January 21, 2015
It is good to be an American. That was the gist of President Barack Obama’s speech tonight before a packed house – mostly Republicans.
Few were smiling.
The President focused on the economy, which he did gladly, since both unemployment and gas prices are downׄ
Nowhere, however, did he mention that about 60 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
Nor he did explain why gas prices are down. We are paying less no thanks to his administration.
Those congratulations go to the other side who summoned America to “Drill Baby Drill,” which indeed we did. Even Sarah Palin deserves bows for this win.
There was nothing in this speech to ask what we can do for our country, nor even what we can do for the world.
This was a speech directed at the Middle Class…affordable childcare, free community college and other goodies we’ve heard before.
That’s it – we have heard it all before. Wish it weren’t so, but the act has grown old – and two more years to go.
The thrill is gone. This was no different from the campaign speeches he uses to whip up his legions and which we have heard a thousand times before.
The word “overexposure” comes to mind as does the phrase “so what else is new?”
We could not have expected Obama to note that under his watch race relations are in terrible shape, worse than in half a century.
There was no call to action. Unless raising taxes counts as action, or as anything Americans really want.
There was nothing in this speech to ask what we can do for our country, nor even what we can do for the world.
As a fireside chat, this speech may have worked.
The speech fell short on one tiny item – the rest of the world. Obama gave it about five minutes. Can’t blame him. It’s rough out there.
Obama mentioned anti-Semitism. He came out against it. Thank you. He called it deplorable. Small comfort for those in pain since here too there were words but no call to action, say against the boycott movement, or the terrible acts of intolerance Jewish kids face on American campuses. A word of support to something so serious would have been appreciated.
I missed the part of his unwavering support for the only democracy in the Middle East – Israel. And I missed the part where he said that given the gruesome killings taking place all over the Middle East from the hands of Radical Islam, only Israel stands as a beacon of tolerance and liberty.
No such luck, and neither did he call it by name, Radical Islam. They remain “terrorists,” which could mean anybody.
But on that topic, Obama is thrilled to be getting us out of Afghanistan. The Taliban are also thrilled about this.He appeared to say that we are winning the war against those “terrorists.” He said this with a straight face – and to some applause?
Really? Does he read the papers? Those of us who do are aware that much of Iraq and much of Syria are in the hands of ISIS.
That’s just a start. Much of Europe is alarmed by the peril of Radical Islam. Freedom of speech now comes with a price. Not since World War II has the world faced such a menace and been so afraid.
But for the time being, according to Obama, America is in pretty good shape. As for the rest of the world, gee, too bad.
Only this: The rest of the world, they know where we live.
Jack Engelhard writes a regular column for Arutz Sheva. The new thriller from the New York-based novelist, The Bathsheba Deadline, a heroic editor’s singlehanded war on terror and against media bias. Engelhard wrote the int’l bestseller Indecent Proposal that was translated into more than 22 languages and turned into a Paramount motion picture starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. Website: www.jackengelhard.com
