Lib-er-al (noun): One who favors maximum individual freedom, esp. protection of civil liberties.
Pro-jec-tion (noun): The attribution of one's own attributes, feelings, or suppositions to others.
Sometimes I swear Obama is just trying to see how many broken promises and adopted Bush policies he can get away with and still have the adoration of his cult followers. It’s quite an amazing phenomenon.
The logical contortions and fantastic theories his cult followers have to devise to continue to justify their adoration of Obama in the face of such blatant and continued betrayal is also amazing.
“Sometimes I swear Obama is just trying to see how many broken promises* and adopted Bush policies** he can get away with and still have the adoration of his cult followers***.”
* He’s only broken about 1% of his promises.
** You mean, he’s NOT completely left wing? In fact, he’s center-right, as we’ve been saying this since he became involved in the national scene. It is only the Right who thought he was “the most liberal”.
***Adoration for Obama himself? I haven’t seen it on the left. I have seen those on the Right suggest that we mindlessly adore him, but, like so many of their claims, this one has no basis in reality.
Obama is so far from Bush from speaking on mass transit, wanting to get rid of lobbyists, pulling us out of Iraq ( which we should have never invaded ) and best of all talking about American citizens pitching in & helping out.
There is no adoration for Obama, just folks happy not to have a clown for a president after 8 years!
For those who think any president can snap his fingers and make everything happen just the way he envisioned it, let me suggest a little maturity.
It is impossible for any president to keep all his promises. Can’t be done. They can only work in that direction and adapt to the situation on the ground. As daniels says, Obama has never been very far left leaning, but I appreciate that he is a pragmatist who genuinely seems to have the best interests of the nation at heart (rather than the best interests of his cronies).
By the way, did you see the news that nearly all the electrical work on US bases in Iraq – which was done by KBR – is NOT up to code and IS responsible for several injuries and possibly three deaths? Wasn’t KBR a no-bid contract? Wasn’t KBR a subsidiary of Halliburton at the time (they severed ties in 2007). It appears Bush/Cheney kept their promises to their corporate pals but had no such care for the troops.
The monster labeled quote Obama quote is speaking rather than thinking. His speech balloon uses pictures: a man in a black pointed hood and orange jumpsuit labeled detainee whom rope suspends by both arms and electric wires serve to torture, a drone pilot in earphones working bombings from afar, a drone, bombs, and explosions. His clumsy claws clutch an oversize coffee cup amid coffee spills. An ordinary man at an adjacent table works a smartphone and looks sidelong at the strange pair, which includes a lady facing the Obama monster. She has a demitasse with a stirrer in it, wears a lavendar sleeveless jersey with red collar trim and a red bracelet on her right rist. Her elbows are on the table, hands clasped together. On her right upper arm and shoulder, quote I heart O quote, on the front of her jersey, quote Saturday looks good to me quote and a picture of a door opening, in her thought bubble a quote liberal’s paren noun paren quote, quote projection paren noun paren quote enclosing a frontal portrait of the president broader-faced, maturer, masculiner, with a vertical string of hearts alongside her hair and running from her tattooed shoulder to her thought balloon. The monster is as nasty as one could imagine, hair red, face–if you want to call it that–eyeless, fang horizontal from nostrils, cheeks, and chin–if you want to call it that–and so forth.
I for one am unhappy with his equivocation on the torture issue.
Despite the portrayal by the wingnuts, I never expected Obama to carte blanche release everyone from Gitmo. There are clearly people there that shouldn’t be released back into the wild. Closing Gitmo is a great PR move for sure. But anyone that thinks he’s going to give them a ferry ticket to Miami and a welfare check is an absolute moron.
Lt_Lanier, your definition of a liberal needs work, since most conservatives refer to liberals as “bleeding hearts.” Conservatives, with their “personal responsibility” mantra standing in for what they really believe, which is “who cares about the poor?” are the hard-hearted ones.
Obama is hardly the monster Rall portrays here, though I too am disappointed with the overly cautious approach to torture (it should be prosecuted, period). I never expected anything but a mixed performance – that’s the best you can hope for from any president.
I get the point and share the sentiment, except that, being cartoon satire, it exaggerates. I too am moderately disappointed in Obama, for whom I had moderately high expectations. I also got the point of the old bumpersticker that said “People are no bleeep good”. Also a valid point but an exaggeration.
The left and right both need to realize what Bush did not, he is NOT a king with absolute authority, and Obama knows that. I have the patience of a chipmunk on amphetamines, but I see where he’s going, and the need to get both the ducks, and the chickenhawks, lined up to accomplish anything. He’s done some things I’d call “errors”, but Bush made more in any given 10 minute period than Obama has since taking office, or will in his first term.
I have followed Mr. Rall’s comics for quite a while, and I have kept reading–though not particularly enjoying–him in these last few “I’ve completely gone off the rails” years. This cartoon is the limit. It seems whatever reality Ted lives in no longer has the slightest intersection with mine. So long, Ted Rall, I hope the medication helps. [unsubscribe button clicked]
Well I know the far right sees Obama as this cartoon draws him. I however agree w/ many of the comments here: I wish he would set a precedent and prosecute for the corruption, abuse of power, crimes against civil liberties, (dare I say?) war crimes. However, I voted for a rational, intelligent man who weighs all the options and ramifications of his decisions. I shouldn’t have a cow when he does just that. I’m a liberal, but I’m not blind to reality.
I don’t expect Obama to get everything he asks for, but I wish he would at least ask for something worth having. There’s no real leadership until definite goals are declared and reasons given, whether we ever get there or not.
Michigander almost 15 years ago
They kinda view each other in a different way, don’t they?
geezjan almost 15 years ago
Sometimes I swear Obama is just trying to see how many broken promises and adopted Bush policies he can get away with and still have the adoration of his cult followers. It’s quite an amazing phenomenon.
The logical contortions and fantastic theories his cult followers have to devise to continue to justify their adoration of Obama in the face of such blatant and continued betrayal is also amazing.
It’s also very sad.
Lavocat almost 15 years ago
A (wo)man hears what (s)he wants to hear and disregards the rest. Lie la lie! Lie la lie lie lie la lie.
And hey: when do we get our magical unity ponies?
danielsangeo almost 15 years ago
“Sometimes I swear Obama is just trying to see how many broken promises* and adopted Bush policies** he can get away with and still have the adoration of his cult followers***.”
* He’s only broken about 1% of his promises.
** You mean, he’s NOT completely left wing? In fact, he’s center-right, as we’ve been saying this since he became involved in the national scene. It is only the Right who thought he was “the most liberal”.
***Adoration for Obama himself? I haven’t seen it on the left. I have seen those on the Right suggest that we mindlessly adore him, but, like so many of their claims, this one has no basis in reality.
MaryWorth Premium Member almost 15 years ago
geezjan doesn’t get out much…
Obama is so far from Bush from speaking on mass transit, wanting to get rid of lobbyists, pulling us out of Iraq ( which we should have never invaded ) and best of all talking about American citizens pitching in & helping out.
There is no adoration for Obama, just folks happy not to have a clown for a president after 8 years!
cdward almost 15 years ago
For those who think any president can snap his fingers and make everything happen just the way he envisioned it, let me suggest a little maturity.
It is impossible for any president to keep all his promises. Can’t be done. They can only work in that direction and adapt to the situation on the ground. As daniels says, Obama has never been very far left leaning, but I appreciate that he is a pragmatist who genuinely seems to have the best interests of the nation at heart (rather than the best interests of his cronies).
By the way, did you see the news that nearly all the electrical work on US bases in Iraq – which was done by KBR – is NOT up to code and IS responsible for several injuries and possibly three deaths? Wasn’t KBR a no-bid contract? Wasn’t KBR a subsidiary of Halliburton at the time (they severed ties in 2007). It appears Bush/Cheney kept their promises to their corporate pals but had no such care for the troops.
sfiller almost 15 years ago
The monster labeled quote Obama quote is speaking rather than thinking. His speech balloon uses pictures: a man in a black pointed hood and orange jumpsuit labeled detainee whom rope suspends by both arms and electric wires serve to torture, a drone pilot in earphones working bombings from afar, a drone, bombs, and explosions. His clumsy claws clutch an oversize coffee cup amid coffee spills. An ordinary man at an adjacent table works a smartphone and looks sidelong at the strange pair, which includes a lady facing the Obama monster. She has a demitasse with a stirrer in it, wears a lavendar sleeveless jersey with red collar trim and a red bracelet on her right rist. Her elbows are on the table, hands clasped together. On her right upper arm and shoulder, quote I heart O quote, on the front of her jersey, quote Saturday looks good to me quote and a picture of a door opening, in her thought bubble a quote liberal’s paren noun paren quote, quote projection paren noun paren quote enclosing a frontal portrait of the president broader-faced, maturer, masculiner, with a vertical string of hearts alongside her hair and running from her tattooed shoulder to her thought balloon. The monster is as nasty as one could imagine, hair red, face–if you want to call it that–eyeless, fang horizontal from nostrils, cheeks, and chin–if you want to call it that–and so forth.
Lt_Lanier almost 15 years ago
This cartoon is a bit obtuse as far as as execution goes, I think. What is a liberal, you ask? One that possesses a soft head and a hard heart.
lalas almost 15 years ago
I for one am unhappy with his equivocation on the torture issue.
Despite the portrayal by the wingnuts, I never expected Obama to carte blanche release everyone from Gitmo. There are clearly people there that shouldn’t be released back into the wild. Closing Gitmo is a great PR move for sure. But anyone that thinks he’s going to give them a ferry ticket to Miami and a welfare check is an absolute moron.
Motivemagus almost 15 years ago
Lt_Lanier, your definition of a liberal needs work, since most conservatives refer to liberals as “bleeding hearts.” Conservatives, with their “personal responsibility” mantra standing in for what they really believe, which is “who cares about the poor?” are the hard-hearted ones.
lycodont almost 15 years ago
This is one of your best pieces ever.
cdward almost 15 years ago
Obama is hardly the monster Rall portrays here, though I too am disappointed with the overly cautious approach to torture (it should be prosecuted, period). I never expected anything but a mixed performance – that’s the best you can hope for from any president.
pugnax almost 15 years ago
I get the point and share the sentiment, except that, being cartoon satire, it exaggerates. I too am moderately disappointed in Obama, for whom I had moderately high expectations. I also got the point of the old bumpersticker that said “People are no bleeep good”. Also a valid point but an exaggeration.
pugnax almost 15 years ago
bleep? WTB?
danielsangeo almost 15 years ago
pugnax: There is a “bad word” filter in place. Don’t worry, you got your point across.
deadheadzan almost 15 years ago
Lots of difficult issues here, folks- the man is not a magician.
Dtroutma almost 15 years ago
The left and right both need to realize what Bush did not, he is NOT a king with absolute authority, and Obama knows that. I have the patience of a chipmunk on amphetamines, but I see where he’s going, and the need to get both the ducks, and the chickenhawks, lined up to accomplish anything. He’s done some things I’d call “errors”, but Bush made more in any given 10 minute period than Obama has since taking office, or will in his first term.
gropius365 almost 15 years ago
I have followed Mr. Rall’s comics for quite a while, and I have kept reading–though not particularly enjoying–him in these last few “I’ve completely gone off the rails” years. This cartoon is the limit. It seems whatever reality Ted lives in no longer has the slightest intersection with mine. So long, Ted Rall, I hope the medication helps. [unsubscribe button clicked]
foxglove16 almost 15 years ago
Well I know the far right sees Obama as this cartoon draws him. I however agree w/ many of the comments here: I wish he would set a precedent and prosecute for the corruption, abuse of power, crimes against civil liberties, (dare I say?) war crimes. However, I voted for a rational, intelligent man who weighs all the options and ramifications of his decisions. I shouldn’t have a cow when he does just that. I’m a liberal, but I’m not blind to reality.
MaskedMarauder almost 15 years ago
I don’t expect Obama to get everything he asks for, but I wish he would at least ask for something worth having. There’s no real leadership until definite goals are declared and reasons given, whether we ever get there or not.