Obama Repeatedly Defecates On Progressives (re: John Barrow, FISA, NAFTA, Campaign Finance…)
By Deb Cupples on June 21, 2008 at 8:34 AM in Campaigns & Campaign Financing, Current Affairs, Economy, FISA, NAFTA, Obama
It’s been a painfully interesting few days for progressives who were cock positive that Barack Obama would prove to be an agent of capital-C Change –for those who truly believed that he was new and clean and would fight against corrupt, self-serving, old-style Washington politics.
The biggest clue that such capital-H Hopes were not rooted in reality came months ago, when newspapers like USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune exposed evidence that Obama had used back door ways to take buckets of money from lobbyists and corporate interests after Obama proclaimed that he would not accept such money.
Since Obama became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee, he has wasted no time further dashing the Hopes of progressives far and wide.
Yesterday, for example, the Savannah Morning News reported:
"In an unusual move, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is backing U.S. Rep. John Barrow [of Georgia] in a contested primary election.
"On July 15, Barrow, who is white, faces state Sen. Regina Thomas, who is black, in a Democratic primary likely to attract overwhelmingly
black turnout."The Savannah congressman supports policies such as the war in Iraq and President Bush’s tax cuts, which Obama and Thomas oppose."
Rep. Barrow also fought hard to promote the Bush Administration’s domestic-spying programs and Telecom Amnesty (i.e., retroactive immunity for telecom companies that broke the law when helping the Bush Administration spy on Americans).
Progressives capital-H Hate Telecom Amnesty.
In short, Sen. Obama has chosen to publicly support a congressman who stands for three major policies that are egregiously offensive to progressives.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that Sen. Obama has endorsed a Republican in Democrats’ clothing. In 2006, Obama endorsed Joe Lieberman against anti-war candidate Ned Lamont (for whom progressive bloggers zealously campaigned).
Today, the picture became even rosier for progressives, when Sen. Obama (himself) publicly voiced support for a FISA bill that 1) broadens the Bush Administration’s domestic-spying powers, and 2) includes Telecom Amnesty.
If certain progressive bloggers were dead, they’d be spinning in their graves like the blades on a Sunbeam blender. Marcy at Firedoglake (who, fortunately, is alive) explained her take on Obama’s statement as follows:
1. I will make a showy effort in the Senate on Monday to get them to take out immunity. I will lose that effort 32-65. But hey! I can say I tried!
2. But don’t worry, little boys and girls, Inspectors General are an adequate replacement for our third co-equal branch of government!
3. Nice little bloggers! Aren’t you cute! After you demanded accountability we gave you piggy lipstick and fig leaves and told you it was time to move on while we important Senators told you–in polite terms–to fuck off.
Not all Telecom-Amnesty-hating bloggers have voiced such understandable outrage. TPM’s usually opinionated Josh Marshall (who seemed to lose his objectivity while campaigning for Obama during the primaries) merely quoted Obama’s statement but refrained from commenting.
Perhaps Mr. Marshall feels that crow tastes better in private. Or maybe he (a major opponent of Telecom Amnesty) is still in shock and doesn’t know what to say. Then again, he may be struggling to credibly phrase a defense of Obama’s capital-B Betrayal.
Supporting FISA and endorsing John Barrow are not Obama’s only recent acts of defecation upon progressives. Yesterday, Obama did a 180 on public financing for his campaign. Months ago, Obama said that if McCain agreed to public financing, then Obama would. Without even talking to McCain, Obama decided to skip public financing — meaning he is free to raise as much private (e.g., corporate and lobbyist-tied) cash as he can.
Obama’s campaign is spinning this reversal of position as a declaration of “independence” from the broken campaign-finance system. No, I’m not kidding.
Yes, it is a bit like McDonalds trying to sell Big Macs as health food to kids during Saturday morning cartoons — or President Bush’s trying to sell the Iraq war as aimed at securing freedom for the Iraqi people.
Some progressive bloggers have already convinced themselves that Obama has done the right thing by opting out of public financing. Of course, those bloggers are simultaneously choosing to ignore the fact that Obama flat-out broke a promise to them.
It’s amusing to watch people teach their logic to do gymnastics.
A few days ago, Sen. Obama admitted that his tough talk against NAFTA during the primaries was just talk: he doesn’t really plan to threaten to opt out of NAFTA as a means of re-negotiating for American workers’ benefit.
Obama’s campaign has tried to spin the 180-degree shift as a change in the tone of the rhetoric, but it’s much more than that. Check out this video, which shows Sen. Obama railing against NAFTA at a rally in NAFTA-hating Ohio in February (i.e., just before Ohio’s primary).
Then there’s the economy. Just days after becoming the presumptive nominee, Sen. Obama professed love for the so-called "free market." Basically, “free market” lovers want two things: less regulation and lower corporate taxes.
Other famous politicians who loved the so-called "free market" include George Bush and Ronald Reagan.
Since becoming the presumptive nominee, Sen. Obama has been looking more and more different from the person he’d represented himself to be during the first five months of 2008.
Maybe Sen. Obama has a sound, strategic reason for making himself look less progressive and more like John McCain — though I can’t imagine what it is.
If he resembles McCain too closely, all those democrats who are outraged by Obama’s Chicago-style campaign tactics will have good reason to vote against him in November: if the two candidates are so similar, why reward the one who misled voters, reversed himself on important issues, and fought to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida?
(small, medium and large sizes; for both dogs and cats)
+ 
How much more could it possible take for the Democrats to wake up and realize their stupid mistake?
And WHY, oh WHY, is Hillary going to campaign for him next week? She has a dozen good excuses not to and none of her supporters would blame her.
We should help her retire her debt so that she does not need to turn to Obama for ANY help (with all the strings that might come with that). What a phony he is! What a chameleon!
Senator Clinton is a person of her word…unlike nobama. She stated that she would support the Dem nominee (presumptive) and she is keeping that promise. She has not released her delegates.
And only I control my vote, no one else.
Hillary has the party gun to her head. They can and will make her job as a Senator and anything else difficult. I trust Hillary and I think she is counting on us to ‘read in between the lines’… We understand. And we won’t support obamassole. I think she is counting on that. After all that was said ,(and not said), by her in the campaign, she truly doesn’t believe obamassole would be a good choice… She is playing the game and I trust her and will not judge her on her actions now. I also find it very interesting that the Big Dog has been very quiet too. There is a LOUD message in that as well. In any case, as said above, only I control MY vote. And it AIN’T going to obamssole. NO way. No how. Not EVER.!
Obama is NOT the nominee. It does us no good to buy into that LIE.
There is no Democratic Nominee until the end of August. Period.
The use of the word “presumtive” is not correct. That would imply he reached that “threshold” by ethical and legal means. He did not.
Sunbeam blender.mmmm
I was reading his statement on FISA and it was almost word for word what Pelosi said. Go figure.
Can’t argue any of that. Not really.
I’m still scratching my head over my cousin telling me in email this morning that BHO was remarkable (roflmao) and would do wonderful things for this country and that he IS GOING TO BE President so I should just relax and get used to it. Or something to that effect.
I was laughing so hard by the time I got to the end of the email.
Anyway, I feel better now because I had THIS to send him. Along with a few other FACTUAL tidbits the far LEFT never sees cuz MSNBC doesn’t COVER IT!!!! GOD WHAT HYPOCRITES AND BLIND ARROGANCE!
Dawnelle,
You always have great things to say. I for one am so glad that you persistently try to get the facts about Obama out there. There will be a mass exodus from him once the bulk of Americans have that information.
The media is greatly responsible for endangering our country with it’s unwillingness to inform viewers of Obama’s consistent wrongdoing.
Thanks! lol I rarely get complimented for my big mouth!
I am surprised at the Barrow support. And was surprised to read he backed Lieberman over Lamont!
THAT right there should have lost him half of the DNC open thread bloggers. They were very PRO Lamont/Anti Lieberman.
Same with Immunity for telecoms
Same with withdrawal from Iraq
Same with nafta (well some of them)
they kept making excuses right along with Barry and it is pathetic and pitiful to watch them make huge fools of themselves over and over!
(ugh there I go) lol
People like ‘Bonehead’ Bowers and the insufferable Kos are on the payroll. It’s obvious as there is no reason nor has there ever been one to thinking that Barkey is anything other than what he is a Republican plant.
Now is the time to watch. I believe his small donor funding is gonna dry up.
If it does no amount of race baiting will save him, Dean or the odious Brazile in the Fall.
At this point Barkey has convinced me that he’s more of a threat to our civil liberties than McSame.
It would be dramatic if at the last minute, she bowed out with a statement that he is already turning on democratic values.
But the media would be on her like jackals. Hillary has taken so much abuse, and worked so hard, I would not want her to do another thing, except relax.
Why?
She’s a politician, it’s not like she’s some weak kneed poseur, pretending she has a pair, blowing gas out an obese ass.
She does have a pair, see the difference?
No need to be gross…I’m eating.
Still it will be good to see her again, hear her again. I will vote for McCain against Obama but I think both of them are miles away from understanding or caring about people the way Hillary does.
The populist movement is like something that blinks into existence only when Hillary is speaking.
I don’t believe that people were ignorant of the fraud obama I believe it was all about anyone but a woman and to maintain their “progressive status” supporting a black man was perfect cover for hiding their prejudice, I exclude the kids in this comment they are just impressionable and spoiled wrotten who want what they want at any expense, regardless to facts.
My pet theory is that they were raised in homes that were Republican and totally bought the smear campaign. They grew up hearing how awful Bill was.
It was their perspective. I know none of them were raised by Clinton Democrats.
From day 1, their rhetoric about Hillary was absolutely 100% out of Republican playbook. They were the Independents, and Obama ran a 3rd Party campaign that worked with that group.
The Democratic Party became the Republican Party of the 90s. The interests of that group merged with the slimy interests of the Washington Insiders who wanted the power and knew Hillary would lead THEM and not the reverse.
Biden actually said Obama misspoke about Iraq. Reid says he’ll cover for him on FISA.
These guys want a weak, ineffectual guy who screws up. It ups their power.
Anyway, that’s my 2 cents.
My nephews were raised by a father who adores the Clintons, especially Hillary. The older one is an Obamabot. He’s insufferable.
Yes, we should help her retire the debt. I have already sent in what I could. This keeps her free from BO. Some of us belong to a blog (group)that has organized around 18 million votes and have chosen 18 super delegates each to correspond with each week until the convention. Impressing on them that she suspended, not ended, her campaign and that they have an obligation to vote for the most electable candidate and that is Hillary. There are many sites trying to accomplish the same thing. PUMA,clintondems.com, writehillaryin.com. Every one could do something to get BO out and Hillary in. We don’t know until we try. Please join with a group and try. No money should be given to BO and the DNC. Send the postage paid envelopes back full of trash. I do not understand why the main media has not spoken a word about the Sinclair issue.
Sorry, said this in another thread and should have said it here: How could those morons NOT have seen this coming?
Because they are morons,,,,,
Uh huh, that’s right.
They are STINKING morons.
Panderer with a capital “P”.
Liar with a capital “L”
Arrogant with a capital “A”
Those he fools now have only themselves to blame.
Wait… Obama lied again?
Rose-colored glasses.
Obama is taking major heat in the editorials today. All of a sudden, the conservative writers are so astute and aware of his antics. LOL*
Damn them! They played dumb during the primaries! *arrrrgggggggghhhhhh
On RCP alone, there are articles slamming him on his embarassing gaffes regarding historical events, his screw-up on the Israel/Jeruselum issue, his “killing” of campaign finance reform, and his “flip-flopping” on positions, which is a nice way to say: He’s a liar.
On TV this morning it looked like the coronation continued. No criticism, just adulation for his 15 pt lead and all the money he’s raising despite the terrible racism.
Cheese and rice! 15 pts. where?!!
Why bother watching TV! Turn it off or cancel your cable: they’ll continue to serve you milquetoast, otherwise.
The TV media is sure setting themselves up, aren’t they? How will they explain where that big lead went?
In short, I’m not buying that poll.
If it’s the Newsweek poll, it’s likely inherently biased, as I think NBC owns Newsweek. I could be wrong.
Deb — two words I have come to hate. UNITY doesn’t exist in this country where we are more divided then ever. INEVITABILITY not in the eyes of the American people who continue to be pushed into accepting this fraud. The word I would like to see used more is CULPABILITY–because the media, the DNC and The Democratic Party are all culpable and should take responsibility for the mess they have created. Admitting they are culpable? More chance of seeing pigs fly.
Obama voters need to be continually exposed as the vile, Anti American traitors they are.
Obama stands for no one but HIMSELF.
He has insulted nearly every American in every walk of life for that reason. Anyone who supports him supports his views. Sadly,they are not smart enough to know they,too,have been insulted and cast aside.
That or the TV media simply aren’t reporting enough facts for them to realize that they’ve been insulted.
Via the “Tom in Paine” website I learned of a new Pac that is just getting up and running. “The Denver Group” is a Pac being formed to “insure that the Democratic National Committee respect and carry out the democratic process at the convention in Denver this August by meeting certain specific goals:
An open convention;
Senator Clinton’s name on the ballot;
Speeches allowed by supporters of Senator Clinton on behalf of her candidacy;
A roll call vote;
No coronation.”
They are just getting started and are not accepting donations yet, but for me these are excellent goals that I will be willing to support. Keep an eye on this group:
http://thedenvergroup.blogspot.com/
One of the originators of the group is a Georgetown law professor and has been very active in Dem politics in Washington, so she knows what she is doing too.
But they do accept pledges for the Denver group. Go to:
http://heidilipotpourri.blogspot.com
and pledge an amount for the Denver group, there is a long list already.
Since Obama has his own presidential seal now, shouldn`t he design a dictators uniform to wear. I was thinking of something like Michael Jackson used to wear with all those gold braids and stuff. He could just moon walk out of all his promises.
Oh, the possibilities with Michael Jackson songs…
To the people thrown under the bus:
“If they say why, why
Tell them that it’s human nature!
Why, why
Does he do that to me?”
To the No Quarter people:
“Leave me alone!
Just stop doggin’ me around!”
To the FL an MI voters:
“You’ve been hit by
you’ve been struck by
a smooth criminal!”
Obama’s EGO über alles!
Personally I’m surprised he’s letting his guard down so soon, giving all anti-bama folk even more ammo to shut him down this November. He can raise his millions and flood the market with his teeny-merchandise & ringtones, but he cannot win over educated voters.
He will never ever get my vote. NEVER
justsaynodeal.com
google: pumapac
Donate to Hillary so she can act as a free woman again. HILLARY!!
my COUSIN in Boston is a college grad with a daughter working for the red cross or one of those agencies on some remote island somewhere
he’s so juiced in barackoolaid I just hope he reads my return emails and checks out this link
I don’t think he even KNOWS half of what BArry has said and done.
They are covering for him in the media and on the far left blogs. It’s SO FRIGGING OBVIOUS and they are being proven to be the hypocrites they always rail against.
But they are even worse, imo.
I can’t WAIT to read the headlines in DEC as to why oh WHY or WHYyyyyyyyyy Barry lost so bad!
lmao
whyyyyyyyyyy? leave barry aloneeeeeeeee!!! lol sigh
The most ridiculous pandering act today (We should have a weekly contest on the best gaffe/pandering act of the week) is Moveon.Org’s bake sale. *blink*
Really, they have kids making cookies for Obama.
See, we don’t need no finance election reform!
I just got a LOL from your comment because one of my friend’s daughters is having a Move On bake
sale today…..and……they are selling only cookies. They asked people to donate cookies for a fundraiser for Obama.
I’ll give them some cookies…but only after I’ve tossed them up.
A bake sale…is that for all the little women to participate now?
Get into the kitchen with your kids for Obama.
Eew…
A contest for the best gaffe/pandering act….good idea…. I suspect it will be difficult to choose they just keep rolling them out.
Silly me, thought the summer was going to slow down these type of things, as he tries to coast into the convention.
karma — baking cookies for Obama. Obama is a total fraud who takes money from people who want to destroy our Democracy and moveon.org holds bake sales. Just a little propaganda to make Obama seem as American as apple pie. I would laugh so hard if the bile wasn’t choking my throat.
Cookies for the cookie monster?
He is so TUCC seseme street.
Somebody should put laxatives in the cookies. Maybe they can poop the Obama-ade out.
This just reminded me of the debate when ob brought up her 1992 “baking cookies” remark.
He used that against her to deflect his current at the time bitter-clinging-guns-religion quote.
Whenever he’s been hit with huge boulders he tosses back pebbles and his supporters cheer.
Rezko - Walmart board (despite Michelle’s job too)
Ayers - Bill commuting sentences for time served
He is such a weasel.
It was always and only about Hillary-hatred.
Could it be any clearer, they’d rather have the stupid guy who lies.
Hey guys, you’ve been thrown under the bus.
How’s it feel?
I think you are right!!
The BIGGEST part of this was always about hating the Clintons and Hillary.
SHAME on them!!
disgusting little pigs
The thing is, Hillary has been lying low since her speech, so the Obamatrons are suffering from withdrawals. They’re turning towards the web to continue their hatred and disassembly of the Clinton Legacy.
http://www.cafepress.com/pumapride/
PUMA Gear — Resist the Coup!
Well, Michelle is getting a taste of the sexism now, in my opinion.
LOL*
I don’t like her, but she’s really taking a lot of heat over everything.
She’ll find this unrelenting, too.
It’s not that she’s a woman, of course. It’s that we don’t like THIS woman.
I heard Margaret Carlson on Tweety’s show last week laughing at the Obama defense of Michelle “smears:”
She openly said, “The spouses of the candidates have ALWAYS been fair game.”
Welcome to reality, Michelle.
And it won’t just be the Repubs. It’ll be the catty Village like Margaret Carlson, Maureen Dowd, and Sally Quinn.
Buck up, Michelle. SURELY you can be as strong and courageous as Hillary and Chelsea were all those years.
mimi — Hillary is a populist who would set about fixing this economic mess. Can’t have that.
He’s supporting a conservative white guy over a black female and his supporters don’t see a problem with this. Did the woman back Hillary? Did she refuse to genuflect before The Messiah? Or once again is Obama simply thinking that the blacks will mindlessly vote for him no matter how many times he knifes them in the back. If so, he’s probably thinking I might as well pretend to be part redneck and see if I can get some of these dumb hicks to vote for me. Here’s hoping he gets his ass handed to him in Georgia!
Yes, I’d love the background on this. I’m going to check for myself.
I read elsewhere she didn’t come out early enough for him. So throw her under the bus.
I saw that too….shocking.
Didn’t see the report about being too slow to endorse though.
It appears he keeps his threats…jerk….but breaks his promises.
Good to know…
wac for Hillary — After playing the race card and complaining that the media thinks he’s too black - Obama’s going for the white guy to show he is Mr. Mainstream. Its easy to change your skin when you have the principles of a snake.
As an African American this should be a very proud moment for me, it is not. Barack Obama is a disgrace, he is a liar, and he does not respect the African American community or their votes, or anyone else for that matter. He is the most self serving politician we have witness in a very long time. This was evident at the Chicago church, where he reached in the bag and pulled out an old issue that we have long addressed in our community. He treats the Black community as if she is a girl that lives in the seedy side of town and he knows he can swing by (after dark) and get some whenever he wants, and she will be waiting for him. I am amazed that we have allowed ourselves to be ghettoized by this would be savior and his racist white handlers.
Not to mention, no one seems to care that he is probably going to be indicted any day now, now that his pal Tony Rezko was convicted. You all should read if you have not already Evelyn Pringle piece on “Operation Board Games” , http://www.opednews.com/author/author58.html this is a story that has a whole lot more to it then we know.
Barack really needs to answer for all the Campaign Contributions, his was, The House, The Lot Next Door, The Board Appointments, Michelle’s Job, Her Salary of $300,000, and quiet frankly is anybody bothering to look into the Larry Sinclair matter. I know we have classified him as a “nut job” but the nut job gave us dates, time-line, phone numbers and names. And how is it that two gay men who both attended Barack’s church end up dead just in time to go away and not get in his way for his quest for power? Just a few things worth considering!!!!
The part I am starting to dislike the most is the apologetic excuses from his supporters. “He HAS to distance himself from the AA community to be elected” is real old. He HAS to pander to AIPAC to get the Jewish vote. He HAS to (fill in the blank) to get elected.
That’s an untruthful excuse and sends the message that the public is OK with politicians who are not accountable for their words.
The fact is that you can build a record, prove it by your vote and what you author and push, prove your integrity through how you campaign, etc.
This is NOT necessary to lie to people, and it’s ridiculous for people to suggest that is the case.
It’s turned his supporters into sheer idiots trying to, yet again, rationalize his lack of good judgment.
That’s how they’re spinning this. He HAS to move to the center to get votes. Except he’s not just making speeches now. We’re seeing him in action, and he’s lying. Voting for telecom amnesty is a loud and clear message.
And when did Bill Clinton have to distance himself from AA voters?
It is so disingenuous to make that claim.
Clinton apologizes for Tuskegee…and rightfully so.
I don’t see Obama doing any such thing for the AA community. He showed how much he respected them with Rezko slums. He showed them how much he cared when the Chicago school system was in play simply for political cred, and not improving test scores.
A hundred million dollars and no improvement. What hands were greased at the expense of the kids?
Clinton spent his entire political life helping people and especially the AA community. More than any president in fistory…therefore he was a racist.
Obama had street cred by sitting in church for 20 years listening to his hate mongering anti american racebaiting pastor - therefore he was a messiah come to free the AA community from its political slavery.
Jay,
I’m black, too and yes, he’s turned what could have been a proud moment into a national embarassment. And not just because he’s a liar and a dirty politician. He’s exposed the black community to be sorely lacking in discerning ability and the fact that many blacks have harbored serious hardcore bigotry, while being willfully in denial about the part many blacks play in some of our social ills today.
Sadly, he has compromised the ongoing struggle of racism, particularly institutional racism. There was still quite a bit left to change, but now, Obama has pretty much dried up what compassion was left in American society for our issues. And I can’t blame them.
So be it.
You and I both know, when the honeymoon is over in the black community with this biracial fraud, it’s going to get real ugly. FUGLY!
But what pains me most, is how unqualified and basically stupid Obama is. And to think we had a brilliant candidate in Clinton whose command of the issues was astounding and she could articulate it on a moment’s notice. But the Party kicked her to the curb for this dumbfuck.
I ask everyone: Who could be a proud Democrat after this?
I’m thinking it is entirely possible that Obama’s support among African American Democrats will erode by November.
Obama’s Father’s Day speech irritated me and I’m white.
Obama was selling stereotypes of African American men who abdandon their family.
I’m one of those “whiteys” that has had a lot of interaction with AA family friends since I was a kid.
So I can compare my positive personal experiences with the stereotypes and know the truth.
But many white people have little to no interaction with hard working, middle class African Americans.
And when an AA man of power starts spewing the stereotypes, they tend to believe him.
I was horrified.
Not a WORD about the AA fathers in the military risking their lives in the Middle East. Not a word about the African American fathers busting butt to give their kids the American Dream.
Obama’s speech was such an obvious ploy for white bigots — horrified — that’s the only word I can find to describe how I felt.
Ditto here. It was actually a bit worse than Bill Cosby’s scoldings. Bill isn’t after anything. He just takes people to task.
But I found his Father’s Day remarks horribly obvious. BlackAgendaReport ran a scathing reply to him on that.
But then, he is a politician. I personally think they need to shut up about faith and morality.
It’s not like Washington has shown much real leadership in this era of dilly-dallying and toliet stall scandals.
We do not need them to tell us how to live.
Obama supporters condemned racism, but Obama is quite happy to pander to white bigots by invoking racial stereotypes. It’s hypocrisy in action.
I agree. His elite bad self tries so hard to identify with middle America and it never works! His speech was repulsive. He is always putting down everyone, everything, our entire government, society, you name it. He gets people to cry because he makes them feel so fucking miserable! Then he shows his other hand and quickly injects his snakeoil.
It’s a complete set up and sham. I wish some psychologist would make him a work in progress and attend his events etc. and expose this con artist for exactly what he is.
Mimi,
You said: “Obama has pretty much dried up what compassion was left in American society for our issues.”
I hope our nation won’t stop feeling for and trying to help real people who have real problems, simply because one politician cynically played games.
I suspect that the negative emotions that Obama’s campaign helped stir up will calm down over the next few months — and we can get back to the task of problem solving.
mimi;
what compassion was left in American society for our issues.
I carry that “compassion” in my heart and will not be guilted into wearing it on my sleeve.
You should know as a “person of European decent” I am FUCKING PISSED OFF, that the AA American community’s deepest hopes and aspirations have been used in this way, setting back so much advancement in cultural interactions.
Do we have a long way to go? You bet! Has BO screwed the pooch on this for years to come? In more ways than I can comprehend!
My sane half has to tell me to Calm the %$^& Down! ;when assholes like Roland and Brazzile and every other toad pushes this destructive racist shit.
But I want you to know personally, that I have learned a great deal from you and other members of the AA community that see this for what it is.
You should know, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity you have and others have extended to me to grow and understand, what is a difficult subject, what goes on your “world”.
When I was kid, (growing up in a Quaker town founded in 1650, one of the first towns in the United States to let “black” people live freely in their own confines across the Indian trail)
, the day MLK was murdered, there was an anger and rioting and all sorts of vandalism by the AA community. I did not understand fully then why. I do now. And BO is the opposite of what it is about.
Thanks.
Obama joined church (Black Liberation Theology) that grew out of the anti-MLK movement — more akin to the Black Panther Movement then the MLK organization.
Could be that the Quaker town you grew up in was one founded by my Quaker ancestors!
“http://www.villageofwestbury.org/index.asp?Type=B_LOC&SEC=%7B25BD8F5E-47EE-4FEF-928B-F47883BFFC8E%7D”
Jay-Obama has used the Black Community the same way as he has used White Community, Women and the Youth vote. Obama only cares about Obama. There is a video out there in which he openly derides the Black Community. It will probably be released in the Fall. What a traitor he is–to his race–to his class and to his country.
Let no man come between Obama and his mirror.
Another video rumor? Ups the odds for one of them to leak before August. They can’t all be only in Republican or Obamatraitor hands.
Michelle with Farrakhan (or his wife) whitey rant.
Obama Anti-Jewish pro-Palestinian speech.
Obama overseas visits possible conduct issues.
Obama overly harsh on black community.
I couldn’t AGREE more!!!!
Harry Reid says he plans to give Obama cover on the
FISA vote…….Does that mean Obama will get to vote no or they are installing a present button
in his seat in ths Senate. Present buttons in Illinois are yellow.
Good point.
I’m not sure what’s up with Reid.
Obama is yella bellied, not courageous enough to take a stand on anything controversial.
“Osborne and others suggested the endorsement was a reward for Barrow’s support of Obama for president. Barrow backed Obama as he rounded up support from so-called “superdelegates” such as Barrow. Thomas did not back Obama until around the time he locked up the nomination.”
The article (link above) is worth reading. Several Obama supporters in Savannah voice disappointment. Barrow apparently also didn’t strongly stand behind a Gay Rights Agenda he campaigned for to get elected in 2004.
Thomas sounds confidente she’ll win. We’ll see.
If he resembles McCain too closely, all those democrats who are outraged by Obama’s Chicago-style campaign tactics will have good reason to vote against him in November: if the two candidates are so similar, why reward the one who misled voters, reversed himself on important issues, and fought to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida?
Don’t forget that one of the choices has 2 decades of experience over the other.
Thanks for adding to my point!
Obama swings both ways in more ways than one..
NOBAMA!
FREE LARRY SINCLAIR!!!!!!!!
Sorry, had to. :)~~
Another Democrat for McCain !!!!!!!!
The Pied Piper of Chicago
Obama and his followers remind me of the story of the Pied Piper - and we all know what happened to the Rats and the children.
Obama’s Rats and ‘children’ are mesmerized by a tune we cannot hear (lucky us). He is leading them to their destruction. Unfortunately, if they do not awaken from their trance in time, the rest of will suffer just as greatly.
No one will know what the big 0 plans on doing until he is elected-he tells everyone-in the majority-what they want to hear. As he says-he’s an “awfully” good politician.
If you want to be famous support this ad and ask to have your name posted with it.
Odds are you will get a call from the press.
I think the various anti Obama blogs should support it and place their blog names on it as it is a strong strategic move.
http://hcsfjm.com/
Interesting audio from someone who was at the Larry Sinclair press conference.
http://rense.gsradio.net:8080/rense/special/rense_tarpley_061808.mp3
Very interesting! I am now on the alert for a new Manning video! Can’t wait. He’s a hoot!
Thanks for the audio link! I’ve sent it around! Many things I did not know.
I feel my day has been worth something if I learn something new in it!
Lately it’s like a massive upload on my ancient brain cells, there is soooo much! And the price of popcorn is soon to go up! damn the floods (prayin for the people)
Hey all…go see on Drudge the BOT’s new presidential seal….it is so arrogant it will blow you away.
You know, for whatever reason, I just can’t work up in interest in Drudge.
Like Obama, other than their weak kneed subversion of the democratic process, they’re no talent bores, without minds, little drones without the capacity to understand, or examine.
Batshit stupid and boring, in other words, stick figures.
Larry and Susan, as bloggers, have personalities, a literary, individual unique voice.
The others on the Internet, (at least those with notoriety), don’t.
I can’t be bothered.
Bait and switch, as a way of life and being, balanced with a trite mind incapable of analysis or individual thought does not make for interesting work, unless you, yourself, are not smart enough to understand why the bloggger boyz are irrelevant, in the end.
Susan posted the seal here:
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/20/progressive-bloggers-get-a-heavy-dose-of-reality/
What “blows me away” is that any voter could seriously consider Obama the clown for the office of President of the United States of America.
The Obama seal is the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen. What people might not realize is that the presidential seal is actually the seal of the United States with the words Seal of the President of the United States encircling it. Therefore, Obama is desecrating the Presidential seal, he is desecrating the US seal, the equivalent to the American coat of arms. It is so atrocious. No e pluribus unum but vero possumus. What a jerk. I have one for one for him:
mendacia nolumus devorare
We refuse to put up with (lit. swallow) the lies.
Possum-in-chief?
McCain Interview with Charles Gibson worth a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B2NPLwrms8
He is a humble man. One may not agree with all his views, but he comes across as a realist, a patriot, a voice of ‘wisdom’. I will give him a chance. He doesn’t make me squirm in my chair and wonder the way obamassole’s rhetoric and uhhh,uhhhh does.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks during a meeting of Democratic Governors at the Chicago History Museum in Chicago Friday, June 20, 2008. A new seal debuted on Obama’s podium Friday, sporting iconography used in the U.S. presidential seal, the blue background, the eagle clutching arrows on left and olive branch on right, but with symbolic differences. Instead of the Latin ‘E pluribus unum’ (Out of many, one), Obama’s says ‘Vero possumus’, rough Latin for ‘Yes, we can.’ Instead of ‘Seal of the President of the United States’, Obama’s Web site address is listed. And instead of a shield, Obama’s eagle wears his ‘O’ campaign logo with a rising sun representing hope ahead.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Pic on Drudge
Just shows how blinded Obama’s disciples are. I am a Hillary supporter but if she had done that I would have had second thoughts.
It is not just distasteful and disrespectful, it shows an intention to be all powerful.
Good ole’ Barry. Always reaching across the aisle to find his position on the issues.
Well put!
Did you guys see what he did the American seal? It has really, really scared me. I feel like Hitler is about to take over this country.
Also I think he broke the law by messing with the seal. Read Below…
§ 713. Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the seals of the President and Vice President, the seal of the United States Senate, the seal of the United States House of Representatives, and the seal of the United States Congress
This is a violation of the United States Code:
(f) A violation of the provisions of this section may be enjoined at the suit of the Attorney General,
(1) in the case of the great seal of the United States and the seals of the President and Vice President, upon complaint by any authorized representative of any department or agency of the United States;
Nice catch Mickey! They are so arrogant…it is very very scary! 1984….
An example of how “progressive” Obama’s foreign policy connections are:
There is talk of Sam Nunn as Obama’s VP. Nunn is Chairman of the Trustee Board of the far from progressive Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ). Also serving as a Trustee is Obama’s foreign policy guru Zbigniew Brzezinski.
Coincidentally, another Trustee of CSIS is Thomas J. Pritzer, Chairman of the Chicago-based Pritzer Org., Global Hyatt, and the Marmon Group. Thomas Pritzer is the cousin of Penny Pritzer, Obama’s long-time supporter. The Marmon Group was recently purchased by Warren Buffet, another Obama supporter.
Obama seems to think no one will notice what he does…
By Alexander Bolton: The Hill
An event Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) headlined last week has prompted head-scratching among Illinois ethics experts and drawn sharp rebuke from Republicans because one of the main organizers participated in Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s old fundraising network.
John W. Rogers Jr., the chairman of Ariel Investments who gave $22,500 in contributions to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) through Rezko, hosted a top-dollar special reception with Obama Thursday to raise money for the Democratic White House Victory Fund.
Rogers has also pledged to raise over $200,000 for Obama’s campaign. He was one of many political players whose name surfaced during Rezko’s recent trial. A federal jury convicted the Chicago political fixer of mail and wire fraud, aiding and abetting bribery and money laundering.
No one does notice what he does because the mass media doesn’t report it. When they do, they gloss it over.
Yes, you’re exactly right about some media’s refusal to report facts that don’t help Obama.
Too bad I am banned from Daily Obama and TPM to tell them they got punked.
I tried to tell them he is a fraud.
Wear that banning like a Badge of Honor and Courage.
I suspect that they’re starting to figure out that they were bamboozled.
yup…….here’s the reply, too, from one.
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2008/6/21/11019/8886
I’ve wandered onto that site before, ugh.
This guy was drinking the kool-aid from a fire hose. He won’t come around till they deprogram him. Didn’t read it all but there was some non-sense I caught while scanning his “pity” piece that said something about McGovern being a “near miss” or “close call” type of thing.
BULL! The map was STUNNINGLY RED with one itsy bitsy little blue dot somewhere in the northeast, iirc.
There’s a free spot under the bus near the gas tank and the tail pipe fumes. Maybe he can learn to NOT inhale toxic gas bag emmissions.
Not only is Booman a silly apologist, he’s also a pompous over-writer! (Ugh, those metaphors just keep crashing on the shoals of my sensibility).
It is really interesting how much effort that many No Quarter contributors put into Obama’s past i.e. this smear tactic is just as extreme as Bush’s real record of damage to this country. Obama’s “change” means that Obama is willing to risk criticisms from the gray areas of campaign - areas defined by the precedents and practices of change. Frankly, the said No Quarter contributors who are bent on smear and who maintain intransigence actually, IMO, inadvertantly promote the Bush ‘black and white’, ‘us versus them’ agenda.
I contributed to Obama’s campaign because the “change” he advocates is involvement of the people in the solutions to the problems. However, I still think that he and McCain are weak in this area i.e. they are not at all strong in the area of Conservation or global peacebuilding.
Some No Quarter contributors have criticized him for lack of experience. Well, many No Quarter contributors especially Larry Johnson are more than capable of sound advise re: e.g. intelligence reform. Reform is change. Change is often painful and difficult because preconceptions are challenged. I recall a quote from Star Trek
Enterprise: “challenge your preconceptions or they will challenge you”.
Specifics of Obama’s ‘change’ claim please. What has he very DONE that indicates he plans “involvement of the people in the solutions to the problems”? I think if you look at all he has done since declaring himself the nominee shows quite the opposite.
His entire campaign was ethereal until now. Now he is backing away from everything his supporters admired him for. He is throwing them under the bus. Is that the change involving the people he represents?
Obama has no solutions and is at this point in time actually a part of the problem(s). Instead of someone who is qualified to be president we now have someone who has inserted himself through Chicago style politics as the nominee which will guarantee more problems if elected in the general.
Campaign finance reform as I understand it e.g. accepting contributions only from the people (50,000 have responded with contributions according to the Obama campaign) is the specific “change” that I am talking about. However, other changes such as campaign platform statements on Conservation or global peacebuilding have not been forthcoming by either McCain or Obama. My ‘thing’, if you will, is a revival of public service which, IMO, has been heavily damaged by the emphasis of the Bush Administration on privatization and the heavy financing of both parties on the various “wars” defined and fought by Congress. Any issue defined totally as “war” is an excuse, IMO, to remove the involvement and scrutiny of people. We, the People, have been left with a post 9/11 paranoia about security and isolation from the rest of the world i.e. Bush has exploited 9/11 in the form of partisan politics. We have a window of opporunity to reverse that by finding ways to get the people involved in the solution. How do we do that? Obama initialized it with campaign funding reform.
60% of the Obama campaign’s funds have come from people who have given at least $1,000, the kind of donors who are most often recruited by ‘bundlers’. Only 30% of his contributions have come from people who gave less than $200.
http://savagepolitics.com/?p=165
Hi Phil,
I think there are 2 ways to argue this. some have argued that it is Sen. Obama’s campaign that has put out the “us versus them” messages.
For example, I wrote about 2 campaign emails (March 5 and April 14), which state that Hillary was attacking Obama’s supporters. Those were blatant attempts to persuade Obama’s supporters that Hillary was an outright enemy, instead of just an opposing candidate.
What I wrote in today’s posts is not a smear — unless one defines smear as either untrue statements or criticism based on irrelevant personal issues.
As you see, I’ve linked to sources for what I’ve said. Obama did come out supporting FISA, he did reverse himself on NAFTA and campaign finance, and he did voice strong “free market” leanings.
I don’t see how pointing that out — without insults, at that — qualifies as a smear.
Phil,
I’m sorry. I made a typing error.
I said:
“What I wrote in today’s posts is not a smear — unless one defines smear as either untrue statements or criticism based on irrelevant personal issues.”
What I meant was “if” (not unless).
I was up late and am just now jump-starting.
Hello Deb
Thanks for your reply.
I think it is critical that public service is revived. Many of the issues confronting us these days necesarily involve the people in the solution. I am often told when I present this precedent that closed door sessions are necessary in the beginning of the address of any issue and I agree with that principle. However, there is a point when the people need to be brought into solution. I saw that happening in Obama’s campaign re: campaign funding reform and so I pointed that out.
Hi Phil,
I agree with you about public service and about starting the solution process with only a few people involved. Large “committees” during the planning stages tend to lose focus and impede progress.
I’m not sure what you mean by “Obama’s campaign re: campaign funding reform.”
Since officially announcing his candidacy, Sen. Obama has talked about reform. He even said that he won’t take lobbyists/special-interest cash.
The USA Today, LA Times and Chicago Trib articles that I linked to above in the post show that Sen. Obama merely found less direct ways to take cash from lobbyists and special interests.
That makes me wonder about his sincerity re: campaign-finance reform.
Hi Deb
I see that the coffee or whatever has kicked in i.e. you have made some interesting points of contention here.
The Obama campaign claims 50,000 contributions from private citizens since the annoucement that he would not accept contributions from designated special interests (do you agree with this latter designation?).
I agree with you that this could be simply campaign rhetoric i.e. assignment of the claim of “independence” from special interests (do you agree with this interpretation?).
I sent feedback to the Obama campaign asking for more examples of people involvement in other issue i.e. Conservation and global peacebuilding initiative.
So, if he does not move the same principle into other issues then yes, you might be correct about his sincerity.
You have UNDER THE BUS DENIAL
You may wish to see this site for help:
http://dakiniland.wordpress.com/
Anger could possibly be the next stage. Remember, we’re here to help you through this difficult time.
If you or any of your relatives have been experiencing UNDER THE BUS denial,
be certain to visit this site to determine if your symptoms are serious. If you’re convinced that you are now and have been UNDER THE BUS for some time…
here is a list of sites that can help you:
http://www.justsaynodeal.com/
Remember this may be NEW to you if you’ve been spending too much time on various other blogs like HuffPoop or Daily Kampf. We’re here to help you through your ordeal. Just look for the PUMA label. There is help!
Involvement of the people? He’s the least accessible of all who ran!
Oh……you mean the bake sale stuff?
Obama does not know the difference between the “prime directive” and his CRAP CANNON.
If you wish to call BO’s “version” of reform “change”..have at it.
The crap cannnon would require change.
A change of clothes.
And from my position it is clear that he has need to change the rear left tire of the bus, it has worn treads from the lefties tossed beneath it.
Don’t tread on me!
“Maybe Sen. Obama has a sound, strategic reason for making himself look less progressive and more like John McCain — though I can’t imagine what it is.”
He has no strategic perspective except some sort of sick self-glorification. His strategy is made by others and his lines and “positions” are fed to him. With that in mind, yours is still a damn good question.
1. His deployment was planned years ago with the aim of keeping the Clintons out of the white house. In the view of the string-pullers, has that goal been assured? PUMA resistance movement suggests not.
2. No way this clown is electable in the general election.
3. So he’s just expendable meat to the string-pullers. I sense vaguely he’s now being used (strategically) as a kind of “shock and awe” on the minds of Americans, possibly with emphasis on his credulous followers. That in some sort of mix with watching them/us as if they/we were some sort of laboratory subjects, like the victims of fire-bombed cities were studied in the later stages of WWII.
4. They are regrouping after setbacks in their plans.
5. Their strategy will be more clear/obvious around late July. I won’t be surprised if we are hit by a shocking event or series of them then.
6. We are not monkeys, unable to remove our greedy fists from the small-necked container lest we loose the coveted prize we grasp. They are. We have that not insignificant advantage.
Everyone intending to vote for McCain mostly say they are putting the country before any party. So what is Hillary interested in, the party or the country? If Hillary campaigns for Obama then Hillary is condoning everything Obama has done, which includes Wright, Ayers, Farrakhan, the whole shmear. Party before National Interest is no less than CYA. Politics as usual. Hillary has put Bill in a no win situation. We sure as hell need a new party, but Bill can’t run again unfortunately.
Irish,
I see Hillary as having been coerced into supporting Obama, for the sake of her own career. If Obama had lost, the party people would have coerced him, too.
Then again, Hillary always said that Obama would be better than McCain — just not as good as she would be.
Myself, I haven’t yet decided how I’ll vote in November. A lot can happen between now and then. IF Obama had come out strongly (on his own) against FISA/Telecom Amnesty, I would have leaned toward voting for him.
As I mentioned in the post, Obama’s rhetoric is starting to look more and more like McCain’s. The problem is that I can’t tell on which points either has been sincere.
McCain did raise cane and vote against Bush’s tax cuts a few years back (knowing he’d get heat for it), yet he campaigned a few months ago saying he would re-establish said cuts.
Did he change his mind — or is he duping conservative voters? I don’t know. I feel the same way about Obama’s various reversals.
Like everyone else, I’m left with very slim basis on which to compare McCain and Obama. This election should have been easier.
There is no no good choice from my point of view either. I was only wondering why so many people are still pulling for Hillary after she has endorsed and will campaign for a man they say they could never endorse (vote for) under any circumstances. I wasn’t being critical of your post. I think it is a good post.
HI Irish,
I didn’t think you were being critical. I don’t mind criticism anyway (as long as people don’t call me ugly and mean — though, I can’t stop them if they want to, so I’ll roll with it).
We are in a hard position this election. For that, I do partly blame Sen. Obama.
If he had been anywhere close to the person he’d been claiming to be, I would have no trouble supporting him now.
We should not have to hold our nose in November. Here in my Florida county, I need both hands free to bubble in circles next to candidates’ names.
Hey, what happened to all the trolls?
Did the kool-aid well suddenly run dry?
Maybe it is the Kool-Aid that has got them :). Remember Jonesville? LOL.
Now thats Hope you can belive in.
Don’t call them out. Nobody misses them. I don’t need to argue with them to validate my opinion.
Besides, they are strategically in hiding untill Hillary appears with BO this week. Then they’ll be out in full force about how we, if we respect Senator Clinton should do as she says.
Obama told the CBC that Hillary’s supporters need to “get over it.” He even had the audacity to say the Clinton’s called him a Muslim and that there’s plenty of hurt feelings to go around.
Fuck Barack Obama! The more he opens his mouth, the more I know I have made the right choice.
Where the fuck did he come from?
He is truly the brother from another planet.
Mimi…That was a great movie…
Obama can’t leave an eyeball behind just to see what’s up, and he sure as hell can’t read the writing on the wall.
nickoury — Its the Sabath in Palestine and all the Pal trolls are facing Mecca.
Remember,
Comment by meileen | 2008-06-20 21:06:16
Hey Uppity, did you read this from PlanetOut today?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20080620/co_po/obamamarriageonemanonewoman
Not that I am surprised, but wasn’t he clamoring for votes in the LGBT community right before the Texas and then PA primaries? I sure hope all those that drank the Koolaid from the community feel all warm and fuzzy now.
Also, there was a great bit on Time.com (I think) today that posted a letter from the McCain campaign illustrating all of (well, not all as who can keep up) BO’s flip-flops. A good read.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20080620/co_po/obamamarriageonemanonewoman
Obama: Marriage = one man, one woman
More precisely, Sen. Obama said, “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” shortly after being asked if he opposed same-sex marriage, to which he responded, “Yes.”
This positioning is not new for Obama. He has uttered those words plenty — during a debate with Alan Keyes in 2004, on the Senate floor in 2006, even in his 2007 Human Rights Campaign candidate questionnaire.
Yes, which is why he did not carry that segment of the voters.
That voter bloc is actually quite “high-information” and did NOT buy into his crapola.
He made it clear in SC, too. He’s tried flip-flopping, but they aren’t buying it.
Frankly, McCain is easier to tolerate on a lot of these issues. He’s on the table. And his saving grace is that he repeatedly says it’s a states rights issue.
RE: Comment by nickoury | 2008-06-21 10:37:25
Hey, what happened to all the trolls?
Did the kool-aid well suddenly run dry?
THEY DO NOT GET PAID TO WORK ON SATURDAYS.
THEY LIKE TO PLAY OUTSIDE, AND HAUNT THE MALLS ON SATURDAYS!
Veros Possumus literally translated means: In Truth We Are Able.
Maybe we should watch Charlie Chaplin’s the Great Dictator again.
I also reminded me a man-child pretending to be president.
Although some of his supporters really like it…Latin..real cool and retro you know.
Yep. Latin is as cool as a dead language can get. It’s a great move. Most people will look at the word and think “possum…”
I love the title of this thread. I wonder how these “progressives” feel to be defecated on. Any Obamabot out there want to give us a clue?
I just have to say,
stinky is such a despicable fraud.
It’s totally shameful.
Deb, this is the most inciteful, on the money post I’ve seen this whole campaign! Thank you!
Thank you
THIS FOLKS….IS RACISM TODAY IN AMERICA!
Tavis Smiley Will Cut Ties With Joyner Radio Show
One of Sen. Barack Obama’s toughest African American critics is quitting his long association with a national radio show after
facing a backlash from the program’s listeners.
Tavis Smiley said yesterday he will resign in June as a twice-weekly commentator on the syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show” after more than 11 years with the program.
Once again in this thread….Obama is staying true to those threats against AA who don’t support him.
Keeps his threats…..breaks his promises.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103056.html
Some interesting quotes in the article.
How sad…for trying to geniunely serve his community they attack him.
I hope in time they see he was looking out for them.
Time is running out to help Hillary Clinton retire her campaign debt. She is forbidden by law to use any of the public fund money to retire the debt. The more she is “helped” by Obama and the DNC thugs in the retirement of this debt, the more beholden to them she will be within the political system. If supporters will donate the cost of a coffee or pack of butts (whoever still smokes) or a cocktail or an ice cream, that will put a big dent in her debt. Thank you for listening!
WHat a thoughtful message
Actually it is a flagrant lie to claim Joe Lieberman was a Republican in Democrats’ clothing. It was the same nutroots backing Obama who forced Lieberman out of the party by running an idiot against him in the primaries.
Yes, it is the same bunch backing Obama in the primaries and trashing Hillary Clinton as a Republican.
Susan,
I meant no offense to you, but I genuinely see Lieberman as more Republican than Dem. I have since he took his stance against FASB.
Back in 1994, he led in a non-binding resolution against FASB, simply because FASB had wanted public corporations to expense stock options.
FASB was acting in the interest of ordinary investors, so they wouldn’t get duped into spending their nest eggs on falsely inflated stocks.
Lieberman was acting in the interest of corporate execs who wanted to dupe ordinary investors (like Enron and WorldCom ended up doing but in different ways).
That lack of concern for ordinary investor protection ranks right up there with President Bush’s eventual appointment of Harvey Pitt to the SEC.
My opinion of Lieberman’s leanings have only intensified over the last few years, as he stood on Bush’s side re: issues like Iraq and Iran.
Susan,
I forgot. Lieberman started supporting GWB’s policies before the “nutroots” “forced” him out of the party. That’s why they did force him out.
True, some of those same people supported Obama and trashed Hillary — which I didn’t like.
That I disagreed with them re: Obama doesn’t necessarily mean that they were wrong re: Lieberman.
I guess it depends on one’s POV regarding Lieberman.
Wasn’t Lieberman Obama’s Senate mentor?
Try centrist democrat, what she has always been. And prinicpled too. She doesn’t flip a switch every few weeks and change her mind. She knows what she wants and sticks with her objectives over decades. UHC isn’t just a trick to lure voters to her - it has been her passion for as long as any of us can remember.
She was a Governor’s wife for 8 years, the FLOTUS for 8 years (and the most involved politically in history) and has been a Senator of NY for 7 years.
I’ve spent a good deal of time over the years as one of her constituents on her Senate site.
I object to you calling her Republican lite or anything of the sort.
And if you are referring to her votes regarding Iraq, she voted the same as ob did on all but 2.
Can we have a third party? I guess not. I no longer no what to say about Obama.
He is a disgrace.
What the hell has happened to the Democratic party?
The looney left has finally won! Bill Clinton’s third way has been destroyed.
My God! We are so few on this blog…the sheep are everywhere.
We may be few but we have heart. The “third way” must regroup in some other format, but it will happen. Take heart and have courage.
I am still trying as hard as I can to figure out what is “new” about Obama’s politics. He seems to lie and cheat and break promises like most of the rest of them. The only thing I see new about him is that so many people don’t care. Cultists and the like.
HI Pagan,
I think a lot of the “cultists” just aren’t aware of Sen. Obama’s many inconsistencies (yes, I’m being polite).
I think the TV media’s refusal to accurately report on said inconsistencies is largely why the cult-ish faith got traction.
I’ve always maintained–and still maintain–that Obama supporters are low-information voters…there’s no other way to explain their inexplicable support of the very-weak candidate Obama over the extremely strong candidate, Hillary.
Obama supporters bought the hype: hook, line and “stinker”–what fools.
What’s New? What’s new is that Obama has taken the same old tired worn out “reform” platform and managed to get the public to believe it. What’s really new is that he is completely against every issue he represents, and it is being exposed every day and still yet people don’t see it. He is not Teflon; he is the incredible invisble man. Whenever he wants, he just slithers away from exposure and forces the media to follow his orders. I distinctly remember the level of fear that major media had against confronting the Bush administration in the early part of this century. One anchor DARED to challenge that and lost his Anchor job. Dan Rather was the only newsman with guts.
Fear had nothing to do with it. Dan Rather using fraudulent documentation and then insisting it was genuine long past the time that the issue was settled is why he was justifiably fired.
Were the documents ultimately discredited or did people only claim they were. People were interestingly prepared to claim fraud with evidence the papers were bogus within about two minutes of the broadcast.
I don’t remember anybody proving the contents of the documents falsely represented the record. They challenged the fact that they might not be original or official - something like an unofficial copy or a transcript of a birth certificate..
All you have to do to understand why Obama is IN FAVOR of domestic spying is to research Ayers. Ayers publically praises Hugo Chavez and his regime, (which immediately passed laws following his election outlawing free speech and made it prosescutable in Venezuela). By having the new and improved spying in place, Obama will be able to control any resistance against him. It all fits nicely into the Ayers-Obama marxist package. Please look again at the poster of Che Guevara on one of Obama’s headquarters and you will get the picture.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that Sen. Obama has endorsed a Republican in Democrats’ clothing. In 2006, Obama endorsed Joe Lieberman against anti-war candidate Ned Lamont (for whom progressive bloggers zealously campaigned).
Obama also has another Republican in Democrat clothing that he admires and put on the short list for VP…Sam Nunn. Also heard he’s thinking of Chuck Hagel.
Doesn’t matter, though, his koolaide drinking minions will call that “unity”. I have to laugh at all of them who are saying now that’s it’s ok THE ONE will vote for the FISA Bill, cuz when he’s President, he’ fix it. HA! They are going to keep supporting that liar no matter what, just like the Bush’s 19%’ers do.
They’re so naive…
There are others options for real progressives
http://www.votenader.org/issues/
OK. All you Democrats here who are ready to vote for John McSame(same as George W Bush) aka Senator McWar(can you say 100 years in Iraq three times fast?). First off, full disclosure. In the beginning of the primary race my choices were Dennis Kucinich or John Edwards. Dennis Kucinich is without a doubt a true liberal- something you can’t say about Hillary Clinton,Barack Obama or anyone else who ran in the primary. Now if you are a liberal/progressive Democrat, how in the hell could you vote for John McCain? Let’s get real people. Do real issues matter to you or is the most important thing the Clinton brand name. Let’s tick off the differences.
1-Iraq: No way in hell John McCain is EVER getting us out of Iraq and you can make bank on that. Obama is far more likely to give us a change in Iraq. Kucinich wins this issue hands down with his no BS plan. The big problem is that we could never get Kucinich elected with the corporate media and Republicans.
2-Health care: What’s John McCain’s answer to healthcare? Get a savings account. Really now, if you’re making less than $50,000 a year and struggling to make the car note, the house note, put food on the table and $4 plus per gallon gas in your car are you going to be able to set $5,000 to $10,000 a year aside for healthcare? Again, Kucinich would beat everyone here with his “Medicare for all” plan.
3-Energy: No way McCain or any Republican is going to do a damn thing about gas or energy. Their solutions for our energy problems are drilling in ANWR and offshore drilling neither of which will do anything for gas prices even in 10 years.
4-Foriegn policy: Remember “Bomb,bomb,bomb. Bomb Iran”? HIGHLY likely with Sen. McWar. Not too likely with Obama. Hillary made a remark during the campaign about nuking Iran and nobody really called her out on it. That kind of scares me.
5-Woman’s rights/abortion: John McCain has indicated he would appoint right wing/conservative Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v Wade. Would you like this country to return to back alley coathanger abortions? It is also likely he would majorly restrict access to birth control. These things would never come to pass in an Obama administration.
6-Gay marriage: If this is your issue and you support it John McCain is NOT going to help you. He’s not in support of same sex CIVIL UNIONS. In fact, he’s for the lame constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Someone in this thread said Obama is against gay marriage which is true. But, are you aware Hillary is ALSO against gay marriage? Obama and Hillary are both for same sex CIVIL UNIONS like about 90% of the rest of Democrats. Dennis Kucinich is for gay marriage. Civil unions are a sane compromise which most people will support. You tell me. Do you think ANYONE running for president who comes out in support of gay marriage stands a snowball’s chance of getting elected?
7-Free trade agreements: Senator McSame hasn’t met a trade deal he doesn’t like- to hell with unions and good paying American jobs. Another clear win here for Kucinich who is very clear on trade deals and unions. I agree Obama has been so-so on trade deals. Hillary though is a big question on trade deals. Looking back through past statements and votes it makes one wonder whose side she would REALLY be on. If you consider Hillary has taken WAY more corporate and PAC money than anyone else I would really wonder how much she would stand by the little guys.
OK, now look at all this and tell me John McWar would be better than Obama. You also need to remember that Bill Clinton ran as a progressive candidate but he actually governed more like a conservative on trade deals and welfare reform. I’m going to take a wait and see attitude until the actual Senate vote on FISA. How are all you Hillary supporters going to feel if she caves and votes for the FISA bill? I’m upset with the House Dems that voted for this lame FISA bill too, especially Nancy Pelosi. But would us liberals/progressives really want a return to a REPUBLICAN controlled House and Senate? A number of hosts on progressive talk radio have pointed out how us liberals need to infiltrate and take over the Democratic party if that’s the kind of candidates we want to see. Bottom line, let’s not let the Republicans keep the White House or take control of the legislative branch.
No obama. Never. Ever. He’s not a Democrat. Democrats count votes. Period. Buh bye.
OK. You’re all set to vote for John McCain and more war and more insane conservative policies cuz Hillary isn’t going to be nominated. Democrats DO count votes. What about the 48 OTHER states with no contesting of the primary voting. I’m from Michigan and it pissed me off that the ONLY choices on the Dem ballot in the primary were “Hillary” or “Other”. That’s really democratic isn’t it. If you’re a progressive and really care about changing the country then I hope at least you’ll vote for Nader instead of John McCain.
A vote for Nader is a vote for Obama.
We have been through this drill before - many times in fact. That ploy won’t work with Hillary ex-dems like most of the people on this site. Why toss OLD Ralph a vote when it divides the vote against ob?
We aren’t buying thowing away our votes.
It is a long time till November 4th, save it.
OK. I’m really curious. How does voting for Ralph Nader equal a vote for Obama? Ralph Nader is a LIBERAL/PROGRESSIVE and running as an INDEPENDANT which means neither Republican or Democrat. Democrats by and large are liberal and Republicans are mostly conservative. So why would anyone who identifies themselves as a liberal/progressive vote for a conservative like John McCain? If you want to write in Hillary Clinton on your ballot in November then God Bless and go forward. A write in for Hillary is better than a vote for McCain. The whole point I’m trying to make is VOTE for ANYONE but John McBush or any other Republican!
Because a vote for Nader could help Obama. And lots of former Democrats are putting their country first instead of voting for an untrustworthy liar with a D after his name…
By the way, if you’re gonna shout INDEPENDENT at least spell it right.
And voting for Senator McWar is really putting your country first huh. McCain is ready to stay in Iraq forever, he flipped on offshore drilling and now says to drill anywhere, his answer to 47 million people without healthcare is to get a savings account, he will appoint more conservative Supreme Court justices, he supports more trade deals like the Columbian trade deal and he’s against unions. So your ready to condemn your country to 4 more years of Bush policies because Hillary didn’t win the primaries.
Obama said he won’t hesitate to bomb pakistan.
Stop making excuses for your master. He’s been showing us that the only thing Democratic about him is the D after his name.
What you leave out of the Obama bombing Pakistan thing is he said “If I have actionable intelligence”. He never said he’d unquestionably bomb Pakistan like Bush would like to bomb Iran. Also, what about Hillary saying she’d “nuke Iran”?
NOBODY should be so flip about nukes. Seems she was also pretty careless about giving out her vote to Bush to start the Iraq war in the first place and then she couldn’t ever say she was wrong for doing it. John Edwards said publicly his war vote was wrong about 4 years ago. Hillary conveniently got around to saying she made a mistake after she was taking some heat for her war vote during the primary.
PS- Obama isn’t my master. Let’s see what you say if Hillary votes Yes on the FISA bill.
What you leave out of the Hillary nuking Iran BS is that it is based on creating a deterrence agreement to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East by letting other Middle East countries know that they do not need to go nuclear, and by letting Iran know that their attack on Israel would cause massive retaliation. Sorry, but do you really want a nuclear Middle East? Do you really want Iran to feel that they don’t have to fear US retaliation?
No, she was not wrong. Bush was wrong. Read her floor speech. Your ignorance is the reason people call you cult-worshippers and Kool-aid drinkers.
Iran is not deterrable. The clerics who run Iran and A’jad are members of the largest sect with in Shiia Islam, the Twelvers.
The Shiia believe that no legitimate Islamic State exists in the world unless under the rule of a Caliph who is from Mohemmed’s bloodline. The last such ruler was the 12th Imam who Allah has taken and placed into occultation.
There he will remain until a future date when the world is in great distress and chaos.
Allah will cause the 12th Imam to return to as Caliph of the Muslim and the Shias will rise up and dominate the Islamic World , getting justice for all the long years when the Sunni persecuted them.
Then once the Muslim world is under the Mahdi’s banner, the world-wide conquest will begin and all of the earth will be put under Sharia law.
The Mullahs in Iran believe that if they cause the global conditions of chaos and distress then they can provoke the manifestation of the Imam.
If they die in the process , then Allah will surely reward them in Paradise.
If they accomplish their goal of rendering neutral the world’s Great Satan, then a retaliatory nuclear strike is more than tolerable as a price to pay to achieve such a great feat for Allah.
Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the following in Qom in 1980:
Iran will have only one chance to pull this off. They must be sure that when they use their nuclear weapons that they cause the maximum damage because they probably won’t have the chance to do a second round.
Thus if iran is going to nuke Israel, they will also be nuking the United States, and not just one city, but many.
Iran has put Hezebellah in Venezuela and Central America to form networks, years ago.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Iran is putting missiles down there.
If the US managed to not see a North Korean nuclear facility in Syria until it was almost done being constructed, what else is out there in the world we don’t know about.
Worrying about Iran launching a nuke is buying into the Bush/Cheney sabre rattling. Look back earlier this year right here on this site when Larry Johnson himself explained the NIE which said Iran is NOWHERE near having a nuclear cabability. AT BEST they are 5 years or more from building one. So, RIGHT NOW we should be doing robust diplomacy in the Middle East and making allies with as many Middle East countries as possible and quit the sabre rattling already!
I don’t want a nuclear ANYBODY! Do you realize if we were to launch a nuke ANYWHERE in the Middle East it would be doomsday for the rest of the world? China and Russia would side against us in a heartbeat and WWIII would be here. Sorry, talking about OBLITERATING countries is irresponsible no matter who says it. Besides that, why would Hillary want to use a nuke instead of conventional weapons?
If Iran nukes Israel do you think any country would be safe? The whole world would be nuclear.
That’s why it’s called deterrence. Stop lapping up the talking point that Hillary would randomly nuke Iran. Kool-Aid is bad for your common sense.
Iran isn’t going to nuke Israel anytime soon. Larry Johnson explained the NIE which said Iran is nowhere even close to building a nuke. So if you’re buying into the Iran nuking Israel BS you’re drinking the Bush/Cheney koolaid.
Ah, I was going to mention the Pakistan thing.
“4-Foriegn policy: Remember “Bomb,bomb,bomb. Bomb Iran”? HIGHLY likely with Sen. McWar. Not too likely with Obama. Hillary made a remark during the campaign about nuking Iran and nobody really called her out on it. That kind of scares me.”
Both Obama and McCain said they’d bomb Iran. Only Obama said he’d bomb PAKISTAN, a suposed ally in the War of Tayerr” [sic]. And he said he’d do it without even warning anyone. What a fucking idiot…there’s one way to start WW3…make the Pakistanis think India attacked them and then watch the gazillion Indians get vaporized by the nukes. Real smart, Obama.
Did you mean “Pockistan?” And to think that Rev Wright made fun of the way people speak in Boston?
Ok dude, here’s what Obama said about Pakistan.
Obama: There Are Terrorists Holed Up In The Mountains In Pakistan Who Killed 3,000 Americans And If Musharraf Won’t Act, We Will. Obama said, “I understand that President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al Qaeda leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will.”
[The War We Need To Win, 8/1/07]
Obama: “I Firmly Believe That If We Know The Whereabouts Of Bin Laden And His Deputies And We Have Exhausted All Other Options, We Must Take Them Out.” Obama wrote in an op-ed, “Relying on Pakistan while we fight the wrong war in Iraq has not worked. Because of that policy, bin Laden and members of his inner circle who bear direct responsibility for the murder of 3,000 Americans are plotting new attacks. If Pakistan cannot or will not take out these high-level terrorist targets and we have actionable intelligence about where they are, then I would take action to protect the American people. I firmly believe that if we know the whereabouts of bin Laden and his deputies and we have exhausted all other options, we must take them out.” [Globe Gazette op-ed, 8/12/07]
Obama: We Shouldn’t Need Permission To Go After Folks That Killed 3,000 Americans. Obama said, “Sen. McCain and George Bush all suggested that I said something wrong when I said we should be going after bin Laden, in high-value targets, and if we’ve got him in our sites, we should ask for Pakistan’s cooperation, we should ask Pakistan to take him out. But if they don’t, we shouldn’t need permission to go after folks that killed 3,000 Americans.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/24/08]
Obama: If We Have Actionable Intelligence Against Bin Laden Or Other Key Al Qaeda Officials And Pakistan Won’t Strike Them, We Should. Obama said, “With respect to Pakistan, I never said I would bomb Pakistan. What I said was that if we have actionable intelligence against bin Laden or other key al Qaeda officials, and we — and Pakistan is unwilling or unable to strike against them, we should. And just several days ago, in fact, this administration did exactly that and took out the third-ranking al Qaeda official.” [Cleveland Presidential Debate, 2/26/08]
http://factcheck.barackobama.com/
By the way, Obama supporters are going from “Obama will get us out of Iraq!” to “Obama will likely get us out of Iraq!” Don’t you see the irony? You are making excuses and lowering the goalpost for him. Why? Is the Kool-Aid wearing off yet?
What is our alternative here? A vote for McCain is a sure vote to KEEP us in Iraq for a LONG,LONG TIME! Tell me, would you vote for Ralph Nader? He’s against us staying in Iraq. If you would rather have Senator McWar instead of Obama or Ralph Nader then you’re either a conservative or just totally stuck on the Clinton brand.
Why don’t you vote for Nader then since you admire him so much? At least he has more integrity than your sell-out Obama-Messiah.
Why should I vote for Nader? I’m not the one who’s disillusioned by my candidate. And if you’re not then you’ve drunk much more Kool-Aid then is healthy for your well-being.
When Stephanie Power (at the time, she was Obama’s foreign policy guru.. until she called Hillary a Monster) appeared on the UK show Hardtalk, the presenter was asking her questions about Obama’s platform:
Steven Sackur: [Obama] says, “I will end the war in Iraq. All US combat forces will be out within 16 months”. Simple as that?
Samantha Power: (smiles) Just like that! One of the most complicated foreign policy challenges in American history will not be (snaps fingers) solved “just like that” by any means … What he’s actually said, after meeting with the generals and with intelligence professionals, is that you - best case scenario - will be able to withdraw one to two combat brigades each month … He will revisit it when he becomes President.
Stephen Sackur: So what the American public thinks is a commitment, to get combat forces out within 16 months, isn’t a commitment is it?
Samantha Power: You can’t make a commitment in March 2008 about what circumstances will be like in January of 2009 … it would be the height of ideology to sort of say “Well, I said it, therefore I’m going to impose it on whatever reality greets me”. [16 months] is a best case scenario.
POWER: It is –
SACKUR: And of course in Iraq we’ve never seen best case scenario
POWER: We have never seen best case scenario
SACKUR: So we needn’t necessarily take it seriously at all.
POWER: What we can take seriously is that he will try to get US forces out as quickly and as responsibly as possible. And that’s the best case, estimate of what it would take.
And what has Hillary promised us about Iraq? Nothing different dude. She can’t promise we’ll be out of Iraq either.
Just a note: her name is Samantha Power, not Stephanie Power (and she’s a woman I thoroughly loathe, by the way).
What you didn’t get from this was that Obama had attacked Hillary Clinton for saying essentially the same thing. He claimed that he would get all forces out within 16 months in public, but it was revealed through this interview that once again he was selling you Kool-Aid and you lapped it up.
Of course Obama supporters like you just continue move the goalpost and make excuses for him. Nice.
I think it is so pathetic the candidate of change continuously changes his position on the issues. This is not the kind of hope I want. I am tired of the empty speeches; empty because they have no substance. If Obama offers a policy issue on the campaign trail, chances are it was already tried. Nothing is new from the candidate except for his success with two words. Two meaningless words.
I am sure everyone would like to know Obama has raised $161,927 from lobbyists: http://www.obama-wire.com/obama_lobbyist.htm
I am sure everyone would to know Obama has a history on the campaign trail of never taking responsibility for the actions of his campaign; instead, he passes the buck off on his campaign: http://www.obama-wire.com/Apologies.htm
And now Obama has the audacity to suggest McCain will come after him on racial ground: http://www.obama-wire.com/racecard.htm
This guy is the biggest joke since 7 minute abs.
http://www.obama-wire.com
For those that are interested you would also want to know Hillary took $1,251,170 from PACs. Business PACS accounted for $520,374. Take a look at who some of her contributors are and how much they have given.
Securities & Investment $7,139,883
Business Services $4,679,734
Health Professionals $3,660,169
Commercial Banks $1,542,196
Retail Sales $1,072,147
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $1,058,759
Citigroup Inc $425,052
Morgan Stanley $406,545
JPMorgan Chase & Co $284,914
Lehman Brothers $279,240
Time Warner $207,950
News Corp $153,750
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00000019
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/other.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00000019
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00000019
Don’t know about you but that doesn’t leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling about where Hillary’s interests might be.
Well now, he’s not the only one. Hillary and the “plaguerism” claim. Hillary and her “misstatement” on the Bosnia trip. Bill Clinton out misrepresenting Obama’s position on Iraq. Also, the Clinton campaign trying to gin up fear among white people about Obama somehow favoring black people first.
WAKE UP!!! The Repubs have been trying to play the race card forever. How about the ‘homophobia’ that comes from the conservatives almost constantly?
Once again I ask. Is John McSame(as Bush) really a better choice?
Deb Cupples, Thank you for an informative and well written article. The defecation you speak of is the ammo for his Denver CRAP CANNON.
This cloak and dagger routine of BO’s will be wearing thin in the next month. FISA and campaign reform were near and dear to many of his supporters. I realize, as you say, the choices we have are few.
The only reason he “appears” to be looking like McCain is to negate any perception that McCain is the “change” candidate. He did the same thing with Senator Clinton.
Unfortunately for Sen.Clinton, her hands were tied from taking counter measures. I think if she had called BO out for his bullshit, flat out, as was required…the unity pony would still look like a zebra.
McCain does not have this problem. I will vote for him. I have no problem doing this. Why? He abhors bullshit.
The war in Iraq has it’s own “life” and as we have seen before does not take kindly to the “Rumsfield screwdriver”. Iraq has no desire to be sucked up by Iran and will act accordingly regarding US military forces.
Israel will short circuit the debate about Iran. The fact that George Bush was unable to include Iran, which was the ultimate neo-con goal, in his plans will not be hindered by BO and McCain. Global forces are beyond this countries ability to impact, given the last 30 years of US intervention. These events will unfold regardless and who ever is POTUS will be in react mode for the foreseeable future. Given that I do not want BO the “man-child” making decisions in what will be coming.
Mark my words…”it” is coming and has been since the Iranians stormed the US embassy. The funny thing about “change” is that it is never what one would expect.
Well now, you’re not worried about Iraq, which is fine. Are you also not concerned with the healthcare mess, the mortgage crisis and global climate change? Your vote for Sen. McWar won’t help change any of these other situations for sure.
WOW, you’re trying really hard today. But you should know this: we’re a hard-headed lot and find your arguments supremely resistible.
My whole point here has been if you are a liberal/progressive Democrat DO NOT vote for John McCain. A vote for McCain is a vote for 4 more years of Bush/Cheney. If Hillary would have won the primaries then I would reluctantly vote for her in November even though she is not nearly liberal/progressive enough for me. So if you and others want to keep grandstanding for Hillary even at the convention then God Bless and go forward. If she still doesn’t get the nomination in Denver then I hope the Clinton supporters who stand on principles will write in Hillary in November instead of voting for John McCain.
This just in from Newsday blogs.
Hillary Clinton’s office reports she has not decided how she will vote on FISA this Friday.
Well, at least she’s thinking about it.
Obama rolled over.
What the best email address for Hillary?
We should petition her to vote AGAINST FISA.
If she does, we may be able to get the Progressives to writer their SuperDels and ask them to change their Obama vote to Hillary in Denver.
bwahahahahahaha….
We told you so.
Obama: Manchurian Candidate.
Signed,
A PROGRESSIVE STILL NOT VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA.
Well, if you don’t vote for Obama or Nader or write in ‘Kucinich’ on your ballot that’s the same as voting for John McCain and more conservative rule in the White House.
I’m so sick of these kind of sanctimonious statements! I’m from the deepest , deepest heart of lefty country and I don’t feel that way! People can do with their vote what they will. This country will abide. Jesus, I lived through twelve years of Republicans all thru my twenties and my very liberalparents lived thru the Republican controlled 1950’s.
Quite telling people what will happen if they “don’t do this or that”. Take the long view of History and march toward it, others will follow if it speaks to them.
BTW…I too have always agreed with Dennis Kucinich on just about everything, but obviously he can’t enthrall an audience the way Barky does and since we live in a telegenic society, people are more impressed with charisma than substance.
Taking the war to Pakistan is perhaps the most foolish thing America can do. Obama is not the first to suggest it, and we already have sufficient evidence of the potentially negative repercussions of such an action.
For example: On January 13, 2006, the United States launched a missile strike on the village of Damadola, Pakistan. Rather than kill the targeted Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda’s deputy leader, the strike instead slaughtered 17 locals. This only served to further weaken the Musharraf government and further destabilize the entire area. In a nuclear state like Pakistan, this was not only unfortunate, it was outright stupid. Pakistan has 160 million Arabs (better than half of the population of the entire Arab world). Pakistan also has the support of China and a nuclear arsenal.
I predict that America’s military action in the Middle East will enter the canons of history alongside Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Holocaust, in kind if not in degree. The Bush administration’s war on terror marks the age in which America has again crossed a line that many argue should never be crossed. Call it preemption, preventive war, the war on terror, or whatever you like; there is a sense that we have again unleashed a force that, like a boom-a-rang, at some point has to come back to us. The Bush administration argues that American military intervention in the Middle East is purely in self-defense. Others argue that it is pure aggression. The consensus is equally as torn over its impact on international terrorism. Is America truly deterring future terrorists with its actions? Or is it, in fact, aiding the recruitment of more terrorists?
The last thing the United States should do at this point and time is to violate yet another state’s sovereignty. Beyond being wrong, it just isn’t very smart. We all agree that slavery in this country was wrong; as was the decimation of the Native American populations. We all agree that the Holocaust and several other acts of genocide in the twentieth century were wrong. So when will we finally admit that American military intervention in the Middle East is wrong as well?