James Taranto points out a critical flaw in President Obama’s defense of the deal he’s negotiated with Iran:
But there is an even more basic objection to Obama’s statement. Assume for the sake of argument that the “Iranian hard-liners†and the Republicans really do want an all-out military confrontation. Now, consider an example from history when such a result actually obtained. On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. On Dec. 8, Congress declared war on Japan. Would it make any sense to say that the Japanese and the U.S. Congress had made “common cause�
Obama is equating mutual antagonism with its opposite, “common cause.†Again, Orwell put it more pithily: War is peace.
Will the president maintain his divisive and IMO counterproductive rhetoric now that the very Congressional leaders whose support the president needs for his agreement are opposing it, too? I’m guessing he will. He has shown a remarkable lack of ability to learn from experience.
In your earlier post I took issue with your expressed hope that Schumer’s dissent might be a game changer, but here I see that you are being more pessimistic about that possibility.
I still have to take issue though, when you say that Obama has shown inability to learn from experience. On the contrary, experience has taught him that the demonization of his opponents works. And in the current situation, even though a prominent Democrat like Schumer could pose a problem for this approach, as Ann Althouse points out the NYT is ready to play the Jewish card against him.
Obama is a bulldozer. His decisions seem to be primarily based on consultations with himself and his like-minded bubble of advisors. Other contrary opinions are merely seen as obstacles to be derided and then composted. This is how he has approached healthcare, welfare reform, immigration, regulatory measures, foreign policy considerations, etc.. There is no learning curve for this man, in reconsidering his considerations. This is because, similar to Trump, he is given to looking into his own mirror which renders a validating self reflection of supportive admiration. However, IMO, his presidency will be remembered by many as being divisive, hard-nosed with a strong dose of smooth, intellectual rationalization.
Black trumps Jew, just like gay trumps woman. Usually gay trumps black, too, these days, as the liberal elite have gotten tired of blacks behaving badly. (Burning down Baltimore followed by a major joyful killing spree being the latest example – especially since the blacks got what they wanted, no policing, and are now bitching about the inevitable and easily predicted results.)
The Grievance Games are funny, if you’ve got a bleak enough sense of humor. These days I often find them riotously funny. The only problem is trying to choke back the laughter around more sensitive souls….
Other contrary opinions are merely seen as obstacles to be derided and then composted.
That’s beautifully put, jan! _Composted_, LOL, just perfect!
And I like the comparison of Obama and Trump, too. I’ve been convinced for years (and have stated this many times), that the next President will be worse than the current one. Now I’m seeing a clear road to that result!
“Obama is a bulldozer.”
LOL. And how many times have we heard Obama criticized for taking too long to make decisions? Talking them over too long as he is a weak and ineffectual leader. Took well over a year to pass the health reform bill, and was condemned for dawdling, then it changed to “he rammed it down our throats”. Now he is a tyrant.
Divisive is just risible. Which member of the GOP was ever going to support the Iran deal?
Steve
That’s a horrid analogy. Neither the Japanese nor Congress were desirous of a war, so of course there is no common cause. There are, however, both Iranian conservatives and American conservatives desirous of continued antagonism between their respective governments. Both wish to see any agreement leading to normalization of relations deep-sixed. Is that common cause? Yeah.
” I’ve been convinced for years (and have stated this many times), that the next President will be worse than the current one. “
Extremist invites extremist. That’s what is happening with the so called “Trump phenomena.” Obama has dithered (yes, Steve), and he has been intransigent in other decisions of his presidency. In a way Obama has exercized a bi-polar type of governance, which is simply not what we need in a leader, these days. Trump is now the GOP inane response to the crazy last years of Obama, where the conservatives are now going off the rail in order to assuage their frustration to the Obama policies. God help us all!