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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy all the hate towards Cornell West?
He is a champion of the progressive movement and a champion of human rights. Why is he getting attacked? How can you attack him and be for racial equality? How can you attack him and still call yourself a liberal?
That is all.
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Hoyt
(54,770 posts)because Obama didn't choose West as an advisor. Politics is a cess pool of petty jealousy.
I do not think of him as showing petty emotions of jealousy.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Has he showed emotions of jealousy?
Egnever
(21,506 posts)but it has been ongoing since the election and Obama refused to make him an adviser.
Ned_Devine
(3,146 posts)Because he continued and escalated the drone policy and backed down on his promise to close Guantanamo. The list goes on and many of us were disappointed in those things. I love Obama, but I have no problem critiquing the decisions he made that I disagree with and neither does West.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Doesn't change the fact people were put off by Cornell's reaction and the way he handled it.
The op asked why people don't like him. Not what made Cornell go off or why you think he did.
Baobab
(4,667 posts)Single payer would not intentionally discourage people from using it.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)That makes claiming Obama is the first Niggardized president OK?
Perseus
(4,341 posts)whether he was right or wrong were petty, and stern when he could have made an intelligent case to his disagreements.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)He had the standing to make principled arguments that mattered and instead he let his hate get in the way.
raindaddy
(1,370 posts)because he ran as a a progressive that was going to change the system and he turned out to be an another moderate Republican, protecting the Wall Street banks, advocating cuts to Social Security and promoting corporate power grab trade deals.
It took courage for West to tell the truth about Obama...
Egnever
(21,506 posts)That is revisionist claptrap. He was very clear about who he was, the fact that so many projected what they wanted onto him has absolutely nothing to do with the reality of what he ran on.
raindaddy
(1,370 posts)Become the most transparent administration in history
End Bush tax cuts for the rich
Put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes to walk the picket line in support of labor
Protect Social Security from cuts
Limit the influence of special interests
Allow Americans access to the foreign prescription drug market
Public option
anyone who took those promises at face value and assumed that Obama's values were progressive were projecting? So then are we also projecting if we simply say he lied to us?
Just wondering if we're going to get the same accusations if Hillary filps on the TPP and backs away from her adoption of Bernie's progressive agenda.. Maybe you can let us know beforehand, is Hillary a progressive?
Egnever
(21,506 posts)and he worked for much of that.
Become the most transparent administration in history
End Bush tax cuts for the rich
Protect Social Security from cuts
Here again he is not king and he has not pushed for cutting SS He did express a willingness to move it to a chained CPI in order to make a broader deal with the republicans who were pushing to slash benefits, and when he called their bluff they backed down and we have not seen it since.
Allow Americans access to the foreign prescription drug market
Again not a king and he had previously voted for it and pushed for it. The fact that the ACA eliminated that possibility was a trade off he was willing to make to get the reforms in that he did get. You rarely get everything you want in a negotiation and the idea that Obama got everything he wanted in the ACA is specious.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)and quite honestly your stance on this president.
Going forward I am going to have to stop taking your comments seriously as they apparently have little to no basis in any sort of reality.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)To compromise with the conservatives is to compromise with evil. Unlike you I'm not on the side of evil
raindaddy
(1,370 posts)These are all things one would expect from a Republican.. So you're right maybe the establishment Democrats campaign should reflect their REAL political ideology so there's no confusion..
Lets kill two birds with one stone.. Transparency and allowing the US drug companies to gouge the American public..
While the negotiations for Obamacare were underway the Obama administration secretly met with US drug companies to guarantee they would not have to compete on the global market..
Chained CP! would result in cuts to Social Security benefits. And when did Democrats start pushing for cuts in Social Security in an era when seniors are struggling economically?
The Obama's administration has been one of the least transparent in modern history...His "Insider Threat Program" is more like something Dick Nixon would cook up than anything you'd expect from a Democratic President.. Obama has prosecuted more whistle blowers than Bush did..
frankieallen
(583 posts)
Peace Patriot
(24,010 posts)--a fresh new face, making vague speeches about "hope"--compared to the clusterfuck that I knew, even then, a Hillary Clinton presidency would be. Because of his vagueness on so many important issues, I did not expect much from Obama, and I feared that his young supporters were in for a big disillusionment. I feared they would drop out of politics--and that absolutely would have happened this year if it wasn't for the Bernie Sanders campaign, which is NOT vague: $15/hr. Restore free tuition at public colleges. Paid family leave. Single payer health care that you can believe in. Dismantle the banksters. END campaign money corruption. Climate change action is our MORAL responsibility.
As Sanders says, don't think small, think big! That way, you can get some of what you want and can work on getting the rest. If you think small, then even a public option goes off the table, and you get the mind-boggling complexity and evil profiteering of insurance-run and big pharma-run health care, that leaves millions out and leaves those in it still impoverished by premiums, co-pays and skyrocketing drug prices, and with lousy coverage.
Obama wasn't vague about a public option. I'll admit that. He pulled a Hillary: for it during the election, deep-sixed it after the election. But he was vague on just about everything else, like WHY we should feel "hope" when a trillion dollars of OUR money was going right into the pockets of the criminal banksters, and like what do we about war criminals and master thieves Bush, Cheney & Rumsfeld (one billion dollars gone missing in Iraq--NOT TO MENTION all the criminal private contractors who sucked up billions more of OUR money). Um, "we need to look forward not backward." They teach that at Harvard Law School, but it only applies to the rich and powerful who commit crimes, and only if those crimes were committed in the past. (Lol.)
Talk about VAGUE. He wasn't even coherent on THAT matter.
I'll give him credit for what he's doing now, to try to UNDO the harm that Clinton did in the Middle East and North Africa and in Latin America with her actions as Secretary of State: i.e., Libya (what is called "Hillary's War" in Washington DC, an even bigger clusterfuck than Iraq, in its effects), and Honduras, which aroused the anger of the entirety of Latin America at yet another U.S.-engineered "regime change" in their region. Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, his opening to Cuba and his support for the Colombia/FARC peace talks--all led by John Kerry as SoS--are mitigating actions to improve relations in these regions.
I am glad for those Obama-Kerry actions, but not at all glad about the vagaries of Obama's "hope" that he carried into the White House, which continue to leave multi-millions of Americans impoverished and working 2 or even 3 jobs at shit wages just to eat and feed their families, which continue to leave the elderly stranded with inadequate incomes and bewildering programs like the Medicare drug program--a welfare program for Big Pharma--with our system STILL prosecuting poor people for marijuana possession while the war criminals and banksters go scot free, with mass incarceration of the poor, the black and the brown, with our militarized police shooting or strangling black people to death for standing on a sidewalk, with the horrendous mass disenfranchisement of the poor, the black and the brown, and with NOTHING WHATSOEVER done about this by our President or our Democratic Party, along with their doing nothing about gerrymandering, Citizens' United and 'TRADE SECRET' voting machines.
Vagueness about what "hope" means. Doing little or nothing about the practical things that make hope REAL. All he's really done is stand there being black. That IS hopeful. That IS courageous. But it is not enough in a country and world faced with climate catastrophe and economic collapse as a consequence of climate catastrophe. That is the reality. And Obama's vagueness about all things that impact the 99% is not a good answer to it. And TPP is a terrible answer to it. He's not vague about that.
Baobab
(4,667 posts)for democracy to work we all need to be able to discuss issues without being attacked. I think Cornell West raised legitimate issues about whether Obama was acting in the interests of the black community - the fact is, he was part of a group of people in Chicago who made careers out of gentrification that left the vast majority of black Chicagoans behind. When GATS was signed in 1995 that meant no more public housing but nobody knew this, his friends were able to make a huge amount of money by moving poor people out of public housing into badly built and maintained for profit housing built with grant money, and the neglecting it until people ended up suing the landlords.. one ended up in jail for stealing some huge amount of money. Then the land which had held the public housing was turned into million dollar condos.
A friend of the poor would not have done that, IMHO.
I should add here that I am not black- so please excuse me for saying this if it seems like I have no right to comment on it- but I like Cornell West and have enjoyed reading his points of view and seeing him interviewed on therealnews.com
I grew up a "nonmarital child" so i am familiar with discrimination.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)People are welcome to their opinions. What Cornel has done to Obama though goes way beyond Opinion from my perspective and it is why I don't care for him.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)On Tue May 24, 2016, 12:27 PM an alert was sent on the following post:
So what?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7853457
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
this crosses a line for me- I think its offensive and racist. Thank you
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue May 24, 2016, 12:34 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Looks more like he is asking how its ok for Cornell West to make that claim http://dailycaller.com/2015/06/22/cornel-west-obama-is-the-first-nr-ized-president-video/ rather than using it in an offensive manner himself.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The poster is paraphrasing Cornell West, the subject of this thread. In general I'd vote to hide a post that uses such an inflammatory expression, but in context I think it's allowable as it is something West has said.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Its going on down thread too. Hide them all?
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Baobab
(4,667 posts)knee jerk reaction..
Egnever
(21,506 posts)but I take it by your knee jerk reaction that you find it as offensive as many others do and can understand why we dislike Cornel because of statements like that.
Baobab
(4,667 posts)We need carve outs on trade deals so that bad things dont happen which will pit African Americans against Africans in competition for the same jobs, here.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Having said that I am more than open to discussing differing opinions on trade agreements. It is when you start to demonize the people on the other side of the argument that I find it to be a problem.
Not you as in you personally as I don't see you doing that.
Cornel on the other hand seems to have been offended by Obama and has made a few too many questionable remarks about Obama because of it. There are lot's of incredible leaders in the AA community that can make incredibly sound arguments for their cause without bringing the discourse down to the level that Cornel seems wont to bring it to. Agree or disagree with those people I have respect for them and their Opinions.
In this thread my opinion is limited to my feelings about Cornel and because of his many disparaging statements I find him to be offensive regardless of the fact that I agree with him on many issues.
Peace!
...
zeemike
(18,998 posts)He put principles above loyalty to his race?
For what other reason would there be to ditch progressive principles and praise someone who put neocons in our government?
And so why people don't like him becomes because progressive principles are not the first priority for them.
"But too many black people are niggerized. I would say the first black president has become the first niggerized black president."
That isn't honesty
zeemike
(18,998 posts)And when one gives it, it is an act of honesty.
Don't confuse that with facts.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)That you think it is great does not change the fact many disagree. The OP asked why the hate. That is one statement of many he has made that evoke the feelings towards him the OP is asking about.
melman
(7,681 posts)It's just what they do.
KPN
(15,646 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)You are free to think that is just peachy keen if you like but I find it offensive and it is just one of many repulsive comments he has made in regards to Obama.
He is welcome to disagree all he likes I have no issue with that but he goes beyond disagreement with comments like the one above.
KPN
(15,646 posts)attitude there. I see your point. The man is President of the US after all.
Feel free to disagree with Obama all you wan't but Cornel seems to have a penchant for making it personal and it is for that reason I don't like him.
Here is something else he said that I think goes to his mindset when it comes to Obama and I assume from the comment anything he disagrees with.
My dislike for him predates his association with Bernie by many years and quite honestly I had no idea until this thread he had any association with Bernie at all.
KPN
(15,646 posts)At the same time, I sincerely hope you don't put Bernie in the same category. He, at least, is running against Hillary -- not just taking pot shots from the sideline. She's not yet President.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)I don't have show stopping issues with either of our candidates.
I like both of them in their own ways. I like Bernie for his commitment to social equality and I like Clinton for her resolve in the face of adversity. Both would make a much better president than the Donald no questions about it.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)DemMomma4Sanders
(274 posts)I don't love Obama....but I think he is about the most progressive president we have had in my lifetime and has moved the US forward domestically more so than has been done in the last 50 years.
Healthcare, Coal, Pollution, Housing, Food access, job creation..........Obama has set us on the path to being competitive in the modern world. Let's just hope our next president doesn't undo all these great things.
How we integrate the horrible things that Obama has done with the wonderful things really depends on our historical perspective and life experiences. I think Cornel west's dislike of Obama is warranted, I just wonder if he would feel differently if he wasn't such an idealist.
brush
(53,788 posts)It's pretty well know West is highly disliked in the African American community because of his attack on President Obama.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Cornel West: “He posed as a progressive and turned out to be counterfeit. We ended up with a Wall Street presidency, a drone presidency.”
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/24/cornel_west_he_posed_as_a_progressive_and_turned_out_to_be_counterfeit_we_ended_up_with_a_wall_street_presidency_a_drone_presidency/
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)Gotta love revisionist history.
If the clearly well-read Dr. West had bothered to read Obama's books, he would have concluded that Obama's entire belief system was built on compromise and bringing people together.
The much noted speech at the DNC in 2004 was loaded with these themes: "There's not a liberal America or a conservative America. There's the United States of America".
Similarly, had Dr. West bothered to actually pay attention during the '08 campaign, he would have noted that Obama's message was *still* about bringing people together and working with the other side of the aisle to move the country forward.
Obama was never going to be a progressive in office, because he was never the ultra-liberal some claim they thought he was. That would have been counter to everything that anyone who bothered to pay attention knew about him.
Hell, he ran to the right of Clinton who, to some Sanders supporters, is already far right.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)He has never claimed to be the liberal savior ever. He has governed exactly as he said he would.
Hiraeth
(4,805 posts)another Clinton. And it was history making. And he could talk pretty. And people on here don't like hearing all that but, in the real world it is what it is.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)I couldn't care less who other people want in the white house. That is their personal decision and they are welcome to it.
When you want to call Obama the first niggarized president though you can just fuck off.
Hiraeth
(4,805 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)Glad you can recognize how nasty that is.
So bad you put me on ignore yet somehow because he supports Bernie you think it is excusable. Says pretty much everything about this whole thing.
mercuryblues
(14,532 posts)the base of it. West is free to disagree, but he went further than that. West used racially charged language to describe Obama. In doing do he gave cover to the teabagger types when they used racially charged language concerning Obama.
Look CW said these words, I can to, there is nothing wrong with it.
I won't get into whether he was or was not correct in his opinion, but while he was busy using racially charged rhetoric to advance his opinion, the RW was using the same words to describe Obama personally and felt justified in doing so. West is a smart man. I am sure he could have gotten his views and opinions across without feeding into the RW hate machine. He chose not to. He chose to belittle Obama and the history he made instead.
thesquanderer
(11,990 posts)I guess I missed the renegotiation of NAFTA. The public option in the ACA. The reassessment of the Patriot Act. The withdrawal from Afghanistan and end of unnecessary military interventions, where American interest are not directly threatened and the outcome is unclear (see Libya).
Egnever
(21,506 posts)
BuelahWitch
(9,083 posts)From your link:" NAFTA needs to be amended
There’s no doubt that NAFTA needs to be amended. I’ve already said I would contact the president of Mexico and the prime minister of Canada to make sure that labor agreements are enforceable. But I did want to just go back briefly to the issue of trade and human rights that you had mentioned. We have to stand for human rights, and that should be part of the trade equation"
When did we "amend" NAFTA again?
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Since Mexico is one of the countries that are a part of that agreement. You may disagree with the outcome but it certainly a renegotiation of the agreement.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Come on. I've read your posts in this thread and disagree, but you have been civil. However, coming across this post, it seems now that you will post anything to justify Obama's policies.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)However it does affect many of the things nafta did not address and will change the way nafta is implemented.
By that standard it is a renegotiation of nafta.
Like I said one could argue it is a renegotiation. Many of the countries that are signatories to the TPP already have free trade agreements with America. The TPP will consolidate those agreements all under one umbrella with added provisions in place.
As far as justifying Obama I suppose it could be seen that way. Really though I just don't buy all the histrionics surrounding TPP and the more I read on it the less I believe them.
I have no problem with disagreement on that as others are certainly entitled to their opinion However most of the people I have discussed this with so far with strong opinions on it seem to base those opinions on blog posts with little to no real information other than we decided it was bad.
Meanwhile the two major studies I have read on its impact both come to much different conclusions based on economic models going out 15 to 20years
Octafish
(55,745 posts)A: We are going through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. As we engage in this important rescue effort, we’ve got to make sure that we’ve got oversight over this whole process. $700 billion, potentially, is a lot of money. We’ve got to make sure that taxpayers have the possibility of getting that money back--and gains--if & when the market returns. We’ve got to make sure none of that money is going to pad CEO bank accounts or t promote golden parachutes. We’ve got to make sure we’re helping homeowners, because the root problem has to do with the foreclosures taking place all across the country. This is a final verdict on 8 years of failed economic policies--a theory that says w can shred regulations & consumer protections and give more to the most, and somehow prosperity will trickle down. It hasn’t worked. The fundamentals of the economy have to be measured by whether or not the middle class is getting a fair shake.
Source: 2008 first presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain Sep 26, 2008
http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Budget_+_Economy.htm
TARP Funds for Housing Relief: 90% Unspent
"My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks." -- President Barack Obama, April 3, 2009
So, yeah. Revise away.
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)That's one of the funniest things I've ever seen on DU.
Seriously, thank you for the giggle. It made my day.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)Credit where credit is due!
Octafish
(55,745 posts)The guy who met Frank Zappa two or three times yet never quotes him or his songs.
Gotta run!
Gonna shake an astronauts hand!
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Think about it.
BuelahWitch
(9,083 posts)Which seems more than you are willing to do. Throwing a tantrum: "No he didn't! No he didn't! No he didn't!" doesn't mean shit only that you have very bad manners.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Baobab
(4,667 posts)Do you think he should have disclosed the facts detailed here?- basically that bad trade policy was what constrains our health care policy into a very few options none of which work? I say this because the three pending trade deals are designed to try to re-legitimize the old Clinton era FTA that originally created this situation, and people should be aware that by approving any of them we are making affordable health care impossible so insurance and drug companies can make more profits while people die for no reason, since the government already pays 2/3 of every healthcare dollar and thats enough to give us all good quality health care for free.
countryrose
(1 post)Well you could have fooled millions of us. What the hell was "Yes we can" slogan for if not for progressives? Yes we can have health care, yes, we can have infrastructure, yes, we can have decent non GMO food and so on and so on. I understand he was hindered by obstructive Republicans but the majority knew he was for progressive issues MORE than Hillary. One of he two reasons, IMO he was elected.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)BTW, the term "sell out" implies Obama said one thing when running and did another.
The man who ran for the White House is in almost every circumstance, the man who is in the White House.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Tell me specifically what Obama has done for the victims of the shootings and the stupid police responsible for the murders. Public condemnation is not enough we need justice.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)I can tell.
Have a nice day.
Oh, by the way
here is a partial list
Changed the Culture of the Executive Branch
Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1
On his first full day, he froze White House salaries for the duration of the Great Recession. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending and efficiency. http://www.cio.gov
He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems and signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, in an attempt to limit waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting systems. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1http://bit.ly/fz8GAd
He created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa
Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu
Banned gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch. http://bit.ly/fsBACN
Banned anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years and placed strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV
Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took questions from the public. http://bit.ly/gVNSgX
Became the first president to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5
Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities. http://www.serve.gov
Restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews, giving the public greater access to historic White House documents, and curtails the use of executive privilege to shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb
Improved the Freedom of Information Act and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2
Streamline the Department of Education’s procurement policies and made them more transparent. http://bit.ly/1r9oQvh
Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7
Signed a law to completely reform NSA Data Collection program and keep phone records in the hands of the phone company. http://bit.ly/1dG34vD
Staved Off a Bush Depression, Improved the Economy
Pushed through and signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as “the stimulus package.” He also launched recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSshttp://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk
By the end of his first year, the economy created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economy by 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE
He created the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan and forced banks and other entities to pay back virtually all of the bailout money. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVShttp://bit.ly/eCNrD6
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl
In 2010, more jobs were created than had been created during Bush’s eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY
He pushed through and implemented an auto industry rescue plan that saved as many as 1 million jobs and possibly the entire auto industry. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr http://bit.ly/gj7mt5
Through his investment in GM, returned to the company to its place as the premiere car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx
In February 2016, GM was in such good financial shape, they gave a share of the profit to each worker, with checks up to $11,000. http://detne.ws/1mk7Jry
Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf
Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw
Signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which helped millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures and provided $2.2 billion to combat homelessness and stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn
Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by instructing them to reduce the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw http://bit.ly/gORYfL
Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30D
With Congressional Democrats, provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR
China’s largest manufacturer, Foxconn, is building a large plant in Pennsylvania http://cnnmon.ie/1k7LT4S
Worked with Apple Computer to get them to build more product here, and thecompany is building two large plants to manufacture products here; one in Texas http://zd.net/1nkpt2O and one in Arizona http://bit.ly/1mXY5Vg
Created an institute to invest in more manufacturing jobs in the technology fields of the future. http://nyti.ms/1egyXrV
Ordered all federal contractors to pay a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, leading the way to a national increase. http://wapo.st/1iaU5kd
Ordered the completion of the International Trade Data System, a digital trade record book, by 2016. This move will streamline and simplify the process through which small- and medium-sized businesses set up the export of US goods. http://bit.ly/1nwSRF4
Specific Examples of Economic Improvement
As of January 2016, a record 64 consecutive months of overall job growth. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
As of January 2016, Unemployment drops below 5% for the first time in eight years and without a significant bubble. 4.9% http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
As of April 2016, there have been 74 consecutive months of private sector job growth. http://1.usa.gov/1Xhizho
In April 2016, new unemployment claims hit their lowest level since Nov. 1973. http://nyti.ms/1YhZEBk
Since February 2010, when job numbers hit their lowest point, 14.6 million non-farm private sector jobs have been created. http://1.usa.gov/1Xhizho
Oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds since taking office. http://bit.ly/1xKMmjY
Reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.9% of GDP in FY 2014. http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45653
Scolds Congress and gets passed a $305 billion highways bill, which will have the added benefit of created hundreds of thousands of new jobs and creating incentives for green cars. http://bit.ly/1NsL2Zq
Addressed Wrongdoing in the Financial Sector
Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7
Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq
Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0http://bit.ly/geHpcD
Created and implemented rules to reduce the influence of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t
Created and implemented rules so banks can no longer use depositors’ money to invest in high-risk financial instruments that work against depositors’ interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB http://bit.ly/eG4DPM
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks permitting the US government to gain access to bank records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/htfDgw
Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, closing many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq
Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, inflation in the healthcare sector dropped to its lowest point in 50 years. http://on.wsj.com/1E6cYjF
Improved Conditions for Consumers and Small Businesses
Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS
Guided the housing market all the way back from total collapse, which led to a rally for housing starts. http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU
Brought airline industry back to their highest profitability since before the recession. http://lat.ms/1O8H1iE
Blocked a monopolistic merger of Staples and Office Depot, to preserve at least some competition. http://bit.ly/1kcY2Kv
Stock market has reached record highs, restoring most of the economic losses felt during the Bush Recession. http://bit.ly/1z4FAtL
Created and Implemented the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://1.usa.gov/j5onG http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Consumer confidence continues to inch up to its highest level more than a decade. http://bit.ly/1PZLRcK
Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b
Created business.gov, to allow online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov
Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7
Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV
Crafted and signed an executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE
Oversaw the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP
Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals using money from TARP and Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa
Set up rules for banks in handling legal marijuana money. http://nyti.ms/1b80o2K
Added greater protections to consumer financial transactions to reduce identity theft. http://1.usa.gov/1pjfUFq
Took steps to prevent pirate fishing and protect fish populations, and ordered stricter labeling requirements on labeling of seafood products in stores. http://1.usa.gov/1BYhTUn
Signed the RAISE Act, which should encourage more people to open small businesses and help improve the economy. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF
Signed a bill that allows low-volume vehicle manufacturers that will increase entrepreneurship among small car manufacturers, who often build replicas of classics but who often build green vehicles. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF
Strengthened the Middle Class and Fought Poverty
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Have to do with holding the officers accountable! They got away with murder!
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)and failure as a progressive?
More here
Strengthened the Middle Class and Fought Poverty
Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cut taxes for 95% of America’s working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F
Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8
Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP
Extended discounted health coverage under the COBRA health insurance law for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he’s also extended unemployment benefits more than a few times. http://aol.it/evtVxDhttp://nyti.ms/emrqKJ http://bit.ly/hOtIpg http://bit.ly/fTT7kz
Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM
Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8
Included the Buffet Rule in his 2014 budget proposal, in order to fulfill a campaign promise to make sure tax rates are fair between the rich and the middle class. http://1.usa.gov/19PkdQo
Used the fiscal cliff negotiations to extend for five additional years the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides tax credits to families for college-related expenses, thus saving those families up to $10,000. http://onforb.es/17zYg3u
Increased protections for the unemployed who are seeking a government job. http://1.usa.gov/1jgXATu
Updated and modernized overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) http://1.usa.gov/1iGDO8e
Signed and implemented the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, to improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk
To make college more affordable and accountable, will begin rating colleges with regard to affordability and value. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL
Initiated a reform of federal job training programs, to make them more relevant to the current economy and the job market. http://1.usa.gov/1kZLQHG
Under Obama, the bottom 95% of taxpayers pay lower federal income taxes than at any time in the last 50 years, including under Reagan, or either Bush. http://bit.ly/1w1W8Ns
Signed a presidential memorandum authorizing six weeks paid leave for all federal employees with a new baby and encouraged Congress to do the same for all workers. http://bit.ly/18613XA
2014 marked the first time since 1984 that unemployment dropped in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 1.usa.gov/1E25u0C
Took steps to improve workplace safety by creating an Advisory Board to study workers’ exposure to toxic substances. http://1.usa.gov/1M4s8IG
Changed overtime rules to make it far more difficult for employers to avoid paying overtime to workers. http://politi.co/1KHfiBe
Changed rules for federal contractors, guaranteeing that all workers earn paid leave; this should affect about 300,000 workers. http://1.usa.gov/1LcHZWl
Negotiated a law to finally replace “No Child Left Behind” and remove much of the onerous government “oversight” that caused children to stagnate, not improve, academically. http://bit.ly/1Up9pMl
Addressed Civil Rights and Equality
Formed a commission to examine and make recommendations for fixing the broken voting system. http://wapo.st/16K0D
Created a Civil Rights Division in the Justice Department that has become a very strong voice for Black people. http://bit.ly/1ObO7TI
At a press conference August 9, 2013, gave up a small measure of executive power, promising to create adversarial process in FISA regarding NSA surveillance. http://1.usa.gov/1dQmnyQ
Proposed rules to enhance Fair Housing Laws, to give HUD and other enforcement agencies more enforcement power. http://bit.ly/1qkz4uQ
Ordered a review of capital punishment policies after several botched executions. http://nyti.ms/RDJp58
Approved $1.2 billion discrimination settlement with black farmers who had proved USDA bias. http://huff.to/1Nol9Ab
Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0
Concentrated immigration enforcement on those who commit crimes, and vowed to stop breaking up families. http://1.usa.gov/1uTZ8gV
Streamlined the visa process, to make it more responsive and humane for those who want to be here legally. http://1.usa.gov/1tgDRti
Took steps to tighten the reins when it comes to providing local law enforcement agencies with military-style equipment and exercising more control over the equipment they receive. http://1.usa.gov/1ATWV3K
Changed fair housing rules to make more affordable housing available to more people. http://cnn.it/1JcR3qB
Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8
Created a Policing Task Force to deal with the problems that led to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. http://nbcnews.to/1T17PON
His Justice Department investigated the Ferguson Police Department twice and slammed them for their racism and exploitive practices. http://nbcnews.to/1q9jTpf
Established the White House Council of Native American Affairs, to improve government-to-government relations with Native American nations. http://1.usa.gov/1cIEeEv
Limited local police acquisitions of military-style equipment, to reduce the likelihood of overkill. http://n.pr/1NGkBjT
Signed Blue Alert Law, which provides police officers with more information when they are threatened. http://bit.ly/1NGksga
Blocked the sale of Apache tribal land to foreign mining company, over Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1RYpmfihttp://bit.ly/1RYpmfi
Settled with the City of Cleveland over civil rights and excessive force violations. http://nbcnews.to/24GRQNw
Reviewed the practices of the Philadelphia Police Department and made 91 recommendations to prevent civil rights and excessive force violations. http://on.msnbc.com/1q9ktmX
Improved Workers’ Rights
He issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees’ rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including all websites and intranets. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ
Obama’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission clarified and strengthened rules prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers. http://alj.am/1mo0kjV
Required companies who bid on federal contracts larger than $500,000 to publicly disclose all previous violations of labor law, including unpaid claims for back wages. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3
Made it illegal for federal contractors with more than $1 million in contracts to force employees into arbitration in workplace discrimination accusations. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3
Vetoed Republican bill that would have blocked new NLRB rules that were designed to speed up the time it takes workers to unionize. http://reut.rs/1agujMO He also added a Memorandum of Disagreement to make his reasons for the veto clear and made a major statement in support of unions. http://1.usa.gov/1NG7RuA
Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj
Signed law that bans imports of goods produced through forced labor. http://nbcnews.to/1RuJu2y
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)DU proves this over and over and over again.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)It can be difficult to give praise when your heart isnt in it, as well.
Number23
(24,544 posts)Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)he has done.
And when I point it out to them, just snippets really, they dont stop and say "Oh wow, look at all that, I did not know that"
No, they keep arguing with me.
Sad.
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts) I think the op is funny. 
This was a great response to the op's dry sense of humor. Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)cant and wont see any of it.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)That bothers me. Like his visit to Flint -- a lot of great speeches. Zero action.
But, then, after letting Bush and Cheney walk for their treason and various high crimes, what can I expect? Justice?
They say that elections do matter, and that there are real differences between Republican and Democratic presidents. But backing up the view to 30 years, that difference looks a lot more like continuity, both at home and in America's global empire.
By Bruce A. Dixon
Black Agenda Report managing editor
The answer is yes to all three. Ronald Reagan hasn't darkened the White House door in decades. But his policy objectives have been what every president, Democrat and Republican have pursued relentlessly ever since. Barack Obama is only the latest and most successful of Reagan's disciples.
SNIP...
In Barack Obama's case all he had to say was that he wasn't necessarily against wars, just against what he called “stupid wars.” Corporate media and “liberal” shills morphed that lone statement into a false narrative that Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq, making him an instantly viable presidential candidate at a time when the American people overwhelmingly opposed that war. Once in office, Barack Obama strove mightily to abrogate the Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq which would have allowed US forces to remain there indefinitely. But when the Iraqi puppet government, faced with a near revolt on the part of what remained of Iraqi civil society, dared not do his bidding, insisting that uniformed US troops (but not the American and multinational mercenaries we pay to remain there) stick to the withdrawal timetable agreed upon under Bush, liberal shills and corporate media hailed the withdrawal from Iraq as Obama's “victory.”
Barack Obama doubled down on the invasion and occupation of large areas of Afghanistan, and increased the size of the army and marines, which in fact he pledged to do during his presidential campaign. Presidential candidate Obama promised to end secret imprisonment and torture. The best one can say about President Obama on this score is that he seems to prefer murderous and indiscriminate drone attacks, in many cases, over the Bush policy of international kidnapping secret imprisonment and torture. The Obama administration's reliance on drones combined with US penetration of the African continent, means that a Democratic, ostensibly “antiwar” president has been able to openly deploy US troops to every part of that continent in support of its drive to control the oil, water, and other resources there.
The objectives President Obama's Africa policies fulfill today were put down on paper by the Bush administration, pursued by Bill Clinton before that, and still earlier pursued by Ronald Reagan, when it funded murderous contra armies of UNITA in Angola and RENAMO in Mozambque. It was UNITA and RENAMO's campaigns, assisted by the apartheid regimes of Israel and South Africa that pioneered the genocidal use of child soldiers. Today, cruise missile liberals hail the Obama administration's use of pit bull puppet regimes like Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, all of which shot their way into power with child soldiers, to invade Somalia and Congo, sometimes ostensibly to go after other bad actors on the grounds that they are using child soldiers.
CONTINUED...
http://www.blackagendareport.com/content/barack-obamas-2nd-term-it-bill-clintons-3rd-or-it-ronald-reagans-9th
"Cruise Missile Liberals."
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)Signed and implemented the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7
Oversaw and implemented the repeal of the reprehensible “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. http://bit.ly/fdahuHhttp://bit.ly/mZV4Pz
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj
Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7
Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide. http://lat.ms/pQe1RS
As soon as the Supreme Court invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act, he moved to extend federal benefits to same-sex couples. http://wapo.st/1avDjue
Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples. http://reut.rs/llNJek
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing bit.ly/9RxEnP
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp
Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT
Appointed several prominent gay athletes and others, and plans to show US government’s commitment to gay rights to anti-gay Russia. http://on.cpsj.com/1fckN9h
Department of Agriculture propagated new rules to better enforce non-discrimination when it comes to USDA investigations and to extend non-discrimination to gender identity. http://bit.ly/1yChJhi
Banned all federal contractors from discriminating against gay workers. http://1.usa.gov/1ok1gfH
Persevered with his campaign to turn “gay marriage” into “marriage” and won in the Supreme Court. http://cbsloc.al/1M4qLKb
Improved Conditions for Women
Establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM
Implemented the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg
Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 http://bit.ly/f92drF
Improved the Paycheck Fairness Act, making it possible for employees to talk about their salaries without retaliation, and ordering salary data collection, so as to make it harder for employers to pay women less. http://huff.to/1nwVOWf
Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU
Shattered another glass ceiling by naming Janet Yellen chair of the Federal Reserve beginning Feb. 1, 2014. http://usat.ly/1gqMBfk
Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x
Ordered companies with 100 employees or more to disclose pay data based on race and gender, to address the pay gap. http://theatln.tc/1Q04XPL
Addressed Criminal Justice Failings and the Gun Culture
Made significant reductions in drug sentencing guidelines for current prisoners. http://n.pr/1mWBLkM
Oversaw the first drop in the federal prison population in 32 years. http://bit.ly/1B5h8rW
Increased his use of clemency to release thousands of non-violent drug offenders from prison. http://nyti.ms/1KE8DJG
Ordered a ban on solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in federal prisons. http://bit.ly/20ObRzA
Took executive action to promote smart gun technology, to make them safer. http://1.usa.gov/1RhK1tU
After a failure by Congress to act, proposed executive orders to create more background checks and to fully staff the background check system. http://cnn.it/1JXmUg6
Relaxed HIPAA rules enough to allow for more information to be available to the background check system. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Ordered the tracing of guns as part of criminal investigations to provide data to researchers. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Order the Justice Department to look at the categories of mental health problems prohibited from owning guns to make sure people aren’t falling through the cracks, getting guns. http://onforb.es/1nUAGw3
Expanded the definitions of gun dealers and expanded the information available and required in background checks for firearm purchases. http://bit.ly/1K5aXee
Set up a task force to figure out what other measures can be taken to limit gun violence in the wake of Congressional inaction. http://1.usa.gov/1QjYMGJ
Signed bill to improve protections for correctional officers and their families. http://bit.ly/1SMCi4W
Changed the playing field on criminal justice reform by commuting sentences of low-level criminals and signaling a more practical footing. http://1.usa.gov/1YclW7f
Signaled major shift away from the failed “Drug War” by promising to commit more than $1 billion to combat addiction. http://2wsb.tv/1SMBQUv
Improved Treatment of Soldiers and Veterans
Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h
Created a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEshttp://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW
Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q
Signed and implemented Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, making more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1
With Congressional Democrats, oversaw largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, for improved medical and extended care facilities for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x
Implemented the Green Vet Initiative, which provides special funding to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY
Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi
Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX
Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty can avoid state taxes in their temporary residence. http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX
Ordered improvements to access to mental health care for veterans, military personnel and their families. http://1.usa.gov/TP7PVZ
Got Syria to dismantle its chemical weapons without military firing a single shot or dropping a single bomb. http://nyti.ms/1lVEkU7
Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66 http://bbc.in/gWSSkA
Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo
Signed into law a bill that provides support, counseling, and breastfeeding supplies to military moms who are covered under TRICARE, the health insurance provided to veterans. http://bit.ly/1yNxL8O
Signed into law a bill that makes it easier for military dogs to retire at home with their handlers. http://bit.ly/1J78Y2U
Improved America’s Reputation Around the World
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda
As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g
Made a speech at a US mosque to demonstrate his commitment to religious rights and send a message to Muslims around the world. http://cnn.it/1PGU1uI
Restored America’s reputation around the world as a global leader. http://bit.ly/h743y7http://bit.ly/ho4TCr
Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj
Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l
Improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe
Pushed forward the first realistic Middle East peace strategy in more than a decade, without abandoning the two-state solution. http://wapo.st/1avyste
Pushed for military to emphasize greater development of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV
Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, while calling on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh
Refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, although blocked by Congress. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF
Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy and prohibited the use of “enhanced interrogation.” http://bit.ly/g6MTuC
Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax
Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0
On his second day in office, banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies and put the US in full compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zvehttp://nyti.ms/hzWWys
In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9
Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the 187 aircraft cost $358 million each to build, it had never flown a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT
Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war and encourage the Iranian government to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb
Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS
Worked to keep our withdrawal from Afghanistan on track, despite GOP opposition. http://reut.rs/1cIOsF1 Reiterated that commitment in 2014. http://nyti.ms/1exnmRF
Conducted a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz
Through United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, creating an independent South Sudan. http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj
Helped make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY
Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP
Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U
Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde
The new policies in Cuba led to thawed relations and the first US Embassy in Cuba in more than 55 years. http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs
Became the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in more than 80 years. http://bit.ly/1qlKwbi
Negotiated a deal with Iran that will prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon anytime soon, without firing a shot or invading the country. http://cnn.it/1M3Hpvv
As a result of the Iran agreement, Iran shipped pretty much all of it nuclear material to Russia. http://nyti.ms/1PrzLty
Became the first US President to visit Jamaica in more than 30 years, worked to restore relations with the country and signed a natural gas distribution agreement with the country. http://bit.ly/1JtpFqi
Signs law extending some privacy protections to US allies, a reversal of the Bush practice of spying on people like Angela Merkel and the like. http://bit.ly/1VZza6w
Instituted Power Africa, an initiative to bring electrical generation to greater parts of the African continent. http://bbc.in/1QtYVud
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Take Cass Sunstein.
Government Nanny Censoring "Conspiracy Theories" Is Also Responsible for Letting Bush Era Torture and Spying Conspiracies Go Unpunished
Washingtons Blog, Oct. 7, 2010
EXCERPT...
Prosecuting government officials risks a “cycle” of criminalizing public service, (Sunstein) argued, and Democrats should avoid replicating retributive efforts like the impeachment of President Clinton — or even the “slight appearance” of it.
SOURCE w links n details: http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/2010/10/main-obama-adviser-blocking-prosecution.html?m=1
President Obama HAS done a great job putting those exposing war crimes and government corruption behind bars, though.
Least Transparent Administration Ever: A New Front in Obama’s War on Whistleblowers
By Juan Cole Juan Cole
Informed Comment | Mar. 5, 2014
The Obama administration has just opened a new front in its ongoing war on whistleblowers. It’s taking its case against one man, former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Air Marshal Robert MacLean, all the way to the Supreme Court. So hold on, because we’re going back down the rabbit hole with the Most Transparent Administration ever.
Despite all the talk by Washington insiders about how whistleblowers like Edward Snowden should work through the system rather than bring their concerns directly into the public sphere, MacLean is living proof of the hell of trying to do so. Through the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to use MacLean’s case to further limit what kinds of information can qualify for statutory whistleblowing protections. If the DOJ gets its way, only information that the government thinks is appropriate — a contradiction in terms when it comes to whistleblowing — could be revealed. Such a restriction would gut the legal protections of the Whistleblower Protection Act and have a chilling effect on future acts of conscience.
Having lost its case against MacLean in the lower courts, the DOJ is seeking to win in front of the Supreme Court. If heard by the Supremes — and there’s no guarantee of that — this would represent that body’s first federal whistleblower case of the post-9/11 era. And if it were to rule for the government, even more information about an out-of-control executive branch will disappear under the dark umbrella of “national security.”
On the other hand, should the court rule against the government, or simply turn down the case, whistleblowers like MacLean will secure a little more protection than they’ve had so far in the Obama years. Either way, an important message will be sent at a moment when revelations of government wrongdoing have moved from the status of obscure issue to front-page news.
The issues in the MacLean case — who is entitled to whistleblower protection, what use can be made of retroactive classification to hide previously unclassified information, how many informal classification categories the government can create bureaucratically, and what role the Constitution and the Supreme Court have in all this — are arcane and complex. But stay with me. Understanding the depths to which the government is willing to sink to punish one man who blew the whistle tells us the world about Washington these days and, as they say, the devil is in the details.
CONTINUED...
http://www.juancole.com/2014/03/transparent-administration-whistleblowers.html
Then, again, BHO evidently has been in the electronic net a while:
The Huffington Post | By Nick Wing
Posted: 06/20/2013
Russ Tice, a former intelligence analyst who in 2005 blew the whistle on what he alleged was massive unconstitutional domestic spying across multiple agencies, claimed Wednesday that the NSA had ordered wiretaps on phones connected to then-Senate candidate Barack Obama in 2004.
Speaking on "The Boiling Frogs Show," Tice claimed the intelligence community had ordered surveillance on a wide range of groups and individuals, including high-ranking military officials, lawmakers and diplomats.
"Here's the big one ... this was in summer of 2004, one of the papers that I held in my hand was to wiretap a bunch of numbers associated with a 40-something-year-old wannabe senator for Illinois," he said. "You wouldn't happen to know where that guy lives right now would you? It's a big white house in Washington, D.C. That's who they went after, and that's the president of the United States now."
Host Sibel Edmonds and Tice both raised concerns that such alleged monitoring of subjects, unbeknownst to them, could provide the intelligence agencies with huge power to blackmail their targets.
"I was worried that the intelligence community now has sway over what is going on," Tice said.
CONTINUED...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/20/russ-tice-nsa-obama_n_3473538.html
The JFK Assassination: A False Mystery Concealing State Crimes
Corporate Fascism we may or may not deserve. What We got is something worse: We the People are now the Enemies of Our Own State.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)then you have an agenda and it is clear to me.
I said I could go on, I meant it
Pay close attention to these
(jesus, you are provided with HUNDREDS of AMAZING Accomplishments and your response is "he didnt do this ONE thing over here so nothing else counts) fucking embarrassing
Changed US Approach to “Defense” and National Security
Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE
Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2
Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i
Signed and got ratification of a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw
Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will stay in force until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4
Committed the US to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ
Developed a comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda, the withdrawal of most troops and the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs
Re-focused on Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna
Negotiated a deal with Afghan government, to withdraw troops and military support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an
Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6
Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn
Worked with NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that Libyans could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj
Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate. http://f24.my/efvgNZ
In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneously engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. http://bit.ly/RGlMDi
Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z
Increased border security http://bit.ly/1JQDGz9
Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw
Established the Homeland Security Partnership Council, to enhance the nation’s ability to “address homeland security priorities, from responding to natural disasters to preventing terrorism, by utilizing diverse perspectives, skills, tools, and resources.” http://1.usa.gov/VJjLXO
Signed agreement with Afghanistan to end war, turn security over to Afghans. http://nyti.ms/1xSjgBd
Breaking with recent presidential tradition, instead of just attacking Syria in the wake of chemical weapons attacks on Syrians, Obama ordered a full report on the decision-making process. http://cbsn.ws/184RFgu
Instead of holding hearings and creating a political football, he quietly captured a suspect who actually committed the Benghazi terrorist attack. http://wapo.st/1jFlmzv He is also getting a lot of useful information from the suspect. http://nyti.ms/UfE2Ka
Instituted rules to order sanctions against individuals and groups that threaten national cybersecurity. http://1.usa.gov/1HWcGMG
Instituted tougher new sanctions against North Korea after threats of nuclear attack and several tests. http://cbsn.ws/1L8L5hW
Took concrete steps to improve our counter-terrorism efforts. http://bit.ly/1RATjAh
Making great strides in defeating the Islamic State without committing hundreds of thousands of troops or carpet bombing civilians, against Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1TxBK5e
Improved Education and Educational Opportunities
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr
Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them. http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L
Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide. http://bit.ly/fNDcj3
Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV
Signed an executive order that expanded recognition and funding for historically black colleges and universities. http://on.thegrio.com/1rD50gc
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0, to improve veterans’ access to education. http://bit.ly/hPhG7J
Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low and middle income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz
Signed and implemented the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe
Took major new steps to protect students from ineffective for-profit colleges through “gainful employment” measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2
Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process, thus us creating greater accountability. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr http://bit.ly/eEzTNq
Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt
Created a rating system for colleges, so that those applying for student financial aid know better what they’re paying for. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL
Led a bipartisan effort to reform the federal approach to education and essentially repeal “No Child Left Behind.” http://cbsn.ws/2780qXu
Restored the Adult View on Science and Technology
Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw
Opened up the process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7
Obama EPA reversed research ethics standards which allowed humans to be used as “guinea pigs” in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS
Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC
Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr
Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP
Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA
Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3
Expanded space exploration and discovery options to include more players. http://1.usa.gov/13qmZpm
Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. http://lat.ms/vhRUEs http://bit.ly/129V3SY
In the wake of the West Fertilizer tragedy, formed the Chemical Safety and Security Working Group, to work on measures to prevent another such events. http://1.usa.gov/18kHSlA
Established a Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission, to coordinate efforts to fight cyber-crime and terrorism. http://1.usa.gov/1A0aEoS
The Obama FCC, with his leadership, adopted strong net neutrality rules, to keep the Internet open and equal for everyone. http://fcc.us/1MhTlIA
Ordered rules to speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe
Set up a National Strategic Computing Initiative, to “maximize benefits of high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment.” http://1.usa.gov/1IN3FZa
Ordered a federal level change in national earthquake standards. http://1.usa.gov/1T5wGoR
Signed executive orders designed to strengthen government cybersecurity and prevent hackers from getting in. http://usat.ly/1R0saIt
Took steps to combat the effects of climate change by committing the U.S. to developing long-term drought resilience measures. http://1.usa.gov/1SMCuRY
Started the road to greater exploration of space by signing bill to encourage mining on asteroids and clarifying property rights in space. http://bit.ly/1RV2la9
Improved Our Health
Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSOhttp://ti.me/edezge
Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb
Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc
Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco and order tobacco companies to disclose their ingredients and to ban cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.” http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB
Has overseen a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9
Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b
Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv
Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39% without explanation. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C
Pushed through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage greatly and ended many detrimental insurance company practices. He also established healthcare.gov. http://www.healthcare.gov/
Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, millions of people receive help in paying their health insurance company premiums. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo (Note: except for those states whose Republicans refused to take the extra money.)
By 2014, the Affordable Care Act dropped the number of uninsured Americans by 22.3%, which amounts to more than 10.3 million people with insurance who didn’t have it before. Only 13.9% of Americans are uninsured, a drop from 18.9% in 2013. http://on.msnbc.com/1r4kjGn
The Affordable Care Act has increased the life expectancy of Medicare greatly. http://on.wsj.com/1yuNco6
Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Digital Puppy
(496 posts) disillusioned73
(2,872 posts)ughh - I just told my boss (big time right-winger) a very similar thing.. Reagan-ism/conservatism has rules for 30+ years and they keep calling the Clintons & Obamas socialists & liberals.. it's disgusting and offensive.
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)He'll come out with a full throated support statement for gay rights followed by policies and an executive order but tries to play even handed between blacks and the cops who profile and kill us. Looking back on it I really don't think Obama ever had any use for black people except as a voting block. If we want justice we're going to have to arm ourselves and police our own communities and build our own businesses while practicing group economics. Only then can we bribe politicians to do right by us. The marches and speeches are just for show.
FairWinds
(1,717 posts)in 2008 Obama had an explicitly progressive trade policy,
and promised to re-negotiate NAFTA among other things.
He lied.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)if not a renegotiation of trade agreements?
FairWinds
(1,717 posts)that may well get Trump elected.
Obama got zero progressive support for his TPP lobbying, and
very little Dem support either.
That is the kind of "renegotiation" that cost the Dems the house and
senate after the Clinton NAFTA vote in 1994.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/business/economy/trade-donald-trump-bernie-sanders.html?_r=0
And the TPP is not actually a "trade" agreement at all. It's about corporate governance - of US!!
Please read yourself some Dean Baker, Naomi Kline, Lori Wallach, etc.
I'll telling you, the TPP is a HUGE LOSER for Dems.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Ok then.
OrwellwasRight
(5,170 posts)Not the least of which is that NAFTA stays fully in effect with its rules as is. The TPP simply would sit next to it.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Under the TPP, the Obama Administration argues that NAFTA has been strengthened by expressly banning workplace discrimination and other labor abuses and by mandating that signatories set minimum wage rates and safety policies, and allow workers to form unions and bargain collectively – all areas that were covered under Mexican domestic legislation and now strengthened via the proposed multilateral treaty. The TPP also provides trade sanctions for violations of labor rights.
OrwellwasRight
(5,170 posts)Last edited Thu May 26, 2016, 05:03 PM - Edit history (1)
Does it say anywhere that NAFTA is repealed? No. Because it won't be. So it is misleading to pretend it will no longer be in force. But repeating USTR propaganda is pretty typical of folks wanting to disguise the rules and impacts of neoliberal trade.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)No nafta will not be repealed but the rules of the TPP in many cases will supersede the rules in nafta efectively nullifying much of NAFTA.
OrwellwasRight
(5,170 posts)If you understand the issue. So let me clarify. Legally, the TPP will absolutely not "supersede" NAFTA. Both will stay in place with equal legal force. Where they have different standards, the entity seeking to enforce the standards can pick the standard it wants to use and will have to use the dispute settlement provisions of that agreement. But that entity is free to choose either agreement.
No part of NAFTA will be "nullified," "repealed," "replaced," "renegotiated," or "superseded" or in any other way be voided of legal force.
By contrast, the US-Canada FTA was legally superseded by NAFTA, as you can plainly see here on the Canadian government website:
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/us-eu.aspx?lang=eng
You will never see such a website saying that NAFTA is "superseded" because USTR's plan from the outset was to have the TPP coincide with, not supersede, existing agreements.
OrwellwasRight
(5,170 posts)I didn't know that was a litmus test.
snot
(10,530 posts)e.g.:
His selection of Wall St. cronies to fill virtually every governmental job relating to economic issues.
His failure to prosecute Bush & Co. for war crimes.
His approval of warrantless surveillance of US citizens.
His relentless prosecution of whistleblowers.
Am I glad we have an African American President? I'm thrilled!!! 
Do I appreciate some of the things Obama has done? Of course!!!
But is he a perfect god beyond all criticism? Imho, I'd be derelict in my duty as a citizen if I replied anything other than HELL NO.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)That somehow means any criticism no matter how vile should be cheered and respected?
mikeysnot
(4,757 posts)and then look in the mirror...
CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)Guarantees our right to discuss our government critically
CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)
Greybnk48
(10,168 posts)He's been hyper-critical at times and it pissed me off.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)I'm saying you have to like him if you're for racial equality.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)But that's what it really is about. Part of the Swiftboating of Sanders.
Out of all of West's life, his single act of criticizing Obama makes him impure now. Like Sanders, he does not pass the Third Way purity test of unconditional loyalty to the infallible Party. Like Silas Marner, he must be shunned by the congregation.
PragmaticLiberal
(904 posts)Nope.
For example, Dr. Dyson is held in high regard in the AA community and he's been quite critical of President Obama.
So ask yourself why one is highly regarded but not the other?
I believe the reasons Dr. West/Tavis Smiley aren't particularly liked is that people (AAs) question SOME of their motivations in attacking President Obama.
Basically, they don't believe it's purely motivated by politics.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Well, now, because Sanders wants him appointed, they themselves are purely motivated by politics.
Response to AlbertCat (Reply #300)
PragmaticLiberal This message was self-deleted by its author.
the African American community that does not like him isn't for racial equality, by your standards.
Stuckinthebush
(10,845 posts)Ouch.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts) Stuckinthebush
(10,845 posts)I wondered the same thing
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)Bout the establishment. That includes your queen
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)And I am an early adopter of Bernie Sanders
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Does that same right apply to criticism of individuals? If so, how do you rationalize the use of that right as a rejection of liberalism?
Gothmog
(145,321 posts)La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)
Skittles
(153,169 posts)and people can take exception to what he says - that is the OTHER side of free speech
onehandle
(51,122 posts)mikeysnot
(4,757 posts)
polly7
(20,582 posts)and confidante in destroying Libya while paying him through her Foundation. Do you have a problem with Blumenthal? He did much, much worse to Obama than West.
Just curious.
Duval
(4,280 posts)brush
(53,788 posts)
Skinner
(63,645 posts)That would explain most of it.
mikeysnot
(4,757 posts)I haven't seen ALL of his appearances but most his criticism is warranted IMO.
The person projecting should post links to back up their hatred of West.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Maedhros
(10,007 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)Than that is a real shame.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)but the power was President Obama - and that's just not right!
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)disillusioned73
(2,872 posts)We have a winner here.. 
scscholar
(2,902 posts)And people often do what they claim they will do.
Trajan
(19,089 posts)Who stand on the very edge of conservatism whilst referring to themselves as moderate Democrats ...
I would beg to differ, but anybody can call themselves whatever they wish ... I doesn't necessarily make it true ...
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)So yeah, there are lots of "Liberals" in the Democratic Party, but not lots of liberals.
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)The world is not the black and white that you seem to see in everything. It is possible to both be a liberal and to believe that other liberals should not be referring to the President of the United States with the N-word or comparing him to George Zimmerman.
I know...you beg to differ.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)
Zorra
(27,670 posts)and an outspoken advocate for social and economic justice.
It's only natural that Third Way and Republicans would despise him.
I needed this
Zorra
(27,670 posts)Although, believe it or not, the name "democratic underground" really was descriptive of an overwhelming majority of the membership of this forum less than a decade ago.
Lots of love for Dr. West here:
http://jackpineradicals.org/content.php?s=a292cca16eb7b00694e46f066be97536
brush
(53,788 posts)Zorra
(27,670 posts)but I already know that there isn't any, so I won't waste any more time.
brush
(53,788 posts)Go back in the DU archives for when West was introduced as a surrogate.
You'll find plenty of evidence denouncing it.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Real liberals are at jack pines. As you can see HRC has killed the party
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)I'm disappointed in this so called liberal party. WTF happened to this party?
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)
GoneOffShore
(17,340 posts)
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)Here are the lyrics for the hearing impaired, they start at about 40 seconds.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"How can you attack him and still call yourself a liberal?"
What (other than irrational biases) specifically leads you to believe that criticism of one individual equates to a rejection of liberalism?
jpmonk91
(290 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)That's merely a response rather than an answer*. What *specifically* leads you to believe that criticism of one individual equates to rejection of liberalism?
(*All answers are responses, not all responses are answers)
elleng
(130,974 posts)seemed to have lost his grounding.
That is all.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)I've only seen impassioned speeches
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)Duval
(4,280 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Paladin
(28,264 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Paladin
(28,264 posts)
MisterP
(23,730 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)Gene Debs
(582 posts)leftofcool
(19,460 posts)
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)
Egnever
(21,506 posts)This started long ago when Obama was first elected.
Gene Debs
(582 posts)shortcomings, and for the most part I think he's been right on the money.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Just as it is mine to find his words repulsive.
Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)Because he is a progressive that doesn't support Hillary. That makes him the enemy.
Hekate
(90,714 posts)
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Hekate
(90,714 posts)Which of us is being kinder?
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)highprincipleswork
(3,111 posts)comments, and also know how important it is for people to come together.
Truth is, I also wish the AA community could see past those comments (authorized or not authorized, based on West's standing as a brother) and looked to the overall history of Cornel West, what he has meant, said, done, and stood for. As captured at least pretty well in this article.
https://newrepublic.com/article/121550/cornel-wests-rise-fall-our-most-exciting-black-scholar-ghost
West is not just the person who said those things. He is also the man embraced by Obama as “a genius, a public intellectual, a preacher, an oracle,” and “a loving person.”
He is has a history of being a leading Black intellectual, with a lot to say, and a consistently Progressive point of view. It is from that point of view that he has stood behind Bernie and been critical of Barack. It is from that point of view that if this truly does go down that he will vehemently and ardently defend Black causes and speak eloquently from the Progressive side in general.
Finally, it must be noted and is not noted nearly enough that this experience of effectively "losing" the first Black President in U.S. history undoubtedly carries with it profound feelings, especially for the AA community. That has to be. I mean, we almost should be having grief counseling for the community, because the loss is that large. There is also the concern about when we will see the opportunity again. Of course, we don't really know the answer to that, in reality. And in the mourning of the end of Obama's term, it is still important to move beyond the grief and into clear assessment of what has been accomplished and what is left to be done, particularly from a Liberal or Progressive point of view. Towards that continued fight, it is important to have people like Cornel West in the mix, to get beyond what separates us and to unite in what brings us together. Frankly, that is how we create the conditions where we will see sooner the Second Black President of the United States.
I am sorry there is this huge sentiment against him. It is a warning for people of good faith to be somewhat temperate in their dealings and in their words. I would request, however, that we look beyond some of the actual words to the true intent and lifelong activities of Cornel Wes ---- for the betterment of people of the AA community and in fact for people throughout the U.S., especially those disadvantaged, everywhere.
fasttense
(17,301 posts)And it is a shame that people can't appreciate both men.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)“Well, I guess that’s the difference between me and you. I don’t respect the brother at all.”
“Rockefeller Republican in blackface”
“brown-faced Clinton”
Real progressive. If that is how a real progressive talks about a sitting Democratic president fuck Progressives.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)I thought people were allowed to have opinions and stuff.
Sorry, this isn't North Korea.
Right the way you speak has no bearing on peoples feelings about you regardless of who you support. The mental gymnastics are fucking amazing!
arcane1
(38,613 posts)As is the irony
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)You know, I can go to Yahoo! and YouTube and listen to right-wing jackoffs say people "worship" Obama, and then call him the n word all day.
I think respect is what we're looking for.
Trajan
(19,089 posts)Those were pretty tame ... Nothing profane ... Nothing completely insulting ... Strong opinions without profanity is NOT inherently ANTI-Liberal ...
The same goes for the right wingers who insist that Liberals must love everybody, including the most despicable, otherwise were 'aren't very Liberal'
I don't recall any rules stating that Liberals MUST love everybody ... It's a fallacious appeal, as is your statement ....
Liberals of ALL races disagree with this president, and you, whom I presume is an Obama fan, want to disregard their opinions? ...fine ... It doesn't make them wrong, or you right ....
I disagree with their opinions on some things. That doesn't mean I have to like Cornel or even respect him.
Nor does disagreement with Obama make you a liberal.
mmonk
(52,589 posts) Egnever
(21,506 posts)“Well, I guess that’s the difference between me and you. I don’t respect the brother at all.”
He is talking about Obama, I have no problem with disagreement but that statement goes beyond that. It is not nearly the only over the top statement he has made either. It is petty and makes him look small.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)Maybe you are too obsessed with Bernie.
Me I don't have a dog in the primary race neither one excites me.
Marr
(20,317 posts)Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)The worst sin one can commit in the eyes of the establishment.
OnyxCollie
(9,958 posts)Response to jpmonk91 (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)He's a Democratic Socialist. An official one, no less.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)And cornel west is also not a movement. To have a movement you need followers and he doesn't have them.
My sense is that he resents that Obama does have an actual movement and actual followers, and that AA have united over the first Black president. He resents the actual leader of African Americans.
his words towards Obama are just disrespectful and ugly.
"Too many black people are niggerized," West said Monday on CNN. "I would say the first black president has become the first niggerized black president."
Egnever
(21,506 posts)or at least that is what someone will be along to tell you any second.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)understands what it takes to run a country. (academic or activists really). He could have pushed back against specific policies while remaining respectful. Obviously he could not be bothered.
Egnever
(21,506 posts) jpmonk91
(290 posts)Academics and activists don't know anything about politics and the political system 
LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)Is to paint them as overly sensitive to the point of having a Pavlovian response to anyone in that community that criticizes a brother....even if thought warranted by that person. I guess Killer Mike and Spike Lee are also on that list.
That it is the ACT of criticism not the actual substance of that criticism that they cannot get over.
Or that the ferocity and frankness of that criticism is too loud for their sensitive ears, and is especially verboten when coming from another brother. That they should just be thankful that they have a dark skinned President and that they will obviously then vote for his endorsed replacement no matter how more economically better they would be with the "other" candidate.
Oh yeah one more, that if anyone tells them that fact, they will act as children and stomp their feet and say they will then purposely vote for the candidate out of spite, because one of the other's supporters implied they were stupid for voting against their best interests on an anonymous message board.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)his criticism of Obama are not respectful. They are way OTT and frequently he sounds insane.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)Sorry but that comes across as code words for "not giving him a pass because he is a brother"
Obama is a grown man, and a seasoned politician, and has taken all kinds of spears and arrows from many directions. I'm sure he can take it. If Cornel uses words that have power to make his point, especially as a black man speaking to a black audience, ones that a white person could not get away with, well this might be the problem, I gather. You may not agree with that but that is how it looks from a distance. And that instead of actually thinking about what Dr. West's general points are, beneath his angry exasperation that comes through in his statements, you dismiss the messenger simply because he's being rude.
Hekate
(90,714 posts)Response to La Lioness Priyanka (Reply #85)
Name removed Message auto-removed
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)Response to La Lioness Priyanka (Reply #393)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Mira
(22,380 posts)always have and probably always will be. He is honest, damn clear on his views, and has a right to them. I will always listen to what he has to say.
I wish there were many more of him.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)
nini
(16,672 posts)The fact he's black doesn't matter.. I'm an equal opportunity hater.
To give him slack because he's black is stupid.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)It's because he is a leading activist. I find you're comments inappropriate and racist.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Betty Karlson
(7,231 posts)Clinton's side has a history of targeting people of colour ("Superpredators"
and David Brock's record on people of colour (gunning for Anita Hill) compells me to smell a rat in all these attacks in West.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)You need to step back and look at reality. Cornell has been disliked almost since the begining of Obamas presidency when he let his disappointment in not being included color his statements.
I like both Bernie and Clinton in their own ways. Both have strengths and weaknesses as far as I can see.
I think Cornell lost his mind when Obama refused to include him in his inner circle and destroyed what was a great legacy with his statements like Obama is the first niggardized president. Dissagree with Obama or Clinton or Bernie all you want but when you start throwing bombs like that you are going to have to excuse me if I no longer have much respect for your opinion.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)It is definitely possible that he is being targeted by the party
gollygee
(22,336 posts)That could have made things worse, but it didn't start it.
Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)gollygee
(22,336 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Betty Karlson
(7,231 posts)Let's not try to whitewash (pun intended) Clinton's callosities.
840high
(17,196 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)
wendylaroux
(2,925 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... fuck him
Response to uponit7771 (Reply #109)
Name removed Message auto-removed
AllyCat
(16,189 posts)And he's a progressive, which our corporate overlords are not.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... of mostly white people in IA and NH.
But blacks don't "know" him or have some syndromes or some shit ass'd excuse made up by Sanders camp for losing PoC so bad
SunSeeker
(51,574 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)His words out of context. He hates trump.
SunSeeker
(51,574 posts)If he hates Trump, he sure has a weird way of showing it.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Trump is authentic to the republican racism and hate! He does not support trump!
SunSeeker
(51,574 posts)He DID NOT say Trump was "authentic to his base." He didn't even mention Trump's base. No, he likened him to Sanders, saying both were "authentic human beings" who are "in stark contrast to their donor-driven opponents."
That Cornel tweet is so stupid on so many levels, not the least of which is the ridiculous suggestion that Trump is not sucking up to his donors.
jalan48
(13,870 posts)AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Which is all it takes to get thrown under that bus
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)He explained exactly what he meant by it.
"A niggerized black person is a black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated when it comes to putting a spotlight on white supremacy and fighting against white supremacy," West explained. "So when many of us said we have to fight against racism, what were we told? 'No, he can't deal with racism because he has other issues, political calculations. He's the president of all America, not just black America.' We know he's president of all America but white supremacy is American as cherry pie."
Of course you don't care what he was talking about because it doesn't fit your simpleton narrative.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... seeing people will scream up and down that race in the dem primary doesn't matter.
and even his explanation doesn't make sense seeing Obama spoke on racial issues before he was elected as president
West is an asshole who says racialized vile things about the president and few who've been paying attention are supprized that one camp in this primary supports the guy
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Of course it doesn't fit your simple narrative, so you conveniently ignore it.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... asshole who called the president some form of nigger and Sanders supports him
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Which you desperately ignore....cuz it doesn't fit the Brock issued talking points list.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Obama had an extensive speech on race before he was nominated even. Cornel claiming he ignored it does not make it so and was bullshit the moment he uttered it.
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Once in office with a bully pulpit, Obama became mute about race and racial issues.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)That was just a year before Cornels Niggarized comment.
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Things like BLM, police brutality, private prisons, etc., all the subjects Obama wouldn't touch with a ten foot bully pulpit.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Care to move those goal posts a little further?
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)And has explained numerous times what he was talking about.
The fact you are perplexed, baffled and flummoxed is on you, not Cornel.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)
Selma teaches us, as well, that action requires that we shed our cynicism. For when it comes to the pursuit of justice, we can afford neither complacency nor despair.
Just this week, I was asked whether I thought the Department of Justice’s Ferguson report shows that, with respect to race, little has changed in this country. And I understood the question; the report’s narrative was sadly familiar. It evoked the kind of abuse and disregard for citizens that spawned the Civil Rights Movement. But I rejected the notion that nothing’s changed. What happened in Ferguson may not be unique, but it’s no longer endemic. It’s no longer sanctioned by law or by custom. And before the Civil Rights Movement, it most surely was. (Applause.)
We do a disservice to the cause of justice by intimating that bias and discrimination are immutable, that racial division is inherent to America. If you think nothing’s changed in the past 50 years, ask somebody who lived through the Selma or Chicago or Los Angeles of the 1950s. Ask the female CEO who once might have been assigned to the secretarial pool if nothing’s changed. Ask your gay friend if it’s easier to be out and proud in America now than it was thirty years ago. To deny this progress, this hard-won progress -– our progress –- would be to rob us of our own agency, our own capacity, our responsibility to do what we can to make America better.
Of course, a more common mistake is to suggest that Ferguson is an isolated incident; that racism is banished; that the work that drew men and women to Selma is now complete, and that whatever racial tensions remain are a consequence of those seeking to play the “race card” for their own purposes. We don’t need the Ferguson report to know that’s not true. We just need to open our eyes, and our ears, and our hearts to know that this nation’s racial history still casts its long shadow upon us.
We know the march is not yet over. We know the race is not yet won. We know that reaching that blessed destination where we are judged, all of us, by the content of our character requires admitting as much, facing up to the truth. “We are capable of bearing a great burden,” James Baldwin once wrote, “once we discover that the burden is reality and arrive where reality is.”
There’s nothing America can’t handle if we actually look squarely at the problem. And this is work for all Americans, not just some. Not just whites. Not just blacks. If we want to honor the courage of those who marched that day, then all of us are called to possess their moral imagination. All of us will need to feel as they did the fierce urgency of now. All of us need to recognize as they did that change depends on our actions, on our attitudes, the things we teach our children. And if we make such an effort, no matter how hard it may sometimes seem, laws can be passed, and consciences can be stirred, and consensus can be built. (Applause.)
With such an effort, we can make sure our criminal justice system serves all and not just some. Together, we can raise the level of mutual trust that policing is built on –- the idea that police officers are members of the community they risk their lives to protect, and citizens in Ferguson and New York and Cleveland, they just want the same thing young people here marched for 50 years ago -– the protection of the law. (Applause.) Together, we can address unfair sentencing and overcrowded prisons, and the stunted circumstances that rob too many boys of the chance to become men, and rob the nation of too many men who could be good dads, and good workers, and good neighbors. (Applause.)
With effort, we can roll back poverty and the roadblocks to opportunity. Americans don’t accept a free ride for anybody, nor do we believe in equality of outcomes. But we do expect equal opportunity. And if we really mean it, if we’re not just giving lip service to it, but if we really mean it and are willing to sacrifice for it, then, yes, we can make sure every child gets an education suitable to this new century, one that expands imaginations and lifts sights and gives those children the skills they need. We can make sure every person willing to work has the dignity of a job, and a fair wage, and a real voice, and sturdier rungs on that ladder into the middle class.
And with effort, we can protect the foundation stone of our democracy for which so many marched across this bridge –- and that is the right to vote. (Applause.) Right now, in 2015, 50 years after Selma, there are laws across this country designed to make it harder for people to vote. As we speak, more of such laws are being proposed. Meanwhile, the Voting Rights Act, the culmination of so much blood, so much sweat and tears, the product of so much sacrifice in the face of wanton violence, the Voting Rights Act stands weakened, its future subject to political rancor.
How can that be? The Voting Rights Act was one of the crowning achievements of our democracy, the result of Republican and Democratic efforts. (Applause.) President Reagan signed its renewal when he was in office. President George W. Bush signed its renewal when he was in office. (Applause.) One hundred members of Congress have come here today to honor people who were willing to die for the right to protect it. If we want to honor this day, let that hundred go back to Washington and gather four hundred more, and together, pledge to make it their mission to restore that law this year. That’s how we honor those on this bridge. (Applause.)
Of course, our democracy is not the task of Congress alone, or the courts alone, or even the President alone. If every new voter-suppression law was struck down today, we would still have, here in America, one of the lowest voting rates among free peoples. Fifty years ago, registering to vote here in Selma and much of the South meant guessing the number of jellybeans in a jar, the number of bubbles on a bar of soap. It meant risking your dignity, and sometimes, your life.
What’s our excuse today for not voting? How do we so casually discard the right for which so many fought? (Applause.) How do we so fully give away our power, our voice, in shaping America’s future? Why are we pointing to somebody else when we could take the time just to go to the polling places? (Applause.) We give away our power.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)He had no bully pulpit BEFORE he was president. Once he had it, he became mute, which is exactly what Cornel stated.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... is still wrong factually seeing Obama spoke of race in hiring after he was elected in a gym full of stundents and then sung amazing grace with them.
West
Is
Full
Of
Shit
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)There is no limit to my kicking strength and accuracy on this subject.
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)And then doubled-down on it.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... at all and even the context the criticism is bullshit seeing Obama spoke about race multiple times.
Number23
(24,544 posts)Especially coming from the sort of folks that screamed that BLM were "thugs" because they went after Sanders and run, not walk, to call Obama a "sell out" every chance that they get and they ain't even black??
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... as can come out of his mouth then when (and if) he's in front of black folk he's little like to say.
Weak character and an asshole but since it's Obama hate the "far left" tolerate him.
I'm thrown... I REALLY have a different view of the far left in this country especially anyone who wants to call themselves socialist.
I got this thread to show em if they want to acquire acute amnesia in the future
Hekate
(90,714 posts)Lest we forget, or allow others to forget.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... backwards here or ... or some people have been given a voice in Trump and don't mind letting their true feelings come through
Egnever
(21,506 posts)I don't really believe most of these folks are even aware of all the repulsive stuff Cornel has said about Obama and are mostly just sticking up for a Bernie supporter without actually having any clue of what Cornel has said to garner the disappointment people have towards him.
I don't buy the idea Bernie or his supporters are racists. Overly partisan perhaps but racist in general I don't think so.
Maybe I give them too much benefit of the doubt but I was in their place in past elections where I was very invested in a candidate and understand the passion that comes with it. This is actually the first primary in quite a while where I am content with either candidate while not really passionate about either. It has been a strange experience to sit back and watch the hijinx with no dog in the hunt.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... attitudes at least
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Some are working overly hard to fit a square peg in a round hole.
ismnotwasm
(41,989 posts)Someone told me there were no "racial justice vs. economic justice" threads--this right after some epic ones. I knew we were in trouble right then and there.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)Why does that one moment matter so much? Why does it outweigh all the decades of brilliant good the man has done in the intellectual service of virtually anti-oppression cause you can think of? It's not as though Dr. West's analysis of race and class and oppression has been anything less than totally spot on over the years.
BTW...if HRC does get elected, in a few months she's going to throw the AA community under the bus. You know that as well as I do. When she does, it will be people who campaigned for Bernie(including the 50% of AA voters under 30 who support him) marching with you as you fight back. The centrists will be telling you to shut up and shouting "the Court, the Court, the Court" in order to shut you up-and then ordering the pepper spray and the beatings.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... issue is Sanders had this person who called the black POTUS a form of nigger stump for him in front of mostly white people in IA and NH and lost the PoC vote in both states.
This isn't the first time this guy said something like that about Obama... its BS defend him and one of the reasons why the ignored the "southern states" and spent very little there
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)And the people in those crowds in Iowa and New Hampshire weren't endorsing Dr. West's use of the word. They were endorsing his human liberation message.
(question: in the Sixties, the Panthers and similar groups used that term to describe black leaders they thought were excessively moderate and compromised. Would you have condemned that as muchthen as you condemn Dr. West now?)
It sounds to me that you are mainly outraged that HRC didn't get 100% of the AA vote and that you think any AA people who preferred Bernie were race traitors. Am I totally wrong to come to that conclusion about you?
And, at this stage in the game, isn't it time to finally stop attacking Bernie on race and admit that he was never going to put racism on the backburner? The conservative AA leadership got what it wanted...majority community support for HRC-can't the smears on Bernie and race finally stop? The man never deserved them and no one would lose anything by admitting that.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)But for me I don't really care who is our nominee. I have issues with both of them. I also like things about both of them. Neither particularly excites me.
I dislike Cornel and have disliked him since he started his tirade against Obama almost immediately after his election. There is no question in my mind he felt snubbed by Obama and has said repulsive things about him ever since.
Before this thread I didn't even know Cornel had anything to do with Bernie.
You seem very sensitive about Bernie and seem to attribute anything said about anything connected to him as an attack on him or a shill for Clinton.
Bernie is Great! I hope he gets the nomination I agree with much of what he has to say...If he doesn't Clinton is great too just in different areas, I can live with her nomination as well.
Cornel is an ass...couldn't care less who he is stumping for. The fact that he has fought for civil rights does not preclude him being an ass. It certainly would make me give him the benefit of the doubt but after the third or fourth baseless attack on Obama I came to the conclusion nope he is an ass despite my agreement with him on a range of subjects.
This happened before the primaries ever started and has been ongoing for years.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)There are fair criticisms that can be made of the guy(he should have had his criminal justice proposals on his website on day one, and I personally wish he had been much more strongly antiwar on the Middle East), but the attacks on Bernie and race have always been way, way over the line.
It's legitimate to say HRC has a longer relationship with the AA community(its old-line leadership in particular).
It's simply wrong to imply that Bernie has ever dismissed the need to fight institutional bigotry, or to act like he hasn't improved his policy proposals on that as the campaign has progressed.
OR to act as if those of us who support Bernie don't care about institutional bigotry and have campaigned as though our candidate didn't need POC votes.
And frankly, it really, really bothers me that the HRC campaign's surrogates have spent months trying to create a bogus division between the social justice and economic justice movements, when in the vast majority of cases those two movements are allied and in agreement(and are more often than not made up of the SAME people). No presidential candidate was ever special enough to justify doing that.
Didn't mean to unload on you in the previous post or to sound intolerant.
If you don't like Cornel West, that's your call. No disrespect to your convictions on the matter was intended.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)The attacks on Bernie over race are beyond ridiculous. Watching the primaries play out from the perspective of someone who doesn't really have a dog in the race I would say the attacks from both sides are largely ridiculous.
Both of our candidates are fine candidates over all and trashing either of them is really silly IMHO. That of course is easy for me to say is because I am not invested in either of them. I have spent my share of primaries here picking apart statements and assigning guilt to them so I am certainly not immune to it.
It is really odd to watch from the viewpoint of no particular preference. Some days I am feeling the bern and some days I am appreciating Clintons mastery of so many subjects. most days i am just happy to have a choice of a reasonably solid democrat to vote for as opposed to trump.
I didn't mean to call you out really I was just struck by so many posts assigning the dislike of Cornel to support of Hillary Clinton when he has been going off the deep end for quite some time. Long before the primaries we are currently in.
I do understand the sensitivity to racial support when it comes to Bernie. I think he gets a really bad rap in that department.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)Maybe if there are more folks like us, we can pull this thing together after all.
Good night.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... language West has used has been just as bad.
The crowds in IA and NH seem to ACCEPT people calling the president racist terms just as long as they support their guy.
Is there any wonder WHY Sanders got stomped in IA with PoC by 23%!?
I'm more or less documenting the acceptance of racism or racist terms being hurled at blacks by the "left" in America.
This thread is going to be bookmarked, screen printed and saved so the "left" in America can't claim their any better racially than the moderate right when it comes to PoC.
The entrenched racism on the left is notably better than the right but still too tolerant and inactive when it comes to the fixes to racism
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)They can't be said to approve of it.
The left doesn't have to anathemize Dr. West to prove we aren't racist.
Being a person of the left automatically means being a committed antiracist. If you are against economic injustice, you are also against bigotry, because you have to be against both to defeat either.
There isn't anyway to have a racism-free capitalism.
The Sixties proved that.
Capitalism needs racism to keep people divided and prevent them fighting against it. That's basically the only reason racism exists at any widespread level anymore.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... humans shouldn't tolerate people who use that kind of language towards other humans at all.
You surely don't have them stump for you with the epecatations that the people who that kind of language hurts the most will support you.
That's stupid on its face...
No,... don't tolerate hateful shit like that... not at all
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)That he is talking about what the republicans have done to the presidents image. Because the republicans are racist.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)I don't like him.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Not interpretation. Also if you don't like cornel west than don't be shocked when I question your liberalism.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)I don't have to prove anything to you or your friends here.
I told you my reasons.
If you don't like my opinion too bad.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)title being if it wasn't obvious
the full section would be "A niggerized black person is a black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated when it comes to putting a spotlight on white supremacy and fighting against white supremacy," West explained. "So when many of us said we have to fight against racism, what were we told? 'No, he can't deal with racism because he has other issues, political calculations. He's the president of all America, not just black America.' We know he's president of all America but white supremacy is American as cherry pie."
It really impresses me you couldn't even finish the first sentence of it
Egnever
(21,506 posts)The gist of it was in the portion I posted. Not sure how you think the rest changes anything.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)it does however not invalidate all that he has done in the past.
I mostly responded because i thought you were hurting your integrity by not giving the response in full but cropping it at the part that twists his statement the most in your views favor. Now some will agree with you and some will disagree, in my eyes however they should be allowed to make that choice based on the full explanation and not your cropped line.
I might be expecting to much of DU these days since i view such a tactic to be beneath us
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Trumpsters and military contractor sock puppet profiles hate him the most I know that. I've never seen a liberal hate this guy ever.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts).. he gave is bullshit seeing Obama spoke about racial issues before he was elected
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Hmmmm, interesting....
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)but it's not suddenly going to become true.
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... mostly white people is deplorable.
He's not done this in front of black people because we know he's full of shit and his critiques, even when used without the inflametory speech, is baseless at best.
It's WELL documented he felt slighted by Obama because of seating arrangements ... this begun WAAAAAY before the primaries and Sanders slapped PoC in the face by having West throw shade at Obama in front of mostly white people.
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... progressive.
The far left loves people like West....
billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Does this fall under the definition of trolling?
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... of the "far left" who tolerate them.
See this thread for proof
jpmonk91
(290 posts)A real liberal wouldn't attack him
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)
Mike__M
(1,052 posts)Deborah Parker:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027853415
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)He's a Loser
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Btw that is something trump would say
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)leftofcool
(19,460 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)On this so called liberal website! And he still doesn't like trump stop distorting the facts! Oh whoops I forgot neoliberals like conservatives don't use facts.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)Try it sometime. You will see why they don't like West. And yes, he does like Trump.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)billhicks76
(5,082 posts)I dont think anyone cares that you think Dr Cornell West is a loser. Throwing around junior high school insults just betrays you.
Demonaut
(8,919 posts)too much in too short a time frame
I don't hate Cornell West but he's not helped in any meaningful way
I do like most of his positions
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Demonaut
(8,919 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)It is an absurd claim.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)U.S. Economy Added 215,000 Jobs In March
Less than 3 months worth of jobs using march numbers. I would say that 650k number would depend very much on how far out it was forecast.
The two serious studies I have read have both forcast either a very small increase in jobs over 15-20 or small losses. The over all impact on Job growth in the studies I have read are minimal it is the rise in income that really have the most impact according to the studies.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)That and the fact that it is against the wishes of the American people that elected you.
It. Is. Undemocratic.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)most of the signatory's in the TPP already have free trade agreements with the US that include resolution of dispute mechanisms already in place.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)I have seen is full of double talk and weasel words like specious. I'll tell you what is specious, the TPP is specious.
Trade deals do not benefit the American working class. They simply do not.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)The TPP will bring all of it under one umbrella which makes trade easier for all countries involved. As far as trade deals not benefiting american workers I think that depends in large part on your definition of american workers.
If by american workers you mean strictly manufacturing jobs I would agree but when taken in context of all american workers in an increasingly service focused economy I would disagree.
dembotoz
(16,808 posts)not that being left of hrc is that damn hard
jpmonk91
(290 posts)And it's true being left of HRC is not hard at all
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)dembotoz
(16,808 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... into
dembotoz
(16,808 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)[URL=
.html][IMG]
[/IMG][/URL]uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)panader0
(25,816 posts)Happy?
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... discribe his wording instead of softening to make people comfortable
Loki
(3,825 posts)where insight, perspective and potential was replaced by venom and invective.
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)shown up for who they are.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)He is talking about what the conservatives did to his image!
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)
Warpy
(111,277 posts)about racial equality if that person has said what you think are stupid things about achieving it.
I've stayed out of the fight because I find he's said more things I agree with than I disagree with.
Everyone says stupid things now and then. If I don't say three stupid things by lunchtime, it means I've slept in.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)Cornell West did not call Obama the n word!
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)"If I don't say three stupid things by lunchtime, it means I've slept in." 
The Polack MSgt
(13,190 posts)Why oh why can't everyone see that he says hateful bullshit out of LOVE for the President.
Only he also hates that Obama has been led astray and is only admonishing him to be a better, less corporate man...
Real liberals can only agree that Dr. West is the bestest man to ever accuse the President of selling out.
Real Liberals know that Obama is a "Used Car salesman" or a "Bait and switch Republican at heart", so real Liberals are all for bashing the President and can only stand and applaud when a black man does it for them.
Dr. West's function in Senator Sanders campaign is to help Bernie harvest the fruits of 8 years of Obama hate farming, ODS voters in other words
jpmonk91
(290 posts)You're wrong!
Laser102
(816 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)840high
(17,196 posts)attacked all the time.
Response to Laser102 (Reply #203)
Name removed Message auto-removed
ismnotwasm
(41,989 posts)I do dislike--intensely- the way certain whites use him as an poorly examined yet prime example of black political liberalism simply because he is saying what they want to hear. I find that disinguinous and quite often blatantly racist. There are many Black liberal voices, and I've found it prudent to listen as long and often as I can.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)FairWinds
(1,717 posts)admired him for many years. He walks the walk as a fierce
progressive (OK, leftist), and has for a long time.
The idea that West opposes Obama because of hurt feelings or
petty jealousy is beyond stupid - as are nearly all arguments
based on what is in someone's mind or heart. How in hell do any of
you know what his thoughts are? Answer: you don't.
But West did use inappropriate language (at least once) to make his
points, which is ironic since he is such a master of the English language.
I think he should apologize, but that is just my opinion. I'll admire and
respect him no matter what.
So tell me, oh ideology police, am I supposed to hate Obama because of the
really stupid remark he made about Chelsea Manning before her trial (that,
".. he broke the law" ?
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Thank you for pointing out that the jealousy thing is just plain stupid.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... so either.
You guys can go ahead and act like West hasn't been a consummate asshole when it comes to Obama and ask "why the hate" but the rest of the reality based world is going to treat him as he is.
an asshole
Response to FairWinds (Reply #232)
TM99 This message was self-deleted by its author.
FairWinds
(1,717 posts)forjusticethunders
(1,151 posts)The terms he used were absolutely vile dogwhistle politics that he thought he could get away with because he's black, especially since his primary audience is white people.
Especially since it betrays a complete lack of understanding of the system that we live in, let alone any program for changing it. Obama fighting basically alone against the American deep state (as opposed to not being a pure neocon like Bush?) At BEST he's marginalized. At worst, well, I won't say but you know what I'm trying to say.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)His audience is mostly or all white. That's cute lol
forjusticethunders
(1,151 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)I know its hard to imagine but his message speaks to all Americans white or black
forjusticethunders
(1,151 posts)"n*****erized" takes that and flushes it down the toilet.
That's the problem with you fake lefties. You do NOT TAKE CRITICISM. No reflection. No change in policy. Only excuses and calling anyone who disagrees with you a shill. You may not be controlled oppo but dammit you sure act like it. This attitude of ignoring people whenever critics say "hey this thing you're doing is alienating people and making them turn their backs on you" is probably the worst aspect of left politics and actively makes change harder. You care more about the rush of being "dissidents" than for getting things done, hell, the act of getting things done is "selling out" because you have to accept stuff you don't like or stuff that is objectively bad to do it (meanwhile extolling FDR, LBJ and JFK who made the same compromises)
West should not have said all that shit about Obama, but he did and now nobody in the AA community cares what he has to say.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)The republicans are treating the president and won't let the president gain any ground because the conservatives hate African Americans
Egnever
(21,506 posts)"A niggerized black person is a black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated"
His own definition.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)FairWinds
(1,717 posts)critics of Mr. West put in three or four decades of work
taking on the Powers That Be, getting arrested, writing 13
best-selling progressive books, nurturing
progressive young 'uns, and much more.
THEN I'll take your criticisms of West seriously.
FairWinds
(1,717 posts)"a deep hatred of while people."
This statement is STUPID on many levels, but mostly
because it is obvious to all that Beck has NO IDEA what
is in Obama's heart and mind.
Same with the "hatred" and "jealousy" bogosity on this thread.
It's STUPID to claim you know what someone else thinks.
I'm gonna start calling it, "Arguing Out the Wazoo!"
Because that is what it is.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)
onecaliberal
(32,864 posts)mmonk
(52,589 posts)I know it all gets confusing and a lot dishonest. Welcome to politics son.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Politics just flat out sucks especially here in the USA
jpmonk91
(290 posts)He is saying Obama is part of the democrat/republican establishment and is not doing enough for civil rights for example the murderous cops will keep thier jobs and Obama is harsh on immigration!
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)He earned dislike when he disrespected the President by calling him the n-word. It was a hell of a lot closer to the 2008 primary than this one.
Amazing that as a poster who gets offended and angry about everything, that doesn't get a fucking rise out of you one bit.
Politicub
(12,165 posts)It happens.
felix_numinous
(5,198 posts)it's understandable why people tune him out. He could have chosen differently in reference to President Obama. His ideology is very good though.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts).. think of harsh language
frankieallen
(583 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)How embarrassing
frankieallen
(583 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts) msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Egnever
(21,506 posts)Have not seen a post from you in a while! Hope all is well with you!
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Other than that everything is Peachy..... and Skinner Tombstoned that little troll.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Last edited Wed May 25, 2016, 11:50 AM - Edit history (1)
There was a time I thought Dems were inherently better behaved than Republicans. This board dispelled that myth for me a long time ago.
Glas the perpetrator was summarily dismissed.
frankieallen
(583 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)I can't make you understand what he is talking about
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)We could have all moved on swiftly.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)In fact everyone since Reagan has sucked
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... than adeaquate. Obama has passed 76% of his agenda in the face of horribly hateful GOP.
He's historical, those who have a mature prespective see this
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)And supposedly because he used a word in his comments about Obama that would be offensive if a white person used it.
Really though, it's because Dr. West supported Bernie at a time when the conservative AA leadership in this country was obsessed with being able to claim that ever black person in the country preferred HRC to Bernie. That leadership made delivering the AA vote as a bloc to HRC a test of its credibility and Dr. West's support of Bernie threatened their power on that.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)It's not a word any of us would have used(I think it's somewhat different when a POC uses it towards another POC to make a point, but even then it's not something I'd endorse).
It serves no purpose to be this obsessed with anathemizing Dr. West. He isn't evil.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... arrangements..
It's well documented and one of the reasons why black politico see him and Smiley as jokes.
But when white folk on the right need to trod out a negra they pick one of those two ... Sanders doing so in IA was a big slap in the face and one of the reasons he lost the PoC vote in the state by 23 points... you know... a "southern state"?
kwassa
(23,340 posts)There are no black leaders that can deliver black votes, and there haven't been for decades. There are no universally agreed upon leaders in the opinionated and diverse black community.
The Clintons built personal relationships over time with the black community, and they respect and care about that. Bernie has no history or relationship with them. This is why he loses their vote.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)that he didn't have the long-term relationships the Clintons had. Fine. They had longer relationships.
Fair point.
But it was never left go at that.
Instead, it was made ugly and vicious.
Bernie was falsely accused, again and again, of not caring about racism, of seeing race as less important as class(in truth he saw both as important), and of somehow being hostile to the AA community-and then the implication that Sanders supporters were somehow managing to be left-wing white supremacists(a position that pretty much isn't possible, btw-to be on the left is to be a committed antiracist, antisexist and antihomophobe).
And then it grew to the implication that, because Bernie lost the AA vote on Super Tuesday, this somehow delegitimized him as a candidate and he should have withdrawn.
In my view, it was the relentlessness of those unjust attacks that provoked a large portion of the 'bro behavior(although it still looks as though the majority of the 'bro behavior was the work of right-wing infiltrators who were just pretending to be Sanders supporters).
I hope you would agree that if nothing else Bernie never deserved the relentless, endless accusations that he didn't care about "social justice". I get it that some people preferred HRC, and everybody has the right to make their choices on their own criteria, but the smears were never needed in the service of that objective.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)knowing next to nothing about Bernie, and hearing him interviewed on NPR at least six months ago, that he saw ALL issues as being subsets of the issue of income inequality. He did his best to avoid discussing racism at all. I was stunned by this analysis, and knew instantly that it would lose him black votes. Bernie didn't come out and alter his public statements about racism as an important issue until a few weeks after that, as he was getting a lot of blowback.
My impression at that time was that he truly believed that if income equality issues were solved, there would be no racism. It was almost a Marxian analysis, and naive in it's over-simplification.
Now, I think Bernie means well towards black people, but outside of his earliest civil rights days he hasn't addressed the issue of racism against black people very directly. The Berniebros keep citing something he did 50 years ago as proof that he is down with the black folks, but after 50 years almost no black people had ever heard of him. They know the Clintons.
There have been unjust attacks on both sides, but there really is an issue with well-meaning white liberals who think they know better than black people what is best for them. Some of the Bernie supporters went so far, right here on DU, to call black voters "low-information voters", a euphemism for ignorant. Another infamous post accused all black people of having the Stockholm Syndrome. They couldn't possibly know their own minds.
This doesn't go over too well with the black folks. Listen to what they have to say. Closely.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)Bernie led with economic issues because nobody else was doing that. I agree that he should have incorporated race into his proposals from the get-go(he did after a month or so, and had stronger language on that than HRC when he did).
But even when he did, there were endless threads here arguing that NOTHING had changed, that Bernie still hadn't proved he cared(I think that's probably the reason the freedom movement era stuff kept getting brought back up), even threads screaming that Bernie and his supporters didn't give a damn that young POC are getting murdered by the cops.
I think it read to a lot of younger Sanders supporters as if the only way they could prove they cared about racism was to switch to supporting HRC-in other words, to give up on fighting for anything they cared about.
As to the Stockholm Syndrome post...look, the guy who posted that was an idiot, but that wasn't the fault of the entire Sanders movement and a lot of us did call him out on that(he's banned now, and I'd say deservedly so...I've wondered what his actual motivations were for his comments on race). How many more times is that thread going to be brought back up and treated as if it was something Bernie himself posted? It was a world-historical stupid thing for that poster to post...but we weren't COLLECTIVELY responsible for his posting it. It was that guy...not all of us.
What the Sanders campaign was and is trying to do, in our flawed way, was to make this a campaign in which the victims of hate and the victims of greed and exploitation(a fair amount of whom are the same people) joined forces in a crusade for justice for all.
Most of us would argue that both justice struggles need to prevail if either is to win(HRC seems to think that it's possible to just address institutional bigotry and grassroots bigotry in isolation to economic justice-that was tried in the Sixties, and the result was the white backlash, a phenomenon largely driven by the way economic interests used things like property values to stoke and spread white working-class racism).
The restoration of the natural alliance between the justice struggles is still a worthwhile objective, a necessary thing if we are stop any forms of group injustice aga all. It will be a tragedy if it doesn't.
And I'll end by saying this:
If HRC gets elected and sells out the AA community, the first people you will see joining POC in the protests against that will be people who were in the Sanders campaign and the continuing Sanders movement that will be built. I hope you can accept us as allies in those struggles when they come.
Thank you for your thoughtful posts in this exchange. I've learned from them.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)What was the Stockholm syndrome post? I probably joined after that.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)It seemed better to explain it to you by that means than let it get dragged into another flame war in a thread.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)It was very informative
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... rights in a lot of cases.
This thread will be denied up and down and the openly racist ass'd "syndrome" thread had fuckin 80 recs !!!
840high
(17,196 posts)
Feathery Scout
(218 posts)...but he vilely attacked and insulted my President Obama and now I despise him.
Albertoo
(2,016 posts)Here is what he had to say about Obama:
All these claims are false.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/05/bernie-sanders-cornel-west-and-obama-hating.html
merrily
(45,251 posts)which made him even worse, doncha know.
cloudythescribbler
(2,586 posts)There are loads of people who purport to be progressive, or at least progressive leaning, but seem to have all kinds of "conversions" or "epiphanies" against particular campaigns or issues or especially individuals who are outspoken. It is ALWAYS the fault of the person being targeted as the progressiveness of the person bashing, say, Cornel West, is NEVER to be questioned (that would be paranoid, or something (maybe unruly, but no one ever SAYS that).
Cornel West does not like Obama because Obama, though more progressive than Bill Clinton, nevertheless turned out, to the disappointment of many (including me) to be another neoliberal, rather than at least someone who would work to unite the two wings of the Democratic Party (epitomized by Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders' campaigns). But no dice. Now Bill Clinton was a very popular president in the black community (the widespread meme about him being the 'first black president' popular especially in the last 3 years of his presidency aside), and for good reason: the 90s, especially the latter half of the decade, were some of the best times economically for the black and latino communities generally in the US ever. (I myself lived in a homeless shelter from the end of January 96 until into the W Bush presidency, but that's another matter). So the fact that Barack Obama has many similarities with Clinton, and made Hillary Sec of State did not alienate huge portions of the black community, especially as Obama is indeed the first black president and (like Clinton before him, but in some ways worse) was besieged by creepy and horrible attacks from the GOP, which is always to be expected. So Barack Obama as president has always been overwhelmingly popular in the black community and only a very small number of noticeable individuals, like Cornel West, have scored him as a neoliberal, supporting the progressive wing of the Democratic Party's substance and program. The Black Agenda does that some too, but has not been stridently attacking Geithneromics and other features of Obama the way Cornel has.
All that said, now that the next president will probably either be Trump or Hillary Clinton, the issue of the progressive v. neoliberal divide in the Democratic Party will have a chance to re-emerge -- MUCH MORESO ON THE PROGRESSIVE SIDE IF HRC is president WHICH OODLES OF PROGRESSIVE BERNIE OR BUSTERS don't seem to grasp. I have supported Bernie from day 1 and will continue to support him right up and into the Convention, including fighting over the platform and party issues there and after. But with Bernie I plan to back Hillary if and when she is the nominee. I oppose utterly the chorus of folk (the same kinds who hate on Cornel West) insisting that Bernie Sanders clam up already -- and get a lot of traction for the idea in the mass public, including some HRC supporters I know personally. But just remember -- people like Cornel West stand up for progressive principles not just when it is convenient or popular, but all the time, and that makes you enemies.
As John Lennon said: being honest won't get you lots of friends, but it will get you the right ones
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... wonder more PoC stay away from them
cloudythescribbler
(2,586 posts)The issue here is Cornel West and his political differences with both Obama and Hillary Clinton. I note that you raise this accusation without explaining how you reach this conclusion -- apparently just making the accusation is sufficient (which in the political arena on many fronts, including accusations of racism, is indeed usually tactically sufficient). I don't know that PoC "stay away" from "progressives", a rather amorphous term. There are many (presumably white) progressives that PoC do NOT stay away from, others who attract some support and other self-proclaimed progressives who really do drive away
cloudythescribbler
(2,586 posts)I would never use the term that Cornel West has used, but I do not reason about it the way you do.
First, I can see how -- despite his explanation, and his obvious (to me) sincerity in his explanation, and what I would infer to be his view that n-word derivatives mean something different when used by blacks (like Cornel West with a long and impressive record as a progressive thinker) -- some might take deep offense at the comment as you do. However, you further reason that in addition to using an inapt phrase, this comment not only completely negates his many decades as a progressive (I myself have been reading Cornel West for well over 20 years) and marks him overall as an "asshole" unworthy of serious dialogue, but further you use this particular moment, beyond absolutely dismissing any mitigating facts or approaches, to condemn ANYONE, including Bernie Sanders and by further extension Bernie Sanders' supporters, who does not share your view not only about the use of the word (which I can see myself) but about the person (Cornel West). You use political correctness, even if initially valid (which I am not trying to gainsay) as the broadest possible brush to condemn not just the action or the statement, but the person, and then anyone who associates with that person, and then anyone who supports someone who associates with that person (ie Sanderistas). This approach goes from the plausible to the ridiculous.
I myself have, since 1996, been on Social Security disability for crippling OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). In this disorder, I cannot shake the notion that something that touches something contaminated, and something that touches that, etc etc, is therefore also automatically contaminated, with various implications of necessary action. I understand fully (as you do not) that this approach is completely irrational, and yet the affect remains, and of course, the compulsions. This kind of reasoning in many ways exists in many political spheres, unfortunately, and your approach to a great progressive African American scholar and political activist of our time, who may indeed use an inapt phrase (inapt as it can stoke precisely the kind of extreme negative reaction that you have from many other progressives), and all his associations ad infinitem is a great example of that kind of logic
There are MANY reasons Hillary has run strongly among black voters against Bernie in this campaign -- remember that until not long before Iowa in 2008, for a long time while I was already strongly supporting Barack Obama for the nomination, Hillary was LEADING Obama among black voters by DOUBLE DIGITS in poll after poll. Finally, after Obama gained some traction and some very key & visible support, he was about tied among black voters in South Carolina by mid Dec 2007, which represented a great accomplishment. For reasons I stated in my original post, the Clinton presidency and the Clintons have long had positive and borad support in the black community. Bernie was until recently just "Bernie who?", as canvassers themselves were reporting from the field in this primary election cycle. I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT WIDESPREAD MASS HATRED IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY FOR CORNEL WEST AND ASSOCIATION OF BERNIE WITH HIM is NOT even dust in the balance in explaining the election results, and I think it is solipsistic of you (in other posts on this thread) to suggest that it is
I do NOT think Cornel West is an a-hole
840high
(17,196 posts)JEB
(4,748 posts)840high
(17,196 posts)JEB
(4,748 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... What the fuck !!?!?!
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)He has shown himself to be quite human.
His foibles deserve criticism, but not obsessive anger.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... up'd the anty by calling Obama some form of nigger (with the er) and saying he's no better than tRump and he's a blackface president.
A lot of PoC think "progressive" racially are no better than the moderate right seeing this kind of racialized tripe doesn't bother them at all.
Judi Lynn
(160,545 posts)I don't have time, usually to follow these debates/arguments/free-for-alls, and had missed hearing about it.
Appreciate seeing your thread.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)ericson00
(2,707 posts)"
Obama is a) a Rockefeller Republican in Blackface"
"I would say the first black president has become the first n**gerized black president"
"Obama Is A Global George Zimmerman"
untrue, divisive, unconstructive, and offensive.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)You HRC supporter
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)They don't do nuanced views or even considered, rational opposition. They love or hate with the intensity of sophomores going to the homecoming dance, and anybody who doesn't love without seeing flaws or hate as completely as they do is themselves an enemy.
It's been like this around here in 2007, and it's even fucking worse this time around.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... as an issue... seeing this is a "progressive" forum.
The same people here excusing West actions will swear up and down there's no paletable racism on the left
melman
(7,681 posts)even among some of his current bashers. But you can't really take those people seriously.
Bashing is just what they do.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... who don't mind others being called that word don't mind him calling the POTUS that
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Nah. Obama's your cover story, and not a very good one. You're reducing the entire career of a black scholar to thirty seconds. Thirty seconds that none of you even want to try to understand, because it suits you politically to remain ignorant.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)I don't have this distaste for Spike Lee or anyone other black person supporting Bernie.
you accuse me of using Obama as a cover, but in reality you guys are just supporting this ugly and disrespectful because he supports Bernie. no more no less.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)You feel that West should "go easy" on Obama. Why? 'Cause you think that's how black people ought to behave? Yes, you are using Obama as a bludgeon to try to control the thoughts and opinions of a black person. It's not the first time I've seen someone do so, and it's pretty damn gross. When they don't comport exactly as you demand they act, out comes the hatred.
I understand what the fuck West said. I understand the concepts he's referencing. I know the point he's making. Who he's backing in the race has no impact on my understanding of what the man says. I've explained it often enough to Clinton supporters to know that the same does not hold true for any one of you - for you, who he supports is the key factor in whether you love or hate.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)and that is what cornell west does. he creates a dishonest narrative about Obama. As a democrat I find this objectionable.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... "progressives" think that's OK I see seeing they're the ones defending his raclialized bullshit.
No worries, they'll be the first one to say this thread never existed one people say a good portion of the "progressives" on the left are only slightly better racially than the moderate right
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Jesus.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... he didn't speak about white supremecy and that's false on its face.
He spoke about before he became president !!!!!
West, even in context, was overtly ignorant but to call him a form of nigger (with the er inflection) and THEN have so called "progressives" support it is gob smacking.
No wonder openly an openly racist, sexist and misogynistic thread here got 80 recs from the "progressives"
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)This is like talking to a wall.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... not in dispute.
But for some reason the so called "progressives" think a different form of nigger (with the er inflection) is accetable
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)He didn't call him that word you seem to revel in posting though.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... used.
West words were at best racist towards Obama seeing even his justifications for using them were dead ass'd wrong.
But go ahead and defend him, the side eyes will continue.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... "progressives" defend him with it.
That's OK, Sanders et al has made the terms socialist, progressive and far left to be looked upon with side eye and now it's documented...
There's no "...we're not as racist as they are..." tripe any longer
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Your point about Bernie tainting the left is ridiculous.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... describe Obama that is racialized to the nth degree.
It's all done in front of cheering racist of FAUX news et all because they love the "black basher" in him.
He's an asshole, he's a sell out and the fact that ANYONE on the "left" would want to be within 100 feet of this guy is even more gob smacking seeing historically he's been the person of color who is trotted out BY THE RACIST to exacerbate racist stereotypes of blacks or any other ethniciity.
Sanders has NO DOUBT tainted the left among PoC... "the left" gets the side eye racially and anyone can point to the openly racist threads here on DU that get 80 recs as proof.
If openly racist ass'd post get 80 recs here then it's 5 times as bad anywhere else.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... no one who's been paying attention to the "left" is going to be shocked or surprised
leeroysphitz
(10,462 posts)polly7
(20,582 posts)I think he's great. Another of the few who really cares about those suffering and isn't afraid to fight for all those he cares about. That upsets those completely satisfied with the status quo.
Good choice, Mr. Sanders.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... people either.
He's an asshole, seeing so called "progressives' of any hue defend his shit is gob smacking
leeroysphitz
(10,462 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... acceptable to racist people.
It doesn't matter he used them in other forms.
The rest of his diatribes could be 100% factual and the aforementioned is still the truth...
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Whoa. Double whoa.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Niggerization is defined as: The usually systematic act of dehumanizing black people.
Read more at http://www.yourdictionary.com/niggerization#Z628Do2mcPP9ewhZ.99
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... we're getting somewhere
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)"You're such an AM!" just sounds silly.
You STILL don't get the context of the word. Tell me, what context did Florynce Kennedy use it in in her 1973 interview with Gloria Steinem? Who did she "call" it?
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Nothing I can do about that.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)But it might give some background.
https://newrepublic.com/article/121550/cornel-wests-rise-fall-our-most-exciting-black-scholar-ghost
I should say here that I do not feel like I am an expert on Cornel West. I know that white liberals I know love him, and I know that the African American group here does not. I am not absolutely sure what that means. My guess is that, like most people, he has some good things to say, and other things to say that aren't so good, and different people focus on different things, based on their experience in the world.
But that article should give a good picture of the side of those who don't like him.
I'm going to add something in an edit: I think that white people have a much easier time overlooking the racial slams he's made against President Obama, because our experience does not cause us to react to those slams in the same way African Americans do. So white people say, "Yeah he made horrible racial remarks about President Obama, but look at this other stuff he said!" And African Americans say,"You can't just ignore those horrible racial remarks and focus on the other things. You have to take the racial remarks into account." Also, people might infer things about his character based on his decision to make those kinds remarks, not just once out of anger, but over and over again.
romanic
(2,841 posts)that I intensely dislike Cornell West. His wordy insults for Obama (which basically just amounted to him calling Obama a house you-know-what in so many words) started my dislike for the guy.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... seating arangments
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)
bluedigger
(17,086 posts)I think he was widely admired by the community here until he raised his voice in dissent from the Far Left. People have a hard time forgiving those who they feel have betrayed their cause, even if they know in their hearts that Brother West simply speaks the Truth with more passion than discretion.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... the non progressives and far left somehow tolerate this kind of language.
Wonder if they're mostly Sanders supporters?
MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)Just a guess... 
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... left seems very tolerable of such language no?
tia
jpmonk91
(290 posts)Twisting the words of dr. Cornell west. What are you trying to say? That Cornell West is racist against his own race? Because that would just be plain stupid!
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)Are you one of those fake liberals?
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... words and recs of 80 for overtly bigoted post means to tolerant of racist attitudes.
jpmonk91
(290 posts)You are the one being racist. I only disagree with a few Obama policies. You flat out hate dr. West. I don't hate either person. So tell me which one of us is racist?
Number23
(24,544 posts)and see the entire fucking world differently.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)jpmonk91
(290 posts)Like the fact that we keep getting screwed by conservatives and moderates
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)>>>>He is a champion of the progressive movement and a champion of human rights. >>>>>>
See? You are a lot smarter than you thought! That's WHY they hate him.
But you err here:
>>>How can you attack him and be for racial equality? >>>>
By assuming that his attackers are for "racial equality". They are very often OBSESSED by race ( their own and that of other people) but that's not the same thing as being for equality.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)Jeff Weaver, Tad Devine. Surely there is a credible Sanders supporter who hasn't called the President the N word besides West
alarimer
(16,245 posts)Politics really is a cult of personality. You're either with us or against us.
Showing insufficient fealty is now grounds for dismissal.
