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The View of Obama From Midtown Manhattan
Gail Collins, editorial page editor of The New York Times through most of the George W. Bush presidency, gives us a progress report on his replacement:
[T]hings have been looking pretty good. American influence is rising abroad, and at home nobody in the White House appears to be plotting to undermine our civil rights on a daily basis.
The economy's looking kind of stimulated. These things take time, but the "cash for clunkers" part of the plan seems to be working like a charm. [...]
True, there's no health care bill yet, and members of Congress are getting yelled at about socialized medicine by people who appear to have been sitting in their attics since the anti-tax tea parties, listening for signs of alien aircraft. But on the bright side, they've finally got something to distract them from the president's birth certificate.
Nick Gillespie and I issued a slightly different report card last month. Michael Moynihan wrote about the limits of overseas popularity yesterday. I wrote about the birthers' usefulness to president-loving pundits two weeks ago. And for those laboring under the fantasy that Obama's America is a bubble bath of civil liberties, I would recommend starting with the archive of one of the few columnists in America who consistently cares about such things regardless of which team is in the White House: Jacob Sullum.
Tomcat1066|8.6.09 @ 9:28AM|#
And yet again, there's the bash against tea partiers as kooks,
regardless of what their complaints may actually be.
It's like calling all war protesters "hippies", regardless of what
their issues might be.
|8.6.09 @ 9:30AM|#
GAAAH! Did you have to put that puke-inducing religious icon
painting there? What is seen can not be unseen.
-jcr
pistoffnick|8.6.09 @ 9:38AM|#
Things are going swimmingly...all the way to hell on a greased
rail, with a tail wind.
Just hope harder and we'll get there faster!
|8.6.09 @ 9:41AM|#
Our influence is rising so much in the world. The whole world
just loves us. It is not like we are escalating a war in
Afghanistan, the Iranians are still busy beavering on their nuclear
program, the NORKS on lobbing missiles over Japan or anything. Good
thing the Bush deficit is starting to come down and unemployment
only peaked at 8% like the Obamasiah promised. And he closed GUITMO
and stopped aggressive interrogation techniques.
What a dumb cunt. I am sorry to use that word. But sometimes only
that word will do. That reads like something out of PRavda.
|8.6.09 @ 9:45AM|#
What's that thing around his neck?
at home nobody in the White House appears to be plotting to
undermine our civil rights on a daily basis.
Seeing as the Big O hasn't changed a single Bush policy on civil
rights (except possibly for the worse, with his announcement that
we will detain "terrorists" even if acquitted at trial), this can
only mean either (a) Bush wasn't plotting, either or (b) Gail
Collins is total tool.
The economy's looking kind of stimulated. These things take
time, but the "cash for clunkers" part of the plan seems to be
working like a charm.
Somebody else who somehow got the idea this program was a stimulus
program, not an enviro program.
|8.6.09 @ 9:50AM|#
I think you are right Ard. We are only seven months into this administration and BO hasn't done one thing right yet. And he appears to have learned nothing from his mistakes. I can't imagine how ugly this is going to get before his four years are up. He hasn't even faced a serious international crisis yet or God forbid a terrorist attack. This was his honeymoon and he still managed to fuck it up. At some point, some of the rats in the media are going to jump ship. When that happens the fight amongst them and the ones who stay loyal to the cult is going to be highly entertaining.
Loyal Cultist|8.6.09 @ 9:53AM|#
We are only seven months into this administration and BO
hasn't done one thing right yet.
How can you say that? He's given us ... Hope!
Amber Waves|8.6.09 @ 10:01AM|#
Is that a promo pic for a blaxploitation film? A remake of Shaft, perhaps
|8.6.09 @ 10:01AM|#
I am offended by that racist picture. The sunbeam shining down from the sky onto the back of the President's neck is obviously meant as a dogwhistle to people like Collins, who not so secretly long for a return to the days of lynchings. Shame on you, Reason, for republishing that racist trash.
Ska|8.6.09 @ 10:13AM|#
I give up. What *is* that painting trying to
portray?
Looking at the other portraits constantly used here, I can only
guess:
Obama - serial unicorn fucker.
|8.6.09 @ 10:17AM|#
Joke's on you, Hit&Retards! That's not even Obama.
It's the cover of the next Kayne West album
Superjesusrose.
|8.6.09 @ 10:21AM|#
American influence is rising abroad, and at home nobody in
the White House appears to be plotting to undermine our civil
rights on a daily basis.
Gail, honey...
Don't look at the watch. We all know how pretty it is, and how the
light sparkles as it swings back and forth, but you have to just
look away. Avert your eyes, and try to break the spell.
Seriously, Gail; try to regain control of your thoughts, before
it's too late.
Xeones|8.6.09 @ 10:21AM|#
Re: the pic, is anyone else disturbed by the roses flying out of Dear Leader's junk?
B|8.6.09 @ 10:36AM|#
Meh. The space between "nothing to get excited about" and "a considerable improvement over GW Bush" is vast, and Mr. Obama seems to be occupying it quite comfortably.
Xeones|8.6.09 @ 10:37AM|#
Ska, what about the thorns? Almost makes me feel sorry for Obama's urethra and glans.
|8.6.09 @ 10:37AM|#
*snickers*
Get your Kenyan birth certificate right here!
That picture is disturbing. You should distribute eye bleach with
posts like this.
kilroy|8.6.09 @ 10:38AM|#
"either (a) Bush wasn't plotting, either or (b) Gail Collins
is total tool."
I'm going with option b.
|8.6.09 @ 11:04AM|#
The economy's looking kind of stimulated. These things take time, but the "cash for clunkers" part of the plan seems to be working like a charm.
Well, if she thinks that way, she likely wishes that more of the
stimulus were "cash for whatever" -- i.e., tax cuts -- rather than
"handouts for political interests".
Scratch that... It's pretty clear that she doesn't think.
|8.6.09 @ 11:14AM|#
Its hard to believe that someone who is obviously a brainwashed
partisan robot is actually in charge of the editorial page of the
NYT.
Or, maybe not.
|8.6.09 @ 11:16AM|#
Since brainwashed partisian robots are the only ones who read or pay attention to the NYT editorial page, it is less surprising than you think RC.
|8.6.09 @ 11:20AM|#
According to the NYT ad I saw on CNBC this morning, it is
indisputably true that the New York Times has the BEST journalists
ever, anywhere, working for them.
Take that, you naysaying dead-enders!
|8.6.09 @ 11:29AM|#
Anyone notice the Op-Ed piece was entitled "Barack's Progress Report?" Isn't that a little more "familiar" than "Obama's Progress Report?"
|8.6.09 @ 11:31AM|#
Since the NYT isn't likely to post the comment I left, I'll put
it here:
Charlie Lynch remains a political prisoner in California. Obama
promised an end to federal harassment of medical marijuana patients
and providers, what he actually delivered was a one-week
hiatus.
The military continues to imprison people without trial, in
violation of their right to habeus corpus.
The administration has made no effort whatsoever to prosecute
torture of prisoners.
The administration has continued and exacerbated every financial
mistake of the Bush administration.
Are you satisfied with this performance, Gail? If you are, I must
conclude that all of your complaints about Bush's record were
nothing but partisan posturing.
-jcr
|8.6.09 @ 11:46AM|#
RE: Kenyan Birth Certificates
Thanks Bronwyn!
Now all my kids can be "African Americans" which should help their
college admission chances as well provide a financial windfall once
the big O starts handing out reparations.
|8.6.09 @ 11:51AM|#
Seriously, no one has any idea what that brown boxy-looking thing floating in front of his neck is supposed to be?
Bo|8.6.09 @ 11:56AM|#
I give up. What *is* that painting trying to
portray?
I thought maybe he was retrieving the remote control that Michelle
threw into the Potomac.
|8.6.09 @ 12:09PM|#
I give up. What *is* that painting trying to portray?
The picture is a metaphor expressing hope and change by audaciously
portraying Barack, our savior, in a shower of roses bursting forth
with the power of 10,000 butterfly sneezes through the dark
effluent of the Cheney's puppet Bush administration that had
submerged all of us.
You wingnuts just don't get it! If all you right-wingers don't
start getting with the program, I'll have to report your dark,
unhelpful thoughts to the White House media office.
|8.6.09 @ 12:29PM|#
But, the state of Hawaii released a short form brith certificate that "proves" everything. Rational, intelligent people have long ago decided that an apparent "official" document released by the state or one of its political subdivisions is reliable and true and anybody who questions the same must be ridiculed.
Jonas|8.6.09 @ 12:30PM|#
"I thought the editorial was a joke."
That editorial IS a joke...
just not one of the "haha funny" jokes; it's one of the "Gail
Collins you're pathetic please do us all a favor and kill yourself"
kind of jokes.
|8.6.09 @ 12:58PM|#
So when a libertarian or conservative uses less than complimentary language to describe these no-good hippies, commies and elitist nincompoops it is defamatory. However, when one of these people I just mentioned use the same tactics, it is not big deal. Typecasting well over half of Americans as a bunch of paranoid conspiracy nuts and xenophobes is almost deemed accurate.
|8.6.09 @ 1:08PM|#
But, the state of Hawaii released a short form brith certificate that "proves" everything. Rational, intelligent people have long ago decided that an apparent "official" document released by the state or one of its political subdivisions is reliable and true and anybody who questions the same must be ridiculed.
What else are you supposed to do with fanatics who refuse to look
at any evidence unless it's phony?
Gail Antoinette Collins|8.6.09 @ 1:08PM|#
The view of the Republic from midtown Manhattan is fine, as for the rabble, let them eat croûtons, but not too many.
Gail Antoinette Collins |8.6.09 @ 1:12PM|#
Tony! My dear, you have served your Queen so well over the years. As the rabble shout, and sneer their ingratitude, I know I can count on you to keep your head down, and your hands on the hoe. When you finally die, I assure you, your organs will only be used for the elite of the elite.
TallDave|8.6.09 @ 2:00PM|#
What else are you supposed to do with fanatics who refuse to
look at any evidence unless it's phony?
Yawn. What was that poll, 50% of Democrats who believed Bush
purposely let 9/11 happen?
And Dan Rather still thinks the memos were real.
|8.6.09 @ 2:04PM|#
The economy's looking kind of stimulated.
God, I hate bad writing. This sentence might pass for a middling
Twitter update, but let's try to talk like big girls in our
grown-up column, shall we, Gail?
|8.6.09 @ 2:49PM|#
Sug,
I judiciously decided against clicking on a vibrators.com link at
work, but my active imagination filled in the blanks.
I'm torn. If inane pundits talked about their masturbatory
practices instead of the economy and health care reform, the level
of discourse might improve, but they'd have stolen a bit of your
thunder, wouldn't they?
|8.6.09 @ 3:23PM|#
I assure you, your organs will only be used for the elite of the elite.
You might want to just bury the liver.
|8.6.09 @ 3:31PM|#
"American influence is rising abroad"???....for trying to tell Israeli Jews that they can't construct buildings in places they have been doing so for 3000 years,Obama is in the running to be named "Stupidest Nigger in Recorded History"....hopey changey = horsey crappy
|8.6.09 @ 4:26PM|#
but they'd have stolen a bit of your thunder, wouldn't
they?
I have enough thunder for all.
Art-P.O.G.|8.7.09 @ 7:59AM|#
Wow, that is just oo cool dude!
I know. I love Sugarfree's writing, too, and I don't even have
to be on opium to enjoy it!
You stay classy, Robbins Mitchell.
+1. Of all the possible legitimate complaints about BHO...jaw-dropping.
|8.8.09 @ 9:52AM|#
Barry had a boyfriend named "Gregg" at Columbia University, he is the black James McGreevey with the only difference being in the hidden hands that groomed,fostered and mentored them.
|8.8.09 @ 10:15AM|#
Dan Rather still thinks the memos were real.
I think it's more likely that Dan believes that if he admits that
he participated in a fraud, CBS can nail him on their
countersuit.
Rather is an asshole, but he's not a complete idiot.
-jcr
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