President Barack Obama

[Paulination]

Well we are still hurting from Dumbyas (suppoded temproraryTax Cuts for the MEGA wealthy

Do you mean the ones that Obama extended along with loading up more then 2.5 trillion in debt in less than 2 years?
How democrats can give Obama a total free pass in any of this is beyond me. I've criticized the republicans many times but Obama can do no wrong, right? Like last night, continually blaming congress.

[lemmy17]

Do you mean the ones that Obama extended along with loading up more then 2.5 trillion in debt in less than 2 years?
How democrats can give Obama a total free pass in any of this is beyond me. I've criticized the republicans many times but Obama can do no wrong, right? Like last night, continually blaming congress.

Yeah, I cringe sometimes when I hear about the financial things Obama is doing. I can't defend the tax cuts or the fact that he just keeps on racking up the debt. I still am leaning toward him because I don't agree with the rest of the ideas I've heard from Republican candidates, and I agree with Obama much more on social policies than I do with the other candidates. I think in that test from the USA Today that I posted, Obama was my highest match, but he had 4 policy stances out of 11 that I agreed with. I honestly don't think that Washington can do a hell of a lot about reducing the debt without hurting Americans, but continuing the path we're on isn't exactly helping us either.

[Barbossa]

Idiot

[coconn04]

Got a link to the story? I would love to see that.

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-19/j...ns?_s=PM:CRIME

[lemmy17]

I like what he did. Maybe those who don't support Obama would say they just want to see
the White House (like me). It does have alot of history good and bad. I'm wondering how many
people have turned down an invite cause this is the first I've heard off.

I know Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir turned down an invitation to meet Bush back in 2006.

[homesgirl]

I think he was wrong. This wasn't about Tim Thomas, his politics or the President's politics. He was invited as part of a TEAM - a team that won the Stanley Cup and the team was there to accept the country's congratulations via the President. The Bruins were accepting congratulations on behalf the team, the organization, the NHL and of all of their fans. In this circumstance, I couldn't care less about Tim Thomas' politics. His job is to play hockey and lose to my Detroit Red Wings.

[duster]

I agree the American President should be respected for his office. I do not think this was disrespectful. It woould have been if the guy'd gone there with the intent to be rude or somehow try to embarrass the president. I am not suprised that the Canadians were excited; for them it's the leader of America, it's an honor. They don't have to live with his crackhead policies.

Actually it was not an honor for our guys. It was an honour

I think he was wrong. This wasn't about Tim Thomas, his politics or the President's politics. He was invited as part of a TEAM - a team that won the Stanley Cup and the team was there to accept the country's congratulations via the President. The Bruins were accepting congratulations on behalf the team, the organization, the NHL and of all of their fans. In this circumstance, I couldn't care less about Tim Thomas' politics. His job is to play hockey and lose to my Detroit Red Wings.

Or my Leafs...

I thought this was an intertesting observation, from Boston radio reporter Kirk Minihane:

"The ability to tell the President that you'd rather hang out in your room at the Marriott than shake his hand at the White House is, when you really think about it, a fairly stunning example of what makes America great. Think that would fly in Cuba? Or how about Cold War Russia? Uday Hussein would torture and even kill soccer players for collecting penalties in games. You might not always like how someone exercises their freedom of expression, it's not always comfortable, but there is no more essential act in enabling the health of a democracy."

[shipmatekate]

I think he was wrong. This wasn't about Tim Thomas, his politics or the President's politics. He was invited as part of a TEAM - a team that won the Stanley Cup and the team was there to accept the country's congratulations via the President. The Bruins were accepting congratulations on behalf the team, the organization, the NHL and of all of their fans. In this circumstance, I couldn't care less about Tim Thomas' politics. His job is to play hockey and lose to my Detroit Red Wings.

He's a dumb jock, who cares?

[shipmatekate]

Do you mean the ones that Obama extended along with loading up more then 2.5 trillion in debt in less than 2 years?
How democrats can give Obama a total free pass in any of this is beyond me. I've criticized the republicans many times but Obama can do no wrong, right? Like last night, continually blaming congress.

Extended because the republicons forced the issue??
Dirty bastards hate the regular person but worship the wealthy.

Congress is to blame, the far right has fucked up this country so badly that the only good republicon is a dead one these days

[Barbossa]

I agree. If he wants to miss out on a really cool ceremony at a really fancy crib and eat really good food, that's entirely his problem.

[Paulination]

Extended because the republicons forced the issue??
Dirty bastards hate the regular person but worship the wealthy.

Congress is to blame, the far right has fucked up this country so badly that the only good republicon is a dead one these days

So what does that say about Obama? The power of the presidency, the house and the senate for two years but caves to republicans whenthey have no power to stop anything? You can avoid this point as much as you want but it still will be what it is.

BTW, I'm not criticising him for this. I thought it was it was the right thing to do. I am challenging you to explain it because you villify Bush over it but give Obama a complete pass. Please explain the lack of consistency?

[Forever-27]

Why is there so much hate for people who are successful ? I've always believed if you go to school, work your ass off you too can be wealthy. Henry Ford was once a poor man who build his first car inside a barn, bill gates was once a poor colllege kid who had a dream and went for it, oprah was once poor and created an empire, all these people had dreams, they worked their asses off and because of tireless work became wealthy. Anyone with the drive in them can do it. Its hard but not impossible. Isn't that was america is about ?

[Paulination]

Why is there so much hate for people who are successful ?

Alot of people find it easier to blame them then to join them.

[Bidmor]

Why is there so much hate for people who are successful ?

Sounds like a key part in the move to a socialist/communist society to me. Let's take as much as we can from "the wealthy" and give it everybody else, then there will be more equality..."the wealthy" will have done their fair share. One hitch: who's gonna define "wealthy"? Ahh, there lies the rub.

[neilmpenny]

Sounds like a key part in the move to a socialist/communist society to me. Let's take as much as we can from "the wealthy" and give it everybody else, then there will be more equality..."the wealthy" will have done their fair share. One hitch: who's gonna define "wealthy"? Ahh, there lies the rub.

And, what is the incentive to innovate, work hard and build something if somebody is going to come along and take it away? This is what happened in Russia.

[Cynful]

IMO, it doesn't have anything to do with hatred of success in itself; it seems to be much more of the accopanying and incesssant "mine, mine, mine, all mine, don't want to give anything back because no one else should have anything except me, mine, mine, mine, don't care about anyone except myself and my own needs at all times, got to have even more for myself, no one or nothing is as important as me me me and my my my my wants and needs, so screw everyone and everything else because I need to have even more because I am number one greed, greed greed mentality".

[Paulination]

IMO, it doesn't have anything to do with hatred of success in itself; it seems to be much more of the accopanying and incesssant "mine, mine, mine, all mine, don't want to give anything back because no one else should have anything except me, mine, mine, mine, don't care about anyone except myself and my own needs at all times, got to have even more for myself, no one or nothing is as important as me me me and my my my my wants and needs, so screw everyone and everything else because I need to have even more because I am number one greed, greed greed mentality".

And yet the rich give an contribute more to charity than any other demographic (in 2008 41.83% of charitable donations cames from the top 1%). Hmmm

http://www.nationalreview.com/articl...-deroy-murdock

[lemmy17]

And yet the rich give an contribute more to charity than any other demographic (in 2008 41.83% of charitable donations cames from the top 1%). Hmmm

http://www.nationalreview.com/articl...-deroy-murdock

Just read the article. It's interesting, but unless I'm reading wrong, the article states it was from the top 10%, not 1%. There's also some creative math. The top 10% are Americans who earned over $113,799 in 2008, and they account for 45.8% of total income. The top 5% are Americans who make over $159,619. The article states that Americans who made over $200,000 in 2008 filed 9.79% of the IRS returns (and are the ones who contributed 42% to charity), but in the same article, the $200,000+ bracket is less than 5% of the AGI...what?

Also, if the top 1% are people who make more than $380,354 a year, that is a VERY expansive bracket.

[Cynful]

And yet the rich give an contribute more to charity than any other demographic (in 2008 41.83% of charitable donations cames from the top 1%). Hmmm

http://www.nationalreview.com/articl...-deroy-murdock

I wasn't saying that they didn't Paul- not at all. There is a LOT of philanthropic work, always has been, by people of wealth who have the resources to do so. There are so many good works going on all the time that we never know of or hear about. Maybe I've been over exposed to the Kardashian family. LOL!

[Forever-27]

Id like to see Tim Geitners tax records for the past 5 years, oh wait he didn't have any, he's the one percent I guess. Don't pay your fair share like he didn't and maybe you too can run the IRS

[lemmy17]

Id like to see Tim Geitners tax records for the past 5 years, oh wait he didn't have any, he's the one percent I guess. Don't pay your fair share like he didn't and maybe you too can run the IRS

WHAT?! This is brand new information that isn't at all four years old and done to death.

[Paulination]

Just read the article. It's interesting, but unless I'm reading wrong, the article states it was from the top 10%, not 1%. There's also some creative math. The top 10% are Americans who earned over $113,799 in 2008, and they account for 45.8% of total income. The top 5% are Americans who make over $159,619. The article states that Americans who made over $200,000 in 2008 filed 9.79% of the IRS returns (and are the ones who contributed 42% to charity), but in the same article, the $200,000+ bracket is less than 5% of the AGI...what?

Also, if the top 1% are people who make more than $380,354 a year, that is a VERY expansive bracket.

You obviously read the article more closely than I did which is embarassing. The premise of the article was about the top 1% so when I read the part that said "this group gave...." I assumed we were still talking about the top 1%. I think the point remains valid but I appreciate you pointing out my mistake.

[lemmy17]

You obviously read the article more closely than I did which is embarassing. The premise of the article was about the top 1% so when I read the part that said "this group gave...." I assumed we were still talking about the top 1%. I think the point remains valid but I appreciate you pointing out my mistake.

That's what's weird though. The article says top 10% but 200,000+ income earners that contributed the 42% are between the 1% and 5%, so you were closer than they were. Either I'm reading incorrectly, the studies cited use different math, or the author of the article has dyslexia or something.

ETA- Oh definitely, the point is valid. I just have this weird obsession with statistics matching up. I've written 10 page papers playing almost entirely with statistics.

[radiojane]

I agree the American President should be respected for his office. I do not think this was disrespectful. It woould have been if the guy'd gone there with the intent to be rude or somehow try to embarrass the president. I am not suprised that the Canadians were excited; for them it's the leader of America, it's an honor. They don't have to live with his crackhead policies.

You'd be surprised at how much US policy effects us. You shit, we have to deal with the smell.

Actually it was not an honor for our guys. It was an honour

LOL that's awesome.

I agree. If he wants to miss out on a really cool ceremony at a really fancy crib and eat really good food, that's entirely his problem.

True.

I do wonder though if he's actually educated enough to be making an actual stand or if this is just a "cool" way to rebel. I would have eaten the expensive meal and told Obama what I though to his face.

[Richard Cranium]

Not only did Obama extend the Bush tax cuts, his aides also have issues paying theirs.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics...in-back-taxes/

[neilmpenny]

I would have eaten the expensive meal and told Obama what I though to his face.

Yeah, but that takes balls.

[Paulination]

I would have eaten the expensive meal and told Obama what I though to his face.

[lemmy17]

Brewster is a passive agressive chickenshit. Sorry, but she is (imo, obviously). She'll say a meeting with Obama went just fine, but then write a book talking about how bad it was. When Obama expresses dismay over the misrepresentation of the meeting (according to him, but who knows), the above conversation and finger pointing happens. When asked about it, she says she was welcoming him, that he walked away after making the aforementioned comment, and apparently she just talks with her hands, but it was totally cordial, you guys. I have no problem with telling the president what you think, but at least stick to your guns and don't get all "everything is fine, I don't know what his problem was" when asked about it.

Bottom line according to her: Obama was rude and she just happens to talk with her hands. She meant no disrespect and the gesture wasn't made in anger.

[Rosebud666]

That photo of her stabbing her finger at him is going to go down in history.

Maybe the Bruins should trade their guy for Brewer and a draft pick to be named - at the very least, they can make an enforcer out of her.

[neilmpenny]

Brewster is a passive agressive chickenshit. Sorry, but she is (imo, obviously). She'll say a meeting with Obama went just fine, but then write a book talking about how bad it was. When Obama expresses dismay over the misrepresentation of the meeting (according to him, but who knows), the above conversation and finger pointing happens. When asked about it, she says she was welcoming him, that he walked away after making the aforementioned comment, and apparently she just talks with her hands, but it was totally cordial, you guys. I have no problem with telling the president what you think, but at least stick to your guns and don't get all "everything is fine, I don't know what his problem was" when asked about it.

Bottom line according to her: Obama was rude and she just happens to talk with her hands. She meant no disrespect and the gesture wasn't made in anger.

Body language doesn't lie.

[lemmy17]

Body language doesn't lie.

Not nearly as much as she did.

[Barbossa]

I see a resemblance...

[Paulination]

Not nearly as much as she did.

We don't know if she lied. She said that he treated her in a condescending manner. I have no problem believing that. Maybe at some point after her meeting when asked how it went she minimized the experience. Complete human nature to do so out of respect for the presidency. After reflecting on it and in the midst of writing a book she expanded on it and represented it for what it was. So many liberals give Obama the benefit of the doubt as if they know what happens behind closed doors.

[lemmy17]

We don't know if she lied. She said that he treated her in a condescending manner. I have no problem believing that. Maybe at some point after her meeting when asked how it went she minimized the experience. Complete human nature to do so out of respect for the presidency. After reflecting on it and in the midst of writing a book she expanded on it and represented it for what it was. So many liberals give Obama the benefit of the doubt as if they know what happens behind closed doors.

I'm not saying he wasn't rude to her, either in reality or in her mind. I'm saying that she's backtracking her role, saying she wasn't angry, merely gesturing with her hands. Looking at that photo and the past example of passive-agressiveness, I think she has at least one extra face.

[ichabodius]

Why is a burn victim in Christine Sullivan from Night Court drag tempting Obama with a greasy chicken bone?

[Paulination]

Why is a burn victim in Christine Sullivan from Night Court drag tempting Obama with a greasy chicken bone?

???

[Forever-27]

Jan Brewer has her shit together. I like her as much as I do michelle bachman. I so wish we had her as California governor. She wants her state protected frm illegals and like so many other things, obama has failed on, he refuses to secure the border wih mexico. Ever since that farmer family was killed by illegal mexican drug runners, she's been pressing Obama to do his job and enforce border security and protect her state.
I love Jan Brewer and Arizona is such a nice state

[Barbossa]

Jan Brewer has her shit together. I like her as much as I do michelle bachman. I so wish we had her as California governor. She wants her state protected frm illegals and like so many other things, obama has failed on, he refuses to secure the border wih mexico. Ever since that farmer family was killed by illegal mexican drug runners, she's been pressing Obama to do his job and enforce border security and protect her state.
I love Jan Brewer and Arizona is such a nice state

You can always move to Arizona.

[lemmy17]

You can always move to Arizona.

And take Bachmann with you while you're at it.

[JefeStone]

Failed to do his job?

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct...n-ice-20111018

Obama administration reports record number of deportations


October 18, 2011|By Brian Bennett, Washington Bureau
The Obama administration deported a record number of illegal immigrants for the third straight year, according to figures released Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Despite facing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, officials promised to continue the White House policy of prioritizing for removal those illegal immigrants with criminal convictions.

[Barbossa]

Failed to do his job?

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct...n-ice-20111018

Obama administration reports record number of deportations


October 18, 2011|By Brian Bennett, Washington Bureau
The Obama administration deported a record number of illegal immigrants for the third straight year, according to figures released Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Despite facing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, officials promised to continue the White House policy of prioritizing for removal those illegal immigrants with criminal convictions.

That's not good enough. Conservatives want all non-caucasians deported, whether they're U.S. citizens or not.

[Paulination]

That's not good enough. Conservatives want all non-caucasians deported, whether they're U.S. citizens or not.

Absolutely untrue. I'm conservative and this doesn't describe me at all. As a matter of fact, I'm writing this as my Guadalajaran wife and two half Guadalajaran kids are in the next room.

[Forever-27]

I beg to differ also.



There's a case right now in San Francisco where a illegal teen whose in the ms13 street gang who has an extensive violent criminal record gunned down a father and his two sons in a case of mistaken idenity. San Fran itself is a sancturary city that protects people who don't belong in america from ice. This blew up in the cities face when this teen shot to death this family who had nothing to do with anything at a red light on a Sunday afternoon. The kid is an illegal from el salvador and should have never been her, and once found should have been sent back but wasn't. The fathers widow and mother of the boys killed slapped a fat lawsuit on san francisco for not deporting this kid the moment he was taken into custody. Now she's gone to the Obama administration demanding deportation for people who come here illegally. He's choosen to ignore her. Meanwhile the Bologna family is minus a husband and two sons.

I personally don't think they should be wasting tax dollars on a trial for someone who has no business being in america. But I don't live in san francisco. Not my city taxes paying for this

[Barbossa]

I'm half tongue-in-cheek. And half serious. There are people that I've met (indeed, worked with) who've made their views on minorities very clear (with half the room being Asian engineers and technicians). Quite an eye opener.

[Forever-27]

I know 2 people in fact, from the Phillippines who came here via Mexico. Took the tests and classes and theres alot of them and paid whatever fees and because they wanted to be Americans and now are. They are great people and I enjoy being around them and being friends with them.

Immergration is great. Illegal immergration is not.

[Paulination]

Immergration is great. Illegal immergration is not.

Exactly

[Rosebud666]

Obama is back baby . . . that speech in Michigan kicked some major butt. Nice to see him get angry about something for a change.

[neilmpenny]

ETA- Oh definitely, the point is valid. I just have this weird obsession with statistics matching up. I've written 10 page papers playing almost entirely with statistics.

Then you would love the movie Moneyball, because that is what it is about, statistics.

[Richard Cranium]

75% of all statistics are made up.

[cindyt]

Absolutely untrue. I'm conservative and this doesn't describe me at all. As a matter of fact, I'm writing this as my Guadalajaran wife and two half Guadalajaran kids are in the next room.

Well, I'm a Reaganite, writing this while my Mexican husband is sitting on the couch and I agree with you. It's the nutjob conservatives who want America for White People.