In my studies of mythology, I learned that while each of the Greek heroes is born with great potential, none of them realizes it without the guidance of an Olympian or other immortal, most often the owl-eyed goddess Athena. Perseus could not have killed Medusa without the shield she gave him. Achilles would not have slain Hector so easily had she not deceived the Trojan prince. Herakles would not have been able to remove the threat of the Stymphalian birds had she not given him bronze castanets to frighten them. Odysseus would not have made it home without her assistance.
The lesson we derive from all of this is that a man’s potential alone does not him a hero make. He first needs guidance so he can use his gifts to accomplish great things. Only then does he receive his honors.
Not so with our president. He won election to the White House based on his powerful presence, his rhetorical gifts and his calm demeanor. Not even a year after that election, he won the Nobel Peace Prize based on his potential to bring peace among the nations.
In this day and age, it seem that accomplishments don’t matter as much as they once did. Now, all you need to become a hero is the potential to do good. Well, unless you’re a Republican or a Mormon.
It’s grade inflation, Dan. The left-wing philosophy of grade inflation (or of not “oppressively” rewarding actual accomplishments coming from actual vision, hard work and dedication) has permeated the left-wing media and reached the Presidential level.
Also, Obama’s administration said that the Fort Hood massacre was, “greatness before our eyes”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dswVUdlK9DY
In Shakespeare, he is the dithering Henry VI. In mythology, he is the arrogant Phaeton.
In an effort to prop up their nebulous icon, the Left is now trying to minimize the accomplishments conservative leaders from America and Great Britain successfully enacted in the late 80s and early 90s. How can a sane person not acknowledge as instrumental, the power brought to bare by 3 Free World leaders in the demise of the Soviet Union.
Looking forward, an eloquent speech is meaningless if it can’t motivate evan a gnome on a hill in Tokyo. If Obama’s gonna sway Hatoyama he’s gonna need to do a lot more than hum Sukiyaki to the Prime Minister.
“He’s got a lot of potential” is usually a phrase followed by, “…but he’s still failing”.
Don’t analyze the colossal disasters liberals unleash. They meant well and that’s all that matters.
Next POTUS will urge the Congress to pass a bill entitling everyone in Hell to ice water.
Next POTUS will urge the Congress to pass a bill entitling all residents of Hell to ice water .