President Obama, already one of the best Presidents ever.

[ProSense]

Three and a half years to go!

Obama’s Re-Election Formally Certified By Joint Session Of Congress

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were formally re-elected on Friday by a joint session of Congress with a margin of 332 electoral votes to that of 206 for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obamas-re-election-formally-certified-by-joint-session

“Barack Obama is the first president in more than five decades to win at least 51 percent of the national popular vote twice, according to a revised vote count in New York eight weeks after the Nov. 6 election,” Bloomberg writes, adding, “The president nationally won 65.9 million votes -- or 51.1 percent -- against Republican challenger Mitt Romney, who took 60.9 million votes and 47.2 percent of the total cast, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Obama is the first president to achieve the 51 percent mark in two elections since Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, who did it in 1952 and 1956, and the first Democrat to do so since Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won four consecutive White House races. Roosevelt received 53.4 percent of the vote -- his lowest -- in his last race in 1944.”

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/04/16348268-obama-agenda-first-since-ike-to-win-51-back-to-back

Bottom line: Obamacare really is for the 99%
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023441345

Elizabeth Warren: Cordray Vote ‘A Historic Day For Working Families’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) took to Twitter on Tuesday in praise of the Senate's vote to advance Richard Cordray's nomination to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, calling it a "historic day for working families."

Elizabeth Warren ✔ @elizabethforma

I couldn't be more pleased that Rich Cordray will finally get the vote that he deserves. This is a historic day for working families!
1:11 PM - 16 Jul 2013

47 Retweets 26 favorites

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/elizabeth-warren-cordray-vote-historic-day-for-working

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gets busy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023372682

Fired up!

[cantbeserious]

1. Illegal Domestic Surveillance Outweighs All Purported Good Deeds

eom

[ProSense]

3. Damn, I forgot

President Obama pushed back against NSA and Republicans on cybersecurity, citing privacy concerns
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023441222

[Cha]

25. ...

"Illegal Domestic Surveillance Outweighs All Purported Good Deeds "

[ProSense]

49. It's pure silliness.

The Bill of Rights and Constitution was trampled when Bush illegally spied on Americans. The Bill of Rights and Constitution have been in jeopardy for decades. The DEA's SOD unit was established under Clinton.

The millions of people who will gain access to health care, whose lives will be literally saved, may care about the NSA, but it is likely not the most important issue in their lives.

From the Internment to the creation of the NSA to the establishment of the FISA court and the DEA's SOD unit, which President hasn't had a hand in the history of the so-called "police state"?

A lot of the current debate is being driven by hyperbole, misinformation and paranoia (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023407292).

If you point out that Obama is concerned about privacy, that too is dismissed.

President Obama pushed back against NSA and Republicans on cybersecurity, citing privacy concerns
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023441222

[cantbeserious]

52. That Bush Started The Surveillance State Is Misdirection - That Obama Continues Same Is Not

eom

[ProSense]

54. "Bush Started The Surveillance State" is nonsense. Bush's actions were illegal.

"That Obama Continues Same Is Not"

More nonsense.

[cantbeserious]

55. Obama Continues The Desecration Of The 4th Amendment - Good Constitutional Lawyer That He Is

eom

[Progressive dog]

84. I didn't know the Constitution was a sacred document,

I always thought that men had written it.

[cantbeserious]

85. Clever Misdirection

eom

[Progressive dog]

98. I thought you had confused the ten commandments

with the Constitution.
The Constitution forms a government. Governments have a real purpose.
.

IF man in the state of nature be so free, as has been said; if he be absolute lord of his own person and possessions, equal to the greatest, and subject to no body, why will he part with his freedom? Why will he give up this empire, and subject himself to the dominion and control of any other power? To which it is obvious to answer, that though in the state of nature he hath such a right, yet the enjoyment of it is very uncertain, and constantly exposed to the invasion of others: for all being kings as much as he, every man his equal, and the greater part no strict observers of equity and justice, the enjoyment of the property he has in this state is very unsafe, very unsecure. This makes him willing to quit a condition, which, however free, is full of fears and continual dangers: and it is not without reason, that he seeks out, and is willing to join in society with others, who are already united, or have a mind to unite, for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name, property. (2nd Tr., §123)

[cantbeserious]

104. No Confusion In Using The Metaphor

eom

[mindwalker_i]

106. It's silliness, but not pure silliness

Obama has done a lot of good things and it's a mistake to ignore those. The ACA is an example of a really good thing that he's done. However, it's also a mistake to support him unconditionally no matter what bad things he does, domestic spying being one of those things.

He also didn't go after the banks or the people who tortured. He says he "isn't an idealist," but one doesn't beed to be in order to understand that the massive fraud committed by the banks is really bad for the country. Maybe we need someone who's more idealogical if that's what it takes to prosecute the banks. Under Obama's policies, the divide between wealthy and the rest of us has grown, a lot, and that will eventually lead to revolution or dissolution of the nation.

Ignoring that is to be as unthinkingly loyal as the Republicans.

[ProSense]

111. It's pure silliness, and no

"Under Obama's policies, the divide between wealthy and the rest of us has grown, a lot, and that will eventually lead to revolution or dissolution of the nation."

... "Obama's policies" have not "grown" the "divide between wealthy and the rest of us."

<...>

Perhaps the best prism through which to see the Democrats’ gains is inequality. In the 2008 campaign, Mr. Obama said that his top priority as president would be to “create bottom-up economic growth” and reduce inequality...In the 2009 stimulus, he insisted on making tax credits “fully refundable,” so that even people who did not make enough to pay much federal tax would benefit. The 2010 health care law overhaul was probably the biggest attack on inequality since it began rising in the 1970s, increasing taxes on businesses and the rich to pay for health insurance largely for the middle class.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/us/politics/for-obama-fiscal-deal-is-a-victory-that-also-holds-risks.html

Krugman: Obama and Redistribution
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022224304

Also as the health care becomes more accessible and affordable, and the effects will become even more noticeable.

The data presented here are from the Current Population Survey (CPS), 2012 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the source of official poverty estimates. The CPS ASEC is a sample survey of approximately 100,000 household nationwide. These data reflect conditions in calendar year 2011.

• In 2011, the official poverty rate was 15.0 percent. There were 46.2 million people in poverty.
  
  
• After 3 consecutive years of increases, neither the official poverty rate nor the number of people in poverty were statisti¬cally different from the 2010 estimates1
  
  
• The 2011 poverty rates for most demographic groups examined were not statistically different from their 2010 rates. Poverty rates were lower in 2011 than in 2010 for six groups: Hispanics, males, the foreign-born, nonciti¬zens, people living in the South, and people living inside metropol¬itan statistical areas but outside principal cities. Poverty rates went up between 2010 and 2011 for naturalized citizens.
  
  
• For most groups, the number of people in poverty either decreased or did not show a statistically significant change. The number of people in poverty decreased for noncitizens, people living in the South, and people living inside metropolitan statistical areas but outside principal cities between 2010 and 2011. The number of naturalized citizens in poverty increased.
  
  
• The poverty rate in 2011 for chil¬dren under age 18 was 21.9 per-cent. The poverty rate for people aged 18 to 64 was 13.7 percent, while the rate for people aged 65 and older was 8.7 percent. None of the rates for these age groups were statistically different from their 2010 estimates.2

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/overview/

Go to the "Publications" tab for more information.

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

Sex

• The poverty rate for males decreased between 2010 and 2011, from 14.0 percent to 13.6 percent, while the poverty rate for females was 16.3 percent, not statistically different from the 2010 estimate.

<...>

Health Insurance Coverage

• The number of people with health insurance increased to 260.2 million in 2011 from 256.6 million in 2010, as did the percentage of people with health insurance (84.3 percent in 2011, 83.7 percent in 2010).
  
  
• The percentage of people covered by private health insurance in 2011 was not statistically different from 2010, at 63.9 percent. This was the first time in the last 10 years that the rate of private health insurance coverage has not decreased. The percentage covered by employment-based health insurance in 2011 was not statistically different from 2010, at 55.1 percent.
  
  
• The percentage of people covered by government health insurance increased from 31.2 percent to 32.2 percent. The percentage covered by Medicaid increased from 15.8 percent in 2010 to 16.5 percent in 2011. The percentage covered by Medicare also rose over the period, from 14.6 percent to 15.2 percent. The percentage covered by Medicaid in 2011 was higher than the percentage covered by Medicare.
  
  
• In 2011, 9.7 percent of children under 19 (7.6 million) were without health insurance. Neither estimate is significantly different from the corresponding 2010 estimate. The uninsured rate also remained statistically unchanged for those age 26 to 34 and people age 45 to 64. It declined, however, for people age 19 to 25, age 35 to 44 and those age 65 and older.
  
  
• The uninsured rate for children in poverty (13.8 percent) was higher than the rate for all children (9.4 percent).
  
  
• In 2011, the uninsured rates decreased as household income increased from 25.4 percent for those in households with annual income less than $25,000 to 7.8 percent in households with income of $75,000 or more.
  
  <...>

- more -

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

Dire information, but I would say a decrease in the poverty rate among most groups between 2010 and 2011 is big news, as is the information on health insurance coverage.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gets busy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023372682

Elizabeth Warren: Cordray Vote ‘A Historic Day For Working Families’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) took to Twitter on Tuesday in praise of the Senate's vote to advance Richard Cordray's nomination to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, calling it a "historic day for working families."

Elizabeth Warren ✔ @elizabethforma

I couldn't be more pleased that Rich Cordray will finally get the vote that he deserves. This is a historic day for working families!
1:11 PM - 16 Jul 2013

47 Retweets 26 favorites

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/elizabeth-warren-cordray-vote-historic-day-for-working

[mindwalker_i]

113. Which kind of confirms my point

that Obama has done a lot of good. And one could make the argument that he's tried to address income inequality. I can also make the argument that he hasn't gone after the banks anywhere near what is warranted and in fact bailed them out. That is a mistake.

Continuing the spying from the Bush era is also a mistake.

Supporting Obama unconditionally, regardless of new facts, is a mistake.

[ProSense]

114. No, it doesn't confirm your point about "Obama policies" n/t

[mindwalker_i]

122. Sure it does

You pointed out stuff that he's done that is good, which confirmed my point that he does some good things. I suspect you are referring to the other part of my point which was that some of the things he does aren't good. All of your posts seem to be pro-Obama, so I would imagine that your statement, 'No, that doesn't confirm your point about "Obama policies,"' is really meant to refute the idea that some of Obama's policies are bad, as in "not good." No explanation is given as to why 'that doesn't confirm your point about "Obama policies"' soI have to guess at what you meant and why you think it is so.

But here's the problem: since the overwhelming number of your posts are pro-Obama, regardless of the issue or the information about that issue, it's kind of like arguing with someone who believes in a God: using facts to discuss the matter isn't going to get one anywhere, because the believer isn't interested in facts or in discussing the ideas around the issue. They are interested in supporting their belief.

So when I see more posts about Snowden from you, it can be expected to be one sided. Therefore it's usefulness in coming to an opinion about the issue is limited.

[ProSense]

123. No,

"I suspect you are referring to the other part of my point which was that some of the things he does aren't good."

...I'm not. So let me repeat so you can end the obfuscation.

You said: "Under Obama's policies, the divide between wealthy and the rest of us has grown, a lot, and that will eventually lead to revolution or dissolution of the nation."

I said, no "Obama's policies" have not "grown" the "divide between wealthy and the rest of us."

See: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023443707#post111

[mindwalker_i]

124. Ah ok, so it was specifically about that particular issue

I seem to remember seeing a lot of links and graphs that should income differences are still expanding. Here is an article about it. And another.

Obama's failure to go after the big banks, even after the issues with MERS, or with the myriad of issues with foreclosure, or the attempts to strike deals to effectively sweep the whole thing under the collective rug, definitely helped the banks at the expense of the non-rich. He's talked about helping main street as opposed to helping wall street, but his actions don't support it.

[ProSense]

125. Nothing

"Ah ok, so it was specifically about that particular issue

I seem to remember seeing a lot of links and graphs that should income differences are still expanding. Here is an article about it. And another."

...you posted has anything to do with "Obama's policies."

[mindwalker_i]

128. The original point I was making still stands

You said is was "pure silliness," referring to peole who are against Obama's continuation and possible expansion of domestic spying. It's silly to say he's purely a bad president because of that, but it's just as purely silly to support him no matter what.

[Mojorabbit]

138. Perhaps you need to read all the information posted today on the Greatest page

Your post seems to show you are behind in catching up.

[dipsydoodle]

136. Dated August 10th.

Elsewhere you'll find the economic damage this will subject the US to. August 10th wasn't better late than never - it was just late.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

155. Obama has to deal with the likes of Justice Roberts

see my post on Roberts and Fisa

[MADem]

26. How do you know that there has been "illegal domestic surveillance?" I'd say that's the purported

bit in your equation.

This is going to shake out, eventually, and changes, if they need to be made, will be made.

But I love the way people are ignoring and devaluing the comments of the guy twice elected, to listen breathlesly, anxiously, in "I wanna believe" fashion, to some guy they never heard of a couple of months ago, who up until recently was hiding in a Russian airport and washing his socks and skivvies out in the sink.

[cantbeserious]

51. How Do I Know - I Learned To Read And Practice That Skill Daily

eom

[MADem]

88. Non-responsive. Unless you work at NSA, you "know" nothing.

Unless you're about to rule on the constitutionality of anything related to this case, you "know" nothing.

This is a story that is still unfolding.

[cantbeserious]

91. I Worked At The NSA 25 Years Ago - We Did Not Spy On American Citizens

eom

[MADem]

96. OK, there ya go. THAT's what you "know."

Anything else, at this point in time, is pure speculation.

[cantbeserious]

101. Thank You For The Education - I Never Knew I Was So Ignorant

eom

[MADem]

116. I never called you ignorant. You come to that conclusion without my input. nt

[cantbeserious]

118. Au Contraire - Chastisement Is Strong Implication

eom

[MADem]

119. I implied nothing. I say what I mean. You are painting yourself as an

internet 'victim,' for reasons known only to you.

[cantbeserious]

121. No Victim Here - I Say What I Mean - You And I Will Have to Agree To Disagree

eom

[Fire Walk With Me]

36. That, and more. Amazing how armchair pundits here somehow imagine they know more about spying

and the government's capacity for spying upon us than those who have spent a lifetime actually directly involved in the technology, and who are strongly warning us:

Lavabit founder: 'If You Knew What I Know About Email, You Might Not Use It'

Ladar Levison, 32, has spent ten years building encrypted email service Lavabit, attracting over 410,000 users. When NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden was revealed to be one of those users in July, Dallas-based Lavabit got a surge of new customers: $12,000 worth of paid subscribers, triple his usual monthly sign-up. On Thursday, though, Levison pulled the plug on his company, posting a cryptic message about a government investigation that would force him to 'become complicit in crimes against the American people' were he to stay in business. Many people have speculated that the investigation concerned the government trying to get access to the email of Edward Snowden, who has been charged with espionage. There are legal restrictions which prevent Levison from being more specific about a protest of government methods that has forced him to shutter his company, an unprecedented move.

“This is about protecting all of our users, not just one in particular. It’s not my place to decide whether an investigation is just, but the government has the legal authority to force you to do things you’re uncomfortable with,” said Levison in a phone call on Friday. 'The fact that I can’t talk about this is as big a problem as what they asked me to do.'

Levison’s lawyer, Jesse Binnall, who is based in Northern Virginia — the court district where Levison needed representation — added that it’s 'ridiculous' that Levison has to so carefully parse what he says about the government inquiry. 'In America, we’re not supposed to have to worry about watching our words like this when we’re talking to the press,' Binnall said."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2013/08/09/lavabits-ladar-levison-if-you-knew-what-i-know-about-email-you-might-not-use-it/

via wtmusic



How America's Top Tech Companies Created the Surveillance State
http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/how-america-s-top-tech-companies-created-the-surveillance-state-20130725

With Edward Snowden on the run in Russia and reportedly threatening to unveil the entire “blueprint” for National Security Agency surveillance, there’s probably as much terror in Silicon Valley as in Washington about what he might expose. The reaction so far from private industry about the part it has played in helping the government spy on Americans has ranged from outraged denial to total silence. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, he of the teen-nerd hoodie, said he’d never even heard of the kind of data-mining that the NSA leaker described—then fell quiet. Google cofounder Larry Page declared almost exactly the same thing; then he shut up, too. Especially for the libertarian geniuses of Silicon Valley, who take pride in their distance (both physically and philosophically) from Washington, the image-curdling idea that they might be secretly in bed with government spooks induced an even greater reluctance to talk, perhaps, than the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which conveniently forbids executives from revealing government requests for information.

But the sounds of silence from the tech and telecom sectors are drowning out a larger truth, one that some of Snowden’s documents might well supply in much greater detail. For nearly 20 years, many of these companies—indeed most of America’s biggest corporate sectors, from energy to finance to telecom to computers—have been doing the intelligence community’s bidding, as America’s spy and homeland-security agencies have bored their way into the nation’s privately run digital and electronic infrastructure. Sometimes this has happened after initial resistance, and occasionally under penalty of law, but more often with willing and even eager cooperation. Indeed, the private tech sector effectively built the NSA’s surveillance system, and got rich doing it.

Books have been written about President Eisenhower’s famous farewell warning in 1961 about the “military-industrial complex,” and what he described as its “unwarranted influence.” But an even greater leviathan today, one that the public knows little about, is the “intelligence-industrial complex.”

The saga of the private sector’s involvement in the NSA’s scheme for permanent mass surveillance is long, complex, and sometimes contentious. Often, in ways that appeared to apply indirect pressure on industry, the NSA has demanded, and received, approval authority—veto power, basically—over telecom mergers and the lifting of export controls on software. The tech industry, in more than a decade of working-group meetings, has hashed out an understanding with the intelligence community over greater NSA access to their systems, including the nation’s major servers (although it is not yet clear to what degree the agency had direct access). “I never saw come and say, ‘We’ll do this if you do that,’ ” says Rebecca Gould, the former vice president for public policy at Dell. “But the National Security Agency always reached out to companies, bringing them in. There are working groups going on as we speak.”


Obviously, personal opinion on these technological issues trumps actual facts.

[1-Old-Man]

37. Yes, it does. Particularly when the good deeds are mostly exaggerated claims

As a person who is unaffected by the Affordable Care Act I really do not see anything in my life that has improved because Obama has been the President. A Republican would have been worse, to be sure, but a Democrat would have been better, and Obama seems to hover in some sort of bazarro-world, half way in between and willing to trade off anything for a claim of success.

[forestpath]

60. +1000

[cantbeserious]

67. Senator Wyden Warns of Potential Public Backlash From Allowing Secret Law - 2011

&feature=player_embedded

[Sunlei]

74. where are the Rs who want to stop the terrorist hunts? They voted FOR the bush laws.

many of those Rs are on their 3rd and 4th terms.

[cantbeserious]

76. Pure Speculation - I Suspect That They Are Practicing Duck And Cover

eom

[Roselma]

126. My Republican relatives on Facebook are delighted

that this business with Snowden/NSA is harming Obama, because in doing so, it harms the Democratic party brand. It helps the Republican party in 2014. My nephew thinks that Snowden is definitely doing this to help libertarian-leaning Republicans (otherwise known as the tea party) for 2014 and 2016. He may be right. You won't find a better way to discourage otherwise-Democratic-party voters, than to let them stew against the president and his party. Working very well for Republicans. Notice how little comment expressing discouragement is coming from the Republicans and the tea party? There's a reason for that. They're letting the Democrats screw themselves over. Smart politics.

[cantbeserious]

127. The Best Countermeasure Would Be Open Debate On the Topic Followed By Shutting Down The Programs

However, that may be too nuanced for the democrats to understand.

[roamer65]

150. Not working with anti-Rethug voters like me.

I vote against them for the sheer enjoyment of it.

[hfojvt]

139. I am more upset about the permanent tax cuts for the rich

but his supporters usually include that among his good deeds.

Go figure.

[cantbeserious]

143. An Equally Pernicious Problem Left Unsolved By The President

eom

[burnodo]

2. Do you ever sleep?

[ProSense]

4. Are you typing in your sleep? n/t

[burnodo]

7. I hear the secrets that you keep...

when you're typing in your sleep.

[ProSense]

9. Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream

Three and a half more years.

[burnodo]

12. does that mean you're going to sleep?

[ProSense]

15. Eventually. You? n/t

[riqster]

107. Awesome song reference. nt

[AgingAmerican]

5. .

[ProSense]

6. You're cute. n/t

[Cha]

30. that post below me was freaking stupid.. what ever made

it think it could get away with that shit on DU? lol.

[whatchamacallit]

10. One of the best republican presidents maybe

[ProSense]

13. No, one of the best among all Presidents. n/t

[Cha]

27. Poor things.. they don't know the difference between what republicons are

doing and what PBO Admin has acccomplished.

It's like Pres Obama fighting the republicons.. they just obstruct.. they have no purpose.

[1-Old-Man]

40. FDR is rolling in his grave ....

Apparently you are unfamiliar with what a Democratic President is capable of when his heart is in it. I've lived long enough to see what a good President looks like, clearly you have not.

[ProSense]

44. FDR is one of the best Presidents ever

"FDR is rolling in his grave ...."

Likely watching the reaction to my point.

"Apparently you are unfamiliar with what a Democratic President is capable of when his heart is in it. I've lived long enough to see what a good President looks like, clearly you have not."

Yeah, which ones?

[snappyturtle]

105. +1 It's amazing isn't it....this lock step allegiance which is

intolerant of criticism?

[dennis4868]

135. FDR

came under attack from Liberals for not making change happen fast enough. Sound familiar? Also, FDR had super majorities in congress of his own party. Much easier to get things done. Nor did he have to deal with fucking racist!

[bravenak]

11. I'll be sad when he's gone.

He's the best one since I've been alive. 1981. I was born under Reagan. My family would watch him on tv just to yell at the tv. We liked Clinton in our way.
Now when we watch the President on TV, we smile and periodically yell at Chuck Todd or that strange Luke Russert fellow if he's around.
Having a smart president is nice.
Chuck Todd's beard is grody. ( yes this is a pointless statement, I know)

[RKP5637]

53. Damn, I must be watching TV with you all, I do the same!

[millennialmax]

14. He'd win a 3rd term with over 60% of the vote, IMO.

But it will be time for a fresh face by then, to build upon the forward foundation President Obama has laid.

[Cha]

16. Yes, that's my Prez!

thanks PS

[Spitfire of ATJ]

17. I'm shocked that the comments on YouTube didn't include "Ron Paul 2012!".

[tofuandbeer]

18. I'm there.

[Oakenshield]

19. He's a remarkable man.

He will go down in history as the President who presided over the country as it made its first baby step towards universal healthcare. And for his efforts on that account I am grateful. Just wish he'd actually been an actual liberal and not another "go along to get along" type like Clinton.

[calimary]

137. Welcome to DU, Oakenshield!

Glad you're here. I agree. President Obama for the most part makes me VERY proud. YEEEEEEESSSSSSS I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW...

He isn't perfect. Lots of stuff I would have done differently, but I would have been a white female president and different dynamics would be at play both for me and against me. I read somewhere - probably here - that what may be governing his mindset at least from the start was the painfully keen awareness and sensitivity toward who and what he was as he stepped into the Presidency: the First Black President. Or, let's go farther - the First Mixed-Race President. The First Non-Anglo President. I'm wondering if some of his longtime advisors recommended he not go too strong or push too hard or too far - because of what would be said and printed and blathered about him. Oooooh - another scaaaaaaaaaary black man - ooooooohhh - gnash teeth-gnash teeth, ring hands-ring-hands, clutch pearls-clutch pearls!!!!!! Or the moldy, moth-eaten stereotype of the angry black man that would just be laminated to him. Perhaps he felt the need to go a little easier to help disabuse (at least) some people of that mentality.

Granted, some people in America simply can't be helped in this regard. Some people in America, mostly from the angry, resentful, bitter, aging, white male demographic, just are beyond help, and beyond reach. They're going to have to carry that bitterness and anger with them to their graves. They're the ones who Pox Noise and limbaugh & clones try to appeal to, and to stir up. Some of them are beyond redemption. They're the ones with the stupid-ass three-cornered hats and the "don't tread on me" flags and the teabags, who vote for anti-New Dealers in the GOP who will try to erode all their benefits, while clinging desperately to their "Don't Touch My Medicare" protest signs. They're angry, fearful, and perfect targets for the psy-ops of the CONs. Thank goodness there are fewer of them than there are of us.

And I support him because, overall, I think he's better than anybody else who had a realistic chance of being elected. And on his worst day he's LIGHTYEARS better than anything the other party tries to force upon us. And I don't want to damage the brand. I want a DEMOCRAT in the position of picking the next SEVERAL Supreme Court Justices. I want a DEMOCRAT in charge of the nominations and appointments. I want a DEMOCRAT in the White House - to hold off the assholes who'd send him all kinds of revisionist and regressive legislation that he (or she) can stop it in its tracks with a veto rather than a rubber-stamper as the GOP hoped they'd have in mitt romney ("don't even bother your pretty little self reading the bills we'll send you. Just be able to hold a pen so you can sign what we put in front of you" - a quote from grover norquist last year, I believe).

What I think I'm most concerned about is how this ongoing debate here and elsewhere might be contributing to tearing us apart here on OUR side, and dividing us and our interests, thus clearing the way for one of the bad guys to get in.

I GUARANTEE YOU, if you don't like what's going on with one of our guys in the Oval Office - please just think back to when bush/cheney stole their way in there and the havoc and devastation and utter piracy and mass death which that led to. Imagine where we'd be now, with ANY of the issues people care about here, if romney had gotten in. Or rick perry. Or newt gingrich. Or looking ahead - ted cruz or rand paul or steve king or rick santorum. At his worst, President Obama is INFINITELY preferable to ANYTHING the bad guys run, in the past, in the now, AND in the future. And if people want to start being Medea Benjamins and send valentines to rand paul or somebody else because on one part of one issue they're fooled into thinking he "might" be on their side or "might" present a viable alternative, then just continue dancing on down Delusion Drive. But don't expect me to come with you.

[madokie]

20. This old man agrees with you

[Raine]

21. He's one of the smartest Presidents ever. nt

[LostOne4Ever]

22. Im hoping hes the first

In a long line of democratic presidents to monopolize the white house and bring in the new age of democrats!

[RC]

66. How is this "new age of Democrats" any different from pre bu$h Republicans?

Why are these "New Age Democrats" acting and sounding so much like Republicans? The spying, the secrecy, the wars, the drones, the arrogance in forcing down planes of Head of States.
Why does the current New Age Democratic President, have so many Republican/bu$h holdovers in his Administration?

[snappyturtle]

108. Your questions would require too much thought on the part of these

"New Age Democrats" imho. Instead, you'll be taken on a mind bending
spin on their patriotic tilt-a-whirl. If the President does it (obviously no
matter what that is) it's good and legal. Sounds Nixonian to me.

[LostOne4Ever]

120. Because thats what it takes

To get elected in a po$t-Double Dumb America.

$hrub, $hrub the fir$t, and jellybean brain all caused nigh irreparable damage to this country and the M$M has turned the average american's brain to mush.



To fix things we first have to get elected, take control of the SCotUS, then completely marginalize the Rethugs, and finally use our position of power to pull the country to the left. This is going to take time and patience on our part.

But thats one of the things that separate us from the conservatives. They react to everything in a knee-jerk reactionary way while we work toward long term goals and are willing to think.



That said, the democrats we have are MILES better than the republicans. The democrats at least have us STARTED on the way to single payer UHC, they are at least TRYING to raise the minimum wage, they are at least trying to get some regulations passed, most of them are TRYING to end the NSA spying (vast majority of the votes on the Amash amendment were democrats).

And when it comes to social policy the difference between the rethugs and the democrats are night and day. Marriage equality, Reproductive rights, minority rights, separation of church and state, etc.

Are they perfect? Hell no. But the constant comparison to the republicans and calling them the same is the very definition of false equivalency. This is a stepping stone to the change this country needs and I can't wait to see that radical regressionist theocrat party put into the trash where it belongs.



Edit: And just for the record I don't mean new age democrats, I mean a new age of democrats. There were periods of time in American politics where one party dominates while the other is marginalized. For example the last age of democrats included FDR, Trueman, Kennedy, and LBJ.

I feel we are entering a new age where democrats are going to dominate.

[4bucksagallon]

23. He was/is head and shoulders above anyone else that has been offered up. eom

[Cha]

24. Obama's our chess playing president.. he looks at

the whole damn board!

[hue]

29. DITTO!! :-)

[Cha]

31. Hey hue!

You're up late or early

[leftstreet]

92. He'll WIPE OUT the whole board !!

[ProSense]

115. You think he's a king? n/t

[Logical]

142. No, more like a gullible rook. n-t

[hue]

28. Pres Obama is brilliant! Considering the massive RW propaganda war against Him He is the BEST!!

I highly doubt anyone else could have stabilized our country as He did with the absolute financial, international & national political destruction, social downward spiral etc. that Bush--Cheney left with. Think of the unfunded wars, the innocent men, women & dear children that died for B--C's absolute greed!! No wonder we were & still are despised abroad!!

Anyone could go on & on with a huge laundry list of the RW ills brought upon our planet from the oligarchical agenda shoved down our throats from the previous years...and that struggle remains to this day.

We are very fortunate to have President Obama.

[bowens43]

32. Well he's in the top 40 anyway.......

[Art_from_Ark]

72. Most definitely, he's one of the

[cali]

33. Posts like your op, are just embarassing. they're childish.

they're nothing but shameless cheerleading.

they make my stomach turn.

[ProSense]

42. Your comment is what's "embarassing" and "childish,"

"they make my stomach turn."

Too bad. Deal with it.

[cali]

65. hardly, pro. It's simply too early to make such a pronouncement.

That you're desperate to have your idol be elevated to godlike status, is clear to most people.

It's just sad and weird.

[ProSense]

70. Frankly,

"hardly, pro. It's simply too early to make such a pronouncement.

That you're desperate to have your idol be elevated to godlike status, is clear to most people.

It's just sad and weird. "

...your comment is the one that's "desperate," "sad and weird."

The OP is based on his first-year accomplishments, passing health care reform and creating the first-ever consumer protection bureau, that are bearing fruit.

On the strength of his first term, President Obama has earned a spot as one of the best Presidents ever.

This may have been a bit too early: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x595287

The OP is spot on.

One of the best President's ever.

[Logical]

64. It is amusing.....she is taking an ass-kicking on Snowden, so posts this. n-t

[ProSense]

75. "Edward Snowden broke the law by releasing classified information. This isn't under debate"

"Edward Snowden broke the law by releasing classified information. This isn't under debate"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023439290

[Logical]

78. Snowden forces Obama to have conversation about Spying....

Obama announces proposals to reform NSA surveillance

[link:http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/obama-nsa-surveillance-reforms-press-conferenceObama touts NSA surveillance reforms to quell growing unease over programs]

Obama Touts NSA Reforms: 'America Is Not Interested in Spying on Ordinary People'

THE N.S.A.’S DIRTY DISHES: OBAMA’S PRESS CONFERENCE

Apple, Google and AT&T meet Obama to discuss NSA surveillance concerns

Obama sets plans to improve privacy in NSA surveillance

Obama's NSA Conference Could Be Subtitled 'The Guardian Gets Results'

Obama Promises Reform of NSA Spying, But the Devil Will Be in the Details

Former deputy chief of staff for Ron Wyden on the ways Obama didn't "welcome debate" on surveillance

[ProSense]

86. OMG, a wall of "blue links"!

Let me show you how it's done: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023440666

President Obama: Mr. Snowden has been charged with three felonies.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023436454

[Logical]

93. Yes, I wanted to see how easy it was to do. It took 3 minutes. n-t

[ProSense]

94. LOL! That long? n/t

[Logical]

97. I have not had practice on 100,000 posts like you. n-t

[ProSense]

99. You need to "practice" opening your own thread and copying the information?

LOL!

[Logical]

100. Try posting an original thought sometime. It takes more work but makes you look better. n-t

[ProSense]

103. The wall of "blue links" was your idea of an "original thought"?

Yikes!

[tridim]

80. Your stomach is turning because you are losing.

I feel great!

[cali]

83. losing what? good grief. I'm glad I never post anything so silly. ever.

I find adulation of political figures unhealthy.

How will President Obama rate within the ranks of presidents? Breaking: We don't know. And anyone who knows the first thing about it, knows that.

[ProSense]

87. I think

"losing what? good grief. I'm glad I never post anything so silly. ever."

...you're projecting: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=152034&sub=trans

"I find adulation of political figures unhealthy."

He's still one of the best Presidents ever.

[tridim]

89. You are losing your effort to destroy Obama. Big time.

[madrchsod]

34. way to early for that...

so far he has a long way to go before he passes fdr,ike,and johnson.

[ProSense]

46. Being one of the best President's ever

"so far he has a long way to go before he passes fdr,ike,and johnson."

...doesn't mean he "passes fdr,ike,and johnson." Also, I don't think he's a "long way" off.

The OP is based on his first-year accomplishments, passing health care reform and creating the first-ever consumer protection bureau, that are bearing fruit.

On the strength of his first term, President Obama has earned a spot as one of the best Presidents ever.

[madrchsod]

173. maybe....

[AnotherMcIntosh]

176. He did not pass "health care reform." He passed health-insurance reform. Major difference.

Saying that he passed "health care reform" will not make it so.

He had his opportunity.

He wasted it and settled on health-insurance reform.

[Fire Walk With Me]

35. Utterly impervious to any and all facts. Obama walks upon water, details at 11. n/t

[sufrommich]

38. The vitriol and rancor aimed at Obama on DU

is over the top.Frankly, I don't see it at other political boards.I also don't see the kind of blind acceptance of anti government conspiracy theories like I see here. I don't doubt that you'll get lots of "paid shill" attacks for posting pro democratic party stuff on a supposedly democratic board,this place is getting too weird.

[loyalsister]

90. Sadly true

Some of the criticisms come across as practically jubilant. As if taking pride in being willing to take a president within their own party to task.

[KG]

39. he knows more than any man in the world!

read that right here on DU. no shit.

[DrDan]

41. "best president ever!" - I remember reading that 2 weeks after the 2009 inauguration

I think that speaks volumes about a few DUers

[Scuba]

43. My President, right or wrong. Yay!!!!!!!!!

[ProSense]

45. Some think he's a Muslim socialist. Does that mean he's not their President? n/t

[Life Long Dem]

47. After three and a half years

4 more years!! I wish.

[Safetykitten]

48. Get a new "Obama Action Poster" did you?

[bluedigger]

50. Based on voting percentages, I guess so.

I'll have to get back to you on the rest of his long term legacy. Let's pick this discussion up again in 2030 or thereabouts, when it's appropriate to have.

[MannyGoldstein]

56. Indeed, we've never done better!

We've made trillions since this wonderful man took office, whole the rest have lost hundreds of billions.

Huzzah!

Best regards,

The 1%

[ProSense]

57. At least

Indeed, we've never done better!

We've made trillions since this wonderful man took office, whole the rest have lost hundreds of billions.

Huzzah!

Best regards,

The 1%

...you self-identify with "The 1%"

The rest of us know we've done better and worse, and recognized that being one of the best doesn't mean that President Obama can't bo "better."

There is always room for improvement.

Bottom line: Obamacare really is for the 99%
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023441345

[MannyGoldstein]

58. Have you seen the stock prices of health insurers lately? On fire!

Seems that massive taxpayer subsidies to them are nicely profitable.

[ProSense]

61. Have you heard about the 40 repeal votes and the billions being spent to distort the law?

Have you heard about the Medicaid expansion?

[MannyGoldstein]

62. Have you heard about more people in poverty, needing Medicare

because of the bipartisan war against the 99%?

All hail Robert Rubin and his acolytes who suffuse the Obama White House. And if "Crash" Summers makes a return appearance, at the Fed... well holy shit, won't that just be one big #%^*ing party for the 1%.

[ProSense]

69. Have you

"Have you heard about more people in poverty, needing Medicare because of the bipartisan war against the 99%?"

...seen these commentaries and facts:

<...>

Perhaps the best prism through which to see the Democrats’ gains is inequality. In the 2008 campaign, Mr. Obama said that his top priority as president would be to “create bottom-up economic growth” and reduce inequality...In the 2009 stimulus, he insisted on making tax credits “fully refundable,” so that even people who did not make enough to pay much federal tax would benefit. The 2010 health care law overhaul was probably the biggest attack on inequality since it began rising in the 1970s, increasing taxes on businesses and the rich to pay for health insurance largely for the middle class.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/us/politics/for-obama-fiscal-deal-is-a-victory-that-also-holds-risks.html

Krugman: Obama and Redistribution
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022224304

Also as the health care becomes more accessible and affordable, and the effects will become even more noticeable.

The data presented here are from the Current Population Survey (CPS), 2012 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the source of official poverty estimates. The CPS ASEC is a sample survey of approximately 100,000 household nationwide. These data reflect conditions in calendar year 2011.

• In 2011, the official poverty rate was 15.0 percent. There were 46.2 million people in poverty.
  
  
• After 3 consecutive years of increases, neither the official poverty rate nor the number of people in poverty were statisti¬cally different from the 2010 estimates1
  
  
• The 2011 poverty rates for most demographic groups examined were not statistically different from their 2010 rates. Poverty rates were lower in 2011 than in 2010 for six groups: Hispanics, males, the foreign-born, nonciti¬zens, people living in the South, and people living inside metropol¬itan statistical areas but outside principal cities. Poverty rates went up between 2010 and 2011 for naturalized citizens.
  
  
• For most groups, the number of people in poverty either decreased or did not show a statistically significant change. The number of people in poverty decreased for noncitizens, people living in the South, and people living inside metropolitan statistical areas but outside principal cities between 2010 and 2011. The number of naturalized citizens in poverty increased.
  
  
• The poverty rate in 2011 for chil¬dren under age 18 was 21.9 per-cent. The poverty rate for people aged 18 to 64 was 13.7 percent, while the rate for people aged 65 and older was 8.7 percent. None of the rates for these age groups were statistically different from their 2010 estimates.2

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/overview/

Go to the "Publications" tab for more information.

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

Sex

• The poverty rate for males decreased between 2010 and 2011, from 14.0 percent to 13.6 percent, while the poverty rate for females was 16.3 percent, not statistically different from the 2010 estimate.

<...>

Health Insurance Coverage

• The number of people with health insurance increased to 260.2 million in 2011 from 256.6 million in 2010, as did the percentage of people with health insurance (84.3 percent in 2011, 83.7 percent in 2010).
  
  
• The percentage of people covered by private health insurance in 2011 was not statistically different from 2010, at 63.9 percent. This was the first time in the last 10 years that the rate of private health insurance coverage has not decreased. The percentage covered by employment-based health insurance in 2011 was not statistically different from 2010, at 55.1 percent.
  
  
• The percentage of people covered by government health insurance increased from 31.2 percent to 32.2 percent. The percentage covered by Medicaid increased from 15.8 percent in 2010 to 16.5 percent in 2011. The percentage covered by Medicare also rose over the period, from 14.6 percent to 15.2 percent. The percentage covered by Medicaid in 2011 was higher than the percentage covered by Medicare.
  
  
• In 2011, 9.7 percent of children under 19 (7.6 million) were without health insurance. Neither estimate is significantly different from the corresponding 2010 estimate. The uninsured rate also remained statistically unchanged for those age 26 to 34 and people age 45 to 64. It declined, however, for people age 19 to 25, age 35 to 44 and those age 65 and older.
  
  
• The uninsured rate for children in poverty (13.8 percent) was higher than the rate for all children (9.4 percent).
  
  
• In 2011, the uninsured rates decreased as household income increased from 25.4 percent for those in households with annual income less than $25,000 to 7.8 percent in households with income of $75,000 or more.
  
  <...>

- more -

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

Dire information, but I would say a decrease in the poverty rate among most groups between 2010 and 2011 is big news, as is the information on health insurance coverage.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gets busy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023372682

Elizabeth Warren: Cordray Vote ‘A Historic Day For Working Families’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) took to Twitter on Tuesday in praise of the Senate's vote to advance Richard Cordray's nomination to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, calling it a "historic day for working families."

Elizabeth Warren ✔ @elizabethforma

I couldn't be more pleased that Rich Cordray will finally get the vote that he deserves. This is a historic day for working families!
1:11 PM - 16 Jul 2013

47 Retweets 26 favorites

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/elizabeth-warren-cordray-vote-historic-day-for-working

[MindPilot]

59. If you started counting in 2000, that woud be true.

Obama is a damn fine center-right Democran, on a par Bill Clinton. Yes sir!

[ProSense]

68. Wait

"If you started counting in 2000, that woud be true.

Obama is a damn fine center-right Democran, on a par Bill Clinton Yes sir!"

...on the math, do you mean "started counting" in 1992?

I disagree, though. President Obama reversed many of the damaging policies of the Clinton years.

[Logical]

63. LOL, here we go again. n-t

[Sunlei]

71. IMO the big O would have had 75% of the pop vote if the Rs didn't gerrymander, cheat & scam.

[PowerToThePeople]

73. opinions are like ------------

stinky.

[ProSense]

77. "opinions are like ------------stinky"?

Is that your opinion I smell?

[PowerToThePeople]

79. mine may be stinky too.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

81. Nonsense. His presidency has not been appalling, but it's been mediocre.

He has achieved a few good or at least reasonable things - end of DADT; healthcare reform which,while third-rate, is better than what preceded it; economic stimulus which did some good; successfully cheerleading some steps in the direction of gay marriage; tolerable appointments to the SCOTUS - and he has the excuse that for much of his rule a hostile congress has tied his hands, and has unquestionably been better than the alternative, but to use words like "great" or "historic" about him is just laughable.

Barring progress in the next three years - which seems unlikely - Obama will be remembered as the first non-white president of the US, and as a reasonable one, but not as one whose achievements were particularly significant.

[ProSense]

82. No

Nonsense. His presidency has not been appalling, but it's been mediocre.

He has achieved a few good or at least reasonable things - end of DADT; healthcare reform which,while third-rate, is better than what preceded it; economic stimulus which did some good; successfully cheerleading some steps in the direction of gay marriage; tolerable appointments to the SCOTUS - and he has the excuse that for much of his rule a hostile congress has tied his hands, and has unquestionably been better than the alternative, but to use words like "great" or "historic" about him is just laughable.

...that's "nonsense."

I mean, you can dismiss that he reversed the damaging policies of Clinton, dimiss the fact that he succeeded in reforming the health care system after 100-years of attemps, dismiss his SCOTUS appointments, dismiss everything he has accomplished in order to justify your claim, but that's simply nonsensical.

[leftstreet]

95. He's Clinton without a sex scandal n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

102. Absolutely

K&R

[mick063]

109. Nope

He has severely damaged Hillary.

[Fringe]

112. Hillary has not been damaged.

With, the changing demographics, Hillary will actually be helped because of Obama.

Hillary has always had her detractors, many here on du, but the liaison between her and Obama will help her, and Hillary understands that.

I'm not sure who I'll vote for doing the primary, but I will stand up for Hillary and vote for her if she is the democratic candidate.

[Fringe]

110. The best president.

My life has greatly improved under Obama.

[kentuck]

117. Assuming he doesn't lose the ground he has gained...

You may be right?

[hrmjustin]

129. I still love him!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

130. ...

[lamp_shade]

131. And I do believe that's how he will go down in history. Maybe even THE best.

[ProSense]

132. :-) n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

133. K&R

And pox on the posters vomiting RW vitriol on the thread.

[Demo_Chris]

134. Every time I think you might be serious you post a thread like this...

and make me wonder yet again. Either you are a troll, delusional, or a paid operative. There really is no other option.

[Logical]

141. She is not serious. she just likes to stir stuff up. n-t

[ProSense]

146. I'm very serious, and your comment is nonsensical. n/t

[Logical]

154. I know you are just pulling our strings at time. But that is OK. If it entertains you then fine. n-t

[ProSense]

145. "Either you are a troll, delusional, or a paid operative."

You're projecting aren't you?

[Demo_Chris]

149. No. I am open to a job doing what you do. I, however, would do it better...

As I would temper my rabid fanaticism with just a touch of regret to lend credibility. A sigh perhaps for what might have been (in an ideal world). You, however, wave your pom poms and cheer so hard and loud that you've split your knickers and are showing the full monte. Take it down a notch.

[ProSense]

156. You mean

"As I would temper my rabid fanaticism with just a touch of regret to lend credibility. "

..."credibility" in your eyes is making this statement: "Either you are a troll, delusional, or a paid operative."

Here's what that says about you: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12592697#post1

[madinmaryland]

140. Hyperbole aside, President Obama's signature legislative victory passed was written by

The Heritage Foundation and passed by Mitt Romney. I would never consider him the greatest president ever. I good president, yes.

Doesn't a thread like this belong in the BOG?

[ProSense]

148. Wrong

"Hyperbole aside, President Obama's signature legislative victory passed was written by The Heritage Foundation and passed by Mitt Romney."

Republicans hate Medicaid, which is a significant part of the health care law. Mitt Romney vetoed the progressive reforms in the MA health care law and they were enacted by a veto override.

[madinmaryland]

153. I appreciate the explanation, Mr. Gibbs. nt

[ProSense]

158. You're welcome, Mr. Boehner. n/t

[Scurrilous]

144. K & R

[roamer65]

147. I'd put him above the realm of Pierce and Fillmore.

Distinctly average but able to hold a tattered republic together.

[truebrit71]

151. What a pile of steaming horseshit...

...but then again, look who wrote it

[BumRushDaShow]

152. And your post is a steaming pile of horseshit

but then again, look who wrote it.

[Logical]

160. LOL, coming from you? n-t

[truebrit71]

191. Right?

[ZombieHorde]

157. I am glad that you feel very well represented.

That must be nice.

[ProSense]

162. It feels great to have President Obama.

My governor sucks though.

[ZombieHorde]

165. Can't win them all, I guess. nt

[GoneFishin]

159. I am sure the 80 innocent Guantanamo detainees think exactly that each time they are

strapped to a chair with a mask strapped over their mouth and a deliberately oversized tube is rammed up their nose.

[ProSense]

161. You think they miss Bush? n/t

[GoneFishin]

190. I think they miss sanity.

At least under Bush most Democrats recognized the difference between right and wrong.

[RetroLounge]

163. This OP is a childish embarrassment of a joke

RL

[ProSense]

166. That description is better applied to puking in every thread. n/t

[RetroLounge]

167. ...

RL

[egduj]

164. "one of..."? I think you're selling the man short!

I'd get rid of the "one of" and capitalize the T-H-E. But leave Presidents as plural, because the shit this man has accomplished would have taken 3 or 4 FDRs to do.

[ProSense]

168. :-) n/t

[alarimer]

169. Probably only fair to middling, considering the civil rights violations.

I'm sorry I ever voted for him.

[ProSense]

172. Yeah, some people were "sorry" after 2008, and

despite that, he had a remarkable first term.

Some of us stuck with him and supported his re-election. Still proud I voted for him...twice.

[Scurrilous]

170. Boink.

[Jamaal510]

171. Considering all

of the recent attacks that I have seen against fellow DUers on here who post something in support of him (on a site dedicated to Democrats), such as "paid shill", "authoritarian", "fascist", and "Obama cheerleader"...one would typically hear this type of stuff from RWers and libertarians. It really makes a guy wonder about some of this site's posters because even when ProSense and others have posted numerous articles debunking Snowden and Greenwald, and articles that have proven that no unconstitutional activity had taken place, people simply look away and stand firmly behind their paranoid NSA fantasies. They strangely would rather take the word of a notorious Paulite with questionable motives over a President from their own party.
I wish more people would let all the facts come in about a situation and look at all perspectives before rushing to judgement.

[donheld]

174. Get off your knees.

[ProSense]

177. Classy. n/t

[Marr]

175. Embarrassing.

[ProSense]

178. Yes, posting that image is "embarrassing." n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

179. What a fucking pile of shit. nt

[JoePhilly]

189. The far left wonders why its not taken seriously.

[Marr]

204. The left wonders why the right is calling itself the center.

I'm a pretty old school, labor Democrat. If I really appear that far off to your left, it may be that you're standing in right field.

[Scurrilous]

199. Yes you are. n/t

[1awake]

180. Your title is a damn joke.

I won't bother explaining why because you already know, probably posted this just to get a specific response, and have no interest in any other point of view anyway. As long as the president has a "D" after his name, no wrong can be done.

[JoePhilly]

182. How dare some one praise the Democratic President on a

Democratic website!!!

ARRAGGGGGHHHH!!!

[1awake]

187. If you put party before right and wrong

then what a person thinks is worth very little. You may be comfortable blindly following marching orders but I am not. Have fun. The government should reflect our wishes... not us reflecting theirs.

[JoePhilly]

188. And if you spend your time on a site called DEMOCRATICUNDERGROUND

you might be a Democrat.

And if I want to complain about how terrible Democrats are, I can always go to YAHOO's comment section.

But hey, that's me. I come to DU looking for folks interested in keeping the GOP out of office, and less so for the now so constant whining of the perpetually disgruntled.

Again ... God forbid some one praise a Democratic President on a Democratic website.

You may be comfortable being blind to the accomplishments of that Democratic President, but I am not.

See what I did there?

[1awake]

192. Yes, you made allowances for one on your team you

never would for any other. You know, it Doesn't matter, carry on.

[JoePhilly]

194. The whiners are the ones "carrying on".

If you don't like the team, feel free to join another.

Or am I suggesting that you do something that you've already done?

Maybe you can help build a new team on 3rdPartyUnderground.

[1awake]

195. Maybe I should because if the future of this party

is with people (not necessarily you) who would sell out their stated beliefs and morals just so we can back a person with the letter D after his name then your absolutely right... I don't belong. I do not hold with forms of fascism regardless who it comes from.

"Or am I suggesting that you do something that you've already done?"

ah yes, the old stand by. Funny coming from the guy spouting republican (at best) points of view. That's the worst part for me. Listening to Democrats on this very board saying things that I can match with the most die hard right wingers on spying and secrecy. Hell, one of the posters commenting ferociously in support of the NSA spying said the exact opposite about the exact same things when the D was an R after the name.

[JoePhilly]

196. The view from your high horse must be absolutely amazing.

I love the self-righteousness you display.

Apparently, anyone who won't light their hair on fire with you is clearly, in your mind, a fascist Republican.

As for cross aisle comparisons ... I find that folks like you sound about as well tethered to reality as members of the Tea Party. They too hate the President so much that they are blind to his accomplishments, when not infuriated by them.

For all of the gnashing of teeth, left and right, the country is improving and moving forward. And its driving some crazy.

[1awake]

200. Your the one that started making accusations.. not me.

High horse indeed. How about joining me on the ground without those All democrats are full of awesomeness and rainbows and mistake free goggles on.

The conversation is pointless if it ever was a conversation. You think I'm a self-righteous tea party secret republican (did I miss anything?), and I think your a sell out who will tout right or left leaning ideologies as long as it's coming from a politician with a D after their name.

I have a whole host of Democrat's I can support, which will not include our President until he switches his view on privacy and secret courts/laws.

Last thing, I'm comfortable here on DU, and have been here as long as you but I usually just read and not post every thought that comes in my head. If you feel a separate board needs created feel free.

[JoePhilly]

181. That reality drives the perpetually disgruntled crazy.

Stopped a 2nd great depression. Turned the economy around. Ended the Iraq war. Ended DADT. Will end the Afganistan war. Killed OBL. Saved the US auto industry. Passed the ACA. DOMA will most likely end under Obama. Consumer protection.

The BASTARD!!!!

I think that the disgruntled are starting to realize that every President looks even better a few years after they leave office. They love FDR, forgive the interment camps. Same for LBJ, generally gets a pass for his role in Vietnam.

Obama is popular now. And in all likelihood, that won't change while he's in office unless the economy collapses, and that's not very likely.

They couldn't get a primary challenger. Obama won re-election in 2012, preventing the evil DLC from "learning its lesson". And now, while they'd love to see him impeached, they (unlike the Tea Party) know that its not going to happen.

History will be very kind to Obama. His numerous achievements will overshadow mistakes, much like FDR's internment camp sins are forgiven.

And here YOU are ... rubbing it in!!!

How dare you publish something positive about a Democratic President on a Democratic webs site!!!

[BumRushDaShow]

183. I really do think that Skinner should just rename the site.

I don't even recognize the site with the amount of abject vitriol coming from supposed "Democrats".

[JoePhilly]

184. I hear ya ... at times I've called it ...

Hair-on-fire Underground.

And I've also recommended that some folks re-post over on LibertarianUnderground or 3rdPartyUnderground.

We've got a President who's been trying to put out a huge House fire, and we've got folks on the right and left screaming because he's getting the house wet in the process. And then, lots of them (both sides) hope the whole place burns down so that THEY will get to rebuild it to match their own idealist design.

[BumRushDaShow]

185. "lots of them (both sides) hope the whole place burns down"

And THAT is the key because that way, they feel it gives them relevance. It's just like when Shrub was elected and the entire Congress was all GOP, RW talk radio completely lost any raison d'etre because all they could do was attack Pelosi or reach back in time and re-attack Clinton... It had gotten so bad that they decided to go back further and attack Carter, Johnson, and finally Roosevelt. Their current leaders got a pass.

And so today, with no Shrub in office, oddly a swarm of supposed "Democrats" on DU have decided that instead of attacking Boner or Cantor or Turtle, they have launched a vicious and insidious attack on the President while giving the RW lunatics in Congress a pass, just like Limpballs.

[JoePhilly]

186. Exactly ... so now on DU, to find Dems talking about stopping

the GOP ... you have to wade through the endless "Obama bad" and "Dems Bad" OPs.

[BumRushDaShow]

201. + infinity

[Fringe]

202. Sad and true.

I often feel like I'm visiting free republic.

[1awake]

193. Either side can say that.

What does it take to be a "good Democrat"? Is it backing a politician no matter what? If so, maybe you are right and I don't belong anymore.

[whatchamacallit]

197. I'm a liberal who votes democratic because

traditionally it's the party most aligned with progressive values. 'Democrat' has no intrinsic meaning outside the values of the party.

[woo me with science]

198. War is Peace.

Freedom is Slavery.
Ignorance is Strength.
2 + 2 = 5

These incessant ProPaganda commercials have become a parody of themselves.

[ProSense]

205. Desperation is evident.

"These incessant ProPaganda commercials have become a parody of themselves. "

Actually, that response is a running joke.

[Fringe]

203. k & r