Educating Obama

In which an earnest young man discovers it is better to be respected than liked; the NY Times ponders Obama's evolution on China.  I especially like this:

Mr. Obama’s turn to Asia was not precisely what he had in mind when he entered office. The shift emerged in fits and starts, after a first year in which critics, including the president’s aides, concluded that the United States had been too soft on China. In interviews, a dozen current and former administration officials described a White House that struggled to find the right tone with Beijing.

From his decision not to meet with the Dalai Lama in 2009 to his tightly constrained first trip to China, the president accommodated Chinese leaders in the hopes that the moves would translate into good will on issues like climate change or Iran’s nuclear program.

They did not. China spurned the United States on climate change standards, dragged its feet on efforts to pressure Iran and began bullying its neighbors over territorial claims in the South China Sea. That last development, in particular, persuaded the administration that the time for accommodation had come to an end.

“I certainly think we tested the limit of how far you can get with China through positive engagement,” said Benjamin J. Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser. “We needed to toughen our line in Year 2, and we did that.”

Fortunately, these lessons have been applied elsewhere in this canny White House:

To some extent, Mr. Obama’s learning curve on China parallels his early outreach to Iran: an initial hope that old adversaries could put aside their differences, followed by a jolting recognition of reality and the ultimate adoption of a realpolitik approach.

I am encouraged that it only took a year or two for Team Obama to stop believing their own BS. Well, some of it.

Comments

[surburbangal]

And just what tougher line on what issues was that change? Trade? only an election year posture. Asian relations? neutrality. Is there NO SPIN the NYT will not perform?

[squaredance]

OMG, Obama is in China's pocket.

What drivel. When will you people understand that Obama is a front man?

That idiot could not figure out how to design a usable toilet seat. Much darker--and much more powerful--forces are at work than Obama.

[Danube of Thought]

"Much darker--and much more powerful--forces are at work than Obama."

And what's worse, the Dark Forces are invinvible. There is no hope for us.

Tied at 47 in Gallup.

[Jack is Back]

Aren't they financing his campaign or is that the Russkies? So confusing.

[daddy]

Megyn Kelly is running video of Ronald Reagan giving a strong speech against terrorism.

Great job Megyn. The contrast between Ronald Reagan's strong words followed by actions and our "we apologize for the video" ad couldn't be clearer.

[Janet]

Maybe we could hire the little French guy to speak for us instead of BHO & HRC & JF'nK.

"“Muhammad isn’t sacred to me,” he said in an interview at the weekly’s offices on the northeast edge of Paris. “I don’t blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings. I live under French law; I don’t live under Quranic law.”
Charb said he
had no regrets and felt no responsibility for any violence.
“I’m not the one going into the streets with stones and Kalashnikovs,” he said. “We’ve had 1,000 issues and only three problems, all after front pages about radical Islam.”

He’s risking death. Parisian streets aren’t big enough for this guy’s stones. "

Charlie Don't Flinch

[fdcol63]

If you think the Muslim "street" is angry over that stupid YouTube video, just wait until they see the Hollywood movie glorifying Obama for killing OBL.

[daddy]

Really terrific job today by Megyn Kelly.

Sorry to keep praising her so much, but the current screen she has up is 6 different screens of ongoing Anti-American protests going on in India, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Pakistan, and Iran.

Even the dumbest, most in the tank apologist for Obama could look at that and not know that his Foreign Policy to the Islamic World is completely in tatters.

All they have left is trying to put the blame where it does not belong---either on some stupid video or on George Bush.

Megyn's show is exceptionally good today.

[Danube of Thought]

I wonder how the magnificent Pat Condell has remained upright.

[Janet]

Here's his latest, DoT. A Word to Rioting Muslims

[Mike]

Let me guess, many of you people also like Glenn Beck who is currently breathlessly breaking news on "The Project" which is apparently some muslim project to take over the world.

As conservatives, we have let ourselves atrophy intellectually . Big rating for Beck and Hannity are symptoms of this. This knee jerk hatred for Obama's foreign policy is another.

[Ranger]

Oh My... This one is going to leave a mark:

"By His Own Admission"

I'm sure the press will call it unfair though.

[Rob Crawford]

Let me guess, many of you people also like Glenn Beck who is currently breathlessly breaking news on "The Project" which is apparently some muslim project to take over the world.

If he's citing what I believe he is, he's quoting from Muslim Brotherhood documents.

And my "knee-jerk hatred" for Obama's foreign policy comes from knowing history, Mike.

Nice to know you're a life-long concerned conservative, though.

[Jack is Back]

I have to repeat myself: Pat Condell treats all organized religions equally. Before 911, while living in the UK, us Catholics were his main target. He is just another Bill Maher.

[Ike]

I am very concerned that you guys don't embrace our Savior, Obama, like I and the all true Christian conservatives have.

And I'm really angry that some people dare to exercise their free speech rights to disagree with our new Lord and actually criticize his policies!

I weep for your souls.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--When will you people understand that Obama is a front man?--

--Let me guess, many of you people also like Glenn Beck who is currently breathlessly breaking news on "The Project" which is apparently some muslim project to take over the world.--

The tell of an asshole.

[Rick Ballard]

RC,

Now, now - remember there are many, many people who embrace cogito, ergo dim sum with all of their ability.

Bless their hearts.

[Porchlight]

Concern troll is concerned.

[sbw]

Educating journalists:

The Ezra Kleins are afraid to know about the origins of this country because the government they helped create cannot stand up to the quality of what has gone before.

“Journ-o-lists“ sponsor hypocrites who would buy power temporarily for security that cannot last, bribing voters who do not see that once their choice is bought, the other path is gone forever.

[Jack is Back]

Mike and Ike are the same trolls.

[Clarice]

When do we invite Barack and Hillary to play poker with us?

[Danube of Thought]

"The Ezra Kleins are afraid to know about the origins of this country because..."

...it happened, like, a hundred years ago.

[MarkO]

Ranger. That has to be racist. After all, you are using his own words against him. You can't do that to that nice Mr. Obama. Bless his heart.

Obama? Ineducable.

[daddy]

Now Megyn Kelly has up 6 more different screens showing ongoing Mideast protests:

Egypt,, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Yemen.

Our Commuinity Organizer in Chief has done 1 hell of a fine job organizing the Anti-American Community.

[Jack is Back]

Now she tells us.

Hillary: Libyan Killings Were A Terrorist Attack.

Jay Carney is going to have fun today.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Could the guy hanging the empty chair please put Peggy Noonan's neck in the noose instead?

[Dave (in MA)]

Secret Service investigates empty chairs hanging in front yards.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/sep/21/va-man-no-lynching-connotations-strung-nobama-chai/

I don't recall them investigating when Sarah Palin was hung in effigy.

[Jack is Back]

Also, ION's, Romney releases his tax returns for 2011. $13.9 million income and $1.3 million in taxes but Byron York tweets the most interesting part:

"Romney donated $4,020,772 to charity, nearly 30% of income. Effective tax rate for 2011 was 14.1%."

Over to Stephanie Cutter and Ben LeBolt for the spin on how its a felony to make so much and launder it through the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and Charity.

[iqvoice]

My gosh, if the conservative base has atrophied intellectually, then the liberal base must be headed for the Death-Panel mandated euthanasia chambers, because they've been in a persistent vegetative state for the last four years. At least.

[Thomas Collins]

My guess is that the Obama Administration is pivoting on the reason for the attacks only because Axelrod's focus groups are indicating that they are seeing through the "video made the protestors do it" lie.

[Janet]

I don't recall them investigating when Sarah Palin was hung in effigy.

or when they set her church on fire. The signs I saw on the DC Mall about George Bush were just obscene. Nobody cared.

[Jack is Back]

The latest internet ad from Black Republican PAC.

I'd forgot about that speech. He talks like a dog to his own folks but coddles the Muslim world. Truly Christian of him.

[narciso]

Well it took three days, for them to finally acknowledge the Underwearbomber, it's taken the better part of a week and a half, I'm sure they realize Abu Sufyan will
soon pipe up with his own contribution,

[narciso]

Noonan is 'less than useless' maybe Prince Talal likes her copy,

[Thomas Collins]

I also think Obama's going through with his Letterman and Jay-Z gigs was Axelrod approved. I think Axelrod's theory is it's better to be partying while America is under attack as opposed to being at the White House working on the crisis, because the media is more likely to focus on POTUS's incompetence if POTUS is actually working.

The oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution? Well, that was so like a hundred or so years ago.

[Captain Hate]

Now she tells us.

Hillary: Libyan Killings Were A Terrorist Attack.

In the words of Tammy Bruce "Ding ding ding goes the drunken trolley"

[Danube of Thought]

12:09 today, CH.

[Frau Schuhwerk]

JiB- "talking to his own like a dog."

They should throw their shoes at the man. Given a chance, I would.

[Hr blockman]

"In response, the Romney campaign also announced that it will release a summary of 20 years of taxes, detailing his tax expenditures during those years:

In each year during the entire 20-year period, the Romney’s owed both state and federal income taxes.
Over the entire 20-year period, the average annual effective federal tax rate was 20.20%.
Over the entire 20-year period, the lowest annual effective federal personal tax rate was 13.66%.
Over the entire 20-year period, the Romney’s gave to charity an average of 13.45% of their adjusted gross income.
Over the entire 20-year period, the total federal and state taxes owed plus the total charitable donations deducted represented 38.49% of total AGI."

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/romney-to-release-2011-tax-returns-and-summary-of-last-20-years-at-3pm-et/

[centralcal]

Gabriel Malor ‏@gabrielmalor

Cheeky monkey. RT @RBPundit: WAIT. Romney released the tax returns while he's IN NEVADA?? I love that man.

[Soylent Red]

As conservatives, we have let ourselves atrophy intellectually . Big rating for Beck and Hannity are symptoms of this. This knee jerk hatred for Obama's foreign policy is another.

What you mean "we", kemosabe? And I hated Obama's foreign policy back before it became chic, i.e. when it was Jimmy Carter's foreign policy.

Our Commuinity Organizer in Chief has done 1 hell of a fine job organizing the Anti-American Community.

Is there any other kind of community that Community Organizers organize?

BTW, you can never praise Megyn Kelly too much.

I think Axelrod's theory is it's better to be partying while America is under attack as opposed to being at the White House working on the crisis, because the media is more likely to focus on POTUS's incompetence if POTUS is actually working.

Axelrod's theory is that if the JEF is seen to be working diligently on the various crises currently percolating, it is an admission that there are currently crises percolating. Hobnobbing with the glib and glitterati serves the dual purpose of exclaiming, Neidermeier-esque, that "All is well!" and, enlarging the money available for theft campaign coffers.

[Soylent Red]

Oh, and happy birthday cc. You don't look a day over 25.

[Frau Schuhwerk]

lol - It's TMIF in Pakistan.

[daddy]

Pseudo-bravery on display.

Controversial 'Piss Christ' art back in NY

[Janet]

That is a great observation, JiB. That CBC video was something.

[Frau Schuhwerk]

Woo-hoo, another JOM virgo! Happy birthday, cc.

[Captain Hate]

We've reached convergence, DoT

[Jack is Back]

Well according to this piece at Red State Mr. Qumu is tied to an Obama left wing donor organization.

More like Arab Fail.

[rse]

Well I am done with CLE for the year. Hooray!

And the typical lawyer has no idea what makes an economy work or why regulation might not ultimately be a panacea.

The Romney tax return reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw last week "Another Dressage Rider for Obama." It's sad what passes for clever these days.

And yesterday I parked by a new Mercedes when I went into an area club for a business breakfast about ed. Had an Obama Biden 2012 new sticker on back.

When I came out someone had put a yellow post it on drivers window detailing the Hope and Change that was not working for them.

[Thomas Collins]

From the article linked in JiB's 2:57 PM post:

"Even though the US military recommended he remain in custody, the far left and wildly misnamed Center For Constitutional Rights took on bin Qumu as a client and worked to get him released. They were successful and in 2007 he was returned to Libyan custody. He was released from prison as Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi tried to mend fences with radical islamists."

Count on the Omar Abdel-Rahman also being released if Obama wins and "transfers" Abdel-Rahman to the Egyptians as part of Obama's "flexibility for our enemies" program.

[Danube of Thought]

Guess those dudes won't get their million bucks.

[sbw]

Count on the Omar Abdel-Rahman also being released during the lame duck period -- along with a Rezko pardon -- if Obama loses.

[Captain Hate]

Well I am done with CLE for the year. Hooray!

Were you in Cleveland?

[Dave (in MA)]

He's effectively saying SUCK IT, REID even though his nature prevents him from ever saying anything like that.

Here's the Boston Globe spin; the headline used for the article is "Romney releases 2011 tax returns to end tough week", even though the actual article doesn't go into what made it a "tough week".

[Soylent Red]

When I came out someone had put a yellow post it on drivers window detailing the Hope and Change that was not working for them.

It's these tiny acts of insurrection that give me joy.

[sbw]

Drudge: "Paul Ryan booed at AARP after pledging 'Obamacare' repeal..."

Yaay! Tell it to their faces!

You can't get people to change their vote by telling them they are stupid. But Ryan has the skill to tell them they are stoopid, without using the word itself.

Talk about reality TV.

[daddy]

The Mass delusion continues:

Former White House director: Obamacare passed with the ‘will and desire’ of the American people

Say's it all in the headline. Just another Obama Administration clone unable to either recognize the truth or speak the truth. I'm not worried any longer trying to figure out which it is, but whatever it is the words coming out of her mouth are false.

[Ranger]

"Paul Ryan booed at AARP after pledging 'Obamacare' repeal..."

Yeah, well repealing Obamacare will cut several hundred million out of AARP's revenue stream over the next 10 years. No wonder they booed.

[sbw]

Ranger, yes, they were bought.

I used to belong to AARP when I thought they were advocates for senior citizens instead of the association.

Now I just send back their post-paid solicitations with my answer: No.

[Appalled]

Herman Cain, ever the helpful surrogate, lets us know he would be leading Obama by a significant margin if he were the nominee, in the LUN.

[Jack is Back]

Just came back from school and saw my first a " I [heart] Obamacare". Of course, it was on the back window of a 20 year old rusted out pickup truck being driven by a guy with no teeth and nicotine stained fingers gripping a Pall Mall.

[narciso]

I couldn't find a CCR link to the late Al Shehri, but one of his relatives, who was
'dead parroted' back in 2010, shows up here;

http://www.politicalarticles.net/blog/tag/yousef-al-shehri/

[hrtshpdbox]

Herman Cain, ever the helpful surrogate, lets us know he would be leading Obama by a significant margin if he were the nominee, in the LUN.

No speaking slot at the convention, payback's a beeyotch.

[peter]

sbw, I send back my AARP mailings with a simple answer as well, but it is a little less polite.

[narciso]

Interesting that two of the attorneys, for that lad, who were also part of the John Adams
project, that 'outed' CIA officials, had their wiki's deleted.

[Stephanie]

SBW, Peter:

add all your other junk mail into the envelope and send it back, too. Or use a brick... ;)

[narciso]

And CCR has taken up the case of Muhammed Al Quahtani, of those quarrelsome lads, I've mentioned before

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Here is a much better reason to despair for our country than polls.
The Republican wave of 2010 produces an agriculture committee which passes a farm bill which spends $100 billion per year for five years, 80% of which goes to food stamps.
Fortunately it probably won't pass the house, but still, is anyone in DC serious besides the leftwing loons?

[sailor]

Well, JiB, let's hope that your guy in the pick up truck will be too lazy or too inebriated to vote!

[Stephanie]

cross posted

We don't belong [to AARP] and my husband just joined us up for some other group. Conservative. Called them to find out where our materials were since the payment had cleared and they said they were so backed up because they had more folks changing from AARP than they could handle and were adding more staff to process new memberships. AMAC if you are interested.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

http://www.citizenlink.com/2012/09/20/chick-fil-a-sets-the-record-straight-2/

[Sara]

I know I'm a sentimental fool sometimes, but did anyone else have an emotional reaction to seeing the final flight for Endeavor? The landing in L.A. caused a tear or two to well up. It seems so long ago and so much water under the bridge since I was at work at the newspaper in South Carolina and my husband called from his ship to tell us to find a TV and turn it on, Challenger had blown up in mid air. Our next door neighbor's college roommate was on that flight and it seemed to bring the tragedy closer to home as a result. And I remember how proud I was in 1983, working at another newspaper in San Diego, when the shuttle carried the first woman in space, Sallie Ride.

Watching an end of an era that started with the first Mercury astronauts. I feel blessed to have been able to share in these glorious achievements by the greatest country ever. I take some comfort that "Curiosity" is motoring around Mars and that the little Rover "Opportunity," launched as a 90 day mission in 2003 is still going and still sending back data and pics.

[Stephanie]

Thanks Charlie... just posted that on FB. MSM and progs lying? YGBSM!

[DebinNC]

One of my favorite ObamaCare debate videos involved a rude, dismissive AARP representative in Dallas who, faced with polite but direct questions from local members, angrily picked up her ball and went home in a snit when a gentleman, tired of getting the runaround from her, finally asked, "Do you work for us, or do we work for you?"

[Captain Hate]

Thanks ChaCo; I was pretty sure the initial reports were a crock and I'm a little disappointed that some here fell for the MFM garbage.

[Porchlight]

I read Charlie's link and am still confused. I'd like to see a statement from Chick-fil-A itself.

[LouP]

Let's face it - this election is coming down to Romney vs. the media.

[Porchlight]

BTW I thought the media reports about them caving sounded fishy, too, since they were so third-hand. But until I see something from Chick-fil-A that says "no, we're still giving money to Focus On The Family" I'm not sure I'll believe it.

[Stephanie]

They are fishy like Rosie's Garden Spot 3 day tuna in the sun. Spoke with my HS friend who has a franchise and they (CFA) are continuing to support the same causes they always have.

[Barbara]

It's these tiny acts of insurrection that give me joy.

YES!

[Sara]

An upgrade already:

[Jack is Back]

Porch,

Go here for their press release.

[Jack is Back]

Regarding that "post it" bit of insurrection:

"The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties."?

/From some guy down in JIm Ryan's neck of the woods named Tom.

[daddy]

Nice comment by a Dennis Miller caller.

That Video maker, the guy that is causing the whole Islamic World to go nuts, and who our President and Hillary (at $70,000 a pop) are blaming; He didn't build that. He didn't make that video. It was all of us. It was Elizabeth Warren. It was etc, etc.

[Sara]

Mitt’s Tax Info Undermines Dem Smears

Is it really possible to characterize a man who paid a tax rate of over 14 percent on his income in 2011 a cheat? Even more to the point, Romney gave away to charity double — $4,020,072 — the amount of his very hefty $1,935,708 tax bill in 2011. And since it is almost completely investment income, it needs to be pointed out that Romney had already paid tax on the money when it was first earned. Over the 20-year period, he paid an average of 20.2 percent in taxes and gave away 13.45 percent to charity.

This paints a picture of a man who is not only paying his fair share of taxes, but is also a model of civic virtue in his dedication to sharing his bounty with those who are less fortunate. That’s especially true when we realize that neither President Obama nor Vice President Biden have ever given anywhere close to that percentage of their incomes to charity. The release also should give Romney a much-needed shot in the arm after a couple of shaky weeks. Having done their best to demonize Romney as a heartless plutocrat, Democrats have probably made his tax information a much bigger deal than it may have been.

[Jack is Back]

Sara,

Of all the attributes I admire most about Mitt is his charity and altruism. As St. Paul tells us the main virtues of faith, hope and charity (love), without charity (love) we are empty.

There is only one (actually more than one) empty suit in this race and we all know who it is.

So what if it goes tot the LDS church. They do as much charity work per rata as the Catholic church, Jewish organizations and Protestant charities do. Forgot in all this stupid Reid and LeBolt/Cutter rhetoric is "what has the Obama family done for anyone with their earnings"?

[daddy]

Peggy Noonan:

From Peg's "The Case for Dick Lugar"

"The most recent polls suggest Dick Lugar, the senior U.S. senator from Indiana, first elected in 1976, is on track to lose his primary on Tuesday. I hope he doesn’t for a number of reasons but one big one: the Senate needs grown-ups. The entire American government needs grown-ups, from Capitol Hill to the White House to the executive agencies. This is no time to lose one.
What Washington needs is sober and responsible adults...So right now, and more than ever, we need mature folk involved in our governance..."

Here's sober, experienced, mature, responsible, adult Dick Lugar, 3 days back: Lugar Won't Help Mourdock (The Republican who beat Lugar in the Primary)

"In the interview posted Monday on IndyPolitics.org, Lugar said he is sitting out the campaign...Until Monday, Lugar had never ruled out campaigning for Mourdock."

[Elliott]

Happy birthday, centralcal!

[MarkO]

But, Harry Reid has not provided evidence that he is not a raging pedophile.
Oh, and get this bit of stupidity from Jonah Goldberg. Nearly a racist stereotype about Mormons. Substitute Jews and see how it would play. What a fool. Is he on our side? Is he merely a bigot? In the family business?

Jonah Goldberg ‏@JonahNRO
Honest question: Do fellow Mormons give Harry Reid dirty looks at Church?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I don't get it Mark.
Isn't he asking if Mormons who behave like Mormons give a slimy apostate like Reid dirty looks?
If that's what he's asking then I'm not sure what he did wrong or am I misunderstanding your point?

[Sara]

Our dog, Rudy, turned the corner around midnight last night and is now expected to live and fully recover. We are bringing him home later today, if improvement continues. I am so relieved and can breathe again.

[daddy]

Just as a hypothetical, if some angry individual beat the living shit out of Serano for this latest "Piss Christ" exhibit, who do you guys think Hill and O would blame, The Beater or the Beatee?

[Sara]

Jonah Goldberg ‏@JonahNRO
Honest question: Do fellow Mormons give Harry Reid dirty looks at Church?

I would.

[Jack is Back]

Ann Romney's plane makes emergency landing.

"/>

[daddy]

Another question. I wonder if the Administration now is haltingly admitting the reality of the Libyan attacks because of Romney now listening to the Intel briefings? Beats me.

[Barbara]

Here's a photo of the Shuttle as it banked over my brother's house today around noon.

[matt]

Sara;

I was up in the San Fernando Valley this morning on business on my way to the San Gabriel Valley. The route was Highway 134, which runs from Burbank into Pasadena.

I knew about the flybys, but didn't think I would see anything. Listening to the talk radio station, which is in Burbank, the announcer was in somewhat of a tizzy over the fact that he was the only one in the building and everyone else was outside looking to see Endeavor.

As I had just passed through Burbank, I looked in the rear view mirror, and sure enough caught a glimpse for half a second.

Looking ahead on the freeway, cars were stopping on the side, maybe 50-60 that I could see. I knew they must have been waiting and stopped as well. Sure enough, it apeared with a couple of chase planes a minute later, so I was well and truly satisfied.

Little did I know that as I crested the hill into Pasadena, there it was again, arcing from right to left towards JPL and then a graceful turn over the Rose Bowl, where I lost sight of it.

I got a real catch in my throat, because I have watch that man in the White House disembowel our space program. We used to reach for the stars and all he is capable of doing is reaching into our pockets.

[Captain Hate]

Congrats on Rudy, Sara.

LOL @ Drunk by Noonan talking about a "sober" anybody let alone a spiteful creep like Lugar.

[daddy]

Another great call from a Dennis Miller caller.

Says that everybody should be allowed to vote, but if you have an official picture ID you get to vote twice!

Genius. Suddenly everybody would be busting hump to get an official picture ID.

[MarkO]

It wrongly suggests that all Mormons are Republicans and that, like the black community, they would all rally around Romney and eschew Reid.

I suppose it would be fair to say all Jews are thrifty. It's just patronizing and a glimpse into his view of Mormons as a unified cult.

That he calls it an honest question gives away his stupidity. Moreover, I feel certain that, given their willingness to overlook the slur of the Broadway musical, most Mormons would be polite to Harry, especially those who go to his church with him every week.

Other than that, Jonah is right on.