Aw: British paper cranky at Obama for playing golf while Gaza burns
posted at 2:18 pm on December 30, 2008 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
The American media rises above such pettiness, of course, content instead to admire the uber-coolness of his shorts.
He joined a group of friends at a private club near his £6million rented, beach-front holiday home in Hawaii yesterday.
Meanwhile, 9,000 miles away in the Middle East, Israel rejected any truce with Hamas today and said it was ready for ‘long weeks of action’ in the Gaza Strip…
Mr Obama has made the decision to leave all comments to outgoing President George Bush, who has so far chosen only to attack Hamas.
On the golf course, his security team even turned away a letter from pro-Palestinian campaigners urging him to help stop the four-day-old violence.
It’s a further gloss on the boss’s point about how workout regimens magically shift from “creepy” to “disciplined” when it’s Obama doing the push-ups instead of Bush: When Dubya plays a round while bombs fall in the Middle East, he’s lazy and callous, but when The One does it, he’s taking a much-needed break from the rigors of planning to run the free world. Like Geraghty, I don’t begrudge him the respite — after two years of campaigning and with tough times to come, he needs it — but there is of course the tender matter of how the left’s beloved “international community” is perceiving this. Answer, per Reuters’s anecdotal evidence: Not real well.
“If Obama continues to remain silent … his silence will be seen and will have the operational effect of providing an endorsement for Israel’s war on Gaza,” said Paul Woodward of Conflicts Forum, an organisation aimed at changing Western policy towards Islamist movements such as Hamas…
Walid Kazziha, a professor at the American University in Cairo, said Obama would have to take bold steps if he wants to restore U.S. influence in the Middle East, widely seen as having greatly declined during eight years of Bush.
But the first signs do not suggest Obama will do that, he added. “If he was going to take a stand he would have said something. When he wants to say something, he can,” he said.
Exit question: Has Zinni figured out a way to make it up to them?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
He was bodyboarding during the Georgian War: No one cared then. He’s just going to phone in for his presidency. Who cares really?
IR-MN on December 30, 2008 at 2:21 PM
On second thought Barack, you may vote “present” whenever you please.
BKennedy on December 30, 2008 at 2:22 PM
I think I would rather him phone it in the next four years instead of the aggressive hands on approach.
DaveC on December 30, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Maybe, you know, since the guy is going to be president, he should, oh I dunno, take a position on these sorts of things?
Just a thought.
lorien1973 on December 30, 2008 at 2:24 PM
let em eat arugula
right4life on December 30, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Excuse me?
WHAT?
Oh, so we should ignore their genocidal intent towards Israel, and their desire for a worldwide Islamic theocracy?
Yeah. Right.
Meryl Yourish on December 30, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Dude, Barry is like, totally telecommuting because he totally gets technology unlike that old dude who can’t even e-mail or some junk.
I mean, like, look at his PECs! So dreamy!
/swoon
/ridiculous
TheUnrepentantGeek on December 30, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Barack The Unready simply has no more idea of which way to turn than a moth in Las Vegas at midnight.
He can cover up for now by pointing out, correctly, that he is not President. He loses that excuse in 22 days.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on December 30, 2008 at 2:25 PM
“Present”
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 30, 2008 at 2:26 PM
You didn’t quote the best part.
sammypants on December 30, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Teh One’s response.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 30, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Somebody should point out to the Daily Mail is Mr. Obama is currently a private citizen – he has resigned his Senate seat, and he’s not President yet.
Realist on December 30, 2008 at 2:28 PM
yeah thats right!! its just because of western racismsexismhomophobiabigotry that we don’t understand the indiginous peoples of the middle east…and their desire to live in peace with everyone….as long as we convert, and do everything they say, we’ll have peace…see how easy that is!!???
right4life on December 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM
It’s kind of like when Bush reads 95 books it’s considered “truly alarming” while when BHO reads, he is considered “one of the most literary presidents in recent memory.”
http://soitgoesinshreveport.blogspot.com/
paustin110 on December 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Isn’t this Obama’s 2nd vacation in 2 months?
NeroBama
faraway on December 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Look, the way I see it, he’s probably less of a danger to the safety of the United States if he stays right where he’s at.
uncivilized on December 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Hey Meryl, you’ve got another example of a cranky British newspaper on your own site:
“What Israel is doing is nothing to do with peace but its own selfish security concerns”
aunursa on December 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
The buyer’s remorse is going to get better and better as the years go by.
We’re not even to inauguration day and we’re already seeing the Obamabots around the world experience the first spasms of regret.
I hope Mr. Obama enjoys the next 22 days. As hectic as they will be, in 4 years, he’ll look back on those 22 days as the last relaxing days he had.
JadeNYU on December 30, 2008 at 2:32 PM
The lefty press got him elected without knowing anything at all about him and now their panties are in a wad because he’s not doing what they want?
How are people this stupid able to read and write, anyway?
NoDonkey on December 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
I would agree with you, but he has spent so much time pontificating from his podium of “The Office of the President Elect” on every minor hiccup in the world, that it is cowardly for him to hide when the itshay hits the anfay.
Laura in Maryland on December 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
If he’s just a private citizen, what’s he doing calling around to people like Condi Rice and Hillary and receiving regular briefings on what’s happening?
He can issue any statement he likes, including “I agree with President Bush’s position.”
Allahpundit on December 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Merci beaucoup.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Uh Oh: Here’s an old chestnut from Andrew Sullivan “Don’t mess up Democrats” Barack Obamas your man.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/andrew_sullivan/article3294433.ece
Those globalist ah um er internationalist are so fickle:) Actually I remember the International Community being a whole lot more excited about Palin when she came on the scene.
Dr Evil on December 30, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Nero had his violin … Obama has his golf club.
Isn’t it funny how, now, Obama has nothing to say, whenever it comes to the Middle East?
I’m just glad that he had his international training in Indonesia, as a boy.
I’m comforted.
OhEssYouCowboys on December 30, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Well, I guess the urban myth that Obama can turn water into wine will soon be BUSTED.
My spell checker still highlights the name “Obama” as misspelled, I wonder when they’ll fix that.
TheSitRep on December 30, 2008 at 2:38 PM
That is, if by admire you mean sniff; and by shorts, you mean jock.
Kid from Brooklyn on December 30, 2008 at 2:39 PM
You mean there are people out there who actually expected that Obama was going to work at being POTUS, instead of posing (sic) as a POTUS. What were they thinking?
Yoop on December 30, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I didn’t know a President could vote Present in every crisis?.
Falz on December 30, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Aside from the bias of the mainstream press and the Arab world that uses the Palestinians as pawns in their hostility towards Israel, we can expect Obama to take the line of least stress.
Obama has made a career of second-guessing decision-makers and decisive-action takers. His whole faux personna as a thoughtful wiseman is to rise above the fray, to mouth meaningless platitudes with rhetorical flourish, and to delegate the dirty work far enough away to give himself plausible deniability.
More and more, Obama reminds me of James Thurber’s fable “The Owl Who Was God”.
onlineanalyst on December 30, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Maybe he’s waiting for Three Kings Day. What a perfect time for the messiah to have a “present”.
Laura in Maryland on December 30, 2008 at 2:45 PM
What if his position differs from the current administration? We’d crucify him for running a shadow government and all that nonsense.
For once, I have to give Obama props for keeping quiet. Bush is still in charge and Obama should not be sending mixed signals.
grdred944 on December 30, 2008 at 2:46 PM
So, all those Secret Service dudes payed for by the taxpayer are to insure his privacy as a “private citizen”?
Where do I get in line for my privacy-insurance?
Yoop on December 30, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Maybe it’s not too late to dis-invite Rick Warren from the inauguration. Obama could invite Benny Hinn, instead. I’m certain that would make everything in Gaza all better.
My collie says:
BTW, great comments Dr. Cwac Cwac. You Cwac me up.
CyberCipher on December 30, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I think it could be viewed as just the opposite…Maybe Obama’s position is different from the Bush Admin…He doesn’t want to undermine our current government’s position??
*gag*
BigWyo on December 30, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Hmmm. I’m torn as to whether to be more concerned about his lack of interest in world events during his vacation or the fact that his undersized pecs don’t make me tingle. Hmmm.
whitetop on December 30, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Now the most important question here (much more important than the fact Israel is pounding Hamas as that’s a good thing) did THE ONE sink the putt? Oh man, what was I thinking, what a dumb question…of course he sunk the putt, after all he’s THE ONE and can do anything…Tiger’s got nothing on THE ONE!
Liberty or Death on December 30, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Uh … uh … uh’m … well … uh … uh’m … I … uh … uh … I … uh … I think that … uh … that … uh … I think that the situation in … uh … uh’m … like … uh … I think that the situation in Gaza is … like … an enigma.
Whew! I’m glad that I took care of that!
OhEssYouCowboys on December 30, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Fresh pancakes in the Clubhouse!
Mr. Wednesday Night on December 30, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Sorry my useful idiot Brit friends. The after-taste of the Kool-Aid kinda of stinks, doesn’t it.
RobCon on December 30, 2008 at 2:53 PM
There’s eight years to rip him apart. Do we want two separate state deparments and two separate Presidents sending two different messages at this point in the crisis? Be careful what you wish for.
LevStrauss on December 30, 2008 at 2:54 PM
My, the lefty Brits are getting a bit snotty to the Bammy already.
The honeymoon appears over before it begun. Pity.
RobCon on December 30, 2008 at 2:55 PM
…or four years to rip him apart but history tends toward eight…
LevStrauss on December 30, 2008 at 2:55 PM
The world will just have to wait until Obamarama has completed his celebration of Kwanzaa-Festivus.
Meanwhile, he’s offering shaved ice treats to cool off the earth’s fevered brow.
onlineanalyst on December 30, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Would someone please inform these shmoes that The One is not actually a president yet? It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference if he plays golf; I’m just glad he’s not playing wanna-be president with his “weekly radio addresses”.
commenter on December 30, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Gee, a non President leaving it up to the President, wow, whodathunk it.
And Hamas has chosen to constantly attack Israel. Hamas is getting what it deserves, though it deserves much more.
rbj on December 30, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Do you believe they’d express two different sentiments? I doubt Obama would come out against Israel.
amerpundit on December 30, 2008 at 2:57 PM
I strongly believe the lack of involvement of THE ONE in attempting to run the government would result in less damage done to the world. Just let him play golf with OJ and leave him alone already :(
poxoma on December 30, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Because you and Gegaghty are so wondrously open-minded, Allah.
Nichevo on December 30, 2008 at 2:58 PM
The Gays are not to happy with Obama either Red State Update…that’ll teach ya.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sddxf_0kPc&feature=channel
Dr Evil on December 30, 2008 at 3:01 PM
When both sides are ultimately going to be nitpicking over details, Israel and Palestinians, once the Israel offensive subsides…yes…nuances are big differences in negotiations and could effect the actions of both parties. I don’t think both will take the same exact stances, but I don’t think they will be opposite, but they don’t have to be to complicate matters.
LevStrauss on December 30, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Yeah, we wouldn’t want him criticizing Bush’s policies, er, uh, like he did throughout the whole campaign. God forbid.
fogw on December 30, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Obama votes present — This is Hillary’s problem, he is playing golf.
tarpon on December 30, 2008 at 3:05 PM
That’s what the West is already doing, so to CHANGE it you have to take Islamic movements more seriously. Too bad that’s not what he means.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on December 30, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Yeah…..And?
Yeah……………………And?
YEAH, AND? I keep waiting for them to point out the bad.
ThePrez on December 30, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I agree with RJGator on this. I seem to remember Obama coming into the White House BEFORE the election and acting like he was the boss at one of the economic conferences there. Remember him leaking about his private conference with Bush after the election? Why isn’t he doing anything now? My guess is that he hasn’t figured out how to give Israel the shaft without doing himself damage.
INC on December 30, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Exactly.
I, for one, am glad he’s silent if the rest of the world takes it for endorsement of Israel.
INC on December 30, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Both McCain and Obama had to discuss foreign policy on the trail. Once you are elected anything you say will be taken as future policy because your not shilling for votes and could undermine the sitting President. Leaders of other nations know you have to say all kind of nonsense to get elected and they don’t give it as much credence, many of them have to do it themselves. Just watch once Obama turns his back on the people who got him through the primaries. He already angered them with his cabinet picks, foreign leaders are much more sophisticated than your average American voter, they understand the differences between what they say and what they will ultimately do.
LevStrauss on December 30, 2008 at 3:10 PM
thomasaur on December 30, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Fouled it off the first time.
thomasaur on December 30, 2008 at 3:15 PM
As I said in the Headlines thread – I’ve been getting the feeling that he’s like those commercials – “I’m not really the President, but I play one on TV.” He’s more Hollywood celebrity than actual President (or President-elect).
A lot of people worldwide are going to suffer because of our Boy-Emperor.
crazy_legs on December 30, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Well it certainly seems as though there is a definite pattern emerging in the way in which Obama responds to major crises. First he releases a politically neutral statement about the event and then waits to see which way public opinion moves before committing to a more substantive position.
The media sees this as Obama taking the time to carefully consider the issue and then coming up with a well thought out balanced response that is both fair and just. The reality is that it is the sort of decision making process that a political coward uses to hedge their bets and make sure they come out on the right side of public opinion and limit any potential political damage to themselves.
The problem with this sort of behaviour though is that it usually results in a government that is indecisive, ineffective and unwilling to deal with potentially politically damaging issues and I suspect this will be the hallmark of Obama’s Presidency. Especialy if once he takes office he continues to deal with major crises in this fashion.
Dreadnought223 on December 30, 2008 at 3:19 PM
20 yard putt? That’s 60 feet!
Ditkaca on December 30, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Except the One didn’t actually discuss anything without completely contradicting himself the next day.
Remember the Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel, oh, wait, it isn’t.
I don’t really care what Obama thinks of the Israeli operation in Gaza. Nor do the Israelis, I suspect….
mjk on December 30, 2008 at 3:23 PM
I think we can see what kind of Presidency we are heading into:
Can’t I finish my waffle first?
Can’t I finish my workout first?
Can’t I sink this putt first?
It will be a Presidency of indecision and procrastination.
However, with regard to Israel and Hamas, I think BO is unintentionally making the right decision which is, don’t get in the way of the Israeli military when they are on a roll…
SPCOlympics on December 30, 2008 at 3:25 PM
The problem is, like another poster said, he pontificates about anything and everything from the podium of the so-called “Office of the President-Elect,” but now, all of the sudden, he’s going to leave it up to the sitting President?
It doesn’t wash with someone who’s been play-acting at being Emperor for the past year.
crazy_legs on December 30, 2008 at 3:28 PM
First Georgia, now Gaza? Every time Obama visits Hawaii, war breaks out somewhere.
President Barack Obama Achieves World Peace!
Vows never to return to Hawaii!
Mr_Magoo on December 30, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Only if he has someone ready to veto stamp every piece of legislation Peloci and Reid send his way.
Count to 10 on December 30, 2008 at 3:31 PM
DU speculates on whether Obama has something called MANA.
This is defined by the author of the post as “the ability to bridge adversity with solutions”.
See? He can. He just doesn’t want to.
capitalist piglet on December 30, 2008 at 3:31 PM
If it wasn’t so damn cold here, I too would be playing golf while Gaza burns.
EnglishMike on December 30, 2008 at 3:32 PM
The last western power the Arabs really liked was Hitler’s Third Reich. I figure being unpopular in the Muslim world (or Earth as we know it) is a sign of moral health.
Beagle on December 30, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Ahh my mind wanders back to that night of Nov. 4 when Obama was crowned Prince of Peace and all the Whos in all the Whovilles of the world gathered in the square to join hands and sing,
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
For he came to save the planet with the gift of peace by his mighty hand. (…and pay my mortgage.)
My how times have changed lo these many erm…weeks.
mmmmm…mmmmm….Welcome, welcome….laadaadaa.
ronsfi on December 30, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Do you really think so? The US President is the only thing that keeps the Israelies from getting crucified by the UN. I think they care very much. In fact I think that’s why they did what they did when they did it. They’ll get a lot more leeway from Bush, Obama’s advisers want to get very hands on in the ME “Peace” Process. While he is currently not lobbing directives, there’s plenty of tea leaves out there, Brzezinski and Scowcroft’s new book for example. They along with Albright-Clinton will be calling most of the shots.
LevStrauss on December 30, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Foreign and Domestic Policy are two different animals and specifics at the time of a foreign policy crisis is an even more fragile animal.
LevStrauss on December 30, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Anyway can you blame them for a little buyers remorse? After all, they thought we were electing Morgan Freeman.
ronsfi on December 30, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Yes, I wish he’d just gone and auditioned to play the President on West Wing.
INC on December 30, 2008 at 3:44 PM
But I thought all people in other countries love Obama no matter what.
Surely, this is a mis-print.
How could the sainted future world president allow such violence to continue?
Wasn’t it all supposed to stop when the throne was given to him?
notagool on December 30, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Yeah but thats Tiger w–, oh wait its Bomma again.
Bomma did win did he not? Whats with that guy?
You guys are gonna have at least 4 years of his secrecy BS.
This is only the beginning. I predict the Press will grow weary of his crap quite quickly.
johnnyU on December 30, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Ya know? He wont be running much anyway. He’s only a seat warmer for Hillary.
johnnyU on December 30, 2008 at 4:12 PM
This is going to be an entertaining 4 years.
Metro on December 30, 2008 at 4:21 PM
GET USED TO HIS “PRESENT” WORLD CITIZEN VOTE, EUROPE.
If someone figures out a cure and advances the cure with success, THEN get used to Obama claiming that cure HIS idea, just as he claimed falsely to chair several committees of significance that were “his” during the campaign, though he never convened the one that was his. Ever the pompous liar. Ah, wait for Ayers to tell him what to do and say. Ask Hillary what the Obama presidency’s Middle East position is.
maverick muse on December 30, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Obama would rather spend time on the golf course, working on his putz
ToddonCapeCod on December 30, 2008 at 4:29 PM
No sentient being would waste a moment of life voluntarily playing golf.
DarkCurrent on December 30, 2008 at 4:32 PM
D
Personally – no, I do not think the Israelis particularly care what the American president – ANY American president – thinks. Israel has never been big on asking permission before taking care of its own business. Forgiveness is much easier to obtain, although not particularly necessary, either. I have always admired them for this. For our part, we issue ultimatum after ultimatum, and allow national and world opinion to guide our responses. In the eyes of Israel – “You don’t live here, you have no idea what we live with every day, so you don’t get a vote. End of discussion”.
uncivilized on December 30, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Would the good Lord deny him the best game of his life?
Mr. Joe on December 30, 2008 at 4:48 PM
We can expect Obama to eventually say, “I am just a man, same as you…” “There is no god.”
Mr. Joe on December 30, 2008 at 4:49 PM
He’s not President yet — the Brits should leave him alone.
D2Boston on December 30, 2008 at 5:13 PM
IOKIYAR!
benny shakar on December 30, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Barry’s gonna be an unmitigated disaster. If he stops doing coke long enough to pick his head up off the desk in the Oval Office, it will be to look in wide eyed wonder that people are asking him to solve tough problems.
VolMagic on December 30, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Everyone ought to turn their back for about three weeks to think of a solution. Problem solved.
R D on December 30, 2008 at 6:34 PM
And on this one, Barry is right. One prez. at a time.
R D on December 30, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Have to say I’m with the PE on this. Guy hasn’t taken office and is staying out of the way of the incumbent. I don’t know if it’s classy but it does seem proper.
Interesting to note where the pressure to “say something” is coming from.
DB on December 30, 2008 at 6:39 PM
At least he was present…
right2bright on December 30, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Obama has no experience and no knowledge concerning foreign affairs, military matters and national security. We are going to see shortly how insanely stupid it was to elect such a young and inexperienced socialist to be President.
Phil Byler on December 30, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Fellas, I believe he is training hard those pecs for the new face of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”, Regular and Zero-Calorie Spray.
I wonder if he is soooo bright and Almighty and such a Genius, why he did not HIRE a TV personality for BAMA TV to cover all opinions and messages while he is out getting “tanned”? I know of a news anchor or two that would luv to fill those shoes /sarc.
I don’t want him putting his foot in his mouth getting in the middle of the ME mess–I want him to experience it firsthand.
ProudPalinFan on December 30, 2008 at 7:32 PM
There is so much sauce for this new goose that it ain’t even bleeping funny.
SlimyBill on December 30, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Hey, cut Osamabambiden some slack already. It’s only Israel.
davidk on December 30, 2008 at 7:55 PM
You’re right. But electing a “young and inexperienced socialist” is to be preferred over electing an old and experienced socialist.
davidk on December 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
If he keeps this up, I might just learn to like teh B.O.
Phoning it in is just fine with me. Worked for Eisenhower.
spmat on December 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »