Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Happy indictment week to all who celebrate!

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

T R E 4 5 O N

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Live-Stream: President Obama’s Town Hall on Race

Reader Interactions

61Comments

  1. 1.

    slag

    Tearjerker opening; hope it gets more substantive, generally. But I’m not sure how much substance is plausible in this kind of scenario.

  5. 5.

    slag

    @ThresherK: Seriously. Words have meaning? Put on the blue light? Let’s add ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the set of cliches we throw out there.

  7. 7.

    Mary G

    Txt Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lecturing the president about not being supportive enough of the police “in his heart” and Obama doesn’t turn a hair. I couldn’t do it.

  8. 8.

    the Conster, la Citoyenne

    Dan Patrick needs to run towards the nearest fired bullet.

    Glad President Obama basically ignored that piece of flabby white fucktard’s piece of shit’s leading bullshit question. He’s such a better person than me, and well, everyone else.

  9. 9.

    Adam L Silverman

    @ThresherK: He got invited because of the tweets he sent out around the Dallas attack. About the hypocrisy of Black Lives Matter running and relying on the police they were just protesting against.

    ETA: This stuff is all done on the professional wrestling dynamic of controversy creates cash. By having Patrick there, ABC expects controversy, which means more people will tune in, which means more advertising income.

  10. 10.

    slag

    Yes to Obama for talking about how blaming others enables us to divest ourselves of responsibility!

  14. 14.

    JMG

    @Adam L Silverman: I agree. Nothing Obama can do or say would ever convince most white people he’s not their enemy because he’s better than them. I hope his last act in office is a fireside chat in which he tells this country to go fuck itself.

  15. 15.

    ThresherK

    I’d have asked Patrick how many black men with permits get to open-carry in Texas without being endangered by cops or gun nuts.

    (And it’s nice to have a Prez with more strength and class than I have.)

  16. 16.

    the Conster, la Citoyenne

    @Adam L Silverman:

    It’s like posting political stuff on FB. I do it, but it’s just a statement of where I stand, and changes no one’s mind.

    ETA: America, we have a race problem.

  18. 18.

    Adam L Silverman

    @JMG: Just the footage of the two white mothers of police officers is going to be spun as a negative. The President using “I” a lot when telling these wonderful mothers of American heroes ….

    This is all intended to generate a ton of heat and no light. By doing so ABC intends to milk this for advertising revenue.

  19. 19.

    Mnemosyne

    @Mary G:

    I’ve said this before, but I really don’t give a shit what’s “in someone’s heart.” It’s all about BEHAVIOR.

  22. 22.

    slag

    @Cacti: I think this town hall is more for the afflicted communities than for right wingers. It’s of the “I feel your pain” variety, which probably only works for the people actually in the room. But you never know.

  23. 23.

    JMG

    @Adam L Silverman: Disney wants Trump. Good for news division revenue. Foreign wars, domestic wars, they’ll give Fox a run for the money for those elderly shut-ins. Breaking up America’s media conglomerates ought to be job one, or at least three, of whomever the next Democratic President is.

  24. 24.

    Hill Dweller

    The Twitter machine said a member of the audience confronted Lt. Gov. Walker after the taping for the tone he took with PBO.

  25. 25.

    rikyrah

    Because, we need something to make us laugh, I give you Luvvie:

    ……………………………..

    Dubya’s Sway and Smiles to the Battle Hymn is My Favorite Thing About Today
    Awesomely Luvvie — July 13, 2016 33 91

    There are times when I low-key miss the George W. Bush presidential years. Ok I admit, the only thing I miss about him is the ability to lambast him. Dubya was the guy who invited everyone to the kegger in college and was a BEAST at beer pong. He was not supposed to run to the store, let alone run a country. But he did. For 8 years. And ruined a lot of shit. The only joy we had was in making fun of him because he is so laugh-at-able.

    ………………………………………..
    There was a memorial service for the five Dallas police officers who were killed last week, and POTUS Barack Obama and FLOTUS Michelle were in attendance. Next to them were their predecessors: Dubya and Laura Bush. During the singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, which has a chorus of “Glory, Glory Halleluyah” number 43 got his sway and smile in as they all held hands.
    …………………………………………….
    Lawd, we can’t take Dubya NOWHERE. When I tell you I have watched this thing about 15 times, I am not lying. It is the gift that keeps on giving and I have cackled every single time I watched it.

    ……………………………………………

    George W. is the guy your teacher assigns to be your “buddy” on the field trip in 2nd grade so you end up having NO FUN because you spend half the day at the Museum of Science and Industry chasing him around so he won’t step over the rail and ruin the giant diorama of the Chicago skyline. He’s the kid who ruined the $10,000 Lego display when his parent turned their back for 30 seconds. He is the one who Grandma has to mean mug from the other side of the pew on Sunday because he keeps acting up during sermon.

    For 8 years, THIS dude had the nuclear codes. We almost ain’t make it. How many near misses? It’s okay. I don’t even wanna know. We just thank Jah for seeing us through.

  26. 26.

    JPL

    @JMG: Ratings gold! CNN had 24/7 coverage for a missing plane and the ratings skyrocketed. Trump would just add money to their pockets, ours not so much.

  28. 28.

    JPL

    @Adam L Silverman: A good friend always taught her sons to say yes sir, and just follow orders. I taught my sons, that most police officers are good, but not all. Pretty much there are good cops and bad cops, and you can’t tell the difference, so say yes sir. Which one of us is white?

    fyi.. my friend called her sons, and said what I taught my sons.

  30. 30.

    JPL

    Listening to the President, I just wish someone would say, that the police can no longer protect bad cops. It makes them all look bad, by just calling in the police union to protect them.

  31. 31.

    Adam L Silverman

    @JPL: I was specifically contrasting the Milwaukee (City) Police Chief with the Milwaukee County Sheriff.

  33. 33.

    Adam L Silverman

    @JPL: No worries. The former, who just asked the question the President is answering, is a reasonable, responsible, level headed seeming individual. The latter is a hyperbolic, publicity seeking, ranter and raver.

  35. 35.

    JPL

    I didn’t hear Patrick make an ass out of himself, but it sure looked like he wanted a pic with the President.

  36. 36.

    hovercraft

    @Adam L Silverman:
    I had that same thought as he asked his question, he was thoughtful and actually interested in finding a solution to the problems that plague inner cities. That Fox Sheriff is about as useful as tits on a bull.

  38. 38.

    slag

    All in all, not bad. There was some substance, which was nice. Though yeah, the systemic issues aren’t going to be addressed effectively in a 45 minute town hall. Not a bad summary, overall, though.

    It was like a Why Shit’s Fucked Up and Shit intro course.

  40. 40.

    japa21

    As usual, I don’t comment during the show or event because I don’t want to miss anything. I really think that Obama struck the right chord with every answer. And yes, the Milwaukee police chief was probably invited because he is sane and is really interested in trying to solve the issues.

    My normally mild mannered wife was using words I didn’t know she knew in regards to Lt Gov Patrick.

  41. 41.

    Adam L Silverman

    @amk: I’m not dumping on the President. I think he did a good job and I understand why he did it. I also know that no good will come of it.

  42. 42.

    RaflW

    I guess it’s running an hour behind in Colorado. Texas’ Lt. Governor looked nervous, and definitely outclassed. And blah blah police don’t know POTUS has their backs. If so, it’s because police don’t want to deal with the bad apples in their own forces. (That’s my opinion, not at all what Obama said).

    And to be terribly petty, Patrick’s dye job looked terrible on TV. Right out of a box.

  43. 43.

    The Ancient Randonneur

    I wished they would have had a couple more rank and file cops speak rather than that shitstain Patrick. Fuck him.

  44. 44.

    rikyrah

    About Black on Black Crime:

    If someone Black is arrested for a crime against a Black person – they will become a guest of the Prison Industrial Complex.

    We want no less for those not Black who kill us.

    Arrest. trial. convictions.

    Supposedly ‘ The American Way.’

    That’s what Black Lives Matter means to me.

  45. 45.

    gwangung

    Lot of black folks are pissed off after this town hall. For one thing, Erica Garner was supposedly promised she could ask a question, and she was cut off.

  46. 46.

    RaflW

    @JMG: That sounds cathartic, but Obama is still working a very long game, I think. Maybe Hillary will appoint him to the Supreme Court in 5 years. Imagine how long he could terrorize white people from the bench! Much more satisfying than some mic drop in January.
    (I have no idea what he wants to do after this. Kind of hard to imagine for an ex-President as young as he.)

  49. 49.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Betty Cracker: I thought it was very good overall, but as I indicated above I don’t think it will lead to anything useful. I think the President will do what he indicated he would – continue to work this. I just don’t think doing this is going to do anything but allow the outrage machine and the Village to cue up bits to complain about endlessly. According to Digby the Village is now upset that Secretary Clinton’s campaign is too partisan. Given that type of stupidity, I expect that the President will be vilified by tomorrow. And the attack in France will be perfect cover: why wasn’t he in the Oval Office or the Situation Room? Why can’t he ever seem to be doing his job. Last week he was in Europe. Now he’s on TV. That sort of stupidity.

  50. 50.

    eclare

    The feed above doesn’t work on my laptop, have no idea why. Win10 and Firefox. Any help appreciated. I get the ABC logo and background music, but the feed never starts.

  51. 51.

    The Ancient Randonneur

    @Betty Cracker:
    My take is above in the comments but I will paraphrase: If ABC had given more rank and file cops a chance to speak rather than that shitstain Patrick it would have been a more productive event. The President’s handling of this knucklehead is why most of us love Obama. The guy just has “it”.

  55. 55.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Emma: An authorized cull.//

    More seriously: No. As long as our media is owned by corporations, we are going to have what we have. The incentives are for sensationalism and tabloidization as that brings viewers and viewers mean revenue. Also, until the incentives for actual reporters/journalists and editors/producers is broken internally, we’re going to keep getting hyperbole, ranting and raving, both sides do it, and nepotism.

  59. 59.

    Uncle Cosmo

    @RaflW:

    I have no idea what he wants to do after this. Kind of hard to imagine for an ex-President as young as he.

    You could look at the last two Democratic Presidents. When Bill Clinton & Jimmy Carter left office they were each within a year of the age Obama will be on 20 January 2017 (55 years, 169 days). And neither one has been particularly cheated for accomplishments in their post-WH careers.

  60. 60.

    RaflW

    @Uncle Cosmo: I didn’t realize that! (Partly because Carter was obviously 4 years older than Obama when elected Prez). I knew Bill was somewhat young.

    I have great respect for what Carter has done post-sweaters and malaize (and a lot of that was an early draft of Village bullshit). B. Clinton, I have some respect for. I expect far more from Obama than I ever did from sax-n-sex Billy.

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