Obe

[sailaway21]

In the maritime industry we had a term for a crisis that eclipsed all other concerns. It was called OBE, short for Overcome by Events.

You're dragging anchor and frantically deploying a second rode when you allide with another anchored vessel. That vessel happens to be a tanker loaded with volatile organic compounds, (that'd be oil, CD!) and the oil spill on the water becomes inflamed. You're now officially OBE and your anchor dragging has been subsumed to events greater in import.

The Obama administration may well find itself in just such a situation and sooner rather than later. World events have not gone quietly into that good, dark night. Would it not be the height of irony that the US and world economies found their salvation in yet another war of world-wide scope and significance? Iran certainly holds that potential.

The reason the presidency grays it's holders is that they are not permitted the luxury of merely tending the anchor. President Obama may occupy himself with the herding of the Democrat cats of the Congress but soon find himself without the time to do so as he becomes OBE. We'll then see what leadership skills he does possess.

I'm not so sure I'd have gone so far as to say Joe Biden was correct, more from a lack of desire to credit any wisdom to Biden than actual facts, but the below article does make the point quite well that there are no "time-outs" in world affairs. The fact that we live in a dangerous world did not end on 20 January 2009 at noon.

No one remembers the Bush presidential agenda of 2001. On 11 September 2001 it became OBE. Welcome to the presidency Mr. Obama. I wish you well and good luck for you and us alike. I'd only hope that you can keep your priorities in order. There's really very little you can do about the economy except to screw it up further, which I know is a dirty little secret no one blessed with the importance of Washington dare admit, but there's a great deal you will be called upon to do in foreign affairs. There was never any honeymoon there.

Testing 1-2-3

[camaraderie]

In the electronics business we often had products returned by customers as "defective" but subsequent testing reveled no such defects.
These products would be classified as ESO...Equipment Smarter than Operator.
It occurs to me that despite the minor "tinkering" going on in Washington that we now have Economy Smarter than Obama!

[Joel73]

I have confidence in our President... we'll see what happens though. Interesting article... thanks for sharing. I've thought about "OBE" in regards to our new CIC... things could certainly turn on a dime.

[sailaway21]

Dick Cheney seems to think so as well.
Cheney warns of new attacks - John F. Harris and Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei - Politico.com

Peggy Noonan finds him persuasive:
Peggy Noonan Sees America Preparing for the Worst, and Republicans Suddenly Seem Serious - WSJ.com

The Dem's don't exactly say it ain't so but....
Dems angered by Cheney warnings - David S. Cloud - Politico.com

Who ya gonna believe? Hope is great but we'd best keep our powder dry.

[chucklesR]

funny, I've always used OBE, overcome by events, to mean that the situation is now irrelevant, meaning because of what's happened subsequently the current situation just doesn't matter.

For instance, wanting a glass of water because you are thirsty become OBE after you've been shot in the head.

Another example, Obama wanting a stimulus plan to be clean of earmarks and non-stimulus spending is OBE because Pelosi and Reid are writing the separate bills.

Obama wanting lobbyist free cabinet and house appointment has been OBE such as lobbyist donations to campaigns and demanding payback by appointments..

Gosh, the list goes on. Daschle was certainly OBE'd once his tax returns came out huh?

[sailaway21]

The Russian bear is heard from:
FT.com / Europe - Russia rattles sabres in Obama’s direction

[sailaway21]

A delightful commentary on the amateurish efforts of the Obama administration to continue the election campaign of 2008. As we await the inevitable events, the Obamateurs dither about the world stage mouthing the type of drivel that get's one the last seat on the high school debate team. Domestically, we're confronted with a presidency not just content to feel everyone's pain but to actually do something about it. Why they have not tried clicking their heels together, ala Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, is beyond me. That action shares two attributes currently missing from the administration's domestic agenda; a microscopically quantifiable chance of success and fiscal probity.

Enjoy. The Obamateur Hour by Mark Steyn on National Review Online

[PBzeer]

Joel, I hope you'll take this question in the same seriousness it is asked. It's really something I find hard to understand, and I have yet to have anyone really explain it to me. Simply put, what is that Mr Obama has done in his 47 years that gives you confidence in him?

[Winderlust]

Hey,

The President looks good, OK. He's got a delightful smile and the way he scampers down the ramp of Air Force One, waving, gives me tingles all over. And ohh... that voice.

I know this is a serious thread and it contains some serious political pieces: Kristol, Steyn, but we collectively deserve this Administration. Currently this country is a joke.

Most people I know find National Review and Weekly Standard too burdensome to read (says something about the company I keep).

It has become comical, if not Orwellian, how the country's information organs have corrupted the political logic in this country. Has anyone else noticed, in just about every US airport terminal and now the Bank of America lobbies and other public buildings, TV monitors drone on, non-stop, with CNN. Why..? Because we Americans like to be a well informed people.

It's no wonder so many Americans are confused. The common reasoning: hey, the talking head is clean, he's well dressed, why would he lie to me? Think Dan Rather. It reminds me of the "Big Brother" Apple Computer Adds in the mid-eighties.

Events are mostly shaped by the keepers of the narrative and how they spin it and with what perspective.

The depth and tenacity of the leftist roots in our education system, our government and our Main Stream Media, has wrested the narrative away from the position: "reasonable men can disagree". And "you're entitled to your own opinions but not you're own facts" also does not seem to apply any more.

We're past the time for neutral, keep your head down, complacency. In fact we only have a small window opening left, where fired-up activism may still have an effect.

If the Congress remains essentially the same in 2010, this countries future is screwed for a long time and maybe no event will be able to overcome that downward slide.

I hope I haven't hijacked another thread with my anger and, how was it put, grumpy attitude. But hey... I like preaching to the choir and sticking it to my philosophical adversaries; isn't that what the political forum is for?

Here's a relevant quote from Margaret Thatcher: "The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money".

[sailaway21]

A hijack yes but, a nice rant!