To Brody File readers: I don't normally do this. As a matter of fact, I think this is the first time ever. But I want to amend my previous comments below regarding President Obama's remarks about Osama Bin Laden's death.
As you will see below, I wrote about how President Obama should have shown some happiness and joy when he delivered the news to the nation about bin Laden's death. Maybe I should have read Proverbs 24:17 before I wrote that.
Proverbs 24:17 says: "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice."
President Obama actually lived by that important biblical verse by the words and tone he used. I did not and for that I apologize. While I do believe that his remarks were measured so as not to cause more commotion in the Arab World, I got a little caught up in the euphoric celebrations of the evening. The Book of Proverbs got it right and therefore so did President Obama. Pulling out the Bible is the best thing you can do and I wish I had done it sooner.
(My previous comments)
With the death of Osama Bin Laden, Americans woke up this morning with a little more pep in their step. Our chests stick out a little further today. We are proud to be an American today. Not all of us for sure but most of us.
Why? Because when we Americans say we’re going to do something, we follow through and do it. We said we’d get bin Laden and kill him and, lo and behold, we did just that. It took nearly 10 years but so what!
Around America late Sunday night and at the breakfast table this morning you can sure there were hugs, handshakes, tears, and jubilation. President Obama’s HUGE announcement last night was a proud and happy moment for our country yet I was struck by President Obama’s words and tone last night.
His speech made no mention of any sort of proud accomplishment and it certainly made no mention of how exciting this moment was for our country. I know President Obama understands that getting Bin Laden doesn’t mean an end to the war on terrorism but how about a smile? How about showing a little joy? How about a word or two saying something about how this is no doubt a happy or joyous occasion for Americans?
We got nothing like that at all. Instead, we got Mr. Monotone. Mr. Bars and Tone. Mr. Non-Emotion. President Obama missed an opportunity to connect with Americans last night.
So why did he announce the big news like he was reading the dictionary? You know the answer. It’s because his speech wasn’t so much aimed at Americans. He was being careful of how the “Arab Street” would interpret his remarks. Any hint of gloating or happiness might be rubbing it in the face of some of the crazies in the Arab World and heaven forbid we get them upset! How dare we Americans look like we’re celebrating his death! The travesty of it all!
Give me a break. Isn’t it time to stop catering to thugs?
Politically speaking, there’s no doubt the killing of bin Laden will be a major boost when it comes to President Obama’s poll numbers and yes, even his re-election chances. The truth is bin Laden was killed on his watch under his directives. That’s a big deal and should not be underestimated.
Still, what strikes me here is that Obama will get the credit for getting bin Laden even though this was a 10-year effort. (By the way, Obama never mentioned President Bush by name last night. Shouldn’t he have done that?) This wasn’t solely Obama who should get the credit.
Conversely, Obama gets much of the blame for high gas prices when the reality is he shouldn’t get all the blame either. It’s more complicated than that.
But in America (and especially in the media) we love to christen people as winners and losers. In that sense and under those guidelines, there’s no question that President Obama is the big winner politically. But in a larger, more patriotic sense, all Americans are winners today.