Wednesday, January 7, 2009

President Bush has gone from lame duck to simply lame. The lack of leadership from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. amid the current Middle East crisis and economic downturn reflects poorly on all Americans.

Like many Americans, I am excited about the inauguration of Barack Obama, but until Jan. 20, he will not, and cannot, be our leader.

President Bush took an oath that he is legally and, one would hope, morally and patriotically bound to honor until Jan. 20. Between now and then, we need a president, not a placeholder.

EILEEN NELSON

Clifton

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I have been disappointed by the lack of a statement from President-elect Barack Obama regarding the struggle in Gaza ["Israel Rejects Intensified Push for Cease-Fire," front page, Jan. 6].

Israel is locked in a battle not unlike that of the United States' own struggle in the region. It was not so long ago that some of the same militants whom Israel is defending itself against danced in the streets to celebrate the work of 19 men who turned commercial airplanes into lethal weapons.

During the past several weeks, I also have thought back to the early 1960s, when the nation rallied around a young, progressive thinker who made the decision not to blink when confronted by missiles placed in Cuba by communist aggressors.

The time has come for Mr. Obama to stand up and communicate his support for the only true democracy in the Middle East -- Israel.

SCOTT BLEICHER

Richmond