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By Heather Leighton, Houston Chronicle

Since President Trump's inauguration, "Missing Obama" posters have been shared in neighborhood streets across the nation and around the world, too.

Source: Instagram

Since President Trump's inauguration, "Missing Obama" posters have been shared in neighborhood streets across the nation and around the world, too.

Source: Instagram

Continue clicking to see the sweetest moments between Barack and Michelle Obama during the Obama presidency.

Continue clicking to see the sweetest moments between Barack and Michelle Obama during the Obama presidency.

The Obamas have no problem showing affection for each other, even when the world is watching.Keep clicking to see photos of some of their sweetest moments over the years.

The Obamas have no problem showing affection for each other, even when the world is watching.Keep clicking to see photos of some of their sweetest moments over the years.

At their Chicago home in 2004, then-Sen. Obama and his wife, Michelle, get ready for an event at the Chicago Economic Club.

At their Chicago home in 2004, then-Sen. Obama and his wife, Michelle, get ready for an event at the Chicago Economic Club.

The famous "fist bump" at a campaign event in St. Paul, Minn., in 2008.

The famous "fist bump" at a campaign event in St. Paul, Minn., in 2008.

Campaign rally in Pueblo, Colorado, in 2008.

Campaign rally in Pueblo, Colorado, in 2008.

Daughter Sasha gets caught in the middle of an embrace between her parents at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2008.

Daughter Sasha gets caught in the middle of an embrace between her parents at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2008.

Sharing a tender moment inside a freight elevator while on their way to an inaugural ball in Washington, D.C., in 2009.

Sharing a tender moment inside a freight elevator while on their way to an inaugural ball in Washington, D.C., in 2009.

The president and first lady pass their photos on the wall at the Hilton Washington prior to the MTV & ServiceNation: Live From The Youth Inaugural Ball in January 2009 in Washington, D.C.

The president and first lady pass their photos on the wall at the Hilton Washington prior to the MTV & ServiceNation: Live From The Youth Inaugural Ball in January 2009 in Washington, D.C.

President Obama's first inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., in 2009.

President Obama's first inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., in 2009.

At a 2012 campaign rally at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

At a 2012 campaign rally at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

On the final day of the Democratic National Conventionin Charlotte, North Carolina, in September 2012.

On the final day of the Democratic National Conventionin Charlotte, North Carolina, in September 2012.

After the president's re-election victory speech in Chicago, Nov. 7, 2012.

After the president's re-election victory speech in Chicago, Nov. 7, 2012.

Campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, the night before Election Day in November 2012.

Campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, the night before Election Day in November 2012.

The Obamas show off for the "Kiss Cam' at the U.S. Men's Olympic basketball team's game against Brazil in Washington, D.C., in 2012.

The Obamas show off for the "Kiss Cam' at the U.S. Men's Olympic basketball team's game against Brazil in Washington, D.C., in 2012.

The First Couple arrives to deliver toys and gifts for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., in 2014.

The First Couple arrives to deliver toys and gifts for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., in 2014.

At the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House in January 2014.

At the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House in January 2014.

The Obamas show off dance moves as they visit with Girl Scouts camping overnight on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., in June 2015.

The Obamas show off dance moves as they visit with Girl Scouts camping overnight on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., in June 2015.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 45th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in September 2015.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 45th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in September 2015.

Awaiting the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, at a state dinner at the White House in September 2015.

Awaiting the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, at a state dinner at the White House in September 2015.

At the White House in May 2016.

At the White House in May 2016.

Hanging out with kids during an event in Yosemite National Park, California, in June 2016.

Hanging out with kids during an event in Yosemite National Park, California, in June 2016.

The first lady primps the president as they wait to welcome Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs. Lee Hsien Loong, of Singapore, to the White House in August 2016.

The first lady primps the president as they wait to welcome Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs. Lee Hsien Loong, of Singapore, to the White House in August 2016.

There's a greater meaning behind those "Missing Obama" posters you're seeing online

Since President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, there have been missing posters popping up for former President Barack Obama.

"Missing. Have you seen this man?" the poster's header reads in all caps. It continues to describe details about the 44th president, such as "last seen walking out of a large white house" and "likes basketball and health care."

The posters have not only flooded American neighborhoods throughout the nation - and even across the world - they have also gone viral throughout social media. The posters have been tagged in Instagram posts in cities in California, New York City and even Stockholm.

TEARS, CHEERS, SHADE: Social media weighs in on Obama's last speech

There are even designated social media accounts in charge of coordinating the hunt for the former president, as well as a website to headquarter the search. According to MissingObama.org, the "missing" title doesn't actually refer to Obama physically being missing, but rather because they miss Obama's leadership and social example. To see the sweetest moments during the Obama administration, click through the gallery above.

"The role he played as president for eight years is also 'missing.' Trump is severely unqualified to act as the President and Commander in Chief of the United States of America," the description reads. "This poster also represents the importance of freedom of expression. It encourages us to be vocal and engage in political conversation. The election is over, but democracy isn't. Speaking up can mean anything, from something as simple as liking a post to something more interactive like organizing a protest. Expression is vital on every level."

These are among the thousands of ways Americans are using their freedom of expression to the fullest extent. Since Trump's inauguration, there have been multiple gatherings of protests calling out the 45th president for is rocky election campaign and controversial policy changes.

CURRENT DEBATE:What is an executive order? And how do Trump's stack up?

Even as millions of Americans are looking forward to the Super Bowl, hundreds of others are hitting the streets protesting the controversial executive orders Trump has signed in his first two weeks in office.

Continued here:
There's a greater meaning behind those "Missing Obama" posters you're seeing online - SFGate

What a difference a few months makes.

Trump and his White House advisers are now using Obama as a security blanket, making almost identical moves he made during his tenure and defending possible mistakes by arguing that they were initially made by Barack Obama.

The tactic is familiar: Obama, eight years after he succeeded President George W. Bush, was still blaming the 43rd president for some of the pockmarks on his legacy.

But what is remarkable about Trump is how vehemently he ran against Obama. Not only did Trump describe the Obama presidency in near apocalyptic terms during the campaign, he was the leader of the "Birther" movement, an attempt to delegitimize the president he is now using as a shield.

In the aftermath this week of the botched raid in Yemen that left one US Navy SEAL dead and three more wounded, as well as another three hurt in an Osprey crash, the Trump White House pointed the finger at the previous administration.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer, laying out how the raid came together, was clear to note that it was approved by the Obama administration before it was passed off and approved by Trump.

"Clearly, that was under the last administration," Spicer said while going through the key dates in the raid. And White House officials, speaking with the benefit of not identifying themselves, were quick to note that Pentagon officials had discussed and even signed off on the plan.

This has Obama allies accusing the new commander in chief of passing the buck.

Ned Price, former special assistant to Obama and the National Security Council, tweeted Thursday that the operation was "never presented to or considered by the Obama Admin for approval."

Another former senior government official involved in Obama's National Security Council told CNN: "In a nutshell, Trump and his team owns the process and the ultimate decision -- and the consequences."

Obama's team is also wondering why Trump, who repeatedly criticized the unemployment figures issued under the Democratic president, is suddenly taking credit for new job growth at the end of Obama's term.

"Don't believe these phony numbers," Trump said in February 2016. "The number is probably 28, 29, as high as 35 [percent]. In fact, I even heard recently 42%."

Friday, when the latest numbers were released, Spicer touted the figures from the White House podium.

"Speaking of good numbers," Spicer said before reading out the January jobs report that found America added 227,000 jobs in January, well ahead of December's gain of 157,000 jobs.

"Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired," Spicer said. Kellyanne Conway, one of Trump's top aides, tweeted that "jobs numbers already like POTUS."

Trump, during a meeting with business leaders on Friday, said he was "very happy" with the jobs report.

"I think that' it's going to continue big league. We're bringing back jobs," he added.

While this is the first jobs report released under Trump, the Labor Department conducted the survey in the second week of January, while Obama was still in office.

And Obama officials -- many of whom left their offices weeks ago -- were left to laugh at how Trump is taking credit for the jobs numbers.

"It was, indeed, remarkable that the unemployment rate fell from 42% to 4.8% on January 20th," said Austan Goolsbee, the former chair of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers.

And on Iran, Trump is responding to the nation's ballistic missile test in nearly the same way Obama's administration responded.

After Trump's national security adviser puts Iran "on notice," the Trump administration announced it was applying sanctions on 25 individuals and companies connected to Iran's ballistic missile program.

"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how "kind" President Obama was to them," Trump tweeted on Friday. "Not me!"

National Security Adviser Michael Flynn said in a statement that the sanctions show "the days of turning a blind eye to Iran's hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over."

Responding to the Iranian's testing ballistic missiles by implanting sanctions, however, is exactly what the Obama administration did in January 2016.

"We will continue to enforce these sanctions vigorously," Obama said when his Treasury Department sanctioned 11 people with ties to the missile program. "We are going to remain vigilant about it."

Jake Sullivan, the top policy adviser on Hillary Clinton's campaign and a former Obama administration official, said Thursday that Trump took a page out of Obama's playbook.

"When the Iranians tested Ballistic Missiles in the Obama administration, the Obama administration imposed sanctions," Sullivan said. "So, this is consistent with steps that have been taken in the past."

Read the original post:
Donald Trump is using Barack Obama as a security blanket - CNN

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The political bias of the establishment media has never been more outrageous than what we see in the presss double standard for covering President Donald Trump. For contrasts that will make your head spin and your heart ache, compare Trumps treatment to the presss idolatrous treatment of President Obama.

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The medias fan-club attitude toward Obama was unprecedented in the modern era. Not even handsome Jack Kennedy or war hero Eisenhower got the kids-glove treatment that Obama got. Obamas frequent goofy statements and embarrassing gaffes were either overlooked entirely or treated as amusing sidebars.

Will any historian ever catalog Obamas frequent misstatements of elementary facts? How many do you remember? Here are few of the gems liberal historians will overlook:

Such historical ignorance and efforts at personal myth-making were routine for Obama - and never challenged by the working press.

Obamas hilarious mispronunciations and stupid asides were a regular feature of his speeches and interviews, at home and abroad. And yet, they did not tarnish his reputation in the White House press corps as a great intellectual and perhaps the smartest man to ever sit in the Oval office. Oh, really?

Now, compare the worshipful treatment of Obama to what Trump has experienced since winning the election on November 8. The establishment press wont even accept the legitimacy of Trumps election, much less the strong points of his policy initiatives. They wont let go of the popular vote versus the Electoral College. That is not ignorance of Civics 101; it is part of a political strategy to demonize and delegitimize the entire Trump program.

The media has openly joined the campaign by the Democratic Party and the Social Justice left to deny that President Trump has any policy mandates whatsoever. The narrative is this: since his presidency is illegitimate to begin with, it is okay to use violence to obstruct him at every point.

Trump is justified and very smart to communicate with the American people directly and not expect the media to convey his messages fairly. Too many of them have become angry partisans in the lefts demonization strategy, and they need to be short-circuited.

Conservatives and constitutionalists have seen media bias for half a century, and America has survived it. Yet, never has that bias and that vituperation been so uniform and vicious as what we see waged against President Trump. When it is coordinated with the near-uniform cultural bias in the entertainment and educational institutions, a triad of treachery emerges to challenge the very foundations of civic order.

See the rest here:
Tancredo: The Disgusting Media Double Standard Between Obama and Trump - Breitbart News

Serious efforts are required to overcome the severe damage done to US-Russia relations under Barack Obama, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Austrian magazine Profil, adding that the need for dialogue, voiced by Donald Trump, gives hope for improving ties.

Of course, we kept close tabs on what Donald Tramp said about Russia on the campaign trail and after the elections. The stated stance of the need to build a good dialogue between the two countries gives some hope for positive developments in our bilateral relations, Lavrov said in an interview with Austrian weekly news magazine Profil.

As President Putin repeatedly stressed, we are ready to go our part of the way for the recovery of our relations with the United States. Their degradation in recent years is not our fault but a result of purposeful actions of the previous administration in Washington. For our part, we have always stayed open to development of predictable cooperation, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests.

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Improving bilateral ties could prove to be a real challenge, Lavrov said.

We realize that serious efforts from both sides are required to overcome the severe damage done to our relations under Barack Obama. Its probably still too early to talk about how work on specific issues will go with the [new] Republican team. It is necessary to wait until the key officials of the new administration feel comfortable in their seats and clarify their foreign policy priorities. After that it will be possible to draw conclusions for the future.

In their first phone conversation that lasted nearly an hour late last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and new US President Donald Trump outlined their intent to cooperate on issues ranging from defeating Islamic State to mending bilateral economic ties.

Both sides expressed their readiness to make active joint efforts to stabilize and develop Russia-US cooperation on a constructive, equitable and mutually beneficial basis, as well as build up partner cooperation on a wide range of international issues, according to a Kremlin statement following their discussion.

The White House also acknowledged that the positive conversation was a significant start to improving the relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair.

Both President Trump and President Putin are hopeful that after todays call the two sides can move quickly to tackle terrorism and other important issues of mutual concern, the official US statement added.

Lavrov said Moscow and Washington can jointly attempt to resolve some of worlds most pressing issues.

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We are convinced that wherever there is mutual interest, Russia and the United States can definitely move forward in resolving bilateral issues and make a joint contribution to the effective resolution of the key problems of today. Especially in demand is the [joint] coordination of our countries efforts in the fight against international terrorism.

On top of it, we have a big untapped potential of mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and technological spheres. Its a good sign that despite the sanctions and pressure from the Obama administration, the majority of US companies did not want to leave the promising Russian market. It has proved to be very profitable for them. Were also interested in expanding cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

I repeat: it is possible to establish effective cooperation between Russia and the United States, but only on the basis of mutual respect and interests, the top Russian diplomat said.

When asked under what conditions Russia could lift its sanctions against the EU, Lavrov replied: This question should not be addressed to me. We didnt initiate the sanctions, its not up to us to lift them, the Russian FM said.

We have imposed [our] sanctions as a countermeasure for one simple reason. European sanctions restrict the ability of our banks to receive loans for the financing of agriculture, which would mean that the EU farmers would benefit from conditions of unfair competition on the Russian market. We had to do everything possible to stay honest. That's all.

READ MORE: Putin & Trump signal new Russia-US partnership with 1st phone call on ISIS, trade & Ukraine

Speaking of Austrias upcoming presidency at the OSCE, Lavrov expressed hope that it will primarily help in settling the Ukrainian crisis.

Speaking of Syria, Lavrov described the negotiations that took place on January 2324 in Kazakhstans Astana as an important and a whole new step in the peace-making progress.

We managed to strengthen the ceasefire regime introduced in Syria under the December 29 agreement At the same time, we do not plan to replace the Geneva talks with those in Astana, Lavrov said, adding that Astana has given an additional momentum to the Geneva process.

Excerpt from:
Lavrov: Undoing Obama-inflicted damage to Russia-US ties will take great effort - RT

Sanctions levied against Iran after its recent ballistic missile test may reflect President Donald Trumps recent bellicose language, but its likely the work designating those targeted was begun under the Obama administration, according to experts.

The U.S. on Friday morning announced new punitive sanctions against individuals and organizations helping boost Irans ballistic missile program as well as its militant armed forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in response to a ballistic missile test conducted 140 miles east of Tehran on Sunday.

Trump appeared to portray the action as a major policy change. Iran is playing with fire they dont appreciate how kind President Obama was to them, he tweeted Friday. Not me!

Yet at least some of the work related to the sanctions likely began under Obama, which undertook similar measures against Iran.

Certainly, based on past precedent, designations can take time, said Kelsey Davenport, the director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, in an interview. But its expected consistent with what the Obama administration has done in the past. Its not surprising given Iran has continued to test ballistic missiles.

While Davenport couldnt be sure that the vetting had begun before President Trump took office, it would make sense, she said. The Obama administration left open the possibility of additional designations.

As part of the new sanctions, the Treasury Department placed 13 people and 12 companies on a list of specifically designated nationals meaning U.S. citizens and permanent residents cannot do business with them.

Eric Lorber, a senior associate at the Financial Integrity Network with experience advising clients on compliance with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, agreed the Obama administration had likely at least identified possible targets for future designation. It looks fairly straightforward, he told The Intercept during an interview.

Treasury uses certain tags to explain why people and organizations get added to the list. In this case, Treasury connected these new additions to terrorism, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and ballistic missile development.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is not currently listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department though lawmakers have tried to change that several times, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in early January.

The sanctions notably include not just Iranian individuals and corporations but Chinese ones, too. Weve seen this before, Lorber said. In China, certain companies and individuals provide services and equipment for Irans ballistic missile program.

By adding them to the list, the U.S. is discouraging Chinese participation in Irans escalating weapons testing, he said

Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, did not directly confirm the sanctions had been worked on during President Obamas tenure, but said they had been staffed and approved and were in the pipeline for some time during a press conference on Friday afternoon. He noted the sanctions were a direct response to Irans ballistic missile test last Sunday.

The announcement also came after President Trumps national security adviser, Gen. Michael Flynn, brazenly said Iran was put on notice a statement President Trump echoed on Twitter.

The days of turning a blind eye to Irans hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over, Flynn said in a statement.

According to Davenport, the United Nations Security Council will likely conduct its own investigation into whether or not the missile testing violated UN security resolutions. The council met on Tuesday to discuss the missile test at the United Statess request. At the time, the State Department was still determining whether or not the test violated security resolutions currently in place.

According to the State Department, the test involved a medium-range missile that was designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

A State Department official confirmed to The Intercept that the United States considers the episode to be in defiance of the UN resolutions.This launch was a destabilizing factor in the region, the official said.

Top photo: A military truck carries a Sejil medium-range missile during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the start of Irans 1980-1988 war with Iraq, on Sept. 21, 2016, in the capital Tehran.

More here:
Trump Is Following Obama Administration's Lead on Sanctions Against Iran - The Intercept