Time for Choir check in - Thank you Mr. President for your courageous speech.

[grantcart]

The most enduring and endearing quality that President Obama has displayed during the first few months of his administration is unwillingness to procrastinate or delay standing up to important issues, no matter how sensitive they are. He is the President who refuses to 'kick the can' down the road for others to solve.

He is also demonstrated that he is guided by a clear set of principles.

It means that in confronting these issues that he is continually the one who is reshaping square blocks into round holes. That process means that sometimes the enactment of actual policies in a real world with real conflicting interests means that theoretical solutions have to be tempered with competing political interests.

This is clearly seen in closing the detention facility at Gitmo. Stated the principle, advancing the policy, confronting the details. Some of those details confront awkward realities that are the result of policy of the Bush administration and do not fit a simplistic or magical solution. The contrast to Congress is astonishing.

While a large swath of Democratic congresspeople, even those from safe districts, remained quiet and voted with Republican fear mongering sentiments, the President remains firm, standing alone taking the heat.

The Cairo speech is another example.

Evenhanded, based in history and historical in reach.

Stating what everyone knows but no one confronts directly against their own interests. On issues where around the world leaders on all sides are continually 'preaching to their own choir' for their own domestic political advantage. Against Islamic extremism and its terrorist strategy, against Israeli settlements and Palestinian tolerance of violence, for Iran's rights as a nation but against nuclear proliferation, support of Islamic people expanding their path to Democracy, religious tolerance, equality of women and a shared vision of economic prosperity, not a single can kicked.

We will see in the next few weeks an organized campaign campaign to paint him as the destroyer of Israeli security, and some will nit pick the speech for not going far enough.

But our President will remain firm, take the heat and let it just fall off his back as he moves to the next 'can' he refuses to kick. The Republicans will simply be diminished, looking smaller and smaller. But if Congressional Democrats don't start taking up the slack on sensitive issues they too will be diminished, and this isn't good for the country or our Party.

Simply because we are in the choir doesn't mean that we agree we every iota of what you say, but frankly those of us in the choir know that in making tough decisions that belie simplistic formulas that sometime you are taking positions that are not your own first preference.

So from the choir, an appreciative and informed choir, thank you Mr. President.

[HopeOverFear]

1. Hear Hear!!!!

[gtar100]

71. I second that!

err... 72nd that

[lamp_shade]

2. I'm singing my heart out and bursting with pride.

[ChazII]

3. K&R n/t

[NYC_SKP]

4. Tra---La-La!

*cough*

"Tra La Laaaaaaaa!"

[Triana]

5. His ability to deliver a speech like that...

...is one reason I voted for him.

NOT just his ability to say the words, but his ability to articulate and understand the nuances, issues, cultures, behind them - without that understanding, the words would not have been possible.

There is NO WAY GWB could have EVER even BEGUN to understand what Obama does.

[Uzybone]

6. hymn book please

he ain't perfect, he has made mistakes (like we all knew he would), but I appreciate the efforts he has made so far and expect more great things to come.

[bdamomma]

14. yes, I give him an A.

[Tumbulu]

7. Thank you Mr. President and hard working staff (nt)

[T Wolf]

8. "unwillingness to procrastinate or delay standing up to important issues" - are you on drugs? DADT,

secrecy, failure to investigate the Bushistas, the Cuba torture center (I refuse to use the cutesy nickname loved by the reich-wingers) remaining open and operating, failure to push for real healthcare reform, marriage equality, etc.

The only things he has moved quickly on have been to bail out Wall Street, force GM into bankruptcy, and cater to the GOP on nominations.

Speeches are fine, for a start. But his actions have mostly been in the wrong direction - rightward.

I know - he never said he was a liberal. Now we know that in that one instance, he was telling the truth.

[MarjorieG]

10. Remember how DADT distracted from Clinton's health care, and we lost on both?

If Pentagon, Obama, etc, say they're working on it, why can't we cut just a little more slack?

[T Wolf]

20. Okay. My bad. I'll check back in four (or eight) years and see if any progress has been made

on the issues I care about - like the wars, universal health care, prosecution of the Bushista criminals, marriage equality, environmental protection, corporate personhood, restoring the progressive tax structure, reich-wing domestic terrorism, ...............

Until then, I'll just sit back and "hope" for the best.

Do I have it right?

[MarjorieG]

22. Just saying don't blame Obama for long history of failure on this.

[defendandprotect]

73. How many Generals did Bush go thru to get what he wanted done, done????

Too many of the posts are still covered by right-wing Bush "loyalists" --

including 51 of Bush's AGs in DOJ!!!

[Baby Snooks]

81. Why are they still there?

Why are 51 Nazis still in place in our US Attorney's Offices?

[defendandprotect]

82. First, the incoming president usually replaces ALL of the AGs . . .

however, it isn't done immediately.

Sometimes they ask they to stay a while til they find replacements and to

keep cases going.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH BUSH was something different . . . he fired his own AGs...

people he had put in place and quite a number of them, thus the investigations

which were quite telling.

Obama evidently invited ALL of Bush's AGs to stay -- 51 of them did.

I'm hoping this is very temporary and that we'll have Democrats in place shortly...

especially if you heard any of the alarming testimony of how these Bush "loyalists"

were selected!!!

[defendandprotect]

75. Rather, we should stand our ground -- in fact, increase the heat --!!!!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

111. First you call for the murder of a radio host

now you show your true colors when it comes to our president. Maybe you have been in the fight too long after all.

[defendandprotect]

72. Look ... be honest . . . it's YOU looking to be cut some slack...not Obama. . .

and we should STAY AFTER these issues and stay after Obama!!!

Meanwhile, do you plant to totally shut out the outside world?

Are you asking all progressives/liberals to cut back or just DU'ers????

[defendandprotect]

76. Let's be clear....HRC worked in SECRET with "for profit" industry . . .

and Clinton ran from the right-wing onslaught . . .

[grantcart]

13. thank you for your comment.

[goclark]

15. I like your style grantcart

You really know how to respond.

: )

[grantcart]

21. Well if the Choir Director, who is getting hit from all sides, refuses to be rude, why should we?

[Cha]

28. He really is an

inspriration to my innate propensity to attack right back.

[PretzelWarrior]

30. single issue voters are boring. you have no perspective on relative criticality of issues.

as important as you believe changing Don't Ask Don't Tell is...I tend to think building relationships with Islamic world and fighting for peace in the region are a bit more strategically important.

[VespertineIconoclast]

41. I concur with you. Single issue voters don't take a panoptic view of things.

Their narrow perspective does not allow them to prioritize things. Everything can NOT be done at once.

We are seeing the slow but sure progress in the gay rights front. More states are taking the step to legalize gay marriage as they should. President Obama's response in the Brian Williams NBC special was great. Even though he called the rights that gay couples should have civil unions not marriage, everything he listed was the exact same rights that heterosexual married couples have and he said that it is a states issue not a federal one - which does not give ammunition to the right-wing that want something to truly inflame their base.

Change is incremental not instantaneous.

[Number23]

47. Phenomenal post. I agree with every word and truly do not understand those who can't see

the forest for the damned trees.

[VespertineIconoclast]

65. Exactly. It's rather disappointing...

that some DUers don't have the ability to look at the big picture of the issues that President Obama must tackle. We had the patience to wait 8 years for the Bush tyranny to end and then when we finally have a President who not only knows how to talk the talk, but can walk the walk of a President, some here would rather tear him down for not dealing with their issues immediately.

[PatSeg]

86. When you move into a house that has been

neglected and abused by the previous resident for eight long years, you have to start by repairing the damage first before you start remodeling.

Obama is laying the groundwork for future changes. Some will come from the Congress and some from the states like same-sex marriage rights. Others will be from the White House. This does not mean any one issue is necessarily more important than another, but trying to implement any change at the wrong time, in the wrong way could bring about failure and set that cause back even further.

I do not expect to agree with everything Obama does or says, but I will give him credit for his accomplishments and today he deserves my praise.

[VespertineIconoclast]

87. Great analogy and great post.

I'm in complete agreement with you.

AND you have one of my favorite movies "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" as your avatar and a wonderful quote in your sig line. You must be good people.

[PatSeg]

95. Thank you

You just made my day. I was waiting for someone to jump all over me for being an apologist, when actually I'm a realist. It doesn't mean we should be quiet, but we should acknowledge progress as it unfolds.

[Lilith Velkor]

113. The poster named six issues. Learn how to count.

[mkultra]

58. looks good to me.

he handling things in the order of importance I agree with. Keep it up Obama.

[defendandprotect]

69. Come on . . . you know they need this . . . give it to them --

and we'll get back to reality quickly, again --

it just keeps coming at us --

We're not raising enough hell obviously re Single Payer, preserving Medicare

and Social Security -- ending Secrecy -- DOMA/DADT --

Re-REGULATING capitalism --

Restoring taxes on the rich --

Ending two wars -- the illegal war in Iraq -- which Cheney is now falling over himself

to admit to!! I think Obama's latest date on that announced with pride was 2012!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\\\


Louder . . . louder . . .

LOUDER

LOUDER

LOUDER

[MarjorieG]

9. I know, I like gutsy and principled, no matter how much he's criticized for not being gutsy about

other's single issues. We can see from the choir's cowardness, there is a limit to what they will do, support, and can do with issues that will sideline big issues further-like DADT distracting from health care.

I wish more people in and out of Congress understood their importance and potential in the solutions.

[Flying Dream Blues]

11. I'm with you, grantcart! nt

[goclark]

12. His ability as a Historian, Teacher, Lawyer, Senator & Global

Liver all came into focus in that speech.

Only President Obama could have given that speech,that view from a personal experience.

No other leader from anyplace in the world could have done it.

It was, IMO, one of his finest hours.

[vaberella]

16. Checkin' in...loved it too. n/t

[Voice for Peace]

17. this speech really restored my sense of him as a long-term visionary focused on long-term solutions

and I really like that about him, his focus on solutions -- that there is no problem that can't be broken down and taken apart and put back together right.

I'm giving him more time on all the issues.I was moved to tears by his speech. Not because it was a moving speech, but because it's not just words. He is methodical.

[mopinko]

18. do re mi fa so la ti do

do ti la so fa mi re do

[Fire1]

19. Present. Me-me-me-me. n/t

[Historic NY]

23. Our "World Community Organizer" does it again, seeking common ground for peace.

[grantcart]

39. exactly right

[Scurrilous]

24. K & R

[HamdenRice]

25. Well crafted comment of yours about an excellent speech --just checking in-- nt

[grantcart]

26. Thank you Hamden

[Cha]

27. And what wonderful support President Obama

has on DU..It really does feel good after an historic speech like this in Cairo today to be able to celebrate(cyberly so)with so many who have confidence in his abiltiy to pull this whole thing off.

Thanks, grant.

[goclark]

29. Love being in this choir and wish that I could have been in Egypt

and watched the reaction of the people to the speech.

Wow!

[bdamomma]

31. me too, I would have loved to be there.

Most of those people who were in attendance today strike me as very educated people, they are quite aware of what's going on.

[CakeGrrl]

32. K/R - excellent speech by the President, and he was uniquely qualified to give it

not that others couldn't, but how many others could draw on their own heritage as a bridge to better Muslim-Christian-Jewish relations?

Bonus: The lunatic freeper fringe probably has more headaches than usual hearing that Thomas Jefferson kept a copy of the Koran in his library.

[Willo]

33. Our President is bravely standing alone

while others cower quietly in the shadows or loudly object to the boat rocking.

This can be frustratingly slow and roundabout but he is paving the way for people to come out and feel safe about supporting what is right.

I admire his strength and resolve.

[jenmito]

34. I'm HERE!

Mi mi mi mi mi............

[grantcart]

35. OK we were waiting for you, now we can start

[jenmito]

52. Sorry I got here so late.

[WI_DEM]

36. Great job, Mr. President.

[sandnsea]

37. I am in awe

and firmly planted in the choir and proud to be there.

[amborin]

38. Agree! k & r

[TheKentuckian]

40. Check one, two. Check

[chknltl]

42. That's the man I voted for!

[NoSheep]

43. Here! Thank you President Obama!

[bluescribbler]

44. A freaking Men

If we demand 100% agreement with our stance on issues, then we are no different from the Repugs.

I'm proud to be a Democrat, I'm proud of our President, and I'm proud of my country for electing him.

[mkultra]

59. +1 and that goes double for the angry fringe on our side.

they should know better.

[boomerbust]

45. He ain't heavy

He's my Brother.

[Richd506]

46. You know I actually still like the guy

I differ with him on some things but if anything is clear, he is NOT Bush!

[yellerpup]

48. Ta-Da!

Never doubted him for a minute. Thanks, grantcart

[Peacetrain]

49. K&R from the soprano section..

[Uncle Joe]

50. That was a great speech.

Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, grantcart.

[democracy1st]

51. K & R

[Occam Bandage]

53. Kyrie eleison. nt

[grantcart]

66. show off - giving a greek phrase used by Coptic Egyptians--

The Greek phrase Kýrie, eléison has also been regularly and extensively used in Coptic (Egyptian) Christian churches since the early centuries of Christianity, where in liturgy both Coptic and Greek languages are used. The Coptic and Greek languages share many letters, words, and phrases, particularly in ecclesiastical contexts.


Charis

(sorry but only had Koine and not classical)

[Phx_Dem]

54. Stellar speech, based on what I heard of it.

I'm fixing to watch it in its entirety right now!

[Adelante]

55. Sing it

[babylonsister]

56. Rec'd with 'glee'! nt

[Dr Fate]

57. What is great is Obama was NOT preaching to the choir.

And yet his speech seems to be going over great.

In the world of politics,choirs are good for preaching to, and little else.

[JuniperLea]

60. Me me me me... la la la la...

[mkultra]

61. call me what you want but I applaud his methods

You can say I sing in the choir or drink the koolaid, but frankly i dont care. Hes right and i support him.

[Ikonoklast]

62. I hired someone to sing for me.

I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but this gal will make up for it.



She IS the choir.




I support President Obama. He made the speech of a true statesman.

[Avalux]

63. It was a fantastic speech. I printed it and have read it several times today.

It takes a rare individual to stand in Cairo and say the things Obama said today; he told the truth. Now, let's hope those words will motivate people to act.

[bunkerbuster1]

64. Thanks for a job well done, Mr. President.

May your American enemies continue to make ass-hats of themselves.

[MasonJar]

67. What I have seen of the speech is impressive.

[defendandprotect]

68. Good speech -- what I've heard of it -- Congratulations, Obama . . .

Mainly liked .... NO Pax Americana -- !!!!

Obama didn't use those words but same intent --

those were the words of JFK --

[kooth]

70. Hand me a Choir Robe ...

Well said! I'd like to join this choir! I am so proud of our president! And I'm proud of all of you hear for caring enough to respond!

Sincerely,

Kooth

[varelse]

74. I'm not part of your choir

but I absolutely, wholeheartedly support Obama's vision for the Middle East. This is the change I was hoping for.

[grantcart]

77. well that puts you in the choir - you don't think that the rest of us can either sing

or have a fetish for submission do you?

[varelse]

85. I think the world of all of you

(K&R since I didn't mention this before )

[JuniperLea]

79. In the real world, much like DU...

Chior members change daily. Now put the damn robe on and sing to the back pews!

[ClayZ]

78. K and R

[Mira]

80. Beautifully stated and presented. K&R

[PatSeg]

83. We witnessed a historical moment today and a speech

that will be replayed for years to come. As much as many of us can disagree with things the President has done or said (or NOT done or said), that does not mean we shouldn't give him credit for what he accomplished today.

[JDPriestly]

84. The speech demonstrated real religious tolerance and I liked that,

but I don't think that either Americans are ready to welcome a lot of students from the Middle East or even from primarily Muslim nations just yet. Too soon for that. That is not a good idea.

[shellgame26]

88. Hallelujia

It's good to know there are so many people who understand that things cannot be changed overnight with a magic wand.

[arcane1]

89. Anyone know what the audience was chanting at the end?

I couldn't make it out..

LOVED every minute of that speech

[HopeOverFear]

110. sounded like o-bama

[saltpoint]

90. Any number of folks doubted Barack Obama's maturity. Some are

still doubting it. That argument pretty much went up in smoke with the address on race in Philadelphia.

He stepped into the American History books our grandchildren's children will read today. Highest rating.

And what a great choir you draw, grantcart.

[grantcart]

91. they could fill stadiums and stadiums and have people lined up outside

with all of the people who have underestimated this guy.

And the funny thing is that they still do it.


I learned my lesson after Iowa, atleast I am a fast learner.


and I would have a hard time drawing enough people for a barbershop quartet if I forced my two brothers to join me, but that skinny guy from Chicago knows how to pack them in and leave them wanting more.

[saltpoint]

92. Hey there, grantcart. Another post people are gathering around

the way a tribe is drawn to a village fire.

I continue to enjoy your posts on DU. And continue to be amazed at this Obama guy.

Even if he is from someplace exotic like Hawaii!

[donheld]

93. K & R

[TheKentuckian]

94. I think folks ought to at least consider joining the choir on occasions they dig the songs.

I think good behavior, direction, and policy should be encouraged regardless of whose idea it is. We can't just be against things. I'd say it is at least as important to be for things.

[AtomicKitten]

96. Bravo! Reminds me of why I voted for him. n/t

[autorank]

97. This was simply outstanding.

I just watched the speech just now, which is the first moment I had free. It was outstanding.
Obama has focused on a new relationship with the Arabs from that first interview he did right
after the election. This looked like a culmination of a first phase.

[Bette Noir]

98. The new guy's okay.

[cliffordu]

99. Trying to make up for your Bildeburger ID card showing up at the local

Whole Foods 10 items or less checkout line, Eh???

[grantcart]

100. Well Coral Snake blew my mind and I needed some time to resynthesize

all of the metaphysical realities that came up at the last Bildeburger laser and accordian talent show:


http://www.freedomunderground.org/view.php?v=3&t=3&aid=...

[cliffordu]

105. Are you tooting the yohimbe bark again, keemosabee??

[grantcart]

115. tooting, I thought it was a suppository!!! Well now I am going to be able to sit down again.

[cliffordu]

117. No - that would be pooting.

Try and keep up, mr. numbers....

[Douglas Carpenter]

101. thank you!! Great comments about a wonderful speech!! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!

[TankLV]

102. Absofuckinglootly!

What a CHANGE from the AWOL WAR CRMINIAL that squatted in OUR White House before...!!!

[onestepforward]

103. Great speech!

[Tarheel_Dem]

104. First tenor? Second alto? Where do you need me? Seriously, I think

it was a groundbreaking speech, and I am hopeful that since the President has begun to address this issue so early in his administration, that he is truly serious about being a much needed bridge.

[SeattleGirl]

106. Haven't heard the whole speech yet, but I'll add my voice!

What I have heard of it, it was a great speech!

Bravo, President Obama!

[RedCloud]

107. Still sounded like a pipe dream. We have no moral authority.

Did USA cease hostilities in Iraq?
Was the collaboration of LBJ and Israel on USS Liberty bombings mentioned to offset only the Arabs and USA have a shameful history together?
Was Iraqi oil mentioned as a main reason for the occupation?

We are an empire!

[grantcart]

114. Thank you for your comment

[myrna minx]

108. K&R. I just finished watching his speech and

I must say, it made me proud.

[Blue_Roses]

109. here, here...

[jeremyfive]

112. Love the Man

. . . and it's not because he is so right, though the speech was awesome, he is just so less wrong than other "leaders" in our recent history.

Now can go get on with the process of righting wrongs with respect to gay men and women? Gay servicemen are having their careers ended abruptly when their valour and skill are vital to the security of our nation--we are wasting valuable training dollars in throwing out these skilled professions, among them bona fide heroes--such as the gay man who confronted the terrorists directly on United Flight 93.

End the senseless bigotry of "don't ask--don't tell" now!

[BlueMTexpat]

116. I tried to R but got here too late ...

!!!

So I'll just kick and add my voice to the choir.

[newview88]

118. Too late to rec but I'm kicking! nt