a rant about liberal/progressive apathy over the afghan occupation

[FLAprogressive]

I've noticed that the "base" is happy with what Obama's doing (based on all current polls). My question is: is there a complete disconnect between what well-meaning progressives think Obama is doing and what he actually is doing? Are they so hooked on their idea of Obama that they have forgotten how to think critically about a moral issue such as this?

I think this quote from Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a so-called "progressive", exemplifies this.

Even then the bill would have been defeated had 19 Democrats who had opposed the bill the first time not reversed their position. The agreement to remove the provision banning the release of detainee abuse photos seems to have been a factor here, but Rep. Jan Schakowsky, one of the former opponents who eventually decided to back the bill had a simpler explanation. “I want to support my president,” she insisted.

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/06/16/house-narrowly-approves-106-billion-war-bill/

Thank God that there are real progressives like Dennis Kucinich, Alan Grayson, and Eric Massa who have stood up in an attempt to end this clusterfuck. If only other so-called progressive Democrats had the gumption to get over their idea and the larger-than-life aura of Obama and actually stand up for the anti-war ideals they claim to possess whenever elections roll around.

I want to support my president too. But maybe it's time that we ask ourselves: Is the president really worth supporting anymore?

/rant

[FLAprogressive]

1. and i'm not talking about people here, I'm talking about the "liberals", who, in polls

still overwhelmingly support Obama. Why?

[h9socialist]

2. Yes, he is worthy of support, but . . .

. . . he needs a good kick in the ass every once in a while. On healthcare I can cut some slack. The legislative process in this country is designed to frustrate majorities, and protect private property. Overcoming the huge regressiveness of the system is the greatest challenge. Every OECD country in the world that has a parlimentary system also has national health. Before blaming Obama, try blaming a 200 year old system that allows a senate with equal representation of Alaska and California! Or that allows procedural votes in which 59.9% is not a winning portion of the vote.

On Afghanistan, well that's another matter. Barack Obama needs to be reminded that his name is not George W. This is ridiculous and not what I voted for! He needs a good kick in the ass on that one.

I voted for Kucinich in 2004, but got tired of 2% in every primary vote. I know it's nice to be right -- but the trick is to be right AND effective. I still have hopes for Obama on that score -- above caveats noted.

[FLAprogressive]

3. so are you saying we have to oppose him but support him at the same time?

[h9socialist]

4. Just how philosophically neat and tidy do you think these things are?

I hate this escalation! I've dreaded it since he talked about in that speech in Berlin a year ago last summer. He hasn't changed -- this is consistent. If you're too badly disappointed it's because you didn't pay attention last year.

Be that as it may there are still positives: healthcare most notably. The very same time as LBJ escalated in Vietnam was when he signed Medicare into law along with the Voting Rights Act. Does that mean I forgive Vietnam? No! But I do think that the Johnson Presidency did a lot of good. Do I forgive this escalation? No! But there are too many other areas where I hold hopes for Obama, and I'm not ready to chump those aside!

So yeah! You've gotta oppose him when he's wrong -- like on this escalation. And, yes, support him when he's reight -- like healthcare, social programs, and judicial nominees. This is not a neat and clean ideological world.