Obama, Edward Snowden and World Reaction

Perhaps the political environment and world reaction surrounding Edward Snowden can be better understood by examining the Obama administration. There is a sitting American President who has apologized on numerous occasions for perceived American mistakes.: : Obama has played softball with the world, criticized America in France, England, Turkey, Cairo, the CIA headquarters and elsewhere. Obama has spoken of American arrogance, said America treats other countries as proxies and criticized America for acting unilaterally.

Ronn Torossian

Against this backdrop, Russia and China have chosen to protect someone charged with serious crimes against America.

n 2009: at the National Archives Obama said “Unfortunately, faced with an uncertain threat, our government made a series of hasty decisions. I believe that many of these decisions were motivated by a sincere desire to protect the American people. But I also believe that all too often our government made decisions based on fear rather than foresight; that all too often our government trimmed facts and evidence to fit ideological predispositions. Instead of strategically applying our power and our principles, too often we set those principles aside as luxuries that we could no longer afford. And during this season of fear, too many of us–Democrats and Republicans, politicians, journalists, and citizens–fell silent.”: : Snowden hasn’t been silent — and has made interviews alluding that as Obama stated “our government made decisions based on fear rather than foresight.”

Never before has an American President criticized America so much — andPresident Obama’s White House is responsible for bringing seven of the ten total indictments ever brought under the 1917 Espionage Act.:  As the CEO of a: New York Public Relations Firm, I’d argue that apologizing for America’s behavior broadcasts a weak American image to the world.

Rather than: defending American actions as necessary in the wake of 9-11, today’s political enviornment allows an ideologue like Snowden to think he is a patriot. Indeed, he: has claimed his actions are to protect — not harm America. Obama has said America “has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.”: Following that logic, if America is spying on the world, is that not extreme arrogance?

While the last few days have the aura of a thriller spy movie,: Snowden has been aided by China, Russia, Ecuador, and who knows who else.: : World nations are openly defying and disrespecting America. Didn’t Obama promise better foreign relations?

In 2009 Obama said “I would like to think that with my election and the early decisions that we’ve made, that you’re starting to see some restoration of America’s standing in the world. And although, as you know, I always mistrust polls, international polls seem to indicate that you’re seeing people more hopeful about America’s leadership. I just think in a world that is as complex as it is, that it is very important for us to be able to forge partnerships as opposed to simply dictating solutions.”

Obama has got a lot of trust and partnership these days in Russia, from the Chinese,: : Mid-East, and rest of the world, huh?: : As these nations defy America they don’t seem to have any fear. If anyone disagrees, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Even the best: public relations executive: couldn’t claim such hogwash.

On November 30, 2011, Obama said “America is great not just because we’re powerful, but also because we have a set of values that the world :­admires … We don’t just think about what’s good for us, but we’re also thinking about what’s good for the world … That’s what makes us exceptional.” He told a: foreign reporter “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.”

Think other countries think America is protecting the world by spying on them? Chinese officials today said before they will speak about what they do,: Washington should come clean about its record first. It owes … “an explanation to China and other countries it has allegedly spied on. It has to share with the world the range, extent and intent of its clandestine hacking programs.”

If Obama’s personal belief that the U.S. is not an exceptional, uniquely great nation why, or how he can demand the return of Snowden?: : Would he return Chinese or Russian citizens with secrets who had spied on us? Why should they if indeed the world is the global village the Democrats speak of?

While many on the right — including Fox News — are denouncing Snowden as a traitor, could anyone doubt that if Snowden did this when Bush was POTUS, all the media would say he is a hero?

Indeed, America is an exceptional country which is different from other countries. And this — and every other — American President should recognize this country for its greatness.: : America is an exceptional country and Presidents shouldn’t apologize for their nation.

Ronn Torossian is the CEO of 5WPR, a philanthropist and author.

Also see,

Fighting Biblical Illiteracy In Hispanic Communities

Share this!

Enjoy reading? Share it with your friends!