Posted on 12/24/2008 9:11:17 PM PST by Maelstorm
President-elect Barack Obama is asking the country to look to George Washington's improbable crossing on the Delaware River on Christmas Day as inspiration to get through current tough times.
Obama said in a holiday message that Washington and his army "faced impossible odds" as they fought against the British on Dec. 25, 1776, the day they surprised Hessian forces and won victories that gave new momentum and hope to American Independence.
Obama used that story to say that "hope endures and that a new birth of peace is always possible" even as many Americans are serving overseas and others have lost their jobs while the economy sinks deeper into the doldrums. Obama released his remarks Wednesday, when the government reported that new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week as layoffs spread.
The Labor Department said earlier this month that employers cut a net total of 533,000 jobs in November, sending the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent, the highest in 15 years.
"We know that millions of Americans don't have a job. Many more are struggling to pay the bills or stay in their homes. From students to seniors, the future seems uncertain," Obama said in his weekly radio remarks, which are scheduled to be broadcast Saturday morning.
The president-elect also offered support to Americans serving far away from loved ones during the holidays.
"This holiday season, their families celebrate with a joy that is muted, knowing that a loved one is absent, and sometimes in danger. In towns and cities across America, there is an empty seat at the dinner table," Obama said.
Referring to Washington's journey, he said "we have crossed many rivers as a people," and he said Americans can point their country in a new direction.
"Now, we must all do our part to serve one another; to seek new ideas and new innovation; and to start a new chapter for our great country," he said. "That is the spirit that will guide my administration in the new year."
Obama is currently vacationing in Hawaii, where he attended a memorial service for his grandmother Tuesday.
Hey come on.
Who’s to say Indonesians cannot be inspired by the bravery of George Washington?
After all, the protesting students in the days leading up to that ugly incident in Tian-an-Men Square in Beijing, erected a statue of lady liberty.
Some American principles transcend borders.
Now ... about that birth certificate.
I would suggest that Hussein walk across Delaware River to prove he is the ONE. He don’t need no stinking boats.
Obama is currently vacationing in Hawaii . . .
Obama can't have the slightest inkling what Washington and his troops went through; those experiences are absolutely beyond his comprehension. He can't even begin to imagine.
I thought he would be more inspired by the horde crossing the Rio Grande.
Tough times while he vacations in 3 mansions. Real nice.
Who's he kidding. This guy makes sunshine patriots look good.
>Now ... about that birth certificate.<
I am afraid that, unless he is forced to produce it, we shall never see it and will always keep on wondering who he really is. And don’t look at any of the three branches of government to help resolve the riddle—they’re all in it together.
Obama, on the other hand, hasn't got a clue and has never displayed an ounce of courage, as far as I know.
darn right they are in it together. they cover for each other just as they have for years.
Hell he would have aborted half the ship and we would have never made it.
He’s the rotten fruit of a thoroughly disfunctional upbringing. Kind of like produce grown in toxic Chinese sludge and then foisted upon unsuspecting consumers. No country of origin label. Beware.
I agree. Washington put his life on the line to see this Country through. For this jack-ass to bring up 57 states and his wife to declare she was never proud of this Country untill now is BS!
George Washington would be disgusted with Barack Obama who is radically pro-abortion, who surrounded himself with America-haters, who through his philosophy and voting record encourages dependence and slothfulness, and who has an antipathy to our military.
Obozo is spouting a lot of patriotic sounding rubbish because he knows full well that he intends to attack America and everything her Patriots fought for and loved about her.
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