Memorial Day - Then and Now

As protests erupt in Venezuela, and as we meet with the Iranians for the first time in thirty years, I find myself distracted on Memorial Day. The usual movies are available; picnics and parades abound, and the President's remarks for those who gave their all were covered, but the truth is, not many people heard him, or cared. A sad commentary not only on many Americans, but on the President as well.

As I reflect on those uncounted lives given for this country since our founding, I have come to the conclusion that George Bush has failed us. I still firmly believe that going into Iraq, eliminating Saddam, and offering the people of Iraq their first opportunity to participate in an election are, and should always be remembered, as valid, noble endeavors. Knowing that millions of purple fingers were held aloft because of the sacrifices of our Armed Forces should give every American a sense of accomplishment.

Therein lies the problem - most Americans don't feel that we've accomplished anything.

The President's failure is in leadership; his inability to articulate the nature of our enemy; his failure to unify and demand sacrifice from everyone, but most of all, he's just not Hollywood enough.

As callous as that may seem, it is a facet of the presidency that cannot be ignored.

Lincoln was disparaged in his own time, but history has been kind to him because there was no CNN to nitpick every action and parse every word. He also had the benefit of a well defined enemy, especially geographically. Without a standing army, without a government to negotiate with or topple, the President has failed to define too many whys and wherefores - at least to the satisfaction of the vast majority of the population.

He may well be remembered by history for taking the right course of action, but failing to arouse the nation to arms. In the history books of 2107, when we are in the midst of the ongoing "Terror Wars of Islam", George Bush may not fare as well as Lincoln did in time, but he will certainly be better remembered than those who claim there is no "War on Terror".

The sad fact of the matter is, without the sales skills of a P.T. Barnum, and the media power of a Horace Greely, a President isn't going to accomplish much these days.

I wonder if Lincoln felt that way too?