And this is why I will never be the leader of a country.
There was a time when a man who said things like that could be elected president. His name was Teddy Roosevelt. I disagree with many of his positions, but damn if I couldn't respect the man.
1. I am unhappy that he hasn't been making much progress with tossing out "don't ask, don't tell," DOMA, and being pro-gay marriage. He really wusses out on that issue, and he said one time he didn't agree with it. Bad Obama! Don't compromise on prejudice!
2. I am unhappy with the progress he has made allowing the public to see bills on the web before they are signed into law. That didn't work out, and although his administration is pretty decent, it could be even more tech-friendly and transparent. I would like to see more of a net presence that isn't just PR.
3. I am unhappy that he tries to make the right happy by giving gestures like inviting Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration. He does little things like this frequently. It's one thing to try to maintain good relations with all kinds of groups in the nation, but things like this seem like publicly condoning the kind of bigotry the radical Christians spout. It's like he wants to be liked by people who won't like him no matter what he does, and in making that effort compromises with them on their mean opinions.
I think he's doing a pretty good job, though. I like this site. I check the Obama meter for updates every so often. Sometimes he fails, but he actually gets a lot of good stuff accomplished as well.
1. I have heard nothing from him with regard to that god damn bigger, badder, global DMCA treaty. 2. The bank bailout, there was not enough transparency there. Learned from Biden this morning that the banks aren't loaning money, they're paying back the Federal loans. 3. Prioritizing his health care reforms over the much more pressing reforms needed in the financial sector. I like health care for everyone as much as the next guy, but if there's no tax revenue to fund it we'll be properly fucked. Economy first, then socialist agenda.
Okay so...I know SOME people are getting loans, because I have friends who are buying houses. So the banks ARE lending money. They are not doing it at the same rate as before, and they are being cautious. They are paying off the Federal loans at a rate that won't drive them out of business, gives the government some profit (interest), and doesn't allow huge amounts of interest to accrue that will place a burden on the banks. Sure, they are not lending the money at the same rate they did before, but isn't that what got us into this mess in the first place? Shouldn't they NOT do that again?
This was just my initial reaction to hearing Biden explain that the banks are paying back the loans instead of loaning money to people. I know plenty of people who are getting loans. They just all happen to be people with pretty stable employment and a comfortable margin of being able to pay the loans off. Isn't it predatory lending to loan money to someone who has a high potential to have a problem paying it back?
"The latest nomination came this week, when Beatrice Wilkinson Welters was nominated to serve as ambassador to the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean."
"Nicole Avant, a member of a Motown family dynasty who is credited with bundling up to $800,000 for Obama, was granted the coveted and cushy ambassadorship in Nassau, Bahamas. "
"Counted on those rolls are newly installed Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy, former finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee who since 1989 has personally donated nearly $1.5 million to the party; and Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Costa Rica, "
*Yawn*
"White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said it is unfair to judge the Obama administration by its first wave of ambassadorial nominations, because most of the openings involve traditional political posts recently vacated by Bush administration appointees.
More career diplomatic posts, which run on staggered, three-year terms, will begin opening up in the next year or two. That should produce a second wave of nominations dominated by professional foreign service officers, he added.
“We’re well-aware of the historical target of career vs. noncareer ambassadors, and we will be right on that target,” said Vietor.
That historic benchmark is roughly 30 percent political appointees to 70 percent career diplomats, and Obama seems on track to meet it. "
It must be nice to overlook principle so easily. I'm not saying that Obama is any worse than another president - but that doesn't mean that I should be happy about it. I guess I don't sell out quite as easily as others here. Devotion is great. Blind devotion is bad.
I'd hazard to guess that out of all of the pay-for-play ambassadors, several were not the most qualified.
Patronage means that those with money get greater access - for the sole reason that they have money. Call me crazy, but I've never been a fan of that idea.
It must be nice to overlook principle so easily. I'm not saying that Obama is any worse than another president - but that doesn't mean that I should be happy about it. I guess I don't sell out quite as easily as others here. Devotion is great. Blind devotion is bad.
I'm not an Obama devotee. I just don't think this is noteworthy in the least. Every president has pulled shit like this; it's not surprising and I don't think it's reason to worry.
I'm not an Obama devotee. I just don't think this is noteworthy in the least. Every president has pulled shit like this; it's not surprising and I don't think it's reason to worry.
I agree. I gave up on the idea that any politician is above this kind of thing long ago.
Your whole point is that Obama is promising that he'll be at least as bad as Bush? Ouch. This just proves that you guys overlook principle quite easily.
From another article: The new envoy to Switzerland will be car dealer Donald Beyer, a Virginia state politician who raised more than US$500,000 for the campaign and US$245,000 for the president's inauguration celebration.
Kate, do you still wonder if this was the best person for the job?
This just proves that you guys overlook principle quite easily.
You're living in America. Political principle died with Jefferson. Everyone else who likes to think/act otherwise (myself included) is just a hopeless romantic.
Your whole point is that Obama is promising that he'll be at least as bad as Bush? Ouch. This just proves that you guys overlook principle quite easily.
Ok, What I'm trying to say is there was no change here and I didn't expect any change. I don't care about ambassadors because quite frankly they are just messengers. If we really need to do something in the country we send out the big guns a evoy or whatever. Until Obama appoints a horse breeder the head of FEMA, this is a non-issue.
Kate, do you still wonder if this was the best person for the job?
That's something that's always bothered me about politics - often, you don't get the choice of "Best person for the job" but "Best of a bad bunch", unfortunately.
Not a commentary on any politician in particular, or even nation in particular, but just politics in general.
Until Obama appoints a horse breeder the head of FEMA, this is a non-issue.
Does the head of the FCC count?
And keep in mind, Obama said the following in an executive order concerning employment in the Executive Branch: Employment Qualification Commitment. I agree that any hiring or other employment decisions I make will be based on the candidateÂ’s qualifications, competence, and experience.
I'm not saying he was the worst choice. I'm just pointing out that there was a patronage appointment at this level.
Yes, but he has qualifications for the job. The dude who was the head of FEMA had no experience in emergerncy service what's o ever. There is a big difference between appointing a close advisor (in this case Technology) to a position of oversight (on the topic he advised you on) and taking a campaign donor and making him the head of FEMA.... (Just a note, Michael Brown was a Lawyer, so he wasn't just a Horse breeder :-p, but I still don't see any background in emergency management))
Comments
2. I am unhappy with the progress he has made allowing the public to see bills on the web before they are signed into law. That didn't work out, and although his administration is pretty decent, it could be even more tech-friendly and transparent. I would like to see more of a net presence that isn't just PR.
3. I am unhappy that he tries to make the right happy by giving gestures like inviting Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration. He does little things like this frequently. It's one thing to try to maintain good relations with all kinds of groups in the nation, but things like this seem like publicly condoning the kind of bigotry the radical Christians spout. It's like he wants to be liked by people who won't like him no matter what he does, and in making that effort compromises with them on their mean opinions.
I think he's doing a pretty good job, though. I like this site. I check the Obama meter for updates every so often. Sometimes he fails, but he actually gets a lot of good stuff accomplished as well.
2. The bank bailout, there was not enough transparency there. Learned from Biden this morning that the banks aren't loaning money, they're paying back the Federal loans.
3. Prioritizing his health care reforms over the much more pressing reforms needed in the financial sector. I like health care for everyone as much as the next guy, but if there's no tax revenue to fund it we'll be properly fucked. Economy first, then socialist agenda.
I also agree that the regulatory reforms on Wall Street should be a big priority. However, they are working on it, according to Rym.
This was just my initial reaction to hearing Biden explain that the banks are paying back the loans instead of loaning money to people. I know plenty of people who are getting loans. They just all happen to be people with pretty stable employment and a comfortable margin of being able to pay the loans off. Isn't it predatory lending to loan money to someone who has a high potential to have a problem paying it back?
"Nicole Avant, a member of a Motown family dynasty who is credited with bundling up to $800,000 for Obama, was granted the coveted and cushy ambassadorship in Nassau, Bahamas. "
"Counted on those rolls are newly installed Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy, former finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee who since 1989 has personally donated nearly $1.5 million to the party; and Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Costa Rica, "
*Yawn*
"White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said it is unfair to judge the Obama administration by its first wave of ambassadorial nominations, because most of the openings involve traditional political posts recently vacated by Bush administration appointees.
More career diplomatic posts, which run on staggered, three-year terms, will begin opening up in the next year or two. That should produce a second wave of nominations dominated by professional foreign service officers, he added.
“We’re well-aware of the historical target of career vs. noncareer ambassadors, and we will be right on that target,” said Vietor.
That historic benchmark is roughly 30 percent political appointees to 70 percent career diplomats, and Obama seems on track to meet it. "
Whatever.
Patronage means that those with money get greater access - for the sole reason that they have money. Call me crazy, but I've never been a fan of that idea.
The new envoy to Switzerland will be car dealer Donald Beyer, a Virginia state politician who raised more than US$500,000 for the campaign and US$245,000 for the president's inauguration celebration.
Kate, do you still wonder if this was the best person for the job?
Not a commentary on any politician in particular, or even nation in particular, but just politics in general.
And keep in mind, Obama said the following in an executive order concerning employment in the Executive Branch:
Employment Qualification Commitment. I agree that any hiring or other employment decisions I make will be based on the candidateÂ’s qualifications, competence, and experience.
He may be qualified, but what consolation is that to the scores of other qualified people who didn't have the same size checkbook?
It's bad if a rich, white guy gets job preference on Main Street, but okay if it happens in DC? Shame.