My 81 year-old Dad's letter to President Obama - by susan in sc

[kpete]

To President Obama:

I admire your perseverance and cool in the face of so many problems. My wish for you is that you will call it a day after one term and have a full and happy life with your family.

For now, please recognize that Republican obstructionists, and many of those in your own party, cannot be reasoned with. They are living 24/7 with the hope of bringing you down. With the constant, unrelenting drumbeat from Fox News and now, to my amazement, MSNBC and CNN with notable exceptions, it is time to say "to hell with them', and take the offensive.

Step number 1: Get out of Afghanistan NOW. They don't want us there, we can't afford it and no more blood of our troops should be shed there. Like the family who wants a new Mercedes, but is not able to afford it no matter how great the drive may be; we cannot afford this war, period.

Your handling of BP was masterful. Thank you. Now, how about appointing someone like Colin Powell to take over the awful Gulf problem. Reinstate his commission if that will help. We need one person in charge down there to oversee the recovery and the healing of the region.

I have thought for a good many years that your appearance on the scene now is not an accidental thing. Please use the remainder of your term to do the right things without thought of political results. It might prove surprising. I know there is a majority of silent, sensible people out there who are rooting for you, I being one of them.

Sincerely,

Susan in SC's Dad
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/6/20/877831/--My-81-year-old-Dads-letter-to-President-Obama-

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Excellent letter. I, too, am of the opinion that one dynamic term may be enough.

If you're being ripped to shreds on all sides, what's the point? Do what you think is right for the country, and damn the consequences. Rec.

[NC_Nurse]

2. Nice. I sure wouldn't blame Obama if he didn't run again. I

wouldn't want that job. Ugh. Whatever you do someone will hate it. I also like his ideas about Afghanistan (out of Iraq too, plz) and the Gulf crisis.
K&R

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. I hadn't thought of it, but Colin Powell would be an excellent choice to head up that effort.

He's masterful at communications, and I think he instills a sense of confidence, across party lines. It won't stop people from attacking him, but we could do a whole lot worse. Let the Iraq drawdown proceed, get out of Afghanistan, and pull an LBJ.

[NC_Nurse]

4. Indeed. If he wants to run again, more power to him. But if

not, I'm certainly not going to freak out. Hell, there's enough to freak out about lately. :o

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I couldn't agree more. Sometimes, we on the left, need to be reminded

just how bad things can get, to make us appreciate what we have. I'll work my butt off again, and I'll give again til it hurts if he decides to run, but I wouldn't blame him one bit if he decided against it.

[sabrina 1]

6. I'd much rather have someone who did not lie to

the world about Iraq's WMD and helped start the war that this woman opposes.

I can't understand the support on the left for Colin Powell.

General Clark would be a far better choice. I don't remember him facilitating the war party as Colin Powell did, and apparently did during Vietnam also.

We have Democrats who have integrity and experience and a record of achievement. Why on earth would we use a Republican who has already demonstrated he cannot be trusted?

Obama should call up General Clark and see if he's interested. In fact he should have replaced Gates with someone from the Dem. side of the aisle who could be trusted.

[Poboy]

7. We would welcome General Honore, and he wants to help...

Tell Obama to Federalize the Clean Up
BP, and the entire oil and gas industry, must do everything in their power to stop the oil that is erupting from the Gulf floor. Simultaneously, however, the Gulf Coast must be defended from the oily onslaught that has already been released, but BP’s efforts there have fallen short. The government must take control of the clean up while BP remains solely responsible for writing checks.

Please use the form below to send a message to the White House and Congress today asking them to:

Federalize the disaster clean-up and designate a federal military disaster response director, similar to General Honore in the aftermath of Katrina
Hold BP financially accountable for all clean-up and impacts over the long-term
Force full transparency of impact data and clean-up efforts
Ensure changes in regulations and oversight help prevent accidents in the future while also requiring a better plan B.
This is the biggest environmental disaster our country has ever seen, and the full force of the United States government, as well as BP, must be deployed to make this region whole again.
----
http://action.healthygulf.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3992

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General Honore
ArtFennellReports — June 13, 2008 — Art Fennell Reports sits down with U.S. General Honore, the man on the ground during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xZXmcCRnA&feature=related

[dgibby]

20. He would be my first choice, also. n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. Who's to say who "could be trusted". That's very subjective.

And I am truly grateful that you don't get to make those kinds of decisions.

[sabrina 1]

11. Until someone does something to lose the trust of the American

people we don't know. In the case of Colin Powell however, we do. He lied to the UN about WMDs and it was that speech that got support for the illegal war in Iraq. He also helped cover up the My Lai Massacre. Sorry, I don't have any respect for people who can turn a blind eye to murder. And who could call a soldier who clearly had a conscience when he tried to report the murders, a liar.

But if you trust someone with such a record, and so much blood on their hands, that's fine. I'm just glad you are not in charge of making such decisions either.

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. Then I guess that makes us even, right?

[sabrina 1]

19. Maybe, but I don't have a problem with people who disagree

with me, you appear to view them as enemies. So in that sense, we are probably very different.

[HelenWheels]

8. Not a Powell fan

He lost all credibility with me when he lied about the Iraq war. He is not a truth teller.

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. In case I wasn't clear, I wasn't talking necessarily about someone so-called "liberals"

trust. I don't know that there is such a creature, I mean anyone connected with the "military industrial complex" is usually viewed with skepticism. I meant someone trusted by the public at large, and like it or not, Colin Powell is still that someone.

[sabrina 1]

12. I just named 'such a creature' that 'so-called Liberals' trust.

The American people trusted George Bush and Dick Cheney also. Maybe we should enlist their services if that's the only standard you care about.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. "so-called liberals" are a tiny fraction of the American people. I've just

made a pledge elsewhere not to engage with antagonists. You have a nice day now, ya hear?:hi:

[noamnety]

18. I disagree completely about Colin Powell

He lost all his credibility when he was involved in the coverup of Mai Lai. :)

I never understood why any on the left ever gave him any respect. In an effort to end on a positive note though, I will say that given his area of expertise, he's probably a PERFECT choice for working with BP.

[Number23]

13. "I know there is a majority of silent, sensible people out there who are rooting for you"

I agree. What a nice letter even though I think that Gen. Powell couldn't be bothered to put on another uniform when he can get millions as a private citizen.

[Historic NY]

16. Your Dad's smart like most of the "greatest generation".

[Bluebear]

17. Colin Powell is not a credible figure anymore