Sparing Obama Criticism Isn't Doing Him (or Us) Any Favors
RolandTD20Kdrummer
Posts: 13,066
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."
"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."
Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Actions speak louder than words...
Definitely. How bout you?
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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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.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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We've seen what happens when we look the other way.
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"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
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Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
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.
FDR
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.
and you posting on a message board doesnt do shit.
Holding someone to their word...yeah that's wishing they fail if I ever saw it. :rolleyes:
Enjoy your nap..
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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With Obama thus far....yes I do think that.
I think a lot of people will be be repeating the mantra.
It all depends.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
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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."
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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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?
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.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
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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.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
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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.
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.
the election was 11/4/08, today is 11/14/08....it's been 10 days since the election....
do you really, honestly think Obama, as President Elect, can end the war in Irak in 10 days...?
Ok I'll go fuck right off now thanks :rolleyes:
I post links to ALL my sources. Kill the messenger, yes I know how the program works. Avoid the issues...attack the person. Why change now?
I won't change anything I say about Obama until he earns it. What a novel concept.
So far no good.
Anyhow....hello... it's 2008... the subject US politics. It's not a fairy tale reality because of one person during an election.
Has it ever been?
Look at the players....be aware. Obama is not a pipe dream, there is no such thing.
Maybe on paper...but people don't live on paper.
edit: no actually it looks crap on paper too...
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
It'll take years.
I'm going on the recipe he's putting together, and the cooks around him telling him how to cook.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
like obamas word that he wouldn't deal w/ lobbyists then making a pharmacuetical lobbyist chair of his election campaign and then lying about it during a primary? or saying lobbyists 'wouldn't have a job' in his white house than changing to 'they won't dominate' my white house? thanks to obama the 'liberals' realize the patriot act isn't so bad and spending tax money to build new nuclear plants and toxic waste is a wonderful idea!!!!
i can't wait to see the justifications to bomb iran
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
you mean his chief of staff who supported the invasion of iraq from the start and his NAFTA/WTO lobbyist/lawyer/advisor and the advisor that asked the treasury dept to give enron a break?
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
I love how politicians backpeddle. They all do it. The best case scenario is he succeeds and proves us all wrong... forgive me... I'm a realist.
I'd be burning Ron Paul's (or whomever's) ass regardless if they merely maintained the status quo running on big "change" policy.
In honor of all those back peddling politicians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSx2HIi4dFg
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
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Yeah that guy, Enron needed a break...a jail break. Same den of thieves to pick from...and a picking Obama will go it seems.
So far....yeah...great choices. But give them all *at least* a couple years to make good on something..somehow... or you're just some racist hater.
Forget the past.. The past is for history....who needs history as any kind of indication? It's all on TV.
Hey...I know...people remind me here all the time.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
and if kucinich or nader did those things i wouldn't rationalize it. i'm not the one changing my stances i held for years suddenly...i'm holding our leader accountable for his word, they all loved it when it was directed at bush but now that it's their team i should shut up
i've said if he sticks to his word i'd be the 1st to say 'my bad' , but it's not looking too promising
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
it's like invasion of the bodysnatchers the way they use the same lines the bush supporters used...any criticism or question is nothing but 'sour grapes', you lost, get over it....it's obvious some are enjoying their turn of being king of the hill too much to actually listen or work together
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
LOL. Like Nader's insider trading and investing in corporations he rails against. Unbelieveable !! LMAO !!