I saw a man frustrated with inflated egos. I saw a man sick and tired of playground politics. I saw a man weaken by division. I saw a man mildly confident. I saw a man borderline pompous. I saw President Obama as a man with testicular fortitude. I was surprised considering up until the State of the Union he has been meek. Carefully gentle with his approach towards the Republican Party. And, while I wanted our President to grow some balls I was a bit put off by his sharp sarcasm and narcissistic facial impressions: as if he was shaking his head and whispering an arrogant laced comment to Reverend Wright about a man he believes is an idiot. Not similar in content, but like the elitist facial expression Bill Clinton made as he tried to get Ted Kennedy to support Hilary’s presidential bid: “A few years ago, he (Obama) would have been getting us coffee.” –Bill ClintonMy Fear Realized:
President Barack Obama has become Washington
It is PERFECTLY obvious that he means well and that he loves his country. A true Patriot! The man cares…that’s written all over his aged face. It is ingrained in his legislative policy and his former community activism. But, on January 27, 2010 from 9:00PM to 10:00PM it was confirmed that President Barack Obama has fully embraced partisanship.
Whoever wrote the address deepen the hole for America. Obama followed-up with the delivery of a speech that will be remembered as deliberately divisive and patronizingly scolding.
When I was a kid my mother told me to solve conflict with the opposite of what was causing the conflict. That’s what I was taught – and it worked in most cases. I guess Obama is all trying out. Done with political friendliness. Like I was when the school yard bully pushed me to the limit. I kicked him in the balls…like my momma told me told me too after she was burned out with my whining!
Barack Obama became my man on the 27th. He kicked the ‘seated’ Republicans in the teeth! Consequently, he satisfied his fickle supporters with that kick. As the dust settles it is painfully obvious that he did nothing different for the American people with his new approach.
Change and Hope may be lost if the President has truly become Washington. I am hoping he was bluffing…well, just a little.
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by Barack Obama’s angry smirks.
18 comments:
Reader Response:
See some of your points, i.e he's Washington well he's a politician so I think he's always been Washington. However, did not see weakness, lost with pompous and you want him to grow some balls but did not feel his sarcasm.
Just do not see the partisanship from the President. For example, as I write the President is currently meeting with the Republican party in Baltimore to address concerns, policy and moving forward with bi-partisanship.
This guy has made some terrible choices no doubt (for me in specific cabinet members) however if your really listening with an objective ear no way (at least to me) can one say he is not a leader!!!
-AC
Muata responds to AC:
I am so glad you mentioned "leader". In what ways has the president been a phenomenal leader? He is in a leadership position - but he is not a facilitating leader. He is a man who can make folk feel good via speech. But, where is the leadership? He told congress, "Go and get it done. Come out with a health care plan." A leader leads the process, writes policy, institutes policy by getting feedback from all the stakeholders, by getting pre-evaluation of the policy, etc. Leaders don't tell the worker-bees to go get it done without direction. I like the president - but he has displayed inadequate leadership along the lines of policy formation. What would you think about a man in charge of you (superior/boss) if he said, 'Make this happen.'? Make what happen? Would be my question. How do you feel about managers/directors who do not have valuable input - and yet wants something to get accomplished?
We have lost sight of what a leader is. Well, if I get a tickle up my leg while he is talking he then is my leader? Fuck that!
I have always been told via countless leadership programs to NEVER blame your predecessor repeatedly for the past and what the past materialized. Our president has said on TOO MANY occasions, "I inherited this..." Okay, and? You wanted the damn job with the mess, Right? Is my question to him! Assess the past, create a plan, and get the job done! He needs to stop blaming Bush. Bush is long gone. And, the president is still putting blame elsewhere. What if you continuously blamed the mess on the man/woman in the position before you? How long would that last? Not long because if I were your superior I would fire ya azz after awhile.
Leader? Right! President Obama is a DYNAMIC man - but he is a better preacher or a motivational speaker...
His way of faking leadership is threatening to veto and being adamant about allowing gays to be out in the military. A leader would know that is a HUGE mistake!
AC responds to Muata:
LMAO, where do I begin in response!!!
In what ways has he shown leadership?
Well as President he has lead the debate in health-care reform. He's gone to countless town-hall meetings across the U.S. to push his health-care plan. He's meet with all parties of congress for input. The notion that he has no plan is ABSURD! Correction, he told congress to get it done in helping him pass major health-care reform. I think critics loose site of the fact that any President needs his congress, to pass ANY bill into law. It is amazing in life how people always POINT out problems but you never hear them give adequate solutions. That is the difference in leaders and followers. Your recent commentary reminds me of the right wing, so I guess you do listen and or read their material, even more than me (that's saying something, cause I do)..
Wow a tickle up your leg is a reference to the President (lol) too funny! Makes me wonder what is your definition of a leader? Brotha, I have had multiple so called sups that said "make this happen", without giving any since of direction!! I am sure this contributes to me being an entrepreneur to date!
I will concede the comment "I inherited this mess" has grown mad weak, all be it the truth. I feel that!! But this makes me draw a parallel to some racist saying I am tired of blacks saying "the man this" or "the blacks do not get that"! It is just, the truth is a sound rock to stand on, no matter what the context!!!
He's not a leader well that is your opinion, your entitled!!
-AC
Muata responds to AC:
Differencse in what leadership is typical.
"Right Wing" - Fine. The Right Wing can be right...too.
Leader?? To be honest I have never needed a form of leadership. Self driven. I definitely don't need a sermon every day. Barack needs to stop preaching.
-Muata
AC responds to Muata:
No doubt bro. keep the commentary coming, lol he's preacher! My man payne.
-AC
Reader Response:
I don't agree at all. A good leader inspires others to take charge and find solutions. It is not the job of the President to write policy. As we all learned in elementary civics, a crucial function of the executive branch is to ensure that laws are carried out and enforced to facilitate such day-to-day responsibilities of the federal government as collecting taxes, safeguarding the homeland and representing the United States' political and economic interests around the world.
Thus, his role is to make sure that laws are carried out - not write policy. That is the role of the legislative branch! His sarcastic and chastising remarks (albeit interesting) were actually him stepping into his role as "the enforcer". It is up to the legislative branch to write policy that best fits the needs of their constituents.
I cannot say he has done everything right. I am not going to say that. But I do think that he inherited a mess. Not that he is complaining about it, or placing blame, but just reminding people that you cannot fix a mess you inherited overnight. Especially when people are fighting and trying to protect their "party". If he is partisan - it is only because he is being forced to by stone-faced Republicans who refuse to even applaud when they know something is right. And I don't believe it is all Republicans. I am actually surprised at by how many he has brought onto his side. And his cabinet choices? Some of it was political. But then, this is politics, isn't it. You have to play the game to win. And hopefully change the rules while you are at it, so that down the road, people can play a little bit more fairly.
-MJ
Muata responds to MJ:
Yes inspiration is good. Some people don't need rhetorical inspiration. I don't it does nothing for me at the end of the day. Actually, go ask the unemployed man what a speech does for him.
If it was not the beloved Barack Obama many would have been displeased by the sarcasm. That is a fact! Actually, unintelligent Bush and Clinton used sarcasm all the time, and guess what? Many Democrats/Republicans were appalled. They said both were out of touch. Saidt hey were egotistical. Any criticism of President Obama is dismissed from those who fail to hold his feet to the fire. Actually, Michael, you have not in any email discuss been critical of him or at least challenged him in words/commentary.
President BO is a wonderful man. If he wanted to get anything done he should have not selected the presidency to do it. He would have been more effective on the front lines.
-Muata
MJ responds to Muata:
Actually, I agree - we need to always hold our leader's feet to the fire. I have no problem with that. I just want things to be substantiated, and not driven by emotion. I prefer facts, and that people understand his role, and not what they WANT him to do. I do think he was overly optimistic, and thought that he could do a lot more in a lot shorter time than he has. And yes, he has not been right 100% of the time. I am in no way deifying him. As soon as he really messes up, I will be the first to say he was wrong. But on the other hand, I am not so quick to be so overly critical of everything he does. Brian, you seem driven to prove that he is a failure. I rather, have the belief that he genuinely wants to do a good job, and, although not perfect, is doing a darn good job leading our country. He still has some work to do, but will never be able to do it if folks are fighting. That kind of stuff would even make me sarcastic (and definitely you). I just think when he really into the role (you know there was a lot he didn't know until he was debriefed the day after he won), he discovered the road was gonna be a lot tougher and a lot more difficult. And that a load of crap had been placed right in front of him, and gave him the mop to clean it up.
Yeah, he probably could have done more to help individuals if he wasn't President. Those of us that are "community organizers" know that through our work each day. But that's not the job he took. So just let him do the job he applied for, and won.
-MJ
Muata responds to MJ:
Nope. I am a commentary/discussion-driven critic. Nothing wrong with that. I have applauded him when I have been pleased and I have been supportive. Perhaps, what you remiember is what you do not care to read or hear: my criticism. Come on, Michale. I voted for him, and will defend his character to my death. The man is honorable! But, Michael, I will not be a robot for him or anyone because of a campaign pledge. Hell, I beat Bush up. Anyway, the people I typically hold in higher esteem die early e.g. Che, Biko, King, Lumumba, and X. I am a radical. No kool-aid for me...
Believe it, my chatter will not stop him from doing his job.
-Muata
Reader Response:
Payne, ain't nothing going to make you happy. Unfortunately, your hate and cynicism has made it difficult to appease you in any shape of form. I second most of what Michael said, but you tend to look at what is going wrong versus what is going right.
I love a good debate, and I love hearing different perspectives, but the negative, cynical and hateful perspective is wearing pretty thin.
-SN
Muata responds to SN:
I am just aggressive with what I believe.
-Muata
SN responds to Muata:
I think critical is okay, but you do drop a lot of extreme statements in the mix, and they tend to be pretty absolute, which distracts from your argument. I know that's the Payne FIRE, which I do love, but as someone that has followed you for awhile, I will tell you straight up that I know when you are in one of your "moods!"
-SN
Reader Response:
I respect his intelligence and respect his work ethic but I question his ability to get things done while at the helm. I am aware that he sponsored and wrote legislature in Illinois and he is well versed in that arena. Thus, it pains me that he tasks Congress with the Health Care Bill. Ronald Reagan was not nearly as smart as Obama but he had a way if getting things done. Thus he is one of the most revered leaders of the Republican party. I wonder if Obama is more of a worker bee than a leader. We see it all the time in business where someone is amazing at doing their job and they have a ton of charisma then get promoted to leadership and they fail.
I don't think he will fail but I think he will not succeed. He will stay in that gray area and end up being a historic president for be the first black president but he might not leave a solid mark on Washington. This notion of governing from the middle and then switching to partisanism, when it suits him is not the best approach. He thinks he can just ask them to act and say that his party should stand up and that will do the trick.
The reality of it is people like Jimmy Carter(very smart man) did much greater things in the world after presidency. Im not willing to write Obama off yet but I think his legacy might extend beyond his years in the White House. If he wants to be the president of change then he and his staff should get together and write a healthcare bill of less than 2000 pages that isnt full of other added on incentive but addresses the key issues. He should submit that to Congress and have them hash out the major details. OTHERWISE he will lose this battle and if he loses healthcare he will lose the 2012 election.
If he wins this battle with healthcare by managing the issue from the front seat then he will be the agent of change he said he was going to be.
I want him to show some balls. That speech was all fluff and no action,
-LS
Reader Response:
Are you becoming a black Rush Limbaugh?
-AB
Muata responds to AB:
No. I am a supporter of his compassion, drive, and humanitarian efforts. Just voicing what I notice. Rush is crazy...
-Muata
Reader Response:
I think people are being unecessarily hard on him. If he is frustrated he has every right to be. He's been questioned from his wife's shorts she wears on a family vacation, to the way he bowed before the president of China. I had a converstation with a co-worker here who stated that he was the antichrist as well as a socialist and she hated his guts. I asked her if she ever read his books, knew anything about him or listened to any of his speeches. She said no and she would not. She then said that she was on her way back from a christian event as she is a devout christian. I thought to myself, what a pity for someone to be so confused.
-AK
Muata responds to AK:
No way. "Anti-Christ" ? What has he done to earn that title? Wow!
-Muata
AK responds again:
was shocked that she would be so bold to speak of a man of whom she knew I admired. I felt she was saying to me what she wished she could say to him. And..to let me know that my golden boy was not so golden.
-AK
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