Just a thought: Until you hear it straight from Obama, hold off pilloring him

[cali]

I know this won't fly with those eager to sink their teeth into his hide- like the Counterpunch crew, its acolytes and Nader- but I thought I'd say it anyway.

Too many DUers jumped on Obama for the Poland Missile Shield story. Guess what suckers? Obama, through an aide, denies said story. So sorry you look like you have an axe to grind.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Obama-Missile-Defense.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[louis-t]

1. The repugs will be doing a lot of this. It's only the beginning.

Their vile hatred will emerge on every issue. Putting words in his mouth and attributing quotes to him will become the right-wing pastime. They're already re-writing his legacy.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. You know...

The hard left of the progressive wing does some amazing things. They bring up stuff that we often miss, substantive things we shouldn't miss and some of these things are dangerously insidious, wherever they are coming from. That said, there are those, like the afore-mentioned Counterpunch crew, who really need to learn pressure points and stop beating everything in sight to a pink, frothy pulp. I have a lot of respect for the Ridgeways. They really do some good work, as writers and advocates. Same with Stan Goff, a man of huge personal and ethical courge, as well as Jason Miller. But sometimes I come away from their writings going "WTF? Why doesn't someone explain that petulance and a load in their diapers just isn't becoming to otherwise reasonable adults?".

We are what, 4 days after the election, the world is thrilled with our collective choice of an administration, Obama has yet to be sworn in, so he has exactly NO power as of yet, and people are freaking. Some, it would seem, are upset because he has not reanimated the mouldering corpse of Che' Guevera and given him a plate of brains and a cabinet post.

It just don't work like that, kids.

Yes, we on the left side of the Democratic dial DO need to make sure that they never forget we are here, we worked our tails off to get Dems into office, and we have our priorities. That said, politics being the sausage-making process that it is, and not unlike making a nice Yorkshire Black Pudding, heavy on the blood of pigs, we are not going to get everything, and a lot won't happen in the first five days. That is why we must remain vigilant, engaged and prepared, with good, substantive and sustainable arguments in our favor and unflinching respect for those on our side who might not see things as we do. Of course, when someone starts getting disrespectful or dismissive, then it is time to go to guns. But it is a little early for that now.

[cali]

3. Excellent post.

I agree that we need the hard left. And for all the reasons you elaborated on. But I also want to keep in mind that some folks in that faction, are more interested in tearing down than building up.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. Yes they are, and I understand that, somewhat.

Shiva Politics: "From destruction comes creation" is understandable, albeit child-like and simplistic. But sometimes, it is more like "If I break this toy, musy and popsy will buy me a new one". It is a hell of a strategy and really tough on keeping societies and economies together when it is used.

Yeah, we DESPERATELY need new incremental models and methods in our economy. Much is broken, because when you have an economy based upon the musings of B-Movie Actors and insane White Russian emigre' bints...well, hell...go whole hog and form your economy and society on the writings of Robert Anton Wilson, Philip K. Dick and Hunter S. Thompson on ether. It makes as much, if not more sense.

[bigtree]

4. I thought Warsaw was pushing this one

not the usual ninny net gnats who can't find a party who wants them.