I agree completely, though I doubt I could surgarcoat it as well as you did.

Scott you sound like the many fascists we have within our borders. Obama is not apologizing for the actions of soldiers. He is showing the world what the world already knows, that we like anyone else is capable of making mistakes sometimes but we are big enough to own up to them, that for example we as a nation will not torture people...that we will stay true to our values as a nation, the values that make us great.

"The US has sent its sons and daughters over the years to every far corner of the earth , serving proudly and honorably in its defense"...NOT SOOOO....NOT Limbaugh, Hannity, Oreilly, Cheney, Rumsfeld....need I go on......Freakin Chicken Hawks

Half Breed? Who was it that sent blacks to fight for America before blue eyed boys with money? What country was it that continued to ignore civil rights well into the 1980's. What country has caused death, hunger and distruction around the globe?

So, just exactly where is this military might, this defender of all come from? Italy and Spain originally gave many troops to Iraq but since America INVADED a country nobody had to jump on board, now did they?

For every Iraqi child that has watched a parent killed by an American bomb, we have one more child terrorist to hate america.

America can do many things right it should also be acknowledged that America can do many things wrong.

I love to see people meltdown like this. They know they're kind is going the way of the Do-Do. They tried to preach this kind of poison to their children and even they reject them. You make me laugh.

Love to see all the squirming. After 8 years, you should be pretty tired. Just don't pick up a gun, please.

I love to see people meltdown like this. They know they're kind is going the way of the Do-Do.

This brought to mind a thought I had last night. These same people, the "Do-Do's" if you will, will speak of the Muslim countries and cry that they are trying to stay locked in the past. When indeed, they themselves somehow think the US should return to the "values" of the past. What values? We as a nation are MUCH better now than even 50 years ago. We have made great strides in human rights, women's rights and solidified the rights handed to us in the US Constitution.

I am never been sure what alternant universe these people exist in.

Scott Denbina.....you are what is wrong with this country. Why don't you go to Crawford and hang out with your hero leader. You should be ashamed to call yourself an American....and please ..please......don't go to other countries....we don't want people thinking Americans are all like you!!

You poor sad....sad...person you are, speaking ill of the dead, may GOD have mercy on your soul........

Paul, "freakin chicken hawks". I can see why you liberals are the way to go. The pride of America. Ha ha ha. You are so disgraceful.

And as for Rush, Bill, and Sean..............we would never get the truth without them.

Rush, Bill and Sean represent America's Pravda (former Soviet paper whose title translated as "truth"). Just remember, even the old Soviets joked that there is no news in Truth. You would be wise to greet their "news" with a super heavy dose of skepticism.

You are an aropgant ignorant @!$%#. @!$%#.

It is precisely because of the high standards we have set for ourselves as a nation, and the ideals that we have helped others fight for around the globe that we owe our allies the open acknowledgment that President Obama made of the illegal, arrogant, dismissive, irresponsible and dishonest policies of the Bush/Cheney administration that have caused so much damage to the world.

You have no right to stand on the sacred graves of our soldiers, turning them into some cheap political podium for your partisan perspective, just so that you can righteously wag your finger at our President.

You should ask yourself why Americans are gratefully accepting the competent and honest efforts of a "halfbreed" over the incompetent deceit of a 100% pure white son of American aristocracy. it is because he is ten times the man that Bush is and he is finally representing what is good and right about America.

The fact that you stoop to spurious ad hominen attacks reveals that your position has no substance and your opinions are based on nothing but racism. You have no right to claims of patriotism. Your bigotry is profoundly un-American. And the sorry excuses for citizens on this board who stand by the poisonous garbage you spew are equally inadequate.

Thank you!!!!!!!!! I couldn't have said it any better. My father and husband fought for this country I'll be dammed if I want this idiot apologizing for they're service to this great country impeach him.

You're obviously a narrow minded bigot with minimal intelligence. You're the epitomy of "the Ugly American". Are your ancestors responsible for your ignorance or are they ashamed of you too? I cringe to think what kind of role model you are for your children, if God forbid you have any!

Your narrow-minded thinking is precisely the kind that brought Hitler to power. Do you realize that you sound like a neo-nazi skin-head? It's thinking like yours that starts needless wars like we just fought. GW Bush gave us a huge deficit, shrinking manufacturing (because of the China trade agreement and many other bad policies of his), and a huge black eye in the International theater because of the Iraq war and quite frankly because he was a bafoon in front of a microphone. It's time we had an intelligent & compassionate leader that can speak as such. Make no mistake though, we will fight when we have to. If the Bush legacy tells us anything, it tells us when we go to war, we'd better be right. We should have never left Afganistan in the first place to go fight an unecessary war. It was the Taliban that hit us, stupid, not Iraq. And your half-breed comment is simply ignorant. Let's see your f***n pedigree, a-hole ;-)

Scott:

How, tell us, how have you served? Describe your military service/sacrifice to a far corner of the earth. No? Scary, foul-mouthed talk is easy for a white boy safely tucked into middle America. Can everyone just calm down & take a few breaths, please. You may want to ease up your grip on your rifle....you're knuckles are turning white.

dj

Scott - your filthy language defines you. Acquire some class before you articulate your negatives

You are the most vile person, ever. It's people like you that give the Good Ol' USA a bad name. I am beyond embarassed to know you even crawl the Earth, let alone dwell here!

Your racism is NOT welcome here, as shown by the many replies that have come before me. Crawl back under your rock... the 50's ended half a century ago. We've evolved since then.

BTW, we are ALL 'half-breeds' in some way. I'm of Italian and Irish ancestry. I may have been born in America, but my lineage shows ME as a 'half-breed'. ww

If nothing else, this soul-less rant from someone who couldn't possibly have served himself or he would know the difference between those who served and those who sent is a good reminder why those of us who do know the difference voted for someone who understands the consequences of war and who has progressed beyond the mentality of an insecure schoolyard bully. I’d be happy to continue the conversation in person.

Scott, at least you should not put your last name on public display for writing such a shameful stupidity. I am ashamed of you, my compatriot.

Some of the first signs of maturity, intelligence and respect for others comes when one can openly acknowledge his or her mistakes, and wrongs they may have committed against others. Now, don't get your Fruit-of-the-Looms in a bunch on, sport, President Obama only did what Dubya should have done, but was either too stupid or too much of a coward to do.

Obviously, diplomacy, maturity, common sense, and intelligence escapes your one, remaining brain cell. You and your kind are exactly what is wrong with this country. Please take your rampant hatred and spew it over a clownhall.com with the rest of the mental giants.

how fooled are you. if you think obama is touring europe to re-unite america again you really do not know much about who he really is or who he is working for.some of us cannot see through "spiritual" eyes. we can only see things in front or around us. It won't be long from now before this man shows his true colors. then let's see if you like him then.

You had better be ready to go to war with Russia, Obama didnt engage them he sold us out.I suppose you want to engage the Syrians and the Iranians, How about the Koreans .Wake up people this man is EVIL!!!!!!!!!! He is taking our great country straight to Socialism

Todd, I applaud and strongly support your written words. 

And you know who he really is? You know some secret that he has been hiding? With a 2-year presidential campaign, the country got a really good look at his character, and overwhelmingly voted him into office. Vague, empty comments like "it won't be long from now before this man shows his true colors" have no value in the dialogue about how to move this country forward. You are in the minority with your opinions. President Obama, if nothing else, has proven himself to be an intelligent leader who thinks before he speaks and seeks the advice of many before he implements policy. This is a far stretch from what we just lived for 8 years, and a refreshing change. You have the right not to "like" him, but anyone who doesn't "support" the President is a fool. If he fails, the country fails. To all the nay-sayers, if you really are that unhappy, there are many countries that would love to have you as their citizen. If you can tolerate a President that you didn't vote for, keep the mis-guided hateful comments to yourself.

The America that "overwhelmingly voted him into office" isn't so overwhelming right now, and is shrinking. Plus, much of that majority is the "me, me!" crowd that simply wants everyone else to pay for them, and wants handouts.

Obama has already shown his true colors. He is most clearly an anti-American socialist using the guise of economic crisis to force his social agenda on the country without benefit of legislation or discussion. He has broken virtually every single campaign promise he has made. This man is a disgrace to our nation.

Yes ther is a great difference in how Bush and obama were greeted in Europe. Bush was feared because he stood up and called whiners and cowards what they were. Obama practically went to his knees. Of course they treated him differently. They like the upstart countries on their knees before them. After all we have only been around a little more than two hundred years as a country.

Plus, they won't feel obligated to try and repay a long overdue debt to the country that saved them more than once, both economically and physically. Why should we worry about that obligation, look at this man on his knees before us!

Slowclimber...is that the speed at which actual thoughtful discourse circulates through the fog of your mind and shoots out from your fingertips to express your absolutely ridiculous response. We are all dumber for having read your silly response. Obama is no more Socialist than Bush was a pillar of leadership. Tough actions may seem Socialist to those of you EIB followers out there but tough action is necesssary to save this country and BTW the first steps toward this mess occured on Bush's watch. Is he Socialist too?

He got nothing! The cheers were because of his smile, and his wifes outfits. The tears, who knows. The Beatles used to get tears too... Great leaders?

It's frightening to read the vitriol spewed by the right. They stood up for Bush till the end, but this man who is reaching out to the world to garner peace is looked at as evil and arrogant. Bush was the epitome of arrogance and ignorance. He laughed and smirked while he was destroying our country. So many "Christians" are claiming Obama is the antichrist, but they have obviously NEVER read the bible since there is nothing in the bible that would corroborate their claims. They are completely ignorant about their own religion. How could we expect them to know anything about the other religions or cultures. They are so full of hate, Jesus would be ashamed that they are doing it in His name. And these are the people who own stockpiles of guns. This country is in big trouble. There is a lot of mental illness and nobody is getting treatment.

He and his crowd has already said we are cowards and arrogant, just what what the rest of the world wants to hear. No wonder they give him love. What they appear to fail to remember is that this country bailed their asses out of 2 world wars and have aided them time and again. They act just like the bottom feeders in this country, gimme, gimme, gimme

At the end of the day Obama attained few tangible results. There will be no new combat troops in Afghanistan from NATO. There will be no new stimulus from the EU. There will be no standing down from Russia. He did get a legitimate stimulus package from the Chinese, which is important.

Another thing he attained - about which no reasonable person from the left or right could disagree - was increased public support from Europe for his international goals. No matter what Repubs want to say here, Europe is a continent of democracies. When the electorate of democracies vote you out just for standing next to the American president, you can't very well work closely with him. That's why Obama took his message directly to the people of Europe. His most important goal was to reverse public hatred for our government's policies. When European leaders are allowed to agree with the American president and not fear a vote of no confidence, they will supply more broad based support for our policies.

I give him a B. And a B was about all anyone could have hoped for.

My problem with Obama is that he can't say much of anything without a teleprompter. He uses big words, but in the end says a whole lot of nothing. When he does try to "think on his feet" he ends up with blunders like "Watching me bowl was like watching the special olympics" and "I don't know how it would be said in Austrian".(they speak German in Austria). It's things like that that prove very embarrassing. Some of the British press wrote articles mocking how he talks in circles, but has nothing to say. I think that some people are labeled as haters too quickly as well. Just because we're concerned about some of his decisions doesn't mean we hate Him. You can strongly disagree with a person without hating him.

Ah the teleprompter bit. Is that the criticism Rush gave this morning?

Jeff, last I checked Obama still had not made changes to Freedom of Speech (at least not yet). So we can voice ANY and ALL opinions about him or anyone else, and we can do that effectively without leaving the country. Check out whiny comments from the liberals, like Alec Baldwin and co. when Bush was running.

If Obama ran on the premise that he would make our country into a socialist country, then we would know what we got when he was voted in. Difference is, this arrogant man hid behind "change" without elaborating much. Even though his friends and affiliates were exposed, the media still chose not to expose him. Even when he made his nasty comments about clinging to guns and the comments his manly wife made about patriotism.

However, this is still our country and we have every right to be here and express our opinions, thoughts, and KEEP OUR VALUES!

If you don't like that, there are many socialist countries you can chose from. Head over to Europe. I hear it's nice this time of year.

Every European country has the freedom of speech. MA.

you dont think that bush didnt use a teleprompter he did and he still sounded like a fool

Do you all see what is happening? The world is changing and we are witnessing this change...I believe God gave us a President that can ride this wave of change. All the reasons for being a superpower have changed...we should be a superpower not because we have a bigger army, and more weapons destroy anybody that doesn't agree with us, but because we can "build bridges", because we can understand the world is changing and we can lead this change, because by changing our mentality, WE, THE UNITED STATES have the power to change the world and make it a better place to leave for everybody, not only the Americans.

I would like to suggest to all of those who continue to screech ignorantly about how Europe "owes the US" because of the world wars to go back and retake a high school history class because clearly NONE of you paid attention the first time around. Assuming you are not currently junior high school students.

Yes, I did know that Bush used a teleprompter, but I believe that he could actually give a coherent answer on his own, without all the "er" and "ums" to fill the time he was trying to think of what to say next. People also seem to forget that we're the ones who wanted payback after 9/11. Just because we lost our stomach for war doesn't mean that the job should have been cut off. Obama's not going to just pull all the troops either, regardless of what he promised. Off the teleprompter subject, but it goes to show that he doesn't always do what he "clearly" says.

He never promised to "just pull all the troops." When you come up with an actual quote, let me know. I followed his Senate career. I followed the Democratic primary. He never said, "just pull all the troops." What he said then is the same as what he's saying now. "We need to be as careful leaving Iraq as we were careless going in."

Bravo. Well said--and absolutely correct.

You forget how the world reacted to President Bush when he first took office. Putin and Bush were "great friends" remember. Let's see how he's viewed at the end of his term. Of course everyone wants to be his friend now, he just got into office. They want to be able to influence him and insulting him would not be the way to start.

If he continues to apologize for America, he may be liked in Europe, but he won't be liked at home.

He's a failure. That's why they love him. He wanted more European spending. Didn't get it. He wanted more combat troops to Afghanistan. Didn't get it. He wanted the Europeans to open their doors to the innocents at Gitmo. Didn't get it. They applaud his America bashing, but give him nothing. He's a celebrity. Not a president. Going down in 2012.

He wanted the Europeans to open their doors to the innocents at Gitmo. Didn't get it.

Actually, several countries agreed to take innocent Gitmo detainees. I commend you for even admitting innocent Gitmo detainees exist. It's a big step for a Repub.

2012 will be determined by the economy and the Repubs' ability to reform their party. Palin's latest fiascos have helped them, but they still have a long way to go.

Obama is not apologizing for his mistakes. He has decreed that Bush made this and that mistakes and is apologizing for them. History is written by the victors and Obama is writing the last 8 years of history to fit his agenda. He will preach that something that happened during those 8 years was a mistake and the masses that bow to his every word will naturally agree with blind obedience. Heaven forbid he every made a mistake, like nominating criminals to cabinet posts, or giving AIG executives million dollar bonuses. Take the blinders off.

That's incredibly funny. Bush made no mistakes? You and about 3% of the country - Limbaugh's fan base - believe that. Wow. And yet you claim that Obama gave out AIG bonuses, and agree that would have been a mistake, had he actually done that. Newsflash, sport - BUSH APPROVED THAT BEFORE OBAMA TOOK OFFICE. AIG gave out the bonuses, not the President. How narrow-minded and short-sighted can a person be?

I can't wait for Obama to appologize to Bin Laden. I can just see Obama reading from his teleprompter a story about how America is the cause for Bin Laden's actions and how we should reach out to him and find some common ground.

Todd, you're a commie! And everyone who agrees with you is a commie, too! You forget that less than 75 years ago a fascist tried to attain global domination. That's the message we're fighting today. Nazi-fascist-commies like you that are too yellow to stand up and fight for freedom and liberty. You and your pinko (and pink) friends are such cowards you would get in bed with Osama bin Laden rather that stand up and protect the things that you claim to love.

I notice you don't mention any Obama accomplishments, just bash on Bush and McCain.

Oooooo commie ... point of note for you Snoop, McCarthy is dead. Calling people commie is pathetic and means NOTHING. The more the right spits this stupid garbage the more they marginalize themselves. Keep it up you trolls you only make your side look more stupid by the second.

I could list Obamas accomplishments on this trip and (many people have on this forum) but that means nothing to the tiny group of twisted GOP faithful. For the rethugs to seek peace is weak, to find common ground is capitulation, to appeal to our allies is useless. Thank heaven you and yours no longer have control.

I will bash ignorance anytime I see it, I will stand against injustice and tyranny even if it benefits me, I care for my fellow citizens and not just myself, I see the world as a place we live in and must share, I am obviously not conservative.

Your messiah is nothing more than a wind bag who can't read his teleprompter most of the time. When you liberals quit mocking and whinning about Bush, maybe we'll quite talking down B.O. We will see where we are in 2010, then things will roll...

chris01,

You are a loser. I know McCarthy is dead, just like Stalin and Lennon. Calling people a commie is DESCRIPTIVE, and means a lot. BTW, I'm not part of the political 'right,' and I'm not a troll like you.

I never asked you to list Obama Bin Laden's accomplishments, I asked Todd to do so. BWT, I'm not a GOP faithful. I have no objection to seeking peace, but puss-in-boots Obama isn't seeking peace, he's seeking cowardice and economic slavery. Obama didn't appeal, he capitulated. And where do you get the info that 'mine' is no longer in control, you bigot?!

You will bash ignorance anytime you see it? Gee, then why don't you, moron!? If you stand up against injustice then why don't you? Obama has escalated the war. Not one less person is fighting in Iraq under Obama than Bush and more are fighting in Afghanistan. So much for peace, you hypocrite. You care for your fellow citizens? Then why do you resort to name-calling your fellow citizens with terms such as 'pathetic,' 'rethugs' and 'twisted?' Liar!

If you see the world as a place we have to share, then why aren't you willing to share it with me?

schwannomin, I didn't mean that Europeans didn't have freedom of speech, I was referring to socialism.

Q737, actually you sound like a caveman yourself.........mmmmmmmmmm, me can't make enough money.........mmmmmmmm, me want you to make money for me............mmmmm

It's frightening to read the vitriol spewed by the right. They stood up for Bush till the end, but this man who is reaching out to the world to garner peace is looked at as evil and arrogant. Bush was the epitome of arrogance and ignorance. He laughed and smirked while he was destroying our country. So many "Christians" are claiming Obama is the antichrist, but they have obviously NEVER read the bible since there is nothing in the bible that would corroborate their claims. They are completely ignorant about their own religion. How could we expect them to know anything about the other religions or cultures. They are so full of hate, Jesus would be ashamed that they are doing it in His name. And these are the people who own stockpiles of guns. This country is in big trouble. There is a lot of mental illness and nobody is getting treatment.

Wow! The country is in big trouble because of stockpiles of guns? So, according to your thinking, anyone who owns a gun is a hate-filled, mentally ill Christian refusing to get treatment? And anyone who criticizes Obama must be an ignorant Christian spewing vitriol who therefore equates him with being the anti-christ?

Wow! This is incredible... How can so many people be so blind as to what is going on. O'bama only won the election by a couple of million votes. I wonder how many people that voted for him are just looking for the Government to give them money that is being taken from the middle class. He is starting a war in our own country! He has done more to seperate the political affiliations and the classes than anyone in the last 40 years! Do you believe that this is really a good thing for this country? I have never been ashamed to call myself an American, and I hate that I am starting to feel that way now...

We are becoming the laughing stock of the world! Before you even start, I am not a BUSH lover, nor did I vote for him in either election.

A couple of million, Proud White? Try almost 10.

O'bama only won the election by a couple of million votes

What bizarro world are you living in, Proud White Supremacist? Obama won in a landslide. A ten million vote margin of victory.

Yes,Thanks for recognizing that George Bush was all those things..It's very refreshing that you noticed...

GregL - Here's how GWB did on that front

Mature - "Bring 'em on"

Kind - "Evil doers"

Respectful - "Axis of evil"

Did you sleep through the last eight years, or merely have your head tucked deeply in the sand?

Compared to the neophyte we have now, yes Bush was/is mature, kind, strong, respectful, and smart.

Pandering, superficial and anti-American. Suffering from the delusion that Europeans can vote for him in the next election. Makes me very sad to be an American right now.

It makes me indeed proud to see this president who has class and can put a complete sentence together with absence of foot in mouth. I am most proud of the president and first lady's visit abroad. Enough of the Texas styled six shooter challenge. Diplomacy is the way intelligent leaders deal with the concerns and issues facing global happiness and peace. I am proud of President Obama and Michelle. It brings the thought to mind, what would the world be like without color. It's a beautiful thing to see them represent all of Americans and not just the African Americans. Afterall, we all come from somewhere else anyway. We may have all come over on different ships , but we're in the same boat now.

newcon:

I won't go after your lack of patriotism. That would make me look like a W supporter of the last 8 years.

Newcon,

Is that why Bush never bothered to acknowledge our fellow earthlings? Because they couldn't all vote for him? Bright foreign policy, that.

Doctor Larry: Bush was hardly "smart". He destroyed three oil companies before becoming president. And, as for his ownership in the baseball franchise.....smart? I NEVER thought so.

"Mature, kind and respectfully strong. Makes me proud to be an American."

Very well said. Can't understand the bashers - hard to admit you are wrong, I guess. At the end of the day if all O got done was making America look good again, I feel that is enough for now. Has anyone here ever traveled? While I was traveling abroad in the last 6 years or so, EVERY person I met gave me sympathy for having such an incompentent president (Bush). Why is it a bad thing to have other countries like us/like our president again?

Too much hate coming from the repubs - it is constant. But, then again, their leader (Rush) is a hate monger.

Hate mongers? Why is it every time somebody does not agree with the slant of one side (liberal) or the other, the person is labeled a hater? I for one am not a hater but I do not agree with the current President. I don't agree with apologizing for so called American arrogance. This was a slap in my face, and every one of my brothers and sisters who served to protect this great country. This President, is showing he is a good politician, a fair public speaker, and a good showman. But he has a long way to go to show he has the best interest of this country at heart. Over the 200 plus years of this countries existence, God has blessed us. But as we get further away, from the JudeaChristian foundation this country was built on, the more trouble we will have. Some have commented on how much better things are now compared to the past. Well the last time I checked there are more people being killed on the street now than in the past. Some comment on the gun sling-er attitude of the past, with all the people dying in street shootings today. Where is it better. Please don't go to the we need more gun laws and restrictions. Just enforce the laws on the books now! With the lack of respect for life both in and out of the womb. It does not surprise me where we are heading. I know I am going to be labeled as a hater just because I don't fall lock step with the current thinking, but change for the sake of change is not always a good thing.

How about the "first lady" apologizingfor the way she spoke about this country during the elections. How about our President apologizing for all the lies he told during the election.

How about recognizing that our country isn't always right and actually has plenty to be ashamed of (i.e. slavery, Jim Crow, Manifest Destiny, Japanese prison camps during WWII, torture at Gitmo, invading the wrong country, etc.) Anyone who thinks we live in a perfect country that is above reproach is naive and foolish. You can't improve the country you love without recognizing its mistakes and learning from them. You guys are just mad because he's not the "terrorist" that McCain and Palin painted him to be. Haven't heard an apology yet for that nonsense.

Amen, SGB. Clearly there are still some people just angry that the person elected President is not who they want in office, so they scramble to find anything they can to debase him.

SGB,

As bad as slavery was,i have heard noted black professors say if it wasn't for slavery they would more than likely be in some hell hole in Africa...They were sorry for the injustice that there ancestors subjected to,but they are sure their lot in life was enhanced by it... Let's discuss their statements...Do you find their statements wrong?

I never heard Mc Cain once that Obama was a terroriest....Give me a point of reference....

Add secret wars and helping dictators around the world, like Sadam Hussein, and Pinochet in the past 40 years.

GregL

There is a stark difference between being kidnapped and brought to a country against your own will and personally deciding to emigrate here from Africa or Europe or any other country. For you to say that anyone's ancestor's life was enhanced by slavery is completely dumbfounding.

Africans selling Africans is that not slavery? Look at what they are still doing to each other still today, real civilized.

As bad as slavery was,i have heard noted black professors say if it wasn't for slavery they would more than likely be in some hell hole in Africa...They were sorry for the injustice that there ancestors subjected to,but they are sure their lot in life was enhanced by it... Let's discuss their statements...Do you find their statements wrong?

Wow! Just wow! What "hell hole" are you referring to?

Greg, great comments, but you are wasting your breath on these liberals. Obama won cause he catered to the lazy and unemployed! They had nothing else to do than work with him and get all the other lazies out to vote. Then there were some that actually believed in him and change and are just about now seeing him for the fool he is.

Notice his cabinet, i.e. eyebrow Geithner (spelling?), they all look like high school boys. Sad part is they act it too.

Aw, come on Greg. What hell hole? Let's not let this comment die.

schwan-

go read a bit about what is going on in Africa these days before you ask a question like that.

I'm fully aware of what's going on in Africa. That does not excuse enslavement of their people. No, black Americans do not have to be grateful for their enslavement just because they get to live here. Terrible things happen in parts of Africa. That doesn't justify slavery. It doesn't; it never will.

Your views of Africa, the rest of the world, not to mention slavery, are the reason Republicans are in the minority. They are the reason the Republican party is a regoinal party. Those views are the reason the party will remain a regional party right up until they change to be more inclusive.

ConcernedMa, you are so totally wrong. Most of what I've read here is pure Republican crying. First, you're all angry because you will have to pay your share of the taxes we middle and low income families have bore the burden of for 8 years. Second, during his Presidency, when did Bush ever visit Iraq? You all cry about how President Obama is a black man and he wasn't born in this country and he did this and he did that. Well, tell me, when did Hawaii break away from this country? All of you Obama downers are still living in a black and white world where the blue eyed blond haired elite have all the rights and the rest of us have no choice but to say, "Yes, Master!" Obama was born out of a bi-racial relationship and you just can't stand it. He is doing all he can to bring unity to this country, to this world and all you can do is cry and say he and his followers are un-American, unpatriotic, lazy, looking for a handout, and just plain not worthy. Who the hell do you think you are? In my opinion, you are the unpatriotic and un-American ones that can spew the crap you spew all because you are a bunch or sore losers and unwilling to accept change.

schwannomin,

Those weren't my words. If you read what i said it was the words of a Noted professor and author (Thomas Sowell)...

The hell hole they spoke of is Africa..

Any comments?

mountainlioness, I never said I didn't like Obama cause he's black. Don't put words in my mouth and spew your own hatred. I don't like Obama because he is not fit to be president of our great country. PERIOD.

Quoting MountainLioness "First, you're all angry because you will have to pay your share of the taxes we middle and low income families have bore the burden of for 8 years."

So where do you get the impression that all Republicans are rich? There are plenty of us who are middle and low income. And (I know this will shock you) minorities. I am all of the above, and I will not support a liberal in office. Better an imperfect conservative than a perfect socialist.

The North Koreans sent up many missiles while Bush was in office. Nothing was done about it but nobody criticized Bush for not doing anything. Where was Newt "the guy who tried to trick his wife into signing divorce papers while she was still anesthetized after she got out of cancer surgery" Gingrich then?

You are absolutely correct

If President Obama can't get an A just because of the North Korean issue, how do you grade Bush 2 and Presitdent Clinton. Both failed with the North Korean issue. This missile was not designed and built in the last 78 days.

He gets an A just for taking the right steps to rehabilitate the image that Bush and his short-sighted, arrogant and completely misguided policies and attitude all but destroyed in the rest of the world. He also showed leadership in defusing a dispute between France and China, opened up disarmament talks with Russia, obtained over a trillion dollars (not the amount he wanted, but a good start), built some helpful bridges with China, and showed a willingness to put on his big boy pants and engage in actual diplomacy (something Bush never did, unless you count childish threats and imperious demands as "diplomacy"). It was a good start.

I will say you cannot blame Barrak for the Nor Kor Missle -- just like you cannot blame prior presidents - what options are there -- cut off all aid and strave the country or maybe start a new war. I know, ask our good friends who sit on the UN Security Council for help - when has a committee ever solved a crisis. When has the EU ever ever sought world leadership. I live in the EU now and it has no unity when dealing with matters outside its borders. Self interest rules here - just ask the govs that went around UN sanctions in the Middle East.

So just what did the US garner from this tour - anybody know.

How about reestablishing diplomatic ties that had been damaged in the past 5 years, America is not superior to other countries and we cannot become or act in an isolationist manner. Obama was reopening lines of communication with many countries, can he achieve everything, absolutely not, first there are cultural considerations. A fact that we can no longer afford to ignore. What makes us superior, that type of arrogance will only result in n our demise in the long run.

America is superior to many other countries in many ways.

When the world needs help after a natural disaster - who is there first with the most? USA.

When a world war starts, who has bailed out Europe twice? USA.

When a continental health issue arises (AIDS in Africa), who is donating money and services so quietly that you rarely hear about it? USA.

That is not arrogance, that is help.

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you can get what you need." America needs to regain the respect of the world, and President Obama is making the right moves to help that happen. We didn't get into this mess in less than 100 days, but President Obama has made a very good start at getting us out of it.

And you know this how? I imagine you must be in touch with leaders from around the world? Or are you one of the minority that think America must show strength through how many nukes we have and how we can and will wipe everone that diagrees with us from the earth?

As Bob Dylan said forty some years ago: The Times They Are A Changin.

Or John Legend said recently: The Furtue's started yesterday, and we're already late.

Open your eyes and join the 21st century.

Chandler,

We can ask you the same questions.. Quote Dylan? Now there's someone worthy of a quote...

If you think you are safe in your bed at night,it's only because of the might of America..You would have been a great child of the sixty's..Self centered,out of touch with reality....That described me then. I grew up though,perhaps you will also..

Chandler, enjoy this one term president.

If the Economy turns around and the other world leaders help in Afghanistan and the world's economy problem (Which I think will happen). He will be a two term president then you can stick your foot in your mouth.

If it doesn't then I will stick my foot in my mouth but I do not see that happening.

Enjoy your Republican nature... GO BUSH one and two ("No new taxes" and WMD in Iraq...) right?

Republicans are GREAT!

Of course the economy will turn around!! However, it would turn around much quicker if this administration would quit borrowing and spending like a drunken sailor. That is the economic problem!

Other countries will NOT help in Afghanistan - they are too arrogant, narcissistic, self-centered. We ALWAYS carry the load while others go along for a free ride.

WMD? You like that one? Why don't you ask the Kurds that were gassed by Saddam? No wait, you can't. They are dead. Oh - and go back and read all the quotes by prominent DEMOCRATIC leaders back in 2001-2003 about Saddam, WMD, the war, etc. They all supported the war and it's rationale. Of course, every Dem has to flip-flop when convenient, so they did.

Hey Doc,

The economy will turn around and it will not be because of anything the GOP has done. They will get none of the credit and will be remembered as the party of no ideas, no change and simply the party of no.

If there is ever to be help in Afghanistan Obama is taking the steps necessary to make that happen. Bush's arrogance squandered the amazing support that we did have after 911 and it will take time to get people back on our side. I see it happening now a real dialog has been restarted.

On the wmd thing, I have couple quick questions. Is it an issue to you that we provided the chemicals for that Gas? Is it a concern Executive was talking about Sadam having nukes not GAS. Of course you remember it the way you want but it was Chaney threatened us with a mushroom cloud not a gas attack. No with your blinders on I think not.

The dems were fooled as was the rest of America with what turned out to be a successful lie that took hold after several failures by a compliant media. The lie is what made the war possible, it was never about spreading democracy or killing Sadam or any of the other garbage rationalizations created after it was made clear there was never a Bomb. Iraq sits clearly on Bush's and the GOP shoulders they were the architects’ and the people who rubber stamped everything the Shrub wanted to do. If the dems are responsible the GOP (who had control of the house and senate at the time) are far more to blame.

You guys are focused on revisionist history, we are not going to let that happen.

Doc Larry,

it seems that many people on here that share your political persuasion seem to go back and forth on things seemingly just to disagree for the sake of disagreeing...some posts have him criticized for not getting enough monies from the EU, another post from an Obama opponent, states that he just needs to quit borrowing money all the while a few posts above he was the one criticizing for failing to accomplish things at G20-one of which was the money issue

...a few weeks ago the far right were on here complaining that Obama was not doing enough for the global economy-in response to the German Chancellor's comments-only to have them turn around and say that he is not doing enough for the US economy a few weeks prior to that in response of the stock market trading down that day...which one is it...does the far right want the President to focus on global economy first or US...does the far right not want us to focus on the Global economy at all...we can't have it both ways just because someone out there made a negative comment about the President or disagreed with him and now the far and extremist right was running with it just because it was something negative said about the President...

I am coming to believe that it does not matter what the President does and what he does or does not accomplish, the far right will have something to complain about and to point a finger at telling everyone how much of a failure the president is..and of course, all the while not offering a single iota of solution...if the President said that he has two daughters, a right wing and extrimists conservative will come out disagreeing with him on that and going on about how much of a failure the President is....

there is entirely too much name calling, finger pointing and belittling of others and their views but not a single idea coming out of the fingertips and brains of the right extremists-well, there is the idea of hate and don't use diplomacy; if you're not angry and posturing up to our allies and potential enemies we're not doing our job, etc...it is very easy to name call and posture up but it is yet another thing to post intelligently with answers or opinions...I cannot and will never understand why we must resort to such tactics simply because we do not agree with someone else...why is it that we must resort to insults and name calling instead of making an intelligent counter point filled with facts and solutions and not the old and very tired "you're a liberal; you're a communist and all that agree with you are communists", "you're a neocon, right wing nut", etc...simply because we can say things it does not mean that we should and then hide behind the freedom of speech...if you don't believe in freedom of speech for those we disagree with, we don't believe in it at all...attacking someone for their point of view with name calling and insults hardly qualifies as an intelligent response to another and differing point of view..

Geo, you have to be a total fool to think that it's republicans or democrats. It's both parties who have failed the voters and our country. Both got greedy. I've said that before, in case you haven't read it.

But Obama is definitely a one termer so keep those feet clean :-)

The apparent lack of protesting when the Obama's went on tour is probably because other countries enjoy the fact that we have a weak "leader" now.

In reality, though, there were protests. But the mainstream media will never report anything that might show their darling in a bad light.

ConcernedMA

The Republicans started this mess 2-3 years ago or longer when they ran both the house and congress with their deregulating crap on Wall Street and other bad decisions. There were some Dems that did follow and were a part of it. "I admit that".

But , like I said if you did not read my previous thread is that if this country turns around under Obama's watch and we crush some Al-Qaida big boys in in Afgan (or continue to improve our relations with the other countries) he will be a two term president so keep your feet clean...

Geo, more power to Obama IF, and that's a big IF, can turn things around. But it would have to be more than what you stated. There is no doubt that he will do some good, Bush did also, although the media would enver report it. And the issues as I say over and over are bipartisan in terms of responsibility over our state of affairs in many areas. Lookat Barney Frank who is the leader in the banking mess. Bill Clinton has admitted that some measures he didn't take contributed to this mess. Clearly, more than one person or party are to blame.

However, I still say that Obama is out of touch with reality. He is gung ho just pushing his agenda through and he is all over the board.

As for not seeing any demonstrations against Obama in Europe, that is an ignorant statement . Do you really think that our media would allow their golden boy or themselves to fail? No, they have too much invested in him and they would also look like fools........um, bigger fools that is. I have family over there. I know.

No, Obama will not likely have a second term. Listen, if he accomplishes more than mayhem, I will be one to vote for him. Highly unlikely.

Sounds like a plan.

For the love of this country I hope he and Congress can accomplish more than mayhem.

President Obama was in the Senate for the last 4 years and did nothing about the economy. During his 2 year campain he never said anything about the economy, until the last few months when, of course, the Congress was blameless.

As far as the U.S reputation, I assure you, coming from Eastern Europe, Pres. Bush was adored in all Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union countries, Lebanon, Iraq (especially the Kurds), respected by all European elected leaders and feared by U.S. enemies.

During Mr. Bush, most European Governments voted in were conservative.

President Obama has no clue about the economy, has appointed mostly former Clinton / Bush people in all important departments, has ignored reports from the non-partisan Congressional Budget office and received no support from the people he recently visited abroad.

Blaming the former President and apologizing for the past to people who were repeatedly saved by the U.S. is unproductive and makes our enemies laugh.

This is a serious question...where or how did he downgrade his country...I thought I was following the coverage pretty closely and somehow might have missed that part...I'm not jesting here, I'm asking a serious question...

also, how did he weaken the country...I saw him have conversations with world leaders, some of which were reported and some of which were not...I saw him represent us with class and dignity by showing respect to other people...but I didn't see him weakening the country...unless people consider respect and dignity a weakness...then I guess if I come over to their house I can just walk in without a word of hello but instead insult their mother, punch them in the face and then put my feet up on their table because such behavior is considered as dignified, commendable and demanding respect...I would love to come over to the house of those who feel that class and respect has not place in our society...

Also, once again, which part will the far right extremists stick with-first they're offended by the lack of class and respect showed by the president and his wife when they read a headline of "protocol broken" and it includes the Obama's, but when they actually learn the real story than they quickly switch their position from them being disrespectful to being weak and weakening the country because he showed respect and class toward other world leaders...just stick to one point of view and quit going back and forth all depending on what and how the media reports it...

Get Real, do you know what President Sarkozy of France actually said?

"I trust this man (Obama). I don't need a written agreement, because I have his word, and that is enough for me."

That is a significant statement in relations between these two republics. It is easy to dismiss ties with France as an irrelevance, and to fall back on jokes about 'freedom fries' etc, but if Republicans truly want EU nations to do more in support of American aims, then Sarkozy is a key individual to court. He is very far from the average Americans' stereotype of an 'old europe' anti-american - he just brought France back into NATO! He led the negotiations in Georgia over the crisis there in support of the American position when other NATO nations faltered - and incidentally criticised China outright on their oppression in Tibet when the US president ony had watching the Olympics in mind!

Ok, so you usually can only rely on us, this little island nation, to back you. Why not try to cultivate two allies - or more? :)

It looks like you are the joke, who do you suggest can clean up the last administrations mess.

No use in talking to people like vlaiko1.

Remember - Democrats: Intellect over Emotion, Repuglican: Emotion over Intellect

Let's order up some Intellect for a change

Henry,

Why do you think that of vlaiko1. Do not forget that we are living in AMerica. Why do you not want him to have freedom of speech.?

vlaiko1, hopefully others will see the light too. Apparently Steve has yet to see it. Steve there were others who could have fixed the administrations mess better than Obama. Obama is selling us out and trying to do too many things at one time. He is not giving his full attention to details. If he really and truly loved the country he would pay attention to what is actually going on. How could he possibly have really thought out a 3 trillion dollar deficit? He just signed his name where he was told to just like a trained seal.

I am a republican and proud of it. I wouldn't mind having a democrat (it has never bothered me before) in office if he/she knew what they were doing. But from what I can see he doesn't.

Steve

Was it intellect that stood around chanting "bush lied, children died". Where is the respect for our fellow man we always hear about.

I didn't vote for Barrak but I wish him well in solving the illes facing the nation - I just hope the wackos on the left don't stone him too badly when 2-3 years we are still faced with the worlds problems. I also hope the wacko right gives some of his programs a chance. Maybe Socialism will work - but I think not. Just more messes for the next guy to clean up.

vlaiko1,

What should Obama be arrested for exactly?

Steve, you in in 2009! Stay in the present.

Obama is facing up to the challenges laid before him. This country has done more than its fair share of wrong over the years and it takes a strong leader to admit to that. I am a Christian and choose not to lose the teachings of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the politics of hate.

Christ challenged the status quo. He took on the establishment and proposed some startling, challenging ideas. He served the downtrodden, the poor, the displaced. Unfortunately, today, these are the same people and countries that we want to write off simply because they are not like us or disagree with us.

To say I "iamachristian26" essentially has no right to his/her opinion because Obama isn't pro-life is telling a significant number of Christians in this country that their faith isn't real because it doesn't meet your very narrow standard. I thought it was God himself who would make that decision...not mere people.

No Lauren I guess you would be correct. You christians don't believe in killing babies (abortion). However, you are perfectly ok with birthing babies, raising them in crack homes, abusive homes, no home at all then having them grow up and be shipped off to a foriegn land to be killed in a unnecessary war so all you Christians can make sure you are "showing the rest of the world" what a big bad ass the US is. And side note, killing babies is just peachy with you and your "christian brethren" as long as the killing comes via US bombs and weapons and not abortion.

Tell me Lauren, how many "unwanted" babies have YOU taken to raise? How many do you feed and care for on a daily basis? Or are you just like the rest of the lot of so called christians,, you only care about not aborting them, you could care less about them AFTER they are born. After all, out of sight out mind right? Another one of those things your kind so arrogantly claims is not YOUR mistake after the fact. Down with any kind of social program you lazy babies, I can't be expected to help you, my money is MINE. So, in a nut shell, you want to make sure every baby is born but you don't care if they starve after they are here. Yes, I would say you are the typical "christian".

30 yr vet and Lauren B -

If you supported George W. Bush, you also supported a "baby killer". Or do brown, Muslim babies not count?

No one supported killing muslim babies. That is a terrible thing to have happened and i do not, and have not, supported it. However, those babies were never killed INTENTIONALLY like the ones that are killed during abortion.

Yes, they were intentionally killed. Civilian areas were bombed, and the dead civilians referred to as "collateral damage".

Children killed in the war even if not intentionally were murdered by his preemptive war. The war was because "Christians" elected him based on his promise to serve their agenda, the deaths of these children are on your hands as well as his. A real Christian(you know one with a denomination, or even just a basic concept of Christian values) could never have voted for Bush. Call yourself what you want but do not insult Christ by calling yourself a Christian.

I'm sorry, Lauren, but I am again, with Shellie. The rub with me is, that anti-choicers love to "save" those unborn fetuses, pour loads of money and time into their "pregnancy centres" and then, don't give a crap about the mother or the child once it arrives.

This especially comes out, watching those baffoons in Georgia trying to declare balls of cells "humans"... and even going to far as to find adoptive couples for them! BALLS OF CELLS!!! What about the thousands of born children that are floating about in limbo from foster home to foster home? Why did they never try to find homes for them? Nobody wants to adopt those children, because they want babies. You send off people's babies to war. Them dying is okay-- even honorable. Civilians of all ages are killed in bombings... as someone here mentioned... that is "collateral damage". You bloody hypocrite!

I don't see how one can be "pro-life" and be okay with war, the death penalty, or denial of life-saving/improving treatments to people suffering from Parkinsons, stroke, etc. You are not pro-life, but anti-choice.

My point to that tangent: PLEASE for the love of all that is holy and sacred get off that moral high-horse of yours, before you fall off, break your neck, and make a bigger idiot out of yourself.

Lauren B., why do people like you have to go off on the abortion tangent? There are literally thousands of children all over the world and right here in the United States that are abused, starved, neglected, and beaten and all you and your kind can think of is preaching the horrors of abortion. Why would anyone want to bring a child into this life when there are already so many needing loving and nurturing homes? You and your kind preach the sinfulness of birth control actually thinking that, in today's society, abstinence will solve all the unwanted births. In addition, you refrain from talking to your children about sex because you feel that the out of sight, out of mind mentality is the best way to go. Yes, the forthright Christains! My best friend had Christain parents. She got pregnant and those "good" and "God fearing" Christain parents disowned her. She found out that the child would be born horribly disfigured because of a genetic problem and she decided it was best to terminate the pregnancy. When her "good" and "God fearing" parents found this out, even presented with the medical facts, they gave up their parental rights to their daughter. Yes, that is the Christain way. I suggest you and people like you stop preaching and let the rest of us make our own decisions on abortion. Besides, this is not what this comment forum is about.

Shellie, I am a Christian (and very proud of it) and a mother. I can't believe what you wrote. Is it ONLY Christians who raise their children in the manner you described? What people do you hang around with?

I don't care for abortion, however, I do believe that a woman should have that right. I don't even think that should be a political issue. It is what it is. Everyone should choose for themselves. Again, even as a conservative I can say that this is a great country and one should be allowed to have an abortion if one chooses to. Next. Move on already.