Call me Pollyanna if you will; critique and criticism invited; kindness and good manners appreciated.
Recent attendance at Mr. Moore’s latest movie with a small group of close friends evoked widely ranging emotions and thoughts in us, one self-described democratic socialist decrying that no one in the departing audience appeared to be heading immediately out to wreck protest and havoc upon those most at blame for the situations so vividly depicted in the film and, after some general discussion, later asking, "What has Obama done, really?" When this was answered somewhat vaguely by the more moderate amongst us, he continued a bit sarcastically with "He makes you feel good!"
I remained quiet, my support of the current president being quite well known as, although retiring after the inauguration all the buttons, shirts and bumper stickers I’d sported for more than two years previously, along about June I’d brought out the Obama Biden button and begun wearing it regularly as my way of countering the terrorist fear-mongering illiteristocracy blatantly encouraged and sometimes actively supported by sensationalist media attention.
I also remained quiet ‘cause I DO feel good about finally having a thoughtful, decent, intelligent grownup as president of America who generally surrounds himself with, and appoints to responsible positions, others who are also competent and hard working. Mostly, however, I was silent because I’m very slow to call to mind and verbalize specific points like those accomplishments recently and coherently noted in many other DK diaries and stories. It’s only now, days later while relaxing in an early morning bath, that my response comes to mind, albeit somewhat roundaboutedly...
My very independent mother, whose parenting deficits I have described previously but who also was deserving of some credit, did not believe in training wheels ... or perhaps they were not even available in the early 50s of my childhood. We lived, not in a mobile home estate with pavement and landscaping, but in a small trailer "park" maintained on dirt in what was undoubtedly a poor area of town. Thus, after she’d held the bike while I’d mounted, then let go, my first solo attempt on the newly acquired two-wheeler landed me in a fairly deep mud puddle. Surprised but unhurt, I do not remember tears but a warm loving hug and being helped to remount. Perhaps she held onto me a bit longer for, although there was a great deal of wobbling, I do not recall any further falls...
When my own son was ready for his first two-wheeler I dithered about the training wheels, but accepted the suggestion of the dealer to use only one. The home in which he and I were staying had a deck long enough for him to ride several yards upon and the extra wheel kept him from falling, but also allowed only the briefest moment in which to experiment before artificially giving him support in lieu of the balance he hadn’t yet learned to acquire for himself.
So he’d been working at it for some days before his visiting father, a man of height, strength and ingenuity far different from my own, simply held loosely onto the bike as he walked alongside our riding son for a long enough time to give the boy a "feel" for what his body needed to do to produce stability. Took about five minutes.
Once in office, our current president was most often accused of doing too much, packing too much in. Now the meme seems to be that he has done and is doing nothing and, gosh, he’s already had nine months!
He’s being criticized, often by supporters, for not having done (whatever). Most often, my view is (whatever) hasn’t gotten done ... yet. He’s disdained for following democratic principles and process – for not having acted unlawfully and coercively in the manner of the previous, Cheney-led, administration.
We’ve heard him speak of transparency in the context of his administration. I think what he’s allowing, even encouraging, is the transparency of ALL of the American people.
People of ill will and hatred, greedily desiring to exploit power and wishing to destroy others’ freedoms have always been among us – their leeway given now to be more in the public eye frequently interpreted as their being tolerated, even sanctioned and condoned. I, however, believe and observe that people of intelligence and good will are thereby now increasingly more aware of them, more vigilant, speaking up louder and reacting more strongly against them as well.
I think this president has unfailing belief in the fundamental decency, good will and charitability of the vast majority of all who call ourselves Americans, that personal greed will be subdued, common sense will prevail and that, given time, opportunity and the truth via transparency, we will act for the common good.
When I’m not in the grip of lies and panic, I believe this too. I do firmly believe in us personally fulfilling our responsibilities to do all we can to better America. Don’t you -- at least most of the time? We did well by electing this president; we only need continue to work FOR what needs be done. This doesn’t preclude criticism ... merely urges continued support for what is just.
I'm not a community organizer. But I believe in them.
Thanks for listening. Peace out.