Is Obama The Leader Everyone Hoped He Would Be In His Presidency? A Rebuttal.



Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2009

by

Healthcare reform is a currently a hot topic, as it should be. Debate on this issue occurs daily, as there is no perfect way to fix the healthcare system in our country. Debate is not a good sign? Blue Dog Democrats? Let's have a brief chat on this aspect of the healthcare argument. This has nothing to do with Obama's leadership skills. It has everything to do with the Republicans and the "Blue Dog "Democrats being obligated to the healthcare companies and their lobbyists. Go to this link provided by opensecrets.org, http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/07/committee-members-speak-outor.html and view the chart on the page. All the powerbrokers are there, Republican and Democrat, for all to see. Find your favorite legislator and see where he or she stacks up in relation to the amount of money received from lobbyists. Then take a look at how they would vote on the healthcare bill.

Is this because of Obama's leadership skills? No, only lawmakers not being able to walk down the street due to the hands stuffing pockets and pocketbooks with healthcare company cash. By the way, where do the lobbyists get the money to purchase influence on Capitol Hill? Could it be some of the outrageous premiums charged to Americans by these companies that find their way into the hands of lawmakers? Nah, probably not.

Let's also mention the town hall meetings where legislators are being shouted down by "outraged" citizens. Someone please state why there are not lively discussions occurring, as opposed to the shut them up mentality that is displayed by what are in effect, mobs. Why not hear what the legislators have to say, and then give opinions? Is this not what the meetings are for? It is obvious that the healthcare companies want this bill to die. The so-called "outraged Americans" would do better to pull their collective heads out of the sand, read the bill for themselves, and make their own decisions. Recite their own thoughts rather than those provided to them by lobbying organizations and their partners. Also, please quote the portion of the bill where the government will "kill old people". I can't find it anywhere.

Bill Clinton saving the day and rescuing the two journalists held hostage by North Korea? You have got to be kidding! If anyone thinks that Bill Clinton did this on his own, I have a two for one sale for you, the Golden Gate and The Brooklyn Bridge for ten dollars! In case anyone has forgotten, North Korea upset the international community by test firing ballistic missiles and performing an underground test of a nuclear bomb. The Obama administration had no choice but to condemn North Korea for their actions. If Obama says nothing, he is a weak president. If he overreacts, there is the possibility of war.

The hostage negotiations were handled through backchannels, out of public view, where the Swiss were of great assistance. North Korea supposedly stated, "If Bill Clinton comes, we will release the journalists". Not exactly Clinton riding in on his white steed, defeating the North Korean army, and taking off with the hostages. I must acknowledge my colleague, Missing Link, on his thoughts. Ms. Lee and Ms.Ling knew where they were and what they were doing. Do they not share some of the responsibility for their predicament? They were not fighting the war on terror. It not as if they were captured on American soil. I guess their capture was due to Obama's lack of leadership and not having it together.

To combine Obama's stance on abortion with the journalists' situation is at best, mixing apples and oranges. Abortion is a separate and highly charged issue that has no place being mentioned in the same breath as captured journalists in North Korea. To say that Obama did not care about the journalists because he does not value the life of a child is simply ludicrous. That is nothing more than a sentence designed to inflame those that don't need much of a push to spew "Obama hate."

As for the Hippocratic Oath statements, please show me where this is Obama's policy. Rahm Emanuel's brother makes statements, and now Obama is suddenly saying doctors take the oath too seriously because they order too many tests? That doctors should not save lives in order to drive costs down? That is ridiculous.

Finally, Melissa Hathaway resigned her post as Cyber Security czar. There is a story in the Wall Street Journal (August 4, 2009) where Hathaway said she was leaving for personal reasons, and had removed her name from consideration for the permanent job two weeks prior to resigning. There are other items mentioned in the story, it can be found online. Senator Susan Collins is concerned about Obama's lack of leadership in cyber security? Yeah, she's in the same boat as the majority of the Republican Party. No big deal there.

Cash for Clunkers ran out of money. Yes, apparently it did. Some lawmakers did not wish to fund it for its original amount (4 billion dollars) instead settling for 1 billion dollars. Not putting a blip on the reduction of pollution? How long has the program been in effect? Two weeks, maybe? We should see marked improvement with pollution in two weeks! Some of us are still reaching, so if only to make an argument for argument's sake.

In conclusion, it appears that President Obama is being held to a higher standard than any of our past Commanders- in- Chiefs. Why is this? He has an Ivy League education and is a lawyer, like some of our recent presidents. He has not turned over our country to Middle Eastern terrorists, as was stated during the 2008 presidential campaign. When will everyone realize that if he turns things around, we will all prosper? Instead, we have the politics of fear morphing into the politics of ignorance and race baiting. If Obama does not do his job, he will be voted out in 2012. Let's stop throwing roadblocks in the way and have intelligent discussions about the issues and facts, and stop acting like petulant children that don't get their way.

America, stop having a collective tantrum.

Until next time.

JD

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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)
» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr
from MI 2 years 160 days ago.
Thanks Judge, I concure and I wish to add in your support. From my GOPers: It's difficult, I know, keeping up with half-truths. Why? Someone believes them. Like Barnum and Bailey's, "there is (???) Born every"… It seems it is always coming from the ones not in office. Two parties are good and two parties are bad. Depends on which side one is on. One thing both sides agree, something happened between President Clinton leaving office and the beginning of President Obama coming into office. Shows of aggression by the GOPers in their force to preserve, protect, defend, and conserve the status quo for big health insurance companies are non stop. However, it appears everything the President is trying to do is against the status quo.
 
 
Surely I myself and any other minister of the gospel can and must say the same. Out of every mind in the congregation, you must attempt to adhere to all. When you do not, well, everyone becomes the know-it-all. Their knowledge always says; "No, do it this way, no, do it that way, no it should be this way, no, why not like that way…Then if the leadership does not utilize their skills, the status quo remains…Nothing gets done and the grappling continues on. Ex: The last administration (Bush), everyone appeared to be grappling and fine. You could not pay one to say, "I hope he fails." We did anyway. Why? Someone's kids are still dying. Why? "He tried to kill my daddy." We never heard the cry of reality, why? There is money in war and the Vice President is still the head of Halliburton (KBR, B&R). The rebuild after war connoisseurs. Why? Daddy Bush and his two sons and Saddaam and his two sons, those two families at odds for years in the greed of oil.
 
 
 
GOPer John Boehner asserts the HB "may possibly start us down a treacherous path toward government-encouraged euthanasia." Did I hear him right? To kill someone! Because they are ill? How? I ask again, how? Can he put that into the people of this nation's ears? Nowhere did the HB or President say anything about, end of life care.
 
 
It becomes like the man that jumped on the mule and ran off in all directions. That means one goes nowhere. The Elders once called that, "Scatterbrains
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 159 days ago.
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Hi Dr. Rucker,
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by robert melaccio sr
 2 years 159 days ago.
Judge, I think your right when you said he is being held to a higher standard. After all he is the one who said he could make real change from the same tired Washington ways. He stated he would work for the people and people flocked to him becuase of one word "trust" and to make real change, not mouth change. Now I didn't vote for him or the other guy. Why, becuase what they said and what they did far apart from their professions. Their records, as I have always noted, speak to that. He has stayed the course on many topics from abortion to health care to everything else. All ultra liberal positions, fact. If you're a left wing person great. If your an average Joe and still like him then you must for no other reason then race. He has done nothing and I do mean nothing for you. No this man is not for the little guy be they any race or color. While his words are what you may want to hear what he delievers far from that. Ok lets talk clunkers as an example. I as an average American need a new car. I have a clunker. Can I trade it in, NO. I no longer can qualify. Millions in the same boat. So who, yes who does it help? You got it, only those that could buy without that incentive of OUR MONEY. Yes they have the credit to get approved, the have the cash to put down. Please, one could talk for days and I have and never get people to wake up.  The leader everyone hoped, well let me correct you, this guy never hoped in him becuase he always stated exactly what he would do adn it wasnt what I was hoping for. Best wishes.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 159 days ago.
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Hi Robert,
 
Yes, Obama did say he was going to change the same old Washington culture. Little did we know that our friends on the right would pull every trick in the book to stop this administration from doing anything to change the status quo. Bailouts, healthcare, Sotomayor, it does not matter, the right wants to stop it.(Bailouts were fine at the end of the Bush Administration!) Even if Obama is ultra-liberal, does that justify comparisons to the Nazis and Hitler? This is where intelligent discussion enters the fray, not shouting down people who wish to hear about the healthcare bill. Obama wants to kill grandma and grandpa with this bill? No! This part of the bill has everything to do with living wills. Right wing madness at its best.
 
You mention race. Let's be frank here, is this controversy occurring because of the color of Obama's skin? The right lost the highest elected office in America to a black man, and now will do anything to get it back, including the sabotage of any initiative coming from the White House? Beck and Limbaugh spewing their special brand of lunacy. Limbaugh hopes Obama fails? Would that be good for any of us? Where is the debate on any of the issues?
 
Looking at what is going on today, you're right, some people will never wake up, they are too busy being assigned an opinion by the healthcare lobby. Most of this has nothing to do with the leader, it has to do with the other party going to extremes. Seems that lots of folks are resistant to change.
 
By the way, what happened to the unemployment rate today? (It went down) Looks like Obama got something done. He has been in office a little under eight months.
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by Ronyae 2 years 158 days ago.
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good comment, JD
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 158 days ago.
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Hi Ronyae,
 
Thank you. It's something that needed to be said. The "outraged American" act has grown old quickly.
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by Anonymous 2 years 158 days ago.
I agree with Ronyae, excellent arguments on a defense of Obama, J.D.

The Right works very hard at making sure change does not happen.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 158 days ago.
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Hi,
 
The Right even has Michael Steele as the head of the RNC. A different face to keep the status quo in place. Need I say more?
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by straight talk 2 years 158 days ago.
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JD, society counts him as a balck man, by DNA he is 50% white and all I care to see is a record and a man. Now as I have stated, if you're a liberal you love the guy. If you're on the right, of course you don't. It works both ways in politics but what is  so sad about this entire debate is this, people don;t understand regardless of party they are cut from the same cloth. They are tied up in the package, the cover, their works. Howerv, when you get down to who VOTES for what, they are all brotehrs and sisters, fact. Hey take a look at Mel Marteniz, A Republican, he goes both ways. take a look at who supported BUSH on the bailout s and you woill see Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer right at the front of the battle, line. Yes and these same ones vene rejected their own prsident when it came to things he wanted, fact. This is where the American people have been sold a bill of goods. There is no republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, only for consumption,, they are pure and simple GLOBALISTS. Best wishes, one wolrd order.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 157 days ago.
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Hi Robert,
 
Society does count Obama as a black man, without a doubt, just look at him. As for his record as President, after eight months of wrangling with Congress, I think it is nothing short of remarkable that anything has gotten done. He has attempted to include Republicans in the major issues, rather than ram these issues down everyone's throats because the Democrats hold the majority in both Houses.
 
Of course, a politician is a politician. If you look at the link provided in the article, you will find that members of both parties have accepted huge amounts of money from the healthcare lobby. If you look further, even Obama accepted money from the same lobbyists when he was a senator. This has not prevented him from attempting the healthcare reform that he promised. Could it be that the healthcare companies see him as a traitor?
 
I simply reminded everyone that the bailouts started at the end of the Bush Administration, and continued under Obama. It seems that when Obama poured more money into the bailout program, and demanded accountability (even if it meant the government buying stock in some of these companies), we then heard cries of socialism and government takeovers.
 
Take a look at what he said during those times. I believe the consensus was the government has no interest in taking over banks or private industry. This was done to get the economy going again. Would you rather have him do nothing and have people jumping out of windows, circa 1929?
 
Globalization is taking place in front of us everyday. What does that have to do with Obama and the United States? The discussion was is he the leader that everyone hoped for in his presidency. Globalization is for another article.
 
If there are no Republicans or Democrats, then something is wrong with the town hall meetings where Democratic legislators are being shouted down on a daily basis. Tell me, what happens when a Republican holds a town hall meeting? Do they get shouted down? I think not.
 
Thanks again, Robert for commenting.
 
JD
» left by straight talk 2 years 157 days ago.
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Yes JD I have to admit he does look black now that you mention it. Only kidding of course. You mention wrangling with congress and I ask over what? They have done what they wanted to do and basically told him that. Need an example -keeping American jobs here. Backing off on other items while pushing gay rights, abortion the left agenda, yes I guess you can say he wrangled, I can accept that. Now we can’t expect Republicans to go along with him in the open and not all will, that is until the final vote. They do have to make a show of it you know to keep the cattle confused. Yes and it is they who call us cattle not my choice. Just check our Florida Senator Mel and how this guy votes. He swings both ways and I don’t mean Bi. Yes and money does count as you pointed out. Doesn’t it in all things they do? By the way just to keep things straight I apologize but you forgot to say Obama went to Washington to use his clout as the newly elected President on the bailout bill that gave the bling and bonus money to big business but nothing for the little guy. He gave it the push! You forgot to mention it was the Democrats who pushed it through to help the, Republicans. Check the Republicans out like Mel, Lindsey and Nancy, Harrry and Chuck and see what they vote for.  JD you also forgot to mention how most average, family type, working class, Americans are fuming over those bling bonuses. No, you are correct, I would have preferred he didn’t bail them out and they went the route GM and Chrysler did who eventually went bankrupt and are up and running in record time. Thats what they do for us, no bailout and please don't tell me about foreclosure help, first time buyer money, and everything else supposedly done. for aveage people. That is a farce among farces and people in the know realize that and I'm talkking investors, bankers, brokers. It is and was always about peole with  money. No he protected international banks and investors not the little guy, this is fact beyond dispute. So when you ask what does Globalization have to do with it, my God what can one say to answer that? No jobs, no industry, no technology, no manufacturing, need one go on? Our money building and securing foreign powers while Americans die varied deaths from the battle field to financial ruin. Yes and in my opinion as I have  written to for eons there are no Republicans or Democrats only those that believe there are and that is the basis for the problems. So JD, check the vote on key issues like trade, bailouts, the war who supported what? Yes different names, same ticket same destination just a different schedule and route. Yes you will see the same tidy group always together be they of either party on the “key’ issues of yes “globalization, the world, china, india, you know. PS, I’m not necessarily against that just worried about my children’s future at $7.25 an hour with a college degree and the top ten jobs waitress, clerk, retail sales, etc. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and allowing me to get your opinion. Respectfully,

» left by Ronyae 2 years 156 days ago.
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WOW, this has been a very interesting and constructive conversation going on from this write.  I love it!
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 155 days ago.
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Hi Ronyae,
 
If only this conversation could occur in Washington, D.C.!
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 155 days ago.
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Hi again Robert,
 
When it comes to wrangling, that means Obama had a short grace period before the onslaught began. It would be absolutely unrealistic to think the Republicans would go along with everything the President wants to do. The point is there should be constructive dialog instead of the stupidity that is happening now.
 
As I said before, a politician is a politician. They all take money from special interest groups, there is no illusion about that. Some of our legislators votes have already been purchased by lobbyists, the voters that put them in office have taken a backseat. Mel Martinez votes whichever way the wind blows, one has to wonder why he is bailing out of Washington.
 
As much as I did not like the bailout (I could have used one) what else could have been done? Yep,started by Republicans, pushed through by Democrats. No argument there. Average people did not get a piece of the bailout pie.
 
Once again, there is no perfect solution to the mess we are in. American jobs, industry, manufacturing and technology going overseas didn't start on January 20, 2009. It will take more than eight months to attempt to fix the mess that has been around for at least twelve years. Americans dying on the battlefield- no need to get into the Iraq War. Americans facing financial ruin - government, I can see that. How about the ramifications of Bernie Madoff's actions and those like him. No government oversight equals individuals and corporations running wild. Again, this was all occurring before 1/20/2009.
 
I didn't count globalization during the original article, this was a rebuttal piece. I am happy to discuss it, this all plays a part as to what is going on today. All I'm looking for is intelligent discussion, as is occurring here.
 
Thanks again,
 
JD
 
 
» left by revruc1
 2 years 159 days ago.
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Judge, once again I had to re-read your beautiful article on truth and common sense. There is hope for us in America yet. Thanks again.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 159 days ago.
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Thank you Rev,
 
I read the original article by our colleague, Abigail Richards, and simply had a different point of view that I felt needed to be stated. There is nothing wrong with intelligent discussion, but that is not happening in America right now. I appreciate the complement.
 
Once again, thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
 
» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI 2 years 159 days ago.
You projected truth and common sense. I too, shared my thoughts with her
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 158 days ago.
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Hi,
 
Thanks again ,Dr Rucker. Common sense is lacking when it comes to attacks on Obama from the right.
 
JD
 
 
 
 
» left by Ronyae
 2 years 158 days ago.
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I believe this is a repeat comment, but here goes:
 
Thanks for sharing the link, and a special thanks for your closing statement, Judge.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 158 days ago.
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Ronyae,
 
Thank you for everything. I just tried to summarize my feelings at the end.
 
Thank you for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by Anonymous
 2 years 158 days ago.
That other article to which this one is a rebuttal was so full of childish and nonsense logic as to be barely worth the time commenting on it. I suppose it appeals to some who have an axe to grind. Thanks for bringing us up to date with a more useful overview, Mr. Dredd.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 158 days ago.
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Hi,
 
I read the original piece and needed to respond. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my article.
 
Thanks,
 
JD
 
 
» left by Avis Ward
 2 years 157 days ago.
131 fans.
JD, a well-written rebuttal. I read the other one but didn't comment. I do not follow politics closely enough to speak intelligently about what's going on in Washington. I do have opinions and agree with Robert about the clunkers program but that's merely one part of what's taken place during Obama's presidency. I'm waiting until much later before giving a summary. It's too soon. Fiscally, this country's in shambles, people are hurting and need jobs.

Of course, I think we tend to look to the government as a cure all and that's the biggest mistake ever. They're merely mortals. It's not right but at an age of personal responsibility and thought, we know politicians politic to get elected and who ever does it best is usually elected. Why should Obama be any different? I didn't expect him to be and haven't been disappointed. I'm rooting for him, nonetheless. I rooted for Bush, too.

Geesh, be quiet already, Avis!  OK, I will. Good job, JD!


» left by Judge Dred 2 years 155 days ago.
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Hi Avis,
 
At this point, I am rooting for the person(s) that can help get us out of this mess. The cash for clunkers has its pros and cons (my old, beat up van does not qualify), but as I have said before, there are no perfect solutions.
 
What is the best type of politician? The one who lies the least. The government should not be viewed as a cure all, but it should play a part in improving our quality of life.
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by Jean Horst
 2 years 155 days ago.
175 fans.
Hey JD,
 
What the heck, I'll throw in my two cents. I think the biggest problem I'm having now is the double standard that is being applied to President Obama. I've been a life-long conservative and even I can see that there a not an even comparison here. The reasoning is circular and goes like this. "President Bush was a conservative, god-fearing, freedom-loving man-so even when he made mistakes he did it with our best interests at heart, so we should give him the benefit of the doubt and forgive him because he was conservative." conversely "President Obama is a liberal, has to be godless (regardless of how many professions of faith he makes), wants to take away our freedoms-so even when he does something right, it's a plot against all we hold dear and it will lead to our eventual downfall because he is a liberal."
 
I am instinctively leery of any such knee-jerk reactions based on someone's political party. What I see in the GOP these days, frankly, scares me. There is a broad brush painting going on that those who disagree with the party line are not just disagreeing, they are dangerous, American - hating radicals.

I just want to see a discussion of his policies, based on his policies, not based on some fear-based, them vs. us mentality. We must all be willing to work together on these issues for any real solutions to come about. I'm just not seeing that right now. I'm seeing a plan to just shoot down anything that comes along just because we can.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 155 days ago.
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Hi Jean,
 
I wholeheartedly agree with you. If someone has a good idea, it does not matter that it comes from a Democrat or Republican, let's get the idea implemented.
 
Obama is not a Nazi who wants to kill grandma and grandpa. This fear mongering and outright extreme behavior must stop. Whatever helps Americans, I'm all for it. Shouting down legitimate discussion serves no purpose but to uphold the status quo. Let's talk and try to come together on the issues. Compromise can go a long way,rather than intimidation and threats of physical violence, or worse.
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
» left by Drunken Mystic
 2 years 154 days ago.
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Is Obama a revolutionary change to America? Like you said in the end, people are resistant to change....I agree with you totally, it's the same position in India also. According to you, what will be the conclusion, and where is this heading literally? Thank you.
» left by Judge Dred 2 years 154 days ago.
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Hi Mystic,
 
The fact that Obama was elected was a revolutionary event. Now that the dust has settled, there are some Americans that can't or won't accept the fact that he is the President. (Where was he born, he is not a real American, etc)
 
Now that Obama has come along and done different things, such as starting the process to close Guantanamo prison, not torturing prisoners and healthcare reform, all hell is breaking loose in America.
 
What do I think this is heading and what is the conclusion? I think there will be attempts to reopen wounds within the racial divides that have torn this country apart in the past. Some of our conservative commentators in the media have already started doing this( Beck, Limbaugh and surprisingly, Lou Dobbs), playing on politics of fear and race baiting. Racial politics garner the most attention in this country, facts don't matter and will not be used in this political game.
 
Hopefully, intelligent minds will prevail, but our conservative base in this country would rather drown out any real discussion of facts, if there is no conversation, chances are the attempts to better the lives of Americans will not happen. When we have elected officials that tell outright lies to their constituents in order to stop the healthcare reform bill dead in its tracks, that indeed, is a sad state of affairs.
 
Always remember Mystic, politics in the United States has everything to do with money flowing into the hands of a select few. When the Republicans lost the White House this year, a lot of people lost their grasp on the flow of money. These are the people who will stop at nothing to get it back. Hence, the reasons for the extreme reactions you see today.
 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
 
JD
 
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