Is This as Good as It Gets From Obama? by Bill Maher

[Better Believe It]

Is This as Good as It Gets From Obama?
by Bill Maher
November 3, 2009

Yeah, I'm disappointed, too. I thought we were sweeping into power; I thought change meant Change. I believed all that talk about another First 100 Days, a la Roosevelt. Well, that didn't happen. The question is, is this as good as it gets from Obama, or is he pacing himself? He may have a four and eight-year plan and they included a first year of just gettin' to know you and not gonna rock the boat too much. Well, Mission Accomplished on that.

It's still to early to lose hope in a guy as smart and talented as Barack Obama. But I would counsel him to remember: If you're going undercover to infiltrate how Washington works, so you become one of them for a while, to gain their confidence, well, it can be just like all those movies where a cop goes deep, deep, DEEP undercover with drug people and -- fuck, he's a drug addict, too!

Logic tells me that really smart guys like Obama and Rahm Emanuel know better what they're doing than I do. They certainly know things I don't know. I think we have the same general goals and beliefs. And this is what they do for a living -- I wouldn't even try it. But I will never stop having this doubt: that maybe if they had really charged in there riding the forceful energy of the historic election, and acted like it was an emergency moment -- which it was -- they could have gotten some big victories right up front, and there really could have been an historic "first hundred days" for this administration and the country. Instead of what happened, which is the Obamas got a dog. It could have worked -- the country had given its endorsement to "...and now for something completely different." There might have been a way to knock the Republicans back on their heels right away, with the argument that "The American people demanded we make these changes, and you are unpatriotic to stand in their way."

That said, I do not forget that if the election had gone the other way, we'd right now have a barter economy and be at war with Honduras.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/11/03-3

[Dr Robert]

1. Bill Maher is a comedian. Nothing more.

[Jennicut]

2. And a sexist, egotistical jerk but hey, that is only my opinion.

[Armstead]

41. And if he had written a glowing poem to Obamas's greatness would he still be a jerk?

Just askin'

[QC]

42. No. He would be a genius in that case. n/t

[Window]

60. He was a jerk long before Obama came along. n/t

[question everything]

83. Yes, but he would not have

Like Huffington, he thinks that in order to stay relevant he has to attack Obama and the Democrats. Constantly. Which is a waste of time. Conservatives are not going to listen to him; I think that he cannot even find any for his show, and liberals are abandoning him.

He does not have to be a "dittohead" but his observations have to have merit, not just jerking around.

His objection to a flu vaccines, his smugness at the poor who cannot afford fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy food, and time and place for exercises, and the fact that he is not even funny anymore sealed his end for me.

[jonnyblitz]

3. that's what I said about Wanda Sykes when she bitched

about Obama critics on the left and all the Obama supporters were "high-fiving" her comments.

[Jennicut]

10. I can't stand Wanda Sykes either. I don't think she is very funny.

My husband said he turned her off on the Howard Stern show the other day, didn't think she was funny either, just annoying.
I think as far as political comedians go, Jon Stewart is the funniest to me followed by Colbert. But not everyone likes the same things.

[timeforpeace]

7. Except when he says something we agree with, then he's a pundit again.

[Cha]

13. Sometimes I agree with people and

sometimes I don't. They all have a right to voice their opinion no matter what they do for a living.

[IndianaGreen]

39. That's when we rec threads about him

[Dr Robert]

52. not you, of course

unless Maher is trashing Obama, that is.

[Better Believe It]

8. Like Jon Stewart! I like them both Doctor Bob!

Don' agree with them 100% of the time, but most of the time they are right on target.

[Dr Robert]

17. what would you know about being on target?

[Number23]

59. ZING!! I think I'm starting to like you

:)

[tridim]

12. He's a Libertarian too

Which IMO makes his opinion equally as valuable as Ron Paul's, which is already next to zero.

[spoony]

47. And a bad writer.

"To early" indeed. And he's remarkably subservient for someone so arrogant.

[Cha]

4. Fuck you, bill maher..is this as

good as you get? Fucking Fail, maher.

[NYCGirl]

5. It's a legitimate question, and Maher answers it a number of times…

"He may have a four and eight-year plan"

"It's still to early to lose hope in a guy as smart and talented as Barack Obama"

"Logic tells me that really smart guys like Obama and Rahm Emanuel know better what they're doing than I do"


So Bill, it's much too early to tell. Just trust your logic.

[monmouth]

6. He's a real pain in the ass, always has been to me....n/t

[ej510]

11. He complained but gave him the benefit of the doubt. Translation he wants to hold Obama accountable.

[tridim]

15. Ironically Obama has stated that he wants us to hold him accountable..

and to "make" him do things.

But reality doesn't matter to Libtards like Bill Maher, they just ignore it in hopes of making a point.

[villager]

26. actually, many on DU don't want to hold him accountable either

n/t

[GCP]

57. Well Bill is holding him accountable

Ironically Obama has stated that he wants us to hold him accountable and to "make" him do things...

What's your beef? :shrug:

[jenmito]

9. Is this as good as it gets from Maher? Sad that he doesn't choose to recognize all the good

Obama has done in his first 9 months. And it's sad that most of his liberal guests disagree with him.

[Zodiak]

14. I love how the usual suspects come out of the woodwork to insult Maher on this

The insults without addressing his point only tell me one thing: You have nothing of substance to say at all and no argument against his points.

If I were Obama, I would want a more sophisticated cheer-leading section instead of one that is only capable of insults. Perhaps one that is better at addressing issues and less inclined to schoolyard jeers.

[Dr Robert]

18. he has no points. he admits he doesn't know what Obama knows. he should have stopped right there.

but he went on to make an ass of himself, as usual.

[Cha]

22. Thank you for clarifying

that.

[Jennicut]

23. Well for one thing, he wants him to be Roosevelt. Obama did not win

like Roosevelt did and the historical election was about a black man winning, not the huge percentage he won by. He had a pretty good win but no where near Roosevelt's. Kind of tired of that argument. Bill Clinton had a bigger mandate in 1996.

[Zodiak]

76. How could Clinton have a bigger mandate in 96?

He didn't get 50% of the vote.

I think it depends on what metric one uses, and if one chooses one metric over anotehr, that would imply cherry-picking.

The FDR references come from the fact that Obama wanted his "team of rivals" that came from FDR's cabinet. The Presidency started out with that comparison, so it is not entirely without merit now.

Besides, nothing has to be perfectly analagous to be used as a basis of comparison. Obama is facing much what Roosevelt faced when he took over the country. That alone can serve as a basis of comparison....the match need not be perfect.

But when one attacks Maher the messenger instead of his message, the tactic becomes obvious...especially to all of us that watched Karl Rove's tactics over the years. It is not the best place from which to launch an argument. That was the point of my post.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

81. Actually, the Team of Rivals refers to LINCOLN'S cabinet, not FDR's.

RE: Doris Kearns Goodwin's book.

[Zodiak]

88. You may be right about that. n/t

[SemiCharmedQuark]

50. I love how people trust the judgment of an AIDS denialist on anything.

I don't have HBO and I used to enjoy the Maher videos people posted. I defended him against accusations he was too hard on Obama or too soft on Obama. I said he was a comedian and could be an asshole but was usually pretty good with his reasoning. But then after his latest tirade against vaccines, I started looking into his other views.

Turns out he's a giant hypocrite. He made Religulous, a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed way back when, mocking those who believed despite any evidence to support their beliefs. Oh, he sure showed them! Then, it turns out Maher is not only as bad as those he mocked-he's worse! They have their beliefs despite any evidence. He believes in the face of evidence that runs completely contrary to his beliefs.

If someone can honestly believe that HIV does not cause AIDS, they really must not be that logical. He's an AIDS denialist, he is anti-vaccine (he doesn't even take the Jenny McCarthy "I want vaccines, but safe vaccines" tack. He is actually anti-vaccine), and he is anti-germ theory.

Therefore, I roll him into the same camp as Ron Paul. He's someone that might share a view with me sometimes, but not someone that I would ever cite as evidence to back up my view. I wouldn't post his views that Sarah Palin doesn't deserve to be president just as I wouldn't post Ron Paul's views that we need to audit the Fed.

[Zodiak]

77. Most everyone has irrational beliefs

An irrational belief in one field may not indicate an irrational belief in another. If you want to be dismissive of Maher on this issue it does not good to mention his position on another which is most likely an independently held belief.

If I looked for an irrational belief in anyone's worldview to dismiss them I would have dismissed just about everyone in the world by now.

His AIDS views are appalling as are the others you mention but that all has to do with science and medicine, both of which Maher has a demonstrable lack of expertise.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

78. This isn't an issue where reasonable people can disagree.

It's equivalent to believing the sun revolves around the Earth. I cast doubts on the reasoning of anyone that would believe something like that in the face of mountains of evidence AND insist that they were right.

[Zodiak]

79. Depends on whose disinformation he gets hold of

I have seen some cleaver tricks done by the "HIV doesn't cause AIDS" contingent in the scientific community (yes, there are scientists that believe this...sad to say). If one does not have an intimate knowledge of the scientific method, the relevant literature, and the many ways of selectively displaying data, then a person can be reasonably led astray by the false information out there. You will not find any scientists who do not subscribe to the non Earth centric belief of the universe, though....so I would argue that the beliefs are not equivalent.

People do not read gobs of science, and all it takes to change their opinion is ONE article. I have seen students with these beliefs, and I have to show them point by point how they were fooled. It was an eye-opening experience for them.

I do not expect Maher will ever have an hour with me on this issue, but I promise that if he did, he'd get beyond it. He doesn't seem to have an anti-intellectual streak, but he has a lot of right-wing friends to feed him bullshit.

He is also a misogynist, but once again, his misogyny has nothing to do with his opinion of Obama's leadership.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

80. He has had guests on to confront him and he has been called out on these issues.

He refuses to budge.

He endorsed Christine Maggiore's book. Christine Maggiore, who let her daughter contract HIV and die of AIDS. Christine Maggiore who later died of AIDS herself.

Germ Theory. My god. If you can convince yourself that Pasteur was wrong--that he "recanted" on his deathbed, then you are probably not the intellectual you think you are.


Maher HAS been told the truth. He is just so fixated on believing what he wants to believe that he ignores it. That is not a quality that I seek out in people I look to for analysis on important issues.

[Zodiak]

84. I still fail to see how these things negate his criticism of Obama

Dogmatism in one area does not equate with dogmatism in another.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

85. It isn't just dogmatism. It is anti-intellectualism.

I do not trust anti-intellectuals to provide analysis on anything.

[Zodiak]

86. self=delete...dupe n/t

[Zodiak]

87. I do not see that as anti-intellectual

I see dogmatic thinking. An anti-intellectual would denigrate science for being "too eggheaded"..."too know-it-all". THAT is anti-intellectualism. It is the notion that being smart is a bad thing.

Just because someone is not logical, that does not make them an anti-intellectual. It just makes them not logical.

Dogmatism is different, but one of its main features is rejection of conflicting evidence from one's held beliefs. That fits your description of Maher's AIDS stance to a "T".

[SemiCharmedQuark]

89. The anti-intellectual champions policy free of academic thought

Bill Maher champions health policy free of academic thought. Why? He says he doesn't trust 'em.

I will point out something here.

When science helps him make his case (creationists) he is more than happy to embrace it. When science demolishes his case, he doesn't trust 'em. So he only takes a populist anti-intellectual stance when it is convenient to him.

At very least we can agree that he is illogical.

The illogical do not make the best sources of analysis.

[Zodiak]

90. True

Just as long as you know that the illogical person can be right about their analysis just the same. The whole broken clock analogy and all.

Personally, I think he is right about there not being enough "audacity", but mind you, that is a conclusion based entirely on opinion, his and mine, even though we most likely arrive at our conclusions differently.

As a "science person", it dismays me to see people arriving at their conclusions based only on opinions, dogmatic thinking, etc., but unfortunately that is the mode of the human condition. We are naked apes more hard-wired for emotion than logic, despite the trappings of society.

[villager]

16. Ah, the unreccing crew, for whom "change"now means not daring to question anything the White House

does -- or in numberous cases, doesn't -- do

[Better Believe It]

20. That's their job. That's what some of them get paid for. Low level WH staffers and DLC'ers ....

have to do something to earn their pay.

[jenmito]

24. If believing that makes you feel better, go ahead and believe it. But it's not true. Maher

said the only difference between Obama and Bush is their color. Do you agree with him?

[Better Believe It]

62. I do believe that a few here are staffers, but most of aren't. Some are just lowly wannabe's

And I can understand that.

I obviously don't agree with whoever said the only difference between Obama and Bush is their color in a general and overall sense. Was that alleged comment in reference to a specific issue such as supporting the Patriot Act, the military occupation of Afghanistan, bailouts to Wall Street banksters or perhaps opposition to Medicare for All?

If it was one of the above, perhaps you can elaborate on what you think the substantial and significant differences are on those issues .... not just little technical nuanced crap now!

I'm listening!

[jenmito]

68. OK, then I believe a few here are on the GOP payroll.

Some are just lowly wannabes.

Bill Maher said that. He said it just generally-NOT connected to any specific issue. He repeated this to his guests and none of them agreed with him.

[Better Believe It]

72. I don't think so. Right-wing Republicans are quickly banned from DU as they should be.

Their views don't find a receptive audience here.

Even so-called moderate or centrist Democrats find some time to challenge them when they aren't busy bashing progressive and liberal DU'ers.

[jenmito]

74. You're right. They're on the Socialists' payroll, not liking anything Obama does.

Thinking he's just like Bush (only darker, like Bill Maher said).

[Better Believe It]

75. :) Socialists don't have a payroll unlike the GOP and Democratic Party

The notion of a socialist payroll is pretty funny. They don't have much money and don't have those big foundation benefactors.

But, being on a Republican party payroll or Democratic payroll as a prominent consultant or organizer can pay very well.

I'm not talking about people working on a Democratic Party local or state election campaign committee. I did that a few years ago in a major Democratic state campaign organization and for the hours worked barely made the minimum wage! Well, I didn't do it to make a lot of money.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Canuckistanian]

19. Anti-vaccination ignoramus

I don't listen to anti-science idiots.

[Better Believe It]

21. Maher's too religious for ya? I disagree with him on some matters.

Flu shots being one.

So do you disagree with President Obama on any issue and also call him an ignoramus or do you only use that term against people who are to the left of President Obama?

[Jennicut]

34. If Obama does something I don't approve of then I would critcize him on it.

Specifically sending 40,000 troops to Afghanistan. But I cannot stand Maher for various reasons. The way way he talks about women is pitiful.

[spoony]

49. Maher isn't to the left of Obama

He's a libertarian; that is to say, the child of a government-hating militiaman and a pothead.

[Canuckistanian]

56. Denying a centuries-old proven treatment aginst disease....

Is what fundies do. I expected better from a supposedly intelligent modern man.

Disagreement on opinions is one thing. Disagreement on FACTS is quite another.

[grantcart]

40. Exactly right - his position on vaccines is as credible as a creationist on evolution

[Fire1]

25. Like I care what Maher thinks. n/t

[win_in_06]

27. I suspect there are many who voted for Obama in 2008

that do care what Maher thinks/says.

[Tutankhamun]

38. Yes. There is a lot of overlap. With good reason.

[Better Believe It]

28. He has a big audience. You don't. And people need to hear what he and his many progressive

guests have to say.

[Fire1]

33. Thanks but no thanks. I have a mind of my own. n/t

[Better Believe It]

82. So does Maher. And on most issues he's on target and far to the left of President Obama

And what other TV shows have as many progressive guests as Maher?

[Dr Robert]

53. you have a tiny audience, yet scream through the largest megaphone on DU

do you really think what you have to say is that important?

[jonnyblitz]

54. you're quite the raging asshole there, sparky. nt

[Dr Robert]

55. you cannot deny the truth of my assertion.

most of his posts are Subzeroes.

Why?

Because the vast majority of DU doesn't agree with him one whit.

[Lilith Velkor]

29. Enough to reply to this thread, apparently.

:shrug:

[Fire1]

36. Only to "voice" my disagreement. n/t

[uponit7771]

30. Mahers constent non prespective and hyperbole takes away from his credibility on Obama

...I see few times that he calls Obama in perspective

[PretzelWarrior]

31. fuck you, Maher. You're a libertarian. No one listens to you except to laugh

sometimes by design and sometimes at your stupid self importance.

[Tutankhamun]

32. As usual, Bill Maher is spot on.

P.S. Wanda Sykes isn't funny or relevant.

[Fire1]

37. To some not all. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

43. Says the man who dated Ann Coulter. Yeah, I trust his judgment. nt

[NYCGirl]

44. Do you like Keith Olbermann?

He dated Laura Ingraham.

[ClarkUSA]

48. I don't watch his show, either. nt

[gmoney]

45. Wonder if he writes these himself?

He has a staff of writers for his show... whose to say they're not ghost writing, or at least contributing, to his editorial pieces?

Just curious...

[MrSlayer]

46. Hard to disagree.

Maher nails it.

[Writer]

51. Dear Bill Maher,

Grab a mop and get to work.


Sincerely,


~Writer~

[impik]

58. So vote for someone else in 2012

What a whiner.

[Cha]

65. bill maher is a Big Fat Whiner..and he's got a lot

of fans.

[Writer]

61. He threw it on the GROUND!

Bill's not gonna be part of this SYS-TEM!

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/digital-short-on-the-ground/1163268/?__cid=nbceditorial

[msallied]

73. ROFL! I love that video. My son sings that all the time. lol

[earth mom]

63. Go Bill!!! YOU ROCK!!!

Bill :yourock:

[ShortnFiery]

64. +1 Again, bravely speaking TRUTH to POWER.

:applause:

[earth mom]

66. Same back at ya!

:applause:

:hi:

[Ikonoklast]

67. Gee, I wonder what Emo Phillips thinks about Obama?

Just about as relevant as what Maher thinks.

His ratings must be slipping.

[Cha]

69. He's too lazy to actually investigate what President Obama

has accomplished and he has a lot of little minds cheering on his blindness.

[Ikonoklast]

70. Bill Maher is not much of a political analyst.

He is a 'pundit', which is to say he gets paid to sound controversial.

No real need to look very deep.

The hate from the far left looks the same as the hate coming from the far right. They sure do have a lot in common.

Good thing neither of those sides is running the show.

[Cha]

71. Yeah, the hate is the same..

ugly and full of lies.