Obama keeps own counsel despite flood of advice

Our truly astonishing new president-to-be is mixing charm and wit with prudence and pragmatism in his preparation for the awesome responsibility he sought and won. In his wide-ranging interview with Steve Kroft on CBS’ “Sixty Minutes,â€�  Barack Obama gave a largely non-ideological assessment of the nation's problems and outlined his proposed method of dealing with them. But he made clear that he will not be pushed. In that, his situation is not unlike that of one of his heroes, Abraham Lincoln. As recounted by Harold Holzer in his new book “Lincoln President-Elect,â€� the lonely man, who became our most revered chief executive, was badgered by requests and advice from a great variety of interested parties, but managed to keep his own counsel until the time came to act.

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In present circumstances Obama indicated his belief that the automakers need help and should not be allowed to go under because of the effect on the rest of the economy, but to help with stringent restrictions. On such help he is at odds with some some legislators in both political parties. Obama promises vigorous intervention to stimulate the economy when he is in charge.

He promises to end the war in Iraq and plainly this must be done soon. George W. Bush’s reckless intervention there is costing some $720 million a day, more than $250 billion a year, in sheer economic waste.  Meanwhile, apart from the human toll, the unfunded war has depleted our military forces and equipment to the breaking point. The accumulated needs evoke the biggest tin cup in history.

Much as a drastic new approach is needed, Obama cannot wave a wand and wish away the effects of the ghastly decisions of the last eight years. At this point he cannot afford to be too specific in proposed remedies. One of the most hopeful signs, though, is his often promised willingness to listen to the grievances of others and to try to negotiate differences. On foreign  affairs alone that could save uncounted billions.

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Although Obama represents what may be hoped to become a new politics in the United States, the old political divisions will be very much in control of Congress until Jan. 20. With Obama’s resignation from the Senate, Democratic control of that body will hinge on a single vote — that of Joe Lieberman. The more reason not to read him out of the party.

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One problem the president-elect does not have to face is the fracas over same-sex marriage, now permitted in Connecticut under a state Supreme Court decision.  Even though the previously sanctioned civil unions provided substantially the same rights, I can understand how long-committed partners of the same sex may want the recognition of the seemingly more permanent status of marriage. I don’t think that granting them that right will cause the heavens to fall.

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Last Saturday it was a musical treat to listen to a program on the life and works of Leroy Anderson performed by the Torrington Civic Symphony Orchestra. I have a personal interest because the lady in my life has been an orchestra member for more than 35 years, playing flute and piccolo. The locale was the impressive new Nancy Marine studio theater in the Warner Theatre complex, immediately north of the main auditorium.

The notable success of the whole Warner rehabilitation and expansion is in marked contrast to the nearby vacant stores and decrepit fronts elsewhere in downtown Torrington, which is in so many other ways a vibrant community. The revitalization needs a blood transfusion.

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My pontifications have prompted an erudite commentary by psychotherapist Geoffrey M. Gott, who writes:

“Thank you for providing your readers with the intellectual workout that is so often lacking in toda’s sound-bite driven, instant gratification is not enough, popular media culture.

 â€œLazy writing begets flabby readers and I know that we all (huffing and puffing) benefit from your aerobic editorials. Indeed your elegant choice of words forces me to take action sir!

 â€œWhy just pulling The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary off the shelf requires a supportive weight belt. A brisk promenade through the OED’s jungle of information challenges the explorer to track the origins of words and amble around the historical context of an author’s thinking. Stretching to handle archaic acronyms, digging deeply into the roots and savoring not just the leafy shades of meaning but also unearthing the very ideas underpinning an author’s use of specific words. These are but a few of the exercises your column invites readers to participate in. Your efforts remain greatly appreciated.

 â€œThank you for the workout, I needed it.â€�

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Wow! Did I cause all that? Why do I think that my leg is being gently massaged? I didn’t set out to provide an exercise in weight lifting, but I combine an interest in language (derived from five years of Latin and seven of French, plus a smattering of other derivative tongues) with a love of hiking in the mountains. It was the late Don Knowlton who suggested to then Salisbury First Selectman Bill Barnett in 1973 that he revive the old New England office of town perambulator to walk the bounds of the town, and readers have been stuck with the result ever since.