There has been some publicity lately of Barack Obama's 'youthful' transgressions in regards to drugs. He spoke to a high school in New Hampshire and discussed his drug use when he was a teenager and a lot of people have gotten on his case because of it. They say that he is telling the kids that it is ok to do drugs that they can always quit. They say that because he has done well that he is telling kids that they can do drugs and it won't ruin their lives. Mitt Romney has stated that he doesn't think Obama used very good judgment and that he knows no one is perfect but that he shouldn't have been so candid with the kids.
Personally I feel it refreshing to hear that a presidential nominee would be so open, honest, and candid while running for president. I read the quotes that news agencies gave on their websites and what Obama seems to be saying is that he made a mistake in high school to do drugs and he realized that he wasted a lot of time in high school which he could've put to better use. I do think that past problems are an indication of a president's abilities but it depends on the situation. For example President Bush during his first campaign, not sure about the second, had allegations of cocaine use and drinking. I wouldn't hold this against him if he had been willing to accept his mistake and deal with it. I think it has been quite indicative of his presidency, he has made mistakes and has not been willing to admit it and deal with it. Not only is that irresponsible it is dishonest and as the president that's not a good mix. That's not a good mix in anybody. Thus I see Obama's candidness as a sweet breeze of fresh air that I think we should expect and demand from our leaders.
What are your opinions? Should we hold a nominees past transgressions against them? Should Obama's drug use be an issue in the presidential race? Let me know what you think.
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3 comments:
Alright, I was waiting for someone else to comment first but nobody will step up. In a way I think past transgressions are ok because it shows that candidates are real people. On the other had I don't like the wrong message getting sent. It all comes down to what message the individual person sends. If Barak was making it a point to tell kids not to blow their growing-up years on drugs and crap and look at their future and successes they can have...thats great. But I guess he would have to make that very clear or else his "enemies" will use it against him.
I can still kinda see Mitt's point. But not everyone was raised in a nice Mormon home and people make mistakes.
Final Answer: I don't know.
I didn't hear the story or the context in which the drug use comment was made so I don't know why the comment was made or what points he made from the story of his experience.
That being said I agree that it is refreshing to hear someone telling an inconvenient truth instead of trying to escape the situation by saying that he didn't inhale or arguing about what the meaning of "is" is.
I think that there are two realities in the world today.
1) Not enough people today can answer truthfully that they have not used drugs at some point in their lives.
2) No matter how he answered that question his answer would be used by his opponents to damage run for office.
All things considered, it was best to answer truthfully and to get the information behind him.
Admitting you made a mistake is one thing, and learning from that mistake is yet another, but leave it alone. That's Obama's problem: he wrote about it, he brings it up with kids, he can't just leave it behind. Everyone has made mistakes, and everyone gets on with their lives. As long as he isn't snorting cocaine whilst commanding this nation, I'm ok with it.
-christopher young
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