Oh.
My.
God.
My thoughts exactly. Sorry, I was typing fast and “welling” was actually “well-being”. Here is a corrected version of Obama’s supplication to Hugo Chavez and the rest of the attendees...
Excerpts:
“Our well-being has been set back by a historic economic crisis.”
“Our safety is endangered by a broad range of threats.”
“...we have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms. But I pledge to you that we seek an equal partnership.”
“There is no senior partner and junior partner in our relations; there is simply engagement based on mutual respect and common interests and shared values.”
“We joined with our G20 partners to set aside over a trillion dollars for countries going through difficult times, recognizing that we have to provide assistance to those countries that are most vulnerable.”
“We're also committed to combating inequality and creating prosperity from the bottom up.”
“I've asked Congress for $448 million in immediate assistance for those who have been hit hardest by the crisis beyond our borders.”
“The dangers of climate change are part of a broad range of threats to our citizens...”
“...the United States is a friend of every nation...”
“The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba.”
“The United States will be willing to acknowledge past errors where those errors have been made.”
“the American people have to get some positive reinforcement if they are to be engaged in the efforts to lift other countries out of the poverty that they're experiencing.” (my comment - WTF!!!!!!!!!!!)
“...I pledge to you that the United States will be there as a friend...”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/17/obamas-opening-remarks-summit-americans/
By all reports in the Japanese media, and some in the South Korean media, THESE DUDES think that joke in the White House is a total pushover.
This was the top, front page story in Pyongyang news tonight in North Korea, announcing in a rare moment, the full North Korean military leadership and continuing on war mode. And of course they are now going back full force into nuclear weapons production as we speak, kicking out UN nuclear inspectors two days ago including a US team living in North Korea, after boldly shooting the ICBM missile over where I currently am (two weeks ago), all because they detected the weakness of our new President, and a number of "once in a lifetime" openings. A top Obama aide said they (Obama Administration negotiators) would go anywhere ASAP to talk with Pyongyang one on one, after the missile launch and to cool tensions. The absolutely LAST thing you would want to say! This is the scene here in Asia and in Asian strategy mindsets, as EXTREME WEAKNESS AND KOWTOWING TO AVOID A FIGHT. Obama be baaaad news, for sure.