How is Michelle Obama wrong about the last 25 years?

[MessiahRp]

Reagan/Bush I/Clinton/Bush II

The 1980s were pretty abysmal. Outside the exciting top layer of 'how wonderful the world is' that Reagan put out and the great music and movies of the time, the country's poor took a major hit and a huge recession was abound.

The 1990s saw a time where the Republicans clearly owned the Big Dawg. Media Consolidation, NAFTA, Gay Discrimination (DOMA/Don't Ask Don't Tell), Welfare Reform, the rise of predatory lending... Plus an impeachment that damaged our party and stopped us from getting any sort of control until 2006.

The 2000s was the rise of fascism with Bush ignoring warnings and practically allowing 9/11 to happen and then using it to create a neverending military conflict. He took powers never before seen by our Executive Branch, shit all over the Constitution and set us up for an even worse recession than Reagan did. Oh yeah and let's not forget that clusterfuck called Katrina.

Tell me what happened that was so wonderful?

-The Fall of the Berlin Wall? Wonderful yes. But thank the Germans for reaching their own accord.

-The Fall of the Soviet Union? Blame their own military spending and an incredibly overzealous Boris Yeltsin for that.

-Our Budget Surplus? Yeah that lasted long and really isn't the kind of moment that changes lives in anyway.

Michelle Obama is right. There hasn't been a whole lot to be excited about in America the past 25 (30) years.

I'll be very proud to watch Obama change all of that starting next January.

[Johnny__Motown]

1. It's not that she was wrong,. but the flag waving repugs will put it on a bumper sticker

[Hoof Hearted]

58. It won't just be the pugs that take offense to this. Most people will find it offensive.

Unless it's handled extremely well, and the window for that opportunity is closing quickly.

[kurth]

69. This is the Obamas' "I invented the Internet" moment

Just words.

[babylonsister]

2. She is not wrong; she spoke the truth, especially from her POV

(Bleachers had a great post on that) and anyone who calls her out on it should be challenged.

[dicknbush]

9. Oh would her point of view be from a Harvard or Yale window???

She has been given great opportunity by living in this country. Many have fought and suffered so she could be where she is today. Could she be proud of that? We can be proud that htis country is not in total chaos right now because we know we have a system that allows us to change things PEACEFULLY! We could easily have ended up like Serbia or Kosovo or Kenya after the 2000 election and I am sure there are some who felt like teraing it all down in those dark days but here we are at the end of a trgedy and we are looking forward and wee have a way to chnge thigns without killing each other. I do not like Obama for no other reason then I don't think he is the one to get thigns done things that need to be accomplished for this country and its citizens and Michele Obama should be proud of the fact that I can say that and not be in fear for my life. It wouldn't be true in a lot of other countries around the world.

[MessiahRp]

11. We've killed a million innocents in Iraq, thousands of our own troops and did it over oil

Meanwhile at home we pretty much lost the vast majority of our civil liberties. Look a little closer and you'll see a Government that is not much different than the murderous evil bastards in charge in the countries you list above.

Rp

[dicknbush]

15. Puuuulllleeeze........

You really have to stop taking the drugs man. We are in danger no doubt but we have the tools and mechanism to stop it at least for now. And besides if it was so hoorriffic why aren't the masses of people stopping it. Becasue most americans care very little about the world they care about themselves they want cheap gas cheap clothes cheap food and a good life. You may be upset with the reality of how this countyr works but rest assured if they didn't have gas for their cars then they get upset...I have seen it I have lived thru it and trust me it could get very ugly very fast...so before you go throwing your emotions around let me ask you have you stopped driving your car?

[Usrename]

73. Who's on drugs here?

Can you name one difference between our current President and Saddam Hussein? Seriously, can you? Just one single difference.

Besides being "born again."

[Joshua N]

84. So because things are better than Stalinist Russia,

we should be happy and not complain? It takes being critical of a government to keep it from getting away with whatever it wants to. If anything, we have been too complacent the past 25 years.

Yes, we still have the power to speak out, but as long as we are not making a real difference the government doesn't care. As soon as someone starts listening to you or you start to a make a difference (a la wikileaks) you are shut down in a heartbeat. We live in a generally free society, but that is because the vast majority are complacent and compliant. If there were any real threat of dissent to the gross injustices of this government's actions here and abroad, I could see them using more violent forms of suppression.

And don't think they already don't do this among radical groups right now. Does anybody remember COINTELPRO? Do you think it's really shut down?

[babylonsister]

27. Oye, so your view point is that who is the only candidate?

Clinton? Because why? Speaking of Harvard, Yale, or whereever the hell she got her education...
It has to do with authenticity and people being genuine, and the Clintons might be a lot of things, but not authentic.
That turns me on.

[dicknbush]

32. What are you talking about....?

You said from MO point of view she had no reason to be proud of America....Michele Obama has had much more opportunity because of this country then she would have had almost anywher else on the planet. She advanced because people who came before her stood up and said enough.....for that alone she she should be proud of America that alone is plenty to be proud of America for. IS the jouney finished no of course not.

[Voltaire]

72. AHHHHHHH BULLSHIT

nt

[indimuse]

85. Hospital profit OPPORTUNITY!About $216,962 to be exact. Michelle's increase after Obama was elected

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<snip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In one of the most poverty stricken parts of OUR country....Michelle Obama makes (for being Barack's wife!!!)...3/4 of a million a year now.

Hospital officials say Obama's wife deserved big raise
Officials at the University of Chicago Hospitals say a promotion and large pay increase given to Sen. Barack Obama's wife shortly after the Democrat was elected to Congress were well-deserved boosts for an executive who is "worth her weight in gold." The Chicago Tribune has the story.

"She's terrific," added Michael Riordan, who was president of the hospital in March 2005, when Michelle Obama was promoted to vice president for external affairs and had her annual salary increased from $121,910 to $316,962.

Hospitals spokesman John Easton told the Tribune that Michelle Obama's salary is in line with those of the 16 other vice presidents at the not-for-profit medical center.

Riordan told the Tribune that the promotion and salary increase had nothing to do with Obama's husband becoming a U.S. senator. "She was hired before Barack was Barack," Riordan said.

(2004 photo by Tim Dillon, USA TODAY.)

Posted by Mark Memmott at 12:22 PM/ET, September 27, 2006 in Local news | Permalink
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Comments: (17)Showing: Newest first Oldest first


HSNoor wrote: 6d 21h ago
How do these salaries given by a not for profit organization
compare with those given by COMPARABLE for profit otganizations?


Recommend | Report Abuse

Go directly to the comment form.
Hey....Everyone relax , this is America , the land of opportunity, if you work smart and work hard you should get paid.

Posted by: MS. ROBERTS | Dec 29, 2006 2:31:43 AM



The University Chicago hospital is a non-profit company! Where do they get their funding to pay such large salaries for their Aministors? Who are the Board of Directors for this Hospital? There is some connections somewhere to Senator Barack, especially when her salary increase by $195,052. Need more research.

Posted by: n | Sep 28, 2006 6:31:19 PM



I can't wait to hear Sen. Obama's speech on the Senate Floor supporting his "Living Wage" proposal...


Sen. OBama (D. Ill.) - "My poor wife was only making $120k per year until she got the respect she deserved...and got a living wage of $316k. Now, to some folks that may sound like a lot of money...but not to me..."


Posted by: Steve | Sep 27, 2006 4:47:07 PM



The headline reads, "Hospital officials say Obama's wife deserved big raise."

Deserved is such a strong word...

Did she "deserve" the raise before her husband was put in a position to use political influence???

Posted by: Bubba | Sep 27, 2006 4:23:59 PM




**side note**

She should be applauded for working for a non-profit hospital. She works for practically nothing. How does she and Barak get by?

Posted by: Common Man | Sep 27, 2006 3:27:03 PM



Vice President of External Affairs equals "Big shot who pretends to be a big shot around other big shots."

Now, I can't hardly wait to hear the speech about how she's been the victim of discrimination by our society...

Posted by: Rudolph | Sep 27, 2006 3:02:41 PM



Remember ALL DEMOCRATS...it is the Republicans who are the RICH,CIGAR SMOKIN'FATCATS, makin' backroom deals to line their pockets with tax cuts and loopholes at the expense of the poor minority groups!!!...
This story is a twilight zone episode... not "real" life...just turn the page...no story here...gooooooood Democrats...goooood...now go to sleep again... we'll honk the horn on the bus when we need you to vote....

Posted by: GENO THE DEMOCRAT | Sep 27, 2006 2:31:24 PM



Please note a non-profit organization doesn't mean the worker from janitor to CEO do not get a salary and in the case of the Red Cross - the CEO there earned $651,000 in 2003.

Posted by: An Observer | Sep 27, 2006 2:11:56 PM


wmseitz

Please read the article, even in the blog it state, "when Michelle Obama was promoted to vice president for external affairs and had her annual salary increased from $121,910 to $316,962."

So her position did change. Was the raise excessive, I think so, buying favors, I think so, but if you looked strickly at the pay ledger she is making what other VP make in that organization.


Posted by: GetReal | Sep 27, 2006 2:04:59 PM



Seems like some people are making one heck of a profit from this not for profit hospital.

About $216,962 to be exact. Maybe we should check the tax status of this facility


Posted by: The TaxMan | Sep 27, 2006 1:26:06 PM

[TheDonkey]

3. Amen. Thank you for laying it out. America has a ways to go before it can fullfill it's promise

of greatness. Why are we so happy with just "settling"

This is a chilling line" Reagan/Bush I/Clinton/Bush II"

UGH!

[NegativeCreep]

4. What's so bad about DOMA?

Honestly?

[Alexander]

22. It's a homophobic bill designed so that same-sex unions aren't recognized...

outside of the state in which the union takes place.

DOMA was the bill that started the whole "gay marriage" controversy. Clinton signed it into law and Hillary won't commit to repealing the whole thing.

[TheDonkey]

26. exactly!

As a gay American I'm still waiting to feel "very proud" about this country. I'm a second class citizen and DOMA was just public gay bashing on CSPAN.

[Neshanic]

5. Amazing repsonses. Is there ANYONE or ANYTHING you Obama people will not shit on?

[Moochy]

55. you obama people

nice

[AtomicKitten]

6. She's not wrong.

[lapfog_1]

7. Your not wrong. But it's not politic to every say or give the

impression that you haven't been proud of America.

She simply needs to come out and say... "Sorry, I misspoke... What I meant to say was 'I have never been prouder to be an American than I am right now with the way America has responded to my husbands candidacy! The response has showed the world that America values all of her citizens, no matter what their background or their unique American stories. Truly, anyone born an American can dream to lead this great nation!'"

[MessiahRp]

10. His GE opponent has said there will be less jobs, 100 years of war and that hope is nothing more

than a platitude.

I hardly think what she said compares in shocking negativity.

Rp

[lapfog_1]

31. It's a patriotism game

one the repukes use against us routinely.

See, McCain is being "straight" with the American people when he says that those jobs aren't coming back or we might be in Iraq for a long time. Michelle was being unpatriotic because (by implication) she hasn't ALWAYS been proud to be an American.

McCain is a war hero. His generation (and mine) remembers the spitting on the flag and the flag burning and violent protests, not just against the war, but against America.

That was never a way to win friends and influence people.

This war, we don't spit on the troops (we look at them as victims too, not perpetrators, though some are), and, for the most part, we've avoided the flag burning. Anti Bush, Anti Cheney, anti Rumsfeld and Condi and the corporations behind them ... those are "fair" targets. But not America.

[TeamJordan23]

8. Race relations are still an issue. Just think about the response to Katrina. nm

[MessiahRp]

12. For some people. I doubt heavily any white Democrat President would have let that happen down there.

Race will always be an issue with these racist power mongers who fear the rise of minorities.

Rp

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

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

[Political Heretic]

19. Damn. How come we are the ones who keep being called the mean haters and bashers on this forum?

:shrug:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Because You Are. Trolls Don't Count. :o)

[Political Heretic]

36. I am?

I think not.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

39. No!!!! I Mean The Troll LOL

I'm saying that trolls don't count when it comes to which side spews crap LOL

It wasn't a putdown to you or other obama supporters nearly as much as I intended it to be a slam on our short lived troll fucker. I was just being lighthearted about it :)

[Political Heretic]

41. LOL I almost teared up there!

Hee hee :)

You're good people. I was going to be upset if you thought I was a troll... I'm not perfect, but common! :D

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

20. And I Can't Wait For The Admins To Destroy Your Trolling Ass.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

29. God Bless The Mods For Not Making Me Wait Long.

Three cheers to the mods!!!!

:toast:

[Political Heretic]

42. LOL is he gone already - holy crap.

[Raine]

23. Your name fits

fits you to a tea, you are a creep. :puke: Enjoy your stay, I predict it will be short and not so sweet. x(

[jillan]

13. Wake up from your trance people.

They have been calling Obama unpatriotic for months. And now Michelle says this.

This isn't about Obama vs Hillary. This is about Obama vs the RW slime machine.

Making excuses for her isn't helping. She should have immediately come out
with a statement explaining what she really meant.

Flame me all you want - but just watch and see where this goes.

[Neshanic]

16. This thread pretty much wraps up the Obamists.

Sickening and repugnant. You know what? Obama does not deserve people like YOU! At least he throws it out there, his babble and hopes it takes root, but you all buy it like the last Xanax on the planet. A gang of delusionals and completely ill informed, and generational hatemongers that would give a republican a run for his money as he rewritews history.

You really do deserve to lose. And guess what, your wish will be coming true. Just keep that crap up, and it will be made so.

The future is bright, especially when you respect nothing of the past. Have at it kiddies.

[Political Heretic]

18. lol wow.

All of us, huh?

:)

[Neshanic]

25. If you agree with the above crap, then yes, YOU.

[Political Heretic]

35. What above crap are you talking about?

The fact that I don't need to be bullied by the patriotism police into saying I've felt very proud of my country over the last twelve years? I haven't. I'm thirty - that's my adult life.

I love the ideals on which this country was founded with an intense passion. It is because I love those ideals so much that I am fairly ashamed of what this country has become, and I want to take it BACK.

Is that a problem for you?

[Neshanic]

40. Well where were you when you were 20? You needed him to tell you?

How convenient.

[Political Heretic]

44. needed WHO to tell me WHAT?

Start making SENSE?

We were talking about a comment from Michelle, right?

I'm trying to figure out what your calling all disgusting and freaking out about, but you won't post a clear answer.... ?

[Neshanic]

46. "I haven't"....that explains it all.

[Political Heretic]

48. Explains what? That I am proud of the ideals this country was founded on...

..and heartbroken when those ideals are betrayed? :shrug:

Can you like, try to post in more than single sentence fragments?

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

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

[Political Heretic]

56. Hmm.... those are a lot of statements I never said.

I believe in the ideals on which this country was founded, yes.

However, the only one talking about "EVER" is you. What I said was that in my adult lifetime - that would start at 18 and continue today, so twelve years - there hasn't been a great deal to be proud of.

More importantly, what there has been to be ashamed of has drastically overshadowed everything else. From the rise of corporate cronyism,

to the demise of basic social welfare,

to mass deregulation,

to international hegemony,

to the theft of elections,

to the collapse of the rule of law (torture, illegal spying on American citizens),

to the tear down of our constitutional rights,

to our most current illegal war,

to mass privatization at the expense of ordinary people,

to the decline of real wages for the majority of Americans,

to the increased gap between rich and poor,

to the destruction of our standing and reputation in the world community,

to our leading the way in the rape of the environment.....

.... the America of my adult lifetime looks nothing like the ideals enshrouded in our founding documents and espoused as the hopes and aspirations of our founding fathers. I am NOT proud of that, in fact I am heartbroken about it.

Sorry that my absence of blind, uncritical, unquestioning patriotism is a problem for you. I want to work to push America back in a direction that I CAN be proud of.

[Neshanic]

57. So when you were say 17, you were proud of maybe one thing?

Good thing that draft thingy is not around....oh wait, we stopped that!

[Political Heretic]

59. Honestly, when I was seventeen... I wasn't engaged enough to have an opinion.

"Good thing that draft thingy is not around....oh wait, we stopped that!"

What are you even talking about at this point? Are you drunk?

[Neshanic]

60. You are just not worth the time.

[Political Heretic]

61. That's the typical response when you have no point.

[Neshanic]

62. Keep thinking that. Have a nice night.

[Political Heretic]

63. I don't need to "think" it - its demonstratably obvious.

You don't respond to my points, don't have any arguments beyond personal innuendo or attacks, you are unwilling (or unable) to communicate beyond predominately one liner "zingers" and are unwilling or unable to coherently make your POINT about what, exactly, your problem is.

Pretty much speaks for itself.

[TheDonkey]

43. I'm sure you stand arm and arm with those pro Jim Crow, DOMA, AIDS ignorance, 9/11, the Iraq war

and all the good things that make you PROUD to be an American. Get over yourself gramps and go retire in FL and watch the stories because the world must be moving too fast for you.

It is narrow-minded people like you that would rather "settle" and live with no imagination or hope for a better tomorrow that scared me. But luckily your side of pessimism, fear, and hate is dying.

Some people want CHANGE for a reason because NEWSFLASH America is in trouble and a lot of it,

[Neshanic]

50. Yes, it's like you know me. Are you an example of the "whining generation?"

Don't worry, your generations "Jimmy Carter" is on his way thanks to historically challenged people like you and your pals.

Don't you have a video game to play with someone in Germany?

Oh, and don't bother to thank us for that ending the draft thing. We know you have better things to do.

[SoxFan]

75. Neshani'c excuse

[SammyWinstonJack]

81. ...

:thumbsup:

[Political Heretic]

17. She's not wrong. But I doubt she meant to say it that way, and you can't say it in politics.

What makes me angry about the whole thing is that I'm pretty sure it was just a slip up of words - by that I mean, I don't think she was consciously trying to make a point about not feeling proud of America, I think she was just trying to emphasis how she's feeling more proud now than ever before....

....not that it bothers me if she truly meant that she hasn't felt proud of America in her adult life. I know I haven't. But I'm pretty sure that's not even what she meant. And I don't take kindly when people pounce on an obvious accident of words and try to turn it into something that the person didn't even mean.

[dicknbush]

28. She is wrong other wise her husband is in the wrong business.....

Why try to change something your not proud of in the first place. Why fight for something that only makes you proud only when things are going your way.....be proud when it is the darkest moment and know that the structure is there to make it right again....be proud when the law does it job and removes a man who was a criminal ie Nixon.


Gee I wonder if Michele was proud of the OJ verdict? just wondering???? I mena there is an example of a complete atrocity except for the fact that the law worked....did alot of us not like the outcome? I would say yes but the sytem worked and we had to live with it and be proud of it if only for the fact that a guilty man was given an honest trial in front of the world and we couldn't bring it home bet the law survived.

[Political Heretic]

38. I disagree.

I love the ideals on which this country was founded with an intense passion. It is because I love those ideals so much that I am fairly ashamed of what this country has become, and I want to take it BACK.

People like that are exactly the kind of people I would want in the "business."

I disagree that you have to be "proud" of the OJ verdict. Once again, I love the ideas of our system of justice so much that it makes me ashamed when money corrupts it and plays a significant role in a guilt man (by his own admission) going free. That doesn't make me feel proud. That makes me want to fight for CHANGE

[dicknbush]

47. Well yeah I htink that is what I was saying so why wouldn't she be proud of what america

stands for at it core? That above all else no matter what you point of view is a reason to be proud of america which I prsume is why her husband is a politician because he thinks he can use the American system to make thigns better. I don't think he will or can for that matter I think he is so green behind the ears that he is going to get eaten alive and we could have our very own Wislon presidency int he 21st century. He is going to get eaten alive even iff his wife is there to make it all look pretty.

[Political Heretic]

51. I think I understand what you're saying... looks like a semantic difference maybe.

Look, first things first - it seems to be pretty obvious that Michelle just messed up her words, trying to stress how she feels more proud to be an American than every before and ending up making a mistake on words sort of like when I told my friend that she looked really good for someone in her thirties.... ouch. Obviously, I meant she looked really good! But uh... yeah... BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD choice of words!! :)

So, with that aside... yeah I can see how you can look at it as being "proud" of what America is at its core, vs. my way of talking about it which is to say I am proud of the ideals that birthed this nation, not so proud of the direction we have gone in recent decades.

I think you could be a politician if you believed in the principles that founding this nation and wanted to see America move back towards those ideals - you might not feel very proud of what America has become in the last eight years - sanctioned torture, the dismantling of the rule of law, erosion of constitutional rights, and on and on - but you might feel a deep commitment to getting those things BACK.

[Beausoir]

24. She is going to get a very quick education at the hands of the GOP.

She has no choice but to keep her mouth shut. Tightly shut.

And then, a bright woman will be nothing more than window dressing for her husband's career.

[babylonsister]

30. Baloney. She's an asset and will continue to be one, despite your

worst fears, that Barack HUSSEIN and Michelle Obama might actually be our new leaders. Does that make you cringe, or give you hope?

[Beausoir]

34. Why are you calling him Hussein? That's just disgusting. You need to take a break.

And no, as a supporter of the GLBT population, I glean no hope from Barack Obama's candidacy.

And it's going to be so interesting watching what is going to happen once he is finally held up to scrutiny.

[babylonsister]

45. Why is that disgusting? That's his name, and I thought I'd preempt the likes

of you. Gotcha! And I know you 'glean no hope'. That's very sad. Bon soir.

[Beausoir]

80. Gotcha?

You throw out the ridiculous "Hussein hysteria" card and then claim gotcha? Childish.

You are in for a real education over the next few months. It will be fun to watch.

[dicknbush]

37. Neither actully...But HOPE HOPE We dont' need HOPE we need HELP!

[WCGreen]

33. What about Seattle Grunge and then the collapse of MTV....

[MessiahRp]

67. I loved Grunge and was heartbroken when Kurt died but...

I don't know that this qualifies. :)

Rp

[WCGreen]

95. Well that happened in the last twenty five years....

And it was in America...

I kid I kid...

Reaching long and hard for something...

[TriMetFan]

49. Since I don't really follow Mrs. Obama

did she say, that she was not proud of the last 25 yrs. or that this was the first time she was proud in her life to be an American.

[Asia Expat]

53. I don't think MO meant she wasn't proud to be an American but...

Some of what I am reading here is unbelievable.

You people need to get passports and see the rest of the world.

Yes the current leadership of our country is a disgrace.

Yes our nation has done some things in the past that I disagreed with.

But overall, the world we live in is a much freer place only because of who we are and that we exist.

I live in a country where if its citizens were saying some of the things that are written here at DU, they could expect a knock on their door.

Wake up. You all should be proud.

[Neshanic]

54. It is unbelievable. Maybe they should move out. Since they have been dissapointed for so long,

[Political Heretic]

64. Right. Love it or leave it, eh?

Either your with us or your with the terrorists?

Criticizing your country is un-american?

Where have I heard all this before?

[Joshua N]

86. "Un-American." Good point

"Un-American." What the hell is that? If that isn't propaganda I don't know what is.

A way to scare people and get them to fall in line with whatever it is you are trying to do at the moment.

I love the ideals of this nation and can't wait to see the day that they are more fully realized.

[Skittles]

65. it's fine if she feels that way

but it is beyond stupid to throw such read meat to the hungry repukes

[Hoof Hearted]

66. K&R for the audacity of hope.

[Apollo11]

68. Let's not be too hard on the Clinton-Gore administration

But I agree with your general point that there have been many good reasons in our recent history why patriotic Americans might NOT have felt much pride in their country.

I actually think that the Obama campaign should be fighting back against Cindy McCain, and laying out some of the things that Barack and Michelle Obama are NOT proud of.

I even started a thread about it:
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4678230

[Greenwood]

70. No, she was dead wrong....

Overall, much to be proud of regarding America.

Bad move by her.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

71. What About Kosovo

Sending in our military in a world supported operation to save the lives of civilians and stop an ethnic cleansing..

How about the help we sent to Armenia after their earthquake

I can go on..

[leftynyc]

83. How about having 2 fomer

Presidents travel the world to raise money for tsunami victims? How about sending troops to Haiti to stop the killing down there? While I realize Mrs. Obama's larger point, this is going to get blown waaaay out of proportion by the morons on the right and their minions in the press. She should clarify her words and just move on.

[robcon]

74. Michelle Obama is wrong.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall" led to the tearing down of that wall, and democracy in most of Eastern Europe.

The internet.

B-2 and smart bombs.

The Statue of Liberty was one of the inspirations for the students' uprising in Tienanmen Square.

U.S. was honorable, and kept its promise to turn over the Panama Canal Zone.

Belfast free of British troops due to George Mitchell's work.

Fairness Doctrine over - First Amendment trumped the FCC's unconstitutional ban on free political speech. USSC ruled for Flynt vs. Falwell - First Amendment again triumphant.

U.S and other countries kicked Iraq out of Kuwait.

etc. - that's all I can think of now.

[Maribelle]

76. 'U.S and other countries kicked Iraq out of Kuwait'

I remember how proud of this country I felt in April of 1991 watching General Schwarzkopf step off the plane at McDill Air Force Base and proudly declaring this was 'a great day to be an American' .

It truly was.

I remember the praise from Kuwait's ambassador flooding the hearts of those standing there on the tarmac with me.

I clearly remember the good general giving all praise to the two hundred thousand troops that were still in the gulf.

Maybe there have been a lot of equally proud moments in my life, but I was never more proud of my country than at that moment.

[Madam Mossfern]

77. You do remember

that Iraq invaded Kuwait because of a wink and a nod from us.

[JPZenger]

88. Was an Amazing International Coalition

I was proud that the US was key in putting together such a huge coalition of Arab, Western European, newly freed Eastern European and other governments to kick Iraq out of Kuwait. That was one of the high points in US foreign relations.

In comparison, in the 2002 Iraq invasion, we had to bribe tiny island nations so it looked like we had a coalition, and even they ran out as soon as they could.

[truebrit71]

92. Umm..are you being sarcastic? Because your list is comprised mostly of bullshit...

1)"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall" led to the tearing down of that wall, and democracy in most of Eastern Europe.

No. A failing economic system took care of that all by itself. Thanks for the right-wing talking point.

2) The Internet.

Makes you proud to be an American? Wow. No doubt it has revolutionaized the delivery of porn and mass marketing schemes to the general population...not sure how that makes one 'proud' though...??

3) B-2 and smart bombs.

You're kidding right?

4)The Statue of Liberty was one of the inspirations for the students' uprising in Tienanmen Square.

Really? Hadn't heard that one before. I thought it was the desire to be free that inspired them. Well, that and a desire not to be shot in the head for speaking their mind.

5)U.S. was honorable, and kept its promise to turn over the Panama Canal Zone.

Um, they stuck to a previously agreed deal and that is a reason to be proud? That's like being proud because you provide for your kids. Newsflash, you are SUPPOSED to do that.

6)Belfast free of British troops due to George Mitchell's work.

There is so much bullshit in this one sentence alone that it would take the rest of my day to properly educate you as to just how completely and utterly full of shit you are. Since I neither have the time or inclination to do that, let me sum it up by saying that you are out of your tiny little mind if you think 'The Troubles' ended solely because George Mitchell showed up.

7)Fairness Doctrine over - First Amendment trumped the FCC's unconstitutional ban on free political speech. USSC ruled for Flynt vs. Falwell - First Amendment again triumphant.

The Fairness Doctrine being over is the reason the MSM and specifically Fux Noizze has been allowed to get away their blatant whoring for the right-wing these past years, so no, in fact, FUCK NO that is nothing to be proud about. Flynt vs Falwell was one tiny spark in the gathtering darkness. Hardly anything that makes the bosom swell with pride.

8)U.S and other countries kicked Iraq out of Kuwait.

Okay, even IF this wasn't a manufactured war kicked off when the US basically told Saddam to knock himself out if he wanted to snatch Kuwait, and glossing over the fact that after all was said and done, S.Hussein was still in power, just what the fuck is there to be proud about here? The world stepped in to clean up the mess authorized by a US President. Yay!

So, bottom line, 95% of your talking points are either false, bullshit, or made up, so as point of fact you have just proven that Michele Obama was RIGHT in what she said.

Thanks for providing the back-up for it.

[JPZenger]

78. I Was Proud of the US in Former Yugoslavia

I was proud of the work the US did towards the end of the Clinton Administration in the former republics of Yugoslavia. That involved coordinating efforts with every member of NATO. I was less proud that it took so long for the US to act before that.

Madeline Albright (whose father escaped Czechoslovakia when Hitler invaded) was the main person pushing for US action. The Pentagon had a long list of excuses why the US should not get involved. She said at a cabinet meeting something close to the following "I keep hearing about what a great military we have. What good is it if we are afraid to use it?"

The US can also be proud of its follow-up peacekeeping efforts in the area.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

79. She's not wrong, this is just a republican talking point some of us are buying into point

Look, I know pride-gate is total BS, because Michelle Obama described exactly my feelings about the country in that speech. We are taught from an early age how great America is, how lucky we are to be born in this country, that we can do anything that we want, be anything we can dream of. However, pretty early on we realize the reality is different: our political system is corrupt, business rules everything, and despite how "great" the leaders say our country, there are still people, children, starving in America.

I've always been proud of my country, that's true of almost every American, it's pretty much brainwashed into our 4 & 5 year old minds in kindergarten! However, I have never been Really proud of this country till now. Until now I've seriously considered becoming an expatriate, I've even started the applications.

[robcon]

90. Michelle Obama is right because YOU'RE not proud of the country??

'She has never been proud of her country' is ok, because you're going to leave it??? Logic????

On the other hand, she'll probably be the next first lady, is not leaving the country, but was apparently not proud of her country until her husband received accolades. Michelle Obama is wrong, or, possibly, it was a slip of the tongue - going beyond what she really feels.

It's ok for you not to be proud of your country, since you're leaving it. That is appropriate for you. Not for Michelle Obama.

[Tatiana]

82. Speaking as a Latina, I am ashamed at the way our country has ASSASSINATED the leaders

of Latin American and other nations.

Nevermind the Bay of Pigs.

The Church Committee in 1975 uncovered many instances whereby the CIA had either planned an assassination, or backed one, doing away with such luminaries as president Patrice Lumumba, (Congo) president Salvador Allende (Chile) Che Guevara, president Rafael Trujillo, (Dominican Republic) and many attempts on president Fidel Castro. In the case of Lumumba, US President Eisenhower had ordered his assassination, but according to the CIA, Lumumba's domestic enemies got to him before the CIA's hit-men could kill him.

William Blum lists 42 successful and not-so-successful assassinations by the CIA and other US agencies in his outstanding expose Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II (Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press, 1995). In one US assassination attempt, on Sheik Mohammed Hussein Fadallah, a Lebanese Shiite leader, eighty people were killed.

While there is no denying that the CIA has had a hand in many more than just these assassinations, there are many attempts that failed outright.

Cuban President Castro is a good case in point: bullets, botulism, exploding cigars and seashells - nothing affected the feisty Cuban.

While drug users are locked up daily around the world, the US intelligence agencies, and others too, have planned and perpetrated murder, for political considerations. Are we fighting the wrong war? Who is really our enemy, opposed to democracy, freedom and the purported American Way?

http://www.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id453/pg1/

And WE'RE STILL DOING IT TODAY. The most recent example being the attempted coup in Venezuela against Chavez. The people are not stupid over there. If you asked them who kidnapped President Chavez, they will tell you "El Cia."

LOTS to be proud of!

[Joshua N]

87. Thank You!

There is also much to be embarassed about! And one commenter said something like "Look at how bad it is in other countries," but can you not stop to think of the role we played in making those countries as corrupt as they are? The imperialism and colonialism all over the world and supporting self serving dictators in Africa, etc. but we have it good here to look down our noses at them. If the west had left the rest of the world alone hundreds of years ago I don't think things would be as they are now.

I know we can dream of better things for our future together.

[JPZenger]

89. I was proud when Americans Elected Al Gore as President in 2000 ...

I was proud in 2000 when Americans elected Al Gore as President ...ehh.. I was less proud about the vote count.

As determined by a pool of news services, by any standard, if all of the uncounted votes in Florida had been counted, Gore would have clearly won. That was even without the tens of thousands of votes that were screwed up by phony allegations of felony convictions and a deceptive ballot in one county that caused elderly Jewish people to vote for Buchanana in large numbers.

[marlakay]

91. Yeah I don't blame her a bit for what she said

its similar to what I have been saying at my home. That I am proud of our country for voting in a black man. To tell you the truth when all this started I told my husband I thought all the states in the middle wouldn't do it. I am glad to be proven wrong and have said myself I am proud of the country for voting for him.

[BigDDem]

93. If BO gets the nomination, you should run with this -

a sure winner!

Good luck!

[rug]

94. She's wrong because the country is not the government.

It's an elitist insider's assumption to conflate the two. That's why it resonates so poorly.