ThinkFast: November 10, 2008
ThinkFast: November 10, 2008
Advisers to President-elect Barack Obama “are quietly crafting a proposal to ship dozens, if not hundreds, of imprisoned terrorism suspects to the United States to face criminal trials.” The plan would make good on Obama’s promise to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, but could require the “creation of a controversial new system of justice.” The ACLU has begun an ad campaign pressuring Obama to close Gitmo.
Obama will rely upon “a trio of Bush appointees” to “tackle the country’s most serious challenges.” Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Adm. Michael Mullen and FBI director Robert Mueller “will likely stay in place for at least the first year or two of Obama’s presidency.”
“Reaction to the passage of a measure banning same-sex marriage continued to sweep across California on Sunday,” with hundreds of protesters rallying outside the Saddleback Church, whose pastor organized a presidential “faith forum” and backed Prop. 8. “In Pasadena, the pastor of the 4,000-member All Saints Church spoke out against the measure, calling the religious community’s support of it embarrassing.”
Obama is planning to move swiftly to reverse actions that President Bush took using executive authority, including the limits on stem cell research and the expansion of oil and gas drilling. “There’s a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for Congressional action,” John Podesta, Obama’s transition leader, said. “We need to get off the course that the Bush administration has set.”
The federal government announced a second bailout valued at nearly $150 billion for the troubled insurance giant AIG. The new plan calls for the government to “reduce the original $85 billion loan that saved AIG in September to $60 billion, buy $40 billion of preferred shares, and purchase $52.5 billion of mortgage securities owned or backed by the company.”
Obama will reportedly “reverse U.S. family planning and AIDS prevention strategies that have long linked global funding to anti-abortion and abstinence education, a public-health adviser said.”
A Democratic source close to Barack Obama “confirmed Sunday that Valerie Jarrett is Obama’s choice to replace him in the Senate.” Jarrett is a long-time personal friend of the Obamas and was a top advisor during the campaign.
Since 2004, the U.S. military “has used broad, secret authority to carry out nearly a dozen previously undisclosed attacks against Al Qaeda and other militants in Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere.” The secret order — authorized by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with President Bush’s approval — gave “a more sweeping mandate to conduct operations in countries not at war with the United States.”
And finally: Move over, Madison, Kennedy, and Reagan. Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha are the hot new names for babies. The “Obama baby boom” has been even more pronounced in Kenya, “particularly in Kisumu, an area in the western part of the country where relatives of Mr. Obama live. From Election Day through Saturday afternoon, 43 children born at the Nyanza Provincial Hospital in Kisumu were named after the Obamas, with 23 boys given the first and middle name Barack Obama and 20 girls named Michelle Obama.”
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There have been a lot of Republicans trying to figure out what went wrong last week.
Well, what exactly did they think would happen to them after decades of exclusivity? After generations of excluding Blacks, Women, Native Americans, Gays, Asians, Muslims, Youth, Atheists, Liberals, Single Mothers, Poor, Educated, Middle-class, Disabled, etc., the Republicans Party has become a shrunken holier-than-thou ideology of dying old conservative white men who love Jesus. Keep pushing more and more people out of your clique until you aren’t left with enough people to vote for your candidate anymore, and this is exactly what happens.
Take a look at the gathering in Chicago’s Hyde Park on November 4, 2008 to see an amalgamation of all the people the Republicans rejected. It was a human rainbow of diversity, acceptance and inclusion.
If they ever again want to be relevant, the Republicans must do what America did on Tuesday, and shift toward the left. I know it doesn’t make them Conservatives anymore, but does anyone really think that’s a problem?
November 10th, 2008 at 9:05 amFrom Raw Story, about the DNC in Denver, and the Denver police's use of agent provocateurs:
On Thursday, Pendergrass followed up with Rosenthal after it was discovered that undercover DPD detectives trapped within the crowd on 15th Street staged struggles with uniformed officers in order to be "arrested" and removed. Pendergrass cited the Operations and Procedure Manual, §108.08 (2)(c), which states that "unprofessional police behavior can inflame a tense situation and make control efforts more difficult and dangerous." § 108.08(6)(a)(4) further states that an undercover officer is to "assess the overall behavior and disposition of a crowd" but, Pendergrass said, the text "does not appear to authorize undercover officers to affirmatively engage in what would appear to members of the public and other officers to be illegal acts." Pendergrass wrote that such acts by the detectives may have inflamed the situation, especially given the fact that an officer from neighboring Jefferson County, unaware that the plants were such, pepper sprayed them during the performance.
Heh, heh, heh...
November 10th, 2008 at 9:09 amAdvisers to President-elect Barack Obama “are quietly crafting a proposal to ship dozens, if not hundreds, of imprisoned terrorism suspects to the United States to face criminal trials.” The plan would make good on Obama’s promise to close the Guantanamo Bay prison...
I thought it was interesting on 60 Minutes last night, when David Axelrod explained how he and Obama had a discussion about how Obama, lacking that usual deep-seated need to be President, would motivate himself to win the election, and Obama said that it was what he could do for this country if he won that was motivating him.
Considering that Thomas Jefferson also did not want to be President, I think we could be in store for a middle-class "golden age" of Democracy with all Obama is planning to do in his first week, much less first term, to help the Average American :).
November 10th, 2008 at 9:11 amConsidering that Thomas Jefferson also did not want to be President, I think we could be in store for a middle-class “golden age” of Democracy with all Obama is planning to do in his first week, much less first term, to help the Average American :).
I think it a tad early to be putting him on a pedestle...
Read Nixonland. These kinds of self-serving "revelations" are part of the game. Nixon orchestrated hundreds of them in his time.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:14 amThe plan would make good on Obama’s promise to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, but could require the “creation of a controversial new system of justice.”
________
I don't get what's controversial or new about this... Isn't giving suspects a fair trial before a jury in a court of law a rather tried-and-true, old system of justice?
November 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am“Reaction to the passage of a measure banning same-sex marriage continued to sweep across California on Sunday,” with hundreds of protesters rallying outside the Saddleback Church, whose pastor organized a presidential “faith forum” and backed Prop. 8.
This is what troubles me... I saw a demographic break-down of how Whites, Blacks, Asians and Latinos voted for this measure.
Both Asians and Whites voted 49% in favor and 51% against the bill.
Hispanics voted 53% for and 47% against.
Blacks, who helped make unprecidented history Tuesday, also voted 70% in favor and 30% against banning gay marriage. I do not get this. How can one oppressed minority encourgae the oppression of another? While I know they play a big role n this prejudice, the bible(s) are not valid justification for denying equal rights, since these very books also condone the very slavery that once bound people of color.
One step forward and one step back indeed.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:18 amunbelievable Says
November 10th, 2008 at 9:05 am
"...the Republicans Party has become a shrunken holier-than-thou ideology of dying old conservative white men who CLAIM TO love Jesus."
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There -- fixed it for you. I imagine that if these people truly loved Jesus and had a desire to follow His teachings, their ideology and their actions would be far different.
Instead, so many of them just use the Bible as a place to cherry-pick for justification for their bigotry and their greed.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:18 amThe federal government announced a second bailout valued at nearly $150 billion for the troubled insurance giant AIG.
Why don't they just hand them the damn checkbook and get it over with? Sheesh!
This is utterly unacceptable.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:20 amcould require the “creation of a controversial new system of justice.”
Any semblance of justice would be welcome, though the fact is a system that involves trying people who have already been incarcerated for 7 years is bound to be controversial.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:20 amObama will reportedly “reverse U.S. family planning and AIDS prevention strategies that have long linked global funding to anti-abortion and abstinence education, a public-health adviser said.”
I hope he's planning on reversing course on faith-based initiatives as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:20 amObama will reportedly “reverse U.S. family planning and AIDS prevention strategies that have long linked global funding to anti-abortion and abstinence education, a public-health adviser said.”
___________________________________________________________
Wow -- you mean we might have a president who doesn't think that telling teens "keep your legs crossed" is comprehensive sex education?
I'm as much in favor of seeing fewer unwanted pregnancies (resulting in fewer abortions) and fewer cases of STDs (especially incurable and lethal ones) as anybody else. But we need to admit that the bible-thumpers' approach -- to merely brand risky sexual behavior as "sinful" and then turn a blind eye to the situation -- really isn't working.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:25 amMaybe Obama will be bipartisan in his appointments, but retaining mueller, mullen, and bernanke is just silly. Keeping people from this ended, failed administration is a greater indication that 'Change' is more a slogan than reality. I certainly voted for him, but don't tell me that he knows better about continuity and change than everyone else. We worked to reject this current administration, I don't want anypart of what is left of them.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:25 amIsn’t giving suspects a fair trial before a jury in a court of law a rather tried-and-true, old system of justice?
Too many atrocities committed in the name of the good ol US and A would come to light, further fanning the flames of "teerrrrrism".
I say come clean, ask for forgiveness (from the entire World) and let the healing begin.
But that ain't gonna happen here...
November 10th, 2008 at 9:27 ambarfly Says: I think it a tad early to be putting him on a pedestle…
Not that I was, but by the same logic then wouldn't it be fair to say that it's also probably a little too early to assume the worst in him?
I'd argue that Obama and Nixon have far less in common than Obama and Jefferson do.
Let me know in four years if you're not better off, and I'll rescind my comparision between Obama and Jefferson being Constitutional Presidents because they weren't interested in adding the title to their resumes like the many others who seek the position, but simply ran for office because they wanted to make a difference.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:27 amI laugh every time I hear some republican claim that the "republican brand is broken". Therein lies the crux of their problem. They regard their party as a "brand" -- a term implying that its primary virtue relies only upon marketing, promotion and consumer perception of its quality and characteristics.
I would argue that the republican party is broken because they haven't "stuck to the knitting". They have been so fully engaged in perpetual campaigning and promoting their "brand" that they have neglected the work of governing, leading and living by their core principles. That last item is particularly hard for them because they really have no core principles -- only a collection of wedge social issues that they have used in the past to hold their constituents together. Those wedge issues, however, have either (1) had nothing to do with advancing the nation (things like opposing gay marriage, for instance) or (2) have actually threatened the nation (deregulation, for instance).
November 10th, 2008 at 9:27 ambarfly Says:
I hope he’s planning on reversing course on faith-based initiatives as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:20 am
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There's really no course to reverse. All Bush's "Faith-Based Initiative" was, was a PR stunt. The Federal government has provided grants and contract funding to faith-based organizations for decades, in order to provide humanitarian relief and community services. These organizations generally do very good work, don't proselytize, and know how to help people in the communities they work in. They get these grants and contracts not because of their religious nature, but because they're good at doing the work they do.
All the "Faith Based Initiative" did was give this practice a brand name. It was just pandering via repackaging.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:31 amThe ACLU has begun an ad campaign pressuring Obama to close Gitmo.
Perhaps the ACLU should give Obama a chance to make good on his promise before they start pressuring him. This reminds me of certain people on this blog who are criticizing Obama for things they perceive he will or will not do. I suggest we all give the poor man a break and show our support until he does something that deserves criticism.
As for all these people at Guantanamo, I hope that the Obama Administration finds a way to allow the people who are truly innocent to go home with some compensation for what we have done to them and their families.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:31 amDid anyone tune into Faux and Friends this morning? They had Toe Sucking Morris on there talking about what happens during the transition between presidencies....and this reich-wing turncoat actually sunk to a new low and talked about Clinton leaving his "DNA everywhere". I had no idea what point he was trying to make, but once again the GOPigs prove that their Clinton Derangement Syndrome knows no bounds.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:31 amOSarah bin Palin will tell ya that keepn yer legs crossed will work, ya betcha!
November 10th, 2008 at 9:33 amProgressives Need to Dump Obama and the Corporatist Party
November 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
misshusseinmolly Says: There — fixed it for you. I imagine that if these people truly loved Jesus and had a desire to follow His teachings, their ideology and their actions would be far different.
I think both sides cherry pick, as according to the bible(s) Jesus said some great things, and he also said some pretty terrible things:
November 10th, 2008 at 9:35 am
“There’s a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for Congressional action,” John Podesta, Obama’s transition leader, said. “We need to get off the course that the Bush administration has set.”
Every Executive Order Bush made can easily be unmade. That's why it would be silly of him to continue to make these orders, trying to muddy the water like the petulant child he is.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:35 am"Obama is planning to move swiftly to reverse actions that President Bush took using executive authority, including the limits on stem cell research and the expansion of oil and gas drilling."
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I have absolutely no problem with Obama acting like a dictator to reverse actions done by Bush while acting like a dictator.
And then, perhaps after he's done undoing all of Bush's dictatorial policy changes, he can work on restoring our system of checks and balances to what the founding fathers intended.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:36 amLet me know in four years if you’re not better off, and I’ll rescind my comparision between Obama and Jefferson being Constitutional Presidents because they weren’t interested in adding the title to their resumes like the many others who seek the position, but simply ran for office because they wanted to make a difference.
--------------------
I thought it was interesting on 60 Minutes last night, when David Axelrod explained how he and Obama had a discussion about how Obama, lacking that usual deep-seated need to be President, would motivate himself to win the election, and Obama said that it was what he could do for this country if he won that was motivating him.
Considering that Thomas Jefferson also did not want to be President, I think we could be in store for a middle-class “golden age” of Democracy with all Obama is planning to do in his first week, much less first term, to help the Average American :).
Could you point to the part that shows "my comparision between Obama and Jefferson being Constitutional Presidents ?"
I fail to see it.
My point, is that Axlerod's comment was likely not an off-the-cuff remark, but one constructed to create a certain image of Obama -- something Nixon was very effective at. The tactic by itself doesn't mean that Obama is as bad as Nixon, only that as an "experienced" politician from Chicago, he'd likely use it for his own purposes, not that the purpose itself would necessarily be nefarious.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:37 amThe federal government announced a second bailout valued at nearly $150 billion for the troubled insurance giant AIG.
I'm curious as to how they can keep doing things like this without Congressional approval. I always thought that Congress controlled the purse strings.
This is getting ridiculous. Why doesn't the government just take over AIG? And how in the hell did they get themselves that far in debt?
November 10th, 2008 at 9:37 amLiberal whine and rant that Emanuel is too conservative and reich-wingers whine and rant that Emanuel is too liberal. More proof that extremists on both ends should be ignored.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:38 amEmanuel is not conservative, but he is dangerous.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:41 amYou may remember the three people that were removed from a tax-payer funded, public venue speech by Bush in 2005 because they had a "No Blood for Oil" bumper sticker on their car. The UCLA sued over it, and the judge just threw the suit out.
Chief Judge Wiley Y. Daniel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado dismissed the case, arguing that Weise and Young had no constitutional right to be present.
"President Bush had the right, at his own speech, to ensure that only his message was conveyed," Daniel wrote. "When the president speaks, he may choose his own words."
Weise and Young were not demonstrating or obstructing the event, but were removed because White House staffers labeled them as troublemakers when they parked in a car labeled with a "No more blood for oil" bumper sticker, according to a press release from the group.
"We believe the court's ruling overlooked the fact that our clients were excluded from a government event that was open to the general public," said Chris Hanson, lead attorney for the ACLU. "The notion that the president can exclude anyone he chooses from such an event just because he disagrees with their point of view is inconsistent with the First Amendment."
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Judge_upholds_removal_of_Denver_3_1107.html
November 10th, 2008 at 9:42 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: Perhaps the ACLU should give Obama a chance to make good on his promise before they start pressuring him. This reminds me of certain people on this blog who are criticizing Obama for things they perceive he will or will not do. I suggest we all give the poor man a break and show our support until he does something that deserves criticism.
I said it before and will say it again - Revolutions are almost always followed by Civil Wars.
By the way, I heard someone explain why the banks weren't refinancing mortages to lower interest rates, as we both had assumed would be a common sense issue. Of course the answer is money.
Apparently, mortgages are chopped up and sold in parts to various bonding companies. And while the people who manage these accounts could very easily lower interest rates (they have the power), they won't do it out of fear of being sued by any one of these many bonding companies who feels that they could make more money off of foreclosures than off refinancing. The system is even more screwed up than we realized.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:44 amunbelievable Says:
I thought it was interesting on 60 Minutes last night, when David Axelrod explained how he and Obama had a discussion about how Obama, lacking that usual deep-seated need to be President, would motivate himself to win the election, and Obama said that it was what he could do for this country if he won that was motivating him.
To me thats the difference that screamed at me between Obama and McCain. McCain sold his soul to "be" President, he could care less about helping his fellow citizens. It was very obvious to me and I think to others.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:44 amAlejandro Says:
“Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel is a member of the so-called New Democrat Coalition (NDC), of group of center-right pro-business Congressional Democrats affiliated with the Democratic Leadership Conference, which is dedicated to moving the Democratic Party away from its more liberal and progressive base,” writes Zunes.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
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See, this is exactly the problem with Democrats. As soon as we achieve some modest success, they start acting, well, like Democrats. Fractured and factioned, full of personal grudges and infighting. It's a natural consequence of having a big umbrella, of course - the more inclusive your party, the more diverse the opinions of its members.
Look, I'm no fan of Rahm Israel Emanuel either, but I recognize the political startegy of the move. If Obama wants to be remotely effective, he has to unite the progressive wing of the party along with the Hillary wing, and he needs a hardass as chief of staff. He'd rather have an Emanuel on the inside pissing out than on the outside pissing in.
What we need now is unity and compromise. Would I like to see a much more progressive White House staff? Of course. Would I like a less big-business-oriented executive branch? Definitely. Would I like to see a much more progressive foreign policy? Absolutely. But I also recognize that these kinds of massive social changes take time.
I'm of the belief that once this country gets a small taste of what a moderately progressive administration can do, they'll want more. They'll demand more. But they're not ready for that kind of change just yet. If they were, we'd be swearing in McKinney or Nader in January.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:45 amunbelievable Says:
Blacks, who helped make unprecidented history Tuesday, also voted 70% in favor and 30% against banning gay marriage. I do not get this. How can one oppressed minority encourgae the oppression of another? While I know they play a big role n this prejudice, the bible(s) are not valid justification for denying equal rights, since these very books also condone the very slavery that once bound people of color.
It's an age-old conundrum. Who is going to be "low man on the totem pole. I guess that Blacks have decided that gays will be "low man" so they don't have to be. But, I think it's a little more complex than that. There was a lot of deceptive advertising that went on by the people pushing this ban and I think that had a large influence on the black community.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:46 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
I’m curious as to how they can keep doing things like this without Congressional approval. I always thought that Congress controlled the purse strings.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:37 am
________
They HAVE Congressional approval. This is part of the bailout blank check Congress already approved.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:48 amWell stated. This is why I'll never label myself a "liberal", "Democrat", or "left-winger". Until the far left of the Democratic Party can learn something about unity and team work (and quit whining every 3 seconds), I'll continue to proudly label myself "Anti-Republican".
November 10th, 2008 at 9:49 amBearCountry Says:
Maybe Obama will be bipartisan in his appointments, but retaining mueller, mullen, and bernanke is just silly. Keeping people from this ended, failed administration is a greater indication that ‘Change’ is more a slogan than reality.
Considering all the immediate needs Obama has on his agenda, I don't mind his keeping on a few people, at least if he trusts them. If I remember rightly, Muller worked for Clinton. And he has stood up to the Bush Administration about using the FBI to torture people. If he keeps a close eye on these people and they know who their boss is and take orders from him, I don't think that Obama has a lot to worry about with these particular people. It's unwise, when your house is collapsing around you, to kick out everyone who knows anything about the house and bring in people who know nothing.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:51 amReich-wingers also say that about Emanuel. More proof that extremists on both ends should be purged and ignored.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:51 ambarfly Says: My point, is that Axlerod’s comment was likely not an off-the-cuff remark, but one constructed to create a certain image of Obama — something Nixon was very effective at. The tactic by itself doesn’t mean that Obama is as bad as Nixon, only that as an “experienced” politician from Chicago, he’d likely use it for his own purposes, not that the purpose itself would necessarily be nefarious.
I disagree because Axelrod was not the first to say it. Obama was not going to run for President, and had to be talked into it. That fits with Axelrod's claim.
One of the Political Science Professors from Idaho explained why Obama would be the most Constitutional President since the Founding Fathers - partly because he wants to make change to an unconstitutional Prseidency. That's the basic connection. Changing from what is (Bush) to it's counterpart.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:54 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: To me thats the difference that screamed at me between Obama and McCain. McCain sold his soul to “be” President, he could care less about helping his fellow citizens. It was very obvious to me and I think to others.
I think that was also Hillary's demise. She wanted to be President too much. I have no doubt that she wanted to make a difference too, and would have, but that was always overshadowed by how much she wanted it.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:58 amDr. Hussein Matt Says:
Did anyone tune into Faux and Friends this morning? They had Toe Sucking Morris on there talking about what happens during the transition between presidencies….and this reich-wing turncoat actually sunk to a new low and talked about Clinton leaving his “DNA everywhere”. I had no idea what point he was trying to make, but once again the GOPigs prove that their Clinton Derangement Syndrome knows no bounds.
What does Morris think of what Bush is doing, screwing up as many things as he can possibly screw up before he departs. If that's not leaving this DNA everywhere, I don't know what is.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:59 amunbelievable Says:
misshusseinmolly Says: There — fixed it for you. I imagine that if these people truly loved Jesus and had a desire to follow His teachings, their ideology and their actions would be far different.
I think both sides cherry pick, as according to the bible(s) Jesus said some great things, and he also said some pretty terrible things:
Unbelievable - I accept and respect your choice to be an atheist. But these statements that you took off that whacked website are about the absolutely worst misinterpretations I've ever seen. You are usually so level-headed in your comments, but wow...over the top on this one. My opinion.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:00 ami found and read this opinion piece just now... enjoyed the sentiment... until i read this part, and realized how delusional they are:
In the past eight years, Bush hatred has replaced the Clinton variety. Bush has attempted to reach across the aisle and pursue long-held Democratic objectives such as the prescription- drug plan. Like Clinton, he has received little credit from his opponents.
but still, it wouldn't hurt to keep his advice in mind...
Republican Tone Might Transform Toxic Politics: Kevin Hassett
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_hassett&sid=a.SRXM1tMSBE#
November 10th, 2008 at 10:02 amDr. Hussein Matt Says:
Liberal whine and rant that Emanuel is too conservative and reich-wingers whine and rant that Emanuel is too liberal. More proof that extremists on both ends should be ignored.
I know what you mean. I'm getting really sick and tired of people on this site not having the courtesy to allow Obama to make his decisions for himself. If he makes a mistake and you don't like it, then speak up. But, I mean a mistake, not just hiring someone you think is a mistake. Truth be told, when I heard how the right freaked out over the appointment of Emanuel, I thought "all right".
November 10th, 2008 at 10:03 amBilbo says:
It’s unwise... to kick out everyone who knows anything about the house and bring in people who know nothing.
Yes -- I think that's about what we did when we invaded Iraq: threw out everyone who knew anything and put in our own recent Heritage Foundation alumni and political cronies.
I believe it would be wise to keep a few key people on board for a period of time until there is a firm establishment of policy.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am(I reserve such benefit of the doubt on Paulson, however; I don't have faith in him, particularly after the latest news about secret benefits to banks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/09/AR2008110902155.html?hpid=topnews
And finally: Move over, Madison, Kennedy, and Reagan. Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha are the hot new names for babies.
________
This reminds me of a funny anecdote from this weekend. Ninique and I spent a lot of time with some friends who have an 18-month-old daughter who is absolutely adorable. She not only recognizes Obama's picture on newspapers and on TV, but she's gotten into the habit of referring to nearly every African-American man (and some women) she sees, as "'Bama."
I started thinking about this this morning - it's much more than just a cute affectation of a growing toddler. Just imagine what the future will be like if an entire generation of kids form their first associations of black men as Presidents and leaders, rather than as negative stereotypes.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:08 amdid you catch this?
Secret Service Officer Arrested in Prostitution Sting
Officer tells undercover agent: 'Nice thighs'
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Secret-Service-Officer-Arrested-in-Prostitution-Sting.html
there is a comment by a "clement" (? from memory) that is a real hoot...
November 10th, 2008 at 10:10 amScarborough is foaming at the mouth with anger over Emanual as chief of staff -- does he think CoS writes policy?
November 10th, 2008 at 10:11 amThis morning Joe said the F-word on MSNBC.
"Obama is planning to move swiftly to reverse actions that President Bush took using executive authority..."
Hopefully, Bush's Executive 13233, practically gutting the Presidential Records Act - is near the top of the list, too.
Back in September, Slate published a good list of EOs that should be on the block.
http://solarkismet.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/ten-bush-executive-orders-to-toss/
November 10th, 2008 at 10:11 amimpeachcheneythenbush Says: Unbelievable - I accept and respect your choice to be an atheist. But these statements that you took off that whacked website are about the absolutely worst misinterpretations I’ve ever seen. You are usually so level-headed in your comments, but wow…over the top on this one. My opinion.
They are quotes from the bible(s). They weren't made up.
Feel free to tell me what “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace on earth! No, rather a sword lf you love your father, mother, sister, brother, more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.“ really means. Bceause I can't see anything peaceful or loving about it.
I've read the Catholic version of the bible. It says what it says. But, I know that most people ignore this stuff even though it serves to explain why there are fire-and-brimstone Christians who hate gays, blacks and women. I guess I don't see the point in ignoring that because we've established some taboo in this country on questioning religion.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:13 amThe reason why the Left was in the wilderness for 10+ years is because of fractured leadership and failed attempts of placating the extreme left. Bill Clinton and Obama both have proved that the Democratic Party will not win elections unless they have a centrist, mainstream focus. Progressive issues are important and can be implemented within a centrist administration, but worrying about placating the extreme liberal left and making sure they are not whining is recipe to ensure minority status.
If the extreme left doesn't want to get on board and support Obama and whine at every single decision, then please go ahead put your full support behind 3rd party candidates.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:13 amHannity, Drugbaugh, and O'Racist had the same reaction. That alone tells me that Emanuel is the right pick. I'm glad he's a fighter. I'm glad he's not afraid to p*ss people off. I'm glad he's not politically correct. I'm glad he's not a far left liberal wimp.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:15 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
BearCountry Says:
Maybe Obama will be bipartisan in his appointments, but retaining mueller, mullen, and bernanke is just silly. Keeping people from this ended, failed administration is a greater indication that ‘Change’ is more a slogan than reality.
Considering all the immediate needs Obama has on his agenda, I don’t mind his keeping on a few people, at least if he trusts them. If I remember rightly, Muller worked for Clinton. And he has stood up to the Bush Administration about using the FBI to torture people. If he keeps a close eye on these people and they know who their boss is and take orders from him, I don’t think that Obama has a lot to worry about with these particular people. It’s unwise, when your house is collapsing around you, to kick out everyone who knows anything about the house and bring in people who know nothing.
Mueller (FBI) took office in 2001, a week prior to the 911 attack. He has a 10-year term. Mullen (Joint Chiefs of Staff) took office in 2007 and has a 2-year term. Bernanke (Fed) took office in 2006 and has a 4-year term. I don't think a President can "fire" any of these guys without significant cause. They could, of course, be pressured to resign.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:16 amunbelievable Says:
They are quotes from the bible(s). They weren’t made up.
Feel free to tell me what “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace on earth! No, rather a sword lf you love your father, mother, sister, brother, more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.“ really means. Bceause I can’t see anything peaceful or loving about it.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
____________
Fair enough - they are indeed actual quotes. However, just because they're in the Bible doesn't mean they were actually the words of Jesus or anything resembling his intent. The current Bible is a collection of texts that made the final cut - there were other books that depicted Jesus as more of an Indian mystic, others that had him talking about multiple gods and a polytheistic system, even a book of Judas that was recently discoved. These all didn't fit the narrative the early Catholic church wanted to tell, and they were cut.
Then these texts went through 1,400 years or so of hand-copying by scribes, a process that introduced lots of little omissions and additions over the years - including many bits about homosexuals and the status of women, for example. And then, of course, the texts were translated, introducing more errors and omissions.
So it's perfectly legitimate to follow the nice, kind, and loving things we believe Jesus said, and ignore the nasty and divisive things he's reported to have said. The concepts of loving thy neighbor, blessing the peacemakers, and caring for the least among us, are still admirable ones, no matter what else the man may or may not have said.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:23 am1 or 2 items!
Biden booed at EAGLES Game
The Giants and Eagles played in front of a special guest. Vice President-elect Joe Biden watched the game in a luxury suite with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. Biden was booed when he was showed on the video screen.
Obama's pals rip his staff choices for not bringing "enough" change
The President-elect is believed to have identified Larry Summers, who held the position at the tail end of the Bill Clinton administration, and Timothy Geithner, currently president of the New York Federal Reserve, as top contenders for the Treasury post.
DAVID BELLAMY OF THE BBC SHUNNED FOR DENYING CLIMATE CHANGE
A respected botanist and the author of 35 books, he had presented around 400 programmes over the years and was appreciated by audiences for his boundless enthusiasm.
Yet for more than 10 years he has been out of the limelight, shunned by bosses at the BBC where he made his name, as well as fellow scientists and environmentalists.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:23 amunbelievable Says:
This is what troubles me… I saw a demographic break-down of how Whites, Blacks, Asians and Latinos voted for this measure.
was there a breakdown of the totals of each demographic?
i understand that black voted 70% FOR, but how many blacks voted? link please...
i read that OBAMA's own words were used in polls and flyers, proclaiming that he did not agree with gay marriage...
also:
Schwarzenegger tells backers of gay marriage: Don't give up
November 10th, 2008 at 10:27 amThe governor expresses hope that Proposition 8 would be overturned as protesters continued to march outside churches across California.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-protest10-2008nov10,0,4429002.story
These are the same people that booed Santa Claus. Enough said.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:28 amuhhhbama Says
November 10th, 2008 at 10:23 am
__________________________________________________________
I realize this is an open thread, but do you have anything intelligent to contribute to the discussion? Any original thought? Or did you just come in to drop a cr@pload of cut and pastes and then fly out of here?
Flagged.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:29 amSeems bam bam found a new lame picture
November 10th, 2008 at 10:30 amDAVID BELLAMY OF THE BBC SHUNNED FOR DENYING CLIMATE CHANGE
A respected botanist and the author of 35 books, he had presented around 400 programmes over the years and was appreciated by audiences for his boundless enthusiasm.
Yet for more than 10 years he has been out of the limelight, shunned by bosses at the BBC where he made his name, as well as fellow scientists and environmentalists.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Good! Bellamy should stick to what he knows - rainforests and ecosystems. Too bad he's too set in his ways to see that climate change and rainforest degradation are linked.
If he doesn't want to educate himself beyond a few right-wing talking points, good riddance to him. We don't need science deniers driving policy.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:31 amhussein toasterhead Says:Fair enough - they are indeed actual quotes. However, just because they’re in the Bible doesn’t mean they were actually the words of Jesus or anything resembling his intent.
But then you could say that about anything he supposedly said, since the books were all written anonymously by authors who lived after he had died. Except that most people do not look at it this way. Do you remember I-RIGHT-I? He loved Jesus. It didn't matter that your interpretation of Jesus is not literal and his was, it matter that he used the bible as a literal interpretation and then used that to hate everyone who wasn't like him. It's all about perception.
So it’s perfectly legitimate to follow the nice, kind, and loving things we believe Jesus said, and ignore the nasty and divisive things he’s reported to have said. The concepts of loving thy neighbor, blessing the peacemakers, and caring for the least among us, are still admirable ones, no matter what else the man may or may not have said.
I wish all Christians did. Then I, and those like me, would have no issue with it. Unfortunately, you know that that is not the case and that as long as the terrible stuff stays in the book(s), it will be used to oppress other people, to wage wars, to treat others terribly as the right-wing of your religion does.
And as long as it is used in ths capacity, I will continue to make my argument. Those of you who ignore the terrible stuff should do the same - after all, as long as you all lump yourselves together and defend them, they will continue to make the rest of you who are liberal Christians look bad.
It worked for Europe and Canada. They have equal rights for women, gays and blacks - and they have health care.
Can we talk about health care now. If the liberals here who are upset about Rahm Emanuel would focus on teh health care issue, it would be a better use of all of our time.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:35 amuhhhbama Says: Obama’s pals rip his staff choices for not bringing “enough” change
LOL. Yuu understand that he's not actually the President until January 20, 2009, right?
November 10th, 2008 at 10:37 amI hope the wingnuts have stocked up on Depends.
They're going to need them.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:49 amI think both of you can take your condescension, your derision, and your 'holier-than-thou' advice for us 'FAR LEFT LIBERAL WIMPS' (thanks for that, Dr. Hussein Matt, you sound just like Coulter, Limbaugh, et al now. I hope you're proud of yourself) and shove it up your a$$e$.
I voted for Obama. I am an American citizen. I demand and retain the right to question EVERY decision my President makes, no matter who he is, no matter his party.
I voted for Obama, but within three days of his election he picked an Israel hawk who has a record of attacking anti-war Democrats and was on the board of Freddie Mac when they cooked their books as his chief of staff. Doesn't sound like the Change I believe in, Barack. He went back on his support of decriminalization of marijuana. Doesn't sound like the change I believe in, Barack. I could go on.
Do I still support him? Sure. He's better than McSame would have been.
All in all, this entire post boils down to me attempting to say how disappointed I am in my fellow posters here, but I'm not going to phrase it that way because then I would be just as patronizing as you stupid Fu(ks are being right now.
DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T QUESTION THE POLICY DECISIONS OF THE PRESIDENT I VOTED FOR. YOU ARE NOT FASCISTS, DON'T ACT LIKE IT.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:06 amliberal traitor, nice hissy fit. Seriously, I'm laughing my arse off at you. Thanks for the chuckle. Liberals like you are the reason why the term "liberal" is now a pejorative. So, kindly, go f**k off, you pathetic pansy arse wimp. The Democratic Party will be better off WITHOUT you....seriously. Please leave the Party, your type will never be wanted or needed.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:11 am"...announced a second bailout valued at nearly $150 billion for the troubled insurance giant AIG...."
Interestingly, the newspaper on Saturday (I'm sure from one of the wire services) reported that AIG paid back some of the first bailout loan - from memory it was something like paid back 2 billion of the 80 billion.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:14 amand then there's this lying beatch:
Mona Charen
Racial Psychodrama
http://news.yahoo.com/s/uc/20081107/cm_uc_crmchx/op_58006
( About The Author:
Political an alyst Mona Charen is former White House staffer who served as Nancy Reagan's speechwriter. Her syndicated column, launched in 1987, is featured in more than 200 newspapers.)
my daily is, unfortunately, one of them...
just one of her lines:
[...]
November 10th, 2008 at 11:17 amEarly in his career, he was listed as a member of the socialist New Party? New Zealand papers picked up on it. Didn't make it into our major media.
[...]
why do you s'pose that is, mona?
whew! that one took 4 tries!
between beatch and an alyst... finally got it!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:17 amA Democratic source close to Barack Obama “confirmed Sunday that Valerie Jarrett is Obama’s choice to replace him in the Senate.” Jarrett is a long-time personal friend of the Obamas and was a top advisor during the campaign.
I disagree. US Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) would be the best pick to replace President-elect Obama in the Senate. Jarrett's resume is best suited for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:19 amHave fun being an ass-kissing fascist then, d0uche-bag.
You just proved what I said about you sounding like the right-wingers who are bleating about those who DARED to call Palin unqualified. They are now "dead" to the party. They are being told to GET OUT. Sounds a lot like what Republicans were saying to Democrats after Bush won, doesn't it?
Seriously, you are attacking me because I'm not marching in lockstep with EVERYTHING our new President is doing.
Believe me, I am happy Obama won. Believe me, I see the political strategy in picking Emmanuel as CoS.
Believe me when I say, I understand all of this.
However, also believe me when I say that I seem to remember a lot of us talking about how we were going to be different than Republicans under Bush who marched in lockstep with him, who never called him out on anything, who never put any pressure on him or spoke up when they saw something they didn't like.
You seem to have missed the point and went straight for the declarations of exclusion and the demands for me to shut up, just like your typical neocon pundit. As I said, I hope you're proud of yourself.
The point you missed was this:
I STILL support Obama, I voted for the man, I hope he does well, I'm not calling for him to be dumped like that infowars article someone posted here.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO ACCEPT WITH BLIND ALLEGIANCE TO "THE PARTY" EVERYTHING HE DECIDES TO DO.
THIS IS AMERICA. I AM ALLOWED TO QUESTION IT. If you don't like the way America works, if you don't like the way the Democratic party is SUPPOSED to work, then maybe YOU can get out and it'll be better off without YOU!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:23 amDr. Hussein Matt Says:
Liberals like you are the reason why the term “liberal” is now a pejorative. So, kindly, go f**k off, you pathetic pansy arse wimp. The Democratic Party will be better off WITHOUT you….seriously. Please leave the Party, your type will never be wanted or needed.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:11 am
_________
This is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about earlier when I talked about the problem of Democrats acting like Democrats. You seem to be confusing LT with a concern troll. Liberal traitor is absolutely right, though - we should not be marching in lockstep with our new leader just because we feel obligated to.
The mandate the new President has received is not a blank check - it's a contract. We expect to see some of the change we were promised in exchange for our vote. We're also pragmatists, we know that there will be obstacles and compromises and that this new President is not going to be the progressive of our wildest dreams. But we still reserve the right to comment and criticize when necessary, without being told to "get out of the party."
November 10th, 2008 at 11:35 amGood Morning Camper's, ...One week ago tomorrow we elected our new president Obama...Can we break from the pedestal attitude and the critical attitude as well..It seem's to me we would be better served in a wait and see attitude about all matter's untill he take's over...There are still many day's for the present evil empire we have had to do damage...Obamas term begin's on Jan 20, 2009...Give him a chance...
OT.Sorry..Do you all remember NESTLES make's the very best, chocolate jingle...Well maybe chocolate but not strawberry...Recieved a recall this morning that nesquik strawberry powder 20.8oz.. Nov 7 date has an interesting addative..FRAGMENT'S OF ALUMINUM......Be careful what you eat and drink...Keep your kid's safe.....P,B,&J
November 10th, 2008 at 11:35 amkaty Says:
unbelievable Says:
[...]
was there a breakdown of the totals of each demographic?
i understand that black voted 70% FOR, but how many blacks voted? link please…
[...]
November 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am
no?
still?
maybe if someone else asks for that link...
November 10th, 2008 at 11:40 amAbour 'no peace but a sword'
November 10th, 2008 at 11:47 amThe thing you've got to remember is that 0th century Israel was organized extremely strongly along families. Families in Judaea were powerful political and financial entities, and one's life was determined not byy what you wanted to do, but by the purposes of the family.
We tend to view families sentimentally because of their frail and fragmented state--and it would be a mistake to take our arbitrary and fractured nuclear, blended and/or dysfunctional families with the powerful entities in Judaea in Jesus's time.(Read Romeo and Juliet for more of a sense of what a family oriented power structure is like.)
What Jesus was preaching was less 'be rude to your dear old mother' than 'do not submit to societal order. Go out and preach even if your family (your House) has its plans for you. He says he is not there to support the social order but to disrupt it.
This is also an only-partly-indirect preaching in the support for changing the status of women, since they were the most trapped by the family system.
Think of Jesus preaching about breaking away from your family, not in subrban America, but in a place like Afghanistan, and you get a better idea.
# 69 - hussein toasterhead Says:
Excellent point. Barack isn't even going to take office until January 20, 2009, over two months from now. Let's wait to see what he does once he's in office. When I supported and voted for him, I was well aware that he was not nearly as far to the left as I am. Truth be told, neither is most of the country. But my hope is that a Progressive agenda will begin turning this big ship at sea around and pointing in the right direction for all of us, and for the rest of the citizens of the world. It's going to take some time and patience is, as is said, a virtue. In the meantime, I've adopted the attitude, "trust...but verify."
November 10th, 2008 at 12:06 pmI hope he’s planning on reversing course on faith-based initiatives as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:20 am
He's not.
Remember when he visited the Rightard Xian guru, and promised MORE state cooperation with faith-based groups? Back in July, he promised MORE intervention.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pmA progressive will advise Obama as part of his transition team:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/10/obama-hires-progressive-l_n_142648.html
November 10th, 2008 at 12:12 pmIt’s going to take some time and patience is, as is said, a virtue. In the meantime, I’ve adopted the attitude, “trust…but verify.”
We don't have the luxury of "time."
The whole system is collapsing.
Bush should step aside, now, and let the Obamistos take over NOW...The Busheviks/GOPukes won't forego partisanship for the benefit of the country, if by doing so they validate the Dims' projects. The GOPukes will let the country implode if it benefits them politically...
November 10th, 2008 at 12:14 pmSee, here's another example of correlation is not the same thing as causation. Biden's image going up on the screen correlated with boos but it did not cause the boos. The boos came because of a bad referee call.
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/11/10/eagles-fans-booed-refs-not-joe-biden/
November 10th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
The price of our oil addiction
The history of our addiction to oil is a chronicle of violence, corruption and the worst excesses of frontier capitalism and social Darwinism. It was the case when the Nobel and Rothschild families grappled for control of Caspian Sea oil in the late nineteenth century; it is just as true now in the Gulf of Guinea. Like crack, tobacco or any other addiction enabled by a vast, powerful industry (Is it surprising that Big Tobacco financially supported global warming skeptics for years?), our oil addiction is hugely destructive, defies logic and is nearly impossible to break. But unlike crack and tobacco, we will eventually run out of oil.
audioLINK
November 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
Alejandro Says:
Emanuel is not conservative, but he is dangerous.
Reich-wingers also say that about Emanuel. More proof that extremists on both ends should be purged and ignored.
You are simply delusional, Dr. Insane Floor Mat. (Cue "Why don't you play in traffic"). I would suggest you study a bit more before you open your virtual mouth because you appear more and more as a fool.
Alejandro is correct. Emanuel (Ezekiel) is a dangerous Neocon, and being a Neocon does not have political affiliation.
This has nothing to do with being Right or Left Wing. It is the difference between being We The People against the Corporations. Obama's votes and his appointments are looking more like he is a corporatist. In six months he may surprise me, and help out the common folk, so we will have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, free-minded independents will observe his every move carefully, and believe me, Right Wingers absolutely want Obama to fail. Indies on the other hand, are skeptical, and frankly, you need people that are not in a drunken stupor as Dr Foot-In-Mouth is. If Obama does surprise indies, then we will admit we were wrong.
Will Leftists admit they are wrong if Obama continues Perpetual War, increases surveillance, and bails out more banks? Or will they say to ignore that Giant Neocon Gorilla in the room, and keep saying he is Progressive?
November 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm