Imagine a leader.

So Bush played guitar, went to a fundraiser, golfed, and did a few photo-ops.  I can't feel the "outrage" emotion anymore, just a dull thud as another "this is so very wrong" moment hits me in the brain.

My mind has wandered elsewhere tonight though - what should a president do?  If this were someone competent, what would be done?  I'd like to spend a few hours of my time fantasizing about this alternate reality, where a leader leads and things get done.

Think back to 9/11, and Giuliani.  Say what you will about the man's politics, he got things done that day.  Police, Fire, Red Cross, Hospitals, Relief Efforts, Rescue Efforts, Communicating With The Public.  He was a leader.

Imagine a leader this past week.  A leader who screams at his staff "I don't care how it gets done, just save those people!".  A leader who has every boat in the area commandeered to save the refugees, and a coordinated effort to place those refugees once they're out of the city.

A leader who gets food and water to the people still waiting - and doesn't just say he's gotten it there.

A leader who says "screw my personal airspace, help these people!"

A leader who can't sleep at night - let alone play golf - knowing there's even more he can do to help a city that's nearly wiped off the map.

Imagine, if you will, a leader who leapt into action when duty called, and acted as a president should.  A leader who acted presidential.

Imagine a leader.

•  As I have been commenting

  since I read Viggo Mortensen's post via LBK, "Where is our Aragorn?"

  by immortalmikey on Mon Sep 05, 2005 at 03:13:22 AM PDT

  •  "Stand, America!!"

    Hold your ground! Hold your ground!

    Sons and daughters of Lafitte, of Jackson, of Armstrong, my brothers and sisters,

    I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.

    A day may come when the courage of the nation fails,

    when we forsake our friends

    and break all bonds of fellowship,

    but it is not this day.

    An hour of wolves and shattered shields,

    when the age of America comes crashing down,

    but it is not this day!

    This day we fight!!

    By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,

    I bid you stand, America!!!!

    by deepfish on Mon Sep 05, 2005 at 07:14:50 AM PDT

•  Will we ever see one again?

  I think we need to make every candidate who runs for office take a test on the constitution.  They also need to take an IQ test.  Then we need to get all the money out of politics.  They spend milions and millions and the best we can get is Bush?  We now live with political ads 24/7, 365.  I want to get rid of them too.  It's time to give each candidate a bus, a specific amount of money and let them hit the road.  

  The most important job in our country and the only qualification a person needs is to have enough money to run?  Enough money to be made over by the right people.  Enough money to have people right the correct speeches for you?  The way we elect a President stinks to high heaven.  Now that the Repubs own Diebold, I bet we see a lot of sow's ears turned into Presidents.

  by CD in TX on Mon Sep 05, 2005 at 03:39:14 AM PDT

•  A Leader Would Also. . .

  recognize this disaster as a huge warning sign that America needs to change course and start doing something serious to deal with global warming and environmental degradation. A leader would guide society toward a sustainable future rather than line the pockets of his cronies.

  We can dream can't we?

  by MMinNY on Mon Sep 05, 2005 at 03:58:31 AM PDT

•  Bush IS a leader.

  He's leading us straight to hell.  Now, imagine a leader who can lead us back.

  by ABBinMI on Mon Sep 05, 2005 at 04:24:05 AM PDT

  •  No, he's not.

    I understand what you're trying to say, but he's not leading us anywhere.  He's sitting idly by while others come in and do whatever the hell they want.

    by Rinaldo on Mon Sep 05, 2005 at 05:27:18 AM PDT