WhatFinger


I think Vladimir Putin’s dim view of American exceptionalism can be forgiven in light of the understanding that was given him by President Obama

Putin’s take not all wrong



The outrage expressed by so many American politicians about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s op-ed in the New York Times is an interesting exercise in speciousness, given that much of what the Russian president wrote is factually correct.
Let’s forego for a moment all the political posturing and jostling for advantage and look at what Putin actually said. Clearly, Putin is working to gain a Russian advantage over America and elevate his country’s standing in the Middle East. Nevertheless, his analysis of the conflict is bang-on when he says that, “There are few champions of democracy in Syria.” Certainly there are no good guys in this conflict and support for either side is a losing proposition. The outcome of the Syrian civil war will surely be detrimental to the majority of Syrians, no matter who wins. Putin rightfully points out that the United States has lost sight of its own vital interests in places like Libya, Iraq and (ironically) Afghanistan. Libya is now a wasteland divided into warring factions. Iraq is gripped in the throes of a civil war with no end in sight and the Taliban is stronger than ever in Afghanistan. Has this been worth the thousands of American and NATO soldiers sacrificed?

Many of the rebels in Syria are not Syrians, but foreign fighters, Jihadists

Putin further points out that many of the rebels in Syria are not Syrians, but foreign fighters, Jihadists looking to train for the big confrontation between Islam and the world’s infidels. His concern that once these fighters are finished in Syria, many of them will go elsewhere is one that bears consideration. His question, “Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria?’ is valid and should be taken seriously.

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It seems to me the reason so many Americans were so offended by the Putin article is that Putin clearly outshone and outmaneuvered Barack Obama. But rather than be angry with Putin, our ire should be directed where it belongs, namely at Barack Obama and the mainstream media for perpetuating this massive hoax that Obama will change the world. He may well do so, but it may not be a change that anyone wanted or bargained for, given his fecklessness. If there is any issue to take with the Putin op-ed, it is his view of American exceptionalism. But, then again, this traces back to the president who apparently isn’t quite so sure what makes America exceptional either. Putin quoted Obama saying that it was US policy that made America exceptional. If Obama really believes that, then he clearly has no business being President of the United States. America is exceptional not because of its government’s policies, which are becoming more and more intrusive and totalitarian in nature. America is exceptional because it is the first country in history that was founded on the principles of human liberty, which the founders were careful to enshrine in the country’s legal basis. There is no other nation in the world today that was founded on the principles of Man’s inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I think Vladimir Putin’s dim view of American exceptionalism can be forgiven in light of the understanding that was given him by President Obama. But we shouldn’t let our traditionally jaded view about Russia cloud our judgment about the veracity of Putin’s ideas.


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Klaus Rohrich -- Bio and Archives

Klaus Rohrich is senior columnist for Canada Free Press. Klaus also writes topical articles for numerous magazines. He has a regular column on RetirementHomes and is currently working on his first book dealing with the toxicity of liberalism.  His work has been featured on the Drudge Report, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, among others.  He lives and works in a small town outside of Toronto.

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