A Tale of Two Politicians: The Celebrity and the Statesmen
Politics — By Dustin R. Steeve on April 23, 2009 at 2:00 pmAt the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove reminded us all that great leaders are not defined by consensus. Read it. Never have truer words been written about the problem of America’s political class, especially on the Left.
It seems that every time I read the news or turn on news radio I hear about President Obama making another speech to another nation where he is apologizing for this or that historical event. What’s the deal? Is the teleprompter stuck on loop? What’s with the Left in this country? Always apologizing. Is it that people on the Left have a difficult time understanding that human interaction is messy, that people are imperfect and some are just bad? Does the Left really think that other nations have historically done it so much better than we? Do liberals in leadership such as President Obama really feel this heavy burden of shame when they look back on the history and work of this nation and its leaders?
I do not understand why a man with such a wonderful gift of eloquence and an ability to win the hearts and minds of his audience feels the need to use his words to disown the wisdom of the country that entrusted him to be their representative to the world? What amount of arrogance must one posses to dismissively remark on complex foreign policy decisions made by his predecessors? Thanks for not blaming me for something that happened when I was three. What a childish thing to say. Where is the honor in bastardizing your homeland? How does the President expect the world to take America seriously when the majority of his major addresses are qualified with variations of the theme “we’re shameful.”
I’m not a politician. I don’t understand the intricacies of well crafted PR. However, I do understand honor and shame especially when talking about one’s home. I could not conceive of dishonoring my parents by hastily shaming them in the public square for political gain. How can our President so hastily shame America for the same reason?
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35 Comments
Have you got any specifics, Dustin. What exactly has got you in such a dither?
Obama’s doing the smartst thing for global diplomacy in the last ten years. Rove doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He can’t fathom that it’s American unilateralism that facilitates Russian aggression, or that it’s America’s ‘use and dispose’ attitude toward South America in the past 60 years that allowed men like Chavez to gain and maintain power.
If the U.S. wants to be a part of the global community, we need to learn to look at the world globally, not filtered through inflammatory nationalism that passes for patriotism.
Of course there are real bad guys. Obama’s not stupid. Rove’s just not used to seeing a president who knows how to use the carrot and the stick. Bush failed miserably at this. On September 12, 2001, we had more international supprot as a nation than we’ve enjoyed since the end of World War II, and Bush blew it by listening to the kneejerk advice of Cold War-era-trained advisors incapable of viewing the complexities of international relations.
Obama’s not apologizing for America. He’s apologizing for Rove, Rumsfeld, Cheney, and the rest. He’s apologizing for Clinton’s failure to intervene in Rwanda. He’s apologizing for the bullheaded actions of leaders leaving the Cold War without realizing it and acting as though it’s still on.
Rove needs to realize he’s no longer a voice of authority. FOX and the Wall Street Journal need to realize it to. His reversal on censoring government information this week alone has proved Rove will say anything to get airtime. He needs to stop being an opportunist and start using the brilliance he has to do something to contribute.
It seems that every time I read the news or turn on news radio I hear about President Obama making another speech to another nation where he is apologizing for this or that historical event. What’s the deal? Is the teleprompter stuck on loop?
Quite possibly you’ve been conned by Fox News into thinking they are providing you with either news either in the sense of ‘important information on current events’ or in the sense of ’stuff that isn’t old’. Don’t feel alone, you are not the only victim. The first step is to admit that you are not ashamed. Recovery can take a while but every adventure begins with the first step!
He can’t fathom that it’s American unilateralism that facilitates Russian aggression, or that it’s America’s ‘use and dispose’ attitude toward South America in the past 60 years that allowed men like Chavez to gain and maintain power.
Is there anything that goes wrong in the world that isn’t the fault of the US? And what have you got against men like Chavez. I thought he was the greatest thing since the Castro brothers and Che’. Bringing Venezuela into a Brave New Future, blah, blah, blah. Year Zero and all that.
Quite possibly you’ve been conned by Fox News
Yes, yes, yes, The Won never does anything wrong. It’s only lying liars like Fox News that are falsely defaming our new Messiah. Blah, blah, blah. Let me know when you come up with an original thought.
You’re right, Fox News is always right and never repetitive.
You’re right, Fox News is always right and never repetitive.
Yes, that’s what my point was . Read much before responding, Boonton?
On a broader note, I just watched a video of John Voight walking out of the Iranian President’s speech at Durban. Now perhaps, Obama shouldn’t have walked out on Ortega at his anti-American diatribe, but did he really have to give the impression that he agreed with it? As much as he may not like it, Obama doesn’t get to reset the clock to Year Zero. He’s the President of the United States, and that means he’s President of the last 230 years of US history, not just the last 100 days. He doesn’t have to think the country is perfect or above reproach (who does?), but how about some acknowledgment that the US is 100x better than the “thugo-cracies” in Cuba and Venezuela and probably 10x better than the rest of the countries in south of Texas.
Ex,
Yeah, the President began apologizing right away in his first days in office. During what I believe was his first televised interview since becoming POTUS, he apologized to the Arab world via Al Arabiya TV saying things like “America was not born a colonial power” and “we sometimes make mistakes, we are not perfect” and his apologies have continued until just recently when he remarked on an incident that happened when he was three (I believe referring to the Bay of Pigs). Now I ask myself two questions: 1) What are the assumptions of his apologies and 2) to whom is he apologizing. Now the comments section is, unfortunately, not conducive to carrying on long debates about each individual apology, but when I hear the news about his apologies I typically find myself thinking 1) his assumptions are too common, simple minded, and erroneous and 2) he’s apologizing to the wrong sorts of people. These impressions culminated in this post. A bit of a screed, I admit, but I’m feeling annoyed.
Boonton,
Seriously man, what’s your deal. Shame on you for so easily repeating the talking points and not actually thinking that I might have some sort of merit for making my complaint. Like I’ve said a number of times before I don’t watch television news and even if I did I would never bother to pay for cable in a world where I can watch the shows I care about online. To my knowledge, Fox doesn’t webcast their shows (but again, I don’t really know). To be clear, I don’t think Fox is evil (the way you clearly do), but I just don’t watch television news.
Linds,
President Bush formed a coalition force and sent an invasion into Iraq. Fearing that his country would also be invaded, the President of Libya surrendered his country’s nuclear weapons programs. President Obama has apologized to the world and what is the result? I understand that news outlets are saying that the world now respects us, I understand that movie stars like Jim Carrey are on record saying that Obama’s election to the presidency dramatically altered (for the better) the world’s impression of us, but I ask you Linds, what evidence can you point to that shows me that this is 1) true and 2) good for America? I fear that we are becoming a nation persuaded more by airy impressions and public opinion polls than hard realities and measurable results.
I am not afraid of being disliked because I persevere in doing the work that is good and just.
Dustin,
I’m pretty much in agreement with you here, but something you said struck me:
“Does the Left really think that other nations have historically done it so much better than we?”
Even if we aren’t *technically* a Christian nation, the majority of our citizens are Christians, as are you and I personally, and our President professes to hold to some (admittedly weak and a-historical) variety of Christianity. That being the case, wouldn’t we want to try to set ourselves apart from those other nations that didn’t do it any better than we have, especially when those nations are not Christian? Even if you don’t agree with every apology that Obama has been making, don’t you think that taking responsibility for our actions and being willing to admit when we’ve done wrong (instead of stubbornly moving forward as if we were nearly perfect) is a very Christ-like attitude? Indeed, that is one thing that sets our worldview apart from others, such as Atheistic Marxism. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for an Atheistic Communist Russian to ever apologize for the genocides committed in the name of their worldview. But as Christians we have a responsibility to set a better example. So, to play Devil’s advocate, might we say that Obama is actually doing a very Christian thing? And a very humble thing?
Don’t get me wrong, I know he’s just trying to pander to all the nations out there that hated Bush, but still, it’s something to think about.
I’m curious, Dustin. Since you don’t watch television news, what was your source for seeing or reading Obama’s televised comments that upset you so much? Did you watch/read his comments in full or just the offending portions?
Hey just wanted to let you know I just found you and really like your blog. I am a very transparent bloggers for Christ and am looking for more sold out Christians who don’t hold back. Hope to see you around the blogshpere.
Since you don’t watch television news, what was your source for seeing or reading Obama’s televised comments that upset you so much? Did you watch/read his comments in full or just the offending portions?
Do you mean to imply that he might get Obama’s full comments by watching the nightly news or something like Anderson Cooper? Or that the television news (excluding Fox News, of course), is the only reliable source of information?
Dustin,
I think you have to be patient. We’re seeing the first fruits of the benefit of Obama’s diplomacy, which is far more complex and suited to the global political situation than Bush’s “you’re either with us or you’re with the terrorists” ‘diplomacy.’ Already we’re opening up talks with countries that used Bush’s brashness as an anti-American rallying cry, and reaching out to moderate Muslims makes it harder for extremists to paint America as the enemy of Islam. We’ll be seeing much more come of this. Obama’s approach will allow us to exploit the weaknesses of leaders like Ahmadenijad (who isn’t as politically stable as he appears to the outside world), where Bush’s policy simply bolstered his support from the rural, lower classes in Iran.
And that’s just one country.
Seriously, you need to study more international politics, understand the inner workings of more governments, before you can accurately label Obama’s diplomatic approach a disaster. Rove hasn’t done so, but I have far more faith in you.
ucfengr,
You once again display your inability to understand diplomacy, or the English language. When I say that Russian aggression is fueled by American unilateralism, that’s different than saying Russian aggression is caused by American unilateralism. Russian aggression is a Russian problem, but there are things we can do to neutralize it. Egging Georgia and Ukraine on rather than truly supporting their independence from Russian control is only going to shackle them to Moscow.
Read up on why simply pressuring them to join NATO isn’t going to solve anything. We can get them into NATO and get Russia’s fingers out of their political pies, but we can’t do it the way Bush tried to.
You once again display your inability to understand diplomacy, or the English language.
Your problem is that I understand what you’re saying better than you do.
When I say that Russian aggression is fueled by American unilateralism, that’s different than saying Russian aggression is caused by American unilateralism.
Distinction without a difference. Essentially what you said is US unilateralism—>Russian aggression, so, no US unilateralism, no Russian aggression, in other words, it’s the US’s fault. Embrace logic linds, it will help you avoid making stupid arguments, like the ones you are putting forth now.
1. Who is the celebrity and who is the statesmen in the title of this post?
2. Seriously man, what’s your deal. Shame on you for so easily repeating the talking points and not actually thinking that I might have some sort of merit for making my complaint.
Do you have merit? Specifically what America bashing are you talking about? I’d be surprised, despite your complaining about what seems to be hearing or reading dozens of stories about the speeches, if you even got a single full paragraph of anything he actually said. Hell, I’d be impressed if you heard a single sentence complete and in context.
usfengr,
No, I’m afraid you’re still not understanding basic English. Maybe we can pick up the conversation later when (1) you’re willing to read what’s written rather than read into what’s written or (2) it can be a conversation rather than a contest. Only then can logic help us!
No, I’m afraid you’re still not understanding basic English.
So, when you say:
“He (Rove) can’t fathom that it’s American unilateralism that facilitates Russian aggression, or that it’s America’s ‘use and dispose’ attitude toward South America in the past 60 years that allowed men like Chavez to gain and maintain power.”
you don’t intend to imply that the US to blame for Russian aggression or for allowing men like Chavez to gain power? It looks like I’m not the one who’s having a problem understanding “basic English” or logic. If you really want to have a “conversation”, you need to start by embracing your beliefs, rather than trying to obfuscate them.
I wasn’t aware ‘facilitates’ means the same thing as ‘to blame’. Is it ucfengr’s position that pointing out that unilateralism as a doctrine provides rhetorical cover for other countries to engage in things we don’t feel comfortable with (such as Russia’s aggression towards its neighbors) puts one in the same league as Noam Chomsky?
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President Obama is not apologizing for America, he apologizing for the Bush Administration. And Rove is (of course) using all those comments out of context. I suggest you go and read the entire speeches at Whitehouse.gov. And since the Bush Administration is going down in history as the Torture Administration, there is still a lot to apologize for.
Personally I think its great that an American President can own up to some of our mistakes. Your never going to get that kind of admission from someone like Castro or Kim Jong or Putin. Its an example of our country’s strength, not any weakness.
Besides which, as I recall one should reserve the act of reverence for God in heaven, not a particular country living under Him.
Well, at least Boonton understands the definitions of basic English words. :)
ucfengr, what I wrote was that American unilateralism, especially in its recent incarnation, has created an atmosphere that allows Russia to pursue aggressive foreign policy while citing American action to legitimize it. That’s why I used words like “facilitates” and “allows”.
Can you even name another country you’d get that kind of admission from?
And you believe them?
smmtheory,
Of course I don’t believe it, but they don’t make those statements for me. They make those statements for those who do believe them, those who fear American aggression or who are trying to hang on to the ghost of Russia’s former global prominence. That’s why these statements are so effective.
No wonder the GOP’s floundering and completely misunderstands Obama’s new diplomacy. How can y’all not understand this stuff? Does anyone read international news? Doesn’t anyone study the history of global diplomacy? If the electorate’s not educated, we’re doomed, guys. And if the GOP isn’t playing at the top of its game, we’re doomed too. This country doesn’t work well as a one-party system.
Who might that be? There is only 1 group I know of that fears American aggression, and that’s the left-wingers who nominally claim to be Americans. Come to think of it, they fit the second category you mention too.
Somehow, I don’t think refashioning the GOP into another Democrat Party will work as well as you think it will.
smmtheory,
You really can’t think of anyone else on the planet, other than Democrats, who these leaders might be targeting with that rhetoric? Anyone at all? Hmmm…
And I’m not trying to fashion the GOP into another Democratic Party. I think it should robustly oppose Democratic ideology, and the Democratic Party should do the same against Republican ideology. Only then is the system healthy. It’s when the GOP stops acting like the GOP that I get nervous, or when it undermines itself and is too weak to robustly oppose Democratic policy. And, since I identify more with the Dems than the Reps, I try to poke the GOP with a stick and get it to respond to facilitate (note, ucfengr: I didn’t say cause) the great political conversation we should be having.
As an American, and proud of much of our heritage, I am ashamed that that some in this country hold views and attitudes like those expressed by Dustin Steeve.
If I were an Evangelical American, I’d be even more ashamed of such small mindedness.
“President Obama is not apologizing for America, he apologizing for the Bush Administration.”
This is the same Bush Administration responsible for the Bay of Pigs fiasco?
“With great power comes great responsibility.” America has done much to be celebrated, as well as much to apologize for… Being a great power it has exerted heavy influence throughout the world. To simply believe that everything America does is good, is to be incredibly naive.
The Bible is full of examples of kings and powers participating in the important act of repentance. Being able to be self aware and responsible enough to repent and reconcile, I believe is a showing of true power and influence (as exemplified by Jesus). Is that what you would teach your children? That only the weak and insecure have to apologize? What a horrible philosophy!
Is it really so hard for you to believe that repentance can bring healing and strength? Go read some Old Testament…maybe King David’s story…read some of his laments and apologies in the Psalms… Read. Repeat. Then, you repent!
“With great power comes great responsibility.” America has done much to be celebrated, as well as much to apologize for… Being a great power it has exerted heavy influence throughout the world. To simply believe that everything America does is good, is to be incredibly naive.
The Bible is full of examples of kings and powers participating in the important act of repentance. Being able to be self aware and responsible enough to repent and reconcile, I believe is a showing of true power and influence (as exemplified by Jesus). Is that what you would teach your children? That only the weak and insecure have to apologize? What a horrible philosophy!
Is it really so hard for you to believe that repentance can bring healing and strength? Go read some Old Testament…maybe King David’s story…read some of his laments and apologies in the Psalms… Read. Repeat. Then, you repent!
As long as it’s taking you to say, I’m beginning to wonder if you really can’t think of anyone else that fears American aggression or is trying to hang on to the ghost of Russia’s former global prominence. (And no, I didn’t say the Democrat Party members… not all of them fear American aggression.)
You may want to go re-read it yourself. It seems like King David only apologized for and repented of his own personal sins, not the sins of the nation. He certainly didn’t go around apologizing for Israel wiping out the Philistines, or the Canaanites, or the several other tribes and kingdoms that were summarily ended on their trek through the desert for 40 years, nor all of Pharoah’s charioteers that got swallowed up when the parted sea was restored.
Anyway, you have my permission to wake me up when President Obama starts apologizing and repenting for his own personal sins.
smmtheory,
You can be snarky if you like, but it still doesn’t make any practical sense for the Russian government to try and convince Americans that the action of their own country legitimizes Russian aggression.
Don’t you think, rather, these statements and arguments might be aimed at the Russian electorate, particularly those who may be hesitant to support Vladimir Putin’s and Dmitri Medvedev’s foreign policies, or those in the near-abroad who could be convinced that supporting Russia is a wiser choice than supporting America?
I didn’t mention specific groups earlier because I was under the apparently false impression that you were speaking of global politics. The problem with your contention isn’t that the Russian arguments might find some purchase among American liberals who already oppose American unilateralism, but rather that you claimed that the arguments were made for the sole purpose of influencing American liberals.
That’s just a foolish statement. It’s ill-informed and so America-centric that it prevents you from seeing reality. Medvedev (and by association, Putin) have enough trouble maintaining political legitimacy as it is without countries like Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO – they fear encirclement as well as challenges from within Russian politics, so they use those kinds of arguments to try to maintain power and maintain Russian sovereignty at home and dominance in the near-abroad.
If we don’t understand that, and instead think everything’s about a domestic political contest in America, we’re toast.
Who said anything about them trying to convince the left-wingers? The way I see it, the left-wingers are already convinced. The Russians are just playing up to their audience, emboldening their erstwhile allies into hampering the effectiveness of our foreign policy. In their own theater, the Russians use bullets, bombs, RPGs and tanks instead of rhetoric to get the point across, ask the Georgians. Talk about not seeing reality.
smmtheory,
If you really believe what you write, I guess it’s impossible for us to discuss global politics. You insist on fabricating reality. I insist on examining what’s actually happening, both in Russia and in the States. When you’re ready to join me, I’m more than willing! :)
Not really, I just have a different interpretation of reality than you do.
Considering there’s only one reality, it’s a pity that in this instance, you’re wrong about it. :)