[](/sites/default/files/uploads/2013/06/the-nsa-has-no-idea-how-much-secret-data-edward-snowden-took-and-that-has-them-very-worried.jpg)America is facing a terrible political and public relations situation today with the Edward Snowden affair. The political environment is sickening as Americans are actually debating whether to side with National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, who has been charged with espionage and other offenses. The man shared military secrets – how could anyone patriotic who cares about America support this?
Some wrongly claim his motive should be considered. Those concerned with Snowden’s motives should read page 229 of Ann Coulter’s book Treason, where she asks why so often “are liberals consumed with the assailant’s motive. How about: Until we understand why rapists would rather violently rape a woman than take her to dinner and a movie, we cannot respond to the crime of rape.” Naturally, the concept is repulsive – as is understanding, or justifying the motives of someone who shares top-secret government secrets. Whether the government is right or wrong, our great republic must be protected.
Former President Bush used to say, “Liberals do not like me talking about liberals.” And against the backdrop of the Snowden situation, let’s examine the words of liberal President Obama. It has been many years since America has been openly defied by foreign nations in such a high-profile, embarrassing way. Obama criticizing America, and apologizing for America’s behavior – regularly – broadcasts a weak American image to the world. It allows an environment where China and Russia openly defy America, and so it should be no surprise that Putin will not extradite Snowden back to the U.S.
The Chinese and Russians can remind Obama when he said America “has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” He himself criticized America for acting unilaterally. They can use Obama’s own words as a defense and encouragement for their actions.
Obama in 2009 said, “Unfortunately, faced with an uncertain threat, our government made a series of hasty decisions. I believe that many of these decisions were motivated by a sincere desire to protect the American people. But I also believe that all too often our government made decisions based on fear rather than foresight; that all too often our government trimmed facts and evidence to fit ideological predispositions.” Indeed, sometimes the ends do justify the means. Obama continued with this program to protect America – and shouldn’t speak ill of policies necessary to protect this great country.
Similarly, in 2009 Obama also said:
I would like to think that with my election and the early decisions that we’ve made, that you’re starting to see some restoration of America’s standing in the world. And although, as you know, I always mistrust polls, international polls seem to indicate that you’re seeing people more hopeful about America’s leadership. I just think in a world that is as complex as it is, that it is very important for us to be able to forge partnerships as opposed to simply dictating solutions.
All hot-air from Obama’s White House in retrospect, isn’t it? How’s that partnership going now? Do these nations have any fear of America? As Ann Coulter wrote in Treason, “For fifty years, America’s foreign policy failures have not been problems of “national dialogue” or “preventative” action or the national psyche. There is one simple problem: Democrats can’t handle foreign policy.” World nations are openly defying and disrespecting America. Awful.
On November 30, 2011, Obama said, “America is great not just because we’re powerful, but also because we have a set of values that the world admires … We don’t just think about what’s good for us, but we’re also thinking about what’s good for the world … That’s what makes us exceptional.”
President Obama was wrong – America is exceptional because America is a superior country. A superior, Western democracy. And that is the right answer – not a global village, but an American village with uniquely American values and American interests to worry about. Do you love your children more than your neighbor’s children and think of their best interests before other kids’ best interests? Do the same with your country.
The controversy overSnowden is a major embarrassment for the United States. It is an awful situation on so many fronts from which many lessons will be learned before all is said and done. As a Public Relations executive who earns his living counseling executives on messaging and the meaning of words, I hope amongst the lessons learned is that the President of the United States of America no longer spends time criticizing this great republic, sending a weak image worldwide.
P.S.: Could anyone doubt that if Snowden did this when Bush was President of the United States, all the media would say he is a hero?
Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here.
Leave a Reply