Obama: Crazy like a Fox?
Obama has been criticized as naive for proposing to meet with enemies with little or no advanced preparations or negotiations.
The fear is that the visit would be used for propaganda by the bad actors.
But what if Obama can leverage his greatest assets by proposing such introductory meetings in exchange for a broadcast to the entire population. What if the citizens of Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba can hear the inspiring words of our young, multi-ethnic, popularly-elected leader. It seems to me that his primary audience would be those citizens who are moderate, open-minded, and sympathetic to a liberal democracy, not only in the host country, but in the entire world. It seems like this would be a way to alter the tone of international diplomacy.
Heck, even invite the incorrigible leaders to speak to the US audience.
8 Responses to “Obama: Crazy like a Fox?”
Excuse me? it's simply not safe for Sen. Obama to visit any part of the Arab and Muslim world.
Obama has been smart enough not to sink any of his ideas in stone, because he knows that he won't get everything, hence will not have to answer for failed promises so many others make. This is why he speaks of aims, generally. In short, he's not gonna bullshit people w what they wanna hear, and then not be able to deliver. It's a good strategy, esp. w the technocratic Clinton, who has failed in all her major crusades.
Holly, I doubt Paul means for him to stand on a stage in public, but that the photo-op speech (a la bush in Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan etc) would have to be televised (and radioed!) locally or no meeting.
I disagree with the Clinton/Bush approach of refusing to negotiate unless they already do what we want to negotiate for. That just isn't going to work.
The other problem with the Clinton proposal is that meeting with Amenajabatdad doesn't 'legitimize' him. Cmon, he's already the leader of Iran.
Not safe for Obama? Or not safe for America?
Maybe a Obamama Presidency is a threat to the hawks. If the “Obama Lovefest/Delusional Tour ” goes international maybe our world standing will change after the W years.
I think Obama does have the potential to transform our international relationships, at tleast during the noneymoon period. I'm becoming serioisly concerned by the world-wide sky high expectaions of what he can actually accomplish.
When all is said and done, other nations will still hold their own interests as primary, and there will still be times when our interests and their interests come into serious conflict.
As much as Obama's charisma is an asset, it also has the potential for eliciting jealousty about who should be first in the soptlight. I'm afraid he might face more than a customry share of international challengers exactly because of that.
I wish the expectations could be toned down a bit, in order to cushion the inevitable disappointments. when they come. For his sake.
That's not likely to happen pre-lection, however.
Type your commentA short time ago on CNN a muslim father murdererd his own child for not WEARING the muslim head gear.It is a big sin in the muslim world if the child doesnt follow the parents religion. Obama is a baptist , his father is a muslim. In the eyes of the highranking muslim leaders Obama will be at best ,less then zero. Most of our oil come s from Arab muslim countries and if for any reason the oil stops coming how are we going to heat our homes.No trucks and cars will be on the roads ,will be walking to work ,will be no jobs , prices will be high stores will be empty .we will be watching tv by candle light . People will be traveling on bicycles, horse backs and walking all over all of USA , will be a big hippyland etc.But if Iran and the Saudies give a big welcome for Obama how we will know if he did not secretly embraced the muslim religion and Islam? I think Obama is awsome and could be a good president maybe the best ,but he should address this issue to the .
AMERICAN PEOPLE. here.
It's being even more naive than Obama's position is represented as being.