What the Fuck Obama?

[Turd Fergusen]

I really don't associate myself with political parties, I just don't believe in that shit. I vote for who I think will do the best job in the current situation. That's why I'm not ashamed to say I voted for Bush twice. He wasn't great but I felt I has picking the lesser of two evils.

Now we have Obama giving us that shaft. One of the reasons I liked him was I thought after two periods of Republican rule Obama would be good to have for the enviornment (I live in WV and am a big opponent of MTR coal mining). Well he hasn't really changed any coal regulations and now I read where he is lowering Bush's record low number of Superfund site clean ups from Bush's 38 to 20 a year! Funny but all the Democrats that gave Bush shit for lowering it down to 38 are all quit now.

Oh yeah, he shafted the Gay and Lesbian's too:

[brokenandtwisted]

I am shocked at how shocked (ha) people are about Obama being nothing. The president has long been a puppet of the American Congress, hasn't he? No less...although he has a silver tongue he's yet to deliver. Look at his record of successes...he has none. He has accomplished little to prove himself to America, so I don't understand why people are so love-struck...

[MichaelJCheaney]

He has accomplished little to prove himself to America, so I don't understand why people are so love-struck...

Its because he wants to turn America from being considered a World Leader, into France...

[ImmortalOne]

Give me a break, "He hasn't done anything. He's making this nation worse."

Really? Are you fucking kidding me? He gets handed a nation in the toilet, worse than the toilet, utter shit and on the verge of another great depression. Yet he's to blame? He's not doing anything?

Oops, I guess it wasn't Obama... Trying to make changes to allow people on Unemployment to goto school without losing their benefits. Oh that's right, if you aren't unemployed then it doesn't exist. Screw all the people who are becoming casualties of an economy that we are in, and be damned that they should ever have an education to better themselves.

No, it wasn't his suggestion to offer incentives for people to purchase vehicles that were more gas efficient (helping the failing auto industry and the environment). Oh wait, I forget how many Republicans love their SUV's so much that guzzle gasoline faster than a baby drinks a bottle.

No, it wasn't his suggestion to offer incentives for new home buyers (helping the failing housing market). Oh that's right, most Republican's aren't NEW FIRST TIME home buyers, they are usually well established and have been for many decades.

Yeah, he isn't doing anything. He's been in office less than 9 months, and has done a hell of a lot more that Bush who's private interest was all about himself not the country.

[MichaelJCheaney]

The bailouts were orginally started by Bush. I opposed them then and I still oppose them.

The Cash for Clunkers- Yes that was/is a good deal for the consumers.

However, How is that being paid for? The Dealers disable the engines by pouring a solution in the Engines and then run them til they die.

They are then sold off to scrap yards and then cut up and recycled.

That is money that the Treasury should be getting back from the Scrap yards, and that would offset the cost of the cash for clunkers program.

But in their haste to "do something" for the sake of doing something, nobody thought to answer this question. No we willjust push it thru because we have to do something!

Where did the money to purchase GM come from?

Will any money used to purchase GM go back to the treasury when/if GM makes a profit? The answer is NO because Government has no business running a business.

Governments motto: If the Private sector can screw it up, we can screw it up better!

What do the 3 examples have in common?

Nobody has any idea where the money came from and all 3 are just ANOTHER excuse for Government to dip their hands into my pocket even more!

[TheMorningStar]

Its because he wants to turn America from being considered a World Leader, into France...

Are you referring to universal health care?

Do we not already have a police department paid for by everybody? How about the public schools? Where are the rallies against these socialist examples? Where are the shaking fists? Where are the riots? This is downright un-American!

[MichaelJCheaney]

Oops, I guess it wasn't Obama... Trying to make changes to allow people on Unemployment to goto school without losing their benefits. Oh that's right, if you aren't unemployed then it doesn't exist. Screw all the people who are becoming casualties of an economy that we are in, and be damned that they should ever have an education to better themselves.

This is an issue that should be left up to the individual states not the Feds.

Wisconsin for example allows you to keep you unemployment benefits as long as you can prove that you remain in school.

So here again you have the Federal government trying to supercede the powers of the individual states.

(Unemployment is a tax required by the feds but administered by the individual states...)

[MichaelJCheaney]

Are you referring to universal health care?

Do we not already have a police department paid for by everybody? How about the public schools? Where are the rallies against these socialist examples? Where are the shaking fists? Where are the riots? This is downright un-American!

No I was referring to him not wanting to take a meaningful stand against Russia or North Korea or Iran for fear of angering them....

But thanks for putting words in my mouth!

I appreciate it!

[TheMorningStar]

No I was referring to him not wanting to take a meaningful stand against Russia or North Korea or Iran for fear of angering them....

But thanks for putting words in my mouth!

I appreciate it!

Well if that is what you meant,
Ok then......carry on.

[MichaelJCheaney]

Well if that is what you meant,
Ok then......carry on.

Don't you think that if I meant health care I would have said HEALTH CARE?

Christ give me SOME credit.....

See I have this amazing ability to actually come out and say what I mean and not hide behind code words ....

[TheMorningStar]

I give you much cred but...

Its because he wants to turn America from being considered a World Leader, into France...

is pretty ambigiuos. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

[MichaelJCheaney]

I give you much cred but...

is pretty ambigiuos. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

Thats fine I understand.

I'm just a little wound up tonight, I have 3 fractured fingers and my pain pills are NOT working so well.

So I aplogize as well.

My point was that during past presidencies America was someone to at least be rekoned with when it came to Foreign Policy. Feared but Respected.

Now it appears the philosphy is Do what you want, We won't Do ANYTHING or say Anything.

And yes while we do have 2 wars going on currently, it seems that we could at least use threats to keep NK Iran and Russia in line.

[TheLittleFriend]

I feel like I want to say, "I told you so...."

[TheLittleFriend]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...03126.html?g=0

[Turd Fergusen]

I don't give a flying fuck. He promised shit and hasn't even come close to doing anything remotely close to what he talked about.

[CPL CHUD]

Wait a minute....a politician promised a bunch of stuff during his campaign then failed to deliver any of it during his tenor in office?

Call the press!

[Lazlo]

All of the signs were there. You learned most about this man in the Democratic Primaries, by the time the general election came around the points had been spun to perfection, and the media were too busy salivating over "making history" and electing a black man. By that time, ANY black man would have done, which is evidenced by the empty suit that Obama is.

He proposed change.
Q. What change?
A. Good change! Change you can be proud of!

Yeah!!! I love good change!

A. And JOBS! 5 million jobs!
Q. What kind of jobs?
A. Green jobs! Good jobs!
Yeah!!! I love green jobs that are good!

A. And I will bring back pride to America!
Yeah!!! I love pride!

Q. What about Iraq?
A. I will bring the troops home!
Yeah!!! I love troops coming home! I love this change. And he's BLACK! - It will be HISTORIC!!
(cue flags and martial music)

Ahem. Sorry. Derision just wells up in me when I think of how absolutely ignorant and shallow the American public is. This isn't his fault. I personally believe, as one pundit said in a post primary analysis, the the fact that he actually WON shocked him more than anyone. His strategy was to run and get his face in front of the electorate. It was meant for exposure to set up his future aspirations. He was a VERY junior senator from Illinois, who had not even finished his first term. And the shit blew up!

So now we lay in the bed we made, and hope for the best. God save us from the good guys!

[CPL CHUD]

Hahahaha....exactly Lazlo. I think everyone was so fired up with Bush hate () that they just leaped on to the next American Idol, I mean presidential, band wagon. The guy didn't do shit before, he's not doing much now. Not surprised.

[solange82200]

No I was referring to him not wanting to take a meaningful stand against Russia or North Korea or Iran for fear of angering them....

But thanks for putting words in my mouth!

I appreciate it!

There is nothing wrong with diplomacy. What are we going to do, start yet another war (it would be our third now)? Wouldn't that also "dip into your pocket"? There is only so much a president can do.

at least use threats to keep NK Iran and Russia in line

Threats that we cant and wont back up? That will only make things worse

[MichaelJCheaney]

I am all for the use of Diplomacy solange

But when you have NK launching missles toward Hawaii, and our response is "Ha Ha you missed us" that is just stupid....

And then there is Russia. They are telling the United States that the only way that we will ever be able to get along is if we allow them to StockPile Nukes, and allow them to sell them to Iran, and if we destroy all of ours.

There by allowing Iran and Russia to be the only ones allowed to possess Nukes.

Obamas response?

Well lets think about it.....

What the fuck is there to "think about"?

The answer should have been a flat out middle finger salute......

[Just my luck sucks]

They are then sold off to scrap yards and then cut up and recycled.

That is money that the Treasury should be getting back from the Scrap yards

The scrap yards have to pay for the vehicles. They then use their man power and equipment to cut up/process said vehicles. If and when their product sells-- they should be required to give the money/their profit to the treasury?

Why punish/put scrap yard owners out of business when they didn't profit from or create this boondoggle?

[Lazlo]

There is nothing wrong with diplomacy. What are we going to do, start yet another war (it would be our third now)? Wouldn't that also "dip into your pocket"? There is only so much a president can do.

Threats that we cant and wont back up? That will only make things worse

The problem with threats coming from Obama is that they WON'T be believed. He is perceived as weak and ineffective. Biden warned us about international aggression during the campaign - predicted it would rise. It has. What has been our response?

How soon is Iran going nuclear? How far is the DPRK from having a truly viable weapon. What is our response to Russian aggression in the Balkans?

Setting back and wringing our hands is NOT the proper course of action. Diplomacy only works if the threat behind it is perceived to be real.

Of course we can back up any threats we make. The effort this nation is currently expending in the middle east is a small fraction of her real might. Compare the size of operations now to those in WWII. The Idea that we can't mobilize is ridiculous on its face. But you have a point with the "won't" part of that statement. Americans have currently lost the will to defend themselves against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. We have become fat and complacent - take a walk around and mall and see for yourself. We lack the will to make real sacrifice to secure our place in the world, and those countries willing to do so know it!

So until Obama shows some balls - until that time when he is willing to defy the pacifist block of the party that elected him and make a real and decisive show of resolve, the situation will continue to deteriorate. If, before he is able, the crisis occurs, everyone will look dumbfounded and ask, "how did we allow this to happen." And the fingers they point should be aimed precisely at themselves.

[MichaelJCheaney]

The scrap yards have to pay for the vehicles. They then use their man power and equipment to cut up/process said vehicles. If and when their product sells-- they should be required to give the money/their profit to the treasury?

Why punish/put scrap yard owners out of business when they didn't profit from or create this boondoggle?

Why Punish the Taxpayers, we didn't ask for this program. (Although I cannot and will not say it hasn't been successful)

What is so wrong about having the Government actually having a program that is Taxpayer money neutral?

[solange82200]

The problem with threats coming from Obama is that they WON'T be believed. He is perceived as weak and ineffective. Biden warned us about international aggression during the campaign - predicted it would rise. It has. What has been our response?

How soon is Iran going nuclear? How far is the DPRK from having a truly viable weapon. What is our response to Russian aggression in the Balkans?

Setting back and wringing our hands is NOT the proper course of action. Diplomacy only works if the threat behind it is perceived to be real.

Of course we can back up any threats we make. The effort this nation is currently expending in the middle east is a small fraction of her real might. Compare the size of operations now to those in WWII. The Idea that we can't mobilize is ridiculous on its face. But you have a point with the "won't" part of that statement. Americans have currently lost the will to defend themselves against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. We have become fat and complacent - take a walk around and mall and see for yourself. We lack the will to make real sacrifice to secure our place in the world, and those countries willing to do so know it!

So until Obama shows some balls - until that time when he is willing to defy the pacifist block of the party that elected him and make a real and decisive show of resolve, the situation will continue to deteriorate. If, before he is able, the crisis occurs, everyone will look dumbfounded and ask, "how did we allow this to happen." And the fingers they point should be aimed precisely at themselves.

I just dont understand much of this, admittedly. Of course we can back it up in the sense that we have the strongest military in the world, but I dont think it's necessary for Obama to remind other countries about that repeatedly, that goes without saying. What exactly is happening to us though because of Obama? We havent been attacked. Nothing has happened. We cant continue to invade countries just because they "may" attack us. These are all my opinions obviously, I am no foreign policy expert, I am just going by what I read and what I know about history.

I will say this though. I have much more trust in the current administration to deal with these issues than Bush does. As "tough" as he was, it didnt stop 3000 Americans from dying in a couple of hours in our own country, under our own noses. Although I see your point about North Korea launching those missiles near Hawaii, I agree more should have been done, although Im not sure what. These are complicated issues, and I am willing to admit there is a good chance I am wrong about this and you guys are right, but right now this is where I stand on it.

Why Punish the Taxpayers, we didn't ask for this program. (Although I cannot and will not say it hasn't been successful)

What is so wrong about having the Government actually having a program that is Taxpayer money neutral?

For once I got a little taste of what a lot of republicans feel like with this whole cash for clunkers thing. I have a 2001 eclipse that is literally on its last leg. It has broken down on me 4 times this year, the latest being yesterday, the electricity cut out as I was driving to work and I had to have it towed to the mechanic near my house. Anyway, I was hoping to take advantage of cash for clunkers so I can finally get a new car (new used car, anyway), but as broke down as it is it has a combined mpg rate of 20, which doesnt qualify, at is at has to have a maximum of 18 mgp. So Im hearing all over the place how all these people are getting a sweet deal using part of my tax dollars and getting a nice new ride, and Im still stuck in the same piece of crap car that will probably break down on me again next month. Its not a nice feeling at all..

[MichaelJCheaney]

I just dont understand much of this, admittedly. Of course we can back it up in the sense that we have the strongest military in the world, but I dont think it's necessary for Obama to remind other countries about that repeatedly, that goes without saying. What exactly is happening to us though because of Obama? We havent been attacked. Nothing has happened. We cant continue to invade countries just because they "may" attack us. These are all my opinions obviously, I am no foreign policy expert, I am just going by what I read and what I know about history.

I will say this though. I have much more trust in the current administration to deal with these issues than Bush does. As "tough" as he was, it didnt stop 3000 Americans from dying in a couple of hours in our own country, under our own noses. Although I see your point about North Korea launching those missiles near Hawaii, I agree more should have been done, although Im not sure what. These are complicated issues, and I am willing to admit there is a good chance I am wrong about this and you guys are right, but right now this is where I stand on it.




For once I got a little taste of what a lot of republicans feel like with this whole cash for clunkers thing. I have a 2001 eclipse that is literally on its last leg. It has broken down on me 4 times this year, the latest being yesterday, the electricity cut out as I was driving to work and I had to have it towed to the mechanic near my house. Anyway, I was hoping to take advantage of cash for clunkers so I can finally get a new car (new used car, anyway), but as broke down as it is it has a combined mpg rate of 20, which doesnt qualify, at is at has to have a maximum of 18 mgp. So Im hearing all over the place how all these people are getting a sweet deal using part of my tax dollars and getting a nice new ride, and Im still stuck in the same piece of crap car that will probably break down on me again next month. Its not a nice feeling at all..

Prior to (9/11 SoLange I don't think that it was thought that anyone could possibly carry out an attack of that magnitude.

Obviously we were proven wrong. Yes there are things that could be improved upon in this administration to ensure that it does not happen again.

However I am afraid that at some point in the next 3 1/2 years we will be tested yet again, and Obamas response will be something along the lines of:

A. Do it again. I double dog dare ya!

B. Why don't we sit down and talk..... or

C. Its Bushs' fault!

[Turd Fergusen]

B. Why don't we sit down and talk.....

.....over a nice frosty beer.

[Just my luck sucks]

Why Punish the Taxpayers, we didn't ask for this program. (Although I cannot and will not say it hasn't been successful)

What is so wrong about having the Government actually having a program that is Taxpayer money neutral?

I agree the program should be taxpayer neutral. But, make the auto companies that are actually profiting from the program pay it.

Not some independent business owner. Upwards of 60% of the revenue salvage companies take in, comes from recycling the vehicle, is from parting out the engines--with this program (and it's unusable engines) most will be lucky to breakeven after paying their employees.

[MichaelJCheaney]

I agree the program should be taxpayer neutral. But, make the auto companies that are actually profiting from the program pay it.

Not some independent business owner. Upwards of 60% of the revenue salvage companies take in, comes from recycling the vehicle, is from parting out the engines--with this program (and it's unusable engines) most will be lucky to breakeven after paying their employees.

60 percent seems kind of high to me.

When I was towing cars back in the 90's, the owners of the cars that were scrapped were paid by the pound at whatever price steel was trading for that day on the markets. (Basically it worked out to about $50.00-$75.00 per car)

They would then turn around cut out the usable parts, (fenders clips etc) sell those seperately, crush the cars, and sell them to the recyclers who would melt the steel parts down. And make NEW steel.

I can't imagine things have changed that much, but as I said I am relying on old information from the 1990's

The bigger point being though, why wasn't this thought thru by our congress critters in Washington?

I think this particular program would have passed muster with consumers and voters on its own merits. But they decided not to take the chance and rushed it through, without asking the basic questions.

[Athena]

The problem with threats coming from Obama is that they WON'T be believed. He is perceived as weak and ineffective. Biden warned us about international aggression during the campaign - predicted it would rise. It has. What has been our response?

How soon is Iran going nuclear? How far is the DPRK from having a truly viable weapon. What is our response to Russian aggression in the Balkans?

Setting back and wringing our hands is NOT the proper course of action. Diplomacy only works if the threat behind it is perceived to be real.

Of course we can back up any threats we make. The effort this nation is currently expending in the middle east is a small fraction of her real might. Compare the size of operations now to those in WWII. The Idea that we can't mobilize is ridiculous on its face. But you have a point with the "won't" part of that statement. Americans have currently lost the will to defend themselves against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. We have become fat and complacent - take a walk around and mall and see for yourself. We lack the will to make real sacrifice to secure our place in the world, and those countries willing to do so know it!

So until Obama shows some balls - until that time when he is willing to defy the pacifist block of the party that elected him and make a real and decisive show of resolve, the situation will continue to deteriorate. If, before he is able, the crisis occurs, everyone will look dumbfounded and ask, "how did we allow this to happen." And the fingers they point should be aimed precisely at themselves.

So angry. Must be that rap music.

You say this as though are stance with Iran and Russia during the previous administration - the threatening one - was even the least bit successful.

This (foreign policy) is exactly where I expect Obama to shine. I'm disappointed that he hasn't done MORE to retract our military presense, oh, pretty much everywhere BUT Afghanistan (you know, the justified war we all but walked away from during the last administration).

You say we've lost the will to fight OUR enemies. Who exactly are our enemies? Why should WE throw ourselves in front of every country or region that is threatened? Why should we attempt to meddle in the local politics of other nations? If Russia wants to rough up Georgia a little bit, why the fuck should we care? Are we the official enforcer of boarders, now? If so, where were we when Serbia was being whittled away by the Albanians?

We've lost the will because "our enemies" is too loosely defined. We are feared to the point that we are hated, a condition Machiavelli strongly warned against. This is because our military endeavors are inconsistent, rash and, at times, entirely unjustified. And, in our most recent endeavor, will was revealed to be nothing more than ignorance, an embarrassing faux paux Americans will be shy to repeat, even if it means perceived passiveness.

Obama has been in office for little over half a year, one eighth of his term. We should be thankful that he isn't rushing to change the face of the nation overnight. Personally, I'm not too hip on a lot of his proposed domestic policy changes, but these propositions are becoming more moderate as he takes his time with them.

Patience, people. Bad things happen when decisions are rushed to.

[MichaelJCheaney]

Why should WE throw ourselves in front of every country or region that is threatened?

I don't think we should throw ourselves in front of EVERY countries disputes.

Only the ones that are threatening the United States.

North Korea comes to mind. Lobbing Nuclear missiles toward Hawaii on the 4th of July?

That seemed like a threat to me.

I am also not advocating going over and bombing them to oblivian either.

But this whole we will give you money and aid if you stop being agressive thing ain't working to well either!