Thursday, September 17, 2009

Obama's Big Blunder

Barack's Big Blunder would sound slightly better but I don't appreciate people calling authority figures by their first name, and Obama's still got the "b" in there, so I'm good.

One of the 30 posts I have written in my brain in the past few months was a sentimental, patriotic one about the anniversary of the fall of communism and how much I love Poland for it's bravery and awesomeness. I'm more sad than ever that I never wrote that post after today.

Today is the anniversary of the day the Red army marched into Poland, high fiving the German's on their way out of the country. This is not a happy anniversary. They've been showing footage of the hundreds of tanks rolling in on this day seventy years ago, and the Russian and German soldiers tearing apart Polish flags, all marking the beginning of decades of oppression and poverty and lots of other bad stuff (losing my vocabulary, here).

Today, on this very anniversary, Barack Obama announced that there will be no missle defense sheild built in Poland. Not that this is a huge surprise in itself, but today? All over European news they're talking about how this is basically a bow to the Russians, or a gift to them. Just what they deserve, really.

I'm sure he said some conciliatory stuff during the announcement, too, but come on. Poland has stood by America through thick and thin. They had the third highest number of troops in Iraq after the US and England. They have been super forgiving of the country that basically ignored their plight during WWII for years while millions of people died and their country was trashed.

I've not been too interested in Obama's mistakes up until now but this one I definitely have an opinion about. I gladly admit that Bush wasn't the best when it comes to foreign policy, but today is being declared a major low in US foreign policy. Under who?

Who's the dim wit that decided this would be announced today? The idiocy.
***
I know I've been virtually absent from the blogging/emailing/Internet world, but I still think in blog posts and read blogs sporadically. All the posts I have lined up in my brain are just waiting for me to feel like doing anything, at which point I will post them.

20 comments:

Barbaloot said...

First off-you have been missed around here. Hope life is good over there.

Second-thanks for the education. I'll be honest, I don't know much about Polish history, but I appreciated what you shared today. I'm sorry for the proverbial slap in the face from our President today...

Elizabeth said...

Agreed. Thanks for sharing.

Becky said...

Oh, wow. He really dropped the ball on this one. Very disappointing.

P.S. I miss you and hope things are well for you!

Annette Lyon said...

Whoa. That IS a big one.

How much do you want to bet he didn't even KNOW what day it was until after the fact? (Because Poland is just that important . . .)

Melissa said...

I think he has some major apologizing to do. By the way, I've missed you! I'm glad to see you blogging again.

Lara Neves said...

Wow, I wasn't aware of this one. That IS a big blunder.

Wonder if he'll apologize.

Missed you! :)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Way to speak up about it, Lisa! Such an incredibly tactless move.

Have missed you - hope all is well!

Melanie Jacobson said...

I have to say, Obama is making me more sympathetic to Bush by the day. I couldn't stand Bush and found great glee in his boneheaded moves, but now seeing how easy it is for someone to get strung up by honest mistakes, I'm beginning to realize I was harder on Bush than I should have been. And so were a lot of people. I never thought I'd say that.

Thanks for history lesson. My grandfather served in the South Pacific so a lot of the European parts of the war are fuzzy for me.

Chief said...

Such a shame. This guy just doesn't seem to get it.

Anonymous said...

You HAVE been missed around here. And I'm with you. That was a HUGE blunder to make--today of all days. And a mistake in general I think.

Anonymous said...

As long as we're being alliterative... dork, dimwit, doo-doo head, dingleberry, doofus...

It's not much, but it sorta' makes me feel better.

Not really.

But I'm glad to hear you're still alive. You have been missed muchly!

Anonymous said...

Actually, you'll be glad to hear that I've recently taken an interest in Polish history. My hubby and I recently watched "Katyn" (not sure if that's the correct Americanized spelling or not) and we were incredibly moved. True story/ docudramas are always difficult for me to watch, especially war stories, but there's so much to learn from the past.

Kazzy said...

I have missed ya!

I love the way your advocacy for Poland shows up in your writing. You are right about the lack of tact here. So sorry.

charrette said...

So good to hear from you. We've all missed you!

I like Obama, but I agree that was an unfortunate mistake. I have a friend who once told me it took her 50 years to learn that those who offend us rarely intend to do so.

Erin said...

I'm with everyone else - what a blunder it is! And I have missed you too.

Randi said...

missing you - like everyone else!

I watched a report (well several) about this. I'm just astonished. I've never been an Obama fan, but I've always thought he was at least a smart and tactful man.

Now I wonder about even that.

We love you Poland!

abangxxx said...

abangxxx said;
I would say your posts as enlightening especially the one about Polish troops in Iraq. To be fair,the decision made by Obama can only be understood years from now. Then again, if only history is on his side. So good to know you!
This blogger can be reached at; abangxxx@daroblog-blogspot.com
also at: ahmadabang@authorsden.com

Heidi said...

I think Obama is going to go down in history as another Jimmy Carter. Nice man but kinda clueless.

The Sibert Family said...

Obama was not trying to do anything with Poland. He is trying to get ALL missile defense systems. It would just make Poland a target for Terrorists. However, Poland did not need any defence. Granted Obama doing it on the day of the Red Army blah blah, but he wasn't trying to hurt Poland. That is where the media here is retarded about. But nonetheless, his plan is a good one. Get rid of All of the NUKES!

dp said...

Polish history - I remember the history of Poland being briefly covered in the New Zealand curriculum. I seem to remember they had just managed to get out from about 5 to 8 hundred years of being ruled by other powers at the beginning of the 20th century. Only to have that independent rule to be taken away, by the Soviet and Nazi collaboration... When I studied this there were only the first glimmerings of hope with Lech Walesa.

I believe that the Obama administration seeks what all U.S. administrations seek, advancing U.S. interests, that is all. I also believe that this administration will accomplish that with a much lower body count than the last administration.