Where is the leader of the free world?
Found this on Raging Bull - not my words - but it came
unnervingly close to my own impression of the recent
White House pronouncements, juxtaposed against those of
other prominent individuals in the news (God bless
Rudy Giulliani for finding the right words to say in the
midst of such horror, Blair for his eloquent sympathy,
Powell for his steady confidence, among others) ...
OT: A Brief Return to sfme Normalcy
As many of us here, I've tried to avoid detracting from the gravity of what should be internalized soul-searching during this period of historic inflection by spewing political or philosophical garbage that would augment the discomfort of any side.
But I find myself not being able to blink past what should be an heroic opportunity for those in whose hands we place our future. So, apologies in advance.
After 48 hours of welcoming any sight of Rudy Giulliani (whom I've spent at least 7 years detesting with renewed passion), a seemingly reborn Pataki (whom I've never granted a better compliment than being D'Amato's stooge) and a very recently unleashed (and for most of a year - invisible) Colin Powell – I find an irrepressible irritant in a recent disclosure.
The PA plane, suggestedly, was targeting the White House and Air Force One. OK - I can buy the White House as their would be no more glaring trophy for a tent wall. But Air Force One ?
Sure, given my prediliction against anything dubya, it's probably easier to condemn a guy for being a leader-in-hiding rather than accepting his legitimate security precautions.
But this is the same Leader of the Free World that twice has droned incessantly about not yielding to fear and terror, monumental struggle of good vs. evil, and the steel of american resolve. All the while serpentining his way cross-country in arguably the safest single vehicle on the face of the earth.
Targeting Air Force One ?? With what ? knives ? geez ! use a different airport, don't advertise an itinerary, use a different goddam ned 747, or maybe trust in the the most effective air defenses since Luke's Rebel Force. Five marine helicopter decoys on his arrival at the White House ? Take a f'g bus ! This is the president - not the Queen Mother.
This administration, I'm quite certain, is more aware than any of those that had any inate ability, to recognize that perception is everything. And I'm the first to admit that anything short of stigmata apearing on the presidential palms won't convince me that this guy's worth more than the suit he wears, but how can anyone – ANYONE - that would desparately cling to anything remotely presidential in a period of utter upheaval and shattered certainties view this as anything other than the most lowly, cowardly and best-example-not-to-follow behaviour.
Visit NY when it won't be inconvenient to the rescue-workers ? How about a photo-op at a dam ned hospital. Don't even have to get your Gucci's dusty. Or is he so embroiled in the myriad details that he's so long been willing to delegate ?
From the interviews with firemen, the pictures of heavy-equipment operators, even the almost-near-tears Rudy – this devestating past few days has illustrated some truly uplifting acts and cries out for a symbol or more appropriately - an individual that can encapsulate the confidence, reassurance and hope that we all so desparately need.
Not some slinking, platitude-pounding, dire-warning-mongering shadow of a puppet-without-a-reality.
Though I should probably be grateful that he so studiously avoids anything but yielding the pulpit to, say, a Colin Powell, who so effortlessly demonstrates to the entire country and the world what a 2004 Republican presidential candidate should look like.
Sorry if this offended anyone. Truly.
sfme |
