Why?

Why, oh WHY is anyone surprised by the machinations of Obama in the past month or so, culminating in his throwing the Constitution under the bus with his vote for FISA and telecom immunity? Why are people like Bob Herbert angry at him for moving so much to the Center now? In a column published on July 8, 2008, “Lurching With Abandon,” Bob says,

Only an idiot would think or hope that a politician going through the crucible of a presidential campaign could hold fast to every position, steer clear of the stumbling blocks of nuance and never make a mistake. But Barack Obama went out of his way to create the impression that he was a new kind of political leader — more honest, less cynical and less relentlessly calculating than most.

But, WHY did you think that, Bob?? For what reason did you EVER think Obama meant any of his flowery speeches? On his record?? Hardly. On his lie-filled books?? I mean, seriously – while it may be idiotic to not think a candidate may move to the center some to win an election, it is pretty idiotic to support a candidate simply on a campagin slogan, too! That is to say, there was no reason in the WORLD for you to believe anything that Obama said, because his RECORD, what there is of it, indicates a man who votes, or not, for whatever is most politically expedient at the time. If you bought into his whole, “I am not a politician” schtick, well, it makes me wonder about your political savvy. Heckfire, Bush said the same thing, creating this whole, “I’m just a Texas boy and don’t know nothing about the ways of Washington,” despite ALL of his history to indicate otherwise. So, yeah – if you bought the whole “Hope! Change! I’m Different!” hocum, it says a lot about you.

While I am at it, your gratuitous swipe at the best president we have had in decades with THIS little tidbit,

You would be able to listen to him without worrying about what the meaning of “is” is

.
Was just uncalled for – you could have picked about a GAZILLION things Bush has done over the past 7 1/2 yrs, but you take a dig at Clinton?? Wow – truly no good deed goes unpunished. Bill Clinton did more for the African American community than any other president, and this is how he is repaid.

And how has Obama been for the African-American Community, Bob? Oh, yeah, right, according to YOU, not so hot:

There has been a reluctance among blacks to openly criticize Senator Obama, the first black candidate with a real shot at the presidency. But behind the scenes, there is discontent among African-Americans, as well, over Mr. Obama’s move away from progressive issues, including his support of the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the constitutional right of individuals to bear arms.

Huh. Imagine that. Maybe if you had done 1/20th, even 1/50th the level of scrutiny of Obama’s record (or lack thereof) that you and others of your ilk (political commentators) did on Clinton’s, you would not be at ALL surprised. And Obama would not be the presumptive nominee!!

But wait, there are more people who have been thrown by a loop with Obama’s move to the right, and his desire to throw away the Constitution. Yes, the so-called Constitutional scholar has decided that he doesn’t need that pesky piece of paper, either, just like BUSH! Maybe someone should have asked just what the hell he was TEACHING in those classes?!? Ah, too late now! Anywho, Big Tent Democrat, over at TalkLeft, has a post entitled, “My View: I Do Not Believe Obama On The FISA Capitulation Bill.”

The article begins: Yesterday, Barack Obama said:

Obama blamed criticism from “my friends on the left” and “some of the media” in part on cynicism that ascribes political motives for every move candidates make. “You’re not going to agree with me on 100 percent of what I think, but don’t assume that if I don’t agree with you on something that it must be because I’m doing that politically,” he said. “I may just disagree with you.”
I do not believe Barack Obama. I will go further. I do not want to believe him. Because the alternative is worse. Because if Obama believes the BS he said about the FISA Capitulation bill, then he is not fit to be President.

Well, I would contend he never WAS fit to be president!! Again, I ask, WHAT HAS HE DONE to make anyone think he is capable of the presidency besides being able to read a teleprompter? And even then, many of the words that so swayed his followers were actually written first for other candidates!! He didn’t even write them himself!!!

BTD continues,

If Barack Obama really believes this about the FISA Capitulation bill, then he is as dangerous as George W. Bush:

[G]iven the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives — and the liberty — of the American people.”
(Emphasis supplied.) Excuse me, but the Constitution does not work that way. Firm pledges from the President do not compensate for evisceration of the Constitutional right to privacy.

BTD really didn’t see any of this coming? I just don’t get that, all respect due to BTD. I mean, Obama is the guy who claimed it was “fair” for him to be given Clinton’s votes and her delegates. “Fair” for him to take the voices never given to him, people who pulled the lever for his opponent, not him. Yet, he thought that was “fair.” Some alternate universe in which Obama lives, it seems!!

BTD continues,

Obama’s “firm pledge,” (given he pledged to filibuster any bill that contained telecom immunity, the irony of his new pledge is nauseating), IF HE WINS is worth nothing. His position here is nothing short of disgusting.

But politics is disgusting. And pols do what they do. I remind Barack Obama of the words of Louis Brandeis:

Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government’s purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.
They tell me Obama is a Constitutional scholar. I assume he is familiar with Brandeis’ words. So no, I do not believe he believes this FISA Capitulation bill is good or even acceptable. I believe he is acting out of political calculation (and bad political calculation at that.) Indeed, if that is not the case, then his position is unacceptable and he is not fit to be President.

I would state again, no he is not fit to be president. He wasn’t fit PRIOR to this capitulation, and he sure as hell isn’t fit AFTER it. There was one person left in this race, and she is still there, who IS. One person who did NOT capitulate, who stood up for the Constitution and for our civil liberties. The nomination is not official YET, despite all efforts to convince us otherwise. If this does not show Obama’s followers the stuff of which he is truly made, nothing will. In that case, there is nothing to be done for them. But for the over 18,000,000 of us ho could see through him from the very beginning, there is another road to take, and that is to have Hillary Clinton be the nominee. But only if the Democrats want to re-take the White House. If not, then by all means, keep supporting Obama, and expect another four years of Republican (McCain) or Republican Lite (Obama) rule.