crossposted from Generation X-Y Democrat Blog
FOX News has just put out probably the most despicable showcase of "journalism" ever.
On the front page of FoxNews.com as of 2:40 CST, the main headline reads
"Smalley Diplomacy".
"In contrast to Bush's 'cowboy diplomacy,' Obama administration's apologetic foreign policy tone seems to be based on Stuart Smalley: 'Doggonit, people like me."
So, let me get this straight. George W. Bush is a "cowboy" for turning the rest of the world against us, but Barack H. Obama is "Stuart Smalley" for trying to correct all of our mistakes?
Personally, one of the main reasons I supported Barack Obama for President was my belief that he could restore our standing in the world. Bush made the USA look like a selfish and reckless country. Why else wouldn't the rest of the world help out more in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?
So now we have a President who actually symbolizes our new found respect. Americans said to the world, "Hey, we're all not like that loon - you know, our last 'President'."
Our new President actually treats others with respect, even if we disagree. Take the higher road, learn how to negotiate, and learn from past mistakes.
And for this, a major news network gets to equate him to a self-conscious SNL character?
That is downright wrong.
While George W. Bush drew charges of "cowboy diplomacy" for his unilateral style of doing things, the Obama team might just be the Stuart Smalley counterpart to Bush's John Wayne.
Smalley, you may recall, was Al Franken's lovable alter-ego on Saturday Night Live -- an uncertified gusher of self-help advice who often needed that advice more than his guests.
"I deserve good things. I am entitled to my share of happiness," he used to recite to himself. "I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with."
Maybe President Obama's daily sessions with senior advisers don't begin with a daily affirmation, but the similarities are there.
Smalley often had his guests repeat his mantras.
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and, doggone it, people like me." It's a line many Americans surely still say to themselves every morning when they brush their teeth.
The Obama administration, likewise, has invited a list of nations to join him on the couch, put down their guard and share in that sense of satisfaction.
"We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world," Obama said in a Web video message to Iran in celebration of Nowruz, the country's new year, last week, praising the country's art, music and literature that have "made the world a better and more beautiful place."
Does FOX News understand that in the Iranian message, he was talking to all of the people there? Is it wrong to treat people with respect, after our President succeeded in having the entire world think that the US hates all Muslims?
It is absolutely pathetic that a major news outlet would portray a President that doesn't act like the schoolyard bully as soft.
When Al Gore came on the set, Smalley told him: "I don't have to be the most powerful man in the world. ... I don't have to be able to bomb a country any time I want."
Obama seems to have come to terms with that line.
I think this crosses the line of nonsense. FOX News is a disgrace of a news outlet, and the message it is trying to send to people with this article, that the President is an un-confident wuss who sports an image of confidence to cover up an inside of cowardliness, is just plain awful and teaches a bad lesson to anyone who reads the article.
Shame on them.