How Can Obama Deliver This Speech on Racial Profiling While Considering Ray Kelly for DHS? - FDL

[WillyT]

How Can Obama Deliver This Speech on Racial Profiling While Considering Ray Kelly for DHS?
By: Jon Walker - FDL
Friday July 19, 2013 12:10 pm


Ray Kelly, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department

<snip>

In response to the George Zimmerman verdict, today President Obama delivered remarks on race and racial profiling. In the speech he called on police forces to address the problem of racial profiling. From Obama (via Washington Post):

Number one, precisely because law enforcement is often determined at the state and local level, I think it’d be productive for the Justice Department — governors, mayors to work with law enforcement about training at the state and local levels in order to reduce the kind of mistrust in the system that sometimes currently exists.

You know, when I was in Illinois I passed racial profiling legislation. And it actually did just two simple things. One, it collected data on traffic stops and the race of the person who was stopped. But the other thing was it resourced us training police departments across the state on how to think about potential racial bias and ways to further professionalize what they were doing.

And initially, the police departments across the state were resistant, but actually they came to recognize that if it was done in a fair, straightforward way, that it would allow them to do their jobs better and communities would have more confidence in them and in turn be more helpful in applying the law. And obviously law enforcement’s got a very tough job.

So that’s one area where I think there are a lot of resources and best practices that could be brought bear if state and local governments are receptive. And I think a lot of them would be. And — and let’s figure out other ways for us to push out that kind of training.

It is shocking that the same man who delivered this speech just days earlier called New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly one of the best law enforcement professionals there is and is considering appointing him to head the Department of Homeland Security.

There is probably no single individual in America more personally responsible for a systematic unjustifiable racial profiling system than Ray Kelly. Kelly dramatically escalated the racist and unconstitutional stop-and-frisk policy in New York City. According to the NYCLU it was responsible for over half a million stops last year of which 87 percent were Black or Hispanic. Among those stops, 90 percent were innocent. In addition, Kelly is responsible for a widespread spying program on Muslims. Ray Kelly is the biggest promoter and defender of racial profiling tactics.

The intellectual disconnect between these two statements issued days apart is almost unfathomable. Ray Kelly is the poster child for the problems of racial profiling in this country and Obama is considering rewarding him with a cabinet level appointment.

<snip>

More: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2013/07/19/how-can-obama-deliver-this-speech-on-racial-profiling-while-considering-ray-kelly/

[X_Digger]

1. Happy to be the first rec.

The.. cognitive dissonance between those two positions is.. unfathomable.

[Junkdrawer]

2. Key to today's remarks

....

The judge conducted the trial in a professional manner. The prosecution and the defense made their arguments. The juries were properly instructed that in a -- in a case such as this, reasonable doubt was relevant, and they rendered a verdict. And once the jury’s spoken, that’s how our system works.

....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-obamas-remarks-on-trayvon-martin-full-transcript/2013/07/19/5e33ebea-f09a-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_story.html

Vintage Obama - Great words - Actions? Not so much.

[WillyT]

4. Yeah...

Wish he would have spent more time on the street.

[msanthrope]

45. Kindly explain your "more time on the street" theory with regards to

the President's upbringing.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding what you are meaning to say.

What "street" should the President have spent more time on, precisely?

[phleshdef]

49. Its code for "Obama isn't black enough".

[msanthrope]

76. Of course it is. It is an egregious example of that code..a dogwhistle

heard from the farthest Left with increasing frequency as President Obama refuses to govern in a manner that they think a Black president should.

It's an unsubtle prejudice. President Obama is expected to cater to the extreme Left, as if somehow they know his job better than he does.

Luckily, they feel uninhibited enough to make their feelings plain.

[aikoaiko]

56. Jury Results 0-6 Leave

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service
Mail Message
At Fri Jul 19, 2013, 10:54 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Yeah...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3299352

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

Fuck this code for not black enough shit. Seriously. This really makes DU suck. The President gives an amazing speech and those with ODS just can't keep from dumping all over him.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Jul 19, 2013, 11:01 PM, and the Jury voted 0-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: oh.the.irony. bitching about code while alerting in code. ODS? OMG! leave it alone. tis an opinion about a public figure.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: While I agree with the alerter that this type of comment is BS, but BS is not really a CS violation.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Not guilty.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: I like twinkies. Which is about as relevant to this as the alert is to the SOP
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Even it it is code for "Obama isn't black enough" (which is the alerter's theory) it doesn't rise to breaking the rules about posting.



Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[msanthrope]

77. You still haven't explained your theory. I am waiting. nt

[msanthrope]

111. You still haven't explained yourself. This is a request to do so. nt

[MotherPetrie]

3. Thank you. K&R

[liberal_at_heart]

5. Why does he suck so bad at appointing people to his cabinet?

[WillyT]

7. Money & Fame...

[nomorenomore08]

82. He has to dance with those who brought him, so to speak.

And I say this as a two-time Obama voter who has defended his voting choices on multiple occasions.

[Enthusiast]

83. That would be the question. nt

[AnotherMcIntosh]

109. Practice n/t

[Fumesucker]

6. The Firebaggers are restless tonight

Evidently they suffer from pony deficiency disorder or something.

Obama nominating Kelly for the head of DHS makes perfect sense because shut up, that's why.

Mandatory blue link to my own post that has nothing at all to do with this post

[Luminous Animal]

30. Love the blue link. I was thinking yesterday of doing similar on all my posts.

And link to several of my most embarrassing just-home-from-the-bar-after-one-too-many-shots-of-bourbon error-ridden posts.

But I found that there isn't any and I am, actually, perfect! (LOL)

[Catherina]

33. !Omg lol! Perfect n/t

[AnotherMcIntosh]

39. Please don't do that. Initially, I thought it was someone else's and skipped it the first time.

[East Coast Pirate]

87. You

" The Firebaggers are restless tonight

Evidently they suffer from pony deficiency disorder or something.

Obama nominating Kelly for the head of DHS makes perfect sense because shut up, that's why."

forgot to do this.

Now pretty blue link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3214691

[Fumesucker]

93. As Basil Fawlty would say

Oh just bloody spiffing.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

8. Another white man chimes in to tell the black President how to handle the race debate.

[WillyT]

9. You Funny !!!

[bluestate10]

50. No, you funny, and sad... Only one gear with you. No vision, no hope. nt

[HangOnKids]

78. Ah shit only one gear with no vision or hope?

Glad you pointed that out, because it is such a valuable opinion.

[Enrique]

10. are you suggesting a speechwriter wrote Obama's remarks today?

I don't think we know that.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

11. I'm referring to the pasty white asshole at FDL that saw it fit to criticize Obama's remarks.

But what do you expect from a digital rag like that?

[WillyT]

15. Do You Care To Address The Substance Of The Article??? - How Do YOU Feel About...

Ray Kelley being promoted to the head of the DHS by THIS administration.

And... "pasty white"...

you make a lot of insensitive assumptions there...

[Whisp]

19. substance that comes from FDL is usually of the fecal type

If they can take a dump on Obama, no occasion is too sacred.

fuck 'em.
There haven't been many links to the site for a while now, but since Glenn the Hack has been newsing himself, voila.

[ReRe]

36. Respectfully,

Whether you like FDL or not is beside the point. Don't you think it is a valid question? Do you think everyone should just be quiet and not speak about their worries of the possible appointment of Ray Kelly to Director of Homeland Security? Do you understand why people fear Ray Kelly over Homeland Security?

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

42. What's insensitive is people shitting all over what was a heartfelt statement

from the President.

Rather than supporting the President and the nation during this time, some just want to be contrary assholes.

[Union Scribe]

61. "during this time" --versus when?

And you didn't answer how you felt about the nomination.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

91. "How you felt about the nomination."

No one has been nominated. Many names are being floated, as they always are prior to actual nominations.

[morningfog]

71. What does "during this time" mean?

What time?

[Grateful for Hope]

103. I think this is correct.

[East Coast Pirate]

14. "White man"?

"Black president"?

White people can't criticize our black president? Have you thought this through? Or is it just Friday night?

[Zoeisright]

58. Certain "white people" are certainly not criticizing this president

fairly.

Which you would know if you didn't have a racist slant.

[East Coast Pirate]

84. That comment makes YOU a racist.

Look in the mirror.

[Whisp]

18. win!

[HipChick]

22. Exactly - how can a white person possibly experience what an African American has to experience on

a daily basis...

OP needs to self-delete..

[Empowerer]

41. Thank you . . .

[great white snark]

90. Ding Ding! Also consider Willy hasn't supported Obama since day 1.

His or her agenda has been clear for a long time you Better Believe It.

[Cal Carpenter]

96. "The race debate"?!

This is about the *real results of real policy*. This is about the conditions under which people live every day. Which, unfortunately, are influenced to a great degree by race in this nation on a systematic level.

This is not about some rhetorical debate. Not for millions and millions of people. Consider yourself lucky if you can think this is about a debate.

[rhett o rick]

13. I dont think the President is allowed to make these decisions. nm

[East Coast Pirate]

16. He's not responsible for anything bad that happens.

I read that here.

[WillyT]

17. I dont think the President is allowed to do much...

Apparently he's never heard of the bully pulpit.

[Junkdrawer]

32. I would say President Beeblebrox, but....

Zaphod Beeblebrox’s full title was President of the Imperial Galactic Government. The term Imperial is kept, though it is now an anachronism. The hereditary emperor is now nearly dead - and has been for many centuries. This is because in his last dying moments he was - much to his imperial irritation - locked in a perpetual stasis field. All his heirs are now, of course, long dead and the upshot of all this is that without any drastic upheaval political power has simply and effectively moved a rung or two down the ladder, and is now seemed to be vested in an elected governmental assembly, headed by a president elected by that assembly. In fact, it vests in no such place - that would be too easy. The president’s job - and if someone sufficiently vain and stupid is picked he won’t realise this - is not to wield power, but to draw attention away from it. Zaphod Beeblebrox, the only man in history to have made presidential telecasts from the bath, from Eccentrica Gallumbits bedroom, from the maximum-security wing of the Betelgeuse State Prison, or from where ever else he happened to be at the time, was supremely good at this job.

http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/THHGTTG/THHGTTGradio9.htm

this President doesn't strike me as stupid enough NOT to realize this.

[WCLinolVir]

64. Good post. And good lawd the language here tonight.

I had a post hidden for calling someone a tro##.

[ReRe]

43. Do you mean, like, someone else makes the decisions, and he's just the "Presenter"? n/t

[rhett o rick]

68. Yes. The intelligence agencies told him that he has no choice. They set up a super

spy machine that keeps American safe and if he messes with it, and we have a terrorist strike, he owns it.

How else do you explain the Clapper, Mueller, Alexander and Comey were appointed by Obama even though they are Republicans that were in control of the Bush spy machine.

[ReRe]

74. Well, it sure would explain allot of things, wouldn't it?

Sure doesn't look like democracy to me. Doesn't matter who is elected, except that they (TPTB behind the curtain) would probably get away with allot more if it was a Republican in office.. I think it's high time the real power went back to the President where it belongs. The whole thing is a GD lie. It's so hard for the public to understand. It's driving the Democratic Party totally mad.

[rhett o rick]

98. Yes it would be worse with a Republican president, but that doesnt mean we should settle.

The problem I see is that the OligarchCabal has bought out a big part of the Democratic Party and helped conservatives take control. Dont be surprised if Chris Christie switches parties.

[Bluenorthwest]

20. I agree that Ray Kelly is the King of Profilers and Obama must be pressured not

to allow his horrible record to become an example or standard for any larger programs or to others in leadership positions. He and his sort of racist policies should instead be removed from positions of power and influence as quickly as possible.

[obxhead]

21. More "listen to what I say."

and "ignore what I do."

[Junkdrawer]

24. You wanted Change AND Hope?

Next you'll want a pony.

[obxhead]

27. Fuck the pony

I want the unicorn that shoots rainbows from its eyes and shits magic ice cream.

[SammyWinstonJack]

79. yep!

[Whisp]

23. why the hell was post 12 hidden by jury?

wtf.
no, I'm not asking You specifically, OP.
Just want to point that out.

good fucking lawd.

[Skinner]

86. Maybe because it refers to the President of the United States as a "a shittalking 1%er" (nt)

[Whisp]

97. Then I obviously misunderstood. Sorry and thanks for straightening that out for me. n/t

[stupidicus]

25. that's really a very good question

I'd like to have an answer to as well.

[forestpath]

26. Good question.

[Tribalceltic]

28. Why isn't Kelly in Jail?

Simple;
White Rich and Powerful. That's a wrap

Ask upstate NY'ers about the 100 mile warrants, they'll tell you why the crime in NYC is down.

[Brickbat]

29. Because it's all turned into one big game.

[ProSense]

31. Because

"How Can Obama Deliver This Speech on Racial Profiling While Considering Ray Kelly for DHS? - FDL"

...he can, and it will have a profound impact on people who will not see, therefore not give a shit about an attempt to step all over the message based on speculation.

Kill the bill!!!

[OnyxCollie]

34. 'Cause delivering a speech on racial profiling of blacks

has no economic impact, but nominating the guy who likes to spy on Muslims sends more funds to the War on Terror.

[BrotherIvan]

65. Winner!

[Catherina]

35. Or sending drones to kill kids? An American Teenager Killed, A Grandfather Seeks Accountability

An American Teenager Killed, A Grandfather Seeks Accountability

Published on Jul 18, 2013

For more, go to:
http://www.aclu.org/targetedkillings
http://www.ccrjustice.org/targetedkillings

[ReRe]

47. I say "No" to all killing.

[Catherina]

52. I had this up when I read your post

I don't know what to think of it yet but I want to see it

[ReRe]

67. Amy Goodman had the guy on today, who shot that film.....

... it was bizarre, to say the least. I would say R-Rated, due to the violent content. The guy deserves some kind of award, as I don't know how he had the nerve to stay there and film it. Those were some fucked-up people, mentally. It was like talking to the devil. I'd have to watch it in a room-full of people.

*Edited to add: Joshua Oppeheimer, subject: Indonesia 1965

[Catherina]

69. Thanks Rere. I'll remember your advice n/t

[whatchamacallit]

37. I didn't have time to watch the whole press conference

but I did like some of his comments. But stuff like this has that confusing Obama-wtf factor.

[KeepItReal]

38. K&R

Eom

[Cleita]

40. His speech was very sincere. I believed it.

However, when it comes to politics, he is a politician.

[one_voice]

44. Well of course...

Obama can't be black, talk about his experience about being black without his feet being held to the fire.

And before you ask, no I don't want to fucking comment on the content of some white mans article cuz he's mad at Obama for talking about what it's like to be black. Is there anything this man can do that people won't shit on? Can he fucking talk about HIS experience about being black in America?

Did you know that in 2003 where he was a speaker he was mistaken for the wait staff? But please more feet to the fire---he just needs more criticism on being black.

Fucking insane.

[ProSense]

46. Excellent comment. n/t

[Union Scribe]

63. "no I don't want to fucking comment on the content"

Of course you don't because there's NO WAY to defend the dissonance Obama routinely displays on this and myriad other issues.

[Number23]

75. + a million

[East Coast Pirate]

85. You don't have a problem with him talking about being black in America

and then hiring someone who racially profiles black Americans?

[Grateful for Hope]

104. well said. n/t

[loudsue]

107. I have never seen anyone on DU criticize Obama for being black.

That's the most absurd thing I've ever seen written here. How do you "criticize" someone for being black??????

Do I criticize him for doing dumb stuff like suggesting CHAINED CPI to cheat folks out of their social security checks THE OLDER THEY GET???? The more helpless they get, the more he was willing to screw them???? Yes. I criticized him for that.

And how about this appointment of Ray Kelly? How 'bout leaving single payer out of his negotiations on the health care bill, and STARTING negotiations way to the right of what needed to happen? How 'bout unmanned drones killing people? Guantanamo. Rahm Emmanuel??? Joe Lieberman?

THOSE are the things I "criticize" Obama for. I have also praised him for a great deal of the work he has done....even passing ANY kind of health care bill was great. Helping hurricane victims, college students, pre-K kids....he's done a lot.

Personally, he lost me with the chained CPI. That, to me, was unexcusable.

[WillyT]

110. + 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!!

[forestpath]

112. Exactly. When he acts like a Republican I WILL criticize him and nobody is going to

intimidate me no matter what they resort to.

He lost me forever with the Chained CPI travesty - he showed what he's really all about with that one.

[geek tragedy]

48. Obama is a, gasp, politician. nt

[treestar]

51. They need to appoint someone who will appear to be law and order

In order to show good faith on immigration reform.

The usual suspects hate everyone Obama appoints, and its beginning to look like resentment of anyone highly successful. That plays right into freeper arguments about liberals.

[Ash_F]

55. Law and order?

See post #54. Surely there is a better Police Commissioner to consider out there.

[fascisthunter]

53. Same Way he Campaigned on the promise to represent the Underclasses

[Ash_F]

54. Chill out. Ray Kelly is an upstanding citizen.

'"He stated that he targeted and focused on that group because he wanted to instill fear in them that every time that they left their homes they could be targeted by police," Adams testifies.'

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/senator-kelly-stop-frisk-instill-fear-blacks-latinos-article-1.1304763

See, he is just protecting our values.

[Autumn]

88. I think Kelly and NSA are a perfect fit.

I just can't wrap my mind around this.

[Divernan]

105. I think Kelly and Zimmerman are a perfect fit.

[blackspade]

57. Unreal.

We are obviously not at the bottom of the rabbit hole yet.

[blkmusclmachine]

59. BHO.

Says one thing, but means another.

[Union Scribe]

60. Silly, words and actions don't have to match.

That's the OLD way of judging politicians.

[Hekate]

62. No good deed goes unpunished?

That what you were thinking?

If the President can hold more than one thought in his mind at a time, why can't the rest of us?

[JoePhilly]

89. "Obama Bad" is the only thought some seem to be able to hold in their head

at any time.

P1: "Did you hear what Obama said about the ZImmerman case?"
P2: "Obama hates America because he nominated Kelly!"

[Bluenorthwest]

95. Reductive simplistic thinking there, it is almost like you have ignored the actual

methods Obama employs. I'll note, Joe that you have typed 'Obama bad' at those who have been assisting Obama on nearly every major piece of progress made. When LGBT people were unrelenting in our criticism of DADT you said 'Obama bad' at us, then along with the President we won repeal. Got what we wanted, what we sought. I don't think the President minded playing the part he played. Same thing with marriage equality. We criticized his wrongheaded blather about 'Sanctity'. You typed 'Obama bad' at us. We pressured, we pulled strings, Obama said he might 'evolve' you typed 'Obama bad' some more. Then we saw Obama open his mouth and explain how and why he decided he had been wrong and now supported full marriage equality.
See, there is a two way action to political progress. It is wildly helpful to have a guy who will stand up and be the backboard for the argument. By 'opposing' repeal, Obama allowed us to have a dialog between Democrats, by playing the opposition himself we had an opposition that was engaged and thinking in front of the nation rather than cement minded Republicans playing that role. Obama and the activists played out some theater, it worked, you typed "Obama bad" many times, even as he was being active in his partnership in that play about evolution and ethics.
I say Obama is really good at this. You say 'Obama bad' but you fail to see how the whole gig works.
Thus far, I've had expected, planned and large progress on several of my major political objectives due to having a President who is skilled at the actual making of change. The President seems very happy about it, I'm happy about it, the only folks who are bent out about it are self declared protectors of Obama's image. I see Obama as having no need for such chattering protection from random snark merchants. I don't think he gets anything out of 'Obama bad'. I think you get a charge out of it, and if that helps you please continue, it costs nothing and it keeps you and yours out of the way of those of us who are accomplishing things while we can....you type what you type for Joe, not for O. And that's just fine.
Not sure what your major objectives are politically, nor if you have won them by typing 'Obama bad' at every activist in sight. Maybe you have.

[JoePhilly]

100. Your first sentence is complete BS.

And the rest isn't much better.

With regard to DADT, I used that phrase for those OPs in which the author was sure that Obama was never, ever, ever, going to end DADT. That prediction was made over, and over and over and over. And it was nonsense. Just repeated, and now proven wrong, attacks against the President.

I also use that phrase for some OPs in which the author just goes way over the top in their attack. I could be using it every day recently with all of the Obama is a Nazi type threads we have lately.

I also use it, as I did today, in a thread in which the OP references something good Obama did, but only to argue that what Obama said is not actually not so good, or that he did not mean it, or that something evil he did negates it. Those are pretty common and serve little purpose but to allow the perpetually disgruntled to change the topic from whatever it was the President said, to some other topic of outrage. Its a pretty obvious tactic.

As for "activists", I doubt I see many real activists posting here. Maybe some keyboard warriors.

As for what benefit Obama "gets"when I post that phrase ... you'd have to be pretty dumb to think he gets anything at all, that ... or from anything else anyone posts here. Same is true for those on the endless attack. DU outrage doesn't seem to hurt Obama much from what I can tell.

I find all of the hair on fire heads amusing and a fun diversion. I'd prefer to see more posts that are focused discussions and not smear attempts, but there are still enough of those to keep DU relevant.

And as for my political objectives ... this isn't the place I'd go to fulfill those. DU can be a good place for information, has been a good place to learn about Democratic candidates that I might not have heard of in other states, and its become a great place to find out the latest outrage, but its not the place where political objectives are fulfilled. Mine, or anyone else's I suspect.

[WCLinolVir]

66. Wow. So much anger about a contradiction.

It really is awful that I want to like Obama so much. I worked for his campaign, I wanted to believe that his speeches were heartfelt and his intentions were pure. He just had insurmountable difficulties getting his policies acted on and supported. And when he does something good for all of America, it's so confusing. It begins to feel like token gestures. Because his administration fought long and hard for certain policies that just seem they should have been gimmes. Like the morning after pill, or medical marijuana dispensaries.
I could go on but I'm tired. Tired of feeling like I'm being screwed with the utmost respect and empathy, but screwed all the same. And honestly, that feels really insane.

[ProSense]

70. Considering the President's Comments on Racial Profiling

Considering the President's Comments on Racial Profiling
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023300448

FDL could use some lessons on class, but that's asking too much from the "kill the bill" advocates.

[markpkessinger]

72. But (as usual) you have not addressed the inconsistency between his remarks . . .

. . . and his apparent support for Ray Kelly, one of the most egregious racial profilers in the country.

[ProSense]

73. But

"But (as usual) you have not addressed the inconsistency between his remarks . . .and his apparent support for Ray Kelly, one of the most egregious racial profilers in the country."

...I did to the extent that it needs to be addressed: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023299248#post31

[ecstatic]

80. Way too soon. This time, attacking "from the left" couldn't be any more transparent

Jon Walker appears to be as pissed as Hannity is over the comments the President made about Trayvon Martin and Stand Your Ground. Whether Mr. Walker is racist like Hannity, or just a troll seeking to depress voter turnout is unclear.

For the record, I don't think Pres. Obama has any intention of nominating Ray Kelly. He was being polite after being asked a direct question about Ray Kelly, who Schumer & various NYers keep touting. We've never seen Pres. Obama be nasty or rude, even with regard to people like Palin, so one should not assume that Obama approves of Ray Kelly based on a gracious response to a direct question (unless someone can dig up an instance where Obama flat out said "No" with regard to a person being qualified for a position).

That being said, it's OK to be cautious, and there have been a few responsible/credible journalists weighing in on the matter. By the way, they were thoughtful in their articles, not hateful like Jon Walker, who never bothered to respond to the actual substance of Obama's comments today.

[msanthrope]

81. Ratfucking doesn't focus on solutions...it creates discontent so voter turnout is lower. nt

[JoePhilly]

101. ^^^^ This ^^^^

[Comrade Grumpy]

114. Calling pointing out contradictions "ratfucking" doesn't focus on solutions.

And there is a real dissonance between Obama's comments on race and his suggestion that he could nominate Mr. Racial Profiling.

But at least you got to type out your favorite nasty word.

[msanthrope]

115. No..it's hair-on-fire ratfucking. The President merely said he would

consider Mr. Kelly. It's the proper response to Senator Schumer and an off the cuff question. Consider...not nominate. There's plenty of time for poutrage over the actual nomination.

[99Forever]

94. Obama...

... long on empty rhetoric, short on real world results or actual effort.

[indepat]

99. Is the President just tired of not getting his nominations confirmed in a timely fashion? Would bet

that every right-wing jerk of a senator who routinely stalls BHO's nominations will rhetorically jump through their assholes to vote to confirm Kelly. Phew, the smell is overwhelming!

[BlueStreak]

102. Speeches and actions are two different things, ESPECIALLY with this President

[Divernan]

106. "Talk is cheap, Jack. Make your play!"

I first heard Marlon Brando deliver those lines in a 1961 film, One-Eyed Jacks and have found occasion to quote them repeatedly to and about people who talk a good game, but fail to deliver.

Brando not only starred in this film, but stepped in to direct it when Stanley Kubrick backed out. It is considered Brando's masterpiece. An incredibly gripping western. Stands alone among the great westerns in its intensity and superb acting. Not received well in 1961 as it was too far ahead of its time. Dark and brilliant. It has been hailed by Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, it is the only film directed by one of the most famous actors in film history and it signaled the rise of a more violent and cynical cinema, but for some reason Marlon Brando's One Eyed Jacks has never really gotten its due. If you read a review of it, you will learn how it utilizes the symbolism of the playing card/one-eyed jack, that is people who present different sides of their "face" (self) to different audiences.

[The Link]

108. He is half white.

Perhaps he is ok with some forms of racial profiling?

[Blue_In_AK]

113. President Obama is sometimes (often) a walking contradiction. Nt