I think what makes a lot of people irritated is the "it doesn't matter what POTUS*! says/does, I KNOW he has really really good reasons for doing it" argument.

Flashes of the identical argument show through w/ homeruk intermittently, and that's what bugs me.

homer, FWIW, I may not agree w/ you about Obama, but I'm confident I'm not alone in hoping you stick around.

Harry, do you even know what an ad hominem is? Can you point to an example of one in the threads over the past few days? I'll provide you with you of my own (this one doesn't count, BTW) You're such a feckin' dumbass you don't even know how to distinguish an ad hominem from an insult, so I can automatically dismiss whatever you say about anything, ever.

I've definitely been called a "dick". I'd wear the "Hard Left" label, proudly, thank you very much.

As to the finer points of your question, I wish there was a way we all might ask Dana Milbank directly.

http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/06/29/tortured-logic-a-news-round-up-and-the-aclus-accountability-initiative/

I responded to you a few days ago, FWIW.

http://letters.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/06/24/photos/permalink/8f2e4d6b07170a0ebbb035d89daadb19.html

...

Ever since Obama reversed himself on the question of whether to suppress the torture photos, I've been searching for an Obama supporter who (a) defends his decision to suppress those photos but also (b) criticized him when, two weeks earlier, he announced that he would release those photos. I haven't found such a person yet, but I'm still looking.

will be something along the lines of

"You're such a dick!"

I THINK that was Edith Piaf on the Victrola during the last bit of "Saving Private Ryan" - when the GI's are all waiting around for the Nazis to retake that bridge...

The signing statements, that is...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/27/obama-issues-statement-on_n_221821.html

or sig

Was that a typo? You DID mean 2010, right?

Because according to Addington et al if they WERE "prisoners" (i.e. of War) they would ipso facto be accorded attendant legal rights.

POTUS*! adopts far more than Bushie terminology.

ProPublica has the real story

http://www.propublica.org/feature/white-house-drafts-executive-order-to-allow-indefinite-detention-626

The EO's been "drafted"?

http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/26/white-house-drafts-executive-order-to-allow-indefinite-detentions/

or click sig

But I hope I'm the first to report...

I just saw Michael Jackson at the 7/11!

And I've heard more than enough of his music in the past 5 min. (my wife's watching CNN) to last me the rest of my life.

Excellent career move, Jacko.

"I'm going to like the Argentinian tail" DOES sound like "I'm going to hike the Appalachian Trail".

malcontent - the feckin' language in that "Jimmy Carter" linky was absolutely horrifying, and I laughed out loud pretty much the entire way through.

GeneralD - "somebody" [apologies, I've forgotten who I need to thank] developed a greasemonkey script w/ the (ignore/"killfile") functionality you desire. You might ask about it. Now, I swear by it, instead of swearing at the trolls, as I used to.

He obviously put some thought/effort into that piece. And he's proud of it. [Shakes head in wonderment.]

And Glenn, you continually demonstrate a seemingly insatiable appetite for punishment, but seriously, how do you find stuff like this?

While you're "Waiting for GG"

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bush-administration-leaks-bolstered-rick-renzis-reelection-bid-2009-06-24.html

or click sig

This audio interview is harrowing in and of itself. Jeezuz. Horrific happenings in Iran.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/cnn-interviews-iranian-woman-who-gives-acco

or click sig

Geez, Glenn, you're such a damned [insert apropos term here - "civil liberties", "transparency", "open government", "anti-torture", etc.] extremist! Just thought I'd point that out.

Pasta luego.

I "owe" you a response since you were good enough to answer my direct question re: the "good stuff" Obama's done.

FWIW, I wasn't (am not) looking for an argument. I'm genuinely interested in why Obama has supporters. And I didn't mean to be dismissive (was that the word? I'm operating from memory) - I had to head out to do some work. But I did read your answer. And we differ considerably in our assessments.

You like O's use of the bully pulpit. From my perspective, the man has an appalling record of saying terrific things, only to do the exact opposite, or to engage in shameless hypocrisy. So yes, he's great at using pretty words - to put a smiley, hopey, changey face on American Empire. He seems to get some people around the margins less pissed off, though, I'll give you that.

As far as foreign policy goes, I'll grant you some change, again around the margins (i.e. the shift in tone of the spoken words used to address Israel). Hey, like Chomsky says, the margins can make a huge difference to a lot of people. But where you see substantive Change, I see more of the same pro-military-industrial complex, ramp up the War(s) and Defense Spending shite.

And "allowing" the EPA to regulate CO2? C'mon. IIRC correctly, the Circuit Court had already issued orders to the EPA that they were required to do so under the Clean Air Act. Somebody will be along shortly to correct me if I'm mistaken on that, but yes, I suppose a POTUS*! who doesn't flout the Law whenever they feel like it can be viewed as a positive. Low expectations, those.

Cheers.

If you work up a GG Energy Drink shirt, (in "Salon" colors!) I'm down for one. That'd be a hoot!

I'm just in and tryin' to do a quick scan o' comments before life intervenes, and I'm reading yours (unbeknownst to me at the time) thinking, "hey, this person makes me smile!"

Then I caught the sig. Figures.

Cheers. Almost cocktail time for me.

I've got to run, but if you'd care to respond I'll read it later.

I'm curious, what has Obama done that you like?