THE DAILY BLADE: In Obamaland Everyone Agrees With Obama – Or Else
President Barack Hussein Obama invited 150 doctors from around the country – it was obvious they were doctors because the choreographed dog-and-pony show required them to wear white lab coats – to the Rose Garden to urge them to "speak out strongly on behalf of the things you care about and what you see each and every day as you're serving patients all across the country” so that healthcare “reform” legislation will pass this year, reports The Washington Post:
Obama used the doctors' presence to argue generally that those who know the health care system best - the nation's doctors and nurses - are among the chief proponents of reform. His brief remarks were interrupted several times by applause and a few cheers. …
[H]is chief argument for the doctors was that his plan would allow them to better fulfill the "oath" they took as they began practicing medicine. He said that oath was not to "become bean counters or paper pushers," but "to save lives." In a reformed health care system, he said, they would have more time to do that.
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, three past presidents of the American Medical Association made it clear that – had they been invited to attend – they would not have been amongst those applauding, and say it’s “unfortunate” that by shutting out any voices of dissent, Obama “has missed an opportunity to learn more about the real issues facing patients and doctors”:
The United States has the best health care in the world today, and thanks to the ever-expanding frontiers of science and medical innovation the brightest days are ahead. It is true that there are Americans who fall through the cracks of our medical system every day - and as a caring nation, we must do what we can to expand access to medical care to those who need it. But this can be accomplished without a costly and inefficient government overhaul of the entire system. One easy reform would be to enable individuals to buy policies offered in any state, not just where they live. This will enhance competition. But more government-run health insurance will only lead to disaster. …
If the goal of reform is to provide the best possible patient care, let's take the government-controlled "public option" - and any legislative trick that could lead to a public option - off the table. It will result in long waiting lines to see a doctor, substandard care, and an end to medical discovery.
It’s not just healthcare – Obama will brook no dissent on any of his policies and decisions, and surrounds himself with supporters so he hears only what he wants to hear (a failing his predecessor was often accused of by MSM pundits and other administration critics). He is also keeping Gens. Stanley McChrystal and David Petraeus at arm's length.
President Bush routinely turned over a third of the allotted one-hour National Security Council meetings to Petraeus each week, whereas McChrystal can count the number of discussions he’s had with his Commander in Chief about the situation on the ground in Afghanistan on one hand and have three fingers left over.
And based on interviews with his aides, The New York Times reports that Petraeus “has largely muzzled himself from the fierce public debate about the war to avoid antagonizing the White House, which does not want pressure from military superstars.”
And the administration’s response to McChrystal’s speech to Institute of International and Strategic Studies in London last week (he said V.P. Joe Biden’s proposal to fight al-Qaeda with drone missile strikes and special forces operations would lead to "Chaos-istan"), has only reinforced Petraeus’ instinct to “keep his head down.”
The Telegraph of London reports that McChrystal “shocked and angered presidential advisers” with his bluntness – and they’re striking back:
An adviser to the administration said: "People aren't sure whether McChrystal is being naïve or an upstart. To my mind he doesn't seem ready for this Washington hard-ball and is just speaking his mind too plainly." …
The remarks have been seen by some in the Obama administration as a barbed reference to the slow pace of debate within the White House.
Gen McChrystal delivered a report on Afghanistan requested by the president on Aug 31, but Mr Obama held only his second "principals meeting" on the issue last week.
He will hold at least one more this week, but a decision on how far to follow Gen McChrystal's recommendation to send 40,000 more US troops will not be made for several weeks.
A military expert said: "They still have working relationship but all in all it's not great for now." …
Relations between the general and the White House began to sour when his report, which painted a grim picture of the allied mission in Afghanistan, was leaked. White House aides have since briefed against the general's recommendations.
Columnist Ruben Navarrette observes that “in Obamaland the wisdom of the messenger is directly proportional to whether the White House wants to heed the message. And there seems to be a lot that McChrystal wants to say that the White House isn't ready to hear.” He adds:
McChrystal is in a tough spot. When he isn't fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, he has to combat ignorance and cowardice on the Potomac. The general might have to end his career over this. But he shouldn't back down - not when strong leaders are in such short supply.
Earlier this summer, The San Francisco Examiner’s Timothy Carney called Obama out for his propensity to “see all disagreement with his policies as condemnable”:
[H]is record of dealing with actual dissent ... suggests he has so much faith in his own good intentions and clever plans - and so little skepticism about the power of government to do good - that he sees all disagreement with his policies as condemnable.
Throughout Obama’s political career, he coasted from one victory to the other (second item) without having to explain himself or argue his case beyond a series of lofty, artfully phrased platitudes that were as insubstantial as cotton candy. Why start now, when he and his allies can simply shut down the debate by ignoring, intimidating or vilifying critics?
Please Sign This E-Petition
Former AR Gov. Mike Huckbee’s political action committee (Huck PAC) has posted an online petition asking the President, Senate Majority Leader, House Speaker and Democrats in Congress to apply the principle “Balance, Cut Save” – balance the budget, and cut wasteful spending and taxes on families so they can save more – when considering major legislation in the weeks ahead.
The Stiletto Scoops OpinionJournal
Exactly one day after the Polish government enacted a law requiring chemical castration for pedophiles convicted of raping children under the age of 15 years or a close relative … Swiss authorities arrested director Roman Polanski … [I]f the Polish government is serious about enforcing its new law, it should start with Polanski, who meets all of the requirements for chemical castration - though at his age, it is likely unnecessary.
- “Extradite Polanski To Poland,” The Stiletto Blog, September 28, 2009
Mr. Polanski, who was born and raised in Poland, has received much support from his countrymen. In an irony evidently lost on Polish bureaucrats, government ministers of the Civic Platform Party began protesting Mr. Polanski's arrest on Saturday, one day after their government successfully passed a law making chemical castration mandatory for pedophiles in cases involving victims under 15. Now there's a thought.
- “The Polanski Hypocrisy,” OpinionJournal, October 1, 2009
THAT'S why Obama met with McChrystal in Denmark. I had heard it as managing to meet because they were relatively near each other. What it was was him calling McChrystal on the carpet. I hope the general does not back down. He has the lives of his personnel to consider.
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