The moment that Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential elections on the evening of November 4, 2008, he instantly became a global icon. Since then, commemorative items bearing his likeness have been flying off the shelf in celebration of this historic moment. A nation that has for centuries wrestled with the doctrine of white supremacy has done something that would have been considered highly unlikely just a few decades ago — elect a man of African-American descent to the highest office in the land.
We should be cautious, however, in not hailing Obama as some kind of “savior” who will magically transform this nation by himself. It took a coalition of voters to get him in and it will take us, the entire nation, to help him straighten out the mess that we are in. There is always a danger when you elevate someone to iconic status that you downplay his weaknesses and forget the fact that he is also human.
Once Obama’s honeymoon is over and it has really sunk I that we have a black president, he will have to face the huge challenges ahead: an economy in crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the war between Hamas and Israel; these are just the most pressing issues on the table now for now. He will quickly realize that saying one thing on the campaign trail and actually coming through with those promises are two totally different things. Obama will be criticized and examined closely, as any president and pioneer should, but our hope should be that he has the wisdom that he needs to make the best decisions for us as a nation. That should be our prayer for him, regardless of whether you voted for him or not.
Stephen Akinduro, Columbus
True service
I would like to compliment the Public Works Department of Harris County for its rapid response to my calls over the years about fallen trees, missing stop signs or potholes in the road. During 30 years at Pine Lake, there have been many of those. The people there have always been friendly and helpful.
Karl J. Mollenhauer, West Point
Makes no sense
I am at a loss to understand my good friend Seth Harp’s continued push for allowing retail alcohol sales to be added to our present Sunday laws prohibiting this practice to accommodate a “Northern” visitor’s surprise at our rules.
As I understand it, alcohol can be purchased up until midnight on Saturday or, if one is in desperate need, they can cross the bridge to solve their unforeseen problem.
How in the world can adding Sunday retail sales to the present rules benefit our great city? By letting visitors know we are trying to catch up to Northern practices?
Jim Sigmund, Hamilton
Sweet sounds
It is sadly funny how many times I’ve heard people of our city, young and old, tell me that they simply love music; that they can’t live without it; that music is one of the most important parts of their lives; yet in the same breath, they vociferously scream vitriolic diatribe against jazz as if the music exists solely for their personal, horrific torture.
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