Ok, I'll bite on this one, though I think farmfriend asked the question. My favorite presidents are Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Kennedy and Clinton. Great? Who knows? Every President has achieved some element of greatness. I revere Johnson for civil rights, voting rights, and health care legislation he put his presidency on the line for, for instance; and Nixon for OSHA, EPA and opening relations with China, though I don't revere him... I also regard Madison's financial system contibutions as great.
In contrast, I consider Reagan and Bush II presidential disasters. The financial de-regulation they and Bush I put in place led directly to the current crisis,though Clinton didn't do anything about what the first two did, admittedly. Who knew how devious and unethical the money mongers might be?
Does anyone here not think Bush II has been the worst since Hoover, if not the worst of all?
Harkening back to the original subject, how're that goofball PA ex-Deputy AG and his buddy Molotov doing? I can't wait to see the October Surprise of Obama's not being a US-born citizen blown up. Has anyone figured out what a "long form birth certificate" is? Is that like a birth certificate and a medical report -- ooh, he's not circumsized?
People who drive obsessively after things they want to believe in and foist on other people in the absence of proof or good sense are a substantial cause for the sad state of American politics, and I for one am not going to blame that on the politicians, though many pander to that stupid behavior, especially Republicans in the last three decades. Same folks are also willing to believe Obama's a Muslim and a terrorist, facts notwithstanding, hmm?
Voting no for President is not an option. People who rant at the system and don't participate or contribute help no one.
As for what's great about Obama, coming from his beginnings to where he is now is pretty hefty testimony. Has anyone ever seen a greater presidential campaign, given all the bs that happens along the way? What I have seen is that he is a brilliant leader, thinker, motivator, manager and decision-maker, and I expect a great presidency.
What I have seen is that he is a brilliant leader, thinker, motivator, manager and decision-maker, and I expect a great presidency.
Will he get his nose out of AIPAC's butt during his presidency? That he and McCain BOTH kowtow to the same groups, ad nauseum, in their debates rather shows me that Obama is more of the same ol', same ol' dressed up as a "change".
More likely a lack of connection. I've met a number of pols who were not power nuts, even some Republicans, and I've seen s good number who were actually about making things better for all of us. That would be a long list, as I think about it.
Your cynicism seems to warp your perception. Obama founded his campaign on changing DC politics as usual, and while I don't think he can fully achieve that, it's a heckuva lot better direction to be rowing, and I do believe he will achieve some....
"I want you to know that today Ill be speaking from my heart, and as a true friend of Israel. And I know that when I visit with AIPAC, I am among friends. Good friends. Friends who share my strong commitment to make sure that the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable today, tomorrow, and forever."
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Didn't you notice that Obama and McCain tried to outdo each other in the debates by both stating, multiple times, that there won't be a "second holocaust"? The rest of the world notices even if the two-backed Obama/McCain beast doesn't:
"It is deeply disastrous to witness that some presidential or premiere nominees in some big countries have to visit these people, take part in their gatherings, swear their allegiance and commitment to their interests in order to attain financial or media support."
If you read William L. Shirer, he attended many of the German mass rallies. He made the remark that he could never understand the mass hysteria, due to pageantry and oratory. Seeing the people enthralled and mesmerized was was beyond belief. We have such susceptible people here on 4um.
Will he get his nose out of AIPAC's butt during his presidency? That he and McCain BOTH kowtow to the same groups, ad nauseum, in their debates rather shows me that Obama is more of the same ol', same ol' dressed up as a "change".
the only hope we got is that obama will pull a putin on the israeli americans.
Ah, yes, that AIPAC. Except for being a lone outpost in the Middle East generally supporting the US, and a major staging area and military aid recipient, I've often wondered why Israel has been an essential commitment of US presidents. I don't think that's a bad thing, but their occupation of Palestinian lands and oppression of people is not a good thing. It's clearly a conundrum.
Until there is greater stability in the area, and peace among its nations -- bigger job now after Bush disasters, hmm? -- I think we're going to have to continue extraordinary support for Israel.
I don't want to invite the Zionist-anti-Zionist stuff with this comment. It's as puzzling to me as the Shiite-Sunni conflicts, seeming ancient and irrelevant today.
I will step out of this discussion because these are issues I don't understand, in the end.
When I observe people at a political rally, waving and cheering, I wonder if it is me that is lacking something.
When I see people shrieking and jumping around at political rallies I wonder why I should feel more embarassed for their lack of self-control than they do. Teeny boppers. Raging hormones. Giggles. Fan clubs. The only thing missing is pubescent pimples.
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
I guess he gives them hope. Unfortunately, pictures like that destroy all of mine, regardless of which candidate is currently packing (sucking) them in.