"Promises and pie crust are made to be broken." (Jonathan Swift)

.....In response to Rho's son Jon's comment on the previous blog, basically staying that Barack Obama "hasn't accomplished anything yet" let me say that Jon needs to read the newspaper a little more carefully. Changing the world takes time, let alone changing America in eleven months. (And I don't believe Jon meant, in "11 days". ) Impatient and critical ones must remember that we have three branches in our government and Obama in the executive branch must deal with the partisan politics in the legislative branch in order to accomplish every promise he has made. You can't just become president and turn into a dictator overnight. Dictators can promise anything and fulfill their promises in the blinking of an eye; and their critics wind up on a scaffold. Therefore, before blowing off a lot of steam, a person has the responsibility to check the facts, to find the truth, and not succumb to myths.

.....So let's just give the man credit for the things he has accomplished in less than a year, and done so much for so many in only his first eleven months in office:
.....Obama plans for all combat troops in Iraq to be completely withdrawn by Aug. 31, 2010.

....He has already banned lobbyist gifts to executive branch employees and reformed automobile emission standards.
....He reversed restrictions against stem cell research measures.
.....He’s made strides to improve small business, such as expanding loan programs, and creating new financial regulations.
.....Obama has been pushing for change in health care--and even with the virulent opposition of the No Party, there will be a health care bill insuring coverage for every American, even though the bill may not include everything Obama has fought for.

.....He has pushed for changes in the credit card industry, alternative energy and energy conservation, and more.
.....Obama is doing what he can to put an end to torture as well, as he signed an executive order on torture and extreme rendition way back in January.

.....He has lifted restrictions on Americans to visit and provide money to relatives in Cuba.

.....He has appointed a Republican to his cabinet--as promised.

.....He bought a puppy for his two daughters--as promised.

..... Obama created a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners.

......And today he has pledged to reverse the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy against gays in the military.

.....As promised, he made a speech at a major Islamic forum to convince them that we are not at war with them.

.....He has met with leaders in the Middle East

.....And also for his attempts to calm the nuclear aspirations of Iran and N.Korea through diplomacy, before using the big stick, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, and what kind of experts are we to quarrel with those who chose him over all others?

.....Getting it was not one of his promises.