Comments on: Cut the Messiah Crap

By: Ron Chusid

Ron Chusid — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:21:08 +0000

Henry,

That is awfully simplistic to say that a course of action different from what you wanted is a “continuation of ruinous Bush policies.” The chances that anyone elected would be leaving Afghanistan immediately was about zero. His two major rivals in 2008, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, are both far more hawkish and I doubt either (or George Bush) would be including an exit strategy in their plans. While the policy is questionable, remaining to try to clean up some of the mess Bush left is hardly the same as continuing the policies of someone such as Bush who both botched Afghanistan so badly and lied us into a war in Iraq.

Besides, disagreement with his policy here is a different issue than discussed here–the view of Obama as a Messiah. Anyone paying attention to his statements when he campaigned would realize that he would not leave Afghanistan immediately (and would not be likely to prosecute Bush administration officials).

By: Ron Chusid

Ron Chusid — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:17:30 +0000

Mike,

A report from the Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility evaluating Yoo's performance is also expected to condemn him of ethical violations. There is certainly ground for criticizing Obama for not going further with regards to actual prosecution of former Bush administration officials but actually this course is quite consistent with how he campaigned.

If you expected different from the Obama administration, you weren't paying attention to his previous statements.

By: » Most Liberals Back Obama Despite Disagreements Liberal Values

» Most Liberals Back Obama Despite Disagreements Liberal Values — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:10:18 +0000

[...] Mike NJ: Final straw for me. Obama Justice Dept. defending John Yoo. Did he mention that in his campaign? Sorry. A lot of liberals and progressiv es continue to be disappoint ed in the aforeme… [...]

By: henry porter

henry porter — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:37:49 +0000

“praises Obama for at least seriously considering the ramifications of his policy and attempting to avoid past mistakes, along with contrasting Obama’s decision making style to that of George Bush.”
And yet, the result of all that consideration and deliberation is the same policies that Bush promulgated. So what do WE gain? Absolutely nothing.
If Bush were in office, we’d be talking about the “surge” in Afghanistan, just as we are with Obama in office. What does it matter if the president engages in deliberation and study, when the end result is a continuation of ruinous Bush policies?

By: Mike NJ

Mike NJ — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:20:53 +0000

Final straw for me. Obama Justice Dept. defending John Yoo. Did he mention that in his campaign? Sorry. A lot of liberals and progressives continue to be disappointed in the aforementioned “Messiah” and it is going to show up mightily in low voter turnout.

By: beep52

beep52 — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:51:27 +0000

Milbank may think it’s cool to jump on the “messiah” train, but he’s reinforcing the right-wing meme that no elected Democrat can be considered legitimate and all things liberal are by definition invalid. Unless one truly believes in one-party rule, it’s irresponsible and the sign of a lazy mind.
As for the messiah brand, I think Reagan has that locked up. I mean, the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project? C’mon.

By: left coast rebel

left coast rebel — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:58:20 +0000

As you will note, I am linked beside you at Memeorandum. As you will not as well, I came to a completely different conclusion on this article and topic than you. Which is fine, of course, just read it. http://www.leftcoastrebel.com/2009/12/of-mortals-and-messiahs-obama-liberal.html