I'm sorry, but DU has become "Blame Obama Land", especially General Discussion

[berni_mccoy]

According to recent posts here at DU, the following is Obama's fault:

- The Economy
- Torture
- Health Care Crisis
- War
- Poverty (Obama hates poor people now apparently)
- Drugs (Obama hasn't legalized pot, so he hates all pot-smokers)

However, if the uninformed here at DU would take some time to become informed, you'd realize that Obama has actually saved us from recession, has been behind the exposure of torture committed under the Bush Administration, has put Health Care Reform as the top priority, has a timetable for withdraw from Iraq and is actually working on solutions for Afghanistan, is working to restore many aid programs destroyed over the last 10 years, and has taken a stance on not actively pursuing medical use-cases for pot.

But let's side with the Republicans and tear down one of the greatest presidents since Kennedy.

[HopeHoops]

1. Shit, I thought Clinton caused all of those problems!

:hi:

[RockaFowler]

2. That's what I was gonna say, too

[HopeHoops]

4. Well, at LEAST Clinton is still responsible for the Great Depression.

And the war of 1812, and the Black Plague and about anything else the wingnuts have ever heard about.

[berni_mccoy]

3. Obama's joining Clinton's club. LOL

Thanks for the laugh.

[HopeHoops]

5. The GOP just HATES guys who get BJs.

Seems to be the issue, eh?

[berni_mccoy]

8. Well, the birthers are fascinated with Obama's package. They want to know if he's circumcised now.

[HopeHoops]

13. They just want to know if he's Muslim or Jewish

Do they want a report on the length also?

[peace frog]

6. Whoa Nellie!

I do not "blame Obama" for any of the items listed. Having said that, I reserve the right to express my opinion anytime Obama does or says something I disagree with, regardless the subject matter. Nor am I "siding with the Republicans" by doing so.

[defendandprotect]

66. This is the "UN" state of mind here . . . !!!

They don't like to say "shut up" but that's what they want -- in fact, what they demand!

Some here seem to have a romanticized view of the presidency and feel they have a role in

protecting it -- coupled with an inane need to suggest that what liberals/progressives

really want is GOP/fascist rule!!!

It's really ironic!

[WI_DEM]

7. well the purists don't think he's doing enough or fast enough.

[HopeHoops]

9. He's herding cats.

Give him time.

[tosh]

27. Indeed he is. It's just like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8

[Maru Kitteh]

82. I love that commercial. n/t

[tosh]

87. It's my all-time favorite!

:rofl:

[grantcart]

51. herding congresspeople - much more difficult

[rudy23]

14. It's not the time he's taking, so much as the direction.

I'm glad it's not McCain or Palin, of course, but Obama is acting like someone who puts corporations and placating advocates of the "free market" above the people & progressive ideals.

[treestar]

83. Why are corporations inherently bad?

They have to be running at a profit to provide jobs.

[rudy23]

86. Strawman--not inherently. But if you need me to explain how they CAN be bad--why are you on DU?

I mean, having an elected government keep an eye on the private sector is one of the main points of the Democratic platform. Is this debate really necessary?

In my opinion (and I'm certainly not alone) when given the choice between helping working families, and helping the CEO class, Obama has sided with corporations to a disturbing degree. The fact that he's not really fighting for a public option (and we're hearing through leaks that he never did) is just one of many examples of this over the last 8 months.

[Jazzgirl]

21. Ahhh...but then there is the crowd that believes

he's doing too much too fast.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

47. Not everyone who is disappointed with some aspects of the administration is a purist.

I think GD and GDP are fine.

[Cant trust em]

10. It's not just DU, it's American politics in general

It's all about harnessing the negativity, that's why the republicans have been so successful.

It's a backlash against that that made Obama so popular during the election, because he made us feel like we could do better than that. However, since he hasn't been able to wash our problems away with a magic wand, it became very easy for us to slip back into our old habits.

[NYC_SKP]

11. Yep. And that's just the short list.

And ya gotta love all the things he's blamed for not doing that he never even said he intended to do.

And what he IS doing he hasn't done nearly quickly enough.

:donut:

[CakeGrrl]

12. All righty, then! Cue the "I reserve the right to disagree with Obama any time"

replies...as if we didn't already know that.

But good luck with this! The anger and frustration around here looms pretty large, with the occasional PUMA flare-up here and there, as evidenced by a few threads opened up yesterday.

;-)

[PVnRT]

15. Bullshit

There are just as many "Obama does everything right" posts as there are "Blame Obama for everything" posts. Confirmation bias is a hell of a thing.

[Donnachaidh]

30. k&r

:thumbsup:

[tekisui]

49. .

[Deja Q]

16. Never mind Obama, some DUers make some terrible insults against others

Not the quality or veracity of the topic, but the people or the situations they're in. Not very liberal, progressive, or civil... The opposition, that's fine since the other side does it to us. But not to our own. It's about the situation, not personal differences. (And if I'm wrong and it is about personal differences, I'll change my tune and devolve as needed.)

I'd pull in a series of links but then I'd be pointing fingers and get the thread locked or bleeped or something. The evidence speaks for itself each time, anyway.

[madokie]

17. No doubt about that Berni

I get so pissed at some of the things I read that it makes me question why I even come here anymore. It used to not be like this and thats a fact. I see lots of trolls, arm chair quarterbacks and keyboard commando's, you know the kind who when they had a chance to make a difference they chickened out, thats what I see.

Add: +1

[Romulox]

18. So retreat to General Discussion: Cheerleaders then.

It's markedly more conservative over there. Is it necessary for every sub forum to walk in lock step? :eyes:

[Buzz Clik]

25. No lock step required. Neither is there a requirement to listen to all the whining without comment.

[Romulox]

26. If you are hearing my comments, I would seak professional help.

You participate on this board by reading. If you are hearing my comments, you have much bigger problems than having your feelings hurt. :hi:

[Buzz Clik]

32. HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! That is SO funny!

I loved how you zoomed in on a single word and tried to make fun of me while completely dodging the entire point of my post! What a hoot.

:rofl:

Back to the point: don't expect a pass on anything. Write what you want, but don't expect an standing ovation.

[Romulox]

35. Your "point" is that you can't stand to hear opposing opinions.

Start your own message board.

[Buzz Clik]

73. Oh, my. Looks like some is projecting.

I can "hear" (you said "hear" :D) opposing opinions and take them to heart. If I strongly disagree and if I'm in the mood, I'll make my position clear. That sounds like debate to me. So, cupcake, quit projecting your weaknesses onto me. Okey dokey?

[Romulox]

74. Hey, *I* didn't post in defense of a whiny OP complaining about (gasp!) differing opinions

(and on a political message board!)

You did. :hi:

[berni_mccoy]

41. You have nothing positive to offer America so you call any supporters Cheerleaders. Nice.

[Romulox]

42. I have "nothing positive to offer America"? But the world needs ditch diggers, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dbLfD5Vjq4

[PVnRT]

45. Just like how anyone who voices a complaint

is a "whiner" who "just wants their pony" or is an "extreme leftist" or "purist."

Guess what? Your shit stinks, too.

[Forkboy]

50. Hyperbole much?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

43. People that disagree with you about Obama are not necessarily cheerleaders.

I disagree with you about Obama having too much SS cover, that's for damn sure.

[Romulox]

62. I agree with you on that point. But the shoe fits a couple on this thread...

"I disagree with you about Obama having too much SS cover, that's for damn sure."

I never argued that point, so I'm not sure what the basis of disagreement is (and I know to what you refer.) To be clear, I think Obama should have as much SS as necessary to keep him safe. And I furthermore am concerned about the assault weapon toting psychos he's coming into close proximity to.

That doesn't mean that he can't plan trips in such a way that minimizes the threats to him (e.g., not travel to crowded malls in mid-day with an entourage of 20 SS guys...)

[SemiCharmedQuark]

65. Understood.

[Lorien]

78. You mean GD: Presidential?

a.k.a the "Teenbeat Obama" forum? What, you don't want to gush over Michelle's latest, bestest ever hairdo or that cute puppy or how elegant they all look at that fancy dinner with the fine china and gold plated flatware?

Some here are loyal to particular politicians, others are loyal to a liberal philosophy first and the party second. But we have two forums, so whatever your priorities are you'll find a place to feel more or less at home.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

19. Well

one of the big problems is that people tend to look for some person as salvation and then mistakenly place this belief into the sphere of politics. Better to look at the entire US political system as an integrated whole.

The issues, and many others, you cite are certainly not the fault per se of Obama nor were they the fault per se of the previous administration. What you will find if you look closely enough is that the policies are pretty consistent from one administration to the next and those policies serve the interests of big business with only slight variations in style.

On the other hand your assessment on Health Care, Iraq and Afghanistan are so far removed from the factual evidence it's hard to even comment upon your belief there.

[Echo In Light]

22. Interesting oped (cheerleaders needn't bother reading)

http://www.examiner.com/x-17851-Monroe-County-Top-News-Examiner~y2009m8d4-Barack-Obama-the-ultimate-baitandswitch

[dana_b]

28. thanks!

I know a lot of people around here don't like Chomsky, but he studies what is happening as it happens (I put that comment under the article) and seems to get it right most of the time.

[Echo In Light]

31. There are some well informed remarks in the 'comments' section, too

And, you're welcome :hi:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

34. That OP takes refers to Alex Jones's "The Obama Deception" as though it is a serious documentary

Alex Jones is a nut.


*OP as in Opinion Piece

[Echo In Light]

39. I'm at work so the video isn't displayed. Is Chomsky actually in that film?

...I'd have to say doubtful. I haven't seen it, although I agree with the various points made in the op-ed.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

44. I only have seen part of it. Alex Jones is a nutbag. I would never watch his films for

information and therefore they are good only for entertainment value. His film wasn't entertaining, so I turned it off.

[Echo In Light]

55. I'm relatively neutral on AJ, and saw most of his earlier films yrs back

He makes some good points, other times not. Personally I've always found David Icke, another muckraker (he of the infamous "lizard" people) to be far more interesting on a host of levels for different reasons. His early books make for fascinating reads.



Generally, individuals who find themselves out and away from mainstream thinking are tagged negatively for obvious reasons. I guess I've never appreciated any benefit of automatically dismissing such people out of hand as "nutbags" since I usually find myself more so aligned with anti-establishment views. But, yeah, I realize AJ is pure anathema for many DUers.

[inna]

80. wow, a pretty brutal assessment. thanks for the link, nt

[Oregone]

20. Yeah, its definitely not within his power to influrence any of that stuff

[Buzz Clik]

24. Damned straight! And he hasn't done JACK SHIT!

:eyes:

[Buzz Clik]

23. that didn't exactly happen yesterday.

[katandmoon]

29. Who's blaming Obama? He's doing a fine job running the third Bush administration.

[Romulox]

37. You just won the thread. nt

[SemiCharmedQuark]

40. I'm not happy with everything Obama does, but if you think the Obama administration is the same as

the Bush administration, you're beyond reach.

[NashVegas]

58. Still In Iraq? Check. Still In Afghanistan? Check. Still Bailing Stockholders? Check

You're right, though, it's not the same as the Bush administration. In some - *some* - ways it's so much worse, because they might be more competent about it, and some of it, some of us will stand by cheering them on, because we're on the same side of the political aisle.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

59. That's the entirety of the Bush Administration now?

Wow, I guess he really wasn't as bad as we made him out to be.

And BTW there is more to Iraq than just "being" there. Bush LIED about evidence to get us TO Iraq.

[NashVegas]

61. No Child Left Behind? Still There

Look.

The Obama administration seems a lot nicer than Bush. And they say a lot of things to make me think they are. The question is, what has the Obama administration done to get us off the Bush track?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

63. I edited my previous post to add this, but I'll add this again here:

Obama and Bush are NOT the same on Iraq. Bush LIED the country into starting a brand spanking new war.

Secondly, once again, the four things you list are not the entirety of the Bush administration.

[katandmoon]

64. Still promoting "faith-based" bullshit? Check. Still protecting Republicans? Check.

[redqueen]

67. There are a whole lot of DUers who believe that.

Why they haven't all defected to a Green Party or Nader board, I don't know.

[JoseGaspar]

81. Same Fed Chairman.

A lot of familiar faces, come to think of it.

[Spazito]

53. A prime example of what the OP is about n/t

[NashVegas]

56. Oh. Meow

[Parker CA]

60. BWWAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAA. LOL. nt.

[kentuck]

33. I agree it is not entirely an Obama cheering section...

But I disagree that it has become just a "blame Obama" forum.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

36. That's pretty much how I feel. There's a mix.

[Mystayya]

38. It must just be you

Because I see a Progressive site that loves Obama and at the same time is capable of discussing actual progressive issues. But if you wish to hyper-focus on a few comments by a few people then I say " go for it". If stressing over other people's opinion online does it for you, then more power to ya! Toodles!

[JHB]

46. Pot. Kettle. Black.

Sorry Bernie, but if that's all you've gotten from criticism of Obama's actions and tactics from here, you have no business accusing anyone else of being "uninformed".

[Blue_Roses]

48. well said!

:thumbsup:

[Forkboy]

52. All those things mattered before Obama took office (at least to some people).

These things still matter to the same people, and now Obama is the one in position to work on these things. It's called "coming with the territory", and while it may upset your delicate sensibilities, the people fighting for these things are right, and Obama can take it.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

54. I disagree. I think we have a mix of opinions because there are a range of liberals here

From slightly left of center all the way to far left. It happens. I think some of the praise is unwarranted. I think some of the criticism is unwarranted.

Anyway, it all goes back to the thick skin. You need it to post on any message board (and DU is better than most).

[redqueen]

68. Thick skin only applies when your feelings are getting hurt.

People saying stupid shit like "Obama's doing a great job running the third bush admin" are not hurting anyone's feelings.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

69. Then it shouldn't really matter.

As long as the negative criticism is "constructive" as defined in the rules, it's fine. If it isn't then people will alert on it and the mods will decide.

[Lorien]

79. There are plenty Right of center Dems too

like every Presidential candidate except Kucinich and most of the people on Capital Hill. Just go take a look at the gun dungeon. We would have called those hardcore conservative 25 years ago.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2008

http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection

[defendandprotect]

57. Well, I've lost any tolerance for these whiney, "you hate Obama" posts . . .

sickening . . .

All of these issues need CHANGE -- need to be attacked with new policy or to

reverse old thinking -- no one blames Obama for the past --

Obama was elected to create CHANGE . . . remember?

And, when, btw, was it that Obama has spoken of the poor, the homeless, our needy

children . . . ?? Things are much worse than in the past -- when we did actually

have Democrats who addressed those issues!!!

Obama is putting more troops into Afghanistan . . . and why are we attacking Pakistan????

And, yeah -- what we're all saying is we want Republicans to lead us!!!!

Get real --


PS: Notice that I am not "UN-ing" your article . . . I leave that for those here who
think as you do on issues.

[xultar]

70. You are a bit over the top. People disagree for sure and though I love me some Obama

he messed up health care reform

[Prism]

71. He cannot be criticized after seven months, but he's already JFK?

There's an interesting disconnect, offered up without the slightest trace of irony.

I do not blame the President for the problems he has been saddled with upon entering office. However, he can and should be criticized for the policies and direction he and his administration undertake in addressing those problems.

There is a vast difference between "siding with Republicans" and pressuring this administration and Congress to live up - if only partially - to liberal, Democratic ideals.

To minimize that great difference and declare them one and the same is to engage in demagoguery intended to defend the powerful at all cost and make these politicians unanswerable to the people who put them into office and need help the most.

[closeupready]

76. Oh, sorry - I see you and I were thinking the same thing, and I posted below.

That was exactly my thought.

[kjackson227]

72. It's funny to me that some have set the bar EXTREMELY high...

for this president. Not only DU, because CNN reported a week or so ago that President Obama isn't doing enough regarding free trade (NAFTA), and I'm thinking WTH??? The man hasn't even been in office ONE YEAR, yet everyone wants everything done YESTERDAY.

It's not Obama's fault that the government is owned by lobbyists and/or special interests. Instead of placing blame on Obama, our next MAJOR fight should be Campaign Finance Reform.

[closeupready]

75. It's ironic that someone who 'has only had 4/5/6/7 months!' is now 'one of the greatest presidents

since Kennedy.' Which is it. He has either had time to succeed into greatness or he has failed, in failing to prosecute torturers, failing to undo Don't Ask, Don't Tell, etc.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

77. I blame Obama for this trend.

Why hasn't Obama fixed GD? Is he under the control of the Big Skinner lobby?

[seabeyond]

84. my sons keep asking if obama is doing good. i keep saying.... will have to wait and see. TOO SOON

to tell anything right now. there are things i am not thrilled about, but there are things i see in right direction. will have to wait and see how it gathers, accumulate and shake out

too soon

to judge either way

[ieoeja]

85. DU is always dominated by Greens/Communists/etc between elections. n/t

[JHB]

88. Liberals and even leftys, sure. But "Greens/Communists/etc."?

That's crap and a half.

[Skittles]

89. on which planet do you reside?

I want to live there too

[jonnyblitz]

90. OMFG. one of the greatest presidents since Kennedy?

how in FUCK do you know that already only 8 months into his administration especially when we are always told how fucking impatient we critics are because he has only been president such a short time?!?!?

you fucking Obamabots are all collectively DERANGED, i swear!! batshit. fucking. insane. :crazy:

[DailyGrind51]

91. Where does anyone blame him?

They are just disappointed with too much talk that the 54% of Americans who don't believe or aren't sure that Medicare is a government program can't begin to grasp, and too little action.