Columnist.
Silly me. I thought America's unparalleled space program (before the present administration began dismantling it) was a triumph of American ingenuity, technology, vision and boldness. Instead, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says its "foremost mission" is not returning to the moon, or completing a mission to Mars; rather it is improving relations with the Muslim world. Bolden says President Obama told him he also wants NASA to encourage children to study science and math, but isn't that best done by applying science and math to a robust space program? Obama is boldly going where no president has gone before.
The World War II slogan "Loose Lips Sink Ships," which was intended to encourage Americans to keep quiet about any information pertaining to that war, could also apply to modern generals and their staffs. Gen. Stanley McChrystal's mistake was not indulging in -- and allowing his aides to indulge in -- locker room guy talk; his "mistake in judgment" was allowing a writer for the far-left, anti-war magazine, "Rolling Stone" apparently unrestricted and prolonged access to him and his aides. A liberal White House won't allow access by conservative writers to its deliberations and application of its Saul Alinsky-like redistribution of wealth philosophy.
One year ago this month, President Obama addressed the "Muslim world" from Cairo, Egypt. Some saw that speech as unnecessary groveling. Critics -- and I am among them -- think such displays communicate weakness and only encourage those who wish to damage our economy and kill our people. Supporters of the president's speech think he did the right thing and that his attempt to reduce tensions between the U.S. and Muslim world can only bring positive results.
There is a scene in the film "Superman II" where the Man of Steel chooses to give up his powers and become mortal for Lois Lane, the woman he loves. A major part of President Obama's attraction, especially to the many young people who voted for him, was his supposed difference from other politicians. To those naive worshippers, he seemed so above it all, a super-apolitical man. The president's declining poll numbers reveal the disillusionment that has begun to sink in among the politically unsophisticated. They are starting to realize that not only is this president not above politics, but that he, in fact, practices the lowest form of the profession known as Chicago-style politics.
Hillary Clinton did it and it worked for her when she ran for the Senate in New York, so now Republicans will give it a go. It's the listening tour, except unlike Hillary, who traveled from town to town, Republicans plan to stay in one place and invite you to come to them. House Republicans announced on Tuesday a new Website (www.americaspeakingout.com). It invites people to submit their ideas in five categories: American prosperity, fiscal accountability, American values, national security and an "open mic" section on which you can recommend anything not covered by the other four. I do not wish to discourage anyone from asking for good ideas, but isn't this what we elect our representatives to do?
