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No real cause for concern? The Obama genuflection, again
Washington Times ^ | June 22, 2009 | Mark Steyn

Posted on 06/22/2009 6:32:33 AM PDT by La Lydia

...For the Obama administration, (Iran) presents a particular challenge - because the president's preferred rhetorical tic is to stake out the two sides and present himself as a dispassionate, disinterested soul of moderation...That was pretty much his shtick on abortion at the University of Notre Dame...So in his recent speech in Cairo, he applied the same technique. Among his many unique qualities, the 44th president is the first to give the impression that the job is beneath him - that he is too big and too gifted to be confined to the humdrum interests of one nation-state. As my former National Review colleague David Frum put it, the Obama address offered "the amazing spectacle of an American president taking an equidistant position between the country he leads and its detractors and enemies."

What would you make of that "equidistance" if you were back in the palace watching it on CNN International? Maybe you would know that, on domestic policy, Obama uses the veneer of disinterested arbiter as a feint.

Or maybe you'd just figure that no serious world leader can ever be neutral on vital issues...

And so, when the analysts had finished combing the speech, they would have concluded that the metamessage of his "equidistance" was a prostration before "stability" - an acceptance of the region's worst pathologies as a permanent feature of life.

The mullahs stole this election on a grander scale than ever before primarily for reasons of internal security and regional strategy. But Obama's speech told them that, in the "post-American world," they could do so with impunity. Blaming his "agents" for the protests is merely a bonus: Offered the world's biggest carrot, the Ayatollah Khamenei took it and used it as a stick. He won't be the last to read Obama this way.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: iran; iranviolence2009; islam; moralequivalency; steyn
As usual, Mr. Steyn gets right to the heart of the matter.
1 posted on 06/22/2009 6:32:34 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia

Bump and Mark for Later Read.


2 posted on 06/22/2009 6:35:49 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Iraq: it's not about Iraq anymore, it's about the USA!)
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To: La Lydia
...the president's preferred rhetorical tic is to stake out the two sides and present himself as a dispassionate, disinterested soul of moderation.

I thought the Clintons had a patent on "triangulation?"

3 posted on 06/22/2009 6:39:37 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: La Lydia
Good analysis, and read...

"We're Coming...

4 posted on 06/22/2009 6:41:32 AM PDT by devane617 (Republicans first strategy should be taking over the MSM. Without it we are doomed.)
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To: La Lydia

Anybody who’s looking for world leadership better not look to America for the next three years.


5 posted on 06/22/2009 6:45:08 AM PDT by nina0113
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To: La Lydia

[Obama uses the veneer of disinterested arbiter as a feint. ]

Steyn nailed it here. Obama is a one trick pony. Unfortunately, looking cool only works for so long until people catch on to your shtick.


6 posted on 06/22/2009 7:05:39 AM PDT by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: La Lydia
Among his many unique qualities, the 44th president is the first to give the impression that the job is beneath him - that he is too big and too gifted to be confined to the humdrum interests of one nation-state.

Great turn of phrase...

7 posted on 06/22/2009 7:20:43 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Obamanation: an imploding administration headed by a clueless schmuck)
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To: COBOL2Java
Among his many unique qualities, the 44th president is the first to give the impression that the job is beneath him - that he is too big and too gifted to be confined to the humdrum interests of one nation-state.

And the Newsweak reporter fell for it....claiming Obama was above it all like God. Just effing unbelievable.

8 posted on 06/22/2009 7:38:15 AM PDT by Aria ( "The US republic will endure until Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the people's $.")
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To: La Lydia
Apparently from one of zero's speeches; personally I can't bring myself to read or listen to a word he says: "I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal."

I don't normally use this kind of language, but what a total, complete, #*$&^@ idiot! And that goes for all the people who slither behind him licking up every word he excretes.

9 posted on 06/22/2009 7:39:29 AM PDT by VoiceOfBruck (Fear the forehead!)
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To: La Lydia

Steyn is right about Obama’s supercilious demeanor and about his ideology. I had the same sick feeling as I watched Obama speak.


10 posted on 06/22/2009 7:55:57 AM PDT by Havisham
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To: La Lydia
...the Obama address offered "the amazing spectacle of an American president taking an equidistant position between the country he leads and its detractors and enemies."

The man should have run for President of the World.

11 posted on 06/23/2009 1:50:34 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Iraq: it's not about Iraq anymore, it's about the USA!)
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To: La Lydia
The president of the United States can make nice to his hunkalicious munificence the supremely supreme leader of leaders (peace be upon him) all he wants, but it won't be reciprocated.

Our President is going to cause World War IV before long.

12 posted on 06/23/2009 2:12:16 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Iraq: it's not about Iraq anymore, it's about the USA!)
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To: La Lydia; NormsRevenge; Marine_Uncle; SolidWood; Straight Vermonter; G8 Diplomat; Man50D; ...
Another thread with commentary:

Iranian leaders will always believe Anglo-Saxons are plotting against them.

13 posted on 06/23/2009 11:25:09 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Support Geert Wilders)
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To: La Lydia

Today obambi the cowards says WE ARE GOING TO BEAR WITNESS TO THE DEBATE IN IRAN!

How do you say COWARD in other languages?

COBARDE spanish


14 posted on 06/23/2009 11:57:27 AM PDT by TomasUSMC ( FIGHT LIKE WW2, FINISH LIKE WW2. FIGHT LIKE NAM, FINISH LIKE NAM)
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To: La Lydia; Ernest_at_the_Beach; SolidWood
Who are the leaders in Iran right now?
15 posted on 06/23/2009 1:27:21 PM PDT by Allegra ( Iran Azadi!)
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To: Allegra

I think that is a good question....BUT....I think the little runt will keep the answer confused...but I think he is taking over from the Mullahs...


16 posted on 06/23/2009 2:03:16 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Support Geert Wilders)
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To: Allegra; Ernest_at_the_Beach

Right now? Humpty Dumpty. And he is in the process of climbing a very high wall on a ladder with some missing rungs. Soon he will be on the top. The top of the wall is quite narrow. And very slippery at best. The camels and men are at the bottom waiting with their green sheet of muslim cloth, just in case.


17 posted on 06/23/2009 4:15:08 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle
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