Tuesday, September 05, 2017

If Donald Trump goes after the Dreamers, Barack Obama may go after him.

Don't make me come back here.
Courtesy of Politico:

Former President Barack Obama plans to speak out if President Donald Trump declares his intention to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, according to a person close to Obama. 

Trump is expected to announce on Tuesday that in six months, he will terminate the Obama-era DACA initiative, which grants two-year work permits to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and stayed out of trouble. POLITICO first reported the news. 

Obama’s current plan is to post a statement on Facebook and link to it on Twitter, where the former president has more than 94 million followers. In his final presidential press availability, he suggested that he would speak out if Trump went after the Dreamers — and that it was one of the few issues where he would feel morally compelled to do so. He said he would not remain silent in the face of “efforts to round up kids who have grown up here and for all practical purposes are American kids, and send them someplace else, when they love this country.”

Yes my headline is a little hyperbolic, as it really reflects how I wish Obama would respond, rather than the measured and careful statement that he is certain to issue.

I know who Obama is, and I admire him immensely for the fact that he is forever the grownup in the room, the steadying presence, the man who keeps his head when all about him are losing theirs. (With apologies to Rudyard Kipling.)

And we will welcome his words, share them with others, and cling to them for the wisdom that they hold.

But they will change absolutely nothing, and Trump will keep right on taking a sledgehammer to everything that President Obama worked so hard to build.

That makes me incredibly sad, and almost uncontrollably angry.

Donald Trump is a bully.

I remember bullies from my years in public school.

Everybody always told me to take the high road, to not get down on their level.

But nothing made it stop, nothing made me feel safe, until I finally had enough and knocked them on their ass.

I guess in some ways I just want Barack Obama to knock Donald Trump on his ass.

Verbally of course, I would never suggest a physical confrontation. (Though I have every confidence 44 could beat 45's big orange ass with little effort.)

Is it wrong? Probably.

Will Obama ever do anything like that? Probably not.

But that does not stop me from wanting it.

And it does not keep me from thinking that ultimately Barack Obama may be left with no choice.

76 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:28 AM

    At Last, Lisa Murkowski Is Acting Like The Independent Many Alaskans Wanted

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lisa-murkowski-independent-obamacare-repeal_us_59aae1c1e4b0354e440ab54a?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:21 AM

      Lisa Murkowski deserves zero support from Alaskans. She's continually lied - said one thing and voted completely the opposite. Check her record on various items.

      I have never voted for her and will campaign against her when she runs again for reelection. Don't trust the woman at all!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:45 AM

      Perhaps Trump has held a mirror up to the GOP and those like him. Maybe a light came on in her head and she sees what we see. Who knows,hope more of them put on their big boy pants and stand up to the Orange Turd.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:20 AM

      the shame-paul ryan is my congressman. the cows have stopped giving milk! this country is falling apart at the seems. do what you can-legally.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous2:04 PM

      We would have had Joe Miller.
      We NOW have Carpetbagger Dan SellyourVan
      & THAT @Age 84 'WETBACK BUTT FUCKER,
      NO LONGER> donny YOUNG in CONgre$$.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous8:32 PM

      Someone is conditioning her for a 2020 Presidential run.
      Who knew. But her Daddy is a Creep like Donny Brook. So.
      Might backfire on this plan.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous6:57 AM

    Why Trump keeps doing unpopular things to please his base

    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/5/16233568/trump-approval-unpopular

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:56 AM

      " It’s about branding!
      a concept he brought from the worlds of business and celebrity to politics — think the towers with his name on it in big letters, his portrayal of a master businessman on reality TV, and his “Make America Great Again” slogan."
      "Trump may feel that the more politics is framed as a conflict between white Americans and various “others,” the more he’ll benefit politically. He’s long seemed to have an instinctual feel for this dynamic"
      Born tHIS WAY^ NOW>
      SB"“The Democrats — the longer they talk about identity politics, I got ’em. I want them to talk about racism every day. If the left is focused on race and identity, and we go with economic nationalism, we can crush the Democrats,”
      1974>"“The President has lately been at some pains not to give further displeasure to conservatives,”

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:17 AM

      seems his base is getting real unhappy with him. the nazi's are in hiding-afraid of people who fight back-boo hoo hoo!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous6:58 AM

    Trump Confirms Suspicion That He’s Passing The Buck To Congress On DACA

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-confirms-suspicion-hes-passing-buck-congress-daca

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7:04 AM

    Trump Reportedly Asked Aides For ‘Way Out’ Of Campaign Pledge To End DACA

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-asked-way-out-daca-pledge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:39 AM

      Donald Trump is trying to back away from his own DACA decision

      Trump — facing condemnation — tries to blame Congress for the mess he created

      http://www.salon.com/2017/09/05/donald-trump-is-trying-to-back-away-from-his-own-daca-decision/

      Delete
  5. Anonymous7:04 AM

    Lindsey Graham Will Support Trump Plan To Reportedly End DACA

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/lindsey-graham-will-support-trumps-plan-to-end-daca

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous7:05 AM

    New York AG Says He Will Sue Trump Admin. If POTUS Ends DACA

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/schneiderman-lawsuit-threat-trump-ends-daca

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous7:05 AM

    Lankford: U.S. Doesn’t Hold Children Accountable For Actions Of Their Parents

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/lankford-us-doesnt-hold-children-accountable-actions-their-parents

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I wanted to read TPM or Addicting Info right now, I would be there. Cluttering up this comment thread with repetitive links to other sites is just spam.

      I guess you don't have anything original or intelligent of your own to contribute.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:06 AM

      wow nefer, who pissed in your coffee today?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:10 AM

      Nefer, I'm shocked at your nasty comment. Instead of celebrating positive contributions, you attack innocent posters. SHAME ON YOU!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:15 AM

      and you do? nefer, we are releasly anger and frusrtation here-it needs to be done so we can have cool heads to do what we we have to do. sorry, my cat ate my dictionary.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous8:19 AM

      I see Nefer's point, the link posts are excessive today.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous8:25 AM

      I so appreciate that I can come to Gryphen's blog every day, many times a day and find value in not just what he has posted, but also interesting and relevant articles from other progressive sites. It is so helpful and has opened up a world of terrific news sources over the years.

      Nefer, your sour and pissy post isn't very kind, or useful. Try thinking first before you post such nasty and toxic words. The world doesn't revolve around you.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous8:30 AM

      Damn, Nefer, when did you become the blog police? It's not your blog, f*ck off.

      Delete
    8. I am not the blog police and never claimed to be. Posting an interesting link and making some insightful comment about the link makes for an interesting comment thread.

      Just posting link after link with no reference is useless and lazy in my view.

      I know it's not my blog and that is why I didn't demand that Gryphen remove the comments.

      I have every right to voice my opinion about comments just like those of you criticizing me for criticizing other comments.

      I see plenty of sour and pissy and blog policing in the comments above, so bite me, self-righteous snotty blog police.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous12:25 PM

      --useless and lazy in my view.

      LOL! You lazy, useless, sanctimonious ass, Nefer. I bet you think your shit don't stink. Time for you to STFU. See the mess you made with your thoughtless attack polluting Gryphen's blog with your self-righteousness. You need to take that hostility elsewhere.

      Delete
    10. The link posts are also stupid and lazy.

      There is no summary of what they're linking to. So you're blindly going to off to read something that ends up being spam or immaterial or just click bait.

      I don't bother following any link unless the poster has the brains and courtesy enough to tell me what I'm going to find there. And if there are quotes from the article they are PUT IN QUOTES to indicate that no, the original poster is not saying that. The author of the article is.

      It comes down to common courtesy and netiquette.

      I'm glad I'm not the only one pissed off by this.

      You go, Nefer!

      Oh, and FUCK YOU 12:25. Typical. No rational response so you're reduced to name calling. Tsk tsk.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous8:36 PM

      That's RICH coming from a nation about to go to the POOR house.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous7:06 AM

    Multiple Witnesses Confirm: The Pee Pee Tapes Are Real

    http://addictinginfo.com/2017/09/04/multiple-witnesses-confirm-the-pee-pee-tapes-are-real/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:35 AM

      Russian politician says 'let's hit Trump with our Kompromat' on state TV

      Claims made in explosive Trump Russia dossier, though unproven, have led many to speculate Kremlin could be holding sensitive information on former real estate mogul

      http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-donald-trump-kompromat-nikita-isaev-new-russia-movement-state-tv-us-president-a7929966.html

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:35 AM

      "that Donald Trump’s staff was seen arguing with hotel security about whether or not a couple of prostitutes would be allowed in his hotel room during a stay in Russia."In his infamous dossier, former British spy Michael Steele alleged that Trump had paid prostitutes to come up to his room and urinate on one another on a bed that Barack and Michelle Obama once shared. Steele claimed at the time that the incident was filmed and would be used by the Kremlin as “kompromat”
      "reports of witnesses in the hotel who corroborate Steele’s reporting. These include an American who’s said to have seen a row with the hotel security over whether the hookers would be allowed up to Trump’s suite. The dossier’s account of hookers in a Moscow hotel room was the subject of gossip among politicians and intelligence people for months before it was published.

      “Now claims are circulating of more tapes showing more extreme behavior. Expect these allegations to emerge in due course,”"

      Delete
    3. So what? Trump doesn't care. If he could shoot someone in the middle of the street and not lose any votes, do you think he's going to lose any votes over some urine?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:11 AM

      @10:O5 Maybe if HE drinks it?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous3:51 PM

      HA Ha those weren't hookers,that was Melanoma!

      Delete
  9. Anonymous7:07 AM

    Hardcore Conservative Republican Senator BLASTS Trump’s Decision To Kill DACA

    http://addictinginfo.com/2017/09/04/hardcore-conservative-republican-senator-blasts-trumps-decision-to-kill-daca/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous7:11 AM

    President Trump’s Disastrous Summer—and Potentially Cataclysmic Autumn

    We approach autumn, which shows every sign of being as bad as summer or worse.

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/president-trumps-disastrous-summerand-potentially-cataclysmic-autumn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:46 AM

      Trump needs to be admitted to an insane asylum and the key thrown away forever!

      He is inept, unqualified, a racist, a bully, a liar and fraud - and, I'm sure more descriptive words can be added!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous7:13 AM

    DACA WILL END IN 6 MONTHS

    Melanija Knavs (Melania Trump)

    PACK YOUR BAGS!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:10 AM

      ah.. the illegal sex worker. i feel sorry for her and her son. she is so unhappy-and mad-let's hope she leaves him-and tells all.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous7:13 AM

    Don’t be fooled by the scam that Trump will pull today on DACA

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2017/09/05/dont-be-fooled-by-the-scam-that-trump-will-pull-today-on-daca/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous7:17 AM

    Something is seriously off about this president

    Trump in three very different settings over the past few days reminded us how unsuited he is for the job. Increasingly, his presidency is defined by blatant lies, an empathy deficit and a frightful lack of ability to navigate through dire international crises. Each has been on display.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/09/04/something-seriously-off-about-this-president/?tid=pm_opinions_pop

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous7:17 AM

    Democrats will need more than words to fight DACA repeal

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/09/05/democrats-will-need-more-than-words-to-fight-daca-repeal/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous7:19 AM

    I detest Sessions and Trump because they are nothing more than racist pigs. This is a dark day for our country!!

    The Republicans are going to suffer mightily from their horrid actions.

    Fuck Donald Trump and his Administration! They do not represent me in any manner! Impeach Trump's sorry ass!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:08 AM

      agreed. we are getting very angry-i hope it helps.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous7:33 AM

    ‘Fox & Friends’ knows Trump watches, so it’s telling him what to do about DACA

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/09/05/fox-friends-knows-trump-watches-so-its-telling-him-what-to-do-about-daca/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:31 AM

      Watch tHI$ $hi'T':
      http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/theyre-not-breaking-this-down-on-fox-friends-morning-joe-hoots-with-laughter-watching-trump-load-a-truck/

      Delete
  17. So? Like Obama can do anything? DACA was not on firm footing as it was. Now it will be taken to the legislative branch as it should have been if Obama had had a chance of getting anthing done. Thiscwas just a slap dash issue so far not supported by the courts. Now, sadly, with GOP majority, itvwill be held hostage for a lot of concessions like the wall andcwhatever the Republicans want. As Harvey is going to be used to increase debt ceiling and giving Dirty Dan an even freer hand to the money for his pet projects and pockets. This is the consequence of losing the House and Senate. The frightening thing is that it doesn't look good for regaining it next year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:07 AM

      would you like to borrow my dictionary,Rebecca? believe it or not old is good. in a way i think you may be right about next years elections-between election fraud and the way the republicans have cut up voting districts the democrats may not win-and if they don't we don't.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous7:58 AM

    i miss president Obama so much-i felt safe with him. now i'm afraid to go to bed because i might wake up and the world would be gone. God, would some one kill the perverted old bastard? i never thought i'd see the day i would want some one to kill the president! i think Hillary should be there-i'm not crazy about her but she's not stupid, lazy, and selfish. or senile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:39 PM

      Russia is losing footing, so they rigged the 2016 election. Oh chit..backfire
      now and funds dry up fast.

      Delete
  19. Trump is a vile evil man.
    And his little racist troll Sessions is disgusting too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:31 AM

      White House officials admitted that President Trump has no idea what rescinding DACA means or what the consequences of his actions are.

      http://www.politicususa.com/2017/09/05/white-house-admits-mind-trump-idea-daca-means.html

      Delete
  20. Anonymous8:02 AM

    Paul Ryan Immediately Blames Obama For Trump Ending DACA

    ...Obama is not the president anymore. He can’t be blamed for the decisions that Donald Trump is making.

    Republicans are trying to deflect blame to Obama, but American people know that the real culprit is the neo-Nazi empathizing president and his weak enabler who serves as Speaker of the House.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/09/05/paul-ryan-immediately-blames-obama-trump-daca.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, at least they're not blaming Bill Clinton anymore.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous8:02 AM

    Criminal Trump Administration Hides Behind Rule Of Law As Reason For Rescinding DACA

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/09/05/criminal-trump-administration-hides-rule-law-rescinding-daca.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:20 PM

      http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/theyve-done-nothing-wrong-obama-shames-trump-for-attack-on-dreamers/

      Delete
  22. Anonymous8:04 AM

    That's 800,000 people who probably vote for democrats...no accident.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:43 AM

      Undocumented immigrants can't vote Shithead.

      Delete
    2. But they do pay taxes.

      Why don't you add up all of the lost tax revenue Anonymous Coward Shithead 8:04?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:40 PM

      Hahaha

      Delete
  23. Anonymous8:05 AM

    R-A-C-E. "He argued the answer is race, because Trump and his allies want to “make America white again,” while “acting tough for the sake of acting tough.”

    “Apparently even Trump worries about how bad it looks — hence the scam over the 6-mo delay,” Krugman tweeted. “Don’t let him off the hook. This is vicious.”"

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winter_of_Our_Discontent

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/its-about-race-paul-krugman-goes-on-epic-rant-against-trump-killing-daca/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:42 AM

      Trump is such a chicken shit, he had to have racist Sessions speak for him. What bullshit! Impeachment is the ONLY answer as to Trump and the Republican led Congress had better get their act together. They are going to lose the majority of their seats when they come up for reelection.

      Republicans suck and Trump sucks the most!

      Delete
  24. Anonymous8:10 AM

    "“My presence at the church as a descendent of Robert E. Lee and an outspoken opponent of White Supremacy had already attracted attention, but with my appearance on MTV the media’s focus on my church reached an all time high,” “A FACTion of church members were concerned about my speech and that I lifted up Black Lives Matter movement, the Women’ s March, and Heather Heyer as examples of racial justice work… the church’s reaction was deeply hurtful to me.”
    "he decided to step down as pastor because he did not want to become a distraction to the church’s larger mission."
    {Just WTF is THAT?}
    “I regret that speaking out has caused concern and pain to my CHURCH,” he wrote. “For this is I offer my heartfelt apology. I understand that my views could be considered to be controversial. I never sought this sort of attention. But, I do believe in God’s role in calling out for positive social change for the good of all.”
    BLM!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous8:34 AM

    Purge um!
    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/south-dakota-gop-secretary-of-state-purges-voters-as-she-runs-for-congress-and-most-of-them-are-democrats/

    "The film was released on July 1, 2016, and grossed over $118 million, becoming the highest-grossing film of the series"
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Purge:_Election_Year

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous8:40 AM

    Go after the fat ass, President Obama! You are the only one that can do it. The majority of Americans so wish you were still in charge and want to hear your voice.

    Trump needs to be impeached!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous9:33 AM

    President HRC> In 1ONE page!
    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/clinton-blames-sanders-for-election-loss-in-new-book/

    bern NOW america!<Commie Chauvinist?
    http://www.snopes.com/bernie-sanders-essay/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:18 PM

      http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/05/politics/cilizza-krieg-convo/index.html

      "Ironically, what was on Clinton's website would have appealed -- tweak here, tweak there -- to a whole lot of Sanders supporters. Obviously there was an element within his support that, on a personality level (heightened in some cases by very real sexism)," <His BernieBro base
      for starters...

      Delete
    2. She's blaming Bernie because he supporters don't like her?

      bwahahaha.

      That isn't why she lost.

      And she is wrong about the current Democratic party as the party was. They still won't admit to some of the mistakes they made and why they lost.

      Read Michael Moore's take on the election. He's got it right. Probably because he's outside looking in and has nothing to lose for telling it as he sees it.

      As for your character assassination, 1972? Really? you're digging up a snip from an essay written in 1972? 45 YEARS AGO?

      Give me a break. Give yourself one too.

      Hillary lost the swing states because she didn't campaign in the swing states. The Democrats lost the swing states because they ignored their own people on the ground and ASSumed they'd get all of the voters that voted for Obama.

      They made major mistakes.

      It wasn't Bernie that called Trump supporters Deplorable.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous9:41 AM

    The people in the program as of now should be treated as promised. Those from this point on maybe different? I don't know but at some point the line must be drawn and illegal border crossing must be dealt with.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Trump won't be "speaking out". He's gone into hiding.

    He's getting his minion Jeff Sessions to do the dirty work. Won't be taking any questions either.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous10:26 AM

    tinydjt>"has slashed wages for MILLION$ of workers."
    "Trump is a president for the wealthy and corporations. Workers are going to struggle more under this president, as the labor market is tight, wages are low, and the number of new jobs being added is declining."

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/09/05/trump-cut-wages-4-million-workers-dropping-overtime-rule-appeal.html

    "The Obama overtime rule provided protections to workers who were listed in bogus salaried positions in the service, retail, and other sectors of the economy as a way to avoid having to pay employees overtime."

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous12:13 PM

    https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-0/p280x280/21361105_10155143159422572_1197516405_n.png?_nc_ad=z-m&oh=81dd6e5b9c9ea5ab980ba2b73c27a75c&oe=59B1CCB4

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous12:15 PM

    DONE IN WRITING!
    https://www.facebook.com/barackobama/posts/10155227588436749

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous12:22 PM

    Truth 'T"Hell:
    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/just-following-orders-dem-blasts-gen-kelly-as-a-white-supremacist-for-going-along-with-daca-ban/

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous12:40 PM

    https://www.facebook.com/barackobama/posts/10155227588436749

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:27 PM

      FB"Game On.""Make no mistake, the fact that President Obama has weighed in on the DACA decision, and in the way he did through a social media post on his Facebook page that takes direct aim at President Trump and his rationale, is an unprecedented political moment."
      Is this a one-off statement or a re-engagement in the political trenches?
      In an unprecedented era, we once again find ourselves on uncharted ground. Mr. Obama has thrown down the gauntlet."
      Dan the Man Rather

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:00 PM

      Not sure what Obama can influence given the Republican Congress, but hey, a guy can at least try to save his legacy, right?

      Delete
  35. Anonymous1:49 PM

    President Obama went after the a$$hole today.

    ReplyDelete

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