Political Chicanery
"We already know the state of the union. It's a lie."
-Congressman DennisKucinich
Margaret Kimberley, Black Agenda Report senior columist says, "It was obvious to all honest people that the Bush administration told many lies to justify the occupation of Iraq. Now a report issued by the Center for Public Integrity counts all of the lies told by Bush,Cheney, Powell, Rumsfeld, Rice, Wolfowitz and company and calculates a grand total of 935."
"Those are 935 grounds for impeachment. Yet the press and most Democrats refuse to use the "I" word. While the Obama/Clinton tit for tat continues, the Democratic party leadership thumbs their noses at their constituents who demand action against the Bush regime." (BAR)
And Obama said, for him, impeachment was off the table. He wouldn't even consider it when the time was right to remove George Bush. When most progressives and constitutionalists supported articles of impeachment against Bush and Cheney - Obama is more than willing to give him a free pass - just like the free pass Obama is getting from "liberal" bloggers.
Paul Krugman's writes in the Feb 4, 2008 New York Times, "If you combine the economic analysis with these political realities, here's what I think it says: If Mrs. Clinton gets the Democratic nomination, there is some chance - nobody knows how big - that we'll get universal health care in the next administration. If Mr. Obama gets the nomination, it just won't happen."
What Every Voter Should Know
"[A]s I've tried to explain in previous columns, there really is a big difference between the candidates' approaches. And new research, just released, confirms what I've been saying: the difference between the plans could well be the difference between achieving universal health coverage - a key progressive goal - and falling far short."
"Specifically, new estimates say that a plan resembling Mrs. Clinton's would cover almost twice as many of those now uninsured as a plan resembling Mr. Obama's - at only slightly higher cost."
"Twice as many people. That's huge. Obama has attacked Hillary Clinton repeatedly for mandating coverage -- but there are critical reasons that everyone be covered."
"NOW Obama is suggesting (as you'll see below) that he may "penalize" people who don't participate. WHAT? Penalize them? Why not just include them in the first place?"
Ezra Klein writing in the Prospect: "Obama not only has a mandate for kids in his own health care plan -- what if the parents can't pay, one might ask? -- but he said, in last night's debate, "If people are gaming the system, there are ways we can address that. By, for example, making them pay some of the back premiums for not having gotten it in the first place." That, of course, is exactly what a mandate does. Gaming the system, in this context, means not purchasing health care. And Obama is now threatening to force them to pay back premiums. That's a harsher penalty than anything Clinton has proposed."
"And how would that work without further encumbering impoverished families? It sounds like it'd be a terrible mess that would leave people in medical care limbo."
Obama waffled on Women's choice
Obama claims now to be pro-choice and was forced to support that position in the campaign in NH when a Clinton flier correctly accused him of being "unwilling to take a stand on choice." Obama is an opportunist on this matter who sits on the fence and the anger from his supporters and from Obama definitely supports that view. His tact has been to deny and to turn the accusation against Clinton, which in this case he was unable to do.
Sarah Liebowitz in the Concord Monitor (Feb 4, 2008) writes: "The mailer said Obama had seven opportunities when he served in the Illinois Senate to "stand up against Republican anti-choice legislation," but that he voted "present" instead of "yes" or "no.""
Clinton pro-choice supporters have pointed out that, "we support Hillary Clinton because she never ducked when choice was at stake."
"Illinois National Organization of Women (NOW) displays a statement (on their website) that criticizes Obama's voting record and applauds the NOW political action committee's endorsement of Clinton."
Who Doesn't Agree With Barack Obama?
Barack Obama Doesn't
And it is all on videotape.
"Videotapes of debates and speeches that were obtained by The Washington Times show that Mr. Obama took positions during his Senate campaign on nearly a half-dozen issues ranging from the Cuba embargo to health care for illegal aliens that conflict with statements that he has made during his run for the White House." (Jen Haberkorn - Feb 1, 2008 - The Washington Times)
In the October 30th presidential debate on MSNBC, Obama said he opposed de-criminalizing marijuana. But when he was a candidate for the U.S. Senate, he told college students in Illinois on January, 2004, he supported decriminalization saying he favored eliminating criminal penalties for the use or possession of marijuana. It is all on the video.
"I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws," Mr. Obama said during a debate at Northwestern University. "But I'm not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana." (WashPost)
"When confronted with the statements on the video, Obama's campaign offered two explanations to The Times in less than 24 hours. At first, Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said the candidate had "always" supported decriminalizing marijuana, suggesting that his 2004 statement was correct. Then after The Times posted copies of the video on its Web site, Washingtontimes.Com, yesterday, his campaign reversed course and declared he does not support eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana possession and use."
Confused?
The Obama spokesperson laid blame for the conflicting statements to confusion about the meaning of decriminalization.
MORE than a slight
problem with that.
At a forum on health care in 2003, Obama said he "absolutely" supported the same benefits citizens receive for the children of illegal (undocumented) aliens - medical or in-state tuition. However, at a CNN debate in January 2008 when asked if his health plan also covered illegal aliens his answer this time was absolutely NO.
In 2004 he told students at Southern Illinois University that `I think it's time for us to end the embargo with Cuba...It's time for us to acknowledge that that particular policy has failed.' However, Obama flip flopped again. - and "he stopped short of calling for an end to the embargo in a Miami Herald op-ed in August. He said he would rely on diplomacy, with a message that if a post-Fidel Castro government made democratic changes, the U.S. `is prepared to take steps to normalize relations and ease the embargo.'" (WashPost.Com)
And at an NAACP debate in October of 2003 he said he would "vote to abolish" the MANDATORY MINIMUM sentences. AND, he said: "The mandatory minimums take too much discretion away from judges," he said. If you now go to his WEBsite, Barack.Com, it says the opposite. It says he would "immediately review sentences to see where we can be smarter on crime and reduce the ineffective warehousing of nonviolent drug offenders." Another Obama Flip-Flop.
He told the AFL-CIO in June 2003" "I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer, universal health care plan."
But, as you all know, he does not endorse a single-payer, universal MANDATED health care plan. He only supports mandates for the kids and the parents will obviously have to wait until we get Hillary who does support mandated coverage for EVERYONE - with affordable premiums and assistance (or FREE) to those who can't pay.
What does he say now about single-payer universal care?
"`Senator Obama has always said that single-payer universal care is a good idea because it would increase efficiency in the system, but the problem is that it's not achievable,' Mr. Vietor said."
Unachievable? Is that is why it does work everywhere else? What is unachievable is substance and change with Barack Obama... The only real change will come from a Hillary Clinton administration and a return to economic sanity.
It is also laughable that the media repeats the canard that Obama is the most liberal candidate. He was rated that by the National Journal, a conservative magazine. He is not progressive and far from liberal. Universal health care is liberal. Obama is not. Perhaps he is the Kenya (not Manchurian) candidate and too many Democrats are drinking the coolaid?
Thick as Thieves
Obama calls for "clean government" don't seem to mean much. Obama endorsed first-time candidate Alexi Giannoulias for state treasurer despite loans the Giannoulias family made through their Broadway Bank to the MOB. Giannoulias and family have also given over (not sure how much over) $10,000 to Obama's campaign. Obama also banks at the Giannoulias owned bank. Giannoulias has also been cited as a principle in an alleged mortgage fraud involving an 83 year old woman 5 years ago.
And from the independent resource, SourceWatch.org regarding Barack Obama's ties to Alexi Giannoulias:
"Alexi Giannoulias--a "man who has long been dogged by charges that the bank his family owns helped finance a Chicago crime figure" and "who became Illinois state treasurer" in 2006 after Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) "vouch-ed for him"--"pledged to raise $100,000 for the senator's Oval Office bid," Charles Hurt reported September 5, 2007, in the New York Post."
"Before he promised to raise funds for Obama, Giannoulias bankrolled Michael `Jaws' Giorango, a Chicagoan twice convicted of bookmaking and promoting prostitution."
"Giannoulias is so tainted by reputed mob links that several top Illinois Dems, including the state's speaker of the House and party chairman, refused to endorse him even after he won the Democratic nomination with Obama's help...."
There is a LOT MORE to Obama's mob ties. This is just the beginning. BUT you see the Republicans know it. The only thing Democrats have going for them is wacko Republicans also don't like John "Wayne" McCain. Some of those Republicans who crossed over to vote for Obama in the primaries may also vote for him in the general election.
It appears, we may again headed for the DARK SIDE.
Did Someone Put Something in the Water?
Obama and Chicago Crime Connections
"Alexi Giannoulias--a `man who has long been dogged by charges that the bank his family owns helped finance a Chicago crime figure' and `who became Illinois state treasurer' in 2006 after Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) "vouched for him"--`pledged to raise $100,000 for the senator's Oval Office bid,' Charles Hurt reported. (September 5, 2007 - New York Post. - `Obama's 'Mob-Tie' Sidekick'"
"`The September 5, 2007, Chicago fundraiser was omitted from Obama's public schedule and the event was closed to the press,' Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times reported. (Lynn Sweet, `Today in Obamaville. Ill. State Giannoulias hosts Obama funder in Chicago. NYPost goes after Giannoulias,' Chicago Sun-Times, September 5, 2007)
It has been reported that besides raising funds for Barack Obama, Giannoulias also, "bankrolled Michael 'Jaws' Giorango, a Chicagoan twice convicted of bookmaking and promoting prostitution."
"Giannoulias is so tainted by reputed mob links that several top Illinois Dems, including the state's speaker of the House and party chairman, refused to endorse him even after he won the Democratic nomination with Obama's help."
"Giannoulias was the bank's vice president and chief loan officer for most of the more than $15 million in loans," Hurt wrote. (in the New York Post) although "he was not charged with breaking any laws. The Obama campaign disputed any suggestion that Obama is tarnished by the association."
"Obama and Giannoulias reportedly met on the basketball court `in the late 1990s ... at the East Bank Club, a luxurious spot in downtown Chicago,' Jodi Kantor wrote June 1, 2007, in the New York Times." "One Place Where Obama Goes Elbow to Elbow," New York Times, June 1, 2007)
"Now, "thanks in part to [Obama's] backing, [Giannoulias] is now the Illinois state treasurer. Other regular gymmates include the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and several investment bankers who were early and energetic fund-raisers," Kantor wrote. [SourceWatch]
"In March 2006, Giannoulias said that "his 'good friend and mentor, Barack Obama,' inspired him to run." (Andrew Davis, "Stonewall Dems Endorse Candidates," Windy City Times, March 8, 2006)
Obama brought out his supporters to support Giannoulias in the state treasurer's position: "white north side progressives and south side blacks," according to Dan Johnson-Weinberger, "Mangieri versus Giannoulias primary a fascinating look at the Democratic Party," DJWinfo, February 4, 2006)
Much of the preceding has been compiled and quoted directly from multiple sources at SourceWatch (org). Why hasn't the mainstream press picked up on any of this? Why was the fundraiser kept secret and closed to the press? Is this another cover-up by Barack Obama.
Bush deceived us. Now Obama? Have so many Democrats and Independents been drugged? Did anyone put something in the water.
Yes, Obama is That Bad
Can you be a supporter of the War Authorization Bill and also be against the war with Iraq? General Wesley K. Clark, who is a ardent opponent of the war in Iraq said in the New York Times on September 19, 2003, he would have supported the Congressional resolution to apply pressure on Iraq which also authorized the invasion of Iraq.
What is often missing from this debate is the provision Hillary Clinton and others in Congress wanted included in the bill - for President Bush to return to Congress before any invasion. Bush refused and the Republicans shot it down.
"General Clark said he saw his position on the war as closer to that of members of Congress who supported the resolution -- Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Senators Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, John Kerry of Massachusetts and John Edwards of North Carolina -- than that of Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor who has been the leading antiwar candidate in the (2004) race." (NYT - Sept 19, 2003)
He said in the Times interview that Dr. Dean was not exposed to the same information members of Congress received and if given that same information and the urgency with which members of the administration stressed and the consequences of a "mushroom cloud" which would devastate the country if actions were not taken to prevent another attack against America - if he heard this and the evidence as presented to Congress (immaterial of the truth of that evidence) he may have decided otherwise. One cannot know unless they were there. The sight of those planes flying into the World Trade Towers on television were still fresh in everyone's minds along with the horrific loss of lives.
Barack Obama also was not in the Congress at that time and did not have access to the same information and made his assertion after the fact that he would be opposed to the bill authorizing President Bush to use all necessary force to secure the homeland unless he was on equal ground with others who authorized the bill. Obama has also said at another time he might have decided differently but he doesn't say that anymore.
General Clark is a supporter of Hillary Clinton for the presidency who has foreign policy experience independent of her husband, but also as the wife of the president where she was involved as a Bill Clinton confidant and partner on many issues and her many government responsibilities as First Lady. And General Clark is outspoken critic of Barack Obama who he says does not have ANY foreign policy experience.
Barack Obama claims no foreign policy experience is necessary to be the President of the United States. That is the mistake made with George W. Bush and one we should want to avoid again by electing someone like the freshman Senator Barack Obama who has not even held a meeting of the oversight committee on Afghanistan, which he has chaired for almost a year; his excuse being he was TOO busy running for president.
In the blog, MyDD, on March 1, 2008, Mike Pridmore answers Barack Obama's assertion that foreign policy experience does not matter. The title of his piece is "Obama's red phone ad is based on lies"
"The political world is buzzing over Senator Clinton's recent 3am red phone ad and Barack Obama's lightspeed response ad. Missing from all this buzz is the fact that Senator Obama's ad depends on several carefully crafted lies."
"Lie number 1: Foreign Policy Experience doesn't matter"
"Supporters of Senator Obama will probably respond that what Senator Obama is really saying is that his good judgment is more important than his foreign policy inexperience or Senator Clinton's superior Foreign Policy experience."
"While it is true that Senator Obama's current position is that his judgment on the Iraq War trumps Senator Clinton's experience. But that isn't what Senator Obama was saying a short three and a half years ago. Here is Obama after winning his Senate seat in November 2004:"
OBAMA: "I am a big believer in knowing what you're doing when you apply for a job. And I think that, if I were to seriously consider running on a national ticket, I would essentially have to start now before having served a day in the Senate. Now there's some people who might be comfortable doing that. But I'm not one of those people."
Pridmore asks,
"Has Senator Obama really changed his mind that much on the the
importance of experience or is he now comfortable with his his
relative inexperience or running for national office from day one
instead of focusing on his Senate duties?"
"By November of 2006, two years later, Obama went from that to skipping the part about his personal discomfort with not knowing what he was doing and just talking about whether it "made sense" or not:"
Obama: "And at that time it was absolutely true that I thought, Well, that doesn't make any sense--I haven't been sworn in yet. Now, there's some, I think, who would argue that it still might not make sense after having only served two years in the U.S. Senate. And that's something that I very much appreciate. I understand it."
Obama Doesn't Make Sense.
Obama is Just
That Bad.
Hank Roth
http://pnews.org/
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Today is Saturday February 04, 2012
Hank Roth (on the Internet since 1982)