When climate change meeting in Copenhagen flops, blame Barack Obama's China trip
The upcoming climate change meeting in Copenhagen will likely achieve nothing and President Barack Obama's trip to China is to blame, Steve Clemons writes in a Politico Ideas piece.
Clemons says Obama suffers from trying to tackle too many issues, and thus not addressing any of them well enough to make a difference.
Clemons writes that Obama's failure to get Chinese supports for serious, binding targets to reduce greenhouse gases and to convince China to prioritize consumption over production leaves America looking weak on the global stage.
Obama needs to accomplish something to make other nations see him as a leader they should follow, Clemons says. "Obama has pulled off nothing big yet," he writes, "and until he shows an ability to change the way gravitational forces have pulled global affairs out of equilibrium, then the world will resist America’s most benign entreaties to collectively solve problems that face all of us — particularly climate change."
Comments
Bill Wilson
Sat, Nov 21, 2009 : 12:27 p.m.
REBBAPRAGADA wrote: "WAR CRIMES MUST BE TRIED BY MILITARY TRIBUNALS : The description of a 'Military Commission' as a Kangaroo Court is ridiculous. Kangaroo Courts are filled up with political appointees. If the military could be trusted with the task of defending the country, they could also be entrusted with the task of punishing the captured enemy. The precedents in this regard have been well established. At a minimum, the judges are not political appointees. Rebb is correct. The allegations must be handled by a Chinese or U.N. Military Commission, not Obama. Excellent analysis Rebb!
Bill Wilson
Sat, Nov 21, 2009 : 11:53 a.m.
TIBET HISTORICALLY EXISTED TO OPPRESS THE SERFS: Obama has made many errors, but this isn't one of them. Let the Dalai Lama finance his own castle with his own money, not money exacted by a pound of flesh.
Bill Wilson
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 10:57 a.m.
Obama followed Hollywood's script and became the first apologist president. His reward was being made out a fool on the world stage: witness Hillary's trip to Russia. Although a noble goal, greenhouse gasses and their affect on climate is a idea in search of proof. China is unlikely to comply even if proven. Hence, Obama needs to pick his battles a bit better than he has. The Dalai Lama's argument seems to be that his aristocrats oppressed the serf class less than the Chinese do. Either scenario results in the slaves toiling so the ruling class can live in luxury. Because the Dalai Lama's minions might beat the serfs a little less is no reason for Obama to become involved. He needs to get the health care bill passed.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.
They're not serfs? Google it: the Dalai Lama said so himself in 1991, describing the conditions that existed before the Chinese takeover. Dalai Lama:"The relationship between landlord and serf was much milder in Tibet than in China and conditions for the poor were much less harsh." Whether it's the Government or the aristocrats and religious leaders, the people are either slaves, or serfs, and you can draw an equals sign between the two. This is a case where Obama is right. We need to mind our own business.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:12 a.m.
Obama is avoding some issues, and is posturing more on others than he should, but the issue of Tibet isn't one of them. Tibet is a part of China, and no matter who rules Tibet, its people become either serfs or slaves. Frankly, there's very little difference between the two.
packman
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
Barack Obama has not yet learned the difference between being good and looking good...