POLITICS

Obama’s Lincoln

During the campaign, he pledged to be a unifying leader. Good thing for Obama there are other presidents whose experiences he can draw on, including one, in particular, from his home state.

By Evan Thomas and Richard Wolffe | NEWSWEEK
Published Nov 15, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Nov 24, 2008

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  • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/05/2008 7:52:53 PM

    Lincoln may have been a unifier, but only after a half million or so Americans died in the cause of either unity, or independence.

  • Posted By: fabpnk2 @ 12/01/2008 11:09:25 AM

    Obama shouldn't be compared to Lincoln. Lincoln was too great ! Obama shouldn't be president ! And I find it insulting to Abraham Lincoln that you put Obama on the penny.

  • Posted By: VinnyC @ 11/26/2008 10:09:37 PM

    The socialist B. Hussein Obama isn't worthy to spit shine President Lincoln's boots.

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/23/2008 12:54:34 PM

    Floridave: Personally, i was not there and am not arguing your point.
    By all accounts Lincoln had a lot to deal with and history recounts that he did a great job, and that's what we like about him.
    My point is that this is almost 2009, and the next president has a tremendous variety of super-complex issues to address, both domestically and globally.
    So it is at the least, silly to try and compare or play crystal ball.

    • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/23/2008 2:23:56 PM

      The reason it's silly is because this article compares the certainty of history with the future of the unproven. It's senseless.

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/22/2008 7:25:30 PM

    TexasYank:
    You think Lincoln had anything like the smorgasbord of domestic and global problems,
    basically all of them cliff-hangers, that the 2009 President will have to deal with?
    It's a first for any US president.
    If you think Lincoln would have a chance, go ahead and beam him up.
    We'll see what he has to say.

    • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/23/2008 12:23:14 PM

      You mean like half the country seceeding? Yes, I think Lincoln had some problems on his plate.

  • Posted By: George555 @ 11/22/2008 11:35:47 AM

    The most surprising report is that Larry King of CNN may be named Press Secretary . . . do not understand that choice at all . . .

    • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/22/2008 2:43:50 PM

      I think that's contingent on him living until then

  • Posted By: rsraul @ 11/22/2008 1:56:26 AM

    I am hopeful that President-elect Obama will follow through with a bi-partisan administration. I actually met Editor in Chief Meacham at the Nixon Library recently where he spoke on Jackson. I told him how my family is made up of liberals and conservatives. Actually, my question to John was whether the media and politicians can keep labeling California as a state made up celebrities and left wingers when I'm part of a latino family that has a 50-50 split of Dems and Repubs, and are part of the state of Reagan, Brown, Dukajian and "the Governator!" But it goes to the point that Americans are a true bi-partisan group. WE NEED THAT IN DC!!!!

    • Posted By: Vypurr @ 11/22/2008 11:09:29 AM

      We can hope, however most administrations won't do that with positions of real power. I may have missed a few, but normally they will offer Secretary of Education and similar positions to the opposite party for show, but that's about as far as it goes. Maybe Obama will be different.

  • Posted By: TexasYank @ 11/22/2008 1:34:03 AM

    It is unfathomable that a magazine would have the audacity to attempt a comparison between a part-time senator two months from taking office and one of the greatest leaders in American history. Start and end the discussion with them both being from Illinois...end of comparison.

    How about letting him get into office first to convert all of this Hope and Change into some real spreading of the wealth? By then I'll expect to see a papal endorsement from Newsweek.

    • Posted By: jimbo3800 @ 11/22/2008 8:03:09 AM

      It is unfathomable, but hardly a surprise to anyone who has been reading Newsweak for the past 2 years. They have become the Official Barack Hussien Obama Fanclub Newsletter. They through out any pretense of objectivity many months ago.

      • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/22/2008 2:54:52 PM

        If you subscribe to Newsweek during the month of December, they will give you a little plaster statue of Obama for your dashboard.

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/22/2008 12:45:00 AM

    whatisreal: Some of the folks you mention were fed on direct line by the McDuo, via countless robocalls, mailings and unsolicited emails around this country. Maybe if i write it down and keep repeating it, it will make sense? The lack of concern for consequences was in my book, beyond/beyond all belief.

    Those who read directly about Obama, know what he has to offer. We will move on from the terrible negative bias in our culture, which has been taking root for quite some time. Obama is right when he talks about hope. Victims are easily created in a climate of fear and war ~ and especially the poverty created by war.

    In reponse to your comment: If the 'religious' folks remember what their teacher said; 'thou shalt not kill, love thy neighbour as thy self, judge not lest you be judged' ...... we can have a good world.

    Sometimes the biggest laughs come from the shenanikans and crass humor from all sides, on this blog.
    There is a positive thing going on and thanks to Newsweek for giving the air time.

  • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 1:47:39 PM

    What I really hope is that Obama paranoia does not propagate beyond the fringe freaks and escalate to the point where some freak tries to take his life. If there are people that think he is going to do all of these dangerous things, maybe they will attempt to save us all from him.

    That is one of my concerns after hearing all of the Obama paranoia. Especially from the hard core Bush supporters on the right. There are some scary people there. Not that there aren't any on the left, but teh right just got their head handed to them in the election and are not really happy about it, and I am more concerned about people who believe they are doing the will of God (terrorists, etc) than somebody who does not find that justifcation.

    Not trashing beliefs here, or any believers, just concerned about religious nuts who see Obama as this threat to all of us.

  • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 1:26:33 PM

    Just in case you didn't see this Bill: Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/19/2008 2:38:14 PM
    Comment: Hey tough guy, post your name and address.

    Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 7:36:13 PM
    Comment: Ya, right, oohh scary. What are you going to do, stalk my family you fruitcake. If you were in a bar it would be welcomed, and if you understaood what you were getting into you would decide differently.

    So let me say it again, comparing Hitler to Obama is the same kind of crp that was being fed, fear. And I will say again, people that use fear are the fearful, and many are punklosers hiding behind their keyboards. Just my opinion, and if you ever see me around you can try and shove it down my throat.

  • Posted By: Mr_Sundayschool @ 11/21/2008 9:37:54 AM

    Hopefully Obama won't cause over 600,000 americans to be killed while he brings about all this unification.

    • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 1:46:00 PM

      Yes, and he will force us to wear upside down flag pins, because he is secretly in league with Satan. And he will brinng on the apocolyps and the rapture will come about and all of us non believers will be cast out and wander aimlessly awaiting our fate. At that time we will meet Stalin, and Hitler, and Reagan, and Nixon, and watch as Ronald does Nixon impersonations while we all applaud his craft.

      Then we will be greeted by the dark massiah himself who is both light and shadow, and he will cast his shadow over us, and we will be swept up and thrown into a lake of burning sulfur, where we will drink ice tea, and sing songs of unity.

      • Posted By: Mr_Sundayschool @ 11/21/2008 4:14:16 PM

        Actually my comment was a sardonic reference to a historical reality. Over 600,000 Americans died as a result of Lincoln???s effort to be a "unifying leader" by force of arms (an unfortunate policy that has continued throughout the 20th century and persists to this very day - i.e. Iraq, Bosnia, Vietnam, Korea, etc.). It was not I who made the comparison of Obama to Lincoln (you should read the article to which these comments are attached). I was merely expressing the hope that such a thing would not be necessary to Obama's glorious presidency but something (history) tells me US policy in this respect is unlikely to see "change".

        • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 4:35:01 PM

          Very respectable, thanks for clearing that up:)

    • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 1:41:13 PM

      What I really hope is that Obama paranoia does not propagate beyond the fringe freaks and escalate to the point where some freak tries to take his life. If there are people that think he is going to do all of these dangerous things, maybe they will attempt to save us all from him.

      That is one of my concerns after hearing all of the Obama paranoia. Especially from the hard core Bush supporters on the right. There are some scary people there. Not that there aren't any on the left, but teh right just got their head handed to them in the election and are not really happy about it, and I am more concerned about people who believe they are doing the will of God (terrorists, etc) than somebody who does not find that justifcation.

      Not trashing beliefs here, or any believers, just concerned about religious nuts who see Obama as this threat to all of us.

  • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 7:02:36 PM

    Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 12:44:58 PM
    "Comment: You can cheer for the middle, but it's useless to vote for them. You have to go either left or right, and then grimace a little when you punch the card. Only one electoral vote has been recorded in the last 40 years for a third party. Even Ross Perot with millions and millions of votes was just a novelty. Thanks to him the left snuck in a guy we had to impeach.

    You might want to consider holding your nose and picking a party."



    The freaks are on the fringes, left and right. Many are in the center, not everybody is a puppet of a party, religion or movement.

    BTW, the only reason Bush was not impeached was because many of the Dems in congress are a bunch of cowards with no backbone. That and the fact the last impeachment was a fiasco where Clinton was stupid enough to give the rabid right something to nail him on. That impeachment was such an embarassment to our country. Monica Lewinsky, wow, what a joke...

    No Bush supported has room to say anything at all about anybody, Nixon, Carter, anybody!

  • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 6:43:11 PM

    "Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 4:46:14 PM
    Comment: The best way to address world poverty is through contraception. Give them a sandwich and neuter them. Problem solved."

    Starting with christians, mormons, and catholics...as long as you're good with that I'm in ;)

    • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 11:04:15 PM

      Mormons and Catholics ARE Christians. The problem with your plan is that Mormons already have a years supply of sandwiches so it will be harder to motivate them towards neutering. Do you have a back up plan?

      • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 1:18:30 PM

        Ya, but they don't have the beer:)

        • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/21/2008 1:55:13 PM

          Or even coffee.

          • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/21/2008 2:03:08 PM

            I offer them a beer when they come to my door and I am always turned down, i just don't get it...

            • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/21/2008 6:01:42 PM

              Yeah I just do a chalk outline of a body and through some Mormon flyers around it, they don't come to my door ;)

              • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/21/2008 10:07:59 PM

                Try answering the door wearing nothing but a goat mask. Turn on a fog machine if you have one. It keeps them away for a long, long time.

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/20/2008 6:13:55 PM

    This religous rhetoric is getting me edgy. I believe in God but I've done my share of ungodly blogging. I do know this, when reckoning day comes, i'm going to make myself scarce. I'd advise you to follow my lead.

    Just to prove that God is a Good God, my wings just arrived. Chicken Wings that is. I'm out c.u. later

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/20/2008 6:09:54 PM

    To what is real, I think global warming and or cooling is a greater threat or a cyber attack do not worry your head about the Anti-Christ.

    • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:16:51 PM

      And I was looking forward to go hot tubbing with Hitler and Reagan, dang!

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/20/2008 6:08:19 PM

    Harley you have been HACKED.
    Eddiwhere can tame any lion
    57 million people voted for McCain over 47% of the American of the popular vote. According to myth the Anti-Christ is suppose to be "worshipped by everyone" " under his spell.
    People were devestated by Bush's policies this is why they flocked to OBAMA. GOD BLESS IOWA, for it they who triggered the OBAMA SUNAMI.

    There are very few people in
    Government that have access to the world's knowledge. It is shared amongst an elite few and they are very
    secretive. When Truman was informed that UFO's were discovered a special part of the military was asked to analyze the material that was found.
    This military hired top scientists who were sworn to secrecy. Over time these technologies were adopted by
    defense contractors and slowly released to the public. The people who run these entities work in conjuction
    with the CIA. Only people at the top of these agencies know whats going on. Knowledge is power and "Power is knowledge"(eddiwhere 08). If the public
    had access to even a fraction of this knowlege these elites have, then there would be a panic. UFO's is just the tip of the iceberg. The President represents these
    elites and this is why they help protect this knowlege. It is like if someone discovered the original arc of the covenant and the original ten commandments.
    For example Muhammed was not visited by GOD but rather SATAN. Muhammed confused Satan for GOD. IF he thought GOD WAS SATAN then he would not follow his
    will. Think about it. The devil is very cunninPart of Evil is deception. If God had passed his message on to Humans. Would Satan not do the same. It is very difficult for
    humans to think like this. Muhammed thought God was telling him to conquer the earth until everyone became a Muslim and recognized there was only one GOD ALLAH.
    Satan is very powerful and very cunning. TOday we have people committing suicide in the name of ISLAM. THAT is what Satan intended to do. THis is his way of fighting
    GOD. ANd he did it in a genius way. He disguised himself like GOD and used Muhammed as his conduit.
    Muhammed confused Satan for GOD. IF he thought GOD WAS SATAN then he would not follow his will. Think about it.

    This is why MUHAMMED was so successful because he really believed he was carrying out the will of GOd and justified murder in his name.
    IF you read about Muhammed's life you will see that what I am stating is backed by facts.

  • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:06:28 PM

    Comment: Yes, and he will force us to wear upside down flag pins, because he is secretly in league with Satan. And he will brinng on the apocolyps and the rapture will come about and all of us non believers will be cast out and wander aimlessly awaiting our fate. At that time we will meet Stalin, and Hitler, and Reagan, and Nixon, and watch as Ronald does Nixon impersonations while we all applaud his craft.

    Then we will be greeted by the dark massiah himself who is both light and shadow, and he will cast his shadow over us, and we will be swept up and thrown into a lake of burning sulfur, where we will drink ice tea, and sing songs of unity.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/20/2008 5:59:51 PM

    Harley you have been HACKED.

    57 million people voted for McCain over 47% of the American of the popular vote. According to myth the Anti-Christ is suppose to be "worshipped by everyone" " under his spell.
    People were devestated by Bush's policies this is why they flocked to OBAMA. GOD BLESS IOWA, for it they who triggered the OBAMA SUNAMI.

    There are very few people in
    Government that have access to the world's knowledge. It is shared amongst an elite few and they are very
    secretive. When Truman was informed that UFO's were discovered a special part of the military was asked to analyze the material that was found.
    This military hired top scientists who were sworn to secrecy. Over time these technologies were adopted by
    defense contractors and slowly released to the public. The people who run these entities work in conjuction
    with the CIA. Only people at the top of these agencies know whats going on. Knowledge is power and "Power is knowledge"(eddiwhere 08). If the public
    had access to even a fraction of this knowlege these elites have, then there would be a panic. UFO's is just the tip of the iceberg. The President represents these
    elites and this is why they help protect this knowlege. It is like if someone discovered the original arc of the covenant and the original ten commandments.
    For example Muhammed was not visited by GOD but rather SATAN. Muhammed confused Satan for GOD. IF he thought GOD WAS SATAN then he would not follow his
    will. Think about it. The devil is very cunninPart of Evil is deception. If God had passed his message on to Humans. Would Satan not do the same. It is very difficult for
    humans to think like this. Muhammed thought God was telling him to conquer the earth until everyone became a Muslim and recognized there was only one GOD ALLAH.
    Satan is very powerful and very cunning. TOday we have people committing suicide in the name of ISLAM. THAT is what Satan intended to do. THis is his way of fighting
    GOD. ANd he did it in a genius way. He disguised himself like GOD and used Muhammed as his conduit.
    Muhammed confused Satan for GOD. IF he thought GOD WAS SATAN then he would not follow his will. Think about it.

    This is why MUHAMMED was so successful because he really believed he was carrying out the will of GOd and justified murder in his name.
    IF you read about Muhammed's life you will see that what I am stating is backed by facts.

  • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:29:27 PM

    Do you Obama supporters think that Obama will raise taxes and make it a patriotic duty?

    • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:05:08 PM

      Yes, and he will force us to wear upside down flag pins, because he is secretly in league with Satan. And he will brinng on the apocolyps and the rapture will come about and all of us non believers will be cast out and wander aimlessly awaiting our fate. At that time we will meet Stalin, and Hitler, and Reagan, and Nixon, and watch as Ronald does Nixon impersonations while we all applaud his craft.

      Then we will be greeted by the dark massiah himself who is both light and shadow, and he will cast his shadow over us, and we will be swept up and thrown into a lake of burning sulfur, where we will drink ice tea, and sing songs of unity.

  • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 5:08:27 PM

    Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/19/2008 4:36:26 PM
    Comment: The "*** heap" was started way before Bush. Lincoln, Wilson, FDR, and Nixon did much worse than Bush to destroy freedom.

    Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:01:18 PM
    Comment: That's exactly my point. These libs want to blame everything and anything on Republicans and Bush. Yet, when someone criticizes their messiah, they get all defensive and bent out of shape.

    Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 4:51:28 PM
    Comment: Messiah? Are you high or you just stupid.?

    I am not going to attempt to read tea leaves and spout sht about Obama, he has not even taken office yet. I will reserve my judgements until then. I am not going to give any predjudice and credibility as if they know what Obama will do, etc, that is a joke and is really ignorant.

    It is just hard to hear somebody prejuding Obama when he is not in office and we have dealt with a disaster of an administration that IS responsible for so many inept policies, and many are criminal as far as I am concerned.

    I have to telll you if you think with your "libs" comment you are being smart, it shows your ignorance about the world around you. People don't fit into your clean and neat little box where they are this or that. That is how out of touch you are. I don't see people as little puppets of a movement or religion that you can neatly categorize to make it easy for myself to be in denial or ignorant.

    When you speak in those terms you seem very ignorant and I hope that type or predjudice is part of a dying generation that will continue to get exposed and marginalized.

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:34:22 PM

      My point is that he doesn't have a history of doing anything that we can relay to his judgement. I reserve the right to not like the guy since you have the right not to like GW Bush. So if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen! So are you telling me that you chose Obama "hoping" that he'd do a good job without checking out the guys track record? It is no longer OK to vote Present. It is time for him to make tough decisions that will impact the whole country and at times the world, so if you voted on "hope" and "change" you had better known what you were getting us into!

      • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 6:20:17 PM

        There we go, all the FOXNEWS talking points are spilling out now,. I love it..."he voted present"...you mean he took a stance and did not cave to the pressure form one side or the other...what a terrible thing. Thanks for hitting the talking points though, nice work exposing yourself...AGAIN.

        As for hating Bush vs. hating Obama, last time i checked Obama was NOT responsible for the deaths of over 8000 Americans...really do wish I could say the same for bush...my friends.

        • Posted By: maxanddarla @ 11/20/2008 7:05:17 PM

          Check your facts HarleyisHere. I heard recently where something like 12k to 14k active military died during the Clinton administration...and for what?? So Osama bin Laden could go completely unchecked and kill over 3k American innocents on 9/11? I am NOT a Bush fan but Obama will create even far greater casualites at home when our economy crashes because of his filibuster proof Dems spending out of control. Obama is NOT a centrist he only pretended to be one to get elected. This Country needs an Abraham Lincoln right now to do what is right and just with prudence and humility. Prudence and humility are NOT part of Barack Obama's vocabulary

          • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 7:16:36 PM

            I am glad you are not a Bush fan because under Bush spending was, well, we doubled our national debt, and the GOP gave him all the power he needed to do it.

      • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 5:56:18 PM

        No, what I am telling you is that Bush was/is a disaster, and I am not alone in that. I do have some sympathy for him, but not for his policies.

        I am also telling you there is no way in he!! I would have voted for McCain after he chose his running mate. Until then I was on the fence.

        As far as Obama, i know how the senate works, and I am not going to comapre Obama to Hitler, or any of that crp. And I am not going to talk about socialism, or any of that tripe either.

        Obama was in my estimation the only choice, and in my estimation he is way more qualified than Bush in almost every respect. I take that back, there really is not a way to compare. Bush was a puppet, Cheney was the puppetmaster for 6 or Bush's 8 years, until Bush grew up and finally took some control.

  • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 5:05:36 PM

    Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/19/2008 4:36:26 PM
    Comment: The "*** heap" was started way before Bush. Lincoln, Wilson, FDR, and Nixon did much worse than Bush to destroy freedom.

    Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:01:18 PM
    Comment: That's exactly my point. These libs want to blame everything and anything on Republicans and Bush. Yet, when someone criticizes their messiah, they get all defensive and bent out of shape.

    Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 4:51:28 PM
    Comment: Messiah? Are you high or you just stupid.?

    I am not going to attempt to read tea leaves and spout sht about Obama, he has not even taken office yet. I will reserve my judgements until then. I am not going to give any predjudice and credibility as if they know what Obama will do, etc, that is a joke and is really ignorant.

    It is just hard to hear somebody prejuding Obama when he is not in office and we have dealt with a disaster of an administration that IS responsible for so many inept policies, and many are criminal as far as I am concerned.

    I have to telll you if you think with your "libs" comment you are being smart, it shows your ignorance about the world around you. People don't fit into your clean and neat little box where they are this or that. That is how out of touch you are. I don't see people as little puppets of a movement or religion that you can neatly categorize to make it easy for myself to be in denial or ignorant.

    When you speak in those terms you seem very ignorant and I hope that type or predjudice is part of a dying generation that will continue to get exposed and marginalized.

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/20/2008 4:20:05 PM

    maryna1;
    what happened to McGovern's end to hunger program, do you remember what is was called?

  • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 4:11:53 PM

    This is truly a sad testimony to a lonely blogger...

    "Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/20/2008 2:59:44 PM
    Comment: Bill Smith is convinced..."

    who responds directly?

    "Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 3:14:33 PM
    Comment: So you must be in favor of..." hmmm?

    and there was this...

    "Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 2:01:15 PM
    Comment: Ever heard the term "Projection" bill..."

    and who responds directly...

    "Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:24:23 PM
    Comment: Wow, now you're trying to play Dr. Phil? I'd like to debate your case on MY "supposed" symptoms..." I see a pattern forming here, not to mention the absurd remarks from both screen names...just a thought, walks like a duck, talks like a duck...If you need friends, we're here, just relax, ease up on the paranoia, ask yourself this question: Can you name three things about Obama you LIKE? real things, not joking, if you can't then you are simply an extremist and there is no hope for you. If you can then maybe there is hope at least your mind is not entirely closed...I'll await your response...both of you...lol ;)

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:40:58 PM

      Can you name three things about Obama you LIKE? real things, not joking, if you can't then you are simply an extremist and there is no hope for you. If you can then maybe there is hope at least your mind is not entirely closed...I'll await your response...both of you...lol ;)
      I'll answer your question since you won't answer mine:
      Some good things that I like about Obama:
      1. Articulate speaker
      2. Nice looking family
      3. Has a good poker face

      How can you say someone that does not like or agree with Obama be labled an extremist and that we have no hope? I just don't think he will be able to handle the tough issues. He's not battle tested and that's why I did not vote for him. In other words, I don't feel comfortable, especially with the people he has chosen for his staff and the Pelosi congress. I feel our country is in trouble, but those that don't see it will need a major catastrophe to happen to realize he was the wrong choice! That is just my opinion. Call me paranoid or whatever, that's just how I feel!

      • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 6:42:36 PM

        Now that was an honest response, no rhetoric about fascist or marxist, I disagree, obviously, but well put. You re right you are entitled to your HONEST opinion as we all are, except "canadians" who post here...lol What matters is if and GOD FORBID the great disaster happens and Obama shines through, will you admit it, will you then be on board, I believe, I trust, I hope, all positive things, I am NOT the only one who feels this way in light of the direction the country has chosen. Time will tell, let me put it to you this way...If a girl has sex with everybody she meets you might say she is "experienced" but do you want her as your girl friend? I and 52% of America do not want just another Washington whore, who has "experience" but NO ethics. Obama has experience where it truly matters and for the rest, he has US.

        • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 11:04:58 PM

          You must be pretty sleepy. You're sounding rational.

      • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:25:30 PM

        Man, my typing suks!

      • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:23:29 PM

        1. He didn't seem to have a chance, but took out the powerful Clintons, and ran a campain that showed what he is capable of. He smacked down the GOP attack machine at every turn, is not a pussssy of a democrat. People don't give him credit for the campain and what he accdomplished with it. That is a serious underestimation of his potential.
        2, He stood tall during the campain when McCain faltered.
        3. He has an excellent education and has overcome some very serious odds

        4.

  • Posted By: maryna1 @ 11/20/2008 4:08:28 PM

    I wish the candidate would discuss global poverty more. According to The Borgen Project:
    $30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
    $540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget

    • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 4:46:14 PM

      The best way to address world poverty is through contraception. Give them a sandwich and neuter them. Problem solved. Out of fairness, you could make the sandwich optional.

      • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 5:10:52 PM

        Nice, sounds like your dad needed the sandwich:)

        • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 5:24:30 PM

          You have a better idea? I suspect most leftys would go to the poorest parts of Africa and sponsor In vitro clinics.

          • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 8:16:06 PM

            Ask Rev Wright, wasn't that why the HIV virus was invented??

            Too many kooky people out there...

        • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:24:00 PM

          What an idiotic reply! And you want to suggest that I'm on drugs or stupid? Take a look in the mirror Jack!

          • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:37:32 PM

            BTW, the drugs or stupid comment revolved around an assumptuion that Obama is my Messiah. If I was going to worship anybody the last person would be a politician. So lets get that straight...

          • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:32:24 PM

            I didn't suggest you were on drugs or stupid, i asked if you were on drugs or were you stupid. The difference is stark.

          • Posted By: whatisreal? @ 11/20/2008 6:30:36 PM

            Appropriate reply within the context. I thought it was kind of funny seeing as how (and I hope he was joking) that people should be neutered.

            I just looked in the mirror, and I am getting more grey by the day. BTW, my name is not Jack:)

            • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/20/2008 11:01:41 PM

              I am not suggesting castration (although that would give them something to eat), I would suggest a long term contraceptive. And a sandwich.

  • Posted By: cutecaramel @ 11/20/2008 3:54:56 PM

    to any person who posted racist comment on this website, I think u all grew up hating yourself, hating who you are...this is so typical from people who have low esteem of themselves, of people who are weak and who need to treat others of all anmes to feel better. well, you ahve the right to be racist, that is your problem, but remember this,
    now about you bdhotwheel, what kind of nickname is that?? what wheel is hot? the ones between your legs or the one behind? you treat people as monkeys, liberals as lost cause; basically, the only monkey I see here is you as your comments reflect your limited thoughts and your capable of discerning between your in-between legs and a lipsick on a pig.
    INstead of opening your mouth, go and study at sicences po Paris or HEC montreal or Harvard if you ahve sth between your legs..but apprently, you don`t seem to. Learn how to become a bit smarter, abit more critical to some issues...well...just learn may be to like yourself better, thats the first step..the rest will come ..

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:43:26 PM

      Where did racist come from? You are the one sterotyping me and others in here that are trying to state our opinions. You need to learn not to take things to the heart. You're going to get all stressed out! May screen name has nothing to do with me. Stay on the topic. It's not about me sister!

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/20/2008 2:59:44 PM

    Bill Smith is convinced that real freedom equals no government.. Of course that could not be the case. There are plenty of examples around the world where there is no law to disprove that. I doubt Bill suggests that we have a world where only the strongest and most powerful survive. I'm sure none of us here would be around long if that were the case. Most of us would agree that we pay too much to the government for what we recieve in protection and infrastructure. Bill is certainly an anarchist as defined by shaysite. No taxation without representation. Ring a bell? Wanting a bigger bang for our buck is not anarchy. that's it for Bill. Bill smith has has his 15 minutes.

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 3:14:33 PM

      So you must be in favor of the spread the wealth plan? You actually think it will help the economy to give people that do not deserve it, free money? Yeah, thats going to give a boost to the economy!

  • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 2:01:15 PM

    Ever heard the term "Projection" bill, look it up, might help you...Repsuck was spot on son, you do have issues.
    Socialist
    Fascist
    now
    Totalitarianism?
    you have made several Hitler refenences, so Nazi also...or white supremist...LMAO! Obama a white supremist...why not, he's half white.

    Maybe look up "Paranoia", possibly "PTSD" (from the last 8 yrs of repig fear pandering) all of these fit your sympthoms, you just need de-programing and maybe some sort of POSITIVE belief system, in something, if you have one please share it with the group...it should be interesting.

    • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 2:42:17 PM

      I can see you still offer nothing of substance. But I have come to expect that from fascists and Marxists. I never once said Obama was a Nazi or a white supremacist. Many of his policies reflect the same failed ideas of Hitler and fascism in general.

      • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 3:46:08 PM

        There ya said it, AGAIN, and my bad for leaving out "Marxist"...LMAO! any other paranoid accusations you???d like to hurl, while you're at it. FYI I am a registered republican, but I am first and foremost and AMERICAN, so I vote for I believe is best for my country, that was NOT BUSH and definitely NOT McPalin. As I said, if you want to learn about Obama, open your mind and READ, the information is there, just avoid bigoted morons like Limpdouche, insaHannity, orally, and FOX NEWS in general, get the fruit form the tree. Obama.com or Change.org, give it a try, come out of your closet take off the tinfoil hat and try to comprehend beyond your hatred for all things not you.

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:24:23 PM

      Wow, now you're trying to play Dr. Phil? I'd like to debate your case on my "supposed" symptoms but that would be a waste of time. Tell me what Obama has done in his past (we're talking track record, not raised a family, community organizer, or other irrelivant issues like that) that makes you believe that he will be a good leader of this country besides pure rhetoric?

      • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 2:35:02 PM

        Ladies and Gentlemen...we have a winner! Schizo-Blogger "BILL" or "bdhotwheel". I rest my case. Thank you, man that was easy, you guys always seem to hang yourselves, but usually it takes a while, this was just a day or so, sloppy work Billhot.
        If you wnat to know about Obama, the info is out there, I REFUSE to spoon feed repigs, that's what FOXNEWS does, rush limpdouche also, the information is out there, READ son, learn, gfet past your FEAR open your mind, you might see a brighter world out there.

        as for Dr, Phil, that, of all you have said to me was a true insult LMAO!

        • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:49:03 PM

          Figures Harley can't answer the question. Typical liberal! Good luck in the next 4 years. I already took my money out of the stock market. You are too much man. Always full of assumptions and a typical teapot calling the kettle black!

          • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 11/20/2008 4:23:41 PM

            You finally sold? A bit too late don't you think?

            • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 4:26:39 PM

              Hey Pia, how are ya girl ;)

              • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:26:38 PM

                Answer the question Harley! Convince me why I should have voted for Obama! Tell me what Obama has done in his past (we're talking track record, not raised a family, community organizer, or other irrelivant issues like that) that makes you believe that he will be a good leader of this country besides pure rhetoric?

        • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 2:44:06 PM

          You have to have a case in the first place in order to rest it. Your childish antics are getting very old. Can you grow up, at least for ten minutes, and have a discussion?

          • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:51:21 PM

            Liberals don't know how to do that. Sorry Bill, they are a lost cause!

            • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 3:32:46 PM

              EWE! it's talking it's self...wierd and creepy.

              • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:27:43 PM

                Was that supposed to be a comment Harley? Either you don't know how to spell or don't make any sense!!

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/20/2008 1:53:07 PM

    I worked with a guy we'll call Jake, who was raised by his grandmother in Rhode Island who reminds me of Bill Smith. He hated the government but paid his taxes. He was a gun enthusiast and often made mention of being prepared for the time the government came for his guns. I used to joke that if we were ever invaded, i would head for his house. He was as hard as nails with his kids, real physical if you get my drift. He had a hair temper and threaten more than a few of the other tradesmen who were dumb enough to argue with him. I figure he was pretty much isolated from the real world by his grandmother and when he went out it it, he was shock by everything he encountered. Bill differs from the Jake i knew in that Bill knows some history and uses a computer. Other than that i think bill is basically brainwashed. I was 2 years older than jake but he adopted those thing that were from an older generation. Jake feared nothing and was always ready for battle. I never tried to change him because I knew i couldn't.

  • Posted By: shaysite @ 11/20/2008 1:49:21 PM

    I was responding to Bill. I don't see any basis for disagreement with you.

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/20/2008 1:40:22 PM

    Shay are you reacting to me or to Bill?
    While from very different roots, we were having an exchange of sorts.

    A rational, economical and helpful government such as is being proposed by Obama is a great thing, in my view. Most of us have been getting poorer and it is time to start dealing with that.

    Maybe it rang your bell a bit, when I made the point that the military complex in the US
    has been encroaching more and more upon our civic life.

    More...

  • Posted By: shaysite @ 11/20/2008 1:14:36 PM

    "Government itself is a killer of real freedom." Only an anarchist could phrase it so.

    Regardless of their factional views, our founders would have universally disagreed. They all believed that rational government by the people of a republic was the best if not only guarantee of freedom. They also drew a clear distinction between liberty and license, insisting that only the former was virtuous, because only it came with the responsibilities required to protect lasting freedom.

    Anarchism, on the other hand, is a relative late comer to this country-appearing here for the first time in the latter half of the 19th century. To those who want to revive it again here, I say what was often said when it first appeared: "Keep your dangerous foreign ideas out of this country." Our republic wasn't founded on them and they don't work here.

    • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 1:36:34 PM

      Your "republic" was founded on theft. That is how governments functions. It has steal money from the productive in order to rule over them. America was a much better place during the time of the real founders under the Articles of Confederation, before the illegal drafting of the Constitution.

      • Posted By: shaysite @ 11/20/2008 1:46:56 PM

        On the Articles of Confederation, believe it or not, I actually agree with you. However, not even the framers of the Articles were Anarchists. They wrote the articles on the assumption that states would continue to have the power to collect taxes (mostly on 'productive' shippers and merchants).

        • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 2:44:29 PM

          I never said they were. I merely pointed out that America under the AOC was a much more tolerable place, and people had more liberty

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/20/2008 10:31:27 AM

    Bill, as a secret anthropologist, i really would like you to give me more insight into your thinking.

    If civic life becomes just an extension of the military complex, which is where we have been heading, we would be completely controlled by government.
    Is this something you would be for, then? What is your definition of totalitarianism, coz i think you have it wrong.

    • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 10:41:56 AM

      Are you referring to the national police force that Obama is all for? Sort of like Hitler???s SS?

  • Posted By: TruthForward @ 11/20/2008 10:13:05 AM

    Well, I hope Obama keeps a lot of loyal people around him. Rivals may let bad stuff happen.

  • Posted By: david777 @ 11/20/2008 6:50:21 AM

    Lincoln ended slavery to crush the south economically. And that's the truth.

    • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 8:18:56 AM

      Lincoln did not free one slave. The 13th Amendment ended slavery and that was after his death. He attacked the South because they refused to pay his outrageous tariffs. It seems the only ???truth??? you know is what is ???taught??? in government school.

      • Posted By: we did it! @ 11/20/2008 8:41:03 AM

        Dear Bill Smith,
        I think it's extrememly sad that you have nothing better to do with your time than to express your extreme libertarian views and force them on us. Give Obama a chance and maybe he will leave you and all your croonies in awe. I hope so. I believe in him and I believe in change. I want a better life for my furture generations and I believe Obama is the answer.

        • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 8:51:23 AM

          I don???t have a libertarian view. The truth hurts for most people, that is why they ignore it. Obama will only make things worse than the tyrant Bush. But then again I???m sure people like you will rejoice when they round up dissenter to take them to re-education camps. Obama is going to take Amerika down the road that Lincoln, Wilson, and FDR only dreamed of, totalitarianism.

          • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 1:17:19 PM

            Is this the material they hand out at the Klan meatings now, lol, you are truly demented, it's getting kinda silly now, what next, gonna tell us how Obama set those wild fies in SoCal...moron, get back in you bunker and wait for the end...as it is obviously near...in your mind.

            • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/20/2008 1:31:26 PM

              Klan meeting? Now you are really getting pathetic. Can you discuss things like a mature adult or will you continue with childish antics?

              • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 2:53:19 PM

                Yeah Bill, you have to be careful with this Harley character. He likes to talk out of the wrong side of his face. The side that also farts!

                • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 5:35:39 PM

                  And it makes jokes with it's self....scarey.

                  • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 5:48:13 PM

                    Harley is a funny guy. He think I am Bill just like he thought McCain was Bush! LMAO. And you want to suggest in this article that Abe is Obama! You are nuts!

                    • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/20/2008 5:57:43 PM

                      I maybe "nuts" but so far I've used only one ID here, you on the other hand...well that's addressed above ;)

  • Posted By: Churchill USA @ 11/20/2008 5:03:49 AM

    Good grief, since when did Newsweek become Mad magazine? Describing Obama as humble is much like saying Madonna is an introvert. Have you all lost your minds? Don't bother to answer that question, there are few minds at this rag to be lost.....

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 3:00:42 PM

      I agree. Chruchill, but the libs see the connection. From where is beyond the scope of reality!

  • Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 11/19/2008 7:17:34 PM

    Oh that's right, anybody NOT with the racist agenda here is either a Socialist or a Fascist...LMAO! Like anything NOT FOXNEWS is the "Liberal Media"....idiots ;)
    I am an American, that is ALL, just sick is paranoid repig/NPAs who try to spread hate and doubt because of their own insecurities

    • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 7:40:29 PM

      Harley boy, IXNAY ON THE ASCIST FAY! Bill could get strange...er stranger

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 5:53:08 PM

    You know harleyishere is a fascist, don't you Bill?

    • Posted By: bdhotwheel @ 11/20/2008 3:02:24 PM

      We knew that by his crummy comebacks and his disregard to answer questions! Besides he voted for Obama so I could definitely see him being a fascist!

    • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/19/2008 6:20:11 PM

      Most Amerikan sheep are, especially the demopublicans, greens, and libertarians.

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 5:51:51 PM

    It might be a good idea to let Bill smith off the hook here. I suspect he may have issues. If I said anything that was off base , Bill, it's because Harleyishere made me say it. sorry.

    • Posted By: Bill Smith @ 11/19/2008 6:18:20 PM

      Please tell me what my "issues" are. Is it because I don't believe in theft, even if it is called taxation, emanate domain, or asset forfeiture?

  • Posted By: it's about the future @ 11/19/2008 5:39:04 PM

    Dear Bill S,
    Is it that you're anti-all government, just no government, period? That is a free-for-all, deregulatory position, , no drivers licenses, no tax, zero gun control, etc. Is that how you are thinking, then?
    Am genuinely curious, and NOT attacking.

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 5:27:17 PM

    If the dwindling number of Republicans on the blogs is any indication of the rate of shrinkage in the Repubican party, their 2012 convention can be held in a Chucky Cheese!

    • Posted By: Floridave @ 11/19/2008 11:05:04 PM

      Sorry I haven't been around much but I've been picking up a lot of extra work in anticipation of Obama's maniacal tax plan.