When should I start to be concerned that President Obama doesn't appear concerned...???

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

Why isn't Blackwater/Xe out of Iraq?

Are the Dems pandering to the health (care) denial industry profiteers?

Why is President Obama silent when gays are being kicked out of the military?

Where does President Obama stand on prosecuting Bush Adm war criminals?

Where does President Obama stand on prosecuting Cheney for outing Valerie Plame?

The judicial system is infested with right wing-nuts. What is President Obama waiting for?

When will Bush policies regarding habeas corpus and warrantless wiretapping get rolled back and our civil liberties restored?

What other practices have been carried over from the Bush Adm? Is rendition still policy? Is it coincidence or just bad luck that key witnesses are found hanging in their cells?

When will President Obama realize that NOW is the time to flex his muscle? That he's in office to do the will of the people, and we the people made our intentions loud and clear in Novembers 2006 and 2008.

Why is President Obama acquiescent when dealing with bankers but reticent (maybe that's a euphemism) when dealing with workers?

I realize he's only been in office +100 days. That's why I'm wondering if I should be concerned that he doesn't appear concerned about any of this at this time. I hate it when it all has happenend and I arrive at the scene too late.

[leftstreet]

1. You need to go over to GD:STFU and look at puppies

You will be assimilated!

Welcome to DU

:hi:

[nichomachus]

19. Right -- just look at the g**d** puppies and STFU

What -- are you one of those leftist extremist ideological purists who didn't listen to what Obama was really saying when he promised change or doesn't realize that he's playing chess?

[ThomCat]

2. A lot of us are already concerned.

He has broken a lot of promises, and a lot of his current positions and policies are opposite of what he promised during his campaign.

I'm willing to be patient and give him time to accomplish things IF he's at least on the right track, but on so many issues he's clearly on the wrong track. But if he's going to continue ignoring the progressives, LGBT people and other lefties in his base then what good will come of any of this?

:shrug:

All we can do is keep shouting, and then wait to see if he hears us and cares.

But he's a politician, so don't hold your breath.

[bos1]

48. "ignoring progressives" is WAY too strong. This guy is setting up national health care

while fight 2 wars and dealing with a huge financial crisis. Because he isn't 100% perfect does not equate to ignoring progressives.

[Occam Bandage]

3. To answer the questions:

1. Because the American military is overstretched, and Obama believes that the United States must withdraw slowly and carefully, over the course of at least a year. As such, PMCs are required, unless you feel like going over to help out.

2. They aren't.

3. He explicitly says he wants a legislative solution, since that couldn't be overturned by the next President in the same way an executive order suspending DADT would.

4. He believes that is the purview of the Department of Justice, under AG Holder. Holder's decision to prosecute will be based on evidence and not on political pressure.

5. We already tried that. It failed. Because Cheney covered his tracks, hid the evidence, and got Scooter Libby to obstruct justice. When someone is convicted of felony obstruction of justice, that means justice has been obstructed.

6. Obama does not believe in firing attorneys because of their politics. Rove is currently under investigation for doing exactly that.

7. They have been. Your civil liberties are restored. Warrentless wiretapping protections have been restored to the way they were ever since Carter established the FISA program.

8. "Rendition," meaning the transfer of prisoners to other countries, is of course still policy. If we capture an Iraqi committing a crime in Iraq, we will render him to the Iraqi government for a trial. Same goes for an Afghan committing a crime in Afghanistan. Better than shipping them to America for a trial in American courts. Extraordinary rendition, the abhorrent Bush practice of rendering prisoners so others may torture them, has been stopped.

9. He has been. Which is why his approval ratings are very high despite the dismal state of the economy.

10. You must have missed what happened with Chrysler, when Obama dictated that hedge fund bond holders would not be receiving the stakes in Chrysler that their bonds entitled them, but rather that disproportionate ownership would go to the UAW. He literally stole from the rich to give to the poor there. Literally.

11. Obama doesn't appear "concerned" because he actually has a handle on what's going on. I don't find it problematic that he isn't saying "omg I can't possibly fix this."

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

4. replies to your answers (btw thanks!)

I'm not big on Blackwater or our two wars. Seems there are alternatives to both.

Don't be so certain that the final health care package will include a government-run option that will compete with the private sector. You are, but you shouldn't be.

Regarding "Don't Ask Don't Tell," he should be explicitly saying that right about now.

Re: torture, et. al. I'm not thrilled with how he's been conducting himself this past week.

Re: Plame. Shrug.

Re: judicial appointments, Obama is picking the wrong issue to take the moral high road. He's entitled to make appointments. Gonzalez and Rove broke laws; Obama need not break laws to clean house. They serve at his pleasure.

Re: NSA... I'll have to look into that.

Key witnesses found hanging in their cells is creepy.

Re: flexing his muscle. I can't disagree with what you've said, it just isn't a refutation of what I've asked.

Re: Chrysler--cool. That's 1 for the little guy. But how many times has he done the exact opposite, i.e., stolen from the poor and given to the rich? WAY > than 1.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Well seems to me you should be concerned already.......

I mean, after all.....




And he doesn't!


What are you gonna do about your concerns? Actively, I mean.
There's ACLU and others who are about to explode.
You could join them!

As for your demands, unfortunately, you are not alone...

Recommended reading:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8414098&mesg_id=8414098

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8414465&mesg_id=8414465

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

26. With respect to health care, I believe I am active.

;)

[Occam Bandage]

18. To continue.

Regarding Blackwater/Iraq, well, I'm not a fan of either, but I don't see an option. I don't believe we can withdraw from Iraq overnight without creating major problems, and I don't think our military can operate in Iraq without using PMCs to supplement its forces. My position is a fairly common one, but of course it may still be an incorrect one.

Regarding healthcare, it might fail to include a public option. I don't believe it will fail to include a public option. Democratic support is fairly high and growing; Republican support simply does not matter, given our intent to pass reform through reconciliation. Obama (and his top advisors, like Orszag) have made it clear that health care is the most important thing they'll pass this year if not in his entire term, and I doubt he'd give up on it, given how successful he was at getting what he wanted into the stimulus bill.

Regarding DADT? He has said it recently, albeit through Gibbs. What you mean, perhaps, is that he should issue an executive order before the Congress presents him with a bill. That would certainly get rid of DADT more quickly, but it would also make it less likely that Congress would pass the bill. Congress doesn't usually like to spend time passing bills addressing things which are not pressing concerns, and DADT would no longer be pressing once it were suspended by executive order.

Regarding torture, sure, he angered many people by refusing to release the photographs.

Regarding judicial appointments, it isn't so much a matter of the "moral high ground" as it is a matter of "not doing the exact same illegal things George Bush did, and over which Democrats are currently investigating Republicans."

Re: stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. I don't see any examples of Obama doing this. The stimulus package was aimed at the lower and middle classes, and paid for with tax increases on the rich. Perhaps you refer to the bank bailout? Disregarding that it was completely necessary to prevent utter economic collapse, and disregarding that it has performed its intent (as the financial freefall has stopped), I don't believe that's either stealing from the poor or giving to the rich. The money given was largely in loans, in backing of loans, and in purchase of assets retaining value, and was accompanied by strict restrictions--restrictions so strict, in fact, that several banks have since returned the entirety of their bailout money. Ostentatious bonuses aside (which Obama clearly did not foresee and which angered the entire Democratic party), the bailout has been nearly as restrictive as I think was possible short of outright nationalization. I don't believe "did not take the most liberal position possible" is always equal to "theft from the poor."

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

24. Yeah, thank you. That was awesome! : )

:)

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

41. I misunderstood the judicial appointments :)

Bush appointed 100 judges because there were 100 vacancies to be filled... because many of Clinton's appointees got blocked by the Republican Congress.

[lonestarnot]

16. Thank you Occam Bandage!

[Hekate]

46. Occam, this is brilliant. Thank you for this list.

:applause:

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

56. 50,000 cars to be built in China?

GM plays the China card
By Peter Navarro

General Motor's announcement that it plans to make cars in China for export to the US as part of its recovery plan must rank as one of the most provocative and absurd corporate decisions in this oppressive season of massive corporate bailouts.

Indeed, it is the height of absurdity for US taxpayers to shell out US$16 billion in bailout money (and counting) to GM so the company can outsource jobs to China rather than employ Americans in Detroit. The only rational explanation for such an in-your-face proposal is that we are being "Fritzed".

In particular, this cars-from-China proposal may merely be a cynical bargaining ploy by GM chief executive Fritz Henderson to wring more concessions out of the United Auto Workers union. this is so, Fritz ought to be run out on a jackass from Detroit - he doesn't even warrant a car ride - and inducted right into the international CEO Hall of Shame.

If, however, Fritz and GM are serious, this proposal is just plain stupid from a US policy point of view. Under current anything but free-trade rules with China, GM could export its Chinese-made cars to the US. However, any cars that GM made in the US would be very difficult to export to the Chinese market.

It's not just that China slaps a heavy 25% tariff on American cars imported into China. As part of its Great Wall of Protectionism, China also imposes stiff domestic-content rules so that at least some of the US "imports" into China must contain Chinese auto parts.

more here
http://atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/KE19Dj06.html

In a presentation GM provided to some congressional offices, the automaker said it plans to import 17,335 vehicles from China to the U.S. in 2011 and 38,351 in 2012. The number of imported vehicles from China is expected to grow to 53,302 in 2013 and 51,546 in 2014.

more here
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090518/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_gm_1

[JVS]

5. RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!!

[slay]

7. I'll second that!

We should all be very concerned at Obama's willingness to look the other way at.. well.. just about everything it seems!!

[TexasObserver]

8. For me, this is the week when I finally said "what the hell he is doing?!"

I am sorely disappointed with what I consider to be President Obama's failure to have the courage needed to address so many wrongs that must be dealt with.

[western mass]

9. a month ago...

[SammyWinstonJack]

50. At the very least.

:thumbsup:

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. Why do I get the feeling this thread will wind up over at FR? They were right...

given a few more days, the Democratic party will implode, and they won't have to lift a finger.:crazy:

[slay]

11. Yes, we must NEVER question Obama

And I really don't give a fuck if this ends up over at FR or not. Hello FR peeps! Give me a break - like I'm going to censor my criticism of Obama out of fear that this will end up on FR?? REALLY? You're going to give them power over what you'll say? I have to admit, this is quite a show - but only because DU'ers are trying to say we can't criticize Obama. That doesn't play well with free speech advocates like me.

*edited my title so I'll be less likely to be attacked. Sad it has come to that.

[chatnoir]

13. I liked the old title, thought it fun

Was reminiscent of Harry Potter or similar (ie Lord Voldemort) :)

[slay]

15. Yeah but you know people would whine about it

So I just decided not to give um the opportunity - this time at least. :)

[KharmaTrain]

14. Sure Seems Like A Lot Of WIngnut WIshful Thinking...

The new meme appears to be that the liberals and other Democrats are abandoning President Obama and gladly look for tidbits off websites as examples. This is particularly the case of rushpublican spinners who love to project what Democrats think or what they should do...and when they can find any little morsel to use as an example, they go for it.

While I don't like to judge people on low post counts, seems like there's been a rash of such "concerned" new members lately.

[bos1]

21. exactly n/t

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

27. I'm not new. I just don't live here. I check in when I need my cage rattled...

...but if it makes you feel better about yourself to believe I'm a troll, I can't stop you.

[Tarheel_Dem]

34. Ding! Ding! Ding! I was presented with just such an example from my wingnut cousin.

That's why I'm almost sure that's what's going on here. His subject line was simply titled "Buyer's Remorse"? There's a concerted effort underway, from both the left and the right, to so weaken this president that he won't be able to get any of his domestic agenda accomplished.

[gtar100]

23. The democratic party will never be like the lock-step zombie republican party

That is its strength. And it is not recognized by freepers because they see solidarity at any cost as their strength. They have an ideology that looks for affirmations but they scorn contradictions. Liberal ideology at its basis won't let that happen. We revel in debate over contradictions, anomaly, and nuance.

You'll never change freepers. They need a change of heart first. Just don't be afraid of what they say. Often their own words are their undoing because anyone with an open mind can see the idiocy and self-serving spin of their assertions. As long as we don't let them go unchallenged, we'll be fine.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

25. I always thought that's one of many ways we differentiate ourselves from them...

We understand it's our obligation to question our leaders and hold them accountable. They, well, they are Britney Spears, "I think we should just trust our president in every decision he makes and should just support that, you know, and be faithful in what happens."

[ixion]

12. Personally, I was concerned BEFORE I voted for him

and thus far, my concerns have been validated by his actions, summed up as:

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"

The curtains change -- the branding -- and the juggernaut continues.

As one who took a chance and voted for him, I've been overall pretty freakin' disappointed.

Specifically:

-- I'm disappointed that his administration has chosen to continue Bush policies in many areas of the so-called WoT, Iraq, Afghanistan (in fact, we're escalating in Afghanistan, and now bombing Pakistan).

-- I'm concerned that the military tribunals will still be occurring, and that there is still the (bogus) designation of "enemy-combatant"

-- I'm REALLY disappointed at the way they've handled so-called "bailouts" a.k.a. "daylight robberies"

-- I'm concerned that the actions I see occurring are more token gestures than real change. The reality is that NOTHING has changed. Don't believe me? Go to the airport. The TSA nazis are still there to check your feet, and treat you like a criminal.

So yeah, I'm concerned and disappointed -- but that has sadly become a typical state for me regarding our government.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

28. Ah, I was hoping for someone to add to my list. Thanks.

The TSA had occured to me a while ago. I'm glad you brought it up.

Another concern is that doublespeak is beginning to creep into the Adm. :(

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

35. Do we need to learn from the past 8 years to make the requisite changes...

...to ensure we don't repeat the autrocities? Or, do we take our cue from Peggy Noonan? What did she say, something along the lines of turn the page and move forward. I don't have a direct quote, but I swear Obama was saying the former only a few months ago. But I do have a partial direct quote from this week.

That's exactly what President Obama was trying to avoid earlier this year when he shot down the idea of a truth commission by saying he wanted to "look forward, not backwards."

Analysis: Pelosi flap could advance 'truth commission'

By Mike Soraghan
Posted: 05/17/09 06:03 PM
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's fight with the CIA has put her in one of the toughest spots she's been in since she became speaker.

But it may also have advanced her goal of creating a "truth commission" to investigate the Bush administration's interrogation techniques and whether they amounted to illegal torture.

If nothing else, Pelosi's hard-to-prove assertion that the CIA lied to her in a briefing has renewed interest among Republicans and Democrats in what the Bush administration was doing with detainees six years ago and what it told Congress and other officials.

That's exactly what President Obama was trying to avoid earlier this year when he shot down the idea of a truth commission by saying he wanted to “look forward, not backwards.”

(more here)
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/analysis-pelosi-flap-could-advance-truth-commission-2009-05-17.html

[SammyWinstonJack]

51. TSA=Thousands Standing Around. What a power trip those people are on, eh?

[ixion]

55. yep... one big bumbling, fumbling, unconstitutional, walking, talking invasion of privacy, that lot

I'd like to see a return to the days prior to TSA.

[FLAprogressive]

17. Expect more snarky responses about ponies from the DLC / True Believer crowd.

they enjoy trivializing torture/wars/etc. as a "pony" issue.

Not that anyone's lives are at stake....

[BlooInBloo]

38. Nope. The only ones who are allowed to use that word on DU are you folks.

[bos1]

20. O. inherited TWO wars and a TANKING economy. He gets a minimum 1-year pass from me

Add to the list against him powerful, vicious, stop-at-nothing RW media machine, and naive/defeatist DUers who turn against him after only a couple months in office

[gtar100]

22. *Very* good points to keep in mind.

There is cause for concern but hell yes, the deck is stacked against him right now.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

29. Turned against him? Really?

Why'd you decide to take a dump all over a perfectly good post with that throw-away line about turning against him?

[RetroLounge]

30. So how much time does he need to rescind DADT?

he has two wars, arab wars, and yet gay arab interpreters are being kicked out of the army NOW.

So how much time does he need?

How many more will be booted before it's finally time?

:shrug:

RL

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

31. Obama Can Halt Gay Discharges With Executive Order

New Study: Obama Can Halt Gay Discharges With Executive Order
Military Law Experts Chart Course to End 16-Year Ban

SANTA BARBARA, CA, May 11, 2009 – A study released today by a team of military law experts shows that the president has the legal authority to end gay discharges with a single order. The idea of ending the ban by executive order has gained momentum in the wake of news that mission-critical personnel, including Arabic language speaker Dan Choi, continue to be fired under the Obama administration because they’re gay. Congressman Rush Holt endorsed an executive order to end the ban on Saturday and National Security Adviser James Jones was asked about it by George Stephanopoulos on Sunday morning. The report, “How to End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’: A Roadmap of Political, Legal, Regulatory, and Organizational Steps to Equal Treatment,” is sponsored by the Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dadt/releases/New+Study+Says+Obama+Can+Halt+Gay+Discharges+With+Executive+Order

[bos1]

32. He needs the time to make the change work politically or else have half the US go nuts

just like broaching the issue was a disaster for Pres. Clinton.

Four months into his presidency, with all that's against him -- is not the time.

[RetroLounge]

36. Bullshit...

EOM

RL

[bos1]

44. articulate

[SammyWinstonJack]

52. It's never the 'time' politically speaking, is it? NEVER!

:eyes:

[bos1]

54. you hyperbolize. n/t

[DU GrovelBot]

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[SoCalDem]

37. There are just some people who can be, and are calm..they weigh their actions

and do not swing wildly at every ball pitched to them.

There is 8+ years' worth of shit to shovel, and it will not be done smartly..in a hurry.

Some of the harm done may never be washed away..

Whenever I hear this type of criticism, I just think of two words, and it calms me right down...

President McCain

[bos1]

47. well put

the first part about biding his time. Sometimes I think Obama might be making big mistakes or succumbing to pressure, then I see him at things like the Notre Dame or the WH Press dinner and see his calm confidence and realize he is proceeding according to plan

[Skittles]

49. just because we can envision something worse

does not mean we cannot envision something better

[RetroLounge]

53. exactly

:applause:

RL

[Cha]

39. None of you know the inner

workings of the White House's agenda or appreciate what has been accomplished.

How do you know he's not concerned? How do know he's not more concerned than you are?

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

40. What do you know?

How do you know that?

[Cha]

42. Yeah, answer my question with

a question..just as I thought..no appreciation for what's been accomplished and you know nothing of what's going on behind the scenes.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

43. No appreciation? Really?

Pause for concern = No appreciation, eh?

To answer your question. I don't know. I thought I did know a few months ago, but I have pause for concern today.

[1]

45. president obama is doing exactly what president obama needs to be doing...

chill the fuck out.

dude is doing the right thing.

[spanone]

57. i think our President is concerned about all of the above.