Hope and Change semi-open thread

Quicksearch

Blog Administration

Open login screen

RSS Readers

Tuesday, January 20. 2009

Hope and Change semi-open thread

We have never done an "open thread" here at Maggie's. In the spirit of 'change," let's give it a semi-open try.

"Hope" and "Change" are empty vessels. What do our readers want for Hope and Change (if anything)?

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 10:08 | Comments (69) | Trackbacks (0)

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

Less.

Less socialism. Less partisanship. Less nanny-statism. Less hype. Less advice.

#1 KBK on 2009-01-20 10:29 (Reply)

Nice thoughts, but too optimistic - we didn't even get that out 8 years of Republican leadership (probably why they are gone).

I hope my taxes don't increase too much. I hope the spending orgy we are about to see doesn't destroy my kids' chance at prosperity.

I hope the Republicans can re-organize themselves back into a conservative party over the next few years.

Hopefully the Democrats haven't changed and will spend the next two years imploding - like they did during Clinton�s first term.

#1.1 NJSoldier on 2009-01-20 12:30 (Reply)

Hope he is even a fraction as good as the "kool-aid"
people think he is and will Change him in four years
if he isn't. The one thing we always seem to be able
to do is Survive four years of anybody (even eight sometimes)!

#2 deeptech on 2009-01-20 10:35 (Reply)

I want a pony.

#3 Bird Dog on 2009-01-20 10:38 (Reply)

Pony...pfff...I've already filled out my USC 8851-9 for a unicorn...and a rainbow...a blue one...blue rainbow silly, who's ever heard of a blue unicorn.

#3.1 KRW on 2009-01-20 11:43 (Reply)

Do you know the form number for world peace?

#3.1.1 Tralfaz on 2009-01-20 12:21 (Reply)

I-M-1-UC

#3.1.1.1 The Distributist (Link) on 2009-01-20 13:38 (Reply)

No, but I have the one for whirled peas if you'd like it

#3.1.1.2 phil g on 2009-01-20 15:34 (Reply)

#3.1.1.2.1 njartist49 on 2009-01-20 19:49 (Reply)

I HOPE I have CHANGE left in my bank account after he is out of office.

#4 Tralfaz on 2009-01-20 10:59 (Reply)

i'm living for the day when even a young Norwegian child, whose ancestors in order to eat had had to go out into icy arctic seas in tiny boats armed only with nets and funny hats, can someday be elected to the Presidency of the United States of America, and see his father's childrens' children play hopscotch and jumprope and chase-the-irish-monk on the lawn of the White Hoose.

#5 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 11:42 (Reply)

I've got to think it's going to be mostly downhill from here for BHO. He will likely crash and burn on the high expectations and inevitable disappointments which will burst the bubble of his supporters.

#6 Mystery Meat on 2009-01-20 12:57 (Reply)

Addendum to above:

The wild card is the continuing support of the press. Right now, they've all got their kneepads on.

#6.1 Mystery Meat on 2009-01-20 13:09 (Reply)

well, here's to the Obamas. i wish 'em all the good luck in the world. I don't know why --i should be loading up an acid tongue to do do him as his party did to GWB. But I can't. It just wouldn't feel right. Maybe in the morning.

#7 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 12:57 (Reply)

I HOPE the CHANGES that The One is already saying He will be making from the earlier positions He now characterizes as mere "Campaign Rhetoric" continue. I HOPE that He will continu to CHANGE from the street organizer radical that He was to become a centrist President of all the people, and that He will comtinue to betray his Left-wing supporters.

#8 Gwynne on 2009-01-20 12:59 (Reply)

I got this one over the transom today (so much for my attempts to ignore the thing out of existence):
If Bush Co. doesn't get prosecuted, the USA is officially a banana republic giving sanctuary to international war criminals.

I can't understand those who continue to defend the genocide in Iraq and the torture being carried out against alleged "terrorists".

If Obama does nothing to punish these crimes, he becomes complicit....

to which I replied, "Please, keep this line of reasoning alive. Paint The �ne into a nice, tight corner and confound the moonbats who built the altar of worship upon which rest his gargantuan mythos."

Say, is it too early to announce the official cocktail of the new administration? I feel like a drink.

#9 The Distributist (Link) on 2009-01-20 13:08 (Reply)

Hmmmm, if you prosecute Bush then you will need to prosecute Congress. All these people or select people, sat in on the security briefings and gave approval to the policies and methods of the Administration. Hmmmm, Pelosi, Reid, Murtha, Biden, Kennedy.........Yes, let's get them all.......

#9.1 Wild Man on 2009-01-20 13:55 (Reply)

Keith Olbermann, right? I made the mistake of flipping the channels last night and came across him. The guy has serious BDS issues. Unfortunately for him, I don't personally care too much that they waterboarded a guy who murdered 3,000 innocent people, most of them Americans.

I'm willing to give our new President a shot. Remember that Tony Blair was a Socialist, and yet he did an admirable job of supporting us in the War Against Terror, even at the eventual cost of his career.

The Good Book says we are supposed to pray for all those in authority, and that is what I'm going to do for our new President.

#9.2 Jim on 2009-01-20 17:32 (Reply)

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone � for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1,2

Jim, count on it, I'll be happy to add the new president's name to my prayer list as instructed in God's Word...

...but I refuse to pray that he will do things that are in conflict to what God had to say about ' Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish' ...If he intends to 'take from those who have earned it and give to those who have not'...
..namely wealth redistribution in order to make up for the past sins of ...WHO? ...Question.. is there enough money resources or 'pay back' available to ever satisfy the slackers & non-producers that have no interest in taking advantage of the opportunities this wonderful country has to offer, but instead feel it's their right to demand to be provided for from cradle to grave ? ..I think probably not... Yes, I will pray that he doesn't harm or possibly destroy what he's been put in charge of, ..that he respects the three most important documents the world has ever known, housed at the National Archives in Washington DC.... his name has been added to my prayer list.

Dear Heavenly Father we know you hear our prayers and right now I pray for the United States of America , that you continue to bless her & to protect her .. I also request that you guide & direct our leaders as they make difficult decisions on OUR behalf.

#9.2.1 ron on 2009-01-20 18:45 (Reply)

"God had to say about ' Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish'"

Ummm, not sure but wasn't that Confucius?

#9.2.1.1 KRW on 2009-01-20 19:04 (Reply)

Well, I for one am glad that it is now OK, evidently, to wave the American flag again, and talk about God, and admit there is a war going on (as Obama did today) and praise the military. These are just four of the things Republicans in general and Bush in particular have been ridiculed for doing (lambasted as flag-wavers, religious nuts, warmongers) by so many of my liberal neighbors. Nice to see sanity, at least for now, prevail. I also thought that if George Bush gave that same speech anytime in his Presidency (current event and black history references obviously excluded) he would have been ridiculed by the network talking heads afterwards. Katie Couric would have been vomiting in her shoe after the invocation had it happened on Bush's watch.

#10 Hazel Slater on 2009-01-20 13:20 (Reply)

I hope we don't nationalize health care. Once we do that the gig is up, and there is no turning back. The rest of corporate America will follow suit.

BD, you better not get that pony . I asked first!!

#11 jappy on 2009-01-20 13:33 (Reply)

I hope a Sister of Mercy engages an angel who drops pixie dust over any asshole who harbors a terrorist thought and that that pixie dust transforms the recipient of it into a fairy.
`

#12 Meta on 2009-01-20 13:44 (Reply)

But then your a-hole will get a job with all the other fairies at the NY Times. I'd prefer transformation into s stump.

#12.1 Kondratieff on 2009-01-20 13:54 (Reply)

Wrong kind of fairy. I mean the indolent kind that will be stoned to death when they show up at the next Palestinian street fair in tight jeans and sleeveless leather vests. The Israelis will like this because it will cut down on collateral-shield damage, thus increasing their standing in the world. That is very important.
`

#12.1.1 Meta on 2009-01-20 14:24 (Reply)

I'm just glad The One's gonna pay my mortgage and keep gas in my car, that's a load off.

#13 Santay on 2009-01-20 14:19 (Reply)

Maybe...what color is yo skin Santay?

#13.1 phil g on 2009-01-20 15:51 (Reply)

I HOPE that House Joint Resolution #5 ending the 22nd amendment of the US Constitution enacted the first day of the 111th Congress by Jose Serrano of NY will not be enacted into law, ending the 2 term limit of the President of the US.

This CHANGE would be very bad. I wonder the the mainstream media didn't report this joint house resolution?

#14 Reverendyo on 2009-01-20 14:21 (Reply)

Don't look now, but the world's banks are in free fall at the moment. Jeez. I just bought a new tractor today. Thought I'd help Obama get started. Also wanted to put some cash into something that will help me eat.

#15 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 14:23 (Reply)

ugh. I thought they were liking Obama, or is it because he talked tough about going green, or how we'd not be peaceful if peacefulness didn't work?

Darn it.
`

#15.1 Meta on 2009-01-20 14:27 (Reply)

Roubini. Said we were looking at 3.6 trillion, as of now. Everything done so far is maybe er, nothing. can't help thjinking of "Mars Attacks!" and wondering when Slim Whitman will start singing.

OTOH, the stim package has not set in yet --but these bank losses --my god --gone viral.

Can you say "moral hazard"?

#15.1.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 14:39 (Reply)

Isn't there someone we can shoot?
`

#15.1.1.1 Meta on 2009-01-20 15:10 (Reply)

I know one thing for sure , now that black is out of the back, yellow is mellow, brown is sticking around and red is ahead....
I will be trying to embrace what is right...

...like loving the 'Community Reinvestment Act, Freddie and Fannie, not squawking about printing more US Currency or paying more taxes

#15.1.1.1.1 ron on 2009-01-20 15:28 (Reply)

Not enough. if you're white, you have to find a bum and give him your entire earnings for 25 years. Then commit suicide. THEN you'll be ok.

#15.1.1.1.1.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 16:05 (Reply)

Build a pond. Throw in some whitefish, which you can pickle in lye or whatever the hell they do. "Buddy's Lutefisk." Easy millions, I tell ya. And ... there may be a bailout coming for America's vital lutefisk industry.

#15.2 Skookumchuk on 2009-01-20 15:05 (Reply)

Lutefisk? Did some one say Lutefisk?? There is hope after all. Hope for lutefisk for all.

No change on any of it, keep the politicians infighting and doing nothing of any consequence and maybe we can get through the next few years.

#15.2.1 Al (Link) on 2009-01-20 15:21 (Reply)

I'm hoping I'll still be able to buy ammo in a year's time. The dems got some scheme up to stamp ammo, and tax it to death, like they're going to do to cigarettes. We'll have the 2nd Amendment, but without ammo.

As of last week you could get a year's membership in the NRA for twenty five bucks, plus a year's subscription to one of their magazines, AND a free NRA Travel Bag. And, action alerts. Check it out.

#16 bob on 2009-01-20 15:04 (Reply)

Roubini, and State Street of Boston --recipient of 2 or 3 billion already in tarp freebs --reported unexpected losses FAR greater than ny analysts had ferreted ---STT stock down 56% on the day as of this minute.

I keep hoping I'm going to wake up and it will a crisp january morning two years ago --

#17 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 15:23 (Reply)

Lutefisk smells like a jockstrap full of cottage cheese

#18 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 15:33 (Reply)

Ahh, all you need is a bottle of aquavit beforehand. And in the reigning spirit of multiculturalism, I announce that tomorrow's lunch will be lutefisk tacos with refried beans and Tapatio hot sauce. Make that wasabi. Full report, guaranteed.

Report equalling a broadside of the IJNS Yamato.

#18.1 Skookumchuk on 2009-01-20 15:38 (Reply)

Yamato's main battery consisted of nine 18.1 inch 40 cm/45 Type 94 naval guns�the largest caliber of naval artillery ever fitted to a warship.[11] Each gun was 21.13 metres (69.3 ft) long, weighed 147.3 metric tons (162.4 short tons), and was capable of firing high-explosive or armour-piercing shells 42.0 kilometres (26.1 mi).[12] Her secondary battery comprised twelve 6.1-inch (15 cm) guns mounted in four triple turrets (one forward, one aft, two midships),[11] and twelve 5-inch (13 cm) guns in six double-turrets (three on each side amidships).[11] In addition, Yamato carried twenty-four 1-inch (2.5 cm) anti-aircraft guns, primarily mounted amidships.[11] When refitted in 1944, the secondary battery configuration was changed to six 6.1-inch (15 cm) guns,[13] twenty-four 5-inch (13 cm) guns,[13] and one hundred and sixty-two 1-inch (2.5 cm) antiaircraft guns,[13] in preparation for naval engagements in the South Pacific.[5]

(sez wiki)

#18.1.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 15:46 (Reply)

I hope nobody wants him to fail.

#19 anon on 2009-01-20 16:37 (Reply)

Christ, no --we're just complaining over atmospherics --like the poet today who patted all other races on the back just for being the color they are, then congratulated white folks for finally doing right (white folks being the only color that chooses its color, y'see)--as if the Civil War --wich cost in today's numbers seven million KIA --in order to put every person equal before the law --wasn't "right".

Only day one & i'm already fed up to here with the automated default c/w p/c master/slave victim/oppressor frame. Jeez --white europeans had it tough too --that's why they came here with nothing --not even a massah to provide grits, for that matter.

I mean, Obama is a likeable guy --but puhleeze, that inside the ghetto received wisdom is gonna clash badly with the rural red state world --

#19.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 16:55 (Reply)

Not to mention it was embarassingly bad excuse for 'poetry'.

#19.1.1 phil g on 2009-01-20 18:01 (Reply)

I think Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Chris Dudd and Harry Reid are doing everything they can to bring him to heel or make him fail. We poor dogs around the place can only pray that he whups them! Everyone else I know among us ReRepublicans* prays he'll be a strong, intelligent president.

* ReRepublicans vote for Republican candidates who were not among those incumbents who before 2008 increased spending, sucked up to lobbyists and prostrated themselves before the Washington Post.

#19.2 Gwynne on 2009-01-20 17:55 (Reply)

I want all the more hopeful change stuff they said we'd all be having right about now, back in more hopeful changing times. Stuff like computers you can have conversations with. Auto-kitchens. Flying bubbletop cars. Moon base mining operations with iron ore mag-lev rail launchings to massive earth orbit processing stations manned by lovely young space stewardesses in tight fitting metallic fabric outfits with space boots and marshmallow globe hats...

I bet if anybody from the 60�s could have time-traveled to see what things are like now, they�d be saying: Whathehell happened to all the hope and change? ...the long term vision? ...the faith in all things plastic and nuclear and spacelike?

I mean, as a kid I was really counting on all that cool stuff to be here when I arrived.

#20 commander clopfelter (Link) on 2009-01-20 17:07 (Reply)

The future just isn't what it used to be.

(Though I would add Japan took the best shot at that Jetsons future -- talking robots, etc.)

#20.1 The_Dyl on 2009-01-20 17:34 (Reply)

What, computers you can hold in your hand, the internet, direct deposit & ATMs, and cars that start the first time you turn the ignition aren't doing it for you? Not to mention the almost-yet-soon-to-be two-way wrist radios...or Hooters (you said you were younger then)...

#20.2 KRW on 2009-01-20 19:22 (Reply)

The micro gadget stuff can be considered adequate.

But where the hell�s my telepad like they had in 2001 Space Odyssey? Or my giant spinning space hotel serviced by badass space planes playing the Blue Danube Waltz?

Do we really have to settle for that rickety erector set contraption they call an ISS, serviced by Russian Soyuz crap? All this stuff: http://www.tallgeorge.com/projectconstellation.php

...shoulda happened decades ago. I want my moon base!

#20.2.1 commander clopfelter (Link) on 2009-01-21 00:02 (Reply)

Being reported now that Stae Street of Boston --which set off today's run --reported a hitherto secret 23 billion of losses on what is being called "obscure, off-balance sheet items".

My god. A public bank with 23 billion in "obscure off-balance sheet loans". This --mark my words --will have something to do with the Big Dig and the Mob. And today, it caused 29 or out 30 largest banks to hit 52 week lows. Watch --thesae banks are now priced for nationalization --or very nearly so --which will include commaon share holders going to zero. With the banking system nationalized, the one-world gov't is here. we won't have to pay global warming scam taxes --we'll just get bills in the mail saying pay up because only money will keep the rulers from getting angry and hurting you.

#21 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 17:41 (Reply)

Buddy, I,m a Boston guy. This does not surprise me. The whole project was deep in corruption. It's ugly, expensive,and does not work, plus it has already killed a person. More shoes will drop on this project. I have followed this project since it's inception. It would have been cheaper to put the city on stilts. Everybody had their hand in the cookie jar, a great big expensive mistake.

#21.1 jappy on 2009-01-20 17:58 (Reply)

I hope my ancestors , and all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in keeping this great country free forgive me , and my generation for letting what they gave us slip through our hands.
I'm the only one in my family, who has never put on the uniform of my country. From WW1 to Vietnam, they all served, and handed me a gift , and I feel like I dropped the baton.
I stand on the shoulder's of giants. Everything I have I owe to some one's sacrifice, pain and courage. I have fought the PC, Multicultural Socialist invasion and failed. I like Luther's word befuddled, as opposed to my rage/ sadness as what has happened to us as a country.
I have never felt so inadequate or beaten as I do now.

#22 jappy on 2009-01-20 17:46 (Reply)

You ain't alone, jappy. I feel the same way --a smart-ass boomer, a lifetime of cultivating a snotty, ironic, french sidewalk cafe philosophy which don't amount to a hill o beans and never did. and all of a sudden the future is all behind & i'm so dumbstruck i don't even know what the hell happened.

#22.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 18:06 (Reply)

Sorry. But I call bullshit.

Yes, I'm befuddled by the current course of our national political life.

But first, last and foremost... we're Americans.

We'll fight and fight and keep on fighting for that American ideal. Freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

And sticking to the theme of the thread... the last thing we mustn't lose, is hope. As we age we get tangled... in what we grew up in. But change, as someone said, is the only constant. We need change tactics, not strategy.

I'm not giving up, and neither are you, Jappy and Buddy.

You ain't built that way.

#22.2 Luther McLeod on 2009-01-20 20:46 (Reply)

A ridiculous speech by me. Sorry.

#22.2.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-01-20 21:42 (Reply)

That was the furthest thing from ridiculous --it was grand. Gotta watch that, Luther. I do it too. re-read something i just posted, and say to myself "why you stupid son of a...."

#22.2.1.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 22:01 (Reply)

Luther , for what it's worth I agree with Buddy. I am also guilty,especially if Jack & Ginger are around. Once the Submit Comment button is clicked, believe in your first impressions ...b/c they're the best.

#22.2.1.1.1 ron on 2009-01-20 22:19 (Reply)

I didn't find it ridiculous at all. I should of phrased beaten as in beaten down. Luther you'll only have to worry about me when I'm broken. Bend, but never break. Thanks for your confidence in moi. I'm schulm, I can't speak for glum, but I am sure he is made out of the same good stuff you have. Wish you would post more often!!!

#22.2.1.2 jappy on 2009-01-20 22:05 (Reply)

Well... it's just 'who the hell am I' to get up on that stump. I appreciate the kind words.

You know... speaking from the heart isn't 'smart'. But it's all I got.

#22.2.1.2.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-01-20 23:01 (Reply)

"...it's all I got."

Well, i'd say whatever you got, it got you through two tours in the kill box, so it must be enough.

#22.2.1.2.1.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-21 09:18 (Reply)

What is a man, what has he got,
If not himself then he has naught.
To say the words he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels...

When I was younger and differently (I certainly wouldn't say more) smart-assy like buddy, I thought that song was corny. Now I love it. Ahhh...I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now...

#22.2.1.2.1.2 KRW on 2009-01-21 11:55 (Reply)

Semi-open thread experiment worked very well, thus far. Good fun.

#23 Bird Dog on 2009-01-20 18:40 (Reply)

except for jappy and me, who've gone glum. oh well, so what. who're we anyway. Glum, schlum.

#23.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 18:48 (Reply)

Buddy, all we need is some Conway Twitty, or Slim Witman music. I'll settle for Lee Ann Rimes.

#23.1.1 jappy on 2009-01-20 19:22 (Reply)

I third those emotions. Always attempting to maintain a Chestertonian outlook, I recall that GKC observed that it is a sane man who can have tragedy in his heart and comedy in his head. Moving forward, I'm only buying things that make me laugh.
Go to obamaclock.org and Let the Countdown Begin!

#23.1.1.1 The Distributist (Link) on 2009-01-20 19:29 (Reply)

yuk yuk --and your GKC is close to my own fave GKC of the mo (paraphrased, but real close if not on the spot):

"We must learn to love life without ever trusting it"

#23.1.1.1.1 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 19:39 (Reply)

yep --youz right --this

h ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hznQe0DlZE

...is probably a mistake.

#23.1.1.2 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 19:56 (Reply)

so maybe this thread squeezed out a dab o truth --

"Got Democrats? Nix Wagner, Go Twitty"

probably actually purty good advice --the BeeGees got some of us thru Jimmy Carter. No matter how absurdist & DaDa Carter got, there was always that BG sound a little bit further down that road.

#24 buddy larsen on 2009-01-20 20:13 (Reply)

Folding Money will work, nicely.

#25 Leag on 2009-01-21 11:47 (Reply)

Add Comment

Name
Email	(Your e-mail will not show in your comment)
Homepage
In reply to
Comment	By commenting on this site you agree to the site rules listed here. Email addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for email notifications. Quick reference guide: [i] italics [/i], [b] bold [/b], [u] underline [/u], [url] (web address) [/url]. More tips here. Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (word), underscore are made via _word_. E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications. To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly. Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above: BBCode format allowed
	Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry

Maggie's Farm

Our Recent Essays Behind the Front Page

Categories

Quicksearch

Links

Blog Administration

RSS Readers

Tuesday, January 20. 2009

Hope and Change semi-open thread