(2PM EST – promoted by Nightprowlkitty)
I personally find it difficult to restrain my criticism of Obama, as he appears to be a recidivist lickspittle to the plutocracy, completely unfit for duty to the nation, the most non-hopiest, non-change-iest fucker ever born. Nevertheless, I found these admittedly grim comments by Stoneleigh on Obama’s “historical context” worth taking into account, as well.
Replying to Erltonsquire (first quote, all emphases mine), she writes:
Erltonsquire,
I don’t want America’s first black president to be blamed for the next depression. He means too much as a symbol.
I don’t want to see that happen either, as the consequences for racial harmony could be catastrophic. Unfortunately, however, circumstance dictates that is exactly what will happen. Anyone elected at such a time takes the blame, whether or not it can plausibly be construed as his fault. Look what happened to Hoover’s reputation.
The two candidates at the last election were fighting over the poisoned chalice. I think it’s very unfortunate that Mr Obama won at this particular time and is now in the line of fire. I actually feel very sorry for him and especially his family. I don’t think he has any idea what is about to hit him politically. Unfortunately he encouraged people to believe he had the power to change things, which he doesn’t. It is very dangerous for politicians to believe their own propaganda and willingly step up on to a pedestal. It just means they have further to fall.
Whatever one may think of current events, it actually makes little sense to focus on blaming the president, as his actions are so constrained, and events are so dependent on long term socieconomic moves that precede his term. The system is larger than any man and it is simply broken. A blame game won’t help anyone. Sadly nastier and nastier blame-games are exactly what increasingly angry people engage in in such times. I always suggest that people save their energies for more constructive purposes that can actually benefit their loved ones.
Mr Obama is in the wrong place at the wrong time. All he can do is cheerlead while presiding over a sclerotic and dysfunctional system that is completely unresponsive to the needs of the populace. Such a system can no longer do anything constructive. Sadly the destructive power that remains is still being deployed, and probably will continue to be so on a wider and wider scale. Tragically, this will be Mr Obama’s legacy, whatever he personally does or does not do.
June 1, 2010 8:24 AM
Hard to gainsay much of anything said above, and what a mouthful! I do think Stoneleigh’s acuteness reaches its vanishing when she says,
I always suggest that people save their energies for more constructive purposes that can actually benefit their loved ones.
One last question: Can Wall Street create catastrophe bonds for politicians? Because I want in!
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He’s become the pet goat of the oligarchs.
Catastrophe bonds for politicians would be CBO’s wouldn’t they?
apology for his failure to lead. ‘Oh, poor boo, can’t help it it’s too messed up for anybody to fix.’
He doesn’t even try!
Why would one feel sorry “especially for his family”?
Bush had a family as did Bill Clinton, what is the difference?
Obama has a photogenic family, they are cute and Michelle is nice, but so was Laura Bush.
I feel sorry for the country as far as Obama’s failed presidency, but his family is neither here nor there in that regard.
The meme of a “powerless” Obama is nonsense. A man with courage the equal of his high office, unconcerned with re-election, could end the evil permanent war afflicting America. Obama could stop the military-industrial complex and halt the give-aways to Wall Street. He can replace hundreds of powerful top government officials, from cabinet secretaries on down, AT HIS DISCRETION.
Obama simply lacks courage. He is unwilling to risk his life and his pursuit of happiness to serve the people. But that is what is required of a great leader.
are saying our democracy is just a sham a sham that has no power and we the people whether Democrats or Republicans are just howling in the wind? If this is the case which it could very well be why give our consent to be governed? Do we prefer the illusion of self governance? Are the bots aware of this and they want their symbol to be someone they can pretend is moral and decent? I think this is a dangerous meme in that it renders the populist helpless as well as their ‘leader’. Circumstances we as humans living in are not sustainable either ecologically or economically not to mention politically.
Americans may be idiots but they by nature are an unruly lot. Don’t tread on me, was the impetus that started this country off, it was triggered by a corporate monopoly and a tax revolt. Once again I ask myself when will the people reach the critical mass here all sides have had enough. They did in the Soviet Union. They always do when it gets this out of hand and obvious. The oligarchy may have found the best possible con man to put on their show of a peaceful change of power but even Obama is incapable of passing this mess off as tolerable or livable let alone change. It’s not believable and the great moving forward in unity is not going to be sustainable as the reality does not match what is going down.
Strange in a way this makes me more optimistic. Hollow inspiration from the front man is going to become more and more unbelievable. some may except this state of the nation and world as inevitable and refuse to fight but they will not carry the majority. Let it fall let it be, it will not be able to stand. Gravity alone and the earth will knock it down. Fear alone cannot keep this house of card intact. fuck them.
… but not as well. Obama does not have the power and never had it and never thought he would have it. Anyone in Washington knows who has power and who doesn’t and no one ever talks about it–it’s all nudge-nudge, wink-wink (I’ve spent most of my life there).
We can make a difference by creating through NGOs and “civil society.” I’ve been urging people to create their own functional institutions and cooperatives. This is not really happening and I now realize probably won’t happen since most people just want to play and fantasize, even here. To actually create something with partners and friends isn’t likely to happen unless it means making some money to play with. Sadly we’re all hooked in and none of us can say we are superior to Mr. Obama.