Obama is always the same: terrific. He speaks honestly. He accepts that all of those on every side of a question have something to be said in behalf of their views and opinions--and especially he shows concern about their suffering. It is the community organizer in him, trying to pull people together, help them live together, instead of pulling them a part, creating or adding to animosity. He actually invites disagreement! He welcomes it!
What a talented, honorable, thoughtful man we have our president now. And--what did we do to deserve it? How much do we do to support him?
Really, in my honest opinion, I think that the political "leaders" we actually deserve are men like George W. Bush and women like Sarah Palin. They are more at "our level." They appeal effectively to our ignorance and fear, and fan its embers into hot coals and flames.
Obama, in contrast, appeals to the "better angels of our nature," a phrase from Lincoln's first inaugural address. God bless him for trying! Thanks to him for having the patience!
Which, sadly, I personally, don't. i never claim to be very calm in confronting disasters, real or possible. I tried to meditate today in the car today during the time periods when I wasn't driving. It didn't work out very well. I don't do it well. Mea culpa.
Well said! But do can we help him make this a better place? I'm not sure we can...sad.
Posted by: Maureen Kirk-Detberner | 01/27/2010 at 10:03 PM
Actually, I think there are a number of things that can be done. But one of them is to "support our president." There used to be respect for the office. Now, so many people, liberals as well as conservatives, criticize the administration or Congress if they don't get exactly what they, as an individual, believe should be done on specific issues.
I say, consider the alternative. We had eight years of a Republican Administration in which serious problems were created or grew worse. And Republican politicians who greet the concerns of ordinary Americans with indifference, mostly looking to narrow self-interest. In contrast, Obama is very smart, he has a good heart, he is working hard, he is really trying. This isn't "politics as usual," not on his side. We should salute it.
Posted by: DoctorD42 | 01/28/2010 at 03:55 AM
I agree with you. It seems to me, however that many people have the attitude that Obama was 'lucky' to be elected due to many people still being racist. So, these people feel they have the right to bash Obama and they even seem gleeful when he makes mistakes. They are looking for Obama to fail. Or, I should say it this way: They want him to look bad so they can say, "See we told you Obama shouldn't have been elected, the other guy would have been better."
I put some of the fault on the disrespect of the office of the President on talk radio. Limbaugh and his ilk certainly don't have respect for the President and they encourage their listeners to be disrespectful.
And Congressmen yelling at the President during a speech should be met with censure from his/her peers. It shouldn't be tolerated. Freedom of speech is fine, but there is a time and a place and while the President is speaking is not the right time for rebuttal.
Posted by: Carol | 01/28/2010 at 05:31 AM
Ha, when are you going to run for office...I'll be your campaign manager! I'm more disappointed in Congress than I am in Obama. Just so tired of all the lines drawn and small minded politicians.
I do believe that Obama's heart is in the right place...he just has a plate full of Repub shit and it is a lot to do. I do support him.
Posted by: Maureen Kirk-Detberner | 01/28/2010 at 07:08 AM
[this is good] I hope Obama can pull off a successful presidency. From my perspective, I need to see some action following the elegant rhetoric.
Posted by: Margy | 01/28/2010 at 11:30 AM
[this is good]
Posted by: Random Musings | 01/30/2010 at 06:12 AM