Perhaps because I have been listening to David McCullough’s 1776* as I drive around LA that I take issue with the opening of Jay Cost’s Weekly Standard piece on Obama’s Dilemma (referenced in my previous post):
Political winds are funny things. When they are blowing in from behind, leaders look poised, in control, and powerful. When they are blowing into their face, they look overwhelmed, out of their depth, and utterly impotent. We have seen this time and again over the years with presidents.
Following his success in Boston in the spring of 1776, George Washington faced incredibly adverse winds in New York that summer, with an enormous British fleet gathering as he attempted to hold the city. He failed in that attempt, having to retreat first across the East River, then across the Hudson, then through New Jersey and finally into Pennsylvania before turning the tables and undertaking his famous crossing.
After overcoming his initial shock at the overwhelming scale of the British invasion, Washington retained his poise and maintained control over his army. He succeeded as much because he knew how to manage defeat as because of his skills on the battlefield. In short, when the winds were blowing in his face, he stood tall and refused to let himself appear overwhelmed — or out of his depth.
He would not, at least not publicly, whine about the problems he inherited — or the tab left by another general. He appeared resolute in the face of adverse circumstances. George Washington didn’t let the strong winds blow him down.
Time and again, however, the man who currently holds the job Mr. Washington once held has shown his unfitness for the office. He laments the sorry situation he faces. Mr. Washington faced it head on. As did Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III.
Mr. Obama wants us to feel sorry for us as he blames his horrible, no good, very bad predecessor. George Washington didn’t ask for our pity; he sought to earn his men’s respect.
RELATED: The Resilience of George Washington, David McCullough, John Adams and 1776
*A book I have already read (and enjoyed) and which Bruce has as well.
I’m not sure why liberals often don’t take responsibility for their own actions and words. Could you someone give me a good explanation for that tendency?
Did you know that Romney and none of his sons joined the military?
Romney dodged the draft during the Vietnam war. Not only that, but he was in favor of the war.
He wanted other young people to die in his place.
What a leader.
Hahahahaha
Liberasl are consistent. We don’t like wars and we don’t like others to die in them.
You conservatives, on the other hand, love wars, but you want others to die fighting your demons. Those people that take your place, you love calling them heroes
George, could you please tell me what your comment has to do with the post to which you attached it.
This is not about liberalism or conservatism, but attitude. And leadership.
There was an “it” I could never seem to put my hand on when it came to understanding the President’s behaviour.
This post, in general, and the last three paragraphs, in particular, nailed it. I finally get “it.”
Thanks.
IIRC, in 2008, Sarah Palin’s son Tripp was attacked by leftists for joining the military. They spread the utterly baseless smear that he was forced to join to avoid prosecution for vandalism and drug charges.
Leftists are just assh-les who’ll attack conservatives — and their kids — no matter what they do.
Remember, true leaders to be idealized by Obama include terrorists, rapists and people who leave women to drown.
Striking from shadows, harming innocents, letting others make the tough choices and cover up their misdeeds. It’s the Chicago way. George must be so proud.
Also, we should remember that George’s hero Barack Obama supported and endorsed those who attempted to murder hundreds of American servicemen.
And we should also remember that George’s hero Joe Biden repeatedly dodged the draft by George’s own definition.
George is a bigot. He doesn’t have anything to contribute; all he does is spew hatred towards conservatives. He and his fellow gay liberals want all conservatives murdered and killed, and should be treated accordingly.
The true sign will be how the coward George runs away when confronted with facts. Liberals like himself are incapable of dealing with the consequences of their lies.
We should of course remember that even heroes who triumphed in adversity must have had their private moments of panic. Even Christ, who knew he was immortal and that it would all turn out fine in the end, had a private moment of “I’ll do what’s necessary; but for fuck’s sake, if there’s any way of getting out of this, let me take it!” that had him in tears.
And that’s even before we get to “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”