General Discussion

Liberal Veteran

(22,239 posts)

241. Your reply is eloquent and well-stated, but I can't share in the being sour on him.

Thu Jun 20, 2013, 12:18 AM

Jun 2013

Some of this animosity started right out of the gate with a particular cleric and it seemed to me nothing Obama ever did or does will ever be good enough for some to say "Hey, maybe he isn't the enemy I think he is."

A portion of that opinion that has solidified may be misdirected onto Obama more by the people who said essentially, "get the fuck over yourselves" when we should have been coming together as a community of democrats (gay and straight alike).

And while it may sound like an excuse, but given the opposition Obama has faced at getting even routine things done (like the debt ceiling), political calculus says he has done a remarkable job for the LGBT community and probably could do a hell of lot more if every single issue (and they are copious in quantity and quality) wasn't an uphill battle.

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If it's not racism, then what is it? [View all] Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 OP

Well, that's certainly a lot of things people seem to disagree with Obama about. sibelian Jun 2013 #1

I have criticized 840high Jun 2013 #164

It takes a thicker skin than ever to be on the DU. But it's still my favorite site. NYC_SKP Jun 2013 #2

+1 JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #80

legitimate criticism of obama and his policies is neither "hater" nor "racist". Oddly enough msongs Jun 2013 #3

Some posters ONLY post criticism. Ever. KittyWampus Jun 2013 #27

Some defend everything he does. No different. n-t Logical Jun 2013 #43

Then if one side can do it why can't the other? treestar Jun 2013 #176

The difference is that the DU people complaining vote for and... Logical Jun 2013 #192

Some posters only post love Coccydynia Jun 2013 #75

Some posters still like their spoon. Katashi_itto Jun 2013 #181

The threads get bolloxed by the same old assclowns piling on Kolesar Jun 2013 #168

Spoons. Katashi_itto Jun 2013 #183

So what? Shouldn't we focus on the problems? morningfog Jun 2013 #193

And some only post positives Ter Jun 2013 #300

The complaints go well beyond legitimate criticism jeff47 Jun 2013 #55

I've never seen anyone say those "not legitimate" things. vi5 Jun 2013 #64

Then you aren't looking at many threads jeff47 Jun 2013 #67

I've seen those. Still doesn't address the rest. vi5 Jun 2013 #74

I don't recall seeing that level of animosity, either. enlightenment Jun 2013 #232

I agree Progressive dog Jun 2013 #288

Yep. nt Mojorabbit Jun 2013 #138

Thank you for your thoughtful OP ismnotwasm Jun 2013 #4

Thank you. GeorgeGist Jun 2013 #5

Legitimate criticisms. That's what. Quantess Jun 2013 #6

It's the old "Gotta work twice as hard to get half the credit" thing going on. MADem Jun 2013 #7

Ding ding fucking ding. redqueen Jun 2013 #15

lol MADem, sometimes I SWEAR you must be black. At least a little bit on the inside Number23 Jun 2013 #25

Yeah! JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #83

I am a little bit of everything--a "Heinz 57" as my Granny would say. MADem Jun 2013 #140

This "almost 50" white guy agrees. JoePhilly Jun 2013 #108

+1 MADem Jun 2013 #130

I wish I could upvote your comment 1000 times. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #157

Thanks. At times I wish more of us would call Bullshit on this stuff. JoePhilly Jun 2013 #163

I'm not real happy with the President pscot Jun 2013 #186

It might have something to do with the tone and frequency of the attacks. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #201

I don't disagree pscot Jun 2013 #277

This. Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #148

Exactly. You said what I was trying to think of. nomorenomore08 Jun 2013 #149

Yes indeed. eom treestar Jun 2013 #177

+∞² Scootaloo Jun 2013 #236

No doubt it is a different standard. reusrename Jun 2013 #268

There were/are a couple of rapists here on DU, so why would we be surprised if there are racists? n/ Whisp Jun 2013 #8

Could it be about the NSA? And spying of Americans? nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #9

a single explanation won't suffice for two very different phenomena carolinayellowdog Jun 2013 #10

so, after an absence you just couldn't resist when you saw the "they must be racists!" OP quinnox Jun 2013 #11

Exactly, totally spur of the moment Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #18

I think there are a couple of problems re. Obama and his opponents here BeyondGeography Jun 2013 #12

I think we are often on opposite "sides" Vanje Jun 2013 #205

Me too BeyondGeography Jun 2013 #212

Ask Cornel West, Harry Belafonte, Tavis Smiley, etc. progressoid Jun 2013 #13

I can't speak for Belafonte PragmaticLiberal Jun 2013 #72

This message was self-deleted by its author HangOnKids Jun 2013 #114

You Can't Speak For West Or Smiley Either HangOnKids Jun 2013 #118

So NOT racism then. progressoid Jun 2013 #187

I don't believe all of the criticism is justified. PragmaticLiberal Jun 2013 #273

Etc? Etc. like Skip Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Eric Dyson, Al Sharpton, Tom Joyner MADem Jun 2013 #167

Right. And Melissa Harris Perry has also criticized the President... progressoid Jun 2013 #175

Criticism is one thing; constant, nitpicking beatdowns are another. MADem Jun 2013 #203

there's no such big mystery as you pretend. HiPointDem Jun 2013 #14

If Hillary was president, it would presumably be sexism (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2013 #16

That and maybe ageism Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #19

I was saving ageism in case Biden is our next president (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2013 #20

I think it could well be worse in that case. treestar Jun 2013 #178

Welcome back Drunken Irishman Cali_Democrat Jun 2013 #17

just look at the Trayvon Martin Case, how can anyone who is truly liberal JI7 Jun 2013 #21

Comparing Travon Martin to President Obama? zeemike Jun 2013 #37

look at the outrage when Obama said if he had a son he would look like Trayvon JI7 Jun 2013 #38

outrage on DU? where? cali Jun 2013 #40

one i remember is some shit from emilyg JI7 Jun 2013 #44

Oh .Correct me if I'm wrong Vanje Jun 2013 #209

I saw no outrage here....and I was here then. zeemike Jun 2013 #59

since your op is, at least to some degree, a response to mine, I'd like to respond cali Jun 2013 #22

A brave, intelligent and excellent post. Thanks for posting it Number23 Jun 2013 #23

The OP asks "What is the driving force behind the constant criticism of Obama" Maedhros Jun 2013 #24

+1 OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #229

And this is why we need you here, DI. babylonsister Jun 2013 #26

The constant critics who never give Obama credit are ratfuckers, Greens, Cynics or ideologues. KittyWampus Jun 2013 #28

I think the word you're looking for is... sibelian Jun 2013 #31

Give him credit for what? leftstreet Jun 2013 #78

Not being Bush, I think. sibelian Jun 2013 #82

I agree. I'm familiar with right wing hatred of Obama treestar Jun 2013 #188

Yes everyone knows disagreement with policy = Racism ileus Jun 2013 #29

''Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.'' DeSwiss Jun 2013 #30

The Constitution was written by racists, you know! MNBrewer Jun 2013 #34

I suppose the fact that my 3/5 of a person great-grandfather and great grandmother were slaves..... DeSwiss Jun 2013 #35

Being counted as 3/5s wasn't even the worst thing the Constitution inflicted on your ancestors MNBrewer Jun 2013 #42

First, I forgave myself. Then I forgave everyone else, long ago. DeSwiss Jun 2013 #52

Actually, it was treestar Jun 2013 #182

We're a better country than we were back then! Vanje Jun 2013 #214

Yes, don't you know if you complain about any of these things you are a racist? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #233

''Argumentum magnifica....'' DeSwiss Jun 2013 #243

I didn't read your whole post, but your characterization of criticism as MNBrewer Jun 2013 #32

Gee, if it's irrational to attack chained cpi, potential approval of the keystone pipeline, etc, etc stupidicus Jun 2013 #33

It's ProSense Jun 2013 #36

so Pro, are you saying that a lot of the cali Jun 2013 #39

Wait, ProSense Jun 2013 #48

absolution? huh? from the likes of YOU? cali Jun 2013 #84

You should be so lucky. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #109

Well, Prosense, I guess I think whatever you say I think. sibelian Jun 2013 #47

Consider being courteous and not hijacking this thread with your nonsense. n/t ProSense Jun 2013 #49

lol. cali Jun 2013 #85

. ProSense Jun 2013 #102

Sweet Baby Jesus. Number23 Jun 2013 #145

ouch Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #156

cali would you please log off for an hour? ucrdem Jun 2013 #106

no cali Jun 2013 #153

Do you know what? sibelian Jun 2013 #95

Do you know what else? ucrdem Jun 2013 #101

Nah, she's an issue bunny. sibelian Jun 2013 #117

I can't believe what I'm reading. ucrdem Jun 2013 #126

this is how bad it is, it's not enough to criticize Obama , they go after anyone who likes him JI7 Jun 2013 #135

Prosense could enter a thread and say "I agree." That's it. And have 12 Number23 Jun 2013 #144

Prosense is the same poster that links JW2020 Jun 2013 #271

She links to her own threads because they often have links to things like, you know ARTICLES Number23 Jun 2013 #291

you'd actually need to have been around a little longer cali Jun 2013 #155

sputter G_j Jun 2013 #53

Nicely articulated. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #99

Your problem is that you do not think someone can be extremely disappointed in Obama.... Logical Jun 2013 #57

Is it because I'm black? ProSense Jun 2013 #62

I swear you have an issue where you are so attached or fascinated with Obama that any complaint... Logical Jun 2013 #68

Well, ProSense Jun 2013 #70

Well Miss paranoid....... Logical Jun 2013 #93

Just stop. This is bad form and beneath DU. ucrdem Jun 2013 #98

What are you talking about? I defended her BS. If you want to defend her then do it. Otherwise.... Logical Jun 2013 #103

What's beneath DU is letting OPs like this one -- OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #240

"Here are the contents of the only four PMs I have ever sent you." ProSense Jun 2013 #100

Yes, Yikes when I have to tell you 10 times to quit stalking me. n-t Logical Jun 2013 #105

LOL! ProSense Jun 2013 #111

Way weird Kolesar Jun 2013 #150

those pms make you look bad JI7 Jun 2013 #154

Prosense has never attacked people for the criticism treestar Jun 2013 #195

You have got to be kidding me! Fearless Jun 2013 #91

"You have nothing to do with it AT ALL." ProSense Jun 2013 #94

I'll rephrase... Fearless Jun 2013 #104

Oh please, ProSense Jun 2013 #115

I responded to your statement that this is racism Fearless Jun 2013 #139

Will you just stop. ucrdem Jun 2013 #97

I haven't said anything insensitive. Fearless Jun 2013 #107

If that's what you think then this thread is for you ucrdem Jun 2013 #113

Saying something that isn't racism isn't racism Fearless Jun 2013 #134

And I would say it is. ucrdem Jun 2013 #142

To be sure Fearless Jun 2013 #146

No. It's not because you're black. sibelian Jun 2013 #110

Will you please just stop. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #112

Thanks ProSense, once again you've hit the nail on the head ucrdem Jun 2013 #92

Wow, I get it now. n-t Logical Jun 2013 #120

Good. Then you know it's time to leave this thread. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #124

Funny you never told Prosense to "quit". n-t Logical Jun 2013 #127

ProSense never lost her marbles. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #129

LOL.....you are just looking silly now..... Logical Jun 2013 #137

Fine you made your point, now just skedaddle will ya? nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #143

To be honest, I didn't know Prosense was black until that post. SlimJimmy Jun 2013 #160

No one on the DU, I hope, cares what color any of us are. Maybe I am naive. But I have never... Logical Jun 2013 #166

Racist Democrats...really? That's it? No snips? Safetykitten Jun 2013 #242

it's called principle and it's called being consistent.. frylock Jun 2013 #41

That does not cover the wide ranging attacks on the President by your party* Kolesar Jun 2013 #158

+1 A cogent and succinct argument. Kudos. SlimJimmy Jun 2013 #161

+1000 OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #246

Outstanding post, DI Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #45

Thank you very much, Drunken Irishman MrScorpio Jun 2013 #46

Did it not occur to you many DUers object to being spied upon? HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #50

CONGRESS needs to change the law or the courts need to rule that Skidmore Jun 2013 #269

To be sure Congress needs to step up and be responsible for oversight. HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #280

A consistent moral compass. nt Bonobo Jun 2013 #51

Well said DI warrior1 Jun 2013 #54

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2013 #56

It's called Skidmore Jun 2013 #63

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2013 #202

Well this "racist voted for Obama twice and in the primary zeemike Jun 2013 #58

If you're only in your 20's then you don't remember Starry Messenger Jun 2013 #60

Calling criticism of government policy "racism" is simpleminded LittleBlue Jun 2013 #61

It was inferred that I was a racist for making a similar comment during the 2012 election Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #257

What a load of BS vi5 Jun 2013 #65

Fuckin do it! Iggo Jun 2013 #66

If you want to know why moderates and uninformed don't take JoeyT Jun 2013 #69

Having read through the Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #71

Wow, that is outstanding. Major Hogwash Jun 2013 #73

Ah my dear DI annabanana Jun 2013 #76

+1 JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #133

A lot of people here didn't start paying attention to politics until Bush... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2013 #77

There was no DU before Bush. Vanje Jun 2013 #194

Some of us were actually into politics before this place existed. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2013 #200

YAwn L0oniX Jun 2013 #79

DADT was not his success Fearless Jun 2013 #81

OP is only defending O'Bama because he's Irish. HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #86

Its racism pure and simple madokie Jun 2013 #87

How did Obama get elected? leftstreet Jun 2013 #89

Not all people are racist madokie Jun 2013 #119

Yeah, yeah, just the ones who criticize his policies n/t leftstreet Jun 2013 #125

So you think the DUers who complain about Obama are racists? n-t Logical Jun 2013 #122

Two days ago I would have disagreed. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #128

That's some sick shit shanti Jun 2013 #131

The dorks of DU were attacking Pelosi in the same manner before President Obama took office. Kolesar Jun 2013 #165

"Free enterprise"? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #251

Favorite group: Creative Speculation, Kolesar Jun 2013 #267

WTF is that supposed to mean? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #270

Is that so? DeSwiss Jun 2013 #250

Very dashing portrait, DeSwiss! Starry Messenger Jun 2013 #263

I disagree Marrah_G Jun 2013 #88

With one sentence, you nailed the snake's skin to a wall bluestate10 Jun 2013 #90

This post is a work of art JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #96

It is all the apologists have left, and it's popping up regularly now. Skip Intro Jun 2013 #116

An extraordinarily well thought-out post BumRushDaShow Jun 2013 #121

It's a natural reaction against gov lying and spying usGovOwesUs3Trillion Jun 2013 #123

Welp, I think that cleared up any doubts. ucrdem Jun 2013 #132

In a democracy it is the reponsiibility of the people to hold its public servants accountable. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2013 #136

Passionate disagreement and/or disillusionment with policy. LanternWaste Jun 2013 #141

The last thing to bring up is Obama on gay civil rights. The Link Jun 2013 #147

I'm going to have to take issue with your comment. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #170

He went where the money and the votes were. He didn't lead. The Link Jun 2013 #173

Say what? He campaigned on homophobia? Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #180

He used well known, distinguished homophobes to campaign for him. The Link Jun 2013 #185

And the other candidate I mentioned? Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #196

But he was a homophobe...until last year. The Link Jun 2013 #198

That's what I'd call a great example of the perfect being the enemy of the good. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #206

DI, I was one of those young people who saw hope in Obama back in 2008. alp227 Jun 2013 #151

Welcome back, Drunken Irishman BainsBane Jun 2013 #152

Aliens? DirkGently Jun 2013 #159

K & R Scurrilous Jun 2013 #162

My point is absolutely echoed in many replies to this post... Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #169

Agreed. It does seem that some folks pounce on any and everything to tear down Obama. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #174

Those who engage in irrational attacks know damned well you weren't talking about criticism alone. redqueen Jun 2013 #225

Second exception of the day nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #230

Who are you to determine which criticisms are "irrational" and which are not? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #254

Simple-minded B.S. truebluegreen Jun 2013 #171

Well for one thing FAKING accusations of racism are not going to do any good, NOBODY believes that - Douglas Carpenter Jun 2013 #172

You foils are like Republicans everywhere: experts on Benghazi, birth certificates, Florida recount Kolesar Jun 2013 #179

Even after DADT passed, they started saying he won't sign it! treestar Jun 2013 #184

'I could go on' NO SHIT! 3,468 words in 35 paragraphs?!?!? markiv Jun 2013 #189

for comparison, the US Constitution is 4,501 words markiv Jun 2013 #210

Using a lot of words to make a dumb argument Union Scribe Jun 2013 #190

Wrong... Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #199

Oh please Union Scribe Jun 2013 #204

Just admit it, much of the criticism on DU is irrational... Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #211

"corporatist" is not irrational. Union Scribe Jun 2013 #215

Yeah, it kinda is. Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #216

"socialist" wouldn't be offensive either Union Scribe Jun 2013 #217

Instead of using throw away words, why not substance? Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #219

To end this on a positive note I agree with you that Union Scribe Jun 2013 #220

Well said. OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #255

You're really going to sit there and take shots at the LGBT community. Prism Jun 2013 #191

Being gay myself, I'm perplexed by the disdain shown the president... Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #222

I can speak only for myself. Prism Jun 2013 #223

Your reply is eloquent and well-stated, but I can't share in the being sour on him. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #241

Well said Bluenorthwest Jun 2013 #275

Freaking sickest little tirade in a long time. Safetykitten Jun 2013 #239

It is a centrist who embraced or acquiesced to too morningfog Jun 2013 #197

This OP had me practically cheering from my desk. phleshdef Jun 2013 #207

It's about issues such as a horrible surveillance policy Corruption Inc Jun 2013 #208

oh for fuck sake can't you see it's not racism it"s RIGhT WING BULLSHIT he's promulgating! boilerbabe Jun 2013 #213

Your discussion on DADT is dishonest on several levels dsc Jun 2013 #218

+1 Lord, the revision around here Prism Jun 2013 #224

Sad little show going on in this thread. Quite amazing that the gays get the first strike... Safetykitten Jun 2013 #245

Given personal poster histories Prism Jun 2013 #248

On the other hand...let's recall the 90's backlash. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #249

oh please dsc Jun 2013 #258

I understand your argument, but I don't agree with it. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #262

I don't know if you were alive or an adult when Clinton was President dsc Jun 2013 #274

Clinton DID get a free pass. He pushed for and signed DOMA, then went all over the south Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #293

the same people who are speaking out now could it be dsc Jun 2013 #295

I don't know about where you lived but I lived Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #296

that would be hatred from the right dsc Jun 2013 #298

It's Chiffon! Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #221

Cheap. Shameful. JackRiddler Jun 2013 #226

Some people come to message boards to VENT. hughee99 Jun 2013 #227

And as for Berlin, you have confused 2013 with 2008. JackRiddler Jun 2013 #228

You Liberals with your "facts" and "history" (nm) MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #234

+1 OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #259

as long as my son is being cheated out of a good education I will criticize Obama and every other liberal_at_heart Jun 2013 #231

He's not been as good as I wanted him to be Prophet 451 Jun 2013 #235

Nancy Pelosi used to be called a "bitch" here Enrique Jun 2013 #237

a search reveals that what you cast as some everyday occurrence actually happened about HiPointDem Jun 2013 #261

Hi, I am going to post something causing something and I do not know the answer... Safetykitten Jun 2013 #238

Racism. Definitely. MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #244

Manny, help me! I may be a closet racist and not know it! What do I do? Safetykitten Jun 2013 #247

I don't think it's racism at all. (Not here.) Amonester Jun 2013 #252

Swing and a miss Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #253

how about this reason: "I don't belong to an organized party. I'm a Democrat." DebJ Jun 2013 #256

This is my take on things steve2470 Jun 2013 #260

Largely overblown expectations and disappointment that it was not Hillary intaglio Jun 2013 #264

^That was really good Kolesar Jun 2013 #266

the criticisms from the left are the exact opposite of those of Fox News and based on substance yurbud Jun 2013 #265

Imagine. A poster with an offensive stereotype for a user name accusing people of being racist forestpath Jun 2013 #272

NO.FUCKING.SHIT! MotherPetrie Jun 2013 #279

You didn't actually bother reading the post, did you? intaglio Jun 2013 #282

I read it. And it's a nice wordy bit of deflection in the guise of "asking" a question forestpath Jun 2013 #284

Fine, intaglio Jun 2013 #285

word Vanje Jun 2013 #286

Good post - thank you pgr Jun 2013 #276

Progressivism. Orsino Jun 2013 #278

what u can't criticise policy Rise Rebel Resist Jun 2013 #281

Actually the policies can be defended intaglio Jun 2013 #283

then why resort to this low brow shit Rise Rebel Resist Jun 2013 #289

Of course, low brow, intaglio Jun 2013 #292

Sub racism for hate and the link runs into the same dogma Rise Rebel Resist Jun 2013 #297

Sorry but word salad is not in my diet ... intaglio Jun 2013 #304

another kick warrior1 Jun 2013 #287

If it's not racism or hate (see ProSense's OP), then it must be The Black Tax Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #290

What you're describing here is called The Black Tax. Plain and simple. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #294

Kick Scurrilous Jun 2013 #299

K&R BklnDem75 Jun 2013 #301

Last line is a leading sentence. I will not be boxed in by your framing. Pholus Jun 2013 #302

Is this racist? Eddie Haskell Jun 2013 #303