The public cannot believe it has glimpsed the delicate and personal underpinnings of international relations.
Russia and America may not be entirely honest and open allies, but the reality of a globalized world is the inevitable cohabitation of relatives forces of suspected malice and purported sanctimony as determined by each of nearly 200 nations. This is complex stuff.
If Americans are truly concerned about Russia, it should be as an model of how not to prioritize free speech within society. Instead of fearing an outdated nuclear threat, Americans should look to the circumstances surrounding Putin's recent election and constitutional 'maneuvering' as a warning about misuse of power and its ability to silence public opinion.
The supposition that Obama's exchange is shocking behavior on the part of the President reveals the public's petty sensitivity to being excluded from the procedures of setting policy, and says little of its collective understanding of historical perspective. As evidenced by the tone of forum comments and blog posts criticizing Obama's leaked comments (a term I prefer to "gaffe"), there's a reason the vast majority of Americans are not consulted in foreign policy matters.
Setting a civil tone in domestic politics is a necessary place to start in sustaining this country's health. The feigned bafflement by politicians at the notion that the President conducts business of importance behind closed doors for the presumed benefit of our nation is a step in the wrong direction.
Russia and America may not be entirely honest and open allies, but the reality of a globalized world is the inevitable cohabitation of relatives forces of suspected malice and purported sanctimony as determined by each of nearly 200 nations. This is complex stuff.
If Americans are truly concerned about Russia, it should be as an model of how not to prioritize free speech within society. Instead of fearing an outdated nuclear threat, Americans should look to the circumstances surrounding Putin's recent election and constitutional 'maneuvering' as a warning about misuse of power and its ability to silence public opinion.
The supposition that Obama's exchange is shocking behavior on the part of the President reveals the public's petty sensitivity to being excluded from the procedures of setting policy, and says little of its collective understanding of historical perspective. As evidenced by the tone of forum comments and blog posts criticizing Obama's leaked comments (a term I prefer to "gaffe"), there's a reason the vast majority of Americans are not consulted in foreign policy matters.
Setting a civil tone in domestic politics is a necessary place to start in sustaining this country's health. The feigned bafflement by politicians at the notion that the President conducts business of importance behind closed doors for the presumed benefit of our nation is a step in the wrong direction.
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