LETTER: Likes Obama's quiet strength

We are getting over and over again on our media from many and various sources this comment: “President Obama is simply weak on foreign policy. He does not show strength. Others walk all over him. He is not strong. We need strength. We need strong leadership at this time, not weakness and inaction.”

My question is this: “What is real strength, anyway?” And because of my background in growing up in my family environment and subsequent choices in life, I happen to see Obama as very strong, very resolute and very wise in his way of addressing both our nation’s and our world’s problems.

In answer to my question, “What is real strength, anyway?” my answer, just for me, is this: “My real strength comes from my willingness to not react to problem situations with negative emotions of fear and anger but rather respond from my obedient intellect when I choose listening, understanding, compassion, compromise and deliberation.”

Now this sort of response usually does not make the headlines and is not often talked about with words like strength and power, but through the ages these personal choices have been used successfully by many, in various ways, to resolve conflicts and move forward.

I believe we presently have a president in Barack Obama who demonstrates these choices in his words and actions. And I believe he has a wife, in Michelle, who believes the same way.

It is my hope that these qualities of real strength continue to be a part of our nation’s leadership.

Happy new year! —Bob McClellan, Polson