Ostensibly this man is President of the United States of America. As such his primary job is to protect (and defend) the American people (like it or not). Right up there alongside that job is defending our constitution. He swore an oath to do both, “...to the best of my ability...”.
 It means that he must be willing to die, to defend that constitution and those people. No less so than every person who’s ever joined our military services. The lowliest private in the military understands it and recognizes fully what it might at some point, require. All who’ve served raised our hands and swore to do just that.
 Among the various and sundry titles affixed to the office of president is this one: “Commander in Chief”. Without question, the most important title of all. I’m afraid (yes, afraid) that he (too many folks) lose sight of what that phrase actually means.
In the case of president, it’s pretty rare that one has to actually “take up arms” in that defense. Although many (most) of the great ones have done just that, prior to becoming Commander in Chief. They had gained, through physical (actual) defense of our nation, a clear understanding of what that appellation meant.
 Being shot at and having to shoot back will do that for you.
 I’m not so sure (at all) that our current commander in chief understands this? Trained as a lawyer, he certainly understands negotiating. Having been a “neighborhood activist” he understands compromising. As a congressman and senator (for five minutes) he understands the importance of talking.
 But actually defending me (and you) and our constitution, I’m not so sure? His having been the things enumerated in that last paragraph, you would think he’d understand the meaning, the force and effect of..., Words! At the very least, his own?
 I’ve listened to his words for a good while now.
 I’ll forgive (most) all the ones from the campaign trail. But once a president emerges from the hot lights of the campaign trail onto the world stage? It’s no longer a game. Now it’s real. Like it or not, the whole world listens to every word he utters. A presidents words take on a new heft (at least for awhile).
 This is where the defense of you and me and that musty old constitution comes to the fore!
 So why is it this president has gone out, from the beginning, denigrating this country? Speaking disparagingly about much of what we as a nation have stood for. Sometimes sounding as if we’ve gone about doing things on the world stage as some colonial (imperialist) power.
 This president has an affinity for apologizing.
 If you keep up with the news at all, you’ve heard him. I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all.
 The words of the president carry a lot of weight in the eyes (minds) of the world. People who like us..., more especially people who don’t. When our enemies hear him apologizing for this thing or that thing that we’ve done (or supposedly done) they hear weakness.
 There is no way you can defend this country if you go about showing weakness! An honest apology for an honest mistake is one thing. But one shouldn’t overdo it.
 Even saying something to the effect that America could possibly be a “moslem nation”. Because there are a few million moslems living here? No..., just to “make nice” with our enemies. Trying to show “tolerance” on our part. To an enemy for whom tolerance is abhorrent and demonstrates only weakness!
 Trying to make friends this way is not defending America. It is not defending me or you or the constitution! It’s practicing appeasement.
 It’s what England tried with Nazi Germany back in 1939. That time it helped hasten a world war! It’s the same as inexperienced parents who attempt to be more of a “friend” to their children, than mothers and fathers. It’s what the french do in any stressful situation. Apologize, appease, make nice..., surrender.
We don’t need a president making “friends” of our enemies. We can do that once the war(s) have been won! We’ve proven to be pretty good at that down through the years.
 In the meantime I think our young president may be confused. At times I actually wonder, does he think he’s representing some moslem country? (maybe a french one?). Or is this whole “apology” thing some new strategy that I’m too dense to understand?
 I Don’t Know About You..., Maybe I’m old fashioned? But I still believe in that old adage: The best defense is a strong offense. No apology needed.
 Cal Teeple, sole member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium is still found three stools down Or At: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com  He may be ignored, accosted or contacted in all three places.