"It is certain that success naturally confirms us in a favorable opinion of our own abilities. Scarce any man is willing to allot to accident, friendship, and a thousand causes which concur in every event without human contrivance or interposition, the part which they may justly claim in his advancement. We rate ourselves by our fortune rather than our virtues, and exorbitant claims are quickly produced by imaginary merit." --Johnson in Rambler 172. November, 1751
Nobody expects miracles when you elect a president whose chief achievement has been running for office rather than holding it, but the last few weeks are not exactly suffusing me with a warm, fuzzy glow of confidence. In this I am joined by, oh I don't know, over half the thinking American adults in the country and virtually all investors in the stock markets of the entire planet. Add in small businesses who are seeing their profits, past and future, evaporate. Add in whatever sensible other sectors of the society there are outside of those getting a hand out or a hand job from the administration, and I find myself feeling cozy in the center of a growing mob of people who are thinking, "Torches. Heads on pikes. Free tumbril rides."
But could any recent president have done better? neo-neocon names a few in "Obama's first weeks: who would have done better?"
Has any president in recent memory showed the same combination of careless vetting of appointees, plus letting Congress have its way with a bill so important and far-reaching as the current stimulus bill? Has any been so relentless in panic-inducing gloom (with the possible exception of Carter?).
Will the insensible among our fellow citizens wake up to this reality without waking up in a glowing cloud of ash (some of it theirs) at some future ground zero? I doubt it. The chief concern of the Obamedia and the man's devotees is finding a place in line behind Andrew Sullivan among those waiting to personally fellate the president.
Given the length of that line, Michelle Obama must be feeling relaxed and relieved.
Posted by Vanderleun at February 11, 2009 11:38 AM
Don't worry, Obama will soon engender hope. Just as soon as he's made it so things can't get any worse.
Posted by: Gagdad Bob at February 11, 2009 1:41 PMGreetings:
I think it's the two-wheelers that get training wheels, not tricycles.
Posted by: 11B40 at February 11, 2009 4:20 PMSigh.
Posted by: vanderleun at February 11, 2009 6:06 PMLooks like the trike could use training wheels. Somehow looking at that picture reminds me of the kid's song "Wheels on the Bus" go round and round. Who'll be under it and where does it stop. Another day in paradise,another sunset and another cold one. Cheers! Circe
Posted by: Circe at February 11, 2009 7:09 PMAnd we're worried the Iranians are gonna have nukes? I'm waiting for a detonation here and these guys saying "Geez, we were just foolin' around....sorry."
Posted by: JD at February 11, 2009 7:57 PMThe link you include in your post (article and comments) is a vast collage of Obama-induced liberal status insanity. Pour yourselves a drink sit back and laugh your head off...whew...
Posted by: doug at February 11, 2009 10:30 PMWill the insensible among our fellow citizens wake up to this reality without waking up in a glowing cloud of ash (some of it theirs) at some future ground zero?
All past experience says "no".
I think we may all end up living through the "interesting times" of that Chinese curse.
Posted by: Tom at February 12, 2009 6:19 AMObama appears to be letting Congress have its way. Ironically, it was the intent of the Founders to have Congress be the chief source of power of the people themselves, but they hadn't anticipated that Congress would become a collection of demented goobers.
Posted by: Roderick Reilly at February 12, 2009 9:30 AM
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