YES We did!

[scaeagles]

So because most everyone likes him you don't want to hear what might be wrong? I get that you don't like negative, and I'm cool with that, but that seems like that would prevent him and his administration from being held accountable (if everyone who is optimistic adopted that philosophy).

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

So because most everyone likes him you don't want to hear what might be wrong? I get that you don't like negative, and I'm cool with that, but that seems like that would prevent him and his administration from being held accountable (if everyone who is optimistic adopted that philosophy).

He is off to a good start (in my opinion)

Sure there are some meaningless token gestures like freezing the pay of the administrations higher ups, but there is also some meat there.

For example, changing the freedom of information acts to err on the side of making information public and not to look for reasons to legally withhold it as was the case in the Bush Administration.

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

So because most everyone likes him you don't want to hear what might be wrong? I get that you don't like negative, and I'm cool with that, but that seems like that would prevent him and his administration from being held accountable (if everyone who is optimistic adopted that philosophy).

Just speaking for me, but yes, accountability is very important, and freedom to criticize and dissent is essential. I don't think anyone is arguing against these things. I suspect the reaction is to knee-jerk negativism - like, yes, people getting up in arms about the rhyming guy's benediction. (I've peeked at some of the right-wing blogs, and wow, people are sure reading a lot into this. "You see? It's a racist regime! We were right all along!") Yes, this goes both ways, and I try very hard to recognize when liberals overreact as well. (cough*Olbermann*cough)

My last shot in this absurdly minor scurfle - One reason I am so impressed with Obama is that he talks calmly, like a rational adult addressing other rational adults. The sixties-throwback rhyming benediction is a little silly and could have been more carefully considered, but a true insult? I'm not seeing it. But the discussion about it is threatening to turn into the kind of childish back and forth that prevailed during so much of the last eight years and reached epic-ludicrous levels during the recent campaign. I'd love to believe that we can do better.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

So because most everyone likes him you don't want to hear what might be wrong? I get that you don't like negative, and I'm cool with that, but that seems like that would prevent him and his administration from being held accountable (if everyone who is optimistic adopted that philosophy).

No, that's not what I meant at all. I'm never one to ignore elephants in the room and address them if I feel it is necessary. What I am tired of are the people who seem to be stuck in the negative. They have an inability to see the positive and, therefore, can't participate in making positive things happen. I find it a worthless exercise and one that is a waste of energy at a time when all of the positive movement forward and optimism is greatly needed.

I don't expect our new President to be anywhere NEAR perfect, but I will continue to try and keep myself positive and share my positive energy with others rather than keep things in a stagnant place with my negativity. It's a personal choice and one I cannot make for others, but I also can choose NOT to participate in the negativity or tolerate the distraction of others who are negative.

[innerSpaceman]

Arguing about the bendiction Dr. Suessical is indeed childish, but the issues it raised are not.

A White Man in America deluding himself there's no White Privilege in this country?! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Will the same man claim there's no Male Privilege?


I think these things are worth debating. I can only imagine how insulted people of color would be at a white man denying white privilege in America. It's only imagination, as I'm not a person of color. But it's that very imagination that let's me contemplate just one day as a black man in America and face the White Privilege by 9:00 a.m. that imaginary morning.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

A White Man in America deluding himself there's no White Privilege in this country?!

So, you mean to tell me that there are college scholarships available to whites, just as there are other race-exclusive ones? Please show me some, because I need money for school. I know there are plenty of gender-based ones as well, but thankfully I'm a woman, so the majority of those are already in my favor.

(I wasn't offended by any of the rhymes, by the way.)

Anyway, back to the topic at hand -

When I was working the MLK parade, it was so wonderful to see celebration amongst races. Never once was I looked at as if I didn't belong. I got plenty of smiles and told "Happy Kings' Day" many times. It certainly was a happy one. I wish I could have bottled up all the positive energy from that day, because it was astounding. Definitely reinforced the exhilarated feeling of a momentous occasion in history.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

So because most everyone likes him you don't want to hear what might be wrong? I get that you don't like negative, and I'm cool with that, but that seems like that would prevent him and his administration from being held accountable (if everyone who is optimistic adopted that philosophy).

I thought we stopped holding Presidential administrations responsible about 6 years ago.

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

So, you mean to tell me that there are college scholarships available to whites, just as there are other race-exclusive ones? Please show me some...

Here. Here. There are thousands of "ethnic" scholarships available that, by default, target whites. Although somehow labeling them as "Irish-American" or "Polish-American" seems to insulate them from criticism.

[sleepyjeff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NJQa0pXPM



First he couldn't get thru the basic ceremony that makes him a President without having to re-do it....now he can't even sign an executive order without saying the word "um" at least 50 times

The one thing I was looking forward to in an Obama Presidency was finally having a leader who could speak......jeeesh, so far Obama makes Bush look like Cicero.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NJQa0pXPM



First he couldn't get thru the basic ceremony that makes him a President without having to re-do it....now he can't even sign an executive order without saying the word "um" at least 50 times

The one thing I was looking forward to in an Obama Presidency was finally having a leader who could speak......jeeesh, so far Obama makes Bush look like Cicero.

Well the important thing here is that you gave the guy a chance. I mean come on it's Thursday already. All he did was become the leader of the free world. He ought to have his **** together by now.

[Deebs]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Well the important thing here is that you gave the guy a chance.

VMLM!