Tomorrow marks Obama's first 100 days in office. Obama has been all over the place, but a couple of things that make me happy I voted for him include the overturning of the Global Gag Rule, the passing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, and his signature to shut down Guantanamo Bay. I am also happy with many of his appointments, most notable to me is Van Jones as the green czar, someone who comes from the same organizing community as myself.
The one place I differ with this administration, even if far better than the last administration, is their stance on foreign policy from our role in the G20 to our stance on Afghanistan. That said, I will say in watching the news coverage of Obama in international settings, it is nice to have a president that is not a total embarrassment to us and how we are represented overseas.
What are your favorite accomplishments of the Obama administration to date and how do you think he has prioritized his work around gender based reforms, healthcare, the economy, the war, and immigration?
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I would add the creation of the White House Council on Women & Girls. Sure, it's just a council and we've yet to see what kind of work it will do, but even just the visible commitment to women's rights is lovely.
Clinton as Secretary of State + Hilda Solis as Labor Secretary = fabulous.
Having a president who pronounces it "new-klee-ur."
I always thought it was a bit petty to snark on someone's pronunciation, especially if it's a dialectic one (which I'm convinced "nukular" is, as is "nuKLEER"). People from different regions of the country pronounce things differently. I hear nukular all over the Southwest (where I'm from).
God knows we have plenty to criticize about Bush without resorting the liberal trope of calling him stupid because he talks funny.
Widespread usage, regionally or otherwise, doesn't make "nucular" any more legitimate or any more of a word. It's simply an erroneous pronunciation of "nuclear," and one that Bush was hardly alone in routinely using.
I do agree that there are far better things to criticize about Bush, however, without trotting out that old truism.
In no particular order...
GOOD: 3% GDP (~$420 billion) for science and technology development, WHC on Women & Girls, Lily Ledbetter FPA, steps taken to start shutting down Guantanamo, steps taken to overturn ideology-driven Bush orders on stem cell research and birth control, foreign policy approach (including reopening of relations with Cuba), release of torture memos
BAD: Waffling on strong prosecution for torturers and war criminals, rebranding of the War on Terror ("overseas contingency operations," well that doesn't sound so bad...), some economy-related notions he's pushed, aggressive maintenance of unethical Bush-era executive privileges, joking off marijuana legalization
I agree w/ everything on your list (not sure about the marijuana thing) and I'd add (hopefully) middle class tax cut...and (what looks like) a sensible bailout of Chrysler & GM.
It hasn't actually happened yet, but I am very heartened by the potential to rescind the conscience clause. I work in health care, and I know it's hard enough to find a provider that's affordable, that's covered by your insurance (if you're fortunate enough to have it), that makes you comfortable, and It's unconscionable to add to the stress of being rebuff by someone lording their ethics over your medical needs.
Isn't it sad? I'm so thrilled at just the *idea*.
My favorite accomplishment is making it to 99 days so that Samhita could post that awesome song.
There are quite a few things I am so pleased to hear Obama take action on, but as a scientist at the root of my heart, I have to say my favorite accomplishment is the March 9th Presidential Memorandum on Scientific Integrity. Finally, a president who will let us cut through the nonsense and pursue knowledge to its fullest degree!
His other stuff (like the Council on Women and Girls) also rocks my world, but I just thought I'd draw attention to that.
At Obama as any politician, has admirers, and there are opponents. There are the people dividing ideas, and is, which seriously doubt the American president. A freedom of speech and opinions - basic idea of democracy so, democrat Obama, is loyal to all. Not during the most successful time is a president, it is not necessary to judge strictly...