Friday, January 23, 2009

A New Standard In The Free World


There's a time and a place, isn't there?

The reporter who asked our new President a complex question involving a subject he couldn't possibly have any knowledge about - that was a hit below the beltway.

I have mixed feelings about President Obama. I have extremely certain feelings about the office he holds (glorified oligarchy) And I have anxious feelings about the man himself. It's all dependent upon future decisions made. He may be an ethical, honest person but he's got a hard, lonely, misunderstood job no matter how many experts he surrounds himself with. At day's end? Alone.

Happily, he got straight to work, setting a closing date for Gitmo, that being one year. He also proposed the appointment of a special prosecutor for the many trials to be held for those prisoners.

He's shown his belief in and support of embrionic stem cell research - and for those who feel we have no business fooling with an unborn fetus just to gain certain precious stem cells, educate yourself a bit more - we can grow these cells in a laboratory and have been doing so in California for years. Many little poor paralized mice are scattering all over with not one human fetus being invaded.

His massive trillion dollar economic stimulus package is being called too expensive and will take too long, and frankly it will be at least 3 years before those thousands of jobs become available, but I say, get more bipartisan you Rebuplicans and support at least the office if not the man. He's extremely anxious to get down to work and pull this country out of the muck. We've slowly become a second and soon a third-world country and I personally can't expect my government to fix it all. You and I wil be making big sacrafices.

It must be difficiult for Mr. Obama to re-live the inaugural flubbing over and over, which I'm sure he's been doing. The Chief Justice was supposed to say:

"I, Barack Hussein Obama".... then shut up. He didn't, and his gaffe threw Mr. Obama off his game, well-rehearsed as is customary. Personally, I thought his inaugural speech was neither encouraging nor mediocre, but again, he gave the world a small idea of what direction he intended to take on grave matters.

Another inaugural tidbit: the glorious music given us by Itzak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma was pre-recorded. Only if you were sitting close to the platform would you have heard them playing to the recording, which was done to insure all would hear it. And speaking of music:

Why do we sing "let freedom ring" to "God Save The King"? When is someone going to pass legislation that would hire a good composer to write proper music for our anthem "America" (better known as "My Country, Tis of Thee" and always known in the United Kingdom's 19th-century empire as "God Save Our Good King George") We fought a bloody "at home" war to kick the English out, why are we still singing that anthem to their music??? Yikes.

Hey don't you think it a double-standard crime that Caroline Kennedy was politely asked by NY's Gov. David Patterson to "do the right thing" and withdraw her intention to run for Hitlery Clinton's empty seat? Talk about obvious. I realize he had someone already in mind for the job but he should've told her before she made her public declaration, and think about this - what if John Kenndy Jr. were still alive, and he voiced interest in the office, think he'd get it? You bet he would. Mr. Patterson, you said your decision was not a matter of race or gender but it certainly is to Ms. Kennedy (she being a woman and all? Geez - glass ceiling).

It tugs at my heart to see and hear folks talk about "It's our turn" and "hope is in the land" and "free at last" kind of talk. That only tells me you voted Mr. Obama into office by reason of race. Being partly white must be difficult when dealing with people like that, who think from a racist core,

Whatever's ahead, we already know the world is in big trouble. It's been common to look to the leader of the free world, our President, for guidance. Fortunately, Mr. Obama has a moral compass and he allows his better nature to direct him in an ethical way. I expect alot from him in these trecherous times, but I also know our President will need each and every American to carry their share.

Ready?

19 comments:

Remo said...

I'm with you on stem cells. Too many people are uneducated on the science.

I guess I'm just leery of giving support to a President who (with his followers) bashed the outgoing fellow relentlessly.

He gets what he earns. Nothing more - nothing less.

cw2smom said...

I too am very supportive of stem cell research! While I didn't vote for Obama...I am a Democrat..leaning to the middle on most stuff. I support Obama whole-heartedly and am anxious to see what he does in this term as there's no doubt we need some change in this country. Obama is in a tough place with this race stuff. He gets it from both sides. I recently saw a Black Pastor letting him have it for not being "Black!" Poor guy can't win for losin'! I wish him well! Blessings, Lisa

Amelia said...

I got a text message the other day that said this:

"Wanna know why it's so cold outside? Because white people said it would be a cold day in hell before we had a black president. BUNDLE UP!"

For some people, the only reason for their vote was because of race. I heard it myself. "WE NEED A BLACK PRESIDENT".

People have plaques of him sitting on their desks as work. I hope he doesn't let anyone down.

Missy

Beth said...

Great entry, Cathy. I'm pleased with what I'm seeing so far--wow, someone is actually DOING something!--and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next few years.

Yeah, I'm ready.

Beth

Saltydawg said...

We in Brit land are right behind ya. We've been doing stem cell research for years, but then we don't listen to the religious A holes.
Gaz xx

Lynne said...

This is a Season for change. I work in a predominantly African American community. So, I can say from first hand ears and eyes the reason my collegues voted was based on his skin color. I did not hear them talk about his "position" on issues, but only that an AA would be taking office. I am not against that being a reason for their vote, but I was really hoping it was not their only reason. You should have seen their faces one day, when they were going on about this is the first time a black man will take office and I countered..."but isn't he half white too?" You could have heard a pin drop. My personal opinion, people were not listening to him. I feel to a certain extent he lost his voice due to his skin color. So, we still have room to improve where race is concerned, and sometimes it is from our own race. MHO

Trees said...

Actually, Obama is not the first Afro-American to take office, some of the Presidents if you look back into history have the same heritage there predominace just happens to be white rather than black as Obama is, I seriously wonder if his predominance was white how many would have voted for him. Stem cell research is extremely important. A very dear online friend who was literally dyng from cancer, had a stem cell transplant and she is doing really well now. Obama is not a saviour, he is simply a man who is now President and is going to give his best to try and make a difference. If he falls down at times, and he will, then pray for him to get back up. I too have a gut feeling that something is not all right with this man, I did from the start. I will give him a chance and see what he can do. I watch from Canada as he comes to visit our Prime Minister and see how they can forge ahead to improve our World.

Heli gunner Tom said...

Even as I agree and disagree with different parts of your post today-- you still area passionate, witty, skilled person! I enjoyed reading your words today.
I hope you are feeling well, and thank you for the comments on my recent post.

Warm Regards,
Tom S
tschuckman@aol.com
Brrrrrr, WI.

Call me Paul said...

Regarding the music performance, the reason given by Yo-Yo Ma (as I understand it) was that the instruments would not stay properly in tune in the cold.

Call me Paul said...

Oh, and to Remo:

The outgoing fellow deserves every bash he gets. No other president in the history of your country has had so little regard for the constitution upon which your country was founded. He really should be in jail, but we all know that's not going to happen.

Winivere said...

From the beginning, our founding Fathers had a dream. Lincoln had a dream. Martin Luther King had a dream. Yes, even John Lennon had a dream... Why are people so against people of all colors living together in harmony? Obama is not God. The problems he is facing were not created by him. Instead of cursing him, we should stand behind him and do our part to make America a better place for all of us... well, except for the people who only drive 40 miles an hour on the freeway and never use their blinkers. grrrrr

tony said...

From England He looks Good.
His biggest assest is the good will he has created.But people are fickle & that came soon melt away.
Yes, a good start.but I agree, Its going to be a rocky road.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Nothing in life has ever been accomplished without a measure of sacrifice. Can this change come about because of one man..not likely. Change with a country backing him up and making their own sacrifices, the possibilities are endless. We all need to give of ourselves to make this work. People need to give this presidency time to wade through the chaos of previous years. The mess didn't present itself overnight and it most definitely won't fix itself overnight either...(Hugs)Indigo

Penny said...

Excellent post! while I don't agree with you on all things (wouldn't it be boring?) I love to read your writings. Obama's got a lot of work to do and we will see. I too am concerned about the man himself. Always have been. For my part I am praying for him to be surrounded by Godly wisdom. He's only as good as the country will let him be. The same can be said for Bush. We cannot blame the problems we have or pin our hopes on one man or woman. Blessings, Penny

ADB said...

Prejudice, myopia - it doesn't help humanity along. They're around and we've got to live with it. Obama was voted in on a ticket of change: let the man make the changes, I agree with you.

natalie said...

interesting post
I think that the Presidency is really a very difficult job.
I think that it would be funny to have a different melody ....indeed..would make us shine
I do think that the package needs to have more jobs for the immediate future.Don't you?
I don't think that Nasa or HIV need a combined 800 million dollars
at this juncture.Do you think that Kathy?
And ... there are scientific studies that have shown that
other cells are just as viable and useful for this research as the stem cells which are harvested from human embryos.
Sincerely, natalie

natalie said...

Dear Kathy,
Hey you did make me think!
:) Great entry!
I am thrilled that we have a great African American president absolutely!I believe he should be supported..
It's just that the FDR approach would put Americans to work ok within the next month, not later.
we really need it
hugs,natalie

Anne said...

Extremely well stated. It's going to be difficult times...it is already and it is going to get worse. I know so many who have lost their jobs and homes and even marriages. Anne

Herrad said...

Glad Obama is for stem cell research.

Hope he can really make changes but being part of the oligarchy makes that difficult I think.

It is a good slogan Can we do it?
Yes we can that depends if the powerful lobbies agree.

Good luck to you all.
Love,
Herrad