Archive for the ‘politics’ Category

Posted on September 11, 2009 - by sarahsamudre

Eight Years Ago Today

9/11 Memories:

Was looking through a photo album of 9/11 and began to cry again. Like I have, like we all have, every year for the last eight.

I was in bed that morning, and as odd as it sounds, I woke up feeling something was wrong. I went upstairs and turned on the TV, a sinking feeling in my chest. I don’t watch the news in the morning. I usually read. But that morning I felt I had to turn on the TV, and flip to CNN. As I turned on the TV, I remember thinking how strange I felt, breaking my routine, listening to a nagging feeling in my gut, wondering if there really was something wrong.

Something was incredibly wrong.

The first tower had been hit.

I sank to my knees in my living room, my hand held up to my mouth until it was between my teeth. I began to call my parents, my friends, and told people to turn on the news or radio. No one could believe what we were seeing. But then the second plane hit.

And both towers fell.

I stayed in front of television for hours. Until that evening. And I hated that I was in front of the television, when people were injured, scared out of their minds, and threatened in New York. It didn’t feel like it was enough to just watch and feel sympathy. It was a sickening feeling that took hold, as the hours went on and the news cycle began to repeat on itself.

I remember kids that night on the street corners waving flags and holding candles. I remember the wave of patriotism and grief that united us, even if the unification was brief. I remember feeling simultaneously bonded with everyone, and small and cut off as well. We all wondered what was next, we all felt grief, and everyone not in New York, DC or Pennsylvania, felt unsatisfied with just watching the news. We felt powerless if not there to pitch in. We volunteered, waved flags, and marched to war.

I remember today. I remember the brave men and women who died to save those who were dying. I remember that a nationally unifying wave of patriotism led us into a war that had nothing to do with today. I remember that a moment as great as 9/11 can feed our fear, make us frenzied and easy to manipulate. I don’t want to forget how people came together to help each other in the days that followed. I don’t want to forget the stories of those who died, who survived, who sacrificed. And I don’t want to forget what happened the next year. I don’t want to forget how the wrong type of patriotism can creep in so easily with the pure type of patriotism. I don’t want to forget.

Because we all know that if we forget history, we will repeat it. And while this day should never happen again, if similar circumstances ever befall our great nation, I hope we will have the same courage, the same devotion to each other, but remain calmer when it comes to doling out reactionary, misapplied retribution.

That is my September 11th remembrance.

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by sarahsamudre

GOP Governors Support, Legislators Resist Stimulus

G.O.P. Governors Support Obama – NYTimes.com

Interesting dichotomy between the two. The fire is fueled by angry DJ’s and bloggers who want America to fail in order to get re-elected in 2012…

But what would be nice is to get past politics for a while while the country recovers. That way, when it does, Republicans could say, “It wasn’t just Obama, we deserve the credit too…” which while Republican governors can say they supported the President, unfortunately, the Republican lawmakers are all about saving face with angry radio hosts.

Steven Colbert suggested that all who voted against the stimulus put their money where their mouths are and refuse the stimulus money on behalf of their constituents.

But hey, before I seem too partisan… most of the Democrats in the House stink too. The whole legislative branch has been the weakest link of our government for a long time. I’d love to see Pelosi removed from her post- having her as Speaker is going to only hinder Obama’s efforts to get bi-partisan cooperation.

Posted on January 20, 2009 - by sarahsamudre

We Have a NEW PRESIDENT!!!!

I am overwhelmed to the point of tears. It was a wonderful speech. It hit hard against the darkness of the last 8 years. It offered hope, and while drawing differences between the present and the past, offered continuity with our most enduring values. 

The White House’s website is up, with a new look and a new outlook on how to connect with the people of the United States and the world. 

White House Blog is featured prominently on the front page. 

Vasant and I are on the way to class, but go out the door with a sense of new hope and promise underneath each footstep.

Posted on January 14, 2009 - by sarahsamudre

Obama Honors McCain at a Dinner the Night Before Inauguration

So this is incredibly classy:

Obama to host McCain at bipart. dinner – Jonathan Martin – Politico.com.

Posted on January 13, 2009 - by sarahsamudre

Jacob Heilbrunn: Is Obama Selling Out to the Right?

Jacob Heilbrunn: Is Obama Selling Out to the Right?.

Good post, irritating subject. Either Pelosi and Reid positioned Obama because they felt he’d be an easy target to manipulate for their own agenda, or the left is really outraged that Obama was elected to lead a whole country, and not themselves alone. 

It’s like no one has been paying attention to him. His book talked about working with conservatives, about being Christian, about being past party politics and into the search for reconciliation in our country’s politics. 

Now that he’s uh, trying to do what he’s talked about for years, talking to Republicans, trying to be a centrist president, the left is royally freaking out! “whaddya mean he wants to invoke God in the inaugural prayers?!” “whaddya mean he’s having lunch with people from the other side of the aisle?!”

Ick. Well, I hope the neo-cons and Obama hold their ground and press forward on a post-partisan agenda. Our country CANNOT AFFORD more petty politics