Barack Obama; a lingering observation

The longer I observe President Obama’s reflective intelligence, calm and reassuring demeanor, the more convinced I am that he still could become a truly a transformative historical figure for reasons far beyond race. If only he were not perpetually hamstrung by a “loyal opposition”, whose mantra has been from the beginning of his administration and that promises to remain to the end, “No, stop, don’t and you can’t make me.”

But let’s face it: the divisiveness and undertone of violence that swirls about the President is less a considered response to who he is or to his policies than a reaction to the color of his skin and the mixing of his blood; and that's a sin and a shame.

March, 2009


UPDATE AND CLOSING ARGUMENT:

On the eve of our election of the next President of the United States of America, the divided, weary electorate are complaining about the tenor of the campaign. I submit that while other campaigns have been deeply steeped in blood, muck and mire (see Bush/Atwater v. Dukakis, circa 1988), there has been something particularly ugly that has preceded and colored this campaign that has far transcended policy debates about taxes and the economy.

From the moment he emerged on the national scene, throughout his first term and to this election day, the President's enemies have tried by every means necessary, to demonize and delegitimize him. His birthright and ancestry have been repeatedly called into question; his patriotism routinely mocked. He has been called a socialist, a Muslim and worse. (Not that there is anything wrong with being either, but in the tenor of the times we live in, it's a epithet) He has been continually reviled and demeaned and forced to deal with a political opposition whose sole stated purpose has been to make him a one-term president.

The following is a brief excerpt from an extended written dialogue I had with someone on Facebook earlier this year:

“The devil is licking his chops. He is a Jew hating Muslim! Obama was raised to believe in anti colonialism and he is a Socialist! He breeds hate and discontent with fingers pointing in many directions to distract the real agenda. Socialist divide people first by putting them in classes. Why do you think he's running up this huge debt? It is so he can wipe out the middle class by creating a burden so great they become dependent on the gov't....that is Socialism! You and every American best wake up to what the wolf in sheep's clothing is up to!”

In our next exchange, this individual compared the President to Hitler, intent on world domination or destruction. If you think this man is alone, you have not been paying attention.

The President's every move has subjected him to the lash of a blind, unreasoning hatred that would have left scars on any man. Barack Obama has borne it all with an equanimity and grace that is deserving of the nation's respect.

For his accomplishments, from The Ledbetter Act guaranteeing equal pay to women for equal work, the economic stimulus that saved the auto industry and banks, the Affordable Health Care Act, ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell, hunting down Bin Laden, ending the war in Iraq and starting the withdrawal in Afghanistan and more, he is deserving of the nation's trust and votes. 
November 6, 2012

Nomination Speech excerpt September 6, 2012

"I recognize that times have changed since I first spoke to this convention.  The times have changed –- and so have I. I’m no longer just a candidate. I’m the president."

"I know what it means to send young Americans into battle, for I have held in my arms the mothers and fathers of those who didn’t return. I’ve shared the pain of families who’ve lost their homes, and the frustration of workers who’ve lost their jobs. If the critics are right that I’ve made all my decisions based on polls, then I must not be very good at reading them. And while I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together, I’m far more mindful of my own failings, knowing exactly what Lincoln meant when he said, 'I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go.'"

"America," I never said this journey would be easy, and I won't promise that now. Yes, our path is harder -- but it leads to a better place. Yes our road is longer -- but we travel it together. We don't turn back."