The President Obama Thread - Part 6

[Kelly]

Not according to his numerous defenders here. He and Kerry's policies on Israel definitely warrant unprecedented obstructionism. Also his handling of ISIS.

Your comment is coming from a very ignorant understanding of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as well as ISIS in how they fit into Syria and Iraq. But keep throwing those Republican talking points out there, maybe if you throw them enough one of them will stick for a minute.

 

[TheVileOne]

Your comment is coming from a very ignorant understanding of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as well as ISIS in how they fit into Syria and Iraq. But keep throwing those Republican talking points out there, maybe if you throw them enough one of them will stick for a minute.

I know my truth.

 

[Perfect Cell]

You keep saying that, but repeating it doesn't make it any less ridiculous. There's no such thing as "your" truth. There's the truth. You don't get your own personal version of it that differs from the rest of reality.

 

[TheVileOne]

Everyone lets their own bias color how they interpret the truth. Everyone who comments in the politics section here does it. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. And I'm not going to apologize for it, and I'm not backing down either.

 

[Perfect Cell]

You also keep saying "what's good for the goose is good for the gander". You just keep saying the same cliches over and over again, as if repeating the same platitudes enough times makes what you're saying more valid.

Or because you have nothing else of worth to justify what you're saying.

 

[Orba]

Obama commutes Chelsea Manning sentence

President Barack Obama has commuted Chelsea Manning's sentence for leaking documents to Wikileaks in 2010.

The 29-year-old transgender US Army private, born Bradley Manning, will be freed on 17 May instead of her scheduled 2045 release.

She was sentenced to 35 years in 2013 for her role in leaking diplomatic cables to the anti-secrecy group.

The leak was one of the largest breaches of classified material in US history.

 

[DeadPresident]

That's rather intriguing. Isn't Snowden a pariah for something quite similar?

 

[Matt]

Obama commutes Chelsea Manning sentence

I am fine with him commuting Manning. I truly hope he does not commute Snowden. Manning had the courage to face the consequences of his actions. Snowden was a coward. Rule 1 of civil disobedience: you must accept the consequence that comes with your cause.

 

[Sithborg]

Agreed.

Besides, Snowden is a Putin puppet now. That seems like a fitting punishment.

 

[Donner]

I am fine with him commuting Manning. I truly hope he does not commute Snowden. Manning had the courage to face the consequences of his actions. Snowden was a coward. Rule 1 of civil disobedience: you must accept the consequence that comes with your cause.

Her, right?

I don't know about Snowden. He would likely never get commuted and spend his life rotting in a jail cell for exposing a massive problem with national security in the US. I would hope for him to return, get his day in court, and be found not guilty.

 

[Donner]

Agreed.

Besides, Snowden is a Putin puppet now. That seems like a fitting punishment.

Maybe Trump will pardon him then.

 

[Matt]

Her, right?

I don't know about Snowden. He would likely never get commuted and spend his life rotting in a jail cell for exposing a massive problem with national security in the US. I would hope for him to return, get his day in court, and be found not guilty.

Right, her. I mistyped

 

[TheVileOne]

He should pardon Snowden since he helped maintain the "transparency" Obama promised.

 

[Marvolo]

Cant wait to see the GOP reaction to this. Can Trump or the GOP reverse this?

 

[TheCommissioner]

Cant wait to see the GOP reaction to this. Can Trump or the GOP reverse this?

Yes, its a commutation not a pardon

and Paul Ryan issued a statement, typical GOP claptrap

as a veteran, I am of two minds

I personally agree with what Manning did, but the oath taken when you put on the uniform was broken

there should be consequences with that

 

[Schlosser85]

Personally, I wish he would pardon Snowden as well before time's up.

 

[TheCommissioner]

I think this is as good as its going to get

 

[Schlosser85]

I don't expect him to pardon Snowden.

 

[mclay18]

Oh, and um, no not a member of the bat**** crazy Tea Party....I am an Independent that voted for Obama in 2008, but could not swallow his inability to keep his mouth shut in matters that were local at best.

From the Beer Summit to probably about 2014, he was cocky, and mouthed off far too often for a President (whether he was correct in his assessment or not, it is not the job of a President to insert themselves into local issues) it made things much more divisive than they needed to be, hence he did not get my vote in 2012.
But, yeah....I'm sure I wear rose colored glasses....yeah.

I will however say that in his last 2 years, I was very happy with is Presidential stature and ability to take the high road when it was called for....

My comments weren't really aimed at you, Kelly. There is plenty to criticize Obama for, as you pointed out eloquently.

My comments were aimed at uneducated rural folks who never gave him a chance back in 2008 and never acknowledged the good things he's done. Those are people with rose-tinted glasses who ate up FN and conservative talk radio and think Obama's the worst thing to happen to America.

I'm also trying to wrap my head around the spin of how Republicans say that Obama and the Democratic majority forced ACA through without consulting them. There's truth to that, but the GOP minority was obstinate when Obama won, were they not? Even though ACA took inspiration from a well-received health care act implemented by a Republican.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I don't think Snowden should be pardoned. Also the Democrats would get a lot of grief for pardoning a turncoat.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

I am fine with him commuting Manning. I truly hope he does not commute Snowden. Manning had the courage to face the consequences of his actions. Snowden was a coward. Rule 1 of civil disobedience: you must accept the consequence that comes with your cause.

I gotta disagree here. I firmly believe there was no way Snowden didn't end up "hanging himself" in his own cell. So no, I wouldn't face those consequences either if I wanted to blow the whistle. I'm also fairly certain there was a big difference in how documents were leaked by the two with Snowden getting it to the press so they could attempt to censor individuals that could be harmed who were innocent, whereas Chelsea did a document dump which could've endangered lives of those she served with at the very least. I think both should not be imprisoned though.

Yes, its a commutation not a pardon

and Paul Ryan issued a statement, typical GOP claptrap

as a veteran, I am of two minds

I personally agree with what Manning did, but the oath taken when you put on the uniform was broken

there should be consequences with that

I'm a vet too, so you damn well there are things called "unlawful orders". Being in the military does not give the chain of command the right to take away a soldiers soul (although it is done regularly with no questions asked by many soldiers). There were many atrocities from the Iraq war, such is the nature of war of course, my only qualm is with how it was released, not that it was released.

 

[Mysteryman]

I think that a Snowden Pardon is unlikely.
But Obama is still president until 12:01pm tomorrow, you never know.

 

[DeadPresident]

What's the instrumental difference between what Snowden did and what Manning did?

 

[Ouch]

What's the instrumental difference between what Snowden did and what Manning did?

Snowden's leaks were considered more harmful, plus he fled the country. Manning was court-marshaled and convicted, and served her time.

 

[terry78]

I know there's a fine line between stupidity and bravery, but it does make you doubt Snowden's convictions.