“Hope — Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us…A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.” ― Barack Obama
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BEWARE: I’m feisty again, this is not for the faint of heart…
It is 3 a.m. and I cannot sleep. Images of people fill my mind. I should have known better than to watch the nightly news. Never before have I seen so many dead people. I cannot shake these images. These carefully selected images, this horrific display and this obvious attempt at manipulation.
In a desperate appeal to our collective humanity, yes, it is horrible what is happening to the Syrians. But there are atrocities happening all over the globe, even in places that do not sit smack dab in the middle of oil rich countries. Why are we not “helping” these other poor suffering people in Somalia, Sudan or The Democratic Republic of the Congo? What about people in Haiti or even here at home?
We voted you in to stop our American war mongering not to increase it. I voted for you twice. I admit I turned a blind eye to the obvious favoritism shown by the mainstream media to you in the last election. I reasoned we were on the same side you and I. I thought this hope and change you promised was for the common good. I know you inherited much from former administrations. Afghanistan, Iraq, the economic collapse, even the spying and the drones. But this, Mr President, this Syrian mess, this is all yours.
Can’t you see we Americans are tired of war. We are tired of sticking our noses into other countries business. We cannot save the world. We cannot even save ourselves.
What happened to you? What happened to the wide-eyed optimistic young idealist who spoke at the 2004 Democratic National convention , the one America fell for hook, line and sinker? Are you this same man? What I see now is a tired graying husk with dark hostile eyes. It is these eyes that frighten me, Are you even the same person? What happened to you Mr President?
What happened to your message? The message that preached hope. What happened to the man who said:
“And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.”
― Barack Obama
Why do you call for war? You know I don’t believe you. I cannot and will not believe anything you say…not anymore. Perhaps I’m coming into my enlightenment late in the game. If I am to believe whispers from others, ideas I would have dismissed offhand to be the rantings and ravings of crazy and delusional lunatics. After all this, these rantings don’t all seem so implausible.
I scour the internet for news; for some truth. In this wilderness of everything crazy, these stories run rampant. Stories that call you everything from disillusioned and misguided to an alien shapeshifter with lizard eyes, a Hitler, and yes, even the Antichrist. I know there is a nugget of truth out there somewhere mixed in with all this craziness. I do know that I cannot believe the propaganda the mainstream media spins.
I don’t know who to believe. But I do know that I do not believe you Mr. Obama…not anymore.
I expected this out of George W Bush and his father. I even expected this out of Reagan back when I was but a child but not from you.
You promised us change. I expected you meant that we would change; that this country would change. That we would become great again and win the hearts of the world who would see us as they had before as a source of good. You promised us change but it is you who changed.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West – know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” ― Barack Obama
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You are a parent. What do you daughters think of this? I am a parent too. My son is 18 and I we have received a letter from the selective service. Did you know I have hidden this in my drawer among bills to be paid? I will assure you this is one bill I will not pay! Would you send your daughters to fight in a war, do you believe in war that much? I ask you Mr. Obama, can you sleep tonight? I hope not. I sure can’t!
“I’m inspired by the people I meet in my travels–hearing their stories, seeing the hardships they overcome, their fundamental optimism and decency. I’m inspired by the love people have for their children. And I’m inspired by my own children, how full they make my heart. They make me want to work to make the world a little bit better. And they make me want to be a better man.”
― Barack Obama
♥
**On a side note to my regular readers. Sorry, I had to get this out. Next time, I promise something lighter. Some sort of happy distraction. It’s just that I care too much.**
~SBI
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An Open Letter to Barack Obama from a Vietnam Veteran (grumpyelder.com)
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Obama Attempts to Preserve His Ego by Proposing War With Syria (armyvetchicrants.com)
POTUS Is Not The World’s Police Chief (johnhaydeninmd.com)
An Open Letter To President Obama (yourfaceispolitics.wordpress.com)
Life Is Color 
Thank you for writing this (and to Frizztext for sharing). I too voted twice. I stood in line for hours in downtown St. Paul, MN, in a line that snaked for miles through urban sidewalks, to have a chance to hear- and see- Mr. and Mrs. Obama prior to the first election. I am devastated, frustrated, angry…we have no say. He has become like all the others- or perhaps he always was and I chose not to see it. Power. What does it really do to a person? I am too naive- and now, too cynical I fear.
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Hello Westseventh: Thanks for thanking me. This was a controversial subject and a departure from what I usually write. But I must be true to myself and my feelings. It seems as soon as a politician gets into power they are not true to themselves or the people they represent. ( This is a big reason we need campaign finance reform.) I thought Obama was different…
Thank you for thoughtful comments, I truly appreciate it.
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Like we like to say down south: it’s complicated. That certainly applies to this situation. I feel a lot of the frustration and disappointment you’re feeling. I don’t know the answers. I just know that the leaders in all countries are a pack of self-serving liars all in the name of gaining power. Power corrupts absolutely.
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Hello Pinkpodster: It is complicated. And no one has all the answers but I can say that war is not one. I wish we could all just cooperate and try to see other’s point of view. Absolute power does corrupt absolutely. I wish the people in power would serve the people, they are supposed to be public servants.
Thanks for your input.
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“…tired of sticking our noses into other countries business.
We cannot save the world. We cannot even save ourselves.”
greetings by
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/g-20-talks-about-syria/
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Thanks Frizztext–Greetings to you too! 🙂
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I’ve set a link to your essay in my today’s post at
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/presidents-of-the-usa/
I hope that will support your work!
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Thank you frizztext, I sincerely appreciate that.
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Loved the single-mindedness of your post.
But if I may ask, what is it that you really would like to happen? I hear you say that ” the US should stop poking its nose into other people’s affairs”. Have you ever stopped to wonder what is it that compels US to do so? Does such compulsion come from certain values or something else? In what other alternative manner could the US act and how would that serve?
Shakti
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You say “Loved the single-mindedness” of my post. Some would see that statement as disingenuous. I am a genuine person, I mean what I say and I say what I mean. I do stop and ponder Shakti. As a citizen of the US I have seen an erosion in our way of life and values. We no longer manufacturer our own goods. Our jobs are being sent overseas. Our way of life has degraded. Where one income used to provide a living for a family, now two incomes must do and more frequently don’t. We are short on cash and there are many poor and homeless people, more than ever.
We are dependent on sources of energy mostly from foreign powers who want their own “piece of the American pie” This is not sustainable. It seems our government has become beholden to special interests and corporations who want more and more while the people get less and less.
I think many American’s are tired of war and the fear of terrorism that has been drummed into us since 911. We are tired of being the “world’s policeman”. We are spread too thin and our infrastructure is threadbare.
The US sees itself as a superpower and wants to remain so.There are many factors at play here and much of them stem from corporate greed, a “need” for dominance and mighty ego. The truth is out there, I am but a citizen, they don’t let me in on this.
How else could the US act? The US could let other countries play a role, such as yours perhaps, what is your country doing?
The US could end it’s dependence on foreign oil. The US could embrace the truth and we the people could slowly start to change to a new way of life that enriches ourselves, others and our planet. The US could stop war mongering and take care of it’s people.
The only reason the US has interests in the Middle East is because of the oil, China and Russia has the same interest. These superpowers do not care about the people who live there. The US is controlled by other factors that do not seek to serve anything but itself.
I care about people as many American’s do, as people of the world all over do. I think we the people of the planet need to put aside our petty differences and prejudices and work together for the common good and save ourselves and our common home; the Earth before it’s too late.
What about you Shaki, you ask questions but provide no thoughts of your own, what are your thoughts?
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This has bothered me greatly too. It makes me think we are not seeing who is really in charge? I seriously wish we had a lottery like my friend thought of for leaders,omething. It is just so crazy seeing the same pattern no matter who is in charge.
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I agree with you Niaaeryn, It is crazy seeing this same pattern and a disturbing pattern it is. I like your friend’s idea about the lottery. It seems to me that anyone of any sense wouldn’t want to be president, and we truly need someone in charge who has sense….someone who isn’t driven by ego.
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I feel your pain Strawberry. I have been disappointed in Obama for some time now. I have come to the conclusion that Obama at best is just another Ivy League suit. In fact I strongly believe that he is a closet Republican; in other words he is a Republican in a Democrat’s clothing. Consider that his economic policies have really just been a continuation of George W’s policies from the bailout to the T.A.R.P. Now he seems to be looking for a war that he can call his own.
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Thanks Ken, I am thinking this Republican vs Democrat thing is just a distraction and most of them are all the same underneath. perhaps a third party candidate will have a better shot at it next time.
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Great graphic!! And I’m sorry that you are SO disappointed.
I’ll confess that I’m rather disappointed too, but I’m glad he’s now put the onus on congress, which never gets anything done these days anyway. So perhaps that’s a clever strategy for getting out of the “line-in-the-sand” morass he got himself into. I had the idea at the end of his first term, that Obama was really tired of it all and didn’t want to be president anymore. I can’t blame him for that. But he got talked into keeping on keeping on – which is what we all have to do a lot of the time – even if we don’t really want to.
I don’t know who his advisers are these days, but some of them are military, and probably some of those built up the case for Syria because the other wars are over or almost over. You know, like the Roman Empire, we can’t have a standing military without a war. Or maybe it was some political deal he struck so the idiot Repubs wouldn’t block all governmental finances once more when the debt ceiling needs to rise (they wouldn’t block the government fro paying for active military at war).
Again, I think passing the buck to congress was pretty clever – a way to save face while passing the buck to those who have made his life miserable for five years.
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Hey Joanne, Who knows? Perhaps he will be able to back down. I must admit to being surprised and thrown off when Republicans like Mccain and Obama agree on anything. I hope that “togetherness” spirit prevails when it’s time to vote on the budget to avoid another government shutdown. I like what you say about the Roman Empire and a standing military. Thanks for your thoughtful contribution to the discussion.
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Nice one! I totally agree with you. From what I’ve been reading, Assad isn’t actually responsible for those chemical attacks. It’s the militant groups (funded by the US) that is which simply pushes the American agenda. Syria is next door to the oil fields of Iran which is who the US really wants to find. It’s a power grab and resource war- has NOTHING to do with liberating people in oppressed nations. The UN doesn’t even support this. This WILL cause a World War once Russian & possibly Chinese allies jump in to support Syria. Obama will forever be known as “the War President” and I fear for my American neighbors and don’t want a war anywhere near my country. (Canada)
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Thanks for your input Sparky! It is a complicated and convoluted situation for sure. I too heard that the US has been supplying the rebels and many Syrians already blame us. Unfortunately I don’t know if recent developments will make any difference. I couldn’t just sit on the fence and wait for popular opinion to arrive at a politically correct consensus. I had to speak up! If the drones come after me and I have to flee the county, I’ll go up north and look you up…haha. 😉
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Yes please do! Peace my friend 🙂
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😀 😀
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I respect your opinion, this is a difficult issue. I don’t see any “good” answer to the challenges regarding Syria. I couldn’t stand by however, and not help someone in need if I was capable of helping, whether or not it ended up involving me further in the issue. That being said, I’d still prefer to see any alternative other than war whenever possible. I know there have been other attacks against people in Syria and around the world that we haven’t responded to but I don’t believe that is a reason not to respond now. That goes to the argument of why do we have laws against speeding if people are going to do it anyway – because it will keep most people within the speed limit and prevent some accidents – so it’s worth having. As the president, he (as anyone in that position) has to look at the big picture and what the US allowing Assad to use chemical weapons against his people will mean when it comes to the US threatening other leaders who would/ could do similar things like Iran and N Korea. I believe Obama is a man of peace, everything he’s done previously indicates that, I realize he has more information available to him than I do and I trust his judgement. I don’t think for one minute that he wants war. And I do believe he is thinking of his children, and thinking of all the other children in Syria. I think if he didn’t come out as strongly as he did against Assad that there would’ve been any movement. The results now are that Assad and Putin have stepped forward for a settlement to avoid an attack. I can not know if they are being truthful or stalling, etc., but it is what it is. I take into consideration that this may be the result Obama gambled for, he is an intelligent man, the best chess players are able to think many steps ahead in the game. Everything in politics is never going to be 100% the way any one of us want it, but I trust him and I am grateful it is him that holds that office at this point in time because there are others, of the other political party in particular, who would’ve had the U.S. embroiled in that war at a much earlier point in time than now. – I chose to reply to your post here because, as I said in the beginning, I respect your opinion and actually to say this is a difficult issue would be an understatement. -Dani
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Dani, I agree with you; I don’t see “good” answer to the challenges regarding Syria. I have compassion for the people of Syria and all over the world. My reasoning however is that the US government is using the excuse of helping the people as a smokescreen for getting more of a foothold into an oil rich region and this ploy is very similar one used by Bush in Iraq.(this is an opinion held by me and many others.) That being said, I hope there can be a positive outcome to this. Time will tell. It is hard to say who is telling the truth. It is a complex issue that has many many sides. I am sorry to say I don’t believe Assad, Putin or Obama.
I also think that playing a “chess game” and gambling with what is at stake is at best reckless and to me does not indicate intelligence. I believe that Obama was and is willing to back up his threats. Idle threats are not intelligent either. I respect your opinion too Dani and your thoughtful comments, obviously you are a compassionate person.
I hope that I am wrong about Obama. I really, really hope so. But I think it is not just him making decisions here and there are hidden forces “pulling the strings”. The eyes are still on the prize and regardless if there is an easy solution to this Syria mess for the time being. There will be more action regarding the middle east and it’s control. I am afraid the US will never leave.
Again, I hope I am wrong about that as well. ~Nancy
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I don’t think Obama is looking to get into an oil rich country (but I wouldn’t doubt there are other players that are). We’re using less of theirs and more of our own than before, and I also see him pushing for solar, wind, etc. When I say ‘gamble’ I didn’t mean that I thought he wouldn’t stand behind his threats. I don’t consider it reckless, I actually think if that’s what occurred, it was intelligent, and I still do trust him. – I am glad though to see so many people involved in the debate, I wish that would’ve occurred before Iraq. I think it’s always good to hear different voices and different opinions. I think that, as a whole, will keep things in balance. And it seems, with very few exceptions, most people want the same outcome. I’m very hopeful for that. – Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. -Love & Light, Dani
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Dani, I am glad we live in a country where we can voice our thoughts publicly without fear of reprisals. Thanks for the input.
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~ 🙂 ~
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I’m not for war with Syria but I am happy the threat was there because it’s just been reported that Assad has said he will surrender his weapons. I have to say it’s so sad to watch those people suffer. . . But I think every time we try to “help” we make it worse. So I agree with you that we should stay out of it HOWEVER I don’t blame Obama AT ALL for wanting to take action I wanted to take action. But more than anything I am SO disturbed that the syrians stand by Assad’s decision to use WMD’s. It disgusts me and I am ashamed of humanity on these days.
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Thanks for your input Jasmine. It is a complicated matter in Syria. Those poor people are amid a civil war. America’s has been helping the rebels who are bloodthirsty and Russia is backing the Assad, the people are left in the crossfire. It is complicated as I have said. There are other factions and factors at play and I don’t know the truth. I am disappointed at the way world affairs are going, but I hold out hope for humanity…
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I do to. I just feel like the blame is to go ROUND as at the end of Romeo & Juliet… ALL ARE PUNISHED.
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Jasmine, I am hoping that Karma will win out too!
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Agreed!
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Was it naive to think he would be different? I believed in that too… He probably sleeps like a log 😦
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Hey Paula, you are probably right about Obama sleeping like a log. I was able to sleep after airing my thoughts on the matter.
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It sounds great when Obama announced “Change”
– it is surprising that it’s him who is changing and not the foreign affairs.
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I know Drake. I am a naive and hopeful person and still am…
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I’m glad you came out and said it, directly and openly and oh so well. I am also disappointed with Obama, and have thought recently that he should return his Nobel Peace Prize – especilly if he bombs Syria…. It must be worse for you, as he is your own president, but I am disappointed with almost all politicians at the moment. Their own interests are their focus – not to lose face, to appear strong on the outside, but standing for nothing and swaying with popular opinion. What is happening to our world?
Hope you got some sleep in the end Nancy. Hugs. xx
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Hey Cathy, thanks friend. After writing and publishing this I slept like a baby. I felt the need to do something. I couldn’t just sit on the fence and wait for an outcome and then just echo the pack. I know what I say doesn’t matter but it does to me. I too am disappointed in most politicians. So how are your elections going? As an ignorant American I have no idea. Thanks again Cathy for your input and support.
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I’ll keep you posted on our elections… the local ones are this coming Sunday and national a week after.
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Thanks Cathy. I am interested.
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In February 2008, on a blog that no longer is, I wrote the following (I don’t think I was wrong in my assessment – for the record, I can’t remember any president I’ve watched that I thought had the country’s best interest in mind):
~o~
I may not be a very social person, but in the electronic world I am virtual social butterfly. And I’m adhering to my resolution to keep everything light, airy, humorous, and above all general.
No speaking of the merits of gun ownership, the merits of atheism, the merits of rational thought. No speaking of the creepy feeling I get when I watch and hear Obama speak. It’s anecdotal, but between my wife and I, we’ve never been far off in our judgments of people, even if based solely on watching and listening to them. For me it’s the eyes. What I see in there does not match what I see of the outer person, or what I hear emanating from his mouth. There is coldness there. There is aloofness there. There is a palpable detachment from all but those who are closest to him. I know that I, and most of the people in the world, do not matter to this man. I see it reflected in his dismissive and condescending smile. I see the mask.
I recognize it because I see the same thing in the mirror every day. What I can’t recognize is if he fights that feeling with empathy and concern for others like I and many others try to, or if he lets the coldness shield him, carry him, and guide his life. I don’t know the man, so others will have to make up their own minds.
Hey, I guess I am speaking about it.!! But I won’t in the forums. I mean, I’ll discuss stuff, but not my appraisal of the man. It’s too likely to draw an attack for un-skeptical belief in being able to judge a person.
But this blog, few read this. Those few may balk at my mentioning me reading people. Mind you, not like a cold reader. I’m talking about reading a person’s . . . I guess I don’t know what to call it. Moral center? Humanity? I don’t know.
I know it’s wrong to judge a person you don’t know based solely on looks. But this is not the case is it? I hear him speak, I see his smile, his mannerisms, his way of comporting himself with others. I see his eyes.
~ o ~
There is not much difference between watching Powell testify before congress, and watching Kerry trying to convince people. In both cases I saw no reason for war, and I called the consequence of engagement in the Middle East. It would not end in my lifetime. A sad thing to contemplate. I hope more people will get fed up enough to hold our elected official’s feet to the fire.
Sadly, I think it’s too late. I don’t think they care any more (both the politicians and the people). Worse yet, I see a lack of critical thinking in most of the people I speak to. And I see no critical thinking nor journalistic ethic in the majority of the so-called news reporters. Individual Americans are left without anyone to voice their frustration and concerns.
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Disperser, I appreciate your thoughtful response. I was torn on whether to say anything remotely like what I have said but..I felt I had to speak my mind I am glad you spoke yours too. Kerry reminds me of Powell as well, except Powell was more respected when he gave “his case”. I as an individual American am left with this blog that is not read by many but I stick to what I say regardless of recent developments in Syria and Russia.
We judge people everyday. It is normal and a fact of life. Most people will not admit what they truly think about people and issues out of fear of what others will think of them. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. You are not the only person to see this. Thanks again for your response.
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