Now look everybody who comes here knows that I support this President.
I also support the OWS protesters, and I find no conflict with that.
So of course it is perfectly reasonable to expect our President to get a mic check just like any OTHER politician who has not done enough to address the fact that Wall Street and banks have done such damage to our economy and today remain virtually unscathed.
However having said that I have to point out how incredibly well the President handled himself during that interruption. He did not storm of the stage like Michele Bachmann, or yell back at them like Karl Rove, he handled it calmly and even quieted his own supporters who were trying to shout the protesters down.
I watched the entire speech and the President also made a point to go back and mention the protesters, and his support for their cause, a couple more times.
That is how a REAL leader handles dissent.
Mr. President: Over 4000 peaceful protesters have been arrested. While bankers continue to destroy the American economy. You must stop the assault on our 1st amendment rights. Your silence sends a message that police brutality is acceptable. Banks got bailed out. We got sold out.
ReplyDeletenews.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/occupy-protestor-hands-president-obama-note-201229558.html
He didn't really address it! And I love the guy.
ReplyDeleteHas he said one single word about the police assaults on the peaceful protesters?
ReplyDeleteI sure like the President. I am 56 years old and I think this President is the best of my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteFrank Rich has a must read piece in the current New York Magazine comparing the hate when JFK was killed in 1963 and the hate in our political culture today. It is an eye opening article and makes me fear even more for the safety of the best President we have had since FDR.
ReplyDeletewhat goes up must come down
ReplyDeletespinning wheel got to go round
talking about your troubles it's a crying sin
ride a painted pony
let the spinning wheel spin
Give me a break. I'm appalled by the police brutality, but some groups have a long and horrible history with brutal police officers. Now everyone is paying attention because the protesters resemble the majority.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama doesn't owe these folks anything.
OT:
ReplyDeleteInternal Documents reveal theat Michele Bachmann campaign is nothing more than a fancy book tour:
"According to internal campaign documents, her own treasurer says she has no plans to field employees or volunteers in Florida, Texas, Michigan, or California, and the campaign hopes at best to raise just $30 million—a lot less than it generally takes to win a national primary"
http://gawker.com/5861957/michele-bachmann-has-no-plans-to-really-run-for-president
I agree with you, Gryphen, that President Obama responded well to the protestors at this event.
ReplyDeleteI would, however, appreciate it if he would come out with a stronger condemnation of police brutality. There has been too much overreaction on the part of several mayors and the police forces they've sent in to disperse what they perceive as troublemakers.
That said, I think he handled himself well and showed respect to those who are unhappy with the financial disparity in our society.
this is in response to 1:39...i'm not writing to argue right/wrong/debate whatever, i can tell that from your post you are very passionate about the occupy movement. i am as well as i am born and bred blue collar who is losing her optimistic hope for better things, but from what i have read, it's local police or rent a cops who are busting peaceful protests, so please write to your local community/ county/ state representative who are disabling americans from exercising their first amendment. make your passion heard at the local levels. i've written in protest to the seattle police(ahem, more than once) to protest their failure to protect and serve. write opinion pieces to the editor (maybe sign yourself as sarah palin for fun;oD)
ReplyDeletei don't know why the occupy movement has gotten so little support from politicians at large...i think that they are waiting to see if the movement has legs before they join the sea of voices. maybe they are afraid occupy will turn into teabagger craziness? keep the passion going!
You should see all the trolls barfing all over this at the Yahoo posting of concerning this. I just had to post Obama 2012 too to show we're out here.
ReplyDeleteM from MD
Thanks for that Gryphen. I also support OWS and President Obama and see no problem with that. And yes, Our President is all about class. Truly a great man.
ReplyDeleteThe Revolution Is Love
ReplyDeleteThis video is a taste of the upcoming feature documentary, Occupy Love. Today we are launching our IndieGoGo crowd funding campaign to raise completion funds for the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRtc-k6dhgs&feature=share
But now that Fox News has declared pepper spray a “food product, essentially,” the good people who post amateur reviews on Amazon.com have weighed in. “Once I realized that spraying whipped cream into my mouth was both bland and fattening, I had to try this out,” one reviewer wrote. “WARNING - Not a condiment!!!” another reviewer wrote. “NOMNOMNOMNOM,” yet another reviewer wrote, adding that the pepper spray is “great on salads, burgers, and pizza.”
ReplyDeleteIn the name of due diligence, TPM called up UC Davis to make sure we identified the same pepper spray police used on protesters last week. It’s the same brand, though the police use a 7 percent formula. It’s not clear whether this formula matches exactly what the police used.
Here’s a screen-grab of some of the reviews:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/amazon-users-post-rave-reviews-of-uc-davis-pepper-spray.php?ref=fpblg
Apologize for the totally O/T post, but:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/22/todd-palin-sarah-palin-hacking-trial_n_1108349.html?ref=politics
Sarah Palin Hacking Trial: Husband Todd Paid By Government To Attend Despite Not Testifying
I'm proud of our president, and proud to have voted for him. He has intelligence and class.
ReplyDeleteCNN Demolishes Mitt Romney’s ‘Misleading’ New Campaign Ad: It’s ‘A New Low’
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn-absolutely-demolishes-mitt-romneys-misleading-new-campaign-ad-its-a-new-low/
I do love the prez and i agree he shows infinite class and remarkable patience but I wish he would start taking a stand on things with a lot more conviction and commitment.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing that he doesn't show his support for the 99% - we're looking more and more like a 3rd world country with the appalling corruption and greed that's so prevalent in the politicians and the corporations that own them.
We've become so complacent that they do these things right in front of our eyes - without fear of any pushback from us. I think this country has reached a tipping point and that's why OWS emerged.
I pray for a bigger, louder and more forceful pushback - it's so past the time to ignore what they've done to the middleclass -
have you checked the pensions the politicians voted for themselves, the payraises and the perks they get for life? Why? Why do we suffer while they fatten their bank accounts with our blood, sweat and tears??
I'm just an avg American fed up.
When I first heard of Barak Obama prior to the 2008 election I had no idea who he was. So I looked up his record and thought o.k., this guys is educated, respected and seems to have a good handle on things. Then I heard him speak. And I saw how he interacted with those around him, both supporters and detractors. And the final piece, I saw how he interacted with his family. And I thought to myself, "Wow. This is a real man. Someone who is comfortable in his own skin. Who is smart and knows it, but doesn't need to shove it into other faces. He is dignified, respectful, he has a great sense of humor AND babies and animals love him. And he had my vote.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm a progressive and I've been disappointed as the rest of us seeing things like Guantanamo still open and no universal health care. But then I see what our President HAS been able to accomplish in just 3 years against obstructionism never before seen in our country. And I'm so damn proud of this man!
Now, I watched this video and my pride in him soars once again. This is how a mature person, a REAL leader reacts to his constituency. BRAVO Mr. President. BRAVO!
I support President Obama - he has done an outstanding job amidst unbelievable obstruction from Republicans and I want to see him re-elected to a second term, I believe he is the best man for the job still.
ReplyDeleteI believe President Obama needs to issue a strong statement defending the rights of Americans to peaceably assemble without being subjected to harassment and brutality by the police.
We need to hear your voice on this issue, Mr. President!
No, a REAL leader doesn't blow off and ignore dissent the way President Obama is doing.
ReplyDeleteA REAL leader who affects to stand for "hope and change" would actually ADDRESS the protesters' issues instead of patting them on their heads and claiming they were the reason he ran.
If they were the reason he ran - then why are things so bad they even need to mic check him in the first place?
That was awesome.
ReplyDeleteAbout 3 minutes into his speech at Manchester Central High School, one person shouted "Mic Check" which was echoed by several voices. They continued shouting for nearly a minute, as Obama smiled and tried to continue on with his speech.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/22/1039110/-President-Obama-Mic-Checked-at-High-School-in-New-Hampshire-%28Updates%29?via=siderec
President Obama to Protesters: "You're The Reason I Ran For Office."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/22/1039168/-President-Obama-to-Protesters:-Youre-The-Reason-I-Ran-For-Office-?via=siderec
The fact that President Obama hasn't strongly condemned the brutal police treatment and mass arrests of OWS protestors has definitely been a topic of conversation in our household. I'm deeply, deeply disappointed in him on this. More than disappointed, actually. I'm seriously troubled. He is the leader of our country. What is happening to OWS protestors goes against everything we were taught America and our civil liberties are about. I cannot wrap my head around his silence on this.
ReplyDeleteRon Paul got the same treatment, and told them to shut up. Michele Bachmann got the same treatment and walked off the stage with dazed crazy eyes.
ReplyDeleteObama showed some modicum of class. He was in a bad position in New Hampshire, a state he desperately needs to turn around, As much as I support OWS and what they stand for, Obama's actions, by far, speak louder than his words, or all of his opponents.
Yes, I'm disappointed that he didn't directly address the violence against the protesters, but he's towing a tight political line. If he throws his support fully with the OWS movement, then he'll be percieved as "taking advantage of a crisis for political gain" or "taking over the message of the OWS movement", which does neither he nor the movement any good.
While I'm having a problem wrapping my brain around the fact he hasn't called for the chancellor to be fired or resign, I think he's waiting for a "non campaign" event to make his support clear as our leader. At least I hope that's what he's doing.
By comparison, he treated them with respect and did listen to what they had to say, unlike the republicans who want them to get a bath and look for a job, tell them to shut up, or ignore them outright. That, I give him credit for. He's all class.
First of all, some of what has taken place (and I abhor it) would be considered either a local law enforcement issue, or else a campus police issue. For President Obama to start telling those in authority (who are horribly remiss in their duties, I agree) publicly how they should handle these protests is probably quite presumptuous and overstepping his bounds.
ReplyDeleteNow, God forbid these simmering tensions explode into even further violence as we go forward, I do fully expect that our President would comment on it at that point in time. I am not sure he has commented on Penn State, has he? Again, sometimes it actually is not the President's role to weigh in on some of these things.
Respectfully hearing these protesters out is absolutely his duty, and he did that.
Honestly, I think he would like for these protesters to clarify their goals and do something about their grievances - like kick certain Representatives out of office and help to elect people who can be better trusted to progress their agenda. That is THEIR, and OUR duty, not his. Until they get their plans together - and I realize these things take time - their theatrics at these speeches will seem somewhat shallow. They have the right to make these statements, but it's limited in terms of impact, let's be honest.
Look at the GOP members of the Super Committee. They just want to see this President fail, so they will obstruct anything he tries to do. They refuse to give an inch on anything. It's not tenable, and it's not fair. There is almost nothing President Obama can do about this, as much as people are ready to blame him. I am sure they will try to twist arms behind the scenes, but I think these crazy Republicans are going to take this as far as they possibly can, so Mitt Romney and his friends can run ads that blame our President for all of our troubles. This is what they were hoping for. They are traitors whose greatest (and secret) wish is that our economy flounder.
We need to roll up our sleeves and get to work - and stop complaining and blaming the Executive Branch for everything. We live in a democracy, people seem to forget.
(Btw, while we all have every right to be pissed off about the banks getting bailed out and the continued greed and bonus-giving, etc - we have to be honest about what would have happened to all of us, had the banks failed. Complete nightmare, one we can't even imagine. We think these times are hard... But, that is why it is good an OWS movement has sprung from this anger, so we can actually try to do something about what happened. Basically we need to change the balance in Congress so we can put regulatory measures back in place. Simple as that. Being disappointed in President Obama is almost beside the point. We should be upset with ourselves that we let the GOP take so many seats in 2010, instead. Sitting elections out is the worst possible way to respond to this situation.)
He's part of the problem. If we truly respect Obama as a leader we should ask him to eschew ALL corporate political donations and run on his OWN MERIT.
ReplyDeleteMany of us know that he could win the election without being beholden to Corporate Overlords.
This is what I'd like to see. Then he would be in solidarity with the 99%.
I wish his advisors would suggest such a strategy. He'd probably bring in more supporters than he has now.
EXcellent EXecutive.
ReplyDeleteBy far the best president in my lifetime.
Anon 7:46: "Yes, I'm disappointed that he didn't directly address the violence against the protesters, but he's towing a tight political line. If he throws his support fully with the OWS movement, then he'll be percieved as "taking advantage of a crisis for political gain" or "taking over the message of the OWS movement", which does neither he nor the movement any good."
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about it, and I would go even further and say that even if he doesn't throw his support to OWS but just makes a general condemnation of police brutality of these protestors, he'll still be accused of supporting OWS.
However...one of Obama's greatest strengths is his gift of oratory. Remember how he turned the Rev. Wright situation into one of his most well-known speeches...about racism? Let's not forget he also has a history of condemning police arresting citizens, specifically the arrest of the African American professor at his own house. And Obama turned the uproar over his comments a positive with the Beer Summit.
My point is that Obama could - and in my view, should - use this situation to remind Americans of their basic civil right to peacefully assemble. He's a former teacher of Constitutional law, for heaven's sake. And as the president, it's his Constitutional duty to protect the Constitution. This would be a natural speech for him to give.
Oh, there'd still be the usual critics - and a cowed media echoing their criticism - but I think the positive effects of a powerful speech from Obama would outweigh both.
The President of the United States isn't a dictator. Unless they are breaking federal laws, it isn't his role to tell local officials how to handle their local business. Neither is it his job to speak to or involve himself in local criminal justice matters, like child abuse. That is what the local criminal justice system is for.
ReplyDeleteI think it is ridiculous, even disgusting, that federal legislators involve themselves in issues like sports scandals, Penn State scandal (again, it is a local criminal justice matter), and whether athletes do things like use drugs or chew tobacco. I sure as heck don't want my president bogged down in the minutia of local politics and life across the country. We elect the president to deal with national and international matters for us.
He did the right thing by being respectful and supportive toward the protestors. He is their president too.
I think he really does care, and that he's aged a lot in only three years from the stress he is under trying to save our futures from complete economic ruination while still working the WA D.C. political machine. The president can do only so much. Congress makes or breaks us in the end.
It hasn't helped that the two people he put most in charge of implementing his agenda sold him out because they thought they knew better than he. At least he found them out and got rid of them. So let's hope he gets in for another four years to see what he can get done now that he's got this experience under his belt.
President Obama is smarter than most of the people running the Democratic Party, and smarter than most Progressives upset with him. He's made choices that seem too little or too weak right now, but as longterm strategies, have more chance at success.
That's how the Republcian Party has been so successful for the last 30 years-their longterm strategies have been bearing fruit. Obama thinks like that. He can see how Americans will adjust to new ideas after a taste of them, will like them, and when the sky doesn't fall, will start turning away from the propaganda against progress.
True, he should have been more radical in his first days in office, but still, he's accomplished far more than he's begin given credit for, and against unspeakable odds and obstructionism.
He can't just refuse campaign contributions because he isn't dictator of the Democratic Party either. He can't tell the Democratic Party not to seek, accept, or use donations to get their candidate elected. Besides, he woud lose if he did that because the evidence shows that the vast majority of time, the candidate who spends the most, wins.
President Obama needs to do exactly what his opponents are able to do. For him to excuse himself from campaign fundraising realities, simply on principle, would be to risk handing the White House over to the Republicans in 2012.
ReplyDeleteThe Koch brothers and Karl Rove would be elated if he were to leave corporate monies out of his efforts to be re-elected. They would have a field day in that situation, saturating the airwaves with their twisted views and brainwashing people left and right.
Until the rules are changed, President Obama must play the game as it stands. We may not like it, but that's the way it is.
He was willing to make unprecedented remarks to the Supreme Court justices at his State of the Union speech on this issue. He told them their ruling on corporate contributions put our very democracy at risk.
In the end, he is just one man, just the President. We have to start being the change, as they say, not pointing our fingers in anger and acting helpless to do anything about it.
He will be re-elected on his own merit, because he will still receive millions in small donations from regular folks - and more importantly, because those people and others like them will go to the voting booth on election day.
Sadly, because he is not the Progressive's ideal, that may actually disappoint some people. I wish we could start being honest about how the alternative is so much worse, and about how allowing the White House to go Republican would destroy this country. Why does anyone think we have the luxury of not re-electing President Obama?
If people are so unhappy, why aren't they making a serious effort to locate another candidate or form a third party? Because they know that these things take decades, that's why. How about people being honest about that, and getting behind a brilliant man who is trying his best right now?
Damn, 8:33! I agree with you 100%! Thanks for putting it so well!
ReplyDelete~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Also, too, I want to do Naughty things to President Obama!
Grrrr! ;)
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/737516/photo%3A_ows_slips_note_to_obama_after_jobs_speech/
ReplyDeleteYou can see the note the Mic Check protester handed to the president in the rope line afterward.
I respect this President, MY PRESIDENT (I've never really said that in my life) even though there are things I am not happy with. I realize he is a man though, not a messiah.
8:33 pm. I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteIf Pres. Obama started to speak out about the excess force used by local police in local situations he would be vilified as trying to be a dictator. He's trying to do what the 99% want - it's not easy when you are completely obstructed by the opposition party.
It doesn't help that many of the OWS folks support Ralph Nader. That speaks volumes to me; let's throw away another election.
Our local OWS has stood in front of and across the street from a bookstore that has never caused anyone any harm because they fear that standing in front of the nearby bank would block sidewalk traffic. And they won't stand in front of our (gag) Republican Congressman's local office because he's not in town and because it would be partisan - they've had a few Republicans and tea baggers among their numbers. Our Congressman is never in town but that's not the point. He's one of the major culprits (Chair of House Ways and Means). Picketing in front of his office would help inform the population that this man is responsible for much of the obstruction. Or maybe those in the OWS movement don't know what's been going on in Congress since 2009?