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Subscribe to RSSNASVHILLE, Tenn. -- On the same day that the nation's high court upheld President Obama's health-care legislation, First Lady Michelle Obama told black churchgoers in Nashville that the black community's legal fights for justice continue long after the Civil Rights era.
"The connection between our laws and our lives isn't always as clear as it was 50 years or 150 years ago," Mrs. Obama told thousands of members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at their quadrennial conference in Nashville. "And, as a result, it's sometimes easy to assume that the battles in our courts and legislatures have all been won."
The first lady urged the audience to begin by addressing issues like their children's education and health with responsible parenting, but she added that civic engagement remains an important part of the equation.
"But while we certainly need to start at home," she said, "we all know that we canot stop there because the fact is that our laws still matter."
Mrs. Obama did not directly mention the issue of health care in her speech -- or today's 5-4 ruling in favor of the health law's requirement that most Americans buy insurance.
But, later in the day, at another event in Memphis, Obama directly addressed the Supreme Court case:
“When it comes to healthcare, please, please tell people about the historic reform this president passed,” she said. “Tell them that today’s Supreme Court decision was truly a victory for families all across this country. ... Because of this reform, help them understand that insurance companies will have to cover preventative care for things like contraception, cancer screening, prenatal care... Insurance companies will no longer be able to cap your coverage because you’re 'too sick' … (or) deny you coverage just because you have a preexisting condition."
During her speech here, she referenced civil rights battles that were won in dramatic court cases like Brown v. Board of Education. Today's fights, she said, are far less clear than that landmark 1954 court victory to end segregation.
"What about all those kids growing up in neighborhoods where they don't feel safe, kids who never have opportunities worthy of their promise," she asked. "What court case do we bring on their behalf? What laws do we pass for them?"
About 10,000 participants were on hand for the First Lady's address, which included some teasing of those who might shy away from talking politics at the churches that anchor their communities.
"To anyone who says that church is no place to talk about these issues," she said, "you tell them there is no place better, because ultimately these are not just political issues, they are moral issues."
Then-Sen. Barack Obama addressed the same conference during his presidential campaign in 2008.
The first lady's remarks Thursday included frequent references to black leaders who she said paved the way for her husband's historic ascent to the presidency. She referenced the story of a son of an African American White House staffer who asked the president if his hair felt the same as his own.
"If you ever wonder whether change is possible in this country, I want you to think about that little black boy in the Oval Office touching the head of the first black president," the first lady said. "And I want you to think about how children who see that photo today think nothing of it because that is all they have ever known. Because they have grown up taking for granted that an African American can be president of the United States."
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Give em hell Michelle!
There is a reason you are considered Barack's secret weapon! ;o)
Beauty and Truth walk hand in hand. As an artist, I know ... it is the muse that walks us through the valley of shadows and the curse that makes it our path.
Fisty, the great divider in chief is really something special. Isn't it lovely how he pits blacks against whites, poor against rich, young against old.....
Just what we need in a leadership role.
LOL
you libbys just keep on making me laugh so hard! My stomach is starting to hurt.
Amen to that Feisty and ideology! Not to mention their example of a beautiful American family that graces our White House!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Feisty - don't think she's a "secret" weapon any more. Everyone knows what an intelligent, strong, supportive First Lady we have. We are so fortunate to have her represent our country!
RedSoxRule - how do you do it every day? You keep attacking our President as the divider when you know damned well the Republican party has fought hard to divide this country. You're pathetic in your attempt to put it on the President! But, you're a good Republican - hypocrite!
Obama/Biden 2012
you libbys just keep on making me laugh so hard! My stomach is starting to hurt.
I felt that a few days ago ... get yeself to an hospital pronto.
I don't ever remember having such a class act as First Lady, not even Jackie Kennedy can hold a candle to her!
RedSox: the only division I see coming from your diatribe is the self evident pitting of Republicans against reality, the GOP against truth, the Tea Party against sanity, conservatives against America.
Perhaps when they release you from the asylum, you will be allowed to join the real world.
I don't ever remember having such a class act as First Lady, not even Jackie Kennedy can hold a candle to her!
They each have the extraordinary about them to be sure ... to compare the classiness of one to the other would insult the mind with idle chatter. America's royalty comes from the female side.
Yeah, no, because the life of a young African-American male is just peaches and cream without the President suggesting otherwise, right?
the great divider in chief is really something special. Isn't it lovely how he pits blacks against whites, poor against rich, young against old.....
Redsux -
I thought division was something the RWNJ's prided themselves on........
If Democrats do not seize this moment to press forward on education, on the environment, on Social Security, on immigration ... then we have only ourselves to blame.
ideologyspoilstheview
Beauty and Truth walk hand in hand. As an artist, I know ... it is the muse that walks us through the valley of shadows and the curse that makes it our path
She is a dream true for all the struggles Black People have been through for hundreds of years. She graces our White House with beauty and nurturing. Never once has she let any barrier stop her from fighting for the people of this country especially the veterans and children.
I love her and her nuturing spirit. Not only does she compliment our Presdient; but her visibilty gives little children a positive role model to be the best they can be.
Yes we can and yes we did .
This First Family is going down in history
I'm chuckling. Our First Lady spoke to thousands while Mitt Romney spoke to a "crowd" of 500! TeeHee!
According to Team Willard, it was an over-flow crowd of 500... lmfao!
Where did they hold it - in a pup tent????
Goodness RedSux.
Good thing ObamaCare has got your back. We lose more connies that way.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Here we have a wife proudly supporting her husband's policies on health care legislation for those who truly need it, plus it is good for the economy.
Then we have the other wife who proudly supports her husband's policies on health care legislation for those who can't afford it and thus won't get it and that is actually bad for the economy. As long as she has hers, what does she care?
So pundits are saying Mitt is going to continue to run against the ACA, even though it is his legislation that was used as a way to get this done? What a hypocrite. Even though on one hand it's unpopular, yet on the other hand we're told no one knows what's in it? So how is it unpopular? Easy.
Americans won't kill themselves doing their homework. We have seen it time and time again. They're too lazy to see what the benefits are, and that is not the president's fault.
I think Romney is sticking with health care because he doesn't want anymore Bain stories if he sticks to economy issues.
btw, is the house going to vote on the jobs bill? When?
Halperin is back on. He called the president a d**k. And he's supposed to have credibility?
I'll stick with Mr. & Mrs. Obama, thank you.
Gosh, after looking in on some of the earlier posts, where have all the TeaPeople gone?
I was thrilled to see the Democrats leave the chamber during Issa's witch hunt. Issa and the TeaPeople in Congress are indeed comtemptable!
Wow!....What a great day afterall!
chilled - they have crawled back into the holes they usually emerge from. You know, once you go to the dark side it's hard to be happy about good news!
RedSoxRule
Fisty, the great divider in chief is really something special. Isn't it lovely how he pits blacks against whites, poor against rich, young against old
I was about to let you know where the words about class warfare came from but Seeking Sanity beat me to it.
If you think Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and LBGT are divded , I suggest you check out the polls. We are stronger now than we were before you t-baggers statred this nonsense because we love this country.
I do believe more and more that each day you people keep up the hate talk the we diverse people will coaolase to give our President a 2nd term as evidenced today by the beat down we gave the Koch bros with the Sumpre Court decision.
Bumper sticker I saw recently:
Obama is my hero! (And her husband is okay, too!)
Pat,
The transportation bill with student loan extension will be voted on either later today or tomorrow. It is the last day before their vacation.
According to Team Willard, it was an over-flow crowd of 500... lmfao!
Feisty - Don't laugh, that's a big crowd for Mutten's.....
Yea .... Michelle is such a great American and true patriot.
From the Washington Times 0n September 13, 2011 (For Seeking - Hint - 10th anniversary of 9/11) ...
"..... video of First Lady Michelle Obama apparently showing extreme disrespect to the American flag at a ceremony in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. As police and firefighters fold the flag to the sound of marching bagpipers, a skeptical looking Mrs. Obama leans to her husband and appears to say, “all this just for a flag.” She then purses her lips and shakes her head slightly as Mr. Obama nods."
Big deal ... heck she never was even proud of her country until Barack got the nomination.
What an American treasure.
Thank you Northstar. Is it true the pipeline has been taken out of the transportation bill?
bob-1805084 - that lie about our First Lady has been debunked several times.
bulletstopper - The First Lady and Jill Biden have supported our military families from the first day of this administration. Our President and First Lady have chosen military families are the cause they focus on and they have done a great deal of fundraising and work for this cause. Our President has supported every program to increase funding for veterans programs - even while some in the GOP (namely McCain) has refused that support.
SeekingSanity, it is so true and so hard to fathom. McCain in fact did vote against veteran programs/funding.
He is not a good person.
Seeking - it never stops them from repeating it... over & over & over & over...
They're like a freakin broken record!
YES -- Women's rights like Roe v Wade, The Voting Rights Act, the right for labor to organize and labor laws including equal pay, heck regulation of Wall Street to prevent "too big to fail" to name a few that have been under intense attack by Teapublicans in Congress and at state levels -- Along with the SCOTUS and Citizen's United and Montana’s Corrupt Practices Act (1912). And we should add the Fairness Doctrine after today's pitiful performance by FOX Noise.
Enough with the non-stop obsession from the rightwing about abortion, unions, and trying to steal yet another election. Throw the Teapublicans out!
GT-2021701 -- Those crowds can only take so much hyperventilating and scurrying about as if his magic underwear is stuck up the crack of his... Now what was that Romney was saying about China? Hahaha, he never learns what politics to project, and what not to project.
bob-1805084 ... and you are but flotsam ... an oily slick of bio-hazard thought ... the puke of an rotted ideology ... boring ... and deadly to none but your own.
They're at the Coyote Wile meeting sponsored by ACME Corporation. Don't let the silence fool you--The plotting and scheming is just intensifying...
beep beep!
ideology,
You are certainly the word master today.
Recovery becomes you...keep up the good work .
I have always loved a well turned phrase....
It easy for Jill and Michelle to go out in public and say they support veterans while the President is trying to change the military retirement program and the way the military is currently paid. All his new proposals do not improve the life of the military member or their family just the opposite. Please google pay increases for the military your so call Military loving President vote for a small pay increase for the military but for federal employees who sit on their ass all day their pay increase was large. The President wants to increase Tricare Fees for retirees but again not for his union thugs. I dont give a rat azz if these two ladies go out and say they support military families why don't they stay home and tell their husbands to leave our benefits and pay alone. Nothing but a camera op for these two phoney along with their husbands.
...the First Lady is right!
Remember the law is ...no one can discriminate people based on their race...religion...gender..etc. Sometimes, the history of slavery and holocaust has made people careful with the African Americans and Jewish Americans, but not with other minorities. If there is one who is not free, no one is free.
gideb114 -- At least members of their families have served, unlike Romney. As for pay and benefits, where are the Republicans on this?
Ultimately, there are many who signed up for the military because of the Great Recession -- I'm not saying many of these who served and are serving (three in my family at present) aren't risking life and limb, but their families have a lot more than many other Americans right now. There are plenty of improvements needed, like the VA, but cheap housing, food, health care, and education promised to those in the military are benefits they do enjoy.
Members of Congress, especially the Teapubicans who refuse to do the work of The People, now that is a different matter.
..."appears"...
..."appears"...
APPEARS to say...
So, bOb, any proof of what she "appears" to say? Or what she ACTUALLY said, for that matter?
I'll answer for you...no, no you don't.
But please continue to believe all the heresay and innuendo...because without that, bOb, you got nuthin'.
Truly ....... blessed is this country and its leader. Our first lady is awesome in every sense of the word. Truly ....... We are blessed.
Want everyone to realize .... because of what Issa has done .... no longer can ANY republican deny their party has completely lost their honor. Some of us have known this since McConnell's threat. And because of EVERY single day since. EVERY DAY something can be found unhonorable.
Issa is playing his phony hand and the betting has started. WE KNOW he has crap. From this day forward, ANYONE can look a republican straight in the eye ... and call them what they really are. Unhonorable.
Congress didn't walk the guns. The Administrative branch walked the guns. The Administration does not want the documents revealed calculating that would be worst than letting Holder go down on the contempt vote.
Who cares what color?
Why hasn't MSNBC reported on the comment she made at a flag ceremony not too long ago? She isn't the First Lady, she thinks she's the queen.
[Why hasn't MSNBC reported on the comment she made at a flag ceremony not too long ago?]
Um, Skiddy, because maybe she didn't say it? Stop listening to the "entertainers" at Fox "news"...
There's a start for you...
Fisting Redhead...Are you delusional? This buttershrew has about as much in common with Jackie Kennedy as you do with a rational thinking adult. I guess she is a good gardener and can spend taxpayer money like a drunken sailor on vacations, but name one thing she has done except try to sit at dinners (and boy can she eat!) with movie stars.
Actually u mIckey yes she did, Fox is the only ones who would report it.
It is sad that we are still having to discuss equal rights. Since the movement in the 1960s we should have learned that all men are, indeed, created equal and endowed by their creator life, liberty and pursuit of happyness.
Indeed, and that all people truly should be judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin.
Unfortunately for many, the mere thought of having a black man as President is so abhorrent they have made removing him from office at all costs their number one priority, even to the point of doing real harm to the country.
drip, I don't think anyone cares about a black man as president. They do care that we have an idiot as president though.
RedSoxRule - amazing. They didn't care when the idiot Bush was President. And, they aren't worried about having an idiot like Romney run - how exactly does that work?
drip, I don't think anyone cares about a black man as president.
Redsux -
That's Bull@!$%# and you know it. Nothing irks the right-wing more than the fact that the POTUS is Democrat, except the fact that he is black. However, maybe they like his white side.....
Obama/Biden 2012
GT...he is half white/half black. Why is he referred to as being black. Wouldn't the PC term be to call him either half white, half black, or the term Webster's refers to as Mulatto? Why is his white side dropped? Is that so you can feel good about thinking you put the first black man in office?
Oh. Right RedSux. Because President of the Harvard Law Review, high academic standing and an advanced degree are indicia of limited intelligence.
Only in republican-Land is stupidity a badge of honor. You certainly parade yours about proudly enough.
It would be funny as hell to have you and our President square off in a grey matter cage death match. You wouldn't live 8 seconds.
.
"And when elected I promise to take away your medical benefits and undermine your security,........so be a good sport and vote for me,.......mmmm-K.......?
*crickets*
BTW: Can we call it ObamaCare again?
Its now called ObamaYesWeCanCare now
Did Michelle talk about more welfare handouts?
Why should she talk about welfare handouts in Memphis??.........she did not need to. 50% of Memphis population are very well educated on welfare handouts. Violent crime rate going through the roof, over 50% HS drop out rate. Unemployment rate is above 11%, 7 out of 10 babies are born to black single mothers. Home values dropped 50% during the last four years. Saw it all first hand, lived there for 20 years, moved 6 months ago. Finally sold the house I owned for 20 years in April that I moved and left vacant....for 30% LESS than I paid for it in 1992. The last 3 years, was afraid to set foot out my front door, and never without a gun in my pocket. Worst mistake I ever made was moving there, but was necessary to keep my job. Job is gone, along with several hundred more...all in IT, outsourced to India thanks to the Wall Street equity firm - Blackstone, who is a big supporter of Obama....and their CEO is #1 highest paid in the US.
Well I figured since the USDA is pushing welfare benefits Michelle might be doing the same.
No she didn't, so you repubs can stop being so expectant of your handouts. The entitlement attitude of you repubs is amazing.
Wow!!! Do we have to sneak in racists comments ladies and gentlemen of the right!!! All I got to say to Michelle Obama (if she reads msnbc) don't allow black people to become complacent (as we have long to do once we have something good happen in our favor) and make sure we're reenergized to vote your husband again not just because he's black but because he's working to better the lives for ALL AMERICANS.
Well Cherokee looks like you'll be getting those jobs back from India,inside info for you within the next year over 300,000 call center and IT jobs will be coming back to America. Sounds like whatever your feelings are now they can become much better if you want it to be.
if they want a real black president it should be thomas sowell, not this marxist / communist joker...
I am not sure I understand... Does this mean that Obama isn't black, or isn't president...? And who are "they" that you refer to...? Americans...?
if they want a real black president it should be thomas sowell, not his marxist / communist joker....
Well sure she is going to root for Barrack. This means another dozen super-lavish vacations for her if he's re-elected.
For that kind of perks, I would even root for him.
You do know that the Obamas have millions of dollars and can afford super-lavish vacations whether you like it or not. The only cost to tax payers is for secret service and Airforce 1 just like it was when Bush went to Texas far more days than Obama has gone on vacation.
And, Kitty We don't have any Marxist/Communist President. Our last one tried to be a Fascist and, thank God, was unsuccessful. But maybe in the future you'll have your chance to yell seig heil!
Now pandering to the blacks. Why would anyone, black, white or othrwise, vote for Obama, when he has now seen fit to TAX US WHEN HE SAID HE WOULDN'T.
Oh, just ANOTHER ONE OF HIS BOLDFACE (I want your vote) LIES! Wake up America, November is the only hopewe have to OUST THIS MAN. We should hang our heads, out parents were NOT AN ENTITLEMENT NATION, but in the past 4 year, we have become one BIG TIME!
Did Obama hear Justice Roberts say, just because it's constitutional, DOESN'T MEAN ITS A GOOD IDEA! Now that makes sense to me.
Wait til you see you TAXES go up. Oh, I forgot Obama said "it's not a tax". Okay, now what do you say Mr. President when the Highest Court in the land says "it is"? What a liar we have here!
From a forum user wise beyond his/her years:
Now Now Sanity,
Romney is not an idoit! He's more like a robot - just keep playing the same program over and over!
Do you have health insurance now? If you have health insurance you have fulfilled the requirement! And there will be no additional tax - oh and Medicare is insurance!
It is projected that only 1% will incur a tax....because most folks have health insurance though their employer. The only people I know who are really against this all have insurance and do not want to drop it!
Oh and by the way, since the Supreme Court ruled that it is to stand, in August 2012, the insurance companies are to make a distribution to the policy holders of the premiums they collect which they did not spend on health care! The amount will depend on the insurance company and what they did... but as many as 20,000,000 households will get something like $150. That's not a lot but without the ACA, it would remain as profits for the insurance company. The ACA requires that 80% of all premiums be spent on health care and maintanence, or if it is not spent, then the difference in what they spent and the 80% of permiums collected must be refunded to the policy holder. And if the policy holder is your employer, they must refund their employees or give reduced premimums to the employees who are on their health insurance. Without the ACA, there is no requirement for insurance companies to spend a dime on your coverage really! You know, collect the premimums and deny the expense is covered routine!
Martha,
Great post full of fact.
But you see, the evening shift of the trolls have shown up . They are not interested in facts invovled in the c,se. or what heath insurance means for millions of American who could not get coverage.
They just want to stir the thread with their hateful retorts.
Have a great evening down in GA.
Folks - remember - GNOPer can't deal in facts....it hurts their peanut size brains......
GNOP CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Racist scum continues to pollute the body politic. The inferior, underachieving cowards are a filthy residue of tyranny and alien stupidity that is an embarrassment to the United States and its majority of decent citizens. Apparently civilization generates trash as well as heroes.
Right affinity,
Look at the Obama trash that Chicago has generated. The Affirmative action reject, and his wife Moochelle.
It would truely be interesting if it were possible to physically divide this country in half with the liberals, progressives, illegal invaders, Islamists, Marxists of every ilk, the race baiters and welfare pimps, the entertainment and academic elitists, the union thugs and their communist leaders, along with every other braindead loser in this country getting one half, and the conservative, Judeo-Christian, patriotic, self sufficient, defenders of the Constitution getting the other half. Set the situation up so that there was no trade between the two halves and no assistance given either way...for any reason. Families and friends could visit and communicate across the border but there would be no other transactions between the two. The leftist side could implement whatever feelgood programs they desired and their "country" could fully fund them by whatever means their population allowed and the conservative side would do the same regarding its governence. I believe that in one generation the leftist side would not look much different from bordertown Mexico and the conservative side would look like this country was intended to look. The differences would be as stark as comparing Detroit to Salt Lake City today...and probably worse. I do wish the liberals could have their way and experience life as it truely would be...not as their ideological propaganda depicts. But I don't want to have to experience it myself and I don't want to pay for it...and I will defend my childrens right to a free and prosperous future, even unto the death. So come on OWS and all the rest of you idiots, come and get my stuff...your survivors will be welcome to it after I go down the hard way. The Supreme Court failed the United States today and if the elections in November, and the persons placed into office thereby, don't start correcting the situation, and in a rapid and large way, these United States will cease to exist as we have known them and, from the ashes of the ensuing bloody revolution,will rise our next incarnation...hopefully something more like the democratic republic that our founding fathers handed down to us and we gave away due to greed and political correctness. Good luck people...and keep your powder dry. I'll meet you at the next Lexington Green moment in American history.
dennis,
Your post reminds me of a science fiction fanasty.
Relax, play with your children tonight. Enjoy the summer. Be glad you have health insurance. Be glad other Americans will be able to be insured in the next two years.
BTW there is only one Incarnation and as a fellow Christian that happend a long time ago.
Peace!
So Dennis, You hate Democracy. You prefer something like happened in Germany in the 1930s when anyone who was not a pure Arian was, somehow, less than a human being. Thatt applied to Gypsies, Jews, people of color, homosexuals, Communists, people loving democracy, some clergy and anyone who dared say one word against der Führer. Fortunately in the US a FREE COUNTRY, at least for a little longer, you have a right to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. I happen to disagree with your opinion (opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one) but I will defend to the death your right to beleive and say as you do. Patriot, Patrick Henry stated the same at a speech during a meeting of the Virginia House of Burgesses and that is the statement often used to explain the true American attitude toward free speech.
I'm going to wait until it all washes out, then decide.
Moochelle .....................YAWN
Go back to Kenya.
Racist PIG ! YOU are why the President will have a second term.!
And this from the lady who brought her infant daughters to be exposed every week of their lives as they were growing up to sermons like this: "Hillary is married to Bill, and Bill has been good to us. No he ain't! Bill did us, just like he did Monica Lewinsky. He was riding dirty." or this, "Racism is how this country was founded and how this country is still run!…We believe in white supremacy and black inferiority and believe it more than we believe in God."
I think that children raised with a continuous diet of hate speech like that are doomed to a life of distrust and hatred. I feel sorry for them.
Keep it up sugar, all that nasty talk is assuring the President a second term. Who would ever want a president you could vote for with all that hate.
Military Members, Veterans, Military retirees; note that Romney PROMOTED THE DRAFT during the Viet Nam War,
then skipped out to France for extraordinary length of time when church missionary tours were limited.
When Romney came home, he sided with his dad that the whole Viet Nam War was a scam and that he
was against the war. Promoting the draft, while Americans were dieing, he skipped out, then says he
wishes he could have participated. His whole life has been a lie.
Romney is a COWARD, Lying, Draft Dodger, who promoted someone else to die for him, that is
his way of management. One may want anyone but Obama, but this guy ranks with Jane Fonda and
should not be given anything or elected for anything. A low life human being who has risen to the top
because of his families money.
I love Michele Obama.......she knows about struggle. She knows about descrimination, both race and gender....I am stickin with her husband.......period.
epublicans
I hate the negative tone of the Republicans that think that they have to do is trash and debase the current president and his family to win the next presdential election. Come on- the party of no will have to get real ideas of how to fix America instead of wanting to go back to some unrealistic "golden past."