It has lately become fashionable to speak of Barack Obama with — well, with regret. Such great hopes and expectations; so little so far.
I write here not of the birthers and the tea partiers with their loathsome signs, not of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and the others who trade in playing to people’s ignorance and people’s fears, whose verbal hooliganism is so disgraceful. I write instead of those who were among Obama’s most enthusiastic admirers and who now scratch their heads: What happened?
Yes, the president’s plate is too full to comprehend, and on many of the most challenging issues the results — for that matter, even the directions — of his efforts remain to be seen: jobs; Afghanistan; reform of the financial system (so far a gathering disappointment); jobs, again; Israel/Palestine; health care reform. (The House vote on health care reform the other day leaves the Senate, and then, if the Senate puts forward legislation, a conference rewrite to reconcile the House and Senate versions, and finally votes in both chambers on the same bill. None of these remaining three stages will be easy; none can be taken for granted.) Oh yes, ongoing: Iraq, Guantanamo, Pakistan, Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell, Iran. And jobs, still, with 17.5% — nearly one of every five people — out of work. (The 10.2% figure that was announced some days ago did not include people who’ve given up, stopped looking for work.)
Much, but not all, of what the president must deal with is part of the Bush legacy. So one ought not be too quick to judge, much less to conclude that nothing’s changed and nothing will.
There’s also this, too often overlooked: On a wide variety of second-tier issues, much has already been accomplished. Head Start and Early Head Start funding has been increased by $2.3 billion; COBRA, the interim health insurance program that was far too pricey to be meaningful to newly laid-off workers, is now heavily subsidized; a vast expansion of CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program; the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a major blow against workplace discrimination; serious investment in research on batteries that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; a reversal of many of the derelictions of the previous administration with regard to the environment. The list goes on and on, and includes major initiatives in virtually every function of government.
So it is not that the president has been indolent. Nor is it that so much is still pending. No, it is instead a sense that something’s missing. And what’s missing, it seems to me, is a touch of Harry Truman. Barack Obama may be too cool, too suave. Ever since his election, he has held out an olive branch to the Republicans in Congress. The olive branch is plainly an embedded part of his persona. But the Republicans have spurned the olive branch, have scoffed at it. The president is entirely entitled to be angry. Perhaps he really is angry. But he is always, always, always measured. By now, “Give ’Em Hell” Harry, as Truman was called, would have been furious — and would have shown it.
It’s not just the congressional Republicans who have been spared. During the course of the health care debate, there’s been occasional passing criticism of health insurance company executives, who have been about as grateful for the president’s courtesy as my neighborhood pigeons are to my windshield.
True, there may be political reasons for the president’s show of even temper: Senator Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat whose vote is one of the 60 needed in the Senate to move health care reform, is a former health insurance industry executive. Senator Joe Lieberman, another key vote, is from Connecticut, and Hartford is America’s insurance capital.
So perhaps the president’s restraint is purposeful. But for all that he has described health care reform as his major undertaking, the president has been remarkably passive in the trenches. In particular, he failed adequately to display the righteous indignation that last summer’s abominable town halls warranted. So now we (and he) must anticipate either a Senate that cannot bring forward a bill or a Senate bill so neutered as to be a mockery of reform.
And what of the Wall Street titans? No anger at those who brought on the financial catastrophe? Hard, I suppose, to get angry when you’re leaning on Timothy Geithner and Larry Summers for advice. Just when the financial system cries out for serious regulation, its key managers have a track record of cutting backroom deals that benefit precisely those who must be tamed. We have yet to see where the president himself comes down on regulation, but the portents are troubling.
The commander in chief is not a drill sergeant. He does not need to bark. But neither can he allow himself to be perceived as incapable of barking — and even, now and then, biting. “Give ’Em Hell” Barack, would be wildly off-key. But how about “Here I Stand and Fight” Barack?
And jobs, too.
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President Obama is no friend of Israel. I am insulted when he goes to Europe, especially Germany, and apologizes for America. President Truman was not afraid to speak out and knew the buck stopped with him. President Obama should tell the world that it was an extrewmist muslim who murdered 12 soldiers and one civilian. Why are we so politically correct. In Missouri we are told "show me" the truth. It is time for President Obama to stand up for the State of Israel and and not allow the United Nations to condemn Israeli soldiers.President Obama is no Harry Truman.
80% of the Jews supported him for election. Unfortunately most still can not see through his rhetoric. President Obama is closer to being a Neville Chamberlain than a Truman.
Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg - You're insulted that Obama goes to Germany and apologizes. Well, he came to the Middle East as president and didn't visit Israel. That was really meant to smack us in the face. When he addressed the Islamic world, he defined us as refugees in search of a homeland - not as the returning children of our homeland. That was also quite belittling. Notice, however, that this article is not about Obama and Israel. It has nothing to do with the Jewish experience at all. Mr Fein does that at times.
Yehuda is on target.
Mr. Fein like so many fails to see that the real reason, the real problem in the US for all these special needs concerning insurance is complete unrestricted economic competition from formerly third world countries mainly China previously with Mexico and nearly complete unrestricted free trade mainly with China and previously with Mexico and basically unrestricted immigration mainly with Mexico, all this to suppress wages, reap the most profit on the investment dollar and buy the cheapest product available. There is today no industry in the US at least as we used to know it, the US like NYC was industry but the US like NYC NYS under Robert Moses made a decision to destroy it, transform it with tragic results, the BQE, FDR, Westside Highway, Cross Bronx Expressway, destroyed thousands of businesses and detroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs. Why? Garments, Printing, Manufacturing, first they went to the union free south, then to Mexico, now in China.
Harry Truman had more decision making capacity in one strand of hair than Obama has in his whole body.
Mr. Fein, A liberal would not know a leader if he or she stepped on one. Can you define leadership? I have led men in war and in the industrial workplace and I can tell you that Obama (I save the word president for someone who earns that title) is no leader.
He is a lawyer that lives or dies by the spoken word. It makes no difference to him if it is the truth or not, as long as he can convince you that he is right. Unfortunately, for we Americans the world knows this now and countries like Russia, Iran, N. Korea and even Venezuela have no respect for him because they know he will not act in a decisive manner. Even our allies are nervous about his waffling on international issues.
The American people are catching on to the fact that they have elected a man that is an empty shell, whose only attribute is his ability to deliver an excellent speech. They have no idea where or how he is trying to lead them, I don't think he knows.
Asking him to obtain the attributes of Harry Truman is liking asking the lamb to become the lion. IT WON'T HAPPEN, and if he tries no one will believe it except the other lambs(liberals).
Mr. Fein, If your not aware of it, Harry Truman was a CONSERVATIVE democrat
Charlie Fishman, you sound like a follower of the Glenn "Mad dog" Beck phylosophy. So much hatred all bottled up in person, aimed at the first African American President. You were careful not to mention his race, but after using all the "tea party" sound bites and rhetoric, you're almost there. I personally would rather have you come on out with your true feelings about President Barack H. Obama, and say something to unmask your true feelings. Instead of "empty pants," how about, "these people don't have the necessities," Those words were used thousands of times, until "Jimmy The Greek," used them during a media interview, and created a firestorm. Well, thanks to people like Glenn Beck, S.Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, it's almost fashionable to create the African American President with the empty pants, chimpanzie, witch doctor, exterior. Like I said "Mr. Charlie," when you go down that road, you might as well go all the way. That way, we understand each other.
He didn't mention race at all, not one bit, you did. All he did was state the truth. Obama's black, sure. Does that mean he is inviolate. Does that mean that when he bows from the waist to the Saudi king and the Japanese emperor that's the right thing to do.
The President bowing to the Emperor of Japan made me sick.I can not even imagine President Harry Truman doing so.
President Obama didn't bow to anyone, and you know he didn't, but anything Limbaugh expands upon, you will injest as gospel truth. That bowing lie was rehashed enough thru "wing nut" media, until discredited. I'm surptised a few wing nuts are still wrapping themselves in the American Flag, while trying to discredit one of the most brilliant President's in recent history. The decendents of slaves, along with the descendents of people who wanted to end slavery have voted for change. They won the last Presidential election. Sure, there's going to be descendents of slave holders who will trybto sabotage this new administration from start to finish. One only have to tune in to Fox News or Rush and the gang to get a real feel for gut wrenching racial hatred. i'm wondering if they would feel the same way if their children were coming home in body bags from an unneccary war.
It was on T.V. and in the newspaper. My imagination is not playning tricks since others saw what I saw.
To: Dr. Bernhard, I saw the slightest of hip movement, which tended to mimic a dip in body movement. President Obama denied any intentions of a bow on his part. Why don't we take him at his word and move on. We can do that and stop questioning the motive and heritage of man who is blessed to have been born in America, and is currently under scrutiny for each and everything he's done or does. There is nothing about this President that is unamerican, but there are people on the right, who view themselves as "wingnuts" are working 24/7 to discredit and/or destroy this president. Since the inauguration of President Obama, there are new groups with racist tactics that are pretending to speak for all of conservative America. I'm referring to the "Tea baggers,birther's and deathers. They are fueled, and/or financed by Fox News, and right wing radio hosts. Recently one of their vtactics of inflating supporters was caught, examined and exposed, bringing an apology, or near apology from Shawn Hannity. To the people of this great country, we or our ancestors may have come to America by different boats and vessals, but we're all in the same boat now. We can spend our time hating and trying to discredit everyone who looks or talks a little differently, and sink and drown, or we can ro9ll up our sleeves and go to work to make this country the envy of the world..
I would say the same of a white president. See the film. He did bow. End of the story. I did not vote for President Obama and I am critical on his position regarding Israel, health care, and the economy.That is my right as an American citizen where no one bows to anyone.
"...I would say the same of a white president"
So says the Imperial Wizard of Edison, NJ. Well nows your chance to sound off, bernie. Behold....
http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2009/11/dwight-d-eisenhower-bowing-hour.html
Yuri Pines is a Hebrew University professor, who wishes all settlers' homes would be destroyed, including that of Lebanon's IDF hero Major Roi Klein, is a self-confessed anti-Zionist. He is disgusted by "Israeli propaganda" that portrayed Palestinians as terrorists. He justifies the Intifada violence and dreams of its success. He is also a supporter of traitor-spy Azmi Bishara. As a soldier he refused to serve in the territories and called students and lecturers to do the same. "An Israeli soldier in the West Bank is a criminal…" he once said. The Ukraine-born lecturer of Early Imperial Chinese History is a member of the Communist Party and even defends China's record of human rights.
Many Israelis may still recall Major Roi Klein who saved his soldiers' life by shielding them from a hand-grenade lobbed at them during the second Lebanon war. Many of them were also shocked when they learned that the High Court ruled that his home in the Settlement of Eli, where his widow and two children live, would be demolished, alongside 11 other homes deemed to be built illegally.
But when Yuri Pines , a Jerusalem associate professor of imperial Chinese History, received an email it which he was asked to add his name to a petition against the demolition, he went ballistic. "I hope that not only his house would be destroyed, but also the entire settlement!" And for a good measure he added, "And that the terrorist-settlers will be dispersed into the four corners of the world.” He was using the Hebrew term "mitnahablim," which is a coined word that rhymes with “settlers” but means terrorists.
One of the students at his department, who distributed the petition but preferred to maintain his anonymity, was outraged. "He is entitled to his views and could erase the email, but we were shocked by a reaction of an academic whose salary is paid by a public institution.” Pines himself was unrepentant. He told Ma'ariv: "This is my position. I replied not as a lecturer, but as a person who holds a political opinion. I am in favor of a complete annihilation of the settlements' project and a return to the Green Line. The Hills Youth are my enemies.”
Pines is proud of his ideological convictions. When he lived in Kiev, the town of his birth, he did not at first believe Soviet propaganda about Israel. But he was quick to change his mind and "adopted anti-Zionist stands" upon his arrival to his parents' adopted new country. In the early 1970's, at the age of 15, he realized that "much of the Soviet criticism was not based on lies, but had a solid background,” as he once claimed on a website called "G21.”
On the other hand, he claims he was "wise enough" not to be brainwashed by Israeli propaganda. "I was – and remained heretofore – disgusted with official propaganda which portrayed Palestinians as a backward nation incapable of producing anything but coward terrorists.” And he went on: "I was even disgusted and astonished by the belief in Jews being the 'chosen people', in the 'eternal Jewish rights' and the need of all Jews to gather in Palestine."
In his disgust, the Hebrew University senior lecturer concluded that he must be a member of the worst anti-nationalistic organization in the country and joined the Stalinist Israeli Communist Party. Before he started his military duty he had informed the IDF that he would never serve beyond the Green Line or 1967 border. Pines elaborated: "A French soldier in Algeria, a US soldier in Vietnam, an Israeli soldier in the West Bank or Lebanon may claim that he is serving the country, but in fact he is a criminal, and serves criminal ends.” He added that he "would never join forces that shoot demonstrators, and would never perform any other kind of dirty job, such as serving at the checkpoints aimed to prevent Palestinians from moving on to their land…" He obviously does not see any other use for the checkpoints that have foiled so many suicide bombing attempts.
"The future of Israel is evidently post-Zionist"
As a conscript Pines served six months in military jails and then two more prison terms when he was a reservist. He also refused to participate in the 1982 Lebanon war. He confessed to have demanded longer jail sentences as part of a public opinion stunt, but the IDF avoided the trick and eventually sent him to serve in the Negev, before dropping him from the service role altogether.
Pines was a "trouble maker" not only as a soldier, but also as a student. In the 1980's he was twice put on disciplinary probation following his participation in "massive violet protests" and "assaults on security guards," which he organized on Mount Scopus.
As a lecturer, he did not miss any opportunity to urge his colleagues and students to follow in his footsteps. He was one of 287 Israeli academics who signed a petition in which they expressed "admiration and support of those of our students and lecturers who refuse to serve as soldiers in the occupied territories." Army service was described by them as "carrying out orders that have no place in a democratic society founded on the sanctity of human life." In other words, the army has nothing to do with preventing Arabs from massacring Jews.
In June 2001 he signed a petition in support of arch-traitor Azmi Bishara's infamous speech in Damascus, the same Bishara that expressed his loyalty to the Hizbullah and fled the country following his support of the terror organization during the second Lebanon war. Bishara fed the Hizbullah intelligence information to assist it in shooting rockets at Israeli targets.
As a true believer in Bolshevism, Pines accepted unchallenged not only Soviet propaganda, but also the Chinese disinformation. The oppression of Tibet? The persecution of the Falun Gong sect? Human right abuses? Those are all "pure fiction,” insists the learned Hebrew University scholar! During the Olympic Games in Beijing last year he wrote an article in Haaretz in which he accused the West of envy. And why? Because China is different, yellow and threatening, above all successful. The critics of China are nothing more but "cynical racists" and "ignoramuses" that spread "half truths" and "unexamined clichés.” He even rebuked those who condemn China's assistance of Sudan’s actions in Darfur. The real villains are of course the Americans in Iraq and the Israelis in the territories.
He adds: "The Americans are white, and therefore are entitled to speak in the name of democracy and Christian compassion. It can not be helped that the Chinese are too different and therefore always guilty.” And as for Israel, he has no doubt that its future "is evidently post-Zionist.” He believes that it is about time to dismantle the settlements that threaten to cut economic ties with her. All for the "long-term interest of the country.”
And this is a university professor, promoting Stalinist anti-Zionism, at an Israeli university funded by the Israeli taxpayer…
Any criticism of Obama is racism. Even Jimmy Carter says so
first of all, I didn't write the statement above, "Any criticsm of Obama is racism. Even Jimmy Carter says so." Someone evidently is trying a little covert racist trick. There's so much media hoopla over the "bow' by President Barack H. Obama, primarily negative remarks by wingnut haters. To be truthful, there have been statements of concerns by some who describe themselves as supporters. There are commentators who claim that President Obama is the first president to ever bow to a foreign leader, and they are the ones who claimed to be embarrassed by the president bowing. I will hold my personal thoughts and opinions regarding the meeting with the Japanese leader until he addresses the matter, and at some point, he will. For those at Fox News, and followers of Rush Limbaugh, President Obama isn't the first president to "bow" before a foreign dignitary: President Clinton bowed to Emperor Akhito, President Nixon bowed to Akihito's father Emperor Hirohito, eisenhower bowed to French President Charles De Gaulle, and President Bush held handswith and kissed, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. To the racial dividers and haters of America remember, the voters have already spoken. They wanted change, and their biggest concern is that it isn't happening fast enough.
The rabbi's comments above are a shanda.
To:Rita Cooper--Please explain..
lw