Remember Judge Judy Schindlin of TV fame? She wrote a book called "Don't Pee On My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining". While the title may not be the most elegant, it does convey a rather clear thought: reality has to be recognized and dealt with rather than covered over by spin.
I thought of Judge Judy this afternoon when I heard about president Obama's handshake with the new president of Iran. More precisely, I thought about Judge Judy when I learned that Obama told the world that he was ready to shake hands and chit chat with the president of Iran only for the Iranian to refuse. Of course, the White House said it was "too complicated" for the two presidents to shake hands. I am not kidding; the White House said it was "too complicated". Imagine that! Maybe the Iranian couldn't decide whether or not to use his right hand or his left; it's just so complicated. Maybe the Iranian had to decide whether or not he should have an interpreter with him so that he could speak to Obama; it's just so complicated. More likely, the Iranian had to decide whether or not to spit in Obama's face when they met; it's just so complicated.
I am sure that we all can remember a situation where one person refused to shake the hand of another. It's not complicated at all. It is just a sign of disdain for the slighted person. In this case, though, the person slighted is the President of the United States of America and the disdain is not just for Obama, but for the entire country. Obama has once again managed to conduct foreign policy in such a way as to seem totally inept and to embarrass America.
Somebody should get Judge Judy to come to the Oval Office. Maybe she could explain the concept of living in the real world to Obama. It's complicated, but at least she could try.
I thought of Judge Judy this afternoon when I heard about president Obama's handshake with the new president of Iran. More precisely, I thought about Judge Judy when I learned that Obama told the world that he was ready to shake hands and chit chat with the president of Iran only for the Iranian to refuse. Of course, the White House said it was "too complicated" for the two presidents to shake hands. I am not kidding; the White House said it was "too complicated". Imagine that! Maybe the Iranian couldn't decide whether or not to use his right hand or his left; it's just so complicated. Maybe the Iranian had to decide whether or not he should have an interpreter with him so that he could speak to Obama; it's just so complicated. More likely, the Iranian had to decide whether or not to spit in Obama's face when they met; it's just so complicated.
I am sure that we all can remember a situation where one person refused to shake the hand of another. It's not complicated at all. It is just a sign of disdain for the slighted person. In this case, though, the person slighted is the President of the United States of America and the disdain is not just for Obama, but for the entire country. Obama has once again managed to conduct foreign policy in such a way as to seem totally inept and to embarrass America.
Somebody should get Judge Judy to come to the Oval Office. Maybe she could explain the concept of living in the real world to Obama. It's complicated, but at least she could try.
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