*************BARACK OBAMA GROUP****************** Real world versus DU

[steve2470]

THIS IS THE BOG, IT IS A SAFE HAVEN GROUP CREATED BY THE ADMINISTRATORS OF DU. IT IS A PLACE FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT DEMOCRATS TO CELEBRATE THE 44TH POTUS, BARACK OBAMA, ALONG WITH HIS FAMILY, ACHIEVEMENTS AND POLICIES.

IT EXISTS FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT THIS PRESIDENT AND EACH OTHER. PLEASE CHECK THE PINNED THREAD FOR THE SOP (STATEMENT OF PURPOSE) OF THIS GROUP. THIS IS NOT A FORUM.

IF YOU CANNOT RESPECT OBAMA, DEMOCRATS, THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF THIS GROUP, OR THE MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP, PLEASE DO NOT POST HERE.

THANKS IN ADVANCE.

to freshwest for that text.

My older brother has been a Democrat for 41 years, since he turned 18. He's a very liberal guy. I'd even say, based on past statements, that he would love to see a Sweden-style government and society. He is a boots-on-the-ground liberal Democratic activist in north Florida, and recently helped Gwen Graham get elected.

Why am I telling you all this ? Because if anyone was going to diss President Obama and the Democratic Party, it would be my brother. Of course, he would do it with me in private. I don't remember him ever dissing the party and he definitely has never dissed President Obama. I am very proud of his hard work. Thanks for letting me brag on him a bit.

Reality: people like my brother; DU: something else

Thank God for this group.

[Aristus]

1. Thanks.

[steve2470]

3. older bro gets all the credit, truly, thanks ! nt

[Peacetrain]

2. Hats off to your brother Steve

You have a right to brag

[steve2470]

4. thanks, he's a great guy nt

[hopemountain]

24. is he single? how young?

jus' kidding...

president barack hussein obama - a good name for an even better man. he has stood the test, and time will be on his side.

[steve2470]

34. *smiles*

Almost 60, married, and I agree with you about PBO !

[randys1]

5. I was unaware we had a forum like this...I like it

[steve2470]

6. I do too

It's a nice oasis and counterweight to GD.

[IrishAyes]

35. Welcome!

I've been largely absent of late due to pressing medical concerns, my own and friends too! but I'm glad I caught your post.

[BootinUp]

7. DU Something else!!!!!!!!!!LOL!!!

thats a classic that will live on.

[steve2470]

8. smiles

I was being small town southern polite with that one

[madamesilverspurs]

18. As in

"bless our hearts"?

[steve2470]

19. precisely

Ya'll have a nice evening, you hear ?

[IrishAyes]

39. Sometimes I tell people I came from a mixed family just to see the surprised look on their face.

Then I explain Dad was a Yellow Dog damnYankee Catholic Democrat and Mom was a southern belle raised in a fundie atmosphere. But she was already liberal when she met Dad and he stole her away from her family, region, and religious denomination. Her relatives really never forgave her and eventually the chasm widened past remedy. But really I benefited from both cultures and borrow from each when it suits me. I'm into liberal Catholic theology and love the southern baptist music. I can spit in the devil's eye and kick him in the shins like Dad or, as Mom taught, hand somebody their head on a platter in such a sweet way they might not even notice the operation for a few days. So I usually feel ready to take on the world. RIP, dear ones.

[steve2470]

40. you got the best of both worlds !

I only got the saintliness of my dear departed father and the sweetness of my "old Florida" mother (also dearly departed). Sometimes my inner Satan does come out to play

[IrishAyes]

43. Well, I think it does puzzle and frustrate some of my local opponents,

never being able to anticipate which part of me they'll have to answer to - shin kicking damnYankee or subversively 'charming' daughter of a southern belle. Got my bases covered!

[Martin Eden]

9. "Real world versus DU"

I'm curious as to what that's supposed to mean.

[steve2470]

11. I think my meaning is crystal clear.

GD ~~~~~~> That way.

[still_one]

14. I suspect it is because many on DU thought President Obama would be able to part the red sea, or

walk on water, and when he didn't in their eyes, he was as some here have said, "the same(or worse), than bush).

DU is not universe of Democratic or progressive thought. It is only a forum

[steve2470]

16. yep you nailed it nt

[Martin Eden]

17. And many DUers are grounded in reality and never expected miracles.

DU is a very diverse group (kinda like the real world of left-leaning politics).

I will not criticize our president here, respecting the rule against it in BOG.

But I will say that such a rule requires participants to turn a blind eye to much of the political reality in how our government is run.

[Hekate]

21. Nobody here is "blind" to the "political reality in how our gov't is run"

It's just that this is not the place for those who want to lay the whole hot mess at Obama's feet.

GD ------> thataway

[Martin Eden]

25. Your response reveals your blindness ...

... if you can't see that reality is neither zero justifiable criticism nor laying the "whole hot mess" at Obama's feet.

Do you honestly see things that way? If so, you are seeking refuge in BOG from the real world. If not, then you are willfully fleeing from rational discussion of important issues (I'm not saying all discussion in DU is rational; I'm saying it is impossible if criticism of any politician is prohibited).

For the record, I voted for Barack Obama twice and would do so again. I've been a voter since 1976, and a member of DU for more than 12 years.

And I see no value in this blind refuge so I will depart, but not at your bidding and not where you would have me go.

[IrishAyes]

41. I don't think we much care WHERE you go, so long as you go.

Backstabbing is a cowardly act best confined to GD. Call us blind all you please; but you SHALL NOT do so here with impunity and retain access, I assure you. Do you think we're children you can bandy words with and be assured of 'winning'? Don't bet on it. We don't try to stop you and your sort in your bloodletting elsewhere, but we have the perfect right to keep our own space sane. Get this much straight: President Barack Obama and his own ARE our heart-family, and anyone who'd allow disrespect of family in their own living room wouldn't be worth much.

[hopemountain]

44. exactly, irishayes

many of us here are "experienced" in life and survivors of much. our eyes are wide open.

[Martin Eden]

45. I don't care what you think

But I'll tell you this much:
You are totally clueless as to who I am and what my views are.

I have back-stabbed no one. I have shown no disrespect whatsoever to the president in anything I've posted in this thread. I can only surmise that the bile and bullshit you just posted is because the truth hurts -- not concerning the president, but concerning your own willful blindness and the disrespect you have for others.

I was content to leave this place alone, but you have summoned me back here to respond -- which is contrary to your stated intent.

That's the last word ... unless you insist on more of this pleasant exchange.

[hopemountain]

26. ++1000

thanks, hekate

[Cha]

49. You're not "criticizing our President here"..but with your "requires participants to turn a blind..

Last edited Sun Nov 9, 2014, 05:47 AM - Edit history (1)

eye".. you're trying to insult his supporters. And, I say "trying" because it just shows you know nothing about us.

We have the BOG to celebrate the history of his Presidency.. the forums are where there's discussions on his policies Pro and Con. Some are constructive criticisms with respect.. others are just flat out conspiracy theories.. like the person who thinks Obama is glad the Dems lost and republicons won and he wanted this loss to happen..

That's just egregiously stupid.. and to quote geek tragedy here because he says it so well..

"Idiotic ODS drivel. No, Obama did not want those whose only goal is to derail his presidency

to control both houses of Congress.

He did not want Mitch McConnell having absolute power over each and every appointment of federal judges.

He does not want more votes on repealing the ACA.

He does not want Senate hearings on Benghazi."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5780337

And, Yay.. we don't have to deal with that in the BOG!

geek http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5780337

[greatauntoftriplets]

37. And if he walked on water, some would find fault with that.

[still_one]

10. This country is extremely lucky to have President Obama.

[steve2470]

12. agreed nt

[sheshe2]

13. I am loving you steve!

Kudos to your big brother!

Lol~ ya, I loved freshwest's warning as well!

BOG

[steve2470]

15. thanks :) nt

[IrishAyes]

48. I'd like to nominate the author of post #45 for banishment.

Martin seems rather insistent that he can come and go as he pleases after crapping on the BOG floor whenever he wants, and that it's our primary responsibility to accommodate him.

[Hekate]

20. To you and your brother....

Right you are: thank God for this group.

[rury]

22. I am proud and happy to be a member!!

[steve2470]

23. glad to have you ! nt

[a kennedy]

27. I hear the POTUS and everything in my mind is just where it should be.....

I voted and would still vote for him because he's the most thoughtful, most cool, most calm, most collected, most handsome, most intelligent, most honest, most truthful, most loving to his family, and the man i would follow through hell for. So thank you for this group.

[Cha]

28. And, Thank Goodness for you and your brother, steve! Very Good to know..

mahalo, sweetie!

To your bro helping to get Gwen Graham elected.. very important! To someone who actually gets out there and works for what they want and doesn't sit home and whine on election day.

[steve2470]

29. thanks !

My brother, imho, knows the real deal. He is absolutely surrounded in north Florida by conservative Republicans. Granted, Leon County is a nice oasis of blue but almost all of the Panhandle (from the Alabama line to just east of Tallahassee) is very Republican. I know he's happy they won, but he said (paraphrasing) "too bad more did not vote", in response to my frustration about Charlie Crist. My brother WANTED Crist to win. Yes, he would have been happier having a much more liberal Democrat, but he's a realist.

Thanks again, and thanks for what you do here and in the real world !

[Cha]

30. LOve LOve LOve Liberal Realists.. they actually Get Things Done!

[steve2470]

33. yes they do !

[mehrrh]

31. I'd vote for him again

I knew going in that there were going to be days that Obama disappointed me, but that's because I accept reality.
On the whole, he has accomplished an amazing agenda despite unprecedented obstruction from the opposition, relentless criticism from the media, and a general public that seem to have expected miracles to happen.
Obama is a pragmatic, sincere, and thoughtful man who, by nature, thinks before he acts; tries to analyze and anticipate the repercussions of his actions, and firmly believes in the general goodness of man and his ability to work together toward a common goal.
Unfortunately a majority of Republicans cannot overcome their racism, their hatred of progressivism, or their inherent inability to empathize with others. Yet, Obama remains optimistic, he continues to try to work with the opposition for the betterment of the nation -- although it took years, he has come to terms with the fact that many GOP members are incorrigible and incapable of changing their nature, so, with the goal to improve the nation, he will move forward despite them.
He may have to strike difficult bargains with fellow Democrats, he may disappoint some of us as he moves us forward, but forward he will go and we will follow.
Those who wish to stand aside and criticize, the shoulda, coulda, woulda crowd must do just that: stand aside and let the president and the rest of us keep moving ahead -- the laggers will benefit despite themselves.
There are enough critics in the media and in the marketplace and in the meeting halls, that it's good to know there are still a few places where we can go to get news and information without being smacked with bile spewed from others.

[steve2470]

32. you get it !

People are quick to forget (or never knew) that even Lincoln and FDR had their harsh critics. FDR was NOT good enough for many on the left. Yes, FDR did some regrettable things (internment camps is the biggest one), but FDR is now revered on the left.

One day, many of the DU critics will have to admit that, yes, President Obama was a great President. Once President ________ (fill in blank with fascist Republican) wins office, all of a sudden President Obama will be the greatest thing since sliced bread. You just watch, I know I'm right.

My $0.02, you have a great night.

[IrishAyes]

42. Absolutely.

Why should we have to slog through crap in our own 'living room'?

[greatauntoftriplets]

36. Welcome to hosting here, Steve!

[steve2470]

38. thanks greataunt !

I'll do my best to be patient with all the um, "lost posters".

[treestar]

46. Good for people like your brother!

Working away at electing Democrats! Not complaining but out there doing!

[steve2470]

47. thanks !

He works hard for what he believes in, which is electing Democrats to help progressive causes.