Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Conservative thoughts on Obama’s speech
Not sure this will mean anything to folk here, but it pays to listen to your political enemies. The folk over at the National Review, never fans of Obama, are giving praise to Obama’s inauguration speech. Granted it’s all qualified (they are conservatives and he is a moderate/liberal), but they are feeling the new president got off to a good start.
As for the speech itself, it made demands on us as citizens. “The world has changed and we must change with it.” Which makes sense really. In all of the silly comparisons between Obama and Lincoln, reporter Tavis Smiley brought up an important point this past Sunday. Lincoln was only Lincoln because he was pushed by folk like Frederick Douglass. Gays and lesbians need not apologize for being disappointed by some of Obama’s inauguration symbols (Rev. Rick Warren), and we need to remind the new president that we have certain expectations. And if that means standing on the outside, pushing Obama toward our equality, then so be it.
Well said, Withers!
Lincoln freed the slaves because he thought it would hurt the south and to preserve the union. The south was leaving not because of the slave issue, but because of other issues like trade policy. Here’s Lincoln in a pre-election debate: “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And in as much as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.”
One part that jumped out at me was Obama’s positive statement that “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers.” This is a major shift from Bush 41 who said “No, I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots”. I’m sure this will be a problem for certain people on the right, but it’s a refreshing change.
Obama is right,
Atheists are a part of the diversity and part of the fabric of the nation same as are people of faith. All have a great contribution to make to this country.
I am glad that Obama said that as all are on their own individual journeys in life and none are to be preferred or judged above the other. All are valuable and needed.
Well said!
People tend to forget Lincoln said this,
“I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And in as much as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race”
Keep Pushing!