By Robin HindObama and Cameron went world wide on television on the 20th July. This gave Obama an opportunity to display himself as convivial and benignly affable; an exercise in fellowship as he addressed the Prime Minister as “David”. He also showed, when he answered press questions that without pre-written notes, that he rambled ineptly, failing to get to the point of the question at times, and missing the point at others. It seemed that his aim was to show himself as a pliable, approachable, good natured fellow. He steered clear of discussing British Petroleum in his efforts to appear friendly
This performance contrasted with his earlier address to the American Nation (for that read the World) in his inflamed attack on British Petroleum after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico.
It was then that he showed the bully in action. On worldwide television there was no sign of statesmanlike wisdom. None of the dignity expected of the world leader.
The Gulf of Mexico spill is, we all know, a huge tragedy. But was the Obama assault the way to go?
Sane and objective people could have expected the following type of approach from a mature American leader:
That was the bullyboy asserting his authority and pulling rank. That was a man who is showing himself that he is inter-nationally divisive, promoting his ego and trying to entrench his authority by fixing blame on a passive target.
The question which therefore arises is who he will gun for what in the future. Which of us will become victims to his arrogant, bumptious aggression? Is this the man whose true nature will polarize the world into conflict within the frame of hypocritical appeasement?
Robin Hind
This performance contrasted with his earlier address to the American Nation (for that read the World) in his inflamed attack on British Petroleum after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico.
It was then that he showed the bully in action. On worldwide television there was no sign of statesmanlike wisdom. None of the dignity expected of the world leader.
The Gulf of Mexico spill is, we all know, a huge tragedy. But was the Obama assault the way to go?
Sane and objective people could have expected the following type of approach from a mature American leader:
What we got instead was the accusative and aggressive confrontation. It was a polarization into heroic “us” and villainous “them”. It was a litany of blame and aggression. It was a variant of “if there is blame fix it fast”. It was the adverserial lawyer’s demand for compensatory cash in its crudest packaging.
“We are all concerned about the tragedy in the Gulf. However, we must remember that tapping the resources of the world is hazardous and always has been. The risks of drilling for oil have been shouldered by those who have taken many risks – risks of personal injury, financial risks, and risks to the environment. In America we have risked, and because of that, we have particularly benefitted from our oil resources. Much of the quality of life of our nation has rested on the availability of various forms of energy which we have mined or bought from others, always treading a narrow path between risk and benefit. The industries, which have made us the wealthiest country in the world - not only the steel, automotive and manufacturing industries but also agriculture - have depended upon this windfall of energy with which we have been blessed.
Our task now is together, in the closest of harmonies, and in earnest co-operation, to battle this catastrophe with all the intellectual, engineering, and financial resources which we and others can muster.”
That was the bullyboy asserting his authority and pulling rank. That was a man who is showing himself that he is inter-nationally divisive, promoting his ego and trying to entrench his authority by fixing blame on a passive target.
The question which therefore arises is who he will gun for what in the future. Which of us will become victims to his arrogant, bumptious aggression? Is this the man whose true nature will polarize the world into conflict within the frame of hypocritical appeasement?
Robin Hind
