March 4th, 2008
World opinion of the U.S. seems to have seriously deteriorated. My sense is that we’ve changed from a country that has been viewed with respect and admiration to one that’s now the object of ridicule.
How did this happen???
Could it be our dismal environmental record?
Could it be we’ve turned a deaf ear on the advise and counsel of our allies and friends on military incursions, e.g. Iraq?
Could it be our president chooses to resolve international disagreements by calling names? Example…The “Axis of Evil” statement…did he really think he would bring about change by calling names? (Weren’t we taught in elementary school that you’re not supposed to call names? “W” must of been absent the day they taught that lesson.)
Could it be we’ve taken and arrogant position in most of our dealings with other countries?
A role of the president is to lead and represent the U.S. throughout the world. We must have a president who is able to engage others with diplomacy and wisdom.
Jon Murray
March 4th, 2008
I’ve been complaining lately.
“Politicians can’t agree and don’t get anything done.”
“Our elected officials are beholden to lobbyists and big business and not to the people who elected them.”
“I don’t have any faith in an electorate who could vote in George W. not once, but twice.”
And I’ve been holding grudges, too. A longstanding one against McCain - ever since last year when took a heavily armored tour of Baghdad and walked around with helicopter gunships overhead and military escorts up the wazoo, reassuring us (after his return) that there are many areas of Baghdad where Americans can travel safely. Gee thanks, John - may I borrow your armored Humvee?
I’ve been mad at Hillary since last Tuesday, when she whined about getting the first question during the debate. “Can I just point out in the last several debates, I seem to get the first question all the time….Maybe we should ask Barack if he’s comfortable and needs another pillow” Puh-leez….How unpresidential is that?
And of course, I can’t forget about my grudge against Obama, who made all kinds of promises to me the other night in a really good dream I had (and never told my husband about). But, when I awoke, he was gone.
You know what, though? When I woke up this morning and realized today is the day that a black man may clinch the Democratic nomination for president, I was happy for our country. And proud. And relieved. Because 142 years after slavery was abolished in this country, an African-American may finally be able to bring about change, not only for our current political situation, but for the continuing prejudices and unfair challenges that blacks in our nation continue to face every day. And we Americans - blacks, whites, and none of the above - have done it. We’ve shown all the ignorant, prejudiced, pathetic people in this country who think one’s color still matters that we will vote for a candidate based on his or her skills, not the color of his or her skin.
And you know what else? When I woke up this morning and realized today is possibly the last day we’ll have TWO historic candidates running for prez at the same time, I appreciated Hillary more than ever. Yeah, maybe she whines sometimes (who doesn’t?)… but wow, she’s a woman - and a strong, determined, intelligent one at that. Despite her domineering, abusive father and her philandering, selfish husband who managed to put his infidelity (and therefore, Hillary’s pain) out in the national spotlight, she has managed, based on her own merits, to rise to the top. Eighty-seven years ago, women were still fighting for the right to vote in this country. Now, if Hillary can take Ohio and Texas in today’s primaries, she has a shot at being voted into the highest office into the land.
I relish this moment. Go, Hillary. Go, Obama. Go, America!
Audrey Haynes
