One of the things that's irked me about the last 8 years is how critical, negative, insensitive, and petty the news media, Hollywood, and therefore the general public has been about the president. There have been things he's done right and things he's done wrong, but that's not what we heard in the news. All we'd hear about was when he'd say a word wrong or trip over his speech. Honestly, you should hear me try to say a cohesive sentence or even a simple word that I have trouble thinking of. I sound like a garbled, confused idiot. Does that make me stupid? Does that make me a bad teacher? Does tripping over your words make you a bad president? No.
And yet, that's all we really heard about. People occasionally had criticisms of President Bush's policies or decisions he'd made. But mostly he would get blamed, as president, for the stupid decisions made by others. In response to Hurricane Katrina, first of all, with a week's warning to evacuate a city built below sea level, how is it President Bush's fault that people stayed? And why is it President Bush's fault that the mayor and other local authorities didn't do their jobs first? In a disaster whose major damages (loss of lives, etc) could and should have been avoided, I found it appalling that our nation blamed the president.
And I also hate that the nation blamed the entire economic crisis on President Bush and his administration. I'm sure many of you have read this article by Orson Scott Card. If not, take a read.
So for the last several years, I've gotten pretty sick of all the complaining done by the nation as a whole. I blame the media, with their constant criticisms, which sell better than positive analyses. Blah!
I know not everyone agrees with the president, and they don't have to. But it's important to support him, even if it means finding a tiny area where you agree with him.
So now, my friends, imagine my delight when I read and hear all these Republican friends-- whom I assume agree with me in their disgust with all the criticism of the current president-- and what are they doing? They're whining and complaining already! Seriously, people!
Is Barack Obama Bill Clinton? Is he a pandering ladies' man who can't be trusted in marriage, or in court, much less with the fate of our nation? No. It seems like he's a decent, intelligent, Christian family man, and while I don't completely agree with all his policies or ideas, I feel like he's a good man who will be a good leader and someone I can support as president.
I listened to his victory speech and appreciated very much the things he had to say. I hope he continues in that strain. I think he could be a good president for our nation, as the media will most likely point out more positive aspects of his presidency. I liked in the victory speech where he said, "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree."
I think I'll write him a letter.
And I saw Michelle Obama on the Jay Leno show a few days ago. As she walked on, the band played Stevie Wonder's "Isn't she lovely," and it's quite a fitting song. She seems absolutely lovely, and equally as intelligent as her husband.
I hope the two little girls can grow up to become normal, even with the public focus on them. That would be horrid, but it seems they're mostly kept away from the media and cameras, which is a smart approach.
And I'm happy they get a puppy.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
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10 comments:
People blame the president because he doesn't have anything to do with it. He is the all purpose scapegoat. Take a look at the economy. Nobody wants to fess up to going into debt so it's the president's fault that he didn't stop them before they started spending all that nonexistent money. This way, no one really has to take the blame.
The whole swapping between republican and democratic presidents is a 'grass is greener on the other side' thing. If life isn't looking good for you right now, make something change. Just make sure it isn't that really fun thing that is actually making life hard on you. (like spending nonexistent money)
I do have to say that I'm a little worried about Obama in the presidency. He just isn't conservative enough for me. But truly, what am I going to do about it now? Well, for starters, I think I will make greater efforts to make sure that I will end up in the best possible heaven for when the world ends.
*generous round of applause*
That was just brilliant, Chelsea. Great post.
I feel the same way about Obama. Do I agree with every idea he has? Not really. Hardly at all, when I look at "the issues." But the government isn't the end-all of my happiness, not unless something goes terribly wrong (and the way our Constitution is written and the active role the PEOPLE play in our government, I find that scenario highly unlikely.)
I do think Obama is charismatic (doesn't equal "good", like you pointed out with Bush -- you can be capable without being eloquent -- but I think he will inspire regular people, which is what we need right now). I do think that Obama is a good, decent person, even if I can't agree with him on every issue. I'm hopeful he'll make a good president.
Alright! Thank you Chelsea - I agree with you on a lot of that. I was not an Obama supporter, but as a product of growing up in the military I support the Commander in Chief, whoever he is, because that is my responsibility. His responsibilities are quite obviously A LOT MORE. but as far as all the negativity, blaming and finger pointing goes - I think it is high time that our nation (as a nation, as cooperations, as groups, religions, families and INDIVIDUALS) take personal responsibility. Wouldn't that be great?
I also think that it is not up to the government to fix all our problems, including the economy. I don't know that Obama's economic policies will help it at all, but I know if a lot of people rally together, and consumer confidence goes up, the economy will follow.
But you don't like dogs?
Great post. I too think we need to respect our new President. That doesn't evade th efact that we still need to fight him on the issues we don't agree with, we simply have to go the long route now by voting in senators and congressmen who will make sure he doesn't get the se policies past. Most peoples problem is they think the President has so much power that no other election is important, well they need to realize that he actually doesn't have as much power as we think. Start paying more attention to our local and state leaders, those are the ones who can fight for what we want.
i actually agree with obama and democrats more than republicans and mccain, but not everything for either side. I call myself an independent... but i agree... i am getting disgusted with people... are there questions about obama yes? but at the same time, mccain wouldn't have done a perfect job either. i am excited for obama and looking forward to his presidency. I think whoever was put in office would be blamed for a lot, becuase well... the economy isn't looking too hot! Thanks for your post...
Good job on that post! I too get tired of hearing people whine about stuff. I'm making an effort to find out more about local politic stuff and be educated if not involved as I do feel thats what has the biggest impact on my life, etc (I guess I also believe in grass roots stuff so if I want things to be different in Washington....) So far its been difficult because local politics is often so silly!
I actually wasn't thrilled with either candidate since I'm pretty moderate and tend to have views that agree with both sides on various issues. But, even if we didn't vote for him, Obama becoming President is not the worst thing that has happened to this country or world! It makes me so annoyed to hear people moaning and groaning about it like the world's coming to an end! Give me a break! Electing Obama is doing wonders for our global image already, and it is great for the moral of minorities all over the country. He seems smart, decent, and, obviously, incredibly eloquent and charismatic. Yes, I am worried about some of his plans, but I think he will turn out to be more moderate than a lot of people think. He's no fool: he will be working to get the support of everyone behind him, not just die hard liberals. Additionally, if nothing else, any member of the Church should be grateful to him for drawing out masses of African-American voters in CA, who were the main voters who helped Proposition 8 pass! I read that over 65% of Black voters polled in CA voted yes on Proposition 8. The Church rarely speaks up on political issues. It did NOT offer open political support to either presidential candidate. But it felt that Proposition 8 was important enough to send Apostles to CA to talk to members of the Church there to get them to go out and openly support and campaign for Prop 8, and they also did things like start a website promoting it. (www.preservingmarriage.org) In my opinion, it is worth the trade off. But maybe that's just me.
Chelsea, I appreciate that you made this post. Richard and I were actually having this same conversation yesterday evening because a veteran was pictured on the front page of our paper hanging a flag upside-down (military signal for "distress"). I don't necessarily agree with Obama on everything-but I'm not really distressed. I believe that our government was designed to give no one man total power. I appreciate that you made a political statement on your blog-I'm too chicken to do that kind of stuff.
Too true. I've been feeling so much over the last several months because of the elections and such. I'm glad at least the election is behind us. I didn't support Obama, although I wasn't thrilled with either candidate. But now that he's president-elect I'm very proud that our nation could elect an African-American and I hope he does well.
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