the New Softer Gentler Obama has been taking his Mellow Lessons from Californias Governor Jerry Moonbeam....very VERY seriously
Posted on 03/25/2014 11:56:41 AM PDT by TomAdkinsCC
UKRAINE-WAS BARACK OBAMA ACCIDENTALLY RIGHT? By Tom Adkins
Not again! World nasty boy Vladimir Putin waltzed into the Ukraine, waded through a war of words and snatched Crimea. But where is America? No anger? No troops on the ground? No saber rattling? The world is shocked! Where's the USA? When thugs attack, America always rides to the rescue. Doesn't President Obama know the script? Instead, Barack Obama has that impotent deer-in-the-headlights look, as another nasty dictator drives a stake into his tattered foreign policy. It’s Obama’s fault! Right????
No. Not this time. Sure, Obama’s ankle-grabbing geopolitical diplomacy has entered legendary status. But I’m not plopping a pile of blame upon our President for this one. Crimea has been a long-term, team effort. And even if by accident, Barack Obama has created a massive silver lining we are all ignoring.
One hundred years ago, Kaiser Wilhelm attacked Europe. America bailed them out. Thirty years later, the Nazi war machine overran Europe. America bailed them out. Over the next 30 years, the USSR gobbled up half of Europe. Once again, the good ole’ USA Cold War victory bailed them out. Sound familiar? For all their haughtiness, pomposity, and whatever other description you may offer this sniveling insufferable continent, Europeans refuse to defend their freedom. Instead, they depend…no, demand Americans die for European freedom. It’s time that changed.
First, let’s consider how we got here.
Whether by communist dictators, or today’s kleptocratic thug-ocracy, the bumbling Russian economy has enjoyed only one reliable source of cash: Energy exports. After Reagan’s Cold War victory and USSR dissolution, the next three decades witnessed old-dog socialist nations from China to Moldova abandon inefficient state-run economies and unleash capitalism. World-wide GDP tripled. Of course, oil demand drove prices from $17 a barrel to $100. Natural gas followed. And as America dithered over energy production, Russia vastly expanded gas exports to Europe.
As the USSR fell, NATO extended invitations to all Eastern block nations. (ironically, even Russia) Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Check Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovania accepted. But Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine refused. (Think there’s wistful regrets in Ukraine tonight about that NATO invite?) Meanwhile, America has rethought our world policeman status. Americans typically accept sacrifice to defend others from tyranny, but our taste for unquestioningly paying and dying for unappreciated freedom has grown rather bitter. Today, after a century of supporting their insolent laziness, Europeans have clearly worn out our palate, neatly fitting Obama’s neo-leftist American power shrinkage.
And thus, Vladimir Putin watched a tired America, led by an uninterested Barack Obama, and a smug, dependent, and perpetually unprepared Europe, ripe for economic and military blackmail. The table was set. The feast prepared. And Putin bit off a fat chunk of Ukraine. Now, he’s sniffing for more.
In a magnificent irony, Europeans once cheered as Obama remodeled our foreign policy to fit their shoulder-shrugging Euro philosophy. Now, those Eurosnots who perpetually snarked about American imperialism? You can bet their fingers are nervously tapping the phone, speed dial set to “USA PREZ.” But they dare not. As of Feb 24, 2014, every European wonders: Without American backup…should I annoy a nuclear-armed adversary who supplies 25% of my energy? Nyet. Essentially, Putin has Europe by the pipes.
It may take time, but Barack Obama’s silver lining will become apparent. Those who argue Obama’s progressive “diminished America” vision is dangerous? Remember: Rand Paul’s ultra-right libertarian vision isn’t much different. Americans now think hard before fighting battles for unappreciative nations. Europe could have built its defenses and expanded its energy sources. They didn’t. Ukraine could have joined NATO. They didn’t. They all could have respected America. They didn’t. Now, after 100 years of American Protection, this long history of naïve arrogance has caught up to Europe. Crimea is an abrupt slap. So, will the fractious Europeans finally commit to defending their freedom? We’ll see. But if they don’t? This time, Europe may end up digging themselves out of tyranny. Regardless…I just can’t blame Barack Obama. Not this time. Even if he got it right by accident.
Tom Adkins is the host of the TV show "Tommy's Garage"
Europe has been a tyranny for decades now. After embracing every kooky left-wing idea on the planet, these thugs deserve a good punch in the nose.
In before the Humblegunner whine and moan!
IBTHWM
There was a time when I would have strenuously disagreed with you. The strategic interests of America. .balance of power. .global economic blah-blah. ..
But this isn’t really America anymore. .your points are well made and hard to argue against.
This analysis ignores one gigantic fact. We’re obligated by treaty (NATO) to come to Europe’s aid in case of conflict. Even Barry Soetero can’t ignore that.
I'm not so sure about that - his oath of office doesn't cover treaties. It does cover the Constitution and he has no trouble ignoring it, and it's been around a lot longer than any treaty.
Sure he can. Just watch.
We (and other countries) ignore treaties all the time.
Wanna bet?
By accident? What a weasel excuse for supporting Obama’s diminished America. Why not state it outright?
Go into any British pub and talk like that.
I’ll take that bet and take your money.
Yeah sure. Keep living in your fantasy land. The current occupant of the White House won’t lift a finger to stop Putler.
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