Everyone who voted for President Obama knew or should have known that he was a gracious person and

[Pirate Smile]

usually granted his opponents a generosity of motive that they don't deserve but he gives. It is his nature and personality.

NOBODY should be surprised when he acts like we knew he was before he was elected.

His basic kind nature is not going to change so stop expecting or requiring that it does.

We don't have to act the same way.

It seems futile to keep ragging on him for being who he is.

Just My Opinion...

[Lindsey]

1. Absolutey agree. Thank you Pirate Smile for the post. n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

2. You'll be hard pressed to find a classier guy than Pres. Obama.

[Clio the Leo]

3. Exactly. nt

[TheKentuckian]

4. If his personality precludes the truth and accountability for lying traitors then he is

in a position that is 'above his pay grade'.

His "generosity of spirit" seems only applicable to right wing criminals and corporate raiders. Regular folks go to jail and good and decent civil servants are shitcanned without question.

Where is the charity for those further down the ladder?

[glitch]

8. +Graciousness to evil is not an attribute one should admire. nt

[OrwellwasRight]

12. And where's the graciousness to "fucking retards" (like me) and other liberals?

Shouldn't true graciousness be extended in all directions? Seriously. I'm not being facetious.

[boppers]

13. Barack Obama and Rahm Emmanuel are different people

HTH, HAND.

[OrwellwasRight]

17. Sure, and one works for the other. Where does the buck stop?

Obama neither sanctioned Emanuel nor made him apologize to liberals (only to actual "retarded," that is, developmentally disabled, people).

Obama neither sanctioned Gibbs nor made him apologize for his similar insult.

So your point is taken but neither disproves mine nor addresses my question.

But thanks for whatever insult you meant by "HTH, HAND."

[boppers]

23. I don't think apologies from Obama are needed.

I don't think democratic candidates should ever run vicious smear campaigns against other democratic candidates (Rahm's wording was more succinct), nor do I think that we should demolish the Pentagon and eliminate Union run health plans (Gibbs' point).

Of course, the targets of the comments made by each are more than happy to deflect from the issues themselves, and make it about the wording, mostly because it's easier to be outraged over wording than defend and discuss their positions.

So, would you like an apology because you think it's fine to smear democrats? Because you want to eliminate the Pentagon? Because you want to eliminate Union run health care plans?

[OrwellwasRight]

34. I'm not sure what you are talking about.

a) Try reading my post. I said Obama should have made his staff apologize or sanction them. I did not demand his apology.

b) Rahm and Gibbs both smeared Democrats; that's what I am angry about; so, NO, I don't think it is fine.

c) You certainly missed both the actual words and the meaning of Gibbs's insults. He said:

"Those people ought to be drug tested,” Gibbs said. “I mean, it’s crazy.”
The press secretary dismissed the “professional left” in terms very similar to those used by their opponents on the ideological right, saying, “They will be satisfied when we have Canadian healthcare and we’ve eliminated the Pentagon. That’s not reality.”

Of those who complain that Obama caved to centrists on issues such as healthcare reform, Gibbs said: “They wouldn’t be satisfied if Dennis Kucinich was president.”

Source: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/113431-white-house-unloads-on-professional-left


1. These comments have nothing to do with eliminating union-run health plans, so I don't even know what you mean by your reference to that.
2. The "Professional Left" neither wants the Pentagon to be abolished nor Kucinich to be President. That is why it is insulting (well beyond being called crazy and accused of being on drugs). It is an exaggeration of what we stand for and have asked for. We have made legitimate criticisms of the President for his let-downs and failures to live up to his campaign promises, none of which involve abolishing the Pentagon or abdicating in favor of Kucinich. But pretending that we are asking for the moon diminishes our real concerns, paints us as unreasonable, and that is what is insulting.


Finally, as to your comment that we'd rather discuss the wording and not the issues because that is easier, your post proves that is untrue. I'm not even sure where you're going. But I'd rather discuss Obama's broken promises to:

reform US trade policy, including improving NAFTA and the investment chapters of all of our FTAs (he hasn't; instead he is pushing the Korea FTA)
abolish don't ask don't tell (he hasn't)
close Guantanamo (he folded in the face of Republican fear mongering about "terrorists" on US soil)
restore civil liberties (instead he asked Congress to renew the USA PATRIOT Act)


Beyond broken promises, his performance has been disappointing in that:
his health bill was a sell out to private insurers - he didn't step in and use his bully pulpit to get the Senate in line, instead he let the bill almost die
he has appointed moderates to the bench, moving it farther to the right as old guard liberals die off and are replaced by mods so there are no liberals on the court
he didn't get involved in the original stimulus bill and make it better
he has taken no action on verified voting
no action on Employee Free Choice Act
no action on employee misclassification
etc.

Do you see that none of these involve an ask for the elimination of the Pentagon, the imposition of Canadian heathcare, or Dennis Kucinich? Or do you just want to call more names like Gibby and Rahm resort to instead of debating the issues?

[boppers]

62. Well, your post proves you're willing to discuss.

So, kudos.

"1. These comments have nothing to do with eliminating union-run health plans, so I don't even know what you mean by your reference to that."

If you want single-payer, with no private plans, you eliminate union-run plans.

"2. The "Professional Left" neither wants the Pentagon to be abolished nor Kucinich to be President."

You are disagreeing with his definition of the group, and then insisting you are part of the group offended?

That's odd.

Are you upset that you weren't part of the group?

[Name removed]

98. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

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[boppers]

63. By the lines:

"Smearing is not running a primary opponent for opposing and obstructing desired and beneficial policy or calling them on their position."

So, swiftboating is fine by you. Gotcha.

"Wanting single payer is not an effort to destroy union health plans (though taxing benefits sure is)."

Single payer = no union payer.

"Virtually no one has ever called for "demolishing the Pentagon", that one isn't even a twist just a baldfaced lie."

I have, as have many other 'no standing army' pacifists.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

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[boppers]

68. Well, you question my intellect, that's good.

If you can't question why Rahm was right about democrats swiftboating each other, his words suffice.

Why do you question my honesty, though?

[TheKentuckian]

70. Well, first he didn't say that and second you don't understand what swiftboating is.

Nobody lied on Blanche and you know it.

So, let's start with what you are asserting as swiftboating. What lies about Democrats were told by Move on or FDL in relation to this situation.

[boppers]

72. If you consider FDL to be honest, there's no reason to keep talking.

There's no point.

[TheKentuckian]

74. I didn't assert one way or the other but I notice you can't respond to the factual matter

of your swiftboating accusation.

[boppers]

99. In Rahms terms:

Is "swiftboating" others in your party a good idea, or not.

It's not a complex issue.

Yes or no.

[TheKentuckian]

19. Because it is way phony and just some old bullshit to spout off to excuse craven behavior

[FrenchieCat]

22. Holding a grudge against Rahm describing a particular advertising campaign

by Move-On shouldn't be an actual goal. :shrug:

President Obama has been called a lot of things by many on the Right,
but also by many on the Left for quite some time....by the Left called
a coward, a wimp, "owned", a Corporatist, etc., etc., etc....

I don't see his panties in a knot about all that he's been called out of his name...
....instead he indeed does appear to be gracious to all of those who
enjoy calling him all sorts of names all of the time.

[OrwellwasRight]

28. It's not about holding a grudge. It's about:

a) being a grown-up (Obama should not tolerate such juvenile name-calling by his staff); and
b) being politically smart (Obama's staff should not insult the very people they rely on for volunteer time, yard signs, word of mouth, blogging, and donations to win elections.

Moreover, your comparison is inapt. Of course public figures must be above "getting their panties in a knot" every time they are insulted. Otherwise they could not do their jobs.

Rank and file Democrats who worked their asses off to get this guy elected are not public figures and do not hold themselves out for ridicule as public figures do. Ridiculing them doesn't accomplish anything but diminishing re-election chances.

So you can write it off as "holding a grudge" or you can think about it more strategically and consider that it was a mistake for Obama to let Rahm get away with it and not require him to apologize to the party loyalists he insulted.

Obviously, you've chosen #1.

[FrenchieCat]

46. Holding a grudge about a criticism of an advertising strategy

is neither politically smart nor particularily grown up.

I am a rank and file Democrat who helped elect this President.....
and even as a member of Move-On, I didn't conveniently confuse
what was said in order to make it sound worse, so that I could
milk it for all that it was worth from then till forever in the future.

[jenmito]

31. Rahm did not call anyone "fu****' retards." He called the STRATEGY "fu****' retarded." n/t

[OrwellwasRight]

35. You know what? It's all OK then.

Call my way of thinking fucking retarded. That's not insulting at all. You're right. Thanks for clarifying. :-)

[jenmito]

39. It was criticism of a specific strategy. That's far different from what you originally said. n/t

[OrwellwasRight]

40. It's not.

It's a childish insult that turned off many liberal activists. Part of what has become a pattern of dismissive and rude behavior to the party's liberal base. And Obama should have done something about it when both Emanuel's and Gibbs's insults were made public. It's what a responsible manager and a strategic thinker would have done. Instead he's trying to court right wing votes (which he won't get) by proving how disdainful he can be to the left. And he is going to get a low turn out because Dems are no longer excited to be Dems. Sad.

[FrenchieCat]

49. Folks who don't turn out because of this statement by Rham or by Gibbs

weren't ever really interested in the politics of this country.....
or the welfare of any of its citizens.

In fact, I daresay, what they are interested in is as far from
politics or specific issues as one can get.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

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[phleshdef]

58. Yea thats right, Tap into that righteous anger and let the racism fucking flow!

And you are actually accusing someone of being haughty? Thats a big glass ass house you got there.

[TheKentuckian]

65. What racism? I'm as black as she and the President and come from slaves not across the seas

You can sit and spin but judging how you jumped in with that cop out, I assume you are far to lazy to do so.

[phleshdef]

101. Oh, so if you are black too, that gives you an open license to denigrate other black Americans...

...who support the President and claim its just because he is black. And now you denigrate the authenticity of their "blackness" because they didn't come from slaves, which is another type of racism altogether. Fuck that nonsense. If there was such a thing as an African American card, you should have it fucking revoked, shredded and burned right in your fucking face.

You assault other people's patriotism just because they don't buy into your self righteous playing of an ultra-liberal on the internet, and yes, I said PLAYING ONE. You've exposed yourself wide open with your bigotry.

[FrenchieCat]

59. Racist, sexist, anti-immigrant personal attacks shouldn't win you any brownie points.

So like I was saying before you got totally out of line.....
and broke all of the DU rules of civility....

Folks who don't turn out because of statements made by Rham or by Gibbs
weren't ever really interested in the politics of this country.....
or the welfare of any of its citizens.

In fact, I daresay, what they are interested in is as far from
politics or specific issues as one can get.

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

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[FrenchieCat]

77. The Sexism & Racism is you determining that I only support this President

because you believe him to be a good looking Black Man, since you obviously think this is the case. See, I know a lot of good looking Black men, and none of them have my support because they are that. My husband is a good looking Black man, and so is my brother, and so are many people that I know; some whom I love (like my family members), some who I admire for the good that they do, and some whom I don't like. In fact, there are Black men out there who belong to the Republican party, and gather with the teabaggers and who hate on Barack Obama daily...and I don't support them or what they are doing. So why would Pres. Obama have to be Black or good looking in order for me to support him?

And what does me coming here from elsewhere and when I got into politics have anything to do with anything? That Anti-immigrant talk, and elitist talk.

Then you call me lazy and a liar? That's just plain name calling.

As for what is well known.......what is well known is that you have
broken DU rules in order to tell me, someone who you do not know....off.

You got real personal, and your excuse is that somehow you say you are "as" Black as me and the President? That's no reason; just cheap name calling and vile personal attacks directed at me because you're pissed. The fact is that you are not pissed at me, because I haven't done anything to you other than the fact that I don't share most of your views. On a political forum, that's no reason to personally attack someone by attempting to denigrate them in the way that you have.

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

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[FrenchieCat]

87. So fucking put me on ignore.......

cause anyone that "bothers" me as much as I do you,
that's what I've done to them.
That's why DU has this feature....
so that folks don't have to get too irritated,
to the point where they start lashing out at folks just
because those folks don't agree with everything they've got to say.

Just so that we are straight on this,
You ain't the Blog Police.
You don't get to arrest me,
or break all of the rules
because you feel justified
to put me in my place....
and I don't care what color you are.

Barack Obama is a Black man,
and many folks have issues with that.
You can deny it....but it would still be true.

As for what I care about.....Why should it matter to you?
I care about a lot of things...but who made you my fucking daddy?
Why do I have to answer to you? I'm just one poster. Why do you
believe yourself to be the decider of what's important to me?

and I will repeat what I said that made you go off on me this time around...
here in this thread, and understand that it had nothing to do with race....
except for maybe in your mind.

Folks who don't turn out because of this statement by Rham or by Gibbs
weren't ever really interested in the politics of this country.....
or the welfare of any of its citizens.

In fact, I daresay, what they are interested in is as far from
politics or specific issues as one can get.

I stand by that.

and You can stand by your race baiting accusations of me if
that helps you in anyway. A link would be good though....
as I'd like to see what folks call "playing the race card" these days.
I know Black folks are often accused of this, so it would be good to know
what it consists of exactly. Usually, this is and accusation used when some folks are called on the carpet for their unhealthy hatred of everything that this administration does no matter what it is. Especially those same folks didn't have any real problems with much of what the Clinton administration did.....or at least, who were willing to defend Bill Clinton when he was under constant attacks by the Right Wing (the way Obama is attacked now).

Hope it all made you feel real good and superior like....
cause that shit has got to be important to you....
considering the many rules you broke just to be able to
tell me about myself (or so you think).

[TheKentuckian]

96. What does someone that would be done with politics and this country about Obama's prospects

care about this country or it's welfare?

Some of us love our people and this land we have deep roots in regardless of a personality. They fucking come and they fucking go but we remain and must deal with what is left us.

No question plenty have a problem with Obama's race but your catch all accusation won't fly. If someone is being racist, sexist, or any other bigot then I'll call them on it as I see fit.
That includes Democrats but just because someone is critical of Obama it does not make them a pig but you are quick to make that leap and you need to be called on it.

You have no special right to determine how critical anyone is of Obama can be without hating black folks.
I supported the man and have issues so it is no leap for me to believe others legitimately feel similarly with no malice toward his heritage.

I have no need to feel superior, I'm not motivated by such trivial matters.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

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[TheKentuckian]

67. What bigoted language? Just a tired fake accusation for when the well is dry.

[Number23]

71. Nothing fake about it

But judging the manner in which you conduct yourself all over this site, I'm not surprised that you see nothing wrong with your psychotic behavior. I hope the high fives from your teabagging buddies are worth the complete fool you make out of yourself every day.

And love the new "I'm as black as Obama" angle you've taken. Very convincing.

[TheKentuckian]

73. Certainly the case and I could care less if you are convinced or not

I've been doing it for decades without any question other than "wut color are you?" and "who's white your mama or your daddy?".

I also have enough Cherokee to qualify too, if you are curious.

One of my great grandfathers was Jewish and came over from Russia as well.

I'm as melting pot as they come but my father is black and my mother qualifies as white though she is a quarter Jew and a quarter native.

My story is only possible in America, I reckon and I'm proud of all my heritage and claim it all by birth right.

[FrenchieCat]

75. And how does that give you the right to break DU rules?

The fact that you say you are Black-White-Cherokee-Russian-Jewish and a descendent of American Slaves doesn't give you the right to break DU rules
with your vile personal attacks. I've been suspended from DU for much less than what you have said about me in this thread. What makes you that special?

[Number23]

79. The right wing are the main ones concerned with "where" the black comes from

as in "are they black from here or from somewhere else" as if a black person from Africa or the Caribbean has got it so much better or are so much different than black folks that are "descended from slaves." As if that cab driver's gonna say, "hey! That black person's looks as though they're from Aruba, not from here! Even though it's 2 am, let me pull my cab over and get'em..."

I thought it was the height of stupidity when folks from the right wing say this kind of foolishness. To hear it from someone who claims to be a bi-racial person from the "left" is just simply -- wow. If anyone should know how pointless and asinine this type of argument is, it's them.

[TheKentuckian]

81. I'm just saying my roots are here and that my people built this land. I don't need

any Johnny come lately folks telling me shit about being black in this country nor instructions from someone claiming to be white telling me about folks from somewhere else and slave stock.

[Number23]

85. No one has told you "about being black in this country"

Your comment makes absolutely no sense -- and I get the feeling that this is something that you get alot here.

Frenchiecat wasn't even responding to you when you attacked her. No one was talking to you or even talking about being black. So your statement that you don't need anyone telling you "shit about being black in this country" is just something you're pulling out of your ass. The question is why.

And look, we know that you guys spend alot of time trashing Frenchie at your other playground. And if that's how you want to spend your time, that's cool. But you need to be smart enough to a) know when you're being played -- and you are -- and b) respond only to what's actually being said here and try to keep the vileness from there out of these threads.

[Name removed]

94. Deleted message

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[Number23]

95. Well, you cleaned yourself up for a minute

But now you're right back to being full of shit. This whole post is indicative of the kind of BS that you fling routinely around this site.

I am no member of any "mob" and I'm not obsessed with any other web site, but I see the way that Frenchie and a few others are slimed -- of course, far from where they are actually able to defend themselves -- at other sites. The way you responded to Frenchie had absolutely nothing to do with her post in this thread. It's almost as if the rants that you and YOUR little mob post elsewhere have permeated your brain so thoroughly that you are seeing posts from there in your head and thinking you're seeing them here. You're not.

And it's so telling to me that many of you claim that most of "us" (whoever "us" is) are so laughable or easy to deal with, yet you have to run to another web site(s) to actually deal with "us" when "we're" (whoever "we" is) are all right here. What is that all about?? But now I've just remembered that I don't care. You and that "multi-ethnic" family of yours take good care of yourselves, okay?? I've made my point and now it's time to put my precious babies to bed.

[FrenchieCat]

88. So this is about your Black being better than someone else's Black?

That's very sad for you.

[TheKentuckian]

91. Nobody is any better than anyone based on genetics.

[Name removed]

80. Deleted message

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[FrenchieCat]

86. You belong to that site where you guys talk about DU folks there all of the time....

In fact, some might call it an unhealthy obsession even.
Guess they don't like folks that disagree with their views.....
and that's too bad. Guess you'll be going back to brag how you put my black ass in my place.......That should make you the main man there! Glad for you! Have a cookie! :applause:

As for race.....Obama is Black and that is an issue for many.....
and the reason that some disrespect him.....and not all are Republicans.
You want to believe otherwise, go for it.

As for me using Race as a shield......a shield from what?
You've called me lazy, a liar and a bully, amongs other things.....and you are not the first. So how is that working for me? I've been called a Homophobe here and a whole lot of other names....and yet, I have never accused anyone of using their minority status as a shield...till now, in response to your accusations.....cause you saying you are Black or bi-racial or whatever.....
Do you think that give you the right to call me anything you feel like it? Cause that would seem so.
Why would that be?
Using a shield, are you?

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

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[FrenchieCat]

92. I think you have a problem.

and it will have to remain your problem, my brother.

I will continue to do what I've been doing for the 7 years I have been
a member of DU....
supporting the Democratic party and trying to get the best ones that I can
get elected and re-elected, and opposing the Republican party and
what their plans are for our future in the halls of politics.....
and responding to propaganda coming from the right and at times parts of the Left, and the media.

I'm tired of folks making shit up and running with it.
I'm tired of hearing about a "cat food commission" based on nothing but rumors....and what one person said......
and I'm tired of those who didn't listen to Obama when he was running,
and decided perhaps because of the color of his skin that he was something that he didn't really claim to be, and now they are mad when they actually knew that he wasn't going to go after Bush, or end Afghanistan right away, or nationalize the banks, or close down all of the oil companies, etc., etc....

and of course, it goes without saying that you should do as you wish,
and if policing the internet and denigrading a few Black folks along the way....that in your opinion and the opinions of your friends at that hate site are using the "race card" to support the Democratic President, and yet same folks have little to say to the racist ass teabaggers...
than all I can say is happy hunting!

See Ya! :hi:

[Number23]

76. Your heritage is wonderful and beautiful.

Your behavior on this site is disgusting. I take comfort in the hope that your idiotic, completely deranged and over the top behavior here is an online persona only.

I don't know which parent of yours is the "black" one, but I bet that if you showed your ass with them the same way that you do with all of us, you'd be pulling a foot out of it.

[FrenchieCat]

78. Don't we call that good home training, ....Number23?

Some folks got that, and some folks didn't.

[OrwellwasRight]

102. I'm glad you know everything about every activist in the country.

You must be really smart!

[Radical Activist]

69. Truly, all is lost.

[elleng]

5. YES! Thank you!

:hi:

[jaxx]

6. I wouldn't want him to change.

There are enough crumbs out there, he stands out as not being one of them.

[earthside]

7. Like he was 'gracious' to Van Jones ...

... ACORN, Shirley Sherrod, the "professional left"?

Oh, I get it ... he's 'gracious' to Republicans.

[robinlynne]

9. bingo.

[FrenchieCat]

11. President Obama was not the Congress that cut Acorn's funding,

nor was he the one who fired Shirley Sherrod,
nor are you part of the Professional Left,
although perhaps you'd like to be.....
and Van Jones seems to be less troubled than you are
when it comes to this President.

In otherwords, your post is filled with nothing....
beyond bumper sticker epithats shouted at this President
at best.....and to me, not much of an improvement over
the Right Wing who also like to blame Obama for everything
they can think up of cause they simply dislike him.

[firedupdem]

15. +100. Well Said n/t

[OrwellwasRight]

21. Not exactly. Vilsack is an "agent"

of the "principal" Obama. Vilsack's actions "are" Obama's actions, just as are the actions of other Administration appointees. So Obama is responsible for Shirley Sherrod's firing. It happened under his watch, by his appointee. He didn't stop it, rescind it, or punish Vilsack for doing it.

Also, I posit that, unless you know what other posters do for a living, or what websites they run in their spare time, you can't be sure that they aren't members of the "Professional Left."

[FrenchieCat]

24. Obama is responsible for everything........

nothing new here. The Right Wing says the same thing...they just use
different words.

[OrwellwasRight]

36. Some leaders are pleased to be responsible for their staff.

[earthside]

32. Oh.

So, Pres. Obama is the latest version of the 'Teflon President' ... he isn't responsible for what happens in his own administration?

Your post, consequently, is just another bunch of excuses -- because he's your guy.
Who really sounds like a Repuglican?

[boppers]

18. Yes, Obama was personally responsible for all of that.

He's also too gracious to global warming, homeless people, and starving kittens.

[Skittles]

10. again I ask you

when will he realize this approach is NOT WORKING?

[Pirate Smile]

16. LOL. It's not an approach.

[Skittles]

25. it sucks, whatever it is

[jefferson_dem]

38. Your attitude in a nutshell.

Do you feel proud?

[Pirate Smile]

43. I know you don't like it. All I'm saying is that the man is who he is.

It is not going to change.

[firedupdem]

14. I agree...

That's just it, those that hate him, hate him for who he is. They will rag on him forever.

[Mojorabbit]

29. He had more fight in him

and was not unafraid of calling people out during his campaign so I totally disagree with the op.

[ipaint]

20. He's so gracious he rewarded some of the architects of this massive financial crisis

key positions in his administration. His generosity and ability to ignore the past is astounding.

Must be nice to live in a world where crony capitalism rules and there really aren't any of those silly messy crimes that can't be generously overlooked.

[FrenchieCat]

27. More negative bumper sticker talk against this President....

and considering that the pile-on name calling continues short of
two months prior to the election (and it started prior to inauguration),
far as I'm concerned, those who have nothing but negativity to offer at all times are part of the problem....in where not only will they indirectly help crony capitalism continue to rule as much as the President they accuse, but they will have assisted in giving back to the Republicans exactly what the Republicans wanted.

[ipaint]

33. Then you have a big problem because most people have gotten past the worship phase.

The road to change isn't the same one the status quo is taking and more and more people who were looking for a real change in direction are understanding they've been duped.

Nothing economically is going to change until the financial system and the administration is purged of the elite criminals behind the collapse and the too big to fail are broken up. Until then the economy will only get worse.

Wait until 2014 when unemployment is still way too high, ins. prices have risen astronomically and the mandates kick in. Adequate subsidies- a dream. You haven't begun to see negativity yet.

The rot at the center of our financial institutions will take Obama down if he doesn't take them down first. Unfortunately 300 million+ Americans, the majority of which have no real wealth, are along for the ride.

Some of us see what's happening and some prefer the myth, the promise, the award winning advertising campaign.

[FrenchieCat]

51. The myth was that somehow Obama was going to turn the United States Upside down...

Some really believed that shit. Of course, Teabaggers still believe it...while some folks on the Left believe that someone else on the Left will magically do it in Obama can't or won't. However, there is not going to be even one candidate on the Left with a chance of winning that will turn the status quo on its head, in 2012 or 2016....but Keep believing that myth, and keep working to hand this congress to Republicans. Self fullfilling prophecies certainly can come true, except for the ones with happy endings.

[ipaint]

110. What the fuck are you talking about.

Did you mean to reply to me because your post isn't responding to anything I said.
If you are replying to me I have no way of translating that sloppy gibberish into something understandable.

[wisteria]

26. I understand that, but the press is making his acknowledgment of Bush sound like he was

praising him for being right and the President was eating humble pie for being wrong. The President should have known this would happen. Why not say nothing at all about Bush? This isn't going to bring the Beckies, or the Palin followers over to our side, nor will they even claim this was a gracious statement. Instead, they will blow it all out of proportion and claim President Obama now says Bush was right. I am behind our President, but it seems he has lost his way.

[Hekate]

93. We know the media distorts. We know the RW will never be won over. Obama knows this too

To "say nothing at all about Bush" as you suggested would be an open invitation to every disaffected Dem on this board and in the media to call him a coward, and an open invitation to every wingnut in the media and in the universe to call him worse than that.

Well, scroom. They won't change.

Obama knows this, but he keeps on keeping on, getting one thing after another DONE. That's why it is vitally important for US to see that the truth gets spoken in LTTEs, on this board, in emails to your local news station and to national news organizations as well.

Why do I know this can work? Because in at least one instance -- my local news station -- it did. A number of years ago, irked by one anchorwoman's consistent anti-choice position when reading news and doing interviews, I started phoning their viewer comment line every single time I caught her at it. I wasn't rude or mean, I simply stated over and over that the local Planned Parenthood affiliate offers a wide range of programs, including prenatal care, teen and adult education, etc etc, and that abortions were only about 5% of what they did. And I asked that she at least pretend to be objective. Finally, she changed.

The media are the ones who need to be called to account. Imagine if the media were consistently bombarded by thousands of progressive/liberal/Democratic viewers and readers who consulted Politifact.com's Obameter for accurate info on which campaign promises have been kept, which are in the works, which have been stalled, and which have been broken.

Hekate

[grasswire]

30. I'm sorry, but your post makes me want to puke.

There is nothing I admire more than an unfailingly generous and compassionate person with a kind nature.

That kind of person does not belong in the WH, as Commander In Chief and de facto head of the political party that represents the interests (allegedly) of working people.

We are in the fight of our lives, for our very existence as a democracy. Millions of people are dead or suffering because of the illegal and/or unconstitutional attacks by George W. Bush and his ilk.

WHY would any American want UNMERITED civility and forgiveness of crimes against humanity and against the state to be the overriding characteristic of the man in charge? Why would it even be thought admirable?

Why is it that no one can speak the truth about the crimes of the past administration? It's very sick and twisted and akin to a the pathology of a totalitarian society.

[jefferson_dem]

37. Those who complain about his show of class tonight sound absolutely childish.

No need to rationalize with that.

[grasswire]

41. tell it to the families of the dead and wounded (eom)

[jefferson_dem]

44. Tell them that I disagree with the petty malcontents...

who are complaining about Obama saying a nice word or two about his predecessor?

Good grief... Do you realize how *small* you sound?

[paulk]

47. he's saying "nice things" about a guy who started an illegal war

that's no "small" thing...

[TheKentuckian]

61. Bush should be rotting under a prison. If you don't get that people want blood not praise

then you might have been asleep for the past decade or sympathetic to him.

Small? Well, whooptie fuck do. I can be an ass for all my days and not be as small as that piece of shit.

You act like this was Kennedy giving a little praise to Ike or something.

Small, fucking absurd.

[w4rma]

42. It's too bad he doesn't grant his friends the same generosity of motive.

Or maybe he does and progressives are his real enemy?

[FrenchieCat]

45. The enemies are those that literally worked hard to make sure

Republicans take back congress, and have been working at it
ever since election day.

[grasswire]

52. you know what?

It is possible to be very critical of Obama's policies AND at the same time support Democratic candidates.

[FrenchieCat]

53. Look on these boards and tell me who those people are,

cause I don't see any.

I only see those who are consistently overly critical of everything this President and most elected Democrats say and do, and in fact take much glee in jumping deep into the pile-on propaganda that the media and the GOP have been building over the past 19 months.....even two months before a crucial elections.

Elections that will dictate a whole lot about how much progress we won't achieve for us or for future generations.

Folks can think this is fun and cool to have one foot stuck up Democrat's asses going back months, until the unemployed stop getting their benefits, and a host of other nighmarish things happen. Then, it won't seem
so fun and principled anymore....but by then it will be too late.

[Bluenorthwest]

107. My Democratic candidates are critical of Obama

and he is critical of them. Part of how we will elect them here is that they will not be seen as Obama simulacrums, but as those who tried to get him to deliver.
Every elected official in a partisan office who represents me is a Democrat, all of them. In our Primary in 08, we delivered our electoral votes to Obama. You can not say either thing. I suggest that your methods do not really deliver that which you claim as objective, at least not as well as mine do.
CA went to Clinton, passed Prop 8 and picked Arnold, twice. All I hope is that CA Democrats will get up and do that which they have been negligent in doing. Which is working to elect Democrats, then electing them.

[depakid]

48. Which is why he was EXACTLY the wrong type of person for the job

Might have been different in 1984 or 1988. Maybe even 1992.

But not in today's political, cultural and economic climate.

[dave29]

54. so who exactly is the right kind of person for the job?

:hi:

[depakid]

56. Not someone who's overly conciliatory and conflict averse, to be sure

but then, that's looking at the pragmatic realpolitik view, not the idealistic fantasy of "we can all work together to better the country with Republicans who want nothing more than to destroy us."

[Hekate]

83. From your new perch across the seas, can you please explain who would be?

And I am very curious to know how a Barack Obama would have been the right type of person for the job in 1984, 1988, or 1992.

Thank you.

[Radical Activist]

50. I guess that's what we're supposed to be outraged about instead of

discussing the meaningful content of the speech. It reminds of "ZOMG HE SAID TO PRAY?!?!!??!"

[Hekate]

84. Nice post. Accurate too. Glad to kick and rec.

:hi:

edited to add: Hope you wore your piratical flame suit.

[CreekDog]

90. ask Alan Simpson how gracious Obama is

then ask a schoolteacher.

:rant:

[w4rma]

97. Yup. Teachers' unions worked hard to get Obama elected, but Obama has *not* treated them graciously.

This OP is a load of BS.

[secondwind]

100. K&R a thousand times over! Let's give this man a break.

[WI_DEM]

103. It's one of the reasons he won.

[EffieBlack]

104. Exactly right. he's also a student of history w/an exceptional perspective

on the long-term big picture.

He surely knows that Bush and is administration now belong to history and history will deal with them appropriately. Publicly flogging them during a speech is not going to affect that one iota and will only make this President appear petty and mean.

[Bluenorthwest]

105. So where is his gracious nature on civil rights?

I mean if he can be 'gracious' about war crimes and thousands killed, that is not what I call gracious anyway, I call that being the clean up crew for killers and liars. Helping liars lie is not polite. It is in fact, wrong, and according to the religion Obama uses against gay people, it is very wrong indeed.
Leonardo DaVinci said "He who does not punish evil commands it to occur."

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

106. He's in this for the long haul...

Throughout his campaign, he's said that he wants to reach out to Democrats and Republicans to find consensus solutions. Right now, there's not a lot of reaching going on by the GOP, but Obama is not going to burn any bridges. It may be that in 2017, the political tide has turned and that moderates within the Republican Party can stage a comeback.

People born fewer than fifty years ago might find this hard to believe, but there was a time with Republicans and Democrats could work together. It wasn't always a political civil war.

[Steely_Dan]

108. You Are Exactly Right...

Unfortunately, what we needed was a fighter.

[avaistheone1]

109. Obama is gracious to war criminal George W. Bush, and is obnoxious to progressives!

Let the Obama gracious myth die, it is sooooooo full of holes.

[NJmaverick]

111. K & R!

[Bobbie Jo]

112. Recommended.

Class act, indeed.