Obama the twelve-step artist reprograms America's relationship with the world

COMMENT: "Obama's 'apologies' are a strength," by Gideon Rachman, Financial Times, 5 May 2009.

I agree with this op-ed intensely. Apologies do not show weakness; they show strength of character and that matters more than owning the world's biggest gun.

I do not like that "America should never apologize for anything" mindset because I think it makes us looks scared and tired in terms of our global leadership.

On this point alone I thank God Obama won and McCain lost.

As this writer points out: America's willingness to deal with its past puts us at a huge advantage vis-à-vis China and Russia, who simply cannot confront vast tracts of their own history.

Great frickin' piece of writing.

Comments

[joe Michels]

Apologies are good and bad. I believe that you should apologize to your family members and friends if you have done something wrong. If you are in a civil legal tussle between business partners for example, never ever apologize because it is a sign of weakness. Never apologize for who we are, but for what we did wrong.

So how would I apply my rules to the presidency? Never apologize in public because your enemies will see it as a sign of weakness. Do apologize to our friends in private over and over if needed. Never apologize to our enemies, ever. Never apologize for who we are, but what things we may have done wrong.

[Abe C.]

It's a leadership issue - good leaders cover those under them from blame and give credit when its due. Not that he's covering persay, but the humility is refreshing to see (And the credit is going to be going to others more and more).

[William R. Cumming]

Whether or not apologies for the past are appropriate a country that can grasp the full measure of its past, warts and all, is definitely stronger.

[Brad]

I think we’d all be well served by some patience and wait until we get something tangible for Obama’s humility toward nations that have as much or more to apologize for. It will be interesting to see whether humility and a willingness to admit mistakes will compensate for a bankrupt treasury and devalued currency.

[Tom Mull]

Never say "never" and always be wary of "always"! =)

[Mark]

Apology yes. Submissive gestures and behavior NO!

[large]

Tom will probably, once again, refer to me as being "Curmudgeonly" but I have to say, having been part of the US Force in Germany/France in the early 60's, and having a fair knowledge of what the USA has spent defending Europe from a hypothetical enemy for almost 40 years, as well as stabilizing their economies and enabling them to be who and what they are today . . I don't believe we owe the EU much of anything, including an apology.

They might do well with a long awaited "Thank You, America" instead . .

The rest of the world? Perhaps not an apology, but a whole lot less judgemental criticisms of their ways of doing things. Assist, but don't insist!