Obama as President

[Tim H]

On Arab TV, Obama makes overture to Muslims. In his first extensive interview since taking office, President Barack Obama has struck a conciliatory tone toward the Islamic world, saying he wanted to persuade Muslims that "the Americans are not your enemy." But Obama did something in the interview Monday that he had not done during the presidential campaign: He mentioned the Muslim background of many of his Kenyan relatives and alluded to his childhood in predominantly Muslim Indonesia.

His first extensive interview is on ARAB TV and he seems to now be willing to acknowledge his Muslim connections, that were not even supposed to be implied during the election.

Obama urged Muslims to judge him by his actions, pointing to the decision to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, where detainees in the U.S. war on terror are held. He said he also would begin to implement his pledge to draw down troops in Iraq.

Let's keep track of this.

1. First Executive Order: Suspend trials of known terrorists.
2. Ensure he controls what is Executive Privilege for himself and all past presidents.
3. Have an interview on ARAB TV to reach across the isle (not to the Republicans) to his Muslim brothers that he wouldn't acknowledge when he was running for office.

Still waiting for the economy to be fixed. All this lip service about the economy is not lining up with his actions. If you have any sense, do you see where this path is heading? So far he has tried to help the terrorists more than the Americans.

[Pine Mt Beagles]

[bluegrass]

OF COURSE THE HIPPOCRIT REPUS'S ARE TRYING TO BLOCK THAT, AND LEAVING THE EMMISIONS ON AUTO MOBILES UP TO THE STATES WHICH WILL MAKE IT MUCH EASIER TO COMPLY AS THEY ONLY HAVE TO PICK THE ONE THAT REQUIRES THE MOST AND GO BY IT






In your haste to defend your socialist president you have shown that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.. Allowing states to have differing emission standards is going to destroy domestic auto manufacturing as its known now. Do you have any idea that when you buy gas in California it is a different formula and blend than what is sold in Kentucky...that has a big effect on the COST of the gas as the rerfineries have to make so many different blends. The same concept will apply to autos and drive costs through the roof...you really should know what you are posting about...that was one of the WORST things his socialist self could have done to the auto industry....Bush NEVER MET WITH DEMOCRATS??? Are you out of your mind?? Please just STOP regurgitating what CNN says, please do your OWN research. Bush met with Dems MANY, MANY times, way too many to suit Conservatives.

BTW, the only thing the Republicans are trying to stop now is spending 825 BILLION MORE than the already 750 BILLION already spent...this is so whacked out its rediculous. Spend your way out of a recession, LMFAO!!!


Tony

[Tim H]

As I said at the beginning of this thread. This is to only look at what the current President is doing, with no spin. Looking back at President Bush and trying to put up that smoke screen won't work here.

As for the jet that President Obama put a stop to, nice PR but nothing more. That jet takes 2 years at a minimum to get built, typically 4 years, so it was already coming before the bailout, which means it wasn't bailout money. I guess what the public is failing to see is that you now have President Obama telling corporations what they can and can't do with their own money. If the executives of a company want to run it into the ground with bad decisions, do you really want the government stepping in and dictating how to run the business? How long before it comes to you?

As far as President Obama giving tax breaks to small businesses, I didn't see that happen, when was that, could you give me a reference to verify that so I can add that into this post.

As far as President reaching across to the Republicans, it is my opinion that he would like to get them included in HIS stimulus package so when it goes south they can't use it against the Democrats in the next election. Look at the votes, he can get this passed without the Republicans. If he thinks it is so urgent to the American people and is such a great plan, what is he waiting for, let the Democrats vote for it and he can sign it.

[Pine Mt Beagles]

[tommyg]

Sorry to say Pine Mtn Bush did do things to Slow down the baby killers Obama is reverseing them now. Abortion will have to be beaten in the ccourts where the Liberals will rule soon. You realy think Bush trashed the economy,how miss informed you are the Congress is to Blame Barny Frank forced this mess. You need to get up to spped on this just being a Bush hater dosn't make you look very smart.

[Tim H]

Pine Mt Beagles, we have disagreed on many things politically. I think we are more in agreement when it comes to dogs (as it should be). I think we have both remained respectful throughout even though it may get intense because of the importance of the issue. When people have different perspectives on an issue, they should discuss/debate their position. A good discussion/debate gives both sides the opportunity to learn. When it digresses into personal attacks or just regurgitated rhetoric, the learning stops.

As far as how people view the Bush years, that remains to be seen. However, let's not misrepresent the accomplishments nor the failures. The economy for 6 of the 8 Bush years was booming. Can anyone deny that in the last 2 years it took a dive. The bailouts pushed it off the cliff. What was different in the last 2 years as compared to the first 6? Also, demonizing Bush has been going on since he won the first election, when will the liberals stand on what they are doing and stop standing on the idea that "we're not as bad as Bush."

I have been laying out here what President Obama is doing. Do you think what he is doing is what you want him to do or what you thought he would do as soon as he got in office? Did he run on a platform that he would 1. Suspend trials of terrorists. 2. Expand executive privilege 3. He would reach out to his MUSLIM brothers?

[Dr. Chris]

When people have different perspectives on an issue, they should discuss/debate their position. A good discussion/debate gives both sides the opportunity to learn. When it digresses into personal attacks or just regurgitated rhetoric, the learning stops.

I agree with your statement, but I don't think you do.

The economy for 6 of the 8 Bush years was booming: This is not true. Records clearly prove that after the first 2 years of Bush, there was a steady decline for the next 6 years and the last 4 was completely out of control and horrible.

The bailouts pushed it off the cliff: The bailouts are going to save us, have you looked at what it is doing, at all? Do you know what the bailout consists of? Did you know other countries are in the process of mimicking our methods of "bailouts" to apply to their countries so that they may survive too?

"we're not as bad as Bush": This was McCain's whole campaign slogan and promise to the people, and it didn't work.

1. Suspend trials of terrorists: We took some that were terrorists and some that were not! We than didn't just use illegal methods of torturing terrorists, we also tortured those that were not terrorists simply because they were Muslim. We have to do it right. We have lost all credibility throughout the world because of our “cowboy” methods.

2. Expand executive privilege: Opposed to what? He is the president and wants the decision making privileges that come with the job. You don’t want him to be president, nor want him to have any authority or power, we get that.

3. He would reach out to his MUSLIM brothers: "Brothers" Where did you get that term? Did Obama use the word "brothers"? No, you did. Obama did make a statement to the "Muslim" world that there is a peaceful way or a way that leads us to war. The message was if they are willing to "unclench" their fists, we will meet them half way with our hand extended and do it the peaceful way. Obama did indeed state their wrong doings and that we were willing to bring the fight to them in order to achieve peace. I have no problem with what he did. Would you rather just go drop a bunch of bombs and kill people for the fun of it because they are Muslim?

I have been laying out here what President Obama is doing: What you’re laying out is not the truth.

As you put it: "let's not misrepresent the accomplishments nor the failures"

[Tim H]

Dr. Chris, you have pushed the party rhetoric in all of your posts. I don't expect you to learn from anyone. You just digressed to what I posted in what you quoted out of my post. Name calling (saying I'm a liar) and regurgitating rhetoric (your entire post). Just smokescreens to avoid real debate/discussion about the issues. If your posts continue to follow the line of digression then expect me to stop responding to them. I have no problem discussing different views when both sides are willing to listen but I won't be drawn into personal attacks nor useless repetition of "my party is better than yours" rhetoric.

Check your economic facts. When did we go into a recession?

When did the bailout save us? I missed that and it seems so did alot of other Americans.

1. Suspend trials of terrorists: We took some that were terrorists and some that were not! We than didn't just use illegal methods of torturing terrorists, we also tortured those that were not terrorists simply because they were Muslim. We have to do it right. We have lost all credibility throughout the world because of our “cowboy” methods.

2. Expand executive privilege: Opposed to what? He is the president and wants the decision making privileges that come with the job. You don’t want him to be president, nor want him to have any authority or power, we get that.

3. He would reach out to his MUSLIM brothers: "Brothers" Where did you get that term? Did Obama use the word "brothers"? No, you did. Obama did make a statement to the "Muslim" world that there is a peaceful way or a way that leads us to war. The message was if they are willing to "unclench" their fists, we will meet them half way with our hand extended and do it the peaceful way. Obama did indeed state their wrong doings and that we were willing to bring the fight to them in order to achieve peace. I have no problem with what he did. Would you rather just go drop a bunch of bombs and kill people for the fun of it because they are Muslim?

I posted what he did, you added your spin. I know those facts don't look good for President Obama but it is not because of any spin I put on it that it looks bad for him.

"Brothers" Where did you get that term? Did Obama use the word "brothers"?

President Obama referred to his family during his reaching out to the MUSLIMS, so I stand corrected on that. If you would prefer to use the word family in place of brothers then do so. He would reach out to his MUSLIM family. That is way different I guess.

[Pine Mt Beagles]

[Tim H]

I would love to see how President Obama is going to attempt to fix that problem.

The following is just my opinion. The less the government tries to fix things, the better the American people seem to be. Creating jobs in the government that are paid for by taxpayers only lessens the likelihood that the economy will recover. Better and more permanent jobs have always been created by the business owners and corporations. Remember, every government job created competes against the private sector job. If given the choice to have a private sector job created or a government job created, which one would you prefer become permanent? The government job would require increased taxes to pay for it, the private sector job creates more tax revenue, which means less of a tax burden for those paying taxes.

Less government intervention into business means less government is needed. It takes less money to run less government. How about we start by taking the corporate jets away from the politicians that seem to think no one else should have them. Is President Obama ready to give up Airforce One? He has taken bailout money from the American people, where is the outrage over his excessive luxurious expenditures? That's the Americans money as well.

[Rabbithoundjb]

I have stayed out these discussions for a little while now, I wanted to see what the plan was going to be. Pine mt that's a good question and this is what I think right or wrong. Bad legislation got us in this mess (NAFTA AND THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT) and it is going to take good legislature to get us out. This bailout is not going to be any better than than the last one, it's a short term boost for a long term problem. NAFTA has cost this country millions of jobs and the CRA allowed loans be made without regard for the long term economic effect and as a result KILLED the banking industry, the housing industry, the stock market, and crippled cash flo across the economy. All buisnesses are feeling the crunch and so are the people.

[Pine Mt Beagles]

[Tim H]

The first step would be to make sure this stimulus (spending package) doesn't pass. Second step would be to freeze all government spending. Third step would be to pass the savings on to the taxpayers by lowering taxes.

Reality is, non of this will happen. The current leaders have demonstrated that they believe the best way out of this is to take money from us and spend it for us. They are going to spend their way out of this (with our money).

[Dr. Chris]

We have to have the stimulus and we have to have the bailout. Don’t mis-quote me, I did not say it solved anything, I said it will. The stimulus and the bailout is not something we wanted to do, but we backed ourselves in such a corner in the last 6 years, now we have too. This is nothing new. Some of the greatest financial minds from around the world are coming together to produce these plans. It’s not just for our country. It’s not a group of uneducated rednecks that are in office because they played good football or was a world champion in the WWF. People with that mentality voting and electing people that don’t have a clue what they are doing, outside of being able to stir a crowd, is exactly why we are in this mess. When Obama went to meet with the house {Republicans} to present a plan {which had changes} they had already discussed that no matter what Obama was presenting {without even looking at the plan} they were making the pact to turn it down. Why? Because Obama is not a Republican and if he is successful, and the US starts to be prosperous what would the Republican Party do then? Do you actually think that the Republicans want our country to prosper? No! They want us to barley survive until the next election, because for most of them fighting the stimulus and the bailout, they are all about the “Party” not the people. Why would we fight the stimulus or the bailout when like other countries, it is our only option.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/19/ ... euecon.php

http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1223311622.05

http://limun.hr/en/main.aspx?id=407505

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/ca ... -Bailouts/

http://www.garrybreitkreuz.com/publicat ... 08/953.doc