In his big speech, Obama mentioned freedom once

Here, in tonight’s address to Congress, is President Obama’s only mention of “freedom.” It’s buried in these two weak paragraphs:

"History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas. In the midst of civil war, we laid railroad tracks from one coast to another that spurred commerce and industry. From the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution came a system of public high schools that prepared our citizens for a new age. In the wake of war and depression, the GI Bill sent a generation to college and created the largest middle-class in history. And a twilight struggle for freedom led to a nation of highways, an American on the moon, and an explosion of technology that still shapes our world.

"In each case, government didn’t supplant private enterprise; it catalyzed private enterprise. It created the conditions for thousands of entrepreneurs and new businesses to adapt and to thrive."

So the only time Obama mentions freedom is to claim that “a twilight struggle” for it accidentally got us some new roads and stuff. Disappointing.

Frank Warner

Update: On further reflection, I just have to wonder about Obama's speechwriting process. Is there no historian in the White House to go over these things? The Cold War got us highways? Why celebrate that unless you want another Cold War? Elsewhere in the speech, it was a stretch to say America invented the car. Americans certainly came up with mass production, but why open a speech to nitpicking when a couple of words -- perhaps "the modern car" -- could have protected the speaker?  The editing is poor.

Beyond that, Obama has to look at the words of freedom that John Kennedy used in 1961, the words that demonstrated an understanding of "the long twilight stuggle":

"Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, 'rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation'—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

"Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

Liberal education. Kennedy was a real liberal, who knew the stakes in the struggle between freedom and tyranny. On this subject, Obama has a lot to learn.

* * *

See also: Two cheers for Obama's freedom agenda.

See also: President Obama’s best speech: ‘No faith justifies these murderous acts.’

See also: Diogenes in the White House: The freedom a cynic can’t grasp.

See also: Freedom Count in Bush’s farewell: 12, high.

See also: For Obama in Egypt, one unexpected moment of silence.

See also: Obama on Iraq success: 54 ways not to say ‘democracy’ (at Camp Lejeune).

See also: Obama in Camp Victory: U.S. troops won Iraq a chance for ‘a democratic country.’

Comments

[Rogin]

He also didn't mention the troops he was deploying for Afghanistan. Nor did he mention that his administration has maintained every Bush era policy re: detainees, Guantanamo, etc. His whole raison d'etre (to use a word from one of our 'allies' who Obama could not persuade to send addition troops to fight the taliban) is the idea that the two Bush terms were disasters, rather than historic advances for freedom around the world (which they were).

[JAL]

Any idea what the
"twilight struggle for freedom" that led to the highways, the moon landing and technology explosion was??

The Cold War? Civil Rights?

I am clueless.

[CJW]

No credibility. No accountability from him and his party for the mess they've had a large part in creating. No new ideas. No good solutions. Just lots of words. But I give him a 10 out of 10 for achieving the epitome of disappointment.

[Frank Warner]

Kennedy spoke of the long twilight struggle.

Generally, it was about bearing any burden for the future of liberty, particularly during the Cold War. But geez, Eisenhower's Interstate Highway program was an instrument of defense, not a goal. The goal is the protection and expansion of freedom itself.

Kennedy 1961:

"Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, 'rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation'—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

"Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

That's a real liberal.

[Bilwick]

I'm surprised he mentioned freedom even once. Why bring up a concept that, at best, he's obviously uninterested in, or, at worst, actively hostile to? Unless it were to say, "It's overrated. Let's take those final steps down the Road to Serfdom NOW!"

[David Holliday]

He looks good in a suit and speaks well. And, he gives new meaning to the term, big spender, Other than that, I don't think there is much there.

I learned a long time ago, to listen to what someone says but watch what they do. Obama's actions do not live up to the content of his words.

[Neo]

Now Eric holder signals that the assault weapons ban is a goal of the administration.

I thought "The Won" had said he can't because he didn't have the votes.

[jj mollo]

It's a lot easier to find the votes when cops are getting shot twice a week.