Sparing Obama Criticism Isn't Doing Him (or Us) Any Favors

RolandTD20Kdrummer

http://www.alternet.org/story/106828/sparing_obama_criticism_isn%27t_doing_him_(or_us)_any_favors/?page=entire

"It's a natural reaction -- and certainly a commonplace media reaction at the moment -- to want to give Barack Obama a "chance." Back off those critical comments, people now say. Fair's fair. Give the President-elect a little "breathing space." After all, the election is barely over, he's not even in office, he hasn't had his first 100 days, and already the criticism has begun.

But those who say this don't understand Washington -- or, in the case of various media figures and pundits, perhaps understand it all too well.

Political Washington is a conspiracy -- in the original sense of the word: "to breathe the same air." In that sense, there is no air in Washington that isn't stale enough to choke a president. Send Obama there alone, give him that "breathing space," don't start demanding the quick ending of wars or anything else, and you're not doing him, or the American people, any favors. Quite the opposite, you're consigning him to suffocation.

Leave Obama to them and he'll break your heart. If you do, then blame yourself, not him; but better than blaming anyone, pitch your own tent on the public commons and make some noise. Let him know that Washington's isn't the only consensus around, that Americans really do want our troops to come home, that we actually are looking for "change we can believe in," which would include a less weaponised, less imperial American world, based on a reinvigorated idea of defense, not aggression, and on the Constitution, not leftover Rumsfeld rules or a bogus Global War on Terror."

Anon

So you going to pitch your own tent on the public commons and make some noise?

Actions speak louder than words...

RolandTD20Kdrummer

Pj_Gurl wrote:

So you going to pitch your own tent on the public commons and make some noise?

Actions speak louder than words...

Definitely. How bout you?

Anon

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

Definitely. How bout you?

Absolutely..

Strangest Tribe

The Election's over...most people are sick of it...come back in January and blast away....otherwise all criticism at this point just smells of sour grapes....

RolandTD20Kdrummer

Strangest Tribe wrote:

The Election's over...most people are sick of it...come back in January and blast away....otherwise all criticism at this point just smells of sour grapes....

So what if it smells like sour grapes to some people?

Who cares. Boohoo for them.

After reading the article ask yourself...what's more important? There's no point in unplugging right now....that's a big mistake.

In any event. It's here..the change thing is starting now. The cards are being dealt and the game is about to begin....it's not time for a nap.

Urban Hiker

When so much is at stake, there is no time for rest.

We've seen what happens when we look the other way.

CitizenRick

Dude...you have such a hard-on for PRESIDENT ELECT Obama's failure.

Why can't you just be hopefull like MOST of the rest of us? Go ahead and call me a sheep...but I gaurantee you I'm at least on par with your political knowledge.

This man inspires other around him...bitch and moan when it's proven otherwise.

SundaySilence

"I agree with you, now go out and make me do it"

FDR

Abuskedti

A major goal in turning around a troubled economy is to restore consumer confidence.

Today, most of America has great confidence in President Elect Obama.

If the Republicans and other haters love America, they would work to reinforce this confidence to help the wheels of the economy build some momentum.

NOCODE#1

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

http://www.alternet.org/story/106828/sparing_obama_criticism_isn%27t_doing_him_(or_us)_any_favors/?page=entire

"It's a natural reaction -- and certainly a commonplace media reaction at the moment -- to want to give Barack Obama a "chance." Back off those critical comments, people now say. Fair's fair. Give the President-elect a little "breathing space." After all, the election is barely over, he's not even in office, he hasn't had his first 100 days, and already the criticism has begun.

But those who say this don't understand Washington -- or, in the case of various media figures and pundits, perhaps understand it all too well.

Political Washington is a conspiracy -- in the original sense of the word: "to breathe the same air." In that sense, there is no air in Washington that isn't stale enough to choke a president. Send Obama there alone, give him that "breathing space," don't start demanding the quick ending of wars or anything else, and you're not doing him, or the American people, any favors. Quite the opposite, you're consigning him to suffocation.

Leave Obama to them and he'll break your heart. If you do, then blame yourself, not him; but better than blaming anyone, pitch your own tent on the public commons and make some noise. Let him know that Washington's isn't the only consensus around, that Americans really do want our troops to come home, that we actually are looking for "change we can believe in," which would include a less weaponised, less imperial American world, based on a reinvigorated idea of defense, not aggression, and on the Constitution, not leftover Rumsfeld rules or a bogus Global War on Terror."

So when you scour the internet for your agenda, do you ask yourself, "Is this all their is?"

NOCODE#1

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

So what if it smells like sour grapes to some people?

Who cares. Boohoo for them.

After reading the article ask yourself...what's more important? There's no point in unplugging right now....that's a big mistake.

In any event. It's here..the change thing is starting now. The cards are being dealt and the game is about to begin....it's not time for a nap.

yup its like your arch nemesis is already in power...oh wait.

and you posting on a message board doesnt do shit.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

CitizenRick wrote:

Dude...you have such a hard-on for PRESIDENT ELECT Obama's failure.

Why can't you just be hopefull like MOST of the rest of us? Go ahead and call me a sheep...but I gaurantee you I'm at least on par with your political knowledge.

This man inspires other around him...bitch and moan when it's proven otherwise.

Holding someone to their word...yeah that's wishing they fail if I ever saw it. :rolleyes:

Enjoy your nap..

RolandTD20Kdrummer

NOCODE#1 wrote:

So when you scour the internet for your agenda, do you ask yourself, "Is this all their is?"

With Obama thus far....yes I do think that.

I think a lot of people will be be repeating the mantra.

It all depends.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

I wonder how long the partisan at all costs honeymoon will last.

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_3981.shtml

"While the election of Barack Obama is a blow to George W. Bush-Republicanism and a gain for racial equality in this country, it is in many ways only a symbolic victory. The future of the U.S.’s foreign and economic agenda will continue to be saturated with ideologies and individuals that are directly responsible for our current predicament, both in the Middle East and domestically.

Celebrating the end of the ugly Bush era is one thing. Celebrating the continuation of their policies with a different administration in the White House is quite another. With these prospective appointments, Obama seems to be moving backwards to Clinton time. This may be sufficient change for some, but it far from a progressive push toward social, economic, and environmental justice.

For significant change to happen, the kind that is needed in order to mend the wounds of the Bush years, we have to put down our Obama signs and force Congress and the new administration to end the wars in the Middle East, and push for regulating the financial industry while providing true universal health-care and economic safety nets for all Americans.

Given the make up of his potential advisors, we’re in for a long uphill battle. So let’s drop our illusions and start organizing, beginning with a discussion of what “organizing” even means in today’s political climate."

pjalive21

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

I wonder how long the partisan at all costs honeymoon will last.

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_3981.shtml

"While the election of Barack Obama is a blow to George W. Bush-Republicanism and a gain for racial equality in this country, it is in many ways only a symbolic victory. The future of the U.S.’s foreign and economic agenda will continue to be saturated with ideologies and individuals that are directly responsible for our current predicament, both in the Middle East and domestically.

Celebrating the end of the ugly Bush era is one thing. Celebrating the continuation of their policies with a different administration in the White House is quite another. With these prospective appointments, Obama seems to be moving backwards to Clinton time. This may be sufficient change for some, but it far from a progressive push toward social, economic, and environmental justice.

For significant change to happen, the kind that is needed in order to mend the wounds of the Bush years, we have to put down our Obama signs and force Congress and the new administration to end the wars in the Middle East, and push for regulating the financial industry while providing true universal health-care and economic safety nets for all Americans.

Given the make up of his potential advisors, we’re in for a long uphill battle. So let’s drop our illusions and start organizing, beginning with a discussion of what “organizing” even means in today’s political climate."

im seriously glad there is another voice like mine around here that arent blinded by the glammer and speeches of the Socialist Obama...the man is already back peddling on some of this promises and he hasnt even been sworn in yet

i dont know what his definiton on change is but Biden and Rahm Emmanuel arent it...he is trying to recreate the Clinton era, if that was the case why didnt Hilary win?

Gonzo1977

This kind of talk holds no water and can not be masked as anything other than a foolish contempt for a President "Elect" who hasn't even taken office yet.

Your retoric is fuled by nothing more than a desire to see not only Obama fail...but the whole country fail as well

For What?

So you can say...

"I told you so"?

So you can attempt to prove somekind of quack theory how we need to elect a hallow 3rd Party Easter Egg like Ralph Nader or Ron Paul?

I find this to be highly counteractive, destructive, and foolish to be filled with such hate, bitterness, and pessimism at a time when this country needs to come together more than ever.

It's going to be a long 4 years for you my friend.

Maybe a little bit of obectiveness and HOPE will help you get through.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

Gonzo1977 wrote:

This kind of talk holds no water and can not be masked as anything other than a foolish contempt for a President "Elect" who hasn't even taken office yet.

Your retoric is fuled by nothing more than a desire to see not only Obama fail...but the whole country fail as well

For What?

So you can say...

"I told you so"?

So you can attempt to prove somekind of quack theory how we need to elect a hallow 3rd Party Easter Egg like Ralph Nader or Ron Paul?

I find this to be highly counteractive, destructive, and foolish to be filled with such hate, bitterness, and pessimism at a time when this country needs to come together more than ever.

It's going to be a long 4 years for you my friend.

Maybe a little bit of obectiveness and HOPE will help you get through.

It's great to have hope....let's not let it evade the reality of the situation and create a fairy tale reality going in.

Look at the players. Do you posses enough background information on domestic and international to see through most of it is the question.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

pjalive21 wrote:

im seriously glad there is another voice like mine around here that arent blinded by the glammer and speeches of the Socialist Obama...the man is already back peddling on some of this promises and he hasnt even been sworn in yet

i dont know what his definiton on change is but Biden and Rahm Emmanuel arent it...he is trying to recreate the Clinton era, if that was the case why didnt Hilary win?

Bush went in on Ron Paul's foreign policy....two days later he was already bombing Iraq *before 9/11* People foolishly believed him at face value, and look where it got them

But it's all so different now. One man elected changes everything. :rolleyes: ...maybe in a Hollywood movie perhaps.

I figure I'll just keep watching the excuses roll in while his supporters continually cite petty inconsequential personal issues towards me. I believe I can count on that reality more than I can count on an institutional candidate heavily funded by the same lobbyists.

All the while (thus far) he hires the same or worse than before, dutifully living up to elite corporate expectations and desires. The people's needs come in at some point I imagine.

Gonzo1977

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

It's great to have hope....let's not let it evade the reality of the situation and create a fairy tale reality going in.

Look at the players. Do you posses enough background information on domestic and international to see through most of it is the question.

It's important to have balance in government. It's important to build a team of experience and opposing views.

You need people that share your overall vison and goals for the country, but at the same time offer a different point of view and perspective to your own.

It's effective management in my opinion

I feel that by picking Biden and Rahm Emmanuel that Obama is choosing men with experience and perspective rather than a couple of "YES MEN".

He may not agree 100% with them on every issue, but at least he will gain perspective.

Rahm Emmanuel has alot of DC experience. He worked under Bill Clinton and under very similar ecomomic circumstances, and foriegn policy challenges to what he is entering in with Barack Obama. I believe he will offer a unique perspective although not one that Obama will 100% agree with.

As for your comment:

"If we wanted Clinton's administration, why didn't we just elect Hillary instead"?

This again goes back to the fact that Obama is entering into a very similar circumstance to what Bill Clinton faced upon taking office. Sure the economic climate is a little more unstable than what Clinton entered into after Bush Sr....but we were in a "Recession" then...and we did pull out of it...just like we're going to do now.

Studing the Bill Clinton administration and using aspects of it as template for possible solutions to the problems that the new administration is going to face is hardly something I can fault Barack Obama for doing.

Afterall, the country was better off then than where we are at right now. The 1990's are largely viewed in the positive compared to the last 8 years which we've seen a huge decline in not only the American Economy, but the American Spirit as well.

There are certainly going to be some issues that I don't agree with Obama on...and there are a few...but overall I think the man will lead this country a hell of alot better than George W. Bush and if he can at least accomplish that...than I feel we will have made a change or step in the right direction.

Anon

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

I figure I'll just keep watching the excuses roll in while his supporters continually cite petty inconsequential personal issues towards me. I believe I can count on that reality more than I can count on an institutional candidate heavily funded by the same lobbyists.

'Petty inconseqential personal issues towards you'. Nice. I know exactly where you are heading with that and you can fuck off.

You are the king at personal insults. It's what you do. You get off on it. You are delusional if you can't see that. You go out of your way to fire people up. That's how you play 'your game'. Then you sit back and laugh it up.

Hit the ignore button for me mate and i'll do the same for you. That should solve our problem.