“Spiking the football”

I am watching the news and I continually see report after report with President Obama touting his victory (killing OBL) in the “war on terror” that didn’t exist early in the administration and now is apparently “over” according to the administration. So I thought about this epic event in our country’s long painful slog attempting to get back to a sense of security in our every day lives. How important is/was the killing of OBL? How big a risk was it for President Obama to make the “go” decision? Will we ever feel completely safe on an airplane, or on a train, or in a sports stadium?

The killing of terror mastermind OBL was monumental for our country, well mostly for its psychological health. Whether or not this terrorist could ever mount another assault on our homeland is up for debate, but his death (some will call it justice, I call it retribution) removed a national sense of helplessness against the Al Qaeda leader. I applaud President Obama for actually making the decision that President Clinton refused to make, when given a similar opportunity. What I will not, make that cannot, applaud is the self-congratulatory parade his political handlers have created. Events at the White House, media interviews, internet ads, etc have turned this positive national event into a literal circus, and guess who the clowns are? I have a natural aversion to political leaders of all stripes, since their thirst for power frequently makes them run afoul of their “core” beliefs, but this series of events is turning my stomach, more than normal.

I realize in an election year we will see some crazy claims, elastic truths, and outright insults in a campaign, but we need to return to some level of dignity in our politics and in particular on the anniversary of the death of OBL.

dig·ni·ty, noun, .

1. bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.

It appears to me that the political arm of the current administration is in a struggle to make President Obama look, act and speak without any dignity. I realize he is a willing participant, but if he could step out of his shell of handlers and look at himself from the outside, he might discover how impish he appears to most of America and the rest of the world.

Imp, noun

1. a little devil or demon; an evil spirit.

2. a mischievous child.

I offer this advice to President Obama and/or his handlers, act like you have been there before. It’s the best advice ever given to a professional of any kind. It’s ok to get excited, it’s ok to tout your accomplishment, but to a certain extent. Unfortunately, the anniversary of the death of OBL has turned from a national day of thanks (once again) to the men and women of our military services into an international embarrassment and degradation to the dignity of the office.

P.S. I didn't like "Mission Accomplished" either.