Hi! This is my first visit here.😊

Sorry but wordy, C&P, linky threads are to me what books are to most black folk.😲

Hooked on Phonics!

Dad I post some interesting developments here for posterity sake for reference for our resident defenders of Barry.

Looks like they're playing with one less man now![whip]

Jamie, I've always said you had a good brain, son... but for Pete's sake, don't wear it out! I say, I say, this is cbid, boy!!](*,) 🤦

Damn..you so wordy.


Keep yer powder dry.


There.

Now THAT I can understand & appreciate- linear thinking!=d>
Thanks!👍

I get tired of "talking point" arguments and "did you snopes that?" BS.

So I leave reading materials for R&D parrots.

Think of it as my "crackers for crackers" program.

Wha?


Wait!


That just sounds racist!

Well I'm open for naming rights.....

HAHAHA! See? Even an inocuous statement like that can be turned around.
People with agendas are always going to question your sources' motives anyway, Jaime, and claim that they are logically unsound- regardless of whether it passes the Snopes test or not. My dilemma is that I can't goof on PDX 's cut 'n pastes anymore because everyone else is dong it. I know, boo hoo for me.

The debating "trick" that always gets to me is when someone with a fallacious argument's been cornered like a rat & "can't comment" because they "didn't see, hear, or read the original in it's entirety"...

Campaign travel offers Obama view of tough economy


Sometimes all President Barack Obama has to do is look out the window to get a firsthand look at the country's economic woes.

This week in this town, the presidential motorcade speeds past opulent homes lining manmade Lake Las Vegas as he heads to the sprawling luxury development where he's preparing for the upcoming debates with Mitt Romney. But many houses here are empty, victims of Nevada's foreclosure crisis, and others are worth far less than their purchase price.

Farther down the road, a golf course is abandoned — one of two shuttered in the neighborhood. A sparkling shopping center off the main drag has no shops to fill its storefronts.

And if Obama didn't get the message of pocketbook pain, the marquee at one business — one that is open if perhaps not thriving — spells it out: "President Obama, we need lower taxes."

Views like these from the window of his fortified Chevy Suburban or armored limousine give Obama an unvarnished look both at the country he runs and the challenges he faces in winning a second term amid a struggling economic recovery.

The president, often cloistered in the White House, says seeing the facts on the ground — in the battleground states that will decide the election — is an opportunity he relishes.

"It's good to get out of Washington," Obama frequently tells crowds on the campaign trail, whether he's in an economically-booming community or a struggling one in a nation where the unemployment rate hasn't dropped below 8 percent since January 2009 — the first month of his presidency.

Of course, the president sees much more than economic realities from the black limos and SUVs that ferry him to and from events several times a week in contested states from Colorado to New Hampshire to Florida. Clusters of protesters carrying signs castigating him and fans countering with expressions of thanks are staples along most motorcade routes.

Aides say the president takes notice of the world outside his motorcade as it speeds through the streets of big cities, small towns and leafy suburbs. He's particularly struck, they say, by the people who line the streets to watch his caravan pass. He insists on waving to the crowds through the tinted windows, even while he's on the phone or being briefed by advisers — and even if onlookers can't see him clearly.

During bus tours, Obama often points to aides when there are large pockets of supporters standing along the road. The driver slows down and Obama moves to the front so he can get a better look, and so the crowd can get a better look at him as well.

On Monday, crowds lined Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson as the president passed by on his way to a campaign rally in nearby Las Vegas. Many snapped photos or took videos on their cellphones. One young girl waved a small American flag, while an elderly couple waved enthusiastically to the presidential procession.

Small children peered over concrete walls separating their homes from the street and families gathered on their front lawns to watch as the motorcade zipped through the largely Hispanic, working-class neighborhood where Obama was heading to speak.

His mere presence makes waves, part of the reason why Obama chose to hold his intensive debate preparations in Nevada. It's one of a few states that will determine the outcome of the White House race, and aides are mindful that something as simple as seeing the president's motorcade can build voter enthusiasm and drive local media coverage ahead of the election.

Here, like elsewhere, Obama is getting plenty of reminders about the looming election.

An electronic billboard flashes information about voting, urging residents to register by the state's Oct. 6 deadline. Signs for local and state candidates dot the desert landscape.

At times, Obama also comes face to face with Romney backers.

Earlier this summer, some residents in Hunts Point, Wash., held Romney signs as Obama traveled to a fundraiser in the neighborhood. At another point, during a fundraiser in a largely Republican neighborhood in Tampa, Fla., several neighbors planted Romney signs in their front yard. Others made their own signs with messages for the president.

"Free markets, not free loaders," read one sign at the home across the street from Obama's event. "The bro has got to go," said another.

Indeed, there are often protests, from Republicans, Occupy Wall Street activists, even medical marijuana advocates.

But sometimes the White House tries to make sure those gatherings aren't in Obama's line of sight.

For example, hundreds of medical marijuana supporters flocked to a theater in Oakland, Calif., where Obama was headlining a July fundraiser. With law enforcement keeping the protesters confined to the front of the theater, Obama's motorcade simply dropped him off on the side of the building, ensuring he never caught a glimpse of the crowd.

http://news.yahoo.com/campaign-travel-offers-obama-view-tough-economy-175141290--election.html 


"Look, uh, sometimes things look good on paper, but lose their luster when you see how it affects real folks. I guess a healthy bottom line doesn't mean much, if to get it you have to hurt the ones you depend on. It's people that make the difference, little people like you."


Sucks when the moron can't run on his own record! He's a FAILURE!

Is he going to visit Fuzz while he's there..?? 😕

Read the last paragraph...besides...he's not going to people's couches!!!![frypan] 🐴 [gonzo] 🤦

Wait – Fuzz owns peoples couches?

He owns NOTHING! His wife owns the couch he sits on watching Dora the Explorer folding laundry. He dreamed of leading 99% rally but snickerdoodles were almost burned.

Residents Alerted to Obamas' Hawaiian Holiday Plans


Residents living near the beachfront homes where President Barack Obama and First Family vacation with their friends every year since 2008 were alerted on Monday to some specifics of the Obamas' holiday vacation plans.
The report delivered to residents living along the ocean and canal that surrounds the multi-million dollar homes at Kailuana Place where the President stays, informed them of restrictions that will be implemented for 20 days beginning December 17 and running through January 6.

In a matter of weeks, Kailua residents will see the familiar street barricades fronted by U.S. Secret Service agents and Navy Seals and the U.S. Coast Guard stationed in canal and ocean waters.

The President, who spent some of his childhood years in Hawaii, brings his wife, two daughters, Sasha and Malia, with dog Bo in tow, each holiday season. They settle into the small town community known for its spectacular sparkling beaches, warm turquoise ocean, rolling surf, country shops and restaurants and friendly people.
The homes where they stay are just a two-minute drive from Kaneohe Bay and the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where the Obamas and friends can access private white sand beaches and military workout facilities.

Kailua Beach

While many residents welcome the First Family, others are disheartened by the restrictions put on air, water and road travel while the President and family are in town, especially because it is the holiday season and many families on vacation want to use their boats or surf and paddle in the welcoming ocean waves fronting the Kailua homes. In addition, the President's caravan of at least 22 vehicles including an ambulance can easily overwhelm the community that typically has single lane streets.

Adding to the controversy surrounding the President's visit is the cost of the trip.

With the staff, special forces, local police presence and equipment, the President's visit adds up annually to at least a $4 million vacation courtesy of the Hawaii and federal taxpayers.

While the President and his friends pay for their own rental homes, taxpayers pick up the cost of security and waterfront housing for the Secret Service, Navy Seals and Coast Guard as well as staff accommodations at a plush beachfront Waikiki hotel.

TRAVEL: $3,629,622

The biggest expense is President Barack Obama’s round trip flight to Hawaii via Air Force One.

A Congressional Research Service report released in May 2012 said the plane typically used by the President, a Boeing 747, costs $179,750 per hour to operate. The U.S. Air Force has listed the cost of travel as high as $181,757 per flight hour.

Travel time for Air Force One direct from Washington D.C. to Hawaii is about 9 hours or as high as $1,635,813 each way for a total of $3,271,622 for the round trip to Hawaii and back.

The cost for USAF C-17 cargo aircraft that transports the Presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment to Hawaii has never been disclosed in the years the President has traveled to Hawaii. However, the flight time between Andrews Air Force Base and Hawaii is at about 21.5 hours roundtrip, with estimated operating cost of $12,000 per hour. (Source: GAO report, updated by C-17 crew member). The United States Marine Corps provides a presidential helicopter, along with pilots and support crews for the test flights, which travel on another C-17 flight. That is $258,000, not including costs for the 4 to 6 member crew's per diem and hotel.

Moana Surfrider Resort

The rentals are fronted by the ocean and backed by a canal. So, the taxpayers must cover the costs for housing U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Seals in beach front and canal front homes around where the President stays.

Last year, that added up to about $200 per bedroom per day, or $21,600 per average home for a nearly three week period, with special forces renting at least 7 homes. Security arrives ahead of the President costing taxpayers about $176,400 for the length of the visit.

The President’s staff and White House Press Corps typically stay at one of Hawaii’s oldest and most elegant hotels, the Moana Surfrider. Besides its stunningly beautiful view of Waikiki, and its traditional Hawaiian architecture and decor, it is one of the most pricey hotels in the state and government rates are not available during the holiday season. Rooms start at around $270 but can cost as much as $370 a night for an ocean view before Christmas, and climb much higher around the new year.

A conservative estimate with rooms at $270 (excluding a 9.25 percent Transient Accommodation Tax and a 4.712 percent General Excise Tax on each bill, meals, internet charges and other charges) means the taxpayers are covering more than $129,600 in hotel bills for some two dozen staff.

LOCAL TAXPAYER COSTS: $260,000

Local police are paid over time for the President’s visit, which has historically cost Oahu taxpayers $250,000.
The city ambulance the accompanies the President 24 hours a day through his entire visit is about $10,000 to city taxpayers.

UNKNOWN COSTS

There are several costs the White House annually refuses to release, citing security.

For example, the President’s security usually rents an entire floor of an office building in Kailua on the canal during the president’s stay.

There are security upgrades and additional phone lines to several private homes where Obama and friends are staying. That includes bullet proof glass installed, home security systems disabled, new security measures put into place and additional phone lines added.

There is the cost for car rentals and fuel for White House staff staying at a Waikiki Hotel.

And there are additional travel costs Secret Service and White House staff traveling ahead of the President.
The total cost (based on what is known) for a 20-day round trip vacation to Hawaii for the President and his family and staff and security is more than $4 million.

Hawaii Reporter annually has requested details on the cost of the President’s trip, but the White House will not release any figures, citing security concerns. A spokesperson has maintained the costs are "in line" with other presidential vacations.

Hawaii Reporter has sought to determine the cost of vacations for the current president and last two presidents but the Government Accountability Office referred Hawaii Reporter back to the White House spokesperson.




**** your fiscal cliff. SCOREBOARD BITCHES!

President finally shows his face after $1m golfing weekend with Tiger Woods that White House didn't want world to seeObama played at exclusive Florida course on Sunday with Tiger Woods
President refused to say if he had been beaten by the champion golfer

Cost of Air Force One trips to and from Florida, along with hotel rooms, greens fees and exclusive golf lessons comes to $989,207

Tried to mend fraught relationship with traveling press corps by 'hanging out' with them for 10 minutes on the flight back

The President was on the course on Monday for the third and final day of a Florida vacation with departing US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the president's Chicago pal Eric Whitaker and White House aide Marvin Nicholson.
The President had enjoyed a round of golf with Tiger Woods on Sunday - a fact that only emerged by chance after media were banned from attending the event. The traveling pool of journalists who follow the President's every move were reportedly furious after being shut out of his round of golf and not being allowed on to the club grounds.

It has long been a White House tradition that pool reporters cover the President's rounds of golf and even have the opportunity for a few questions on the course.

The President waved as he jogged up the steps of Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on Monday evening while a White House aide heaved golf clubs and large bags on board.

When he landed back in Washington and walked across the White House lawn, several frustrated reporters collectively shouted to the President to ask if he had beaten Tiger Woods.

Despite appearing to have heard the question, the Daily Caller reported, Obama did not answer and just smiled.


The President was relaxing on a trip to the Floridian, an exclusive club along Florida's Treasure Coast. Obama arrived in Florida late on Friday and returned to Washington on Monday night

The club's owner is Jim Crane, a Houston businessman who also owns baseball's Houston Astros. Crane also has given money to Obama's political campaigns.

The White House had barred media coverage of the president's golf holiday but released the names of his partners.

The Huffington Post reports that the President tried to make amends with the traveling press by spending a quick 10 to 15 minutes with them in the back of Air Force One as they headed back to D.C.


Proving that he was not dropping the secrecy act anytime soon, all of the reporters involved had to agree that the conversation was off the record, meaning that they could not officially report anything that he said and had to keep their reflections of the conversation in extremely vague terms.

'He didn't come back because he had to tell us something. He came back to hang out,' reporter Scott Wilson from The Washington Post, who was serving as the pool reporter on Monday.

The weekend is the latest in a string of incidents that have prompted press backlash against the self-titled 'transparent' President, with Politico reporting today that withholding access is just one of the ways in which his administration works to avoid the tough questions and promote their brand.

The outrage over the lack of transparency comes as much of the bill for the pricey trip will be paid for by tax payers, yet President Obama did not feel it appropriate to even release one photo of his time out on the course.

The President played with the notorious philanderer on Sunday after getting a private lesson from Woods' former coach the day before.


The trip was far from a little getaway, as he made his way to the golf course by way of Chicago on Friday and that is when the costs started piling up.

ABC News reported that in 2012, it cost $179,750 per flight hour to run Air Force One.

Going off that rate- even though it is likely higher now since gas prices have risen- the cost of the flights to Florida and back to Washington on Monday totaled $943,687.50.


Luxurious: Obama's entourage rented out all three of the four-bedroom cottages on the grounds of the club
HOW MUCH IT COSTS FOR A PRESIDENTIAL BOYS WEEKEND
$943,687.50: estimated cost of a trip for Air Force One from Chicago to West Palm Beach and then back to Washington, D.C.

$13,500: Cost to rent out three four-bedroom guest cottages at The Floridian for three nights
$24,000: Cost of an eight-hour private golf lesson with famed instructor Butch Harmon
$1,800: Greens fees for three guests for two rounds of golf
$1,600: Cost of four caddies for two rounds of golf
$4,620: Cost of 20 rooms at the Port St. Lucie Holiday Inn for traveling press and security detail based on the government per-diem rate
TOTAL: $989,207

.He rented out all three of the four-bedroom guest cottages on the grounds of The Floridian for the whole of the long weekend, as well about 20 hotel rooms from the nearby Holiday Inn- which is about 20 minutes drive from the course- for his traveling entourage of press and security.

Expectantly, their price differentials are significant, as one night in a guest cottage costs $1,500 while the Holiday Inn told MailOnline that they charged the government per-diem rate of $77 per room.

On top of the logistical expenses, the whole point of the trip was to relax on the golf course, which involves a whole host of expenses in itself.

Guest greens fees at The Floridian are $300 per person, and each player hires a caddy who costs $200 per round.

For three guests to play two rounds of golf over the weekend, greens fees come to $1,800 and the caddies fees for the foursome total $1,600.


Relaxation: The President's press team said that they did not need to allow journalists on to the grounds because it was a personal vacation and that Mr Obama was not conducting any formal political events during the trip


Options: Since he did not leave the grounds, Mr Obama undoubtedly ate in the course's gourmet dining room

Expensive: All told, the trip is thought to have cost close to $1million
The Floridian also features a gourmet dining room, full service spa and a marina with 68 boat slips so members can arrange to go on fishing outings during their stay. Because the press were banned from getting past the maintenance shed outside of the gates of the club, it is not known whether the President indulged in any of those amenities.

The golf club's rules stipulate that all expenses incurred by guests are paid for by their member counter part. In this case, that means that the club's owner Jim Crane- who is also a Democratic donor- likely paid for all of the charges and is being reimbursed either in full or part.

Another personal expense that Mr Obama racked up came from the eight hour one-on-one lesson with golf pro Mr Harmon. Since those lessons typically cost $3,000, that means that Mr Obama's bill came to a tidy $24,000 after his intensive session on Saturday.

During his stay, the President never left the grounds of the golf club, meaning that his transportation and security costs were kept to a minimum. A spokesman for the nearby police department said that they had not been asked by the Secret Service to provide any additional security.


Keeping score: Tiger Woods is rumored to be doing well during the early bouts of the round
While both the President and Woods remained mum about their round of golf, former coach Mark Harmon wasn't shy when it came to talking about their conversations.
'Just to see the interaction between the two on the range was pretty neat. The President said to Tiger, "The last tournament you played was fun to watch. It's good to see you play well again." You could tell he meant it. It just wasn't a throw it out compliment,' he told Golf Digest.

Familiar face: The President played golf with his friend Eric Whitaker on Saturday, and he was seen playing with him back in 2009 during a trip to Martha's Vineyard (pictured) as well
Prior to Mr Obama's round with Tiger- where he was accompanied by his friend from Chicago Eric Whitaker, two Democratic donors, a U.S. trade representative and the club's owner Jim Crane- the President spent eight hours with Mr Harmon fine-tuning his game.
He reportedly played 27 holes with Mr Harmon and had an instruction session in his golf studio.
'I like the fact he loves golf,' Mr Harmon said.
'Obviously he doesn't get to play very much. He said it was a real treat for him to come here with his best friends and have a chance to play.
'But he counts every shot. He doesn't like gimmes. He putts everything out. He counts all his penalty shots. He thinks about all his shots before he hits them.
'Some people might say to the President of the United States, "Oh, just move it." But that's not him. He loves the game and loves the game the way it's supposed to be played.'
Golf Digest reporter Tim Rosaforte reported that the Commander-in-Chief reported to the club's driving range at around 11am as he warmed up for the 'historic' round with Woods and Crane.

The President was supposed to play with Woods at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound which is about a half hour away from The Floridian, but Mr Obama and his entourage opted to stay on the grounds of the golf club in Palm City.

Since reporters were barred from accessing the golf crew, gossip was flying at the country club as members tried their best to get an insight into how the round was going.

Tranquil: The round is taking place at The Floridian Yacht and Golf Club owned by Jim Crane

Butch Harmon, pictured with Tiger Woods in 1999, will be working with the president this weekend on his golf swing
'Not going to turn this into Tiger Tracker, but from pro shop at Floridian we received word TW holed out greenside bunker No. 1 for birdie,' Rosaforte tweeted.

While this is the first time that the President has played golf with Woods- who has won the most titles in the storied sport- it is not the first time that they have met.

Upper echelon: Jim Crane, who owns the golf club and the Houston Astros, is a Democratic donor and has played golf with the President twice this weekend
The disgraced golfer did a reading at one of President Obama's inaugural festivities in 2009 and followed that up with a visit to the White House.
That visit took place five months before his long list of affairs was exposed so it is unclear whether or not Woods and Mr Obama have spoken since. Their four hours on the course will leave them with plenty of time to talk, however.

During his round on Saturday, the President played with Crane as well as U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. He also played at least one round with his close friend Eric Whitaker who he has known since he lived in Chicago.

Both Carroll and Crane have donated to Democratic campaigns, and Chase hosted an Obama fundraiser during the presidential campaign last year.

The Florida club is used to having some high-profile guests, as conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh talked about his times playing there during his show on Saturday.

'I was a proud and honored member of the Floridian,' he said.

'The president’s got himself a good, old-fashioned guys golf weekend.'
The weekend wasn't all smooth sailing for the President's team, however, as three planes breached the no-fly zone that was imposed during Mr Obama's visit.

The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incidents which obviously caused concern about what may have happened if the security restrictions were broken on purpose.
President Obama is enjoying a break from his family this weekend after flying to Florida for a golf getaway, while the First Lady and daughters Sasha and Malia will be skiing in Aspen, Colorado, the White House confirmed on Friday.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2280855/Obama-pictured-leaving-1m-golfing-weekend-Tiger-Woods-imposed-controversial-photo-black-out.html 

Reporter Asks Carney: Will Obama Cut Back on Lavish Vacations, Golf Trips?

Carney punts.

A reporter from Colorado asked White House spokesman Jay Carney how President Obama justifies "lavish vacations" and golf trips, and whether he plans to cut back:

Bringing up high unemployment in minority communities and government furloughs, the reporter started, as well as "millions of Americans unemployed, and family budgets that have been cut. How does the president justify lavish vacations and a golf trip to Florida at taxpayer expense? And does he plan to cut back on his travels?"

Carney responded, "I can tell you that this president is focused every day on policies that create economic growth and help advance job creation."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Wp86uLLP_ws

Q All right. I wanted to follow up on this young woman’s question about the high unemployment out in places like Colorado, all around the country, especially in the minority communities -- exceptionally high unemployment. And when there is government workers who may be furloughed, millions of Americans unemployed, and family budgets that have been cut, how does the President justify lavish vacations and a golf trip to Florida at taxpayer expense? And does he plan to cut back on his travel?

MR. CARNEY: I can tell you that this President is focused every day on policies that create economic growth and help advance job creation. We have presided over the past three years over an economy that’s produced over 6.3 million private sector jobs, and we have more work to do. And this President’s number-one priority is growth and job creation. When you come to --

Q But it’s not working in the minority communities.


MR. CARNEY: Well, the fact is unemployment has come down. It has not come down nearly enough. And what we need to do is embrace policies that advance job creation, make secure the middle class, and create ladders of opportunity for those who aspire to the middle class. We certainly do not need to embrace economic policies that shift the entire burden of deficit reduction onto senior citizens, middle-class families, Medicaid recipients. The proposal coming out of the House would slash Medicaid by a third.

Q But it doesn’t affect inner-city jobs.

MR. CARNEY: It doesn’t? You don’t think it does?

Q No.

MR. CARNEY: People who depend on Medicaid to help take care of their kids who are disabled. People who depend on Medicaid to take care of their parents who are in nursing homes. People who are not in the middle class but aspire to it, who depend directly on Medicaid. I think you need to examine what the Medicaid program actually does.


http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/reporter-asks-carney-will-obama-cut-back-lavish-vacations-golf-trips_707767.html 


We're going to Martha's Vineyard again biznitches!!!

Martha's Vineyard doesn't need no stinking inner city jobs!