Conservatives/Republicans Have "New Rules" for President Obama

No matter how trivial or innocent the conduct, conservatives find a way to criticize President Obama. Bill Maher ends his programs Real Time with "New Rules" suggesting how certain matters should be handled differently. I thought I might adopt that format to submit a compilation, but just a smattering, of the "new rules" the conservatives/Republican apparently think that the President should follow:

1. New Rule: Don't engage in the outrageous, unethical practice of inviting your friends and donors to use the bowling alley at the White House. Instead give them no-bid contracts like we did for Halliburton.
2. New Rule: Have your children stand in line out in the open like everyone else to get their swine flu shots. Children of the president should not receive preferential treatment. Follow the stellar example set by George Bush in the Air National Guard.
3. New Rule: Stop dilly-dallying and waffling over sending more troops to Afghanistan. Stop worrying about more dead and wounded American troops and Afghan civilians for what might be an unattainable goal. Follow the Nike slogan: "Just do it" like we did in Iraq. See how well that turned out.
4. New Rule: Quit being a rock star attracting adoring and cheering crowds wherever you go in the world. We preferred it as it was before, when the President was burned in effigy whenever he visited a foreign country.
5. New Rule: Don't try bringing the Olympics to the United States because of pride or the money or prestige it brings to the host. Look how China lost the respect of the world for its pathetic performance.
6. New Rule: Don't let anyone photograph you paying respect for our fallen heroes. Seeing the President honoring the dead in this fashion hurts the morale of the troops. Bush and Cheney never went to Dover Air Force Base and hurt morale in this way. And if you insist on having it photographed, at least display a "Mission Accomplished" banner.
7. New Rule: If you must have a date night with Michelle take a taxi and leave the Secret Service at home and save the taxpayers money. Do what George Bush did: stayed at the White House 24/7 with a few minor exceptions to Camp David and Crawford.
8. New Rule: Stop indoctrinating our schoolchildren (like Chairman Mao) about studying, doing their homework and staying in school. We would rather have them drop out than be brainwashed and even worse, singing a song about the President.
9. New Rule: Stop with this socialist idea of having everyone get good and affordable health care. Let the insurance companies continue to deny coverage to those who need it and frequently even to those who have it. Do what we did for eight years about health care: Nothing
10. New Rule: Don't embarrass us by getting the Nobel Peace Prize. Now everybody will expect the United States to bring peace in the world. We will have to stop invading countries and torturing people and that will make us look weak in the eyes of our enemies.

By submitting the above, I do not mean to suggest that there should not be robust discussion and criticism of the President's policies. But this chipping away at everything he does, no matter how trivial, the labels of Hitler, Nazi, racist, socialist, the presence of guns where he appears, the shouting down of advocates of his policies, the publicly announced wishes for his failure and the challenges to his citizenship, may combine in a way that we will all regret, particularly those who are responsible for this incendiary and hate-filled atmosphere that they have created..

Comments

[Jesster]

10:08 PM on 11/02/2009

Thank you, Judge Sarokin, for your wise, witty and well-written words. Sometimes I truly feel as though we are living among the pathologically insane. The "New Rules" for Obama are patently absurd - even more outrageous than the extraordinary "breaking of the rules" that were allowed on behalf of George W. Bush (from his "selected" Presidency - to his living his entire life "Above the Law.") But the "New Rules" for Obama are stupifying - and your list doesn't even include all the birther non-sense!

I agree that authentic discussion, debate and dissent are all essential to a healthy and vibrant society - but these stupid, ugly and inflammatory "accusations" and sicko LIES are initended ONLY to literally destroy Obama (and "democracy".)

I also appreciate that your list of "New Rules" (like #s 3, 4, 5, and 10) make reference to Obama's greatest accomplishment so far: re-establishing our connections to the world community.

YES - it DOES matter what the rest of the world thinks of us! They don't have to love us, but it is essential that they RESPECT us and that we never lose sight of the vast value of socalled "Soft Power." Bush/Cheney made not only US but the whole world a much LESS safe place with their bullying, ignorance and arrogance. In that regard - Obama has already earned that Nobel Peace Prize - for the seemingly small but actually enormous step back from the brink.

[MThomasNC]

01:51 PM on 11/02/2009

Judge, add this republican new rule..

#New Rule - Yes, President Obama, you can be president for 4 years only while you fix up our mess. But you must do everything we want or tell you to do. You can't do any new programs or reforms. You have to fix things the way we tell you to, nothing less and definitely nothing more. But if you try to do more than what we tell, we will hound you 24/7. We will turn our dogs loose on you. We got the media, the think tanks.

[KathrynLW]

12:47 PM on 11/02/2009

Judge Sarokin--Wonderful post!

I'm trying to figure out why you, as a retiree, have more in common with the younger generation, who support President Obama, than with most of the people in your age group. How were you able to escape absorbing the beliefs that so many people over a certain age exhibit? (At least this is true where I live in Texas, and this includes my own parents! :(

Please keep writing--we need to hear you voice.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

01:04 PM on 11/02/2009

KathrynLW - That is the ultimate compliment for a guy who will turn 81 this month! Thanks

[Marisela Torres]

12:46 PM on 11/02/2009

I agree with some things from the article; the truth is Obama is trying to help us, but maybe doesn't know how, with so many people going against him. Maybe people don't like the fact the he looks like a celebrety, but the truth is he is the president and their should be a sence of supperiority that the president has over the nation. He is the president and should be respected. I don't understand what is wrong with him trying to create a health reform, or using his power to give his children the H1N1 shot firts, I mean if you were in power wouldn't you use that power to insure you children health.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

01:07 PM on 11/02/2009

Marisela Torres - I agree. Even if the President and his wife jumped to the head of the line, I would think that it would be appropriate. He is the leader of the free world---shouldn't we do everything possible to make sure he doesn't get sick. Don't they put the President and his cabinet in an underground bunker in times of possible attack?

[smileatfear]

11:52 AM on 11/02/2009

Good article, judge. The repub convention set the tone for what has happened in the party since. The absolute disdain shown for community, intellectualism, and bipartisanship were all on display. The hard core neocons controlled every aspect of the convention and, puffed up and full of themselves, declared war on the nation if they lost the election. Well they did lose and here we are. Their soldiers are the teabaggers, birthers and deathers. We've already seen the damage the neocons will do if given the reins of power so it's up to us to make sure it never happens again. As David Brooks has said - "the current repub party is unfit to govern."

[theaterdoc]

11:43 AM on 11/02/2009

Great use of verbal irony in your "rules" to illustrate an excellent point. I have often wondered if I inhabit a paralle universe: what I find laudable and good about Obama (his diplomacy, push for health care reform, and other things), his obstructionists view as heretical, bad, anti-American. Is it that the election of Obama has toppled or at least shaken his opponents' worldview, so they just invent any reason on any occasion to attack him? They are perhaps privately insecure, so they screech noisily to convince themselves they stand for something?

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

01:10 PM on 11/02/2009

theaterdoc - Plus, we know what they are against, but frequently find it difficult to know what they are for!

[Angiefranci]

08:50 AM on 11/02/2009

I cannot honestly say that I did not criticize Bush. I was against a lot of what he did as President. At times I thought his tactics were fascist. I went to a protest against the war. When he addressed the nation after 9/11 I was disappointed in how he handled it, gravely disappointed. I didn't like him, his administration or his policies, or lack thereof. However, I never sat with my friends or family and totallty tore him apart. I never took issue with every last thing he said or did, though I did often turn off the tv when he was speaking. The vitriol against Obama is not comparable to how we Democrats felt about Bush. Their behavior is shameful, wasteful, and damaging not only to themselves, but to the country as a whole. The right needs to get a hold of themselves, and decide what the are actually for, not against.

[WorldofTomorrow420]

10:50 AM on 11/02/2009

Actually the right need to get a hold of themselves, and then yank for all they are worth......

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

11:29 AM on 11/02/2009

Angiefranci - I have also conceded that there was a great deal of criticism and ridicule of President Bush, but I sense an atmosphere now that I do not think is comparable. Maybe it is just a matter of viewpoint, but I don't think so.

[harobamason]

05:08 AM on 11/02/2009

Hey Judge that was just enjoyable and very pleasant for the eyes to read - can we start working on some 'new rules' for Joe leiberman?

I'm speechless.

[Angiefranci]

08:40 AM on 11/02/2009

That'd be impossible. Joe Lieberman continues to change the rules so sporadically one finds it hard to predict his next move.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

11:32 AM on 11/02/2009

harobamason - Thanks. As to Joe, I would, but I think they change too quickly for me to keep up.

[ProgressiveVoice]

03:15 AM on 11/02/2009

The teabagger and birther movements show that there are still Americans who can be manipulated into voting against their own interests. bradblog.com has some excellent video of interviews with protesters; none of them have a clue why they are protesting. They can spout the sound bites but ask them to give details and they fumble.

It's embarrassing for how it reflects on all of us. It's sad because it's so easy to picture these same people suffering the consequences if they are successful.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

11:35 AM on 11/02/2009

ProgressiveVoice - I agree. It is difficult to know what has gotten all of these people so exercised. The President tried to save the economy and wants to have affordable health care for everyone. Why does that drive them so crazy?

[smileatfear]

12:22 PM on 11/02/2009

From my experience it appears that there is a subgroup of Americans who are constantly comparing what they have and what others have and always feel they've been cheated while everyone else has gotten more than they deserve. My daughter is very dyslexic and gets an hour of tutoring each day through the school district. A few people have made some very nasty comments about my daughter getting "free" help and their children "getting nothing because a few kids get everything." Then I get to hear about the "illegals" who are getting everything, etc. They discount the thousands we've paid for private tutoring and the misery she's gone through. These people are, invariably, conservative repubs. The idea that somebody who's been laid off from their job or who's a single mother might get "free" health care is enough to make them apopleptic.

[ljkcan]

08:13 PM on 11/01/2009

Good evening Sir as always enjoyed the post. New Rule if our American neighbors don't want him we will take him in a heartbeat. Who knew a Harvard grad and constitutional lawyer could be such a bad example to narrow minded Americans. I thinks some Americans need to leave their country once and a while.

This summer I was in Paris and we went to Versailles Palace. In the hall of lights and mirrors they had a retrospective of war through paintings and the lens. Right smack in the middle was Lindy England in all her glory with an Iraqi on a leash. For a moment I was embarrassed for Americans, then I thought this is how the world views the illegal invasion of Iraq. The Bush Cheney legacy.

I think I prefer your current president, better a thoughtful man who "dithers' much better than a fool that rushes in.

[Cambridge9]

12:01 AM on 11/02/2009

Sorry ljkcan, you can't have him. He is OURS, and those of us who appreciate this man of 'thought-before-action' have his back. However, if he is invited and accepts invitations to your side of the border, we are willing to share him with those of you who prefer this man over the last occupant of the WH.

I have relatives overseas and I travel back and forth. The USA is congratulated by all I have met, for having the good sense to vote this man into office.

The judge is one of my favorite bloggers and always makes his points well.

[ljkcan]

10:44 AM on 11/02/2009

Last year when we had our Federal Election ( we have them like people change socks), one couple had an Obama sign on their lawn. I think it was a wonderful change for your country.

I love our American neighbors, I have trouble understanding the birthers and Tea Party people but then again no one country has a monopoly on crazy. And I thank God every day I do not receive fox news, Glen Beck and Limbaugh.

We stand with you and if I could I would gladly give you our health care system.

Peace and have a good day

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

11:38 AM on 11/02/2009

ljkcan - Thanks again for your kind comments and perspective while out of the country. If nothing else, the right-wingers have to concede that President Obama has restored the world's respect for America. Great quote...

[ljkcan]

10:43 PM on 11/02/2009

Like many Canadians, I have always lived in a city within two or three hours to the US border.
We are very aware of American Politics and I am keenly interested, I cannot fathom not wanting to be aware of what is going on in the world. I have my routine BBC, NBC, CBC every night.

[armac1]

02:24 PM on 11/01/2009

And, I would add that all presidents get criticism all the time from some source. Has anybody read about Truman's daughter, Margaret, getting a bad review for her singing? Truman threatened to kick his butt. But, he also said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" and "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."
Also, I would hope the good judge showed more judicial neutrality than political neutrality.
The more Obama exposes himself to the media, the more criticism he will get. That is just the way it is.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

05:35 PM on 11/01/2009

armac1 - I concede that every president receives criticism, but I cannot remember any other president being called a Nazi, Hitler, a socialist, an anti-Christ, etc. or constantly having his legitimacy as a president challenged over his birthplace despite all of the evidence to the contrary. I think fairness and truth are important both in judging and in politics. I hope I have adhered to those goals, but more important, I acknowledge and respect opposing viewpoints. Thank you for participating in the discussion.

[Cambridge9]

12:05 AM on 11/02/2009

Thank you Judge. I always enjoy your comments because, like the rest of us, you are entitled to your personal opinions and describe them well. I hope that most posters here can understand that personal opinions have nothing to do with the bench opinions.

[needintell]

07:37 AM on 11/02/2009

Are you talking about Bush or Obama?

[meldah]

10:41 PM on 11/01/2009

Sorry to butt in, but:
To armac1: Yes, all President are criticized all the time, from all different quarters. Andrew Jackson’s wife was so vilified by the Press and widespread gossip about the timeline of her marriage to Andrew, she became ill before he could take office, and did not recover. FDR was called a socialist, communist and worse(not to mention the lack of respect Eleanor withstood). But the scrutiny, the derision and disrespect for President Obama is different, and if you do not believe my words study history. In my opinion, this mockery is wholly undeserved, President Obama has not had Time to disappoint, and these people are projecting their anger and loathing on a person who is (in my opinion) doing a fine job. The GOP and their minions would be much more creditable if they stood by their motto ‘Country First’, and acted like they wanted our Country to succeed.

Furthermore: Judges are people too, with the same Rights and privileges as the rest of us. They have voices and opinions that aren’t confined to the voting booth. Judge’s impartiality and neutrality is confined to the courtroom, not life.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

11:43 AM on 11/02/2009

meldah - Thanks for "butting in" in such articulate fashion.

[passion4country]

01:46 PM on 11/01/2009

Where has our country's common sense gone? Of course our President cannot mend our woes or successfully create new programs overnight...nor maybe in an administration. But are all you Obama haters really trying to understand the depth of our country's problems? Regardless of his words or actions, you will be outraged or defer to another outcry of an issue which hasn't been fixed in his 10 months. Where was all the criticism of our failures of the last 8 years? Do you really think Obama walked into the Office and created this horrible mess...NO! Give our President a chance. Yes, the spending is outrageous, but would you have rather been standing in food lines and living in tents? Do any of you understand how close we came to a depression? But instead of applauding his leadership of that crisis, you now have the spending issue to latch on to. Change is what we need, because we have already lived the other half of the equation...and look where it brought us. Let him lead...intelligently debate it, yes...but use the common sense you may have been born with.

[guitargeorge1964]

03:19 PM on 11/01/2009

I agree with you about the tone an attitudes of the "Obama Haters" as you call them. I agree that everyone should give him a chance. And the hypocrisy of the GOP considering that they were the complete governing power between 2000 and 2006 is staggering. But the Democratic party is quickly becoming just as corrupt and hypocritical itself. Every day I read the HuffPost. I hope that people are taking a step back and realize that the hypocrisy of the left is quickly matching the right.

[smileatfear]

11:41 AM on 11/02/2009

It's good to have an alternative party or parties that give people viable options. It helps to keep the corruption down and the hypocrisy in check. But the gop has become a cesspool of cranks, despots, and goons. Gone are the moderates, the intellectuals, the thinkers. The gop appears to stand for nothing anymore except hate and destroy. The few repubs who would work towards a bipartisan or multipartisan approach to governing will quickly be driven out of the party.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

05:37 PM on 11/01/2009

passion4country - Well said. At least let's give the man a chance and focus on what is important----not whether his children received preference in getting their swine flu shots.

[armac1]

01:34 PM on 11/01/2009

The problems you ennumerate are directly related to the fact that we have a complete information explosion with so many television, radio, and internet outlets. Opinions are like a..holes. Everybody has one, and in this age of voyeurism and exhibitionism (one requires the other to survive) it seems that everybody has to expose theirs.
I enjoy news (the real reality shows), but deplore the fact that every nincompoop who knows little, has a national outlet to spout his views.
The problem of too much fluff is complex. Media outlets have too much time and space,, too little real news of interest of compelling value to fill it. Thus, we get more information than we need.

[meldah]

10:45 PM on 11/01/2009

I don't have a hole. I feel left out now.

[EbonBear]

12:38 PM on 11/01/2009

New Rule: It takes 60 votes to pass anything in the Senate now. Yeah, we know it used to be 51 (and will be again once we get back into power) and we know that we tried to remove the filibuster when you used it very sparingly but we'll use it on absolutely everything so it's 60 votes to call for lunch now.

Good article, y'r honour.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

05:38 PM on 11/01/2009

EbonBear - Thanks. The 60 rule is on my next agenda.

[trinidadgirl]

12:26 PM on 11/01/2009

Sorry to say judge, but here where I live, we are all convinced that his 'hue' and the extent of racism in America shows itself daily! NO-one has ever been scrutinized so continually and about every little and anything .It's a wonder Prez O gets anything done, and at the same time a sad state of affairs where the rest of the world can see what is being done.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin]

11:48 AM on 11/02/2009

trinidadgirl - As I have said elsewhere, I don't believe that all critics of President Obama are racist, but I do believe that race plays a bigger part in what is occurring---more than people are willing to admit---how else do we explain these constant attacks on his legitimacy, his birthplace, in the face of overwhelming evidence of his citizenship?