Barack Obama appreciation thread

[WeDidIt]

$20 billion dollars in escrow and to quote our president, "this is not a cap, it's a beginning."

No more dividend payments this year.

All after one 18 minute speech that is universally panned by the pundits and a meeting with BP executives today.

I think this tells you, Barack Obama is the real deal and the pundits don't know their asses from a hole in the ground.

[rocktivity]

1. DING DING DING! WeDidIt, you're our grand prize winner!

I think that's exactly why he didn't come on so strong last night--he had an ace in the hole!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Phx_Dem]

25. Yep.

:fistbump:

[goclark]

54. " Floats Like A Butterfly, Stings Like A Bee"

Obama Stings With A Velvet Glove.

Unlike Ali, he doesn't do a whole lot of bragging an talking but he can throw the knock out punvh when he needs to...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

[DeadEyeDyck]

71. ruthless dude

[tiptoe]

87. Hopefully we'll learn what cards the President played in the "negotiation" nt

[tiptoe]

141. "So Holder sitting across the table from the BP execs made them cough up the 20 B?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x345880

[Number23]

89. And yet, as of this post this OP has gotten 54 unrecs

And I'm seeing a dozen posts from the deranged screaming that "20 billion dollars is NOTHING!"

Insanity.

[Fruittree]

91. I think there are people who think

the only way to think critically is to be negative..

[rocktivity]

117. The $20 million is just the down payment

He made that clear!!!

:eyes:
rocktivity

[Number23]

137. Yes he did. And that's 20 BILLION (with a "b")!!!

:hi:

[RayStar]

97. Yes and ACE

I agree he shocked the media and so many others with his handling of the BP officials. This President is a thinker. So many seem to keep forgetting that FACT!

[Nedsdag]

142. +1000

[zipplewrath]

2. Cool

$20 billion. Excellent start.

"Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer currently overseeing executive pay issues for the White House, will be in charge of the compensation fund."

Um.... You mean the millions in bonuses that they received from TARP bailouts?


Oh crap.

[WeDidIt]

4. Kenneth Feinberg handled the payments to the 9/11 victims

and other than a few cases of fraud that were detected, that went extremely well.

[Cha]

5. I figured he had a good rep or

why appoint him.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

17. Feinberg's reputation is peerless.

Find someone else to bash, because Feinberg's universally accepted as very, very good at what he does.

[zipplewrath]

19. It was meant partially in jest

I suspect he came on long after he actually had any authority to affect the bonuses. I just found it funny that it listed that as a positive accomplishment. It's been one of the thing this administration has taken some heat on. Of all the things on the resume, and they pick THAT one. It'd be like mentioning you were the head of FEM after Brownie.

[JTFrog]

51. Yea, we've seen your comedy show all week....

If that's what you want to call it.

:eyes:

[zipplewrath]

58. Rare exception

Rarely do I indulge my twisted sense of humor

[HughMoran]

69. Even Skinner got a taste of it

:rofl:

[Cha]

28. A little about Kenneth Feinberg..

Who is Kenneth Feinberg?

"It's been a busy few days for Kenneth R. Feinberg: The Washington National Opera reappointed him last week as president of its board of trustees, granting him a third two-year term. And now President Obama wants him to oversee an escrow account funded by BP that will compensate the victims of the April 20 Gulf Coast oil spill.

Kenneth R. Feinberg (AP)Challenging? Yes, but whether it's putting a value on the footage of John F. Kennedy's assassination, the use of "Agent Orange" during the Vietnam War, the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the Virginia Tech shootings or the global economic crisis, Feinberg is the go-to guy on some of the most emotional and legally challenging questions of the last decade.

The son of a tire salesman and bookkeeper from Brockton, Mass., Feinberg graduated from the University of Massachusetts and New York University Law School. He acted in college, briefly considered a theatrical career and teaches an opera course at the Levine School.

Feinberg once clerked for New York State Court of Appeals Chief Justice Stanley H. Fuld, served as chief of staff to the late Edward M. Kennedy and in 1984 helped settle a dispute between Vietnam War veterans and chemical companies that produced the herbicide known as "Agent Orange."

<more>
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/06/who_is_kenneth_feinberg.html

[dionysus]

39. attempt to place turd in punch bowl, pathetic FAIL.

[Cha]

3. We got results the next day..they were a little

too hypercritical, imv.

"BP Suspends Dividends After DH OIL Spill"

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bp-suspends-dividend-after-deepwater-horizon-spill-2010-06-16

"GULF COAST, U.S. (TheStreet) -- BP(BP) Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg announced shortly after his meeting with President Obama that BP will pay no more dividends this year. The recently announced BP dividend payment due next week on June 21 will also be canceled."

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10770971/1/bp-oil-spill-update-bp-says-no-further-2010-dividends.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

[vaberella]

18. That's money to their shareholders right? n/t

[Cha]

22. Yeah... I saw lots of complaints

on DU about BP going to pay their dividends in the midst of all this..but, now they're NOT.

[Jensen]

6. Our President "Kicked some ASS today" specially these stupid media pundits!!

I'm happy he gave a very small statement and STRUTTED out of the room...No questions!!:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :rofl:

[WeDidIt]

7. I think he found out whose asses needed kicking

[Phx_Dem]

26. Indeed.

:applause:

[RichGirl]

30. Perfect.!

I think I'll tweet Keiths ass kicking!

[Mimosa]

43. ^ ITA ^

I'm glad I don't listen to Olbermann. Or Matthews.

[punkin87]

77. I hate truth too! Lets get 'em!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

90. Zing!

[impik]

41. Yep, he just left them there holding their d....... Idiots.

[mzmolly]

8. Especially considering the previous administration limited BP's liability to 75 million.

:kick:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

123. good observation! n/t

:kick: and R

[Kind of Blue]

9. You are corrrect, Sah!

KnR

[fl_dem]

10. K & R

I don't always agree with him but I stand behind him!

:kick:

[NJmaverick]

11. It's known as putting your money where one's mouth is

talk is nice but $20 billion is a whole lot nicer

[vaberella]

20. Ain't it just. Plus an added 100 million. And the 20 billion is not a roof or ceiling amount.

Obama did good. No one knows what is going on behind the scenes, they just think they do.

[seaker]

12. Agree and thank you

[FrenchieCat]

13. I appreciate this President and the progress we are making

even if after 30 years, it is too slow for many.


I wanted folks to join me on the next fight....
and I hope many do, instead of bickering us right out of an opportunity!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x341105

[vaberella]

14. Now this thread is worth the time in the right section.

But will never get the same level of positive posts as the other thread.

[bluestateguy]

15. Thanking God that this man is the president

Any American who disagrees gives aid and comfort to the enemy, to BP and Al Qaeda.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

110. Deleted message

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[otohara]

16. Boot On Neck

you know Bush would never have demanded one red cent from a corp.

[Uzybone]

21. Thank you Mr. President

I don't feel sorry for you because you choose the worlds hardest job. After 30+ years of conservative rule, and 8 hard years of tyranny (IMO), you have the job of beginning to right the ship. Best of luck to you. You have done many things I disagree with, but the positives by far outweigh the negatives. Keep fighting.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/black-man-given-nations-worst-job,6439/

[zanana1]

115. Well said, Uzybone. nt

[slay]

23. Sure, I appreciate all the campaign promises he's betrayed, and his cover-up of Bush's crimes

:sarcasm: He's a total disappointment IMO. No sarcasm for that - just the title.

[Itchinjim]

34. Why is it that most the people I put on Ignore have the peace symbol as an avitar?

They don't seem very peaceful to me. Anyway, bye bye!

[impik]

45. Joining you in welcoming a new member to my ever growing ignore list

[zanana1]

116. Same here.

Pretty soon, there won't be anyone left to read your trash.

[slay]

145. Good every idiot that ignores me is one less idiot taking up space

replying to me. very open-minded of yall but whatever - plenty of idiots right here your I LOVE OBAMA party.. :crazy:

[kestrel91316]

65. Go join the Repukes. WE choose to watch our president's back, and

firmly but gently remind him every day that we expect him to watch ours.

[slay]

144. oh please you live in a fairy tale

where obama actually gives a shit about you - go ahead and ignore the fact that he's not the guy we all voted for if you want - bury your head in the sand like the others - whatever the guy is far from what we need right now.. bet he wishes he was playing golf with the head of BP like normal instead of having to give lame speeches about the horrible oil disaster - um.. i mean "oil spill" wink wink, nod nod

[JuniperLea]

24. Asses kicked; escrow open...

"Not a cap" was missed by a lot of DUers... and still some are feeling very sorry for the investors.

I think I'm going to go look at the purple sky and dip my raisins in horseradish sauce... I'm feeling left out in bizarro world.

[vaberella]

27. ...

:rofl:

[Bobbie Jo]

29. Recommended.

:kick:

[kjackson227]

31. Thank you, Mr. President for your vision, level-headedness...

intelligence, and compassion for our country and it's citizens.

[PBS Poll-435]

32. I Rec'd but it didn't do anything...

I wonder why.

:eyes:

[Itchinjim]

33. KNR

[glinda]

35. I apprecieat him. Given all that he is up against.

[tandot]

36. K & R

[AtomicKitten]

37. Hooray!

:patriot:

[Hekate]

38. Works for me

:thumbsup:

As for kicking ass: :kick:

[azmouse]

40. GObama!

[rury]

42. K&R

OBAMA 2012!!!

[impik]

44. Great, great president, totally too good for so many of the people in the country

[lunatica]

46. This is good news

Thank you Mr. President.

[madamesilverspurs]

47. "this is not a cap, it's a beginning."

Foot-stomping hell yes! Love it!!!


-

[golfguru]

48. After BP pays all the damage bills they will be lucky to have

enough left to survive as a corporation much less pay dividends.

[jefferson_dem]

49. K/R.

For a POTUS who produces progressive results. :kick:

[KansasVoter]

50. Great job on the 20 billion dollar fund!!!

[vaberella]

53. with no cap! plus another 100 million too. n/t

[Taverner]

52. !

!

[Sky Masterson]

55. He is no god!

Thank god! (I think god is a dick!)
He is a good man who means well.

[vaberella]

56. Nice post.

:hi:

[AzNick]

57. The M$M want to make it his Katrina and the Dems are helping them

I am tired of these people on the left who always criticize him first and foremost. Including Thom Hartmann, who is a smart educated well-spoken man but never ceases to rile up his listeners by calling Obama a corporatist, which he is not.

[Cha]

59. Excellent job Mr President on

securing $20 Billion with no cap from BP and no dividends being paid out to stockholders for the rest of 2010.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_06/024290.php#1786379

[Clio the Leo]

60. Who?

What in the heck kinda name is that?

[Lindsey]

62. Excellent job Mr. President! If it'd been Bush/Cheney we'd be

paying them and apologizing that we've caused them so much distress (kind of like when the guy who Cheney shot apologized for being shot).

[tekisui]

61. This was a very good step.

[blue sky at night]

63. thanks....

and good night. that is all.

[kestrel91316]

64. K&R

[Tarheel_Dem]

66. K&R. (nt)

[volvoblue]

67. I love when Obama takes the air out of the pundits and neo-progressives.

both spend their time thinking of ways to bitch and pout and then they get all self righteous only to have it deflated when Obama again proves them wrong

[O is 44]

68. This was huge, way to show um Mr. President!!!!!

[HughMoran]

70. He does this all the time

Set expectations realistically (modestly) and quickly beating his goal. Maybe that's why I like him, I set my professional goals in much the same way. Aim high, promise middler.

[vaberella]

107. I couldn't agree more.

Added to that most people are quick to underestimate him and then he goes and makes history.

[Dr Morbius]

72. It's certainly going to be a better situation this way for the common folk affected.

But let us not rejoice overmuch; this is a good move for now but more moves need to be made. This is $5 billion a year, and something tells me it's a drop in the bucket. It's a necessary drop, and a good thing. An incremental move by the Great Incrementalist; I am sure the President realizes this is not going to cover the whole thing but the wheel is moving now. He's a big believer in inertia.

Thank you - again! - Mr. President. Please stay with it.

[metapunditedgy]

73. I was especially glad to hear that it's not a cap.

Too much of that crap under Bush.

Now if he could just figure out whose ass to kick... *human beings* are responsible for this mess.

[Number23]

74. I am absolutely thrilled to kick and rec. The man makes every single one of his critics

look like fools time and time again.

[jonnyblitz]

92. oh please.

:rofl: everybody knows who the fucking fools are.

[Number23]

136. Yes we do, honey. So nice of you to show up and make yourself even more recognizable

You're an inspiration to your fellow fools. :thumbsup:

[Name removed]

75. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[O is 44]

80. There is NO CAP to the 20 billion, try knowing the facts first n/t

[pezDispenser]

133. This +10000

At what fucking point is Obama going to show up for work?

[PJPhreak]

78. What would have happend if...

This Frankenstein Duo was our "Fearless leaders"



I shudder to think...

Mr.Obama,Thank you.

[Grinchie]

94. I see, the Republicans would just say tough shit to the gulf dwellers right?

I find that hard to believe, unless like all of the starry eye supplicants, the Gulf Coast is totally populated by Democrats that deserved it according to the Repulicans..

Of course, your assertion boils down to Obama is Not McPalin, which is a pretty weak statement considering the DLC Brand Obama has on his Ass Cheek.

But hey, alls fair in Rovian politics hey? You sure do convince me that the Democrats are no better or more compassionate than any other blood sucking Politician.

[O is 44]

79. Not a cheerleader, but you should know the facts

before you criticize, if you had bothered to listen to the WH press briefing today you would know that 20 billion is just a start, there is no limit to amount of money that can be added to this fund, it is a start. NO CAP.

[Grinchie]

95. Whoopee.. we're saved..

Know the facts... Of course, nothing will ever cover the costs, but you already know that.

Nice to try and make it seem that money the Government does not have will make everything right as rain in the end.

What a childlike worldview you have.

[vaberella]

106. You're right, nothing will cover the costs.

But for the working families who need it...the money is a welcome savior just so you know. You scoff and and mock, you're basically doing that to the wetlands and to the people who live in the area. They are also calling for some kind of monetary help here. It would be god damned worse if we got nothing at all. Obama cannot turn back the past---however he's trying to make sure things are a bit manageable for all those affected. But it seems you can't see that.

[Grinchie]

148. Yeah, like like I can't see him Giving Space Flight to the Big Corporations

Nothing like spending Billions of tax dollars on Manned Space flight, then giving it all to the MegaCorporations that are too big to fail.

Scoff and mock huh. Quite the melodramatic flair you have.. Perhaps they'll be able to move out of the Plantation Style home that's been in the family for 3 generations and rent a nice 3 bedroom apartment in Shreveport.

Man are you guys funny. The fact is that the 20B escrow fund is just Political Showboating from the DLC Corporate Ass Kissers that are hoping that it will distract attention from how little the Government actually cares about the "Little People".

When you can create 700 Billion dollars out of thin air, then charge interest on this stuff that is backed by nothing but the resources of our country for centuris to come, one gets the idea that 20B isn't the panacea you'd like to believe it is. 3 Months worth of Iraqistan cost or less...

It's people like you that try to convince these poor people that money will solve the problem.. You are pathetic.. Just take a look at the Exxon Valdez, and what the Supreme Court did to the settlement 10 years later, and maybe you'll take the Political Rose Colored Glasses off and wake up.

[AtomicKitten]

82. Here let me Google that for you:

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/06/16/4517918-obama-says-bps-20b-escrow-is-not-a-cap">Obama says BP's $20b escrow is not a cap

You're welcome.

[Grinchie]

96. It better not be.. Geithner has Trillions more to create out of thin air...

Just don't count an your savings being worth anything in 10 years.

[lillypaddle]

103. This is NOT money for the cleanup!

This is for CLAIMS. Get your facts straight at least, before you go negative.

[vaberella]

105. You have some nerve to belittle 20 Billion. Congress didn't even want us asking for 75 Million.

So for Obama to get 20 Billion +----BECAUSE THERE IS NO CAP and 100 million on top of that for the non-working rig workers is something to talk about.

You're taking the good this will do for hundreds of families and definitely towards wetlands restoration and spitting on it.

[jeanne43]

81. Thank you President Obama

So glad that you are our president.
"Fired up, Ready to go."

[O is 44]

85. Welcome to DU!!!

[JDPriestly]

83. Very good. It's a good start. It's not that cap. That means

that BP has an incentive to try to reduce the amount of damages. That is the best part.

[akbacchus_BC]

86. Happy to recommend, President Obama rocks, he might have

missed on a few but when it comes down to brass tacks, he rocks.

You Mr. President, have no idea how much people all over the world love you! You have made us proud and equally, we are so fricking proud of you.

Do them speeches, we listen too and make BP pay for contaminating the waters around the Gulf and don't let anybody, especially the faux noise, stop you from doing what you were elected for.

Am a happy cheerleader for President Barack Obama.

Nuff said!

[mfcorey1]

88. I have never abandoned him, especially thru these trying times. Godspeed President Obama.

[DesertFlower]

93. K&R. nt

[trayfoot]

98. Kudos to our wonderful Prez!!!!!!!!

[RedstDem]

99. Better than McCain And Palin

No doubt there.

[impik]

147. What a bullshit way to insult while pretending to complement

[h9socialist]

100. President Obama is a good man.

I may have a difference with him, here and there -- but I sure do appreciate him being President, and want him to stay there another 6 1/2 years!

[YvonneCa]

143. Same here. n/t

[JNelson6563]

101. Pundits aren't the only ones who don't know their asses from

a hole in the ground....seems to me many a DUer proudly played pundit parrot.

Julie

[lillypaddle]

102. I had lost my faith in him

for a minute or two. But it's back - big time!

[Soylent Brice]

104. credit where credit is due.

nice job, Mr. President.

[chriscruzan]

108. If we can now round up the idiots giving bad advice,

We might be able to get a positive vibe going with the so called liberal media. Thank you and let the ACTION begin!

[deacon]

109. It's disgraceful what the media does to him. He's ALWAYS wrong. I can't stomach it anymore.

The media has no use in anything but destroying this president. They just want close elections and they say screw the people. They created a mob mentality.

The GOP has done nothing to help us get out of the crisis and actually wanted taxpayers to foot the bill for BP.

I repeat - it's disgraceful.

[RBInMaine]

112. You mean you didn't know we had shitty corporate faux media in America?

[RBInMaine]

111. The man is brilliant. His speech was just fine. And he's done LOTS to address this totally

unprecedented crisis. I agree he could have done more to rally the country earlier, but you live and learn. He's doing his best now, and we need to focus on all that IS being done and none just the negatives.

[liberal N proud]

113. The pundits don't know their asses from a hole in the ground, but

They do have the airwaves 24/7 and unfortunately for the President they will attack him at every opportunity.

Obama is smarter than all the talking heads put together.

[Deep13]

114. Giving credit where it is due...

recovery act

S-Chip

Sotomayor

probably Kagan

HCR, such as it is.

The BP matter referenced by the OP.

high quality diplomacy


Still waiting on--

end to Iraq war.

end to Afghan war

action on the now critical problem of global warming

end to "renditions"

restoration of habeas corpus

close Gitmo

healthcare as a right

repeal Bush tax cuts

protection for American jobs

campaign finance reform

[vaberella]

121. Did you see what Petraeus said?! The timeline is set for removal from Iraq.

There is no back tracking. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x343210

[Deep13]

128. So 2.5 years after inauguration.

Better late than never, I guess. Anyway, I'll believe it when it happens.

I forgot to mention ending DADT, passing the employee free choice act, reinstating the fairness doctrine and enacting ENDA.

[jwirr]

118. Even if I think he could do a better job on some things - I will always

remember that he is far better than any living republican could ever hope to be. Thank you Mr. President for just being.

[Name removed]

119. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Swede]

124. Well we're just not as smart as you are.

:shrug:

[caseymoz]

120. Compared to Dubya, Reagan, Bush I, and even Clinton, not bad.

But let's not lose sight that there were once higher standards. $20 billion is a start, and it sounds good on paper, but let's see what really happens.

If he wants to dazzle me, he could stop the two wars, close Guantanamo, close our overseas prisons, stop rendition, restore Habeus Corpus, rescind his current assassination orders, stop warrantless wiretapping, stop imposing secrecy to obstruct court cases, and stop imposing such broad secrecy, period.

No, after that, I still wouldn't be dazzled, but I'd be ready to be dazzled. It's what's known as restoring freedom and liberty.

So far, Obama has been more than a disappointment. Nothing but a corporatist Pentagon shill, and that's not surprising in hindsight when he's a graduate of Harvard Law School whose employer was the conservative Chicago Law School.

[slay]

146. Compared to good - not good

just sayin - he's not good - not even close.. he's better than terrible, i'll give ya that..

[grahamhgreen]

122. 20b is good, BUT he's STILL advocating for offshore drilling, nuclear power, and another disaster.

[redqueen]

125. $1.2 billion for cycling and walking initiatives.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4430805

:bounce:

[NYC_SKP]

126. I did not know that! Superb!!!

Thanks for the heads-up, redqueen!

:bounce:

[Historic NY]

127. "We will make BP pay"..I guess thats a promise.

[humbled_opinion]

129. What are you all celebrating?

20 billion to be passed on to BP consumers that is US.... You are a fool if you don't think that US taxpayers are going to be the ones that fund this clean up.....

I really wish that Obama had made it clear that taxpayers wouldn't be on the hook but he didn't we are all getting hoodwinked but hey don't let reality upset your dreams about Obama.

In my opinion because I know I would be asked.... "WELL WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO"

A leader would have focused on the spill itself... informed the people that this danger is just too much risk for our planet and our country. A leader would have used the situation as a catalyst to get America off of oil.

NO PRODUCTION OF GASOLINE VEHICLES IN THE US AFTER Janualry 2011.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

130. Ok, so you want Obama to declare that in 6 months there would be no more gas powered cars?

Ok...

[Historic NY]

131. good thing I'm building my own one now then.

[humbled_opinion]

139. No thats not what I wrote...

We will not longer manufacture them of course there needs to be time to transition to alternatives but this should be the catalyst....

[SoxFan]

138. -

[humbled_opinion]

140. Yeah OK...

JFK rallied the nation and in a few years we put a man on the moon, no one thought that possible at the time the science was in its infancy... What we needed was a rally to a cause... and Obama failed to deliver it....

My point which you just completely bypass and then insult me is that, we have to get our transportation off of oil...

Obama had another chance to lead on the issue and he didn't that = a poor leader in my book. Some folks want to celebrate that he got BP to put up 20 bil in my mind those people are screw balls and have lost the big picture....

[quiet.american]

132. Yes, he did! And it's very much appreciated! nt

[Greyhound]

134. K&R, he could have done much worse.

:shrug:
:kick: & R

[no limit]

135. Good news as long as BP follows through