President Obama's Oval Office address this evening regarding the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster was uninspiring, and full of the same liberal bromides we've come to expect from left-wing Democrats — solar panels, wind turbines, cap-and-trade, etc.
And then there was that overused liberal talking point: "We consume more than 20 percent of the world's oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world's oil reserves."
True, but when you consider how important our economy and military are to world stability, and the tremendously positive worldwide impact of our innovation and entrepreneurial creativity -- technological and medical breakthroughs, pharmaceuticals, computers, even our achievements in the creative arts -- perhaps the high energy consumption is justified. Matter of fact, the positive impact the United States has on the world greatly overshadows our energy consumption/population ratio.
One thing that struck me about President Obama tonight was how he seemed tense and ill-at-ease. He was not orating with his so-called "soaring rhetoric" as on the campaign trail. There were no adoring cult worshipers looking on in awe. Instead, The Annointed One was trying desperately to look like a man in control. Trying to project competence and confidence. But his tone seemed stilted and contrived, like CYA boilerplate.
It wasn't quite as dreadful as Jimmy Carter's infamous "malaise" speech of 1979, but it wasn't much better. This is a man who perhaps is being shaken from his aloof, arrogant ways and beginning to realize that if he doesn't turn things around soon, he'll be unable to pull himself out of the one-term presidency downward spiral.
GOOD ADVICE? — Every now and then I "surf" on Facebook to check pages of old friends and acquaintances as well as current and past co-workers. This evening I came across a quote that I admire. It doesn't say who it's attributed to, but it's somewhat humorous and holds some truth, if you ask me. Here it is:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body... but rather, to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WAAAHHHOOO, what a ride!!!"
This isn't to say I'm going to "pig out" and stop exercising, or drink to excess. But it is to acknowledge that perhaps how we live our lives and how much we savor the good times and appreciate our blessings is far more important than being obsessed about looks, fitness, clothes, and the trappings of wealth.
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