Saying he wasn't there is factually wrong. He was there, he just didn't make a difference because as with Iran, N. Korea, Venezuela, our Southern boarder...... he's irrelevant. He's the first Non-President to be in office. He went to the shores and he talked about it extensively, which in his mind equates to doing something.
A friend of mine is a mechanic. A very smart guy that never went to college he tries to learn whatever he can. He lives entirely in a tangible physical world where he has to make things happen. Obama lives in an academic world where things are relative, where the products produced, the outcomes are speeches and political maneuvering. He's the antithesis of my friend the mechanic that either finds the physical fault and fixes it, or fails. With no experience in running much nor a staff, making hard decisions, being responsible for much other than oneself, with no experience in the systems and processes of emergency management and how the DoD, FEMA, Coast Guard, EPA, federal law enforcement and others operate, the BP oil spill was sort of a real world learning lab for the young President Obama. What real input could he make other than giving getting tough speeches on how he's going to kick BP in the rear or stuff that damn hole? I wonder, did Obama speed anything up with his get tough speeches? Who ended up plugging that hole BTW?
He's inept. Ego and arrogance alone don't do it. At some point you have to have the ability to run that staff, to make complex decisions, to make hard decisions that will cost peoples lives, you will need to know the systems, basic capabilities, the processes, time spacial relationships to really be effective, none of which he has. He's a leader as much as Gene Simmons is. I like Kiss and I think Gene Simmons is cool, but I wouldn't make him our President.
As with Nagin in NO, when you have incompetent people in key positions, bad things can result, albeit they are really fun to hang out with during Mardi Gras.
Great analysis.
I’ve posted similar sentiments. As a ‘computerized’ work-force we are losing touch with the bridge-builders, long distance truck drivers, mechanics, construction workers and all those guys and gals who do the heavy lifting, think creatively and solve problems.
Ideas come from designers - solutions come from the people on the assembly line.
Well said, I agree. The difference between a superior civilization and an inferior one is potable drinking water and proper sanitation. The noblest profession in the world is a plumber. If I had college-age kids I’d tell them major in whatever it is they wish but have a minor in plumbing.