Obama UN Speech

i watched the presidents speech this morning from my office as i do often. my feelings are mixed.

as usual the president refered to the past admin with blame in his oh so elequent way of words and continually apologizes for americas past mistakes. you cannot lead foreign delegates in such a way and expect for the free worlds enemies to put down their guns. in fact, immediately after obama spoke, kadafi spoke and its was obvious obamas words meant nothing. and soon we'll here from hugo and the iranian dictator himself and i assure you unless we're strong with these thugs we will never rid the world of them.

but, at the same time he was blunt on many issues and frankly its about time an american president pushes back. bush did it plenty, but he couldnt deliver like obama. the world body had to be told in a stern manor that america cannot always take the lead and do everything alone. and he did so brilliantly i thought.

however, i also didnt hear the president talk about america's greatness. instead, i heard him put his own country down for foreign sympathy as if that works. world leaders never put their own nation down. and this nation has done more for this world than all other nations combined. this country badly needs this kind of inspirational leader, but obama isnt the man to deliver it. judging by his background and those he has surrounded himself with, the president i believe has more hatred towards the US than anything. and im judging this by his words as well as his actions. empty words im afraid are all i hear and in the end, actions speak louder than words...

Too much " i " , " me " , "my"

not enough "we" "our"

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Thanks Gidget - I had missed most of it. Good, relevant speech.

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Too much " i " , " me " , "my"

not enough "we" "our"

absolutely correct!

i also noticed he called the israelis occupiers while making the palestinians the victims.

i watched it again and caught onto alot more than i originally did. thats obamas brilliant way with words.

i watched the presidents speech this morning from my office as i do often. my feelings are mixed.

as usual the president refered to the past admin with blame in his oh so elequent way of words and continually apologizes for americas past mistakes. you cannot lead foreign delegates in such a way and expect for the free worlds enemies to put down their guns. in fact, immediately after obama spoke, kadafi spoke and its was obvious obamas words meant nothing. and soon we'll here from hugo and the iranian dictator himself and i assure you unless we're strong with these thugs we will never rid the world of them.

but, at the same time he was blunt on many issues and frankly its about time an american president pushes back. bush did it plenty, but he couldnt deliver like obama. the world body had to be told in a stern manor that america cannot always take the lead and do everything alone. and he did so brilliantly i thought.

however, i also didnt hear the president talk about america's greatness. instead, i heard him put his own country down for foreign sympathy as if that works. world leaders never put their own nation down. and this nation has done more for this world than all other nations combined. this country badly needs this kind of inspirational leader, but obama isnt the man to deliver it. judging by his background and those he has surrounded himself with, the president i believe has more hatred towards the US than anything. and im judging this by his words as well as his actions. empty words im afraid are all i hear and in the end, actions speak louder than words...

I have a slightly different take on his speech. I've been studying international relations for the past year and a half and this speech hit the nail on the head. KKDDBB, the President didn't apologize for America or Americans, he apologized for the recent unilateralist approach we've taken in foreign affairs (specifically, the Bush Doctrine). There are entire classes, entire textbooks devoted to the failure of America's unilateralist approach in foreign policy, and how this approach has made not only us, but the entire world less safe. Oh, and the textbooks are written oh so eloquently.

This was a speech that was delivered with the intention of letting the world know clearly and squarely that the USA is not seeking total hegemony, (as many people in the far corners of the world believe) but is instead intent on maintaing hegemonic stability, and ergo peace. Yes, he did rebuke Bush so he could show there's a new sheriff in town.

It was also a politically savvy speech because it appealed to the UN group of 77, so LDCs are at least more likely now to vote in our favor. Of course, this alone doesn't eradicate middle eastern tyrants and pimped out dictators (hello Muammar Qaddafi), nor does it provide any insurance of a unified security council. This is why diplomacy and not unilateral military strong arming is so en vouge right now. Think the missile defense shield change in Europe this past week was just a flippant decision the White House made?...think again. Russia could very well now side with us in a decision to sanction Iran. Given the domestic unrest there and new unpopularity of the Iranian president, economic sanctions could very well warm their nuclear negotiators to the West's views.

So yes, Obama did separate himself from his predecessor (not blame) and announced the USA was willing to get back into the diplomacy business. This was national chest pumping, telling the world how great America is.

As for your belief that Obama "has more hatred towards the US than anything...", I'm not going to even try to convince you otherwise because you simply can't believe anything else in your head and you're certainly beyond reproach by me.

thank you Matt - you covered it well. especially your explanation of the president's words - apparently this needs to be explained in great detail to a a segment of citizens who continue to interpret his international approach as anti-american.

....the President didn't apologize for America or Americans, he apologized for the recent unilateralist approach we've taken in foreign affairs (specifically, the Bush Doctrine). There are entire classes, entire textbooks devoted to the failure of America's unilateralist approach in foreign policy, and how this approach has made not only us, but the entire world less safe.

thank you Matt - you covered it well. especially your explanation of the president's words - apparently this needs to be explained in great detail to a a segment of citizens who continue to interpret his international approach as anti-american.

his entire life thus far is backed by anti-americanism. everything he believes is everything we're not. perhaps you may want to look into who he was before he became president as i have in great detail. he doesnt hate this nation, but he feels it needs a major overhaul and that overhaul is certainly not what made us who we are.

his entire life thus far is backed by anti-americanism. everything he believes is everything we're not. perhaps you may want to look into who he was before he became president as i have in great detail. he doesnt hate this nation, but he feels it needs a major overhaul and that overhaul is certainly not what made us who we are.

Our country has had some major overhauls throughout it's history. Arguments from tradition don't cut it. Maintaining the status quo for it's own sake is a mistake. Failure to realize that is the conservative's biggest folly.

I have a slightly different take on his speech. I've been studying international relations for the past year and a half and this speech hit the nail on the head. KKDDBB, the President didn't apologize for America or Americans, he apologized for the recent unilateralist approach we've taken in foreign affairs (specifically, the Bush Doctrine). There are entire classes, entire textbooks devoted to the failure of America's unilateralist approach in foreign policy, and how this approach has made not only us, but the entire world less safe. Oh, and the textbooks are written oh so eloquently.

This was a speech that was delivered with the intention of letting the world know clearly and squarely that the USA is not seeking total hegemony, (as many people in the far corners of the world believe) but is instead intent on maintaing hegemonic stability, and ergo peace. Yes, he did rebuke Bush so he could show there's a new sheriff in town.

It was also a politically savvy speech because it appealed to the UN group of 77, so LDCs are at least more likely now to vote in our favor. Of course, this alone doesn't eradicate middle eastern tyrants and pimped out dictators (hello Muammar Qaddafi), nor does it provide any insurance of a unified security council. This is why diplomacy and not unilateral military strong arming is so en vouge right now. Think the missile defense shield change in Europe this past week was just a flippant decision the White House made?...think again. Russia could very well now side with us in a decision to sanction Iran. Given the domestic unrest there and new unpopularity of the Iranian president, economic sanctions could very well warm their nuclear negotiators to the West's views.

So yes, Obama did separate himself from his predecessor (not blame) and announced the USA was willing to get back into the diplomacy business. This was national chest pumping, telling the world how great America is.



As for your belief that Obama "has more hatred towards the US than anything...", I'm not going to even try to convince you otherwise because you simply can't believe anything else in your head and you're certainly beyond reproach by me.

i will respectfully disagree with you, but its great to have a thought out debate. thats hard to come by on this site.

that said, if you think russia is going to go along with us now that we pulled out missile defense system, i think you have another thing coming. russia is interested in russia-period. fuel is what they want to profit from and iran makes that happen. sanctions against iran ruins that leverage. russia has always and will forever do whats in russias interest. and by pulling the system, we stabbed two allies in the back. we saw what russia did in georgia and now these allies will fear the same. thats not diplomacy. you dont push aside your allies to message the bigger problem or in this case americas enemy and russia is certainly not our friend. we also saw this with hondurus....a huge diplomatic mistake

and he most certainly did not separate himself from bush, he flat out blamed him in cuddly words. and its not just bush he blames either. read obamas work and his books to see how he feels about this countries history. the world wont see these words as chest bumping america, they heard it for what it is. qaddafi himself said he wanted obama to be president forever and praised him every chance he got in his 90 minute rant.

and i should clarify my hatred comment and im glad you brought that up. i dont think he hates america, but he certainly doesnt see it for the good it is. again, i judge this not by his current words as much as his past. ive looked into his past in great detail and have been unpleasantly surprised to learn somethings. i do think he loves his country, but his vision is not what has made this country what it is. he is certainly at great odds with our founders thats for sure.

again, thanks for the good debate. its quit refreshing.....

his entire life thus far is backed by anti-americanism. everything he believes is everything we're not. perhaps you may want to look into who he was before he became president as i have in great detail. he doesnt hate this nation, but he feels it needs a major overhaul and that overhaul is certainly not what made us who we are.

It amazes me that anyone could interpret the above from the life story of this man.

Certainly America needs a major overhaul in the way we handled international affairs during the past eight years.

The majority of the American people thought so when they went to the polls last November--elections do matter and words matter.

Strength is most often defined not by might, but by shrewd diplomacy.

mclive, the new poli-sci voice of sowal!!

It amazes me that anyone could interpret the above from the life story of this man.

Certainly America needs a major overhaul in the way we handled international affairs during the past eight years.

The majority of the American people thought so when they went to the polls last November--elections do matter and words matter.

Strength is most often defined not by might, but by shrewd diplomacy.

i strongly urge you to look into the real life of this man as you state it. he is completely surrounded by people that hate the way this country was founded. thats not me, thats a fact. look at his czars for a perfect example.

we've needed an international affair overhaul long before bush, but thats the lefts retoric. its like listening to a broken record.

this country was sold a bill of goods that dont exist. obama will go down in history as the best campaigner of all time i believe. he knew the american people dont pay close attention to their elected officials and will believe everything they are told especially if its delivered as well as he's able to deliver it. and when you indoctrinate the youth and have the media on your side i dont think we should be surprised by the election outcome. but, i know its easy to ignore that and think we actually have a responsible and fair media whether it be print, blogs and/or tv.

by shrewd diplomacy, do you mean clinton giving NK a billion of american taxpayer money backed by a promise to hault nuclear building? sure, we didnt hear much during his term because they were building the bomb with our money. yea, thats brilliant diplomacy. bush was tough and got them to admit what they were doing. and libya also gave up their weapons. history tells a whole different story than you may think it does.

Our country has had some major overhauls throughout it's history. Arguments from tradition don't cut it. Maintaining the status quo for it's own sake is a mistake. Failure to realize that is the conservative's biggest folly.

Amen.

Ameria can still be the great country it is and strive to be even better. Change is hard for some to grasp and can be painful, but my money is on my President. I like what he is saying.

Amen.

Ameria can still be the great country it is and strive to be even better. Change is hard for some to grasp and can be painful, but my money is on my President. I like what he is saying.

change is great, but i think many dont realize the change the president is really after. remember, his words are great, but his actions behind the scenes are very different. we will see......

Too much " i " , " me " , "my"

not enough "we" "our"

Hmmm - well, when I listened again, I made a column for

I, Me, My, We, Our and I threw in Us and checked off each time I heard those words:

Here are the results which I will post to our forum so that we may know what our president said to us and the world. Me, well happy to oblige; it is my pleasure.

(drum roll please) :dothewave: (best I could do)


I = 34
Me = 5
My = 11

Our = 60
We = 108
Us = 18

How about that!

Gidget

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blair
Too much " i " , " me " , "my"

not enough "we" "our"

absolutely correct!

See my post up one. #16. I think sometimes we hear what we want to hear.

G :roll:

kkddbb - Do you have a CAPS button on your keyboard?? Just curious.... my OCD kicking in I suppose...

G

Hmmm - well, when I listened again, I made a column for

I, Me, My, We, Our and I threw in Us and checked off each time I heard those words:

Here are the results which I will post to our forum so that we may know what our president said to us and the world. Me, well happy to oblige; it is my pleasure.

(drum roll please) :dothewave: (best I could do)


I = 34
Me = 5
My = 11

Our = 60
We = 108
Us = 18

How about that!

Gidget

Gidget,

I applaud you for the data research, but unfortunately, those who have a BIG "R" branded between their eyes will only see the 50 comments pertaining to himself for the simple fact that he isn't one of them....

In regards to possible overhaul.....I'll take that gamble compared to the past 8 years of pissing off the world, wars for trumped up causes and Covert actions inacted by the Penguin aka former VP who can't shoot worth a damn! Not to mention putting the country in the crapper....:angry:

Quote:




See my post up one. #16. I think sometimes we hear what we want to hear.

G :roll:

I am sure we are all guilty of this from time to time. It is difficult to see things differently. I love watching this often...it helps to realize that just because we don't understand someone or something, doesn't mean they or it, is not worthy. It's all in the perspective.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oAB83Z1ydE"]YouTube - Think Different[/ame]

I am sure we are all guilty of this from time to time. It is difficult to see things differently. I love watching this often...it helps to realize that just because we don't understand someone or something, doesn't mean they or it, is not worthy. It's all in the perspective.

YouTube - Think Different

Very nice! So true! That's exactly why I wanted to show Blair, et al, that we all have a tendency at times to hear only what we want.

Now, to go walk my dog

G

Hmmm - well, when I listened again, I made a column for

I, Me, My, We, Our and I threw in Us and checked off each time I heard those words:

Here are the results which I will post to our forum so that we may know what our president said to us and the world. Me, well happy to oblige; it is my pleasure.

(drum roll please) :dothewave: (best I could do)


I = 34
Me = 5
My = 11

Our = 60


We = 108
Us = 18

How about that!

Gidget

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Gidget, I can't believe you did that!

Obama may not end up being successful in what each person wants, but I like that he listens to advisors and analyzes situations instead of just doing whatever his gut tells him to do. He is a studied man and willing to use diplomacy, common sense, psychology, etc. to try to affect situations.

I am just hoping he doesn't wear himself down with the huge work load he is attempting.

I think he needs our prayers, well wishes, or whatever because he is so driven to get things done and needs to take care of himself along the way.


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Our country has had some major overhauls throughout it's history. Arguments from tradition don't cut it. Maintaining the status quo for it's own sake is a mistake. Failure to realize that is the conservative's biggest folly.

True conservatives never agreed with the Bush Doctine in the first place. Iraq was a mistake, Afghanistan was justified. Lets hope Obama gets that.

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Gidget, I can't believe you did that!

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...neither could I.

Apology to the UN

I think the President once again focused on what America has done wrong, how we need to do more, and how bad America is. Also, he condemned Israel again. When is he going to realize that this makes him and our country look weak?

He said that we should not impose our will on other nations but he has NO PROBLEM condemning Israel and basically challenging the legitimacy of their 1967 peace deal.

Other countries certainly love Obama. Gaddafi called Obama "his son", Fidel Castro praised the President on Cuban TV and said he wished Barack could be President for life, the Russians and Putin thanked Obama for scrapping the missle defense shield. There are many other examples of weakness and I think the rest of the world is laughing at us. Why not focus on "America Exceptionalism"? How about mention all of the good that the United States has done in the world, how we have given aid to many countries when they need it, how we protect our allies, how we are there whenever there is a global emergency. Instead of mentioning these things, he takes the opportunity to talk about all of the bad, negative, and unjust things that we are responsible for. Are we perfect? No, far from it but the President of the United States needs to explain to the world that we have helped people to live longer through medical advancements, that we have made people's quality of life much better through entrepreneurial inventions. Be proud of our country, Mr. President.

The thing we need to remember is that our enemies are not going to like us no matter what we do. We need to do what is right for our country whether other nations agree or not.

We didn't elect a Peacock to flout our achievements as Country. Countries we have given humanitarian aide know what we have done. I don't think they keep score cards at the UN. Often, the first step towards healing is admittance of a problem. It takes a bigger Person or Country to do that. Lastly, in this instance, from a diplomatic standpoint, remember the phrase, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

I also find it difficult to believe that anyone believes that Obama, a man who studied and taught Constitutional Law, is seeking to "change" our Country and has disdain for it. If you know anything about running a business, one of the first things one must grasp is that change is essential and reinventing oneself. However, the basic tenets that makes a great business; ie. customer service, etc.-- should always remain the same. I equate that to running a Country and the basic tenets that our Country was founded on that make us great. That doesn't mean a facelift is needed once in while and admitting wrinkles.