Communicating with World Leaders

Honestly I really didn't know how to title this thread so I went with World Leaders as those I speak of are to some extent whether or not we like them here in the U.S.

What leaders? Name a country in the World. I mean them.

I've been looking at some responses in other threads as well as what I hear coming from people I come in contact with and it's rather disquieting to me.

The fact that President Obama is "talking" to other leaders seems to be a problem. Hell, apparently he had the gall to bow to one of them. BIG F...DEAL!

He may actually sit down and "talk" to the President of Iran. OMG NO!

He's whooshing around the world apologizing to people. Hell, might be some merit to that but why not after we have muddled up so many things over the years.

I'm as proud to be an American as anyone out there so please don't waste your time. I'm also cognizant of the fact that amongst MANY nations, even our "allies", we are not at all that respected. Now why would that be?

Perhaps because other countries have problems as well? Perhaps they care as little about you or I as we might about them? It works both ways when you leave the states folks.

Many countries we get along with just fine while others we do not. Is that a fair assessment? Let's take Canada as an example. We share the longest unarmed border in the world.
Now, does Canada have an interest in what happens in the U.S.? Of course, we're intertwined. Does Canada agree with every policy we propose or set forth? Of course not - they have their own problems as well.
Bottom line what's best for the U.S. is NOT always in the best interests of Canada.

OK. Canada is an easy example. What about those that have totally different idealogies and religious beliefs? I tread lightly on religious beliefs here folks as I'm SO tired of hearing we're a Christian nation. Like it or not we are NOT.
Separation of Church and State. We are a predominately Christian nation.

It's a big world. We don't control it. We can't walk anywhere we please as the "alpha male" and expect others to follow. This is a no brainer that seems to be missed by so many.

So let's jump into the mideast. No where in particular as we're pretty much hated there anyway. U.S. flags get burned as do effigies of Uncle Sam. Harsh regimes that dictate to the people. Yeah, sucks and I wouldn't want to live there but it's a reality in many cases.
How do we deal with this?

Well, if you want to make it simple nuke the whole damn region, put on the hazmat suits and take the oil. For some reason I think other countries would have a problem with this.

Engage them in war on an ever increasing scale. Not real wise either.

Hey, why don't we talk to them!?! Show a bit of respect no matter how whacked out the particular leader might be. No. THAT WOULD NEVER WORK.
Of course you could always try and if it fails at least you tried.

If you don't at least try then you are a failure. If you try and fail at least you tried. You're not a failure.

If President Obama put on a pair of really stupid glasses tomorrow and flew to North Korea to bow to Kim Jung Il I'd applaud him. At least he would have tried.

 

I really don't care who he talks to in the world. I do have an issue with bowing but that may just be me seeing it as a subservient action and I don't think we should be subservient to any country. But, talking, or whatever to other leaders...as long as it helps us, that is fine with me.

Really, I would rather see the US take much less of a role in the world. We have our own problems and would be better off worrying about those rather than worrying about what is going on in other countries.

Let the rest of the world take care of themselves. We are more than powerful enough that no one is going to f with us even if we don;t have troops stationed everywhere. The last thing I want to do is control the world. Too much of it is an utter sh..crap hole. Who needs the hassle.

We need to end embargoes, sanctions, foreign aid, troops in other countries and on and on. Basically mind our own store.

 

I can understand what your're saying SJ. As for the bowing I don't think ANY of it shows us as subservient. More like a little respect and a little respect can get the ball rolling and go a long way.

Will some talks end up in total failure. Of course - it's been happening for centuries now hasn't it?

As you would I like to see the U.S. not be involved in so many other countries' problems but easier said than done. I'm not big on donating money to relief overseas on the occasions I actually can donate. I'd much rather take care of my fellow countrymen first.

My basic point is at least trying to open a dialogue can prove beneficial for the parties involved. If it doesn't so be it.
I can guarantee that no communication at all will not solve any problems.

 

One thing is people are very touchy and if you go in showing no respect for there customs etc then its back to the same old story of American Imperialism in there eye's. When he visits the Pope he will kiss the papal ring (No smart comments here folks LOL) now is that been subservient or just respectful? Same goes for any visit to Japan, they will bow to him does that make him superior? No of course it dont.
One thing that you have to remember is that no matter how big and powerful the US is it can not afford to go it alone in this world, so if showing a bit of respect and humility gets results that is fantastic.
Try not too become to isolationis though that is just as bad in its own way as been to much of a interventionist

 

Like I say, I have no problems with dialogue with anyone. Nor do I have problems with trade with anyone. I just have a problem with all the other stuff we do in the world.

Oh...and I have bowed to more than a few people in my time - like in Korea - but it was a mutual bow. That's a show of respect. One sided bows are for servants and subjects.

And no, I would kiss no one's ring.

 

I think I only bowed to someone when square dancing. And Stu protocol calls for kissing a Cardinal's and the Pope's ring.
If you ever have a chance to meet a pope, well, you know. As for Obama's infamous ''curtsey''; hes the President of the United States! A world leader equal to any other world leader. Big ''FN'' deal? Yea it is. What is he a car salesman? ''I'll do anything to get you to talk to us!''. Maybe he can do a little dance. Or get them some refreshments.

 

Yeah, well I guess I won't plan on meeting too many Cardinals or Popes..or, if I do, they are going to be left with unkissed rings.

 

Well ok then. I'll take you off the list.

 

Just for the record, though, I am perfectly fine with not touching the Queen of England.

 

Obama's curtsey to the Saudi leader & his bro-hugs with Hugo Chavez are just too much. Do you believe for a minute that just becasue Obama is warming up to the people who don't like us the perception they hold is going to change? On the contrary, dicatators like Chavez will exploit Obama's deferencial actions as a sign of US weakness which will, in turn, embolden our enemies. These countries didn't suddenly develop their anti-American feelings during the Bush administration...these are a deep seeded hatred & envy of our power & freedom.
Communicate with foreign enemies? I don't suppose it will hurt but there is a time & a place. I would think behind the scenes discussions with lower level US reps would be the place to start. By buddying up to these thugs in the international media Obama is legitimizing their words & actions.
I don't know about you guys but when I see Obama going abroad & apologizng for being American and proclaiming himself to be a "citizen of the world" it makes me sick to my stomach. A big part of negotiation and deal making is posturing and working from a position of strength. Well, Obama is working hard to eliminate both. Personally, I don't care what foreign countries think of us. Most of it is pure jealousy anyway.

 

LOL do you honestly think that this buddying up is something new in American politics David? if so then I seriously sugest that you do some reading of previouse administrations and there forign freinds All he is doing is what every other American President in recent memory has done so why attack him for it? And please believe me I can give you a list of Dictators who America supported who make Chevez look like a schoolboy.

 

I think that is a good point. I believe we do have some mending of fences to do with some countries. But we shouldn't forget that some of these other countries and entities have been against us for decades and decades. Heck, we just recently got a new faction against us even with a new President...the Pirates (Arrggghhh!).

As far as Cuba...I already said I could not care less if he meets greets and normalizes relations with them.

Venezuela? As long as the oil is flowing and we need it, I have no problems with meeting and greeting him either. If the oil stops flowing take him out and any successors until it starts flowing again. Annex the place if that doesn't work. But, if we get what we need, I could not care less what his people have for freedoms, etc.

Same with Saudi. Whatever relations are fine as long as the oil keeps flowing. Smile, fist bump, whatever. Just learn what a bow means when done as a solo act to a King and don't do it again.

Iran is a different story. I would trade with them but I am not sure how far I would go with actual meetings. I'd send Hillary. That is probably enough and it certainly won't be a pleasant experience for them. Just ask Bill.

 

Most likely it won't. It takes time but meeting with them is a possible and I do mean possible start.
One thing is for sure. If we don't approach them it has a snowball's chance in hell of changing.

How will it embolden them and how will they exploit it? Like we're suddenly a submissive dog?
They make a few demands with an "or else" and we cave. Do you really think THEY are that stupid?

What better time and place than here and now? If it doesn't work (and in many, hell possibly most, cases it won't) so be it.
I also would tend to believe that Obama doesn't just phone these guys and say "hey Hugo gonna be in the neighborhood so thought I'd stop by". Maybe, just maybe there was a little work behind the scenes.

So anyone that sees him give the "bro-hug" to Chavez in the world now thinks Chavez is A NUMBER ONE?
Come on man!

Is he apologizing for being an American or for some of the idiotic positions we have taken in the past and undoubtedly will continue to do in the future?

We're all citizens of the world. Just so happens we're not all in the same country but we do inhabit the same planet and it's getting smaller and scarier every day.

True but it really hasn't been working as well for us in some time as more countries advance their technology and weaponry.
We aren't the "big dog" we once were. We can't throw our weight around wherever and whenever we please.

Look at how so many of these countries (and the Somali pirates) thumb their noses at us then explain what posture and strength we have please.
I don't think he'll have to work to destroy what is already disinigrating. Building it back up will be the real challenge.

Not caring what other countries think about us is a MAJOR factor in the whole works David. Jealous or not. Make enough enemies and things start to turn. We have excelled at that for years.

 

Rather than fly off the handle and go off on an anti liberal tangent, I will just shake my head at the weakness , meakness, and outright pacifist mentality that has permeated our culture. It astounds me to no end.

Shaking my head does not work, I need to go ride the paint mixer at Home Depot to shake this on off. WOW.

Absolutly un-F'ing-believable.

 

Lets end this evening with a smile.
Dan, I am SOOOOOOO glad you work in a coin shop instead of the State Department

See ya folks, I'm outta here for a week, off to MI for a coinshow, have a great one

 

I don't have a problem with making any country a parking lot if it needs to be done. If it was up to me, that mountain range between Pakistan and Afghanistan that Bin Laden is supposedly hiding in would be a big, deep ditch by now.

What I have a problem with is the stupidity of our foreign policy.

Somehow our military national security has morphed into the belief that we are the world's police, peacekeeping and humanitarian force and I think it is dumb. Most countries have the leaders they deserve and it is folly to try and 'free' them. They are obviously not culturally ready or wired for freedom. Another country cannot force freedom on a people and you cannot give freedom to anyone. They need to fight for it and win it themselves if they want it. Iraq is such a good example of that.

I just don't see how countries like Venezuela or Cuba are any threat to us at all and why we don't have normalized relations with them. Does anyone really believe that our 'enemies' like Cuba and Venezuela are really worse in any way than our 'allies' like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia?

 

My point is this: We can "talk" to anyone we need to if it is our best interest and is done appropriately. Being a subservient lap dog (or appearing weak) serves only to diminish our position on the international stage. Face it, what Obama has done recently makes us look weak not like the strong, powerful country we are...and he isn't alone in this. Whatever you call it, it has permeated the liberal side of the isle. Suddenly it has become a liberal mantra to be "citizens or the world" and bash US tradition.
This video of Chavez approaching Obama & Obama smiling, accepting that anti-American book is sickening. The secret service should have taken Chavez down once he got within a few feet of the pres, but it probably shows the pacifist attitude that Obama is projecting.
We need to remain strong, project strength and make it clear we will use force to defend our interests or the landscape of this world will change dramatically.

 

Maybe I'll paint some flowers on the van and drive out to see you Jack. If you have a guitar handy we can sing Kumbaya.

 

So David you are advocating that the Presidents security detail should murder a Head of state!! and with the President there as well!! You do realise that Chevez has his own security detail dont you and that they too carry guns and can shoot? Oh sorry I forgot you would applaud them if they killed Obama. One things for certain it would certainly lift the tv ratings across the globe and paper sales LOL By god I woudnt want to live in a world were you ran the state department.

Jack have a good one, but answer this when you come back what is best talking with the ability to back up your words in the hope of preventing loss of life (by this I mean service personel) or just going in gung ho and to hell with the cost? now there is a difference between Pacifism and outright machoism for the sake of it.

I quite agree Cuba and Venezuela do not represent any real threat to the USA so just ignore them. You dont want to be the world police you have no argument from me on that score just take your boys home, I also quite agree with cutting aid, why help those who want to kill you?

 

I wish I could bring them home. I'd put a bunch on the borders and send a bunch to escort American ships over near Somalia and have them sinking pirate (Arrgggh!) ships and sniping pirate (Arrgggh!) on a daily basis. I'd even give Sarah some so she can keep an eye on Russia.

And 99% of foreign aid is just bribes and welfare. Eliminating it is fine with me. I would much rather have it go to Southern America, Western America, Eastern America, Northern America and Central America...the ones in the US.