although president obama’s approval rating has steadied in the past couple of months, between between the beer summit, his seemingly passive role in the health care debate, and his unsuccessful trip to copenhagen, his overwhelmingly strong support in the black community seems to be wavering a bit. while this sentiment won’t be found in any surveys or polls, visit any barbershop, beauty salon, or blog and you’ll see a subtle change from “yes we can” to “i mean, i still think we might, but…”, a feeling which can potentially be the beginning of a slippery slide to “f*ck that n*gga”.
i understand where this is coming from. when you’re part of a group of people who’ve been the returned orphan to america’s anita tedaldi over and over again, its almost impossible to return the skepticism and doubt that comes with that package.
still, i think that we need to put ourselves aside for a minute and give president obama a break, and here’s three reasons why.
1. we’ve never seen him before
for most of us (i’m 30 years old, and i’m assuming that the majority of the people who frequent this site are somewhere between 21 and 35) the black politicians we’ve seen in our lifetimes can easily be split into three catagories
a) “neighborhood”-centric civil rights and injustice hounds with staunch ties to black social networks and zealous support from the black church
b) “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” bon vivants insisting on an eschewing of urban culture and a return to traditional family values
c) kwame kilpatrick
like contemporaries such as newark mayor cory booker, president obama doesn’t fit any of these categories, and the uniqueness of his person and his position has been a tough pill for many of us to swallow.
we’ve been conditioned to expect representatives who’d salivate at the opportunity to rain fire and brimstone on a white cop (from boston!) who publicly disrespected an esteemed black academic, neglecting to remember that such divisive tactics would blatantly contradict the presidents gameplan. we wonder how he could fly to denmark to lobby about some games seven summers away for a city where 36 city students were murdered in one year, not realizing that being awarded that honor would have been a substantial boon for the entire country, not just the city of chicago.
we’re used to seeing the micro acts of a community activist or state representative instead of the excessively macro dance of a black leader of a predominately white country, forgetting that while the president may be one of us…he doesn’t belong to us.
basically, he’s chocolate milk from a community titty, and we need to learn to share the titty.
2. we’ve never been here before, either
i have a friend who just “discovered” the NBA in may of 2008. although he’s a native nigerian whose sports tastes are definitely more pele than chris paul, he became so enthralled with the lakers and kobe bryant last spring that he started writing “deuce cuatro” on the back of his adidas and begin referring to himself as the mamba in the third person. (trust me, you haven’t lived until a 5’7 nigerian tells you that “the mamba got on some tight, tight ass” after you ask him what he did friday night.)
anyway, i remember how frustrated he’d get last year if the lakers seemed disinterested or lost two games in row. at least once every couple of weeks he’d send me some 1000 word nigerian curse filled email cursing phil jackson, luke walton, and luke waltons fro, and i’d calm him, reminding him that the lakers would be fine.
you see, he had never paid attention to the regular season before, and it took him a while to realize that you can’t hem and haw over every minor misstep in an 82 game season unless you wanted to drive yourself crazy.
i’m bringing this up because the situation with my nigerian buddy is parallel to that of much of black america today. before 2008, i suspect that most of you were similar to me: an “appropriate” interest in the country and world affairs mixed with an aggressive apathy towards the day-to-day minutiae of american politics.
basically, we knew just enough to answer any of the potential “so, how do you feel about iraq?” first date vetting questions that are never, ever asked by anyone, anywhere, ever.
now, because we feel more of an emotional tie with washington, more of us are switching between fox, cnn, cspan, and msnbc eight hours a day, peering the president’s every move, minding every mundane bill, and paying attention to every pundit. while an increased interest with and awareness of politics definitely isn’t a bad thing, it would be in everyone’s best to chill with the monday morning quarterbacking. try to remember that barring disaster, obama is going to be in office for eight freakin years, and a mistake or two in the first eight months isn’t going to end the world or repeal our upcoming reparations checks.
3. he’s earned it
admittedly, i’ve had my doubts. in fact, the last entry on my old blog was a 1,000 word tome in 2007 expressing why i thought obama shouldn’t run for president. convinced that he had no chance to beat hilary clinton, i wrote about how quickly and suddenly other high profile presidential losers in my lifetime, from mike dukasis to john kerry, fell off the political map (except for al gore, who merely just turned into a lesbian) and i didn’t want to see him suffer that same fate.
as he’s prone to do, he proved me and millions of other people wrong, and i think he’s done more than enough to earn the benefit of the doubt…for now
hmmm. this was alot, lol.
i’m curious, people of vsb.com.
how do think the pres is doing so far, has he surpassed or fell short of your expectations, and do you think we’re too hypersensitive (or not sensitive enough) to his plight?
—the champ
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{ 208 comments… read them below or add one }
“eight freakin years”
I like your enthusiasm!
@Lili,
Lol, you don’t agree?
@The Champ,
I figure he should win another term, but it would be interesting if he just said “eff it” after four years. Just said he had enough.
But, this is good post. Pretty much sums up everything I feel. I have stopped watching cable news because it’s not good for my mental health.
@Big Man,
Yeah it raises my blood pressure.
And interestingly, a study was done that suggests whether you watch the ppl who lean your way or not, cable news has more of a polarizing effect than educational or enlightening.
@Me fail english?,
And interestingly, a study was done that suggests whether you watch the ppl who lean your way or not, cable news has more of a polarizing effect than educational or enlightening.
did you know that study was actually done during a vsb happy hour last year?
I would have to agree on all accounts. For some reason people seem to think that he is Superman and he should have fixed all that is wrong with this country as soon as he stepped into office. Uhmmm.. NO. It took 8 years for us to get this low, it’s gonna take a while to get better.
But I think we also have to remember that, black or not, he’s a politician. And when is the last time any politician has ever made everyone 100% happy? That’s just not the way it works.
@Selah,
ray nagin made me 1000 percent happy when I realized how much he looks like drew gooden. that alone provided at least three months of new jokes for me.
@The Champ,
I had to go google that… LOL!
@The Champ, Speaking of Nagin, what’s with all these lite brite chromedome mayors? Nagin, Adrian Fenty, Corey Booker…is that the look you need to get elected in a chocolate city?
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Don’t forget Deval Patrick…oh yeah, but you were talking about mayors, not governors.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Speaking of Nagin, what’s with all these lite brite chromedome mayors? Nagin, Adrian Fenty, Corey Booker…is that the look you need to get elected in a chocolate city?
do get elected? no. to get elected and have a documentary made about you? yes
@The Champ,
Then what about The Nine Lives of Marion Barry? HBO showed the documentary recently. Barry is definitely not a lite brite mayor
its sad, really… he hasn’t even in office for half a term & people(black & white) are complaining. this just goes to show how impatient Americans(& people) are. Rome was not built in a day & neither was it rebuilt in a day after barbarians took over. Bush made a mess of the US Gov’t rebuilding doesn’t come overnight it can take years!
For example Clinton didn’t really accomplish much in his 1st term after Bush Sr & Reagan. His 2nd Term didn’t even seemed guaranteed..
we as people just need to learn to be patient!
but for some odd reason i feel like i’m talking to a wall.
@h3avensent08,
that’s not a brick wall. its just the champs chest
I agree with this post. I have a lot of respect for this man. Not only can’t he be everywhere at once he also has to clean up the mess that the other Pres made…(I won’t say any names….cough cough BUSH! oops lol) No but overall he is making improvements inch by inch and sometimes you have to go down before you come up.
@YofromMN,
AGREE!!!
@YofromMN,
welcome and sh*t
First, I think you are wrong by saying Obama is different than a:
““neighborhood”-centric civil rights and injustice hounds with staunch ties to black social networks and zealous support from the black church”
What do you think Obama was before he became a US Senator? A community organizer that worked with black churches on the south side of Chicago. He was exactly what you are saying he is/was not.
That said ,I think he deserves a break from the masses who were not familiar with him before his presidential run because he, as you say, does appear to be different from any black politician we have seen.
But those who ARE familiar with him, pre-POTUS, don’t have to give him a break. I worked at an org. where Barry – pre US Senate – was on the Board. He was a very different man than he is today…on the surface. His interests and way of speaking about things changed once he decided to run. I could say, based on what I saw then and what I see now that he changed.
But I am giving him a break anyway. Despite what I think are quasi-passive approaches to issues he ran on. Why?
1) He was overly ambitious and naive and promising the ish he promised during his campaign
2) He has a steep hill to climb in terms of fixing America’s mess
3) All of America is not ready for some of the changes he wants to bring about
I think we often forget that politicians have to work within a system. And if that system is full or red tape and foolishness, it’s hard as he!! to bring about change in a short amount of time.
Though I do get annoyed at Barry sometimes, I am far more annoyed at the changes he has to go through to get positive ish done when GW was able to invade a country despite protests from the UN and the world.
@V.E.G.,
although he made community connections in chicago, was a civil rights “hound” and eventually became aligned with a black church, he’s not the “typical” black politican who was raised in the church and grew up in the black community. he didn’t come from a political family, and, as far as I know, he doesn’t have any ties to any black greek organizations or hbcu’s. this is what I was referring to in regards to him not fitting the usual categories.
question: for someone (like you) who was aware of him before 2004, what type of president were you expecting?
@The Champ,
Basically. He’s light years away from being Sharpton, Jackson, or Farrakhan – all of which – had they gotten elected (lol) woulda really gone after the Republicans and Conservative policies.
Dude rolls with University of Chicago economists.
@The Champ,
I’m sorry, are greek orgs and hbcu’s the only groups that count as black social networks these days? *confused*
@Ann G,
“I’m sorry, are greek orgs and hbcu’s the only groups that count as black social networks these days? *confused*”
no. just examples of the type of social networks that black politicians usually have some tie to.
Really though, I haven’t heard too many ppl (i.e. Black ppl) complaining about Obama and the job he is doing. But you’re right; America as a whole needs to give him a break.
He is under the highest microscope magnification any president has had to endure, solely because of his race. He’s in for at least another 3 years and some change, and it truly takes a good year to get in the door, get a grasp of everything before him (we all know the issues a President has to deal with are far reaching and never ending)…so, yea. Let the man do what he needs to do.
The one thing I will say is that it’s frustrating that Democrats are trying to go for the kum-ba-ya moment…trying to unite and get the Republicans on board with everything. In theory, YES, this would be ideal, but…this is America. No moral ideals are in place in the world of politics. The Dems have control and need to exercise it. Swiftly (no Taylor).
When the Republicans are in control they throw everything out of wack and exercise their influence extensively. Not to mention they are masters of universal mind control (© Common).
In reality, it’s bigger than Obama.
@Lili,
so basically you think that demo’s need to start acting more republican?
btw, if you haven’t heard any blacks complaining about obama then I don’t think you’ve really been listening, lol.
@The Champ,
Well I’ve been listening and I agree with Lili. I think conservatives and moderates (and the media, for the sake of stirring the pot) have been hyper-critical of him for his first 9 months.
Black people, on the other hand have been no more critical of him than they’d been of a few presidents before him. There may be more of “us” joining the debate. But the degree of criticism? I havent noticed a change. You probably assume this to be the case because, being previously apathetic, you had lmtd exposure to ppl when they got on their political tirades.
But my family and I did not discover cable news in 2007. We’ve been “political”. I’d say blacks are more critical of him than they were of Clinton (who NEVER deserved our adoration) but less critical than they were of Bush. Could you imagine what folks would’ve said had Dubya called a Beer Summit to “work it out” with an unapologetic , possibly racist, rogue cop?
@Me fail english?,
Black people, on the other hand have been no more critical of him than they’d been of a few presidents before him.
i thought about this, that my perception was clouding the reality, but after more than a few articles ive read and conversations ive had, this isn’t the case. we (the black community) have a dog in the fight now, and i do think that this has made folks a bit less apathetic and a bit more conscious of what’s going on.
@The Champ,
I agree we’re taking more interest (on the surface at least). (Judging from some of the misinformation in THESE very comments, I’d say folks are just talking more, not necessarily engaging/learning.) But I’d disagree that the nature of the discussion (at least among black folks) has become any more negative than it was 8 years ago.
I do think blacks are harsher on Obama than we were on Clinton. I’m salty as hell about that. How that man got the passes he did, I’ll never know? Perhaps Obama should take up sax and appear on the Arsenio show.
@The Champ,
It is not a matter of “acting more Republican”, rather it is about acting like a political party that is in control and is aware it has a limited amount of time to fix the problems that were set in place by the previous administration.
Obama was elected for a reason. The Dems have control of the House and Senate for a reason. We the people want CHANGE.
If they don’t push through the policies that the American people elected them to put in place, more time will be wasted and the Republicans will swoop in, get the House, get the Senate, and possibly the White House and do even more damage.
Granted, I don’t think every Republican has the same exact agenda as Bush and Chaney, however it is clear when that party is in office they take the reigns and direct the country whichever way they want.
Democrats don’t have the guts to transform this nation with glaringly liberal policies, and they don’t have to. All they need are the guts to set things back in place.
Again, it would be ideal for every one to meet in the middle; we’d have moderate Dems, Repubs, Independents, he11, moderate Green folks as well making and setting policies in place.
However, America is anything but ideal. Majority of the republicans that assume political office are stubbornly loyal to the Republican platform and do not deviate from it in the slightest. This throws things terribly out of wack and puts important decisions and privileges in the hands of the undeserving (Brownie, Haliburton, Black Water, Harriet Miers, the list goes oooooooooooooooooon…).
Democrats have their flaws too, but Bush (eh hem Chaney) and his cronies left this nation in a tailspin and the only way we’re going get back to normal is if the democrats actually FIX things. Not wait for the Republicans –who are NOT going to go against Limbaugh and the like– to hold their hands through the process.
If we get in and get the job done, the American ppl can see how much better things are when the government is actually “for the people” (and not corporations). That gives Dems a better chance at reelection.
@Lili,
amen! Amen! AMEN! Take ‘em to church!!!
We’ve gotten so used to Republican intransigence, we dont even realize what fair and assertive leadership looks like.
That said, ask me how proud I was to see Pres. Obama (and his entire staff) not bat an eye in the face of the Sotomayor critics. How about when folks were acting all nervous about him kicking arse and taking names at GM(which despite the popular sentiment on VSB was NOT precedented nor appreciated by many) and my dude said “eff yall. I’m doin this.”
THAT is the man I elected!!! THAT is the man I want to see!!!
@Me fail english?,
LOL Thanks…Glad we’re I2I.
@Lili,
“The Dems have control and need to exercise it.”
Gracias! This has been my MAJOR beef with the Democratic party since the end of the LBJ admin. We either have to stride both sides of the aisle and play “Moderate/Conservative Democrat” (Bill “Liberal is dirty word” Clinton) or just bend over and take it (Al “Why defend my victory when I can invent green internets?” Gore). This isnt brand new and didnt start with Obama. Just cause I’m making the same complaints as I was before and Obama happens to be in office doesn’t mean it’s a personal attack on the black president.
Why are we (democrats) looking for consensus when we know we dont need it?? How the fcuk was it possible for GOP to stall the Sotomayor appointment? How have they been able to hold out on even choosing a bill to push long past the summer recess? Don’t we know how this movie ends? If the dems wield their power more forcefully it’s not like there’ll be civil war.
Bush pushed through a number of unpopular measures (ban on stem cell research, No Child Left Behind and voucher/charter systems, some questionable foreign policy moves) told people to kiss his a– and we all got the eff over it!
I knew Obama was a more conciliatory figure so I wasn’t expecting a blue Bush, but goddamn man. How do we even get to the point of questioning where you stand on the public option? Glad he cleared that up. I’m going through a “happy with Obama” phase now.
@Me fail english?,
“Why are we (democrats) looking for consensus when we know we dont need it??”
EXACTLY. What’s with the pandering? Republicans were like, “I’m in charge! Eff yo liberal couch!” when they were runnin’ sh*t. Why are Dems being pressured to play both sides and include everyone?
And actually, I have this same idea with Obama (even though I AM willing to cut him slack). When folks say he’s not just the Black folks President, I ask, why the hell not? 2520 Presidents were looking out for their own when they were in office. They just did their ish in code by striking out the “white” in “wealthy and _____”. Just because they weren’t direct with it (i.e. “I’m the White Folks Prez Snitches!!”) doesn’t mean they weren’t primarily looking out for that miniscule amount of people instead of the entire country.
I mean, I don’t expect every single thing Barack does to be for us, but if he happens to take special attention to us…I ask, what the eff is wrong with that? Don’t we need special attention? We special. lol
@Cheekie,
LOL. Can’t argue with any of that. It’s not like Clinton had “all of us” in mind when he came up with workfare.
Also, wtf are people talking about, we expect Obama to rep for black folks. Newsflash ppl! Most “black” issues are really lower class/limited access/general minority issues. We all know Obama’s backgd so why NOT expect him to look our for the “under-served” the way Bush went to bat for his group.
BTW, I think Obama is doing a great job of this so far.
@Cheekie, When folks say he’s not just the Black folks President, I ask, why the hell not? 2520 Presidents were looking out for their own when they were in office. They just did their ish in code by striking out the “white” in “wealthy and _____”. Just because they weren’t direct with it (i.e. “I’m the White Folks Prez Snitches!!”) doesn’t mean they weren’t primarily looking out for that miniscule amount of people instead of the entire country.
see, i don’t think i agree with that. now, do i think folks look after the special interests of the rich? yes. do those rich happen to be 99.99 percent white? yes. but white folks will step on the backs of poor white people in a minute too.
@Panama Jackson,
That’s debateable.
I’m thinking of Bush’s response to Katrina where he touched down in other parts of the Gulf Coast (including poor white areas) and seemed concerned with getting them back to normalcy. I mean at least one of his earliest orders for those areas wasnt to make sure looters were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Whereas, with N.O. and all those black victims he seemed less interested in saving citizens than he was in saving flatscreens. I dont even think he wanted to land there, lol. Just kind’ve fly over and chuck the deuces.
@Panama Jackson,
“see, i don’t think i agree with that. now, do i think folks look after the special interests of the rich? yes. do those rich happen to be 99.99 percent white? yes. but white folks will step on the backs of poor white people in a minute too.”
Yeah, I know money trumps everything, but please don’t be fooled that the wealthy “just so happens” to be white. That is for a reason.
@Cheekie,
Yes ma’am. Bush spent the better part of his presidency pandering to poor white folks by pushing the neocon agenda. Blacks, rich and poor, had no such luck.
@Me fail english?,
I concur.
@Me fail english?,
This has been my MAJOR beef with the Democratic party since the end of the LBJ admin.
lol, i didn’t realize that you were 72 years old
@The Champ,
Realize deez.
Policy wise there was/is very few differences between the campaign platforms of George W. Bush, John McCain, Hilary Clinton, and any of the legit candidates that have surfaced since the Reagan Revolution. When Barack goes to talk to laid off workers his rhetoric sounds a lot like the dialouge from one of the rallies in “Primary Colors”. I don’t expect much change from Barack’s administration because his policy stances are mostly conservative, and because he is running for reelection already he can’t rock and will not rock the boat of any special interest group.
@Legendary Dash,
“Barack’s administration because his policy stances are mostly conservative, and because he is running for reelection already he can’t rock and will not rock the boat of any special interest group.”
This, my friend, is so on point.
When a candidate runs for their party nomination for the presidency they are either liberal or conservative. In Barry’s case, he was liberal. When a candidate runs for the presidency, they try to straddle the middle as much as possible (Dems do this far more than Republicans do, however).
Barack’s views shifted slightly when he kicked Hilary’s arse and took on old John. Now, he’s trying to bridge party lines and whatnot and I think the work is getting pushed aside in the process.
@Legendary Dash,
so, with the way washington works now, do you think its possible for a president to actually be an agent of change?
@The Champ,
He alone can not be an agent of change. There will only be change if the majority of the people around him actually want the same change.
@Ivy St.,
And here is the issue. I think other than the blue dogs (not sure of their numbers), Obama has a pretty substantial and strong team behind him. With mid-term elections coming (2010, I think???) This may be the most support he’ll have all term. Time for him to get it crackin.
@Ivy St.,
“There will only be change if the majority of the people around him actually want the same change.”
That’s one of those government 101 platitudes.
The president has real power. He prolly couldn’t pass health care or Wall Street Regs on his own – but he could holla @ Mary Schapiro to get off her duff and enforce already existing regulations. He could get Jon Leibowitz to do some Trust Busting…
It’s not like he’s a figure head with no pull.
@WestIndianArchie,
I agree with this. The Pres needs support of the Congress for some things. Support of the courts for others. But the executive branch can do PLENTY on its own…like issuing Executive Orders
@The Champ,
If he was more like Bush, Barack could be a real change agent. He could pull end runs around the corrupt Senate by using Executive orders. Entire industries, wars, and departments have been created by the use of the Executive order. The most change he could do though is by using his post as commander and chief of the armed forces to push new tech. A green military could force the hand of automakers and energy providers to quit patent squatting and roll out the technology they are quashing.
Im wondering what happened to those millions of americans who cried themselves to sleep on november 4th? why arent they protesting these tea party lunatics, and fighting for the change they want to see? I think complacency on the part of the left is a problem. Those conservative nutjobs were willing to bring guns to health care town halls, and the millions who need and want health reform are sitting at home, yelling at their tv. Im not suggesting that those in favour of universal healthcare become nutjobs themselvs, but what about alittle protest or support? Obama cant save america, as americans need to save themselves first…just my take..but i echo your sentiments! give the man a break.
@postmodern pwnage,
“I’m wondering what happened to those millions of americans who cried themselves to sleep on november 4th”
me too
@postmodern pwnage,
“Obama cant save america, as americans need to save themselves first.”
Great points! When Obama was elected, everyone in the black community was soo happy. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy as well. I didn’t think things would really change for black people. I had a “strong debate” with my bf who thought this was exactly what the black community needed. It is a start, but we need so much more. Just having Obama in office isn’t enough. I doubted the change he believed in because I felt we as a whole weren’t willing to stand up for the change he believed in. It is one thing to vote, but we can’t all just sit back and ride his back. Nothing will change until those actually living in the community are willing to stand up for it and do something about it. We can’t wait for Washington to be our change.
@postmodern pwnage,
The folks who need healthcare should be holding anti-tea party rallies. I don’t know why the Obama machine isn’t organizing them.
@WestIndianArchie,
The folks who need healthcare should be holding anti-tea party rallies.
lol, i don’t think the country is ready for that sh*t
@postmodern pwnage,
it’s a lot easier to support something when you’re mad or feel like you have to defend yourself….this has been true from the civil rights movement to the jena 6. it’s just easier to unite folks that way.
but going out and be pro-active for something positive when there is/are no clear, concrete, recent negative event(s) is difficult for the masses. it’s a lot easier to believe that one man can do it all by himself…regardless of how many times he tells us he can’t.
It annoys me (yet, I find it very predictable) to hear people complaining about Obama already. The man can’t even have dinner with his wife or a beer without people talking about, “Oh? So he has time for THAT!” Lik e Bush didn’t spend every other weekend at his play house in Texas. Tonight on Larry King they were talking about an SNL sketch that basically said the President has done nothing. Nothing. Um…..all of the issues we’re dealing with: pulling out of Iraq; healthcare; closing Guantanamo, etc. are COMPLEX. So it’s a problem when people who want to critique the President are SIMPLE. Of course we should give him a break. Not that he shouldn’t be held accountable like anybody else would be, but Superman, he’s not.
I do have a major issue with him though. I sent in my da*n resume when he was accepting applicants for positions in his staff. um….I ain’t get no callback, no card, no flowers…….nothing. I did think Barry was wrong on that one.
@charli skipp,
that snl skit would have been a lot better if they had a “better” obama. I usually like fred amistan(sp?) too, but they either need to either hire another comedian specificallly for obama skits or just bring back will ferrell and have him do it
@charli skipp,
“Lik e Bush didn’t spend every other weekend at his play house in Texas. ”
LMAO!! Yep he was here more than he was in DC, I think it was like 1000 days of vacay or something over his tenure. Since Crawford is not too far from here it was on the news errytime he touched down.
@charli skipp,
Beyond the issues being complex. He actually HAS already done alot. But changes to COBRA, making Detroit accountable (and partially “state-owned”, if you wanna call it that, heh heh), lowering payroll taxes for businesses by increasing transit benefits, etc were actually undertakings that were not only unprecedented but I’m sure plenty of were grateful families. SNL hasnt been any good since the mid-90s. Those Palin raps sucked.
@charli skipp,
“pulling out of Iraq; healthcare; closing Guantanamo, etc. are COMPLEX. ”
I agree that these are all complex things, but don’t set a timeline until you actually know these things will happen. If you tell me you are pulling troops out within the first 180 days or 6 months or whatever, then I expect you to do it. Don’t then send MORE troops to Afghanistan, which is just as complex. We are all judged based on the deadlines we meet, no matter how simple or complex.
Also ALL presidents have been judged on their progress after the first 100 days. That has been the standard since Roosevelt I think. Let me call my dad on that one.
@charli skipp,
LMFAO @ Bush’s Texas playhouse.
@Cheekie,
lol. That made think of Pee-Wee’s playhouse
@Me fail english?,
Girl, we’re >>here<<. LOL
I was wondering what the word of the day was. It's probably "Cheney".
@Cheekie,
i’m thinking “halliburton”
He’s the United States President! Do you know how hard that is for any man? He’s doing his thing, we should be proud, there’s no doubt he’s a trillion steps up from Bush. See the reception he gets worldwide and you know the impact he’s making runs far greater than just U.S. shores…
@Da Iceman,
Lol, that “world wide reception” didn’t help him much in denmark last week
@The Champ,
That’s part of the problem. Americans expected him to “close” and bring it back here. Keep in mind S. America HAS NEVER hosted an Olympic Games. They were due.
@Stank-0,
I didnt know the Pres. was supposed to be so influential in bringing the games to the US. A few years ago when NYC was bidding (and lost) to be the 2012 host I dont recall Bush stumping for us too hard. Nor do I remember him being blamed for the loss.
@Me fail english?,
Presidents and prime ministers stumping for their countries in the final round of voting with the IOC didn’t happen until 2005 when Tony Blair went before the committee when London won the 2012 Olympics. Putin did it for the 2014 Olympics and every other head of state was in Copenhagen for the 2016 selection.
So if Obama didn’t go and Chicago loss they’d probably blame it on that. In the Bush era no head of state was expected to go.
@The Champ,
“world wide reception”
Is this pause-y? This seems pause-y.
o_O
I don’t wanna think about my Prez being a world wide receiver…
@Cheekie,
“Is this pause-y? This seems pause-y.”
speak american please
@The Champ,
Does….this….warrant…a….pause?
And YOU speak English. American ain’t a language.
@The Champ, I agree that South America (and Rio thank goodness!) were way overdue to host the games. God bless the Brazilian mamis.
@Da Iceman,
I agree that South America (and Rio thank goodness!) were way overdue to host the games. God bless the Brazilian mamis.
don’t forget the 5000 murders a year
@Da Iceman,
“there’s no doubt he’s a trillion steps up from Bush.”
Besides increase our popularity around the world (I agree this si no small task), what else has he done that is ALL that different from Bush’s policies?
@Ivy St.,
Overhauling credit card policies, for one. Taking a more active role in seeing that corporations benefitting from gov’t largesse are accountable, for two.
@Me fail english?,
Yeah he is overhauling dredit card policies that won’t take place until next year. In the meantime I’m catching it in the a$$ from my credit card company right now and I pay over the minimum monthly.
In the end, I wish he could minimize the interest rate more.
As far as making sure corporations are accountable, I think he should do that since HE gave them a large check to bail them out.
Had he not bailed these car companies out, would he need to regulate them?
@Ivy St.,
Well the first thing you did was suggest that his policies weren’t all that different from Bush’s. Whether or not you’re happy with the speed of action is a different issue entirely.
You may think he should make the companies accountable but there was actually plenty of money going around in this country PRIOR to his time in office that was NOT accounted for (cf. money for airlines, state gov’ts). Another change Obama made that Bush probably would not have.
P.S. Bush is the one that approved the first $20B or so for an auto bailout. Not Obama. It was dispensed on Obama’s watch in February.
@Ivy St., For one, he did not start an illegal war to please his daddy or steal oil.
Two, he can put together a proper sentence. EVERYTIME he speaks.
You know there’s more…
@Da Iceman,
“Two, he can put together a proper sentence. EVERYTIME he speaks.”
Joe Biden agrees with this. He is very articulate and… clean.
@Cheekie,
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who remembered Biden’s comment…lmao!
@Cheekie,
lol. Joe Biden still gets a major side-eye from me! Anti-apartheid or not!
@miss t-lee and me fail english,
HAHA! *high five*
What’s hilarious is that when Obama announced him as vice president, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why his name sounded familiar. Then, I realized and was like….”D’oh!”. lol
@Cheekie,
My Dad and I were going round and round when this happened. I was like did he just pick the kat that called him “clean and articulate” a few months back for VP? ‘da hell?!?!
Then my Dad broke it down as to how Biden was a plus for his campaign (the fact he had been in the politcal game since 1850/ likeable, old-school, from the northeast, not to mention 2520), so then I softened my side eye a bit…just a bit though.
@Cheekie & T-Lee,
Haha, my Daddy and I had the same talk but it didn’t go so smooth! lmao.
And the isht really hit the fan when in Sept. he said smthg to the effect of Hillary might’ve made a better candidate. I wanted his head on a damn spike and Daddy didnt debate me anymore.
Since then I’ve seen Biden as this admin’s Homer Simpson. Lovable, comic relief who’s prone to putting his foot in his mouth. Awww. . .
@me fail,
Yeah, I think they played that clip of Biden saying Hillary would make a better candidate 5,845 times during the McCain/Obama debates. lol
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/opinion/05krugman.html
@Drake Obama,
thanks, drake
I think people are being way to hard on the president. He hasn’t been in office that long and he’s doing a lot, including trying to fix the mess that Bush took eight years to make.
@Nicki Sunshine,
do you think the country’s issues now are all bush’s doing?
@The Champ,
The only thing that will be singularly his is Afghanistan and the economy is becoming more his than Bush’s.
@The Champ,
True. I think we owe the “first black president” *gag* Bill “Glass-Stegall” Clinton a lot of thanks for a large part of this mess. Him and his ’98 Congress.
@The Champ, Nope, I’m not saying he alone got the country in this condition…. but I do believe the supposed “WAR” is all his doing.
8 years huh Champie? I love the optimism!!!
I agree with what you said about people being more aware and paying attention to things now that Obama is president. I mean, there are a few people here at work that I may have only spoken to casually before Obama was running for president. Once we found out we had a mutual talking point, it’s been downhill since then…lol One day when I was coming back from lunch I had forgotten to take off my tiny Obama pin. One of my co-workers saw it and asked me about it. I was already like “aw shyt…here, we go this MF right here is probably a McCain supporter…lol” in my mind, but ends up he’s the biggest Obama fan outside of Michelle. Trust and believe if I miss anything on the news about the Prez, he’s the first to send me a link or a youtube video.
Folks also need to realize he hasn’t even been in office for a full year yet. It’s gonna take some time for him fix things, and somethings may never be fully recover. I just hate how right now it’s a “dayumed if he does, dayumed if he don’t kinda thing.” Especially with the Olympics bidding. Some of the kats I watched over the weekend on the political show were saying that it’s partially his fault that Chicago and the US didn’t get the Olympics. However, if he would not have gone to Copenhagen and Chicago still didn’t get the bid, they would have found some way to fault him for that as well. *kanye shrug*
I wouldn’t take his job for all the tea in China.
@miss t-lee,
“dayumed if he does, dayumed if he don’t kinda thing.
lol, p and i had a convo earlier today comparing obama to the bet awards, basically saying the exact same thing
this is a topic near and dear to the heart, although i fall outside your typical target dempgraphic, i appreciate the writings AND the topics normally stimulate the mind, and cause me to laugh uncontrollably. with that aside, there are 2520s i shared time with in the military, that i cannot even broach this subject with (b*stards).
the unfair thing is that all the right wing nuts, limbaugh, hannity and my new hated enemy, “the pennis” glenn beck, proclaimed Obama as the second coming–he who walks on water. what i think is unfair is he should at least be given the chance to fix this country, just as george “last in his class” bush, had to f*ck it up.
we cling stronger to our heroes and should give hime the chance as well. i mean, if he drops govt. business to ‘tend to only our issues, people will scream on him for it, but…in this regard he has to pick his battles very carefully because he is the FIRST, and we definitely don’t want him to be the last. there are a nice crop of african-american politicos in the scene that will get some future burn, if this works out. holla at me in 2012!!
AO..out
@AO aka It’s like yo’ Daddy told you,
but…in this regard he has to pick his battles very carefully because he is the FIRST, and we definitely don’t want him to be the last. there are a nice crop of african-american politicos in the scene that will get some future burn, if this works out. holla at me in 2012!!
i read somewhere last week that obama basically has to be jackie robinson now to clear the way for the bill russells and jim browns of the future.
@The Champ,
i can see that, on the Jackie ref. seems to me that every generation will repeat the process of getting one foot in the door for the nation, ie us!! *sidenote* heard today that rush is trying to buy the Chargers?? is that right? i know you are up on all things u-n-i-versal.
Bon Vivants and Chocolate Milk from a Community T itty ~ Luvs It!
My #1 reason folks need to CALM.DOWN – He’s human. And still within his Presidential Infancy, so why anyone expects him to learn how to walk when he’s barely had a chance to crawl is beyond me … at 9 months, most babies ain’t scaling skyscrapers and brokering world peace. This man is at least attempting to one of these. We need to allow him a chance to discover his limbs and test the bounds of their reach.
When I reheat food, I’ll put it back on the stove or in the oven. I know plenty of people who don’t have the patience for this or even understand my logic. These same ppl will microwave their food for two minutes and then have to zap it three more times with a heavy sigh while they’re eating, cuz it’s not hot all the way thru or the hotness has quickly dissipated. Yet they continue to make use and sense of this method. Having a Microwave Mentality with anything, including the Prez will not deliver satisfying results in the long run. If we demand presto-chango answers to our country’s major concerns, we’re gonna get a quick fix but not a well thought out or executed solution.
It is sad how gangsta most were to usher him into the office, and we just left him there. His opponents go hard and yet his proponents have gone soft. (I think my use of cliches and alliteration in this post certify me as the new age Shirley Chisolm, although I could easily rock Sharpton’s do better than he does.)
@bittersweet’s baby, I agree!
And I loved that microwave analogy. It was deep…like a river
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@bittersweet’s baby,
His opponents go hard and yet his proponents have gone soft.
(I think my use of cliches and alliteration in this post certify me as the new age Shirley Chisolm)
dont forget about the double entendre too
First, I really think a lot of people wouldn’t be on the “give the man a break” bandwagon if he was white or republican. We want to give the guy a break because we LIKE him..that’s the bottom line. Don’t front.
Secondly, I’m not upset with the job that he’s doing thus far at all because my cynical nature doesn’t allow me to invest that much HOPE in any politician. True CHANGE will only come when the people change. He’s pretty good at motivating folks into action so maybe he can continue to rally the people.
Thirdly, it’s my belief that some people are starting to waver a bit with their support because they don’t realize that he’s just a pawn as most presidents are. Their expectations are way too high and their faith in the system had been restored just because they saw someone who looked more like them in that position. Dummies. They do expect him to be superman when his powers is that of a mere mortal meaning his power is very limited.
Lastly, I do hope that President Obama grow a pair and stop taking shyt from these white folks.
http://presidentialtelevisionandfilm.ning.com/profiles/blogs/does-obama-monkey
@Monk,
“First, I really think a lot of people wouldn’t be on the “give the man a break” bandwagon if he was white or republican. We want to give the guy a break because we LIKE him..that’s the bottom line. Don’t front.”
Agreed. Bush got skewered when he went looking for WMDs that werent there. But like, how the eff was he supposed to know that?
Timeline
1998 – United “toothless” Nations sends probe to check if several possibly rogue nations have WMDs (including Pakistan, India and Iraq). Iraq, after refusing to cooperate (and raising suspicion) allows inspectors absurdly lmtd access to facilities…raising even more suspicion around the entire world (not just in America, folks!!!) that the man has WMDs
2001 – Terrorists attack US. Hussein not only publicly applauds Al Quaeda’s efforts and remarks that US deserves it, but alludes to his willingness to harbor terrorists. Also alludes to his own ability to hurt the US should they seek to capture terrorists in his country.
2003 – Bush stomps mudholes in Iraq. Oops! turns out Hussein was only bluffing. But how the eff were we supposed to know that?
Regardless of his oil and weapons manufacturing (Halliburton) ambitions, the New York Times, WaPo and the BBC had us ALL convinced since like 1998 that Iraq may have WMDs. When Bush calls dude’s bluff and turns out to be wrong, all of a sudden Bush is the devil and we don’t remember we were thinkin that same isht just a couple years ago. Dont get me started on the Dems who supported him going into Iraq pre-2003 but afterwards (sometime in early November) disavowed any knowledge that at the time it made sense.
No presidents get breaks. Nature of the position.
Um. I PROMISE I know how to spell Al Qaeda!
@Me fail english?,
“No presidents get breaks. Nature of the position.”
Thanks for summing up my exact thoughts with these eight words. That’s my man, I want him to succeed, and I’ll allow him the time to do what he has to do, but I just think a lot of folks are a little biased and hypocritical in their undying support for Obama. God forbid, but after eight years are up and if nothing hasn’t significantly changed, are we still gonna be makin’ excuses for the man and still blaming past administrations?
@Monk,
Agree again. One could argue that Clinton left Bush with a domestic security issue. The likes of which our country had never seen before. Not sure I’d want the office in 2000 OR 2008…
@Monk,
“First, I really think a lot of people wouldn’t be on the “give the man a break” bandwagon if he was white or republican.”
I agree! I think it is hard to look past your own race though. I want him to succeed as a black man more than anything. I don’t think anyone would support him as much if he weren’t a black democrat. Granted black folks didn’t really help much in the election with their vote. He was elected because he wasn’t the norm and so maybe he could make a difference.
@Monk, i pretty much agree with everything that you said here.
it’s hard for me to want to give him a break (on real issues) b/c he’s the freakin’ president. he signed up for that sh*t. and he isn’t complaining about it (publicly) anyway.
@Panama Jackson,
True. I doubt the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review (or whatever he was, haha) was expecting a “break”, nor does he need one.
Oh yeah, I think he was kinda crazy to want the job in the first place, but uhm yeah.
@bittersweet’s baby,
that a whole entry by itself: how crazy do you have to be to want to be the president?
We touched on this very discussion in my defense transformation class.
He’s moving in 20 different directions domestically, while having to respond to international crises as they pop up.
The US Pres has free rein in international affairs, but domestically there are far more actors to reckon with. Barring catastrophic failure there will be some form of health care reform in this country, which will have put some money in people’s pockets whom need it.
He ran on change and the defenders of the status quo will not go quietly into the night.
For those whom have started paying attention to the political process, take these words of advice. The American system is deliberately built to be very very slow because they wanted debate about courses of action. Also, take what the “experts” on the networks say with a truckload of salt. These people are peddling their opinions and everyone has a different one.
If you want to know what’s goin on, listen/watch/read to the interviews of the players (Pres, VP, former Presidents, Senators, Reps, Clinton, Gates, Petraeus, Mullen, Jones, McChrystal, Geithner, Jarrett)
@Stank-0,
He’s moving in 20 different directions domestically, while having to respond to international crises as they pop up.
basically, he has 99 problems but his, ummm, chick aint one.
On some days I wish Barack Obama was a little more radical and guerilla with his. But he’s not. He’s a politician, kept in check by politics. I’m proud of him and proud of how far this county has come to get him elected. 8 years of Barack Obama will be great for all of us, I think. I think he’ll do a lot to bring this country back from the brink, like it was under previous administrations. So I do agree with the post in that people should give Barack Obama a break. He’s a politician, not a savior. He kinda has to toe the line (well he doesn’t) but he’s playing the game, so he’s being diplomatic and all that stuff. Real tangible change is probably easier to see at the local level. anyway.
@pgh muse,
“He’s a politician, not a savior. ”
Yep!!!
He hasn’t even been president for a year. I think we need to give him more time before we start being so tough on him. He has the burden of cleaning up someone else’s mess and that has to be a major challenge. I never expected him to work miracles in less than a year and I’m confident that he’ll ultimately do the job he said he would. He said “yes we can,” not “yes we can before 2010.”
@Voiceovereason,
He said “yes we can,” not “yes we can before 2010.”
well, since the world’s ending in 2012, does it even matter?
Champ, I can appreciate you wanting to give someone the benefit of the doubt, but the fact reamins- he is now president of the United States.
He, like any other president, should not “get a break”. His duty is too important and there are too many things going on in the world to give him a break when it comes to our country.
@Ivyette,
I agree. Rather than responding to misguided critiques with “give him a break”, we’d all do better to educate ourselves on what he has already done (and there’s plenty) and challenging folks as to why they dont see that as enough.
@Me fail english?,
We should educate ourselves. But if it isn’t obvious without doing some deep research, is it enough? Helping marine life off the coast of Washington state is great and all but there are much bigger things that he said he would change. Am I wrong for wanting bigger more noticeable change?
@Ivy St.,
I dont know anything about marine life off the coast of Washington, but some of this stuff is in plain view.
Making Detroit and Wall Street accountable for the money they’ve received is smthg we hadn’t done in quite some time and will probably have huge impact on the future of corporate welfare. When they chopped off GM’s head it was on every network news channel.
Commiting to close Gitmo camps and actually putting folks on trial?! When’s the last time that happened. Better question, how did you miss this news?How is this obscure?
If by noticeable, you mean you want them to interrupt The Office “this just in” style to give you bullet points I’d say you might as well give it up. But if you’re interested in joining the debate, the least you can do is crack a newspaper. Front page news tends to be noticeable.
@Me fail english?,
By noticeable, I mean something that will make a difference in MY life. Not just noticeable big print in the newspaper. Anything can make big print in the newspaper if it is juicy enough.
Like you said, Gitamo… still open. Putting those folks on trial… a waste of time and tax payer dollars. The people that are there don’t care which is why they are there. Gitamon will remain open and we’ll be having this debate next year.
As for the bailout, who’s to say what would have happen if we let Wallstreet fail. Not letthing them feel some heat, just makes it ok. Some things just have to fail so that they can get better. He only had to make Detroit and Wall Street accountable because HE BAILED them out. Bush didn’t bail them out, Obama did. He was catching fire for bailing them out, so he should have to watched over them. That just makes sense. It was the largest bailout ever, OF COURSE he’d have to oversee it. If he didn’t what type of approval rating would he get?
@Ivy St,
Way to change the terms of debate halfway through. You said and I quote “isn’t obvious without doing deep research”. To which I responded front page news aint “deep research”. You didnt say anything about a “noticeable” change being the ones that directly affect you.
Second, your wrong. Bush did plenty to bail out Wall St. before Obama even won. The first bailout was passed in 2008. Obama was inaugurated in 2009. And further, the history of bailouts didnt start in 2008. Long before then airline industries, farmers, dot-coms, etc. were taking handouts unchecked. Not sure why you think this is some brand new phenomenon and making folks accountable goes without saying. I assure you it doesnt.
He didn’t HAVE to oversee anything. He could have easily taken a page from his predecessors book and turned a blind eye.
@Ivy St.,
I undestand what you are saying. Obama said he do a lot in the name of “change”. We’ve had change sure enough, but not in the direction that most in the nation wants (ie steadily rising unemployment and a White House administration that is starting to resemble a rather frightening comedy of errors).
No, you are not wrong for wanting more. Like you said, we have larger matters that deserve immdediate attention and that needs to “change” as well, but it needs to change for the better.
@Me fail english?, for me, “enough” is a very relative term. mind you, i don’t expect him (or congress) to really be able to get much of sh*t done anyway. it’s the nature of the beast. but at the same time, i can’t say that i feel like he’s done so much either.
(and just so you’re aware, i’m not one of those uninformed folks who has no clue what’s really going on. due to my employment, it’s pretty much my job to know everything that’s going on.)
@Panama Jackson,
I understand. Enough is relative. But I think it’s worth asking what were your expectations in the first place that what he’s been able to accomplish is not enough?
For example, I loved the fact that Obama wasn’t willing to wait on attacking all these different things (most of which I assumed he wouldnt be able to accomplish). So I was pleasantly surprised to see that he was at least trying to get the ball rolling on a few diff issues (though I have no answer as to why he suggested we delay the Gitmo trials??? or why he basically lambasted AIG bonuses but didn’t DO anything about it).
So that wasnt a loaded question. Im really curious what would be sufficient for people to stop saying he’s done NOTHING (which I think is false).
@Ivyette,
He, like any other president, should not “get a break”. His duty is too important and there are too many things going on in the world to give him a break when it comes to our country.
thing is, when i say “give him a break”, i dont mean that he should be immune to critique and criticism. all i’m saying is that there have been a few molehills in the past couple months that we’ve helped turn into steaming mountains of sh*t
Personally, I feel if Obama has one fault, its that he grossly overestimates the intelligence of the American people as a whole.
A shining example of this the current healthcare debate. Essentially all he’s trying to do is offer a public OPTION for people that may not have access to traditional HMO methods of healthcare. But listening to the public outcry you would swear he is going to melt down every gun, ban white bread, and sell bruce springsteeen to the Chinese, all to pay for little Keisha’s TB Shot.
The sad part of it is that the Flag Pin “America First” conservatives are feeding into the lies (ie Death Panels, Socialism etc) because they are more concerned with seeing the Republican Party rebound than America. These are the same group of people after all that turned a “stay in school” message from the president into a political issue. However, people don’t call them on their bullshit, because they don’t take the time to LEARN an issue for themselves. Until Obama realizies this and stops assuming that the public will essentially “get it” he’s going to receive pushback on everything he does.
@TPeezy,
Good points. I’d take it a step further and say if he’s concerning himself with the public’s opinion he’s wasting his time. Last I heard his approval rating was over 50%. The very vocal minority is just that, a minority.
Also, I dont think Obama supporters need to be actin crazy at town meetings. You didnt see pro-Iraq war ppl at every NYPIRG, Cindy Sheehan rally. We’ve got the seat of power at this point. When LBJ was passing Medicare and Medicaid through he didn’t wait for a cheering section. He said “Im the president, bish! Take that!” and the act passed.
That said, I like to think Obama’s not naive enough to be waiting on public approval. Maybe he wants more buy-in from legislators but not the public.
@Me fail english?,
:When LBJ was passing Medicare and Medicaid through he didn’t wait for a cheering section. He said “Im the president, bish! Take that!” and the act passed”
*snickering*
‘Cause we all know LBJ was a pure d. azzhole…lol
I’ve been to his library and listening/watching some of them films of him in action. I was *rolling*.
@miss t-lee,
Yeah, LBJ was a piece of work. As radical and unpopular as his isht was, it went through. Cuz he was a what? A m-f’in LEADER.
@Me fail english?,
“That said, I like to think Obama’s not naive enough to be waiting on public approval. Maybe he wants more buy-in from legislators but not the public.”
I agree with this. But the thing is that legislators are local politicians at heart, so they will not vote for a plan if their constituants do not support it regardless of how ill informed those consituations might be.
@TPeezy,
Personally, I feel if Obama has one fault, its that he grossly overestimates the intelligence of the American people as a whole.
i dont think people are necessarily stupid. we (all of us) have a tendency to allow our fears to cloud our intellect, and i think that just plan fear is the driving force behind the teabaggers.
I hate politics, its the dirtiest game ….. thats all I can add today LLS
@OrangeStar616,
“politics, its the dirtiest game”
So true. With that said, can Obama stay clean?
@Ivy St.,
clean deez
I agree with the majority that it’s going to take time for Obama to fix this country’s problems. Personally, I’ve already benefitted from Obama’s changes. I was layed off for 2 mths earlier this year and this was right after Obama cut Cobra payments by 65% and then he made changes to student loan repayments that cut my bill in half. He’s making changes and I appreciate it. He’s dealing with a lot and he’s not perfect but I do believe he has most people’s interests at heart unlike our former president.
@Leila,
“I do believe he has most people’s interests at heart.”
I just hope it can withstand Washington.
@Leila, I agree with the majority that it’s going to take time for Obama to fix this country’s problems.
see, for me, i don’t expect him to be able to. he’s got two centuries of issues he has to deal with. i expect incremental changes that push the country in a beneficial direction for everybody. but even then…all of that is to be seen.
expectations are a mother.
I think the entire frame work of the system is effed up. You have a new president and thats great, but at the same time people severly under estimate the climate in which the man has to try and govern. Clearly hes gonna have to deal with the same ish until midterm elections. If the democrats manage to pick up more seats in both houses then the things he wants to do will become easier (though im going to bank on that not happening).
That said, here are my reasons people need to stfu and wait to see whats going to happen:
1.) Out of the 700 billion someodd dollar stimulus i believe only about 100 or so billion has actully made its way into the economy. So we cant say that its a failed policy when it hasnt even been fully enacted.
2.) People are now slowly realizing that people cant find jobs NOT because their are no jobs, but simply that for the good jobs with benifits people say they want they are un or underqualified. Lots of the job losses have been in the manufacturing sector. Most of those jobs you didnt even need a highschool diploma to have. The education gap in alot of cases is what is limiting people to the kind of jobs they can have and apply for. America has been a mostly service orriented economy for years, and the transformation that allowed it to happened LONG before Obama got in office.
3.) Understand that political timelines are like trying to catch a handfull of water in the rain.
4.) Understand that all this talk about no new taxes to pay for new things is great, but things need to be paid for. I know the PLAN for healthcare is to be neutral but the REALITY is that we dont have the infrastructure to to ennact universal healthcare (thus attepting to spread it out over 10 years). That goes for both parties. Stop acting as if im stupid and just tell me the truth. I am so tired of this dog and pony show in D.C. (ESPECIALLY when it seems that people are doing alot of talking and very little actual work.)
My two cents.
@ESQuared,
“Understand that all this talk about no new taxes to pay for new things is great, but things need to be paid for. I know the PLAN for healthcare is to be neutral but the REALITY is that we dont have the infrastructure to to ennact universal healthcare”
I dont know about the infrastructure but lol @ “Stop talking to me like I’m stupid”. I say this to my TV all the time. Then I gotta remind myself that our Pres. is currently fighting with folks that think a “death panel” is a possibility, so it’s gotta be hard gauging the audience’s intellect. HAHA!
Also, that’s always been a hallmark of getting big bills passed. Whether they’re introducing a new war, bill, reform, etc. You NEVER talk about the true costs. It’s sure to sink the bill. I dont think Americans are necessarily “dumb” but a lot are probably less pragmatic/forward-thinking than you. Which means once they’re told this reform will be paid for with anything other than the magical pot of gold we pilfered from the Commies or smthg, they’re gonna be pissed….even if reform works in their favor.
Oh hell no.
This is the problem with you knee-grows. Too into your kum-buy-yah moments to see what’s really jumping off.
We should be using every opportunity available to pressure him, your Congressional Reps, and Senators. Hell, if you got kids @ Sidwell, they better be coming @ Malia and Sasha, tombout , “how come we’re still in Iraq, how come Gitmo ain’t closed, do we really need to ramp up Afghanistan or you really believe that failed state business?”
Indeed, most of the foreign policy stuff and stuff handled by agencies he can handle on his own. He doesn’t need the Congress for that.
He told Eric Holder n’nem to chill on the Federal raids of Medical Marijuana clubs.
And 8 years…why bother when you’ve squandered all of your good will. I’d be much happier with 4 years of Barack, universal health care, no war in Afghanistan, a much better modern Glass-Steagal act followed by Palin/Jindal 2012 – than 8 years of tepid “reform”
This is like saving up your money to get into VIP at the non-hood club and not spitting game @ the fees. You coulda got Big Bertha @ the regular spot.
@WestIndianArchie,
This is an interesting perspective.
@WestIndianArchie,
Dayum thats some hot fiya!!!
@WestIndianArchie,
“Palin/Jindal 2012″
Now if Hollywood wants to make a real horror movie they should start here.
*shudder to think*
@WestIndianArchie,
This is like saving up your money to get into VIP at the non-hood club and not spitting game @ the fees.
lol, thing is you have all night. you dont hafta holla at every chick in the club the first 15 minutes you’re there
My family and I have always been involved in politics, and have followed local, state, and national politics very closely all my life. Personally, I don’t believe we should give any of our elected officials a break. And I think we should be critical of their decisions, and this includes President Obama’s decisions. I support the POTUS, but I am critical of some of his current policies and proposed policies, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. And contrary to popular belief, everyone who’s critical of his policies do not expect him to be superman, or president of black america, or anything else other than President of the United States.
@N.I.A. naturally,
Zackly. We are OBLIGED as citizens to subject all public reps to as rigorous scrutiny/critique as we deem appropriate. Word to Thoreau.
@Me fail english?,
Thats how you know you on a bougie black blog, when ni99as is quoting Henry Thoreau.
@Dorian G.,
LOL. Hush! That aint no quote, more like a paraphrase.
@N.I.A. naturally, I agree.
@N.I.A. naturally,
Personally, I don’t believe we should give any of our elected officials a break. And I think we should be critical of their decisions, and this includes President Obama’s decisions. I support the POTUS, but I am critical of some of his current policies and proposed policies, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that
i actually agree, but to restate what i said upthread, there’s a difference between critique and nitpicking, and i think alot of us are beginning to do more of the latter
I had low expectation of Barack Obama’s policies before he became president. He hasn’t surpass my expectations yet. Only time will tell.
On a personal level, I want him to succeed, and prove me wrong.
“more of us are switching between fox, cnn, cspan, and msnbc eight hours a day” Not me. I have a severe mistrust for Mass Media. Alternative news sources, however, are the ish
.
@SnijanaFleur,
Alternative news sources, however, are the ish
.
like vsb?
@The Champ, totally
I seriously think a lot of Obama’s pandering to the mainstream (the beer summit, flying to Copenhagen,
fronting off Kanye West) is political. I believe he’s thinking ahead and trying to lockdown a second term. Don’t wanna heighten the (ridiculous) fears that he will only pander to Black folks. Because, best believe, any isolated racial-tinged events will be used against him in the next election.@Cheekie,
You know what, I’m just now realizing that my support for Obama (which began in Feb 2007) didnt stem from my assumption that his policies would be so different from Hillary or Edwards. I liked him best because he seemed to achieve the impossible. The man had maintained his integrity throughout the course of an election. He was unwavering and unapologetic (though conciliatory and diplomatic) and all the more popular for it! If he was white I would’ve been wild about him!
That’s where my disappointment came from. I saw him deftly navigate shark-infested waters during primary and campaign season…only to win and lose his fight. Why come??
@Me fail english?,
“You know what, I’m just now realizing that my support for Obama (which began in Feb 2007) didnt stem from my assumption that his policies would be so different from Hillary or Edwards. ”
Same here on the “achieve the impossible” tip! I was saying how his policies weren’t that different from Hillary’s during their little primary war. It got ugly as hell, for little to no reason because they weren’t that different. I think Clinton’s harder push for universal healthcare was one major difference….
@Me fail english?,
If he was white I would’ve been wild about him!
this is actually how i feel about jim jones. except, i’d substitute “lobotomized” instead of “white”
@Cheekie, eh… but is that what we elected him for? I understand that President Obama is a politician playing the game of politrix (ha ha). But don’t we kinda expect a little more from him. I think he should be held accountable. And Kanye was being a Jackass. I think BO needs to stop apologizing for everything.
@pgh muse,
“I think BO needs to stop apologizing for everything.”
I wasn’t happy the Kanye quote leaked but I’m glad he started ignoring some of these BS criticisms.
@Me fail english?, Yeah. He has more important things to spend his time obsessing over.
@pgh muse,
“eh… but is that what we elected him for?”
We? No. Them? Probably. Just to name an example…the Rev Wright thing? I can pretty much bet that had he not separated himself a bit from him as he did (even if he believed the things Wright was spouting was TRUE…which, I find it hard to digest that he didn’t…it’s not like Wright talking like that is new…he’s been in his church for YEARS). If Obama had told his TRUE feelings on hot subjects as race, I think it would’ve been much more difficult for him to win. He had to hold back, politically, in my opinion.
I’m actually wondering how he will act in the SECOND term? Kinda like how seemingly Bush screwed up everything majorly in the last few months because he knew he could skip out and put it all on the next Prez’s hands? I’m imagining a “Eff you White Devils!” Barack Obama during the second term. Ok, not so much, but ya know…not p*ssyfooting around racial aspects. Really getting down to the nitty and the gritty. NOT playing it safe.
@Cheekie, lol. I’m not saying that I think BO needs to go all left wing extremist on us, he is a politician after all, but now that he’s been elected, I would maybe like him to say ish and not act bashful about saying it. If it’s right it’s right. He’s the MFing President of the United States. I’m sure he and his staff are concerned about 8 years – but is that even right? That’s one of the main things I don’t like about politics. And I realize he has to be diplomatic to a degree, but you can diplomatically say “This is some Bullshyt.” It’s unfortunate that he’d possibly be thrown under the truck for taking a hard stance on an unpopular issue, but this is his Presidency. I think that he has 4 years first to do what he set out to do and I’m not even talking about issues of race in America… there are inequalities the world over that i’ve read little blips on where I feel that BO hedged a little being “diplomatic”.
@pgh muse,
Cant disagree with any of this. We tried to toe the line and play center twice before (2000, 2004) with milquetoast, “diplomatic” party leaders and you see what that got us? 8 years of Bush. Time to change up the strategy blue team!
@pgh muse,
Yeah, I actually agree with this. I guess I’m saying that I understand why — I mean, if that is why. I mean, I’m sure he’s thought of it. I don’t want anything to hinder him getting the second term just so Repubs can go back and mess everything up again…but yeah, I guess the question is…what’s the risk? What is he risking by being safe? It just might be a lot…
@pgh muse,
“And Kanye was being a Jackass. ”
I don’t think it was so much about what he said (because no doubt, it was true)…it was who was among him when he said it. That was the point when the Kanye thing was becoming beyond Kanye and into race relations. That sh*t didn’t have to escalate to that level, but it did. And folks saw Obama as fronting a brotha off among non-brothas.
And I think he was aware of a little bit of it, too because he immediately wanted it retracted.
That said, I don’t think he needed to apologize for saying that. It was what he felt. But of course, sometimes just a simple off-the-mark comment can go deeper than that? Should it? Naw. But, it sure the hell does with our society…
@Cheekie, I agree with everything you said here. But does it do any of us any justice to continue to play into it? idk… my faith in politicians is very limited. I’m proud of BO, quite proud. And I don’t think he’s doing a bad job, and an apology to Kanye is a small thing, but to move forward after his historic election in a business as usual fashion (i’m not saying he is or isn’t cuz as a whole i really don’t know) doesn’t serve anyone.
@pgh muse,
True dat. He certainly has (had?) momentum on his side.
As far as being diplomatic to affect change “later” I think any student of history will tell you that’s all BS. The most sweeping reforms are usually enacted by a small and willful minority. Most folks are cool with the status quo (good or bad).
@pgh muse,
“But does it do any of us any justice to continue to play into it?”
You’re right, it doesn’t. I guess SOMEone has to be the one to change how politics work. A maverick, if you will. No, scratch that. I speed-dialed Webster to take that word out of the dictionary because I’ve grown to hate it so much.
Nah for real F*CK DAT NI99A!!!!!!!
Sike just trying to spark debate. Carry on.
@Dorian G.,
spark deez
President Obama did also extend the length of time one receive Unemployment Compensation. That’s a tangible change.
@pgh muse,
***nodding head***
@pgh muse,
I’m curious just how much these people who say he hasnt made any tangible changes expected? My feeling: These people dont know jackshyt about politics and weren’t even interested in discussing it til about eight months ago.
So if…
-You have no reference point as to what presidents are typically capable of doing in the first eight months
-You dont even read the paper often or thoroughly enough to know what he has done
…SATDOWN! There is plenty to criticize about Obama based on the facts. No need to say stupid stuff like he’s made no” significant changes.
@Me fail english?, lol at your SATDOWN gift basket. How was the VSB happy hour, btw? I’m burning with curiosity
@pgh muse,
I aint go! My car is in hiding as the inspection sticker is expired (TET’s) and NYC Dept. of Finance (yep, the goddamn finance dept handles parking tix so you already know wassup) aint playing! I aint go nowhere that I couldnt be chauffered. On the upside, I went shopping with Mama and Ann Taylor is having some crazy sales. 40% off clearance items. Yea!
@Me fail english?, Awww. Oh well. I hopes a fun time was had by all other’s that could make it. I had a sticker conundrum on my birfday that i’ll say no more about so no one is incriminated heh heh… and Yay! @ the Ann Taylor clearance rack!
@Me fail english?,
I’m curious just how much these people who say he hasnt made any tangible changes expected? My feeling: These people dont know jackshyt about politics and weren’t even interested in discussing it til about eight months ago.
i wouldn’t say all that.
i just think that some people are frustrated with the fact that, regardless of who’s president, it doesnt seem to have much of a tangible impact on their lives.
@The Champ,
Well what you’re saying is a lil different than what I’m talking about. I’m talking about entire town hall meetings of tea partiers and isht talking Obama in particular, not presidents in general.
@Me fail english?,
Those tea party goers are quite the morons, no? I’ve been looking at the footage of some of those protest parties and…wow.
SMH @:
- The woman is who is on social security but doesn’t want the government in her life.
- The lady who blew up a “copy” of the Prez’s birth certificate from the Republic of Kenya (which, uh, the Republic of Kenya wasn’t even established ’til 3 years after he was born…so how they would have that, I don’t know)
- The lady who claimed she’d pay for her own medical bills. LMFAO…right. You gotta dayum near well pay 700 bucks just for reading the magazines in the doctor’s waiting room.
- That M-Fing jive turkey that
cooned it upsang that BS country-arse “2010″ song against Obama amongst a group who (reportedly) outwardly called Obama all kinds of monkeys and whatnot.That’s just a few notables…lol
@Cheekie,
YES! That’s the other part of the problem with these clowns! Regulating the healthcare industry DOES directly impact you, asscake!
Ppl seem not to realize how little medical insurance covers until they need it. The more people that go treated un- or underinsured, the more the hospitals DONT get reimbursed. The less they get reimbursed the more they charge for services. The more they charge, the more insurance companies pay. The more insurance groups pay, the more they charge in premiums AND the less shet they actually cover. If you’ve had insurance for a while just look at the pre-cert req’s for your policy in 2006 vs. 2009. Now tell me with a straight face, you don’t want a public option (or at least more regulation). . . asscake.
Unless you got Warren Buffet money, you too are in danger of losing your home…Most foreclosures, by the way, follow bankrupcties due to inability to pay medical bills. And we saw how well ppl (even those with Buffet money) did with the rise in foreclosures.
@Me fail english?,
*dap*
Also, I love how you make a variation of the assclown (or asshat) descriptors …I do that too…lol. I particularly gotta use asscake one day. lol
I like how you don’t mention any of these alternative news sources. Cause clearly information doesn’t yearn to be free.
@WestIndianArchie,
?
This makes sense to some degree.
Except that Obama has made more than “a few” mistakes. Even if they were few, the ones he has made of late show the limitations of his approach. I’m willing to wait and see if he’ll switch up his game, but I have serious doubts. His confidence is bordering on arrogance. It’s time to get to work.
On the race issue, the reality is that black people are still the ONLY group you can’t speak to, for, or about without everyone else trippin. He’s in a unique position to reframe some of that debate by dismantling the false equation between “pro-black” and “anti-white.” It is simply untrue that ignoring race makes life better for black folks.
Is it hard for him to do this? Yes.
Will he lose some support in the short term? Yes.
Will it make passing big legislation hard? Yes
But this is the job, homie. Time to play for keeps.
@Tyler,
Good points. Interestin about the confidence turning into arrogance. I didn’t read it that way but that’s a valid perspective. I’ll be back with smthg more substantial to say
@Tyler,
“On the race issue, the reality is that black people are still the ONLY group you can’t speak to, for, or about without everyone else trippin.”
*nods*
Anita Tedaldi reference FTW! (Saw that on the morning news last week)
I find that Black folks are by and large apolitical. We’re used to him being there now, so he’s an afterthought. Back to broads and rap and church gossip and sports and hair care and street sh*t and other “Black concerns.”
I don’t think Obama is downright inept, but I do see him walking on presidential eggshells, trying to be all things to all people. Maybe trying too hard to be “liked” so he can get re-elected and (if he does) begin going hard in 2013. Sometimes being the boss means you need to ram your agenda down the throats of those who can make it a reality. It also means if the people don’t understand what you’re tryna do, you have to reframe and rephrase the message (which was obviously blown wrt health care).
But again, I don’t think the stereotypical Black collective is paying that kinda stuff much attention. They’re either watching BET or wrapped up in some conspiracy theory that guys who like to say “overstand” throw around. They’re indifferent to the good stuff government is doing…their eyes open when the things they consider a direct detriment to them are up for vote…and they usually roll over after the fact. Oh yeah, that’s right, unless they’re whining about the police. It’s why we don’t get taken seriously politically, because it happens all the time.
Anyway, back to Obama. Should he be pressed more to stick ot his guns and do the right thing? Absolutely. But he’s very adept at governing and learns quickly. He’ll be fine and as a result, we’ll be fine.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Anyway, back to Obama. Should he be pressed more to stick ot his guns and do the right thing? Absolutely. But he’s very adept at governing and learns quickly. He’ll be fine and as a result, we’ll be fine.
**nodding head**
Why all these questions…give him time to work. We’re talking about career politicians here. Folks that will be around long after BO’s 8 years are up. You can’t go around upsetting these folks just becasue you can…they will impact this nation for decades to come. He’s doing the right thing…showing Americans how ignorant their neighbors are…and he politely ignores these folks…which empowers other Americans to stand up for what is right. He got this…
@atltx,
welcome and sh8t
@The Champ,
“sh8t”
Welcome and sheight?
@Cheekie,
lol. That’s how I read it. I hope it catches on. I cant wait to tell someone “sheight deez”
@Me fail english?,
lol, I was looking forward to Champ telling me that. haha
@The Champ,
I appreciate that man…keep doing what you doing…good sh8t
Just for the record regarding the Olympics. I’m from da Chi, yet I still saw it selfish as hell (but still the All-American way) for America to really expect to get the Olympics. Like who the hell are we to just have this ish here the last decade, and want it AGAIN?! Feelin’ ourselves much? I think so. So I don’t think Obama had any business going over there to begin with. Everyone needs to calm down. Our economy isn’t the only one that needs help right now. And the IOC’s message rang loud and clear: “Obama you are NOT God” (not that he thinks he is, but apparently everyone else seems to feel that way).
@Ann G,
Like who the hell are we to just have this ish here the last decade, and want it AGAIN?
you know, if you look at the other cities that have been given an olympics, atlanta really stands out. seriously, out of all the cities in the world, how the hell was atlanta georgia able to bag the olympic broad? who knows.
welcome and sh*t, btw
@The Champ,
Maaan. If Lillehammer could get the Olympics, Atlanta shoulda got some Olympics. Unless you just mean the summer. . .
which you probably do since no one watches the winter olympics. WTF is a Nagano?@Ann G,
I forgot about Atlanta ’96. Dont forget that about half of Chicago citizens polled seemed less than thrilled about the games coming there. Can’t say I blame em.
I think my boo Mr. President is doing the best her can with the messed up situation he was elected into. Everyone knew he the first term would be him fixing the Bush Administrations mess. It’s not until the next term god willing, that he will shine.
What I would tell my baby Mr. President is do you and let the haters fall back where they belong.
Love this article. i agree with you 100%. leave the man alone, it ain’t even been half a term yet, geesh. i’m not too happy about how healthcare reform is going right now, though. but i’m secretly hoping that things don’t have to be finalized this year & that somehow a better solution will surface, cause what’s being offered right now is b.s. (healthcare is a personal issue for me)…anyway, i hope obama proves the bashers wrong…(i was going to say i have faith in obama, but i honestly feel like i’d be disrespecting Jesus, lol.)
@Cheekie,
a cotttdang 3 hr wait, the piece of paper they cover you with, commonly referred to as a “gown” (which is like effin 50 bucks), and a strep test ran me bout 12 hunned.
but im a hustla so i took care of it.*
*(read as: i called my insurance and asked them to take care of my claim.)
@Chasdizz,
Yup! I read my insurance statements sometimes (ya know the one that has “THIS IS NOT A BILL” emblazoned on it…I peep it just for kicks) and I gasp at the things they charge for mundane ish.
Especially hospitals! My nephew has been in and out of one since he was born (he has a rare syndrome called DeGeorge’s) and his cumulative bill is WELL over a million dollars and still going. They scan every little thing they use from the diapers to a gauze. I know BlueCross is like, “getcho hand outta my pocket!!” Aw, poor them. *eyeroll*
@ pgh muse
“On some days I wish Barack Obama was a little more radical and guerilla with his.”
my sentiments exactly.
why not be guerilla when you have ideas that will change things for the better…sometimes being diplomatic just ain’t all what it’s cracked up to be.
Good post,
While I think it’s great that people are more interested in the news and politics since Obama’s election, that interest doesn’t seem to have transferred to members of Congress. All of the House and 1/3 of the Senate is up for election in 2010 and if more progressive members of Congress are elected, President Obama will be better positioned to get things passed.
The President can’t steamroll broad changes in domestic policy through Congress. He has to have their support to get ish done. And healthcare is a prime example.
I just wish that in addition to following the President’s every move on cnn and cspan, keep tags on what your owm congressional and state legislators are doing, because they will have a huge effect on the success of Obama’s presidency
@arieswym, FAIL
He sure can steamroll ish because that’s what the majority VOTED for. think on that. 65% of the country is on board, Obama has all the power at the tip of his fingers and this ninja walks in with compromises from the jump???!? Unacceptable.
@JamDa,
I would like him to steamroll ish but what President steamrolled any domestic policy (non-national security) through Congress? Majority national public support doesn’t translate to the support from individual Senators and Congresspeople. Democratic Senators seem unable/unwilling to vote with what the majority of people want.
How exactly would he steamroll Congress?
blah blah black shit, have you any wool?
look, yall wanna blow the n-word for being the 1st black pres., have at it… but I’m not falling for it, just like people shouldn’t have fallen for the “compassionate conservative” rhetoric during the Bush administration. The GOP closed their eyes to Bush’s corruption for 8 years based on wanting to have a beer with the good old boy, so I’m not going to be a hypocrite and turn a blind eye to Obama’s shortcomings due to his blackness. He was sitting there watching and waiting all those 8 years while Bush was f’ing up and he thought he could bring us a CHANGE we could believe in, so I say bring it already!