Greetings, all. I think we're all aware of one divide Dailykos has among its members - and that's Pro vs Anti Obama crowd. The arguments between both sides are multilayered, but they ultimately boil down to one simple narrative.
The pro-Obama crowd (myself included) often accuses others of blindly bashing Obama and refusing to see anything he does in any sort of positive light. The anti-Obama crowd has the opposite narrative of his staunch supporters, often accusing us of refusing to criticize him for anything.
I am one of his staunch supporters, though I am not without some criticism. I think all reasonable people can agree on two things. President Obama is not perfect, nor is he all bad.
As standard operating procedures the US Army will perform what's called an AAR (After Action Review) after missions and training exercises. It's a big round table where the participants voice their opinion on what they did right (also called sustains), as well as what they did wrong (also called improves).
So I think it might be a nice change if we all post 'Sustains' and 'Improves' for President Obama, but with a twist.
First, give your opinion of President Obama's letter grade since he's been in office. If you assign him anywhere between a B- to an A+, you must state one or more Improves (criticisms). These are things you think he did wrong, things he needs to improve in the future. If assign him a C- to C+ post your top Sustain (things you think he's done right) and your top Improve. If you assign him an F- to D+ you must post one or more Sustains.
undoubtedly this is going to lead to some debates and people wandering off into their typical roles, and that's fine. But please post your own stand-alone opinion that is counter to your typical role. I think this might force us to challenge our own thinking.... or it might just be a complete waste of time. But, that's why it's a social experiment.
An unrelated side note, let us all take a moment of silence to remember the fallen this Memorial Day.
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I will go first. I give President Obama an A- since he's been in office, considering the shit sandwich he was handed and the landmark bills he's passed (and the bills that are in the works).
Improves: Get your head out of the clouds and realize the Republicans aren't going to be reasonable. "Bipartisanship" won't work if the opposition's number one priority is making you fail. Also, I disagree with the President's stance on marijuana, capital punishment and it should be full fledged gay marriage - NOT civil unions. There's no such thing as "separate but equal"