General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Oh Fuck... I'm Gonna Throw Up... [View all]cheapdate
(3,811 posts)but I'm pretty sure that the early leaders of the country were every bit as flawed and conflicted as the present ones.
There is always a distance between abstract ideals of perfection and the actual world we live in.
The Iraq war will hang like an albatross over this country and its presidents for years to come.
Leaving the Iraq War comments aside, President Obama's remarks on Russia and Ukraine and their historical relationships, and on the present situation were reasoned, informed and knowledgeable. Watching this president speak intelligently and eloquently to a wide international audience, even if I don't agree with every word he said, was refreshing and satisfying.
I briefly tried to imagine George W. Bush or John McCain in the same situation and it was a horrible thought.
I respect this president for his intelligence and thoughtfulness and for his character and values. Our values and ethics are not always the same and I don't always agree with him. But I respect him and admire the courage and sacrifice he's made to STEP UP and lead.