Honestly, the messiah-esque mantle that has been bestowed upon Mr. Obama is not really his fault. I've I've discussed in the past, the media fell in love with the man. It's a love affair that goes back to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. I certainly give the man credit for trying to be real with the american people about the struggles we face as a nation. He's truly stated that the road ahead will be long and rough. The problem is, I don't think too many people are listening.
Bush enjoyed immense popularity right after 9/11. Within a year it was gone. Some say he squandered it. I can't honestly place blame on anything in particular; I don't have the expertise. I think Obama may be set up for that kind of response (I hesitate to use the word failure). He could do great things, but if it's not enough he will lose support. When things don't happen as quickly as I believe some people hope, I believe Obama will suffer. It may be to the detriment of the nation. I disagree with Obama on may policy/philosophical areas, but I don't want the man to fail. I just want him to end up making the right decisions. Only time will tell.
I only saw part of the inauguration. Two things stuck out that bugged me. First were the people who booed Bush. I'm no Bush fan. I disagree with the decision to go to Iraq, from the start. Then there's the PATRIOT Act. I don't think he's Hitler, I it troubles me that we live in a nation that people think it's appropriate to boo an out-going president. I don't know Bush personally and I think most politicians have questionable morals in general. That being said, I do believe, right or wrong, that Bush was acting in the way he felt best. I don't see this as just oil greed and such (maybe that's the non-cynical voice in my head). We all act on mixed motives in everything we do (see Joe Badaracco's book). Few things have one reason; it all depends on the mix of good vs. bad motives. I think Bush's were mostly good, but in the wrong direction. I don't know that he was incompetent.
The other thing that bothered me was the swearing in. Obama stumbled, but I don't think it was his fault. I just got the impression that Justice Roberts gave Obama too many words to remember at one time. The first line he paused, which made it seem like he wanted Obama to repeat. Then as soon as Obama started, Roberts continued the line. Maybe Roberts was nervous, but my cynical voice wants to think he did it on purpose just to mess with the guy. Maybe we'll never know, but I think that it could have been done better and maybe they should have practiced.
Those are my few thoughts.
1 comment:
I agree with the booing thing. That was totally rude. Good grief, have some respect for a guy who has the most stressful job in America.
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