There he vowed energetic measures against global warming (“the global threat of our time”). The16-year pause of this warming was not predicted by, and is not explained by, the climate models for which, in his strange understanding of respect for science, he has forsworn skepticism.
Regarding another threat, he spoke an almost meaningless sentence that is an exquisite example of why his rhetoric cannot withstand close reading: “We may strike blows against terrorist networks, but if we ignore the instability and intolerance that fuels extremism, our own freedom will eventually be endangered.” So, “instability and intolerance” are to blame for terrorism? Instability where? Intolerance of what by whom “fuels” terrorists? Terrorism is a tactic of destabilization. Intolerance is, for terrorists, a virtue.
It is axiomatic: Arms control is impossible until it is unimportant. This is because arms control is an arena of competition in which nations negotiate only those limits that advance their interests. Nevertheless, Obama trotted out another golden oldie in Berlin when he vowed to resuscitate thecadaver of nuclear arms control with Russia. As though Russia’s arsenal is a pressing problem. And as though there is reason to think President Vladimir Putin, who calls the Soviet Union’s collapse “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century,” is interested in reducing the arsenal that is the basis of his otherwise Third World country’s claim to great-power status.
Shifting his strange focus from Russia’s nuclear weapons, Obama said “we can?.?.?. reject the nuclear weaponization that North Korea and Iran may be seeking.” Were Obama given to saying such stuff off the cuff, this would be a good reason for handcuffing him to a teleprompter. But, amazingly, such stuff is put on his teleprompter and, even more amazing, he reads it aloud.
Neither the people who wrote those words nor he who spoke them can be taken seriously. North Korea and Iran may be seeking nuclear weapons? North Korea may have such weapons. Evidently Obama still entertains doubts that Iran is seeking them.
In Northern Ireland before going to Berlin, Obama sat next to Putin, whose demeanor and body language when he is in Obama’s presence radiate disdain. There Obama said: “With respect to Syria, we do have differing perspectives on the problem, but we share an interest in reducing the violence.” Differing perspectives?
Obama wants to reduce the violence by coaxing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, who is winning the war, to attend a conference at which he negotiates the surrender of his power. Putin wants to reduce the violence by helping — with lavish materiel assistance and by preventing diplomacy that interferes — Assad complete the destruction of his enemies.
Napoleon said: “If you start to take Vienna — take Vienna.” Douglas MacArthur said that all military disasters can be explained by two words: “Too late.” Regarding Syria, Obama is tentative and, if he insists on the folly of intervening, tardy. He is giving Putin a golden opportunity to humiliate the nation responsible for the “catastrophe.” In a contest between a dilettante and a dictator, bet on the latter.
Obama’s vanity is a wonder of the world that never loses its power to astonish, but really: Iseveryone in his orbit too lost in raptures of admiration to warn him against delivering a speech soggy with banalities and bromides in a city that remembers John Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” and Ronald Reagan’s “Tear down this wall”? With German Chancellor Angela Merkel sitting nearby, Obama began his Berlin speech: “As I’ve said, Angela and I don’t exactly look like previous German and American leaders.” He has indeed said that, too, before, at least about himself. It was mildly amusing in Berlin in 2008, but hardly a Noel Coward-like witticism worth recycling.
His look is just not that interesting. And after being pointless in Berlin, neither is he, other than for the surrealism of his second term.
Of the two, Angela has the balls.
PICTURES – After all those thoughts of catastrophe, here are pictures of a creature you never thought could make a perfect pet – and it’s so cute too!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2345934/The-Texas-couple-share-home-EIGHT-STONE-capybara-named-Gary.html
@ yamit82:
Further to my censored talkback for Yamit, I’d like to recommend the book “One Second After” by William R. Forstchen. It tells the story of a small college town after a big electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event. I can’t remember whether it was caused by an act of terror or by a big solar flare. But the fact is that one single event unleashes the end of civilization. There is no more power, no transportation, no law and order. no food, no medicine. That college town has to organize its own militia to defend itself against hordes of hungry city folks. The story is really fascinating and scary!
Newt Gingrich has been calling for the US govt to take preventive measures to protect the power grid against an EMP event for years, but Congress has always been too busy with other issues. He went back to Congress last week and spoke to the Electromagnetic Pulse Caucus. “This could be the kind of catastrophe that ends civilization — and that’s not an exaggeration,” he said. http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/electromagnetic-pulse-newt-gingrich-emp-attack-93002.html
The sun has been acting up again this year, and all it takes is one big solar flare directed our way, resulting in a big EMP event, and we’re toast.
My reply to Yamit is under moderation.
@ yamit82:
We were born at a time of prosperity and optimism. But as we grew up we learned how civilized societies can abruptly plunge from normalcy into absolute barbarism. ~~~ Our peace and prosperity are only a blip, an aberration. Brutality has been the rule for thousands of years. It seems that our good times are coming to an end, and the only question is how – whether by a sudden big crisis or gradually. I tend to believe that unless we’re hit by a natural catastrophe or an EMP, the process will continue to be gradual. Those at the top are setting up a system with which they can maintain strict control, even in the worst circumstances.
Food scarcity will be felt worldwide in a few years. Bees are being decimated by pesticides, and Monsanto continues to mess with GMO seeds and farming practices. Fisheries are rapidly declining. Govts can always print more money, but the availability of food and fresh water may become a problem, particularly since the world population continues to grow. This may not be too severe in North America for a while, but it will affect the rest of the world. That’s why the Chinese are buying up land and resources everywhere while they can.
@ Canadian Otter:
You asked what Matt Drudge meant?
Maybe this: The World Is Now On The Edge Of Total Collapse
http://www.ft.com/home/middleeast
BIZARRE NEWS –
US govt suing businesses for using criminal background checks for job applicants, months after warning companies about how such screenings can discriminate against African Americans. – http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/22/obama-administration-files-suits-against-businesses-using-criminal-background/
Congressman Jim McDermott says FBI publicizing photos of terrorists is offensive to Muslims and promotes racism –
http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/20/offensive-to-muslims-dem-congressman-calls-on-fbi-to-take-down-photos-of-terrorists/
In deference to Spam Filter limit on two links, that’s all I’m posting. There is more. Much more. America, you’ve gone nuts. Canada is not too far behind.