Righting The Wrong Path

I never knew what exactly was meant with "America is on the wrong path". We hear this a lot. When you stop, look and listen it can mean many things. First, define what path? Is their path defined by their history? If so, an astute observer of American politics will conclude America is pretty much on course. Maybe people (mostly liberals) don't like it but it doesn't necessarily mean America veered off any particular course. Their have been many "policy ideas" from Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Some were more isolationist other interventionist.

Can it be it went off course because critics didn't like the leader? If Obama says Afghanistan is "fair game" is he veering "off course"?

Then intangible concepts like "democracy", "peace", "justice" and "tolerance" comes into the mix. One can assert a problem with America is it gets tongue tied and twisted in its lofty rhetoric and ideals.

At least they have some, no? Which brings me to the path being carved by President Obama.

When I listened and read about Obama's message to Muslims a few things popped into my mind. But I won't bore you with it. I know, it's what I'm "paid" to do but what can you do? Take it up with my union. Here's a link to one perspective in The New Republic.

The only thing I will say is the President should cool it on his "apology crusade". He's the President of the United States of America. Not United Colors of Benetton Nations".

If America apologizes (and quite frankly, American don't need to apologize for defending Western culture in the post-war era. Of course they did nasty things. Who said politics wasn't dirty?) for their indiscretions when do we wait for Russia, China, India, France, Japan, the UK (although they're so lost these days they probably already have) and a bunch of other imperialist nations to do the same? And heaven knows the Middle-East is not without its bull shit, right? Right.

Call me crazy, but Obama's "message" is not that far "off Bush's path" if you ask me. Anyone detect the same thing? Maybe the tone is different but it's the same stuff.

They say Obama is a talented "pragmatist". Which may explain why he exhibits fascist, socialist, liberal, idealist and elitist populist qualities from one day to the next. So it seems.