Forum Over Substance
November 4 was an interesting day.
At the White House, it was “Classical Music Day.” A day for paying attention to one of the cornerstones of Western Civilization. The other 1,460 days of Obama’s four-year term will apparently be free of such tedium. Obama seemed ill at ease with high art. Somewhat refreshingly, however, he turned his sights away from Bush and took a cheap shot at another former President, pointing out that John Kennedy also didn’t know when to applaud.
As everybody else in the country focused on the election returns and what they portend for the Democrat’s agenda, the White House claimed that Obama did not watch the election returns on Tuesday night. Are we to believe the President is less interested in politics than everyone else? Contrary to earlier reports, he did not spend election night watching an HBO documentary about himself. He had seen it a few days earlier. Despite having that pressing chore accomplished, Obama apparently still has not made a decision on Afghanistan or invited General McChrystal over for a chat.
People in Teheran noticed that November 4 was the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy and the taking of hostages. Protestors there continue to blame America for their problems, despite the administration’s decision to abandon belligerence in favor of sweetness and light.
Obama did have time to issue a “masterpiece of appeasement” as Michael Ledeen calls it,
and all but groveled in begging the leaders of the Islamic Republic to make a deal:
I have made it clear that the United States of America wants to move beyond this past, and seeks a relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran based upon mutual interests and mutual respect.
He could not spare a single word for the plight of the people of Iran, who were being beaten, clubbed, stabbed and shot as he issued his statement. He went on:
We do not interfere in Iran’s internal affairs. We have condemned terrorist attacks against Iran. We have recognized Iran’s international right to peaceful nuclear power. We have demonstrated our willingness to take confidence-building steps along with others in the international community. We have accepted a proposal by the International Atomic Energy Agency to meet Iran’s request for assistance in meeting the medical needs of its people. We have made clear that if Iran lives up to the obligations that every nation has, it will have a path to a more prosperous and productive relationship with the international community.
NBC News reported the Iranian protestors chanting “Obama, Obama, either you’re with them or with us.” Somebody needs to tell them that quoting George Bush is not likely to win over the current White House.
Meanwhile, Joshua Bell accomplished what General McChrystal has not: he got quality face time with Obama.
Memo to McChrystal: think about taking up an instrument, and make sure there are no HBO paeans to Obama on the day you want to visit the White House.
