Obama halts controversial EPA regulation

[humbled_opinion]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is directing his administration to withdraw a controversial proposed regulation updating government smog standards.

The withdrawal comes two days after the White House identified seven proposed regulations that would cost the economy at least $1 billion each. The proposed updated smog standard was estimated to cost anywhere between $19 billion and $90 billion, depending on how strict the standard would be.

In a statement, Obama says he made his decision in part because it is important to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses as the economy recovers. He says he is still committed to protecting public health and the environment.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-halts-controversial-epa-regulation-143731156.html

---

Seriously? Now protecting the environment is a regulatory burden? This type of capitulation is what gets this guy in trouble. Instead of communicating why this is an important regulation and that we need to move on to alternative energy sources he caves and now the Right has more ammunition to call him unprincipled and weak....

[villager]

1. Well, what can you expect from a Republican president?

:shrug:

[humbled_opinion]

2. Many have compared him to Raygun...

I am starting to see why..

[HowHasItComeToThis]

78. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED THAT I AM ALMOST PISSED

[FarLeftFist]

94. It makes sense because, you know, if the job thing improves, we wont need air..

sarcasm.

[No Elephants]

130. And if the air gets much worse, no one will need a job. Wiin win.

[harun]

279. Who needs air when you have Corporate Profits.

[sce56]

176. He complimented the Reagan regime in the 08 campaign!

by: Matt Stoller
Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 15:41

This is from the Reno Gazette editorial board on Monday.
I don't want to present myself as some sort of singular figure. I think part of what's different are the times. I do think that for example the 1980 was different. I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not. He put us on a fundamentally different path because the country was ready for it. I think they felt like with all the excesses of the 1960s and 1970s and government had grown and grown but there wasn't much sense of accountability in terms of how it was operating. I think people, he just tapped into what people were already feeling, which was we want clarity we want optimism, we want a return to that sense of dynamism and entrepreneurship that had been missing.

[No Elephants]

190. So did Hillary.

[sce56]

193. That is right! Neither one was my candidate! The M$M marginalized my candidate!

[humbled_opinion]

297. Shame complete shame... that was my candidate too... n/t

[No Elephants]

351. Democrats beat the MSM to it.

They had anointed Obama from the start.

Remember that flap over how Harry Reid had described him (Obama) while speaking to other Party leaders?

[UnrepentantLiberal]

305. And like an abused spouse we didn't listen when they warned us

not to accept his hand in marriage. We hoped against hope that he would change his ways if we showered love on him. Now his contempt for us only grows with each passing day. As Abigail Van Buren used to say: we need to leave the bum and suggest he seek therapy.

[sce56]

311. I'm Sick and Tired of having to choose the lesser of two Evils! n/t

[Name removed]

234. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[defendandprotect]

6. K/R --- We need to dump this wolf in sheep's clothing --- !! 2012 PRIMARY --!!!

[MissDeeds]

28. I could not agree more

I hate to think what another four years of this presidency will do to the country. We need a strong Democrat to primary him.

[slay]

44. +1

we DESPERATELY need someone to primary Obama. fuck man at this point i'll support any rich hollywood liberal like Matt Damon, Daryl Hannah, Alec Baldwin - even though they won't win, they could expose to the world our Republican president in sheep's clothing - especially in the primary debates. If the Dems just sit back and won't even challenge Obama in the primaries - then i see no use for them as a party other than to be enablers of the republicans.

[inna]

Daryl Hannah!... Love the idea. Wonder if the thought has even occurred to her?...

Hey, if we can't draft Russ Feingold... I'd be all for drafting Daryl Hannah! :patriot:


In all seriousness, the best thing Obama could do for the country, the Democratic party - and the world, really - would be to openly run as a Republican. ( I know, I know, fat chance of that happening... it doesn't hurt to dream, I suppose.... :shrug: )

[graywarrior]

150. I hope Perry or Mittens gets elected.

Maybe then, DU will gain back some of its sanity. Not likely, but hopefully.

[saras]

179. It does seem to be what Obama's working for... he seems to agree with you.

In those rare cases where Obama has stood up to the tea party, they've caved every time. Unfortunately he only holds the line against them when Wall Street wants him to, not when the population wants him to.

Of course, his definition of "sanity" is moving the baseline far enough to the right that the entire American political landscape consists of corporate fascists versus ignorant demagogic fascists, with the country defined by the Constitution discarded as collateral damage.

[graywarrior]

192. I've given up trying to convince people one way or the other

It's pointless. When the time comes, I'll vote....or I won't. Either way, it all sucks depending on who you talk to.

[shireen]

223. +1

I'm so exhausted by it all.

BTW, you finally set the duck free? Awww .... :)

[inna]

277. yet every single post of yours is reflexive, blatant apologism - and/or attack at those

who dare to be critical of Obama's policies. it's sad to watch, really; i used to like your posts.

[graywarrior]

331. Kill your heroes....that's what I say

And seriously, I could give a fuck what you think.

[The Wielding Truth]

211. Sanity is not strong in this argument. Hand the country over to the enemy because

your leader refuses to bail out every bucket of water flooding this sinking ship, while republicans jeer his efforts and pull out the plugs and tell all that we need to help those on shore who profited from the fairs and may build another Titanic.
Honestly, if you want sanity, you won't find it in Perry or any of that bunch!

[graywarrior]

219. I've sworn off leaders and heroes.

[Yurovsky]

257. Agree 100%....

The thing you realize as you get older is that pols care about themselves, first & foremost. Left or right, Dem or gop, for 99% of them, they just care about getting elected and keeping their power. Oh, sure there's a few true believers (Bernie, Kucinic, etc), but most will sell out in a NY minute if the price is right or their pollster tells them to change course (convictions be damned).

The reason the uprisings in Greece & Britain got me so excited is that they portend a shock to the system that pols will HAVE to respect. I thought we had a spark of that in Madison this year, but the air seems to have been let out of that balloon.

[graywarrior]

327. Yep. I guess I'm old enough now to have seen and heard it all

and I'm jaded to the point of not believing a word politicians say or swooning over an icon. I'm a total skeptic.

[inna]

273. Nope, it isn't (strong); gotta agree with you. nt

[Bluesbreaker]

315. Even Obama's official reason is nonsense

The savings in health care are greater than the costs he cites in his statement. When Obama and Republicans say it will kill jobs, what they mean is it will hurt corporate profits. Just substitute profits for jobs every time you read one of his excuses for going the wrong way on environmental issues.

[FedUp_Queer]

235. Why is that always the O(GOP)bama apologists' excuses?

I will never understand why when O(GOP)bama does the SAME THINGS we criticized Bush for doing, those of us who do so receive the apologists' criticism, much the same way that the GOP rank and file criticized anybody who wasn't in lockstep with President Cheney. When anything boils down to "would you rather have (insert GOPer here) as president," it's ludicrous. Isn't that like asking a person who has just had raw pork put in front of them for dinner: "Would you rather have raw chicken?" It really sounds like the apologists are saying criticism is wrong...as if it's going to "weaken" him. The argument never seems to be: We should all ban together and demand he act like a progressive. This all seems to come from this American passivism which seems so evident on the world stage. While so many other countries are taking to the streets, we don't do that for fear we "might get Perry or Mittens." It is the wrong question to ask whether anyone wants Perry or Mittens. The question should be: Wouldn't you rather have someone who seems to actually believe in liberal/progressive principles or shouldn't we all ban together, take to the streets and FORCE him to what he said he'd do, or find someone who will? Why are we not taking to the streets? Why, instead of acting like bunch of timid, pissing-in-our-pants milquetoasts acting out of fear of getting "the bad guys" are we not acting boldly and courageously to demand we get exactly what we worked for? As I sit here and write this, I'm asking myself these exact same questions because I know I, for one, have sat on my ass for far too long.

[moodforaday]

242. Meh. When do you think the **presidency**

will gain back some of its sanity? Not under Obama, that's for sure.

[JDPriestly]

264. We deserve better than Perry, Romney or Obama.

This time his caving in is just inexcusable.

Our grandchildren deserve to breathe clean air. How awful!

[graywarrior]

332. We deserve whatever we get....we're spoiled, uninformed and lazy.

The vast amount of our energy is spent arguing on DU. There's maybe one percoent of one percent of us who'd actually run for office to "change" things. We really think that we're making a difference by banging away on a keyboard posting shit that no one else agress with. What a joke.

[David Sky]

334. If Perry gets elected, expect the DU to be outlawed and banned just as

public worker's unions have been restricted in Wisconsin and Ohio.

Also, there will be a national and worldwide economic depression the likes of which none of us have seen in our lifetimes.


Be careful what you wish for.

[mistertrickster]

225. More like sheep in wolf's clothing . . . nt

[24601]

229. Given that most sheep are white and wolves have darker fur, that

is a racially-insensitive comparison. Good thing you're not a repug or it would be a racist one.

[eilen]

318. Stretching there a bit.

You are painting wolves and sheep with a broad brush, they have variable colors both dark and light. Also, the phrase is not to characterize the appearance of these animals but their natures. The sheep are very trusting, (not very bright) and non threatening while wolves are cunning and bloodthirsty (according to traditional folklore). Red Riding Hood and other stories exemplify this traditional view of wolves.

I would not wish a president with either nature.

[24601]

324. True that there are SHINOs (Sheep in Name only) and WINOs

(Wolves in Name Only) but black sheep and albino wolves are exceptions rather than norms. Non only that, they might get shunned by their sheep or wolf caucuses or somebody might run against them in the animal kingdom primaries.

The Sheep Underground site is quite critical of SHINOs and the WeePers on the Wolf Pack web site continuously question the parentage of WINOs, even wondering out loud if their parents were true wolves.

[kag]

238. Here's my vote:

BERNIE SANDERS FOR PRESIDENT!

[alp227]

251. don't you think that being a corporate sellout is a prereq for the White House?

At least since the Reagan years.

[Dragonfli]

276. If we can't manage to draft anyone, if they all are too afraid for a primary, we will have to think

of alternatives.

It is time to research third party candidates that will run or we may only be left with a write in option.

Voting for either Republican from the main two parties will only hurt us and I would rather they fuck me over without my voting for a good as pounding, they will have to rape me as I will not spread for them.

[dbonds]

17. Sounds exactly like one to me.

[phantom power]

18. +1

:(

[dotymed]

40. My sentiments exactly, unfortunately...,n/t

[slay]

41. Exactly!

i see no choice but for progressives to split from Obama at this point. yes, a republican president will suck, but doesn't it always? this is probably one of those situations where things will have to get worse before it gets better. Obama has BETRAYED us - as well as future generations which will be negatively impacted by the damage we are doing to the climate and the very air we breathe!!! :mad: :grr:

[FedUp_Queer]

45. Raise your hand if you thought Bush was as bad as it could get?

Oh, me me me me!!!

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

126. Good point!

At least the cardboard box can be recycled for the good of the environment.

Of course the box doesn't have the power to leave this as its' legacy.



Sad to say....Pres. Obama does have the power to leave us this as a parting gift. I do believe that he has the intention of doing it also. At this point, a Tricky Dickie clone would be an improvement

[Name removed]

236. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[slay]

312. I sadly agree with ya Starcats

we need another option BADLY.

[SammyWinstonJack]

62. I DID!

x(

[Shining Jack]

124. .

[INdemo]

222. Thia is not 1980..We have plenty of time to draft a candidate

to challenge Obama..Theres bound to be capable progressive candidtes out there that understand the mood of the country and see that we need a real Democrat to head our ticket...They would get overwhelming support over night.
Hillary can see there is a great opportunity. Now of course she would not challenge but if she sees that Obama has no chance then she should challenge..The Respectable thing for Obama to do right now would be to announce as LBJ did that he won't be running.It would then open up our primary and it would be a whole new ballgame.
There would be one hell of a lot happy Democrats.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

75. HE SURE HAD US FOOLED

[Peregrine Took]

195. He played us for chumps to get elected then ran to Wall street ASAP. n/t

[The Wielding Truth]

228. Didn't you watch how he was in the senate? I knew who he was and I knew

he was better than Palin/McCain. He is who he was before he became our President. I'm not going to slap him around when there is no one better who will take the job.

[ooglymoogly]

287. You might as well be pissing into the wind

Those of us who have watched every word and deed know better. He lied through his teeth. He has performed the greatest flim flam con in U.S. history. How many times do you have to see the clips of what he said during the primary and what he has done.

[The Wielding Truth]

344. I would know which way the wind usually blew. I would not be surprised to get wet.

Honestly, A little piss is better than a load of crap. I hope you feel the same.First I supported DK, then Edwards. Between Obama and any Republican I will always choose Obama.

[Honeycombe8]

100. A Republican is philosophically against anti-smog laws and regs. Obama is philosophically FOR them.

I get it. What's happening to the economy of the country right now is extraordinary. We're possibly still on the brink of a great depression. It doesn't look like it's going to get much better for years.

Smog hurts people. That's the point of anti-smog laws. But a crippling economy hurts people, too. People will lose their jobs, their health care, their lives, in a crippling economy.

So Obama is putting these regs on hold, for the time being, until the country can handle it better.

Obama in most respects has been our greenest President ever. Philosophically, he is very much on board with protecting the environment. That's NOT the same as a Republican, who is philosophically against anti-smog laws (or the EPA, for that matter), and will NEVER be signing into law anti-smog regulations.

[No Elephants]

132. Well then, next time we're electing a philosopher, I'll be sure to vote for him.

[stillrockin]

169. lol

[saras]

181. Unfortunately, there's NO REAL EVIDENCE that putting the regs on hold pays off

And in fact, some fifty years of anti-pollution regulations suggests that they benefit the *ECONOMY*, not just people's health, much more than they harm it.

[SusanaMontana41]

265. Agree strongly. A strong economy and a strong environment aren't mutually exclusive.

Unfortunately again, Obama bought the GOP meme and is spouting talking points.

This unforced error will kill people.

[bulloney]

185. Obama will continue deregulating and cutting taxes and the Repubs will still market him as Satan's

bastard redhead stepchild.

It doesn't matter what Obama does. He could declare the sun rose in the east this morning and the Republicans and their RW propaganda machine will trash him. All of the RW organizations will raise millions to oust him in spite of how he's accommodated them. Just like Clinton.

So, what makes a person try to please a population he can never satisfy, and at the same time, piss off his base that elected him?

[Peregrine Took]

196. +1. I would pay good money to see a competent shrink's analysis of B.O. n/t

[Divernan]

239. Me too. There's enough on the public record to analyze him

Especially from the books he's written, providing a lot of background on his childhood.

[FedUp_Queer]

201. GD I love satire.

Oh wait... So...we have jobs but no air to breathe. Methinks air is more important. Also, how about this. How about we take, I don't know, 25% of that ONE TRILLION DOLLAR war budget and offset this "$90 billion" cost (worst case scenario, mind you) and use that 25% to START to rebuild our infrastructure. There you go. $90 billion gone. $160 billion START on infrastructure for our PHILOSOPHICALLY green president.

Here's another "hold" I'd suggest. How about we put a "hold" on war spending? How about we put a "hold" on indefinite detention? How about we put a "hold" on the tax cuts for the rich?

Sorry, but the more likely scenario is one of the corporate pigs whispered while they were in bed together and over pillow talk, they agreed to put it on "hold" otherwise there'd be less campaign contributions.

I have to say, I have never, EVER seen such excuse-making and enabling from anyone as I've seen from O(GOP)bama supporters. It's like crystal-meth on steroids.

[Lorien]

208. Yep, Obama's move here is great if you're a Koch brother or Big Pharma

The rest of us? Well, we can just shut up an "die quickly' as instructed! :grr:

[XemaSab]

254. How exactly has he been our greenest president ever?

I would like some numbers there, please.

[blackspade]

306. Nice sugar coating.

Regulation, even in the worst of times, is a good thing.

[pacnorthwest]

250. I can't figure out why the right hates him so much.

He's been the best republican president since Reagan.

[FedUp_Queer]

342. True. But he's the wrong color.

[panzerfaust]

352. "Obama backs down on tighter smog regulations," More Honest Guardian Headline

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/02/obama-backs-down-smog-regulation

The retreat will add to the growing perception among voters that Obama is a weak president, reluctant to stand up to the Republicans.

:shrug: Ya Think?



Obama has about the same place in the political spectrum as Raygun: Center of the right.

[MadrasT]

3. Obama's statement

Over the last two and half years, my administration, under the leadership of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, has taken some of the strongest actions since the enactment of the Clean Air Act four decades ago to protect our environment and the health of our families from air pollution. From reducing mercury and other toxic air pollution from outdated power plants to doubling the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks, the historic steps we've taken will save tens of thousands of lives each year, remove over a billion tons of pollution from our air, and produce hundreds of billions of dollars in benefits for the American people.

At the same time, I have continued to underscore the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty, particularly as our economy continues to recover. With that in mind, and after careful consideration, I have requested that Administrator Jackson withdraw the draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards at this time. Work is already underway to update a 2006 review of the science that will result in the reconsideration of the ozone standard in 2013. Ultimately, I did not support asking state and local governments to begin implementing a new standard that will soon be reconsidered.

I want to be clear: my commitment and the commitment of my administration to protecting public health and the environment is unwavering. I will continue to stand with the hardworking men and women at the EPA as they strive every day to hold polluters accountable and protect our families from harmful pollution. And my administration will continue to vigorously oppose efforts to weaken EPA's authority under the Clean Air Act or dismantle the progress we have made.

Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/09/obama-decides-against-change-in-ozone-standards/1

[dgibby]

7. The Ship of State is rudderless,

and steaming straight for rocky shoals. Time to man the lifeboats. If the "Captain" ever had a bead on "true north", he lost it a long time ago.

[humbled_opinion]

9. Never thought I would say this but that statement

Is Obama talking out of both sides of his mouth and I am getting sick of it. How does he justify it even as his administration weakens air pollution standards he says that he is committed to protecting public health and the environment? Definition of empty rhetoric.

Either he believes in principles that should be fought for or he doesn't if he doesn't he should just submit his resignation and join the Republican party, he would be a great fit.

What's next?

Will his jobs speech offer more deregulation, tax cuts for the rich, Drill baby drill, drill here drill now... Is this what we are up against?

[Harmony Blue]

13. Wasn't this one of the bright accomplishments of this

administration? Why turn your back on a progressive victory?

[defendandprotect]

31. It's up to YOU to decide if Obama has principles, or not -- !!

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Melinda]

95. This is the kind of crap that fuels Obama policy supporters claims that the left "hates Obama"

Why the personal attacks against the President? Hate the policies, fine, but please -don't stir shit up by calling Obama a liar.

I'm as pissed at Obama's policies as any liberal here, but these kind of statements that you (and others) post turn DUers against one another, and I for one don't appreciate it at all.


:thumbsdown:

[slay]

103. His policy is to say one thing, then do the other

it's called LYING. sorry you can not face reality.

*and on edit: don't tell me what i can and can't say. grow up.

[Melinda]

116. Politicians lie - all of em. That's a given. I asked you to not empower his rant prone supporters...

I didn't attack you personally - I addressed the issue of your post being a personal attack which feeds his supporters to post threads exclaiming things like 'The rabid left who HATE OBAMA want Obama to fail!!!' (I made that one up, but hopefully you get it)

I didn't tell you anything. I'm not your mom, spouse, boss, teacher, or anyone else.

I'm a voter of almost 40 years who with Obama in the WH has now become more cynical, jaded and faded than almost any other time in my political life (although I was in the streets of SF at age 13 protesting the Indochine war upward until troop withdrawal began in 74'-75'). I lost my first love when he was but 19 years of age to that war. Your concept of "reality" doesn't come close to meshing with mine. And your usage of the term along with telling me to "grow up" is sophomoric at best. We are all adults here, n'est-ce pas?

And in that spirit, I again ask that you not feed the hate.

Have a good day,

Melinda

[JoeyT]

156. If the shoe fits, throw it.

li·ar/ˈlīər/
Noun: A person who tells lies

http://www.youtube.com/user/obamaspromises#p/u/1/PF9gpvI2UfU

[stillrockin]

162. Amen.

[Melinda]

191. So one should "hate" politicians because they "lie?

Hatred (or hate) is a deep and emotional extreme dislike, directed against a certain object or class of objects. The objects of such hatred can vary widely, from inanimate objects to animals, oneself or other people, entire groups of people, people in general, existence, or the whole world. Though not necessarily, hatred is often associated with feelings of anger and disposition toward hostility against the objects of hatred. Hatred can become very driven. Actions after a lingering thought are not uncommon upon people or oneself. Hatred can result in extreme behavior such as violence, murder and war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatred

Hatred never ends with a positive. History is replete with figures who expressed/inflicted their hatred on whole groups of people, not to mention individual actions against political office holders and/or activists. War starts with hatred. All violence begins with hatred. When we express hatred, we teach our children, other peoples children, and all those of the human race that it is an acceptable expression of negative emotion. Hatred leads to the death of good. Hatred leads aligned groups of people (DU Democrats) to turn against one another (DU Democrats).

If we (DU Democrats) hope to regain Congress and continue to hold the WH, then it's time to end the hatred, and begin honest debate.

Debate the policy. End the hate. That's all I'm sayin'.

{flower smiley here if DU had one}

Melinda

[JoeyT]

227. I don't hate Obama

I'm irritated and occasionally really pissed off by him, and even sometimes think something he did was good, and will say so, but I don't hate him. I don't think anyone here does actually hate him. I don't think I even particularly dislike anyone on here, much less hate them, no matter how often or loudly I might disagree with them.

[DeSwiss]

294. ''So one should "hate" politicians because they "lie?''

No. Just don't vote for them.

At. All.

[stillrockin]

171. Don't expect the CCC . . .

[Dragonfli]

278. I will remain convinced his "jobs" plan will mirror this one:

http://www.industryweek.com/articles/u-s-_chamber_of_commerce_unveils_job-creation_plan_25482.aspx?Page=2&SectionID=3

I will remain convinced until he clearly articulates something different in the speech, even then his words seldom match his actions and will be taken with a grain of salt..

I do not expect him to surprise me on this, he will go heavy on the Chamber of Commerce approach to jobs. (pigs could fly and he could surprise me)

[xxqqqzme]

23. "...Work is already underway to update a 2006 review

of the science that will result in the reconsideration of the ozone standard in 2013..." Translation - the ozone standards will be reworked to be even more corporate accommodating. (I learned government 'work' under dimson's reworking of reasons to invade non-threatening countries.)

Obama is the villain tying the our country to the tracks while the approaching warning whistle is loud and clear.

[hatrack]

96. AKA "More Studies"

Impressive, huh?

:puke:

[FedUp_Queer]

47. Take the second paragraph alone.

At the same time, I have continued to underscore the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty, particularly as our economy continues to recover. With that in mind, and after careful consideration, I have requested that Administrator Jackson withdraw the draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards at this time. Work is already underway to update a 2006 review of the science that will result in the reconsideration of the ozone standard in 2013. Ultimately, I did not support asking state and local governments to begin implementing a new standard that will soon be reconsidered.

This could have come right out of the Bush White House.

[Supersedeas]

178. It doesn't look good that the Tar Sands Pipeline is on a fast track

[xxqqqzme]

230. Yep, that word

'reconsidered' is the tip off.

[No Elephants]

128. Yes, he's often quite good with words, and with trying to have it every which way/

My yardstick is deeds though.

And I don't think anyone should get to have it every which way.

[Autumn]

168. Sounds like a shit statement to me

:shrug: "I stand to protect our environment and the health of our families from air pollution." translates to:
Ah what the hell maybe I will stand for it someday when it's more convenient..

[stillrockin]

173. ding ding ding

[pscot]

174. Don't watch what I do

Listen to what I say. Yeah, right. Whatever.

[Harmony Blue]

4. What is the goal of this administration?

What can they point to as a pillar of strength?

[tularetom]

5. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you

[on point]

8. Another spineless Obama mistake, more heading in the wrong direction

[LynnTTT]

10. Obama, you could bring back slavery.....

and the Republicans still won't support you.

"No, no Mom, the bullies aren't stealing my lunch.... I gave it to them. It was my idea.

[pocoloco]

20. They have him fooled,

and they will never let him in the club.

They will never allow him to fuck Geronimo's skull!

[defendandprotect]

34. Oh, come on ... Only people being fooled are those who don't know that Obama is doing the fooling-!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

65. +10000!

:thumbsup:

[stockholmer]

141. Austan Goolsbee got to 'date' Geronimo's skull, maybe he told Obama some war stories

:hide:

[FiveGoodMen]

205. They have him co-opted.

[humanityisfree]

11. Lame...

Doesn't really phase me anymore...

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[defendandprotect]

37. Obama is worth a lot to the rightwing ... that's for sure ... !!!

Will be interesting to see where he goes after the presidency!!

[slay]

50. If he has any sense of decency

he will leave the country and never return.

[defendandprotect]

58. Thom Hartman was saying that he thinks Mitch McConnell will go off to $5 million a year ...

job working for Koch Bros --


Not sure which one he said that about -- think McConnell, but may have been Boehner?

Probably true of both!

[inna]

292. interesting indeed. (World Bank may be one possibility.)

as a side point, i no longer wonder: "how does he sleep at night?"; i suspect he sleeps quite well and has happy, happy dreams.

:shrug:

[Melinda]

101. There ya go, make it personal. Give Obama supporters fuel for their claims against progressives.

I don't get the personal animosity toward Obama on DU, and I don't think it should be allowed. Don't like his policies? fair enough - say so. But to make it personal as you (and others) have done here, is fodder for those who want to attack the left on DU and elsewhere.

IMO, it's misguided and foolish.

Melinda

[stillrockin]

167. Dear Melinda,

The personal animosity toward President Obama is a direct result of his epic failure as a leader. He is not President of the Student Council, he is President of the United States. He led us to believe he would fight for us, do his best for everyday Americans. He not only has failed to do his best, he has done harm and is leaving the country a worse place than before he took over. Yes, this is personal.

[saras]

199. His policies are a direct and neccesary result of his decisions and actions

It's not possible to express the values, sign and veto the legislation, appoint the people, and consult with the advisors that he chooses to WITHOUT ending up with these policies. They don't just fall out of the sky on him. There's no VISIBLE pressure on him to appoint Republicans, neocons, and corporatists to important posts, except from the Tea Party, which it's his job to oppose.

If there are UNSTATED pressures, they need to be made public, preferably by him, so that the public can help him fight them.

[Melinda]

202. stillrockin'...

(btw, I love your moniker) :)

I agree with every word you've written; you'll get no disagreement here. I too am deeply, deeply disappointed in Pres Obama - I do not know this man in the WH. I was duped too. But I'm really good at cussing into my pillow.


The point I'm trying to make is that DU's Obama supporters view those who are completely pissed off at Obama as the enemy because of the words we use to express our emotions... the over the top expressions of hatred toward Pres Obama at DU creates animosity between us, one thing leads to another, and we end up tearing each other into pieces when we should be be having a reasonable dialog.

Words can incite to the extreme, and I think we could do so much better if we could all ease up. That's all.

Thanks for the response,

Melinda

[RiverStone]

14. If he says yes to Tar Sands pipeline then he has gone over the cliff

NO would keep my vote.

YES means he has fully transformed to a republican-lite prez, and I have NEVER voted for a rethug. Not to mention the potential devastating ecological consequences of this decision.

[amborin]

86. +1 same here; if he votes NO on Tar Sands, he's still go my vote

otherwise, what's the point....

[INdemo]

283. He will give it a thumbs up

check these links ...Can we really expect Obama to say no


http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/2aa4a9f4-cffe-11e0-81e2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Wqr9qqbc

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/10/idUS292515702420110210

[leftyohiolib]

15. this must be an onion headline cause the president would never ... oh wait never mind

i'm surpised he can still walk. he should be very dizzy from all the rolling over.

[Odin2005]

16. Another Obama FAIL.

[wial]

19. Do we have to look to the Greens for leadership?

I don't think they're ready. Are there any Democrats worthy of their constituency left?

[Harmony Blue]

30. I would prefer to make the Democratic Party the Green Party

To me that is the best way to transform the party for the better.

[defendandprotect]

Well, the Dem Party right now is the Koch Bros. Dem Party/Third Way ....

and I think we need to find out how much of the party is left?

Koch Bros./the criminal Pfizer and Chevron have been influencing its agenda,

and the selection of its candidates for more than 20 years --!!!


Our emphasis should be on 2012 -- and getting a candidate we can trust --

In fact, two candidates we can trust --

Two strong anti-war candidates --

Two candidates who will strongly back and support MEDICARE FOR ALL --

Those two things alone would greatly help in turning around this corporate/fascist ship of state!!

[tavalon]

67. Alan Grayson

[No Elephants]

146. You'll have your answer if someone steps up to primary him. I don't see anyone yet and Super

Tuesday is not all that far away.

[panzerfaust]

353. There are other alternatives

http://socialistparty-usa.org/joinus/


Most every day I wonder why I remain a Democrat.

Inertia, likely.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Ah geez

[Harmony Blue]

22. That sums it up doesn't it?

:banghead:

[larwdem]

24. OBAMA

the caveman

[truedelphi]

197. Nope, he is not a caveman. He might think like one,

Except personally, I think most cave people were cooperative. They had to be in order to survive.

And if he lived in a cave, he wouldn't approve of having mountain-top methods removal to obtain coal, one of his favorite "clean energies."

[OwnedByFerrets]

25. He must still, mistakenly, think he can get 3 repugs to vote for him

in 2012 with these decisions.

[daleanime]

26. Now that's surprizing....

I can still be disappointed.:banghead:

[DaveJ]

27. $3 Billion in stimulus money went to green energy

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/09/green-energy-stimulus-business-energy-green-stimulus.html

But lets ignore all the good because after all this is how we treat our own.

[Harmony Blue]

33. That is a drop in the bucket compared to what Big OIL receives

We have been rick' rolled by the President of the United States. :freak:

[Marrah_G]

36. Green energy built WHERE? with what resources?

Please list off the American companies employing American workers that is benefiting from the 3 Billion.

Quoting an article from 2009 won't change the fact that Obama just made a VERY big move to the right on one of our really important platforms.

[DaveJ]

52. Okay

Green light on fed stimulus funds - February 22, 2011
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Green-light-on-fed-stimulus-funds-1024156.php

Among projects singled out in EANY's report was a $450,000 stimulus grant to the city of Troy for installation of about 2,000 leak detection meters in the drinking water system.
...
Another $1.7 billion in stimulus grants went to energy efficiency and clean energy projects across the state, with almost half of that going into energy efficiency program.

I really think it makes sense to focus on funding technologies through the government, or let people turn to them when they need them, rather than to force businesses to purchase technologies that they might not be able to afford. But people apparently prefer to think Obama is evil. I'm not going to change that way of thinking.

[Marrah_G]

64. I would love to see the government step up and push green tec hs

And frankly you can yammer all you want about people just wanting to hate Obama but that doesn't change the fact that he is acting VERY much like a republican. Anything specific besides the 450,000? I know most green tech is coming from China... Wind turbines made by cheap labor and Chinese steel ( sort of like that bridge), Evergreen in Mass just gave voters the finger and said " thank you for the tax breaks and all the cash, we are moving to china now...sorrrrrry"

The Stimulus only works when they put in stipulations that it be spent here in this country on American workers and American built goods. Otherwise its just stimulating other country's economies.

The people in DC KNOW THIS.... they just are to greedy and corrupt to do the right thing for our country.

[No Elephants]

148. Leak meters are not green energy and most energy efficiency programs are.

nothing new and pretty much of a scam. Utilities take a bundle to enclose a pamphlet with their bill, telling you about halogen bulbs, insulating water heaters, weather stripping, outlet covers, etc. They've been doing it for at least 25 years.

[dgibby]

38. Apples and oranges.

They're both fruit, but the similarity ends there. You can build all the solar panels in the world, same for wind farms, but if the solar panels are covered in smog and the wind farms are blowing polluted air, what good are they?

[donquijoterocket]

121. wind farms

Don't blow air. They're blown by air and don't care whether it's polluted or not. Better if it were clean, of course, for the people who will be using the power generated. But if this is the extent of your knowledge on alternate energy production I'm not sure why I should pay any attention to your opinions.Also not sure about the effect of smog on the efficiency of PV panels.

[dgibby]

131. Considering that we're both just anon. posters on a board,

I'm absolutely sure that your opinion of my opinion is no concern of mine, bless your heart. Have a nice day.

[defendandprotect]

42. And how does that overcome BP and the new pipeline .... ???

And overturning still more EPA regulations .. ?

After all of the betrayals, you still think Obama is legit?

Wow -- !!

:rofl:

[taught_me_patience]

43. A grain of sand in the Sahara

Seriously, the GDP is 13T... so 3B is .025% of the economy... it's effect is so diluted, it might as well be homeopathic medicine.

[DaveJ]

60. That doesn't include DOE money -- overall it is much more

It is not fair to compare that investment to the entire GDP. It could only take a small amount of money to fund a breakthrough in AE. That is, some form of energy that is more profitable to sell than oil and coal. That is ultimately the goal. Throwing larger sums of money at a problem is not always the long term solution.

[defendandprotect]

83. Wake up to Global Warming and Obama is AWOL on that, as well -- !!

[taught_me_patience]

153. It's hard to compete with coal because it has so many subsidies

The $3B evaporated because it was another half measure... where are the breakthroughs directly attributed to the $3B stimulus?

[No Elephants]

170. Throwing token sums at a problem is not always the solution either.

Also, how much we're willing to throw at a problem often indicates how serious we really are about it, where it really is in our priorities.

We throw a goodly amount at warring. Not so much to win wars, though. After all, we are not even supposed to be at war with Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan.

[trud]

123. DaveJ

You do know the green energy company he was prompting as an example has gone belly up, unable to compete against stuff manufactured in China with low wages and Chinese government subsidies.

[Harmony Blue]

129. The Chinese government is seriously investing in solar energy

while the U.S. keeps the status quo with the subsidies to big OIL. Lame.

[No Elephants]

142. Not to green energy, to corporations. We'll see what they do with it.

[NickB79]

203. And what has that 3B bought us?

Solyndra and Evergreen Solar, the poster companies for that green stimulus, have both declared bankruptcy.

We're about to build a 1700-mile oil pipeline from the dirtiest oil field on earth to Texas, a state that is ironically being burned to cinders by the impact of global warming.

We just watched the Gulf get coated in oil for most of an entire summer, and then the Obama administration opened up MORE offshore oil fields for exploration.

Fracking for natural gas is at an all-time high despite the real threat of contaminating water supplies.

The Obama administration is giving active support to building more nuclear power plants in the US.

Solar subsidies for homeowners have been slashed due to budget cuts, and solar installation rates are now falling again.

Electrical grids around the country are on the verge of failure because they're getting so old.


In order to truly turn this country around with green energy, we need HUNDREDS of billions of dollars of investment. That 3 billion was a good start, but to the Obama administration that was apparently all they wanted to spend.

The green energy stimulus was a fucking tease, like giving a starving child one bite of food and then throwing them out the door.

[Marrah_G]

29. Wow..........There is nothing liberal progressive or democrat about this guy.

He sounds JUST like the Republicans he has been catering to.

[Zorra]

32. Limbaugh must have called Boehner and told him to tell Obama

to scrap this planet protecting regulation immediately, under threat that he would use his radio show make republicans dislike Obama even more.

[Plucketeer]

35. Mimicing the Chinese model

Gotta compete someway 'er anuther!

[mikeburetta]

39. smog controls..

now let me see..wouldnt installing more smog control put people to work installing it and maintaining it as a side benefit to clean air?

[RedCloud]

49. Way not to cave in.

[ProSense]

51. WH: Cleaner Air and a Stronger Economy – A Record of Success

Cleaner Air and a Stronger Economy – A Record of Success

Posted by Heather Zichal

Over the last two and a half years, the Obama Administration has taken unprecedented steps forward to protect the public health of American families by reducing harmful air pollution. Taken together, the Administration’s clean air achievements will produce enormous benefits for public health and the environment – while promoting the nation’s continued economic growth and well-being.

Clean Air: An Investment in Health, the Environment, and the Economy

Clean air is critical to protecting public health and the environment and the evidence shows that it’s a good investment. A recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the direct benefits of the Clean Air Act – in the form of cleaner air and healthier, more productive Americans – are estimated to reach nearly $2 trillion in the year 2020, exceeding the costs by a factor of more than 30 to one. These benefits are ultimately about the health of our families.

According to the report, in 2010 alone, the reductions in fine particle and ozone pollution from the Clean Air Act prevented:

• 160,000 premature deaths;
  
• More than 80,000 emergency room visits;
  
• Millions of cases of respiratory problems;
  
• Millions of lost workdays, increasing productivity;
  
• Millions of lost school days due to respiratory illness and other diseases caused or exacerbated by air pollution.

The Obama Administration’s Record of Achievement

Doubling fuel efficiency for cars and light duty trucks: Shortly after taking office, President Obama directed the EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT)to set joint fuel efficiency standards and greenhouse gas standards for cars and light-duty trucks built in 2012-2016. These groundbreaking standards, finalized in April 2010, will raise fuel efficiency to 35.5 mpg and begin saving families money at the pump this year. In July 2011, the President announced the next round of standards, for Model Years 2017 – 2025, which will require performance equivalent to 54.5 mpg or 163 grams/ mile of CO2 for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025. Together, the Administration’s programs for cars and light duty trucks represent the first meaningful update to fuel efficiency standards in three decades and will save American families $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs, and by 2025 result in an average fuel savings of over $8,000 per vehicle. Additionally, these programs will dramatically cut the oil we consume, saving a total of 12 billion barrels of oil, and by 2025 reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels a day. Achieving our efficiency goals will also secure demand for innovative technologies and manufacturing that will spur economic growth and create high-quality domestic jobs in cutting edge industries across America.

First-ever standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks: In addition to historic rules for light-duty vehicles, the Administration has announced the first-ever fuel economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Under the comprehensive new national program, trucks and buses built in 2014 through 2018 will reduce oil consumption by a projected 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by approximately 270 million metric tons. The standards are expected to yield an estimated $50 billion in net benefits over the life of model year 2014 to 2018 vehicles, resulting in significant long-terms savings for vehicle owners and operators.

Cutting pollution from power plants and industrial sources: EPA finalized additional Clean Air Act protections that will slash hundreds of thousands of tons of smokestack emissions that travel long distances through the air leading to soot and smog, threatening the health of hundreds of millions of Americans living downwind. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule will reduce air pollution (including ozone) and is projected to prevent up to 34,000 deaths annually, producing annual estimated net benefits in excess of $100 billion. Twenty seven states in the eastern half of the country will work with power plants to cut air pollution under the rule, which leverages widely available, proven and cost-effective control technologies. Many power plants covered by the rule have already made substantial investments in clean air technologies to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions.

First national standard to reduce mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants: Power plants are the largest remaining source of several toxic air pollutants – responsible for half of mercury and more than half of acid gas emissions in the United States. In the power sector alone, coal-fired power plants are responsible for 99 percent of mercury emissions. In March of 2011, the Administration proposed new power plant mercury and air toxics standards to cut harmful emissions of mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel and acid gases, preventing as many as 18,000 premature deaths and 11,000 heart attacks a year. These proposed standards would also prevent up to 5,300 hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular diseasesand up to 860,000 days of work missed due to illness. The total health and economic benefits of this standard in 2016 would be up to $130 billion. In addition, the Administration is putting in place standards to reduce toxic pollution from cement plants, oil and gas extraction, and industrial boilers – steps which will provide large public health benefits for communities across the country.

Reducing harmful air pollution by expanding cleaner alternatives and increasing efficiency: The Recovery Act included over $90 billion for clean energy – the largest single clean energy investment in American history. This funding supported programs that created over 224,500 American jobs and tens of thousands of domestic renewable energy projects through programs like the successful “1603” renewable energy grant program – which was successfully extended for a year as part of the December 2010 compromise tax agreement. Thanks to these concerted efforts, we are on track to double renewable energy generation by 2012.

The Administration has also demonstrated a commitment to efficiency, both in the transportation sector and in the built environment. This includes implementing more rigorous energy efficiency standards for commercial and residential appliances, including microwaves, kitchen ranges, dishwashers, light bulbs and other common appliances, and supporting building retrofits. The Recovery Through Retrofit program is eliminating key barriers in the home retrofit industry and the Better Buildings Initiative for commercial buildings is striving to make this sector 20 percent more efficient by 2020.

The WH likely issued this in defense of its record. While the current decision to withdraw the regulation is disappointing, it is still a review ongoing, simply postponed.

Still, the administration is going to hear it from environmentalists the OP issue.

[Divernan]

114. Most of these touted"improvements" are proposed for the "future": 2018, 2020, 2025

Let's be reality based, boys and girls!

Any regulations which aren't to be immediately implemented/enforced are prime targets for industry lobbyists. Everybody in DC knows that there's plenty of time to reverse, rewrite or otherwise gut these regs before they can be enforced. The politicians know this, and often put these future regs in place with these future dates so they can collect big fat corporate bucks to "delay" or "restudy" the issue.

[ihavenobias]

144. Yes. n/t

[Shining Jack]

151. Oh, the blue links of death!!!1!

[No Elephants]

154. Well, if the WH issued it about its own success, I'm sure it's unassailable.

[RetroLounge]

253. Geez, it took you 51 posts to post your bullshit?

You Obama-fellaters are slipping...

:rofl:

RL

[Jakes Progress]

288. It's Friday. Most of the gang left early for Labor Day weekend.

Hard to put out the PR line when most of the office is gone.

[MessiahRp]

309. And man do they LOVE Labor Day...

They get the day off all while pretending to care about Labor Rights as their unassailable hero Obama fucks over Unions at every turn.

[Jakes Progress]

329. Unions got it for them. They feel it is their birthright.

They are totally ignorant of history. Makes sense because the corporations that they love wrote the history textbooks they had in school. Heaven forbid they actually learn a little real history. After all, the past is to be let go. Let's all look forward.

[Tx4obama]

347. Here is WHY Obama made the decision he made - see the LETTER on the link below

http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USEOPWHPO/2011/09/02/file_attachments/56091/Letter.pdf

EVERYONE should read the letter.

[onehandle]

53. HuffPo's headlines are more to the point: OBAMA CAVES ON SMOG

Inside headline: Obama Halts EPA Regulation On Smog Standards

...wtf...

[jtuck004]

54. Gonna be great for children's hospitals and undertakers.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

[taught_me_patience]

55. Smog controls work

Los Angeles is a great example. We have the strongest smog emmissions laws in the country and the air quality has improved dramatically over the decades. This latest betrayal by the administration is a real punch in the gut for those that care about the environment and those who appreciate clean air. This is real sad. The administration has really lost my support.

[trud]

56. He keeps saying he wouldn't mind being a one term President

So he should do the decent thing and announce he's not running again, so actual Democrats can get their campaigns started.

[Peregrine Took]

198. He should have 1/1000th of the cajones of LBJ and step down!!!! Bye! n/t

[Peregrine Took]

200. How about 10 million names on a petition to beg him not to run again?? n/t

[INdemo]

244. How about a petition to draft Hillary or Feingold

Hillary would be able to put the organization together to get funding pretty fast.. ..As could Russ Feingold..We could win
If obama does not announce he will not run then we should get serious about finding a challenger.

[FedUp_Queer]

343. Hillary is no liberal either.

Remember the individual mandate (which Obama was against in the campaign) was here baby. Truth be told, we are seeing a Clinton White House.

[INdemo]

345. No,No,No..

My best years were when Clinton was President..He was not a far right President as Obama is..Clinton knew how to work with Congress and remember Republicans got control in 94..Do you think for one minute Republicans will allow Obama to raise taxes,..we went through that remember..Clinton raised taxes on the rich and balanced the budget...And how many jobs were created as a result of Clinton's "jobs first"..Don't try to paint Clinton as some center right President.....because I dont care how many interns Clinton got next to..He was a great Democratic President..Now as for Hillary..well maybe she isn't as liberal as we should have but she would be in a position to put the organization together to challenge Obama and win..And it would make Republican heads spin because we would win the White House easily..With Obama..Democrats are toast.
If Hillary would announce she is running Democrats would be out in full force to make sure she won the nomination...
..Republicans are probably thrilled that Obama will be the nominee..because right now Republicans have all those crazies that are not qualified to be dog catcher but one of them will win if Obama stays on the ticket

[FedUp_Queer]

346. Are you sure you read what I said?

First, Clinton raised taxes on the rich in 1993, when the democrats controlled both houses of congress. It was only after that that the GOP took over both houses. In addition, this meme that the 1993 proposal "caused" the economic growth or the erased the deficits eventually is partially true at best. What "caused" the economic prosperity is debatable, but what decreased the deficits and brought us surpluses in the final couple of years was the strong growth in the economy. In other words, what Clinton's 1993 proposal demonstrated is that raising taxes on the upper incomes does not hurt economic growth (contrarily, what the Bush tax cuts demonstrated is that decreasing taxes on the upper incomes does not foment or cause economic growth).

That notwithstanding, that's not what I was saying. When I said that this is a Clinton White House, I meant that this is a Hillary Clinton White House. As I said, the most salient example (other than the hawkish nature of the Obama White House, which is also very Hillary) is the individual health insurance mandate which came right out of the Clinton camp in the 2008 election and with which Obama disagreed.

As far as whether Clinton was a "center right" president or not, that's also debatable. He certainly was not center left. He was just plain center at best, particularly given his support of NAFTA, WTO, Welfare Reform, the TCA, and the Gramm-Leech-Bliley Act (which repealed Glass-Steagall among other things). After the 1994 debacle, this was where the "triangulation" strategy came from. Pit the Congressional Dems and GOPers against one another and then co-opt the GOP's issues. That is exactly what he did. In addition, it was Clinton who instituted DADT, and it was Clinton who signed DOMA (and then ran ads about "preserving traditional marriage" on the radio in the south during the 1996 election).

Notwithstanding that, there is no doubt that Clinton was a scores better president than the last two bozos we've had.

[Javaman]

269. he said he wouldn't mind being a one term president if he were a good one term president...

and not a mediocre 2 term president.

he's turning into not only a mediocre 1 term president, if he continues on the trail he's not taking, he will be train wreck of a 2 term president.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jim_Shorts]

59. At a move to bipartisanship, Barack Obama has agreed to a "shared presidency"

Today, Rick Perry demanded that Obama allow him to take over the White House for 6 months in order to give big business more confidence and empower them to create more jobs. Obama agreed to the deal after consulting with John Boner and vowed not to sit at home longer than the 6 month period.

[SammyWinstonJack]

71. heheh.

:evilgrin:

[defendandprotect]

81. "Bipartisanship is simply another way of saying one party rule" -- !!!

Howard Zinn

[Jim_Shorts]

127. Everyone should read Howard Zinn

As Matt Damon said in the movie Good Will Hunting - If you want to read a real history book, read Howard Zinn's A Peoples History of the United States, that book will knock you on your ass.

[stillrockin]

186. good one

[LondonReign2]

61. Oh, for fuck's sake!

Can't he just change his party affiliation already? This pretense of being a Democrat getting pretty obvious.

[AllyCat]

63. Those pesky, public-protecting regulations! Always getting in the way of bidness

[defendandprotect]

82. +1000% ---

[JJW]

66. Destroying the Democratic Party just like...

Lil' Bush did to the Republican clan.

[nineteen50]

68. And to hell with future generations

We want it all right now.:sarcasm: :sarcasm: 

[subterranean]

69. Is this part of his "jobs" program?

I'm sure we'll see job growth take off now! Because everyone knows that the only thing preventing businesses -- er, I mean, small businesses -- from hiring more workers was all the uncertainty about those pesky smog regulations. :sarcasm:

[krispos42]

70. So then the health cost of the smog gets passed onto the American people

instead of the pollution-control cost, which presumably would be much smaller. Efficient, indeed.

[JJW]

72. We thank you for job security Mr O .....

signed: Doctors, nurses, pharmaceutical industry, for-profit health care providers, hospitals, cancer wards, chemo centers.

[eilen]

321. Ventilator manufacturers, Respiratory therapists

Nebulizer makers, Oxygen concentrator manufacturers, Silicon tubing manufacturers, Heart and Lung surgeons, BiPaP makers, etc.

I'm a nurse and sure wish that clean air would eliminate the need for ventilators on my unit. Suctioning is one of the tasks that kind of freaks me out when I have to do it. I'm really careful but knowing that while I'm suctioning out all the phlegm and lung seceretions, I'm also suctioning out all the air... It bothers me that I have to cause such discomfort. I know the patient has to dread it.

[timefortherevolution]

73. We're doomed. I don't think we can survive a Perry presidency.

[No Elephants]

164. Obama will beat Perry, or Romney or Bachman or anyone else in that field,

[florida08]

74. Did someone remove his spine or was he born without it..

[Beacool]

161. Good one!!!

Pity that it's so accurate.

:(

[florida08]

172. You said it

:hi: :

[Beacool]

214. Hi, yourself.

:hi:

[Scottybeamer70]

76. "I want to be clear"............

oh, he's clear all right..........clearly a repub!!
Am soooooooooo tired of hearing, "I want to be clear" from this man.

[greiner3]

77. That sucks;

However, this ruling may have been a compromise of larger consequences that members of this board have thought through.

My major is in Ecology. I know first hand what the effects of unscrubbed, much less the burning of any, coal is. I attended a meeting of IPCC scientists a few years ago. This was an eye opener and I may go so far as to say it was an epiphany. I had been an adherent to Climate Change since reading a paper of Carl Sagan's in the early 90s.

With that said, it is looking more and more as though there will be a change of parties in the White House come 2012. Several of the leading candidates have stated that among their major planks will be the gutting, if not outright shutting down of the EPA. This will give less ammunition to those same energy whores who go by the name of Republicans in the run up to the election.

I can imagine that these EPA regs will become major media calls to the 'undereducated' public through millions of dollars in advertising. These ads will concentrate on the major issue of the day; their money. The ads will 'inform' the public that if these regs are allowed to continue, it will cost each electric user hundreds, maybe thousands, in increased utility bills. Even in better economic times this could cause problems with the election.

I do not agree with so many of Obama's rulings and/or decisions. However, damn it, he NEEDS to be reelected.

These calls for a switch of Democratic presidential candidates is insane.

I put it to this board; which of the Republican candidates today would you like more, vs. less, like in the White House in a year and a half?

Damn it, if one of the crazies becomes POTUS, maybe the 2012 end of the world nuts may not be that far off.

I already have plans to emigrate if Obama loses; Canada. But Brazil, Australia or New Zealand are still in the running.

[JJW]

79. How are those tax cuts

to billionaires and millionaires working out for ya, Mr. O? No longer can afford clean air?

[dgibby]

137. I'd go with you if I could,

but I'm too old. just another of Kissinger's "useless eaters".

[XemaSab]

256. Most people don't even know what the EPA does

Most regs that affect real people are not from the EPA. Unless you're a chemical factory, the EPA really doesn't affect the rank and file.

[lunasun]

266. My husband is big on New Zealand Canada seemed to have pollution

issues when I was there about 7 years ago esp. the water if enviro is your major concern. What i saw on Canadian Tv about pollution there almost made me barf
i do not know why my husband is so big on NZ or what it is doing environmentally but I thought we were working on making this country better esp after the Bush insanity and would like to stay here in USA but yeah if the crazies get in it will go down at warp speed and all applauded and flag waved as it goes down the drain. I mean look what is happening with a dem in the WH

and yes media trumps mother nature to the 'undereducated' public for sure

[greiner3]

289. Thanks for the reply;

I was not exactly talking about moving because of pollution issues, per se. I was referring to the death of the middle class that would result if Michelle or Perry was elected. Even 'moderates' like Romney would bring the US to a brink.

Theology is coming folks and it is not pretty.

[Faith No More]

80. The repugs would be fools to put this man out of the White House.

He's the best thing that ever happened to them. He does everything they want him to. He gives them everything they want. And the best part, if the shit hits the fan, the Dems get the blame. I honestly think the repugs are going to run a nutjob like Perry just to keep Obama in office. After all, he's the gift that just keeps on giving...........

[anamandujano]

88. That's it exactly.

All the Pukes are talking crazy, even telling the truth about their intentions, so that we can squabble and waste our energy comparing Obama to them and weighing our non-options.

P.R.I.M.A.R.Y
O.B.A.M.A

or we can't even begin to hope to get unscrewed.


Big money will be thrown his way but no one will listen. Obama or the other Pukes can not get voted in. I'm only worried about where we are in terms of getting a fair vote. I haven't been following what's going on with the voting machines and who owns them at this point.

[Shining Jack]

158. Some of them understand this.

Look at the freaks that are likely to be the repukes candidates, they really have nothing better? Obama will be elected, he's the corporations' wet dream.

[SusanaMontana41]

187. Yup. Wish you were wrong. Clearly, you do, too. nt

[AnnieK401]

322. Unfortunately, you're right

Starting to agree with you.

[CreekDog]

84. None of Obama's most persistent and vocal defenders are here in this thread

:shrug:

[taught_me_patience]

87. Post 51

The WH propaganda machine was here.

[Divernan]

134. Right! Bragging about what they'll do in 2016 or 2020.

Most of these touted"improvements" are proposed for the "future": 2018, 2020, 2025

Let's be reality based, boys and girls!

Any regulations which aren't to be immediately implemented/enforced are prime targets for industry lobbyists. Everybody in DC knows that there's plenty of time to reverse, rewrite or otherwise gut these regs before they can be enforced. The politicians know this, and often put these future regs in place with these future dates so they can collect big fat corporate bucks to "delay" or "restudy" the issue.

[Javaman]

272. no surprise...

that's just the resident WH sock puppet on the job.

[MissDeeds]

90. I noticed that

They may still be trying to get the spin straight, or have just thrown in the towel.

[Honeycombe8]

97. The environment is my KEY issue. I'm okay with this, temporarily.

I get it. What's happening to the economy of the country right ow is extraordinary. We're possibly still on the brink of a great depression. It doesn't look like it's going to get much better for years.

Smog hurts people. That's the point of anti-smog laws. But a crippling economy hurts people, too. People will lose their jobs, their health care, their lives, in a crippling economy.

So I'm okay with this, for the time being, while we're trying to get the economy into a growth pattern. It's not that Obama is philosophically opposed to anti-smog laws; it's that since it's going to cost money and hurt the economy, he's putting those laws on hold, until the country can handle it better.

Obama in most respects has been our greenest President ever. Philosophically, he is very much on board with protecting the environment. That's NOT the same as a Republican, who is philosophically against anti-smog laws (or the EPA, for that matter), and will never be signing into law anti-smog regulations.

[Name removed]

107. Deleted message

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[Joey Liberal]

85. Obama is not up to the job

I had high hopes for him. I've defended him at every turn. But this action has convinced me that we need a more experienced Democrat in the White House.

[No Elephants]

177. I'd settle for an inexperienced Democrat.

[stillrockin]

188. smirk

[Joey Liberal]

231. LOL, good one:).... nt

[hay rick]

267. I'd settle for a Democrat.

[dembotoz]

89. i have asthma--this sort of shit impacts my life

how am i supposed to vote for him??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????/

[Joey Liberal]

108. Me too. I'm so disappointed in him. nt

[dgibby]

145. Several family members, including me, have asthma.

My sister has COPD and has to use supplemental oxygen. We voted for him. Guess I'll have to check the air pollution levels before I venture out to vote next time. Wonder how he'd feel if one of HIS kids developed a chronic respiratory disease.

[Lorien]

210. Same here. nt

[Divernan]

246. Malia Obama has asthma too.

Michelle and Barack Obama's daughter Malia suffers from asthma, and they do everything they can to keep their house dust-free and dander-free.
http://allergynotes.blogspot.com/2008/07/from-blogosphe...

Well, they don't have to worry like common folk. They have limitless funds available for the latest and most expensive, whole house air filtering systems. Should she have an asthma attack, I'm sure medical personnel will be on the scene in minutes.

[DeSwiss]

91. Soon.....

...we can be just like China, our idol.

- K&R

[harvey007]

104. Exactly!

Thank you, DeSwiss. You nailed it. When I saw those Chinese flags flying in DC I knew we'd been taken over....

[harvey007]

106. Exactly!

Thank you, DeSwiss. You nailed it. When I saw those Chinese flags flying in DC I knew we'd been taken over....

[tawadi]

92. Very disappointing :(

A clean environment IS good for the economy, for those who are not short-sighted.

The only businesses helped in the long-run by poor air quality are hospitals and pharmaceuticals. :-(

[The Second Stone]

93. Obama didn't even kick this can down the road and

delay implementation. Can we have a primary now? Anybody?

[SpankMe]

98. Cost estimates are pretty wild.

$19 to $90 billion? That's quite a range! Which is it closer to? If it's $90B, then I can see some impact to business. But if it's closer to $19B, then there's no excuse to block this regulation which had strong (almost unanimous) scientific support.

Maybe Dems could look at back-dooring regulation by offering huge incentives to consumers for buying low ozone-producing vehicles and/or power I mean HUGE incentives that would be irresistible to consumers. This would drive industry to accommodate ozone standards to meet this artificially-created demand.

[Divernan]

240. O's economists can't narrow it down between $19 & $90 BILLION?

Surely Obama can get one of his corporate masters to lend him a competent economist. Can you imagine a business scenario where an economist/Chief Financial Officer reports to the Board: "I estimated the potential savings to be between $19 billion and $90 billion."

If ever there was proof that this White House pulls numbers out of its ass, this is it. It is insulting to the American public to the extreme to put out these numbers an an official report.

O can talk all this crap about comparing the government's budget to a family's budget - tightening our belts, eating our peas, and then puts out these numbers?

[Name removed]

99. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[evilhime]

102. Cutting controversial smog regulation

He says he is committed to public health, but honestly I don't see him committed to anything but capitulation. I thought we elected an FDR but it seems we got Chamberlain instead :(.

[slay]

105. I agree - and Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Scalded Nun]

117. Precisely!

Cede to the evil rather than fight it in hopes it will pass by. I voted for a fighter for my (progressive) causes. Key word 'fighter'. He has accomplished some good, I will not take that away from him. But (IMHO) those accomplishments were fairly easy targets to hit. Easy targets do not require a fighter. The hard targets require a fighter, the hard targets remain and he has apparently no desire to fight for them. I am so sad.

[Divernan]

241. Chamberlain capitulates w/Hitler: "Peace in our time."

Obama capitulates with MIC/corporations: "Record profits/dividends/golden parachutes in our time."

And welcome to DU, too.

[Mr Deltoid]

109. "I continue to underscore the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty"

That is one half of the GOP fiscal ideology, the other half are tax cuts for the rich.

I suspect this one wont make 'the list'.

[Name removed]

110. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

111. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[klook]

159. "Kenya"

:eyes:

[These Eyes]

184. You're a progressive?

You sound like you came straight from Free Republic.

[FarCenter]

112. "It's the economy, stupid"

Compared with the air pollution of 40 years ago, air today is really clean. Futher restrictions need to be cost justified.

[Divernan]

138. Do you think endless military agression also needs to be cost justified?

Compared with the military budget expenditures of 40 years ago, our war budget is totally out of control and off the charts.

Second question: Where do you get the factual data to support your claim that the air is so much cleaner than 40 years ago? Link, please?

[FarCenter]

204. I don't support military spending -- the military budget should be at least halved

All bases outside of the US should be evacuated and returned to their countries.

As for air pollution, it is visibly different that it was in 1971. Then there was a definite brown bubble over every large city during the summer afternoons. The smog in LA was obvious due to the weather conditions that trapped air pollution in the LA basin. I drove through Gary, Indiana in September '67 and the visibility was less than a quarter of a mile, due to the pollution from the steel mills.

There is an EPA report that shows definite improvement since 1990, but I couldn't find one going back to '70.

http://www.epa.gov/air/airtrends/2008/report/AirPollution.pdf

[Divernan]

232. I believe some of the most dangerous pollution is not visible.

Certainly science's abilities to identify and measure air pollution has improved over the past 40 years.

I lived in LA in the 60's - so I remember that smog. However, we know a lot more now about air quality now, and I believe that many of the major pollution producing corporate enterprises (corporations making record profits, and many paying NO taxes) can sacrifice a bit of their profits for the public health and welfare.

Certainly, if we cut back on our military spending, the govt. could offer incentives to manufacturing facilities, power plants, etc. to improve their air quality controls.

[No Elephants]

182. LOL!

[No Elephants]

183. LOL!

[Lorien]

212. It's the stupidity, stupid

Your "facts" are bullshit; there are more toxins in our environment than at any other time in human history when you account for ALL of them. This ruling will cost us all hundreds of billions more in health care costs and cause the effects of climate change to increase. More storms, and far stronger storms; bet on it. We're talking TRILLIONS lost to save a half dozen billionaires from losing a few profits (there are no lost jobs-only lost profits).

Of course, you are the kid who thought that the Alberta tar sands project would only cause climate change in Canada. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[durablend]

354. Wow straight from the GOP playbook

Yea, you are "far" from the "center"

[katty]

113. WTF??! now this?!!!

[Vinca]

115. Remind me again why I'm supposed to fall in line.

[emilyg]

118. Nice young man - just not ready

to be a Dem. Prez.

[blkmusclmachine]

119. No more time for these BS excuses from this WH:

It's always the right time, to do the right thing.

[liberal N proud]

120. :

[blkmusclmachine]

122. Oh, yeah:

PRIMARY! PRIMARY! PRIMARY! this Repuke in DEM clothing. Send O back to Shee-ka-go.

[earcandle]

125. Levy tax revenue for christ's sake. This is how it is done. Put liens on bank accounts, and

property.  Raise the funds.  This is your job and the job of
Congress. Stop cutting services.  Do your job. 

[ProgressIn2008]

133. What leads you to believe this is "capitulation"? This is agenda. nt

[bitchkitty]

136. +1

[BrightSideOfLife]

135. Oh but he's SOOOO much better than the alternatives.

How about removing support and coming back when they realize just how much they needed us? Do the "support Obama at all costs" realize how little our party of wimps really fight for the core philosophy?
Get rid of the fake democrats.
I mean, how many times do we have to hear this BS?!

[Divernan]

143. No one's explained the concept of ineffective repetition to the Obama fans

[reformist2]

139. He's only doing what the WSJ told him to do...just 2 days ago!

[DissedByBush]

140. I'm thinking delay until after the election

This will be brought up again in 2013 when he doesn't have to worry about reelection.

This takes ammo away from the Republicans, especially if the economy keeps going down.

It is politically smart.

[Metta]

147. Unprincipled and weak? What's your point?

Why doesn't he just switch parties and make it official.

[flpab]

149. wonkette link

http://wonkette.com/452487/obama-calls-for-smog-death-to-please-gop-they-still-arent-pleased

[BrightSideOfLife]

152. So much for President Obama trying to create a legacy as

a great environmental reformer.

[davidwparker]

155. Has he signed the bill yet to allow a pipeline to be built

from Canada to the oil men in Texas yet for exporting of oil to other parts of the globe?

Labor Party.

[johnaries]

157. A few points I would like to make.

- The new standards apply only to Ozone levels, which are created by chemical interactions caused by the sun and not direct emmissions (a "summertime" phenomenon).
- The standards are undergoing revisions; by the time the new standards are implemented they will be changed.
- 19 to 90 Billion dollars is a HUGE hit to our current struggling economy.

Although I am not a fan of "kicking the can down the road", in this case it makes more sense to wait until the new revisions are completed and (hopefully) the economy will be in better shape.

[Harmony Blue]

163. Ozone levels can be effected by interaction with broken down CFC's

which was the whole point of the Montreal Protocol. The new standards I think need to be put in place as soon as possible as the Montreal Protocol showed that swift action can make a difference. Kicking the new standards down the road to die a slow painful political death isn't progress.

[workinclasszero]

160. Another day, another surrender

to the fuckin tea party!

Is there any democratic program, standard or idea that this President will fight for? :banghead:

Damn its like the 3th term of Bush!!! :puke:

[JackDragna]

165. It is the moral duty of every liberal to oppose this man's policies.

There may be a snowball's chance in hell of someone giving him a primary run, but I'll be damned if I'm going to give him any of my time or money. He can go suck an egg for all I care now.

[jerseyjack]

166. Another "Cave." Now you might have a job,

but you can't fill it because you're dead...killed by smog.

[Name removed]

175. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SoapBox]

180. ...just another DINO.

This guy is giving me whiplash.

...wish he could find a freak'n SPINE!

[Name removed]

189. Deleted message

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[pa28]

194. "bowing to the demands of congressional Republicans and some business leaders"

I've seen that line printed in so many news stories over the last two years I'm beginning to think they have it wrong. He actually wants these corpo friendly policies and just says otherwise for cover. His actions make more sense when you look at them in that context.

[GreenTea]

206. We don't need the EPA - The oil, coal & chemical corporatio­ns will police themselves...

­The corporations will be honest - if they have a huge oil spill they'll tell the truth and clean it up - if the coal industry pollutes the air & water, it's for our own good - miners have it pretty easy working in those mines & blowing off mountain tops....And wh­en the chemical companies spill dangerous chemicals into waters & streams to save money, it won't be too bad it might hurt a few fish, so what.....o­ur tax dollars will clean up the pollution for the corporatio­ns, that's what government is for - to allow corporatio­ns to do as they please, let them make huge profits and keep the pollution secret from us - Because we certainly don't need to hear more bad news about our air & water quality or our lands being polluted, then abandoned.

The EPA just isn't good for the rich & their corporatio­ns - it hurts profits...­..and they are just trying to make energy cheaper for us at the gas pumps and elsewhere.­....What's not fair?

We don't need government­ making sure corporations are doing the right thing, we know they care more about health and safety & the environment than they do for profit, so let corporatio­ns do as they please.

CEO's & corporations need to make more money - and one way is collusion....Corporate collusion is good for the consumer - Corporation have proven in the past that will be honest not just go after profits - they don't need to be fined.

Unregulat­ed capitalism is good for everyone, someday it'll trickle down to us. Corporatio­ns unregulate­d by government is profitable & they'll do what's right.....­Just look at how years of the deregulate­d banking industry made money, they made huge profits.

So why do we need the EPA?

[INdemo]

207. Draft Hillary now..

[Dr Hobbitstein]

302. Seriously??

Just the other day I saw huge bashing of Clinton (Bill) and his policies and comparing him and Obama. Do you think Hillary (who was DLC, remember the guys you all love to hate?) would be any better? Frankly that woman frightens me. When it comes down to it, you're all screaming for Obama to lose which will in the end give the win to Perry/Bachman/Unnamed Republican. Our country is far from liberal, and to believe that it is would be to fall under the same delusion that the right does (of course their thinking is that this is a conservative country). The reality is we are a very moderate country. We always have been. However, the political rhetoric and polarization that has happened in the last decade has come to a head, and the ones that get the face time are the ones that scream the loudest. Obama has done a LOT of good for this country, and has set forth some progressive ideas. He has also set forth some conservative ideas. If the right is calling him a socialist, and the left is calling him a republican, then I'm pretty sure that we have a moderate president...

And before you attack my low post count (and accuse me of being a WH shill, a freeper, a teabagger, et al), know that I've been a loyal reader (read: lurker, I don't post anywhere often) of this site since 2002. I was around when Andy passed, and I watched how the ideas and faces changed around here... Sometimes for the better... This place became VERY polarized during the 08 primary, and I don't think it ever recovered. I still come here to catch up on liberal news, and to hear some opinions, but is sure is nasty around here...

[INdemo]

317. But Obama is not a moderate?.....

Obama showed his rightward when he hopped on Air Force One and traveled the country to sell his "Bush Tax Cuts"
Every single bill Obama has pushed through Congress has been the Republican version..so call Obama whatever you like, but moderate just doesn't fit.

[Name removed]

209. Deleted message

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[obama14]

213. He wants to be relected.

..and only democrats are not going to get a job done for him. He is pulling a Clinton.. moving to the center.

[Lorien]

216. LOL! He STARTED OUT Right of Center

Now he's squarely standing in the center of Wingnutville.

[Name removed]

215. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[William769]

217. The capitulation President!

Nuff said.

Recommended

[lady lib]

218. This morning I changed my party affiliation to the Green Party

and that was BEFORE seeing this. Once I read that Obama caved again - I knew I had made right decision.

God help us.

[bigworld]

245. Don't do it -- we might need you in a D primary!!

Seriously, is anyone going to challenge Obama for the nomination?

[eilen]

325. I did the same earlier this month.

The government is one big fucking payola machine now, the parties don't even really matter--they have the same goals with a faction of Repubs wanting Old Testament Law thrown in. It's all about the Benjamins. Oligarchy/Corporate Rule.

So fuck the lot of them. I think the same creature is crawling in other nations.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

220. In his desperation to add a few hundred thousand jobs now, he's forsaking hundreds of millions.

[mistertrickster]

221. I wonder how the right-wing is going to spin this to make him look bad. nt

[mistertrickster]

224. Remember all the times that Bush reached across the aisle to give us Libs something

that was important to us.

Yeah.

Neither do I.

He reached across the aisle to give us the finger.

[Name removed]

226. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[soldierant]

233. This is just the last straw!

You know, messing with the country is one thing, but how can the FATHER of GIRLS WITH ALLERGIES mess with the health and future of his own flesh and blood!

[soldierant]

237. forgot this---

So frustrated I forgot to add: Russ Feingold, or Big Ed, or Barbara Boxer for President!

[Divernan]

243. That's right. Malia Obama has asthma.

"Michelle and Barack Obama's daughter Malia suffers from asthma, and they do everything they can to keep their house dust-free and dander-free.
http://allergynotes.blogspot.com/2008/07/from-blogosphere-barrack-obamas.html

Well, they don't have to worry like common folk. They have limitless funds available for the latest and most expensive air filtering systems. Should she have an asthma attack, I'm sure medical personnel will be on the scene in minutes.

[helderheid]

247. BEFORE YOU UMP TO CONCLUSIONS! Read this first.

One thing the Whitehouse has a big problem with is PR and framing the issues. Check out this before you judge this:

http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USEOPWHPO/2011/09/02/file_attachments/56091/Letter.pdf

[helderheid]

249. Jump even.

[helderheid]

293. of course, no one read this.

[yardwork]

360. Cass Sunstein. And this was supposed to make us feel better?

[pacnorthwest]

248. This can not be a surprise to any of us.

[JJW]

252. There is nothing controversial

There is nothing controversial about people "not" wanting to breath corporate toxic waste and poisons.

We the citizens of the US own the air, not Obama and/or corporate person-hoods.

[NOMOREDRUGWAR]

255. Disappointing, but I'll still vote for him. The alternative is far, far worse.

No text entered

[myrna minx]

258. This makes me sick. I didn't vote for this crap. n/t

[Sancho]

259. where's Hillary?

Obama is running for the GOP nomination!!

[SHRED]

260. I AM SHOCKED I TELL YA

not

---

[lunasun]

261. Let the Bush pollution limits continue as long as it is not job killing?? makes no sense

People killing Ok just not job killing now - huh?
And did the air standards set in Bush policy create more jobs? or just more pollution??

League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski issued the following statement:

“The Obama administration is caving to big polluters at the expense of protecting the air we breathe,” Mr. Karpinski said. “This is a huge win for corporate polluters and huge loss for public health.”

Better repeal that Obamacare quick before it kills more jobs too!!!!!!!!
And never forget that the Bush tax cuts if stopped for rich would be .....job killing!

[JDPriestly]

262. Your criticism is quite correct, humbled_opinion

[unionworks]

263. STOP IT

This is BULLSHIT! Any one who spends their life working will tell you that you LIVE in smog in industrial settings. 10 years in the USWA here as a chrome plater, breathing chromic acid and copper cyanide fumes. 5 years in the furniture factorybreathing "golden smog", sawdust microparticles. Another 10 years in plastics, breathing pvc fumes trying to get U.E. into the shop, and losing the job as a result. They NEVER beat the union out of me, and now I come here and. Hear my brothers and sisters attacking a DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT. Who of you would even THINK of GIVING a victory to a a scoundrel like Rick Perry? Maybe it's easy perhaps you are better off than me and won't have the last shreds of human dignity and self respect stripped from you in your workplace by this ENEMY OF WORKING PEOPLE. I support President Obama when he needs me most. THEY NEVER BEAT THE UNION OUT OF ME. Some of you give up way too easy. Perhaps because you have never been in a real fight.

[sethgrogen]

274. your job is outsourced to China.

Now how do you feel?

[unionworks]

336. try 3 or 4

...jobs. One in aerospace defense industry! (great idea to outsource the manufacture of components for missles and aircraft to your potential enemy.) Didn't Bill Clinton and free trade have something to do with that? Although I love and miss Bill. I saw both him and Hillary speak here in Erie in the 2008 campaign. Bill still has it, he smiled and it was like the sun broke through the clouds, lighting up the room... :)

[Name removed]

282. Deleted message

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[Jakes Progress]

286. You stop it.

I call bullshit. Are you totally out of the loop? You are supporting a president who doesn't support you. He doesn't support unions. He is a reagan democrat who buys into all the propaganda the neocons put out beginning with reagan.

As for perry, a president can't end unions. if they could then we would never have had them in the first place. Study a little history of the organizations you say you support. Unions have fought against politicians before. The man in the white house is like a scab, like an inside man for the goons, working inside the party to undermine the union movement.

They don't have to beat the union out of you if there are no unions because Democrats supported policies that bashed unions.

[unionworks]

335. I call bullshit back...

...on you. remember Reagan? The air traffic controllers? Lifting tariffs on japanese steel and flooding the markets, killing off the USWA? I don't have to study the history of the organizations I support. I LIVED IT.

[Jakes Progress]

348. You really want to bring up reagan?

When you say you support a president who embodies all the values of the reagan democrats. Obama's union attitude is the one he got when he grew up under reagan.

If you live Union, then you believe in solidarity. Where's your condemnation of the administration's behavior towards teachers unions or the public workers in Wisconsin? He was full of talk of comfortable shoes during the primary, but short on support when the unions were up against it.

Yes. I remember reagan. If you remember, then you should recognize the same things now. Just remembering won't get it. You have to see the connections. Then as now, it is divide and conquer.

[unionworks]

350. say it ain't so

Unfortunately I can't. I support the Wisconsin warriors, and it pained me. Seeing them left to dange in the wind. The alternative is unthinkable, though. A new democratic congress might accomplish something if we don't let the DINOs back in. With a Rick Perry, I believe this country will fall and fall hard.

[Jakes Progress]

356. I'm from Texas so I know how bad perry is.

The only solace would be that without a compromising Democratic president, the Democrats could be more united again behind the traditional Democratic values. Some of the neocon agenda that Obama has pushed would never have had a chance under a republican, the whole force of the party would fight it whereas now the party is divided on those things.

That said. I don't think Obama will lose. Why would the people in power want him gone?

[unionworks]

358. you poor person

Molly Ivans, God rest her beautiful soul. :)Why didn't you tell me you were in Texas? I feel your pain... I agree that Obama turned out to be anti progressive. Some real progressives in congress might be able to make him spit or get off the pot. Hope you guys get some rain. :hippie: not everything from Texas is bad. Chili. Stevie Ray Vaughn. Janis. Molly Ivans, God rest her beautiful soul. ;)

[Jakes Progress]

359. Don't forget the beautiful soul of Barbara Jordan.

We got Jim Hightower. The Hill Country.

But lord can we serve up some som'bitch politicians.

[unionworks]

361. thanks

For telling me about Barbera Jordan. Read about her, a REAL Democrat. A credit to Texas. :)

[Jakes Progress]

363. I worked her precinct once.

She is the public person I most admire.

[PuffedMica]

268. I am so disappointed

I like President Obama and I want to see him re-elected.

I am so disappointed.

The President gives in on the pipeline. The President gives in to Boehner on the National Address.

Now the President gives in to the Koch brothers on smog standards.

I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.

[Javaman]

270. I love that this was part of the friday news dump...

he hopes that the voters will forget this shit come monday.

that's really insulting. he thinks we're repuke voters (might as well be considering his right wing lean), however, the one thing all Democrats, real Democrats, have in common is a very very very long memory.

thank you mr. president for insulting me.

[dflprincess]

290. And not just any Friday,

but the Friday before the last long weekend of summer. I'm sure they thought no one would notice this.

[sethgrogen]

271. so- we'll all just vote for him anyway.

He knows it. He's no idiot.

[Javaman]

275. Not me. I will support local Dems, but I'm done with national politics

they don't give a damn about us, they don't listen to us, they have zero ability to comprehend our plight.

90% of the politicians in washington are millionaires. They don't have a fucking clue as to how things effect our lives.

I'm leaving the spot for president and senator blank.

Frankly, I live in Texas so my vote means very little anyway. (not that it mattered much when I lived in California or New York)

[ooglymoogly]

291. Better to vote and write in a candidate.

I will be writing in Bernie or Alan....I'll make that decision when the time comes. There is a lot of time between now and the election. My bet is "0" will become progressively more progressive in his talk as the election draws near, saying whatever needs to be said to get himself re-elected....just like he did the last round. I'm going to have to have my gag reflex removed jut to get through it.

[Javaman]

328. While I see your point...

the bottom line is, whom ever gets it will be still so insulated from reality, it matter not who becomes president anymore.

I would love to see Sanders get it, but since I live in redder than red Texas, any hope of him being elected is less than a snowballs chance in hell.

[ooglymoogly]

337. Yes it is true, Sanders will not get elected by write ins.

But the more write ins he gets, the louder the message of discontent at the bluedogs and third wayers.

[Javaman]

355. I wish he would just primary Obama...

Not because I think he would win (as much as I would like that), but to, at least, bring Obama back to the center. And perhaps influence Obama to look at us on the left again.

[GReedDiamond]

280. I remember when I moved to Los Angeles...

...in 1976, how bad the air was.

I lived in Hollywood, but much of the time, it was difficult to see the HOLLYWOOD sign.

In '79, I moved to the Northeast part of Pasadena, into an art studio where I would spend the next ten years.

When I stood outside on the second floor roof of my studio, I had a full, unobstructed view of the very nearby Mt. Wilson - that is - on days when it was not blocked out by the smog.

By the time I moved out of that studio, after spending exactly ten years there, the view was unobstructed, the air was very noticeably cleaner than it had been, thanks to EPA, state, and local smog regulations.

I guess we don't need those kind of regulations anymore, it's just another waste of $$$ that only benefits people who like being able to breath reasonably clean air.

[JJW]

281. Bushlite

Crazy is continuing//extending Bush policies and expecting a different result.

Mr. O and Lil' Bush are epic failures.

[unionworks]

284. funny thing

Another poster had the guts to tell me my job was "outsourced to china". Suprise for you- in my spare hours I spent over 11 years studying chinese martial arts. The most important lesson? "YOU ARE. NOT DEFEATED until YOU GIVE UP

[earcandle]

285. I am beginning to think oBAMA is one of them and this is intentionally pissing us off so we

begin to rage, which is what we do to third world countries to
spark civil wars and shit. Don't be stupid and get
noodlebrained if you are.  

Listen to Bernie Sanders, he knows what is up and is not
afraid to say so. 

We must get un-trapped.  We are currently trapped.  We might
get aligned and be strong.  It starts in family.  Talk to your
family.  Make plans for your own safety and security and
survival and then participate on a wider scale, collectively
without the need for more information other than gathering
dates to make an impact.  Let go and live, and join hands. All
of us... the salad bowl that we are. Perfect. 

[_ed_]

295. "Not a dime's worth of difference"

Nader, as usual, is right.

[unionworks]

296. attention all freepers

...on this thread, knocking my BELOVED Democratic President. I will "Stop It" when Barack Obama is relected and my foot is knee deep in your azz. Have a nice imaginary tea party day.:)

[earcandle]

298. I'll vote for him, but if there were real competition I wouldn't. He is somewhat better than repuke

s!  But not much.

[unionworks]

299. link arms with me

... we will all go down together. There is no better friend to be found than you will find on D.U. ;-)

[Divernan]

300. Shirley you jest! The Freepers love O's pro-industry cave in!

Obama's Ozone Standards Retreat Angers Environmental Groups, Ignores Science

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/02/obama-ozone-standard-epa-environmental-groups_n_947136.html

"Ridiculous." "Illegal." "Dangerous." President Barack Obama's decision to shelve a proposed tightening of ozone standards has prompted a deluge of angry remarks from environment and public health researchers.

"I am outraged. This is a serious mistake for public health," Janice Nolen, assistant vice president of the American Lung Association, told The Huffington Post. "The current standard used was based on the science as of 14 years ago -- before we knew that ozone killed people."

Friday's announcement comes in the wake of four prior delays by the EPA on revising national air quality standards for the main ingredient in smog. The agency's scientific advisers have recommended reducing the ground-level ozone standard to between 60 and 70 parts per billion, from the current 84 parts per billion standard set in 1997. EPA estimates that this would save up to 12,000 American lives, 58,000 asthma attacks and 2.5 million missed days of school or work each year.

BUT:"Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, is among those pleased with Obama's call. "The president's decision is good news for the economy and Americans looking for work," he said in a statement. "EPA's proposal would have prevented the very job creation that President Obama has identified as his top priority."

_____________________________

Do please explain to all us union supporting DUers how Obama's cheerleader, the American Petroleum Institute, is pro union. Of course you can't.

Quit trying to shine us on that you are pro-union.

[NoodleyAppendage]

341. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

Get your head out of your azz (as you put it). Please describe how Obama's actions over the past 2 years have been liberal or progressive. I'm still waiting to see the strong populist progressive leader we were sold in 2008.

J

[blackspade]

301. Un-fucking-real.

I never actually expected to be living in a near future fictional world, but there you have it.

[Xtraneous]

303. He's only been in office (x) number of months, he's being tactical...

he's a really smart guy, he knows what he's doing. BTW, where have all the rest of his defenders gone?

[MrMickeysMom]

310. Yeah, you really out to ask yourself that question...

Where have all his defenders gone?

I'll repeat what I heard from someone else... We finally have seen in the Obama presidency with this environmental move, one of his own making, a president do something WORSE than the George W Bush administration.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

330. But he was forced into it!

Honest! The White House heard a rumor from someone who's aunt is related by marriage to the second cousin of the best friend of the next door neighbor of the head of the Tea Party, and they said that the Tea Party was going to make a huge deal about Obama making the economy worse by adopting anti business EPA standards.

Really!

That was viewed as such a powerful threat that they decided to outdo even the Bush administration's standards just to show them. The whole plan to his election is to pander to the Tea Bagger voter.

[MrMickeysMom]

333. Fascinating!

[kerouac2]

304. Damn... again. n/t

[unionworks]

307. fellow D.U.ers

...I am not defending Barack the man. All men have feet of clay,as we know all too well. I DO defend the tears streaming down a black Grandmothers face on inauguration day in d.c., tears of joy seeing generations of oppression melting away before her eyes. Being white, I am entitled to only a tiny portion of that joy she musthave felt. I am defending the beautiful men and women who worked beside me on the lowest levels of the icampaign, making hundreds and hundreds of phone calls in the sincere belief that we all together could make a difference and save America for future generations. THIS DREAM MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DIE it is the heart and soul of our party. I am from Erie, Pa. And in the name of our hometown hero Commander Oliver Hazard Perry, I implore"don't give up the ship"

[unionworks]

308. fellow democrats

...in the wake of didaster left behind by George W. Bush, you got a brilliant young black Democrat elected to the Presidency. I sincerely believe there is no trial you cannot endure, no obstacle you cannot overcome. I hope I personally get to hug you in the victory celebration in 2012. :party:

[eilen]

326. Pffft on the color thing. Smog is brown too. nt

[Tx4obama]

313. The normal emissions regulation review is scheduled for 2013

All the Obama Administration has done is ask The EPA that an interim change not be made now and to wait until the NORMAL scheduled review takes place because there will be more/other changes in 2013.

Read the LETTER on the link in comment #1 on the link below:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x761735

[Downwinder]

314. Get some acid rain on Georgia Pacific's tree farms and the

regulations will come back in a hurry.

[goforit]

316. Start wearing your masks and filtering/boiling your water.

We live in BAD/EVIL times.
Black suit everywhere.

[sellitman]

319. DU sockpuppets attack!

The paid teabaggers are feeding on this post like sharks

spreading their poison.

[AnnieK401]

320. OK, now I am seriously debating whether or not to sit out next yr.

Up until now I was determined to vote for Obama, after all the thought of another Republican President was so frightening that it needed to be avoided at all costs. OK, Obama was a disappointment but still better than a President Romney or, God forbid, President Perry. I decided to hold my nose and vote for him despite everything. Now I am starting to reconsider and possibly stay home next yr. The right wing should be thrilled, Obama appears moderate enough to be elected, while still giving conservatives what they want. Of course you all realize this means we are totally scr***d.

[high density]

323. "He says he is still committed to protecting public health and the environment."

Doubleplusgood on that one.

[ooglymoogly]

340. What else would a flim flam artist say when

committing bought and paid for policy. Policies that will undeniably harm the people of this country, killing many.

[unionworks]

338. Hey, I get it!

You guys must be those enviromentalists I've heard about! During the last years of W's term, out of desperation, I spent a summer as a garbage man. If you have one working brain cell left, seeing (and lifting and smelling) the amount of refuse ONE household produces is staggering. Multiply that by the 4 or 500 houses on the route, and it blows your mind. It makes you wonder how much the earth can take. Most of it was packaging and plastic containers. In earlier days, you got your soft drinks in glass bottles, even your milk. Your bags were mostly paper. Want to really go green? Go back to the old way. But we won't, because American consumers are trained not to care. Or even think. Hey, didn't the incoming Obama administration spend a lot of time undoing a bunch of anti-enviromental last minute signings Bushco did in their final hours? They had to use a legal procedure to undo the worst of it, at least I seem to remember something like that. puts me in the mood for a tune...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2lE_DAGxM4

[NoodleyAppendage]

339. I guess Obama really WANTS TO LOSE in 2012. His wish will be granted, IMHO.

It's amazing how weak of a leader Obama has turned out to be. Too bad. He will end up setting back Democratic Presidential candidates for decades to come.

J

[BNJMN]

349. Treating cancer boosts the GDP.

It's a fact.

[and-justice-for-all]

357. Sad...just fucking sad..nt

[meow mix]

362. hahaha the hits never quit with this guy, more smog plz

:rofl: