Is the President Bored by Foreign Policy?

[cpwill]

I’d say that about sums up a rather important part of this President’s approach to foreign policy. He’s just plain old bored by it.

…The problem for a President who makes any excuse to hit up a golf course or admits to watching tons of HBO is there are still events in the world happening outside his windows. People are desperate for American leadership and can’t wait for the killer on True Detective to be revealed.

Nobody in Kiev is interested in the fallout of the Red Wedding.

Nobody in Venezuela cares about the fate of Zoe Barnes.

Obama and his administration can’t wait to inject themselves into pop culture as it suits their narratives. If Lego Movie is number one at the box office, the Secretary of State is referencing global warming to 3D movies. If the Super Bowl is trending on social media, out come the football analogies. Michelle Obama is on Jimmy Fallon’s new Tonight Show and Joe Biden on Seth Meyer’s follow up. Actors pushing health care that they themselves refuse to sign up for. What message does it send the world when cries for democracy in Ukraine and Venezuela are met with silence, but tweeting about a cable show is paramount?

…At the height of violence that erupted with both protests this past weekend, where was he? Hosting a Hollywood premiere style party for #GeorgeClooney and cast of his film #TheMonumentsMen, in private at the White House, simply because he could. Right now in Kiev, historical statues and art are being burned in front of the world. He was content to remain silent and watch a movie about it happening instead. The real world does not interest this President. The set design does.

@BarackObama (an account run by these people) can tweet about House of Cards Spoilers but can’t be bothered to tweet a statement condemning violence from the regimes in Kiev and Venezuela and sign it -bo. Meanwhile millions of people globally are captivated by the live streams and Hugoesque images of revolution….

This is the eventual dilemma with electing a President under the superstar celebrity, media driven premise that Barack Obama was. Remember in 2008, this was not about electing another American politician to the Presidency. This was a citizen of the world, drawing outdoor crowds of over 70,000 people. This was a transcendence, not an election.

Oprah cried.

Candidate Obama stepped up in front of the world and told us that this was the time we all began to heal. All over the world the same nations that yesterday believed this mysterious Kryptonian figure, now ignore him for the thrill of a molotov cocktail….

I wrote about this very thing last August when riots escalated in Egypt and the Administration’s top officials were all on vacation except for Joe Biden, who was talking to a camel. I’m forced to raise it again because of the current calamities in the Ukraine and Venezuela and here the country is once again forced to reconcile a disinterested President, completely unengaged with the moment as it unfolds in front of the rest of us. Instead he’s focusing on the weather, truck fuel and George Clooney.

Once again, on opposite sides of the globe thousands of people took to the streets of their respective nations demanding change from the heavy handed governments they have been suffering under. Right between these two uprisings sits the United States, with a historical American President who has a Nobel Peace Prize sitting on his mantle collecting dust.

And he’s watching HBO.

The world is better off when America leads. As for now, well, I hope they enjoy their “smart power”, because if the administrations proposed defense budget is any indication, they’re gonna get a lot more of it.

What's going on in the Ukraine matters. What's going on in Syria matters. What's going on in Venezuela matters. What is going on in Iran matters.

Remaining silent on casualties of uprisings not aligned with our President’s personal philosophies, matters. Thousands of people right now in Venezuela and Kiev are risking their lives – 140 characters at a time.

Barack Obama uses his Twitter account to talk about magnets.

His personal statement on Kiev finally came yesterday while visiting Mexico, warning the Ukrainian Government, “There will be consequences if people step over the line.” Four days after the violence had reached a zenith, resulting in the reported deaths of 25 people in Kiev and 9 in Venezuela.

What line exactly is left to be crossed Mr. President?

He’s content to ride the worst of these situations out until the very end when he issues his stern warning and then can claim credit for tempering the situation. Until then, hey Girls is on!

 

[MMC]

I’d say that about sums up a rather important part of this President’s approach to foreign policy. He’s just plain old bored by it.



The world is better off when America leads. As for now, well, I hope they enjoy their “smart power”, because if the administrations proposed defense budget is any indication, they’re gonna get a lot more of it.

What's going on in the Ukraine matters. What's going on in Syria matters. What's going on in Venezuela matters. What is going on in Iran matters.

Well you heard Hagel over the cuts.....according to him and his Team. We will still be able to Defeat a more technically advanced enemy. He didn't say how that was.....just that it would be so. :roll:

 

[brothern]

I agree. If congressional Republicans are being assholes, then screw 'em. There's plenty to be done in normalizing relations with Cuba and Iran, pursuing free trade agreements, speaking out on human rights abuses, and looking towards international diplomatic support for Venezuela, Ukraine and Syria.

Edit: And none of the above requires wasting billions on unused military support either. Good on Hagel and the cuts. Responsible spending for once!

 

[cpwill]

Well you heard Hagel over the cuts.....according to him and his Team. We will still be able to Defeat a more technically advanced enemy. He didn't say how that was.....just that it would be so. :roll:

We're going to improve our position in the middle of "pivoting" to the worlds' largest ocean space by cutting a carrier group. Then we're going to make our army a leaner, fitter force by switching field rations from MRE's to Krispy Kreme, and our Air Force a deadlier weapon by bringing back the biplane.

 

[Linc]

Well you heard Hagel over the cuts.....according to him and his Team. We will still be able to Defeat a more technically advanced enemy. He didn't say how that was.....just that it would be so. :roll:

Aren't those the same cuts the GOP House wanted?
This has been the President's problem, he keeps giving in instead of having one crisis after another.

After the BHO meeting he had today, Boehner must have told BHO he would have to trash him 90 minutes later on the House floor.
As well, please let DD Cheney know we always appreciate his reemergence as the conscience of the GOP .

 

[MMC]

I agree. If congressional Republicans are being assholes, then screw 'em. There's plenty to be done in normalizing relations with Cuba and Iran, pursuing free trade agreements, speaking out on human rights abuses, and looking towards international diplomatic support for Venezuela, Ukraine and Syria.

Edit: And none of the above requires wasting billions on unused military support either. Good on Hagel and the cuts. Responsible spending for once!

Only trouble there is.....those in our own backyard. Seem to have become worse in talks even over the simplest of negotiations.....which only deals with this Administration and the Democrats Support, and has nothing to do with Congressional Republicans. Other than when The Admin wants money.

 

[Ray410]

I agree. If congressional Republicans are being assholes, then screw 'em. There's plenty to be done in normalizing relations with Cuba and Iran, pursuing free trade agreements, speaking out on human rights abuses, and looking towards international diplomatic support for Venezuela, Ukraine and Syria.

Edit: And none of the above requires wasting billions on unused military support either. Good on Hagel and the cuts. Responsible spending for once!

This fantasy post is so incredibly far removed from the realities of present day geopolitics, there seems to be no redemptive starting point available whatsoever.

 

[SBu]

I’d say that about sums up a rather important part of this President’s approach to foreign policy. He’s just plain old bored by it.



The world is better off when America leads. As for now, well, I hope they enjoy their “smart power”, because if the administrations proposed defense budget is any indication, they’re gonna get a lot more of it.

What's going on in the Ukraine matters. What's going on in Syria matters. What's going on in Venezuela matters. What is going on in Iran matters.

Can you blame him? Most Americans don't care about international affairs. Of course there's a little detail that kind of changes things...he's the President and that office (still is?) the leader of the 'free' world.

Honestly, I don't think he's disinterested in international relations, I think he's retreated from them after finding out that the international arena is ruthless...and it is a zero sum game despite what Kerry may say. It is not sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows kumbaya sissy pansy BS, and world leaders aren't fooled by a sly tongue 'redefining' the subject

This administration is a mismanaged cluster **** of political idiots that care more about their agenda than anything else. The president could change that by showing some leadership and backbone, but I think he lacks it sadly. And it is sad. I don't like saying that, but it is the truth.

 

[justabubba]

I’d say that about sums up a rather important part of this President’s approach to foreign policy. He’s just plain old bored by it.

or more accurately, he is more judicious than his predecessor in placing America's military and treasure at risk in parts of the world where we are not welcome or needed

The world is better off when America leads.

why? if there is no need for America to be involved then we should stay the hell out
so many seem to want us to participate in drama for drama's sake
and that is as stupid to do nationally as it is individually

As for now, well, I hope they enjoy their “smart power”, because if the administrations proposed defense budget is any indication, they’re gonna get a lot more of it.

a military maintained to confront any enemy we can anticipate. seems that is adequate. more than that is a waste

What's going on in the Ukraine matters.

to the ukranians

What's going on in Syria matters.

to the syrians
or is it wiser to provide financial and military aid to a militant islamic opposition force ... anyone else recall how badly that went for our nation not so long ago?

What's going on in Venezuela matters.

to the venezuelans
but share with us the significance it should hold for Americans

What is going on in Iran matters.

to the iranians
a people who are rightfully wary of the US and our nation's propensity to topple their elected governments

 

[the_recruit]

I don't think he's bored by it so much as he's taking advantage of growing public antipathy toward any foreign involvement and using it to simply avoid tough decisions that carry substantial risks.

 

[MMC]

Aren't those the same cuts the GOP House wanted?
This has been the President's problem, he keeps giving in instead of having one crisis after another.

After the BHO meeting he had today, Boehner must have told BHO he would have to trash him 90 minutes later on the House floor.
As well, please let DD Cheney know we always appreciate his reemergence as the conscience of the GOP .

No as a matter of fact they are not. Which is why they went back and made sure about those Vets Benefits with the COLA remember. You weren't trying to paint it out that the GOP wanted any cuts made to Vet Retirees in any deal over Uncle Sequester and the Omnibus were you?

I don't know who you have been listening to. But when Mother Jones, and Salon, Huff Po, and the Hill and of course those ALL on the right are saying that Obama doesn't listen to anybody. Other than his inner circle. Then I don't see how you can even say Obama keeps giving in.

 

[Wiseone]

OMG the President plays golf, watches TV,and occasionally posts to twitter.

Someone get me my fainting couch and smelling salts

 

[Perotista]

Can you blame him? Most Americans don't care about international affairs. Of course there's a little detail that kind of changes things...he's the President and that office (still is?) the leader of the 'free' world.

Honestly, I don't think he's disinterested in international relations, I think he's retreated from them after finding out that the international arena is ruthless...and it is a zero sum game despite what Kerry may say. It is not sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows kumbaya sissy pansy BS, and world leaders aren't fooled by a sly tongue 'redefining' the subject

This administration is a mismanaged cluster **** of political idiots that care more about their agenda anything else. The president could change that by showing some leadership and backbone, but I think he lacks it sadly. And it is sad. I don't like saying that, but it is the truth.

You're right about most Americans not giving a care about what happens in the Ukraine, Syria or else where. In economic hard times most Americans do look inward. I think in Afghanistan, that country will go back to more or less tribal war and I think Karzi knows this. There is no good options in Syria and we might even be better off as a country if Aasad stays in power than have some Islamic Republic or a government controlled by AQ if the rebels win and oust Aasad. I really do not know what we can or could do in Venezuela outside of ratcheting up some rhetoric that we probably wouldn't back up.

I do think we should know by know that if the American people are not going to back a war, a intervention or even the use of force in a quick attack or two to prove a point. It is probably better to do nothing.

Is the president still the leader of the free world? That may depend on how you are using the phrase and in what capacity you are referring to. If being the leader of the free world means we are continuing to be the worlds policeman, then the answer is no. We shouldn't be. The time has arrived to let most countries sort things out for themselves. We are a country almost 18 trillion in debt, we better start concentrating on that and how to bring it under control or we will be looking for help from the rest of the world instead of the rest of the world looking for help from us.

 

[Linc]

Which is why they went back and made sure about those Vets Benefits with the COLA remember. You weren't trying to paint it out that the GOP wanted any cuts made to Vet Retirees in any deal over Uncle Sequester and the Omnibus were you?

My post had ZERO to do with the Rep. Ryan cuts to Veteran Benefits with the COLA, now that you bring them back up?
That was settled last December whe Sen. Murray received Rep. Ryan's proposal to cut Veterans Benefits .

 

[Linc]

I don't know who you have been listening to. But when Mother Jones, and Salon, Huff Po, and the Hill and of course those ALL on the right are saying that Obama doesn't listen to anybody. Other than his inner circle. Then I don't see how you can even say Obama keeps giving in.

I don't listen to or read any of those left-wing rags you mentioned.
If some RW rantor wants another link, I might have to use them.
I prefer RW links, just to make you STFU .

 

[Wiseone]

I can't tell if the people who read this kind of trash are just naturally stupid or if its just partisanship that overwhelmed an otherwise intelligence person.

 

[MMC]

My post had ZERO to do with the Rep. Ryan cuts to Veteran Benefits with the COLA, now that you bring them back up?
That was settled last December whe Sen. Murray received Rep. Ryan's proposal to cut Veterans Benefits .

Which came thru the cuts brought on by Obamas budget.....and the Omnibus as well as all those Cuts thrown in by the Democrats specifically to the DOD and targeting Veteran Retirees with Uncle Sequester. Until they wanted to get rid of the Good Ole Uncle once discovering how much it affects their programs and limits their spending.

Now you got Hagel once again out in front talking about going after Retiree Veterans. But nice try.....none are paying that much attention to the lip service the Democrats tout about Vets on how much they honor them.

 

[MMC]

I don't listen to or read any of those left-wing rags you mentioned.
If some RW rantor wants another link, I might have to use them.
I prefer RW links, just to make you STFU .

Yeah well from what I can tell.....when one is batting next to zero even to the point of falling into the negatives. Then it time to find that wisdom and change tactics.

 

[Linc]

Which came thru the cuts brought on by Obamas budget.....

That Damned Obama hasn't passed a budget since he's been here and you blame the budget on Obama.:lamo
Besides, Obama is not one of the staffers who wrote Rep. Ryan's budget to cut Veteran's benefits.

Rep. Ryan is particularly pissed at fellow GOP House members fror stabbing him in the back,
and will be watching them tomorrow when House Chairman Dave Camp puts out his TAX Reform bill.
Fascinating stuff.

Ryan takes over Ways and Means next year, so GOPs should be very wary.
Cantor and Boehner are sick of their whiny caucus in private and let Chairman Camp go forward with the TAX reform.

Ryan will be back after your COLA next year .eace

 

[Linc]

You know, I wish you could be MCC so I could call you one divided by Einstein.
That would have you approaching zero of course, as 1/infinity often does .

Yeah well from what I can tell.....when one is batting next to zero even to the point of falling into the negatives. Then it time to find that wisdom and change tactics.

 

[SBu]

You're right about most Americans not giving a care about what happens in the Ukraine, Syria or else where. In economic hard times most Americans do look inward. I think in Afghanistan, that country will go back to more or less tribal war and I think Karzi knows this. There is no good options in Syria and we might even be better off as a country if Aasad stays in power than have some Islamic Republic or a government controlled by AQ if the rebels win and oust Aasad. I really do not know what we can or could do in Venezuela outside of ratcheting up some rhetoric that we probably wouldn't back up.

I do think we should know by know that if the American people are not going to back a war, a intervention or even the use of force in a quick attack or two to prove a point. It is probably better to do nothing.

Is the president still the leader of the free world? That may depend on how you are using the phrase and in what capacity you are referring to. If being the leader of the free world means we are continuing to be the worlds policeman, then the answer is no. We shouldn't be. The time has arrived to let most countries sort things out for themselves. We are a country almost 18 trillion in debt, we better start concentrating on that and how to bring it under control or we will be looking for help from the rest of the world instead of the rest of the world looking for help from us.

I don't disagree with most of what you said. I do take issue of your use of 'world's police'. That is simply a phrase thrown around to discredit American influence and power...and more often than not, justified interventions whether to protect interests, play a humanitarian role, or influence ideology. I'm well aware that I could offer you an example of positive American intervention and you could offer an example of the opposite, but I think taken altogether, it is a positive role. When we withdraw, those countries...I should say adversaries that have been dormant, take advantage and fill the void.

I don't care about the ME or the '-stans'. Our intervention there has been disproportionate to what the potential gains could ever have been. I've argued on other threads that we should tactically disengage from that region until a coherent situation develops that allows us to reengage in a coherent way. What I care about are the big dogs: Russia, China (really the Asia pacific region). The strategic game is back on, but we refuse to recognize it: Kerry: "This is not a zero-sum game, this is not West versus East." Unfortunately, he can't change reality with words.

You make a good point about our debt. I would agree that it could be affecting what we do, but I have to disagree. It hasn't stopped us from creating trillion dollar programs and expanding social welfare programs at home. Seems like we have plenty of money (credit) for that.

 

[MMC]

You know, I wish you could be MCC so I could call you one divided by Einstein.
That would have you approaching zero of course, as 1/infinity often does .

Yeah I know.....all that reality does tend to get in the way. :lol:

 

[Linc]

You never did address my comments on DD Cheney.
We do appreciate you guys bringing DICK out of moth balls against a former Republican Senator from Nebraska .

Yeah I know.....all that reality does tend to get in the way. :lol:

 

[BigRedChief]

OMG the President plays golf, watches TV,and occasionally posts to twitter.

Someone get me my fainting couch and smelling salts

He could have created at least a couple of wars in that time.

 

[MMC]

That Damned Obama hasn't passed a budget since he's been here and you blame the budget on Obama.:lamo
Besides, Obama is not one of the staffers who wrote Rep. Ryan's budget to cut Veteran's benefits.

Rep. Ryan is particularly pissed at fellow GOP House members fror stabbing him in the back,
and will be watching them tomorrow when House Chairman Dave Camp puts out his TAX Reform bill.
Fascinating stuff.

Ryan takes over Ways and Means next year, so GOPs should be very wary.
Cantor and Boehner are sick of their whiny caucus in private and let Chairman Camp go forward with the TAX reform.

Ryan will be back after your COLA next year .eace

Obama’s Deficit Dodge.....

But that was just the first of four years of trillion-plus deficits. The last three budgets fall squarely under Obama. And, during that time, the federal government ran up deficits of $1.3 trillion in 2010, $1.3 trillion in 2011, and about $1.2 trillion in the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30 — for a total of nearly $5.2 trillion in deficit spending.

Now, affixing responsibility (i.e., blame) for mega-deficits and the ballooning federal debt is filled with ideological landmines. Obama doesn’t take responsibility for war spending, for example, even though he continued the spending and, in fact, increased U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan. He also doesn’t want to take the blame for the expense of creating the Medicare prescription drug program — although his federal health care law increased funding for it. (The law will gradually close the notorious doughnut hole that caused some seniors to pay nearly $2,000 in prescription drug costs because of a gap in coverage.)

Regardless of how you assess blame, this much we can say with certainty: Obama’s policies are responsible for more than 10 percent of the deficits accumulated over the last four years.

Consider that just two pieces of legislation he signed account for nearly a third of the $5.2 trillion in deficits since 2009:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus act, will cost $831 billion through 2019, according to the CBO. The administration estimates the stimulus at $800 billion through 2011.
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 extended the Bush tax cuts and cut the Social Security payroll tax for two years, as well as provided relief to some taxpayers who otherwise would have had to pay the alternative minimum tax. The 2010 tax act cost nearly $800 billion in 2011 and 2012.

The administration does not take responsibility for all of the spending in the 2010 tax act (which we will detail later). But Treasury accepts that the administration is responsible for another $410 billion in additional tax cuts and spending through 2011.

That means at a minimum the Obama administration is responsible for $2 trillion, or 39 percent of the $5.17 trillion in deficits since fiscal year 2009.

Treasury on Deficits

The Treasury analysis is an exercise in fixing blame for how the U.S. ended up with $6 trillion in deficits over the 10-year period instead of amassing $5.9 trillion in surpluses — as originally projected by the CBO in its report “The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2002-2011.”

Oops.....snip~

Obama’s Deficit Dodge