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I'm from America, and I DON'T Apologize
Posted by Bobby Eberle
April 8, 2009 at 6:47 am
This past week, we witnessed Barack Obama on his "I'm sorry for being an American" tour. During remarks in France and Turkey, Obama showed little knowledge of facts and history as he tried to make Europe "like" him by apologizing for America being America... for taking the lead when no other countries will.
It is absolutely pathetic that a president of the United States feels the need to disparage his predecessor on foreign soil and to make apologies for America. America leads, America succeeds, and America is willing to take a stand. For a president to apologize for this is something that is beyond crazy. Obama has already shown his disdain for the American dream with his policies at home. Now, he is bent on showing the world that America is no good either. Well, I'm from America, and I DON'T apologize!
As a bit of background, following the G-20 summit, Obama made a series of "campaign" stops in countries around the world and carried a similar theme throughout his talks: I'm sorry for the America of the past. Here's some of the lowlights and their translation:
Obama Comment: In a student town hall meeting in Turkey, Obama asked the world to look past his nation's "stereotypes and flaws."
Translation: Every country has stereotypes, but I'd love for Obama to actually list what our flaws are. What Obama is really doing is saying, "The country may have its stereotypes and flaws but I'm perfect, so follow me and disregard the country that elected me. We will soon transform it to be more like you."
Obama Comment: "You can choose to make new bridges instead of new walls."
Translation: Despite America's long history of fighting for freedom, liberals in America talk about how George W. Bush "went it alone," and alienated countries... so Obama is going to perpetuate this by talking about "walls."
Obama Comment: "I am personally committed to a new chapter in American engagement. We can't afford to talk past one another and focus only on our differences, or to let the walls of mistrust go up around us."
Translation: There we go... more walls, but in this case, it's phrasing like this that are direct swipes at former President Bush. I challenge anyone to find a Bush speech where he "looked past anyone" or focused "only on our differences." How many times did we go to the U.N. regarding Iraq? How many countries were involved in its liberation? Yet, Obama felt it necessary to talk about "walls of mistrust."
Obama Comment: "Some people say that maybe I'm being too idealistic. ... But if we don't try, if we don't reach high, we won't make any progress."
Translation: Does this one need a translation? Geez! He's the president of the United States, and he's shouting, "Look at me, look at me, look at me."
And then, of course, there is this gem from another town hall meeting in France:
Comment: "It's always harder to forge true partnerships and sturdy alliances than to act alone. ... In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. Instead of ... seeking to partner with you ... there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive."
Translation: Where do I even start? What is NATO? Isn't that a "true partnership?" What about all the other treaties, trade agreements, economic collaborations, etc.? Aren't these true partnerships? Of course they are. But it's so much easier for Obama to label himself the good guy and his country the bad guy. He's seeking to be liked in Europe by bad-mouthing the country he represents. When he talks about "arrogance," this, of course, is another swipe at George W. Bush and the image that liberals sought to spread. Again, I challenge Obama to actually list where America has been arrogant, dismissive and derisive. We are talking about world politics, not talking points! You can't just throw out lines like that about the greatest country in the world! (Yikes, being arrogant.) If that is how he feels, then he needs to be specific and put out a list.
Fortunately, most Americans do not agree with Obama's perception of his own country. As Scott Rasmussen points out in his latest Rasmussen Reports poll, most American voters -- 54% -- say "it would be better for the world if Europe became more like the United States." Only 22% had the opposite view.
There are two real problems I have with Obama's comments. The first is that they are simply cheap political theater. A sitting president of the United States should not be taking shots at his predecessor, especially on foreign soil. Making yourself look good by making America look bad is not an action becoming a president of the United States. It is pathetic.
Second, Obama's comments show that he has little understanding of history, Europe, or America. European leaders, and thus a portion of each country's citizenry, don't dislike us because we are dismissive or derisive. They dislike us because we are successful. While other nations bowed to the demands of dictators and aggressive nations, America stood up and said, "Not only will we fight for us, we will fight and die for you too." America, in a little over 200 years, has built the largest economy in the world. Other nations turn to us for advice, protection, guidance, you name it.
America is not afraid to lead. Leadership and success lead to resentment, and to have Obama apologize for this is disgraceful. I am an American, and I am proud of this country. I am proud that we fought for Great Britain, France, and other countries of the world during WWII. I am proud that when no other countries moved a muscle, America took the lead in throwing Iraq out of Kuwait. I am proud that American innovation has put men on the moon and lead to a medical system that is the envy of the world. Where do those America-bashing world leaders go when they are sick? One guess. I'm from America, and I DON'T apologize.
