Comments on: The Real Thing: LiveBwogging OBAMACAIN http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:45:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Sigh... http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64580 Sigh... Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:58:09 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64580 First, Jon Tester is D-Montana. He falls to the right of Obama on a few issues, but he's pro-choice, supports health care reform, and syncs with the Democratic mainstream in most areas. Second, you're right: a lot of the positions Obama has taken that bother me are more bluster than substance -- and that's partly what gets me in the first place. I know you've got to drink the DC Kool-Aid when you run for national office, but I think Democrats too often assume that their best option is to hide or dress up positions that attract controversy rather than forcefully advocating them, and it gives them an air of wishy-washiness that they could avoid. For example, the GOP doesn't feel it has to run from its abortion stance even though a slim majority of Americans describe themselves as pro-choice; as a result, they get to own the silly but somehow effective "values" label in the public eye (despite their apparent willingness to lie maliciously and without compunction in every ad they run). So yes, I'm delighted by the work he's done on reforming the death penalty, I would expect him to have a much saner approach to Georgia than the GOP, the farm subsidy system is so deeply entrenched as to be off the table in most policy debates, and I'm leaps and bounds happier with his stances on gay rights than the alternative. As I said, I support him enthusiastically; I just wish he wouldn't run interference on these issues quite so much. First, Jon Tester is D-Montana. He falls to the right of Obama on a few issues, but he’s pro-choice, supports health care reform, and syncs with the Democratic mainstream in most areas.

Second, you’re right: a lot of the positions Obama has taken that bother me are more bluster than substance — and that’s partly what gets me in the first place. I know you’ve got to drink the DC Kool-Aid when you run for national office, but I think Democrats too often assume that their best option is to hide or dress up positions that attract controversy rather than forcefully advocating them, and it gives them an air of wishy-washiness that they could avoid. For example, the GOP doesn’t feel it has to run from its abortion stance even though a slim majority of Americans describe themselves as pro-choice; as a result, they get to own the silly but somehow effective “values” label in the public eye (despite their apparent willingness to lie maliciously and without compunction in every ad they run).

So yes, I’m delighted by the work he’s done on reforming the death penalty, I would expect him to have a much saner approach to Georgia than the GOP, the farm subsidy system is so deeply entrenched as to be off the table in most policy debates, and I’m leaps and bounds happier with his stances on gay rights than the alternative. As I said, I support him enthusiastically; I just wish he wouldn’t run interference on these issues quite so much.

]]> By: How about Barnard? http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64571 How about Barnard? Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:19:15 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64571 "... why should Columbia allow [ROTC]?" Check out Advocates for Columbia ROTC's "18 Reasons for ROTC to Return": http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/18reasons.doc P.S. #77 is also a reply to #73. “… why should Columbia allow [ROTC]?”

Check out Advocates for Columbia ROTC’s “18 Reasons for ROTC to Return”:

http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/18reasons.doc

P.S. #77 is also a reply to #73.

]]> By: How about Barnard? http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64570 How about Barnard? Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:10:12 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64570 "Columbia is saying it will not allow an organization that forbids a certain group of people from joining it ..." Umm ... Barnard? Sports teams? Blood drives? Religious groups? Did I say Barnard yet? “Columbia is saying it will not allow an organization that forbids a certain group of people from joining it …”

Umm … Barnard? Sports teams? Blood drives? Religious groups? Did I say Barnard yet?

]]> By: "Obama" http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64568 "Obama" Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:13:08 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64568 That was in response to 55 That was in response to 55

]]> By: "Obama" http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64567 "Obama" Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:12:20 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64567 Funny to hear you say that you disagree with Obama's "positions" on all of those things. He filled out a questionnaire just a few years ago declaring himself to be opposed to the death penalty in all cases. One of his few notable accomplishments as a legislator in the State of Illinois, moreover, was his anti-death penalty advocacy. The former governor (Jim Ryan, a Republican), commuted all death sentences to life in prison before leaving office and being succeeded by a Democrat (Blagogevich), after a slew of death row inmates had their convictions overturned when evidence unearthed by Chicago University law students was presented to the courts. As for gay marriage, does he really seem to be the type to you who believes in the "heteronormative," shall we say, strictures of the Bible? Has he ever gone to a church which promoted social conservatism? Does he strike you as the ideological bedfellow of Senator Tester of Wyoming? As for the entry of Georgia into NATO, did his call for restraint by "both sides" in the wake of Russia's incursion into South Ossetia sound like the words of a potential commander in chief who truly believes it to be imperative that he enter into a permanent security pact with the burgeoning democracy? Did it sound remotely as if he was prepared to summon the resources of the United States armed forces to Tbilsi's defense? As for farm subsidies, given his demonstrated potential for saying what people want to hear (his remarks at AIPAC about Jerusalem, followed by retraction hours later in a press interview, are a case in point if you dismiss the above), is it so inconceivable that he would adopt a position whose detractors are few and far between? Politics is a pathetic charade. Funny to hear you say that you disagree with Obama’s “positions” on all of those things. He filled out a questionnaire just a few years ago declaring himself to be opposed to the death penalty in all cases. One of his few notable accomplishments as a legislator in the State of Illinois, moreover, was his anti-death penalty advocacy. The former governor (Jim Ryan, a Republican), commuted all death sentences to life in prison before leaving office and being succeeded by a Democrat (Blagogevich), after a slew of death row inmates had their convictions overturned when evidence unearthed by Chicago University law students was presented to the courts. As for gay marriage, does he really seem to be the type to you who believes in the “heteronormative,” shall we say, strictures of the Bible? Has he ever gone to a church which promoted social conservatism? Does he strike you as the ideological bedfellow of Senator Tester of Wyoming? As for the entry of Georgia into NATO, did his call for restraint by “both sides” in the wake of Russia’s incursion into South Ossetia sound like the words of a potential commander in chief who truly believes it to be imperative that he enter into a permanent security pact with the burgeoning democracy? Did it sound remotely as if he was prepared to summon the resources of the United States armed forces to Tbilsi’s defense? As for farm subsidies, given his demonstrated potential for saying what people want to hear (his remarks at AIPAC about Jerusalem, followed by retraction hours later in a press interview, are a case in point if you dismiss the above), is it so inconceivable that he would adopt a position whose detractors are few and far between? Politics is a pathetic charade.

]]> By: Awww http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64548 Awww Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:45:57 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64548 gisele is cute gisele is cute

]]> By: i disagree. http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64534 i disagree. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:15:59 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64534 Columbia is not saying that it doesn't want to train the next generation of military leaders. Columbia is saying it will not allow an organization that forbids a certain group of people from joining it to take advantage of University spaces and funds. No other clubs specifically discriminate against a certain group. If gays and lesbians have to hide their true selves and live their lives in the shadows of shame about their sexuality just to be apart of the ROTC, why should Columbia allow it? Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a discriminatory policy and I applaud Columbia for taking a stand against it. If it is ever repealed, I'm sure Columbia would welcome the ROTC back on campus with open arms. Columbia is not saying that it doesn’t want to train the next generation of military leaders. Columbia is saying it will not allow an organization that forbids a certain group of people from joining it to take advantage of University spaces and funds. No other clubs specifically discriminate against a certain group. If gays and lesbians have to hide their true selves and live their lives in the shadows of shame about their sexuality just to be apart of the ROTC, why should Columbia allow it? Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a discriminatory policy and I applaud Columbia for taking a stand against it. If it is ever repealed, I’m sure Columbia would welcome the ROTC back on campus with open arms.

]]> By: ROTC Cadet http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64522 ROTC Cadet Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:35:04 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64522 True Columbia students (like myself) do participate in ROTC at Fordham. However, the issue of importance is not that taking the subway for an hour several times a week is a pain. By not hosting an ROTC program Columbia is saying that it doesn't want to train the next generation of military leaders. Columbia offers programs in virtually every other field of study. Given the importance of the military to our society, we should want to have a role in training those leaders. True Columbia students (like myself) do participate in ROTC at Fordham. However, the issue of importance is not that taking the subway for an hour several times a week is a pain.

By not hosting an ROTC program Columbia is saying that it doesn’t want to train the next generation of military leaders. Columbia offers programs in virtually every other field of study. Given the importance of the military to our society, we should want to have a role in training those leaders.

]]> By: ROTC at Columbia http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64510 ROTC at Columbia Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:28:00 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64510 Advocates for Columbia ROTC statement re Columbia ROTC, DADT, and the non-discrimination policy: http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/Final%20DADT%20statement.doc FYI, "military status" is also a protected category in Columbia's non-discrimination policy. Advocates for Columbia ROTC statement re Columbia ROTC, DADT, and the non-discrimination policy:
http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/Final%20DADT%20statement.doc

FYI, “military status” is also a protected category in Columbia’s non-discrimination policy.

]]> By: ROTC at Columbia http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64509 ROTC at Columbia Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:19:29 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64509 The Case for ROTC at Columbia: http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/case/ The Case for ROTC at Columbia:
http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/case/

]]> By: late http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64508 late Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:03:23 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64508 Why is ROTC banned to begin with? Not for it or against it, just curious. Why is ROTC banned to begin with? Not for it or against it, just curious.

]]> By: damn http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64490 damn Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:09:10 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64490 pWoaned pWoaned

]]> By: Re: ROTC http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64480 Re: ROTC Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:46:00 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64480 Columbia students can still do it! they just have to take an effing subway ride to participate and get $ for school. if they're planning to be soldiers, why is a SUBWAY RIDE such a big deal? It's crazy that ppl are willing to sacrifice the University's adherence to our non-discrimination clause for the sake of a metrocard. jesus. Columbia students can still do it! they just have to take an effing subway ride to participate and get $ for school. if they’re planning to be soldiers, why is a SUBWAY RIDE such a big deal? It’s crazy that ppl are willing to sacrifice the University’s adherence to our non-discrimination clause for the sake of a metrocard. jesus.

]]> By: anonymous http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64479 anonymous Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:18:01 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64479 actually, there was some clapping on the steps when Obama suggested bringing ROTC to Columbia... actually, there was some clapping on the steps when Obama suggested bringing ROTC to Columbia…

]]> By: lolbama http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain/#comment-64478 lolbama Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:59:06 +0000 http://bwog.com/2008/09/11/the-real-thing-livebwogging-obamacain#comment-64478 http://punditkitchen.com/2008/09/05/political-pictures-barack-obama-chill-out-got-this/ http://punditkitchen.com/2008/09/05/political-pictures-barack-obama-chill-out-got-this/

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