The Rude Pundit: A Few Notes Regarding Today's Speech(es)

[meegbear]

Sure, the Rude Pundit's biased, but, c'mon, no matter what side you're on, you gotta admit: President Barack Obama knows how to nut up. Attacked on the left and right for what both perceived as weakness either on his promises of change in Bush policies or on security itself, Obama spoke today at the National Archives to say, more or less, "Stop acting like the other guy is still President, you poor, traumatized bastards."

On one level, Obama's speech was a rhetorical technique from his campaign: when people are talking shit about you, confront the shit directly. So there he was, slapping down the bases for torture, for Gitmo, for the prosecution of the retarded "war on terror," saying that he didn't run the car off the cliff, but he sure as fuck is gonna pick up the glass and mop up the blood: "In other words, the problem of what to do with Guantanamo detainees was not caused by my decision to close the facility; the problem exists because of the decision to open Guantanamo in the first place." And then he laid out a framework for understanding what has to happen on the road to closing Gitmo. He treated us like grown-ups, like he wasn't reading My Pet Goat to grade school students, but teaching De Tocqueville to college seniors.

But on another level, what Obama was doing was removing the unitary executive idea from the center of the government. Said the President, "(W)e are indeed at war with al Qaeda and its affiliates. We do need to update our institutions to deal with this threat. But we must do so with an abiding confidence in the rule of law and due process; in checks and balances and accountability." He voiced, again and again, that things are different now; essentially, what he's saying is "The Bush administration made the other branches into accessories, cock rings to enhance its fucking. But they are cocks that can stand and fuck on their own. Grow the fuck up, Congress." And so he repeatedly insisted that Congress and the courts exercise their oversight responsibilities. He, in essence, set them free from the shackles Bush and Cheney had clasped them in. Obama actually respects the nation and, as he pointed out, the will of the people in the last election. (Obama went out of his way a bit to give his perspective on Gitmo and torture bipartisan street cred.)

Most stunning, though, was his assertion of how the government should deal with the crimes of the past administration, and it ain't a Truth Commission: "I have opposed the creation of such a Commission because I believe that our existing democratic institutions are strong enough to deliver accountability. The Congress can review abuses of our values, and there are ongoing inquiries by the Congress into matters like enhanced interrogation techniques. The Department of Justice and our courts can work through and punish any violations of our laws."

Do you get that? President Obama is telling the Congress not to be punk ass bitches about investigating, that the legislative branch should keep the executive branch honest, that punishing crimes is what we're supposed to do. Obama used this speech on national security to say that the way to be safe is to defend what makes America American and for everyone to do their fucking jobs.

Finally, he kicked Bush and Cheney in their taints at the close of his speech: "We will not be safe if we see national security as a wedge that divides America - it can and must be a cause that unites us as one people, as one nation. We have done so before in times that were more perilous than ours." Now that's how to stand tall and say, "C'mon, fuck with me."

Cheney, Briefly: Dick Cheney, wheezing his way through his speech, opened by talking about how he was cowering in a bunker on 9/11 and his horribly scarred psyche changed how he thought about the world. The fact that Cheney admitted that he was a PTSD sufferer and that's how he responded to the world pretty much negates everything he said after. Fuck him. He's not worthy to be called Cthulu or Satan anymore.

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/

[MineralMan]

1. That was well-put. Let's put the system to work

going after the lawbreakers and torturers. We have a system in place. Commissions have a long history of producing nothing. Instead, let's use the tools we have in place and quietly and deliberately investigate and prosecute those who have disgraced our country through their lawless activities.

It's only been four months, folks. It all isn't going to happen this year. Let Cheney and the other assholes convict themselves with their own words.

I notice that Bushit, himself, is keeping as quiet as a mouse, as well he might. Cheney's a dick. Let him and the rest of the cretins incriminate themselves. Then go after them, using the tools already in place.

[semillama]

2. The Rude One is really on his game

He really has a good ability to see to the heart of an issue.

[annabanana]

3. I think Rude nailed it... He DID call out for the system to work like it

was designed to.

He wants to restore the balance. This is spot on. K&R!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. The RP is right -

Obama really did throw the job to Congress - and rightly so. They are the ones who should be going after the war criminals, not the executive branch.

Kay Bailey Hutchinson is on MSNBC right now. The woman is dumber than a box of hair. Viva GOPigs!

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. I disagree- the justice dept. is a part of the Executive branch-

and in a meeting w/progressives this week, Obama ruled out any prosecutions (isn't that obstruction of justice?).
Nice speech, but the rule of law is meaningless if you don't walk the walk.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. Huh?

Your post makes no sense.

The responsibility for initiating and carrying out such investigations lies with Congress. Justice and the White House have nothing to do with that. That was Obama's point.

Get it?

[Fiendish Thingy]

21. Congress can initiate its own investigations, but law enforcement

lies with the DOJ. Ever hear of the FBI? A Federal Grand Jury? I'm sure there's enough evidence out there to indict and convict dozens of Bush Administration members, without the need for a Congressional Investigation. Putting the ball back in Congress' court frames this as a political issue, rather than a criminal issue, which is where the Bushies want it...

[Stinky The Clown]

22. That deserves to be its own thread!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

24. Oh, please.......

Don't you go corrupting my beautiful image of you as smart and informed and knowing how things work. Don't you dare do that to me .......................

[Tangerine LaBamba]

23. "... law enforcement ..."

What laws? You need an investigation before you can determine what, if any, laws have been violated.

You need a primer in how government works. Your post indicated you haven't a clue. Go study and learn. You'll enjoy it ........

[Fiendish Thingy]

29. Help me understand...

So, everytime there's a drug deal, Congress must investigate?
Everytime someone launders money, Congress must investigate?
Everytime there's a drive by shooting, Congress must first investigate?

Please explain to me why CONGRESS must first investigate the CRIME of violating LAWS against torture, obstruction of justice, fraud, etc. BEFORE a DOJ prosecutor can act to bring charges?

What do you know that I apparently don't about the requirement that Congress must always first investigate a crime before the DOJ can act to prosecute that crime?

Your speedy reply is appreciated.

P.S. Condescension does not equal a substantive response, and is beneath the dignity of an open-minded, progressive thinker such as yourself.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

30. I'm not your teacher,

and if you want answers to your questions, I urge you to go do the research yourself. It's very simple, so you'll be able to handle it easily................

[Fiendish Thingy]

36. Well, you'll be pleased to know I did my research...

I searched the entire internets (all twenty bazillion tubes!), and I can find no evidence supporting your claim (which, of course, the burden of proof should fall to you) that Congress is required to investigate every alleged crime before the Executive Branch, in the form of the DOJ, can conduct its own investigation and prosecutions.

So I guess you were mistaken. :P

Of course, if you'd like to offer your own evidence, I remain open minded and willing to listen.

[FiveGoodMen]

32. "You need an investigation before you can determine what, if any, laws have been violated"

If I rob a bank and Congress ignores it, am I in the clear?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

33. I don't know .........

Go look it up and let me know when you find the answer..............

[bvar22]

25. You are correct.

Punting this ball to Congress is a deflection at this point.

Congress can NOT prosecute.
Only the Executive Branch (White House) can prosecute.
Even if Congress holds an "investigation", they can only refer it back to the Executive Branch for prosecution. (I don't trust Congress to hold a legitimate investigation. Both Parties have too much skin in this game).

The ACLU has pointed out that the Statute of Limitations will expire this year for some of the worst offenses. We don't have time for Congress to play with this.
There is NO DOUBT that serious crimes have been committed.
I stand with the ACLU.
It is PAST time for Holder to appoint an Independent Prosecutor.

The longer the White House delays in appointing an Independent Prosecutor, the more it looks like they are protecting Torturers and War Criminals.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

31. There's no such thing as "Independent Prosecutor."

Check it out ..........

[bvar22]

34. You better hurry and tell the ACLU.

Stand with the ACLU.
Ask Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate the interrogation of detainees in the war on terror.

<snip>

An Open Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder

It is time to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate who knew about and authorized the Bush administration’s torture policies.

https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Nat_Petition_SpecialProsecutor&s_src=UNW090001ACT&s_subsrc=flyer&JServSessionIdr010=s0zcrkfx53.app26a

Please sign the ACLU's petition to have Obama's AG appoint an Independent Prosecutor.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

37. Very, very sloppy language -

I'm a member of the ACLU, and someone better snap to and clean up the verbiage. On the other hand, if "prosecutor" is what the ACLU really means, it would be accurate for that matter. But, in reality, there's no such thing as an "independent prosecutor."

It used to be called the Office of the Independent Counsel, and more casually known as "independent prosecutor" or "special prosecutor," but that office died in 1999 and was replaced by the Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel.

It's now known as "independent counsel." Using "counsel" instead of "prosecutor" makes it sound more even-handed, I suppose. They might just as well have called it "independent investigator," except that might conjure up Raymond Chandler-like images..................

[Bonobo]

6. Quite correct. K&R.

[Missy Vixen]

7. If you read Richard Clarke's book

you'll remember that not only was Cheney cowering in a bunker and listening to the national security group meeting, his wife kept turning down the speaker. She couldn't hear CNN.

I was so mad when I read that I threw the book across the room. Our country is under attack. Dick is too damn chicken to even go to the meeting where it was decided what to do. Lynne Cheney didn't think it was necessary that he even listen to the meeting. It was more important that she keep up with CNN.

:mad:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

10. Thank you, oh, she of the slutty name,

that I want to read that Clarke book.

Do you remember the title?

[Missy Vixen]

14. Tangerine, LMAO!

It's my alter ego. I was soooo un-slutty and boring while single that I have to do something to liven up my old age, don't I? ;-) :woohoo:

The book's called "Against All Enemies". I've never finished it. I was so upset over the revelations about the Cheneys and their behavior on September 11th, 2001, I could never bring myself to pick up the book again. The people I know who've finished it said it was excellent, though. ;-)

And, yeah, Richard Clarke made me cry when he actually apologized to the families of the lost on September 11th. So far, I think he's the only one that did.

http://www.amazon.com/Against-All-Enemies-Inside-Americas/dp/B000WMJ6TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1242926223&sr=1-1

[Tangerine LaBamba]

20. Muchas gracias, oh, trampy named woman

with a heart as big as all outdoors.

Richard Clarke absolutely floored - and won - me when he apologized. No, not one of those bastards ever did, but that would be a human thing to do, and they're not human.

I'm off to get that damn book, and make myself go insane. Thanks, trampy one!!!

:toast:

WAIT! I'm back! I went to my favorite used book place - alibris.com - and would you believe I got a brand new copy (remaindered, I believe) for $1.99, plus shipping. The total was $5.98, and I had a coupon code - do you know about those things? - so they knocked off one dollar, and now the book will come to me for the grand total of $4.98!!!

I do love a deal. Thanks again, loose woman person!!

[csziggy]

35. So while Shrub was running and hiding on AF1, Cheney was cowering

No wonder there was no one from the federal government doing anything. Nice to know they were so prepared to protect our country.

I know that the entire day the only authority figure that appeared to be in charge of anything at all was Rudy Guiliani. At least he had the balls to get in front of a camera and try to reassure people while Dick and Shrub practiced "Duck & Cover!"

Of course, all of Washington was running and hiding with the attack on the Pentagon and possible threats to the White House and the Capital. But I don't remember one person from any federal branch talking to the country pretty much all day.

[Fumesucker]

9. LOL, Rude doesn't know how to spell "Cthulhu"..

Or Ctheney either I would guess.

:)

[n2doc]

15. Maybe he didn't want to incur the wrath of the Elder Gods

Gotta be careful, ya know! :rofl:

[Fumesucker]

16. Cthulhu Saves..

Because He might get hungry later.. :rofl:

[malaise]

11. Spot on

As usual.

[Cha]

12. Rude has the best analysis..

"Stop acting like the other guy is still President, you poor, traumatized bastards."

[Winterblues]

13. I find this an interesting quote from the man that says we must move forward

"But we must do so with an abiding confidence in the rule of law and due process; in checks and balances and accountability."

[Wednesdays]

17. K&R

:kick:

[Maeve]

18. Thanks for posting this, meegbear

Altho I have the Rude One bookmarked, I don't always get over there to read his latest--then I see you've posted a thread about one and I'm reminded! Don't always agree with him, but he's almost always worth the read!

[meegbear]

26. No prob!

:hi:

[SpiralHawk]

19. Da Rudester nails it about Dickie 'Five-Military-Deferments' Cheney

and the FAIL of the Republicon chickenhawks

k and r

[1955doubledie]

27. Funny, as always. But at the same time, not

The Rude Pundit is really good at gallows humor.

[elizfeelinggreat]

28. k & r

for the rude one

[BlancheSplanchnik]

38. He treated us like grown-ups, like he wasn't reading My Pet Goat to grade school students,

but teaching DeTocqueville to college seniors.....

of course, there are those on BOTH sides of the 'aisle' who only hear in "My Pet Goat"-ese.


Thanks for posting this--- Rude One is so brilliant.

ha, I just had the best thought--- wouldn't it be GREAT to have Obama and RudeOne as your professors in college? Wow, I'd LOVE that......