Posted on 08/17/2010 10:13:36 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
American politics isn't beanbag. It is rough, bare-knuckled and often dirty. In today's 24/7 media environment, attack ads are remembered, and the truth has a hard time catching up with a lie. We now have entire TV networks that are essentially ideological propaganda outlets. With Republicans consolidated as the party of white sanctuary, anchored in the South, and Democrats championing diversity and inclusion, the politics of race is accentuated.
But given all that, have we ever witnessed anything like the unrelenting assault on Barack Obama? "Birther" nonsense is believed by some 40 percent of Republicans. Staggering numbers think he's a Muslim. National Republican leaders denounce his "socialist" agenda. When the first lady takes a vacation with her daughters, it's a scandal. Senior senators embarrass themselves by endorsing the big lie of "death panels" in the health care bill. Republicans openly decided that they would obstruct virtually everything the president tried to do. Zero votes for financial reform in the House. Zero votes for the recovery act. Zero votes for health care reform. Judicial and governmental nominees blocked for months by senatorial "holds" grounded on nothing but wanting to obstruct the operation of the government. Now every major vote is met with a filibuster, in numbers we've never seen before, rendering the Senate virtually dysfunctional.
This comes as the country faces its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression (begun under Obama's predecessor), two wars (started by Obama's predecessor) and the calamitous malfunctioning of key industries -- finance, housing, health care, energy and more. Yet, instead of an effort to come together to meet what are national crises, the right-wing echo chamber talks only about bringing the president down, and the Republican leaders embrace and parrot the extreme anger of the right. The so-called moderates duck and cover. No more mavericks allowed.
Yet, while there are differences between the two parties, they are not nearly as great as the debate suggests. Crisis drives action more than ideology. George Bush did the first stimulus plan. Bush pushed through the bailout of the banks, the controversial $700 billion TARP program. Obama's program was but a continuation. Obama's stimulus included the top-end tax cuts that Republican senators called for. Obama would continue all of the Bush tax cuts, except those applying to the top 2 percent. Bush provided the first money to rescue the auto industry. Bush started the two wars that Obama now wages. If anything, Obama's strategy in Afghanistan reflected the conservative criticisms of President Bush's policy. The trade policies, alas, are indistinguishable.
But the venom ignores the areas of agreement by simply peddling lies. Obama is assailed for running up deficits, but the great bulk of the deficits -- as any honest analyst knows -- were inherited, the results of the recession, and the funded wars and tax cuts of the Bush years. And in fact, the single act that has done most to reduce projected long-term deficits -- by more than $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years -- is health care reform. Ironically, Republicans are moving to repeal exactly those parts of the bill that would most hold down costs.
People have the right to say what they wish, particularly in political speech. But having the right does not make it right. Opposition to the president's policies should be combined with respect for his office. Political tactics ought to be informed by the reality that we all want this country to succeed. Democratic House leader Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan were diametrically opposed, but managed to find ways to work -- and to share a drink -- together. Dr. King always taught us to appeal to the better angels of our opponents, even those unleashing dogs and armed with billy clubs. It is a lesson we should not forget.
Je$$e how bout you get a JOB and learn how to use a condom...
Obama is doing everything he knows how to do, with the determination of a dedicated Jihadi.
Boy, I’m glad Bush wasn’t attacked like this!
Jesse made a factual error in this screed.
Obama’s predecessor did not start two wars. The war against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was started on Sept. 11, 2001. That war was started by Bin Laden and his boys, not by us.
Anybody know how the search for Bin Laden is going? Hillary once criticized Bush, saying “how hard is it to find the tallest man in Afghanistan”, as Bin Laden is rumored to be 6 foot 5. I want someone in the MSM to ask Obama and Hillary how the search for Bin Laden is going.
How ‘bout we keep on slamming “da won” and solve THAT problem first?
Obama is assailed for running up deficits, but the great bulk of the deficits — as any honest analyst knows — were inherited, the results of the recession, and the funded wars and tax cuts of the Bush years. And in fact, the single act that has done most to reduce projected long-term deficits — by more than $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years — is health care reform. Ironically, Republicans are moving to repeal exactly those parts of the bill that would most hold down costs.
REALLY? I can’t believe they are still peddling this garbage! If I hear the word “inherited” from just one more Dem, my head will likely explode!
Well, no Jesse, we haven't ever seen anything like the powder puff assault on Obama. We're used to real assaults, like the one perpetrated daily by your ilk on George W. Bush.
Okay, so then, end it - Provide the certificate!
Staggering numbers think he's a Muslim.
Staggering numbers of MUSLIMS believe it also
National Republican leaders denounce his "socialist" agenda.
So do the vast majority of American voters - the truth hurts, doesn't it?
When the first lady takes a vacation
Oh little man, you mean when she takes her 5th lavish vacation on the taxpayers dime while telling us that "we have to give up a piece of the pie?"
“Rev. Jesse Jackson referred to Jews as “Hymies” and to New York City as “Hymietown” in January 1984 during a conversation with a black Washington Post reporter, Milton Coleman. Jackson had assumed the references would not be printed because of his racial bond with Coleman, but several weeks later Coleman permitted the slurs to be included far down in an article by another Post reporter on Jackson’s rocky relations with American Jews.
A storm of protest erupted, and Jackson at first denied the remarks, then accused Jews of conspiring to defeat him. The Nation of Islam’s radical leader Louis Farrakhan, an aggressive anti-Semite and old Jackson ally, made a difficult situation worse by threatening Coleman in a radio broadcast and issuing a public warning to Jews, made in Jackson’s presence: “If you harm this brother [Jackson], it will be the last one you harm.””
I guess Republicans and the Media (Conservative Media) is on notice.
Hey Jesse!! Its your guy who refuses to meet with or discuss with the Republican leadership their healthcare and economic concerns. When was the last time BO met with Boehner or McConnell? Your guys have a large majority in both houses. You don’t need us to do anything.
I don't remember hearing this from Mr. Jackson when President Bush was in office.
If Obama had to endure what George W. Bush did--from the media infatuation with Cindy Sheehan, the daily reports of casualties, the daily reports on gas prices, the making of a film about what would happen were W assassinated, a major TV network showing his face with gun sights over it and "Snipers Wanted" under it, from CBS pushing a false story about his military service, from the personal insults from everyone from Brad Pitt up delivered at his daughters, from Olberman's nightly one-sided show that so rationally labelled people "Worst Person" and bashed Bush nightly, from SNL, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, NYT, Wash. Post etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.--he would be on the Oval Office rug in the fetal position, crying for his mommy.
The democrats chickensssssssss, .... have come home, .... to roost.
Shut up Jesse. The 60s are over. Your 15 minutes are up. Get a real job!
Rep. Kucinich calls for Bush impeachment
www.reuters.com/article/idUSN09301988
One hundred Vermont state officials agreed to petition the Republican-controlled Congress to introduce articles of impeachment against Bush ...
www.truthdig.com/.../20060410_vermont_bush_impeachment/
Detroit Democrat, seeking an impeachment inquiry into Bush's conduct of the war in Iraq.
Wisconsin Democratic Party calls for Impeachment of Bush, Cheney, & Rumsfeld.
Over 14% of US House Democrats now support the impeachment probe; ... need to take action on H. Res 635 because it calls for the creation of a Select Committee, ... 635 is, it deals with impeaching Bush over a cluster of issues from ...
etc:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4TSNA_en___US389&q=democrat+calls+for+bush+impeachment&aq=o&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
and the Republican leaders embrace and parrot the extreme anger of the right.
“Fahrenheit 9/11” director Michael Moore and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle at the film's June 23 premiere
moorewatch.com
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