Not a Gaffe: A Fundamental Misunderstanding of Iraq

[ASTalumna06]

“I know my country has not perfected itself.” This comment was made in a country that was once controlled by Nazis.

“At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions.”

He actually apologized for America. Is America perfect? No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. America has made mistakes in the past… major mistakes. The point is, he made this apology in Germany. He could have been in any country in the entire world, and he chose Germany. Probably because Germany was safe for him. And why is that? Oh, that’s right, it’s largely because of us.

And again, HE DOES NOT REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES. He was even turned down by the German Chancellor to speak in front of the Brandenburg Gate, as it is deemed a backdrop for U.S. Presidents. But Obama represents Illinois, which is part of the United States. The same way that you are part of a chapter of your fraternity/sorority, but you do not in any way represent or speak on behalf of your entire organization. If you’re the president of your chapter, you would most likely be seen as the “leader” of the chapter, and have the ability to make major statements on behalf of it. But how do you think the other members of your entire organization would feel if your chapter president decided to stand in front of hundreds of thousands of members of another fraternity/sorority, and apologize for your organization’s actions, when you a.) did nothing wrong to them, and b.) helped them in a major way. Or imagine there is a new candidate for President for your national organization, and they do that same thing. I would imagine you’d be offended that someone who had not yet earned your vote had decided to speak for you and your entire fraternity/sorority.

People are claiming that his speech was “Reagan-esque”. But I disagree. When Reagan made his famous speech in Germany, he was actually President.