Barack Obama nt.

[denem]

[WeDidIt]

1. Best president in over forty years. n/t

[denem]

4. and that's sad in a way.

All those wasted years.

[WeDidIt]

7. If we give him another year like the last year

He'll be the best president in nearly a century and a half

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

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

[no limit]

48. lol, I got a brain that allows me to think for myself; something a lot of people seem to lack lately

Obama supports NAFTA, expended the war in Afghanistan, did not want a public option (something even Nixon wanted), does not allow gays in the military, is more than happy to provide wall street with their routine blow job, and on and on and on. Don't get me wrong, he's a lot better than the bat shit crazy republicans such as Palin or McCain, but he's still pretty much a republican. And this is a real shame, when he ran in the primaries he made himself out to be the liberal.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

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

[no limit]

50. You are hanging on to the word "republican" a little too much

republican has been diluted to mean something else in this country. How would you define a republican? My guess would be that it is someone that is batshit crazy. And you would probably be right. But remove the batshit crazy from today's republican platform and you would be left with something that looks a lot like the platform Obama is currently governing on. He certainly is not governing using a progressive or liberal agenda, his agenda has been very conservative so far.

[Window]

57. Real cute.

[Cha]

61. It's so easy to rattle off cheap shots on the internet

and claim you think for yourself. Well, then sorry, you're not very bright.

[Stinky The Clown]

22. How so?

[WeDidIt]

24. He has accomplished more in his first year than any president since FDR n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

25. Link?

:shrug:

That's a big assertion.

[WeDidIt]

28. Sure

"By January, he will have accomplished more than any first-year president since Franklin Roosevelt."

http://www.slate.com/id/2236708/

[Stinky The Clown]

30. If

In progress

Under consideration

Less tangible

Better footing

Not Bush

Yeah ..... lotsa good stuff there.

Thanks for the link.

[NYC_SKP]

31. Link. 90 Accomplishments.

You know that the assertion that one president has done more than another is open to interpretation, is a subjective concept, and not measurable without criteria. Any link would, therefore, be open to argument.

But he did do a number of good things and the first year isn't over yet.

<snip>

Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).

Here is a list of Obama's accomplishments as of August 2009.

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending;
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices;
3. Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women;
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq;
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover A.F.B.;
6. Ended media "blackout" on war casualties; reporting full information;
7. Ended media "blackout" on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover A.F.B.; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family;
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act;
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible;
10. Limits on lobbyists' access to the White House;
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration;
12. Ended the previous "stop-loss" policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date;
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan;
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research;
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research;
16. New federal funding for science and research labs;
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards;
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants...) after years of neglect;
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools;
20. New funds for school construction;
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out;
22. US Auto industry rescue plan;
23. Housing rescue plan;
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan;
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying;
26. US financial and banking rescue plan;
27. The "secret detention" facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed;
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards;
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops;
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010;
31. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols;
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic;
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions;
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office;
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job;
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast;
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles;
38. "Cash for clunkers" program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales;
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government;
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children;
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program;
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return "home" to visit loved ones;
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions;
44. Expanding vaccination programs;
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters;
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens;
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals;
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back;
49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices;
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources;
51. Lower drug costs for seniors;
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings;
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel;
54. Improved housing for military personnel;
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses;
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals;
57. Increasing student loans;
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program;
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy;
60. Established a new cyber security office;
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force... this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.;
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts;
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness;
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient;
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced;
66. Improving benefits for veterans;
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration;
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud;
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco;
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules;
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports;
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons;
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Webb to secure the release of an American held captive;
74. Making more loans available to small businesses;
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare;
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court;
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans;
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000;
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel;
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan;
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan;
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans;
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production;
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters;
85. Paid for redecorations of White House living quarters out of his own pocket;
86. Held first Seder in White House;
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more underinsured;
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform;
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform; and
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform.

Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!


http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-obama-has-done-right-list-of-90.html

[Stinky The Clown]

42. Hey Skippy ......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7340567

[NYC_SKP]

65. Impressive work!

I thought you might have had me on ignore...

That's a hearty and respectable rebuttal to the 90 things.

I'm impressed.

:thumbsup:

[wyldwolf]

44. ... using year one as a measurement and because he's had it a bit easier

Not arguing that he hasn't accomplished a lot and that he's a gifted politician destined to be a great president, but President Obama had a more solid foundation to work from. Compared to Bill Clinton, he's had a more solid and loyal Democratic majority, higher personal popularity, and a splintered Republican opposition.

This was spoken of by a very loyal Obama supporter here:

http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-treatment/place-called-hope

[denem]

2. FUNT - 3mins 27 seconds.

That's not too bad. Got a K&R for 'Bill Clinton' in less than half a minute from Wyldwolf.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Flamebait. n/t

:P

:popcorn:

[denem]

5. Putting up a Prominent Dems name?

The President's NAME is flamebait? Wow.

[NYC_SKP]

9. Reply in good humor. Obama has been a divisive character around here lately.

I'm a cheerleader, I love our president, I recced this thread.

:donut:

[denem]

11. Ok - hook line and sinker

you stinker.

[verges]

51. Yeah. Anymore, it seems that it is.

And that's pretty sad.

[Cary]

6. Doesn't have to be. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

10. No, but you know how this place has been... nt

[denem]

14. I am using First UNrec Time as a metric

A positive progressive vanilla post, usually get's unrec'd in less than a minute not doubt by our real FRiends.

[Cary]

15. No offense but I think rec and unrec are silly n/t

[denem]

17. Maybe I'm hung up on statistics

but when a unrec comes in at less than minute on a substantive, mainstream, progressive post, I take notice.

[mopinko]

20. you know, tho, there are few.

there are a handful of unreccers here, and after they have shot their wad, the real opinion comes through.
personally, i love the rec/unrec. i don't have time to read every single post, and to many of the best, there is not much to say.

[Cary]

16. Unfortunately I do and I don't see why it had to be this way

I don't understand it at all.

[NYC_SKP]

19. It came as a big surprise to me, but I understand it.

One part is that the history of DU has been to rally support against the administration (Bush) and the system as a whole.

To the extent that ANY of the things the current, or any future, administration resembles in any detail the prior administration, people are in attack mode.

So, not surprisingly, we are divided between those who are realists, happy with the substantial changes, and those who think it is their duty to call for continued resistance (whether or not it's productive).

That's an oversimplification, but I think true.

Glad you and I are on the same side of this.

:toast:

[Cary]

34. We have always been on the same side. . .

which is why it's been so confusing.

[Beetwasher]

35. That's Part Of It

Yes, it's group dynamics in action for the most part, but there's also plenty of trolls and disruptors! Can't forget them! Although, arguably that's also just part of group dynamics.

[Peacetrain]

8. Good Man, ... who is trying to clean up an incredible mess..

[goldcanyonaz]

12. is who I am voting for once again in 2012.

[HughMoran]

13. .

[NYC_SKP]

18. Surprised a LOT of pre-committed Superdelegates.

I was a little miffed by the number who had committed to someone else BEFORE the first primary.

:P

http://web.archive.org/web/20080406120307/

[denem]

27. "improbable journey"

[Aramchek]

47. that was hilarious to watch

[dave29]

23. never heard of him? Wait, isn't he speaking at the 04 convention?

:shrug:

[denem]

26. Something about no red states or blue states.

I agree with the first bit, have to wait for the speech.

[davidwparker]

29. unrec

Well, this was certainly a waste of time.

Is no text other than the title suppose to be a metaphor for Obama's inability to deliver on his campaign promises?

Emptiness?

[JuniperLea]

32. No it wasn't...

It gave you the blissful opportunity to interject with hateful snark against fellow DUers and uncalled for negativity in a thread that wanted to hold up some hope.

You could have just let it go, just let a few people have a little fun... but no. You felt the need to piss in a bunch of bowls of Wheaties. Fess up. The OP and the thread moved you.

[NYC_SKP]

33. A waste of time? Really?

It's simple. Post a name, see what happens.

I like it.

[cherokeeprogressive]

40. I unrecced from 6 to 5 because I don't think empty posts belong on the Greatest Page.

I think ya gotta put just a tad bit more effort forward than that.

In addition, I unrec "Fuck George Bush" posts when they're empty or just show a picture, because those posts are no-brainers.

[bigwillq]

53. Good reasoning.

I unrec'ed too. Don't think this deserves a spot on the Greatest page either.

[Peacetrain]

55. So you get to decide what goes on the greatest page... good to know

:crazy:

[bigwillq]

56. We all get one vote

So you get to decide too. That is my reasoning for rec or unrecc, never said I was the one that decided.

[Armstead]

36. Is this a Rorshak Test?

[Moochy]

38. .

"I think the best description actually is in Barack's own book" Clinton said, "where he said that he is a blank screen and people of widely different views project what they want to hear."

What do you see on the blank screen?

[Armstead]

39. As Tom Tomorrow ponted out

There is Barack Obama and the Idea of Barack Obama

[cherokeeprogressive]

41. Loyalty test. n/t

[Arkana]

37. He pooped in my cornflakes, peed in my cat's litter box, shot a hole

in the ceiling and ate all my mints.

[salguine]

43. Dennis Kucinich.

[azmouse]

45. He's way cool.

[pengillian101]

66. He still likes to hold hands with his wife and that counts!

[That Is Quite Enough]

52. Fallible, but being succesfully, publicly demonized.

Not an evil neocon as has been claimed by pretty much every 'paid blogger' on the internet, or their in-the-dark disciples.

[Number23]

54. Completely agree.

[Born_A_Truman]

58. Proud to call him my President...

[impik]

59. Best president in decades and completely not deserving all this bullshit

[FrenchieCat]

60. Will be President for 3 more years, at the very least......

and although I am proud that we have proven the ability to elect a Black man,
now the question is whether this nation will actually allow one to govern,
without everyone having their foot deep up in his ass constantly shouting out orders,
and figuratively giving him 40 lashes everytime they perceive him as not doing
things as they would want done.

It's hard to get this job done just right,
especially after Bush...
but if one is sneered at and harassed the entire time,
and good accomplishments are taken for granted,
by folks pretending to be on your side,
then this makes this presidency a magical test
that no one else could pass.

I support him, and the more I see blatant attempts to denigrate, minimize,
demonize, disrespect and to figuratively castrate him, for any and all slights,
the more I am forced to have his back,
cause I want us to march forward for the next three years,
and standing still while arguing in a circle ain't gonna get her done.

So yeah.......I'm supporting him even if it ain't Leftie kool.
And I believe that I will be vindicated,
and I have a pretty good track record at speculative scenarios.....
even if I have to say it myself.

[Clio the Leo]

62. "He's Come to Save the Day!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVFdAJRVm94

[depakid]

63. Saw the first critical letter in the Sydney Morning Herald a few days ago

Barack Obama's health-care reform ''victory'' excludes about 30 million people who will still have no health cover (''Historic win for Obama as health bill passed'', December 26-27). Obama broke a campaign promise to support the needed ''public option''. People will now be forced to buy private health insurance and fined if they do not. Health stocks rose last week to their highest point in 52 years, as Obama's popularity fell.

With banks bailed out, rendition continued, Guantanamo moved but not closed, the war in Afghanistan expanded, a Nobel Prize undeserved yet accepted and Copenhagen hopes crushed, Obama's place in history is guaranteed.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/letters/worlds-heavy-polluters-are-emitting-hypocrisy/2009/12/27/1261848615707.html?page=4

Disappointment is of course inevitable when expectations have been raised far higher than one's ability- or political will to meet them.

Add to that the fact that Australians (like people in other western nations) don't grasp the extent of corruption and the decidedly undemocratic nature of federal policy making in the US. That and of course, the ability of members of the Democratic party and caucus to betray their own platform and campaign promises with impunity.

Most of usual suspects would be sacked (or resign) from their positions- and many would be facing serious charges for political corruption down under.

[name not needed]

64. "fierce advocate"

:puke:

[donheld]

67. Madonna