Obama: a foreign policy schizophrenic
Barack Obama has been struck with a case of political schizophrenia.
On a good day, Obama stands up to menaces like North Korea, calling upon the international community to take action and prescribe punishment.
But on a bad day, the president switches into blame-America-first mode, begging for forgiveness at the feet of the G-20, apologizing profusely for Americas arrogance.
Its one thing to admit past mistakes, but its quite another to shame your country on the world stage. Have some pride in your country, Mr. President. If you dont, who will?
But back to his good days. Obama deserves credit for infusing additional troops into a crumbling Afghanistan, demonstrating to the world that America still takes the threat of international Islamic terrorism seriously.
He also deserves praise for unequivocally condemning North Koreas rocket launch, showing the international community that despite his lack of national security credentials, the president is hardened enough to challenge the worlds most brutal dictators.
And kudos to Obama for laying out a straightforward missile defense plan. For as long as Iran poses a nuclear threat to the world, said Obama, America will continue with plans for a strategic defense system in Eastern Europe.
But in a matter of days, Obama transitioned from a confident, competent, cunning leader of the free world to a sheepish, self-deprecating, ashamed lapdog.
Watching Obama insult the country that gave him the opportunity to achieve greatness must have brought tears of vindication to the eyes of every self-loathing American.
Lets call it political masochism: the act of deriving pleasure out of disparaging your own country for things it never did.
First, theres a difference between admitting mistakes and deriding your country. Obama could have, and should have, simply said: I acknowledge that America has made mistakes over the past eight years, but I am proud of my countrys rich history and promise to pursue a better course. Saying this, as opposed to the language of shame, acknowledges that America is not perfect while demonstrating pride for America and confidence that she will see better days.
Second, since when has America been arrogant? That claim doesnt pass the laugh test. Is the average, hardworking American struggling to pay his mortgage and send his children to school arrogant about America? Is the single mom who works two jobs to support her kids arrogant about America?
Please, Mr. Obama, most Americans have more dire concerns than professing Americas glorious hegemony on the world stage.
When the Rwandans were slaughtering each other, wasnt it arrogant America who intervened? When Milosevic was sanctioning torture and rape in Yugoslavia, wasnt it arrogant America who helped end the genocide? Time after time, arrogant America professes its cultural superiority by helping a fellow human.
Im not asking the president to blindly purport American patriotism: theres no place in todays society for country right or wrong anachronisms. At the same time, an American president should never insult the moral character of his country without just cause. An American president must be able to acknowledge past errors, never express shame for his countrys actions, and affirm that he is, and always will be, proud of America.
Mr. Obama, its time to drop the shame, take your pills, and be the leader I hope youre capable of being.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/us/politics/06prexy.html?_r=1&hp
Hmm…I would like to see what Obama exactly said that makes you think he’s ashamed of his country. I think, although I’m ignorant of what instance you speak of, Obama was probably referring to American foreign policy under George W. Bush, not American foreign policy as a whole. I think most Americans would agree George W. Bush made bad when came to foreign policy, i.e. Iraq and weakening relations with other countries.
Also, this line you wrote, “When the Rwandans were slaughtering each other, wasnt it arrogant America who intervened? ” is a false statement. Clinton never authorized any American intervention in Rwanda during the genocide; what ended the Rwandan genocide was instead Tutsi rebels ousting the Hutu led Rwandan government. Plus, in light of the current U.S. detachment from the genocide in Darfur…I think your point loses weight.
Wasn’t it you, Jin Woo, who applauded Bush’s foreign policy in a recent podcast? But in any case, Obama said America has been arrogant toward its allies, which is totally unfounded.
And Jin Woo, did you forget about UNAMIR that brokered peace between the Hutu and the Tutsi? That initiative was spearheaded by the U.S., who are always expected to lead on humanitarian issues. We can debate the particulars of every imperfect humanitarian intervention, but you get the point I’m trying to make in the article.