Lifted Up

I see an implication that it is all that matters, with which I disagree. But I will be glad to stand corrected. many people in public life, whether in politics, journalism, broadcasting, or whatever, have said or had printed things that were insensitive and that they have really taken heat for. I will spare you myriad examples...for now. If this were a referendum only on the President's character, maybe nothing else would matter. I have seen in many of the above referred to cases where there is a rush, not to aid those hurt by what is said, but to attack the characted of the person who said it. This is followed by an equally mad rush to defend the person, which may be natural, but the defenders also usually leave those hurt out in the cold. Pointing out that many of those in the audience laughed may do the part of defending Obama, but is also pointing out how worse the problem is. That's why I like Oenophile's post so much; I don't think he has any desire to withdraw his support of President Obama, but I am guessing he also knows how hurting to others such a remark is.

I think that's the best description of the problem anyone has posted on this thread. Better than the opening focus on the "r-word". Better than the rush from both sides to knock or defend the President. Even the last phrase is very meaningful. Geez, before I demean his personal character, I could wade through a very long list of my own defects. But it is true that the President of all the people has a higher standard to live up to. But that doesn't mean the rest of us can go to it. A few years ago, I had to really hold my peace when someone on these forums made fun of special needs people..."apologizing" for it first, then going ahead and doing it anyway. Someone who has posted on this thread. I steamed for quite a while. More recently, someone I have otherwise respected used the issue politically. I will avoid the details here but it didn't sit well with me. And yes, I have disabled kids; one physically (spina bifida), and one autistic.

Rocky, that almost sounds like you are plagerizing one of your own statements from the political forum. Except you can't plagerize yourself I guess.

Of course, an umpire doesn't care who winds because we are so objective. :)

I know its only been a couple of months or so, but does anyone remember him saying anything about not being around for a while?

I hear that happened in Vietnam once or twice...or...

Maybe not a bad analysis...I am willing to bet any shoe throwers are not gonna give any U.S. president respect, including Obama. is it time to move this thread? :)

...eventually!

....put 'em back up there. Thinkin' roses here.

No, I won't. Not at 40 below wind chill anyway. But just to show you, I'll.......

Of course, I shouldn't say much; I have my absences. Let's pray to make it snow wherever he is right now.

Thanks. Wasn't sure if my remark carried any political connotations; I usually tru to stay out of that world on GS.

Probably busy Christmas shopping. Hey, maybe GS needs a Santa!

Are forgiveness and fighting back mutually exclusive? Of course, the latter can lead to the former I guess. In H.S. I was getting so irritated once by this guy sitting right behind me, I turned around suddenly and whacked him in the chest, shocking him and everyone else. I was probably the last person anyone would have thought would do that). The teacher, who had seen everything, said something short to the other guy, and not me, and otherwise did nothing. Within the next few weeks we (the guy I whacked and I) had become friends.

If the President arrived during a severe thunderstorm, would the band play "Hail to the Chief"?

I'm glad Kit brought this thread back, partly because she is one person...to those who are familiar with her posts over all the years...who can talk about the subject without giving the impression that she is telling anyone they have to forgive. She has not only acknowledged the hurts many have suffered, but expressed her anger, all while keeping her heart on God. Potato is right; no person should tell another that they have to forgive for their hurt; that has to be the decision of the person who suffered the hurt.

only staring??? :) Of course, they make some of their bucks from Yankee haters watching their games wanting to see them get knocked off. Maybe like Notre Dame football (or used to be!). But of course a tru Yankee hater has some compassion...see the essay about Jeter I posted from Chuck Doswell not too long ago.

You have to wonder how these people stay in power; it's like they have some sort of spell over their subjects I think. Even in my transient Philly WOW year, I sensed the same about their well known mayor, Frank Rizzo, even though I wouldnt put his misdeeds on the same level. Funny, I know he would have been re-elected, but he lost the vote to do away with the term limits that were keeping him from running again.

I hate seeing the 9th corps thread on top for a long time with me on the last post.

Well, if you're one, do you know of any others you could PM?

I wish the rest of us could afford to refuse to work for someone we didn't like!

Sounds not recent, but I don't recognize it (other than to know it's not Jules Verne!)

One of the American bomber pilots involved in the atomic bombing missions was nuts, and Col. Paul Tibbets knew it, but kept him because he was a "damn good pilot". I don't know whether it would be better to say that a person's true character comes through in war, or is supressed in war, or just say that there is not time to be nuts if you are in a war.

What president,s Rummy? Why, it could even be adapted to TWI.

Slightly since this obviously does not deal with friends, but I've seen two presidents; oddly enough neither was during my years in the DC area. ( When I sang with my HS choir at the Pageant of Peace, LBJ wasn't there; neither did he attend the presidential baseball opener I went to (HHH threw out hte first ball). The two I saw were JFK going down a nearby street from our home when he came to Columbus to campaign for the governor, and Nixon when he came to Penn State shortly after he was inaugurated to attend the funeral of his uncle who had been a prof there.