How Far We’ve Fallen
Out of the blue I asked, “Have you ever read Reinhold Niebuhr?”
Obama’s tone changed. “I love him. He’s one of my favorite philosophers.”
So I asked, What do you take away from him?
“I take away,” Obama answered in a rush of words, “the compelling idea that there’s serious evil in the world, and hardship and pain. And we should be humble and modest in our belief we can eliminate those things. But we shouldn’t use that as an excuse for cynicism and inaction. I take away … the sense we have to make these efforts knowing they are hard, and not swinging from naïve idealism to bitter realism.”
This exchange is from a piece written by David Brooks back in 2007 recalling a conversation with Barack Obama. It’s just one example of the nature of a proper President of the United States, which Obama possesses in spades. He can talk college basketball or philosophy, your choice. The parasite infesting our WH today? Not so much. Between boasting and gorging on well-done steaks, Trump sits on the toilet tweeting childish insults and lies on a daily basis.
How far we’ve fallen in such a short time. God help us.
Props to a Facebook friend for the reminder.
In the meantime, Trump thinks Frederick Douglass is still alive.
1Jeez, it makes me sad to read that short piece. Indeed, how far we HAVE fallen. And the icing on the cake of that notion was that while driving today in Oregon I happened to turn on the radio and the lurid voice and thinking of Louie Gohmert filling in for Sean Hannity (of course it is hard to tell which is which) filled the car. I had to keep listening. It was like seeing an accident that you have to keep looking at. Gohmert was utterly and completely vacuous and vicious at the same time. How in God’s name is he a Congressional Rep? Well, I guess for the same reason Chubby Trump is President. God hates us.
2tRump’s idea of a good book is Hitler’s collected speeches.
3Nostalgia – Thy name is ever a President from the Democrats
4The dark skin president’s aura lights up the sun and the night.
The white, pasty skin president’s aura dims the sun and distorts the night.
I do miss President Obama.
5Reminds me of Max Boot writing last summer that Teddy Roosevelt wrote more books than The Don ever read.
6I miss Obama’s presidency Every. Single. Day.
7The first thing I thought when I read this post was to wonder what kind of philosophy Donnie had to read in school and how he interpreted it. Immediately a scene from a great movie sprang to mind. From A Fish Called Wanda: Wanda: But you think you’re an intellectual don’t you, ape? Otto: (superior smile) Apes don’t read philosophy. Wanda: Yes they do, Otto, they just don’t understand it. Now let me correct you on a couple of things, okay? Aristotle was not Belgian! The central message of Buddhism is not “Every man for himself” And the London Underground is not a political movement.
8I know someone who graduated Penn with a degree in philosophy. Have no idea what the program is at Penn for this but I am not impressed. Inasmuch as the Barking Yam spent his time at Penn in the Wharton School, what would you expect? The perspective of an apostle?
@thatotherjean: I miss Obama the same way I would miss a amputated leg – wishing it were whole again. I pray that somehow he sticks around the political sphere just enough to keep hope alive.
9So looking forward to David Brooks’ next trashing of Obama. It’s only a matter of time until the shallow, two-faced lout does a column about all of Obama’s supposed shortcomings.
And yes, I miss Barack Obama. Every hour of every increasingly desperate day. I never dreamed things could get this bad in this country.
10Day to day I agreed with President Obama 85-90%. The other 10-15% of the time I was wrong. For example TPP. As negotiated by oligarchs and corporate raiders it was a bad deal. However, in principle President Obama was correct. The USA needs to participate.
It isn’t enough that Dolt45 is humming Bannon’s isolationist tune. No. Donnie is driving us into a position beneath Putin’s thumb. Quisling Donnie of the short fingers is in love with the big thumb. He wishes he had a thumb that big, so when he thumbs his nose at America it could be seen without a microscope.
11Imagine reporter to Trump: Have you ever read Reinhold Neibhur?”
Trump (winging it): “Yeah, I read that book–overrated!”
Imagine
12I had an idea. Obama could have a syndicated column and send the world his ideas that way for the price of a newspaper subscription or a FB account etc. Or just something like MOYERS. I’d read Obama. Wouldn’t you? Maybe he already has one and I just don’t know. Like in CHRONICLES OF EDUCATION or some business magazine.
13I think your idea is wonderful Marge. Barack, are you listening!
14Marge, I agree with your idea. Anyone know if President Obama reads JJ? I know cockwomble doesn’t cause he can’t read, or speak coherently, or … the list is endless.
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