Obama FARCing around?
posted at 9:32 am on May 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama continues his quest in demonstrating just how feckless he can be on foreign policy. Once again, he talks about how terrorists should be isolated in one breath while demanding presidential-level engagement with their financiers in the next. Jake Tapper had a difficult time keeping pace with the shifting rhetoric over the space of just two days:
More recently, Obama as he traveled through Florida seemed to give some contradictory statements about Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and the Colombian terrorist group FARC.
On Thursday Obama told the Orlando Sentinel that he would meet with Chavez and “one of the obvious high priorities in my talks with President Hugo Chavez would be the fermentation of anti-American sentiment in Latin America, his support of FARC in Colombia and other issues he would want to talk about.”
OK, so a strong declaration that Chavez is supporting FARC, which Obama intends to push him on.
But then on Friday he said any government supporting FARC should be isolated.
“We will shine a light on any support for the FARC that comes from neighboring governments,” he said in a speech in Miami. “This behavior must be exposed to international condemnation, regional isolation, and - if need be - strong sanctions. It must not stand.”
So he will meet with the leader of a country he simultaneously says should be isolated? Huh?
First off, I hate to correct a man who ran the Harvard Law Review on vocabulary, but the proper word is fomentation, not fermentation, unless one wants to start marketing Anti-American Sentiment Beer. Imagine if George Bush had used fermentation in such a context. The media would have a field day pointing out that Bush once belonged to a fraternity! And that he had a drinking problem! It would end up at Slate’s “Bushisms” column within hours.
That’s the least of the foolishness here, though. Just as with Hamas and Iran, Obama tries drawing a fallacious distinction between terrorists and the governments that fund them. Just as Hamas acts as Iran’s proxy in Gaza and Syria, FARC acts as Hugo Chavez’ proxy in Colombia, with less success. Both Iran and Venezuela should be isolated and sanctioned by the global community, and for the same reason: they sponsor terrorism.
And Barack Obama has already committed to direct, presidential-level diplomacy with both without preconditions.
So how does Obama reconcile these conflicting postures? He starts rewriting reality:
Said Obama: “I think the Organization of American States and the international community should launch an immediate investigation into this situation. We have to hold Venezuela accountable if, in fact, it is trying to ferment terrorist activities in other borders. If Venezuela has violated those rules, we should mobilize all the countries to sanction Venezuela and let them know that that’s not acceptable behavior.”
“If” Venezuela “is trying to ferment terrorist activities in other borders”? Just one day before Obama had asserted that Chavez was supporting FARC in Colombia.
Er, foment, please. Was Obama doing a beer commercial in Florida? Maybe that explains why he can’t walk a straight line on Venezuela. Interpol confirmed the data on Raul Reyes’ laptop showing hundreds of millions in funding from Chavez for FARC. He allows FARC to operate within Venezuelan borders as a means to topple the elected government of Alvaro Uribe. The OAS doesn’t have to conduct an investigation before we can make policy on that reality; it makes it sound as though Obama wants an OAS test similar to John Kerry’s UN test before we develop our own foreign policy.
The ferment/foment issue is just a gaffe, although one Obama should correct soon. The policy statements aren’t gaffes but an example of the confusion and weakness inherent in Obama’s foreign policy. He wants to talk to terrorist sponsors while pretending to be tough on terrorism — and when the contradiction gets pointed out, he shifts in favor of defending the terrorist sponsors, insisting on some Perry Mason level of proof before acting in our interests to isolate and sanction terrorist sponsors.
It’s absurd, and it’s dangerous. And Obama’s shifting on the question makes it quite plain that he’s mostly making it up as he goes along. This is a candidate who ran at least a decade too soon.
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Very kind. In my America, socialist, racist, extremist poseurs do not get nominated by one of the two main political parties, not now, and not in ten years.
JiangxiDad on May 26, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Edd
I’m not an Obama supporter, given the shots Bush took for mispeaking, I would let Slate work their side of the street and you just keep banging away at this guys obvious empty hat
Don’t bring unneeded heat down on yourself - just hammer Obama on his Oblahblahisms “saying shallow sound bites to superficial people to get their stupid vote
EricPWJohnson on May 26, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Obama also says,
Chavez is Bush’s Fault.
Democrats were UNABLE to defeat Bush when he was on ticket. Now they are trying hard to defeat him tying Bush with McCain.
Anita on May 26, 2008 at 9:48 AM
The Obamessiah does not make such simple errors. The word’s meaning must be changed to accomodate the Obamessiah.
So sayeth the Lord.
drjohn on May 26, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Maybe (okay, definitely) they shouldn’t nominate them, but guess what? Gonna happen!
bikermailman on May 26, 2008 at 9:50 AM
“the fermentation of anti-American sentiment in Latin America”
I wonder if he actually said ‘fomentation’. It’s funnier if he didn’t though.
Kevin M on May 26, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Is Obama on Drugs?
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/is-obama-on-dru.html
suzieviews on May 26, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Yup. But I said in my America. Bet you remember it too.
JiangxiDad on May 26, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Go to the link and read Tapper’s updates.
Quisp on May 26, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Sorry, Ed. On the smaller issue, Obama isn’t wrong.
Webster’s:
fer-ment
To stir with anger; agitate
jgapinoy on May 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
This is a candidate who ran at least a decade too soon.
Agreed… Hard to believe that the Dems have come forward with a candidate for potus that has very little experience with national politics, and has zero experience with foreign politics. This guy is total roll of the dice at a time in our history where the stakes are so high.
I’m surprised that the recent post (with photo) of Obama reading that book about a “post American world” didn’t freak people out much worse than was apparent. I’m totally buying into Obama’s promise for change.
Keemo on May 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I’d rather watch, (and listen), to beer fermenting than hear the rhetorical rantings of hope and change.
At least the end process of fermentation leaves you with product fit for consumption.
Obama-lite —– 98% content-free
Rovin on May 26, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Correct, Anita. We cannot allow Obama to get away with the narrative that Chavez rose to Venezuelan power during Bush’s watch. Chavez was elected during those fabulous Clinton years.
onlineanalyst on May 26, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Barack Obama is exactly what every terrorist dreams of: an enemy leader who is willing to turn a polite blind eye to the ugly reality of terrorism, its sponsors, and its purpose. Terrorism’s objective is not to make every single citizen of the targeted population roll over and cry “uncle”, or obtain formal documents of surrender followed by a parade in the enemy capital. Instead, it seeks to bring its victims to a bargaining table they would never normally sit at, and put them at a disadvantage in the negotiations. The most important goal of terror states is to preserve the official fiction of deniability, so they can sit down at that bargaining table with a mantle of legitimacy, and avoid retaliation.
For whatever reason, the Bush Administration has been very slow to call out Iran for its sponsorship of al-Qaeda proxies in Iraq or Hezbollah in Lebanon, or blasting Chavez for his FARC connections, but at least they make the right noises and refuse to give the enemy his desired lack of accountability. Obama is childishly eager to hand that to them on a silver platter - essentially conceding the purpose of terrorism and submitting the United States to it. I can imagine nothing more likely to bring an increase in the frequency and severity of terrorist attacks.
Doctor Zero on May 26, 2008 at 10:08 AM
B. Hussein Obama reminds me of any one of the corrupt and clueless Latin American presidentes. This election is McCain’s to lose. The Dhimmis could not have done worse.
Mojave Mark on May 26, 2008 at 10:13 AM
B.O. seems to have forgotten that when one sups with the Devil, it is advised to do so with a long spoon.
pilamaye on May 26, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Sen. Obama is probably a nice man. He has a very likeable persona, he seems to want to do well by the country, and he doesn’t come across as one of those Republican-hating Dem loons. However, none of these positives can make up for the fact that he’s a rookie with a woefully thin resume and some really ill-conceived policy plans. It really is worrisome that the Democratic party has not managed to field an even barely competent nominee. Policy differences aside, this gentleman is simply in over his head and not at all prepared to become President.
Jill1066 on May 26, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Obama: Substituting cowboy diplomacy with bovine excrement. The latter is apt to draw more flies.
onlineanalyst on May 26, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Obama agrees with Ben Franklin that fermenting revolution is a good thing.
Hey, if the libs can get mileage out of “NuCUlar”… then I want a president that knows the difference between beer making and the overthrow of a government… y’know… like what Al Quaeda is trying to do…
Skywise on May 26, 2008 at 10:34 AM
empty suit.
Onager on May 26, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Mojave Mark on May 26, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Agreed… Hopefully, Juan will choose a solid conservative for VP so that we have an opportunity to groom the future. The GOP must get back to solid principled positions, or we have no real difference between the two parties. We are at the crossroads of our political future. The greatest democracy ever created by man (with much help from GOD) is under extreme attack. This comes as no surprise, as we have always had enemies that dream of our destruction; however, for the first time in our history, we are lacking in leaders who understand the lessons from our past, who understand the need to stand firm on American policy, who understand the role America plays in the world, who understands capitalism, who understands American Exceptionalism.
Hard to believe that we had the Senate leader announce the defeat of the American military (while troops were fighting on foreign soil) from the Senate floor. The signs are too many to ignore; the writing is on the wall (of Congress) in plain sight for our enemies to see. Never in my life time have I seen such blatant attacks against my nation coming from within; from the NYT & WAPO; from our leading magazines; from our movie makers; from our musicians; from our TV programming; from the floor of the UN; from owners of our major sports teams; from our Universities; from the sacred halls of Congress…
The writing is on the wall; Obama and a Democrat controlled Congress could very well be the end game.
Keemo on May 26, 2008 at 10:44 AM
The guy knows how to hope, bathe himself and speak English (more-or-less.)
So what if he has no other qualifications? If you care about anything besides the color of his skin, then you are a racist!
logis on May 26, 2008 at 10:45 AM
It’s just like Bush said 2 weeks ago:
Obama *is* naive. Is it based on his desire to be all things to all people? He seems to compartmentalize. In one compartment we have “talking”, in another, “action”. But in world politics, talking *is* action. How should we act towards those diametrically opposed to our values of democracy, liberty, rule of law. History has shown trying to convince them they’re wrong is fruitless.
Is it because he’s never run a business or otherwise supervised anything on a large scale, or really any scale at all, that he has this view of reality? Whatever the reason, he’s coming across as a space cadet on foreign policy.
Paul-Cincy on May 26, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Well, he’s had a decade in office already, and what has he done? Author any legislation? Work across parties for bipartisan agreement? Hold hearings on the subcommittee he chaired? Or just vote “present” and leave his desk in the senate chambers empty while he campaigns for President?
Based on his record to date, I assume his oath of office will be, “If elected, I refuse to serve.”
This is a candidate who ran at least a lifetime too soon.
NeighborhoodCatLady on May 26, 2008 at 10:48 AM
“Fermentation.” Ha. I can’t believe he made a giraffe like that.
Rhinoboy on May 26, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Hey JD, speaking of marxists and socialists being nominated, check out the latest version of the Hopeiate Of The Masses poster we were talking about last week.
techno_barbarian on May 26, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Obama used “fermentation” instead of “fomentation”.
McCain’s wife is a beer heiress.
Coincidence? I think not!
The_Real_JeffS on May 26, 2008 at 11:04 AM
The party of dumb asses nominates a blithering idiot. No surprise here, just move along.
thekingtut on May 26, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I’d have to agree with Ed on this one. The correct word is foment. From Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry: 1fer·ment
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)fər-ˈment\
Function: verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 : to undergo fermentation
2 : to be in a state of agitation or intense activity
transitive verb
1 : to cause to undergo fermentation
2 : to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment
Main Entry: fo·ment
Pronunciation: \ˈfō-ˌment, fō-ˈ\
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, to apply a warm substance to, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum compress, from fovēre to heat, soothe; akin to Lithuanian degti to burn, Sanskrit dahati it burns
Date: circa 1613
: to promote the growth or development of : rouse, incite foment a rebellion
It’s a subtle difference, but a difference none the less..
secsailor on May 26, 2008 at 11:08 AM
It’s just like Bush said 2 weeks ago: “Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along.”
“We have an obligation,” he continued, “to call this what it is: the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.”
Paul-Cincy on May 26, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Bush: “Anyone who think it pays to offer concessions to madmen is a fool.”
Obama’s response: “How dare you talk about ME that way!?!”
Technically, this isn’t naive; it’s just plain stupid. Obama makes no attempt whatsoever to criticize the tautology; instead, he insists on taking personal umbrage.
In other words: Obama doesn’t just fail to see common sense; he’s offended by it.
logis on May 26, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Excerpt from Obamessiah (PBUH) video on foreign policy:
Can you say “surrender”? Can you say “unilateral disarmament”? Can you say “peace in our time”? I knew you could.
Paul-Cincy on May 26, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Look! Up on the screen! It’s Comrade Obambi!
Strange visitor from another world where strength is weakness and all is but nuance.
Or: “Changeocaine! Now with even more Hope!”
techno_barbarian on May 26, 2008 at 11:21 AM
It’s like the difference between ‘therefor’ and therefore,’ or ‘will’ and ’shall.’ You don’t need to know that stuff in casual conversation; but it marks the difference between someone who is genuinely articulate, and someone who is not.
logis on May 26, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Obama’s a retard. I wonder if he can spell “potato(e)”.
jaime on May 26, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Can I add my two cents? (Sorry, sure everyone is.)
It’s great. Will buy a T-shirt when it’s done. Change the star or the hammer and sickle to an American flag. Still keeps the commie messiah message, but will infuriate those who love the American flag and feel he’s expropriating our nation for non-American ends.
JiangxiDad on May 26, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Thanks for the input, but respectfully, I don’t want the U.S. flag anywhere near this piece. The socialist and marxist imagery is deliberate. We’re firing for effect with this one.
The leftist radicals, of which Comrade Obambi is most certainly one, have taken the mask off. We’re just trying to shine a light on their true ideology.
If this should make it to the t-shirt phase due to Michelle Malkin picking it up as she did Gilda’s design, it would be my hope and desire that all proceeds and profit would go to Soldier’s Angels or the big web-a-thon.
techno_barbarian on May 26, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Here is a video of Obama showing off his crotch on an airplane to the women of the press covering him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F45rXyuTZjo
VinceP1974 on May 26, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Good luck!
JiangxiDad on May 26, 2008 at 12:27 PM
It may not be the original definition, but “stir up, agitate” is a proper definition. Obama is wrong on everything else, but not on ferment.
jgapinoy on May 26, 2008 at 12:34 PM
:-)
There’s that picture again!
Now that .. right there .. is a drug-store cowboy if I’ve ever seen one.
Texas Gal on May 26, 2008 at 12:34 PM
To borrow from a Chicago lyric, Barry’s “looking weaker every day.”
Must be the “afformative action infect”.
T J Green on May 26, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I think their brains are fermented; Teddy’s affliction is catching. Ah, you can add Hitch to that assessment.
Christine on May 26, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Again, Obama plays to McCain’s strengths. After all which one’s married to a beer distributor?
Sekhmet on May 26, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Ferment…Foment…let’s call the whole thing off. Cause this lightweight socialist fairy is not ready for prime time.
Jaibones on May 26, 2008 at 1:27 PM
The oddest part of this is that Jimmy Carter, whose degree was in some sort of nuclear technology, pronounced it the same was Bush does.
Buford Gooch on May 26, 2008 at 1:42 PM
“was” = “way”
Buford Gooch on May 26, 2008 at 1:43 PM
That’s funny, I’m going to steal that one.
Maxx on May 26, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Maybe Barack Obama is not as smart as generally assumed. Anyone know his SAT or LSAT scores?
mikeyboss on May 26, 2008 at 1:49 PM
I don’t know Ed, maybe he was just talking about having a beer with his buddy Hugo.
Maxx on May 26, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Thanks JD!
Entel came up with the idea last night to put the star on his lapel, and I liked that. Folks chimed in with a bunch of other good suggestions as well. I’m going to do a series of posters like this.
The more stuff like this gets out there on the web, the more exposure to Obambi’s true ideology will get.
techno_barbarian on May 26, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Clearly Obama resents anyone tracking what he has said and pointing out the inconsistencies. It is honestly scary to think what 4 or 8 years of this man at the helm (with the Dems in control of Congress) will be like. He will make Clinton look like Honest Abe.
BDS has lobotomized half the nation.
in_awe on May 26, 2008 at 2:46 PM
This is a marxist. How will absorbing some more information going to ever make him suitable for president?
Geez we’re in trouble.
peacenprosperity on May 26, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Ferment?! How can a guy like that be expected to beat Al Quesadilla?
jl on May 26, 2008 at 3:23 PM
I would submit that Obama is a candidate born over a century too late, and not in Germany and not named Karl but as to the future of a socialist or communist leader in America then…. well… not on my watch.
Buzzy on May 26, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I think Obama’s mind has been overly exposed to the fruits of fermentation.
NNtrancer on May 26, 2008 at 3:40 PM
…or wine, or vinegar…
Entelechy on May 26, 2008 at 3:57 PM
The “Obama would say anything to get elected” is what finally got under Obama’s skin and forced him to ‘divorce’ himself, for the time-being, from the reverand. Just remember that. All the other statements were just fine by him.
The Rev. Wright’s book is coming out in October.
Entelechy on May 26, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Superb! I’m passing this along to folks on my email list (with your permission, of course).
onlineanalyst on May 26, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I went to the movies this weekend, and it turns out Indiana Jones pronounces it Bush-style too. I think that officially changes the pronounciation, because I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell Dr. Jones he talks funny.
Doctor Zero on May 26, 2008 at 5:21 PM
techno, love the stars - great addition!
Entelechy on May 26, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Hooray for the death of Marulanda! A good marxist is a dead marxist! Hillary had the right idea on Friday.
elduende on May 26, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Thank you, and by all means share it far and wide. If the RNC won’t fight back, we should just do it ourselves.
Oh, and I made some more revisions, so please use this link, if you would. This version is much cleaner, I think.
I agree! Thanks for the suggestion, Entel. Be sure to check out the newest version linked just above.
And if anybody sees RushBaby and Gilda, please pass along that link as well.
Thanks all. Had a blast.
techno_barbarian on May 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
techno, see this.
Also, thanks for permission to distribute.
Entelechy on May 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
You’re welcome. And thanks for that link. Lots of interesting details in that article. Danish had some interesting info along the same lines last night or yesterday. I think you commented as well.
Patterns are becoming clear. I think this is the cpusa’s hand-picked chosen candidate. And the radical leftists dems are enabling what would normally be utterly rejected.
The communist manifesto reads like the exact game plan the dem party has been using for the past 50 years or so. Our schools are infested and are pretty much just leftist madrasas now.
America had better wake up, and damned quick too.
techno_barbarian on May 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
“Any government supporting FARC should be isolated”.
So BHO should be isolated after he talks to them? Where?
Steve Z on May 27, 2008 at 9:29 AM