Obama's First Decisions

Gee, I hate to talk about Obama stuff two days in a row, but what can I say ... Obama's just had his first full day on the job and this is what's come about thus far:

Obama's Draft Order Calls for Closing Gitmo in One Year, Suspending Military Tribunals
President Obama wants to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay within the year and could put an end to the military tribunals after a four-month review, according to a draft executive order.

A judge has already granted Obama's request to suspend the war crimes trial of a young Canadian for 120 days. Army Col. Stephen Henley issued the ruling Wednesday after a brief hearing at the Guantanamo base.

Obama to Lift Ban on Funding for Groups Providing Abortions Overseas
President Obama will continue the back-and-forth of presidents before him by using the Roe v. Wade anniversary to allow non-governmental organizations working abroad to use U.S. funding to give counseling on or provide abortions.

President Obama will issue an executive order on Thursday reversing the Bush administration policy that bans the use of federal dollars by non-govermental organizations that discuss or provide abortions outside of the United States.

Obama will sign the executive order on the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.

Then there's his spokesperson's word last week that Obama will end the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. Should be loads of fun for service members in close living and bathroom quarters.


His inauguration speech was a little depressing. Sounded like he was more intent on positioning himself AGAINST anything Bush stood for for the past 8 years. Wanted to make sure our enemies know we're still their "fwends". I mean, was it really necessary to say, in his inauguration speech, "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect." Which "Muslim world" is he speaking to? The terrorists? Or the rest of the Muslim world? Because there's no "new way forward" with the terrorists and the rest of the Muslim world wasn't an issue in the first place, certainly nothing that should have warranted top billing ie. been in his inauguration speech. What a dork.

He should have taken a page out of Ronald Reagan's inauguration speech over 20 years ago. It all still applies today and would have more a completely compelling speech. In fact, he should have just repeated the whole darn speech. But, no, he's still playing the hate and negativity card and the oh-so-popular liberal "always diss America first" card.

I am really leaving myself open to what good Obama can do. Even in spite of and maybe even especially because the most despondent and negative people about America's future I know were Obama supporters and I don't carry the same baggage they do and count myself lucky that I have inner peace. But, so far his first actions in office aren't any kind of change I can believe in. I'm not black nor have I made a lifetime of dissing blacks or other minorities so I can't even revel in the new unity that some have found for themselves. I wasn't dis-unified in the first place. Oh well, we will wait and see, but could someone send Obama some tapes from Ronald Reagan. He could sure use them!

And, one last thought ... Obama said:

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

The question I ask today is why is the federal government in the middle of any of these subjects in the FIRST place?