PJ O'Rourke just called Obama a communist

Hey, I was watching Real Time with Bill Maher and political satirist PJ O'Rourke called Obama a communist and went on a rant about socialism.

I'll post a video if one becomes available. I'm sure some news story or blog will pop up with a transcript discussing the story and I'll post that too.

Thoughts from those who saw it?

I didn't see it, but I agree. I don't know in what context it was said or for what reason, but I still agree and I think anyone who doesn't needs to remove the blinders.

Sorry for the crappy comment. Busy and wanted to say something.

reply to post by Magnivea


It's okay, I realize it's hard to post a reply when I don't have the content yet!

I'm waiting for it to pop up, still searching the net. Hopefully it will shorty.

To answer the question. Yes, Obama is a communist. He is way past the point of a socialist. When an open socialist says Obama is further to the left them him that should throw up warning signs.

Don't what else really to say except I can't stand Bill Maher.

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife
To answer the question. Yes, Obama is a communist. He is way past the point of a socialist. When an open socialist says Obama is further to the left them him that should throw up warning signs.

Really?

What exactly has he done that leads you to believe he is a communist?

And by the way, I would agree that he is fairly socialist. Nationalizing industry and health care reform are both fairly socialist moves he has made in his first year. However, they're hardly communism. In fact, his health care plan in particular is closer to fascist-capitalism then true socialism. Also, when the government takes over industry, that's national socialism, not true socialism.

If Obama is a communist or even a socialist, why didn't he start nationalizing the banks when he had the chance and the support?

Or why didn't seize the opportunity for greater gov't involvement in the operation of the auto industry when they went crawling to D.C.?

What exactly is the basis for your claims other than some Republican pundit or another hoping for Obama to fail?

reply to post by rapinbatsisaltherage


I say he might not have fulfilled his Communist agenda, but he is well on his way. Maybe PJ O'Rourke is also a psychic.

reply to post by drwizardphd

What exactly has he done that leads you to believe he is a communist?

The people he hung around, him seeking out Marxist teachers in College, Him moving to Chicago after graduating from Harvard and being the editor of the Harvard Law Review he could have gotten a job anywhere in the country with any law firm.

Then not only that but the policies he wants to enact and has enacted. Also his philosophy of Government will solve all of our problems. Him offering up Gm and Chrysler to the Unions on a silver platter. And numerous other things. The main thing that did it for me though was when he(his lawyer) argued that the Indiana Pension Fund didn't have standing and TARP was beyond the reach of the courts. He basically said he is above the law. That is what did it for me. I thought he was a socialist, but that is the signs of a dictator which throws him completely into the realm of being a Communist.

I'm not getting into an ivory tower debate about what is and what isn't communism and socialism and everything else. I've answered your question and stated my answer. Your not going to convince me that he isn't because like I said this is the real world and the real world is completely different than the world of Academia. I'm going based off what has happened in History.

Now when the OP posts a video if one becomes available we can gladly discus what the guest says about socialism. Not trying to be rude, but I've been through this debate many many times.

reply to post by War Otter


Oh I am glad you asked. So what do you think handing the Union 55% of Chrysler while at the same time you stick it in, break it off, and twist it in the bond holders? That is just stepping toward Communism.

Who in there right mind would loan money to a company now? I sure will not. I wouldnt spend another dime on the American stock or bond market until this adminsitration gets replaced with someone with some sense of free market.

The bondholders would have been better off if Chrysler was just allowed to go bankrupt in the traditional sense.

Actually, I'm a tad bit more concerned with his Fascist tendencies over his Communist ones at the moment.

By the way, what exactly is a satirist?

Satirist - one who indulges in satire
Satire - the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.

OK.

The koolaid effect is probably wearing off just in time for many people to witness the transformation.

Expect these numbers to increase.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4e06b06c06aa.jpg[/atsimg]

reply to post by drwizardphd


Well, I'd argue that if Obama is a socialist for those reason then aren't many conservatives as well? We have several socialist programs going on in the US. A true capitalist economy wouldn't have socialist programs like Social Security. If only supporting or taking part in some good ideas that come from socialism makes you a socialist then we're all already socialist, even if we disagree with those programs, every citizen is still a part of them. We certainly aren't capitalist.

Originally posted by rapinbatsisaltherage
reply to post by drwizardphd

 

Well, I'd argue that if Obama is a socialist for those reason then aren't many conservatives as well? We have several socialist programs going on in the US. A true capitalist economy wouldn't have socialist programs like Social Security. If only supporting or taking part in some good ideas that come from socialism makes you a socialist then we're all already socialist, even if we disagree with those programs, every citizen is still a part of them. We certainly aren't capitalist.

Social security was a temporary measure to help during the depression it was not meant to become a government program.Once started it took on a life of its own and anyone that would try to stop it is committing political suicide thus it continues. There was an attempt by republicans to give you the opportunity to opt out thought that was a good idea. but alas congress was worried if people opted out the system would fall.It will any way eventually less people paying social security then people claiming it so its only a matter of time.

Originally posted by War Otter
If Obama is a communist or even a socialist, why didn't he start nationalizing the banks when he had the chance and the support?
Or why didn't seize the opportunity for greater gov't involvement in the operation of the auto industry when they went crawling to D.C.?

Is this sarcasm?
Isn't that exactly what is happening?

Yes, Real Time With Bill Maher is my favorite show. PJ O'Rourke is a freak show, I think he was high on something. He wasn't really making any sense to me. He has been tolerable on past shows but Friday was just flat out annoying and I almost shut it off.

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife
reply to post by drwizardphd

 

What exactly has he done that leads you to believe he is a communist?

The people he hung around, him seeking out Marxist teachers in College, Him moving to Chicago after graduating from Harvard and being the editor of the Harvard Law Review he could have gotten a job anywhere in the country with any law firm.

Then not only that but the policies he wants to enact and has enacted. Also his philosophy of Government will solve all of our problems. Him offering up Gm and Chrysler to the Unions on a silver platter. And numerous other things. The main thing that did it for me though was when he(his lawyer) argued that the Indiana Pension Fund didn't have standing and TARP was beyond the reach of the courts. He basically said he is above the law.

Ok, I see that you don't want to argue about it so I don't expect a reply. But none of those things are Communist. You need to look up the definition before you throw the word around.

Originally posted by rapinbatsisaltherage
Well, I'd argue that if Obama is a socialist for those reason then aren't many conservatives as well? We have several socialist programs going on in the US. A true capitalist economy wouldn't have socialist programs like Social Security. If only supporting or taking part in some good ideas that come from socialism makes you a socialist then we're all already socialist, even if we disagree with those programs, every citizen is still a part of them. We certainly aren't capitalist.

I agree %100, as a matter of fact we already have several "socialist" programs in the U.S., we just don't have really good ones. Conservatives want socialism just as much as liberals do.

I'm not going to dodge punches, I am a firm supporter of socialism. Not 'bailout socialism' or 'forced-insurance socialism', but true, 'industry in the hands of the people' socialism. The word is thrown around like an insult by most people in the U.S., simply due to the fact that so few actually understand exactly what socialism is. I've been called a commie so many times it doesn't even phase me.



When someone accuses Obama of being a 'communist', they're really just displaying their lack of economic understanding, because Obama is a blend of Socialism and Capitalism just like every other president we've had in the past 60 years. For some reason they avoid the parts of socialism that truly benefit the populace, such as universal health care. I wonder why that is?

[edit on 15-6-2009 by drwizardphd]

The people throwing "communist" and "socialist" around in terms of the Obama administration don't really seem to know what the words actually mean.

It's more of a kneejerk rightwing "anyone to the left of Rush Limbaugh is a Commie!" thing.

When GM and Chrysler become government owned and run design bureaus instead of private companies (and no, accepting bailout loans is no the same thing, get real) and when Wal Mart becomes the Great People's Glorious State Market, they might have a point.

But nothing the current (very center-right, not center-left, by global standards) administration is doing even comes close.

PJ O'Rourke is an idiot - a funny idiot for sure, but an idiot.

These people probably see state roads and public schools as "communist" too

Finally, it's Monday and the press is picking up on this, so those who didn't see it won't think I'm nuts.

Huffington Post quoted him admitting to not supporting Obama no matter what.

Now there was one breath of fresh conservative air this week, and it surprisingly came in the form of satirist/writer/journalist P.J. O'Rourke on Friday's "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO. O'Rourke was challenged by fellow guest and host of MSNBC's "Hardball," Chris Matthews, who noted that Obama gets criticized by conservatives no matter what he does. "If he bails out GM and Chrysler you guys say he's a socialist. If he let's them fail, you're gonna criticize him for that too." Replied O'Rourke incredulously, "Of course we are, we're Republicans! What do you want us to do, praise the guy?!" Bravo! At least O'Rourke has the balls and the humor to tell it like it is.www.huffingtonpost.com...

reply to post by grapesofraft

So your saying that when Chrysler goes bankrupt, the people who worked for them for 20+ years and depend on the pension they earned to live on, should get shafted in favor of the bond holders?

When you are part of a pension fund, you are not eligible for social security. Should old people starve to satisfy the bond holders?

If that makes Obama a communist, what does the idea of not protecting their pensions make you?

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife
The people he hung around, him seeking out Marxist teachers in College, Him moving to Chicago after graduating from Harvard and being the editor of the Harvard Law Review he could have gotten a job anywhere in the country with any law firm.

I will agree that there are a lot of liberals in academia, but labeling them all Marxists is just reactionary.

As for moving to Chicago, I didn't realize that made someone a communist. Call me Comrade Otter, because I'm a Chicagoan.

As to why he would move here, it is a World-class city.

He did his college internship here, and met the woman he would marry here.

He, also, taught at the University of Chicago, which has produced more Nobel-prize winners than you could shake-a-stick-at.

Edit: I almost forgot. The people he hung around with? I have been know to socialize (pun intended) with Republicans and NeoCons, but that doesn't make want to put on the brownshirt and goosestep down the street spouting Republican dogma.

[edit on 6/18/09 by War Otter]