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I wrote this article originally on December 8th, 2008. At that time, we had just elected Barack Obama our 44th President of the United States. I was enormously enthusiastic, and had zero doubt that he would not succumb to hubris. I wrote this though because at that time, I decided that we should all still be vigilant. Obama himself asked us to hold him accountable, so I was determined to maintain a watchful and discerning eye…something Obama himself asked all of us to do during the election. My opinion in this original article is right there, but two and a half years later…we find ourselves in a position to either help him get out of the way of himself, or to turn the same blind eye we did with Bush. He has that same political capital…will he use it for us, or squander it? It is your decision how to best help Obama be a truly historic President, or to rue your hand in his demise years later…either way, now is the time where your ownership will be defined. Please read what I wrote as an Obama supporter just over two years ago…perhaps it will help you decide your route forward...:
http://sperrys.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/30/2260174-in-bush-there-was-a-flawexcessive-pride-always-goes-before-a-fall-will-hubris-take-down-obama-too
In the Greek tragedy, "Oedipus Rex," Sophocles told us a story of pride, in its most debilitating form. Oedipus, having the admiration, love, and "high ratings" of a people enamored with his solving the riddle of the Sphinx, erroneously thought he could then do whatever he pleased, his only guide being his mood or wants, without thoughtful consideration of opposing views. This can be likened to the Presidency of George W. Bush on so many levels.
Think back to the overwhelming response given George W., when he took a bullhorn in hand, and pronounced to the country that we would not take the events of 9/11 sitting down.
We all cheered, and showered him with an 80% approval rating…we wanted blood, and his message delivered us.
What we didn't know, was that he would use our approval of him (what is now commonly referred to as "political capital") to sell us on a war that should not have been waged.
Oedipus was, without question, also showered with love and admiration, by the people of Thebes. He was crowned the King of Thebes and was worshipped by the people as "[the] greatest in all men's eyes" (40) and "[the] noblest of men" (46). Oedipus showed grace in accepting the loyalty of his subjects, and embraced all of his power, yet began to show characteristics of pride and arrogance. When Oedipus vowed to kill the one that had killed King Laius, the old King of Thebes, Oedipus confronted Teiresias, and when he was met with resistance… his reaction was that of one displaying a quick-temper and stubbornness. He was outraged that someone would challenge him, and considered Teiresias' defiance an affront against the new King. Oedipus was quick to jump to conclusions, and without benefit of seeking other viewpoints, accused the prophet, Teiresias and his brother-in-law, Creon of trying to overthrow him.
But Oedipus believed he had the "political capital," and he intended to use it. Just like Bush.
There are so many parallels here it begs the question: Was Bush's repeated tenet "stay the course" a steady hand, or simply a perfect description of Bush's most fatal flaw? Could he have, with a more reasoned approach, avoided his own hubris, and the collateral damage to us all and the world? If we, collectively, had been more vigilant, would we have so eagerly let the blind lead the blind?
Even now, GW fiercely believes that his actions liberated the people of Iraq, and that will be his only legacy. He is like a criminal with no remorse.
<b>President-Elect Obama is now in the same position, and will he too become the victim of hubris? He is loved, and admired by so many. We are all putting our faith in this man, and he knows it. My answer to that question is a resounding…NO! I have seen this man hire a "team of rivals," so that he can be opposed to in an intelligent way while in office, and I have seen him reach across the aisle to be all-inclusive…even when it might hurt him to do so. I saw him having Christmas dinner with our troops in Hawaii, well past the need for photo ops, and well past the need to ingratiate voters. I have received invitations to community gatherings in recent weeks that seek to continue giving voice to the people.</b>
I remember vividly that ethereally bright sunny day in September when our world changed forever. I saw firsthand the towers burning against an amazingly clear blue sky backdrop. I also remember feeling, not too long after, the need for retribution. Living in New Jersey at the time, I remember seeing the cars, still sitting in the "park 'n rides" a week later along Route 17… at all exits, of those who didn't come back from their commute to Manhattan. And I remember believing in GW. I never took the time to evaluate his decision in going into Iraq…I just blindly trusted. I liked that he was taking action, believing he would take care of us.
A few years later, I woke up to find that he had not…and the man I had put my trust in was nothing but an Oedipus. A man with an enormity of pride, that would later, define his enormous fall.
