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Fuel

Good Luck / April 30, 2009 9:36 AM

An unmitigated disaster.

I can't believe that taxpayer money has been used to deliver majority ownership of publicly owned auto companies to the unions, with no deferrence to the bondholders or shareholders, each of whom have larger capital holdings in the company.

I think it is frightful that the Obama administration has removed much of the financial reporting regulations and requirements of unions. It will certainly be used to launder money coming in from the porkulus billl (look at the ACORN/SEIU connection. hint: they are one and the same)

Obama's foreign policy is an absolute joke. I'd laugh if it wasn't so pathetically dangerous to our county.

He is the most anti-business president in the history of our country and his tax policies will not deliver a strong recovery. His monetary policies will certainly result in high inflation and high interest rates, so don't think that the housing market is going to really recover or that the "poor" are going to be better off because of Obama. It is exactly those people who will be hurt the most.

His management of government is atrocious. We have a potential flu pandemic and he doesn't have an appointment to head up HHS. The Treasury dept. still doesn't have anyone behind little Timmy Geithner, but that hasn't kept them from creating a perfect storm of managerial incompetence.

His choice of head of DHS thinks that our veterans are more dangerous than Islamic radicals, doesn't think that illegal aliens are breaking any laws, and thinks that our more pressing border security problem is based on our northern border.

This administration spent over $300K to send Airforce One and two fighter jets buzzing New York City, causing buildings to be evacuated and sowing general panic. The fact that the administration knew that it would cause panic and went forward with it anyway shows you what idiots they are.

And after telling the American people in all three debates that he would not add to the federal deficit, he quadruples it!

The list goes on and on...

He is doing such a great job, I think he should just ditch the Teleprompter and start telling us what he really believes.

(cue the moral relativism and blame it on bush response)

vise77 / April 30, 2009 9:51 AM

Just FYI, GoodLuck:

"We have a potential flu pandemic and he doesn't have an appointment to head up HHS. "

Wrong. Factually incorrect. Or a stupid attempt at a lie.

"His choice of head of DHS thinks that our veterans are more dangerous than Islamic radicals, doesn't think that illegal aliens are breaking any laws, and thinks that our more pressing border security problem is based on our northern border."

This is so skewered and simplistic it borders on propaganda. By the the way, DHS has (rightly) put out similar alarms regarding left-wing extremists. Don't believe me--look it up. You do your own research, right?

There, I am done playing with you and taking part in your ego boost.

As for me, I am somewhat pleased with the first 100 days.

I would have preferred a temporary nationalization of some banks--real nationalization on line with the Savings and Loan crisis under the first Bush--instead of pretending that the banking system, on a whole, is solvent.

I also would have preferred a quicker response to the pirates, and perhaps a bombing run on one of their ports. No, I don't care so much about the loss of innocent life or the unfortunate circumstances that lead some Somalis to piracy. Sometimes, you just have to hit.

The plane flyby was embarrassing.

I mostly agree with the stimulus, though it needed more infrastructure money.

I also agree with the steps taken in the budget toward health card and energy, both of which are needed long-term investments. Let's see what comes of this.

I fear inflation and/or a devalued dollar greatly, but I think even a GOP president would have succumbed to pressure to spend our way out of this depression (make no mistake kiddies, this is at least a little "d" depression at this point). We've come back from inflation before, and the dollar has no immediate, existential threats at this point.

I am impressed with the constant ass-kicking the Obama administration has managed to give the shrinking GOP while still keeping the perception of an honest attempt at bi-partisanship, which polls bear out.

I am not impressed at Obama's lack of anything concrete from Europe regarding Afghanistan, though I doubt any president could get much more from those hopeless pacifist wimps when it comes to Afghanistan. Nor is any American leader likely to get the EU countries to spend more for stimulus.

Overall, a decent, somewhat strong start that leaves me cautiously optimistic but not totally sold.

Good Luck / April 30, 2009 9:53 AM

Pardon me, and please disregard my previous statements. I'd not yet taken my Haloperidol today.

If anyone would like to discuss my theories any further, I'll be at the corner of Van Buren and Lasalle today from ten to noon. I'll be the one with the garbage bag full of left shoes, and shouting about how Daley is secretly conspiring to kill Jesus.

mike / April 30, 2009 10:11 AM

Don't feed the troll folks.

Mucky Fingers / April 30, 2009 10:25 AM

I think Obama's plate is full enough to say that the first 100 days are a blur. Most people are thinking about keeping their jobs and/or financial security.

I can't think of another incoming President who has inherited the job while the country was in such a sad state.

What Obama is trying to accomplish will take time to build momentum. He certainly is keeping himself busy. I hope he keeps up the frequent press conferences, he kind of needs to, as this is a man who actually takes times to express himself instead of talking in sound bites.

Good Luck / April 30, 2009 10:31 AM

Ah, yes Sebilius confirmed on 4/28.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_34123.aspx

Sometime before April 2nd: When 5-year-old Edgar Hernandez of the small village of La Gloria in the state of Veracruz, Mexico became sick, it seemed like a normal case of influenza. But officials now believe his initial infection was the first in the swine flu outbreak that's sweeping the world. He's been called patient zero and has since recovered.

April 6: Things go from bad to worse in La Gloria as more than 3,000 people are now sick with the same mystery ailment. Some 400 people seek medical treatment, and a good 60 per cent of the town's small population of 3,000 are said to be ill. Local officials declare a health alert. But so far, it's not on anyone else's radar.

April 17: Tests show two southern California children who became sick in late March have the swine flu. They're believed to be the first known cases from this strain outside of Mexico.

April 22: Three more cases surface in The Golden State and two in Texas.

The timeline doesn't really match up, Vise.

Its ok to admit that this administration is incompetent. The rest of America is. Just watch as the media starts to stop covering for them. Now that will be funny.

Hope.
Change.

madachode / April 30, 2009 11:22 AM

Like every politician that promises something if they get elected, he has done nothing but hold weekley party dinners at the White House. He has an agenda but it does not include anyone but himself.

madachode / April 30, 2009 11:23 AM

And what does "don't feed the troll" mean? An attempt to shutdown free speech because you don't like what you hear?

vise77 / April 30, 2009 11:24 AM

"He has an agenda but it does not include anyone but himself."

And here's another person who confuses superficial cynicism with thinking. Seriously, why even vote or care? You've already resigned yourself to being ruled.

vise77 / April 30, 2009 11:28 AM

"An attempt to shutdown free speech because you don't like what you hear?"

Yes, that is what it is. An attempt by some all powerful stranger on some local Web site to take away your 1st Amd rights. Next you know, that stranger will be setting up a FEMA concentration camp on the southeast side.

Get a grip, dude. Or, at the least, step down from that cross.

Oswald Killed JFK / April 30, 2009 11:46 AM

Obama lowered taxes on 95% of all Americans, including the execrable ones who carp away regardless.

He got tough on Detroit.

He released the memos which describe the sequence of events leading up to the torture of captives.

He broke off 19 billion from the stimulus bill to help set up electronic medical records.

We could go on and on, but day in and day out Obama has helped restore the confidence of average Americans. And in the coming months and years, he's going to continue to demonstrate strong, thoughtful leadership in a way which will, in and of itself, show the Republicans as a morally and intellectually bankrupt party.

And the fact that the ultra-reds are screaming and crying so loudly just means he's doing the right thing.

Good Luck / April 30, 2009 12:48 PM

Obama lowered taxes on 95% of all Americans.

When over 40% of Americans do not pay income taxes, you cannot reduce 95% of all Americans income taxes. This is simple math.
The rest of that "95%" gets a whopping $8/week in tax cut. When you factor in that Obama plans to let the Bush tax cuts expire, it will end up in a tax increase of around $80/week (based on income of $50K). So enjoy your little crum while you can.

He got tough on Detroit.

By what, giving them $15 billion for a bailout. And look what that money got us. Three months of delaying the inevitable bankrupcy. When the unions control the car companies, they will run them into the ground and then come back to Washington begging on their knees for more corporate welfare.

He released the memos which describe the sequence of events leading up to the torture of captives.

Interesting that you use the term captive rather than enemy, because these were people found on foreign battlefields acting under no state, hence not within the statutes of the Geneva Convention. You probably think that Iran is just misunderstood and that they have been supplying Iraqi insurgents with shape charges to blow up US soldiers is just a misunderstandingand that Barry can just "talk" to them.
Regardless, if you bothered to pay attention, you would know that congressional leaders, including Ms Pelosi, were in full favor of using these interrogation methods and if Obama had any honesty, he would release the rest of the memos so that a clear record could be established as to what those methods produced.

He broke off 19 billion from the stimulus bill to help set up electronic medical records.

Wow, thats some achievement he broke off. What else do you think he can break off in the next 100 days!

vit / April 30, 2009 1:13 PM

Good Luck - I might have given you the benefit of the doubt, but then you started to defend torture. Seriously, do you read your own words? You are defending torture.

David / April 30, 2009 2:12 PM

Good Luck - I really want to wish you some actual good luck during what I'm sure are going to be stressful times for you.

Your persistent negative view of President Obama is understandable, if regrettable. When a strong, intellectual, effective leader comes along, especially on the heels of someone who was the diametric opposite, it's natural to feel unease or distress when the new leader is demonstrably far superior to the previous one.

It would be useless to try to engage you on any meaningful level, seeing your appalling lack of understanding about basic facts of law and economics. Perhaps you should start with something more befitting a mental giant such as yourself.

So let's spell it together: c-r-u-m-B.

Good Luck / April 30, 2009 2:26 PM

Vit, did you read my words? I am not defending torture. My comments are clear that I refute the strawman argument that has been put forth. If anyone is interested in actual truth, then release all of the records, not just certain records selected by an extremely partisan administration.

Dave,
Exactly what basics of law or economics do I not understand. Put your money where your mouth is. Seriously. All you have is ridicule, which shows your confidence in reasoning.

I don't need to call people names to make my point

madachode / April 30, 2009 3:41 PM

Do you people realize that those "captives" are people that would kill you and your family in less than a minute. Have one of them live in your house, you wouldn't last 2 seconds.

printdude / April 30, 2009 3:45 PM

I am quite happy with the job President Obama has done, and have faith that he will continue to get better at leading the nation (and the free world) into a more profitable and peaceful time. He has not lost his composure in a time where it seems so easy to do so. He has crossed many lines in the sand only to shake hands with those that drew them.

From the looks of things, Good Luck is just PO'd because unemployment only leads to lots of time defending poor choices, poor arguements and bitterness.

Ooops! I dangled a minnow!

madachode / April 30, 2009 3:49 PM

At least Good Luck didn't drink the Kool Aid and get on the "Change" train. And that change will be shaken from everyones pockets soon enough.

vise77 / April 30, 2009 4:15 PM

"Do you people realize that those "captives" are people that would kill you and your family in less than a minute. Have one of them live in your house, you wouldn't last 2 seconds."

What on earth does that have to do with torture, praytell? There are many run-of-the-mill criminals you can say the same thing about.

Try harder next time with your logic, please. What you offered is merely one-step removed from revenge fantasy.

Mind you, torture does work sometimes--the Germans has some success with it in WWII--but one must weigh the benefits versus the harm to our national character. Aren't we supposed to be the exceptional country? Isn't that what right-wingers always say? And aren't our ideals more important, ultimately, then even our lives? Isn't that what the Founders taught us?

madachode / April 30, 2009 4:20 PM

When it comes to saving lives, our ideals should be thrown out the window. We would not get the same treatment and trying to take the high moral ground is not going to do anyting. Like I said, have one of the "captives" live in your bedroom, then tell him while he's pulling your fingernails out for fun how wrong torture is.

Bad Luck / April 30, 2009 4:21 PM

@Mucky Fingers:

"I can't think of another incoming President who has inherited the job while the country was in such a sad state."

How old are you? How many Presidential tansistions do you know about?

Impeached Presdient...Vietnam...Civil Rights...the Great Depression...World War I and II...etc. etc. etc.

Read a short short history book and you will see that many past Presidents have had a lot on their plates from the previous.

Not every Democratic President was Clinton from the 1990's. His success was certainly the exception rather than the rule.

Read a history book before you post next time, please.

David / April 30, 2009 4:31 PM

"our ideals should be thrown out the window"

Ladies and gentlemen, please meet everything wrong with America. And everything our good President stands against.

I'm with the President.

Bad Luck / April 30, 2009 4:40 PM

David...do you work for Fox News?????

Because I think the entire phrase was, "When it comes to saving lives, our ideals should be thrown out the window.".

Way to cut and slice up a quote for your point.

Lemme guess, you just got back from the quad and you are about to catch the Daily Show...right?

Idiot.

David / April 30, 2009 4:51 PM

Yes, I am both an employee of Fox News, and I am also on my way from the quad to watch the Daily Show.

And you're right, I should have quoted you in entirety. Thanks for vigorously defending your right to throw your ideals out the window.

mike / April 30, 2009 4:53 PM

Torture is prohibited under U.S. and international law. Being against torture does not mean you want to be friends with terrorists and have them over for tea and cookies. When you knowingly resort to such disingenuous reasoning, you know you've got a flawed argument. Supporting torture just because the bad guys are really bad is the low-road approach. Not only that, it's ineffective. A lot of people think we're better than that. And based on the Geneva Conventions, we hold ourselves and others to a higher standard. You're just being a low-road reactionary goon. But who's surprised really? I don't think you've ever contributed a comment here that wasn't nasty.

Bad Luck / April 30, 2009 5:32 PM

David...I probably feel the same way you do about this issue. You won't find a post where I defend torture.

But to take apart someone's quote to make your point really shows how full of shit people from both sides of the aisle are.

So, wanna meet for penny pitchers after we eat dinner in the dorm and finish your Fox News show?

fluffy / April 30, 2009 7:28 PM

I can't even answer this question because it'll just turn into a petty online argument with Good Luck.

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