Posted on 04/29/2009 6:18:44 PM PDT by seanmerc
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama’s 100 days in office have not shaken the world, but he has been compelled to focus on the legacy bequeathed by former President George W. Bush: the worst economic slump since the Great Depression and two wars.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, avoiding any credibility-destroying urge to praise his boss with ridiculous extravagance, gives the president a "B-plus" on his report card. "What the president has achieved is something we’re proud of," Gibbs said, adding: "There is room for improvement."
Probably the biggest change Obama has brought about is the country’s new hopeful spirit, an attitude that we can deal with these problems and that government action can help solve society’s ills.
That view is in sharp contrast to the Republican political philosophy that government is the problem. That laissez faire perception led us down the garden path -- to the extent that our present economic crisis was brought about by the loosening of regulations on business and banking.
In his short time as the nation’s chief executive, Obama has rammed through Congress a nearly $800-billion stimulus package and started the ball rolling in health care reform, energy and education.
Among his legislative victories was passage of a bill to expand child health insurance -- which Bush had vetoed -- and a bill ensuring equal pay for women workers. He also reversed limits on stem cell research and is moving ahead to fight global warming and other environmental challenges.
Domestically, he is living up to his promise of "change" but on the war front, he is following in the footsteps of Bush, who to this day has not explained his tragic decision to invade Iraq.
Obama expects to pull American combat troops out of Iraq by August 2010 but will keep 50,000 U.S. military men and women there -- just in case.
But he is repeating Bush’s huge mistake by sending thousands more Americans into the Afghanistan quagmire. The tribal religious extremists know their impossible turf of caves and mountains far better than any American could possible learn.
Just ask the heavily armed Russians who were forced to retreat in the 1980s after several years of bitter fighting there. And before them in the 19th century, the British conquerors learned the same painful lesson.
If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to repeat them.
Now we hear that the U.S. is building a mammoth embassy in Kabul, supposedly a symbol of long-term commitment, just as we did in Baghdad. The questions are: Why? And what price are we willing pay in human and financial costs to maintain our long-term neo-colonial presence there?
Obama has already made several trips abroad to embellish America’s image with allies and foes. He has won respect from world leaders by banishing torture of prisoners and by releasing damaging Bush administration legal memos designed to justify the abuse of captives at prisons under our control.
Obama is using his honeymoon to reach out and start new chapters in relationships with those who were enemies of past U.S. regimes.
He has already started edging toward an eventual diplomatic relationship again with Cuba.
Reversing the tide after 47 years of hostility with the island nation 90 miles from Florida, Obama is now permitting travel between Cuban-Americans and their families and allowing financial support to families in Cuba.
Obama also wants to "reset" relations with Russia and plans to start out with disarmament talks to shrink the nuclear arsenals of both superpowers.
He will travel to Moscow in July to seal a new arms reduction treaty and to confirm a new post-Cold War relationship.
On the incendiary Middle East, Obama faces a major problem if he pushes a two-state solution and demands a halt to the Israeli land grab for more settlements on the West Bank, a step he should take. The new Tel Aviv government is dominated by hardliners opposed to a Palestinian state.
Obama has established himself as the man in command. His eloquence which enchanted the nation during his presidential campaign remains his chief asset and he is out on the road at least once a week to bring his bully pulpit to the public.
His speeches are laced with the big "I" to stress who is in charge. Outwardly he maintains his cool and self restraint. He’s walking softly and trying to carry a big stick.
Was that the Air Force One that was over New York City?
I think I’ll run a few of these off and post them around the edges of the property to scare the coyotes away.
yuck
Hideous.
She is a sycophant for certain, but that face requires me to spell it sick-o-phant.
But I have the greatest respect for the reporter Helen Thomas. She seems to have lived a very active and wonderful life.
Sorry, but I am deeply saddened by the many cruel messages about Ms. Thomas’ picture.
I have several relatives who are as old as Ms. Thomas, and who also show how terrible the aging process can be.
Still, I love them dearly, and they bring joy to my life just by being here.
I have nothing more to say.
Will do.
Oh that’s right. All the networks plus (PBS, etc) had to AGAIN show Uh-bama for every freakin’ speech the overrated commie gives.
That’s the way I take it. Or Obama should...
Ergo, you are a troll.
Thanks for saying what I was thinking, Laz.
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