Just wanted to wish all of you BOGgers ...

[NanceGreggs]

... Happy Holidays, and a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

May all that is wondrous and joyful be yours throughout the season, and may every blessing come your way in the year ahead.

[VanillaRhapsody]

1. and thank the Gods that Barack Hussein Obama is President...

regardless of the naysayers and critics!

[NanceGreggs]

3. I thank the powers that be

every day that this man is our POTUS.

As for the critics and naysayers, most of them will be whining about whichever Dem is in the White House in 2017 - even if it's the very person they wanted elected.

We all know the drill:

"I can't believe I campaigned for ______ - I am SO disappointed!"

"This is NOT what I voted for!"

"______ ran as a progressive, and now they're acting like a Republican!"

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!"

"_______ is pulling the entire Party to the right!"

"I want a refund on my campaign donations - _______ has turned out to be just another Conservadem-ThirdWayer-DINO!"

"If I'd known _______ was going to be this spineless, I would have sat out the 2016 election!"

"Only one day in office, and ______ has already broken every campaign promise!"

You've got to give the whiners credit for one thing - they're as predictable as the sunrise.

[VanillaRhapsody]

4. TYRANNY! Seems to be their battle cry these days...

and YES very predictable...

they follow with "I am a Democrat so I am allowed to..." (whine).

[freshwest]

18. Some days I wonder about that. But some never know a good thing til it's gone. Only 3 more years...

Last edited Sat Jan 4, 2014, 02:42 PM - Edit history (1)

[VanillaRhapsody]

23. Ain't that the truth!

or can't see the forest for the trees!

[freshwest]

28. Have a good night, VR, see you tomorrow or some other day. Post some threads in the BOG if you can!

[sheshe2]

36. Merry Christmas freshwest~

The Obama Diary~

[tavalon]

43. I have a dream

Whatever the next two years bring, I think the Obamas will be much like the Carters. They will continue to be good people and probably do great work for a long time after these eight years.

[grantcart]

8. 2013

A year of

More peace
More diplomacy success (we continue to celebrate the peaceful resolution of a terrible conflict in Burma, a few miles from our Thai home)
Less US troops in harms way (one cousin has had 3 deployments)
More people getting access to affordable health care (we will be able to see a doctor in 10 days)
More undocumented workers getting temporary protection orders (including one of our son-in-laws)
More equality for all Americans
Fewer economic catastrophes and a chance to have sustained growth (finally getting back to the pre Bush era with our business)


and all of this against the most uncooperative Congress and a recalcitrant Republican that carries out subterfuge and sabotage that borders on insanity

and against a media that is rabid in its attack not on substance, not on form but almost exclusively on the trivialness of irrelevant details all the while parroting the points from reactionaries that are unable to correctly answer the question "Where was the President of the United States born?"

[sheshe2]

13. Nailed it!

[IrishAyes]

37. Why not? As professionals, they've been honing that skill for their whole lives.

[tavalon]

42. If I've ever used any of those phrases, mea culpa

I try to balance my criticism of some of our President's policies with kudos for what he has been able to get done, especially with this increasingly "Do Nothing" Congress (there are exceptions, beautiful exceptions.)

I know I was terribly hurt by Rahm being his Chief of Staff and got really bummed for a while. I've gotten a wider view, especially with ACA and I think he is doing the best he can in most situations. And after spending the last week as bossperson on night shift, I found I was often called on to make decisions that had no good answer so I made the best I could with the information I had. That is nothing compared to running this country.

During that early time, I didn't whine, I raged. I was so, so mad. I still get boiling mad but rarely is it at our Commander in Chief, it's the no nothings who seem to populate the rest of the government.

[Cha]

21. Hallelujah, VR~

[VanillaRhapsody]

22. I'll see your Hallelujah with my Amen!

Enjoy:

Happy Holidays Cha!

[Cha]

25. Wow, I loves me some Van Morrison.. thank you, VanillaR..

Happy Holidays to you, too~

Amen, sistah!

[VanillaRhapsody]

26. I had a feeling you did Cha!

something just told me....

That's a real upbeat concert...it kicks ass! Great for just listening to...I play the congas...so I love the touch of that in this in this music with the whole horn section as well. If you are too busy tonite...bookmark..its a great Sunday morning "coming down" kind of vibe!

[IrishAyes]

39. And I'll see your Amen with Cohen's 'Anthem'. That man chills and warms me at the same time.

Hope everyone's holiday went well.

[VanillaRhapsody]

45. VERY....just got home...

I see DU is still going strong!

[IrishAyes]

46. Sleepy...

I'm only awake to put my dogs out one last time at 10:30, so they'll let me sleep until 6. My eyes keep closing... there was nothing on tv this evening and I couldn't find my crock pot to start a dish for the carry in tomorrow. Did that crock pot sprout legs and walk off? I probably left it at the last church do. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[VanillaRhapsody]

47. wish I could lend you a crockpot...I have 3 of them!

best kitchen tool ever invented!

[IrishAyes]

48. Yes, they are.

I made more use of mine before retirement. Now it's so easy just to cook in big batches and freeze portions for later. The main way I've been using the crock pot since is for carry-ins, because the microwave ovens are always busy just before serving time. Easier to take it to the kitchen early and leave it there on warm.

Well, maybe it'll show up in the house sooner or later. That's part of the trouble with a big house; too easy for things to get lost. I lose gloves and such all the time - but never before a crock pot. Well, at least the medium sizes are cheap. And they should even go on sale pretty soon.

[VanillaRhapsody]

49. the after Christmas sales they will be really cheap

I use mine to make fluffy rice. I use it to make baked potatoes and sweet potatoes. I use it to make overnight oatmeal! I use it to cook down a chicken carcass to make a broth...

Tons of uses...I don't know how people live without them

[IrishAyes]

50. Those and microwaves!

[VanillaRhapsody]

51. I think I would give up my microwave for a crockpot though!

[IrishAyes]

52. Well, I'm a coffee fiend, though. Blend my own, flavor it various ways, and perk it

(drip won't do) strong enough to melt paint off steel. But I don't leave it in the pot. It goes straight into the frig, and I use it diluted throughout the day. That means a mike to heat it.

[VanillaRhapsody]

53. ever heard of a thermal carafe?

you can put it in that and it will stay warm all day! better than nuked!

[IrishAyes]

55. You answered your own question, normal human!

"..it will stay warm all day!" Most people drink (ugh!) warm coffee. Mine has to be almost scalding hot; also, when nuked, the cup will heat up more and keep the desired temperature longer.

Next!

[VanillaRhapsody]

56. Ah I see...

holy smokes! Drinking scalding liquids is not good for you...its the reason that some Middle Eastern cultures have higher rates of Esophageal Cancers. They drink scalding hot tea....

[IrishAyes]

58. Yes, I'm playing with fire. But I'll have doc keep a close watch on my esophagus. It's the best

trade-off I can manage, because I absolutely detest warm coffee. Sometimes I drink warm milk, though, and I always warm my wine. Only coffee has to be steaming hot.

[VanillaRhapsody]

59. Well just be careful.

[IrishAyes]

60. This extended conversation has borne fruit.

The subject has been on my mind a long time. The other day I saw a friend with smokeless tobacco he probably thought was well concealed, and I thought to myself why hurt yourself like that???? It's past time for me to turn over a new leaf. Just because I've skated free this long doesn't mean my lucky streak won't ever run out. Thanks for the nudge I needed to quit whistling past the graveyard.

After all, my life goal is to outlive the last Republican on earth.

[VanillaRhapsody]

61. What a wonderful goal that is....

kudos...hope you can make the adjustment. I would love to know you achieved that goal!

[IrishAyes]

62. It can't be as tough as kicking tobacco, etc. I'd be a wuss if I couldn't do this.

[VanillaRhapsody]

63. I kicked the tobacco after 30+ yrs so...

you can do it....the first step is "YouGottaWanna".

That's it!

[IrishAyes]

38. Now you know that song and that singer in particular leave me helpless, don't you?

I'd love to have that played at my own memorial service, if there is one. Trouble is, they don't know how to do good wakes here. Not a MidWest tradition. Maybe they're afraid of waking the dead?

[Cha]

40. That's a great idea, Irish.. Leonard Cohen singing "Halleluhaj"

at our own personal memorial.

It's an amazing song.. I first heard it as the background in a tv show I was watching in New York years ago. I googled it and got the lowdown on who sang it and who wrote it.

Oh, he's Canadian!

snip//

"Hallelujah" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, originally released on his album Various Positions (1984). Achieving little initial success, the song found greater popular acclaim through a cover by John Cale, which later formed the basis for a cover by Jeff Buckley. It is the subject of the book The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah" (2012) by Alan Light. In a New York Times review of the book, Janet Maslin praises the book and the song, noting that "Cohen spent years struggling with his song 'Hallelujah.' . . . He wrote perhaps as many as 80 verses before paring the song down."[1] "Hallelujah" is also the basis for a book on Leonard Cohen, highlighting John Cale and k.d. lang, especially in the context of erotic desire, The Hallelujah Effect: Philosophical Reflections on Music Performance Practice and Technology (2013) by Babette Babich.

Many cover versions have been performed by many and various singers, both in recordings and in concert, with over 300 versions known.[2] The song has been used in film and television soundtracks, and televised talent contests. It is often called one of the greatest songs of all time."

The rest of the story..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah_(Leonard_Cohen_song)

[IrishAyes]

41. I know very few so uplifting, regardless of the context in which it's received at the moment.

[freshwest]

54. At one time I planned to have these at my funeral. Not going to have one, though:

The first for me and the second for those left.

[IrishAyes]

57. Great selections.

I don't want a funeral per se either. Just a wild Irish wake. But odds are certain people in my rather limited circle will insist on some kind of 'religious' service, which I'll refuse to attend. They'll tell (nice, I hope) stories about what they honestly think they knew about me, and very little will be accurate. There'll be no weeping and gnashing of teeth, just a polite imagined duty done. Seems like I've become something of a 'town character'. Apparently some of the things I had to say at the last town council meeting regarding the illegal business temporarily located in our residential neighborhood riled the self-righteous fundie board members. They know quite well they've broken the law but are hoping the man in question will be able to afford a place on the highway and move out before the six months they gave the new town attorney to study the matter.

Anway, in my objections I said it was grossly immoral to sacrifice the legitimate financial interests of surrounding neighbors just so one family could break the law with impunity. Most insulting to the board, I closed with the statement that I didn't want to be sacrificed on the altar of mammon. That's the surest way to rile fundies - throw the Holy Bible at them. I meant it to rile them, and apparently it did. Seems to have spread around and pleased enough people that there might be a few wishing to bid me a polite if not overly fond farewell at the proper time.

One thing the local nuts won't get a chance to do is to paw through my personal stuff or even set foot on the property for an auction, though. I've willed all the personal possessions to the very thrifty Mennonites with the provision that if they wish to sell any of it, said sale must take place no less than fifty miles from town and not be advertised here either. I left the house itself to a charity, which doubtless will sell it. But once again, it can only be sold in a certain manner to keep the local lookie loos out.

Knowing I won't get a proper Irish wake makes me a little cranky.

[lamp_shade]

2. And also to you, Nance, and thanks for stopping by.

[NanceGreggs]

6. I follow the BOG daily ...

... it's the only place left on DU where reasonable people gather to discuss the truly remarkable progress that's been made under this President and his Administration.

All the best to you and yours, lamp_shade!

[freshwest]

19. Thanks for stopping by. Like to read your home base, but can't get it to work well with my browser.

DFW asked me to post there a long time ago, but I can't get it to format correctly.

I am glad you still post some here at DU. And yes, the BOG is my oasis of sanity from an ocean of wails.

Merry Christmas to you and all over there where you have great editorials and great news pieces.

[VanillaRhapsody]

24. That's the part I don't understand...why is the BOG even necessary?

how is that even possible? How are we tolerating being called "toadies, tools, and stooges" on Democratic Underground? It's like busterbrown said "unfuckingbelievable"!

some days I just shake my head in disbelief.

[freshwest]

27. It's demoralizing, that's for sure. Anytime GD gets a happy about PBO, it gets swarmed. All news is

negative, not neutral. It's why a lot of people have left, and only come here to the BOG. And I don't suggest anyone new come to DU.

I post to talk to friends and read to keep up on news, but now some are suggesting there are more liberal and positive Democratic groups on Reddit so they've gone here.

Nothing beats DU for interaction and functions, though, Skinner and the guys have done a great job with the website. Maybe it'll be better in 2014.

Until then, there's always a sane place to post here in the BOG. Even some contentious posters are now saying they don't want to spend time here anymore, as it seems some just want to bash others. Really, if that is all some people have, it's sad.

I come here to talk and discuss and ask questions, and the BOG has some of the open minded people at DU. A person can talk, or share some joy without being shredded for fun.

I never get negativity here, I am free to talk and share and ask questions, and for me it's often the best part of DU.

[grantcart]

5. Best Wishes to you and Jeff. Hope 2014 is a great year for you.

[NanceGreggs]

7. Thanks, grantcart!

And right back at ya!

[Isoldeblue]

9. Thanks Nancy

Have an excellent holiday week. And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all here in the BOG. Love to all of you!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

10. Thanks,Nance. Missing your posts here

[madrchsod]

11. hi nancy! happy holidays to you...

by the way many here miss your commentary.

[sheshe2]

12. To you and yours, a very Happy Holiday!

Last edited Wed Dec 25, 2013, 12:45 AM - Edit history (1)

Christmas is in our hearts and soul. Not shown with a ribbon or bow, that is just packaging and superficial. The true depth of the spirit of Christmas should remain with us throughout the year. It is about laughter and giving. It is about our kindred spirits that not only feel the pain when others are suffering, they reach down and help them stand tall.

This President, has shown us the true meaning of Christmas. He has helped us stand tall once again.

The best President ever. He will go down in history as having transformed America. He has once again shown us what is right about America. He has shown us that it is not about privilege but of Pride and Equality. We the people are equal and no one should be allowed to take that from us.

So good to see you here, Nance.

Merry Christmas~ Happy Holidays. To the very best of the New Year 2014~

BOG

Peace~

she

[catbyte]

14. Well said, sheshe. Peace to you & yours.

[sheshe2]

15. Thank you catbyte. Peace to you and yours also~

[freshwest]

20. ^^^THIS^^^

[Kath1]

16. Thank you!

Happy Holidays

[Cha]

17. Mele Kalikimaka, NanceGreggs!

Peace and Joy to you and Yours(JeffR)~

[JI7]

31. i sooo agree with your sigline

one thing that makes me happy everyday is having him as President.

[Cha]

32. It's a whole FB site.. :)

https://www.facebook.com/ILIWIWUITMABOIP

JI7

[madamesilverspurs]

29. Joy and happiness to YOU, Nance!

And hoping that Father Christmas brings a new mayor your way . . .

[intaglio]

30. Hi, Nance

and joyous St Alburga's day

[treestar]

34. Had to google that

Interesting, I didn't know a Saint could have Dec. 25!

[treestar]

33. Thank you and same to you Nance!

I just read your piece on DFP! Very good!

[great white snark]

35. Same to you NanceGreggs!

DU just isn't the same without your thoughtful prose but I'm glad to see you're still contributing elsewhere.

Happy Holidays.

[berni_mccoy]

44. Love you Nance!