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by Mischief Maker 06/05/2012, 5:51pm PDT |
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Perhaps this is too much personal info for Caltrops but fuck it.
In the game of 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon I have one degree of seperation from Barack Obama; a friend and fellow activist who worked on the Obama campaign while I was going to Law School. This friend of mine was slowly dying of terminal cancer, but was campaigning like a bad motherfucker. Word went up the grapevine about this remarkable man. One day, while out pounding the pavement, my friend receives a phonecall and it's Obama itself. As the conversation was related to me, it started with Obama asking why my friend was campaigning for him even though he was terminally ill. My friend responded, "Because you inspire me!" Obama responded, "No, you inspire me!" They proceeded to talk for an hour which is a long-ass time in the middle of an active campaign.
The thing I truly admire Obama for is that he didn't try to capitalize on my friend. He didn't parade around "the guy who climbed out of his death bed to support my campaign" like Sarah Palin did with her down-syndrome baby. He didn't turn him into "Joe Chemo." He acknowledged the extraordinary contribution my friend was making man-to-man.
A year later, at my friends wake, a signed letter of condolence from now-president Obama was prominently on display.
Remember when Al Gore did his speaking tour for "An Inconvenient Truth" and people everywhere were saying, "Where was this engaging dynamic Al Gore during the 2000 election?" Bill Clinton's been in Milwaukee campaigning for Barrett and has not been pulling any punches, despite his 8 years as presidency as a Milquetoast centrist whose presidency was also started with an abortive attempt at healthcare reform that failed as much due to betrayal from congressional democrats as republican mudslinging. What sort of institutional controls tethered these men in their time of greatest power?
I respect Barack Obama the man, but as a Presidential Administration he's been a miserable disappointment. Is he also being gagged by institutional control measures? I almost wonder if that tweet was a final sneaky act of defiance by the man against his handlers? |
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Keep us informed of Tuesday's vote, MM. Or we'll all think less of you. by Imperial Walker 06/03/2012, 7:23pm PDT 
20 to 1 spending disparity VS. Wisconsin dead last for job growth NT by WHICH WILL WIN??? 06/03/2012, 8:22pm PDT
The pridefully spiteful tea baggers NT by pshaw 06/03/2012, 9:30pm PDT
Rallies on the Capitol that dwarfed anti-draft rallies in the 60s? I don't know by Mischief Maker 06/04/2012, 6:35am PDT
Looks like you underestimated us. You lose. NT by shitheel teabaggers 06/05/2012, 8:05pm PDT
The jeep of eletion predictions by TRUTH SIREN! 06/11/2012, 1:49pm PDT
Jesus, I'm getting Pro-Walker banner ads on Daily Kos. NT by Mischief Wisconsinite 06/04/2012, 2:07pm PDT
CNN reported the last Rep. presidential candidate to take WI: Reagan by Tansin A. Darcos (TDARCOS) 06/04/2012, 5:16pm PDT
Thanks a pantload, Obama. by Mischief Maker 06/05/2012, 11:15am PDT
President Reagan died on June 5, 2004. Let's win one for the Gi NT by @ ScottKWalker 06/05/2012, 2:54pm PDT
He signs his tweets!? An old school BBS'er perhaps! NT by Worm 06/05/2012, 4:54pm PDT
His most charming feature. NT by Shredder 06/05/2012, 5:59pm PDT
I like Barack Obama, on the whole by Fullofkittens 06/05/2012, 5:05pm PDT
sure by jeep 06/05/2012, 5:10pm PDT
I think it's a question of Obama the Man vs. Obama the Administration. by Mischief Maker 06/05/2012, 5:51pm PDT
Re: I like Barack Obama, on the whole by This is Chris's Blood 06/05/2012, 5:57pm PDT
He stood up for federal agencies cracking down on Occupy NT by disturbing "protect" girl trend 06/05/2012, 6:32pm PDT
Madison is on target for 119% voter turnout by Mischief Maker 06/05/2012, 4:26pm PDT
Shots heard throughout the courthouse NT by discuss. 06/05/2012, 4:46pm PDT
Republicans busing in piles of money from out of state NT by disturbing "protect" girl trend 06/05/2012, 6:38pm PDT
Well this whole democracy experiment was fun while it lasted. by Mischief Maker 06/05/2012, 8:08pm PDT
Also: Get ready for "President Walker," faggots! NT by Mischief Maker 06/05/2012, 8:15pm PDT
At what point do you stop blaming Democrats and start blaming people? They want NT by to be ruled by Walmart, & no unions 06/06/2012, 10:05am PDT
It's more... by fabio 06/06/2012, 12:16pm PDT
unions by fabio 06/06/2012, 12:28pm PDT
memes and media by Mischief Maker 06/06/2012, 2:54pm PDT
So like I said, it's people that are the problem, not poor Dem strategy. by People also don't want Air America. 06/06/2012, 8:16pm PDT
Why can't it be both? NT by TRUTH SIREN! 06/06/2012, 9:24pm PDT
Because if one is true, change is easy. If the other is true, it's time to NT by give up. 06/06/2012, 11:06pm PDT
the vast majority get the democracy they deserve. by Oom Shnibble 06/07/2012, 3:11am PDT
Re: the vast majority get the democracy they deserve. by Roop 06/08/2012, 1:55am PDT
it really isn't by jeep 06/08/2012, 8:56am PDT
Re: Well this whole democracy experiment was fun while it lasted. by Official Caltrops Video Reviews 06/08/2012, 2:22pm PDT
produced NT by gruman 06/08/2012, 4:21pm PDT
Hey, did you catch where I posted as you in that other forum? by Mischief Maker 06/08/2012, 7:40pm PDT
No I didn't, I was busy doing things that weren't a waste of time. 8) by Official Caltrops Video Reviews 06/09/2012, 11:19am PDT
Re: No I didn't, I was busy doing things that weren't a waste of time. 8) by Blue Collar Voter 06/09/2012, 12:28pm PDT
This is one of the "people" I was talking about. They're the majority and they NT by get what they want and deserve. 06/09/2012, 2:19pm PDT
The left should spend the next few years demanding to see Walker's birth certifi NT by and holding Coffee Party rallies. 06/09/2012, 5:19pm PDT
While the Walker's still in, the recalls DID flip the Wisconsin legislature. by Mischief Maker 06/07/2012, 7:04am PDT
Re: While the Walker's still in, the recalls DID flip the Wisconsin legislature. by fabio 06/07/2012, 12:51pm PDT
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