January 30 , 2009
Obama Launches His Agenda
Barack Hussein Obama, who was sworn in less than two weeks back as the 44th President of the United States, is generally regarded as the fulfillment of the dream of Martin Luther King. But, Obama has consistently projected an image of being a dedicated disciple of Abraham Lincoln. His speech, during the campaign, on racial harmony is a masterly exposition of his thoughts on the subject. Yet, he had never treated race as a major issue, nor sought any vote on that basis. People of all colors, creeds and pursuits voted for him overwhelmingly as he was undoubtedly the most suitable person to lead them at a time when the country was cliff-hanging at the precipice of financial disaster, was entangled in two ill-conceived and unpopular wars, had acquired a highly unflattering record of human rights violations, and had ignited by its misdeeds world wide anti-American feelings. Obama’s call for a “change” therefore resonated with the electorate. Bulk of his voters were enthusiastic whites.
Being a staunch disciple and admirer of Lincoln, he traveled by train the same route to Washington as had been followed by his role model, his visit to Lincoln’s monument reflected his strong admiration for the eminent leader. And, he took the oath of office on the same bible used to swear in Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The Chief Justice of the time, Roger B. Taney, who gave the oath, had ranted four years earlier in the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford that blacks were “beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no right which the white man was bound to respect.”
Chief Justice, John Roberts, who administered the oath of office to Barack Obama, was appointed by ex-President Bush, and known for his conservative tilt and opposition to “affirmative action” which supported blacks. He faltered while giving the oath, making Obama have another private ceremony and repeat the oath taking. Incidentally, Obama is himself not in favor of the “affirmative action” as he is a strong believer in the equality of man, and the equality of opportunity sans doles.
No wonder, the people of America, hailing from different races and religions have struck a chord of harmony under President Barack Hussein Obama’s inspiring leadership overarching racial, religious or other myopic issues. He is no demagogue thriving on race and negative rhetoric. He has more daunting challenges to face and overcome. In his inaugural speech, he has focused on the “gathering clouds and raging storms” and underlined the selection of “hope against fear”. Bush administration thrived on fear and got two terms on that account - both deleterious for the nation. You got a taste of the play on fear every time you had to board a plane. Even baby scissors and bottles of cosmetics would be taken away at the security check posts making you feel like a person in grave error. The trust in a “can do” people was replaced by suspicion and fear.
The major problems facing the nation are well-known: two wars whose efficacy for the US is open to question, the threat of terrorism, an economy in deep recession, staggering budget deficits likely to continue for years, a malfunctioning and inadequate healthcare system, challenges of protecting the environment (America being the biggest polluter) and troublesome relations with several countries. Muslim countries couldn’t help feeling an aversion to the fear and hate campaigns of Bush administration tarnishing the image of Muslims as potential terrorists. This might have pleased Zionist lobbies but at what price to the US!
President Obama has replaced Bush’s talk ad nauseam of war on terror with a war “against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred”. Moving to “the moral high ground”, he has already dismantled some of the widely condemned symbols of Bush’s war on terror. Within hours of taking office, he issued executive orders to close Guantanamo Bay prison within a year, to suspend all military trials at the prison pending fresh reviews of all cases, to shut down permanently CIA’s network of secret overseas prisons and to end the Agency’s use of tortuous interrogation techniques that had been authorized by the Bush administration.
Offering an olive branch to the Muslim world, he sought a new way forward “based on mutual interest and mutual respect”. “Power alone”, he maintained, “cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please”. America must therefore change, he emphasized. This was articulated in a statement outlining the new White House foreign policy agenda issued within hours of his inauguration. Afghanistan and Pakistan top the agenda. The United States should, says the statement, “refocus American resources on the greatest threat to our security -the resurgence of Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.” To finish the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda, the administration will increase non-military aid to Pakistan and hold that country accountable for the security in the border region with Afghanistan. It will increase the US troop levels in Afghanistan and press NATO allies to do the same.
The United States has thus made it clear that it would finish the war by eliminating the burgeoning extremists of the region. That should be a welcome declaration for the civilian rulers of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Perhaps certain elements in the powerful Pakistan army, who are benefiting personally from the raging war, might find the clear declaration of US intent distasteful. But an early end to the war is clearly in the interest of the nation and must be pursued sincerely and vigorously. The alternative of a long war with an ever-expanding notion that the government was killing its own nationals on the dictates of a foreign power, holds the horrific prospect of further dismemberment of the country.
In the context of the Obama regime’s agenda to crack down on nuclear proliferation and to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the foreign policy paper offers a negotiated settlement on Iran’s nuclear issue. It promises to stop the development of new nuclear weapons, to work with Russia to take US and Russian ballistic missiles off hair trigger alert, and to seek dramatic reductions in US and Russian stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
Another decision of far-reaching consequences is about the restrictions on the machinations of lobbyists of all shades and interests. Of no less significance is the decision to make transparent the operations of the government. That would promote trust in government functioning.
The above account gives an idea of the changes that are sought directly and the deviations, if not total shifts from earlier stands, set in motion at a fast clip by the Obama administration. It reflects the cumulative vision of the new team of policy planners. In selecting his team, Mr. Obama has followed the dictates of meritocracy and the potential of each individual, irrespective of his race, party affiliation, or personal loyalty, to address the gigantic problems facing the nation in his particular area of operation. Of course Obama is at the helm of affairs and stands out, undoubtedly, among the high achievers of his team. That restores the badly shattered trust of the people in the future of this great nation.
arifhussaini@hotmail.com
