Obama defends government during commencement speech (AP)

Obama defends government during commencement speech



ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — President Obama took aim Saturday at the angry rhetoric of those who denigrate government as "inherently bad" and said their off-base line of attack ignores the fact that in a democracy, "government is us."

Obama used his commencement speech at the University of Michigan to respond to foes who portray government as oppressive and tyrannical. He also appealed for a more civil political debate and advised graduates to seek out and consider alternative views on the issues of the day, even if it makes their "blood boil."

Just 45 miles from the immense Michigan Stadium with a capacity of 106,201 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin held court in Clarkston, tearing into Obama's policies at a forum hosted by the anti-tax Americans for Prosperity Foundation.

The president told students and others in the audience the school stopping giving out tickets once 80,000 were distributed that debates about the size and role of government are as old as the republic itself.

"But it troubles me when I hear people say that all of government is inherently bad," said Obama, who received an honorary doctor of laws degree. "For when our government is spoken of as some menacing, threatening foreign entity, it conveniently ignores the fact in our democracy, government is us."

<SNIP>

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-01-Obama-commencement_N.htm?csp=34

who has done nada for the American people being 45 miles away?

Why?

Did she have 80,000 people listening to her?
Did she discuss her Drill, Baby, Drill energy policies?

Media is so sad, to have even played such a large hand
in elevating that person to a status that is way beyond
her.

Why even mention her in the same article? How are they comparable? Fucking stupid...makes me seriously irritated when I take the time to read these articles. Fucking media...dumb dumb dumb

A real smile-maker, imo!

:thumbsup:

and was pleasantly suprised that I was catch to get it on DVR,
even though I didn't even know what time it would happen,
but I guessed it would be relatively early morning here in California.
Californians miss half of everything this President does in real time,
unless we are willing to get up like at 6:00 a.m., which on a Saturday
is hard to do.

So I just watched it an hour or so ago, and that speech was simply magnificent....
perfectly delivered with a timely relevant and encouragingly captivating message.

The world will be studying these Obama speeches years from now, tell you that,
even if to some that isn't apparent today. Some say that his are just words,
but they should be reminded as often as possible, that it is words that move a nation,
not only the deeds that eventually happen largely due to the words that came beforehand.

Moved people into becoming a nation! I just LOVE the historical analogies he made, and really hope these will be noted and quoted, early and often!

'Timely relevant and encouragingly captivating!' May I quote YOU???

E

:hi:

;)

Why else cover the teabaggers 24/7?

give Pres Obama an Honorary Degree?:)

Full video here - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x461177