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Obama Reaches Out to China
President Obama used a speech in Tokyo to send a message to Beijing: We come in peace. “I know there are many who question how the United States perceives China’s emergence,” Obama said, according to The New York Times. But he added, “In an interconnected world, power does not need to be a zero-sum game, and nations need not fear the success of another.” Obama also urged Asian nations to view the United States as a Pacific partner, even using his own biography to add to the case. “My own life is part of that story,” he said. “I am an American president who was born in Hawaii and lived in Indonesia as a boy. My sister Maya was born in Jakarta and later married a Chinese-Canadian. My mother spent nearly a decade working in the villages of Southeast Asia, helping women buy a sewing machine or an education that might give them a foothold in the world economy.”
Demsdisorder
OMG... what a self serving ASS.
progressiveaggressive
I know, right?
What a dick to think that America might be better off working with other nations.
How narcissistic to use a personal story to relate to someone else.
Doesn't our President know that the ONLY way to prove America's worth is to force other nations to our will?
Doesn't our President know that the ideals of our country are so fragile, its risky to even use them-like the good china plates?
LostPatriot
No problem, if they look they will find those nasty little aluminum tubes and smoking guns. Then it's all slam bam thank you mama. We'll show show them thar commies a thing or two when we bomb them silly!!!!!
AlanD2
And how well did that work in Vietnam, LostPatriot?
hfb1053
Dems - Don't talk so harshly about yourself.
diamondgirl
He will kiss China's butt to get the money he needs to fund his Out Of Control Spending Programs, so he can make United States just China. Run by a Dictator, with all the communist sprinkles of on top. China will jump at the chance to help him do that, we will be partners alright, partners in crime..
jaydeekay
You can take your hand out of your pants now.
makeclear
Mr Clinton left a surplus od $500 Billion in the Treasury
Eight years later, a deficit of over a $ trillion was left, to this new President.
Two wars were created, costing over $1 billiom per month. So far over a $1 trillion have been spent on them.
None of these wars were funded or budgeted.
Medicare part D was created 4 years ago, it was not funded or budgeted.
A new Department of Home Land security was created. Adding to the buracracy of the Government. It added thousands to the Government's payroll .
There was no need for this creature, called Home Land Security, all the security Agencies were already in place, except for TSA.
Talk about spending being out of control, just think about the cost of those few items above. The are the major contributors to where we are today.
The last Administration had 2 stimulus packages, both of which may equal the one this Administration put in place.
One cannot talk about run away spending without looking at the woeful spending habits of the past, which are now legacy issues.
This President should have been left with a budget surplus, and no wars instead he was left with a huge deficit, and two wars that have no end in sight.
Deal with the facts, and the truth.
Insults, and swearing does not add to the debate.
AlanD2
Nice bit of trolling to start the day, Demsdisorder.
camfield
'Fraid you must have him confused with some paranoid fat-assed conservative who's sitting around totally concerned with his personal bank account (and to hell with everyone else).
More power to Obama. It's a great step forward for the world to have someone with his empathy and compassion in his position of influence.
dblj51
Spoken like a true reb-ass
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Demsdisorder
No chance he has a second term. Im starting to wonder if he will be able to finish a first without being thrown out of office.
hfb1053
Keep dreaming.
devilsadvocate
Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people. We get what we pay for. Look at Congress.
jolebo
da, Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.
We certainly saw that when George Bush was elected to two terms.
devilsadvocate
jolebo....good point. The same that holds true for voters of Congress, definitely holds true for voters of Obama and Bush. It's a sad state of the American education system that so many people's minds are so easily molded like soft clay, by the very people they have elected to serve them. But they work for us, right?....right? Don't be so naive as to think that for a second. And don't believe that anyone in government looks out for the people they're supposed to serve before their own power, political and personal interests.
AlanD2
Demsdisorder: Surely you are thinking back to George W. Bush?
AlanD2
devilsadvocate: You and your extremist views are a prime example of a mind so easily molded like soft clay by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.
Honchos
Ah, the old Republican game plan: if you lose the election fair and square- start talking about impeachment even if there's absolutely no grounds for it. Way really get behind American principles, guys.
devilsadvocate
AlanD2. You're getting pretty desparate. Hope I didn't strike a nerve. You assume that because I criticize Obama, that I'm happy with Bush. My views are far from extreme (in fact I'd be considered a moderate by today's standard) and I don't watch cable news. Independent thought is a valuable commodity these days. That's something I'd challenge you do to every once in a while, instead of making false assumptions about me, or getting upset that I don't fit the profile of the person you think you're having an argument/discussion with.
diamondgirl
Obama will never be elected to a second term, no way no how, you are dreaming and hoping I am sure. But the way he is trying to change this country is not the change anyone with a brain can believe in.
cbeenthere
correction dg: I believe you mean any without a brain can believe in.
AlanD2
Then why are you planning to run Sarah Palin in 2012, diamondgirl?
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AlanD2
You may not be impressed, Square, but I am. In the face of 100% Republican opposition, Obama has already had these successes:
-- Legislation Signed --
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill)
Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (SCHIP)
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act
Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act
Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
-- Executive Orders --
Reversed Bush Administration policies on stem cell research
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay
And with health care reform virtually certain to pass, he will almost certainly be remembered by history as one of our great presidents.
Georealist
Every one of those "accomplshments" are minor or illusory..he hasn't closed Guantanamo Bay! What he has spearheaded are Govt Giveaways Galore..a cash for clunkers prgram that costs $31,000 to actually fund each vehicle sold..a first time himebuyers giveaway for people who missed the last 20 years..an Afghanistan policy that NO ONE..not even Obama..knows...and best of all urging a quick passage last August of a health reform bill he didn't know the contents of! Stellar!
As for this China nonsense..he recently invoked a tariff clause against China that caused great alarm in the East..and his Treasury Secretary Tim Giveaway Geithner was literally (watch the video!) laughed out of an auditorium filled with Chinese finance students. We ALREADY have excellent relations with the Chinese..we print T bills and bonds and they buy them! In return..we've sold our industrial capacity down the river so Wal Mart could offer cheap garbage made by Chinese earning slave wages!
Unless someone considers Polk or Carter one of our "great" Presidents I'm not sure Obama really slides into the upper echelons.
Johnnyappleseed
Alan a dale or d2 , whatever your smoking, it must be good, because it certainly is making you delusional.
AlanD2
Georealist & Johnnyappleseed: It's too bad that reality has a liberal bias, isn't it?
laughorcryagain
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. 4
This much we pledge-and more
Unless you own a lot of U.S. T-Bills, in that case go ahead and beat and torture people and deny them freedom
oh and unless you have the ability to disrupt us in afghanistan, in that case go ahead and jail the oppostion, and make an A-bomb
oh, and unless you actually mean to fight us in your effort to set up an islamic regime which executes women for learning to read in that case well go ahead,we don't support actually fighting for anything
AlanD2
Then why aren't you fighting to send 2.8 million American soldiers over to Afghanistan, laughorcryagain? Counter-insurgency experts say we need one soldier for every ten civilians to ensure victory.
Of course, this would mean reinstating the draft and doubling our taxes, but these are small sacrifices to make if you want victory. Right?
And I hope you would volunteer for the fight.
dblj51
This prez has done more good in less than i yr than the idiot did in 8 yrs im very proud to be an american again,im 59yrs old and i hope i never live thru the likes of the bushwacker again he was an embarasment to this country.
hfb1053
dblj51 - I agree with you. "Some" of these posters are just idiots and will say anything but I'd like to see them handle the load President Obama has had to deal with from the dirty hands of the Bush administration.
diamondgirl
Obama is giving out money and things to people, how is that good, he has no good plan to promote independence or self reliance. This country needs to get back to basics, work for a living and earn your own way, instead of waiting for the tax payers to pay for it.
You liberals are the idiots, get a friggen job,stop waiting for hand outs you trolls. Forget about Bush, he is gone and now we have a new nut in town, doing more to hurt this country, two wrongs dont make a right.
jaydeekay
I wonder how quickly Germany forgot Hitler? I mean it's not as if his policies determined the policies of his successors. Like any wars he started... or any economic moves he made...
AlanD2
diamondgirl: Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 - all Republicans - ran up $9 trillion in national debt.
Is this the conservative way to independence and self reliance?
Or are you going to throw them under the bus and call them RINOs?
Honchos
You guys clearly haven't heard- Republican scientists recently discovered that history actually began on 1-20-09, therefore all of our problems are Obama's fault and George W. Bush's presidency is a false memory planted by Satan (or possibly Obama) to deceive.
http://www.credoaction.com/comics/2009/11/when_history_began.html
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makeclear
Really?
Look at the give a way to the rich that took place under the last administration. If you are rich then it is ok to get dole?. But if the poor and the average man get his/her un-employment check extened, or if their health insurance premium gets supplemented after lay-offs it is a problem for you?.
Take the time to learn how the stimulus money is being spent. It is going to the average man. Not to the top 5% of the population, who are wealthy. This is a wecome change from the past where only "trickle down" mattered.
People are looking for jobs they just can't find any. I am talking about professionals, engineers, accountants etc.
If it were not for the stimulus package many firemen, policemen, teachers, and state and local government workers would be layed off.
Did you know that the health insurance premium for a healthy family of 3 not supported by a company plan is approximately $1000 per month?
Did you know that the stimulus package picks up $650/ month of that cost for 18 months, providing one qualifies?
SIMIECOCOA
db, More good for whom? The kind of society you loons want can not and wiil not stand! History shows that the kind of society you wish for was destroyed by the hand of Allmighty God. Dont look back Barack or you will become a pillar of salt...
devilsadvocate
Proud to be an American again? Sounds like you're really proud to be a political partisan, whose pride for America shifts in sync with the political winds.
AlanD2
It was pretty hard to be proud of America during the Bush administration, devilsadvocate.
Two unnecessary, unwinnable wars (one started by Bush lies), a $5 trillion addition to our national debt, torture, illegal spying on all Americans, the Bush Great Recession, and lots more.
But I'm sure conservatives like you were tickled pink.
devilsadvocate
What it means to be an American does not change from president to president. It's based largely on yourself. Don't let your pride in America be dictated by whether or not a certain person holds a certain office. I'm simply saying that anyone who says they're proud to be an American again bc Bush is gone, or conversely, that they're not proud to be an American because Obama is now President, is confusing their national "pride" with pride for their political views and for partisanship. Americans always have had reason to take pride in their country for over 230 years.
I was not happy about Iraq, as many were. I got laughed at plenty of times when I suggested that we were taking our eye off the ball (bin Laden) by going into Iraq, and that it was not the right thing for us to do. I'm not happy about deficit spending, our national debt, and our trade deficit. Bush was anything but conservative on these matters. This criticism he surely deserves. But give the same due criticism to the next guy who is doing many of the same things such as piling even more onto the national debt, rendition (we won't torture, but have no problems letting other nations do our dirty work), extending the "Patriot Act", and making efforts to avoid short term economic pain which we'll eventually feel a few years later (attempting to prop up the housing market/bubble).
And lastly, we've been through this before.....don't be so quick to slap a label on someone you do not know.
angels81
What this President is doing is turning down the heat. and opening doors that have been closed to us for years. Last time I looked we were part of the world community and need doors open to fair trade with other nations. China is a huge booming economy, and it would be good for this country to be a part of that economy.
This could mean jobs for Americans and a boom for American companies. Working with China instead of making them the bad guy, and trying to strike fair trade policies with them is a win win solution. Trying to bully China, like Bush did for eight years hasn't worked out to well for us.
devilsadvocate
We're already a part of that. We send our dollars to China, in exchange for cheap goods. We get to buy goods at a discount but pay for it with fewer jobs in America. Both apparently see this as a fair trade-off. To complete the cycle, China loans trillions of dollars back to America, which we'll have to pay back over time, and doing this allows China to keep their currency value pressed down so that their goods are the cheapest in cost. Much of our government spending is financed by China and other generous nations, but they will want that money back someday. Hopefully we'll be able to pay it. We already have outstanding future entitlement liabilities (Social Security, Medicare, etc.) of over $50 trillion. This scheme cannot go on forever.
isabella
The last time China was the bad guy was before Nixon won the presidency. What do you think China would do without Americans to purchase their junk products?
marshallr4
Speak softly and carry a big stick
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isabella
It worked until BO won office. You might soon wish it was still working.
barrett
Sounds like he is being careful not to offend our financial masters. In the meantime, China's got us right where they want us; subordinate; too dependent on their purchases of our debt to have any leverage over what they do in the world.
Really, it's pitiful. Obama didn't create this sad state of affairs, but he's not doing anything to improve it, either. If he was a bold economic leader he'd tell the Chinese that he will push for tariffs on all imports to America, before this nation defaults on our outstanding debt, after which the rules of trade will be rewritten to attain a sustainable equilibrium. He'd piss off everyone but working folks in the U.S. - and that would be a good thing, for him politically and for the U.S. economy.
devilsadvocate
Sums it up very well. I couldn't have said it better.
AlanD2
barrett: The Chinese have much more leverage on us than we do on them. They could easily dump their U.S. securities, which might devalue our dollar by as much as 50%.
Of course they would lose a lot of money doing this, but if we piss them off enough...
devilsadvocate
Right. And it seems that due to our trade deficit, that the dollar will fall. It just depends on our debtholders like China to determine how fast that happens. Seems that the Chinese may one day be in the position, or come to the realization that writing off what we already owe them would be better than continuing to loan us trillions of dollars in years to come with the prospect of not getting that back.
You're right, if we piss them off enough it could happen. But even more so than that, they may choose to stop buying treasuries for the sole reason that they anticipate it not being paid back to them. They may lose a lot in the process, but what's worse for them, losing 1 trillion today, or losing at least 10 trillion in the future that we say they must keep buying. The Chinese, with their habit of putting their money into savings, and being able to produce cheap goods, are perfectly capable of buying their own goods and not relying on us to do so. Makes me nervous for the US.
AlanD2
I agree, devilsadvocate.
(Don't die of shock!)
devilsadvocate
Not shocked at all, Alan. We've agreed and disagreed on many issues here at TDB. At least both of us, unlike so many others who post here, can have an intelligent conversation about relevant issues.
Johnnyappleseed
You mean he might see the forest in spite of all the trees?...noval concept
WalidMaaytah
Obama's ideals are as noble and benevolent as they come. His only problem is that he is too nice, too careful, too politically correct. And he backtracked on issues, like with the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and the settlements issue, when he shouldn't have, especially that his credibility was on the line. America needs Obama's ideals with LBJ's strength and tenacity. He needs to take the bull by the horns and kick some Republican butt - oh, and to spit in the face of phony, pseudo-Democrats like the Benedict Arnold of the Democrats: Lieberman, who turns my stomach with his treachery and disloyalty. That guy is pure human trash.
jaydeekay
I don't like Lieberman because of his political positioning... not because he is a 'traitor,' as some seem to think.
I am all for politicians having the guts to change their minds... I just don't like the way his changed.
Johnnyappleseed
One of the only real Senator's left on that side of the aisle.
devilsadvocate
I take issue with the Lieberman comments. You can hate him as much as you like, that's your right. But it is false to attribute any of his actions today as disloyal to the Democrats. They booted him from the party, after which he owes no loyalty to them, as you incorrectly assume. What he did before that is a different story, but what he does today is nothing close to disloyal. It would be if he still had a "D" next to his name.
And to demand for Israeli-Palestinian talks, the precondition of freezing Israeli settlements, was was not something the Israelis took seriously, and for good reason. As Netanyahu said, the Israelis and Palestinians have been talking for many years, and without preconditions. So the notion that preconditions would suddenly be set on the Israelis alone, to participate in talks they already take part in, was a naive one. While a noble goal for Obama to pursue, it was an error in calculation.
LostPatriot
Take away the USA aid given to Israel including the money, nukes, all WMD, and give them protection from NATO and the UN. Force them to give back the land they have stolen. This will force them into making peace. Then redistribute the money flow from the USA to Israel to all the people in the Middle East.
Demsdisorder
LP muslim much?
AlanD2
devilsadvocate: Lieberman was booted from the party in exactly the same way that Republican Dierdre Scozzafava was booted from the party in the heavily Republican 23rd congressional district in New York.
And now you guys are now trying to do exactly the same thing to other moderate Republicans, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist.
So you are saying that people like Crist no longer owe any loyalty to the Republicans Party?
Johnnyappleseed
His calculation was correct 2 2 is 5, no uh! er a 3, well anyway its something.
devilsadvocate
Alan, Keep me out of the "you guys", because I'm not a loyalist to any party. And I guess you're right about the comparison btwn Lieberman and Scozzafova. I don't konw much about her, other than that unlike Lieberman she was not elected. Lieberman was, and after a long carrer as a D Senator. Don't know much about the Florida thing either. It's hard enough to follow local politics where I come from, let alone in another state.
Demsdisorder
he is just trying to acquire more slaves. liberals love being slave owners
AlanD2
Demsdisorder: Ancient history. All the Dixiecrat slave owners switched to the Republican Party in 1964.
And have lived there happily ever since.
Johnnyappleseed
Lyndon Johnson, now there's a role model of a president, almost as corrupt as Grant.
jaydeekay
You are SO right... but then again, what President wasn't/isn't?
Maybe Carter... and you see what kind of reputation that got him.
isabella
His real problem is that he knows nothing about foreign policy and is making it up as he goes. What should he do about Israel? Tell them to bomb Iran and take out Hezbollah and Hamas. Then talk to the Palestinians.
Do you hate Lieberman because he's Jewish? Just wondering. People who use terms like "human trash" are usually Nazis, or their SS helpers in WW2, Islamic fundamentalists.
TWBBug
Getting a little tired of being reminded of his lineage. As far as that goes, his words are hallow.
Can you believe we elected this guy because he knew how to give a good speech? Hell, we should have elected his speech writer.
I've lost it for him and the crowd who brung him. As for Michelle, for her to wear that blue to the Tomb of the Unknown the other day just tells me she might be an intellect but she sure is short on common sense and what is appropriate. As First Lady, she represents all of us and I would have never done that or a lot of what she does. She does not speak for me.
jaydeekay
Who does?
Should anyone?
angels81
As a Vietnam combat vet, I had no problem with the dress she wore. I think from someone like you, it wouldn't have made any difference what she had worn. You've made it pretty clear that you didn't vote for the President, so it really doesn't matter what you think.
Demsdisorder
she wins the award for the worlds biggest ass. literally
AlanD2
Sorry, Demsdisorder. She doesn't have what it takes to compete against you for that honor.
AlanD2
TWBBug: I'm glad you recognize how "hallow" our Messiah's words are! :-)
More seriously, I suspect he writes most of his own speeches, at least the major ones.
And he certainly wrote his own books - unlike, say, Sarah Palin.
Say what you want, TWBBug, but you don't speak for me or the majority of Americans.
Demsdisorder
yes he dose speak for most. just not you
AlanD2
Oh really, Demsdisorder? Check out this NBC News/Wall Street Journal Survey [10/25/09]
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/wsjnbc-10272009.pdf
43% Democrat or lean Democrat
17% Independent
31% Republican or lean Republican
Note how Republicans (conservatives) are in the minority these days. Too bad...
whipmawhopma
I suspect the multiculturalisms mean nothing in China and Japan. Like Americans, the Chinese and Japanese are full of themselves. They are far more interested in their own security and their own power, and the Japanese are still sorting out what it means to live in a world where the relative power and presence of China and America is changing.
BlueMoose
While it is true that Japan is very much a unitary culture the same is not true of China. That country has many different ethnic groups.
whipmawhopma
BlueMoose - You're correct, but the flavor of the day is Han, everyday. And since that's what keeps China together, other than the Red Army, it will be Han for a long, long time.
BlueMoose
The right wing whackos are our in force today. They just can't stand having a president who is smarter than they are.
Demsdisorder
Ya that's it..
SFGiants
BlueMoose: I wouldn't worry about these wingnuts posting here today. Some of them are obviously Middle School students who are in serious need of remedial English classes.
AlanD2
I have often thought that, SFGiants.
whipmawhopma
I'd love to see a demographic study.
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Desertpenguin
cvillekid--
Let me help you out with a partial list of haters that love to come and dump:
Plantagenet drevilo Allguns DD3075
Johnnyappleseed (not to be confused with Johnnyapplecd)
neverlate winston1 Carole65 timmyboy
misterdon democracyforall pricklypear
Soonchurcher maryfrost2 Joanne38
rtchap2 egw7777 Jinglebob johnwr3
ConstitutionalRights clearthinker nightdragon83
nightdragon09 Grimmace Olbermannisstupid
SandraZ8122 Alaric Baddchild theoPitt
MaeQueen jus1drun bbrown13 GPatton
ThinkAgain KemCho sonofloud winebabe917
mrwonderful1942 penscott AngryJ chiefpayne
ChanRobt bcaldwell msamericanpatriot
VagrantPhilosopher dabeall jpelhamtn Housebird
Spartann leftwingsuckers fenngibbon larry278
NewyorkerR LeftCoastRightBrain RomeoHotel
osea65 cesspool gameon laughorcryagain
Aslonleon
*whew*
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diamondgirl
cv, bla bla bla, thats all i hear when you write anything...LOL
LostPatriot
Obama said "we come in peace" to the Chinese communist people because other countries no longer view the USA and its partner in crime, Israel, as coming any other way but to attack and kill. Certainly China, our past sworn communist enemy, must be very wary of the very poorly managed USA economy and its psychopathic warrior mentality. Would you trust a psychopathic killer in your house? Would you want to deal with someone who had no clue how to manage a country and had a record of serious human rights violations that stretched over the last 60 years making Stalin and Hitler look like nice people? Obama needs to do much more before other countries will ever have any trust in the USA or its dollar either one.
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AlanD2
Well, at least he's trying, squareyellowpaper. Unlike George W. Bush.
And I would suggest that only 1/4 of Americans are xenophobic. At least half of us just don't care, which is not the same thing.
isabella
How aware are Islamic countries of our culture? Ever tried reading the Bible in Saudi Arabia? Or drinking wine? Or sitting beside a woman driving a car? Bend over and take your sixty lashes. Don't worry about adultery. Only the female will be beaten. She might be stoned to death, but you'll be ok.
If you can't travel, do some reading and find out that people in all other countries envy you because you are American. You are ignorant. Most of your countrymen are not.
The reason we can't compete with some countries like China and India is we expect our workers to earn a living wage. You are a blowhard.
Trilly
I don't know if President Obama is doing the right thing by handing out the olive branch. China is fast becoming an economic super power. We outpaced them during the industrial revolution and the high tech revolution. They pushed back by using their manipulated currency to produced goods and services through cheap labor to keep up with the world economies. They are trying to outpace us on green energy with an end result of lower energy cost which will make them a leading competitor for manufacturing jobs for decades to come.
I am left to wonder if President Obama's trip to the Far East is symbolic,constructive or both. What is in this trip for us!? I will save the real criticism and/or Kudos after the trip.
Thank you.
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