Thursday, September 1, 2011

Remnick on Obama

It's been a long time since I've last posted, but what better way to get back into it than with an excellent Fraction from David Remnick, from his fine piece on Libya, Obama, and "leading from behind":

The trouble with so much of the conservative critique of Obama’s foreign policy is that it cares less about outcomes than about the assertion of America’s power and the affirmation of its glory. In the case of Libya, Obama led from a place of no glory, and, in the eyes of his critics, no results could ever vindicate such a strategy. Yet a calculated modesty can augment a nation’s true influence. Obama would not be the first statesman to realize that it can be easier to win if you don’t need to trumpet your victory.

4 comments:

steve9000 said...

They're all looking for the the arrogant, chest thumping swagger. [sigh]

Anonymous said...

The real question is, what the hell are we doing in Libya in the first place? Their "revolt" was not organic at all, unlike Egypt's and Tunisia's. Obama invaded Libya for the same reason W invaded Iraq. It's disgusting. Any attempt to legitimize this action or support the president in the face of criticism is likewise disgusting.

Alec P. said...

The real question is, where the hell has Frank been in the first place? His "hiatus" was not accidental at all, unlike the wife and I's "vacay" to the Poconos. Frank abandoned his readers for the same reason that W invaded Iraq. Any attempt to legitimize this action or support the writer in the face of criticism is likewise, thereto and forthwith disgusting. Is this the man that wrote up in 9B? Or the man that deceived an entire school in a egregious attempt to elicit heartfelt farewell speeches?

framiko said...

I appreciate your comment, Alec P. But I think what you're really saying is that you've missed Corresponding Fractions like the desert (Libyan, Iraqi, or otherwise) misses the rain.