Power Not Fully Engaged
5/16/11 – President Obama – Today on Democracy Now Amy Goodman played a recent interview with Harry Belafonte. Belafonte said, “And when you ask me about Barack Obama, it is exactly what happened to Kennedy. We, the American people, made the history of that time come to another place by our passion and our commitment to change. ...what is sad for this moment is that there is no force, no energy, of popular voice, popular rebellion, popular upheaval, no champion for radical thought at the table of the discourse. And as a consequence, Barack Obama has nothing to listen to, except his detractors and those who help pave the way to his own personal comfort with power—power contained, power misdirected, power not fully engaged.”
Amy asked, “"If you want President Obama re-elected, you will undermine him if you criticize him?” To which Belafonte responded, “I think we will not only undermine him, but undermine the hopes of this nation, if we don’t criticize him. Absence of protest in the times of this kind of national crisis—Theodore Roosevelt once said, "When tyranny takes over the national agenda, it is that time that the voices of protest must be awakened. And if you don’t raise your voice in protest, you are a patriotic traitor." And I believe that patriotism is betrayed by those voices that are not heard.”
I couldn't agree with him more. And so I protest frequently. I cry frequently. I worry that the man I helped to elect has let Americans and the World down.
You hold in your hands the power to Change the course of history. Throughout the Middle East the Arab Awakening is showing the World that Change is possible. While you will not publicly admit it, you must realize that the cause of disharmony in the World is the continuing occupation of Palestine by the Apartheid Israeli government. Over the weekend IDF forces killed a number of non-violent protesters during the Nakba and stopped another ship that was attempting to bring aid to the Palestinians.
Obviously Israel will only allow peace if they are forced into it. The recent joining of competing factions in Palestine and the growing verbal displeasure of the Arab communities should give you reason to finally change course when it comes to American support of Israel. I urge you to choose wisely, to listen to your heart and not your advisors. Peace is in your hands ...or will you start a Cairo moment in America? CHANGE!
Thomas Daly
Retired California
Newspaper Publisher
www.tomasdaly.com