http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/oleblue/abelincoln.jpg

So I said to him, "Barack, I know Abe Lincoln, and you ain't Abe Lincoln."






You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

.....Abraham Lincoln

'Whatever you are, be your best'

The funnies part of that painting is that:

Reagan, the hero of todays republicans raised taxes and ran up huge budget deficits.

Teddy Roosevelt created the national park system and was a very notable environmentalist.

Eisenhower was responsible for funding huge infrastructure projects and notably railed against the military industrial complex of which the modern republican is so enamored of.

Nixon though obviously one of the most flawed next to GWB, created the EPA which is so vilified by the modern republican.

Bush Sr. Raised taxes


All in all, I would say that Osg has once again shown that epic failure is something he has mastered quite well.

Bush Sr. Raised taxes




And stopped the movement into Baghdad and the subsequent capture of Saddam, which could have either hastened or prevented an attack on America or, at the least, possibly prevented the 4000+ deaths so far in Iraq of American soldiers.

You don't think those guys could've cooked up a similarly specious reason sans Saddam?

You're talking about our guys, I assume? Certainly they could have, but Bush Jr. definitely entered office with an agenda towards Iraq. Wonder how much of that came from his father?

Very little, Bush Sr's reasons for not going all the way in Iraq was based off the idea that if we killed Saddam, the million other wannabe's would try taking his place leading to sectarian violence and general bedlam in Iraq.

Not specifically Bush Sr. saying, "Hey son, finish the job," but rather Jr. sensing some duty or some such. It is still strange that out of all of the nations who were potential threats and ruled by oppressive regimes, we chose Iraq.

Not specifically Bush Sr. saying, "Hey son, finish the job," but rather Jr. sensing some duty or some such. It is still strange that out of all of the nations who were potential threats and ruled by oppressive regimes, we chose Iraq.

OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL .... takes a breath... OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL

And stopped the movement into Baghdad and the subsequent capture of Saddam, which could have either hastened or prevented an attack on America or, at the least, possibly prevented the 4000+ deaths so far in Iraq of American soldiers.

I actually give Bush SR credit here, for knowing what a gigantic cluster fuck trying to occupy Iraq would be.

I wish we had been in it for the oil. All we got out of it was several thousand deaths of good Americans and a huge deficit. We didn't even get oil contracts.

Once again Rover picks that painting apart with no rebutal from the orginal poster. More propaganda BS I continually see from retards at work and from clueless family members.

Yes, it is US Presidents. People of certain degrees of respect and gentlemen of high stature and regard...but that picture seems a bit too much like:

http://unpopulartruths.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/dogs-playing-poker.jpg

Perhaps that its the point. The thing is, the dogs painting is too much like kitsch to be taken seriously. Does the fact that its Presidents make it any different?

It's still kinda cool though, even if in slightly poor taste, and would actually be cool as long as the politics was removed from it and is viewed as " Presidents playing Poker" and not a part of the never ending Rush Limbaugh-esque assault we will continue to endure until a Republican is in the White House again. As a result, the OP of the painting sucks now, thanks to the context that Osg used it. Way to go, a-hole.

Not specifically Bush Sr. saying, "Hey son, finish the job," but rather Jr. sensing some duty or some such. It is still strange that out of all of the nations who were potential threats and ruled by oppressive regimes, we chose Iraq.

There was an absolutely fascinating interview with a Bush jr biographer, I believe it may still be on http://fora.tv , that explored some of the psychological reasons behinds Bush jr's often bizarre behavior -- being the black sheep, so to speak, of his own family he intentionally went for the Texas governorship to one-up his brother Jeb, who was then considered the leading figure in the family's public life; the invasion of Iraq wasn't, in his opinion, out of duty but instead the desire in his presidency to do everything right that his father "got wrong".

This is contrasted with Bush Sr who specifically did not go after Saddam because he knew that the coalition would have fallen apart and left the US with a civil war in Iraq for untold years ...

Let's not forget that senior also possesed an ability that JR. did not inherit. the ability to listen to those who know WTF they are talking about. I.E. Military leadership.

m9td6dk_lzw

Lmao!

The interesting thing about that picture? They're all White!

It seems that even after the death of Abe, there is still quite a bit of racial tension, no?

I don't know enough about the context of the painting, but it seems to me that if this was produced after Obama's inauguration, it's clear the painter's view is that Obama doesn't belong in the circle jerk of white presidents.

I'm not sure its a matter of racial tension Rybit. Those are all Republican presidents, whereas Obama is a Democrat.

No I'm thinking Rybit is pretty close to the mark.

In 2009 the term Socialist is a very thinly disguised Nigger!

Only in the twisted world of a liberal wrought with white guilt. Must be a terrible world you live in. That picture only has white people in it 'cause get ready.... are you ready? There has only been white presidents. OMFG!!!! And now we have our first bi-racial President. Which I think is great. To bad he is such a man with poor decision making skills. To bad he is lecherous human.. To bad he is a tyrant... He might have been great for America and now he shits on it.

Only in the twisted world of a liberal wrought with white guilt. Must be a terrible world you live in. That picture only has white people in it 'cause get ready.... are you ready? There has only been white presidents. OMFG!!!! And now we have our first bi-racial President. Which I think is great. To bad he is such a man with poor decision making skills. To bad he is lecherous human.. To bad he is a tyrant... He might have been great for America and now he shits on it.


Ummmm...Rybit is .....not white.

I agree whole heartedly with Osgiliath's first 4 sentences in his retort. Seriously, prior to Obama, there were no non-white presidents. Painting a picture of former presidents isn't racist.

I am a Democrat, and I am an Obama supporter. There are lots of things that could be inferred from Osgiliath's posting of the painting, but racism isn't one of them.

I mean to say that it's a strange thing that up until this point we have never had a non-white president. I'm proud that the US has progressed this far in racial issues. The painting does remind me of some racial tension because it has taken us so long to get here. And there are many who do not accept the fact that he is the president, giving into the "birther" idiocy.

I'm no fan of Obama's policies to date, but I am proud that Americans are able to see past race. And mind you, there is still racial tension. It's just that the painting served to remind me of that. It took us 230 years to bring a black man into the white house. Looking at a table of white men with power reminded me that.

Taleren, I agree, I'm not saying the painting is racist. I'm actually complementing the artist for reminding me that America's history has been filled with tables of white men. To deny that presidential elections have not had a racist streak is to deny history. We have finally overcome that hurdle.

America always takes a beating because for what ever reason Mr Black man isn't running the country...up till now. Curious ...Japan being ran by a White man born in Japan? Is an native born Asian running France?

Well of course it's easy to ignore the most racist societies in the world (yes I'm talking about the far east).

You guys are missing the point. That's why America is one of the best places on earth. The far east is no doubt racist, and is many other places in the rest of the world. You're talking about a country with 200 years of history. Japan, on the other hand, has a 1000+ year history, and China a 5000+ year history. It's hard for old societies to change. America is new.

Well, Europe is supposed to be progressive in many areas, and most of the countries there, are way older than the U.S.

When will France be led by a Muslim, is what I want to know.

i don't recall seeing a non white be a president(prime minister, king, etc.) in Europe either, but I'm sure I'm wrong.

And there are many who do not accept the fact that he is the president, giving into the "birther" idiocy.



Exactly! That entire nonsense is about nothing other than his race. Rush is once again exposing his willingness to whore himself out for anything as long as the ratings go up and he makes money for the sponsors.

As far as Obama and his first six months, I am more than willing to cut some slack considering what he inherited from his predecessor and the many serious items on his agenda which need to be juggled and kept all at the forefront. I have no doubts whatsoever that we would be seeing some of the same struggles and stumbling no matter who of the field of candidates from either party had won the election. It is easy for folks like us to armchair quarterback his actions, but I don't know of any of us that are getting his morning briefings and hearing what his advisors are telling him from day to day.

I'll wait at least until his first year ends to start launching barbs.

i don't recall seeing a non white be a president(prime minister, king, etc.) in Europe either, but I'm sure I'm wrong.


See: Spain

Its always interesting to see how problems that took years to create are expected to be solved by one man in 6 or so months. Well, prepare to be disappointed in the same manner that your shitty 1 dollar McDonald's hamburger doesn't taste like bacon wrapped filet mignon. No matter who is serving on the Executive side, be they Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green etc... there is still a whole entire congress full of self-serving blathering dolts with their own agendas. It tends to slow and water most everything down. And yet the President is the first to be blamed. Osg, if a Republican was in the White House, its doubtful corrective divine intervention would ensure either, but it would be just fine because whoever it was would be "your boy" as long as you toe the party line. W. Bush was a fuck up in too many ways, either by his own craft or allowing people like Cheney to make too many decisions for him. Obama getting elected wasn't much more than closing the door after the horse already bolted. The fact that he was black and got elected President DID hurt him in the fact that because he was able to pull that off, he could pull off more amazing feats. The fact that perhaps it is even considered "an amazing feat" reflects that there is still a long way to go as far as racial equality in the US and Obama is discovering that he was not elected as part of Affirmative Action. Maybe the public might consider that too and rate him as a human being who has a tough job and not some messiah.

As for the "Look at all the white Presidents" bit. Traditionally it was still whites who had the money and connections to pull off a successful campaign. It wasn't about purposely locking them out by law. Its just that many minorities with the money didn't run or couldn't run, until now. Really all it takes to become President is the age requirement, being born in the US, the money, connections, good moral and ethical standing and the desire to run. Oh, and some good ideas that will make a difference with the ability to follow through and stay the course inspite of always being chased by a pack of hungry dogs. Millions of people of all races and ethnic groups born in the USA all have this chance, because the US is after all a melting pot and there is a desire for equality in the ability to decide one's own fate. Many meet all the requirements, but just plain don't want the job. Lots of stress. The pay is shit. You live in a fishbowl..etc etc. Definately for only a select few. Still there is a better chance of pulling it off here as opposed to Asia and even Europe that have a much deeper sense of "tradition" or just plain and simple don't grant citizenship as easy as the USA does. You go to India....and what you see is a homogenous culture. Same with China and Japan or any of the "ese" cultures. Sure, the Chinese will tell you of all the different ethnic groups in China and you might even train yourself to spot them at a glance. Still, they got into China by conquest and territorial expansion over millenia and not by immigration.

The painting by itself really doesn't mean shit. At the very most its tacky, but everyone seems to be reading WAY too deep into it. You have almost the same thing lurking in your wallet. Pictures of dead Presidents. Most of those in the painting also accomplished some noteable capstone achievements during their careers. Not all of it was good. Out of all of them, only Ike and Abe have made it on to money. It wasn't because they were white. Its because their records were that accomplished in their years of service to the country. So yes, Obama is no Abe Lincoln but Obama would not be where he is today without the efforts of Lincoln so perhaps its not so injust for him to envoke Abe's name. He is Obama. Hopefully he will have his OWN track record to speak of, be it good or bad but hopefully good, because no one wants a poseur for a President.

Here, make your own Kenyan birth certificate (http://upload.democraticunderground.com/img/09/bc_template.jpg) just like a republican.

See: Spain

Not really an apt comparision.

The predominant race has held that seat what % of the time?

It's not a white "thang" it's a represenative who ....well reps the majority of the voting populace.

No matter the country this generally holds true, it's a shame but a truth imho.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

.....Abraham Lincoln



Except it wasn't Abraham Lincoln that said these things, it was John Henry Boetcker in 1916.

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/lincoln/prosperity.asp

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._H._Boetcker

http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/john_henry_boetcker_quotes.html

http://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/wp-content/blogs.dir/16/files/2009/01/lincolnquotes.pdf

from the PBS pdf:

The Ten Points
First Published in 1916
Although some people have claimed that Lincoln wrote the "Ten Points,” these words were
actually written by Reverend William John Henry Boetcker (1873-1962):
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for
themselves.
Information about this quote: Reverend William John Henry Boetcker first published these 10
points in a brochure called "Lincoln on Private Property." One side of the brochure featured
words by Lincoln and the other side had the 10 points by Boetcker. This brochure was reprinted
several times and, eventually, Boetcker’s name was dropped from the brochure, making it look
like Lincoln had written the points.

hah!

good stuff Tal