Submitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger
As someone who voted for and rejoiced in Barack Obama’s election in 2008, I had certain expectations for his Presidency. My expectations heightened with the Democratic party’s majorities in Congress. Foremost I wanted to see a swift end to both wars, which I believe are unjust and draining the resources of this country. Since Obama was presumably a constitutional law scholar, I expected that he would return this country to the Rule of Law. I expected the new President to eliminate the Bush constitutional usurpation of our government and people, occurring with Democratic Party compliance. The Administration would end the widespread use of torture, rendition, and the excesses of The Patriot Act. His Department Of Justice would prosecute those who were responsible. As far as the economic crisis engendered by Wall Street excesses, I had faith that he would deal with it through FDR like projects, by re-regulation/prosecution of the financial industry and ending the unjustified Bush Tax cuts for the wealthy.
That none of this has happened, or was even attempted has filled me with disappointment and anger towards this Administration’s performance. In my mind as I tried to make sense of it of this betrayal, there was a nagging suspicion. What if the “powers that be” in our Country including the Military-Industrial complex had sent the word to the newly elected President: “Play ball”, or find yourself and your family grievously threatened? I was a young adult through the 60’s as I watched the assassinations of my heroes, one of whom was a President. I’m not comfortable with the official explanation of these deaths, since there was much that didn’t make sense. In the 70’s The Pentagon Papers, Watergate, and later the Church Committee Report on the CIA gave credence to the possible actions of a secret government. In addition, we learned from General Smedley-Butler, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler that a group of businessmen had contacted him in 1934 about leading a coup against FDR. One of those conspirators was Prescott Bush, father of Bush I and grandfather of Bush II. Later, Prescott Bush was involved in a Bank that had financed the NAZI’s rise to power. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar.
On September 7th, Rob Kall’s OpEdNews published “Obama Team Feared Coup If He Prosecuted War Crimes”. Andrew Kreig, executive director of the Justice Integrity Project, wrote this article. There are some very persuasive points in it and I believe it is worth your perusal and comment:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Obama-Team-Feared-Coup-If-by-Andrew-Kreig-110907-156.html
If this speculation were true, it would go a long way towards explaining what we’ve been seeing from the Obama Administration. It would also be a disaster for any notion of the Rule of Law.
This Administration has performed timidly in areas promised by their campaign and enumerated above. Their performance on even something like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was timid and drawn out compared to the President’s campaign promises and its’ eventual resolution was a tortured process, to say the least. The easiest explanation of course is a timid Presidency and that as smart as he is, Barack Obama lacks the ability to lead with strength. This is indeed the simplest solution and “behind the scenes” threats are not needed to offer further explanation. However, I must admit that doesn’t fully satisfy me. Any man who runs for President is essentially audaciously self-confident. Who in hell would really want such a 24/7 high tension job, except for people who so believe in themselves that they are willing to go through the torture of a Presidential Campaign to get there? The “audaciousness of hope” had to possess some strong power behind it in the man out front.
Please understand that I am not yet willing to believe absolutely that our Government is so completely in the hands of a centralized power that our elected officials mean nothing. While having seen much in life that stimulates my cynical nature, I remain an optimist as a matter of mental health. The hubris needed to propound and continue such an ongoing plot would be massive. The logistics are enormous in terms of maintaining secrecy. I know too much of human fallibility to fully believe this could be executed completely, without consequence or rumor, yet there are those many strange assassinations to ponder.
Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of America’s 9/11 tragedy. Our reaction to it as a country in that decade makes me feel at times that Al Qaeda triumphed by swerving our country away from its’ ideals and constitution. What then if this speculation is true and certain people with power have used the fear engendered to resort to illegal pressure upon our President? What can we do about it?
My own belief is that without ignoring it, we must proceed as if it isn’t true and to continue to fight for the ideals and Constitution we hold sacred. I believe that violent revolution never works and only begets new tyrants. However, revolutions don’t have to be violent to succeed, as Gandhi showed us and as Reverend King proved. Revolution can be as simple as a majority of the people refusing to buy into the mythology tyranny presents to maintain control over us. Tyranny needs acceptance of its faulty premises and fear via intimidation to work its will. Educating most people in what is occurring and how they are deceived represents a powerful force. Professor Turley in his legal Career has consistently fought against evils like torture and against the extra-constitutional actions of chief executives and legislators. These legal battles are an example of fighting back and are educational as well. I will never accept that the battle is over and that we have become a feudal, corporate-controlled country. However, I fully realize that my own proffered solutions are more hopeful than concrete
What do you, the reader, think about this news story? Do you find it credible? If it is creditable, what do you propose we can or should do about it?
Submitted by: Mike Spindell
Oh my it appears that we have other people unhappy with Obama…oh my………so we can deduct from People being generally Unhappy with Obama that they really are republican…. So, by being unhappy with Obama and expressing that they really want the GOP to win…which means that if they are unhappy with Obama they are really women haters…..So anybody unhappy with Obama must be viewed with askance…..
No comparison that I see. Running late.
The Choice is between Obama and those that want to dismantle the Government…..
What they hell do you think that people that have half a brain are complaining about…Obama is in charge and Obama is allowing the Government to be dismantled right before his very eyes….It is just a matter of who the hell is the president that actually makes a difference and most people cannot see any difference between Obama’s Policies or Bush’s Policies….It is a distinction without a difference…..
Now go ahead and call Mike or anyone else that thinks there has to be someone better than Obama a Republican, a Misogynist or to be viewed with Askance because they think….. You already said it to me…
Correction: Susan Harman, not Jane. My bad. The author of the original piece is taking too literally what Edley said. He’s clearly not saying that there would be a coup. He’s saying that the intel/military sphere of the US would be upset over a war crimes trial.
Still: Shame on you Mike.
I don’t think it’s nonsense at all. In fact, I think there is such an un-constituional and un-balanced direction in this ship that was a Country that NOT looking at the trim is foolish and fear of discussing a coup (or what looks like it) it would serve nothing more than to legitimize it.
I read it mike. The “coup” talk is taking something Jane Harman said too literally. Harman is saying that the intel/Dod world would be very upset about trials over torture(nevermind that there are empaneled federal grand juries investigating this). She’s NOT saying that there would be a coup de’tat.
Shame on you for spreading this nonsense, shame on Jon Turley for giving you a forum to spread this nonsense.
Great job, Mike. I’m on the run at the moment (weekend errands don’t get done on their own), but I’ll drop back in for a more detailed comment later.
“Where is even a single shred of proof that The White House feared a Coup?”
Chad,
Did you even bother to read this link?
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Obama-Team-Feared-Coup-If-by-Andrew-Kreig-110907-156.html
That article was what my remarks are based on. It comes from a College Professor, who was the number 6 man on Obama’s election team, which to me would certainly supply some credibility. You are certainly entitled to disagree, as my writing made clear I’m not certain. However, it would seem only fair if you gave yourself a chance to view the entire point, prior to making your judgment.
Okay, I see where this nonsense is coming from. This line:
” it was thought that the CIA, NSA, and military would revolt”
Harman didn’t mean that literally. She meant that they would oppose the war crimes trials any way possible. This isn’t saying that they would try to overthrow Obama from office.
Nate1, September 10, 2011 at 1:18 pm
There’s a correction, the first that is truly important for me to make.
“And by so doing, he joined the fight *against* justice.
————————————————————————-
Nate I agree with your first posting. In not bringing at the least a timely trial to see to the accusations the Constitutional fabric and social contract of this Country have been denied, allowing an injustice to grow, perhaps flourish. He is now going to have to join the fight for justice because justice has fallen. Which has been a long time happening! we also saw when the supreme court declared the Bush Presidency….well they could pick thier sorry corporate asses up now couldn’t they….
@anon nurse:
Where is even a single shred of proof that The White House feared a Coup?
This is a joke, and this blog should be ashamed for spreading this nonsense.
The choice is between Obama and those that want to dismantle government. It is not a good place to be in but it is where we are at. The left is too disorganized to revolt but the right is not.
“My own belief is that without ignoring it, we must proceed as if it isn’t true and to continue to fight for the ideals and Constitution we hold sacred.”~Mike Spindell
I so agree. That and keeping the struggle and any ‘misdeeds’ in the light. It is when things are ignored, dispelled as unbelievable or ‘laughable’ that fear can seep into the dark plces of unknowing and unsureness. I do believe there has been a coup….a time to move forward has come and instead of allowing its most successfull potential to be realized we have been hoodwinked into believing that what we are experiencing is merely a ‘cycle’ or is of necessity. The power innate in the people of the USA has been stagnated, wasted and oppressed. I think president Obama has met with the kind of political opposition that topples governments, whether it is intentional or comes from a darker place is not of any consequence. Politics needs to clean up its act. Banks need to clean up thier act. The predatory behaviors in our markets and these institutions have soooooooo endangered Americans. Corporations have crapped all over our land and seem to have free reign to continue doing so. I also believe we won’t really know the truth of what is going on any more than we will know the truth of what happened that day when President Kennedy was shot.
There’s a correction, the first that is truly important for me to make.
“And by so doing, he joined the fight *against* justice.
“…this is laughable.” -Chad S
Laughable? Not in the least. Rather, it goes directly to the heart of the matter. It’s quite brilliant… and soothes the soul this Saturday morning.
As Nate says, “Bringing these matters into the light is the only way forward.”
Mike I too am disappointed,but looking at the President and hearing different comments from people of color at different levels of media.I’m hearing that your questions may be answered in reading his books for they say a lot of his actions before he became President,may explain whats going on and why.
One more thing…
After I gave my answer, I discovered that all the reasons put forth in that tome to carry out what eventually came to pass were lies.
Mike S.,
I think I got called some names as well as learning some new words for the same position….With that said….I think that it is plausible that “WE” really do have a secret government….I had read something similar to what you had posted but the “Coup against Obama”….That still would not surprise me….
Money brings corruption and we have the majority of shares/vote with the IMF….That is why I think that Strauss was set up….He was set to release some stringent loan policy’s that differed from the current world events…It seems peculiar that he was arrested the day before he was to implement his policy… of restriction in the world financial markets…Italy would have been severely hammered….If you see what happened to the market yesterday…I recall it had something to do with Italy’s unresolved markets……The question remains did he actually do what is claimed he did or was he set up….If he did what they said he did why would he send someone back to his hotel? I have heard that he was basically to egotistical that he did not think that he did anything wrong…
We also have the World Bank that is part of the UN….It is pretty much controlled by the US as well but with other member country cooperation….Unlike the IMF…where we call the majority of the shots…
If I recall both the IMF and WB were created in the late 40s….
Back to Obama….he has become the greatest disappointment with the most contradictory of campaign pledges being honored….
It initially cannot be blamed on not having control of congress….Unfortunately he has accomplished more with the House being Republican than with Pelosi as head of the Democratic Caucus….
Great article btw…
Mr. Spindell,
Superb.
Bringing these matters into the light is the only way forward.
As I look back over the course of my life, there was one point in particular that I had to make a decision which would make or break me…
I finally got around to reading Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” some years ago. It was a terrifying experience because by the third page, I recognized a genius. And by the fourth, I was having sensations of a continual whisper… “we are brothers, Nate, we are brothers.”
Freaky, terrifying, and as real to me as you are.
This sensation, this whisper, wanted an answer from me. It wanted me to say “yes”.
I managed 3quarters of the way through, spent a lot of time directing my thoughts to heaven and asking for help. Help, because my intellect was insufficient to counter the arguments and statements being put forth in this deep and dark tome. Until finally 3quarters of the way through, I gave my answer. “No. Because I love them.” Instantly the spell disappeared, the book became nothing more than uninteresting writing, and I moved on.
I bring this out only because this was an experience that colored and formed my own life. And through these lens, I perceive that Obama too had his decision to make. Prosecute or don’t. And in my perception, of his own free will he decided not to. And by so doing, he joined the fight against injustice.
I’m sorry, but this is laughable.