Thursday, January 22, 2009
How the University of Utah Is Like Obama
On Tuesday, Shelly and I, like everyone else, gathered around the TV to watch President Obama's inauguration. Ellie was complaining loudly that she would rather watch Little Einsteins, but we tried our hardest to get her to at least notice what was going on. This is an important piece of history, we told her. The pageantry and promise of this particular inauguration did indeed inspire me.
Then I took a step back and said, "Wait. This is the guy who, when asked in a debate what federal programs he would cut, went on and on about new programs he would start! This is the guy who has pledged to raise my taxes as high as he can to pay for all sorts of needless governmental bureaucracy!"
Yes, I am glad the barrier has been broken and America has elected an African-American president. But I am sad that the particular African-American president we elected is Barack Obama.
Just like I am glad the BCS has been busted several times now and a team from a non-BCS conference trounced former-#1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and ended up ranked #2 with a legitimate claim to #1. But I am sad that the particular non-BCS school that did so is the University of Utah.
There are certain things I believe in about the role of government and the way political policies should be run. There are certain things I believe in about the glory of BYU football. Sometimes, higher purposes come along, like ending the specter of racial prejudice or the fork-tongued, cackling, fiery demon of the BCS. Usually, my interests are aligned. A lot of what I believe politically goes along with racial equality. And a lot of what I believe about BYU football goes along with the destruction of the BCS.
But this January, I have been unfortunate enough to have my interests conflicted. The higher purpose has been advanced by someone who opposes my fundamental, basic beliefs. Obama won. Utah won.
I guess all I can do as a freedom-loving BYU fan is to wait until next season.
Then I took a step back and said, "Wait. This is the guy who, when asked in a debate what federal programs he would cut, went on and on about new programs he would start! This is the guy who has pledged to raise my taxes as high as he can to pay for all sorts of needless governmental bureaucracy!"
Yes, I am glad the barrier has been broken and America has elected an African-American president. But I am sad that the particular African-American president we elected is Barack Obama.
Just like I am glad the BCS has been busted several times now and a team from a non-BCS conference trounced former-#1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and ended up ranked #2 with a legitimate claim to #1. But I am sad that the particular non-BCS school that did so is the University of Utah.
There are certain things I believe in about the role of government and the way political policies should be run. There are certain things I believe in about the glory of BYU football. Sometimes, higher purposes come along, like ending the specter of racial prejudice or the fork-tongued, cackling, fiery demon of the BCS. Usually, my interests are aligned. A lot of what I believe politically goes along with racial equality. And a lot of what I believe about BYU football goes along with the destruction of the BCS.
But this January, I have been unfortunate enough to have my interests conflicted. The higher purpose has been advanced by someone who opposes my fundamental, basic beliefs. Obama won. Utah won.
I guess all I can do as a freedom-loving BYU fan is to wait until next season.
Comments:
Matt,
Like I said, talk is cheap. Let's see what the next four years will bring. You, living in the mecca of politics, will always know more about it than me. However, what frustrates me about this election is that judging that has already happen. No one wants to give anyone a chance. I have heard rumors that people in Utah are preparing for the end, and are trying to get their food storage ready because they think Obama will cause it to happen. Tell me the wonderful things that the last president--who did allign himself with our conservative views--did for our nation in the last eight years? There might have been some, but they are now miniscule compared to our current situation.
So like everyone else, I'd like to truly see change, starting with the fact that Obama is no so sure he's going to be raising taxes for the rich as quickly as he promised. Nobody has considered that as 'liberal' as he may be, he may not be so bad as everyone deems him to be.
Having said that, I don't think he's like the U of U. They still are bad no matter what.
Like I said, talk is cheap. Let's see what the next four years will bring. You, living in the mecca of politics, will always know more about it than me. However, what frustrates me about this election is that judging that has already happen. No one wants to give anyone a chance. I have heard rumors that people in Utah are preparing for the end, and are trying to get their food storage ready because they think Obama will cause it to happen. Tell me the wonderful things that the last president--who did allign himself with our conservative views--did for our nation in the last eight years? There might have been some, but they are now miniscule compared to our current situation.
So like everyone else, I'd like to truly see change, starting with the fact that Obama is no so sure he's going to be raising taxes for the rich as quickly as he promised. Nobody has considered that as 'liberal' as he may be, he may not be so bad as everyone deems him to be.
Having said that, I don't think he's like the U of U. They still are bad no matter what.
Oi Ren!
Two things right off the top of my head: Bush successfully prevented another terrorist attack (and it's not like the bad guys aren't trying), and he lowered taxes.
Unlike Rush Limbaugh, I don't hope Obama fails - I hope he breaks his campaign promises and turns out to be a great president. I don't even hope the U of U fails - I want them to be 12-1 every year.
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Two things right off the top of my head: Bush successfully prevented another terrorist attack (and it's not like the bad guys aren't trying), and he lowered taxes.
Unlike Rush Limbaugh, I don't hope Obama fails - I hope he breaks his campaign promises and turns out to be a great president. I don't even hope the U of U fails - I want them to be 12-1 every year.
