President Obama used his State of the Union address to reiterate his quest for a bipartisan approach in Washington. Since then, he has made several overtures, including meeting with the Republican caucus, and calling a meeting of leaders of congressional Democrats and Republicans to reach consensus on a final healthcare bill. But, judging by the persistent mood of Republicans in Washington, it must be asked if any meaningful bipartisanship approach in arriving at legislation, especially during the Obama administration, is realistic. Republicans are bent on blocking the legislative initiatives of the president and Democrats in Congress.

Although agreeing to attend the planned February 25 meeting on healthcare reform, where the president wants the parties to examine each others’ proposals and come to an agreement, the Republican leadership has stated that what it wants is for all the draft legislation to be erased and start the process over again. What then, is the point of the bipartisan meeting?

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The divestment of Jamaica’s national carrier, Air Jamaica, has become an issue of major significance with Jamaicans at home and abroad. Most, including people who have never traveled on the airline, are resisting its sale to an overseas entity, particularly to Trinidadian-owned, Caribbean Airlines.

It’s not that most Jamaicans disagree that the airline should be divested. They realize that it is unprofitable and a liability to the government, but there is significant national pride in the airline, which most accept as a “little piece of Jamaica”.

As a coconut vendor operating outside Norman Manley Airport said, “Every time mi see a Air Jamaica plane landing or taking off me feel proud; no matter how business slow.” This pride exists, irrespective of reports of the airline’s financial losses. But, business is business and the emotional surge will not make the airline viable. It must operate as a viable business entity; but by whom?

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Should a phrase be coined to describe the first year of Barack Obama’s presidency it would perhaps be, “Damned when he did, and damned when he didn’t.” It is doubtful whether the actions and policies of any president in modern American history have been subjected to the barrage of criticism, vilification, and analysis to which President Obama’s has been.

When the president assumed office on January 20, 2009, he was one of the more popular men to assume that lofty position, with an approval rating close to 70 percent. Within a year that rating slipped to just over 50 percent. According to recent polls he has lost the political base that elected him – young liberals, who were mobilized by his populist rhetoric when seeking office, but who now believe he is too caught up in big government, not abiding by the will of the people.

Overwhelmingly, the people’s will is for an improved economy – one that provides jobs and better financial opportunities. But, Obama’s critics have increasingly chastised him for focusing on providing universal healthcare and spending billions to assist the once ailing banking and automobile industries. Others criticize him for losing touch with the people, and being too involved in trying to achieve too many objectives while ‘imprisoned’ in the White House – thus not understanding the challenges of average Americans.

So strong are the criticisms against the president that the surprising victory of a Republican candidate for the late Senate Edward Kennedy’s Massachusetts seat, has been taken as a vote against the president and his policies.

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The foiled attack and the scurry of activities to improve security at airports in the U.S and internationally is a reminder of the potent threat of international terrorism perpetuated by militant religious extremists, and how fragile security is at airports and elsewhere.

Terrorist attacks, especially by al Qaeda, are particularly concerning. Al Qaeda is growing like a gigantic octopus, with the head purportedly centered in Afghanistan and its tentacles spreading all over the world. The octopus-like pattern of al Qaeda makes it very difficult to exterminate these terrorists. While attempts are being made to destroy one branch in one location, another branch remains active. The Obama administration just deployed 30,000 additional troops aimed at destroying al Qaeda in Afghanistan and along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. But weeks later, an attack, albeit unsuccessful, is launched against the U.S. from Yemin - now considered a more active al Qaeda location than formerly suspected. The government cannot be expected to now send troops into Yemin to exterminate terrorists there. At that rate, U.S. troops would be chasing terrorists in several countries around the world.

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