busyRemarks of President Barack Obama's Weekly Address
Today, we are called to remember not only the day our country was born - we are also called to remember the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people.
Among the things I love about President Obama:
* He knows history and can use it to illustrate his points.
* He speaks in an uplifting manner, even in the face of great challenges, without denying that the challenges are indeed great. He makes overcoming those challenges feel possible.
* He doesn't just claim that America is great; he reminds us of what made America great, so that we may do more of it.
We have come a long way, through events bitter and sweet, shameful and glorious. It is a mighty accomplishment. America is not perfect, but that's understandable, because our country is a grand experiment and always has been. Even when we make mistakes, there is always another chance to do better, always the hope that next time we'll get it right. After all, the Universe is a patient teacher who keeps presenting tests until they are passed. The process may be frustrating but in the end it makes for stronger people and nations. Just the fact that America is still here is something to celebrate.
As a bard, part of my duty is to serve as a watchdog. I relay information; I point out important matters that are being ignored; I mock the arrogant and criticize the incompetent. I also praise the clever, the dutiful, and the industrious. Although there are times when America disappoints, angers, or embarrasses me there are still many times when it makes me proud. It is good to be reminded of the latter.
My country, right or wrong:
If right, to be kept right.
If wrong, to be made right.
-- Carl Schurz
I would also like to thank all the veterans, living and dead, who helped make it possible for America to manifest and to survive. All hail!
Today it is raining here, so our planned trip to see the local fireworks show has been abandoned. (Sitting on wet grass would not be fun, and parking the car on wet lawn would be downright risky.) So here's a bit of red, white, and blue from my yard instead:
July 4 2009, 20:38:37 UTC 12 years ago
Happy 4th!
July 5 2009, 00:20:31 UTC 12 years ago
Hmm...
July 5 2009, 00:56:20 UTC 12 years ago
Some people did not vote for him, and therefore wish him to fail, and are trying to help that happen.
Some people think that things are a mess, but they do not want to blame the Republican Party and/or the white guy previously in charge of the country, so they are blaming the Democrats and/or the black guy currently in charge of the country, even though most of the mess was a long time in making.
Some people did vote for him and are now disillusioned.
Some people just like to sit on the sidelines and gripe. They don't care what's going on or who's doing it, really; as long as they have something to gripe about, they're content.
Re: Hmm...
July 5 2009, 08:33:01 UTC 12 years ago
People are weird. I mean, I don't understand people who want him to fail, who want to blame him for the country's ills and who want to gripe. These people are not helping the situation by their negative attitudes. These people are the ones who create toxic pools. These people are simply not going to get off their butts to make it work.
As you can see, these people get my goat and I don't like them. We have people like that in Singapore too. Gripe, gripe, gripe - and no proactive attitude to start with. *facepalm*
July 5 2009, 01:53:14 UTC 12 years ago
July 5 2009, 01:57:33 UTC 12 years ago
July 5 2009, 03:16:17 UTC 12 years ago