Barack Obama's alma mater launched a scholarship program in his name.

Courtesy of Occidental College:  

Occidental College today (Actually Wednesday.) announced the launch of its Barack Obama Scholars Program to empower exceptional students committed to the public good as it honors and perpetuates the principles President Barack Obama has advanced throughout his life. 

“My years at Occidental College sparked my interest in social and political causes, and filled me with the idea that my voice could make a difference,” said President Obama, a member of the Occidental College Class of 1983. “And throughout my time in public service, I’ve tried to use my voice to bring people together, in common effort, around the idea that we could give every young person in America the chance that America gave me.” 

“That’s why I’m so humbled by the Barack Obama Scholars Program at Oxy, and proud of its mission to identify promising young people from all backgrounds—with an emphasis on first-generation students, our veterans, and community college transfers—not only to give them access to higher education, but to train the next generation of leaders and active citizens, and fill them with the conviction that they too can change the world.” 

Beginning in fall 2018, supported by donors who share the Occidental-Obama vision, Occidental will endow two scholarships and thereafter ramp up to 20 scholarships for a select group of students, providing a singular liberal arts education designed to equip them to bring about meaningful change in the world. Prior to today’s public launch, Oxy raised $7 million from a wide range of generous supporters drawn from alumni and friends of the College, including Susan DiMarco and Jeh Johnson, Glenn and Jane Hickerson, Leif and Aileen Isaksen, Ann and Bruce Blume, and Janice Gonzales.

I don't know I just thought we could use reminder that the best president ever is still having a positive impact on the world.

Could you even imagine anybody attempting to establish a Donald Trump scholarship program?

Besides Donald Trump of course.

Rachel Maddow on the lies Republicans are telling about changing their policies on social conservatism. "Look at what they are doing, not what they're saying."

Rachel Maddow on the lies Republicans are telling about changing their policies on social conservatism. "Look at what they are doing, not what they're saying." Rachel did so many great segments last week that I did not get a chance to post them all, but this one is too important to leave out.

150 Mormons quit church en masse to declare their "Declaration of Independence from Mormonism."

Courtesy of Reuters:

A group of about 150 Mormons quit their church in a mass resignation ceremony in Salt Lake City on Saturday in a rare display of defiance ending decades of disagreement for some over issues ranging from polygamy to gay marriage. 

Participants from Utah, Arizona, Idaho and elsewhere gathered in a public park to sign a "Declaration of Independence from Mormonism." 

"This feels awesome," said Alison Lucas, from West Jordan, Utah, who took part in the rally amid soaring temperatures. "I don't know if I would have had the courage except in a group." 

The Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is known for its culture of obedience, and the mass ceremony was a seldom-seen act of collective revolt. 

After gathering in the park, participants hiked a half-mile up nearby Ensign Peak, scaled in 1847 by church President Brigham Young to survey the spot where his Latter-day Saints would build a city. 

At the top, those gathered gave three loud shouts of "Freedom," cheered, clapped and hugged. 

"It's been a hard journey and this is a symbolic end," said event organizer Zilpha Larsen, of Lehi, Utah. "I just hope that it boosts people up and helps them feel more comfortable in their decision."

Now I have NO idea if these followers of the Church of Latter Day Saints still consider themselves Christians, or if some have decided to walk away form religion altogether, but it certainly does my heart good to  see ANYBODY refuse to follow their church doctrine blindly.

This certainly CANNOT be good news for Mitt Romney, to suddenly have large groups of adherents leaving his faith at the same time that HE, as it's most visible member, is in the middle of a campaign for the President of the United States.

Not that the two are related, but you know with Mittens as the current symbolic head of the church, they're KIND OF related.

"Seriously you couldn't have waited five more months?"