General Discussion

NanceGreggs

(27,835 posts)

134. The very people ...

Fri Dec 12, 2014, 08:16 PM

Dec 2014

... he specifically spoke about in the sentence preceding the "patriots" comment:

"... and there was enormous pressure on our law enforcement and our national security teams to try to deal with this. And it’s important for us not to feel too sanctimonious in retrospect about the tough job that those folks had. And a lot of those folks were working hard under enormous pressure and are real patriots."

In very plain English, he pointed out the fact that people in LE and nat'l security had a very tough job and were under enormous pressure in the aftermath of 9/11.

Would anyone really deny that reality? As a NYC native with two friends who were NYC cops at the time, I can tell you that the pressure they were under WAS enormous, and many of them rose above and beyond the call of duty in dealing with panicked citizens, people who were searching for loved ones who never came home, the possibility that another attack might be imminent, etc. - along with dealing with their own grief over fallen comrades.

So I have no problem with Obama saying that a lot of those folks were real patriots. A lot of them really were.

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I am noticing a lot of full-blown denial over Obama calling torturers "patriots" on DU. [View all] Odin2005 Dec 2014 OP

Please read this and re-consider the misinformation brush Dec 2014 #1

Thanks for proving my point about rationalizing. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #2

Patriot-one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests Johonny Dec 2014 #11

Nobody was taking issue with those who didn't participate in torture . . . markpkessinger Dec 2014 #34

NAIL MEET HAMMER helpmetohelpyou Dec 2014 #40

Amen to that! n/t Aerows Dec 2014 #44

That's it right there... SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #85

Exactly. ronnie624 Dec 2014 #277

That stood out for me also. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #88

+1. nt SammyWinstonJack Dec 2014 #93

Exactly! Funny how the apologists always forget the "sanctimonious" line. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #159

"A lot" were Obama's exact words. merrily Dec 2014 #84

no. it does NOT say that at all. robinlynne Dec 2014 #153

thanks brush.. they're the ones who are in Denial.. they seem to have a lot invested in believing Cha Dec 2014 #215

I found it profoundly disrespectful to say a bunch of 'folks' roguevalley Dec 2014 #281

yup...there is arsing don alright Sheepshank Dec 2014 #3

You want Obama to prosecute those resposible for torture, right? LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #24

Now now...we can't do that! It might hurt somebodies feelings. Rex Dec 2014 #28

It's all about trying to distract by arguing about what Obama *really* said LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #31

Yeah these last 6 years are a real eye opener. I thought only the GOP did blind loyalty. Rex Dec 2014 #33

+1 merrily Dec 2014 #86

People don't want to give up the idea that Obama is the 2nd Coming of FDR. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #162

I gve up on that idea Art_from_Ark Dec 2014 #256

I think some cannot stand FDR and his succesful social policies. The want free trade. No limits. Rex Dec 2014 #257

exactly grasswire Dec 2014 #55

It is always the same people. Rex Dec 2014 #58

You need to be less... SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #87

True, I wouldn't want to make anyone mad. Rex Dec 2014 #97

... SammyWinstonJack Dec 2014 #102

Hah malokvale77 Dec 2014 #106

They are under a lot of pressure, those folks ... n/t reorg Dec 2014 #158

And we all know what they are going to say before we even read the posts. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #167

It's almost like they are professional Bullshitters paid to spew bullshit. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #166

heheh. grasswire Dec 2014 #169

Posters like him are proving my point about denial. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #161

Ah, I get it. It's like criticizing the lives and politics of Greenwald and Snowden to distract merrily Dec 2014 #230

The full statement changes nothing... joeybee12 Dec 2014 #101

Obama was asking people not to get "sanctimonious" over torture. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #160

It's worse than that Oilwellian Dec 2014 #181

There in lies the dilemma malokvale77 Dec 2014 #212

And have a direct, verbatim quote. Even saw him saying it. Still can. Video at the link I gave merrily Dec 2014 #232

Who you gonna believe... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #244

Perfect! Night. Rest well and be productive (hopefully enjoyably) tomorrow. merrily Dec 2014 #247

B plus S plus lol LawDeeDah Dec 2014 #4

Why not provide the complete statement, it appears you are in fact taking this out of context. Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #5

Of course they are, the right wing con job of exactly doing that has been copied.....by "liberals", Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #7

Oh look, somobdy proves my point again. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #13

Your "proving my point" meme isn't working. JaneyVee Dec 2014 #18

Actually... SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #89

Yeah, "proves my point" was disingenuous the first time ..now it's just looking stupid. Cha Dec 2014 #216

And you are in favor of Obama holding responsible those responsible for torture, and I right? LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #32

"Fearbola!" LordGlenconner Dec 2014 #36

DU loves the right-wing "Democrats are weak" meme. NYC Liberal Dec 2014 #39

I know. It's amazing so many on DU fall for it. nt okaawhatever Dec 2014 #10

It's the same old crowd Andy823 Dec 2014 #20

While you debate whether he did or didn't, LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #25

Here again is the complete statement, some in class are not paying attention so here goes: LawDeeDah Dec 2014 #49

I have seen this same bullshit over and over the last few days. TM99 Dec 2014 #72

No. Just No. Go back to class you get an F LawDeeDah Dec 2014 #96

Shall we discuss background and credentials then? TM99 Dec 2014 #98

What is sadder is making shit up to make the President sound like a Cheney or a Rumsfeld. LawDeeDah Dec 2014 #105

Only apologists like yourself are saying that Obama is like Cheney or Rumsfeld. TM99 Dec 2014 #110

Post removed Post removed Dec 2014 #113

"Obama is actually the worst kind of evil as portrayed in his words" zappaman Dec 2014 #118

I am certain I am. TM99 Dec 2014 #119

Enjoy your stay! zappaman Dec 2014 #123

That one really sticks out doesnt it...wow, the hate for that man is amazing NoJusticeNoPeace Dec 2014 #131

"Fuck him" LOL Cha Dec 2014 #221

Not gonna happen!! bravenak Dec 2014 #225

... Cha Dec 2014 #226

GD is like a wrestling pit. bravenak Dec 2014 #228

I've been on a lot of juries lately too.. there was one good HIDE.. Cha Dec 2014 #237

Snake pit too. bravenak Dec 2014 #241

Guess who got alerted on for "Fuck him", LOL'? This was sent to me by a juror.. Cha Dec 2014 #270

Gawd!! bravenak Dec 2014 #271

REally! the thin skinned alerters have gone batshite..(watch that get alerted on).. I sent in my Cha Dec 2014 #273

Yep. Me too. bravenak Dec 2014 #274

Yeah, supertrolls don't get a pass from me. but, apparently me quoting another poster is just too Cha Dec 2014 #275

Do you support President Obama not pushing for prosecution of the torturers, yes or no? truebluegreen Dec 2014 #120

Time is not up. Ask again in a while. LawDeeDah Dec 2014 #122

When? Jan 20, 2017? truebluegreen Dec 2014 #125

When? Let me check my balls. LawDeeDah Dec 2014 #128

Yep. And he's said from the beginning that he's looking forward, not back. truebluegreen Dec 2014 #130

The thread is not about the program, but about Pres. Obama's recent comment. merrily Dec 2014 #249

Theres a statute for that treestar Dec 2014 #262

I think we SHOULD feel sanctimonious. SANCTIMONIOUS? We're talking about war crimes. He says not robinlynne Dec 2014 #156

You are just reading into it what you WANT to read into it. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #168

Fine comment, if you want to give me an alternative interpretation of his comments merrily Dec 2014 #250

Why you would think the full statement is helpful to this absurd spin is beyond me TheKentuckian Dec 2014 #234

No matter what, the context is here. A link to an article with a video is on the thread. merrily Dec 2014 #251

The full statement... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #108

People say 'American's don't torture!!" bravenak Dec 2014 #6

You have both feet on the ground. Puglover Dec 2014 #35

I get so sick of the word 'Patriot'. bravenak Dec 2014 #150

It's used Puglover Dec 2014 #187

Thank you!! bravenak Dec 2014 #188

Gray GRAY Puglover Dec 2014 #189

The Andes? bravenak Dec 2014 #191

Well there is a lovely room with separate bath in my home that has your Puglover Dec 2014 #194

You are too nice. I hope I make it there someday to take you up on that. bravenak Dec 2014 #196

And, apparently, this is the best time chervilant Dec 2014 #236

Thank you. bravenak Dec 2014 #240

I love the Milky Way chervilant Dec 2014 #245

Might take a trip to Girdwood. bravenak Dec 2014 #248

bravenak, you always speak thoughtfully. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #63

I agree. bravenak Dec 2014 #91

It concerns me... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #111

I don't think we ever will get justice. bravenak Dec 2014 #112

I do not see real justice in my lifetime. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #127

People will say anything nasty online. bravenak Dec 2014 #133

Yes... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #142

The president should have them prosecuted, he would then also be for the drones or something NoJusticeNoPeace Dec 2014 #136

We have been doing horrible things to people since the beginning. bravenak Dec 2014 #141

If we went by Nuremburg, every Post-WW2 president should have been/should be hanged. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #171

America was built on genocide, slavery, wage slavery, and imperialism. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #170

I learned on my own. bravenak Dec 2014 #172

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #174

That's pretty much it. When people say that they're a patriot, I wonder who they killed. bravenak Dec 2014 #177

I've never called Jefferson a patriot and never been privy to unqualified praise of him that I have merrily Dec 2014 #252

Nothing is wrong with telling the truth, ever. bravenak Dec 2014 #255

I don't know much about what life was like in the 1500s (or earlier) in what we now merrily Dec 2014 #258

Exactly. I see us as brainwashed. bravenak Dec 2014 #260

and yet, as cynical as I think I am, I find I am still naive enough to be merrily Dec 2014 #261

It rarely happens to me. bravenak Dec 2014 #265

I'll have to try to read even more of your posts to see if I can learn that. merrily Dec 2014 #266

I feel bad for being so negative. bravenak Dec 2014 #267

Except in unusual circumstances, I find being in reality trumps being in unreality. merrily Dec 2014 #268

Go ahead and produce the exact quote if you are so certain. geek tragedy Dec 2014 #8

His fingers were crossed when he said it Capt. Obvious Dec 2014 #15

They can't Andy823 Dec 2014 #21

But you think Obama should prosecute those responsible for torture, right? LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #26

LOL! Rex Dec 2014 #29

They never will. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #74

I don't get it either. Rex Dec 2014 #81

"Yet they act like it is world war III and the enemy is the truth and facts." malokvale77 Dec 2014 #116

From a psychological POV what is going on with them is quite obvious to me... Odin2005 Dec 2014 #176

You may be right. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #185

Bingo. laundry_queen Dec 2014 #201

Still can't answer? LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #300

I put the exact quote and a link to an article with a video near the beginning of the thread, in my merrily Dec 2014 #259

It's sad marym625 Dec 2014 #9

It's deliberate propaganda. Our equivalent of Orwell's "2+2=5," woo me with science Dec 2014 #12

Excellent Post woo.. 2banon Dec 2014 #22

Thank-you! polichick Dec 2014 #27

Amen and well said! markpkessinger Dec 2014 #37

Bummer, man, why all the negative vibes? Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #41

Funny. GeorgeGist Dec 2014 #293

yep. n/t Horse with no Name Dec 2014 #54

just because you can't understand somethin doesn't mean it makes no sense. nt arely staircase Dec 2014 #59

By all means, expand on this. ronnie624 Dec 2014 #298

I never said progressives couldn't understand anything arely staircase Dec 2014 #305

Then your post is gibberish. ronnie624 Dec 2014 #310

Or TPP, or school corporatization, or mandatory for-profit health insurance Doctor_J Dec 2014 #68

+1 leftstreet Dec 2014 #90

You got that right.. SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #94

+1 liberal_at_heart Dec 2014 #95

... SammyWinstonJack Dec 2014 #107

+1 eom Odin2005 Dec 2014 #179

^^^this. nt laundry_queen Dec 2014 #202

+1-- NewDeal_Dem Dec 2014 #214

Too true, woo whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #218

Excellent post. n/t ronnie624 Dec 2014 #299

NOT ALL TORTURERS Capt. Obvious Dec 2014 #14

#notalltorturers Dr. Strange Dec 2014 #309

And Wall St Criminals were not committing crimes, they were immoral but sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #16

I am noticing a coordinated campaign to distract attention from the torture issue True Blue Door Dec 2014 #17

Because the only reason why Aerows Dec 2014 #47

People who are against torture talk about torture. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #48

This exactly. nt Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #56

Are you kidding? malokvale77 Dec 2014 #145

Read the post again Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #175

It was clear the first time. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #183

No Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #190

You became my boss when? malokvale77 Dec 2014 #195

I get bossed by Vanilla. bravenak Dec 2014 #197

*snort* Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #211

Did I miss something, bravenak? malokvale77 Dec 2014 #220

No. bravenak Dec 2014 #223

Gotcha. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #227

She beat on me until I had to leave the house! bravenak Dec 2014 #229

I quit being beat on decades ago. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #243

Goodnight!! bravenak Dec 2014 #246

What does that even mean?? Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #209

I Have Read This Entire Thread Long Drive Dec 2014 #278

Outstanding! Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #279

Thanks I Am Sure We Will Be BFFs Long Drive Dec 2014 #280

No doubt. Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #295

My Stay? Long Drive Dec 2014 #311

Who is doing that? n/t Aerows Dec 2014 #60

How about the guy who posted the thread asking the "Fair and Balanced" poll question True Blue Door Dec 2014 #62

It isn't exactly outrageous Aerows Dec 2014 #66

You haven't prosecuted war crimes either. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #69

Did Eric Holder Aerows Dec 2014 #78

Yah, because Aerows has that power. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #138

It's unreal, isn't it? laundry_queen Dec 2014 #204

Unreal is right. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #224

You are becoming a joke... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #147

Yeah, no kidding. zappaman Dec 2014 #64

Precisely unfuckingreal. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #67

It's the same old crowd zappaman Dec 2014 #70

Exactly, TBD.. not wallow in their self made quagmires of twisting the President's words to make Cha Dec 2014 #219

And when exactly do you suppose Obama will get around to starting to LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #301

This isn't about Obama! When are you going to get that?! True Blue Door Dec 2014 #307

Another one who can't answer LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #312

So your take from this thread is "you are trying to distract from the torture issue" SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #104

This malokvale77 Dec 2014 #149

I'm noticing Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #19

+1 LordGlenconner Dec 2014 #79

Cognitive Dissonance is alive and well here.. 2banon Dec 2014 #23

No matter how many threads like this get launched BeyondGeography Dec 2014 #30

They don't want to believe it , it's all they have left with this President helpmetohelpyou Dec 2014 #45

Quote? CakeGrrl Dec 2014 #38

Wish they'd make up their minds regarding the importance of what he says. great white snark Dec 2014 #42

Does Obama think of himself as a patriot? I would say yes helpmetohelpyou Dec 2014 #43

The circling of the wagons Aerows Dec 2014 #46

I think it pretty clearly can be read either way fishwax Dec 2014 #50

Yes ... Obama loves torture. JoePhilly Dec 2014 #51

False framing whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #53

Wait, so you are saying that ... JoePhilly Dec 2014 #61

Some are projecting the "Obama is a torture fan/Obama loves torture" slant whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #71

So he's against it, but covering for it ... why? JoePhilly Dec 2014 #73

You tell me whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #76

I've seen a lot of that on this thread... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #157

Yeah, mis-frame, discredit... whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #164

"Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels" The Blue Flower Dec 2014 #52

why are you so worried about people who don't hate Obama? arely staircase Dec 2014 #57

Yep. I also think there's a big dose of plain old, 'can't admit I was wrong'. Marr Dec 2014 #65

You could be right. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #99

It's double thinking and cognitive dissonance. morningfog Dec 2014 #75

+1000 darkangel218 Dec 2014 #82

And the sad truth is... Oilwellian Dec 2014 #200

And the full blown attempt to extract a few words from Obama's statement Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #77

As opposed to malokvale77 Dec 2014 #198

What else did you hear him say at the same time? Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #205

DU Rec Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #80

Yeah, there's a lot of people ... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #83

He did say it... joeybee12 Dec 2014 #100

Really? NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #109

In so many words whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #114

I asked for a direct quote. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #117

So who are the patriots he's referring to in his comments? whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #121

<crickets> truebluegreen Dec 2014 #124

The very people ... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #134

Lol... Who is the "we" in "We tortured some folks"? whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #140

Oh, I see you're going with the Will Pitt version of events .. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #144

I have, repeatedly whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #146

The statement is VERY clear ... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #148

Again whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #154

Hey, just stick with the Will Pitt version ... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #163

I'm not borrowing from Will Pitt whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #165

No, you're right. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #178

I don't accuse Obama of being "a torture lover" whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #186

+1 laundry_queen Dec 2014 #207

:) whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #213

Prosecution is a different topic. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #282

Your argument is ridiculous whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #286

You're right. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #288

Yeah well whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #289

Again you need to ... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #290

Astounding opacity whatchamacallit Dec 2014 #291

"Prosecution is a different topic. Why don't you try sticking to the topic at hand?" LondonReign2 Dec 2014 #302

I'm not the one who changed the topic. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #306

About "folks," OnyxCollie Dec 2014 #272

... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #284

I've always been good at entertaining children, OnyxCollie Dec 2014 #292

Even if your interpretation of the President's words is correct it is still damning. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #184

"law enforcement and our national security teams" malokvale77 Dec 2014 #203

Bingo! truebrit71 Dec 2014 #263

Yes, those were the people he was referring to. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #285

The actual quote, two paragaraphs full confirms it... joeybee12 Dec 2014 #115

No, he didn't. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #126

Who do you think was doing the torture? Nevernose Dec 2014 #139

Dunno. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #173

That's actually the clearest take on that position I've seen yet. Nevernose Dec 2014 #192

It's quite simple. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #283

"the man who ended the use of torture once he was POTUS, and has now released the report on torture Cha Dec 2014 #233

It's a false concern though, right? No one's criticizing DirkGently Dec 2014 #297

Yes, it's a false concern. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #308

I was an English major. You weren't. They would have asked you to switch majors. DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2014 #296

The most torture of all is inflicted MannyGoldstein Dec 2014 #129

Yeah. NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #137

This Manny... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #180

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, Nance. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #182

You're the one who's dancing on the river Nile..with your "proved my point" crap digging yourself Cha Dec 2014 #235

No offence, but ... NanceGreggs Dec 2014 #287

Imagine for one minute if... Marrah_G Dec 2014 #92

Torture should never be accepted darkangel218 Dec 2014 #103

It seemed clear to me that he was excusing the torturers. SolutionisSolidarity Dec 2014 #132

One point: the paragraph break the White House put in is a bit misleading muriel_volestrangler Dec 2014 #135

Whoa! I didn't catch this before... Oilwellian Dec 2014 #217

Yeah , I started a thread about it , Obama is involved in this also helpmetohelpyou Dec 2014 #242

Whether or not he specifically called torturers "patriots" . . . markpkessinger Dec 2014 #143

Look at what he's done and don't get hung up on a soundbyte. nt ucrdem Dec 2014 #151

kick. robinlynne Dec 2014 #152

and a lot of folks on DU are maintaining that Elizabeth Warren is running for President in 2016 still_one Dec 2014 #155

Show me one. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #193

She is doing a magnificent job as a Senator exposing those democrats not working for the still_one Dec 2014 #199

Wonderful malokvale77 Dec 2014 #206

Every interview I have seen her she has said she is not running for president in 2016, which how the still_one Dec 2014 #210

I know that. malokvale77 Dec 2014 #222

misunderstood your point. Thanks for clarifying it still_one Dec 2014 #231

No harm, no foul. (nt) malokvale77 Dec 2014 #239

Torture is not understandable nor forgivable. JEB Dec 2014 #208

"It is a war crime that can be punishable by death." malokvale77 Dec 2014 #238

You are correct. Vattel Dec 2014 #253

^^^This^^^ truebrit71 Dec 2014 #294

This should be an OP. Jamastiene Dec 2014 #304

Yep. cwydro Dec 2014 #254

kicking cwydro Dec 2014 #264

. MohRokTah Dec 2014 #269

He doesn't. elleng Dec 2014 #276

Okay, we got it, we got it. brush Dec 2014 #303

... SidDithers Dec 2014 #313

heh Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #314

You're late. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #316

Considering oneself a patriot has covered a multitude of sins... Orsino Dec 2014 #315