By PHIL SHIGEKUNI
Marion and I sat in front of the TV Tuesday night, elated over President Obama’s victory. His speech was joyful, thankful to all who contributed to his victory, and gracious to Mitt Romney.
As I listened to his speech I came to realize how, in these past four years, I have felt a sense of being a real part of this country.
He accomplished a lot, but of course, there were shortcomings. In his efforts to make universal health care a reality, the economy suffered. He was shut down by Republicans in Congress who made no secret of their attempt to make him a one-term president.
My biggest disappointment came when he signed a bill last year approving the detention of citizens without due process of law. Then, too, he failed in his promise to shut down Guantanamo. His approval of the use of drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan continues to kill innocent civilians.
The detention issue was tied in with an authorization bill for defense appropriations. He signed the bill saying he had no intention of enforcing the provision calling for detention without due process. His detractors argued that he may not enforce this part of the law, but what about those presidents coming after him? I would hope President Obama would take steps to nullify this provision of the law.
Doyle McManus in Wednesday’s editorial page of The L.A. Times makes some interesting comments regarding the second terms of past presidents. Potential scandals, once lurking, could reveal themselves. Examples: Nixon’s Watergate, or Clinton’s Monica Lewinsky. Then there was Reagan with Iran-Contra.
In addition to his demonstrated competence, I see Obama as real, moral and compassionate. In my view, a scandal would be completely out of the realm of possibility. True, he did not receive an overwhelming mandate in terms of votes, but now that he is unencumbered by having to seek re-election, I eagerly look forward to these next four years.
Phil Shigekuni writes from San Fernando Valley and can be contacted at pshig2000@verizon.net. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.