President Obama Cannot Satisfy Some on the Right
Everything He Does is Unacceptable
Five days before Mr. Egan's beautifully written essay, I, myself, had posted an article about the talk to students. Several other contributors to AssociatedContent have also expressed their views, some favorable and others not. One common thread among those whose hatred of President Obama is so virulent that nothing he does will be acceptable is, as expressed by my friend, Oliver Boody, "I'd be willing to bet that the speech to students was re-written once parents voiced an opinion."
During the campaign for the presidency (which, I have to keep reminding my friends on the Right, Mr. Obama won), he was accused of having a Messianic complex. As to whatever Mr. Obama does I am reminded of a comment made by someone, and repeated by me. If Barack Obama walked on top of the water, it would be asserted by some that it was proof of inadequacy: he couldn't swim.
I don't want to pick on Mr. Boody but will use two other comments of his concerning the war in Afghanistan and the President's actions commemorating the terrorists' attacks on September 11, 2001, as springboards for explanation and clarification. As to the fighting in Afghanistan, I wrote a three-partessay on Iraq, Afghanistan and the withdrawal from each. Essentially I suggested that we were trying to "nation-build", bringing Tenth Century areas into 21st Century Jeffersonian societies. I suggested that, rather than continue to expend our most valuable resources, young men and women, and money where we were neither appreciated nor wanted, we should withdraw until Iraq and Afghanistan had stable governments that had the support of their own people. Oliver referred to this position as being one where, "you folks [meaning Democrats? Liberals?] want to tuck tail and run".
I refuse to consider the expenditure of people on a battlefield as a test for testosterone. I acknowledge that, at one time, I thought it worthwhile and even important to have combat troops sent to Afghanistan, as opposed to Iraq. Upon reflection, I changed my mind and in this area, I feel that the President is wrong. Not a liar, not an evil unpatriotic person, just wrong. No need for silly hyperbole or name calling, just wrong.
The other remark brings up the commemorating the attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center. I am going to post an essay on how some of the far, far extreme Right are using the occasion to call for the violent over throw of the United States. (I do not put Oliver in that class!). But he does show an attitude that I find disturbing. "[O]bama wants to turn this solemn day into a day of community service. Comrades get your shovels and paint brushes and let's do something...." The President was at the Pentagon and laid a wreath in memory of those who died at that site. What better memorial could there be than a day in which all Americans, Liberal and Conservative, Republican and Democrat, Gay and Straight, Black and White, in short, everyone, come together in a unified country? That supports, "Comrade"?
No, it supports the conclusion that President Obama cannot swim.
Published by Jim Stillman
Retired from Florida Department of Revenue after 25 years.and retired New York attorney. I am a liberal with regard to social responsibility and, likely, a Libertarian otherwise. View profile
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16 Comments
Post a CommentIn no manner would I disparage or minimize those brave men and women who have fought and died and been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. They were and are in those countries on missions to which they were assigned by civilian political leaders in the US. My conflict is with those civilian political leaders and their judgments, both parties. I disagreed with Johnson, Bush and Obama and with the concept of nation-building and the introduction of democracy in areas where (a) the people don't particularly want it and (b) the society isn't ready for it. The guys in charge of Iraq and Afghanistan, both elected by the people, are crooks and unworthy of our young peoples' lives -- as your son.
Hey Jim, thanks for quoting me. I hope I can provide even more for you and maybe you will even use the whole clip.
You state that you were once for the war in Afghanistan, as was obama and most of the current democrat leadership. The war began, and our military has been fully engaged in the process of destrying Taliban and Al Quaida islamofascists. Now, suddenly, you disagree with this war your leaders voted for. What happened to the concept of victory? To do what you suggest today, whould minimize the lives of those who gave theirs in this fight. You would minimize the lives of those still there fighting, like my son. Since you no longer agree with this military action, that should make sense to those people still in harms way while you sit here and pontificate?
And, you have it wrong (again). I respect that obama was able to effectively utilize his skills and talents to get elected. As a person, I believe he deserves respect. However, the way he is bulldozing his age
I'm sorry, I am in error. There are four of you. Sorry Darcy!
My Goodness, three people whose ability to express themselves clearly and cogently are ganing up on me -- here and on Facebook. OK, Randy, Don and Oliver, I'll try and respond later on today!
Who cares if the right is satisfied? Obama won he gets to do what he wants to. Howver it's the Democrats that are slowing him down, the GOP don't have the power to do so. But keep saying it is the right stopping him, it makes us look more powerful than we are.
Who "lied"? What were the specific "lies". Remember, a lie is a false material statement made with the knowledge at the time it was uttered that it was untrue in a material way.
Here's another contrary viewpoint: If he's lied to his very constituency then why should i believe him and his child-like temper?
OK, I asked for contrary viewpoints and certainly received them. Thank you all for engaging on the issues. As to those who want to overthrown the government by force, I will list them tomorrow or the next day. A hint: one such group is a backer of the 9-12 DC March.
Can any of you who spout these over used "slogans" to use Jim"s word, actually NOT realize how silly you sound? First of all Ronald Reagan did not give a speech about "how wonderful rich people are". What he tried to make all the imbeciles with their petty little jealousies of those who had money understand...without rich people...NO ONE eats. Can you not comprehend this? When is the last time a pauper on the street corner employed you? As to "rich" people...I happen to have lived amongst some of the very wealthiest people in this nation...and almost all of them...are Democrats. How silly do you need to be to hear a movie star who owns not one but 6 multi-million dollar homes, or a politician who owns the same...tell people that they are all victims of the "rich". Get over it. Life...is not fair. And yes, some have more than any one person could ever need. But...as long as it is theirs and no one can prove they stole, they have a right to their money. And you deserve...only what you wo
I caught a clip of a speech to school children by Ronald Reagan. That day, his handlers gave him one of their typical scripts, full of how wonderful rich people are. With that political angle in aRepublican's speech, I guess they assumed a Democrat would take similar advantage of the situation.