Bernanki and Holder: Natives of Mordor? Agents of Sauron?
Yesterday seemed like a page from a Tolkien novel. Ben Bernanki in his speech gave such a sense of doom for America that I thought that he had to be an agent sent by Sauron to help prepare the take over of Middle Earth(America) by economic evil forces too great for us to defeat. I was still shaking my head over the morose outlook described by Bernaki when I heard a replay of the speech by Attorney General Eric Holder who called America “a nation of cowards when it came to race”.
I now understand why the President is out of Washington rallying the troops. He understands that he is surrounded by some people from another planet. I listened to Obama’s speech in Arizona where the screaming adoration of the crowd reminded me of the crowds that screamed at every appearance of Frank Sinatra, the Beatles or more recently Springsteen when he appeared at halftime at the Super Bowl.
I’m befuddled trying to place the events of the last few weeks in some sensible order concerning contributions to economic revival. Not easily able to find a reasonable explanation has led me to the conclusion that we may be living in a lost chapter of The Lord of the Rings or perhaps a new Harry Potter novel.
I think that Bernanki needs immediate counseling and to become familiar with The Power of Positive Thinking. I’m sure that a few lessons from a powerful motivational speaker would help him. He can find help on late night TV. There is a guy that sells citrus cleaners, car polish and great mops that could help Bernanki with his presentation technique. Bernaki sounds like he is giving a eulogy when he talks about the American economy. I think that Ben needs a dose of personal stimulus before he appears in public again.
When Obama was elected, I secretly said to myself we’re free, free at last from the constant unfair accusations that categorize us as a nation of racists. I thought that while I might disagree with Obama on various issues, the black issue would not be an issue any longer. America had elected a black man president. Colorado has a black speaker of the House and a black head of the Senate. I thought we as a nation could now concentrate on the nations business with the race issue settled.
Eric Holder our new Attorney General is also black and not satisfied that he has enough important work to do. He has instigated a new level of animosity yesterday between the races by calling us a nation of cowards concerning our racial dealings. I don’t know what suggestions to give to Holder. I’m just tremendously ticked off by his characterization of us as a nation of cowards. We may be a nation of many parts but coward is not one of those parts.
No wonder Obama is spending so much time on Air Force One. He needs time to assess the choices he made that are now so embarrassing. The screaming adoration Obama receives indicates that Holder doesn’t know what he is talking about. It is a further indication that Obama has a chance to lead us away from the dark future predicted by Bernanki. The President is a great speaker and needs now to become a true leader and gain control of his loose canons which include Pilosi and Reed. If I were him, I think I’d want to spend some time in Air Force One, but he has to land back in D.C. sooner of later where the real job awaits.
I think the weeds are taking over his garden and early weeding is needed.
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Comments
Of course Bush appointed Bernanki and the original awkwardly stated comment has now been more correctly stated.
Answer #1 You may not have noticed that Bush is no longer President and that McCain was defeated. We are in the Obama era now and he has the office. Deal with it and get off the Bush excuse for current actions and conditions.
Answer #2 My outrage was used up 30 years ago when dealing with serious question of equality in our nation. I was involved with more than a stupid ditty. There was racism then and racism now. If you don’t understand the difference between then and now you might take notice that a large plurality of Americans elected elected a black president.
Answer #3 Your observation indicates a limited understanding of cowardly behavior. The efforts starting in little Rock and moving through the South in those bitter, tough years exposed the issues that then deserved my outrage. i can tell you that I saw bitter racism, but cowardly was not a descriptive word used to describe the combatants on either side. Misguided,evil,hateful could be used in some cases but not cowardly. You need to do a little reading before you tell me that we choose not to act. Obama is President because of me and a host of other Americans of many races who took action when really tough action was needed. Opuleeze give us a break with your cry for entitlements and continuous Bush bashing. Read about tough economic times and how America became great by offering opportunity for individual accomplishment. Obama is the most recent example. I hope for America he is up to the task.
Seems we are mostly critics of the pessimistic persuasion in all those involved and quoted in this entry. Although, Buck, your sarcasm and creativity is exceptional. I concur with your agitation over Mr. Holder’s comment regarding cowardice Americans. So the man didn’t do well in English Comp, gives really boring speeches and is a pessimistic with little vision. Taken as a whole, the speech that is, I think he means well and I forgive him for is inadequacies. I’m sure he shines on Monday and Tuesday.
I firmly agree with his assertion that our populace is undereducated in regards to black history; and an inclusion of such, would increase pride and respect for all. Also his point that our society, as a whole, would like forget the nasty business of slavery. I would like to point out that the Jewish culture will never forget their persecution.
The optimist in me would now like to comment that Mr Holder and Mr Obama are also white. (Please don’t ask for evidence.) In making that point, I’m trying to express the inevitable. In the future, race will not exist. Differences will be less and less discernible. The pure bloods will be a minority and regarded with anthropological interest. Therefore I do not see the point in dwelling on the inefficiencies of our social mingling. Its happening at its own pace. From generation to generation.
Now there is a connection between poverty (and all that comes with it,) and Black America. Which I believe is to be expected of a race whose great grandmother was likely to have been a slave. The answer to that was in the five minutes Mr Holder gave to education. Instill pride and confidence by communicating a comprehensive understanding of history and watch the mutual respect take hold. There will always be poverty, crime, and the uneducated. It need not be a race issue.
If education is the only thing Mr Holder does for Black America then I forgive him for putting his foot in his mouth.
illlilo’
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I understand your reference to Obama and Holder being white. I’ve often thought about your point that race may not exist in the future. I note that what was once referred to as a salt and pepper marriage is now a less noticed event. As a believer in the market as the final arbiter of most issues I guess that we are witnessing the start of change that you indicate may be inevitable.
The population is uneducated in many areas of history(my major)which is a constant irritation I have with history as taught in secondary schools. A subject for a future post once I straighten out the recession.
Regards, Buck
A couple of observations, and a couple of questions.
Observation #1 - Obama did not ’surround himself’ with Ben Bernanke; he inherited him from Bush.
Question #1 - does the blog author prefer we continue to believe the starry-eyed, reality-denying optimism of Bush and - most famously - McCain, versus leveling with the American people and recognizing that we’re in deep doo-doo? I think 8 years of living on Planet Denial was enough for most people.
Observation #2 - Without a doubt, the recent accomplishments made by black politicians are encouraging and inspiring. But to think that race is no longer an issue for many people is naive. One need only look several weeks back at the incredibly racist ‘Barack the Magic Negro’ tune being shared by the guy who wanted to be the Chairman of the Republican Party.
Question #2 - where was the blog author’s outrage at that particular incident?
Observation #3 - Our nation is certainly not a nation of cowards. However - when it comes to making tough decisions and taking tough action on race relations, entitlements, and the other enormous challenges facing us, more often than not we - the collective ‘we’ - choose to not act.
Question #3 - if that’s not cowardly, what is it?