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Saturday, Nov 7, 2009
AncientAssyrian
Published Letters: 769 Editor's Choice: 54
As a usually vocal critic of your political blogs and the Salon Cult of Hillary, I do appreciate that in your video blog, you've given a fair look at what's going on in the Democratic field. So, I'm giving thanks when thanks are due.
As for the question of who has the best approach to change?
I'd have to ask -- what sort of change do you want?
The president who will be inaugurated in January 2009 will face a huge task. The president will of course need to "change" certain policies, procedures, strategies. But let's face it -- if you are smart, have management skills, and you're smart enough to bring in the right teams of people every leader needs to handle implementation -- that part of being president is not brain surgery. Most politicians can handle that part of the job. And yes, Hillary would perhaps even be the best candidate at this part of the job, given that she has 30+ years of experience in "administration."
But changing the policy part of things is only part of the job, and right now, it's far and away the least important part of the job.
The real challenge for American's new president is LEADERSHIP - it's regaining credibility, trust, and authority in the world. We need to restore America's image as a land of freedom, democracy, human rights, civil rights. We need to put the heart back in America, and back into other nations'/peoples' feelings about America. At the same time, we have to realistically defend ourselves against extremist/terrorist attacks, but without alienating the rest of the world, and many of our own citizens, at the same time.
And who is best suited to inspire credibility, trust, and confidence in Americans and others around the world?
It's the man who is taking the lead. Barack Obama. Democrats -- and some Republicans -- are instinctively recognizing that while any of the candidates can administer, only one can truly LEAD.
People are recognizing that America needs a LEADER with vision, heart, and the ability to inspire passion and confidence. They are recognizing the value of a brilliant, charismatic, bi-racial man whose father was Muslim, a man who is a gifted writer and orator, who worked for civil rights, who passed up lucrative corporate opportunities and instead chose the unprofitable arenas of social service and academia, a man who can communicate his vision and heart (read his books, which he wrote himself).
It is Barack Obama's intelligence, charisma, and ability to communicate that gives him the skills needed to help America transform from fear to hope, recapture our flagging patriotism, and even build back lost trust and good will in the world.
This is why it doesn't matter a whit that Barack is younger, or less experienced, or hasn't been a governor, hasn't been married to a president, or that Hillary has 30 years of "administration" experience.
A President can hire others to implement. But a President can't can't hire others to inspire, motivate -- to LEAD.
This is why people are flocking to Barack. They are recognizing that we are at a crossroads -- we need a Thomas Jefferson-like thinking, we need a JFK-like leader, we need someone with the vision -- and the sort of charisma, personality and strength of character -- to start undoing the damage of the Bush/Neocon administration.
Hillary is not that person. She knows it. American knows it. The world knows it.
Barack Obama is that person.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery said:
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
Given Salon's history of unfettered Hillary worship, it's quite understandable that pro-Hillary, poor-Hillary posts draw fire.
So Hillary choked up -- it shouldn't help her, shouldn't hurt her. What she's boo-hooing about, we don't know. Maybe it was calculated acting. Maybe she's feeling sorry for herself because she's a big egotist and is frustrated that she's not the leader of the pack. Maybe she's genuinely moved to help America.
Whatever it is, the time for Hillary to show emotion was when George Bush took us into war. When it was time to vote for war spending bills. In the Gonzalez hearings. When Katrina victims were left in the dust. when 3000+ people needlessly gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Bush looked for authority to attack Iran. And so on.
My theory? She's bone tired (and understandly...Who wouldn't be with the candidates' grueling schedule?)
I don't think this shows any softer side -- I think it shows that she's bone tired -- exhausted (and understandably so.)
I just don't get the "I'm experienced" argument as some sort of selling point.
I mean, just because you've had experience driving for 30 years doesn't automatically mean you're a better driver than anyone else.
Why is it any more relevant in politics?
Talent is talent. And Hillary Clinton doesn't have it.
You have single-handedly renewed my flagging faith in Salon. You are the Barack Obama of Salon!!
You captured it perfectly.
And as for the Hillary/Barack matchup, I just LOVE this quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery...it pretty much sums it up perfectly.
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
I agree 100% with your take on it! Colbert was really astoundingly good.
(What's with the Cole-BURT -- hard T -- though? Is he going to be Cole-BURT until the strike is over do you suppose?)
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
The Maine fight was supposed to be the dress rehearsal for repealing California's Prop. 8 -- but gay marriage lost
Once one obtains Seriousness credentials in the Washington media, they are irrevocable no matter one's conduct.
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