NYT columnists to Obama: Rent some movies.

David Brooks recommends "Cinderella Man", a boxing movie:

If I were presumptuous enough to offer them advice (who me?), I’d suggest they watch the Russell Crow movie “Cinderella Man,” about a boxer who’d been through a few savage rounds, but managed to persevere through hardship caused by others and himself.

And Friedman plumps for "Tin Cup", a golfing flick:

Meanwhile, Mr. President, on a rainy day, rent the movie “Tin Cup.” There is a great scene where Dr. Molly Griswold is trying to help Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, the golf pro, rediscover his swing — and himself. She finally tells him: “Roy ... don’t try to be cool or smooth or whatever; just be honest and take a risk. And you know what, whatever happens, if you act from the heart, you can’t make a mistake.”

Me? I'm not so sure that passively sitting back, watching movies for inspiration, is going to do the trick. That might work for a teenager, maybe, still searching for an identity that melds with his/her temperament and talents...

But at this late stage/age?
If he doesn't know who he is already, and what he's gotta do to get the job done, can't you columnists just c'mon and admit it already? For all his potential and likeability, Barack Obama simply wasn't ready for the job and never should have been unconditionally pushed by the press like that into assuming a role he wasn't ready for.

Watch some movies now, to figure yourself out and how to box your way out of this current mess? If only it were that easy.

You want a fighter?, you elect one in the first place.

Fellas? If I may? I know he's your personal friend but,
Stop being so silly already...



ADDED: I really am thinking, out here, what a crying shame it is that our supposed national writers (observers) are so insulated themselves (Life is Good! nttawwt -- in any other profession) that they really are missing out on what is going down in the country these days. Honestly, it's not such a simple fix.

Credit Krugman, at least, for getting the basic diagnosis correct.