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eva
if i was not clear i was supporting the prez and criticizing americans in general. americans need to be spoken to in a simple way so he did.

Seth is back? Welcome back!

IMO, this was a great and welcome speech.

hjs, I was grateful for the simple explanations. But I agree, we have to work with what we've got - and so does Obama.

seth
well we agree there, but working with what we have...

hjs,

This country's political system is broken and the electoral process is rigged.

Every four years the public is given choice between right and center. The left in this country is moribund. If I had the money i'd move to Europe ASAP

seth
i don't know what U thought u signed up for but this country doesn't elect west european style progressives with a fair social agenda. the best we can hope is to hold the center and after 2013 drag the center a bit more to the left.

hjs,

I have great respect for your insight, knowledge, and passion but just take a look at all of the issues where Obama has backtracked or sided with the Bush admin. It is absolutely fair to label Obama's behavior cowardice.

It's still early, but Obama is shaping up to be a go along to get along don't rock the boat centrist and that's not what I signed up for.

seth
there's an election in 2010 i don't want a repeat of 1994

seth
don't think 'cowardice' is a fair word but time will tell.

hjs #43,

I don't care about the center rt now. I care about having a president who isn't afraid of his own darn shadow.

Republicans are treating Obama like a doormat and his cowardice will only embolden them.

I want a president who goes to the mat for nominees he believes in. Obama has hung Dawn Johnsen and Harold Koh out to dry.

LOL..have a good day friend...you are truly a lot of fun to debate with!

seth
what about the center. do we care where they are?

truth
as u wish!

I agree with Seth. Stop justifying and explaining to these complainers.

HJS - you are really being a jerk today, PMS? It is not when I say but when the topic is relevant to race, this is clearly not.

PSS: You are now invisible, until I say not.

Obama needs to realize that it's more important to be feared by Republicans than loved by them. Obama needs to channel Alec Baldwin's character from Glenngarry Glen Ross and just tell Republicans what he's doing.

He needs to stop bowing down to Republicans and stop apologizing to them for his existence.

seth
the president makes speeches all the time. we can't hear every word and treat it like scripture

Carrying a presidential speech to its conclusion is a sign of respect for the office.

Obama has ceded so much ground to Cheney in the torture debate that it's totally insane to portray their speeches as a debate.

Obama is folding on the torture debate just like he's folding on his nominees that the Republicans have blocked.

Obama needs a spine transplant to have the backbone to stand up to the Republicans.

whining about Brian cutting of the speech is almost laughable - as if you can't find the speech or listen to it at hundreds of other places

and yes, I would like to hear Cheney's speech too ----

Even Obama is not beyond criticism...

remember DISEENT = PATRIOTISM :>

i think we got the gist of the speech.
there is a link if u want to read the last 5 minutes

Brian did a terrible job of interrupting President Obama's speech. This was extremely disrespectful and Brian should apologize on the air for his bad manners and poor judgement.

Thankfully, Dick Cheney is a private citizen and no longer VP, but the decision of the cable news channels to heavily promote his speech today and air it live is truly nauseating and inexcusable.

truth
is that when u say it is?
don't give anyone a free pass for any reason

Race is on the table when applicable.

truth
sorry, didn't know race is off the table

HJS-are you taking drugs today? When did you hear/see me write anything about a a free pass? Ridiculous question. I will not play into the race game with you. Grow up.

truth

PS

are u planning for the next 7 years to give BHO a free pass just because he is black?

truth
I was supporting the president (great speech) separately i was saying why do americans only get it when we are spoken to like children. (the president is doing what is needed, maybe by the end of year 2nd term we can listen like adults but not yet.)

Dick Cheney is not an elected official anymore. who cares what he has to say. Also why is he speaking more now than he ever did when he was VP.? a very childish decision to stage a speech at a time when the president is speaking. What a loser.

Why aren't you covering Chenny's speech and comparing them?

HJS - you think that "fifth grade history class" part was positive? It only fed into what Brian is always trying to do. FYI...sometimes you DO have to speak to people in that manner for them to be clear in such complex political matters.

Thank you for airing the Presidents speech even though you unfortunately cut it short. My comment: whatever happened to "you are innocent until proven guilty?" Seems like it's now "you are guilty or possibly guilty or we suspect you're guilty and you will remain in prison unless you can prove your innocence." Is that the spirit of the Constitution?

Why did you cut off the President's speech? why did you not cover Mr. Chaney's speech?

truth,
he read mine and it was supportive of BHO

Brian are you slow? Why are you reading those comments on air when there are so many more positive comments here???!! You are beyond reproach!

The president’s comments regarding future policies on current detainees of the war on terror is a major departure from Bush’s unilateral and dictatorial policy initiative; however, tailoring such policy is extremely challenging due the human factor and degree of subjectivity.

President Barack Obama's approach to deal openly with the detainee's is right on the mark. Finally, we have a President that is committed to abide by our Constitution and do the right by allowing trials to go forth.
Michael Zullo, Upper Easiside, Manhattan

I disagree with many policy points (the non-addressing of our massive habeas corpus violations for example), but it was hard not to like that speech. At least he successfully articulated many of the complexities that the media and both parties have utterly failed to specify.

I especially appreciate his dig at the media for not asking tough questions. When the guy who's supposed to be your adversary tells you you're doing a bad job, you are doing a really, really bad job.

Phenomenal! A mature adult respectfully speaking to the American people as mature adults. Laying out the subtlety and complexity of these issues.... WOW!

And then your first guest dives into one bit of it from a positional place...this is exactly the problem that Obama had just risen above.

Oh, the day when we can all assert our point-of-view while being completely open to others' points-of-views so we can figure out the "right" thing to do in these new, complex waters we're all swimming in.

I am very disapointed that Brian cut off our president before the end of his address before he was finished. Why did Brian starting telling us listeners what we had just heard or his interpretaion of what Mr. Obama had just said instead of letting us hear the conclusion? This was an unexpected frustration that led me to have to go to the television in search of the continuation of the Presidence speach. Please explain, thank you

This is a very important speech. I'm very frustrated that it was cut off.

Why couldn't we hear the end of the speech Brian?!!

As the president is trying to explain why he won't affirmatively pursue those who may have violated the law in some of the most heinous ways (torture, lying, deception, violations of the constitution, etc.) you cut off the speech.

Could not be more shocked and disappointed.

I appreciate WNYC devoting most of the hour to this live coverage. Obama delivered an important and characteristically clear-headed talk on national security and the rule of law, and we got to hear it straight up.

But for that last category, the on comprised of people who cannot be prosecuted but still pose a danger to the American people, what happens to habeas corpus?

The constitution says, "Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."

There has been no rebellion or invasion, and the desire and/or ability to Americans harm is not a crime. We've heard about motive means and opportunity, right? Can we detain people who have motive and means but who have committed not crime?

That last group is the rub. That is where the demands of fear run against explicit clarity in the law. And Obama clearly looks to avoid the rule of our highest law, the United States Constitution.

what was the idea with breaking into the speech? it takes me 5 minutes to get the TV turned on, choose cable channel, etc. I missed the last 5 minutes of the speech!

Brian, you twit! Put the speech back on!

Good God! talk about a self-important blowhard!

I would like to thank the president for reminding us how the law works, but part of me is still upset that I live in a nation where the voters have to be spoken to as if we were in a fifth grade history class.

I don't appreciate Brian cutting off President Obama at the end... I really really don't. Let the man finish talking before the spin begins.

Brian go back to the speech!!!

Brian, he's not finished speaking. Stop butting in. Can't you be quiet until the speech is finished. Jeez!

good speech

i wonder how dick cheney's speech went. har.

I think I got a glimpse of that Shining City on a Hill.

this speech will be in history books!

where did he get the "rib of an empire" line