Obama Follows Bush Policy on Detainee Access to Courts

"The Obama administration yesterday appealed a judge's decision granting three detainees at a U.S. military prison in Afghanistan the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts, arguing partly that compliance would inhibit the future capture of Pakistani citizens for detention by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"The appeal makes clear that, despite the ruling this month by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, the Obama administration for now wants to stick with a policy set by President George W. Bush that those incarcerated by U.S. troops in foreign prisons have no U.S. legal rights. But officials said that did not foreclose a change of heart after the completion in July of a comprehensive review of detainee policy."

Like I always said, you could have voted for a Coke machine and gotten better change.

L.A. jobless line up for hope, but change not seen

"Deriding the grass-roots movement as 'teabagging,' which is a slang word for a particular sexual practice that seems to be well-known to media commentators, the coverage hit its low point when Keith Olbermann let failed radio host Janeane Garofalo deride tax protesters as ignorant, racist, mentally defective and sexually deviant, charges that would no doubt surprise the many participants at Los Angeles-area demonstrations, who came from all ethnicities, backgrounds and political persuasions.

"Despite the claims of low-rated talk show hosts and other supporters of President Obama, the protesters were correct about runaway spending, as figures show the Obama administration is projected to run the highest budget deficit in history this year -- three times what the Bush administration left the new commander in chief. Also, the government's unemployment numbers, so-called 'U3' figures or 'headline unemployment,' are heavily massaged to paint a rosier picture of joblessness across the land than reality.

"The numbers do not include people who have been unemployed long-term, former workers who have given up looking for jobs in the belief there are none to be had, or people who have been forced to take part-time jobs for lack of full-time work.

"When those classes of people are factored back in, the national unemployment rate is somewhere around 15 percent and climbing, not the 8 percent that gets reported. In Los Angeles, the actual number has been estimated to be closing in on 20 percent.

"As the federal government adds a projected $1.6 trillion to this year's deficit to keep Wall Street dandies in their corner offices, and the state of California is jacking up the sales tax and promoting a raft of new tax hikes and borrowing on the ballot, voters are starting to notice the free-spending ways of their politicians, from their local representatives up to their president.

"Despite a few bones -- like Obama's $25 a week increase in jobless benefits or dollar-a-day payroll tax cut for workers -- tossed to the public, many people are starting to believe that real help is not coming soon. A recent Rasmussen poll found that two-thirds of Americans believe Obama will raise taxes on those making under $250,000 a year, with almost half strongly believing he will do so, and only 18 percent doubting it."

Obama Lied...and Continues to Break Promises

"It seems that all of the gripes the liberals had against Bush and the GOP are not all that bad now that Barry Obama is in office.

"Bush was ridiculed because he 'suspended Habeas Corpus' and denied those pitiful souls at Gitmo to be held without a trial. Obama was upset about that too and was especially upset about the expanse of Executive Power under Bush...right up until he became the President. Now it isn't so bad: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/11/bagram/index.html

"Bush was demonized for his stance on warrantless wiretapping. The Dems cried about the gross abuse by the government and how Bush was using the Patriot Act to listen to phone conversations without sufficient enough reason to obtain a subpoena. Obama was against this practice too...right up until he was sworn in. Now it seems like the right thing to do. After all, you never know when you may have to listen in to some of those gun-toting, Bible-carrying, bitter-clingers: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/04/obama-doj-worse-than-bush

"Obama swore during his campaign that an Obama Administration would be completely transparent...not at all like the 'secrets' mean old Bush and Cheney had been keeping. After all, the American people have a right to know what is going on in their government. Well, apparently Obama meant to say that the American people had a right to know what was going on in the government before and after his presidency...because what Barry knows and how Barry knows is a really big secret: http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/04/shut_up_its_still_a_secret.php"

Obama Declares Bush Was Right

"Seems the democratic party tune has changed now, and it has many on the left wondering if they did in fact vote out Bush last year or not."

DISCLAIMER: This post is for information only. I have disagreements with the writer.

Where is the Change? -- VIDEO

Liberals had high hopes for Barack Obama and his mantra of 'change,' but many are confused by his, so far, familiar cabinet picks."

Piss on me and tell me it is raining.

Commentary: Obama, aided by media, falling short on pledge for change

"Candidate Obama promised to end earmarks in legislation which leads to pork barrel spending. In the middle of March, President Obama signed the spending bill so government could continue to fund its programs and included in this spending bill was all the former earmarks and pork barrel spending intact. President Obama's explanation: since this spending bill was a carry over from the previous administration he would not cut the earmark spending, but this would be the last time he would include those earmarks and lawmakers were going to have to learn to be more fiscally responsible in future spending bills. No change.

"Candidate Obama campaigned for a quick withdrawal of troops from Iraq. President Obama promised troops would be out of Iraq by the end of 2011-which is the date that was previously agreed to by the United States and Iraq in the former administration. No change.

"Candidate Obama promised action to get the economy going in the positive direction. President Obama urges patience as he works on the problems of the economy left to him by the previous administration. No change.

"There is one change that I have noticed since that historical day in January and it is the treatment that President Obama receives from the media.

"The purpose of the press is supposed to be to report the news in an objective manner to the public. Once reporters start adding their own personal perspectives to the story it is hard for the public to trust the accuracy and objectivity of the reporting and it starts to become similar to entertainment reporting.

"It is worse when the press underreports or down plays newsworthy items. An example would be the increase troops in Afghanistan. (Isn't that called a "surge"? -- Robert)

"If I had not been watching the news on that particular day, I would not have even known about it. It should make you think about how many other stories are fluffed over as a small side note on the evening news when they should really be headline."

What Now? I Thought We Were Going to See Change?

Love those comments:

"Well, well, well. Just a few weeks into our 'new' government of 'change', and it looks like it’s business as usual in Washington DC.

"CNN (among others) is reporting that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner (AKA Mr. Bean) 'asked' Sen. Chris Dodd (D) to include an executive pay provision in El Supremo Obama’s stimulus bill, opening a loophole that allowed bailed-out insurance giant American International Group to pay out $165 million in bonuses.

"Sen. Dodd (Dem. chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs) admitted he'd sneaked in the controversial provision after a 'Treasury official' pushed for it. In keeping with the highest of Washington ethics, earlier in the week Dodd had said he had not played any role in the addition of the loophole.

"IMO Two things will now happen…

"1. Much rhetoric, speech, belly-aching, accusations, and passing of gas will emanate from the Halls of Government about how Mr. Bean should quit, or be fired for allowing the thieves at AIG to profit from their crimes, and because he has damaged his credibility beyond repair. There will be calls from our “leaders” demanding that Obama should fire Bean if he does not quit.
Of course, that will not happen because in keeping with more long standing Washington traditions an excuse will be made for him by the guy/gal(s) who hired him…Obama, and gang.

"2. Sen. Dodd (D), being a senator and thus no credibility in the first place, will go on with his career, serving the American citizen, and suckling at the Public Teat, in spite of being a liar. He will be defended vigorously by his peers.

"Yep, tradition is alive and well in Washington,DC. Friends helping friends.

"So much for the forces of change, and the audacity of hope."

"Don't you see it, we got our change, all the names are different and they are worse than the former group, thats the 'change'

"All we have to wait for now is the 'hope' and I 'hope' they all get voted out ASAP."

"middleview, you're retarded right? So, when you post stuff, do you wear a bike helmet at the computer? Like when you're walking? What's it like riding that short bus to school? I've allways wanted to know."

LOL

“Change” Turns Out To Be Too Expensive and Unpopular

"We spent a trillion dollars (including interest) on a stimulus bill that was supposed to keep unemployment below 8%. We are going to have a $3.6 trillion budget. And the rest of the Obama agenda (e.g. card check, nationalized healthcare, cap-and-trade) is fiscally or politically unfeasible. So what is he going to do for the next three and a half years? (Well, other than rid the world of nuclear weapons.) Perhaps he might finally get around to spurring economic growth and job creation."

Quick Thoughts on President Obama’s Press Conference

"Oh, and enough of the 'I inherited this' crap already. You’ve been President for two months - you’re no longer 'inheriting' the initial problem, but you’re now dealing with pieces of the recession that have been created on your watch! And what, exactly, did you create? There is a mess with this AIG thing, right? Hey - didn’t YOUR Treasury Secretary create that mess before you were President? Does that mean that your administration is inheriting its own mistakes? Can you rightly blame that on Bush?

"Here’s hoping for more from President Obama and his administration. Where is the change that America voted for?"

She has seen the light....

"I am ashamed that I voted for Obama, at the time it seemed as though he was the better choice. But now that he has taken office it seems that there is no Change comming (sic) our way. Well except that we are taking on more and more debt. I think that even though I was not a Palin fan I should have voted for McCain. It would have made me feel better even if he didn't win. Now I just feel like I voted for a good public speaker without a plan."

and

"Why is that the media is not pointing out many of the failed promises Obama has made? Why is the media not appalled at the excessive spending policies? Why are they not questioning his leadership in regard to this?

"I voted for Obama because I really thought he would change things. I gave him to much credit for being new. Now I'm kicking myself in the rear for not going for the tried and true fighter that McCain is. Maybe I didn't agree with all of his policies but for the most part he did what he said he'd do and has fought very hard for what he believed to be in the best interest of those he served."

and

"ME TOO!"

Obama’s promise of change not what we hoped

"What our country has seen not even 100 days into this administration is the movement to a socialistic government. Our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is now and will be forever challenged while President Obama and his henchmen are in power. Things have to change with the 2010 elections, and those who believe in those freedoms and the sovereignty of this nation must come forward and make your voices heard. To steal President Obama’s line, 'Yes, we can and we will!'”

Bailout Schmailout: Welcome to the New Socialist Republic

"For all the talk of US government bailouts, the 1300 page economic stimulus bills that are so heavily laiden (sic) with pork that the actual bailout portion is but a small percentage of the document, and getting America working again, has there been any mention of repealing the ridiculous, congressional mandates that require lending institutions to knowingly make bad loans? As I recall, that's how we got in this mess in the first place.

"Sure, the federal government is on the hook to solve all this, because the federal government put in place the inane legislation that caused it. But can't we go about righting a wrong by ensuring that it does not happen again? Where is the CHANGE, Mr. Obama? What happened to, 'No more pork barrel spending,'- Senator McCain?

"The truth is, there is no change. If you were to read every exhaustive page of the bailout and stimulus documents floating around the federal city, this morning, it would be so very clear that there is no change: the basic goal is to start the same pyramid scheme economy back up again. Same as it ever was."

Newsweek: Is the honeymoon over?

"The rest of the article is an equal mix of propaganda (the people still love Obama!) and rehash of what many have been saying for some time: that the Trillion Dollar Spending Bill will not in fact create immediate jobs, that Obama’s budgets and additional spending bills are larded up with wasteful pork barrel projects for people like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, and that Obama is failing to provide the sensible leadership we need (which is tough) and instead prefers to sit on the sidelines enjoy the fact that he’s President (which is easy, and makes Michelle proud for the very first time in her adult life).

"But, what it fails to address is the central question we ask every day: where is the change we were waiting for?

"Obama promised to solve all of our problems, and deliver all of our hopes and dreams.

"He swore he was going to change the way things are done in Washington. Dumping trillions of dollars of taxpayer money into wasteful pork barrel projects is not change.

"So, Newsweek claims the public still loves Obama — but what they don’t talk about is how many of these people believe 'stimulus checks' are in the mail, headed their way to solve all of their problems? What happens when those checks never come? What happens when people see Obama has no intention, or ability, to deliver on all of his promises?

"If the honeymoon’s already over now, what marriage related metaphor will be used when people realize just how empty all of those campaign promises really were? It’s only been 50 days. The grace period’s 100.

"That gives Obama until April 29th to deliver some of the magic he promised on a daily basis for the last two years.

"We desperately want to be wrong about this man, who Oprah swore was 'The One', the Lightbringer, the Deliverer from All Evil. So, start delivering us from economic disaster, get your Treasury Secretary whipped into shape, and stop dithering while the nation burns. "