Posted on 03/27/2010 8:28:28 PM PDT by Ooh-Ah
The reaction to Obama's treatment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ("Bibi") Netanyahu was as strong if not stronger than I have seen in the comments here and elsewhere in the blogosphere on any other issue. (I didn't let through a number of over-the-top comments.)
Why this reaction? I bet a lot of the people having this reaction only had heard of Bibi Netanyahu in passing on the news.
Who would care if our President left a foreign leader to wait in the White House while the President supposedly went to have dinner with his family? Who would care if our President broke protocol by refusing to be photographed and hold a press conference with a foreign leader? Who would care if that foreign leader left tail tucked between his legs, humiliated at home at the treatment by the leader of the free world?
Part of it certainly is that the foreign leader in question was the leader of Israel, which is tremendously popular with Americans. In Israel the clear majority of Americans see a democratic nation surrounded by implacable enemies who also are our enemies, doing what it takes to survive and thrive. In so many historical, religious and political ways Israel is our kindred spirit, more than just one among many nations.
But that cannot explain the intensity of the reaction. Obama has shown disrespect for our British friends, with whom we share an even more intense historical relationship. There are very, very few countries in the world whose soldiers would die for us, and Britain is one of those countries. Yet the reaction to Obama's treatment of Britain has been muted.
I think the reaction to Obama's treatment of Bibi Netanyahu hits home because it was so personal in nature, and because it epitomized how the American people have been treated by Obama and the Democrats, with arrogance and disdain.
We have seen this attitude since the Inauguration, when Obama and the crowd treated George W. Bush with disrespect, in the smears by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and other leading Democrats against health care protesters, in the daily attacks by the left-wing blogs and mainstream media against the Tea Party members, in the treatment of Sarah Palin and Trig Palin, in the bribes and budgetary chicanery used to pass a health care bill opposed by a significant majority of the population, and in the disgusting use of the race card to stifle legitimate political dissent.
In Bibi Netanyahu we see something we have lost in our leader, an unflinching sense of national destiny, an unapologetic pride in who we are and why we are, and a willingness to stand up to tyrants and neighborhood bullies regardless of the price.
To see a leader like Bibi Netanyahu treated so shabbily by someone who treats us the same way was too much to bear.
The story of how Obama treated Bibi Netanyahu at the White House was a familiar story, which is why it has caused such a strong reaction.
Great title to the article. We are at the mercy of God, now. When America becomes an enemy of Israel then America will cease to be.
Ping
Netanyahu for President. Hell if Obama can be an unconstitutional president, why not Netanyahu? I am just praying for the day to come when we will be able to put Obama on trial.
Prayers for us and our old allies.
You can take the boy-muslim out of Kenya; but you can’t take the Kenya out of the boy-muslim.
Shabbily? Cry us a river. Bibi’s government is one of the most expensive welfare clients of the U.S. in the world. Israel (and the Arab countries) need to start depending on themselves rather than living off the American dole. We can’t afford it.
Although Obama did indeed treat Netanyahu very rudely and disrespectfully, the latter didn't leave with his "tail tucked between his legs." He stood his ground at the meetings (the contruction in Jerusalem will continue), and he left proudly.
Add classless to the list of 0bama descriptors....
Our aid to Israel (most of which is in the form of loan guarantees that they always pay back in full) amounts to around $2.5 billion/yr.
They're FAR from dependent on American taxpayer dollars.
Personally, I find the billions of dollars we give to Egypt and other Islamic nations that is never repaid far more of a concern.
...I posted this before, If this Republic keeps on the path it’s on, I am thinking about renouncing my citizenship and emigrating to Israel. I would rather be closer to a war zone, where they are prepared, than be in a place that lets the enemy run free to do murder on America...
You would think that such an upstanding Jew, as Rahm Emmanuel, could refocus the Muslim King Zer0 to at least agree to break bread with Bibi!
As long as you can persuade the Israelis to "renounce" their tax subsidies from the overburdened American taxpayer, I say more power to you.
This is the same excuse that politicians use to "defend" subsidies (errr below market rate loans) to farmers. It won't wash. If these subsidies are really so trivial, then they can be safely ended right?
Are you saying that we should cut off subsidies to BOTH Israel and the Islamic nations? If so, we agree. If not, what are you saying?
As an aside, I find it ...interesting that most of those who complain the loudest about our aid to Israel don't have much to say about the far greater dollar amounts we give to (combined) Islamic nations. ...especially considering that a lot of that cash goes straight to funding terrorism.
It is aid, not loans, and none of it is repaid.
This year Israel will receive $2.5 billion, in 2010 - $2.775 billion, and in 2011 the sum will reach $3 billion.
It just means that some of us have developed more loyalty to Mr. Netanyahu than to the current Washington administration, even if we have no connection whatsoever with Israel or the Jewish people.
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