Obama Weekly Address: Hey, Look At Me, I’m Leading!

Who’s he trying to convince? Americans? The world? Himself? (video himself)

Weekly Address: America is Leading the World

Hi, everybody. American leadership is the one constant in an uncertain world. That was true this week, as we mobilized the world to confront some of our most urgent challenges.

Leaders generally do not start out with “hi, everybody”. And leadership is not always positive. Especially in the era of Obama, where “leadership from behind” has been the norm. And, is it really leadership if you have to thump your chest? Or, are you just a poseur?

America is leading the world in the fight to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL. On Monday, our brave men and women in uniform began air strikes against ISIL targets in Syria. And they weren’t alone. I made it clear that America would act as part of a broad coalition, and we were joined in this action by friends and partners, including Arab nations. At the United Nations in New York, I worked to build more support for this coalition; to cut off terrorist financing; and to stop the flow of foreign fighters into and out of that region. And in my address to the UN, I challenged the world — especially Muslim communities – to reject the ideology of violent extremism, and to do more to tap the extraordinary potential of their young people.

That’s strange: didn’t he originally say that ISIS wasn’t Islamic? Of course, it’s not leading when he was forced into this by public opinion polls after the beheading of several people, Americans, by ISIS.

America is leading the effort to rally the world against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Along with our allies, we will support the people of Ukraine as they develop their democracy and economy. And this week, I called upon even more nations to join us on the right side of history.

How’s that working out? This has been going on since right after the Olympics, and nothing has really changed.

America is leading the fight to contain and combat the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. We’re deploying our doctors and scientists — supported by our military — to help corral the outbreak and pursue new treatments. From the United Kingdom and Germany to France and Senegal, other nations are stepping up their efforts, too, sending money, supplies, and personnel. And we will continue to rally other countries to join us in making concrete commitments to fight this disease, and enhance global health security for the long-term.

OK, we can give him a thumbs up on this one. Of course, the problem here is that Obama expects everyone to get involved in an issue he cares about, instead of simply doing it himself. He’s done a good job in deploying US resources so far.

America is engaging more partners and allies than ever to confront the growing threat of climate change before it’s too late. We’re doing our part, and helping developing nations do theirs. At home, we’ve invested in clean energy, cut carbon pollution, and created new jobs in the process. Abroad, our climate assistance now reaches more than 120 nations. And on Tuesday, I called on every nation – developed and developing alike — to join us in this effort for the sake of future generations.

In other words, 120 countries love getting that sweet, sweet, US money for simply existing. It used to be called “foreign aid”, now it’s about “climate change”, and, as usual, the money is pretty much pissed away and the citizens continue to live in poverty and squalor. Oh, and they get to look at windmills and solar farms generating electricity that they can’t neither afford. That is, if they even have electrical outlets in their huts.

The people of the world look to us to lead. And we welcome that responsibility…

I wouldn’t have lost it laughing if he had said “I”.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.

Share this!

Enjoy reading? Share it with your friends!