A Political End To Camelot - Election 2008
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At a time when the world needs leaders more desperately perhaps than ever in history, what is being offered in the way of leadership? This will be perhaps my shortest post ever, but in a way the most important. The election of 2008 seems to me to be a defining point in history. Clearly on the decline at home and abroad, the United States appears to me to be in a great foggy sleep. Massive issues face the American people, yet the best we have to offer seems way too little and about to be to late in my view.
I thought I would quickly dredge up some leadership figures from the past to visually compare to those of today. This very simplistic comparative could, in a way, rival all the political mumbo jumbo typically thrown at “Mr. or Mrs. everyday American” as what resembles character, leadership, courage and dignity. I think even the most obtuse reader might draw his or her own significant impression from these fairly random images.
Kennedy was president in perhaps the most volatile and dangerous time in modern US history. What conditions outside global warming can compare with what today’s candidates face. Can they offer even tacit answers to any of today’s issues? Think about how Kennedy might make such decisions. In effect he did, with progressive programs and inspirational speeches that engaged a nation.
Sure, only so much can be drawn from images, but then perhaps much more than we realize. Someone once said something to the effect that no one of any true character or dignity would even want the office these days. This is a sad but evidently true indication of the times, mediocrity walking halls where greatness once trod.
The image above conveys an intellect and intensity behind the stable and resolute character of President Eisenhower. Draw your own conclusions, but consider the gravity of situation men like this had to contend with, and the history of their character. No rumor of impropriety or skeletons emerged from the closet of such figures. Sure, personality issues and dis-accord were the flavor of the time, but we need to gauge excellence in such a way today.
Similarly, General George S. Patton conveyed this same demeanor on and off the canvas. Willing to give what Lincoln called “the last full measure” regardless of political backlash, this is the type individual needed to face today’s issues. Patton never took a penny for his many years of military service, which candidate (though most are as wealthy as Patton) would deliver this measure of contribution?
As in Eisenhower’s demeanor, note the rather calculating and stern concern behind the eyes of this great leader. Though not a man of large physical stature, Patton possessed a determination and courage on a level with his intellect. People like this are the ones who built the dream of America. In sharp contrast, today’s leaders are more concerned with makeup and spin than with action. Perhaps though, they are giving us what we ask for? Leadership has become a popularity contest based on the whim of a tired electorate.
Then we have today’s examples of leadership. Comparatively, I would call these two the “mutt and Jeff” versions of 21st Century world shakers. Neither can keep their feet out of their mouths, and visualizing either leading a valiant charge up San Juan Hill, leaves me speechless.
Obama looks intelligent in a sort of school boy way, but if I had to tag him, the caption would be “preppy prop up” or something to that effect. Hillary gives me the impression of a domina without a cause or something. Choosing between her and Obama is a no brainer, but does that leave much room for excellence? Not really. One has to wonder if the one did not run just so the other would look good.
There is just something about this guy that creeps me out. I know, that is not very scientific, but can you really picture this man with his finger on a nuclear arsenal?
Obama, seems to be a capable politician, but do we need another one of those? Capable is not a word that comes to mind when I think of the leader of the free world. Courageous, decisive, brilliant - these are words use to describe excellence, not capable.
Perhaps the only remaining potential candidate who possesses the qualities of greatness past leaders had, Colin Powell almost seems above the office. In fact, his resignation under the current puppet seemed a statement of disdain and a distancing from mediocrity and stupidity in the act. Powell exemplifies dedication, honor and integrity in the face of the debacle of Iraq and the Bush administration.
Please let me know what you think. Such a discourse is perhaps one of the only ways to reveal both the situation and a little something about what we have allowed to happen. The JFK administration was once referred to as Camelot, who was to know it even the rumor of such dynamic and momentous events would die a slow death?
I think Lincoln might have wept at the thought of the greatest power on Earth concluding its tenure of leadership in such a timid and unrevolutionary way. One can almost see shadows of Lincoln in the countenance of other great leader, but as for Obama and Hillary - A dog and pony show maybe?
And Then!
nPhil,nnI couldn’t disagree with you more. Obama may be a politician, but the nature of the game has changed.nnI’ll admit that I had higher hopes for him going in to the general election and that his unexplained change of stance on wiretapping disappointed me severely.nnBut he is the best option we’ve had since I’ve been alive and I think he has the chance to rejuvinate the Democrats the way Reagan did the Republicans in the ’80s.nnUnlike Bill Clinton, who possessed a stellar mind but not a shred of integrity, Obama is brilliant and will be much harder for the Republicans to take down.nn
Sir, you wrote: “Perhaps the only remaining potential candidate who possesses the qualities of greatness past leaders had, Colin Powell almost seems above the office. In fact, his resignation under the current puppet seemed a statement of disdain and a distancing from mediocrity and stupidity in the act. Powell exemplifies dedication, honor and integrity in the face of the debacle of Iraq and the Bush administration.”
Powell lied to the United Nation about the so-called existence of non-existant weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. after that, i lost all respect for him.
And although Kennedy had panache, he only talked the talk about progressive issues. Lyndon Johnson walked the walk — he got the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed by Congress and the Great Society programs started. But Vietnam brought him down, and that was a true tragedy.
Phil, It seems to me that Americans think we need someone who is capable of having an experienced “finger” on our nuclear arsenal. I won’t debate that in a time of crisis, John McCain will use military force every time before Obama would. However, experience means nothing to me as Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc. are a few “experienced” players. Let’s face it, Washington is a joke. America needs a fresh coat of paint. Obama can introduce us to a new way, while McCain offers us a taste of our grandfathers’ generation. Although I cannot dispute that McCain possess more Washington experience than Obama, Obama can move mountains with inspirational speeches like Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. Let’s not forget that the only way to change America is to be open to change and willing to try things a different way; the course were on is clearly not working.
Either you are ignorant of history or you are simply glossing over the stains of our former leaders.
I am excited about, and confident in Barack Obama who shows an idealism not found in his opponant. I think he has the tools and the intelligence to make the decisions that will lead this nation to higher ground.
@ Bruce: All I can say is: do you happen to know who writes Obama’s speeches? LOL. He gets an easy sell to an easier public. I am amazed.
@ Tim, Thanks for entering the discussion. Your points are well taken. Powell was lied to about the WMD’s and I think subsequently resigned because he found out he was working with crooks. This is just speculation of course.
I think everyone is missing the point a little bit, but that is fine. It looks like you and I agree on a good bit and of course disagree on some others…like LBJ. I wont get into my opinion of him. I wish I had time to though.
I am not advocating one candidate over the other here, but rather pointing out how pitiful the system is reacting to need.
Thanks Always, Phil
@ Mike, You are fairly well tied in to the intelligent sense that at least something is wrong Mike. In reading most of these comments and some of friends and net workers outside this forum, I am all but stunned at the degree of “whatever” people are willing to lavish upon these candidates.
I am glad the debate is out there so fervently at least for the sake up hoping everyone in America has not gone stupid. As for Obama or any of these clowns moving mountains, I would caution everyone to do more research and follow the golden rule -”Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.”
These people have one thing and one thing only going for them, and they are so mediocre they can’t even do spin right much of the time. They hire people to write these speeches, people train them to administer the BS effectively and etc. Moving mountains and using these people’s names in the same context as great leaders is a shame.
I showed these images with as little commentary as I could in the faint hope that people could look at them and glean some minuscule comparative insight into what greatness is. Look at them again..look for what I am talking about, not what you want to see. Perhaps the greatness is not resident in any of them, but I think it is.
America is very sick, a great dream and a great people cast somehow into a dismal fog. Everyone wants the easy way out, to be able to 2say it is so” and therefore it is. Well it is not decidedly. They tell you what you want to hear. the easy stuff. None of them has the courage to say; “Hey people we have some really hard decisions to make here or the world is FUBAR. we are too”. Americans won’t stand for that..and there is the rub.
We allowed ourselves to be dragged into unsusatainable growth, overextended credit cards, gas guzzling cars, 7 day 24 hour work weeks, one lie after another about a global economy while all the while the rich taskmasters farmed out their country behind its back. Good God, when will people ever wake up and understand that these people are financed by the people at the top of the food pyramid?
So, here we all are, one or two appearing grumpy and cynical, a few dead set on throwing their troubles to Obama so they can go back to Walmart without worrying about it and others poed an accusatory because they did not want to read what I wrote or look longingly into that preppy face and find an inkling or actual hint of excellence.
Come on people, excellent is not some NFL middle linebacker making a tackle and celebrating it for 5 minutes on national TV! Excellence is in many deeds, done humbly and courageously, sometimes unbeknownst to anyone..and then finally, sometimes, at the end of the game ….with bloody fingers and aching bones….having some little kid look down from the bleachers in an already empty stadium..and almost whispering…..”Mr. Sayers, you are the greatest running back I ever saw.”
What the hell happened to everyone? This is what I am asking. Elect someone who did something..hell elect Brad Pitt, at least he looks good and can act. Don’t just sell us all short and fall for the same old BS that got us in our less than admirable (relative to how we could be) position.
Obama can move mountains like MySpace can attract 14 year olds…whoopi!
Sorry, maybe I watched too many politicians or football games.
Always,
Phil
@ Bruce,
I am ignorant, I guess we all are about some things. Stains are a relative term I guess. Most of us think of Clinton (Bill) as a stained official, but even though I did not like him he did seem to come through on many important tasks. The same holds true for almost any human being.
I glossed over nothing, but rather asked a simple question. I used a random selection of prominent past figures to draw a comparison. Is this the best we can do? Is this all we have to offer? Is this the cream of the crop? Will the real Mr. President please stand up?
How hard is it to just say; “Well, yep Phil - this is the best they threw at us…we will just have to make due!”
No one wants to admit that, we would rather be “right”. God forbid that anyone in America admit to being wrong. Hell, if you do that the bean counter above you will take your birthday away! Isn’t that what our society is being taught these days…pass the buck….greatness is a buzz word…..or the famous line out of Bush’s mouth 14 times in none other than the “State of the Union Freaking Address” “Well people it is hard work!” 14 times.
So now we come to this crossroads. One where we are finally aware that an idiot puppet boy has been running things for 8 years and all we want, all we are willing to accept is another clown who can at least give a speech!
This is the way it appears. I do not mean to overly condemn Obama or even Senator Clinton…but they are just not All American, died in the wool, genuine, top quality hero type Presidential material. You know, the kind you can really follow and believe in.
We need the real thing now folks. Not to be too scardie cat apocalyptic, but we have big problems on Earth. An Obama is going to move the mountains, split the seas and suck billions of cubic feet of COs up his nose to rid us of global warming. Turn a fish into a fleet of fishing boats to feed Bangladesh, cure aids and cancer for free from a downtown Burbank health clinic single handed.
LOL - I think we have been watching Oprah way too much…or the wife has.
Sorry again, I just would like to see everyone in America stand up and say; ” I am mad as hell and I am not taking this BS any more.” Rather than just buy into the same BS over and over and over. Is this not apparent?
Always,
Phil