EXPERIENCE + EXPERIENCE = THE MAN?

The great Southern (Mississippi boy) writer William Faulkner once wrote, "A man is the sum of his misfortunes." While this can be said of many, I pray that it is not said of all.

I am not sure, but I believe that it was Samuel Johnson that wrote, "A man is the sum of his experience." I once quoted (or misquoted, maybe) this to a dear friend. That set off a long, philosophical discussion between us. He quickly scowled, and with a loving rebuke told me that I was not completely wrong...but not completely right.

His contention was that what a man is made of is not purely his life experience. He contended that often men are transformed instantly by revelation. You can call it a "light bulb moment," an "epiphany," or a "come to Jesus moment." His argument was certainly valid. I know first-hand that much of your thinking, being, etc. can change in an instant. I can not disagree with that for one moment, as it has happened to me.

But I finally won the day when I told him, "Tim, 'revelation' is also part of the man's experience. The revelation grabs hold of all our other experiences, and finally hammers them into a usable tool." (I ain't bragging or nothing, but I finally made him shut up for the first time since I met him.)

I am a big believer in the concept that "A man is the sum of his experience."

So, I've been doing my best to take the measure of my new President. I've been trying to evaluate the guy based on 'my beliefs and experience.' Trust me, I have made this attempt with an open mind, and a willing heart. Yet, my experience does not allow my mind to be so open that my brains leak out, nor my heart to be as soft as Charmin (used only for wiping dookie, or catching nose-blown snot).

So, I believe firmly that my new President is the sum of his experience. My evaluation includes...

1) He didn't have a Daddy to speak of. Yes, he had a sperm donor, and a short term step-father, but not a real father figure in his life. Enter stage left...Jeremiah Wright. That being said, he seems to be a loving father, and faithful husband. Perhaps Jerry is, too...

2) His Momma wasn't nearly as stable as his Grandma. That's a shame. My life experience teaches me that children mostly raised by Grandparents have a much more difficult time coming up...and coming to grips with reality later on. There is something about a skipped generation that really hinders correct development. Like I said...just the sum of my experience. Obviously, he looked for a strong woman to marry. Some would say that Michelle is a Warlord Wife (I actually heard Chris Rock say today that Obama told him that Michelle wears the pants in the family).

Backtracking...without a strong man in one's life, it is very common to marry a boss-lady like your Momma, or Grandma.

3) He is of mixed race. Now...this could be a good thing. I am sure that President Obama had many struggles in his psyche, schooling, etc. over identity. (Man...do I sound like a wuss, or what?) It is possible that as he has waded through all of that, a life-or-death desire to succeed was built in his 'Man.'

4) He is an opportunist of the highest order. There can be no argument here. JFK, and FDR got to the White House as young men...but they had every imaginable advantage that this cat did not. This guy has learned to turn every single rainstorm into a pot of gold.

5) He is willing at any moment to switch horses in the middle of the stream (and drown the pony he just got off) . Time after time in his campaign, President Obama was able to feign surprise when his associations with terrorists, radical leftists, shady businessmen, and crooked politicians were questioned.

This is a part of his 'Man.' It is the sum of his experience in Illinois (and especially Chicago) politics.

6) He is a liar, and seems to have no problem telling a whopper. With a straight face he has been able to disavow himself of any wrongdoing whatsoever in his political career, and personal dealings, relationships, etc. If there is any living human that buys the whole load he's selling...well...I'm sad for them. (refer to #5)

7) He is the least experienced man to ever hold the highest office in the Free World. Now, I've thought about this one for a while...and I'm not sure it is such a bad thing. My opinion of President Obama (and one of the reasons I voted against him) is that he don't know "Dog Poop from Shoe Polish." But, there are countless stories in history of "battlefield promotions," men reaching deep within themselves to accomplish great things with no experience to rely on when the task fell to them.

Did "W" really have any experience in dealing with Islamic terrorists when he assumed this high office? No. Sure, he had been Governor of a large State for a while. He could speak Spanish...some say better than his English. President Bush had been in business before...but not remarkably successful at it (maybe one reason we're in the financial mess we are now...I'm just saying). Bush had to rely on others in many ways during his time in office.

(I usually tick off The Mrs. when I tell her that I believe that if Al Gore had been President on 9/11, he would have done the same things that Bush has done...that it would have grown Al into the fullness of manhood. She doesn't like it, 'cause she thinks Al is a sissy beyond help...big old white legs and all.)

I fear that the difference between "W" and "O" is that rare quality known as "humility." President Bush (at some time in his life) had what my old buddy Tim called "a revelation." A big old watt-burning, global-warming light bulb went off in his spirit somewhere. He realized that everything around him, and every task he would take on, was much bigger than him. I believe that said revelation humbled him...

Bush's revelation came before his Presidency. From what I've seen...Obama has not had that same experience yet.

I am praying that my new President has that revelation. I am praying that Faulkner's assertion that "a man is the sum of his misfortunes" loses the day. If the sum of my President is based on his misfortunes...a bad/absent father, a boss-lady wife, a lying tongue, his bad relationships, no experience doing anything important in public life, and no humility... Well, dig a hole.

But if he does have that revelation...man...that's what I'm praying for.