David Guilbault

THE OBAMA DOCTRINE

This speech, by President Obama, the "Obama Doctrine" if you will, makes complete sense to me,

Text:  President Obama on Libya

Video: President Obama on Libya

Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times

OBAMA GETS IT

Obama gets it.  This President identifies problems, understands complexities, gathers necessary evidence, musters appropriate resources and takes open and direct action.  That's what he has done for all the old crises he inherited and for every new crisis that has come his way.  All, while he empathizes with those affected by the travails of those crises, great and small.  When something his administration tries doesn't work, he is quick to find another way.  He is open to ideas from all quarters and keeps his eyes on practical, sensible goals.

Yet, that is not enough for the American public and punditry.  They need him to cry and yell and emote.  They need him to show outrage and angst.  They want him to bite his lip in empathy, like Clinton.  Or brandish disgust and bravado like Shrub.  They need him to act like the reality TV stars who rip open their wounds and emotions for the camera.  Or they want him to act like Dianne Sawyer and Brian Williams, with furrowed brows, showing their deep concern for the tragic events of the day.

Honestly, children, grow the bleep up.  For the first time, in a long time, we have a President who knows how to act presidential, who demonstrates a calm demeanor and steady command of the tasks at his hand.  His commanding presence at the helm is, in itself, reassuring.

The problems of the world today can seem insurmountable.  We don't need to be shown that our national leader "gets it".  We don't need him to say to all us trembling little children, "Now, now, everything is going to be ok."   What we need is for the voting citizenry to become better informed about how difficult and complex these issues can be.  We need people to educate themselves and help look for constructive solutions.  And we need the country to honor and support a man who is doing everything in his power to make the things that he found kilter, right.

There's an enormous agenda for our President to tackle - nuclear weapons, international terrorism, economic meltdown, corporate malfeasance, inadequate health care, immigration issues, hunger, poverty, ecological disasters, employment insecurity, failing educational systems, diplomatic tensions, human rights violations, world health problems - not to mention two ongoing wars.

So, stop expecting the President to go to the shores of the Gulf to rant and rave and cry and moan. Let's desist with forcing him to commit presidential theater and let him get on with monumental tasks of presidential leadership. Let him do his job to the best of his ability.  He gets it.  Let's all get on with it.

A BRAVE, HISTORIC VOTE

Thank you Democrats for having the conscience, courage and commitment to rise against a political barrage of deceit and greed to do what is right. Shame on you Republicans for marching in obstructive, dishonest lock step against universal health care to protect and enrich your insurance company sponsors.

AN AMERICAN WORLD LEADER

NEW YORK TIMES:  Obama Says He’s ‘Surprised’ and ‘Humbled’ by Nobel Prize