Hippie overboard! Or why I've jumped off of the Obama bandwagon.
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Introduction
I tried people, I really did. I wanted to be inspired, I wanted to believe that things could change without the usual political wars. But it is very hard for me to take things at face value, so I had to keep looking for a reason to support Obama, other than inspiration and hope. Don't get me wrong, those are good things, but, absent any realistic plan to make change happen, inspiration and hope quickly become rhetoric and fantasy.
I believe that the best predictor of a candidates future effectiveness is their past record. And I am sorry to report that, like so many others, I have not been able to locate a single significant legislative accomplishment for Mr. Obama in either Springfield or Washington.
Further, I cannot recall any sea change in governmental policy that ever came about without a battle. The social conservatives are not nice guys; you cannot reason with men like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. I know all of you young hipsters out there would like to believe that we can all join hands, sing a chorus of Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore, and change the world. You can't. To effect change, you have to get your hands dirty, and occasionally get your lips bloodied. I know that in my heart of hearts; I don't like it, but that's the way it is.
Mr. Obama apparently doesn't believe this is the case. That means that he is either pitifully naive, delusional, or lying through his teeth. I don't much care which it is, because all are damning in a potential president. We have serious problems in this country, and the solutions will require some very hard work by some very serious people. I no longer believe that Mr. Obama understands this.
Following is a short list of random thoughts on the subject.
Barack Obama was born in the Summer of 1961 in Honolulu. That same summer, hundreds of "freedom riders" were beaten and bloodied in the South while demonstrating for desegregation of travel and dining facilities.
The "freedom riders" were non-violent; the opposition was not. Old white men do not give up or share power willingly. Never have, never will.
In 1963 when Barack Obama was two years old, Martain Luther King addressed a crowd of 1,000,000 demonstraters on the mall in Washington, DC. Hundreds were beaten and arrested that day.
video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1732754907698549…
Again, old white men do not give up or share power willingly. Never have, never will.
Mr. Obama has led a privileged life. He went to preps schools, and never set foot in the continental United States until he was 17 in 1979.
He missed the entire antiwar movement, the entire civil right movement, and Watergate. He missed the women's rights movement. How can he understand what people sacrificed in these movements.
He missed the vote to authorize the moron Bush to go to war in Iraq.
What can he know about the lives of ordinary people? He has never known any ordinary people.
He missed the vote to authorize the moron Bush to go to war in Iraq.
What can he know about the lives of ordinary people? He has never known any ordinary people.
Would a freshman African American Senator with Presidential aspirations have really voted against authorizing Bush's war?
When the vote was called, 70% of the American people wanted to go to war, two out of three Americans thought Saddam planned 9/11. If we had found one tanker full of chemicals, or one barrel of anthrax or small pox, no one who had voted against the war would have ever been reelected.
I believe he would have voted to authorize the war just like Hilary did. It is really easy to show up after the fact and talk about what you would have done. The fact is that at every opportunity since being sworn in 2005, he has voted the same as Mrs. Clinton.
I believe he would have voted to authorize the war just like Hilary did. It is really easy to show up after the fact and talk about what you would have done. The fact is that at every opportunity since being sworn in 2005, he has voted the same as Mrs. Clinton.
Mr. Obama first held elected office in January of 1997.
He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, and reelected in 1998. One year into his second term, he announced he was running for congress; he was soundly defeated by Bobby Rush. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 2002. One year into his term, he announced he was running for the U.S Senate. He might not have won but for two fortunate events: Bill Clinton, who he now disses at every turn, tapped him to deliver the Keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention; and his opponent was forced to withdraw when his ex-wife, actress Jeri Ryan, accused him of sexually abusing their daughter.
So, adding it all up, and deducting the time he was campaigning for higher office, Mr Obama has a total of four years experience in the Illinois Senate, and one and one half years of experience in the U.S. Senate.
That is less experience than George W. Bush had.
How can Obama know what he will be able to do? How can we know? He has no record to go by.
So, adding it all up, and deducting the time he was campaigning for higher office, Mr Obama has a total of four years experience in the Illinois Senate, and one and one half years of experience in the U.S. Senate.
That is less experience than George W. Bush had.
How can Obama know what he will be able to do? How can we know? He has no record to go by.
In the last speech I saw, Mr. Obama promised to give teachers a pay raise. He also promised to move away from reliance on standardized testing for students.
That is dandy and all, but none of that is in the job description of the President. Those are State and District functions.
I then realized that like everyone else, Mr. Obama will say whatever he needs to say to get elected.
I then realized that like everyone else, Mr. Obama will say whatever he needs to say to get elected.
Finally, when the entire national news media is giving Mr. Obama a figurative "reach around," and slamming Mrs. Clinton at every opportunity, something doesn't smell right.
I guess it shouldn't surprise anyone that the old white men of the national media are more threatened by a brilliant, experienced woman, than by a woefully inexperienced "sorta black" man. But the vitriol spewed forth by the women of the national media, like Andrea Mitchell, Merideth Viera, Maureen Dowd, and the rest of the "face lift queens" has amazed me. Maybe there is something to this self loathing feminine thing after all. I can't think of any other explanation. Not one man or woman has ever given me a reason for opposing Mrs. Clinton. And NO, "She's so divisive." is not a reason.
After last night's debate, even Mr. Right Wing hubband said he would pick Hillary over Obama. YIKES!
Seems like Obama is always running for something else instead of doing something now. So we don't know if he knows how do to anything besides campaign.
Well said Ol' Hippie.
Seems like Obama is always running for something else instead of doing something now. So we don't know if he knows how do to anything besides campaign.
Well said Ol' Hippie.
My son turned 18 in December which means he will be able to vote for the first time in the primary to be held here next week. He has registered to vote and is excited to be allowed to voice his opinion. He will be voting for Obama and has tried to convince me to do likewise. Obama seems to have inspired many young people to be interested in and have enthusiasm for the political process and has given them hope for changes in our country. I believe that is a good thing, and I am glad to see so many of the youth of today care about the system and to realize that things could and should be better than they are. However, I agree with you, Ol HIppie, in that I think it takes more than inspiration and enthusiasm to get things done. I believe Hillary is more qualified based on past record to get things done than Obama. In my opinion, there are so many things about our country that need to be fixed that it will be an overwhelming and very difficult job for whoever takes it on. Between Obama and Hillary, however, I feel that Hillary is more knowledgeable and experienced with the ins and outs of the way our government works than Obama is. I'll be voting for Hillary in the primary. If Obama ends up winning the nomination, I will support him, though. Simply put, my views do not line up with McCain's views, and I would in a heartbeat choose either Hillary or Obama over McCain. I'm glad my son and I do agree on that, at least.
I'm right there with you Ol'Hippie. I've had a hard time reconciling why popularity equals potential. I don't have any personal issues with Obama and do believe that with some more experience, both domestically and internationally, he does have potential. He also has time on his side, but his time has not come - he hasn't earned it yet. George Bush is a fantastic example of what a lack of real experience actually means.
As for Hillary - I don't understand why people are so afraid of having her as their leader. Who doesn't have a bad-ass momma that all their friends were afraid of. Those women know how to get things done. I know I had one - and I'm still a little scared of her. : )
Your final comment is why I agree most. I feel like the media won't give Mrs. Clinton a fair shake - from calling her by her first name to raggin' on her crying episode, to baggin' on her husband's support. Bill would be the best first lady American could have - many presidents do their best work after their tenure in office... and I think he could be incredibly effective as an ambassador for change.
I'm with ya Hippie... go Hillary!!!!
As for Hillary - I don't understand why people are so afraid of having her as their leader. Who doesn't have a bad-ass momma that all their friends were afraid of. Those women know how to get things done. I know I had one - and I'm still a little scared of her. : )
Your final comment is why I agree most. I feel like the media won't give Mrs. Clinton a fair shake - from calling her by her first name to raggin' on her crying episode, to baggin' on her husband's support. Bill would be the best first lady American could have - many presidents do their best work after their tenure in office... and I think he could be incredibly effective as an ambassador for change.
I'm with ya Hippie... go Hillary!!!!
Let me start by saying that Hillary Clinton will not win this fight against old white men. There is absolutely no way that she will be elected president. I admit that it is partially due to our misogynistic society.
Having said that it will also be an uphill battle for Barack Obama. But I do believe that he will be elected to the presidency.
As far as Obama's early life you have conveniently left out that he lived overseas in Indonesia for a few years growing up. This may have been better experience than any Hillary had growing up in her middle class neighborhood in Illinois.
While hillary was on the board of Wal Mart Obama was registering voters on the south side of Chicago.
"Remembering the values of empathy and service that his mother taught him, Barack put law school and corporate life on hold after college and moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment."
"As a candidate for the United States Senate in 2002, Obama put his political career on the line to oppose going to war in Iraq, and warned of “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.” Obama has been a consistent, principled and vocal opponent of the war in Iraq."
And lastly I want to say that I know all of you old timers are concerned with experience but I am not sure that this is the most important quality to look for in a leader. The most important quality that I look for in a leader is good judgment. I believe that we need a leader who will be able to make sound decisions based on what will be best for future generations. We need a leader who will be able to communicate with the rest of the world. We also need someone who will be honest with the American people. This means that we need someone who will be honest about what kinds of real threats there are out there. I will not be scared into voting for a candidate. I will not be controlled by fear.
Having said that it will also be an uphill battle for Barack Obama. But I do believe that he will be elected to the presidency.
As far as Obama's early life you have conveniently left out that he lived overseas in Indonesia for a few years growing up. This may have been better experience than any Hillary had growing up in her middle class neighborhood in Illinois.
While hillary was on the board of Wal Mart Obama was registering voters on the south side of Chicago.
"Remembering the values of empathy and service that his mother taught him, Barack put law school and corporate life on hold after college and moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment."
"As a candidate for the United States Senate in 2002, Obama put his political career on the line to oppose going to war in Iraq, and warned of “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.” Obama has been a consistent, principled and vocal opponent of the war in Iraq."
And lastly I want to say that I know all of you old timers are concerned with experience but I am not sure that this is the most important quality to look for in a leader. The most important quality that I look for in a leader is good judgment. I believe that we need a leader who will be able to make sound decisions based on what will be best for future generations. We need a leader who will be able to communicate with the rest of the world. We also need someone who will be honest with the American people. This means that we need someone who will be honest about what kinds of real threats there are out there. I will not be scared into voting for a candidate. I will not be controlled by fear.
Well, Nick, I've been waiting for you. Let me start by saying that I agree that it looks as though Mr. Obama will get the nomination, and I will certainly vote for him if he does. Now I'm gonna screw with you for a while.
I am sorry that I conveniently left out the foriegn policy experience Barry gleaned in Indonesia. Please post a comment, and include a paragraph, or two, on what you think he may have learned between the ages of 6 and 10, when he lived in Jakarta.
I didn't say I don't think Mr. Obama is a fine gentlemen; a lot of great politicians, and a few not so great politicians got their start at the neighborhood level.
I love the part where "As a candidate for the United States Senate in 2002, Obama put his political career on the line to oppose going to war in Iraq, and warned of “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.” Very inspirational, albeit total bullshit. In 2002, Barack was running for the Illinois State Senate. He chose not to run for reelection to the State Senate in 2000, but rather ran for the U.S. House, and got his ass handed to him by Bobby Rush. By the time he actually ran for the U.S. Senate in 2004, the heavy lifting was over. And, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: During a July 2004 interview on Meet the Press when asked how he would have voted on the Iraq resolution in 2003, Obama answered "I don't know...There's not much of a difference between my position on Iraq and George Bush's position at this stage." Further, during his 2004 Senate campaign, Obama stated that he had not ruled out military action against Iran. He seems to be for peace when it is popular.
And lastly, speaking for all of us old timers, let me say that what bothers me most about this whole Obama phenomonon, is that it is more a "cult of personality" than a campaign. As evidenced by your comment, young people seem to be buying the myth without bothering to check the details. That is never a good thing.
I believe the roght wants to run against Obama. They know that one of two thing will happen. Either there will be a "homeland terrorist attack" long about Labor Day, and McCain will crush him; or he will win and the right will "Jimmy Carter" him. For those of you who don't remember your history, Jimmy Carter, a brilliant and good man, ran on a platform of change following Watergate. But he didn't really understand Washington, and he spent 4 years being humiliated, and blamed for everything from inflation to the Iranian hostage crisis. He accomplishing nothing.
Obama'ss only chance to matter as a president will be to select Dowd as a VP/mentor; sort of like an Obi Wan to Cheney's Vader.
I am sorry that I conveniently left out the foriegn policy experience Barry gleaned in Indonesia. Please post a comment, and include a paragraph, or two, on what you think he may have learned between the ages of 6 and 10, when he lived in Jakarta.
I didn't say I don't think Mr. Obama is a fine gentlemen; a lot of great politicians, and a few not so great politicians got their start at the neighborhood level.
I love the part where "As a candidate for the United States Senate in 2002, Obama put his political career on the line to oppose going to war in Iraq, and warned of “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.” Very inspirational, albeit total bullshit. In 2002, Barack was running for the Illinois State Senate. He chose not to run for reelection to the State Senate in 2000, but rather ran for the U.S. House, and got his ass handed to him by Bobby Rush. By the time he actually ran for the U.S. Senate in 2004, the heavy lifting was over. And, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: During a July 2004 interview on Meet the Press when asked how he would have voted on the Iraq resolution in 2003, Obama answered "I don't know...There's not much of a difference between my position on Iraq and George Bush's position at this stage." Further, during his 2004 Senate campaign, Obama stated that he had not ruled out military action against Iran. He seems to be for peace when it is popular.
And lastly, speaking for all of us old timers, let me say that what bothers me most about this whole Obama phenomonon, is that it is more a "cult of personality" than a campaign. As evidenced by your comment, young people seem to be buying the myth without bothering to check the details. That is never a good thing.
I believe the roght wants to run against Obama. They know that one of two thing will happen. Either there will be a "homeland terrorist attack" long about Labor Day, and McCain will crush him; or he will win and the right will "Jimmy Carter" him. For those of you who don't remember your history, Jimmy Carter, a brilliant and good man, ran on a platform of change following Watergate. But he didn't really understand Washington, and he spent 4 years being humiliated, and blamed for everything from inflation to the Iranian hostage crisis. He accomplishing nothing.
Obama'ss only chance to matter as a president will be to select Dowd as a VP/mentor; sort of like an Obi Wan to Cheney's Vader.
I think that you may have mischaracterized my enthusiasm for Obama. Young people are excited that there is a candidate who is not a stodgy old white dude who has a chance of running our country. I do not worship him like a god. I know he is human and I am defintely afraid he will be politically (or physically) destroyed at any moment. I was reading just yesterday about his involvement with Mr Rezko. Sounds kind of shady but I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Who says young people arent checking the details. I have been checking the details since I turned 18 and voted for the first time.
I am pretty sure that we are not as idealistic as you were in '69. I kind of feel like we are trying to clean up the mess that you guys left behind after you realized the love in wasnt going to work and you all gave up and had children (us).
A few formative years in Jakarta may have done him good. When you live or even travel over seas you tend to develop a different world view. But really I just wanted to respond to your statement "never set foot in the continental United States until he was 17 in 1979."
Also can you cite your source for the 2004 Meet the press interview.
Here is what I found:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5488345/
MR. RUSSERT: But if you had been a senator at that time, you would have voted not to authorize President Bush to go to war?
STATE REP. OBAMA: I would have voted not to authorize the president given the facts as I saw them at that time.
Thanks, your fine print reading young friend, Nick
I am pretty sure that we are not as idealistic as you were in '69. I kind of feel like we are trying to clean up the mess that you guys left behind after you realized the love in wasnt going to work and you all gave up and had children (us).
A few formative years in Jakarta may have done him good. When you live or even travel over seas you tend to develop a different world view. But really I just wanted to respond to your statement "never set foot in the continental United States until he was 17 in 1979."
Also can you cite your source for the 2004 Meet the press interview.
Here is what I found:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5488345/
MR. RUSSERT: But if you had been a senator at that time, you would have voted not to authorize President Bush to go to war?
STATE REP. OBAMA: I would have voted not to authorize the president given the facts as I saw them at that time.
Thanks, your fine print reading young friend, Nick
I apologize; I only went two layers in to check the quote; the quote was actually from the Chicago Tribune:
From the July 27, 2004, Chicago Tribune article:
Barack Obama, who will deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, said Monday that he believes the Iraq war will be the deciding factor in the presidential contest, but that he does not think there is a great difference "on paper" between presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and President Bush on the issue.
Instead, Obama, the U.S. Senate candidate from Illinois, said he believes the Bush administration has lost too much credibility in the world community to administer the policies necessary to stabilize Iraq.
"On Iraq, on paper, there's not as much difference, I think, between the Bush administration and a Kerry administration as there would have been a year ago," Obama said during a luncheon meeting with editors and reporters of Tribune newspapers. "There's not that much difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage. The difference, in my mind, is who's in a position to execute."
I don't know who is more idealistic; it is a different world now. I'm just happy to see young people taking part in the process. I will take issue with the statement, "you all gave up and had children." Gave up on what? Our stated goals were to end the war in Viet Nam, and run Nixon out of office; check and check. If there had been any windmills left, I would have happily tilted at them. You've got to cut us some slack here; you were raised by us; we were raised by your grandparents. Any questions?
From the July 27, 2004, Chicago Tribune article:
Barack Obama, who will deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, said Monday that he believes the Iraq war will be the deciding factor in the presidential contest, but that he does not think there is a great difference "on paper" between presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and President Bush on the issue.
Instead, Obama, the U.S. Senate candidate from Illinois, said he believes the Bush administration has lost too much credibility in the world community to administer the policies necessary to stabilize Iraq.
"On Iraq, on paper, there's not as much difference, I think, between the Bush administration and a Kerry administration as there would have been a year ago," Obama said during a luncheon meeting with editors and reporters of Tribune newspapers. "There's not that much difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage. The difference, in my mind, is who's in a position to execute."
I don't know who is more idealistic; it is a different world now. I'm just happy to see young people taking part in the process. I will take issue with the statement, "you all gave up and had children." Gave up on what? Our stated goals were to end the war in Viet Nam, and run Nixon out of office; check and check. If there had been any windmills left, I would have happily tilted at them. You've got to cut us some slack here; you were raised by us; we were raised by your grandparents. Any questions?
You are a very intelligent man, Mr. Hippie. I was surprised when you jumped ship in the beginning seeing as how Mr. Obama's platform is as translucent as Saran Wrap. However, with your political knowledge, I assumed there was something about him that I missed and was not picking up on.
I am lad to see I wasn't completely foolish in my assessments gathered from the media, one of the main reasons I follow your politics from news sources outside of the United States to get more of an unbiased story. If such a thing even exists in todays media, which I highly doubt.
Keep up the fight, Mr.Hippie. Your country needs you.
I am lad to see I wasn't completely foolish in my assessments gathered from the media, one of the main reasons I follow your politics from news sources outside of the United States to get more of an unbiased story. If such a thing even exists in todays media, which I highly doubt.
Keep up the fight, Mr.Hippie. Your country needs you.
Unbiased reporting has never existed, and never will !
Perhaps you will reconsider Ol Hippie.
I have had some of my own doubts over the months but remain enthusiastic about being the Obama camp.
1) I think the way Obama has handled the race brew-ha-ha has been exemplary and I believe it sheds light on how the man acts under pressure, his character and intelligence. 99 out of 100 politicians would drop the ball on that one in some fashion. The poise and the boldness with which he brought all the issues to surface was awesome. Not with some bombastic, emotional speech but with true thoughtfulness and wisdom. A speech that could have easily pandered but instead took the high road instead, whatever the results. Scores high marks in my book.
2) Contrast that to the way the Clinton camp has responded to getting called on the extensive overselling of her credentials. Or the midnight phone call commercial. She resorts to old politics when the chips are down. Completely turned me off. I see her as more of the same.
3) Based on experience and record I don't believe Hillary is wildly more prepared to be president (if at all)
3) He seems like a once in a lifetime politician to me. He may get torn up in Washington like you say, but I've got to put my faith in the idea that better is possible.
4) And I think you probably see it now too, Obama is going to get the nomination, no? The sooner he gets it the better for everyone. Who knows what Hillary will resort to.
I have had some of my own doubts over the months but remain enthusiastic about being the Obama camp.
1) I think the way Obama has handled the race brew-ha-ha has been exemplary and I believe it sheds light on how the man acts under pressure, his character and intelligence. 99 out of 100 politicians would drop the ball on that one in some fashion. The poise and the boldness with which he brought all the issues to surface was awesome. Not with some bombastic, emotional speech but with true thoughtfulness and wisdom. A speech that could have easily pandered but instead took the high road instead, whatever the results. Scores high marks in my book.
2) Contrast that to the way the Clinton camp has responded to getting called on the extensive overselling of her credentials. Or the midnight phone call commercial. She resorts to old politics when the chips are down. Completely turned me off. I see her as more of the same.
3) Based on experience and record I don't believe Hillary is wildly more prepared to be president (if at all)
3) He seems like a once in a lifetime politician to me. He may get torn up in Washington like you say, but I've got to put my faith in the idea that better is possible.
4) And I think you probably see it now too, Obama is going to get the nomination, no? The sooner he gets it the better for everyone. Who knows what Hillary will resort to.
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