This Week In Magazines: Obama The "Self-Entangling Giant"
The following is an excerpt from a HuffPost blog entry by James Warren about topics featured in magazines this week. Click here to read his entire post.
No matter how much he might disdain the George W. Bush presidency, especially when it comes to misuse of executive branch power, Barack Obama may be a "self-entangling giant" who is going down the same perilous path argues no less an initial Obama sympathizer than journalist-historian Garry Wills in the Oct. 8 New York Review of Books.
Wills, a Northwestern University historian emeritus, argues in "Entangled Giant" that Bush left office unpopular and disgraced, with Obama set on ending illegal acts like torture and indefinite detentions, denial and legal representation to detainees, and nullification of laws by signing statements, among others. But he then contends that, "The momentum of accumulating powers in the executive is not easily reversed, checked or even slowed."
Our entire post-World War 2 history "caused an inertial transfer of power toward the executive branch," replete with a de facto monopoly on nuclear power, a vast worldwide network of military bases, the systems of classification and clearance, the "war on terror" and what Wills calls the "cult of the commander in chief." And while Obama has taken certain steps, like announcing the future closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, there are other actions and statements that give pause: the CIA asserting that it may retain the practice of sending prisoners to foreign nations; the Justice Department decision to abort a trial by invoking "state secrets"; refusing to release photographs of "enhanced interrogation"; the release of gay personnel from the U.S. military at rates equivalent to the Bush years; and what Wills deems Obama's defiance of the Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause, mandating states to recognize laws passed by other states, via Obama's defense of the Defense of Marriage Act, allowing states to refuse to recognize other states' approval of gay marriages.
Most of his case involves national defense and he concedes, "It should come as no surprise that turning around the huge secret empire built by the National Security State is a hard, perhaps impossible, task." In sum, he argues that Obama will become a prisoner of the national security prison we've built over decades; an empire of military bases and imperial dealings largely unknown to the average citizen.
"He feels he must avoid embarrassing the hordes of agents, military personnel, and diplomatic instruments whose loyalty he must command," writes Wills. "Keeping up morale in this vast, shady enterprise is something impressed on him by all manner of commitments. He becomes the prisoner of his own power. As President Truman could not not use the bomb, a modern president cannot not use the huge powers at his disposal. It has all been given him as the legacy of Bomb Power, the thing that makes him not only Commander in Chief but Leader of the Free World. He is a self-entangling giant."
Ellen Susman: Balancing Your Life and Human Rights
Gabriele said that over time some prisoners would find ways to illustrate their stay. They would draw stars, birds, and trees to remind them of freedom. She said they could often smell the roses outside.
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It's pretty straightforward as to why Americans are giving Barack Obama a thumbs down. It's an issue of personal credibility and trust. He is losing his credibility with a base that thought he was hatched out of a golden egg as the new Messiah. "Come on Baba Baby you belong to us - we'll cover your back!" whines Michael Moore as he uses the President's many problems to promote his new movie. But that fat little mouth houses the clarion call of the left and herein lies the dilemma - Obama is damned if he edges to the middle and he's damned if he gives in to his base.
He is a prisoner of his own lack of convictions. I've come to the conclusion that he isn't a grounded President - but rather a product of the convictions of those who surround him, i.e. Patrick Gaspard. Americans don't trust Acorn and Obama has tried to distance himself from this organization - yet Patrick Gaspard is an Acorn operative and a liaison to organized labor. If we went into the background of all his Czars and Czarinas - we would find that most are extremist in their philosophies - running contrary to middle American thought. Americans might not always agree with Presidents - but there should be some modicum of respect for the office. It is not good for our national security that he is losing face with the far eastern nations that harbor terroists and is perceived as a weak
Add to the list of Executive disgraces: Obama's DOJ Holder saying the Federals would respect state laws regarding medical marijuana. The raids on legal collectives goes on just as it did under Bush. Dozens of people are arrested in northern California every single week! Over 30 in Mendocino this week; last week 14 dispensaries closed; people in wheelchairs thrown into police cars!
I can't help but wonder if Obama will be the last POTUS?
now, i LOVE this kind of presidential criticism. real, sane objections based on specific acts and opinions.
not this insane crap the repcons keep pushing out
All this hyper scrutiny on Obama when Bush got a pass for at least 4 years. Incredible double standard. I wonder why.
regardless, without reform, our way of government has ended in failure and confusion,
if we let it.
Patrick Gaspard, considered one of the most powerful figures in the Obama White House, is a "longtime ACORN operative" and former union official, according to a report posted Monday on the American Spectator's online blog.
Gaspard's name recently surfaced as the official President Obama dispatched to urge beleaguered New York Gov. David Paterson not to run for another term. Paterson insists he'll continue to run for governor even without Obama's support.
Gaspard has extensive ties to organized labor and community-
Gaspard was the New York political director for top ACORN official Bertha Lewis before 2003. Lewis is the CEO and "chief organizer" for ACORN, which is the subject of more than a dozen investigations for vote-registration fraud nationwide.
The House and Senate recently moved to cut off ACORN funding after a series of videos revealed the willingness of its staff to help establish a reputed child-prostitution ring based in San Salvador. Obama refused to support ending federal funding for ACORN, however, telling ABC: "It's not something I'm paying a lot of attention to."
ACORN founder Wade Rathke, ChiefOrgan
In May, Rathke described how officials of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) teamed up with HealthCare Reform Czar Nancy-Ann DeParle to pry big price concessions from private health firms.
Speaking of the advantage that comes from having powerful friends in high places, Rathke wrote: "Tell me that (Local) 1199’s former political director, Patrick Gaspard (who was ACORN New York’s political director before that) didn’t reach out from the White House and help make that happen, and I’ll tell you to take some remedial classes in 'politics 101.'"
Gaspard "ACORN's Man in the White House." He was also national field director in 2004 for American Coming Together (ACT), a get-out-the-vote organization.
The FEC hit ACT with a $775,000 fine for campaign-finance violations — one of the largest FEC fines ever — and it reportedly ceased operations in 2005.
Gaspard also worked for eight years for SEIU Local 1199, a hospital workers local, according to the Village Voice.
guccigirl and AtheistUS you both should run for office. You have good ideas and are well spoken. The unfortunate part is that it takes money to get elected to office and therein lies the problem. The cost of getting elected has provided corporations with all the entre to government they need. Somehow more good and honest people need to get involved and get elected.
I still believe the Democrats are far superior to the wants and needs of the general populace but there is an element of corruption there too. The President appears to me to be one of the least corrupt people elected to high office in many years.
Apparently you can't post Medi_care links?
http://www
It has some big words in it, but maybe you folks talking about Medicare should read this.
http://www
gullible travels
(PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA) is being guided by the (ONE), the (GOD OF HEAVEN), who placed him in the (OVAL OFFICE) and (not), the ones who think they know everything, according to their (SKIN COLOR).
God puts all men in power. Skin color is irrelevant.
I thought the voters placed him in the Oval Office. Some of us don't buy into religion.
Our government is just as "Corrupt " as the regime that once ruled Iraq, it would appear that no matter what this nation just can't seem to get the corruption out of our system, and it gets worse year by year.
There are a good majority of members in the congress , who should be sitting behind bars. When members of congress stop representing the people they have dumped their oath into the dirt, and at that point they should be charged with "Treason".
Any other countries are corrupt, in your opinion? Or only our, and Iraq as it used to be?
Is Iraq less corrupt now? What about other countries? Are they all less corrupt than US? Or some more?
Actually, I agree with your frustration. Take a vote record of any politician, and it normally does not look good. Say, majority happily had driven us to Iraq war scam, and have no problems since. But it is very difficult to reduce corruption.
I look at comments and do not see any good suggestion (a suggestion that would say how to improve fast). I cannot make one too.
I totally agree, our country is so corrupt that the majority of congress should be sitting behind bars. Who do they think they are, Americans put them in office to work for the people. The culture in washington is to get a nice salary...p
- - - D - I - N - G - - -
It's all a matter of personal ethics, convictions, philosophy, and fortitude, in the service of the people...!
If you have that discipline at your very core then that power can be used accomplish great things...t
Obama had the perfect combination of opportunity and a mandate for change...w
TJCole,
"He could have done great things..!!
You're either magnificently prescient or suffer from a severe
case of premature repudiation. I strongly suspicion it's the latter.
Yes - IF I read your post correctly?
. . . could have, should have . . .
I was hoping for a J F K that risked it all to CHANGE things
and would have made great strides for the sake of humanity.
Barack Obama - is an utter failure for allowing Wall Street Banksters
to occupy, operate and run our government - into the ground.
He is fostering the same behavior that got us into this mess.
Unless, he is allowing the politicians to tighten
the corrupt noose slowly around their necks.
*this I have grown to doubt.....
JFK was killed. Correct? POTUS didnt create this monster. Most of huff post users voted for the previous regime and were apathetic at best when Urban Americans complained of voter fraud in 2000 and 2004. In fact, if you want to stem corruption recall Scalia, Alito, and Roberts of the Sumpreme Court-they are the justices which protect the status qou...wher
Know your history "secret Repubs" who crash liberal thinking websites trying to create the illusion that there is a split among the Dems. THERE ISNT. We will stand with the President because he above all cares deeply for this country and its people.
Bush screwed this country up big time...now the right-wing nuts want to project it all on Obama. If they have so many concerns about this country...
They were waiting for the trickle-down. That's all. When Bush's action and inaction hit their pocketbook they noticed something wasn't right; they woke up but unfortunately, they were so slow they slept until President Obama took office...e
And what did you do? How did you protest?
Really? Making this assessment after only 8 months in office? Possibly the author covets being a 'Giant' at President Obama's expense. Puleeeze!
While I am quickly losing my enthusiasm for all things Obama, comparing his executive reach to that of George W. Bush is almost heretical. Obama is forced to be aggressive because Bush left the country in such horrific shape. Bush undertook his over reach at a time when our country enjoyed peace and a budget surplus. It didn't take him long to create two wars and the biggest budget deficits in the history of the US.
If you've lost enthusiasm for Obama vote for Palin/Cantor next time! (They'll take care of the problems you're concerned about).
Obama is cleaning up the 8-year mess their party left behind. I guess some of us feel he should have solved all the problems already. The rules change when a black guy takes over a high profile job! I guess Rush isn't the only one who thinks he's a magician. America does not deserve him!
I'm a black so please save your piety for some other soap box.
My objection to Obama is that he is not pushing real reform. He should be demanding a public option, pushing stiff regulations on the banking sector, re-implementing actual consumer protection. getting the hell out of Afghanistan instead of increasing the number of troops there. Ditto for Iraq.
Why not engage in real debate instead of resorting to pointless and misinformed invective? You are acting like a Republican.
what 'agressive' Obama are you talking about? I haven't seen it yet.
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