Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Obama Offends - And Doesn't Seem To Know It
Townhall.com ^ | September 6, 2009 | Austin Hill

Posted on 09/06/2009 4:18:18 AM PDT by Kaslin

It’s one thing to be offensive.

It’s yet another thing to be offensive, and to be clueless about it.

And President Barack Obama seems to be landing in the “another thing” category these days.

It has been quite well established that August was a bad month for the President, himself, as well as for his legislative agenda. Today he clearly needs to do some repair work with the American people, so as to prevent further free-fall of his approval ratings, and perhaps more importantly, to prevent further decline in the level of “trust” with which Americans view him.

So what has the President chosen to do, in an attempt to regain our trust? Well, for one, he’ll be delivering a primetime, televised address next week, to Congress, and to the nation, about his nationalized healthcare plans.

Perhaps he’ll be able to use this speech to reset the national debate over the subject. But he runs the risk of reminding many Americans why they began to distrust him in the first place – it was, after all, President Obama himself who spent several years before becoming President, traveling the country and lecturing about his vision for a “single payer,” government-run health insurance system. And now we’ve watched as President Obama, realizing just how wildly unpopular his ideas are, has changed his position on the “single payer” approach, all within the last few weeks.

In many ways he seems surprised that some Americans are uncomfortable with his shift on this all-important issue, or perhaps by the fact that anybody would question him. No matter, the President may be able to use the speech to persuade Americans to think differently about him, and his agenda for healthcare. Then again, he might make matters worse.

But notice what else the President has sought to do, as a matter of regaining people’s trust. On Tuesday, the day before his address on nationalized healthcare, he is scheduled to do a televised address to students in American schools, the goal being to inspire kids to stay in school and to do well.

That sounds like a simple enough, worthwhile message for any U.S. President to articulate to American kids. Yet in what may have been a straightforward, well-intentioned effort to communicate an important message, The President has touched-off yet another trust-reducing controversy, and, again, seems caught off-guard by the uproar. How could this possibly be?

Perhaps most troubling about the President’s upcoming address to school kids is the accompanying curriculum provided by the U.S. Department of Education. While participation in the President’s efforts is purely voluntary and left to the discretion of individual schools, school administrators, and teachers, the emphasis of the curriculum is rightly troubling to many, including myself.

For example, it is suggested that students in grades 7-12 should, before the President’s speech, write their responses to the following questions: “Why does President Obama want to speak with us today?;” “How will he inspire us?:” and “How will he challenge us?”

That line of questioning may seem harmless to some. But notice that President Obama, himself - - not education, not the idea of becoming a learned person, but Barack Obama - - is the central theme of the questioning. And it presupposes that President Obama is, necessarily, inspiring to all who hear him. The United States didn't automatically assign the title "inspiring" to any of our recent Presidents within their first 8 months of service - Bill Clinton wasn't so fortunate, Ronald Reagan wasn't, and neither Bush 41 or 43 were either.

After the President’s speech, Jr. High and High School students are encouraged to contemplate “What inspired you about President Obama’s speech?,” and “what lines or phrases from the President’s speech resonate with you?” Again, the line of questioning is not so much about the importance of education, as it is all about Barack.

The Obama Administration seems infatuated with the man, the person, the persona of Barack Obama. The central idea of the Obama Administration seems to be Barack Obama himself. And this obsession with one human individual is highly offensive to many of us.

Those of us who know, respect, and care about the unique history of this country, understand what makes America unique. In no small part, we are distinct within the broader context of world history, because there are no kings or queens in the United States; our President is one of us, chosen by us, and entrusted with authority for a limited period of time. We pledge allegiance to “our flag,” and we are united by a set of important principles, but we do not bow to any one individual or “leader.”

The Obama Administration can dismiss the school speech backlash as an attack from “the right wing” (White House Domestic Policy official Heather Higginbottom did this last week). But the more that the Obama Administration continues to obsess over Obama, and the more they seek to belittle Americans who dare to question this obsession, the worse matters become for the entire country.

In the end, the President is left appearing as though he understands very little about the country he serves.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-58 next last
To: ClearCase_guy

Bingo! We have a winner.

He has never been nor will ever be one of “US”.

It is impossible, because he wants to destroy US.


21 posted on 09/06/2009 5:03:18 AM PDT by Texas Fossil (Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may. -Sam Houston)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Northern Yankee
"Salad Shooter President

Excellent description

22 posted on 09/06/2009 5:08:06 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
... the president is left appearing as though he understands very little about the country he serves.

To make things worse, this president understands absolutely nothing about being President.

23 posted on 09/06/2009 5:10:34 AM PDT by new cruelty (Shoot your TV. Torch your newspaper.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CharacterCounts

“I doubt there is any speech Obama can give to turn things around. People are on to him like the snake oil salesman he is. Another speech about the wonders of his elixir will no help.”

I already have key phrases churning in my heads “naysayers and those who support the status quo - those who resist change and would distract us from our mission”

“On one hand, blah blah. On the other hand blah blah. But surely we can all agree to listen to me - the magic man in the middle!”


24 posted on 09/06/2009 5:11:21 AM PDT by Scotswife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Obama is from a different culture. He was raised in Indonesia. The American experience is not his.
25 posted on 09/06/2009 5:11:23 AM PDT by PA-RIVER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SE Mom

“... Basically- it all came down to selling and hyping the brand, Obama.”

Obama, the clerverly produced infomerical...all glitz and shine. When you got the product home it did not perform as promised. He is a lemon and a leftist, Marxist lemon at that. Now ALL of us have to suffer for it. Vote him out of office!


26 posted on 09/06/2009 5:11:34 AM PDT by LottieDah (If only those who speak so eloquently on the rights of animals would do so on behalf the unborn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: SWAMPSNIPER

I have seen through him from the beginning


27 posted on 09/06/2009 5:13:42 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: hflynn

“In the end, the President is left appearing as though he understands very little about the country he serves
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your Obama can do for you - ask what you can do for your Obama...”

Brilliant, Kaslin! Ed Zachery!

This whole thing smacks of personal ingratiation. It’s not about the country, no, it’s about Obama and feeling better after a month of deserved abuse like he’s never seen in his life before. Wednesday’s address to Congress is the same thing. He’s looking for some adulation and he seems to think another speech on TV is the ticket but he simply won’t have the viewers this time since the masses are getting tired of him.

This guy neeeds constant approval from others and when He doesn’t get it he tries over again and more until he thinks he’s gotten it.


28 posted on 09/06/2009 5:13:45 AM PDT by JoenTX (do it lo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

” “Salad Shooter President

Excellent description “

Ummmm.... A minor technical clarification —

That was my comment on another thread...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2333287/posts?page=2#2

” Is it any wonder that, once we get ‘em, we find that our ‘Salad Shooter Presidents’ turn out to be cheap plastic junk that don’t work the way they did on the infomercials - and in the current case, break the first time we try to use them.... “

Just sayin’..... ;)


29 posted on 09/06/2009 5:20:47 AM PDT by Uncle Ike (Rope is cheap, and there are lots of trees...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Texas Fossil
The pictures of Obama alone say a million words to Americans that Obama could never undo.

1. His picture on a stage while Hillary has her hand over her heart. This shows he has no connection with the patriotism of the average citizen. None. It makes me think of all the wonderful things the United States stands for, and that he has no respect for any of it.

2. His Picture with his nose 6 feet above the ground ...
when I see that picture ... my gut reaction is this is the most arrogant narcissistic POS that has ever lived. Pure disgust. But I'm sure in Indonesia this is a cool posture.

30 posted on 09/06/2009 5:22:06 AM PDT by PA-RIVER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

It comes from an inability to see or care about anything other than himself.


31 posted on 09/06/2009 5:22:48 AM PDT by BuffaloJack (Obama's New New Deal = The Raw Deal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
The central idea of the Obama Administration seems to be Barack Obama himself.

Let erect the Obi Wan Nairobi Public Address System, complete with cameras, tele-prompters and throw in a few recognizible MSM reporters.

Then everyday, Mr. Gibbs can go to the mike and introduce the Anointed One. Screens off stage can display the wonderful scene of wisdom gushing forth from "The Messiah"

Special feeds can be installed for Nancy and Harry.

However, for the rest of us, our lives will go untouched by his drivel.

Hey - How's that Ramadan thing working for you this year?

32 posted on 09/06/2009 5:22:51 AM PDT by Dustoff45 (A non-posting Freeper makes no spelling errors (Have a Misspell on me))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: new cruelty
To make things worse, this president understands absolutely nothing about being President

He has used cocaine and I don't want him near my kids.

33 posted on 09/06/2009 5:26:20 AM PDT by tommix2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: PA-RIVER

“But I’m sure in Indonesia this is a cool posture.”

Then he need to go back to Indonesia.


34 posted on 09/06/2009 5:27:47 AM PDT by Texas Fossil (Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may. -Sam Houston)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: arthurus
Photobucket
35 posted on 09/06/2009 5:30:59 AM PDT by erman (Outside of a dog, a book is man's best companion. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: SE Mom

You’re correct, but always remember the Mainstream National News Media helped push Obama and covered up his past. Without the help of the Media, Obama would still be in Chicago doing what Community Organizers do - uh - whatever they are suppose to do.


36 posted on 09/06/2009 5:34:50 AM PDT by Paige ("All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing," Edmund Burke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: JoenTX
I guess this guy has gone through a period of extreme adulation. Like Michael Jackson in his teen years.

Now, figuratively speaking, he is in the dawn of a period more like MJ in his freak years, with rumors of child abuse wafting from his persona.

Simply put, the cute little star has become a freak that belongs in a circus side show. Not the oval office.

37 posted on 09/06/2009 5:36:52 AM PDT by PA-RIVER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Ike

I should have said excellent description of Zerobama


38 posted on 09/06/2009 5:38:59 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: SE Mom
It’s hard to think of a greater con job perpetrated on the country...but it was nonetheless brilliant and effective.

I agree. More over, several people I know were eager to buy the hype. They used their vote as an opportunity to pat themselves on the back, as if to say, "Look at me, I believe that the candidate best suited for the job of President is the one with the least amount of leadership or executive experience because I know he will serve as a role model for fatherless black young men".

39 posted on 09/06/2009 5:41:18 AM PDT by new cruelty (Shoot your TV. Torch your newspaper.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Libs sit around listening to each other babble about socialist Utopias long enough, they’ll believe anything.


40 posted on 09/06/2009 5:41:25 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Fish rot from the head down.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-58 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson