Can we get a thread of support for our President without someone crapping on it?

[Mortos]

I support our president and every time I go to a post that praises something he does whether it be something as simple as; hey look, President Obama makes children smile, some critic has to post; I bet he won't be smiling when he is working as a child laborer when the corporatists take over with Obama's help.

So my request is simple. A single thread with none of that. Make your own thread if you want to bash him (they are free and you can make as many as you want). But on this one, if you don't have anything nice to say...

Here is my nice thing.

I am so proud of President Obama and the first lady who, as representatives of our country, bring a positive image to the rest of the world. They are in India tonight and the images of the respect they have been shown by the leaders and every day citizens in that country are an incredible counter to the anti-America demonstrations that took place 4 years ago when President Bush visited the same country.

Thank you President Obama for restoring a positive image to our country and people across the globe.

[LoZoccolo]

1. The administrators considered creating a dedicated partisan forum.

They've shelved the idea for now though.

Also you can go to the Barack Obama Group; the link is in my signature line.

[Skittles]

2. I have voted in support of him TWICE

[Mortos]

3. I only voted for him once.

But I will vote for him twice.

[Skittles]

4. I am just curious but

how can you say that without even knowing what will happen in the next two years? How do you know he'd even run again?

[Mortos]

5. And it begins...

Seems like this was a simple request. Say something nice about our President. How hard is that?

[Skittles]

10. come on

it's a fair question - how do you have such faith in someone? How do you KNOW you'll be so enthused in two years?

Something nice? I like very much that Obama doesn't embarrass America every time he speaks

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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[LooseWilly]

7. I like cheap shrimp...

Say... can you make me a deal on amputated limbs too?... I'm thinking long pork... just brainstorming... you know, trying to do my part for the economy. If you maybe have a regular source... some BBQ...

[Fruittree]

17. Must be hard living with such a cynical view of life.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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

[Lisa D]

11. I think you need to read the OP again.

You seem to be the only one talking about loyalty pledges.

[Skittles]

15. he read it correctly

[Skittles]

14. get with the program, ThomCat, ye of little faith

:rofl:

[Catherina]

12. Something wrong with the BOG? n/t

[Skittles]

13. lol

uh huh

[RichGirl]

16. I am so proud of the president because...

...there has never been a president who has had such huge problems and oppositon and has handled them with grace and intelligence. Other presidents have had to deal with depressions, economic problems, wars, etc, but not in the global climate we are in now and not with the likes of Glen Beck pounding away at them and not with an apposing party fighting him every step of the way. He's had more personal hatred directed at him, had his birth and religious beliefs questioned. The right-wing conspiracy that does very much exist and went after Clinton, is even more rabid now.

I've been around too long to believe a single president can create miracles. When I voted for change it wasn't that I thought first month in office, wham bam everything is fixed. You may recall that he was criticized, even by democrats, BEFORE he was even inaugurated. The expectations were so high that nothing was ever good enough and no one appreciated how huge the problems and how near impossible to solve.

Anyway...when I voted for change is wasn't so much because of what he could do...because I know how limited that is...but because of who he is. The change we have gotten is a president who is intelligent, knowledgable, very hard working and most of all for me, someone
I can truly trust. Trust that he knows more than I do, is doing his very best for me and all Americans and people all over the world.

[HipChick]

18. +100!...Wish I could rec your post!..I am realistic about the change I expect

and what it takes to get legislation passed...

[JoePhilly]

31. Me too ....

[Fruittree]

19. I completely support Barack Obama and believe he's a great

president. Do I agree with everything our government does? No. But I do see in Pres. Obama someone who is putting their heart and soul into trying to do the right thing within the context of a world that very much is filled with wrong things. If people wanted a screamer who was going to do public battle with everyone, they would obviously be disappointed - if they wanted slow, methodical change they should be pretty happy. Some of the voices I see already on this thread demonstrate why Democrats can't win elections consistently and why Democrats can't safely move to the left. A bill could have 9 out of 10 things people wanted and there would be an outcry over that 1 that was missing.

[CakeGrrl]

20. To answer your question, no. The chronic critics CANNOT help themselves. n/t

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[ampad]

41. Spot on!

Gonna leave it at that as to not break any DU rules.

[lamp_shade]

21. Nope.

[CmonMan]

22. Agreed! N/T

[Hekate]

23. Apparently not at DU, unless you hide in the BOG....

Then they make fun of you for hiding in the BOG. :eyes:

In the meantime -- out there in the real world -- someone posted a link to NDTV, a television station in India, where afaict they are doing 24/7 Obama coverage while he's there. I've seen the Obamas laying a wreath at Ghandi's grave, the two of them dancing with little schoolchildren, and the POTUS addressing university students. POTUS has held a joint presser with PM Singh. Intelligent panel discussions have been held discussing the meaning of US-India relations.

The Indians seem to like him. How much of any of this have you seen on CNN?

Hekate

[cornermouse]

28. The problem with the trip to India in one word.

Outsourcing. How many of us have had family members who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing overseas? India was not a good idea.

[Hekate]

58. India is an excellent idea: Obama is working on fixing that perception.Jobs/money can flow both ways

It was the panel discussion I got a glimpse of that started me looking at India/US relations in a new way -- also the journalists ask intelligent questions.

I don't have the whole picture yet, to be sure, but there is a lot more to learn than the sound-bites we've been fed by the media and political candidates. I am now eager to learn more.

Once again, it needs to be pointed out that George W. Bush's method of handling conflict is counterproductive. Bush, as we know to our regret, would either pretend a problem didn't exist or attack it with the Air Force and Marines (literally). He went with his gut, which was full of shit.

President Obama evidently believes in handling problems head-on -- with his head, which is full of brains. Let's see what comes of this.

Hekate

[cornermouse]

67. No. It isn't. It really is not.

The count so far is 22,000 jobs for certain and a promise for another 50,000 if I remember correctly. Promises can be broken, especially if breaking it will make a corporation richer than it would be if it kept it. Speaking as someone who has watched a sibling, who worked for a major corporation that is infamous for outsourcing, spend more than 10 years hopping from one position to another as the aforementioned corporation sent the jobs to India you better not expect my family or the people who he replaced to have warm fuzzy feelings toward India. Obama making the announcement from India was almost insulting. Notice I haven't even mentioned the $10,000,000,000 I guess we're giving them.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

69. Would you have a problem with him visiting Latin America?

Illegal immigrants tend to come from thereabouts, displacing workers here. Or do you just care about the "good jobs"?

[PuffedMica]

24. K&R

[cornermouse]

26. You do realize what you're describing is an echo chamber, right?

Is that a democratic value?

[Bluenorthwest]

27. A quote from a great President:

"To announce that there should be no criticism of the President, or that we should stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, it is morally treasonable to the American public."
Teddy Roosevelt

[treestar]

44. Where is the part where he said that applied to any one thread

on Democratic underground?

Where is the part where he said you have to find fault with everything or you're a blind idiot.

[Bluenorthwest]

82. It says what it says.

And TR nor myself need to call anyone names. And I for one am aware of the fact that there was no internet in TR's day. That would make it hard for him to mention DU or 'threads'.
Those who lash out and speak of absurdities and call names and speak to what is not said do that for a reason.
That quote says what it says, and it stands as a part of our collective history and culture. And yes, it is pre-internet.

[ellie]

29. I completely support President Obama

the people who don't and think someone better is going to come along and save them really need to grow up and face reality.

[SidDithers]

30. K&R...nt

Sid

[BlueGirlRedState]

32. Count me in!

I support the President! I loved his wide, beautiful smile when he was interviewed on 60 Minutes last night.

[Mortos]

33. I didn't think so.

Thanks to all of my fellow DU'ers who said something nice about the President.


It's unbelievable that with all of the thousands of posts critical of the president and the unlimited availability of blank pages here on DEMOCRATIC Underground to further espouse critical opinions that people who want to criticize, and I have criticized him, can't respect the wishes of one poster in one post to not do so.

Still like my President and will vote for him again in two years, now just to piss off people, cause I am a blind follower like that.

[de novo]

35. What is the point of one thread with no criticisms?

Is it like a pep rally for your favorite football player? I just don't see the value, other than "Rah! Rah!"


It is devoid of any substance.

[Mortos]

37. He is my "favorite football player"

and this is my thread and I get to decide what it's about. This is Democratic Underground right? A place for democrats to come and support democratic candidates? Just wondering. The value of it is to give those of us who still support the president an opportunity to voice that support without people shitting all over it and us.

Devoid of substance? With that logic, is any thread or post on any website anywhere actually substantive? Do they actually accomplish anything?

Please add some substance to my inconsequential thread oh great one. Enlighten me with your wisdom. Teach me the ways of the critical cynic.

[de novo]

38. I just don't see the value.

If the thread was about an actual issue, a story or an event, I can see the value. We can debate the merits of a policy, educate people on the values of positions. We can warn of a dangerous repug tactic.

See, posts with actual topics, raising awareness and debate have real substance. Thread that seek to only rally DU posters into dishing out glowing praise are empty and meaningless.

Aside from that, the tone in the OP opened the thread with an invitation of critical response. If you really want a all positive thread for a person, you can do that in the Brack Obama Group. If you start a thread in on of the open forums, you really don't get a say in what people respond with.

[Mortos]

43. So I don't get a say on what people post,

but you do?

[de novo]

57. Neither of us get a say in the open forum.

But, I can say it is boring to have a thread void of any content other than 'the president is awesome!'

[Mortos]

75. Yeah, it's incredibly boring to have an awesome president

Let's bring back Bush, man those were exciting times.

[donheld]

76. So that's it.

If we have criticizims of Obama we must want Bush back? Are we not allowed to try to ask for a tougher President. If we do it means we want Bushie back. That line got old long long ago.

[treestar]

53. Interesting.

You see no point in talking about anyone but about their faults?

There is no substance unless something negative is said?

[de novo]

56. Nope. Try again.

[mstinamotorcity]

34. The President is a Good President

It is okay to disagree with political issues. But when you see a post on someone's opinion of the President personally, it just that, their fucking opinion. If there is no bases of fact or no reason for the bashing then you know who and what they are.We must have Diplomatic relationships with other countries to achieve certain things in our country. Like National Security. But you will have those who will be angry at him because of outsourcing when he had nothing to do with it. One of the reasons President Obama was elected. Now he is supposed to fore go Diplomatic relations because republicans outsourced your jobs??? Another Noise machine bleep that has been implanted in their head.


TOMBStone

[InvisibleTouch]

36. Probably not, which is pretty shameful.

I do support your sentiment, though, and share your wish.

K&R

[ampad]

39. It is call snark

and a simple way of getting around the flame rule without actually posting a flame post. If you ever notice GD is ground zero for criticism. Which makes you wonder why some of them feel the need to crap in post such as " First lady Obama supports military spouses" Why not start your own thread and be done with it. And oh this "he demands loyalty and dissent is dissent is total crap. Look, if their opinion is that important then why not start their own thread. Why are they burying their all so important negative opinion in an OP full of positive post about the president? Ever wonder about that OP? Hell start it over at GD where they will be +1, and hell yea! right on, and all that jazz. Says more about them than it does the OP who generally does not come back to the post and say anything about the snark.

That thread in regards to the first lady supports military spouses is a good example. I went to that thread to post ( I am a military wife) the very first post said "yea as long as they are not gay" I mean come on people. I hate to tell you but there are other things going on within the military other than DADT. I can hear the gasp and the accusations now. YOU HATE THE GAY!!!! oh please. Yesterday I called a good friend who is the hospital. She had her baby early something like 6 weeks early. Her husband is out to sea and she is just now getting the news to him. Oh yea she lost her job a couple of weeks after he went underway. Thank god the community had her back and came together with food and baby supplies. That is the message that Michelle Obama was getting out there. Look out for the spouse who is on his/her own. They are there and may need your support. As a military spouse who is often alone I thank her for that. Great post OP

[ampad]

40. Oh one more thing

Ignore is your friend. I suspect that many do what they do to get under your skin and for the attention.

[rasputin1952]

42. FWIW, there have been a lot of advances under PO...

most have been listed innumerably, so why go through it all again.

There is an old business axiom-like thing that goes something along the lines of, "a satisfied customer may tell one or two people of the fine service they received; but a dissatisfied customer will tell dozens of his/her experience."

Kind of the same thing applies here, some feel as though their particular point was never addressed so they complain, the complaints grow louder and more furious as no "relief" is found. In a very short period of time, displeasure turns to anger and eventually rage. When anger enters the equation, it is difficult to recall anything good, when rage enters the equation, seeing any good is virtually impossible.

Throughout our lives, we've lived in incrementation, everything has moved incrementally; education, a job, searching for and getting a better job, a raise in pay. There are times when we "want it all now", but rarely, if ever, do we get what we want, and how do we know that our personal view is best for all?

Some things like Equality are certainly best for all, but even so, we get there incrementally...women didn't get suffrage until 1920, fully 50%+ of the population were denied a Right we take for granted today. Politics is a game, a war and fire all mixed up in a pot, we compromise because we realize that extremes hardly ever work out for the common good. Compromise means it will take time, we are back at incrementation.

No single person, no single entity has the power to change anything in the immediate tense. Laws passed or rescinded are done so as they are accepted or rejected. It may be law, but not all people will follow the law, it may be a social more, but not all people will follow said more. Every change takes time, often a great deal of time.

But I digress...the point is, it is far easier to complain than act, it is far easier to find discouragement than encouragement, these are choices we make. We can see light, even a little, or we can stumble in the darkness. I prefer light and warmth, and will continue to move toward it.

[bigwillq]

45. These threads never go well.

You just set yourself up for the critics.
Sorry, but there can never really be a thread free from critics, especially when the words "without someone crapping on it" are used in the subject line.
I don't care what subject it's on: Cats, dogs, fish, carrots, onions....when someone puts that in the subject line, someone will crap on it.

[AspenRose]

48. *nodding*

It's like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Or saying don't think of pink elephants.

[Phx_Dem]

46. No shit! (no pun intended).

I am as sick of the Democratic haters as I am of the teabagging haters.

Thank you for saying it!

[Iggo]

47. Oh, jeez...

...really?

[polichick]

49. Why not write a private letter so you can control every word? nt

[woo me with science]

79. +1

:rofl:

[madamesilverspurs]

50. Thanks for trying.

Sadly, there are those who simply can't resist the opportunity to piss in somebody else's punchbowl. Say something positive about anyone and they'll be right here to put their stink on it. Given what such behavior says about them, it's clear they have nothing to offer and the conversation is instantly improved by putting them on ignore.

[The Second Stone]

51. Yes, let's not exercise our right to dissent in this thread

Go Obama!

[jgraz]

66. I disagree with that!

Oh shit -- sorry. :blush:

[impik]

52. No, we can't

There's a massive attempt out there to bring this president down. It's a true bipartisanship. It's so moving to see the country comes together like this.

[Vidar]

54. No.

[cornermouse]

55. Look. If you really need/want to do something you feel that supports

President Obama, wouldn't it be more effective and reasonable to make a cyber thank-you card or note, have people sign it and send it to the White House? What you're doing here... There's no real point to it.

[AtomicKitten]

59. Apparently not, but thanks for trying.

:patriot:

[Scurrilous]

60. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Hydra]

61. Can I get a Public option?

Can I get a Clean(ish) Gulf of Mexico?
Can I get a no coal or fraking zone?
Can I get a Green Jobs program?
Can I get an end to corporate personhood and a cap on political donations?
Can I get a full withdrawl from Iraq and Afghanistan?
Can I get transparency and an end to domestic spying?

The answer to those questions are the answer to your OP.

[impik]

77. No, but you'll get a better president in 2012. He'll give you all that and much more

un less than two years. I can't wait to see this place after the new Bush gets in office. It'll be hilarious.

[Hydra]

80. *laughs*

Bad timing- The President just told us he sold us a Republican health care program while pretending to do otherwise.

At least all of us will be united here if the person in the WH has a -R after their name.

[JNelson6563]

62. Short answer? No.

[merkins]

63. Don't crap on me and then ask again.

Really

[saracat]

64. Are you suggesting suppressing discussion on a discussion board???

Do you also suggest presidential apologia be discouraged in threads disagreeing with the Prez? Perhaps all conversations should be confined to echo chambers?

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

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

[saracat]

78. I am not the one who posts "'hate" anywhere. I do post my support of Democratic candidates everywher...

and I also worked my butt off for my local candidates in this and every election. Dissent with policy and dissent with the WH is not "hatred", and your response doesn't even address the question.

[jgraz]

65. Welcome to Teh Internets

Shall we review the concept of a discussion board?

[Safetykitten]

68. I like how he is always surprised.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

70. No, but if you posted a KO/Rachel/DK/etc. support thread, you'd be vilified for disagreeing.

[Snarkoleptic]

71. Mebbe after I get my pony, but don't hold me to that.

[ProudDad]

72. NOPE... (n/t)

[donheld]

74. I vote no

[Tarheel_Dem]

81. Too late to rec, but let me give you an appreciative one of these:

:kick: