Obama's Nobel Speech
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:56 pm
OK, let's get real now.....that had to be one of the best statements on US policy in my lifetime. It's good to hear the initial talking head feedback: some conservatives, some liberals and all moderates seem to have liked it. Hell, for vast parts of the thing, you are left thinking that had George Bush been able to present the case that well, we might be in much better shape, worldwide, as Obama was merely putting rationale to several Bush policies.
At any rate, for those that missed it, Obama can be quickly paraphrased: " Look, we in the US really didn't ask for the job, but you all have basically left World Security up to us. Given that fact, sometimes there are situations where no amount of reason or negotiation is talking some folks out of trying to kill us, or hurt our nation. We therefore reserve the right, as we see fit, to kick the shit out of them. Peace is a nice ideal, but governments cannot live in an ideal world, they deal with reality."
Now, as to what the rest of the world took home from the speech, I would be fascinated. However, just understand, that speech was aimed, squarely, at the American people(and not coincidentally, the American Voter). The less bombastic, but still rather strong case Obama made for some American actions, coupled with increased participation and input from the rest of the world, is what the vast bulk of Middle America wants to see. Some conservatives accept this nuanced approach as well, as do pragmatic liberal/progressive types. But the huge chunk that makes up the middle feels pretty much as Obama layed it out today. It should be interesting to see some of the responses, stateside.
edited to reflect the fact that I have lived but once....
At any rate, for those that missed it, Obama can be quickly paraphrased: " Look, we in the US really didn't ask for the job, but you all have basically left World Security up to us. Given that fact, sometimes there are situations where no amount of reason or negotiation is talking some folks out of trying to kill us, or hurt our nation. We therefore reserve the right, as we see fit, to kick the shit out of them. Peace is a nice ideal, but governments cannot live in an ideal world, they deal with reality."
Now, as to what the rest of the world took home from the speech, I would be fascinated. However, just understand, that speech was aimed, squarely, at the American people(and not coincidentally, the American Voter). The less bombastic, but still rather strong case Obama made for some American actions, coupled with increased participation and input from the rest of the world, is what the vast bulk of Middle America wants to see. Some conservatives accept this nuanced approach as well, as do pragmatic liberal/progressive types. But the huge chunk that makes up the middle feels pretty much as Obama layed it out today. It should be interesting to see some of the responses, stateside.
edited to reflect the fact that I have lived but once....