Cynicism Is A Sorry Kind Of Wisdom
[ 1 Comment ]Posted on September 10, 2009 by admin in Politics
Thursday, September 10th, 2009What did YOU think about Obama’s health care speech?
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This is not a scientific poll
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It’s rather poignant somehow that it was Barack Obama who said that on the campaign trail. The statement implies a kind of positive hopefulness that is one of the key reasons I voted for the man. I struggle with a certain cynicism about the current administration though; I wonder on occasion if I’ve been duped again by a clever campaign, and I wonder, as I’ve said before, if President Obama is doomed to a Carter-like presidency; a fairly decent man, swimming in the shark tank that is Washington. However, the confidence and clarity of his health care speech last night (full text, single page here ) reinvigorated some of my flailing hope for change in the capitol. I’m almost ashamed that his remark that “I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last” made me think of Clinton, who would’ve prided himself on the ambiguity of the statement, in that he’s not claiming to fix the problem, he might just be the last president to try. I’m not fundamentelly cynical, but I think that to not be cynical about politics is naïve. And although on an individual basis with humans I’m one of the most hopeful people you’ll meet, the ongoing “Brady Bunch Dividing Line” that some American citizens have drawn between themselves seems irreversible, and completely immune to rational thought and discourse. Especially when we have a desperately struggling, profit-driven news media fanning these attitudes at every turn. So a speech like President Obama’s speech last night keeps me going, even if one of the most inspiring lines in the speech was written by Ted Kennedy: “What we face is above all a moral issue; at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.” If we can remember as a country that our real, deeper American values are those regarding a certain character based on decency and reason, we’ll be alright. And I thank the president for reminding us of that. What do you think? Read the rest of this entry »
Is It Barack Obama’s Fault You’re Broke?
[ 1 Comment ]Posted on July 10, 2009 by admin in Politics
Friday, July 10th, 2009We’re a little overdue for more irrational finger-pointing about the economy. Maybe Obama did it.
 This image has little to do with the article. We just thought it might get your attention. |
I think it’s obvious if you take a quick look at the Politics section here on Dissociated Press that I’m no political science expert. But I do think I’m a little more aware than the average Bible-thumping Palin supporter, or all-bark-no-bite liberal intellectual. Which is why, although I feel comfortable in saying that politicians by and large are a bunch of money hungry, morally decrepit philanderers, I can still take a broader view and realize that although the media is already trying to link Obama administration policy to the economy, that this is patently absurd. So who’s to blame for the economic situation? Well, Time Magazine has 25 suggestions. But maybe it’s testosterone, or a glitch in our brains. Or maybe mathematics is to blame. Personally, I think it’s all at once both a little simpler, and a little more complex than all of this. I think it’s greed, and a long-term crisis of values. At least with Enron, there was a feeling that someone was going after the bad guys. And as a result, Enron no longer exists. In the case of the recent massive financial industry failures though, we’ve mostly sat back as citizens and coughed up the loot while the responsible parties move through the magic revolving door of business and government. This Vanity Fair piece about Joseph Cassano is one of the few in-depth looks at the real people behind this catastrophe that I’ve seen, and Cassano is just one of dozens of his type. I don’t know about you, but I’m broke, a little angry, and a little confused. Part of me wants to make an updated Leave Barack Alone video, and part of me wants to join Jon Stewart in saying “That’s great. Now fix the economy!” What do you think?
President Robama – Our New Robot Overlord
[ Add A Comment ]Posted on July 4, 2009 by admin in Politics
Saturday, July 4th, 2009Some reports are claiming that Barack Obama is a negro robot from the future.
See Robama at approximately 1:05 |
I’ve suspected for some time that all the world’s elected leaders are immediately replaced with robots upon taking office as part of a vast alien overlord conspiracy. Well, now I have evidence. If Disney’s Magic Kingdom can create creepy robot presidents from the Uncanny Valley like this (see Robama at 1:05) and this (see Robama at 1:20) for entertainment purposes, imagine what the dark ops people that created stealth bombers have up their sleeves. You’ll find this absurd (because that’s how an effective conspiracy works) but there is a war raging around the world, and the media is so tightly controlled that you won’t find out until it’s too late. That new Terminator movie? It’s just part of a massive PSYOP to prepare your mind for the inescapable fact that we will soon serve our robot masters. This report from a soldier in the field explains how Barack Obama’s robot army has taken over the world with their “million megawatt smiles and crushing fistbumps“. C’mon. A charming, impeccably articulate and intelligent president who exhibits almost zen-like serenity under pressure, is ridiculously handsome and is black? This had to be a dream come true. Or a robot invasion nightmare. You decide.
Is Obama A Socialist? Are Republicans Gay Fetishists?
[ 1 Comment ]Posted on April 28, 2009 by admin in Politics
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009Can someone please tell me what country I live in?
I’m not sure what country I live in any more, and the media certainly isn’t helping me figure out the answer. Between the Fox Effect (their new approach is apparently not broadcasting the president’s speeches at all) and the rapid demise of the nation’s newspapers, I’ve been feeling a little in the dark lately regarding whom to rant about. I found it odd that while Bush was still in office, few took issue (well, I did) with the fact that the administration was nationalizing the banks, but when Obama pursues actions like this, Republican wack-jobs start teabagging and calling him a socialist. With the traditional (and apparently somewhat meaningless) 100 days upon us, we have Republicans both jumping ship and throwing the cargo overboard while the “No Drama Obama” style (see this fairly balanced Politico piece) seems to be keeping seas calm. I look forward to Obama’s address Wednesday, perhaps especially because it’s not on Fox. Maybe he can give me some idea what’s going on around here.
Obama’s First One Hundred Daze
[ Add A Comment ]Posted on April 11, 2009 by admin in Politics
Saturday, April 11th, 2009Is Obama our hope for the future, or has he pledged himself to Satan?
Clearly, we haven’t even reached the traditional 100 day marker of a new administration, but personally, I border on feeling like I was chumped again. Don’t get me wrong, I in fact voted for the man. And I believe in my gut that he’s a good person, with good values. Which is why I’m concerned. He’s only 47 years old, and swimming in a shark tank of Washington insiders. Talking to a friend the other day, we agreed that maybe Obama needs to get all FDR on their ass, so to speak. Jon Stewart recently made light of the conservative media’s desperate assertion that Obama’s a tyrant. But in a way, I think we need a tyrant. Not a demented, imperialistic fiend like Dick Cheney, but a single, solid voice that will speak about what we all know is the right thing, and galvanize the heart of our country. In the meantime, if the Obama administration doesn’t stop being more like the Bush administration than the Bush administration was – by doing things like expanding the Bush era State Secrets doctrines (it started in January, and is only getting worse) – I’m gonna have to start believing the hype about Obama’s pledges to Satan. Never mind his bowing to Saudi King Abdullah, I’ll accept that as a simple protocol gaffe, one that hardly compares with the kind of crap Prince Philip pulls on a regular basis. But seriously, what do you think? Can Obama handle the current state of affairs?