The Democrat Thread

[bmags]

Obama getting ready to end GITMO...thank ya sir.

[Balta1701]

Basically, what the DHS is (and isn't), and especially what the mission of the NSA is specifically when it relates to Intelligence Oversight laws that have been in place since the early Reagan administration. All the other stuff is true and deserves to be bashed but those 2 specific things have been distorted by the lefty blogosphere to make it sound like something sinister is going on and we've become a police state.

The DHS doesn't scare me except in that it's been an incredibly ineffective additional layer of bureaucracy that has made seemingly every organization under it function worse. That could be a result of the leadership of the agency, but i thought it was a terrible idea when it was created, and I still do.

 

The NSA program...well, that's another matter.

[lostfan]

The DHS doesn't scare me except in that it's been an incredibly ineffective additional layer of bureaucracy that has made seemingly every organization under it function worse. That could be a result of the leadership of the agency, but i thought it was a terrible idea when it was created, and I still do.

 

The NSA program...well, that's another matter.

Bolded part... probably correct. The same thing was basically done to the DNI and IMO it's been working great BUT with one big caveat... the changes are only as effective as the people you put in those positions. It probably would've failed had Rumsfeld still been around, part of the reason I've been singing the praises of Gates on here lately.

 

The most recent thing I can remember you posting about the NSA is just some people f***ing around when they know they shouldn't, and then later they go to the media seeking attention like "oooh I did such a bad thing." I don't work for them, but I can tell that it wasn't some broad, sweeping policy, it was just people not following the rules. When you come across information on Americans like that, incidentally (and you will, there's no avoiding it) you have a period of time to evaluate what it is and whether it fits your mission, if it does then you keep it, if not you trash it or else you get in trouble. They KNOW that but they chose to toe the line instead.

[Balta1701]

The most recent thing I can remember you posting about the NSA is just some people f***ing around when they know they shouldn't, and then later they go to the media seeking attention like "oooh I did such a bad thing." I don't work for them, but I can tell that it wasn't some broad, sweeping policy, it was just people not following the rules. When you come across information on Americans like that, incidentally (and you will, there's no avoiding it) you have a period of time to evaluate what it is and whether it fits your mission, if it does then you keep it, if not you trash it or else you get in trouble. They KNOW that but they chose to toe the line instead.

I believe you weren't here when we had the whole big discussion about the NSA wiretapping scandal and what in the world they actually had to be doing. I'm not talking about the spying on people's erotic talks with their significant others, I'm talking about the much bigger program that the President initiated in the first place. The simple reality as I see it is that if they were actually doing anything that could be remotely construed as surveillance related to terrorists, they wouldn't have needed the Bush NSA warrantless program. The only logical reason they could have a need for warrantless wiretapping is if they were trying to obtain information totally unrelated to international or terrorist activities.

[bmags]

Wow, I thought my sentence would have more response.

[lostfan]

Oh I wasn't here for that but that's also something that can be directly attributed to Bush (executive order). I've always thought "that's why we have FISA..." nobody said you can't do it, just follow the damn laws FFS.

[lostfan]

Wow, I thought my sentence would have more response.

Me and Balta ended up swallowing that up... it would've been gone no matter who got elected b/c they were both against it. Then again who knows, McCain was so unpredictable.

[Steve9347]

Obama getting ready to end GITMO...thank ya sir.

f*** that joint

[Balta1701]

Summing up the day.

"I can't believe Obama is already sitting down with an unpopular, aggressive world leader without preconditions."

[kapkomet]

Summing up the day.

Yep, because it's "bipartisan" and we're "above all that crap" now, right?

 

The hatred is just disgusting.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Yep, because it's "bipartisan" and we're "above all that crap" now, right?

 

The hatred is just disgusting.

You know, the funny thing is, Bush and Obama ARE being bipartisan here. Its just some of the wingbat supporters, calling names and launching off on not-even-announced changes, that are sending out the flak.

 

[lostfan]

You know, the funny thing is, Bush and Obama ARE being bipartisan here. Its just some of the wingbat supporters, calling names and launching off on not-even-announced changes, that are sending out the flak.

That.

 

I'm also somewhat amazed at the amount of rope Lieberman is being given here. Neither Obama nor Reed is any hurry to "punish" him.

[mr_genius]

That.

 

I'm also somewhat amazed at the amount of rope Lieberman is being given here. Neither Obama nor Reed is any hurry to "punish" him.

 

Lieberman will be a reliable vote on social issues for the Democrats, they probably figure there are better uses of their political resources as there will certainly be some battles on budgetary issues. Obama might consider that Lieberman could actually do some across the isle work to help him get his policies going; as a shrewd politician he may see some potential benefit from using restrain. Which is saying a lot, considering that Lieberman gave a big speech at the GOP convention and completely supported Obama’s opponent.

 

Oh and Obama might not want to lose any possible Joementum, as heads22 would say.

 

[lostfan]

Lieberman will be a reliable vote on social issues for the Democrats, they probably figure there are better uses of their political resources as there will certainly be some battles on budgetary issues. Obama might consider that Lieberman could actually do some across the isle work to help him get his policies going; as a shrewd politician he may see some potential benefit from using restrain. Which is saying a lot, considering that Lieberman gave a big speech at the GOP convention and completely supported Obama’s opponent.

 

Oh and Obama might not want to lose any possible Joementum, as heads22 would say.

I wonder what he himself is thinking though... between Reid and Obama it sounds like they're patronizing him hardcore, almost like they're making sure he knows they're doing him a favor. But it probably wouldn't do them any good to burn bridges as long as Lieberman is useful to them.

[Balta1701]

I wonder what he himself is thinking though... between Reid and Obama it sounds like they're patronizing him hardcore, almost like they're making sure he knows they're doing him a favor. But it probably wouldn't do them any good to burn bridges as long as Lieberman is useful to them.

But...it's a real, real risk to keep Lieberman at a committee that has the job of oversight of the White House.

[NorthSideSox72]

But...it's a real, real risk to keep Lieberman at a committee that has the job of oversight of the White House.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

 

You know, I wasn't sure at first, but I am now thinking that Obama and Reid (gasp) are right on this one. If Lieberman is just an opportunist looking for whatever benefits him, then hey, make use of that. Use his influence, cross-aisle abilities, and bulldog nature in your favor. Seems like a smart move to me.

 

[HuskyCaucasian]

I love the HuffingtonPost:

 

[BigSqwert]

Dear BigSqwert,

 

Thank you for completing your application to serve to in the Obama-Biden Administration. As you can imagine, we are receiving thousands of applications during the transition process. We will initially be focused on the most senior positions in the Administration. If you do not hear from us for several weeks or months, please do not think we have lost your information. If at any time you wish to update your application, please log in again and modify the information accordingly. Thank you again for your interest.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Obama-Biden Transition Project

Edited November 11, 2008 by BigSqwert

[HuskyCaucasian]

what spot did you apply for?

[BigSqwert]

what spot did you apply for?

 

Nothing specific. It gave me the ability to select multiple choices. All of mine were commerce/business related.

[GoSox05]

Nothing specific. It gave me the ability to select multiple choices. All of mine were commerce/business related.

 

 

secretary of state? Head of the EPA?

[Heads22]

Lieberman will be a reliable vote on social issues for the Democrats, they probably figure there are better uses of their political resources as there will certainly be some battles on budgetary issues. Obama might consider that Lieberman could actually do some across the isle work to help him get his policies going; as a shrewd politician he may see some potential benefit from using restrain. Which is saying a lot, considering that Lieberman gave a big speech at the GOP convention and completely supported Obama’s opponent.

 

Oh and Obama might not want to lose any possible Joementum, as heads22 would say.

 

It's undeniable....the effects.

[longshot7]

about the Fairness Doctrine: http://www.motherjones.com/washington_disp...ssdoctrine.html

[Balta1701]

Whoa, as a former Indiana University Union Board member...I'd like to say...GO IMUB! That's a Hell of a score.

[BigSqwert]

50 things about Barack Obama that you didn't know:

 

• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics

 

• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball

 

• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili

 

• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini

 

• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father

 

• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed

 

• He has read every Harry Potter book

 

• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali

 

• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream

 

• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars

 

• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia

 

• He can speak Spanish

 

• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead

 

• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea

 

• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't

 

• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia

 

• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs

 

• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name

 

• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

 

• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived

 

• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy

 

• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books

 

• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

 

• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck

 

• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.

 

• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees

 

• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date

 

• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker

 

• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol

 

• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician

 

• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine

 

• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)

 

• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside

 

• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal

 

• His house in Chicago has four fire places

 

• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita

 

• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry

 

• He uses an Apple Mac laptop

 

• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300

 

• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits

 

• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes

 

• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)

 

• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire

 

• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers

 

• He was nicknamed "Bar" by his late grandmother

 

• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds

 

• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso

 

• His speciality as a cook is chilli

 

• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"

 

• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life

 

• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government