(Mexican President) Calderón Blasts Arizona Immigration

[gangrene]

The nations of the world "hate us" until they want help from us. Their "hating" us has never kept them from begging at our doorstep for a handout, aid or relief.

You're being too kind. I don't see much begging any more. It looks more like demanding and expecting to me. And then those countries we send aid to tend to complain that we didn't send enough or didn't send it quickly enough.

Calderón's comments are no different. He wasn't politely asking anyone to carefully review the Arizona law and reconsider, he was demanding that it be overturned...just like he demanded the US send him helicopters and demanded that the US ban assault weapons to help "us" fight the drug war. Of course, it's no different than the US demanding that Iran or North Korea give up their pursuit of nuclear power...except that we're supposed to be on friendly terms with Mexico.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Successful diplomacy requires knowledge of traditions and culture on an international scale. In many countries, it's a sign of respect, not submission. Just because it's not common practice here doesn't mean proper diplomacy does not call for it. No, you probably wouldn't bow when meeting...well, anyone, probably, and neither would most of us, but we're not trying to figure out the elusive "world peace" goal, now are we?

Question: Which of those leaders to whom Obama bowed bowed back?

[JesseMartin]

Where I was leading with that is...though he may not be so hot in the ratings here, this isn't American Idol. In most of the world, Obama is tops because of his graciousness (and yes, he's been tough in some foreign policy at times also, but still gracious). And if there are less crazy assholes wanting to blow up my babies because they think we have a badass diplomat as our country's leader...then that is the sign that his style of diplomacy is working. And again, please don't see this as a sign that I am 100% Obamaphile, because so far on domestic issues, I'm not digging much.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Where I was leading with that is...though he may not be so hot in the ratings here, this isn't American Idol. In most of the world, Obama is tops because of his graciousness (and yes, he's been tough in some foreign policy at times also, but still gracious). And if there are less crazy assholes wanting to blow up my babies because they think we have a badass diplomat as our country's leader...then that is the sign that his style of diplomacy is working. And again, please don't see this as a sign that I am 100% Obamaphile, because so far on domestic issues, I'm not digging much.

"Tops because of his graciousness"? Go ask the British and our other historic allies how gracious he has been to them. His "graciousness" (if you must call it that) has been very selectively extended to those he clearly fears (i.e., our enemies).

And what has made you think that terrorists have lost interest in attacking America/Americans during Obama's reign? They seem to be pretty much as intent as ever on destroying us.

[KRAM1]

Yep, that "graciousness" has worked really swell with Iran and North Korea. Get real. The guy's foreign policy is a joke! He slams are allies (Britain and Israel, etc.) while he kisses the hind side of folks who would like to do us plenty of harm. Yep, the guy is a real diplomat. I guess he is if you consider Neville Chamberlain as your guide for what makes a great diplomat.