ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2013-05-02 22:10:56 +0000 UTC]

I see the drone strikes and the kill list as the same thing, and I disapprove of those. The Republicans refusing to let him close Gitmo doesn't affect my opinion of him negatively. And given how he has actually listened to people's opposition to things like CISPA, he doesn't seem to me like he's trying to intrude more. I believe he's a politician. Mostly, he does or tries to do a lot of good work for the people of the country. He's not great at war policy (drones). As politicians go, I still have a rather high opinion of him...as politicians go.

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pharmmajor In reply to ShoodIBHere [2013-05-03 02:48:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the response. I think I must disagree with you, though, as the failure to close Gitmo falls on both sides. There's no doubt the republicans are obstructing him, but Obama doesn't seem to be putting in much effort himself (I can provide you with a few links to articles if you'd like). As for listening... well, I think it's more lying and pandering. He just wants to get votes and doesn't really care about not intruding in our lives (NDAA and expanded wiretapping prove that.) You are right though, that he is a politician, but like all politicians, he's corrupt. Sorry to say, but my opinion of him is lower than yours. Honestly, I'm ranking him as poorly as his predecessor.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2013-05-03 11:37:59 +0000 UTC]

I know you are not just saying you hate him because he's him, I know you are fairer than that. And yes, he could push harder on Gitmo. However, I also believe he can't even get basic appointments approved, so he has to fight for months just to do the basic work that all presidents have to. So I cut him some slack on being "slow," as so many like to criticize him for being.
I find it to be astounding, though not unfounded, cynicism that if a politician says "everyone deserves to be taken care of when they are ill or injured regardless of money," "gays should have the same rights as straight people," "there should be some criteria for gun ownership," and "immigrants, legal or not, deserve a chance to be treated like humans and earn citizenship," actually signs his name onto things to effect that, and exhibits his promised effort to be centrist and bi-partisan, DESPITE how many times, in how many states that has been tantamount to political suicide, that that is still considered "lying and pandering."
And believe me, I will grant you the wire-tapping. I will NOT say he is perfect. I repeat, the wanton disregard for innocent civilians vis-a-vis the drone program is my number one disappointment in him as a leader AND as a human being. However, considering the fact that "we" gave Bush two terms to ignore people to death (pre-9/11 intelligence and Katrina, plus his revenge war), and Congress and Cheney gladly expanded the Executive powers to near-king levels, and Obama, despite having those powers, has tried to LIMIT his use and ability to use them (see the signing statement on the NDAA), I kind of think you are placing the blame on the wrong person.
Mayhaps you should concentrate more on the people giving up all the checks and balances and giving all the power to the Executive, rather than the guy who DOESN'T use those powers. He's not perfect, none of them are, even the ones we hero-worship. But considering how much power he has had and has NOT used, despite A LOT of people getting in his way and equally A LOT of people failing to support him when "all political knowledge says they should," I say we give the man a little credit.

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pharmmajor In reply to ShoodIBHere [2013-05-03 14:11:54 +0000 UTC]

I think you're jumping the gun. I don't hate Obama, I'm just REALLY disappointed in him. From what I've seen, aside from a few statements that sound progressive, his actions don't match his words. He says immigrants deserve a better shot at citizenship, but his administration has deported more immigrants than any other. He says we need to reform drug laws, yet tens of thousands people are still unjustly imprisoned for possession each year. Also, I don't really think he can have a pass on limiting corrupt, overreaching executive powers when he may eventually use them, or leave them free for those who follow him to abuse him.

Believe me, I understand where you're coming from, and where a lot of liberals/progressives are coming from. But after he renewed the Patriot Act and said he would consider using drones on American citizens, I felt he was no longer deserving of credit. I'm not criticizing him for being slow. I'm criticizing him for being hypocritical.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2013-05-04 00:42:54 +0000 UTC]

Fine. Criticize him. I think you're wrong and you are being far too narrow-sighted to blame the person who cause some problems, but has a most of them dropped on his doorstep. But I'm not going to change your opinion, because you don't want another view to change it.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to forensicist [2012-01-11 14:22:25 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. All credit for it goes to *Luffy-kun . I hope you go visit her page if you like her style, though it has been a while since she made the ID.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Cirlin [2012-01-08 09:05:45 +0000 UTC]

Mwahahaha! I chuckle at your lack of cookie stomachache!

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2011-12-03 01:41:11 +0000 UTC]

I appreciate the information, but I'm wary. If he edges libertarian, wouldn't he say "the government has to recognize them, but there should be no special rights for married couples"? Some people use that argument, which would practically eliminate all the worth of legal marriage anyway.
I am still politicking, but I'm quite busy at the moment. Soon, though, I might be advertising my petition on the White House website.

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pharmmajor In reply to ShoodIBHere [2011-12-03 02:51:11 +0000 UTC]

I can understand your concern, but he doesn't lean that FAR libertarian. From what I've seen of his campaign, he thinks that the government should extend the same rights to married gay couples that they do to heterosexual couples (tax benefits, hospital visitation rights, ect.) Basically, he doesn't want the government to say who can and can't get married or deny rights to couples simply based on their gender. So I hope that puts you at ease.

I look forward to seeing your petition. Maybe you can help me draft one as well. I want to start a petition to abolish the DEA and the DHS (just think; if those two organizations were done away with, that's tens of billions freed up for social welfare programs, infrastructure, and putting money back in the wallets of working Americans. I know it's a long shot, but I think that such policies could help the country.)

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2011-11-04 01:33:23 +0000 UTC]

Sounds like him. He's one of them there practical, common sense old guys.

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pharmmajor In reply to ShoodIBHere [2011-11-04 02:22:32 +0000 UTC]

Amen to that. Pity it's the whackjob old guys that more people pay attention to.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Cirlin [2011-07-30 04:11:49 +0000 UTC]

I saw in a journal if you change to this icon and comment on one of the beta-tester's (or was she an admin?) journals, she'll donate 50 cents to ASPCA. I didn't tell you because even in my timing, I was about 13 minutes AFTER the deadline, so I don't know if she'll count me. But I tried! By dancing-business-suit-kitty, I TRIED!!!

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Cirlin In reply to ShoodIBHere [2011-07-30 04:43:21 +0000 UTC]

Now that's interesting. And ingenious. I wonder how long it's been going on... I bet her journal is covered in dancing kitties.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2011-06-12 04:41:41 +0000 UTC]

Good to know. Thank you.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to cbaginski71 [2011-04-21 18:09:18 +0000 UTC]

No problem. It is a very impressive Zoidberg.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Cirlin [2011-04-20 09:27:37 +0000 UTC]

Yo! Good--zzzz... *hugzzz*

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2011-03-28 23:03:03 +0000 UTC]

He has not turned out like Bush, and I am STILL a big Obama supporter. He has made policy decisions similar to Bush and he has made decisions and compromises I disagree with, but he did NOT run rough-shod over the 3 branches. He did not start pointless wars for profit. And he did not ignore half the country, he has tried his DAMNEDEST to stay true to his principle of bi-partisanship, sometimes resulting in those compromises I don't like. And when he goes to play golf, he gets back to work the same day. He doesn't take 2 weeks to clear brush. So if you disagree with Obama, fine, that's your opinion and I have plenty of friends who don't like him or his policies because they are conservative. But do not ever, EVER try to tell me that the man who tried to create legitimate universal health care in my country is the same as that war-profiteering piece of trash.

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pharmmajor In reply to ShoodIBHere [2011-03-28 23:11:38 +0000 UTC]

Eep... I fear I awakened a sleeping giant.

I apologize if I offended you, but I'm afraid I do have to disagree as we've seen him carry on a lot of Bush's policies (such as lengthy, unjust detention periods for so-called enemy detainees, invasive measures that violate our privacy such as stricter TSA screenings, and now with the recent bombing campaigns over Libya we have unauthorized military actions). I still think he's a good person, and he's done some good, I'll admit, but I'm afraid he's heading for as bad a run as his predecessor.

Again, this was just my opinion, and I apologize if I angered or offended you.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to pharmmajor [2011-03-29 09:34:42 +0000 UTC]

You did offend me, but your apology is accepted. I will not argue that he has continued Guantanimo, because he has and I disagree with it. But I will argue that there is a difference between coming in halfway down a slippery slope and jumping headlong onto one (W). I will not argue that the TSA screenings are a considerable invasion of our privacy and need to be changed. However, I believe that President Obama is much more prone to listen to the objections of the people than W. I will argue that Libya is quite different, since they started their revolution, they wanted the assistance, and we are handing it over to NATO, the people who are actually supposed to play some sort of "world police" according to their job description. As for it being unauthorized, that's true, but it is true of almost every war or "police action" that we've carried out in recent history. I'm sure the South Koreans are happy we didn't wait for authorization.

You don't need to apologize for speaking. You have your right to your opinion, and you have a right to speak it to me. These don't bother me. I would ask you to be a bit more careful in the "how." Suggesting Obama has some unfortunate similarities in policy with W is a valid point. Saying he has "turned out like Bush" is unfair and, I believe, untrue.

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pharmmajor In reply to ShoodIBHere [2011-03-29 14:11:05 +0000 UTC]

Cool. I'll think more before I speak next time.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Cirlin [2011-02-17 01:09:26 +0000 UTC]

Take your time, I haz patience nao.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Luffy-Kun [2010-11-23 22:32:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much. It's still very considerate that you think of me/the ID at all. How are you doing, Lufficious One?

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Luffy-Kun In reply to pharmmajor [2010-11-23 18:13:39 +0000 UTC]

YAY. I know this wasn't to mee. But I'm still happy.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Cirlin [2010-04-07 12:47:19 +0000 UTC]

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Cirlin [2010-03-30 15:01:55 +0000 UTC]

My darling Heart, you are so good to me.

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Cirlin In reply to ShoodIBHere [2010-03-30 15:09:08 +0000 UTC]

How are you feeling right now?

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Luffy-Kun [2010-03-18 21:43:27 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much, Luffy. Indeed, you have improved with all the practice you have done. I hope you didn't need to go out of your way to make it. It is very good, indicative of your present style, and original. Brava, young lady.
However, can you forgive one, rather immature critique based solely on my personal preferences? ...man nipples?

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Luffy-Kun In reply to ShoodIBHere [2010-04-14 08:57:40 +0000 UTC]

I will take away the nipples if you don't like nipples. Lol.

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ShoodIBHere In reply to Biutz [2010-03-07 14:58:36 +0000 UTC]

No problem. Hope you and the baby and the puppy are well.

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