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There’s a pretty funny joke that goes something like this. A Baptist minister walks into the church to find the organist having carnal relations with one of the members of the choir. He’s flabbergasted and stammers in apoplexy until he realizes that they are engaged in coitus. He regains his composure and says, "Continue on, I thought you two were dancing."
Now, fairly frequently, I muse about leftists and how their convictions take on a near religious sentimentality which leads to various forms of blindness, hypocrisy, hubris, and intolerance – and, yet, they try to refer to themselves as open-minded liberals.
Let’s start with Sarah Palin. Leftists often claim to believe in women’s rights and also claim to revel in the achievements of women. Yet, they hate this woman and her accomplishments. Further, they, with great hope, continue to drone on and on about her as if she is really the future of the Republican party, which she isn’t. To me, for whatever reasons, she is a fairly successful woman and she did it on her own, for better or worse.
Leftists/"faux liberals" ridicule her educational background and her achievements. Yet, I wonder how many liberals would feel comfortable ridiculing the educational background of an inarticulate black person who had only a GED and strove to be a community activist. Would you feel comfortable telling that person that he/she had no reason to strive to have influence because he/she was too dumb, uneducated and inarticulate to matter? No problem saying that about Palin, however.
Oddly, almost all leftists with whom I have ever discussed Sarah Palin have taken on such an air of absolute indignation that the obvious inference is that they feel their own levels of education, intelligence and achievement were superior to hers. Interestingly, none of them has ever been governor, none has ever been nominated the first female Republican candidate for Vice-President of the United States and none has ever written a best-seller, her most recent achievement. They can’t seem to see this. And they all seem to think they are smarter than either she or GWB could ever be. The evidence suggests differently, however.
Let’s now address the treatment of Obama. Could you imagine a more ridiculous look than the sour-puss that Nancy Pelosi had on her face when Joe Wilson yelled out, "you lie?" How ridiculous is it that you started hearing calls for respecting the office of the Presidency? Does no one remember the treatment that the left gave to Bush during his terms? It started at the beginning with the claims of a "stolen election" and never relented. I believe Pelosi called him "totally inept." Kerry completely was disrespectful to Bush during the election. And, who could forget calling Bush "The Chimp?" Why should Obama expect better from those who oppose his policies and ideology?
Now, I guess the "birthers" are over the top, but who can forget those leftists who deemed it credible that Bush had something to do with planning the attacks of 9/11? Here he was decried as the biggest idiot of all times, but able, somehow, to keep secrets requiring vast conspiracies under wraps and hidden from public scrutiny. This is all swept under the rug and forgotten or is viewed as some plausible scenario that needed to be considered. Well, if that’s the case, then why shouldn’t the birthers be hopefully skeptical that Obama was born in some foreign land? After all, the birthers dislike Obama as much as the left disliked Bush.
As a final point, let’s consider healthcare. Now, it’s plausible, and bear in mind that I am a Republican, it’s plausible that a nationalized healthcare system MIGHT be the solution to a variety of problems. Yet, there are obvious issues with a sudden conversion of the system when the left refuses to prove that such a system would solve the problems. Personally, I would like to see some/any incremental proof that the system can be improved with the leadership of the democrats.
For example, if Obama can save $200 Billion from waste and fraud in Medicare, why cant he demonstrate that somehow? Should be fairly easy if he’s that certain he can accomplish it. But, no, he’s not going to do that for 2 reasons. First, he cannot do it or it would have already happened. Second, there is an even more insidious unmentioned reason. Here it is in a nutshell.
The left doesn’t really want less costly or more efficiently provided healthcare. The left believes that universal healthcare provided by the government is the only answer. Leftists seek the public option only as a means to an end. As soon as employers see that the public option will be priced at a level that is cheaper than private insurance (mostly because it will be underpriced), they will dump their employees into this option. The roles will swell and the private health insurance industry will founder. When this proves to be untenable due to massive cost overruns in the public option and the private health insurance industry is weakened considerably, the only solution left will be full nationalization.
There are some who would posit that this is a dangerous and unknown path that is likely to have a number of unpleasant results for those who enjoy good healthcare right now. The left doesn’t care. To those on that side, it’s immoral not to offer healthcare to everyone for free and as much as anyone can need or can use – and so-called "one worlders" would offer it up to anyone including illegals. Obama said it himself in speaking of this great moral imperative regarding healthcare and therein lies the rub.
The left would no sooner suffer Bush’s or anyone else’s imposing their religious beliefs on this country (specifically, christian religious beliefs – others might be more "acceptable" because they are cool, unknown and exotic – albeit likely more dangerous to our liberties and way of life). Yet, for the leftists, their ideology actually is their religion and they have no problems imposing that on everyone else. And universal healthcare is just one example of the morality of the left. And, isn’t that just naturally correct, because as we all know, the left is actually always right!
And, dig that paradoxical conclusion. Should I give up dancing now or can I just continue enjoying coitus?
28 Comments
Wow, what a huge freaking list of false equivalences and strawmen! This is in the best tradition of the Right, to make a strawman and knock it down. Let me just give you a little bit of insight as to why I disdain Gov. Palin.
Getting elected is not what distinguishes politicians, it is what they do in office which does. She managed to use the office of Governor the place for a vendetta against her brother in law. Now, he is an asshole, there is no doubt, but this is not what real servants of the people do. She also could not even fulfill her office to its end, but quit to write a book.
As for being nominated as the first woman Republican VP candidate, it is not her achievement but the McCain Campaigns choice.
One last point, just because you think ideology is religion does not make it so. That is another strawman false equivalency.
Ha, so ok, it’s not Sotamayor’s accomplishment to be nominated and selected as the first hispanic on the surpreme court? You know you are full of it.
Further, you lie to say you have disdain for Palin and anything she had to do with her brother in law. You wouldnt even be aware of her activities if she had not run against the so-called messiah in chief, frankly.
In fact, let’s use your strawman – that you actually hate abuse of office. My god you must hate what the co-presidents – Bill and Hillary – did to anyone who got in their way – e.g. the travel office, kathleen willey and a host of others, but I doubt you do.
Last, your remarks relating to the ideology of the left being their religion. How is healthcare a moral imperative? Who says that belief is some neutral moral belief? You? Obama? Because he believes that, why do I have to? Oh, because you wish to force me to, right? Sounds like you wish me to pay tithes, to, eh?
Even the very basis of Marxism – which I am not saying leftists believe in in todo – concludes that there is this end of time in which the saintly workers will control the world. Kind of like how there will be the kingdom of god on earth at the end of time.
I believe neither is the case.
You haven’t been around long or much if you think the FDL crowd doesn’t criticize Bill and Hillary and are the last ones on the planet to think of Obama as Messiah in Chief. It’s a diverse crowd proud of thinking for themselves. There’s a reason liberals can’t get the same party line loyalty that Republicans can.
As for health care, you need to get out more. You assume that everyone who wants a public option sees it as a way to get single payer. Not true. I am not sure about single payer. I don’t trust government to do the right thing much more than I trust private corporations to do the right thing. They both care far more about power and money than they do about what’s best for the people in this country, as far as I can tell. One of the things I like about the public option is that it is a put up or shut up moment. Everyone talks about whether govt systems or private systems are more efficient and better run, but speculation and opinion aren’t the same as evidence. Wby not let them both run side by side and see how they compare in the real world? I hate big business so I don’t want to pay premiums to them or trust them to take care of my health. You hate big government so you don’t want to pay premiums to them or trust them with your health. Fair enough. But why is it okay for you to lock me into the corporate system while you get all up in arms over the thought of those who may want to force you into the government system? Why not let me pay the one I trust more and you pay the one you trust more? It’s hypocritical of those who fear being forced into socialized medicine to force those who fear the private system to stay there. FWIW, I am not just going on propaganda in my fear of the private system. I used to work with insurance companies and know exactly how they operate. Most people like their policies when they have few and minor claims, but see a whole different side when you might actually cost that company some serious money.
To call someone a liar, you should start with some proof.
Therefore, you should read this guy – ET – our Alaska connection, who has been writing here and diarizing about Mrs. Palin’s crimes and skulduggery for a very long time. You are not just incorrect, you are grossly misinformed. How typical.
sorry, did I say lie? I meant you are disingenuous. Sarah Palin is no longer and will never, ever be anything other than a political commentator
Wait, your point was that she had all these accomplishments. Usually when you go on to do something else you still get to claim your accomplishments in the past. So which is it Buck? Is Gov. Palin an accomplished woman who should be respected for those accomplishments or is she just a political commentator? You might want to think carefully about your answer, you wouldn’t want to be agreeing with the “leftist” you have been putting down.
In any case, you can’t have it both ways.
Actually I knew there was an ethics investigation of the Alaska Governor before she was selected to be the Republican VP candidate. It was the first thing I mentioned and the facts of the case were well known to folks who follow politics as abusively as I do.
I don’t think it is a moral issue on health care, it is an issue of partriotism. To be the richest country in the history of the world (both in absolute dollars and relative wealth) and leave any of our citizens needed health care is a flatly unpatriotic act. To fail to see we are all in it this together as citizens is to fail to understand the basic fact that your nation is its people, not the land it controls not the armies it has but all of its citizens. Your statement about why should you care is indicative of that failure to understand.
It is sad, that you can not be a patriot and so are left to make up spurious assumptions about “lefties” and come to this site like you are fighting a dragon or something. But it is okay, I am a patriot, so I will do what is best for you and my other fellow citizens and make sure none of them or you are excluded from having health care.
Cheers.
You are somewhat out to lunch, but I’m glad you posted here.
Both parties suck.
The only salvation is revolution, not more and better Democrats.
You don’t really mean that, do you? Revolution is bad for everyone. Revolution in this country would be catastrophic. Millions could die, it would destabilize the planet even more than it is. It would most likely end up in a totalitarian fascist regime.
I get your unhappiness with the Dems, but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
I plead guilty. But most of the Firedogs here are far more responsible than I am. You might be able to learn from them. Is that why you decided to spend time here?
Of course you could also consider criticizing those drunken crack head neo-conservatives on steroids. Or even just the neo-con oxycontin addicts.
Boy, you seem to know more about what “leftists” think than what you seem to think. You quote the unknown leftist more often than you say what you believe.
Let’s all agree – leftists want positive change, rightists don’t. In fact, conservatives define their view as wishing for “the good old days”, which they can’t seem to remember correctly. They forget what it was like before Social Security, Medicare, civil rights, heck, even before equal rights for women, before the abolition of slavery.
There, I’ve done what you’ve done – define for the right, what the right believes. Weird, huh? You’d think I’d just stick to what I believe…
Cute. Except poor defenseless innocent trail-blazer Sarah Palin was not mocked because she is ignorant, though she is, she was mocked because her thoughts on policy are ridiculous, because her family is separatist and because she believes she knows spells to fight demons and had some pulled out of her head and most of all because the supposedly fiercely patriotic, no-nonsense Republicans wanted her to be the Vice-President of the United States.
Your post also assumes, as a Right Wing hack would, that if Palin was a different ethnicity the fact that she is an ignorant buffoon would have been ignored. Or the fact that she happens to be a woman should have been a get-out-of-jail free card. Again you insult US but the way you intend.
We know all about the insulting of George W. Bush. We know it mostly because we angrily demanded that our representatives say publicly that he was lying, not, incidentally yell it out in the middle of a Joint Session of Congress, and they almost to a man, and to a woman, refused.
No one ever assumed George W. Bush who talked about watching the towers fall before there was any video of any towers falling and candidly explained that he was warned on several occasions about a terrorist attack and did nothing in particular about it could keep a secret of a surprise birthday party or plan one much less masterminded a vast conspiracy. You are misinformed.
The costs of private healthcare are not caused by cost overruns in Medicare. They are caused by insurance companies jacking up rates at a speed and to levels beyond the ability of Americans to pay. Insurance companies also dump sick people off their rolls and hold them up when its time to pay and refuse to cover treatment. None of that is addressed by investigating Medicare. All of it however is addressed by creating an option for public health insurance because it does not have the profit imperative. That is why public health insurance is the best choice.
And by the way it isn’t free. Its paid for but by taxes which is why we are fighting for price controls so the American people are not forced to pad the profits of private insurers and pharmaceutical companies forever with no strings attached.
Wrapping the same old accusations in a progressive style of deconstruction is not clever it is just imitating something you don’t understand. The point of your joke appears to the minister was intolerant of something frivolous but not a more serious infraction. That is your birthers and teabaggers upset about that 95% of them got a tax cut and the government dared to use a stimulus package to keep their unemployment going but not upset that their president disappeared and tortured suspects, spied on Americans without warrants and started an endless war for no reason not US.
Try again.
Looks like we have a new troll or something: http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8680/
And not a very bright one. Also.
Oh well, Jason, Seminal’s worked itself up to a place where it DOES have its very own troll!
You’ve all hit the big time, hoss! *G*
Let it post, we can ridicule it mercilessly during moments of drunken stupor when we feed it and know we shouldn’t. Other than THEM occasional lapses, WE SCROLL, Brother.
*G*
Cute.
THANKS!!!
Did I say there weren’t reasons that she didnt get elected? I didnt vote for McCain or Obama – I abstained. I just dont revile this woman and I think she’s fairly accomplished. For example, have you ever been a governor? If so, what state? Have you ever been nominated for Vice President? When did you write your last best seller? I suspect you are afraid of being inferior to an accomplished woman.
So you would ridicule a black person with a GED who wanted to influence his community/society? Or perhaps you think that a caricature such as Al Sharpton should have no influence in society because he is clearly ignorant – what about Conyers who always sounds like a heroin addict? or Rangel with his ethical lapses? Are they representative of the democrats/progressives?
What were Bush’s lies again? WMD’s? Hmm, why did Bill, Hillary, Marileine Albrecht and others all think that Saddam had WMD’s? Were they lying as well?
My goodness, George talked about the towers falling before they fell? Do you mean the day of the attack? You know, I was in a meeting with someone who also thought that the Towers would fall on that very day after observing the attacks and she’s a complete idiot. We better turn that dumbass in as well, great call.
If you are saying that at some point before 2 LARGE PLANES FILLED WITH FUEL IMPACTED THE TOWERS AT HIGH SPEED that Bush talked about the towers falling, send me proof of that. I’d call bullshit on that any day.
But you’re obviously right. You must be outraged that Bill did nothing about the USS Cole and the embassies in Kenya and Tanzania after having all that great intelligence evidently derived from the first attack on the WTC’s right? Or are you still just wondrous how he let Janet Reno retain her post after incinerating the children in Waco in order to save them. It only led to the worst terrorist attack on the US – I guess you must think Timothy McVeigh was behaving reasonably just like the insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, eh?
The government would have nothing to say about the cost of healthcare if it didnt end up paying for it via medicare and medicaid, first of all. Second, what do you even know about the operations of private health care providers. Can you speak authoritatively that you analyzed their business models? You have reviewed their P&L’s, actually? You’re also aware that 40% of so called “private insurers” are not for profit as well, right?
No one is saying that there arent serious issues in the whole system, but is it your opinion that medical treatment should be made more costly and worse, in order to make it less expensive and better?
And, again, can you point out several examples in which the government has nationalized industries and lowered costs while improving quality and output? Let’s even say we could identify such an example, why can’t Obama prove categorically, up front, via examples and tests, that he can lower costs? Please tell me.
What is this bullshit here at the end? Just wait until taxes go up. It’s coming and you are either too naive or inadequately informed to know this. And it’s not just on the rich. It will be across the board and I just read that a group within the government has informed Obama of this. The reason? His most recent plan raises taxes on those earning over 250K by 40%.
Last, why hasn’t Obama shuttered Guantanamo? What does he know that you and I dont? What makes you think people aren’t still disappearing and being sent elsewhere? It’s not as if Obama would tell you that. He just wont be the one getting his hands dirty. He is, after all, an international rock star, messiah, narcissist.
Quick reply… Taxes SHOULD go up. They are too low in this country. It isn’t how much we spend, it is how they affect our standard of living… in other words, how they are SPENT. Let’s raise a 20% tax on all soft drinks and fast food and use it for healthcare. Then everyone is contributing to their own health, including those deemed unworthy by the wingnuts.
President Obama might be doing a lot of things. We don’t deal in might-bes we are full up on reality thanks. If you are concerned about Guantanamo not being closed and other secret prisons congratulations, you are nearly a progressive. You just need to work on your reasoning skills and stop being an asshole. I understand Al Sharpton is a favorite scary Black person for conservatives but would you really want to see Sarah Palin and Al Sharpton debate the issues? How about John Conyers?
On taxes, taxes on the wealthy are going up to the rates Ronald Regan had. Get used to the idea. If you don’t like it you can blame that socialist-freedom-hating-blame-America-first-communist Ronald Regan.
On public health insurance if an option for public coverage would not provide a quality product at a dramatically reduced price why are the private insurance companies saying it will put them out of business? This is not rocket science or ideology. Remove most of the overhead created by ridiculous executive salaries and stock price imperative and you reduce the cost to American consumers. That’s it.
Bill Clinton did a lot of bad things by mistake and on purpose. So did Madeline Albright. Like killing half a million Iraqi children with sanctions. George Bush, his administration and Tony Blair manufactured a war that has cost the lives of over one million men, women and children and 4,351 American soldiers. So far.
But while you go look up the Downing Street minutes a movie called “Loose Change”, a site called physics 911 and the significance of put options why don’t you also find out who it was that jeered Clinton when he tried to attack bin laden and Al-Qadea saying it was a “wag the dog” maneuver.
I’ll give you a hint, the same people that just voted against a tax cut. Wake up.
Buck…you seem to think that there is an equivalence between being IN an office and actually performing in that office. Yes, no one denies that Palin was governor (and I’m certainly not). But what did she DO while she served in that office to deserve being nominated as a VP candidate? The same is true in her attainment of the Governors position. She was a mayor that played Byzantine politics in Wasilla, using religious campaigns against the schools and library to rouse the members of the fundamentalist churches to get out and vote. Then she marginalized everyone else. She left Wasilla in debt after building a Sports complex, but adept at playing up the view that she was a great organizer for VOTES. But it became clear that she wouldn’t be re-elected because she alienated many in Wasilla.
Then she was appointed to a State post, as she was being groomed for higher office, perhaps the State legislature. But she itched for even higher position. She charged her immediate superiors with accepting illegal gratuities from an oil company (ironically something she herself was found to have done) and took that post, and then ran on that image (as she never actually did anything in the job when she became Director) for the Governorship.
The claimed success at getting the oil-pipeline contract (using BTW non-American contractors) has fallen apart with contractual disagreements. She’s left Native Alaskan communities in starvation, ignored global warming issues on idealogical grounds, mismanaged the resources of the State, screwed up the Alaska Investment Fund, used State funds to take her family on holidays and to promote herself to Republican pundits on junkets to Alaska.
The reason that she was able to accomplish this is because the Republicans are so desperate to find a woman or a minority to attract voters that they mistakenly think are idiots who only vote by genitalia or skin pigmentation. But the Democrats have such a large pool of eligible women and minorities that the cream does rise to the top. Incompetence is not going to be ignored since there are a dozen far more qualified individuals reading to step into the breach.
Sarah Palin was a hail mary by McCain who had little hope of closing in on Obama. She upset the status quo upon her nomination and actually succeeded in scaring Obama because he knew he had to use kid gloves on her or risk having the same criticisms levelled against him. In the end, the media did the job of taking down Palin. Too bad the press didnt apply the same critical standards to Obama – there was much to critique but they couldnt or flat out wouldnt.
In the final analysis, Palin was not elected, so her performance in office is of little import unless she were to be a candidate again, which she won’t. Still, she is so offensive to the left that either they directly or the communications/propaganda arms of the democratic party – CNN, NBC, MSNBC, the NYT, etc. – still find it good sport to attack her or her family at will.
For example, Dylan Ratigan of MSNBC ridiculed her education and resume the other day. Now, I like Ratigan, generally, but upon reviewing his resume I note that he attended Union College and has neither an advanced degree nor any executive experience himself. So, where does he get off? But, now, get this, Palin has a bigger credential in the media than Ratigan – she can claim a bestseller.
But you make a good point about the democrats having more women and minorities, but I do not think the same standards of competence and political propriety are applied to them. I also do not think the ranks are as deep as you suppose, otherwise, why wouldnt Obama have pulled his nomination of Sotomayor after her highly offensive “wise latina” comments. You would be quite disingenuous to suggest that a similar statement made by a white man would have led to any conclusion other than vitriolic condemnation by the left.
Is Ratigan running for public office?
he has my vote I know he reads articles germaine to the subjects he’s called to discuss.
“In what way Katie?”
You should’read the whole statement instead of just repeating the soundbite.
Oh…and Buck. Why is it that the Republicans are so obsessed with Palin…who never even finished her complete term as Governor (and likely would not be re-elected) – who was being pushed as a VP candidate by certain right wing Neo-Con pundits even after less than a year in office?
Compare Palin to Hawaii’s Republican governor, Linda Lingle
. Lingle was not a repeat drop-out quitter in school. Like Palin she majored in journalism but was cum laude from California State University, Northridge, in 1975. She started the Molokai Free Press, a community newspaper. In 1980, Lingle was elected to the Maui County Council, where she served five two-year terms. Lingle served three of those terms representing Molokai and two terms as an at-large member. In 1990 she was elected Mayor of Maui County and re-elected in 1994. Termed out, she decided to run for Governor in 1998, but lost in the closest race in Hawaii’s history (a Republican had never been elected Governor). In 2002, she defeated Mazie Hirono in another close race, and won re-election in 2006 by nearly a 2/3rds majority. As governor, Lingle has created a record surplus of $730 million, coming from the budget’s previous deficit of $250 million. Unlike Palin, Lingle would be facing being termed out.
So why was Lingle given second class status vs. the lesser qualified Palin???
First, Lingle has ties to organized labor. Her father was public information officer for the Teamsters and Hotel Workers Union. Second, although she has been twice divorced, there have been rumors that Lingle was a lesbian. Fundamentalist evangelical groups in Hawaii stated that since she was Jewish, she would abolish Christmas as an official holiday. She took the oath of office upon a Tanakh. Furthermore, Lingle is a member of The Wish List, America’s largest fundraising and campaign political action committee for Pro-choice Republican Women and The Republican Majority for Choice.
Now one might think that this would be a wonderful candidate to attract the independents and even those Democrats who want a fiscal conservative. But it’s clear that merit is not the only consideration when it comes to Party politics. Holding the extreme base is what it’s all about.
Honestly, dont know anything about Lingle. She probably wouldnt appeal to the base for a lot of reasons that you mention.
Why didnt Obama choose a homosexual as his running mate – could it be that that wouldnt appeal to blacks who are notoriously homophobic? Why didnt he choose a woman? Were they trying to appeal to the centrists of the democratic party who needed reassurance that even though Obama was completely inexperienced, there would still be an adult white man nearby in case he failed?
You know the answers and even your question is a deflection from the truth. Sarah Palin was treated in a way that Obama was not and that’s a disgrace and a travesty. Those are my points.
Other than Barney Frank can you name a single active gay politician? I don’t think Frank was considered because he wouldn’t have brought anyone over that wouldn’t have supported the Democrats anyways. That’s the principle reason one selects a VP usually. Does the person add to the ticket. Biden was selected because it was felt that he would reach out to those that thought Obama was inexperienced (something that the Media HAD played up, contrary to your claims), as well he was well-like by traditional liberals and labor. Hillary may have been considered but some reports stated she refused the vetting, or it was a concern that she might actually lose some support in some areas.
Get over it, Obama won the ELECTION…he wasn’t an appointee. He was selected through the nomination process by voters to be the candidate and elected President. Palin was selected…a roll-of-the-dice…with the hope that women would vote with their genitalia rather than their brains. Look at the voting results, MAJOR FAIL.
Did Palin have experience at the Federal Level?
Let’s see Illinois State Senate U.S.Senate
Oh part term Governor of a state with less than a million in population,
and second only to Texas in receiving federal funds.
Your all over the place.you should stick to something you know.
But that’s the rub.
Did Palin have experience on the Federal Level? Well, primarily from her dealings as Governor and energy issues… but, remember, she did not get elected. Obama and Biden did.
So, ok, IL state Senator – are you saying that is federal level? Junior Senator in his first term, that’s huge experience? Hmmm, voted against the troop surge that worked? You calling that foreign policy expertise?
And let’s look where Obama is now overall. His stimulus program did not succeed because it did not target consumer spending and now unemployment will go over 10% contrary to the 8% level he claimed. Healthcare was completely mishandled and may set the leftist agenda back another 2 decades. Iran – hmmm, the outstretched hand does not seem to have made us any friends there. North Korea continues down the same path as with Bush. Guantanamo is STILL not closed. Afghanistan – he needs to review his options and take his time to decide what to do? That’s odd. He claims that he must act immediately on healthcare even though he wont bother to prove that he can make it better even incrementally. Why not have caution on healthcare? Must not be very important, eh? Wouldn’t want to build consensus, eh?
And what about this ridiculous Olympics venture? How much pollution and waste were involved in heading over there to support that serious geo-politician, Oprah, and her cronies? That must sit well in the crawl of leftists that he would be that wasteful and risk the authority of his office for something as retarded as that.
In any event, the only success I can think he had involved those Somali pirates whose heads he had blown off and that is hardly a “one world” venture. It just wasnt very nice to do to those poor, misunderstood Islamic pirates.
Hmmm, leftists have to wonder why they voted for this man. Not saying he is a bad man, not saying he isn’t smart. He just wasn’t/isn’t ready. You hated Bush and his ineptitude, what did you think? You deserved your own turn to place the biggest amateur in place as possible?
Obama needed to wait about another 15 years to hold office. Even I admit that Hillary would have been better.
I don’t recall any major network picking up anything about Todd and Sarah Palin’s associations with secessionists in Alaska. Nor do I recall Palin being grilled regarding her ties with witch-killer Father Munewe (sp.)? Yet Obama was regularly grilled about his associations with his Church and with Bill Ayers, who appears to have had almost no significant association with him. It was a major feature of the Republican campaign and screamed from the right-wing pundits ad nauseum on TV.
Palin…free ride.
And where was the major media when it came to McCain. They barely raised his involvement, nor that of his current wife, in the S&L Loan Scandal…although certainly his role in discouraging regulatory control in that case mirrored precisely what was going on last Fall with the Financial industry. Not a peep. Not a peep, either about McCain’s own associations with extremist preachers who had blamed terrorist attacks on America’s sins (”God Damn America”).
So you’re right Obama was treated in a way that Sarah Palin was not…she was given an easy ride of things. Even when giving half a chance to sound erudite and informed she looked like a buffon, winking at the audience in debate, and failing to even recall a Supreme Court case other than Roe v. Wade, or the name of a couple of significant newspapers (My lord…she was a journalism major, fer Chrissakes).
Relating to the Palin’s, I saw those things and they were broadly discredited and minimized, perhaps rightly so, perhaps not. Obama’s associations with the radical left were almost solely limited to Fox News. And, between Rev. Wright, Ayers, ACORN and other associations, there was plenty that might have been exposed and widely promulgated but wasn’t because he was the press’s darling, but let’s forget the smear.
Obama always got and he and his administration still mostly get or choose to get softball questions. This is why Obama only met with Bill O’Reilly at the end of the campaign under very specialized circumstances. But, if you don’t think that this administration only chooses soft venues, just watch Rachel Maddow and her special relationship with Valerie Jarrett, David Axelrod, Barney Frank ,et al and the “in-depth” and “adversarial” style and you can get an idea of why Chris Matthews feels (his words) a “twinge go up his leg” when Obama speaks.
Ir you want to talk about this bias in detail, consider how Dan Rather chose to ‘expose’ various ‘facts’ about GWB before the ‘04 elections which were shown to be completely false. Or, since you mention the treatment of McCain, the NYT ran a big expose of Cindy McCain in the midst of the campaign by going to friends of their underage daughter. In addition, they made big political hay of her addiction problem – as if that might have something to do with McCain’s policies or his own personal issues. I thought leftists believed in redemption or something.
Relating to bringing a gay politician on board the democratic ticket, you were the one that mentioned that the Republicans wouldn’t bring on board a great candidate who was a lesbian. At the same time, you mentioned that the democrats had a deep bench of women and minorities who could be called to the fore if required. Why not choose one of them instead of Biden – who is known as a gaffe a minute? Let’s face it, that was political expediency/cynicism. Obama needed a white male even a total douchebag such as Biden who, as we all know, has an IQ that is greater than everyone else’s according to him.
Further, there would have to be many homosexual candidates who could be chosen – dont they count as part of this deep bench of minorities you spoke of? Since blacks voted against the proposition in CA regarding gay marriage, you know how they would have felt about an openly gay candidate. They would have hated it and questioned Obama’s own sexuality. Isn’t it a quandary for you that a minority group, blacks, whom the democrats/leftists open-mindedly try to promote could be so intolerant of gays? Do you just blame that on white society or something or slave mentality?
Ratigan should work on his own resume and stop presuming to smear a person who is now only a media figure now. Perhaps he can’t handle a strong woman who has made her own way in the world. I would think that Hillary supporters would understand this concept. After all, it was only a vast right wing conspiracy that made her husband behave like a cad while in office, thereby derailing the agenda of NOW and a thousand other leftists groups, because they were intimidated by her personal power.
Fact is, it’s hypocrisy. Maybe not unlike saying that you’re pro-life all the while saying you believe in capital punishment. I am sure you can grasp that fact.