September 25, 2009
Back At The Center of the World
I don’t get the sense the media or the American people really grasped the magnitude of what took place yesterday at the U.N. Less than a year after America and the world were finally extricated from the tyranny of George “Coalition of One” Bush, his distain for diplomacy, and his abuse of the United Nations, we saw a historic event take place situating the U.S. at the center of international civility.
I imagine it will be one of Obama’s defining moments, convening only the fifth Summit-level session of the Security Council in its 63 years, and the first one ever chaired by the President of the the United States. If the U.S. draft resolution on nuclear disarmament that the Council passed unanimously is hardly perfect, what a difference from the dungeon-like past eight years.
I should add, by the way — and I’ve been guilty of this, too — it often seems impossible for anyone to credit Obama for anything. (Latest case in point, check the dismal tone surrounding these pretty decent numbers – especially as compared to the opposition.)
(…And then, here’s a better look at the mural by Norwegian artist Per Krohg. According to the UN, it was donated in 1952 by Norway and “symbolizes the changes which the world will undergo because of the efforts of the UN, and of mankind in general, to achieve peace, equality and freedom.”)
(image: UN Photo/Mark Garten. caption: Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. The Summit unanimously adopted resolution 1887 (2009), expressing the Security Council’s resolve to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. Location: United Nations, New York Date: 24 September 2009)
23 Comments Leave a comment
jtfromBC said:
With all due respect to BHO and the welcomed passing of GWG and John Bolton, there are occasions when I think of the big O and Captain Kirk as one, this pic in particular advances that association.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b56e0u0EgQ
jtfromBC said:
GWG = GWB
robertdsc said:
I have my reservations about many of the President’s policies but I still admire him on a personal level. This is my new favorite image of his.
Kathryn in MA said:
I watched C-Span 3 streaming online and was happy to see this glimpse of a great future – in contrast to the insanity in Congress. Thank you for the wonderful pictures and essays.
Gasho said:
Thank goodness you posted a link to the whole mural because the piece that gets captured in this image is pretty dismal. Maybe that’s where we are in the world today.
I also appreciated the uplifting info you presented. It makes me proud of my country, which isn’t something the news or other blogs often do.
I also also appreciated Kathryn’s comment above — that it’s really Congress that is unbelievably disfunctional or “insane” as she puts it. You know, that is SO TRUE. Congress, the wingnuts and the Media go to great lengths to make Obama look bad, but he keeps moving steadily forward. At times it looks like he’s not doing enough (or making the right decisions or slaying the right dragons or whatever) but then in the end, the results seem to come.. For example, if the torture investigations get some traction, we might get some convictions – even the top dogs are potentially nervous. But Obama didn’t come out yelling and screaming to get there.. he just let it unfold.
This topic – Nuclear Disarmament – is something I’ve never heard in connection with Obama. I didn’t follow every second of the campaign, but I’m watching pretty closely online. This seems HUGE and yet he’s doing it so quietly. He really deserves the seat in front of that mural and I wish the picture included more of the uplifting imagery because he embodies it as much as anyone I can think of.
Paul said:
disdain
great post though
Paula said:
Gasho, this has been a topic he worked on as a senator, beginning with a trip to Russia with Richard Lugar in 2005 and the Lugar-Obama Bill in 2007 (http://lugar.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=278019&).
It is indicative of the lows we’ve reached on the international stage with W that even what must be admitted as an elaborate photo-op is greeted with a sigh of relief. Obama clearly has an idea of what it can mean when the US president takes rhetorical leadership on an issue.
That being said, it makes his lack of leadership on other issues that much more disappointing.
Also, it should be noted in this photo, as with most of his life, that he is backed up by (prominent) women. He’s gotten some (some deserved, some not) flack for the number of women in high powered positions within his staff, but it’s hard to square that with his avowed continuing dependence on people like Clinton and Pelosi in sensitive ares of governance and negotiation, even when he is reported to have disagreements with them.
Tena said:
“it often seems impossible for anyone to credit Obama for anything”
Thank you for that.
You know, there really is a GOP strategy to take this president down and one of the their main tactics is to destroy his supporters’ loyalty. As I’ve pointed out before, it’s often subtle, but Obama gets the blame for everything, even diametrically opposed accusations, like he’s not out there fighting for health care reform/he’s overexposed.
His achievement in world politics and diplomacy are really stunning for such a young president. He’s brought gravitas and respect back.
Tena said:
You weren’t overstating it when you said that the most dismal part of that mural is all that can been in the photo with Obama, et al. What a difference when one looks at the entire thing – it’s actually entirely different. Thanks for pointing that out – I might have skimmed right past the link if you hadn’t.
g said:
I believe that Obama as Senator co-sponsored a nuclear disarmament bill with Richard Lugar. I’m commenting before looking it up, sorry, but I recall this being mentioned during the campaign.
Serr 8d said:
Well, the UK Press has certainly attributed “President Pantywaist” with great foreign policy advances…
Don’t you hate it when the foreign presses bash an American President?
Wait…
yg said:
.
yg said:
i like their new tact, the right blaming obama for scaring people.
yg said:
oops i meant this to be a stand alone.
funny article from fox’s murdoch. just a few months ago, they were gleeful about how hated obama was in russia.
Annoying Old Guy said:
Obama was a big hit with French President Nicholas Sarkozy. Oh, and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown seems to be a huge fan, even if it’s not reciprocated. Obama is definitely making an impression — just ask the Polish government.
yg said:
both deny the snub story:
http://thepage.time.com/2009/09/24/special-relationship/
when did the right start to give a fig about what the rest of the world thinks?
Annoying Old Guy said:
That’s what I get for trusting that right-wing rag, The Guardian. You agree, though that the other two incidents show a less than deft handling of international relations?
I think about the Eisenhower Administration. It is interesting to note that during the Bush Adminstration, there was a significant shift from anti-American to more pro-American governments around the world, particularly in Europe. That’s substance. Showing up at the head of the table because you let the other kids steal your lunch money, that’s Obama.
Tony said:
I love the picture…so much symbolism…Viet Nam two spaces down from the USA, and the UK, also two spaces down. How the world has changed.
yg said:
ah yes, bush was beloved in europe.
all politics are local.
Annoying Old Guy said:
I think it counts as “losing” when you have to make up quotes for the other side.
So any shift toward America is just local politics, but any shift away is Bush’s fault? Or, why should we care what others think if it has no effect on their politics?
janinsanfran said:
Great pic. I think you understand the significance rightly. Too bad Hillary happened to be looking down, pouty at that instant. Don’t know if that catches anything real. She seems a worthy team player.
Kyle Gann said:
Thanks for calling my attention to the point about Obama’s achievement here. I’m always impressed with the humanity you bring to your subject matter.
jtfromBC said:
Regardless of the protocol excuse a majority of Poles don’t want US missiles in their country same for the folks in Checkoslovakia in spite of their leaders desires. Gordon Brown does not have majority support for the Afghanistan war and like Blair is going through Empire withdrawal. Since the demise and death of Winston Churchill UK subjects are spending more time in the identity thing re whether they are English,Scots or Welshmen. All seem in agreement however in trying to get extra special treatment in the European Union. Little men like Sarkozy and our minority Leader Stephen Harper can’t seem to run fast enough to grab on the coat tails of Uncle Sam.
The centre right German Chancellor Angela Merkel may be the most independent leader in Europe knowing of course where the gas for the Fatherland comes from helps. Go to see you back AOG