Opinion
Historians will mock Obama
Hagai Segal
Published: 04.09.13, 14:15
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1. Medals?
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (09.04.13)
For this joke of a United States president? Oh, there will be a library named for him, of course. There always is. Except the Hussein Obama Library will feature the works of A. A. Milne and Dr. Seuss. Maybe "Clifford the big red dog." We'll probably toss in some kiddie cartoon characters. The legacy of Hussein Obama. How nauseating. How fitting.
2. Obama election is a sign of American decline.
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.04.13)
Obama would never have been elected U.S. President when America was a highly respected power. Obama knows nothing about what America stands for and he doesn't care in the least. Obama's loyalty doesn't even lie with America. America is declining rapidly, by virtually every objective measure, since Obama was elected. It would take decades of good government to repair the damage Obama has done. But Obama's strategy of buying votes can be effective; though ruinous. Historians will see Obama's election for what it is. A neon sign of American decline.
3. Obama is a lame duck! @2 I agree!
EU   (09.04.13)
4. historians??
max ,   nyc usa   (09.04.13)
if pres. obama were to call benny ganz it would be to get a recipe for gefilte fish. historians will mock israel for going into peace talks while building settlements. but to mock obama for not wanting to get involved in more middle eastern insanity. i think not. whether he bombed last week or in a month from now the results will be the same. some blood, some death, a weaker assad that claims he's stronger and the same old looney bin that we call the middle east.
5. since 2008 obamas ME policies have been disastrous
zionist forever   (09.04.13)
He came to office saying he was going to solve the Israel / Palestinian conflict. Instead of banging heads he kept kicking Bibi because thats what the Islamic world he was trying to appease wanted to see but he never told Abbas to do anything. Abbas made excuse after excuse to talk even when Bibi gave a 10 month building freeze and Obama just acted like a parrot and told Bibi Abbas says its not enough and the end result was nothing was achieved. He went to Cairo pretty much agreed Israels creation was a nakba for the arbs. He supported the Libya attack and first thing these Libyans so grateful for their liberation do is murder an American ambassador and start selling weapons to terrorists. He didn't support the Iranian opposition movement until he was condemned for it. He was very quick to tell long standing US ally Mubarak to resign and look at Egypt now. He has done nothing but talk on Iran going round and round in circles and being played for a fool whilst Iran enriches uranium. Syria has been a fiasco with Obama not knowing if he is coming or going. He will attack eventually but even if its a massive 60 day operation its to little to late for him to save his image. Obama is all image no substance.
6. 1
zionist forever   (09.04.13)
Before he had to start thinking about reelection and Obama was still in the appease the Islamic world mode Hamas liked him because he hated Israel. They used to call him Abu Hussain. When you get to the stage that Hamas likes the president of the United States you know you have a problem that needs solving.
7. Obama
Walid ,   Spain   (09.04.13)
Obama is most likely the weakest US president in history. During his presidency, he backed down on many important issues both local and international. Under his watch, Iraq is now in civil war, Afghanistan will soon fall in the hands of Taliban and locally, unemployment is on the rise, the economy is in shambles and the US dollar is about to tumble. Now we have what I call the Obama Tango: one step forward and two steps back and you have the Obama Backtrack!
8. Really?
Paul ,   Atlanta, GA USA   (09.04.13)
Historians will mock those who sought needless wars and violence in the name of anything. One day, historians will look back and wonder how we survived with so much violence and the 'leaders' that initiated will be looked on as weak, incapable people who could only resort to violence to solve problems. This is hopefully what historians will judge, not that leaders "wasted" time in getting ready to orchestrate organized violence....you're an idiot.
9. the united states will survive
arne ,   chicago usa   (09.04.13)
Obama. we have put in place (thanx to our founding fathers) laws that our congress follow.obama will become a lame duck and we will survive him.the hope is that the voters recognize this and we'll have a qualified person in office the next time around.
10. Historians & Obama
Leonard ,   Green River, U.S.A.   (09.04.13)
Perhaps Mr. Segal would care to name those non partisan, serious, respected, historians, with verifiable credentials who have already indicated that they mock, or disrespect Obama. Give us, the readers, some substance so we may judge your opinion.
11. Obama Correct
Ron ,   oc us   (09.04.13)
I rather have a president that can if need be will back down from a position of war and uncertainty rather than hanging on to some thankless untenable war decision. Obama had no allied support no support at home and no Arab support save Turkey. Obama can not keep the Arabs from killing themselves. I am for staying out of this fight. Hopefully, Israel stays out as well.
12. All US Presidents
Daniel ,   Tel Aviv   (09.04.13)
Israelis are naive if they think US Presidents support them. Not one US President favored Israel over Arab states. This especially true with OPEC states. The only reason Israel is America's strongest strategic ally is that we didn't decide to be a puppet state of the USSR. All our neighboring states at one time were USSR facing countries while we faced west Nixon was an anti Jewish and every President since has been at best tolerant. Obama and Bibi don't care for each other. But the ONLY reason the US should enter the Syrian conflict seems to be the use is chemical weapons. The Americans are asking how do we win? How do we prevent those weapons from being used? They are not asking how do we end the war there there has been too much death. No most Americans are saying not another Iraq please! We were lied to and it cost thousands of Us lives. Let Syria fight Syria's civil war
13. Waiting for the usual "why-doesn't-Israel-do-it" kvetching..
Tahl   (09.04.13)
How soon till we seen Sheik Rattle & Roll, Cali Cal, Ivor, Cameron, split, miki, Benassi and co. kvetching their usual whinges, "Why doesn't Israel intervene??" "Why doesn't Bibi do anything?" "Mobilize your own goddamn soldiers!" "Israel willing to fight until the last American soldier" "We won't fight another war" (+ "on behalf of Israel" - for the hard-core dudes) "How many more of our sons have to die for your wars?" "You should be kissing our feet, and instead you have the nerve to preach to us!" etc, etc... To all those, since I don't like repeating myself, I will refer to my comment #25 in the last op-ed ("Spineless on Syria"). All the answers are there. Shana Tova.
14.  to destroy the USA it's now!!!!
Calabi ,   Sydney Aust   (09.04.13)
If he can stay in politics for another 5 years USA will degenerate into chaos and built a generation of super left. Right now he is poaching and cooking the mind of the world into accepting evil as norm. If Martin Luther King is alive today surely he will die of disappointment and depression because Obama carry his color!!!!!!!!!!!
15. 7
zionist forever   (09.04.13)
Sad thing is history will forget his failings and only remember the fact he was black. His skin colour will cover up the fact he has been a bad president.
16. Historians will study how Jews, Israel self-destructed again
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (09.04.13)
17. Obama Correct
Ron ,   oc us   (09.04.13)
I rather have a president that can if need be will back down from a position of war and uncertainty rather than hanging on to some thankless untenable war decision. Obama had no allied support no support at home and no Arab support save Turkey. Obama can not keep the Arabs from killing themselves. I am for staying out of this fight. Hopefully, Israel stays out as well.
18. The problem is Segal's
Eldar ,   Haifa   (09.04.13)
As a token right-wing, militant hawk, Hagai Segal has been systematically anti-Obama since day one - regularly churning out hate and mockery for years. He never gave President Obama a chance because it didn't fit his world view. His opinion is accordingly predictable and dull. It would be nice - maybe one day - if Segal could try to challenge his own conventions or criticize his own political contemporaries. Until then.... YAWN.
19. No constitutional barrier?
Adam Abrams ,   Netanya   (09.04.13)
Hagai, what Constitution are you reading? Certainly not the American one! Obama has absolutely not Constitutional authority to declare a war without the approval of the US Congress. Maybe do a little research next time before you make such ridiculous claims with absolutely no factual basis.
20. what a pathetic article :)
anton ,   istanbul   (09.04.13)
21. Most countries already hate Israel
Mark ,   Cleveland USA   (09.04.13)
I am quite sure that President Obama and his thoughtful decision making process is more admired around the world than the right wing extremism prevalent in Israel and it's hawkish supporters.
22. WHY WAIT FOR HISTORIANS?????
(09.04.13)
THE ENTIRE WORLD IS MOCKING AND LAUGHING AT THIS MOST INCOMPETENT, INEPT SPEECH WRITER.
23. Hagai Segal
Isaac Shladovsky ,   East Windsor, NJ   (09.04.13)
Yet another ignorant hater of President Obama. It is incredulous what passes for political discourse in Israel these days. My best wishes for a more enlightened and less hateful year.
24. Do we really want to cause WW3
Sarah B ,   Tel Aviv/London   (09.04.13)
because 1500 Syrians were gassed to death by a regime which will fall eventually? There is a lot of armchair generals safely exconced in the United States shouting for war, non of whom risk being gassed in Tel Aviv., and when reminded of this they then go into hyperbole mode. Lets gather the evidence and discuss at the G20 ways to go ahead, I know for many Israelis this is frustrating and frightening but we really do not have any choice. Creating a consensus so we can decisively degrade Assad's military assets should be the goal. A couple of cruise missiles aimed at a camel butt in the middle of the desert will not achieve this, and the taxpayers who are paying for it, want reassurance that it will not be Iraq 3. Perfectly reasonable in my book
25. Why stop their carnage?Let them wipe each other out
Alan ,   SA   (09.04.13)
26. What a Joke
chanawashdc ,   Washington DC   (09.04.13)
If you are going to attempt to comment on U.S. politics, can you get someone who actually knows how the U.S. system works. Oh and #14 - the Constitution prevents anyone from serving more than two four year terms.
27. SYRIA INTERVENTION
lr ,   EVANSTON,USA   (09.04.13)
THE MAJORITY OF U.S DOES NOT WANT THIS INTERVENTION.THIS MAY THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD OVER IN OUR IMAGE,ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT EVERYONE IS NOT BUYING WHAT WE ARE SELLING.DEMOCRACY,CAPITALISM,ETC.
28. I guess Putin would like to write some words..
Beary White ,   Norway   (09.04.13)
, about mr Sotero, who denied to meet him when he was in his territories... Putin is what mr Sotero is not... but it is more dangerous to have a sunni president in the colored house, fuming the islamic internal wars..than being exposed to Putins rage..
29. #16, Historians will study you through archeology
Jake   (09.04.13)
like all the historical enemies of the Jewish people. The Jews and Israel, need I remind you, are still here.
30. #24, Sarah, honey, "we" are not involved in the Syrian war
Jake   (09.04.13)
The Israeli government has officially laid out its policy of non-interference, in case you haven't heard, and there is a gag order on gov't ministers expressing their views on the subject. Israel is not involved in the Syrian conflict. It is YOUR Prime Minister , Cameron, who has been pushing to attack Syria, and it is your beloved Obama who plans on doing just that.
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