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November 10, 2008 at 05:11:30
by Stephen Lendman Page 1 of 9 page(s) |
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On November 4, the world exhaled. The age of George Bush ended, and a new one under Barak Obama began. With high hopes he'll reverse the toxic legacy of the past eight years. Adopt socially progressive policies. End foreign wars. Govern the nation responsibly, democratically for all its people. Show his supporters that their faith in him was justified.
"Let us congratulate ourselves on being alive at such a promising moment," wrote The Nation magazine's William Greider. His victory is "a monumental rebuke to tragic history -- the ultimate defeat of 'while supremacy.' Barak Obama has already changed this nation profoundly. Like King before him, the man is a great and brave teacher. (He) redefined the country for us."
The Nation endorsed Obama early on and called his candidacy "historic (for) a new generation (with) new possibilities....a sea-change of course (for) progressive-driven reform....(the) end of the Reagan era....an end of the occupation of Iraq....empowering labor (and) challenging our trade policies." A socially liberal new beginning.
A "transformational presidency," according to its editor Katrina Vanden Heuvel. A "new era of possibility opened up by Barak Obama's victory. (His) team's respect for the core decency, dignity and intelligence of the American people was reflected in the campaign's" rhetoric. He represents "a historic opportunity for a progressive governing agenda and a mandate for bold action....Tonight we celebrate."
Early on, The Nation shamelessly endorsed Obama with over-hyped expectations for him. They're unfounded, and based on early indications, hold the cheers. Obama's transition team is the first sign of the type people he'll choose for cabinet and other top posts. Insiders all, including former Clinton administration figures. The usual cast of characters in Democrat or Republican administrations. The parts nearly interchangeable for their common agenda. Progressive? A new beginning? A "mandate for bold action?" A reason to "celebrate?" Indeed so for insiders, who engineered what's now apparent.
Earlier this writer imagined it, but who then could have known. In a July article titled A Possible September Surprise," it was suggested that "Republicans may stick with a likely loser, someone many insiders dislike, go for a 1976 repeat, turn things over to a Democrat, let him deal with their mess, then retake the presidency next time around."
In the 1970s, the Rockefellers (America's most powerful family) chose Jimmy Carter for president after the turbulent Nixon years. Gerald Ford went along as window dressing. The same process repeated in 2008 to decompress after eight toxic Bush years. A needed respite for the country, the world, and humanity. A new party and face to appear different from the old one. Who better chosen than the first black president (a stroke of genius some believe) to deflect attention from the past and focus it all on him and the task he faces.
McCain-Palin was the vehicle. A perfect foil. A caricature-like ticket. An embarrassment. Supremely unqualified on both ends. By a man with a distinct "passion gap" for conservatives. Known mostly for his unpredictable temperament, unimpressive intellect, instability, and genius for making enemies in his own party. And a woman more knowledgeable about fishing than affairs of state. Pulled from obscurity. Noted only for having been chosen. Now consigned to a footnote in history. One conservatives plan to forget, then erase.
Now a new beginning under Obama. With hoped for change that he promised. A "bold mandate (for) progressive governing." A "transformational presidency." The end of neoliberalism and new era for his faithful. With legions lining up to cheer. Unmindful of how American politics works. The way it is most everywhere. The same old, same old that The New York Times ignored in saying that "Obama began moving (swiftly) to build his administration and make good on his ambitious promises to point the US in a different direction...."
Without a whiff of progressivism in any high-level appointees so far named, suggested, or in his transition team co-chairmen:
John Podesta
From 1998 - 2001, he was Clinton's chief of staff, and in the 1980s, served as legal counsel for various congressional committees. He's the founder and current president of the Center for American Progress, a Democrat party front group claiming progressive credentials that got seed money from investor and Obama advisor Warren Buffett. He's also a visiting law professor at Georgetown University Law Center, and since 1988 the head of the Podesta Group, a Washington-based lobbying firm representing corporations like Lockheed Martin, BP, and Walmart as well as trade associations among its other clients. The Washingtonian magazine ranked him the third most powerful city lobbyist.
Valerie Jarrett
A Chicagoan who worked for Mayor Harold Washington in the 1980s as Deputy Corporation Counsel for Finance and Development. She then moved on to the Daley administration in the 1990s as deputy chief of staff and in other positions. She's currently CEO of the Habitat Company, a real estate development and management firm with a dubious record. She works closely with city officials on public housing and helped the Chicago Housing Authority get public subsidies for its notoriously substandard work.
Habitat managed Grove Parc Plaza from 2001 - 2008 and an even larger complex that the federal government seized in 2006 because of its dilapidated and uninhabitable state. Nonetheless, she's rumored to become the new housing secretary where she may do for the country what she did to Chicago.
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thank you, Mr. Lendman
if this were my site, i would've headlined this. This is the most complete and detailed breakdown I've yet seen of Obama's fascist strategies for "change". Again; I'm relieved that McCain didn't win, but People on the left, right and center; if you want to restore Constitutional rule and government of, by and for the People- take stock of the real Obama behind the sound bites, and plan and organize accordingly. by Better World Order (4 articles, 568 quicklinks, 39 diaries, 1110 comments [56 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 1:11:36 PM  (0+)
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Mr Lendman, I've always enjoyed
your articles. I began to wonder about the older generation of "Gin's" who post on opednews, with there blind support for Obama. I just work with the facts myself: of Obamas current cabinet picks, campaign advisers and his voting record to base my posts on. While I'm falsely accused by the "Stephen's" here of lying, or being a "Racist", as they bloviate from their non-minority neighborhoods. The name Pena should strike fear in all the people from Colorado, or have used Denver International Airport, with its shady land deals, cost overruns and postponed dates of opening that this facility is still not completed as originally planned. What does DIA stand for? "Done in AHHH", "Doesn't Include Airplanes" and a litany of other butt end of jokes. Rahn Emanual is no "Progressive" when it comes to his job description. Along with the other charlatans so far picked. It looks like there is not going to be much of any change going on in Washington under a Obama administration, yet anything will be better than what the US has with its current self-appointed batch of fascist "Goon's & Thug's", or the "Maverick" McCain/Palin ticket. by Stanimal (2 articles, 226 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 1254 comments [233 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 7:00:07 PM (0+)
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The End Is Near! The End Is Near!!
Mr. Lendman, 4,946 words (give-or-take) is a lot to fit on one sandwich board, but you did it. Cautionary remarks are always in order and a jaundiced eye can provide an independent perspective. But let's damp down the Chicken Little bit, shall we? Of course Obama's relying on Washington pros. The Federal Government is a fearsomely complex factory and you cannot staff it exclusively with utterly unskilled labor. Are these folks big-time Establishment? Of course! Are they guilty of philosophies that are deplorable to some of the people and individual decisions and actions that are deplorable to all of the people? Of course! Mercy sakes, what a revelation! Can you pair each of your listed evildoers with a stainless alternate who could function equally effectively? I venture to suspect you can't. Yes, beware of excessive optimism; and, yes, keep that jaundiced eye on Obama, his appointments, and their behavior. Better yet, keep TWO eyes on them. I thinkl you could use the perspective thus achieved. by Jim Stinson (14 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 76 comments) on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 7:19:58 PM (0+)
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Reply: the End IS Near!
"Of course Obama's relying on Washington pros. The Federal Government is a fearsomely complex factory and* you cannot staff it exclusively with utterly unskilled labor*. Are these folks big-time Establishment? Of course! Are they guilty of philosophies that are deplorable to some of the people and individual decisions and actions that are deplorable to all of the people? Of course! Mercy sakes, what a revelation!" What tipically inane bullshit. There is absolutely NOTHING unskilled* in choosing those other than these Wall Street insiders, as if they were the only knowledgable people in the country. Your smart ass comments show me that you are simply a brainwashed idiot who believes only the Con Men are "Pros". This isn't "government" this is predation. by William Whitten (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4880 comments [1685 recommended, 28 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 3:22:02 PM (0+)
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Reply: Okay
Brother Whitten, I defend to the death your right to express your opinions, but your rhetoric doesn't quite measure up the to standard of civil discourse that distinguishes debate from rant. BTW: "Tipical" is spelled with a Y. Cordially, Jim S. by Jim Stinson (14 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 76 comments) on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 3:55:17 PM (0+)
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Reply: Hubris
And now I've been properly punished for a cheap shot (tipical). I've reversed two words in my reply. I deserved that. J by Jim Stinson (14 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 76 comments) on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 3:56:58 PM (0+)
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Reply: Crazy Might Not Seem So Crazy In The Future
"Can you pair each of your listed evildoers with a stainless alternate who could function equally effectively? I venture to suspect you can't." - Not any that would not have a remarkable accident or commit suicide. Remember and continue to be skeptical. All information is filtered through others. Reality is difficult to discern. Consider Much; Conclude Little. by Brad Evans (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 221 comments [11 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 4:58:04 PM (0+)
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Competely legitimate premise
Agreement from another "senior citizen" concerned about the deterioration on local, national and world affairs. Two trillion dollars injected into the economy and we can't even find out where? Another maybe two trillion later? This is not an economic crisis (for you and me it is a crisis, but not for the people at the financial helm) but a crisis of the Power Eilite simply having messed up and now trying to figure out how to keep stealing from the public treasury and getting us to keep quiet about it. $3.7 billion!!as the 2007 income of the highest paid hedge fund manager? And taxpayers are supposed to make up the shortfall? Wake up boys and girls. It seems the Power Elite, the "Republicrats" if you will, have the bit firmly in their teeth and the populace is so numbingly willing to go along with nary a ripple of critical thinking. Here in California they are touting Feinstein as possibly running for governor!! She'd be nearly 78 if elected! And the Bush fascist thieves of the liberty and treasure of the Republic could not have done so without the willing assistance of our (and others) Republicans in Democrat clothes, the billionaire Ms. Feinstein and Ms. Pelosi. Mr. Obama, even if his heart at its core is in the right place, must not tread too far off his assigned path, plotted for him by that same Power Elite. They will not stand for it. And he know it. The Power Eilite is recalibrating their propaganda machine as we watch. They are the group firmly in control, and you ain't in it. Welcome to the Gilded Age, the Fascist States of America. by wch (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 28 comments [8 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 1:21:58 PM (0+)
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Oh my Obama
Is he off to a good start? Tom Brokaw even said... finally.. "We know nothing about this man." We really think if he taxes the Bad Boy Gas Companies, that the cost will run down hill and we'll be hit with $5.00 a gallon of gas again... never saw it coming.. He's not for drilling, but wants alternative fuel programs.. ethanol is a joke.. less gas mileage, evaportes quicker than gas and caused food prices to go up...Then lies to the American public and says "If we drill for oil, it will take 10 years to see the results." So do we wait another 10? Funny how the price came down when the foreign countries thought we might start drilling... How long can we hold off? The the very next day we hear, Congress wants to SEIZE our 401k and the government will tell us when and how much we can have... this is Patriotic as Joe Biden said... Spread the wealth.... Why is America so in love with BIG GOVERNMENT? The Government wants to keep us poor.. they don't want to see us succeed...Get ready for the new solgan in 2012 Time for real change.. We have another Jimmy Carter in the White House by Don Bybee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 116 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 8:30:08 PM (0+)
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Big Business
Big Business wants to keep you poor too. by Ty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 888 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 5:58:51 PM (0+)
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