Devaluing Life.

I guess, things like this are to be easily accepted in our militant "might is right" world of today.  But the president's lack of understanding, lack of gravitas, in responding to the situation is embarrassing.

"Before I begin, obviously the world is watching reports of a downed passenger jet near the Russia-Ukraine border. And it looks like it may be a terrible tragedy. Right now we’re working to determine whether there were American citizens on board. That is our first priority.

And I've directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian governemnt. The United States will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why. And as a country, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families and passengers, wherever they call home. "

Obama then jarringly quickly returned to his prepared remarks. 

 

"I want to thank Jeremie for that introduction' he said. 'Give Jeremie a big round of applause.  It is great to be in the state that gave us Joe Biden. We’ve got actually some better-looking Bidens with us here today.  We've got Beau and his wife, Hallie, are here. Give them a big round of applause. We love them."

Obama also acknowledged the presence of Treasury Secretary Jack Lew with a joke.

"Jack Lew’s signature is actually on your money,' he said, 'although it's kind of illegible. We teased him when he first became treasury secretary that he was going to have to fix his signature a little bit because it looked just like a caterpillar running along the bottom."

From there he launched into a 16-minute speech about transportation projects he wants Republicans to fund, complaining bitterly about their objections to his end-runs around the federal legislature.

"When I have a chance to help communities like Wilmington, I’m going to do it," he said, as cable news networks focused on the lives lost in Eastern Ukraine.

"That’s when my administration takes these executive actions, when Congress won’t act. And so far, the only response we’ve gotten from the Republicans is a lawsuit. They're suing me for doing my job, instead of going ahead and doing their job."

"That's disappointing," Obama said. "It’s a political stunt."

More and more,
I wonder if we'll ever again elect a junior senator to the top office in the land, based on identity politics.

Yep, he's still the nation's first black president.  But folks with their eyes open are seeing the skin color matters little in many of the issues a president is called upon in doing his job.  Experience matters more.

Maybe it will all be for the best.  All those who were looking to "make history" by looking past the resume --the track record of leadership-- are getting what they voted for:  a black president of promise.  What they didn't get was a seasoned political leader, capable of shining even in the worst moments and inspiring confidence in his abilities.

Some of us -- who grew up in integrated schools, communities, and workforces -- were simply hoping for more...