U.S. President Abrogates Title “Leader of the Free World”
“Leader of the free world” is not just an honorary title defaulting to the president of the most powerful free country. As Sarah Palin so aptly put it in another context during the campaign, “it has some actual responsibilities.” It requires exhibiting actual leadership in the cause of freedom.
But Mr. Obama has by silence, inaction and slow action (waiting to see which way the wind blows) renounced that title. It is now being carried by the likes of the president of France, Mr. Sarkozy. Sarkozy has the guts to condemn Iran’s election farce and support those marching in the streets, rather than hedge his bets and legitimize a dictator by keeping the lines of communication open to fruitlessly attempt to negotiate away their nuclear weapons program. Sarkozy also has the guts (along with other European leaders) to say no to more state bailouts, subsidies and taxes. And yes to immigration reform and enforcement. And yes to nuclear power. And to take action against pirates before Obama built up the courage after having an example to follow.
No, Mr. Obama cannot even be said to be a follower of the free world. More appropriate would be friend of the socialist and totalitarian world, and enemy of free markets and the free world. By inaction he implicitly or explicitly supports the un-free world – “if you are not for it, you are against it.” By his actions he rapidly erodes our free markets, our free choices, and clearly is much more concerned about reaching out to and not offending the despots and enemies of freedom, than its champions (e.g., Israel).
Reagan had the courage to talk bluntly to a much more powerful and nuclear armed Soviet Union, out of a position of strength and conviction, and by his actions and influence played a crucial role in its collapse. Obama can’t even stand up to a tin-horned dictator who aspires to nuclear weapons, even in the midst of a popular uprising, where hundreds of thousands are putting their lives on the line. In what is now apparently his mode of operation, he will wait to see which way the wind blows, and then go with it. He and his staff are preoccupied with more important matters, like demonizing conservative talk show hosts and complaining bitterly about the lone cable station showing any alternative to worshipping him. The Iranian people aren’t asking for military intervention, just moral support, and de-legitimizing of the illegitimate regime, which President Bush was already doing. They’d better look elsewhere for that – they won’t get it from Mr. Obama, at least in any timely fashion.
But Mr. Obama has by silence, inaction and slow action (waiting to see which way the wind blows) renounced that title. It is now being carried by the likes of the president of France, Mr. Sarkozy. Sarkozy has the guts to condemn Iran’s election farce and support those marching in the streets, rather than hedge his bets and legitimize a dictator by keeping the lines of communication open to fruitlessly attempt to negotiate away their nuclear weapons program. Sarkozy also has the guts (along with other European leaders) to say no to more state bailouts, subsidies and taxes. And yes to immigration reform and enforcement. And yes to nuclear power. And to take action against pirates before Obama built up the courage after having an example to follow.
No, Mr. Obama cannot even be said to be a follower of the free world. More appropriate would be friend of the socialist and totalitarian world, and enemy of free markets and the free world. By inaction he implicitly or explicitly supports the un-free world – “if you are not for it, you are against it.” By his actions he rapidly erodes our free markets, our free choices, and clearly is much more concerned about reaching out to and not offending the despots and enemies of freedom, than its champions (e.g., Israel).
Reagan had the courage to talk bluntly to a much more powerful and nuclear armed Soviet Union, out of a position of strength and conviction, and by his actions and influence played a crucial role in its collapse. Obama can’t even stand up to a tin-horned dictator who aspires to nuclear weapons, even in the midst of a popular uprising, where hundreds of thousands are putting their lives on the line. In what is now apparently his mode of operation, he will wait to see which way the wind blows, and then go with it. He and his staff are preoccupied with more important matters, like demonizing conservative talk show hosts and complaining bitterly about the lone cable station showing any alternative to worshipping him. The Iranian people aren’t asking for military intervention, just moral support, and de-legitimizing of the illegitimate regime, which President Bush was already doing. They’d better look elsewhere for that – they won’t get it from Mr. Obama, at least in any timely fashion.
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