Creating Change in Charleston SC
Dear Mr President: America's advice for running the country
May 15, 2009
Dear President Obama #116: …and out come the wolves
Posted: 08:45 AM ET
Reporter’s Note: From his home on Pennsylvania Avenue, President Barack Obama has asked Americans for advice on running the country. From my office, just a stone’s throw from the Capitol (if it were a really perfect stone, you had a really sort of super-human arm, and security police would not pound you to the ground) I am sending a letter to the White House every day.
Tom Foreman | Bio
AC360° Correspondent
Dear Mr. President,
I was tooling into work today, sun roof open, podding that old CD by Rancid, “And Out Come the Wolves.” It still has a lot of zip: Junkie Man, Time Bomb, Ruby Soho. Good times. And I mention it, because I sense some bad times may be in the works, as the wolves begin to circle the White House.
The pack is growing fast: Gay rights activists frustrated that you won’t immediately overturn the military’s ban on openly gay soldiers; fiscal watchdogs concerned that you are spending too much money; human rights types who want you to relentlessly pursue possible charges against anyone who knew about or condoned torture (somewhere, Nancy Pelosi just shivered;) the Sleevemakers Union angry over Michelle’s armless tops (just kidding); and of course the Congressional Republicans…who are just furious in general.
Two things which I would say to anyone at the top of his or her game: First, despite your popularity, don’t be surprised that the fang and claw crowd is gaining strength. The only leader who makes no enemies is the leader who doesn’t do anything. And I’m not sure that’s really a leader at all.
Second, keep an eye on all those yellow eyes and panting tongues. They may seem harmless enough as they circle outside the fence, but DC is a town where the right attack at the wrong time can turn into a feeding frenzy; enough to make your Hillary Clinton debates look like prom.
Sometimes I think popular presidents are particularly vulnerable, because somehow when you are up, it can feel like you were always there, and that you are destined to remain on top of the hill. But beware of the hubris that can deafen you to the howling. When the pack starts moving, it bears watching, no matter how invincible you may feel.
Makes me want to read a Jack London novel. Ha! Are you reading any good books lately? I can’t imagine when you’d have the time. I’m currently re-reading a book I loved twenty years ago: The Natural Man, by Ed McClanahan. Total hoot and spot on writing. Just finished The Telephone Gambit, about how Alexander Bell may have stolen a key idea for his telephone. (Notice how I left the “Graham” out? Seriously, two names are enough for anyone who is not a serial killer.) And I am continuing my push through Shelby Foote’s three volumes on The Civil War.
That’s it for today. Call if you feel inclined, or you need me to come shoo the big bad wolves off the lawn.
Regards,
Tom
Find more of the Foreman Letters here.
Dear President Obama #116: …and out come the wolves
Posted: 08:45 AM ET
Reporter’s Note: From his home on Pennsylvania Avenue, President Barack Obama has asked Americans for advice on running the country. From my office, just a stone’s throw from the Capitol (if it were a really perfect stone, you had a really sort of super-human arm, and security police would not pound you to the ground) I am sending a letter to the White House every day.
Tom Foreman | Bio
AC360° Correspondent
Dear Mr. President,
I was tooling into work today, sun roof open, podding that old CD by Rancid, “And Out Come the Wolves.” It still has a lot of zip: Junkie Man, Time Bomb, Ruby Soho. Good times. And I mention it, because I sense some bad times may be in the works, as the wolves begin to circle the White House.
The pack is growing fast: Gay rights activists frustrated that you won’t immediately overturn the military’s ban on openly gay soldiers; fiscal watchdogs concerned that you are spending too much money; human rights types who want you to relentlessly pursue possible charges against anyone who knew about or condoned torture (somewhere, Nancy Pelosi just shivered;) the Sleevemakers Union angry over Michelle’s armless tops (just kidding); and of course the Congressional Republicans…who are just furious in general.
Two things which I would say to anyone at the top of his or her game: First, despite your popularity, don’t be surprised that the fang and claw crowd is gaining strength. The only leader who makes no enemies is the leader who doesn’t do anything. And I’m not sure that’s really a leader at all.
Second, keep an eye on all those yellow eyes and panting tongues. They may seem harmless enough as they circle outside the fence, but DC is a town where the right attack at the wrong time can turn into a feeding frenzy; enough to make your Hillary Clinton debates look like prom.
Sometimes I think popular presidents are particularly vulnerable, because somehow when you are up, it can feel like you were always there, and that you are destined to remain on top of the hill. But beware of the hubris that can deafen you to the howling. When the pack starts moving, it bears watching, no matter how invincible you may feel.
Makes me want to read a Jack London novel. Ha! Are you reading any good books lately? I can’t imagine when you’d have the time. I’m currently re-reading a book I loved twenty years ago: The Natural Man, by Ed McClanahan. Total hoot and spot on writing. Just finished The Telephone Gambit, about how Alexander Bell may have stolen a key idea for his telephone. (Notice how I left the “Graham” out? Seriously, two names are enough for anyone who is not a serial killer.) And I am continuing my push through Shelby Foote’s three volumes on The Civil War.
That’s it for today. Call if you feel inclined, or you need me to come shoo the big bad wolves off the lawn.
Regards,
Tom
Find more of the Foreman Letters here.
Comment
About
© 2009 Created by Ian Downie on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of Grassroots Change to add comments!
Join this Ning Network