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| OBAMA: Most hated since Clinton, or Lincoln? |
That
is the impression I gained during the weekend when it seemed that most people
were interested in nothing more than dumping their ideological hang-ups onto
the office we once used to seriously refer to as the “Leader of the Free World.”
BARACK
OBAMA IS in a position these days where he is supposed to fulfill one of his constitutional
obligations – picking a new member of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Yet
the conservative ideologues are going on and on about how Obama has no business
even thinking of trying to fill the post. The Senate’s Republican leader let it
be known he’s prepared to ignore the issue – which is important because the
Senate has to confirm any appointment the president tries to make.
And
when Obama on Saturday said he plans to make an appointment no matter what
anyone else says, there are those who put the spin on this act that Obama is
the one who’s provoking a dispute with the United States Senate.
Of
course, I’m sure there are those who are going to argue that the actions of
former President George W. Bush came under similar contempt from his
ideological opponents.
THERE
ALSO ARE those who think that the image of Ronald Reagan deserves something
close to deification, and are quick to lambast anyone who dares give “the
Gipper” anything less than complete admiration.
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| REAGAN: Hating on haters? |
We’re
a long way from thinking of the White House occupant as someone worthy of
respect. Heck, the only thing I’m sure about with regards to the 2016
presidential election cycle is that regardless of who actually wins, there are
going to be some seriously peeved people in this country.
And
if the cheap threats bear any truth, there are going to be many fewer residents
of this country come 2017. The only real question is, “Where would they move
to?”
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| BUSH: Fans were Obama critics |
Our
politically partisan nature has become so intense that we just can’t think of
any of the recent occupants of the presidency as being the holders of the same
post once occupied by Abraham Lincoln.
 |
| LINCOLN: One of few worth remembering |
WHOM
I REALIZE came under hostile rhetoric during his own lifetime, and only became
worshipped so intensely because of the circumstances of his death. How long
until someone someday says something should be put into writing specifying that
President’s Day does not include any recognition of Barack Obama – that’s the
direction we’re headed in as a society.
So
I really don’t think anyone is enjoying their day off from work or school (or
more likely having to work anyway while also agonizing about what to do with
the kids whom they have to arrange day care for because they’re not in school)
and giving any serious thoughts as to our president.
Or
probably not even remembering a past presidential figure.
If
anything, there’s the chance that most people are thinking that this holiday is
the one that came the day after the holiday that really concerned them –
Valentine’s Day.
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| The 'true' meaning of President's Day |
OR
MAYBE THEY’RE the types who will see Monday as an excuse to buy a sale-priced
mattress or dresser, or maybe take advantage of loan rates from a credit union
advertised in the Chicago Sun-Times as, “some of the lowest in the nation.”
If
anything, that may be the true meaning of President’s Day. Unless you happen to
be like me – a freelance writer whose paychecks are sent to me through the U.S.
mail and are timed to arrive at the week’s beginning.
And
since this is a federal holiday, there is no U.S. mail delivery on Monday. So
my potential payday gets pushed back a day to Tuesday – unless the postal service
gets a little slow and I have to wait a day or two longer.
Somehow,
getting paid late seems like all-to-appropriate way to commemorate the
presidential post.
-30-
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