"This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal." Pres. Obama's nomination victory speech in 2008
In 2008, Pres. Obama sold his message of Hope and Change to America and most of the globe After all, the Nobel Peace Prize was even bestowed upon him for his meaningless rhetoric. Yet, as most American now know, hope left town a long time ago as Obama danced to the first tee.
In so doing, the policies of the Obama administration and the political class have done little to heal the planet. If anything, one can reasonably argue this administration's failed domestic and foreign policies have opened more wounds than its healed. In fact, as I write this piece today:
- Ferguson, MO, is in turmoil where race and police relations continue to be tested.
- The Middle East is imploding.
- Our foreign diplomacy appears to be failing on every level with a loss of confidence among our allies.
- Our power as a nation appears to be insignificant and irrelevant.
- Our debt continues to grow at an alarming rate.
- Our economy continues to struggle.
- Our leaders appear to be overmatched by every challenge they've faced both domestically and internationally.
These are but a few of many examples we've witnessed in the last six years. And even when many events are beyond the control of any president, the lack of attention to even these issues is alarming.
Perhaps no greater example of this is what's occurring in Ferguson and Iraq this week. As both erupted, Mr. Obama was observed either putting or dancing at the Farm Neck Golf club on Martha's Vineyard with the well-healed 1%. To give you an example of how bad the optics are, the French foreign minister remarked: "When people are dying, you must come back from vacation." This from a guy whose citizens spend most of their lives on vacation.
Dana Milbank of the left-leaning Washington Post was obliged to write, "Even presidents need down time...but this decision to proceed with his getaway just 36 hours after announcing the military action in Iraq risks fueling the impression that he is detached as the world burns."
So if Pres. Obama took a moment to lend me an ear, I would suggest to him: Mr. President, get rid of the putter and dance shoes and---at a minimum---start acting like the leader of the Free World.
And I'd leave Mr. Obama with this advice from Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
