Karma happens, Mr. President
posted at 4:30 pm on May 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I might have more sympathy and inclination to defend Barack Obama from Peter Brookes’ cartoon in today’s Times of London, but since it echoes an unfair attack launched by Obama himself on his predecessor, I’ll chalk this up to karma. Brookes takes a cheap shot at Obama and the US for unintended civilian deaths in a recent raid in Afghanistan, in a tableau usually reserved for George W. Bush:
Just to remind readers, Barack Obama had no problem offering the exact same kind of smear against Bush in August 2007:
It looks like Europe has hit the limit for “I inherited this problem” excuses, and now they’re putting Obama in that flight suit instead of Bush. This reflects not just the fact that Obama is now the CinC, but also that he’s escalating the American presence in Afghanistan, and wants our NATO partners to do the same. Britain already contributes to the front lines, almost alone in Europe except for the Dutch and the Poles. Perhaps if more of Britain’s EU partners contributed ground forces, we could avoid using air power as often.
But let’s also put the blame for the civilian casualties where they have always belonged — on the terrorists who hide in civilian populations, exploit them for cover, and most often target them for murder. The Taliban has never been a stand-up army fighting a war of liberation, or even an honest rebellion. Even when they held power, they held it by terrorizing Afghans into compliance. Brookes needs to fix responsibility where it belongs, and apparently needs to fix his moral compass as well.
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I don’t get it. Are you saying Obama IS the United States now? Oh yeah…
Kelligan on May 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
I’m holding out for the Chris Matthews
dollaction figure. Push the button and his leg tingles.DrAllecon on May 7, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Ruh roh! Dear Leader isn’t gonna like this.
Watch out UK. He’ll be doing to you soon, what he’s doing to us!
capejasmine on May 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM
So, we believe Muslims when they say that civilians were killed? Whats a dead civilian worth in compensation dollars these days?
Why are you believing Muslims?
BL@KBIRD on May 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM
“Can’t just go around,….air raiding villages…..”
BobMbx on May 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Mission Accomplished.
Cicero43 on May 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM
expected a cooling. but not one like this… hmmm
Drunk Report on May 7, 2009 at 4:37 PM
FIFY
Daggett on May 7, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Careful, he could sic the WH press corp on them.
29Victor on May 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Making cartoons about Muhammed caused a riot. What will making Cartoons about Obama do?
portlandon on May 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Brookes takes a cheap shot at Obama [and] the US for unintended civilian deaths in a recent raid in Afghanistan
I don’t get it. Are you saying Obama IS the United States now? Oh yeah…
Kelligan on May 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
I think that was an Ed error
youngO on May 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I’d bet he can hear a pin drop with those jug-ears
Ris4victory on May 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I wish our media would hit the limit on his excuses too. Maybe when they wear through their presidential knee-pads.
Iblis on May 7, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Payback is a Bee-yatch, ain’t it, Obama? Being a lying puppet comes back at ya, real fast………..
All his lies and half-truths and General B.S. are going to reach Critical Mass soon, and become fungible, usable, and indelible…..
Janos Hunyadi on May 7, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Iblis on May 7, 2009 at 4:39 PM
They can’t. They’ll get harrased by Al Sharpton for being racists
youngO on May 7, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Heheh, works that way in the Navy. When a commanding officer arrives at a ship, he or she is announced as his or her command; i.e., captain of USS Abraham Lincoln shows up at another ship, the announcement is, “USS Abraham Lincoln, arriving.” This formal courtesy is also extened to high ranking civilians; therefore, when the POTUS puts a foot on the deck, it’s, “United States, arriving.” So, yeah, I guess Obama is the United States now….
apostic on May 7, 2009 at 4:40 PM
What are the liberals here going to think? The people of Europe, whom they absolutely adore and try to emulate are ripping Obama! Olbermann’s head must be exploding.
jencab on May 7, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Um, that cartoon is racisssttt!
carbon_footprint on May 7, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I can’t believe what a warmonger Obama’s turned out to be.
roninacreage on May 7, 2009 at 4:42 PM
On a related topic, has Obama showed up in Doonesbury yet? Think He will be represented by a teleprompter? I don’t think Trudeaus’ honest enough…
redshirt on May 7, 2009 at 4:42 PM
President Pantywaist acts tough by “air raiding” old men and children; WH calls EU response “a distraction”.
Look over there….Miss California has fake boobs…..
BobMbx on May 7, 2009 at 4:43 PM
It will cause a laugh-riot?
DrAllecon on May 7, 2009 at 4:44 PM
It was just another wedding party that was shot up.
Special Forces Grunt on May 7, 2009 at 4:44 PM
London calling: Obama has launched massive air raids over London.
He is pissed about the cartoon.
izoneguy on May 7, 2009 at 4:45 PM
your doing a heck of a job there barry
Defector01 on May 7, 2009 at 4:46 PM
This is why Obama and the Democrats “make europe like us” approach fails
they don’t like us because we have political power
karasoth on May 7, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I know! He and his administration are vicious and bloodthirsty with their continuous and relentless attacks on enemies.
Oh, and they’ve escalated the military fighting, too.
Daggett on May 7, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Hey Axelrod (We know you visit Hotair): Merely rebrand the civilians as ‘pirates.’
BHO Jonestown on May 7, 2009 at 4:47 PM
The mathews doll you push a button and be bends over in front of B Frank
Rick007 on May 7, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I feel zip. It’s about like watching Americans go for Bush’s bait on “weapons of mass destruction.”
Same thing. The guy who beat out Hillary because he was the “only” one who stood up against the war got by with that nonsense, even though the turkey didn’t even have to vote.
Meanwhile, he made it quite clear he was going to war. In Afghanastan.
And the problems were spelled out by those who know the area. It would lead to this type of problem.
So he told the nation that he would lead us into this type of global problem.
And they said, “Yes.”
Just like with Bush, I now say. “OK, that’s what you voted for.”
AnninCA on May 7, 2009 at 4:48 PM
in the tradition of Jeeenngis Kaaaahn
SDarchitect on May 7, 2009 at 4:49 PM
In breaking news, the WH is deploying ACORN and Code Pink to the UK as all of England has been declared right-wing extremists by the DHS.
txag92 on May 7, 2009 at 4:49 PM
How can we be sure that those Afghans in the cartoon are really civilians?
Mark1971 on May 7, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I’m waiting for the action figure that you can sit in a burger joint……….
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I think the artist is trying to make The Precedent look like Will Smith in Independence Day.
Will Smith…now we’re talking PECS.
ladyingray on May 7, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Isn’t it ironic how the MSM never goes after the terroists that kill thousands every week? In shopping centers.waiting for jobs and just anywhere they want to.
We need A Pre’s that has balls and will just put the fear of ALLAH in their asses.
I mean for the Imams that teach this hatred then you will see a change in Islam.
Go after the leaders of Hezebula Hammas and the rest of Satins worshipers.
Rick007 on May 7, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I agree Ed
Please forgive my lack of sympathy for Obama’s ego and popularity overseas, though. I wonder how long it is before we see the ultimate nuance…Lefty war protesters and muslims around the world burning Obama in effigy and calling him hitler. I think it’s only a matter of time, honestly.
Mord on May 7, 2009 at 4:55 PM
The Taliban are cowards, hiding behind women’s skirts and using babies as human shields.
Disgusting scum.
rbj on May 7, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I wonder if cars get overturned and people get beaten at a laugh riot? Maybe.
portlandon on May 7, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Mord on May 7, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I think you’re a tad bit optimistic. I can agree with the muslims but the lefties aren’t going to abandon their darling as long as he fights on with Great Society II
youngO on May 7, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Ok, did I get the “ban hammer” as I went to post a comment and I got a message that I am not allowed to comment?
Waz up?
Liberty or Death on May 7, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I object to the Jumpsuit Barack “kamikaze” Obama. Well, actually I don’t but Obama civilian attacks would consist of one crash and burn on the outskirts of a Paki village.
Damage? Loss of an F16, one dead president, a camel with permanent rectal malfunction and a scorched tent.
Mission Unaccomplished.
Dusty on May 7, 2009 at 5:00 PM
That’s a great cartoon rendering of Obama, BTW.
The problem I see here, though, is that Obama may well listen to these criticisms and stop going after terrorists altogether. These are the kinds of voices he his most comfortable with. I mean, let’s face it…he would never have initiated action against the Taliban in the first place. This is a program that is carrying over with it’s own momentum from the Bush years. So, my fear is that he may pull the plug altogether to get the Euro-Lefties off his back.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 5:01 PM
That’s a stupid cartoon no matter which President it’s directed towards.
BadgerHawk on May 7, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Obama deserves what ever ridicule he gets. Just wish our news people had that same courage. But…what struck me the most is that cartoon image of the woman in the burka. It looked like a robot toy. Angered me afresh me that these should be treated like non-entities in their own countries.
jeanie on May 7, 2009 at 5:01 PM
I am no Obama defender, but he doesn’t deserve the blame for this, even if it is karma. It wasn’t right to hold Bush personally responsible for this, and it isn’t right to hold Obama accountable for it either. Like Ed said, the real blame lies with those cowardly jihadist that use the civilian populace as shields.
ManInBlack on May 7, 2009 at 5:01 PM
youngO on May 7, 2009 at 4:58 PM
yeah that is a bit of a reach. I would be shocked if it happened, but it only took 100 days of Obama to have one european comparing him to Bush. We still have 3 and a half years to go.
Mord on May 7, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Gor Blimey! There’s a lark.
bluelightbrigade on May 7, 2009 at 5:04 PM
“I am the state.” ~
ObamaLouis XIVHmm…
European values: check.
Inexperienced child who took the throne knowing only what his tutors had taught him: check.
National economic crisis: check.
Long-term wars prior to his reign: check.
Sounds pretty close to the Bamster…except for the fact that Obama is almost guaranteed to be a far worse executive leader than Louis XIV was. The people Obama’s surrounded himself with are reason enough alone for us to wish we had a 23-year-old French monarch in the White House rather than him.
For one, Louis’ economic policies actually took France OUT of bankruptcy.
Harpazo on May 7, 2009 at 5:06 PM
What goes around comes around. plus dont forget to vote on the foxpoll
Greed on May 7, 2009 at 5:09 PM
So, isn’t this some kind of war crime, that Obama should be prosecuted for?
Star20 on May 7, 2009 at 5:11 PM
WAR CRIMES!!!!
mr.blacksheep on May 7, 2009 at 5:12 PM
What goes around…….
Terrye on May 7, 2009 at 5:15 PM
So I assume now that Obama will be persona non grata in San Franscisco?
Christian Conservative on May 7, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Exactly Ed! I could give a ratz azz if the Euro-weenies honeymoon with THE ONE is over, what concerns me is this on-going bashing of the US and its military from the left and our “allies” regarding the death of innocent civilians!
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like it when any innocent civilians are killed and I’m certain our government and military don’t like it either but the fact of the matter is (as you pointed out) it is our enemy that insists on conducting its military actions and placing its base of operations amongs civilians that is the real culprit when innocent civilians are killed and anyone with a shred of intelligence, honesty, and integrity knows this to be true!
As long as the left and our “allies” continue this meme it assists our enemies in two ways; they continue to hide behind innocent civilians for cover as they know our forces will hesitate hitting and secondly; it provides them political propaganda to use against us to weaken our political position/resolve when innocent civilians are killed, therefore IMHO anyone that furthers this meme is aiding and abetting the enemy and should be tried for treason!
Bottom line is the US and its military DOESN’T INTENTIONALLY TARGET INNOCENT CIVILIANS! This whole meme from the left and our supposed “allies” wore thin with me a long long time ago and I’m getting beyond mad as hell about it!
Enough already…show some integrity and honesty lefties and euro-weenies, because if you were honest and had a shred of inegrity you would be holding the true murderers of innocent civilians accountable in this case, and that would be fascist Islam not the USA!
Liberty or Death on May 7, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Obama needs to be investigated. Afghans don’t have AMD. Iran doesn’t either.
seven on May 7, 2009 at 5:17 PM
The difference here is the left in Europe can get nothing out of Obama but actions on foreign policy — They don’t care if he nationalizes the auto companies or puts the U.S. health care system under government control. What they were hoping for was a president who not only thought the U.S. sucks but would unilaterally pull out of all of Bush’s War on Terror operations, and defer to their betters at The Hague on how to conduct world affairs. And if the U.S. was then hit by a terrorist attack because of those actions, well, that doesn’t really concern them, either.
The left here may be silently in as much of a snit about Obama not giving up the WOT as their European counterparts, but they’re not going to desert Barack when there are still all those domestic policy issues and pork projects to mine out of his administration (plus, as looney as some of them act about claiming Bush’s wars were all a bunch of BS, the Air Force 1 flyover of New York and the public reaction showed that in the back of your average urban liberal Democrats’ mind they still realize that there are people out there who want to kill us, even if Barack Obama is president).
jon1979 on May 7, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Where’s the Apologizing Hillary doll?
rockmom on May 7, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I think as far as Europe is concerned, he was great as an African candidate, but became tarred with America once he took it.
Well, the popular kids in Europe, anyway. I get the impression that the Eastern block knows better.
Count to 10 on May 7, 2009 at 5:25 PM
I don’t get it. We were promised that the Euro-weenies would all love and respect us again if we elected Obama — and now they’re mocking and criticizing us just like they did when Bush was president? I feel cheated.
BTW, what’s that purple thing sticking out of Obama’s mouth supposed to be? Is that his tongue, or is that somebody else’s . . . appendage?
AZCoyote on May 7, 2009 at 5:31 PM
That appendage in his mouth could only belong to one of two entities, our enemies or Chrissie Mathews!
Liberty or Death on May 7, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Very good point; most of free Europe has been hiding behind our legs for over half a century. If I was POTUS I’d remind them of that when I visited the EU countries. It’s like a child who thinks his parents are the problem, until he finally has to go out on his own. And then, year by year, his parents suddenly seem wiser. It’s high time we began insisting that Europe protect it self. I’m not advocating Isolationism, but we should begin to plan for troop reductions in Western Europe. Smart power, baby!
Red State State of Mind on May 7, 2009 at 5:39 PM
It will debut when they complete the matching pants suit ensembles. They’ve already recorded the seven sayings it utters when you pull the string.
Red State State of Mind on May 7, 2009 at 5:41 PM
They’ve already done it to themselves, but they’ll surely redouble their efforts.
Annar on May 7, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Love the EARS on the “doll” ! Very life-like.
stenwin77 on May 7, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Seriously, America and Europe have drifted apart over the decades. They are 1) 90% atheist, 2) unconditional pacifists, 3) deeply committed to gods of environmentalism and political correctness and 4) terrified of their Muslim pluralities.
Thankfully, we aren’t there yet. Would be hilarious if cap and trade didn’t fly – the Euros will get the vapors.
johnboy on May 7, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Speaking of the vapors…
I love how the libtards think its morally swell to smoke a bunch of Afganis including innocent women and children at 20,000 feet from a Predator drone but get the vapors if you bitch slap a terrorist at Gitmo and pour water on his head. Post 100 days…the bitch is yours now Obama.
Wyznowski on May 7, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Is there an actual version of this doll? I have two of Bush in different outfits. I’d like Obama… maybe that is racist. Or maybe not making a doll is racist cuz there’s one of Bush and Clinton and Ann Coulter…
I want a doll.
petunia on May 7, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Here’s a section from one of the HA headline articles (Gates: Taliban Won’t Get Pakistan Nukes) that further supports my earlier comment (emphasis mine):
This is exactly my point and the main point of this thread (other than THE ONE being bashed by the euro-weenies) IMHO. Whenever any government official, politician, left-tard, euro-weenie, Code Puke, or any other useful idiot props up and gives the slightest legitimacy to the “America targets innocent civilians” meme it plays right into our enemy’s hands!
In addition to expressing his condolonces Gates and others should at every opportunity make it absolutely clear to everyone who the real culprits are when innocent civilians are killed in these situations. In not doing so it provides cover and political propaganda for our enemies to use against us not to mention it demontrates a lack of integrity and honesty by our government and politicians as well as being a major slap in the face to our brave military men and women!
Liberty or Death on May 7, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Ahhh, we should be so Lucky!
oldleprechaun on May 7, 2009 at 6:13 PM
The Europeans have decidedly less “patience” than we,
as they face not only Islamic terrorists, but
the possibility of Russian strongarming
in the not-so-distant future…
…sans help from America….
Lockstein13 on May 7, 2009 at 6:14 PM
I am not surprised at all. It was never truly about Bush, although he was a convenient target. It was always about the USA, being viewed as a bunch of backwoods newcomers, being the most powerful nation on earth. It really sticks in their craw that a nation that they view as not being as sophisticated and cosmopolitan as themselves holds that power. Dare I say that they view America as being uppity?
coyoterex on May 7, 2009 at 6:16 PM
…but what the heck is that in his mouth??
BoomJunkie on May 7, 2009 at 6:17 PM
As I commented earlier:
Liberty or Death on May 7, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Obama thought Bush was the cause of all the hatred and criticism…and that he could win everybody over with his charm initiative. Wrong on both counts.
Dee2008 on May 7, 2009 at 6:30 PM
oh man, I gotta stop reading Hot Air while I’m drinking! Redshirt, ILMFAO. Coffee-flavored snot-bubbles are not a pretty sight.
CatchAll on May 7, 2009 at 6:30 PM
waterboarding terrorists: out
airbombing innocent civilians: in
i’m glad obama found our moral bearing again, and is returning us to our american ideals.
sarainitaly on May 7, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Ed, after all the vicious attacks on conservatives you still insist on doing the right thing? I admire you. I on the other hand can’t wait for revenge. I hope this cartoon starts a world-wide avalanche of vicious attacks that bury Obama. Whew boy! That felt good.
RMR on May 7, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Test
Michael in MI on May 7, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Ed, in your attempt to appear journalistic you had to give that “dressing down” to Brookes about the culpability of the Taliban. Too obvious. I think you overdid it. Don’t sell out.
PaCadle on May 7, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Brookes needs to fix responsibility where it belongs, and apparently needs to fix his moral compass as well.
A leftist with a moral compass? My what a novel idea. I thought the function of leftists was to viciously attack people who are making things better – like American soldiers who make peace by killing terrorists. Oh they don’t have the courage to attack the soldiers directly but they use every devious trick they can think of to attack the mission.
Basilsbest on May 7, 2009 at 7:08 PM
It’s more fun and quite rewarding to blame The One!
GrayDog on May 7, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Barry HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS!
And it’s way past time that we pulled our troops out of Europe, telling them “And we ain’t coming back”.
GarandFan on May 7, 2009 at 7:12 PM
it’s his bed, he made it, let him lie in it.
Hog Wild on May 7, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Clown cars get overturned and people get hit in the face with cream pies. :-)
Mary in LA on May 7, 2009 at 9:05 PM
How do we know the “civilians” are not just more Taliban?
Since they all fight out of uniform.
I give our side the benefit of the doubt, even under Barry the Childish.
profitsbeard on May 7, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Ole B.O. said he would do better, thought he could do better, but in the end we all knew he would be an abject failure. That cartoon is spot on about our new cartoon President IMHO.
DannoJyd on May 7, 2009 at 11:26 PM
ChimpyO it is then.
csdeven on May 7, 2009 at 11:31 PM
I bet Peter Brookes would not draw cartoons attacking the Taliban if the Islamists take over the world. (Well, maybe just once.)
KW64 on May 8, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Obamahitler
Schadenfreude on May 8, 2009 at 2:51 AM
Uh-oh…
no more scapegoating/distracting by saying, “It’s Bush’s fault”
no more opposing Iraq like in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008
and no promises being fulfilled
.
hmmmm, what happens to The One’s approval rating when there’s no distraction and no successes?
scottm on May 8, 2009 at 6:52 AM
Like the silly yellow duck that tries to drink water outta of a cup?
ProudPalinFan on May 8, 2009 at 7:25 AM
I dunno either! Morning eyes don’t help, but it is either a Chow-Chow dog’s purple tongue or a grenade. Can’t figure it out. Help?
ProudPalinFan on May 8, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Crummy way for the president to find out that the Taliban does, in fact, hide among civilians…just like Hamas and Hezbollah and wow, Osama himself. What a surprise. Eat your words, Obama. Then maybe apologize? Hahahah, right.
scalleywag on May 8, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Now that’s funny.
scalleywag on May 8, 2009 at 8:53 AM
I thought muslims didn’t like killing muslims?
I guess Hussein changed his mind.
Yes. I went there.
madmonkphotog on May 8, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Hey, they made obama’s ears big like they did with GWB. THAT’S RACIST!
Kevin M on May 8, 2009 at 12:47 PM
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