Why has POTUS NOT commented on Police actions ...?!!?

[FirstLight]

I am posting this earlier reply as an OP at the urging of a couple other DUers. The way things have gone today, i was almost afraid i'd be TSed or tarred and feathered for even speaking this. But here goes:
~~~~

While I understand that some would like to think that I am an Obama hater, it is not the case...but the recent developments and the letdowns of the past few years have really been gut-churning..the loss of some really great public momentum, war and guantanomo continuing regardless of campaign promises...etc
But that stuff is really 'superficial' when I think of the events that have unfolded in the past few weeks and the lack of leadership, yes, LEADERSHIP we have seen from our esteemed Nobel Peace Prize winning POTUS. It makes me cringe, it makes me feel sadness in the hollow of my gut.

Let's RECAP
we have a 24 year old VETERAN with brain damage who has lost speech
we have reporters arrested and pepper sprayed, aerial camera crews who were forbidden to shoot, photographers roughed up, etc.
we have another man in the hospital with a broken back and loss of use of an arm
we have TEARGAS, LRAD and RUBBER BULLETS becoming the NORM in some of these cities when Occupy and Police (and anti-terrorism units) meet
The list goes on...and I don't need to attribute each of these infractions on our LIBERTIES - since everyone else here has posted these stories before, we know them, we have read them and wept over them ourselves...

For those of you who think the POTUS should stay out of Municipalities, that's great, I get it, you don't like micro-management...
BUT
This is not about asking the CEO to get involved with mid management...
THESE ARE ATTACKS on AMERICANS BY AMERICANS on AMERICAN SOIL
This is VIOLATION of CONSTITUTIONAL Rights
This is against the law, both the written and moral

And, as the PRESIDENT, who SWORE to uphold the CONSTITUTION, He SHOULD have something to say about it!!!
Jesus, I thought he was a CONSTITUTIONAL Scholar for crissakes!

...and just to make my point that much more clear...
When Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, etc had their own standoffs with Protestors and police
Our Pres and Secretary of State were the FIRST to make an International Spectacle/Statement.
they went on & on about human rights, and the rights of citizens to demand government listen to them.
...I'm sorry, is it not okay when the shoe is on the other foot?


For all the things that Obama said when campaigning in 2008 that made me weep, for the hope I felt at the inauguration and the pride with which I shared that with my kids... today,because of his CHOICE to be SILENT, it has been replaced with more than disappointment and simmering rage

[msongs]

1. read earlier on DU - obama says let the local authorities handle it their own way wink wink nt

[FirstLight]

2. ya...a spokesperson said it

i am talking about a real Press Conference or some kind of REAL statement about this rash of Amendment-Breakers

[msongs]

3. this spokesman is authorized to speak for the president nt

[Amonester]

4. Here's the address: (why do I have to tell you what to do?)

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address

Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: [phone]


And why haven't you written THIS to him yet? (If you didn't...)

[villager]

5. Profiles in Lack of Courage

n/t

[BklnDem75]

6. Where's your ire towards Bloomberg?

You know, the guy that actually authorized the action? I simply don't believe this isn't one of several attempts to blame/hate on Obama. It's not Obama's job to usurp the mayor's authority no matter how much you wish it.

[provis99]

7. then I guess you're glad Kennedy never spoke about civil rights violations in Alabama.

[BklnDem75]

14. Because civil rights was just a problem in Alabama, right?

It wasn't a national problem that needed to be addressed. I can see how you can compare the two. :eyes:

[Mimosa]

39. But JFK did, more than once

JFK speech on Civil Rights:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkcivilrights.htm


As somebody who lived through the traumatic 1960s (assassinations, war, protests and Lyndon Johnson) and 1970s (more wars and Richard Nixon) what's going on now I predicted. I knew when Americans lost jobs, many would recognise that we're sinking.

And the politicians and corporations don't want to help anybody. I believe the Department of Homeland Security and the Patriot Act were devised to suppress societal uprisings.

[provis99]

47. yes, I know, that was the point!

I was being sarcastic.

[FirstLight]

10. I have no doubt that all the mayors

involved in these cities and raids are worthy of ire...and yes, i'd like to be pissed at the cops too.
I'm not talking about them...I asked about our leader who has a freaking NOBEL PEACE prize and is so quick to say something or get involved with another country's protests...but has no words about the VIOLATION of our OWN Constitution!

this is not about Obama bashing, i already said that, i also said why i want to hear from HIM on this

[BklnDem75]

13. It is what it is, more bashing

Obama's in Australia right now, doing what other Presidents normally without the added grief.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SwampG8r]

27. here is a source backing me

here is a source backing my position lets see yours?
i will wait very patiently as it will be a long while
were-occupy-crackdowns-aided-by-federal-law-enforcement-agencies
or will you again after being shown wrong run off for a thread delete?

[BklnDem75]

28. What source?

You got your own thread deleted with your 'true believers' bs. I'm sure you can get your point across without insulting others.

[bvar22]

30. I didn't vote for Bloomberg.

I don't expect him to LEAD.


The attacks on OWS were coordinated at a national level.
Law Enforcement is organized UNDER the Executive Branch.
The President IS the TOP Law Enforcement official in the USA.
He has an OBLIGATION to publicly address this issue.




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
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[treestar]

35. The Top Law Enforcement Official for the federal government

[BklnDem75]

36. Mayor Bloomberg on Occupy Wall Street: 'The Final Decision to Act Was Mine and Mine Alone'

Overnight, the encampment at Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan that sparked a national movement highlighting income inequality in America was uprooted by the New York City Police Department.

On Monday morning, Michael Bloomberg -- who, it should probably be noted, is also a billionaire and hence part of the 1 percent the Occupy Wall Street movement was protesting, in addition to being mayor of New York -- took sole responsibility for the action he said he ordered at the behest of Brookfield Properties, which owns the park, and out of concern for the health and safety of protestors and the neighborhood as the encampment neared its two-month anniversary.

"Make no mistake, the final decision to act was mine and mine alone," Bloomberg said in a morning news conference at City Hall.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/11/mayor-bloomberg-on-occupy-wall-street-the-final-decision-to-act-was-mine-and-mine-alone/248496/


Feel free to stick to your unsupported conspiracy theories. It was Bloomberg's decision, period.

[bvar22]

41. Harry Truman:

Leadership! "The Buck Stops HERE!" NO Excuses!




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
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[BklnDem75]

44. Awesome quote! Now learn the meaning

Buck passing or passing the buck is the act of attributing another person or group with responsibility for one's own actions.

Keep trying. Keep trying.

[Number23]

43. +1 Appreciate your diligence in trying to break through with some of the hopeless here

The Repub mayor of NY says "it was my fault and mine alone" for taking the actions that occurred in New York and folks STILL want to blame the president as if he has or had any goddamned control or say so over the situation.

But yeah, we know. "Feet to the fire" all that bullshit...

[BklnDem75]

45. It's pretty amusing

It certainly kills the time on a dreary Wednesday.

[pnwmom]

8. The truth is more complicated than you're implying.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2319390

[Bozita]

9. WOW! ... I see what you meant, FirstLight

And I repeat myself...




As I type this, the President is holding a presser. He's expanding our military in Australia. Corporate America must be cheering this move.

Mainstreet America, not so much.

[Tx4obama]

11. Here's a link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2317872

[FirstLight]

15. You show me a link to a story from OCT 18? really?

This was before Oakland's first breakdown,before Scott Olsen, before this week's coordinated effort...

and it is still a weak ass excuse for any real "statement" from our POTUS

[Tx4obama]

16. Like it or not it IS a statement. I've seen some folks say Obama hasn't said anything at all ...

I just wanted to post the link before folks on this thread began saying the same thing.

Goodnight :)

[vaberella]

12. Where is the hate towards Bloomberg?! I'm from New York and our Mayor advocates this.

But he learned from the best. New York has been a police state since the 90s.

[boppers]

18. I take it you've never lived in an actual police state.

Let me know when New York requires a government license to use a printer, or fax machine, or internet connection.

Until then, I suggest you educate yourself on what a police state looks like.

Hint: It does not mean "a state that has police".

[vaberella]

32. I won't deny it's an exaggeration.

But I will say...that as a Black woman. It's well known in the Black community...that you do not stay out late at night in case you have a run in with the cops while being Black. And this fear of the cops in Black communities started during Guilliani. I remember wonder I was walking by the met and I have no clue...why the entire street was littered with SWAT---let's say it created a scandal. Then there's the from time to time checks to make sure we're carrying ID and/or bag check into subways...

I don't think in a free nation that I have to be afraid of walking down the street because of being attacked by the people sworn to protect me. Lastly...most (if not all) get out of most court lawsuits without a problem.

[Mimosa]

40. Bloomberg has always been a horrid, petty little man.

His tyrannical streak was demonstrated early. He wants to control what people eat, for heaven's sake!

[boppers]

17. Subject line FAIL.

Ignorance is not an excuse.

[TransitJohn]

19. His DOJ & DHS is likely coordinating them. eom

n/t

[harun]

49. Of course they are. They are the representatives of the 1%, it's their job.

[woo me with science]

51. Of course they are. nt

[lamp_shade]

20. You don't seem to be getting anywhere with this. Perhaps it's time to hang it up and move along. n/t

[polmaven]

21. Well, because he is very busy right now!

A tree limb broke off the tree up the street from my house yesterday, and landed on the sidewalk! The city hasn't come to get it yet, so he has a lot of other things to do!!

[SwampG8r]

22. because he agrees with them

[NorthCarolina]

24. Rec'd to zero. nt

[Life Long Dem]

25. Rec'd to negative one. nt

[Cigar11]

26. We have 15 Federal Departments;

... most of which the GOP says in too much Government and wants to abolish anyway.

Attacks on Americans from within America fall under the Department of Justus, responsible for the enforcement of the Law, after Local and State resources are perused.

Think about; all the other 14 Department want equal time.

[Tarheel_Dem]

29. Should he assemble a national press conference to comment? Hasn't he voiced support in the past?

Should he also comment on the murder, and alleged sexual assault that took place at OWS? I get that some of you have difficulty separating activism from governance, but if the president "spoke out" on every fucking thing you guys think he should "speak out" on, he'd be hoarse til 2012.

I'm sorry, but the whining is counterproductive & seemingly very well orchestrated, and I imagine quite lucrative for the "activists" among us. I'm seeing a narrative forming, where the failure of OWS will be directly because of Obama, but any success will be in spite of Obama. I love how you guys can have it both ways, and never get called on your obvious hypocrisy. :hi:

[bvar22]

31. I agree with you, and recced to zero.

The attacks on OWS were coordinated at a national level.
Law Enforcement is a department of the Executive Branch.
President Obama IS the Top Law Enforcement Official in the USA.
He has an obligation to address these abuses.


Obama's Army, Jan. 20th, 2009

You would think he would reciprocate,
and WANT to LEAD.
YES. WE. CAN!!!
CHANGE!



Instead, Obama's Army is marching without him.
How sad is that?
He "coulda been a contender"





You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FirstLight]

33. very true

remarkable image, donchathink? now i'd like to see the Occupy movement create that same picture...because we need to DEMAND the change we deserve.

god, i hope we aren't coming to a 'storm the bastille' moment...but then again, it may be about that time

[treestar]

34. Why do people continue to think as if the President can

make things happen or stop things from happening just by speaking about them? What fantasy of power is this? People still think the President is their puppet for whatever they want done after all this time.

And maybe he has a lot of things to do, other than figure out what each individual American wants to hear.

And if he said something about it, but you didn't agree, you'd be saying he should STFU no doubt.

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. +1

:thumbsup:

[bvar22]

38. I don't really buy that "The President is WEAK" nonsense,

...and it really isn't a good marketing platform to sell his re-election in 2012.
America LOVES fighters and people who LEAD from the front.
Like most Americans, I would rather Fight & Lose,
then to run from a fight because we might not have enough votes.

"Strong and successful presidents (meaning those who get what they want - whether that happens to be good for the country or not) do not accept "the best deal on the table". They take out their carpentry tools and the build the goddam piece of furniture themselves. Strong and successful presidents do not get dictated to by the political environment. They reshape the environment into one that is conducive to their political aspirations."

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/07/17

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."
-Rev Martin Luther King Jr.



Leadership! "The Buck Stops HERE!" NO Excuses!




You will know them by their WORKS,
Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Skittles]

42. he needs to stay out of it

a lot of the anger out there is because of disappointment in HIM

[BlueIris]

46. He's a detached, conflict-phobe who doesn't want to be affiliated with activists.

Not hard to figure out. I feel kinda bad for anyone expecting action from this White House on any issue.

[elleng]

48. President Obama said

“The most important thing we can do right now is those of us in leadership letting people know that we understand their struggles and we are on their side, and that we want to set up a system in which hard work, responsibility, doing what you’re supposed to do, is rewarded,” Obama said. “And that people who are irresponsible, who are reckless, who don’t feel a sense of obligation to their communities and their companies and their workers that those folks aren’t rewarded.”

[Amonester]

50. He also said

"We have embraced the chance to show that America values the dignity of the street vendor in Tunisia more than the raw power of the dictator" ...

If it was good for the citizens of Tunisia, why shouldn't it be good for the citizens of the U.S. in the streets of his own nation who are victims of police brutality?

The Whole World Is Waiting...