Tuesday, January 20, 2009

No place to hide today

It's all Obama, all the time. The Obamathon. The WSJ has an editorial, "The Opacity of Hope," which really, really tries to put the best spin on this presidency. I'm just looking for a place where the TV and slavish-slurpy admirers won't be out in force--I have to be out of the house most of the day, so there's no place to hide. I'm surprised that Soros and Moveon haven't constructed flatscreen TV billboards throughout the cities and countryside so people can watch while they drive. Phrases from the WSJ with my comments:
    his heritage: Little is said about his European roots and middle class life--raised by his white grandmother who was a bank vice president--a plus for all the grandparents, black and white, who step up to do what needs to be done when parents have failed; a teen mother, absentee, polygamous father--yes, this too can be overcome if the government gets out of the way.

    his rhetorical skills: This one really baffles me. Do whites never listen to black preachers on Sunday morning? He can't even come close to the power, rhythm, KJV language and parables of hope--probably because it doesn't come naturally--he had to learn it as an adult, and the ear for imitation is never as good at that age. Do most rhetoricians stammer when off teleprompter?

    first class temperament: Has no one at WSJ seen his flashes of anger when cornered by a lie, even by a plumber? His hatchet men were immediately sent out to destroy the little guy who dared to question him. I see he also has no patience in press conference when there is the audacity to step outside the MSM carefully drawn guidelines of obsequiousness and lackeydom.

    self-confidence: Self delusion comes to mind. I'm guessing he's quite surprised to be where he is, considering he'd set his sights on being Mayor of Chicago. Others on the far left saw more in him for their purposes than he did--when they saw the effect of his 2004 speech at the Democratic convention, how the crowd was moved to tears, after he'd said those same phrases many times to black audiences in Illinois, with little impact--they began to rub their hands with glee--"here's how we'll do this."

    smooth transition: Yes, because Bush continues that precedent of being gracious and helpful, something that all our out-going presidents have done. Also, it doesn't hurt that he's surrounded himself with Clintonites who've had 8 years experience and never left the plantation.

    first black president: first Hawaiian president, first offspring of an African, first president born in the 60s, first president with such shallow experience. All presidents come with "firsts." JFK was the first Roman Catholic, and we haven't had any since. There are lots of firsts, but the hoop-la about being black is the one that mystifies me the most. I never once doubted that we'd have a black president in my life-time, although as the civil rights industry grew and expanded in the 80s and 90s, I was feeling less confident as black people were being held back by the very people encouraging them to eat only slops at the victimhood trough.

    historical symbol, walking affirmation of opportunity: Obama has defied the entire civil rights movement, the whole black power bleat--beat them at their own political game and sought help from whitey, the Chicago machine and terrorists moved maintstream. WSJ editors need to read some presidential biographies, not his two autobiographies written before he'd accomplished a thing. He's not a Lincoln who grew up without education; or FDR who over came a physical disability to rise to the heights of power; or the son of a rich and powerful bootlegger turned respectable; or a dirt poor, crude Texan who learned the political ropes with powerful mentors and a refined, classy wife; or a peanut farmer with a naval education and ambition, or a handsome radio announcer turned movie star from tiny Dixon, Illinois. There's nothing remarkable about Obama except the hysteria--particularly from whites clawing and grasping for release from a prison of a sordid history they had no part in making. I'm not the least bit surprised at the pride and love the African-Americans are showing him--they've longed for this recognition on the world stage and at home that they are indeed "somebody." Having Jesse Jackson shout it was nice, but for them, this is the real thing. For white liberals, I say, step back and take a deep breath. This is your creation. Tomorrow it's business as usual.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Then you won't be hearing much from me in the next 8 years...this is very sad. You are the only friend of mine that hasn't been happy for me...such is my regret.This last hurrah has made me very happy...I can face dowm my next cancer knowing I did some special things in my life and this was the last of them... Peace has come to this old gal"At Last"...God Bless you,Norma... and always remember you are loved....your oldest of friends...Lynne

Norma said...

Your party lens has made you misread what I've written--not a thing in here about your loyalty to Obama, or your joy in seeing him elected. You worked very hard, and it is the little guys like you who should have been flown first class to DC and put up in a hotel for the festivities. No one deserved it more than you.

Anonymous said...

You forget "cusp of change." that one is my favorite. Like we've never had change before.

R. L. said...

Obama is not the offspring of an African President. If you're referring to Raila Odinga, then you've got it doubly wrong.

1) Odinga is Prime Minister. Not President.

2) Odinga says he is a first cousin (not father) of Barack. Barack's uncle, however, denies that they are related at all.

Deb said...

Well said, as usual.

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

I tend to agree with you Norma on most, if not all of this.
I'm saddened by the first comment.
Are we not allowed to disagree with Obama? I'm a conservative and have had my beliefs smacked around the last 8 years. I've taken it like a lady. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. Unless you're conservative in this country or unless you disagree with Obama. For those two issues the 1st ammendment doesn't seem apply.

Norma said...

RL--I meant resident, not president. Thanks for catching that. Or, simply African would have fit better.

Anonymous said...

If the performers can't sing the words right they shouldn't be paid. And that hat!

Anonymous said...

Booing of President Bush by the crowd showed a real class act. Hope. Change.

Norma said...

The newest debate in blog-land is which one flubbed the oath, the chief justice or the new president. I actually did hear it (couldn't get out of ear shot) and it sounded from the kitchen where I was serving soup like Obama didn't repeat correctly and then they both got mixed up. See what I mean about the teleprompter? I would have thought they would practice that part after spending $160 million for this party.

Norma said...

From Rob at Say Anything blog: http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/obama_flubs_the_oath_of_office/ "For all the grief Bush got for being a poor public speaker (eight years of the left and media calling him stupid), at least he got the oath of office right. Will the left call Obama stupid too for his speaking gaffes?

Don’t count on it. He’s The One. . .

But what’s ironic is that Obama was elected thanks to a flashy campaign that was long on soaring rhetoric and flashy stage craft and short on substance. With Obama, Americans chose form over substance. But the guy can’t string five words together without a teleprompter.

Hilarious."

Anonymous said...

Via Drudge: The crowd packed on the west side of the Capitol grounds serenaded President Bush in mocking fashion when he took to the inaugural stage alongside Vice President Dick Cheney.

"Nah nah nah nah, hey hey, good-bye," a section of the crowd chanted.

And how about that black preacher's prayer! How embarrassing for the entire country--is he a Wright stand-in?