There has been a whole lot of trivial carping lately by Newt Gingrich on President Obama. Newt, who is obviously running for president or, de minimis, testing the waters, has a string of pretty odd things to say some of which are expected attacks, and some of these attacks are just plain strategically wrong and very, very dangerous (enter Scott Ritter. To get right to the Ritter/North Korea/Newt problem, please scroll all the way down to the END of the article for the link).
So first, let's take a look at a few of Newt's recent attacks on President Obama.
First, Newt Gingrich with his pals at enter-
tain-
ment network Fox News and other wingers took on the infamous Obama "bow" to King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz (Photo: Getty Images). Much ado about nothing unless you want to fire up the 'Obama is a Muslim' meme wingers (which was probably the point) or perhaps appear respectful to another world leader as apparently interpreted by Muhammah Diyab, a commentator in a Saudi paper, who, approved of Mr Obama's gesture, and saw it as a clear bow: "Obama wished to demonstrate his respect and appreciation of the personality of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, who has made one of the most important calls in the modern era, namely the call for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to defuse the hatred, conflict and wars." Okay.
Now, let's put this in perspective, shall we?
On April 25, 2005, the news was abuzz with photos of President Bush strolling through Crawford Ranch holding hands with Abdullah (photo:Gerald Herbert/Associated Press). And while this got plenty of press attention, not a mention of Bush being a Muslim (not that this would matter, but hey, it seems to matter to the wingers) or of ceding some sort of power to the foreign leader. The Bush family has a long-time personal relationship with the Saudi's Royal Family, and as the Christian Science Monitor points out: Fred Jones, the National Security Council spokesman, said hand-holding is an Arab expression of "friendship, respect and trust."
Interestingly, the National Republican Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is using the Obama photo to fund raise and spinning this in a really interesting way (well, typical for them, but realize it is interesting!).
And of course this Obama bow occurred on the heels of the very hot international issue of Michelle Obama's hugging The Queen. Sheesh.
Then there was the criticism of Obama saying we are not a Christian nation (or any other religion). Dobson and others about had a predictable fit given they just ignore our constitutional history (not to mention contents) most of the time. I am blogging about this tomorrow (Sunday) if you would like to read my thoughts on this.
Of course, all this is far more important than anything else including our standing, internationally, after torture and an illegal war. The GOP always focuses on the hard stuff, doesn't it?
And of course there is the scary matter of Obama actually shaking hands with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. I have to tell you, this is almost funny:
If you cannot see the video, here is the link.
And don't forget Newt's com-
ment that news on the first family's new dog, Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, was, "stupid". Well, Newtie boy, you don't get animal lovers, do you? This is probably one of my very favorite Obama Photos.
There is something you missed in the rule book on running for or becoming president, Newtie:
1. Like babies, you MUST love animals and hug and respect them when on the campaign trail.
2. If you become president, don't ever hold your dog up by its ears.
3. When president, get a dog (or cat) and make sure you at least look like you care.
4. And even if you don't stand a chance, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER make mean spirited comments about the White House companion animals. NEVER. It makes you look old, mean-spirited, grumpy, heartless and out of touch. All of which are true in your case, Newt.
Second, Newt Gingrich (who has NO current access to national security information, BTW) takes on the North Korean missile "crisis" lambasting Obama for not having done one of the "several" things he (Newt) would have done as "President Gingrich" to stop the launch. This is the meat of the the obvious conflict between Scott Ritter's fine article, and Newt's ridiculous comments in which he panders to the hawks that have a tendency to know nothing, yet be willing to bomb anyone and everyone into oblivion apparently at mere mention.
But the real issue here is the fact that Newt, unlike Ritter, hasn't a clue about international law and, apparently willing to follow the footsteps of President Bush into the Iraq mess, actually poses a real danger in his ignorance.
Listen to what Newt says, then read Ritter (link below): Here's Newtie Boy prattling on about North Korea.
Ritter was an UN Weapons Inspector from 1991-1998 and a Marine intelligence officer. If anyone understands the North Korean missile situation in perspective, Ritter does because his job was part in parcel with possessing a deep understanding of international law and convention.
And, BTW, Ritter isn't afraid to call out Obama on his errors either, as you will read.
What is terribly, terribly disturbing is that virtually none of the MSM, either television or print news, even framed the missile launch correctly... which is the beginning of the terrible coverage of this missile launching.
So... read Ritter's EXCELLENT piece on this (here at TruthDig), entitled Up, Up and Away: The West’s Hysterical Reaction to North Korea.
Because few if any media outlets even framed this issue realistically, it is critical that we understand this. We don't need to run around bombing people or invading their countries every time we turn around and especially when our actions, as in Iraq, are illegal.
Anyone that thinks our nation is in ANY position right now to send soldiers or anything else to yet another country is flat off their rocker!
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