Attacked for Thinking

[babylonsister]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2011/3/25/163522/460

Attacked for Thinking

by BooMan
Fri Mar 25th, 2011 at 04:35:22 PM EST


Well, I agree with the critique of the Republicans, anyway...

In his deliberative fashion, Obama ultimately saved countless lives in the short term, and will allow the rebels in Libya to own their revolution in the long term, if they can push ahead — a big if, of course. In the meantime, the economic and diplomatic noose will tighten around Qaddafi and the people he pays to kill on his behalf.

What Obama wanted to avoid, as he discussed during that same Russert interview, was the “messianic certainty” that led President George W. Bush to start a disastrous, trillion-dollar occupation of Iraq. In putting together an international coalition, backed by a United Nations resolution and the Arab League — all in record time — Obama also pulled off a nice bit of statecraft. And, had he used another day to reach out to Congress, there would be much less criticism at home.

Still, Republicans can’t cope with a president who tries to think before he leaps. Mitt Romney, who wakes most mornings in a groggy scramble to find his principles, faults Obama for the nuance of his Libya policy. How dare the president see shades of gray instead of black and white!

Newt Gingrich first criticized Obama for not imposing a no-fly zone, but now hits him for imposing a no-fly zone. You read that right. “I would not have intervened,” Gingrich said a few days ago. This followed a statement, barely two weeks ago, where he said he would intervene “this evening.” And he now calls the air strikes over Libya the worst foreign policy blunder in his lifetime.

Overstatement and misjudgment are Gingrich’s stock in trade — two reasons why he’ll never be president. He can always be counted on to fulminate on demand, with consistency the only casualty; the subject doesn’t matter.

The real problem for Republicans is that they are perplexed over what position to take on an issue that defies partisanship. So, Obama’s least-thoughtful critics attack him for thinking.

I still think the risk/reward ratio is way out of whack here, but I'm hoping for the best. The president does pause to think things through. That's something.

Quoted article here:

In Defense of ‘Dithering’
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/in-defense-of-dithering/?hp

[vaberella]

1. I think a few Dems have the same problem.

They don't know how to do deal with a President who thinks things through.

[treestar]

2. Exactly, Republicans just love that idea that they can just use their

"gut" and that their "faith" will see it all through. They ignore the resulting messes even, to hang onto this proposition. They are scared to think. Thinking really hurts their brains.

[Patiod]

3. It is funny to watch the pretty faces on Faux struggle with this

They don't know how to spin Japan, either.

[OhioBlue]

4. Gingrich is just becoming a clown.

You know... there were times when I could listen to him and actually understand what he was saying... and find some common ground. (Even tho I knew what a hypocrite he was for leading the impeachment while having an affair).... BUT... in recent months.. he has just shown himself to be a joke - nothing more than an opportunist. I actually used to think he had a bit of statesmen like qualities even if I disagreed with him or disliked his political games. I've been proven wrong... he is a joke.

[rasputin1952]

5. Gingrich is just about the biggest fool in the political arena I've seen in a ...

very long time. He never seems to get anything right, yet, for some obscure reason R's think he is an intellectual giant and the perfect statesman...go figure.

The worst foreign policy blunder in his, or my lifetime, was invading Iraq...a close second to not getting bin Laden. As far as domestic policy goes, Gingrich was the lead behind the worst domestic blunder of his or my lifetime, to wit, allowing the government to shut down to "prove a point". That little gem set the stage for his ouster from the House under less than honorable conditions. This leaves a close second, impeaching president Clinton...when there was no chance of a conviction in the Senate. The amount of time, energy and cash used in that clown show was incredible...and it cost Gingrich and the R's a great deal of damage. The only place R's had to go after that was farther to the right, which in turn led to the creation of Teabaggers, thanks Newt.

PO is indeed a thinker, something we can all agree bush was not. President Obama may not know all of the political ropes, but that is a good thing, as he is not as entrenched as others and leaves some flexibility. He could have accomplished more by now, especially on the domestic front, but being left a horrific mess by the previous goat herder, I knew he could not produce on everything we expected or wanted. The one thing I can say is that progress has been made in spite of the GOP. Congress moves in spurts and sputters, what we perceive as important means little to the congressional body as a whole; the only thing we can do is keep pressure on our congresscritters to get things done, until the next election.

When I think of the alternative...I realize just where we could have been...it helps to clarify, at least to me, that PO is by far the better choice than anything the GOP can fetch from the veggie bin.

[certainot]

6. explaining messianic certainty:

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

[StarsInHerHair]

7. the Right is so unhinged it's always 'against' whatever Obama is 'for', no matter

what, apparently...........don't ask how low they'll go, like W they'll just plummet past you.......