Well, whether you love or hate Pres. Obama, what Republican could have pulled off almost a 7-hour policy debate? The bad news is that he’s the president, so he shouldn’t have to play mediator or “moderator.” He’s supposed to lead. Other than that…
The Wall Street Journal’s Susan Davis has put together “The Best Tweets from the Health Care Summit-Part1.” I asked her to count the women the included in her list. It doesn’t take long to count them. Guess why?
Oh, and if you need a really good laugh, compliments of Frank Gafney, who says Obama’s missile defense logo is actually “submission to shariah.” You just can’t make this stuff up.
The title and video has been changed, as HBO took Bill Maher’s clips off YouTube because of copyright.
Taylor – please tell me where people like Gafney come up with these ludicrous conspiracy theories. They really do need to get a life.
On a much more serious note – Obama sitting at the table reminded me of an arbitrator for union/management. I really don’t like this image of the POTUS. He’s the Chief Executive for crying out loud.
Gafney truly believes what he says and is a die hard neocon.
Yeah, Rep. Barton actually said Obama would make a good “moderator” and they could use him in caucus.
http://twitter.com/taylormarsh/status/9644148596
It was a very telling moment that seemed to fly by most.
I didn’t catch Barton saying that but I remember in years gone by seeing pictures of union/management meetings along with the arbitrator that my dad had taken when he was active in union politics. It just struck me as being strange that the POTUS would take that stance. I feel that he’s capitulating his position in favor of being this community organizer/arbitrator. Oh well, just musings from one old lady.
Just a thought… Men would *never* demean themselves by saying they’re an old man’s musings. The Senate is filled with men of a certain maturity. They’re called congressional leaders on a good day.
I think women send terrible messages out on age. Experience is our trump card, especially when youth or beauty is fleeting and eye of beholder judgment.
OT
According to the AP, the Ethics panel finds Ways and Means Chairman Rangel broke House rules.
For more information…http://www.politico.com
Saw that too. Honestly, from reports I readN how could they not?
Obama should not have moderated, as he had a partisan viewpoint! (Understandable, but that’s not the way such things should go.)
And personally? He was petulant, peeved and whiny, not to mention arrogant. I think he thought he would ahve the GOP’ers for lunch, and instead they were — I hesitate to say this — smart, full of ideas, full of plans and coherent. Way outdid the Dems…
And that symbol? what the heck. We don’t have money to pay our bills, but we can re-do logos? How much did that cost? And by the way, I’ve seen on at least 2 other web sites commentaries onthe similarity between the new logo and the “O” logo.
It’s not just one web site.
Who was it that said; (paraphrasing) ‘We live in a country that accepts the “right to a lawyer” – but has trouble with having the right to a ‘doctor’ ‘?
Beautiful statement.
Rangel looked pissed today maybe that explains it. I am so sorry that he is a crook,I really liked him.
Well, BethISC, I just sent out a mailer to get people’s opinions on the summit. I’ve gotten quite a few back who agree with you.
Sign up for the newsletter here: http://www.taylormarsh.com/contact/
I didn’t get much out of the meeting at all. I don’t see neither party coming together. Its going to be a fight and I just have to watch and see what happens. I couldn’t believe that there was only a few women there. There are millions that need some kind of help with insurance. I was reading TIME magazine and I couldn’t believe how many countries that outlive us and have better healthcare than us. I understand both sides of this. Both parties have good ideas it putting them together thats going to be hard. Neither side seems to want to work together on this. This is a election year and I am afraid members on Capital Hill are going to be worried about there seats than other things including health care. I guess I will be watching and I hope things get fixed I don’t see it right now.
“And that symbol? what the heck. We don’t have money to pay our bills, but we can re-do logos? How much did that cost? And by the way, I’ve seen on at least 2 other web sites commentaries onthe similarity between the new logo and the “O” logo.”
It’s simply amazing. People have more concern with ‘symbols’ (did you know Proctor & Gamble’s symbol is “Satanic” ?) than they do the fact their neighbor died because the health insurance companies refused to help. They had a fit originally about Obama’s little ‘symbol’. They even threw a shit-fit because ‘he’ took the American flag off his plane and replaced it with the ‘O’ symbol.
We are a nation of ‘trivia’ – and to Hell with the big issues.
The Republicans looked like the idiots that they are today. At this point I really don’t care what kind of health care bill the Democrats pass as long as they stuff it down the Republicans throats while doing it. Peace
It is kind of creepy pmichael
I understand, LakeLady – though that is a matter of ‘taste’, of course, which only fools argue (taste). The wierd part is, I’m betting Obama didn’t even pay attention or notice its creation.
It’s frustrating, actually. The left wing seems to understand the concept of graphic ‘symbols’ and their importance – but is completely void of understanding as to ‘simple catch phrases’ when communicating with the people of this country. I suggested the ‘Lucy Seven’ as just one small example.
Obama needs to be told the average American isn’t a Harvard student.
CNN is giving Repubs props for showing up and holding their own. People around the net are criticising the Dems for not being stellar. Well,there are Dems who speak very well on the issue,Anthony Weiner comes to mind,Debbie Waserman Scultz would have been great, but they were not invited. Reid is amazingly inarticulate and hard to listen to and Pelosi is no great communicator either.Boy… do I miss Teddy and his clear moral authenticity.
Completly agree pmichael!
BtW- just my HO, but Ben Stein is an idiot. He was literally whining, “Why are they talking about Healthcare when unemployment is Up?” Then he added that he was offended at the way Obama addressed everyone with their first names – “as if they’re school children”.
This is the problem with multiple 24/7 channels talking about politics. Every station gets their share of idiots.
That to me was and remains WJC’s real brillance.His ability to explain very complex things in ordinary language.
Ben Stein…aurgggggg! he makes my teeth hurt.
Beth in suburban Chicago says:
25 February 2010 at 7:10 pm
Taylor Marsh says:
25 February 2010 at 7:14 pm
I’ll have to disagree. Although I am disappointed with the way this health reform has turned out and I agree with Taylor’s analysis on this about 90% of the time, I didn’t see Obama as whiny, petulant, arrogant at all today at the summit. I thought he did quite well and I clearly think he came out on top. The Repubs did not look happy at all at the end of that summit and I think they know they didn’t show well. That’s why they didn’t want to go in the first place and called it the “trap”. I think Obama sees himself as an arbitrator or someone who “bridges” differences. I would love for him to be more of a partisan leader, thinking of the people that voted him into office, but I just don’t think he is that way.
lynnette – you’re correct that Obama came out on top. Fox News proved this.
They cut it off.
The Repugs are going to find every way possible to lable him arrogant.Personally, I think he is arrogant but they mean something different.They think he is not entitled.I just wish someone he knows well, who really cares about him, would look him straight in the eye and take him down a notch or two.
Hey lynnette~ We are rarly around at the same time!
rarely
pmichael says:
25 February 2010 at 7:44 pm
LOL.
LakeLady – What is the difference between “arrogant” and “self-confidence” ?
Lake Lady says:
25 February 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hello, Lake Lady. Always interested in what you have to say.
Lake Lady says:
25 February 2010 at 7:47 pm
LOL. Maybe someone will. Well, to get that far one probably has to have a pretty healthy ego.
pmichael says:
25 February 2010 at 7:52 pm
LakeLady – What is the difference between “arrogant” and “self-confidence” ?
======
Let me get that, if you will please …
Arrogant = Black …
Self Confidence = White …
Get It ? Good !
hc4bo –
Your formula works with ‘female’, as well.
Arrogant Bitch = woman
Self-Confident = man
Taylor — I do get your newsletter! I saw it after I’d responded. I love your site! I came across it when I felt like the lone voice in the wilderness, (here in Illinois, I assure you I was…) wanting to elect Hillary. Hey — I wrote her in in the general election.
Lynette and Pmichael — have to respectfully disagree. The Democrats came out WAY worse on this. When Obama didn’t want to argue substance, he called it “politics” and “petty.” That’s because he couldn’t argue substance. We’ll have to disagree on the arrogant and whiny stuff. When people disagreed with him, he simply mowed them over, even if he couldn’t acknowledge the truth of their statements. And the fact of the matter is, the Dems’ bill will bankrupt this country (at least, in my world, and in my view of facts!). We may have a moral obligation to provide health care. but that is not the question at hand. We can’t afford it.
And I can find a number of web sites — CNN would be prominent among them — that would say that the Republicans owned the room and had their best day in years. Obama was alone. The american people are not stupid. They know when they’re being had, and they know this bill is bad for them.
And do not DARE to imply that I’m racist because I called Obama arrogant. He is. Always has been. Always will be. His color has nothing to do with, his bearing, everuyting.
I could also get into his (and Michelle’s) flying out a personal trainer from Chicago every damn week for personal sessions as the height of conspicuous consumption but … well, I’d like to enjoy the rest of my evening.
hc4bo…that was knee jerk so I’m ignoring it.I don’t need to prove myself to you. pmichael I’m not saying a healthy ego is not a prerequsite for the job. I’m saying he should honor those that brought him to the party with a little respect.
Beth~ Do you have links to that story?
Beth – how did the Right come out so well, considering the outright LIES – such as this bill pays for abortions ?
The true test, however, as to how this came out will be in the coming weeks.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/25/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6243996.shtml
“The Summit was a Tie – and that’s good news for the GOP.”
Best analysis I’ve seen so far.
“I’m saying he should honor those that brought him to the party with a little respect.” Lake Lady
Okay, now I’m confused. I thought today was his party (his invites). Or were you referring to R/D ‘parties’?
Interesting phrase from Hardball, describing Obama’s ‘attitude’ ; “commanding presence”.
Thanks BethISC.
Lynnette – I didn’t say I found Obama “petulant,” etc. I said I was hearing some of what BethISC was saying in emails.
Just to be clear.
I simply felt, as I’ve said, that I thought the position Pres Obama chose today diminished his actual power, but also the stature of the presidency.
Obama could have taken Eric Cantor to the ground by simply asking him if he planned any references to the sections the bill stacked in front of him was obviously separated into.
“Then obviously, you just stacked it that way to make it look pretty ?”
He should have exposed what a fool the man looked like. But I sure didn’t miss it. It’s as pitiful as Mary Madelin’s claim that the Democrats were the ones “obstructing” (because apparently, they won’t drop *everything* and suck up the Right wing’s ideas).
Matthews apparently thinks the Dems are going to push this through.
Why do the Republicans have a problem with a ‘majority’?
Answer: Because they are NOT in the majority.
Chris Matthews just showed a collection of the “step by step” and “start over” quotations from the Right, today.
He just made them look like ‘planned’, choreographed to the max.
- of course, the REALLY important question tonight is;
Surviver ?
or the Idols results.
I’m announcing HR 10666 to prevent networks from putting such things head to head. Grrrrrr
- now Matthews is destroying ‘Orange Crush Boner”s stupid comments (“this will bankrupt America”)
Oh yeah. The Right wing really looked GREAT tonight. (/snark)
Why have all those who were earlier willing to throw Obama under the bus suddenly silent ?
okay, I gotta run. (Idol then Surviver [recorded])
But obviously, I think the left and Obama did far better than some people above. No biggie. Time will tell.
Taylor Marsh says:
25 February 2010 at 9:58 pm
I know, Taylor. I was disageeing with your emailers and Beth. Sorry for the confusion.
Beth in suburban Chicago says:
25 February 2010 at 8:42 pm And do not DARE to imply that I’m racist because I called Obama arrogant. He is. Always has been. Always will be. His color has nothing to do with, his bearing, everuyting.
What’s up with that?? You are very assuming. I just think Obama did pretty well yesterday and he appeared quite thoughtful and patient. At least that’s what my eyes saw. What the MSM and pundits say I don’t care about because they usually have their own agendas (think back to the primaries). That’s why I liked the back and forth between the pols themselves at the summit. If the Republicans had one of their best performances yesterday, then I’d hate to see what a bad day for them looks like. I didn’t see where they offered anything new or displayed the will to compromise. I heard fear tactics from them however, and repeated talking points. John McCain was the whiny person in the room, IMO.
Just one last thought for now: I thought Nancy Pelosi was very good at the end of the summit. As she separated fact from myth, the Republican men had so many eye blinks I couldn’t keep track of them all. Clearly they didn’t like what she had to say as they tried to keep their composure. I do agree with Taylor in that there should have been many more women included because they struggle up close and personal with many different aspects of health care over their entire lives.
She did pretty good at the end. I STILL want the Dems to start calling the repugs on their lies WHEN they say them and to their faces. I am sick to DEATH of all this polite let them lie through their teeth and go on and say diddly about it or call them LIARS loud and clear! Hell, go hog wild and maybe even state what the TRUTH is to counter their lies!! WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!
“Imhotep says:
25 February 2010 at 7:24 pm
The Republicans looked like the idiots that they are today. At this point I really don’t care what kind of health care bill the Democrats pass as long as they stuff it down the Republicans throats while doing it. Peace”
JEEBUS CRISPIES once again you bemuse and bewilder me by posting something I agree with 1000%!!
secular, the Republicans, as a group, are a boil on the backside of the American body politic which should be lanced and drained at every possible opportunity. My problem with Obama, and that part of the Democratic Party which agrees with him, is the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, the Guantanamo military prison, the Patriot Act, the NSA, military trials of so-called “enemy combatants”, the lack of progress on the Isreal/Palestinian issue, his stance on Iran, and in general his entire foreign policy. How much of that foreign policy is ‘his’ and how much of it is being run out of the State Department and the Defense Department is the real issue. Peace
I certainly have disagreed with Obama’s strategy from the beginning on health reform, especially the bipartisanship part, but I believe I generally saw what Eddie Reeves saw at the summit.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eddie-reeves/healthcare-summit-another_b_477820.html