I had to respond to Jay Fleitman’s April 5 column. I understand that “optics” means what we see. Fleitman sees President Obama as a failure because he carried on his activities in Cuba when terrorists dealt a horrible blow in Belgium.
As I read on, I see an Obama-bashing rant. Very dramatic, of course. Obama’s behavior was “unseemly” and he had a “profound lack of sensitivity.” When receiving news of another terrorist act he had “grabbed his clubs and hit the links” (possibly not a bad idea when one gets overwhelming news.)
Perhaps the world is keeping score about funeral attendance. Obviously, some people do. The media usually informs us about who was there and who was not. Without checking facts, I assume that condolences are sent and a member of government represents us when the president does not.
Yes, I am an Obama supporter. I see a very intelligent, hard-working man who keeps his head and heart on an amazingly even keel in spite of criticism and obstruction. That he manages to have time for family and recreation I see as a good example, rather than a “lack of appreciation of the office he holds.”
The way I see it, President Obama works hard and has managed to accomplish a lot. Negative voices shout in order to cast doubt. It does work. I actually appreciate that the Gazette printed an article by Fleitman that reveals his thinking. Although he sees international implications, I see many of his comments as petty and biased.
In his final statement, he suggests that in addition to a “character flaw,” the president “doesn’t care.”
The way I see it, Jay Fleitman just doesn’t care much for President Obama.
Betty Schaffer
Easthampton