I wasn't gonna post this, but I guess I will. Disillusioned.

[trof]

A Show About Nothing:
The Placeholder Presidency of Barack Obama

David Michael Green is a professor of political science at Hofstra University. He is delighted to receive readers' reactions to his articles ([e-mail]), but regrets that time constraints do not always allow him to respond. More of his work can be found at www.regressiveantidote.net.

"Hey, remember Seinfeld? Remember how it billed itself as a “show about nothing”, and how, in fact, that’s what it was?

I think we’re at the point now where it’s become inescapable that the Obama presidency is also a show about nothing.

It’s the same as Seinfeld. Except for two things.

First, unlike Seinfeld, it bills itself as a show about something, if not everything (remember Mr. Bigtime Change from just last year?).

And, second, the nothingness of the Obama administration is not very goddam funny, thanks just the same.

Consider the following crop of headlines, all from the New York Times, and all published in just the last week alone:

“49 Million Americans Report a Lack of Food”

“N.A.A.C.P. Prods Obama on Job Losses”

“The Drug Industry Cashes In”

“3 Democrats Could Block Health Bill In Senate”

“Another Standoff May Be Looming On Abortion Issue”

“Obama Hobbled in Fight Against Climate Change”

“Leaders Will Delay Agreement On Climate”

“Obama Backers Fear Opportunities to Reshape Judiciary Are Slipping Away”

“Guantánamo Won’t Close by January, Obama Says”

“China Holds Firm On Major Issues In Obama’s Visit”

“As Weight of a Relationship Tilts East, Obama Opts for Nuance and Deference”

“Israel Moves Ahead on Plans to Expand Settlement in Disputed Part of Jerusalem”

“Kurdish Legislators Threaten Boycott of Iraq Election”

“High Costs Weigh On Troop Debate For Afghan War”

If you get a sense from this list that the man holding the most powerful position on the planet is bound and determined to be an object of action, rather than a proactive force on the historical stage, there’s a good reason for that feeling. That appears to be precisely his intention.

At a time of significant peril to the country and the world, this president will not act.

And he certainly will not act in any way that is remotely controversial. In normal times, that list would cover just about everything. In our era, however, where rabid regressives have entirely lost even a remote satellite uplink to reality, and have devoted themselves to destroying Obama’s presidency at any cost, there is nothing that a president who is worried about ruffling feathers could actually do about anything. If he salutes the fallen returning to Dover Air Force Base, they excoriate him. If he shows a scrap of politeness bowing to the Japanese emperor, they eviscerate him. If he claims he was born in America, they call him a liar for it."

A lot more of the article here:
http://www.regressiveantidote.net/Articles/A_Show_About_Nothing_-_The_Placeholder_Presidency_of_Barack_Obama.html

:-(

[emulatorloo]

1. "I think we’re at the point now where it’s become inescapable"

Not so sure about that.

Interesting article, but reserving judgement for a few more months.

[Jane Austin]

21. If Obama had done everything the OP wanted

he would have been assassinated already.

The Powers that Be wouldn't have allowed him to do anything at all if he had jumped in with a bunch of outsider, liberal economic advisors, for instance, or if he'd ordered an abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan*.

He has to co-opt to move forward at all, but with the left cutting him off every time he tries to work within the system, the far right will be able to go in and pick his bones clean without hinderance.

*See Kennedy, John F.

[avaistheone1]

35. Pure bullshit.

What a terrible excuse for not bringing about the degree and kind of change this country really needs.

[okieinpain]

60. just curious what do you want him to do. should he become a

dictator. should have anyone that doesn't agree with his policies investigated and jailed. for the hand he's been dealt I think he's doing a pretty good job.

for an example, we know that bush's main support was/is Christians who absolutely without a doubt wanted bush to kill abortions. well with 8 years, republician's controlling both houses, a majority of judges on the supreme court, and women can still get abortions in the country pretty much without any restrictions. I believe I'm correct on that, well if bush could not get that one little thing done in 8 years with pretty much everything going his way. what the hell do you want president obama to do in what 11 months. I'm really curious as to what you would like for him to do.

thanks.

[Stinky The Clown]

43. **If** what you say is true, then SHAME ON HIM for running for president.

I say that, but must quickly add that your hypothesis is bullshit, rendering my statement meaningless and relevant only as yours stands.

[Jane Austin]

62. He most certainly should have run for president,

and I think he's smart not to do everything at once.

He can do it gradually and still get it done, in spite of all the folks on DU who want it done their way and who want the mess built up over the past 30 years fixed in one year.

At least he knew how to play things patiently during the campaign resulting in his win over great odds - which is a great deal more than you or anyone else here at DU has done.

I wish I had a nickel for everyone here who thinks they are so very much smarter than Obama.

[Stinky The Clown]

68. Do you have compehension issues?

I never said he shouldn't have run. I said that IF THAT STATEMENT (which I called bullshit) WERE TRUE, he shouldn't have run.

Even people you don't like don't always have views opposite your own.

:eyes:

[Jane Austin]

69. Nope.

I can see perfectly well who has to vent their every negative feeling every time they don't get their way.

[tyne]

2. I think this forum should just

be folded in with Free Republic.

Unfrigginbelievable.

[trof]

6. How about free discussion instead?

I worked my ass off to get the man elected.
I don't subscribe to either 'my country, right or wrong', nor 'my president, right or wrong'.
Once you've made some good faith attempts at 'bipartisanship' and the repugs keep handing your nuts to you you give that up and move on.

[ChiciB1]

11. Worked My Ass Too! Posted My Country Right Or Wrong Already...

AND all I can say right now is what I'm seeing NOW... IT SUCKS!!

I realize 1 year isn't very long, but the VERY BIG ISSUES are being copied in almost the same way as The Idiot used them!!!

Bet their laughing their ASSES OFF!!

Damn right, the BASE IS FUMING! Guess it's still Bi-Partisanship! NOT WORKING OBAMA!! Bet they'll come clamoring now!! Bet they'll even KISS YOUR ASS!!

Sorry, but I'm just so UNHAPPY, and actually totally pissed!

Who are we now, chopped liver???

[Raine]

18. I agree

I don't expect a miracle in less than a year but I'm frustrated (and starting to get mad) because I'm not even seeing movement away from the last 8 years! :-(

[Jakes Progress]

57. The "only one year" defense is dumb.

You only get four. And the last two are spent campaigning. If change is going to happen, it will happen when you have the push of an election win behind you. It will happen when you can cite the errors of the past leader as reason for change. It will happen before your opponents have time to regroup and plan a strategy.

Instead, we have hemmed and hawed for a year, made nice to the fools who created the mess, given them time to let the public start blaming us, timidly asked the very liars and whores who created the mess to please stay in power and do some more.

We are already way overdue for some "change".

[HipChick]

33. agree...its getting ridiculous now

[uponit7771]

47. +1!!!

[Moochy]

49. MOAR PUPPY THREADZ!!!111

[Jakes Progress]

54. Not really clear on the right wing/left wing thing, are you? nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I hear you, my dear trof...

And I too am disillusioned. What in God's good name happened?

He has turned towards the right-wing in ways I never would have expected.

I am very sad, and disheartened.


K&R with sorrow.

[Cha]

23. But, not in these ways..right?

babylonsister (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-24-09 07:38 PM
Response to Original message
10. 90 Accomplishments of Pres. Obama Which The Media Fails to Report....

Mail him this, and maybe everyone should read it...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/19/805925/-90...

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB

6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family

8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible

10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

16. New federal funding for science and research labs

17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect

19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

20. New funds for school construction

21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

22. US Auto industry rescue plan

23. Housing rescue plan

24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

26. US financial and banking rescue plan

27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales

39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones

43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

44. Expanding vaccination programs

45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

46. Closed offshore tax safe havens

47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals

48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices

50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

51. Lower drug costs for seniors

52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

54. Improved housing for military personnel

55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

57. Increasing student loans

58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

60. Established a new cyber security office

61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

66. Improving benefits for veterans

67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons

73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive

74. Making more loans available to small businesses

75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare

76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production

84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

86. Held first Seder in White House

87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured

88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform

90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform

[RaleighNCDUer]

28. What a do-nothing. nt

[harkadog]

29. All of these have no links and are mainly assertations

Number 78 for example is flat out wrong http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/July1Report-Draft12.pdf There are scores of WH officials who make more than 100k.

[Cha]

31. Your attempt to dismiss Pres Obama's accomplishments

is pathetic.

[harkadog]

36. I'm not dismissing anything.

I think he has made some great accomplishments. But most of the 90 listed I wouldn't include because they haven't happened yet. And the one I looked at --- #78 -- is it correct or not? Did you see the official WH link I posted? Also I wouldn't celebrate the escalation in Afghanistan like the poster did in two or three of the numbers.

[northernlights]

58. the list is very impressive...until you read it closely

#24 stimulus was more tax cuts than job creation.
#26 big bank bailout so Goldman Sucks can pay out gargantuan bonuses is not really something to brag about
#38 was part of #24, so doesn't merit its own #
#28 ended torture doesn't stand up when he is continuing rendition, which simply means that people can be scooped up and shipped overseas for other countries to do our torture for us
#57 increased student loans doesn't explain why my university just sent a bunch of us a letter telling us our stafford loans are stopping mid-program
#79 loan guarantees for Israel so they can continue to settle Palistinian territory and threaten their neighbors is not a plus in *many* of our opinions
#86 I really don't give a flying fuck that he held a seder in the white house. How does that mesh with separation of church and state? And how does that rate as an "accomplishment?"
#89 and 90 -- announcing intentions to push does not equal pushing...or actually doing something.

That's not to be said he hasn't done some individual good things. There have just been too many key things that look awfully corporatist.

[branders seine]

24. It's only been a year.

We can't judge him until month 90.















:sarcasm:

[yourguide]

38. it hasnt even been a year

it's been 10 months.

[branders seine]

51. he announced his economic team a year ago.

giving Goldman Sachs a two-month head start on fucking things up worse.

[Kermitt Gribble]

4. I wouldn't say it's a show about nothing.

The banks and health ins corps are making out like bandits.

[Dr Robert]

5. bitterness is next to filthiness

[trof]

7. Explain?

[Dr Robert]

9. it's a zen koan

[jonnyblitz]

12. aaah. woo bullshit. nt

[Dr Robert]

13. is that some kind of racial slight aimed at Asians, Jonny Utah?

"woo bullshit"

[Jim Sagle]

17. More like a zen con.

[Ikonoklast]

66. It's the Mu Koan.

[tyne]

8. IMO....

with dems like us, there's no sense in going on for 3 more years. Let's just ask him to resign and give it over to Palin and crew. No sense wasting time.

[Cha]

14. They're already handing it over to palin in 2012

From the article..

"Meanwhile, my guess is that the winner of the GOP nomination in 2012 will be the winner of the presidency that fall, just as the real contest in 2008 was to win the Democratic nomination.

My guess is that that person is now running around the country plugging her book."

Fucking bad guesser but he sure does get the left going on the whinging.

[Stinky The Clown]

44. Up your strawman

[Bluenorthwest]

48. servility is next to serfdom

Serf's up, doc.

[babylonsister]

10. 90 Accomplishments of Pres. Obama Which The Media Fails to Report....

Mail him this, and maybe everyone should read it...


http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/19/805925/-90-Accomplishments-of-Pres.-Obama-Which-The-Media-Fails-to-Report


1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB

6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family

8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible

10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

16. New federal funding for science and research labs

17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect

19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

20. New funds for school construction

21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

22. US Auto industry rescue plan

23. Housing rescue plan

24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

26. US financial and banking rescue plan

27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales

39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones

43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

44. Expanding vaccination programs

45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

46. Closed offshore tax safe havens

47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals

48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices

50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

51. Lower drug costs for seniors

52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

54. Improved housing for military personnel

55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

57. Increasing student loans

58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

60. Established a new cyber security office

61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

66. Improving benefits for veterans

67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons

73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive

74. Making more loans available to small businesses

75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare

76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production

84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

86. Held first Seder in White House

87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured

88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform

90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform

[tyne]

15. Those accomplishments mean nothing.

Dems fold like a cheap tent. They did the same thing to Clinton early in his term....and he wasn't even facing catastrophic issues.

[babylonsister]

20. They mean something to me; guess it depends on who's reading them. nt

[Cha]

16. It's like some can't read what's been accomplished..

only the whiny stuff to get them disillusioned.

[paulk]

25. not everyone thinks those "accomplishments"

are accomplishments...

for instance -

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan


And what is all this "reform" going to be? Just calling something a "reform" doesn't amount to much - with Obama's steady tilt to the right, perhaps his "reform" isn't going to be something the liberal base of the party agrees with.

Disagreeing with the direction of Obama's policy making isn't "whining", btw.

You overuse that word, and it's insulting.

[Cha]

27. You picked out one thing..BFD.

And if those on this board didn't whine so freakin' much I wouldn't have to overuse it.

[paulk]

30. what a shallow response

there were other things, but I chose the one that is currently the most relevant, and blows the largest hole in your argument.

[Cha]

32. Your response was shallow.

[paulk]

37. being that most people on this board, not to mention

large numbers of Democratic Party members question, if not oppose sending more troops to Afghanistan, listing this as an "accomplishment" seems odd.

Perhaps you could expand on how pointing this out is "shallow"?

[Jane Austin]

22. Thanks, Sis. ............. n/t

[spoony]

40. Some real stretches of the word "accomplishments" there

In addition to some nice but meaningless actions, there's a whole lot of fudging language in that list.


"Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study..."
"Ordered a review..."
"Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness.."
"Visited more countries..."
"Announced plans..."
"Beginning the process of reforming..."
"Ordered a review..."
"Many more press conferences..."
"Attempting to reform..."
"Has put the ball in play..."
"Has announced his intention..."

[RetroLounge]

46. "Held first Seder in White House"

Holy shit! No fucking wonder people think he's the messiah...

:rofl:

RL

[QC]

63. You should have seen the reaction when he healed those lepers. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

19. He got one thing right.....

about those who have "entirely lost even a remote satellite uplink to reality, and have devoted themselves to destroying Obama’s presidency at any cost".

I'm not sure why his convenient selection of New York time "Headlines" have anything to do with anything...but I guess when living in a nation full of headline readers, this is the best that one could expect.

Since this guy obviously had some point lived in this country when one could get everything one demanded of the President, I suggest he join the teabaggers, because just like him, they only have negative things to cry about, and obviously absolutely nothing to do.

[ProSense]

26. What a demeaning article

Seriously,

First, unlike Seinfeld, it bills itself as a show about something, if not everything (remember Mr. Bigtime Change from just last year?).

And, second, the nothingness of the Obama administration is not very goddam funny, thanks just the same.

Consider the following crop of headlines, all from the New York Times, and all published in just the last week alone:

“49 Million Americans Report a Lack of Food”

“N.A.A.C.P. Prods Obama on Job Losses”

First he belittles the entire Obama Presidency with that shit title "Placeholder," and then the snide remark about "Mr. Bigtime Change." Next he raises the hunger statistics? Wasn't this a report conducted through early 2008, focusing on the increase during the Bush years?

What the hell is the author disillusioned about: that Presidents can't fix everything? Seems like he's using the information to attack the Obama Presidency, snide remarks and all.

From the article:

In fairness to Obama (a sentiment which I’m finding increasingly difficult to muster up as the first year of his presidency segues into the second), many of the problems represented in the headlines catalogued above are America’s problems, not necessarily his, per se. They would, that is, have greeted any new president inaugurated last January, and lots of them are going to take years or decades to go away under the best of circumstances, assuming they ever do. But that’s also the point – he is the president, and he is supposed to be fighting to improve his country’s situation. In case after case, however, he appears instead to be sitting aloof on top of his mountain, evidently admiring his admiration. The problems aren’t necessarily of his making, but the absence of credible solutions to those problems very much is.

To be even more generous to this president, these aren’t, generally, just any random national problems that he inherited, either. They are chiefly the product of America’s insane and disastrous experiment with regressivism these last three decades. They are, in short, Reagan’s and Bush’s gift to Barack. But again, while he’s not responsible for his inheritance, he is responsible for what he does with it. And what this fool has done with it is to turn it into a Seinfeld sitcom. That is to say, nothing. He not only doesn’t identify the paternity of this bastard child for all to see, he won’t even speak up as the very same people who left him this plate of swill have the gall to blame him for it and seek the destruction of his presidency at every turn.

There is, of course, a certain profound richness to the notion of these regresso-bots critiquing Obama from the day he walked in the door. “He’s spending outrageous amounts of money!”, they fervently decry. What, you mean like the last guy did, the one who doubled the national debt from $5.5 trillion to $11 trillion? What, you mean because spending huge sums is the only possible way to clean up the economic meltdown and myriad other disasters bequeathed to him? What, because it ain’t cheap to pay for two sprawling unfinished wars, banking system rescues, a car industry gone off the cliff, unemployment insurance for millions and a drowned city?

But enough with the fairness doctrine already. These caveats don’t begin to mitigate the epic disaster of the Obama sclerosis. This guy isn’t just a deer caught in headlights, he’s Bambi on the 50 yard-line, under the klieg lights of a national stadium. He’s Mr. Bill. No, strike that. He’s Mr. Bill’s nerdy little nephew, Kirby Herbert Pollywog Bill. He’s a beetle walking across a school yard, where a hundred bored sixth-graders are standing and staring at their feet during an outdoor assembly. He’s a tenth inning hanging tired arm curve ball with an angry Babe Ruth at the plate. He’s Neville Chamberlain and Spongebob SquarePants’ love-child. Suffering from an anemic blood disorder. Republicans just live for this sort of Democrat – which is to say, nowadays, practically every Democrat. They eat them for breakfast. And, as much as I loathe Republicans – rather like I feel about, say, botulism – I mostly don’t blame them.

This article is a train wreck.

[yurbud]

34. I could see bipartisanship with Rockefeller Republicans on some issues, but the current crop is a

cross between the Manson family, HeeHaw, and the Ku Klux Klan.

[orwell]

39. Nice one-sided diatribe...

...It's nice to see that some on the left have adopted the Con's Hegelian worldview. It worked so well for them.

Some people need to politically grow up.

[kenny blankenship]

41. I really hoped he would lead. CHANGE requires bold steps, combativeness not conciliation

The establishment liked the way things were under Bush just fine. They were just miffed and puzzled that the marvelous magical money machine stopped spitting out bills, and that our glorious wars didn't seem to work out for some inscrutable reason.

Putting things "right" for that 1% bunch isn't "change". At least I hope to God that's not what he meant! All they want is the status quo ante restored. In fact you can't begin to strike out in a new direction to bring CHANGE without SERIOUSLY pissing that 1% off. You can't even talk about change without alarming them and pissing them off. They know without being told details that any "change" means less sugar for them. If you SINCERELY intend to bring change, you are going to be controversial - that is to say, you're going to be HATED by the establishment. Wishing to avoid controversy and ugly confrontations with the elite - that's a character trait or impulse you just have to jettison before you start. It can only snare you and defeat your purpose. You have to remember who it was who voted you into power and you have to make sure they are confident their enemies are yours as well. I like how this old class traitor put it:

For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.

We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace--business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred.

You can do one thing or the other: bring change to the people - or serve the master.

[OneBlueSky]

42. so who's he holding the place for? . . .

if someone like Obama can't lead to meaningful change, who does he think can? . . . or is meaningful change simply off the table as far as he's concerned? . . .

[ClarkUSA]

45. Ivory-tower keyboard pontificator Prof. Green is a genius who could so much better than Obama.

Evidently, DU is also full of anonymous keyboard pontificators who are all geniuses who
could do better than Team Obama on everything. :eyes:

[Moochy]

50. There's the rabid anti-intellectualism you are known for

You type the words "Ivory Tower" as if they were some venomous insult. Rolling eyes emoticons indeed.

[ClarkUSA]

52. So "intellectualism" = "ivory tower"? LOL! Check Webster's Dictionary before you spew again.

Did I hit a nerve? :D

[Moochy]

56. Yes, you typifiy the centrist cheerleader mentality here

How are Anti-intellectualism and the phrase "Ivory Tower" related? Gosh I guess you are not educated enough to know how they might be related.

[ClarkUSA]

61. I fall in with the 85%+ of self-identified liberals who strongly approve of our President.

Then there's the bitter 9% fringe who hate anything and everything President Obama says or does and
strongly disapproves of him as much as any freeper. :eyes:

[LooseWilly]

72. Yes, "ivory tower" = "intellectualism". It was Nixon's term for academia (intellectuals).

"... use of the term "ivory tower" often carries with it an implicit critique of academic elitism."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_elitism (It's the second portion of the first sentence... even an Anti-Intellectual such as yourself should be able to find the first sentence...)

So... I await your attempt to split hairs and assert that "academic elitism" != "intellectualism"...

[bikingaz]

67. Team Obama?. Obama is ok but the rest of the team sucks

[Beetwasher]

53. Dumbest Mutherfucking Article EVER. The Idiot Author Uses Newspaper Headlines As Evidence????

Actual substance be damned! It's all about the headlines!! Pathetic.

[wisteria]

55. He is moving on many issues that take time to resolve. And, just what did Bush do in his two terms

that was for the betterment of America?
Obama is taking his time and getting it right. Things will begin to look better next year.

[Splinter Cell]

59. A load of crap.

[and-justice-for-all]

64. Oh well, I still support Obama...

even though we have our disagreements.

[iceman66]

65. This article is a perfect illustration

of the image of Obama that the MSM is working so hard, day in and day out, to portray, and will continue to do so for the next 3 years.

The real question is, when he is up for re-election, will image trump reality?

[Skittles]

70. well it worked for him once

[boppers]

71. My opinion is important. I will write a lot about it.

I will express lots of opinions, and tell everybody exactly what my feelings are, and why others are to blame. I will discount those who point out that I'm narcissistic and self-involved as "cheerleaders".