Obama Abroad - Did the World Change?
Last Updated on Monday, 02 November 2009 21:05 Written by Norm Tucker Thursday, 16 April 2009 13:49
In short order, President Obama met with leaders of the G-20 in London, with NATO countries in Strasbourg, with the European Union in Prague before going on to Ankara for talks, and finally a quick visit in Baghdad.
Did the world change?
No. But key world leaders got to know the man. What did they think, I wonder?
What did Barrack Obama accomplish other than establishing new relationships, repairing old ones and preparing the world for the substance and tone of a new American-World leadership and Chief World Problem Solver. Hmmm. Or is it World Traveling Salesman?
Perhaps it is time for a little humility here and to consult the Primate who might remind the G-20 whiz kids of our origins. What is he thinking I wonder?
What the G-20 were thinking about was money. One Trillion dollars was allocated to the presidents of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund for the upcoming bailouts. Mexico already has a $45 Billion line of credit which came as a surprise to the media. Poland just applied for a near equivalent amount. Hungary, Italy and Ireland will be next.
But these are low-cost loans and will have to be repaid - shades of low interest mortgages which set off the present financial crises and recession!
At Strasbourg, Obama made the case for more troops in Afghanistan where the new American strategy is to "'disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda". Did he get more troops? One thousand from Great Britain and little else.
At Prague, more talk.
At Ankara, Obama spoke directly to the people of Islam from an Islamic country. The message: peace and collaboration. He also spoke in favor of Turkey joining the European Common Market which brought an immediate, knee-jerk French response from President Sarkozy who said the matter will be decided by Europe not by the United States.
In other words, mind your own business.
The stopover at Baghdad reassured the troops, affirmed the withdrawal plans and was not much more than a photo-op.
Somewhere in the middle of the traveling, North Korea decided to test a long range missile - the United Nations declined to do anything with China and Russia threatening a veto. The test failed. Subsequently, the North Koreans threw out the U.N,'s nuclear inspectors. On a more positive note, Obama engaged the Russians in a process to reduce nuclear arms.
Today, as I write, the American president is in Mexico City. From there, he travels to Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas and more photo-ops.
Too bad Willie Nelson was in Canada, wondering what happened to Billy Bob Thornton, AWOL from Nelson's concert tour. Willie should have been 'On the Road Again' with Barrack - what a team, eh?
Good thing the media got a breather between London, Prague, Strasbourg, Ankara, Baghdad and today's new meetings in Mexico. The break gave them time to comment on meaningful domestic news - the Obama's new dog - woof!
One thing you have to acknowledge with Obama, is that he is prepared, knowledgeable, organized, engaged, and engaging the world - all in less that 100 days of his presidency.
The Barrack whirlwind offers many breaths of fresh air but it is propping up an old, broken financial system built on sand. Does anybody know where all the money went? Finding out should be the mission of so-called journalists and the media.
Will throwing good money - more taxpayer money - at a morally and functionally bankrupt system work? In the long run, reform will restore stability and sustainability. I do not hear much about reform.
More on Obama, the G-20: thoughts, images, references, acknowledgments:
Where is he now? - Shades of Waldo - At the Summit of the Americas, here meeting the Venezuelan Nemesis, Hugo Chavez. Wonder what he said to Hugo? "Hey dude?"
Back to the G-20. All was not wine and roses - there was protest and whine - big time. Here are some images preceded by the British sense of humor in cartoon.
And, life as a riot - not the riot, really, but meaningful protest. Capitalism isn't working, is it? Nor are the alternatives.
What was achieved at the G-20?
Four thoughts: Number 1, 2, 3, 4, or a combination of all.
Here's Number 1.
Here's Number 2.
Here's Number 3.
Here's Number 4.
Finally, another view of the G-20 proceedings, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper'.
It's an interesting cartoon. Da Vinci, has Jesus - the Messiah - at the center of the table. This image has Gordon Brown as Messiah not Barrack Obama. Imagine the real Messiah as a Scot (which Brown is).
In the Bible, John the Baptist or Evangelist prepares the way for Jesus and gets beheaded in the process. Mr. Brown, in my view, is more the 'preparer', the man behind the scenes that made Obama's star shine.
Mr. Brown struggles to keep the British economy afloat through the financial crises and recession and has found a partner with Barack Obama. This is the partnership of the English Speaking Leaders at work again - after two world wars and presently in Iraq and Afghanistan.
How successful will it be this time?
For more images from the G-20:
The Challenge is Clear, a BBC video and links
Who are?
The European Union from (coming) http://europa.eu/index_en.htm
Acknowledgement: Thumbnail image of Barrack Obama found on yournewfavorite.com.