The President's speech in Cairo today was another attempt to wed utopian fantasies, draped in empathy, with reality. As with most shotgun weddings, reality trumped the fantasy.
My biggest problem with President Obama's rhetoric is that he all too often tries to use charm to bring together two disparate points and it simply doesn't work. For example, the President makes this straightforward point about the effects of 9/11 here in the US:
Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale.
Who can argue with that? But then he muddles the message by reverting to apology mode:
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country.The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
A US leader should not embrace the language of appeasement while we are at war for many reasons, not least of which is that it sends the wrong message to our enemies. These enemies seek no middle ground and are unpersuaded by a vernacular of introspection and self doubt. They can also see through the double talk. Nobody expects or believes Guantánamo Bay will be closed in a year, not even the President. Such talk is already seen as empty rhetoric in the US. Why does the President condescend to utter such nonsense to a foreign audience? Perhaps because he believes he can talk his way into and out of any situation, which is an inherently dangerous ploy when we have troops in combat. The president's persistent speechifying has gone from an amusing distraction to a serious policy and strategy blunder.
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Barack Obama, Politicians
Tags: Obama Cairo Speech
Comments (30)
And you background and expe... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 10:41 AM | Score: -19 (29 votes cast)
And you background and expertise in diplomacy is??????????
1. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 10:41 AM |
Score: -19 (29 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 10:41
2. Posted by hermie | June 4, 2009 11:08 AM | Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
By doing this, he makes terrorists (sorry, man-made disaster-makers) equivalent to the US.
Same thing with Israel: he notes the murder of 6 millions Jews, but then makes the plight of the Palestinians equivalent to that.
He cannot bring himself to criticize the actions of terrorists and rogue states without making the US the 'bad guy' as well.
That only makes him and the US look weak, while giving terrorists and terrorist sympathizers equal footing.
2. Posted by hermie | June 4, 2009 11:08 AM |
Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:08
3. Posted by Kat | June 4, 2009 11:16 AM | Score: 11 (13 votes cast)
Obambi isn't smartest tool in the shed though he was smart enough to fool the dhimmi masses. When the kool aid wears off, it will be one ugly fall from grace for the King.
3. Posted by Kat | June 4, 2009 11:16 AM |
Score: 11 (13 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:16
4. Posted by SShiell | June 4, 2009 11:25 AM | Score: 13 (17 votes cast)
And you background and expertise in diplomacy is??????????
And Obama's??????????
4. Posted by SShiell | June 4, 2009 11:25 AM |
Score: 13 (17 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:25
5. Posted by WildWillie | June 4, 2009 11:38 AM | Score: 12 (18 votes cast)
I'm so tired of the president of this nation going around telling the world we tortured people. He is an embarassment to our nation. ww
5. Posted by WildWillie | June 4, 2009 11:38 AM |
Score: 12 (18 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:38
6. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 11:41 AM | Score: -13 (23 votes cast)
Schiell
The last I checked he was in charge of the Cabinet which includes The Department of State which does have a few experts to help him out.
Any other stupid questions???
6. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 11:41 AM |
Score: -13 (23 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:41
7. Posted by GarandFan | June 4, 2009 11:43 AM | Score: 10 (14 votes cast)
President Empty Suit scores again.
7. Posted by GarandFan | June 4, 2009 11:43 AM |
Score: 10 (14 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:43
8. Posted by Mac Lorry | June 4, 2009 11:51 AM | Score: 8 (18 votes cast)
In making that foolish statement Obama has confirmed in the minds of Muslims that the United States did torture and linked it to Guantanamo Bay. The next President needs only to state that "I have unequivocally prohibited the commission of war crimes by the United States" to put Obama at risk of being sent to The Hague regardless of there being any war crimes or not. Obama seem oblivious to the consequences of his words.
8. Posted by Mac Lorry | June 4, 2009 11:51 AM |
Score: 8 (18 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:51
9. Posted by Rick13 | June 4, 2009 12:02 PM | Score: 8 (12 votes cast)
So, how long do you think it will be before Obama tells the American people that after much sole searching, he has decided to convert to Islam?
9. Posted by Rick13 | June 4, 2009 12:02 PM |
Score: 8 (12 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:02
10. Posted by Rick13 | June 4, 2009 12:02 PM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
So, how long do you think it will be before Obama tells the American people that after much soul searching, he has decided to convert to Islam?
10. Posted by Rick13 | June 4, 2009 12:02 PM |
Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:02
11. Posted by Rick13 | June 4, 2009 12:04 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Sorry, I kept waiting for someone to throw a shoe at him. Sole/Soul.....
11. Posted by Rick13 | June 4, 2009 12:04 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:04
12. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 12:05 PM | Score: -12 (20 votes cast)
Cmng t th lnd f Wngnt s lttl lk gng t th z,. Rd mt s fd n bth plcs. xcpt hr t's th xnphbs, bgts nd Mslm-htrs wh t t nstd f th nmls.
I've got a shovel that will fit right into your mouth.
12. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 12:05 PM |
Score: -12 (20 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:05
13. Posted by Ran | June 4, 2009 12:19 PM | Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Thank you UD..I'll take that as a compliment.. and by the by.. who keeps forcing you over here?.. we really don't miss you when your gone..*S*
13. Posted by Ran | June 4, 2009 12:19 PM |
Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:19
14. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 12:25 PM | Score: -11 (19 votes cast)
Rn
lk gng t th z s cm wllngl.
14. Posted by Unrepentant Democrat | June 4, 2009 12:25 PM |
Score: -11 (19 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:25
15. Posted by mag | June 4, 2009 12:42 PM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Obama cabinet members are not much better than he is....
15. Posted by mag | June 4, 2009 12:42 PM |
Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 12:42
16. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | June 4, 2009 1:16 PM | Score: 12 (14 votes cast)
Surviving the Carter years. That worked out well for us didn't it? This guy is afar worse.
Obama couldn't resist trashing our efforts at establishing another democracy in the M.E. He invites rebellion in Iraq. What to expect when traitors are now in charge?
16. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | June 4, 2009 1:16 PM |
Score: 12 (14 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 13:16
17. Posted by Rachid | June 4, 2009 1:27 PM | Score: -7 (7 votes cast)
It's seen that there's a change in US policies tocard Muslim world, but to what extent peace could be reached:
17. Posted by Rachid | June 4, 2009 1:27 PM |
Score: -7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 13:27
18. Posted by Hank | June 4, 2009 1:38 PM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Per the link to Obama's speech we find this gem.
"Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism - it is an important part of promoting peace."
The man really will say anything, anything at all depending on his audience.
We saw this during the campaign and now the world gets to see it.
But hell, he reads well.
18. Posted by Hank | June 4, 2009 1:38 PM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 13:38
19. Posted by Brad | June 4, 2009 1:54 PM | Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
The last I checked he was in charge of the Cabinet which includes The Department of State which does have a few experts to help him out.
Any other stupid questions???
Umm, yeah. Wouldn't the same apply to President Bush? Jeez, that was easy.
19. Posted by Brad | June 4, 2009 1:54 PM |
Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 13:54
20. Posted by Dr. Carlo Lombardi | June 4, 2009 2:05 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Is this the same State Department and Cabinet advised foreign policy expertise that prompted The Community Organizer in Chief to state that the US was one of the largest Muslim Nations on Earth ?(Ignoring the stunningly poor phrasing and syntax selection, a statistical absurdity as it ranks 41st in Muslim population).
20. Posted by Dr. Carlo Lombardi | June 4, 2009 2:05 PM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 14:05
21. Posted by Justrand![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| June 4, 2009 3:07 PM | Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
America has 0.0187% of the world's Muslims
America has 38% of the world's Jews
Based on that we're one of the largest JEWISH countries in the world...and one of the SMALLEST Muslim countires!!
As a percent of the American population both Jews and Msulims are almost identical...btw.
Considering that there are less than 15,000,000 Jews worldwide...and 1.3 BILLION Muslims, one wonders why the Left can't at least show concern for them as an "endangered species"???
They're certainly gonna be "endangered" as soon as Iran gets its atomic bomb! VERY!
21. Posted by Justrand![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| June 4, 2009 3:07 PM |
Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 15:07
22. Posted by SShiell | June 4, 2009 3:08 PM | Score: 11 (13 votes cast)
The last I checked he was in charge of the Cabinet which includes The Department of State which does have a few experts to help him out.
So for someone who has an entire staff of so-called experts helping him out, why is he still such a buffoon when it comes to foreign policy? Or is his staff full of buffoons?
Your call.
22. Posted by SShiell | June 4, 2009 3:08 PM |
Score: 11 (13 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 15:08
23. Posted by kathie | June 4, 2009 6:00 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Our treaty obligations already ban torture. What's Obama thinking......why would he take credit for something that has been banned? Maybe I know the answer.
23. Posted by kathie | June 4, 2009 6:00 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 18:00
24. Posted by retired military | June 4, 2009 6:11 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
UD also known as uniformed douchebag
"And you background and expertise in diplomacy is??????????"
And your background and expertise in diplomacy is ??
IN case you missed it your qualifications are about the same as the author's. Everyone has an opinion and opinions are like armpits. Everyone usually has 1 or 2 and some smell to more of a degree than others. Yours stink.
"The last I checked he was in charge of the Cabinet which includes The Department of State which does have a few experts to help him out."
So in other words you admit that OBama has no expertise in this area.
Do you have any proof that he is following the advice of anyone who is working at the State Dept.?
"Except here it's the xenophobes, bigots and Muslim-haters who eat it instead of the animals"
You should really stop talking about yourself.
"Coming to the land of Wingnutia is a little like going to the zoo"
You seem eerily and entirely too familiar with both locations. Are you one of those dual citizens we keep hearing about?
"I like going to the zoo so I come willingly."
Home sweet home for you right?
24. Posted by retired military | June 4, 2009 6:11 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 18:11
25. Posted by DaveD | June 4, 2009 6:25 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Unrepentant Democrat:
And you background and expertise in diplomacy is??????????
I'm married and have kids. Basically the same as Obama.
25. Posted by DaveD | June 4, 2009 6:25 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 18:25
26. Posted by LaMedusa | June 4, 2009 8:21 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
UD-
There's nothing wrong with Muslims. The extremists in that category are a whole different story. What your first comment has to do with the post is a complete mystery.
Just because Obama has no clue what he's saying, even after someone has given him his speech, doesn't mean we hate anyone.
26. Posted by LaMedusa | June 4, 2009 8:21 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 20:21
27. Posted by marc | June 4, 2009 9:10 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
u dem - "And you background and expertise in diplomacy is??????????"
It could be more, less or the same as yours
Gotta 'nother point?
27. Posted by marc | June 4, 2009 9:10 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on June 4, 2009 21:10
28. Posted by 914 | June 5, 2009 12:12 AM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
"And your background and expertise in diplomacy are????????
Apparently more then buffoon Obama the teleprompting appeaser.
28. Posted by 914 | June 5, 2009 12:12 AM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on June 5, 2009 00:12
29. Posted by maggie | June 5, 2009 5:50 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
UD,
You mean like the stupid questions you have
posted in the past? Like the one you just posted?
What experts at the State department?
29. Posted by maggie | June 5, 2009 5:50 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on June 5, 2009 17:50
30. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | June 6, 2009 5:42 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
UD, do you mean the same folks that sent the red button to the Russians, advised the President to give US encoded DVDs to the visually impared Brittish PM, an Ipod! loaded with the President's speaches to the Queen and failed to explain the Virgin in Mexico to Hillary?
Is this the dream team that magically turns the professional activist, er, community organizer into a skilled diplomat?
30. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | June 6, 2009 5:42 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on June 6, 2009 05:42