Charles Krauthammer: Obama's trip abroad symbolizes America's decline

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | April 11, 2009 | Charles Krauthammer, M.D.

[2ndDivisionVet]

In his major foreign policy address in Prague committing the United States to a world without nuclear weapons, President Barack Obama took note of North Korea's missile launch just hours earlier and then grandiloquently proclaimed:

"Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must mean something. The world must stand together to prevent the spread of these weapons. Now is the time for a strong international response."

A more fatuous presidential call to arms is hard to conceive. What "strong international response" did Mr. Obama muster to North Korea's brazen defiance of a Chapter 7 -- "binding," as it were -- U.N. resolution prohibiting such a launch?

The obligatory emergency Security Council session produced nothing. No sanctions. No resolution. Not even a statement. China and Russia professed to find no violation whatsoever. They would not even permit a U.N. statement that dared express "concern," let alone condemnation.

[2ndDivisionVet]

He nails it!

[Caipirabob]

Obama carries all the cumulative authority and "gravitas" of a UN decree in Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

[angkor]

it was Mr. Obama ... who noted with satisfaction that a new financial order is being created today by 20 countries, rather than by "just Roosevelt and Churchill sitting in a room with a brandy." And then added: "But that's not the world we live in, and it shouldn't be the world that we live in."

Zer0's contempt for America is really becoming obvious.

Not only does he diss America constantly while overseas, but now he's dissing the historic alliances of WWII and thereafter.

I agree with the observation that he's got some kind of Jimmy Carter-like compulsion to denigrate his own country.

[RC one]

Obama’s dovish message is wrong with regards to countries pursuing nuclear weapons. His rhetoric belies his lack of conviction, his unwillingness to fight, and the weakness of the Democratic party that now undermines our national security (once again). Bush had the right idea with the nuclear bunker buster. That's a deterrent. Words are just...words.

[ME-262]

I believe we are now in Jimmy Carter’s second term.

[bgill]

Words are just words and Hussein knows how to use them. However, every day fewer people are listening.

[Earthdweller]

Maybe Krauthammer’s and Obama’s America has declined. I respectfully ask that they both keep their delusions/illusions off my America.

[The Great RJ]

Some of us were not fooled by the change BS in the campaign and knew Obama would be an appeaser, seek help from the UN rather than have a strong military to maintain US security and engage in pacifistic disarmament. Now the US is perceived as weak and even stymied by some Somali thugs in speedboats. Sadly our nation is now vulnerable and our enemies are emboldened. I shudder to think how Obama will respond when terrorists again strike on US soil.

[Mad Dawg]

Obummer: Now is the time for a strong international response."

Stop, or we'll yell 'Stop' again!

I know! The UN should impose such severe sanctions that the people of North Korea don't even have enough to eat! THEN they'll overthrow their Dear Leader.

Uh. Wait ... Okay. Maybe not. They've BTDT and didn't even get a t-shirt -- or a burial shroud.

[bill1952]

Jimmy Carter-like compulsion to denigrate his own country.

Aside from the effete liberal white trash who supported him and share the same outlook, hussein is a black muslim.
The predilection is obvious.

[Mad Dawg]

They would not even permit a U.N. statement that dared express "concern,"

Former Senator Daschle (I LOVE typing that!) (and current tax cheat) should be our ambassador tp the UN. He was ALWAYS concerned, deeply concerned, AND troubled about stuff. He'd teach 'em how to do it.

[bill1952]

Maybe Krauthammer’s and Obama’s America has declined

America has just elected a socialist Kenyan named Hussein as it's leader after the GOP put forth the execrable McCain as it's standard bearer.

And the population is now stupid enough to stand behind those decisions while it runs up trillions in deficit spending to entrench a single party in power, and concerns itself with American Idol and the next top model.

That is true decline.

[LibLieSlayer]

No, the headline does not “get it”. hussein has weakened the American Federal gooberment and is the weakest President that I have ever seen in my 54 years... but Americans are not weak and America herself is the people not the gooberment. Now 52% of those Americans that voted for this muzzie POS are weak of spine and mind... but they are not AMERICA. Otherwise... the article nails it nicely.

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

See my post below!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

Decline of the gooberment... not the People... read my post below yours.

LLS

[bill1952]

Unfortunately, the people are now completely “educated” by the government.

and the NEA and the American educational system (sic) have been relentlessly pursuing the dumbing down of America and their concomitant “agenda for change.” for decades

Decline? Its outright decadence.
Decadence: fallen from a higher plane or ideal.

[LibLieSlayer]

Well I guess we have done a much better job in Mississippi... and if they try to conquer us... they will find out.

LLS

[bert]

I think you are wrong. Many centers of population are in ruin or serious decline. Deeetroit, Philly, Clevealnd..... mere shells.

They are the Brown Clown’s power base and look for him for revival funded by theft of red zone wealth and prosperity.

[Venturer]

Kim Il Jung knows how strong Obama’s words are.

We can tell by how much attention he pays to them.

He is still laughing and probably getting another missile ready to fire.

[LibLieSlayer]

Those places were in decline since I was a kid... living in the South gives one the proper perspective.

LLS