The Vaccuum Of Hope

So, here we are some 57 days until the Presidency changes hands. Ordinarily, this period of time,
separating the orderly transfer of power from one party to another, is benign, even melancholy for most outgoing presidents, and a wistful anticipation of great things to come by the incoming president. These times however, are extraordinary. There is precious little President Bush can or should do, to alleviate economic pressures confronting America. In effect, his presidency is now over, not officially, but effectively, over. The incoming president, Barack Obama, can not officially do anything at all. Nothing.

He could, though, through his articulation of his policy plans, instill a sense of encouragement in the minds of average Americans. He has largely chosen to ignore the healing effects this would have, and instead, has kept himself busy appointing Clinton retreads as his new Cabinet members. One might say this is personal policy, versus the healing of his country's ills, a public policy opportunity. Secrecy is the rule today, it seems, at least as far as the public gaining an insight into just who is this man we have elected?

The secrecy extends from not only knowing just when he was in Reverend Wright's church, listening to the poisonous homilies therein, and further, not being able to see one of his college thesis papers. His health records remain a mystery, save for the one page letter offered by his doctor. All this, and then there is the matter of just exactly where was this man born anyway? Is he legal in the sense that he meets the fundamental requirement of being a native born American.

If someone were to ask me: Where were you born? I would be able to tell them specifically, the place, the date and time, and any other supporting information essential to know. It is a matter of city, and state official record. I can furnish not only the state certificate, but the hospital of birth certificate as well. It really is no big deal, but in Obama's case it apparently is a VERY big deal, because the Supreme Court of the United States will be hearing a case on December 5th, regarding this matter. Wouldn't it be much simpler to just go back to the house, and retrieve the same type of documents I, or any one of you, possesses, and show them to the interested parties? "My gosh, what is all this fuss about ?" Obama could say, absolutely destroying the credibility of his challengers.

But, no. We are left to wonder why such mysteries are allowed to persist. Why anyone of good, and jolly spirit would permit this to go on. Why, indeed? The man, The One, wants so much to be considered as being of the mold of President John F. Kennedy. Does this mean he desires, or does not mind, the conspiracy theorists soon to converge upon him? Of course, there are no good or even simple reasons for this. Just lots of unanswered questions to ponder. We don't have time for that, the American people that is, we are in the throes of diminishing opportunities, and financial ruin descending, we need much, much more than all the mysteries surrounding this man.

Questions deserve accurate answers not subtle hints. Why are not the birth places of the prior 43 presidents a matter of unanswerable difficulty? Why should it be only this one? Our chances, apparently, of knowing as much as we should about this man, are equivalent to being able to accurately predict the winner of the next Kentucky Derby. Just can't be done!

No, I won't be one of those hanging on each of the One's words come next January 20th. I'll be too busy researching whatever records I may have access to, in order to find suitable answers for myself, to the questions that nag. And that's just not right. I should be able to appreciate the significance, and the importance of the moment, but will be denied, and that's not my fault either.

Let's have a Happy Thanksgiving, none the less, and give thanks for that which appears about to be lost. I have my family, but America needs so much more, doesn't she?