Posted by
AJH on Monday, January 19, 2009 11:02:55 AM
I am reluctantly getting ready to be swamped by stories of the Obama swearing-in. It is already beginning on Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) Radio and NPR, which happens to be where my radio dial is currently set. CNN is beside itself in ObamaMania or Obamania. (I am still deciding on which spelling to use.)
The lead paragraph in one of CNN's stories is telling as noted by Rush Limbaugh on his radio program.
“President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural address is one of the most anticipated speeches in decades, with many expecting his words to be chiseled into marble some day.”
Comparison's to Lincoln and other god-like American historical figures is just plain irresponsible and unhealthy. As someone said on some show, if Obama was authentic and a genuinely good man, he would scoff at these lofty expectations and tamp down the more cultish aspects of his devoted followers.
It is all so reminiscent of dictatorships. Rather than Roosevelt, Kennedy and Lincoln, Obama's adoration society, cronies and aides have more in common with Hitler, Stalin and Hussein.
Check out these “Story Highlights”:
“Aides says Obama's speech will call for a new era of responsibility”
“His inauguration speech is being compared to Roosevelt's and Kennedy's”
“Obama is expected to 'calm the nation' like FDR did in 1933, columnist says”
Apparently he has been studying historical addresses from Abraham Lincoln to Franklin D. Roosevelt, including those given during the Great Depression. CNN, much like so many “news” outlets, cannot seem to separate analysis and opinion from straight, untarnished reporting:
Given the nation's current economic crisis ... He will say that America has been hurt by a "me first" mentality that has contributed to the current economic crisis, aides say, and call on individuals — as well as corporations and businesses — to take responsibility for their actions.
A columnist for the New York Daily News named Errol Lewis mentioned FDR's famous line, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," and desperately implored Obama to echo it. So much for originality and creativity. The Left certainly likes to recycle, especially stupid ideas from generations before.
Here's Lewis again: “He's got to calm the nation. I think he's got to reassure the nation and let people know that we are in it for the long haul.”
Eastern Establishment and Republican turncoat David Gergen did not want to be left out of the fawning:
He's got to give that great, soaring speech. I think the pressure is really on because of the historic nature of this presidency and also because of the extraordinary moment in which we find ourselves with this terrible recession. That is a lot to do in a single speech but, you know, because he has such a high reputation for giving excellent speeches ... the expectations for this one are just — well, they're soaring.
Limbaugh refuses to join what he calls the Cult of Obama, dubbing the inauguration as The Immaculation. Dennis Miller, too, is sick of the strange media adoration. He has mentioned several instance including when the staff of The Washington Post went so over-the-top by clapping and cheering when Obama stopped by. I have a feeling the honeymoon will end at some point, at least I hope so.
AJH