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  1. #1
    JSE
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    Tough Decisions for Obama

    A great article that rasies some fair questions about Obama's next few years. Even though it was written from a conservative perspective, it's a good read. I have many of the same questions. He has inherited quite a mess and will be pulled in many personal and political directions so it will be interesting to see how he responds.

    (This is not an attack article on Obama)

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/200...politico/17769

  2. #2
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    An interesting article, those are good questions. The world will be watching closely to see how Obama puts his stamp on things.

    One thing I wonder about is how he will handle things when he is put in the position of having to make hard decisions (whatever they may be). He appears to be a man of concensus, which is, I believe, a good thing for the most part. It shows that he is willing to listen (and that is something that the rest of the world is crying out for from the US). Ultimately, however, he will need to make some tough decisions, and it will be interesting to see how he does that.

    On the issue of placating the left, well, I don't really have a lot to say about that. One thing that seems apparent to me, is that perceptions of what is considered 'left' and 'right' appear to be quite different in the US compared to here. A lot of what is spoken of as 'left' or 'liberal' in the US seems quite conservative to me. (Here in Australia the right wing side of politics call themselves the Liberal Party, by the way.)
    All we are saying, is give peas a chance.

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    I don't like his pick for Treasury secretary. It's not just an oversight to not pay taxes. You know what you are doing. So he is qualified, if he is the ONLY person we have that can do the job, toss in the towel now, we are screwed. Obama just didn't look hard enough or not at all. This is who he wanted and that was it. This is like putting a convict in the Chief of police position. I know he is just in office but are people so used to letting him have his way no one is willing to step up and say, no. I mean the guy will be the top dog for the IRS, what's that say to the tax paying public when your top dog is known not to pay taxes. Obama was very cavalier about this in an interview and said he couldn't believe it's an issue. Well either there's more to this I need to know or Mr. Obama and I have a big difference of opinion what is important.

  4. #4
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    It is a good, if rather "on the nose", article. The challenges will be many.

    Politically savvy liberal activists are an important reason Obama beat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic nominating contest, and a big reason he blew through all fund-raising records. It will be hard for Obama to govern without their enthusiasm, onthe other hand, it will be tough to reinvent politics if Obama is forced to routinely throw bouquets to the various factions of the Democratic Party.
    Recently another thread blew up with some disagreements involving the nature and expense of the inauguration. One of the points that was missed was the recognition that Obama has to transition from electoral politics to the politics of power. He can't continue to be seen as "everyman"...you know the quaint "Obama on the beach, Obama sippin' a beer" candid shots that we've seen. He now has to be seen as a King in order to motivate the seat of true power, Congress.

    That might be a tough sell given the extent to which he performed duing the campaign. There's a lot of hands out.
    So, I broke into the palace
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    She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    He now has to be seen as a King in order to motivate the seat of true power, Congress.
    "King"? Is this not America?? He is a sock puppet, as are nearly all members of the Congress. Neither is the seat of true power - remember what Benjamin Disraeli said.

    Laz

  6. #6
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    This thread, I don't think, is going to go well.

  7. #7
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Maybe

    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    This thread, I don't think, is going to go well.
    Could work out OK ... I'm not participating.

  8. #8
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    Me neither. Let's go get a Sleemans.

  9. #9
    JSE
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Me neither. Let's go get a Sleemans.

    Had one last night.

  10. #10
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Good idea

    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Me neither. Let's go get a Sleemans.
    Got one in the 'frig; I'll drink it this evening whilst thinking of you and JSE.

  11. #11
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    Got one in the 'frig; I'll drink it this evening whilst thinking of you and JSE.
    Rrrr...???
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    Got one in the 'frig; I'll drink it this evening whilst thinking of you and JSE.
    I DON'T HAVE ANY!!!

  13. #13
    Ajani
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    Are we still questioning Obama? The man has CHANGED the world... a villain in a BATMAN movie got nominated for best supporting actor by the Academy Awards! The world as we know it has clearly changed... time to end the political discussions and have a few beers and celebrate!!!! Joker for best supporting actor!!!

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    Are we still questioning Obama? The man has CHANGED the world... a villain in a BATMAN movie got nominated for best supporting actor by the Academy Awards! The world as we know it has clearly changed... time to end the political discussions and have a few beers and celebrate!!!! Joker for best supporting actor!!!
    I DON'T HAVE ANY!!!

  15. #15
    Rep points are my LIFE!! Groundbeef's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    I DON'T HAVE ANY!!!
    Rich, they are talking about beer, not ladies. Surely you haven't drank all of your Milwaukee's best?
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  16. #16
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    Oh.

    Nevermind.

  17. #17
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    He's clearly not out of whine.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  18. #18
    Ajani
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    Quote Originally Posted by Groundbeef
    Rich, they are talking about beer, not ladies, testicles or a life. Surely you haven't drank all of your Milwaukee's best?
    Now now, let's not make fun of Rich... just because he's a little...ummm... special... doesn't make it right for us to tease him...

    Warning: Groundbeef's quote may have been 'accidentally' altered.

  19. #19
    JSE
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    I DON'T HAVE ANY!!!

    I would send you some more but I'm down to about a 12'er. Gotta conserve!

  20. #20
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    So because I stopped going toe to toe with Feanor I have no balls Ajani?









  21. #21
    Ajani
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    So because I stopped going toe to toe with Feanor I have no balls Ajani?








    I didn't say anything... I was defending you


  22. #22
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Blue Meanie.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by GMichael
    Blue Meanie.
    There is a Blue Meanie who posts here once-in-a-while though.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    I didn't say anything... I was defending you...
    I'm feeling a little testy these days.

  24. #24
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    BTW, I sent a PM to SB last week that included a picture of me...

    Haven't seen hide nor hair of her since.

  25. #25
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    I'm sure that it had nothing to do with your pic. It's what's on the inside that counts Rich. She'll be back when she can.
    How did you put a pic in a PM anyhow? I couldn't see a way to do that.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

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