Obama at the U.N.

[H2O Man]

“The election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States is a significant moment in history; a crossroads where people can go in a different direction. His very election is a blow to tribalism, but the potential to subvert this opportunity is immense. He will face enormous opposition.”
-- Dr. Rubin “Hurricane” Carter; Eye of the Hurricane; 2011; page 118.

From early 2008 to earlier this week, I have been criticized by some forum participants for both expressing support for Barack Obama, and for stating opposition to some of his policies. Now, that is a good thing ….for if any group of people agreed upon each issue, and thought just alike on every topic, it would suggest only one of that group was actually thinking.

I just watched President Obama’s address to the United Nations. I could not help but to compare, in my mind, his presentation with the shallow speech patterns of Willard “Mitt” Romney. As I have said before, the difference between Obama and Romney is the difference between sugar and shit.

The post-speech coverage on cable television is, in my opinion, a study of a small but powerful branch of political science. Indeed, the majority of the “experts” appear to have their doctorates in political scatology -- for they have mastered the process of turning hard facts into soft feces. Were it otherwise, they would stick to the simple fact that President Obama just delivered a powerful, dignified speech -- something that Romney lacks the ability and capacity to do, under any circumstance.

The tea party/republicans often say that Barack Obama can deliver a good speech, but he has no substance to back it up. I’m not particularly interested, much less concerned, with their opinions …..for they have no concept of the Power of Ideas, and are unthinking reactionaries fueled by fears and hatred.

There are also good and intelligent members of the Democratic Party and/or Democratic Left, who point out the differences between some of the things that President Obama says, and the substance of his actual policies. I think that it is not only “okay” for them to speak up about their concerns, but that it is actually essential. The attempts to marginalize or silence them is, at very best, short-sighted.

As I’ve noted before, when Senator Barack Obama was elected President, there was a very powerful, positive energy force manifest in America. For a number of reasons -- in part, because his administration failed to harness that energy, and partly because citizens felt they had accomplished their goal -- that energy force dissipated. And the dark energy of the tea party/republicans filled the void.

That was then, and we cannot change it. No dam ever built can hold back waters that previously flowed by. But now is now, and we have an opportunity to regroup, and again join in the effort to bring about social justice. A part of that challenge does involve the 2012 presidential election. And it would be an error in thinking to take the position that there is no meaningful difference between Obama and Romney.

Peace,
H2O Man

[H2O Man]

1. kick

[G_j]

2. "political scatology"

the best and most accurate description I have heard.

[H2O Man]

8. It fits.

Sad, but true.

[King_Klonopin]

23. If the foo shits....

[bigtree]

3. right on

I think that address should be taken with the sincerity with which it was obviously delivered. It carried a powerful and important message; challenging nations to cater to and promote their best instincts; and is a serious and timely challenge to the world community.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Bigtree

you are soooooooooo cooL!

[H2O Man]

9. I agree!

[Solly Mack]

4. :)

[H2O Man]

10. Thanks!

[littlemissmartypants]

5. .

"doctorates in political scatology" You just rocked my brainwaves brother. Peace right back at Ya! Nice Post!

[H2O Man]

11. That line was

kind of a compromise: I wanted to say something a good bit harsher, but did enjoy writing that phrase.

[Odin2005]

7. "Political Scatology" +100,000,000

[H2O Man]

12. That almost sounds

like something from the game show "Jeopardy," doesn't it?

"I'll take 'Political Scatology' for 100,000,000, Alex."

[WinkyDink]

16. "Answer: Mitt Romney." "Who personifies this term?" "CORRECT, SIR!"

[spanone]

13. they have no concept of the Power of Ideas, and are unthinking reactionaries fueled by fears/hatred

amen

[H2O Man]

18. It is sad, really.

I tend to meet people that I "know" very casually, while attending high school events -- usually sporting events, though some of the public does come to our school board meetings. And some of them are, in my opinion, decent and caring people. But the are ignorant in terms of what is going on around them. They are mentally handcuffed by fears and anxieties. And they seem almost unwilling, or incapable, of really thinking for themselves.

In discussions about social-economic-political issues, their oral contributions parrot what they last heard on Fox News or the like. If it was said on television -- on a channel they "trust" -- well, by golly, it must be true.

One of the most pathetic things I heard today (at my youngest daughter's soccer game) was a couple of parents talking about teachers unions, and how much they are invested in President Obama's campaign. This leads to their "opinion" that teachers unions are all about teachers, and not students.

I put the word "opinion" in quotes, because while they are quite sure they have an actual opinion. They do not. An opinion has to be based upon one's interpretation of facts. They have no facts, only rumors, lies, and misinformation -- hence, they have a "bias," not an opinion. (One need only to consider the courtroom concept of "expert opinion" to illustrate the very real distinction between opinion and bias.)

In weeks past, I have engaged in rather pleasant, though remarkably shallow, conversations with the two, about their concerns about the erosion of democracy in our nation. I'm sure they would agree that family systems are an important building block for a healthy, democratic society. But that good public school systems are an essential part of that foundation is surely a concept they haven't explored. And thus, they lack the ability to identify those forces that benefit from keeping them ignorant, and capitalize on the biases.

[panader0]

14. "the difference between sugar and shit"!! Yeah.

K and R

[H2O Man]

19. After watching Barack Obama

deliver what I thought to be a top-shelf presidential address, I was offended by some of the nonsense that various talking heads blurted out in the cable coverage. I suppose that I used a little harsher language in this OP than I usually do. I'm glad to see that you and others are okay with that.

Thanks!

[WinkyDink]

15. "political scatology" = BRILLIANT.

[H2O Man]

24. I just turned on

the "mourning joe" show ......

[trof]

17. I watched it too. Masterful. K&R

[H2O Man]

25. Masterful, indeed.

It ranks among the best that I've heard/read.

[NICO9000]

20. I think it may be the best speech I've ever heard him give

And that's saying something!

[H2O Man]

26. It ranks high.

I think it was at about the same level as his speech on "race" during the 2008 campaign.

[mopinko]

21. you da man h20

sugar and shit indeed. how sad that so many can't tell which is which.

[H2O Man]

27. The fact that

a plastic person like Mitt Romney is a presidential candidate suggests that the US is an unstable nation. That some Democrats and Democratic Left folks do not see the very real differences between President Obama and Mitt Romney suggests -- at least in my opinion -- that are tired from the long struggle. I can appreciate that.

As a person who supported Senator Barack Obama in the '08 primary season, and who has expressed concerns and dissatisfaction with his presidency, I think the differences between him and Mitt are significant. Re-electing President Obama keeps the door open (though not wide) for the possible re-establishment of a Constitutional Democracy; should Mitt "win" (by theft in a close contest), that door slams shut.

[antigop]

35. "that door slams shut" -- we live in very scary times.

Some are wondering if it's too late. Did you see the Bill Moyers segment on the 1% Supreme Court?

[Tumbulu]

22. Wow!!!!!

What an impressive OP!

Thank you for sharing your impressive writing skills and talents with us.

I agree with you about everything!

[H2O Man]

28. Thank you.

That's very kind of you, and I surely do appreciate that.

[blm]

29. So agree, WaterMan.

.

[H2O Man]

32. Thanks!

[antigop]

30. Thanks, H20Man n/t

[H2O Man]

33. Thank you!

Much appreciated.

[nenagh]

31. Thank you, H2O Man,

Your contrast of light and dark forces.. Enlightened, I think... Thanks

[H2O Man]

34. Thank you.

I just got back in from collecting stones for tomorrow's sweat lodge ceremony. I was lucky to find a good supply of flint cobbles -- some a very dark blue-purple, and others white. It takes this old man a lot longer to get things ready ..... a group of friends will be coming over after work tomorrow ..... their lifestyles are set at a faster pace than mine. So, although they offered to do the work, I prefer taking a few days and do it myself. And so your message made for mighty pleasant reading during one of my breaks!

Again, thanks.

[nenagh]

38. You're concept of the dam not retaining the positive, but allowing it to flow past...

as time passes speaks to a concept that I had not considered... As well,

I never thought the dark and erroneous messaging might ever be challenged by the light of reality and truth.

My heart goes out to the brave person who recorded Romney's 47 % comments &i hope he/ she remains safe from prosecution.

As you gather stones...mine are collected from a Celtic past.. For my children at least...

Thanks again

[Martin Eden]

36. SUGAR and SHIT

H2O Man,

I liked the ideas in your essay very much, but I think you are doing SHIT a disservice by associating it with Romney's rhetoric. Fecal matter (aka SHIT) is the remains of digested nutrient, and as a euphamism for political speech what passes through the colon has a lot more substance and connection to the real world than anything passing through the mouth of Willard Mitt Romney.

SUGAR, on the other hand, may be sweet to the taste but by itself is nutritionally lacking. President Obama delivered a very well balanced nutritional meal qualitatively better than the fast-food fare so often served up to the public.

Peace,
Martin Eden

[Mopar151]

37. We share certain enthusiams

for sports that seem outwardly violent and chaotic to many, but they have something in common - some rise to champions, and others fall to obscurity. Keeping a cool head is paramount, whether your opponent is pounding on your back bumper or your ribs.

President Obama has already risen to championship caliber, in my book. The best make it look easy, and as natural as breathing. Rmoney, in contrast, reminds me of a carefully managed prospect who is falling apart now that he is meeting quality opposition. His record is increasingly suspect, and old fouls and disqualifications are coming to light.

I've seen the President do some things I did'nt like very much, and have seen him stymied time after time. I'm sure there were some backroom deals along the way that wer'nt so nice, either. But the difference between him and Rmoney is the difference between a champion and a punk.

[Dedicated Mind]

39. thought speech was awesome

lots of detail and making american values universal, even for muslims.

[fingrinn]

40. BANNED BY US NEWS NETWORKS

Isreali leaders meet Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
26/sept/2012