Every citizen who longs for an American nation of which to be proud was heartened by the actions of the new President this week.
President Obama fulfilled his pledge to close the illegal prison at Guantanamo Bay and to require that all interrogations of military prisoners comply with the requirements of the Army Field Manual.
In so doing, he reversed the stupid and reactive acts of the cowards around Bush who had resorted to illegality because they lacked intelligence and creativity.
Mr. Obama was apparently unaware of the rightwing blowhards on Gather who continued trumpeting their assurances (soon to be re-published to wide-spread laughter) that he was going to be "compelled by necessity" to continue the unconstitutional actions of the Bush regime.
Giving the "pro-life" zealots marching around the Supreme Court Building yesterday in protest of Roe Vrs. Wade a chance to return to their caves, President Obama repealed today by Executive Order the ridiculous limitations termed the "Mexico City Gag Rule".
This "policy" of the Reagan administration represented the first of the right-wing attempts to pacify religious extremists in the Republican Party. As noted on Wiki, "The policy requires non-governmental organizations to "agree as a condition of their receipt of [U.S.] federal funds" that they will "neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations".
Thus, some of the most efective family-planning and disease-prevention programs in the world have been ineligible for aid or funds because they might share literature or information about abortion.
Before the vast herd of ignorant right-wingers protest that their tax dollars should not support abortion, let us be clear that other regulations prevent any US tax dollars from being used to provide abortion services. Obama's Executive Order permits agencies that offer abortion counseling or referrals to participate in health projects unrelated to abortion. The "Gag Rule" was an incredibly heavy-handed attempt to drive mainstream providers of health services off the playing field entirely.
(It is interesting to note that every scientific study of the Bush initiative on HIV and Aids concludes, sadly, that thousands of additional lives would have been saved if the christo-fascists had not wasted 30% of the funds on "abstinence education" and had not insisted on developing costly alternatives to existing health services because of the "Mexico Rules".)
Full Article about the "Mexico City Gag Rule" on Wiki
Every American who is not captive to the propaganda of the right-wing noise machine understands that the depth of criminality within the failed Bush administration has not been plumbed. These Americans also realize that many consequences of Bush recklessness and ineptitude still harm us.
Nevertheless, there is comfort in seeing tiny steps toward lawfulness and rationality once more.
I have noted that only the christo-fascists, especially the most rabid Bush-worshippers, use religious language about President Obama. It is the Bush-worshippers who refer to Obama as a messianic figure or a "savior". I have yet to see any supporter of Obama use this kind of language.
While not surprised by Republican hyprocrisy or by crude projection of their own insecure delusions, I do not think that there is anything disproportionate in being pleased to see a national leader make good decisions.
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Comments: 39
You said it all right here! Salud
Nice to see you again, Mariana.
I was thrilled to see the news about the new Executive Orders.
Hooray! And it's only the first week.
If they are in danger of losing their home to foreclosure I hope they dont take advantage of any programs that "Scary, dangerous" Obama has put in place to help the home owners.
If they are offered a job that exists as a direct result of any Obama policy I hope they turn it down after all Obama is a socialist ya know.
Yes indeed, Sara.
I hope to feel even better next Friday.
It is the "moron machine", indeed.
I don't think any of the right-wing nutbags will hesitate to take whatever they can get, Lori.
I have not seen much ethical consistency among the right-wing loudmouths on Gather.
I see and hear a vast renewal of concern for the nation's "soul" that was suppressed and debased by the Bush regime.
Right on, Julia!
That's my feeling, Nippy.
Which is not to say that we don't have a very long way to go.
A few more tifectas like this, and we might become a moral nation once more, Debra.
As one who has rushed thousands of typos into print, I heartily endorse this option.
This is the kind of puerile "argument" that will ensure continued defeat for Republicans.
(Four Republican senators are now expected to retire in 2010!)
It would be great if there was a Socialist party in the United States, but there isn't.
The failed Bush administration just presided over the largest nationalization of industry within the nation's history.
Just what is the Republican Party proposing to do these days?
Oh, that's right, the answer would be "nothing".
Very true, St. Grems.
But also an illustration of the profound ignorance of gullible right-wing nutbags.
There is an early American tradition of referring to the White House as the "People's House", and there was a tradition of opening the White House to all comers for feasting on Inauguration Day.
Obama, as a smart and well-educated man, would be familiar with this history.
Those who listen to Rush Limbaugh would not be aware of this.
You may recall, Grems, that (until very recently) "realism" was unknown by the Republican Party.
And if it means I could see a doctor about my suspected diabetes, well... bring on the serfdom!
I should never respond to a stupidity when I'm this tired, although in case Our Own W comes back, at least it'll be closer to an even match.
I tend not to take seriously any comments by someone who takes his moniker from a mythical bit of cinematic fear-mongering done in the Reagan years (The Era Of Senility).
Well-noted, St. Joy.
Sometimes we must do painful things, St. Joy ! :-)
I just left three comments on an especially stupid rant (even for this author) by Carol of la-la land. I went there in response to the comment by St. Grems.
I find it hard to see people complain about things which are not true.
If Carol had a clue about American History, she would know that Obama was harking back to the earliest days of the Republic.
Admitting missteps is wonderful.
The president actually caring what I think , well the president should, but boosh never did.
When the justice dept. is restored we will be well on our way to a much better America.
Although I see the republicans still think they matter and the Dems still need to continue growing their spines.
They remind me of an abused dog that just wants love.
Well that ain't what America needs.
We need decisive action now.
Admitting missteps is wonderful."
Every intelligent adult thinks so.
It should not be unusual for us to clebrate these qualities in American leaders.
After all the secret conniving, lying, and plundering by the failed Bush administration, the return to "normal" feels like a victory.
the mantra of the clueless.
A Republican President, a Republican Treasury Secretary, a Republican Chairman of the Federal Reserve promoted the largest nationalization of American industry in the history of the Republic.
Of course, the failed administration of "the MBA President" made this dramatic step necessary.
Bush had the worst approval rating, but had the Dick Cheney insurance policy. made by Robin G. on a thread about a plot to assassinate President Obama.
It was, apart from Lori F's, the funniest (possible the most truth filled) comment on the whole thread.
Well-noted, Kathleen.
Thanks to you and Robin G.
Wolverine? Put your gun down, dude. I've heard your story and agree with a bit of it, but slamming someone who is doing cleanup detail for the Repugs is not okay. Let's hear your "better ideas" for picking up Americans who WANT to work...and giving them jobs to earn pay their taxes on...
Thanks, Peter.
Wilka
I agree, Rita.
One must be irrationally defensive and guiltily blind in order to defend the utter failure of the Bush Regime.
There haven't been any ideas from the shrinking numbers of Republicans in Congress, nor from the ridiculous pundits of the right on Gather.
(The party never ends, Wilka. You can't be "late".)