President Obama: Old and New - Legacy and Challenges

Mahboob A. Khawaja, PhD

We, as Americans, need to ask ourselves what all this is about? Why is our government so provocative toward Islam, Russia, China, Iran?  What purpose, whose purpose is being served?  Certainly not ours…………Where do we go from here?    If not to nuclear destruction, Americans must wake up. Football games, porn, and shopping malls are one thing. Survival of human life is another. Washington, that is, "representative government," consists only of a few powerful vested interests. These private interests, not the American people, control the US government. That is why nothing that the US government does benefits the American people.  (Paul Craig Roberts, “The Next War on Washington’s Agenda.” OpenEdnews: 01/12/2012)

The 21^{st century} knowledge-based people’s culture, the leadership must be a Leader of Change and optimism;  and more transformational and people-oriented, listening and learning and being accountable to the will and interests of the people. What a leader must offer is an enriched and cohesive undertaking of moral, intellectual and political values - a VISION of the FUTURE – a comprehensive Picture of Tomorrow – how to serve the people and to remedy the past blunders, wickedness and failure articulating a moving spirit of optimism that future is going to be different and with strength and vision, the leader will make it happen for the best of people, human manifestation, peace and co-existence and happiness and opportunities for participation, freedom and justice to all. President Obama used Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”  and the American Declaration of Independence to recall, We the People, time and again in his inaugural address but did not compare what went wrong with his own policies and practices during the first term of office; and how he would envisage change under strains of complex multiple problems - from continuing bogus wars on terror, American losses of life and material to freedom from exploitation, human dignity, security and fiscal black hole of 16 trillion dollars set to besiege the futuristic American generations. Nobody questioned why the future generations should be victimized by the false flags and vengeful individualistic policies of the present and failure to deal with the prevalent realities of today. President Obama spoke of vigilance and truth and coming to terms with the changing fortunes of time, but utterly failed to demonstrate proactive rational passion for facts of life warranting navigational change and adaptability to the future and how he as a leader will transfer words into actions.  During his first term of office and at the first inaugural address, he made inspiring statements and commitments to change America and its politics “Yes WE CAN”, but rescinded most undertakings from his promised actions. Leaders when faced with adversity and critical challenges prefer facts over fiction and pursue navigational change to ensure a sustainable future. Is Obama who was universally feared and hated will develop his capacity to go for reasoned change in the 2^nd term of office?

Professor Michel Chossudovsky of Global Research (“The Obama Spectacle: Nobody Likes a Liar”, Global Research: 1/21/2013), asks:  “So who is really the man being so shamelessly celebrated across media networks today? Who is the person once again elected to lead the world’s most powerful nation — or at least the well-armed — into the future?” 

The question is rational and important one from a realist human perspective. Whenever in America a new leader is sworn-in, the incoming will say goodbye to the outgoing president and show moral decency to accompany the outgoing leader to his waiting helicopter or motorcade.  How did Obama, the 44^th President say goodbye to Obama, the 43^rd President?  Were there any moments of self- reflection and self-actualization to phase-in the body and spirit of new Obama and to phase-out the old and somewhat mythical first colored President Obama? Was there any self-questioning and challenging split second moments of a conflicting time zone that Obama the 44^th president was walking along the Obama 43^rd ex-president in search of a new beginning?

Tony Cartalucci (“Barack Obama versus Martin Luther King Jr.”, Global Research, 1/21/2013), offers a logical context to the transitory moments of the inaugural celebrations:

“It is safe to say that America has not mended its ways and only traveled further down the dark path Martin Luther King Jr. warned us of back in 1967. The man “leading” us, or at least the front-man for the corporate-financier interests that drive America’s destiny, may honor King with carefully contrived words and well orchestrated public stunts, but in deeds and actions Obama and the corporate-financier elite that hold his leash, defame and dishonor King in every way imaginable.”

President Obama is known to be an intelligent person and a persuasive speaker, often looking for new ideas and ideals to show that he is making history.  He demonstrated the same characteristics and eloquence when he addressed the audience on January 21:

“We bear witness. To the enduring strength. And our constitution.

Reaffirmed the promise of our democracy. We're call -- what binds this nation together is not the color of the -- -- -- the tenants of our faith. -- origins of our names. In the declaration. Made more than two centuries ago. We hold these truths -- To be self -- That all men.

Are created equal. And God. By their creator.  With certain unalienable rights. But among base our life. Liberty. And the pursuit of happiness. Today we continue -- never ending journey. To bridge the meaning of those words.

The reality is a hard time. For history tells us that while these -- maybe self evident. They have never been that self -- secured. The -- freedom is a gift from god. It must be secured by his people here on earth. The patriots of 1776.  Did not. -- to replace the turning -- McCain. With the privileges of -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- They gave to us a republic.  A government and by and for the people. And trusting each generation to keep safe are found -- -- For more. The 200 years we have……”

During his first term, President Obama could not claim any major moral or intellectual achievements or the role-play of an effective and informed leadership. He claimed to be a man of peace but acted like self-centered, unimaginative and vindictive president. Undoubtedly leadership is an art and intelligent ones are always eager to improve it and be effective for ultimate success. Surely, his words echo the intellect and wisdom of a smart person. But did he practice what he preached during the first term of office?  President Obama shall bear witness to the ever challenging facts of global affairs that history will judge him by his actions, not by his inaugural day claims.  He echoed the words, pains and passion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but failed to demonstrate any cohesive relationship to his ideals and human concerns for equality, peace, justice and his DREAM of a new America.  Did he THINK to reflect on his role and performance - what he has done to favor the American masses and the larger global mankind so intrinsically affiliated with the American historical ideals of freedom, liberty and justice?

Ironically, Obama what claimed to be turned his back on the people’s conscience and expectations by following the degenerating policies of warmongering of the Bush administration. Professor Michel Chossudovsky (“America's Holy Crusade against the Muslim World”, Global Research, 8/30/2010), spells out the George Bush’s scenarios of thousand years of war:

 “a transition from "the war on terrorism" to the outright demonization of Muslims. While underscoring the freedom of religion, the Obama administration is "beating the drums" of a broader war against Islam…..   the objective is to instill fear, rouse and harness citizens' unbending support for the next stage of America's "long war….. A "war of religion" is unfolding, with a view to justifying a global military crusade.”

“There are the times that try men’s soul”, noted Thomas Paine in his famous “Common Sense.” Did Obama try to make his moral and intellectual leadership presence known during the first term of office or will he try again to regain what was lost and mismanaged?

Ladies and gentlemen, speaks the moderator on January 21, 2013 - The President of the United Sates of America:

“We resolved -- a great nation must care for the vulnerable. And protect its people from life's worst hazards and misfortune. All…..We have always understood that when times change.  So must we. The fidelity to -- -- Founding principles requires new responses to new challenges. The preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires. …More than ever. We must do these things together. As one nation and one people…..That is what this moment requires that is what -- will give the real meaning to our frequent. We. The people.

Still believe that indoor and security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. ….Against those who would do -- -- But we -- also heirs to those who won the peace and not just -- war. Who -- sworn enemies in the insurers to friends and we must carry -- lessons in the this time as well. We will defend our people and uphold our values -- strength of arms and the rule of.

We already knew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis brought. -- no -- -- greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. You -- I -- citizens. The power to -- this country scorers. We're not. As citizens. Have the obligation to -- the debates of our time not only -- the -- we can't. -- the voices we live in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals. … Let us answer the call -- distant. And Jerry into an uncertain future that -- light of freedom.

President Obama avoided making jokes at this occasion except during the election campaigns. In trade, commerce and ingenuity, America shares competitive market policies. But in enjoining sense of humor, nobody can compete with the American thoughts and values. Humor comes out of intelligent mind, not dull, stupid or the deprived ones. Unmatchable as is, American people value the inherent sense of humor to enrich social and moral fabric of public conscience. The inaugural occasion was a sober moment of nationalistic and patriotic clapping, dance and pomp and poetry and formal prayer to God, in Whose Name the Constitution of the United Sates operates the governance. The Constitution does not authorize politicians to make bogus wars on others, kill the innocents and vulnerable in far fetched lands in pursuit of political insanity.  God created men and women - the superior creations of all, and equipped them with THINKING, Knowledge, Reasoning, wisdom and accountability. Does Obama not think that God knows His creations - what goes on in their hearts and minds and what he did during the first term of office? Obama did remind the American people of urgent security and threats of violence originating from the Newtown, Connecticut cold blooded massacres of the innocent school children. But what about those children killed daily by Obama’s own drone attacks in Pakistan, women and children massacred in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and elsewhere. Are those children different than the ones massacred in Newtown? Are those children not humans deserving human dignity and safety from the triviality of few Ivan the Terrible? Nobody talked about these sadistic and cruel crimes against the living humanity. Nobody even mentioned when this US led terrorism of wars against the innocent will end so that others could join to celebrate the inaugural festivity sanctioned by the American Constitution and out of the ideals and values of the fathers of the Nation. Thomas Pains and Thomas Jefferson, their souls must have been disturbed, shocked and at great loss - how America has changed from leadership of the world in peace and harmony to unthinkable belligerency and animosity against others? What kind of America looks like on such auspicious occasions before the vigilant Nations of the World?  Thomas Paine and Jefferson never imagined of an industrial-military complex as a political institution perpetuating warmongering and controlling the American political nerves and actions. American duplicity and political intransigence have lost the strategic direction and rational sense of glory and triumph in honoring its commitments to stop the War on Terror, peace, co-existence and broader friendly relations with the nations of the world. American people look desperate for change and new leadership to co-exist in peace with One Humanity.  Would Obama, the 44^th president attempt to harmonize the conflicting time zones in which he and America operate with the Obama, the 43^rd President who made public commitments to change and to stand for freedom, liberty, justice and global peace for all? Time and history are not fixed but moving forces. If Obama will CHANGE, he could reclaim the lost leadership.