The Operative Term is 'Hubris'

J.R. Dunn:
Wonderful article!

Why doesn't someone bring up the fact that there were less than 20,000 people in Berlin for the speech, NOT 200,000. The people were only there for the two (2) free concerts by two (2) of Germany's top artists.

Obama really over quote the number of people to the world. Not 200,000 came out to hear him, less than 20,000 for 2 free concerts. Why is this buried in the news????

Come the convention, he could *make* history, or *be* it...

Our author is a little too harsh with Wilson, I think.

Something of the nature of the League of Nations had never been tried before Wilson's time. Historical precedent for addressing such a notion was nonexistent.

How was Wilson to know that it would be a total failure?

J.R. Dunn, a beautifully written article!!

I found this comment in this morning's edition of Real Clear Politics - by Novak, "Can McCain Back in Again?"
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Posted by: jbjd
Comment: #8
Jul 28, 12:27 AM Report Abuse
Reply
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Where do you suppose BO would register in these polls if the MSM in this country reported that, the reason a copy of the prayer he deposited in the wailing wall in Jerusalem ended up on the pages of an Israeli newspaper is not that a Jewish seminary student stole the document and handed it to the press but that BO gave the press a copy of the prayer before he visited the wall, and authorized its publication?
[www.haaretz.com]
And what would his poll numbers be if the MSM reported that, the reason people were assembled in front of the stage where BO spoke in Berlin could be the same reason they assembled in May in Portland, that is, they had been lured by advertisements of a free rock concert preceding his speech and, in Berlin, further lured with the offer of free food and beer?
[noquarterusa.net]
[www.worldpoliticsreview.com]
If the MSM had broadcast just these 2 facts about BO's recent excursion overseas, perhaps this would incite them to conduct further research on the candidate. And, I assure you, if they knew what I know about him, none of the pollsters would be polling him, and no voter would even be considering giving him her vote.

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I imagine that these grains of hubris will add a little bit more momentum to Obama's solipsistic dance toward his eventual destiny. I pray it is a journey that he takes alone.

An excellent article, and much-needed corrective.

However, being from the UK, I'm not too up on day-to-day US politics, so wondered about this reference:

"recall one recent political powerhouse whose destruction was encompassed by a complaint over his seat on an airplane - an airplane he shouldn't have been aboard in the first place."

Any insight gratefully received.

Enjoyed this article. This is an interesting point of hubris. But is it really as potientially self-destructive as you presume? If the charateristic alone does a number on ones own psyche, in and of itself, removed from outside influences, it truely is destructive. However, for this trait to be as devastating as predicted, it will take outer influences reacting to this disliked behavior to destroy the castle-in-the-sand that it is.
I think either way, hubris has but only little potiential "good", in that it fuels that personal drive needed by some. But, in the end result, it leaves most of us on the sidelines wondering just how stupid and arrogant one can be.

I am so outraged at this mans behavior i could just spit!!! We need to be afraid. My daughter called me last week asking what they should do about their sizable 410K as they near retirement. I told her to wait until the begining of november to do anything. She will need to consult a good tax man. If Obama has anything to do with it it will become 1/2 of the original amount. I have this vision in my head of underpriviliged watching a plasma TV at my and her expense. WE ARE TRULY IN TROUBLE. McCain is a bumbling old fool but the better option. I hope he choses Romney for VP

If the voters buy the Obama sales pitch, America will get the President it deserves!

This guy is amazingly arrogant. I am amazed that so many Americans are willing to allow Obama to take the US down a path that will cripple us. Please consider: Obama's Election -One Small Step for One World Government - One Giant Leap for Mediocrity found at:
http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/obama-one-world-government-giant-leap-for-mediocrity-larry-sinclair/

I think you are right, but it will require the MSM to go after Obama, and that's something they don't seem to want to do. Sure there are the alternate media (like this wonderful site) but still most Americans are dependent on TV and the newspapers for their information.

The story you mentioned, about Gingrich who complained about his seat on Air Force One would not have been covered except for the fact that the MSM didn't like him and jumped on that to make him look silly and petulant. Look at the way they covered Robert Byrd actually saying the N word on TV (ignored it) and Trent Lott paying a compliment to Strom Thurmond (they beat him over that for weeks).

I can recognise Obama for the arrogant character he is, as can those who frequent this site and others, but the MSM is in love with him and will bury or minimize his gaffes.

I agree with PNC. I believe it was the policies put in place at the end of WWI that made WWII a for gone conclusion. I'm not a big fan of Wilson's for other reasons.

And we thought the the Clintons had that arrogant sense of entitlement? ha. They pale in the shadown of the Messiah.

Dittos, Mr. Dunn and AT readers - it's the culumative things that overwhelmingly show this man's character, and yes, frustrating that the MSM doesn't inform the genreral public.

I ask you, friends, what does it say about a man whom I have NO doubt had a committee of his handlers (a team of hundreds?) write "his" prayer for the wailing wall in Jerusalem, purely with the focus of political impact as the object? My God, how low can one stoop? Well, we're finding out, and yes, it's scary as hell.

Ellen - Good point. "Obama the Magic Negro " can have all the hubris in the universe but it will come under the heading "so what" if no one calls him on it. I wonder if we can find an eight year old child to point out to Lord Obama that he is running around naked?

PNC - As an FYI, Wilson has been referred too as America's first dictator. The guy believed his own press releases and like all socialists would rather experiment on a grand scale than pre-test a thesis. As a result many lives are (were) destroyed.

Miv T - I think the reference is to John Kerry on a flight from DC to MA.

Kiwi - I like your post. That said, look at the Germans in 1933.

Cheers.

Obama missed an opportunity to visit our wounded troops. I guess his magic only works on certain people. Remember the stink the media made about the conditions at Walter Reed medical center and how derelict Bush was? Only silence from the media as to Obama's distain for the military. It appears the entire MSM have tingly feelings down their legs for Obama. One wonders if NBC has a Depends dispenser in all of its restrooms.

The 'RAT fix was in for Obama-false-messiah and the media is in the tank for him.

I view Obama as a God-send, as none other than a "messiah-figure" could possibly have had a shot in hell of prying so many of the Clinton's supporters right out from under them.

While reading your editorial, I was a bit surprised. I have said myself a few times that Obama is a Greek tragedy in the making. Let's just "hope" it doesn't become an American tragedy.

You have found the words again Mr. Dunn to define the quality in the nominee that shines the brightest if only so many would see.

As certain Roman emperors would want to shore up their political support by sponsoring lavish games for the rabble's enjoyment, so too does Obama lure in the rabble by means of concerts for the under-40 kiddies.

He and his puppet masters are working hard to give him a halo of invincibility, for the purpose of discouraging his opposition. I see this attempt to discourage opposition to his coronation everywhere in the blog world where we conservatives gather. Some KosKiddie who supports Obama will barge in and leave behind a mocking comment, then exiting the forum smugly confident that he or she has done the duty of demoralizing us.

His trip abroad was an attempt to package himself as a moderate statesman, in order to appeal to the Middle Muddle, but most of the substance of his speeches (parsing through the mind-numbing rhetoric to find those tidbits)made sure that his Left base was secured.

The most infuriating part of it all was his ongoing act to dispel the notion that he is anti-Semitic - and most of the Jews are falling for it. Yet, he has not changed his advisers on Middle East policy. They remain anti-Israel and even anti-Jew. The tentacles of Soros remain wrapped around this package.

"Beyond cleaning Hillary's clock, he has no accomplishments to speak of, "

Well, give the devil his due. That is a stunning accomplishment. You can be sure that the Clintons were stunned.

And there's more at the door.

Like Guis Germanicus Claudius, who ate the poisoned mushrooms, and he knew, and he wanted to get away from the politics. Or George Washington who established the tradition of two terms limit as he wanted to get away from the politics. And FDR who loved the politics so much, GW's tradition was established as law to forestall more hurbis. I remember hearing a young woman say out loud, to me, she wish's she could vote for Clinton again. How can you argue with that. Here's another. I remember President Bush and President Putin going around the ranch in Crowford,TX. I was thinking , after this is over, President Bush will go back to his little ranch and Putin will go, where? A few months later President Putin Hosted President Bush at one of the imperial palaces for the TZSAR. The difference for me was striking. I guess one day President Bush will be gone, but Putin thinks he will be around for ever.

Just an obervation: Does anyone have an differing opinion of this article? All I see is, "Wonderful article", "I agree", "excellent article". Is the viewership/readership of "American Thinker" so small and one sided that there is no one to offer an alternate view?

Sigh, I am so tire of this guy if nothing else I hope he loses so I don't have to be lectured by him for 4 long years.
Every speech of his is a lecture about how I should live my life. I am 48, own a thriving business, have a family, took care of my parents; who in the heck is this dolt to come along and tell me what I need to do?
Besides, he absolutely bores the heck out of me. I keep hearing what a "great" orator he is.
I don't see it. In fact, turn off the sound and watch his head, it turns on cue every 2 seconds... My kids found that extremely amusing. Four years from now even that will grow as old as my tax returns..

I might be an optimist, but I have faith in the American people. It would take someone with tin ears as big as Obama's not to recognize the arrogance and hubris that he displays. These are characteristics that most Americans have great disdain for, particularly when there is nothing he has done or accomplished that would serve as a basis for his egomania.
As far as the media goes, I believe their approval rating is lower than Congress. Recent history has shown that when the media & Hollywood elitists try to shill for a candidate they do more damage than good. This year's media display of teenybopper behavior and total lack of integrity and professionalism will do nothing but turn people off "the one".

"Obama missed an opportunity to visit our wounded troops."

Not exactly true - it's worse. When informed that campaign staff and reporters were not allowed to accompany Obama, the campaign made the conscious decision not to go. Ultimately, this should say to the electorate: "I don't give a damn about the troops unless they are a good backdrop for my election".

Furthermore, in reference to his speech in Germany, one must wonder how anyone makes a speech about the fall of the Berlin wall without any mention of Ronald Reagan.

Like most HLS lawyers, he thinks his sweat (& other bodily excretions) doesn't stink.

Now Obama has "Camp Obama" to empower his supporters to empower to be dear leader of our country and the world.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/25/camp-obama-eager-to-%e2%80%9cempower-you%e2%80%9d/#more-3780

Just keep exposing this stuff, folks.
How did our Founding Fathers do it? They didn't have television or the Internet. All they had was word of mouth and the printed word - i.e., Common Sense, etc.

Each one of us the most powerful media possible. Never underestimate the power of the conversations around the water cooler.

Now Obama has "Camp Obama" to empower his supporters to empower him to be dear leader of our country and the world.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/25/camp-obama-eager-to-%e2%80%9cempower-you%e2%80%9d/#more-3780

Just keep exposing this stuff, folks.
How did our Founding Fathers do it? They didn't have television or the Internet. All they had was word of mouth and the printed word - i.e., Common Sense, etc.

Each one of us is the most powerful media possible in our communities and amoung our families and friends. Never underestimate the power of the conversations around the water cooler.

Bus Obama is about the change we can change when we want to change the things that we have been waiting to change! We are the ones we have been waiting for!

Is the viewership/readership of "American Thinker" so small and one sided that there is no one to offer an alternate view?

Dave, this is a blog for conservatives. We ignore the trolls who come on the site just to stir up trouble. They don't post alternative views, the denigrate to 5 year old status, and call you a "doody head" because they have no rational response to the argument.

And do you wonder why we all seem to have the same point of view? It's because our eyes are open, we keep our mouths shut, and we observe human behaviour, and only then pass judgement.

"Well, give the devil his due. That is a stunning accomplishment. You can be sure that the Clintons were stunned."

I'm still not counting out Hillary. She's got four weeks before the convention. My prediction is that a few days before August 25th we're gonna learn something new - and ugly - about Obama.

All she needs to do is turn 167 super-delegates and the nomination is hers.

It's too bad Obama didn't goof up on organizing his prayer by writing it down on his personal stationary and marked "MEMO".

There is no indication the gods are seeking to destroy Obama. Does anyone really think he would go mad if he lost? He would put it down to the "racism" of Americans and continue his crusade from the Senate floor. Victimhood/martyrdom is prized on the left. Obama's star can only rise. He's now an international celebrity. He won't leave the stage. The people of Illinois won't let him.
Being in the Senate isn't a position of pride? Tell that to Chuck Schumer, Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd. An awful lot of people seek the office. Many think it entitles them to run for president. They're in the world's greatest debating society (according to them, anyway) and they have positions of influence. They can block a president's nominations and stymie legislation at will.
We're all dreaming that the media will catch on to what Obama represents. Why should they? They're in full agreement with almost everything he says. Most also see themselves as citizens of the world, with their obligation being to humanity and to history instead of to their fellow Americans.
They want to be part of history - the first election where an African-American was more than a vanity candidate and had a real shot at winning the White House. They won't deprive themselves of the opportunities that opens up to them - books, articles, etc.
The gods can't destroy Obama. Only the American people can, and they probably won't. Why should they? Look at the choices they've been presented with. People look at Obama and McCain and most will vote for the one they perceive to be the lesser evil. Right now, I don't see a difference between them. Both are arrogant in the extreme. Each believes he deserves to be the next occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Each has every intention of selling out the American middle class, even if it's to different buyers. The loser will return to the Senate and it will be business as usual.
If the gods are driving anyone mad it's the American people and, just possibly, Hillary Clinton. This is the third election in our history where, barring an upset, a sitting senator will be elected president. The first two (Wilson and JFK) ended badly. The first one might have been avoided were it not for TR and his Bull Moose Party. Is this strike three for the US?

Well, at least now we know what that mysterious "H" in Barack H. Obama stands for.

I studied Euripides and his fellow tragedians in college. Barack Obama is like no Greek tragic hero I ever came across. Perhaps a burlesque version of a Greek tragic hero. At any rate, hubris doesn't even begin to cover it. If someone had told me a year ago that I would one day yearn for a Hillary Clinton candidacy, I would have pronounced him Hatter mad. Now we've got the Mad Hatter running for president. And half the country seems enamored of the idea!

So like, who paid for the 2 free concerts in OR and Berlin preceding the Obama speeches? I know, it's semantic.
And, 'fair & balanced' FNC didn't mention either about the Berlin 'free' concert nor the more closer approximation of the true number of concert goers, er I mean Obamania fans.

It is always heartening to visit these pages and be reassured there are others who see the world through a lens similar to my own. But even the mild-mannered Mr. Dunn cannot reach across the political divide to waken those sleepy-minded people who will bring us the messianic Obama. In order not to seem divisive, John McCain allows a degree of mendacity in his opponent (and in the press) that will ultimately hobble McCain in the election. Perhaps a little well-timed divisiveness is just what we need.

I am not all that convinced the easily duped Obamatons are legion. It's magical Hollywood crowd scene cropping and editing where 100 extras and convincing cardboard cut-outs are magically transformed into a roaring full stadium background for Lou Gherig's speech. Include free brats, free beer, and stoner Reggae tunes all afternoon and you've got the Dalai Bama blessing Ein millionen Deutschenvolk at the Fuhrer's Berlinplatz phallic monument. Cue Bernadine Dohrn's 'Sieg Fork' salute!
Media management of select symbolic imagery is derivative of Stalin and Goebbels. Soros' MSM 'Sputniks' are slowly vaccinating the credulous cartoon crowd into self-policing ideological thralls with scintillating action entertainment and subtly scripted Marxist mythology with a phony applause track. Sympathetic voodoo magic works on pre-evolved dumbed down superstitious minds. It's basic Joe Campbell.
It's all behavioral engineering by pimped out agenda driven social scientists. BHO is the photo-shopped 'sizzling steak platter' saviour of a world already saved in 1776! A glowing stained glass icon of a manufactured tin horn secular saint...whom we don't need and shall not want.
Pavlov despised Stalin, but his research was in the public domain and applied successfully by the NKVD and Cheka. It's all grounded in vague irrational fear and doubt subliminally implanted in the organism. Mao's 'killing a chicken to scare the monkey.' Happy campers secure on their private property with all their sweet possessions, full bellies, full gas tanks and secure steady incomes, are anathema to these controlling jealous fascists.
The aim of all this is the collapse of America, and our inclusion into the sharing caring Global Socialist Collective under UN supervision by a sympathetic participating POTUS. It'll all happen legally and constitutionally. SCOTUS is the key. ('Imagine there's no countries! It's easy if you try!')
I was perusing my collection of American history books and stumbled on this factoid:
In pre-Independence colonial times some of the individual colonies were experimental entrepreneurial business ventures, incorporated in London and on the exchange board, serving the insatiable needs of Mother England. We were teeming with abundant resources and fertile farmland. A speculator's dream!
They used to advertise back home for intelligent warm bodies to increase the skilled off-shore workforce. To seduce potential emigrants into signing on, they hyped the unique virtues of their colony. The Colonial NJ Chamber of Commerce hawked itself as being blissfully 'free of the three scourges of mankind...lawyers, priests and physicians.' If they could see the modern age they would've included 'Journalists'.
Prof. Dunn! Thank you sir for another superb pithy lecture! The AT truth teach-in is ongoing!

a differing view of what it is dead on what Obama is made of and it goes not far enough , he would take the freedoms away from the Americans just to further his power in the world he has aspirations of changing our wonderful Constitution and setting himself up as king of the world ,there are no words to describe his arrogance it is off the charts . the article did not go far enough but it was an excellent article.

Excellent article. Would that it were printed in the MSM where it would receive even more broad recognition. Can't figure out what it will take to get America to wake up before it's too late.

As usual Dunn hits one out of the park... B. Hussien Obama is probably not the worst remf the Democratic Party has ever foisted upon the American people, I still say Carter was worse and I'm from Georgia, but he's waaaaay up there. Hussien's mindless legions march behind him as he dances around in tights and plays his magical flute and those morons are the people I fear most. Anyone who is that easy to manipulate and cajole probably should be sterilized to keep from further degrading the species.

May B. Hussien obama's downfall be spectacular, loud, and quite destructive for the Democratic party...

The biggest advantage Obama has is his ultimate constituency, the media.

They will lie for, cover, exaggerate, propel, and push his campaign between now and November.

A significant percentage of the voters will never hear the truth about this guy.

2008 will be remembered as the years the MSM dropped any pretense of objectivity.

Just an obervation: Does anyone have an differing opinion of this article? All I see is, "Wonderful article", "I agree", "excellent article". Is the viewership/readership of "American Thinker" so small and one sided that there is no one to offer an alternate view? (Posted by: Dave | July 28, 2008)

No Dave, you may just have to go to a liberal mag. to hear what you want to hear about Barack Hussein Obama.

Bye now.
Ruth

In the many years that I have been following American politics I have never heard and read as many non-partisan voters voice such anxiety about a presidential candidate. I said to my friend last year that he is dangerous but I knew a lot less about him and his supporters than I do now. I did not know about his church and far lefties then.
When Carter was elected I lived in Virginia. I told some people then that he would be the worst President we had in the 20th Century but I did not call him dangerous. I did not call Clinton or Kerry dangerous.
When I told my daughter (who is married to an ethnic Indonesian who was brought up Catholic) that he was dangerous she called me a Zionist. I am not Jewish but I support Israel's right to exist. My daughter is 41 and has been a centrist. She was voicing the views of her husband who has gone soft on Muslims while his mother in Jakarta is scared of them killing her and her remaining children.
This is a small example of the craziness generated by the Obamites. The MSM does not call his opponents Zionists.

I am beginning to think the most effective strategy for McCain will simply be to lay low and do nothing for a while. Obama is in danger of wearing out his welcome before november unless he tones down the big endless pep rally that is his campaign. I was for him before the big tour - now I am not so sure. The fact is, he is neither Kennedy, nor Reagan and is running for president of the US, not Europe.

What will happen in the large cities if/when Comrade Senator Obama is not elected? I would not want to be a cop in LA or Chicago on election night. There is such a sense of entitlement for Obama getting the Oval Office that I think the Rodney King riots will look like a Sunday School picnic by comparison. The outcome of large scale rioting will set back race relations in the US decades. I'm sure Jessie Jackson et al, is counting on it. Having said this, the outcome of Obama winning/stealing the election will be even worse for the whole country. We are getting set for a "perfect storm" with the current price of energy, our food being burned for fuel, and the very likelihood of a solar minimum lasting for a couple of decades (lots on this is to be found by googling). Dictators come to power during upheaval and catastrophe. Widespread energy shortages and famine fall into those categories.

"Beyond cleaning Hillary's clock, he has no accomplishments to speak of, "

Posted by: vanderleun | July 28, 2008 10:40 AM
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Should history repeat itself, von Hindenburg was the elected 2nd president of Germany after WW1. Von Hindenburg not only won the election in 1925, but he won re-election against Hitler as well. The German people were not sucked in to Hitler's rhetoric until von Hindenburg was forced to make Hitler chancellor. The rest is history.

This is a very good blog on Obama's hubris. Hitler's hubris led to the downfall of Europe. The need for 'love' by Europe was a caution of our Founding Fathers and our early presidents through Monroe it should serve as a reminder that European 'love' kills. We are not electing a president for the world, if we are truly looking for change, we will vote for a president for America and American interests.

A resounding defeat and rejection of Obama will send the proper message to the world - Uncle Sam is not Aunt Patsy.

To Dave:
The article can be basically summed up as "Pride goes before a fall", and that Obama is quite arrogant. A differing opinion really only is that he's not arrogant at all. So my question to you is, if you really think that he's not arrogant, then you've got a lot of facts standing against you.

People making comments saying that an article is good does not mean that we are all mind-numbed robots without any thought, as you seem to be implying. The readership of AM is not small, nor really one-sided, as you allude. On the contrary, I find most articles to be very informative, filled with facts and references, and comments to be sometimes even more informative by people that really do know the subject matter. If you have facts to prove otherwise, I'd like to know.

Oh..and: Good article, J.R. !

If this is "American Thinker" why doesn't anybody on the web site do any thinking?

I mean, after spending 12 years at the univeristy -- and earning 2 PH.D.s -- I can unequivocally tell you what thinking is, and what thinking is not.

Thinking is the synthesis of objective information in the objective world, as perceived through the senses, in order to form more complex postulations regarding the objective world. That's what thinking is.

Emoting, on the other hand, is expounding upon how one FEELS about the objective world or events taking place in the objective world.

FEELINGS about your country, homosexuals, Muslims, Jesus and -- and the lies bent into "facts" by these feelings -- are not thinking. They are emoting.

But, when faced with information, one evaluates it using the facilities they possess, 1) Reason, or 2) Emotion.

Intelligent, educated persons use reason; they think. Uneducated ideologues expose their feelings as having some magical value, and they emote.

You should call this "American Emoter' because there is no thinking going on here.
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What an insufferably arrogant tool. You may have spent 12 wasted years in a futile pursuit of knowledge while acquiring precious little understanding of human beings. But you have less understanding of what being human is.

You'd make a better Vulcan than human.

BHO has presented himself as the new Messiah. Perhaps, of course we all know how that ends don't we?

Excellent piece! Should be required reading for the MSM!! Has anyone ever wondered if Soros' money might have paid off the MSM? It would mean very little for Soros to drop huge amounts here and there and in Swiss accounts. After all, that's why the MSM are reporting absolutely NOTHING about this man. Claiming to be a member of the Senate Finance comittee when he was in Israel. When I called Obimbos's people, I was told he 'mis-spoke'!! Pardon me, I am the Queen's cousin! (NOT).

The only thing missing from Obama's sermon in Berlin last week was his failure to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at its conclusion. While McCain's colorless campaign to date resembles the black and white dreariness of dust-bowl Kansas at the beginning of "The Wizard of Oz", Obama's colorful campaign last week demonstrated in beautiful color, the magical perfection of the Emerald City in the Land of Oz. How unfortunate that at the end of the fantasy, when we return to reality, we come to realize that the Wizard is just a fake and a phoney!

With "hubris" s the theme I am astonished that no one has cited the most apt reference from greek mythology, the legend of Icarus who, in spite of warnings, carried away by his belief in his own prowess, soared too close to the sun. His waxen wings melted and he crashed into the sea and perished. I have long felt that bBragger Obama is a modern Icarus and will crash and burn before eh reaches his sun - his dream of becoming he first Socialist President of the U.S.A.

Averyone asks "Who is the real Obama?" Steeped in Marxist doctrine since childhood, worshiping a father who was a dedicated Communist, wallowing in the radical socialism of Bill Ayers and Uncle Jerry, he is ot your Robert Kennedy Jr. type of convert from wealth to anti-capitalism. He is the real thing - a doctrinaire SOCIALIST.

We should not be fussing over whether he dissed the troops, or sucked up to the Germans, or tried to steal the Seal of the Republic. The REAL issue is: "Do you really want to see a fully-committed Socialist in the White House?" Every other issue pales against that.

It is on the record. It is not paranoia. So why don't we talk abut it instead of accusing him of being a "leftist"?

12 years, 2 PhD's? Right, so because you are a academic were emotions based fools? I don't suppose it might occur to you that some of us are highly educated? Hmmmm? Perhaps in Science and Engineering? Hmmmmmm? Does this mean some of us might have the ability to think critically about our Lord Obama? Hmmmmmmmmm?
In fact, did you have a point?

Strangely enough President Wilson would have had opportunity to know that the League would have been fruitless if he had bothered to listen to the man who first proposed something similar: his political opponent Teddy Roosevelt. Printed in 1913, his autobiography responded to much of what he had done in life and there is a telling passage out of Chapter XV when looking at the Hague Court after working very hard to give it legitimacy:

"I believe that the American position as regards this matter is right; but I also believe that under the arbitration treaty we are in honor bound to submit the matter to arbitration in view of Great Britain's contention--although I hold it to be an unwise contention--that our position is unsound. I emphatically disbelieve in making universal arbitration treaties which neither the makers nor any one else would for a moment dream of keeping. I no less emphatically insist that it is our duty to keep the limited and sensible arbitration treaties which we have already made. The importance of a promise lies not in making it, but in keeping it; and the poorest of all positions for a nation to occupy in such a matter is readiness to make impossible promises at the same time that there is failure to keep promises which have been made, which can be kept, and which it is discreditable to break."

At the Ohio History looking at the time US shipping was being sunk by German U-Boats and the organization trying to support the League of Peace proposed years earlier, they have this section on pp. 33-36:

"Outspoken leaders such as William Jennings Bryan, William E. Borah, and Theodore Roosevelt opposed Wilson's plans for a league of peace. The new opposition saw the league plan as an inappropriate foreign policy and a serious departure from the Monroe Doctrine. These leaders believed that participation in such a league would lead to unnecessary entangling alliances, would relegate the United States to a subordinate place in the foreign organization, and would result in great loss of American lives over matters that did not concern the country. Even though criticism came from each of the political parties, because of the President's growing affiliation with the League to Enforce Peace, Republicans became the chief opponents of the organization and its league idea.33

[..]

The Ohio branch's problems were similar to other chapters' difficulties. Criticism of the league idea abounded and detractors called the League a pacifist group seeking an immediate peace with hostile nations. In an effort to counteract this argument, the League's executive committee created and publicized a War Program, pledging itself to winning the peace by winning the war.37"

So, before entering WWI and during it, President Wilson had not only TR, but even William Jennings Bryan *opposing* such an organization and yet he went *ahead* with trying to bring it about.

That is hubris: not listening even to those who support you.

I have deep and severe problems with Sen. Obama's inability to get his advisory staff down to a bare handful - it shows a paucity of intellectual strength and lack of personal understanding that a the dull roar heard from them is not wisdom if they are all given equal footing. Without having that acumen and outlook, we are left with platitudes and good feelings. President Wilson went forward believing he was right, even when those who had supported him gave him warning... and WJB had been the party standard bearer for multiple elections and that used to mean something when the political parties actually could stand by any set of outlooks. Today they can't do that and we are left with an empty suit and a maverick often seemingly going his own way to spite those who would support him. I fully expect a 50% or sub-50% turnout of those with the franchise in the US this fall, and that will not be good for representative democracy when the majority no longer want to be represented.

Sir,

You are wrong...

Your most ridiculous statement, "He has encouraged a portrayal of himself as a messianic figure, including a portrait of himself as Christ, complete with halo" is just blatant misinformation.

The picture in question was made by a journalist wanted to take advantage of the perspectives that you encourage. When you make espouse such opinions, please base them on facts...

Sen. Obama, seems to me to be an honestly thoughtful and compassionate person. His acclerating rise to prominence worries many, but this is because many support him, and more are coming on board every day.

Not too long ago protests were raging against President Bush in his last trip to Europe...and now when 200,000 people(as quoted by German authorities) come out to support the America that has been lost during the failed Bush years, you somehow claim that it is Obama's hubris that brought them there...

He specifically made an order to not allow campaign posters, only American flags. 200,000 people(which included thousands of Americans) came to support a new America, one based on proper stewardship of the earth, the re-establishment of the rule of law and cooperation with fellow human-beings.

These people were not forced to come, they were not paid to come...they came because they wanted to.

It is hard to believe that a politician might actually have a thoughtful and kind personality...but this was confirmed to me when I learned of the prayer Obama left in Jerusalem...

"Please protect my family and me,and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just, and make me an instrument of your will"

These do not sound like the words of a hubris filled man. These are the words of a man cognizant of the ambition needed to succeed at becoming President, with an understanding of the humbleness needed to become a Great one.

As a veteran 'American Emoter' I know how to think, thou weird dude. I think I went to Harvard Yale Princeton Oxford and Heidelberg for 26 years(in my spare time) and have earned 17 Phd's. Nyah! So there! (Uh...I think I did..I can't objectively recall at the moment.)(People say I'm indecisive...what do you guys think?) My all time favorite Ph'd is in Bovine Scatalogy and Karl Marx's Poor Hygiene.(Stink-o-rama!) What's your favorite, oh strange one?

As a veteran 'American Emoter' I know how to think, thou weird dude. I think I went to Harvard Yale Princeton Oxford and Heidelberg for 26 years(in my spare time) and have earned 17 Phd's. Nyah! So there! (Uh...I think I did..I can't objectively recall at the moment.)(People say I'm indecisive...what do you guys think?) My all time favorite Ph'd is in Bovine Scatalogy and Karl Marx's Poor Hygiene.(Stink-o-rama!) Wilson was a soccer ball or something wasn't he? What's your favorite Ph.d, oh strange one?

Ah...the delusional self-indulgence of the American right. Talking themselves into victory before the throes of the final match have even begun. Hubris is the audacity of George W. Bush to take his personal agenda to the Middle East in the blind and uninformed, yet well-intentioned hope that democracy will suddenly spring from the dry sands of Southwest Asia. Hubris is repeatedly denying any culpability whatsoever in the adverse outcomes associated with interventionism in the Middle East since the early 20th century. This article echoes nothing but empty self-consolation and is speculative self-encouragement in the face of a Republican candidate who, quite simply, is behind in the polls. Try to color it how you will, second place is nothing but first loser. Grow up, conservatives. Get past this third grade pep rally and demand more from the ailing and tired senator from Arizona. Demand sound monetary and fiscal policies. Demand a balanced budget. Demand a potent reduction in the meddling role of the Federal Government in our lives. Move the nexus of power away from Washington and back to the people. Sitting around and trying to talk yourselves into positive thinking about McCain is sad and pointless. You wanted your milquetoast candidate...now you've got him.

I like Dryden's version:

"For those whom God to ruin has design'd,
He fits for fate, and first destroys their mind"

John Dryden

Our November election can be thought of as a hiring process. The U.S. constitution guarantees the people have a say in who is hired to fill certain government posts. Anyone who has ever been in the position of hiring understands experience and qualifications are ALWAYS considered as part of the hiring process.

So,ask yourself - if you were in charge of hiring the next president (and you ARE if you are a registered voter), do you consider BHO to be a sufficiently experienced and qualified candidate for the job? Or would you hire him based on his charm, oratory skill (and hubris)? Anyone capable of synthesizing this information objectively, even on the most basic level (called "thinking" by someone with 2 PH.D.s), will have no problem in rejecting this little child who would be king.

Yuck! Now we get to look forward to the appearance of this Wonder of the World at the DNC. What a guy! Springing for a national football stadium and all JUST SO thousands of adoring peasants can witness this Hysteri..uh, this Historical Event. If that's not selfless, I don't know what is!

It's all about the "O".

Obama continues his charade, awarding himself foreign triumphs, posing as a figure of world-historical stature, as if the election, perhaps even the inauguration, were merely a ritual. In his own mind, Obama is already president, behaving as he believes a president should, while the voters look on in bewilderment and growing disquiet.

Didn't Barack just tell Gordon Brown..."See you in January..." ? Well, at the rate Brown's popularity is falling and at the rate Barack's own...débacle...is approaching, that overweening hubris might be wrong on both counts.

He will continue in his solipsistic dance until the machinery of fate intervenes.

There are forces operating. But any full circle operation of the law of Karma will be, in Barry and Michelle's eyes, a function of latent (or not so latent) racism in America.

I am 48, own a thriving business, have a family, took care of my parents; who in the heck is this dolt to come along and tell me what I need to do? (Dave T)

No, Dave. You're a mean, complacent citizen of the all encompassing state, clinging to guns and religion for solace in your mean, complacent life. You need the Dalibama to nullify your natural rights and assign your proper function within the state.

I hope this helps.

In his comment here http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/07/the_operative_term_is_hubris.html#comment-216328 John Larue, reveals that, unlike Mr. Dunn, he doesn't have a "feel" for detecting important things like this:

"The pathological narcissist imagines he's giving you milk when he's actually feeding you poop; in short, he's not a bountiful breast but a toxic a$$hole. Once you get a feel for this, you can really appreciate the ubiquity of the dynamic. .." ~ Gagdad Bob, PhD

Beauty, Milk, Poop, Soul Jazz, and the Miscaste Obama
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8580258&postID=5650492419321197384

There is only a little "BS" of difference between "oSama" and "oBama."
Quem deus vult perdere, prius dementat......

Thank you, Mr Dunn, for an enlightening article. It is quite appropriate to examine Obama's campaign for hubris and emotional excess. Much of both exist for those who would see it.

We are still in the middle days of the election. It is four weeks before the Democrat Party convention and 14 weeks to the election. Much could happen, by then, to overturn Obama's apple cart. Obama's rhetoric and persona are excessive now. What will they be like in November? Will his actions get the reward they deserve?

How will the common voter, who typically doesn't wake up to the political realities, until 4 to 6 weeks before an election, see Obama? My judgement is the electorate will see a lunatic running for the highest office.

One thing to remember is how few Democrats have actually voted for Obama. Many of Obama's caucus's and primaries, which put him over the top in deligates, came from states he will never win in November.

Yes, Obama performed superbly against Hillary, but Hillary hands were tied. She could not use Saul Alinski's "Rules for Radicals" against a black man. When Bill Clinton tried to use them, he was accused of racism.

We have no idea how many Democrats will turn out for Obama. A backlash may be in the offing. Democrats, despite their rhetoric, are not as racially pure as they would have us believe.

The Mainstream Media tries to project this election as already won, but I want to see the polls in October, first. The electorate may not be the fools that Obama and the Mainstream Media expect them to be.

It was a wonderful article, which certainly echoed the private sentiments of many. Obama is a victim of himself. He feels entitled to this, as if it were a mere formality to actual be elected to the office of President. I think Obama saw this similiar behavior in Kerry, who I think had already measure the drapes for his new office, until the dream ended. And his dream only. Barack is slowly insulating himself from the media, so as not to "ruin" these last 100 days with anything that may cause harm to his getting elected. Well, lets hope we recognize him and his politics for what they truly are, and that is chicanery. plain and simple.

Dave T, it may seem, to you, as though we conservatives are conformist when we are not. When we agree with Mr Dunn, it is because he has made a persuasive case which fits the facts that he presented and conforms to our observations of the political arena.

Are we Conservatives slavish in following Mr. Dunn? Not at all. We are not overcome by emotion; we are not trying to "save the world." What we are trying to do is to survive when many people around us exhibit irrationality.

Obama is not the messiah. He is neither above the law, the rules of logic nor of good sense. Please don't expect us to climb aboard a bandwagon that is headed off a cliff.

If you had a good case to confront Mr. Dunn's position, Dave T, you would have presented it. Instead, you pretended to be a "know it all." Worse yet, a highly degreed "know it all" with no common sense. You wanted us to accept your opinions on faith. The problem is that Americans do not like "know it all's." Nor vote for them

The Presidency of the FG of the US is not an internship. The DNC should not nominate a candidate who is too inexperienced for this job. It still has enough time before the 2008 Presidential election to nominate a different candidate.
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Zbigniew - I just wish that Mr. McCain hadn't mentioned he knows nothing about the economy - makes selecting him as CEO of a 3 Trillion dollar budget harder to justify. Thank God he has plenty of highly qualified lobbyists to guide him.

Many years ago another young man ran on a platform of change and promises for the people.
He won. His name was Castro.