Hey, Barack, Listen Up!!!

[NanceGreggs]

Not for nuthin’, my friend, but you’re not even in office yet – and you’re already screwin’ up BIG TIME.

All that talk on the campaign trail – bladidy blah, blah, blah, blah – about listening to the voice of We, The People, and you just go ahead – without so much as a by-your-leave – and start appointing folks to key positions in your administration.

Excuse me, but where was MY vote before you started offering jobs, willy-nilly? When was MY opinion sought before you decided to staff the White House as you – and apparently you alone – saw fit?

I don’t want to get all in-your-face about it, but I contributed to your campaign – and, if I’m not mistaken, that bought me a piece of the action.

I mean, what’s next? Deciding on your own what tie to wear on Inauguration Day? Writing your own inaugural address without my input? Choosing the First Dog without waiting for the results of canine-loving-Democrats opinion polls to be released?

You’ve got a God-damned nerve. It was my understanding – and please correct me, if I’m wrong – that you wouldn’t make a move without first checking-in with every last one of us – individually, one at a time – before you went with Daschle over Blitzen as Head Reindeer, before you even considered Clinton over Clark.

Good God, man, have you abandoned all of your principles? Don’t you KNOW you owe me? Don’t you realize that I never would have supported your candidacy if I hadn’t been led to believe that I alone would have the last word on everything you do?

Jesus H(ussein) Christ. Where are your morals?

I know you’re going to wake up hungry tomorrow morning. But if you’re even thinking about having breakfast before the two-eggs-over-easy versus pancakes-with-syrup survey results come in, you’re (rye, white, whole wheat, multi-grain, other – please specify) toast.

Yeah, yeah, we chose you to lead a nation – but NOT without our say-so every step along the way.

You obviously have some ‘splaining to do. So you damned well better pick up the phone when I call – and if I get put on hold, you can just kiss 2012 goodbye.

Ingrate.

[CreekDog]

1. oh

:hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Rofl! My dear Nance!

You have really done it this time!

This is hilarious! I'd say even DUzy worthy!

Oh, and BTW...I have given you your first recommendation...Just so you know!

LOVE it, gf!

:hug:

:rofl: :rofl:

[gblady]

3. thanks....

for the bedtime chuckle...
:fistbump:

[firedupdem]

4. That was great! Thanks! n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. He's free to appoint and nominate. We're free to opine. nt

[tuvor]

8. "Opine". That sounds so...genteel.

Unlike most of the hypercritical posts I've been reading over the past couple of weeks.

[jhrobbins]

179. Absolutely. I thought for one quick minute that most people would

back down from their soap boxes long enough to see what was going to unfold; but NOOOOOOOOOOO. SOme people aren't happy unless there is a crisis in their lives. I had a friend once and she admitted to being a 'crisis junkie'. I thought at the time she said that this it was very insightful.

ANyway, great post Nance - I was about to get a little snarky until I read further - it's perfect.

[olegramps]

36. Opine? Is that uppity for bitch?

[Name removed]

125. Deleted message

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

[bjobotts]

126. It's all part of the "discussion".Who said anything like what you're suggesting Nance

[bjobotts]

127. We will talk about all decisions being made...but what demands are U talking about

[Name removed]

128. Deleted message

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

[bjobotts]

129. Obama is half white so it's all just a matter of degree... lol

[Joyce78]

6. Wow .... I don't know who is this person is. What is 2012 ... what is this person referring to?

[bertman]

26. The Mayan calendar says the world ends in 2012.

[Bette Noir]

43. Nooooooooooooo!!!!!

Surely, Palin will have been forgotten by then...

[treestar]

113. If not raptured

[earthlite]

173. Hoping Palin Returns in 2012

Comedy will be just as much in style then as it is now. She would be the best thing to assure another Dem win.

[Peggy Day]

28. Maybe the election of 2012? In 4 years. nt

[bjobotts]

130. 2012...the year we are invaded by Paliens.

[sunnystarr]

159. now that is soooo funny lol (nt)

[FrenchieCat]

7. Awe Boy.....

Now...that's so close to reality, it had me cracking up! :rofl:

[NanceGreggs]

11. The day I crack YOU up ...

... means it's going to be a GOOD day in my life.

Thanks :hi:

[bunnies]

18. edit: wrong spot

[Cobalt-60]

9. Right! If I see another club tie that I haven't personally approved

It'll be Keyes next time!
}(

[bjobotts]

146. Give Dennis Kucinich, Waxman's vacated chair of the oversight committee

You know Obama will get that message the very next day...or is it meant more for DUers to kick around?

[JDwho]

10. Your sarcasm is so fitting...who does he think he is? The ruler of the free world?

[eridani]

12. Given that every conceivable well-heeled interest group is making a beeline to DC--

--for the purpose of tying ropes around his waist and pulling him in their direction, I'd like to hear one good reason why those of us in favor of restoring the Constitution, ending the War on Some Drugs, getting real universal health CARE, etc, should drop our ropes at this time.

[dflprincess]

98. Because we are not needed anymore

we should just shut up and trust that our interests will be looked after. :sarcasm:

[H2O Man]

13. But-but-but-but

he hasn't met my every need. And he promised .... kind of. I mean, if he would just yell at people I want to yell at. And punch a few people.

[AspenRose]

71. Hell, I'm still waiting for my pony.

[bjobotts]

131. You have to be a bank to get a pony

[H2O Man]

166. Or

Dig A Pony, if you like music.

[jhrobbins]

180. Isn't that absolutely the truth-perfect assessment of so many.

[H2O Man]

182. Yes,

sadly, it is.

[lamp_shade]

14. Your. Best. Post. Ever. Thanks. I hope EVERYBODY reads it.

[caseycoon]

15. K&R

:rofl:

[DeeDeeNY]

16. We can't even tell him what to eat for breakfast? I want my donations back!

:fistbump: :rofl:

[southern_belle]

17. Point well-taken

K & R :hi:

[bunnies]

19. Perfect post!

:rofl: :applause:

[pokercat999]

20. Very funny, it gave me a good chuckle but remember, he is not

GWB so we aren't REQUIRED to kneel at his feet and accept everything he does without complaint......it may be great to be an American again............ Waiting for 1-20-2009

[BlooInBloo]

25. That's right - anyone who doesn't bitch and moan is a nazi.

[Gman]

27. Not only a nazi

but it makes everyone beholden to the evil DLC... a Republic lite, a corporatist, etc., ad nauseum...

[blondeatlast]

45. Psst... You forgot "lockstepper." nt

[pokercat999]

116. Do you mean we don't have a right to express our opinions?

I simply don't understand the point of your reply.

[saltpoint]

21. Appreciated and recommended.

Love it, Nance.

[bklyncowgirl]

22. Right on Nance!

Good Lord, people could at least give the man a chance to pick the people he's going to work with for the next few years--not to mention his kids' puppy.

Actually I suppose the puppy decision will be delegated to the Obama canine transition team. Member of that team: Sasha and Malia Obama.

[qwlauren35]

136. David Plouffe says:

We have to donate to the Obama Canine Transition Team to make sure that it's not influenced by PACs or Lobbyists...

Anyone got a dollar?

[KarenS]

23. Wonderful,,,, just perfect!! K&R

:applause:

[suzie]

163. Seconded.

[BlooInBloo]

24. (snarfle)

[Mira]

29. This is wonderfully crafted and so funny. You heard me mumbling to myself, again.

[dccrossman]

30. ROFL

Thank you for putting that into such excellent satire.

:kick:

[rosesaylavee]

31. I like!

And I think you have coined a new phrase - Jesus Hussein Christ.

:rofl:

[NanceGreggs]

33. I always figured that's what the "H" stood for ...

... in Jesus H. Christ.

[Bushies gotta go]

55. LOL... it's actually for "Holy".... but

"Hussein" is sure to fry a few RW xtian brains along the way.....

[mlevans]

76. Actually I read in a book several decades ago that it stood for "Hashimoto".

Or at least that's what the father told his young son when he asked.

[Mad_Dem_X]

32. Ha HA! Perfect!

You had me going for a second there, I'll admit. Excellent as always.

[lame54]

34. Christ, another pointless rant...

Are we supposed to not question Obama for the next 8 years?

Even Obama doesn't think that

From his infomercial-

Obama:

"I'm reminded every single day, that I am not a perfect man. I will not be a perfect president. But I can promise you this, I will always tell you what I think and where I stand; I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you when we disagree, and most importantly I will open the doors of government and ask you to be involved in your democracy again."

It seems that through your "wit and sarcasm" that you trying make us all stay in line and practice blind faith in his administration.

We are coming out of 8 years of "loyalty" and I am fucking sick of it.

If Obama is on the verge of selecting for AG someone who is pro patriot act/anti marijuana legalization I am going to speak up before it's too late.

When is the time to speak up? After confirmation?

He promised to listen to us, but what's the point if we stay mute?

I for one will be contacting my congressman asking him to vote against Eric Holder if Obama puts him up for AG.

But let's hope Obama listens(because I am not alone on this) and he picks somebody more reasonable.

And, by the way, my 2012 vote has yet to be earned.

[Bette Noir]

47. Nobody's asking you to roll over and play dead.

Just give the man a freakin' chance. He's already being blamed on the right for causing the depression we haven't quite entered yet, and he has to put up with micromanagement from the left.

Golden Rule lesson for today: How would you feel if your boss attacked every decision you made, before you even got the job?

[lame54]

49. He hasn't been sworn in...

But he is on the job

I'm not blaming him for Bush's past - I'm challenging Obama on our future

[AllyCat]

170. BN, I see your point and Nance's, but I agree with others that

what we are seeing so far in cabinet appointments isn't change, but more of the same. Entrenched politicians, DLCers, and people not much different from some of Bush's appointees. I still am looking forward to an Obama Presidency and glad he's there. I just hope we get real change. We all have to wait and see.

[treestar]

114. Nobody's demanding blind faith

Just not wholesale abandonment over one thing. And so soon! Man!

[qwlauren35]

138. I hope you will share...

The notes and blogs that you post on the Transition Website. I hope you took the survey about getting involved and how many hours you can donate.

To be honest, I think a lot of us didn't speak up as soon as we should have. We should have started to bombard him with our input at 11:05pm, November 4th. Here, it's already November 20th. He's had 16 days to move, and probably very little input from those of us who voted for him.

I think we must be dropping the ball.

However, there is still time to picket the house in Chicago. A few well placed Legalize Marijuana placards should do the trick.

[jhrobbins]

181. Jeez guy, no one and especially not Nance wants you

to shut up for 8 years? eight? It's just that it has been 17 days since we voted him in and it already seems from a lot of the posts and comments on the web that he is headed down the rabbit hole - already. Give him a chance to lead. Just because a number of the people he is appointing have been in DC for a while doesn't mean that he cannot lead them in the direction he promised - that's the mark of a good(great)leader - get it? (And I think he's got the makings of a great one)

[Alter Ego]

35. This is awesome.

It's the concern brigade in a nutshell.

[angry_vet]

37. Barack's already caused the Stock Market to crash

and that's as President Elect. If we don't keep an eye on him, by the time he's inaugurated, he'll be responsible for the debacle in Iraq, the lack of response to Katrina, 9/11 . . . Vietnam, and the Red Sox trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees.

Nance, timely and one of your best!

[The Wizard]

38. And killing Cock Robin

while at the same time sinking the Lusitania.

[NikolaC]

51. I Can't Get Over That One

Like he has been in office over the last eight years of hell. The Pugs are SOL on that one, lol. People with a brain in their heads won't buy that crap.

[SammyWinstonJack]

174. People with a brain in their head aren't the target audience for the

Obama is responsible for the depression crap that is being spread by the corporate owned and GOP controlled media.

[NanceGreggs]

80. Hey, angry_vet!

Welcome to the DU conversation!!!

:hi:

[The Wizard]

39. Thanks for the grins.

I can almost hear your feet stamping.

[olegramps]

40. If you think that the criticism of his choices for cabinet positions is bad:

Just wait till he makes his choice for what breed of dog the kids are to have. Personally, I think a pit bull with lipstick would be nice.

[Bette Noir]

41. Thank you. I had wondered what the "H" stood for.

[Jennicut]

42. How dare Barack even breathe without our input? I mean, how dare he!

[goclark]

44. Fist Bump for a winner!

:fistbump:

I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired of all of us that have forgotten that McCain - Palin could have been walking in our WH and not caring one bit what we care about,not one damn bit.

We are such ABUSED CHILDREN that we now lack the ability to trust anybody, not even the WINNER that pulled our party through some terrible waters!

WAKE UP little children(and that includes me) and realize that Democrats WON, America WON, the World WON!

Because Progressive Democrats donated, clicked on the web news polls, GOTV,called our Congress members and cheered his victory, we think WE can run the White House.

Progressives are acting like WE were the only ones that sweated blood to get Democrats elected.

The homeless lady in downtown LA that saw me in my OBAMA T-shirt and gave me a $ to send to him has as much right as I do to a "Piece of Barack."

Do we have the right to be disappointed that OUR pick was not HIS pick?

"Ya bet ya!"

But at least we don't have to be looking at Traitor JoeBob and Howdy Dowdy with their side kicks --- the Alaska Hillbillies, e v e r y d a y!

WAKE UP Progressive Children, WAKE UP! :bounce:

[qwlauren35]

139. Don't forget REDNECKS FOR OBAMA!!!

And Pro-Life for Obama. Veterans for Obama. Nascar Fans for Obama. HECK, please don't forget IOWANS for Obama. SOUTH CAROLINIANS for Obama.

A lot of people put that man in office. I am getting a bit tired of the progressives claiming credit.

Moreover, I would add that the DROVES of students who turned out for him were probably not what anyone here would call "progressive". I think they just wanted someone who had a clue about the 21st century... and has a Blackberry.

Does McCain know what a Blackberry is? Oh, wait. It's a fruit. And a mouse is something that lives in the walls of your house. A keyboard is part of a piano.

[goclark]

154. LOL

You are right.
Maybe the word "Progressive" is like that old Piano.

Maybe we need to think about how government needs to grow new wings in the 21st Century.

We may be marching to an old drum. :shrug:

[blondeatlast]

46. If i'm not consulted on China, it's Mercer/BlondeATLast in 2012.

Mustn't forget the table linens, too. Count on it.

[qwlauren35]

140. HECK - The ONLY reason why I voted for him!

Was so that I could pick the bathroom wallpaper. I'm into modernistic splotches. Gotta change with the times...

[IndependentDem]

48. Jesus H(ussein) Christ

:rofl:

[SeaLyons]

50. Love it!

Great post.

:kick:

[amb123]

52. Grand-Slam Home Run to end the 2008 Campaign Season.

This post wins the NanceGreggs Post of the Year Award. Congratulations!

:rofl: :fistbump: :hi:

[Laurab]

53. DAMNED Ingrate!

It almost seems like he thinks he can begin to fix this country without consulting ME everyday - your post got it exactly right.

Jesus Hussein Christ, indeed!

:rofl:

K and R

[stanwyck]

54. And where's my personally signed Christmas card?

with a handwritten Thank You note?
I'm waiting.
(like you have better things to do.)

[NeedleCast]

56. Excellent work as always Nance!

[Joe Chi Minh]

57. K&R

[Bushies gotta go]

58. Hypocrisy runs deeps

Listen up, little lady... you have no right to ask of Obama what you are asking.... before me, anyway. I suggest a rating system where your demands are based on how much you gave or worked toward getting him elected. I mean, if you merely spent time writing willy-nilly gobble dee gook for the past two years and now you think he owes you... well, you've got another thing coming! I mean, not until I at least get my gubmint job as payback... or the riches of well-to-do neighbors deposited into my bank account....

Thanks for the laugh... albeit sad. What really gets me are the people who actually believe along the lines of what you wrote.... and even right here on DU. Fact of the matter is, I voted/gave/worked for Barack because I TRUST him to do what is right for us. And I try to remember that he must give and take. Like he said, not every one of his decisions are going to be popular with his supporters. And my hope is that when that happens, he will explain it to us instead of the bush way... "because I said so".

[Bryan Sacks]

63. You TRUST him! Well, NOW I get it!

How STUPID of me! I was foolishly paying attention to what he's DOING! DUH! I see now I should have been TRUSTING him instead of, you know, actually thinking about what he does and subjecting to it scrutiny!

[Bushies gotta go]

68. Yeah, how stupid.

So, if you don't trust him, why are you here? Why did you (assuming) vote for him?

You missed the point. Obviously all the way. I did NOT say use blind trust. I did NOT say it was time we all went back to our video games and shopping malls and not worry about it. But I DO say stay united, support him and don't act like a freeper, questioning every decision he makes.

[Bryan Sacks]

81. I don't see anything in your post that is substantive

I see one attempt at smearing me ("act like a freeper"), another straw man <"questioning every decision he makes">, but nothing that acknowledges that Obama SHOULD have his feet held to the fire when he makes important, and troubling, decisions.

Does being a Democrat to you mean being a cheerleader? I voted for Obama, and I have every right to be critical of him. In fact, I have an obligation, as do others who see trouble in this first course he's charting.

[dakota_democrat]

106. In all fairness

I'm pretty sure two-thirds of people here will disagree with every appointment and personnel decision that Obama makes. That's just the way it's going to be here for the next 4+ years. While most of us have a general political mindset, we all have differences of view in many areas.

With unprecedented access to information, we're going to find something wrong with everyone. There isn't going to be a "perfect" pick for SoS, or HHS, or AG, or any of the other Cabinet spots. In addition, we don't really know any of these individuals in the same way that Obama knows them. If he feels they'll buy into his agenda, and he feels he can trust them...well, let's put it this way:

I think Obama's judgment of people he knows, is going to be more accurate than my judgment of people I don't know.

[Bushies gotta go]

184. well put!

My feelings exactly. I voted for him because I trust his judgment and believe he will make the right choices for us. Until such time as he proves me and millions of others wrong, I will back him. No matter how much whining some do, the fact of the matter is that even if he were a total lame duck for 4 years, he's 10,000 times better than the criminal cabal now in power.

[Bryan Sacks]

59. Shameless apologetics for serious missteps

So appointing blue-dog Rahm Emanuel and Chiquita-representing Eric Holder are the equivalent of placing an order for breakfast? They don't tell us anything?

Stop running interference for the powerful, Nance. Disagree with it if you like, but stop misrepresenting entirely appropriate criticism.

Your piece, as you well know, is nothing more than an extended straw man.

[angry_vet]

66. I couldn't disagree more, Bryan

Of course we have to be ready to criticize. I'm an old Scanlon's reader, and that mags motto was "You trust your mother, but you cut the cards." But I think there's been a rush to criticize from some of us. And the fact remains that no one knows how Obama's appointments are going to work out. This time next year we might all be sadly disappointed, bewildered and in despair. On the other hand, the Administration might just gel and things might start happening that, slowly but surely, will turn things around.

Nance's point is not that we shouldn't criticize, but that we should give the guy a chance. Be skeptical,yes. But hold off on cynicism -- at least until after the inauguration.

[Bryan Sacks]

83. I like what you say here much better than what Nance said

My view is that there's a ton of momentum to give more than ample deference to the powerful, particularly after eight years of the most corrupt and lawless administration in modern US history. We don't need more deference, but less. Yet I agree with holding off on full-blown cynicism until Obama more clearly demonstrates it's warranted.

Hope that won't happen.

[cali]

105. bwhahaha. you calling her post nothing but a straw man.

now that's too funny. your post has exactly zero substance. And your shallow and ignorant characterization of Emanuel and Holder, is nothing but mindlesss recitation.

Teh stupid, it really sucks.

[Bryan Sacks]

121. more NOTHING BULLSHIT from a party apologist

If you don't think Rahm Emanuel was an architect of the blue-dog strategy, there's no helping you.

As for Holder:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-kovalik/lawyer-for-chiquita-in-co_b_141919.html

In its recent report entitled, "Breaking the Grip? Obstacles to Justice for Paramilitary Mafias in Colombia," Human Rights Watch (HRW) had specific recommendations for the U.S. Department of Justice. Specifically, HRW recommended that, in order to assist with the process of ending the ties between the Colombian government and paramilitary death squads, the U.S. Department of Justice should, among other things, "reate meaningful legal incentives for paramilitary leaders to fully disclose information about atrocities and name all Colombian or foreign officials, business or individuals who may have facilitated their criminal activities," and "ollaborate actively with the efforts of Colombian justice officials who are investigating paramilitary networks in Colombia by sharing relevant information possible and granting them access to paramilitary leaders in U.S. custody."

Do not expect these recommendations to be carried forward if Eric Holder decides to forgo his lucrative corporate law practice at Covington & Burling and accept the U.S. Attorney General position for which many believe he is the top contendor. Eric Holder would have a troubling conflict of interest in carrying out this work in light of his current work as defense lawyer for Chiquita Brands international in a case in which Colombian plaintiffs seek damages for the murders carried out by the AUC paramilitaries - a designated terrorist organization. Chiquita has already admitted in a criminal case that it paid the AUC around $1.7 million in a 7-year period and that it further provided the AUC with a cache of machine guns as well.

Indeed, Holder himself, using his influence as former deputy attorney general under the Clinton Administration, helped to negotiate Chiquita's sweeheart deal with the Justice Department in the criminal case against Chiquita. Under this deal, no Chiquita official received any jail time. Indeed, the identity of the key officials involved in the assistance to the paramilitaries were kept under seal and confidential. In the end, Chiquita was fined a mere $25 million which it has been allowed to pay over a 5-year period. This is incredible given the havoc wreaked by Chiquita's aid to these Colombian death squards.

According to Mario Iguaran, the Attorney General of Colombia, Chiquita's payments to the AUC paramilitaries led to the murder of 4000 civilians in the banana region of Colombia and furthered the growth of the paramilitaries throughout Colombia and their violent takeover of numerous Colombian regions. Iguaran, in response to the claims of both Chiquita and Eric Holder himself that Chiquita was somehow forced to pay "protection" to the paramilitaries (see, Washington Post and Conde Nast Portfolio), stated unequivocally that "his was not payment of extortion money. It was support for an illegal armed group whose methods included murder." See, Christian Science Monitor, "Chiquita Case Puts Big Firms on Notice."

One former paramilitary leader who is in federal custody in the U.S., Salvatore Mancuso, has stated that he has more knowledge about Chiquita's relationship with the paramilitary death squads in Colombia. Mancuso further claims that Dole and Del Monte also made payments to the paramilitaries, just as Chiquita did. Yet, Dole and Del Monte remain un-indicted. Query whether, as Human Rights Watch recommends, a Justice Department under Holder would be interested in pursuing this and other similar leads. This is a serious matter given the fact that the Justice Department has already come under great scrutiny for turning a blind eye to what appears to be rampant corporate support for terrorist groups in Colombia. See, L.A. Times, "U.S. accused of bending rules on Colombian Terror."

While Eric Holder is also known to be actively involved in laudable charitable activities, it should be of grave concern to those, like myself, who hope for change from the new Obama Administration, that the new Attorney General would be involved in not only defending corporations against serious corruption and human rights charges, but also publicly apologizing for such abuses. That is not the type of Attorney General we need in the wake of the recent economic collapse created by the unfettered greed of such corporate firms.

And:

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/state_of_change/384564/the_trouble_with_eric_holder?rel=hpbox

Quick! Name the veteran Department of Justice insider who, shortly after the USA Patriot Act was signed into law as the Bush administration was proposing to further erode barriers to governmental abuses, that dissenters should not be tolerated?

Who invoked September 11, explicitly referencing "the World Trade Center aflame," in calling for the firing of any "petty bureaucrat" who might suggest that proper procedures be followed and that the separation of powers be respected?

John Ashcroft? No.

Alberto Gonzales? No.

It was Eric Holder, the man who has reportedly been selected by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States.

Appearing on CNN in June, 2002, the former Clinton administration Justice Department aide sounded as if he had just stepped out of the Bush camp: "We're dealing with a different world now. Everybody should remember those pictures that we saw on September the 11th. The World Trade Centers aflame, the pictures of the Pentagon, and any time some petty bureaucrat decides that his or her little piece of turf is being invaded, get rid of that person. Those are the kinds of things we have to do."

If that's unsettling, consider the fact that Holder was part of the legal team that in 2005 developed strategies for securing re-authorization of the Patriot Act.

Much will be made of Holder's role as a deputy attorney general in helping former President Clinton arrange for the last-minute pardon of fugitive/Democratic campaign contributor Marc Rich. (Holder said he gave Clinton a "neutral, leaning towards favorable" opinion of the proposed pardon.) And it will also be noted that Holder, as a corporate lawyer in private practice after leaving the Clinton team, played a key role in negotiating an agreement with the Justice Department that got Chiquita Brands International executives off the hook for paying protection money to right-wing death squads in Colombia.

But the first questions for Holder should go to the issue of his attitude toward the role of the attorney general in defending the Constitution.

Several years ago, Holder said, "The Attorney General is the one Cabinet member who's different from all the rest. The Attorney General serves first the people, but also serves the president. There has to be a closeness at the same time there needs to be distance."

What we need to know is this: How close would Holder, as attorney general, get to obeying his oath to defend the Constitution?Quick! Name the veteran Department of Justice insider who, shortly after the USA Patriot Act was signed into law as the Bush administration was proposing to further erode barriers to governmental abuses, that dissenters should not be tolerated?

Who invoked September 11, explicitly referencing "the World Trade Center aflame," in calling for the firing of any "petty bureaucrat" who might suggest that proper procedures be followed and that the separation of powers be respected?

John Ashcroft? No.

Alberto Gonzales? No.

It was Eric Holder, the man who has reportedly been selected by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States.

Appearing on CNN in June, 2002, the former Clinton administration Justice Department aide sounded as if he had just stepped out of the Bush camp: "We're dealing with a different world now. Everybody should remember those pictures that we saw on September the 11th. The World Trade Centers aflame, the pictures of the Pentagon, and any time some petty bureaucrat decides that his or her little piece of turf is being invaded, get rid of that person. Those are the kinds of things we have to do."

If that's unsettling, consider the fact that Holder was part of the legal team that in 2005 developed strategies for securing re-authorization of the Patriot Act.

Much will be made of Holder's role as a deputy attorney general in helping former President Clinton arrange for the last-minute pardon of fugitive/Democratic campaign contributor Marc Rich. (Holder said he gave Clinton a "neutral, leaning towards favorable" opinion of the proposed pardon.) And it will also be noted that Holder, as a corporate lawyer in private practice after leaving the Clinton team, played a key role in negotiating an agreement with the Justice Department that got Chiquita Brands International executives off the hook for paying protection money to right-wing death squads in Colombia.

But the first questions for Holder should go to the issue of his attitude toward the role of the attorney general in defending the Constitution.

Several years ago, Holder said, "The Attorney General is the one Cabinet member who's different from all the rest. The Attorney General serves first the people, but also serves the president. There has to be a closeness at the same time there needs to be distance."

What we need to know is this: How close would Holder, as attorney general, get to obeying his oath to defend the Constitution?

[Bryan Sacks]

183. Too much substance for you, Cali? ;) n/t

[Zhade]

165. Hear, hear. And I usually LOVE Nance's pieces.

Not this one. Yuck.

[QC]

172. Oh come now! It's just like Molly Ivins is here with us again!

(If Molly had been an apologist for the powerful who felt that regular people should just sit down and shut up.)

[republikkkon]

178. cosign

... eom

[proReality]

60. Oops! I guess the honeymoon is over.

ROFL

[cliffordu]

61. Well....

:rofl:

K&R!!


:bounce:

[Buzz Clik]

62. Yeah, I've been calling all the people I called during GOTV...

... and apologizing.

[Bushies gotta go]

70. I SURELY hope that was sarcasm

[Buzz Clik]

79. Pure sarcasm.

I'm with Nance all the way on this.

[Bushies gotta go]

82. Thanks for clarifying

I'm just a bit shocked that so many here on DU are bolstering the RW talking points... BEFORE the man is even sworn in....

[Buzz Clik]

84. It's all part of the drama of being here.

"Oh my God! We're going to lose! The world will end!"

"Yay! We won. Oh, my God! Will our agenda be fulfilled and ensure my happiness until the end of time? ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod!!!!!!!111"

[qwlauren35]

141. Now wait... SOME of us concern trolls are okay now.

Most of the ones I know are just praying/chanting/hoping no one kills him. And that's keeping us way too busy to focus on his transition team.

Before folks get too upset with Obama, think about how scary it would be if somehow, Obama and Biden got killed and Pelosi became president.

See, we people who are praying for him to survive the next for years are doing something VERY important!!!!

Concern trolls UNITE!!!

[onlyadream]

64. the 24 hr news cycle needs something to do...

for heaven's sake...

[trayfoot]

65. ROFLMAO!

[caraher]

67. The sad part is...

I got about halfway through before I was sure this was a joke.

Did anyone really support Obama imagining the RW talking point about his being "the most liberal member of the Senate" was actually true?

Yes, we can be critical, but appointing Democrats with experience to his cabinet is scarcely a betrayal of his promise of "change." Just getting people in touch with reality into the executive branch is, sadly, a huge change in itself!

[natrat]

69. i like obama but the system is so riddled with these corporate weasils

[Jackpine Radical]

72. My initial reluctance to support him, and my going through hopes of

Gore and Edwards before I finally, somewhat grumpily said, "OK, Obama," were predicated on my feeling that he wasn't far enough left. And my choice of him over Hillary was largely a feeling that at least he was a little further left than Mrs. NAFTA Bomb Iraq was.

OK, so the guy grew on me as I realized how incredibly effective he is. Even if he WILL probably be too far to the right for my taste.

And now Nance focuses my attention on how he's not even gonna LISTEN to me? Aw,Jeez.

[Bushies gotta go]

75. Exactly

appointing Democrats with experience to his cabinet is scarcely a betrayal of his promise of "change."

So, the RW talking points are that "Obama has no experience".... but in the same breath "he's using retreads". I reckon then that we would be better off if he just goes to the streets and picks assbites like Joe the Plumber? Would everybody be happy then?

[qwlauren35]

142. "Most Liberal Member of the Senate"

Well actually it makes sense, since Kucinich is in the House.

That chart people keep showing seems to clearly show that Obama is one of the most liberal conservatives in the entire Senate.

That has to count for something! I mean, c'mon. Moderate sounds soooooo boring.

[newtothegame]

73. I bet crazy change comes from all these Washington insiders...I'm peeing my pants in anticipation!!

:)

[truedelphi]

78. Lots of crazy change

ANd I'll be pretty crazy if there aren't some real changes.

[SammyWinstonJack]

175. .

:evilgrin:

[mlevans]

74. This ought to be required reading for every Dem in the country!

And I sure hope they'd get the point of it. Nice going, ma'am.

[Stuckinthebush]

77. Bravo

I think this place has gotten the crazy bug about what Obama is and is not doing at this time.

I love your wit!

[Two Americas]

85. how is this helpful or constructive?

You are mocking and ridiculing dissenters and critics. Don't we get enough of that from the opposition?

It is our civic duty to speak out, and that is essential to a healthy and functioning representative democracy.

It is suppressive to attack the messengers rather than forthrightly meet and rebut their arguments. You are making a broad ad hominem attack, and that can only increase hostilities and division here.

It is disingenuous to hide your own views behind a barrage of ridicule of those with whom you disagree. Were Obama to make decisions that you disagreed with, you would speak out. I hope you would, How would you react if people responded to you the way you are talking to them here?

Playing to the crowd and stirring up the mob against the dissenters is cowardly.

Siding with power is always the path of least resistance. That always encourages and invites tyranny. I think that we need to move away from the right wing model of unquestioning loyalty and suppression of dissent. Your post is not helpful to that effort.

[NanceGreggs]

90. It wasn't meant to be "helpful" or "constructive" ...

... except to the extent of reminding people to take a deep breath, and chillax for a minute or two.

Apparently the gentle reminder doesn't work for everyone.

I'm "attacking the messengers"? I'm "stirring up the mob against dissenters"? I'm "ridiculing those with whom I disagree?"

Man, you are reading way too much into this - like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much.

Chill.

[Two Americas]

93. I don't doubt that

You are an excellent writer, and I appreciate that you want to lighten things up. Nothing wrong with that. I don't think what you wrote here will lead to that.

No one ever is going to respond well to be told to chill. Perhaps you should chill about the perceived need for others to chill? I am entirely calm and relaxed myself. Perhaps you cannot see how you are mocking and ridiculing others because you are not the target of that.

[NanceGreggs]

96. So don't chill ...

... as you wish.

But I repeat that you are reading things into the OP that just aren't there.

[Two Americas]

100. lol

I am already chilled, Nance, I just don't agree with you.

Of course I am reading until your post. Your opinion is being covertly expressed. That is partly what I am objecting to.

Do you mean to say that doing a parody, a broad generalized and derogatory representation of critics, could not possibly be seen as mocking and ridicule?

I believe that you may have intended it as good natured ribbing. Don't be surprised if it is not taken that way, though.

What do you think the reaction would be were someone to post something like this? Imagine the firestorm that would erupt -

Dear Obama -

Now that you are elected, we want you to know that in our eyes you can do no wrong!! Whatever you want to do, we will still stand behind you 100%! We think that all critics of anything you do should be silenced, and we will work hard on your behalf to stamp out all dissent. Either people are for you, or they are against you, and there is no middle ground.

All that talk on the campaign trail – bladidy blah, blah, blah, blah – about listening to the voice of We, The People, we knew that was just a con game to get people to vote for you. We don't expect you to actually listen to anyone. Why should you? You are the presumptive glorious leader. You have been selected, and now you are king. It is the duty of the people to get behind you and question nothing that you do.

Please pay no attention to the people before you start offering jobs. What value is MY opinion, or anyone else's about how you decided to staff the White House or anything else you do? Just go ahead and do everything as you see fit, and if people don't like that well then too bad for them. To us, your true loyal supporters, you are a God. You are the wise all-knowing one, and we will never question your judgment.

[NanceGreggs]

104. Oh, puleeeze ...

Now I am "covertly expressing" my opinion - or, more precisely, your interpretation of my opinion.

I've said this here before, and I'll say it again: I am happy to defend what I say - but kindly refrain from insisting I defend what I didn't say.

I am now out of this discussion. :hi: Bye.

[Two Americas]

108. of course

Was your message not to portray any and all critics of the actions of the administration as petty, silly, and unworthy of consideration?

can there be any doubt that you communicated that message by imolication and suggestion?

Please do openly and honestly present and defend your point. If I misread your intentions, feel free to correct my interpretation.

If you did not intend to smear and ridicule critics of the administration, then what was your point?

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

111. So you don't agree with Nance on this one...But do you still believe in Nance?

I think football is the best metaphor for what we have here...Barack has been signed as the new QB - he's putting an offensive team together that he thinks can move the ball...But before he takes his first snap behind the center, everyone is telling him he has already screwed-up the drive. Does that make sense?

[Two Americas]

119. sure

No complaints about Nance nor Obama.

I don't ever expect any politician to be perfect, but nor do I expect everyone to sit on their hands and refrain from giving any critical feedback. As Truman said, those who can't stand the heat should get out of the kitchen.

Our criticisms are not interfering with nor impeding the administration. The only thing at risk is people's happy feelings. That does not justify calling for other people to stop expressing their opinions.

Cheer leading for a sports team is a particularly useless and inappropriate model, I think, but I do think that is how many approach politics. That is more damaging to the new administration than criticism, in my opinion.

How come the big players, the money people and the insiders are not giving the administration a chance? They are moving right in for the kill.

[Zhade]

167. What you said.

NT!

[20score]

86. I had a lot of points on my Obama website during the primary. (Friends/events.)

So, I'm still waiting for the ambassadorship I thought was coming. (Bush gave them out for money, so, figured... points should work for this administration.)

Point is, when he calls, I'll give him your complaints.

K&R.

(On edit, I'm sure no one will get the joke, but my wife used to tease me about spending too much time on that website; so I told her you get on appointment when you collect a certain amount of points. Anyway, we're laughing.)

[humbled_opinion]

87. Spin Baby Spin...

On a serious note this is exactly the kind of infighting that the Repukes are going to try and perpetuate with their petulant rants on Talk radio and Faux news.

I get this at work alot... Now all I say is look...

History teaches us that Obama is going to be the greatest President in the history of this country, because History demands that the best follow the worst as in Bush = Hoover and Obama = FDR....

They usually shut up after that ...

LOL

[TygrBright]

88. heeheehee.... Nance, yer SO bad... ::snigger:: n/t

[Mithreal]

89. What is wrong with me? I enjoy Nance rants and still question

some choices PE Obama makes?

He is not even President yet. I agree with some that we need to give him a break. I will even go so far as to trust him. I really do.

However, I feel like a kid the night before Christmas. I can't wait to open all the gifts of good governance and I am anxious, excited. Through luck and some good choices, at least I still have a house to put up a Christmas tree. I have the money to keep my house warm and my family fed.

PE Obama said that this election was about us and I took that to heart, but now I feel like I am waiting for Santa, but I know better. The responsibility to make things better is ours. Are we ready to get to work and be a part of this moment? Locally, many of us are leaderless. The "movement" moment feels like it may have just been election but that is just wrong and entirely too cynical. This was the first serious involvement in campaigns. I knew what I had to do to win the elections, but it is not as clear now what my role is.

Some DU'ers may be a lil too quick to call people concern trolls or right wing talking point repeaters. I have occasionally had thoughts that I only later found out were rightwing talking points. Who knew. I am trying my best to hide any concern lest I be called a troll. Although I do understand there is a difference. Concern is not a dirty word, folks. I am kinda sick to see it pop up so frequently. There are trolls out there, but some of our allies have concerns as well.

Anyway, I enjoyed the rant, but still wonder. I guess I have to wait for Christmas. Inauguration Day won't come any sooner no matter how anxious I am.

[qwlauren35]

144. About Christmas... did you write to the North Pole???

People need to remember that Santa visits EVERY house by the end of the night. The gift he gives to Cindy Lou shouldn't worry anyone who hasn't gotten their gift yet.


Unless they forgot to actually WRITE TO SANTA and tell HIM what they wanted for Christmas. Or sit on his lap...

[Mithreal]

155. You bet I did : ) More than once and even called. nt

[kestrel91316]

91. Oh yeah. My sentiments exactly! ON. THE. MONEY.

[Blue_Roses]

92. lol!

:rofl:

[Seldona]

94. Well stated.

I won't say much on the matter, but if what I have read lately is the support Obama is going to get we are in real trouble. Yes there are decisions I disagree with. Yes I am to the left of the President Elect.

But I will support him until he gives me a real reason not to. Like after he actually TAKES OFFICE for instance. Shit I have seen people called repuke lite for not agreeing with all the descent on Obama's cabinet choices!

Damn people, take a Zanax if you have one and CHILL THE FUCK OUT. I am going to wait and see what happens when he actually hits the ground running.

[Zuiderelle]

95. Yes, God forbid anyone question anything our president does.

I have some pretty valid concerns about Daschle regarding women's rights/abortion rights/women's health.

http://www.now.org/press/05-97/05-14-97.html

I think Obama should question his position on this, and I think we should question Obama's choice.

[qwlauren35]

145. Yes, but HOW? On a Discussion Board????

If it's that important, please share how you are contacting the transition team with your concerns.

[Willo]

97. Good one. Hopefully there will be more vocal support

of our President after the inauguration, throughout 2009 and the years to come.

Sadly, I don't see signs for that on here. I don't know if it's that negativity and fault-finding comes easier or leader abuse is a hard habit to break.

Whatever the reasons it is truly unfair and unfortunate.

[1_cali_dem]

99. NANCEGREGGS

MARRY ME NOW DAMNIT !:toast: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[BrklynLiberal]

101. NANCE - Your posts either make me laugh or make me cry. They are always sharp and incisive.

Thanks for this one...great as usual..:thumbsup: :hi:

[byronius]

102. Excellent snark.

[AndrewP]

103. That's great!

:fistbump:

[relayerbob]

107. Hilarious

Thanks for the chuckles.

[NanceGreggs]

110. Welcome aboard, relayerbob!

:hi:

[mzmolly]

109. I thank the DU Gods for you NanceGreggs.

:toast:

[treestar]

112. IOW a Concise Summary of Several DU threads

Great post! :fistbump:

[hangman86]

115. Don't blame me I voted for Nader

Nah! Kidding. :eyes:

[ksimons]

117. not to mention that my 'barack obama' shirt gives me visiting rights dammit . . .nt

[Chipper Chat]

118. Maybe a low-level bimbo at Fox News will pipe this to O'Reilly

for his "talking points."
Wouldn't that be a gas!

[Redstone]

120. Boy, will THIS post get misinterpreted. But not by me. I understand, and appreciate.

Redstone

[Speciesamused]

122. Thank you for saying exactly what I feel.

Bravo!!

[knixphan]

123. LOL!!!!

nice.

[LSK]

124. wow, you had me going until the 5th paragraph

:rofl:

[bjobotts]

132. Love ya but that was not your style.Brought out the kiss asses though

[SammyWinstonJack]

176. .

:spray:

[ddeclue]

133. Sorry but this is off base!

What you say with sarcasm I believe with fervor.

I have spent the last five years getting Democrats elected on the theory that FINALLY I'll have someone in government who will listen to ME, not the fat cat lobbyists with millions of dollars to buy votes.

The ONLY way we get our government BACK is elect politicians that actually listen to us and when they don't listen to find someone to replace them. If they don't fear being held accountable by the voters on election day then there will be no democracy.

It has meant thousands of hours of my free time in the last five years and thousands of dollars too but I finally have a few Democratic GRASSROOTS state reps that will listen to me, a few county and city commissioners too and NOW a couple of Congressmen.

I don't expect them to always agree with me but I do expect them to listen to what I have to say and to not send me condescending form letter answers when I choose to question authority.

Clearly I don't expect President-Elect Obama to personally be taking my calls or replying to my letters - that is clearly a much larger scale than even electing someone Governor of Florida, much less Congress or State House. I do however expect President-Elect Obama to be true to his word and work for real change rather than compromise with the "experience" that got us into the mess we are in now.

The notion that we somehow "need" experience is something of a myth. What we need are SMART people, conscientious people, people who want to work for the greater good, people who will put themselves last and their country first, people who believe that the government can be the answer not the problem - in short people who understood what the founders meant when they pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors" to the cause of Independence in the Declaration.

Those who understand this pledge and who are willing to make that personal sacrifice and do the right thing instead of the thing that promotes their career are the true patriots and THOSE are the people that President Elect Obama ought to be seeking to populate his administration.

Those here who keep calling for "unity" are in effect asking us to give Obama a pass on this accountability - the accountability that we've been demanding of George W. Bush these last eight years. The reality is though that the best thing we can do for Obama is to hold him accountable to our wishes, keep him listening to the people and keep him doing the right thing.

The most important reason that George W. Bush failed was that he failed to listen to the voice of We the People - he failed to be held accountable by the media, the Congress, the Courts, and most importantly by the public at large. President Bush felt he had unlimited power and felt he was invincible and infallible because nobody ever held him truly accountable.

So yes, we must ALWAYS question our leaders - in fact when they are OUR guy, the one we helped elect, we have a DUTY to question them even more.


Democratically Yours,

Doug De Clue
Orlando, FL

[BeFree]

135. Yer kidding, right?

You got all upset over this? Hey, don't get po'd, it's just a question.

[qwlauren35]

134. So it's YOU who's going to call at 3AM!!!! YIPES!

And we all thought it would be an international crisis!

[maseman]

137. Beautiful post.

Gee you forgot your sarcasm thingy. (I hate when people say that.)

[davidpdx]

143. You are a firecracker Nancy!

[geniph]

147. And just where the hell is my jet pack, anyway?

I was promised a jet pack, like, FORTY YEARS ago, and here I am, still riding the damned bus!

But seriously, folks - look, no one should expect to approve of EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY appointment he makes. There are going to be people you don't like, people you don't think should be in those jobs. But every time you question the appointment of a "Washington insider" ask yourself - would you rather have the crony appointment system we've had for the last 8 years remain in place? You want the likes of Heckuva Job Brownie? I'll take a brass-knuckles asshole over a complete incompetent any day. Sure, I'd rather all the appointments were the people *I* would pick - but no one elected me President.

[NanceGreggs]

148. Well, if we all got together ...

... and agreed to overturn Obama's win, and elect you as president, could we all finally get our jet-packs?

[Dem2theMax]

149. I bow to greatness.

Nance, :yourock:


And I'm :rofl: at the replies in this thread of those who still don't get it.

[MadMaddie]

150. Nance it's almost like some of the supporters are acting like

gasp...."Lobyist"!

That's what I think when I see people complaining ever so loudly. The man has not even gotten into office........

Well done Nance!

[EFerrari]

151. Right. Let's discourage people from participating in this conversation called democracy.

Good grief.

[NanceGreggs]

152. There's a difference between "participating" ...

... and believing one is entitled to "call the shots". There's also a difference between "criticism" and insistence that this is all going to turn out badly, no matter what - 'cause some people can see into the future, don't ya know.

The man hasn't taken office yet, nor have any of his appointees. And yet there's been an awful lot of "borrowing trouble" here, extrapolating every move into unmitigated disaster that is now destined to happen.

I'm thinking innocent until proven guilty.

I'm also thinking that the man who just ran the most brilliant campaign in American political history didn't suddenly get stupid.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

153. Hey Nance none of this Barack stuff. You just call him Mr President!!!

:hi:

psst! he's on his Blackberry!

[Johnboi70]

156. Oh thank god!

I thought this was going to be a serious "angry left-wing blogger" rant. Obama's biggest political challenge will most likely be dealing with the unrealistically heightened expectations of those of us on the left. He needs our love, not our criticism. AND he needs to court LIEberman, McCain, Snow, Graham and the other moderate Republicans in order to do what we want him to.

[BlueJac]

157. Great post Nance!!

[concerned canadian]

158. extremely funny and to the point...

Just today i was thinking, "What is Barack Obama supposed to do (to please everyone)? Take a vote for every single

appointment and decision he makes?" I'd decided to give DU a rest for a while, but i'm glad i checked in tonight.

Good going, Nance!

[rtassi]

160. Yes! NanceGreggs now your cooking! n/t

[Two Americas]

161. "We welcome their ideas"

While those of us advocating the traditional principles and ideals of the Democratic party are being told in various ways, straightforwardly and by smear and insinuation, that in no uncertain terms are our ideas are not welcome, we get this from Emmanuel - apparently under the impression that he speaks for the new administration, since he uses the word "we."

We Welcome Their Ideas

Source: CBS News

Incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said President-elect Barack Obama wants to work with Republicans, saying the new chief executive will "welcome their ideas" on how to resolve the ongoing financial crisis the country faces.

Emanuel met today with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and the entire GOP leadership from that chamber for about 30 minutes, and is currently huddling with House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.). A one-on-one session with House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) will follow the Pence meeting.

Emanuel noted that he personally had spoken to almost two dozen Republicans in the last two weeks to tell them that the new administration is serious about bipartisan cooperation.

"We welcome their ideas and their concepts," Emanuel told reporters after his meeting with McConnell and other Senate Republicans. "It's challenging times economically. The middle class is working harder, earning less and paying more. The challenges facing the country require that people of both parties work together to solve those problems."

"I told them that I welcome their ideas, be that in their area of education, health care, taxes, energy policy, national security," Emanuel added. "Give us those ideas, because we are formulating what we're going to do in the Obama administration."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/20/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4621638.shtml

[Divine Discontent]

162. hey troublemaker!

haha. I agree that the grilling on Obama, and much for who he hasn't appointed yet to this or that position, is so odd. After he gets them all selected, which will be just before the inauguration it appears, then the screams about he ignored this person, this group, this issue, but let's all be real cheerleaders for this guy and Joe for the crap they endured on our behalf during the run-up to election day.


Many different Yes We Did items in the Obama/Biden section www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[No Elephants]

164. I hate to spoil a good joke (and the OP is good!), but Obama has several

websites where we can all express our opinions on any subject we wish. Just sayin'

[cwydro]

168. LOL!

Thanks for this!

[4_TN_TITANS]

169. Whew... you had me for a second there Nance

before my satire alert went off. I've seen all the complaints about this pick and that pick, but I voted for a guy smart enough to steer the ship no matter who was swabbing the deck or coiling the ropes. Lord knows he's smarter than me.

I wish people would chill - if they aren't working out, these appointments can be changed on the fly. Give Big O a chance to at least arrive at the test track before judging his machine!

[suninvited]

171. Greatest. OP. Ever. nt

[budkin]

177. LMAO! Nice!

[Baby Snooks]

185. The reality...

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/11/20-6

This reflects the reality of the change we were promised. The label has changed from Republican to Democrat. But the product is still the same.

The "neo-con artist"-Republicrat-"Contract with America"-DLC-Bush/Clinton dynasty and its oligarchy.

I wish I could change my vote. I would write-in Mickey Mouse. We would have been better off with whoever Disney sent over to play the role.

[threadkillaz]

186. Lobbyists Rule!

yippee

[puebloknot]

187. Cute and Clever, but Disdainful of Honest Dissent!

Two years ago at this time, we were all told to enjoy the holidays and stop bitching because all we had to do was wait for January when Pelosi and the Dems would do the right thing by us. Anyone expressing concern was characterized as having a childish temper tantrum over not getting their way.

The American Revolution was based in just that type of dissatisfaction, and the very essence of being an American citizen is to engage in serious thought, not cute parody, about where our nation is headed, and lend our voices to the argument.

The general tenor of this thread is uncomfortably reminiscent of the mocking and cat-calling at a Sarah Palin event, though the content is different. We are not yet home free, and basking in the group energy of people who agree with us is very much the kind of Republican ethic we have worked hard to defeat.

None of us can individually influence Obama's cabinet choices, but we can, with maturity, engage in dialogue NOW with regard to the background and experience of those being chosen to lead OUR COUNTRY, and how those choices may play out. If we had had a more informed and engaged electorate over the last two decades, we might not have found ourselves in the pickle we're in now.

Though he is intelligent and articulate, and represents our hope for a new beginning, a major part of that new beginning has to do with remembering that the occupant of the Oval Office is a servant of the people, is not a king or a god or a priest, and should not be worshipped -- even if he does every last thing right.

[wolfgangmo]

188. Zeitgeist meets Sturm and Drang.

As usual you have captured to essence of most of the DU posts regarding our new CinC.

[Political Tiger]

189. Wonderful Post! Right on the Mark!

:fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: