I'm reminded of "Braveheart"...

[RedSpartan]

Robert the Bruce: This Wallace, he doesn't even have a knighthood, but he *fights* with *passion* and he *inspires!*

Robert Bruce, Sr.: And you wish to charge off and fight as he did. So would I.

Robert the Bruce: Well, maybe it's time.

Robert Bruce, Sr.: It is time to survive. You're the 17th Robert Bruce. The 16 before you passed you land and title because they didn't charge in. Call a meeting of the nobles.

Robert the Bruce: But they do nothing but talk.

Robert Bruce, Sr.: Rightly so. They're as rich in English titles and lands as they are in Scottish, just as we are. You admire this man, this William Wallace. Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage, so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to compromise that makes a man noble. And understand this: Edward Longshanks is the most ruthless king ever to sit in the throne of England. And none of us, and nothing of Scotland will remain, unless we are as ruthless. Give in to our nobles. Knowing their minds is the key to the throne.

-----

Sadly, at this point our President reminds me of neither a compromising noble nor an uncompromising, passionate, inspiring fighter like Wallace.

I sincerely hope that changes in the next two years.

[RandomThoughts]

1. Heh, did you know that speech was to show that the corrupt spirit was wrong?

His father was a symbol for a corrupt spirit, many parts in movies are meant to be about spiritual stuff, although many don't talk about it.



The ability to make the other guy compromise is actually how most nobles made their money. LOL

As is the intent of your post.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. I thought his intent was to make us stand up for our rights....

:shrug:

[RedSpartan]

3. Indeed.

It seemed to me at this point Obama is not compromising (caving on tax cuts is not compromising).

Nor does he seem to be a passionate fighter. See above, for example.

My point is that he is caught between the two sides of the speech, in the undefined middle. Not a good place for anyone, much less the President, in my opinion.

Fortunately, however, it appears I posted too soon, given that subsequent reports are that he did not cave on tax cuts.

Mea culpa.

[hulka38]

4. I've thought of this many times.

When I saw your reference to the film I knew exactly what scenes you were going to relate to Obama. In one scene, Wallace talks directly to The Bruce and pleads, "if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you...and so would I" Of course, when Wallace is betrayed for the final time, the quote by Otter from the classic comedy Animal House, "You screwed up. You trusted us." is what comes to mind.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. You're reminded of bizarre distortions of history?