Change, Inc. (An Editorial by Sean Flynn)
By Corey Thompson, filed in Guest Features, Sean Flynn on Feb.05, 2009
**(Editor’s Note: Sean Flynn is a Columnist and Political Commentator for “The Thirsty Quill.” This is Mr. Flynn’s third contribution to the site. As always, ‘The Quill’ appreciates Sean’s insightful and thought-provoking editorials, and we look forward to publishing more of his work in the days ahead.)***
“Change, Inc.”
By: Sean Flynn, Columnist
Barack Obama has been the President now for a little over two weeks. I had to count (and recount) the days three separate times on my calendar just to make certain. It sure has been a long two weeks. In roughly the same amount of time it took to play the World Series, we have seen a good deal of this Change™ we were all promised.
It has been a very educational two weeks. I have learned that the reason Democratic lawmakers don’t mind higher taxes, is because many of those “lawmakers” don’t pay them! I hadn’t realized that a cabinet position was now a ‘tax optional’ proposition. On the flip side, it did make me feel very good about myself to know that my Turbo Tax skills are exponentially better than those of our new Secretary of the Treasury. I have also learned that the Democratic House didn’t realize the Stimulus Package was aimed at stimulating the economy- as evidenced by the initial inclusion of 350 Million dollars for condoms. Somewhere, Bill Clinton is smiling…
Now let’s talk Change™. In the initial moments of this presidency, we were informed of the decision to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. At face value, I think it is a poor choice. Yet, considering that this decision was reached WITHOUT a plan addressing where the detainees were to be sent (and how they are to be tried) is, quite simply, asinine. Where are they going? How does this make us safer? This decision has more questions than answers. Two weeks is all that it has taken for me to feel less safe.
I feel less safe today than I did November 8. I didn’t pay much attention to the rhetoric in an honest attempt to let Obama show me how he was going to protect us. It took all of 48 hours for me to see his true colors. On Day 2 of the Obama Administration, we learned of the plan to close Gitmo in order to “restore the standards of due process and the core Constitutional values that have made this country great…even in the midst of war, even in dealing with terrorism.” I have just one question: When did these suspected terrorists, citizens of countries that strive for our destruction, deserve the right to be protected by the “Constitutional values” of the very country they sought to destroy in the first place? Strike 1.
Shortly thereafter, President Obama decided to have his first television interview since his historic inauguration. ABC? CBS? MSNBC (the official network of the DNC)?… Nope, he chose Al-Arabiyam, based in Dubai, to effectively pander to the Middle East, along with saying “too often the U.S. dictates first, without listening.” Perhaps I’m horribly naïve, but I just don’t see how putting on our ‘listening ears’ will keep some extremist lunatic from trying to fly airplanes into buildings. Strike 2.
Now, I keep reading that the “War on Terror” is no longer a phrase the Obama Administration wants to use, or be associated with. Today we are “going after extremists” and “going to win this fight.” I guess the notion that the “War on Terror” is too anti-Islamic and anti-Arab is far too unpalatable for our current leadership. I guess this all makes sense now. We have been shown that “W” didn’t do a damn thing right, and all that he touched now needs to be changed (sarcasm overload). Apparently, the fact that we haven’t had an act of domestic terrorism since 9/11 is a failure in policy. Or, perhaps the fact that the very measures used to eliminate or detain countless terrorist leaders might seem a bit “extreme” to some. Sorry folks, I’ll take safety over perception every day of the week. Quit trying to placate radical Islam. Strike 3.
“Change,” just for the sake of “change,” rarely works…next batter, please.
Change™ the copyrighted property of the The Obamanation®. All rights reserved. The information and images presented here may not under any circumstances be reproduced or used without prior written permission The Obamanation, LLC. Copyright © 2009. All Rights Reserved.
**(Editor’s Note: Sean Flynn is a Columnist and Political Commentator for “The Thirsty Quill.” This is Mr. Flynn’s third contribution to the site. As always, ‘The Quill’ appreciates Sean’s insightful and thought-provoking editorials, and we look forward to publishing more of his work in the days ahead.)***
February 5th, 2009 on 12:38 pm
Two weeks is too little time to make any substantive judgements on a Presidency. When Bush came into office, the economy was on an upswing that lasted for about a year. Whatever Obama’s vision for the direction of the United States, two weeks is not near enough time.
Be honest, do you think Obama will close Gitmo without having an alternative? Or is it just that he hasn’t announced it yet?
Obama’s first address being aired towards the Islamic nation was an opportunity to reach out to the United States’ greatest enemy. The only way to win a war against terrorism is to appeal to the moderate base by making the general population of that country not need those terrorists. We do this by building hospitals, schools, and housing. We do this by creating allies, not alienating foreign powers.
February 6th, 2009 on 1:30 am
Quill, dont post the first two. Here is the reply to post. THanks
Thank you Sean for keeping such a tight watch on the administrations first 18 days. Boy it sure has been long and hard. Since it has been so tough I will gladly keep you posted over the next 2,902 days of this administration.
Look, there are some unfamiliar terms being used right now and I don’t blame you for feeling less than secure. If you guys feel like the sounds you are hearing are scary and out of character for the office, well they are. That whole: “I screwed up” you heard our President say about appointing Tom Daschle to his post with his tax issues was a little term called, Are you ready? (Say it with me)
A.ccount.a.bil.i.ty
I know, I know scary stuff. Those grumblings you shared about not having his first interview with Katie Couric or Barbra Walters, its called:
Di.plo.ma.cy (Weird Huh?)
That whole theory about not treating Muslims like they are all terrorists it’s called
Hum.an.i.ty
Its ok, I understand. You are scared and just as a token of my empathy as a bleeding heart liberal I would like to let you know that I think they should scrap the condoms idea and send all the neo-cons a Doberman Pincher so you all won’t be so scared of these new ideas and concepts as we clean up the train wreck John Wayne and Old Man Potter put us in.
Now I understand that all the Bush apologist would like for everyone to allow history to judge his Presidency, and I am cool with that (like I have a choice) so if I am willing to do that will you do me a favor and stop calling the game after the first half inning?
February 6th, 2009 on 10:51 am
Just for clarity:
A.ccount.a.bil.i.ty? That means appointing 3 people to the cabinet who have tax issues and a 4th having to pull out because of an ethics investigation. It actually would probably lean more in the direction of lack of judgment or li.a.bil.i.ty IMO…. And the Liberal base wouldn’t have had a field day had W done this? (James Carville couldn’t even disagree with that)
Di.plo.ma.cy? We can argue this one all day. The President of the UNITED STATES should be giving his first public interview to his constituents, not pandering to the Muslim world…
Hum.an.i.ty: The only group I specifically call out is the “extremist lunatic” sect… If you want to get all humanitarian with them, Godspeed. Steve mentioned ‘creating allies, not alienating foreign powers. This isn’t winning the hearts and minds; we aren’t at war with countries or armies wearing uniforms. We fight zealots who have bastardized a religion to the point of suicidal fanaticism. If you think diplomacy will work for Bin Ladens of the world I have some oceanfront property in Utah to sell you. How exactly do you negotiate with people who canonize those who will put on a vest made of C2 and blow themselves up just to kill a few Israelis?
If you pitcher is getting shelled after the 1st inning you should start wondering…
My, do I love seeing the Liberal base on the defensive. It is actually kind of fun to turn the tables.
February 6th, 2009 on 10:58 am
Be honest, do you think Obama will close Gitmo without having an alternative? Or is it just that he hasn’t announced it yet?
Steve,
Fair question. I’m going only by what has come from the administration. They have said they aren’t sure what will happen to those held at Gitmo. I would hope we would have learned by now that a plan without an end game is a bad plan.
February 6th, 2009 on 5:22 pm
My, do I love seeing the Liberal base on the defensive. It is actually kind of fun to turn the tables.
I have no reason to defend the new President. His actions are his own and not a product of anything I say or do. I may try to rationalize them and see them through my own lens, but in no way can I, or will I ever be able to “defend” him.
In fact, as a proud democrat, I expect to question his judgments more than anyone else on his board. Do not be so quick to stereotype that all liberals will follow this new leader blindly.
February 6th, 2009 on 10:07 pm
Andy,
You mentioned “Old Man Potter” in your comment.
Considering the fact that “It’s A Wonderful Life” is my favorite movie of all time, I have memorized all of the characters quite well. I assume you were comparing him to Dick Cheney.
I think it’s a fair comparison, as long as you’re willing to admit that Obama is a lot like “Ernie the Taxi Driver,” and Joe Biden would make a perfect “Uncle Billy.”
How about Nancy Pelosi as “Violet”???
February 6th, 2009 on 10:48 pm
I smell a sitcom!
February 6th, 2009 on 11:52 pm
Barack is Hank the cop and Joe is the bartender who if George had not been born would be a real prick.
What is it that you want Quill? You want the moon?
Man its a silly night here at the Quill.