March 3, 2008 - PPM - Abomination or Obama-Nation?

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is the coronation of Barack Obama.

As we head into the Ohio Primary, I feel like I do when I wait till the last minute to go Christmas shopping. You know that emotion, when all the good gifts have been taken, and the shelves are bare. This election, all the good candidates have dropped out due to the accelerated Primary schedule.

I’m confused. Do we have an “Obama-Nation” or an Abomination? The media have endorsed the junior Senator from Illinois based upon his debating skills, his smile, and his selection as “Candidate of the Month” by Oprah. Oprah also chose “A Million Little Pieces” written by James Frey as her book of the month. Anyone remember how that worked out?

As an eager 15 year-old, I first became captivated by politics in the summer of 1976. It was the Bicentennial and every one was fatigued over Watergate and wanted “Change.” Along came a populist peanut farmer from Georgia. He was untested, but he spoke well (sound familiar?) I even passed out Jimmy Carter literature because all the other kids were doing it.

Under Mr. Carter, we had double-digit inflation, 19% interest rates, and the Iranian hostage crisis. We experienced a true national malaise. It turns out Carter’s real skill was house construction. Fast forward to 2008, and I see the same tsunami of “change” rhetoric rolling though the nation.

Maybe Senator Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope” should be re-titled “The Bombacity of Hope” until we receive a list of Mr. Obama true qualifications, accomplishments, and positions on the issues.

This is also reminiscent of the end of the Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy pulls back the curtain, she finds a snake oil salesman. It turns out that scarecrow was prophetic, “If I only had a brain.”

Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice ….

BTW, the local Cincinnati Enquirer also posted MY PEEVE.