Peggy Noonan Writes Obama Is Incompetent

[irishScott]

Everyone knows that if Obama was superman, he would simply use a handy oval office phone booth to fly to the well head, swim 5000 feet straight down, weld the pipes shut with is xray vision, and then resume his identity as mild mannered Barack Obama.

So I suppose Noonan is correct, we should have elected superman.

But still, Noonan is silent on what exactly she expects Obama to do that has not yet been done.

But but... that's who we elected right? I mean all that talk about sweeping promises and idealism that had people cheering in the streets when he won was all just political posturing? I mean, I thought we were electing this guy: http://sendables.jibjab.com/originals/hes_barack_obama

In all fairness there wasn't and isn't much if anything Obama can really do about this. IMO the delays are more due to bureaucracy than anything else. Granted Obama could, as the President, cut through at least some of the bureaucracy, but I'm not surprised he hasn't. He's your typical pussy politician, no guts outside of DC and party strongholds.

 

[Rainsford]

But but... that's who we elected right? I mean all that talk about sweeping promises and idealism that had people cheering in the streets when he won was all just political posturing? I mean, I thought we were electing this guy: http://sendables.jibjab.com/originals/hes_barack_obama

In all fairness there wasn't and isn't much if anything Obama can really do about this. IMO the delays are more due to bureaucracy than anything else. Granted Obama could, as the President, cut through at least some of the bureaucracy, but I'm not surprised he hasn't. He's your typical pussy politician, no guts outside of DC and party strongholds.

I have trouble admiring a world view that doesn't allow for anything between "pussy politician" and "Superman".

Obama ran one of the more idealistic and optimistic campaigns in recent memory, and while it's obvious he hasn't been able to quite live up to those ideals in office, I'd say it still puts him head and shoulders above the typical campaign of "not quite as much of a scumbag as the other guy."

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I have trouble admiring a world view that doesn't allow for anything between "pussy politician" and "Superman".

Obama ran one of the more idealistic and optimistic campaigns in recent memory, and while it's obvious he hasn't been able to quite live up to those ideals in office, I'd say it still puts him head and shoulders above the typical campaign of "not quite as much of a scumbag as the other guy."

Not really. He promised a great deal and if I recall correctly we were treated to the "well he's going to say things to get elected which aren't true".

When the pool of crap in DC is as deep as it is, "head and shoulders" still means swimming in it.

Obama is indeed as out of touch with most Americans as Bush was. The difference is that he has his fans and GWB had his.

We have low expectations and our politicians make sure they live down to them.

 

[spidey07]

Competing against Spidey for the nutiest poster on P&N?

He's correct. Every major issue he's pushed has been against the will of the people. He does view America as what is wrong with the world. Listen to his words and watch his actions. It is abundantly clear to the majority of this nation.

 

[boomerang]

 

[CaptnKirk]

Did she use a crayon and all CAPS?

 

[ProfJohn]

In all fairness there wasn't and isn't much if anything Obama can really do about this. IMO the delays are more due to bureaucracy than anything else. Granted Obama could, as the President, cut through at least some of the bureaucracy, but I'm not surprised he hasn't. He's your typical pussy politician, no guts outside of DC and party strongholds.

That is one of her main points.

Obama's political philosophy is based on the idea that government can do things better than the private sector. That was the whole rational for Obamacare. The private sector was failing at providing healthcare so the government needs to get involved.

And then along comes an event like this and people see that the government is completely helpless and they might stop and asking them selves if the government really is the answer to all their problems.

 

[irishScott]

I have trouble admiring a world view that doesn't allow for anything between "pussy politician" and "Superman".

Obama ran one of the more idealistic and optimistic campaigns in recent memory, and while it's obvious he hasn't been able to quite live up to those ideals in office, I'd say it still puts him head and shoulders above the typical campaign of "not quite as much of a scumbag as the other guy."

My world view has plenty of room for grey area. Obama, however has basically refused to listen to the American people or otherwise live up to his idealism. Healthcare is one major example, followed by a large chunk of his foreign policy, his stance on illegal immigration, and various other issues. Bush was incompetent, but Obama is just flat out weak. After all the supposed "strength" he showed, that just makes him more of a liar.

 

[HendrixFan]

So how's your team doing HendrixFan? Are you winning?

The democrats have been mostly useless for the last 10 years, either stumbling over themselves trying to not be seen as an enemy to the Republicans or refusing to have any balls in commanding a majority. We are all losing, in case you haven't noticed.

 

[UberNeuman]

So, if I'm reading this correctly - the rightwingers are getting wet over what a speech writer has to say...

a speech writer? Maybe the GOP should put her up as their candidate....

/lol...
//the gop and their Reagan daddy fetish goes on...

 

[nageov3t]

So, if I'm reading this correctly - the rightwingers are getting wet over what a speech writer has to say...

a speech writer? Maybe the GOP should put her up as their candidate....

/lol...
//the gop and their Reagan daddy fetish goes on...

she was the Second Coming to democrats when she criticized Bush and Palin, though

 

[Sclamoz]

That is one of her main points.

Obama's political philosophy is based on the idea that government can do things better than the private sector. That was the whole rational for Obamacare. The private sector was failing at providing healthcare so the government needs to get involved.

And then along comes an event like this and people see that the government is completely helpless and they might stop and asking them selves if the government really is the answer to all their problems.

Has Obama EVER said the government can do everything better than the private sector?

 

[BoberFett]

she was the Second Coming to democrats when she criticized Bush and Palin, though

Why expect logical consistency from political trolls?

 

[shira]

That is one of her main points.

Obama's political philosophy is based on the idea that government can do things better than the private sector. That was the whole rational for Obamacare. The private sector was failing at providing healthcare so the government needs to get involved.

And then along comes an event like this and people see that the government is completely helpless and they might stop and asking them selves if the government really is the answer to all their problems.

If this is her point, then she's a fool.

The U.S. has a long history of being involved in healthcare. And those on it - Medicare - are quite pleased with how it works.

The U.S. has no history whatsoever in dealing with the drilling of oil wells. Anyone who expects the government to "solve" BP-gate is either ignorant or a demagogue.

In fact if anything, the BP spill demonstrates just how hypocritical the Tea Party crowd is with their "small government" mantra. Turns out they want small government only until they want big government.

 

[nageov3t]

when even Maureen Dowd and Bob Herbert are criticizing Obama's response to this, PJ might be onto something.

I stopped reading both of their columns on a regular basis during the 2008 primary season because they were so sycophantic towards Obama.

 

[Descartes]

That is one of her main points.

Obama's political philosophy is based on the idea that government can do things better than the private sector. That was the whole rational for Obamacare. The private sector was failing at providing healthcare so the government needs to get involved.

And then along comes an event like this and people see that the government is completely helpless and they might stop and asking them selves if the government really is the answer to all their problems.

Can you provide an example of where Obama has said this, or are these just more ridiculous inferences made from a moment of hysteria?

From where I stand, if you think the distillation of Obama's political philosophy is that he thinks government can do things better than the private sector you've discredited any opinion you might have on the man, imo.

I know that gets in the way of "Obama hates America!" ideology and everything.

 

[UberNeuman]

she was the Second Coming to democrats when she criticized Bush and Palin, though

it could be so, but my search of the AT forum consists more of GOP fail in clinging to her "wonderful" insight....

http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110002995

\Bush - the right man...
\\law1....
\\\you really would have been better off in following your idea about Buckley's son - in not caring about what they have to say....

 

[Straightjacket]

She just wrote what every other sane person already knew. There are even liberal extremists wakin' up and seein' da' light!

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Peggy Noonan makes Sara Palin look smart

 

[Straightjacket]

Peggy Noonan makes Sara Palin look smart

Hussein knows exactly what his orders are.

He sold you a bag of shit and you're eatin' it up!

 

[Genx87]

I am honestly surprised how much damage Obama is taking from this spill. But I also couldnt believe how much damage the Bush admin took over Katrina.

What do they want Obama to do with this spill? If the US govt had the capability and knowledge to fix the problem they probably would. But we simply lack that technical expertise. So Obama is stuck in a hard place trying to give the appearance of taking the lead while knowing his tools to get the job done is the company that caused the problem.

Personally I think the debate needs to be about why BP was forced that far off our shores to a depth the technical hurdles make accidents impossible to fix. Instead people want to place blame. We arent having the correct debate imo.

 

[heyheybooboo]

...

Personally I think the debate needs to be about why BP was forced that far off our shores to a depth the technical hurdles make accidents impossible to fix. Instead people want to place blame. We arent having the correct debate imo.

My understanding is that we are approaching 30k+ wells in the GoM (none off Florida).

To imply that there is a 'technical problem' to correcting what went wrong in this disaster is just plain bull crapola.

I don't think the issue is that the wellhead is "...impossible to fix" rather than the minimal design specifications and safety precautions are effectively written by the American Petroleum Institute with an eye that tends more to the bottom-line and financial well-being of BigOilCo.

The other big issue is how regulatory authorities are given conflicting 'tasks'. It happens all the time in gov't --- an agency (like MMS) is not only tasked with oversight responsibilities, but is also required to 'promote' the industry as well.

Both the 'good and bad' of this is the typical bravado that we will not fail and can overcome any obstacle; regretfully, BigOilCo is clearly overwhelmed by this disaster and it's the folks along the Gulf coast who are (and will) pay the price in years of litigation.

Clearly it is time for the pendulum to swing back toward greater oversight and regulation of design criteria by gov't engineers, and the closing of the 'public-private' revolving job door. That is 'Task 1' while continuing to promote the safe development of our energy resources.

Other countries require remote-controlled shut-off valves and relief wells in design specifications. This is not really 'high-tech' stuff --- the capabilities have existed for years.





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