 |
|
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
|
| |
Jewish World Review
April 28, 2009
/ 4 Iyar 5769
100 Days
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
It has been a whirlwind. Even though Barack Obama has been accused of everything from socialism to fascism in his first 100 days in office, the best "ism" to describe his governing philosophy has been activism.
We still may be in a mess, but at least we aren't in a malaise.
It has been a headlong rush from bailouts to budgets, from GM to the G-20, from Iran to Afghanistan, from stimulus to stem cells, from closing Guantanamo to opening a White House garden and from puppies to pirates.
The mind boggles. The head swirls. The stomach butterflies. This is clearly a White House that believes velocity is a virtue.
There is a not deeply hidden message behind all this: Unlike our last president, Barack Obama is not the hapless victim of events; he is not a prisoner either of history or his advisers. He does stuff. Some stuff might succeed and some stuff might fail, but he does stuff. His wife, Michelle, used to tell cheering crowds during the campaign, "Let's show them that America is ready for Barack Obama!"
Ready or not, he is here. And, considering the old rule of Washington was that the more you do, the more you can be attacked (and so doing as little as possible made the most sense), his popularity remains high.
As I write this, Obama's approval rating is around 60 percent, but that does not convey the true political landscape. The true political landscape is that Barack Obama stands alone on the political landscape. There is simply no other major figure in American politics at the moment.
The Republicans have helped him enormously. Their party is still reeling in shock from the elections of 2006 and 2008. With moderate or "soft" Republicans deserting the party (at least in polls) for the independent label, the Republican Party has grown more conservative, like a collapsing star solidifying around its base.
Which would be fine. There is nothing wrong with offering a choice and not an echo. But the Republicans have not yet figured out that to be a party of opposition, you have to offer actual alternatives. You can't counter Obama's activism with just a Theory of Negativity.
Obama was careful to begin his presidency by first lowering expectations. In the period between his election and inauguration, Obama conducted a gloom campaign. On "Meet the Press With David Gregory" on Dec. 7, Obama said, "Things are going to get worse before they get better." On his train trip to Washington for his inaugural, Obama said in Philadelphia, "Only a handful of times in our history has a generation been confronted with challenges so vast." And then in Wilmington, Del., he followed with, "Together, we know that America faces its own crossroads — a nation at war, an economy in turmoil, an American Dream that feels like it's slipping way."
But as Yogi Berra used to say, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." Now, as we approach Barack Obama's 100th day in office, it feels like America has at least chosen a path. And as Obama cautiously said in mid-April, he sees "glimmers of hope" when it comes to the economy. "We're starting to see progress," he said. "And if we stick with it, if we don't flinch in the face of some difficulties, then I feel absolutely convinced that we are going to get this economy back on track."
Just as Franklin Roosevelt's greatest achievement in his first 100 days was not specific legislation but a restoration of confidence, Obama's greatest success has been restoring confidence at home and burnishing America's image abroad.
Abroad, our image could hardly have been more tarnished. But Obama chose an interesting word to begin the polishing process, a word he used in his inaugural address: humility. "Our power grows through its prudent use," Obama said, "our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
In London, in early April at a news conference during the G-20 summit, Obama was asked how his foreign policy differs from that of George W. Bush. Obama replied that "we exercise our leadership best when we are listening" and when "we lead by example, when we show some element of humility."
"Humility" is not a word often heard from American presidents. Has it led to immediate results? No. Talking to reporters in Istanbul, Obama's chief adviser, David Axelrod, said: "Why didn't the waters part, the sun shine and all ills of the world disappear because President Obama came to Europe this week? That wasn't our expectation. That will take at least a few weeks."
But seeds have been planted. That's what the first 100 days are for.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and in the media consider "must reading." Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment on Roger Simon's column by clicking here.
Roger Simon Archives
© 2009, Creators Syndicate
|
