tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128825.post9131934774420186232..comments2024-02-12T06:10:14.590-08:00Comments on Culture Shock: On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp ...culturejockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14263465772349376129noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128825.post-36517929552273275752009-01-21T20:30:00.000-08:002009-01-21T20:30:00.000-08:00Bob, I agree with your ramble wholeheartedly! I ma...Bob, I agree with your ramble wholeheartedly! I may have more to say about our Sam later, though I'm not sure what contributing to the din will do. My current thinking about it is related to this question of trust and respect -- also the delicate balance between confidence and hubris. I certainly don't know what the next step ought to be.MightyToyCannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523823158706838012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128825.post-34042511977758145882009-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:002009-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:00It strikes me that we can thank George Bush the Yo...It strikes me that we can thank George Bush the Younger for one thing: He's reminded us that it's important to be able to admire and respect our president. This isn't a matter of blind patriotism. One can, and should, disagree with specific aspects of the course of national events. I expect to disagree with certain decisions that President Obama will make. But, George, thank you for bringing us back to the realization that for representative democracy to work, the public must have respect for and trust in its leaders, as our leaders must have respect for and trust in the public. (And, you're right: Sam Adams, in choosing to lie when he had the chance to tell the truth, seems not to understand this.) One thing about Obama that gives me hope is his apparent belief in respectful disagreement. (If you disagree with this little ramble, please do so respectfully!)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13765688465211717384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128825.post-46437082495502470292009-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:002009-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:00Thanks for commenting Allie. I missed Bush's fare...Thanks for commenting Allie. I missed Bush's farewell address. I simply had no interest in hearing him any more. I knew what he would be saying and could predict the inflections and the facial expressions. I caught a bit of his last press conference. I hadn't heard the question or the preceding comments, but instantly thought he looked deranged. I thought, "This is Presidential??" Contrast that with President Obama's demeanor and thoughtfulness! Obama will have failures and missteps, but what a change we're going to see.MightyToyCannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523823158706838012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128825.post-24031407543175907142009-01-21T08:41:00.000-08:002009-01-21T08:41:00.000-08:00Obama's inauguration speech didn't come a moment t...Obama's inauguration speech didn't come a moment too soon. I was still feeling depressed after hearing Bush's farewell address. I don't know if you saw it, but the gist of it was as follows.<BR/><BR/>"I know you guys are really happy to see me go but . . . uh, remember 9/11? Remember how you guys were scared of those terrorists across the sea? Well, they're still scary (even though Iraq is our new BFF)! Be very afraid. So, don't forget how I stopped those scary bad guys pulling another 9/11. I'm pretty sure Obama can't protect you like I have, and one day you'll all be sorry for saying all those mean things about me. Oh, by the way, I really do like Mexicans, just in case you were wondering."<BR/><BR/>Thoroughly depressing.<BR/><BR/>It feels almost surreal now to have a president that we don't have to apologize for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com