On 2009-Jan-28, at 22:08, Roger Howard wrote: >> And that's the sad/cynical feeling that lingers for me as I watch all >> the enthusiasm about Obama: there is not going to be a great deal of >> change. > > I completely disagree. As much as I was cynical about Obama early > on, I > find him now to be inspirational and I'm more hopeful than ever - he > knows > how to communicate, and in this age that is golden. > > Sure, not everything will change - dogs will still chase cats, > Democrats > and Republicans will still lock horns. But everything doesn't have to > change for their to be important change - I do believe in the power > and > importance, if only symbolic, of the US and the importance that we > reclaim > our legitimacy as symbolic leaders in the cause of freedom and > equality. I > believe if we stand for anything as a society, we ought to be > promoting > that around the world - I don't see human rights as relative, peace as > quaint, reason and intelligence as elitist, and I think we need to > use our > power to promote our values through all peaceful means. I think > Obama gets > this - he has stated it far more clearly and believably than I have > seen > any other major leader in this era of political cynicism. > > To top it off, not only do I dig his values and ideas, but I think his > gift for communication is potent, the sign of true leadership. If > anyone > can put words to action I think it's him. > > One thing I've often remarked to my friends about is - all my dislike > about Bush aside - as a leader I think Bush was exceptionally poor, > perhaps with the exception of September 12, 2001. He failed, almost > entirely, to connect with the nation for most of his term - he shied > from > the press instead of using them; he rarely confronted Congress, rarely > made unscripted appearances. I don't see Obama having this problem > at all > - and since I happen to largely dig his politics, I'm excited to see > the > combination in action.
I *am* impressed with Obama as an individual leader. You guys picked the right man there. [readers of a sensitive disposition may wish to look away now] What is not impressive is the American people, whom Obama has to be careful not to upset. Obama is likely as clever and capable as Tony Blair. Blair tried really hard to implement Third Way politics (a term some people think means "compromise" between Left and Right, but I mean the other proper meaning: a synthesis beyond Left and Right) But when Blair was faced with really tough problems, when he was dealing with rogue leaders, like Bush, he came unstuck. The best manageable course of action was his undoing. Obama will likely get one or two shots at doing the right thing. Then the people will make him toast. Stefano _______________________________________________ OSX-Nutters mailing list | [email protected] http://lists.tit-wank.com/mailman/listinfo/osx-nutters List hosted at http://cat5.org/
