Obama is a patriot.

[Drunken Irishman]

[millennialmax]

1. ...

[AppleBottom]

14. Candidate Obama disagrees

[DevonRex]

2. Yes he is.

Odd all the people cheering on a Russian spy turned defector.

[delrem]

11. But that isn't odd at all.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/World/WOR-01-080813.html

READ IT.

[DevonRex]

16. Haha!! No, he's not Nathan Hale, either. Or Ghandi. Or Thoreau.

Just a twenty-something spy working for Putin.

[arely staircase]

31. Harriet Tubman is the latest DU Snowden comparison.

So far he has been Gandhi, MLK, Rosa Parks, Paul Revere (with coonskin hat, lol) and now Harriet Tubman. I'm sure I am forgetting someone.

[DevonRex]

55. OMG. Harriet Tubman?

I'm speechless.

[arely staircase]

59. oh yeah

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3443708

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Indeed!

Sincerely yours,

The 1%

[ProSense]

4. Bottom line: Obamacare really is for the 99%

Bottom line: Obamacare really is for the 99%
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023441345

Elizabeth Warren: Cordray Vote ‘A Historic Day For Working Families’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) took to Twitter on Tuesday in praise of the Senate's vote to advance Richard Cordray's nomination to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, calling it a "historic day for working families."

Elizabeth Warren ✔ @elizabethforma

I couldn't be more pleased that Rich Cordray will finally get the vote that he deserves. This is a historic day for working families!
1:11 PM - 16 Jul 2013

47 Retweets 26 favorites

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/elizabeth-warren-cordray-vote-historic-day-for-working

[BlueStreak]

51. Indeed. But could we have a white one the next time please?

Sincerely,

Your overlords

[Just Saying]

5. True

pa·tri·ot noun \ˈpā-trē-ət, -ˌät, chiefly British ˈpa-trē-ət\

Definition of PATRIOT

: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

[leftstreet]

6. Patriotism is the last refuge...oh nevermind n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

30. lol

Tell this guy, he didn't get the memo...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3435877

[arely staircase]

34. that poster and his repetitive posting of that Palinesque

crap pretty much sums up what sucks around here.

[arely staircase]

41. you do realize what that saying means right?

it isn't about patriotism but about scoundrels. In fact it assumes most people are patriotic, that is why scoundrels seek refuge in patriotism.

[leftstreet]

42. Yes

...although scholars have never agreed on what precisely Johnson meant when he said it, it's been loosely interpreted to slam false patriots who use the prevailing concept of patriotism for nefarious reasons

Another interesting quote:

"Sir, I do not say that he is not honest; but we have no reason to conclude from his political conduct that he is honest." Samuel Johnson 1709-1784

[arely staircase]

43. ok, good

I have heard it used by people who think it means being patriotic makes one a scoundrel.

[NuclearDem]

7. True, can't spell Patriot Act reauthorization without patriot!

[OnyxCollie]

8. And he doesn't work cheap!

In 2007, he was going to filibuster any bill that gave retroactive immunity to the telecoms that helped the Bush administration illegally spy on US citizens.

Obama's wiretapping flip-flop? Yes
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/jul/14/obamas-wiretapping-flip-flop-yes/

In October 2007, Obama spokesman Bill Burton issued this unequivocal statement to the liberal blog TPM Election Central: "To be clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies."

...

But Obama knows how to drive a hard bargain, making he (and Rahm) the top recipients in the Senate and House of 2008 campaign contributions from AT&T employees and PAC.

Obama: $270,191
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000076&party=D&chamber=S&type=P&cycle=2008

Rahm: $50,650
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000076&chamber=H&party=D&cycle=2008&state=&sort=A

...

Obama supported an amendment that would have stripped telecom immunity from the measure. But after that amendment failed, Obama declined to filibuster the bill. In fact, he voted for it. It passed the Senate, 69-28, on July 9. The House passed the same bill last month, and Bush said he would sign it soon. (McCain missed the vote because he was campaigning in Ohio, but he has consistently supported the immunity plan.)

In a message to supporters, Obama defended his position, citing a phrase Democrats fought to include that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is the "exclusive" means of wiretapping for intelligence. The bill "is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year... (because it) makes it clear to any president or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court."

[Fumesucker]

9. When the President does it it's not a crime

Oh, wait..

[Cha]

10. Damn straight is he..

You got right to the heart of the matter on that on, DI.

pa·tri·ot

1.A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. Foreign and Domestic.

[Oakenshield]

12. Just gonna say it. Fuck patriots.

What we need is a liberal god damn it. I don't want someone obsessed with defending the image of a powerful America. Or someone obsessed with defending America's interests abroad. I want someone who champions social justice, the middle class and human rights. And on those counts the President comes up short.

[arely staircase]

35. cool story, bro. nt

[bravenak]

13. Yes he is.

A class act.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. They finally found the issue to get the Left to turn on him.

[millennialmax]

19. Those of us not taking the bait will take hits now, but smell like roses in the end. eom

[Spitfire of ATJ]

21. Like I said elsewhere. This crap with the NSA was news to Obama too....

Everyone acts like they couldn't do this without his okay.

[millennialmax]

22. Yeah, he was already in the process of conducting a review before the leaks.

The only rebuttal to that so far has been: "Bullshit."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. Weren't there people here saying it would take YEARS to undo the damage Bush/Cheney did?

It's like everyone has blacked out of all the "loyal Bushies" were put into high places.

Many said Obama should beware that the ones left over were going to sabotage his administration from within and do a general purge but he didn't. He was doing all he could to keep from scaring the crap out of everyone because he was black and went super nice with them AND THEY USED THAT.

[dkf]

26. You are wrong. Wyden"s former deputy chief of staff documents the admins refusal to allow debate...

By denying requests to declassify information needed to discuss what was being done.

Action after action after action. And then the lies when asked.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130810/09240524136/jennifer-hoelzers-insiders-view-administrations-response-to-nsa-surveillance-leaks.shtml

Go ahead and pretend no one knew a thing.

[TxGrandpa]

29. In my opinion, Obama has lost touch with those who supported him. nt

[arely staircase]

37. fascinating nt

[TxGrandpa]

45. Obama is supposed to be a constitutional scholar.....

......and as such should be aware of the Fourth amendment. Additionally he wasn't he supposed to bring transparency in government? I still support him, but again, he isn't in touch with the American people. His comments since Snowden released information about the NSA has been more of CYA than seeming to open up legitimate discussion.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

49. Like I said, this was all news to him too.

[TxGrandpa]

50. Sure!!!!!!!! nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

52. You honestly believe this wasn't going on under Cheney?

[TxGrandpa]

54. No doubt it was....but...

.....wasn't Obama supposed to be a change from the Bush/Cheney administration? And bring more transparency to government? Yet he has continued practices from them.

So when was he planning on getting around to having a discussion about the Patriot Act, etc.? Was he just planning to bring it up, but Snowden beat him to revealing what information the government is collecting about us?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

58. That wasn't a priority to him....

Equal pay for women and passing a health care bill and getting us out of Iraq and Afghanistan was the main priorities.

Also stem cell research, climate change, fixing FEMA so it actually does it's job, caring for wounded vets and finding them work, patching things up with our allies.

I'm sure that last one is linked to both drones and the NSA as a priority.

The Bush Era was a nightmare that we didn't switch off like a light switch.

He's also had to deal with race relations more than anyone thought he would have to because Republicans decided to run as the Party of Rich White Male Rule.

[TxGrandpa]

60. Can't argue with what you posted....But:

..apparently his comments when Snowden told us what we had already guessed about this under the Bush/Cheney regime, showed that he had no problem with the government ignoring the Fourth Amendment.

But his comments effectively saying that we need to learn to live with the loss of privacy seems to indicate that he condones the overreach of the NSA. As a constitutional scholar shouldn't he know that the Fourth Amendment protects our privacy? Even if a secret court says a blanket warrant is legal and constitutional?

And yes the Bush Era was a nightmare to many of us, that is the reason those like myself supported Obama during the campaigns. And he is also in his second term of office [yes I voted for him and still support him as President] so he's had enough time to address most of the problems left over from the previous administration.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

61. With all the pressure, do you REALLY believe he isn't going to do something?

Especially if Republicans decide to RUN on this in the mid-term?

[TxGrandpa]

62. We'll just have to wait to see what he does.

His comments doesn't sound very encouraging.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

64. Really?

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized proposals announced by President Barack Obama to bring more oversight to surveillance carried out by the National Security Agency.

On NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, McCaul said that in the wake of leaks from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who has been given asylum by Russia, Obama was belatedly “trying to come up with ways to salvage the program by window dressing…. The problem fundamentally is he’s failed to explain these programs, which are lawful, which have saved lives, (and) which have stopped terrorist plots. He has not adequately explained them or defended them.”

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/11/19975169-top-gop-lawmaker-accuses-obama-of-not-defending-nsa-surveillance-program?lite

The GOP is split between it's dominant Authoritarian and it's minority Libertarian wing.

Let's hope they decide to go with their Authoritarian side.

[TxGrandpa]

65. It still seems that Obama is attempting some CYA and...

...attempting to put a lid on the situation hoping it will blow over. And as much as I hate to say, it does seem as this is an attempt at window dressing. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

69. The Republicans know more about this than they claim....

That server farm in Utah wasn't funded with petty cash.

The weeping Boner got the votes for it.

[uponit7771]

66. Wingers, Paulians and purist lef: "...Obama is the evil...."

[TxGrandpa]

67. I believe I have said that I support him otherwise..

...and voted for him both times. I supported him when he was running for the nomination and the general elections. But that doesn't mean that I can't disagree with him when I feel that he is wrong.

I look upon him as supposed to be our President, not infallible nor as the 'boss' that I have to rubber stamp his actions. Basically I am more independent thinking than following the party line.

[arely staircase]

46. I'm sure he appreciates you staunch support. nt

[Union Scribe]

63. Are you...insulting yourself? nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

48. Oh sure, do a total document dump of the NSA during a witch hunt....

Doesn't MATTER if it was all stuff cooked up by the likes of John Yoo.

[Bonobo]

33. 80-20!!! nt

[rhett o rick]

71. Whose "they". And many on the left would say they didnt do the turning.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

73. "They",....well, let's see,...who has tried EVERY fake scandal to drop his poll numbers?

[rhett o rick]

74. "Well, let's see", you get two points for trying to be clever. I guess I will have to guess your

point. It appears you mean the Republicans are the "they" in the "they finally found the issue to get the Left to turn on him." So you are saying the Republicans "found" the NSA spying issue and are using it to turn the Left on him. OMG. First if you would pay attention, the Republicans love the NSA and their spy programs. Gen Clapper and others are f'in Republicans.
So why would the Republicans try to turn the Left?
Besides as I mentioned, the Left hasnt been happy for a long, long time. Do you need the list?
Funny but I doubt the Republicans could turn the Left as easily as f'head Rahmbo.
Pres Obama doesnt like the Left, in fact I could show you how he has intentionally alienated the Left. He aligns with the Republicans like Gen Clapper, Gen Alexander, Bernanke, etc.
I cant speak for the Left, but I want to undo Bush's attacks on our civil liberties. So far Pres Obama doesnt agree.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

75. Have you seen the way Right Wing websites are all over this?

[AgingAmerican]

17. Define 'Patriot'

nt

[Art_from_Ark]

28. "Patriot"

A member of the New England professional football team.

[AgingAmerican]

39. The reason I ask

Is because those gun idiot types refer to each other as, "Patriots".

I don't see Obama as one of those.

[Waiting For Everyman]

20. Nobody who trashes the Constitution is a patriot.

That person would be an opportunist and a traitor.

[AgingAmerican]

40. The Republicans refer to each other as, "Patriots"

And they trash the constitution like no other.

[babylonsister]

76. Go away if that's how you feel.

He now has trashed the Constitution?

[AZ Progressive]

24. So failing to defend the constitution when one's oath requires to do so is patriotic?

[99Forever]

27. Good question.

Bet the Rah Rah Crowd won't touch it.

[Progressive dog]

25. Yes, Obama is a Patriot

and President of the USA.

[Logical]

32. LOL. n-t

[PowerToThePeople]

36. get your flag pin on

Seriously? Are we on FR now? Has it come to this?

[KG]

38. so?

[Rowdyboy]

44. Yes he is and a damn fine one at that....

K&R

[mick063]

47. "Starship Troopers"

To permit irresponsible authority is to sow disaster; to hold a man responsible for anything he does not control is to behave with blind idiocy. The unlimited democracies were unstable because their citizens were not responsible for the fashion in which they exerted their sovereign authority . . . other than through the tragic logic of history. The unique 'poll tax' that we must pay was unheard of. No attempt was made to determine whether a voter was socially responsible to the extent of his literally unlimited authority. If he voted the impossible, the disastrous possible happened instead—and responsibility was then forced on him willy-nilly and destroyed both him and his foundationless temple.

Robert A. Heinlein

[NoMoreWarNow]

53. I think you forgot the "sarcasm" emoticon

[morningfog]

56. There can be only one?

[Drunken Irishman]

72. Hey...I didn't say 'the'. ;)

[KarKar]

57. Does he have a tri-corner hat?

and a musket?

[Scurrilous]

68. K & R

[KarKar]

70. I never like the term "patriot"

It's kind of misogynist. How about matriot?

[bowens43]

77. so are the tea baggers, what's your point?

[rug]

78. A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.

Edward Abbey, A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis en Deserto) : Notes from a Secret Journal

[Scurrilous]

79. Boink.