ThinkFast: November 16, 2009
ThinkFast: November 16, 2009
In Singapore this weekend, President Obama “was forced to acknowledge that a comprehensive climate deal was beyond reach this year,” dashing his desire for the United States to “lead the way toward a global agreement in Copenhagen next month to address the warming planet.” Instead, Obama expressed support on Sunday for a plan “to pursue a two-step process at the Copenhagen conference.”
During his first public appearance in China, President Obama pressed for greater “universal rights” — “freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation.” Speaking to 500 “carefully screened” students in Shanghai, Obama’s “most provocative” statement was a call for greater Internet freedom.
In his first interview since the Fort Hood rampage, Yemeni American cleric Anwar al-Aulaqi “said that he neither ordered nor pressured Maj. Nidal M. Hasan to harm Americans, but that he considered himself a confidant of the Army psychiatrist.” Aulaqi said he may have played a role in transforming Hasan into a devout Muslim and “the two developed an e-mail correspondence over the past year.”
“Despite a solid Democratic majority in the Senate, Obama is on pace to set a record for the fewest judges confirmed during a president’s first year in the White House.” So far, only six of Obama’s nominees to the lower federal courts have won approval, while President George W. Bush had 28 judges confirmed and President Clinton had 27 confirmed in their respective first years in office.
Iraqi doctors in war-ravaged Fallujah are reporting a huge rise in birth defects among infants. “Before 2003 [the start of the war] I was seeing sporadic numbers of deformities in babies. Now the frequency of deformities has increased dramatically,” said Fallujah general hospital’s director Dr. Ayman Qais.
Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) discussed the Republican strategy to delay and derail health reform, demanding “that the Senate take, at the very least, six weeks to deliberate legislation once it is sent to the floor for amendments.” Republicans want to “delay the process so we fully understand what’s in the bill,” he said.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups are trying to collect $50,000 to fund a study by a “respected economist” that could be used to attack health care reform. Part of the plan is to then have the economist “circulate a sign-on letter to hundreds of other economists saying that the bill will kill jobs and hurt the economy.”
President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev presented a united front on Iran’s nuclear program, warning “that they were losing patience with Tehran and wouldn’t wait much longer for it to accept a proposal to resolve the dispute.” “We’re still not satisfied with the pace of advancement of the process,” Medvedev said.
A new wing of the prison at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan opening later this month will contain review boards that allow detainees to challenge their internment. “What is important to us is not the facility itself; our main focus is on the detainees themselves, how they are treated, and their rights,” said Ahmad Nader Naderi, the deputy head of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
And finally: President Obama doesn’t use Twitter. The President told a group of Chinese students that his “thumbs are too clumsy to type in things on the phone.” However, he stressed that he is “a big believer in technology.”
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The birth defects is yet another stain on Bush and Cheney. Can you believe they are floating the idea that good ole Dick will run as president in 2012? My God, the World will never forgive us if that happens.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:03 amIn Singapore this weekend, President Obama “was forced to acknowledge that a comprehensive climate deal was beyond reach this year,”
Republics are working hard to move America back to the 19th century.
Just name the issue, & you’ll find Republics stalling, delaying & lying outright to ensure progress is thwarted.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:09 amRepublicans are quietly using their minority power to block Senate votes on Obama’s judicial nominees. During Bush’s tenure, Republicans insisted the president’s nominees deserved up-or-down votes.
“This has become more bitter and more partisan than the Clinton years. It is obstructionism across the board,” said Nan Aron, president of the Alliance for Justice, an association of environmental, civil rights and consumer advocacy organizations.
IOKIYAR
November 16th, 2009 at 9:10 amPartisan Obstructionism = party over people.
Greedy Obstructionist Perverts of democracy.
“Republicans want to “delay the process so we fully understand what’s in the bill,” he said.”
This is absurd. Senator McConnell has a large staff and could use them to understand the bill in fraction of the time he’s requested. It is pathetic that he’s been so disconnected to this issue for so long that he feels the need for such a protracted study period. His demand for time is not an honest request.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:11 amYou’re right, Marie (@3).
I’d love to see a segment which discusses the obstructionists and the number of times that they, or their surrogates, glibly extolled the need for ‘an up or down vote’.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:14 amRepugniscum continue to announce their plans of further obstructionism, yet, it appears that democrats are still unable to coalesce and derail the planned obstruciton.
I am beginning to think that no one is on Obama’s side, and no one is on the side of the public.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:14 amThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
With such large majorities in both houses of Congress, how is the Republican minority able to obstruct everything from the appointment of Federal Judges to what is in the final healthcare reform bill so consistently???
November 16th, 2009 at 9:17 amThe goal of a comprehensive, global climate deal to replace/strengthen/upgrade Kyoto was a litte too ambitious to accomplish this year. Like ACES/Boxer-Kerry, it’ll have to wait til Spring. Those in favour of the legislation/agreements (i.e., sane, rational people) seem to be losing a bit on the message war. If any climate change agreement/legislation is going to be passed, it has to be framed in the guise of jobs and an economic boon. Frame it less as anti-pollution and more as a global Green New Deal and support should blossom.
Obama stood up to the Chinese leadership with more than mere platitudes…unlike his predecessor, who just spouted “freedom” and “human rights”. Granted, the crowd was as handpicked as a GOP rally, but it’s still something.
Al-Aulaqi’s message more or less proves that Hasan did NOT commit a carefully planned act of terrorism. I still ardently believe the shootings were terrorism (in the same way that Virginia Tech, Columbine, and the Cave of the Patriarchs were acts of terrorism), but anyone looking for a far reaching plot is pulling said plot out of their ass. Still, Al-Aulaqi’s a fanatical religious zealot with little regard for human life. A Muslim Fred Phelps.
The GOP is able to block many of Obama’s judicial picks for two reasons: lack of fervor/party loyalty on the side of the Dems…and complete scumbaggery (and teabaggery) on the part of the GOP. Anonymous holds, blockading for petty personal reasons, character assassination (David Hamilton, anyone?)…these are tactics used by both parties dating back to Bork, but the GOP makes an artform out of obstructing the efficient governing of the country to score cheap political points. And, should the reactionary right succeed in blocking healthcare reform and the GOP regains control of Congress in 2010…the teabaggers will run amok. Nazi signs and burning effigies EVEYWHERE.
Birth defects in Fallujah? Might have something to do with the fact that White Phosphorous is known to cause severe pre-natal (and post-natal) injury…
November 16th, 2009 at 9:18 amI am beginning to think that no one is on Obama’s side, and no one is on the side of the public.
Well gee, what took you so long?
Government hasn’t served the people in decades.
It serves only those with wealth, power, and corrupt connections.
Nothing more.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:18 amMarie@6, That’s why I think ALL the incumbents have to go. Democrat and Republican. You are right. Nobody gives a sh*t about us. Landrieu, LIEberman, Nelson…. Thay have all ley us and this President down. Quite frankly Landrieu should have resigned after Katrina.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:20 amAnd finally: President Obama doesn’t use Twitter.
And why the FCUK would he?
That technology is for the tabloidal, E! Entertainment, brain-dead crowd.
It serves no useful purpose.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:21 amI think ALL the incumbents have to go
Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic wouldn’t have helped one iota.
The “system” is wrought with corruption and special interest grabbing money whores.
There’s virtually no representation of anything related to individual citizens.
NADA-ZIP-ZILCH.
But keep fighting the petty fight along partisan lines – it keeps the powers that be very entertained while they line their toilets in gold leaf.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:26 amNo question about Lieberman. The man is a fraud, a political opportunist of the worst kind. Beholden to every special interest group that works AGAINST the will of the people. May he face an agonizing, humiliating defeat at the hands of Richard Blumenthal in 2012. As far as Landrieu goes…she was one of the leading voices to slam Bush for his negligence before, during, and after Katrina. And she hasn’t done much of anything since, excluding her votes for the minimum wage increase, against the FMA, and for the stimulus. Besides, with the way LA’s been trending, you would’ve had someone like Jindal as a Senator if Landrieu quit.
Oh. And screw Ben Nelson. If he DOESN’T jump ship officially to the GOP before re-election in 2012, i’d be pretty damn shocked.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:27 amObama is on pace to set a record for the fewest judges confirmed during a president’s first year in the White House
Eric Holder is also on a pace to replace the least Federal Prosecutors in the first year after the White House changed parties. Particularly, one of Don Siegelman’s railroaders, Leura Canary, middle district of Alabama. This was the most partisanly selected bunch ever chosen by an Attorney General, and they need to GO!
November 16th, 2009 at 9:28 amWith such large majorities in both houses of Congress, how is the Republican minority able to obstruct everything from the appointment of Federal Judges to what is in the final healthcare reform bill so consistently???
Because Republicans have turned every vote in the Senate into a 60+requirement for passage and Leiberman (I-CT) caucuses Democratic but votes Republican. Put that together with the ability for any senator to place an anonymous hold on any legislation, and you have gridlock in the Senate.
Next, the Democratic leadership in the Senate has been unwilling to call the Republicans on their gamesmanship. No mention of a “nuclear option.” No pushing legislation through the reconsiliation process.
Watching our government inaction is the political equivalent of watching “professional wrestling.” It’s a show, a distraction from our everyday lives…an illusion kept up for the sake of placating those of us who still want to believe we live in a representative democracy. We do, but the representative democracy represents the ruling class, not the general populace.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:29 amMcCain may have cut up his AARP card, but he still enjoys his free government health care.
He continues lying, too, claiming reform will cut medicare.
Meanwhile, ‘Dr. NO’, Tom Coburn puts holds on all sorts of legislation and is never called out on it. WTF?
November 16th, 2009 at 9:30 amAlso, caught this a few minutes ago:
One more reason why there needs to be a credible challenger to Richard “Let’s Make a Bank Run!” Burr
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2009/11/senate-bill-would-allow-mentally-incapacitated-vets-buy-guns
November 16th, 2009 at 9:31 amThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce is soliciting funds to pay an economist $50,000 to study health care reform legislation and issue a negative review, providing ammunition to shoot down health care reform in the Senate, according to The Washington Post.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:34 amEnn@18, As a registered gun owner, I find this incredible. The way these idiots suck up to the NRA is amazing. I remember after Cheney shot that man in the face. Many gun owners were appalled by Cheney’s lack of judgement. I think strict gun laws should be enforced.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:36 amNYT: Drug firms raise prices in face of health reform
President Obama made a huge mistake when he thought he could negotiate in “good faith” with the pharmaceutical companies who are just as evil as the health insurance industry.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:40 amOops, forgot the link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33959759/ns/health-the_new_york_times
November 16th, 2009 at 9:40 amPresident Obama made a huge mistake when he thought he could negotiate in “good faith” with the pharmaceutical companies who are just as evil as the health insurance industry.
Correction:
Just as evil as the health insurance industry and the gNOp…
November 16th, 2009 at 9:43 amEnnuiDivine, as long as they’re not Muslims what’s the problem? /snark
November 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am24. Shayne,
Yeah. That whole “no religious test” clause only applies to public office, not dismantling constitutionally protected rights.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:52 am;-)
I don’t hear anyone from the “Right to Life” crowd yelling and screaming about the terribly high incidence of birth defects in Iraq these days.
I suppose their only outrage is confined to “white” babies.
Have any of you ever noticed that some of the most stridently anti-abortion folks will make jokes about aborting non-white fetuses?
November 16th, 2009 at 9:53 amAt noon today, hundreds of protesters are going to storm Goldman Sachs. I guess that ‘God’s Work’ comment fell flat, huh people? Nothing like a billionaire claiming he is doing ‘God’s work’ to incite the masses.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:53 amThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups are trying to collect $50,000 to fund a study by a “respected economist” that could be used to attack health care reform.
The only economists who would take their money are discredited supply-siders, who have all been proven wrong by history.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:54 amAmerican citizens have become corporate commodities. Human life is measured by the amount of personal wealth acquired.
Divided We Fall points out above how big pharma is raising prices in anticipation of health care reform.
Credit card companies are doing the same in lieu of pending reforms.
Profit has become more important than People.
The Republic Party now supports corporate policy over human beings.
When corporate citizenship trumps personal citizenship, our Constitution is rendered meaningless.
Personal rights take a backseat to shareholder returns.
Wall St bonuses this year will exceed any to date in history, even though Americans personally bailed them out with billions in TARP funds purchased with our personal tax revenue.
If we ever get off our collective asses and do something about this, it will make the Teabagger protests look like a Sunday picnic.
I’m ready; are you?
November 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am…and then have the economist “circulate a sign-on letter to hundreds of other economists saying that the bill will kill jobs and hurt the economy.”
It sounds like the study is already done and they’re shopping for someone to sell their name.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:06 amGelfand writes. “The longer we wait, the less chance we have of influencing the debate.”
Then the thing we should do is speed things up. Keep these guys from being able to influence the HC reform debate.
Also, if the Republicans want transparency and time to read the bill, then they should also disclose all the lobbyists they speak to, all the wording they are using that came from lobbyists, and show America how much power money has over their vote.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:07 amUP OR DOWN VOTE!!! UP OR DOWN VOTE!!
Why don’t the Dems get as vocal as the R’s were? Let’s ridicule these obstructionists and make Americans see exactly what they have elected.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:07 amZimzone @ 29 says:
Well said Zimzone! Sad yet true.
What will it take for Americans to unite and stand up to these corporate bastards? When is enough, enough?
Sadly we have seen that people will unknowingly fight for the causes that hurt them and are sponsored by corporate interests.
So to answer your question “Had enough”
The majority of American’s are too wrapped up in the left/right paradigm. Or are just too content with their lives and their material things to get involved. The government knows this as does their corporate masters.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:12 amevangenital says:
I don’t hear anyone from the “Right to Life” crowd yelling and screaming about the terribly high incidence of birth defects in Iraq these days.
That’s because they aren’t white skinned babies. Or black skinned babies whose abortions are being paid for by government money.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:15 amIraqi doctors in war-ravaged Fallujah are reporting a huge rise in birth defects among infants. “Before 2003 [the start of the war] I was seeing sporadic numbers of deformities in babies. Now the frequency of deformities has increased dramatically,” said Fallujah general hospital’s director Dr. Ayman Qais.
Do they love us for our freedumbs or our depleted uranium?
November 16th, 2009 at 10:59 amIn Singapore this weekend, President Obama “was forced to acknowledge that a comprehensive climate deal was beyond reach this year, due to the unprecedented influence the corporate energy complex has over the entire US government!” dashing his desire for the United States to “lead the way toward a global agreement in Copenhagen next month to address the warming planet.”
November 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am“Iraqi doctors in war-ravaged Fallujah are reporting a huge rise in birth defects among infants.”
War disrupts medical care.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:23 amWar disrupts nutrition.
War spews all sorts of toxins into the environment.