Opinion Forum

Embarrassed To Be American

March 15th, 2011

For the first time in my life, I’m embarrassed to be an American.

Last weekend, as tens of thousands of Japanese were fighting for their lives after an 8.9 earthquake devastated their nation, our President, after giving a generic “We’re with you” statement, remained noticeably absent.

Not really absent — Obama could be found on the golf course Saturday afternoon.

As a Japanese nuclear reactor melted down and threatened a catastrophe of biblical proportions, Obama was otherwise engaged Saturday night, having a rollicking good time at Washington D.C.’s annual Gridiron Dinner. Joking with journalists.

There is something quite shameful about watching our President attending a dress-up dinner, trolling for laughs, as one of America’s allies struggles for life. I’m embarrassed for America, and I send my personal apologies to the Japanese people for the insensitivity of our President.

As the turmoil in Libya continues to escalate, threatening severe geopolitical consequences, it is France (France?) that has filled the global leadership void by proposing a no-fly zone over Libya. What is the President of the free world doing? During his Saturday afternoon radio address to the nation, Obama was busy lecturing Americans about the role of women. And writing an op-ed about the virtues of gun control.

Obama did take the time to give his blessing to a call by the Arab League for a UN no-fly zone over Libya. Obama called it an “important step.” This, as government tanks continued to pound Libyan protesters. I’m embarrassed that, under Obama, America is becoming comfortable following world events instead of shaping them.

Obama has clearly signaled that he is content to leave America’s fate in the hands of the United Nations. He seems to believe that a global consensus should trump American sovereignty. For Obama, this relieves him of the need to make the tough decisions usually required by American presidents. For the rest of the world, Obama’s actions and lack of actions signal weakness. And Obama has never learned the basic lesson that weakness does not appease, it emboldens.

I’m embarrassed that America’s president has chosen to punt on every recent issue of importance – from Libya to Egypt to the economy. As Obama sits firmly on the fence, refusing to make any decision that might impact him unfavorably, 3rd world countries, Islamic fanatics and France scramble to fill the world leadership vacuum. America is AWOL — seemingly more concerned with fat poor people than with events that threaten to permanently undermine US influence around the globe.

The ramifications of U.S. abdication of leadership on the world stage will have severe consequences. These consequences will apply to conservatives and leftists alike as, more and more, America’s autonomy will be held hostage to terrorist nations that supply us oil, and to China, who now holds about 30% of our debt.

Obama’s policy of dissing our allies and kowtowing to our enemies is not leadership. It is folly. A folly that has the implicit endorsement of the American people, who willingly elected Obama as their representative.

I’m embarrassed that America, under Obama, has chosen to bury our head in the sand. I’m mortified that the priorities of our president are so puerile. And I’m shamed that America, under Obama, is acting more like a global lap-dog than as one of the world’s remaining superpowers.

(This article was first published at American Thinker and was also posted at Right Bias.)

Articles written by Nancy Morgan
Tags: aid, America, earthquake, Japan, meltdown, nuclear, response, tsunami
Categories: News, Politics | Comments (11) | Home

11 Responses to “Embarrassed To Be American”

Dan Miller | March 15th, 2011 at 3:17 pm

Embarrassed? Yes, of course. But maybe we should in a sense be relieved. If he doesn’t score well at golf, flubs a joke at the Gridiron gathering, misses his NCAA picks or the taping doesn’t go well for their March 16th broadcast, no national harm done. The results, were the Dither-in-Chief to stop dithering and do something significant and presidential in areas about which he neither cares nor knows much, could easily be far worse.

Dan Miller | March 15th, 2011 at 7:03 pm

As reported here,

UNITED NATIONS – Supporters of a no-fly zone over Libya introduced a U.N. resolution Tuesday aimed at stopping Moammar Gadhafi’s planes from bombing civilians, with France urging quick action but Russia and Germany expressing misgivings.

As to the United States, it was also reported there that

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who on Monday met with her counterparts and Sarkozy, traveled to Egypt for talks Tuesday and did not attend the G-8 meeting. [where “The G-8 ministers agreed the Security Council needs to take more action to pressure Gadhafi to leave, possibly with new sanctions, but not military action.”]

U.S. diplomats said the Obama administration is prepared to engage on the text of the resolution.

Well, that’s decisive in a presidential way; no sense in doing anything drastic. Dithering is good.

Tom Carter | March 16th, 2011 at 9:09 am

Seems this is getting worse that just dithering. Obama seems to be trying to stay away from anything controversial, and he isn’t leading in important areas. Beyond that, he doesn’t seem to have any sense of how his behavior looks, which can be as important as what he does. The President is in constant contact and can make decisions wherever he is, but he can’t participate in crisis meetings in the situation room when he’s on the golf course, traipsing around Rio, or making videos about his basketball picks. Since there are a few crises underway, his pysical presence and full engagement are important. Maybe he thinks this is how to avoid upsetting anyone to improve his chances for re-election? Not hardly.

And some of the leaders of the Egyptian revolt have refused to meet with Clinton. Maybe Obama should make another speech in Cairo….

Clarissa | March 16th, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Why shouldn’t Obama be on a golf course when a tsunami hits another country when Bush was on vacation for a huge part of his entire presidency, no matter what crises ravaged his country?

We all remember where Bush was when 9/11 hit, I hope.

Tom Carter | March 16th, 2011 at 1:41 pm

I basically agree with you, Clarissa — a president can function from wherever he may be. However, regardless of what comparisons may be made with Bush (that’s mandatory, of course), Obama isn’t showing a lot of leadership these days, whether it’s the budget mess Congress is struggling with, the meltdown in the Middle East, or the other meltdown in Japan. When he appears to be unconcerned, like taking off for the golf course, taking a mostly vacation trip to Rio, and working for hours on his basketball picks, it compounds the impression that he’s fiddling while Rome burns. Leadership is as much perception as it is reality, and the President needs to finally learn that some day.

Lisa | March 17th, 2011 at 7:21 pm

This is why The Donald as a presidential candidate is sounding better and better every day! Pillar #1 “Branded in the U.S.A”, pillar#2 “Restore the U.S.A’s prestige and dominance, pillar #3 fix the economy, pillar #4 “restore U.S.A spirit”.

Obama is unaware of his leadership responsibilities. Let’s not forget, he has never had to make command decisions before, he is experiencing on-the-job training. This has got to be exhausting for him and he has a need to go golfing for hours at a time and frequently have entertainers at the White House. After 2 years on the job, he has yet to demonstrate that he has the potential to make command decisions using sound judgment. He does not understand what he is supposed to do because it is not in his DNA to be a leader.

Tom Carter | March 18th, 2011 at 4:06 am

Lisa, I’m not sure about The D. as a president. I think he’s more useful on the outside, building businesses, creating jobs, and criticizing politicians. But someone has to replace Obama, and I hope it happens next year. I don’t care whether it’s a Democrat or a Republican, to be honest — just someone who can do the job and has the interests of the U.S. as a first priority.

Obama has done the impossible — he’s made it look like we would have been better off with Hillary.

Lisa | March 18th, 2011 at 9:15 am

I agree with you, Tom. I was writing in half jest. Some of the Donald’s ideas are good and he certainly is bold. The Republican candidates who may run all have significant drawbacks. The ones with a good resume like Pawlenty or Daniels don’t seem to have the personality to compete in the campaign–I may be wrong. Hopefully the voters this time will be able to recognize a teleprompting hollow suit for what it is.

Tom Carter | March 18th, 2011 at 9:25 am

I’ve begun to wonder if maybe a Democrat could take the nomination away from Obama. That’s pretty far-fetched, under normal circumstances, but the way he’s going his party may have to take drastic action to preserve itself.

Lisa | March 18th, 2011 at 4:44 pm

If there are any Democratic contenders out there, they are being quiet.It would have to be a moderate to effect significant change or positive outcome. I guess I need to buy a case of wine and some popcorn so I can be prepared this summer to watch the candidates emerge!

Brian | March 21st, 2011 at 9:46 pm

I don’t think it really matters who runs next year. When QE2 ends in June, we’re going to be hurting enough that we’ll have to have another, bigger round of QE, and inflation will accelerate.