Obama and the Special Olympics

[fatso]

stupid thing for him to say. He's right to get called out on it. I don't buy the whole 'people are only offended if they choose to be offended' nonsense. When you say things, you should be accountable for what you say. Especially if you're the President. Doesn't mean you have to apologize or backtrack, but stand by your words. If you decide after the fact that you were wrong to say what you said, then apologize.

That said, there are varying degrees of offence and accountability. And he clearly realized what he did was not in keeping with either his desired public image or his personal principles or both. He did the right thing by calling the Chariman of the Special Olympics right away and apologizing. Can't really ask for too much more than that imo.

[DESS]

I'd hardly compare Bush and Obama, and this topic is barely worth discussing given Obama's major f-up in the last 24 hours has less to do with bad bowling and more to do with appeasing nations in the axis of evil. Not only is Obama spending the USA into oblivion (which will probably drag us down as well), now he's sucking up to Iran of all things! It's showing major weakness on the part of the US - I'm surprised there aren't checks in place to prevent this sort of error in judgement.

Terrorism will never be defeated while he is in power. At least with Bush there was a chance and at least he was trying.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Obama gets another free pass. What else is new?

He will give yet another heart-warming speech, approval ratings will be fine.

Not worried.

[ikaris]

Originally Posted by DESS

Terrorism will never be defeated while he is in power. At least with Bush there was a chance and at least he was trying.

While you are happy with his "trying" the majority of the rest of the world was pretty disgusted. I'm sure the hundreds of thousands of people that have died as a result of his tyranny would be pretty annoyed with your attitude.

I guess America needs to continue bombing random countries to make people like you happy. A reasonable president is obviously not to your liking (as observed by your previous posts as well).

[atb]

Originally Posted by DESS

I'd hardly compare Bush and Obama, and this topic is barely worth discussing given Obama's major f-up in the last 24 hours has less to do with bad bowling and more to do with appeasing nations in the axis of evil. Not only is Obama spending the USA into oblivion (which will probably drag us down as well), now he's sucking up to Iran of all things! It's showing major weakness on the part of the US - I'm surprised there aren't checks in place to prevent this sort of error in judgement.

Terrorism will never be defeated while he is in power. At least with Bush there was a chance and at least he was trying.

Hate just breeds more hate. He's not exactly saying to Iran to go ahead and build some nukes, he's just appeal for diplomacy rather than brinkmanship. There's a strong possibility Bush considered a use of force with Iran, which would just turn more of the Middle East against the US, resulting in more people being recruited into terrorist groups.

The US has an image problem, which terrorist groups are exploiting to recruit new members. With the way Obama comes across, it makes it that much harder for these groups to convince people in the Middle East that the US is the enemy.

[CaptainCrunch]

With approval ratings goes forgivness.

Obama right now is that cute little puppy that gets away with leaving a big steaming turd on the floor, and in fact gets the awe its so cute comment because he has the sad puppy dog look.

Right now because of his speeches around hope and change, the desparate economic situation in the states and the war in Afghanistan he's going to get a lot of wriggle room and latitude for a while.

However in a couple of years if things haven't turned around, if there isn't any true resolution or change in Iraq or Afghanistan and the economy is in the crappy. He goes from being that cute puppy to that dog that breaks everything, can't be house broken, knocks up the neighhours prized poodle and generally makes a mess of everything.

Then its out to the wood shed for old Yeller.

Obama has a definable period of time to start making positive strides, good speeches won't last forever.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by atb

Hate just breeds more hate. He's not exactly saying to Iran to go ahead and build some nukes, he's just appeal for diplomacy rather than brinkmanship. There's a strong possibility Bush considered a use of force with Iran, which would just turn more of the Middle East against the US, resulting in more people being recruited into terrorist groups.

The US has an image problem, which terrorist groups are exploiting to recruit new members. With the way Obama comes across, it makes it that much harder for these groups to convince people in the Middle East that the US is the enemy.

Or it makes it much easier to recruit new terrorists because the enemy's leader is a nice guy; and nice = weakness in their eyes.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by atb

Hate just breeds more hate. He's not exactly saying to Iran to go ahead and build some nukes, he's just appeal for diplomacy rather than brinkmanship. There's a strong possibility Bush considered a use of force with Iran, which would just turn more of the Middle East against the US, resulting in more people being recruited into terrorist groups.

Every president since the Shah fell has considered the use of violence against Iran. And pretty much at this point the U.S. has been the great Satan, the ultimate evil for at least a generation and a focal point for terrorist recruiting for real and perceived slights for longer. It wasn't just Bush that created this problem, it goes back much longer. The terrorists that attacked the World Trade Center didn't pull together a plan right after Bush took office, not did the seizure of American Diplomats take place right after RR took office.

Originally Posted by atb

The US has an image problem, which terrorist groups are exploiting to recruit new members. With the way Obama comes across, it makes it that much harder for these groups to convince people in the Middle East that the US is the enemy.

I have my doubts on that logic. Clinton who was a moderate didn't stop the recruiting of terrorists, nor did Carter who was a dove. The terrorist groups have been there for a looong time, as has extremism, the end of the cold war was one of the biggest accelerants in creating a stronger and more organized breed of terrorist who freed themselves from any sponsership by the two major world powers.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

]b]Obama has a definable period of time to start making positive strides, good speeches won't last forever.[/b]

1. what is the period of time then? bad speeches can get you 8 years. good speeches get you... ?

2. do you think his special olympics gaffe will reduce that definable period of time?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by fatso

1. what is the period of time then? bad speeches can get you 8 years. good speeches get you... ?

2. do you think his special olympics gaffe will reduce that definable period of time?

1) Usually the first two years of the first term could be considered the honeymoon period, The voters start splitting after two years.

2) not on its own, but with the AIG scandal, the budget that he released and the minefield thats caused and some speech gaffes probably start to lower the forgiveness fatio.

3) Negatives usually outweigh positives and gain a momentum of their own especially for high profile public figures. Bush's presidency didn't really start to slide until that stupid mission accomplished gaffe. then it went severly down hill no matter what he did.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

In fairness, Obama really does bowl like a re.....

Ah, I can't post that. It just looks wrong.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by DESS

Terrorism will never be defeated

Ever.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

1) Usually the first two years of the first term could be considered the honeymoon period, The voters start splitting after two years.

2) not on its own, but with the AIG scandal, the budget that he released and the minefield thats caused and some speech gaffes probably start to lower the forgiveness fatio.

3) Negatives usually outweigh positives and gain a momentum of their own especially for high profile public figures. Bush's presidency didn't really start to slide until that stupid mission accomplished gaffe. then it went severly down hill no matter what he did.

very good points. I suspect two years might be a bit generous for the honeymoon period, but that's just a feeling I have.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Kool Keef

Most of us would get destroyed in the Olympics, disabled or not, so the comparison is irrelevant.

.

Most of us would get killed in the special olympics!

[Azure]

Originally Posted by fatso

stupid thing for him to say. He's right to get called out on it. I don't buy the whole 'people are only offended if they choose to be offended' nonsense. When you say things, you should be accountable for what you say. Especially if you're the President. Doesn't mean you have to apologize or backtrack, but stand by your words. If you decide after the fact that you were wrong to say what you said, then apologize.

That said, there are varying degrees of offence and accountability. And he clearly realized what he did was not in keeping with either his desired public image or his personal principles or both. He did the right thing by calling the Chariman of the Special Olympics right away and apologizing. Can't really ask for too much more than that imo.

This is what I have to say about it.....whoever was asking.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by fatso

1. what is the period of time then? bad speeches can get you 8 years. good speeches get you... ?

2. do you think his special olympics gaffe will reduce that definable period of time?

If the Democrats would have ran a better candidate than Kerry, Bush would only have served 4 years.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Azure

If the Democrats would have ran a better candidate than Kerry, Bush would only have served 4 years.

But he won the Purple Heart thrice!

[Azure]

Originally Posted by fatso

very good points. I suspect two years might be a bit generous for the honeymoon period, but that's just a feeling I have.

Well, if mistakes like the 'AIG bonuses' keep happening, you darn right he isn't going to have 2 years for a honeymoon period.

Not that it was a 'mistake'....because almost all those bonuses were guaranteed before the taxpayers ever bailed out AIG in the first place. But, it is hilarious to see the 'outrage'...(watch Jon Stewart's segment on this, quite funny)....from all the DC politicians over 1/10 of 1% of the money AIG got. The other 'billions'.....meh, no big deal.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Azure

Well, if mistakes like the 'AIG bonuses' keep happening, you darn right he isn't going to have 2 years for a honeymoon period.

Not that it was a 'mistake'....because almost all those bonuses were guaranteed before the taxpayers ever bailed out AIG in the first place. But, it is hilarious to see the 'outrage'...(watch Jon Stewart's segment on this, quite funny)....from all the DC politicians over 1/10 of 1% of the money AIG got. The other 'billions'.....meh, no big deal.

The AIG bonus issue was a mistake due to a lack of foresight and due dilligance. It basically amounted to giving AIG money with little or no conditions on what they do with it. While it might not be Obama's fault directly, the blame does fall on his advisors, and as the saying goes, the buck stops here.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The AIG bonus issue was a mistake due to a lack of foresight and due dilligance. It basically amounted to giving AIG money with little or no conditions on what they do with it. While it might not be Obama's fault directly, the blame does fall on his advisors, and as the saying goes, the buck stops here.

Yeah, Senator Dodd is already suffering in the polls because of it. Not that it matters....cause he still has almost 2 years left before election day.

Apparently there are $258million more in bonuses supposed to be paid out in 2010 to AIG.