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Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The world has spoken on Obama’s hope, unity
This is from today's Detroit Free Press. My sentiments exactly. Bravo! Rochelle Riley!!!!!!!
The announcement shook up the world. But the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to honor President Barack Obama should have come as no surprise. Five years ago this month, the (London) Guardian’s home affairs editor wrote about a poll showing that voters in eight of 10 leading countries, including some of America’s closest allies, wanted President George W. Bush to lose in the 2004 presidential election. Yes, people outside of America believed that the Iraq invasion and subsequent war were wrong, and that America was becoming increasingly isolated. As a country, we didn’t seem to care what they thought. Our mantra during Bush’s two terms was “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.” But the world has spoken again. And the Nobel committee was its conduit, awarding the prize to Obama not so much for what he has done but for what he has made possible. Thorbjørn Jagland, chairman of the five-member committee, said Obama has “created a new climate in international politics.” It was a reminder that the Peace Prize, in the past, has been given not to those who forge forward with guns blazing and arrogance reeking, but to those who encourage restraint, unity, democracy: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former President Jimmy Carter. Obama’s critics, including an increasingly cartoonish Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, just don’t get it. Steele and other Republican and conservative critics are playing the dozens while Obama is leading America to live up to its Declaration and its constitution. His missteps are to be expected. Every president has had them. But can his critics really compare a rough ride to universal health care with ensuring world peace? They don’t get it. But Obama does. He accepted the prize, in a modest Rose Garden speech, in which he made clear that he knows he was recognized not with a reward for what he has accomplished, but with an incentive to continue what he has begun. The Nobel announcement was stunning and unexpected. But it should not have been a surprise. Our last president took us to the precipice of World War III. Obama has joined a pantheon of thoughtful intellectuals who believe in putting peace first. And whether we pay enough attention or not, that is what most people around the world want, as well.
The announcement shook up the world. But the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to honor President Barack Obama should have come as no surprise. Five years ago this month, the (London) Guardian’s home affairs editor wrote about a poll showing that voters in eight of 10 leading countries, including some of America’s closest allies, wanted President George W. Bush to lose in the 2004 presidential election. Yes, people outside of America believed that the Iraq invasion and subsequent war were wrong, and that America was becoming increasingly isolated. As a country, we didn’t seem to care what they thought. Our mantra during Bush’s two terms was “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.” But the world has spoken again. And the Nobel committee was its conduit, awarding the prize to Obama not so much for what he has done but for what he has made possible. Thorbjørn Jagland, chairman of the five-member committee, said Obama has “created a new climate in international politics.” It was a reminder that the Peace Prize, in the past, has been given not to those who forge forward with guns blazing and arrogance reeking, but to those who encourage restraint, unity, democracy: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former President Jimmy Carter. Obama’s critics, including an increasingly cartoonish Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, just don’t get it. Steele and other Republican and conservative critics are playing the dozens while Obama is leading America to live up to its Declaration and its constitution. His missteps are to be expected. Every president has had them. But can his critics really compare a rough ride to universal health care with ensuring world peace? They don’t get it. But Obama does. He accepted the prize, in a modest Rose Garden speech, in which he made clear that he knows he was recognized not with a reward for what he has accomplished, but with an incentive to continue what he has begun. The Nobel announcement was stunning and unexpected. But it should not have been a surprise. Our last president took us to the precipice of World War III. Obama has joined a pantheon of thoughtful intellectuals who believe in putting peace first. And whether we pay enough attention or not, that is what most people around the world want, as well.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Why Obama is not a Nazi (but maybe Jackie Robinson)
I love the new Doonsbury Cartoon. I concisely presents the argument against the rabid Right. It also expresses the frustration the Left has about Obama not having "a pair" and not "hitting back" when the Right constantly fights every move he makes. I must admit that, to paraphrase Bill Maher, like Muhammad Ali, Obama has a way with words. What really made Ali effective though, is that he also knew how to punch somebody in the face! I was speaking with a friend recently who I thought was onto something when he compared Obama to Jackie Robinson. Robinson also was urged to fight back when he was slighted by white players who attacked and disrespected him. Basically saying that, "If I respond that way, it closes the door for the next black player because they'll use that combativeness as excuse to keep others out". I don't know if this is a good strategy or not. I guess we'll find out down the line. Is Obama "running the bases first" and "getting a little dirt on my uniform" so that the next guy will have it easier? What do you think?
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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