Comments on: The Bush Legacy

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:11:02 +0000

“For example, the Obama Administration, or Barackracy if you will, recently failed to deliver on their promises of shutting down international rendition.”

But did he?

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/29/the_confusion_over_renditions/

By: Henrik

Henrik — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:08:53 +0000

“I’m into the Obama thing for now. But I’m skeptical.”

I share your skepticism and it’s seeds are beginning to grow. For example, the Obama Administration, or Barackracy if you will, recently failed to deliver on their promises of shutting down international rendition. I agree that Barack Obama will provide the international community with some new opportunities to advance in civil rights and develop sustainable practices but I think Obama’s PR campaign has disillusioned a little too many progressives. We must not forget our civic responsibility in using our right to freedom of speech to challenge our leaders to act on the demands and needs of our earth and its inhabitants, not their own.

By: Todd C

Todd C — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:08:41 +0000

“For all of us who lived through the Bush years, this is something we must never forget.”…. agreed in too many contexts…..

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:06:06 +0000

Thanks Nick, I think the saddest part of all is that he was able to accomplish so much. As always I blame that on the two-party system. How did we let Iraq happen? How did we allow colonization in the 21st century?

“When fascism comes to america it will be wrapped in an American Flag”

I’m into the Obama thing for now. But Im skeptical.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:39:18 +0000

This may drift away from the point a bit, but I have to say that my I have been personally affected by Obamas victory. At a time of year that I typically lose a little sparkle and hunker down for the winter, I have noticed an unfamiliar spring in my step. Not the typical short-lived emotional bump that comes from a good day at work or finishing up a project on the house or even the thrill of seeing your child accomplish an amazing “first.” This feeling that has risen to the surface over the last two weeks is rooted deeply in who I am. It is the kind of satisfaction that only comes with a true affirmation of your life and beliefs. For 8 years I have felt like a freak, an outsider in my own country. Every time I opened my mouth about an issue brought forth by the Administration, I had to brace myself for the possibility of being trashed and pushed aside by “good, patriotic Americans.” I can’t even count the number of times I kept myself up at night trying to wrap my brain around the notion that this country was not the country I thought it was when I was growing up. I had honestly begun to believe that I was in the wrong place, that this was their country, and that I had overestimated the intelligence and common sense of my fellow Americans. The frustration of watching our country exemplify the definition of insanity by continuously ramming our heads into the wall, hoping each time that it would disappear so we wouldn’t have to bear the pain of another impact, was having an effect on me in ways I didn’t even know until the release came with an Obama victory.

The fact that Obama won is only part of the story, had he won a close election, I am not sure that it would have the same effect on me or the country. The fact that he won in states that dems have historically had a difficult time winning was a clear sign that this country may in fact be the place I grew up in, it was an indication that I was not living my life in some one else’s country. This victory signaled a swing in the direction of sanity and common sense.

As I remove the monkey I have carried on my back for the last 6-8 years, I hope that it doesn’t find its place on the shoulders of a disenfranchised right-leaning citizen. One thing I learned is that I do not wish the same pain that I have suffered for the past few years on any one. We should not allow the pendulum to swing violently in the other direction. I have a tremendous amount of faith in Mr. Obama, and I do not think he will allow that to happen. He is a very intelligent man that has a good idea of what this country needs right now………time to heal, regain our strength, and get back to making this world a better place to live.

As I said to my wife on election night, “I am proud to be an American again, let’s remove our Canadian lapel pins from our travel packs…I think we will be safe again abroad!”

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:09:14 +0000

While we live in a democracy most people tend to forget it is a republic first and foremost. For better or worse we choose politicians to represent our best interests. My faith has been restored in the political system of this country…I am still stunned at the odds that Barack overcame. We needed this change for more than one reason. Let’s get back to rebuilding this country as leader in freedom and democracy.

By: Shirley C, AZ

Shirley C, AZ — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:55:48 +0000

I hope you’re right! Since Reagan, I have totally lost faith in politicians. Obama has inspired hope in all of us. We’ll soon know if our hope is justified.

I have never been able to figure out how/why so many people have just blindly followed Bush and believed the crazy things he said.