I remain convinced that Obama is a good man who knows right from wrong.

[The Doctor.]

I am also still certain that he wishes to do much greater good.

For those only paying attention to the one side of the ledger, that either makes me a 'starry-eyed sycophant', or 'cheerleader', or 'Obamabot', or whatever.

That would be true, perhaps, if I looked only at the other side of the ledger.

I don't.

There are not two sides, not just 'pro' and 'con' regarding Obama's achievements, there is a third. There is the actual pro-people side and the handful of other positive steps taken where Obama clearly advocated for us in demonstrable ways. There is the 'other side' where Obama has clearly and deliberately facilitated pro-corporate initiatives. I could post the lists for each, but this isn't about touting, admonishing, or having any kind of good ole-fashion pissing contest. If people want to put up, be my guest. That might even be helpful in exploring the 'third' side.

The 'third side' of the ledger can only be found (and this phrase is seldom used more aptly) between the lines. It's a grey place where many questions can be found. Many of those questions have implications we simply do not want to consider. Unfortunately, if we are to be more effective, then we have to get those answers in order to find or simply more focus on the real problems.

One of my biggest disappointments was Obama not prosecuting the blatant war crimes and Constitutional violations of the last administration. Upon even a cursory investigation, and I believe all DUers can agree on this, no doubt is left that the last administration was blatantly criminal in almost every way possible.
So why? Why did a constitutional scholar let what was one of if not the most criminal administration off the hook?

Well, for anyone who likes things nice and black and white, the answer is very simple; 'Obama is just like the rest of them. He doesn't care about the rule of

[spartan61]

1. I agree with your post.

[Tennessee Gal]

2. In agreement.

k & r

[Palmer Eldritch]

3. So shines a good deed in a weary World...

[baldingrockwarlord2]

4. I agree too, but...

I believe he is a good man and knows right from wrong, but I am losing confidence in his ability to lead. I'm not saying it's all his fault, either. I believe the "I hope he fails"-Limbaugh-rightie-types are doing everything in their power to make him fail or derail his leadership. The bad news is it seems to be working. I voted for CHANGE and ended up with hope-and-change-lite. It will never change my opinion about this great man, but there seems to be more working against him than for him, even as he holds the most powerful seat in this country. I didn't vote for a man to 'compromise" w/ the righties who have destroyed this nation. I voted for someone to be our own "bully" and pushback harder. I will not leave my party, nor vote against him if he runs for re-election, but I'm not happy. I hoped for better results. Perhaps an unpopular opinion here, but as a staunch Democrat my voice deserves to be at least heard even if not agreed with. Thank you. :)

[The Doctor.]

6. Yep. We're on the same page.

You're the one the last couple of paragraphs are for. We have to work to help push back the forces of avarice and ignorance to help give him a chance. Not easy.

:fistbump:

[baldingrockwarlord2]

10. I already gave him that chance once with my vote.

Like I said, if he ends up running for re-election he will get my vote(but I will be holding my nose as I pull the lever). I seriously wish he would not run for re-election or that we would hold a primary. I'm not sure i can believe his campaign promises anymore. I think there is too solid a wall of opposition on the right, whether it's teajhadists, racists, conservatives-whatever, that it is hurting this country for him to stay in office. I say this as a person who voted for President Obama, and still like the guy. But "liking" and admiring him - and believing in him - are completely different things. I gave him that "give him a chance" chance with my vote the last time. If I have to vote for him again, I'm just playing 'team ball" and being a "good Dem". I'll do it if I have to, but....disappointingly so. It hurts to say this. He still has time to grow a pair, but I doubt he will - or the opposition is just too strongly organized against him for him to be effective.

[mzmolly]

5. A hearty

K and R.

[izquierdista]

7. Peace?

:rofl: Have you been fooled!

He is conducting war operations in six countries. His predator drones are killing people from Pakistan to Somalia, an area greater than that of the United States. He is willfully oblivious to the military's treatment of Bradley Manning. He jokes about sending drones after the Jonas brothers. He is prosecuting more whistle blowers on more charges than any previous President. Guantanamo is still open with no end in sight.

He wouldn't know right if it bit him in the ass.

[The Doctor.]

13. Yes, I get it, the man is pure evil.

:eyes:

Look, I'm not thrilled about those either, and ultimately, he is responsible. The problem is with how easy it is to condemn without knowing whether he's walking what kind of line.

I know that for you, it's black and white. Unfortunately the world is seldom so. To me it appears that there are wills that supercede his own in many regards. History validates that concern.

Perhaps he did make a 'deal with the devil' so he could get something accomplished, but he's not th devil's own by any stretch.

Heck, then we'd have a mandate with no leash on the insurance industry at all.

But believe what you will.

[ZombieHorde]

8. If he knows right from wrong, why is he against gay marriage?

Why are we involved in more wars?

What is his moral compass?

[The Doctor.]

12. He's not

Not sure if anyone's explained it to you, but right now the stage is clearly set for a 2012 victory. Unless you've been living off-planet for the last decade, you know gay marriage is a bloody filet mignon issue that the RW noise machine wouldn't hesitate to fill airwaves and ears with 60/60/24/7. Maybe you simply don't want to believe it, but it is one issue that could threaten not merely re-election, but virtually any other past or potential accomplishment. If you don't think that a strong stand would hand corporations the opportunity to wreak more havok behind the media smoke-screen, then you've learned little about how they operate over the last decade.

Call it "triangulation", call it "selling out", call it what you will.

I call it 'being smarter than to blow the best chance at doing the greatest good possible, including making equal rights a reality'.

[ZombieHorde]

15. So, you're saying Democrats have to fool the American people to win elections?

We have to resort to trickery?

[The Doctor.]

16. Why Yes! That's exactly it! The exact same sort of trickery those wiley

poker players resort to by not putting their cards face up on the table!

Seriously... do you really not understand that about politics? Or were you just trying to land a zinger?

[ZombieHorde]

17. I am aware politicians lie, I just didn't know we cheered it.

But do you have any evidence President Obama was lying?

Also, if you could touch upon my second point, war, I would appreciate it.

[The Doctor.]

18. *sigh* Really?

This may come as a shock to you, but in politics the candidate who gives up all of his positions, whether good or bad, stands less of a chance of being elected than a candidate that speaks in generalities.

Obama can't leave 'evidence' that he supports gay marriage. He took a major risk when he said his views were 'evolving' and to have 'patience' with him. Unfortunately, those screaming for politically suicidal commitment "NOW!!!" are deaf to subtlety. Those of us with the ability to be more objective (for whatever reason) can see a more comprehensive picture and are aware of the risks involved with touching that one hot button.

You either understand what would happen if he came out in support of gay marriage in an election cycle or you don't. If you think it will get him support, you're probably right. If you don't think it will drum up a tidal wave of support for his opponent, then you're dead wrong. Right now, fucking things up could screw progressives harder than I'd like to picture.

If you don't get that, then you really need to take a better look. I can point to the mountain all day, but until you take your eyes off your shoes you won't see it.

If you want 'evidence', then look at his track record on gay rights. No President in history has done more for the GLBT community.

I'll deal with the war one later, I have a bunch to do today.

[ZombieHorde]

22. Check out this youtube video of Obama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K9dS9wl7U

His actions since his election reflect his statements in this video. Don't you agree?

[The Doctor.]

24. My bandwith is limited at the moment.

Long story.

What does it have to do with the point I made?

[ZombieHorde]

26. He is asked about gay marriage. He says he is agaisnt it because God is in the mix.

He then says he is against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and gay people should have civil unions.

So all of the good things he has been doing for the glbti community, he said he would do.

Yet gay marriage is still considered to be against god, and therefore, it should be illegal. The POTUS telling a group of adults their love is inferior in the eyes of god is pretty harsh. Especially in the context of the bullying and the suicides that have been taking place in the US.

I think President Obama's stance on the glbti community has been consistent since his campaign. Though he does say his position is evolving.

[Whisp]

9. agreed. I don't think he can do evil if he tried.

unlike his predecessor - that blight on humanity with the ugliest of souls.

[indepat]

11. Obama is a good man and the right is alway wrong

;) :patriot:

[watercolors]

14. Agree completely!!!

[polichick]

19. He may know right from wrong but he doesn't fight for what's right...

...if the fight involves a threat to the existing power structure.

Why, you ask?

Is somebody threatening him or his family?

Is he just the latest chosen tool of the real powers-that-be?

Is he a wolf in sheep's clothing?

Are the Dems so complicit in Republican corruption/crime that he chooses not to scrutinize?

Is it just about not biting the hand that writes the checks?


Who knows? But the idea that we are a true democracy seems ludicrous at this point.

[John Agar]

20. Sometimes. nt.

[LynneSin]

21. Obama is like a chess player, a damn good one too

Because for most of us, we look at the board and think :wtf: what is his strategy?

And then 4-5 moves later he zings everyone with a suprise victory - one that even shocks us democrats.

[MNBrewer]

23. Erp...

:puke:

[The Doctor.]

25. How very articulate.

Perhaps you could make your next point by farting 'The Star Spangled Banner'.

[Maven]

27. Example of a stunning surprise victory please

[vaberella]

32. Repealing DADT during Lame Duck is the most STUNNING surprise.

Not counting EVERYTHING good that came out during the lame duck season. Or did you forget? It wouldnt be your fault. Many Dems like to forget the immense good Obama has done when it suits them.

[Vattel]

28. He is a mix of good and evil.

On the evil side, he is way to quick to shed innocent blood in war.

[vaberella]

31. Utterly disgusting post. n/t

[Vattel]

34. Why is it disgusting

to be morally opposed to the extent to which the military and its leaders (including Obama) are willing to kill innocent bystanders in war as predictable collateral damage? You might disagree and argue that Americans never unjustifiably kill innocent bystanders in war--I could respect that (even though you'd be wrong)--but just writing off my post as "disgusting" is to take moral complacency about the use of American military force to an absurd level.

[craigmatic]

29. I agree he's a good guy who knows right from wrong but

knowing wrong and standing up to stop it when the other party is doing it is two different things.

[vaberella]

30. I couldn't vote up. But I agree with you. KICK! n/t

[tekisui]

33. I agree with much of this.

He has been incredibly disappointing but has done some good.