Some tough talk on

[Guest]

the recent Summit of the Americas.

"it made clear that President Obama's policy toward Latin America is in tatters."

The writer acknowledges the misbehavior of the secret service overwhelmed what happened but offers this...

"Instead, its primary accomplishment was to reveal, and to exacerbate, the very rifts between the United States and our southern neighbors that the Obama administration has opened up over the past three years."

On the drug cartels, Obama went in and the conference ended up not talking about ENDING the drugs, but

"Rather, it was to legalize drug consumption, a policy that the president himself opposes. That legalization received a serious hearing at the gathering is an undeniable setback at a moment when the reach of cartels and their horrific violence is at a peak."

In the area of trade all criticisms were of Obama and the US because we are considered a poor trade partner.

"Appeasing his political base in the labor unions, President Obama procrastinated for three years before submitting the Colombia Free Trade Agreement for approval last fall. "

what our friends in the region recognize is the fact that the Obama administration has not only failed to pursue new trade agreements with other Latin American countries, but he has dragged its feet on a whole host of other measures to expand commerce.This inertia has had the alarming consequence of benefiting China, which has been actively building strong trade and investment relationships throughout the region."

On the subject of Human Rights it got worse...after years of progress our President is allowing Chavez and Cuba to make strong inroads.

"The summit epitomized the damage that has been done over the past three years: instead of fostering greater democracy, the major topic of conversation was whether to invite Cuba to the next summit. This is what the lack of American leadership has wrought."

And then a warning for Romney after he is elected...

"If our next president fails to recognize the need to change direction in Latin America, the United States will suffer a strategic setback in our own backyard. Our home hemisphere is critical for trade and security, and it should not be ignored by the United States to the benefit of authoritarian dictators.

This truth makes clear the importance of Mitt Romney's candidacy for the presidency. He understands Latin America. He has spent decades working in business, including business directly connected to Latin America."

RealClearWorld - Obama's Latin American Disconnect (http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2012/04/20/obama_latin_america_failure_100017.html)

[Guest]

Another writer and another opinion....much the same but some things in here I did not know...

"First, the war on drugs. Obama stated at the summit, "I, personally, and my administration's position is that legalization is not the answer." Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, told me that, despite Obama's predictable line, this summit showed "the transformation of the regional and global dialogue around drug policy. ... This is the first you've had a president saying that we're willing to look at the possibility that U.S. drug policies are doing more harm than good in some parts of the world." He credits the growing consensus across the political spectrum in Latin America, from key former presidents like Vicente Fox of Mexico, who supports legalization of drugs, to current leaders like Mexico's Felipe Calderon, who cited the rapacious demand for drugs in the U.S. as the core of the problem."

Sounds like we will be ok with drugs just south of us, and of course as it says despite what Obama says. They are learning that what he says means nothing at all.

""You have the funny situation of Evo Morales, the leftist leader of Bolivia, former head of the coca growers' union, lecturing the United States about -- essentially, sounding like Milton Friedman -- that 'How can you expect us to reduce the supply when there is a demand?' So there's the beginning of a change here. I don't think it's going to be possible to put this genie back in the bottle."

In summation...

""Latin Americans themselves are creating these bodies that are excluding the United States, that are deepening integration, political and economic integration. This seems to be a venue in which they come together in order to criticize Washington, quite effectively."

The problems with U.S. foreign policy in Latin America | rabble.ca (http://rabble.ca/columnists/2012/04/problems-us-foreign-policy-latin-america)

A lot more problems that need a fixin

[Guest]

the United States has never and I mean never had a cogent,coherent,or difinitive policy toward Central or South America. We have been the imperialistic pigs,the laissez-faire big brother,the invader and others over the years. To imply that Obamas policy toward the Americas is all of a sudden causing problems is totally hypocritical and a lie pure and simple. To continue to blame this man for all the evils in the world is pure nonsense but it seems that some of you like this. Everyday there is a post blaming him for some ill in the world. It really gets boring.

[Guest]

the United States has never and I mean never had a cogent,coherent,or difinitive policy toward Central or South America. We have been the imperialistic pigs,the laissez-faire big brother,the invader and others over the years. To imply that Obamas policy toward the Americas is all of a sudden causing problems is totally hypocritical and a lie pure and simple. To continue to blame this man for all the evils in the world is pure nonsense but it seems that some of you like this. Everyday there is a post blaming him for some ill in the world. It really gets boring.

You do know that the quotes are not mine...but...

From the English papers...

"The real scandals of Obama's Latin America summit

The secret service prostitution imbroglio obscures the Obama administration backing of broken policies like the 'war on drugs"

The real scandals of Obama's Latin America summit | Amy Goodman | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/apr/19/real-scandals-obama-latin-america-summit)

From the Sacramento Bee.....

"Obama's failed relationship with Latin America"

Read more here: Obama's failed relationship with Latin America - Wire Lifestyle - The Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/20/4429232/obamas-failed-relationship-with.html#storylink=cpy)

From the Minneapolis Star....

"Obama's failed relationship with Latin America"

Obama's failed relationship with Latin America | StarTribune.com (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/148289305.html)

From the Huffington Post...

"America's Missed Opportunities in Latin America "

Hoyt Hilsman: America's Missed Opportunities in Latin America (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hoyt-hilsman/latin-america-policy_b_1425868.html)

I dont make things up just to irritate you. If this does not convince you....well, it probably wont...he lied to YOU on health care...he LIED to you on the Bufet rule...so yeah,you probably will still believe him. I tried to give you headlines from a good cross section..and even looked for some good ones to balance it out...could not find any.

He is NOT what you think he is and everyone is waking up...even a DEMOCRATIC senator today said the unthinkable...that he may not vote for Obama.

"On Friday, prominent Democratic Senator Joe Manchin told the National Journal that he will "look at the options" when choosing to vote between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney this fall. "

Read more: Joe Manchin Might Not Vote For Obama - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/joe-manchin-might-not-vote-for-obama-2012-4#ixzz1sdO9NBN8)

[Guest]

The liberal media is still covering Obama's behind on all of this and much more. I hope the news is getting through to the people, but the Obama Media (NYT, LAT, CBS, NBC, ABC) is ignoring these stories to a large extent.

I'm expecting Sen. Joe Manchin to reverse on his declaration and claim he was misquoted.

[Guest]

The liberal media is still covering Obama's behind on all of this and much more. I hope the news is getting through to the people, but the Obama Media (NYT, LAT, CBS, NBC, ABC) is ignoring these stories to a large extent.

I'm expecting Sen. Joe Manchin to reverse on his declaration and claim he was misquoted.

I am sure he will reverse !!

Can you imagine someone saying it is BORING to hear about our President not being able to handle foreign policy ?

Get angry...show me where it is wrong....but BORING tells me, it is the PARTY all the way !

This news is being overwhelmed by the secret service thing and Obama lucks out to an extent.

[Guest]

you run with one word,boring, but do not refute or cannot refute one word I said about previous foreign policy toward the Americas. I will repeat our policies have never been successful there,never.Are Obamas any better ,probably not,but to blame him for 200 years of failure is a little too much. Finally the words may not be yours but you posted them for a reason,to make him look bad again. And talk about boring this stuff about the liberal press is really getting boring.

[Guest]

you run with one word,boring, but do not refute or cannot refute one word I said about previous foreign policy toward the Americas. I will repeat our policies have never been successful there,never.Are Obamas any better ,probably not,but to blame him for 200 years of failure is a little too much. Finally the words may not be yours but you posted them for a reason,to make him look bad again. And talk about boring this stuff about the liberal press is really getting boring.

Yes, it's boring and very difficult to read with my head slanted so far to the right I end up with a stiff neck. :blahblahblah:

[Guest]

you run with one word,boring, but do not refute or cannot refute one word I said about previous foreign policy toward the Americas. I will repeat our policies have never been successful there,never.Are Obamas any better ,probably not,but to blame him for 200 years of failure is a little too much. Finally the words may not be yours but you posted them for a reason,to make him look bad again. And talk about boring this stuff about the liberal press is really getting boring.

WHOA...nobody is blaming him for 200 years of failure, BUT this is one area where he promised great gains, AND he has dragged his feet...and this is the big one FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

If you read the articles, any of them...it is a big deal now because they are now talking legalizing drugs and if you read because he dragged his feet China is making inroads.

He basically criticized Bush on his policy there and then just simply did nothing more than talk.

Nobody is blaming him for all the problems, but he has done nothing to even try to improve it and now it has gone down hill and you dont think that is something to consider in our President.

I dont know how you make these leaps and why you continually, under any and all circumstances blame somebody else for everything this man does.

NOW...editing so maybe I can make the point I am trying to make and at the same time show something good that came out of something...this is from last week...

"Today President Obama again took credit for others’ policies, trumpeting free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama, while neglecting to acknowledge how he campaigned against the very same free trade agreements that he promoted today.

Obama bragged today in a White House fact sheet that NAFTA created $18 trillion in goods and services, but failed to acknowledge that he said in 2008 that “it is absolutely true that NAFTA was a mistake.”

Also, the White House boasted that passage of the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements “underscore the President’s commitment to creating new opportunities for U.S. exporters.” Omitted was the fact that candidate Obama said, “I will oppose the Colombia free trade agreement if George Bush is insistent on sending it to Congress.”

Allow me to give you that last line again....."Omitted was the fact that candidate Obama said, “I will oppose the Colombia free trade agreement if George Bush is insistent on sending it to Congress.”

http://www.americancrossroads.org/2012/04/president-obama-vs-candidate-obama-on-trade-with-latin-america/

This is a man who all defend but he is a very duplicitous, not a character trait I want in my President

[Guest]

Can you please tell us all the character traits you want in your next president?

[Guest]

Can you please tell us all the character traits you want in your next president?

HONESTY..up front even if it does not win votes.

INTEGRITY

would be the most desired


Funny you asked this question on a thread where Obama is shown for what he is and has been on almost,not all, but almost every issue, yet "your group" still adore at his feet and find an excuse for all he does. As much as "your group" finds fault with the criticism, there is never a rebuttal, simply something about Bush, Palin or other tripe that has nothing to do with the subject.

He has lied to you on so many things and yet you walk the line you are supposed to...I suppose in some ways that is admirable. ALL PRESIDENT, WITH NO EXCEPTION make mistakes to everyone, but to you guys...NEVER HAPPEN.

I have even come on here and praised him...agreed with him.....but he is not the perfect and wonderfull answer to all that he promised or that you believe. I like to look at what he said and what he has done.

This thread is a perfect example of how he totally misled the voters in 2008 and in fact, ridiculed the administration to make his point.

[Guest]

Thank you for the reply, Bucco.

Honesty and integrity are both great qualities.

Glad you did not support Newt Gingrich, aren't you? After all, integrity is defined as: Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

I think that Mitt Romney probably fits both qualities pretty good.

[Guest]

the United States has never and I mean never had a cogent,coherent,or difinitive policy toward Central or South America. We have been the imperialistic pigs,the laissez-faire big brother,the invader and others over the years. To imply that Obamas policy toward the Americas is all of a sudden causing problems is totally hypocritical and a lie pure and simple. To continue to blame this man for all the evils in the world is pure nonsense but it seems that some of you like this. Everyday there is a post blaming him for some ill in the world. It really gets boring.It's easy to come up with criticisms of this administration...or probably any administration. They all react to their various responsibilities in the context of what they believe is politically important, and with the recognition that they don't have unlimited resources. It's a little like the little Dutch boy sticking his finger in the holes in the dike that seem to be leaking the most.

In this case, central and South America aren't leaking too badly. So if one wants to criticize the Obama administration for not being more proactive when looking to the south in our hemisphere, it's probably justified.

Maybe a good question might be--given all that is on the POTUS' plate right now, both domestically, internationally and fiscally--what should the administration do with regard to central and South America?

[Guest]

Can you please tell us all the character traits you want in your next president?

What the heck has that got to do with this thread. Start another thread with your question if you're interested in such subjective tripe.

Is this just another of your famous diversions?

[Guest]

Richie,

In Post #9, Bucco stated, "This is a man who all defend but he is a very duplicitous, not a character trait I want in my President".

This as you know "opens the door" as stated in a court of law.

It is certainly not on the topic of Latin America but Bucco gave a good answer as to what character traits he wants to see in a president. I merely said that Gingrich does not meet the definition of "integrity" but Romney seems to meet both integrity and honesty.

Case closed.

It was not meant as a diversion but just an interjection of curiousity that arose at the point in time. We may move on to the topic of Latin America now.

[Guest]

It's easy to come up with criticisms of this administration...or probably any administration. They all react to their various responsibilities in the context of what they believe is politically important, and with the recognition that they don't have unlimited resources. It's a little like the little Dutch boy sticking his finger in the holes in the dike that seem to be leaking the most.

In this case, central and South America aren't leaking too badly. So if one wants to criticize the Obama administration for not being more proactive when looking to the south in our hemisphere, it's probably justified.

Maybe a good question might be--given all that is on the POTUS' plate right now, both domestically, internationally and fiscally--what should the administration do with regard to central and South America?

My specific criticism and maybe it did not come through is this...

Yes, the policy we have there is a continuation of the Bush policy. But it has gotten worse because of inaction.

The treaty I mentioned this President mocked about and actualy was quite rude when talking about it and now is touting it......

These are NOT QUALITIES of a man who I think deserves the WH.....if you disagree say so...and if you change your mind say so. All politicians can and will change their mind,but this guy is the most insincere man I can recall in the WH. This type of action...demean then do it and take credit for it is typical NOT UNUSUAL..

I really find this kind of stuff, lying and pandering so openly, quite offensive.....it is not even the policy itself, it is his way of making political hay at others expense. He spent a long time selling us on things and now, we get what he made fun of ?????//