Monday, November 17, 2008
The Obamas on 60 Minutes
As i watched President-Elect & Mrs. Obama on 60 Minutes last night, I couldn't help but think, "Well, this is a pleasant change." Close Gitmo & stop the official torture, two important campaign promises he intends to keep. He needs flexibility on many issues, but not those. They both spoke in complete sentences & thoughts. He was directly evasive on matters he hasn't or can't decide yet. They gave some insights into their marriage based on mundane routines rather than feel-ings. Michelle Obama is capable of doing anything she chooses; I liked that she mentioned getting involved in the local Washington D.C. community as well as the grander issues First Ladies traditionally promote (rarely to much consequence). Her direct personality reminds me more of underrated Rosalynn Carter than any other First Lady of recent decades. Nobody's underrating Michelle Obama.
In a time of economic peril, Michelle Obama will have to run a fairly modest, frugal White House. Still, there might be a few more formal occasions than with George W. Bush, who avoided them mainly because he disliked formal wear. Like John Kennedy & Ronald Reagan, President Obama will look comfortable in a tux.
Watch "The State Visit" episodes of the PBS series The Monarchy. Not only do they show what HRM's life has been like for over 50 years - that lady works very hard at being a symbol, it offers one of the few deservedly sympathetic looks at President & Mrs. Bush as they arrange & fulfill the ritual obligations that fall upon every President & First Lady; in this event, the unavoidable tasks of doing things the Queen's way, because she's the Queen of England & the Commonwealth realms, & even Solomon Islanders know their royal protocol & will be watching on TV.
As for Barack's endorsement of a BCS football playoff, presidents come & go, but the Rose Bowl is every New Year's Day.
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson
In a time of economic peril, Michelle Obama will have to run a fairly modest, frugal White House. Still, there might be a few more formal occasions than with George W. Bush, who avoided them mainly because he disliked formal wear. Like John Kennedy & Ronald Reagan, President Obama will look comfortable in a tux.
Watch "The State Visit" episodes of the PBS series The Monarchy. Not only do they show what HRM's life has been like for over 50 years - that lady works very hard at being a symbol, it offers one of the few deservedly sympathetic looks at President & Mrs. Bush as they arrange & fulfill the ritual obligations that fall upon every President & First Lady; in this event, the unavoidable tasks of doing things the Queen's way, because she's the Queen of England & the Commonwealth realms, & even Solomon Islanders know their royal protocol & will be watching on TV.
As for Barack's endorsement of a BCS football playoff, presidents come & go, but the Rose Bowl is every New Year's Day.
