To show how foolishly hyperbolic the Old Media and the ignorati in our universities are, the Associated Press issued a dire report that breathlessly informed us all that Barack Obama is facing a "nation in crisis" and it's all "just like Lincoln and FDR." The AP even gets an historically illiterate university professor to sonorously declare how Obama is "one step away" from Lincoln and FDR. But a review of our nation's real history shows that the America Obama will inherit is in nowhere near the state of crisis that Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt had to deal with. But, in the end, this isn't about real reporting or true historiography but about pumping Obama up and trying to shoehorn him in among what are considered by many our greatest presidents before he's even taken office.
The absurd hyperbole and wild stretching of the historical record to give gravity to Obama's reign is transparent for its effort to force readers into imagining that Obama should be given a mandate to do anything he wants. I'd suggest that the reason this foolish overestimate of our state of national "crisis" is being ladled out to an unsuspecting public is because the AP realizes that Obama did not get a mandate vote and the AP fears that Obama might face more resistance than it would like to his starkly socialist policy proscriptions. So, the AP is trying its best to break down those barriers beforehand.
This idiotic piece tries its best to claim that Obama is "just like" FDR and Lincoln and that he faces a day "just like" theirs. However, this is pure bunk. Lincoln was a far better man than FDR and Obama is likely NO FDR!
Fist we get the addled opinion of another AP "expert." This time it is the blather of Terry Sullivan, associate professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He sternly tells us that the nation is in crisis mode... "just like."
"With two wars and an economic crisis, this is one step away from what Lincoln or FDR faced." The question is 'Which direction is the nation going to go?'"
This is a ridiculous assessment. The wars we face now are nowhere NEAR as intense as the ones Lincoln and FDR contended with. Lincoln faced a war where more Americans died than in all our other wars combined. 650,000 Americans perished as a result of the War Between the States -- in today's numbers that's an equivalent population percentage to nearly 6 million Americans killed! FDR faced a war where 291,557 Americans died. And what do we have in Iraq? Less than five thousand casualties in five years. Yes it's a horrible thing to lose a single soldier, but to say the Civil War and WWII are equivalent to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is simply ridiculous.
Even more to the point Lincoln and FDR faced war as it grew, became furious and at last nearly ended before they were done on this earth. Both presidents had to lead these hard fought conflicts and only left the mopping up for their successors. Obama comes to office with the efforts of better men having about finished the conflicts in the most direct terms. He will but mop up if he does things right. If things get worse, it will be because of his failures, not because of that of his predecessors.
Further, the national sacrifice that we have made in today's war on terror has barely been a blip on the radar of most American citizens compared to what the nation sacrificed during the Civil War and WWII. Even socially we cannot make the Civil War and WWII equivalent to today.
Yes, Obama will inherit a war era. Absolutely, the clash of cultures between the west and the evils of Islam is supremely volatile. Yes it is a serious and important war that he will probably make worse with his childish notions of "diplomacy." But even at that the situations he will inherit are nowhere near the levels of Lincoln and FDR's crises. Obama can thank George W. Bush for that, too.
Additionally, the economic crisis that Obama faces, while again serious, is nowhere near the level of the Great Depression. Unemployment was in the high teens when FDR entered office and advanced to the middle 20s as a result of his disastrous economic policies. Throughout his four terms the economy was in dire straights. For his part, the Civil War caused high inflation during Lincoln's two terms and the country was constantly in fear of economic collapse. If it weren't for the great efforts of Lincoln's cabinet members, most especially Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, the economy would have been even worse.
Today, however, Obama finds around 6% unemployment and an economy that is still fairly strong despite the pressures upon it. Obam will also find no inflation, deflation, stagflation or any other-flation for that matter. This is hardly a crisis in comparison.
Then the AP piece wastes our time with discussions of what FDR and Lincoln did during their transition times. I say it is a waste of time because thus far Obama has had a transition time of precisely 5 days so there is NOTHING whatever to compare historical transitions and Obama's to! But there is a reason AP goes on and on with this pointless discussion. They intend to prop up Obama by associating him with historically great and burdened presidents to suggest that Obama is "just like" them.
After the historical meandering, AP asks us a suggestive, "Sound familiar?" To that we have to say a firm and informed "no." What FDR and Lincoln faced only resembles the world that Obama will face in the remotest of ways. Of course we all have to admit that Obama may take his place as a great president. Who can say what the future holds? No one, of course. But we can say what the past held and with that we can surely say that the AP is silly to try and use the historical record of Lincoln and FDR as an example of Obama's.
But, then, we'd be looking at the actual historical record and not trying to misuse it to pump up the currently non-existent record of the AP's messiah, now, wouldn't we?
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Historical Perspective
November 9, 2008 - 08:38 ET by allanfDon't think that AP journalists have any historical perspective whatsover. Warner was a bit generous when he wrote:
I think today's journlists, schooled by Marxist teachers have very little historical perspective.
Neither does Obama have any
November 9, 2008 - 08:46 ET by motherbeltNeither does Obama have any historical perspective.
How else could he proclaim the current conditions as the worst financial crisis in a century as he did in his victory speech?
Not that I would wish it on the country, but I wonder what he would do if unemployment was at 25% as it was during the Great Depression??
You need to parse it
November 9, 2008 - 09:17 ET by GrannyGrump42You need to parse it with subtlety! Clearly by "the worst financial crisis in a century" he meant a PARTICULAR century, that is, the 21st. And this is unarguably the worst financial crisis so far this century!
Nuanced
November 9, 2008 - 14:04 ET by allanfYou don't get it. When a Democrat says something ridiculous it is considered "nuanced".
On the other hand a Republican such as Sarah Palin is ill informed for noting that Article I of the Constitution makes the Vice-President of the United States the President of the Senate.
You see in that case "President of the Senate" and "Head of the Senate" are two different things. No nuance there.
So Palin was an idiot, and Biden was nuanced to say that Vice President is not a legislative officer. The framers had it wrong and Biden was correct.
How wonderful to be in the media. Truth is what they say it is.
Satire is truly dead. You
November 9, 2008 - 17:05 ET by GrannyGrump42Satire is truly dead. You didn't get the sarcasm.
Sorry ...
November 10, 2008 - 11:59 ET by allanfThe "you" was not referring to you GrannyGrump42. I was referring to the "little people" that the media shepards.
just like Lincoln????
November 10, 2008 - 00:00 ET by txtomcatLets not
November 10, 2008 - 00:47 ET by Warner Todd HustonLet's not start with the idiotic revisionism that Lincoln secretly loved slavery or was a white supremicist, shall we?
Idiot revisionist - YOU!
November 10, 2008 - 09:49 ET by Sergeant ROCKI'll take the bait. Nowhere was is it said that Lincoln secretly loved slavery or was a white supremicist. Those are YOUR words, Mr. Revisionist! An objective person will conclude, based on Lincoln's own words, that he was hardly the Messiah that revisionist morons like you would have us believe.
PALIN/McCain 2008
Ha, ha
November 10, 2008 - 10:22 ET by Warner Todd HustonThis from Sgt.CROCK, the historical illiterate that said that James Madison was in the Federalist Party! You should steer clear of threads about history. Amazing how you keep showing your ignorance.
Warner Dud Hussie
November 10, 2008 - 10:32 ET by Sergeant ROCKNo, jackass.. what I said was that he believed in Federalism. Try doing some research. Dud.
Alan KEYES 2012
Practice what you preach
November 10, 2008 - 21:48 ET by Warner Todd HustonPractice what you preach illiterate.
Oh, for crying out
November 9, 2008 - 08:48 ET by motherbeltOh, for crying out loud!
He hasn't even been inaugurated yet, and already he's Lincoln and FDR!! (Not to mention McDreamy and McSteamy!!)
But, in the end, this isn't about real reporting or true historiography
but about pumping Obama up and trying to shoehorn him in among what are
considered by many our greatest presidents before he's even taken
office.
Of course they have to paint the country as on the edge of disaster so that they have a hook to proclaim every little deed of his as a miraculous rescue.
Oh, look! We were in danger of falling into the abyss, and he pulled us back from the precipice!!
Of course they have to
November 9, 2008 - 09:06 ET by SeashellOf course they have to paint the country as on the edge of disaster so that they have a hook to proclaim every little deed of his as a miraculous rescue.
Also, I think they are giving Obama political "cover" in case his policies fail to produce improvement. "Things are so bad, it will take years and years (8 to be exact) to recover from what Bush did to us."
"Crises"
November 9, 2008 - 18:08 ET by ahusserIs how totalitarian regimes are able to pass restrictive, repressive legislation (Fairness Doctrine? 2nd Amendment). The emergencies will continue until the proper legislation is passed. Watch for the symbolic (or real) version of the Reichstag fire in this regime's repertoire.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
»→ Crisis
November 9, 2008 - 18:12 ET by Cool ArrowEasiest one to start with is Gun Control.
Look for a mass shooting to spur a clear passage of handgun control a la Australia.
The news has reported
November 9, 2008 - 18:16 ET by ahusserrecord gun sales since obama's election. How long before this is considered a threat to the new regime.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
»→ Not soon enough
November 9, 2008 - 18:28 ET by Cool ArrowNot soon enough, I hope.
A well armed citizenry is never a threat to righteous government.
McDreamy! McHopey! McChangey! Our new President is Amazing!
November 9, 2008 - 09:16 ET by Dee BunkThis is really unbelievable. Just thinking about what Obama will get away with with this infatuated press is mind numbing.
I just watched the "Buena Vista Social Club" about Cuban musicians the other night and it was surprising how much footage of Cuba they had. In the streets there were still signs painted that said things like "The Revolution is Eternal" and "We Believe in Dreams". These slogans are eerily similar to the message that McChangey and McMedia have for us.
I think Castro is the most revered leader in Cuba's history isn't he? Doesn't the Cuban press just love him? What a guy, what a guy. Oh wait, it's not just the Cuban press, our press loves him also and they aren't even forced to. Our press is so progressive. They are so ahead of the curve, they just jump right in line years before they are required to.
Dee
November 9, 2008 - 18:14 ET by ahusserHave you noticed how like the picture posters of obama resemble Che posters and I am sure no accident. This is a propaganda campaign of the first order. All is being orchestrated. The biggest problem the left have right now is obama is basically a dummy and doesn't have the smarts or the drive of the more ruthless pretenders to the throne that history has presented to us.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
Oh yeah ahusser I agree completely
November 10, 2008 - 01:28 ET by Dee Bunkcomplete propaganda that was forwarded unchecked by the media.
Good morning Dee
November 10, 2008 - 01:46 ET by cocodrieYou are right about "Che". Comparing Hussein to President lincoln is a disgrace. Lincoln preserved the Union, Hussein is splitting it. Have you noticed that there is not one single Photograph or clip that has person in military uniform anywhere near Hussein. Niether is there ever an American flag.
If
November 9, 2008 - 08:40 ET by Copperhead RidgeIf the AP writer and other journalists thought Barack Obama had any talent beyond delivering dreamy speeches, they wouldn't have to resort to such histrionics for the guy.
I keep hearing Republicans say that they want him to be an effective president. I've just spent six months reading everything I could about the man, and I've decided that I don't want him to be effective. Barack Obama's default position on most issues is against the liberty of the people. If he is effective, then freedom will erode.
I am just one little citizen, but he gets no support from me. I am a new Contra, a Los Primos. Viva libertad!!
Absolutely right
November 9, 2008 - 08:45 ET by MidAmericaAbsolutely right Warner. We aren't even close to the economic situation we had in the 70's after Viet Nam and Watergate.
When clinton was elected the economic slump we were in suddenly lifted just because he was elected. This time I think THEY are going to go the opposite track and continue the downbeat 'worse crisis in 80 years' theme so that when we do come out of this obama will be praised to the high heavens for being a miricle worker and The One that the country needed to save it, a historical figure like Lincoln.
Mr. Huston is great as usual.
November 9, 2008 - 09:07 ET by JWFLincoln comparison - absolutely no
early FDR - We still have to see. FDR took a very bad recession and made it into a great depression with his interventionist policies. FDR implemented socialist policies at a time when socialism had not been proved to be the absolute failure it is. President elect Obama has no excuse should he try the same.
wartime FDR - absolutely no
There are still too many questions. The Iraq war is nearly over. The issue he faces is - will we stay and provide stability to the region like we did in Japan, Germany, & S. Korea. Or will we leave like we did in S. Vietnam and Cuba during the turn of the 20th century.
It took a reporter and an associate professor to come up with an article this stupid?
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
FDR
November 9, 2008 - 10:46 ET by Gat New YorkI agree that FDR did create The Great Depression with the New Deal which was a socialist's throw everything against the wall and see what sticks. We had years of sustained 20%+ unemployment.
The only thing that got us out of it was our entry into World War II and a war economy.
It is also worth noting that what this left wing media call enormous unemployment now at 6.5% compared to Clinton (5.5%-7.0% during his first term) and Carter stagflation (11%) is reckless deceit.
"The fundamentals of our economy are strong."
November 9, 2008 - 09:07 ET byWTH,
65.4 million people decided for change.
"Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when George Bush loses his."-(h/t Reagan)
Are you saying the reporting on the economic indicators is over blown and the panic is, just that, a panic. Would you please tell the recent unemployed, the stockbrokers, the taxpayer footing the bill for the bailout and the rest of the population...that this problem is just a figment of their imaginations and part of the symptoms of a mental recession(sarc on)?
65.4 million voted for a change. The fluff pieces, the comparisons to history, the optimism for a better future...all of it...it's part of calming the fears of the populace. "The only thing to fear is fear itself"...true, true.
It seems the true fiscal conservatives have left the GOP and gone over to the other side. Redefining labels, correct? Gosh, to think whatever happen to those DixieCrats...hmmm...I wonder where they went...?
Elections have consequences.
Grover Norquist was on C-Span this morning...I don't think he got your memo by the way...
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ Thanks Ubercon
November 9, 2008 - 09:32 ET by Cool ArrowObama agrees with your assessment that the economical fundamentals are strong.
Seems the Press failed to make note of it.
Let's see your best Ned Beatty.
Cool...McCain won?!?
November 9, 2008 - 09:47 ET byCA,
When in the end...I agree with the Sheriff..."Don't ever do anything like this again...I kinda like to see this town die peaceful." The "town" being the GOP...hehehehe!
What are you projecting this morning...?
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ No Uber
November 9, 2008 - 15:07 ET by Cool ArrowThat's a quote from Obama.
You should know your master's voice
Ubercon, check out my
November 9, 2008 - 09:53 ET by motherbeltUbercon, check out my comment above. During the Great Depression unemployment was at 25%!
There were people who literally could not put food on the table! Lived from handout to handout.
And I'm not math whiz, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't over 100 years ago!
This is what Warner means by "no historical perspective." Rush Limbaugh puts is another way (paraphrasing): For most people, history started the day they were born.
So yeah, some people are having a rough time now; and the economy is pretty much on Skid Row....but it's not the Great Depression.
Looking at it your way is like saying feeding a kid junk food is child abuse rather than poor parenting. It trivializes REAL child abuse.
Let's hope...
November 9, 2008 - 09:53 ET byMB,
...by working together, we end a depression before it begins. Obama can only run for two terms as opposed to FDR...if things do improve in the next 4 to 8 years...rest assured, the Democrats will continue steering the ship. If not...they can always blame the GOP.
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
Don't argue with
November 9, 2008 - 09:57 ET by motherbeltDon't argue with non-sequiturs.
I was talking about your comparing this financial situation to the Great Depression.
Changing the subject when one gets caught is a well-know liberal tactic. It doesn't fly here; and definitely not with me.
That was pretty silly
November 9, 2008 - 09:58 ET by Warner Todd Huston#1- there won't be any "together" with Obama. He has no interest or desire of working WITH Republicans. He wants them destroyed just like every socialist...er, I mean, Democrat, does.
#2- This mythic "working together" claim of yours didn't happen in the other depression either.
#3-Just like FDR's did, Obama's socialist policies will make this depression worse.
Ummm...
November 9, 2008 - 10:31 ET byWTH,
This "socialist" label didn't work in the election and it doesn't work now. The majority of voters rejected the claim. We all pay into our society by way of taxes. We have different "safety nets" for the population. We are bailing out financial sectors with taxpayer funds. We "spread the wealth" for better roads, security, etc. Please explain how these aren't "socialist" polices. FDR restructured the government and through those changes created the largest increase in the middle class...the decades after FDR...this country fought a cold war while in the process sent men to the moon. Our current situation...the largest economic inequality between the highest and lowest earners on par with the beginning of the Great Depression. You can repel the "working together" aspect of my comment...The Obama Administation won't be able to change your attitude, only your behavior. No matter, there will be plenty of "RINO"s joining the "movement" to keep the taxpayer money flowing to their Districts and States by way of the "socialist" policies you reject, yet, enjoy everyday of your life.
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ Boil it down con
November 9, 2008 - 10:43 ET by Cool ArrowYou're pointing to the disparity of wealth without recognizing the definitions have changed.
When you see long soup lines, you can give us the "poverty in America" parallel, but we're still seeing color TV & cable in their homes.
It's OK, I guess. Most of those people who lived through the Depression are dead now. They aren't around to tell you how full of bovine defacation your argument is.
Is that it?
November 9, 2008 - 16:16 ET byCA,
Everything's hunky-doory as long as we don't see soup lines?!? Fascinating...
Take a look around...I'm sure everything is fine where you live. You probably think the "poor" are plump and well fed with the stereotypical "Cadillac" in the front yard and the rest of the Reagan myths still listed in your head.
How about Appalachia? They predominately voted for the Republican ticket. Would you classify them as doing well?
Maybe we should compare the poor of 1930's to the poor of the late 1800's just to feel better about how well they actually were...
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ That's it
November 9, 2008 - 16:30 ET by Cool ArrowIf you were to visit Yellowstone Park, would you feed the bears?
Serious question.
Did someone say "Pick-a-nick"?
November 9, 2008 - 16:40 ET byCool A,
"If you were to visit Yellowstone Park, would you feed the bears?"
...depends upon the bait and if they have the time to eat it before I shot them from Helicopter!
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ Good answer
November 9, 2008 - 16:42 ET by Cool ArrowI really didn't expect an honest assessment in parallel.
Cool...
November 9, 2008 - 16:56 ET byCoolA,
Are you kidding me?
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ No, Sen. Biden
November 9, 2008 - 17:02 ET by Cool ArrowI wasn't kidding. I think the question is entirely fair and pertinent to the issue of encouraging a chronic state of entitlement in any higher life form, not limited to, but including bears and humans.
Your response is exactly the same as Sen. Biden's when he was faced with a tough question. I'm not surprised
Discuss among yourself.
Thanks for the compliment!
November 9, 2008 - 17:30 ET byCoolA,
I've got no problem being compared to the Vice-President Elect of the United States of America Joe Biden...one heartbeat away from the President-Elect of the United States of America Barack Obama!
Given the choice you think Bears decided the Circus life was no bowl of cherries and decided to live in Yellowstone, the good life! Bears forage for food. They do not understand the complexities of human society and the "socialist" entitlements of which you speak.
As for those "entitlements"...Don't ever think it can't happen to you. There are plenty of people who believe it could never happen to them and one day they find themselves in line for their check. Or do you think like good ol' Joe the Plumber, 2-time welfare recipient-that he had paid into the system so it's ok for him to use it.
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
»→ No problem Ubercon
November 9, 2008 - 17:41 ET by Cool ArrowIf it pleases you to be compared to the man who thinks African American children are either too culturally, or too genetically, inferior to white children, that's your business.
Didn't see you, the MSM, or Barack Obama complain about it, so I guess it's settled science in the Dem Party.
Obama's record speaks for itself
November 9, 2008 - 18:14 ET by well99"The building in Englewood was one of 30 Rezmar rehabbed in a series of troubled deals largely financed by taxpayers. Every project ran into financial difficulty. More than half went into foreclosure, a Chicago Sun-Times investigation has found.
"Their buildings were falling apart,'' said a former city official. "They just didn't pay attention to the condition of these buildings.''
Eleven of Rezko's buildings were in Obama's state Senate district."
Apparently Obama did well for himself but not those he represented.So how many times did you work with homeless or poor?Or are you another talker whose words are worthless.All talk and no action.
Uber...
November 9, 2008 - 12:08 ET by JohnM"This "socialist" label didn't work in the election and it doesn't work now. The majority of voters rejected the claim."
And if we all close our eyes and think of home, we can be in Kansas with you and Toto, too.
Just because you want to call it something else doesn't make it true. His attitudes and policies are socialist. There is no getting away from that.
And that's not taking into account other program like his Civilian Patrol and Youth Required Service.
But that takes socialism to the next level, and what would that be called?
Great line!
November 9, 2008 - 16:23 ET byJohnM,
"And if we all close our eyes and think of home, we can be in Kansas with you and Toto, too."
That's pretty much how most of the right wing nuts would like it...Right back to the 1950's...Apple pie, "Leave it to Beaver" on the TeeVee. "Shucks, golly, them commies and pinkos better not try to come over here and spread their commie pinko lies..."
Here's a good question...so you think you're a conservative?
How much did Barry Goldwater believe was the highest amount the government should receive from a working man?
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
I thought the con stood for conservative.
November 9, 2008 - 13:25 ET by JWFSounds more like just plain con now, as in I am conning you out of your money.
Building better roads and providing security are valid functions of the goverment. Taking someone's property and giving it to someone else is not.
You sir have bought in to the socialist propaganda. Check your head.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Nonsense...
November 9, 2008 - 16:35 ET byJWF,
Put your beer down...
"Building better roads and providing security are valid functions of
the goverment. Taking someone's property and giving it to someone else
is not."
Did you read your statement before you posted it?
How does the government collect for roads and security? Taxes from taxpayers.
Taxes=money collected from the taxpayer.
Money= taxpayer's wealth.
Wealth redistributed to pay for roads and security.
Your definition of socialism=wealth redistributed.
Hmmm...How about "cherry-picked socialism"? Is that more to your liking?
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
Yet another idiot I am done talking to.
November 9, 2008 - 19:52 ET by JWFNot worth the time.
If this is a recession
November 9, 2008 - 11:31 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsIf this is a recession (6.5% unemployment, 6-9% interest rates, fuel slightly expensive) then under Carter we must have been in a deep depression (11% unemployment 16-22% interest rates, gas shortages, gas rationing) Thanks for the historical perspective! We'll see if the "Mutt In Chief" Obama can do as well.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps. Thanks for the historical perspective!
YOu think that's bad?
November 9, 2008 - 09:09 ET by dmntd1YOu think that's bad? Trying living in/around Springfield, Illinois! EVERY DAY, there's another glowing local piece in the daily rag, or the 'alternative weekly', about how great Pres-Elect Obama is. How they were able to score tickets to watch his acceptance speech, about the 13yo's in the crowd that were canvassing for him.... it's making me ill!
A few examples here, here and here.(oh yeah!)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy." - Winston Churchill
I'm sure you're right, but
November 9, 2008 - 09:31 ET by motherbeltI'm sure you're right, but sorry, can't read them. Gave up Obama worship for Lent.
Oh, it's not Lent yet? That's OK...I'm starting early.
»→ mb
November 9, 2008 - 09:35 ET by Cool ArrowLooks like a bunch of us "lent" our share of Obama worship to the MSM.
I'm surprised dmntd - Bush = Lincoln - Obama = Chavez
November 9, 2008 - 09:55 ET by Dee BunkI would think that would be clear to the people of Springfield.
I love the new Lincoln Museum down there and my favorite part was the whispering Gallery. That room was basically all about how horribly the press treated Lincoln. It really felt like you were in a GWB exhibit.
Obama can not be compared to any American President. Not one of them received the adoring uncritical coverage that he has - not even Clinton.
Lincoln and Bush did what was right despite extreme and constant attacks. Obama has never shown any moral courage to face anything but blind adoration
Lincoln and Bush did what
November 9, 2008 - 10:00 ET by motherbeltLincoln and Bush did what was right despite extreme and constant
attacks. Obama has never shown any moral courage to face anything but
blind adoration.
Well said, ditto, and Amen, Dee!
This is a man who has never really done anything and they want to make him a hero.
MB - it is truly mind-boggling
November 9, 2008 - 10:25 ET by Dee BunkIt really is a real life Lonesome Rhodes from the movie "A Face In the Crowd".
Everyone should really watch that film. It's good. Of course the film blames a conservative press, but it's obvious that no conservative has ever got this type of treatment.
Well...
November 9, 2008 - 10:01 ET by Warner Todd HustonJFK did get the fawning press. They covered up his serial adultery and they covered up his horrible health too. So, JFK and his fabled "Camelot" business comes closest to the fawning Obamidiots of the press.
You're right - JFK is probably the closest - BUT
November 9, 2008 - 10:10 ET by Dee Bunkstill not as over the top. Clinton was next closest.
Sadly, Obama is no JFK or Clinton. Both Clinton and JFK were conservative Democrats. John McCain was the closest to those two in policy and the Press hated him.
The Press are more ignorant than the masses. It's all about coolness and personality to them.
Dee...
November 9, 2008 - 10:11 ET byDee,
It's unknown how many death threats Obama receives each day. The Secret Service is doing a phenomenal job in protecting Obama. It takes courage and strength to walk out in front of hundreds of thousands with the understanding that it might be the last time. With the amount of death threats, Obama is trying to calm, not only the fears of his supporters, but those who would want to do him harm. How many death threats did Lincoln have? It only took one bullet from someone who didn't agree with him. My hope is to see a decrease in the fearmongering of the right, this fearmongering can only lead to some right wing nutcase trying to take a shot at Obama.
Übercon
"Yes, We can!" President-Elect Barack Obama
Truly unhinged! IMO,
November 9, 2008 - 10:20 ET by AgnosticTruly unhinged!
IMO, anyone who is stupid enough to try such a horrendous act it will be because President Obama did not fulfill their Socialist Utopian or Black Liberation dreams.
You are delusional Ubercon - Every President has death threats
November 9, 2008 - 10:20 ET by Dee BunkThat isn't anything that distinguishes him as special. What a joke. McCain's campaign bus was actually shot at!
Conservative fear mongering? Talk to me when a conservative does a movie about assassinating Obama and the film community relishes it. Talk to me when conservatives have burning effigies of Obama in their protests like they did of Bush. Talk to me about fear mongering and hate when comedians talk about executing Obama and Biden like they did of Bush and Cheny.
Heck - by your standards, Obama is no more courageous than Joe the Plumber who had a liberal radio host call for his execution.
You people are unbelievable.
Dee
November 9, 2008 - 10:26 ET by MrShyI will churn out t-shirts:
"I LOVE DEE"
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Thanks Shy : )
November 9, 2008 - 10:41 ET by Dee BunkCan you do that and then advertise the T-shirts on Newsbusters please? I need some subliminal advertising to soften up my haters. ; )
Dee, that's just ubercon's
November 9, 2008 - 10:31 ET by motherbeltDee, that's just ubercon's tactic of changing the subject. The point is about making tough decisions in the face of people who don't agree with one, and he (or she, I don't know) changes it to being brave in the face of threats.
He/shedid the same thing above...when he lost on the subject of comparing this to the Great Depression, he switched to stopping a depression before it starts.
Standard liberal ploy: the name is obviously sarcastic or a head-fake.
MB - I saw you take him down - good job
November 9, 2008 - 10:43 ET by Dee BunkI'm not that familiar with this one. He's obviously an Obamamessiah believer though.
I love the smell of toasted Uber in the morning
November 9, 2008 - 10:50 ET by BlondeBravo, Dee!
Smoked the troll.
The moral equivalencies (actually we probably need to rename that immoral equivalencies) that the leftist-supporting media continually try to jam down our throats is insane.
Obama is nothing more than a third rate politcal hack and first rate campaigner with zero experience. Let the press equate those facts to the accomplishments of Lincoln and FDR before taking office. Kind of changes the story, eh?
Yes Blonde - the immoral equivalencies - perfect
November 9, 2008 - 11:05 ET by Dee BunkIt's so sad and disturbing. The Dems have always been the fear mongering party with their attacks that Republican are Racist, bigoted, homophobes who want to take away granny's social security, institute sweat shops and force Christianity on the country. Now their hate mongering has reached new heights with swarms of pitchfork carrying followers ready to burn any Republican at the stake, for something as small as asking a question in a respectful way.
Sadly, their extreme tactics worked and we are left with some pretty rotten choices for how to proceed.
Good morning Dee
November 9, 2008 - 11:13 ET by cocodrieYou're right. In byrd's day the democrats wore sheets, in pelosi's day they're wearing lipstick.
excellent comparison coco
November 9, 2008 - 11:22 ET by Dee Bunktheir hate is so out in the open now and they have no fear of persecution for it.
It's like Rush said - where is all their rage and hatred going to go with Bush gone and their messiah in and both houses, congress and the courts all liberal?
Good morning Blonde
November 9, 2008 - 11:05 ET by cocodrieI was going to suggest feeding Uber to your Gators to save money on the raw meat you been feeding 'em. But, never mind if it didn't kill 'em it would surely make 'em sick.
»→ OOO the evil right
November 9, 2008 - 10:23 ET by Cool ArrowGerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.
Yeah, the right has a lock on idiots looking to take a place in infamy.
I think it's a pretty good start that the Party of the Klan got its resident Kleagle (Robert Byrd) to step down from his post this week, but it's got a long way to go.
This one was....
November 9, 2008 - 11:04 ET by Warner Todd HustonIn a constantly lowering quality of posts, this one was Ooberconjob's most idiotic reply yet. First he says "it's unknown" how many death threats Obama gets then trumps up some fantasy where the Sec. Service is obviously protecting Obama from tons of them.
If Slobberconjob doesn't know how many death threats that Obama gets, how can he be so sure that the Sec. Service is working so hard these last 5 days?
The illogic is supreme.
And, so far our nation has lost four presidents to assassination and guess what? HALF of them were to left-wing nuts (JFK and McKinley). One of them was killed before there WAS a left wing or right wing (Lincoln). And one was killed by a flat out nutcase (Garfield).
But, guess what else? There have been half a dozen attempts on other presidents (Nixon, Ford, Bush, etc.) and almost ALL of them have been by left-wingers.
So, Slimercram, claims that only "right wing nutcases" are a danger to presidents is uninformed and filled with nothing but partisan hatred. In FACT it has been YOUR compatriots that have been far more dangerous to our chief executives than anyone on the right.
WTH
November 9, 2008 - 11:10 ET by MrShy"Slobberconjob"
Hahaha.....
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Good points WTH and lets not forget that Obama is friends
November 9, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Dee Bunkwith those very nut case types who plan assassinations.
WTH
November 9, 2008 - 11:14 ET by BlondeI prefer to call it "leaping liberal illogic".
I was going to comment on that little bit of oobism (boobism?) you just pointed out, but then read through to the end of the comments and had to congratulate Dee for her most excellent DeeBunking of the troll.
Nice find on this article. WTH.
WTH -- you're too kind as
November 9, 2008 - 11:28 ET by Jack BauerWTH -- you're too kind as well.
You could have pointed out that JFK (the Hollywood President still lauded by Hollywood) was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald -- a Castro/Che loving commie.
Which is what Hollywood seems to be to this day.
So their boy was the one who assassinated their boy. I think that's called "ironic."
John Wilkes Booth was essentially a Democrat
November 9, 2008 - 17:27 ET by needle"One of them was killed before there WAS a left wing or right wing (Lincoln)."
John Wilkes Booth and the conspirators with whom he palled around could best be associated with the most extreme form of copperhead Democrats at the time.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Ubercon
November 9, 2008 - 11:09 ET by well99Still waiting for a decrease in lies from the left.All you little sychophants just spew out lies and it gets old.Between you and the other Obama butt grubers and the msm lap dogs I understand why he is always standing.I am going to invest in stock of blue dresses since there obviously will be a increase in sales with the chosen one.With you and Chrissy,Smith,Obly and the rest buying them I will make a fortune.Oh just a note:So is Obama's buddie going to dedicate another book to Sirhan Sirhan?
My hope...
November 9, 2008 - 13:31 ET by JWFMy hope is for all truly stupid people to shut up.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
bh'0',s tactic is fear
November 9, 2008 - 10:14 ET by larry on LIand he has a lot of willing helpers. note the tone of the misleading comments from the likes of madam plotski, "we have to save the earth", "we have to save the cars" and at the start of the discussions in congress regarding the bailout, "we have to move quickly so people and businesses can secure loans" . just pure scare tactics, pure adolf hitler , the difference hitler used the jews and they are using false ecomomic information. we should all remember the calming and insightful advice from FDR.
»→ We can't do both
November 9, 2008 - 10:36 ET by Cool ArrowHow can we save the earth while we subsidize the evil auto industry that's trying to destroy it.
Promises, promises...
November 9, 2008 - 10:31 ET by RackieHe promised us the moon, but we'll only get cheese.
If that means...
November 9, 2008 - 10:42 ET by Dan LaHoodthe coutry is as divided and tense as it's been since 1856, I'd have to agree.
Anyone who has ever heard Santayana's famous quote about History repeating itself is condemned to repeat it.
Dan LaHood
November 9, 2008 - 11:55 ET by Rackie"Anyone who has ever heard Santayana's famous quote about History repeating itself is condemned to repeat it."
There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who divide people into groups, and those who don't. ;>)
A liberals main object in
November 9, 2008 - 11:18 ET by ConservativeRexA liberals main object in any discussion they are losing is to A) Change the subject, (it's like talking with a three year old. Do all liberals have ADHD?) B) You will be called a rascist, Nazi, or both. C) They will be foaming at the mouth in rage.
FDR prolonged the Depression with his financial tactics. I am not aware of a single finacial expert who doesn't agree with that (except Uncle Joe's useful idiots)
WWII is the only thing that got us out of the Depression.
FDR, like Wilson before him was and remains a Fascist. Now you could call FDR a socialist, but in this case, as in Mussolini's, they were both one and the same, fascist/socialist. There is no difference between the two.
FDR admired Mussolini, He admired Hitler until Hitler's rascism came to the fore. Walter Lippmann, a famous media man at the time, asked FDR to be the United States dictator. In the 30's dictator was not a bad word.
Bottom line, if Obami is going to be like Lincoln (tyrant) or FDR (fascist) then he's got two models to pattern himself after that we need to keep an eye on.
C-Rex
November 9, 2008 - 11:25 ET by MrShy"C) They will be foaming at the mouth in rage."
Oh, and do I have personal stories to tell, in this regard, of unhinged moonbats I have had the misfortune of knowing. Oh, do I.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
They're gonna need to find a
November 9, 2008 - 11:56 ET by marvlThey're gonna need to find a place in Washington to build the Obama Memorial. Since it needs to be grander than the Lincoln Memorial, they may have to reclaim some real estate that's already in use. I suggest they take down the Washington Monument and put it there. It could be built by conscript labor paid $40 per hour, full time for up to ten years if that's what it takes.
A more fitting reminder for all time.
November 9, 2008 - 12:36 ET by RackieBetter to chip 'n blast newbie's smug mug into Mt. Rushmore.
eh pst..
November 9, 2008 - 14:18 ET by katainkenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6DwN-zt-24
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
Moonbat
November 9, 2008 - 12:31 ET by dbo"With two wars and an economic crisis, this is one step away from what Lincoln or FDR faced."
That's one small step for Sullivan...one giant leap to anyone with an ounce of common sense.
Warner, may I suggest a better title:
November 9, 2008 - 16:49 ET by R D HelmMedia, Academia, and NB Trolls, Historical Illiterates du Jour
LOL.
-Dave
Did this country just elect Obama/Biden, or was it Soros/Ayers?
The closest Obama will come
November 9, 2008 - 16:49 ET by MrSnugglesThe closest Obama will come to Lincoln and FDR is if he dies in office.
»→ snuggles
November 9, 2008 - 16:54 ET by Cool ArrowIMHO FDR may have been more socialist than Obama.
Please no Mr. I've seen what
November 9, 2008 - 17:00 ET by cocodriePlease no Mr. I've seen what is waiting in the wings
»→ coco
November 9, 2008 - 17:07 ET by Cool ArrowYou wouldn't be referring to VP-Elect Joe Biden, who believes African Americans are either culturally or genetically inferior students?
The MSM and Barack Obama must agree since they didn't say much to refute his claim.
Evening Cool
November 9, 2008 - 17:21 ET by cocodrieAnd behind him is the Wicked Witch of the West.
»→ Shudder
November 9, 2008 - 17:24 ET by Cool Arrow<BRRRR> <SHUDDDER>
In that case . . . Long Live OBAMA!
the media desperate to ...
November 9, 2008 - 21:59 ET by pmohbuckannoint obama with so much glory before he's even entered the white house, but they are really, really reaching. inflating the current financial situation to make it comparable with the depression, even though we're no where near that level of crisis? i don't see hoovervilles and bread lines. and what on earth even comes close to world war II in our current global situation?
and i don't get the comparison to lincoln? as far as i've heard, no states are threatening to secede and slavery ended under lincoln. is the obama acceptance speech suddenly on par with the gettysburg address?
the bottom line is that the media is bestowing so much promise to this candidate, they are actually, IMHO, setting him up for failure. he'll do no more or less than clinton ... if he tries to do more, he'll probably label himself a radical and he'll be gone in 4 years. people seem to forget that all he has to do is upset a small percentage of the population and he's fini. i think, whether the media says so or not, he'll start campaigning for his second term from day one and play it safe for 4 years ... problem is, he may not have the legislative support he currently enjoys ... a balancing act to say the least.
so the media may want to back off the comparisons and let the guy prove himself before automatically list him with the "greatest" presidents ... he's already going to have to do a hell of a lot to even meet expectations ... as well as the promises he made to get elected.