Barack Obama
Related: About this forumHow many on the left have ever referred to Obama as a hero or patriot?
Legitimate question. I see this term thrown around a lot to describe Snowden. I don't think I've ever heard it pushed by the left when describing Obama - even when he was attacked from the right on his patriotism.
Just an interesting contrast.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)But the ones on the Left who get the most press aren't the ones with integrity- they're just the noisemakers who get the press.
And who owns the press?
That's right.
millennialmax
(331 posts)about the man.
Cha
(305,137 posts)because I said that he's trying to keep us safe and I'm okay with that.
PBO has earned my trust.. unlike those who use NSA bullshit talking points to support their theories.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)It would mean you weren't doing your job.
I've always cringed when some poor dear departed soul is said not to have had an enemy in the world. You can't do right and not collect at least a few. I just see them as barnacles on the boat of humanity.
Cha
(305,137 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)has worked very hard to re-establish relationships with many countries. If he had a R behind his name they would think it was the second coming of the Savior.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)a few years from now to see the GOP trying to claim they brought about national health care all by themselves! and over the fierce opposition of those dirty Democrats, especially Barack Obama!
bravenak
(34,648 posts)I had given up on voting until him.
Kahuna
(27,314 posts)JustAnotherGen
(33,390 posts)And a valid point of comparison. I think Obama exemplifies the *American Dream*. And it makes a certain segment of people in this country uncomfortable to admit that someone *like HIM* did it the old fashioned way. He shatters their illusions on both the Right and the Left.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)He is a reminder to working class, racists, the right how far they have not gotten ...
And (okay, I'll say it and suffer the scourge) he prevents the left from seeing Black folks exclusively through the "victim" frame.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Black folks has the left ever referred to as Hero or Patriot, in real time.
It appears that that that designation for Black folks is reserved for looking back.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)I became one of Barack Obama's earliest and staunchest supporters. While he was still a junior senator, I went around telling everybody in RedNeckLand (the MidWest) where I retired (for financial reasons) that they ought to watch him because "there goes your next President". At the time most people just said "Barack who?" or even laughed. Now they don't laugh anymore. Instead they sometimes scream at me for bringing this nightmare down on them - as if I'd accomplished that all by myself - or they've even been known to throw empty beer bottles at me. Etc etc. No crosses on the lawn, though. Yet. When I made a 4x5 wooden campaign sign, I festooned it with little American flags hoping to reduce the likelihood of vandalism. There were threats, but they proved empty.
And yes, I've pointed out President Obama's heroism and patriotism, because he endures such abuse and danger to do what he considers best for the country. It might not always be exactly what I want right now on a platter, but he's done all I believe he can to push this country farther left.
Just Saying
(1,799 posts)IMO, "hero" is used far too often and it dilutes the word. And in recent years "patriot" outside of NE's football team has been a common part of right wing user names, group names etc. as a way to tell the rest of us they are the only real Americans.
That being said. I respect and admire President Obama. Hero? Perhaps. He's certainly broken racial barriers and I'm sure he's inspiring many people of all races. Patriot? Hmm...
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriot
pa·tri·ot. noun \ˈpā-trē-ət, -ˌät, chiefly British ˈpa-trē-ət\. Definition of PATRIOT. : one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.
Yes, of course he qualifies.
Cha
(305,137 posts)at the whole damn board.
Sheepshank
(12,504 posts)(only to hold their noses in 2012), did not call Obma a hero back then in 2008.
I reserve the term hero for those that save lives...oh that would be Obama(care) and possibly Superman. I reserve the term hero for those that bring relief from lifes hardships and financial ruin for millions of people...oh, that would be Obama. Snowden hasn't really done anything positive or to advance their personal standings in life for anyone in my estimation. Applying the term hero to Snowden is so misplaced. Perhaps "gutsy" was the term they were looking for and got all tripped up in the moment of trying to rebrand Obama and the rest of the Admin as heinous and wrong at every turn.