America's ignorant, narcissistic anti-Europeanism is an embarrassment.
BY SIMON TISDALL|JULY 15, 2010
It fell to Barack Obama, as is often the case, to identify the problem. But, as is often the case, he had no solution. Speaking in Strasbourg, France, deep in the subsidized heartlands of the European Union in April last year, Obama deplored a growing mutual antipathy, bordering on open hostility, between Europe and America. Europeans were too often guilty of an "insidious" anti-Americanism while Americans had at times "shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive" of Europe's achievements.
To European ears, President Obama's analysis -- a characteristic piece of consensus-building -- appeared wholly reasonable, even unexceptional. On Thursday, Jose Barroso, president of the European Commission, indicated his agreement, telling the British newspaper The Times, "The transatlantic relationship is not living up to its potential."
I actually agree with (candidate) Obama on this, although I wish he had not made such statements in Europe and then not do anything about it. Ok, recognition and communication of that recognition is definitely worth something... but he needs to do something about it. It may have been previously only suspected, but with the communication like Obama did, it got reinforced, yet nothing got done... so just aggravates the situation. To not do anything is irresponsible to one's own words/actions of critiquing one's own country's people.
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010