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Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
I really don't get how people are hating on Obama's performance so far. He's been president all of 2 months.
March 18 - Comment - Share
I know - wtf can he do in two months? Seriously, he's exceeded my expectations, tbh. - Mona Nomura
147 more comments
People are never happy, - Joe Pierce
Hate is easier for some. Easier to blame whoever they don't like for their troubles. Haters all around. - CW™
He knows exactly what he wants to do and seems to have a solid idea of how he's going to do it. He seems sincere about fixing what's wrong. His ideas sound logical to me. I just don't get the hating at all. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
I remember saying the same thing about Bush when he was President. Just sayin'... (and I voted for both Bush and Obama) - Jesse Stay
Rah - There's so much negative publicity out there that I start to wonder if he's doing the right thing, and then I watch him at a town hall and I think, man, how could I doubt? - Phil G
I don't see the hate - or maybe it's cuz I'm more used to Dumb Dumb Dubya's haters haha - Mona Nomura
1st off, I think he's doing good... But the reason is he was sold as the great crusader, someone who was going to storm the castle and save the kingdom. Everything was geared towards just breaking down the front gate. Now that has happened and everyone is standing around inside the castle going 'WTF, there is more fighting to do'. People are battle-weary. - Johnny Worthington
Bush had immediate crises to deal with? I don't recall. Forgive me, I'm young and just started giving a crap. The haters are not being very vocal, which just tells me that they don't even believe most of what they're saying has any merit. I guess I never had the idea in my head that Obama was going to just step into office and fix everything. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Rah... the problem is, a lot of people did. - Johnny Worthington
You really think so, Johnny? I don't know anyone who thought he'd step in office and immediately fix everything. However, I do know a LOT of people who said everyone ELSE thought this. Perhaps we're just seeing the backlash from that, pundits who started to buy the "Libs say Obama will fix it all" line they were trying to sell their viewers. - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
From a outsider's point of view, there seemed to be a big focus on just getting him elected. There seemed to be a perception that Change would come January 20th, 2009. While this view is probably not held on a personal level, a 'hangover' period is surely in place. - Johnny Worthington
Uhhhhh a lot of the policies he is enforcing was passed in the Bush era... Think of it like email. He's just cleaning out Bush's inbox. - Mona Nomura
Johnny's right, to a point. Of course, it doesn't help that the GOP is using the old Bill Clinton '93 playbook to take whacks at Obama. - Steven Perez
Obama could have made milk and honey run through the streets and he would have been hated. I'm guessing either devil worship or the tax payer cost of cleaning the streets would have been in the talking points. - Todd Hoff
Real change will come in 2010 should the Dems get a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. We just need to hang on until then. - Jeff Jones
So Jeff, if they do, what is a reasonable time frame for you to see change occuring? - Johnny Worthington
Jeff, if the Dems get over 60, I fully expect the bonehead 'moderate Dem' caucus in the Senate to step up their whining and full-scale courting of Republicans. They already do it, and never for policy reasons, so... - Andrew C
I can see their reasons why, it's been an Epic two months at that, and he's already made making massive missteps and huge flip-flops most recently with AIG. I just bumped at later post, re: the polling info mentioned below. - sofarsoShawn
I didn't notice, I though his popularity was at a high. Maybe that's why he's being attacked. Don't pay any attention to Rahsheen. There's always going to be hater's out there! - Michael Fidler
It's the Repubs, they can't face reality. they lost the election and now a decent man has to clean up after 8+ years of Bush/Reagonomics war crap. - ursi
Johnny, I think the framework is being laid now (i.e. Corporate culture reform, health care reform, etc) and a super majority will allow Obama to actually press forward with a more ambitious agenda. I would think that major progressive legislation would be introduced in the 2011 session of Congress. - Jeff Jones
Andrew, The "moderate" Dems (who are actually conservatives) are a problem. However, if the Repubs lose ground in yet another midterm election the pressure will be tremendous on them to get in line. I think this is where Rahm steps in and we see what he can really do. They could stay firm though and be a problem. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to see. - Jeff Jones
See? Did anyone catch that? What did I miss about AIG that makes it Obama's fault? Not the first time I've heard that. What "massive missteps"? Did he stumble off the stage at a town-hall and I missed it? - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
I agree. I mean how are you going to fix what's been done over 8 years in 2 months. Shoot, he's done more in 2 mos than Bush did in 8 years. - Ms_Krista
Rah, the recent suggestion of having private insurance take over veteran's medical benefits was met with a firestorm of debate and hate. Obama listened to the masses and dropped it. AIG is another mess that he is being blamed for but his party added the extra bonus lines to the deal not what went out originally. - Janet
No but was two-faced enough to give a $30 billion hand out and then feign outrage at $150 milllion in bonuses; further not setting a timeline for Iraq or any ME policy, an absent infrastructure strategy and the list goes on and on. But any following any valid news service articulates as much and to a much better degree than I could. Short two months yes, but rather than make things better, he's only making them worse. - sofarsoShawn
So, he makes suggestions, the public expresses their opinions, and he actually listens to them in making a final decision? Oh HELL nah. Who does he think he is taking public opinion into consideration? lol - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
I'm not sure what the device is called that's being used here, but I don't see how the AIG thing is Obama's fault. From what I understood, AIG going under would have been a very bad thing and the money was supposed to be used to prevent that, not give people bonuses. What facts say that he was feigning his outrage? Are you saying he actually has no problem with AIG pissing away the money? Everything else you said seems to be just speculation. Not based on any action he's taken at this time. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Honestly not trying to argue about this stuff, but I'm definitely curious as to what Obama has actually done that was so wrong. Right now, it just seems like sour grapes and hateration and I'd rather think that's not the case. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
I agree though and fail at understanding at how outraged ppl seem to be, give the guy some more time. He inherited A LOT of Bushs**t from the prior 8 years, Rome wasn't built in a day so to speak. - sofarsoShawn
he inherited a big frothy bowl of crap, and the people are impatient. his legacy will be judged by the decisions and actions he makes today. - grant fox
I don't personally hate on him; I've been trying to give Obama an honest chance and the benefit of the doubt, and I still am. I don't expect miracles from him, but I do expect competency. So far, I don't have enough data to fairly judge him. However, I was not happy with how he handled the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, plain and simple. It was a hunk of flawed pork barrel, and he insisted on pushing it through fast. That's old news, I know, but it bugs me anyway. - i80and
Maybe because the last 8years were so wonderful, budget surplus, job growth, no war...oh wait...But seriously, there's about 20% who thought that Bush was doing a great job (even through the financial meltdown) and they will never be happy with Pres.Obama, no matter. Then there are folks like Rush who want him to fail, but those aside, I think a good majority still thinks he's doing a darn good job especially for being on the job just two months. - MiaD
Cuz they're stinkers. - sofarsoShawn
i80and, I'm curious. W4hat pork was there in this Act? - Admiral Anika
Because people seem to lack patience nowadays. Instant gratification is the only thing they want. I still dont know how he will do as President, but there is not much to do but be patient and give him at least another month. ;) - Shevonne
Can i just point out that Pork is simply the cost of doing business. You cannot have politics without compramise on both sides. Id' rather have a less than perfect bill, than no bill at all. (And i'm not justifying things either.) - Roberto Bonini
@Anika: That's hard to define exactly, since it appears to have been designed to do everything. I haven't read the bill, and I'm pretty sure that virtually nobody has. To quote from the Wikipedia article, "The Act also includes numerous non-economic recovery related items...". Look at the nice summary they have there; how much of that is relevant? Not that much, really. I can see how some of the targets would be to increase jobs, but even those are questionable since those are short-term solutions. - i80and
Having not read the bill, how can you be bitter about it? Also, Roberto makes a valid point. There's going to have to be pork unless we have some kind of monarchy - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
@Rahsheen: Has anybody read it? IIRC, it was over 1,000 pages (correct me if I'm wrong on that score). Either way, I don't need to read it to get at least a sense of what it's doing, and together with a summary, it doesn't appear to have a clearly-defined overall purpose. He's right; we can't eliminate pork. But we can attempt to reduce it if nothing else. That's a _lot_ of federal money getting thrown around pretty carelessly. - i80and
Thank you i80and. From your statement, I had gathered you hadn't bothered to read the bill. Extremely odd that you chose to go to Wikipedia rather than the site for the Act. I managed to read it in a week. So did most of my friends and family. Is 1000 pages supposed to be a lot of pages? I am really unclear how you can make these finite statements without actually reading the Act and using Wikipedia as your source. Amazing. - Admiral Anika
Without having practical experience, I believe that a bill should follow basic principals like K.I.S.S. Do one thing and do it well, because that way things can be more thoughtfully tested as well as allowing the details to actually be understood. If a bill is over 1,000 pages, nobody is going to look at the holistic effects of it and a lot of issues are going to slip through the woodwork. - i80and
True, you could say that, but I'd need to know exactly what money is being thrown at before bothering to be upset about it. It's not as if Obama is putting all this stuff together on his own, throwing in whatever he sees fit. At some point, a decision must be made about whether the additions are acceptable given the overall goal. Apparently, Obama felt this to be the case. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
@Rahsheen: I'm not upset about it; I'm uncomfortable about it. There's a big difference there. And I acknowledge and respect that he felt a decision had to be made. @Anika: I don't have time to analyze a bill in depth. Maybe you do, but frankly I can't. Wikipedia offers a decent summary that is sufficient. - i80and
But once again, you're making statements on something you've never bothered to read. Credibility is dropping like a stone, here. How do you make these absolute statements without knowing what you're talking about? Because you heard it was over 1000 pages? You have no frame of reference of even how the bill was presented. - Admiral Anika
@Anika: It's fine that my credibility is nonexistent; I never claimed to have any. I'm not a student of political science, and have never taken an economics class. I was giving my opinion, not presenting an argument to be given the third degree. And I'm not making absolute statements. I said that it bugged me. You're drawing conclusions about what I'm saying out of thin air. Also, for the record, the bill is 407 pages. - i80and
The KISS principle simply dies not work here. We are talking about POLITICIANS here. They will use any means neccecary to achive political ends -and that includes diliberatly tacking on stuff to the the bill so its doesn't pass. Bill Clintons Dems did this all the time. Think they added Gun Control to a Republican budget to ensure it would not pass. These things have thier own logic. - Roberto Bonini
This is exactly as how I said it would be: people would turn on Obama like they turned on Bush and the Obama defenders would shift most blame from Obama to Bush. Might as well get used to it. We've got four years of this game of hot potato. - Akiva Moskovitz
It's not a game of hot potato at this point. Obama has not caused anything to happen yet. Why are we already blaming stuff on him? It just doesn't make any sense to me. Somebody hit be back when he actually takes an action that causes something to be screwed up. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
The limits of Friendfeed: no discussion in this thread of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Anthony Zinni, Chas Freeman, Richard Holbrooke, neoliberals, Rahm Emanuel, Hillary Clinton, warrantless wiretaps, etc. -- topics which have been discussed at length on the best and smartest political blogs on the net in recent months by progressives who strongly supported Obama during the election.... more... - Sean McBride
Right, but the discussion here revolves around the fact that criticism of Obama is based on speculation. What specific action has he taken that has broken something? We can always talk about what-ifs, but I'm more worried about what IS. Facts, people. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Sean I don't think the new Texas militia dedicated to saving the US from Obama are really all that concerned about your list. They follow a hate square law. Black, democratic, it's time to revolt. - Todd Hoff
See TPM (Talking Points Memo) today: "Tone Deaf?": "Yesterday, Rahm Emanuel called the AIG bonuses a "big distraction." Today, David Axelrod says: "People are not sitting around their kitchen tables thinking about AIG," Axelrod said. "They are thinking about their own jobs. I honestly don't get what up-side they see politically in taking this tack. Thoughts?" http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archive... Is TPM "hating on" Obama? Or exercising its independent and critical intelligence? - Sean McBride
I voted for Obama and think he's doing a good to great job under close to impossible circumstances. But I always thought there were way too many people who thought he would be able to wave a wand and end every injustice, right all wrongs and bring a progressive utopia into being simply by the force of his personality. Inevitably, they're disappointed. What I like most about Obama - that he's a pragmatist - is hard for a lot of his most ardent supporters to accept. They want an idealist. - Kevin Pedraja
Todd -- I don't follow your logic. Because some hate groups, with an obvious racist agenda, are attacking Obama doesn't mean that we have to automatically support Obama administration policies on Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, on warrantless wiretaps, on Wall Street bailouts, etc. What has most disturbed progressives is Obama's loading up his administration with those neoliberals who were most responsible for enabling the Iraq War. Iran is next on their hit list. - Sean McBride
So what happens in 2010 when the economy isn't fixed? When the GOP point at the countless tax and spend bills for which none of them voted? And none of them worked. You guys really think the Democrats will increase their numbers? - MVB (Grinch of FF)
Again, you're talking about what some guys in his administration said. You're not referring to specific actions Obama has taken. Are they hating on Obama? I'm not sure. They weren't discussing him in anythingI just read there. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Well Mark, when you put it that way, we were stupid to vote for change in the first place. Oh, but wait, can I borrow the magic time machine that lets you use 'when' instead of 'if'? - Kevin Fox
Very true Sean. The OP was about Obama's performance so far and I think a large portion of the hatred is not nor will ever be performance based. Using performance as a criteria is a reality based paradigm and clearly that's not where a lot of people are. - Todd Hoff
Mark, of course not. On the other hand, what happens if the economy shows real signs of life by then? And all the Republicans can say is, we opposed everything and proposed nothing. Will they even continue to exist as a party? - Kevin Pedraja
Mark that's why this isn't a game and the republicans are treating it just a like another reelection game. It's revolting and it's possible that disgust can be generalized. - Todd Hoff
Rasheen: Obama stood in front of a Catepillar factory and told the public that if the stimulus bill did not pass that people at that plant would lose their jobs. That passing the bill would save the jobs. That is using a scare tactic to process an agenda. BTW the bill passed and the people were still laid-off a week or so later. It's very disingenuous and it makes me question everything he says. - MVB (Grinch of FF)
Btw, the reader comments on TPM about the AIG issue are devastating: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news... I've noticed a major collapse of support for Obama on all the leading progressive blogs. Obama will ignore this shift in opinion at his political peril. These are the same people who served as Obama's verbal bodyguards last spring and summer, and got him elected. Without their enthusiastic support, he is going to be in serious trouble. - Sean McBride
Mark: Your framing of the Caterpillar issue is highly misleading. Obama never promised that passing the stimulus bill would make sure that those Caterpillar workers would keep their jobs. He said that the CEO of Caterpillar said that the stimulus bill would help them to re-hire some of the people they'd have to lay off. The quote: "Yesterday, Jim, the head of Caterpillar, said that if... more... - Kevin Fox
Its just another play in this disgusting game Kevin. - Todd Hoff
And this is why we never get anywhere. Because Axelrod and Rahm said something about AIG, Obama has failed? Can we have a statement that isn't a "what-if" that explains how Obama is doing poorly? What do those comments on TPM have to do with anything? - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
In a speech to enlisted at domestic military base Obama congratulated the soldiers for doing a great job in accomplishing their goal of bringing regime change in Iraq. When did bringing a regime change in Iraq become a mission? I thought we went there to get the WMD's or the oil. Subtle nuances, perhaps, but nobody listens to what is actually being said. - MVB (Grinch of FF)
Rasheen -- Obama is responsible for the Emanuel and Axelrod appointments, and he is responsible for their public statements. And if Obama manages to alienate his progressive base (TPM is one of the most influential progressive blogs on the planet), he will soon find himself dead in the water politically. - Sean McBride
Mark -- "regime change" -- that's hardcore neoconservative rhetoric and propaganda. Many people are beginning to wonder whether Obama really believes in anything at all. This "regime change," by the way, brought to power in Iraq a Muslim fundamentalist regime that is closely allied with Iran. - Sean McBride
Sean, he gave them a 'Mission Accomplished' speech for ousting Saddam. Congratulated them on a great job. - MVB (Grinch of FF)
On the AIG issue, Emanuel and Axelrod, reputedly the two most powerful members of the Obama administration, seem to be on the same page with Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Malkin. Change we can believe in. :) - Sean McBride
You guys are amazing and amusing and still ignoring the point of this thread. You talk about hearsay, what-if's, could-be's, and gut feelings, but none of you have any facts. None of you point out anything that I could look at and say, "Yep, Obama screwed up right there." Everything you're saying is like dust on a breeze. I'm tired of hearing this type of crap. It's a waste of time. Even if Obama is responsible for what his people said (and I don't think he is), So what? Those words cause nothing. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Obama voted for the Bush stimulus. Obama voted for every stimulus package he's seen. That is where he screwed up! He voted FOR the AIG BONUSES because they were guaranteed by HIS OWN stimulus bill! - pitlord
I'm sorry, there was a bill or something for AIG bonuses...or was it to bail them out to benefit our financial situation and they decided to use it for stupid crap? - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
As to the responses to my comment regarding 2010. 1) Yes, the GOP are making their last stand, all-in bet on 2010. It's a strategy that may work but it is morally bankrupt in that the GOP are planning on a failed economy for them to succeed. 2) Do you really think the US economy will be okey-dokey in 1.5 years? Japan is in it's 12th year of recovery. - MVB (Grinch of FF)
Rasheen -- we are obviously not going to come to a meeting of the minds about the current drift of the Obama administration, but I'll mention some of the blogs and information sources which have led me to my conclusions: 1. Common Dreams 2. Counterpunch 3. Daily Dish 4. Democracy Now! 5. Firedoglake 6. Glenn Greenwald 7. Huffington Post 8. Informed Comment 9. Mondoweiss 10. The Nation... more... - Sean McBride
What do approval ratings have to do with anything? I don't need any resources to see what's right in front of my face. Any action taken by Obama will be all over the news. I'm using basic common sense and I figured people more political than I would have answers, but I guess I was wrong. I don't care about "drifts" and "trends". Just the facts. Maybe that's not how you're supposed to view politics, but I couldn't care less about everyone's speculation and opinions. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
Well, we all just saw what role approval ratings, opinions, drifts and trends had on the Bush 43 administration, and how adamantly some Bush supporters tried to ignore them. And the major turning points and pivots in the lives of political regimes are almost never reported in the mainstream media in real time. The MSM always lag far behind reality. - Sean McBride
modern US government is all politics, only politicos can gain office these days. Obama is a politico by that maxim, his stark contrast against GWB is his charisma and oratory. Beyond that, he panders for votes like the rest of them. with that in mind, he's doing what's expected and he shouldn't be faulted for that. if the Obama administration gets us out of this hole, they'll take credit; if not, they'll blame the Bush administration. Vice-versa for the GOP. - grant fox
Well put, grant. - MVB (Grinch of FF)
And none of that has anything to do with this thread...just saying. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
but it does Rahsheen. we get into a media-induced fervor about what Obama is or isn't doing as if he's a celebrity, and that compounds the problem with modern politics. change doesn't happen over night, but because Obama IS a politician he might be persuaded by the eyeballs on him to make decisions that have short-term benefits but long-term detriment. - grant fox
Right, but until those decisions are made, you can't make judgments about his performance. He hasn't DONE anything yet. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
I've been holding my comments but you can't honestly say he hasn't done anything yet. He has spent us into oblivion and instituted the most pro-choice agenda we've seen in 20 years. People may differ on their opinions but there is plenty to have an opinion about. - Keith - @tsudo
So, again. Specifics. He spent us into oblivion? What does that mean? What did he buy? I thought we were bailing out banks and those banks proceeded to mis-manage the money. Pro choice? Obviously a matter of opinion, so we'll just through that one out for the purposes of this discussion. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
He's done more in 2 months that most presidents ever have. I agree with tsudohnimh, There is much to have an opinion about. The stimulus bill is the single largest deficit spending in history. I worry the most when we don't debate and criticize our elected leaders.Criticism, debate, and questioning authority are the signs of a healthy democracy. - Steve Olson
I agree Rahsheen, let the man do his job. I just fear that he'll be manipulated because of all of the attention he's getting. You know that uncomfortable feeling you get when you're trying to do something and you have someone standing over you, watching your every move? Multiply that by ~300M, waving pitchforks and torches. You can't say that that won't affect his--or anybody's--performance. - grant fox
I agree, Steve, but this thread has 85 comments and I think we are still only scratching the surface of any real criticism beyond "I don't like his policies" or something. - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
17,000 facts concerning Obama: "President Barack Obama's decision to deploy an additional 17,000 American troops in Afghanistan was a step in the right direction, but a “comprehensive overhaul of our war plan is needed,” according to Sens. Joe Lieberman and John McCain." Newsmax http://www.newsmax.com/insidec... Obama's decision met with... more... - Sean McBride
Obama has exhibited a lot of quid pro quo lately. Is he making deals today across the aisle that will burn him in the future? - grant fox
We are bailing out everyone with out a clear plan or oversight. Throwing money at the problem never has worked and never will. Rewarding poor business decisions via a bailout is bad policy anyway you look at it. - Keith - @tsudo
400,000 facts: "U.S. President Barack Obama is considering a plan that would double the size of Afghanistan's security force to about 400,000 troops and police officer to stabilize the nation, The New York Times reported on Wednesday." Reuters http://news.yahoo.com/s... - Sean McBride
He sold himself as able to accomplish what Washington hadn't before him, he sold us on "change". The only thing I've seen and the only thing I expect unfortunately, is more growth of government and more intrusion by the government into the private lives of American citizens. - Mattb4rd
Sean, in case you missed it, he's talking about building up the Afghan's own internal army and police forces. He won't be doing this with US/allied forces. For the record we currently have something in the neighborhood of 30,000 forces over there. - Alex Scoble
I KNOW he's doing a great job, do you know how I know? Both sides are equally pissed off at him. - Matthew DeVries
Alex -- I didn't miss it -- it's still a commitment to a policy that stands an excellent chance of blowing up in our faces, and it is being dictated by neoliberals and neoconservatives like John McCain and Joseph Lieberman. Ever deeper into the quagmire. - Sean McBride
How is strengthening their ability to maintain stability within the country a bad thing? If we don't do it, we'll just end up back there again in 5-10 years. It's what we should have done all along instead of our Iraqi adventure. - Alex Scoble
Alex, it's sort of like Vietnam and Korea, if you assume that an escalation of might in Afghanistan would cause Russia to do the same at the border. They've done it before. - grant fox
Alex -- why do you think that we can maintain military and political control of Afghanistan? What's the track record for this kind of venture? And what will be the precise costs of the policy? - Sean McBride
Sean, have you forgotten that we're STILL IN Korea, Germany, and Japan? - Mattb4rd
We? There's no we about it. The Afghans need to do it, but they can't do it without help. The risks of not stabilizing that country are far greater than the costs will be to do it. - Alex Scoble
We are no longer in Vietnam; the Russians are no longer in Afghanistan; and the political and cultural dynamics in Afghanistan differ radically from those Germany, Japan and South Korea. - Sean McBride
Alex -- Afghanistan needs to be stabilized around a political structure that reflects the will of the Afghanistan people. And I come back to the question of cost: how much will it cost American taxpayers to achieve this stabilization, assuming that we can, which is a highly dubious proposition? Obama's policies, which appear to be directed by Richard Holbrooke (a PNAC member), may well... more... - Sean McBride
The US Military is a machine meant to kill people and destroy roads, buildings and utilities. If those services are no longer needed in Afghanistan, get them the hell out of there and replace them with people that can assist in ways in which the Afghans can benefit. - Mattb4rd
The stock market went up 75% in FDR's first 100 days. it's flat for Obama thus far. People will feel better when their personal financial situation improves. A 75% rise in the stock market would probably accomplish that. - Thomas Hawk
Mattb4rd: a reality sandwich from the National Defense University: "Some experts are concerned, however, that the U.S. lacks the ability to launch reconstruction and humanitarian operations overseas involving large numbers of civilian officials and experts. "The United States today manifestly lacks adequate civilian capacity to conduct complex operations - those operations that require... more... - Sean McBride
it would make me feel better, for sure, Thomas - grant fox
Went up from what, Mr. Hawk, from zero? How much had it risen from its prior high and what exactly was the unemployment rate at the end of FDR's term? Better, but still MUCH worse than anything most of us have seen in our lifetime. - Mattb4rd
Matt. The high on the DJIA in 1929 was at 381.17 on 9-3-29. On March 3, 1933 (the day before FDR's inauguration) the DJIA was at 53.84. It closed at 103.77 on 7-3-33. A pretty good run during his first four months. - Thomas Hawk
i think it comes from him having controlled everything so perfectly during the campaign. - eric mortensen
the hate started a long time ago. - Jim Is Not Smart
The polls a few months ago showed that the majority of people did NOT expect Obama to cure things immediately but were willing to give him two years to see improvements. I disagree that he was being marketed as a crusader who would solve everything. At every turn during the campaign he emphasized the magnitude of the problem and the fact it would require cooperative efforts from the citizenry as a whole. - Rebecca
Thanks for the stats Thomas. Are you implying that FDR can be attributed with that amount of change in 4 month's time, or do you think that the market was correcting itself? - Mattb4rd
I would have to say it represents the general population's finicky temperament to blame everyone else for everything that is wrong. I live in a customer service world, so I think public opinion is a tough sword to rule with. It often cuts you and is not a loyal friend by any stretch. - Ken Stewart | ChangeForge
Unemployment Is rising and so is debt. He hasn't done anything he promised. - orionstarr
Orion - if you're so smart - what could you do in 2 months to end the financial crisis - I'm sure the whole world would like to know. Give the guy a break - it's gonna take time - it took a decade to get into this mess it's not gonna be easy getting out. - Patrick
orionstarr: As powerful as the office of the president is, somethings are just outwith its power. You've mentioned two. Last i checked this economic disaster has been years in the making. No two economists agree on the solutions. Obama has been in office two months and is handing a disaster of greater proportions than the Great Depression already. Give him a little breathing room here, ok? - Roberto Bonini
Dude I voted for him so lay off. He is turning out to be another tool in the whitehouse we shall see. Still waiting for this "change". - orionstarr
@ onion. WTF. Where does he get the magic wand. I say he has four years and then you can try to elect Rush Limbaugh if you want. If you can't respect the man, respect the office. Following Bush was like following any herd of wild elephants, besides trampling and eating all the sugar cane, you've got a lot of shoveling to do. - Phil Boiarski
End the wars, make jobs, stop outsourcing jobs, stop corporate greed. He has done none of this. He sure helped A.I.G though - orionstarr
Wow you think I'm right wing far from who is the sheep? I voted for Obama but I don't drink the koolaid if it's sour. - orionstarr
How has exceeded expectations mona please enlighten me - orionstarr
hard to say on the reasons why the market went up in FDRs first 100 days, certainly some could argue that he instilled a certain confidence in the markets with his legislative agenda of course. - Thomas Hawk
How do you propose he stop corperate greed? Last I checked the US does not legislate peoples thoughts. - Roberto Bonini
Stopping corporate greed is easy. You just make it impossible for them to make money. - Alex Scoble
I'm not trying to trip up the Obama herd on here, after all I voted for him and to, and "change" I didn't vote for him based on the color of skin like so many. I actually thought he would make a difference and I hope he will, just so far seems like the same old same old. Since he has been in office jobs have been lost more than ever, debt is going up and if you any of own a home like me and lost their job well you would feel my frustration as well. I'm pulling for him okay. - orionstarr
Alex: Greed has nothing to do with money and everything to do with possesions. If you take money away its called communisim ( where you trade bottles of vodka in place of money). But my point was the ridiculousness of Orions point. - Roberto Bonini
Also how about give me a break, a man can have an opinion. Bush sucked too, so not like I voted for him the past 2 elections. I am listed as independent on my voting card, thank you. - orionstarr
Robeto, my point was how corporations are greedy, IE: Exxon and Mobil. IE: CEO Pay and their golden parachutes, and outsourcing. Like I said I can have an opinion but if you want to get personal, hey let's go at it. - orionstarr
Without money you cannot buy more possessions in today's economy. Robbing the greedy of their ability to make money removes their ability to be greedy. - Alex Scoble
If someone is trying to suck up more than their fair share of oxygen, just remove it from the room entirely. :) - Alex Scoble
I think alas some people will be greedy whether they have a lot or money or not - Joelle Nebbe (iphigenie)
Good point Alex, can we say regulation on these fat corporate pigs. - orionstarr
I'm glad we have a president that cares more about being on the tonight show. Shouldn't he be working? Wow. Did we elect a hard working president or a celebrity? The election is over, time to work. - orionstarr
Because no celebrities are hard working? One doesn't negate the other. It's like the false generalizations of "rich & hard working", "rich & hardly working", "poor & lazy" - Alex Scoble
Alex: So back when people used to barter, what stopped them swapping one goat for two sheep?? - Roberto Bonini
That isn't our current economic system. - Alex Scoble
Okay I'm wrong, you all can fuck off. - orionstarr
My point is that greed is not contingent on the existance of money, but merely on the material possesions one has. - Roberto Bonini
You are correct, Roberto. It's the self indulgent accumulation of wealth. In this current economic system wealth == money. - Alex Scoble
@ onion, Hey I am helping a family member meet their mortgage and another member of my family is (he says) a paycheck or two from unemployment. His company has shrunk by 4/5. I know you are in pain and I hope you have people can help. That said, I can't see how blaming the guy that he can't clean up fast enough is helping. Some things can't be changed' on others he's trying. If you get back on your feet, you'll think he's a champ. Good luck and God bless. - Phil Boiarski
I'll wait for a "final analysis" until he's finished his 1st term but I don't like the bailout .. and all the problems and debt that's going with it - John Blanton from twhirl
Just discovered this: AIG contributions to US politicians, 1989-2008 -- top 5 recipients: 1. Dodd, Chris (D-Conn) $281,038 2. Bush, George W (R-Texas) $200,560 3. Schumer, Charles E (D-NY) $111,875 4. Obama, Barack (D-Ill) $110,332 5. McCain, John (R-Ariz) $99,249. http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs... Obama ranks 4th on the list. - Sean McBride
@ Sean. Not to put too fine a point, because this is the f1st time I have seen the others and their amounts. (Drudge highlights Obama and hides Bush.) To me, the equation needs another side, who did what when in return? Bush and Paulson give the first 2 payments to AIG and that was more than 2/3 of the total so far. Unlike 30 Billion still being frittered over, that first batch had no oversight, no transparency, in fact, much of it is still a mystery. We discovered recently some went to England. - Phil Boiarski
Exaclty Brian, same old same old uh?! Man of change right? Mmmm we shall see. In Washington, Dem or Rep. It's business as usual. Which is why I am Independent. Oh but be sure to catch the tonight show, heard its going to be a real bash. - orionstarr
Bush was so bad that the new president would only need to keep us from completely falling apart. But Obama is doing much more than that and will continue to do so. It's nice having an intelligent person as President. - Mike Reynolds
You know, I tried to warn the Obama supporters here that Obama is already in deep trouble, but they are not listening. :) Check out Frank Rich's angry column in the New York Times today to catch the drift of events: http://www.nytimes.com/2009... Most of these problems are the product of Obama's monumentally bad appointments. So far Obama has exercised rotten judgment on the issue that matters most: selecting the right people for his administration. - Sean McBride
maybe obama should fire his riaa friends in the whitehouse, then i'll be more happy - Kyle Weller
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