Posts with the tag President

Bush Gets a Size 10 Remider of Iraqi Gratitude

Gabriel Felix — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:54:06 EST

I believe that the "shoe throwing" incident was a great example of the sentiment most Iraqi citizens have for our outgoing president and the wonderful decision he made over five years ago involving their country. The frustration of the Iraqi people is not easily dismissed by saying: "that guy has the right to do what he did because we brought freedom to their country." Did we? Even if we did, was it our place to invade a nation on the other side of the world for unfounded reasons and illegal justifications? I am sure many believe in the notion of America being the "protector of international community." I for one do not believe in this role and push others to move away from the notion, choosing instead to focus on the numerous domestic issues that merit our immediate attention.

Oh, one more thing, it was a shame that the journalist lacked the aim to plant one in between the eyes of Bush, that would have made for classic viral video material.

Executive Orders Go Too Far

Armen — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:48:52 EST

Right now we are seeing the Bush Administration pass a ton of executive orders to finally help all the big supports he has had in his back pocket but couldn’t help for political reasons. Well now that he is less than a month away from being out of office Bush is taking the gloves off and repealing everything from endangered species acts to the clean water act. So other than this being awful it brings to mind why does the president have this much power? Executive orders sound a lot like laws and last time I checked congress had to make the laws. So I think we should do away with these little laws and channel this process to the right people. Sure it is going to take long to get things changed for good or bad, but that is how a democracy works, it’s slow but it is more fair.

The Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:11:01 EST

The Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/inaug.asp

AYMAN ZAWAHRI DOES NOT SPEAK FOR MUSLIMS

funkfresh01 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:33:21 EST

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/19/08) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned threatening rhetoric and racial slurs contained in a new video by Ayman al-Zawahri and said Al-Qaida's second-in-command does not speak for Muslims in this country or worldwide.

SEE: Al-Qaida No. 2 Insults Obama with Racial Epithet (AP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPtm1yvXGJVcqVpQdQfpQLY8L-cwD94I51J02

Moving in Right Direction

Gabriel Felix — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:21:52 EST

Let's put aside political differences for one moment, and forget the historical significance of race in the election results. What we have collectively accomplished as a country is beyond comparison to any political move in the history of this country. Seems a little drastic right? Nevertheless, how else can you explain bring ing in youth and intelligence into the highest office in the nation for the first time since the 1960's? Even then we were still taking baby steps towards change and hoping that we would make ripples in the water, not tidal waves. That is precisely what we have accomplished with the election of Barack Obama. Positive change that will ripple through the social establishment and bring forth the dawning of a new era of political representation in this great nation. Power no longer rests in the hands of the "old guard" who has for too long ruled this nation with great disconnect and disregard for the common people. President Obama is just the beginning, the face of the revolution. The great changes are still yet to come, in development, and on its way. We are finally on our way to establishing rule OF the people. The right direction is not somewhere you turn, but the direction you follow a great leader in; that leader is Barack Obama.

Howling Winds (Barack Obama)

Eric Wattree — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:47:06 EST

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Howling Winds

As I watched my son, dapper as they come, walk down
Our walkway and into manhood, what I remember most is
The rushing wind. I'd seen such winds before, but
Never like this--my old foe was pulling up trees by
The roots.

So I watched, but I watched alone.

As the winds raged on and the mighty palms bowed, a
Single leaf from our Winter bare Ficus Tree
Held tough against the ferocious storm; It fought
Valiantly against the angry gale, as though hanging
On just to witness the changing of the guard.

So I stood, but I stood alone.

Like that solitary leaf, all my life I've fought the
Ferocious winds, and now they've returned, this
Mighty foe, poised to seize the hopes and dreams of
My only son.

So I cringed, but I cringed alone.

But then, posterity glanced back and squared its
Shoulders, beat back hopelessness as it trudged
Through fields of ivy, then spread its wings and rode
Those howling winds over yonder mountaintop...

So I wept, but I wept with a crowd.

God Bless America.

Eric L. Wattree

President Barack Obama:A Moment that was Meant to Be

Eric Wattree — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 09:44:08 EST

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

President Barack Obama:

A Moment that was Meant to Be

I have no way of proving this, but I think some things are just meant to happen--like the day I walked into my mother's office as a 16-year old gangster and high school dropout. It was my intent to get money to buy drugs. But my mother was a step ahead of me, so I didn't get the money, but I did meet a 14-year old ghetto girl who was destined to change my life.

When I walked through that door I had the very worst intentions, but little did I know that once I crossed that threshold, my life would change forever. I only wish that I could have somehow known what was about to take place, and had been given the opportunity to appreciate the importance of that moment--the moment when I literally stumbled way from the very gates of Hell, right into the arms of one of God's most precious angles; an angel who was undoubtedly sent to Earth for the expressed purpose of saving my reckless young soul.

The moment I met her I knew there was something special about her. She was like no one I had ever met--no games, no hidden agendas. But she knew she didn't have to hide her agenda, because she had the confidence to know that once she decided upon a goal, there was no one who could stop her from reaching it. What I didn't know, however, was how I had become so lucky. It was like hitting the lottery--the moment she first looked at me I could see her eyes light up, and that light never flickered once until that night, when her job was done.

Emergence

Eric Wattree — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:46:26 EST

Beneath the Spin * Eric L. Wattree

EMERGENCE

I now stand firm. My dedication to the power of knowledge is the platform upon which my podium rests. I now stand firm, strong, and now free--free of anger, free of self-delusion, free of the folly of empty vanity, and free of the pernicious bane of meaningless pride without substance.

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE!!!!

Armen — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:06:56 EST

To everyone that worked so hard for this moment - Thank you! We have really turned the tides and I am in tears that I am so happy that my state went to Obama and that we have started on the path towards the right direction as a country. Mr. President your country is waiting!

OBAMA!OBAMA!OBAMA!

Inauguration Invite Card for you!

Armen — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:10:49 EDT

I saw this beautiful card and I absolutely thought it was worth reposting. This is a beautiful card that someone drew, but what is also amazing about it is that it speaks to the happiness that this country will embrace when Obama is elected. I can't wait for tuesday and I can't wait to see Obama change the world.

Inauguration 2009 Invitation Card by gxiong
Design a notecard Using Zazzle.comSee other Holiday Cards

Joe the Plumber: A Prime Symbol of Republican Hypocrisy

Eric Wattree — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:10:13 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Joe the Plumber: A Prime Symbol of Republican Hypocrisy

John McCain accused Barack Obama of being an elitist. He then trotted out “Joe the Plumber” to symbolize that he, unlike Obama, stood in solidarity with the American middle class. That made for great theater, but like John McCain himself, it soon became clear that Joe the Plumber maintained a strained relationship with truth.

McCain's "experience" helped get us 2 more "Vietnams"!

John Pedler — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:10:08 EDT

Senator McCain, with his Vietnam and senatorial experience, was perhaps the one US politician who might have stopped the Iraq adventure.

We Cassandras foresaw in 2002 (and went on public record) that just one of the major reasons why the US and UK must not invade Iraq was precisely because that would risk not one, but two more "Vietnams" ("Can't stay, can't leave" situations) - one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

If McCain, claiming to be the "experienced" presidential candidate, didn't see that obvious risk (although many of us life-long diplomatic and military experts were shouting about it) then his "experience" is so stymied by bad judgement that it counts for nothing.

As for Afghanistan, leaving it as G W Bush's unfinished business, to go into the Iraq maelstrom, alienated that wide 2002 international backing on whose money and support any hope of giving Afghanistan a chance to recover from the Soviet and Taliban years, was lost.

For what Afghanistan needed while the Taliban were quiescent licking their wounds was a realistic world-backed development plan to rebuild, continue the Taliban's no opium policy, and make Afghanistan a reasonably none- too-poor society - much as I saw it in 1970.

Yes - I'm afraid it's too late now. But then as Sweden's brilliant Count Oxenstierna told his would-be diplomat son in 1648 - "Do you not realise, my son, with what little wisdom the world is governed?" Especially with the Bush/Blair team in charge!

Obama, though, has the pragmatism, high intelligence, and common sense to work hard to mitigate the catastrophic folly of President G.W.Bush. He's the only one who could possibly handle this double "Vietnam" challenge.

For more on the current US electoral situation see our www.dipconsult.eu

John McCain: Portrait of a Demagogue

Eric Wattree — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:29:19 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

John McCain:
Portrait of a Demagogue

Demagogue: “A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.”
The American Heritage Dictionary

Demagogues are vampires who prey on the viability of society. They depend on hatred, hostility, and dissension for their very political survival. Wherever there is underlying tension and hostility, they exploit it, and in the absence of hostility, they create it. They have a vested interest in creating discontent, and they are most creatively prolific, when society is in turmoil.

And there’s a very good reason for that. A demagogue’s agenda is virtually always fundamentally at odds with what’s in the best interest of the people. So the only way that they can get the people’s support is to appeal to their hatred, fear, or anger��"that’s when individuals are most prone to act without taking the time to think about their actions. Demagogues specialize, therefore, in appealing to the emotions. That allows them to circumvent the mind, and thus, not have to deal with the nuisance of one’s common sense.

An example of that strategy at work is clearly demonstrated at a recent John McCain rally. While addressing his angry supporters--who were already frustrated over the economy, the financial bailout, pending foreclosures, and the loss of jobs--instead of reassuring them by sharing policy initiatives that he’d developed to address their concerns, he further inflamed the crowd by giving the floor to, and agreeing with, a supporter who stood up to called Barack and Nancy Pelosi hooligan socialists.

The Best Dollar of the Campaign

Eric Wattree — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:47:12 EDT

I hope you don't mind, but I'm posting this one to the Democratic site. Somehow I think Obama will view this as the best $25 he's collected during the entire campaign:

"That one" (14+ / 0-)

My husband, blue collar white guy, truck mechanic,
flag outside on the front porch, not a political junkie at all (basically, someone Sarah Palin would condescendingly describe as "Joe Six-Pack"), called me a little while ago to tell me he sent $25 to Obama's campaign. (With no prompting at all from me, BTW.)

It was his first political contribution in the 20 years I've known him. You know why he did it? Because McCain called Obama "that one." He yelled at the screen when McCain said that, and couldn't stop venting about it all through the debate.

I can't exactly describe his reaction -- it wasn't just "how dare he insult the candidate I'm voting for." It was as if it was his patriotic duty to help stand up for Obama and stop McCain.

So yeah, I think he sees Obama as his President.

From Daily Kos

A Footnote to Posterity

Eric Wattree — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:43:22 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

A Footnote to Posterity

As I watched the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, my mind drifted off to when I once watched a Space Shuttle landing. All the drama of the mission was over, and the space walk had been completed successfully. Now all that was left to complete a perfect mission, was to bring the bird in for a landing.

As the shuttle grew larger over the horizon, I remember being overwhelmed with pride over this marvel of engineering, and for the thousands of ordinary people who had come together to accomplish its mission. Then as we continued to look out over the horizon, the sound of unabridged competence suddenly crackled forth as the commander of this magnificent vessel spoke to ground control: “Landing gear down, and all systems online. Glide path and descent, five by five.” Then after several seconds of awestruck silence, and as we watched the majestic bird descend, the commander’s voice chimed in once again, with that matter-of-fact tone, as though he was pulling his car into the driveway. “Thirty seconds to touchdown.”

As impressed as I was over the feat of engineering that went into the space shuttle and its mission, I found myself even more fascinated by what must have gone into building the kind of man with the competence, intelligence, and cool professionalism that could command such a vessel--and I had that very same feeling as I watched the cool professionalism of Barack Obama’s performance last night. I felt privileged to bear witness, to the very best this nation has to offer.

Thanks

Democrat in Clay City, IN — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:39:50 EDT

First off, thank you, fellow Democrats for all the love you have shown toward me in choosing not to follow party lines. It's rude people like you that make me consider leaving the Democratic party, and going Independant. I beleive John S. McCain can control this country, and that is why I want him to become President. NOT, Barack Hussein Obama.

Who Builds the Economy? Democratic Presidents Do!

Richard M. Mathews — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:20:12 EDT

The economy consistently thrives under Democratic presidents and dies under Republican ones.

This is explained in the second article in my economic series, which has been published as a featured article on LA Progressive. Check it out at http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/19/who-builds-the-economy-democratic-presidents-do/

Also see the first article, "Who Creates Jobs? Democratic Presidents Do!", at http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/08/08/who-creates-jobs-democratic-presidents-do/

Democrat's for McCain

Democrat in Clay City, IN — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:53:22 EDT

They say someone to old can't be President. I also say a lunatic can't be President. But look, Barack Obama might actually win.
This country can't afford 4 years of an Obamanation. He will get in office, and have no clue what to do. It will be Jimmy Carter's second term. He will pass every liberal bill no matter what, which will really irritate moderates like myself. He wants to raise our taxes, and is against off-shore drilling. That ISN'T change we can beleive in.

McCain/Palin `08
Leaders we can Beleive in!

OBSESSION: A JIHAD-HAPPY DVD DELIVERED TO A NEWSPAPER NEAR YOU

funkfresh01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:51:04 EDT

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel blog, 9/16/08
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2008/09/obsession-a-dvd.html

The movie Obsession: Radical Islam's War With the West, whose trailer is below, was delivered with your Orlando Sentinel newspaper this AM. And, it is my understanding, the DVD was delivered to households receiving other newspapers around the country today as well. True?
Apparently, Parade Magazine isn't conservative enough for some folks. But hey, they paid to package it with our paper, so glad to be of service! Did the check clear?

Anyhoo, didya watch it? Check out the trailer if you have any questions about what it's about, and those who endorse it. Lots of Fox and Limbaugh plugs for it in that trailer. They're in lock step over its virtues. It's two-to-three years old, and the reason it's being shipped out to newspaper readers across America? Scaring the scareable before an election, apparently. Michael Moore's giving away his latest film on the Internet to do the same thing, but Obsession at least helps a paper's bottom line. More power to'em.

HATE MAIL, COURTESY OF YOUR DAILY NEWSPAPER

funkfresh01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:40:29 EDT

Wayne Garcia, Creative Loafing, 9/15/08
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/09/15/hate-mail-courtesy-of-your-daily-newspaper/

Readers of the St. Petersburg Times on Sunday found a little rancid bonus in their newspapers this weekend: a DVD called Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West, which is a hate film ostensibly about Islamic terror. It’s really a thinly veiled attempt to influence the presidential election by flooding anti-Muslim sentiment ahead of the Obama-McCain balloting in November.

Nothing like infusing the voters’ minds with fresh images of terror, especially little children as jihadists, only 50 days away from the day we decide whether to put a man named Barack Hussein Obama into office