With Bush Still In Charge, The Right Will Blame Obama
By Cernig Thursday Nov 06, 2008 9:00am
Graphic from Hilary.Org
Russian President Dimitri Medvedev chose yesterday of all days to announce that Russia might deploy conventionally-armed short ranged missiles in the Baltic region if the US goes ahead with the Bush administration's planned ABM installations in Eastern Europe. Even though the Bush administration (still in power until January) and its neocon Wormtongues own the ABM boondoggle lock, stock and barrel and are clearly aiming it at Russia - and even though such military shifts are always planned months in advance - somehow today the Right are painting Russia's move as Obama's fault.
Medvedev, you see, mysteriously didn't congratulate Obama on his win in a speech which was scheduled weeks ago as the Russian leader's first "state of the union" address to his nation. Though why he should in such a speech is a mystery even the NY Times, which used the same ridiculous formulation, doesn't explain. The implication is that Medvedev is deliberately testing Obama to see if he has a spine. The truth is that Medvedev is rightly pissed with the Bush administration and Republican rule and Obama (perhaps because during the debates he repeated that dumb conservative talking point that Russia started the conflict in Georgia) is simply getting caught in the fallout.
Of the proposed deployments, Medvedev said:
“These are forced measures,” Mr. Medvedev said. “We have told our partners more than once that we want positive cooperation, we want to act together to combat common threats, that we want to act together. But they, unfortunately, don’t want to listen to us.”
That's all about the Bush/Cheney bluster and stonewalling - not Obama. He continued in the same vein:
Referring to the fighting in Georgia, he said: “The conflict in the Caucasus was used as a pretext for sending NATO warships to the Black Sea and then for the forceful foisting on Europe of America’s anti-missile system, which in its turn will entail retaliatory measures by Russia.”
The fighting in Georgia was “among other things, the result of the arrogant course of the U.S. administration which hates criticism and prefers unilateral decisions,” Medvedev said, according to news reports.
Which is, simply, true. Saakashvili wouldn't have sent his troops into South Ossetia to conduct atrocities if he didn't think Bush's America and NATO had his backs, and he thought that because Bush kept ignoring NATO allies who told him he was out on a limb about Georgia and his neocon pal McCain was whispering in his ear.
Somehow, all this translates into Russia testing the "Moonbat Messiah" instead of what it should be seen as - a situation where the US desperately needs to shake of the failed Republican method and try some old-fashioned diplomacy and sense for a change.
No honeymoon for Obama.
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I preach patience in this situations.
First, the Bush Administration has talked of "cooperating" with the Obama transition. ANYONE believe a Bush when they talk like that. They're idea of cooperation is doing what they want, and then painting the other guy as a bad partner if they don't go along.
So, first...patience. Second...and this is the hard part...Obama needs to stress diplomacy...in very obscure terms...so as not to be undercut by the GOP and the Administration...but to send a subtle signal to the Russians that while he will defend our national interest, he is devoted to cooperation and diplomacy first...and basically just ask the Russians for time.
The neocons don't give a rat's ass about America...only their own agenda. They will do whatever they can to piss off the Russians. Obama's problem is not the Russians...it is the Bush Administration and the necocons.
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I imagine we'll hear a very reasoned and sensible response inviting diplomatic cooperation from the Obama Administration, rather than the cowboy bluster of the Bush Mob.
And if people want to weigh in about 'testing' a new president, do we really have to watch "GIMME BACK MY PLANE!" and George W. Bush yanking the rug out from under Colin Powell?
If you thought the right was bad before wait till you see how it is now that they actually have a target in office to focus on.
The only bright side is they've thoughtfully provided us with many many examples in video/audio/print about how good americans support their president.
I'm hoping someone like Brave New Films will do one of their documentaries about this. A nice long film with many video/audio clips and screen caps of quotes with these asshats going on about how important it is to support your president in a time of war. Lets not forget that part ok, Obama will be a war president.
Yes, but things are different this time - we have a voice! It has been heard and will continue to be heard.
I'm not sure what you mean. Are you saying that now we have a voice the Right won't be ugly?
KO
and
Maddow
Their existence isn't going to stop the right and foxnews from attacking obama mercilessly.
The Right will always be ugly - it's part of their psychology - but their chances of getting away with it are much less now then they were 4 or certainly 8 years ago.
They will be uglier than they have been. With bush in office the target of their ugliness was liberals in general. Now they can focus on Obama and a dem congress, hence they will be much worse than before because they will be working to de-legitimtize the president and the congress. As far as getting away with it seeing as how their audience is made up of true believers I'm not sure how they won't get away with it.
That 56 million people voted for a continuation of Bush policies is a depressing and sobering fact. Mass delusion on a grand scale and we cannot underestimate its danger. My only point is that the bigger the hypocite, the harder they fall - IF there's someone willing to push. Now, at least, we have some people willing to push.
But 63 million voted for change. You have to take strength in that. Hopefully that's what Obama is going to take with him to the white house and abroad.
Does Michelle know about the broad?
That 63 million of you voted for murdering babies is something to really be proud of isn't it? You have spent 8 years demonizing a man who has kept this country safe since 9/11....you've had more murders in the city of Chicago than we've had soldiers die this year. At least they died for something worthwhile, not at the hands of idiots in our own country. You have so disrespected the office of the presidency, how do expect people to treat the next one. I can assure you I will be kinder than you have been.
Don't be ridiculous. 9/11? Self-destruction of Towers and blaming on SELF-MADE by neocons Al-queda?
Hey, what is your cannon fodder doing in Iraq for 5(!) years? Where is WMD? Oh, they're just making possible to suck Iraq Oil for american oil companies... for free... except 1 million lives of Iraq citizens, and some of your cannon fodder...
Or maybe "heroic operation" in Afghanistan? what whey are doing there? Oh, i see, they are defending CIA own narcotic development... Big Guys like to make Easy Money.
Please, try to find a rose in mountain of sh*t, I'll be happy to see it.
It's the nature of the beast -- they can't change. But it'll help us to understand what we're up against.
*
Time to drag one of my old posts out of the drawer:
You don't have to be a sociopath to be Republican, but it helps.
Regards, C
I had to laugh when Rush Limbaugh blamed yesterdays stock market dive on Obama as if to say, "See! I told you so!". It's pathetic. What a bunch of whining delusional losers.
As if "everything was fine up until now."
puts in a call to medvedev(putin) before the end of the bush admin and gets a little chatter going so that booshe doesn't leave Obama with WW3 and WW4.
Limbaugh just identified the economic downturn as "Obama's Recession".
Remember the historically mild recession that began in March, 2001? Yeah, that was "Clinton's Recession".
LOL!
Because if he gets caught buying drugs after January, his fat ass is going to jail.
And after Vinnie rear-ends him, would rash squeal like a pig
With lipstick?
...and these unAmerican anarchist fucks are already trying to dump Dubya's shit all over him. Liberal and Proud at #1 is dead on!
Rush Limbaugh? Who's that?
rush is something you get from drugs I think. My grandfather told me about him,he was on something called 'radio',but people just laughed him off,and died away.
He's head of the Excrement In Broadcasting Network
and Director and Spokesman for the distinguished
Limbaugh
Institute for
Advanced
Republican
Studies
Fairness Doctrine
Obama is not going to rock the boat.
He is going to take the abuse from the right, and will try to make nice with them... lest we offend the same assholes who have brought us to this hell hole.
Unfortunately, real liberals will be thrown down the bus in 5...4...3...2...
At least we are guaranteed that a moderately competent guy will be at the helm, which is a positive outcome (gotta find the silver lining in all this). We know he can't be any worse than Bush, so at least... we have weathered the worst part of the storm that have been the past 8 years.
'eh?
pro-peace, pro-labor, pro-social equality.
In other words, what passes for left in the rest of the world.
You people continue to underestimate this guy's natural smarts like Grandpa and Hillary did. "Obama's is not going to rock the boat", what the hell is that? Obama is the fucking captain! Get some confidence man.
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82pl3Eaq98
To grant amnesty to telco's for breaking the law. I break the law I get a nightstick up my ass. I voted for Obama and I'm glad as hell McCain lost but lets not get too idealistic. With the FISA vote Obama made it clear he is part of the system.
Look, realistic, not idealistic. The FISA thing gave me a rash as well. I'm all over that shit, and will not let it go, ever (this long-assed post is only about 75% complete).
Think what you will, but the guy deserves a chance. How would you like it if your new employer had a preconceived negative disposition of your future job performance?
First of all, who is being negative? Secondly are you saying its wrong to have a disposition, positive or negative towards Obama based on his record in the senate? Why not?
Who is depriving him of his chance? Why is it wrong to point out that the extreme amount of power being given to this individual be monitored with a healthy dose of skepticism?
Especially since he has abused this power in the past. (I consider the FISA vote to grant telco immunity an abuse of power)
Please lets not behave like the Right and condemn all criticism of our guy out of hand.
What are YOU talking about? "lets not behave like the right"...the right has already begun the deluge of criticism...like you! You keep bringing up FISA(I hated it too) as if he should agree with you 100%....you're not being fair.
I don't have to agree with him 100%
See it works both ways, is that so hard to understand?
Sorry Tyler, I don't believe you and Obama have similar influence. Maybe you should have been on the ballot. LOL.
My criticism is valid. And more to the point I haven't actually criticized Obama. Try reading what I posted. I merely point out that he as no one should get a blank slate of acceptance. Whereas I consider blindly following a leader just because they espouse the same ideology as you to be more a hallmark of the right.
I don't expect to be in agreement with the govt 100% of the time but there are certain core issues that have much more weight than others. The rule of law is the cornerstone of our society and anyone willing to openly say "Lets not hold those lawbreakers accountable because they are rich and powerful" must be held in healthy suspicion.
Because you say so, right. I'm done with this. I'll wait until Obama lies or does something inappropriate before I go negative. Prognosticating doom is a waste of nervous energy.
Well he did promise to filibuster on the FISA issue, and then didn't, and voted for it.
So it's not just the vote for it that act that casts a shadow of a doubt, but the broken promise as well.
But Obama does realize the Nation's economy is fucked up and that Africa is a continent. LOL.
That's only relevant to new spending programs. I want to see a return of basic civil rights, free speech without the free speech zones, restrictions on NSL's, the return of Habeus Corpus, no more data sweeping or listening in on phone calls without warrants etc. This would actually save money not spend more.
But I think that would require a Democratic president having a second term. If any do it during the first term they would be accused of being soft on terrorism, hurting their reelection chances. So in a way, I think we have to prepare ourselves for Obama's reelection in 2012 to get these basic American rights back to us. As for Africa being a continent that's common knowledge; I don't know what the hell was wrong with sarah.
... one of the maxims I was told back in the old world is that respect is earned not granted.
And remember, eternal vigilance applies to both: their side and ours.
Most people running for president, or any other office, tend to promise more than they can deliver. We have to keep one eye open to see what is sacrificed is not one of our core values or issues.
and Palin in their respective places?
Now, I understand that he had to take the right's abuse. No one is denying that. I am just venting because I don't necessarily like that.
I am a realist though, and I guess... he has to do what he has to do. The country has shifted so much to the right, that sometimes I wish that whatever passes for the left in this country, now a days, wouldn't be afraid to show their teeth.
Hey, the man is smarter(and cooler under pressure) than I am...maybe you know something I don't. Obama must have done something very right(but I guess to you millions of us all over the world are just naive). He fought his battles his own way...and they WORKED FOR HIM. I don't argue too long with success...you can beat that dead horse.
Of which there are no doubts, the guy is brilliant. I was not talking about that.
I am just afraid, that as usual... a liberal agenda may be the first thing to be jettisoned in order to appease the right. Looking at the Dems attitude since 06, it was clear to me that they are/were more interested in the electoral process than in their political duties (with some commendable exceptions, like Kucinich).
And you will not deny that Obama's track record is enough to place such doubt on a liberal.
When Jimmy Carter ran for President in 1976, he placated(essentially lied) to southern Politicians in regards to his positions on certain economic racial issues. Carter knew he had to play that ugly game in order to win in the south. Once Carter gained power he adopted a stance where he treated blacks more fairly in representative hiring than any president in history. A little faith can't hurt.
Yes I trust Obama....so far.
If the last 8 years have taught me anything, on the left and the right words mean nothing. Trust is meaningless in the context of govt. The only thinkg that counts are votes, bills signed, action. The only thing you can do is judge their actions after they happen. I'll say that in comparison to McCain Obama represents a greater chance for competent leadership but thats it.
If its wrong to criticize him before he's done anything, its just as wrong to trust him before he's done anything.
I would never cast my precious vote for anyone unless I believed in them.
.... Obama takes North Carolina.
Jesse Helms must be spinning in his grave. Which makes it doubleplusgood!
...getting an erection for Michelle.
!
With Bush Still In Charge, The Right Will Blame Obama
Blame Obama for what, boosh still being in charge?
.....puddin' and pie......
ain't goin' nowhere for a couple months, and neither is his bud Darth Cheney. I would not expect them to actually do anything to
improve any of the international crises they have created and managed so well for the past 8 years.
They care not what happens to US or us, as long as they get their pardons and get out-of-town with their pockets stuffed.
First they whine and shriek incredulously over Biden's comments about Obama being tested early into his first term, then this happens the day after Obama's election and all that bullshit goes straight out the window and Obama has to step up now and solve a "crisis" when he's not in office. Fucking morons.
Yesterday, I made the mistake of reading Powerline. I don't recall if it was Assrocket, but some clown blamed Obama for the financial crisis and downward spiral of the economy retroactively because - get this - it looked like Obama was going to win for months and the markets reacted to that.
Un-fucking-believable. This people are stuck on crazy.
I've already heard Obama blamed for this, the stock market falling a little yesterday, and the upcoming downfall of the USA. We spent 8 years listening to 'but Clinton's' and now we will get the same thing, even proactively, against Obama. Nothing was or ever will be Bush's fault to these people unless it was a good thing, which surprisingly has been just about nothing.
Look over here...bright shiny things disappearing:
http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/npage/2_3051...
Bad OBAMA...bad, bad bad!
Pay no attention...no story here:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/24...
Remember...bad Obama!
Ain't history a bitch!!
"In 1961, the U.S. deployed 15 Jupiter IRBMs (intermediate-range ballistic missiles) at İzmir, Turkey, aimed at the western USSR's cities, including Moscow. Given its 1,500-mile (2,410 km) range, Moscow was only 16 minutes away. Yet, Kennedy gave them low strategic value, given that a SSBN submarine provided the same magnitude of threat, and from a distance.
Khrushchev publicly expressed anger and personal offense from the Turkish missile emplacement. The Cuban missile deployment — the first time Soviet missiles were outside the USSR — was his response to U.S. nuclear missiles in Turkey. Previously, Khrushchev had expressed doubt to the poet Robert Frost about the readiness of the "liberal" U.S. to fight over tough issues."
Kennedy was and Bush is a warmonger. It will be interesting to see how Obama handles this flagrant disregard of a reasonable and sane diplomatic overture from the Russians. Remember that, following the American-driven Cuban Missile Crisis, Bertrand Russell wanted to nominate Kruschev for the Nobel Peace prize as it was Krushchev not the Kennedys who allowed reason to prevail by dismantling the missiles on Cuban soil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_crisis
...this isn't as much a finger pointed at Obama that hints he's at fault for this move by Russia. The right-wing bloggers aren't as much blaming Obama, as they are drawing a line in the sand before he can initiate his policies. It's a "test" given before Barack Obama can even take his seat and get out his pencils.
I have no doubt that if the same move was done in response to a McCain election, then the right-wingers would be begging for Bush to make a move or McCain to lay down a gauntlet, and that's not how I want the US to engage this situation.
So maybe Biden wasn't so wrong to say that Obama would be tested. And if Obama passes the test, it will be interesting to hear what the grumpuses have to say in return.
This is what I've been concerned about for a while now. We hadn't heard about a new Cold War until Condi began sniffing around Eastern Europe. Putting in missiles in Eastern Europe is the Bush/Cheney final solution. Don't be surprised on the eve of the inauguration, some US drones take a potshot at Russia, the Repugs plan to leave Obama with the new Cold War. Medvedev, isn't stupid, he knows what's going on and he's firing the first warning shot. If you think Bush/Cheney are sitting in their offices packing up their cardboard box and shredding, don't underestimate a failed, resentful Rethug. They don't want to walk away with their tail between their legs, they want to go out with a bang. They are setting up the trip wires and booby traps right now.
Now the people must demand that justice, and not Repuke style justice, be enforced to bring down BushCo once and for all!
Put Congressman Dennis Kucinich in charge of the prosecution team! Revoke all passports and freeze all bank accounts of the Republicans!
watta great idea! Shit...can I help?
A bit OT but I just learned this a week or 2 ago. The origin of the praise 'Lock, Stock, and Barrel' comes from the American Revolution when France was sending arms(Charleville muskets) to the American colonists. They sent them with the locks, stocks and barrels all packaged seperately and then assembled here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYS_AwNCgk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTwdiC5jQ-I
I was wondering why one of my girlfriends "Republican Boyfriend" was so adamant last night about Bush "Handing over the Keys to OBAMA" and that he is putting OBAMA in charge right away. Besides PASSING THE BUCK as usual, I can't believe such ignorance exists. BUSH IS STILL IN CHARGE UNTIL JANUARY 20th and OBAMA DOES NOT HAVE ANY AUTHORITY UNTIL THEN..........BOTTOM LINE. This is yet another lame belief such as - *Barracks Birth Certificate was not produced, he was suposedly born in Kenya. Besides believing an American woman is going to put her life in danger and have a baby in Kenya back in the 60's. This story was also DEBUNKED in JUNE by Snopes.com *Or that Obama is a Muslim, or that he is part of the Mafia (WOW) - I have heard it all. One lady told me that I needed to "Read that Book that says that Barrack was part of the mafia and he that hangs around with terrorists etc." But she did not know what the book was called or the author and had no information other than what she had heard about "that BOOK" BUT that I NEEDED TO READ IT!! unbelievable! Another person with lack of information and curiosity that could not answer my basic questions about this book that I just had to read, one that she had not even read herself. It is like a bunch of uninformed idiots with very vague information, who's leaders have lead them off the cliff and now they have no idea what to do with their misplaced anger, their fear and their broken ideas. People without curiosity enough to research these things before they tell others about this "INFORMATION" it is absolutely embarrasing...........I have no respect for ignorance. COME ON AMERICA !!! Do a little research - WE ARE A FREE PEOPLE - BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD!! AND ENJOY THE PEACE THAT FOLLOWS!!
Pundits are already wagging in their columns that Obama will have a moderate administration, primarily because we're under such crushing debt with war and Wall Street to make new spending programs a near impossibility. And they point to Rahm Emmanuel and other former Clinton officials taking part in an Obama administration to govern moderately. In other words, much like the DLC.
Why I understand that even holy joe liebermann is getting an offer
To scrub the Oval Office toilets.
The finger point blame game started immediately after the election was called for Obama. The cons may have been dejected at the ass-stomping they got but it only took them thirty seconds to start blaming all the crimes of their chimp-king on the new guy.
I really hope the Obama team and his supporters maintain the "fight the smears" site because he's really going to need it for a while.
I've been wondering if there is a way of keeping his internet campaign offices running. They could be effective in raising money for specific programs, damage control, and pressuring Congress.
It may even be a way of promoting volunteerism by showing people ways they can help.
I think that would be a good idea. It took a lot of work to win the election but it feels very much like the fight has just begun. Like we should be ramping up for the next battle.
But then I have no doubt we could all use some time to enjoy the win and a little peace and quiet too.
Can we at least get past the inauguration, before we start second guessing the guy.
Geez...this bullshit is brought to you by the same people who put Christmas carols on the radio and Christmas trees in department stores before Halloween.
The main problem with what you say is that the period between the election and the inaugration is when they are working on their agenda.
Would be nice if some of our issues were on that agenda.
ONLY BUSH COULD CREATE THE POLISH MISSLE CRISIS!
The Polish have a missle crisis every weekend when they all get bombed.
Their ballistic missles have stickers on them that say, "Aim away from face."
in less than two months we'll have a MAN to address this instead of--whatever the hell it is we've had these 8 years. FINALLY somebody who's going to be capable of actually conducting policy. What a change it's going to be!
I like your optimism and I want to believe that two months is not a long time to wait. That being said, Unfortunaley, it only took Bush a week to ignore Katrina and look what happened there. Just one example of a crisis Bush screwed up. Alot can happen in two months!
Be certain that it will continue until the last minute on Jan. 20.
No rest for the wicked.
If only the POLISH were in charge of the Polish Missle Crisis -Unfortunaley the RUSSIANS are aiming them at us.
1) Economic stimulus (middle class tax cut)
2) National Healthcare
3) Iraq War (a REAL withdrawal will be announced by mid Feb '09...and it will be a 12 month timetable).
4) Afghanistan War (a shift of some troops to the Afghani theatre)
5) Pakistan
6) Russia
That's for starters. Of course, everything is subject to change contingent on events.
These were the topics of the debate. They were the topics of the campaigns. No FISA, no fairness doctrine, no Patriot Act.
You or I may not like that...but that is the political reality.
The Russians aren't aiming them at us. They are aimed at Europe.
You don't simply put intercontinental missiles ANYWHERE overnight.
These are tactical nukes in response to the Star Wars System.
Thank You for setting me straight......That is still scary!!
And let's put some perspective here.
Look at it from the Russian view.
First, we are ringing their country with a missile defense system to eliminate their strategic strike capability.
Two, we have fewer subs than they do...BUT...we have more nukes per sub then they do, and hold a clear strategic advantage there.
Three, we're about even in intercontinental missile counts. Give or take a few hundred megatons...but...can you really make your opponent more dead then you are?
Four, we outclass them in strategic bombers, particularly because we hold the advantage in stealth technology. The B-2 bomber is probably even more destabilizing in terms of balance of power than Star Wars is.
Well - with the grown-ups in charge now - there is a chance for real diplomacy. I'm sure Russia knows that.
*
I recall with great disappointment Obama's passing reference to his support for missile defense in Europe in the debates. It is obvious that our ABM's are being placed in eastern Europe to antagonize Russia, not to deter some future threat of Iranian ICBMs.
While we are in a recession, can't we permanently scrap this endless corporate welfare program for Lockheed Martin which (1) won't do shit to actually protect anyone from a nuclear attack; (2) will antagonize Russia; and (3) will piss away money that could be spent on something productive here at home.
Obama should be taken to task for this.
Nope. When times are as bad as they are now, I couldn't even imagine a president-elect just sitting back in that big, comfortable chair in the Oval Office and saying, "Ahh...this is the life..."
I predict that your new president will do wonderfully though and accomplish much in his first term.
America and the world will most likely be willing and able to enjoy the fruits of his labors and will gladly work to reelect Barack Obama in 2012.
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