CindyMax

Many thanks for printing the transcript of the exchange. It demonstrates Obama's grasp of the interconnectedness of the critical issues our country faces.

If Katie Couric's performance was biased I really don't know how to characterize Charlie Gibson's this evening. It was really hard to watch. No substantial questions to clarify Obama's positions on ME issues. Rather, Gibson was trying to back him into a corner by ignoring his answers and reframing the question over and over -- similar to Katie's tack. The big difference is that Gibson couldn't conceal his contempt for Obama who kept his cool while letting Gibson know under no uncertain terms he was on to him.

I'm really beginning to wonder if perhaps these "reporters" are so short-sighted and intellectually stultified they just can't comprehend Obama's critical analysis. What an embarrassment. posted 07/23/2008 at 21:41:25

Thank you, Dr. Bromwich, for your post, horrifying as it is. As always, it illuminates a critical aspect to current events (or future ones).

And, thank you OmnesOminibus for this: "The only way forward, the only hope in fact, is for the Israelis to work for peace from within eventually creating a new and better state in which all citizens, Jewish and Muslim, are equal. Hard to achieve and painful, surely, but what is the alternative?" I started breathing again when I read that. Maybe courageous, sane individuals will prevail. posted 07/19/2008 at 10:05:20

Charlie Rose's interview with Neil Young is one of the best I've ever seen. It was life altering for me.

Young's remarks about honoring and respecting his creative flow were revelatory. He stops whatever he's doing to give the creative urge an outlet. I've been creative all my life in music, art, and dance, but too often guiltily squelch creative inspirations to finish whatever piddly chore is in progress. Young is so right. Creative drive has to be given an outlet immediately or it's lost. It's to be honored and acted upon, not wasted. posted 07/19/2008 at 10:30:33

"Americans are fed up with this administration flaunting the law. " Flout, flaunt, we are indeed fed up.

"They expect Congress to hold people accountable and that is exactly what we intend to do." Yes, we do expect Congress to hold those who break the law accountable. We're growing old waiting!

"Letting Mr. Rove get away with this would set a dangerous precedent." That precedent has already been set if I'm not mistaken. Contempt proceedings were initiated against Harriet Miers. It appears the issue was dropped.

Representative Sanchez, thank you for your post. It was a courageous thing to do given the frustration and disappointment so many Americans share with respect to Congress' performance. Please put that courage to work by taking decisive action! You can do it! posted 07/17/2008 at 19:56:06

You nailed it. This latest, highly publicized effort at diplomacy is a red herring. They're circling the wagons. The State Department press briefing from yesterday reveals nothing new. As a matter of fact, Perino and McCormack were emphatic that there was no change in policy: First, Iran has to dismantle their uranium enrichment program, then we talk. Of note, McCormack refused to state if Israel had been in on the discussions about sending Burns to the talks. Here's the link to the press release:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2008/july/107065.htm

To those skeptical about diplomacy, Christopher Hill's painstaking work with North Korea demonstrates that success is achieved in fits and starts, incrementally, with abundant knowledge of the leaders and culture with whom we negotiate. In his concerted effort, success is being achieved through patience and tenacity. We have the talent to work diplomatically with Iran. Do we have the patience? Rice's position, whether she stays or goes will have little impact. posted 07/17/2008 at 14:20:50

I agree. High transportation costs will necessitate localized economies. Imagine: communities creating many of their own products and growing their own food -- taking pride in what they produce. Talk about going full circle. posted 07/17/2008 at 09:52:30

You're getting close to what this is really about rh654, but there's more too it. This is not about gas prices or oil supply at all. It's about inserting another wedge into the democratic party while we're still fighting over Hillary/Obama and FISA. Divide and conquer. This was calculated pure and simple.

Now here we are with off-shore drilling, a hot button issue for coastal states. Bush today threw out another load of crap: "One of the factors driving up high gas prices is that . . . [our] oil deposits have been put off-limits for exploration and production." Never mind the 68 million acres already available to be explored sitting idle. He went on, "past efforts to meet the demand for oil by expanding domestic resources have been repeatedly rejected by Democrats in Congress." His whole spiel is a crock. This is another set-up to put Democrats in an untenable position so that whatever side they take it's wrong. The Republicans don't care about right and wrong. They only care about winning.

FISA was a calculated political snare orchestrated by Karl Rove. This is the follow-up. These people will not quit. Their strategy is to keep sticky issues for Democrats front and center to perpetuate the infighting. Morals, values, and principles, for Bush and Rove, are for suckers. posted 07/15/2008 at 00:01:28

"Throwing progressive values under the bus is not compromise or creating unity[;] it is selling out plain and simple."

A common perception among those who didn't understand the facts from the start. posted 07/12/2008 at 13:20:39

Well said. And true! posted 07/12/2008 at 12:55:42

"We've always been a nation of adversaries who only come together when disaster looms."

The disaster is here.

"The liberal left has been neutered. . . "

Not according to Mickey Edwards and Ross Douthat whom Bill Moyers interviewed last night. It's the Republicans who've been neutered. They did it to themselves.

In a nation of adversaries, political dominance shifts to extremes. Mickey Edwards pointed out that the neoconservative movement was a direct result of the Democrats' not giving Republicans a seat at the table in the '60's and 70's. We've suffered as a nation from the backlash.

Obama not only knows his history, he has the smarts and vision to initiate positive change. And he will. He's going about it in a way that happens to be intellectually unfathomable to some. posted 07/12/2008 at 12:48:04

What do you mean by "fight?" Hillary talked about being a "fighter." She lost. posted 07/12/2008 at 12:19:28

Thank you, R.J. for your illuminating and insightful post.

In a country that's been polarized for so long, it's critical to have leadership that understands the most effective way to get anything done is through finding common ground. That's Obama's starting point. Common ground.

The very idea of seeking common ground is apparently alien and anathema to a small, emotionally stunted, and very vocal group of individuals who, ironically, resort to the very same tactics as the neocons who hijacked our country: "you're with us or against us." Progress doesn't come about like that.

Those who are sincere in their desire for a country that better represents their aspirations should read Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope," to understand his philosophy for working toward progress for all. I doubt, however, that the ranting commenters here are sincere. posted 07/12/2008 at 10:37:44

Is this twisted logic, ignorance, or shallow-mindedness? Extremist views to say the least, and not representative of a path toward progress. posted 07/12/2008 at 10:15:31

Thank you for your informative posts. I really look forward to them! posted 07/11/2008 at 17:41:43

Thank you, Peter, for an outstanding column.

There is no way to get progressive programs in place by alienating moderates and extremists on the right. Unyielding positions will accomplish absolutely nothing. It's going to take time and a lot of cajoling to repair the damage of the last eight years. Obama understands this. For his supporters who feel betrayed, read his book. For the Hillary die-hards, brainwashing can take years to undo and can only be accomplished willingly.

Progressives and liberals used to view themselves as open-minded. For many, that's no longer the case. There are extremists on both sides. Progress will not happen through intractability. Progress is at the heart of the progressive movement. It's going to take enormous skill and a deep understanding of human nature to make that a reality. By the way, I sported a Kucinich bumper sticker until he dropped out of the race, and I am in no way a traitor to the progressive cause for choosing reason over stridency. posted 07/10/2008 at 13:16:14

Thank you Senator Dodd for your position on FISA and, equally importantly, for sharing your views.

What I really want to know is how 26 senators charged with serving the public interest and upholding the constitution couldn't be found to block the bill. Are they beholden to the telecom industry? The White House? Did they not read the bill? Are they gullible to fearmongering? This is a huge concern as it appears they are derelict in their duty. If the bill, as recently modified, is only slightly better than it was before, and therefore still a "bad bill," why vote for it? I really want to understand this. Factual information, with sources, would be very much appreciated. posted 07/07/2008 at 12:29:54

Have you read "The Audacity of Hope?" posted 07/07/2008 at 15:03:24

Thank you, Mr. Lakoff for sharing your insight. The cognitive and material aspects of human perception with respect to politics is either too difficult for many readers to comprehend or they are too emotionally bound to their own dogma to consider other perspectives. We will be mired in these dark ages for a long, long time if people refuse to listen to and, dare I say it, analyze other points of view. The destructive narrow-mindedness evident in this discussion is disturbing to say the least. Willingness to listen to all points of view is a good thing. Listening is not synonymous with agreeing. Try it. You might experience a little growth and like it! posted 07/07/2008 at 12:00:38

Seconded. Now, going forth . . . posted 07/05/2008 at 21:51:15

". . . it will take political will, savvy strategy and hard-nosed organizing . . . " It will also take a grassroots effort to steer the media and its addicts away from the banal pap that has mired them in apathy and sunk our culture into these insipid Dark Ages. Take heart though. People are waking up, albeit slowly. Thank you ,Katrina, for hastening the awakening. posted 07/04/2008 at 08:31:39

Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for your post. It was an excellent reminder that we need to get out of ourselves and move toward greater empathy and compassion. posted 07/04/2008 at 08:44:32

Very important point. As a Floridian, it's disappointing to have our state in the "nice to have" category, but completely understandable. There is no reliability whatsoever in our voting system. It would be foolhardy to put Florida in the "must win" category. Likewise, Ohio.

The Obama campaign won the primary strategically. They will win the national election the same way. They are taking a fresh approach and it's paying off. This is good to see. A campaign that puts its words into action. Wow. posted 06/16/2008 at 10:42:17

NOOOOOOO . . . . !!!!!! Not Jeb. Don't even think it, let alone write it! You strike terror in thoughtful Floridians who parsed through his BS to his horrid neocon roots. He was a signatory on the original neocon blueprint! If anyone thinks our country has been brought to its knees by George W. Bush, it will be buried by Jeb Bush.

Floridians are suffering with Jeb's protege, Charlie Crist, a wolf in sheep's clothing who has snowed many with his glad handing and brilliant smile. Most Floridians don't yet realize he's perpetuating Jeb Bush's legacy of dismantling our government and schools -- the Grover Norquist philosophy of "starve the beast" and privatize, privatize, privatize. His style contrasts with Jeb Bush's, but their politics are cut from the same cloth. Provide opportunities for the rich to retain and further their wealth and cut off opportunities for everyone else. Oh no, not Jeb. No way. But if so, it will be time (maybe way past) to take to the streets. posted 06/16/2008 at 09:31:50

Thank you Congressman Kucinich for having the courage to do what no one else would. It obviously takes extraordinary mettle to do the right thing in Washington.

With respect to "Keep their power checked so they can't start a war with Iran . . . ," I read that Chairman Conyers sent Bush a letter stating that impeachment proceedings would begin immediately should the U.S. attack Iran. With Israel's saber rattling though, it might be hard to prove if the U.S. did indeed perpetrate an attack. posted 06/11/2008 at 17:40:52