William Pitt - A President In Reverse

[Doctor_J]

http://www.truth-out.org/president-reverse/1312300026

...
If I hear one more person try to tell me the deal cut between Congress and the White House was as good as we can expect, that it isn't all bad, I might vomit on them. This whole thing has been a disaster, and no amount of spin can alter the fact. Mr. Obama has taken to the habit of abject retreat with such gusto that he should be outfitted with one of those beeping devices they put on trucks to alert people when they go in reverse. At least that way, we will have some warning the next time this Democratic president backs away from the very policies and priorities he was elected to protect and defend.

We sure could have used such a signal during this debt-fight calamity.

I want a clean debt bill. Beep-beep-beep, never mind.

I want, no, I demand revenue enhancements - not from new taxes, but from closing loopholes - and I will reject any bill that does not include them. Beep-beep-beep, forget I said that.

We must protect Social Security and Medicare. Beep-beep-beep, but now I look good to Independent voters, or something, right? ...

Don't click if you still think that Candidate Obama = President Obama

[abq e streeter]

1. First rec. and one of those pieces I wish I could have recced a hundred times.

P.S. For those who compulsively attack every criticism of this president, I wish with all my heart, that I could disagree with Mr. Rivers' statement, but I can't; not and stay honest with myself.

[Doctor_J]

3. Actually your wasn't the first

but some knee-jerk unrec'ers are about. But this piece needs as many rec's as possible. I must admit that I didn't catch on to the Incredible Backpedaling President until the Bush Tax Cut fiasco. Once that played out I finally figured out that Obama is the Washington Generals and the Repukes are the Globetrotters

[abq e streeter]

5. Yeah, forgot about unrecs...I see it's up to 23 now though.

I really meant that about wishing I didn't agree with Pitt's article. I know some of the "Obama must not be criticized" crowd may find this hard to believe, but I for one take NO pleasure in my criticisms. Only pain and profound disappointment. And great fear for our futures (and hell, our present too) ...I'm going to guess that many if not most of his critics feel much the same way.

[FailureToCommunicate]

2. Kayanar

[ncpmd]

4. Why compromise doesn't work

“There’s nothing so unfair than the equal treatment of unequals.” Kenneth Blanchard, One Minute Manager

I would say this statement is true in terms of ideologies as the madness in Washington clears shows. You don't compromise with your enemy nor those whose values are 180% opposite of your own.

[Doctor_J]

6. The root of the problem lies, as I see it, in the fact that

The Repukes are determined to destroy the president, and he is determined to work with them. Anyone with any life experience at all could predict the outcome with this dynamic.

This has been such a disaster that I am almost tempted to believe those who feel the president is a mole, placed in his position by the PTB to woo us in close so that the Dem party and liberals in general could be destroyed. That's how effective his presidency has been in killing us.

[Owl]

7. K&R

[pscot]

8. K&R

[Prana69]

9. Great article.

I guess like many, I am struggling to come to terms with just how disappointing this presidency has been. I've run through all the possibilities, and don't like any of the explanations....

Just a poor negotiator?
Manchurian candidate / right-wing plant?
Blackmailed by the PTB?
Had a taste of power / money from the right and decided he liked it, now beholden to them?
Supreme spin doctor talking progressive just to get elected, then showing true colours when elected?

Combination of the above?

We'll never know for sure the reason, and it doesn't really matter. It's over. There's no return or recovery from this disaster.

Ask yourself, "who benefits?" and then you'll know who Obama is serving.

Totally dejected.

P69

[bvar22]

10. Photos just in:

President Obama with his Debt Deal from the Republicans


Oh, my bad.
That is Neville Chamberlain with his non-aggression deal from Hitler.
Oh Well.
Same difference.

[dflprincess]

12. I think we're reaching the point where even Chamberlain would be shocked

by Obama's love of appeasement.

[txlibdem]

11. K&R ... sometimes the truth hurts... but that doesn't stop it from being the truth

:patriot:

Thanks for posting this!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

13. Kicked Will's original post, too.

:kick:

[Doctor_J]

14. Yes - here it is

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1644019

[MisterP]

15. interestingly, Pitt--and everyone else beating the drums of loyalty--had enabled

this course of affairs
much like how Johann Hari, John Kerry, and other liberal hawks provided consensus and cover for Iraq, undermining criticism (by making it something supported by more than the hooting-racist-asshole, Bush-worshipper, neocon, and megachurch crowds)