Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A Threat From the Sissies Across the Sea: Elect Obama or Deal With Us

The world's verdict will be harsh if the US rejects the man it yearns for
An America that disdains Obama for his global support risks turning current anti-Bush feeling into something far worse


Jonathan Freedland
From The Guardian
Hat tip to

Lew Waters

[highlighting and emphasis by Radarsite]

Wednesday September 10 2008
The feeling is familiar. I had it four years ago and four years before that: a sinking feeling in the stomach. It's a kind of physical pessimism which says: "It's happening again. The Democrats are about to lose an election they should win - and it could not matter more."
In my head, I'm not as anxious for Barack Obama's chances as I was for John Kerry's in 2004 or Al Gore's in 2000. He is a better candidate than both put together, and all the empirical evidence says this year favours Democrats more than any since 1976. But still, I can't shake off the gloom.

Look at yesterday's opinion polls, which have John McCain either in a dead heat with Obama or narrowly ahead. Given the well-documented tendency of African-American candidates to perform better in polls than in elections - thanks to people who say they will vote for a black man but don't - this suggests Obama is now trailing badly. More troubling was the ABC News-Washington Post survey which found McCain ahead among white women by 53% to 41%. Two weeks ago, Obama had a 15% lead among women. There is only one explanation for that turnaround, and it was not McCain's tranquilliser of a convention speech: Obama's lead has been crushed by the Palin bounce.

So you can understand my pessimism. But it's now combined with a rising frustration. I watch as the Democrats stumble, uncertain how to take on Sarah Palin. Fight too hard, and the Republican machine, echoed by the ditto-heads in the conservative commentariat on talk radio and cable TV, will brand Democrats sexist, elitist snobs, patronising a small-town woman. Do nothing, and Palin's rise will continue unchecked, her novelty making even Obama look stale, her star power energising and motivating the Republican base.

So somehow Palin slips out of reach, no revelation - no matter how jaw-dropping or career-ending were it applied to a normal candidate - doing sufficient damage to slow her apparent march to power, dragging the charisma-deprived McCain behind her.
We know one of Palin's first acts as mayor of tiny Wasilla, Alaska was to ask the librarian the procedure for banning books. Oh, but that was a "rhetorical" question, says the McCain-Palin campaign. We know Palin is not telling the truth when she says she was against the notorious $400m "Bridge to Nowhere" project in Alaska - in fact, she campaigned for it - but she keeps repeating the claim anyway. She denounces the dipping of snouts in the Washington trough - but hired costly lobbyists to make sure Alaska got a bigger helping of federal dollars than any other state.
She claims to be a fiscal conservative, but left Wasilla saddled with debts it had never had before. She even seems to have claimed "per diem" allowances - taxpayers' money meant for out-of-town travel - when she was staying in her own house.
Yet somehow none of this is yet leaving a dent. The result is that a politician who conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan calls a "Christianist" - seeking to politicise Christianity the way Islamists politicise Islam - could soon be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Remember, this is a woman who once addressed a church congregation, saying of her work as governor - transport, policing and education - "really all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God".

If Sarah Palin defies the conventional wisdom that says elections are determined by the top of the ticket, and somehow wins this for McCain, what will be the reaction? Yes,
blue-state America will go into mourning once again, feeling estranged in its own country. A generation of young Americans - who back Obama in big numbers - will turn cynical, concluding that politics doesn't work after all. And, most depressing, many African-Americans will decide that if even Barack Obama - with all his conspicuous gifts - could not win, then no black man can ever be elected president.

But what of the rest of the world? This is the reaction I fear most. For Obama has stirred an excitement around the globe unmatched by any American politician in living memory. Polling in Germany, France, Britain and Russia shows that Obama would win by whopping majorities, with the pattern repeated in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. If November 4 were a global ballot, Obama would win it handsomely. If the free world could choose its leader, it would be Barack Obama.
The crowd of 200,000 that rallied to hear him in Berlin in July did so not only because of his charisma, but also because they know he, like the majority of the world's population, opposed the Iraq war. McCain supported it, peddling the lie that Saddam was linked to 9/11. Non-Americans sense that Obama will not ride roughshod over the international system but will treat alliances and global institutions seriously: McCain wants to bypass the United Nations in favour of a US-friendly League of Democracies. McCain might talk a good game on climate change, but a repeated floor chant at the Republican convention was "Drill, baby, drill!", as if the solution to global warming were not a radical rethink of the US's entire energy system but more offshore oil rigs.

If Americans choose McCain, they will be turning their back on the rest of the world, choosing to show us four more years of the Bush-Cheney finger. And I predict a deeply unpleasant shift.

Until now, anti-Americanism has been exaggerated and much misunderstood: outside a leftist hardcore, it has mostly been anti-Bushism, opposition to this specific administration. But if McCain wins in November, that might well change. Suddenly Europeans and others will conclude that their dispute is with not only one ruling clique, but Americans themselves. For it will have been the American people, not the politicians, who will have passed up a once-in-a-generation chance for a fresh start - a fresh start the world is yearning for.

And the manner of that decision will matter, too. If it is deemed to have been about race - that Obama was rejected because of his colour - the world's verdict will be harsh. In that circumstance, Slate's Jacob Weisberg wrote recently, international opinion would conclude that "the United States had its day, but in the end couldn't put its own self-interest ahead of its crazy irrationality over race".
Even if it's not ethnic prejudice, but some other aspect of the culture wars, that proves decisive, the point still holds. For America to make a decision as grave as this one - while the planet boils and with the US fighting two wars - on the trivial basis that a hockey mom is likable and seems down to earth, would be to convey a lack of seriousness, a fleeing from reality, that does indeed suggest a nation in, to quote Weisberg, "historical decline". Let's not forget, McCain's campaign manager boasts that this election is "not about the issues."

Of course I know that even to mention Obama's support around the world is to hurt him. Incredibly, that large Berlin crowd damaged Obama at home, branding him the "candidate of Europe" and making him seem less of a patriotic American. But what does that say about today's America, that the world's esteem is now unwanted? If Americans reject Obama, they will be sending the clearest possible message to the rest of us - and, make no mistake, we shall hear it.
--------------------------------------------------------

A note from Radarsite: "If Americans reject Obama, they will be sending the clearest possible message to the rest of us -" The rest of us? Who the hell does this bespectacled little twit think he is? Take a good look at that face, folks. That's who is threatening us with dire consequences. Do you feel threatened? Somehow that particular face just doesn't do the job. Is this article as infuriating to you as it is to me? These little men. These worthless cowardly little men who cannot even bring themselves to fight for their own country in its time of mortal peril. These foppish elitists, who by their cowardly appeasements and unending accommodations to their barbarous Muslim invaders have given away the Keys to the Kingdom, who have meekly acquiesced in the destruction of their own great culture, now have the audacity to threaten us if we do not follow their demands and elect the president of their choice.

"But what does that say about today's America, that the world's esteem is now unwanted?" Exactly. We do not elect our presidents to earn the world's esteem -- or more precisely, your world's esteem. Your delusional, naive, and grossly misguided universalist, multiculturalist tinkering has plunged Britain into social and cultural chaos.

"Non-Americans sense that Obama will not ride roughshod over the international system but will treat alliances and global institutions seriously" Nothing you could have said could be more revealing of your Marxist intentions. A world run by global institutions. That's what this is all about, isn't it, Mr. Freedland? Your Grand Vision of a one world, one government, one judicial entity presiding over it all. But us crude Yanks are putting a monkey wrench into the gears of your great machine, aren't we? This stubbornly nationalistic America will not bend to the rule of your corrupt, self-interested international tribunals, or "Human Rights Organizations" run by monsters. We will remain what we always have been. Independent, individualistic and strong. And you will remain what you have always been: corrupt, weak and envious.

Save your empty threats for your murderous Muslim occupiers. See how they cower in fear before you.

To me, Mr. Jonathon Freedland, you represent everything that has gone wrong in our Western civilization. You are the symbol of weakness and capitulation, and your brave ancestors would summarily disavow you for your treacherous cowardice. There are just not enough adjectives in my limited vocabulary to adequately convey my contempt for you and for all that you stand for. You are trying to destroy all that is good and sacred in our fine and glorious Western Civilization and I hate you for it. - rg


For more on the world's highly emotional investment in an Obama presidency click here

11 comments:

  1. I read your blog often and enjoy what you have to say, but this is my first time posting a comment.

    Everything that you said is spot on. We do not elect our president based on what these other countries want. Obama says he will put America first. He is right. He will put us first under the bus as he attempts to placate the international community and he will use the B.S. excuse that he is trying to improve our status around the world.

    Its amazing how the author was so quick to point out the shortcomings of Sarah Palin, while ignoring all of the questionable associations of Barack Obama. Maybe the world would like to know that Obama is friends with a known terrorist. Maybe the world community loves Obama so much because he went to a church that damns America and all of the freedoms that it provides.

    To all of the folks that live in the United States of America and curse her, if you don't love it, leave it.

    Jon

    ReplyDelete
  2. My Dear Roger,

    A right good skewering. Here, here! (Incidentally, I believe Mr. Freedland also performs weekends at "The Cat's Meow" in Shepard's Bush as an Elton John impersonator.)

    Further UK Obama-mania revealed at the top-tier as well. See: http://churchillsparrot.blogspot.com/2008/09/well-that-cinches-it-america.html.

    Cheers,

    Charlie

    ReplyDelete
  3. So the gratitude hasn't change much. When are they going to stand up for themselves and follow the lead? I served in european theater in 1986-1989, not much has change other than fascism. Btw, I love this site, keep up the good work gentlemen.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't care if the rest of the world loves Obama. They aren't voting for him. They have the government that they want. A weak, ineffective nanny state. I want a government that will work for me, not hand me everything.

    That is why I am supporting John McCain and not Barack Obama.

    VICTORY '08

    ReplyDelete
  5. Most of what he said was run of the mill stupidity and ignorance, but these garbage assertions that Palin is "untouchable" where Obama isn't; that her lack of experience is ignored; that the racial equality of America is hanging in the balance -- these baseless claims have got to stop.

    The truth(s):
    -Neither Obama nor Palin are untouchable. Republicans are simply smart enough to touch the right places, whereas Democrats can't seem to stop talking about Palin's motherhood & pregnant daughter. If there are legitimate "touches" against her, they're being drowned out in a sea of anti-women, anti-family rhetoric.

    -Palin has infinitely more governing experience than Obama, Biden, and McCain combined. She's governed, what, 15 thousand people? The others have governed 0 between them. Let's see...15,000 divided by 0. You're not even allowed to perform that operation!

    -Put Clarence Thomas on the ballot and he'll win in a landslide. Put a conservative counterpart of Obama on the ballot, and he (or she) will win in a landslide. Americans are against Obama because of his policies and anti-American associations. Why, may I ask, are people for Obama? Many have openly stated that it's because he's black. Which side is racially enlightened again?

    ReplyDelete
  6. From this side of the ocean, I hope John McCain wins the Presidential election.


    NotreDame

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stay staunch Roger, the fact is that John McCain will be elected, and will be a great President. And there are many of us (and growing in number) out here in New Zealand who know that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks everyone. And a special thanks to Wake Up from New Zealand. We will stay staunch.
    rg

    ReplyDelete
  9. As I continue to say, if they really want Obama that bad, I will gladly contribute s much as I can to purchase a one-way ticket for him and his family to go to any European Nation that is willing to install him as their leader.

    I am sick and tired of hearing whiny Europeans castigate us for not electing a Black Leader when, throughout their lengthier history's, they have not even considered one and have minimal, if any, Black leadership in their countries.

    Let's send them Obama to lead the EU!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Europeans don't have the slighlest clue in how American politics run. The Europeans believe that politics and American politics is based mainly on foreign affairs. When it's only one aspect of how our government operates things. And like so many others articulated...we don't give a damn what other in the world want. It's not like we're electing a world leader. The next president will be presented with many problems which need immediate attention. And many of these problems are things that affect America. We need to address our own social and vexing problems before we look at the rest of the world. Of course the Europeans want Obama...he's a Socialist and that's what they are. Just because they (Europe) gave up their nations to other...doesn't means we should follow in their footsteps. Like another commenter stated. When are these people going to take a STAND on their own, instead of relying on America. If they don't like who the American people put into the office of the Presidency then maybe they shouldn't accept any of the economic aid and other assistance we provide for them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think it's silly to think the USA is an island that needs not pay any regard to any other country. We gave up isolationism back in World War II, and the choices we make effect people everywhere across the globe. Are you surprised that they have a preference? Naturally we vote based on what's best for America, not on what the world wants, but is it so crazy to think that working with other countries might be good for America?

    Basically everything you said is wrong. Some of the things the Brit said were wrong, but most of it was spot on.

    ReplyDelete