The defense of liberalism

For as long as President Obama has been in the public eye, he has refused to criticize the conservative movement or the republican party as whole. Never has he spoken about an issue on ideological terms, defending or attacking one side of the political spectrum or another. He has, despite not receiving the same gracious courtesy from his critics and despite pressure from his own identifying party, stayed steadfastly above the fray.

That is, until the end of his speech last night. For the first time ever--since this President has been in the eye of the American public--he has offered up a defense of liberalism. But when relentless badgering and distortions of his own ideological views, constant nagging from his identfied party, and an agenda full of issues that boils down to essence of the liberal/conservative debate has failed to stagger his stead fast mentality, what possibly did?

Here is the inspiring, emotional, defensive and beautiful letter Ted Kennedy wrote to President Obama. A letter that was so influencial, President Obama did something so unprecendeted for him, it has caused the media a stir.

May 12, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me — and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth.

On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life.

You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country.

When I thought of all the years, all the battles, and all the memories of my long public life, I felt confident in these closing days that while I will not be there when it happens, you will be the president who at long last signs into law the health care reform that is the great unfinished business of our society. For me, this cause stretched across decades; it has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me — and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination.

There will be struggles — there always have been — and they are already under way again. But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat — that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.

And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will — yes, we will — fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.

In closing, let me say again how proud I was to be part of your campaign — and proud as well to play a part in the early months of a new era of high purpose and achievement. I entered public life with a young president who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young president inspires another generation and once more on America's behalf inspires the entire world.

So, I wrote this to thank you one last time as a friend — and to stand with you one last time for change and the America we can become.

At the Denver Convention where you were nominated, I said the dream lives on.

And I finished this letter with unshakable faith that the dream will be fulfilled for this generation, and preserved and enlarged for generations to come.

With deep respect and abiding affection,

(Ted)

Not to cool for school?...Your a Communist.

Yesterday the notion that Obama's address to school children all across the nation is a scheme to indoctrinate students into Obama's "socialist ideology" really hit the fan. I really can't justified why I am surprised this notion exploded from pundits of Florida's Republican Party to actual legitimate republican elected politicians such as Minnesota Govenor Tim Pawlenty, but honestly I am. I am surprised for two reasons: 1) I am surprised this blew up into such a big issue, or an issue at all and, 2) it is hard to fathom the rhetoric being used against this address.

I mean lets take a look at what Obama actually plans on talking about. Well first, he plans of addressing the children to give them motivational instruction to stay in school, to set goals for themselves, and to stay motivated to succeed. Originally, that's what opposition was against...this apparent, far fetched, socialist agenda to motivate children. Anderson Cooper did a wonderful interview of Jim Greer, Florida Chair of the Republican Party, to which he asked Mr. Greer, how can you claim Obama will be pushing his agenda onto children when 1) You haven't seen his speech or have any hard evidence to to support your claim, and 2) Obama has already told you what he will say, and that is.... well this motivational stuff. Coopers point is valid one, how can people cause such a riot over a fear they are basing off of pure whimsical irrationality. Its not like this is the first a President addressed the school children of America. George Bush sr. addressed the schools of America...and when he received political criticism (which was incredibly mild to what we are seeing now) the Republicans were quick to their feet to defend him. George W. Bush soon followed suit with a double-whammy. Not only did he address the school children, but he actually was promoting his agenda of No Child Left Behind.

So then the pundits turned their argument around. Its not the speech anymore. Its the curriculum. Now the republicans focused their attention on an assignment the White House suggested schools: Have the kids write a letter explaining how they can help President Obama. Keep in mind these kids are well, kids. Its highly unlikely the topic of their letter will be creating left wing "socialist" propaganda for health care reform, or the new cap and trade bill. I think its safe to say the majority of these kids will be writing about generic ways they can help the country and the president as whole. Such as stay in school, don't commit crimes, try to do good...maybe if they get real radical socialist(y) they will write about supporting the country. This assignment should be viewed as what it is... a reflective writing assignment to strengthen critical analysis and writing skills, rather than a secret plot to bring communism/socialism to America.

As if it was bad enough that this blew up into an issue in the first place, the magnitude of the rhetoric used is a bit extreme...and its not exclusive to the pundits either. This speech promoting staying in school, setting goals, and being motivated, its being compared to ...wait for it...fascism. That's right. Fox News Channel and other right wing bloggers compared Obama to "Chairman Mao [Zedong]" creating the Red Guard, to North Korean and former Soviet Union dictatorship. But the Fox News channel is always pretty radical, as are the right wing bloggers; unfortunately it didn't stop there. Elected officials such as Oklahoma state senator Steve Russel made the same comparisons he said, " this is akin to something you see in North Korea or under Saddam Hussein's Iraq"

Like I said, we shouldn't be surprised...this summer has been filled with ridiculous falsities to say the least. But when the right compare a motivational speech about staying in school to fascism and totalitarian dictatorships like Stalin, Mao, and Saddam I just cant help but shockingly say, "What the fuck?!