At noon today the world ended as the sound of seven trumpets was replaced by the words “I, Donald John Trump…” Until then it was a fairly good run. An excellent run, in retrospect, considering what we’re losing. Since we’re about to spend at least 1,461 days, or roughly the length of World War I, as conscripts in this ectopic afterlife, a closing look at last eight years couldn’t hurt.
I realize that the words I’m about to speak will sound more apocalyptic than anything you’ll find in Revelations, at least to most of my clearly hypnotized neighbors in Flagler County who are confusing today’s inaugural with Handel’s Alleluia (or at least Lee Greenwood’s sugar-added remake of Handel’s Alleluia). But I think history, if we live to hear its tale, will agree with me as surely as climate deniers on Florida’s shore will be drowned by midcentury: The Obama presidency was the best we’ve had since Franklin Roosevelt.
That includes those of the overrated Kennedy, the underrated Johnson, the unratable Nixon, the pro-rated Ford, the X-rated Clinton and of course the ever-B-rated Reagan, who gave us the most corrupt and scandal-ridden administration of the 20th century while steering with Bircher vigor this country’s taxes, courts, social contract and Republican Party back to the 1920s. The two Bushes are in a class by themselves. One of them is irrelevant in a James Buchanan sort of way. The other, for all the disastrous missions he accomplished, will remind us that even the Bush-Cheney root canals on American ideals may prove more bearable than the Trump-Pence buggery ahead: Bush and Cheney didn’t have a one-party state endorsing them. This new duo does.
Put simply, eight years of scandal-free White House is unheard of in our lifetimes. Whether it’s been Kennedy’s weakness for hookers or Bush’s inability to follow the law, the scandalous behavior of presidents has become pretty much a norm. We took the last eight years’ break for granted. The next four haven’t started yet and already we’re drowning in sleaze and incompetence, as the transition and confirmation hearings confirmed day after day. But we knew that going into the confessional last November. It’s the age-old American weakness for smut. The pendulum is swinging back with a vengeance. We’ll regret the swing and the presidency Trump promises to overturn.
It already looks like a majority of Americans regrets it already. I’m not saying anything original here. New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait and New York Times columnist David Leonhardt, for starters, just made the case for Obama’s presidency as uniquely successful, and Obama’s popularity as he leaves suggests the estimate isn’t an exaggeration. In Trumpland of course it’s all been “tombstones” and “carnage,” the words that defined his inaugural address as they had his campaign, though for different reasons. Listening to him speak today made all of America look like Walker Evans’s Depression pictures. He might’ve had a point eight years ago. But his Polaroids seem to have skipped 3,000 frames.
So to get back to Obama’s “carnage”: Getting the nation out of a depression was no small thing. The last president to do it was FDR, and he ended up needing a world war to finish the job. Obama actually pulled us out of the two most idiotic wars we’ve fought since Vietnam, in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the job isn’t entirely done, while also diminishing the juvenile war-on-terror rhetoric that accomplished little more than serve as recruitment for more terrorists. He proved that waging wars on terrorists doesn’t work. Targeting them smartly–with more intelligence, police work and special operations than bombers—does. He ended torture, though just listening to Trump is enough to make us all feel like we’re being waterboarded. He averted a nuclear arms race with Iran. He reduced nuclear weapons stockpiles and lifted America’s dismal profile abroad. He ended the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Oh, and he provided health insurance to 20 million more Americans, and with a timely kick from Joe Biden finally embraced gay marriage. The list goes on.
He made serious mistakes, among them the illegal bombing of Libya, Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia, much of it still ongoing. He’s conducted a shameless war on journalists and whistleblowers and vaguely tried to make amends with his pardon of Chelsea Manning, though compared to Trump he’ll prove to be a First Amendment hero. He never prosecuted the war criminals of the Bush years and didn’t put a single banker in prison while bailing out the criminals of the housing bust. He invited some of them into his cabinet instead. And he didn’t close Guantanamo. That list goes on, too. What he did accomplish, he did against a Congress intent on demolishing him, often for reasons that had nothing to do with his policies. It’s a wonder he accomplished this much.
It all ended at noon today.
We’ve never known such a radical shift from decency, intelligence, public service, coolness and grace to the proud brutality and sleaze that swore allegiance to itself on a Bible before going all Debbie Downer on us with that dark, angry nationalism in clenched fists. But, kind of like those cocky loons in “Deliverance” who thought they could control what they don’t know, we asked for it.
Pierre Tristam is FlaglerLive’s editor. Reach him by email here or follow him @PierreTristam. A version of this piece aired on WNZF.
Veteran says
You are condemning him before he even does anything. Give the man a chance. Your article sounds like Obama’s multiple farewell speeches, all BS. The man did nothing except give us a health care system that gave 20 million health care but cost a 100 million their doctors, insurance companies and money. Yes, there were no personal scandals but how about arms to the cartel, IRS, Benghazi etc. Yes we reduced are nuclear arsenal but if you believe Russia did, or Iran isn’t developing them, you are dreaming my friend. Trump can’t radically change the USA. It’s never happened. There is a system of checks and balances.
Miss. Ward says
This is just absurd! FlaglerLive get over it and realize with attitudes like yours our country will stay divided. He is our President now so be an American and support our government now, just like the rest of us had to do with the biggest joke of all presidents Barack Hussein Obama.
Mark says
Not!
Richard Smith says
Sorry, your world may have ended at noon today but for many Americans it has just begun. Now it is OUR time, the people of the United Sates of America, to take back our rogue self-serving government and drain the cesspool that has been in office for the last 8+ years and longer.
If you no longer pledge allegiance to our flag and support our constitution plus willing to give up your life for our country and stand united one nation under God, I encourage you to leave. There are plenty of other countries that stand with open arms to greet you.
PCer says
Get ready for the GOPers to yell LIES!!! The liberal media spreads fake news!!! Trump is the savior!!! Obama was the worst president ever!!! Oh the names they will call you Pierre as they suck on the teat of Breitbart news hoping for a wall that never be built and a prison term that will never be served. But at least Melania looked fabulous in her Ralph Lauren.
Obama will be missed. Vote blue in 2018.
Fredrick says
Big NOPE. Not for a minute.
Tony says
Let’s all get behind our new President and straighten this country out and make it great again. God Bless America!!!
Frank says
Someone give Pierre a tissue. LOL
rst says
Oh my Pierre, you’re going to get a backlash from this one. Hang in there brother…
Today was a great day says
You are delusional. like the rest of the elite or those who think they are more educated than the rest of the us, you still don’t get it. The last 8 years have been stressful and anxiety ridden for most of us Americans.. you know like those clearly hypnotized Flagler neighbors of yours..i saw plenty of scandals, I saw a nation in chaos, where it was considered ok to destroy property and violence against they neighbor under the false notion of freedom of speech..I saw an utter disregard for love and respect of country and a tolerance of hate against those that sacrifice all for the freedoms of many…I saw dreams and hopes of ownership, employment, and ingeinuity being stolen under a guise of unamericam values and principals… I can sum it up with the behavior of the last day, allowing 330 criminials to escape into the night….today though, I had hope, I feel as though the dreams of my parents and grandparents…of all those before me is once again in the horizon, the dream that when you work hard, you can realize your dreams, anything is possible if you believe…America is the greatest country on earth, one nation under God :). You and your like minded that are in a panic are the biggest hypocrites I have ever seen…you are only tolerant with your own opinions and views and are intolerant of anything else….tell Meryl and warren..to take some refugees and illegal immigrants into their million dollar estate and gated communities….wear your safety pins on your lapels…and hide behind your vicious hate on a computer…true actions speak volumes…you people are bullying at its worst!
pwishful thinking says
I am stunned by this editorial… Obama is a self centered civil agitator while Trump is a true American who loves his country as much as he loves himself…….. Trump’s only goal not achieved is to be the greatest leader of our time – he has more than enough money to justify caring about nobody but himself… His warmth and passion is refreshing and encouraging and my heart says he will make America great again
palmcoaster says
Yes I will!
Thomas says
Good Riddance
John Boy says
WOW! No comments from the GOP stalwarts in Palm Coast?
I guess the euphoria is just too much….
Katie Semore says
DJT was an insulting prick! He insulted Obama and every former president there along with the entire Congress and senior government personnel and members of everyone’s cabinets. His speech will go down in history as the worse speech ever by an incoming president. All the deplorables are happy and I guess that is what counts.
Make America great again says
No…no….I really won’t
Jim Neuenfeldt says
You left out the Peanut farmer completely? What about all the great democratic things he’s done? Both worldwide and domestically? An oversight? or perhaps no one south of New York can ever be credited with doing anything good?
Pierre Tristam says
I’m a great admirer of the Peanut Farmer, and credit him with the only effective Middle East peace agreement any American has brokered, among other substantial achievements, though he can’t be classed as much of an effective president. I’ll catch up in a piece all his own, though as I recall I think my second-ever column, in 1986, was an admiring piece on Carter. (My first, those being the dreadful end-throes of the Reagan years, was about lowering the drinking age.)
Anonymous says
no I wont….
bill swartz says
NO !!!!!!!
Common Sense says
I grieve for this country as we enter into this dark future. For all the hate and insults, the Obama family behaved with grace and dignity. Trump supporters rant on about what Pres.Obama did to this country but they can actually say what was so bad.
He is not my president.
RickG says
Thanks Pierre for an interesting and cogent insight to the Obama years. He certainly wasn’t everything I had hoped but was a major improvement over what we had, notwithstanding the low bar. To say that Obama was a self centered civil agitator is the epitome of Republican projection.
Sw says
If he calls out all the do nothing Politicians in Congress and they are voted out thats a start. Sounds like open season to me.. so long Obama
OMG says
Pierre
Recreational pot is not legal in Florida yet. Please refrain from partaking prior to writing.
Pierre Tristam says
OMG,
I don’t do pot. I was snacking on arsenic.
Anonymous says
Not for a New York minute!!!!!!!!
PCer says
A reminder to all the trumpeters who were duped by Don the Con, the majority of voters did NOT vote for him, we saw through his lies. He may have won the election, but he lost the American people. If you voted for him, you voted for lies. You were conned.
Unlike GOP voters of the past 8 years, I will not hope for his failure. Doing that is like hoping the pilot crashes the plane we are all on.
Jim says
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……..NOPE!!!
Billy says
What liberal stupidity! Time for the “FREE SHIT” to end! See you and good ridence Obama! Read up on history – how fast did our first settlement, hundreds of years ago, figure out that equal distribution and sharing wealth didn’t work – the pilgrims starved! Hardworking Americans are tired of footing the bill for people who have their hand out for what’s owed, via liberal visions, to them! Grow up, work hard and prosperity will reward you! NOT YOUR HARD WORKING NEIGHBORS PAYCHECK FUNNELED TO YOU! HATS OFF TO THR OUR NEW AMERICA!!!!!!!!
anonymus says
I AM NOT GOING TO MISS HIM!!
DRedder says
Bye Felicia
RayD says
A very idealistic man who was a very poor implementer. I voted for him twice. I am a life long Democrat. No I will not miss him. He totally failed the middle class.
The Ghost of America says
Looking at the executive orders the cheeto in chief has made today makes me tingle with excitement, I’m hoping he completely dismantles the ACA, welfare programs, social security, medicare, medicaid, public schools, and arts. Let’s just drive this country back to the 50’s, where it was ok to beat your wife and hang a nigger as long as you were white.
Truth says
I fear for our country when people dont remember how bad things were under bush. And how little trump and the republiCONs have any knowledge of how to steward an economy. Republican economics have never worked for growing any economy in history. Destroy america again
He is says
Obama is gone 😀The greatest thing that has happened to All of Uas
Anonymous says
He danced to My Way at his first inaugural ball. He who vows to serve all Americans. Think maybe you’ve been scammed? Think, think, think. How fearful and desperate must one be, to elect the guy who inspired the “We don’t care how you do it up North?” bumper sticker?
r&r says
I’ve had a tooth ache for 8 years, now it’s been pulled and I feel great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tired of it says
Well once again you are spewing your liberal crap. How about you pack up all of your belongings and head off to some other country with all the other noise makers that are leaving. Oh that’s right, none of the liberal media, Hollywood whiners or anyone that has been so vocal about our new president has left after all. Obama was an embarrassment to our country and ignored the constitution every time it didn’t suit his distorted needs. The greatest part of President Trump now being in the White House is that he can appoint people to the Supreme Court that are going to protect our American values, once again make our military strong and hopefully stop the flow of illegal aliens to our precious country. Just remember Pierre that because of our great freedoms here in this country you are allowed to print your distorted crap without any retribution. Many countries you would have been carted off to jail a long time ago. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Pierre Tristam says
Tiresome, my comparative standard tends not to be North Korea. I’m surprised–or maybe not–that it’s yours.
woodchuck says
Really?
karma says
Obama’s parting gift to Jimmy Carter, a man in his 90’s and has brain cancer will be able to go his grave knowing he was not the worst sitting president ever. The lord really is just.
Percy's mother says
Pierre,
For future reference, I do believe it is Revelation (The Book of Revelation). NOT, Revelations.
Since you’re a journalist, I thought you’d want to know.
Pierre Tristam says
Um Percy,
I appreciate the correction but as a journalist, I’m obliged to fact-check the Bible, that wonderfully original purveyor of fake news, before inflicting references to it on my readers. In my translation of that ancient science-fiction novel in question here I count quite a few more than one revelation, though I concede they’re almost as absurd as debating their plurality.
Sw says
His first action on the FHA premiums ought to put the brakes on some Home purchases or at least make it more difficult……
Bill says
Much of this is just laughable and not worth comment…but the best perspective comes from a later comment that Carter was anything but a disaster – nice guy, genuine, fatherly – but a wreck of a Leader…just like President Obama…at some point history will write the truth.
Mark101 says
Like a bad cold.
Anonymous says
If this nut case thinks he is going to change the workings of Washington D.C. he has another thing coming. The president does not have control, congress does. I would love to see changes. Sadly it is an uphill battle that four years will not accomplish. The idea is a good one though. It will prove interesting. I think I will just sit back and watch this circus.
greenbean says
Awe..I feel really bad that most of my paycheck may actually be used for something other than giving free things to so many deserving people who have never contributed a thing to society.
Anonymous says
Like Hell I’ll miss him!!!!!
Rich H. says
It’s the end of an ERROR….thank you Jesus!
footballen says
Good morning America, Happy Nobama day!!!!!!!!! It is a great day indeed. Ahhhhhhh finally the eight years of misery are over for me. You see I was unfortunate enough to be born white and settled into the middle class while working several jobs to pay for all of my kids education. I have paid my taxes all my life and watched that clown spend it and hand out freebees to bums and illegals. So yeah I guess some people may be a lil upset this morning. The good news is, you can get a job and support your own children. You will get used to it like the rest of us.
footballen says
BTW please stop with the violence and setting things on fire, enough really!!!!
A Real American says
Say it out loud: PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP!!!
Now, go back to your safe spaces liberals. The REAL Americans will take it from here.
ken says
If you consider Obama a success, i wonder what failure looks like..
Scandal free? Well to most of us, these things are scandalous:
Benghazi was scandalous,
Allowing Russia control of 20% of our uranium is scandalous,
Belittling our law enforcement at every turn is scandalous,
Abandoning Iraq territory, won at the cost of American blood is scandalous,
Ignoring the danger of (ISIS) which he compared to a J.V. team, is scandalous
Creating the greatest racial polarization in decades is scandalous.
The IRS targeting of conservative is a scandal.
The VA treatment of our veterans is a scandal.
Solyndra is a scandal.
Iran, where we didn’t lift a finger to help, the freedom fighters is a scandal
The Iranian nuclear deal is a scandal.
Stabbing Israel in the back is a scandal.
The main stream press did everything they could to minimize these scandals, but that doesn’t make them any less major.
Sherry says
As I listened to the last speech President Obama gave in that particular capacity, my thoughts were. . . that’s the last of thoughtful, intelligent, eloquence for a while.
While I marched with a passionate bunch of college students in Orlando last night. . . speaking out against fascism and hate. . . I thought there just may be a tiny glimmer of hope for an uprising against fear, hate, greed, inequality, racism, xenophobia, sexism. . . etc.
Then, after reading the all too hate filled, fear filled, chest pounding comments here. . . I remembered that my biggest disappointment is in the “minority” millions of those who have, for years, been completely manipulated by a media empire hell bent on controlling those who are too lazy and insecure to do any kind of personal research or critical “thinking”. We have reached a “Twilight Zone” of paranoia where even scientifically proven facts are dismissed emotionally as politically motivated conspiracy theories.
I will not only missed President Obama, I will miss what I fear is the last shred of:
1. Consensual, intelligently analyzed decision making
2. Open minded, thoughtful, reasonable communication at all times
3. Respect for ALL of the American people. . . and on, and on, and on
ALL Media has played a very influential role in where we find ourselves today. Here is an email I very recently sent to the heads of several news organizations. . . in hopes of generating some self evaluation. Those of us that are still “thinking” individuals will be paying attention and holding them accountable:
” They say you only have 30 seconds to state your message to any news organization. . .here are my 30 seconds:
SUBJECT: How the Journalists and the Pollsters Got It So Wrong!
“There are none so blind as those who will not see”! The pollsters and YOU journalists have not been asking the “critical” question :
“Where do you obtain the majority of your daily news?”
My very firmly held opinion is that the majority of Trump supporters are primarily FOX News consumers.
This is the first election where the massive ranks of US citizens, who have been indoctrinated into the fear filled FOX reality, achieved such leverage and power. We now live in an age of “emotion over fact”! Rupert Murdoch is no doubt clapping his hands with glee.
Trump manipulated You with the precision of a surgeon! His celebrity background taught him that “ALL publicity is good publicity”. He dished daily headlines to you, and you ate it up with a spoon. You greedily fell more deeply into tabloid journalism, and lazily put his face and voice out there in the front page at every moment. He who is on TV the most wins!
YOU elected Donald Trump, because, unfortunately, millions of voters do not care about the facts you chase!
Good Luck in the Next Four Years! “
THE ONLY THING... says
The Only thing that could have made InaugurationDay any better was if the Donald lifted his hand from the Lincoln bible turned and said to Obamma “YOU’RE FIRED!!!” and/or if the door to Marine one swung shut and smacked Michelle on her big fat tax payer funded fanny. Good Riddance!!! Oh, and California Rains ruined his planned golf game, Executive one had to circle for an hour and eventually divert, perfect dreary end to a dreamy perfect day…
Pogo says
@Pierre Tristam
With respect, “we” didn’t didn’t ask for Trump. Fools, fanatics, liars, criminals, most Republicans, Loonitarians asked for Trump.
I won’t miss President Obama. He didn’t die. As he has always done, he obeyed the law; followed tradition, customs, and norms and turned over his position to Trump. And as he always has, he did all that in an exemplary manner. Now, President Obama and his wonderful family are on a very well earned and deserved vacation. They’ll be back.
I didn’t watch the television version of 1/20/2017. I avoid driving by and/or through crime scenes and grisly traffic accidents. DJT, as he has styled himself; a pussy grabber, as he has described himself, is a repulsive little crooked liar. Trump stood in the same space with President Obama, and with his hand on a bible, and lied through his teeth. Trump’s inauguration in a word: grotesque. You, Mr. Tristam, I’m confident, appreciate the precision and appropriateness of the word grotesque. For Trump supporters, an explanation:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/grotesque
Trump may return the world to cave painting.
So, here we are again. The usual suspects, i.e., Trump supporters, and Republicans (not automatically Trump supporters, but certainly Trump enablers) trolling and spewing ill stated hate and lies. They speak as if there is no context to President Obama’s heroic presidency. Trump himself campaigned on the need to call out the disaster that was the Bush presidency!
To the pimply faced 88 percent goons (you know who you are and why you’re “88”): the poor souls who need professional assistance just to file a short form tax return, the Christian Taliban who follow mega church prosperity preachers and sleaze like Trump – I know you won’t miss President Obama. You don’t know enough to miss him. Just like you can’t pass road signs without shooting holes in them – keep on shooting the idiot in the mirror.
Gkimp says
You are killing me here Pierre! Hahaha miss him? Hahahaha
NPA says
I agree with you, Pierre.
Traveling Rep says
If I can’t say anything nice…
No, really, the thing I will miss most is Obama’s ability to articulate his policies and positions – most of which I completely disagreed with. But, he was coherent. The second thing I will miss is all of his vacations and golf outings. At least during those times he was not busy destroying our nation. I definitely will not miss his penchant for wealth redistribution that coaxes the lazy into doing even less than they were. All while removing any sense of ambition from the ‘doers’. His ability to make America look weak to the likes of Assad (Red Line), Putin (Crimea), Iran (Navy sailors taken, Nukes), and China (horrible trade due to currency manipulation, South China Sea issues). He also did almost nothing about the IRS targeting issue. He and Hillary did everything they could to cover up their complete failure in Benghazi. The cover up is always worse than just facing the music. For these reasons he will go down as the worst president in our history. Now, go ahead and call me a racist!
Trump’s passionate promises (as of now) to improve our country fiscally, and to secure our country both literally and figuratively are what I like the most about him. He did not have to do this. He has enough money to sail off into the sunset. Nobody owns him, unlike the alternative we were offered (Hillary). I think he will do very well for our country and I wish him the best. Which, by the way, was my same wish for Obama in 2008 (even though I did not vote for him). If democrats want to show that they are indeed patriots, they will do the same.
Grin and bear it Pierre, just like we did in 2008. Your divisionary editorials are very unbecoming.
brian says
rotflmao…what a scum..
Geezer says
Traveling Rep:
“Your divisionary editorials are very unbecoming.”
So are words that aren’t in the dictionary.
JimB says
Pierre,
You are an intelligent man. Realizing that, I have to wonder why you, as a journalist, continue to spout your hateful personal opinions upon us readers.
It is sad that people such as yourself cannot realize that the laws of the nation and the people have elected a new president. It is sad that you do not even attempt to give the new administration a chance.
It is sad that you and others compare President Trump with past presidents and in all reality that is ludicrous.
Why can you not even consider the possibility that things could change for the better? Are you so bitter that your candidate did not win that you cannot accept that maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance that someone other than your candidate can help our great country prosper? Are you so bitter that your candidate did not win that perhaps you wish President Trump to fail?
Did you listen to President Trump’s inaugural speech? I did, and I felt the passion and it gave me hope.
I am not a Democrat nor a Republican, I vote for the candidate I think will help our country. I voted for President Obama in 2008. I was disappointed after his first term, I expected more and he did not deliver. The hope I felt then slowly diminished. Now I am feeling hope for our country again. I hope I am not disappointed.
Why do people vote for a party? I know people, both Republicans and Democrats, that would vote for the devil himself, if he were a member of their party. You, Pierre, seem to be in that category.
Will I miss Obama… No. That’s an emotional reaction that has nothing to do with politics and what is best for our country. I could liken that to missing the sunset, it is gone… but tomorrow there will be a sunrise and a new day begins.
RAS says
I can’t stop laughing at this very funny. I bet you will have egg on you libreal face very soon.
Brian says
This article is a shame to America and Americans you sir in essence are the problem… you should be ashamed of yourself for writing garbage like this. He is our president start to show some respect. We had to do the same for the last 8 years…
Pierre Tristam says
If only you had, Brian. If only you had.
#BERNIE2020 says
Pierre,
The basket of deplorables are out in full force so I wanted to come to your defense while they are pounding their chests and waving their CCCP red hats.
After 8 years of demeaning the office with obstruction, racism and the spread of lies I am supposed to give Trump respect? Sorry, but respect is earned. He didn’t earn my vote so it is his job to earn my respect.
It is impossible to tell anyone the facts when they are determined to answer any response or thoughtful discussion with LIBERAL, LIBTARD, SNOWFLAKE and BENGHAZI. The term free and someone has to pay for it is always also spoken by someone that doesn’t pay their taxes, or like Betsy DeVos really never worked a real job in their lives.
Simple fact most Americans that disapprove of Obama can only say the disagree with his policies but can’t give examples or even reasons because they are only educated by MEMEs and headlines on the media or social groups they are not afraid of. From 2001 to 2008 we had a major terrorist attack, our banks and business started to melt down and entered two wars that only had one that was justified.
Now is 2017 a man with the middle name of Hussein from Chicago handed Trump keys to very healthy nation.
When Obama took office, he beat a good man for the job. Obama hit the ground running and here is what is administration is guilty of.
Allowing all Americans the right to marry.
Bailing out an Auto Industry that is now bigger and better than it was before the bail out.
Finally passing a Healthcare plan that has given 25+ million Americans an opportunity to buy insurance with not one Republican vote but since it was passed Republicans voted 52 times to repeal it . (Maybe they should have voted to fix the issues since a template was already there, Who rebuilds a wall when it just has a few small holes?)
***And the keep your doctor thing was true, but Insurance companies cancelled all the old policies and made people enroll in new ones since they violated the new law. If they just updated the criteria of the policy, people would not have been cancelled.
Adding 10.9 million Jobs with 2.9 Million Healthcare created thanks to the ACA (Bush created less that 2 million in his 8 years)
Housing Markets, Stock Markets and Manufacturing jobs increased to the highest levels since 1990’s
Tightened Sanctions on Iran and Russia and avoided a major lawsuit with Iran because of the 1979 Frozen 400 million advance payment after the Shah of Iran was topped.
Brokered Agreement for Speedy Compensation to Victims of Gulf Oil Spill
Passed Credit Card Reforms which prohibits credit card companies from raising rates without advance notification, mandates a grace period on interest rate increases, and strictly limits overdraft and other fees
Ended two wars in the Middle East
2.5 million undocumented people deported by immigration authorities since 2009
And my favorite, while everyone was worried about his birth certificate, he signed an order in 2011 that
ordered a special forces raid of secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan that killed Osama Bin Laden.
Yesterday the Stock Markets where up, the economy just added 156,000 jobs and unemployment was at 4.7%. Gas Prices are at the lowest levels in 10 years and house prices in Flagler County is 8.4% higher than last year.
Obama, although he made mistakes like each President has, preserved, protected and defended the Constitution of the United States.
History will prove the last 8 years saved our country, just hope Trump/Pence care more about Middle Class Americans like US and not the 1%ers they are ready to give ANOTHER tax break to.
Knightwatch says
Putin’s trumppet represent’s the worst of America. He the personification of the ugly American. He will never be my president nor that of 10″s of millions of Americans. We will fight him and his obscene administration every day in every way. We will work to disrupt him, to humiliate him and to reject him.
Today you all saw the strength of the resistance. We will not be deterred.
woodchuck says
Time to go to another headline news story.Tristam you already beat this one to death and fired everybody up.Hopefully it won’t be about Trump,you will have 8 more years to do it pace yourself.
Common Sense says
He has only been in office for a day, he has already written an executive order (remember how you Republicans complained about Pres. Obama’s Executive Orders?) that impacts the ACA, without even a hint of a replacement. He has already cancelled the $500.00 break new homeowners were getting, of course his rich friends don’t need the break, first time buyers do.
And today, he went to the CIA, stood in front of the wall honoring CIA officers killed on duty and whined about how the media was under reporting the crowds for his inauguration. Then he proceeded to tell them he hadn’t disrespected them, on no. It was all the media, in spite of the video, audio and twiiter evidence to the contrary.
These are the people who risk their lives to protect our country, how do you think they reacted?
Makeitso1701 says
Donald Dump is a clown,racist,bigot that appealed to the lowest of the lowest, and soon these people will realize they have bought snake oil.
Anonymous says
So at his 1st state of the union address, when we’re not wealthy, 1st in the world and lSlS is not anhilated, it’s OK to yell, “Liar!” at the potus.
r&r says
Let it go. You lost and we won. Let the healing process begin.
Robjr says
Pierre after reading the comments I have to believe that there is that many fools in this county. Presuming the majority of readers are from this county.
palmcoaster says
Looks like the whole country and world is wrong like you Pierre, as per the Antitrump demonstrations yesterday!!
Brian, when Obama took office you and the one’s like you had no reason to demonstrate against him because Obama was not the representation of Hitlerism, Racism, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual Abuse, Censorship, Lies, Conflict of Interest, Privilege, White Supremacist, Allowed Corruption by our Legislative branch approvals and brutal green light, Obama was a gentleman, conciliatory and Presidential, respecting the rights us all, except the one problem that voters like you had with Obama… was the colr of his skin! Shame on you all!! Sure I will miss Obama.
There already your pickled Hitler started stopping at the border even Americans trying to cross back into their country for going to DC and exercise their freedom of speech. There already his spokeman lying about the numbers gathered for his “swearing” to witness versus 2009. There the National Park tweets silenced now for daring to show us the undeniable proof. There Trumps all out war to the media and bullying us all.
Veteran says
Knightwatch, those with your attitude are destroying this country.
trebordadda says
Pierre,
Well put.
I would also add that the First Lady brought a level of sophistication, empathy and grace that we will contrast sharply with that of the incoming First Lady.
Funny how people like Miss Ward wants us all to shut up and unite behind this perverted creep because he is now president, but they were perfectly happy to have Trump delegitimize Obama for most of his presidency as a Kenyan Muslim, and perfectly happy to see McConnell, the Senate and the House Republicans do all they could for 8 years to ensure everything that bear’s Obama’s name is defeated. Yeah… good way to unite the country then!
Dirk Noel Theriault says
Eight years of war
Lowest economy growth in American history
Record number of mass shootings
Record number of people on food stamps
Record high health insurance cost
Record high national debt
Worst rioting since 1967
Highest poverty level in American history
Yeah sure….I’m gonna miss him……especially that “leading from behind” thing.
What the hell does that even mean???? My god! The man told us he had no intention of leading!
Sherry says
WE will NEVER forget. . . THIS is the despicable, disgusting person YOU Trump supporters put in the white house:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-recorded-having-extremely-lewd-conversation-about-women-in-2005/2016/10/07/3b9ce776-8cb4-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html?utm_term=.46c891b66676
Katie Semore says
@Brian, no, it is a lie that people accepted and respected Obama even though they didn’t vote for him. Never in my life had I seen the rancor and racist overtones that were slung his way daily by the simple-minded and the GOP elite alike. You, like Trump seem to disregard the truth and make up your own truth as you go along. How in the world do you expect that to be helpful to the country, except to be constantly confusing and unrealistic?
Katie Semore says
@Bernie2020, how dare you confuse the trumpettes, both male and female, with facts. They don’t understand facts, they only understand 8-second soundbites that are critical of everything they can’t understand and won’t accept because a Black person said it. They are the same that revere and give high praise, without having proven herself whatsoever, to a person who made their living by posing nude and diss an accomplished woman with an Ivy League education and cheer when she is called an ape in heels.
Brian Riehle says
Yo Pierre….after 81 response from your little band of readers am I the only one to click on your references and notice that the hyperlinks are email addresses and not web urls ?
FlaglerLive says
Indeed you were. I don;t know what to make of it (other than being embarrassed). Thanks for pointing out the glitch, the links are fixed.
gmath55 says
Look lets get real here! He wanted to leave so he could play more golf. Oh yes! Whats the first thing he is seen doing? Playing golf! LOL.
BOB says
DEMS still don’t get it! LOL
DaveT says
It really doesn’t matter how many columns this site or others write, nothing will change the fact that Donald Trump is the President of the United States. Might as well get used it, live with it for 4 years.
Veteran says
Do you know someone suffering from Trump Unacceptance & Resistance Disorder
(TURD)?
TURD is a pattern of pathologically dissociative and psychotic behavior,
first observed in the late hours of November 8th 2016, and increasing in
severity with passing time. Sufferers of TURD often exhibit pronounced
cognitive dissonance, sudden bouts of childlike rage, rioting and
uncontrollable crying. People with TURD are characterized by a persistent
unwillingness to accept Donald Trump as our President. For many, both in
America and worldwide, his election was a shocking and unexpected outcome;
their preferred news sources having failed to inform them the alternative
candidate was a criminal parasite in such ill health she got chucked into
the back of a van like a kidnap victim. Research is ongoing, but TURD
appears to correlate closely with the following environmental and
behavioral factors: Membership in the Democratic Party; Identifying as a
feminist; Currently enrolled in college, and/or possession of a Liberal
Arts college degree; Living in a densely populated metropolitan area;
Massive student debt; Spotty or non-existent work history;
Patients with TURD are very resistant to treatment, and dangerous in large
groups. Any possibility of treatment requires they be separated from their
hive-minded support apparatus; they cannot begin the process of accepting
reality in the presence of encouragement towards delusion and
irrationality. Separation may require the assistance of law enforcement. If
you have a friend or loved one suffering from TURD, urge them to seek
treatment. Together we can beat this scourge.
#bernie2020 says
DaveT,
Check Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution. Emoluments Clause.
Trump needs to show his taxes and sell off all this assets or be impeached. The Emoluments Clause prohibits the president from accepting anything of value from a foreign government. His businesses outside the US are a direct violation of the same Constitution that give you the right to bare arms.
He will not last 4 years, he knows this. That is why he picked Pence.
Knightwatch says
Dave T… NEVER!
Outsider says
I will miss him about as much as I would miss a cactus spine lodged in my scrotum.
gmath55 says
@ Sherry WE will NEVER forget… THIS is the despicable, disgusting person YOU Hillary supporters! Bill Clinton rapes a woman and Hillary tried to silence her!
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/264988-bill-clinton-rape-accuser-hillary-tried-to-silence-me
Sherry says
One president was actually “impeached” for his sexual exploits . . . another president was elected “in spite” of his!
Sherry says
The law suit against Trump for allegedly raping a 13 year old was dropped, in November, due to death threats. . . hummm, I wonder where those came from:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/02/donald-trump-rape-lawsuit-13-year-old-cancels-public-event
Here’s another accusation of attempted rape against Trump:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/woman-who-accused-trump-of-attempted-rape-in-97-responds-to-leaked-audio_us_57fd1ac4e4b0b6a43035ba97
Shall I post links to all the complaints from about a dozen women about his sexual groping and molestation?
No? Why not? Oh. . . I see. . . your moral compass has been thrown out the window to make room for horrific, despicable Trump!
Anonymous says
I won’t miss him. It was a happy day to see him go and see a family with class move in the White House. It is time to make American Greater.
Concerned Observer says
Neither Flagler Live or our once great country can fly with only a “Left Wing”. It’s a done deal. Get over it. Work with it positively together and see what we can do.
Veteran says
One president actually committed sex acts acts in the White House, the other was accused, all unsubstantiated!
#Bernie2020 says
“Neither Flagler Live or our once great country can fly with only a “Left Wing”.”
Our country did for most of the last 8 years. The right wing that should have helped with the flying was lame and wasn’t strong enough to keep up.
They decided to glide and just be a back wing driver.
They better hope the same doesn’t happen to them now that is is their turn to fly.
Unity is earned.
Outsider says
Actually Sherry, Clinton was impeached AND disbarred for lying under oath. He was not impeached for his sexual liaisons. So many lefties seem to forget that.
Sherry says
And, our “ALREADY great” cannot continue to evolve into a future of EQUALITY for all with only a “right wing” pushing it’s agenda to dismantle all the progress made in the past 8 years!
WE will be vigilant and not allow American values to be destroyed by a party of racists, xenophobes, chauvinists and those who want to destroy ALL social programs including Obamacare, Medicare and Social Security while providing even bigger tax cuts for billionaires!
Makeitso1701 says
Yes,we will miss Obama. We are now stuck with a thin orange skinned idiot that will surely get us into another war.It is only a matter of time.
Sherry says
OK. . . do any of those “stalking” my comments really think I did not remember how or why one of our most accomplished presidents was impeached, really?
For the pea brained, let me spell out the precise meaning of my prior comment:
1. President Clinton was impeached for trying to “cover up” his sexual exploits, because he knew it was WRONG.
2. While Trump was elected by the Electoral College (NOT the majority of voters) . . . with tremendous assistance from Communist Russia, the FBI and the Media. . . “in spite” of his chest beating braggadocio regarding his sexual predator actions against many women, and maybe even a 13 year old.
3. I am not of the opinion, and have seen no “believable” indication, that Trump understands his horrific actions against women were WRONG!
4. TWO Wrongs still do not make a RIGHT. . . that is, except in the case of the ALT RIGHT!
Sherry says
Also. . . what in the world is sooooo wrong with President Obama playing golf? Is our President not entitled to some healthy activity and leisure time off? Please tell me what is so awful about golf? How do you “sofa surfing” critics spend your time off? Let me guess. . . hunting? watching boxing on TV? surfing conspiracy theory. . . sorry, “alternative fact” sites? watching FOX? chowing down? What?
orangeatan says
I sooo can’t wait to hear those Trump supporters start crying when $$ starts disappearing from their paychecks, taxes start creeping up, etc. I can’t wait to say ‘want a tissue??’ LOL