Last night, during his second scripted prime time press conference, President Obama made the claim that the world is looking at the country in a better light because of steps taken by his country.
That sounds pretty impressive. Let’s look at some of the steps Obama has taken to change the opinion others have of our great country.
After British Prime Minister Gordon Brown presented Barry with "an ornamental desk pen holder made from the oak timbers of Victorian anti-slaver HMS Gannet, once named HMS President," along with "the framed commission for HMS Resolute, a vessel that came to symbolise Anglo-US peace when it was saved from ice packs by Americans and given to Queen Victoria" and "a first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert," Barry gave him a stack of Hollywood DVDs that can’t even be viewed in the UK. That sent a good message. The Daily Mail wrote:
"Barack Obama, the leader of the world’s richest country, gave the Prime Minister a box set of 25 classic American films – a gift about as exciting as a pair of socks."
When Brazil came to town, the Obama Administration sent a similar message to the fifth largest country in the world:
Silva aides said the trip was pushed forward from Tuesday because of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday — making Latin America once again look like an afterthought. Then, the White House announcement misspelled his name as "Luis Ignacio" and put "Lula" — a nickname that decades ago became a legal part of the Brazilian leader’s name — in quotes.
Brilliant foreign policy.
Russia is looking at America in a better light, but that isn’t necessarily good for America. When Obama tried to use his great diplomacy on the Russians, saying he would consider not deploying a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic if they helped with Iran, Medvedev said that haggling would not "be productive." There was a time when America’s president was telling that to the Soviet leader. Now, it’s a reversal of roles. I’m sure the Russians like that better.
Obama sent a video to the leaders of Iran, again displaying his vast skills of diplomacy. In the video, he addressed not only the people of Iran, as most presidents do, but acknowledged the "Islamic Republic of Iran" and its leaders. This put the people struggling under a repressive regime and the oppressors on the same level. I’m sure the America loving Persians who hope for a free Iran really appreciated that gesture. He also said he looked forward to a relationship with Iran based on "mutual respect." This is a country directly responsible for the deaths of American military members in Iraq, and he offers them mutual respect. The only bright side is we don’t have to give them much, as they claimed Obama as no different than previous administrations.
Venezuela’s socialist dictator claimed that Obama was an ignoramus.
Mexico is mad that a spending bill Obama signed cuts off "financing for a pilot program that allows Mexican trucks to deliver goods across the United States."
The move clearly violates the North American Free Trade Agreement, which promised — starting in 2000 — to open cargo transport throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada to carriers from all three countries. This week, Mexico retaliated, leveling tariffs against $2.4 billion worth of American imports.
Obama also worried Canada for a while about trade because of protectionist measures written into the stimulus bill.
Have I missed anything? I mean, he has impressed so many people so far worldwide, I have to wonder if there is something I have forgotten. Tell me in the comments if I left something out.
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