Channeling FDR
by Japa21
The last few days have been extremely emotional around here, specially with reaction to the reporting on the arguments before the Supreme Court about the Affordable Care Act. We have seen everything from outright panic to pleas for calm. From dire predictions of the entire law being tossed out to confident statements of all of it being upheld.
And it isn’t just that particular instance which seems from time to time to bring forth cries of doom and gloom to rampant jubilation. Every time new poll numbers come out there is a myriad of reactions. When numbers come out that show the President losing some of his advantages over Romney or (Heaven forbid) Santorum, there is the tendency to either, once again, panic or go into denial by blaming the methodology (not always incorrectly) to pleas to ignore the polling all together.
When positive news of the economy is cited, there are pleased smiles evident throughout the postings, but when some bad news occurs, the doom and gloom crowd comes out in force. There is a natural, based on history, concern about the negative approach the Republicans will take in the upcoming campaigns, as evidenced by the “America’s worst enemy” ad that Chips posted yesterday.
All of the negative reactions come under the heading, as Al Giordano called it in 2008, of “Chicken Littling.” There is a natural human tendency to focus on the worse things that can happen instead of working toward the best possible outcomes. And this is where it is important to remember the words of FDR:
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
One thing that FDR realized, and was warning against, is the debilitating impact of fear. It saps us of energy and optimism. At its worse, it brings forth despair and hopelessness. And where despair and hopelessness reign, apathy follows. There is a tendency to give up, to think that nothing we will do will matter, so why try at all. And that is exactly what the Republicans are hoping to happen.
Ever since Reagan, the Republican Party has used fear to push forth its agenda. Fear of blacks, fear of immigrants (legal and otherwise), fear of the “Evil Empire”, fear of Muslims, and fear of traitorous liberals. They have used this not only to create a motivation for their base, but to dispirit the left. And we have seen time and again how it works.
The miracle of the 2008 campaign is that then candidate Obama knew this and also realized that just focusing on issues would not be enough to counter this fear driven methodology. He knew that there had to be just as strong an emotional message sent out there to lessen the impact of fear. Hope was that message and the vibrant “Yes We Can” that underscored and strengthened that message of hope. He created the belief in the American people that we can conquer fear driven ideology, but only if we band together and not let our fears cause us to falter.
And that brings us to now. We have to believe, once again, that no matter what happens, we can move forward. That a setback here or there, be it in Republican obstructionism, or the ruling of the Supreme Court, or any negative poll or economic news, is merely that, a setback, not a defeat. Because if we view those things as defeats, fear seeps in. Fear that ultimately we will never succeed, fear that those who care only for the privileged few will always win. And with that fear comes the hopelessness and despair.
The message of hope given us in 2008 must never be abandoned because of a setback. Remember, hope and hopelessness cannot exist side by side. And fear feeds on the absence of hope. What we need to always consider when we face a setback is not the awful consequences of that setback but what we need to do to overcome that setback and have the confidence that we can and will overcome it.
I don’t know how the Supreme Court will vote on the ACA. Nor am I saying that an adverse ruling should just be shrugged off. But rather, if there is an adverse ruling we have a choice. Accept it as a crushing defeat or view it as a reason for us to continue to move forward to bring the change to this country that we all think is needed.
I know our President will look at it that way. And I know our President will always look at negative things as an opportunity to improve and work harder. If we have his back, how can we do anything less?
The Obama Diary 
w00t!
Gratz babe! 😀
yahoo 😀
Well stated. I followed Al Giordano in 2008 and his message was simple, Fear mongering or Chicken littling is destructive. Focus on what we can do and not what we can’t do. The next positive step is what we can always do.
This. Hamlet yaps on endlessly for five acts and isn’t driven to ACTION until he knows he’s DYING.
Let’s not wait for that.
So,Tally, are you saying that Hamlet was a Democrat? If he was a Republican he would have whacked Claudius’ head off on his first day home. Of, course he had all trappings of the 1 percent . But that sensibility of his makes him at least a “leans D.”
I guess it does. I’ve never thought about it before, but you’re right – all educated and everything like he is.
🙂
Poor Gertrude, if Hamlet was a repub, then she never would have had any WCMS™ with Claudius.
Yeah, but boy, did she pay a steep price.
True. That or getting herself to a nunnery, which is really the only other choice she had.
Hahahaha.
Al was a wonderful mentor to many people. I wish we could sometimes call him back like a fairy godfather to give us chicken little innoculations from time to time. You did a good job, Japa, channeling Al’s sensible advice. And one of the best things he always said was that the antidote to fear is action. If you register a voter, talk on the phone, knock on a door, or even donate, you’re fighting fear. Sometimes I get angry more than fearful and want to rage against the injustice that seems to come at us everyday. But when I channel that anger into doing something, I not only feel calmer, I feel stronger. So thanks, Japa, for the reminder.
AWESOME japa21!!!!
BRAVA!!!
Totally second that emotion! Yes, thanks Japa for this most excellent post. This is the kind of advice and inspiration we need as we embark on a mission to re-elect President Obama.
excellent post Japa – thank you!
I’m assuming this has been posted: ending oil subsidies defeated in the Senate.
With friends like mary Landrieu……
The big Oil Companies have their hands all in Mary Landrieu’s pockets. This is the very reason why we are constantly dealing with gas prices going up. We have no leaders willing to do the things which need to be done, well this President want too, but he has no help. Mary Landrieu is just looking out for her buddies, the big oil companies.
She’s a real bulldog. I’ve watched her in action on the Senate floor. Doesn’t give an inch, but mostly over matters relating to the oil industry.
Please lets not demonize Mary Landrieu! No politician in Louisiana, except one from a very safe Democratic Congressional district, with majority blacks, would dare defy the oil interests. We need all these blue dogs to maintain Democratic control of the Senate even though, now and then, they vote to protect their own political careers. Louisiana is not New York or California. Consequently, Mary Landrieu must not be expected, or required, to vote as a Senator from New York or California, on certain issues that totally go against the interests of the majority in her state. If we really wanted to change the equation we would instead focus on putting pressure on Republicans from states like Illinois, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio and may be Virginia and Florida, where mobilized Democrats can flip their seats. Frankly, I am surprised that Mary Landrieu, who courageously voted for the ACA, is still around. That she is still around is a testament to her political skills. Most importantly, however, her presence in the Senate ensurers the Democratic control of the Senate.
Thank you, very uplifting.
“The message of hope given us in 2008 must never be abandoned because of a setback. Remember, hope and hopelessness cannot exist side by side. And fear feeds on the absence of hope. What we need to always consider when we face a setback is not the awful consequences of that setback but what we need to do to overcome that setback and have the confidence that we can and ill overcome it.”
THIS^^^^ Is A brilliant piece of commentary Japa!
Donna–we had a lot of ups and downs in 2008 too. The primaries were a real roller coaster and for the first time in my life I found myself caring about the delegate count in remote islands in the Pacific. There were deep divisions in our local party with some threatening to walk out if Hilary lost. But we managed to pull it together in the end because even for the Hilary supporters, the specter of McCain/Palin was too grim to contemplate. We will have another bumpy road ahead of and the voter suppression tactics will make us crazy. But any combination of Romney plus is going to be a powerful motivation for action. I have faith in us and I have an undying belief that PBO will inspire and lead us to a second term.
I’m having problems with posting, hope this gets through. I saw the Hunger Games over the week-end and there was this great line in it about hope. I remember thingking to myself, “self, now you have to remember that great line about hope for further use”. Needless to say….senoir moments and all has left me utterly defenseless in recalling anything with the two brain cells I have left, and one is always in a flux from just day to day occurrences. Oh well, if you see the movie you’ll note how much the line is reflected in today’s politics. As a matter of fact, the whole movie can be a 99% vs. 1% argument.
OK where did that username come from? I’m cookemom, this old username hasn’t been used, though I did sign up with wordpress this way. Can I change it?
Hiya, I changed it back to cookemom for you, truly weird things are happening here!
thanks chips
Hey cookemon. I believe the line was delivered by the bad guy. It was something like “A little hope is a good thing but too much hope is dangerous”.
THISSSSSSSSSSSS!!
Excellent, japa.
Bravo, Japa, bravo.
Hope without work is just wishful thinking. We must not only hope for the best, but work for it. Freedom is far from free; it has to be constantly watered and tended.
And here, from JeffersonObama. I wonder if the networks will feature this tonight?
On Bloomberg, they said it was still at 3???
From the NY Times:
Post here: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/is-the-economy-growing-faster-than-we-knew/?src=tp
This is, quite frankly, a BMFD. The growth in GDI is greater than the growth in GDP, and explains the growth in the job market. GDP figures may be underestimating the economy’s strength.
Ohhh, gotcha!
They were worried about durable hoods being at 2.2. Which Is natural after Xmas, but, bloomberg was all in dire straights.
A BMFD indeed!
So true. It is the same thing with some religious believes. I think it was James who said faith without works is hollow. The same thing applies here. Hope spurs us to work. Wishful thinking is like saying, “I want this but let George do it.”
japa-two-one, acknowledge your transmission. there are bogies and skunks dead ahead.
i’m with you japa21. Thanks for the gut-check.
Bravo Japa~ agree with all your sensible words.. and I too appreciated Al’s wisdom during 2008.. and I will always have President Obama’s back.. because I know he has ours. Fear is not my issue.. but I do get angry.. yesterday I was furious at repubs & at one in particular.. and like Jackie stated above.. I need to do better at channeling my anger into more/better action. Thanks so much for your wise words Japa.
The interesting thing about anger is that it is sometimes fueled by fear. If the person we or action we are angry about were inconsequential to us, we, really, wouldn’t even be all that angry. Insted, we perceive that person or actrion as being a threat to what we want to see happen, and that does cause fear, then anger. If the anger takes control, just like fear it saps us of energy and hope. If we can, before that happens use that anger as a springboard to action, we find the anger dimishing and have more ability to do constructive things,
There is an old saying, “Don’t get angry, get even.” Well, in a sense that applies here. I am not talking about revenge, but getting even by working our butts off to work for the future.
you’re absolutely correct about the connection between fear & anger.. generally my anger fuels me into action, but I have to say yesterday my anger with republicans hit a little too close to home and I really did feel the fear- that some things can feel quite impossible.
With that said, I’ve hit obstacles on a personal level more than not, thus I think I’m ‘experienced’ at dusting off my shoulders, coping and seeking ways to keep moving forward. As you reminded us, our President has to do it daily.. and still finds enough fight to get up each day and shine the light of common sense and decency on all those obstacles. We just have to keep marching.. I’m back in the saddle today 🙂
I believe there are really only two (2) true emotions: Love and Fear. Every other defined feeling comes from either Love or Fear. For example, jealousy comes from fear, hate comes from fear, sympathy comes from love, compassion comes from love. And I believe we all fall into one or the other category in how we view the world and morally live our lives. It almost becomes a basic “right brain or left brain” M.O. I think it is safe to safe our fabulous President is of the Love M.O. As all of you here are on this great blog! I don’t post here often, because of work computer limits. But I view all your comments daily and often. Big, big fan!
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The long gestation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was mandated by the Dodd- Frank Act, is over.
Now that the bureau’s chairman, Richard Cordray, is in place and it is rolling out programs, it is a good time to think about how government intervention can improve outcomes in the financial products consumers buy. Regardless of whether one prefers caveat emptor, a paternalistic federal government or something in between, the CFPB is a reality. Improving financial decisions by consumers is a worthy goal, but it will not be easy to design effective government actions to help them do so.
When consumers make poor financial decisions, they often do so because they lack information and understanding of product features. Financial literacy and sophistication is shockingly low: About one-third of the U.S. population understands the concepts of compound interest or how credit-card debt works. Such financial illiteracy is correlated with high levels of debt and high fees for financial services, and is greater among people with low incomes and low education, as well as minorities and the elderly.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-29/consumer-protection-bureau-can-teach-financial-self-help?category=%2F
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Household income grew at a faster pace in the fourth quarter than previously thought as the jobs market strengthened, a development that could underpin consumer spending.
The Commerce Department said on Thursday real disposable income rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $11.73 trillion, $10.6 billion more than previously estimated.
While its final estimate left growth in gross domestic product at an unrevised 3 percent pace last quarter, when measured from the income side, the economy expanded at a solid 4.4 percent rate – the quickest since the first quarter of 2010.
“That may indicate that there is a little more strength out there in the economy than what the GDP numbers would indicate,” said Gus Faucher, a senior economist at PNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSBRE82Q0VN20120329?irpc=932
Rep. Ryan’s budget passed by the House with 10 GOP defections
By Pete Kasperowicz
The House approved Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s 2013 budget resolution with all Democrats and 10 Republicans voting “no.”
Oh boy!
I agree 1000% with you, japa21. We must have been on the same wavelength because yesterday as I responding in different threads regarding the need to “keep calm and carry on” I was thinking of both FDR and Al Giordano, lol. Al was invaluable to me in 2008, when I was an online political newbie. I’ll always be grateful to him for his admonishments against Chicken Littling.
As I said yesterday: whether the best happens or the worst happens, we can handle it and we can press on. Worrying and panicking — and spreading that terror — in the meantime would have been absolutely wasteful and counterproductive. It also will give the fearmongerers exactly what they want, and I refuse to do that.
I am also reminded of our own FLOTUS’ words from the last campaign: “Fear is a useless emotion.” So true, especially when it comes to dealing with today’s crazy political goings on. All great spiritual traditions talk about the need to calm oneself inwardly and not let fear run one’s life. I am determined to live this way.
Onward and upward.
Fear is useless, unless you use it to motivate you, rather than internalize it.
For example, this scares me-
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/219073-boehner-ryan-budget-a-vision-of-what-gop-would-do-with-more-control
And I will work hard to see it does not happen!
Do what works for you :-).
Well stated, Japa.
The Party of Koch & Norquist (aka GOP) are supplying all the motivation we could ever hope and for that I thank them.
After decades of slight-of-hand, since 2009 they’ve shown in every way one could imagine just who they are – arch-Birchers, vehement misogynists, and avaricious #NEOCONSTERS seeking total control of America and perpetual war.
#PRESSON
#AmericaThisIsNotATest
As always, Bobfr, well said! This is not the time to be demoralized! This is the time to mobilize, even more than we did in 2008, to prevent the teabaggers from implementing their anti-people agenda. Yes indeed, all these holier than thou, so called progressives, who proclaim endlessly that “there is no difference between President Obama, the Dems & the (tea bag) GOP” are either smoking or drinking something, or, as you said, they must think that we are all “stupid.”
japa21, this is a great piece. I like the way PBO is described, never too high, never too low.
Senator Kerry tells Byron Tau that they are swift boating Obama-
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/03/john-kerry-theyre-swiftboating-obama-119104.html
No kidding.
did this get posted today?
‘Oklahoma abortion law struck down by court’.
District Judge Bryan Dixon held that the 2010 statute is an ‘unconstitutional special law’.
His reasoning is that the law applies to health services provided by medical personnel only when they are dealing with abortions.
Thanks japa–you said what needed to be said. It’s easy to fall down that hole of worry–remember what Michelle said about her husband, “He just calms me down and moves ahead”. (something like that anyway). There are too many of us who actually understand what the Republican party is all about–we will never go back. Young women, especially, are coming to realize how negalive the GOP is in their lives. To think–there was a proposal from some Repub that Dr.s not tell a women if there was something wrong with their baby for fear they would abort it. Not all women can take care of a disabled child. There is no understanding of the needs of women–why would it ever be right for the govt. to make the decisions that should be left to awomen, her family, and her Dr?????
The group launching a $3.6 million ad campaign hitting President Barack Obama on gasoline prices has deep ties to the billionaire libertarian industrialists Charles and David Koch.
The American Energy Alliance is the political arm of the Institute for Energy Research, and sources tell POLITICO that both groups are funded partly by the Koch brothers and their donor network.
The groups are run by Tom Pyle, a former lobbyist for Koch Industries. Pyle regularly attends the mega-donor summits organized by the Koch brothers, including the 2012 winter summit in Indian Wells, Calif., where the Kochs raised more than $150 million to be directed to groups ahead of the general election.
-///
So, this stuff can scare you, but also motivate you. At least, it does for me.
Btw- my reaction to fear is called fight or flight!
I choose fight!
Way to go.
Yes, Jovie, We must choose to fight back! So, I am with you 100%! As Dr. King used to implore people of my generation: “We’ve gone too far for us to turn back!” Koch and his billions would never defeat mobilized and practical people. Just 4 million of Obama supporters, donating just a dollar, would instantly collect $4 million dollars that would easily nullify the impact of American energy Alliance’s 3.6 million. Or it could just be I million Obama supporters donating 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10 or 20 dollars each. That would bring in 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, million dollars, respectively. We the people must be taught to overcome the fear of big moneyed people. Sometimes I sit down and imagine how fabulous it would be if at least twenty million, of the 69 millions who voted for President Obama, donated at least $20 a month to his re-election; the campaign would be raising $400 millions to effectively compete with the Koch Brothers, and other billionaires, who are now bank rolling the tea bag Republicans. It’s really tragic that people don’t realize the power of their numbers. To compete with 400 millions a month from the average people, the Koch brothers would have to be prepared to loose a large chunk of their wealth, with no guarantee that they would succeed once they face a level playing field when it comes to money. If we truly want President Obama to succeed we must mobilize to fight back with everything we have. We also can’t allow any set backs to demoralize us. That includes the likely hood negative Supreme Court ruling on the ACA. Like I said yesterday, the 1857, Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision, which invalidated an Act of Congress (better known as the Missouri Compromise), which sought to put an end to the expansion of slavery, did not demoralize the people opposed to the expansion of slavery. On the contrary, the Dred Scott decision energized them to fight even harder to elect a president opposed to the expansion of slavery. We must do the same if the Court chooses ideological purity over the health care interests of the American people. We must sound the trumpet of “NO RETREAT!” We have indeed “gone too far for us to turn back.”
I just wanted to thank all of you for your kind comments. As I was driving to work today, for some reason this popped into my head, so I wrote it down and snd it into Chips. Sometimes, things just come out that are really too long to post as a comment.
Chips, I love the graphic.
I really love this Japa, and its timing is just perfect. The right, everywhere, have always been expert when it comes to the politics of fear and division, it’s what drives them, and it’s so easy to end up feeling demoralized from that constant onslaught – which, of course, is what they want. Your post is a powerful reminder never to give in to that, to just dig a little deeper when things get tough. From now on, every time I’m feeling swamped by the onslaught, I’ll re-read your post. Especially this bit:
Remember, hope and hopelessness cannot exist side by side. And fear feeds on the absence of hope. What we need to always consider when we face a setback is not the awful consequences of that setback but what we need to do to overcome that setback and have the confidence that we can and will overcome it.
Thanks a million Japa.
Like Pogo Possum says,”We have seen the enemy and he is us.”
Love the words – and the graphic! That graphic really caught my eye!
Excellent japa!! Very inspiring piece!
Collegekay, you also inspire me with what you are doing. I know that you are hoping you win the call (and all of us are rooting for you as well) but I also know that your motivation goes beyond that. What you are doing will go a long way to making sure fear is defeated and hope wins out.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Energy Department announced it has reached a major milestone in the Department’s efforts to clean up the Cold War legacy at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, laying the groundwork for closing two underground storage tanks that previously held radioactive liquid waste from nuclear weapons production at SRS. The determination signed by Energy Secretary Steven Chu paves the way for SRS to begin closing the massive tanks that make up the F Tank Farm. The site will start this year by closing two tanks that pose the greatest risk to the environment – Tanks 18 and 19. These tank closures will be the first DOE tanks closed nationwide since 2007, the first closed at SRS in 15 years, and some of the largest underground storage tanks closed by the Department to date.
Under Secretary for Nuclear Security at the Department of Energy Thomas D’Agostino made the announcement on a press conference call today with Karen Patterson, Chair of the South Carolina Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council.
“Today, we are able to announce a major milestone as we continue to clean up the legacy of the Cold War at the Savannah River Site and work to meet our responsibility to the citizens of South Carolina,” said Secretary Chu. “The Department of Energy, federal and state regulators, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the local community all played a key role in arriving at this important decision. As a result of these efforts and significant collaboration over many years, we are now able to move forward to safely, effectively and efficiently clean up and close these massive tanks.”
http://energy.gov/articles/major-cold-war-cleanup-milestone-reached-savannah-river-site
Right on Tally.
oh no – I’m on a roll.
…and take your sock puppet Clarence Thomas with you! Doublescotusfail.
Thank you japa21……reading this helped me once again to continue the battle and to let our President know I have his back! Beautiful words from you……thank you!
PLENTY OF ‘LIMITING PRINCIPLES’ TO GO AROUND
By Steve Benen
============================
But if there are five justices looking for a way to approve an insurance mandate without a gym-membership mandate, they can choose from a menu of “limiting principles” that are readily available.
To uphold this law would not give Congress unfettered power to require us to eat granola, purchase electric cars or join health clubs. Participation in the markets for those products is not inevitable, nor does one person’s choice not to purchase such products impose substantial and foreseeable costs on others because he will be able to get the product for free even if he doesn’t buy it. Upholding the individual mandate would simply establish that where a national market is the victim of such a free-rider problem, Congress may address it as part of its general authority to regulate that market.
Jack Balkin came up with three more perfectly good ones, and concluded, “In sum, without giving Congress unlimited powers under the Commerce Clause, the Court can uphold the mandate under the moral hazard/adverse selection theory, the interstate externalities theory, or the ‘It’s a tax, stupid!’ theory. Tony Kennedy, John Roberts, are you listening?”
We’ll find out in June.
===========================
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/29/10926548-plenty-of-limiting-principles-to-go-around
BALKINIZATION: “THE LIMITING PRINCIPLE”
By Jack M. Balkin (Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment)
====================================
Hey kids? Are you down in the dumps after Tuesday’s oral argument? Do you want a limiting principle that justifies the individual mandate but doesn’t give Congress unlimited power under the Commerce Clause? Fine. Here are three of them. Pick your favorite.
.
.
But there’s an even more important response to Ginsburg’s concern. That’s not the way the individual mandate was actually designed. The penalty was not set to ensure total compliance. It was not set to be equivalent to the most expensive health care premium available, but only to the average amount of health care premiums calculated nationally. That means that Congress expected that some people would rather pay the penalty. Congress knew it wouldn’t get 100 percent compliance, and the bill was not intended to ensure 100 percent compliance. This is like a tax on pollution, which allows some people to continue to pollute if it is worth it to them to pay the tax.
Paul Clement argued that the individual mandate is a direct tax, like a head tax, and therefore has to be directly apportioned by state population under Article I, section 9. This is incorrect. Head taxes are taxes that you can’t get out of by anything you do. They just tax you for living. But you can easily get out of the individual mandate. Just buy insurance. The mandate is like a tax on people who don’t invest in solar panels or antipollution devices. Such taxes give people a choice; they won’t get 100 percent compliance, so they raise revenue.
In sum, without giving Congress unlimited powers under the Commerce Clause, the Court can uphold the mandate under the moral hazard/adverse selection theory, the interstate externalities theory, or the “It’s a tax, stupid!” theory. Tony Kennedy, John Roberts, are you listening?
====================================
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2012/03/limiting-principle.html
The problem is, from all reports,it does not seem as if the SG argued all of these possible limiting principles fully and persuasively and did not defend well.
There is an article at The People’s View that suggested that the SG did argue the hazard/adverse selection theory well and the media ignored it.
Not everything argued is in oral arguments. It’s in the briefs. Most of the case is. Is it more effective if the oral argument is brilliant? Of course. The questions asked in oral arguments do represent concerns of the justices so there is reason for concern if a lawyer is ineffective but how much so is impossible to determine. Reagan’s SG gave an interview to Ezra Klein and he was so sensible and thinks Verrilli wasn’t as terrible as has been said if not stellar. But he was complimentary of the government’s case as presented in the briefs. He was however disturbed by what he heard from the justices.
What did we see? How conservative these justices are to a point of being nonsensical.. We’ve heard forever about Kennedy the swing vote as if he’s moderate. That was never true but he may be the only one who can actually be persuaded by actual law and the conequences of his actions. However he had no problem with Bush v. Gore and miscalculated the consequences of Citizens United, in which his judgment has been proven disastrously wrong. We’ll see if he is willing to return us to health care disaster when there is already living proof of the effectiveness of PPACA.
Hear, hear. Well said japa.
Very good writing japa. Fear is debilitating, and chicken little was wrong. I get very tired of the hair on fire people trying to frighten me…and frighten all. That is all the GOP has been doing since at least 2000, and they’re hoping it will work again. They have nothing positive to offer. We do. The President has shown us the way,and is showing us the way to overcome. Not everything is a “DEFEAT” if it doesn’t go our way, it is probably just a setback, and those can be overcome with work. Thanks for reminding us.
I have always been a glass-half-full person..and even when I didn’t like the R’s tactics four years ago, and a few times got scared, I watched then Senator Obama, and I relied on my own faith, and turned around. Yesterday, instead of internalizing all the junk, I made donations. That was constructive.
My “gut” has the same feeling it did four years ago: President Obama will win, and win bigger than any of the pundits think now. Our country, and THE WORLD need him.
Excellent commentary Japa. Thank you for this. I do my utmost to avoid all the negative news and I find that
this is what works for me . At the same time we should all try to do whatever we can to help our President, be it donating
or volunteering. I am a firm believer in HOPE and FAITH but also believe that faith without works is not very meaningful,
citing a verse in the Bible.
Thanks again for lifting us up with this inspirational piece.
Beautiful Japa, Just stellar! I am reminded of this quote…
“Fear is a mind killer and a little death. I will face my fear and allow it to pass over me and through me. I will turn my inner eye to see it’s path. Where fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I, will remain.”
I may not have got that quote totally accurate but I remind myself by this not to panic when I feel afraid. Thank you for your diary here.
I LOVE DUNE!!!!!
Fear is good in a way. It makes us stronger after we overcome the fear. I come on here to get inspired when I am feeling down and I read the posts and I sometimes share in a joke and I feel better. I will never give in to the fear though. I quickly recover and double up on my face book replies. I will work to get the President re-elected in my own small way. And I will continue to pray.
“Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed”.- Michael Pritchard
What did the Medicare cheat do now?
Florida Turns down Federal Health Care Money, Awaits Ruling
Arguments in the state’s lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act ended Wednesday and a ruling is set for June. In the meantime, state leaders are rejecting half a billion dollars to implement the new law.
http://www.wjhg.com/news/headlines/Florida_Turns_down_Federal_Health_Care_Money_Awaits_Ruling_144977505.html?ref=505#.T3TacIA8_SQ.twitter
Effing douche. And with a straight face he’ll blame PBO and ACA for the state’s ills like Scott Walker. Unbelievable.
Trayvon Martin case: Black voices of NBC reflect on race, prejudice
This is a stellar commentary japa. Very well said!
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
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AWESOMEEEEEEEEE COMMENTARY!!!!
CHIPS….THERE IS A SPEECH THAT THE FIRST LADY GAVE ABOUT FEAR!……IF YOU COULD POST THAT AGAIN….IT WOULD BE TREMENDOUS….
PRESSSSSSSSSSSS on!
A Republican Party Web-based advertisement uses altered audio from U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments to attack President Barack Obama’s health-care law.
In a spot circulated yesterday, the Republican National Committee excerpts the opening seconds of the March 27 presentation of Obama’s top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, in which he is heard struggling for words and twice stopping to drink water.
Enlarge image Republicans Alter U.S. Supreme Court Audio in Obama Web Attack
“Obamacare,” the ad concludes, in words shown against a photograph of the high court. “It’s a tough sell.”
A review of a transcript and recordings of those moments shows that Verrilli took a sip of water just once, paused for a much briefer period, and completed his thought, rather than stuttering and trailing off as heard in the doctored version.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-29/republicans-tampered-with-court-audio-in-obama-attack-ad.html
get ready, this will seem tame in comparison to what we’re going to be seeing as this thing heats up. Facts will feel as if they no longer exist, never mind just being fair and balanced. Polish up your PBO armor, we’re gonna need it. We have to heed Japa21’s words on this, and PBO’s demeanor; not too high, not too low.
I say screw a bunch of defense tactics. ATTACK THE BASTARDS INCLUDING ANY TOOLS DISCOVERED ON THIS SITE!
Absolutely Japa21
Mahalos, japa! It’s so true. Fear can easily creep in and take over and what’s needed is a good stiff reminder that FDR had a perfect statement when he said “THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF!”!</strong? And, President Obama gave us HOPE and continues to do so. What an Excellent Role Model~
Yes, a wee bit of editing would be nice…sorry, for not checking my post more closely before I hit “POST COMMENT”! 😳
And along the lines of Japa’s brilliant advice to not panic..I’ve noticed that the Obama camp seems very nonchalant amidst all this, and eerily so. I would be very concerned at this point if I were a PBO opponent banking on the ACA act being struck down. If you notice, the Obama people are going about their business. David Axelrod is tweeting his usual silly jokes about Romney and the dog. FLOTUS is out having fun with the girls on their spring break and doing her “Lets move” appearances. VP BIDEN is in the Mid-west and elsewhere for fundraising. DWS is doing her usual tweeting for OFA and fundraising.
This almost reminds me of the period during Trump’s birth certificate media wave and the next few days that ensued. Everybody egged on by the media was in a state of utter hysteria – everyone except PBO who referred to the media instigated hysteria as “carnival barking.”
The ACA hysteria is being egged on by the media primarily who operate at the behest of the GOP. Chuck Todd on Tweety is already calling this as a “win” for the GOP no matter what the outcome. That tells me all I need to know about the media’s agenda here. I’m glad japa’s post is front and center because it sends a message not only to TODers, but also to the GOP or media carnival barkers who probably lurk here from time to time, that we Obama supporters will not be deflated or discouraged – REGARDLESS. And we ain’t buying their bullshyte spin about this being a “win” for the GOP. It’s not – objectively or otherwise.
Good points, hopefruit~
Just want to add that Chuck Todd is a mediawhore extraordinaire and therefore an Idiot.
Yes he’s such an ignoramus. On Hardball, he ever so subtly moved the goal posts by saying whichever way the courts rule, it’s still a win for the conservatives. Hello? How the hell is it a win for the GOP if it is upheld? Especially after the GOP has put out ads and all kinds of things to show that they are banking on it being struck down. It was PBO who wanted this thing fast-tracked to the SCOTUS in the first place. The GOP have no plan for what they will do whether or not the ACA gets struck down.
What folks like Chuckie Toad don’t get, this is not a game. If this ACA is struck down, real Americans will be the loser. Those Americans who are already receiving benefits from the law. If this is struck down, it will be because of politics and I thought the Supreme Court was above that, at least I did till the year 2000.
Actually Toad..er, Todd has that bass ackwards. Either way it’s a WIN WIN for our Country and President Obama.
“Frank Rich on the National Circus: Why the Supreme Court Can Only Help Obama”
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/03/frank-rich-on-the-national-circus-why-the-supreme-court-can-only-help-obama.html
My way of dealing with the hysteria was to keep my TV off for all of the 3 days. On the internet I can read only what I want and don’t have to be bombarded. Read what seemed sensible from sensible sources. After so many years of all this crap, it loses its impact. On me anyway. I know that President Obama is looking ahead and making plans for however it goes. I trust him.
Watching a replay of today’s hearing with Richard Courdray right now. Republicans are still sore over the recess appointment, but Courdray doesn’t have to answer for that.
This is what PBO is focused on now.
This guy seems more like a junior level secretary than a journalist. Every time I encounter him his info is always so banal. Yuk.
Yes, he’s another one of those carnival barkers.
They irritate me because they are no doubt pulling in excellent salaries for doing nothing, while there are any number of people out there who could do a much better job yet cannot ‘get in’. Salaried parasites, is what they are IMO.
More useless trivia from Knoller.
Instead of out fundraising, I wish POTUS was with his family enjoying a few days away from D.C. But these dam idiots even complain when the President goes on vacation with his family. Sick bastards.
It sure feels good walking back into this post. Thank you Japa for the reminder that even though we have a choice how we react, the better choice is to gird up our loins and keep going towards our goal, regardless of any obstacles, real or imagined.
O/T Hope I didn’t miss too much in my absence. Off to check.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201203290010
This links to GOS, but you get the news where you get the news.
Another stellar achievement by this amazing Obama administration: they have entrenched alternative energy programs with the military so thoroughly that the GOP will not be able to easily dislodge them.
Air Force: 194 alternative energy projects in dozens of locations either operating or under construction.
Navy: In Pacific Rim maritime exercises this summer all ships and aircraft will be powered by some blend of biofuels.
Marines and Army: Using energy harvesting technology and mobile smart microgrids as a standard for energy needs in war zones especially remote ones.
Republicans must have finally caught on and held a hearing on it today. Didn’t see it, but hoping for a rerun on C-Span. On this the Republicans have no grounds to criticize because all these measures are saving the Pentagon a ton of money. And the programs will not be undone by Republicans in power. Good testing grounds that will eventually spread into the civilian population.
http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/03/defense-depts-clean-energy-programs-questioned-by-house.php?ref=fpnewsfeed
They told Ray Mabus, instead of fighting for bio fuels, fight for more ships in your budget.
Good grief!
Jovie–
So you saw it. Interesting and not surprising. But since it saves “the taxpayer” money, you’d think they’d be all for it. Such hypocrites. May have to search it out in the archives.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204781804577271492407314760.html
Great post, Japa21! You nailed it.
While the rest of us have to wait until June, the justices of the Supreme Court will know the likely outcome of the historic health care case by the time they go home this weekend.
After months of anticipation, thousands of pages of briefs and more than six hours of arguments, the justices will vote on the fate of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul in under an hour Friday morning. They will meet in a wood-paneled conference room on the court’s main floor. No one else will be present.
In the weeks after this meeting, individual votes can change. Even who wins can change, as the justices read each other’s draft opinions and dissents.
But Friday’s vote, which each justice probably will record and many will keep for posterity, will be followed soon after by the assignment of a single justice to write a majority opinion, or in a case this complex, perhaps two or more justices to tackle different issues. That’s where the hard work begins, with the clock ticking toward the end of the court’s work in early summer.
http://mobile.boston.com/art/35/news/nation/washington/articles/2012/03/29/justices_to_vote_quickly_on_health_care_case/
Like I said, the Liberal Justices will leak this to the WH, so if the talking points are upbeat from the WH…
Trust me jovie – the justices knew the outcome even BEFORE those silly hearings began.
The thing is, if the WH gets a positive report fromthe Libs on the Court, then Axelrod and Cutter will be upbeat.
Watch those two in the next two months, when discussing HC.
Axelrod has been upbeat the whole time this thing was going on earlier this week. Just check his Twitter TL.
Let’s hope it continues, it will be very telling.
Here are a few of Axelrod’s tweets on the same day that the MSM (Jeff Toobin I’m looking at you) were breathlessly reporting that the ACA would be struck down.
Seriously? So quickly? That’s bullshit. If they’re gonna vote so quickly, why wait till fricking June to tell us the verdict? I thought they were supposed to use that time to contemplate all sides of the story and make a decision? This entire system is fucked up. I’m tired of the SC, and I’m tired of congress. We should scrap this damned system and start all over. How comes the president and congress are subject to some measure of oversight but this stupid court isn’t? Whoever of the founding fathers who came up with this dumbass idea, that 9 human beings were infallible and whose hearts were so pure as the fricking mofoing snow and thereby not subject to clear and present accountability measures- was a fricking idiot and the tools who signed off on this stupidass idea aren’t much better. This is crap. I’m fed-up with this crap. Even if they vote in favor of ACA they should be ashamed of the fact that they are such crap and the fact that they made a crappy system crappier. If I wasn’t so pissed I’d laugh my ass off. Bastards. Can’t even pretend to treat the positions they hold with the dignity and respect it deserves. If this court had been in power in the 50s and 60s, blacks would still be sitting in the backs of buses— no, no, they’d be walking till their feets bled and PBO wouldnt exist. SC: biggest damned joke around. If it weren’t so fucking shameful how fucked up those 5 assholes are, I’d fucking laugh till I cried. As it is, I’ll skip the laughter and just bawl.
Checks and balances of the supreme court falls to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Give Pat Leahy a call on Friday and voice your opinion.
I know about checks and balances. I’m talking about the crap with Thomas and Scalia and the fact that they are corrupt. What are the rules and guidelines by which this court operates? Where is the oversight with that? I’m also disgusted by the fact that they essentially only gave this case 4-5 days before ruling on it. It’s stupid. If they thought this case out and deliberated on it, did some research to better inform themselves, then writing about their reasoning would be easier and more fair and it would show an appreciation for the power they hold. Plus I would be able to take them more seriously. It’s like if I had a hypothesis and instead of testing the hypothesis, I decide what I wanted to decide then look for research to support said hypothesis without proof. They suck. I wish I could do my job as half assed as they seem to do. They seem no better than their legislative brothers.
ps- obviously checks and balances aren’t working or we wouldn’t have Bush v. Gore, neither would we have Citizens United where a bunch of eggheads were able to overturn 100 years of precedence. SC has too much power and they don’t utilize it well. They don’t even try to show any degree of deference in regards to their station and how they impact the country. Clowns, the five of them!
They have to write the opinions. Each side writes their case . Also things can change after that. Kennedy actually changed his vote in 1992 and voted to uphold Roe v. Wade. I read today that it happens about once per term.
Truly enjoyed your essay, japa21. Fear, at times, raises its ugly head in me; but, never for long. I threw fear aside during the 2008 election. What calmed me was the FDR quote, “The only thing to fear, is fear itself!” and the serenity prayer. I continue using these sources to keep me calm.
What I CAN DO is to continue encouraging the young folks that I know and those with whom I come into contact, to REGISTER TO VOTE if they are not registered! I remind folks with a state issued drivers’ license or a state issued non-drivers’ I.D., to make certain that the validation date on the I.D. is not expired when they go to the polls on election day. I will continue to inform family, friends, neighbors, visitors and other people that I meet just what is at stake in this upcoming presidential election and the accomplishments of President Obama. Of course, I will continue to financially support Obama/Biden 2012 and the other Democrat organizations. I do not hesitate to talk about the negative effects of ALEC and the Koch Brothers’ Syndicate in my state and across the country. In addition, I talk about how both are behind making Romney the Republican candidate. Where are my facts? Just paying attention to the campaigning of Mr. Romney, his campaign team and the people and organizations supporting him. Who was one of the first to hold a fundraiser for him? Who’s supporting his Super Pac? Who was one of the first, if not the first, to endorse him? Which is his primary cable station that he uses for interviews? There is a lot going on with Mr. Romney’s campaign that makes me to strongly believe that he has ties with ALEC and the Koch Brothers’ Syndicate. You see, I believe that Romney IS NOT interested in governing, he, in my opinion, is hell bent on becoming President just for the title and the pomp. I believe that he has agreed to serve as the “front” for ALEC and the Koch Brothers’ Syndicate, as long as they will help him to become the President of the United States. In my opinion, ALEC and the Koch Brothers’ Syndicate have a willing “warm body” to help them to achieve their goal of taking absolute control of all bodies of government in the United States and controlling its people! Pay attention to what is going on in the states with 2009 and 2010 GOP/TP elected governors, particularly those whose statehouses are GOP/TP controlled. Combined this with the GOP/TP controlled U.S. House of Representatives and the 5/4 GOP/TP controlled U.S. Supreme Court.
I follow this blog everyday. There are some excellent writers in this forum. You, Talley, Bobfr and Liberal Librarian, to name a few, are great opinion writers whose opinions are worthy of going out into the general public. You are all that good. Keep up the great work that you are doing here, on Twitter and The Peoples’ View (hope that I have that right).
I believe you’re right. Let’s not forget The Grand Master, Grover Norquist! This is what he had to say:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/24/grover-norquist-says-conservatives-should-vote-for-a-candidate-they-can-use-as-a-puppet/
“All we have to do is replace Obama,” Norquist stated. “We are not auditioning for fearless leader. We don’t need a president to tell us in what direction to go. We know what direction to go. We want the Ryan budget. We just need a president to sign this stuff. We don’t need someone to think it up or design it. The leadership now for the modern conservative movement for the next 20 years will be coming out of the House and the Senate.
If that thought doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of the people and get them to the polls…..
My concern is, not many know about it. Their are so many issues and noise, that people don’t pay any attention until 2 weeks to the election.
Hey, Grover, you goofball – the rest of us ARE looking for a fearless leader. Oh, never mind, we already have one. And his name is President Obama, a title he will keep for the next four years.
Goofball.
The author must have been reading my mind. Thanks for the link. I posted it on my face book wall and will share it with others. I am so glad that I’m not out here alone in my analysis.
Obama Searches For Fear Factor
Democrats are up in the polls, and chuckling at Romney’s gaffes. Chicago needs to scare them to the polls.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/obama-searches-for-fear-factor
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Is buzzfeed a rightwing site ? I don’t know anything about it….
Thats what I want to know. I mean, really Barack Obama is up in the polls, yet he needs to scare his voters, because……why????
PBO doesn’t want nor need to scare adults to the polls….the thought of a Republican president, house, and senate should be enough.
https://twitter.com/#!/JVykol/status/185518101146763266
I hear that the First Lady will be speaking at three graduations, Virginia Tech, North Carolina A&T, and I believe the other one is Hampton U. I think. Looking forward to hearing her speak, she is just wonderful.
Biden will be on the Sunday Shows. Finally!
Great, I know VP Joe will do the job like only he can do.
Well said, Japa…thanks so much. We need these reminders periodically.
“…We need these reminders periodically.”
Yes, some of us, Obamacrats/Obots, do. 😉
So, let’s Be IN and do this: 😉
YES.WE.CAN…DO.(Much)More, Together – WE MUST!
YES.WE.CAN, Again…Obama/Biden 2012!
WE CAN’T WAIT/WE CAN’T GO BACK… So, LET’S STAY/REBUILD TOGETHER 2012 & BEYOND!
HOPE over fear…PRESS ON!
Federal charges need to be filed………NOW.
White Supremacist Hacks Trayvon Martin’s Email Account, Leaks Messages Online
The racist smear campaign against Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen shot to death last month in Florida, has reached a new level of ghoulishness. A white supremacist hacker says he’s broken into Martin’s email and social networking accounts, and leaked his private Facebook messages. We’ve been able to confirm that at least one email account that belonged to Martin was cracked.
The hacker, who goes by the name Klanklannon, posted what he said were Martin’s private Facebook messages to the politics section (NSFW) of the anarchic message board 4chan—called “/pol/”—Tuesday afternoon at around noon. The messages were posted on four slides, strategically arranged to back up the insane racist argument that Trayvon was a Scary Black Teenager and so somehow deserved to be killed by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman that night.
http://gawker.com/5897485/white-supremacist-hacks-trayvon-martins-email-account-leaks-messages-online?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
where is everyone
Eating buffalo wings from Hooters. Want some?
Yes!!!!!!!
I see I missed the Cheetos smackdown today.
It was a cheesy war Meta!!!
Yeah, so cheesy the guys had to take a shower!
Senate clears Obama banking regulators
By JOSH BOAK | 3/29/12 8:28 PM EDT
The Senate Thursday confirmed four top banking regulators appointed by President Obama, after months of delay following the recess appointment of Rich Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Cordray’s appointment in January killed a potential deal with Senate Republicans to approve dozens of nominees, setting back the implementation of Dodd-Frank as its rules are being finalized.
But Senate Republicans gave ground on Thursday, agreeing by unanimous consent to confirm Thomas Curry as the Comptroller of the Currency and Martin Gruenberg, Tom Hoenig and Jeremiah Norton as directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“It is vital that we have strong leaders in place at our financial regulators as we continue our economic recovery, continue implementation of the [Dodd-Frank] Wall Street Reform Act, and are faced with challenges from the crisis in Europe,” said Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, in a statement. “I’m glad that the Senate was able to set aside partisan politics.”
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The deal was, no recess appointments while on Easter Vacation.
These confirmations are of course great news. But why oh why can’t this President be able to function like every other president?
Good West Coast evening TOD Peeps. Japa21, i have two words for you. EXACTLY! and THANK YOU!
Next, I LOVE MY PRESIDENT. I don’t know if this has been posted previously; it may have got lost amidst the ACA arguments, but here’s our illustrious Prez addressing Planned Parenthood supporters, a couple of days ago apparently. “Women are not an interest group!”
EXACTLY Mr. President and THANK YOU!
Thank you Mr. President for standing up for women. Nov. 6th we will stand up for you.
Wow! What a wonderful man! His mother did a fantastic job raising this man. He is not uncomfortable around strong women as some men are. In fact, he seems to “take it up another notch” when around women like FLOTUS, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary, etc. He is entirely comfortable in his own skin and he is ALWAYS the coolest guy in the room. Simon Cowell calls it the “X” factor. That undefinable thing, you know it when you see it–He has got it! I am so thankful to be alive to see a President that I admire and respect with all of my heart. Thanks for this place Chips.
Thank you Japa21 for an excellent piece. It’s the right words at the right time, just when we were enjoying good economic news, poll numbers for PBO, and things were humming along, here comes one other downer with the SCOTUS hearings on ACA, the protest, the jackals, etc., then on top of all that a senseless killing of a young life. It would depress anyone no matter how upbeat you might be….be we are Obots, we have this presidents back because no matter what happens he will reflect then keep working and we must do the same thing, we must keep marching, keep volunteering, never give up, regroup and keep on pushing.
Hey Chips…can you re-post that speech by the President where he told the black caucaus to PRESS ON…we need a pep talk…and maybe some Al Green too.
here’s the Be Not Afraid Michelle Obama video
😉
YES.WE.CAN…DO.(Much)More, Together – WE MUST!
YES.WE.CAN, Again…Obama/Biden 2012!
WE CAN’T WAIT/WE CAN’T GO BACK…So, LET’S STAY/REBUILD TOGETHER 2012 & BEYOND!
HOPE over fear…PRESS ON! 😉
Thanks! I lost my last instructions from you on how to get the video to show up rather than just the URL. You always come to my rescue! We will press on.
Anytiime….
I do what I can to help a fellow Obamacrat/Obot, if possible.
Yes WE will! 😉
Ok, here they are, again, place these words, letters, and/or symbols after ‘share’ URL: & feature=player_embedded
Thanks! I’ve saved it to my notes
My pleasure…
That’s a good thing to do. 😉
Japa your post is right on time. The media is trying to gin up fear with the elderly that they might lose all the programs that create a safety net in their old age. If ACA is deemed unconstitutional because of the mandate could soc. sec and medicare be next. We must post more positive messages such as yours. I shared your post and will keep it to post again during the election period.
Thank you.