TWO QUESTIONS: (1) Does Barack Obama think that American history is unusually “tragic” as compared to the history of other great nations? And (2), what does it tell us that journalists were cheering him when he said that? Plus this: “Obama, who acknowledged that he needed a nap, stood up to say farewell to the audience of journalists, many of whom gave him another standing ovation.”

UPDATE: Reader Kirk Petersen emails: “Standing O from MINORITY journalists — I think the qualifier is crucial — your post makes it sound like the MSM is giving him a standing ovation. The MSM skews strongly in Obama’s direction, but at least is concerned about appearances.” Are minority journalists somehow a lesser species, laboring under lower standards and reduced expectations because of their skin color?