Obama, the great disappointment?

POSTED BY: Niki2
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 23:00
VIEWED: 2900
PAGE 1 of 1

NIKI2

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 6:10 PM

Okay, so I know how this will be seen by some elements here, but I figured it could do no harm to pipe up on his side for a change of pace. I'm sure it'll be torn apart, but what the hell, it's no worse than PN's consistent attacking of him and the names he calls him.

Besides, someone DID ask recently what Obama's done that's positive...

Quote:
Obama, the great disappointment?
The Miracle President hasn't actually accomplished much? Wrong
By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist

I am here to report some good news. Times have changed. Things are not what they once were. Evolution has occurred, is occurring, just now occurred while you were reading this very sentence.

Did you feel it? Are you noticing? The new has fully arrived to replace the old, and the old is going to have to take a long nap under a tree and watch what happens while the new delves in even deeper and does the best it can under the circumstances.

There is much talk, for example, of the man known as President Obama, of his effect and impact so far, his supposed lack of marked accomplishment lo these first dozen months of this most historic and revolutionary of presidencies -- a period, by the way, I am absolutely convinced we will all look back on in 10 or 20 years and go, oh my God, there. Remember that? That was a time, wasn't it? We will sigh and smile and point at the historic pictures and say, dear God, how incredible that was. It was a difficult time, there was much acrimony and resistance, but it was amazing. And it changed everything.

But not so fast. Back here in the dwindling twilight of the '00s, there is much puling from the liberal left that Obama has not done nearly enough, quickly enough, that his list of accomplishments is no list at all and is more of a giant, infuriating shrug. Many are saying he's not all he's cracked up to be because he has yet to completely revolutionize every aspect of human life as we know it by instantly turning everything organic, curing all diseases and setting all gay military personnel free to romp in the fields of boot camp.

Where is the complete ideological overhaul of the entire federal government? Where is the Gandhi-like pacifism? Why are we sending 30K more troops to Afghanistan? What about my new job, my single-payer health care and my tiny car that runs on sunflowers and hemp popsicles? Indeed, rabid impatience has combined with impossible expectation to give many liberals a free ticket to the land of nonstop bitching. Alas.

Conversely, there is all manner of incoherent noise spewing like radioactive urine from the far right, a nonstop wail of childlike panic claiming that, because Obama behaves with unnerving calm, shakes hands with foreign dignitaries and doesn't seem interested in bombing everyone in a turban, he must be a socialist Muslim Nazi hell-bent on banning machine guns and killing all old Republicans in their sleep and replacing them with French-speaking hip-hop jazz musicians.

The good news is, both sides are wildly, fantastically, delightfully wrong. As Slate's Jacob Weisberg rightly points out ( http://www.slate.com/id/2236708/), Obama has had a very first good year indeed, spectacular even, far better than most in major media acknowledge (but they will, they will). In fact, assuming health care passes, Obama will have accomplished more in his first year than any president in the history of the world, ever.

That might be an exaggeration. But I'm OK with that, because the basic idea is something that needs to be declared a bit more loudly. Nearly everything Bush tore down and decimated and humiliated to its very core, Obama has either restored, is in the process of restoring, or is set to restore. Even Afghanistan appears to have a coherent framework now (we shall see). And that's just the beginning.

Make no mistake, it is not all wine and roses and classy poetry slams in the East Room. Personally, I'm far from the nice swoon for Obama that I experienced when he swept to miraculous, world-altering victory, a

NIKI2

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 6:18 PM

( Here's the list Morford referenced. Some of these are incomplete; some won't work or won't happen, some of those here will negate the effects or the validity of others, but there's enough left to make me feel better about what's going on, hopefully maybe those among us still holding out hope for the big stuff might feel the same:

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I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert

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

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

Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

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

Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

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

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

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

Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

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

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

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

Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

New federal funding for science and research labs

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

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

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

New funds for school construction

The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

US Auto industry rescue plan

Housing rescue plan

$789 billion economic stimulus plan

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

US financial and banking rescue plan

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

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

Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

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

Restarted the nuclear nonprolife

BYTEMITE

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 6:18 PM

Rather optimistic of you.

Quote:
The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

I saw this one within the first ten, of which the other ten, admittedly, I had not heard about. But because of how ineffectually this administration has approached this promise, I'm afraid the professor is maybe confusing "accomplishments" with "things the president is trying to do or giving lip-service to, but ultimately failing at." The inclusion of this one casts suspicion on the actual implementation of the other 90.

I will continue reading however.

BYTEMITE

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 6:42 PM

Okay, it's not padded as much as I thought. I only count twenty that I don't think have really been accomplished. There are a number more, however, that he technically hasn't really started on, and if his numbers don't go up, he's definitely not going to accomplish. And there's several of those policies that I would very much doubt a positive outcome.

NIKI2

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:01 PM

Something occurred to me so I came back to add it: I believe this list should be taken in perspective. So how about:

How many equally good things (of similar or different types) did Dumbya accomplish, attempt to accomplish, or even CONSIDER accomplishing in his eight years, and how many would McCain/Palin have accomplished, attempted to accomplish, or even considered accomplishing, especially in their first year?

I think perspective is important; given we only have two electable administrations to choose between to put in power at this time, shouldn't we be comparing one against the other (or other's potential), and the most recent past one against the current one, rather than (pretty consistently) knocking the one that's trying?

I'm not sure if that seems fair to everyone, but it does to me; of those who CAN make changes, if one is making more positive efforts than another, I think they deserve credit. Just my opinion.

I repeat that I am NOT happy with a lot of what Obama's administration has done thus far, and I'm disappointed--not that I expected him to be the Second Coming, as the right keeps saying, but that I hoped he'd make more progress on the big stuff. So I am NOT an unqualified supporter. But obviously I'm more of a believer than many here, so this is my contention that "it's not all bad".

Byte:

Quote:
The inclusion of this one casts suspicion on the actual implementation of the other 90.

So because one hasn't been implemented to your satisfaction, you'd be willing to trash the rest, even the legislation that has been passed, the things that have been accomplised and the things attempted? Do you think that the MORE openness of White House is better than it was under Dumbya, or potentially better than it would have been under McCain/Palin? Again, perspective?

I, too, think the author is listing at least as much things that have been attempted or are intended, but that doesn't detract for me from the things that HAVE been accomplished and are under way of being attempted, or are intended to attempt.

BYTEMITE

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:07 PM

Quote:
How many equally good things (of similar or different types) did Dumbya accomplish, attempt to accomplish, or even CONSIDER accomplishing in his eight years, and how many would McCain/Palin have accomplished, attempted to accomplish, or even considered accomplishing, especially in their first year?

I think perspective is important; given we only have two electable administrations to choose between to put in power at this time, shouldn't we be comparing one against the other (or other's potential), and the most recent past one against the current one, rather than (pretty consistently) knocking the one that's trying?

I'd rather not remember the nightmare that was the Bush administration, even the few small things I ever heard Bush promise that I thought might be positive seemed to ultimately fizzle out, and they were far overshadowed by the VERY BAD things his administration did.

Besides, comparing the Obama administration to the Bush administration is eventually just going to degenerate into a flame war, and no one is going to convince anyone else.

Obama is in power right now. If he doesn't fix the bullshit of the last administration, then yes, he's going to get knocked for it. Obama is topical right now, so he is going to get a disproportionate amount of criticism.

Quote:
So because one hasn't been implemented to your satisfaction, you'd be willing to trash the rest, even the legislation that has been passed, the things that have been accomplised and the things attempted? Do you think that the MORE openness of White House is better than it was under Dumbya, or potentially better than it would have been under McCain/Palin? Again, perspective?

I, too, think the author is listing at least as much things that have been attempted or are intended, but that doesn't detract for me from the things that HAVE been accomplished and are under way of being attempted, or are intended to attempt.

Perhaps you didn't read my follow up post, or notice my comment "but I'll keep reading."

As for your question about whether Obama's administration is more open compared to the Bush Cheney administration, I really don't think it is. Perhaps it's just my suspicions that the Clintons are running wild behind the scene, policy wise, and we aren't seeing what they're up to.

But then again, the 30,000 Afghan troops thing did leak before his presidential address last night. And it's not like Cheney wasn't for Bush the way I perceive the Clintons are for Obama. That still doesn't argue that one has a better track record (yet?).

NIKI2

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:21 PM

My apologies; I did miss your "I'll keep reading", and I was writing my response before I saw that you had acknowledged the positives.

Yes, I don't want to get into the Dumbya years; it was merely a statement of perspective. But I DO think it's fair to try and make a comparison to a potential McCain/Palin administration and what they would or wouldn't have done, even tho' we can only guess at some of it. Is that fair?

At the same time, I do give Dumbya his work on AIDS, that was a biggie and he deserves it.

And yes, I'm distinctly bothered by the leaking, which didn't happen during his campaign and is indicative of the less control he has now that he's in the White House.

I do recognize Obama's administration will receive fair criticism for what he's failing at and will be criticized because they are the ones in power; I just wanted to provide the "other side" if you will, to remind us that some good things HAVE been accomplished.

BYTEMITE

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:37 PM

It seems to be too early to tell, but some of Obama's very earliest actions had me very disappointed. Hence I am currently disappointed, and it doesn't help that I'm not all that happy with his decision for Afghanistan. But after hearing his speech last night, I'll say that at least he's set a goal (however much I doubt it can be reached) and a time table.

PIRATENEWS

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:59 PM

Quote:
Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

Unless you ask to audit the "Federal" Reserve Bank that Obama gave $25-tillion dollars to.

Quote:
Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

Who got the $25-trillion? Congress is not allowed to know.

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Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

EEOC was invented 40 years ago. EEOC director Clarence Thomas gave Anita Hill a Pepsi with his public hair, then married the Bush crime family.

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Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

HAHAHAHA

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

Then thy must pay back the dead soldier's enlistment bonus and cost of damaged body armor.

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Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

All photographers will be shot on sight.

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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

All photographers will be fired and blacklisted as condition of the Media Bailout.

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

Unless you ask to see Obama's birth certificate and other records, 9/11 archives or JFK assassination archives.

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

Sure...

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Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

Automatic promotion to White House cabinet, or marriage.

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

Dept of Pre Crime

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

Sure he did.

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

Then why did he fund it in the current "defense" budget that included the ADL's Pedophile Protection Act?

Quote:
Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

Kill more babies, because 55-million dead babies ain't nearly enuff!

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Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

Your taxdollars at work killin babies.

Quote:
New federal funding for science and research labs

Level 4 Bioweapons Labs in every city, coastline, tornado alley and college.

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

The Constitution is just a goddamned piece of paper!

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

No-bid cost-plus blank-check contracts for all his friends.

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

Free porn!

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New funds for school construction

No child gets ahead, and great for forced vaccinations under martial law.

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The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

Tell that to the POWs in Gitmo.

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US Auto industry rescue plan

Govt Motors sold off to Commie China, building factories in Brazil.

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Housing rescue plan

Costing $250,000 per $50,000 house.

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$789 billion economic stimulus plan

Uh, $25-trillion exported to foreign banks.

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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

That's why houses cost $1 in Detroit, with nobody buying.

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US financial and banking rescue plan

Jewish holiday!

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The secret detention faci

KWICKO

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 8:41 PM

Just to change the title back.

NIKI2

Thursday, December 3, 2009 6:46 PM

So what did that poor, deluded creature change it to, Mike? Tho' yes, taking out my "not PN" in the title is valid, since I see he's slathered the thread with his usual kind of insanity...sigh...

I guess nobody else is interested in discussing, or even noticing (?) the positives/potential positives of the Obama Administration. Sad, but probably predictable, eh?

NIKI2

Thursday, December 3, 2009 6:46 PM

Damned computer...double posted again; apologies.

RUE

Thursday, December 3, 2009 6:50 PM

I'm still catching up from my long time away !

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

PIRATENEWS

Thursday, December 3, 2009 7:17 PM

Hussein Obama Soetoro is a pathological liar who has never told the truth about anything, since his coup d'etat to overthrow the US Govt.

State legislatures are passing laws to stop all Communist legislation by Obama:
www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/11/29/resist-dc-a-step-by-step-plan-
for-freedom/

Quote:
Obama's daddy was an alcoholic wife-beating bigamist, says Obama's jewish brother
http://fireflyfans.net/mthread.asp?b=18&t=40730&m=741156

"Shit's gettin way too complicated for me. There are white folks, and then there are ignorant mutherfuckers like you! You can put lipstick on a pig. Sorry ass mutherfucker's got nuttin on me. I inhaled frequently - that was the point. Pot helped, and booze. A little blow when you could afford it. Junkie, pothead. That's where I'd been headed. You ain't my bitch nigger, git your own damn fries!"
-Barack Hussein Obama Soetoro, Dreams From My Father
www.archive.org/details/ObamaInauguralMashup/

KWICKO

Thursday, December 3, 2009 7:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Niki2:
So what did that poor, deluded creature change it to, Mike? Tho' yes, taking out my "not PN" in the title is valid, since I see he's slathered the thread with his usual kind of insanity...sigh...

I guess nobody else is interested in discussing, or even noticing (?) the positives/potential positives of the Obama Administration. Sad, but probably predictable, eh?

He changed it to, and I quote:

"Obama, the greatest liar the world has ever seen"

Which I find to be a bit of an exaggeration, especially since PN *does* believe in Jesus. And Hitler. (Which one had the mustache, again?)

;)

As per your post, I'm still a bit seething about amping up more war. I'm not really in an Obama-cheerleading mood right now. I'm wondering at this point if there are going to be people screaming "FOUR MORE YEARS!" at the convention, or if it will more accurately be "FOUR MORE WARS! FOUR MORE WARS!"

And sure, O-man has his positives. I believe I've pointed out in the past that I applauded Bush's quadrupling of AIDS aid in Africa, even if I didn't completely agree with his methodology.

Obama has somme positives, but overall, he's doing a great job of convincing me to stay home in 2012, rather than waste my time voting...

I'm sure the feeling will pass, but right now I want my anger. I feed it, it feeds me. :)

Mike

Work is the curse of the Drinking Class.
- Oscar Wilde

SIGNYM

Thursday, December 3, 2009 7:28 PM

The list is limited mostly to what a Prez can do without Congress' involvement... mainly cleaning house. Well, housecleaning is good, but his appointees have often been disappointing, especially Geithner, Lisa Jackson (EPA).

Now we need to push Congress' *ss.

DREAMTROVE

Thursday, December 3, 2009 7:28 PM

Obama's not a disappointment, he's exactly what he said he was: a globalist war monger with heavy corporate ties who wants to spend lots of money and bomb lots of people, and take a discriminatory stance towards muslims and latinos...

Or did no one actually listen to what Obama actually said on the campaign trail?

"When I talk, people have a tendency to hear what they want to here, not what I actually said." - Barack Obama, 2007

"Yes, that is correct: My administration would represent no real policy change from that of George W. Bush, it would just bring more competence to that agenda." - Obama, 2008

I don't know what you were expecting, or what you think that you're getting, but objectively, I thought the man was very straightforward about what he was presenting.

I don't want to get into a left-right debate, but I think it's fair to say that both sides have a similar problem: we tend to fall in line behind one party or the other, and focus on getting that party into office, rather than on making the platform fit the views of the consituents.

Sure, I'll grant that Obama is not a liberal.

"I think the ideal role model for my presiency would be that of Ronald Reagan" - Barack Obama

Not exactly what liberals want to hear.

But here's where I think the problem lies, and it's one difference between Bush and Obama:

When Obama campaigned for the democratic nomination and said a number of things like "We're going to stay in Iraq for as long as it takes" or "We're going to increase the operations in Afghanistan, up to between 100,000 and 500,000 troops, and increase the arena of conflict to three times the area..." people didn't here it. And when he slammed "Islam" as a destructive force, or "Illegal aliens" as parasitic, people on the left thought "Oh, he's just saying that to win republican votes.

No, he was telling the truth. I know it's a shocker for the american public: A politician told the truth, and nobody listened.

This contrast sharply with Bush, who told us that he would reduce spending, reduce govt. intrusion onto the lives of the people, protect the rights of the people and not get engaged in nation building or foreign wars... He was lying his ass off. But, people on the right heard what they wanted to hear, what he was actually saying, and didn't scratch the surface to see that what he had done in Texas, and so they voted for him.

So, if I were to make a judgment on the recent elections:

Obama, People were overly optimistic: they just didn't listen to what he said, and now they're disappointed that he's not who they would have wanted him to be.

Bush, People were naive, and heard what they wanted to hear, and didn't bring enough doubt and skepticism to their decision making.

So, not disappointed. Not happy either, but this is what I expected. It's also more or less what I expected from John McCain, I don't think it mattered who won, policy-wise. I suppose the Cato-style logical voter would have voted for McCain simply because congress was democratic, and that would have created more gridlock, but I voted for McKinney.

RUE

Thursday, December 3, 2009 7:45 PM

Just posting for now to change the title back.

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

NIKI2

Thursday, December 3, 2009 9:31 PM

Thank you Rue. PN again? I get a kick out of his title changes, tho' they piss me off at the same time...delusion, delusion, delusion. So for curiosity's sake, what was the title changed to (I'm guessing it was PN).

You know, as this is the second today that I kow of, maybe we should give up on trying to get people to stop changing thread titles, and go nuts...change all of PN's titles to something indicating his insanity. Just kidding

If it's possible to get through to you, PN, how about knocking it off? Most of the time I see people leaving your insane titles alone, how about you show us the same courtesy, if you even know the meaning of the word?

KWICKO

Thursday, December 3, 2009 9:58 PM

Quote:

You know, as this is the second today that I kow of, maybe we should give up on trying to get people to stop changing thread titles, and go nuts...change all of PN's titles to something indicating his insanity. Just kidding

Your wish...

Just kidding.

I mean, honestly, HOW could you make a PN post sound crazier than it already does? Every single one of them is like this brightly-colored, screaming, flapping looney bird wearing a giant rainbow wig and holding up a "John 3:16" sign. How could you make it any crazier?

Can't be done, I tell ya.

RUE

Thursday, December 3, 2009 10:16 PM

"How could you make it any crazier?

Can't be done, I tell ya."

That sounds like a challenge ...

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

GEEZER

Thursday, December 3, 2009 10:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Niki2:
How many equally good things (of similar or different types) did Dumbya accomplish, attempt to accomplish, or even CONSIDER accomplishing in his eight years?

Just googling 'george w bush accomplishments' and variations comes up with several.

http://electjeff.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/accomplishments-of-president
-george-w-bush/

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1096664/posts

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Politicians/Bush_accomplishments.htm
l

Plenty more if you look.

Take them as you will.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

BYTEMITE

Friday, December 4, 2009 12:46 AM

Quote:
That sounds like a challenge ...

It sure does.

"The hand that feeds me bites back!"

"Lettuce, tomatoes, and those little things that look like alien eggs."

"I hate Okra." (Wait, that one's not crazy. Oh well)

"Reds and greens, MIXING! Plants that bleed and cry!"

"They taste like scales, they come when you sleep..."

Aaaand etc.

NIKI2

Friday, December 4, 2009 1:07 AM

Oh, my oh my...curiosity killed the cat, so I went to that first one. And laughed, and laughed, and laughed...

The vast majority of them relate to terrorism, and none of those I would consider "accomplishments"! The wording is also cute in some instances.

Quote:
Because of President Bush’s determination to keep America safe after 9/11, the Bush doctrine was born. We would not wait to be attacked again. The United States would go on the offense and stop our enemies before they had a chance to kill us again.

Let's see:

Quote:
Liberated Afghanistan from the Taliban (Then why are we there?)

Liberated Iraq from Hussein

Captured Hussein

"Reorganized the Department of Justice and the FBI to focus on preventing terrorism." (we all know how that came about AND how it turned out!)

Created the National Counterterrorism Center

Captured Khalid Shaikh (sic) Mohammed

Enacted the USA PATRIOT Act

Secured Congressional approval of legislation allowing our intelligence community to effectively monitor foreign terrorist communications (...and illegally spy on American citizens)

Secured Congressional approval of the Military Commissions Act

Doubled the number of Border Patrol agents

Disrupted terrorist plots (when? where? which ones?)

Secured a commitment from North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program (???)

Persuaded (sic) Libya to disclose and dismantle all aspects of its WMD and advanced missile programs and renounce terrorism (???)

Withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (this is a GOOD thing??)

Dismantled the A.Q. Khan nuclear proliferation network

Halved the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile (THAT's cool!)

Held public schools accountable, through the No Child Left Behind Act (bwhahahahah--now recognized as a total failure)

Provided more than 40 million Americans with better access to prescription drugs through the market-based Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (ditto above)

Increased the size of college Pell Grants to an all-time high and nearly doubled support for the Pell Grant program

Created USA Freedom Corps following 9/11

"Levelled the playing field" for faith-based and community organizations

Reduced the number of homeless veterans by nearly 40 percent from 2001 to 2007

Helped make broadband access available in 99 percent of America’s zip codes (did HE do that?)

Created a new National Space Policy (hahahah--to keep us OUT of space?)

Killed the silly (sic) Kyoto Global Warming Treaty

Reauthorized the Voting Rights Act and advanced civil rights (???)

Rescued more than 575 children from sexual exploitation, arrested and convicted thousands of suspects, and helped recover nearly 400 missing children since 2002 by strengthening the AMBER Alert program (did HE do that? Wow...575 children, and recovered 400 children from 2002-2008...impressive)

Outlawed partial birth abortion, ensured that every infant born alive is protected, established consequences for violence toward unborn children, and took steps to protect the rights of health care providers to act according to their conscience

First president to provided government funding for stem cell research while refusing to sanction the destruction of human life (uhhhhh...)

Prohibited foreign nongovernmental organizations that receive U.S. tax dollars for family planning from performing or actively promoting abortion

By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton’s policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act.

Appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Samuel Alito, and more than one-third of all active Federal judges, who will not legislate from the bench HUH?

Now, most of those are things I don't think I'd be crowing about...and the vast majority are about terrorism (as he saw it) and abortion (as he saw it).

Here are some FACTS about those accomplishments:

Quote:
(Pell Grants) are now deemed so unprofitable that only a

DREAMTROVE

Friday, December 4, 2009 3:14 AM

Geezer,

Okay. I'll bite. I'm taking a look, and I'm going to try to respond objectively. I don't know what I will am about to read or how I'll reply, but here goes, but I'm going to consider this idea seriously for the moment:

Quote:
* Because of President Bush’s determination to keep America safe after 9/11, the Bush doctrine was born. We would not wait to be attacked again. The United States would go on the offense and stop our enemies before they had a chance to kill us again.

Negative. Inside job aside, I think the aggressive anti-Islamic foreign policy has increased the chance of future terrorism. Remember, even if you believe in Bush-style security, you have to know that this will not always be in place, because other factions will and have already, gained power, and may make changes at any point. Bush made enemies, and if someone else reduces security and those new enemies attack, blame falls everywhere.

Quote:
* Liberation of Afghanistan from the Taliban, and helped establish a democracy.

Negative. The Taliban are probably more powerful now than when we started. Afghanistan's democracy is in question, no one credits the last election, not even the US

Quote:
* Liberation 25 million Iraqis from the dictator of Saddam Hussein.

Affirmative. The deposing of Saddam Hussein and the establishment of democracy in Iraq was a success, and it will hold. I disagree with those who think that "these people will never accept/aren't ready for... democracy." I disagree with *how* he did it, but it beat how Clinton *failed* to do it. Mainly, I thought the attack on Fallujah was brutal and pointless. There were a lot of things that could have been better done, but in the end, yes, a brutal dictator was removed from power and a democracy was established.

Quote:
* Captured Saddam Hussein and placed him on trial for the brutal murder of his own people.

Hmm. I did not care for the manner of the trial. His opponents tried him, it was a sham. But mainly, I think this goes with the above. I'm not one fore vengeance, I would be just as happy if he retired. He's out of power, that's the point.

Quote:
* Reorganized the Department of Justice and the FBI to focus on preventing terrorism.

Hmm. Yes, he did that, but I disagree it was worth doing. The result was larger govt. I oppose the changes but agree that his administration made them.

Quote:
* Created the National Counterterrorism Center, where personnel from Federal, State, and local departments and agencies work side by side to track terrorist threat reporting and prevent new attacks.

Hmm. See my last comment

Quote:
* Captured Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the master mind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on our country.

Negative. I agree that he captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, but disagree that he was the "mastermind" of 9/11.

Quote:
* Worked with Congress to enact the USA PATRIOT Act – breaking down barriers that had prevented America’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies from sharing vital information on terrorist threats.

Hmm. The USAPATRIOT Act is an abomination. It first appeared in the Clinton years and Hillary was one of its main authors on both accounts. The GOP lost most to all of its credibility by signing on to this document. The heavily obfuscated law creates an enormous soviet style bureaucracy geared at paring down American individual liberties.

Quote:
* Secured Congressional approval of legislation allowing our intelligence community to effectively monitor foreign terrorist communications – to help us learn who the terrorists are talking to and what they are planning.

See last comment

Quote:
* Secured Congressional approval of the Military Commissions Act so that captured terrorists acto justice for their acts.

huh? BTW, this "fear of terrorism" thing, is terrorism. "Terrorism: To intentionally foster an atmosphere of fear for political gain." Isn't that what the GWOT is?

Quote:
* Doubled the number of Bor

KWICKO

Friday, December 4, 2009 4:01 AM

Quote:
* Reduced the number of homeless veterans by nearly 40 percent from 2001 to 2007.

Hmmmm... I have to wonder - does it count as "reducing the number of homeless veterans" if what you actually did was to stop-loss them or recall them to active duty, then send them off to Iraq to be killed?

I mean, I *guess* they're not homeless if you bury them in Arlington National Cemetery...

GEEZER

Friday, December 4, 2009 4:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Niki2:
The vast majority of them relate to terrorism, and none of those I would consider "accomplishments"!

But conservatives, even the not-so-fanatic, might think some of them accomplishments. A lot of the comments you added to the list wouldn't scan at all to folk of a more conservative bent. You should understand that this is the reality you have to deal with.

I'd guess that right now there are slightly-right-of-center Republicans going through the list of Pres. Obama's accompishments you posted and putting similar snide comments beside them.

Actually, having been in civil service for Presidents since Johnson, I recall seeing a lot of Pres. Obama's list before. it's pretty standard for all new Presidents. Cut spending, control lobbying, more openness in government, fund education, etc. Time will tell if they're successful. It's too early to claim success on many of them now.

Quote:
The third one? That’s HYSTERICAL, and I can only assume you put it up there as a joke, Geezer!

Just one that came up in the google search. I have no doubt that you could find similar lists concerning Pres. Obama's administration on conservative sites.

Once again - you are, sometime in the future, going to have to deal with the folks who think Bush did have substantial accomplishments. You can deal with them as folks who have different opinions, or you can deal with them as evil incarnate. If you choose the latter, then you open yourself to deciding that it's okay to silence or imprison the folks who don't share your views. Dose that sound right to you?

And yes, the folks on the other side have to make that decision too.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

RUE

Friday, December 4, 2009 5:08 AM

"But conservatives, even the not-so-fanatic, might think some of them accomplishments."

Then they would be wrong.\snark

"Once again - you are, sometime in the future, going to have to deal with the folks who think Bush did have substantial accomplishments."

I dunno - how many people think Warren G. Harding accomplished anything substantial ? Or Franklin Pierce. (Yeah, who ?)
Are you THAT sure Bush is going to make it on a good list that anybody is going to 'have to deal with' ?

"You can deal with them as folks who have different opinions, or you can deal with them as evil incarnate."

False dilemma. You COULD deal with them as people who are ignorant, or misled, or foolish. I'm sure there are many, many other options !

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

KWICKO

Friday, December 4, 2009 5:16 AM

Quote:
You can deal with them as folks who have different opinions, or you can deal with them as evil incarnate. If you choose the latter, then you open yourself to deciding that it's okay to silence or imprison the folks who don't share your views. Dose that sound right to you?

I don't know - are they Muslim? 'Cause if they're Muslim, that seems to greatly alter how we as a nation tend to treat them. Treating people with differing opinions as evil incarnate? Check. Silencing or imprisoning folks who don't share our views? Check.

Does it sound "right" to me? No, but it sound like something those on the right would think was right.

Mike

Work is the curse of the Drinking Class.
- Oscar Wilde

NIKI2

Friday, December 4, 2009 6:57 AM

I'm with Rue and Mike, especially "False dilemma. You COULD deal with them as people who are ignorant, or misled, or foolish. I'm sure there are many, many other options !"

I don't see his followers as anything "evil", just of a different mindset. And no, I don't have to deal with them...I live in No. Ca.! They rarely dare show their faces around here...

And I'll let history decide about Dumbya's "accomplishments"--

GEEZER

Friday, December 4, 2009 2:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
I don't know - are they Muslim? 'Cause if they're Muslim, that seems to greatly alter how we as a nation tend to treat them. Treating people with differing opinions as evil incarnate? Check. Silencing or imprisoning folks who don't share our views? Check.

Standard Response # 2 again.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

KWICKO

Friday, December 4, 2009 6:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
I don't know - are they Muslim? 'Cause if they're Muslim, that seems to greatly alter how we as a nation tend to treat them. Treating people with differing opinions as evil incarnate? Check. Silencing or imprisoning folks who don't share our views? Check.

Standard Response # 2 again.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

That's your Standard Response # 1. How very... EXPECTED.

JAMERON4EVA

Saturday, December 5, 2009 12:52 AM

Why didn't you put the title as, "Obama, the great puppet President". Because we all know who is in control of the world right now, The Buildaberggers.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

KWICKO

Saturday, December 5, 2009 1:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jameron4eva:
Why didn't you put the title as, "Obama, the great puppet President". Because we all know who is in control of the world right now, The Buildaberggers.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

Does Build-a-Burger's compete with Fuddrucker's?

OUT2THEBLACK

Saturday, December 5, 2009 9:06 PM

'...Gore Vidal was once asked if there was anything at all he liked about Ronald Reagan. "Well, he does have a nice head of hair," Vidal quipped with trademark condescension.

So far, I'm afraid the same kind of thing can be said about Barack Obama. He certainly can give a good speech, he has a nice smile, and, of course, in comparison to George W. Bush, he seems like a tabernacle of wisdom and sophistication.

Unfortunately, that's only in comparison to Bush, a standard that could not be much lower-unless you include serial killers and child abusers. But if you compare Obama now to what people expected of him during the presidential election, he not only comes up short, but he's quickly becoming a major disappointment to the millions of Americans who voted for him.

Consider his record so far: 1) Has sold out to Wall Street at the expense of Main Street. 2) Is in the process of selling out to the insurance companies and pharmaceutical industry with a watered-down health care bill instead of "Medicare for All." 3) Is in no hurry to get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan when a majority of Americans want us out of both countries ASAP. 4) Is promoting a woefully inadequate cap and trade program instead of setting up a dynamic renewable energy strategy that would create millions of green jobs and clean up the environment at a much faster pace. 5) Is letting the Israel//Palestinian issue founder instead of playing hardball with both parties. And finally, he's not actively pushing for prosecution against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for lying about the reasons to go to war in Iraq and their authorization for using torture on prisoners.

Now I won't say that he hasn't done anything substantial. He has made some progress on issues like the environment, medical marijuana, and economic stimulus, and he has repaired America's image in the eyes of the world. But people expected a lot more. They expected radical surgery, not a face lift or a tummy tuck. And they certainly didn't expect him to capitulate to the moneyed interests of the country and be led around on a leash by rich elitists like Rahm Emanuel, Tim Geithner, and Larry Summers.'

http://www.opednews.com/articles/So-Far-President-Obama-Off-by-John-F-
Miglio-091201-33.html

OUT2THEBLACK

Saturday, December 5, 2009 9:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
Quote:
Originally posted by jameron4eva:
Why didn't you put the title as, "Obama, the great puppet President". Because we all know who is in control of the world right now, The Buildaberggers.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

Does Build-a-Burger's compete with Fuddrucker's?

No , Bildebergers OWN Fuddruckers...AND , everything else , soon enough...

They certainly OWN most politicians...And Central Banks...

DREAMTROVE

Sunday, December 6, 2009 3:09 AM

o2tb

Well put

JAMERON4EVA

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 9:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by out2theblack:
Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
Quote:
Originally posted by jameron4eva:
Why didn't you put the title as, "Obama, the great puppet President". Because we all know who is in control of the world right now, The Buildaberggers.

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

Does Build-a-Burger's compete with Fuddrucker's?

They also came up with the dvd rewinder.

No , Bildebergers OWN Fuddruckers...AND , everything else , soon enough...

They certainly OWN most politicians...And Central Banks...

"Mom, he has her chip. He has her."
John Connor,"Born To Run", TSCC EP 2x22

WULFENSTAR

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 11:00 PM

Wait..

Obama hasn't healed the sick? Turned water to weed?

Instead, hes just another suit that is intent on breaking the backs of the people?

No!

You don't say!!

lol