"Obama's Inauguration: A Day for Hope" topped this week's list in terms of both props (142) and comments (526). And after a long, vituperative election season, the conversation was mostly peaceful, and often elated. "This is a day that will bring the people of the world together like no other in the history of the planet," opined gamahuche, who also posted the story. Now, this wouldn't be Propeller if somebody didn't utter a discouraging word, and libsRfunny took up the task: "I just hope he doesn't fail miserably. It would not be good for my nation." He was joined by a slightly less negative Lincoln85: "I don't wish this man ill, and I acknowledge this historic event and can't help but think it is pretty cool that this has happened." But for the most part, jubilation ruled the day. Even a GOP diehard like tanglang (welcome back!) was pulling for the new guy: "Myself and all the Republicans I associate with hope that President Obama is the best goddamned president this nation [has] ever had." Said Spadecaller: "The joy of being in partnership with human beings around the earth who want to make a difference, and who are trying to make a difference, is an undeniably powerful experience. We do have something profound to celebrate today." Added Will1313: "Today begins the journey back to peace and prosperity." And CRMTYPHON urged Obama fans to be realistic in their expectations: "We elected a president; not a God. I don't want him walking on water--OK, yes I do, cause that would be cool, but really not needed. Let's keep it simple." A related story, "Change has come to the White House and Whitehouse.gov," racked up 79 props and 271 comments. Even this post about the revamped White House website inspired some positive vibes from GWHayduke: "By the end of the year, this country will be a vastly improved place." And yet another story, about the outgoing president's low-key goodbye party, generated 83 props and 119 comments.
DOLLARS AND SENSE
Perhaps the most immediate struggle for the new president will be this nation's ongoing economic woes. "Obama Has a Real Challenge: 8.4% Unemployment Rate Is Expected in 2009" racked up 101 props and 36 comments. For rightfromwrong, the article's projections were downright optimistic: "I am sure the real unemployment by the end of 2009 will be over 10%." Replied eastcoast1978: "That would be high, but I hope that's as bad as it ever gets for us. Still better than the socialist countries." GLee added: "This is Obama's gig and a more socialized country is on the horizon." Other members were less convinced about Obama's Marxist tendencies, and more confident that he would grapple with the problem. Said orndorffter: "I have high hopes for our country, and now we have a president who is willing and ready to repair what he can from the damage that America has faced." Meanwhile, Sandmonster urged us to keep our eye on the unsung culprit of the last eight years: the energy industry. "My family has been in oil in Texas since the early 1900s. Some of my family still works for Exxon to this day. An 8.4 unemployment [rate] will look like a tea party if the energy pigs are not brought to an accountable threshold in business." A related story, "Barack Obama Promises To Do A Better Job In Resolving Foreclosure Crisis," generated 101 props and 35 comments. Said stalemate: "I certainly wish Obama well and hope that he can bring closure to foreclosure problems. [But] borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is not the solution." There was a similar note of caution from jiants1986: "The foreclosure problem will never be fixed until new jobs are created. Lowering loan rates and adjusting terms for those nearing foreclosure due to job losses will only delay the inevitable if they can't find work." Yet another related story, "Second Wave of Mortgage Crisis to Begin," racked up 102 props and 17 comments, including a whimsical note from Shana4Liberty: "Hmm, and I thought the government had fixed all this. Silly me."
AND DON'T OVERLOOK....
A spate of stories about police brutality were among the most viewed over the last week. The most gruesome and surreal was "Police officer raped 3 minor girls and a cow," with 69 props, 23 comments, and 5,628 page views. (Said daducha: "I need to stop reading such things ASAP or I might go into a depression.") On a more positive note, there was "ATM Error Pays Hundreds Double Their Money," with 92 props and 44 comments, including a party-pooping observation from Bkumm: "Everyone that took (and kept) money from that machine is a thief." (Replied BronxBomber: "Or they're awfully bad at math.") There was also "What if there were no women in the world?" Leave it to not2needy to tell it like it is: "There would be some very sad, horny, hungry men." Replied cellularnumber: "It's starting to scare me just thinking about it." And finally, another hypothetical got the community talking: "If God Had Broadband...," with 140 props and 22 comments. God bless willottica for taking a serious look at the scenario: "As for spam filters, I think it's safe to say any standardized prayers will be filtered out. [And] an omniscient God would have no need for security, since he would be able to see anyone attempting to mess with his account and could easily take measures to stop them." But wasn't Lucifer a hacker?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1. You always do a good job when you write, I just wish that I was as good as you, maybe one of these days,you think? Very good job, I do think Obama well do his best to repair America. again Good job.
Posted at 1:27PM on Jan 23rd 2009 by orndorffter
2. Great story!
I think the current president is smart and has smart people working for him and ultimately the country.
Smart people can do the math that most Americans are starting to do.
Foreclosures are not what is causing the banking system to go under, if that was the case it would only cost less than 100 billion to fix that. Less than 1 million in foreclosures, just lower there payment to 30% gross and lengthen the term and it is corrected, net cost 0 over time, initial cost 1000(approx)*1mill*12 months * 4 years or less than 100 billion.
The reason the banking(or investment banking system) already used 350 billion and trillions backdoored is again the math. The banking system has been heavily investing overseas to build factories to use cheap labor and go around American laws to produce everything possible. But OOPS they forgot when they did that nobody would have a job to be able to buy all that junk and could not mortgage there home forever to keep making payments.
Well the smart people in power now(I mean that, they actually have degrees and understand the problem, and want to fix it) understand that along with the American people. That is why about 175 billion would put everyone to work that has lost there job. Again the math 50k* 2million or under 175 billion some will make more some less and some for the actual stuff being used.
So with the people in office add the two figures together and add some for extra and 800 billion will fix the economy. The real question is will there be legislation so that banks are not allowed to take our money, 401k money and mortgage our kids future to do the same thing again and invest everything in building factories in third world countries working child labor and slave labor to build us video games to autos.
Will Americans demand that legislation be written to protect our banking and investment system from ever again getting over leveraged in get rich quick schemes in foreign countries(to build factories that cost us American jobs and dodge American laws and just plain decency), paying return rates that are unsustainable.
Will Americans demand legislation to protect American jobs no matter what, and force corporations to follow American laws no matter were they produce the goods, like child labor laws, slave labor laws, minimum wage, environmental laws to name a few or they can not sell there junk in America!
That is the change we all will eventually need.
Posted at 2:12AM on Jan 24th 2009 by Dave C
3. Great story as usual. President Obama certainly has a lot on his plate and I know he will step up and shine.
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Posted at 6:59PM on Jan 26th 2009 by Zack Zufelt
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Posted at 3:25AM on Jan 27th 2009 by Lisa P.
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Posted at 4:38AM on Feb 23rd 2009 by Credit Repair
6. Good writing. Great blogs!
Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
Posted at 3:38PM on Feb 25th 2009 by Fred Smilek