There is no "I" in "Obama". The self deprecating self confidence and calm of Obama is unearthly.

[Fred Sanders]

Last edited Mon Jul 14, 2014, 12:02 PM - Edit history (4)

I know that calm drives so many so mad, but it has served him well. I think it is that same calm that makes him smile everyday, that shows up naturally in his dealing with every day people and with the everyday madness of a corporate media that denies him both truth and any positive coverage, not to mention an opposing political party that has embraced traces of pure fascism and theological absolutism.

Any other nation on earth would toss their current leader and replace with Obama in an instant, maybe not Norway.

Appreciation for the President is the only appreciation thread that should matter.

Edit: a comment below got my attention, that Obama is the Jackie Robinson of politics, even his allies may say he goes too far, thinking a black man can play the game.

Edit 2: For those unfamiliar with the definition of the word-

un·earth·ly

adjective

unnatural or mysterious, especially in a disturbing way.
"unearthly quiet"

synonyms: otherworldly, supernatural, preternatural, alien;

Unearthly | Define Unearthly at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/unearthly
seeming not to belong to this earth or world: unearthly beauty. 2. supernatural; ghostly; unnaturally strange; weird: an unearthly scream. 3. out of the ordinary; ...

................

We good?

[seabeyond]

1. Appreciation for the President is the only appreciation thread that should matter.

i disagree with this, and wasnt needed for a strong Op. but, the rest i recommend.

[Fred Sanders]

7. I have license to use mild hyperbole, it is in my contract.

[seabeyond]

10. As long as we all recognize, I am cool with that. Nt

[cali]

2. I admire his equanimity. I don't admire his pushing the TPP- hard. I don't admire

his blind support for fracking. I support him when I believe he's right and I will vigorously oppose him when he's pushing a corporate agenda- something he does quite a bit.

And it's merely your opinion that the only appreciation thread that counts is one that uncritically praises the President.

[randome]

3. I don't think he's 'blind' about anything. But I understand the concerns you raise.

For the most part, I am in agreement but he lives in a messy world and I'm still willing to give him the benefit of a doubt on most things.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[mopinko]

23. ^^^^

an much as people dont like to admit it, unless we are all willing to park our cars, the president still has to worry about having enough energy to keep the economy moving.
considering where we are in the world, since he has moved us to so much domestic production, his ass is not hanging out there for the saudis to kick. like they did jimmy carter. or pootie poot, either.

and whatever happens with tpp, i personally, believe he is in there fighting for labor and environmental concessions to level out what is currently quite tipped against us.
it isnt the 90's. it wont be nafta.

[Hekate]

46. that's encouraging, mopinko

[Voice for Peace]

65. thank you!

your pov is so welcome.

[VanillaRhapsody]

109. define "quite a bit"...

[conservaphobe]

4. Best President of my lifetime.

He restored my faith in government after growing up during the Bush years, having my civil rights violated by a collusion between the rich people of my town (in various levels of local government), then going down a deep rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and anti-government sentiment.

For that, I am loyal to this President and to this party. Probably too loyal at times. But loyal nonetheless.

[freshwest]

12. Appreciate your experience and loyalty to the great good. Thanks, conservaphobe.

[Fred Sanders]

14. Loyalty to your nationally elected eader and the only clam and rational voice in the dark rooms

inhabited by the dark forces is not a failing.

Felicity is properly the better word to describe what President Obama is and does:

Felicity:

the ability to find appropriate expression for one's thoughts.
"speech that pleased by its accuracy, felicity, and fluency"
synonyms: eloquence, aptness, appropriateness, suitability, suitableness, applicability, fitness, relevance, pertinence More
antonyms: inappropriateness
a particularly effective feature of a work of literature or art.
plural noun: felicities
"the King James version, thanks to its felicities of language, ruled supreme"

[bigwillq]

21. Restored your faith in government?

WOW.

I think the government has gotten worse during the Obama administration. Government is as divided as ever, and I think there's still a lot of anti-government sentiment.

I agree with the OP about Obama's self-confidence and calm, but I don't agree with this post.

[conservaphobe]

54. The fact that there's a lot of anti-government sentiment doesn't change my personal perspective.

I was speaking how I personally feel.

Odd that it upset so many people.

I mistakenly thought I was among like-minded people.

Sorry.

[Voice for Peace]

69. You are among like-minded people, but within that category are a zillion different points of view.

Don't be surprised or discouraged if people diss your posts
or perspectives. There are more silent readers and thinkers
here than argumentative posters. It took me about two years
here before I started feeling at home. Don't give up.
And don't be a phobe. And welcome to DU.

[stillwaiting]

93. There are people on BOTH "sides of the aisle" who have lost faith in many aspects of govt.

Many have lost faith in a majority of elected officials due to how our government is run (i.e. legalized bribery or lobbying).

It certainly seems from my perspective that the wealthy and Big Business interests have done much better than average Americans during the past 3 to 4 decades and that includes during the Obama Administration. Many who share my perspective aren't fans of conservatives either.

[Voice for Peace]

66. I thought the poster meant confidence in the capability of government, with a president

like Obama in office -- despite the divisions and problems.

[conservaphobe]

68. I did.

Thank you for helping clarify.

[woo me with science]

22. Civil rights, huh? Which of these Obama policies are your favorites?

This is what happens when we allow corporations to purchase government. We allow the construction of a corporate authoritarian state


Chilling Legal Memo From Obama DOJ Justifies Assassination of US Citizens
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101654954

Obama seeks longer PATRIOT Act extension than Republicans (December 2013)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x380450

When it comes to civil liberties, apparently Democrats are just as bad as Republicans.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022101960

NSA's Massive New Spy Center to Track Your Emails, Internet Activity, and Phone Calls
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101620852

Obama Quietly Signs Abusive Spy Bill He Once Vowed to Eliminate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022104861

Obama repeals Magna Carta, asserting powers our forefathers denied to Kings
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101655620

Obama's Memo on Killing Americans Twists 'Imminent Threat' Like Bush
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101654919

Obama no better than Bush when it comes to security vs. civil liberties.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022355307

Obama Admin Seeks Permission TO LIE In Response To FOI Requests - Even To The COURTS
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2185303

NDAA on trial: Obama Administration fights ban on indefinite detention of Americans
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101748688

Obama, Democrats Push to Make Bush Spying Laws Permanent
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022084702

NDAA, signed by Obama, is a direct attack against legitimate protest and dissent
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022064803

NSA Whistleblower: All Americans under constant surveillance, all info. stored, no matter the post
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002193487; http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021935289

Bipartisan Congress Disgracefully Approves the FISA Warrantless Spying Bill for Five More Years
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022087323

While Public & Media Focused on 2nd Amendment, 5th Amendment Quietly Dismantled
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022390581

How the Obama administration justifies extrajudicial killing of Americans,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022318187

Judge Says Under Law Executive Branch Can Commit Acts That Sure Do Seem Unconstitutional
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022122464

Obama Justice Dept. says wiretap lawsuit should not proceed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014337039

NDAA Lawsuit- Hedges v. Obama, The Last Thin Line of Defense
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022357078

Federal authorities step up efforts to license surveillance drones for law enforcement
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022383596

Big Banks and FBI worked together vs Occupy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022095056]

FBI Investigated 'Occupy' As Possible 'Domestic Terrorism' Threat, Internal Documents Show
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022061578

FBI Documents Reveal Secret Nationwide Occupy Monitoring (Updated the OP)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022057064

Public Buses Across Country Quietly Adding Microphones to Record Passenger Conversations
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021965291

Street artist behind satirical NYPD 'Drone' posters arrested
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021920967

The Obama DOJ urged the Supreme Court's endorsement of strip searches.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002521527

Obama Administration Fights to Allow Warrantless GPS Tracking
http://sync.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1074474

Anonymous to FBI: hey, dudes, maybe you could take a break from...investigating activists....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022145621

Half a billion dollars for drones to spy on Americans
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021876414

President Obama's IncarcerNation
http://www.nationofchange.org/president-obama-s-incarcernation-1335274655

From Bradley Manning to Aaron Swartz -- The Government's Inhumane Persecution of Brave Truth Tellers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022276941

The sight of Army helicopters and the sound of gunfire...on Houston's south side
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022276742

Kiriakou and Stuxnet: the danger of the still-escalating Obama whistleblower war
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022275570

Can the DEA Hide a Surveillance Camera on Your Property?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022237059

Social Media and the Stasi
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021888029

Homeland Security Wants to More Than Double Its Predator Drone Fleet Inside the US, Despite Safety/Privacy Invasions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014312823

CIA Behind Bizarre Censorship Incident At Alleged 9/11 Plotters’ Gitmo Trial
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022280285

“I Am Wearing My Conviction As A Badge Of Honor.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022275128

Meet the Contractors Turning America's Police Into a Paramilitary Force
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12525281

How Secrecy Corrodes Democracy
http://election.democraticunderground.com/101655009

Obama Quietly Issues Ruling Saying It's Legal For The FBI To Break The Law
http://election.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7545687

US Pulls Plug on Iran Cable News (Press TV)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014394770

DHS Watchdog OKs 'Suspicionless' Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022339091

[ellenrr]

25. you're right, but will you convince anyone? nt

[woo me with science]

29. They don't care.

It was probably a mistake on the poster's part to even mention anything inviting a reminder of an actual policy. This thread is supposed to be all about haloes and warm shivers down the spine..

[Andy823]

80. Intersting

You say this post is all about "haloes and warm shivers down the spine", yet your posts are about "doom and gloom" and how "terrible" the president is. You list link after link of negative things, yet when others post links to show how much he has accomplished, you seem to ignore them.

Is there any thing you like about our president?

[VanillaRhapsody]

110. Nope.....can't change that narrative doncha know!

[maced666]

34. Wow, your post is backed up by facts and specifics cementing your point.

How in the world can it stand a chance against Obama's 'self confidence calm and unearthliness'

Somewhere between a disgusting corporate orgy takeover and 'he's so dreamy' is some fucking common sense, thanks for showing it still exists.
Some DO get it.

[woo me with science]

50. Imagine that!

There are some creepy, creepy attempts at messaging going on...

Look below. Now we are being told in America that merely posting a list of the president's *actual* policies, ....on a *political* message board....constitutes an aberrant "working" too hard, which, in turn, should be interpreted as "deep hatred" toward the president.

Good citizens know to relax and feel the tingle...

[7962]

79. Dont forget "you're a racist", too

[Hofbrau]

95. Ha...

[woo me with science]

97. Yes, *and* a homophobe, *and a Libertarian, *and* a Republican, *and* an extreme, fringe Leftist.

All at the same time!

Oh, and "borderline psychotic" (my new favorite, which was hurled at me yesterday, with spittle).

Ah, the desperate flailing of the smear machine.

[7962]

100. Really? With a Bernie Sanders for Pres tag & 30K posts they finally found you out, huh?

[woo me with science]

132. And I do it all under just *one* persona!

[VanillaRhapsody]

111. who ARE the fringe in the Party then?

[Ineeda]

37. WOW - you sure hate this POTUS

don't you. Or do you have a compilation of negative facts about every modern-day president and potential office holder? Disclaimer: I really like this president, admire his calm as the OP presented, and recognise that he is not perfect by a long shot. But you sure put a lot of work into your list, indicating a deep hatred. Sad, really.

[woo me with science]

73. ^^^^^I will underscore this astounding post^^^^^

in which listing the actual policies of a president, on a *political* message board, in the United States of America....in *response" to a statement specifically opening the topic of this area of policy...

is interpreted as aberrant excessive effort, and thus evidence of deep hatred of the president.

This is how deeply into the cult of personality...and now pathologization of attention to policy....the rhetoric has devolved.

[Ineeda]

78. Oh, FFS

My point was that some people can't let even one tiny positive statement (having nothing to do with policy) stand without crapping all over Obama. And yes, you sure come across as a hater. I'm glad you consider my post astounding.

[sibelian]

101. I think your post is flat out sad.

Seriously. Did you actually look at ANY of the stuff woo posted? Do you care about ANY of it?

"hater" - that's just meaningless.

[woo me with science]

133. Yep, beyond all the utter absurdity...

I find this whole thread very sad...and illustrative.

[abakan]

40. What do you think the list would look like...

If Romney had won the election or god forbid, McCain and the Harpy from Wasillia.

[woo me with science]

43. Very similar, actually. Most of these are continuations and expansions of Bush policies.

This list shows the president claiming powers up to and including mass surveillance of Americans, asaults on journalism, secret laws, secret courts, and the power to indefinitely imprison and even murder citizens in the absence of due process.

If you are seriously trying to deploy a "lesser of two evils" argument in order to make this list seem even remotely acceptable in the United States of America, you are really struggling here.

[abakan]

51. sorry not deploying anything...

I just asked a question.

[sheshe2]

92. Okay, got it.

Obama=Bush.

[sibelian]

102. Oh, look...!

A straw man!

[abakan]

118. What does that mean?

Are you saying that because I refuse to fall into a trap, I'm a strawman? Right you are, and you can't shame me because I'm not going to play. You do not have that power, I couldn't give a fuck less what you or your little group think about me....So carry on I'm sure you have other people who will engage with you.

[woo me with science]

121. Psst. When replying to posts,

You need to remember to switch back to the correct persona.

[Marr]

124. LMAO

Oh my god... that was just classic.

I've long assumed that our devoted group of 20 or so BOG-types employed a stable of sock puppets, but it's rare that they make it so obvious. I don't know why that post hasn't exploded yet.

[woo me with science]

131. LOL.

[abakan]

140. And which persona would that be???

You guys are trying to paste some label to me. I am not a sock puppet, a troll or anything you choose to ascribe to me. I have learned one thing. NEVER ask an honest question expecting an honest answer. If you have any questions about who I am and I'm not, look here. http://www.democraticunderground.com/116116691

[Autumn]

153. Ya know, that's not the first time and it's not the first one

[woo me with science]

154. ...

[840high]

64. We'll never know.

[sibelian]

104. Not like the one woo posted.

Care to discuss the one woo posted? Or do you prefer a different subject?

[840high]

48. For once I appreciate blue links. Thanks.

[conservaphobe]

49. I'm sorry that my support for a Democratic president offends you so much.

It bothers the teabaggers in my family as well.

[Fred Sanders]

52. The enemy of my friend is my enemy.

[woo me with science]

59. ...

[sibelian]

103. Oh, wow!

So people angry with Obama for continuing and expanding on the same Bush era policies are like TEABAGGERS?

Oh, my.

[LondonReign2]

67. Thank you Woo

[Marr]

123. +1

Wow. Quite a list, when you line it all up like that.

[ailsagirl]

41. I feel exactly the same, conservaphobe

As another great American president said:

“You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”

― Abraham Lincoln

[conservaphobe]

56. It's odd that I got such a backlash for expressing my support for the President.

I mistakenly thought I was among like-minded people.

[ailsagirl]

81. Really!

Well, count me as equally supportive as you!!

[sibelian]

105. What's odd about it?

He self-identifies as a moderate Republican. This is a LEFT WING website.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

112. quibble.

Iirc the video that people are talking about when they mention this, he says something along the lines of how 20 or so years ago, he would have been considered a moderate Republican, pointing out just how far to the right both parties have moved. He doesn't actually claim to be/self-identify as a moderate Republican as such are considered TODAY, since the current crop of 'moderate Republicans' were the far right conservatives 20 years ago.

[conservaphobe]

114. I shouldn't have been surprised. I've been on the Internet a long time...

and have seen even some of the most innocent comments provoke vitriolic responses from the den of vipers who lie in wait.

Such is life.

[woo me with science]

5. Bwah ha ha! The "unearthly" part was the best of all.

Shades of Kim Jong Un...and you already have a response believing you were serious, which shows how creepy the propaganda adulation has become around here. Poe's Law and all...

Really, hagiography is creepy even when it's satirical.

[Puzzledtraveller]

8. Indeed

I have a theory, something to do with a river in Egypt.

[Fred Sanders]

9. Glad you like it. But you are riding another horse in the upcoming election derby, Obama is not in.

So the lack of support for your current President is puzzling.

[woo me with science]

17. What sinner would disagree that the only appreciation that matters is Appreciation for Him?

or that He is "unearthly" in His personal qualities?

It is the deepest of betrayals, the cruelest lack of support, and surely the puzzle of all puzzles for True Believers!

[ellenrr]

27. was the OP being satirical? If so, I missed it. Great word, btw, -hagiography!

[woo me with science]

57. It pops up from time to time:

Wayyyy too early for it in this wannabe, nascent totalitarian state, but some eager beavers in the propaganda department are trying to lay the groundwork:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022666913

[ellenrr]

60. that was a good post you linked to.

[woo me with science]

82. There was some great discussion in that thread,

and it's definitely relevant to what we are seeing here.

[woo me with science]

11. I will never forget what the media has done, putting in place an incessant propaganda machine

that pretends the two parties are at odds on *everything,* when the two current corporate leaderships are actually conveniently in agreement on virtually every important economic, war, and police state policy that the One Percent cares about.

This thread is an excellent satirical example of how they get away with it, too...avoiding the actual issues and instead trying to build cultish loyalty to parties and politicians, utterly apart from their actual agendas.

[Cali_Democrat]

90. So it's the media who pretends the parties are at odds with everything...

Why does Bernie consistently caucus with and vote with the Dems?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

113. Because 'everything' is just as overly broad now as it was in 2000.

On any matter that does not truly threaten corporations or the wealth of the 1%, Dems are actually better.

Unfortunately for most of us, that still leaves them pretty sucky on the specific issues mentioned just above.

So Bernie is playing the 'lesser evil' game that so many on site embrace wholeheartedly.

[LondonReign2]

70. Oh noes! Actual policies are being listed!

It's not fair, showing his record like that! Only mean meany Republicans would do something so dastardly as showing his actual actions!

[DirkGently]

13. "maybe not Norway."

So true. All those pickled herring sandwiches. And also, Thor.

[woo me with science]

15. LOL.

I was going to say quality education and actual healthcare and living wages...but you may have a point.

[DirkGently]

16. You know someone alerted on your

first response, right?

For "comparing Obama to Kim Jong Un."

On Sat Jul 12, 2014, 11:33 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Bwah ha ha! The "unearthly" part was the best of all.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5231145

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Comparing President Obama to Kim Jong Un... REALLY?!

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Jul 12, 2014, 11:44 AM, and the Jury voted 2-5 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I have no idea if the OP was meant to be satirical...if so,then the response is appropriate, if not, then it isn't appropriate...therefore I will err on the side of caution and leave it.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't think the president was being compared to Kim Jong Un. I think the language in the thread was being compared. This isn't a personal attack and I don't think it shows any views that are unacceptable on Democratic Underground.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh fer Christssakes. Poster isn't comparing ... Oh, just forget it.

Alerting should require proof of a basic understanding of ... words
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Is this that one chronic troll who has nothing better to do than troll DU? Her username (all lowercase words, mention of science) makes me think so...
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Wrong alerter, the comparison to Kim Jong Un is made to the poster, and I more or less agree. It is eerily reminiscent of the Korean peoples forced adoration of Kim Jong Un... REALLY

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

Sigh.

[woo me with science]

19. Wow. Like I said, hagiography is creepy.

There are creepy, creepy winds blowing in the propaganda and attempted thought control of this new American surveillance state...

Thanks for posting this.

[DirkGently]

31. Rejection of nuanced talk is just so right-wing.

Do WE also now have to communicate on a third-grade level?

[woo me with science]

71. Now that you mention it...

it does seem a pattern...

Lots of attempts to devolve political discussion to a third grade level:

Root for your team no matter what!

Ron Paul is a poopyhead, and HE opposes the surveillance state, so.....

And upthread, posting a compilation of the president's actual policies actually gets characterized as a suspicious behavior....a sign of "working" too hard, thus a pathological signal of "deep hatred" toward the president. This, on a political discussion board in the United States of America.

I can think of other countries where political rhetoric is infantilized, too. It's creepy, creepy, creepy.

[DirkGently]

72. Countries with the worst forms of government have

... that kind of childish talk. That the Leader is either a haloed savior or spawn of pure evil, etc.

Your more advanced societies tend to see political leaders as people, with flaws and conflicts, and the corresponding need for constant feedback and opinion, not a silly, "Yay or boo" shouting contest.

I think I blame sports. I never got the kind of sports fan who would scream and hiss when a justified foul is called on one of their own players. Or the yahoos that sit behind the plate at baseball / softball / Little League games, screaming obscenities at the batter, thinking they're "helping" their team. As though anyone would want the game decided by a well-timed distraction.

Now that we're all fed politics on TV, the radio, and the Internet, apparently we're going with the "sports" model.

Grab a giant foam finger and scream nonsense. Whoever wins must be the "best."

[woo me with science]

76. You're right. They go together.

On one hand, the hagiography and the infantile arguments are laughable and absurd, and the best antidote to them at this stage is probably to mock them....

But underneath there is something deeply chilling about them, and we need to pay attention. IMO, it's no accident that this garbage, and the defense of it, comes incessantly from the very same voices defending the march of our government into authoritarian rule through mass surveillance, secret laws, secret courts, assaults on journalism, "Kill Lists."

[Fred Sanders]

83. My voice is not advocating a march to totalitarianism, you need to connect the meaning of words

better with your conclusions, because there is a vast disconnect.

[woo me with science]

86. A subtle twist.

Please reread my actual words. Thanks.

[Fred Sanders]

87. Really, I have, I am a faster reader. I understand Obama is far from perfect, his lack of push back

against privacy abuses is a major, major failing, the surveillance has to stop.
The free trade negotiations are deeply flawed. I could go on.

But Obama is like the Prisoner of Zenda, the circumstance he inherited can not be undone by a shaking of magic juju sticks and, as he has said repeatedly, he is one man, change has to come from the people, and then through him, which is exactly what has happened with gay marriage and now with drug laws, with health care reform. I could go on,

What troubles me is that even faint praise is criticized, there is far too little praise of other people compared to the mountains of negativity and derision, deserved or not.

I do not mind praising others, hyperbole is just a literary tool to make the point, I mean no offence.

Cheers.

[ellenrr]

26. this alert makes me ask - where is there more free speech - in N Korea or DU if you criticize Obama?

[elleng]

33. 'Alerting should require proof of a basic understanding of ... words'

[DirkGently]

55. I like that one, too. ;)

[woo me with science]

61. ...

[Brigid]

18. I don't know how he does that.

I really don't. If I ever meet him, that is something I'll just have to ask him.

[MannyGoldstein]

20. A little passion on Obama's part might serve us well

For subjects other than his becoming President, for which he had passion aplenty.

When he cooly and calmly negotiated with Republicans over repealing the Bush tax cuts, the sequester, and so forth, he got totally rolled. But when the Republicans went after his "legacy" achievement, the ACA, and Obama told 'em he wouldn't negotiate, to go ahead and make his day by shutting down the government, he won.

[Sunlei]

30. I agree. He was to 'fair' to them at first. Boehner wasn't crying, Obama was to nice to them!

The only use I have found for the orange man, is he stops the republican gloating and starts to cry over some important issue!

[abakan]

44. I think he shows passion....

It's a quiet self assured passion. He does not have to scrabble around like his hair is on fire to make his points. He has a well tuned BS detector and refuses to play the republicans games, which I appreciate. That he finds it frustrating comes out often but he smiles and refuses to become cynical. I do not agree with every thing he does, I do agree he is a good man, there are few of them in politics and there are not many like this one anywhere. We should support him in his endless struggle with the RW.

[Sunlei]

24. I am very Proud of our President and all his Admin. Didn't know much about him at first.

As each year passes, he's earned my respect and appreciation. What a tough job he has!! and what amazing grace under pressure.

I even look forward to when his job as President is over. Wonder what he will do? Hope I can be a part of whatever 'that' is!

[Fred Sanders]

35. "Grace" is another word people are afraid to give to other people, I have no problem praising the

good qualities of good people, it is to balance all the bad people and their bad qualities.

[mopinko]

28. i heard so many stories about this

when he ran for the senate and onward.
i saw it in person in '08 a couple times.

i sincerely believe this is who the man is. and when there is talk about chess games, i always remember the poker stories that i heard, and i know that that is what was goin on. deep strategery.

[MohRokTah]

32. HE's the Jackie Robinson of National Politics

He HAS to be completely calm all the time and allow the bullshit to just brush off his shoulders.

[Fred Sanders]

42. $$$$$$$$$$$$^^^^^^^^$$$$$$$$$$$$ JACKPOT!

[tularetom]

36. He is able to remain calm because he knows he is right

This is admirable for the most part. Unfortunately, he knows he is right even when he is wrong.

I don't think he gives a shit what other people think, that's how confident he is in his own opinion. He won't make an effort to try to change the opinions of those who oppose him because he knows it's fruitless to argue with stupid people.

Sometimes we could do with a little less calm and a little more urgency from him.

[Fred Sanders]

62. He says the same things as Robert Kennedy and they are as true today as then:

"What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black."

Robert F. Kennedy

On the day of the assignation of Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Bluenorthwest]

74. Definition of 'assignation': an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers

The word you were trying for is 'assassination' but murder would do just as well.

[Fred Sanders]

84. Sometimes auto word comes up with a gem, because that is a word I will try to remember.

[maced666]

38. Snopes - Dr. Sam Vaknin penned article about the dangers of Barack Obama's narcissism.

Results - mixed.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/vaknin.asp

[Fred Sanders]

39. Freaky armchair head shrinkers and their apostles are irrelevant to anything.

[Bluenorthwest]

77. RFK was not a fan of characterizing the opposition:

"What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists, is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."

[KauaiK]

45. If you understand Hawaii...you understand Obama

He was raised with "aloha". Obama doesn't get angry; he doesn't shout; there is no bombastic rhetoric or vengefulness. Yes, he has made mistakes, but don't we all? He just keeps stating his objectives and moves forward with a smile.

He has "punked" the GOP so many times and they don't "get it" nor do can they figure out how "get" him. He makes the GOP look like they have to study-up to be so out-of-touch and stupid. The lawsuit is going to blow up in their face and they won't understand why.

[Fred Sanders]

47. The GOP will hum and haw and delay with the lawsuit. It will be thrown out on the first motion

for dismissal, so they will wait until after the election to get it before a judge.....which judge will that be?
It is all so absurdly transparent as a kiddy blanket to warm the base until they vote.

Where is this lawsuit by the way, it is childish to threaten with a lawsuit not yet even authorized or filed, and when it is the mocking will begin and should be relentless. They will regret this very much, the fools.

[Hekate]

53. And there you have it -- something extremely hard to grasp for Mainlanders

It's such a different culture.

[KauaiK]

89. I agree. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't experience it.

[McCamy Taylor]

58. There is no "I" in Leo.

[Tikki]

75. Please never forget that there is Bu**sh** in Bush.

Tikki

[kickysnana]

88. Nah..he really doesn't care. He got what he wanted. He managed to stay on the horse til the end...

[Hofbrau]

94. A little bit too much of a 'Dear Leader' vibe...

Words like 'unearthly' are creepy...

[Fred Sanders]

96. What is creepy is people manufacturing straw men to knock down because the real man can not be.

[sibelian]

107. You know who he reminds me of?

Tony Blair.

[Fred Sanders]

108. Could be him, same amount of illogical thinking covered over by bluster.

[Hofbrau]

116. Sorry.. 'Unearthly' is both creepy and weird...

The rest of it is a bit unsettling but that is the cherry on top...

[Fred Sanders]

117. No need to apologize, words can have more than one meaning, it is the context that brings out

the true meaning as used, as you say.

[stevenleser]

122. You would have a point if it was aimed at him as a whole, not a very specific quality.

I think most of us have one specific narrow quality that might qualify as superlative or even unearthly.

The fact that you immediately went to 'dear Leader vibe' to attack this says a lot more about you than the OP.

[betsuni]

129. People who use the "Dear Leader" thing

should know that it exposes a profound ignorance of North Korea and is offensive. People were kidnapped from Japan and dragged to North Korea to be Japanese language and culture teachers and families are still trying to find out what happened to the missing. North Koreans are starving. NK is launching duct-taped-together rockets over the Sea of Japan and constantly rattling sabers. It's a freak country with a freak cult. Yet posting photos of the U.S. president playing pool or eating barbecue or admiring his patience is too much like the massive brainwashing in North Korea wherein people weep and pass out in the presence of Dear Leader because also they DON'T WANT TO BE KILLED. No, there is no Dear Leader vibe. How about going back to the Obama-as-Hollywood-celebrity insult that McCain used in 2008? At least that's not offensive.

[Hofbrau]

146. You seem to have just enough info to be dangerous...

... And not enough to be informative.

If you think you can't brainwash an entire population when you control every level of their lives to the point where a significant portion have blind faith in the glorious leader, I suggest you talk to some Germans from the 30s and 40s.

I did and they soaked it up just like the NKs do because they have no other choice.

[Bobbie Jo]

98. Aside from

the kook and crackpot contingent taking a dump on your thread, I appreciate the spirit of your OP.

Anyway......K&R.

[Fred Sanders]

99. Thanks. Why is "hero worship"' definition pending, just fine for sports people, but it is like ever

so horrible for the elected leader of a nation? Equating admiration with hero worshipping is another propaganda ploy that is just laughable.

I see I got the mods to unlock my thread on the Israel/Palestine genocide, took 12 hours, so on the bright side......

[Skittles]

127. there's a difference between admiration and hero worshiping

just like there's a difference between gun owning and gun humping

[Number23]

120. For real. There is some extra strength crazy in this thread and I am dying laughing at the

unceasing propaganda of those that only consider criticism "truth" about this president. Mirrors are desperately needed by a loud shrill few around here.

[betsuni]

128. It's like we're talking about Dick Cheney instead of this president.

Crazy, constant negative propaganda makes me sad.

[Bobbie Jo]

139. Well, as with anything else

one should consider the source when judging the veracity of the "message."

, etc....

[cilla4progress]

106. This is why

I strive to emulate him.

He is among the greats of human history.

Like others of his ilk (Jesus, Lincoln, Gandhi, MLK Jr., VanGogh), sadly, not fully appreciated by many in his time.

[woo me with science]

130. Not *just* absurd,

but supremely absurd comparisons.

BWAH....We are in surreal satirical-or-Orwellian territory here, and the effort is.....bizarre.

[cilla4progress]

134. It's OK for you to think that.

I disagree.

[woo me with science]

135. Please proceed...

[cilla4progress]

136. As in?

...for a man, an African-American man, in 21st century US to even DEIGN to CONSIDER running for the highest political post in the land takes a degree of vision and chutzpah, that in itself, sets him apart. Even if it is the vision of a megalomaniac, I can see common threads with the actions of the others I listed - in believing that he would have the ability to succeed in that one endeavor.

All those others - the HISTORICAL Jesus (that is, a man who challenged the status quo establishment power balance in his time, giving his life for it), MLK, etc., were also change agents of the highest magnitude. They were imperfect. They succeeded in some measure, but obviously not all, and compromised their principles along the way to achieve their higher aims. Unfortunately, a reality in the power game.

I see Obama as one of their ilk.

[woo me with science]

138. Here we go: "Challenged the status quo establishment power"

Another contender for the most ironic and Orwellian characterization of Obama's presidency attempted here. His administration has *entrenched* the power of the status quo, defending, expanding, and solidifying virtually every malignant Bush policy that keeps the corrupt One Percent in power and subjugates the powerless.

And it's perpetuated in significant part by the cynical rallying of the propaganda machine around vapidity like you offer in your post here and that is offered in posts throughout this thread: empty appeals to his charm, or his calm demeanor, or his skin color, when the actual policies espoused have escalated inequality in this country for minorities as well as other Americans.

These sorts of appeals are always the same: based on illusions of image and rhetoric rather than the reality of the record. That's how corporate marketing rolls. That's how propaganda rolls. And that's why it's important to keep posting lists of the *actual* policies and their effects so as to reveal these con games being played on us by a massively well-funded corporate advertising machine.

It is the 99 percent who are suffering.

Racial Aspects of Economy are Significant for White House to Address
http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/07/28/racial-aspects-of-economy-are-significant-for-white-house-to-address

The Astonishing Collapse of Black and Latino Household Wealth
http://www.alternet.org/economy/black-and-latino-household-wealth-has-collapsed

The Roots of the Widening Racial Wealth Gap: Explaining the Black-White Economic Divide
http://iasp.brandeis.edu/pdfs/Author/shapiro-thomas-m/racialwealthgapbrief.pdf

Wealth Gaps Rise to Record Highs Between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2011/07/SDT-Wealth-Report_7-26-11_FINAL.pdf

[cilla4progress]

141. Thank you for respecting my opinion!

[Fred Sanders]

142. Seems you fail to notice he is black, or down play it and the entire history of blacks in America.

Obama is a transformational man, he is history in real time. He is transformational, recognizable on sight by his blackness. Some do see his skin color as an important thing, and that color in the WH as important above all else. He is symbolic of a two hundred year struggle finally reaching the end game.

For some this is more important than all else. For some others it is not. So be it, the end game is not over.

[woo me with science]

147. Seems you failed to read my posts.

[ProfessorGAC]

137. We Forgot To Add. . .

. . ."in my opinion"!

You are not the sole arbiter of logic here.

[Number23]

150. You got that right.

Edit

[kelliekat44]

115. I simply admire the man, not every idea he has or action he takes or does not take.

He is human with all the human frailties. I see, though many others may not, the spirit of a man who wants to do good for others. For that I admire and respect him.

[Stuart G]

119. Yes............... agree...

[Manifestor_of_Light]

125. I am very pleased that he is so incredibly calm.

The Repubs rant, rave, scream, threaten, block legislation, shut down the government, lie and do everything they can think of to upset him, even refusing to meet with him at the White House, and disrespecting him and the office of the President far more than any previous president.

The more they rant, the more he refuses to react, and the more sensible he looks. He lays things out simply in his speeches.

For example: "Who would be against people getting health care?" He's far ahead of them in the political games. He lets them hang themselves out to dry.

I think he took lessons from Bill Clinton. I remember when Newt shut down the government. He looked like a spoiled brat and Bill looked like the sensible one. And Newt lost his Speakership.

I heard an interview on NPR with a woman who knew Ann Dunham in Indonesia, Obama's mother, about the time he was elected, and she said that he inherited that calmness from his mother.

[Marr]

126. "Unearthly"? Really?

You're actually tip-toeing up to religious speak there. I find this kind of unbounded devotion to politicians to be quite unsettling-- I don't care what party the devotee embraces.

[Marrah_G]

143. This is satire right?

[Fred Sanders]

144. This is a question?

[woo me with science]

148. Lord, let us hope so.

Or should that be, "Obama, let us hope so"?

[Marrah_G]

149. its so hard to tell these days

[polichick]

145. There's no I in "God" either - Obama must be God!

[Number23]

151. As Sid would say, "K&R for upsetting all of the right people"

And toss in a well deserved to boot.

And people wonder why he and so many others do NOTHING but mock the unhinged among us. Mockery is about the kindest way to interact with some of these folks, as your thread proves.

[obxhead]

152. Wow.

I know many republicans that feel the same way about every politician they vote for.

Being a liberal or a Democrat isn't marching in lockstep, its about fighting for policies that benefit the whole.