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Political Hay
Wouldn’t It Be Rich: Should the Right Bush Obama?
A NYT columnist and the left’s failure in opposition have set Obama up.
(Page 2 of 2)
Nowhere, of course, did any of these critics have a clue that they were (yet again) injecting a poisonous toxin into the intellectual bloodstream that allows a serious political opposition to exist. (Please see the tales of the Nixon and Clinton presidencies, also known as the episodes of The Sauce for a Goose and a Gander. See also Thomas, Clarence, sexual harassment raised at confirmation hearings and Jones, Paula. Also a good reference, Reagan administration, number of special prosecutors for, and, Clinton administration, ditto.) Never did it appear to cross the minds of Mr. Rich and his fellow Bush critics that they were in fact setting standards for the opposition to employ when faced, inevitably, with the charge of opposing the next Democrat to hold the White House.
Be that as it may, the moment has arrived and the unlucky inheritor of what might be called in Robert Ludlum-thriller style “The Rich Legacy” (or Olbermann, Soros, McNally, Letterman or Krugman Legacy etc., etc., ad infinitum) is one President Barack Obama. It is Mr. Obama who must now deal with the presidential reality that the left spent its time out of the White House setting standards for the right of what’s acceptable discourse when one opposes a president. Standards that, thanks to the likes of Mr. Rich, Mr. Letterman, Mr. Soros, Mr. McNally and company are surely going to attract some on the right as they set about settling in to the role of the political opposition.
It will be well and vividly remebered, of course, that Bush mistakes on, say, weapons of mass destruction were morphed into “lies.” That a philosophical commitment to keeping America safe by taking the fight to enemies abroad was treated not as a serious difference of opinion or judgment but rather as evidence of a lust for deliberate murder in the mode of the infamous mass murderer of six million Jews. That this lust included a desire to murder the children of American citizens. And so on and on and appallingly and drearily so on.
THE QUESTION NOW IS, should conservatives pick up the cudgel? Should Obama be Bushed in the style of Mr. Rich and his friends? For example, is President-elect Obama’s trillion dollar spending plan simply a wrong-headed (if spectacularly mammoth) example of even more government financial mistakes that will prove ruinous for generations? Or, in Rich-think, is it the mark of a venal liar (the new President Obama) scheming to rob average Americans blind in perpetuity to reward both his own political cronies and those of his party? Is the push to close Guantanamo a mistaken decision that could allow a collection of vicious killers to go free under the guise of legal protections never given before in American history? Or is it instead the action of a devious fool who has no intention of protecting American citizens because in reality he believes Americans should be murdered for their multiplicity of sins (against blacks, native Americans, all people of color etc., etc., etc.) during their history? Did Obama’s support for the election and re-election of the now-nationally infamous Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich mean that he was just doing the routine rally-around-my-party’s-nominee-for-governor dance common to all politicians? Or was he a sinister cynic and a willing participant if not a leader in the effort to elect as governor a man whose ethics were plenty visible to insiders before caught on tape trying to sell a seat in the U.S. Senate?
This is a serious question for conservatives. There are now (as there have been the last eight years) vital issues at play in the world. Issues of economics, constitutional law, national security, foreign policy, health, immigration and on and on. If conservatives start down the road of these Frank Rich-style Shallow Hal’s of the left — and doubtless there will be some unable, understandably, to resist the temptation — the conservative movement will not be back any time soon. Nor would it deserve to be. The fundamental successes of the Reagan era and, yes, of the George W. Bush presidency are devotion to ideas. In Reagan’s case it was a well thought out and deeply serious commitment to end the Cold War and put right (no pun intended) the American economy. Volumes have been written about the serious approaches inherent in launching the defense buildup that included the 600-ship Navy and Strategic Defense Initiative while rejecting the nuclear freeze or installing Pershing missiles over the vociferous objections of the American and European left. Or the intellectual work that went into supply-side economics and the understanding of tax cuts and monetary policy. Indeed, the criticisms of the current Bush presidency from the right were precisely substantive, focusing on federal spending, a prescription drug program, amnesty on the immigration issue and so forth.
The transition from in party to out party can be easy or it can be hard. If it revolves around the shallow name-calling and a “so’s your old lady” mentality, the specialty of Frank Rich and company, history shows that it will bring even a later victory to grief. Decades of the left dealing with the Nixon, Reagan and Bush 41 presidencies by defining them in terms not only of name-calling but of special prosecutors, impeachment and sexual harassment brought forth a Clinton presidency defined as the time of Slick Willy, a tit-for-tat mentality that kept the country occupied even as the leadership of al Qaeda was sitting in an Afghanistan cave plotting death and destruction in the very heart of America.
There is an important lesson on this subject captured in the wonderful film The Queen, in which actress Helen Mirren did an Oscar-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth. In the film Elizabeth is struggling to cope with the tidal wave of emotion sweeping over her subjects after the death of Princess Diana and the wide perception that the royal family couldn’t care less. In a conversation with then Prime Minister Tony Blair it is observed that the public can turn on a once very popular figure (in that case the Queen) in an instant.
And so it can. With the new President Obama taking office on a wave of popularity, it is worth noting that even the vicious tactics of Frank Rich and friends eventually had an effect on the once popular Bush. A real toll was taken with the acid of their insistent claims the President was an idiot, boob and a liar.
This can be done again. Over time the drip-drip-drip quality of this kind of thing can create an Obama version in the style of the Rich portrait of Bush. Should this be done? Will it? Now that Mr. Rich and company have led the way, can this kind of thing even be stopped?
It wouldn’t be right to do it (no pun intended). It wouldn’t be smart. It wouldn’t be good.
It would, though, be Rich.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (177) | Leave a comment
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Jason | 1.13.09 @ 6:27AM
Conservatives won't attack Obama the way liberals attacked Bush, and it won't be because conservatives are more civil than liberals (although they may be). It will be because harsh criticizism of Obama will be labeled as racism.
frost| 1.13.09 @ 7:22AM
All those self-appointed critics wrote or said crap that was beneath contempt (although Olbermann was once a terrific sports guy, some years ago) -- (but, there again, we could say that Dubya once cut some taxes and appointed a few judges, 'ay?).
Fact is, Bush has been an awful president, down with the likes of Pierce, Tyler, LBJ, Grant and Buchanan -- not quite as sorry as Jimmy Carter, but pretty darned lousy. So, no tears for Dubya (nor Bush-the-Elder, OR the entire inept Republican Party establishment) as I await the possible reincarnation of Barry Goldwater - please!
Country Boy| 1.13.09 @ 7:26AM
I don't remember that the conservative media ever piled on Bill Clinton's administration. Rather, it was his innner circle who set fire to him.
From the beginning, an early concubine, Jennifer Flowers spilled the beans. Clinton's handlers deflected it as a "bimbo eruption". The stream of infidelities followed, and culminated in the "blue dress". Then impeachment, only the second President to suffer the fate. Although the Clintons tried to "spin" it on TV, no serious historian will miss that footnote.
I remember there was an east coast late night comic, David Brenner, who once quipped "when I lived in California, I had so many friends I never even used half of them!" Maybe that is the secret recipe of the dems.
So in a some yet unknow manner, at some future date, our new teflon king Obama will be humbled. Fate is never denied.
stu.b.con| 1.13.09 @ 8:09AM
I'm not sure where to start, this has been a glorious and painful 8 years. BDS has lead to the loss of a lifelong friend, my best man! I'm angry and bitter over it all while on one hand I want to exact a price on the other I don't want to descend into the intellectual and moral vacuum which the left currently operates. Further exacerbating my quandary is the near deification of the President elect by the same vacuous crowd. Maybe I'll get a bumper sticker "..not MY president" or "Obama lied, captialism died" or "1/24/2013..end of an error" or "Obama=Hitler"...
Frankly, I haven't decided yet...
Ammo Guy| 1.13.09 @ 8:51AM
While I anticipate the arrival of a neophyte and naive CINC with some forboding, I have resolved myself not to stoop to the level of those critics driven mad by BDS. That being said, there will be plenty of opportunity for legitimate criticism of Obama without recourse to vituperation. Charles Krauthammer wrote that Obama will own the economy, for better or worse, in 6 months which may well be for Charles is much smarter than moi. However, I believe Obama will own the homeland security issue the minute he changes any of Bush's policies which have protected us for the past 7+ years. So, Gitmo becomes Gitless the minute he signs that directive and afterwards I will blame him for any attack upon the homeland during his administration, no matter when the planning began. Good luck, my president-to-be.
Fred| 1.13.09 @ 9:01AM
What does Lord mean by "Should?" Has he not read the right-wing blogs or press? Obama is a marxist, a liar, a slimy Chicago politician, an illegal alien and a Muslim. Of course Lord is being a bit unfair - Obama has been tarred before even stepping into office - Bush was given tons of rope by which to hang himself - and hang himself he did. Right-wingers like Lord still refuse to take any responsibility for Bush's failings - instead, calling it all crazy BDS. I say bring it on...
Sawdust| 1.13.09 @ 9:04AM
Here's hoping that we conservatives will show more class than the deranged left. That shouldn't be too difficult.
We have elected the least experienced candidate in history, a man whose only qualifications are, according to Sowell, ego and mouth. His near total lack of experience and judgement will doubtless provide plenty of room for valid criticism.
jerryofva| 1.13.09 @ 9:08AM
There is a pragmatic reason for us not to engage in the kind of histrionics employed by the left for the last eight years. The MSM will bury it and it will gain no traction. We should learn from the Clinton years that no matter how inept or venal the Obama administration is he will be given a pass by his acolytes in the media. No, we should neither condemn or exploit but sit in silence and let his actions speak for themselves. If he does well, then good for the country. If he does ill the voters will turn on him as quickly as they turned on Bush. Better to take the high road then to alienate the public.
Indiana Alex| 1.13.09 @ 9:17AM
The left requires thier bitter rhetoric to support their positions. It's not just directed toward GWB. Anyone who disagrees with them on Global Warming is also an "idiotic boob". There is no way they can support their nonsense with debate, so they declare debate over and call anyone who disagrees names.
Trotter| 1.13.09 @ 9:19AM
Frank Rich calling anyone a "colossal boob" and Keith Olbermann referring to others as "sycophants" may be the hands-down winners for irony of the year.
Seriously, speaking strictly for this Conservative, I will respect President Obama as all duly elected Presidents should be respected. However, I reserve the right to debate him in a civil manner when he appears headed down a path that I believe to be wrong for the country.
While I do believe that he is in over-his-head, I nonetheless will give him the appropriate chance to prove me wrong. What I will not do is call him a Nazi, murderer, war criminal, etc., nor will I travel the globe bashing him at every stop.
Michigan-Matt| 1.13.09 @ 9:32AM
As a lifelong GOPer and Party activist, I have to say that politics has always been a tough sport and not one suited for sidelined spectators gnashing their teeth at the seeming decay of civility, the growing coarseness of discourse or the --God forbid-- someone enjoying the cliche "No one's doing the Peoples' business in DC". Politics is about winning elections; not litmus test policy issues like building a wall, going back to the gold standard, flat taxes or making abortion illegal in Namibia.
Politics is about governing. You can't do it without a majority base to win elections, to win control over a chamber, to advance your agenda. GOPers (not just conservatives either) need to take off the rabbit-fur lined good leather gloves and slap on some brass knuckles just like the Democrats did starting with Election Day 2000 and Gore's loss.
The time to wallow around and pity the plight of conservatives and the conservative movement is over.
It's time to kick some Democrat and specifically Obama butts and make this another Jimmy Cricket Carter 1 term presidency.
It ain't going to happen by being nice, civil or the "loyal opposition".
It's brass knuckles time, baby. And the next GOP chairman needs to grow a pair and have the biggest, brightest, hardest pair on the block. And it's gotta be clobbering time... 24x7. No relenting. No compassion. No backsliding. It isn't a popularity contest: it's an election; and if you don't know the difference... skip party politics and become a pundit.
Ammo Guy| 1.13.09 @ 9:47AM
Michigan-Matt, your proposition is sorely tempting...especially after reading Fred's ignorant post above, but I can't break all my New Year's Resolutions in January, can I?
WendyG| 1.13.09 @ 9:50AM
>>>>Somewhere Bobby Kennedy is deeply embarrassed. These are the worst presidential and public policy analysts this side of John Wilkes Booth.
The point is they are NOT public policy analysts. Frank Rich is a theater critic, Keith Olbermann is a failed sports reporter, and many of Bush's other more vociferous critics (like Graydon Carter of Vanity Fair) are equally lacking the credentials of a real public policy analyst.
Every Tom Dick and Harry has gotten in on the act, and anyone on the left who has opinion suddenly is deemed capable of making political judgements. Just look at Huffington Post, arguably the blog most infested with vapid movie stars, TV series has-beens, and other intellectually challanged types who are given a platform to spew their hate-filled rants and sophomoric opinions.
How we answer from our side this is an interesting question.
tony| 1.13.09 @ 9:50AM
I've had several conversations with Obama supporters, both online and in person. When they talk about the coming years, there is a consistent theme, the need to put aside our differences and get along. Naturally, I challenge them on this and ask what they've been doing to get along the past 8 years. The response is typically that it was Bush's fault, that he divided the country. I try to dig deeper into that but find it to be a frustrating process because when talking to liberals, you are usually dealing with people who are ruled by their emotions.
The proper response for anyone dealing with a liberal who insists that it's time to get along is to acknowledge how important it is to be fair, because liberals are great champions of fairness, and explain that the only fair thing is treat Obama the same way liberals treated Bush. Obama is owed no more respect than Bush. Trust me when I tell you that this will frustrate the typical Obama supporter. They will struggle to respond and you will get a measure of satisfaction.
In terms of the national debate, conservatives must be willing to pound on Obama when he does the wrong thing. Even more important, we must hold republicans accountable and not allow them to bend over for Obama just so they can avoid looking bad with the press. We go along with him when we agree with him, but we fight him vigorously when we disagree.
John W.| 1.13.09 @ 9:54AM
The Left (including the Democrats) consists of the infantile led by the childish for the benefit of the adolescent at the direction of the megalomaniacal.
Somebody in U.S. politics needs to be the adult, and that would be the Right. If we descend to the level of behavior exhibited by the NYT/DailyKos/ et. al. ad nauseam, there will be no adults in our political life.
As satisfying as it might be to adopt the Hegelian approach to justice and treat the left to its own behavior, in the end it does no one any good.
oldschorz| 1.13.09 @ 9:55AM
Rush Limbaugh often cites the lack of ability of liberals to compete in the arena of ideas. They thus resort to 4 letter word name calling. Conservatives do not have to join them in the gutter, but can provide alterative solutions in more reasoned, adult terms. We just need to use our own words that register to the ADD young generation with the 2 second attention span..
james23| 1.13.09 @ 9:55AM
"If conservatives start down the road of these Frank Rich-style Shallow Hal's of the left -- and doubtless there will be some unable, understandably, to resist the temptation -- the conservative movement will not be back any time soon."
Has the author been asleep the last two elections? The mad-dogs have swept to power. The lesson is clear. Trash Obomber relentlessly, let his ratings crash to ground and win elections. Its ugly, its offensive, but it works without question. Sucks to be Obomber.
Tim| 1.13.09 @ 10:21AM
I wonder how loud the crys from the left will be if and when a bill is passed taking away the "Secret Ballot individual Vote" from workers regarding their choice of bringing in a union or not in their work place.
In, fact if the "far left " could achieve their goals by doing away with the individual's vote, they would in a San Francisco Heart Beat.IMHO
Teleprompter Messiah| 1.13.09 @ 10:27AM
Obama is a smug, preening, empty suit. Relentless mockery of the tin messiah is called for along with mirth at the risability of his followers.
CHANGE YOU BELIEVED IN is the rallying cry. Pull out the NYT "has the makings of a great president" endorsement (he's "intellectually curious" doncha know, as opposed to the boob Bush) at every misstep, miscue and retreat from promises to create heaven on Earth, and most especially, continuation of Bush administration policies (less evil than advertised now that the "right" people are in place).
Lastly, when confronted how "mean spirited" and "crude" you are in not giving Mr. Obama (never refer to the President as such, always by his name, another Leftie tactic) a fair chance, rejoin: "Sarah Palin is a C*$t".
You called down the Thunder, live with it.
So help me God, this is going to be a fun four years.
MWB| 1.13.09 @ 10:55AM
My recommendation is that once the bloom is of the Obama rose blame him for everything bad that happens in the world, laugh at him in all his silly pretentiousness, and sereptiously stab him the back politically whenever the opportunity presents itself. This effete empty suit and bleeding-heart social activist who relied on affirmative action and white racial guilt at every turn to promote himself in his ridiculously short career is NOT my president!
Alan Brooks| 1.13.09 @ 11:06AM
"Alan, Clinton will never be re-elected" --
conservative PhD holder (not that a doctorate means anything necessarily), 1995
your worst enemies are friends who give you bad info.
Bill| 1.13.09 @ 11:23AM
Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.
crobar| 1.13.09 @ 11:26AM
Just keep sane, the liberals have been nuts. Needs to be true, and not just insults. I fear too much energy is going into hopeless issues; birth certificate and secret muslim. They may be true, but we will not win with them. We will have plenty of obvious, mainstream issues. Believe, I'm from Illinois.
David Smith| 1.13.09 @ 11:39AM
As a 72 year-old Conservative, raised in NYC as a Rosevelt Liberal, I concluded long ago that l
Liberals are incapable of responsive debate. When a fact is raised that is contrary to Liberal philosophy, the Liberal responds with personal attacks rather than reasoned debate. I have given up trying to discuss anything politically sensetive with Liberals, and concluded that my decision will extend my life span by several years; I don't need the aggrivation!
sally zelikovsky| 1.13.09 @ 11:50AM
I say, like Carter, we let BHO hoist himself by his own petard. My suspicion is IF we stay on message as conservatives, continue to point out the disproportionality in treatment by the press of Bush and BHO, provide reasoned and factual responses to his politices, while taking a step back and letting him rule as he would, in due course BHO will screw things up.
Angelo Z| 1.13.09 @ 11:55AM
Sooner or later, everyone pays for his or her conduct, and in Mr Rich's case, the day is fast approaching when his rancid bile, wil no longer be printed in the NYT, unless of course he is bailed out. I certainly would not rule that out. As far as Olberman and Leterman are concerned, fewer people are watching, so much so for Mr Leterman in particular, that CBS is trying to replace him by another Liberal tv type, John Stewart.
Chris| 1.13.09 @ 11:59AM
I continue to marvel at libs like "Fred" who are able to deny reality at the drop of a hat and with a straight face. The statement, "Bush was given tons of rope by which to hang himself ," is farcical. What planet was he living on at the time? Doesn't he remember that Bush was hated by all on the Left from day 1 because he "stole" the 2000 election? And that was the source of all their bile? Your side set the current standard for the opposition. You can't whine about it now and change the rules of engagement and demand that everyone be civil and blindly loyal just because one of yours is now the target. Take your own advice and take responsibility for what your side did over the last 8 years and don't blame someone else.
As for the "attacks" on Obama, the first 3(Marxist, liar, slimy Chicago politician) are true. As for the illegal alien and Muslim attacks(didn't think open- minded libs would consider those to be "attacks"), those are pretty tame compared to what's been said about Bush or even Palin for that matter. I would much rather be "accused" of being a Muslim than be accused of knowing about or even planning a terrorist attack on your own country like Bush was. If those are the worst things he's called over the next 4-8 years then that's petty by comparison to Bush.
L. Ross| 1.13.09 @ 12:01PM
I honestly hope that BHO does well. 'Course I don't expect much, but so far, other than selecting Biden, he has been better than I expected. That said, I hope that when he makes mistakes (and he will) we will be free to criticize him without fear of being called racist. A black man is the president will shortly be the president of the United States, and leader of the free world. Can we finally give it a break about how picked on blacks are in this country. It would be nice to address root causes of poverty in the black community like the toxic culture of welfare which has made fatherless families possible and the endless glorification of sports and entertainment celebrities (just a glorified minstrel show) which is keeping our black population from reaching their potential. It would be nice if we could address those kinds of issues now.
Finally, I must admit, I'm pretty stoked to have BHO taking over the reins at this moment. I suspect that no matter who is in the oval office, they won't have much good news to report for a long time. Other than national security (incredibly important, I admit), I don't see how Republicans could have benefited from having McCain walk into this hornet's nest.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 12:14PM
Mr. Lord --
Think what you will about Frank Rich. (I agree his rhetoric is divisive and unproductive.)
He doesn't deserve to be classified alongside Keith Obermann or some blogger from the Daily Kos.
You people, by propogating this fantasy of a monolithic "main stream media" dominated by a "liberal elite," hurt your own cause by making comparisons like this.
It would be like me saying Charles Krauthammer must be a fool because he sometimes has the same opinions as some squawking know-nothing on a local a.m. radio station.
It would be better to a) Use more of Rich's actual writing against him; and b) Run that alongside -- say -- Paul Krugman or another columnist of comparable skill.
Olbermann is nothing more than a left wing Bill O'reilley. They're fine for entertainment, but they don't give thoughtful, original, or insightful opinions about politics.
mentalgame| 1.13.09 @ 12:35PM
You Liberals got it all wrong! The "Obama the first black President" should be "Obama the last black President".
Aklon| 1.13.09 @ 12:41PM
It is incumbent on all of us that didn't vote for him to diligently work to ensure that Mr. Obama enjoys the same level of respect and support that was given to George W. Bush.
Charles Martel| 1.13.09 @ 12:50PM
Obama = Mugabe
The bailout in Republican hands has been the action of startled public servants succumbing to the Keynesian temptation. In Democrat hands, it is an opportunity to impose permanently the unalloyed evil of Socialism on the one country that has until now been at the forefront of resistance thereto: in the words of the incoming White House chief of staff, "you never want a serious crisis to go to waste." Thus, they will consciously extend the crisis for as long as it takes to enact their hateful agenda. I congratulate any and all who have had the supreme foresight to buy gold.
Closing Guantanamo is not the idea of a "devious fool". It is the idea of a willing confederate: devious, yes, and whose first sympathies are with the God-cursed Mohammedans who would topple the world's paramount civilization, the undermining of which has been at the center of the Kenyan's entire career. Or have you already forgotten what he himself wrote in his first, less often quoted autobiography, "My Struggle"... er, I mean, "Dreams from My Father"?
It is the duty of the Right -- the duty -- to do all in its remaining power to see to it that this "presidency" ends in utter failure, in disaster, in catastrophe, in lamentations -- wailing, gnashing of teeth, and rending of garments -- though it split the Republic in twain and hurl the two halves into the void. The commencement of a very painful lesson is only a week away, and if it doesn't hurt, the people will not learn.
Take no prisoners. Leave no survivors. If we act like we're too good to fight them, like we're better than they are and that fighting would be beneath us, history will tell jokes about us -- in Arabic.
+++
Dai Alanye | 1.13.09 @ 12:58PM
Michigander-Matt has it right.
As much as I disagree with Dubya on certain policies, his main political mistake has been acting the part of a good Christian gentleman, and attempting to make common cause, where possible, with the Dems. Doesn't work and can't work, given the nature of the present liberal/progressive outlook.
We don't, of course, wish to display ourselves as idiots the way the Dems have, but we must oppose all questionable Obama policies (that is, 98% of them) and not be excessively scrupulous in doing so. In other words, when the enemy refuses to follow the Geneva Conventions there is no requirement that we do so.
Jack Woodson| 1.13.09 @ 1:10PM
Just shut-up everybody. When Bamtard is done we'll all be riding in the cart, being pulled by "the Rich" (and not Frank Rich!) Just lace your fingers behind your head and lean back on that fat, stinky, welfare king or queen riding along beside you. You deserve it! You've earned it by your vote.
Anthony| 1.13.09 @ 1:14PM
We will never do to Obama what the Left did to Bush, because our criticisms will be rooted in fact and objective analysis, not irrational hatred and mindless leftist dogmas. Rich, Krugman, and Olberman, are hate filled narcissists who practice the leftist dogmas out of their devotion to the cause and the financial benefits that come with it. The Princeton economist and Nobel Laureate, Krugman, had a column the other day strongly against tax cuts. It was a classic infantile tirade of class warefare. I wonder if the parents of these students, that dish out $50,000 a year to this institution of leftist drivil, share his economic philosophy. They probably do, and I suspect their Volvos all have Obama 08 stickers, and of course, the ubiquitous 1/20/09 sticker. Is it just me or does Krugman always appear to be off his meds? Rich is just a failed movie critic and nasty old queen who specializes in ad hominem attacks. He fancies himself an intellectual; but of course, many on the left do, like Algore, so the bar is kinda low in that regard. And Olbermann is just a plain old ignorant loudmouth, who looks in the mirror and sees a prince. If history is objective, and is written sans the dearly departed who suffered from Bush Derangment Syndrome, then it will be very kind to Mr. Bush. Concomitantly, it will be very harsh on this leftist generation that helped destroy the greatest constitutional democracy in the history of the world, based upon the greatest hoaxes ever perpetuated on human kind, socialism and anthropogenic global warming. If America survives the death throes of the '60s generation, they will erect monuments dedicated to the colossal stupidity and arrogance of Al Gore and his fellow travelers. The three stooges heretofore mentioned, will share in the infamy.
jack| 1.13.09 @ 1:23PM
Never forget Obama is the same imbecile who claimed proper tire inflation as a way to solve our energy crises! He was given a chance by his useful idiots in the media to correct himself a day or two later,he could have said that wasnt how he meant it,but he didnt. He was using this idiotic argument to fight new drilling.
This administration will implode from within from corruption and from just way too many Clintonites.
The media will have much to answer for by not vetting this moron.
Still cant wait for the first time his teleprompter has a problem. Duh,uh,duh,uh,ya know,duh,uhhhh,du
Jack Bauer | 1.13.09 @ 1:43PM
" If conservatives start down the road of these Frank Rich-style Shallow Hal's of the left -- and doubtless there will be some unable, understandably, to resist the temptation -- the conservative movement will not be back any time soon. "
That doesn't make sense.
The author just detailed the dereanged calumnies hurled at Bush for the past 8 years, and not simply from the outer fringes of lunacy, but main streamed.
It seems to have rather helped the stealth socialist movement make a come-back, right now. Or did I miss something here since, well, 2005?
Okay -- I understand President Bush pretty much killed conservatives within the Rep party. all by himself.
But the idea that conservative should bend over and not make savage hits on this socialist administration and its creepy cult leaders. No thanks, I decline the offer.
Pat| 1.13.09 @ 1:44PM
2009 has barely started and already Lord has penned the 1,249th conservative political article of the year finding bias within the mainstream media - oh, the humanity. When you write for a living, you must recognize favorite themes that resonate with your readers, themes you can write about again and again, yet themes your readers never tire of hearing. Liberal bias within the media is apparently one of those themes and, for conservatives, one of the best loved and most warmly cherished.
When you don't have time to gather interesting data for an article or you aren't personally blessed with a surplus of brains that can easily whip up a unique and fresh point of view, you can always drag out one of these Golden Oldie themes and, Voila', instant article. From Ann Coulter to this writer, Jeff Lord, there seems to be an unrelenting fascination with the perfidy of the liberal media among most conservatives.
Yes, the media is clearly biased, we know, we know. And many conservatives must appreciate writers like Lord giving them frequent updates on whether that situation has recently changed. Is the media still filled with liberal bias today? "Yes, they are", Jeff Lord assures us. So, they're just the same today as they were yesterday, nothing has changed right? Thanks for the update Jeff, we'll keep checking back.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 2:10PM
Gosh -- this piece provoked a nasty, shallow thread of posts. You guys are usually more interesting.
-------------------------------------------------------
Mental Game writes: You Liberals got it all wrong! The "Obama the first black President" should be "Obama the last black President".
Mental Game -- you're just a ignorant racist jackass, and getting to know more of your opinions on anything would be pretty boring, but let me ask you: do you ever consider not expressing yourself to preserve some shred of personal dignity?
Mike| 1.13.09 @ 2:13PM
Mr. Lord,
I notice that Mr. Rich's articles are laced with links to studies, reports, news stories and other opinion makers, unlike your rant and those of your claque.
the-gunslinger | 1.13.09 @ 2:31PM
*Sigh*
Nice, nice Republicans and Conservatives, are once again taking the "high road". How staunch of them. How high-minded of them. How fair an decent of them.
And what losers. We are in a fight to the death. And the enemy (Liberals/Leftists/Socialists) have no compunctions and no rules. Can't we learn a lesson from President Bush, and at least begin to understand the nature of the enemy?
Bring a copy of Miss Manners to a gunfight, and all you get is shot dead.
It's time to put away the sugar tongs, and pick up your AK-47. The fate of the world is at stake, and I'm sorry, but you're going to have to get your hands a little dirty if you're going to participate in saving it. If you can't "lower" yourself to the enemies level, tactics and do them one better, THEY WILL KILL YOU.
This is not an intellectual exercise or a classroom debate. This is friggin' war for our civilization. Sorry if the necessary tactics offend your delicate sensibilities.
Our incoming "rulers" are enemies of the Founders, the Republic, of Liberty, the Constitution, and the Free Market. And the first thing on our to-do list should be to destabilize, discombobulate, disorganize, attack, upset, insult, demoralize and mock ZerObama's administration, and render it as ineffective and ineffectual as is possible. We can't give them a moment's peace, a moment in which to gather themselves, to hug themselves, to congratulate themselves...to allow them to imagine they are the saviors, the popular, the well-regarded, the true princes of America....we have to keep the heat on, keeping them anxious, nervous, scared, threatened, confused, surprised, shocked, unhappy, lashing out stupidly, saying unwise things, exposing their agenda, getting frustrated, acting badly, being paranoid—getting caught up in "politics" instead of "policy". Getting derailed by constantly haveing to play defense, so they cannot spend their energy on offense.
The less they can accomplish, the better. Because everything they have planned is BAD for America. Everything any of them, singly or collectively has ever done has been BAD for America. It's who they are, it's what they do. It's what they intend, and it's our job to stop them. Whatever it takes. And right now, it means taking down this Communist front and his criminal cronies as soon as possible.
You're either part of the solution, or part of the problem. And being "nice" to these reprobates, by, in any way, making it easier for them to accomplish their unholy mission, is definitely being part of the problem.
It's time to man up. Time to gun up. Literally and figuratively. We need to ask ourselves, WWJD?
No...not Jesus. Jack. Jack Bauer.
Yeah, it IS that bad.
macdaddy| 1.13.09 @ 2:47PM
I agree with Mr. Lord. Conservatives should stick to the facts with their criticisms. This is not to say that we shouldn't use every rule and political trick in the book to their advantage, but we shouldn't make it easy for the MSM, either. Let Obama get torn down by the Left. That shouldn't be too hard once you realize his base posesses a great sense of entitlement but no measure of proportion.
Alan Brooks| 1.13.09 @ 2:51PM
after what happened with Clinton, the underestimation of him, i'm not going to say one word against Obama except to say "its his war, his deficit".
growing up in the Left (it wasnt even that, it was the dissolute New Left counterculture) and having had a ringside seat to the maddening crowd, the ethnic bedlam, im not even a conservative-- am a cynical curmudgeon with zero faith in social progress.
Interloper| 1.13.09 @ 3:44PM
Pat, pretty much all Jeffrey Lord does is publish the same hackneyed propaganda over and over again. He must have macros for many of the phrases so that he can just hit a key to recall them for each piece. If you look back at his output over the years you'll discover the same articles, barely changed, in different Right Wing publications. Often, what he has said has been refuted numerous times. In short, Lord is a hack.
Jeremiah, the number of overtly racist remarks in the comments prove the nature of much of the opposition to President-elect Barack Obama. Nearly 80 percent of the American public support the soon-to-be president according to national opinion polls. So, one has to wonder where to find the minority. You've found some of it here.
As for the basic premise of this piece - that Obama can be 'Bushed' - that will only be true if Obama makes just about every mistake imaginable as Bush has. I do not think he will. President Bush is vulnerable to so much criticism because he has failed at just about everything during his presidency.
Bilwick| 1.13.09 @ 3:54PM
To me anyone stupid enough to believe the hodgepodge of secular and theological superstition called the "Social Gospel " (which Obama apparently does, if his longtime membership at Rev. Wright's church would seem to indicate)-- or even just the mishmosh of bonehead economics, "ressentiment, " and State-cultism that calls itself "liberalism"--is at least as stupid as Bush. So why not make fun of him? On the other hand there's also some evidence that Obama is less of a true believer than he is a Buppy careerist, and uses and discards people (Rev. Wright included) as career necessity dictates. So while I almost certain be ridiculing him, my jury remains out on how savagely.
Jack Woodson| 1.13.09 @ 3:56PM
The Gunslinger is right... look at the 3:44 pm post. Everything been refuted, you know, fake but accurate. Here I go: Mr. Change re-installed the Clinton administration... he lied! Mr. Hope was going to split from Iraq A.S.A.P... he lied! He's going to add troops to Afghanistan... Obama Lied, People died! Mr. Economic Genius was going to "give" 95% of the Middle Class a tax cut... Puh-Leeze! Lying-Chimpy-Obama-Stalin!
Todd| 1.13.09 @ 4:11PM
Jeremiah,
You are just another typical hypocritical liberal moron. You had the gall to try to label me a racist because I don't buy into the liberal narrative about the poor oppressed Palestinian's at the hands of the Israeli's. You are unable to reason what is really going on because you see the staged photos on CNN and you automatically blame the Jews like the fool you are. Obama will be a bad President because he is a far-left inexperienced shallow liberal, not because he is black (and half-white as well). His policies goes against all reason and known facts of economics and we will all pay for this one way or the other.
Tim| 1.13.09 @ 4:19PM
Did I mis read the story, or did I just read and hear that Obama's Treasury Nominee, failed to pay some taxes on one of his "Illegal" servants?
Marc Jeric| 1.13.09 @ 4:21PM
1) The left has been in a lunatic rage ever since their attempted coup d'etat in the 2000 Florida election failed (they got better in the election stealing racket since - see the Washington State governor 2006 election and the 2008 Minnesota senatorial election, to mention just these two).
2) Abu Hussein from Kenya should be attacked every chance we get - and we will get many, given his choices of committed communists and liars for his government;
3) Abu Hussein believes in the ingenuity of Americans to invent new energy - renewable and cheap. That reminds me of the belief on medieval alchemists to find the stone of eternal youth and of their conviction to be able to transform lead into gold. We should be relentless in attacks on such extreme stupidity.
DaveS| 1.13.09 @ 4:44PM
The public will be convinced of BO's worth without any of us putting our two cents in. I am not worried: a Harvard law graduate who already overuses the 'uh' term shows weakness of speech. Reagan had ideas and could communicate bravely. Bush had a few ideas and could only occasionally communicate through his obvious humility. Obama has today's ideas, but not much on-the-fly speaking skills. be patient: Pelosi and Reid will help him screw up.
Michele San Pietro| 1.13.09 @ 5:24PM
I don't see why criticism of Obama should be regarded as racism, since he will obviously be criticized for his actions, not for something else.
Tim| 1.13.09 @ 5:26PM
Just on another level, I find it very sad for the bulk of the African American poor. I really do!
First they have had the likes of Jesse Jackson and the Kennedys exploit them to no end....then they are told their Saviour has arrived only to be let down in a few years.......
What is worse is that Obama could end up being the biggest token appointment of all and the whole thing having been orchastrated by the Dems political machine.
You can see just how over his head Obama really is....it is discusting to see him being used like this and I didn't even vote for the man.
I wonder who the real racists are?
Sick just sick!
Louis Jenkins| 1.13.09 @ 5:35PM
LBJ was once running for an office in his home state and asked one of his campaign go-fers to leak the rumor that his opposition was having sex with farm animals. The go-fer stated, "We can't accuse him of having carnal knowledge with animals!" LBJ replied, "We don't want to accuse him of it, just get him to deny it." (paraphrased) Thus began the great modern era of leftist smears against opponents. The Republican party is too limp wristed to counter any off color accusation, and doesn't have the backbone. Honestly, the Lib newsmedia and the people it represents are playing rope-a-dope with Conservatives. And they're (we're) letting them.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 5:51PM
Todd
A pretty good definition of "racism" is attributing to an entire ethnic group (scientifically speaking, of course, there is no such thing as "race") characteristics that are in fact culturally circumscribed and historically contingent.
Your usual post offers some hodge-podge of sentimental bathos and accusations that Palestinians are as a people terrorists or evildoers or whatever. I'd say my use of that word was and is accurate, as it is above when someone hurls around the word "black" as though it determines Obama's abilities or character.
It's like going back to the seventh grade arguing with some of you people, I swear.
However, there are many more conservatives who are decent, reasonable, honest, and smart. I accept that 90% of criticisms of Obama as well as opinions about the Middle East expressed around here are not racist. Just not yours.
Todd| 1.13.09 @ 6:19PM
Listen you douche bag Jeremiah, I referred specifically to Hamas as terrorists and seeking the destruction of Israel. This is exactly what I said if you go back to the post "There is really no difference between Al Quaeda and Hamas in ideology Jeremiah. They are both dedicated to jihad and fundamentalist Islam. To say the Palestinian's who put Hamas in power are innocent is laughable, would you say the same about the Germans after they put Hitler in power? You subscribe to the liberal victim mindset and if you knew something about real history, you would discover that the Palestinian homeland is a myth to stoke up resentment against the Jews. And what is the occupation you are referring to Jeremiah? I believe they gave them the West Bank and Gaza only to get rockets in return. This article is directly aimed at the mindset of people like you that are unable to distinguish good and evil and think all cultures are equivalent."
So tell me you jackass where the racism is? By the way, the Jews and Palestinians are very ethnically similar so the main difference is religion and their culture. The Jews have developed a culture of productivity while the Arabs have developed a culture of backwardness and hate-filled ideology. Funny how you "progressives" only shows sympathy for the group that wants to take us back to the 7th century.
Mike| 1.13.09 @ 6:36PM
This is one big anti-intellectual circle jerk
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 6:37PM
Todd --
Setting aside your sophmoric name-calling, I'll issue first a response to your prior email, then to your current one.
You have so many facts wrong it's difficult to know where to begin.
1. The Germans did not really put Hitler into power, first of all. This is a common misconception, but nonetheless important. Hitler was voted into power by a rather small percentage of eligible German votes; he then concentrated power by wiping out opposition and finally creating what in political science we call a "unitary executive." (Sound familiar?)
2. To say that the Palestinians put Hamas in power is already on shaky ground, let alone attempting to connect this fantasy up with a bad historical analogy with respect to Germans. (A little advice, Todd: NEVER make historical analogies. Only the most astute and learned historians can do it without making fools out of themselves.)
The Palestinians in Gaza voted for a political entity that is indeed connected with the armed resistance. That democratically elected entity was forced out of power by Israel and the U.S., making armed resistance more attractive. There can be know question that the Palestinians have awful political leadership: but where would you have them gain effective leadership? From homeless, jobless, hopeless young men in the camps, who have no education, no money, no time for study or organizing? It's a ludicrous expectation.
Now, the Palestinians want to take "us" nowhere. This is where you go completely off the rails. There ARE indeed terrorist organizations like Al Quaeda that have or cliam to have broad international goals. Palestinians by and large fight for territory to which they lay claim. Their demands are actually rather modest: they are not attempting to project power into Europe or the western hemisphere (as we think nothing of doing in their region). Instead, they are fighting for what they claim is their homeland. The legitimacy of that claim is a separate (and again very complex) issue, but it has nothing to do with being "evildoers" out to end our "way of life" or "take away our freedoms." That's just nonsense Rush Limbaugh's been teaching you.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 6:39PM
Error: "There can be no question...etc."
Todd| 1.13.09 @ 6:59PM
I will call you out when you refer to someone as a racist with no evidence of it besides disagreeing with you, that is bullcrap and you deserve to be called a jackass. Are you trying to make some kind of Bush - Hitler analogy with your "sounds familiar". I figured you to be one of those Bush=Hitler morons. And I believe they had an election where they voted to put Hamas in power so the ground doesn't look to shaky to me. My analogy between the Palestinian's and the Germans is that they both voted into power groups that are virulently anti-Semite and nothing more.
Do you know anything about what Hamas represents? They certainly do not seek a two-state solution or seeking modest demands like you are claiming. Right in their charter it states they seek the destruction of the State of Israel and they are in charge of the so-called Palestinian State. If there will be any chance of peace, Hamas must be destroyed because they will not seek any kind of truce or peaceful settlement. They know the UN will call-out for a cease fire and condemn Israel so they will play that game and people like you go along with it and more people will end up dead down the road.
You never answered my question last time "Jeremiah" about why you spend so much time trolling on this site. I figure you for a paid operative or someone with way too much time on your hands. Maybe one of those 10-year University students who has had 5 different majors.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 7:14PM
Todd --
You have to ask what light your analogy throws on the issue. How are the Palestinians like the Germans in the 1930s? If their alleged "anti-semitism" is the only link, the analogy breaks down into useless incoherence.
As for destroying Hamas, good fortune to you.
"Racism" was a perfect term for your attempt to attribute to all Palestinians the most detestable values of Hamas. It just doesn't work, sport.
Just for once try to understand why Hamas exists at all. Is it a) because Palestinians are some how congenitally bent towards terrorism; or b) because Palestinians have spent five human generations living as one of the most oppressed ethnics groups on the face of the earth. They're up against the FOURTH most powerful military in the world.
OpChaos Voter| 1.13.09 @ 7:38PM
What the heck is this guy talking about? This reminds me of the"right wing hatred" we heard during the campaign . Who is supposed to do the bashing? McAin? Boehner? Governor Arnold? Bloomberg?
If this cretin is inferring that Rush should not publish "Barack the Magic Negro" songs, then he is an idiot. There has not been and there will be no personal attack on Hussein Obama (Is that a personal attack too?) during his upcoming 8 years in office. What we WILL get is the type of timidity currently displayed by the GOP. As far as I'm concerned, f--- the GOP. I'll wait for a courageous candidate to appear. And don't start with the Ron Paul bullsh&*&, either.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 7:42PM
OpChaos Voter --
Insightful political analysis you've offered.
However, one place to start looking for right wing "hatred" would be Sarah Palin's little klan rallies down south, where she all but called Obama a terrorist and a traitor and incited her frenzied audience to call for his assassination.
Satan Master of the Universe.| 1.13.09 @ 8:00PM
Yes, here we are again another political cycle, and Obama has been well and truely set up.
This Israeli and Palestinian problem has turned for the first time, normally it's at the end of the cycle this time it's at the start of the cycle.
What does it mean for the middle eastern problems? What I do know is Israel has had more than 200 Resolutions passed against it for theft of land, invasions occupations, mass murder, has it made any difference?.
I do not think Obama was selected for his wisdom on dealing with these issues but more of an image.
What the image projects, the unfortunate thing for most Americans and indeed most of the people around the world who listen to Fox News and most of the Bull S..t News channel and News papers they will paint a positive picture, till they are ready to tear him down.
It makes me wonder what they have on Obama, to be sure he will carry out their crimes against humanity. Could it be past homosexuality the question is what is it? but rest assured they have something on him, as garantee.
Could it be a false flag operation on the President to stir a race riot such as never seen in the world, I do wonder. Because even Barney Franks is complaining about the Obama planned spending, and he is only an Homosexual, on show. Then there is Liberman another Homosexual in high office how do they arrive in high office is any ones guess.
One thing is sure, Obama is not in for an easy ride. The economy may well never recover, and the only way is if the American Administration attack Iran. And I think that is the plot, pull down the economy to get what they want.
Iran has no WMD and Obama knows this, but what difference does it make, it's about power and control.
Mass murder is of no consiquences to the kind of people behind the seens. We are in for a rocky ride folks, I warned you.
Todd| 1.13.09 @ 8:03PM
Like most liberals Jeremiah, you have very little grasp of history besides what you are told from the MSM. You do not have a clue what happened in the 1967 War where the Arabs told the Palestinians to get out of Israel because they were going to destroy Israel and than they could take all the land back. Turned out that ploy backfired despite Israel being greatly outnumbered because Israel fought bravely and righteously for their survival from the Arab hordes. So do you expect Israel just to let them back into the country after that maneuver? Hell no because they backed the enemy for their destruction so they can take a hike. I mentioned before that the other Arab countries decided it was in their interest to keep them in those awful camps instead of assimilating them in their countries like Jordan for propaganda purposes. It might be true they are an oppressed people but it is not coming from the Israeli's but their own fellow Arabs. But you have no interest in learning real history because liberals do not care about that, see the Great Depression as a good example of that.
By the way, you join any of those freedom fighting rallies for Palestine taking place in this country? A Neo-Nazi would feel right at home in those rallies with the open hatred displayed for the Jews. Seems like they are much less interested in a two state solution than a final solution favored by Adolf Hitler. Go back to the Daily Kos where you belong.
Jeremiah | 1.13.09 @ 8:54PM
Todd --
I have reviewed the attached wikipedia article on the Palestinians and found it to be quite good. I urge you to read it, if only to find quality scholarly sources for further study. Once you learn more about the actual history here, you will find it harder to be so sure you are right on this topic.
I assure you I am aware of the 67 war and all of these other things you mention, and I don't need your promptings to be supportive of Israel's right to defend itself.
None of this negates the reality of the suffering of Palestinians. And you're right, Arab regimes (and groups like Al Quaeda) relentlessly exploit Palestinian suffering for their own benefit. I have always maintained that they share responsibility for this conflict.
What I refuse to accept is not any particular policy proposal. In fact, I think the Bush administration has done some good in this region, and the Palestinians might never have had elections at all had it not been for their efforts.
What I do not accept is this notion that Palestinians have some how brought their terrible poverty and hopeless condition on themselves. It's an untenable and unjust position to take, and simply lumping all "Arabs" together and saying they get what they deserve is obtuse and morally stupid.
It's not a situation that lends itself easy to black and white categories -- the Israelis are good, the Arabs are bad.
Nobody I know from the Middle East, Arab or Israeli, thinks this way.
Anyway, I hope you get something out of the article and can begin to see that these are human beings, most of whom couldn't do a damn thing to stop the fighting if they tried. They're too broke, and sick, and poor, and lacking in any hope for the future whatsoever. Jesus. Have a little empathy for them. It'll do you some good.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 8:57PM
Todd --
One last thing. I've never looked at the Daily Kos, not once. But let me explain something to you. I don't take orders about what to read or "where to go." You need to learn manners, comrade.
IsraelMyLand| 1.13.09 @ 9:32PM
Jeremiah you dumb liberal jerk (double pleonasm)! What do you know about history and who are you to lecture us? You think you got what it takes to do so? My family was almost wiped out by the nazis during WW II, the survivors made it very clear to me the German people put Hitler in power, no crazy scheme involved! Please leave history and Sarah Palin alone until you complete high school and then join the GOP, you really need an education if you can use it. Better yet, give us a break!
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 9:35PM
Jeremiah, your smear of Sarah Palin pisses me off. Why bring her up? I listened to her speeches on the campaign trail and I NEVER heard racism toward Obama. You should talk about vicious bigotry--your side's disgusting sexism toward her was beneath the pale. You're just another nasty liberal trying to destroy her before the next election. That's the ugliest thing I've ever heard from you and she wasn't even mentioned in this thread before you attacked her. Michigan Matt speaks the truth, brass knuckles work--just look at the dummocrats.
IsraelMy Land| 1.13.09 @ 9:39PM
One last thing (for the time being) Jeremiah: You really stink up the place with your rant! Can't you see this is the American Spectator here and not Salon? YOU need to take orders about what to read or "where to go." YOU need to learn manners" and keep your "comrade" for your partners.
Lila| 1.13.09 @ 9:41PM
I now know why I am not a liberal any more. Facts people, it's not that hard.
and I see the left just can not leave Palin out of it, I believe it must be a love/hate relationship. as far as her instigating hate against Obama, I'd say he was the leader in that area. Followers in his rallies wore T-shirts saying, "Abort Palin." Uh, doesn't that mean KILL? Oh, I forget, killing is ok, in that sense of the word.
Obama looks down his nose at our military and most Americans(bitter, etc. etc.) and went to the Church of Hate(God D...America) for over 20 years. And as far as dumb remarks made by Bush, at least Bush knows how many states there are. We already know Obama can not take the hard knocks. His way to deal is to try to shut people up. He is so weak, it is scary. I almost feel sorry for the man. and I do for his children.
As far as the Palistine people, you notice they dance in the street after they have strapped bombs on their own children, who die in the process of killing Jews, any Jew.
But, stay with me now, when they are killed by a Jew, without killing a Jew, it is a sad day in the neighborhood. Israel had this land over 3,000 years ago, the Palistine people are a mish mash of many different nationalities from many different countries. If the countries surrounding Israel really cared about their plight, they would have helped them by now, by letting them walk across their borders, which they won't. It's just too much darn fun, to see them suffer and do their dirty work to kill those Jews. The same people that cry for the killings in Gaza, shed no tears for Israel, and those same people that think that torture against our enemies is an international crime are the same that think Aborting a baby is just fine. Pathetic. I am sick of this politically correct BS.
Sodomize Jeremiah!!| 1.13.09 @ 9:43PM
Jeremiaah... I'm baaack!
Lila| 1.13.09 @ 9:49PM
One more thing, please people, if you have a brain at all, do not go to wikipedia for your information. .... unbelievable..
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 9:50PM
Woah! Everybody calm down! OK OK I somehow got carried away and I overdid it as usual, but you right wingers are fair game now that we won, didn't we? Where is a relaxed debate when you need one?
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 9:56PM
Stick it, Jeremiah.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 10:01PM
The previous post by "Jeremiah" ("Whoa..") is not written by me, the REAL Jeremiah, and last of the good guys.
You people really get excited when blood is in the water.
Let one person just once have a word to say on behalf of the Palestinians, and you people start honking and braying like there's no tomorrow.
I have always maintained that Israel is our friend and ally and that Israel has the right to defend itself. Always.
As for Lila's complain about wikipedia:
A recent study found fewer mistakes on wikipedia than in a similar selection from other more traditional encyclopedias.
Besides, as I pointed out to Todd, you can use wikipedia for a handy bibliography of scholarly sources.
But just out of curiosity Lila: what factual errors did you discover in the article? I'd like to know.
As for the rest of you. Peace, comrades. I'm not one of those people who finds my country so imperfect I like to pal around with terrorists. I'm a real American, like you, so don't worry.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 10:01PM
The previous post by "Jeremiah" ("Whoa..") is not written by me, the REAL Jeremiah, and last of the good guys.
You people really get excited when blood is in the water.
Let one person just once have a word to say on behalf of the Palestinians, and you people start honking and braying like there's no tomorrow.
I have always maintained that Israel is our friend and ally and that Israel has the right to defend itself. Always.
As for Lila's complain about wikipedia:
A recent study found fewer mistakes on wikipedia than in a similar selection from other more traditional encyclopedias.
Besides, as I pointed out to Todd, you can use wikipedia for a handy bibliography of scholarly sources.
But just out of curiosity Lila: what factual errors did you discover in the article? I'd like to know.
As for the rest of you. Peace, comrades. I'm not one of those people who finds my country so imperfect I like to pal around with terrorists. I'm a real American, like you, so don't worry.
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 10:01PM
As a token of my good will, I give you this fair advice: one thing you could do to get even, would be to trash every office in the White House before Inauguration Day and steal all the O's on the computers, just like we did in 2000 with the W's!
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 10:12PM
Again....some poor soul is posting under my name. "As a token of my good will..."
Lad, speak for yourself.
This is I, Jeremiah, unrepentant tax and spend leftist, and last of the good guys.
The Kleig Lights| 1.13.09 @ 10:15PM
Isn't anyone interested in debating politics around here?
Sometimes I show up and there's some honest to goodness debate.
I'm afraid I'm another liberal. But I'd sure like to hear rational arguments and civil debate.
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 10:16PM
That's the difference between us and you, we wouldn't even consider trashing a national treasure like the White House. The word is class--get some!
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 10:20PM
Did you misspell klieg lights on purpose?
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 10:23PM
Whoever is posting under Jeremiah's name (and isn't Jeremiah) is making me laugh because everything you said is true.
lila| 1.13.09 @ 10:28PM
Jerry, what " recent study" would that be?
Wikipedia, itself, says they are not always accurate and not the best material to use for research. That tells you pretty much all you need to know.
PS. and it's not about getting even, you just don't get it, do you, Jerry. I love you liberals, maybe since I used to be one. I understand exactly where your coming from and it's not pretty. Hopefully you will grow up one day. Now take your toys and go home.
Tim| 1.13.09 @ 10:28PM
To: Israel my land,
I am sad to hear that you lost so many family members at the hands of such a brutal piece of crazed human being......
As a non Jew, I can clearly see that there are forces in the world today that want to wipe out Israel and the jewish people....
Iran's leader being one and many of the Hamas leaders being the others and a few others as well...
I fully support Israel's Right to self preservation!
And if that means wiping out Iran in a massive air strike....so be it!
When a leader of a country openly talks about wiping out another country or its people then anything is fair game in trying to survive as a people including wiping out said country who's leaders states openly their intentions.
I am just glad that the USA has a friend in the World that would take out an enemy of freedom in a heartbeat......
Thank You Israel........
Jeremiah| 1.13.09 @ 10:29PM
Thanks Ruth! I always stay in the neighborhood whenever the Jeremiator shows up from its cage. I even came to your rescue once when a rude gnat tried to rough you up. You're a nice and smart Lady.
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 10:31PM
Thanks!
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 11:27PM
Would love it if you'd smack that Interloper snot around, too.
Oneday Americans will wake up.| 1.13.09 @ 11:29PM
They will find out the truth, they will know who are the chosen people and who chose them.
The ones who claim to be a chosen people, are not chosen by anyother force other than SATAN the DEVIL.
Their history stand out like a whore in a church.
Christ called then the sons and daughters of Vipers. In Revelations he refers to them as a Synagogue of SATAN. Christians needs to turn away fron the daughter of the devil.
ruth| 1.13.09 @ 11:33PM
That you, Daphne? It's hard to mistake that terrible grammar and crazy prose.
Wiarton| 1.13.09 @ 11:49PM
There's an article here? Keep up the spirit of the comments in approval of it and the Right will be even further down the hole after the next election.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 12:00AM
Lila dear, let's be reasonable:
The study was cited in an excellent piece on wikipedia in the New York Review of Books last summer. It was June or July. It's actually a great article.
Believe me, I do NOT advise people to use wikipedia or ANY encyclopedia for actual research. If you're a student or a journalist, you need to go to the library.
However, wikipedia does a great job policing its articles, particularly on politically charged issues. The article on the Palestinians I linked to has dozens of footnotes that can be checked.
Again (for the third time), if nothing else, you can use those footnotes to put together a bibliography of more scholarly sources, should you want to do more serious research.
As long as you read critically and carefully, using wikipedia can be fine. (It's important to remember that ALL encyclopedias are just for basic information and are not good sources for serious research.)
As with any topic you want to learn more about, you should always consult a number of different sources, of course.
My recommendation of that article on the Palestinians still stands, however.
Jeremiah | 1.14.09 @ 12:04AM
Lila --
I've attached a link to the NYRB article on wikipedia.
Check it out.
ruth| 1.14.09 @ 12:54AM
Wiarton, I know, we conservatives better not have an opinion and we sure as hell better not criticize Obama ever, cause then we would be doomed, doomed, I tell ya. I've said it before, once your crazy liberal policies kick in, this country will go right. Obama better keep us safe, because if he doesn't, you liberals are doomed. Zero-tolerance for terroist attacks on our soil.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 2:42AM
Actually, my previous remarks were not strong enough. Most of the people attracted to the lies of Jeffrey Lord are the same sort who yelled 'assassinate him' about Obama at Sarah Palin's rallies, carried stuffed monkeys with Obama faces or hats on them or bought tee shirts with his image and racial slurs during the campaign. And, no, it doesn't matter a whit that they deny their opposition to the President-elect is largely racist.
However, the most ludicrous comment on this thread is from the cretin who claims to feel sorry for Obama. Why would a person of no achievement feel he needs to pity one of the most powerful and respected people in the world? Even more so than the rest of the contingent, that poor soul is delusional. Obama is the accomplished man he wishes he could be.
In the real world, most Americans are looking forward to the inauguration. It will be quite a celebration. Barack and Michelle Obama will attend ten balls. Because they are people of faith, religious leaders of several different leanings will participate. Both Bruce Springstein and Aretha Franklin are expected to perform. I'm sure most commenters here will be gritting their teeth. But, relax. Ain't nuthin' but a party, y'all!
ruth| 1.14.09 @ 3:48AM
"Assassinate him," was a lie and disproven by the Secret Service. I know you know this, Interloper; what a jokester you are. Don't worry about racism here, doesn't exist; your worries are just more angst swirling around with all the voices in your head. We're policy based here: Zero tolerance for any terroist attacks on American soil. If your Obamassiah can do that, I'll be the first to give him credit. Your phony charges of racism are attempts to obfuscate the evidence of deep corruption within your democrat party. Now even your Treasury nominee is tainted--didn't pay his taxes? What a joke. Don't worry about us on the right, it's the corruption of your party that will be your real challenge.
voice of reason| 1.14.09 @ 4:14AM
the beauty of the current situation
in political terms
obama has already been painted into a corner
ultimately he will take criticism from the left
all those on the right need to do
is say nothing
he's the most certain one-termer
since "don't call me jimmy" carter
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 7:53AM
Interloper, you stink, you suck and you're a bozo. We don't give a rat's ass about your opinions. Go celebrate as long as necessary because it will be the very last opportunity for you trisomics, to celebrate anything. And please, learn to speak English, asshole!
John M| 1.14.09 @ 8:32AM
Whenever the liberals are out of power their approach is nothing but non-stop ass-kicking partisanship amplified very loudly 24-7 by their big liberal MSM bullhorn. When they are back in power the mantra becomes "can't we get along" "let's work together for the good of the country" bipartisanship. Now all of a sudden partisanship has become unfashionable and " so yesterday". Chris Matthews advised that any right-wing criticism of Obama should not even be reported, since it is so "devisive". One gets so used to the hypocrisy and double standards coming from the left and their media gophers that it now seems perfectly normal and not nearly as outrageous as it should seem.
With regard to the last comment, Jeremiah and Interloper you should consider setting up a meeting at dawn with pistols at 20 paces.
Bilwick| 1.14.09 @ 8:59AM
People wasting their time trying to debate with Jeremiah would be advised to recall a quote I believe is attributed to Voltaire: "You cannot reason a person out of an idea they have not been reasoned into." I'm more certain that Voltaire is the creator of the phrase "invincible stupidity," something else to keep in mind when you're tempted to try to rationally discuss things with the J-Man.
Speaking of the great French rationalist, it occurs to me if Bizarro Planet actually existed, Jeremiah would probably be their Voltaire.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:01AM
Some loser keeps posting under my name ("Interloper, you stink").
Pretender: you are witless and boring. Use your own name. No one would mistake your shallow, nasty posts for mine.
Surrender, slave.
Sodomize Jeremiah!!| 1.14.09 @ 9:06AM
Let's expose the likes of Matthews, Olbermann, Couric, Stewart every time they utter the dumb sounds they try to pass as words. Just insult the fuckers who pollute our site: Jeremiah, ObamaRules, Interloper and other sub-humans.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:07AM
Bilwick --
I'm not sure comparing your opponent in a debate to Voltaire is going to win you many points. That is, no one laments being compared to that irreverent, scalding Frenchman, if only just once.
I assure, however, I have no such pretensions.
In the above thread I have consistently maintained one point against dozens of frothing bigots:
Palestinians deserve respect. They are human beings. Their motives are not different from the motives of any oppressed people (and yes, they are oppressed by many different political forces).
I have also consistently maintained that Israel is our ally and friend. I only ask that people assume the existential burden that comes with understanding this conflict: you cannot understand it if you're not willing to acknowledge a conflict of rights at its center.
Thanks, anyways.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:08AM
SJ --
You are a moron. If anyone is managing this site, you're puerilities will soon be expunged.
Sodomize Jeremiah!!| 1.14.09 @ 9:11AM
You 'd be expunged first, brown condom.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:11AM
error: not "you're" ... your puerilities will soon be expunged...
Sodomize Jeremiah!!| 1.14.09 @ 9:15AM
I was kind enough not to point your poor command of English. Or, is something bugging you? Get lost, liberal scum.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:15AM
SJ --
Dazzling wit. Have you ever thought of becoming an actor? How about a writer or late night television comedian? Because you really have a way with words. A veritably Joycean exuberance of diction is at your command; a Shakespearean panoply of metaphor obeys you!
More than mere insults, your crackling satire strikes like lightning. You are brilliant, sir, a real troubadour. I am amazed I ever thought to oppose you, unable to tell whose was the more powerful intellect. For you truly best the best, and could defeat any mighty challenger.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:18AM
Again! What savage reposts! What wisdom hidden in your wit! I see you a philosopher, and not just a satirist, a sage as well as a poet.
Sodomize Jeremiah!!| 1.14.09 @ 9:18AM
Thanks, just call me Al Franken or Jon Stewart.
Now, get lost.
Jeffrey Lord| 1.14.09 @ 9:30AM
Can't you guys just buzz off? A moderator will soon take care of this garbage. Jeremiah, you have overstaid your welcome, if you get my drift.
jlpa@aol.com
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:32AM
Mr Lord --
Scan my posts above. Find one where I use profanity and any nasty language.
All I've done is contribute opposing viewpoints.
I'm afraid you're in the wrong business, if you get my drift.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:33AM
error -- find...profanity or nasty language
Jeffrey Lords| 1.14.09 @ 9:38AM
Jeremiah, I do agree: you do not use foul language or profanity, but you just do worse than that. You use lies end you are not even funny. The harmless trolls who haunt this forum deserve more respect from anybody than you'll ever do.
Therefore, I would kindly suggest you try your talents somewhere else. Bye bye.
jlpa@aol.com
Jeffrey Lords| 1.14.09 @ 9:41AM
error-- You use lies and...
See? No one is perfect. Learn to live with it.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 9:48AM
Real Jeremiah, these people are so lacking in ability that all they can do when faced with rational discussion is resort to childish behavior like usurping the other person's screen name. They are even more obtuse than I've said before.
Furthermore, Jeffrey Lord knows you did not post the comments full of slurs and profanity. His 'job' as a hack is to feed these Kluxers 'red meat' and get them slobbering. On the bright side, it is all for naught. Nearly 80 percent of the electorate is looking forward to the next president. An equal proportion cannot wait for the utter incompetent known as George W. Bush to disappear into obscurity.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:48AM
Mr Lords --
I "use lies"? I don't even know what that means? When have I lied?
I didn't realize that your site was intended to be an echo box for the Hannity-listening like-minded. Perhaps you should have some kind of disclaimer.
Honestly I don't know what the utility of term "troll" is if it applies to any person who disagrees with the majority of an online community.
I think it's usually used for people who a) disguise their actual beliefs; b) write deliberately to anger readers; or c) who refuse to respond to reasonable challenges.
I assure you I do none of these things. Again, I'm not up on all the lingo, and perhaps you're right.
In fact, if you review the thread above, you'll see that the hissing and bearing of fangs became especially intense only after I posted INFORMATION about Palestinians. I offered evidence that they have a history and a culture that is worthy of consideration and respect. This was, I think, my truly outrageous offense, because any information is always a threat to the ideological bubbles in which people dwell.
Good luck, comrade.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 9:50AM
Oh, I get it. I didn't even think of it.
Someone is posting under the name Jeffrey Lords. Very clever. You tricked me.
Very well.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 10:00AM
A sad, but amusing, fact: No matter what user name these people use they cannot even spell or write grammatically. They even misspell the blogger's name. A few of them apparently think that people who do use language accurately need to "learn to speak English."
Jeffrey Lord| 1.14.09 @ 10:10AM
Interloper...
"Hack" and "Kluxers"...fine serious work, sir.
When your party gets around to apologizing for opposing the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, not mention federal anti-lynching laws, segregating the federal government and on and on...let us know. From this quarter, President Obama will get respect..as presidents should...and disagreement based on principle.
stmichrick| 1.14.09 @ 10:50AM
Where's Bob?
Final Word: I think we should all empathize with the young man about to assume his first career-type position of responsibility.
The departing president was assumed to have known better for all his sins and was accused of being both stupid and diabolical simultaneously.
The new man seems earnest; we need to take the position of guiding his innocence and understanding his background, coming from a dysfunctional political family and all.
We must not lose sight of the 'root causes,' you know.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 10:59AM
stmichrick, President-elect Obama has had careers as a community organizer, editor of one of the most prestigious legal journals in the world, lawyer, law professor, state legislator, senator, author of two well-written and best-selling books, and leader of the one of the most successful presidential campaigns in history. They're all responsible positions.
I am puzzled that YOU, who only play a saint on the Internet, seem to be under the impression that his qualifications are somehow lacking.
Quaint| 1.14.09 @ 11:36AM
When Obama carries everything but Minnesota and DC, let us know about "one of the most successful campaigns in history."
Jeffrey Lords| 1.14.09 @ 11:37AM
" ... his qualifications are somehow lacking. "
These are not qualifications, they are just the stigmats of a blowhard and a windbag. No actual work, just more laws, rules, regulations, ties & handcuffs! You liberals are just pathetic, you do not deserve any respect and you do not deserve to be talked to in a polite way. The only way to destabilize you is in insulting you, a case in point being Jeremiah alias Interloper or Bob, who wastes a lot of his allegedly precious time debating trolls. Why is it the only way? Because it never fails to catch you off guard! You're so convinced to have the monopoly on foul language and dirty tricks that you just feel obamized whenever a conservative plays by your rules. Having a fair knowledge of the military or law enforcement or real blue collar jobs makes us very fluent in the idioms you are so fond of but which we would never use with decent people.
J David| 1.14.09 @ 11:43AM
Way to say it, Mr Lord! Too bad El Presidente Jorge didn't LEAD his party that way!
The only satisfaction I am going to get in the horrors ahead is watching the Lefty Visualizers howl when they get their draft cards, between standing in soup lines, and reporting to daily, mandatory "community service" duties!
Jeffrey Lord| 1.14.09 @ 11:50AM
Actually, that's not me up there..but he's still right!
The Fake Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 12:27PM
This is dedicated to Ruth and most people here.
Idiots like Jeremiah, Interloper and Bob need not apply.
http://haussedecombat.xooit.fr/t49-To-our-American-readers.htm
ruth| 1.14.09 @ 12:39PM
TFJ: Thank you, I am honored.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 1:00PM
J David, you will not be getting any satisfaction at all. You all have chosen to be left out of the Obama era. We will oblige.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 1:28PM
This is I, Jeremiah, unrepentant radical leftist, and last of the good guys.
Mr Lord --
I accept what you write above. Democrats have much to answer for, even beyond what you write, when it comes to the South.
And Republicans deserve credit: they were the party of abolition and supported the first stirrings of the civil rights movement. In addition, they sponsored a number of progressive causes in the early decade of the 20th century.
I'll give credit where credit's due. You can always expect fair treatment from me -- the REAL Jeremiah. I'm the last man.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 1:36PM
And let me go further:
On the issue of slavery, especially in Africa, Republicans and especially Christian conservatives, tend to be the leaders.
International organized crime and slavery are gigantic threats to our national security, but they also in many cases represent crimes against humanity. Those Christian groups and conservative politicians who keep these issues alive are to be commended, and leftists should follow their lead.
One last thing. On Africa, as on immigration, President Bush took brave principled stands for which I commend him. In Africa there is much good being done because Bush worked for more aid.
Todd| 1.14.09 @ 1:40PM
Jeremiah, my problem with you is not that you do not see the Palestinian - Israel conflict the same as me and I do not expect you to knowing your political inclinations. My problem with you is that you assume racism as a default position of conservatives without any evidence and that is why I called you the names I did. I am perfectly capable of having a rationale discussion without resorting to name calling but I will not put up with that garbage. Like I told you, I have Muslim friends and there is nothing racist about what I think. Hamas is pure nihilist evil and Israel should do everything they can to destroy them, that is my point of view. Too bad they use innocent people as human shields but Israel cannot be expected to do nothing because of that despicable tactic. You think I get off on seeing innocent children get killed? No but Israel does what they can to avoid it and you cannot believe what you hear or see from Hamas because they use propaganda of the worst sort. Here is a link so you can see what I mean. http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/the_worlds_pornographic_intere.php
Yes, I can't tell you where you should go but if you insist on commenting on about every article here, I would advise you not to use the race card because that is garbage. There might be an occasional racist on the site but they are rare and I am not one of them. If you want to apologize, I will accept it and forget about it.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 1:53PM
I cannot agree that the Right has been helpful to Africa.
• Conservatives and Republican administrations prolonged the anti-apartheid regimes in South Africa and Rhodesia by supporting 'constructive engagement' and demonizing the opposition. They also supported destabilizing rebels such as UNITA throughout the continent. In addition, they trained and supported dictators such as Idi Amin and Liberia's band of thieves.
• The Right opposes most foreign aid and exaggerates the United States' laggard contributions.
• Conservatives oppose probably the most important means of lifting populations out of poverty - birth control. By forbidding any government funded family planning other than abstinence education, the U.S. helps to maintain overpopulation and women's lack of control over their lives.
• The Right opposes immigration from Africa and other places with black or mixed populations.
• The Right has encouraged the proliferation of the arms trade in Africa.
• The West, especially the U.S. and Israel, are the main profiters from the corrupt diamond trade.
The West's involvement in Africa has generally been one of exploitation and neglect. That has not changed much.
ruth| 1.14.09 @ 2:30PM
Another Interloper lie (there are so many I don't know where to start.) It's common knowledge that George Bush has been responsible for the delivery of more HIV medicines to the African continent than anyone in history. More African lives have been saved on his watch than Clinton's--by far. Liberals talk the talk --Bush has walked the walk. Do your homework.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 3:06PM
The most successful anti-HIV initiatives in Africa are funded by the Gates and Clinton foundations. Yes, that Clinton.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 3:39PM
On Africa I'd actually separate the president and many Christian conservative groups from the Republicans.
Republicans in Congress have resisted aid suggested by the president. I don't know everything about this topic: I do know that the president and many religious groups have drawn enormous attention to the issue: sometimes that's actually the best thing to do.
Even Bono acknowledges that the president has done a great deal of good with respect to Africa.
Alan Brooks| 1.14.09 @ 3:51PM
yes the bad grammar and tinhat talk is DAFFY-
Daphne.
Jeremiah| 1.14.09 @ 3:51PM
Todd --
Let's be clear: I really don't believe that you are a racist. I think, however, that it is racist to attribute terroristic motives to Palestinians in general.
It's also true that Hamas is a extremely difficult topic to talk about because we don't get good information on how things work in Gaza and the West Bank.
There are around 500,000 members of Hamas. The vast majority of these Palestinians are not remotely connected with terrorism or any sort of armed resistance. Many aren't even involved in politics.
To "root out" Hamas would be impossible; nothing short of a genocidal slaughter could achieve it, and it wouldn't even be desireable.
Hamas articulates hateful, insane, and deadly ideologies. There is no question. But that is only part of the story.
Last year Hamas came very close to accepting the Arab coalition's statement from 2002, which guarantees Israeli security in return for a removal of settlements from occupied territories. Naturally, they pulled out at the last minute -- another example of their terrible leadership.
However, it's wrong to think about Hamas as an armed militia or terrorist cell or organization. They are very different from -- say -- Al Quaeda.
I'm not saying you or anyone should approve of them or their tactics.
Whatever you think of Hamas, it is certainly wrong to simply equate them with the Palestinians, who are among the poorest and helpless people on the planet. Remember, about a quarter of Palestinians live in squalid, densely overpopulated refugee camps where they have NO hope of liberty or the prospect of meaninful work or education. Liberal democracy does not flourish in these circumstances; nor does an understanding of Israel's legitimate concerns. How could it, when we with all our wealth and security cannot see Palestinian suffering as real or meaningful?
And no, I don't think you "get off" on women and children being murdered by soldiers. I don't think any sane person does. I just think it's time we observed that 1,000 dead Palestinians is too many, even as Israel exercises its right of self-defense.
Rachel| 1.14.09 @ 3:54PM
One can only hope that the new administration will be treated as charitably as the Clinton administration was.
Let's see, in the last 8 years:
homeland attacked (even though we were warned); two wars started; maybe a million innocent men/women/children killed in two wars; over 4000 of our own have been killed; oil prices skyrocketed; the utter mishandling of Katrina; the outing of a CIA agent; Jack Abramoff; firing of US attorneys for political reasons; no WMD; complete failure in the financial arena (from the first president with an MBA, no less).
One could go on and on and on, but why. As I said, one can only hope that the right wing reactionaries will at least give Obama a chance -- just as the entire country gave President Bush a chance (he, of course, failed).
BTW, I prefer to use the term "progressive" instead of liberal, and I prfer to use the word "reactionary" instead of conservative. It seems much more appropo.
Robert Pinkerton| 1.14.09 @ 4:29PM
Now I understand why Takimag cut off commenting.
People here are out-Lefting the Left in what I call "Left manners," i.e.: Deliberate bad manners to end a debate one otherwise lacks the intellectual ammunition to win.
ruth| 1.14.09 @ 4:48PM
Wrong again, Interloper, even Bono has commended the President for his excellent HIV policies and resultant successes in Africa. President as in George Bush--not Bill Clinton.
Frosty| 1.14.09 @ 4:51PM
It's difficult to debate with liberals when their only intellectual ammunition are lies, RP. Cite evidence to the contrary.
Oregonian| 1.14.09 @ 5:03PM
Thanks, Jeffrey. I realized that Paul Krugman was a comedian, but I didn't know that he had a hit show. I guess I forgot the Nobel Awards Show, which is increasingly one of the funniest annual performances delivered by those "progressive" European intellectuals!
ruth| 1.14.09 @ 7:18PM
Yes, Rachel, of course you Marxists gave President Bush a fair chance, as evidenced by your constant bleating of BusHitler during the last 7 years. Surely, the least we can do is return the favor to you on the left and your Obamassiah.
NHdissident| 1.14.09 @ 8:49PM
Obama has set the bar so high he has no where to go but down. His economic plan will fail, Americans will become impatient and some in the MSM will start asking themselves if they were duped.
Should conservatives become Rich, Krugman and Oberman. Not to Obama,but to every loser Democrat Congressman and Senator up for reelection in 2010. A scorched earth policy should be opened up on Harry Reid and his Senate Allies. We should go after the Democrats like raging savages with PACs rasing money for Lawyers and PIs seeping through trash for whisps of corruption and scandal. Conservative Activists making their own web based commercials aimed at their own Democratic Congressman and Senators. If you are lucky enough to have Republican Representation, email, call and write them and insist on opposing all Democrat Legislation no compromise. You want to avenge Bush, 2010 is it. Send Nancy Pelosi to the back bench and Carol Shea Porter back to NH.
Interloper| 1.14.09 @ 9:30PM
Who would be doing all of that, Dissident? The GOP is weaker than it has been in decades. A low proportion of voters identify themselves as Republicans and it is getting worse. Though President-elect Obama did not accept contributions from PACs, individual employees and leaders have changed their donations to the Democrats. Most importantly, the young, the people you would need to revive the Republican Party, are not interested in it.
Meanwhile, it is party time for we winners. The inauguration beckons. Y'all missed the Mothership.
ruth| 1.15.09 @ 2:13PM
Democrats:The party of corruption. It's just a matter of time before their stupid lies bring them down. Their lies or a terroist attack. They are too stupid to protect this country.
ruth| 1.15.09 @ 6:59PM
Best friggin' part of this thread is it was most likely responsible for getting (Nasty) Interloper and Jeremiah bounced from this site. HA ha ha. Hope it holds.
Jeremiah| 1.16.09 @ 8:43AM
Quote (RP) "People here are out-Lefting the Left in what I call "Left manners," i.e.: Deliberate bad manners to end a debate one otherwise lacks the intellectual ammunition to win. "
Far from it, RP! It's just that we don't care and we don't respect them. We have no need to debate with them, not after the last 8 years of constant bashing. Would you debate with Rich or Dowd? No. I'd rather slap or punch them and it would be doing them a favor. So why should we respect and debate the jeremiator or the interschlepper? AIDS and cocain will take care of those idiots anyway.
ruth| 1.16.09 @ 3:38PM
I call it guerrilla blogging. Yeehaw!
Brownie the Competent| 1.17.09 @ 9:38PM
Jeffrey Lord, the censor. And to think he denied that he would ever do it except for profanity and the like one time.
I'm with the commenter Pat. A reasoned voice in a sea of ignorance.
And proper tire inflation helps, as well as insulating your house. It not only helps the nation, it helps keep your wallet in shape if you have one with the economy Bush left us.
What a lousy hypocrite. And Jeremiah had some good things to say, he just said them too much. But I'd rather listen to a talkative voice of reason rather than a purveyor of lies.
Frosty| 1.18.09 @ 12:01AM
Whiney liberals crying because Mr. Lord cut them off. Waa Waa Waa. Go cry your big baby tears somewhere else. Weak.
FLEE WHILE YOU CAN| 1.19.09 @ 11:27AM
If there is a peep, that the economy pick up enough for me to sell up and leave the system behind then and only then I can have the biggest laugh of my life.
All I want is a few solar pannels, clean drinking water, a roof over my head, a place I can grow my own food. Make things myself in a warm place and few people, I will have truely found my saviour God of the Universe master of creation. Then I will know I have lived in peace and died in peace, away from the monkies on this planet.
Kat| 1.19.09 @ 12:09PM
Freak.
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