President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[RedWingFan]

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, says he won't run for re-election next year - AP



what's that make now..7 Dems a fleeing?...2012 looking better everyday

C'mon dude, Republicans couldn't possibly win a Senate seat in Hawaii. That'd be like Republicans winning a Senate seat in Ma..... uh, never mind.

[RedWingFan]

All of those things are irrelevant compared to having the awareness and courage to deal with what we're facing. Don't you agree?

Really? Obama's international standing is stellar, and he is highly regarded by heads of state across the world. Even the Arabs respect him more than they did Dubbya. Tell me exactly what you think he's not doing right now, and how he needs to handle it. I'm truly curious here, and I'm not giving you shit.

This is hilarious...oh my sides..

Even the lowley Libyan Rebels know that Obama is a complete empty suit....I'm gonna piss myself..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110303/wl_ ... a_protests

LIBYAN REBEL CRIES OUT FOR HELP FROM BUSH!

Opposition activists called for a no-fly zone, echoing a demand by Libya's deputy U.N. envoy, who now opposes Gaddafi.

"Bring Bush! Make a no fly zone, bomb the planes," shouted soldier-turned-rebel Nasr Ali, referring to a no-fly zone imposed on Iraq in 1991 by then U.S. President George Bush.

Poor 7 has the misfortune of having to defend this guy as his disastrous presidency unfolds.

[Saint John]

Obama's international standing is stellar

Who gives a shit?!?

and he is highly regarded by heads of state across the world.

That's a tell-tale sign that he's making the U.S. weaker, poorer and in more debt. That's the virtually the only way "heads of state" would laud anything this country did.

Even the Arabs respect him more than they did Dubbya.

Sure they do, and if oil prices go any higher because of the turmoil that he's sitting idly by watching like Terry Schiavo in a physics class, they'll "respect" him even more.

Tell me exactly what you think he's not doing right now, and how he needs to handle it. I'm truly curious here, and I'm not giving you shit.

He needs to send fighter jets to Libya immediately and destroy Libya's/Ghadaffi's air capabilities. The people will then take care of the rest. But my gut tells me that he'll be a politicunt and wait for the U.N. to give him permission.

[Don]

Obama's international standing is stellar

Who gives a shit?!?

and he is highly regarded by heads of state across the world.

That's a tell-tale sign that he's making the U.S. weaker, poorer and in more debt. That's the virtually the only way "heads of state" would laud anything this country did.

Even the Arabs respect him more than they did Dubbya.

Sure they do, and if oil prices go any higher because of the turmoil that he's sitting idly by watching like Terry Schiavo in a physics class, they'll "respect" him even more.

Tell me exactly what you think he's not doing right now, and how he needs to handle it. I'm truly curious here, and I'm not giving you shit.

He needs to send fighter jets to Libya immediately and destroy Libya's/Ghadaffi's air capabilities. The people will then take care of the rest. But my gut tells me that he'll be a politicunt and wait for the U.N. to give him permission.

Fuck the U.N. I've worn the blue beret and can tell you, that organization serves no other purpose then to give third world delegates duty free shopping in the U.S. and to let a few individuals pretend they're Don Corleone.

[slucero]

The way things are going those blue helmets are gonna be nice marks to shoot at...

[Seven Wishes2]

He needs to send fighter jets to Libya immediately and destroy Libya's/Ghadaffi's air capabilities. The people will then take care of the rest. But my gut tells me that he'll be a politicunt and wait for the U.N. to give him permission.

Yeah, because that ALWAYS turns out so well.

The U.N. is fucked because the French and Fried Ricers won't do ANYTHING to interfere with their Libyan oil supply.

And unfortunately, since Dubbya got us into a completely unnecessary war in Iraq that has in ACTUAL terms cost our country more than three trillion dollars, and counting...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/03/AR2010090302200.html

That, and giving $900 billion in tax cuts to the ultra-rich...THAT is why we're in the mess we are.

Oh, and FartFinder, the Bush-caused global recession started in 2008, a full YEAR before Obama took office.

[slucero]

Actually if you remove the two "Credit bubbles" .... we've been in recession since around 1994...

[Behshad]

and he is highly regarded by heads of state across the world.

That's a tell-tale sign that he's making the U.S. weaker, poorer and in more debt.

As opposed to W, who made sure that we came through as a much stronger and richer nation

[Seven Wishes2]

nice job dirtbags....

WITI-TV, MADISON —

It could cost as much as $7.5 million to repair damage protesters have done to the Capitol Building marble say officials in Madison. Fixing posters to the marble with tape and glue appears to have done the bulk of the damage.

During testimony Thursday, a representative from the Attorney General's office said a contractor estimated it would cost $500,000 to remove all of the posters and garbage. He says it would cost $6 million to restore the marble inside of the Capitol building and another $1 million to touch up the marble outside of the building.

Officials with the Department of Administration say the marble must be restored immediately. They say normally, tape isn't used on the walls of the Capitol by rule because of the historic nature of the building. Easels are normally used for signs.

This has been thoroughly disproved. Yet another Faux hoax.

[SF-Dano]

A question for all you Obama ball washers.

Is Obama really this stupid? "spare no effort"?

Gunman yells Allahu Akbar as he opens fire on American airmen.

President Obama says the government will “spare no effort” to determine why two American airmen were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in Frankfurt, Germany.

“I’m saddened, and I am outraged, by this attack that took the lives of two Americans and wounded two others. I think the American people are united in expressing our service to those who were lost,” Obama told reporters in a surprise appearance in the briefing room. “We are praying for a speedy recovery for those who were injured.”

Obama promised that “we will spare no effort” to figure out “how this outrageous attack took place.”

“We don’t have all the information yet,” he told reporters. “You will be fully briefed as we get more information.” He added that the attack is a “stark reminder” of the “extraordinary sacrifices” made by the members of the military.

Also, the terrorist is of Kosovo ethnicity. A place that the US went to war against a traditional ally of the US to "protect" these people who even then most of Europe new were a bunch of terrorist, drug dealing scum. I have too much to comment on here, and I don't think most care, so I will just leave it at that.

[conversationpc]

nice job dirtbags....

WITI-TV, MADISON —

It could cost as much as $7.5 million to repair damage protesters have done to the Capitol Building marble say officials in Madison. Fixing posters to the marble with tape and glue appears to have done the bulk of the damage.

During testimony Thursday, a representative from the Attorney General's office said a contractor estimated it would cost $500,000 to remove all of the posters and garbage. He says it would cost $6 million to restore the marble inside of the Capitol building and another $1 million to touch up the marble outside of the building.

Officials with the Department of Administration say the marble must be restored immediately. They say normally, tape isn't used on the walls of the Capitol by rule because of the historic nature of the building. Easels are normally used for signs.

This has been thoroughly disproved. Yet another Faux hoax.

Correct...Instead, it'll cost about $350,000.

[Saint John]

nice job dirtbags....

WITI-TV, MADISON —

It could cost as much as $7.5 million to repair damage protesters have done to the Capitol Building marble say officials in Madison. Fixing posters to the marble with tape and glue appears to have done the bulk of the damage.

During testimony Thursday, a representative from the Attorney General's office said a contractor estimated it would cost $500,000 to remove all of the posters and garbage. He says it would cost $6 million to restore the marble inside of the Capitol building and another $1 million to touch up the marble outside of the building.

Officials with the Department of Administration say the marble must be restored immediately. They say normally, tape isn't used on the walls of the Capitol by rule because of the historic nature of the building. Easels are normally used for signs.

This has been thoroughly disproved. Yet another Faux hoax.

Correct...Instead, it'll cost about $350,000.

The $7.5 million must have been the estimate with union workers.

[conversationpc]

I stand corrected. Check out how this little lie unfolded...

State officials back off Capitol damage claim


Madison - Officials charged with overseeing the state Capitol Friday backpedaled sharply from their estimate - delivered in a high-profile court case only the day before - that demonstrators did more than $7 million in damage to the building and grounds during the tumultuous yet peaceful protests that erupted Feb. 15.

Touring the building on Friday morning with state architect Dan Stephans, who oversaw the Capitol's restoration that concluded in 2001, Jeff Plale said he had not immediately observed any damage from demonstrations over Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill. Plale is a former Democratic state senator and now the state facilities administrator.

Plale said that the state had not yet received any quote from an experienced contractor on the full cost of assessing and repairing any damages - something that outside experts said would be needed to legitimately estimate expenses.

"No one knows what the true number is going to be. There's going to have to be a thorough assessment of the Capitol. Any number that's given now is going to be someone's best guesstimate," said Jim Draeger, the deputy state historic preservation officer.

Draeger said he had no part in calculating the damage figure provided Thursday by Walker's administration.

It was Cari Anne Renlund, chief legal counsel for the Department of Administration, who said in court Thursday that costs for a full cleanup and restoration at the Capitol could reach $7.5 million.

"It's important to note that the $7.5 million described yesterday (Thursday) in court was the information I had available to me based upon estimates provided me by the Division of State Facilities," said Michael Huebsch, secretary of the Department of Administration, during a news conference.

That would be Plale's division.

chew on that..

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolit ... 09458.html

Yes, but as we all know, it was a lie perpetrated in the eternal fires of Faux News, don't we?

[conversationpc]

The $7.5 million must have been the estimate with union workers.

[conversationpc]

Did you see the fucking drum circle they were doing in the rotunda? I couldn't believe it! No fucking rhythm..

They were probably playing free-form jazz.

[Seven Wishes2]

How's the GOP jerk circle going tonight, fellas?

It is pretty funny that a Lib was responsible for the $7.5 million estimate. Right hand, left hand...

[S2M]

I can't help myself. I can't fucking stand Sean Hannity. But I find myself watching his show. This guy must have a tattoo of an Elephant on his junk. This guy makes me sick how he is so staunch in his conservative philosophies. Dude just can not say ONE kind word about a democrat, ever!

There could be the best bill ever introduced to Capitol Hill, but because it was drafted by a democrat - he'd talk against it....

[Seven Wishes2]

What's really funny is when he constantly contradicts a position he took up a few months or years back. Once the GOP changes tack because of political headwinds, you can bet ol' Shaun will follow suit.

Blimpaugh, Beck, O'Reilly, and Hannity have only become anti-union since it became (an albeit grossly unpopular) an official Republican position. They themselves are, in fact, members of a broadcaster's union.

[S2M]

What's really funny is when he constantly contradicts a position he took up a few months or years back. Once the GOP changes tack because of political headwinds, you can bet ol' Shaun will follow suit.

Blimpaugh, Beck, O'Reilly, and Hannity have only become anti-union since it became (an albeit grossly unpopular) an official Republican position. They themselves are, in fact, members of a broadcaster's union.

They don't like that unions are fund-raising jackpots for Democratic campaigns....if the Repubs benefitted from unions - you can bet your ass he'd be singing their praises....

[slucero]

This is comical.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailycaller/201 ... carebudget

HHS Secretary Sebelius admits to double-counting in Obamacare budget

Amanda Carey - The Daily Caller
Fri Mar 4, 11:40 am ET

During a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) admitted to double-counting in the Obamacare budget.

In her first appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee since the health-care law passed, Kathleen Sebelius responded to a line of questioning by Republican Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois about whether $500 billion in Medicare cuts were used to sustain the program or pay for the law.

“There is an issue here on the budget because your own actuary has said you can’t double-count,” said Shimkus. “You can’t count — they’re attacking Medicare on the CR when their bill, your law, cut $500 billion from Medicare.” He continued: “Then you’re also using the same $500 billion to what? Say your funding health care. Your own actuary says you can’t do both. […] What’s the $500 billion in cuts for? Preserving Medicare or funding the health-care law?
Sebelius’ reply? “Both.”

The Obama administration and HHS have been criticized previously for double-counting. In a report last summer, HHS claimed a provision in the health-care law would extend the Medicare trust fund by 12 years. The Congressional Budget Office released a memo that said HHS’s math was more than a little off.
“[…] They cannot be set aside to pay for future Medicare spending and, at the same time, pay for current spending on other parts of the legislation or on other programs … To describe the full amount of HI trust fund savings as both improving the government’s ability to pay future Medicare benefits and financing new spending outside of Medicare would essentially double-count a large share of those savings,” said the CBO memo.

“I was shocked to hear the secretary admit that $500 billion is double-counted in the health-care law,” said Shimkus after Thursday’s hearing. “We knew the health-care law’s actual cost was much greater than originally told to the public. And now, the truth is slowly coming out in administration reports and testimony.”

Rep. Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania , the chairman of the subcommittee added, “The same dollar can’t be used twice. This is the largest of the many budget gimmicks Democrats used to claim Obamacare would reduce the deficit.”

UPDATE: When contacted by The Daily Caller, Richard Sorian, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs had this to say:
“The scoring of the Affordable Care Act is entirely consistent with how legislation has been scored for the 30 years, under Presidents of both parties, and Congresses of both parties. Savings in programs like Medicare and Social Security are scored as improving the solvency of those programs and reducing the deficit.”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... kaIZ7pmabo

[Seven Wishes2]

UPDATE: When contacted by The Daily Caller, Richard Sorian, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs had this to say:
“The scoring of the Affordable Care Act is entirely consistent with how legislation has been scored for the 30 years, under Presidents of both parties, and Congresses of both parties. Savings in programs like Medicare and Social Security are scored as improving the solvency of those programs and reducing the deficit.”

Thanks for proving OUR point by using your own quote.

Reagan and both Bushes did the same thing.

Move along, now. This is NOT a controversy.

I'm seeing where "Governor" Walker's approval ratings are bottoming out at 30%. Interesting. Even Republicans polled by the biased and slanted Rasmussen oppose what he's proposing.

[slucero]

UPDATE: When contacted by The Daily Caller, Richard Sorian, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs had this to say:
“The scoring of the Affordable Care Act is entirely consistent with how legislation has been scored for the 30 years, under Presidents of both parties, and Congresses of both parties. Savings in programs like Medicare and Social Security are scored as improving the solvency of those programs and reducing the deficit.”

Thanks for proving OUR point by using your own quote.

Reagan and both Bushes did the same thing.

Move along, now. This is NOT a controversy.

I'm seeing where "Governor" Walker's approval ratings are bottoming out at 30%. Interesting. Even Republicans polled by the biased and slanted Rasmussen oppose what he's proposing.

By "YOUR" point you mean your liberal point?

Grow the fuck up dude and learn to read.... I referred to no party... and I pasted the whole article for that very reason... Jesus you are DENSE.

I said it was "comical".... and its still wrong regardless of what party is in power when it happens...

Notice the button below??

[slucero]

seriously comical... something SO important that it HAD to be done, yet now everyone is getting waivers...

Maine gets break in federal health care overhaul

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41978227


PORTLAND, Maine - The federal government Tuesday granted Maine a waiver of a key provision in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, citing the likelihood that enforcement could destabilize the state's market for individual health insurance.

The U.S. Health and Human Services department said in a letter it would waive the requirement that insurers spend 80 cents to 85 cents of every premium dollar on medical care and quality improvement. Instead, the letter said, the state could maintain its 65 percent standard for three years, with the caveat that HHS intends to review the figures after two years.

The decision makes Maine the first state to receive a waiver of the requirement. Similar requests are pending from Kentucky, Nevada and New Hampshire.

In seeking the waiver, Maine Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman feared that one of three major insurers offering individual plans in Maine would withdraw from the market altogether if the federal requirement remained in place. The insurer, MEGA Life and Health Insurance Co., has 37 percent of the state's individual market.

MEGA's departure from the market would carry the "reasonable likelihood of destabilizing the Maine individual market," with costly ramifications for MEGA's policy holders, wrote Steven Larsen, an HHS deputy administrator.

"We appreciate the evidence-based approach HHS took with our request and in working with us," Kofman said in a statement.

Maine's individual insurance market has been volatile, with big premium increases attributed in part to the small number of enrollees and lack of competition. There have been fears the market could collapse altogether.

As of last September, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield had the biggest market share with 18,297 individual policies, followed by MEGA Life and Health's 13,732 and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's 4,935. Harvard Pilgrim provides coverage through DirigoChoice, the state-subsidized health insurance program.

An official from MEGA Life and Health didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

The Affordable Care Act allows states to petition to delay the federal standard until 2014 on how much money from premiums must go to medical care for the individual market. Administrative costs tend to be higher on those plans than on insurance plans provided through employers.

The federal law envisions that by 2014 there will be health insurance exchanges to provide individuals with new, affordable options for health care options.

[RedWingFan]

I'm seeing where "Governor" Walker's approval ratings are bottoming out at 30%. Interesting. Even Republicans polled by the biased and slanted Rasmussen oppose what he's proposing.

Actually it was a Wisconsin policy research institute poll, and it was pretty skewed. The Republican sample 30%, the Democrat sample 38%, and the neither or just independent were 24%. This is how you do it to get the result that you want. I searched RCP and couldn't find a Rasmussen poll on the subject. If you have one could you post a link for us?

[Seven Wishes2]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/questions/questions_wisconsin_public_employees_march_7_2011

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on March 7, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Consistent with a survey conducted last week, a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Wisconsin finds that just 39% favor a proposal to weaken the collective bargaining rights of state employees.

That's from the already right-leaning Rasmussen reports, which is why I've included a link to the wording of the survey.

Anyway, i fail to see why a lot of conservatives here are going along for the ride on this one, given its gross unpopularity even among Republican voters. Champion a more plausible and defensible clause.

[S2M]

I am John Galt

[conversationpc]

Blimpaugh, Beck, O'Reilly, and Hannity have only become anti-union since it became (an albeit grossly unpopular) an official Republican position. They themselves are, in fact, members of a broadcaster's union.

Being against unions in general doesn't make it hypocritical to also be a member of a union. I'm anti-union in general but recognize there are places and situations where a union is a good thing.

[Memorex]

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/117732923.html

Capitol Chaos: Lawmakers Getting Death Threats

MADISON - The State Department of Justice confirms that it is investigating several death threats against a number of lawmakers in response to the legislature's move to strip employees of many collective bargaining rights.

Among the threats the Justice Department is investigationg is one that was emailed to Republican Senators Wednesday night. Newsradio 620 WTMJ has obtained that email.

The following is the unedited email:

Please put your things in order because you will be killed and your familes
will also be killed due to your actions in the last 8 weeks. Please explain
to them that this is because if we get rid of you and your families then it
will save the rights of 300,000 people and also be able to close the deficit
that you have created. I hope you have a good time in hell. Read below for
more information on possible scenarios in which you will die.

WE want to make this perfectly clear. Because of your actions today and in
the past couple of weeks I and the group of people that are working with me
have decided that we've had enough. We feel that you and the people that
support the dictator have to die. We have tried many other ways of dealing
with your corruption but you have taken things too far and we will not stand
for it any longer. So, this is how it's going to happen: I as well as many
others know where you and your family live, it's a matter of public records.
We have all planned to assult you by arriving at your house and putting a
nice little bullet in your head. However, we decided that we wouldn't leave
it there. We also have decided that this may not be enough to send the
message to you since you are so "high" on Koch and have decided that you are
now going to single handedly make this a dictatorship instead of a
demorcratic process. So we have also built several bombs that we have placed
in various locations around the areas in which we know that you frequent.
This includes, your house, your car, the state capitol, and well I won't
tell you all of them because that's just no fun. Since we know that you are
not smart enough to figure out why this is happening to you we have decided
to make it perfectly clear to you. If you and your goonies feel that it's
necessary to strip the rights of 300,000 people and ruin their lives, making
them unable to feed, clothe, and provide the necessities to their families
and themselves then We Will "get rid of" (in which I mean kill) you. Please
understand that this does not include the heroic Rep. Senator that risked
everything to go aganist what you and your goonies wanted him to do. We feel
that it's worth our lives to do this, because we would be saving the lives
of 300,000 people. Please make your peace with God as soon as possible and
say goodbye to your loved ones we will not wait any longer. YOU WILL DIE!!!!
Reply Reply to all Forward

So, what's he trying to say here?

[Saint John]

Several weeks late, but finally:

The United States, in a sharp shift in tone, wants the United Nations to authorize not just a no-fly zone to aid Libyan rebels but also air strikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery, U.S. officials said on Thursday.

Doctors working at a local hospital join other protestors in calling for a no fly zone over Libya during a rally at a square by the sea side in the eastern Libyan town of Benghazi on March 13, 2011. Libyan rebels abandoned another key town under heavy shelling from advancing government forces, as international backing grew only slowly for a no-fly zone over the country.

The move toward a tougher stance in favor of military action comes after an extended internal debate within the Obama administration, and as the Libyan opposition appeals for immediate assistance to prevent the rebel capital of Benghazi from falling to forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The United States has concluded a "no-fly" zone should be adopted and other measures that go well beyond a no-fly zone, should be taken, including air strikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery, U.S. officials said.

The United States is also seeking U.N. authorization for other steps under consideration, including diverting frozen Gaddafi assets to Libyan rebels for buying weapons and tightening a Libyan arms embargo.

State Department Undersecretary of State William Burns said the United States supports international measures "short of boots on the ground" to address the Libyan crisis.

Middle East Turmoil

He said Washington is concerned Gaddafi could "return to terrorism and violent extremism" and create turmoil in the Middle East.

Any military plan adopted must have active participation by Arab League nations.

"They have to do more than just support it," a senior official said.

Pentagon officials have made clear their wariness of instituting a no-fly zone with U.S. forces already engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan and a massive relief operation under way in Japan.

Obama has been under pressure from Britain and France to join together in taking tough action against Gaddafi before the moment to do so slips away.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said on Twitter that urgent negotiations were continuing at the U.N. Security Council about a Libya resolution.

"US view—need to take steps beyond no-fly zone to protect civilians," she wrote.

The former Libyan ambassador to the United States, Ali Aujali, who backs the rebels, appealed for immediate help in a CNN interview.

"President Obama, please, I am asking you for the second or third time, you know Gaddafi, you know what he will do," he said.

[Memorex]

Apparently the air sorties and bombing will start within hours in Libya. UN gave the go ahead with 5 Arab Nations in support of action against Gaddafi.

U.N. resolution authorizes 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians from attacks by Gadhafi's forces
about 1 hour ago via breakingnews.com

Libya airstrikes could start 'within hours of resolution'



The United Nations seems on the brink of taking a momentous decision. After hanging back for days the Americans have now not only backed the British and French resolution on Libya but beefed it up. The fact that the French foreign minister, Alain Juppe, will be here in person is a sign of French confidence that the Russians and Chinese won't block the resolution.
The latest draft I have seen goes well beyond calling for a no-fly zone. It says that the Arab League, individual nations and organizations like Nato are authorized to "take all necessary measures...to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat...including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force."

I am told the first strikes will be unilateral ones by British and French aircraft. They could be in the air within hours. It is likely five Arab air forces will take part. Hillary Clinton has said it will mean bombing Libyan air defences. Nato will step up if asked but could take a while.

Although there have been other recent UN operations this would be the most serious intervention in a crisis for a long time, a marked contrast to the division over Iraq. That does not ease the worries of some in the administration that this will still be labeled an American war and they will be dragged deeper and deeper into the affairs of another Arab nation.

Kind of weird to read a story that says another nation outside of Russia or the US will start the bombing.