Via Glenn Greenwald, who remarks, of Obama's new appointment to OLC:
[That Dawn Johnsen] can write this, in this unapologetic, euphemism-free and even impolitic tone, warning that the problem isn't merely John Yoo but Bush himself, repeatedly demanding "outrage," criticizing the Democratic Congress for legalizing Bush's surveillance program, arguing that we cannot merely "move on" if we are to restore our national honor, stating the OLC's "core job description" is to "say 'no' to the President," all while emphasizing that the danger is unchecked power not just for the Bush administration but "for years and administrations to come" -- and to do so in the middle of an election year when she knows she has a good chance to be appointed to a high-level position if the Democratic candidate won and yet nonetheless eschewed standard, obfuscating Beltway politesse about these matters -- is someone whose appointment to such an important post is almost certainly a positive sign. No praise is due Obama until he actually does things that merit praise, but it's hard not to consider this encouraging.
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hope
Hope is like riding a carousel horse; no matter how fast you go you never get closer to the one in front. The idea is to persuade you to stay on the horse, despite the evitable disappointment, in the 'hope' that things will change. But they don't because the very system is designed to prevent it.
That's the way 'hope' is employed by the dastardly and devious - take the crap we are giving you now in the 'hope' that things will get better (but we know they won't). Barack Obama is a purveyor of 'hope' because his masters want the people to accept what they are given now in the hope that good times will come.
Just do what we demand, oops, sorry, Barack demands, and in return he'll inspire you to hope that it is all leading to the Promised Land. It isn't, but, by the time you realise that, it's too late.
"If we have to have a dictator, who better than Obama"
- progressive blog commentator
She certainly sounds
emphatic and reasonable and intelligent. I would hate to think Obama and others would force her to change her opinions, so hopefully, they're all on the same page regarding torture. Also, she'd have the backing of those in the military who have expressed strong disapproval of Bush administration policies. The damage has been done, but at least America doesn't have to continue on that path. Let's direct the outrage at the monsters who ordered it.
"Hope, but verify"
Taking delectation in despair is just as reality-based as Hopium. Not that anybody here is doing that, of course.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." -- Mahatma Gandhi
Hope is a four-letter word.
The verify part is the only part I agree with because this is what we're up against.
It's a culture of hate exacerbated by unchecked power and lack of accountability, and the wound to our collective psyche has been left to fester over the past 8 years. Talk isn't going to change it. The unwillingness to even address the problem sure as hell won't. Appointing someone isn't nearly enough.
Hope and pray are both four-letter words, and honestly, I'm sick of hearing both.
Verify, then sigh in relief (if applicable)
After the Bush presidency and the way the Dems rigged the primary that's more appropriate *for me*.
Only tyrants rig elections.
Delectation in despair...
some anybodies here don't look at criticism of mediocre to poor leadership as delighting in despair. Some anybodies have seen that the country is capable of much more than that which we are getting. So those anybodies call "bullsh*t" and continue to say, "Not good enough".
Hopium is ignoring past and present actions and hoping another truth exists beyond that which is evident. Indulging in delusions to satisfy fantasies.
But if it is seen as more "objective" to call out both sides, then feel free to create a counter balance to the reality-based hopium crowd.
sincerely,
anybody
"If we have to have a dictator, who better than Obama"
- progressive blog commentator
Dawn Johnsen is change you can believe in, not just hope
There couldn't be a choice more diametrically opposed to the hacks and ideologues that have been in place during BushCo. From her official site at Indiana U:
Obama as a centrist conservative will be a mixed bag for Progressive interests, no doubt, but this decision is real and substantive and all to the good - well worth rejoicing. Kudos to her for taking the job, and kudos to Obama for making the appointment.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
The messiah has appointed someone that voiced strong opinions! An appointment of a liberal in a sea of conservatives, bigots, crooks, spineless appeasers is a sign that we shall be lead to the promised land!
"If we have to have a dictator, who better than Obama"
- progressive blog commentator
Oh, scoutt
There is no promised land. I'm just grateful for more convivial traveling companions with whom to wander endlessly in the wilderness.
Plenty to be angry and upset over, never any shortage; when a correct decision gets made I fully intend to praise and rejoice, the opportunities to do so are too few and far between to let them go by unappreciated.
Gad
No.
It's a sign that they're 2.01% less evil. Still, if we're part of the reality-based community, we should recognize the better when it happens, right?
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." -- Mahatma Gandhi
2% enthusiasm. There.
You can "oh, scoutt" me and "gad" me all you want. All of my opinions about this sham of an election and hustler-elect become more real as time goes by. We were supposed to have OUR time now. Liberalism was given a wide opening and the country needs real change. Instead we have the cult of Obama and another boy in love with his own image. So take your condescending "tsk tsk" and let's be calm 2% and wrap yourselves in superior calmness. I'm pissed and "irrational" and over the top and just as certain of the way I see things as you are.
"If we have to have a dictator, who better than Obama"
- progressive blog commentator
If you can't take it
don't dish it out. No justification to flip a wig over what I gently wrote when you feel free to mock as rudely as you see fit. Your choice, to view it as all dark and dreary if you wish; not my choice, and so we disagree - by much more than 2%.
And you are completely wrong about liberalism having a "wide opening." The only candidate remotely "liberal" was Kucinich and he never polled above low single digits. With two exceptions, briefly under FDR and LBJ, neither the congress nor the presidency has ever been held by people acting like genuine liberals. The rest of the time, including the later stages of FDR and LBJ, we've generally been governed by centrist conservatives or, laterly, by radical reactionaries. Obama, like Hillary Clinton, is one of the centrist conservatives and he'll try to govern that way as would have she. Nobody should be shocked at that.
Welcome to America, scoutt. If you want Progressive change, figure out how to effect it. Depending on elected officials to do it for you will not git 'er done.
Exactly.
Welcome to America.
I disagree with just about everything you say.
Especially your arrogant tone.
Every time i read you, you are insulting.
You blah blah blah on and on but i don't trust anything i read from you.
You sound oh so smart and have many words to fill up many empty spaces but
you never even begin to have me pause and ponder my own beliefs.
i'm not a writer and can't begin to scrum with you.
don't want to try.
Obama is nothing like Hillary.
Nothing.
She isn't perfect but never pretended to be.
That's the difference between Obama apologists and Hillary supporters.
And in conclusion, blah blah blah blah snarky insult here, cherry pick history here, some high and mighty smoke, blah blah. End with folksy snark.
"If we have to have a dictator, who better than Obama"
- progressive blog commentator
"I disagree with just about everything you say"
"Just about"? I am pleased to read that there are areas of agreement between us.
Unfortunately, and I say this as a staunch Hillary supporter throughout the primary, there isn't much difference between her and Obama on either policy or philosophy. That will be why the campaign was so nasty and personal on both sides - neither one of them had anything substantive to talk about. It is also the reason she is comfortable taking the SoS position; they don't disagree on anything of importance.
Or, if you prefer, BLAH BLAH, BLAH BLAH; BLAH BLAH, BLAH BLAH.
Oh and; don't sell yourself so short. You express your opinions quite clearly and, ah, forcefully. No worries about any of that.
2% enthusiasm. There.
You can "oh, scoutt" me and "gad" me all you want. All of my opinions about this sham of an election and hustler-elect become more real as time goes by. We were supposed to have OUR time now. Liberalism was given a wide opening and the country needs real change. Instead we have the cult of Obama and another boy in love with his own image. So take your condescending "tsk tsk" and let's be calm 2% and wrap yourselves in superior calmness. I'm pissed and "irrational" and over the top and just as certain of the way I see things as you are.
"If we have to have a dictator, who better than Obama"
- progressive blog commentator
Yeah, whatever
Tell me something I don't know, wouldja?
Gad.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." -- Mahatma Gandhi