I think I've reached the end of my "Obama's just another suit" phase.

[Zix]

I'm not in the habit of worshipping politicians, I think it's a bad idea. But recent lists of foreign policy initiatives and his announcement that he would end DADT have won me over.

It's true that he hasn't laid down a timetable or committed to any particular process, but, actually, I no longer think that's a bad sign.

Obama is *very careful* about what he says, if nothing else, so - you know what? This gay man is going to assume that by the end of his tenure DADT will be gone.

I really don't think he's the kind of guy who would have said it if he wasn't sure he could do it.

[Fumesucker]

1. One word.. FISA.. n/t

[Zix]

2. Would you mind expanding on that?

[Fumesucker]

5. If you don't understand the reference there is a lot of backstory you need to learn..

http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx0602408

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/1632

[Oregone]

8. Hey, that reminds me...

That was the last shitty legislation I lived under in the US

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3589610

[nightrain]

10. good for you...

[Zix]

13. Thank you for the link, and, yes, I understood the reference,

I just wondered if you had anything further to say.

I'll say this - he changed his position on FISA before he was elected. Now that he has a clearer view of his resources (presidents know more than presidential candidates) he has *maintained* his position on DADT. That says a lot to me.

[Fumesucker]

17. Obama gets cred from the Village every time he stiffs "the left"..

Civil libertarians and gays are pretty much groups Obama can stiff and it'll make him more popular with the Village..

That's really the point I was trying to convey.

[Zix]

18. Okay, thanks, I didn't really get that.

Can you envisage a solution? I confess ignorance of the what you describe.

[Fumesucker]

21. I can *envisage* a solution, but it'll never happen..

Change the culture of the Village, the M$M and Washington DC.

Listen to the bobbleheads sometime, the only time Obama gets unalloyed praise from them is when he somehow fucks over his supposed "base".

[Zix]

23. My suspicion is that he can distiguish between the two.

...however, you know more about this than me. Can you point me at the bobbleheads? Do they make their views known anywhere in easily accessible electronic text?

By which I mean sites that don't cost money.

Actually I might go and listen to them even you point me at a site that requires a submission fee.

[Fumesucker]

25. Nah, the mainstream media and offical Washington never make it onto teh intertoobz..

Being so weak and powerless and all.

[nightrain]

6. my guess is--it's easy to talk the talk, but walking the walk is much more difficult....

nevertheless, Obama had courage to attend and be supportive. Bush wouldn't have done that, nor Clinton. Wee bit of progress...

[bvar22]

27. Two more words:

"Renegotiate NAFTA"


two more words:
"support EFCA" (Employee Free Choice Act)

[BlooInBloo]

28. I agree - on state secrets stuff, he looks to have been pretty bad so far...

I do recall seeing something within the last week or so saying he was putting something in place to make that a bit better. But still, that's just one thing (and I don't recall the full details of it offhand).

[nightrain]

3. we'll see what gets delivered...

[backscatter712]

4. He's gonna be under a lot more pressure to deliver.

Now that he made that promise in front of the entire nation, people are going to expect him to carry it out. I'd think he's smart enough not to make such promises if he didn't have the means or the intention to carry them out.

[ruggerson]

7. He's made the promise numerous times

there was nothing new whatsoever in what he said.

Had he given specifics or endorsed the bill that is in the House, THAT would have been news.

[nightrain]

9. yep. let's hope he doesn't do a 180...

[Diane R]

11. Excellent OP.

[Zix]

15. Thank you.

[mr1956]

12. I'll reserve my allocates on the repeal until it's actually done

I remain a huge Obama supporter but I think this, along with getting rid of DoMA, will be the hardest legislations to get through. I believe he honestly wants these affronts to civil rights to be undone, but there is a huge gulf between wanting and getting it done. I wish him the best of luck.

[nightrain]

14. yep. I support Obama to the degree that he's less reactive than Bush, and feel disappointed in

some/many of his decisions of late. Will be interested to see if he withdraws from Afghanistan or continues that bloodshed.

[Skittles]

16. still in the middle

he talks a lot but......we'll see

[ruggerson]

19. Zix

why do you say the "announcement" that he would end DADT?

He has made this pledge countless times before.

[Zix]

22. Well, it's still an "announcement", old chap...

...even if he says it lots and lots. :)

Even if this version's simply a reiteration of stance, shouldn't we at least entertain the possibility that he actually wants to do it?

[ruggerson]

24. I do entertain that

I think he DOES want to end DADT. I think there is a religious constituency that he does not wish to offend and this makes him move very cautiously on gay issues.

I also thinks he has no problem with gay marriage and is lying when he says otherwise.

IOW, I think he positions himself very strategically and very politically on these issues.

I'd like a little more fierce, transformational warrior and a little less politician once in a while.

[OregonBlue]

20. I think there is a lot of change going on we don't see. There was a guy on CSPAN yesterday

who was talking about the great encouragement and response he is getting from the Obama Administration re: putting all government rules, reg, laws etc., on a State, County, City level on the internet. In the past it was only the police, lawyers, politicians who had access to all rules, by-laws, laws, etc. and that it will be a huge change when any ordinary citizen can actually look at all of the information (including also the meeting minutes from various city councils, state regulators, etc. when these laws, etc. were created).

I gather there are many projects like that going on that will fundamentally change the country but we just don't hear about it.

[lamp_shade]

26. K&R

[Captain Hilts]

29. Hiring a trucking lobbyist to watch over trucking. Hiring GE's pollution defender to enforce

pollution laws for DoJ. The secret deal with PhRMA.

Yes, I think, overall, he's doing a good job, but he IS a politician. Root for a sports team, rock band or movie actor.

Even FDR could be a total tool. Who is President Obama's Eleanor/Ickes/Marshall?