Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960) is an English classical crossover light lyric soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She has sung in many languages, including English, Spanish, French, Latin, German, Italian, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Catalan and Occitan.[1]
Brightman began her career as a member of the dance troupe Hot Gossip and released several disco singles as a solo performer. In 1981, she made her West End musical theatre debut in Cats and met composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, whom she married. She went on to star in several West End and Broadway musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, where she originated the role of Christine Daaé. The Original London Cast Album of the musical was released in CD format in 1987 and sold 40 million copies worldwide, making it the biggest-selling cast album of all time.
DAMN! Papa Pope’s got DEEP, DEEP POCKETS
B A HA HA VP Andrew Nickles is shankin’ Mellie.
Hillary Clinton Promises to Fix Obamacare
http://www.newsweek.com/hillary-clinton-promises-fix-obamacare-230465
Before Obamacare, there was Hillarycare. If former secretary of state Hillary Clinton decides to run for president in 2016, Republicans are certain to dredge up her failed attempt to pass health care reform as first lady in the early 1990s.
So it’s no surprise that Clinton addressed the issue judiciously and cautiously this week in Florida. She praised the law, which is similar to the universal health care scheme she proposed in her 2008 presidential run. She also said she would be happy to improve it.
“I think we are on the right track in many respects,” Clinton told the Health Care Information and Management Systems Society, according to CNN. “But I would be the first to say if things aren’t working then we need people of good faith to come together and make evidence-based changes.”
Hey 3CP! Looky here!
Papa Pope has given Olivia notice that Fitz is going DOWN!
https://twitter.com/petesouza/status/439192787561373696/photo/1
anyone got video for this nonsense?
I haven’t seen the videos yet. Lemme know if Valerie Jarrett really took time to sit before this fucker and allowed him to spew this fucked up shit.
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2014/02/27/must-see-oreilly-takes-white-house-adviser-valerie-jarrett
http://youtu.be/u_8EHR8Kklg
Haley did it again! Honor Roll!
HALEY IS ROCKING IT!!
Media Alert.
I think President Obama and VP Biden are gonna be on Jimmy Fallon Tonight!
https://twitter.com/petesouza/status/439193753249521665/photo/1
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Too Many People In Ohio Are Voting, Apparently
Posted by Zandar
Ohio’s GOP Secretary of State Jon Husted has now officially cut weekends from the state’s early voting for 2014, cutting two Saturdays and eliminating all Sunday voting.
If you’re wondering why Husted specifically eliminated Sunday voting, well it probably has something to do with this:
No Sunday voting, no “Souls to the Polls” push to get black voters to cast their ballots. It really is that simple. Eliminate weekend voting, eliminate voting hours after 5 PM, you get fewer working-class Ohians voting who can’t take time off because they have to work.
http://zandarvts.blogspot.com/2014/02/too-many-people-in-ohio-are-voting.html
Georgia’s Deal: Tighten ER access
02/26/14 12:46 PM
By Steve Benen
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) has a problem: rural hospitals keep closing, overwhelmed by financial troubles they can’t solve on their own. The obvious solution – accepting Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act – is the one thing Deal refuses to even consider.
There is no great mystery here as to why the rural hospitals can’t keep their doors open. These facilities have routinely covered low-income Georgians who don’t have insurance, leading to facilities that can’t pay their bills. Medicaid expansion would “help rural hospitals by turning many of their uninsured patients into paying patients,” but the governor and GOP state policymakers won’t budge.
But don’t worry, Deal is ready to think outside the box.
Gov. Nathan Deal has often called on Congress to reconsider the Affordable Care Act. But on Monday evening, he pushed his former Washington colleagues to revisit a separate health care law that fewer politicians openly critique.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act is a 1986 law that requires hospitals to provide emergency health care treatment to anyone who needs it, regardless of citizenship or their ability to pay. It’s provided life-saving care to countless people, but it’s also strained hospital resources and turned emergency rooms into the first stop, instead of a last resort, for some.
“If they really want to get serious about lowering the cost of health care in this country, [federal policymakers] would revisit another federal statute that has been there for a long time,” Deal told a crowd of dozens at a University of Georgia political science alumni gathering.
Let this one roll around in your mind for a moment.
Uninsured Georgians in rural parts of the state have shown up for medical care at emergency rooms that can’t turn them away. The hospitals provide care, as required by law, but the financial strain ultimately proves to be too great a burden for some facilities.
Deal’s solution isn’t to extend coverage to struggling families, thereby creating paying health care consumers for the hospitals; Deal’s solution is to make it easier for the hospitals to deny care to the struggling families.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/georgias-deal-tighten-er-access
Paul targets Surgeon General nominee
02/26/14 04:52 PM
By Steve Benen
President Obama nominated Dr. Vivek Murthy to serve as the nation’s Surgeon General several months ago, and the confirmation process has gone fairly smoothly. Perhaps the most interesting thing to happen to Murthy’s nomination thus far was Sen. Pat Roberts’ (R) racially tone-deaf comments about Indian-American doctors he knows in Kansas.
But Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) hopes to create a controversy where none currently exists.
It’s worth noting that Murthy is an impressive medical professional with sterling credentials. He’s an attending physician, an instructor, and a public-health advocate. When Obama nominated him for the post, no one questioned his qualifications.
Four months after the nomination, however, the junior senator from Kentucky has decided to do what he can to block Murthy from being confirmed.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul placed a procedural hurdle in front of Dr. Vivek Murthy’s confirmation as surgeon general Wednesday morning, citing his political activity for the Obama administration. But a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it would not cause a meaningful delay in Murthy’s confirmation vote, which has not yet been scheduled.
“I have serious concerns about Dr. Murthy’s ability to impartially serve as ‘the Nation’s Doctor,’” Paul, a Republican, wrote in a letter to Reid. “The majority of Dr. Murthy’s non-clinical experience is in political advocacy.”
The entirety of Paul’s letter is online here. It argues, among other things, “Dr. Murthy has disqualified himself from being Surgeon General because of his intent to use that position to launch an attack on Americans’ right to own a firearm under the guise of a public health and safety campaign.”
In a nutshell, the Kentucky Republican seems to think Murthy should be rejected because he (a) supports President Obama; (b) is a physician concerned about gun violence; and (c) backs the Affordable Care Act.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/paul-targets-surgeon-general-nominee
Unbridled chutzpah on Medicare
02/27/14 10:36 AM
By Steve Benen
In a letter, the lawmakers urged Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to suspend the administration’s “misguided policies” aimed at weakening the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs. The letter was signed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (TX), Republican Conference Chairman John Thune (SD), Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Barrasso (WY), National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (KS) and Conference Vice Chair Roy Blunt (MO).
I don’t mean to sound picky. When Republicans criticize the ideas they oppose, it at least meets some baseline test for rational thought: politicians are supposed to disagree with measures they disagree with.
But Republicans are now deeply engaged in an effort to condemn an idea they’ve already endorsed and voted for. Worse, they’re apparently hoping an epidemic of amnesia sweeps the nation, and journalists and voters lose the ability to use Internet search engines.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/unbridled-chutzpah-medicare
NC’s Tillis questions need for minimum wage
02/27/14 09:57 AM
By Steve Benen
Despite broad, national support for an increase to the minimum wage, a growing number of prominent Republican policymakers are arguing that the minimum wage shouldn’t exist at all. In effect, their position calls for a minimum of zero – the free market will take it from there.
But in my recent round-up of GOP officials who espouse this position, they all had something important in common: they’re incumbent officeholders. In North Carolina yesterday, a leading Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate broke some new ground.
U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis on Wednesday said he opposes President Barack Obama’s plan to increase the federal minimum wage, calling it a “dangerous idea.”
The Republican went even further to suggest government shouldn’t set a minimum wage, labeling it an “artificial threshold.”
Unfortunately for Tillis – or perhaps fortunately, if the candidate is eager for the public to learn about his position – an American Bridge tracker recorded the exchange and quickly put it online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cO7XKxK-_I
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/ncs-tillis-questions-need-minimum-wage
I’m in LA for the 2014 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon!
[ 8 ] February 26, 2014 | Luvvie
Hey folks! I’m super excited to be in Los Angeles right now because I’ll be covering the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon tomorrow (Thursday, February 27)! It’s such an amazing event and I was at the 2012 luncheon where Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, Paula Patton and Pam Grier were honored for their work. It was two days before Afrobella and I went to the Academy Awards and covered the red carpet and backstage!
I met ALL of them and many more celebs that day. Yes, I even met my cousin AdeKerry! That was a month before Scandal premiered and she had on her Pope suit (it was white mesh leather). She’s just as beautiful in person. Oh AND she had on red pumps. I mentioned The Red Pump Project to her, even. Who knew that two years later, she’d be the IT lady on TV?
Chile… I LIVE!
I remember how the President of ABC presented Shonda with her award and said “We usually give people a seat at the table. We GAVE Shonda the table.” WELL DAMB! Now THAT is power.
http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/2014/02/la-essence-black-women-in-hollywood-luncheon.html
Congratulations, Luvvie. Can’t wait to read all about your adventures there!
Black People Are Conscious Consumers and Nielsen Knows It
[ 12 ] February 26, 2014 | Luvvie
There’s been an influx of pieces online about Black Twitter, Black people and our widespread use of the internet and they usually come with a tone of surprise. People are shocked to hear that we’re such power users of social media and THAT astonishment never ceases to amaze me. It actually grinds my gears and I kinda touched on it in my “About This Whole Black Twitter Thing” piece from last year.
Black folks are innovators and we are consistently trendsetters who have our pulse on the edge of pop culture for a long time. Why wouldn’t we also be tastemakers in the digital space? We run these interwebs and folks gotta stop acting like it’s some sort of phenomenon when it’s just perfectly on par with our influence on the world. We have our fingerprints all over fashion, culture, music and technology.
What we wear, listen to and watch becomes popular. We’re basically the cool kids who are leaning against the lockers because we feel like it and then we notice everyone else is walking with a lean the week after. We can’t help it that the cool oozes from our pores.
http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/2014/02/black-conscious-consumers-nielsen.html
SAY.ALL.OF.THIS. AGAIN.REAL.LOUD,WHILE.I.LISTEN.LUVVIE!
itgurl @itgurl_29
@PragObots Black Twitter got their life when Daddy Pope said that, but Barack Obama says the same damn thing, and suddenly, it’s a problem.
Retweeted by PragmaticObotsUnite
Michele NorrisVerified account @michele_norris
A black president stood near portrait Abe Lincoln in bldg built by slaves and used his platform to tell the world black boys count #America
From TOD:
LDS
February 27, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I applaud what just happened in the WH today. I am so proud of our President taking the imitative to publically reach out to these young men a time when SYG laws are the modern day “strange fruit” Billie Hoilday sang about years ago.
As a proud mother of two AA men, I must speak out on the predators that we don’t want to talk about. These are men and women who come into the inner cities with the intent of doing good. But their alternative motives are to rape their minds, souls and bodies. The color could be any color.
I speak of experience when they prey upon these young men with the potential and promises of going to the NBA. They take advantage of them on all aspects. Money, cars, nice dinners. They lure them and their parents in believing this is their ticket out of the neighborhood. Both my sons were excellent in sports, but my husband and I had to balance it with books first. We made sure that we did background checks on all adults who were involved in their lives. It is not easy sometimes when these predators were cool, calm professionals, dressed nice, spoke intelligently.
Two well-known gyms where these coaches were very well established sexually molesting these young boys with promises of sneakers, money and other gifts. That brings me to the “sneakers”. We were adamant they would not go there when most of their friends told them that they would get into a great college if they did . I wish Michael Jordan was there sitting in the front row to explain why his sneakers cost so least to make than to buy. Our young people stand in long lines for hours and will kill each other for 3Xs the amount. The sad part is some will not even wear them. They keep them as trophies or sell them on E-bay for unbelievable prices.
I am so glad for this dialogue. I cried from the beginning up to the end.
What encouraged my heart is our President emphasis on the programs that don’t work, get rid of them. I totally agree. But the predators should be called out as well who are hiding and lurking to take advantage of these young boys. They would be tracked down, exposed and never be allowed to go to the next neighborhood under the disguise of “doing good.”
Liberal Librarian @Lib_Librarian
Follow
Those who are surprised there’s backlash against Obama’s #MyBrothersKeeper speech please raise your hands. Anyone? Bueller?
3:39 PM – 27 Feb 2014
Lex @LuthorCEO
Follow
“Why didn’t Obama do these things during his first term?” – people who know nothing about US politics.
3:31 PM – 27 Feb 2014
jacquelineoboomer
February 27, 2014 at 4:07 pm
I am Trayvon
And I am Jordan
We are here today
In this room facing East
In a city we may
Never have
Had time to visit
We have our hands
On the shoulders of
Our dear parents
Sitting here today
As we stand behind them
Our parents
Who miss us so much.
They made us strong
And we keep them strong
It’s the circle of life.
We stand up for them
As they stand up for
Our brothers
Trayvon is my brother
Jordan is mine
And so are these young men.
Thank you, Mr. President,
For reminding all of us
We are our brother’s keeper
We do exist to help each other.
Leap at your own chances
Know we are with you
Learn what you can
Enjoy it all.
Sabrina @Charmed86
Follow
I wonder if Obama is talking plainly enough for the Intellectual Black Bitter Brigade.
2:53 PM – 27 Feb 2014
Sons & Brothers @sonsandbros
Follow
Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin’s family are sitting in the second row at #MyBrothersKeeper announcement at White House #SonsAndBrothers
2:48 PM – 27 Feb 2014
https://twitter.com/CapehartJ/status/439130219648389120/photo/1
Libido Shuffle @eclecticbrotha
Follow
I’m sitting here like what the fuck. We finally get focus on our damn kids from the Oval Office and you motherfuckers parsing speeches.
4:30 PM – 27 Feb 2014
Libido Shuffle @eclecticbrotha
Follow
The whole point of this new initiative was taking steps to get around a Congress who couldn’t give a flying fuck, but yeah that speech.
4:24 PM – 27 Feb 2014
Libido Shuffle @eclecticbrotha
Follow
Let’s all make a pact to continually parse the president’s speeches about people of color while giving 538 members of Congress a pass.
4:23 PM – 27 Feb 2014
https://twitter.com/TheObamaDiary/status/439162076733267968/photo/1
https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/439164011515375616/photo/1
Libido Shuffle @eclecticbrotha
Follow
Are we never allowed to mention some children lack basic needs because one parent is struggling to compensate for the absence of the other?
4:13 PM – 27 Feb 2014
Well, my own little germ factory-Peanut-has given me some sort of bug. I tell ya, little kids can be lethal….LOL
I hear you! Haley & Jay were both with me yesterday b/c they were sick with fever, coughing & congestion. I hope you feel better.
Awww, feel better, Rikyrah. If Peanut goes to daycare, the risk is higher. Those lil ones pass the germs back and forth.
Settle in and get ready for tonight’s Scandal!
https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept/status/439152777386676224/photo/1
Take care of YOU, AG Holder. We’ve got a whole lot of work to do, before 2016.
https://twitter.com/RepEBJ/status/439157740624023552/photo/1
Rik, can you post all the pics of this event in the thread I posted, Please? thanks
No problem
itgurl @itgurl_29
Follow
Real talk: If #MyBrothersKeeper was created by Bill Clinton, 90% of these negros bitching right now would be praising him and the program.
3:34 PM – 27 Feb 2014
So grateful that our POTUS is doing this. Thank you, President Obama.
Remember, PBO does not help black folks!
///////MAJOR SNARK/////////
Just said a prayer for him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yX2YhQTuPE&list=UUa80ZoUUvKdOpuWN6khnWaA
Marijuana Legalization Is a Multi-Billion Dollar Revolution That’s Sweeping Across the USA
By Chris Miles February 25, 2014
n November 2013, the Denver Post’s news director, Kevin Dale, said that the marijuana legalization movement would be his newspaper’s “biggest story” in 2014, not the Olympic games (of which Colorado had many athletes participating in), not the 2014 midterm elections and not any breaking news event. The hottest story in 2014 would be weed in America.
And he was right.
http://www.policymic.com/articles/83075/a-marijuana-tidal-wave-is-sweeping-the-usa-here-s-which-states-could-legalize-next
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7MxaAPoTrk
Their GOD is GREEN$$$$$ Brewer go the word from the Corporations, DON’T.FUCK.WITH.OUR.$$$$
Good Morning, Everyone! :-)
http://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/cincinnati-police-work-to-increase-racial-diversity-in-its-ranks-but-still-doesnt-mirror-community
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/stage/25852741-421/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-maintains-identity-grows-with-art-form.html
http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/roanoke/article_32eae260-9f43-11e3-ada4-0017a43b2370.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-f-bolden-jr/black-history-is-nasa-history-too_b_4855306.html
http://www.wnem.com/story/24836587/perry-lee-and-poitier-feted-at-essence-event
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/27/4725394/black-history-museum-starting.html#.Uw8n8_2whfQ
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140227/arts-entertainment/Racial-barriers-still-hold-back-black-talent-in-Hollywood.508542
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/02/27/obama-my-brothers-keeper/5854387/
Good Morning, Everyone :)
Loves Loves Sarah Brightman! Her voice sounds magical.
Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there, he once was a true love of mine.
Good Morning, Everyone :)
After all these years, I just learned that Scarborough Fair is an old ballad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Fair_(ballad)