Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
106 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
We desperately needed a lifeline from our President (Original Post) ALBliberal Dec 2016 OP
I feel the same way lastone Dec 2016 #1
I think he felt like Lincoln as the civil war was brewing. libtodeath Dec 2016 #2
And what was President Obama supposed to do? shadowrider Dec 2016 #3
Well, for certain people ... NanceGreggs Dec 2016 #4
So true treestar Dec 2016 #52
I just replied to an "optics" post. For gods' sake they want him to "stay stateside" .... Hekate Dec 2016 #79
Lay out the facts ALBliberal Dec 2016 #5
What facts? Are you joking? Idiots voted him in. bettyellen Dec 2016 #43
I don't get it..m w...t...f... was he suppoded to DO!? Call it rigged and dionysus Dec 2016 #103
I don't want him to do some crazy unconstitutional thing that Trump can use as precedent! bettyellen Dec 2016 #105
Throw a temper tantrum? redstateblues Dec 2016 #6
Punch people in the face!!!! / Sarcasm uponit7771 Dec 2016 #9
Call for election reform,tranparency and paper trails libtodeath Dec 2016 #14
Ummm That is the priority for his post presidency Dream Girl Dec 2016 #48
His post presidency starts in a month so it would have been a good start. libtodeath Dec 2016 #65
precisely; dems continue to flat-out deny that there is a problem. nt TheFrenchRazor Dec 2016 #97
You left out one I also saw on DU today "declare war against Russia". n/t PoliticAverse Dec 2016 #16
Declaring war is a power the Constitution delegates exclusively to Congress. n/t 24601 Dec 2016 #95
Bomb the sh*t out of 'em!!11! Earth Bound Misfit Dec 2016 #17
It's the meme of the day. As much as I'm gonna miss Pres. Obama, he deserves so much more than... Tarheel_Dem Dec 2016 #34
And everything is his fault and his problem! treestar Dec 2016 #53
It's sad that Civics has been on the chopping block of many school budgets. They don't get the.... Tarheel_Dem Dec 2016 #93
You making faces at me? You scowling at me? That's it! Them's fightin' woids... put up yer DUKES!!1! dionysus Dec 2016 #104
Hey dion! Tarheel_Dem Dec 2016 #106
This, I don't know what they could have expected treestar Dec 2016 #51
Unlike Trump, madamesilverspurs Dec 2016 #7
everyone should have supported hillary the way he did during the campaign JI7 Dec 2016 #8
I and my entire damily supported HRC ALBliberal Dec 2016 #12
Would that millions of racist and misogynistic idiots also didn't vote. bettyellen Dec 2016 #44
He blamed the media and the electorate triron Dec 2016 #10
Your sentence structure is a little confusing. Are you saying Obama is responsible for this fiasco? Hekate Dec 2016 #80
Maybe appeal to our better angels? He is ALBliberal Dec 2016 #11
He's done that all along, and all along I've been here among supposed Democrats... Hekate Dec 2016 #81
I'm a huge Obama supporter but . . . brush Dec 2016 #13
I envy Republicans these things...their ALBliberal Dec 2016 #23
I don't want him to favor us outright JHan Dec 2016 #32
WTF? He DID reveal to the public what was known about hacking. bettyellen Dec 2016 #45
It was released on the same day as the Trump Access Hollywood audio brush Dec 2016 #57
McConnell threatened? Oh come on ... KPN Dec 2016 #60
Look it up. That was stated as a reason for not revealing Putin's machinations closer . . . brush Dec 2016 #67
That wasn't my point. I already knew that -- it just KPN Dec 2016 #71
I agree. My post 13 says that exactly. brush Dec 2016 #74
Yeah but two things- Putin was not named specifically then and the media had already done the damage bettyellen Dec 2016 #63
I agree. We should have broadcast Putin's actions much louder and continuously brush Dec 2016 #70
+1. They fight. We don't. They mercilessly obstruct. We don't. They cheat. We cheat much less. JudyM Dec 2016 #59
+1000! KPN Dec 2016 #61
He told us. He told the media. He used the English language. He did it a month before the election. Hekate Dec 2016 #82
Unfortunately it was put out the same day as the Trump crotch grap audio brush Dec 2016 #85
Yet somehow the media behavior was all Obama's and Hillary's fault Hekate Dec 2016 #86
You're missing the point. It was not Hillary's fault brush Dec 2016 #88
Obama? Told us what? triron Dec 2016 #87
I feel the same way. femmocrat Dec 2016 #15
yes, femm you are jodymarie aimee Dec 2016 #18
Thank you, jodymarie. femmocrat Dec 2016 #20
what you wrote was absolutely correct jodymarie aimee Dec 2016 #47
I at least expected Comey's ass to be fired. Nope. Nay Dec 2016 #62
I honestly don't know what to think or feel anymore. Guilded Lilly Dec 2016 #19
Brilliantly stated, Lilly. femmocrat Dec 2016 #21
Thanks. Being here does help. Guilded Lilly Dec 2016 #24
Thank you for that reply so very sad and I ALBliberal Dec 2016 #22
It certainly won't set us personally back if we continue Guilded Lilly Dec 2016 #26
Certainly there are things behind the scene dflprincess Dec 2016 #35
Could not agree with you more triron Dec 2016 #36
A perfect comment, princess. I've felt this way for a long time, too. If the Dems Nay Dec 2016 #66
A Loyalist in 2016. former9thward Dec 2016 #72
Two of my direct ancestors fought in the Rev War and I recently considered Nay Dec 2016 #75
I also have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War dflprincess Dec 2016 #89
OMG, those 3 exact ladies were at one of my meetings. LOL Nay Dec 2016 #91
Between 2000 and now, the Voting Rights Act was dismantled. LisaM Dec 2016 #69
Yes it was dflprincess Dec 2016 #92
I accepted his explanation for most of it, tavernier Dec 2016 #25
do you think trump would nominate someone better? he would probably nominate guiliani. La Lioness Priyanka Dec 2016 #28
And he would be worse than a proven traitor? tavernier Dec 2016 #30
Yes Giuliani would be worse. At least comey once stood up to GOP La Lioness Priyanka Dec 2016 #42
People keep making this mistake! Please stop! It's not about WHO Trump would Nay Dec 2016 #68
Once confirmed, the FBI director serves a fixed 10-year term and does not serve at the pleasure of 24601 Dec 2016 #96
POTUS can fire him. tavernier Dec 2016 #100
elections have consequences and the president cannot save us or himself from the outcome La Lioness Priyanka Dec 2016 #27
This Dream Girl Dec 2016 #49
Many of us gave up on him by not turning out to vote in 2010, 2014 and 2016.. dubyadiprecession Dec 2016 #29
See above. Would have been nice for ALBliberal Dec 2016 #31
Don't mean to get biblical but it's all about original sin brush Dec 2016 #37
America's refusal to deal with the intertwining of racism Quayblue Dec 2016 #76
Obama has always tried to educate the public, and the media calls him professorial and the Dems yawn Hekate Dec 2016 #83
People expect on man to do it all Dream Girl Dec 2016 #50
I think he's just as worn out as we are. forgotmylogin Dec 2016 #33
Really! That makes me feel better flamingdem Dec 2016 #39
Wtf did Obama mean by that remark??? triron Dec 2016 #40
He explained it during yesterday's speech- he's not going far. bettyellen Dec 2016 #46
Context? Didn't hear that. triron Dec 2016 #73
perhaps you should listen again. his thousands of comments are on the record at whitehouse.gov. Sunlei Dec 2016 #99
I'm pissed but get that the rethugs want things to descend into chaos w Obama in charge flamingdem Dec 2016 #38
Much like he did during his presidency budkin Dec 2016 #41
Yes, absolutely. TonyPDX Dec 2016 #64
Uh huh Hekate Dec 2016 #84
Public Option had no chance. He made the best of what was available. redstateblues Dec 2016 #102
There's nothing he can do now other than be diplomatic.. vi5 Dec 2016 #54
I told Putin to "Cut it out!" Where have I heard this phrase before? Is this part of a playbook? jalan48 Dec 2016 #55
I wondered about that as well. nt dflprincess Dec 2016 #90
It's multi level chess... SHRED Dec 2016 #56
This is hilarious. Two days ago one of my posts was removed for breaking a "forum rule"-- TonyPDX Dec 2016 #58
He could still pardon a bunch of people. HassleCat Dec 2016 #77
I love President Obama, but... ElementaryPenguin Dec 2016 #78
Almost every day over the past years he's made comments, through election & transition. Sunlei Dec 2016 #94
He handed us thousands of lifelines, and to many people only paid attention to the side-show. Sunlei Dec 2016 #98
Think We Are In The Fifth Stage Now... LovingA2andMI Dec 2016 #101

libtodeath

(2,888 posts)
2. I think he felt like Lincoln as the civil war was brewing.
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:31 PM
Dec 2016

The shots at fort sumter were just not as clear so he had to stand back.

shadowrider

(4,941 posts)
3. And what was President Obama supposed to do?
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:38 PM
Dec 2016

Cancel the election?
Call for a new election?
Impose Martial Law?
Deny the electors their vote on the 19th?

Any one of the above, and civil war 2 would start.

NanceGreggs

(27,813 posts)
4. Well, for certain people ...
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:42 PM
Dec 2016

... had he done all of the above, it still would have been the wrong thing to do.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
79. I just replied to an "optics" post. For gods' sake they want him to "stay stateside" ....
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:38 PM
Dec 2016

...and not be "in the sunshine" looking "elite." Because the man who has taken almost no time off in 8 years is not entitled to a winter vacation in his home state (he IS stateside when he is in Hawai'i) with his family -- even though his entire job comes with him wherever he goes.

I can't even.

dionysus

(26,467 posts)
103. I don't get it..m w...t...f... was he suppoded to DO!? Call it rigged and
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 07:16 PM
Dec 2016

Set a nasty precident? Try some unconstitutional move that noone with any power will support?

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
105. I don't want him to do some crazy unconstitutional thing that Trump can use as precedent!
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 08:10 PM
Dec 2016

Everybody's like "why not?" He's leaving anyway... without logically thinking what is to follow.

The GOP is too happy to have all three branches.
Obama was right to tell the media and public to ducking wake up and pay attention to what is going on

 

Dream Girl

(5,111 posts)
48. Ummm That is the priority for his post presidency
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 11:59 AM
Dec 2016

It wouldn't have made an iota of difference yesterday

Tarheel_Dem

(31,207 posts)
34. It's the meme of the day. As much as I'm gonna miss Pres. Obama, he deserves so much more than...
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 11:46 PM
Dec 2016

the "allies" he's been forced to endure these past eight years. Nothing he does is ever good enough, and he probably won't miss it very much.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
53. And everything is his fault and his problem!
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:18 PM
Dec 2016

It was the same when they'd demand why he wasn't doing something about some matter related only to state power.

Tarheel_Dem

(31,207 posts)
93. It's sad that Civics has been on the chopping block of many school budgets. They don't get the....
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 12:36 AM
Dec 2016

whole "co-equal" branches of government thingie. Thankfully, no POTUS is a king/dictator. Hopefully, we're all about to learn the limitations of executive power in real time, these next four years.

dionysus

(26,467 posts)
104. You making faces at me? You scowling at me? That's it! Them's fightin' woids... put up yer DUKES!!1!
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 07:18 PM
Dec 2016

treestar

(82,383 posts)
51. This, I don't know what they could have expected
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:16 PM
Dec 2016

He follows the law.

The first time Orange Hitler does something wrong will be interesting. Obama may be free then to call that out. Will the media pay any attention?

madamesilverspurs

(15,783 posts)
7. Unlike Trump,
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:44 PM
Dec 2016

Obama understands the Constitution, comprehending its powers AND limitations.

But I bet there are days when he wishes he didn't.


.

triron

(21,915 posts)
10. He blamed the media and the electorate
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:49 PM
Dec 2016

for what happened. Not taking responsibility for letting Russians corrupt our election and put their own candidate into office.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
80. Your sentence structure is a little confusing. Are you saying Obama is responsible for this fiasco?
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:41 PM
Dec 2016

Or are you saying he simply pointed out the fact that the media and the electorate caused this fiasco?

ALBliberal

(2,304 posts)
11. Maybe appeal to our better angels? He is
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:51 PM
Dec 2016

Last edited Fri Dec 16, 2016, 10:19 PM - Edit history (1)

beloved by so many of us. We yearn for leadership.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
81. He's done that all along, and all along I've been here among supposed Democrats...
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:43 PM
Dec 2016

...who spoke hatefully about his every word and deed. In my considered opinion, Barack Obama is better than we deserved.

brush

(53,469 posts)
13. I'm a huge Obama supporter but . . .
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 08:56 PM
Dec 2016

He said during the news conference that he was determined to play it straight and not make it appear that he was favoring either side.

That was why he didn't make it known during the final weeks that Russia hackers were working to elect Trump.

Sorry, I was gobsmacked by that since not revealing that to the public allowed the Russian hackers to to do just what he was trying to avoid doing — favoring their side.

WTF, WTF, WTF!

WE SHOULD BE FAVORING FUCKING OUR SIDE. It's not tiddlywinks, it's politics. We gotta stop being the nice guy. It's like Leo Durocher said, "nice guys finish last."

The repugs would have been yelling from the rooftops if some entity was hacking them to favor Clinton.

WTF, WTF, WTF!

brush

(53,469 posts)
57. It was released on the same day as the Trump Access Hollywood audio
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:31 PM
Dec 2016

It went unnoticed and was never really heard by the pubic.

And it didn't emphasize that Putin was actively working to get Trump elected.


Also, remember McConnell threatened to blast any real mention of it as being partisan and putting a thumb on the scale for Clinton, which is why he stressed that he was trying to play it straight to not seem to favor either candidate.

I wished he had told turtleman to go fu_k himself and leaked it all over the airwaves, especially after the Comey debacle to counter that.

KPN

(15,587 posts)
60. McConnell threatened? Oh come on ...
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:36 PM
Dec 2016

is that all it takes for the GOP to carry the day? Threaten? So Democratic Party-like.

brush

(53,469 posts)
67. Look it up. That was stated as a reason for not revealing Putin's machinations closer . . .
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:04 PM
Dec 2016

to election day.

I don't like it either.

KPN

(15,587 posts)
71. That wasn't my point. I already knew that -- it just
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:21 PM
Dec 2016

seems pretty namby-pamby to not reveal it because McConnell would call it partisan. The Rs are still calling it partisan sour grapes after the fact. My point was that the Democratic Party always seems to, well, wimp out and roll over. The result: common people keep getting screwed, democracy in ruins.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
63. Yeah but two things- Putin was not named specifically then and the media had already done the damage
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:41 PM
Dec 2016

With the emails and the "DNC scandals" were also promoted by lefties. Lots of people on "our side" were duped into stabbing Dems in the back.... and now we are falling for it again w Obama. They have turned some of us into useful idiots.

JudyM

(29,122 posts)
59. +1. They fight. We don't. They mercilessly obstruct. We don't. They cheat. We cheat much less.
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:36 PM
Dec 2016

They are about to pillage and plunder just as Putin has. We may very well just watch.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
82. He told us. He told the media. He used the English language. He did it a month before the election.
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:44 PM
Dec 2016

brush

(53,469 posts)
85. Unfortunately it was put out the same day as the Trump crotch grap audio
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 07:26 PM
Dec 2016

it got buried in that media storm.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
86. Yet somehow the media behavior was all Obama's and Hillary's fault
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 09:27 PM
Dec 2016

And she still managed to get 3 million more votes than Mad King Donald in his golden tower. Yet he is going to be president.

brush

(53,469 posts)
88. You're missing the point. It was not Hillary's fault
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 09:39 PM
Dec 2016

The fact that it was known Putin was helping trump's campaign should have been repeated over and over and over after it got loss in the trump crotch grabbing audio storm.

Perhaps it should have come from the White House since McConnell, Trump nor certainly weren't going to expose an increasinly clear case of treason.

Playing fair to not seem to be trying to influence the election is one thing, but when you know the other side is not playing fair at all, in fact using a foreign government to influence the election, then you have to re-evaluate and throw the original hands off policy out of the window.

femmocrat

(28,394 posts)
15. I feel the same way.
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 09:00 PM
Dec 2016

I knew he wouldn't do anything bold and daring, but I thought it was a total let down. After it was over, I wondered why he even bothered.

For those who say, what did you expect.... a few words to those who are still hurting might have been welcomed. This election tore apart families and communities and is putting a dark cloud over the holidays for many dedicated democrats. Telling us that we didn't pay attention to the intel reports or that we didn't focus enough on the issues was insulting. WE did, it was the media who let us down.

And what I really expected was something more forceful, like I have issued a stern warning to Putin and I have accepted Comey's resignation. Wishful thinking.

 

jodymarie aimee

(3,975 posts)
47. what you wrote was absolutely correct
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 11:47 AM
Dec 2016

We expected him to ride in like the cavalry and save us and he didn't. He kind of said, you made your bed, not deal with it. I was dashed and went right back to Nov 9th emotionally. The Rs didn't cooperate with recounts and now all we've got left is Monday EC vote. For those who blasted you, tell them.....this is serious...wake up......our good and magnificent President let us down. With the wars, with TPP, now this.....he is still magnificent, but we are allowed to tell the TRUTH. We are now alone in a frightening new landscape. How can we win when Rs have all the weapons....I live in WI and we have had hell for 6 years now. We see it coming.

Guilded Lilly

(5,591 posts)
19. I honestly don't know what to think or feel anymore.
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 09:46 PM
Dec 2016

I know there are things behind the scene that can't be exposed. I wanted a fierce confrontation. I wanted a miracle. I know a man with honor can't just suddenly become an unconscionable piece of crap asshole. But I am in a very weird place over all this twilight zone reality show drama. Breathe in and out and do my daily work and routine, but, there is something desperately wrong about this aura surrounding life. Obama will not be the President soon and the governing body will be shallow, ignorant buffoons and mean-assed anti-humanity capitalist thugs.

Justice's balance is so skewed that she is dragging her scales through the gravel pit on one side, looking desperately for a lift from somewhere.

High road failed. When compassionate humanity goes against cold blooded hate mongering lowlife traitors, it's always a massive battle. Having a heart in that kind of fight gives your soulless opponent a huge target. When you have a conscience, it is another chink in the battle armor. But mixed in among my high road mentality, I now have a passionate animosity towards lots of people. Cretin supporting variety. Spineless variety. Ignorant variety. F'ing cheaters. Republicans. Period.

Cheaters quite often DO win. And that is hard to accept.
Hope can be dashed.
Women will be chattle again. We have to refight on the same scum infested battlefields.

I still have seething anger brewing right next to the incredulous pain, I will still do what I can to resist and plow onward...but that seems like precious damn little in the scheme of things.
I am weary from losing to pieces of filth.

This treachery has enormous and far reaching consequences other than just another term of gawd damned obstructionism. This cretinous clod could cause irreversible damage. Serious destruction of our nation....and the earth.
And I can't wrap my brain or my heart around what to fucking do.

ALBliberal

(2,304 posts)
22. Thank you for that reply so very sad and I
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 10:11 PM
Dec 2016

Feel most everything you feel. Will it be enough to lead our own honest lives and be examples to others? Enough to keep fighting the good fight in local government and otherwise? Who knows. Hoping that these efforts we can control will be enough.

Guilded Lilly

(5,591 posts)
26. It certainly won't set us personally back if we continue
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 11:13 PM
Dec 2016

to live the best we can.

I have plenty of fight in me. I'm stubborn. I use my soapbox quite readily. I sign petitions, I write emails. I openly encourage women to be independent and strong. I also believe in Karma even though it often takes longer than I would want! I certainly don't want to tempt karma biting my own ass but...

Damn.
I wish someone with real power used it to...flatten the assholes! They win too much.
Shaking my head.

dflprincess

(28,057 posts)
35. Certainly there are things behind the scene
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:18 AM
Dec 2016

and they probably could and should be exposed but just as LBJ and Dirksen let Nixon get by with treason and Pelosi took impeachment "off the table" it's all being done to "protect" the public and for the "good of the country".

Only it's not protecting us and in the long run it's not good for the country.

Not for a minute do I believe that the vote itself wasn't hacked especially in the areas that have no paper backup (the areas that, strangely enough, were the ones Hillary tended to lose.) And don't get me started on Michigan.

It's just the path of least resistance so, just as they did in 2000, the Democrats will roll over and let the election be stolen. They've had 16 years to work on a solution and couldn't be bothered because it's more important to pretend that our elections are open and honest than for the elections to actually be open and honest.

If the signers of the Declaration had been as cowardly as today's leaders we'd be singing "God Save the Queen" today. Though that might not be all bad - at least we'd have health care.

Nay

(12,051 posts)
66. A perfect comment, princess. I've felt this way for a long time, too. If the Dems
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:58 PM
Dec 2016

refuse to fight all the "little wars" like the ones over voting machines, voter suppression, sending money to state Dems so they can win against teabaggers, etc, they will lose the big war. And they have. In no sane country would an imbecilic, narcissistic monster like Trump win anything except a ticket to jail, but here we are.

And yes, I wish we'd never become 'free' of Britain, because we'd be so much better off now it's not even funny. Canada (I'm a citizen of both Canada and US) is an idyllic paradise compared to this godawful place.

Nay

(12,051 posts)
75. Two of my direct ancestors fought in the Rev War and I recently considered
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 02:55 PM
Dec 2016

joining the Daughters of the American Revolution. I went to a few meetings, had my genealogy reviewed and found to be in order, and then . . . went to a few local meetings. If you want to meet a bunch of RW, teabagging, douchey fascists, go to a DAR meeting! These women, back in the day, would have personally hanged anyone who said one word against the Crown! In one meeting, a discussion was held about how people who burned the flag were traitors and should be jailed. It was an eye-opener for me, a long-time ACLU supporter, to realize that things had done a 180 over the centuries, turning the 'revolutionaries' into de facto Loyalists.

If I were back in Rev days, I would have supported the Revolution. A couple of centuries on, I can see that, for this country, it may have been more beneficial to stay with England. That doesn't make me a Loyalist -- it's just a pragmatic, random observation that we might have been better off. It's not like we can go back and fix it.

dflprincess

(28,057 posts)
89. I also have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 11:47 PM
Dec 2016

one was even cited for "answering the call" at Lexington on April 19, 1775 (maybe he's the one who fired the "shot heard round the world" - ok, I don't really think that.)

My dad's sister belonged to the DAR but I've always said I wouldn't join an organization that Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from in protest.

I do, however, have a Grant Woods print in my living room that has always tickled me. It's titled "Daughters of the Revolution" and it does make me think of the local chapter (just update the clothes).

LisaM

(27,759 posts)
69. Between 2000 and now, the Voting Rights Act was dismantled.
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:06 PM
Dec 2016

I can't stress how important that was.

dflprincess

(28,057 posts)
92. Yes it was
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 12:11 AM
Dec 2016

but it was intact in 2000 when the real voter suppression started and the Democrats did nothing about that. They didn't even try to raise awareness about and all that did was give the Republicans license to do more because they knew they'd get away with it.

tavernier

(12,322 posts)
25. I accepted his explanation for most of it,
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 11:11 PM
Dec 2016

but Comey does not get a pass in my book.

Obama should have announced his "resignation".

Nay

(12,051 posts)
68. People keep making this mistake! Please stop! It's not about WHO Trump would
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:04 PM
Dec 2016

nominate, ffs. It's about PUNISHING THE TRAITOR who threw the election. If Comey is not removed, it sends a clear signal (as always) to the Pubs, collectively and individually, that they can do any goddamn thing and there will be no penalties. Until we start imposing penalties (even if only symbolic), we will keep on losing our shirts.

24601

(3,940 posts)
96. Once confirmed, the FBI director serves a fixed 10-year term and does not serve at the pleasure of
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 03:50 AM
Dec 2016

the President.

tavernier

(12,322 posts)
100. POTUS can fire him.
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 03:40 PM
Dec 2016

Under the Law, Presidents May Fire FBI Directors. ... Unlike the justices, who are appointed for life and cannot be fired — but can be impeached by congress (which has happened only one time in American history) — or cabinet officials who have no set terms, the FBI director is appointed to a single term of 10 years.

dubyadiprecession

(5,620 posts)
29. Many of us gave up on him by not turning out to vote in 2010, 2014 and 2016..
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 11:20 PM
Dec 2016

What do you want from him if he doesn't have a democratic congress to support his legislation?

EVERYONE NEEDS TO TURN OUT TO VOTE EVERY TWO YEARS, LIKE IT'S 2008!

ALBliberal

(2,304 posts)
31. See above. Would have been nice for
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 11:33 PM
Dec 2016

Him to lay out the facts and educate the public on the purpose of the Electoral College. That's really the baseline that I was hoping for.

brush

(53,469 posts)
37. Don't mean to get biblical but it's all about original sin
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:37 AM
Dec 2016

The Electoral College came about as a racist compromise for the country's huge elephant in the room, white supremacy/the institution of slavery

The northern states had a huge population advantage of eligible voters, white male property owners only, so a deal was struck that the southern states could count their enslaved black people also, but they only counted as 3/5s of a person — still being okay with the white supremacy, racism thing.

So the problem was swept under the rug again until the civil war when the race/slavery issue reared it's head again. There was the war and the Union won, problem solved right?

No, reconstruction happened but then the Union troops pulled out over another political comprise and then domestic terrorism (the KKK) arose and terrorized African Americans as Jim Crow was being established and the race issue was swept, unsolved, under the rug again for decades until the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s.

We moved forward as a nation but the problem still hasn't been solved completely and these Trump racist assholes want to take us back to the pre-civil rights era.

Something's going to have to give because AAs and other POCs are not going for that.

Makes one wonder if payback is going to befall us because we never dealt with the problem under the rug?

That question just leads me to this. The next fight for progressives should be getting rid of the Electoral College as it is a remaining vestige of a racist compromise that needs to go because it's still favoring the racists.

It needs to go.

Quayblue

(1,045 posts)
76. America's refusal to deal with the intertwining of racism
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 03:15 PM
Dec 2016

in our political institutions huge a huge part in why all of this is happening.

Thank you for your assessment.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
83. Obama has always tried to educate the public, and the media calls him professorial and the Dems yawn
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:49 PM
Dec 2016

And the Dems don't show up for the damned midterm elections and the Dems wonder why we ended up with a House and Senate full of Republicans.

 

Dream Girl

(5,111 posts)
50. People expect on man to do it all
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:15 PM
Dec 2016

He can't. hands are tied, There's this thing challenged the Constitution that limited his ability to respond, not to mention civil peace. would have been nice if we had given him a dem congress in '10, '12''14...would have been great if we could have given him dem and state and local governments especially governors and legislatures. They are the keepers of the keys and that's where the battle needs to be fought

forgotmylogin

(7,496 posts)
33. I think he's just as worn out as we are.
Fri Dec 16, 2016, 11:45 PM
Dec 2016

He's been a positive beacon for EIGHT YEARS for us. Don't forget that. He's one of us and is entitled to some rest. I hope he has a great vacation in Hawaii and recharges for 2017.

Megan Mullally was on Colbert and reported visiting the White House recently. In the receiving line she said "We really love you...we don't want you to go!" Obama replied "We're not going anywhere."

[link:

|

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
39. Really! That makes me feel better
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:40 AM
Dec 2016

So he's keeping his powder dry and will be full time working for us, I bet

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
99. perhaps you should listen again. his thousands of comments are on the record at whitehouse.gov.
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 04:42 AM
Dec 2016

after 1/20 he will be in his new office. first on public agenda, redistricting (local) the states. He's still the president, after 1/20/2017.

And let him and his family have a well deserved break first.

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
38. I'm pissed but get that the rethugs want things to descend into chaos w Obama in charge
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 01:39 AM
Dec 2016

to further prove their point. Government is useless, Democrats are out of control and to blame, blah blah

budkin

(6,691 posts)
41. Much like he did during his presidency
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 02:48 AM
Dec 2016

Obama the President was not Obama the candidate. He left us in the lurch over many issues, most notably the public option.

redstateblues

(10,565 posts)
102. Public Option had no chance. He made the best of what was available.
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 04:31 PM
Dec 2016

If he had pushed for that there would have been no movement toward Universal Health Care.

 

vi5

(13,305 posts)
54. There's nothing he can do now other than be diplomatic..
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:20 PM
Dec 2016

..I think there was plenty he could have done in the past 8 years in terms of promoting a more aggressive tone and push back on the Republicans instead of enabling them as he did many times. He could have been a better and more aggressive negotiator. He could have sold his policies a little better than he did.

And I do think that his trying to be diplomatic and "bipartisan" along the way definitely emboldened Republicans to behave as they did and in some sense gave us what we have now which is a hot mess in the worst possible way.

But the fact is that the damage is done and at this point there's nothing he can do so expecting him to all of a sudden be aggressive and angry when he refused to do that over the past 8 years is silly and counterintuitive/counterproductive.

TonyPDX

(962 posts)
58. This is hilarious. Two days ago one of my posts was removed for breaking a "forum rule"--
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 12:36 PM
Dec 2016
Don't bash Democratic public figures


I dared comment that President Obama fought for the TPP, and was admonished for that. Was tempted to delete my account and never darken these pages again. Instead, I appealed and my post was restored the following day. It is comforting to see that we can express sincere disappointment without being considered traitors to the objectives of our party.

I also wonder why he isn't passionately standing against the stated plans of his successor. As a candidate, he twice behaved differently.
 

HassleCat

(6,409 posts)
77. He could still pardon a bunch of people.
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 03:18 PM
Dec 2016

Name a few federal buildings after famous Mexicans. Plant a whoopee cushion in the oval office.

ElementaryPenguin

(7,800 posts)
78. I love President Obama, but...
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:05 PM
Dec 2016

The high road is not what we need right now. Sometimes to fight the dastardly - you need to get down and roll around in the mud with them. This seemed like his Lincoln moment - to save this country - and he doesn't seem to see that as a practical alternative. Perhaps it isn't. Presidents are not entrusted with fixing America permanently - just stewarding a 4 year term (or 2) of an administration that hopefully kept things together or perhaps even improved things. Then, like the relay race he described it as, the baton is passed to the next administration, etc... Trouble is, this next administration seems capable of burying that baton forever, ending American democracy.

Much as I HATE to say this - this situation makes me wish we had - for an outgoing President - rather than one of our thoughtful ones - one of our more ruthless ones - like a Lyndon Johnson, a Harry Truman, perhaps FDR - even Richard Nixon, for Chrissakes! - because I think one of them would have found some way (legal or not) to prevent the evil, cheating, Putin appointed Drumpf from taking office (at least not without engineering a revote, legitimate recount, or election audit, or serious legal challenge backed by all the CIA intelligence available). (remember - Anthony Kennedy does not always side with the right - even Roberts supported Obamacare - and one may have been persuaded to oppose Putin's pick!)

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
94. Almost every day over the past years he's made comments, through election & transition.
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 01:53 AM
Dec 2016

you can find his comment history here, even the transition is explained. trump remains "unfit", but it's the presidents duty for a smooth transition and Republicans can deal with their unfit president. He didn't 'give up on us".


Your Weekly Address


Speeches & Remarks


Press Briefings


Statements & Releases

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address

LovingA2andMI

(7,006 posts)
101. Think We Are In The Fifth Stage Now...
Sun Dec 18, 2016, 04:09 PM
Dec 2016

Of the five stages of grief which is Acceptance. Before the misinterpretations start - we will never accept Donald Trump is President of the United States, however, the question to ask really, truly is what can be done about it.

The Electoral College is a Dog and Pony show. There is no way 37 Electors are going to bail. No way, no how. Thus, America is moving forward to the inauguration.

Unless something happens that prevent Trump/Pence from taking the Oath of Office on January 20, 2017,-- which is doubtful -- Trump/Pence will be installed. Frankly, in our mind, that is the beginning of the end of America, plain and simple.

Social Media/Activism/Etc. -- Does any of it actually help?

This is a reasonable question that has recently popped in our collective heads after the results of November 8th. Think about it. Black Lives Matter has been protesting the killing of Young/Middle/Old African-American Men and Women - plus minorities in General - since Trayvon Martin's murder.

Has the number of Minorities being killed by Law Enforcement REALLY decreased? How about the convictions -- as in lots of them?

Heck, the killer of Walter Scott in North Carolina who shot Scott in the back -- received a hung jury. Really? Hung Jury?

Next, yes, gas is down to about $2.50 or below in most places.

However, that is about to go right back up under Trump/Pence. The rises in crude oil will make George W. Bush Oil games feel like child's play. Let's just say "peak oil" on steroids -- but we all know "peak oil" does not exist, right?

Republicans only make real money in a RECESSION. The 2008 recession was bad but the RECESSION to COME of Trump/Pence will be worse. On top of that, it is likely we will be in either a cold/warm or hot war with China plus whoever else -- including ISIS, Al-Queda -- whoever feels like screwing with America that week, month, year.

Social Media is not helping. Lord knows the News is not. Reporting on every ridiculous tweet Trump makes like it is earth shattering news. Since when is Twitter, news?

Speaking of Free Press - maybe folks might want to familiarize themselves with what happen to Gawker recently - to know that the Free Press will NOT be free or open press under Trump/Pence. It's going to happen and since they are in control, nothing will be done about it.

Just look what just occurred in North Carolina were a Democratic Governor-Elect just had his upcoming powers and office duties taken away from him BEFORE he ever taken the Oath by the GOP.

This is only the beginning of crapola to come.

401K Ponzi Scheme, Social Security, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act -- Going, Going, Gone -- down the toilet or into the hands of folks that don't give a damn if you are forced to eat out of your cat's bowl if you reach 65-75 years old. In their mind, your usefulness at that age is done anyway so just die, quickly.

These are dangerous times. And sorry, there is not much to be happy about.

In fact, some are preparing for the worse. Not everyone will do the same as folks have the right to decide their own course - of course. But, those preparing for the worse are stepping back, preparing their finances in whatever way they can, removing or severely limiting social media, making safety preparation plans and more.

Many will think they are "cray-cray" but the situation we are in is "cray-cray" all around.

In many cases, if folks are history buffs, today's times are showing a strange similarity to what has been read about Reichstag -- and that should make anyone with an open eye -- prepare for whatever is ahead of the best way they can.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»We desperately needed a l...