As I watch Republicans on CNBC this morning, swooning all over themselves about cooperation and "bi-partisanship" - I am thinking how lucky they are that Hilary Clinton isn't their new President.
When you think about the unprecedented powers that the Bush administration gave itself and how Dick Cheney declared that the Office of Vice President was not part of Congress and wasn't part of the Executive branch and therefor was answerable to NO ONE ... the Republicans should be giving joyous thanks that the new administration is headed by a man who seems to embrace civility and inclusiveness.
Somehow, I don't believe Senator Clinton would be NEARLY so gracious towards the party that, for the 6 years they controlled both Congress and the White House, made it abundantly clear that the democrats should just shut up and go away. Anyone who even questioned the ruling party was branded as anti-American and even traitorous. When the Democrats, who were excluded from Republican run hearings and meetings, tried to hold their own meetings - the Republicans had the sound systems shut down and the room lights turned off.
Do you remember how former President Bush had the U.S. Attorney General draft a memo stating that "During a time of War (even one declared solely by the President) - ANY action that the President took in Defense of the Country (with "defense of the country" being defined by the President himself) was fully lawful?
Now, imagine THAT power being handed to Senator Clinton. One of the very Senators the Republicans disenfranchised and a human being whom the Republican party has personally attacked and vilified.
Yeah, a part of me really wishes we could see that happen. There is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a bully get the living crap kicked out of him. NOT stooping to those sort of base desires and bullying tactics, may perhaps be the biggest obstacle preventing the Democratic party from making this world a better place. It is also what separates the good guys from the bad guys.
So in the end, we have a President who already appears to be trying to build a representative government that INCLUDES people from a vast variety of views and opinions.
... and at least at this point, the Republicans should be counting their blessings because President Obama does NOT seem interested in retribution and comeuppance.
No mater how "Just" that might be, it's not in the best interest of this country's future.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day - Whew!
So, following the words he spoke at his inauguration "choose hope over fear"- he got out and walked (twice) ... and nothing bad happened.
Very relieved. :)
So I guess it's time to get on with the business of righting this ship of state.
One other note - I hear pundits throwing out that President Obama's (oooo, that's the first time I've gotten to type that!) campaign raised more money then any in history and also that this is the most expensive inauguration in history.
To those folks I would say, "What is your point?"
Look at the last inauguration ... most expensive in history, so were the 4 before that. Same with the last winning campaigns. Is that a good thing? I don't think so.
However, anyone who is trying to imply that this President has somehow done something unusual in this department ... is simply trying to manufacture a story.
Find me a winning campaign or inauguration that is cheaper then the one before it and THAT will be a story!
Very relieved. :)
So I guess it's time to get on with the business of righting this ship of state.
One other note - I hear pundits throwing out that President Obama's (oooo, that's the first time I've gotten to type that!) campaign raised more money then any in history and also that this is the most expensive inauguration in history.
To those folks I would say, "What is your point?"
Look at the last inauguration ... most expensive in history, so were the 4 before that. Same with the last winning campaigns. Is that a good thing? I don't think so.
However, anyone who is trying to imply that this President has somehow done something unusual in this department ... is simply trying to manufacture a story.
Find me a winning campaign or inauguration that is cheaper then the one before it and THAT will be a story!
Inaguration Day - so far ... so good
Tentative sigh of relief as the swearing in went without incident.
Now for the parade. They are saying more then 1.2 million were on the mall to watch the Oath of Office. Now many of them are trying to get to the parade route ... that was already filled with people who camped out there. Now hearing that it is officially maxed out at 300,000 people and they are still coming.
It's a large crowd.
Hopefully they will remember the spirit of the occasion.
Now for the parade. They are saying more then 1.2 million were on the mall to watch the Oath of Office. Now many of them are trying to get to the parade route ... that was already filled with people who camped out there. Now hearing that it is officially maxed out at 300,000 people and they are still coming.
It's a large crowd.
Hopefully they will remember the spirit of the occasion.
Inaguration Day - security
Security.
Security.Security.Security.
I believe that this day is what is known as "testing their metal". I pray they are up to the task.
Things we don't like to think about -
Nearly our entire Government is in one target zone. Supreme Court Justices, legislators and Executive branch.
With one successful attack our system of government would suddenly change ... at least temporarily.
Apparently, Senator Obama's choice for Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, will be sitting out the event at an "undisclosed military base outside the target zone".
http://tinyurl.com/95d2bg
Being sixth in the presidential line of succession, he was selected as "designated successor" during Obama's inauguration should we suffer a worst case scenario.
Robert Gates was also W. Bush's Defense Secretary and was director of the CIA under Bush Sr.
Security.Security.Security.
I believe that this day is what is known as "testing their metal". I pray they are up to the task.
Things we don't like to think about -
Nearly our entire Government is in one target zone. Supreme Court Justices, legislators and Executive branch.
With one successful attack our system of government would suddenly change ... at least temporarily.
Apparently, Senator Obama's choice for Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, will be sitting out the event at an "undisclosed military base outside the target zone".
http://tinyurl.com/95d2bg
Being sixth in the presidential line of succession, he was selected as "designated successor" during Obama's inauguration should we suffer a worst case scenario.
Robert Gates was also W. Bush's Defense Secretary and was director of the CIA under Bush Sr.
Inaguration Day
Like everyone else in the world (it seems) I have a lot of thoughts about this day.
So as the day goes on I may try to post those ideas here, probably in a rambling and disjointed fashion. Not sure why but for this morning it feels like the thing to do.
First off - Not to be a downer ... but I am a little afraid of a "joy" hangover. Obama may be the smartest man we have had as a President in a long time but our countries current problems are serious and complicated and there is no quick solution.
Here is something I shared earlier on "The Deadpan" forum.
I know that some of my gay friends are dissapointed with Obama's choice of Evangilist Christain, Rick Warren to give his invocation today. As it turns out, there are other groups feeling slighted too -
http://tinyurl.com/aykkcp
Missing from the Inaugural Dais: Rabbis and Priests
Yep, Catholics and Jews want to voice their desent. I'm guessing they can get in line with the Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu and Baha'i clergy that also won't be at the podium.
But you know who I think will be the MOST annoyed at Obama's decision to go with an all "Evangelical Protestant Ceremony"? It will be the "hate radio" folks and their sheep listeners (like a 70 year old relative of mine) who STILL insist that Obama is Musluem.
Oh, they will continue to believe he is Musluem but it will make them have to work that much harder to maintain their delusion.
Sen. Obama is a smart man and I see this as another "well thought out" move to prove his critics wrong.
So as the day goes on I may try to post those ideas here, probably in a rambling and disjointed fashion. Not sure why but for this morning it feels like the thing to do.
First off - Not to be a downer ... but I am a little afraid of a "joy" hangover. Obama may be the smartest man we have had as a President in a long time but our countries current problems are serious and complicated and there is no quick solution.
Here is something I shared earlier on "The Deadpan" forum.
Obama is being handed the keys to a ship that has struck an iceburg and is half under water … oh and on their way into their own private lifeboat, the previous crew plundered all the cash and then set the place on fire. They lost the authority to decide which direction the ship is headed … so they have badly crippled it to make sure it won’t be going anywhere for the next 4 to 5 years. Very shrewd.8:46am (We'll see if I keep adding to this or make new posts for each entry)
Let’s hope America TRULY grasps the reality of how badly the previous management has trashed the place … and will have the patients for how long it will take to clean up this historic mess!
Otherwise it’s going to be one heck of a hangover TOMORROW morning when America wakes up and realize that the ship is STILL on fire and STILL sinking.
I know that some of my gay friends are dissapointed with Obama's choice of Evangilist Christain, Rick Warren to give his invocation today. As it turns out, there are other groups feeling slighted too -
http://tinyurl.com/aykkcp
Missing from the Inaugural Dais: Rabbis and Priests
Yep, Catholics and Jews want to voice their desent. I'm guessing they can get in line with the Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu and Baha'i clergy that also won't be at the podium.
But you know who I think will be the MOST annoyed at Obama's decision to go with an all "Evangelical Protestant Ceremony"? It will be the "hate radio" folks and their sheep listeners (like a 70 year old relative of mine) who STILL insist that Obama is Musluem.
Oh, they will continue to believe he is Musluem but it will make them have to work that much harder to maintain their delusion.
Sen. Obama is a smart man and I see this as another "well thought out" move to prove his critics wrong.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)