quote to tickle thought: Genius does what it must and talent does what it can (Owen Meredith)
in the news: Obama’s State of the Union a moment of truth; US economy grows at fastest pace since 2003; Senate republicans have one word for democrats: no; squabbles erupt over national Tea Party event
in perspective: A year into his first term, America’s new non-white President gave his first State of the Union address just as the United Kingdom conducted the Chilcot inquiry into the country’s role in the Iraq invasion. From the start, the new President has repeatedly stated that he wants to move forward rather than look back at the country’s actions during the previous eight-year conservative administration. However noble the attitude and however desirable the ideal, the reality of the Main Street fight against a Wall Street monopoly demands an accounting on a period that led to America being reviled in the world to the point that it sparked a global economic crisis.
America broke the racial glass ceiling on power to elect the man who could lead it in the humane and world-friendly direction a global world demanded. He has done the job he was mandated to carry out and yet has received little acknowledgement for gargantuan efforts in reversing the global economic, moral and security declines resulting from previous policies.
One benefit to derive from the opportunity to meet new challenges is that of learning. To have achieved his place in history, America’s new President is undoubtedly at the “genius” level as defined by “an infinite capacity for patience,” according to a number of sources in Bartlett’s Quotations.
On the other hand, however admirable their skills, the President’s colleagues in Congress and beyond are at the “talent” level of doing what they can to stay in power or make a profit. The historical thrust of both that power and profit is white, moneyed and privileged.
America elected a black “David” against a white “Goliath” in 2008. The new black David just may need to readjust his thinking during his second year in office to get across the mandate the American people entrusted to him. He just may need to put the power of the past behind the stones he flings at white Goliath with his slingshot.
