146 Comments

1. NJclosetconservative:

Dr. Hanson,

Great piece as always. I didn’t find so many conservative friends voting, inexplicably, for Obama. But I do now find many liberals friends who refuse to acknowledge that Obama has done a 180 on just about every issue that they claimed as a reason to vote for him during the Summer of 2008.

Six months and he has practically dumped the date that brung ‘im. Which, by the way, is exactly what the New Yorker cover story predicted he would do based on his political history.

You remember? The same cover story that no one read because Obama distracted everyone with phony outrage over the caricature on the cover.

Jan 25, 2009 - 3:02 pm 2. D Foster:

Louis XV, The “SUN GOD” is here, and his Court are in place for the future rulings.

Jan 25, 2009 - 3:05 pm 3. RJ:

Ok doc, you placed the fork in the road for Obama. Now we will see in which direction he intends to travel.

My bet is that his arrogance leads the way. He will not come down to a common level, a human perspective.

This is Alexander The Great with words in his quiver, on the hunt for greatness as only he envisions it to be.

I’m going underground, fast!

Jan 25, 2009 - 3:12 pm 4. Thrasymachus:

Our political system is binary. You get one of two choices. Unless one is what you really want, you are probably voting against what you don’t want.

In 2006 the voters decided they didn’t want more Tom DeLay and Mark Foley. Who can blame them? It’s hard to argue that your opponents are bad because they are sex scandal plagued, big spending for donors rats when you are that. May as well give other rats a shot at it!

In 2008 the voters decided they didn’t want more George Bush. Who can blame them? It’s hard to argue your opponents are bad because they are going to give away hundreds of billions to the politically connected when you’re doing the same thing. May as well give the racket to a fresh face.

The real father of the Obama presidency I think will prove to be Henry Paulson. He threw out any pretense of prudent, targeted spending with the threat of total economic collapse. Now nobody can say no to anything.

Obama is a phenomenon of mass psychology and eventually will be studied that way. Obama is the last wave of the bubble. Obama is the last shot people have at maintaining the status quo of the last 25 years, *not* of change as he claims. People will realize soon enough he is not a magician and then it will really hit the fan.

Jan 25, 2009 - 3:24 pm 5. DeK:

And who among us actually believes that BHO, spurred on by his surge of adulation and electoral college triumph, will choose the finer, more humble path of honesty?

From sacrificing his dear but bigotted grandmother to his petty little vindictive slurs, this one is no Harry Truman or Ike. I wish I could be so certain of his coming date with Nemesis…but one can, after all, hope.

Jan 25, 2009 - 3:44 pm 6. ~Paules:

Professor,

I hate to say this, but there’s no one in the back of Mr. Obama’s chariot whispering “remember, you are but a man.” In fact, I get the creepy feeling that our new president is starting to feel his omnipotence. Hubris, indeed.

Jan 25, 2009 - 4:13 pm 7. George Best:

We is it we continue to try and understand Obama and the cult behind his election? It is really simple when it comes down to it. All these liberals who support Obama dont really like him despite their white guilt over racism and the other feelings they have to justify support for him.

It comes down to the liberal mentality and their hatred of successful people, most of which are conservative. They are jealous of people who can succeed and do so under a captialist, not handout society. These successful people are what built this country. Success is not always defined by money accrued, but instead by a work ethic and an appreciation for those who do better then they do because it makes them want to be better. When you stop striving, you become a liberal.

Obama plays to these jealousies and societies failures. Most of his supporters will be failures their whole lives. Others when voting time arises might be dealing with setbacks that they want to blame on others and by voting for a liberal who also places blame, for a brief period they feel like there are others like them and strength is in numbers. They will show those conservatives in the only way they know how.

Timing is everything, but with the growth of the internet media and the significant increase in information, these people more frequently see what failures they are as there are more people just like them to remind them of it.

The rich liberal leadership plays on this hatred and gets rich off others negativity and perpetuates it by their speeches, fake theories like gloabal warming, and anything that can line their pocketbook in the name of victimization and voter motivation.

With the reproduction rate of whites, especially white conservatives on the decrease and the increase in illegal immigration, broken black homes, and people looking to get all they can without having to work for it, Obama is just the beginning.

This country is going to turn into a multicultural Zimbabwe with the people who made the country successful having their stuff taken in the form of taxes and eventually violence while those doing the taking wondering why their life isnt any better yet their leadership and their heroes continue to grow richer.

History repeats itself and we in America just dont see what is happening. Thank goodness we have a couple of oceans surrounding us or it would be happening a lot quicker.

I pray for the many smart people who comment on this site as it is clear there are many great americans still in this country who like me dont really have a clue what to do to stop what is slowly coming at us.

Jan 25, 2009 - 6:05 pm 8. Ron Kean:

We wonder if the bubble will burst.

The magic is still working. We wish our President the very best.

It just doesn’t seem like it can go on. The adulation. The near worship. The messianic ideal. The rise of the oceans beginning to slow.

It’s just not natural. It’s like he’s walking on a tightrope.

Jan 25, 2009 - 6:12 pm 9. Doug Wright:

~Paules: The answer to your unasked question is: Obama told his servant: “Bug off, I won!” Hubris prevails for the next four years!

Jan 25, 2009 - 7:19 pm 10. Lincoln:

“I’m a sinner and a saint, simultaneously. I’m not what I am or what I appear to be. I’m a recovering pharisee” – Del McCoury

Jan 25, 2009 - 9:25 pm 11. TLM:

VDH,

Your essays are much appreciated. But the conventional wisdom “Americans can and will forgive almost anything other than hypocrisy” may no longer pertain. Consider:

The Life of the Saint continues to be written by his hagiographers in the MSM, who are still the source of “news and information” for a majority of Americans. I have yet to hear a satisfactory, rational, all encompassing explanation for the MSM’s descent into journalistic malpractice vis a vis Obama. I would, therefore, hesitate to predict how long this travesty will go on. Americans may remain blind to the hypocrisy of our saviour Saint Obama for some time.

The longer the media promotes, and the longer the public adheres to, the Vision of Saint Obama, the more necessary a collective amnesia regarding this charade becomes. For both. Were Americans willing dupes? Was the MSM complicit for secondary gain? It may be years before rational observers understand the dynamics that led to this national mania…hypnosis…psychosis — whatever you call it — that gripped the electorate in 2008, and continues today. Without such an exculpatory rationale for their behavior, it will be even longer before some Americans admit they were duped by this false Vision.

Many Americans, including some conservatives as you note, have themselves been hypocritical in their justifications for supporting Obama and his deification. “Let him who is without sin…”

IMO, many Americans no longer understand what the word “hypocrisy” connotes.

I hope you’re right, though. I hope the CW on hypocrisy holds true. But I gotta admit, this hopin’…hopin’…hopin’ business needs to end.

Jan 25, 2009 - 9:59 pm 12. Charles Gordon:

As you described it, he portrayed the appearance of a leader.
He did all of the right things because there was a clear goal: win the presidency.
As you also describe, he is a fraud.
This man is filled with passive-aggressive rage, divided loyalties, pay-back his only instinct.
Now, faced with the unknown, he will be aimless because the great challenges ahead require authentic leadership, which he has only seen as shadows cast against the wall.
So he will indulge in his narcissism and plunge our country into his chaos.

Jan 25, 2009 - 10:56 pm 13. Dave:

“I can unequivically say that I will not be running for national office in four years. I am a believer in knowing what you’re doing when you apply for a job and I think that if I were to seriously consider running on a national ticket, I would essentially have to start now. There may be some who are comfortable with doing that, but I am not one of those people.”

(Barck Obama when he had just been elected to the U S Senate in 2004. )

He is one great con artist and as such has adoring victims. I hope he regards me as an incorrigible. Safer that way.

Jan 25, 2009 - 11:09 pm 14. Pajamas Media » It Isn’t Easy Being a Saint:

[...] Read the entire piece here. [...]

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:33 am 15. David Thomson:

“….and an understandable yearning for our first African-American President.”

President Barack Obama is the beneficiary of white guilt. His presidential campaign would not have gotten off the ground had he possessed blue eyes and blond hair. The man is intellectually shallow and poorly read. He is all about style—and no substance. Think about it for a moment: how often does Obama say something that sounds brilliant? And isn’t it absurd that he is willing to pick a fight with Rush Limbaugh? The well-known radio talk show host would easily humiliate Obama in a debate with one hand tied behind his back.

Jan 26, 2009 - 4:12 am 16. Ann141:

The electorate is apparently willing to be swayed by words that were used only for that purpose. The inability on the part of so many to perceive the larger implications of those words and the lack of ideas is very troubling, considering the fact that these same yahoos get to vote again in 2010 and 2012.

NJclosetconservative.1. My experience with conservative friends was like yours. I’m not aware of a single one who folded and voted for this arrogant, inexperienced, foolish man.

Watching the “press” over the past months, I’m more and more persuaded that an urban mentality lends itself to “us against them” perspective and a sense of personal political superiority. Groupthink seems to be more likely in a city setting.

This is our problem in Minnesota, where the entire state is conservative when you look at it county by county, but libs keep getting elected because of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

I do completely disagree with the suggestion of the thought in the headline: “It isn’t Easy Being a Saint” Two word should have been added:

It Isn’t Easy PRETENDING TO Be a Saint”

Arrogance is bad enough. Combined with ignorance and power, it’s terrifying.

Jan 26, 2009 - 4:45 am 17. ashok:

I disagree. This Obama-mania phenomenon is not going to implode any time soon, and if it does, it is conceivable that politics in this country may actually get worse. You’re underestimating the public’s – and the media’s – capacity for self-deception.

The major issue that’s missing from your column is whether a people indulging in populism can admit to themselves they made a mistake. That’s hard to expect of any one person: to expect it of a “majority faction” is near impossible.

So what happens if they turn on President Obama? My own thought is we end up like the UK under Blair: the disenchantment becomes conspiracy theory and apathy; the opposition stays disorganized b/c an embittered media continues their assault and gives no breathing room.

I mean, the major significance of Obama’s election is that it is a wholesale embrace of European populism. The people and their basest desires are always right, and anyone who would say otherwise is a “fascist.”

Jan 26, 2009 - 4:45 am 18. turfmann:

NJclosetconservative hits the nail on the head. The faux outrage over the cover illustration deflected attention away from a very revealing article written in The New Yorker by Ryan Lizza. I read it at the time because, what the hell was wrong with me, I wanted to know what this man was all about. What I learned in that article was that he is a very dangerous man.

In case you haven’t read it here is the link.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?printable=true

I guess that readers of Playboy aren’t the only ones who lie when they say the get the magazine for the articles.

Jan 26, 2009 - 4:59 am 19. Craig:

“Yet the old Obama is starting to appear as most of you astute readers knew he would.”

And it’s only going to get worse. Maybe the GOP will grow a spine the next 4 years.

Jan 26, 2009 - 5:05 am 20. quasar:

A while back I heard a shrink on talk radio discussing BHO. I can’t recall specifics but the shrink brought out a phalanx of “syndromes” that would effect someone with BHO’s childhood history.
The racial indentity crisis and parental abandonment could have caused deep, permanent scars that may show up later as misogyny, megalomania, ect.
Thought provoking and chilling to think we may have a Psycho in the WH.

Jan 26, 2009 - 5:20 am 21. formwiz:

Dr. Hanson, you state the saint/sinner dichotomy brilliantly which, I agree, will be a big part of Obama’s undoing, if it comes. The reference to Jimmy Carter reflects my own suspicions after a week of the Obamanation.

But why do you describe the Clinton retreads as centrist? That was another of Willie’s dodges to get him through the ‘96 elections. Emanuel, Podesta, Panetta, Hillary, Eric Holder and Carol Browner are as hard Left a crew as one’s nightmares could conjure. The’92 – ‘94 and ‘98 – ‘00 years were a lot farther to the left in tone than the aftermath of the ‘94 elections.

Jan 26, 2009 - 5:38 am 22. Robert Winkler Burke:

Always there are signs,
Confirming, denying,
The truth people choose,
Righteous or lying.

Obama was sworn in,
President of our land,
Using Abraham Lincoln’s bible,
Oh my, how grand!

But wait, the oath flubbed,
Had to happen again.
And when redone correctly,
No bible at hand.

Jan 26, 2009 - 5:51 am 23. Mike2:

4. Thrasymachus:
“The real father of the Obama presidency I think will prove to be Henry Paulson.”

Exactly. It’s darned hard for conservatives to win when their own do them in. The bailouts and his response to them sealed McCain’s fate.

In response to Mr. Hanson’s article, how could we all not know what he is after the “we are the ones we have been waiting for” speech in Berlin?? The man is an egomaniac.
————————————-
Who is John Galt?

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:10 am 24. Cato:

An interesting essay, but I wonder (with other commentators) if Obama’s hubris will ever show through the MSM screen, which I don’t think will go away. Your classical training probably attunes your ear more closely to hubris than most, and ultimately, “the gods” brings the over-proud to book, but it may be a long time coming.

Although I’m not sure exactly what it means, my intuition is that Obama’s attack on Limbaugh both highlights Obama’s character flaws and will prove to be a political blunder.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:10 am 25. Fantom:

Charles @12, nice allegory of the cave reference. Quite fitting actually. As for the rest, a lot of very good thought and writing. Very refreshing and nice to consider over my cup of coffee.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:16 am 26. Broadsword:

Jack Palance played the character Simon the Magician in the 1954 film The Silver Chalice. Simon Magus is an historical character. In the film, he wants to show that he, too, is a man of power and miracles like the recently un-deceased Carpenter from Galilee. He contrives a scheme to fly, suspended from a harness,high up in a tower, (if I recall correctly), in the coliseum. Of course, he begins to believe he really can fly, and jumps off the tower to his death. Need I say more? “IHS”

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:24 am 27. mimmi wallis:

brilliant insight as usual
one small criticism:
“coronate” is not a verb
a “coronation” is a ceremony where a monarch is “crowned”

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:31 am 28. Michael O'Brien:

…likening Obama to Xerxes. That is perfect.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:35 am 29. SaraforAmerica:

Mr. Hanson,

Your article is good enough for printing and saving.(160 times, for the environment.)

Keep interlacing into your articles the many warning signs brought out during the campaign.

Michelle’s promise that “as a member of the black community, I am obligated to this community and will utilize all of my present and future resources to benefit the black community first and foremost”, Obama’s refusal to salute the flag and membership in the Socialist party. These things, when put in the context of their actions now, will help the puzzle pieces fit.

Americans have short memories so it’s “our” job to make sure they remember.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:37 am 30. Cybergeezer:

Obama’s a good surfer; That’s all.
As with my love affairs, it’s timing that counts most. History shall show Obama’s time was right. After Bush, the medias hatred of him, and outright lust for Barack and his ability to read a teleprompter in convincing fashion, no other black on the horizon to compete with, the overwhelming guilt instilled after Katrina, and FEMA; The chance to emulate a black man was ripe. With this succession of waves, he was the best surfer.
I sincerely hope that George Bush shall not be this Nations last great Commander in Chief.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:41 am 31. Magic:

Mr. Obama is a Chicago democrat, which should say everything.
Its says that he is lying, cheating, corrupt politician with little or no morals and absolutely no ethics. He bought the election and is still trying to raise more money, for what? His cold shoulder of the people that got him elected (the media) was the first step. The abandonment of the liberal cause is next. He will than try and apply his socialist agenda before he losses his brain-dead religious worshipers. He has conned the American people by using the old “If you don’t support blacks, you are a racist” scheme. His programs are based on how fast can I fill my and my friend’s pockets. The programs he has proposed so far are the political equivalent to smoke and mirror magic. He is the safest man in America for the next four years because as bad as he is or will be replacing him with “Slow” Joe Biden would be a real scary nightmare.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:41 am 32. Stephen Marotta:

I voted for Obama. but not enthusiasticly and somewhat a little begrudgingly. (I could bring myself or allow myself to bear responsibility for a potential Pallin administration.) I have some thoughts on why the Obama rhetoric is so entising to Americans.
Obama talks about uniting and by-partisanism. these are two idiotic and stupid ideas that hove no place in a free society. the word idiot is of french origin and it referes to a person who is uninterested to their own detriment in political affairs. i mean that the only hope for a free society is to have debate and free thinking arguements not blind group thinking sheep following resignation. most of americans i believe are lazzy and would like to be told how to live and what to do. they want privaleges but most have no real understanding of freedom or love of it. i think that the desire to return to the pre 9/11 statis quo is a large part of (although personality comes into it for sure) bush-hating. in the american public’s mind perhaps they can tie all this unpleasantness to one man and, as they say, “move on.” first, this is impossible. second, i am glad to say that i believe the joke is on the “move on.org” crowd who don’t realise int heir enthusiasm that they have put into office (thank goodness) a man who plans on being tough and defeating the enemies of freedom around the world. (says he would invade pakistan if they keep interfearing in afganistan, and his inauguration speach didn’t sound very doveish to me)
anyway, here are some thoughts. let me know what you think.

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:47 am 33. Kevin:

I daydream that a well-spoken unsullied conservative runs in 2012 and just browbeats that idiot BHO in a debate. Someone willing to throw the race card back in his face; call him a socialist and unpatriotic on live TV and explain exactly why. I just wish those we vote for would go down swinging. One can always wish, I suppose….

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:20 am 34. BillJ:

Brilliant article and excellent posts!
Obama–A Ray Nagin on steroids-hopelessly inexperienced and totally incompetent!

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:21 am 35. vb:

That a supposedly brilliant man suitably decked out with Ivy League diplomas for his walls could sit for 20 years and listen to Jeremiah Wright’s ranting says everything. As a white person, I can dismiss Wright as another Al Sharpton type and give support to rational black leaders. But for a black person to support Wright’s message is proof of where Obama’s real interest lies–with Obama. To encourage conspiracy thinking and historical ignorance is a sin. Someday, someone will point out the emporer’s wardrobe deficit.

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:31 am 36. drjohn:

“I won. I am the President”

I remember someone taking a beating for saying “You’re either with us or against us.”

This is exactly the same.

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:34 am 37. vb:

drjohn,

The two statements are very different. The first is childish and gloating. The second contained a very clear message to people like Musharraf: These are the conditions. Make up your mind.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:12 am 38. USAF61:

We now have Obama’s Little Blue Book. Buy it at:

http://www.historycompany.com/productdetails.php?p=128

Minimum quantity, ten, for $49.50.

Hoax? To be determined.

If real, someone has created a best-seller on campuses everywhere.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:19 am 39. Christopher Smith:

“All of you readers have had this odd experience. Just remember a bit. Someone you know, even know well, whom you thought was reasonably conservative, if perhaps at least a centrist, who would have welcomed a McCain “moderate” campaign, rather than a hard-core conservative candidacy, suddenly, without warning in a conversation, perhaps over the phone, confesses that he was voting for Obama!”

My mom. The angry aged German catholic. Called me out of the blue swearing, SWEARING! Saying she was so damn excited about voting for Barack.

I had to get new pants for they filled with grit that my mother, miss prim and proper was acting like a giddy school girl fawing over elvis.

It was all very entertaining even the shock I fell into that my roommate had to call an ambulance for had a glint of ironic jest. I woke up a few hours later in the hospital and the first thing I said was “My mother…still a pistol.”

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:20 am 40. Robert Hurley:

Hanson might as well start takingpay from teh Republican Party. He has given up all pretense of objectivity. He is the perfect example of why intelligence married to hate gives us people who use any means (moral or not) to achieve their ends

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:25 am 41. Cybergeezer:

“I won”=”Mission Accomplished” to “His Emptiness”.
The one who dies with the most toys wins.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:25 am 42. ThinkingPerson:

#32 Stephen Marotta….You begrudgingly voted for Obama to avoid a Palin administration? Seriously? That’s how you’re justifying a vote for tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum? Total cop out. We now have a President who is bringing Gitmo animals home to our shores and willing to pay for birth control around the world when our economy is crumbling. I’m not sure why a Gov. from the biggest state in the Union who had more experience in her time there than our new President has ever had is so threatening to you. I’m guessing either sexism or stupidity. You pick. But again, thanks for helping to pick Obama (Would you qualify as one of the “following” sheep that you posted about? The unthinking, unintelligent masses?). Geez. Just think, thanks to people like you if something ever did happen to Obama we’re stuck with BIDEN!! Not sure how you reconciled that one. Too horrid to even contemplate.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:37 am 43. hoads:

I found myself in the minority amongst my closest friends who enthusiastically voted for Obama. They all share roughly the same common denominators–white, upper middle class, secular (although not atheist) and slaves to MSM. Only a couple are politically active or “left-wing”. In the month leading up to the election, I sent several emails describing why I believed Obama was the wrong choice for POTUS with 20-30 links to information and articles to bolster my arguments. I realized I should have been sending them info in small doses months prior to the election because most were already so caught up in Obamamania that they couldn’t be bothered and were not interested in anything that challenged their trust of MSM. I’ve laid low since the election but, I intend to continue my efforts to raise their awareness that the media is not objective and are suppressing Obama’s radicalism. The problem however, is that they are ignorant of history, do not understand the principles and foundation of our country and our Constitution and therefore, do not recognize the language and tactics of socialism and government tyranny. It’s easier to accept what they get by osmosis rather than question the reliability and validity of MSM otherwise, they might have to defend themselves against the “prevailing wisdom” at cocktail parties. I will continue to give them information that contradicts what they get from MSM so that hopefully, one day soon, they will develop a knowledge base that will give them confidence to stand up for the truth and appreciate the principles of freedom that has given them the prosperity they now enjoy.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:37 am 44. AnninCA:

There was, indeed, a bandwagon effect. I always thought people felt excited at the idea of voting for the first AA president. Who wants to rain on that parade? I also thought McCain’s age was truly a factor for a lot of people. His age was why Palin was scrutinized so harshly. Nobody wants Biden or Palin as president, but the risk is less that would happen with Obama.

Mostly, I always thought the focus on how fabulous he is on speeches was quite mistaken. The skill was that he remained entirely vague, so everyone got to think whatever they liked about “change.” True communicators are able to translate Washington-speak about complex issues into understandable English. Obama had no interest in doing that. We see he still doesn’t. He’s selling the current spending bill to the public only through fear methods. There’s very little that explains to a skeptical public as to how his plan will produce those desired jobs and stimulate the economy. There is not real meat. The best explanation I’ve yet seen is that we’re going to throw everything at the problem and see what sticks.

The trends were headed to a Democratic landslide all along. 8 years is about all any party can expect to get out of the public, particularly with the war and the economy tanking.

So I think Obamamania is over-exaggerated as the reason for his win.

Already, he’s starting to look like a regular politician. Exceptions to his own policy, jumping the gun on Gitmo to appear to be keeping a promise, etc.

The voters will be patient, provided he comes through with the promises that actually mean something to them in their own real lives.

That’s a harder goal for him to accomplish.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:42 am 45. Captain Obvious:

Thank you, Mimmi!

This election year brought another illegitimate word into being–”coronated”. I’ll bet you share my sorrow at the growth of illiteracy. And in the face of appalling “big stuff” it’s sometimes satisfying to make some noise about the small stuff.

Warren G. Harding in his ignorance gave us “normalcy”, and it has usurped the place of “normality”. This election year gave us “coronated”.

The context is interesting–it was Governor Mike Huckabee who pointed out during the primaries that we were supposed to be in an election, not a coronation. I have never heard Governor Huckabee to use the wrong verb here, but the media–including the blogosphere–united in linguistic error. We “coronated” the Republican candidate chosen for us by the media and the party; citizens in states with primary elections after the Texas primary had no opportunity to vote, and now look what we have.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:42 am 46. Pops in Vienna:

Hi Doc,

Thanks for writing these great articles. What would we do without you?

Funny, I have often thought about the Invasion of the Body Snatchers too (the B&W version). It’s the only thing that can explain this Obama mania.

I have a good friend who immigrated to the USA from Lebanon after the civil war. He spoke no english when he arrived and got a job washing dishes. Today he owns a very popular restaurant and owns a home (mortgage free) next to an exclusive golf course. As a Christian he had very strong opinions about the war on terror and volunteered after 9-11 to do free translations for the FBI.

I was shocked when he told me he’s backing Obama. How an astute business man with his background could ever pull the lever for a fraud like Obama is beyond me. My old friend must have been absorbed into one of those alien seed pods.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:44 am 47. Bret:

Part of his power of rhetoric is that he’s a hypnotist. He is not hypnotic intentionally (I don’t think), but professional hypnotists have analyzed his speeches both from a choice of words and from inflection, rhythm, phrasing, cadence, etc., and his speeches are very hypnotic.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:51 am 48. Retep:

robert Hurley said:

Hanson might as well start takingpay from teh Republican Party. He has given up all pretense of objectivity. He is the perfect example of why intelligence married to hate gives us people who use any means (moral or not) to achieve their ends.

BO had a disastrous first week in office. Many of us foresaw this and now VDH has said it in a very clear and entertaining way. You come here for the other side of the story and you got it. Sorry about that.

Jan 26, 2009 - 9:06 am 49. Войска ПВО:

Stephen Marotta writes:

I voted for Obama. but not enthusiasticly and somewhat a little begrudgingly. (I could bring myself or allow myself to bear responsibility for a potential Pallin administration.) I have some thoughts on why the Obama rhetoric is so entising to Americans.
Obama talks about uniting and by-partisanism. these are two idiotic and stupid ideas that hove no place in a free society. the word idiot is of french origin and it referes to a person who is uninterested to their own detriment in political affairs. i mean that the only hope for a free society is to have debate and free thinking arguements not blind group thinking sheep following resignation. most of americans i believe are lazzy and would like to be told how to live and what to do. they want privaleges but most have no real understanding of freedom or love of it. i think that the desire to return to the pre 9/11 statis quo is a large part of (although personality comes into it for sure) bush-hating. in the american public’s mind perhaps they can tie all this unpleasantness to one man and, as they say, “move on.” first, this is impossible. second, i am glad to say that i believe the joke is on the “move on.org” crowd who don’t realise int heir enthusiasm that they have put into office (thank goodness) a man who plans on being tough and defeating the enemies of freedom around the world. (says he would invade pakistan if they keep interfearing in afganistan, and his inauguration speach didn’t sound very doveish to me)
anyway, here are some thoughts. let me know what you think.”

..repsectfully, I think that you need to check your spelling, capitalization, and grammar more carefully before you post.

Jan 26, 2009 - 9:09 am 50. Войска ПВО:

..oops, I missed “entising”.

Jan 26, 2009 - 9:15 am 51. narciso:

Ironically, your vote, may be responsible for a Palin administration after all, even though you didn’t intend it that way. You have a very sound analysis of exactly why your vote didn’t make sense. When the center left’s policies go horribly astray, and there are indications of this, in embryo fashion, there is likely a backlash to the right. Putting in a team at Justice that has consistently argued against all proactive measures against terrorists, and has even defended them on occasion is a bad move. Forestalling or cancelling any domestic energy production, is dangerously shortsided. Granting Russian territorial claims on the Caucasus, including oil rich Azerbaijan, an ill considered policy. Engaging open ended talks with the mullahs, which would likely invite rather significant
concessions from us, on our regional force commitments in return for vain promises of a curtailing of the Iranian nuclear program, bad idea. This poorly constructed stimulus program; which will not advance economic growth significantly. Frankly, you’ll be very lucky if you only end up with a Palin administration. Despite the innuendos and slander, she ran a very bi-partisan shop in Alaska;her chief petroleum point person is despised by the Majors for forcing them out
of the AGIA pipeline. Actually, some here on the right, would probably have more critiques
of her in the future.

Jan 26, 2009 - 9:31 am 52. gardenmom:

to #49, thank you for doing what I wanted to do. You were generous in not highlighting all of his errors.

Stephen, please get a spell-checker. People might actually be able to “read” your comments when they are not overwhelmed to distraction by your errors.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:03 am 53. always right:

Am I the only one who thinks Obama knows exactly what he’s doing when he invokes the name, Rush LimBaugh?

Too predictable to use these tricks to sidetrack Americans’ attentions (i.e, media and pundits’ and by extention those who pay attentions to them). We have plenty of such examples during his long campaign.

This is the formula the Sainted One is going to use over and over until we are all going to be sick and tired of it.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:10 am 54. ate mely:

‘little man with levers and dials behind the curtain.’ VDH
God have mercy on us! especially Catholics who voted for Obama. Catholics can not be pro-abortion. Many pro-life Catholics voted for pro-abortion, pro-infanticide Obama, sad to say. Catechism of the Catholic Church (2272) ‘Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.’

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:24 am 55. Saltherring:

Bret @ 47:

Your comment regarding hypnotism is intriguing. What I have noticed is that Obama’s speeches seem to have a hypnotic affect on his audiences, even though the subject and text of his speeches are notoriously shallow and vague. As such, they remind me of a similarly gifted speaker and his similarly vexed audiences, those being Adolph Hitler and his Nazi Party worshippers. Although Hitler exuded far more emotion (when speaking) than Obama, his oratories also display a remarkable void of ideas, depth and specifics. Conicidence? And is it by coincidental that no one seems to question (as in Nazi Germany) the lack of specifics offered by the present-day orator/Fuhrer?

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:35 am 56. Self-hating Boomer:

The MSM already looks ridiculous. The question is, how ridiculous do they have to look before they realize that they look ridiculous? I don’t know if there’s a bottom to that pit. They’ll probably be out of business before they figure that out.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:36 am 57. newguy40:

I suppose that I am fortunate with the minority experience.

My wife of near on 20 years and a former long time lib and Democrat voted for her first Republican ever when she cast her ballot for McCain.

My wife, in whom I am indeed the lucky man, spotted O for the charlaton and race baitor that he so truly is. 20 years of marriage with a conservative Nixon/Reagan devotee has had it’s impact, I suppose. That, and hard work at her job, motherhood and the ability to know a liar when she sees one…

Of course, we still don’t “talk” about Carter in the interest of keeping the familial peace.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:43 am 58. Self-hating Boomer:

My experience with conservative friends was like yours. I’m not aware of a single one who folded and voted for this arrogant, inexperienced, foolish man.

I know a couple, but they were both Ronulans, from the political space warp where extreme left meets extreme right. I strongly suspect that if there was any validity to the poll numbers showing several percent Republican crossover, they were almost all RonPaul supporters.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:51 am 59. Mary:

huntly: Don’t you have some bed pans to clean? Typical adolescent narcissist hogwash. To disagreed with you or your projected narcissistic ego-ideal (Obama) it to “hate”. You should have a little look at your ego-ideal; it is disgusting what you aspire too emulate.

If you think that you Marxist traitors are going to hide behind that “hate” deflection technique, you have another thought coming. What is this, you first election or something? Americans are not going allow immature twits like you to destroy their country just to indulge the laziness, stupidity, childishness and personality disorders of you and your fellow wastrels. Get over it.

The country will be sick of your master by the end of the summer.

“Intellect and hatred”? You are both projecting and fantasizing for in your case it is ignorance and hatred that is the constant condition. You are not one millionth of the person Dr. Hanson is — not intellectually, not morally — and so would you be if you lived a thousand years. It is you that is full of hatred, mostly hatred for yourself. You are just to stupid to know who it is that you actually hate.

What a weak, preening, prissy, whinny and narcissistic little beta male you are. You problem is not anyone’s fault but yours (and your parents) and Obama (or Marxism) is not the cure.

A honest self-assessment followed by some humility and moral correction is the cure.

Maybe then at least you can be more than insignificant little wage slave.

Back to the bed pans, beta boy.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:57 am 60. Robert Hurley:

Retep:

I go to the National Review for the other side. I come here for laughs and to see what the wingnuts are up to. There is no sense of objectivity here – no standards -just make it up. It is what is must be like in a mental institution where patients are out of touch with reality

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:59 am 61. John Oh:

You underestimate the media. They are brazen, have no shame, and will forever be in denial. It will always be someone else’s fault.

The only way to undue Obama is to mock him. Once that far away look he uses in his speeches becomes the signiture of a comedian, it will be over. But don’t hold your breath waiting, given Hollywood’s strict code of discipline.

The real fear is that Obama will be successful, before he reveals himself, in bringing about changes that will never be undone — national health care and other socialist programs will be like social security. Once in place, they can never be undone, and will kill the economic golden goose that has laid golden eggs for over 200 years.

No republican should vote for any of this. Make the democrats wear it.

Jan 26, 2009 - 11:05 am 62. Retep:

Robert Hurley said:
I go to the National Review for the other side.

VDH writes for National Review too and I’ll dare say 90% of the writers there would agree with him.

Jan 26, 2009 - 11:15 am 63. ThinkingPerson:

Robert Hurley….You’re such a liar. We know you come here because the liberal media doesn’t give you an outlet to post because they DON’T CARE what your opinion is. They told you to vote Obama and YOU DID! Do they care what your thoughts are? About as much as the posters here do (not much). Isn’t it nice to have an place like Pajamas that will let you come and pat yourself on the back for being such a closed minded sheeple? National Review my arse. You’re a hack for The View/Joy Behar and we know it. It’s obvious in your juvenile prose.

Jan 26, 2009 - 11:33 am 64. Ron Kean:

46. Pops In Vienna

In the 70’s I used to go to Bruce Lee movies with a Chinese friend. He pointed out that the audience had a majority of asians and blacks. He said they liked to see non-white heros.

Jan 26, 2009 - 11:36 am 65. river:

Mr Hurley,
I, too, go to National Review – for more Victor Hanson writings.

Jan 26, 2009 - 11:44 am 66. geoffgo:

Mike @ 23,

Right. Now we get to live out Atlas Shrugged versus argue about its philosophical merits and art value.

Jan 26, 2009 - 11:52 am 67. Veronica:

So Obama was going to unite us across religious lines. It looks like he has already failed with this one. Forcing tax payers who think infantcide in the womb is wrong to pay for abortions in other countries is NOT uniting us across religious lines. FOCA is probably next. Infantcide is just that, infantcide whether the child is not yet born or not. We all started out developing in the same way in our mother’s womb. One day we are going to wake up and think, my God, what have we done. It can’t happen any time too soon.

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:02 pm 68. joecool:

People are awash in Obamanation worship the same way as people flock to movie premiers etc where movie stars will be.
People want to believe in magic. They don’t want to deal with reality.
So the media sold them a celebrity package for president. They will love him despite however he rips this country apart the same way they still love Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, etc.
Obama has no leadership qualities capable of bringing people of opposite views together.
This takes great humility & dedication to getting the job done correctly.
Neither of which Obama has.

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:04 pm 69. Retro:

Hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue.

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:10 pm 70. gardenmom:

I hope ‘the one’ continues to follow the pattern of treating the press he’s now started. Last week, he ceased allowing WH press corps access to places they were used to going under Bush. They were only to use approved photographs given to them by the WH, as the press photographers weren’t allowed to take any. To add insult to injury, when he dropped into the press room to “say hi”, a journalist had the overhwelming audacity to actually ask him a “real” question. How dare they, who do they think they are? the journalists were told in no uncertain terms, if they want to ask questions, they had to submit them to the press secretary.

Shall we start a countdown before the hubris of the press turns on their new pet?

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:20 pm 71. Rootin' for Putin:

One of the Republicans seated at the table with him should have replied, “Mr. President, I won too and according to our system we are to work together to reach a reasonable accomodation of how to govern the country through this crisis.”

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:23 pm 72. Robert Hurley:

At the National Review, the writers, aside from hanson, who is just a shill, present their arguments in a logical manner. I don’t agree with most of them, but the dialog is rational – Here the space is taken up by irrational wingnuts who cannot distinguish fact from fiction. It is entertaining though

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:27 pm 73. Robert Hurley:

It is like watching a wreck on the side of the road – It is hard to turn away

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:30 pm 74. The Historian:

IS OBAMA CLUELESS ABOUT TORTURE?
Torture typically involves physical pain and long term if not pernament injury. Using psychological interrogation techniques sometimes resembles what goes on within families!

http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/interrogating-enemy-combatants.html

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:36 pm 75. Conservation Carmen:

O-vomit is a pathological narcissist; his mental problems, highlighted by his arrogance and pettiness, is so abhorrently obvious it is shocking. But people vote with their emotions, not their intellect. This country and its denizens lack common sense and truly lack even a modicum of basic intelligence. Combine these sad facts with race baiting, creating victimhood mentalities and pure laziness and the end result is what we received. If one cannot recite the Pledge of Allegiance or the words to the National Anthem, or name who the current v/p is they should not be allowed to vote. Stupidity should not be a qualification for voting in evil.

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:38 pm 76. mike d:

Doc – excellent as always. Just one friendly quibble: Imo, the media, who invested so much in getting Obama elected, simply cannot possibly afford to see him brought down to the level of mere elected official from the lofty tingly heights of secular messiah. Therefore, the press WILL NOT do so, ever, regardless of how he conducts himself.

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:44 pm 77. cfbleachers:

Hurley, you come here…frankly…to be a jerk. Nobody would go to visit a site merely to lord obtuse opinions over others with whom he knowingly disagrees. Frankly, anyone who spends as much time here as you do…solely for the purpose of being as obnoxious as you are each day, has a socialization problem.

I would welcome anyone with any reasonable, rational worldview. I like reading differing opinions and testing my reasoning against them. But someone who comes with the attitude that you do…isn’t here for reasoning or discussion. You come here to be a jerk. A troll. And to call everyone here names. How does it feel?

You will say you don’t care…but you will be lying.

Moreover, you will say that you don’t come here with the intention of being a flamer, but you would be lying.

VDH’s IQ dwarfs yours. So does virtually everyone here with a regular column. You have nothing to add, except bile. Puke it up somewhere else, son. Your act is getting old.

Jan 26, 2009 - 12:54 pm 78. Sanjeeb:

The media will turn against Obama when the people tire of his empty rhetoric. The same media supported Bush when he launched the Iraq war without appropriate justification(never mind Iraq’s liberation, that was not why he claimed he was launching the war). Even the New York Times acted the enabler, not writing a single critical article before the war. Yet when it became clear that the conduct of the war was disastrous, and the voters were tiring of it, the media turned against Bush decisively, and started supporting Obama, almost as a penance for their previous support of Bush, and also to hide their own past failures to provide accurate reporting from Iraq. Remember, the same journalists had cruelly mocked Dean during his quest for the Democratic nomination in 2003 for being anti-war. Yet they were extolling the anti-war Obama in 2008.

If Obama does not grow up (which is unlikely), and turns out to be an abject failure (which is likely), the popular backlash will be enormous. The voters are restless and at this point do not care much for party labels. At that time, the media will also turn against him. They may enjoy the Obama cult they have created, but they will not promote it if it is suicidal to do so. They will jump on the bandwagon; that is how it always is.

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:00 pm 79. Someone75:

Robert Hurley:

Amen, brother. VDH used to have some good ideas, but he’s chosen instead to become a petty attack dog. He’s being intellectually dishonest when he posits these silly, superficial claims. What is up with the republican party? They’re blinded by hate and bitterness, at least these clowns are. Keep speaking the truth!

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:14 pm 80. Bill Carson:

I’ll go against convention here and say that I believe that Obama can be brought down. I don’t care how many people are worshiping him at the moment. The left proved that you can draw blood by simply staying on the attack. I want Obama to fail. I’ve always wanted that guy to fail. I don’t care if he’s right or wrong on an issue, just stay on the attack. That lesson was learned from leftists should not be forgotten.

He already making openings. A great example is his unforced error in outlawing use of the term “War on Terror.” He has sort of said there is no war, just a need for policemen. That is so pre-9/11/2001. If we have Americans murdered on our soil, that blame can be laid on the doorstep of the so-called commander-in-chief who said we weren’t even at war. Keep up the pressure, Mr. Hanson on this loser. He’ll bleed soon enough!

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:15 pm 81. jcila:

I held absolutly held my nose and voted for mccain – Honestly i liked his war service thats the only thing..
but i knew he was going to loose..
Why? because mccain although honorable
Didnt have the guts to tackle the real issues
he is a closet liberal..

I also knew without a doubt that obama would totally and complete hose the entire country.
And now we have
Obama – a marxist
Biden – incomptent BOOB
Pelozi- communist witch
Todd – still looking for that VIP guy
Franks- gave fanny and freddy AIDS and nearly destoyed the banking system
Kerry – ok enough said about that idiot

Americans who thought obama was going to fix everything have no clue what is about to happen

I mean this sincerly obama is so naive that
he actually beleives osama and the muslims that he will in essence surrender to them.

and the rest of the democrats and liberals are so stupid they are going to
throw capitolism under the bus
and accept communism..

Its already happening.. they are going to do this so get ready america to bend over
For branks, pelozi and the gag messia
for they are going to give you such a drilling
you all will get aids from it..

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:15 pm 82. Richard Aubrey:

We may not have the media to kick around much anymore.
The NYT borrowed $250 large from Carlos Slim, paying 14%. Slim didn’t get to the affluent class by guessing wrong about the solvency of his projects.
Anybody know what the prime is now?

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:21 pm 83. Robert Hurley:

cfbleachers – Oh my have I offended you.

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:26 pm 84. Robert Hurley:

I think you should discuss his birth certificate again

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:28 pm 85. don L:

If you think about it, Americans hardly give a damn about hypocrisy from the ruling class. The American voter has spoken clearly -they :

a. Want to be lied to.

b. Willingly accept any means to an end as clever and smart.

c. Will ignore the simple fact that this president has just unleasheed the larges destruction of human life since the great depots of the 20th Century. Our tax money will now pay for forced Chinese abortions, for starters. His goal of infanticide is right behind it and hardly a soul – even here – concerns themselves with the gravest evil in our history – an abortion president without a soul. But than again – he won!

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:38 pm 86. Al:

The democrats have been in power way too long and this time around is no different from the past. They won’t fix anything because keeping people poor, ignorant, and angry keeps people voting for them. Obama is a creation of the mainstram media. The love to be kingmakers. The higher he goes, the harder he’ll fall. It will be fun to watch!

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:41 pm 87. Diane:

As a homework assignment, my 12-year-old son was asked to compose an “inaugual poems” to mark the blessed event of Obama’s ascension. Now my son is no fool. He has heard me pick apart Obama for more than a year. I was therefore surprised to see his poem express a utopian faith in Obama’s ability to redeem our benighted world and practically restore us to the garden of Eden. (We’re Jewish, mind you, so my boy isn’t getting this stuff from church sermons. Where is he getting it from, then?)

When I challenged him, he assured me that these aren’t his own beliefs. He is just cranking out the sentiments that his teachers want to see –– in a cynical bid for an A. OK, that’s possible. He’s a cynical kid, my boy. But I pressed a bit more about what exactly his teachers think. (It’s an elite, non-sectarian, academically rigorous private K-12 school, so I don’t write them off as idiots.) They really believe, he told me, that we are witnessing some transformative moment in human history. A few fully expect Obama to die, and Christ-like, his death will wash away our sins, bring enlightenment or some such transcendent experience.

I have long felt that aesthetically speaking, Obama’s official portraits reinforce this expectation. He is often shown from below, head lifted skyward; sometimes silhouetted from behind: both poses are intended to foreshadow his coming martyrdom, I think. His (and his followers’) insistence on making visual and symbolic associations with Lincoln and MLK (both marytrs for our collective social sins) drives this point even further. (For the record, I felt the MSM’s horror at Hillary’s passing reference to the RFK assassination in June was way out of proportion.)

This iconography and mythologizing around Obama’s messianic destiny really disturbs me. It goes a long way toward explaining why people swoon, newscasters weep and schoolchildren write prophetic poems.

It is my firm hope that the reality of his presidency – in-fighting, mistakes, scandals and all — will be an antidote to this messianic, millennialist, death-cult nonsense.

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:44 pm 88. Saltherring:

Anyone ever see Hurley post an idea, concept or reasoned opinion? Nope, as a prototypical Dimocrat he never bothers himself with thinking or reasoning, only with criticizing those who are able to observe, think and come to well-founded conclusions. As such, he fits in well with our present government.

Jan 26, 2009 - 1:54 pm 89. turfmann:

51. narciso said: Ironically, your vote, may be responsible for a Palin administration after all, even though you didn’t intend it that way… Frankly, you’ll be very lucky if you only end up with a Palin administration. Despite the innuendos and slander, she ran a very bi-partisan shop in Alaska;her chief petroleum point person is despised by the Majors for forcing them out of the AGIA pipeline. Actually, some here on the right, would probably have more critiques of her in the future…

As we watch in abject horror what is going on in Washington, I invite all to cast an eye to Alaska and watch what happens up there in the next couple of years. Mrs. Palin will rise or fall upon her own merits. The current euphoria of Hope and Change may turn to sour grapes far sooner than the supporters of Mr. Obama think. In its wake, there may emerge the desire for someone who can espouse a far more classical liberal viewpoint. Don’t look now, but as Mr. Obama prepares to spend all of the money, Alaska is one of the very few states that is still in the black and Mrs. Palin wants to reduce spending, freeze hiring and otherwise hunker down for the impending storm. Far, far different than what is being preached elsewhere.

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:13 pm 90. jcila:

I wish to make something plain.

I hope i really do that i am proven
WRONG,

For if i am wrong about what islam and al-quedia has in store for us..
If obamas peace overtures to muslims, al-quedia and iran really work

I will happily dontate 100 dollars to a charity that obama so desires..

But i am afraid that i will be proven
CORRECT..

In that we will get hit HARD by the islamofacists
and then many of my fellow americans will DIE.

I am sorry but i think of the line in some move where the main charecter says

Do NOT show any mercy
For you will receive NONE..

I hope i am proven WRONG..
But i know it wont happen
Because i see all the signs and they point to al-quedia re-arming for they smell blood

the blood of infidels..

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:20 pm 91. alice L.:

I still see people on the subway with their Obama buttons! Next they will bring back tie-died outfits. These people are like old hippies who refuse to grow up

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:20 pm 92. always right:

Re: #88
My guess is that he is being well paid for it.

If I guess right, there are a ‘dedicated’ few, each assigned to a few blog sites for the sole purpose of diversion. Usually they use a couple of bomb-throwing sentences to ompletely change the topic, for example, first thing they do is to attack the author of an article, then change the discussion to National Review, etc.

BTW, do you know DNC is still pumping for more donations, while Dems compeltely in control of both houses and the WH? What purpose is it other than to make sure there are NO LONGER any opposition.

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:34 pm 93. Gary Ogletree:

Contrast Dear Leader’s amateurish borrowed derivatives speech delivered with the phony preacher’s affectation against the solid State of Alaska speech given by the Barracuda. Experience, common sense and virtue have been passed over in the recent political market but that is where the gold and silver are.

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:35 pm 94. ThinkingPerson:

#88 Saltherring…NO Robert Hurley never has a genuine thought in his head. His favorite line at the moment is “I always come over here to have a good laugh…”. Of course what he doesn’t realize is that he keeps reiterating why the GOP thinks liberals are idiots. Not a thought in their heads. Sheeple they be. I always enjoy reading his comments though. Never fails to amaze me how people go through life always following the crowd, nary an independent thought. Sad, but predictable with liberals. You can tell the extent of his reading knowledge is Doonsebury. I’m learning to ignore him but his posts are so insidiously stupid sometimes it’s hard to!

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:40 pm 95. Mike2:

40. Robert Hurley:

“Hanson might as well start takingpay from teh Republican Party. He has given up all pretense of objectivity. He is the perfect example of why intelligence married to hate gives us people who use any means (moral or not) to achieve their ends”

(quote preserves author’s typos and misspellings) Hey Hurley, thanks for giving us all an accurate description of Obama. I thought you were a fan of his!
———————————–
Who is John Galt?

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:42 pm 96. Roderick Reilly:

I think it’s still way to early for this kind of projecting about Obama. However, my gut feelings about the man from early on tell me that he will prove true to at least some of his worst instincts.

But how will Americans react? Who are many Americans these days? I would not be surprised to see Obama serve two terms, and consider predictions of his downfall to be wishful thinking.

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:43 pm 97. sherlock:

What we may see is (finally) a healthy fragmentation of the media into liberal, centrist, and conservative camps, as opposed to the lefty cheerleading squad we have today. Clearly some in the media are banking on Obama-worship as a business model (NBC), and will have trouble moving away from that. Others may decide that they have been fooled long enough and start reporting on Obama more critically, especially as the arrogance becomes the butt of more jokes.

What would really be great is if the media lost its self-styled halo as the guardians of democracy over this (they damn well should) and devolved into doing what they should be doing – reporting the news, instead of creating it.

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:44 pm 98. freeby:

does the old term” shuckin’ and jivin’ ‘ come to mind? use to hear a lot of it years ago. Now adays its called political rhetoric. Now its time to start dancin’ and pointing your finger at the other guy for daring to doubt what you say.

Jan 26, 2009 - 2:59 pm 99. IndieDogg:

To Dave, who quoted BHO’s own words from a televised interview that he was not “one of those people” who thought it was OK to run for “national office” having just been elected to the Senate, great. I never knew why his own words were not quoted back to him more often (along with those of his wife — in a televised interview, with him sitting next to her, she was asked about the Presidential talk and her response was, “It’s way too soon; he hasn’t done anything yet”).

But, the STRIKING thing about the quote of His O-ness which I’ve pointed out in the past is that the quote reveals more than initially thought if you read it carefully and listen to him. He doesn’t say President, rather he says “national office.” I think, at the outside, in his mind, he was responding to the possibility of being on a ticket as a Vice Presidential candidate. Even in his mind, which has proved fertile ground for any drop of praise to grow full blown into hubris, he didn’t even entertain the possibility of running for PRESIDENT of the U.S. having not served a single day in the Senate — at least that’s my guess.

I think he’s exceeded the bounds of his own ego’s imagination. And that’s saying a mouthful.

Great piece, BTW.

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:15 pm 100. stuart Williamson:

Professor Hanson, I’ve never before read anything of yours that was over-wrought. You are clearly, and rightly, very upset by the realization that a lot of people you consider intelligent contributed to the election of a sweet-talking, woefully incompetent, socialist nonentity. But you didn’t wind up by giving us your idea of how this could have happened.

It happened because your friends, like mine, never read anything but the NYT, the WaPo, or LAT, and other big city papers, Newsweek or Time, and watch CNN and listen to NPR. Mention the Annenberg Challenge to them – hey never heard of it. Mention Tony Rezko – who’s he? Mention Michelle’s amazing 150% salary increase- what are you talking about? Suggest that Bill Ayers mentored and steered Obama from his first arrival on the Chicago scene – are you nuts? they just had coffee together. He’s never produced an acceptable certificate of birth even though one is said to rest in the Hawaii goverment’s file – So?

These are people who bought so totally into David AAxelrod’s scam that they never noticed that Obama’s record of performance was NEVER mentioned. All inquiries or criticism was met with screams of “SMEARS’, without any explanation or facts provided. Their antennae didn’t go up when the candidate said that he had attended Wright’s church for wenty years but never heard one of his Anti-American tirades.

Obama’s only strengths are personality, oratory, and plausibility. They alone – not intelligence, originality, leadership, or peformance – have brought him through college, Chicago machine politics, and now to his high position. He has never managed anything, never administered anything, never DONE anything. He has always depended on the patronage and the decisions of others. Wchich is why he never gives clear, forthright answers to tough questions: “I’ll get back to you”, or “We’re working on that”. He always has to go back to his puppet-masters for instruction.

Your friends and mine, thanks to a corrupt press and TV, have saddled our Republic with a totally unqualified socialist hack with no leadership capability but an incredible level of self-adulation. Just wait until his Sun King complex leads him to rebel against his manipulators! It shouldn’t be too long.

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:16 pm 101. dealemslim:

pay no attention hurley. he’s the spawn of dogs

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:25 pm 102. TLM:

Diane:

I suspect your cynical, therefore bright, 12 year old is giving you an accurate picture of what his teachers believe.

Some of us may overplay the Obama/Messiah meme, but the cultic trappings put on by him and his campaign were, and are, clearly there (c.f. the picture on the LA Times wrapper where Obama has the pose you describe, and with outstretched hand takes on the appearance of the Almighty in the Sistine Chapel).

The bigger question for me is why so many Americans are in need of a transcendent experience. The answer to that may turn out to be far more important than the advent of our mesmerizing messiah. In fact, it could be a real God-help-us-all type revelation.

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:28 pm 103. Paul M Hupf:

The appointments made by the newly elected president, e.g. Defense, State, I suspect are window dressing. The reality lies in the president’s staff appoinments, those not subject to confirmation. This latter group owes allegiance only to the president. Those appointmented to positions requiring Senate confirmation can be neutralized or rendered ineffective to such an extent that many will resign or succumb to pressure if they disagree with the president. Those who have day to day access to the president are his appointments purely. They have the president’s ear and he has their loyalty above all else.

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:30 pm 104. William:

If it is true that Obama wrote his own inaguration speech, then someone else wrote the soaring rhetoric of the campaign. Being educated and being intelligent are not the same. As de Tocquville noted, “Intellect proceeds directly from God and man cannot prevent its unequal distribution. Personally, I think BHO is as dumb as a box of rocks.

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:36 pm 105. steve:

Obama has nowhere to go but down. His descent will be delayed by the media that put him where he is and by the millions who do not want to admit they were wrong, but it is inevitable.

Jan 26, 2009 - 3:40 pm 106. Princess:

our dear leader said, “…need to lower expectations”. Well I’ve certainly lowered mine.

Here is Rule 13 of Alinksy’s Rules for Radicals:
“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.”

Jan 26, 2009 - 6:00 pm 107. J.E. Dyer:

Captain Obvious at #45 — I rarely pile on when the subject is pedantry, but in this case I just can’t help myself.

You are so right: there is no such word as “coronated.” The transitive verb is “to crown.” Its past participle is “crowned.”

This is English, people. Dotty, irregular, full of silly, Teutonic “Ws” and as arbitrary as a nun teaching deportment. Long may she reign. Let us never rein her in, or try to turn her into one of those consistent, dime-a-dozen Romance languages.

One attends a coronation. One crowns a king.

And, of course, one canonizes an Obama.

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:09 pm 108. Allison Aller:

What I want to know is….why WHY why are so many Americans willing to drink this KoolAid? I know it’s related to Bush Derangement Syndrome…maybe it’s the inevitable mirror opposite.

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:15 pm 109. john from cinncinatti:

Carlos Slim in New York? wait for the NYTs to ask for a bailout. that guy is Chicago worthy. if he gets a hold of BHO more of our money is going to go south. BHO and his sycophants may think he is ready for prime time, but i already see the world players lining up to take a whack at the BHO pinata.

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:16 pm 110. J.E. Dyer:

P.S. — The substance of the piece is very well articulated. Go, professor! Keep holding that mirror up to the increasingly Picasso-esque Obama administration, which is already giving me mental images on the order of “Guernica,” and generically inducing political and aesthetic dyspepsia.

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:21 pm 111. narciso:

I don’t like overwrought commentaries, either on the left (David S, Vivo, Robert Hurley) or some of the more exuberant on the right. It is eerie how wiser and more experienced people than me, have picked the messianistic movement
toward Obama, propelled by slavishly
deferential coverage. The inaugural speech I feel, did not live up to the occassion, in being not inspirational enough and too partisan The poem made no sense, and Reverend Lowery’s invocation missed the reverence of the moment.

I have to admit that his first moves out of the box, on Gitmo, and the wider war on terror, leave me uneasy. The description of who his top advisors on that policy, as described by the Politico, don’t reassure me too much. They mean to dismantle what has worked in counter terrorism, and install the
September 10th paradigm. I’ve learned that some posters like Cedarford, Davis S, are not worth responding to, on a variety of issues

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:58 pm 112. ~Paules:

I have a response to Alinsky #13 (his ideas fall short of the Federalist Papers by seventy-two points more or less).

Read it. Understand it. Pick out it’s weaknesses. Debate it. State the truth. Stand on principle. Declare yourself. Defend your position. Be prepared to die for what you know is right.

My simplistic response is based on my experience with the left. They hate strength in all its forms (nod to George on point #7). The following words are anathema to the left: self-reliance, self-restraint, self-discipline, hard work, profit, manliness, truth, honor, duty, family, nation, morality, and patriotism.

I reckon that somewhere along the line I must have been inoculated against fairy dust and pink unicorns. Maybe it’s the cynicism that comes with age. I’m feeling old. I feeling very, very old.

~Paules

Jan 26, 2009 - 7:58 pm 113. thegre8_1:

#4 23 66 and who I missed- Great point what started as a 3 page written request for $750 billion by that Goldman Sachs reject Paulson and McCain having a major senior moment going for the bailout did us in. Now McCain is against this pork I mean stimulus package where was he last fall?

On another point there are many millions for contraceptives in this package. If only Pelosi, Reed, and many other Congress members parents practiced contraceptives and abortion that their children preach we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in.

Jan 26, 2009 - 8:09 pm 114. Maverick:

Since you brought Rush and Sean up. Many Conservatives and Republicans are still made at Rush for that ridiculous Operational Chaos in which Rush encouraged Conservatives and Republicans to crossover and vote for Hillary. Sean on the other hand with Fox news adopted Hillary as their Republican sweetheart. President Obama wasn’t responsible for those moves of Rush or Sean. President Obama in no way can be considered a saint after reversing President Bush’s policy on funding abortion abroad. Nor can President Obama be considered a saint for closing Gitmo just to please the critics. A saint doesn’t reverse detention and interrogations methods again just to please the critics. A saint looks for the good in people. President Obama conducts his day seeing what he can reverse just to make it look by reversing the policy proved President Bush was wrong. No saint looks for ways to make anyone look bad like President Obama is doing by reversing Bush’s policies again just to please the critics of Bush. This saint is proving to everyone this is the critics Presidency. Whatever the critics hated about Bush, President Obama will reverse it.

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:31 pm 115. LindaP:

Let our government officials know what it is like to be ‘Joe the Plumber’. Let them know you are watching them and checking up on them. Keep their email addesses handy and let them know how you feel – everyday.

About This Website http://www.govtrack.us/users/

GovTrack.us is an independent tool to help the public research and track the activities in the U.S. Congress, promoting government transparency and civic education through novel uses of technology. You’ll find here the status of U.S. federal legislation [example], voting records in the Senate and House of Representatives [example], and information on Members of Congress [example], as well as congressional committees and the Congressional Record.

The site is a research tool, but also a (totally free) tracking service. Pick up Trackers throughout the site to make a personalized feed or get email updates. You can also embed a few widgets on your own webpage to keep your visitors up to date about legislation. We also have a unique visitor Q&A: ask a question about a bill and see if other visitors will provide an answer [example].

Jan 27, 2009 - 12:02 am 116. zeb:

No matter what happens America has shown the world that it is the greatest nation on earth. The greatest democracy on earth! Can you imagine a Prime Minister Obama in Europe- it is a most unlikely event. In fact, this is the best weapon America has got to handle those sanctimonious wind bag Europeans for the next one hundred years or so.

Jan 27, 2009 - 3:44 am 117. Carl Sesar:

Well, one thing can be said for Obama: He has more concern for the Constitution of the United States than do almost all Americans, conservatives or otherwise, who profess to honor it as the cornerstone of our democracy. How so? Because Obama knows full well the Constitution states that the president must be a natural-born citizen, and he takes that quite seriously. So much so, he’s got teams of lawyers ever ready to prevent official scrutiny of his birth certificate, currently under lock and key, and to defend his adamant, brazen refusal to release the document.

Jan 27, 2009 - 6:32 am 118. Anonymous:

test

Jan 27, 2009 - 7:26 am 119. Cybergeezer:

The policy of “His Emptiness” and his faithful is to shovel money at the most lucrative constituents; Then say “We are doing all we can!” It’s a no lose situation called C.Y.A. Like Rahm Emanuel said, “Never fail to take advantage of a crisis.”
If it doesn’t turn the economy and stock market into positives, they claim they are doing their best; If it does turn to positives, they claim credit. Either way, they’ll claim they were responsible for the positive result and have more voting blocks indebted to them. They are positioning for more “pay to play”. They are showing the world who has control of the purse strings, and the power to make or break.

Jan 27, 2009 - 7:52 am 120. steve:

I too am amazed at what happened and what is happening. My fear is that you are optimistic in your comparison to the Carter administration. This has the potential to be significantly worse:
1. Economic/social policy principals similar to Western Europe where double digit unemployment and stagnant growth is a continual fact of life.
2. A massive porkfest disguised as a bail out creating an entitlement nightmare that may well be close to insoluble.
3. A zone flooding of envoys to the volitile middle east which will quickly degenerate into incoherent infighting.
4. A dangerous enemy who wants to kill us and will not play by our rules.
I hope for the best but suspect that Jimmy Carter may look good by comparison with what is coming.

Jan 27, 2009 - 8:30 am 121. DD:

‘The One’ is a very smart guy with many gifts. But he is also deeply flawed. It seems that he has been spending most of his life searching for himself – like trying on suits hoping to find one that fits. Yes he has dabbled with the radicals, the black street, even horrifyingly – academics. Yet none of those seem right. He is not Xerxes. He is Jay Gatsby. Will he too disappear after the party is over?

DD

Jan 27, 2009 - 8:32 am 122. epb:

Obama himself has been suckered into believing the rhetoric of the fawning propagandists, i.e., the media, that he is so righteous, so charismatic… Witness that way he expected to woo the White House Press Corp by his sheer presence — that, condescending “Aren’t-I-so-great-a-friend/I-can’t-believe-you-dare-annoy-me-so” smugness… Heaven help us!

Jan 27, 2009 - 8:53 am 123. Jennifer Rubin on Obama’s “Graciousness Deficit” | Little Miss Attila:

[...] comes to the media, and the degree to which that is the case is the crux of the matter (unless, as VDH suggests, the media will also get tired of carrying Obama’s water within a couple of [...]

Jan 27, 2009 - 9:05 am 124. Jack Marcotte:

Essential vdh

Why would anyone with a rational mind blame BHO or any of his radical functionaries and hanging gofers for
the voting outcome and what happens to America and Americans?

BHO is simply the symptom of those BHO Voters’ primitive and magical thinking.

Look to yourselves. Look at the current miserable state of the US education system and what is actually being taught in the “Affirmative Action for Everyone” conditions.

All second thoughts or doubts about BHO are a rationalization and an indication of who you really are and how little understanding you have about your nature and the nature of your fellow “Americans” who also voted for BHO. (Victims of their own ignorance and magical thinking)

If you blame BHO, It is a cop out simply because if you are a voter who voted for BHO and you finally begin to see him for what he is. Blame yourself and begin becoming a responsible human.

Blaming yourself would be accurate and a real life response and then you yourself could begin to grow into a “rational responsible individual”. Possibly even a conservative.

When you take responsibility for your own actions you have to become a responsible and rational human being. You would be crying all of the time if you didn’t. You would always be a victim of something.

If you want to destroy someone simply give them everything they want with no conditions and especially give them a mind set that tells them it is owed to them even if they do not earn it, nor are they real victims just taught how to be.

Parents do you let your children grow up like this. If so you live in hell and deserve it because your children will live an incompetent and victims life.

Whale shit on the bottom of the ocean looks like a shooting star to your current condition as a rational responsible individual if you voted for BHO and his magical and primitive ignorant beliefs about what humanity needs, what America needs.

If America is the high water mark for humanity in the world today BHO, his election, Nancy Pelosi, and the other ignorant politicians just pulled the plug and the water is draining away.

You are the problem as a voter. Not a BHO who himself does not know any better. He is a true victim of affirmative action.

BHO’s education achieves the same result as a child’s would who had parents that gave everything that the child wanted to him with no other training to make him a responsible adult.

Our educational system is now creating a huge dependent and victim population that votes with their emotion and class bias which they have been taught is the correct way of thinking.

Now under our very noses being created over the last 40 years is a growing and vocal population with no family values, single parents, they along with, their children fill the crime sheets, the jails, the hospitals, and the welfare rolls. They pay no taxes.

All in the name of a current democratic party bent on the destruction of the US even though their goals are simply to maintain power.

The politicians are not smart enough to know that this simple minded primitive goal to maintain their power is destroying the high water mark in human history.

This was and is to be expected, our founding fathers worried about this. That is why we are supposed to be a republic.

The BHO voters are the ignorant magical primitive thinkers who are now wasting what America has done in the world to bring humanity to its current level.

Why not–they are currently insulated from real life, real history, and did not make any sacrifices to get here.

Most even with a Harvard degree do not begin to know anything that is helpful to America other than a sense of privilege even while they justify themselves as being victims.

Look to the basis of our current financial failures, the affirmative action leaders involved, primarily the democratic party and politicians involved with a seeding of our financial system with bad debt over the last 15 or more years.

Look to the Fannie Mae Freddie Mac mandates to help this along. Look to the politicians who were willing to blow away billions in assets belonging to hard working Americans to lend people money who could not pay it back. Politicians, Affirmative action leaders, Corporate leaders who are Affirmative Action appointees, political correctness, essentially forced the capital markets to give your money away. Look at your pension values. And weep as a real victim.

Affirmative action corporate leaders, the do good politically correct politicians are geared to take and not make and feel good about it and themselves. They sleep the dreams of a do gooder psychotic. They don’t give away their money they give away yours.

They have become the human definition of parasites. Thus a Nancy Pelosi can see paying for abortions as a “logical” financial stimulus to the country by limiting the population of “victims” and this slowing the growth of Govt. handouts.

People are no longer assets to America. How can they be when taught and raised as victims.

Killing unborn babies is now the answer to a Nancy Pelosi resolved Problem.

This growing “majority” All created in the name of doing good and being good. Amazing

We are now being operated under the same human thinking that exists in all primitive tribal thinking, that was reworked for communist, socialist do good thinking whose verbage underwrites a killing destructive power grab.

Beliefs carried on by cronyism, ignorance, and a total lack of understanding about what it takes to advance humans into those that actually built western culture. We have regressed centuries in our thinking.

Jan 27, 2009 - 9:32 am 125. Gilligan:

It is pretty early and I am still maintaining the hope that Obama will change from the leftist agenda that he sold to his disciples in the mainstream media. I am an American and I would like to see the American President succeed in steering us to peace and prosperity.

Since I am also a conservative because I believe that conservative solutions are most likely to yield positive results. Since I think that Obama is smart enough to agree with me on that, I think that there is a good chance that he will govern that way while mouthing airy platitudes with little real substance, much like the way he campaigned for office. I think that there is a good chance that Obama is cynical enough to say whatever will do him the most good and govern the same way.

On the other hand, when Obama’s supporters don’t get that unicorn that they think he promised them and when they find out that they still have to worry about paying their mortgage and putting gas in their car, they are pretty much certain to go looking for people to blame. Whether they call the people they blame heretics, counterrevolutionary saboteurs, heretics, witches or violators or hate speech laws, they will want blood to pay for their disappointment. The blood they want will not be Obama’s or that of the MSM. It will be yours.

I am pretty sure that Obama will be happy to give it to them.

Jan 27, 2009 - 9:37 am 126. Bugs:

I think Obama worship is silly, but on the other hand I’m not going to indulge in Obama Derangement Syndrome. The conservative’s panicked cries about Obama being a hardcore socialist who’s going to destroy the America we love sound exactly like the liberal’s shrill insistence that Bush was a fascist dictator who was going to destroy the America we love. To these people, we’re always on the verge of an unprecedented disaster brought about by one awful man in the White House. You all know American politics doesn’t work that way – never has and never will.

And of course liberals and conservatives both say “We’re not paranoid – OUR fears are REAL, OUR accusations are based on FACTS. How can you look at the man, his background, his policies, etc., and deny that his election is the worst calamity ever to befall this Republic?”

Meanwhile, in the real world, our lives go on pretty much as they always have.

So yeah – disagree with Obama’s policies and criticize the way he runs the country. We need to keep him and his fellow Democrats honest, to hold them to the same “high standards” they applied to the Bush administration. Don’t let them get away with anything. But try to be honest about the man himself. You don’t really know him any better than the Bush haters knew the man Bush.

And most of all, try to show some dignity. Don’t scream and swear and lie and exaggerate and draw false parallels and put on large, papier mache heads (at least not in public) and post comments assuring everyone that The End Is Nigh. In other words, don’t act like a Liberal. You ought to know better…

Jan 27, 2009 - 9:41 am 127. Sam:

Regarding Bush’s contributions to Africa: http://www.pepfar.gov/. Unfortunately, stuff like this has gotten drowned in the tsunami of vitriol coming from the left.

I think Barackosis is silly, but on the other hand I’m not going to indulge in Obama Derangement Syndrome. The conservative’s panicked cries about Obama being a hardcore socialist who’s going to destroy the America we love sound exactly like the liberal’s shrill insistence that Bush was a fascist dictator who was going to destroy the America we love. To these people, we’re always on the verge of an unprecedented disaster brought about by one awful man in the White House. You all know American politics doesn’t work that way – never has and never will.

And of course liberals and conservatives both say “We’re not paranoid – OUR fears are REAL, OUR accusations are based on FACTS. How can you look at the man, his background, his policies, etc., and deny that his election is the worst calamity ever to befall this Republic?”

Meanwhile, in the real world, our lives go on pretty much as they always have.

So yeah – disagree with Obama’s policies and criticize the way he runs the country. We need to keep him and his fellow Democrats honest, to hold them to the same “high standards” they applied to the Bush administration. Don’t let them get away with anything. But try to be honest about the man himself. You don’t really know him any better than the Bush haters knew the man Bush.

And most of all, try to show some dignity. Don’t scream and swear and lie and exaggerate and draw false parallels and put on large, papier mache heads (at least not in public) and post comments assuring everyone that the end of Civilization is at hand. In other words, don’t act like a Liberal. You ought to know better…

Jan 27, 2009 - 9:42 am 128. Steynian 316 « Free Canuckistan!:

[...] followers and opposition are even now learning that being the new superheroic messiah– a false one, of course– means that unlike the real one, it’s his will be done, [...]

Jan 27, 2009 - 10:32 am 129. Robert Winkler Burke:

re: 87 Diane and poems inaugural:

When we choose a king,
We get what we deserve,
Lessons in gladness or sadness,
For a king always serves.

A king always serves,
To prove right or wrong,
In teaching it matters not,
What side he belongs.

If a fool, the king will be loved,
By all his same kind,
While proving a fool in power, showers,
Insanity all around.

The fool king proves wrong doctrines,
Creates death eventually,
Letting fools repent to great depths,
Of fool insanity.

A wise king is hated utterly,
By all foolish crowds,
His acts of wisdom provoke,
Fools to stand proud.

While the wise king brings life,
Through sagacious acts,
The death lovers will distort,
Great matters of fact.

The only way fools will change,
And love a wise king,
Is to first let a fool king,
Up end everything.

So let the fool king,
Up end all he can,
He’ll just prove what a fool believes,
Not a wise man.

The fool king’s subjects,
Will finally want truth,
Hard truths, brutal truths the crowds,
Earlier for soothed.

Give us sane doctrines!
They’ll cry in unison,
A fool king is deadly!
Forgive us, everyone.

And the gods will forgive,
Our foolish choices,
When hard truth is honored,
Wisdom rejoices.

Wisdom rejoices and lets us,
Choose wise kings,
First letting us suffer fools,
To learn great things.

How do I know this?
I’ve been king of my life,
Often fool, sometimes wise,
Mostly in-between strife.

So let a fool be a fool,
As good as it gets,
This a wise man allows,
How wisdom begets.

Jan 27, 2009 - 10:34 am 130. john begley:

an old Scotch saying….’fine words butter no parsnips”.

Jan 27, 2009 - 1:24 pm 131. Marino:

The cold war is over.

We lost.

Jan 27, 2009 - 1:39 pm 132. SilentWatcher:

No red states or blue states, only Americans. Yet, Obama is dividing Americans into black and white. Robert Reich is Obama’s mouthpiece, and Obama has not called Rubin on his ‘no white guys need apply’ racism.

Jan 27, 2009 - 1:43 pm 133. Kathy:

Bugs #126 & Sam #127,
Are you taking marching orders to play copy/paste from somewhere? Busted!

Jan 27, 2009 - 3:41 pm 134. Donna V.:

More of hurley’s pearls:

He (Hanson) is the perfect example of why intelligence married to hate gives us people who use any means (moral or not) to achieve their ends

Pray tell, what nefarious motive does Dr. Hanson have in mind? What evil means is he working for, oh genius hurley? Because being a conservative in academia under a Democratic administration sure doesn’t look like a great career move to me. It sure isn’t going to get the good prof invited to cocktail parties in SF, Hollywood or Washington DC.

Hanson would have been better off and far more popular if he toed the Zinn/Chomsky/Ayers line. Now there are some examples of “intelligence married to hate.”

hurley, really, you never cease to amuse me. The really enjoyable thing is that you believe you’re more intelligent than we are.

Jan 27, 2009 - 8:13 pm 135. Revnant Dream:

Diane:

They really believe, he told me, that we are witnessing some transformative moment in human history. A few fully expect Obama to die, and Christ-like, his death will wash away our sins, bring enlightenment or some such transcendent experience.

Tell me your joking please! You could not describe the “Man of Sin” any better from the Old Testament Prophets (Daniel, Ezekiel & several more to boot) right to the book of Revelation. Christians call him the anti-Christ or anti-Messiah. In fact it describes him being killed half way threw his world ruler ship with a wound to the head that kills him. He rises the next day. He desecrates G-Ds Temple by proclaiming himself G-D. This is figure is also called the Beast. He has dominion for 7 years before the real Messiah comes back.
Sounds like your sending your kid to a cult. Folks who follow this character as Lucifer’s son, call themselves light bearers. I would look into this institution, behind the glitter or credits.
JMO

Jan 27, 2009 - 9:25 pm 136. TLM:

VDH,

I reread your article and came away with the same uneasy feeling. You may not agree with my characterization of your conclusion, but I find it a bit too optimistic. Consider the example given of your ten or so zombie-like associates who took the hard fall for the ecstatic vision of Saint Obama. I know well roughly ten people who voted for Obama, and only a few seemed mildly irrational about their choice. That said, I am convinced there is an unquantifiable but significant proportion of Obama voters who fit into your “zombie” category. Their behavior does not strike me as rash or impulsive — it seems more persistent than that, hence my concern. What exactly is going on here?

I think we need a descriptive term for this new madness: I propose Obama Ecstasy Syndrome, OXS for short, pronounced “O Excess” not Oxus like the river. “Ecstasy” here implies the anthropological use of the word, conveying a sense of primitive pre-literate thinking, as someone mentioned above. A few disclaimers:

1. I’m not being cynical or sarcastic here. I believe this is a real phenomenon that requires a rational explanation.

2. OXS does not apply to most Democratic voters. That a Democrat won this last election is no surprise. In fact, it was a predicted outcome and Obama voters were not intrinsically irrational in their choice. Similarly, AA voters who were elated by Obama’s win should not be considered deranged. Their feelings are warranted for many rational reasons.

3. Leg tingling aside, I would not attribute this syndrome to members of the MSM. No doubt some, if not most, have it. But since they are all actors in what has become an adjunct entertainment industry, you cannot rely on what they say on TV as having diagnostic accuracy.

4. The focus of this problem is not Obama himself. Even if he used hypnotic techniques in his speeches, I am only concerned here with why they were so successful; i.e. why were (potentially) millions of people so suggestible?

5. I’m not a shrink, but I don’t think you have to be to look at this situation. I am convinced it exists and is a form of mass hysteria.

Work in progress. Suggestions welcomed. Next — diagnostic criteria.

Jan 27, 2009 - 10:24 pm 137. quasar:

bret @47
The hypnosis is very intentional. Google Obama NLP and you’ll find some interesting stuff. His speeches are choreographed, right down to timing his hand gestures. There’s an NLP specialist on his staff crafting his speechs. Gov. of Mass. – Devil Patrick – used the same writers, for the same reason and effect. In fact, you may recall Obama being called out for lifting parts of Patricks old speeches. Using NLP stuff in politics is cheap, tawdry and dangerous.

Jan 28, 2009 - 4:34 am 138. 888:

He’s a phony, a hypocrite, an arrogant elitist and an illegitimate sham.

Jan 28, 2009 - 6:09 am 139. myth buster:

BTW, nothing in Revelation says the Antichrist will actually die and rise from the dead. What it does say is that he will recover from a wound that should kill a man. Of course, it makes little difference; the sheeple will worship a ruler who takes a sniper’s bullet between the eyes and lives.

Jan 28, 2009 - 11:54 am 140. CaliLinda:

I am in wonder at the worship and adoration of Pres. Obama. You watched the youtube video of the children singing hymns to him during the election with their proud, upper middle class parents looking on.

The iconic buttons and stickers that are reminiscent of Communist posters from history. It is so odd to me and sad. I wonder, have we lost our way and are now in need of a “dear leader”?

The irony is that my generally decent, responsible and well educated colleagues all expressed fear of a christian theocracy threatening their choices while missing their own adoration and dedication to a ‘theology’ of sorts of what is diversity and tolerance. Their denial of reality confounds me but I remain non confrontive for they really do not want to examine or evaluate the inconsistency and how 9/10 policies will result in the loss of lives again.

Our educational system has been destroyed with the idea of pluralism and decisions made by how it ‘makes you feel’… and now our economic policy on a national level is also being crafted in the same manner…

Jan 28, 2009 - 4:07 pm 141. TLM:

Symptoms of OXS:

1. Uncharacteristic inability to explain one’s support of President Obama, particularly if one becomes speechless or defaults to campaign sloganeering when trying to do so.

2. Uncharacteristically adding a religious dimension to one’s support of President Obama.

3. Imbuing President Obama with supernatural powers or abilities.

Similar symptoms not present during prior elections. Presence of symptom 1 implies cognitive dysfunction. Symptom 2, and especially symptom 3, imply loss of cognitive ability.

Jan 28, 2009 - 8:03 pm 142. berko_wills:

View from the foreign Left:

Supporters of Obama don’t see him as foolish at all. Within the first day he was undertaking to close Gitmo and Abu Ghraib, sites of the very things that undermined any US sense of holding the higher moral ground. Burma/China/tinpot wherever tortures political prisoners. Yeah so? So do we!

While Bush was merrily giving away dollars to large corporations with no strings attached (like, say, supporting a domestic workforce) and spending a trillion or so prosecuting the War on Terror, Obama’s plan is to spend money on the building of US infrastructure, education, and so forth. “No, the man’s mad, that will only create jobs and stimulate the economy”

As usual the Right’s focus is on all the wrong things. Pretty easy to see why you’re in the mess you’re in when you’ve been donating taxpayer dollars to your VP’s old company in an untendered contract or building bridges to nowhere.

I’ll go on back to the land of the sane now and leave you lot to it.

Jan 29, 2009 - 4:36 am 143. sclemens:

Argyris’ four easy steps to Chaos:

1. Design an obviously ambiguous statement that the receiver recognizes as ambiguous but does not question.
2. Ignore any inconsistencies in the message.
3. Make the ambiguity and inconsistencies undiscussable.
4. Make the undiscussability undiscussable.

Chris Argyris, “Skilled Incompetence”, Harvard Business Review, Sept-Oct, 1986 p 76

These are traits found in dysfunctional organizations ranging from the alcoholic family system all the way up to the vilest cult.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:23 am 144. Alfredo Dominguez III:

After reading the article and the comments, I know President Obama does not have to worry about any intelligent organized opposition from this crowd.

Feb 1, 2009 - 1:38 am 145. Jack Hectormann:

Many Conservatives were taken in by the smooth talking Mr. Obama because Americans have lived lo these last several decades in soft affluence and comfort and ease. They have NEVER known anything but that. They take ease, comfort, and a steady money flow for granted, and their physical bodies, generally, are protected by the police.(I mean there is not wide-spread violence here in America as in some Third World countries.)

It is impossible to create a cautious and careful electorate in soft easy times.

I take no pleasure in saying it, for I know what it would mean, but here it is: America will NEVER turn around without a strong helping hand from future unfolding events that are of the most severe kind.

Human beings, as a whole, do NOT respond to abstract warning. Instead they MUST experience the severity of concrete reality, and it must be a concrete reality that brings SUSTAINED damage to bear on the two things they care about the most: their Money and their Flesh. Then they will respond and turn to Conservativism with it’s sometimes harsh and strict measures.

All of history says it is so: It will have to get MUCH MUCH worse, before it gets better. And even then it may take a generation or two to actually see the better realized…or three or four generations

Feb 17, 2009 - 9:16 pm 146. Bill Carson:

“80. Bill Carson:
I’ll go against convention here and say that I believe that Obama can be brought down. I don’t care how many people are worshiping him at the moment. The left proved that you can draw blood by simply staying on the attack. I want Obama to fail. I’ve always wanted that guy to fail. I don’t care if he’s right or wrong on an issue, just stay on the attack. That lesson was learned from leftists should not be forgotten.

“He already making openings. A great example is his unforced error in outlawing use of the term “War on Terror.” He has sort of said there is no war, just a need for policemen. That is so pre-9/11/2001. If we have Americans murdered on our soil, that blame can be laid on the doorstep of the so-called commander-in-chief who said we weren’t even at war. Keep up the pressure, Mr. Hanson on this loser. He’ll bleed soon enough!”

For the record, this is a DIFFERENT Bill Carson, that I’ve never heard of, not the one who’s been posting here since the Belmont Club

F

Mar 16, 2009 - 10:09 am

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