George,

Recently, two people offered President Obama opposite advice. It is nothing new about people offering this president advice, but what makes this different is the advice offered here deals with the psychology and emotions of Obama. James Carville advises the president to panic. Uriah J. Fields advises the president to practice equnimity.

In mid-Septembeder 2011, James Carville, a Democratic strategist who serves as a political contributor for CNN and helped lead Bill Clinton to a win against George H. Bush in the presidential election stated "People often ask me what advice I would give to the president about various things." His answer: "President Obama should panic."

Uriah J. Fields, a clergyman, author, a leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and first Civil Rights secretary for Martin Luther King, Jr., in his August 6, 2011 600-word letter to President Obama titled "Equanimity President Obama for Health Sake" urged the president to practice equanimity, to keep his cool and be calm. Responding to people who took exception to equanimity, in a 1200 word-article published August 30, 2011 Fields said equanimity and aggression, are compatible - a person can keep cool and be calm while engaged in fighting for righteousness.

James Carville's advice suggesting that Obama panic is ill-founded. I reaffirm that the President should practice equanimity which is the opposite of panic. Following Carville's advice is a sure way for Obama to be defeated in the next election.

In practicing equanimity Obama can effectively lead America in an economic recovery and be reelected president in 2012.

A caveat: some things in life are worth more than being President. In the Bible Jesus asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world (I say, be president) and lose his soul?" I am also reminded of this statement espoused by Henry Clay nearly one and three-quarters century ago, "I would rather be right than president." Purportedly, his wife responded, "Honey, you can be right and president."

Uriah J. Fields (Electronic mail, October 2, 2011)