OPINION:
Just before he bounded aboard Marine One and departed the White House for two weeks at Martha’s Vineyard, President Obama remarked that he believed the Islamic State was moving faster than he thought — or had been led to believe. I see how the Islamic State would appear to be moving so fast to a world leader who pretty much has built a career on marching in place, and who generally reacts with the speed of an old professor cleaning his pipe. How many times have we heard from the president’s own lips that the first he’s heard of an event, problem or crisis was “on the news”?
America’s current leadership situation can best be explained by the scenario wherein a graying first sergeant, who upon seeing his young lieutenant face-down on the ground, pistol in hand and numerous muddy boot prints on his backside, remarks, “Sir, if you’re gonna be leadin’ our charges, you have to run faster than the men do.” Survival in today’s world requires proactive leadership. This means that, if we aren’t going to be a “global cop,” we must at least respond in support of our allies and those oppressed by tyrannies.
Judging our president solely on his past performance, I am beginning to get a vision of his last day in office. Upon arriving tardy for his successor’s inauguration, he will likely opens his remarks with, “Sorry, I’m late folks, I just heard about this on the news.”
K.J. DOLNEY
Columbia, S.C.
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