Barack Obama in Baltimore: What Is Required Is A New Declaration of Independence
By Nicole Belle Sunday Jan 18, 2009 6:30am
As the final stop of his whistle-stop tour heading to Washington DC this weekend, President-elect Barack Obama spoke in Baltimore and told Americans that we need to re-declare our independence from the divisiveness that has held us in its grip for the last eight years:
We are here today not simply to pay tribute to those patriots who founded our nation in Philadelphia or defended it in Baltimore, but to take up the cause for which they gave so much. The trials we face are very different now, but severe in their own right. Only a handful of times in our history has a generation been confronted with challenges so vast. An economy that is faltering. Two wars, one that needs to be ended responsibly, one that needs to be waged wisely. A planet that is warming from our unsustainable dependence on oil.
And yet while our problems may be new, what is required to overcome them is not. What is required is the same perseverance and idealism that those first patriots displayed. What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our own lives - from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry - an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels.
What can I tell you? The man knows how to rock a good speech. It surprised me that even as irretrievably jaded as I thought I had become, I found myself welling with emotion.
I only hope that we can create a more perfect union by embracing new ideas instead of clinging to those old ideas that have not worked in the past.
Login or Register to post comments.
divisiveness is a natural state of existence for some among us!
Divisiveness is a strategy used by cynical tyrants taken up by the ignorant to their own detriment.
First time I've heard a president speak from the heart instead of a teleprompter in a long time.
Without a telepromper AND in complete sentences. Who knew it could be done?
We have so much at stake.
All the negativity needs to take a break for cryin out loud.
Just for a little while. Give this man a chance.
Good Luck Mr President.
"What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our own lives - from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry - an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels."
They won't get it. Does he think Rush Limbaugh and his Sheep will turn around? Does he think the rubber stamp Rethugs of the last 8 years can be rehabilitated? He's being naive.
And by the way-NO IMPUNITY FOR BUSH ADMINISTRATION CRIMINALS!
and
WE WANT THE TREASURY MONEY THEY STOLE BACK (at the very least if they are not going to be invesitgated, charged and tried)!
If we don't get that, then Obama should not plan for 4 more years at the end of this term.
but haven't you realized that you, and your views, have been marginalized, and Obama has no intention of enacting liberal/progressive policies, despite these are the people who voted for him, or radically restructuring the corporate state of America. Rather, hasn't Obama made all too entirely clear, that he will govern as a moderate, Clinton DINO/DLC type. In other words, he will govern as an establishment Democrat. The funniest part is that I thought the nation utterly rejected Clintonism. In fact, it was his nomination (and subsequent election) that demonstrates the rejection of everything Clinton. Yet, Obama, has shown all signs that he will not only carry Bush's water in waging the phony wars on terra' but he will also follow the disastrous route of Clinton: selling out the nation to the rich. Hasn't Obama thoroughly disgusted you with enabling the establishment kleptocracy (I include the military) that makes this country so corrupt?
He can inspire people and I don't know of another time in my lifetime when inspriration was needed so badly. Now if he can get our country to stop pissing and moaning and really listen to him, we can turn this ship around.
there is one thing the US needs, it is hope in this economic mess. I truly hope this man lives up to his hype. Having said that, reading the blogs online, are truly scaring the crap out of this Canadian. People ARE talking like he is the second coming. Praising his wisdom, his words, his everything he does. It's like the entire nation has gone right nuts. Hope and change are fine to want, but Jeebus, the man is a politician. If he does not succeed at turning the sinking US anchor around, the blame will belong to those who have (intentionally or unintentionally) channeled all this. Like I said, I don't begrudge, but this is starting to sound like a big protest crowd that turns ugly fast. Remember, nationalism was one of the brainwash techniques of the Hitler regime.
been exposed to nationalistic fascism in the last 8 years. We have rejected it, albeit by a small margin, as near 50 percent still hang on to their wingut ideals.
One side see's nothing wrong or bad about him. Praise Obama!
The other see nothing right or good about him. Bitch about Obama!
And that's just the Dem's.
I'm not so naive to think he will be perfect. He Is a politician.
But he's what we have. So I'll give him some time before I pass judgment.
But I will support him. We need to.The stakes are too high to disrupt this process. We should call him out for things we disagree with.
We should also give him a chance to start working.
what we're putting at the curb. Let's give the mix a chance to work without dissecting it for its parts.
I know what you mean.
What passes for the rank and file of the "American Left" these days is a group of people who have been repeatedly pissed on since forever.
So, of course, anyone who isn't some kind of lobotomised republican droid is ready to Jizz in their pants when, Finally, for the first time since God Knows When, someone who isn't some kind of a fascist (crypto or otherwise) found his way to the Oval Office.
This peculiar obsequity will continue for some time. As a fellow Canadian, I agree and we have to remember - Obama is significantly to the right of even Ignatieff, and not vastly different from Harper in many policy matters. Compared to Obama Dion's a nutty socialist commie.
The problem is, of course, that the American Consciousness Industry has skewed public discourse WAY to the right (by OECD standards) and the results are plain to see: a centrist is seen as a lefty, and the left is all over itself in gratitude.
It's kind of pathetic, really.
What will happen: the war in Afghanistan will undo him and undo the American Empire, just as it undid Russia and was the harbinger of the collapse of the British Empire. Afghanistan is where Empires go to die. What we need to do - once we get a government back - HEY AMERICA! YOUR BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER HAS NO LEGISLATIVE BODY UNTIL 26 JAN 09! DO YOU CARE? who am I kidding. You people can't even find your own state on a map much less care about the political goings on of your largest trading partner - but, I digress - we need to get Harper out and the Coalition in. It is IMPERATIVE that it be the coalition, because if it's just the Liberal Party and Ignatieff, we'll be in only marginally better shape than if Harper was in office.
(Yes America, right now there is a left of center coalition developing in Canada, led by the liberals, but fleshed out by the NDP with the approval of the Bloc and support of the Greens. But those terms are probably like discussing physics with geese to you.)
Obama's first travels will be here to Canada. If Harper is still around, he'll likely be replaced shortly, so it will be more of a formality - Obama's speech to Parliament will be more significant. Note: he is also interested in re-negotiating NAFTA, but I can assure you it won't be to Canada's advantage. We're their resource bucket. They think that the resources here are theirs, and they are confused as to how it is under our ground. Hence, NAFTA and the now defunct SPP.
Iggy's not some great nationalist, and lord knows Harper would cheerfully sell the entire country to the highest bidder.
Luckily we didn't go in for those idiotic mortgages, so we're in better economic shape than they are, and we have all the oil and water. So, I figure it's about time we Make Them Pay... Obama is going to work VERY hard to screw us out of our resources.
As it is there are 34 oil lines going from Alberta. Where do they go? ALL of them go south into the states. As a consequence, even though we are a net exporter, almost half the ACTUAL oil we use is imported from Angola and Nigeria, and we know what kind of happy places they are.
We need energy independence too! We need the energy for ourselves.
And if the USA chokes on the Export Land Model, that's their problem, not ours. they were warned. Repeatedly.
If you've already had your dose of "holier-than-thou" today you can skip the comment above.
just had to introduce the Nazi motif didn't you. Give it a break once in awhile won't you.
i think what is needed is a president that will take america out of the bush cheny wars for profit! this bs of still searching for ben ladden as obummer proclaims we must keep doing is a fools errand ! his views are the same as bushes in that the people of afganistan are in dire need of democracy , it seems to me democracy hasnt been working out so well for us why would it be good for them? as long as any bush policys are in place by america we will never be free of him, as for the bush and cheny gang we all know they have commited war crimes and crimes against americas people why does obummer think otherwise, ? seems to me like obummer should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time , if he was really interested in getting america back from the worst bunch of aholes that ever ruled america he could deligate the job of bringing bush and cheny to justice by putting dennis kucinich in charge of seeing these thugs are in prison,
that wearing things like flag pins are not his forte.
He does that to appease the nuts. His end game is much different. His views on Afganistan are not the same. He will be pulled to the left by a more leftist leaning legislature unless the doomsayers give the right a resurgence. He won't get that chance if the wingnut attacks are buttressed by the attacks of those who don't vote but continually bitch and progressive legislators are similarly attacked.
i see! pandering to the right wings the best he can do! okayyyyy
you hair on the lip statement also show how little you really know even though you steadfastly think you do. I will put up my supposed sheepskin against your supposed knowledge any day. Some indian/mesclas have no hair to grow mustaches in adolescence.
And your reponse is the best you can do?
He is certainly a breath of fresh air after the last eight devastating years in this country and abroad.
Cripes, more like 3 1/2 decades of divisiveness.
Bush's administration is the culmination of payback foisted on the power brokers who were embarrassed by the exposure of the criminal actions and subsequent impeachment of Richard Nixon.
So called "dirty fucking hippies" (who are much more conservative than these faux conservatives like Bill-O and Limbaugh) and their namby pamby supporters on the left became the enemy of America and villified in the corporate owned media.
I say this...Truth is the power, and the internet (as long as it remains unregulated) is our conduit.
And Truth knows NO POLITICAL AFFILIATION.
Speak louder than words.
Get us out of Iraq in 16 months as you promised, and stop parroting pub talking poiints when calling Medicare and Social Security "entitlements."
Only then will I see change I can believe in.
exactly. all he can do right now is give speeches because he's just the president elect. I with be watching closely on day 1 of his presidency to see what he delivers.
this morning on Meet the Scum? Brooks, is infamously one of the idiot, Republican pundits who had dinner with Obama. According to Brooks, Obama will do little during the first 2 years, and then in 2010 he will roll out something big: 'fixing' Medicare, etc. Yet, I thought that 'fixing' Social Security, etc., is a Bush/Republican wet dream. When did Obama become a neo-con? I truly thought the nation rejected Republican militarism and nationalism, and yet, that is who, and what, Obama has put front and center. It is so sad that Obama never had a chance, or even worse he did but he sold out to the military industrial establishment in this country.
The right doesn't have to attack him, it seems the left are willing to do that for them.
You got that right.
I think there is more to this than meets the eye .More than Politics.
Not everyone who bitches about him mind you. But that has to be an element.
it seems to me that questioning obummers stated policys is the right and duty of american! as i recall obummer when he threw his hat in the ring by being a lefty , prommising us justice for what the bush criminals did to this country! he said he was against fisa and would fillabuster the bill, and then tells us its for our own good , and he declared he would have never voted for the iraq war but then he votes to spend more money on it , wheres the lefty politician who sucked us into believeing he was on the liberals side when every time he moves right of center all the time , what exactly makes us think hes on our side when all he seems to do is suck up to the republicans~
The only new Delcaration of Independence I think that needs to be passed is one by the Obama administration that sets forth their intention to be independent of ALL Bush-Republican influence and principles, close down the prisons, stop all torture by the CIA, get off Iran's back, apply sanctions to Israel, restore America's Constitutional structure and particularly the separation of church/state, prosecute the Bush administration for war-crimes. That's just for starters. The old one serves the American citizens just fine. We don't need a new one, but I'm not so sure about the Obama camp.
Cynics and skeptics are good at defining problems, but come up short when asked for workable solutions. Healthy skepticism doesn't hurt but being implacably negative does. We need problem solvers that have the patience and fortitude to lend a hand knowing nothing worthwhile is easy, not finger pointers and blamers.
Pat Robertson is "remarkably pleased" with Obama. Then he invites homophobe Rick Warren to speak at the Inaugural. Maybe that's what's got the left concerned. I wouldn't attack those who supported and voted for Obama Patricia for voicing their concerns, they have reason to be concerned and I don't think voicing that concern is an attack Obama. The right wing will throw Obama under the bus first chance they get, we will be the ones there to get his back, that is if he doesn't kick sand in our faces. I've had sand kicked in my face enough already after the past 8 years. Besides, It's being vocal that will keep Obama in check other wise how far will he push us to appease those who never voted for him or supported him to begin with, and never would. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKk7TDYH_tc
in Obama a 'hidden respect' for the Boosh years, in the residual Bushistas Mr.O does not seem ready to expel. Arthur Silber, whose pitlook is reliably dyspeptic and skeptical, has an analysis which is disquieting to say the least...
although, to defeat Bush, I as did many others, declared the part affiliation to vote against continued Republican rule.
Where would we be, in terms of hope of defeating the class structure that allegdly does not exist in the democratic ameeryca if the Republicans had won. It would have been the proverbial nail in the coffin.
We need to start somewhere. This election only represented a start. Cry babies can want their bottles now. Let them cry while the hunt for food continues. It's going to take time. Damn, be realistic. Change doesn't happen overnight. Let the drunken fools wallow in despair. There is work to do for the adults among us.
Let a black man lead. I as a brown man want to see him succeed!
The other alternative scares the hell out of me and I fear for my grandchildren who by the way are a hell of lot more whiter than I.
He's only partially black. Those in the media that portray him as the first black president are doing nothing more than a dog and pony show. It wouldn't matter if he was orange, he is still a part of the political elite. I see no diff between the people that support him because of his skin colour, and those that supported Bush cuz he was one of the guys you could have a beer with. Same sh*t.
the elites look to the white half to respect. Is that how you guys think? Excuse me while I go outside and scream, Mr. Know-it-all-for-Canadian-citizen.
is going to be the copout for the next 4 years then? Ah, you don't disagree with him, you're a racist. Sounds very Israeli.
I dont wanna assume you are Mexican but...when I think of corrupt elitist divisive societies with a huge gap between the rich and poor...Mexico comes to mind.
are the "Latin American Elite" white?
Spanish European perhaps?
I guess my point is that there are plent of "brown" elitists in the world today ...and in history.
your point is way off base. The elite are white and of European extaction. Spanish-European is as white as the Italians who were also conquered by the Moors.
There is a hint of racism in your assumptions. Look at how most of you view Chavez of Venezuela. Is it because he is indigenous, ie. brown to you?
n/c
I was born in U.S. territory. Parts of my family have lived under the Spanish flag, Mexican flag and the U.S. flag in the same area for several hundred centuries.
...where you were born...
there are...
Chinese elitists
Indian elitists...
Israeli elitists...(fuck you and your hint of racism)
Arab elitists...
Brazilian elitists...
got you to react with an expletive? Did I hit a chord?
Did I globalize your world? betcha never knew that there were fabulously wealthy group of Arabs called the royal family of Saud, that opress their own population. or a whole country called China (with hardly any white people) ...that does the same.
dumbasses like you will never come to realise that greed knows no color.
Its not black vs. white, or brown vs. white...Its haves vs. have nots.
the Saudi Kindgom. Wrong again!
He would have been a slave. He wouldn't have been allowed to sit at the front of the bus. He would have been killed for whistling at a white woman. He would have been hung. Right now white supremacists across the country are fingering their guns while entertaining sick fantasies... because he is black.
Of course you're right, he IS part of the political elite, but that is not any kind of deep observation. The man was a senator and now the president-elect. I think 'political elite' is included in the definition of those terms.
And yes people who supported him just because he's black are silly, however given the current environment and administration we're finally saying good-bye too, I really doubt that there are many people who support him ONLY because of his skin color. The difference is the for Bush, his quality of making people want to have a beer with him was his only quality. And he claims he doesn't drink! lol. But for Obama, he appears to have much more depth to his character than merely the color of his skin.
I refer you to a case of Susie Guillory Phipps v. Lousiana.
She passed as white even though she has 1/33 black blood in her. Her birth certificate said "Colored" and she sued the state to have that designation removed. She went all the way to the LA. Supreme Court and lost.
She is just one example of the one drop rule in this country.
Obama and other people of mixed race know what side of the racial divide America considers them to be on.
President-elect Barack Obama is Black.
only by the idiotic wildly skewed to the right standards found in the USA.
The rest of the world operates by different standards - some MORE racist (like Japan) or less racist (like Toronto or San Francisco).
it's impossible to support him because he shows amazing leadership abilities, logical and concise thinking, coolness under political fire and a nuanced understanding of complex issues. Nope it's got to be about race. Damn the demographics of his electoral victory. Never let facts interfere with your views.
your concern about people being able to question this new government strikes of fachisim! and anyone who doesnt ask questions about thier presidents policys is a fool, it reminds me of the trolls who used to come here trying to silence us on questioning bushes policys ,as for myself i earned my right to ask that my government not waste more lives and national treasure , the eight combat ribbons and two battle stars give me that right, you can call it crying if you wish but just like i never flinched from going into combat you and no one else here will silence my wanting a real democracy, untill we or out of iraq and afganistan and stop sending arms and ammunitions to countrys like israel my flag stays in its scabbard!
In fact, I contend change starts with the mere utterance of words, but connected to that utterance must be action, and there for Obama is the greatest disconnect. I will bet you that in four years, the US will still have military in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and there will be no universal health care. These 2 issues were not only on the minds of the Americans for, at least, the past 2 years, but the driving force in the past 2 elections in the US. All Obama needs to do is announce on Wednesday a) that all US forces are leaving Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. While, of course, it was the very fact that the US left Afghan/Pakistan in 1989 directly led Pakistan to carry out 9/11, but the US must be vigilant and still leave; and he could announce on Wednesday (b) that he will seek passage of legislation where a universal pool will be created where all persons currently with health insurance may simply pay into that pool with no change in health care (rather, they may now go to any doctor they want and no bill should ever be presented to the patient) and the uninsured may also enroll in this same pool. T-dah. Change done. The people want it, so whose stopping them.
In my opinion, Arthur, hits the nail on the head. Obama is an obamination. I hate the pun because it seems so cavalier, and yet, I have been so utterly disappointed since, literally, Nov. 5 - ever since I first heard how Gates, Petreaus and Mullen would be allowed to not only continue in office but also not be sent directly to jail. I don't know what to think anymore. I wish I could be as naive as all those who want to give Barack time, despite the fact that during the past several months every move he made has shown the people of America, and the world, that he is the establishment's bitch.
quite amazing. He's not even president yet and already the dire predictions have begun. I expected this from the right wingers but from the left?
and expressing opinion when there is already voting evidence that Obama's feet might have to held to the fire, like other politicians. At this time (before he is even the president) he would probably smile and say, yes, it is possible! The problem is that he has to do hundreds of things, tackle the 'whole ball of wax' and some of us will be disappointed and some of us will be ecstatic. So far I love the man.....but being a realist over 60 years old, perfection has escaped me.....and he will have to struggle with his own demons. I wish that the best president in history will succeed the worst president in my memory. Chin-up! there is much to be done and the struggle never ends!
This speech although very inspiring has the same theme as his previous ones.
American ideals is worth striving for but it is up to US not Obama to acheive this goal. We all need to get involve become tolerant and stop the decisive practices.
As a Vietnam veteran, since the start of the Iraq War, I stopped raising my flag on legal holidays, with the exception of Veteran's Day and Memorial Day while George Bush remained in office. I was no longer proud of my country.
As of Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 I will begin to display my flag again. After nearly 6 years, I now have a reason to be proud of my country.
Brand new flag, brand new start.
I still have a ways to be proud of the U.S. but I love the Constitution. It really is a remarkable document even though the framers didn't envision the the rights of Blacks and other minorities when it was drafted.
We got the rights by default of judicial decision-making but once the same basic rights applied to us hell will be paid by those who try to take them away now.
Do you think Obama might feel the same way?
I think he might. Only time will tell.
To me, the Constitution is what must be defended above anything. Even though, as a woman, I hate to admit when it was framed women could not vote.
Yes, there will be hell to pay if anyone takes away rights we all fought for.
only time will tell. I am willing to bet that the looks he endured as he walked with his mother have left a lasting impression on him. I also think, when push comes to shove, given the litany of epithets carried by wingnut propoganda during the progression of his presidency that will inevitably occur, he will error on the side of the people rather than the plutocracy. He is not a Ken Blackwell!
we are all brothers and sisters.
His heart is good. But the powers of evil are strong. We all must do what we can, united.
I have hope. For the first time in years.
Now if I can find one made of cotton, not in China...
"For the American Revolution did not end when British guns fell silent. It was never something to be won only on a battlefield or fulfilled only in our founding documents. It was not simply a struggle to break free from empire and declare independence. The American Revolution was - and remains - an ongoing struggle "in the minds and hearts of the people" to live up to our founding creed.
"Starting now, let's take up in our own lives the work of perfecting our union.
"Let's build a government that is responsible to the people, and accept our own responsibilities as citizens to hold our government accountable.
I want Obama to succeed. These past 8 years have been a horror, a genuine nightmare. Each time I thought it couldn't get worse, it did get worse.
49 1/2 hours to go.
rip Barack Obama a new one right now, but for me, I just want to revel in this great historic moment! After 8 years of the Bush Regime, I'm feeling the dark clouds above our country opening up and letting in the natural warm light with Barack & Joe being at the helm. They have a huge mess to have to tackle and it won't be easy. We have to help them any way we can....even if it means volunteering to help out our fellow citizens who need it. We can do it. ;-)
sit in a circle and sing Kumbayah.
I say, fuck the evil corporations and their tools (like Henry Paulson); punish the war criminals; rid politics of lobbyist money influence; and turn the country back to the People.
I'm not ready to make nice.
...to take a moment to appreciate the fact that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire just in time for the inauguration.
...thanks Israel,...for allowing America to enjoy our "festivus of change".
How very politically correct of Israel. ...good timing too.
errr..scuse me they all suck. this was not a reply to you. carry on!
And just think: the ceasefire gives Israel a chance to replenish supplies and ammunition and repair damaged vehicles. So it can cause more Gazan blood to flow following the inauguration.
the inauguration of their major benificiary's new CEO to be marred by mindless slaughter, war crimes, and murdered babies...
Big-hearted folks, they'll resume soon enough, cuz they won't quit til Gaza is either razed to the ground or all the Gazans have been driven into the sea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p8YfDdIEJk
Israel is very orchestrated in the game they play. Spit.
No matter how good a job he does repairing America's problems, if he doesn't investigate/prosecute crimes committed by the Bush administration, then he is as culpable and none of it matters.
If he fixes the economy, ends the wars, fixes our global image, brings peace to the mid-east, etc... BUT in effect says that the people who lied us into two wars of choice, committed numerous war-crimes, subverted and shit all over the constitution and the right and people of the country if not the world, can get away with it, then its all for nothing, cause it'll just happen again.
This is true. As I heard yesterday somebody saying that what Bush did was like the police chief of a town breaking laws willy nilly and the next chief or the city attorney or the Attorney General not doing anything about it. Then the next Chief will think that it is alright to break the law. Obama has to prosecute Bush and his administration so that the next administration knows it will not be allowed. You see, Bush thought it was alright to break the law because Ford pardoned Nixon. And Old man Bush pardoned all the Iran contra assholes.
Bush's crimes are so insidious I think there will be rioting in the streets if Obama does not get down to the nitty gritty and do something correct about what Bush did. This wound will not heal by itself. There has to be closure and that will only be if Bush and Cheney pay for what they did because what they did was so... over the top. They can't justify it by saying they "kept the homeland safe". I would rather have seen another attack on the fucking homeland than see the rights taken away and the people tortured that has happened. It is the price we pay to be free.
And don't get me started on what these assholes did to the economy.
Also Bush thought it was ok because, and this is the lesson Obama needs to learn, Clinton declined to investigate any of the shenanigans Regan/Bush got up to. And how did the right thank him for that?
The 44% of people who "believe" in ghosts? the 71% who proclaim their faith in the existence of "angels?" the 40% who "believe "God" created things in their present form less than 10,000 years ago? The 40% (or so) which still does NOT believe human activity is the source of "climate change?" The ignorant boobs who think you can pray hurricanes away? 20% of Murkins still believe the sun may rotate around the earth. The people who believe that, because they read their Bibles in English, "God" composed it in English?
More than 60 Million of your countryfolk voted AGAINST Mr. O. Among them are many of the same folks whose litanies of ignorance I mentioned briefly, above.
Does anyone think THEY are going to change their "minds?" Me, either. But to "work" together, somebody's gonna hafta "compromise." So that leaves...thou and I. Still unanswered is: to what kinds of twaddle are we going to be forces to assent to prevent the ignorant rubes from killing off the planet?
It is for me a mainly academic argument, because I leave behind no kids, no dna, for the planet to preserve.
It does give me the heebie-jeebies when I read about stuff like 71% believe in angels, but really their belief is harmless when left alone. The problem is the cynical manipulators who chose to mobilize this crowd by making them think their beliefs should be legislated. That the REALLY creepy part.
http://ajacksonian.blogspot.com/2006/01/look-... and the references given, suggest it is more complicated than just population or the burning of a gazillion barrels of oil.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/arti...
A declaration of independence is a great idea, but I don't know how he can say something like that and not emphasize that first and foremost we need independence from the corporations who have taken control of our government.
Until he makes such declarations explicitly and aggressively, nothing will change. Hes going to to sell us out, I can already tell.
your boobs will sag to you knees (male or female) and your friends and all your children will have long since perished before you can expect Mr.O to renounce his fealty to the globalist/corporatist authoritarians to whom he's pledged his entire existence to achieve the position he now has.
Nobody who has achieved such a position of (even only nominal) power and influence within the globalist/corporatist/authoritarian structure of the two major parties can have achieved that status without having proven countless times that they pose absolutely, utterly NO danger to the proper and efficient functioning of that structure...
Have my doubts about Obama, but yet is IS REFRESHING to hear an intelligent leader who can actually speak eloquently and inspirationally.
I DARE TO HOPE... just a bit... but I dare!!
Before Nicole Belle becomes too caught up with emotion at the reading of Obama's speech, it would be instructive to actually analyze what Obama has said. In particular, Obama, like his liberal hawk colleagues, specifically avoids condemning the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq as being war crimes. Instead he refers to them as "two wars, one that needs to be ended responsibly, one that needs to be waged wisely." Coming from a former [alleged] peace candidate, this does little to separate Obama from Bush and McCain. Again, Obama is not stating that these wars are wrong, only that Obama can [allegedly] manage them better than the Republicans.
As a Vietnam veteran, it is simply outrageous that American politicians today have not learned the lessons of Vietnam and that is that they, in their hubris, do not have the right to "manage" the affairs of other countries at the end of an assault rifle. One wonders if Obama will ever wake up and finally come to the realization that it is the inflammatory presence of the American military that is the cause of so much of the violence in Afghanistan and Iraq. The only way to "end responsibly" the occupations of those countries is to remove American troops from Afghanistan and Iraq as quickly and as rapidly as possible. If Obama does not do this when he assumes the office of president, then he will become just as hated as Bush.
...and finally come to the realization that it is the inflammatory presence of the American military that is the cause of so much of the violence in Afghanistan and Iraq."
Short answer: Nope...He CANNOT simply 'withdraw' from either conflict, without engendering deep resentment among the military brass and the corporate bosses. So he won't...
of people power. Do you part by immoblizing those that read your blog.
Heh...My "Reader" is already pretty much immobile....
NOT ending our military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan has more to do with keeping law and order in these places, and preventing them from falling into the wrong hands?
I mean, we NEVER should have invaded Iraq in the first place, but since we did, don't we owe it to the Iraqi people NOT to leave the country in the hands of people that would make their lives as bad as Saddam did? Shouldn't they get something out of this mess?
I'd like to believe that we continue our occupation for the right reasons - even if we initially went in there for the wrong reasons.
I know Obama will not declare independence from US empire to save or resurrect or shall I say begin the US republic. He was elected to be President of the US Empire like every US president from the nation's start.
I know Ralph Nader is the devil to many centrist liberal Democrats on this site, but his recent article on the free ride Congress (and Obama through his silence) gives to Israel was spot on:
The trajectory, historically, has been in the other direction.
was a complete and utter disgrace.
But I do believe that 99% of the people here LOVE Ralph Nader - they just know that hell had more of a chance to freeze over than Ralph Nader had a chance to be elected - and so they realistically settled on Obama - someone that could (and did) get elected.
Imagine John McCain giving a speech like that.
You would be yawning, don't you think? I know it's a lot of rhetoric said here but at least I believe he's really standing behind his words. I can't hear McCain and think he geniunely means what he says.
"magine John McCain giving a speech like that."
You wouldn't be able to hear it over the cries of McCain/Palin supporters (aka bigots, racists, homophobes, Christofascists, and hate mongers) yelling about Obama "terrorist!" "kill him!" "off with his head!"
What the _H-E-L-L_ does that mean?!? That's like postmodern glossolalia from a mad man.
Actually, I think the first declaration of independence was just fine. Words to live by, if you will. Was it "divisive"? Oh, I think so. I believe King George and his army felt it was.
But Obama doesn't like that tone? He wants a "new" declaration of independence that says, "I'm OK, You're OK"? Really, Barack, can we talk? That's not a book Thomas Jefferson would have written. Or your hero Abraham Lincoln. There is tyranny. There is evil. The threat of lawlessness always looms where there isn't accountability.
No, embracing our fellow torturer, thief, and war criminal will _not_ make America stronger. And "re-declaring our independence from the divisiveness" is words run amok.
Your comment, the best so far on this topic.....what sites do you recommend for further study?
I only hope that we can create a more perfect union by embracing new ideas instead of clinging to those old ideas that have not worked in the past.
Trust me... the Republicans will do everything under the sun to prevent that from happening... party power always trumps country well being.
From warmongers, from war, from the MIC.
From the CIA
Independence from political domination by corporations.
Maximum rights for human beings, far far fewer rights for corporations.
There's nothing wrong with the old Declaration of Independence / US Constitution. It was just ignored and trampled on by BushCo as the spineless Democratic appeasers looked on and did nothing.
We'll see if Obama punishes those who trampled our sacred documents or if he will choose simply to "look forward rather that back". Me thinks it just more fiery rhetoric. I'll be inspired if he acts on it. He can start by going after those who trampled the constitution. We'll see if Obama's actions match his inspirational rhetoric or if it's just more of the same smoke and mirrors.
...the re-authorisation of the patriot act, wiretapping immunity, the homegrown terror act, and the bailout. and therefore doesnt want to "shoot himself in the foot"
Obama dont know shit about the constitution and his voting record shows it.
does't know shit about the constitution? But, you do?
to both statements.
are? I studied it as a requirement. Please enlighten with your knowledge. Perhaps there is something I missed in class.
uhhh.... I can read the constitution because it is written in plain English, and I know that that the patriot act is a bad thing.
I dont know what you missed. do you think the patriot act is good? ...what about immunity for AT&T?
is an extremely bad piece of legislation.
Telecom immunity (not just AT&T, Verizon, etc.)? I am a subscriber to CREDO. Some commenter googled and attacked me for that one but that only showed their zeal to prove me wrong for what I said at the moment. CREDO is a great phone service that fights legislation related to the Telecom Immunity issue and Domestic Spying.
Plain English has spawned thousands of court cases over the words that spell out our Constitutional rights and responsibilities.
Obama voted for telecom immunity.
Obama voted to re-authorize the patriot act.
...and therefore does not uphold and defend the constitution like he said he would in his oath of office.
and the bailout is unconstitutional in my book too!
with logic to prove a point to anything. Yours is nothing more than a tautology.
Talk about poor!
So why didn't you?
You're message is garbled here: are you saying tautology is a form of logic? It's usually cited as an example of a logical flaw.
In either, case what was presented wasn't a tautology, which is an unproven argument dependent on other unproven arguments, or using one unproven argument to support another.
"Plain English has spawned thousands of court cases over the words that spell out our Constitutional rights and responsibilities."
I say, lawyers looking to make money have clogged our courts looking to have judges re-interpret laws for govt benefit for a couple of hundred years here in America!
Lawyers suck!
in general terms. Every thing is black and white for you. I feel sorry for your existence. How can you even differentiate yourself from the right-wing nuts. Is it just because you comment on a liberal/progressive blog?
Now that was childish.
And I should know.
It's akin to a kid saying, "I wish I had never been born!
"No, scratch that, I wish YOU had never been born!"
Obama voted for Telecom Immunity is flawed. It does not present the whole picture. I accept his reasoning for his vote.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/200...
http://government.zdnet.com/?p=3885
Note that the ACLU and others believe a reauthorization of the act will come out differently under a new Administration and Congress.
That would explain the monochromatic characterization, but not the tautology. I say that would be more akin to Argumentum Ad Reductio.
That's why Obama's neither a sinner nor a saint in my eyes. I'm waiting to see what he does once in office, not the lead-up, although a paper trail of votes are relevant.
But I'm not willing to wait forever, six months to a year, but that would be about all. Although Bill Clinton shifted gears to a large extent after a not too successful first year.
I've been saying since at least the beginning of the primaries that whoever wins the office might easily be a one-term president. They'll either avoid making the hard decisions, or will make some, aggravating those who had an interest on the opposing side of the interest, or because not "enough" will be finished.
And I didn't see a restoration of Civil Rights unless one a Democrat wins in 2008, and two wins reelection in 2012. Once they are in a second and final term, they can look at Civil Rights restoration without keeping one eye peeled for reelection.
Ouch.
Lawyers fought to get us Miranda Rights, they have sued to get environmental waste cleaned up and myriad other things. You may as well say, "Hispanics Suck" or "Jews Suck" for all the sense you are making. Without lawyers murder would go unprosecuted, people would be stuck in horrible marriages and anything you did not grow yourself would probably kill you if you ate it.
I'm talking about how Americans seem to be losing a lot of constitutional rights lately!
duh
p.s. fuck you and your hint at racism...
the truth hurts!
What's your point?
Fuck you and your condemnation of an entire profession without which you would already be dead. Racism is not the only stupidity on the planet nor the most dangerous.
"Lawyers fought to get us Miranda Rights,"
We have the right to wear fruit baskets on our heads while dancing?
Doing that in court has kept me out of prison numerous times.
Everybody bitches about lawyers until they need one.
....what did you do to correct the Patriot Act? Nothing. I bet.
Does it make sense for the Democrats right now to be screaming for investigations and prosecutions BEFORE BUSH HAS COMPLETED HIS PARDON LIST? Nope. You need to chill right now. And if Barack's AG doesn't hire a Special Prosecutor(s) to go after the crimes of the Bush Regime, then that is when we Americans should react. Until then, let's get Barack sworn in first, okay? Jees.
How long after his inauguration should we wait for the AG to appoint a special prosecutor before we can 'react'?
We've been waiting 8 years for justice. I don't scream for it because I'm a democrat, I scream for it cause I'm an american. Investigating possible war-crimes as well as constitutional abuses shouldn't be a partisan issue.
This might make you feel a little better.
How Long? Who Knows.
But it's nice to know that this guys head is in the right place.
dont confuse the issues with cold hard facts! it upsets the folks and spoils thier breakfas!
I don't usually comment here but...
It seems to me, given the "enthusiastic" support given to Mr. Obama on this website during the primary, that ya'll need to chill a little bit. Be realistic. He is inheriting arguably the biggest mess a President ever has. He is NOT going to be able to do all that you people demand of him.
I, like some other posters above feel a sense of something that is hard to describe. After all we have been through the last eight years, I almost weep with hope for our country. I feel like a dark cloud has been lifted and I am filled with optimism.
Yes, there will be times when he disappoints us, but it's important to keep in mind the alternative. He is our best and only hope at this point. Stand behind him now. Oh, and I didn't even vote for him in the primary but I support him 100%.
.
"He is NOT going to be able to do all that you people demand of him."
I expect him to do his job. I think that kinda goes without saying. The problem I and perhaps other have is that I DEMAND he only do one thing: Prosecute those who've committed war crimes in our names, and betrayed the ideals our country was founded on, shitting all over the constitution. That is my only demand and it looks like he won't do it.
There is nothing and I mean NOTHING I would love more than to see Bush and company incarcerated for the rest of their unnatural lives. Right now there are more important tasks to tackle. I imagine all of you know what we are up against. I know this is going to totally piss you off, but the fact is that prosecuting those assholes would only create more divisiveness. The repugs are going to fight him on every issue just because they're assholes. Did you read about the memo from that guy who's vying to be RNC chair? He doesn't want the economy better or people put to work because they tend to vote Democrat. See my point? They are SUCH assholes that they would rather us starve or whatever then let/keep Democrats in control. That is the mentality you are dealing with.
I think in the long run, even though I totally agree with you, that going after those fucking crooks is not viable at this point.
Filthy Harry, maybe your cause is not lost.
losthttp://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/18/pelosi-investigatin-bush/
From Think Progress.
I know it could still happen. I've been telling myself all the denials about investigations have just been so they could consolidate their power until it was too late for the guilty to do anything about it.
Want to point out, that it doesn't even matter if they're found guilty (though I hope hope hope Bush spends his days being raped in prison.) I think its necessary to the country that no matter who you are, you will be gone after.
(imhoho = in my humblest of humble opinions)
cuz to do so would unleash the hordes of GOPukes who would take him down like a doe when they got the chance...
and that chance could, unfortunately, come much sooner than many of those commenting here would be comfortable discussing...
there is no precedent for ex post facto prosecutions of this sort.
there should be.
it should have begun with Nixon
and continued with Raygun and Bush 41...
but it didn't and to begin now, no matter the substantyive wrongs committed, would be inevitably reported and protrayed as a political vendetta by the "Bush (America) Haters."
which narrative the SCUM, wholly owned by the people who would be complaining the loudest, would loyally follow along.
and Obama would ABSOLUTELY face the same treatment, eventually.
There is no more important issue. If Obama fixes everything else but by not investigating/prosecuting what Bush & Co. have done, in effect condones it. It will keep on happening, and it will get worse.
Ok, I know the 'divisive' idea is the number one argument against investigations but I don't know that it is true. I do agree on the face of it, its reasonable to assume that it would be divisive. But perhaps only in the short term. It is just as possible that investigations could be unifying once the majority see what Bush had been up too. Is it it just as imaginable that in a full court revealing investigation, the country could unite in its horror as whats been done in our names? I think its fair to say that over all in the long term, the Nixon debacle was unifying. And not to mention, we're already divided. This country is as ideologically opposed to itself as it can be. Don't let Obama's election fool you into thinking everything is ok. The RNC and the right-wing is gearing up to do all it can to de-legitimatize Obama's presidancy and closing our eyes to Bush's crimes isn't going to stop them. Ask Bill Clinton how much RNC/Right-wing love he got for declining to investigate Regan/Bush 1.
But finally I don't think its important. Divisive or not, the fabric of our country, the rule of law and the vision of who we are and what we stand for are at stake if the crimes Bush and his cohorts are suspected of are not held up to the light. Are we going to finally make it a overt idea (rather than the covert one it is now) that the law only applies to the powerless? We know where that road leads eventually.
Sigh...you make a good arguement. When I think about all the illegal things that happened my head wants to explode. They should be held accountable to the rule of the law. Period. I guess I lost my mind for a minute in all this peace, love, dope stuff. Hang those fuckers.
Must get stoned now........
good on yah mate!
Unfortunately Bush's handling of the economy prevents me from being able to supply myself with household necessities, so my bowl is empty. :(
Dude, I feel your pain.
Can't believe some people whine about him even before he becomes the president!
Calling for action. It'll be whining if he doesn't do what we want.
since he became a senator and voted for the patriot act.
but nobody else wants to look at his voting record.
you.
Obama's healing the divisiveness in our country will be a snap
Compared to healing the divisiveness on this site.
The funny thing about the Constitution is the earliest part through at least the XV amendment are fairly plain language, but are among our most contentious.
Unity is not, in and of itself a virtue, nor is divisiveness in and of itself a vice. The Founding Fathers were of a mind to break away from tyranny. Today, there are some divides that we cannot and should not breach. There is no way to find common ground with those who defend torture. There is no room for common ground with those who defend bigotry. There is no room for common ground with those who rob our nation of its wealth and good principles for personal gain.
The basis for unity must be that we are dealing with men of good will. If that is a premise for Obama's rhetoric, fine. I will buy in. Don't plead for unity with the forces of evil. They are there, and they have been running this government for eight years.
Well, that just about leaves only you and me, and I not so sure about you...
Murkin bidness, that edifice which we are all so assiduously devoting all our treasure to repair, bail-out and otherwise revivify is ALL ABOUT robbing the "nation" for personal gain. The single most important principle--bidness or consumer0--is "what's in it for me? How can I get mine for free? How many taxes canI avoid?"
Good thing Maxwell Smart was never in boosh's security detail.
The other security guys would keep jumping him everytime he reached for his shoe phone.
Me too.
I think I will go through a whole big box of kleenex on Tuesday.
Tears of joy were uncommon in the last 8 years.
'It surprised me that even as irretrievably jaded as I thought I had become, I found myself welling with emotion.'
Couldn't have said it any better. That is the amazing thing about President Obama. He not only inspires hope, but also has a knack for making me feel like I can be proud of America again. There is a tradition in my most of my family that we all display American in front of our homes. It started with my father when he came home from WWII after serving in the navy. Some years ago, as the nightmare of the Bush Administration was looming larger and larger, and those in place to keep them check were letting him go on and on, I made the decision to take my flag down and store it away as a personal protest, because I was no longer proud of America or of being an American. I even wrote emails to all my representatives in D.C and the White House explaining what I had done and why. I vowed that I would not raise my flag again until Bush was out of office. On Tuesday, January 20 my flag is going back up the pole.
God's speed and protection, President Obama.
But why did he have to mention Nancy Pelosi????
So the big question is will he or won't he prosecute Bush and Cheney's most corrupt administration in the history of the Union?
If he chooses to let those responsible for trashing the Constitution and destroying the economy, I propose that WE THE PEOPLE buy up ad spaces on billboards, on TV, and on the internet and declare BUSH AND CHENEY ARE PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE.
I say we make it so that those two criminals cannot leave their homes without seeing clear evidence of our disapproval and outright disgust. They are living in a state of serious delusion and denial, and we need to let them know how we feel!
not try and work with them..
His speech was great- but thats all it was, a speech.
What he should have done is lay down all the ways Bush and the Republicans have destroyed this country for the past 8 years.
Destroying the Republican party should be a top objective.
He needs to leave the Rethuglicans out in the cold, and NOT involve them in any way. The fact he's trying to work with the Republicans- rather than against them, leaves me very worried.
sounds good but who is listening? i mean from my perspective, the last 8 years was a problem of the right wing cutting up america. all these messages about service and non-divisiveness sound great and may just reach into enough people to matter...but i am one of those leery of the authoritarian mindset of the right. i am concerned that the neocon/socio-psycho-patholical ideology does not get adequately dissected. these messages seem all to be aimed at the americans who are hurting most. i envision right leaning libertarians and repubs listening and agreeing that democrats and liberals need to do what they say. everytime a repub talks compromise it seems dems do what the repubs want only. i do not see the right wing being so eager to go along with this vision. i understand though this may be the only way forward. but what is obama really up to?
Login or Register to post comments.