New Lease On Life, Wow, Tough Language, The Vice-President, Confined Places, Run For Your Lives, OMG, He Would Say, Meant To Say, Republicans In Trouble, Regrouping, Surprised In 2010, Comeback, Weaker Than Anything, Michael Steele, Awkward, Wearing A Hat That Says GOP, That's How We Roll In The Northeast, Not Good, My Bad, Got It, Get It, Good

A blogger's favorite Obama world pictures (and captions)

I thought this was pretty sweet. A DU blogger posted favorite pictures and added personalized captions. This is not my own, but I most assuredly found it delightful, endearing and amusing.

Thank you fellow blogger for putting a smile on my face!

Go long! Or just sit there...

I'm gonna kick your ass, Joe.

Will ya' get off the fucking phone already?

Will you get your ass over here and help us with this damn tree?

...

You promised me there would be chicken and coleslaw, Mr. President.

...

Pride.

From George to Barack!

No, you're the funny guy...

You think I'd leave out St. Patrick's Day?

Let's reverse it!

Vice President Joe Biden on 60 Minutes: Schmoozer in Chief

Watch CBS Videos Online

Doing Right By Our Veterans

From This Week With Barack Obama

Transcript

Video: The First Online Town Hall from The White House

For full transcript of this event, click here.

Video: President Obama and Alexander the Great

25 March, 2009

Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios likens the president to Alexander the Great in remarks at the White House Wednesday evening.

Obama: "I will tell Michelle I have been compared to Alexander the Great. I will see if that gets me a little more respect..."

Comes during event celebrating Greek Independence source: DU

Comedy Relief

Nobody Messes With Joe: CBS Morning Show Interview --Good Morning Mr. Vice President

VP Biden Talks Stimulus Plan On CBS Morning Show

Source: The Political Carnival

Nobody messes with Joe

I love Joe Biden. I'm so glad he's the Vice-President almost as much as I am glad that Dick Cheney is no longer the Vice-President.

Worried President's stimulus plan will be wasted? President Obama sure isn't; he's got Vice President Joe Biden overseeing things and nobody messes with Joe. source: DU