Detroit Free Press staff Published 2:47 p.m. ET Aug. 31, 2018 | Updated 2:58 p.m. ET Aug. 31, 2018
Former President Bill Clinton said he is
an Aretha Franklin groupie and he let the world know it Friday in a
rousing 12-minute speech at her homegoing service.
“She worked her can off to get where she
was,” Clinton said. “She took the gifts God gave her and she kept
getting a little bigger every day.”
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. said there are long lines for dead icons and
short lines to vote. He told us that if you leave here today and are not
registered to vote, you are dishonoring Aretha.
Today's celebration of Aretha Franklin's life was like the lady herself: Joyful, profound, and full of song. Thank you to everyone who performed, spoke in remembrance, and made it a send-off worthy of her.
With primaries going on in Florida and Arizona, Hillary Clinton took to Twitter to remind us of other ongoing situations.
There's a lot going on right now—understatement of the year.
The separation of families and the failure of the administration to reunite them has been eclipsed in the news in recent days, but these tragic circumstances persist.
First, it’s been nearly five weeks since the deadline for the administration to reunite families they separated at the border, but 528 children are still waiting to see their parents again.
Child welfare officials in Texas are investigating the death of a young girl who died after alleged inadequate treatment while she was being held with her mother in a detention facility:https://t.co/wtymgnaiEf
If you are American, you are mourning the loss of a great patriot this evening. John McCain served our country in war and in peace, in the military and as a civilian. His passing marks the end of an era when, even for a maverick, as he liked to characterize himself, the fight for the values we hold dear superseded party politics.
President and Secretary Clinton shared their feelings on his passing tonight.
.@SenJohnMcCain lived a life of service to his country, from his heroism in the Navy to 35 years in Congress. He was a tough politician, a trusted colleague, and there will simply never be another like him. My thoughts and prayers are with Cindy and his entire family.
Senator John McCain believed that every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by our Constitution, and from his heroic service in the Navy to his 35 years in Congress, he lived by his creed every day. He was a skilled, tough politician, as well as a trusted colleague alongside whom Hillary was honored to serve in the Senate. He frequently put partisanship aside to do what he thought was best for the country, and was never afraid to break the mold if it was the right thing to do. I will always be especially grateful for his leadership in our successful efforts to normalize relations with Vietnam. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cindy, his mother, Roberta, his children, and his entire family.
WASHINGTON - JUNE 17: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) talks with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) before the start of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill June 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony on what they billed as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and implications for national security programs. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Kofi Annan was a truly great UN Secretary-General. It was an honor to work with him in his efforts to reform the UN, strengthen global health and peacekeeping, and reduce poverty. He made the fight against AIDS and the responsibility to protect civilians in conflict zones true priorities for the UN.
After he left office, he continued his leadership on poverty, environmental, and peace issues through his foundation.
In every phase of his life, he held fast to his Ghanaian roots and set a powerful example of determined leadership while always treating others with respect and dignity.
I will always be grateful to have worked with him as President and later as UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. Hillary and I treasured our friendship with him and Nane, and our thoughts and prayers are with her and their family.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) and Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan walk to the podium before their meeting at the State Department in Washington June 8, 2012 . REUTERS/Gary Cameron
.@LeahGreenB and @EzraLevin are former congressional staffers who started a Google Doc for citizens who wanted to have more of a voice in their government. It became @IndivisibleTeam—a grassroots network of advocates around the country. https://t.co/Lk6eBidpb0
.@SwingLeft is a national network of volunteers who have signed up to adopt a congressional swing district near them and turn it blue. We only need 23 seats to flip the House—find out how you can help: https://t.co/fBghsseLEq
Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
Hillary and I mourn the loss of our friend Aretha Franklin, one of America's greatest national treasures. For more than 50 years, she stirred our souls. She was elegant, graceful, and utterly uncompromising in her artistry. Aretha’s first music school was the church and her performances were powered by what she learned there. I'll always be grateful for her kindness and support, including her performances at both my inaugural celebrations, and for the chance to be there for what sadly turned out to be her final performance last November at a benefit supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS. She will forever be the Queen of Soul and so much more to all who knew her personally and through her music. Our hearts go out to her family and her countless fans.
Later this month, our family will celebrate Bill's 72nd birthday with our grandchildren, plenty of cake, and yes, balloons! I’m asking you to help us mark this occasion by signing his birthday card and supporting the wonderful work he and Chelsea are doing through the Clinton Foundation.
From the time we met as law students at Yale, I’ve always loved and admired Bill’s desire to help others. Since he left office, Bill has continued his legacy of public service by focusing tirelessly on finding new and innovative ways to improve the lives of people across the country and around the world.
For the past 17 years, the Clinton Foundation has launched groundbreaking programs to create economic opportunity, improve public health, and inspire civic engagement. I’m incredibly proud to say that, because of the Foundation’s work and partnerships:
More than 900,000 children’s books have been distributed to underserved families across the United States – helping more children prepare for success in school.
Roughly 150,000 pounds of medical aid supplies were airlifted to Puerto Rico with support from the Clinton Foundation in the wake of the devastating 2017 hurricane season – and the Foundation created a CGI Action Network with businesses, nonprofits, and advocates who are committed to building a more resilient future for the people of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and across the Caribbean region.
So strange that these are the demeanors of folks supporting Donald Trump at one of his rallies when he is the installed president presumably making all their dreams come true. Why are they so angry?
They won, right? Shouldn't they be happy?
The other question is: Why is Trump having rallies? There's this N-word that has been floating around - not the one you think.
Whereas here is what the 22nd evening of protest at the Kremlin Annex in Moscow-on-the-Potomac looked like last night.
Rosie O'Donnell brought 55 Broadway performers with her to sing.
I should point out that these artists did this on the one night a week that they have off. Broadway shows do not run on Mondays because at least one weekend day and also on Wednesdays they do both a matinee and an evening performance. So they did this on their only night off. They also said they would be back on another Monday. Thank you! Profusely!
The other day, Brassy Rebel said in a comment that we are in the Upside Down. Protesters are partying nightly having a great time. Rally-goers on the prevailing side appear miserable and angry. So what's up? And what's down?
Can't get to Moscow-on-the-Potomac for the protests? That's OK. These nice folks will put your name on the Kremlin Annex Sign! Easy as one-two-three! Then you are represented. If you do get to visit, you can highlight your name on the sign.
Use the link to add your name. Reminder-we're just the Kremlin Annex Sign people, not the #KremlinAnnex organizers. Follow @AdamParkhomenko for protest updates. We're not collecting $ for the sign - our sign-making needs are modest, as you can see. @yaddiya rocks. pic.twitter.com/00DjxYTErO
Tune in tonight! It's Robert Mueller's birthday. There will be bagpipes! I hope there will also be drums!
I don't know why I waited so long to post about this. I guess I thought people would know, but I discovered last night that a lot of people did not. Also, it is not about Hillary. That's OK. I think she has been there with us from the first night in spirit. It's a happy, optimistic, inclusive spirit. An American one.
“RESIST, INSIST, PERSIST, ENLIST.” – HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
Hillary Clinton is bringing her passion for women’s rights to television. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the woman we wish were president will make her executive producing debut with a TV adaptation of Elaine Weiss’ “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote.” Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television has optioned the rights to the non-fiction book and, alongside Clinton, will develop it as a limited series or TV movie.
Published this March, “The Woman’s Hour” centers on the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, as well as the activists who fought for it. “The book celebrates those who changed history and laid the foundation for the civil rights movement that came decades later,” THR details.
SNIP
“At the heart of democracy lies the ballot box, and Elaine Weiss’
unforgettable book tells the story of the female leaders who — in the
face of towering economic, racial, and political opposition — fought for
and won American women’s right to vote,” Clinton said. “Unfolding over
six weeks in the summer of 1920, ‘The Woman’s Hour’ is both a
page-turning drama and an inspiration for everyone, young and old, male
and female, in these perilous times. So much could have gone wrong, but
these American women would not take no for an answer: their triumph is
our legacy to guard and emulate.” She added, “I am thrilled to be
working with Elaine, Steven, and everyone at Amblin Television on
bringing this important project to audiences everywhere.”
I know not everyone follows Hillary Clinton around like I do, but let's get a few things straight. She has not been in hiding anywhere. She did not suddenly swoop in and "step up" her involvement in the upcoming midterms. She is not "back" from anywhere. She was never gone.
That Onward Together conference call on Monday was a review of a year of hard work. Those donations were made over the course of a year. This meme of Hillary hiding in the Chappaqua woods and abruptly bursting forth with endorsements and donations is bogus. She has been hard at work all along.
I will not link to any articles or posts that imply or state outright that Hillary Clinton suddenly stepped out of the dugout onto the field or that she ought to be tweeting more or whatever it is people think she is or is not doing. Hillary knows better than to give these midterms spit and a prayer. Anyone who thinks she has not done enough or is not doing enough does not know Hillary Clinton Rant over.