From The Times
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Friday, December 04, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A potentially important day
So, today is the big day. People either love O because he is new stuff, looks perfect, and looks and speaks honestly, or hate him for the exact same reasons. He is new stuff, he is scarily perfect (to the extent of being thought to be The Antichrist), and speaks to people's hearts-not minds.
The investiture will take place at 6.30 a.m. Greek time. We had a glimpse of the grandeur involved at the inauguration party. Here are some photos from TV.
"Live from Washington"
Obama speaking.
Two reporters in Washington for Mega, one of Greece's leading TV channels. Here is the coverage of the occasion.
We had two DVDs included in the papers last weekend. One on Obama's life, and one about the Greek American Democrats and Republican representatives. One of Greece's oldest women's magazine, Gynaika, i.e. Woman, was relaunched last Sunday with Michelle O on the front cover.
Now, allow me today some thoughts from my personal point of view. I cannot say I am disappointed that Obama was elected. I don't agree with him on several issues, but I do not vote and I cannot decide on behalf of American citizens. I love the US, and really want to see it represent the values it stands for.
But, honestly, the world can't take any more bullying around, dear friends. One can't sit, hands crossed on their lap, and let themselves be told what to do; and if they don't do as they're told, then have parts of their country cut off, or else be bombarded. It simply does not work that way anymore. It worked in the 50s. And the 60s. It worked for the British Empire for quite some time. But those were times when leaders had the stature to do so. Americans were welcomed. The British were ruthless and feared.
What really makes a great leader? Why do people in the depths of Asia claim to this day to be the offspring of Alexander the Great's soldiers with local women? 
Here is to better times for the United States of America and the world.
The investiture will take place at 6.30 a.m. Greek time. We had a glimpse of the grandeur involved at the inauguration party. Here are some photos from TV.
"Live from Washington"
"The celebration before the inauguration".
Obama speaking.
Two reporters in Washington for Mega, one of Greece's leading TV channels. Here is the coverage of the occasion.
We had two DVDs included in the papers last weekend. One on Obama's life, and one about the Greek American Democrats and Republican representatives. One of Greece's oldest women's magazine, Gynaika, i.e. Woman, was relaunched last Sunday with Michelle O on the front cover.
Now, allow me today some thoughts from my personal point of view. I cannot say I am disappointed that Obama was elected. I don't agree with him on several issues, but I do not vote and I cannot decide on behalf of American citizens. I love the US, and really want to see it represent the values it stands for.
But, honestly, the world can't take any more bullying around, dear friends. One can't sit, hands crossed on their lap, and let themselves be told what to do; and if they don't do as they're told, then have parts of their country cut off, or else be bombarded. It simply does not work that way anymore. It worked in the 50s. And the 60s. It worked for the British Empire for quite some time. But those were times when leaders had the stature to do so. Americans were welcomed. The British were ruthless and feared.
What really makes a great leader? Why do people in the depths of Asia claim to this day to be the offspring of Alexander the Great's soldiers with local women?
Because he cared for the people he conquered; because he tolerated their religious beliefs;because he spared the Persian king's women and children. Because he showed as much mercy as one possibly could, although Greece had been invaded twice by the Persian kings. But then, there was Thermopylae, Marathon and Salamis. And the leaders to make them happen were Pericles, Themistocles and Leonidas, before Alexander. And he was one of a long line of great leaders.
Why was Alexander 'Great' and Bush is not? Didn't he conquer? Didn't he have military might? Didn't he call upon God?
There is a kind of value, my friends, that is called ethical stature. The US leaders by being so indiscriminately intrusive and arrogant have lost it. Obama may bring it back home.
There is a kind of value, my friends, that is called ethical stature. The US leaders by being so indiscriminately intrusive and arrogant have lost it. Obama may bring it back home.
My grandma and then my mom kept in their side table drawer, a bronze link bracelet, depicting on every little oval plaque one of the American Presidents. Would any of modern time Presidents claim to be rightfully added among them? Will Mr. Obama sit among the great leaders of the past? I do not really know, and it remains to be seen.
Here is to better times for the United States of America and the world.
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