Motley Moose – Archive

Since 2008 – Progress Through Politics

Obama Oval Office Oil Oration

A little alliteration.

What did you think? Speak Moose!  

Points

1.) No mention of carbon pricing or cap and trade, though he endorses the House bill which has it, that’s sure to piss some people off

2.) Former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus heading a reconstruction committee

3.) Moratorium on drilling remains in place

4.) Pledges BP will move money for damages, to be overseen by an independent body

After Thoughts:

I’m struck by the obvious criticisms of the speech from those on the left…that it didn’t set forth a list of specifics to fight for. I disagree. He didn’t give a number of wind farms he wants to build or a date specific he wants us to stop be reliant on oil, but he made both goals. Do we need a date certain in order to fight for it? I don’t.

The other criticism I see is that he “missed an opportunity.”

Taegan Goddard

Though Obama called for a “national mission” to transition to clean energy, he was vague on what he actually wants to see in a comprehensive energy bill. In doing so, Obama is just another president that has refused to ask Americans for the necessary sacrifice to finally achieve this greater national goal. He missed a golden opportunity.

I agree we need someone to ask us, or demand us, to sacrifice, but in a democracy in a country like ours, those leaders do not exist, and where they do, they can’t get elected.

The fact is we’re not a country that sacrifices…anymore. We used to be, but then we became a superpower and now as we’re declining as one, we as a people are like the spoiled rich princess who has to be weaned off daddy’s credit card.

The truth is we need someone to put us in our place. We need someone who tells us off. But that person would never had a career in politics.

I’m wondering in the last few days if Bill Maher was wrong in saying what he said…telling coal miners, loggers and oil rig workers to “fuck their jobs.” I think instead of them, I’d be telling off those who drive gas guzzling SUVs, those who insist on leave the lights on or someone who pollutes and has no regard for energy, how we get it, and the people who risk their lives to get it for them (the people Maher insulted)

That person is certainly not Obama, and I’m not so sure it should be. Would it help if he threw his Presidency in a desperate attempt to get the country to act seriously, or would it just lead to another Reagan era of right wing government that will further destroy the country?  In a country as irrational about him, and about politics, as ours is, the message will get lost. We’re clearly a nation, as evidence by the polling on offshore drilling in Louisiana, that would destroy the earth around us for a buck.

Those on GOS, OpenLeft, FDL…they think if the President put us in our place, the American people will respect him and see things their way. They couldn’t be anymore delusional IMO. I don’t know what country they live in, but it’s not the same one I do.

As is it, i’m not sure anyone actually heard Obama. Everyone I know was watching either the Mets or the Yankees tonight and not the President. I really only watched because it happened to be on. I’m not sure he reached out to anyone and the only people tuned in are the people he wasn’t talking to…blogistan and the right wing hate machine.


Categories: Uncategorized.

/ 168 Comments

168 comments

  2. jsfox

    I will be the first to admit I was more than a bit let down. And all here know I’m a pretty big believer. And I kept wondering why. And the it hit me. I was expecting a big energy policy speech. More importantly, I was expecting a speech that was not even promised. I was projecting what I wanted to hear not what I was told I was going to hear. I think everybody hyped this speech up to something it was never intended to be. A big energy policy speech.

    The only people making the pronouncement that this was going to be a big speech were we bloggers and pundits. I don’t recall the WH pre-selling it as a big policy speech

    I will say one more thing Obama looked a bit beat down.

  3. jsfox

    I will be the first to admit I was more than a bit let down. And all here know I’m a pretty big believer. And I kept wondering why. And the it hit me. I was expecting a big energy policy speech. More importantly I was expecting a speech that was not even promised or advertised. I was projecting what I wanted to hear not what I was told I was going to hear. I think everybody hyped this speech up to something it was never intended to be.  

    I will say one more thing Obama looked a bit beat down.

  4. jsfox

    If you want to read a poignant response to Obama’s speech last night from a Louisiana resident and native I suggest you click on over to Andrew Sullivan.

    This one sentence I think should motivate you.

    When Obama pivoted to his remarks about “The Blessing of the Fleet,” my dad started crying.

  5. fogiv

    Obama No Longer Good at Talking, Should Probably Resign:


    The reviews are in for the president’s big Oval Office speech last night, and the consensus is “Meh, this is stupid, why did I watch this stupid thing, this is stupid.” If the pundit class is bored of his speeches, can Obama really continue to be president? Probably not.

    John Dickerson looked at the fanfic version of the speech he wrote before Obama started and noted that the president failed to sprinkle magic dust on the dead animals of the ocean and order them to swim back to the Gulf and use good old-fashioned teamwork to plug the leak and beat up BP workers. Instead of taking charge, Obama just sort of updated us on the situation. BORING, NEXT PRESIDENT PLEASE.

    Over on MSNBC, everyone was like “Eww, gross, WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP?” Howard Fineman said, “He wasn’t specific enough.” Keith Olbermann said, “It was a great speech if you were on another planet for the last 57 days.” Har har har. Chris Matthews whined, “I don’t sense executive command and I was constantly looking at the screen and thinking this is a black man. This man is black.”

    lulz!

  6. fogiv

    White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs offered a noticeably snide dig on Wednesday to cable news critics who claim that the president is being too hands-off with the oil crisis — specifically MSNBC’s Keith Olberman, who harshly criticized Obama’s Oval Office address the night before.

    “I appreciate the hand on the pulse of America by those who live on cable TV,” the press secretary said. “I don’t actually think that is where all of real America lives.”

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…

  8. HappyinVT

    make this a campaign issue, GOP.  Oh please!

    The Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative members of the House, released a statement today calling the $20 billion BP escrow account a “Chicago-style political shakedown.”

    The full statement:

    We all agree that BP should be held fully responsible for its complicity in the oil tragedy in the Gulf,” said Chairman Price. “In fact, BP has already begun paying claims. Any attempt by the company to sidestep that responsibility should be met with the strongest legal recourses available. However, in an administration that appears not to respect fundamental American principles, it is important to note that there is no legal authority for the President to compel a private company to set up or contribute to an escrow account.

    BP’s reported willingness to go along with the White House’s new fund suggests that the Obama Administration is hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics. These actions are emblematic of a politicization of our economy that has been borne out of this Administration’s drive for greater power and control. It is the same mentality that believes an economic crisis or an environmental disaster is the best opportunity to pursue a failed liberal agenda. The American people know much better.

    How is it a “failed liberal agenda” when it was the freakin’ Republicans in charge for the last eight freakin’ years that helped get us to this point?  Christ on a cracker, how do these people live with themselves?!  And quit trying to speak for the “American people.”

  9. HappyinVT

    from TPM

    The Minnesota Independent reports that Bachmann spoke Tuesday to the Heritage Foundation, and badmouthed the idea. “The president just called for creating a fund that would be administered by outsiders, which would be more of a redistribution-of-wealth fund,” said Bachmann. “And now it appears like we’ll be looking at one more gateway for more government control, more money to government.”

    Uh, no dumbass, it’s money to be set aside for those whose livelihoods have been directly impacted by the spill.  I know they live at the opposite end of the country, but they need help and BP needs to make sure they pay.  But, wait, what about BP?

    Also, David Weigel reports that Bachmann also said: “They have to lift the liability cap. But if I was the head of BP, I would let the signal get out there — ‘We’re not going to be chumps, and we’re not going to be fleeced.’ And they shouldn’t be. They shouldn’t have to be fleeced and make chumps to have to pay for perpetual unemployment and all the rest — they’ve got to be legitimate claims.”

    So, let’s see … we’re going to worry about BP getting “fleeced” after they’ve wrecked a coastline and the economy of at least three states at a minimum?  Where’s the concern for the people of these states?  Is that what you mean by “perpetual unemployment?” because you know, you fucking dumbass, the shrimpers and oystermen may be out of jobs for a very long time.  The hotels and restaurants may be hurting for a long time.  The beach venders may be hurting for a long time.  You see where I’m going with this, Michele?  I thought Sarah Palin was the recipient of the majority of my hatred.  But then I read stupid stuff like this and realize I can always find room for more.

  10. sricki

    I am still thinking on it. But really, I wasn’t moved one way or the other. I didn’t have any grand expectations, so I wasn’t particularly disappointed. Nor was I particularly comforted or inspired. Dunno. Guess I’m a “fence-sitter” on the speech (doncha just hate those people?).  

  11. HappyinVT

    dreaming the dreams of the innocent.  So let me catch up a bit.

    First, fog, I said upthread I expected a feud between the White House and Olbermann not between you and Keith.

    Second, last summer there were rumors that the KO vs BillO feud was ratings-driven.  Seems like I remember it was Gawker that put that out there but whichever site it was subsequently got reamed by Keith over it.  I personally believe that where there’s smoke there’s fire.

    Third, blackwaterdog, in her diary yesterday, wrote that Keith was turning into a clown.  If Keith was skimming the GOS he may have seen that and then fog’s comment which leads to …

    Fourth, Keith got his fee fees hurt?  Tough.  I’ve come to think he’s a bloviating ego-driven dude who likes the sound of his own voice too much.

    Lastly, I don’t know if what DTO said is true or not but Keith’s reaction seems waaaaaaay over the top.  Something hit too close to home or is Keith really that sensitive to some anonymous comment on a blog that is really very friendly to him?

  12. HappyinVT

    and they’ve got coverage of Hayward’s testimony on.  I was just in time to catch Joe Barton of TX say that political posturing led to what amounted to a shakedown (the escrow account) and he fucking apologized to Hayward for that.  How am I supposed to quit cursing again when stupid people say stupid things?  Stupak gave his opening statement next; if it had been me, look out.  I’d have gone after Barton first.

  13. jsfox

    mission to draw attention to reality based posts especially here where reality is appreciated, thank the deity of your choice, I now draw your attention to this one by Chait

    Liberal Despair And the Cult Of The Presidency

    I quote:

    Rachel Maddow offered a perfect example of the phenomenon [Liberal Dispair] the other night. She delivered her fantasy version of the speech President Obama should have given. It was filled with unequivocal liberal rhetoric. I was struck by this portion, explaining how she would pass an energy bill:

       

    The United States Senate will pass an energy bill. This year. The Senate version of the bill will not expand offshore drilling. The earlier targets in that bill for energy efficiency and for renewable energy-sources will be doubled or tripled.

       If Senators use the filibuster to stop the bill, we will pass it by reconciliation, which still ensures a majority vote. If there are elements of the bill that cannot procedurally be passed by reconciliation, if those elements can be instituted by executive order, I will institute them by executive order.

    In reality, you can’t pass any of the climate bill by reconciliation. Democrats didn’t write reconciliation instructions permitting them to do so, and very little of its could be passed through reconciliation, which only allows budgetary decisions. Maddow’s response is to pass the rest by executive order. But you can’t change those laws through executive order, either. That’s not how our system of government works, nor is it how our system should work.

  14. fogiv

    Keith Olbermann has maintained a blog on Daily Kos for a while, where he usually just dumps “Special Comment” transcripts for his fans. But one random commenter was mean to him yesterday so he is leaving the site! Incredible.

    http://gawker.com/5566092/keit…

  15. HappyinVT

    comment:

    But he’ll [Keith] come back when everyone agrees to wash the royal penis the way they used to.

    Haven’t read the comments yet to see whether you’re a jerk or a hero.  But you know what you are to me.

  17. HappyinVT

    CNN uses an expert who is no expert:

    According to Paul J.J. Payack, president of “Global Language Monitor,” an Austin, Texas-based company that “analyzes and catalogues trends in word usage and word choice and their impact on culture,” President Obama’s Oval Office address Tuesday was far too professorial for his intended audience. Payack reveals his analysis of the speech in a report released Wednesday, and duly reported on by CNN.

    snip

    According to the actual linguists at Language Log:

    For starters, Payack is not a professional linguist – he often boasts of a Harvard degree, which turns out to be some coursework in comparative literature that he took through Harvard’s extension program.

  18. HappyinVT

    I’m stuck at work and the Countdown replay isn’t available for another ten minutes or so.  Do we have a bonified WPITW?!?

  19. louisprandtl

    defending KO when he was in hot water for his controversial comments on HRC. And he was listed on NOW’s list of media hall of shame. I stopped watching Countdown for over a year and a half after that event.

    This event once again reminded me of that history. KO is so thin skinned that he had to go on a rant. In some sense, he used his public persona and power differentiation to single out Fogiv. Talk about total powerplay! Fogiv had little choice but to sincerely apologize. But KO didn’t give a shit and went out of the barn after throwing tantrums!

     

  20. canadian gal

    its interesting… even the people i know that don’t really like obama here in canada are watching what is happening with complete shock. today, someone in my family who really isn’t an obama fan – turned to me and said: “the americans are nuts, they are blaming him for everything and it isn’t even his fault!.”

    and i think that properly sums up my position in the matter as well (although i am a fan : )

    as to the KO thing. here’s my take on the seriousness of matter:

  21. DTOzone

    there is “a sense in many circles that this administration is an enemy of business”

    or so I was told by the host of Meet the Press on St. Keith Olbermann’s network this morning.  

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