Lots of anger and unhappiness towards Obama for lifting the drilling ban lately. Lots of people wondering if he's even going to try to do anything for the environment.
Looks like he's actually NOT a Republican in Democratic clothing!
Final rules for new fuel economy standards were unveiled by the government Thursday, placing the national average for all vehicles at more than 34 miles per gallon, well above current levels.
Who would have thunk it?
This is good news, and a good start. I know there has been a great deal of unhappiness around here over Obama's decision to open up new drilling areas--and I was amongst those not overly thrilled--but I would like to think that this and whatever follows puts at least some of the gloom and doom to rest, especially since all that Obama really said was that he was:
The administration plan would include lifting a 20-year ban on drilling off the Virginia coastline, while putting the clamps on sites such as southwest Alaska's Bristol Bay. Parts of the Arctic Ocean off Alaska's North Slope, however, could be accessed.
The plan authorizes the Interior Department to conduct seismic surveys off the south- and mid-Atlantic coasts to "determine the quantity and location of potential oil and gas resources to support energy planning," according to a statement from a White House official.
Authorizes to determine the quantity and location, not to "drill baby, drill" as so many have hilariously snarked.
But even all that aside, much of the dismay was Obama's seeming pre-emptive capitulation but authorizing this exploration before even mounting an offensive about energy sources and efficiency. I know many felt that he was putting himself in a weak position, coupled with being naive about the cooperation of Republicans.
I think that those who believe such are stuck in a pre-healthcare debate mentality, and are missing some key factors.
First, remember that Obama reached across the aisle towards Republicans, against the wishes of quite a number of Democrats, liberals and progressives (myself amongst them). They delayed, fought, kicked, screamed and hollered, did everything possible to kill HCR. Many Republican suggestions made it into the final bill, and still they voted to defeat it.
Obama remembers that, as well.
Second, remember the increasingly disturbing fetish with "bipartisanship," and also realize that the average American really doesn't get to hear much about Republican obstructionism. Look at the headlines we quote and mock, that we chastise and call out. Look at the way traditional media reports the news. To say that the average American watching the average news network gets a good idea of the facts would be laughable if not for the crushing despair. So average Americans hear that "people want bipartisanship," and they agree. Why wouldn't they? On paper, with two sides willing to work together and compromise, I think we'd all like some bipartisanship.
Obama's aware of this.
Third, imagine the pressure Obama feels every single day. Not so you feel bad for him and stop yelling at him. But seriously, look at it. Obama inherited unprecedented problems. The world despising us, mired in wars, broke, bankrupt, and jobs flying out the window. And of course, much much more.
His opponents were all trying to break him, get him to fail. They work against him every day, every minute. His party, supposedly on his side, instead choose grandiose empty gestures of suddenly found principles, threatening to derail important legislature. The media is acting like the media, so no help there.
Despite that, we have healthcare reform. How many have tried and failed with less problematic factors to contend with? Despite pretty much all sides working against him, along with the vital help of Pelosi and others (can't leave them out, it wasn't all Obama), we have HCR. We have a stepping stone, the framework, to overhaul our broken healthcare system.
I seem to recall at the beginning of the process, many of the same arguments and sentiments were floating around. Chastising Obama for working with the Republicans, demanding a stronger hand, a firmer stance.
I'd like everyone to look at the three factors I listed above, and realize that all of those things are trying to defeat the Obama Presidency. Any slip, and mistake, any failed attempts at pushing his agenda will be magnified tenfold and used as fodder for future elections. Obama can't afford to misstep, can't afford to fail.
He has to dance the Washington dance. He has to reach across the aisle, at least make an effort every single time, to ask the Republicans to join the Democrats in trying to help Americans. And every single time the Republicans refuse, they look a little more dingy, a little more like the obstructionist assholes they are. We can't click our heels three times and get our wishes granted anymore than Obama can tell the Republicans to go fuck themselves and get his agenda pushed through in a way that makes him look like an effective, mature and dedicated leader.
Sure, I'd love it if he had never lifted the ban. Of course, I'd be thrilled if environmental legislation made it through with all the bells and whistles and things we need.
Sadly, I live in reality. And in reality, as much as we all love principled stands and holding firm, that is not going to get us jack shit in our current political climate. There are too many enemies in the media, the Republican party, and in our very own party.
Instead of shooting ourselves in the foot by in-fighting and setting up false arguments about "what REAL liberals would do," how about we focus more on the constructive critiques I've read on the front page? How about we realize that Obama has done what so many thought he couldn't when he got HCR done? Maybe we should remember that we probably don't have the full story yet, and we should inject a little more logic and reason into our criticisms of BOTH sides of this debate?
Or we can all just keep sniping at each other, insisting that Obama's betraying everyone while the Republicans chuckle.
You know, either way.
UPDATE: Changed the title of the diary to reflect my actual point, I was sloppy when I just had Obama as the target of the anger. Apologies.