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President Obama showed great restraint in his reaction to South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during his joint address to Congress last month.
Everyone tried to get the president to answer whether racism was behind Wilson's "you lie" shout, but displaying his usual excellent political instincts, Obama stayed above the fray as anyone holding the most powerful elected position in the world should do.
Too bad Obama couldn't stay that course.
It is Obama's masterful sense of politics that has me utterly baffled as to why he would have one of his White House directors take on FOX talk show host Glenn Beck for being unfair to the administration.
White House Online Programs Director Jesse Lee released a Web posting Thursday on the official White House blog accusing FOX hosts of misrepresenting Obama's agenda.
That news blast from the White House ranks up there with the world being round and two plus two equaling four.
Anyone with half a brain knows that FOX has a right-leaning agenda. So when a popular Democratic president is elected, the network is going to be critical, and maybe even unfair, in its coverage of his policies.
I think Obama risks looking a little thin skinned in his battle with the FOX News empire. Every time he criticizes Beck, he accomplishes one thing: He gives Beck far more notoriety.
Maybe President Obama, tired of the constant harping from the FOX folks, was just letting off some steam. If that was the case, fine. Now it's time to forget about fighting with FOX, though, because anyone who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave will have enemies. It comes with the job.
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By: sally on 10/04/2009 8:13PM
The cost of Obama’s trip will not be close to $1 mil. It is well over $10 mil if it is a dime. The figures you quoted (accurately) are for flying a VC-25 (Presidential 747). Presidential trips require both 747s, as one is a backup. However, the costs soar when you realize that from the moment a POTUS indicates he wants to go somewhere, dozens, if not hundreds of people start preparing every detail. These details include security, communications, protocol, logistics that boggle the mind and transportation that most people never see. Several Air Force cargo planes of equipment are loaded and flown to the destination with armored limos, security personnel from the Secret Service and the relevant military branches, fuels specialists, etc. A National Airborne Operations Command Post 747 from Offutt AFB, NE will accompany him to keep POTUS in constant communications in case of national or word emergency . . . We are now up to three 747s, multiple cargo planes and costs for personnel who fly commercial ahead of POTUS. If FLOTUS flies separately, add a C-32 (757) for her and her staff, entourage, hangers-on etc, with attendant security, logistics, etc. Add a few more million dollars, though many personnel in Denmark will cover preparations for both POTUS and FLOTUS.
Air Force One is a perk for all Presidents and I hesitate to criticize their use and cost. Bill Clinton flew the wings off Air Force One, but I criticized him for his policies, behavior and attitudes toward what he considered the benighted peasants of this country. He is the head of his party and, all Presidents use AF 1 liberally, as they should. Moreover, we need to keep him safe at all times and in contact with whomever is needed. AF 1 is like the medieval king arriving to fanfares of trumpets and bringing the majesty of the office (however tarnished by recent occupants) to all destinations. Despite Obama’s words and best efforts, we are still the dominant country on Earth and any President is both head of state and head of government. Let the trumpets sound upon any POTUS’ arrival.
Obama’s trip to Copenhagen to bring the Olympics to my hometown is both stupid and unnecessary as half of Chicago does not want them. It will be the ultimate trough for the piggish politicians in Chicago to bury their collective snouts in corruption. However, I encourage all conservatives to go after Obama on the substance of the trip, not the cost of flying there. We shall soon have conservative POTUS and he or she will use AF 1. Let’s not justify the inevitable criticism from the lunatic left about use of AF 1.
When I mentioned the cost yesterday, my aim was to note the financial, time, and opportunity costs for the president. I have a hard time believing Obama would take this trip halfway around the world if there was any chance he will be left standing as they announce that Rio is getting the games. I suspect the IOC has given the White House a wink and a nod, so to speak.
As to whether Chicago should get the Olympics, I'm undecided. I attended and enjoyed the Atlanta Games in 1996, but I also know hosting the games has enormous costs and headaches for the locals. It's a chance to shine on the world stage, but it also brings all normal economic activity in your city to a grinding halt for about a month. You end up building a decent amount of infrastructure that will rarely be used to that extent again; there's rarely enough ability to get around the city; and of course, you become a target for terrorism.
Bottom line, this seems like small potatoes for a president with a full plate. As Ed puts it, "Barack Obama has decided to put his international influence on the line not to push for more support in Afghanistan or sanctions on Iran, but to act as Salesman in Chief for Chicago and its Olympics bid for 2016."
09/29 12:54 PMShare
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By: sammy on 10/06/2009 4:13AM
uub140, I can't believe you wrote such a really stupid statement. But all of what you posted borders on the stupid and ignorant.
I don't know where you are from or who your people are, but I can tell you that I have never felt inferior to white people. Nor do any of my family who have made it a point to educated themselves and their children. Nor do my friends who have also earned college degrees and have productive well paying jobs.
Why would we feel inferior to white people or anyone else.
You need to get your house in order and seek some help, fast.
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By: sammy on 10/06/2009 4:14AM
Paul Shepard: It is unbelieveable that you wrote this "So when a popular Democratic president is elected, the network is going to be critical, and maybe even unfair, in its coverage of his policies".
Even you know that it is much more than critizing a Democratic president.
Only God know how much I despies lies and people who lie, as you are doing.
One day, when the republicans tire of you and you no longer serve their purpose, you and your kind will be kicked to the curb, as you well deserve.
At the end of the day, after all of you shilling for the republicans, your skin will still be BLACK.
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By: Marcia on 10/06/2009 9:47AM
Too sensitive? Are you kidding me? People have threatened to kill him or have him killed. There have been numerous attacks on his children. From being called everything, but a child of God, to saying he is not a "Real" American. From people saying President Obama was born in Kenya, to being a Muslim who is really an operative of Al Queida, to being accused of hating white people. To hearing those at FOX saying he has a socialist adgenda and wants to "kill grandma." And yet President Obama has never stepped into that mess. He's risen above it. But, sometimes, just sometimes, when you are pushed one time too many, ya might just push back. The question should be, "Is FOX News too sensitive?" They have been the ones crying, shouting and beating their chest accusing anyone who doesn't agree with them and supports OUR president of wanting to destroy the country. Too sensitive? Yeah, Glenn Beck sure is a sensitive crybaby. I wonder what he'll cry about today?
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By: jessup1218 on 10/09/2009 6:22AM
My thing is, people have been critical of presidents every since George Washington, now if you criticize Obama you are a racist.
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By: 1SG EARL ROGERS,JR,(RET) on 10/06/2009 6:10PM
I COULD CARE LESS IF HE IS OR WAS A MUSLIM AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE.MY MOTHER SAID IF YOU GET DOWN WITH DOGS YOU BECOME ONE.I DO NOT NOT LIKE EVERYTHING THAT GOING ON, ARE THE THING THAT I THINK HE SHOULD BE DOING ,BUT HE IS THE PRESSIDENT OF THE U.S.A. OF US ALL AND NOT THE BLACK PRESIDENT/WHITE BUT OF US ALL.I THINK A LOT OF US DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY BUT IT JUST THE WAY IT IS.
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By: M. Jones on 10/06/2009 10:46PM
Perception has a way of becoming reality.
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By: carla on 10/07/2009 1:48PM
SAMMY'S RIGHT ON TARGET uub140, BUT LET ME BRING IT HOME:
YOUR OWN WORDS (abbreviated)...
"As a people, we have much to be ashamed of"..."the debasement of our women, the Yo-mother-f**ker language employed by our youth...stereo-typical planting of a 'truck' garden at the White House to her ape-like mimicking of white hair style and fashion", she is a mixed message of what it means to be Black in America today...we cannot advance nor expect truly deserved equality with our white fellow citizens"
...YOUR WORDS MAKE IT PAINFULLY OBVIOUS TO A BLACK PERSON (or anyone who has regular interactions with us) THAT YOU ARE NOT BLACK!
WHY THE FRONT? SCARED OF "RACIST" LABEL, OR DOES BEING ONE OF "US" GIVE YOUR IGNORANT STATEMENTS MORE AUTHORITY?
You don't like First Lady Michelle Obama? Just say that. The internet's relatively anonymous. No need to pull a susan smith--see that means . . . what the hell; you wouldn't understand.
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By: Newsbag on 10/09/2009 1:16AM
Obama and the liberals have ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS (and NPR), CNN, CNBC, & MSNBC 100% on their side.
So, one network, FOX, is not in lockstep? Can't you live with a dissenting voice?
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By: Jo Ann Brown on 11/04/2009 9:29PM
Obama should have called them out long ago. During the campaign, all that talk and negativity almost created a time bomb. He was man enough then to let that go. Now, with Beck, Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs, and Fox News is distorting truths and telling lies that needs to be checked. I thought it was tastefully done by stating that they are now reporting news only opinions. Because we live in America and have freedom of speech, everyone having an opinion can state that opinion out loud. It should not be misconstrued as fact.
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