Posted on 09/21/2009 4:32:08 PM PDT by SJackson
Everybody is saying no to the American president these days. And it's not just that they're saying no, it's also the way they're saying no.
The Saudis twice said no to his request for normalization gestures towards Israel (at Barack Obama's meeting with King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia, and in Washington at meetings with Hillary Clinton). Who says no to the American president twice? What must they think of Obama in the desert kingdom?
The North Koreans said no to repeated attempts at talks, by test-launching long-range missiles in April; Russia and China keep on saying no to tougher sanctions on Iran; the Iranians keep saying no to offers of talks by saying they're willing to talk about everything except a halt to uranium enrichment; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is saying no by refusing to meet with Binyamin Netanyahu until Israel freezes all settlement construction; the Israelis said no by refusing to agree to a settlement freeze, or even a settlement moratorium until and unless the Arabs ante up their normalization gestures. Which brings us back to the original Saudi no.
The only thing Obama did manage to get Bibi and Abbas to say yes to is a photo-op at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in NY. Mazel tov.
So why is everyone saying no to Obama?
It's the economy, stupid.
Everyone has worked it out by now: The great secret is out. America's economy has made Obama a weak president, and he will likely remain weak throughout his first term. He has about two years to pull the American economy out of its free-fall before he begins his reelection campaign. If he can do it, and that's a big if, chances are good that he'll get reelected, and in his second term he can try to pull some geopolitical strings. But for the next three years, expect to see a world that says no to Obama. No meaningful and dramatic diplomatic initiative can come out of the White House in the next three years, as long as Obama remains weak.
And that's a real pity, because there are some serious and imminent issues that need to be addressed.
Pyongyang is getting more bellicose and not being punished. The North Koreans have violated every single international agreement and norm, and nothing tangible has happened to them.
In Iran, this registers. "Look at how bad they're being," the mullahs say, "and they're getting away with it." Even so, the Iranian government is weak internally and internationally following its election fiasco.
The US and EU could tighten sanctions against Iran without the support of Russia and China, but they would need political will for that. Sanctions, such as a ban on refined oil imports, barring Iranian flights to America and Europe etc., could have a serious impact on Iran and weaken the regime further. The US and EU can act now against Iran like the US and UK did against Libya several years ago when they persuaded Gaddafi to abandon his nuclear ambitions. Back then, though, the US was much stronger. Now, the American economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea have all weakened the US.
In retaliation for increased, unilateral sanctions, Iran could turn up the heat on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, which will stymie Obama's plan to win and withdraw. In Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran has the US president by the kishkes, in a manner of speaking. And so do the Taliban.
So, when a president with so many problems comes asking for a favor, everyone finds it easier to just say no.
Why? Because they see him as a weak president who will capitulate on their demands.
No mystery. He’s a coward.
And a charlatan.
These days, damn near everyone. I make a practice out of doing it at least once a day just for fun.
The stupid POS thinks his “power of personality” will be enough for people just to fall in line with what he wants.
He has spent so much time cloistered in liberal circles with like-minded people fawning over him, that I do believe it is a complete surprise to him that people might disagree and say “no”.
Pathetic.
The world has sized him up and found Obama to be an empty suit, with empty words. He has no standing or gravitas. Weakness earns no respect.
Why bother to bluff when you know your opponent will fold with 4 aces?
Would the be Hebrew for "short and curlies?"
If so, I am not convinced he has any. Or anything else down there for that matter.
In any event, I disagree. They are telling him no because there is no downside to it. He's giving them everything they want for free, so why pay?
Plus he's a wimp and there is always a certain sadistic pleasure in kicking a wimp while he's down.
Sorry it’s not the economy that makes Zero weak....it’s Zero that makes Zero weak....
didn’t you folks get the memo... THEY ARE ALL RACISTS. that is the only reason oblabo is being disrespected all over the world. racists. i heard it on nbc so it must be true./s
That was an interesting shot that Stephie took at OBOZO yesterday reading the definition of a TAX to the Alleged TOTUS! Even Stephie has removed his face long enough from th Butt end to start to question The Empty Suit.
Narcissists are unbearable. The President of smirk can’t utter one sentence without “I’s” and “my’s.” The narcissistic smirk really believes the world revolves around him just like a spoiled 1 year old. It’s so ugly.
What’s in it for them to say, “Yes”?
The more Obama weaken the US the less respected he becomes among other international leaders. The guy is a buffoon.
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