How dreadful! On 4 July 2022, innocent Americans were the victims of a gunman whose weapon was purchased legally. I suspect that the gunman was going through a crisis, but he had a gun, and he lives in what could be described as a “gun culture.”
Groups such as the National Rifle Association lobby the government to secure the “right” to buy and carry firearms. Under particular administrations, they succeed. The 2nd Amendment does not justify using a gun because the United States has “[a] well-regulated militia “that ensures the “security of a free state.” Security is the operative word. One may protect oneself, but how and to what extent? Given constant deadly shootings, guns do not save anyone.
“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
I am not an American citizen
Isil
We jumped for joy
I have received several messages asking that I make donations to President Obama‘s political campaign in the United States. I cannot do so because I am not an American citizen. My grandfather was an American citizen, but I was born in Canada. I have tried to make donations, but my money was rejected.
However, I want to state that I am a non-American supporter of President Obama. I fear the conflict in the Middle East will not be solved militarily, but I do not possess sufficient information to oppose President Obama’s involvement. In fact, I have no reason to think President Obama is acting irresponsibly. I can trust him and I believe President Obama found himself in a position that did not allow him to keep out of the coalition battling demented terrorists: Isil/Isis.
I have been watching President Obama since 4 November 2008 and everyone I know admires and respects President Obama. In my opinion, he may well be one of the United States’ best Presidents. In fact, he may prove to have been the best. I love the way he treated former President George W. Bush. He treated him as a President should be treated. He was very polite. And he treated him in a manner Jesus of Nazareth would like: forgivingly. The attacks of 11 September 2001 were destabilizing, to say the least.
On 6 November 2012, we were jumping for joy. Americans had elected the better candidate.
Were President Obama not at the helm, the world could well be facing its worst financial crisis ever. The success of an economy is based, to a large extent, on reliability. President Obama is trustworthy. He looks before he leaps, which is very wise.
Voter Suppression
Security
Stability
Ethical behaviour
What President Obama wants is security and stability for his people. The Affordable Care Act is proof of this. If President Obama could, he would do even more, but Congress is dysfunctional. Mr. Boehner is suing President Obama, thereby ignoring the fact that Barack Obama is the duly-elected President of the United States of America. He was chosen by the people without using unethical means, such as voter purges.
Welfare for the Wealthy
Opposition to the Affordable Health Care
Demand for tax cuts
Debt ceiling crises
Obstructionism and Scapegoating
Disrespect
Let it be widely known that Mr. Boehner wants tax cuts for the wealthy and opposes the Affordable Health Care Act because there may be a rise in taxes. If taxes are raised, it will not be by a large amount and it will be for the better. It will ensure affordable healthcare for all Americans and save many from bankruptcy and, possibly, death. Besides, in no way should the poor and the middle-class support the wealthy.
I do not support politicians whose main concern is obtaining tax cuts for the wealthy and are therefore trying to sabotage the Affordable Health Care Act because the wealthy may have to pay higher taxes. In this regard, the debt-ceiling crisis of 2013 and the government shutdown were the last straw. That crisis was a form of blackmail and it cost American citizens billions. Congress had derailed.
When the debt ceiling has to be raised, one raises it. The alternative is unthinkable.
President Obama has been subjected to systematic obstructionism and scapegoating. Whatever he does is condemned. He is not paid the respect he deserves by virtue of his position, wisdom and leadership.
Detail of Flag (1954-55). Museum of Modern Art, New York City. This image illustrates Johns’ early technique of painting with thick, dripping encaustic over a collage made from found materials such as newspaper. This rough method of construction is rarely visible in photographic reproductions of his work. (Caption and photo credit: Wikipedia)
Conclusion
If President Obama were not at the helm, the world would live in fear of hasty decisions and a total economic collapse. Too many Americans would carry lethal weapons. A woman’s health concerns would not be respected. The poor and the middle-class would be poorer. The minimum wage would not be raised. There would be no social programmes protecting the citizens of the United States. The United States would be governed not by a polite and exceptionally gifted statesman, but by mere politicians shooting from the hip.
Imagine! Mr. Boehner would kill himself if the minimum wage were increased. Are Americans to return to the days of slavery?
Dear Barbra
One letter came from Barbra Streisand. Barbra, I doubt that you will ever read this post, but I will say nevertheless that I am a supporter of President Obama. I love his manner, his humility, his compassion, his brilliant intellect, but most importantly, I know that he cares for the people: the poor, the disabled, the sick, the middle-class homeowner, the children who need good schools and good teachers.
I trust the citizens of the United States will not let themselves be bought. There are anti-tax extremists in the United States, but there are people who can see greed and selfishness, where there is greed and selfishness. There is an élite. They may or may not be affluent, but their integrity cannot be doubted. Barbra, you are part of this élite.
You are so right about Congress. In my opinion, it is a perfect storm.
I apologize for not posting sooner. There is a crisis in my family. However, the bigger crises are taking place in the Middle East and the United States.
President Obama cannot give in to a call for negotiations from extremist Republicans. If he does, his credibility will be adversely affected. This is, I believe, the most important moment in his presidency so far. Not only is he being blackmailed, but so is the entire nation. If there is any way of communicating with him, please encourage him. It may help if he and his opponents saw “Cheers Obama” signs or something to that effect.
It would also be my view that, at this point, President Obama should not enter a room unless the room has been searched as well as everyone entering the room. I doubt that he is at risk, but why take chances? When right-wing Republicans cause a shutdown of the Government, one has to be cautious, not paranoid, that’s extremism, just cautious! What Æsop would teach.
It makes no sense to cut people away from their best source of information. The Internet is the people’s way of getting and disseminating information in the privacy of their home.
Will we let fear guide our lives? If we do so, we are surrendering to terrorism. I want to continue to publish a free blog that contains both information and a little entertainment.
And I want to be able to link my reader to sites that give more information. So I often use Wikipedia. It is reliable and when people press on the link, there is an immediate response. They do not need an account.
This is not protection from piracy, this is paranoia.
Micheline's Blog 