The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

E-Mail From a Reader

Posted on | January 28, 2010 | 5 Comments

“The President should have prefaced his State of the Union speech with a profound moment of silence, recognizing the many thousands who died tragically in Haiti. Instead, Haiti was practically a footnote in his speech, and the point he made at the expense of all that unspeakable horror was basically how awesome we are. Obama ran for office under the banner of “regaining our standing in the world.” Sadly, he instead advertised to the world what a bunch of shallow, naval-gazing schmucks we are, and how we lack the wisdom to discern what’s truly important in life — and what isn’t.”
— reader e-mail

Also Haiti-related: Picking up an item I linked in the headlines, The Duke of Blunt ponders “The Folly of Compassion for the Sake of Compassion.”

The long-term plight of Haiti and the appropriate response are worth considering as issues going forward but in the meantime, we must do what we can to ease the the immediate suffering.

While I was in Massachusetts, I got a $20 tip-jar hit from Adrienne who told me to buy Da Tech Guy beers for the trouble of putting up with me. (Not to mention Dan Collins.) Then Da Tech Guy took me to mass with him Sunday and the priest made an appeal for Haiti relief, so I put the $20 in the basket.

It’s OK. I’m not Catholic and Da Tech Guy doesn’t drink beer anyway. If the situation in Port au Prince ever improves to the point that relief workers decide the suffering Haitians could use a cold brew — hey, guys, this Bud’s for you.

UPDATE: Speaking of Da Tech Guy, he has photos of today’s protest against Planned Parenthood’s federally-funded effort to open a clinic in Fitchburg, which I blogged about this morning.

Comments

5 Responses to “E-Mail From a Reader”

  1. Nick Robbins
    January 28th, 2010 @ 11:16 pm

    thanks for the link! I agree than humanitarian aid must be given. Dammit, I may just have to contribute something.

    They don’t need beer down there, the rum’s never gone. Straight from the cane is popular too. Cheers!

  2. Nick Robbins
    January 28th, 2010 @ 6:16 pm

    thanks for the link! I agree than humanitarian aid must be given. Dammit, I may just have to contribute something.

    They don’t need beer down there, the rum’s never gone. Straight from the cane is popular too. Cheers!

  3. Dave C
    January 29th, 2010 @ 12:13 am

    What’s shocking about this post is that you read your email.

    / I kid.

  4. Dave C
    January 28th, 2010 @ 7:13 pm

    What’s shocking about this post is that you read your email.

    / I kid.

  5. FAIL « Obi’s Sister
    January 28th, 2010 @ 7:17 pm

    […] the things he couldn’t bring himself to say: – We won in Iraq – Haiti only deserved a “shoutout” – the two heroes sitting next to his wife (hint: they took down the Ft. Hood shooter) – He who […]