On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin and said: “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” On November 9, 1989, just two years after Reagan made his Brandenburg Gate speech, the people of Germany did tear down “this wall” and in so doing they freed hundreds of millions of people from …
After today’s announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil would be the host of the 2016 Olympics, supporters and opponents of the President immediately began debating his impact on the decision. This was a debate that had been simmering for a week, due in no small part to the revelation that the President had spent considerably less time than one would expect with his U.S. Commander in Afghanistan. His presence in Copenhagen was also not assisted by another devastating round of unemployment numbers announced this …
President Obama and Mrs. Obama have done it again — demonstrating, that is, that personal appeal only goes only so far when it comes to public diplomacy and international relations. The couple just about blew the Danish media away with their emotional and personal appeals for the 2016 Olympics to come to Chicago. “Top Grades for Obama” read the headline in the daily paper Berlingske Tidende, whose reporter had interviewed a communication expert who commended the duo for a synchronized performance of extraordinary elegance and eloquence.”They get a 10 on …
Michelle Obama flew to Denmark on Wednesday to pitch Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Olympics. President Obama arrived in Copenhagen this morning to make his own pitch, saying that it could repair the American image. Chicago was knocked out in the first round of votes, but that’s beside the point. Two people. Two planes. Three days. Not very green. Just last week President Obama told the United Nations General Assembly: “That so many of us are here today is a recognition that the threat from climate change is …
For even more Fox lies… This is how the White House capped off a “Reality Check” on their website earlier today responding to commentary on the Fox News Network regarding the President’s trip to Copenhagen to lobby for the Olympics to come to Chicago in 2016. Rahm Emanuel, the Chief of Staff famous for storming across the House floor to condemn Congressman Joe Wilson calling the President a liar, is ultimately responsible for the website’s content, so is this the case of selective civility? Of course.
As anti-government riots spread beyond Tibet and into other provinces, the Chinese government already admits at least 325 people have been injured and 16 people have died. Tibetan exile groups put the death toll at closer to 80 even as they mobilize more troops and paramilitary units into the region. The United States cannot ignore the geopolitical and moral implications of Tibetan dissent and most craft a measured response going into this summer’s Olympic games in Beijing. Heritage senior fellow John Tkacik advises: The President’s presence in Beijing, and all …
