Tuesday, April 21, 2009

A brave president

Mr. Barak Obama in a speech at CIA headquarters said :What makes the United States special, and what makes you special, is precisely the fact that we are willing to uphold our values and our ideals even when it's hard, not just when it's easy; even when we are afraid and under threat, not just when it's expedient to do so. That's what makes us different" ..The speeches that we have heard but rarely implemented in our modern times. In this age of nationalistic jingoistic world of ours, I have rarely seen a president/national executive telling his armymen/intelligence that I am going to make your task harder. And here we have an American President saying it to its troops, sorry boy no torture, your job is to bring in good intelligence without torture.. that is surely a brave thing to do..right thing !! well we will know in the future..

In the same speech he said that we have made mistakes in the past and its time to admit the mistakes and go ahead. Accepting mistake by predecessor is easy to do..i would judge him when there are mistakes in his presidency(of course there will be) and then what he does abt it.. the "no torture" policy will also be trial when there is another terrorist attack( i pray not..but terrorists also pray) and we will see how much Obama is faithful to his values and ideals..

Ending torture as method of interrogration, talking to europe and south america as equals, speaking about a nuclear free world, this President has made all the right speeches and pressed the right notes in his first 100 days..On the home front, saving banks and pressing for clean energy has been the right steps in my view while there could be arguments on both sides whether he has been too conservative or lenient in fiscal measures..

This president is faced with the most difficult economic , social and political conditions when he assumed power.. the way foreward is only UP but it needs careful management to make sure that America and we world doesnt fall in abyss..

So after his 100 days , I will give a high five to his presidency and sincerely hope he continues on this path when it will be more difficult.....

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