Watching the flailing around of some of our folks following the election, I got to wondering and think I may understand the last few years a bit better.

As of this writing, I trust Obama. I think he'll do the right thing by the majority of the people 100% of the time. I believe he will practice "the art of the possible" in as inclusive a manner as could be done. I'm comfortable with whatever he decides, aware he's smarter and has a better view of the issues.

I trust Bush, too, but it's to satisfy his petty ego and enrich the wealthy at the expense of the rest of the country and world. Frankly, I trust him 100% to do that, and he's never let me down.

I didn't and don't trust Bill Clinton. Or Hillary, though I have read enough about her to believe she has many redeeming features. I believe Bill had and has very little understanding or control over some serious character traits and his control has lessened over time. I believe there will be at least one major scandal should he or Hillary enter a more public life, and said scandal will reflect poorly on the Obama administration.

I can understand now a bit better the loyalty some people exhibit toward Bush, loyalty worthy of an outthrust arm and an abbreviated loyalty oath upon meeting others of the same ilk. Everything Bush did was judged against an unquestioning background, one of trust and tolerance, by those with a blind acceptance of the authority of the leader of their "side".

What I don't understand yet is the willing suspension of reason. Obama could start acting in ways which would lead me to question the trust I had. That trust means I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, for a while, until reality forced a different evaluation. What I see in some folks is no doubt, no questioning, no wondering about "their" side, believing any flimsy excuse or none, and that remains a puzzlement.

And it's finally nice to experience trust in a political leader.

Arf