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‘Worst Bush-era policies’ becoming the ‘new normal’: ACLU

By Muriel Kane
Thursday, July 29th, 2010 -- 1:19 pm

secretserviceobama Worst Bush era policies becoming the new normal: ACLU

From the point of view of civil libertarians, the Obama administration has been an exercise in frustration, with every hopeful sign followed by failures to live up to its own promises.

The ACLU has just issued a report (pdf), titled "Establishing a New Normal: National Security, Civil Liberties, and Human Rights Under the Obama Administration," which focuses on this pattern of inconsistency.

"The administration has displayed a decidedly mixed record," explains ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romaro, "resulting, on a range of issues, in the very real danger that the Obama administration will institutionalize some of the most troublesome policies of the previous administration -- in essence, creating a troubling 'new normal.'"

As summarized in a press release announcing the report, "President Obama has made great strides in some areas, such as his auspicious first steps to categorically prohibit torture, outlaw the CIA's use of secret overseas detention sites and release the Bush administration's torture memos, but he has failed to eliminate some of the worst policies put in place by President Bush, such as military commissions and indefinite detention. He has also expanded the Bush administration's 'targeted killing' program."

The report is divided into seven sections covering transparency, torture and accountability, detention, targeted killing, military commissions, speech and surveillance, and watch lists. The most striking areas of the report, however, are those which focus not on torture or secret prisons but on less-publicized recent actions by the Obama administration.

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The transparency section, for example, emphasizes that the program of "targeted killing" of suspected terrorists has been "shrouded in secrecy," and that despite a FOIA request by the ACLU, "the CIA has refused even to confirm or deny whether it has records about the program."

It also points out that rather than living up to Obama's promise as a candidate that he would make sure whistleblowers got protection, "the administration has been prosecuting them."

"It has charged Bradley Manning," the report notes, "a 22-year-old Army intelligence analyst, for allegedly leaking a video showing the killing of two Reuters news staff and several other civilians by U.S. helicopter gunships in Iraq. (Reuters had spent nearly three years trying to obtain the video through FOIA; now that the video is in the public domain, it is clear that there was no basis for withholding it.)"

"We urge the administration to recommit itself to the ideals that the President himself invoked in his first days in office," the report urges. "Our democracy cannot survive if crucial public policy decisions are made behind closed doors, implemented in secret, and never subjected to meaningful public oversight and debate. It cannot survive if the public does not know what policies have been adopted in its name."

Another striking revelation appears in the section on surveillance: "Like the Bush administration, the Obama administration has invested border agents with the authority to engage in suspicionless searches of Americans' laptops and cell phones at the border; Americans who return home from abroad may now find themselves confronted with a border agent who, rather than welcoming them home, insists on copying their electronic records -- including emails, address books, photos, and videos -- before allowing them to enter the country. (Through FOIA, the ACLU has learned that in the last 20 months alone, border agents have used this power thousands of times.)"

And the report blasts the use of watch lists of suspected terrorists as "a disaster that too often implicates the rights of innocent persons while allowing true threats to proceed unabated."

"Rather than reform the watch lists the Obama administration has expanded their use and resisted the introduction of minimal due process safeguards to prevent abuse and protect civil liberties," the report charges. "The result is an unconstitutional scheme under which an individual's right to travel and, in some cases, a citizen's ability to return to the United States, is under the complete control of entirely unaccountable bureaucrats relying on secret evidence and using secret standards."

"There can be no doubt that the Obama administration inherited a legal and moral morass, and that in important respects it has endeavored to restore the nation’s historic commitment to the rule of law," the report concludes. "But if the Obama administration does not effect a fundamental break with the Bush administration’s policies on detention, accountability, and other issues, but instead creates a lasting legal architecture in support of those policies, then it will have ratified, rather than rejected, the dangerous notion that America is in a permanent state of emergency and that core liberties must be surrendered forever."

View Comments to “‘Worst Bush-era policies’ becoming the ‘new normal’: ACLU”

  1. 1michaelvalentine

    Totally what I wasn't expecting when I sent a candidate for President who was a Constitutional Law Professor money for his campaign.


  2. 2michaelvalentine

    Totally what I wasn't expecting when I sent a candidate for President who was a Constitutional Law Professor money for his campaign.


  3. 3DriveBy

    We signed the Surrender To Terrorism Act into law of the land, so of course it's not your dad's America anymore. Now we're the terrorized Americans, not the “brave” Americans. Now we have to wear diapers, hide under our beds, and have guns….many many guns, in case liberals or MUSLIMS come to get us … it's whole new ball game. Where's the nearest abortion clinic? I need to do something for God… something that can help me forget what kind of a pathetic coward I am.


  4. 4nostrafarious

    The only reason Obama studied the constitution was to learn how to subvert it.


  5. 5MagnusTheDestroyer

    Surprise, niggaz! That's CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!


  6. 6dgenzle2001

    Hello, president dumbass!!
    We wanted to get rid of Bush, not endorse his misguided polices.
    Listen President Bush-Lite give us change or get the hell out of the way.

    Obama (bush-Lite) please talk to J Carter about how one term presidents should act.


  7. 7edevasin

    So long as we, as Americans, allow the propaganda media to keep us divided the staus quo will never change. closing the division is more important than who is president. A puppet is a puppet no matter what title is given.


  8. 8MrEpicTruth

    Still believe in hope and change, America? Still believe that politicians will look out for your best interests when you don't breathe down their necks, America? Still believe government isn't our for corporate and political profit, America? Still think your country is working for peace and good ideals, America? Still think you have freedoms, power, and upward mobility, America?

    If you said yes, that's good! That means the Big Media 6 are doing their jobs right.

    Now shut up, and go back to sleep.


  9. 9gypski

    Barack better change his ways most rickee tickee or he will be the first one term minority president. Let's start seeing change or he's just sold us another song and dance routine while someone else pulls his strings. And that someone else isn't We The People.


  10. 10DesertWren

    Failure to impeach George W. Bush for his crimes has had the predictable effect of setting those crimes into precedent. Now we can guess with a fair degree of certainty why Obama refused to hold Bush to account. He wanted the police state powers Bush accumulated for himself.

    I wonder how Beck/Limbaugh/FOX News will spin this ACLU criticism to fit their Obama the ultra liberal president meme of theirs? My bet is they will just ignore it as it doesn't fit.


  11. 11teachpeace

    touche'


  12. 12Balthazars Rebellion

    The American people voted Obama into office because of what he promised he would do. Now…if I lied my way into a job and then I DID NOT do the job that I had promised my employer that I would do….my ass would get shitcanned the moment they figured it out! Well, we have figured it out sometime ago! BO was lying throughout his entire presidential campaign and now we have to live with it for FOUR MORE YEARS while Fascist Bush policy is actually being used as the foundation to build Obama policy on?? Uh, whats wrong with this picture?


  13. 13robertlmills

    Repeat after me…”Whistleblowers are heroes, not traitors.”

    Thank you. Now please tell the White House.


  14. 14Tpdftw1

    Hey guys, check out this awesome political news site! http://tiny.cc/kft31, there are even political discussions going on!


  15. 15Raven

    Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. Heard that song form the Who about 30 years ago for the first time. Funny how true that song has turned out to be. We need a total makeover of our political system before it's too late. Now that I think about it, it's probably already too late. Too many people are asleep.


  16. 16PeteWa

    new boss, old boss, we all know this same old, boring song.
    keep the table cleared, folks, the elite ratfuckers want to keep dancing on it.


  17. 17fredndallas

    By now it is abundantly obvious that our progressive President is a lying fraud who views the Constitution and citizen liberties as inconveniences to his personal arrogance (and his Masters?)

    Allowing Richard Nixon off the hook degraded our country and the rule of law terribly. The Supreme Court's defiance of the rule of law in appointing GWB President made a horrible dent in our culture and democracy. Our illegal unprovoked fraudulent invasion of a sovereign country made a global mockery of our moral authority. Barack Obama's, Nancy Peloisi's and Eric Holder's refusal to hold the Bush administration responsible for anything is pitiful and transparently selfish. Obama's practices in comprehensively robbing civil liberties are increasingly obvious.

    Soon, nothing much is going to remain. The chances of electing a President truly supportive of Constitutional values is bleak. Each of us should be horrified at what we are passing on to future Americans.


  18. 18Benway for the Nova Police

    Barack Obush.


  19. 19EndTheNWO

    More “change” we can believe in…..


  20. 20VoxMagi

    Meet the new boss…same as the old boss…

    Can we just skip to the not getting fooled again part? We need to displace the ultra connected old guard…and for future elected persons, try to push reforms that will severely limit the reach of lobbyists in terms of cash and advertising. It's not a free speech issue…its a racketeering issue. Providing millions of dollars of 'free support' for a candidate or party is a BRIBE. Stop treating it like its just business.

    Only when we realize that both parties are top heavy with status quo power brokers who don't see the harm in eroding civil liberties will we start to make decisions that don't just bite us in the ass later.


  21. 21yvonneo

    The “war on terror” should more correctly be referred to as the “war on human rights,” because it has become quite apparent that that is exactly what it is.


  22. 22Hologram5

    Well said and thank you for your post. More people must wake up to the “two party” paradigm and realize that it's just a smokescreen.


  23. 23Mark Bousquet

    Oh Great Babylon, in one hour thy judgment will come.


  24. 24damnadamzama

    Half-hour, maybe 20 minutes. LOL.


  25. 25damnadamzama

    Nobody asked what kind of change? I did.


  26. 26damnadamzama

    Nice.


  27. 27Praxman

    Wasn't that the whole idea?
    People bristled at a dumb oil man taking away their rights.
    But when it's a Harvard Constitutional lawyer, it makes it seem all rather legit and people are much more willing to accept the rationale for oppression…or at least feel they have no hope of resisting it.


  28. 28damnadamzama

    Shady name, shady link. Thanks, but no thanks Tpdftw1. That's a really rad name, alphabet boy baiter.


  29. 29markusgarvey

    thanks…


  30. 30jpbellavance

    Obama and Bush are one and the same. Write in Big Bird next time you vote and you will be doing the country a favor.


  31. 31michaelvalentine

    Looking forward …..


  32. 32boutet

    As Benjamin Franklin said: “Those who are willing to sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.” By standing by silently as Congress passed the Orwellian named “Patriot Act” as in “War is Peace”, “Freedom is Slavery”, and “Ignorance is Strength”, Americans have willingly sacrificed their liberty and they will never regain it. There were more people demonstrating against the Arizona Immigration Law than against the Patriot Act which shows people's priorities. Obama is no better defender of the America that the founders envisioned than George Bush was. Both are mediocrities, Obama's Harvard Law Review achievement notwithstanding.


  33. 33Big_Alpha1

    What else should we expect from President ASSHOLE and his manipulator Rahm?


  34. 34libertate

    Who's more pathetic: Obama the liar or the suckers who believed his lies and elected him into office? Oye ve, what a conundrum!


  35. 35quincunx

    Who's more pathetic: Bush the liar or his Fuck-buddies who believed his lies and elected him into office twice? Oye ve, what a conundrum!

    Obama is still not Bush.


  36. 36Scott Burnell

    Germany lost WW2, the Nazis won


  37. 37dennycrane

    Trust me. It feels really good when you stop hitting yourself in the head with a hammer.


  38. 38mudplanet

    Bush wasn't very smart – but he was a lot smarter than anyone that voted for him


  39. 39dotmafia

    I don't believe that Obama wanted police state powers for himself. I think he's had a massive amount of pressure by fellow Democrats to not investigate their complicity with Bush's criminality, and he of course has willingly complied.


  40. 40Balthazars Rebellion

    While America was still in the shock induced trance of 9/11, neocon elements of US government took full advantage and rammed these Orwellian acts through in the name of our safety. The Patriot Act and the ready to be established Dept. of Homeland Security were drawn up and ready and waiting BEFORE 9/11 even happened. The “acts” sat in waiting for the”new pearl harbor” as PNAC suggested needed to happen in order to move these along quickly. American sheep, scared out of their minds by relentless TV and corporate news fear mongering, WANTED it…at the time.. This immigration law BS, as of right now, is very localized in AZ. and hits the lives of many living there, whether legal or not.


  41. 41donofcali

    Then that means that instead of being just corrupt, he's a corrupt pussy.


  42. 42damnadamzama

    No problemo. Markus Garvey rules!!!


  43. 43damnadamzama

    That shit was ill.


  44. 44AtlanticCapers

    The ACLU is going WAY too easy on Obama.

    And the claim that Obama has taken steps to categorically prohibit torture and outlaw the CIA's use of secret overseas detention is an outright lie. In fact, Obama has categorically legalized both torture and the CIA's use of secret overseas detention. Just ask him if he's going to prosecute. He'll respond with a categorical “No!”

    Obama is truly the worst president we've ever had. The sooner we comes to terms with this, the better chance we have of stopping him.


  45. 45boutet

    As the English say, “Too right.”


  46. 46Shiva

    Its gotta bum ya out he is dragging us kicking and screaming out of the Bush mess doesnt it?


  47. 47RICHARD_RALPH_ROEHL

    $ENATOR Obama had promised change that we can believe in. But I was skeptical when he voted with $enator McCain et.al. to give welfare to the bankster gambler addicts in the Wall $treet casino.

    Well… it looks like Mr. Obama, now President Obama, has changed into Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon… and the war profiteering $cam has moved from $ovietnam to Afghanistan-NAM. Yesss… sad to say… the troops are dupes! And our so called leaders in $ewertown (Wash. D.C.) are whores… total whores for corp-rat lobbysts and Pentagon boners in the military industrial complex.

    Capitalist/fascist Amerika has devolved into a violent and vicious war mongering beast! Rome is burning… and the clueless Amerikan people are beginning to reap the righteous karma they so rich-lie deserve! I regret that PRESIDENT CHENEY gave the orders to shoot down Flight 93 BEFORE the jet could reach the Capitalist Building… and emolate the $lim-ball bastards that spread their congressional cheeks in that evil, whore-hole place.

    President George W. Bush? There was no President Bush! There was only a dry drunk $ociopath that had the insight of a rabid dog. He was Bush the Lessor, the incurious and dim-witted $on of Bush $enior (alleged EX-Director of the CIA)… and the policies of the alleged Bush regime are really the evil machinations of Dick 'Darth' Cheney, one of the most evil men to walk the planet.

    Die Dick! Die! And then… the world can breathe a little easier.


  48. 48libertate

    lol. good one.


  49. 49‘Worst Bush-era policies’ becoming the ‘new normal’: ACLU | Dark Politricks

    [...] Kane Raw Story July 30, [...]


  50. 50quirkydi

    You have to admit selecting Obama as the new Gate Keeper was brilliant. Obama was marketed as the anti-bush. He emerged from near obscurity and seduced a weary, desperate
    people that refuse to admit the country they think they are losing never really existed. They
    will send their sons and daughters to die a thousand times before they ever accept the truth.


  51. 51srmark

    The folks who say Obama is 'worse than Bush' are dingbats. Obama DID inherit a legal and moral morass FROM Bush.. and has made some improvements. BUT it is still kind of shocking & puzzling that so much has not changed — and worsened. Why isn't the Progressive media on these issues more? Why isn't Obama confronted with these frightening developments & asked WHY?!


  52. 52srmark

    The folks who say Obama is 'worse than Bush' are dingbats. Obama DID inherit a legal and moral morass FROM Bush.. and has made some improvements. BUT it is still kind of shocking & puzzling that so much has not changed — and worsened. Why isn't the Progressive media on these issues more? Why isn't Obama confronted with these frightening developments & asked WHY?!


  53. 53srmark

    Good comment — I agree; there's too much Obama 'NWO..lying fraud, bla, bla, bla, crappy way-out there posts (folks are really losing their minds). Obama didn't have the spine and/or the conviction to stand-up to the pressure. And after all he believed in his 'post-partisan' fantasy. Investigating the Bush's crimes would shatter that to pieces!


  54. 54comet67

    Yep ACLU misses the point again.


  55. 55bartleby9

    Obama thinks the constitution s a walk after dinner


  56. 56jaspervonblowhole

    Thx Obama, couldn't have done it without your crap leadership, and weak will.


  57. 57jaspervonblowhole

    it's “Oy Vey” stupid.


  58. 58HK

    obama the worst? blocked out the memories of bush2, have we?


  59. 59Robert

    My rabbi says that Mr Obama has all the makings of a dictator and I think this news story supports his position. My brother says that one must always be suspicious of the views of the “useful idiots” because they are really a useless bunch of morons. In the interests of transparency Mr Obama should realise a transcript of his grades at Columbia. I cannot believe that he scored better than a C- in the core curriculum given his performance in office.
    I am supporting for Congress a clever young fellow who speaks Russian. Regrettably he does not understand Ukrainian or German. He will lead the fight to restore fiscal sanity, original intent of the Constitution, and the sanctity of human life.


  60. 60sandi2

    John Yoo is also a Constitutional Law Professor. Hmmmmm. . . is there a pattern here?


  61. 61Jim L

    He is worse than Bush. Mostly because he is able to be worse. The Bush policies are protected by Obama; the medical industries are now on a guaranteed profit welfare system with health care; he's expanded the war efforts to profit corporations who owe no allegiance to us; Monsanto has a firm say in our food policies, the push to nationalize BP is something to be leery about; and so on. The people didn't rise up on Bush, they were told Obama is change, he made his moves before the public realized it. Personally, when I saw Eric Holder nominated I started worrying. The people who think there is a difference between the Democrats and the Republicans are dingbats. The people who think THEY are the ones being represented by this government are dingbats. Those people who think because they “vote” they have had a say in changing our path are dingbats. But Obama is clearly doing worse for us than Bush, but that's only because he can. And that's only because you are a willing slave to this government.


  62. 62Bob_in_Prague

    No wonder the fuckhead doesn't want to “look back” – he fully intends to further solidify the dictatorship. Grrrr


  63. 63AtlanticCapers

    Obama is far, far worse than Bush. You are living proof. Obama got you to support the unitary executive along with the the torture and mass murder that come with it. Now you defend it right here, in the open.


  64. 64Tweets that mention ‘Worst Bush-era policies’ becoming the ‘new normal’: ACLU | Raw Story -- Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Andre Penn, Rixar13. Rixar13 said: ‘Worst Bush-era policies’ becoming the ‘new normal’: ACLU | Raw Story http://bit.ly/9roG6B [...]


  65. 65Bob_in_Prague

    Well, that would surely explain why the fuckwad wants to “look forward” – he wants to play one-up on Smirky/Sneery! Sorry to have to say it, but fuck the U$! Never thought I'd live to see the day. How does it feel, living in a dictatorship?


  66. 66Bob_in_Prague

    Obomber is indeed far worse. He's the same package of homicidal, larcenous scum, but in a presentable package. He's an incredibly persuasive speaker, and has sold an awful lot of 'murkans on the bogus notion that he's an improvement on his identical ideological twins, Smirky/Sneery. This makes him incredibly dangerous. Add amoral cynicism to the mix and the result is pure poison! I wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy, and I'd move if he moved in next door!


  67. 67Bob_in_Prague

    Obomber is indeed far worse. He's the same package of homicidal, larcenous scum, but in a presentable package. He's an incredibly persuasive speaker, and has sold an awful lot of 'murkans on the bogus notion that he's an improvement on his identical ideological twins, Smirky/Sneery. This makes him incredibly dangerous. Add amoral cynicism to the mix and the result is pure poison! I wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy, and I'd move if he moved in next door!


  68. 68Bob_in_Prague

    Um – nobody elected Duhbaya – both “elections” were stolen. As ole Case used to say, you can look it up!


  69. 69PerryLogan

    Obama is a neoliberal, where “neoliberal” is defined as “a neocon who wishes to take advantage of the resources of the Democratic Party.”


  70. 70Bob_in_Prague

    9/11: cui bono?


  71. 71michael2317

    Both parties represent the exact same interests folks, how many times do they have to show you that?

    They both provide the illusion of opposition to one another while walking in lockstep on the truly important issues.
    Blocking investigations of Republicans and crony corporations like BP is Nancy Pelosi's job, and it is likely the only thing she is good at.

    A Republican is nothing but a Democrat who has been been mugged.
    A Democrat is nothing but a Republican who has been arrested.


  72. 72michael2317

    Both parties represent the exact same interests folks, how many times do they have to show you that?

    They both provide the illusion of opposition to one another while walking in lockstep on the truly important issues.
    Blocking investigations of Republicans and crony corporations like BP is Nancy Pelosi's job, and it is likely the only thing she is good at.

    A Republican is nothing but a Democrat who has been been mugged.
    A Democrat is nothing but a Republican who has been arrested.


  73. 73michael2317

    Both parties represent the exact same interests folks, how many times do they have to show you that?

    They both provide the illusion of opposition to one another while walking in lockstep on the truly important issues.
    Blocking investigations of Republicans and crony corporations like BP is Nancy Pelosi's job, and it is likely the only thing she is good at.

    A Republican is nothing but a Democrat who has been been mugged.
    A Democrat is nothing but a Republican who has been arrested.


  74. 74A

    Really! You fauxgressive Obots should just stay home next election. You are too stupid, gullible and partisan to exercise your right to vote responsibly. You would believe anything a lying sack of shit politician told you as long as it didn't come from a woman's lips.

    Obama had a CLEAR record before 2008. Your low standards have cost us all.


  75. 75A

    Yep. He IS bush but without the teeny grain of honesty that bush had.

    At least bush admitted he was a war-loving, corporate-pandering neocon. That's the only difference.


  76. 76A

    Yeah yeah yeah…get a new talking point fuckhead.


  77. 77A

    And the DNC handed Hillary's votes to Obama for the win. SHE got the most votes in the primary, NOT Obama.

    He, like bush, steals votes, manipulates elections and spits on free and fair elections with every bribe he makes.


  78. 78A

    You are an idiot. Please don't vote. Please.


  79. 79moldy

    If I would have voted for a third party candidate some would have called it a wasted vote. That's the last time I fall for that gag.


  80. 80unclesam2

    Obama is Bush except Obama has more Blind followers


  81. 81stumptownhero

    Like Hot Head McCain would have been better?


  82. 82stumptownhero

    “The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of information. With a fascist the problem is never how best to present the truth but how best to use the news to deceive the public into giving the fascist and his group more money and more power.
    They claim to be superpatriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjugation”

    Vice President Henry Wallce


  83. 83stumptownhero

    Liberal Media? Wha ha ha ha, Wha ha ha ha?

    Progressive Media, Progressive media, what progressive media? Huff Po
    yeah right. their circulation is 1/10 of the WSJ!


  84. 84A

    Get a new talking point, you partisan shithead.


  85. 85dennycrane

    Take it up a notch and use a pistol.


  86. 86SamFox

    I been saying for a while that 0 is a SOB. Now we have some more proof. How about that Patriot Act? Still there. 0 lies again. SOB? Son Of Bush. Same agenda faster pace.

    SamFox


  87. 87SamFox

    $ is not what it's all about. POWER & CONTROL is what it's all about. Total govt control is the 'progressive' goal. Money is a means to that end, so it looks like $ is the goal.

    SamFox


  88. 88Maxwell Kinney

    That was your talking point, 'tardo.


  89. 89A

    'tardo?' Pathetic.


  90. 90Chicagoray

    Perfectly said!! “top heavy with money loaded scum”… and to rid it we need to acid bath all of DC on both aisles so we know the corrupt machine is gone..

    That's the only way, they've all betrayed us and every day we see more and more.

    He walks around like a Machine: “I'm Obama .. I'm Obama”…. they claim they don't know his past was this bad, his freakin middle name is Hussein for starters and they outlawed saying it….think about it!!!!


  91. 91helsonjoles08

    Some politicians in Washington silver version is gone and all I got was this lousy Kool-Aid. Misery Index returns as part of hopey changey. Hail Hail Rock Star community organizer.


  92. 92stumptownhero

    No seriously, what would be different under Johnny and Sarah?


  93. 93stumptownhero

    Using Bush and honest in the same sentence should get you a oneway ticket to GITMO. Seriously dude what WAS he honest about other than claiming that his base was the rich people?


  94. 94panamarick

    Reader, I was thinking about pretzel moments.

    There are moments it seems in the life of a united states president that seem to change not only the direction of history, but just as importantly the direction of the presided themselves. For G W Bush it was a pretzel that he allegedly choked on leaving him with a battered face that looked as if he had been mugged.

    Before that incident Bush was acting a bit as he claimed he was a “compassionate conservative.” After that brush with fate…or whomever; he became a mean, vile wicked man.

    Unlike most who almost meet their maker and become more appreciative of the real things that matter in this life; Bush did just the opposite and faced the world with everybody in it with scorn, contempt and malice.

    I for one never believed Bush choked on a pretzel, but rather had been put in his place by those who really run this world. These forces beat him, warned him, and then humiliated him by making him tell that bizarre pretzel story in public making him a laughing stock. From that moment on the old G W Bush who seemed to have a modicum of human decency was permanently gone.

    In my opinion Obama has had his pretzel moment a not long ago. Unlike Bush it was more eloquently done, but just as powerful and a life changing event for Obama as it was for Bush. In Obama’s case two party crashers effortlessly walked by his so called impenetrable wall of security. They not only got close, they even touch him, talk to him and his wife. I believe this was a warning to Obama. That warning is ‘we can get to you and your family any time we wish.

    After that warning Obama would go on to cowboy-up and throw away everything he said he believed in. He would become a war president, and further the agenda of his new masters in Afghanistan and wherever else they will demand he wage war. Like Bush, Obama was then humiliated and sent on the fools errand to except a Nobel peace price while advocating an illegal war and murder. Obama has nothing left to do now then spend the remainder of his presidency occupying the space as puppet and chief and instituting policies such as those mentioned in this article.

    Things have changed in America in many ways, and this form of assassination is only one of them of course. However of all the changes this method of using fear, blackmail and the very system it’s self with the cooperation of our corporate fourth estate is the new preferred way to control powerful leaders who are populist.

    They learned after John F Kennedy that the use of bullets creates martyrs and political movements that live on as long as the generations care to or can remember them. It is much easier, and far cleaner to destroy the president in plain sight with a pretzel or a set of party crashers as a way to change the world for the worse for you and I Reader and create a paradise for a narrow few selfish misers.


  95. 95musashi1

    theres change for ya, from bad to worse, this guy obomber is a new world order stooge!
    the perfect trojan horse candidate……….fuck him!


  96. 96dennycrane

    Ron Paul / Dennis Kucinch in the same sentence? Goofy. DK is not a goofball.


  97. 97HK

    while obama has disappointed me on several levels, i have to take into consideration that he was handed a piece of shit in a kleenex when he took office. as for torture and mass murder you seem to forget who was in office when that was actually happening, gonzalez was bush's patsy not obamas. you also seem to forget the treasonous acts of outing a cia agent and the lies about al queda, white uranium and the need to go to war. and who could forget about “freedom of speech” zones, or the whitehouse spoonfeeding and vetting the press corps who all of a sudden started calling war protesters “dissidents” . oh, thats right, you could – not surprising, i read someplace that bushies had real cognitive problems accepting the truth about what actually happened during the bush years.

    the orwellian use of the word “dissident” and the freedom of speech cages were what really convinced me – last i heard, the whole country is a freedom of speech zone, not just caged off areas several miles from the events, and we don't have dissidents in the US thats something that a communist totalitarianism country do – so as far as i'm concerned you bushies are nothing more than a bunch of commie chumps.


  98. 98HK

    judging others by your groaning old party standards i see.


  99. 99HK

    judging others by your groaning old party standards i see.


  100. 100Benway for the Nova Police

    A-Hole


  101. 101Benway for the Nova Police

    Give him time. You'll be dreaming of the good old days when you could tell the rightwing loonies by their arm bands and the way they goose stepped around.


  102. 102Benway for the Nova Police

    Whatever you're smoking, put it out and seek professional help.


  103. 103Benway for the Nova Police

    Along those lines, perhaps it's time we enacted a Presidential Protection Act. Along with the Deer Protection Act and the Beaver Protection Act. About three months a year should be sufficient. Put that in your database, Google-CIA.


  104. 104Benway for the Nova Police

    Just keep one thing in mind. These characters ultimately aren't too bright. They drove their best scientists out of Germany before WWII, and they forgot to open the cockpit door when they faked the pentagon 9/11 black box. “Pride cometh before a fall.”


  105. 105SamFox

    You puzzle me a bit panamarick . I am with ya on the peeps pulling the Prez's strings, but why would 0 need a warning? IMO he is so deep into the group of one worlders & their plot to take over of the USA that rather than a warning, I'd have thought they'd give him a reward.

    0 is a product of the corrupt Chicago political machine. He should already know how these NWO thugs operate. I would bet that he has seen & been part of intimidation tactics when he was a community organizer for SEIU/ACORN. Hope i'm wrong.

    SamFox


  106. 106Chuck Lamberton

    Yes… another klansman registers his opinion on the internet. Allow me to register my amazement that your cousinsisterwife lets you use the town computer.


  107. 107johnniefavorite

    Hey I worked for Obama, spent my own god damm money organizing. But I can admit what is going on. I now see that Obama is doing his job to perfection. His job being, making sure people like you do not protest, actually normalizing, the shit the Bush did.
    There is a qualitative difference to the critiques of Obama from the left. Trust me if Bush was doing the shit that Obama is doing (other than throwing out the occaasional crumb) people like you would probabaly be back out in the streets.


  108. 108panamarick

    Well SamFox some of the things said about these high level people can not be proved definitively, and I wasn't really addressing what we think as much as what these people think when they make their ascension to power regardless of whomever or whatever put them there. I was thinking more on the lines of what the new president is thinking when he/she arrives to sit in the seat of power. Call it believing their own press releases or their own bullshit, but it comes down to that moment when the “real power” takes them aside and explains the facts of life to the new puppet.

    People who achieve at the level necessary to win approval or dazzle the true throne with their brilliance or fancy foot work are very narcissistic, arrogant and feel as though no one will tell them what they will be allowed to do and not do. So, it takes a little finesse to get most of their attentions. Sometimes for others it takes the 2×4 approach and for the precious few that just don't get it (like Kennedy) it takes an execution.
    Bush, was a moron, but I think when he first arrived in Washington he actually though he was the “decider.” It wouldn't surprise me a bit if his father was in the room when they beat him, because this is the “family” business and this is how things work so grow up junior or else was most likely the sentiment. Obama on the other hand was a different kind of problem that required a different kind of solution. If Obama had shown up on TV beaten up, no Brother in the world would have bought the pretzel like story. There would have been civil unrest and maybe the cat would have gotten out of the bag. Obama is a gentleman and it required a gentlemen's approach. Just a simple, brush with reality of how those who control his fishbowl could easily look the other way at the most inopportune moment. So after the gate crasher left, and the party was over our president probably got a visit with the hand of god. After that, the president was straightened out and he now has a new agenda leaving him unrecognizable to his friends or constituency.

    I hope you understand what I'm thinking here. I'm no expert. I'm just a student of history as I have watched it play out, and in my humble opinion I don't believe my thoughts are extremist or out of order. As far as I can tell we live in a giant Truman show and everybody's in on it but we the people.


  109. 109jimbojamesiv

    Bravo, panamarick. Indeed.


  110. 110jimbojamesiv

    When, or what, was Clinton's pretzel moment? That guy also toed their line, so much so that he passed Nafta and welfare “reform,” 2 conservative dream projects.


  111. 111ya_right

    No one should be surprised. The Feds, dems or repugs, never give back ANYTHING once it's in the system.

    Outraged but not surprised.


  112. 112Moselaine Elan

    I am such a fan of Obama and yes, I have heard of these things from press conferences that military actions should be kept as secrets- I can understand a little of it but I do know that we the public have a right to be informed by our other citizens of what is happening about “anything” that anyone wants to share or to expose…but, does exposing wrong doing to the public while still in active work/duty the correct way to deal with failed actions—like all jobs and positions, shouldn't an agency within that job be contacted first to find some form of correction or acknowledgement and report first, before exposing to “outsiders” problems and failures without following with a response from some type of personnel from within to see if anything can be mended or that the wrong should not be repeated—-

    I am in favor of freedom and liberties and I would be part of the first group of people to stand up and to agree that everything that involves America and American's actions should be displayed to us, its public for education, information, and intelligence–we are not going to know or to be able to participate in democracy if we are not properly informed of what goes on within our government activities, here and over seas…but I am also worried about if the public is ready to deal with reality–the actions of the military. It is not something an ordinary person can understand watching bombs being dropped sometimes by there loved ones, or innocent ordinary like them selves, people, getting killed or blown up in the mist of war–soldiers have been burden by these things alone–is the public, their family and fellow citizens ready to shoulder that burden–actions both good and the worst of our human race–seen and lived with as a collective unit—are ordinary–mainly working class middle class people in such a shape to participate in all that this country does–be ready for such intelligence from the soldiers or the CIA allowing or sharing such things…if so, than true democracy would prevail, and the public would need information of whom or where to go to make their voices heard on these secret issues, and to demand some form of action and be able to reach military commanders and the president and his cabinet personnels for answers and information on their reasons behind activities.


  113. 113panamarick

    At the risk of being flip jimbojamesiv, I’d say that’s an easy one; it was the first time he unzipped his pants. Of course once he did, he never bothered to zip them up again. The guy was a sex addict to be sure…or a good-time-Charlie if you prefer. And I sympathize with him as it seems his marriage was one of camouflage and convenience. His childhood also sucked so he like many of us were ripe for the picking. After all, the man in the shadow has only to bide his time and wait for the moment we creatures with feet of clay piss down our leg. Then the rest is easy for them


  114. 114musashi1

    one problem with that chuck, i voted for the fucking disgrace of a president, obamabots are as bad as brain washed bushies, how about thinking about whats best for this crumbling country, dumb fuck……i mean chuck.


  115. 115the Large Kahoona

    Freedom does not exist without transparency no matter what. You are shooting yourself in the foot with this perspective.
    The reality is is that Obama is the cult of personality that puts the face on the US military dictatorship. He is pure puppet a CIA functionary of the Globalist elite. Every human on this planet should have every bit of reality put in front of them.
    Being a willing slave and keeping the truth from people ranks high in the echelons of high crimes and forget the misdemeanors.


  116. 116wbradleyjr1

    There is no such thing as a “Bush Era” or an “Obama Era”, there is only the “Corporate Era” with its unelected representatives who set the agendas and write the policies behind the scenes for the bought and paid for puppet politicians to implement on their behalf.

    The most powerful figures of the central banking and corporate worlds, along with high ranking political figures from both sides of the aisle are members of one or more of the following organizations; the Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission, and so-called Bilderberg Group. Behind closed doors they are all on the same side and serve the same agenda. It is here that the puppet politicians get their orders from their corporate masters. And along with them we see the same people float through the revolving door between big business and government. And the same people carried over from one administration to another, thus assuring the continuity of the corporate agenda.

    Since JFK, it hasn't mattered one iota who holds the office of president! They all tow the same line or they'll meet the same fate. JFK's very public execution sent a very strong message as to who's “really” in charge!!!


  117. 117Polizeistaat & Überwachung: USA « Infoblog Media

    [...] ! ‘Worst Bush-era policies’ becoming the ‘new normal’ [...]


  118. 118Rozanne Tavorn

    I want you to experience happiness.


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