I watched President Obama give the commencement address to the graduating class of 2009 last night. Was that the greatest speech ever? The ideas were wonderful, but probably not something that hasn't been uttered before to a graduating class.
No, what was great was that he addressed head on the thought that was on every one's mind [that ASU had refused to honor him with an honorary degree] and made it into the theme of his speech, turning it into the most positive, most eloquent, and most gracious speech I have heard in a long time. The crux of it was that we are never "finished', that we must always strive to do more, to be better individuals, and to leave a lasting legacy.
I felt proud, inspired, and happy to be able to call this man our leader.
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Arlen Specter - new clothes, same old tired ideas
I have to admit I was at first heartened to hear of Arlen Specter's defection from the Republican party and his new affiliation as a Democrat. Then I watched him vote. What I interpreted is that he changed parties solely to win the Senate seat in PA when it comes up for re-election. He claimed to be more in line with the Democrat's agenda but so far I'm not seeing it.
To vote against the changes in the bankruptcy law was a big give away to me. He is just a Republican in Democrat clothing and I think it's time he retired. We already have one Joe Lieberman. We don't need another.
To vote against the changes in the bankruptcy law was a big give away to me. He is just a Republican in Democrat clothing and I think it's time he retired. We already have one Joe Lieberman. We don't need another.
Friday, April 10, 2009
ASU refused to give President Obama an honorary degree
President Obama will be speaking at commencement for Arizona State University next month. Usually when people speak at these occasions, they are honored with an honorary degree from the school. Not this time. ASU has refused to do so.
What the hell were they thinking? Or maybe they weren't. It's all over the news feeds. I am so embarrassed by this. Their reasoning was that he hadn't accumulated a big enough body of work yet to deserve that honor.
Really? Being president of the United states of America wasn't good enough for them? How many people do they actually know who have done that? Is there something else he should have included in his resume?
Like maybe being a best-selling author? Because he did that.
Being a Senator? He did that.
Graduate from Harvard with a law degree? He did that.
Be the first African–American editor of the Harvard Law Review. Oh, wait, he did that.
Be the first African -American to become President? Seems to me he did that, too.
What did he leave out?
I'd like to know. Maybe he should refuse the great honor of speaking at a school known mostly for partying so he can stay at home and see if maybe he can add to his paltry list of accomplishments so that the great ASU will deign to honor him with their honorary degree.
I'm glad I never attended ASU. I would be tempted to send my degree back.
What the hell were they thinking? Or maybe they weren't. It's all over the news feeds. I am so embarrassed by this. Their reasoning was that he hadn't accumulated a big enough body of work yet to deserve that honor.
Really? Being president of the United states of America wasn't good enough for them? How many people do they actually know who have done that? Is there something else he should have included in his resume?
Like maybe being a best-selling author? Because he did that.
Being a Senator? He did that.
Graduate from Harvard with a law degree? He did that.
Be the first African–American editor of the Harvard Law Review. Oh, wait, he did that.
Be the first African -American to become President? Seems to me he did that, too.
What did he leave out?
I'd like to know. Maybe he should refuse the great honor of speaking at a school known mostly for partying so he can stay at home and see if maybe he can add to his paltry list of accomplishments so that the great ASU will deign to honor him with their honorary degree.
I'm glad I never attended ASU. I would be tempted to send my degree back.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Thank you, President Obama
Like many Americans last night, I tuned in to President Obama's address to both houses of Congress. I had high hopes for that speech and I wasn't disappointed.
As I expected it would be, the speech was filled with hope and promise, encouragement and comfort, but also a call to our better selves. The President not only laid out a plan for him and our leaders but called to each American to do their part. When was the last time you heard your President ask parents to pay attention to their children? It's been a long time coming.
I was also interested, as a nurse and as a consumer, to hear what plans he had for the health care industry. I think his plans are good [streamlining health records by taking them into the digital age, curing cancer, etc].
Addressing education will also help healthcare because some of our problem lies not with a lack of health care students but with a lack of health care teachers.
Targeting the high cost of health care will also be a big boon to the economy because that is something that is going to get worse fast if we are not proactive. The Boomers are going to need lots of care very soon and it's not free. Whether it's private insurance, Medicare, or out of pocket, someone is going to have to pay for it.
All in all, the President nailed it with his Address.
As for the Republicans, what can I say? Same old, same old. They really need to buy a clue.
As I expected it would be, the speech was filled with hope and promise, encouragement and comfort, but also a call to our better selves. The President not only laid out a plan for him and our leaders but called to each American to do their part. When was the last time you heard your President ask parents to pay attention to their children? It's been a long time coming.
I was also interested, as a nurse and as a consumer, to hear what plans he had for the health care industry. I think his plans are good [streamlining health records by taking them into the digital age, curing cancer, etc].
Addressing education will also help healthcare because some of our problem lies not with a lack of health care students but with a lack of health care teachers.
Targeting the high cost of health care will also be a big boon to the economy because that is something that is going to get worse fast if we are not proactive. The Boomers are going to need lots of care very soon and it's not free. Whether it's private insurance, Medicare, or out of pocket, someone is going to have to pay for it.
All in all, the President nailed it with his Address.
As for the Republicans, what can I say? Same old, same old. They really need to buy a clue.
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