Yesterday I wrote in the comments of the blog the following: There is a difference between constructive and destructive criticism. The 2 are not mutually exclusive to one another. There are legitimate concerns to be had with this President, but I have found in the past year and a half, that when I hear something on the radio or TV that sounds just awful, a little research goes a long way. Many times I find that what I heard and reality are two very different things.

What I said yesterday was aimed at smart people who I do trust, like Thom Hartman. For months Thom has said that he wanted President Obama to be like FDR, even playing wonderful clips of the great President. Imagine my surprise when yesterday he exclaimed "I don't want him to be like FDR, I want him to be like Jimmy Carter" So which is it? It isn't Just Thom, so I apologize if I seem to be picking on him, I'm not. It's just starting to seem like everyone has an image of what they want the President to be as opposed to the person he has shown himself to be. It's come to full bore on our own Stephanie Miller show. This week has been painful to listen to. People in the middle of the debate have legitimate claims and opinions, but to shut it down with the accusation that the other doesn't allow dissent is simply another way to shut down debate. It's strawman, and I want better than that from ALL of the people I love in progressive radio. I rely on them for insight as well as information.

I would like this president to be the greatest President he can be. I had hoped that progressive media would help him do that by getting truth out there, but I am starting to see that sometimes instead of truth, there is a selective appropriation of information to fit the agenda. Now, I understand that this is most likely not done in malice, but it seems to be happening nonetheless.

I have even heard it suggested by people on the left that we haven't accepted help from other countries, Sadly that seems to be a talking point that originated on the right as witnessed by the former half term governor of Alaska. The problem is, it's not true. One can question why it took so long for that help. I had wondered that myself, but I have come to a belief that perhaps people were told that this wasn't as bad as it really is. BP is telling lies, and no one seems to know what to believe. Gone under the radar is that Eric holder is investigating, and we won't know anything regarding criminal negligence for some time, considering this alleged crime is still happening. There are estimates that these fines could be over 60 billion dollars.

Maybe the problem is simply that people are rightfully panicking.

As far as offshore drilling goes, this president has always said it was part of a comprehensive plan to change our energy policy in this nation, something that every President says they'll do, but never seems to have the political fortitude or courage to back it up. But here is a little information Campaign Promise 458: Invest in all types of alternative energy Result? Promise Kept. For the first time, to my knowledge, a President actually acknowledged Peak Oil in a White House address He's also proposing a major Wetland restoration project for the Gulf. The Gulf's wetlands are like kidney's, you cannot survive with out them. These are amazing undertakings that should IMO, be supported.

Had we made the changes Jimmy Carter wanted we might not be where we are today, but the reality is this: this is where we are today. And while it is good to push the President (he asked Americans to do so) I think it is important to know the facts. Too many times I have heard something I did not like come from the White house only to find out a few days later that I was misinformed. This is from both the left and the right. I do think staff changes need to be made, but not out of retribution or blame for something. Maybe Ken Salazar should be fired, and even Rahm Emanuel - but I don't think or even know whether it will help or hinder what is happening NOW. This is really that big of a crisis.

After giving a scathing review of the Presidents Speech the other night, Keith Olberman tweeted the follwing: It seems to me that once again, this President is not meeting the standards that people in the media seem to want to set upon him. As BobR said yesterday , this was not the speech of a lifetime, but it had very important information. And I believe it resonated with the people who needed it too the most: The people of the Gulf -- including the Fisherman's prayer. Seeing the next day he actually secured a 20 Billion dollar fund from BP was an amazing accomplishment. $100 million dollars for the unemployed workers on oil rigs was equally astounding. These are good things in light of a catastrophe that may change the way we live forever.

So no, I don't want another FDR, Nixon, Carter or Lincoln. I want President Obama to be able to be the best president we could have. He is smarter than me, and I like that. I like that I am challenged by the things he does and it forces me to think instead of react, which is what happened during the previous administration. This is a different time, and a different person with FAR different motives. That is important to remember. They are not the same. NOT at all.

We need all the truth out there from the media, not just what we want to see. Not having the truth is exactly what got us into this mess in the first place. My hope today was to provide constructive criticism, and not shut down debate. I really want to know what you think.

and
Raine