“If he closes down Gitmo, that’s a challenge to the establishment. If he meets with Iran, that’s a challenge to the establishment. If he ends the war in Iraq (even in an extended drawdown), that’s a challenge to the establishment.”

No, no, and no. That’s a challenge to the Neoconservative subset of the establishment. Regardless of any “challenges” to them, their power is waning. Obama represents the “liberal” side of the elite, the side that Bill Clinton stood on.

Closing down Gitmo serves a public relations purpose and is supported by what is now perhaps the majority of the elite. Meeting with Iran likewise – Bill Clinton’s staff met with foreign leaders many times. Likewise, pulling *some* troops out of Iraq (what Obama has said he will do) is not challenging anything, since he will then move those troops into Afghanistan, already stating that he will expand the number of troops there.

“We can’t all achieve the grand definitions of real change that you and your ilk envision.” Apparently the people of Iraq do not have to worry about “real change” happening in their country despite your fantasy that Obama is going to “end the war in Iraq” since Obama, that [alleged] agent of hope, wishes to keep 60,000 to 80,000 troops in that country along with 140,000 civilian contractors and that would include the infamous para military organization Blackwater. Certainly the people of Afghanistan do not have to think about “real change” coming to their country since the [alleged] antiwar president elect has promised to escalate the war in Afghanistan by sending MORE American soldiers to that war torn country which has already been decimated by 500 lb. American bombs. Or will you also accuse the Afghans and the Iraqis of being too “sanctimonious” because they are a tad concerned that the Americans will never stop occupying their countries and massacring its citizens?

You state that “some of us have to set our aims lower…” If the Afghans and the Iraqis set their aims much lower, there will be no one left in their countries for the Americans, via Obama, to occupy. Since Obama wishes to emulate the policies of Bush in Pakistan and has stood mute while Bush sent U.S. missiles into Syria, it is doubtful if the citizens of those countries will be overjoyed when Obama give the orders that will result in the deaths of more innocent civilians and children.

Agent of hope? More like, to the people of those countries, the agent of despair. Unfortunately, the daughters of this woman have fallen for the soaring oratory from a slick politician who will prove to be just as much of a warmonger as Bush and McCain.

Don’t question the intelligence of this woman’s daughter’s if you don’t think Obama doesn’t plan to make some serious changes. If he closes down Gitmo, that’s a challenge to the establishment. If he meets with Iran, that’s a challenge to the establishment. If he ends the war in Iraq (even in an extended drawdown), that’s a challenge to the establishment.

We can’t all achieve the grand definitions of real change that you and your ilk envision. Some of us have to set our aims lower and more realistically. We don’t have the leisure of taking potshots from up high. But it seems to be working out for you, so stick with it. We’ll pick up your sanctimonious slack.

Good on these kids for their dissent.

That said, let’s see if other kids find themselves in the same situation during the administration of the new seat warmer in the WH. Clearly things are distinctly unpromising on that front.

thanks for sharing your story with the readers, that’s enough to get the blood boiling I imagine.

Sounds like a solid case of discrimination, not being patriotic enough? Another example of how a fascist shift is taking place in the US.

Best to you.

not to beat a dead horse, but you’re missing a zero. And, ignoring the pledge IS our constitutional right as Walter points out, until they take that away, too. Nationalism is an effective control mechanism, nothing more, intending to make people feel a part of something that’s bigger than they are. Religion has the same effect. It’s also quite successful at turning people into sheeple in order to maintain the status quo….”we’re #1, we’re #1!” What a bunch of bs, except for being #1 at killing innocent people around the world, violating international law and treaties, and perpetually duping the public.

Think about it.

Best to you.

Is it me, or does something not add up here?

Next, Obama won by far more than 800,000 votes. Check it out. Any news site will give you the popular vote AND the huge electoral college difference.

I wish Obama the best of luck, our country needs it, but remember he only won by 800,000 votes…not much in the big scope! So tell the people yelling for change to pay attention to the rest of us, we are after all here, and won’t go away… This is not a done deal YET, After all this is still a democracy, I hope.