The Sunday, December 4th New York Times' Sunday Review section includes an article titled "Im Sorry: The Scariest Words in Politics," in which the author opines about how American presidents have related to other governments. After reading the article (see link below) and summarizing it, give your opinion in the blog and share it with your classmates for extra credit.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/opinion/sunday/im-sorry-the-scariest-words-in-politics.html?ref=opinion
Sunday, December 4, 2011
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I think that the article is absolutely right. In the last three years Mr. Obama has done nothing but critique. He always talks about progress, well he has not taken to country to any. Yes, we can say we are sorry, sorry of choosing this man as president.
ReplyDeleteThis sunday's article does touch an important subject, if Obama doesn't believe in the US being the president then how would he plan to make things better?. His speeches and words are misleading and are interpreting other ideas. President or not there is nothing wrong with an apology what is wrong is not admitting that something wrong was done, something Obama doesn't want to admit to.. being a horrible president.
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ReplyDeleteThe author of this article focuses the main point of his opinion on debating whether the criticism to President Obama about his supposed "apologies" is actually based on real facts or expressions of dislike and racism.In doing so, he exposes the examples of the many past presidents and diplomats who have talked about the past mistakes of the U.S as a nation in the arena of international politics.The more I read the article, the more clear are two things to me: The author of the article defends the "moral" acts of apologies of Mr. Obama; and the Republican party in its majority sees the President as a weak link, who does not trust in America,thus, his policies can't be trusted.I can't state my opinion about the subject because I would need to know more about it, but I do can say that sometimes acknowledging past mistakes of the nation is what helps a country to move forward. As the author said: "Perhaps the most important is to put the past to rest in order to move on."
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, apologizing is a way to deal peacefully with others, especially when the issue is among nations. However, I agree with Ben Rhodes (a senior White House official) when he says in the article that “acknowledging past mistakes is thus an act of affirmation, not of shamefacedness.” Even though it is not considered an apology, it can work as one, and have the same effects. Besides, I believe that acknowledging past mistakes is an effective way used by American presidents to deal with foreign affairs, using an implied way to say they are sorry. So, I don’t see it bad for a normal citizen to say “I’m sorry”, but when the issue is apologizing representing an entire nation, the word “I’m sorry” should not be clearly stated.
ReplyDeletein my opinion, althought obama has came to office, he stills has to clean up the mess that was made from the previous president so its going to some time for his plans to eventually be moved into action.
ReplyDeleteNicole Conlon
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I’m Sorry: The Scariest Words in Politics
This article was a critique on Obama’s alleged tendency to sound rather apologetic during his speeches. Republicans are trying to say that Obama is not fit to run our country because he doesn’t believe in it. That’s sounds a bit outlandish to say being that Obama never said the words, “I’m Sorry.” That’s if you want to look at as an apology. Some see it as affirmation of previous “mistakes” to aim towards better future. Basically presidents Mr. Obama and Mr. Carter see it as a positive quality. In this article Traub states, ““History is often tragic,” Mr. Obama said in Turkey, “but unresolved, it can be a heavy weight. ... And reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future.” This is a good point because if you never forgive something you may never really get past it. It’s like holding a grudge against your own self. This whole entire article really surprised me actually. I don’t have much political background or knowledge per say but it was really interesting to hear the republican-democratic view points on this issue of ‘apology.’ It’s crazy how each side really makes such valid points; I can see where both sides are coming from. The republicans are very intransigent in this aspect whether we should let ourselves as a country look weak in any manner even if that’s admitting our wrong doings. Republicans see it more as putting ourselves on the same level as these foreign nations, when we are superior. Whereas the democrats like Obama himself are a bit more relaxed and try to look for an alternative way to fix foreign policies and such by admitting that maybe a different approach could have been taken. Never really stating what the republicans see it as. In fact, no president has every flat out apologized, they kind of beat around the bush. I guess the republicans look at the idea of apology as a female trait, then associating itself with weakness and vulnerability.
Why would he apologize for? apologizing for the ex-President's mistakes for that he is right for the thousands of people that have died in a war that he is trying to end? He is the smartest president ever and his color has nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Mr. Rodes about the republican claim, he said, "Barack Obama has never apologized." In my opinion, people should apologize if they are wrong or made a mistake in the past.I do not think Obama should apologize for mistakes that others did befor he became president.
ReplyDeleteI could not believe what the article said about Obama, he has hit an all time low with that comment. It is as if he ran for president for the honor the title of US president brings(along with all the other benefits). what is wrong with saying sorry, all it means it i have recognized my mistakes. An intelligent person is some who is not afraid to admit he/she can make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWell I personally believe that if Our President is apologizing, because he values people's life over the ammunition from his opponent, there is nothing wrong with that picture. He is apologizing for the past deeds of the presidents prior to him, which gives him the upper hand, because he is a man enough to realize the mistake, admit it, and apologize for it. Mr. Romney is clearly an opponent and he is trying to find even the smallest things to criticize the president, and it is more of the fact that if he gets to be the president than maybe he could understand the pressure of being at Mr. Obama’s position. Also believing in America does not mean being over confident and insensitive, believing in America mean having enough guts as an American to believe in ourselves and do the right thing, or make the wrongs right.
ReplyDeleteIn the article written by James Traub, it is described the fact that presidents are always going to have opposite critics. It is crucial that our American leader has the determination to use the power he has in order to do what's correct. On the other hand, when it comes to determining whether an apology is correct or incorrect in a political situation, in my opinion, it is essential to offer an apology in order to mend the past and, consequently, have a better future. It is time for relationships between nations to have a civilized interaction. The U.S. (as well as many other nations) has made plenty of mistakes throughout history, and one comes to the conclusion that apologies can dissuade or even dissolve conflicts. Therefore, the chance for wars, conflicts is significantly reduced. Additionally, the article mentions that most conservatives believe "The U.S. does not make mistakes," which is ridiculous. Apologizing would be the best start to establishing "the united nation" that the conservative party, as well as the rest of the nation’s wants.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the article because I too believe that apologizing is a good thing to do, no matter what your position is. It is extremely important to recognize your mistakes in every situation. It is ridiculous that Romney and other republicans are talking bad about Obama because he apologizes for America. This is because there is nothing wrong with recognizing the mistakes of your nation. Apologizing is not a sign of weakness as they seem to believe but actually a sign of strength. When the Republicans make accusations about Obama’s apologies it is clear that they are just "nit-picking" because in actuality he never said the words "I'm sorry." This should not even matter any way, but they are just trying to find another way to criticize President Obama.
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