Men of Power

Two weeks ago, President Obama invited former President Clinton back to the White House for support on the bipartisan Tax Extension Bill and a Q&A session. President Obama surprisingly skipped town and let the former president hold the fort for as long as he wanted. 20 Minutes of Q&A followed.

I briefly met Senator Dodd on 92st and 3rd avenue in New York City on a cold winter night last year. I was walking across the street and I turned behind me for a reason I can't remember and I did a triple-take as I simultaneously recognized a face I saw on TV and tried to remember the name of the guy. As soon as I remembered, I blurted out his name "Chris Dodd!", he replied with a simple "Merry Christmas", seemingly unsurprised that this stranger came up to him. We shook hands and both went on our way. As I was walking away realized I forgot to address him by his title "Senator Chris Dodd", I hope he didn't mind.

After serving for 30 years, Senator Dodd gave his farewell speech earlier this week.

In the latter part of the speech he discusses the theory of bipartisanship and the fact that it is something that is achieved, something to be reached. Bipartisanship should not be the main premise of a meeting before every discourse because it does neither side justice for their cause. If both sides are willing to give up their principles and fundamental beliefs for the sake of agreeing with each other, what would the final agreement look like? I believe President Obama should realize this, and once he does he can truly regain control of the political discourse in the country.

The Tea Party's America

I find this shameful.

Equality

It is theorized that as an object approaches the speed of light, the object gradually slows down in its approach. Similarly, as society approaches its ideals for how it should conduct itself, the rate of its approach toward this final, intangible plateau decreases. Throughout the history of the United States, debates and wars have been waged on the subject of equality. The great leaps and bounds toward equality including but not limited to the Emancipation Proclamation, Suffrage amendments, Brown V Board, and the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts have collectively ended institutionalized oppression, but have left long lasting prejudice untouched.


The Civil Rights movement was a product of its time, from the origin of the United States up until now to a lesser degree, institutions oppressed peoples through laws. The government supported the exclusion of certain peoples from the privileges of being an American citizen, such privileges included being able to vote, sit and eat where you want, and even go to school where you’d like. Luckily, through the suffrage and civil rights movements, these laws were overridden by new amendments to the constitution and bills passed. While the state and federal governments no longer maintained the position that citizens should be excluded, these prejudices continued throughout society, hidden from plain view.

Laws are a product of human sentiment, they are not given to us by a higher being; we create them. Due to this fact that laws are birthed from human opinion, when Civil Rights legislation changed the policies of this country it left the prejudices of various peoples across the nation intact. We have been and are still in a time where it is increasingly difficult to pinpoint words and actions of prejudice, actions are no longer black and white. Instead, there is more room for a grey middle ground that spurs prolonged debate. This pattern of action and accusation will continue until prejudice is purged from our society.

As new generations come into society, they bring with it a new way of thinking which when combined with the phasing out of old ideas, changes the course and values in the United States. This is how the unflattering tendency of prejudice will finally be removed or at least reduced to a point of minuscule influence in our nation. We are currently moving in this direction at a decreasing rate. Most of the major strides toward a society that treats all of its citizens equally have already been made. We must now wait for our children, and our children’s children to make that final step.

Irony

For all the reistance that has been going on about the construction of a mosque two blocks away from where the World Trade Center once stood, much of it based off of ignorance. There was a mosque actually inside the south tower.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/nyregion/11religion.html

Restore America?

The United States was not a great country from its outset; however it had a superb concept. America’s greatness was earned through trial. Those who claim America has lost its founding principles and should be “restored” are fearful of the future developments of this nation and fail to realize that America’s founding principles were designed to facilitate change for the better, the flexibility of our nation is one of the reasons for its greatness.

A Different View

Later today, President Obama is scheduled to appear on the daytime television show "The View" in the midst of some scrutiny from the left. Several politicos including Pat Buchanan and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell have argued that a sitting president appearing on a morning talk show like The View lowers the status of the office.


Despite these squabbles, I feel it would be beneficial for the president to appear in a new medium, in this 24-hour incessant news cycle, it has been increasingly difficult for the White House portray messages without it being diluted by chatter. Appearing on The View gives the president an opportunity to voice his concerns directly to the people, and a new audience at that. Last year, The View averaged around 4 million women viewers aged between 18-49, outreach like this to new audiences may prove critical for the White House to control its message, and also remind Americans of why they granted Obama with that office in the first place with the show's more casual tone that the president thrives in.

Harlem Week Opening At Gracie Mansion

Yesterday, I went to the celebration for the opening of "Harlem Week" at Gracie Mansion. I was invited with only a few hours notice and was reluctant to go because I was unfamiliar with event. However, I swallowed my nerves because I knew it would be a good experience for me. I put on my suit and tie and drove to the event, as I was nearing the mansion my mother noticed Senator Bill Perkins walking to the event, my mother and the Senator are acquaintances and she quickly prompted me to get out of the car and introduced me to him the timing was great! After some small talk he offered to take me in with him which would avoid some of the security hassles due to his senatorial status. I quickly passed through the airport-like security, agreed to take a picture with the senator later, and parted ways with him as he had to conduct some business.

Major Bloomberg

 I was all alone at this point, experiencing something completely new to me. I was used to being in the company of other teenagers at parties, not those in the upper echelons of New York politics. Regardless, I kept my wits and was able to navigate this new environment. On the stage I saw both the Mayor and the Governor about to give speeches, I decided that I was going to meet them before they left. Instead of standing as close as I could to the podium, I positioned myself to the side of the stage where I knew they would exit and waited. Both the Mayor and Governor had powerful voices that commanded attention; perhaps it was the fact that I was standing right next to the speaker but nonetheless I found it was very different from watching political speeches on television. When the mayor was finished he left the stage exactly where I thought he would and was heading right toward me with a band of secret service agents. When he finally reached me I introduced myse- SOMEONE INTERRUPTED ME! I had to awkwardly shake the mayor's hand again and re-introduce myself as a student blogger who was interested in getting more involved in politics. He understandably seemed slightly agitated because he was in hurry somewhere but agreed to take a quick picture before he left. 

Governor Paterson

 I did the same with Governor Paterson; the Governor seemed to be less in a hurry and stopped to give me some words of encouragement in what I was doing. Afterward, I spoke with Assemblyman Keith Wright who I met in 2004 when I was 10 years old; we were at a fundraiser for John Ruiz who ran for a district leader position. I showed him a picture of the moment (Congressman Charles Rangel was also in the picture) and he seemed impressed that I remembered him and introduced me to his son. He gave me his card and I plan to call his office later this week.

Senator Perkins

When I finished my runs I noticed Senator Perkins was near the exit. I was impressed that he brought up taking a picture. I decided to leave with him. As we were leaving he gave me his card and we parted ways. I was glad I decided to go; the experience has given me added confidence in dealing with famous people. I know that in order to grow, you must first step out of your comfort zone.

Obama's Weekly Address

Obama's Opportunity

On March 4th, 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the presidency with a bold plan to face the Great Depression not with cowardice, but with fierce aggression. At the time, the country was at its lowest point. A psychological depression was every bit as prevalent as an economic one, the feeling that life was only bound to get worse was widespread. In his first inauguration speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt framed his entire presidency with the phrase “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. This declaration spurred a new confidence in the American people and a new awareness that no problem is insurmountable. The New Deal, FDR’s series of initiatives to breathe new life into the economy was his answer to the crisis. For eight years, economic conditions had peaks and valleys as the government desperately tried to invigorate the market, but for all of its bona fide efforts it was unable to tow the country out of the slump.

However, on December 7, 1941 the national situation changed as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States was thrust into war. The country, previously opposed to any involvement in the ongoing world war suddenly had a very real, tangible enemy. In response, war was declared and FDR used existing industries to provide the tools necessary to fight. This was when the depression ended; everyone who wanted a job could acquire one in a factory. The Japanese attack provided the United States with a tangible enemy, a goal, a reason and the motivation to act, a feeling that was lacking throughout the depression. It was only when this happened that the United States finally emerged from melancholy. The tragic legacy of Pearl Harbor is one of unnecessary loss of innocent life, but it is also one of the reasons for the United States emerging from the depression, winning the war, and becoming a global superpower.

President Obama has a similar opportunity to not only revitalize the economy, but once again place the United States firmly ahead of its competitors. So far, the Obama Administration has responded akin to the Roosevelt Administration in its approach to solve the economic crisis: providing capital to stimulate the economy. While this strategy may improve the economic conditions slightly, it doesn’t have the same clear benefits as when there is a strong sense of urgency like after Pearl Harbor. Obama’s opportunity to strengthen the country comes from oil: oil is the enemy. If the President can better frame oil as a threat to the environment, and our national security, while at the same time offering clear alternatives to invest in, this will place the United States at the helm of a 21st Century global market. The current "Gulf Oil Spill" is a keen example of the destructiveness of oil on the environment and should be referenced in the argument for green energy. If the United States is able to reduce its usage of oil, the rest of the world will slowly, but ultimately follow. If the United States continues to purchase less and less oil, it wouldn’t be valued as much. In sequence, if the country invests strongly in green industries, it will have a new bargaining chip that few countries have and will put the United States in a position to not only get out of the current economic crisis, but become the global merchant of green energy.

Update:

In the weekly presidential address on July 3 (broadcast two days after this article was posted) President Obama discusses exactly what I was suggesting.

Scandal: Blessing In Disguise

President Obama's decision to simultaneously accept General McChrystal's resignation and appoint General Petraeus as the new leader of America's war in Afghanistan comes at a time where the perception of his authority has been waning.

The oil spill, with BP as the culprit, has held Obama's administration captive for the last two months, captive not due to any lack of leadership on the President's part, but captive because government simply isn't in a position to solve the problem. The President could preach of his anger toward BP and distain for the larger, elitist corporate culture that has sprouted in the last few years, regardless, the oil continues to spew and only BP is poised to stop the crisis: BP has all the technology. Despite this fact, the American media has placed varying degrees of blame on the president, ranging from understandable to blatantly unfair. The end result being the increased doubt on the president's ability to act boldly and solve problems.

Today, the President's quick assessment of the threatening comments made by General McChrystal and his decision to relieve the General of his duties in Afghanistan restores some of the perception that he is a strong leader who is able to make difficult decisions in crisis situations. The subsequent decision to appoint the popular architect of the Iraq war's successful "Surge" General David Petraeus, shows keen insight on the importance of seizing critical moments and using them to one's advantage. Obama's now has a new, proven leader to help him carry out his policies in Afghanistan.

Americans want a president who can at least change things. The ability to change things for the better, and sometimes for the worse (few perceived President Bush as weak despite his failures) shows relevance and radiates power and authority. If President Obama can recognize critical moments and use them to push his agenda, such as the BP spill which can be used to push Climate Legislation through Congress, he will evolve into a president who can truly deliver change.