Obama: Perceived as Weak or Strong? Or too early?

[GTaudiophile]

I mean, like him or hate him, GWB is someone you know will use the military to attack your ass if you do something stupid...like fly planes into buildings. Some might thing twice about crossing the line as they know GWB will defend the USA with the military.

So, is BHO perceived tobe weak or strong? Or is it too early to know?

Obviously, Israel perceives him as weak on Iran:

Jerusalem Skeptical of Obama's Middle East Policy

Will this only encourage Israel to attack Iran before January 20, 2009? I am sure, even if they did it on January 19, GWB would get involved.

It has been over seven years since 9/11, and (thankfully) there have been no major terrorist attacks on American soil. Perhaps for a reason? Perhaps they know GWB will retaliate? Perhaps terrorists will want to test BHO soon after he takes office?

And perhaps, today BHO received his first real Presidential Intelligence Briefing and has already learned that the world is far more complex, and far less rosy, than his campaign rhetoric allowed?

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Kind of sounds like you hope he's tested.

It's waaaaaaaay to early to speculate on this. And Israel will find a way to wag the dog one way or another...

 

[CanOWorms]

I'm thinking about a different kind of weakness.

Obama is popular in some parts of Europe because they view Obama as a potentially weak president who will kowtow to European interests, especially in regards to upcoming talks regarding reforming the financial systems. They'll realize soon that Obama will not sellout America for European interests. It's going to be interesting to see how they handle it. I hope the Secret Service is ready.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

It's waaaaaaaay to early to speculate on this.

 

[counterstrikedude]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I'm thinking about a different kind of weakness.

Obama is popular in some parts of Europe because they view Obama as a potentially weak president who will kowtow to European interests, especially in regards to upcoming talks regarding reforming the financial systems. They'll realize soon that Obama will not sellout America for European interests. It's going to be interesting to see how they handle it. I hope the Secret Service is ready.

Haha...since when is Obama not going to kowtow to Europe? His policies scream socialism - something Europe is knee-deep in.

The real question should be: How far will Obama go?

 

[Ozoned]

I believe Obama will take the swatting flies foreign policy approach. Probably not a bad idea, in cost effectiveness terms, at this time.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: counterstrikedude

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I'm thinking about a different kind of weakness.

Obama is popular in some parts of Europe because they view Obama as a potentially weak president who will kowtow to European interests, especially in regards to upcoming talks regarding reforming the financial systems. They'll realize soon that Obama will not sellout America for European interests. It's going to be interesting to see how they handle it. I hope the Secret Service is ready.

Haha...since when is Obama not going to kowtow to Europe? His policies scream socialism - something Europe is knee-deep in.

The real question should be: How far will Obama go?

Enacting similar domestic policies does not mean he would be submissive to them. In international issues he will not be submissive to European arrogance.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Enacting similar domestic policies does not mean he would be submissive to them. In international issues he will not be submissive to European arrogance.

How do you explain Europe's heavy support of Obama? If they were as racist and genocidal as you thought they are, wouldn't they fear him?

 

[seemingly random]

Not all democrats are pussies. Some even think before they shoot. Clinton responded appropriately to the assassination attempt on bush in the middle east. Speculation about what obama will do is just that. I hope we haven't taken on the mentality that blowing shit up in the world is neat.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Ozoned
I believe Obama will take the swatting flies foreign policy approach. Probably not a bad idea, in cost effectiveness terms, at this time.

As opposed to GWB's approach of destroying a random room that the fly is not in.

 

[EagleKeeper]

It is wrong for people to try and judge a person when we all know that what is said during a campaign is not what happens afterwards.

Let us see who he selects for the cabinet and what proposals are put out to be enacted at the beginning of his term.

Let the first 100 days go by and then judge.

 

[GenHoth]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: Ozoned
I believe Obama will take the swatting flies foreign policy approach. Probably not a bad idea, in cost effectiveness terms, at this time.

As opposed to GWB's approach of destroying a random room that the fly is not in.

Hey man, that room TOTALLY aided and abetted that fly at some point! I mean it like, landed there, or maybe flew through and that's good enough for us!

 

[GTaudiophile]

I don't think we should be so quick to be so anti-European. They are, on average, are happier with their lives, have more balance, and have a higher life-expectancy/standard of living.

We aren't perfect. Neither is the EU. But we have a lot we can learn about each other.

 

[Ozoned]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: Ozoned
I believe Obama will take the swatting flies foreign policy approach. Probably not a bad idea, in cost effectiveness terms, at this time.

As opposed to GWB's approach of destroying a random room that the fly is not in.

I am fairly certain that the fly got the message.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
It is wrong for people to try and judge a person when we all know that what is said during a campaign is not what happens afterwards.

Let us see who he selects for the cabinet and what proposals are put out to be enacted at the beginning of his term.

Let the first 100 days go by and then judge.

Noooo. Say it ain't so, joe. Politicians don't prevaricate, do they?

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't think we should be so quick to be so anti-European.

What you don't know yet is that CanOWOrms is obsessed with bashing Europe. And not for the usual conservative reasons. He basically goes into every thread and finds a way to turn it into Euro-bashing. (I can't tell if he's doing it for the lulz or not.)

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Ozoned

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: Ozoned
I believe Obama will take the swatting flies foreign policy approach. Probably not a bad idea, in cost effectiveness terms, at this time.

As opposed to GWB's approach of destroying a random room that the fly is not in.

I am fairly certain that the fly got the message.

If the fly got the message why is it still there?

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Enacting similar domestic policies does not mean he would be submissive to them. In international issues he will not be submissive to European arrogance.

How do you explain Europe's heavy support of Obama? If they were as racist and genocidal as you thought they are, wouldn't they fear him?

Read my first post and process it. Your answer is in there.

 

[Lemon law]

No, totally the wrong way to look at the question. The United States is and retains the strongest military on the face of the planet. But maintaining that military hegemony will not be possible if we fail to use our military wisely. Its not a question of strong or weak, its a question of stupid or smart.

 

[frostedflakes]

Did you read the article OP? I don't see anything in there that suggests he is perceived as weak. They are concerned about whether Israeli interests will be represented if Obama tries to open dialogue with Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc.

If anything, it sounds like they're concerned he will be too aggressive trying to create peace in the region. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't think we should be so quick to be so anti-European. They are, on average, are happier with their lives, have more balance, and have a higher life-expectancy/standard of living.

We aren't perfect. Neither is the EU. But we have a lot we can learn about each other.

Everyone has a lot to learn from each other, but our relationship with Europe is unbalanced and dangerous. Europe is imploding and in 50 years will crumble under its demographic problems. If the US does not act now to form new and serious relationships with emerging countries, then we're going to have another crisis in our lifetimes. Our own demographics are changing and this irrational alliance with Europe will be changed, whether you like it or not.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't think we should be so quick to be so anti-European. They are, on average, are happier with their lives, have more balance, and have a higher life-expectancy/standard of living.

We aren't perfect. Neither is the EU. But we have a lot we can learn about each other.

Everyone has a lot to learn from each other, but our relationship with Europe is unbalanced and dangerous. Europe is imploding and in 50 years will crumble under its demographic problems. If the US does not act now to form new and serious relationships with emerging countries, then we're going to have another crisis in our lifetimes. Our own demographics are changing and this irrational alliance with Europe will be changed, whether you like it or not.

So, I guess you're all for renaming french fries to freedom fries.

I won't miss cheney and his cabal.

 

[counterstrikedude]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: counterstrikedude

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I'm thinking about a different kind of weakness.

Obama is popular in some parts of Europe because they view Obama as a potentially weak president who will kowtow to European interests, especially in regards to upcoming talks regarding reforming the financial systems. They'll realize soon that Obama will not sellout America for European interests. It's going to be interesting to see how they handle it. I hope the Secret Service is ready.

Haha...since when is Obama not going to kowtow to Europe? His policies scream socialism - something Europe is knee-deep in.

The real question should be: How far will Obama go?

Enacting similar domestic policies does not mean he would be submissive to them. In international issues he will not be submissive to European arrogance.

Since when? Did you not see him in Germany? I see it now - Obama - president of the global world.

The fact that he shares a common ideal speaks volumes of his political intentions. Of course he is going to bend over for European opinion, why wouldn't he?

 

[counterstrikedude]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't think we should be so quick to be so anti-European. They are, on average, are happier with their lives, have more balance, and have a higher life-expectancy/standard of living.

We aren't perfect. Neither is the EU. But we have a lot we can learn about each other.

Do you really want the U.S to be another Britain, France, or Germany? Where the government has total control over education, health, and media??

Saudi Arabia has higher standard of living and similar life expectancy, that has absolutely nothing to do with democracy and freedom.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: counterstrikedude

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: counterstrikedude

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I'm thinking about a different kind of weakness.

Obama is popular in some parts of Europe because they view Obama as a potentially weak president who will kowtow to European interests, especially in regards to upcoming talks regarding reforming the financial systems. They'll realize soon that Obama will not sellout America for European interests. It's going to be interesting to see how they handle it. I hope the Secret Service is ready.

Haha...since when is Obama not going to kowtow to Europe? His policies scream socialism - something Europe is knee-deep in.

The real question should be: How far will Obama go?

Enacting similar domestic policies does not mean he would be submissive to them. In international issues he will not be submissive to European arrogance.

Since when? Did you not see him in Germany? I see it now - Obama - president of the global world.

The fact that he shares a common ideal speaks volumes of his political intentions. Of course he is going to bend over for European opinion, why wouldn't he?

Great detective work. obama is not really a muslim, he's a venutian. He's been sent here to take over the planet for his (who knows if they have sexes) people.