hollybork's Comments (761)

“Unfortunately, the merger of corporate interests with the power of government brings us to facism. That is where we are headed.”

“This is an excellent, if heartbreaking, analysis of where we are. I have though since before Obama was elected that he was more conservative than people knew and would try to govern from the middle. What I did not understand was that he has no appetite for the hard knocks that comes from principled leadership. He might be a lot done as President, but until he gets rid of his corporatist advisers and has the tenacity to follow his own moral instincts about doing what is best for our people, he will continue along the path Miles has outlined here.

Furthermore, I believe the sell out of our national leadership is not hopeless. But as long as we have privately financed elections we will continue to sell power to the highest bidder. There is an area where we could bring reform by passing laws for public financing and regain a more vibrant and responsive democracy.”

“Yes, yes, you are right. My heart is breaking.”

“I don't know what Pres. Obama really stands for or what he believes in anymore. While I believe him to be a decent, charming and intelligent man, I don't know if there is anything that he will hold his ground on. I read his books and liked him because he was unsullied and a superb writer.

The problem is none of us really knew Obama when he ran. He had not been in the US Senate long enough for us to see how he operated. We projected onto him what we wanted him to be, and he presented issues in a way that represented the heart of the democratic party. Now I think there were certain facts that were suggestive of where we were going to be if he got to be President.
1. Inexperienced;
2. People who worked with him on the Harvard Law Journal said he sat back and "facilitated differences" but did not take strongly argued legal positions. They resented him for this;
3.Obama's background, although that of a bi racial male from a broken home, was as a student at elite prep schools and universities where he curried favor with influential intellectuals;
4. His skill at elucidating a great narrative line, his clean and lucid writing style, including a unique balanced voice without passion or any stridency whatsoever;
5. His reputation of being cool and detached;
6. His voting "present" 100 times in the Illinois Senate.”

“Who will Obama turn to for his future legislative initiatives? His friends Senators Lieberman, Baucus, Landrieu, Lincoln and Nelson? His pal Bart Stupak? Good luck with that.”

“These observations are witty, mature and original. I love the final line - which is the greater delusion - what's in the mind of the would be ubermench versus the one who idolizes him. Isn't that the truth?”

“Great post. You've gone to the heart of the matter, Fox.”

“What a kicker. I am feeling sicker and sicker.”

“Interesting post. Well put.”

“" What it all illustrates is that the Democrats now in the majority don't have the moral purpose for this fight."

There are 54 democrats in the Senate who have that moral purpose. The problem is with 6 who do not. That may lead to defeat of a bill when combined with a lackluster enthusiasm from Obama. The White House has lacked the will to push this issue to the wall, including the bare faced dare to go to reconciliation or filibuster if necessary, to get a bill that benefits the health and welfare of the American People.

In all honesty, I don't know what Obama stands for anymore. It is one thing to be an advocate for change who is willing to compromise to resolve long standing disputes. It is another thing to be a facilitator who will not take a stand and merely stands by and referees. A referee is not a leader. I am afraid leadership and negotiating experience are not h is strengths. What a disappointment.”

“Yes, exactly. I think reclusive life would appeal to him now. But what can he do to enjoy himself except chase women and play golf? Hughes was a much more accomplished and curious man with many talents he could indulge with serial obsessiveness. Woods ain't that kind of cat.”

“You nhave a point. Most people of uncanny talent, guts, focus and high achievement are arrogant. It goes with the territory. But not all people of high achievement are so reckless and so morally stupid as Woods has proven to be. It is profoundly disturbing to see such takent and achievement trashed. He was willing to risk it all for a few hours of mindlessness and play acting with prostitutes, porn stars and groupies. He has left an unsavory stench in the air, and imprinted lascivious images in his fans brains. I don't see how he will live it down.”

“Exactly. And all it entails.”

“You are wrong about that. Golf is a magnificent, impossible and heart breaking game. The fact that it is played in a beautiful park-like setting is a set up. It is really unfolding in the mind, and that is why the discipine of emotions shown by Tiger wasso inspiring. He was uncanny, in the zone, smooth as glass. He did things that were impossible over and over again. Man in the world may indeed be weak and pathetic. Tiger coming down the back nine in a hard fought major tournament was superb, inhumanly great. If you know nothing of this game, confine your comments to Sarah Palin and other utter phonies. Tiger earned his reputation.”

“Interesting take. I don't buy it. What serial philanderer has ever reformed in the history of man? Once a don juan always a don juan. It is as fatal a condition as the obsession for power, as infinitely self justifying as greed. What makes it particularly deadly is the beauty of women, their variety and mystery and vulnerabilility, and the omnipresence of the desirable other.....”

“Brilliant. Thank you.”

“This is the best, most insightful and wise analysis I have read on the Woods matter. I think Jim Moore has
seen the true nature of tragedy, and sees it playing out now in Tiger's fall. Moore disregards the smoke, glamour and sizzle to discern the stony pride in Woods that fueled his sense of invulnerability. He was reckless like Bill Clinton was; with so much talent and accomplishment, Woods (like Pres. Clinton) had everything to lose and so little to gain from his sexcapade risk taking.

I had followed Woods career and always hoped i would be able to follow him around a course someday. Now I think his career is done. This dazzling star has shot through the sky so fast and we won't see his like again in a lifetime. Tragic.”

“Persuasive criticism, Mr Brenner. I grudgingly agree with many of your points. That said, I still think Obama will get us out of Afghanistan and will reverse the era of institutionalized torture. He represents a dramatic change from Bush although he has not perfected his early promise. I reserve the right to judge Obama's contributions to peace after he finishes his first term.

The one point you make which I totally agree with is that unregulated and publically subsidized banking represents a far graver threat to our way of life than does anything threatening us from out of Afghanistan.”

“Agreed.”

“Great points, well put and thoughtful. Thanks”

“I would take Obama any day over F. Nietzsche, the erstwhile ubermensch whose mind was deranged by syphilis. Obama gave a deep, thoughtful and world wise speech =. I am very proud of him.”

“I wholeheartedly agree. Beautiful, deep thouights were well phrased and presented within the context of a deeply complex problem. Pres. Obama once again has made a speech for the ages.”

“I am glad we have in Pres. Obama a realist who is well versed in the history of conflict resolution and intends to obey treaties and peace accords. I am glad he believes in constitutional protection, the United Nations, open channels of communication with less than perfect regimes, and is willing to shake a big stick at those who threaten us. I prefer such a practical man as commander in chief over a mystic or saint. It may be that the Prophet Daniel could go into the lion's den and not be consumed, but I would not want a President who left us defenseless in this vicious and dangerous jungle of a world.

Mahatma Gandhi was a noble and high minded man. I admired him and I attest to the power of his ideas. But as a political leader, he left much to be desired. His India was torn to shreds in the conflicts following sectarian violence because he believed they had the national maturity to govern themselves as one people. That was a mistake. It led to an impoverished Bangladesh and the birth of that sad foundling, Pakistan. Both now give haven to continual border or tribal wars and provide energy to the foment of terrorists. Gandhi ended his life believing he had been a failure.

Any President who keeps his country safe, follows the constitution and laws of the United States, and improves our prestige and image abroad is a successful President in my thinking.”

“In reading Pres. Obama's Nobel Prize acceptance speech this morning, I was struck by the practicality of an idealistic leader who faces the great burden of insuring his people's safety in an unsafe and nuclear armed world. It was a very interesting and contemplative approach. I applaud Pres. Obama for the sentiments expressed and for the honesty with which he approached the perennial question of how to achieve peace.”

“Good story with good details. Thanks for the post.”