An Irish prayer:                                               3-25-10

                              May those that love us,

                                       Love us,

                             And those that don't love us, 

                                      May God turn their hearts,

                             And if God doesn't turn their hearts,

                                      May God turn their ankles, 

                            So we'll know them by their limping. 

President Barack Obama needs no such warning. Since taking office he has walked a precarious, narrow ridge of sharp, slippery rock between a sea of hope on one side and an inferno of scorching hate on the other.

I hold my breath watching him take risks, unprecedented in modern presidential history. Like inviting the Republican leadership to an all-against-him, no holds barred debate, before the live cameras of Fox news , et al. Without the protection of a faceless radio studio or a Limberg/Beck type cutoff button, he took on each of the minority party's leaders as they tried to catch him with any, single, tiny detail that would break his composure. Even McCain's anticipated overhand right, knockout punch, was cleverly and kindly deflected by the President, revealing McCain for the bitter old man he has become since being im-Palined in November of 2008.

I am not a religious man. I wonder at the nature of whatever great power lies at the center of all that is. Of late, though, I have been struck by the presence of this man, Obama. In the parables of Jesus, the stories of Moses, Mohammed or even Siddhartha, we are offered tales of men achieving the great and the mundane, affecting people with such profundity that multitudes look to them for guidance today, thousands of years after their deaths.

The extraordinary acts attributed to these men may be stuff of legend. More important than the fantastic acts and miracles, however, was that each pressed on relentlessly, though imperfectly, with a fierce commitment to making people's lives better each day, raising the standards of civilization in the process.

Mother Teresa may be one of those from our time whose legacy reaches far into the future. Her lifelong work with the most invisible, abjectly poor and mortally ill of Calcutta contributes to the hope for humankind's salvation from a self inflicted extinction. Mother Teresa forced us to face the shared nature of the human race, by caring for those who are least on our minds. 

In contrast, in the make believe, manufactured celebrity of Washington, DC, the concerns of humanity are "dealt with" by the puffed up, self important 'suits' who have all the answers. The same politicians who convinced us; that our Navy was attacked in the Gulf of Ton kin; that Iran/Contra was needed to stop the evil Communist rebels in Nicaragua; that the Sudanese pharmaceutical plant was a cover for bomb making; and that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. All major league, destructive lies designed to create a diversion from the truth; a self serving desire for wealth and power.

 I have criticized President Obama for compromising, for being too gentle with the opposition, for being too meticulous in his approach to accomplishing the things we wanted done yesterday. However, he does not work miracles. He is a human being, relentless in the pursuit of making life better for the people he serves.

God the Father, I was taught growing up, sent Jesus to live as a man with the doubts, imperfections and mistakes that we're told occurred during his short life.   It is noble to be human; struggling with our imperfect nature to accomplish what is just. Whether Barack Obama is destined for historical significance is unknown and certainly not a concern of his. It matters that he is today, a good, patient man working methodically on behalf of all the people with, perhaps, a bit more focus on the "least among us."

 I am afraid for him.  I'm frightened at the hate mongers on radio and television who attain wealth and an eerie status by stoking the fires of racism, greed and violent tendency that seem all too prevalent in a society that is said to stand for truth, justice and liberty. I hope this evil is miniscule, a minority exaggerated by Limberg and his ilk, who provide a voice to those who mirror their own selfish disregard for civility, and share a loathing for the black man who has succeeded beyond their potential.

If there is a God, I pray that He protects this man who offers himself for the wellbeing of others, that He sends Angels to walk with Obama, surrounding him as he calmly steps forward to speak to the crowds, touching their hands, wading into the presence of those who share in his vision. If there is a God, I pray he supports this President's Herculean effort to bring us one step closer to the fulfillment of the myth of the United States of America while we still remember what that means.

Amen.

Toughness, the word, as an element in today's PR driven America, is being artfully and intentionally misused to help evolve a picture of strength to describe those in powerful positions today. Politicians, corporate hatchet men, shock jocks, talking heads,media personalities, religious leaders and educators,who desperately want toughness included in any description of them. So when the Cheney's portrait artist magically hardens a sagging jaw line and alters the doe like stare with a steely glint of the eye, know it's part of the strategy.

Recall Bush's aircraft carrier,Victory speech. Bush hit the deck wearing an authentic military flight suit with prominently displayed cod piece, while aids having made the same flight, deplaned  smoothing their suits, or demurely holding down skirts as they stepped onto the breezy deck, I wondered why they weren't in flight suits as well.  Bush, helmet under arm, looked like he had shot down a couple of NVA MIGS as he strutted about the deck, shoulders back, chest out, shaking hands with real Sailors and aviators.

 I wondered at the time if he felt like Tom Cruise must have while filming Top Gun, having the real Navy patting him on the back knowing all the time that he was nothing more than a pretender. Did Bush think looking tough was the same as being tough?

 Finally an aid grabbed the flight helmet freeing Bush's arms so he could go into his patented gun fighter stance and walk about the deck creating  maximum camera coverage for the press. Pete Hamill, author and journalist who'd grown up on the streets of New York, happened to be a guest panelist on the news show I was tuned to. When asked his impression of the presidential scene, he hesitated a moment and said simply, 
"You don't walk that way coming into my neighborhood!"
 
Many of my generation learned from our fathers' example's what it meant to be tough. They had lately returned form the awful, soul searing experience of the second world war. My father was wounded on Iwo Jima and I knew he was tough because he would not talk about it. He was not a fan of John Wayne who romanticized war, though he'd never been there. i"ll bet Cheney was a pal of Wayne. He hadn't been there either, though he did send a bunch of young Americans to Iraq which gave him pause once.

My father taught to us work hard without complaint. He lived by a simple philosophy which he gifted to each of us; Have respect for others, particularly women, all women no matter what others might say about any one; Mind your business and stay out of fights;  But, defend yourself and others from a bully.' and when the time comes, stand for what is right.

Often the press goes on about the "tough" new CEO who slashes hundreds or thousands of jobs as he takes control of a business to increase profits for the share holders and for himself. These are not tough guys. They are simply mercenaries who have no regard for other human beings.
 
Bill O'Reilly is a bully of the first magnitude, the perfect model of a wannabe tough guy. He tries to talk tough and is sure to mention that he is six four so you better watch out! He is a coward, disrespectful and childish in his angry bitterness to any who disagree with him. I wonder why  he turned down Al Franken's challenge to a wrestling match?

Finally our political representation living in bizarre isolation in the land of Oz we call D.C, is a collection of pathetic followers, with but a few exceptions.
 
The people's will be damned, when senators can seed consulting jobs for the future by allocating tax dollars to weapons we don't need now, instead of to health care  which we do need now..
 
One might establish a voting record of funding Wall Street bankruptcy rescues padding it with enough extra to pay bonuses to the banking barons. A managing Directorship should provide adequate reciprocity for such a forward thinking senator.

 Or, killing legislation that cuts insurance company or big pharma profits might return generous contributions and an executive position in life after the senate.

Nancy Pelosi is tough, as is Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. There are others but not many who actually stand up for what the people want. The same people actually, who sent them to Washington as representatives of their beliefs and hopes for the direction of The United States of America. 

The Democrats gnashing of teeth with Martha Coakley's fade into dark, was pathetic in contrast to Scott Brown's victory ride home from the post election celebration in the little truck that could.  Apathetically absent during the campaign, Massachusetts, Democratic politicians appeared strangely energized in the loss. They seemed comfortable losers, as they wallowed in the drama, finally appearing enthusiastic in a masochistic giddiness difficult to witness.

There was the image of John Kerry clearly enjoying his new mantle of senior senator, gliding imperiously in the background like a version of Marley's Ghost, as members of the press sought to squeeze the blood out of a debacle that would have national implications, (if they have anything to do with it.)

Barney Frank has become uncharacteristically cranky these days, frustrated possibly at his fading impact on the national stage. He reminds one of a kid who isn't chosen by either side in a pickup basketball game, despite the game being played in his back yard, using his ball. 

Governor Patrick, the most reasonable man in the world, quickly mastered the post loss mantra. Paraphrasing, his obsequious comments can be summed up as; " Clearly the people are angry" - "We must listen to the people and help them with their pain." - The unhappy voices of the people shouldn't be hard to hear, Mr. Governor, unless, as it appears, you've been too bored to hang around to deal with this state's problems.

Martha Coakley's campaign seemed a half hearted effort. Her somnolent commercials, in which the entire action consisted of her moving lips, (one supposes an attempt to exhibit her senatorial calm), compared poorly to the outdoor, action oriented videos of a smiling candidate with a Reagan like optimism. Scott Brown was having fun, jumping out of the truck and mixing it up with real people, like those in the once solidly Democratic South Boston. He looked good; vibrant, aggressive, as he expressed with great "vigor" a confidence that he could get the job done and optimistic that Massachusetts and, looking down the road to 2012, the country would soon be back on its feet with the implementation of his ideas.

If Democratic lawmakers are to establish any momentum over the next several months, which they must to accomplish at least marginal legislative progress, they need to overcome their feeble, cowering approach and their hopeless fear of angering the Republicans. Why not try legislating the way the New York Jets play defense? Pick a target and a course of action and attack, attack, attack! The result might be a miss on a few plays, but they win more games than they should.

We blew it. The momentum flowing from the Obama victory is gone. Today in Massachusetts, average working people voted against themselves by electing to the US Senate, a man who will act to enable Goldman Sachs to continue paying an effective 1% tax rate. Warren Buffet describes as ridiculous that his secretary pays a higher income tax than he does. Scott Brown's election ensures Mr. Buffets tax advantage remains intact. His senate votes will support an antiquated health system that allows 20,000 children to die each year. That guarantees gross profits to big pharma and the insurance industry as the cost of providing care spirals out of control.. 
Republican politicians are guided by a sucker puncher's mentality. Line up an opponent, tap him on the shoulder and hit him as he turns unsuspectingly into the punch and keep punching even after he goes down. We Democrats have gone down again and shame on us. It has been frustrating , no sickening, to watch the party that once fought for the little guy, back down and, with tail between the legs, slink away hoping the Republican will react kindly in return.  
Some pundits are blaming Martha Coakley for a lack of intensity in the campaign. But the responsibility for this significant retreat goes all the way to the top. I voted for Barak Obama and like many who believed that he had the toughness to take our country back from the gang that corrupted the White House, I feel betrayed and sorely disappointed in an opportunity lost. Barak Obama's words were strong. He spoke of boldly confronting the cabal that had taken control of the country with promises to lead us in the fight to reclaim the preeminence of the people. 
Barak Obama's words were strong but his actions have been weak. Once again the Republicans have been allowed to run all over us without help from the President until it was too late. They continue to misrepresent the facts about health care, tax policy, education and military involvement around the world. He may now be weakened beyond the point of recovery, but nevertheless, it's time for Obama to pull out the sword and attack with a fury that will send the smug, Republican, robber barons into hiding to lick their wounds, confused, dismayed, and gone.