In just 2 short months, the new president has been busy with the following.
Hosts Wednesday night cocktail hour with friends and foes at the White House
Attended special concerts at the WH including Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire
Met the Jonas Brothers
Vacationed at Camp David
Visited Chicago and even squeezed in a pick-up-game of basketball
Hosted a Superbowl party where guests were served $100 steaks
Made an appearance on ESPN to choose his NCAA bracket
Appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno where he said he's "been practicing" bowling bringing his score up to 129
Traveled to California for press ops and townhall meetings seeking support for his budget
Accompanied elementary students for a chit-chat with astronauts
Met with the Boy Scouts of America
Appeared on 60 Minutes where he showed off the first swingset and laughed at the economy
Has spent time with his family including spring break and dates with Michelle
Obama has also been busy working in between practicing his bowling and catching the NCAA tournament.
Spoke at the joint sessions in March
Signed into law SCHIP and Stem Cell legislation, a $787 billion stimulus bill that no one has read in its entirety, an omnibus bill totaling more than $400 billion with nearly 9,000 earmarks and several executive orders
Wrote letter to former French president Jacques Chirac
Holds weekly Youtube addresses to the internet savy
Taken control of AIG, GM and other formerly privately held companies
Appointed nominees for cabinet posts and staff positions including the Treasury, HHS, Commerce, Secretary of State and others
Met with Prime Minister of England Gordon Brown (remember the gift fiasco)
Sent a Youtube video to Iran that was met with ridicule
Pre-empted regularly scheduled prime time programming 3 times
Has held several closed door meetings with advisors, senators and congressmen reportedly to discuss AIG bailouts, earmarks and more
What Obama obviously hasn't had time for, and what he didn't learn in the several short days he spent on Capitol Hill as a Senator, are the traditions, notions of respect, prestige and the properness that should be upheld by he who occupies the coveted office of the President of the United States of America.
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In an AP article on Feb 5, a reporter describes how a very excited Obama broke from protocol just before his first trip on Marine One. Apparently, he was so gitty about having his own helicopter that he forgot to salute the Marine at the foot of the stairs of the aircraft. Instead, Obama extended his arm for a handshake. The shocked Marine immediately returned to salute following the awkward moment.
This isn't Obama's first break from tradition in the last 60 days. He gave his first interview as president to an Arab satelite television station. Typically, the White House press corps has first dibs at the first official interview. Some have said that was disrespectful to the WH press.
Obama doesn't understand the importance of the Marines and the respect they deserve either. In an unprecidented slap-in-the-face move, Obama has ditched the U.S. Marine Band and replaced them with a single piano player. No longer will we hear the traditional "Hail to the Chief" when the president enters an event. In its place we could hear pop, jazz or traditional music of his choosing. Obama's favorite so far has been Sting's Arab-themed "Desert Rose."
The dress code in the Oval Office has also been far more slack than Obama's predecessors. According to reports, suit jackets are no longer required and rolled sleeves are the norm. Being that Obama prefers the room temperature close to 80 degrees, rolled sleeves may be necessary, but even sweatpants have now made an appearance in the most prestigious office in the nation.
Obama recently declined an invitation to the Gridiron Banquet to spend some quality spring break time with his daughters. Not since Grover Cleveland held office has a president not attended the extremely formal event. The backlash from this may still be to come as the Gridiron Banquet is made up of prominent Washington elite including statesmen, columnists and bureau chiefs. Reports have surfaced that some from the organization are not happy. Telegraph UK spoke with a reporter from Chicago who said that people feel "miffed" that the invitation was snubbed.
Other traditions broken include removing the Winston Churchill bust from the White House, and the refusal of a state dinner and dual press conference with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Obama also starts his workday significantly later than presidents past. According to reports, he prefers to work out, eat breakfast with his family, read several newspapers and see his daughters off to school before he clocks in around 9am. That is about 2 hours later than George W. Bush.
More disturbing than the changes in dress code or the hours of operation are the gravely significant changes in policy and the blatant disregard for the Constitution and the nation's free market system.
With the unions now running amock, campaign contributions and support more important than integrity, and the downright disregard for the capitalistic set of laws set forth in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, the current administration has taken America on a path that is far from what her framers intended.
Then there's the stock market. Since the inauguration, the Dow has slipped 2,000 points. It had already fallen nearly 2,000 points since election day. Analysts and news personalities have weighed in saying:
"There's no confidence in Obama's plan. The markets respond to data." - Sean Hannity"The stock market is also demonstrating a lack of confidence in the president's big government agenda." - Lou Dobbs
It seem that every day there is another news story of how America is on the brink of total collapse if not for the Obama administration stepping in. Every few days viewers are seeing the face of our cool and collected Commander in Chief on every cable news station, local news shows, late night comedy bits and daytime talk shows. And every time the great one speaks, even when he says, "let me be clear," the markets tank.
A CNN poll earlier this month suggested that Americans believe Obama is doing too much. People were starting to get confused with his agenda, the markets were unsure of policies and on any given day, Obama could be holding a presser on anything from stem cell research to plans for a civilian militia.
Once the poll got out and other media outlets began reporting on the results, Team Obama changed strategy a bit and gave the president 3 things he was allowed to talk about - healthcare, energy and education. Just before his press conference last Tuesday, I predicted that his answers would focus solely on those 3 things so that viewers could finally see a clear vision from their president. There wer 13 diverse questions asked. Obama answered 11 of them with the big 3.
President Obama may have an ambitious agenda to save the world from annihilation due to greenhouse gasses, educate every child in the world to believe in the liberal, we-are-all-victims mantra, and to provide government-run healthcare to every resident (legal or not) of the United States, but it's time for a little time-out.
Why not take just a few minutes to reflect on what has been done for the last 2 months? Why not evaluate the ethics, morals, standards and policies that have led us to the confused state we are in? I propose, no... I beg of the president, take a few days off. Give us all a chance to take in the poor hand you have dealt us. Read a few of the bills you are signing into law and consider the consequences, not just the benefits for those with whom you owe favors. Keep your promise to allow both lawmakers and citizens to evaluate bills being brought to your desk. Give us the 5 days you promised.
Why do you have to move so fast on every piece of legislation and every decision from the White House? The democrats will continue to hold the power of the votes until the next election cycle, so why the rush? I understand that you and your staff don't want to "let a good crisis go to waste" as you have said, but maybe it's time to just relax a bit and reflect.
Take a time-out Mr. President. It works miracles on the Super Nanny.
AP Photo Gerald Herbert
Comments
All of this in two months? And we still have 3 years and 10 months to go!
It makes me remember a fairy tale I heard as a child. The Pied piper.
Scary indeed.
Awesome research Erin.
Where is the outrage?
Dr Mehmet Oz says to Michael J Fox and Oprah and ~7.2 million viewers:
"I think, Oprah, the stem cell debate is dead."
"The problem with embryonic stem cells is that embryonic stem cells come from embryos, like all of us are made from embryos, and those cells can become any cell in the body, but it's very hard to control them and so they can become cancer."
"I can take a little bit of your skin, take those cells, get them to go back in time so they are like they were when you were first made, and then they will start to make that dopamine & I think those cells, because they won't be as prone to cancer & because they're your genes will be the ones that are ultimately used to cure Parkinsons."
"I think we are single digit years away from making a big impact in the lives of Parkinson's disease but also diabetics, heart disease, people who have had a lot of problems."
David, the problem with stem cell research is that I believe those in support of it are looking in the wrong direction. There has been more credible evidence of success using adult cells than with the use of embryonic cells. Take the moral issue off the table and you still have the scientific issue and even the financial issue with which to contend. Embryonic stem cell research has been funded privately for years with no significant breakthrough that couldn't have been found with similar or better results using a adult cells.
That we the taxpayers are now funding useless science is just the tip of the iceburg on wasteful government spending. I'm not saying private companies shouldn't be allowed to research as they see fit, but rather: don't use my tax dollars to do private business.
This is getting very entertaining. I predicted that the next complaint from the right would be frivolous. BTW was any progress made on the 19 PAGE budget from Mr. Boehner? hmm...Oh well, the "opposition" has to choose. It's either he does too much or not enough! Pick one and go with it! Of course, now, being President means no more family time, no more dates with your wife, no sleep, no sports, no vacation. This criticim from the party who gave us the president who holds the record in vacation taken. Oh yea, there is that protocol issue. Ha...who are the elitist now? One item left out from the extensive list "protocol" was the customary pick of the oval office rug by the incoming President. The Obamas once again broke protocol by KEEPING the 70,000 rug the previous administration had purchased (heck that would make him look good - forget I mentioned this). I have no problem with the President rolling up his sleeves in the oval office and getting some real work done! Clinton was getting a "you know what" in the oval office while Bush did a good job letting everyone else run the country for him...though he looked good alwys wearing a suit. Regarding the famous "3" issues: I think that put everything in perspective...kind of remininescent of the VP debate where Palin answered her own questions...but she is not President or even VP (better not count on McCain's support for that). Obama's new strategy seem to be working though (check the polls it's still politics - only by an unconventional smart man the "opposition" has not yet figured how to deal with yet). If we are SOOOO worried about protocol maybe a MONARCHY would best suit us!!! I just watched Shawn (master whiner) Hannity take comfort in the anarchist (as he called them) protesting in England...all of this because Barrack Obama is the PRESIDENT (what a patriot)! Oh yeah...bet u the Ipod deal is coming next. A word to my friends on the right: Most people with an open mind would take your points seriously if you did not sound so whinny or petty. The republican party did a GREAT job painting the extreme left as a bunch of demagogues, unreasonnable, whiners (such as moveon)! The job was so well done that we all can identify those who fit the mold now AND THAT IS YOU!!! Get over your dislike for Obama! He is the President...yes really.
To the opinionated stem cell bloggers: I have been through in vitro with my spouse 4 times. We chose to give the cells to research. But the real story is that being Catholic, it was a "sin" for us to go through it in the first place. These morale guidelines being set from the same religion which hid the abuse of kids by high ranking members of their click. The Vatican sports million dollar paintings, the pope wears 1200 italian shoes while kids are dying of hunger in third world countries. Jesus was sold out by a religious sect claiming to hold morale authority too. Ever thought about how the Pope travels? Does he have his own plane? The Spanish inquisition, the great crusade, The Taliban, Al Quaeda!! So many people dying in the name of religion. Get educated folks!!! Make up your own minds...
To anyone familiar with President Obama's public record, his action should be no surprise. During his term as senator Mr. Obama joined with other members of Congress in a federal lawsuit to assert that under the political question doctrine, he had the right to veto clauses of the Constitution and refuse to obey them.
His attorney of record admitted such an action was a criminal violation of his oath of office.
The lawsuit concerned the calling of an Article V Convention. Article V states Congress must call a convention is 34 states apply for a convention call. All 50 states have submitted over 700 applications for an Article V Convention. Congress has ignored them all.
The applications can be read at www.foavc.org. Details of the lawsuit can be read at FAQ 9.1 on that site.
Bill, thanks for the info. I will investigate.
Unfortunately, nothing Obama does surprises me anymore. Every day leads us to something new to be angry about as our liberties and freedom are being ripped to shreds. Thanks for reading the post!
Erin,
I do not know how to email you on here! I run an online newspaper in Alexandria. Please email me asap.
Thanks!
Steve Hensley
Forgot to post my website and email
Steve@theAlexandriaindependent.com
www.thealexandriaindependent.com
Don't hate the player, hate the game....
This has to be the most ridiculous bunch of garbage I've ever read. Seriously ridiculous.
Do you want me to list what George W. Bush did for EIGHT YEARS?
Erin,
I am bothered by two things. Obama is exhibiting the symptoms of someone who doesn't know what he doesn't know and who has no one around him to coach him. Second, he loves to campaign so much that he has chosen the "perpetual campaign" as his work style. It is, however, very ineffective as a work style for a chief executive. Over time it will wear very thin.
Jim,
I can see where you're coming from...
I think I, too, would far rather have a President go behind closed doors and make horrible decisions for the gain of 10% of
the population. It makes sense to not be honest and open with your constituents!!!!!!!It bothers me that Barack Obama is willing to be truthful with the world, rather than telling the country a bunch of lies...
You call it campaigning, I call it HONESTY
and it's about time we have a leader who is willing to say it like it is- - not for political gain but because we deserve a leader who is not going to just lie and spin everything to make themselves look good.
Secondly, how did it go for us with a President who had someone who "knew" to "coach" him? COMPLETELY ILLOGICAL!!!!
How did Karl Rove work for the american people? Cheney, etc. etc. etc.? See, maybe having someone who "knows what they know" isn't such a great idea after all, eh?
p.s. I voted for GW Bush in the 2000 and 2004 elections and for ANYONE to act as if Barack Obama isn't the right person for the job...Well, you might as well get used to him, because he's going to be YOUR Chief Executive for, oh, the next 7 + years.
I'll give you a call when those 7 years are up, and we'll see what you think of him then.
My guess would be if you still don't like his "campaigning" style, well, we'll just see how effective it is and then decide.
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