Options and Omissions

It’s been noted that Senator Obama failed to suggest military service when encouraging Wesleyan graduates to make this a better world for others by giving something of themselves.

He did mention other forms of service; rebuilding New Orleans, volunteering at a soup kitchen and the ever-popular helping to end the “situation” (i.e., rape, slaughter, and displacement) in Darfur.

I suspect this was an oversight on the Senator’s part but not the most glaring of the day. That distinction is reserved for the following remark, “At a time of war we need you to work for peace”.

Logic would argue for victory, then a just and lasting peace (in that order). Perhaps the notion of winning a war, that was deemed necessary, didn’t occur to Senator Obama. This could be something of a liability in a Commander in Chief.

Unsolicited Advice

On the continuum between insipid platitudes and clinical idiocy there’s a mid-range consisting of drivel, twaddle and commencement speeches. Senator Obama’s contribution to the genre in a nutshell:

Resist cynicism (no, you’re not naïve for wanting to change a world you don’t understand). Individual salvation can only be achieved through collective salvation (it takes a village to save a soul). Reject the seductions of materialism (big house, nice clothes) until everyone can be equally seduced (and have a big house and nice clothes like me). Rebuild New Orleans (location, location, location). Volunteer at a soup kitchen (because it will help relieve your guilt about being a picky eater) and end the “situation” in Darfur (by wearing “end the situation in Darfur tee shirts and contribute to UNICEF).

Most important “at a time of war we need you to work for peace” (best achieved through direct negotiations, without pre-conditions, at a time and place of my choosing, with preliminary low level talks to establish an understanding that won’t be perceived as appeasement).

“At a time of inequality we need you to work for opportunity” (by becoming social workers, activist lawyers and of course voting Democratic). “At a time of cynicism and doubt we need you to make us believe again” (by rejecting most of your parents’ values and marginalizing their sacrifices and achievements). That’s your task, Class of 2008.