http://www.jossip.com/occasions-for-barack-to-use-his-bad-boy-voice-20090206/

Remember this quote from Obama’s inauguration speech?

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is ‘yes,’ we intend to move forward. Where the answer is ‘no,’ programs will end. 

(Of course you remember it. You’ve memorized the thing by now, haven’t you?) Good stuff, right? Well, this morning on NPR’s Morning Edition, I heard the interviewer* asking a Republican lawmaker whether the whole “too big/too small” question had really been answered. I clenched my fists. Can NPR really be misquoting the President already? He didn’t say the question had been answered, you cretin, he said it was the wrong question. 

Argh.

And then the Republican went on to criticize the President for giving money to study Global Climate Change (people are still using the misnomer “Global Warming,” and they should please stop) when he said he’d be helping the economy. That’s like criticizing me for putting on my shoes when I said I’d be putting on my shirt. It’s all gotta get done, mac.

(Part of his criticism was that the CIA had already been given money to study the climate, to which I can only respond “HUH?” What’s next? The Parks Department studying campaign finance reform?)

It’s disheartening that the criticism and misquoting have hit full-force — on NPR, no less — on Day 3. We all knew that the mainstream media is a huge part of the problem with this country’s political system. I’m just very disappointed that my trusted NPR is in on it.

Dave

* I’ll look up the actual names later.

I just watched President Obama’s inaugural address and I have to admit, it made me a little misty. It was a powerful speech (made moreso by the speaker’s clear voice and gift with rhetoric, a gift that’s been missing in the White House since… well… err….)

The standout word I heard was “we.” I don’t think the president used the word “I” more than a half-dozen times in the entire speech. He’s never claimed to be the Superman that some see him to be, and frankly I think those who put him on that much of a pedestal are way off base. He’s one man who knows the importance of family, of community, and those are the values he’s hoping to model and spread for the next 4 years. The entire thrust of his speech was: “We’re in this together; I can lead you but I can’t do it all for you.” I really hope people get the message.

Oh, and speaking of values, how many times did he mention accountability and honesty? More than a few. I admit, part of me is itching to hold the previous administration accountable for what they did or failed to do to create the various messes that President Obama alluded to in his speech. But that’s a petty and hollow approach.

Better still, I want to see people (starting with that handsome fellow in the mirror) holding themselves accountable. I want to be able to look at my family and bandmates at the end of the day and say “yes, I did my chores, I practiced my guitar, I wrote a new song, I spent my time creating value today.” Sure, that sounds like something you’d want to hear from your teenager, but I’m going to have a teenager in about 10 more years and if I don’t model these things for him no one else will.

Other things I dug from The Speech: the mention of *gasp* science, and of curiosity as a core American value. Does that mean it’s safe to teach evolution again? I sure hope so. Does that mean I can enjoy my relationship with my Higher Power without feeling like I have to declare war in my Higher Power’s name? I think so.

Oh, and I loved the idea that it’s important to help one another not out of charity but because it’s the way all of us will improve. Now that’s a radical thought. And his message to those who would employ terrorism against the U.S.A.: we will outlast you. That’s powerful. I would have liked to have heard him say “we’re not afraid,” maybe even quote Roosevelt instead of Washington, but hey, it’s his speech, not mine.

I’m a little euphoric and scattered right now, sorry if I am sort of rambling. I’m going to find a transcript of the speech later in the week and post a more complete commentary, in a stab at making this blog even remotely relevant. But for now, I have an hour in which to download the tablature for “Hawaii 5-0″ so I can learn it in time for band rehearsal tonight. Accountability… adding value… here goes!

In 1983 NASA’s Guy Bluford Jr., became the first African-American astronaut to fly into space. In 1992 Mae Jemison became the first female African-American astronaut to fly.

A few years ago Denzel Washington and Halle Berry won the Oscars for Best Actor and Actress.

Tonight we have our first African-American President.

I’d be very happy to never* hear the words “the first African-American [fill in the blank]” again. Let’s be done with “separate but equal” once and for all. Let’s all be one Human Race.

Meanwhile, no one says it better than The Boss:

[* With the possible exception of "first female African-American president," which could happen in my lifetime, or maybe my child's.]

Obamanos

Heard this on NPR this morning. Popular among pro-Obama Hispanics in New Mexico, which is (once again) a vital swing state.

Tonight my wife borrowed my credit card to send $100 to Obama. “I want the coffee mug,” she said.

Now, I have never thought of Broadway’s leading men as overly masculine, but apparently the latest trend towards sensitive, vulnerable male characters has struck many as noteworthy.

Hey, whatever it takes to signal the world that the typical “guy” model of masculinity—gruff, rough, posturing—isn’t cutting it anymore.
Dave

P.s. James Rado lives in Hoboken.

While I don’t have Olympic Fever this year (you should have seen me 4 years ago, I was gonzo for Michael Phelps) it turns out I’ve got some stuff to say about it. (Hey, this is a blog, aren’t I supposed to be topical and stuff?)

I keep hearing that people are “boycotting” the Olympics. I feel that boycotting the event is a moronic, insipid and ultimately meaningless form of protest against China. You’re turning off your TV? Oooh, that’s got ‘em quaking in Shanghai. 

It would be a lot more meaningful if everyone boycotted, say, the millions of toys, clothing and appliances that come from China. Or better yet, write your congressperson and demand that your government take action (I’m pretty confident that the folks who are boycotting the Olympics are the folks who voted for Bill Clinton, who gave China “Most Favored Nation” status back in the wild-n-crazy ’90s). 

I’m thinking about a certain other Olympiad that took place in a questionable country: the Berlin games in Hitler’s Germany, where a young African-American runner named Jesse Owens won Olympic Gold in a shattering refutation of Hitler’s belief in the inferiority of non-whites. He became a folk hero, standing tall on the podium as the Fürher refused to acknowledge his presence.

Now we have a new crop of young (and not-so-young!) athletes in China, and suddenly we’re noticing that China has an outrageously bad human rights record, and we’re responding by turning off our TVs? Personally I think we should watch every event, every medal ceremony. The world’s next hero might be doing some warm-up stretches right now. 

Just a thought.

Oh, and Michael Phelps is still awesome.