Obama Continues to Apologize to the World

Posted By Bobby Eberle On September 24, 2009 at 7:06 am

Barack Obama took center stage at the United Nations on Wednesday and continued his "I'm sorry for America" tour. Despite leading a nation that defends others, pays for others, promotes freedom for others, and shelters others, Obama once again talked about the past in order to make himself more accommodating and caring.

Word to Obama and other left-wing "speak softly and carry a wet spaghetti noodle" types.... his message was exactly what other nations want to hear. But it's not because they want a kindler, gentler America to get along with. It's because they want an America that will continue to pay the bills, continue to bail them out of emergencies, and let them run amok with their policies. Obama gave them everything they were looking for.

Obama wasted no time setting the tone for his U.N. address. (Read full address here at GOPUSA.) In just the first paragraph, he said that as president of the United States he is "determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad." Boldly AND collectively? Can someone please tell me how those two can coexist? Building coalitions is nice... we did it for both wars. (I mention that for the liberals who like to forget.) But when it comes time for "bold" action and real leadership, it will be a cold day in Hell before you can build a "collective" consensus. Acting boldly means exerting real leadership. Acting collectively tells other nations, "don't worry... we're not going to do anything without your permission." That is not leadership.

Shortly after that statement, Obama echoed previous world speeches by highlighting what he thinks is wrong with America:

I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. And this has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for collective inaction.

At this time, do you think that he addressed the "misperceptions and misinformation" about America? Did he describe how America really is? No. Did he explain that America has not acted unilaterally? Of course not.

Here's what for U.N. Ambassador John Bolton had to say to National Review Online about the speech:

"It was a very naive, Wilsonian speech, and very revealing of Obama's foreign policy," says Bolton. "Overall, it was so apologetic for the actions of prior administrations, in an effort to distance Obama from them, that it became yet another symbol of American weakness in the wake of the president's decision to abandon missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic, and his recent manifest hesitation over what to do in Afghanistan."

When talking about Iraq, Obama did not mention how the Iraqi's are now free from an oppressive dictator and holding democratic elections. Instead, he simply said, "In Iraq, we are responsibly ending a war." When talking about Afghanistan, he never mentioned the Taliban. Obama did, however, talk tough against one nation: Israel.

Here's Bolton's comment:

"The most significant point of the speech was how the president put Israel on the chopping block in a variety of references, from calling Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegitimate to talking about ending 'the occupation that began in 1967.' That implies that he supports going back to 1967 borders," says Bolton. "Obama has a very tough road ahead. He is frequently taking the side of the Palestinians, who don't have a competent leader who can make hard decisions and compromises in the future."

The Heritage Foundation had a number of their foreign policy experts weigh in on the speech. Brett D. Schaefer, the Jay Kingham Fellow in International Regulatory Affairs, had this to say:

"The other U.N. member states have to be beside themselves with glee. President Obama gave them virtually everything they could ask for without demanding anything in return that was not already on the agenda - and which they are prepared to twist to their advantage. He did not even ask them to support more accountability, transparency, or efficiency in the U.N. , which will be leading action on the very complex and expensive tasks that he is proposing.

The Obama administration probably thinks that its actions and this speech have purchased them the goodwill of U.N. member states, which will translate into support for U.S. policies. They are setting themselves up for disappointment. The political nature of the U.N. is combative and tough. Most member states consider these concessions their due. They will pocket them and stand firm to defend their interests. Cooperation will be on their terms, on issues they wish to pursue. The naivete of the speech was staggering."

I would be remiss not to mention that Obama did receive some praise for his speech. Cuban dictator Fidel Castro praised Obama for his efforts on "climate change." The news story notes that "the former Cuban leader on Wednesday called the American president's speech at the United Nations "brave" and said no other American head of state would have had the courage to make similar remarks."

There is example after example of lines from the speech that clearly show Obama's way of thinking. I invite you to post some in your comments below so that others can discuss. People NEED to know what Obama is all about. His policies both at home and abroad only seek to weaken America and remove freedom from people. Obama is all about government... whether its more government control within our borders, or a new world government that will take more power from America, he's all for it.