One promise I made to myself, before I even started a blog, was that I would never use this blog to take up any sort of political agenda. Now mind you, I did reserve the right to change my mind. And I have. Just this once.
Last week, President Obama delivered a speech to the children of our nation. I am still reeling from the onslaught of rhetoric delivered by the nay sayers of the political party my father is affiliated with, and the subsequent upheaval of negativity which continued until long after the speech was delivered. (and is probably still going)
Mind you I will probably catch a little flack for what I am about to say, but, I can assure you; the flack will come from the same people. You know them; always saying it can’t be done.
I commend President Obama for one thing, that is his willingness to grab the health care situation here in the U.S. right by the nose, stare it straight in the eye and say “game on”. No fancy dance, or songs, or anything else for that matter. This is his call to action. Make it happen. Never before have I seen such a resolve to bring two opposing groups together to make something happen. For that Mr. President, you have my respect.
Most of what can be said about this has been summed up by a close friend of mine. Tom, you are right on the money, as usual.
Tom writes the day of President Obama’s speech:
“When I saw Barack Obama speak at the 2004 Democratic Convention I figured it was a matter of time before he’d be president. I took a pragmatic view. I thought that, even though his politics would be liberal (HOW liberal was still unknown back then), some good might come from having an African American president espousing the virtues of hard work and personal responsibility, especially among the segment of the population who would be most likely to hold him up as a role model, and would most need to hear it (for those of you haven’t mastered the rules of engagement as set out by the Huffington Post or MSNBC…I’m certain that statement makes me a racist).
Although I pretty much hate everything else he’s done since he took hold of the federal steering wheel and cranked it hard left, today was that moment that I gave him back in 2004. So while some on the right are going apoplectic because their kids will spend 20 minutes of alone time with the anointed one becoming obedient little socialists, I’m siding with Newt, Sean, Sykes and others who have read the speech and realize that it contains a message that kids in school need to hear. Truth is truth no matter who speaks it. And if Teachers’ Union and school board’s admiration for their president make it mandatory, then I say that’s OK by me.
There are plenty of issues to be critical of, but this ain’t one of ‘em. Certainly we’re capable using a little common sense, consideration and civility and not just going off in a blind rage because we hate everything that comes out of the White House. By not giving credit where credit is due, we end up looking like those on the left looked during the Bush administration.
As intelligent conservatives, we can do better.
I know you can do it.”
You can read the transcript of that speech at here.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
