Death of the Legend

I have many friends in Andalucia, which I consider to be my second home, though I joke often that España hates me, and for that I cannot reside in Spain as I once did.

Throughout my military career and my current life, I have seen things in the many international locations I have traveled to, thanks to the military. Based on many of these previous experiences, it has shaped my current manner of seeing things and how one should act/react.

I have a very good, intelligent and long-time friend who lives in Sevilla, España. Of course he is an (excellent) photographer, and is very technical in everything he does and know. Just a few days ago, he wrote me to tell me how Obama is visiting Spain, and how excited he is/was of possibly seeing him!

Of course, he's a celebrity!!

Well, I know now the truth of his visit, being the special keynote speaker at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) being held in historic and beautiful Sevilla.

My friend writes of how this happened, and how that happened, and hoping he could get a snap of the ex-US president.

Yea right. Little does he know of los americanos!

The going price for a snapshot with Obama was 20,000€ OR the lower price of 5,000€ to dine with him!

Surely, Obama was NOT there for a mini-vacation, nor to please anyone. He spoke and that was about it.

My friend writes of how it would have been so easy for Obama when departing/entering the plane upon arrival and departure, to pause at the top of the stairs leading to the plane entrance, turn around, and wave to the adoring public waiting hours for a glimpse of the ex-president. Did he do that?

NO.

I am reminded of a pre-port visit orientation aboard one of my many naval ships on which I served, and the Commanding Officer told everyone that WE are ambassadors of our ship. We represent the United States Navy. We each are ambassadors of our country, the United States of America. We are showing others - no matter where we go - that we are Americans and we represent everyone who calls the U.S.A. home. Granted, many other sailors forgot that soon after departing the ship and drank their few hours of off-ship liberty away in a bar, or doing other things that got them thrown in jail.

This is however, what I think of still when I hear of such visits such as this visit to Sevilla by Obama a few days ago.

My friend writes how he was so excited to finally see this great man named Obama, and after his very short visit, based on what he personally saw, his whole outlook of Obama "has changed completely". He could have stopped to talk to people, shake a few hands. He could have looked to the crowds and waved, maybe even smile.

It doesn't cost a thing to be human.

This occasion reminds me of Michele Obama's visit to the Costa de Sol in 2010. The spanish news was all over their visit too, and aired a few interviews of the hundreds of people who stood for hours at the many places they were sighted, hoping for a bit of luck in seeing her. Towards the end of her visit, the people waiting were not happy. Michelle went to the beach which was closed off. Michele and her daughter did not once look at the people. Not one smile did the crowds see, nor one wave.

Hmmmm, things sound very much like this present situation!

Tom Cruise returned to Sevilla after the filming and release of their movie 'Knight & Day'. In the plaza in front of Sevilla's grand Catherdal, he roared up the street on a motorcycle, stopped in the closed-off plaza, got off the motorcycle and walked to the waiting crowds of people waiting there. He smiled that Cruise smile, shook hands, and the people were delighted! They talked of how Tom Cruise was so friendly and kind!

What a HUGE difference between Cruise and the Obamas.

Obama, on the other hand, is NOT an ambassador of the United States. To the spaniards, it seems he came only for the money and speaking at the conference. He was not there to please anyone, not to show his (lack of) charisma, and certainly not to delight the crowds who waited to see him.

This is the difference between a person with two faces: one a private face, not to be confused with their public face, which are not ever mixed. Tom Cruise was much more a true ambassador of all Americans than the Obamas, and it doesn't take a degree nor a title to see that.

Shame on you, Obama!! It doesn't cost a thing to be human, but apparently, there are some "americanos" who know nothing of being truly "human". The Obamas are NOT representative of the people of the United States, and hopefully others will see them solely as ambassadors of how they really are.....