Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Is Obama Gonna Pimp Our Ride?


We won. We know that. And if you're like me, you still smile when you think about it.

However, winning this election is like winning a car that's been in a wreck so bad that the insurance company will do a write-off rather than pay for repairs.

This is the dilemma of Obama supporters. We won the "car", which is a metaphor for getting our country back from the Party That Wrecked America.

Barack's role is the Repair Man. He's currently assessing the damage and after January 20th, will look with at us with sympathy as he tells us whether this bitch will ever run again, anything remotely like it did in it's better days.

If he can't fix it, he'll have to be like Xzibit on Pimp My Ride, and he and his crew will have to rebuild it. "It" is the economy and the general way the mega-corporations, banks, defense and government do business.


To use the car metaphor, our economy is running on fumes. The US auto makers are on their knees begging for a rescue. So far, Bush is resistant to Obama's desire to tap into that initial $700 Billion Bailout to save it. There's a good chance the Big Three will be no more by the end of this year.

That's some serious shit, and may be one of Bush's last shit sandwiches served to the people before he says buh-bye to us.



Writer Jim Kunstler says in this week's essay that the car you have now may be the last one you have and you just don't know it yet. This is courtesy of the Great Depression and peak oil. I concur, so stop waiting for a formal announcement and do what you gotta do to prepare for it.

The American people could not have chosen a more level-headed man for the job. Barack's cool is utterly amazing. The story that blows me the most is when Bush met him for the first time at the White House with other new incoming Senators in late 2004 or early 2005.

Bush shook his hand, and immediately used hand sanitizer right in front of him, then smiled and offered him some. Damn! If that ain't in yo face racism, I don't what is.

Barack kept his cool and politely accepted it. I can't imagine being able to do this, but he did, saying later in one of his books, "I accepted because didn't want to appear unhygienic."

Was that smooth or what? He sucked up the put down, but got his payback later by telling this story in The Audacity of Hope. And he told it without appearing bitter, and allowing readers to draw their own conclusion whether George W. Bush behaved like an asshole or not.

Heh-heh. Barack is gonna be a lot of fun to watch.

So will his Cabinet members.

During his acceptance speech, Obama promised his kids a new puppy. Hours later, he selected his own dawg - a real pitbull politician named Rahm Emanuel. This guy will have the fourth most powerful political job as the White House Chief of Staff.


Of the many facts and rumors I've read about him, this one true story stood out the most:

"...[On] the night after [Bill] Clinton was elected, Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting "Dead! . . . Dead! . . . Dead!" and plunging the knife into the table after every name.

"When he was done, the table looked like a lunar landscape," one campaign veteran recalls. "It was like something out of The Godfather. But that's Rahm for you."

- Rolling Stone article, 10/20/2005


Yo, if that don't put the "G" in gangsta, I don't know what does.

There's a lot of history in Rahmbo's baggage. We'll never know if the rumors about him are true, which I ain't even gonna get into, but since the O-Man has or will soon have full access to the CIA and NSA, I'm sure he will know if he doesn't already.

I'm also betting that what Barack and Emanuel does in 2009 will be extraordinarily interesting and make history, so keep an eye on how they work together.

They appear more comfortable with one another than Barack and Biden ever has, and their relationship goes back to Chicago, and Obama's top advisor, David Axelrod, has a long friendship with him.




While I have reservations about Rahm Emanuel, I assume that Barack, a bonifed political genius, either knew what he was doing when he made his choice, or the choice was one of many compromises he had to make in pursuit of the White House.

My guess is it will prove to be either be utterly disastrous, or amazingly brilliant, and with nothing in between.


Maybe I've been smoking on Barack's Hope bong too long, but I lean toward the latter. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni politely 'warned' Obama less than 48 hours after he was elected to not have talks with Iran. Meanwhile Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad broke a nearly 40 year old tradition of ignoring our new President-Elects; he sent a Obama his congratulations in a fairly long letter sprinkled with advice.

Thus, who better to tell the Israeli government "no" to a pre-emptive nuclear strike on Iran than one of their own, a politically savvy American Jew with close personal ties to the major players and nick-named Rahmbo? Or for Barack to meet next year and listen to what, if any, compromises the Iranians are willing to make?

Soothing the Russian bear may prove hardest. While the world celebrated Barack's election, their President, Dmitri Medvedev ordered missiles deployed next to the Polish border. They had planned to do this anyway in response to Bush's military expansionism near their own border, and are clearly not confident that any President, Barack or otherwise, will change the way business is done in Washington.



I remain cautiously optimistic that he'll shrewdly continue to assemble the best team to pimp our ride.



33 comments:

  1. Great wrap up.

    Yeah, I think Rahmbo is going to get shit done. Barack is all about getting shit done. Eff looking pretty or making people happy. He wants to get his vision accomplished. If his vision comes to fruition, things will be beautiful.

    But why did you have to freak me out with that automaker stuff? Damn.

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  2. Big Man, Amen to that!

    Re: GM, Chrysler and Ford. You didn't know? *shakes head* All over the news today, but competing with the latest housing market drama story. As they say, read it and weep.

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  3. I think Rahm was a good choice, he totally is opposite of Obama but lets folks Obama ain't playing. I ain't mad at all that he picked him.

    Yeah, I heard about GM, not surprised at all.

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  4. Kit, I love this selection most of all. "Rahmbo" will keep people from Obama that ain't for changing nothing but their status, getting a higher position. He'll threaten to throw Lieberman out of the caucus if he don't do the right thing (Being the most hated Senator by fellow democrats). And they're going to take away his chairmanship anyway.

    Because of "Rahmbo," there is going to be greater communication and unity between congress and the executive department, making it easier to get the priorities through.

    And he'll let Obama know when he needs to show some backbone, to draw the line and not compromise.

    Lastly, he'll use Sen. John McCain to reach across the isle and bring enough Republicans to vote with democrats. Both he and McCain have anger management issues, but somehow they got along.

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  5. I hear ya Kit. I'm a little sceptical about Emanuel, but I've got myself convinced that Obama needs a tough ass MF to keep the dogs at bay, keep him isolated so that he can do what he needs to do to make his decisions.

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  6. "...[On] the night after [Bill] Clinton was elected, Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting "Dead! . . . Dead! . . . Dead!" and plunging the knife into the table after every name.

    LMBAO.

    Other than that, I'm just watching the team assemble. I don't have any opinions on Rahm other than I'm afraid. Now I'm just waiting to see where my fear lies- that he'll be disloyal or that he'll get things done in a very 'I'm the flail of God/Ghengis Khan way.'

    Mainly I'm afraid for Obama. I can't imagine why anyone would want the job as president in such a time. I'm just going to pray really, really hard for him.

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  7. as for the Big Three, let them die slowly or find another way to save them other than by bailing them out. more people buy non-american cars anyway.

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  8. I think Rahm is a good choice. Prez Obama needed someone who knows the workings of both the White House and Congress to get stuff done. Rahm's da man.

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  9. You've got more faith in Obama and Rahm then I do.

    Rahm is a big business lover. He has regularly shown he will screw the little man for big business.

    He's a war Hawk..A HUGE supporter of Israel...LOVES pre-emptive war and won't be advising anyone to NOT bomb Iran.

    He is EXTRA conservative...really only democrat (my guess) 'cause he's Jewish b/c his policies SCREAM right wing Republican.

    Hell he was against the 50 state strategy that led to Obama's victory and regularly wants to run ultra conservative dems over more progressive ones.

    The choice of Rahm shows what I've been saying all along...Obama is Hella conservative...and not in a good way.

    We will see what the rest of his cabiinet positions look like.

    But I'm not happy with this one.

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  10. I'm glad that Obama is calm because I would not take kindly to anyone warning me about anything politely or not. Dig?
    Jaycee

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  11. I believe in "mixed" teams that strengthen each other. Obama's first choice is known for pitbull tactics, which Obama isn't.

    If I remember correctly, Jesus chose 12 men (disciples) to walk closely with him. They were considered a motley crew of unbelievable choices. "Eat the meat and spit out the bone." I believe Obama can do the same with a crew of wonderfully-mixed advisers who span the spectrum. Because let's not forget who's the HNIC. hehe

    Hawa from Fackin Truth.

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  12. BTW: I love the "Pimp My Ride" analogy...

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  13. Okay I can finally stop watching the news. All I have to do is come here...I learned a lot after reading this post...: )

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  14. Jackie, Sagacious, MacDaddy, Black Girl In Maine, I hope he proves to be a great choice too.

    Mr. Slish, *chuckles* Thanks!

    Hawa, eat the meat and spit out the bone. That was funny!

    Also, Hawa, on point about Jesus' 12 apostles being very, very different. Fishermen in particular are rough men who swear a lot.

    On a sobering note, I hope there won't be a Judas among Barack's inner circle, and if so, that history won't be repeated.

    Jaycee, Re: the 'polite warning', I can dig it. I think Barack has mastered brushing off bullshit and insults like dandruff on one's shoulder. I'm amazed he didn't lose it when Bush provocatively used hand-sanitizer after shaking his hand.

    JJ, Sometimes I am very subtle. If you re-read my post, you'll see what I mean.

    Emeritus, Yeah, that was a shocking thing he did. I know his mama taught him better table manners - LOL!

    Since yesterday, I heard on the news that if Bush let's the Big Three die, over 5 million jobs will lost and push unemployment up to 10%. The cost of giving those folks unemployment insurance at $60B will exceed the cost of a bailout - and still won't be enough for most of them to pay their bills and do consumer spending.

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  15. And if we have to keep our same car, the cost of car repairs will be more outrageoug then now!

    I'm glad Obama held it together re: the hand sanitizer. I'm a RN and I don't even do things that blatently!

    I think everyone that Obama selects will be after considerable thought. He does nothing it seems without thinking it through.(minus a few off the cuff remarks). when it comes to decisions he's made the important ones with some thought behind them.

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  16. Lol@K.I.T.

    I don't do subtle too well.

    Even though I get your point.

    I'm a Bull in a China Shop.

    No time for subtley.

    :)

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  17. Yo, JJ, I'm feelin' ya. Word on the street is that you got steak knife marks on your kitchen table too.

    Heh-heh.

    Just joking.

    Cinco, Yeah, as I think about it, maybe now is a good time to get a winter tune up.

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  18. @ K.I.T.

    You don't know how close to the truth you really are..lol

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  19. Hey there!

    I think that Obama KNOWS he has to prove himself...and that he has to have some small victories VERY early in his presidency in order to maintain public confidence. I believe he understands HOW quickly the adoring American public will turn on him when he makes his first major policy error.

    I know he's trying to pull together a to-notch team but he also has A LOT of favors to repay from many different factions.

    We KNOW that Colin did not abandon the Republicans and endorse a Democrat for "free"....Obama knows that he owes Colin a cabinet seat for his defection.

    Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
    Lisa

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  20. BRAVO SISTER!

    I am hoping Rahm will live up to his name...

    Oh I know folks ain't feeling him...thinks he is repsonsible for a lot the APEC badblood...perhaps...

    Obama needs someone who is not afraid of blood. This guy is not...I think he likes kicking a little ass...no make that a lot of ass.

    We have a mess here in America, and girl scouts and PTA mommies can't bake their way out of this. Restoring diplomacy abroad, rescuing a f**Ked-up economy and trying ot make folks play nice in the sandbox in the middle east.

    What's the line in the movie the Untouchables about Elliott Ness and the Boys. Sean Connery says "You don't bring a knife to a gun fight"

    Rahm is a big ass gun.

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  21. Thanks for the rundown, Kit, nice review. I hope Rahm the Ram will do what he's told.

    And thanks too for the clip in the comments, lol!

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  22. Hi Kit,

    Not sure if he'll ever admit to this but the name Rahm (rahem) means "mercy" in Hebrew.

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  23. Miriam, Macon and Lovebabz,
    "And ye behold, on the 20th day of the year 2009, That One, Blessing, also known as The One, came to reign in the Land of Diminishing Milk, Honey, and Oil. He brought hope, change, and Mercy, the latter who was known to use steak knives at dinner but not at gun fights, and the humble of the earth prayed The Two and other Chosen Ones could keep real peace..."

    Forgive me, I just woke up and couldn't resist.

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  24. Kit, you are a hot mess.

    I'm so damn gullible. For like 5 seconds, I contemplated busting out my Bible cuz that shit sounded prophetic and Daniel/Revelations.


    I'm so mad at you. ;-)

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  25. Well we'll all find out together. Being POTUS is NO JOKE! John McCain would've croaked and we would've had totally anarchy once the Beauty Queen wanna be was next in line.

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  26. Emeritus, Ya liked that, huh? Heh-heh-heh!

    Faith, Indeed. We still might end up with hot spots of anarchy as this wrecked economy continues to slide into an abyss. The race baiting by the haters and Rush Limbaugh types doesn't help.

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  27. My research tells me that Rahm is a no nonsense kind of guy who will have no trouble warding off the hyenas, sycophants, and other neer do wells who would pretend to curry the favor of our new president.

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  28. MadMike, You're right. They'll think long and hard before they eff with him. Good.

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  29. Main Tour, are you the same blogger as No_Slappz? I have good reason to wonder, beginning with your Santa Clara location and ending with the type of comment you left.

    IF you are No_Slappz, I can't believe your nerve and that link on your now-deleted comment, faking like you're in the discussion but really trying to use my blog to sell California vacations to black folks, whom you have said terrible things about us and had no problem with the near genocide of Native Americans in the past.

    You preached hate but now got your grubby hands out for our money. Fuck you and the racist GOP. As I said months ago about your trolling, stay off my blog.

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  30. Kit, I'm glad you don't take shit from trolls and delete their comments. They have been a nuisance on black blogs more than usual since Barack won.

    I liked the way you creatively mixed my man Xzbit and Pimp My Ride with what President Obama will have to do. I'm with you on Rambo - cautiously optimistic, because a lot of Pit Bulls turn on their masters. I think your right that he'll be either fantastic or a disaster and with nothing inbetween.

    The latest is Obama might pick Hillary to be Head of State. I hope he doesn't. He ought to pick her for Head of Universal Health Insurance if there's such a office.

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  31. That's THE perfect metaphor if I've even seen one.
    Great post!!

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Hi, this is Kit.

I haven't posted since summer 2010, and comment moderation has been on for a very long time.

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