100 DAYS

It's been 100 days of a historic presidency, not just because of Barack Obama's ethnicity, but also because of the context in which he has taken office. We are in a deep recession that has put the nation's financial situation on a precipice. We have two wars that confront him and us. There are challenges to our nation's moral authority -- seen in the release of memos that demonstrate beyond a shadow of doubt that we were engaged in torture. Its not that the victims were somehow good people and thus not worthy of such treatment, it is rather that engaging in torture goes against the very principles upon which the nation was founded (though we have never fully lived up to those principles -- considering that many of the founding fathers were themselves slave owners). Connected to the former is our national reputation in general, one that has been torn to shreds in recent years.

So, what do we make of these past 100 days? In many ways it's too early to tell, especially regarding the financial picture. Will the stimulus package work? Can the automakers be saved? Will the banks function properly once again so that credit will once again flow? We could go on -- only time will tell what the outcome will be.

There are big issues out there still to tackle -- especially health care. America has a great system, if you can afford it, not so great if you can't. I know that while we have health insurance, I wonder what will happen if we don't rein in costs. My church provides my insurance, but if things continue to climb they might not be able to afford it. Our education system needs lots of attention. On and on we can go.

As to our national stature, despite the stain created by the revelations on torture, Barack Obama, with the help of Hillary Clinton, has done much to restore credibility. In many parts of the world, Barack Obama is more popular than the nation's own leaders. Though strangely some people think that by opening relations with Cuba and shaking hands with Hugo Chavez, Barack Obama is somehow undermining national security and national honor, I see only the reverse. We have had Cuba under an economic embargo for decades, but the Castros remain in control. I call that a failed policy and support Obama's new direction. As for the Chavez handshake -- in my mind to do other wise would be petty. Whether we like him or not, he is the leader of that nation. Snubbing him would make us look small. And if you want to look at a failed policy, look at what has happened over the past 8 years. Not only has Hugo Chavez come to power, but leftist governments have emerged in many Latin American countries. Obviously our policies haven't worked there.

So, while this is only an interim report card, I do believe that our President should be commended for a job well done. I've not agreed with everything he has done or said, but I do think he has brought credibility back to his office. And apparently a large majority of Americans agree. That members of the GOP think otherwise, may say more about them than Barack Obama.

So, on to the next 100 days, 100 days that will likely be as difficult as the ones that preceded them. We have a long road ahead, but I think we're finally on the right track.