Which is Worse?

[jamiche]

Multiple threads a day started by beej on Obama or multiple threads (or perhaps strands) a day by Studwell on hair loss?

Probably the latter. At least you can argue the point with beej.:)

[bga1]

Okay, Jamiche I always appreciate a little publicity, but I've been a good boy lately - let the record show that I have started 2 threads since 4-25-09. One was about the Egyptian pigs and the other about socialized medicine. Not that the big O hasn't given me plenty of stuff to post - if I had wanted to. A list of stuff I considered posting but didn't:

Obama deciding to split Chrysler up between the unions and the government-a little move toward socialism. Add to that GM, socialized medicine, the banks under TARP control an dthe government is suddenly controlling an amazingly high percentage of the "private sector economy" and picking winners and losers to pay off their political pals.

There's the announcement that recovery.gov the site that would track "every penny of the stimulus" now will not have an ounce of information up until this fall and probably no real dollar figures until next spring.

Obama keeping the flyover pictures private- not exactly a move that befits the transparent presidency. Edit- news just in - he promises now to release one picture (why just one?). Good this is progress.

The Obama teleprompter gaffe where he started reading off a person's name in the middle of a speech and then realized he was back into the introductions- imagine if that had been Dubya!

Obama's pal Colin Powell on what the people want: "More government in their lives."

There is more, much more. So I've actually restrained myself pretty well. In a side note I actually like how Obama is handling Pakistan-so far.

[jamiche]

beej: Your posts are a proverbial comb over. I would guess that you loved Colin Powell back when he gave the repubs some cover on the issue of race. All of the industries you cited were in the toilet. The "socialism" that you and your fellow teabaggers reference was started by your Hero.

I worry about Obie becoming more of a brand and a cult figure than a president. I also worry about hubris (we saw what it did to your Hero). However, I couldn't be more pleased with the start of his term. The markets are calmed and there is a general sense of competence in government.

Finally, will you take Specter back, please!!??

[bga1]

As I have told you the problems caused by President Obama's big government policies won't "come home to roost" for a few years. The economy will rebound as it always has. He's a bright man but he's a true believer in a more socialistic/globalistic ideology and that's going to be a problem downstream for him. Right now most Americans like him but don't have a clue what he is doing and the damage it will cause. As far as hubris-forget it- he's well past that. He's probably the most arrogant president I have seen.

As far as Powell I love him as a general and for his service to our country. As a politican he's a mush man and he's way off base and he has been for years. Today he said that Americans want more of government in their lives and that the R's need to adapt to that. The polls show that to be false. When asked in a straight forward question if they want more government or less -they want less. Even if they did want more; is that a reason for the Republican party to change its stance and agree to big government? Of course not! You do what is right not what is expedient.

What happens when more than 50% pay no federal taxes (we are close right now)? People who pay nothing will contiinue to vote for more and more benefits. Why not? Then what? Do we just cave in and adapt because more people want hand outs?

[jamiche]

Playing flyboy on the deck of a carrier isn't arrogant?

[bga1]

"Mission Accomplished" - nope. He was honoring people that deserved to be honored.

[Stan]

"Mission Accomplished" - nope. He was honoring people that deserved to be honored.

Holy crap beej actually disagrees with W as W himself said that Mission Accomplished was a mistake. My gawd you can't even admit W made a mistake when W himself did? :eek:

[jamiche]

"Mission Accomplished" - nope. He was honoring people that deserved to be honored.

It mostly looked like he was honoring himself, beej.

[Gopher4Life]

At best, the Bush production on the carrier was premature. At worst...

jamiche,

>>...there is a general sense of competence in government.<<

I don't see that at all. I see countless blunders, both big and small. And few with the balls to question it.

I agree that this has been a breath of fresh air for many of those who spent 8 years moaning about GWB, but that difference in approach hardly makes the Obama government competent.

[jamiche]

At best, the Bush production on the carrier was premature. At worst...

jamiche,

>>...there is a general sense of competence in government.<<

I don't see that at all. I see countless blunders, both big and small. And few with the balls to question it.

I agree that this has been a breath of fresh air for many of those who spent 8 years moaning about GWB, but that difference in approach hardly makes the Obama government competent.

I meant, of course, he's off to a good start in an Islamo-fascist, socialist kind of way.

Thankfully, you've got the balls to question it on behalf of us muddle heads.

[Gopher4Life]

I'm not in love with the guy, nor do I worship his every move. Sorry. Frankly, he's been about as predictable as any grad student majoring in Marxism.

[Schnoodler]

Like you even have faintest idea what that would look like.

[Gopher4Life]

I'd recognize the smell.

[bga1]

At best, the Bush production on the carrier was premature. At worst...

jamiche,

>>...there is a general sense of competence in government.<<

I don't see that at all. I see countless blunders, both big and small. And few with the balls to question it.

I agree that this has been a breath of fresh air for many of those who spent 8 years moaning about GWB, but that difference in approach hardly makes the Obama government competent.

G4L- I don't think people are lacking the "balls" to question it. I think people fall into two categories:

A) Uniformed (a huge, huge segment of the population) partly due to the media and partly due to their own laziness. Obama appears to be popular and cool. He's smooth and smart so he must be good. Right? Why question that? He's told us he will take care of us-mortgage, gas and all of our needs (remember her?).
B) They want this type of government. Close to 50% don't pay taxes and I'd guess at least half of them are wanting it to continue that way. I am not of the belief that we are as bad off as Colin Powell says when he says the majority want bigger government. But I do believe a growing number are getting hooked on having their snouts ducked deeply into the public trough.

[Gopher4Life]

C) Wide awake, but with a vested interest in Obama's success and not yet prepared to admit to participating in the big mistake.

[jamiche]

I'd recognize the smell.

What did it smell like when you and your fellow Students for a Democratic Society were damaging government and university buildings?

[Moonlight]

I disagree, Jammer. I vote for Studwell and his loss of hair. But I agree with you on the competency thing.

[bga1]

Holy crap beej actually disagrees with W as W himself said that Mission Accomplished was a mistake. My gawd you can't even admit W made a mistake when W himself did? :eek:

Neither of us know him Stan but I am certain he would say it was a mistake not because of how it was intended but because he didn't anticipate how badly it would be taken. Everyone who knows the man marvels at his character and humility. The class with which he has handled his post presidency so far and how he handled abuse are testimonies to that. Jammer didn't comment on whether it was a tactical mistake - he said it was an example of Bush's arrogance. I disagree. It did turn out to be a tactical error. He intended to honor the soldiers for winning the battle in Iraq- I think that's a good intention and not arrogant. It would have been better- in our 20-20 hindsight- if he would have also emphasized the long battle ahead.