President Barack Obama, spoken at the G20........
"In recent years we've allowed our Alliance to drift. I know that there have been honest disagreements over policy, but we also know that there's something more that has crept into our relationship. In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.
But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what's bad.
On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common. They are not wise. They do not represent the truth. They threaten to widen the divide across the Atlantic and leave us both more isolated. They fail to acknowledge the fundamental truth that America cannot confront the challenges of this century alone, but that Europe cannot confront them without America.
So I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership, one in which America listens and learns from our friends and allies, but where our friends and allies bear their share of the burden. Together, we must forge common solutions to our common problems.
So let me say this as clearly as I can: America is changing, but it cannot be America alone that changes. We are confronting the greatest economic crisis since World War II. The only way to confront this unprecedented crisis is through unprecedented coordination."
But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what's bad.
On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common. They are not wise. They do not represent the truth. They threaten to widen the divide across the Atlantic and leave us both more isolated. They fail to acknowledge the fundamental truth that America cannot confront the challenges of this century alone, but that Europe cannot confront them without America.
So I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership, one in which America listens and learns from our friends and allies, but where our friends and allies bear their share of the burden. Together, we must forge common solutions to our common problems.
So let me say this as clearly as I can: America is changing, but it cannot be America alone that changes. We are confronting the greatest economic crisis since World War II. The only way to confront this unprecedented crisis is through unprecedented coordination."
What a change this President is over the last one. He is willing to talk to any country, because nothing good will happen through a cold war mentality. He talks tough, albeit in an intelligent, thoughtful and non-confrontational manner.
But most of all, Obama is willing to look foreign countries in their collective eye and admits our great union is far from perfect. Not a hint of the arrogance and hubris which doomed the Bush II administration. He is willing to admit our mistakes, and ask the world to "unclench their fists" and join him in solving the world's problems.
While as a loyal Hillary Clinton supporter, I had reservations in regards to his complete lack of foreign policy experience, I am beginning to build some trust in his judgement. His approach is refreshing to say the very least. And SOS Clinton and the newly revamped state department is the first triumph of his administration.
I especially respect his tackling problems head on, and without hesitation, or reservation. He might be trying too hard to cure all of our ills in a hurried reckless fashion. His response is that most all of our ills are intertwined and completely dependant on our financial health, and there is no arguing that.
Quickly approaching the 90 day mark, for all of their gaffes and an alarming display of amateurish vetting irregularities in regards to his nominations, I still am extremely positive on his progress, and highly optimistic towards his potential.
Now if he can just get the economic indicators to begin to rise, this country may just fall in love with him again. And a little consumer confidence, and yes, a little Obama nation deja vu is all this republic needs to be on the rebound.
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