Category Archives: President Barack Obama

April 19, 2011 · 11:54 am

Barack Obama and Carl Crawford

Barack Obama

We were all caught up in various degrees of expectation when Barack Obama was elected in 2008.

Twenty-seven months later our expectations are affected by realities.  And many of those realities have statistics relating to them

Unemployment Rate – January 2009 (7.8%), March 2011 (8.8%)

Gas per gallon – January 2009 ($1.84), April 2011 ($4)

US national debt – January 2009 ($10.7 trillion), April 2011 ($14.2 trillion)

Median price of US resale homes – December 2009 ($175,400), February 2011 ($156,100)

US casualties in Afghanistan – 2001-2008 (634), 2009-2010 (858)

Rounds of golf – George W Bush (24), Barack Obama (60+)

Approval rating – January 2009 (63% approve/20% disapprove), April 2011 (47% approve/48% disapprove)

Granted, statistics can be misleading but when combined with expectations they enable folks to react with something beyond uneducated bias.

John Burciaga’s usual columns in the Newburyport Current  refuse to face the realities we’ve experienced during the Obama administration.  Instead of disputing the statistics, John plays his favorite (only?) card – the race card.

To John, (“Memories of the uncivil war”) those who question the President probably have skin-texture motives.

Carl Crawford

That brings me to Carl Crawford.  When the Red Sox signed the outfielder to a pricey contract in the off-season, the expectations from fans around here were high.  After all, Carl had a .295 career batting average and had stolen 107 bases over the last two years.

Unfortunately, Carl hasn’t started out so well this season.  In fact, Manager Terry Francona has tried to change him around in the batting order hoping to make him productive.

The home fans haven’t been thrilled, either, after enduring Carl’s .127 batting average and ten strikeouts through the first thirteen games.  Some of the fans have started combining their expectations of Carl with his performance and have begun delivering vocal, negative reviews.  Some places call that, “booing.”

When will John Burciaga come to Carl’s defense in a column?  When will he tell us the horror stories of Louise Day Hicks, Bill Russell, and Jackie Robinson?  When will we be told that if Carl’s skin was lighter he’d wouldn’t be booed?

Baloney, John.  Like the man you make excuses for, Carl hasn’t delivered.  The unfair part is that Carl has only been at it for thirteen games in a 162-game schedule.  It’s early for him but Barack Obama has been at it for over two years.  From where I’m sitting, he appears to be unconscious to the negative realities he has created here and elsewhere that impact us.

Training film?

Speaking of unconscious, I was amused to see that Vice President Joe Biden reached that state during the President’s speech on the budget deficit.  Some have hinted that his dozed off condition was not a sign of rudeness but actually the shooting of a training film for air traffic controllers.

Seriously, the President has not met expectations and thus earns the negative reviews.  When John Burciaga brings skin color into the discussion, rather than performance, it reads like either racism or the effort of someone who has run out of defenses.  Which is it, John?

(This article appeared in the April 22, 2011 issue of The Newburyport Current.)

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November 5, 2010 · 6:04 pm

Clyde Draws Support in Newburyport

Clyde may challenge Scott Brown in 2012

Why would Clyde the Horse (mentioned in the Newburyport Current – “Not just horsin’ around”) want to exit from the Newburyport waterfront and get out of town?  Maybe the news of the rally uptown did it.

Seriously, a rally that draws hundreds(?) to restore sanity in Newburyport has to be a good idea.  Apparently from the makeup of the area crowd (Lefties) there was a definite need for a heavy dose of sanity restoration.

Of course a rally that starts in DC with MSNBC’s ranter Ed Schultz and ends with a comedian, wasn’t overloaded with reasonableness.  Don’t you wonder how many people came to hear the music and could care less for the chatter?

I think that the rally here and in DC were attempts to blunt the incoming fire just before the election.  Two years of partisan Obama politics had a majority of the voters ready to toss all the Democrats out.  These rallies preached the need to avoid a heated rush into disaster and surely saved some Democrat seats.

The election results have helped Massachusetts reacquire its laughing-stock image nationally. How could we retain all ten Congressmen who were part of getting us into the economic ditch during the past two years?  What does the rest of the country, other than California, know that the voters here don’t know?  However, any group that would even consider raising $11,400 to keep Clyde around hasn’t felt the economic effects of this administration yet.

Twenty-one Democrat US Senators are up for reelection in 2012.  Could they be now lacing up their sneakers to see how far away from President Obama and Harry Reid they can get before the voting takes place?  

Meanwhile, back here in Massachusetts it’s 2012 and US Senator Scott Brown is fighting for his elected life.  After careful examination of qualifications, Clyde the Horse has swept the Democrat primary and has Scott on the ropes statewide even though Senator Brown accuses Clyde of being a “neigh sayer.”

Clyde’s supporters in Newburyport laud him for his “stability,” and “always being around when we need him.”  When President Obama stops here on a one-day, $1 million campaign swing, he praises Clyde and compares him to himself, “Neither of us will change our stances no matter how strong the winds of adversity are.”

(This is a lighthearted letter-to-the-editor for the Newburyport Current.)

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September 11, 2010 · 1:49 pm

Mosque Building and Koran Burning

If building a mosque at Ground Zero is okay because it is a form of religious expression, why isn’t Koran burning?

If the President was a Moslem at any time in his (early?) life and switched to Christianity the Koran calls for his execution.

If the President said that he was in opposition to burning the Koran because he sympathized with Islam, it would be understandable.  However, his reason appears to be fear of Moslems.  Is free speech (expression) in America eliminated because someone does not like what is being said (done) and takes action to prevent that free expression? It is not because that would just be rewarding violence or the threat of violence.

What he might have said about mosque building, koran burning, and overseas protests.

Maybe the President could have said something like, “In America, freedom of religious expression allows a mosque to be built at Ground Zero as well as a minister to burn the Koran.  I am not comfortable with either action because I represent all Americans and there are many upset by either/both actions.  However, in America, law-abiding opposition can have its full say with full protection from harm. 

I am glad that people in other countries are interested in what goes on in the United States.  They certainly are entitled to their opinions regarding what we do and do not do.  We welcome that here.  However, threats against us because of a legal activity in America, will not cause us to end what we believe are legal activities.  Threats aren’t going to end the freedoms we cherish here.” 

(Under his breath he might have added, “When you allow a Christian church to be built in the center of your capital without consequences, I’ll begin to pay attention to your religious concerns. Your opposition sounds like hate to me and I won’t be swayed by that approach.”)

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September 7, 2010 · 5:32 pm

Taxes Are Good??

Paying taxes is good, according to John Burciaga, because it keeps us from becoming evil rich people.

You talk about a hard sell.  I hope that the Newburyport Current editors did not force John Burciaga to write an article advising us that taxation is a good thing.

Whatever the incentive, he made a run at it last week with “The Taxation Myth.” 

I recall back in the day when people would come to our door trying to sell encyclopedia sets and vacuum cleaners.  That was not easy to do but the items being sold made sense to some of us and we became buyers.  But selling taxation as a good thing?  How do you talk anyone into buying that?

John tries it using the “logic” that without taxation there would be rich people….and this is bad.  And even worse, the rich people might not want to associate with those who are not as rich as they are.  He cites those snobs, who built mansions in Newport (RI), and would not associate with those of lesser wealth.  A heavy dose of taxation would have righted that social injustice if John had his way.

What John cannot come to grips with is that most of us can manage our money better than the government can.  When we hear, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you,” we expect the worst.  John, on the other hand, is delighted.

I think that most Americans are willing to help others.  They will do it without being forced to especially in situations they are informed about.  But if you take money from folks and they learn of it being used unwisely, the taker has a quick two strikes against him. 

I wonder what the taxpayers in Boston think about the idea (described in the Boston Herald) of pouring millions of dollars into the worst schools in the city at the expense of the rest of the schools.  Shouldn’t those who perform well be getting the rewards?  I wonder if John is fearful of successful students getting even further ahead academically.

John’s friend from Hawaii (or wherever?) in the White House has clearly demonstrated a lack of financial sense.  Why would anyone want him using our money?  John might have used Barack’s money management for some sort of reservation about giving the government too much money but the lefty in him would not allow it. 

Maybe in a future article John could explain why the rich people these days (John Kerry?) seem to be on the public payroll and why he wants to give them more money to waste!

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February 5, 2010 · 2:44 pm

Lemming Left Still Follows Obama

Ideologue-In-Chief drives away support

How optimistic of Michael Cook to write the column entitled, “Obama not lame duck…not yet,” in the Newburyport Current after Ted Kennedy’s seat moved across the aisle. 

Relax Michael, Newburyport did not vote for Scott Brown.  In fact, Mike Capuano was the preference of the area Dem leadership not Martha Coakley and their support for her was very mellow.

Actually, Martha should have won statewide.  Forget her underwhelming approach to campaigning; this is, after all, Massachusetts.  She lost because the formerly magic letter beside her name on the ballot was a “D.” 

And that “D” joined her at the hip with the current administration.  Martha didn’t have the willingness or sense to run away from the current administration and the voters made her pay for that foolishness.

How can you describe Scott Brown’s campaign as “a tad disingenuous,” without any explanation? 

You mentioned chuckling over writers referring to Obama’s dreadful poll numbers.  Thanks for giving me a chuckle by stating that, “President Obama remains the most respected politician in America today.”  Since you cite no polls for such an unlikely statement, I’ll assume that you made it up.

You said that Obama “receives high marks from most Americans on national security issues.”  Again, no source cited, so again dubious conclusions pass as fact.  Those high marks could have been for his having an opinion on issues.  I’m not so sure that folks familiar with Fort Hood or the attempted airline bombing are giving him high marks for national security results. 

Michael, how can you blame health care reform opponents for stopping it.  Your Democrat friends have the numbers in Congress without including anyone else.  So why can’t they get it done?  Simple.  Their indescribable attempt at health care reform cannot even get full Democrat support.  Weren’t those bribes to Mary Landrieu and Ben Nelson a sure sign of the bill’s impossible-to-sell provisions? 

Next time there’s a tea party in Massachusetts you ought to show up to get a clearer view of what they’re up to.  I went to one on the Boston Common and noted two themes – (1) government spending is out of control and, (2) Barney Frank had a major part in the collapse of the housing market.  What is your problem with either?

Of course, there are extremists in any movement.  Denouncing tea partiers, because of the work of a few of them, is like suggesting that the Democrat Party is evil because bomber Bill Ayers is on board. 

Thank you for conceding that, “the Dems will still likely lose some seats in November.”  Under the best of situations that usually happens.  Brace yourself, Michael, because things will be much worse seat-wise if Obama lets his ideologue nature get the best of him.  The voters in three states have tried to get his attention.

Let me make a prediction: If Obama does not change his approach shortly, he will lose the support of every moderate Democrat in Congress.  And those Democrats will have to start taking action against Obama very soon or they will be hung with their support for him in November and risk suffering Martha Coakley’s fate. 

I wonder what could happen to Congressman John Tierney if an opponent could chain him to supporting President Obama’s agenda.  Is there another Scott Brown in the Sixth District?

( This letter-to-the-editor appeared in the Newburyport Current in the February 5th edition. )

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October 24, 2009 · 7:33 pm

Tom McLaughlin Rocks

Tom McLaughlin 10-24-09I happen to enjoy Tom McLaughlin’s weekly column in The Bridgton News.  Wow, that’s a novelty, or at least it seems so based on the regular letters-to-the-editor the BN lists.

When I read what his critics have to say I cannot help but wonder if these folks aren’t also the same ones regularly preaching “tolerance.”  Maybe their “tolerance” is only for those they agree with.

President Obama seems to have a similar problem.  He doesn’t like Fox News.  Why?  I think it’s because Fox News raises aggravating questions and presents information that puts the current administration in a bad light.

Tom doesn’t hesitate to do the same.  In the October 22nd edition, he belittled the Harvard educations of Al Gore and Barack Obama. That’s not what folks want to read if they’re convinced that a Harvard education exempts a person from scrutiny from the rest of us.  

Some call Tom’s writings, “right wing rants,” minus any explanation or knowledge of what that might mean.  They’re a bit like the elementary school student who hears a word on the bus, drops it into the family conversation at supper, and wonders why his mom returns with a bar of soap. 

Some of Tom’s critics in the BN readership do know what they’re writing about, so reasoned opinions differing from Tom’s are found very regularly among the letters-to-the-editor.  Thus to suggest that the BN is one-sided means that the critic either doesn’t read the letters-to-the-editor or else doesn’t know what a left wing point of view sounds like.

Tom McLaughlin is entitled to his opinion and thankfully the BN provides him with a weekly forum to do just that. 

On another note, I’m not at all surprised that the BN receives awards for their photos – they are excellent. 

I am also pleased to see that the BN is developing an online website that will enable folks from afar to keep up-to-date on Bridgton and its surrounding towns.  Keep up the good work!

( Sent as a letter-to-the-editor to The Bridgton News )

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September 12, 2009 · 5:15 pm

Hear, See, Speak No Evil of President Obama

Criticism offends his defenders

Criticism offends his defenders

I guess the point of the Newburyport Current’s editorial, “Another anti-Obama overreaction,” and John Burciaga’s, “Goodbye to town hall meetings from hell,” is that those of us in disagreement with Mr. Obama are fair game for any cheap shot that comes to mind.

The editorial “only” describes us as, “hysterical,”  while Mr. Burciaga chooses; “politically unwashed, naïve, reliant on bloggers of low mentality, nonreaders, yahoos, clingers to idiocy like a crucifix, rejecters of Jesus Christ, and thugs.”

I think that what escapes these writers is that Barack Obama received only 53% of the popular vote in the past election.  So even back in November (2008) 47% of the voters did not want Barack Obama to be the President. 

Bringing things up-to-date, the September 12th daily Presidential Tracking Poll by Rasmussen has, “33% strongly approving of the way Barack Obama is performing in his role as President.”

Both written pieces seem to assume that the President won by a landslide and is still held in high regard.  The facts indicate otherwise.  53% bought into Barack Obama’s campaign rhetoric but far less are still on board as the reality of implementing his ideas kicks in. 

Mr. Burciaga’s cheap shots made perfect sense to the winners early on but now they sound like they belong to an extreme lefty who is not paying attention to what has gone on since Barack Obama took over.

A person strongly approved by only 33% of the voting public should have expected some opposition when he tried to get the schoolchildren of the voters to consider: (1) What they could do to help the president, and (2) What is President Obama inspiring you to do.  For the President even to think that such questions are appropriate reminds me of Brian’s line in The Breakfast Club – “Claire, you’re so full of yourself.”

It interested me that GHW Bush addressed the nation’s schoolchildren in 1991.  His efforts were not received any better than Obama’s were.  If the Current editorial had stated that the Democrats’ negative reactions to President Bush were, “anti-Bush overreactions,” I would have conceded that the editorial was evenhanded…….but it did not happen.

Mr. Burciaga writes as one who is tolerant of only those who agree with him.  I wonder if he realizes that it was Obama’s ideas that turned some of the town hall meetings into sideshows not the elected officials attempting to defend them.  Congressman John Tierney was very wise to defend Obama’s ideas from long distance rather than from before a live audience. 

Looking ahead, I wonder how Mr. Burciaga will handle the compromises that the increasingly unpopular President will have to make to salvage any of his increasingly unpopular plans. 

Nonetheless, one thing remains certain, no matter what Barack Obama says or does, Mr. Burciaga will be available to demean all critics in The Newburyport Current.

( Appeared as a letter-to-the-editor in The Newburyport Current on September 18, 2009. )

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