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The author's call for decency.
My Second Wakeup Call
This is my second wake-up call to my fellow Americans, if there are still some decent ones left, be they Democrats, Independents, or Republicans, Senators, Congressmen or Congresswomen.
My fellow citizens, on July 31, 2008, I wrote my first wakeup call and now I am writing my second wakeup call, so that no one could tell me later that they have not been warned or they didn’t know. I heard this argument many times in Germany, in France and in some other European countries. I believe by doing so, I am fulfilling my duty as an elder, as a father and as a grandfather, as a survivor of WWII and as an officer and war veteran.
Now it is over 38 years since I left the old continents of Europe and Africa, not because of lack of business, but rather, I brought money, know-how in marketing and technical knowledge for creating jobs and business for the United States and many other countries. I was attracted to this country for many reasons. First, because here everyone can practice his or her religion without shame or having to feel uncomfortable about their roots, their tradition, their music, their folklore, and be proud about the way they look. Second. I came here, where teachers and professors will not take advantage of their position to inculcate politics to their students and steer them away from the culture of their parents, nor from their relationships with their parents and friends. With this in mind, I looked for security as a citizen, far from the one we knew, in Europe and in Africa.
Since the President was elected, I can see the wind of hate among citizens and leaders, which I never saw before, when I believed that such beautiful harmony could not disappear with a new president.
Today I see not only the lack of harmony among friends, co-workers, officials, and simply among conversation partners, but now everyone tries not to talk, for fear of hurting the others’ feelings or opinions, be they Democrats or Republicans. In other words, we became mute, and our tongue got stuck to the palate. I have known this atmosphere during WWII. The name of Obama became a sacred word for some or a devil for others, which no one should pronounce loudly, as not to disturb the other. People are demonizing people for the single reason that they do not agree with their discussion partners.
Slowly, slowly, a friendly debate or a friendly conversation became impossible, and if there are more people among those in a group, who listen to the conversation, one can see the look in the eyes of the one and of the other, moving and blinking in one direction or in another, to signal to the other their acceptance or their disagreement.
As you are the leader, please give some decent words to the people who listen to you, as not to either demonize or call names the others who do not share your opinion. Demonizing others is very low way to advance one’s cause, and opens the doors to the country’s enemies. We are all good American who wish the best for our country and everyone could misjudge or make a mistake.
I must be honest and tell you, Mr. President Obama, please, in the name of the children you love, leave our America as we know it. Go find another positive project that everyone can be happy with and don’t try to change America the way you wanted. You are creating animosity and enmity between people, between parents and children. Please simply leave our freedom intact, as you found it, as later you will need it. I don’t believe that we Americans would like to see our country in disarray, in constant hate and dispute. I know you see the development the way you want to see it, but please see our country as the one which gave you the chance to be its president and not its emperor. Please be the President of the Democrats, of the Republicans, and of the Independents, as you said it during the campaign, the President of the American people.
Copyright 2010 Emile Tubiana
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But for all means, herald away in the world of the deaf.
Did said before that I am a pessimistic cynic?
Georg