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Loose Canons
Intruding Realities
Under the Unleader, America is creating power vacuums that liberal vanity won’t fill.
(Page 2 of 2)
We learned last week that Obama has failed to attend more than half of his daily intelligence briefings. Policy unsupported by the best intelligence is mere guesswork. Obama’s policymaking is ideological, independent of facts, a willful ignorance that borders on criminal negligence. Disorder, indecision, and increasing danger of a huge war are the results of Obama’s unwillingness to lead.
The attacks on our Cairo embassy and the Benghazi consulate are prime examples. Intelligence community sources confirm that we had intelligence warnings of the attack on the Cairo embassy that preceded the event by several weeks. Several reports say that Libyan security officials warned of the Libya attack days before it happened. Some of that information had to filter into the president’s daily briefings. What did Obama ignore and when did he ignore it?
In these cases, real leadership — at a minimum — would have taken steps to protect our diplomatic outposts by withdrawing personnel or reinforcing our security forces. Neither Obama nor Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took those actions. Now, the Sudan has refused us permission to reinforce security at our embassy. But Obama won’t pull our people out.
American leadership might not have prevented last week’s attacks, but it could have prevented the assassination of our ambassador to Libya and the deaths of the three men who accompanied him.
Iran is proceeding with its nuclear weapons program in another Obama-created vacuum. Obama has refused to even meet with Netanyahu to discuss possible action against Iran. Obama and his allies insist that we have drawn a “red line” against Iran by saying that we wouldn’t tolerate Iran having nuclear weapons.
What that means is that we won’t take any action against Iran until it has developed — and, possibly, deployed — nuclear weapons capable of destroying Israel. Given the gaps in our intelligence community’s ability to penetrate Iran, Obama won’t know if it has actually built nuclear weapons until well after the fact. A real American leader would prevent that from occurring, not promise to react to the event when it happens, when it will be far more costly in blood and treasure to face.
What has dawned on Economist’s editorial writers won’t be recognized by our media before the November election, or perhaps for years to come. It goes too far to challenge the most basic liberal ideology for anyone here to take notice. But what comes after?
Thomas Cahill, in his How the Irish Saved Civilization, provides the answer. On the last day of December 406, the Rhine froze solid, creating a bridge for hundreds of thousands of barbarians to flood into Rome. Rome had fallen from its superpower status long before the city fell to the barbarians. The gradual abdication of the only superpower of its day left a vacuum that was filled by chaos for more than a thousand years.
The world moves at a much faster pace now than it did then. The November election will be our choice between remaining the only superpower defending freedom or leaving the world — and our interests in it — to whatever forces choose to fill the vacuum Obama is creating.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (72) | Leave a comment
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Deborah D| 9.17.12 @ 6:40AM
Our country and the world is dependent on removing this president from his perch. His approach is frightening on so many levels, it is incomprehensible that our country won't do the right thing in November. Please, God. Thank you, Mr. Babbin, for your sanity in the insane environment of Washington, D.C. and among the traitors in the mainstream media.
Jack in Wi| 9.17.12 @ 7:43AM
For at least the 20th straight year the Israeli's like Bibby Nutanyahoo and Mr. Babbin have announced that Iran's nuclear weapons are just around the corner. They have wanted an unprovked pre-emtive or preventive war on Iran which could easily turn into WW3. That of course would be a serious war crime, against international law, and all ideas of Christian Just War Doctrine.
The military and intelligence communities in both Israel and the USA have both called this nonsense. Iran has no nuclear weapons program and it's peaceful program is under constant international inspection. It is in compliance with it treaties for non-proliferation. General Demphsey and 3 former Middle East commanders have spoken out against such and attack. So have people like Meir Dagan in Israel
It is time for the USA to forget about being a super power. The Soviet Union is long gone. If China is going to have a worldwide empire it will be financial not military. mean while We have spent trillions propping up corrupt regimes in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and the Gulf states. we have huge hyrocarbon resources that sit untapped. Pull the troops home and spend that wasted money here. The Iranians have been offering negotiations since at least 2003. It is time to do what we did with China, send an ambassador, open diplomatic, trade, and cultural relations, and move on. The price of oil would collapse and the world would be a far more peaceful place.
Mimi | 9.17.12 @ 8:20AM
May I remind you dear JACK...One Name
Neville Chamberlain....How did that work out???
Purp| 9.17.12 @ 9:31AM
That's a canard, Mimi Dear.
Iran is NOT Germany ... not by a long, long shot. Germany was THE most powerful industrial power in Europe. Europe at the time was the central focus of world politics, finance and economy - Europe and it's colonies commanded most of the world's resources.
Germany ultimately turned that power to armaments and war preparation, and transformed Europe to it's detriment and our ultimate benefit.
And, may I remind you we had an embassy, had diplomatic, trade and cultural relations with Germany. Talking to potential foes does not hurt anything - but not talking to them could.
Remember the old adage - "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer"?
That's good advice the right-wing warmongers ought to take heed of before shooting off their mouth.
JP| 9.17.12 @ 9:39AM
Not sure what point you're trying to make. Germany was responsible for over 20 million deaths, and they could have been stopped dead in their tracks in 1935 by France when they occupied the Rheinland. France surely did try "talking" to Hitler, right up to Sep 1939.
Not sure how one talks to nations that seize your embassies and murder your ambassadors. That's a new one.
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 3:49PM
You can't argue with Stupidity.
Worse yet.
You can't argue with a Mental Illness.
He is a member of a Cult.
And, as far as it goes with Homo Purp?
The Muslim is Jim Jones, and he's just passing time, until the Koolaide is ready.
Ignore Him.
Mike W| 9.17.12 @ 4:54PM
Instead of calling people homos like the brave internet warrior you are, how about reading instead?
Learn how the US over threw Iran's government in 1953 and installed the Shah who routinely put hot pokers up bodily orifices of his opposition. Well, maybe the Shah didnt do that but his minions in SAVAK did.
Learn how we supported Iraq in the invasion of Iran and how we provided chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein to allow him to kill Iranians.
Learn of how we shot down an Iranian airliner in July 1988.
For god's sakes, learn something for once.
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 6:51PM
He's a self professed Homo.
What's your problem?
Why wouldn't we support Iraq, against Iran.
We shot down an Iranian Airline because they Refused Warnings that they were given.
And, explain why you're still in My Country, when it's so obvious that you Hate it, and would rather be anywhere else?
I PRAY that when they hit us, again, you, and your Family will be at Ground Zero.
Skippy| 9.17.12 @ 6:52PM
Even though I already knew all those things, I still support bombing Iran yesterday, if not sooner.
pogybait| 9.17.12 @ 10:02AM
Jack, while maudlin displays of national self-loathing may be a heavy cross to bear for perfection and ultimately embolden our enemies, putting our tail between our legs and bringing our troops home and lighting a candle should cleanse you of any misguided guilt you share for the influence that America wields over the world. Perhaps we could send Jimmy Carter or Jocelyn Elders to negotiate and open up cultural/trade relations and start a progressive utopia.
Thom| 9.17.12 @ 11:55AM
"For at least the 20th straight year the Israeli's like Bibby Nutanyahoo and Mr. Babbin have announced that Iran's nuclear weapons are just around the corner."
We had warnings about a possible attack on Pearl Harbor from 1936 onward…. That was the year the US Navy developed and tested out a plan very much similar to what was executed by the Japanese on Dec 7th 1941 and we had significant warning something was up prior to that too. Tell us Jack, when did the Japanese and Germans know we had 4 atomic bombs?
nathan| 9.17.12 @ 8:27AM
Madam, respectfully, this column has a lot of errors. His comments on defense alone are way out of line. I'm sorry madam but he is so wrong on this. Assuming sequestration takes place all that happens is defense goes back to 2007 when America was hardly defenseless. By 2018 defense goes back to its 2012 levels. And even with sequestration nonwar spending will grow by 10 percent per year. And we're not counting war spending which isn't part of this budget.
And note, how well is this money being spent? Badly according to some. Tom Coburn, no bleeding heart liberal, has demanded that DOD pass an audit. Other republicans have too.
And you have to be bothered when defenders of the the defense budget start talking about "saving jobs". Sorry, DOD is not TARP, it's not the stimulus, it's about nothing more than defending the country. The moment we start talking about "saving jobs" you know you have a problem.
Madam with all due respect Mr. Babbin is way out of line here and on other things. Remember we spend about as much on "defense" as the rest of the world combined. Mr. Babbin, that isn't enough sir?
JP| 9.17.12 @ 9:42AM
The US Defence budgets are measured not in dollars but by their percentage to GDP. The DOD budget's peaked in 1986-87 at 6.5% of GDP. They've been shrinking ever since. And if trends continue, we will soon be paying more for Medicaid than national defense. But, national defense is an explicit federal obligation -Medicaid is not.
nathan| 9.17.12 @ 10:09AM
Sir I would suggest that maybe, maybe that audit ought to be completed before we raise the level of defense spending. Unreasonable? Are you convinced that the money is being spent wisely? The F-35, according to publications like Aviations Week gets blasted routinely. The litoral combat ship is not performing to spec. Do we need to continue? Coburn again is no liberal and HE'S demanding the audit. I'm in good company here. And again defense is not a jobs program.
But also and we need to understand this, a lot of what we consider "defense" isn't even in the DOD budget. Sequestration won't touch it.
And please it's really OUR obligation to defend everyone else? Babbin says all those countries like Saudi Arabia have plenty of fire power but won't use it regarding Syria. They expect US to do it. Well that's very GENEROUS of them. Why should we have to? I'm sorry, I don't recall Syria attacking us. So what is the justification for attacking them? What threat do they pose to people in Columbus Ohio pray tell? And no don't throw Munich at me. The leaders of CZ and they alone had they obligation to defend that country not NC, not the French. Their failure to mass troops at the border against hitler was the bigger problem.
nathan| 9.17.12 @ 10:18AM
And for the record I agree with Madison that charity is not part of the legislative duty of government. He said explicity that there is nothing in the Constitution that supports benevolence spending. But PR's plan doesn't begin to address Medicare until 2028 and it's already insolvent. And he voted for Plan D which added more than a trillion to the debt.
And the amount of spending for defense versus GDP is a "so what" maybe? It's more important perhaps to look at what the rest of the world does. And we outspend virtually all of them. Including China, Russia, Europe the middle east combined. We can look and say what is the threat level, but consider that China according to published reports is facing possible civil unrest and in any case has its own real estate problems which may crash out any moment. Russia saw its population decline in real terms last year.
Can anyone really threaten us, even given sequestration, in any meaningful way? Really?
But again, we need to have a real debate in this country about what we are doing. World's policeman/white man's burden? Do we have to, should we, why? Does being where we don't need to be (5o0 marines in Guatamala doing drug work?) improve our security?
Occam's Tool| 9.17.12 @ 2:37PM
Yes, yes they can. Houston has a port, NYC has a port, LA has a port, SF has a port.
I lived in Galveston for a time, during the Cold War. I saw many, many Russian flagged vessels in port. Nathan, I just hope you live in one of the cities mentioned, or within fallout range. I don't.
markenoff| 9.17.12 @ 1:28PM
And by the same token all federal entitlement programs, none of which is required by the Constitution and all of which are, arguably, not allowed by the Constitution, should be subject to a complete audit before we spend another dime on any of them. After all, Obama himself has talked about the hundreds of millions of dollars in medicare fraud though his administration appears to be doing very little to end it. Are you convinced that the 65% of the federal budget spent over the last ten years on entitlment programs was all "spent wisely"?
Thom| 9.17.12 @ 11:24AM
“Assuming sequestration takes place all that happens is defense goes back to 2007 when America was hardly defenseless. By 2018 defense goes back to its 2012 levels.”
Nathan, are you willing to work for what you made in 2007 and pay 2012 prices? If you don’t cut labor cost then you cut equipment cost which is tied to the number of people you have thus you eventually end up throwing people out of the military to have any cuts at all. The equipment we have is paid for; the personal cost and operating equipment cost is the only place we can cut outside of canceling replacement equipment and not training like we did on 9/11/2001. We’ve got 30-40 year old equipment to replace over the next decade and that won’t be done with 2007 dollars. Much of the things the military consume cost a lot more than it did in 2000. Far beyond inflation cost btw. The bulk of our increased cost is operational (consumption) and we can cut that a lot by simply ignoring the people that attack us…. If you want a cheap military then I suggest you move to China where the middle class earn $17.00 a day, ten hours a day, 6 days a week.
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 9.17.12 @ 2:03PM
It actually began with George HW Bush in '89.
Reagan gave us anew lease on foreign affairs, then the homunculus from Kennebunkport squandered it.
First you guys run better candidates, THEN you bemoan America's decline.
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 9.17.12 @ 2:47PM
You would have won in '92, '96, and '08 if you'd run better candidates.
your wounds are self-inflicted.
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 9.17.12 @ 11:24PM
"Germany ultimately turned that power to armaments and war preparation, and transformed Europe to it's detriment and our ultimate benefit."
But Japan and Germany eventually won the war economically (yes, after the Marshall Plan- we all know that).
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 7:02AM
I have a question?
This Korean Moron? Is he, now or has he ever been, a Moonie? Does he know where he is? And, when you say "Unleader"? Which dickwad in the picture are you referring to?
Let's all walk down Memory Lane, shall we?
We have a Democrat President standing on the Left. (what a surprise)
We have the Clueless UN Secretary General standing beside him.
You're feeling relaxed now. Your eyes are getting heavy. You're drifting off to sleep.
How is it, that they always get along so well? And, why does every Democrat wanna hand over our Sovereignty to these Dipsh*t MFers?
We had a NAZI at the Helm, at Turtle Bay, from 1972 - 81. Kurt Waldheim.
We had another Jew Hater, in the White House, at the same time. Jimmy Carter.
We had Emassies Stormed, Hostages Taken, and Americans Killed by Muslim Scumbags. Israel was surrounded, and our Military was Decimated, its Morale in the Shitter, and it's Funding obliterated.
We had The Rapist - Bill Clinton - and a UN Gen Sec by the name of Boutros Boutros Ghali. An Egyption. And we were Attacked by his fellow Muslims, over and over, again.
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 7:24AM
Coincidence?
Our Economy was better, thanks to a Tech Bubble, that inevitably Burst. Our Embassies were Blown Up. Our Naval Vessels were Blown Up. The Khobar Towers Facility was Blown up. The World Trade Center's Underground Garage was Blown Up. And we had WACO and the Oklahoma City Bombing.
Israel was surrounded. Our Military was Decimated, its Morale in the Sh*tter, and its Funding obliterrated.
Coincidence?
Then we got Oil for Food Annan, who, somehow, left the UN with Million$ More than he could've possibly earned on his Salary.
Like - Harry Ried.
Which brings us to Today.
Now, we have ANOTHER Clueless, Effeminate, UN Scumbag, who looks like he has trouble putting on Loafers, let alone running the Best Fed, Best Paid, Most Perked Do-Nothing Outfit, the world has ever known, since the days of the Roman Senate. He's got MORON written all aver his face. And when I look at him I wanna say: "Can you understand the words that are comin outta my mouth?" really loud.
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 7:56AM
And, then there's this Democrat.
Not only have we had our Embassies Attacked, under his Reign, like the other two Jackasses. Not only are the Muslims killing our people, again.
This time the Democrat doesn't just Feel their Pain.
HE'S ONE OF THEM!
Our Economy is off a Cliff. Our Debt will never be paid back. Every Economic Number that should be Up, is Down. Every Number that should be Down, is Up. Gas and Food Prices are off the Charts. We have Embassies under Assault, all over the world, by this Guy's FELLOW MUSLIMS. We have Dead American Diplomatic Personell, again.
Israel is - not just Surrounded, but it's being Forced to attack ANOTHER Muslim Nuke Facility, which will (in my humble opinion) end up forcing it to use its Nukes, to defend itself, if she needs to.
Our Military is being GUTTED. Morale is So Low, that they've uncovered a Plot, wherebye - Military Men were Storing Up Weapons, for a repeat of the old Burt Lancaster Movie - Seven Days in May.
It's like Groundhog Day.
Only, in this Version.
Bill Murray Dies.
And, all of us are Bill Murray.
sickofit5| 9.17.12 @ 10:05AM
Word has it this photo was taken during a job interview with Obama in the event that he loses in November. Can you say "UN President of General Assembly Barak Hussein Obama." Can anyone give me odds. Better for us but still scary.
Occam's Tool| 9.17.12 @ 2:39PM
Well, if BO becomes the new SecGen we will still have an anti-American ass in that position.
Gary B| 9.17.12 @ 11:24AM
TLP: You're saying what I'm thinking. I hope Romney gets elected and I hope he appoints Bolton as Secretary of State.
irish19| 9.17.12 @ 12:43PM
I am with you on Bolton. Romney's first order to him should be, "Clean it out."
markenoff| 9.17.12 @ 1:29PM
No, kick it out. Time for the UN to move its HQ. How about to Shanghai?
Occam's Tool| 9.17.12 @ 2:38PM
Perfect, Tim.
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 4:16PM
Not for nothing, but in Rush's first hour, he mentioned that: "We need to have A CONTEST".
Go to his site, and check the Transcript.
I know that he reads the TAS, and he often sites Mr. Kengor's Columns.
The Contest was Friday, and he mentions a Contest on Monday.
Coincidence?
I don't think so.
As Dr. Zoiberg (Futurama) would say: What an Honour.
btims86| 9.17.12 @ 7:05AM
Muslim immigration needs to be halted for a few years to see if Islamic countries can behave themselves in civilized ways. Non-citizen Muslims residing in the USA need to be gently but firmly kicked out of our country (along with 15 million illegal Amigos). Period.
We are not under obligation to take half the world's population.
DTOM| 9.17.12 @ 9:41AM
btim86,
It would be more defensible to just stop ALL illegal immigration when our economy is in such bad shape. No need to "profile" ("the horror! the horror!)
Who immigrates illegally anyway? People with no respect for the law, that's who. And if they don't respect it coming in, will they respect it once here? Or will they become Democrats, lawless Democrats.
After all lawlessness is what the Democrats stand for, isn't it?
Do I need to read the litany of unprosecuted criminals who are the core of the Democrat party?
Think of the list - it is huge. Here's a start:
1. Tax Cheat Tim Geithner
2. Lying Bill Clinton
3. Tax Cheat Charlie Rangel
4.
benny havens| 9.17.12 @ 7:06AM
It is quite obvious that the empty chair needs to be filled on November 6.
And for all of you who voted for him but really believed that Madam Hillary was the better choice, remember she is the one who is running the US Foreign policy.
Talk about the blind leading the blind.
Stephie| 9.17.12 @ 7:39AM
Hillary doesn't look well. Could it be Karma.
If obama wins the election I read John Francois Kerry will be out next Sec of State.
Wonderful.
John786| 9.17.12 @ 7:28AM
There's a fire. Through petrol on it. Best sums up Mr Babbins and the right. More wars will bring security to no one . Apparently Iran's been trying to build a nuclear device since 1979. They must be pretty thick. Or, alternatively they actually may not be building a nuclear deterrent. Mr Netanyahu wants America to set red lines. Even though Israel has not set red lines. A better policy would be to allow Iran full rights under NPT. War will do many things, chief among them, make Iran a nuclear weapon state. Israel should be pursuing peace with its neighbours not starting new wars.
Jack of Spades| 9.17.12 @ 8:28AM
Israel's neighbors have stated repeatedly that there won't be peace until Israel ceases to exist as a sovereign state. Theyhave stated this since Israel came into being decades ago. If you believe that the Israeli people should give up their nation, say so. Otherwise , don't talk about Israel "making peace with its neighbors."
DTOM| 9.17.12 @ 9:10AM
Jack,
Spare yourself, John 786 is a troll. Don't feed him, please.
DTOM
Occam's Tool| 9.17.12 @ 2:40PM
Jack of Spades: understand that if I slam a "Jack," it WILL not be you, Great Souled One. Usually I preface it with a Cheesehead, or call him London. Welcome aboard.
TLP| 9.17.12 @ 4:19PM
I don't get it.
This why you got a Calender.
rjh| 9.17.12 @ 7:34AM
I am to this day amazed that the spineless elected officials in DC have taken no steps to remove from office, or at least to stop, the mistake that resides in our White House from inflicting yet more misery and damage to our country, its citizens, and to the world. He is but one individual (I do realize that he is a puppet, but he is the face). I understand the difficulties with a Dem controlled Senate, but that fact pretty much proves how anti-American the Democrat party has become.
Stephie| 9.17.12 @ 7:42AM
I ask this of my congressman EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mimi | 9.17.12 @ 8:32AM
They are waiting for US...the PEOPLE to act...and, we should and we WILL! November 6th!
Von Mises Jr| 9.17.12 @ 8:22AM
At least FOX is reporting the truth that the "Islamic Scorched Summer" is not due to some obscure film trailer. But it is only FOX and talk radio reporting what TAS and other informed internet readers understand. That is why we MUST explain this to our family and neighbors.
The rioters are chanting "OBAMA, OBAMA, WE ARE ALL OSAMA" and they sodomized Chris Stevens to insult and disgrace our metrosexual, hedonistic leaders.
Louis Jenkins| 9.17.12 @ 9:05AM
Have you noticed that MSM hasn't said one peep about Steven's sodomy?
Von Mises Jr| 9.17.12 @ 10:39AM
Perhaps that is because the enjoy sodomy? They are conflicted.
Joellen| 9.17.12 @ 8:28AM
While Hillary is out of the country dirty dancing with third world women (oh yes she is), Obama and team are carefully planning the next steps in the demise of the USA. Pictures of both of them with their fake, crocodile tears for the murders of AMERICANS should be sent to everyone you know who still hasnt gotten it - these people are EVIL and for the sake of this country must be voted out. Our military is decimated, today they are talking of culturally training our military on how to deal with the Taliban and they wont call a terrorist attack a terrorist attack! I cant say EVIL enough.
Mimi | 9.17.12 @ 8:56AM
From 1993...until Jan.2001 when GWB came in...the Dem's under Clinton " COASTED"...ignored, turned away, minimized, gave no attention to trouble...thus avoided having to deal with it. It all came crashing down in the 8th month of GEORGE W's first term on Sept. 11, 2001...The word is "COASTED"!
Now we have Hilary...the word is out that she wanted no defensive arms loaded for the security of the Embassy in Libia...They were warned 3 days earlier (CNN) of an impending attack.....and the tragic aftermath was caused by a ..VIDEO??
Scary...she and repeats this over and over. Her U N Ambassador repeated her exact words on the Sunday shows...Hon...FACE IT you owe AMERICA a huge apology.....We know what you may believe is not TRUE...DENIAL...? GUILT ?
Coasting ....Appeasement..ignoring the TRUTH HURTS and comes back in unthinkable ways.
PEACE THRU STRENGTH !
Purp| 9.17.12 @ 9:06AM
What a pack of innuendos and lies wrapped together in right wing mythology.
The United States leads the world powers in World Opinion polls ...
http://www.gallup.com/poll/146.....owers.aspx
U.S. Steady as the Most Popular Destination for Potential Migrants...
The sky isn't falling, just Mitt Romney is losing. He's not conservative enough, he's not forceful enough, he's not likable enough, and the kicker - he can't manage well enough, even his own campaign!
DTOM| 9.17.12 @ 9:17AM
Purp,
You betcha!!!! It's all lies and innuendo. So GO THE HELL AWAY? Why do you read this if you find it so confusing, confounding, so aggravating?
Just go away you ignorant, uneducable dolt. Spare us your inane insanities!
DTOM
Purp| 9.17.12 @ 9:21AM
Wow - no response to the ACTUAL facts?
... just goes to show you're not interested in what is actually thought or what are the facts - as long as you get your daily petting reading what you want to read.
No matter, events will just sweep you along while you delude yourself how great you and your ideas are. They are not, and that's oh so sad for your side.
Drunken Sailor| 9.17.12 @ 10:08AM
Facts??
1. That poll is from march 2011.A lot has changed since then.
2. From the link you provided.
The increases the U.S. saw in 2009 did not necessarily carry over into 2010, and approval suffered double-digit declines in 14 countries, including Egypt, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
3. Take a look at that graph again. The rise was when the world believed the BS Obama was spewing. Then in 2009 it began dropping and has dropped every since.
Truth to Power| 9.17.12 @ 10:12AM
This coming from somebody that has thrown money into Solyndra, wind farms, high speed rail and every other way of dumping money into the pockets of Democratic campaign contributers. This from bozos that support a guy who claims to stop the rising oceans and end the hostility in the middle east through poverty and weakness. Perp, you are just a bumper sticker on a Smart car and nothing more.
Alice Moore| 9.17.12 @ 10:37AM
You will find out just how cooked up those polls are on 11/6.
I know, I know never feed the trolls.
JP| 9.17.12 @ 9:47AM
Mmmm... US living standards dropped 5% since 2008; our debt now towers above the combined EU debt; the US now has the highest Corprate Tax Rate in the world; only 63% of able bodied adults have jobs; three of our 5 most populous states (New York, Illinois, California)are running huge defecits; and the US has $90 trillion of unfunded liabilities through 2060. Not sure, what you're smoking.
Louis Jenkins| 9.17.12 @ 9:10AM
Obama believes that we should be allied with the UN. That the UN should guide every US step. Enough of the UN, and enough of Obama. We can still put a new man in the White House, and not necessarily the best man, any change is desirable to this piece of trash. Remember the election, and don't forget that the US has committments. And Jack, I am not a neo-conservist.
Purp| 9.17.12 @ 9:22AM
Not true, but you use the tools you have available. Only an idiot would ignore the possible assistance the UN brings ... oh that's right, GW Bush did that - how well did that turn out?
JP| 9.17.12 @ 9:50AM
Exactly what tools does the UN bring? Perhaps we should ask all of those children in Congo who were raped by UN soldiers? And exactly how many aircraft carriers does the UN possess? Other than dispensing birth control and abortions, the UN brings nothing of value.
Stkman| 9.17.12 @ 10:42AM
"Not true, but you use the tools you have available. Only an idiot would ignore the possible assistance the UN brings ... oh that's right, GW Bush did that - how well did that turn out?"
Purp,
Didn't you just answer your own question?
Louis Jenkins| 9.17.12 @ 1:33PM
So what tools are you asking about? Men, war machines? Helicopters, flat tops? Tanks? Multiple war head missles? The US is only a tool for the UN? Might as well be considered, since we seem to furnish the weight of any UN led military directive. The UN by itself is a scarecrow. They may sit and make many directives about this and that, but when the grit hits the pavement I see very few of them putting their money where their mouth is. Collectively they may be a serious military force, but they will never put their men and women in harms way. It takes the US to do that.
Occam's Tool| 9.17.12 @ 2:41PM
Really? What does the UN bring that isn't the US in other helmets?
Stkman| 9.17.12 @ 9:29AM
If we don't win on Nov. 6th, then we need to march on November 7th. If we're going to go down, lets go down in a way that our children at least know we tried to save this country for them. I don't want to have to look my kids in the eye and admit to them that this was my fault because I didn't have the courage or guts of our forefathers.
Al Adab| 9.17.12 @ 9:39AM
Times become dangerous when realpolitic intrudes into the dream world utopia of The Left. They are unable to deal with realities which contradict their chosen world view.
What might have been an Islamic renaissance began emerging in the early 1960s and has become not a flowering of civilization but a reaction against what man has learned over the last 2500 years. It is sad, and dangerous, to see a major civilization act in such a self destructive manner and to watch the Islamic world do so as well.
Who Knows?| 9.17.12 @ 10:43AM
Nature abhors a vacuum.
Obama’s mind is a vacuum whore.
He pretends to be positively pro-American, but as a postmodern and effete academy “intellectual”, believes himself to be above-it-all neutral.
Factually, though, everything about him is NEGATIVE for America!
I’ll bet he never had a spanking when he was growing up.
Where was the loving dad, who would make him bare his butt, and give him some hard whacks with his belt, to make him cry, when he misbehaved?
The only behavior mod voters can use to teach this freedom-destroying president is the ballot. But, I’m sure that every awake and right thinking American would love to be able to take him out back, and even though he’s a “grown up”, NOT spare the rod, but whip his bare ass!
Truthfully, he’s been beating America to death, as often and as hard as he can, for going on four years.
The sad reality is, I’m afraid, that way too many Americans share Obama’s “mind” and upbringing.
“Do it for the children” seems to be getting its revenge.
The children rule. In 2008, we had the children’s crusade, with the Living One, Obama as their savior.
Hello dystopia.
florin| 9.17.12 @ 11:39AM
Sept. 17th: No matter how tragically Obama has failed to lead, no matter how tragic the results of his failure to lead, the mainstream media will continue to prop him up, to distort the truth so massively that people will not see Obama for the empty suit that he is...so Romney's people have a gargantuan task ahead of them...to break through the lies and distortions and manipulations and misinformation of Obama and his mindless fans and bring forth the truth...show that Obama has not attended more than half of the Intelligence briefings because he has nothing substantial to add to the discussion and/or because he just does not care. The same applies to his going to Las Vegas while the middle east was on fire and just after our American Ambassador and his staff were brutally murdered by those who attacked our embassies because Obama himself has emboldened them by his lack of leadership, his disdain for American and for Israel manifested so consistently since he became President...so get the truth out now or Obama will be given 4 more years to destroy our country...
Mistral| 9.17.12 @ 3:37PM
The best thing USA can do now is leave the countries it occupies, save money, leave the barbarians to fight it out among themselves and focus on lowering the national debt and restoring its manufacturing base.
Ultimately the EU is slowly disappearing down the euro-drain so don't expect any more help there. The UK will always be your lapdog. The UN is a waste of time and money: better to withdraw and let it sink into the hole it has dug for itself.
Imagining that US security depends on expensive armies tied down in the talibanised anarchy of Afghanistan and Iraq is a complete mistake. Another useful thing USA could do is to stop all immigration of those who belong to quasi-religious international political movements. These populations pose as a major threat to your internal security in another generation if they continue to swell as they are now.
Finally, in November get rid of the resident who illegally occupies the centre of federal power because it is he who represents the gravest threat to the secure future of the USA.
Mistral| 9.17.12 @ 3:40PM
Great portrait Jed - they make a real pair of clowns together - they just need red noses.
Dimitry_Aleksandrovich| 9.17.12 @ 4:14PM
Newsflash for Neo-Cons and Liberal Interventionists alike...The world existed long before the United States was ever a zygote in the eyes of the colonists. The United States was never meant to be an empire. We are not meant to be the world's police. We have no natural enemies unless you consider Canada or Mexico enemies and it is not just or moral to wage or sponsor wars throughout the world for the sake of the global corporate elite.
cicero| 9.17.12 @ 4:22PM
It is interesting to me that our European friends have been somewhat silent about the whole enbassy fiasco. For decaddes now, they have been beating the drum, asking why the U.S. couldn't just be more sophisticated, just like them. Why all of the "cowboy" posturing. They could pour their drinks on our shirts, and snicker an apology, as long as we continued to defend them, while they spent their money on "social programs".
Now they are witnessing what they always wanted - an America just as weak as they are. This was supposed to make them feel good - less inadaquate. It seems that it only makes them feel frightened. Who will pull their bacon out of the fire when the next wave of conquerors comes pouring over their borders? Their hero - Barack - has just told them that the U.S. is not only not exceptional, and not a super power anymore, but that it will not even defend itself, let alone them.
I am afraid that a cold night is setlting over westeren civilization, and the warming fire needed to resore it may be more expensive than anyone wanted to contemplate.
Dimitry_Aleksandrovich| 9.18.12 @ 2:43AM
Isn't it funny that we still defend Europe 20 years after the Cold War. This is where Buchanan Republicanism is so important. Since the fall of the Soviet Union Buchanan has been arguing that there no need anymore for our military bases in Europe. There is no need for the Empire anymore. The Soviet Union no longer exists. The Cold War has been over for a generation.
Mike W| 9.17.12 @ 4:50PM
Babbin is the consummate neocon oaf that never has to to admit he was wrong about earlier wars. He just gets to spout the same old garbage pretending that nobody remembers his previous mistakes.
Any person that supported the god awful, horrible pointless Iraq war should not be allowed to comment on foreign policy issues ever again.
Mickle | 9.18.12 @ 4:10AM
Brock Yates writing in an article entitled "55 Be Damned" said that "at 55 MPH, driving across Texas isn't a trip, it's a career."