…..This is the only country that deliberately started with a good idea, born in a Revolution and fired by patriotism. Whatever happened to “patriotism”? When President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, instead of evidential patriotic pride that an American was chosen, there appeared much wringing of hands, more gorges rising, more lamentation and dismay, more criticism from the right wing No-Party, more cringing editorials, more letters to the editor from know-nothings and racists, than any show of patriotism that I could discover.
…..One would think that we were in a foreign country, irate because one of theirs was not chosen. And whatever happened to “…and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea”? Like Petrucchio in “Kiss me Kate” I asked myself, “Where is the life that late I led?” I remember the patriotic fervor that once swept over our country instead of the rancor that envelops it now. Naval commander Stephen Decatur, in a toast given at a banquet in Norfolk, Virginia said, "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong." Perhaps this is somewhat chauvinistic, so what’s wrong with a little of chauvinism now and then?
…..The Republican National Committee Chairman stated pontifically, as is his wont, that Obama won the Nobel prize on “star” power. In an editorial I read today the editor said he is right; ”…that it was a waste of an opportunity to make a ‘star’ out of some courageous, worthy person, or cause, seeking to make a difference in a part of the world that needs change.”
…..Sounds like Obama to me.
…..Adlai Stevenson once remarked that America is more than a geographical fact; " .....it is a political and moral fact, the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality." Well, I feel that a responsible government would find a way in this country of countries to see to it that every American has access to health insurance; if not, then it is morally deficient. It cannot allow insurance companies—or the supporters of insurance companies to influence our Congress to pass a weak health reform bill, where indigent Americans have no place to turn when they turn sick. What could be more government immorality than that? Teddy Roosevelt got it right; “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”
…..and now, I pass my soap box on to another American with an idea. BARON
…..One would think that we were in a foreign country, irate because one of theirs was not chosen. And whatever happened to “…and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea”? Like Petrucchio in “Kiss me Kate” I asked myself, “Where is the life that late I led?” I remember the patriotic fervor that once swept over our country instead of the rancor that envelops it now. Naval commander Stephen Decatur, in a toast given at a banquet in Norfolk, Virginia said, "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong." Perhaps this is somewhat chauvinistic, so what’s wrong with a little of chauvinism now and then?
…..The Republican National Committee Chairman stated pontifically, as is his wont, that Obama won the Nobel prize on “star” power. In an editorial I read today the editor said he is right; ”…that it was a waste of an opportunity to make a ‘star’ out of some courageous, worthy person, or cause, seeking to make a difference in a part of the world that needs change.”
…..Sounds like Obama to me.
…..Adlai Stevenson once remarked that America is more than a geographical fact; " .....it is a political and moral fact, the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality." Well, I feel that a responsible government would find a way in this country of countries to see to it that every American has access to health insurance; if not, then it is morally deficient. It cannot allow insurance companies—or the supporters of insurance companies to influence our Congress to pass a weak health reform bill, where indigent Americans have no place to turn when they turn sick. What could be more government immorality than that? Teddy Roosevelt got it right; “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”
…..and now, I pass my soap box on to another American with an idea. BARON
I find it rather ironic that Baron calls the Republican party "the NO-party", when for the 8 years that Bush was president, the Democratic party was EXACTLY the same way. such is the way of partisan politics.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that "we the people" should not allow the insurance companies to dictate what kind of health care reform bill passes in congress, and i also believe that people should have access to affordable health care, that doesn't discriminate or deny coverage because of either "pre-existing" conditions, or the cost of much needed treatment. I do not view it as a RIGHT, but as a service of a good government.
While i do tend to lean to the right, i cannot discount good ideas from those who lean to the left. To do so would be short sighted and myopic, which is not what our nation needs at this time.
Having served with FRIENDS in the military who are gay, I hope that Obama will do what he says and END "Don't ask, don't tell" with a stroke of his pen on an EXECUTIVE ORDER, just like Truman did when he intergrated the military. Congress will argue over this for years to come, and Generals and Admirals active and retired will ALWAYS want the status quo.
and i will now step off my soapbox.
Jon: Baron cannot agree that during the 8 years of the Bush administration the Democratic party was "exactly" the same as the current NO PARTY. When Bush opted to send us to Iraq on a wild goose chase for WMDs many Democrats supported him -- unwisely. And during his 8 years, perhaps you can tell the Baron what legislation he passed that was beneficial to Americans that the Democratics said NO to???? Any accomplishments at all, except to alienate foreign countries until they hated us??? Baron waits.
ReplyDeleteNot only were the Dems not "exactly" like today's GOP, but one must also observe from the proper perspective. After 8 years of Clinton (Dem) rule, the country had a federal surplus, record employment rates, no wars, etc. The electorate rewarded this golden age by electing Gore to continue... oh wait, that's not the official version. Anyway, Bush took the country in a very different direction, even though he had no mandate to do so (receiving under 50% of the popular vote). The Dems did say "no" to such policies, and they pointed to their policies that had worked. After 8 years of Bush (GOP) rule, the country had record federal deficits, record UNemployment rates, two wars, and a Red Sox WS win. The electorate responded with an overwhelming defeat of the GOP, giving Obama a mandate for change. Now that Obama is taking the country in a different direction, the GOP is saying "no" to everything, but what are they pointing at? The Bush years?
ReplyDeleteThe GOP is saying NO to the biggesst expansion of the federal Gov't in the last 30 years. if Obama so so sure about his policies, why does he keep appointing "CZARS" who don't need senate conformation? why didn't he have both his treasury secretary, and Fed Reserve Chairman resign when it was PROVED they didn't pay taxes(like every other american), or when they KNEW more about the banking troubles earlier than they have let on. Or that they PRESSURED Bank of America to take a merger with wells fargo that they didn't want(by implying the board would all be fired).
ReplyDeleteface it both parties need an overhaul, and your comments and the fact that you HIDE behind "anonymous" show that you are to cowardly to admit it.
Hey, Jon-Are you talkin' to me?
ReplyDeleteBest regards, Baron
Jon, Are you talkin' to me?
ReplyDeleteI think he's talking at me. Jon, you really must check facts before you squawk parrot-like opinions. "Czars" is a media term for standard government practice that has existed since the 1930's. Obama's appointing a "czar" is not related to his confidence in his policies any more than your opinions are based on reality. Bush, in fact, made 46 "czar" appointments, compared to Obama's 35. Does that prove anything? No. Well, except that you didn't do any research. [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._executive_branch_czars]
ReplyDelete"The biggesst [sic] expansion of the federal Gov't in the last 30 years"? The recent federal budget increases spending by 22%. During the last year of Bush's reign, spending increased 25% Jon, which is a larger number: 22 or 25? According to the conservative Washington Times, "Under Mr. Bush, the size of government has grown by more than under any other U.S. president since President Roosevelt."
I could go on, but I don't want to take space away from the Baron's thoughts. You also should consider using up this space next time with informed facts instead of ignorant rants and insults. I'm not cowardly to admit that both parties need an overhaul; I'm not defending or attacking any party. If you feel that the facts I present seem to favor one party over another, maybe you should use that clue to form more intelligent conclusions than you reach through humming a Rush Limbaugh mantra.
Mr or Mrs anonymous, I have never and will never hum a Rush Limbaugh mantra. I equally despise both party extremes. I lean to the right on some issues and to the left on others. I just do not agree with his choice at Nobel Peace Prize winner. If this makes me "the enemy" so be it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i did not vote for President Obama, he became my President on inauguration day, and i have always wished him success. I do not agree with some of his policies, or how he arrived at them, but i wish him no ill will.
I felt his speech at the UN should have been more forceful, in its criticism of rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea. He should have challenged the UN to, instead of always condeming Isreal, they should also be condeming Iran and other Arab countries for supporting Terrorism.
I am fearful that he has forgotten history and his road to appeasment of our enemies will result in a world much like that before WW2. We have tried carrots with rogue nations before, to get them to give up their nuclear ambitions, with little or no positive result, we should tell the world that we ARE ready to use a stick in the future.
I do enjoy the healthy debate that the Barons blog has created, and will gladly continue this and any discussion.