Obama 2012

Steve Benson’s political cartoon here is a powerful critique against leveraging the repercussions of 9/11—visualized here in the physical ruins of the World Trade Center, but in Obama’s case, the assassination of Osama bin Laden—to gain political standing meanwhile while justice via rule of law and habeas corpus seem to no longer be the American way—instead the prerogative of the despot executive. He is drawing a striking parallel between Obama and Dubya.

[via:azspot]

In yet another example of President Obama’s hypocritical rhetoric starkly contrasting his actions and that of his administration, the President said in a statement:

I strongly believe that the American system of justice is a key part of our arsenal in the war against al-Qaida and its affiliates, and we will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system – including (federal) courts – to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened,” Obama said in a statement. Going forward, all branches of government have a responsibility to come together to forge a strong and durable approach to defend our nation and the values that define who we are as a nation.

and yet proceeded to recommence the military trials of terrorism suspects held at Gitmo. So much for rule of law, habeas corpus, separation of powers, and all that nonsense. Apparently, it’s better to bow to congressional asshats who cannot stomach trying the detainees in civilian courts and on U.S. soil. EPIC FAILURE OF PRINCIPLE, Mr. President.

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“Mr. Clean Coal”

He’s the mascot for Obama’s “clean energy” strategy. FAIL.

(via political-cartoons)

For 8 hours and 37 minutes, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont schooled the American people on what is in the Obama-GOP tax deal and the current tax code. It was just fantastic to watch the 69-year-old senator clearly articulate the outrageous injustice in our tax system, literally stand on principle, to draw attention and to dispel the distortions that GOP politicians have created with regards to how working people are affected by our tax system and the Obama-GOP deal. I hope you all had an opportunity watch some of it and well share you feelings on Senator Sanders quasi-filibuster.

Read more about it here.

“War on Obama” | Ed Stein

Though I agree that the GOP has certainly waged war against a sitting president like I’ve never seen, but let’s not obscure the fact that President Obama continues this misguided “war on terror” through occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq, drone attacks in Pakistan, and the denial of civil liberties and due process of law for even U.S. citizens held in military detention.

[via:azspot]

In Keli Goff’s rather diplomatic indictment of President Obama’s lack of leadership in addressing the AIDS crisis, she suggests the president may have a kind of racial anxiety about proving that he is “president of all Americans, not just Black Americans,” which has kept him from discussing publicly the disproportionate ways Blacks are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

True, AIDS “transcends barriers of race or station or sexual orientation or faith or nationality,” but we cannot ignore the ways those differences need to shape a robust—if not adequate—national AIDS strategy.

POLL: Why hasn’t Obama fixed the economy yet? | The Onion

[via:berniceshaw]

(Source: jazzysophist)

Senior Fellow at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs Alon Ben-Meir’s balanced piece on two fundamental issues that condition Israeli-Palestinian talks cuts through the process noise and supposed dramas between Netanyahu and Obama being echoed back and forth between US and Israeli media and zeroes in a bottom line, if not the bottom line. Ben-Meir writes:

The Palestinians, including Hamas, must accept the fact that the prospect of establishing a state of their own is intertwined with Israel’s national security. Meanwhile, Israel must drop the illusion that it can insure its national security while maintaining even a semblance of the occupation. Neither side can realize what they want unless they accept this basic bitter-sweet reality.

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A must read piece detailing the impact of the Obama administration and congressional Democrats’ food stamp cuts with photographic visuals and an interview with Joel Berg, the executive director of the New York Coalition Against Hunger.

After cuts, one could eat onions and frozen broccoli for vegetable content. Once again, the already vulnerable poor must take another hit. EPIC FAIL.