Obama Takes Over The Colbert Report

 

Last night, President Obama kicked Stephen Colbert off his chair just as he was about to give his segment of "The Word".  It was pretty fun to watch. 

He joked about himself, Republicans and of course, Fox News.  Check it out.

Cyanide and Happiness: NSA Scandal

Quoted - The President of The United States on Jason Collins Coming Out

Can you name another President or World Leader who has been outspoken and supportive of LGBT equality?  No, you can't.

What is even more striking about the quote and video below is that at the end of Tuesday's news conference, The President wasn't initially asked about Collins.  

As he was leaving the podium, he turned around, came back and said this: 

"Yeah, I’ll say something about Jason Collins. I had a chance to talk to him yesterday. He seems like a terrific young man, and, you know, I told him I couldn’t be prouder of him. You know, one of the extraordinary measures of progress that we’ve seen in this country has been the recognition that the LGBT community deserves full equality, not just partial equality, not just tolerance but a recognition that they’re fully a part of the American family.

And, you know, given the importance of sports in our society, for an individual who’s excelled at the highest levels in one of major sports go ahead and say, this is who I am, I’m proud of it, I’m still a great competitor, I’m still seven feet tall and can bang with Shaq and, you know, deliver a hard foul — and for, you know, a lot of young people out there who, you know, are — are — are, you know, gay or lesbian, who are struggling with these issues, to see a role model like that who’s unafraid, I think it’s a great thing. And I think America should be proud that this is just one more step in this ongoing recognition that we treat everybody fairly. And everybody’s part of a — part of a family, and we judge people on the basis of their character and their performance, and not their sexual orientation. And so

I’m very proud of him. All right?"

- President Barack Obama on basketball player, Jason Collins recently coming out as a gay man.

The Illustrated Guide to Sleeping Positions

I always start out sleeping like "the fear of the what's to come" and end up like "the swimmer" when I wake up. LOL.  Then again, the only one who truly knows is Ryan.  Check out this funny guide to sleeping positions.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 114

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues?
Click my Post Secret Logo Below.

Only 22% of Americans Want To Be Known As Republicans

It's a pretty sad reality, but the Reds are in a downward slope and it seems the only way they can win any elections is by redistricting, and even then, public support is waning.  Trust me, and you can look back on this blog four years from now and tell me I was wrong - I won't take offense.

The Republican party will never win a national election without the people they hate most - Latinos and Gays.  Period.  And aside from that, Asians were the fastest growing racial group in 2012, bet you didn't know that either.  So we can only imagine how much more diverse this country is going to be in 10 years. Hell, 4 years - who am I kidding?

According to USA today, "President Obama starts his second term with a clear upper hand over GOP leaders on issues from guns to immigration that are likely to dominate the year, a USA TODAY/Pew Research Center Poll finds. On the legislation rated most urgent — cutting the budget deficit — even a majority of Republican voters endorse Obama's approach of seeking tax hikes as well as spending cuts."

And here's the real kicker... Only 22% of Americans want to be known as Republicans.  Pretty sad huh?  You can read the article here.

I have friends who are Republicans, but they are more fiscally conservative individuals, and I understand that.  I respect them.  But for those who tell us how we should live, who we can love and who we can marry.  That is none of their f--ing business.

I will be shocked if I ever see a Republican president for the remainder of my life.  They would need to drastically change for that to happen.  And throwing Marco Rubio and Susana Martinez in our faces is not going to make it happen.

The 2012 Race for the Presidency

Map, courtesy of the Washington Post.  You can click on the map and it will take you to a wonderful interactive experience.  Double-click your state, and you can see how your county voted in the last election.  Check it out.

Obama is back! Thank you Mr. President - We've Missed You!

Now, this is what I'm talking about.  I was watching Rachel Maddow last night and I saw this clip of President Obama speaking to the same auto workers the REDs ignored and wanted to fail.   And he let them REDs have it.  What an excellent, excellent video.  A definite must watch for those who don't believe in this man.  OMG, this video was excellent!!!

As I'm sure most of you know, The REDs have been having a field day bringing up social issues because the economy is getting better.  They're hating on us Gays, hating on women's rights, and saying the President is a "Snob" for promoting higher education (college) for our kids.  And as you know, they were not in support of saving thousands of jobs (people's jobs) in the Auto Industry, they wanted them to fail.  Well, the president made a mockery of it.  And rightly so, because everything he said in this video is absolutely true!

Obama is back!  Thank you Mr. President - We've Missed You!

Why Does The Military Love Ron Paul?

Think most military service members are donating to Mitt Romney, New Gingrich, and Rick Santorum?  Think again, they're giving their money to Ron Paul.  And why, you ask?  I imagine service members are tired of fighting endless wars.  Or maybe it has something to do with coming back home to no jobs?  Democrats say cut defense spending, Republicans scream back, "you're a terrorist".  Seriously?

The 2012 presidential race tells a different story: The lion's share of political contributions by servicemembers and defense industry workers is going to anti-war, "soft on Israel," also-ran candidate Ron Paul. In fact, the battle for their dollars isn't even close: Paul has raised at least $282,868 from individual active-duty servicemembers and Pentagon employees—more than four times what the other three Republican presidential candidates have raised, combined. (President Obama has fared slightly better, drawing $123,644 from that group, but still less than half of Paul's total. Full Story Here.

Quoted - President Barack Obama for the It Gets Better Campaign

"Like all of you, I was shocked and saddened by the deaths of several young people who were bullied and taunted for being gay and who ultimately took their own lives. As a parent of two daughters, it breaks my heart. It's something that just shouldn't happen in this country. Now we've got to dispel this myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage, that it's some inevitable part of growing up. It's not. We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe for all of our kids. And to every young person out there, you need to know that if you're in trouble, there are caring adults who can help. I don't know what it's like to be picked on for being gay, but I do know what it's like to grow up feeling that sometimes you don't belong. It's tough. And for a lot of kids the sense of being alone or apart, I know it can just wear on you. And when you're teased or bullied it can seem like somehow you have brought it on yourself for being different or for not fitting in with everybody else. But what I want to say is this: You are not alone, you didn't do anything wrong, you didn't do anything to deserve being bullied, and there's a whole world waiting for you filled with possibilities. There are people out there that love you and care about you just the way you are. And so, if you ever feel like because of bullying, because of what people are saying, that you are getting down on yourself, you've got to make sure to reach out to people you trust;  whether it's your parents, teachers, or folks that you know care about you just the way you are. You've got to reach out to them. Don't feel like you are in this by yourself. The other thing you need to know is things will get better, and more than that, with time you are going to see that your differences are a source of pride and a source of strength. You'll look back on the struggles you've faced with compassion and wisdom, and that's not just going to serve you, but it'll help you get involved and make this country a better place. It will mean that you'll be more likely to help fight discrimination, not just against LGBT Americans but discrimination in all its forms. It means you'll be more likely to understand personally and deeply why it's so important that as adults we set an example in our own lives and that we treat everybody with respect, that we are able to see the world through other people's eyes and stand in their shoes, that we never lose sight of what binds us together. As a nation, we're founded on the belief that all of us are equal and each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness, to make the most of our talents, to speak our minds, to not fit in; most of all, to be true to ourselves. That's the freedom that enriches all of us. That's what America is all about, and every day it gets better."

- President Barack Obama for the It Gets Better Campaign

Presidential Campaign Costs Since President Abraham Lincoln

Barack Obama spent $730 million getting to the White House in 2008—twice as much as George W. Bush spent 4 years earlier and more than 260 times what Abraham Lincoln spent in his first election (as measured in 2011 dollars). Looking at the total costs of presidential elections over the past 150 years, it would seem that the White House is the ultimate recession-proof commodity. Full Story here

You Think You Can Do Better? Think Again...

Photo shared by Tim Arquette via Facebook

Marshmallow Cannon Fired Inside The White House!

Last Tuesday, President Obama met up with Joey from Phoenix, Arizona.  

The White House was hosting a science fair and Joey's science project was the highlight of the event.  He created an Air Cannon that shoots Marshmallows.

Watch as Joey and the President launch a marshmallow across the State Dining Room.

Thank You For Helping Me, Mr. President

You can read up on what achievements Obama has accomplished in regard to Healthcare in my new series, WTF Has Obama Done.

As The World Turns

You just can't debate with crazy, or practically anyone anymore. The world is changing for the better, but some people just can't accept that. All they have left to hold on to are their beliefs.  When those once common ideas are now considered out-dated, irrational and even hateful, and can be proven justly so, people get angry, desperate, and will fight to the very end to protect an ideology that they hold sacred. 

It's an unfortunate sign of the most conservative parts of the Republican party. Never give up, never surrender, never admit you're wrong, just keep screaming nonsense until you drown out your opponent and every last one of his facts.

Well I have a few facts to share myself - Gay people can get married without the sky falling or your family being affected in anyway, shape or form aside from the possibility of them not sharing your homophobic hate. Black people can be in charge of a country that once considered them property. 

conservative poster hating liberals

Being a Liberal is not the same thing as being weak. Trust me. We fight against income inequality in the Occupy Movement. We fight for the right to unionize in Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona and any other states controlled by a Republican majority that wishes for it to be a "right to work" state. We fight for the health of our women when conservative wolves in pink sheep's clothing attempt to break down Planned Parenthood. And we fight for our right to marry the person we love to not only receive the same benefits that everyone else gets, but to also simply show that we are no different from any straight couple and hence should not be treated differently as such. 

California is another footstep in the marathon that is the fight for marriage equality and gay rights everywhere. We will continue fighting. We are not weak. We are stronger than ever and we will fight for Obama this year and we will win. We must. This country needs to show the world that we stand for common sense, compassion and an ability to inspire hope in others by getting back up after being knocked down hard. Screaming at the top of your lungs until you can't hear the facts just won't do for this country of ours, and neither will defeat, hatred, or the desire to divide.

We can come together to make sure our country continues to succeed and head in its' current, correct direction. We can vote for Obama 2012, because hope is nothing without people to believe in it and change is impossible without people to fight for it. 

- Ryan Joseph Lopez (Blade 7184 blogger) in reference to Miley Cyrus' marriage equality tattoo

Obama Sign Thief

I'm not sure if I ever shared this story with my BLADE 7184 readers, but now is as good a time as any.  My friend Guillermo text me last night, and sent me this lovely picture. LOL.  

The Reason for my laughter is because in 2008, when Barack Obama was running for President, Ryan and I posted 2 Obama signs on our yard.  In the middle of the night someone stole them, destroyed them or whatever the hell they did with them.  Needless to say, I was pissed!  Yeah, yeah, they're just signs, but it was our yard and our property.

I went on Ebay and bought 100 or so in a package and for the next several weeks, every time a sign was stolen, I'd place a new one on the yard the next day.  It was getting so ridiculous that the moment we left for work, they disappeared.  

So one night I hid in my car with a video camera and watched as a car slowly drove by.   A passenger (who of course happened to be white - probably a teabagger) started to creep out of the car, when they spotted me.  They quickly made the corner and sped off.

Let's just say, our signs were never stolen again.  That was four years ago, now it's 2012 and the Tea Party has dwindled away.  Maybe there's hope yet. LOL.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 007 - Foreign Affairs and International Affairs

Regardless of what Republicans will have you believe, President Barack Obama has re-established our nation's standing in the world.  It's shocking to say, but after 911 the whole world was united with us, they supported us and they admired us for standing up to these horrible terrorists who had invaded our land.  We have never encountered such a catastrophe since Japan invaded Pearl Harbor in WWII.  But despite all of this, George Bush managed to turn us into the most hated and despised country in the world.  But you don't need me to prove that to you, you can actually "Google " it.

In other news... Can you believe it?  I have completed 7 days (7 issues) of "WTF Has Obama Done?" and I've had fun doing it.  It is time consuming, but I'm also learning so much!

In today's issue, I will cover some of the broad policies in foreign affairs, because despite what the right is telling you, Obama has achieved so much in this area. I will post 3 WTFs and come back at a later time to discuss this topic again.

WTF-17

Re-established the United States standing in the world.

The image of the United States has improved markedly in most parts of the world, reflecting global confidence in Barack Obama. In many countries opinions of the United States are now about as positive as they were at the beginning of the decade before George W. Bush took office. Improvements in the U.S. image have been most pronounced in Western Europe, where favorable ratings for both the nation and the American people have soared. But opinions of America have also become more positive in key countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, as well. [Reference-1]

Global views of the United States have improved markedly over the last year while views of many countries have become more negative, according to the latest BBC World Service poll across 28 countries.

For the first time since the BBC started tracking in 2005, views of the United States' influence in the world are now more positive than negative on average. [Reference-2]

Significant improvements in sentiment toward U.S. leadership are evident in all four major global regions, with the largest year-over-year increase in approval measured in Europe. Median approval of U.S. leadership increased by 28 percentage points between 2008 and 2009 in this region. A median of 47% approves and a median of 20% disapproves -- the first time disapproval has dropped below 50% in Europe since Gallup first asked the question. [Reference-3]

WTF-18

Poll: World’s opinion of U.S. has “improved sharply” under Obama.

Since Barack Obama entered office, the world's view of the United States has 'improved sharply,' according to a poll carried out by the BBC World Service.

Nearly 30,000 people in 28 countries were asked to rate countries on their positive impact upon the world. This year 46% of the respondents rated the US's influence as positive - the first time since 2005 that the survey returned more positive votes than negative for America. [Reference]

WTF-19

47 nations rise to Obama’s challenge at US nuke summit and agree to four years of non-proliferation efforts.

The Nuclear Security Summit convened by President Barack Obama attracted 47 high-level participants – over 30 of them heads of state or government – who collectively agreed on several small but important steps on the path towards global safety from a “rogue” nuclear attack. This could be mounted by “non-state” sources or by a state that does not observe the rules.

"The agreement of 47 nations to specific steps to safeguard nuclear materials and technology has to be welcomed especially in averting the dangers of nuclear weapon proliferation and non-state actors acquiring them,” says Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, who presided over the 1995 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review and Extension Conference. Formerly the UN Under-Secretary General for Disarmament (1998-2003), he is President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, and Jennings Randolph Senior Visiting Scholar, U.S. Institute of Peace. [Reference]

As promised, I will come back to Foreign policy in another issue.  Please make sure to read Issue No. 008 tomorrow as I continue with WTF-20
Everyday on BLADE 7184

Pray For Our President's Death

People often ask me why I'm not harsher towards Republicans in my blog.  And I tell them, because I want to believe that most Republicans are not this way.  At least the Republican people I know or friends I have, are not this way.  As a whole, I think the Republican party is heading in the wrong direction.  And a lot of it has to do with the hate and animosity towards our fellow Americans.  Most of the Repub friends I have, believe in the conservative principles of the party, yet have liberal views as well.

But I'll be honest, It's getting harder and harder to listen to the amount of anger and hate most Republicans have towards our President.  And quite frankly I wouldn't want to belong to a party that would deny another American the right to marry, or deny an American the right to pursue happiness.  I wouldn't want to belong to a party that constantly spews hateful rhetoric or tries to throw religion down our throats.  I wouldn't want to belong to a party that wants to strip my grandparents out of their health insurance that's been working so well for them.  And I wouldn't want to belong to party that boos a gay soldier who would've sacrificed his life for them.  The list goes on.

I wrote this blog today, because of something I read this morning.  It was an article on Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal.  Last Friday, he asked his fellow Republican House members via email to pray for our President's death.  That's right, not only is he using God to wish death upon a president, he's advising them to take a knee and recite Psalms 109.

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow."

Seriously? Why does it have to be this way?  And this is the same man who sent out a previous email saying "Michelle 'Yo Mama'".

I look at Senator John McCain's wife and daughter, Cindy and Meghan McCain, and wonder if Republicans will ever be like them.  Can they ever be like them?  And the answer, quite frankly, is NO.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Inaugural Issue Starts Tomorrow!

Regardless of how you feel about Barack Obama, and I'm speaking to everyone here - Atheist, Christian, Racist, Democrat, Republican, everyone.  If we were to look back at the end of George Bush's presidency and look at where we are today, I would start feeling really confident about where things are going.

I would be just as critical if this president wasn't doing the job I voted for him to do.  Hell, you could even ask my partner Ryan. Two years ago, I was talking shit about this man, because I didn't think he was following through on his promises.  But Ryan and the president proved me wrong.  The Republican party proved me wrong.  When I saw Mitch McConnell stand up on that podium and say their number one goal was to get this president out of office instead of help turn the economy around, I knew something wasn't right.

This President has done more for the LGBT community than any other president in our history.  He inherited an economy in January, 2009 that I didn't think he could ever repair.  And with the help of the stimulus package and other related policies, the economy is getting better each month, unemployment numbers continue to drop, and the country as whole, is on the right track to recovery.  

Mind you, he did most of this without help from certain folks in congress - he did it as best as he could without them.  Imagine if he would have gotten the support he needed. Just imagine where we would be today. But guess what?  Without their help our president was able to make change happen as promised, and a lot of it took place over the past 3 years.  

Starting tomorrow I will be starting a new daily series on my blog titled "WTF Has Obama Done?"  This daily series will feature an accomplishment President Obama has achieved over the course of his presidency.  If you don't believe the accomplishment, links will be provided to show that it's true.

I don't want to spread lies, so if you feel I wrote something false, please help by letting me know.  If you want to debate me, that will be fine too, but I won't go back and forth for hours trying to explain something that's true or not true.  If you can provide me with an honest rebuttal, I will change my post to reflect what you've told me.  I promise.

One State - Two Party Difference

I honestly wish this wasn't the case, but this is pretty much the way it is around the country.  When the country is divided this is what you get.  Only difference is, one party is a little more respectful.  These two women represent Arizona...

...I rest my case.