Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Obama still insists that his capitulatory diplomatic style is not detrimental to the United States, refusing to understand that it broadcasts a message of weakness to foreign foes. Last month I wrote about his willingness to forgive the despot Castro for his prison-camp country, choosing to ignore the half-century old policy of shunning for that of detente. Since then we have witnessed the president of the United States bowing to the Saudi King despite what Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs may say. (Yes Charles, it was a bow.)

Also recently concluded was Obama's Latin American leg of his Forgive Us Our Trespasses World Tour in which he was seen yukking it up with Hugo Chavez; in between mea culpas, of course. Chavez - to hear Obama tell it - was "gracious enough" to offer the well-read president a book. The book was titled Open Veins of Latin America, circa 1971 by Eduardo Galeano, a running complaint of American and British "imperialism" in Latin America. Perhaps Chavez endeavored to further Obama's education, since only a month ago he dismissed Obama as an "ignoramus."

I did not see any mention of the president offering a gift to Chavez, but I would hope that he reciprocated with a book titled something like, Che Guevara Was a Murderous, Communist Scumbag. I'm sure Hugo Chavez would have beamed at such an offering as did Obama.

Perhaps more disturbing than Obama's obsequiousness is his detached-from-reality belief that his electoral win was somehow a validation of his policies thus far. He says that the election was a referendum of sorts on the argument that U.S. solicitude toward foreign leaders could be seen as "weakness." The election was a referendum on nothing more than a multitude of misguided Americans so desperately wanting their first Black president that they shrugged off all reason for insane exuberance. Many of them now - not all, to be certain - are questioning their own judgement. The polls have been falling in only his first few months as president. While his approval rating has dipped by less than ten points, those who disapprove have nearly tripled.

It should be cause for concern among all Americans when our enemies hold our president in higher esteem than do his own constituents. Even more so when that president, through his own contrite demeanor, is directly responsible for that esteem. Bill Clinton made decisions based on polling data, sure, but at least he governed based on how many Americans he could get to "like him".

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