Top Ten Obama Apologies

10. Apology for Guantanamo in Washington: "There is also no question that Guantanamo set back the moral authority that is America's strongest currency in the world. ... Rather than keeping us safer, the prison at Guantanamo has weakened American national security. It is a rallying cry for our enemies."

And with each passing day it looks less and less likely that the President will meet his self-imposed one-year deadline for closing the detention facility. Seems very few of our elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, want the detainees housed in their districts or states.

9. Apology for the Mistakes of the CIA: "So don't be discouraged by what's happened in the last few weeks. Don't be discouraged that we have to acknowledge potentially we've made some mistakes."

The Obama Administration could release the CIA memos Cheney has asked for, instead of just the select few that look bad for the previous administration. That could help clear up "mistakes" made by the CIA, or maybe the Speaker of the House.

8. Apology for U.S. Policy toward the Americas: "Too often, the United States has not pursued and sustained engagement with our neighbors. We have been too easily distracted by other priorities, and have failed to see that our own progress is tied directly to progress throughout the Americas."

I hear Hugo Chavez is open to exchanging ideas on how to advance socialism.

7. Apology before the Turkish Parliament: "The United States is still working through some of our own darker periods in our history. ... Our country still struggles with the legacies of slavery and segregation, the past treatment of Native Americans."

I would argue that the election of an African-American as President of the United States shows considerable progress in dealing with the legacies of slavery and segregation.

6. Apology for Guantanamo in France: "I don't believe that there is a contradiction between our security and our values. And when you start sacrificing your values, when you lose yourself, then over the long term that will make you less secure."

Interesting statement, especially given the fact that President Obama has essentially vindicated the Bush approach to foreign policy by continuing or expanding many of Bush's most controversial measures.

5. Apology for the War on Terror: "Unfortunately, faced with an uncertain threat, our government made a series of hasty decisions. ... In other words, we went off course."

The words may have changed, but the policies have not.

4. Apology at the G-20 Summit of World Leaders: "I would like to think that with my election and the early decisions that we've made, that you're starting to see some restoration of America's standing in the world."

Maybe we should ask the Iranians or the North Koreans?

3. Apology to the Summit of the Americas: "While the United States has done much to promote peace and prosperity in the hemisphere, we have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms. ... So I'm here to launch a new chapter of engagement that will be sustained throughout my administration. The United States will be willing to acknowledge past errors where those errors have been made."

The offers of engagement have thus far been rebuffed by both Iran and North Korea.

2. Apology to the Muslim World: "We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect."

No kidding. But we are a damned sight better than most countries on this planet.

1. Apology to France and Europe: "Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive."

As opposed to the European attitude toward the United States? Give me a break.

http://blog.heritage.org/2009/06/03/morning-bell-president-obamas-top-ten-apologies/