"We can absorb a terrorist attack. We'll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever....we absorbed it and we are stronger."President Obama quoted in Bob Woodward's new book Obama's Wars. This is a direct quote that White House is only not denying, but seems to be happy with the book and it's contents.
This is truly scary. While I fully understand that a large part of the presidency and governing in general is to look at things in a macro setting as opposed to looking at every issue on a micro level. This is the reason that a country can't make deals with terrorists. It only promotes more terrorism and the job of the government is to protect the country as a whole.
With being said, WTF? As I said, I am glad that he is looking at these issues on a macro level and I am very relieved that he says he is trying to prevent them, but this is one of the most insensitive statements a president can say. Almost 3,000 families were shattered by the deaths of their loved ones. A nation went into a tailspin when the realization of the dangers in the world came crashing down on that Tuesday morning. The president would be much better served to keep these opinions to himself.
Posts
7 comments:
Just think how he'd feel if we were hit with a nuclear attack. Shrug his narrow shoulders and explain to his band of slavish followers that we can take it, and we'll take the high road and not retaliate.
LL:
Well, I certainly hope that doesn't happen nor that would be his reaction.
And, don't forget, we have some "blind" followers on our side as well.
This Obama quote (just like many of them) is getting blown out of proportion. If George W. Bush had said this, conservatives/Republicans would applaud him for stating that the U.S. is too strong to be destroyed.
Malcolm;
You are correct that this statement does ring of American exceptionalism that we hear far too infrequently from him. It just shouldn't have been said out loud. It is very insenstive to the families of the victims. He doesn't seem to realize how much his words mean. After 19 months in office he should.
On one hand you say that President Obama's statement promoted American exceptionalism and that he doesn't say these things enough. Then, you say it shouldn't have been said out loud. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't! One thing I hope President Obama has realized after 19 months is that some people on the right will find a way to spin any positive comment he makes into a negative.
By the way, do you think George W. Bush was being insensitive to the wartime casualities (military and civilian) and their survivors when he joked about not finding any WMDs?
Malcolm:
First, I said it rings of that. He can make statements of American exceptionalism without invoking the possible future and past deaths of people at the hand of terrorists. At least he should be.
Yes, it was insenstive of the Bush administration to do that. Which I said at the time. And by the way, don't point to someone else's bad behavior to justify more bad behavior. It is a huge pet peeve of mine.
For one thing, I don't deem what President Obama did "bad behavior". Just to be clear, although I am an Obama supporter, I'm not a blind follower. I haven't agreed with everything he's said and/or done. However, the attempt by his detractors to spin this quote is yet another reach in my opinion. As for what you consider a pet peeve, I'm going to keep doing every time I think someone's being unfair and/or hypocritical.
As is often the case, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
Post a Comment