A few words, if i may.
First, please know that yours is really the only political show that i still watch. In a sea of shallowness, mediocrity, ambulance chasing, ignorant and dishonest media, you're a true oasis. You make me think, you keep a proud and stubborn Obama supporter - honest. When you criticize him, which happens a lot, it always gives me a pause. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't – but you always get me to think. Because I know that behind everything you say – even if your agenda is wide open – there's a real work of journalism. Facts, perspective, historical context and admirable integrity.
And you never go with the herd.
When the memo was that president Obama hasn't done anything in his first year, you came back with this winning segment. The day it was announced that he won the Nobel Peace Prize and pundits fought over who will mock him more – you came with this brilliant piece of historical context and reality based commentary. In my eyes, you're a legend in the making, Cronkite caliber potential. When everyone around you turns into nothing more than ratings-chasing-comedians – just look how Keith Olberman transformed from Edward Murrow wannabe to a clown – you actually makes Murrow proud.
That is why I was really disappointed with your reaction to president Obama's address last night. Because you know better. You know history. You know what he's up against – and I'm not even talking about him spending most of his first 18 months only trying to change the Titanic' course – I'm talking about changing decades worth of conservative, corporate corruption, free-market-slavery, government-hating country. You know what he's up against in Congress. You know how powerful the oil industry is. You know what FDR and LBJ had to do in order to pass the greatest legislation – while having a much much easier time with their Congress (and not having to deal with the 24/7 news cycle). You know why it's been 100 years worth of battle, and still there is no universal health care in America. You know all that.
And, you know exactly to whom last night address was directed. It wasn't for you. You don't need to hear any of it. You know that oil addiction is a disaster and that switching to clean energy is crucial. This was for the tens of millions who hardly know anything other than drill baby drill, who were brainwashed for decades that government is the reason for all that is bad. People who became incredibly confused over the past month, when instead of getting the important information from the media, got the stupidest "issue" ever: why isn't the president showing anger???!!!
President Obama spoke for 18 minutes last night. He came to put the chaos in some order, to tell people what happened, what is being done and what should be done in the near future. To explain them – in simple words, as we all know that usually he's too much of a professor, blah, blah, blah.... – why energy reform is so crucial. To show empathy for the people in the Gulf, to reassure them they'll be compensated and generally just to calm everyone down – while not forgetting to point the finger at those who stole the Oval Office for 8 years and caused this whole mess.
Was it a memorable speech? No. was it effective? Well, if you had listen to callers on C-Span last night – people who usually have no better hobby than shredding this president to pieces – you'd say yes, it was. They actually got what he said, many of them said that he was calm and gave them confidence, that they understand now that something must be done. These are the people who needs to be convinced, who needs to call Congress. This is the dirty and ugly face of reality. Jimmy Carter gave a memorable Oval Office address, which was followed by, more or less, nothing palpable over the next 30 years. President Obama gave a very simple address, definitely by his standards, but he may actually get something historically done. That's the true meaning of progress. And you know that too.
Dear Rachel, i don't expect anything anymore from virtually no one in the media. It all became one big circus; But you, you are my shelter. Please don't join the village.
With endless respect.
