Wise, harsh, and scary words from Steven Den Beste

Apparently Steven Den Beste thinks this is Not the End of the World. So that’s good. He has some insightful/wise/scary/harsh/needed words for the US after Obama handily won the presidency. Check it out… if you can handle it. A few snippets:

Good intentions do not guarantee good results. Idealists often stub their toes on the wayward rocks of reality, and fall on their faces. And the world doesn’t respond to benign behavior benignly.

The main reason this will be a “coming of age” moment is that now Obama and the Democrats have to put up or shut up. Obama got elected by making himself a blank slate, with vapid promises about “hope” and “change” — but now he actually has to do something.


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  1. Nancy
    November 5th, 2008 at 18:45 | #1

    We are very, VERY happy with the election results here. I will admit, I think McCain would have been good too but his choice of VP was so off base it wasn’t even funny. She is very, VERY frightening!!
    By the way Matt, please send me your wish list!!! And, no mater what, we love you!!

  2. mom
    November 11th, 2008 at 13:22 | #2

    Insightful/wise/scary/harsh/needed words????? — What good are these words? He’s doomed before he’s condemned. Is there the remotest chance that Obama’s presidency might actually turn out okay. Or is he defeated before he begins? “a lot of bad things are going to happen”, “disillusionment will turn to a feeling of betrayal and that will, in turn convert to anger”, “now he has to reveal his true agenda” How does this man know all these things? I get the feeling Steven Den Beste really would like “bad things” to happen simply because Obama is “liberal” and a Democrat. It would be nice to think that since Obama will be leading this country for the next 4 years that support in a constructive way rather than dissent in an I’m sure this is going to happen way, would be a nice focus of energy. At least let him screw up first before you condemn him.
    Love you Matt.

  3. mom
    November 11th, 2008 at 13:24 | #3

    oops typo - I mean “he’s doomed before he begins”

  4. salmypal
    November 11th, 2008 at 15:11 | #4

    I’m a conservative, I admit, but I am very excited for Obama to be president. Not for the superficial reason of the color of his skin, but to finally find out the content of his character. But, what I really want, what would excite me even more is a complete and total overall of the news media. We cannot have a true democratic republic without them, but they must be objective and they are not. They need to go after Republicans hard and then turn around and be exactly the same with Democrats, any politician really. For the past 8 years I have heard Bush is evil, Bush is Hitler, Bush is Evil Chimpy McHitlerburton. I would contend that Bush is one of the kindest, most decent of men and that the press has totally eviscerated him. I think the truth of this will be made known as time goes by. I’m not saying he’s perfect and that he hasn’t made mistakes, he’s a human being. The whole government is made up of human beings. As such, they will make mistakes (this is what so confounds me about putting the government in charge of more of your lives, like say…uhhhmmm…health care). Obama is a human being, he will make mistakes, but since I don’t care to be in the same class of people who called Bush evil, I will not be calling Obama anything but what he is. Human.

  5. Erin
    November 11th, 2008 at 15:51 | #5

    I think this is a semi-irrelevant article in that yes, Obama will make mistakes. Bush made mistakes. Clinton made mistakes. Every leader we have had has made mistakes. It’s obvious that all the promises made in every presidential campaign will not happen. It seems like this article is just getting a head start on the Obama-bashing that will create once again another round of president-hating that leads to nowhere. Like mom said, let him screw up first at least- which again, yes, he will. But again, even after that first mistake, do we need another Bush-bashing all over again? I hate that it’s basically going to turn into the Republicans telling the Democrats “I told you so.” EVERY president in EVERY party screws up. We all deal. Maybe dealing with it a little less negatively would be more constructive- not just for Obama- for all future leaders. Sally’s right, there needs to be an equality in how each party is put under the microscope- but I think being constructive about it would be an essential turning point in politics in general. We’re a democracy- isn’t that the point?

  6. November 14th, 2008 at 17:24 | #6

    So maybe “wise words” was being somewhat generous. But I think that Beste has some interesting things to point out. I DO want to give Obama the chance he deserves. He made some big promises and will have to follow through with them. I am just not a fan of the Idol he has turned into. I don’t think Beste wants Obama to fail (although he might…), I just think that he has spent many years analyzing some of the fundamental flaws/issues with liberal policy. But until Obama is given the chance, we truly cannot say anything. As Sal says, I just hope that the media with attempt to hold him accountable.

    And as Erin says, we are all human and will make mistakes. Our character will determine how we deal with those mistakes.

  7. Beck
    January 18th, 2009 at 03:38 | #7

    I might be an outsider, but England depends a lot on which President is elected in America, and I agree with Matt.

    Obama needs the chance to prove himself, and as my friend says, You never know until you try. Sure he’s made a lot of promises, but given the time, any of the past presidents could have done almost anything to help the US get further than it is today. (Not meaning any disrespect there).

    And of course Erin’s right, but doesn’t EVERYONE screw up at sometime in their life? I know I have and that cost me, just as Obama’s mistakes will cost the US and probably the rest the World.
    No pressure like but over here we’re all expecting big things from Obama during his 4 years.

  8. Beck
    January 18th, 2009 at 03:44 | #8

    Sorry, forgot to say something before.

    The media are a bunch of idiots.
    All we ever hear from them is that some teenagers beat up an old man; someone got shot; the Prime miniser made a huge mistake!

    They NEVER, in my experience, they’ve never written a report wholy dedicated to someone that starts out in a bad light and then does something right.

    My point is, that if they start by pointing out the bad things about Obama, they’re going carry on like it.

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