A President Is No Better Than His Advisors!

I'm beginning to wonder if it's pure arrogance or the epitome of naivete. We're seeing more and more of one, the other, or a combination of both.

First we witnessed a multitude of lapses in protocol that left many of us shaking our heads. Currently we're watching two pieces of additional evidence unfold. The first, and most serious, is Obama's utter silence on the happenings in Iran. As he spoke of not wanting to be seen as meddling they were accusing him of doing just that. If he and his advisers really believe his silence will encourage the Mullahs and Ahmejinedad to enter into meaningful dialog with us, I'd like to know their hallucinogen of choice! This on top of his "conciliatory" speech in Cairo enforces, to me, that they think he can be played. I'm beginning to consider that possibility.

On a less serious note, but equally as telling, are the jokes he told at the Radio and TV Correspondents' Dinner. It's one more indication to me that he is either tone deaf, he needs new writers and advisers other than campaign workers and Chicago style politicians or he is ill suited for the job.

Was it funny when he suggested Ambassador Holbrooke, who wanted Hillary's job, sprayed the floor with WD 40 to cause her fall and subsequent injury and that she was willing to "settle"? Was it funny when he alluded to being in "bed" with Brian Williams, that he was a sloppy guest and may have even clogged the toilet? Was it funny when he "complained" the dinner had interrupted one of his and Michelle's infamous "date" nights? That they had planned to go out for Thai - in Thailand?

Maybe I'm losing my sense of humor as I age, but I find none of these particularly side splitting. I would consider both Holbrooke and Hillary had been mildly insulted. The Brian Williams joke was tasteless. The auto makers were pilloried for going to Capitol Hill to testify, in their private jets, yet Obama and Michelle tool around the country for "date nights", with their entourage and fleet of vehicles, at our expense. Air Force One is not the Obama's private jet!

Those who are suggesting Mr. Obama spend less time in front of the cameras are giving good advice. He may continue making the same gaffes but at least they would be less obvious. But, alas, I don't see that Mr. Obama as one who is a seeker of wisdom. With the heavy handedness his administration is demonstrating, I fear he's believing his publicity by the media he is being accused of controlling.

He best remember the lessons being learned by Iran's governing body. Twitter can be a more powerful force for change than rhetoric.

Obama, You're Scaring Me!

I have not been pleased with many of Obama's appointments because they don't have the qualifications for the jobs they fill. I understand, though, that's politics. I had hoped Obama would play the game differently. It is apparently not to be.

His choice of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court confirms it. First I don't subscribe to the notion that the justice need be a woman nor a Hispanic if either, or as in this case one and the same, is not the best possible person available. Oh, I know, women are under represented and so are Hispanics. So are American Indians, Asian Americans and dozens of other ethnic groups who are all citizens of the United States! They just don't happen to represent voting blocks of any magnitude.

That she feels the court is to make law rather than interpret it is troublesome. That she ruled in favor of the City of New Haven, CT against the white firefighters that were denied promotions because there was no black that passed the test doesn't just smack of racism, it's a knock out punch. That she has been overturned more than the soil in my garden doesn't comfort me either. According to Politico her views on other issues are all across the board. She's elusive. As a way to stymie those who will be questioning her for confirmation, this may be a smart political ploy. For the people of this country and for the President who put her name forward, this is risky business.

According to all the conservative talk shows today Rahm Emanuel pushed hard for Ms. Sotomayor over Obama's instincts. There is no way of knowing how true this is but from what I've seen I would trust my instincts and say the possibility is high. That also goes to the issue that Emanuel, as chief of staff, is doing the governing while Obama continues to campaign.

The bright side is, if confirmed, she is but one vote on the Court of nine. The dim side is that while the Republicans will rail against her, they have no leadership to take the argument to the people. Even dimmer is that Obama may have two more seats to fill before he leaves office.

The Supreme Court is not supposed to be warm and fuzzy and bring one's personal life history into decisions. They are to sort out conflicting opinions in law and uphold the Constitution.

Obama has stated he believes the Constitution is flawed. If he is going to appoint justices who agree with that stance, we may end up thinking the Bush administration abuses were a walk in the park.