Embarrassed To Be American

For the first time in my life, I'm embarrassed to be an American.

Last weekend, as tens of thousands of Japanese were fighting for their lives after an 8.9 earthquake devastated their nation, our President, after giving a generic "We're with you" statement, remained noticeably absent.

Not really absent - Obama could be found on the golf course Saturday afternoon.

As a Japanese nuclear reactor melted down and threatened a catastrophe of biblical proportions, Obama was otherwise engaged Saturday night, having a rollicking good time at Washington D.C.'s annual Gridiron Dinner. Joking with journalists.

There is something quite shameful about watching our President attending a dress-up dinner, trolling for laughs, as one of America's allies struggles for life. I'm embarrassed for America, and I send my personal apologies to the Japanese people for the insensitivity of our President.

As the turmoil in Libya continues to escalate, threatening severe geopolitical consequences, it is France (France?) that has filled the global leadership void by proposing a no-fly zone over Libya. What is the President of the free world doing? During his Saturday afternoon radio address to the nation, Obama was busy lecturing Americans about the role of women. And writing an op-ed about the virtues of gun control.

Obama did take the time to give his blessing to a call by the Arab League for a UN no-fly zone over Libya. Obama called it an "important step." This, as government tanks continued to pound Libyan protesters. I'm embarrassed that, under Obama, America is becoming comfortable following world events instead of shaping them.

Obama has clearly signaled that he is content to leave America's fate in the hands of the United Nations. He seems to believe that a global consensus should trump American sovereignty. For Obama, this relieves him of the need to make the tough decisions usually required by American presidents. For the rest of the world, Obama's actions and lack of actions signal weakness. And Obama has never learned the basic lesson that weakness does not appease, it emboldens.

I'm embarrassed that America's president has chosen to punt on every recent issue of importance - from Libya to Egypt to the economy. As Obama sits firmly on the fence, refusing to make any decision that might impact him unfavorably, 3rd world countries, Islamic fanatics and France scramble to fill the world leadership vacuum. America is AWOL - seemingly more concerned with fat poor people than with events that threaten to permanently undermine U.S. influence around the globe.

The ramifications of U.S. abdication of leadership on the world stage will have severe consequences. These consequences will apply to conservatives and leftists alike as, more and more, America's autonomy will be held hostage to terrorist nations that supply us oil, and to China, who now holds about 30% of our debt.

Obama's policy of dissing our allies and kowtowing to our enemies is not leadership. It is folly. A folly that has the implicit endorsement of the American people, who willingly elected Obama as their representative.

I'm embarrassed that America, under Obama, has chosen to bury our head in the sand. I'm mortified that the priorities of our president are so puerile. And I'm shamed that America, under Obama, is acting more like a global lap-dog than as one of the world's remaining superpowers.