Dear Obama: No More Apologies, Please!!

With the disturbing news that North Korea is preparing to launch not one, but three or four missiles, this column by Nile Gardiner, who is the Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, could not be more relevant.

Many Americans are expecting with some trepidation another Apology Tour as Obama heads to Riyadh, Cairo, Dresden, and Normandy. Gardiner cautions Obama to avoid the rampant apologies that he is so fond of giving.

"No leader in American history has gone to greater lengths than Barack Obama to make amends for his own country. From condemnation of American “arrogance” in a speech in Strasbourg to acknowledging U.S. “mistakes” before millions of Muslims on Arab television, Obama has rarely missed an opportunity to apologise for the actions of the American people.

President Obama has elevated the art of national self-loathing to new heights, and seems to delight in prostrating the most powerful nation on the face of the earth before its critics and rivals, especially on foreign soil. The Obama worldview revolves around the central premise that the United States must be humble and “engage” and work with its enemies through the application of “smart power”. There is nothing smart, however, in appeasing rogue states such as North Korea or Iran."

Gardiner also makes this point: "The world today is considerably more dangerous than it was in the days of the Bush Administration, and the Obama White House has nothing to show for its weak-kneed efforts. The brutal truth is that the United States is increasingly viewed as a soft touch by its enemies, increasingly jeered rather than feared."

I'm not going to copy/paste the whole article but go read the whole thing. And while you do, keep in mind that North Korea is preparing to launch several missiles. Iran is thumbing their nose at us as well and al Qaeda sends a message saying that Obama has "already made himself an enemy of Muslims by sending more soldiers to Afghanistan, ordering bombings in the tribal areas of Pakistan and administering a "bloody campaign against Muslims" in Pakistan's Swat Valley."

Do you feel safer now?

(Art credit: Slapupsidethehead.com)

Norks Test Another Missile?

Breitbart is reporting that the Norks have tested another missile. Counting the two yesterday, that makes three in two days, plus the nuclear test from a couple of days ago, despite Obama's strong condemnation of yesterday.

I don't think they're listening to him.

Update: Now Fox is also reporting a possible launch.

North Korea's Missile Launch

Missile experts from Iran are in North Korea to help Pyongyang prepare for its rocket launch, according to reports. Pajamas Media suspects "and doubtless to learn what they can about evading US anti-missile defense methods. " The Iranian delegation consists of fifteen representatives and they have been there since early March.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates feels certain that the launch will proceed and that of course there is nothing the U.S. can do about it. The North Koreans contend that this is to launch a communications satellite but obviously the same technique could be used to launch more deadly weapons. Reports are that a missile could reach all the way to Hawaii.

Asked if the North Korean rocket could reach the US states of Hawaii or Alaska, Admiral Mike Mullen told CNN: "In some cases, yes, they could probably get down to Hawaii."

Gates said on Fox News Sunday "I don't know anyone at a senior level in the American government who does not believe this technology is intended to mask the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile."

That is all troubling enough but the fact that Iran is now in the mix further complicates things. Obama has been making overtures to Iran, extending the open hand of peace, sending Happy New Year messages, etc. But this launch is clearly a violation of a UN Security Council resolution banning them from carrying out ballistic missile activities.

Japan's Air Force has begun deploying units capable of shooting down a rocket but Pyongyang has insisted that any attempt to shoot it down would be considered an act of war. The launch is scheduled to occur between April 4 - 8.

Yet another Biden-predicted-test for Obama. What will he do?