A Lazy Saturday

One recent lazy Saturday (U.S. time), as I putzed around the house, I overheard much of a documentary on Harry S. Truman and found the similarities with Barack Obama, our President Elect, striking. … Huh? Truman and Obama? But everyone is comparing President Bush with Truman and President Elect Obama with Abraham Lincoln. And I had to hear this ineptitude not only on our own public radio, but the BBC.

If you want to compare anyone with Abraham Lincoln it should be President Bush. They say President Bush will rise in stature as time passes just as Truman did. Well the comparisons end there. In fact, the same most likely would have been said of Abraham Lincoln if he had not been assassinated. While President Bush is criticized for his supposed violations of civil liberties and handling of the war in Iraq, he is a saint and genius compared to Abraham Lincoln. The suspension of habeas corpus was just one of Abraham Lincoln’s acts of suppression on the citizenry. Failed military campaign, after failed military campaign, jeopardizing our union, was only turned around when Abraham Lincoln appointed a commander, General Grant, who was willing to bring a blood lust scenario to the entire breadth of the war. Doing whatever it took to bring victory.

Truman was originally a Senator, and though Roosevelt’s Vice President kept completely out of the loop. With little knowledge or experience, he was thrust into making one of the most momentous decisions in history. The use of the atomic bomb, judged as ultimately saving untold numbers of casualties, certain if the war had continued.

President Elect Present Obama also enters office with little experience and in the midst of a war. His resolution seems clear for Afghanistan, but what happens afterwards? The strategy in Afghanistan is already being implemented under President Bush. And much like the use of the atomic bomb, nearly a forgone conclusion.

Truman also entered under economic turmoil. Now some try to claim it was the mass government investment, during the great depression and war that rescued the economy. They ignore the post war labor unrest. The demand for much higher wages after the deep sacrifices that made the war effort possible. The lack of housing for our returning soldiers, sailors and Marines. If the manufacturing capacity of the rest of the developed world had not been destroyed, could America have experienced the prosperity some try to attribute to the government?

The Truman Doctrine and Marshal Plan opened the era of the cold war and stifled communist expansion. Obama’s position with the terrorist Islamo-fascist threat and our supposed (world) economic crisis looming parallels Truman. As President, Obama's policy decisions in these regards will be the main determinant of the lasting legacy of his Presidency.

That, and how he deals with the unexpected. What will be President Elect Obama’s Korean War? That crisis that brings him under severe criticism (if that will even be allowed in Obama’s case) and political influences running contrary to the right course of action. As the million Chinese volunteers were depleted and Ridgeway could advance nearly at will on the Korean peninsula if allowed, Truman whimped out to political expediency. Condemning millions of North Koreans to death and leaving us with one of the greatest threats to peace and more recently nuclear proliferation. I truly hope our soon to be President Obama realizes the magnitude of the consequences of his decisions.

Now… how is President Elect Obama like President Lincoln? I guess I am just not as smart as those fancy journalists.