What seems like weakness to U.S. Republicans is actually the steely resolve of President Obama to ensure a safer world for his two young children.
That’s the thesis of this article by Swiss columnist Patrik Etschmayer, who like Philippe Coste of France’s Liberation, contends that America’s opposition party is so out of touch that it doesn’t recognize real strength when its sees it.
For Nachrichten, Etschmayer writes in regard to his recent trip to Egypt, Germany and France:
“The Republicans, who accuse Obama of showing weakness on the part of the United States, fail to grasp that only those who are strong are capable of freely admitting error. It is the weakling who behaves as though they never occurred. In the eyes of the world, Obama demonstrated strength.”
When one is heavily involved with the upbringing and education of children, the awareness of human vulnerability as well as empathy for others is strengthened. Of course, this can be interpreted as a weakness, as sentimentality. But this is a misunderstanding. Although his shell might be softer – the core of such a person is all the tougher. Because it’s a matter of securing the lives and future of the children he loves so much – and if you threaten them, one best not expect any niceties.”
By Patrik Etschmayer
Translated By Patrik Etschmayer
June 8, 2009
Switzerland – Nachrichten – Original Article (German)
It was a journey through minefields – a series of state visits that offered infinite possibilities for embarrassing, harebrained moments providing ample occasion for resentment. At least if the last president of the United States was still in the office.But Obama breezed through it – all of those potential sources of resentment and alienation, of unworthiness and shallowness, bypassed.
The speech in Egypt was an impressive start, in which he showed humility and strength, admitted to the mistakes of the past and showed a determination to positively shape the future.
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