He Came, He Conquered, He Departed
None other than Barack Obama, 44th president of the great United States of America graced the capital city of Canada with his presence, this day. The great orator, the man with the 50-mega tonne smile, was here, sharing for a brief moment in history, his essence with the people of Ottawa. Whatever else the man may be, he is a projector of personal grace, integrity, dignity, and a natural self-confidence.
He carries himself with an air of royalty; is there any other word to describe this man's august presence? Yet he is calmly still, self-assured and unassuming; a gentle hand, an earnest wish to communicate one-on-one, he carries no trapping of entitlement, even while he wears it so effortlessly.
The weight of public expectations that have descended on his shoulders must take its toll, but it is not in evidence. Not yet. There is ample time for that to set in.
In the early weeks of his presidency he has already encountered a fair number of set-backs, irritations, frustrations, and fall-out from some ill-considered initiatives, not least among them his selections for various executive posts. He has not been soiled by association, but some might question the trust he has placed in some who have misplaced the public trust.
That is no matter for Canada, however; that is solely, at this time, the concern of the people of America. For Canadians, his slight and casual six-hour drop-in was an occasion of significant moment. President Obama has the insight and sensitivity to realize how vitally important it is for Canada - as a neighbour and ally and major trading partner - to feel they are noticed by America.
It's like sitting next to the most popular, beautiful, talented girl at the school dance; no one notices the wallflower. And when the popular girl turns toward the shy and plain-faced girl ignored by everyone else, confiding kindly in her, helping to bring her to some sense of ease and belonging, the gratitude is palpable. All the more so, when the homespun girl respects and likes the cosmopolitan one.
Mr. Obama is not one to stand on ceremony, that much is obvious. But his polite acquiescence to lending himself to the pomp of visiting statesman being feted by a counterpart reflects as a gesture of humility, aiding greatly in putting his host's concerns at rest. His open-spirited willingness to confer equality upon others earns him admiration and gratitude.
From his diplomacy in lending himself and his office to the comfort of his hosts, his dignity and consideration so much in evidence, his utter lack of condescension, his openness to others, he has won himself a greater audience and collective of followers from among the general populace than merely those who extended themselves to be present on Parliament Hill.
His casual walk-about with his security detail in cautious tow around nearby Byward Market, after leaving the gravitas-laden Centre Block of Parliament gave him the aura of a completely relaxed and normal sight-seer, transforming him from the world's most influential politician to a doting parent, looking to bring a few trinkets back to his children awaiting him in Washington.
President Obama's brief trip to Canada has converted the skepticism of many to unvarnished admiration for his persona as an extraordinary, albeit normal human being.
Belying, in a sense his position and his character - infused with an aura of mystery and intrigue - that this man of outstanding ability and intelligence who has attained to the highest office of governance in the most powerful state of the world, yet embodies the quotidian concerns of Everyman.
He carries himself with an air of royalty; is there any other word to describe this man's august presence? Yet he is calmly still, self-assured and unassuming; a gentle hand, an earnest wish to communicate one-on-one, he carries no trapping of entitlement, even while he wears it so effortlessly.
The weight of public expectations that have descended on his shoulders must take its toll, but it is not in evidence. Not yet. There is ample time for that to set in.
In the early weeks of his presidency he has already encountered a fair number of set-backs, irritations, frustrations, and fall-out from some ill-considered initiatives, not least among them his selections for various executive posts. He has not been soiled by association, but some might question the trust he has placed in some who have misplaced the public trust.
That is no matter for Canada, however; that is solely, at this time, the concern of the people of America. For Canadians, his slight and casual six-hour drop-in was an occasion of significant moment. President Obama has the insight and sensitivity to realize how vitally important it is for Canada - as a neighbour and ally and major trading partner - to feel they are noticed by America.
It's like sitting next to the most popular, beautiful, talented girl at the school dance; no one notices the wallflower. And when the popular girl turns toward the shy and plain-faced girl ignored by everyone else, confiding kindly in her, helping to bring her to some sense of ease and belonging, the gratitude is palpable. All the more so, when the homespun girl respects and likes the cosmopolitan one.
Mr. Obama is not one to stand on ceremony, that much is obvious. But his polite acquiescence to lending himself to the pomp of visiting statesman being feted by a counterpart reflects as a gesture of humility, aiding greatly in putting his host's concerns at rest. His open-spirited willingness to confer equality upon others earns him admiration and gratitude.
From his diplomacy in lending himself and his office to the comfort of his hosts, his dignity and consideration so much in evidence, his utter lack of condescension, his openness to others, he has won himself a greater audience and collective of followers from among the general populace than merely those who extended themselves to be present on Parliament Hill.
His casual walk-about with his security detail in cautious tow around nearby Byward Market, after leaving the gravitas-laden Centre Block of Parliament gave him the aura of a completely relaxed and normal sight-seer, transforming him from the world's most influential politician to a doting parent, looking to bring a few trinkets back to his children awaiting him in Washington.
President Obama's brief trip to Canada has converted the skepticism of many to unvarnished admiration for his persona as an extraordinary, albeit normal human being.
Belying, in a sense his position and his character - infused with an aura of mystery and intrigue - that this man of outstanding ability and intelligence who has attained to the highest office of governance in the most powerful state of the world, yet embodies the quotidian concerns of Everyman.
Labels: Human Relations, Values
posted by Pieface @ 6:15 PM
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