Compare and Contrast
[guest post by Dana]
After the ghastly news of the ISIS beheading, Jim Geraghty pointed out a significant and telling difference in the response of two world leaders:
Over there: “U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron cut short his summer vacation to return to London and chair urgent meetings on the threat posed by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, calling the video ‘shocking and depraved.’”
Over here: President Obama went back to his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard Tuesday evening following less than 48 hours in Washington, leaving people puzzled over why he came back in the first place.
Obama’s two days in Washington were mostly quiet, and concluded with the president receiving his daily national security briefing in the morning, and joining Vice President Biden to huddle with members of his economic team in the afternoon.
–Dana
Hello.
Dana (4dbf62) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:16 pmSome apparently believe he came back to D.C. to work with staff and finalize his executive order re: immigration.
If he signs it at the Vineyard he can avoid, and hide from the press.
elissa (41e608) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:29 pmIf I despised the US and wanted to see it fall apart in the grand tradition of a Euro-sclerotic, banana-republic-ized, Third-World-ized society, Obama would be getting high fives from me. The type of voters who put him into office — and certainly if they’d like its next occupant to be Hillary — would inspire a broad smile from me.
Mark (14a4db) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:38 pmI think he left a light on, or something…
Gazzer (03be00) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:38 pmHe did make a public statement before hitting the links today I think.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:53 pmcomparing our @SCOAMF to another world leader, especially to a white Europeon male, it racist, and i denounce you for it.
you should be ashamed of yourself, right down to the tips of your bitter clingy toes.
redc1c4 (abd49e) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:55 pm#SCOAMF…
stupid fingers.
redc1c4 (abd49e) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:55 pmhehe…it is quite funny to watch some on the right flopping about like a bunch of fish out of the water. obama didnt come back to washington because his values and ours are opposed. he dreams of destroying the us. he probably went back on vacation to show his utter disdain for what happens to us citizens, some on the right still act as if he trying to good but is simply too stupid or lazy. they simply cannot admit that he is the enemy, not misguided.
jeff at protein wisdom has obamas number.
pierre (4dbe65) — 8/20/2014 @ 7:55 pmYou know what I find interesting? I used to think that high among his other neuroses and peculiarities was his pridefulness and extremely thin skin. But now that almost everybody’s (and this includes some of the media and many members of his own party and some foreign leaders) openly dissing him and complaining about his disinterest in, and disassociation from the presidency, and his lack of any recognizable foreign or domestic policy, he seems not to care at all. He just seems oblivious to the fact that he’s almost a laughing stock around the world. I didn’t figure on that happening.
elissa (41e608) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:05 pmwha chu talkin bout
elissa (41e608) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:08 pmWillispierre?Will Cameron and his cabinet do anything about IS before or after they suspend those 12 arms export licenses if Israel continues to fight Hamas?
I really find it hard to be impressed by a group of appeasers acting swiftly to hold a discussion about how to cover for themselves when dealing with another head of the serpent they are trying to appease.
Sam (e8f1ad) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:27 pmBut now that almost everybody’s (and this includes some of the media and many members of his own party and some foreign leaders) openly dissing him and complaining about his disinterest in, and disassociation from the presidency, and his lack of any recognizable foreign or domestic policy, he seems not to care at all.
Don’t discount the idea that Obama simply doesn’t know how unpopular he really is. Observers of the Presidency often talk about the White House “bubble” and how it insulates the President from what is going on in the real world, especially in a second term; maybe Obama deep down inside thinks that he is still the same guy who inspired the whole cult of personality thing six years ago.
JVW (638245) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:27 pmBu-bu-but- I thought he finds out about things from reading the newspaper. Don’t tell me that’s all a lie, too, JVW!
elissa (41e608) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:32 pmFear, clarity, power, death. The four enemies of the Man of Knowledge (The teachings of Don Juan, Carlos Casteneda.) I am beginning to think that he hasn’t defeated any of them.
htom (412a17) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:50 pm“I really find it hard to be impressed by a group of appeasers acting swiftly to hold a discussion about how to cover for themselves when dealing with another head of the serpent they are trying to appease.”
I wonder how much Cameron is concerned about the British accent of the jihadi who cut off Foley’s head ? Another Labour voter.
Mike K (90dfdc) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:51 pmDavid Cameron is trying to resurrect the greatness of Britain.
President Obama is trying to improve his golf score. Cheap shot, I know. Except I really don’t know what the President is doing and I don’t know why he continues to do inexplicable things.
I can only assume it is a tactic, but the strategy is lost on me.
He leaves a vacation to come to Washington and does nothing. Then he goes back to his vacation.
His juicebox supporters continue the farce that he knows what he is doing. Evidence not only suggests otherwise, but it hits you in the face hard enough for an orbital fracture of the cranium.
He is a Nobel Peace Prize winner because of his potential to bring peace to the world. Yet, all the President has is a youtube video of James Foley’s head atop that poor man’s lifeless torso.
Somehow, though, in many states, political races are too close to call.
Ag80 (eb6ffa) — 8/20/2014 @ 9:26 pmI wonder how much Cameron is concerned about the British accent of the jihadi who cut off Foley’s head ?
The good news is that Cameron is making noises about revoking British citizenship for anyone who fights along side of ISIS. Maybe from now on when British Muslims gather in large groups with signs reading “Behead those who insult Islam” the English police will take it seriously.
JVW (638245) — 8/20/2014 @ 9:36 pmundoubtedly: they will arrest anyone taking photos of those signs and the head bangers carrying them.
redc1c4 (abd49e) — 8/20/2014 @ 9:57 pmSomehow, though, in many states, political races are too close to call.
Namely, the fact that a clone of Obama, Hillary Clinton — as dishonest, manipulative and liberal as he — for some reason polls quite positively among a large portion of the US populace.
In the matter of the US morphing into a Eurosclerotic mess like France or Spain, or a northern debacle like Mexico, we in the US have no one to blame but ourselves.
Mark (14a4db) — 8/20/2014 @ 9:59 pmNamely, the fact that a clone of Obama, Hillary Clinton — as dishonest, manipulative and liberal as he — for some reason polls quite positively among a large portion of the US populace.
I think the reason is pretty clear: after a generation of indoctrination by the culture, a slight majority of voters seems hell-bent on following up the first minority President with the first girl President. It hardly matters if they are up to the job; we’ve been conditioned to believe that checking the diversity box is the most important attribute for our leaders. If I am Tammy Baldwin, I’m already salivating at the prospect of being the Democrats’ token gay nominee in 2020 or 2024.
JVW (638245) — 8/20/2014 @ 10:13 pmwith the first girl President.
Yes, but the first girl who’s also of the left.
Between all the staunch liberals throughout American society on one hand, and, on the other hand, all the squishes who just can’t help themselves from buying into the notion that liberalism and liberals are warm and cuddly, and sophisticated, a Hillary — in an alternative reality — who is honest, ethical and conservative doesn’t make hearts melt the way a Hillary who’s dishonest, unethical and leftwing does.
They say that liberalism is a mental illness, and there’s some truth in sarcasm (or humor).
Mark (14a4db) — 8/20/2014 @ 11:24 pmwhy he came back in the first place.
Reasons would be:
1) To make a statement about Ferguson, Missouri. It would be reported he was in Martha’s Voneyard, and a lot of people are not aware he is on vacation. So he made a statement in Washington, to show he’s on the job.
2) To hold some secret meetings and make decisions about Iraq. It looks like the execution made him more committed. The jihadists probably figured it would not make a difference, but he wanted to do as little as possible, so it would look like he was caving in, and that would harm morale among the people in the Iraqi army and even the Kurds.
Sammy Finkelman (3ba0b7) — 8/21/2014 @ 2:56 am“He leaves a vacation to come to Washington and does nothing. Then he goes back to his vacation.”
so you’ve been told.
nops (1467a4) — 8/21/2014 @ 3:39 amIs this why he came back? I’m not surprised in the least…
http://twitchy.com/2014/08/20/geraghty-this-cant-be-the-true-reason-for-the-presidents-dc-trip/
Navin R Johnson (b139c1) — 8/21/2014 @ 4:59 amNavin R Johnson
Die! Sucker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcwz8-EfFYE
Art Deco (ee8de5) — 8/21/2014 @ 5:43 amImdw knows things.
JD (583693) — 8/21/2014 @ 6:08 amIf #24 is correct, maybe someone should right new lyrics to “You’re So Vain”.
MD in Philly (f9371b) — 8/21/2014 @ 6:53 am“…then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to understand the sickness that has engulfed this administration and the heavy price America must now pay for a feckless choice to re-elect an unaccomplished ne’er-do-well; this was the moment when the rise of terror began to accelerate and our planet began to disintegrate; this was the moment when America’s self-imposed impotence betrayed our nation and destroyed our image as the last, best hope on Earth.”
Colonel Haiku (f8c86d) — 8/21/2014 @ 7:17 amMr. Cameron may be innocent of principles and given to posing and opportunism, but has the occasional flash of insight that his employment includes actual public responsiblities. Obama, by contrast, shoots the moon in vapidity.
Art Deco (ee8de5) — 8/21/2014 @ 8:56 amGreetings:
I still think that it’s a shame that British Muslimaniacs are now forced into a kind of extra-legal exile in order to fulfill their beheading quotas. Didn’t they used to be able to do their beheadings in their own neighborhoods. Why all of a sudden do they have to go off to some desert or other ??? What’s London coming to these days ???
11B40 (844d04) — 8/21/2014 @ 9:09 amExactly.
Enough to hold a meeting but not enough to avoid isolating the country on the front lines against jihadis doesn’t strike me as having a functional approach to the issue.
Sam (e8f1ad) — 8/21/2014 @ 9:53 am“I still think that it’s a shame that British Muslimaniacs are now forced into a kind of extra-legal exile in order to fulfill their beheading quotas.”
11B40 – I don’t know the rules, but can you substitute honor killing and stoning of wimmins for beheadings to make your quota?
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 8/21/2014 @ 10:44 amGreetings, daleyrocks (bf33e9): ( @ 32 8/21/2014 @ 10:44 am )
My Immammy says you can, but only if they’re females and have been genitally mutilated.
11B40 (844d04) — 8/21/2014 @ 11:24 amColonel Haiku (f8c86d) — 8/21/2014 @ 7:17 am
Is that a rewording of his acceptance speech, as an alternative to “You’re So Vain”?
MD in Philly (f9371b) — 8/21/2014 @ 11:57 amWhy did Obama go back to Washington for two days? I don’t think the guy likes spending a whole lot of time with his family. Wife? Mother-in-Law? Two teenage daughters? Or golfing with your buddies? To a narcissist like Obama, it’s no contest.
Funeral Guy (afbf7b) — 8/21/2014 @ 3:10 pmi don’t think obama loves michelle i think he’s as revolted by her as everyone else is, but for reasons that are his and his alone
happyfeet (8ce051) — 8/21/2014 @ 5:19 pmelissa (41e608) — 8/20/2014 @ 8:05 pm
I don’t think he cares anymore. On one hand, the job was a helluva lot harder than he thought; hell he was the exact applicant one disregards for a job. Had zero prereqs, shallow knowledge of the job, etc. I was aghast when he showed up on scene. Not because he was black or liberal; but he had zero experience. That one so unprepared, lacking of accomplishment and so unknowledgeble is on the world stage The other hand is that he was apparently coddled through his life and pumped up about how special he is. In short, we have a spoiled narcissist who knows his term is over and hcan shrug it off
Angelo (4841cf) — 8/21/2014 @ 5:41 pmI think you are probably close to the truth, Angelo, but he is a relatively young man. Is he just going to hit the links and play pick up ball with Reggie and plot sports brackets for the next 30 years? I mean, if as some have conjectured, he ever had his sights on the UN secretary general job, or a major university presidency, or the Supreme Court, those days are certainly over due to his proven incompetence and bored disinterest in performing actual work. A post- presidency presence on a once adoring world stage as an aging rockstar? Not so much. He’s not a schmoozer or a wheeler dealer, either.
Especially because we know he has such an ego and he’s such a narcissist, his lackadaisical approach to his own image and legacy is what mystifies me. Or maybe being in the history books as the first black U.S. president is enough no matter what else is said about him
And well, I suppose there’s always his other hobby—skeet shooting.
elissa (e9e9a1) — 8/21/2014 @ 6:08 pmhe got a nobel peace prize just for being a pompous dweeby pothead douchebag george soros ball-licker
legacy ain’t nothin but a thang
happyfeet (8ce051) — 8/21/2014 @ 6:14 pm#38
Indeed, I too am mystified.
Angelo (4841cf) — 8/21/2014 @ 6:27 pmHere’s a n idea:
Barak Obama: Inflaming Americans Since 2008
AZ Bob (1be00f) — 8/22/2014 @ 7:13 amMr. Cameron may be innocent of principles and given to posing and opportunism, but has the occasional flash of insight that his employment includes actual public responsiblities.
British culture is so infused with and indoctrinated by modern-day social-cultural liberalism, that even a Tory like Cameron is, at the very least, forced to carry its water. Or similar to the phenomenon evident here in the US where a growing percentage of people, including on the right, are buying into the idea of same-sex marriage.
So while UK Laborites will want to send pre-paid airline tickets (perhaps even for the first-class compartment) to immigrants trying to enter their country, people like Cameron will deem it sufficiently sensible to merely disapprove of that policy, perhaps look a bit stern, and then proclaim: “Carry on as usual, folks. And a big happy face to you all!”
Sort of like George W. Bush’s “kinder, gentler” pronouncement and ethos.
Mark (14a4db) — 8/22/2014 @ 7:28 am#33, 11B40, you may be talking to the wrong Imamammy. Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, both 22 years old and both immigrants from Nigeria and both raised in Christian families, murdered British soldier Lee Rigby with knives and a meat cleaver in broad daylight on a busy street in what eye witnesses described as a “horrific frenzied attack.”
The unsuspecting Rigby was set upon by these two vicious animals “like a butcher attacking a joint of meat.” As Lee Rigby lay dying in the road, and as several women tried to comfort the dying man, they also remonstrated with the bloodthirsty killers who had remained on the scene celebrating their crime and praising Allah in the expectation of great rewards for their demonstration of love and respect for the teachings of Islam.
Judge Sweeney told the killers in his remarks: “Your sickening and pitiless conduct was in stark contrast to the compassion and bravery shown by the various women at the scene who tended to Lee Rigby’s body and who challenged what you had done and said.”
ropelight (c73b76) — 8/22/2014 @ 8:17 am