Obama a "Do Nothing" President? Not According to this List
While the right attacks President Obama for every step he takes, there seems to be consensus on both the left and the right that while he came into office promising a lot, Obama has accomplished very little. We are still in Iraq, deeper in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay is still open, there is no health care reform, unemployment is still high etc. But is this assessment accurate?
According to the folks at Esquire, absolutely not. The magazine says Obama has done plenty in the year since his historic election. Here's a sampling of its list:
-- A week before he was sworn in, Obama jammed part two of the bank bailout down the throat of his own party — a $350 billion accomplishment.
-- Two days after he was sworn in, Obama banned the use of "harsh interrogation" and ordered the closing of Guantánamo.
-- A day later, Obama reversed George W. Bush's funding cutoff to overseas family planning organizations — saving millions of lives with the stroke of a pen.
-- Three days after that, Obama gave a green light to the California car-emissions standards that Bush had been blocking for six years — an important step on the road to cleaner air and a cooler planet.
-- Two weeks after that, Obama signed the stimulus bill — a $787 billion accomplishment.
-- Ten days after that, Obama formally announced America's withdrawal from Iraq.
-- A week later — we're in early March now — Obama erased Bush's decision to restrict federal funding for stem-cell research.
-- In April and June, Obama forced Chrysler and GM into bankruptcy.
-- In June, Obama reset the tone of our relations with the entire Arab world with a single speech — an accomplishment that the Bush administration failed to achieve despite a series of desperate PR moves (anyone remember Charlotte Beers?) and a "public diplomacy" budget of $1 billion a year.
-- Also in June, Obama unveiled the "Cash for Clunkers" program, a "socialist" giveaway that reanimated the corpse of our car industry — leading, for example, to the billion-dollar profit that Ford announced on Monday.
And there's more, enough to debunk conventional wisdom that Obama is all eloquent talk, no action. Many on the left acknowledge his accomplishments, but don't think he's moving fast enough on such issues as health care reform, gay rights, actually closing Guantanamo, and climate control.
Of course those on the right think he's moving too fast on such issues as health care reform, actually closing Guantanamo, and climate control.
As Esquire writes:
So the question, a year since we elected him, isn't how much Obama has accomplished. The question is why we've turned so small and mean that we only see half of it — the half we happen to agree with.
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Comment to editorial staff: Gee, guys, your list shows President Obama announcing, gave a green light, forced, reset, and unveiled things.
My list shows Barry Hussein achieving so much more.
Next, May 2010: think the previous story is the worst that it can get? Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited the White House this week. His nation plays amiable host to Iran's creation and proxy, Hezbollah. In fact, Hariri has invited members of Hezbollah into his government . Though Mr. Obama pressed Hariri about the transfer of long-range missiles to Hezbollah, the Prime Minister seemed undeterred. Maybe this is why. Apparently, the real purpose for his visit was to threaten our President. He said that Mr. Obama was running out of time. If he didn't force an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that satisfied Arab demands soon, the result will be increased violence and extremism in the Middle East. What is it with these foreign heads of state coming into 'the people's house ' and knocking the U.S. or giving us ultimatums?
Former U.N. General Assembly President – a Critic of the U.S. and Israel – Will Provide ‘Expertise’ to U.N. Human Rights Council
Friday, June 18, 2010. General Assembly president Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann addresses a meeting marking the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People” at the U.N. in New York on Nov. 24, 2008. (UN Photo by Devra Berkowitz). (CNSNews.com) – Less than a year after he ended an often turbulent presidency of the U.N. General Assembly, a Nicaraguan leftist and arch-critic of the U.S. and Israel was set Friday to be appointed to the advisory committee of the U.N.’s top human rights agency. Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann has been nominated by the Sandinista government to fill a vacancy on the Human Rights Council’s advisory committee, a body of 18 experts, which functions as the Geneva-based council’s think tank.
As the vacant position is one of three earmarked for Latin America and the Caribbean nations, and D’Escoto is the only nominated put forward by that regional group, known as GRULAC, his election by the 47-member council on the last day of its three-week midyear session is likely to be a formality. The HRC states that the nomination process is meant “to ensure that the best possible expertise is made available to the Council.” According to agreed-upon U.N. procedures, the post calls for “recognized competence and experience in the field of human rights; high moral standing; [and] independence and impartiality.” D’Escoto’s year-long presidency of the General Assembly – which followed GRULAC’s unanimous endorsement and subsequent “election by acclamation” and ran until last September – was arguably the most polarizing in the organization’s history .
Next, May 2010: President Barry Barak Hussen Obama is trying to allay the fears of American Jewish voters as we approach the mid-term elections . Some of his advisers are making conciliatory statements to the press; he's told Middle East envoy George Mitchell to ease up on the arm-twisting; and he even approved $200 million to assist Israel in building a defensive weapons system. That's all fine, but this is one of those situations where you have to be careful about watching the one hand while the other picks your pocket. The President may seem to be trying to make nice with Israel, but, at the same time, he has approved America's formal membership in the Alliance of Civilizations. This UN organization was founded in 2006 to bridge "the gaps between Muslim and Western civilizations." President Bush refused to join because he recognized that it would be used by hostile nations to bludgeon Israel. Sure enough, in the last four years the Alliance of Civilizations has promoted the idea that the main reason for the Muslim-Western rift is Israel, its settlement activity, and its very existence. Sounds like just the kind of organization President Obama would love. So, sign us up! Oh, that's right, he already has.
Next, May 2010: Speaking of not understanding -- or acknowledging -- the complexities of the Middle East, the President's counter- terrorism adviser, John Brennan, let it be known last week that he thinks there are 'moderate elements' within Hezbollah that the U.S. can do business with. Of course, he's also told us that Islam is a religion of peace and that Islamic jihad is "a good thing." There's an old saying about politics that sums up our predicament pretty plainly: "Personnel is policy." In this case, that means that what the people around the President think is, most often, what the President is going to do. If that doesn't keep you on your knees a little longer, you're not paying attention! Is this the dumbest employee of the Barry Barak Hussen Obama Administration or is he saying exactly what he is told? Place your bets now folks, time is short.
Next, Monday, May 24, 2010. Dr. Donald Berwick, nominated by President Barry Barack Hussen Obama to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that runs Medicare, published an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), advising leaders of Britain’s socialized health care system: “Please don’t put your faith in market forces.” The article, published in the July 26, 2008 issue of the BMJ, compared the U.S. health care system unfavorably to the British system, which Berwick said he was “romantic about.” Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, which has oversight over Berwick’s nomination, told CNSNews.com that he believes Berwick misunderstands the American health care system. "Nobody spends someone else's money as carefully as they spend their own," said Roberts, "and that's what we've seen happening over the last several decades as the government pays for more and more care.” Roberts noted that Berwick’s “avid support for the rationing system” in Great Britain makes him a candidate to carry out a similar system here in the United States now that President Obama’s national health care plan has been enacted. “Obamacare will take on payment responsibility for a whole new class of Americans and, predictably, the Administration is searching for ways to contain their newly acquired costs,” said Roberts. “Rationing of health care will be their plan.
Next, slip of the tongue or momentary confusion? In a television interview discussing his religion , Sen. Barack Obama stated, "My Muslim faith." Obama, speaking to ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week," was talking about what he described as "smears" that were claiming he was a Muslim when he maintains he is a practicing Christian. "Let's not play games," Obama stated. "What I was suggesting – you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And you're absolutely right that that has not come." Stephanopoulos immediately interrupted Obama, stating, "Christian faith." "My Christian faith," Obama quickly said. "Well, what I'm saying is that he (McCain) hasn't suggested that I'm a Muslim. And I think that his campaign's upper echelons have not, either. What I think is fair to say is that, coming out of the Republican camp, there have been efforts to suggest that perhaps I'm not who I say I am when it comes to my faith – something which I find deeply offensive, and that has been going on for a pretty long time." The statements came amid an exchange in which Obama accused Republicans of spreading "lies" that he is a Muslim. McCain, though, has strongly condemned such accusations. "These guys love to throw a rock and hide their hand ," Obama said. But Stephanopoulos corrected the Illinois senator, stating, "The McCain campaign has never suggested you have Muslim connections." Obama replied: "I don't think that when you look at what is being promulgated on Fox News, let's say, and Republican commentators who are closely allied to these folks." "But John McCain said that's wrong ," Stephanopoulos shot back.
Next, Jon Huntsman (former Republican governor of Utah , and current ambassador to the People’s Republic of China) has not addressed the recent ridiculousness over our State Department apologizing to the People’s Republic of China for Arizona’s enforcement of the government ’s own illegal immigration policy. Because it’s now officially part of the national discussion: The absolute low point of Barry Barak Hussen's diplomatic escapades came last Friday, when a U.S. State Department delegation met with Chinese negotiators to discuss human rights . Apparently, our State Department felt it necessary to make their Chinese guests feel less bad about their own record of human rights abuses by repeatedly atoning for American “sins” – including, it seems, the Arizona immigration/pro-border security law . Instead of grilling the Chinese about their appalling record on human rights, the State Department continued the unbelievable apology tour by raising “early and often” Arizona’s decision to secure our border. Who's side is this Administration on?
Next, Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the ranking Republican on the House intelligence committee, says the resignation of Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair “is the result of the Obama administration’s rampant politicization of national security and outright disregard for congressional intelligence oversight.” Hoekstra, who formerly served as chairman of the intelligence committee, issued a written statement saying that Blair’s readiness to step down, considering his record of service to the country, was “a disturbing sign of the stranglehold the Obama White House has placed on America’s intelligence agencies.” Clearly, and understandably, Director Blair was frustrated by the White House’s micromanagement and sidelining of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on national security issues. "Blair’s resignation is the result of the Obama administration’s rampant politicization of national security and outright disregard for congressional intelligence oversight. Blair’s resignation is disturbing and unfortunate. The concerns I have come from how the Obama administration conducts national security, not over the director of national intelligence, who they never allowed to do it.
"Congressional Republicans we will be watching closely who the president plans to name as a successor. Right now, the Obama administration’s national security apparatus is broken, dysfunctional and in disarray. Dennis Blair was the one person you could count on for rationality among Holder, Napolitano and Brennan—and he’s the one the president let go."
Next, From Sunday's 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, Televised "Meet the Press" THE THEN Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag. General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Barry Barak Hussen Obama to explain WHY he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171...During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, "Stand and Face It". 'Senator' Obama replied: "As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides". "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression.." "The anthem itself conveys a war -like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all that sort of thing."
Next, President Barry Barak Hussein Obama spoke to the graduating class at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. The man who made the internet a cornerstone of his campaign, tweeted (or twitted?) constantly to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of young fans, and used Facebook and other social media to great advantage, told the graduates that they were facing a new world in which they would be bombarded by too much unfiltered information. Further, the man who won election on the promise of ' change ', told them that, unfortunately, the breathtaking change caused by this overload of information couldn't be stopped. His speech seemed to imply that being exposed to all kinds of arguments is a BAD thing. That it might even threaten democracy . It's a far cry from the time Americans treasured a 'multiplicity of voices.' That expansive variety of thought and expression guaranteed that somehow, some way, the truth would be heard. Apparently, that's not what the Obama administration has in mind. In fact, in the financial reform bill , they're seeking to put control of the internet in the hands of the Federal Trade Commission.
Next, Obama Tries to Eradicate Radical Islam / April 9, 2010. The Obama administration has just announced its intent to ban all words that allude to Islam from important national security documents. Put differently, the Obama administration has just announced its intent to ban all knowledge and context necessary to confront and defeat radical Islam ( news much welcomed by Islamist organizations like CAIR).
Next, Obama, showing contempt for the professionalism and character of police officers, said: "Now suddenly if you don't have your papers and you took your kid out to get ice cream, you're going to be harassed." Lawyer Barry Barak Hussen Obama must know that since 1952 federal law has said: "Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him." Gee, next time can we elect a President who will put the citizens before the invaders? I am sure Obama's next speech will refer to them as Democratic immigrants. Maybe we also could advise our "professor" President that Nazi's and the Soviets demanded INTERNAL passports from law-abiding citizens which were used to control travel WITHIN their country."
Next, President Obama's speech at the University of Michigan commencement ceremony over the weekend was, as analyst Greg Knapp described it, a "self serving, political speech chastising Americans who disagree with his ideas and policies that are leading usto even bigger government ." In his speech, Obama warned that today's political discourse can "send signals to the most extreme elements of our society that perhaps violence is a justifiable response."
Next, Barry Barak Hussein Soetoro Obama wants to be president of these 57 United States? / May 9, 2008 | 1:42 pm Ah, Oregon. The beautiful Northwest. Rain. Trees. Clouds. Rain. Friendly territory for Sen. Barry Barack Hussen Obama, the leading contender for the Democratic Party's long-disputed presidential nomination. Illinois Senator and leading Democratic presidential candidate Obama speaking to a friendly crowd."It is wonderful to be back in Oregon," Obama said. "Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it." Coincidently, comprising 57 states, the Organization of the Islamic Conference is the second-largest intergovernmental institution in the world after the UN. It is a unique body. A political organization, it pursues a religious mission. The charter of the OIC makes clear that it exists, not only to promote the economic and humanitarian goals of member states, but also to “defend” and “disseminate” Islam itself.
Next, Unemployment in America is hovering at just below 10 percent, so President Barry Barak Hussein Obama hosts a "Summit on Entrepreneurship" in Washington, D.C., in an effort to boost economic development ... in Muslim nations? The president thinks more U.S. investment in Muslim lands and exchange programs that will bring Muslim women to America so they can work as interns will enhance U.S. prosperity and, thus, change Muslim attitudes about the United States. Egypt receives about $2 billion of American taxpayer dollars every year, yet it still votes against American interests at the U.N. 79 percent of the time. Jordan, a "moderate" Muslim nation, receives nearly $200 million annually in U.S. foreign aid, but votes against America at the U.N. 71 percent of the time. Pakistan votes 75 percent of the time against the U.S. at the U.N. while pocketing nearly $7 million annually in foreign aid (in addition to the money it gets to supposedly fight al-Qaida). Since 2007, U.S. foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority and to PA-controlled (nongovernmental organizations) reached nearly $2 billion, in addition to $3.7 billion contributed by the U.S. to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Has this aid produced jobs ? Has it led to both sides in the Middle East conflict mounting a sustained effort to respect one another and seek common ground?
Next, Arab-American Activist Says Obama Hiding Anti-Israel Stance / 16 Adar Bet 5768, 23 March 08 10:03by Gil Ronen (IsraelNN.com) Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama is currently hiding his anti-Israel views in order to get elected, according to a well-known anti-Israel activist. The activist, Ali Abunimah, claimed to know Obama well and to have met him on numerous occasions at pro-Palestinian events in Chicago. In an article he penned for the anti-Israeli website Electronic Intifada, Abunimah wrote: "The last time I spoke to Obama was in the winter of 2004 at a gathering in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. He was in the midst of a primary campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate seat he now occupies. But at that time polls showed him trailing. "As he came in from the cold and took off his coat, I went up to greet him. He responded warmly, and volunteered, 'Hey, I'm sorry I haven't said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race . I'm hoping when things calm down I can be more up front.' He referred to my activism, including columns I was contributing to the The Chicago Tribune critical of Israeli and US policy [and said:] 'Keep up the good work !'"
Next, ever wonder why our "lame-stream" press never has any further news about the White House gate-crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi? Party Crashers' had a five-year relationship with Obama before State Dinner, why didn't the White House just say so? This is why: Obama Met Gatecrashers in 2005: According to Discover the Networks, ATFP's former vice president is Rashid Khalidi, the Columbia University Middle East Studies professor and militant Palestinian rights activist. Khalidi cites the late Edward Said as his major influence, and according to the entry cited, "As with Said before him, Khalidi's involvement with the Palestinian cause goes beyond mere support ." And, "Khalidi so strongly identified with the aims of the PLO, which was designated as a terrorist group by the State Department during Khalidi's affiliation with it in the 1980s, that he repeatedly referred to himself as 'we' when expounding on the PLO's agenda." Also, according to Campus Watch, ATFP remains in full support of Kha lidi, for example, during charges of academic misconduct in 2005, at the time of Senator Barack Obama's meeting with Tareq Salahi.
Next, Obama administration official, speaking to a group of reporters, characterized the Fort Hood shooting as "an act of terrorism ," the first time an administration official has used that term in describing the massacre. Asked repeatedly about the relationship between Hasan and extremists in Yemen, the administration official declined to make that direct link.
Next, Barry Barak Hussein Soetoro Obama has consistently shown himself to be a liberal elitist who looks down on "ordinary" Americans . Asked while campaigning for the Pennsylvania primary to explain why small-town Democrats did not support him, Obama replied "it's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." When Obama made this remark he was alluding to small-town people who had experienced long periods of joblessness. In response to predictable outrage when his remarks were unexpectedly publicized, Obama did not recant his statement but instead replied, I "didn't say it as well as I should have."
Next, Martin Indyk, a former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and current foreign policy advisor to Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, continued the Administration's arrogant handling of our ally. He told Israel Army Radio that the tiny nation needs to fall in line with American foreign policy or suffer the consequences. Among other threats, he said, "If you need the United States, then you need to take account of America's interests." He said that Mr. Netanyahu has a very simple choice: "Take on the President of the United States, or take on his right wing." Indyk knows that if Netanyahu heeds the President's demands, the right wing parties in his fragile coalition will walk. If they walk, the Israeli government will collapse -- which is precisely what Obama and Clinton want. That way, Netanyahu will be forced to accept the Kadima party into his coalition and give the chronic appeaser, Tzipi Livni, a major role in the government. Goodbye, Israeli sovereignty. Hello, national suicide .