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Thursday Open Thread

Busy day at work today. BTD - me too.

Closing arguments are today in the Dr. Conrad Murray manslaughter trial.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Mississippi is going to vote on a ammendment (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 12:18:21 PM EST
    that  
    proposes prohibiting state and local government from taking private property by eminent domain and then conveying it to other persons/businesses for a period of 10 years. However, the measure allows for an exemption for levee facilities, roads, bridges, ports, airports, common carriers, drainage facilities and utilities. According to reports, the proposed amendment would not apply to public nuisances, structures unfit for human habitation or abandoned property.

    It's sad that a state has to vote on a state amendment to preserve a right that you used to have under the U.S. Constitution.  

    The exemptions allowed (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Zorba on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 12:52:34 PM EST
    were what eminent domain was supposed to be about originally, and what it should still be about, not "taking" private property just because some development company wants to buy it.  However, I see an "out" for local governments here if this amendment does pass.  They'll wind up condemning the properties they want to "take" as "unfit for human habitation" or as a "public nuisance."  That could give them some wiggle room, unfortunately, especially in some older neighborhoods that might appear even a bit run-down.

    Parent
    I believe you are right (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:23:21 PM EST
    The same government that says an area is blighted now can say an area is "unfit for human habitation" or a "public nuisance" next.

    Mississippi has the right idea though.

    Parent

    Oh, absolutely (none / 0) (#15)
    by Zorba on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 02:28:19 PM EST
    It's certainly a good step in the right direction.  I hope it passes, and I would wish every state would pass something like this.

    Parent
    When the Market Schtick Fails (none / 0) (#12)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:51:28 PM EST
    Good for Mississippi.  It depends on where you live, in Texas home property rights are one of the strongest in the nation.  It's why Perry's big Corridor Highway failed, people aren't down with the government snatching land.

    To me, if you get well above market, and they always do, what's the problem.  So long as it's not going to line someone else's pockets.

    Remember that little old lady that held up the construction of Cowboy stadium for a couple years because she wouldn't give in.  That turned out to be a huge deal, Jones lost a fortune because of her and the timing of the economy, not to mention all the legal costs.  They even moved the SB to Miami the year it was suppose to be in Dallas.

    When I was in Seattle, I had to stop and look at this.  Yes, that is a mall built around a tiny house, can't find the story.  But when I saw it the little old lady had died and some christians must have bought it because it was covered with Jesus propaganda.  You know, stay strong type of stuff.  Ya, I know, organized religion using a symbol of lone strength, it made me laugh.

    Parent

    Since the author is busy today, I (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 02:56:38 PM EST
    link to most recent diary re SCOTUS "Kelo" decision:  BTD

    Parent
    Immediately thought of the shameful... (none / 0) (#17)
    by kdog on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:08:20 PM EST
    Kelo decision...good for Miss. trying to limit emminent domain.

    Whether the property owner is paid fair value isn't the point, there is more that ties people to their home than property value aka cashish...emminent domain should be used most sparingly for legitimate needed public works only, and even then with great pause and reflection.

    Parent

    taken.

    Parent
    Segue: the 1%. (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:35:26 PM EST
    I don't think Kelo in and of itself was what gave Trump a green light:

    From a pure condemnation law perspective, Kelo changes very little. [...] it is important to note that Kelo has not changed redevelopment law or condemnation law in any substantive way.


    Parent
    that what they had already been planning to do anyway was constitutional.

    OK, if they were only were considering ED in this case because Kelo was on SCOTUS's docket, then yeah, Kelo was the key.

    But if they were planning on doing it anyway, and Kelo just happened to coincide, then...

    Again, it may be a distinction without a difference, but I think that, post Kelo, many controversial ED takings have been blamed on Kelo, even though had there been no Kelo many (most?) of those ED takings would have happened anyway.

    ftr, I don't support the Kelo decision.

    Parent

    Theme song (5.00 / 0) (#2)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 12:52:33 PM EST
    for the pitiful one percenters, the poor saps.

    Reality bites.

    Running on Empty

    Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
    I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
    I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
    Looking into their eyes I see them running too

    Running on - running on empty
    Running on - running blind



    they've already lost and don't realize it (none / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 12:57:47 PM EST
    They have no cure for what we are to them. They will try everything, but they will fail.

    Nothing runs in this body humana without the millions of tiny individual-cells that comprise its function. You, me, that guy you never met over there, that woman holding a baby. If they cut off one head, surely two shall grow to takes its place. We are a Hydra of 7 BILLION to their few thousand.

    Revolution has gone Viral, my friends. There is no cure they can apply, be it violent or punitive. We hold all the Power.

    More...
    2012: There is Only One Cure



    Parent
    Agreed, but screw that Mayan nonsense (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Dadler on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:16:34 PM EST
    It's as useless as any religious fundamentalism.  Even as she uses, really, just its new World aspect.  Why not claim Jesus will come back to earth?  Freed from nitwitted literalists, he had a similarly revolutionary argument.  

    That said...Occupy!

    Parent

    Heh. (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Diane Gee on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:53:49 PM EST
    I don't believe a word of it, have you no sense of ironic humor?

    I thought I used it deliciously.

    Parent

    Mayan nonsense (none / 0) (#11)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:41:43 PM EST

    How right you are.  I'd bet a bundle that some Mayan king long ago told the calendar shop to close and find productive work once that had the next thousand years or so finished.  

    Parent

    I think I know how this ends (none / 0) (#5)
    by Rojas on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:12:05 PM EST
    I'm gonna be a happy idiot
    And struggle for the legal tender
    Where the ads take aim and lay their claim
    To the heart and the soul of the spender
    And believe in whatever may lie
    In those things that money can buy
    where true love could have been a contender
    Are you there?
    Say a prayer for the Pretender.
    Who started out so young and strong
    Only to surrender.


    Parent
    You have experience, I see... (none / 0) (#9)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:23:56 PM EST
    Sure do (none / 0) (#10)
    by Rojas on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:41:18 PM EST
    Watched the civil rights generation devolve into the I got mine generation that built this friggin machine.
    It's not like we didn't see this coming.

    Parent
    You finally realized (none / 0) (#13)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:51:50 PM EST
    what the Occupy Movement is out there fixing, I see... and you're fighting it. Interesting.

    Parent
    Finally realized? (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Rojas on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:11:48 PM EST
    Sure, I finally realized.... about two and a half decades ago.
    Fighting it.
    Does this sound like someone who's fighting it?
    Or this?

    Parent
    My apology (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:20:05 PM EST
    if I read you wrong....

    Parent
    No apology needed (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Rojas on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:36:39 PM EST
    Handy tip (none / 0) (#27)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:45:12 PM EST
    Never use this to escape from the police... ;-)

    How to Escape From Plastic Handcuffs

    Parent

    So this means (4.50 / 2) (#52)
    by Zorba on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 07:39:35 PM EST
    that we should always carry a hatpin?  (Let it be known that this is not a recommendation!)  LOL!

    Parent
    Yes, of course. (none / 0) (#54)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 07:42:42 PM EST
    But you should NEVER use it to escape from the police. Especially if you're arrested at an Occupy protest by police following illegal orders. It would make them look bad. ;-)

    Parent
    Seems it would require a lot of practice. (none / 0) (#58)
    by oculus on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 10:34:00 PM EST
    The Revolution will be Global (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Diane Gee on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:16:33 PM EST
    http://www.wildwildleft.com/diary/2368/2012-there-is-only-one-cure

    2012: There is Only One Cure

    My take on the global revolution.

    Leaderless. Peaceful. Powerful. Old. Young. Right wing. Left wing. Centrists. Black. Latino. White. Asian. Straight. Gay. Military. Anti-war. Blue collar. White collar.

    Most of all? Numerous. Really fucking numerous.

    And this, my dears, it the tip of the iceburg.



    The Key (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:09:38 PM EST
    There is irony, indeed in the fact that once white-bread middle class has begun to suffer the conditions people of color have endured for centuries, suddenly we give a damn.

    I took several 'Revolution in History' classes and one of the most common denominators is when the middle class starts feeling disenfranchised.

    Do I think there is going to be a revolution, no way, do I think the doors are opening for candidates aren't working for the uber-wealthy, sure, do I think Americans care enough to fight for it, not a chance.

    Say what you will, nothing will change until 'we the people' start behaving differently, stop buying the products that are propping up the entire wealth structure.  Like the matrix, we are batteries feeding the machine that controls our own demise.   And like the movie, that machine isn't going down without a fight, which right now we are no where near waging.

    Very few, given the choice are ready for the red pill, or is it the blue one, I forget which one is reality.  Reality means living within ones means, buying products made by Americans, even when the cost is approaching prohibitive, and most certainly the big one, shoveling our futures into Wall Street in the form of 401k's or some other like vehicle.

    Rich people are still making money off the protestors, they don't care, they are getting their money one way or another.  While we are occupying public spaces, they are figuring out the next big bubble they will prop up, bet against, then pop.  And us suckers can't wait to let them.

    Parent

    Thre's not going to be a revolution (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Towanda on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 07:41:25 PM EST
    because the core of the Occupiers are not anarchists.  They just want democracy to work.

    And they just want capitalism to work.  They ought to be hailed as heroes by the 1% for that -- but the 1% do not really want capitalism to work, not for the workers.

    Parent

    Attention, Pirate Crew, and our friends (5.00 / 0) (#41)
    by caseyOR on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 05:31:30 PM EST
    I want to make you aware of the international organization Pirates Without Borders.

    Some of the pages on their blog are written in, I think, German, but there is enough English to give a sense of what is going on. The Pirate codex appears in English. The codex outlines general positions of PWB. The Pirate Crew holds many of the same positions.

    I don't know that our pirate crew is ready now, or ever will be ready, to affiliate with this or any other organization (we do like our independence). Still, it is nice to know we are not alone.

    So, if the press complains they can't (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 10:37:13 PM EST
    figure out what your goals are, you just shoot them a link?

    Parent
    I don't think the press is even aware that (none / 0) (#63)
    by caseyOR on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 01:19:25 AM EST
    our pirate crew exists. So, it seems unlikely they will ever ask about our goals.

    Parent
    No prob. Press never asks (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Towanda on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 08:42:12 AM EST
    about goals.  The press just whines that there must not be any goals, because they weren't handed a nicely packaged press release doing the work for them.

    Parent
    Are these dots to be connected? (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by KeysDan on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 06:20:06 PM EST
    Dot #1. "Grover Norquist is just some random person--John Boehner"; Dot#2. If Grover Norquist "is so powerful, he should be president.--Alan Simpson";  Dot #2. Failure is Failure to the Country--Erskine Bowles to Super-Duper Committee; Dot#3. Failure of the Super-Duper Committee or failure of Congress to adopt its work would result in across the board cuts, including big cuts to the Pentagon, hollowing out our military and risking our security--Sec of Defense Panetta; Dot #4.  We must compromise, Co-chair Senator Murray, Super-Dupers; Dot#5 We must have a Grand Bargain--all the D..C. adults that are not affected.  

    My connect the dot picture: A Grand Bargain out of the Super Duper Committee, that includes in the range of 50 cents in "revenue enhancements" (not taxes, but feesJ)  as the Republican's nose thumbing at Grover Norquist and $3.2 Trillion in cuts, including huge cuts to Medicare (no age change, too eye-catching), Medicaid (it is a welfare program, after all)  and Social Security (cost of living reductions)  The Pentagon will be relatively unscathed.  Now your turn to  color it in.

    my crayon broke . . . (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by nycstray on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 06:55:54 PM EST
     

    Parent
    The Pentagon will be relatively unscathed.... (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 07:19:52 PM EST
    ...because it is the modern "jobs" program.

    At the heart of feudalism is a basic idea common to any society with a warrior caste. Such men need to be provided for. In a simple economy this means that the produce of an appropriate number of peasants or serfs must underwrite the expenses of the fighting man.
    -- Don't Look Out The Window
    .
    .

    We must keep the Pentagon budget equal to or above the amount all 50 state governments combined spend every years for the health, education, welfare, and safety of 310 million Americans, or there will be that much less to trickle down.

    People need jobs badly. Libya is an emerging market, and Obama is doing everything he can do to save as many jobs for Americans in Afghanistan as he can.

    By the end of 2012 after his drawdown he'll have only twice as many troops in Afghanistan as were there on the day he was inaugurated. It's not much, but it's progress, incrementally, gradually. It may even qualify him for a Nobel Peace Prize. And I can't even begin to guess how many civilian contractor jobs there will be there.

    -- Keep On Rockin' In The Free World: Give Obama and the Dems Some Credit For A Change
    .
    .

    MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Obama administration plans to bolster the American military presence in the Persian Gulf after it withdraws the remaining troops from Iraq this year, according to officials and diplomats. That repositioning could include new combat forces in Kuwait able to respond to a collapse of security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran.

    The plans, under discussion for months, gained new urgency after President Obama's announcement this month that the last American soldiers would be brought home from Iraq by the end of December. Ending the eight-year war was a central pledge of his presidential campaign, but American military officers and diplomats, as well as officials of several countries in the region, worry that the withdrawal could leave instability or worse in its wake.

    After unsuccessfully pressing both the Obama administration and the Iraqi government to permit as many as 20,000 American troops to remain in Iraq beyond 2011, the Pentagon is now drawing up an alternative.

    -- U.S. Planning Troop Buildup in Gulf After Exit From Iraq
    .
    .

    "I will promise you this: that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do.  I will get our troops home.  We will bring an end to this war.  You can take that to the bank."
    -- Barack Obama, October 27, 2007
    .
    .

    My bank wants to increase fees charged on bad checks.

    My crayon ran out. I didn't color outside the lines, did I?

    Parent

    Military spending is the only (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by KeysDan on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 08:00:52 PM EST
    governmental spending that creates jobs.  All other is waste, and/or ineffective.  And,  besides, we don't want to let on that governmental spending can be a job creator, from infrastructure spending to the monthly stimulus of the social security check.  Can't have higher taxes to support these frivolous expenditures

    Parent
    Carefull now... (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 08:03:56 PM EST
    You keep sayin' stuff like that, you'll end up becoming one of the 'serious people'.

    Then you'll have to lunch every day with David Brooks and ABG.

    Parent

    Thank you for the good advice. (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by KeysDan on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 08:48:26 AM EST
    However, I don't think I have to worry about a meal with David Brooks--he not doubt dines alone ever since he reported that he was seated next to a Republican senator at a dinner party "who had his hand on my inner thigh"  (July 10, 2009).  Or, maybe not.   As for our TL  commenter, that would be fun--"bellweathers who lunch."

    Parent
    The Goog Guys (none / 0) (#20)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:13:25 PM EST
    are trying. From Kos:

    "Senate Republicans, again, filibustered a component of President Obama's jobs bill, the Rebuild America Jobs Act. In any other world, it would have passed 51-47, but this is a Senate, so a majority vote means that the bill dies. Go USA!

    This bill had $10 billion to establish an infrastructure bank, a proposal that has received plenty of Republican support in the past, as well as $50 billion in immediate funding for roads, bridges and airports, something else Republican Senators have supported in the past. When they were just blowing hot air. When it wasn't the nation's infrastructure and economy at stake."

    Again, what are dems supposed to do?

    Throw their hands up in the air, I guess (5.00 / 3) (#22)
    by sj on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:17:42 PM EST
    like always.

    Parent
    The Democrats could get back at (5.00 / 4) (#28)
    by KeysDan on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:46:47 PM EST
    the Republicans by increasing the cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.  That would show them a thing or two.

    Parent
    Get People to Go on Blogs... (5.00 / 3) (#31)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 04:14:40 PM EST
    ... and pander for them.

    Funny how the other side never seems to have the same issues.  Even when they have the minority.

    Parent

    The other side (none / 0) (#42)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 05:52:26 PM EST
    are lunatics and completely irresponsible.

    I guess we could threaten to blow up the entire government and the economy if we don't get our way.

    Yes, technically that is an option but . . .

    Shorter: Be crazy too really isn't an option.

    Parent

    And look at our President go (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by NYShooter on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 04:21:26 PM EST
    Using the Bully pulpit like it's supposed to be used, night after night, pointing fingers, naming names, showing the American people who's on their side, and who's fighting against them.

    Now, that's what I call a fighter.


    Parent

    Hey Obama is busy (5.00 / 3) (#38)
    by MO Blue on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 05:07:12 PM EST
    He is off telling the Europeans how to fix their economy now that he has fixed it here at home. Oh, wait.

    Federal Reserve Revised Growth Estimates Show High Unemployment as Far as the Eye Can See  


    Parent
    Jimmy Fallon last night (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by jbindc on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 07:55:36 AM EST
    (paraphrasing here, since I don't remember the actual words...)

    "Europe taking economic advice from Obama is like J. Lo taking marriage advice from Kim Kardashian."

    Parent

    Very funny (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by MO Blue on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 08:08:12 AM EST
    Unfortunately, very true also.

    Parent
    Perhaps the Europeans will (none / 0) (#40)
    by oculus on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 05:15:51 PM EST
    be more appreciative than when Geithner tried to dole out advice, i.e., orders.

    Parent
    Uhhmmmmm (none / 0) (#43)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 05:53:40 PM EST
    He kind of spent the last two months doing that in almost every single speech, address and op ed.

    I can understand how you have missed that if you haven't paid attention to anything he's said for the last few months, but . . . .

    Parent

    "Jobs" Legislation passed and (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by MO Blue on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 06:16:53 PM EST
    signed by Obama:

    Trade deals with S.Korea, Panama and Columbia.

    Korea

    Loss of 100,000 - 200,000 U.S. jobs. Jobs off shored to sweat shops in North Korea.

    Panama

    "A tax haven . . . has one of three characteristics: It has no income tax or a very low-rate income tax; it has bank secrecy laws; and it has a history of noncooperation with other countries on exchanging information about tax matters," said Rebecca Wilkins, senior counsel with Citizens for Tax Justice, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to improving U.S. tax policy. "Panama has all three of those. ... They're probably the worst."

    The trade agreement with Panama would effectively bar the U.S. from cracking down on this activity. The U.S. would not be allowed to treat Panamanian financial services transactions differently from transactions in nations that are not tax havens. It would also be unable to pursue some standard anti-money laundering techniques in Panama. Combating tax haven abuse in Panama would be a violation of the trade agreement, exposing the U.S. to fines from international authorities.

    Columbia

    Union leaders and an unusual bipartisan coalition in the House remain opposed to the pacts, with resistance centered on the continued, rampant violence against union workers in Colombia.

    As HuffPost's Dave Jamieson reported in July, union members in Colombia are routinely murdered with impunity. Over the past 25 years, nearly 3,000 workers have been killed in the country, with convictions resulting in just six percent of all cases.

    Bipartisan support of Obama's plan to help contractors avoid paying taxes has passed the House and will be offset by reducing Medicaid roles.

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a rare show of unity in a bitterly partisan year, the House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to repeal a law requiring federal, state and local governments to withhold 3 percent of what contractors are owed until they pay their taxes.

    Federal investigators have found tens of thousands of contractors who owe billions of dollars to the U.S. government. The 5-year-old statute was designed to force scofflaws who perform government work to pay up.
    ...
    The government would lose an estimated $11 billion by repealing the law. But accompanying language approved by the House would make up for that loss by making it harder for hundreds of thousands of lower- and middle-income people to qualify for Medicaid under Obama's health care overhaul law.

    Obama is on a roll. Of course, contrary to his words, all of the legislation that he is pushing through benefits the 1% at the expense of the 99%.
     

    Parent

    It amazes me that people who seem to be (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by Anne on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 06:39:10 PM EST
    reasonably intelligent seem unconcerned that Obama's actions don't seem to match what he has been saying in these very public events.  It's like the husband who cheats thinking that as long as he says he's being faithful, he can keep cheating, because he knows his wife is so deeply in denial, she will believe whatever he says.

    Talk has never been cheaper, I don't think.

    Parent

    We are quite certain of (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by MO Blue on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 06:48:07 AM EST
    what we DON"T want also. The Dem alternatives equals a Grand Bargain which includes cuts to all domestic and safety net programs, tax cuts for corporations and the top brackets under the guise of tax reform, off shoring of jobs through trade deals (accomplished), increase in H1-b visas to fill few remaining good jobs and reforming medical care to insure that the only cost control is to make actual health care so expensive that most people will be unable to afford the expense. Then to top it off the Dems are offering further erosion of civil liberties, elimination of Constitutional rights and never ending war or should I say numerous ongoing trillion dollar kinetic military actions that do not require Congressional action.

    So bottom line while the Dem alternative might be a smiggion less draconian, it is very harmful to ordinary people. If the Dem alternative makes it impossible for me and numerous others to survive, the fact that the Republicans would be worse is not real relevant.  

    Parent

    At this point, Donald, it's a choice (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Anne on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 10:27:39 AM EST
    between a sharp stick in the eye and a 2 x 4 to the back of the head, which is to say, really no choice at all.

    The one thing you can say about the Republicans is they just put it all out there - what they believe in, what they want to do - and then they go about trying to get it done.

    With Obama and the pack of mealy-mouthed Dems who currently populate the Congress, we get a whole lot of talk about what they believe and what they want - which is then proved to be lip service, as they then go about doing pretty much just the opposite, and to a degree that is just slightly not as bad as what the GOP has been saying all along.

    It's a charade, Donald; kabuki at its most absurd.  And the true believers, like ABG, have to cling to the rhetoric because to examine the actions would mean having to stop denying what's going on.   There's nothing wrong, of course, with believing in what used to be real Democratic principles - we all still believe in those things, I think - but the only person who seems to be well-served by insisting that those are Obama's principles, is Obama.  I mean, can it be claimed with anything resembling a straight face that we're not going to hell in a handbasket - regardless of who's in charge?  And are we really going to console ourselves with the idea that the Democrats' handbasket is the one with the comfortable seats, and a better view out the window, even as we head to the cliff?

    Many of us are just plain throwing up as we contemplate the screwing we've gotten and the screwing we're going to get.

    People have to do what they feel is best, but for me, anyway, the chorus of "the other guys are worse" is sounding less and less like a boast and more like a lament, since it is beginning to be the only good thing that can be said about Obama and many of the current crop of Democrats.

    Seems like the embodiment of "damning with faint praise" to me.

    Parent

    Again (none / 0) (#71)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 10:41:16 AM EST
    What actions should he be taking that he is not.

    Parent
    Obama's (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 11:24:59 AM EST
    goose is cooked. When he had the chance to do something about the economy he punted. There really is nothing he can do now.

    Parent
    ABG, when the president is pushing for (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by Anne on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 11:32:12 AM EST
    and getting trade deals that will take jobs out of this country, he is acting in a way that is counter to what he says in speeches and campaign appearances.  When he pushes and gets the elimination of taxes on contractors working on government projects and pays for it by changing the calculation of income that determines Medicaid eligibility, he is acting counter to what he is saying.  When the president is pushing like crazy for the state attorneys general to sign on to a settlement with the major banks that will immunize the banks against criminal behavior in exchange for an insulting settlement, that is action that is counter to the message he is delivering in public.

    By the way, that's just recently - this kind of thing has been going on for the entirety of his time in the WH.

    And, you can add to that, extolling the virtues of democracy, of transparency and accountability, while pursuing and implementing policies that are 180 degrees in the other direction.

    So, as I see it, he has a choice: make his actions match his rhetoric - even if it seems whatever it is will be "politically impossible" to achieve, and stop doing the back-room deals with special interests and his good Republican friends - or make his rhetoric match his actions - I think they call that being honest - even though it will make crystal clear that Obama-the-Democrat is really Obama-the-Republican, and even more apparent that he is not a friend to the 99%.


    Parent

    The question is not what action he (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by MO Blue on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 12:42:31 PM EST
    should be taking that he is not but what actions he is taking that he should not take. IOW what actions has he pursued and continues to pursue which are completely contrary to his rhetoric or entirely harmful to the majority of Americans.

    o Passed tax breaks that were more generous to the mega rich than the Bush tax breaks and raised taxes on people making $20,000 while talking about making the rich pay their fair share.

    o Pursuing allowing contractors to skip out of paying taxes under the guise of job creation.

    o Pursuing eliminating domestic and safety net programs to fund additional tax cuts for corporations and the mega rich.

    o Pushing through trade deals that off shore jobs while talking about job creation.

    o Pursuing policies that limit civil liberties and restricts Constitutional safeguards.

    o Pursuing additional military actions and ignoring the need to get Congressional approval.

    o Pursuing giving bankers "get out of jail free" cards for mortgage fraud.

    Just a few of the many ways that Obama has abandoned regular folks so that his savvy friends can continue to rape and pillage at will.

    Parent

    Well, since you're asking this (none / 0) (#75)
    by sj on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 12:13:17 PM EST
    for the very first time and since I know the question is sincere and since I know you will listen with an open mind and since I know that you will follow up with research...
    What actions should he be taking that he is not.

    Never mind.  I'm laughing so hard I could cry.  Misdirection, wasting time and thread jacking appears to be a game you really enjoy.

    Parent
    They BOTH make (none / 0) (#74)
    by sj on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 11:46:26 AM EST
    "throw up a little bit my mouth."  And I, too, am quite certain about what I DON'T want.  I don't want either one of them.  That's not an option so I am an observer in that race.  

    I know it's hard to accept, but the truth is we have no real alternatives.  Do we get squeezed slowly or quickly?  Is it done by slashing safety net or cutting services?  Or both?

    I am an active observer and so far the most accurate observation I've seen made is:  we are so screwed.

    Parent

    He is (none / 0) (#44)
    by Edger on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 05:59:56 PM EST
    good at talk.

    Parent
    talk talk talk talk (none / 0) (#45)
    by sj on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 06:07:45 PM EST
    He's Obama the Weak and, while terribly predictable, is not terribly interesting.  That could change if he would walk the talk.  

    But that won't happen, so I'll focus on Occupy which is a marvel to me.

    Parent

    Two months was good (none / 0) (#68)
    by Towanda on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 08:44:05 AM EST
    of Obama to do, pushing for hope and change.

    But he promised to so for the last three years.

    And now he's done?

    Parent

    Would help to publicize the vote more (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 01:21:36 PM EST
    And name names loud and clear of the Dems that refuse to help break the filibuster.

    Public shame should not have to be the last resort, but here we are.

    Parent

    "Good" (none / 0) (#21)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 03:13:36 PM EST
    thanks for the clarification. (none / 0) (#30)
    by DFLer on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 04:12:17 PM EST
    At first I thought you meant the Google Guys, ah course. ;0)

    Parent
    They must have forgotten about this: (none / 0) (#32)
    by oculus on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 04:15:40 PM EST
    These are the same wingnut fools (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by Towanda on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 07:44:59 PM EST
    who went ballistic about the public -- the public! -- occupying the state Capitol in spring, because the public was waiting to testify in hearings.

    So the same wingnut fools first tried to keep out the public entirely, and then only allowed the public by forcing them (elderly, schoolkids, etc.) through metal detectors at all entrances.

    Metal detectors to screen for guns.

    But that's the public that can't have guns.  The legislators can, like they're sane.  They're not!

    I keep picturing the modernday equivalent of the caning of Sumner on the floor of Congress. . . .

    Parent

    Maybe they should fund bullet proof glass for the overhead galleries too.

    This is beyond stupid (none / 0) (#37)
    by sj on Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 04:31:33 PM EST
    It makes you wonder if they've forgotten Huey Long.  Then again, maybe they're remembering him.