Ghosts of March 2003: REALLY, Dems?

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Saturday March 19, 2011 · 10:06 PM PDT

2011/03/19 · 22:06

I know the title is inflammatory, but this is important. This is historic...and we're not putting up any kind of a fight. I'm feeling echoes of early 2003, unfortunately, that are presumably not resonant due to the "international" character of the current conflict in Libya. For one, the U.S. Congress is even less involved in this decision--one that has brought us to the brink of war--than it was in passing both AUMFs. Even worse, Obama used to be a constitutional law professor. Used to be.

PrnCaspian3

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Thursday June 24, 2010 · 6:47 PM PDT

2010/06/24 · 18:47

Some choose to view the firing of General McCrystal through the lens of sheer personality conflict. I get it--we are after all, politics buffs of an image-obsessed and media-driven age, and some of us strong Obama devotees. It must be important for Obama to assert himself as a strong leader, to counteract a growing perception (whether real or alleged) of weakness in Obama. He is rehabilitating his image and perhaps even saving himself and the Democrats in 2010/12; how could this be touted as anything but a moment of tactical brilliance?

But frankly, I'm more interested in the success of our foreign policy and the future of Afghanistan than in championing and helping to secure the legacy of a man who I do think is a good president. Only, that president didn't show up in the Rose Garden today.

Obama said he was not motivated by "any sense of personal insult" -- although that alone would have justified the decision. He also said, more than once, that "this is a change in personnel, but it is not a change in policy."

Obama: attacking Change when we actually need it in practice.

PrnCaspian3

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Sunday February 07, 2010 · 12:09 PM PST

2010/02/07 · 12:09

Folks, this is big.

Apparently, Palin writes on her palm nearly every day. An undercover camera miraculously managed to capture the contents of the novel on her left palm just three days BEFORE the Tea Party Convention.

I don't want to get in any legal trouble, so let me provide this disclaimer: Do. Not. Distribute.

PrnCaspian3

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Thursday January 28, 2010 · 5:49 PM PST

2010/01/28 · 17:49

I pray to dear Lord that an "Impeach Alito" movement does not take root among Democrats outside of DailyKos.

Some of us may know about this; but you see, with this whole economic 'situation'--You know, where middle class families are out of work with their homes at risk and with scant access to affordable medical care--I have a feeling that "Impeaching Alito" might not make for the BEST topic of conversation around dinner tables in Middle America. You know, the America that we hope votes for us in November.

Cooler heads must prevail on this site. Jeffrey Toobin, an expert on the Supreme Court, just offered some background that we ought to consider. The transcript is reprinted below.

PrnCaspian3

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Monday December 28, 2009 · 10:28 PM PST

2009/12/28 · 22:28

[This is not about censorship. This is about getting our priorities straight as progressives.]

Like so many here, I think President Obama is a great guy. He may even be an "incredible human being" whom some can't help but love.

We know this. And it's also time to get past this. Our president's unique heritage, good looks, basketball skills, and overall "coolness" are well documented. But each of these is completely tangential to his job as President.

Let's not get distracted. We did not elect Barack Obama to be just an "incredible human being." We elected Barack Obama to do a job. The campaign being long over, we now owe it to ourselves and to our President to no longer marvel at him for who he is, but to hold him to his promises, while not neglecting to give credit where credit is due.

PrnCaspian3

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Thursday December 24, 2009 · 10:46 PM PST

2009/12/24 · 22:46

Greetings Kossacks.

In case you were too busy enjoying the holidays--and the generosity, joyfulness, and good cheer that come along with them--we have a special announcement for you. An announcement whose urgency is clear and whose Christmas credibility is undeniable.

The White House has declared war: both on Christmas and on the American taxpayer.

Our message to you, filled with fairness and certainly not lacking balance, is below. As we enter the new year, we intend to fight this war and win it--even if it means employing torture. And that torture can be found below.

PrnCaspian3

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Sunday March 15, 2009 · 6:54 PM PDT

2009/03/15 · 18:54

It's not often that I overhear a statement from an Average Joe outside the Metro, only to immediately realize its immense wisdom.

After all, it's easy to place the blame for this economic crisis on others. There are a multitude of convenient targets out there--some (much) guiltier than others. Yet we cannot deny that we did, in fact, "eat the sh** up".

It's perfectly fine to chastise the salesmen of sh**--so long as we remember that they made their livings, and still make their livings, off the consumers of sh**.

I have a recommendation for us all, as we try to pinpoint who is responsible for starting this sh** in the first place. We should distinguish between four key, but sometimes fluid, categories of people: The Greedy, the Incompetent, the Criminally Liable, and The Indifferent.

And to elevate the discourse a bit, I ought to define what I mean by sh**.

PrnCaspian3

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Monday February 09, 2009 · 10:42 PM PST

2009/02/09 · 22:42

The parallel isn't perfect--after all, Paul Krugman isn't likely to resign or be fired for writing his columns at the New York Times. General Shinseki, also, was never as vociferous a critic of the Bush Administration as Krugman. Yet the cases of both men are astoundingly similar: both have been discounted and even ridiculed for speaking their minds and telling the truth about a hugely imminent national policy.

PrnCaspian3

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Wednesday February 04, 2009 · 11:30 PM PST

2009/02/04 · 23:30

I, too, am literally sick to my stomach. And given the diary currently at the top of the rec list, I know this, too, will be unpopular among some here.

I really never wanted to believe that we Democrats were defeatists. But I've begun to change my mind. Already, two weeks into the new Democratic administration that we all cheered to victory, around here, it seems that victory might as well have never occurred. The Obama Administration has already let us down. The Democrats have failed us. "A historical opportunity thrown down the drain." Nevermind that the stimulus hasn't even passed yet--circumstances and logic don't matter.

Instead, we seem programmed to smear other Democrats gratuitously, even enthusiastically. Let's kick this bad habit. Preferably now--before it gets worse.

PrnCaspian3

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Tuesday January 20, 2009 · 12:22 PM PST

2009/01/20 · 12:22

If this is a glimpse of the future coverage and reporting of the president, then I suppose we're in for even more chuckles--and bewilderment--at the antics of AP and FOX News in the coming years:

Chief Justice John Roberts swore in President-elect Barack Obama as president of the United States on Tuesday, helping him through a slight stumble in the first of what could be many important interactions between [them]...

UPDATE: I should mention, too, that an hour after the oath, FOX News' Chris Wallace questioned whether Obama was actually president--due to the fumbling of the oath. You can't make this up.

PrnCaspian3

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Sunday January 11, 2009 · 12:29 PM PST

2009/01/11 · 12:29

It is disheartening to see that so many have gotten the message of I.O.U.S.A. completely wrong. Nowhere does the program state, or imply, that we ought not to take action in the form of a massive stimulus in response to the current economic downturn. Rather, the program is specifically about the grave long-term consequences of our national debt--regardless of what we spend on the current stimulus.

PrnCaspian3

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Wednesday December 24, 2008 · 4:12 PM PST

2008/12/24 · 16:12

At times, I couldn't be a more avid supporter of compromise.

But I am willing to face a simple truth: Regarding our position on a plethora of policies (but not all), there is no middle ground to be found--nor is middle ground to be created or even contemplated. Instead, it's worth it to stand our current ground on the left, with the full knowledge that stepping away would be to abandon the right side of history.

In the spirit of the holiday season, insofar as "reaching out" goes, we should be all for it, in the form of reaching out as civilly as possible to Republicans and nay-sayers and do-nothings (note the overlap) to persuade them that we are right and they are wrong. All that our olive branches need contain is logic--but our gestures cannot be shrouded by rancorous, unwelcomed rhetoric if we hope to persuade hearts and minds. But is such persuasion absolutely necessary?

As you will see with me below the fold, No. (Disclaimer: Due to popular demand, Rick Warren is not mentioned.)

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Ghosts of March 2003: REALLY, Dems?

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Attack Alito, Fine. But IMPEACH Alito?

Okay, No More.

An Urgent Christmas Message

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I.O.U.S.A. is right; Digby is wrong.

Where there is no middle ground...