Posted on 10/29/2009 3:54:21 PM PDT by jazusamo
Many years ago, at a certain academic institution, there was an experimental program that the faculty had to vote on as to whether or not it should be made permanent.
I rose at the faculty meeting to say that I knew practically nothing about whether the program was good or bad, and that the information that had been supplied to us was too vague for us to have any basis for voting, one way or the other. My suggestion was that we get more concrete information before having a vote.
The director of that program rose immediately and responded indignantly and sarcastically to what I had just said-- and the faculty gave him a standing ovation.
After the faculty meeting was over, I told a colleague that I was stunned and baffled by the faculty's fierce response to my simply saying that we needed more information before voting.
"Tom, you don't understand," he said. "Those people need to believe in that man. They have invested so much hope and trust in him that they cannot let you stir up any doubts."
Years later, and hundreds of miles away, I learned that my worst misgivings about that program did not begin to approach the reality, which included organized criminal activity.
The memory of that long-ago episode has come back more than once while observing both the actions of the Obama administration and the fierce reactions of its supporters to any questioning or criticism.
Almost never do these reactions include factual or logical arguments against the administration's critics. Instead, there is indignation, accusations of bad faith and even charges of racism.
Here too, it seems as if so many people have invested so much hope and trust in Barack Obama that it is intolerable that anyone should come along and stir up any doubts that could threaten their house of cards.
Among the most pathetic letters and e-mails I receive are those from people who ask why I don't write more "positively" about Obama or "give him the benefit of the doubt."
No one-- not even the President of the United States-- has an entitlement to a "positive" response to his actions. The entitlement mentality has eroded the once common belief that you earned things, including respect, instead of being given them.
As for the benefit of the doubt, no one-- especially not the President of the United States-- is entitled to that, when his actions can jeopardize the rights of 300 million Americans domestically and the security of the nation in an international jungle, where nuclear weapons may soon be in the hands of people with suicidal fanaticism. Will it take a mushroom cloud over an American city to make that clear? Was 9/11 not enough?
When a President of the United States has begun the process of dismantling America from within, and exposing us to dangerous enemies outside, the time is long past for being concerned about his public image. He has his own press agents for that.
Internationally, Barack Obama has made every mistake that was made by the Western democracies in the 1930s, mistakes that put Hitler in a position to start World War II-- and come dangerously close to winning it.
At the heart of those mistakes was trying to mollify your enemies by throwing your friends to the wolves. The Obama administration has already done that by reneging on this country's commitment to put a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe and by its lackadaisical foot-dragging on doing anything serious to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. That means, for all practical purposes, throwing Israel to the wolves as well.
Countries around the world that have to look out for their own national survival, above all, are not going to ignore how much Obama has downgraded the reliability of America's commitments.
Iraq, for example, knows that Iran is going to be next door forever while Americans may be gone in a few years. South Korea likewise knows that North Korea is permanently next door but who knows when the Obama administration will get a bright idea to pull out? Countries in South America know that Hugo Chavez is allying Venezuela with Iran. Dare they ally themselves with an unreliable U.S.A.? Or should they join our enemies to work against us?
This issue is too serious for squeamish silence.
The author has masterful insight.
right on the money
BAD TIME TO BE TAIWANESE, I’d say...
I wonder what that experimental program was that led to organized criminal activity.
A great column, as usual.
The man skewers the folly of the left in one succinct sentence. Genius.
I have no idea but he sure laid out the organized criminal activity of Obama and he’s been doing that for months and months, it’s a shame Obama’s supporters don’t read Dr. Sowell’s writings.
Obozo’s supporters block, discard and ignore any information that doesn’t fit into their leftist agenda. It’s a symptom of the mental disorder known as liberalism.
Sowell is really rock solid. The man would be a good role model for anyone.
You can say that again!
“Almost never do these reactions include factual or logical arguments against the administration’s critics.”
Well, we ARE dealing with LibTards, Mr. Sowell, LOL!
Thanks for the reminder! That’s one of his I haven’t read. I just reserved it from the library. They have ONE copy...and I’m the only one that wants it, LOL!
I’m surprised I have access to it, as I’m pretty much the only Conservative in my town; hence the ONE copy. I’m sure my busy-body Librarian is noting my file and alerted the authorities the moment I reserved it...however the bums and low-lives can look at PORN all day on her FREE (taxpayer funded!) computers.
*Rolleyes*
Excellent article that hits at the heart of all that is going on with Zero’s destruction of America plans.
“This issue is too serious for squeamish silence.”....AMEN!
Had this conversation with liberal family member last week - “Why is there so much negativity out there ...for “any” President”.
I said - of course - that didn’t seem to be a problem for all the Bush bashing and Bush derangement syndrome that went on nonstop for 8 years.
I also said - IT’S HIS POLICIES AND THOSE OF THE DEMS IN CONGRESS THAT PEOPLE OPPOSE AND ARE FRIGHTENED ABOUT.
I also said every President starting with George Washington has had its very harsh critics. PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND REACTION TO THE PRESIDENT ARE GOOD THINGS!
(my comments totally did not make a dent)
Then this person descended into hysterics about how people (she talks to) attack Michelle Obama’s LOOKS and RACE.
And how horrible that is.
I said, but, then, America ELECTED a BLACK _RESIDENT knowing about his BLACK WIFE and still elected them....so doesn’t that mean America is now proven to be beyond her charges of “racism”?
(I also don’t like the Michelle attacks - there is way too much serious stuff to go after as Dr. Sowell so well states.)
Anyway, how I do wish this NPR listening person would just once read one of Thomas Sowell’s essays....just once.
One panel member began a question with "Well, since you have such faith in the free market..." and Sowell corrected her immediately: "I have evidence about the free market."
Well said, especially about Michelle and there being too many serious things to criticize Zer0 on as Dr. Sowell has pointed out for a year and a half or so.
I’m lucky that only one family member is liberal and she has come around some over the last few years and I’ve noticed quite a change since Zer0 was elected and things aren’t going like he promised, guess she realized GWB wasn’t as bad as she thought.
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