Obama Attempts to Quell Critics on Both the Left and the Right
Posted by: BeMindful on: May 21, 2009
Guantanomo Prison
In the Highs and Lows of Obama’s Big Speech, the Washington Post’s Dan Froomkin offers a comprehensive analysis of the president’s attempt to quell critics on both the left and the right in response to several of his recent policy moves.
In hitting the lows, Froomkin contends:
But in some parts of his speech, Obama appeared to be defending actions and even taking positions that didn’t live up to his own professed standards.
When it came to what to do with the detainees at Guantanamo, he declared that he would work to create a system that would enable the indefinite detention without trial for a limited number of people whom the government is unable to prosecute for past crimes, but whom are nevertheless considered to be threats to the country. Even though he spoke of establishing lawful standards and periodic reviews, that’s a dangerously extreme policy proposal. He once again expressed his intention to use a reformed military commission process for some detainees — but gave no reason to think it won’t run into many of the same legal challenges that Bush’s process did. He spoke of sending many detainees to face trial in federal courts — but then promised that no one would be released who endangers our national security. The whole point of a fair judicial system is that the executive can’t guarantee the results.
Obama spoke passionately about his commitment to transparency, but offered up the same lousy and unpersuasive excuses he did last week for his decision to fight the court-ordered release of more photos of prison abuse. In particular, the weight he put on his responsibility not to release information that would inflame our enemies was deeply disturbing.
He offered no additional clarity regarding his position on the state secrets doctrine, where his lofty promises still stand in dramatic conflict with what his administration is actually doing.
And in continuing to oppose the creation of an independent commission that would fully investigate the abuses of the Bush administration, he marginalized those of us who want to find out what happened as polarizers, much like those who continue to doggedly defend Bush policies. He said the recent debate has obscured the truth — when all we want is to let it free.
Froomkin has more to say on Obama’s disrespect for those who support at least an investigation of possible war crimes by the Bush Administration.
On how those nutty people who want to find out what really happened are really only interested in finger-pointing, and are just as bad as the Bush dead-enders:
“It’s no secret that there is a tendency in Washington to spend our time pointing fingers at one another. And it’s no secret that our media culture feeds the impulse that lead to a good fight and good copy. But nothing will contribute more than that than an extended relitigation of the last eight years. Already we’ve seen how that kind of effort only leads those in Washington to different sides to laying blame. It can distract us from focusing our time, our efforts and our politics on the challenges of the future.
“We see that above all in the recent debate — how the recent debate has obscured the truth and sent people into opposite and absolutist ends. On one side of the spectrum, there are those who make little allowance for the unique challenges posed by terrorism and would almost never put national security over transparency. And on the other end of the spectrum, there are those who embrace a view that can be summarized in two words: ‘Anything goes.’ Their arguments suggest that the ends of fighting terrorism can be used to justify any means, and that the president should have blanket authority to do whatever he wants, provided it is a president with whom they agree.
“And both sides may be sincere in their views, but neither side is right. The American people are not absolutist, and they don’t elect us to impose a rigid ideology on our problems.”
Read Froomkin’s column in its entirety here.
60 Responses to "Obama Attempts to Quell Critics on Both the Left and the Right"
May 21, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Good point, Angie. But isn’t it astonishing how the Obama team has really outdone the Bush dudes in creating backdrops for their guy’s staged performances? The National Archives for cripe sakes!
May 21, 2009 at 6:25 PM
For someone who is owned and operated by people that do not have the best interest of America on their agenda, he sure can lecture us.
He does not seem to be able to do anything to make the country better, but he sure can lecture.
To take actions that help regain the respect of the world for America, to take actions that live up to the ideals of America are beyond his pay grade. But he sure can lecture us.
Did I say ” he makes me sick”
WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE,EXPERIENCE, MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS
PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
May 21, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Sounds like a good idea Latda, though I can’t help but think anything Specter does these days is about electioneering, or positioning for leadership on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Feinstein, the Chairwoman, has said she wants to run for CA Governor next year. Kit Bond, the ranking Republican on the Committee, plans to retire next year.
May 21, 2009 at 6:59 PM
O/T Does anyone have the address of the single payer group that is doing that virtual March on Washington on 5/31?
May 21, 2009 at 7:11 PM
You’re right, Helenk. Obama adopts that preachy/lecturing tone in all of his speeches. I’ve never figured out why the media has crowned him “The Great Orator.” In the campaign, he favored the cadences of an evangelical preacher and the techniques of a corporate motivational speaker. He only became professorial occasionally, always a performance because he never earned the title of professor. He was a non-tenured track lecturer who never published any noteworthy academic writings.
May 21, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Wonder if Barry was ever a Toastmaster. He’s got that self-conscious, learned rhythm.
May 21, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Be Mindful — you are so right about Obama — my mother didn’t buy into him for a second — I’m talking pre-Iowa when I myself didn’t think anything much about him, my mother said: “He should be a motivational speaker, not President.”
May 21, 2009 at 8:03 PM
well I wonder if this is going to effect Obama’s poll numbers?
There are about 15 million Hillary supporters that only voted for him because hillary is a loyal democrat. These folks never supported the “Pampers in Chief” with any thing approaching luke warm. They are already heading for the door.
It will not be long before his numbers soften to under 50%.
What do you think?
May 21, 2009 at 8:05 PM
When I hear Obama, I feel that he is always doing a very bad imitation of Martin Luther King, Jr.
What I’m wondering, as always, is why any President who has a majority in both Houses of Congress and the power to appoint Supreme Court Justices, would give a sh*t about his critics on the right. The Obots are always caterwauling that the right has been totally discredited; yet their oh-so-liberal President stil seems to take the righties a ot more seriously than the lefties.
Does this give them pause at all, I wonder? Do they ever think to themselves, “Holy shit! I voted for a right-wing Republican! And I was such an asshole to everyone who didn’t share my delusions of unicorns and ponies!”
Ah well. Perhaps that’s too much to ask.
May 21, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Comments on Obama’s oratorical skills this evening have reminded me of Mark Kingwell’s essay about Obama titled All in the Game, The Philospher President Sets Forth, in the April 09 issue of the Walrus, a Canadian magazine.
Referring to Obama’s inauguration, Kingwell wrote: “…you kept thinking of that moment on the late-night talk show, the funny one, when you were asked to recite random text as if it were a speech. And you did that, because it was the funny one, and it’s important to show you have a sense of humor and you’re not stiff or elitist or dull. You did it. And it was weird, it was eerie, it was actually kind of creepy. The banal words came out of your mouth with the same intonation, the same building crescendos of inspiration, that floated hope and change and yes we can across crowds and screens, and that made people, even hardened cynics, tear up a little, because even they believed it might be true or just really wanted it to be true. Or maybe because of some mysterious neuorobiological response from a deep part of the primate brain that responds, physically and emotionally to certain rhythms and stresses, recalling the happiness of dancing, the beatific content of polyphonic harmony or Fibonacci curves, the line of beauty. As basic and as meaningless. As content free.
No worse – not content free, content neutral. You could say anything at all, and if it was said right it would sound right. It would be right. There you were reciting the phone book or whatever, and it sounded awesome. And the host was kind of freaked out, and you were a bit freaked out too. Because what was going on anyway? If inane sentiments, random word strings, could sound almost as certain, almost as impressive and commanding, as your real message, your message of hope and change and yes we can, what was that? Your message was real. The other wasn’t. And yet they sounded the same.”
May 21, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Fuzzy — I think his real numbers are all well under 50% but the msm will keep fixing polls, so we’ll never “know.”
May 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM
madamab there are gonna be a lot of angry Hillary supporters that voted for him….
By the way I walked 8.25 miles between the luls in the rain here we have had over 15 inches in places her in the last 4 days.
May 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Angie I think at some point the media will realize that have to restore their credibility….the people will turn them off and no one will be buying skippy Pampers or Charmin wipes….
May 21, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Can’t even escape it on kids tv…I was watching cartoon network with da kid and I SHIT YOU NOT…there was the most nauseating ad for Obama Shoes….with PIA’s mug and autograph all over them…. GAG.
May 21, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Did I mention they are made by Keds …. I say boycott the asshats.
May 21, 2009 at 8:28 PM
BeMindful – that was a stunning quote. Thanks for sharing it!
OMG, I am watching “So you think you can dance” – and there’s this young woman on who only has three vertebrae. I’m tearing up here!
May 21, 2009 at 8:28 PM
angie baby ~ I don’t think you need the asterick to type the word FUCK over here on the cusser’s blog
May 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Thank you, taggles. Hope you are feeling ok.
Hello (((((Caroline))))))
May 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM
plus over here the avatars are actually big enough to see what you all look like!
May 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM
president’s attempt to quell critics on both the left and the right in response to several of his recent policy moves.
***********
If the media had been doing their damn jobs none of this would be a surprise to Froomkin, Greenwald, or the attys. at the ACLU. Anyone who did a few hours of research on the candidate during the primary, knew this is who Obama is. Even now, the reality of Obama is very different for the words written by John Favreau, if they bothered to do a little research.
How may AAs have heard of the Pigford cases; where Obama/Holder are trying to deprive up to 70,000 AA farmers of compensation for past discrimination? How many people interested in civil liberties know that Obama and Elena Kagan are trying to roll-back protection for suspects in police custody? FOCA?? Wiretaps??? Indefinite detention without trial?? The hypocrisy is endless and he has been in office four months.
May 21, 2009 at 8:44 PM
OT…Angie have you started on your replacement therapy??? (Doesn’t that sound better than medicine.)
May 21, 2009 at 8:46 PM
BWAHAHA! I’m not going to link to it, but over at Liberal Rapture John has linked to a headline on kos “Obama Now Officially Sucks” LMAO!!
May 21, 2009 at 8:47 PM
SHV — yep, today was my first day. Nothing has happened so far (and I mean that in a good way, as in, I’m still alive!! LOL)
May 21, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Madamab,
Yes, Kingwell’s entire essay is stunning: “Inside the mind of Barack Obama as he sets forth on his first term as President.” Here’s the link:http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2009.04-all-in-the-game-mark-kingwell-leadership-barack-obama/
May 21, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Angie dont die on me! I need a good greek woman to keep me honest-(wink wink)
May 21, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Don’t we all need Angie? I know I need Angier. She is just too sexy to not be needed.
(wink wink… outwinks fuzzy)
May 21, 2009 at 9:07 PM
OMG, now I am crying watching this guy who did a beautiful dance routine for his aunt who just passed away. Dammit this show ROCKS!
Angie – I was thinking about you and your treatment today. After what you have been doing you should be a twig by now! Clearly you need to get that thyroid rebalanced, and I hope this does it for you!
XOXOOX MB
May 21, 2009 at 9:10 PM
SHV — yep, today was my first day. Nothing has happened so far (and I mean that in a good way, as in, I’m still alive!! LOL)
************
Yea!!! It will likely be a slow process before you get back to “normal”. It may take 3-6 months before complete relief of symptoms occurs and this is after the right balance of dosage is achieved. (Disclaimer, I am just plumber, so your results may vary)
May 21, 2009 at 9:17 PM
BWAHAHA! I’m not going to link to it, but over at Liberal Rapture John has linked to a headline on kos “Obama Now Officially Sucks” LMAO!!
amazingly, some of the commenters on that diary are still defending Barky’s lame, criminal ass. What a bunch of kool aid drunken idiots. I am so disgusted and repulsed, I am on the verge of tears whenever I read about it.
May 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Little Isis — I’m fine — turns out I have an underactive thyroid — the doc put me on meds to balance it out.
May 21, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Ugh. You know who really sucks?
Kos. Now and forever. Nothing he can do will ever change that. He is the king of sucktastictude.
May 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Sorry, this song’s been in my head all day, just need to get it out, don’t mean anything by it. Please carry on..
May 21, 2009 at 9:29 PM
of course me and a friend are writing a script called
My Big Fat Fuzzy Gay Greek Wedding!
May 21, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Get better soon Angie! Last spring I had that same problem, except I think mine was over active. I lost all of this weight (looked damn good, though) and I kept having these fever seizure type things. I hope you feel better, as I said.
BTW, I have just been certified as a Nurses Assistant on Sunday (very proud of myself about it), if I saw you in person, you could be a patient :p
May 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
“he is the king of SuckA$$tatude…and he aint got the $$$ he once had…
May 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Madamab-you can always bring a chuckle to the old fuzzybear!
May 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Kos could never redeem himself in my eyes, madamab. He is nothing but a sell out and a self interested phony.
May 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Fuzzybear – right back atcha! (I love my Fuzzybear!)
Littleisis – congratulations on becoming a Nurse’s Assistant! That is wonderful and a great achievement!
May 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Thanks Madamab! *glows with pride*
Now I am going back to school in the fall to start on becoming an LPN… who knows what I’ll do after that, but in the meantime, I got a job today as a sales rep for cutco… I will be selling knives to people, armed only with my wit, charm, and good looks and a pair of cutco scissors to slice and dice pennies with in demonstrations that will ensure multiple sales (and phone numbers from boys).
The extremely attractive guy who hired me said he did so solely based on my personality, which he described as “dazzling”…. oh, okay, those weren’t his exact words, but he did say that I seemed approachable, easy to talk to, at ease in any setting, good body language, ect…
the same thing as as “dazzling”.
May 21, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Little Isis I am so very proud of you you are an amazing woman…And to think we met in the puma movement!
May 21, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Markos to the PUMA’s-please frgive me I am a big ol’ Putz…
May 21, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Little Isis is a Big Aphrodite- Call her Venus our little morning star
May 21, 2009 at 9:50 PM
And you are an amazing fag, fuzzy. I am so proud to be your friend…
btw, what is your star sign???
*I am starting an open thread on this*
May 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
TEE HEE! Fuzzy, when I was a very little girl, the song my mom always sang to me was “you are my sunshine”.
Being a Taurus, my Planet is Venus. We Taurus’s are all about love.
My moon is in Leo, which makes me more charasmatic and sociable than other taurus’s.
May 21, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I am a LEO Isis….born July 28th 1962 430 pm about 25 days late!
May 21, 2009 at 10:10 PM
ooohhh, a Leo??? I love Leos, fuzzy. I remember afrocity posting some chart once on a thread with all of the signs and which ones we are most attracted to romantically, and mine were, I think, Leo and Scorpio. (lol, Big Dawg is a Leo and Hillary is a Scorpio… makes sense, no?)
Madamab, what is your sign???
May 21, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I too am a Taurus and I have no idea where my planet is as it must be AWOL which probably accounts for my gloomy and crusty exterior.
And I am about to go on record once again – for those who are keeping your pencils handy – but I am getting a deep suspicion that Cheney is being “auditioned” for 2012. Just a suspicion mind you but he, Lynne and daughter Liz have been all over the place pumping up his muscle which, coming from someone as cheesy as he was, begs the question.
And if I see one more blog or comment “hailing” Cheney over Obama I am going to throw the computer onto the curb. No comparison. One simply evil. The other a dolt.
May 21, 2009 at 10:19 PM
LOL, Pat! A lot of Tauruses have a crusty exterior. It does not hide their soft hearts as well as they think it does!
New post up – open thread…
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May 21, 2009 at 6:04 PM
How perfectly fitting, the Constitution behind Obama at today’s speech was not the real one, but a facsimile, just like him:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/05/fascimile-con-1.html