Servile, Slavish, Self-interested

Newly inaugurated President Obama reached back to George Washington's victory at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776 and Thomas Paine's The American Crisis to evoke courage in the face of despair.

I like to think I foreshadowed his speech with this post. I hope his diplomatic corps takes my advice.

I'd also like to point out that while President Obama used Paine's words to inspire work in the face of financial difficulty, Paine was speaking of dark days in actual war.

And his speech has parts that Obama did not highlight that refer to the Tories who opposed the war against Britain and tried to undermine our defenses. Our modern-day Tories, some of whom in pink sat right up front today, will try their hardest to defeat our war effort no matter where we fight. And no matter who leads that fight.

Some of our folks are downright immune to the soothing balms of hope and change. Indeed, they seem to actually be on the other side.