• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Obama's Mistakes? What Mistakes?

cnredd

Major General Big Lug
DP Veteran
Joined
Jul 5, 2005
Messages
8,682
Reaction score
262
Location
Philadelphia,PA
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Slightly Conservative
The big picture here is simple...

Bowing before other world leaders or various other "miscues" in the Obama World...Yeah, yeah, yeah...It's NOT the end of the world...

But these ARE examples of broken protocol, failure of leadership, and a willingness to insult America's OWN "local customs" (Like not putting his hand over his heart during a rendition of OUR national anthem or refusing to wear a lapel pin with the American flag)...I guess offending THOSE "cultural sensitivities" are hunky-dory when the offended are a large portion of the people he says he wanted to represent...:roll:

At some point, (and I'm generalizing here) the "Right" would like an admission from Obama's supporters that the person they voted for DID SOMETHING WRONG instead of saying "That's so small it doesn't need to be worried about."...

I hate to tell you, but 300 "small things" is a big thing...It's a pattern that, at SOME point, the average person would start to question his actions...:yes:

But instead, EVERYTHING that Obama has done is defended with vigor instead of a simple admission of "Yeah...OK...THAT ONE is pretty stupid and offensive"...

Giving the leader of the United Kingdom DVDs as a gift???....And they don't even work on that continent???....

"No problem" Obama supporters say...Maybe Gordon Brown was stupid for not having an American-style DVD player handy for emergency situations...:roll:

Giving the Queen of England an iPod filled with speeches of himself?...."That's not narcissism...That's elegance.", they say...

Bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia?...

"I didn't see any bow!" yells the President's spokesperson Robert Gibbs, as if auditioning for Sergeant Schultz in a remake of Hogan's Heroes...

Hell!...even the Secretary of State got into the mix when she had a button that was SUPPOSED to say "RESET" on a button showing how relations were to start fresh with Russia and the button said "OVERCHARGED"...

Isolated, these may be simple mistakes...

But the PATTERN shows that the current administration is inept, lacking discipline, is lazy in it's knowledge of protocol, and still hasn't gotten past the first three pages of a book on leadership skills...

I'm sure Obama detractors aren't 100% correct in every single accusation, but I'm equally sure his supporters aren't 100% correct either...But they sure do think they are...

cnredd
 
Obama is against gay-marriage.

I think that's wrong and I want to beat some sense into him over that one. It's a way bigger issue than ANY of the ones you list.

There. You happy now? Obama is wrong about something. :mrgreen:
 
Obama is against gay-marriage.

I think that's wrong and I want to beat some sense into him over that one. It's a way bigger issue than ANY of the ones you list.

There. You happy now? Obama is wrong about something. :mrgreen:
Someone on my forum where I originally wrote this went the same route you just did...

I'll repost my response there here...

Here's the key...

I'm NOT talking about policy...:no:

EVERY politician in the world doesn't do everything in 100% agreement with their constituents...His stance (or lack of) of "Don't ask; Don't tell" and same-sex marriages are pefect examples of that...

I'm talking about the leadership...

To be frank, there are millions of people that honestly believe this guy craps sundaes with sprinkles and whatever he does is correct...

Insulting the Special Olympics...Going to Europe for 1 day to speak on behalf of Chicago for the 2016 Olympics without having his staff see to it he wouldn't look like a dope coming in last place beforehand...Van Jones and a host of admitted socialists in his administration...Canceling a meeting with the Dali Lama to appease China...Refusing to use and e-verification system for contributions during the campaign...Clueless without a teleprompter...Giving a "shoutout" before calling attention to the death of soldiers at the hands of a terrorist...calling the Constitution flawed and the founding fathers having a blind spot...an admission of redistributing wealth...renaming "Terrorism" to "man-caused disasters"...Hiring a guy who couldn't do his own taxes right to head the Teasury Department...

You know I can go on all week with this...:yes: :(

Some of these are small; some of them large...But it's amazing that there are people out there that have no problem with ANY of this...NONE!...zip...zilch...nada...

It's almost as if I could start a thread saying "Obama did something today" and we'd get responses of "It was the right move" before even finding out what that "something" was...
crazy3.gif
 
Last edited:
Obama is against gay-marriage.

I think that's wrong and I want to beat some sense into him over that one. It's a way bigger issue than ANY of the ones you list.

There. You happy now? Obama is wrong about something. :mrgreen:

But you are not a liberal Obama supporter are you? Doesn't count. I want one of these rabid schnauzers to admin culpability.
 
You can also add, his attacks on fox news, his indecisiveness in general, his calling of other Americans teabaggers.....


we can also go into his racists statemnts, and his race baiting...... it all adds up...
 
The big picture here is simple...

Bowing before other world leaders or various other "miscues" in the Obama World...Yeah, yeah, yeah...It's NOT the end of the world...

But these ARE examples of broken protocol, failure of leadership, and a willingness to insult America's OWN "local customs" (Like not putting his hand over his heart during a rendition of OUR national anthem or refusing to wear a lapel pin with the American flag)...I guess offending THOSE "cultural sensitivities" are hunky-dory when the offended are a large portion of the people he says he wanted to represent...:roll:

At some point, (and I'm generalizing here) the "Right" would like an admission from Obama's supporters that the person they voted for DID SOMETHING WRONG instead of saying "That's so small it doesn't need to be worried about."...

I hate to tell you, but 300 "small things" is a big thing...It's a pattern that, at SOME point, the average person would start to question his actions...:yes:

But instead, EVERYTHING that Obama has done is defended with vigor instead of a simple admission of "Yeah...OK...THAT ONE is pretty stupid and offensive"...

Giving the leader of the United Kingdom DVDs as a gift???....And they don't even work on that continent???....

"No problem" Obama supporters say...Maybe Gordon Brown was stupid for not having an American-style DVD player handy for emergency situations...:roll:

Giving the Queen of England an iPod filled with speeches of himself?...."That's not narcissism...That's elegance.", they say...

Bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia?...

"I didn't see any bow!" yells the President's spokesperson Robert Gibbs, as if auditioning for Sergeant Schultz in a remake of Hogan's Heroes...

Hell!...even the Secretary of State got into the mix when she had a button that was SUPPOSED to say "RESET" on a button showing how relations were to start fresh with Russia and the button said "OVERCHARGED"...

Isolated, these may be simple mistakes...

But the PATTERN shows that the current administration is inept, lacking discipline, is lazy in it's knowledge of protocol, and still hasn't gotten past the first three pages of a book on leadership skills...

I'm sure Obama detractors aren't 100% correct in every single accusation, but I'm equally sure his supporters aren't 100% correct either...But they sure do think they are...

cnredd
did you post a similiar treatise on the bush admin's "mistakes"?

pretty silly stuff, really.
 
Wanting to give us jail time for not getting health insurance?....ooops i think im in the wrong thread, Obama has done nothing wrong...:roll:
 
The big picture here is simple...

Bowing before other world leaders or various other "miscues" in the Obama World...Yeah, yeah, yeah...It's NOT the end of the world...

But these ARE examples of broken protocol, failure of leadership, and a willingness to insult America's OWN "local customs" (Like not putting his hand over his heart during a rendition of OUR national anthem or refusing to wear a lapel pin with the American flag)...I guess offending THOSE "cultural sensitivities" are hunky-dory when the offended are a large portion of the people he says he wanted to represent...:roll:

At some point, (and I'm generalizing here) the "Right" would like an admission from Obama's supporters that the person they voted for DID SOMETHING WRONG instead of saying "That's so small it doesn't need to be worried about."...

I hate to tell you, but 300 "small things" is a big thing...It's a pattern that, at SOME point, the average person would start to question his actions...:yes:

But instead, EVERYTHING that Obama has done is defended with vigor instead of a simple admission of "Yeah...OK...THAT ONE is pretty stupid and offensive"...

Giving the leader of the United Kingdom DVDs as a gift???....And they don't even work on that continent???....

"No problem" Obama supporters say...Maybe Gordon Brown was stupid for not having an American-style DVD player handy for emergency situations...:roll:

Giving the Queen of England an iPod filled with speeches of himself?...."That's not narcissism...That's elegance.", they say...

Bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia?...

"I didn't see any bow!" yells the President's spokesperson Robert Gibbs, as if auditioning for Sergeant Schultz in a remake of Hogan's Heroes...

Hell!...even the Secretary of State got into the mix when she had a button that was SUPPOSED to say "RESET" on a button showing how relations were to start fresh with Russia and the button said "OVERCHARGED"...

Isolated, these may be simple mistakes...

But the PATTERN shows that the current administration is inept, lacking discipline, is lazy in it's knowledge of protocol, and still hasn't gotten past the first three pages of a book on leadership skills...

I'm sure Obama detractors aren't 100% correct in every single accusation, but I'm equally sure his supporters aren't 100% correct either...But they sure do think they are...

cnredd

I may not be exactly who you're aiming at with this. I'm not a rabid supporter of him, but I did vote for him, and I think he's done an okay job as president so far.

That being said, he's definitely had his fair share of miscues and screw-ups. Especially the Fox News thing. That was incredibly childish.

I'm not sure what happened to the cool, polished guy we saw during his campaign.
 
I love traditions, but what I love more is to know where the traditions came from. Indeed, the over the heart during the National Anthem and the Pledge is in the US Flag Code. So when was the US Flag Code developed? Knowing that many Conservatives who talk about traditional values are usually talking about the 1950's-I figured that's where this came from. My second guess would have been around or during a particuliar wartime.

My first guess was wrong. It does date back before the 50's. The original rules for the Flag Code came the original "Flag Day" in 1923 (close to WW I). [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code"]United States Flag Code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] Then it became law (although there is no enforcement for it) back in 1942 (WW II, duh).

According to wiki, the code is generally the same with one exception-The Bellamy Salute! What I don't understand is how they could simply dump this wonderful tradition of doing a kinda Hitler salute right at the end of the pledge toward the flag. It was a tradition for many years dating back to the 19th century. How dare that people stop doing it. It should have been included in the code. This kind of change demonstrates American weakness and as you can see, it occurred during the Socialist FDR's reign-- so there you go.

In addition, I believe that the records of all Presidents prior to 1942 be stricken from the record as they did not have the patriotism to enact flag laws for the American people to follow. Yes, that includes you George Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, (you never see pictures with flag lapels on-strong evidence) although I think the fact that a code was developed allows Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover to escape sanction, but not the traitorous FDR for allowing a law to be passed and eliminating the Bellamy Salute (Note: Its only simliar to the Hitler salute-NOT the Hitler salute --it allows you to end the pledge by taking your hand from your heart and saluting the flag. A displace of love for the flag!).

I echo the sentiment and big picture of the OP. Traditions are made to be upheld. All those who do not weaken America. All those who did not recognize how important it is to have traditions regarding the flag weaken America. Impeach Obama now for her traitorous actions. Remove the records of the past Presidents who did not respect the flag. God Bless America and our Flag!

Balance the budget by cutting benefits to veterans and all others including senior citizens! What are we, Socialists? Everybody makes it as individuals-No government handouts or assistance to anybody! YES, I'm kidding!
 
I may not be exactly who you're aiming at with this. I'm not a rabid supporter of him, but I did vote for him, and I think he's done an okay job as president so far.

That being said, he's definitely had his fair share of miscues and screw-ups. Especially the Fox News thing. That was incredibly childish.

I'm not sure what happened to the cool, polished guy we saw during his campaign.
You saw what you wanted to see.

I saw a slimy, lying, POS that would say whatever he thought his audience wanted to hear and do whatever he thought would help him get elected.

BTW, I thought McCain was the biggest mistake the Repubs could have made. ;)

.
 
it's great to see a center-right republican out there who thinks with reason. i agree with you.
 
You saw what you wanted to see.

I saw a slimy, lying, POS that would say whatever he thought his audience wanted to hear and do whatever he thought would help him get elected.

BTW, I thought McCain was the biggest mistake the Repubs could have made. ;)

.

We all see things differently. I certainly took everything he said with a grain of salt, just as I would with any politician. To me though, he seemed to be much more in control and poised before he was elected than after.
 
Cnredd, to a point I agree with you, however not completely.

I do think some people EXTREMELY overreact on each little thing, blowing it up much bigger than needed and only after they're called on it do they try to relate it to the "Big picture" when in reality its clear they just want to drone on each little thing as if its the end of the world.

And I don't agree with all the things that have been pointed out about Obama as being something that even factors into the discussion.

Finally on these points, I do think it does a disservice to people who focus SO MUCH on the non-policy little things and treat each individual one like the end of the world, as it makes them look hysterical to the point where even when they bring up legitimate points later its like the boy who cried wolf.

All that being said, like I originally stated, in theory I agree with you.

Gaffes, mistakes, misques, bad judgement, stupid "little" things add up in the long run. Its a similar argument that I made during the election as to why the Reverend Wright thing bothered me so much...that it shows a lack of judgement in other people, judgement that has shown as times gone on have been correctly guessed as poor (Van Jones for instance).

To IGNORE them completely and act like they're not there does an equal disservice to those rabidly going after each little one like its the start of WWIII.

Now before someone starts calling me a partisan or asks me if I said this about Bush...

Yes.

I've been hammered as a "fake conservative" for it previously, but I had no issue commenting on the stupid things Bush did. While his folksy way of speaking and accent was perhaps good for interacting with small crowds or those that supported him, it was not a charismatic public persona. His akwardness and bumbling of words made him look dumber than I believe he is. His many gaffes were embarassing to see from a President. Yes, while many were trumped up by a Media that would not dare likely have highlighted it to an equal degree if it was Obama there was still a fair amount even in just normally televisied situations.

However, you did find a number of conservatives that at least would freely admit to his more benign downfalls while simultaneously saying something is a "non-issue". Rarely have I heard that from many Obama supporters (redress occasionally). Its generally always an excuse, always why its okay, always why its an over exaggeration, and rarely a "yes, that was stupid and he shouldn't have done it but on the large scale it doesn't matter much" unless it comes after a long back and forth or its accompanied by about 3 paragraphs of conservative bashing right after.

The man is not perfect, he's not infallable, and he's got flaws. Admit to them. You can simultaneously admit that say, it was rather uncouth and poorly diplomatic to give the QUEEN of England an ipod filled with your own speeches wile also stating that on the grand scope of things such an act is of little true importance and people making a giant deal of it are being grossly harsh on something of little consequence due to nothing but partisan reasons.
 
Gaffes, mistakes, misques, bad judgement, stupid "little" things add up in the long run.

Any possibility that that many of the stupid "little" errors from our leaders that we all stress about (and this includes Bush and all Presidents in the internet era), come from the 24 hour news services (TV and internet), who often run out of things to cover so every little movement and action is magnified? Past leaders and Presidents didn't face this electronic revolution. In some ways it makes our leaders look more human. But our leaders in the past were human too and had to have made their share of "mistakes". But we don't really remember or have a history of their actions because their actions would not be covered like they are now.
 
You saw what you wanted to see.

I saw a slimy, lying, POS that would say whatever he thought his audience wanted to hear and do whatever he thought would help him get elected.

BTW, I thought McCain was the biggest mistake the Repubs could have made. ;)

.

Couldn’t agree with you more, except one small detail….

McCain was chosen by the media... all other candidates were smeared because the media thought McCain was the weakest, easiest to beat.

Disclaimer:

The above is personal opinion and I have no links to give you…. So don’t ask. :mrgreen:
 
Agree completely, its actually an argument I've made here before.

Bush was the first President fully in power from start to finish during the full blown age of the Internet and 24 hour news cycle. Clinton had it a bit but it was still in its infancy really.

Presidents are humans, just like the rest of us. They're prone to misspeak, say things that made sense in their head but not once they say it, slip and fall, whatever. Its just that in the days of FDR or Ronald Reagan every person didn't have a camera or video recorder on them like most do now with cell phones. Everyone didn't have a place where hundreds to millions of people could hear them speak, like blogs today. Everyone didn't have a place they could host their pictures, sound bites, or video like you have with photobucket and youtube. You didn't have ways to easily tell your story of what you just saw to dozen or hundreds of people like you do with email, IM, texting, and message boards today.

Without question, be it politics, sports, or entertainment, the amount of privacy and margin for unseen error is reducing and the potential for having gaffes seen and questionable things found out is increasing.

In todays world if George Bush said "I never, um, RE-AL-ized (broke down phoneticly) before, ummm, that day what it was, you know, like to really embrace jesus, to truly know him" at a small speaking ceremony within 48 hours "RE-AL-ized" would be found mockingly on message boards, a photoshopped picture of Bush groping jesus would be on Fark and 4chan, and the final line would have been misconstrued by people attempting to imply that George Bush thinks he actually really legitimately knows god.

Mind you, the same could happen with Obama as well. Look how a simple odd way of phrasing something with his "muslim faith" has spurred forth evidence that birfers think is unquestionable fact that he's really a closet muslim (while also being the ones who love to say how he's been brainwashed by an extremist black liberation christian :roll:)

The techno age has arrived and George Bush was just the first to fully feel the blunt. Now I've also gone on record and saying that even without it I think George Bush would've had plenty of gaffes and still had hi issues. There was a number of things that didn't just happen in obscure places or times, and his just general cadance and way of speaking was part of it (hell, SNL's been around for how long and that's part of what kicked it off). But I do think the total in the end was far, far greater due to the age we're living in.
 
Couldn’t agree with you more, except one small detail….

McCain was chosen by the media... all other candidates were smeared because the media thought McCain was the weakest, easiest to beat.

Disclaimer:

The above is personal opinion and I have no links to give you…. So don’t ask. :mrgreen:
The MSM certainly tried to help but it was registered Repubs that voted for him. They are the ones responsible for nominating him. ;)

.
 
You can also add, his attacks on fox news, his indecisiveness in general, his calling of other Americans teabaggers.....


we can also go into his racists statemnts, and his race baiting...... it all adds up...

shall we balance these "mistakes" against Bush? Ignoring the Clinton administrations urging to go after Osama bin Laden? Fabricating CIA "evidence" in order to begin a war? Completely ignoring all his campaign promises? Really funny that you think the format of a gift DVD is significant after what we've all been through.
 
shall we balance these "mistakes" against Bush? Ignoring the Clinton administrations urging to go after Osama bin Laden? Fabricating CIA "evidence" in order to begin a war? Completely ignoring all his campaign promises? Really funny that you think the format of a gift DVD is significant after what we've all been through.

Booooooooosh.........
 
shall we balance these "mistakes" against Bush? Ignoring the Clinton administrations urging to go after Osama bin Laden? Fabricating CIA "evidence" in order to begin a war? Completely ignoring all his campaign promises? Really funny that you think the format of a gift DVD is significant after what we've all been through.




Bush aint the president. :shrug:


When is it appropriate to critisize the man in charge?
 
Back
Top Bottom