Morgan BellObama: list of Laws, Reforms & Qualifications
October 14th 2008 17:10
Our little friend Sarah Palin said in her first speech that Obama "is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform"
The statement has left me wondering is this a bit of the case of the Pig calling the Arab black?
Sarah Palin reportedly has a Journalism Degree, surely she would not blatantly lie during a public televised address!
Here is what my snooping uncovered . . .
Firstly - drug addictions, pregnant teenage children, corruption investigations, divorce, criminal activities, racist and sexist remarks aside - have you ever looked at the educational qualifications of the two proposed teams side by side?
Apparently in the six years Palin took to become a "journalism graduate" she never had any related job or internship while she studied. She never worked for the school paper, the campus radio station, campus television station, etc
Now, lets investigate the validity of these claims intrepid (yet inexperienced) professional reporter Palin makes about Obama being a man of no action:
The New York Times has an interesting chart about the over 800 bills Barack Obama sponsored while in the Illinois State Senate. Go HERE to view.
Since entering the State/U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
Heres a few specific laws and reforms Obama had passed:
The Obama-Lugar Law (S. 2566)
January 11, 2007
Obama worked with Republican Sen. Richard Lugar (Indiana) to produce the "Lugar-Obama proliferation and threat reduction initiative". The initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. The law helps boost U.S. efforts to keep WMDs out of the hands of terrorists.
Really Long Link
The Obama Videotape Confession Law (SB0015)
May 9, 2003
Obama introduced a bill in the Illinois senate requiring police departments to videotape interrogations of murder suspects within interrogation rooms. Amends several existing Codes, Procedures, and Acts.
Really Long Link
The Obama-Feingold Ethics Reform Law (S. 230)
January 9, 2007
To provide greater transparency in the legislative process. The Washington Post called it the most sweeping reform since Watergate.
Really Long Link
The Obama Food For Soldiers Ammendment (Sec 1023 H.R. 1268 Public Law 109-13)
May 13, 2005
Obama introduced an amendment that became law providing food services to wounded veterans receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services at military hospitals
Really Long Link
The Coburn-Obama Bill (S.2590)
September 26, 2006
Obama was a lead co-sponsor with Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) on a bill which sought to "require full disclosure of all entities and organizations receiving Federal funds" -- an amount that approximately totals $1 trillion in federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans. The bill was designed to create a database of information on Federal spending.
The Gift Ban Act (HB0672 Public Act 90-737)
May 22, 1998
Obama was a co-sponsor of the 1998 Illinois ethics law outlawing political fundraising on Illinois state property and barring lobbyists from giving gifts to state legislators. The measure passed the senate by an overwhelming 52-4 vote. It essentially lifted Illinois, a state with a deep history of illicit, pay-to-play politics, into the modern world when it came to ethics restrictions.
Really Long Link
Obama Death Penalty Overhaul Package (SB 0472)
November 25, 2003
Obama was the chief co-sponsor and voted for bill creating the Capital Punishment Reform Study Committee Act. The proposal, which was approved on a 57-1 vote, let judges rule out a death sentence for someone convicted solely on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, accomplice or single witness; let the state Supreme Court overturn a death sentence that was “fundamentally unjust.; Reduce the crimes eligible for the death penalty by focusing on “inherently violent” offenses; Expand defendants’ access to genetic evidence used against them; Ban police officers from the police force if they committed perjury in a murder case; and Require juries to consider a defendant’s history of abuse or mental illness when deciding whether to impose the death sentence.
Really Long Link
The Obama Congo Relief Act (S.2125)
December 22, 2006
Obama was also the sponsor of the "Democratic Republic of Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2005"
CLICKHERE to view a much more comprehensive list someone else wrote in a rant, and CLICKHERE to see another list of Obama legislation with detailed descriptions on a fact-check
The statement has left me wondering is this a bit of the case of the Pig calling the Arab black?
Sarah Palin reportedly has a Journalism Degree, surely she would not blatantly lie during a public televised address!
Here is what my snooping uncovered . . .
Firstly - drug addictions, pregnant teenage children, corruption investigations, divorce, criminal activities, racist and sexist remarks aside - have you ever looked at the educational qualifications of the two proposed teams side by side?
Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna CumLaude
Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
vs.
McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899
Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna CumLaude
Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
vs.
McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899
Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Apparently in the six years Palin took to become a "journalism graduate" she never had any related job or internship while she studied. She never worked for the school paper, the campus radio station, campus television station, etc
Now, lets investigate the validity of these claims intrepid (yet inexperienced) professional reporter Palin makes about Obama being a man of no action:
The New York Times has an interesting chart about the over 800 bills Barack Obama sponsored while in the Illinois State Senate. Go HERE to view.
Since entering the State/U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
Heres a few specific laws and reforms Obama had passed:
The Obama-Lugar Law (S. 2566)
January 11, 2007
Obama worked with Republican Sen. Richard Lugar (Indiana) to produce the "Lugar-Obama proliferation and threat reduction initiative". The initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. The law helps boost U.S. efforts to keep WMDs out of the hands of terrorists.
Really Long Link
The Obama Videotape Confession Law (SB0015)
May 9, 2003
Obama introduced a bill in the Illinois senate requiring police departments to videotape interrogations of murder suspects within interrogation rooms. Amends several existing Codes, Procedures, and Acts.
Really Long Link
The Obama-Feingold Ethics Reform Law (S. 230)
January 9, 2007
To provide greater transparency in the legislative process. The Washington Post called it the most sweeping reform since Watergate.
Really Long Link
The Obama Food For Soldiers Ammendment (Sec 1023 H.R. 1268 Public Law 109-13)
May 13, 2005
Obama introduced an amendment that became law providing food services to wounded veterans receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services at military hospitals
Really Long Link
The Coburn-Obama Bill (S.2590)
September 26, 2006
Obama was a lead co-sponsor with Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) on a bill which sought to "require full disclosure of all entities and organizations receiving Federal funds" -- an amount that approximately totals $1 trillion in federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans. The bill was designed to create a database of information on Federal spending.
The Gift Ban Act (HB0672 Public Act 90-737)
May 22, 1998
Obama was a co-sponsor of the 1998 Illinois ethics law outlawing political fundraising on Illinois state property and barring lobbyists from giving gifts to state legislators. The measure passed the senate by an overwhelming 52-4 vote. It essentially lifted Illinois, a state with a deep history of illicit, pay-to-play politics, into the modern world when it came to ethics restrictions.
Really Long Link
Obama Death Penalty Overhaul Package (SB 0472)
November 25, 2003
Obama was the chief co-sponsor and voted for bill creating the Capital Punishment Reform Study Committee Act. The proposal, which was approved on a 57-1 vote, let judges rule out a death sentence for someone convicted solely on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, accomplice or single witness; let the state Supreme Court overturn a death sentence that was “fundamentally unjust.; Reduce the crimes eligible for the death penalty by focusing on “inherently violent” offenses; Expand defendants’ access to genetic evidence used against them; Ban police officers from the police force if they committed perjury in a murder case; and Require juries to consider a defendant’s history of abuse or mental illness when deciding whether to impose the death sentence.
Really Long Link
The Obama Congo Relief Act (S.2125)
December 22, 2006
Obama was also the sponsor of the "Democratic Republic of Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2005"
CLICKHERE to view a much more comprehensive list someone else wrote in a rant, and CLICKHERE to see another list of Obama legislation with detailed descriptions on a fact-check
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
Wrestling Wrap Up
Reviews R Us
World of Wrestling
Blog America
I love the fact that people in Australia who have no actual say in the election, and that the election will have a lesser impact on (Yes I understand that the election here effects the entire world. I just mean it has more of a direct effect on Americans.) can see the FACTS, and seek the FACTS out rather than believe lies that are being made up.
I only wish more Americans could understand this and put as much into it.
Unfortunately though many won't look past the lies and make an informed decision.
:: starting my countdown to when the anonymous comment will be posted saying how none of those facts are true, I haven't seen or heard of those things before so they don't exist, none of this matters because I am blind to the truth. ::
Gene
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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im sure many Americans look for the answers to these questions by googling them, they probably get sent forwarded chain emails and read right wing rants that rate high in search engines . . . having a few documents than contain the truth floating around out there in the ether as web content can only be a good thing!
hi alt_ed,
yeah it does seem to be of about as much value as something you would pull out of a cereal box!
i think university can be a good indication of whether people are mentally and physically able to deal with high stress situations and whether they can work to a professional standard . . . i would worry that Palin doesnt have the skills to understand the documents that will be placed in front of her
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
All of this information is available should people choose to look for it but there's such an enormous amount of lies and propaganda out there and people are falling for it hook, line and sinker. Is it ignorance or is it a case of believe only what you want to believe? I'm not saying that Obama is a saint and that some of the things said about him are not true, it's just that the majority of it isn't true but people refuse to see it.
I still stick vehemently to the comments I left on Randy's post on Political Certainty. Racism is playing a large part of this whether overt or covert.
I don't think Australia would fare much better. If a Koori person ran for office here there is no way, at this present time, the Australian public would elect an Aborigine for Prime Minister. It would not matter what their experience, background or education level was. This is because many people still believe the stereotypes. This is a sad state of affairs but a true reflection of today's present society.
This is an incredibly well researched article Morgan and I applaud you for it. It's such a pity that many Americans - the very people who are voting in this election - aren't doing this much research on ALL candidates!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Of course you realise it is precisely because of their superior education -and let's face it- intellect that so many distrust Obama and Biden compared to McCain and especially Palin? She's just one of the folks doggone it, you betcha!
She is also a rampant liar.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
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thankyou fair lady!
see whether or not Obama had been active and vigilent whilst and elected official would make a huge difference to me when casting my vote - i pay alot of heed to how candidates look on paper because it really is a job application!
i think the political decisions the candidates have made in the past and the relevance of their education is of utmost importance!
it would be a terrible shame if anyone dismissed a candidate based on lies!
hi Ruby,
Obviously one of the lesser know Ivy Leagues.
BAHAHAhahaha classic!
hmmm id rather have a legal or economic expect in control of my country that some regular joe from next door!
i guess it depends if people desire another incompetant boob for President or whether they will learn from their mistakes and vote in someone intelligent!
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Whichever of you said it, I agree. When someone is governing one of the most powerful nations in the world I would want them to be highly intelligent and highly educated. Yes I would want them to identify with my needs being in a low income bracket and to not feel they are above people but by god I'd want them to be able to perform at a higher level than "Joe six-pack".
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka
Steelworkers Union Convention
its quite inspiring!
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
What an amazing man. He's very passionate about equality, we need more people like him in the world.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I don't know if I have said it on here but yeah, i do say that I want my politicians to be smarter than me. And more eloquent. And more thoughtful. And more diplomatic.
Have you ever seen Julia Gillard give an interview? Amazingly intelligent and articulate. Compare that with Ms Palin who thinks that being asked which newspapers she reads is a "gotcha!" question.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
im glad you enjoyed the video!
i think i enjoyed it because it was basically telling working class people not to shoot themselves in the foot just to spite a black man!
i cant remember if ive said it before but i do agree that politicians should be smarter than the average joe and have top notch skills and training . . . that being said i am always skeptical of the super rich entering politics, youve always gotta watch out for those conflicts of interest!
hi Ruby,
i really admire Julia Gillard as a speaker, even though i dont agree with everything she has to say you can tell she knows what she talking about and can answer follow-up questions . . . even Nicolo Roxon is impressive (yes even with the ugly necklaces! haha)
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
As one of the nerdy Americans who has done literally years of exhaustive research about the people who want to run the country I live in, I applaud your point about the campaigns being "job applications"..well done! Many Americans can take a lesson from your post.
Now..I took the time to read through the original Obama-Lugar bill (S. 2566) as it was presented to the Senate before it was passed on to the Committee of Foreign Relations in April, 2006. (The only Obama bill I have time to research right now) and there are a few items in there that smell kind of fishy.
I leave it to Aussies and Americans both to interpret the following statements in this bill:
(c) Cooperative Agreements- In order to promote cooperation regarding the interdiction of weapons of mass destruction and related materials and delivery systems, the President is authorized to conclude agreements, including reciprocal maritime agreements, with other countries to facilitate effective measures to prevent the transportation of such items to states and non-state actors of proliferation concern.
(a) In General- The Secretary of State is authorized to carry out an accelerated global program to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS, small arms and light weapons, stockpiled munitions, abandoned ordnance, and other conventional weapons, including tactical missile systems (hereafter in this Act referred to as `MANPADS and other conventional weapons'), as well as related equipment and facilities, that are determined by the Secretary to pose a proliferation threat.
The first bit ( part C of section 103) certainly gives the President and Secretary of State a lot of power, doesn't it? Including the power to end any deals made with friendly countries "in order to facilitate". The second bit discloses that the Secy of State gains the power to decide who's on the U.S. shit list--not Congress or the Senate, but one man.
Not too sure I like the bit about authorizing the U.S. Secy of State to carry out an "accelerated global program"...when did any other countries agree to this? Were they even asked to agree?
And finally, I'd like to add the education/accomplishments of one of the other candidates for the U.S. presidency (you don't see him on T.V. as much because he doesn't have corporate money backing him):
Ralph Nader (Independent party):
-Princeton 1955 (graduated magna cum laude Degree-Economics and Government
-Harvard Law School (graduated with honors)
-Founder-Consumer Rights Movement (1965)
-Originated plans and was key in establishing:
Freedom of Information Act
Environmental Protection Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Consumer Product Safety Commission
-Singlehandedly took on General Motors in 1965 for: producing unsafe automobiles, having no safety standards in production, no protection for assembly workers. GM hired detectives to spy on and harass Nader, but were finally forced to apologise to Nader before a nationally televised Senate Committee hearing.
That's only a small fraction of what Nader has done--and as always, he works for the consumer against big business.
Source: Washington, D.C. Academy of Achievement
Original copies of any/all bills, amendments, etc. may be found here at the library of Congress website.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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i did one of those political compass tests once and it turned out my politics are most like Ralph Nader!
thanks for giving us his resume to compare!
sound slike my kind of guy . . .
with regards to the Obama-Lugar bill, my intentions were basically just to prove that the claim that he has never passed a bill is FALSE
however, you raise some interesting points about the wording - ive never been a fan of anything leaning towards "absolute power" - i will go have a look over the whole thing and get back to you!
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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the son of two men! haha
that really is a first . . .
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
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PS Morgan, Deep Pencil is the only Orble site that I have problems with the whole making a comment and it shutting down on me and then I lose my comments. You might want to get Jon to check it out.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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oh really?
thats very strange . . .
perhaps an email is in order!
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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i wonder if that union was considered multi-racial?
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
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No wonder that baby killer wants to inflict gay marriage on an innocent constituency.
Comment by Jonathan Biviano
Marriage Bits
a) they were filled with extra pork having nothing to do with their purpose.
b) they voted no because they wanted to keep violating the ethics rules, etc.
Who's against stopping the proliferation of nuclear materials? Who's against ethics reform?
These bills were as unanimously supported as a resolution stating "Puppies Are Cute." (I think San Fran Nan is probably a cat person, so she would vote no on that resolution. And I have two cats AND a dog).
Hardly accomplishments.
Yet, he does have several years of executive experience: Executive Director of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. But he can't use that to decribe his experience, because he was hired by "that guy in his neighborhood," Bill Ayers!
Oh, and as the Executive Director of Project Vote, which is what drew the attention of ACORN to have him come train their people to do sit down protests in banks to force them to make subprime loans! Whoops, can't discuss that executive experience either.
Keep grasping liberals, he's all fluff, air and lies.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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you may not like his bills, or consider them to be "easy" bills, but the facts remain that he has passed laws and reforms - Palin was incorrect in her statement
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
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Comment by Anonymous
I'm sorry-I was (inappropriately) trying to add perspective; most Americans are still struggling under the impression that McCain and Obama are the only two choices we have.
This post seemed to bring out a few of us who are against Obama for one reason or another.
Jonathan, we missed the forest for the trees; Morgan was indeed only disproving Palin's assertion that Obama never passed a bill; not necessarily supporting him.
My researched and educated vote is now and always has been for Nader; I think that the media and personal campaigns launched against Nader by certain parties that have common interests have had way too much influence lately. Lies are being accepted as truth.
Morgan, you're right; if you (and most Americans) knew more about Nader's policies he would be your kind of guy.
Look at this short interview on U.S./Israel relations and the war in the Middle East (something the big two will not address) and tell me that anyone with common sense wouldn't vote for Nader:
**Alt_Ed, in all fairness you should have also posted a blue buttplug saying "Same screwing, New face". hahahahahahahahaaaa!!!!
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
thanks for the video!
Nader is a very thoughtful and articulate man!
maybe one day your two-party system will be Greens and Democrats (haha we can dream)
hey your opinions are totally welcome on the finer details, i just dont want anyone getting on the defensive thinking im saying any of the laws or reforms are perfect - but yes i was just trying to dispel some misinformation
Comment by Jonathan Biviano
Marriage Bits
And of course it's a lefty that goes crude (alt_ed).
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Morgan Bell
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do you only consider something as "passing" if they are the sole signatory?
i think Obama was quite instramental in the Lugar and Coburn bills - even Pres Bush recognised him
hi Anonymous,
haha boob!