I'm sorry this cult of personality with President Obama is freaking me the fuck out

It was one thing during the election. You want people to support your candidate and campaign songs have been as old as the Republic. Honestly, I'm starting to think this is dangerous.

There is a cult of Personality around Bush as well. There is about 30% of this country despite all evidence will not agree he was wrong on anything.

When did we start deifying our leaders like the Roman Empire?

as hilarious. I think I scared the dogs when I burst out laughing. Great response. OMG, now my husband thinks I am nuts.

I kid, I kid.

:hi:

Just for the record, I don't think you're crazier than any of the rest of us talking monkeys. :)

disappoints me. :(

Still laughing however. I bookmarked this thread for the sole purpose of being able to look at it again. I don't know if it is the picture or just the intent but it just cracks me up.

Should win lifetime achievement DUzy award.

:rofl:

I am still laughing.

:rofl:

Broken glass everywhere, they never clean it up.

..... butter in the middle and on top, lightly salted.


:popcorn:

Also he's got the brains.

I think he is likely to inspire good correspondent to his detractors' efforts to debase him.

I MISS HER!!!

and he's got the brains.

President Obama is smarter than the Pukes think he is. I think the GOP is in for a very long period of wandering lost.

My question is where are the Democrats planning on taking us.

Robert F. Kennedy just because Ben Nelson and Max Baucus are toads.

Power corrupts.

democratic process documents upsets in said primaries.

It's no great shakes to blast Arlen because he's so readily blastable. He's a flunkie. Power was corrupting a lot better people than Specter long before Specter was born.

The process within the Democratic Party may favor Specter's holding that Senate seat but it would be refreshing to see Sestak take the nomination from him in a robust primary.

I think a lot of progressive Democrats in Pennsylvania will be rolling up their sleeves and whipping out their checkbooks for Joe Sestak.

However, lets get something straight. Joe is center left, which is what PA is. Arlen is center right.

We are fighting a battle over a few degrees.

when the outcome is more certain.

Thank you for any support you can show for Sestak. He's a good man.

If voters want far-left party candidates, they often appear on the ballot, and they often garner about enough votes for a good poker game.

the DSCC and the White House.

As indicated, there is documentation of robust challenge in party primaries.

And exciting upsets do occur. Russ Feingold, for example.

...Is it true? Always and in all cases? Sure about that? Did it corrupt Ghandi? Did it corrupt Martian Luther King, jr.? Did it corrupt, oh, I dunno, Buddha, Abe Lincoln, George Washington?

I'm sure we can list plenty of people that power has, indeed, corrupted. But I'm sure we can list just as many people who had been handed power and, rather than being corrupted, found it in a moral compass and a great obligation. One they took seriously, and did their best to do right by. Power does not always, and inevitably corrupt. And before we even toss out that saying as it were the be-all and end-all, I'd ask you...just how much power does Obama have to corrupt him? Because there are two other branches of government there ready to block him from doing anything he damn pleases, and in most instances, it looks as if they're going to block him from doing most of what he wants to do and is trying to do. Kinda hard to be corrupted by power no one is letting you have.

My point being, you complain about people simplifying Obama, yet you do exactly the same thing in the opposite direction. If we should not simplify him, then neither should you with dumb-ass sayings like "power corrupts."

Where?!? This is really exciting!

He is smarter than the R's believe, but I don't think he is as smart as many of his most ardent followers believe. Overestimation can be as dangerous as underestimation. We need to allow for the fact that he is human like the rest of us. Cut him some slack, but hold him accountable, too.

of developments under his administration.

I'd be intersted to hear from psychologists who have studied the response of audiences to public figures they greatly admire.

The people who greatly admire Barack Obama, it seems to me, would not be the same people who greatly admired Ronald Reagan, and the difference might be more than just an ideological one.

There are people who think Cher is just wonderful. I don't happen to dislike Cher per se but I am in no perilous rush to own any of her CDs.

But if somebody badmouths Joni Mitchell on these boards, I will hunt him down like a dog and leave him in pieces in a ditch.

:evilgrin:

and I'm sorry I came late to this one.

A ditch?

Oh, baby ......................

:hug:

Hope you are doing well. Happy summertime, by god.

he is the anti-elvis

I like your style.

:toast:

my favorite is "she put a louisiana liplock on my love porkchop"

that is PO-E-TRY

to be so freaked out, isn't it?

Insert theme music...



:)

Lets hope Michelle and the Girls keep him from getting a big head.

Seriously, I get where you're comin' from, Jake.

Keep fighting the good fight.

and this hero worship is not helping me get people to see it.

I voted for Obama, he has been great raising up the status of the presidency not only in our country, but all over the world. It's great hearing him speak.

But that doesn't mean that that all this feel-good economic perception that is coming from Obama and his administration, indicates that green shoots and recovery is just around the corner. Nope, far from it. Yet, many people are blindly following along like sheep, believing it's true.

1) If you don't question your leaders, you are doing them a disservice. They don't know everything.
2) If they are doing something wrong, it needs to be expressed.

:7


Some obviously have bigger egos than others, that's true.

You should be given a suitcase with nuclear weapon codes that can end the world.

But there are strategically placed pro Dem remarks from time to time so, not sure: member of barbituate left or winger in disguise. :shrug:

Julie

there are people who have been taught that anyone in what they percieve to be an authority position should be deified. I never think of anyone in what is percieved as an authority position to be in actual authority over me, especially a public office holder . they are servants of the people and should behave accordingly. deification is for people who have been taught to kowtow.

Authority figures have to prove themselves again and again to earn my respect.

Do they all freak you out?

The Dennis people don't freak me out because if they don't realize he was never really running for President than I'm sorry.

The Clinton people who are left (the ones that didn't flame out) over the damn primary, what the hell can they do, she's SOS and will be 68 in 2016. Bill won't hold elected office again.

The Krugman people well, last time I checked...he isn't President.

John F. Kennedy and Paul Wellstone are dead. Nobody needs to hold them accountable.

Also, there was a thread that was promoting Kucinich for 2012. So no, I think some people do expect him to run for president again.

when the person who has the cult is seeking power or is in power.

Dennis does not want to be President. I have a friend who worked on his campaign. Dennis is interested in getting his name out so that people will listen to his ideas and buy his books with his ideas.

If you like President Obama because you think he's doing great policy things. That is great.

If you like him because he is not George W. Bush that is stupid. Just because my last girlfriend was a psycho doesn't mean the one that occasionally fucks other people while expecting me to be monogamous and loyal is an upgrade and I should be married to them.

And frankly i take insult at your insinuation that i only like him for some shallow comparative or identity reason. You are essentially drawing a similarity aggressive and demeaning conclusion as anyone on the right that would claim that obama won because of "white guilt" or some other derivative.

Like I said Jake, if you don't like him, fine. But don't fucking attack me because i do.

Since I worked on the campaign for 11 months.

I have the shit because it reminds me of the campaign which was a great time in my life.

He's mediocre. He doesn't suck, but he isn't great.

He's better than the last King.

Just stop demeaning those who like him. In my opinion, that makes you shallow.

instead of looking at policy and thinking about what a policy means, I'm not talking about you.

forms of self expression are only partially tied to intellect. For example, your manner of expression regarding the more adamant supporters of Obama, frankly , makes you look like a fool. This may be do to poor upbringing on your part or it could be sourced in limited intelligence. I am specifically referring to your tendency to bash Obama supporters continually on a democratic board.


You would be better served to simply confine your expression to the specific policies issues for which you hold grievances. Something, frankly, you have not provided in reasonable caliber in my view.

I am an Obama supporter. Just because I don't like some of the things he's doing doesn't mean I don't support him.

Here is the problem. Everyone wants to feel good about things all the time. Any mention there might be a problem or that we might be creating unintended consequences with some of our solutions to problems get brushed aside.

I swear some people on here think that if you criticize the President's approach or handling or commitment to a particular issue you are awful.

Its in the real world too. The campaign is over. I don't have to keep my mouth shut with everything that he does that pisses me off.

Like i said, i support him because i like his policies. don't fucking dog on me because i like his policies. If your surprised to find people on this board that actually like a democrats policies, then you need to wake up. I know im coming down on you pretty hard, but your endless stream of bullshit about people who like Obama is getting really fucking tired. Just like you said, the campaign is over and you lost.

I made a general statement because I saw a fluff piece on TV and you are getting all bent out of fucking shape.

Unless you were watching the same one I did than I'm sorry.

Just so you know, these fluff pieces aren't who he really is. I would love to have the man as my neighbor. He'd probably have some great BBQs but the fact of the matter is he is the leader of the free world and people need to watch what he's doing and analyze it and how it effects them.

Your just going to have to get a grip on your own reality. One which you seem to be stuck on the surface with. That reality is that the world is full of different people with different outlooks. no matter who is president, some people are going to care more about the esoterica than about the specifics. Doesn't make you better, just makes you different.

Everything he does in public is a carefully staged photo-op. President Obama is a better actor than most of Hollywood. The speeches you hear, he didn't write 90% of them. The dog was carefully selected.

He's the President of the United States. He isn't George Clooney.

I'm sure he's a wonderful man and believe it or not I appreciate the sacrifice the family has made for the country. I really do. However, the only thing I care about are his policies. I'm proud my country picked the obviously better man from every standpoint and that he has broken a glass ceiling for a race of people who were terribly abused by my country.

I don't care what my President looks like.

I like his policies and i couldn't give two shits about the photo ops and stage show. I know it exists but it doesn't even register on my conscience. You seem to be very hung up on it yourself. Maybe you should bash yourself.

If you like the policies you like the policies...this isn't Freerepublic.

Honestly, this is more an outside DU prospective. Most Americans will not pay attention to what is being passed...they will however buy a people and look at the Dog.

im tired of your constant bashing of those who like Obama. let them be.

America has been reduced to who is the most charismatic and can take a good picture with the dog.

Adams,Jefferson, Monroe, Lincoln could never be elected in 2008.

Thank God, there was no Television in 1776. Our founders were a Fugly bunch.

President Obama could be the greatest President ever, I want him to earn his place on mount rushmore. Not have it handed to him because he's pretty.

Where how you look is more important than what you are doing?

....I remember being told by a man who was in the army about a leader his troop had complete faith in. They worshiped this guy. Whatever he told them to do, they did without question, and they got through some tight spots. The guy died, and was replaced by someone they didn't trust at all. The men didn't do what this guy said and things fell apart. If a leader is lack-luster and shouts, "Hey, the boat's sinking, everyone start bailing!" well, he might be right, he might be wrong, but only half the boat is going to do as he asks.

Is there a problem with this culture? Well, there can be a problem. Duh! :eyes: This culture can lead to Hitlers, but can also lead to Ghandi's and Martin Luther King, jr.'s. This sort of culture is one where beloved leaders can get amazing things out of their followers and so enact the most astonishing transformations, ones that a lack-luster leader, no matter how brilliant, could not.

Thing is, I seriously doubt we have to worry about Obama turning into a Hitler, so anyone pointing that out, please! Don't be so obtuse. Likewise, we probably aren't going to get a Ghandi. And I think most people on this forum are wise enough to know that. So don't insult them by implying that they expect Obama to start wearing a white robe and go on hunger strikes. For myself, I'd be happy with a Theodore Roosevelt, but I ain't gonna hold my breath. But one thing is sure, if we're in a sinking boat, I WANT a president that people trust, believe in, and yes, even worship, because then if he shouts "Everyone start bailing!" the majority of the people in that boat will start bailing. A cult of personality can be useful, especially as it makes people willing to be patient with their leader, and allow him to try different things to find what works best. A lack-luster leader isn't going to get that. So stop being freaked. This ain't nearly the crisis you think it is, not even for Obama.

instead of looking at policy and thinking about what a policy means, I'm not talking about you. You are projecting.

:eyes:

One or the other. You don't post something if you don't want feedback.

Didn't his funeral last a week? All on TV?

You would have thought he was a truly great man like Tim Russert or something...

:sarcasm:

can be annoying particularly when you are disappointed in a specific thing (or policy enacted, etc) that has happened, but as others have said, it's hardly something specific to Barack Obama. His may be unique in some ways, but I'm just not thinking it's "dangerous" ... that idea seems too right wingy to me, there are plenty of people applying pressure to him.

They asked "Is Obama overexposed? What's with this fly thing" which I thought "good. That fly thing was stupid" then they continued and totally blew it. They said "Why are people paying so much attention to the fly when it has come out that Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 may have beat her children!"

And a little piece of me died inside.

I take it back.

I'd rather people be worshiping Obama. At least he is a positive role model.

how this is any different than the same story that is told every political cycle. Of course, this is a very important time and we need to (finally) get shit done, I think the 24 hour media age and the need to cover cheap stories also gets on people's nerves, though at the same time, the new media age makes it easier to have voices that are applying said pressure heard. And while pop cultury stuff can get especially annoying at the wrong time, I'm sorry, people posting about puppies is not that high up on the list of things I get pissed off about...I get where you're coming from, saying that that culture breeds complicity, but I just don't really let things people post on the internet bother me....sorry.

There's no Cult of Obama - its the simple recognition that we have a human being in the White House who's not just intelligent & able - but he's a genuinely nice guy. Show me an Obama adviser who collects creepy pictures of Obamas hands - like Josh Bolton did with Bush, or someone who thinks he was selected by God to be President - like Bush himself did, then we can talk.

:thumbsup:

Ronald Reagan's speeches were in vast opposition to what his administration did.

I'm pretty sure he'll serve 2 terms. I'm pretty sure unemployment will go down. I'm pretty sure America will be changed by him.

I'm not sure, whether or not America will be a better freer place.

Ignorance gives the person an excuse. Willful ignorance has no excuse. The person has the materials to educate themselves. Yet they refuse to do so.

I send things to my family and give them websites, videos & articles for additional info, but they ignore all this, guess they have other priorities.

Obama. Doesn't trust and faith have to be earned, especially from a Stranger? We hear eloquent words, but IMHO, actions speak much louder. His first important action in the Senate, as part of the Foreign Relations committee was to vote to recommend the war criminal Rice for confirmation as Secy. of State. Add to that his vote to pass FISA.... not a great beginning to Earn my faith and trust.

Then he takes on Rahm as his chief of staff (Progressives were fucked right there), and since then, so many other actions (mostly through his Justice Dept) and non-actions (ignoring single payer, DADT) that have left me cold.

I voted for him. I felt I had no choice, but for the first time in my life, if he doesn't bring positive Change, I will sit out the 2012 election.

They want us to sit out. They want us to get cynical. They want us to leave the party.

You don't get it, out leaders are interested in their own power and wealth. Look at what they are doing when they leave office (if they ever leave office)

The Democrats are about to become as bad as the Republicans with certain thing. Bad behavior is learned and emulated.

We have witnessed the greatest financial fraud in the history of mankind and not one person is in handcuffs other than the idiots who were foolish enough to rip off the rich.

There are some of us who daily discuss this in the Stock Market Watch thread started by Ozymandius in Late Breaking News Monday-Friday, and in the Weekend thread posted by Demeter in the Editorials. There is usually a running list of those who should be handcuffed and in jail.

But it will take a revolution, after most people are jobless, homeless, pennyless and hungry, when they have nothing further to lose, that most people will grow a spine.

People like me will vote every election, and we will vote for the lesser of two evils, every election.

They don't want us involved after the election.

Don't sit out 2012. Vote Green or Democratic Socialist or some other "fringe" left party. Believe me you echo my feelings perfectly. I think the only thing that is going to get the Dems attention is when they finally start losing votes like ours. Voters who constantly swallow their own bile, pinch their nose and vote for the lesser of two evils.

If Obama doesn't start really pushing some traditional, liberal democratic policies, I will not vote for him again. I will vote left of him.

That gives us another true fascist instead of just a 1950s Republican.

We have to organize and find ways to sell our ideas to the dumbasses or convince the dumasses this shit is important.

"Solving" is a long term project. Things are going to get a LOT worse before the dumbasses wake up. Prima facia is your thread here :-)

You want progressive candidates, you get a few together and take over the school board and city council. That's your farm team. Then you take over the state legislature. Then you get these people to be Senators and congressman who'll be responsive to the people. As I said, a long process.

Besides, faux fascist, true fascist, we ARE in the grip of fascism now. Government of, by, and for the corporations. So, I assert one of the ways to influence Obama right now, is to simply bluntly threaten to not vote for him. He can not win without the liberal vote. He knows it, he just thinks we are bigger weakneed pansy assed cowards than he is and thinks we will fall in line. He is mistaken and only a credible threat to withdraw our support will stiffen his cowardly spine.

State Senate and before that and look at him now.

He has personal opinions. There is no political will. He moves the ball as far left as he can. In order to get to the next higher office you need to change your opinions and modify your approach as the electorate gets larger. You need to appeal to as many people as possible. We need to move the country left and than we will have a progressive president.

All Barack Obama is, is a reflection of the American People.

All George W. Bush was, is a reflection of the American People.

If they really did anything so crazy that the American People would be against it, there would be riots in the streets.

Our President reflects our values as a nation.

The nominees reflect the parties values and who the majority in the party are.

If you think the our leaders reflect the "people" instead of the the corporations pulling their strings, I've got a bridge to sell you. Riots in the streets? Look around the world and you'll see that that is about the only thing that gets change accomplished. It's what it took in the 60's to get the Vietnam war stopped and civil rights passed.

We have a placebo democracy. Most American people are too busy working 60 hours a week to survive to muster up any energy to change their "representatives". History has very few examples indeed of successful peasant uprisings. For that is what we are. Peasants and serfs to the banks and corporations who lay claim to our time and wages.

People volunteer for the military. People choose to work for those wages. People choose to put their money in the banks. People choose to read. There is no draft or mandatory service.

Their is a lot of propaganda out there. People choose which to read.

I've made mistakes in my life. Some of them have been influenced by the propaganda I was reading or seeing. The other propaganda was sitting right in front of me. I picked the reality I wanted to live in.

I smoke and need to quit, however there is a warning label right on the pack that says Jake. These cigarettes are bad for you.

I've had problems with drinking in my life but I still get stupid and go into bars.

None of us really see the truth because it is colored by the fact that we are human. All experience is tempered by emotion.

None of us are really free, at the same time none of us are really slaves.

... we are a big tent and you quickly learn which googly-eyed teenagers to ignore (or "ignore").

For my part, Obama is a refreshing change. (Boy, that's an understatement). But that doesn't mean we don't need to help keep him on the right path.

At least we're no longer dealing with a drunken, brain-dead cheerleader and a Vice-President from Mordor, Wyoming.

Gets a wee bit annoying.

love Bob Dylan, you come away it seems to me with a figure about whom there is much to like.

People wouldn't respond to Dylan's recordings if the music and the lyrics and the delivery did not speak to them in a direct and visceral way. There is a public allure to Dylan registered by his following but there is also a private charisma. His audience gets to participate in the democracy of his art. We are participants. We get to witness the narrative the lyrics describe.

And we by god love it.

"I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
'Come in,' she said, 'I'll give ya shelter from the storm."

Although I do have good thoughts of many people I respect including President Obama. The feelings are the same all the people I respect, and I try to have the same love for even those that would treat me as an enemy.

Sure he is doing a pretty good job, but so are millions of others.


You are correct that the the ancient Roman Empire is bad, you see it in ancient Rome's making sport of death, of war, their use of slavery and total brutality. Also through history the worst of societies have associated with Rome.

I think that is why Ancient Rome was replaced, and Rome now signifies many that try and live as best they can in the love of God. The Roman deities were false gods bent on destruction.

I also often think of Piper Lauri telling Burt Gordan how he was a Roman, and what was wrong with him, when she defended Eddie. And how Eddie told Burt Gordon that he was dead inside, because he just wanted to win, and could not feel for anyone.

The Ancient Roman is bad, but for the most part, that is not the government, nor people we have, although nothing is all good or all bad.

post after post, day after day on DU freak me the fuck out and have zero credibility when it comes to deriding those who support him.

Many of us Obama supporters know how to criticize, as well as support. I don't see as much from the haters.

I'll vote for him in 2012 again. Probably because I don't have a fucking choice.

Just because the other side is crazy doesn't give our side the excuse to be mediocre.

that are from otherwise well-respected DUers?

Not posts merely defending him, or agreeing with him, but dyed-in-the-wool cult-of-personality whackiness (you know, Obama Beat type shit). I've yet to see it, and I think it would be fascinating.

Thanks in advance!

I don't mean to mock-really but have you ever been to general discussion presidential in the last six months?

General discussion is the only place you can even really say your peace at all without being called names.

For God's sake they think Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow are THE ENEMY-on par with Rush Limbaugh. Anything you say critical is defended of Obama and when it's indefensible it's mocked or you are called names.

I wonder how many are "Obama Democrats"-new to the Democratic party and don't really give a crap about abortion rights or Gay rights or ending the war. They just want their pocket protected and a president that isn't a a dangerous idiot.

But those are understandable in their reactions defending him on things like Gay rights and torture, the new Dem's on DU, are old Republicans.

But what is absolutely horrifying is old time Du'ers who have spent years on this site and are truly liberal and yet when they see Obama doing the same shit as Bush and defend it as okay. Or they are in denial.

I understand liking Obama. He's extremely likable. His family is amazing.

But if his admin is defending things in the exact same way or doing them in the exact same way but with a different name and a charismatic smile as the previous administration I am not going to defend it because I like him or Michelle.

That is what creeps many of us the hell out and basically keeps us away from DU. And at this point I don't even read the replies to my posts. There is extremely little that any of his defenders have to say. There is no defense for much of what Obama has done. He loves presidential powers. He thinks wiretapping is fine. He is not going to prosecute anyone for torture-and there is much more. But the denial camp thinks he's going to do it someday.

He's not much of a leader. But he is an amazing politician. I have no doubt he will win in a landslide in 2012. Forget what he actually does. He says he will restore habeas corpus and yet he proposes infinite detention. He talks about health care but actually is bowing to the corporate lobby. He's a nice looking package if you don't look too close.

because my father was one. Than I went to work and saw what the hell was going on. My father deluded himself into believing he worked hard. I was under no such delusions.

is over.

:crazy:

An instance of gushing was posted in response to my query below, and I suppose I have seen some isolated instances of stuff like that, but hardly a CULT of it.

Anywho...I have other things to worry about than a few folks scattered here and there who have a crush on the man.

:wow:

*HTML edit

That is the shit I was talking about.

If only Dennis Kucinuch looked like George Clooney.

I suppose I have seen some isolated incidents of stuff like that, but hardly a cult; more like some folks who might have a little crush on the guy.

Imagine the gushings we would hear if he supported GLBT rights, the rule of law, etc.!!!

:crazy:

to elect.

Prone to the same temptations and fallible. One is worse at succumbing to them.

and cults of any kind freak me out.

If he has no accomplishments to impress voters with by midterms, then I'd get worried.

him in the first place.

:eyes:

Since January 20th, doesn't the Sun seem to shine a little brighter? I know it does in my neck of the woods! The water in my lake is clearer, and the fish laugh with glee as they jump into my boat. The song that the moon sings has taken on a decidedly more cheerful tone (and I hope it doesn't turn sorrowful when humankind's terrible experiment wounds it in the coming days). Gaia hums with a resonance I've not heard since I was a tiny baby and JFK was President. I'm convinced; President Obama is a gift from God, and when she deigned to send him to us, she made the best decision possible.

In the meantime, my daughter still will not be able to get married, American servicemen and women as well as innocents are still dying in two illegal wars, unemployment is still on the rise, albeit not as fast as it was, and millions are still not under any kind of healthcare umbrella. Auto workers are still out of work, and life is going to get much shittier for a whole lotta people while the rich are still getting richer.

Blind adulation isn't in my playbook. I voted for him and felt a swell of pride that a man of color could become President of the United States, but am decidedly neutral about his performance at the moment. Just as many say he can't be criticized because of the short time he's been in office, neither can he be praised to the point of stating that we may have to amend the Constitution so that he can serve longer than the two term maximum.

"He will have no trouble finding work in 8 years. We may have to rewrite the consitution and let him stay longer."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8485102

who has been sleeping on a floor. He's too proud to take people's offers of help. He can't find a job. He's more intelligent than I am.

YES WE CAN

The President, no matter who he is, cannot fix all that singlehandedly.

I think it just as cultish, and just as weird, when people think the POTUS is responsible for their individual situations.

Those will be rampant in about a year. Bookmark this thread. You heard it hear first.

I'm sorry this cult of personality with FDR is freaking me the fuck out

I'm sorry this cult of personality with Bobby Kennedy is freaking me the fuck out

I'm sorry this cult of personality with is freaking me the fuck out

and capable of some really dumb shit.

I had an ex, she put my picture everywhere and told me how perfect I was. Than one day I screwed up. Didn't cheat or anything just made an honest screw-up. Next thing you know she was fucking her ex-boyfriend her reasoning. At least I know he's an asshole.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

On election night the cheering hadn't even subsided before the critics flooded the place. Sheesh! I guess after 8 years of crap we can't be happy or we're cheerleaders or cultists.

night. After being here for a little bit I realized that was just standard procedure.

As soon as we had one.

Look on the dollar bill.

How much positivity do you see regarding Obama?

Little.

Happy President's Day. :party:

that make them seem solid, dependable, trustworthy. The voters selected Gore and Kerry, Bush was appointed which is why he did not meet the usual criteria.

I see nothing wrong with treating Obama with a little respect.

It's one thing to be a committed fan, but until I see his picture everywhere and hear people telling me to thank President Obama for the food on my plate, it's not a cult of personality.

I picture a "cult" as more than isolated instances of gushing.

instead of just every other one.

How about some actual information on what the administration is up to instead of him BBQing with the kids.

How about focusing on the thousands of other posts about substantive issues instead of worrying about what other people choose to focus on?

Threads with stupid opinions make it to the greatest page all the time. I'd rather see a good photo thread there, than a thread based on a ridiculous premise.

Pushing the cult of personality meme is just your way of saying you're annoyed that people like to focus on thing you don't like, specifically photos of Obama, his family and their dog.

not see big picture. I defend a sense of reasonableness and proportion. That's not cult of personality.

I think he will do the best he can for us, and I believe his motives.

and I happen to like seeing pictures of Bo, he's a cute doggie.

Seriously, Obama wasn't my first choice in the primary and the White House is going to block my email address if I send another message. This is a participatory process and I realize that my duty didn't stop the day after the election, in fact that's when it started.

But since I don't work myself up into a righteous swivet on DU every time the President does something I disagree with,(see emailing the WH above) I guess that makes me a cult member...

want it all at once and done yesterday.. Cannot happen.

... to think it through.

:hi:

Hekate

because he inherited a whole lot of bad stuff. In fact, I'll give him 8 years. Doesn't mean that I won't be quiet but it also doesn't mean that I won't going flying off the handle at every chance...

The overreaction to what others are doing is the giveaway here.

When you can't admit to yourself that it is you who wants Obama to be the Savior who leads us to Salvation, you project your childish expectations on others and accuse them of falling for the exact same cult worship you are secretly performing in the back of your mind.

Projection: accusing others of precisely what you are guilty of being or doing.

Oh, did you mean "deity"?

After 8 years of being stuck with a smuck, even a regular President would attract admiration.

But Obama isn't just a competent President, he is already one of the greatest Presidents that United States has seen. In future years, Obama will be discussed in the same breath as Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt.

Obama is another.

Would these people be kissing their own employee's ass the same way? :eyes:

Here on DU, on other internet sites, on the TV, in the press, etc. to counter deification.

I think we'll be OK.

Well let's see. Right around the time of George Washington, that's when.

It seems to work fine for them.
------------------------------

The years passed, mankind became stupider at a frightening rate. Some had high hopes the genetic engineering would correct this trend in evolution, but sadly the greatest minds and resources where focused on conquering hair loss and prolonging erections.
--Narrator, IDIOCRACY

cheerleading topics

Do you liken the cult of personality with lets say

Ghandi?
Martin Luther King?
What about the Kennedy Brothers?
Hey what about Roosevelet and Churchill during WWII?

All of these examples and Obama have something in common, "HOPE"!!

What do you recommend we do? You obviously don't want us to like or love or president because you deem that behavior cultish!!

DU as of late has been a perfect place to observe that everyone has differing levels of satisfaction over the last 6 months of President Obama's service to the country as our president.

Without any hope what is there? Should the country just decide to say fuck it, that's it, it's over. Everyone should stop trying to better our econonomy, civil rights, world standing?

Should we accept average and below average leaders?

Just curious? :shrug:

We are filling the rolls we need to fill.

The minute I can't say anything in public negative about him that is based on my opinion of his actions for fear of reprisal...there is trouble.

The minute there aren't people who like him...we are in trouble.

http://www.iim-edu.org/dysfunctionalleadershipdysfunctionalorganizations/index.htm

This is for business transpose it to the country.

Who exactly is stopping you from speaking your mind? There is plenty of criticism on this board for President Obama.

I am not sure you have noticed there are plenty of Americans that don't like President Obama simply because he is black. It's not really hard to miss.

<snip>
The minute there aren't people who like him...we are in trouble.
<snip>


I find it interesting that the standards are much different for President Obama than any other president that we have ever had. Many will not acknowledge it but there it is. It's the truth!

I am curious how would you handle all of the crisis that are on President Obama's plate? There is a saying about the right man at the right place, President Obama is that man whether you like it or not.

Who do you propose be in this spot as president? A 70 year old man like McCain with a VP Palin?

You act as if no one is holding President Obama's feet to the fire? He is getting hammered every day by the MSM, democratic congress people and us.

Compare this to *, * had the MSM using talking points putting out propaganda every day, * walked through his presidency without dealing with N. Korea, Israel/Palastine, DADT, DOMA, started 2 wars and then didn't give a shit about our soldiars.....

What exactly are you wanting him to do? What has he missed that you feel needs addressing right at this moment?

Commas. Learn about them.

I have a book on my desk at work that I work on Grammar with 30 minutes a day. I've never been good at it but I'm getting better.

If you don't have it, get Strunk and White's Elements of Style. Useful, readable and funny. You'll thank a cranky stranger for recommending it ... maybe.

I'm not trying to be an ass. It really is a helpful book everyone should have.

Part of the reason I post on DU is to reinforce to myself proper grammar is important.

An entire idea can be discounted as stupid or an entire thought can be read wrong, if you don't use proper grammar.

I fucking hate commas I need my book.

between sorry and this.

If he just puts a comma there he will have a comma splice, a very serious sentence boundary error.

Since we're being pedantic and all....

:popcorn:

A. February 5, 2008.

Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
Ive been everything you want to be
Im the cult of personality
Like mussolini and kennedy
Im the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights, a nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You dont have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
Im the smiling face on your t.v.
Im the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three
Im the cult of personality
Like joseph stalin and gandi
Im the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights a nobel prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You dont have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your gods name
Im every person you need to be
Im the cult of personality
Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
Ive been everything you want to be
Im the cult of personality
Like mussolini and kennedy
Im the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights, a nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You dont have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
Im the smiling face on your t.v.
Im the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three
Im the cult of personality
Like joseph stalin and gandi
Im the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights a nobel prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You dont have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your gods name
Im every person you need to be
Im the cult of personality

It'll only get worse from here -- airbrushed, cable tv-ready reality show pop celebs.

OTOH, it really is on us. If we choose personality cults and emperors, that's what we do. If we choose not to do this, we need to either exercise our democratic voice or admit we don't have a democratic voice and act accordingly. Otherwise, the reality show pols and their big money handlers own us and we're fighting to "happily" keep ourselves in serfdom.

That is what the hell I was getting at.

America has the mentality of a 5 year old right now.

It's excited admiration for a highly capable man who makes us proud to be Americans again. With Bush it was a cult of personality because it was mostly the bone stupid, the hate mongers and the fecklessly thuggish who were propping up an abysmally untalented, unintelligent, embarrassingly gauche man-child whose prominent business decisions included trading Sammy Sosa away. Who invaded a crushed and dispirited nation that was no threat to us because it was sitting on top of the second-largest puddle of oil in the world. Who refused to invade a country that is a genuine threat because it has nuclear weapons, the fourth largest army in the world, and no oil.

and they don't have some reasoned intelligent people in theirs, I got a bridge to sell you.

No. I know the reality of the situation. But here's how I see it: Liberals appeal to what is best in people, and often fail. Conservatives pander to what is worst in people, and usually succeed. The Democrats have spent far too much time trying to look like the other guys, and I'm not happy about it. But I'd rather be a Democrat and win national elections about half the time, then join the Green Party or something and lose national elections every single time...

I just figured out what he wants people to do.

I don't need to give examples! You know what I'm talking about.

When did we start seeing south American camelids as sexually available?

I liked it.

Fuck.

You got me.

I can't shoot back after that salvo.

still am... many of them don't seem to be aware that the man has passed on :scared:

Bush was *extremely* successful at getting his agenda put into place early in office. That absolutely isn't to defend his agenda. He was simply very effective. Obama is moving very slow in his promise to unravel the Bush years. Just undoing or slowing down everything Bush did isn't the same as moving forward with a more liberal agenda. We aren't making forward progress. We have to move forward with a more liberal agenda. Instead we absolutely and quite literally have a kinder gentler republican president and congress. Stopping torture isn't the same as prosecuting those who committed torture. Amnesty for corporate and wall street crime isn't the same as seeking justice for all those now suffering from it. Amnesty for wire tapping isn't the same as aggressively defending us from search and seizure and government spying. Claiming to put an end to lobbyist influence and the revolving door and isn't the same as having men like geithner and summers running the treasury.

I wonder how this is going to impact mid terms 2010. Those of us who worked for change only to have the door slammed in our face will not be making the same sort of financial and personal commitments. Obama is turning out to be better than Bush but an uninspired choice for change. Grass roots won't be volunteering and working so hard for democrats. Meanwhile Republicans are calling us socialists, knowing that democratic grass roots is pissed off, and republican voters and cash will fill the vacuum. Democratic leadership is taking a huge risk by turning their backs on those of us who worked so hard to get this man elected instead of McCain. Dems cannot compete with corporate financed republicans without us grass roots issues oriented workers who work for free hoping our candidate will support us in return. Even the supreme court nomination, while slightly less conservative than Sandra Day, has every extreme centrist delighted. Liberals should not expect big changes in justice.

America elected an ex-drunk, AWOL SOB prick who started a war based on lies that killed hundreds of thousands, stuffed every government agency with religious nut jobs and unqualified right wing hacks. Twice. That is an historic milestone for our nation. The fact that we elected a very amiable man whose exceptional oratory is falling far short of reality and who just happened to be black? Interesting, but probably not so historic.

A president who doesn't appoint lobbyists and leave huge policy making decisions up to the CIA, NSA and corporate interest groups and corporate czars? That would be historic and a positive change for the better.

It's called lockstep Republicans.

We could use some lock step democrats right now. Democrats could have called for impeachment and fought Bush every inch of the way. The resistance and leadership was weak.

Most of the people and policies Bush put into place will live on for decades. He was successful in this respect. He knew what he was doing. He was a human turd, but he was still very effective and is responsible for moving the nation two giant steps to the right. That will be his legacy; a galvanizing force for his base of supporters. Meanwhile we (Dems) are struggling to move a baby step back.

Yes, because the GOP base is still intact and the Party highly relevant, and because we'll be happy with the direction in which the Dems will decide to move in lockstep.

I should have made it clear that by lock step I was referring to congressional support of a more liberal agenda. Obama's personal beliefs are clear and hard to fault, but he hasn't been effective in getting congress lined up behind them. If we don't make forward progress by mid-terms, republicans will take advantage of the lack of democratic grass roots support. Many people who worked for his campaign did so because they felt he could bring about change. Dem leadership can't take it for granted that these workers are no longer needed to elect dem candidates at local and national levels.

:toast:

They think they can run media propaganda campaigns funded by their new friends throw us one or two bones.

Presidents aren't re-elected on grassroots excitement. They are based on media campaigns defending their records.

They needed Howard Dean for 4 years, they don't believe they need him anymore because they have power...and Dean only did this to get rid of the fascist.

and act like grown-ups in Presidential Elections.

Barack Obama isn't going to give it to us. President Obama was elected and wants to be re-elected. The man has a sense of history. He is also African American. What he has done is an enormous accomplishment. He convinced a majority to elect a minority to represent them to the world.

The only reason why FDR was able to re-make America was because the people demanded it.

If we want Single Payer Healthcare. We have to create a demand for single payer healthcare. If we want a public option, we have to create a demand for public option.

We need to wake up our friends and neighbors to what the people in power have been doing to them for years.

We need to get people to stop buying the propaganda and to think for their damn selves.

This man, you have no clue how much I love him, its why I get so angry at him at times. Is not going to give us anything. We have to earn it. I'm angry at him because the God Damn job is tough. Its made harder by the damn poisonous culture we live in and he can't call the culture out or they will crucify him.

Our freedom was easily given to us. We were all born into it. We surrendered it very easily after 9-11 out of fear.

"This man, you have no clue how much I love him, its why I get so angry at him at times. Is not going to give us anything. We have to earn it. I'm angry at him because the God Damn job is tough. Its made harder by the damn poisonous culture we live in and he can't call the culture out or they will crucify him".
These are also my sentiments but I haven't been able to put them into words and you have done it beautifully. Thank you.

because they were saying, hey he's half white, he's ok.......I just want to scream MOTHER FUCKER I DON'T CARE IF HE IS FUCKING GREEN as long as he can help us get the fuck out of this mess and have better lives!

He exposes all the best and worst in America at the same damn time.

We elected a minority who was better than anything the other side had, at the same time we used a propaganda feel good media machine to get dumb people to vote for him without even knowing why.

He's like the fucking opposite of Ronald Reagan.

fucking creepy indeed

On edit: not really.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8250075

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8310701

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8318658

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8324590

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8444927

How is it that no one ever mentions "cult of personality" in relation to such posts about Hillary?

You bet your damn ass I would be.

Remember who I campaigned for in the Primary.

So now "cult of personality" and puppy photos only apply to the President?

Good grief.

:rofl:

I'm sorry. 99% of the reason we are in this mess right now is our culture.

President Obama has found a way to manipulate the culture. I'm sure he has good intentions. I'm pissed that most Americans don't care. Most Americans do not care and are unwilling to make any sacrifices. I include myself in that.

I'm trying to determine if its a battle worth fighting.

"I'm trying to determine if its a battle worth fighting."

You are basing this determination on a few photo threads among tens of thousands of other posts?

Your frustration is misplaced. Most people here care about the issues.

I don't get that as often in the real world.

I come here to debate and to be slapped around. I want people to question what I say. I want to see what the flaw is in my argument.

Sometimes I want to be proven wrong.

How many of your friends in the real world want to talk about the Budget Deficit or want to debate whether or not we live in a poisonous culture?

You know what I get in the real world. Episodes of Lost and the newest block buster.

People don't like to think or have their reality challenged.

I do.

find intelligent people among DU's tens of thousands of posters?

I bet you can find a few just on the front page of GD.



Edited for reality.

Why is everything on here about DU.

There are examples of it on DU, however outside of DU its ridiculous.

This is a haven for me where I can come debate and talk and listen.

and most of your comments are about posting photos instead of information.

I suggest that you focus on the threads about issues if that is what you come to DU to discuss. Seriously, there hundreds of them every day.

And I'm not sure if that poster is such a great example.

I challenge someone to find the same thing said about Obama, but it's only the Obama compliments that make some of these people "sick" and "disgusted" and "creeped out".

I guess you just have to deify the CORRECT person and they'll overlook it.

:rofl:

I spent 7 weeks as a volunteer during the PA Primary working for President Obama against Hillary Clinton.

people that they admire or who they hope can fix a lot of their problems. The problem is they tend to be let down and disappointed because they expect someone to fight their fights for them instead of getting off their fat asses and doing something for themselves. I think Obama has the potential to be a great President but we have to look at him for what he is.. A gifted politician and orator, which means he is also looking at getting reelected later. I know the guy promised a lot during the campaign but I think we should temper rhetoric with realism. I'm a Obama supporter but I'm not a lock stepper that agress with everything that he does unlike our right wing counterparts during Dubyas era.