WHO DESERVES AN OBAMA APOLOGY?

WHO DESERVES AN OBAMA APOLOGY? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
 
On Thursday, President Obama engaged in one of his favorite pastimes, issuing apologies. This time, the President apologized to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai for the inadvertent burning of the Koran at a U.S. military base.
 
Islamic radicals in custody defaced the Koran by writing “extremist inscriptions” on the sacred pages. Under Islamic law, such action is not permissible, so military officials tried to comply and discarded the texts. While proper procedure was not followed, the entire incident was caused by Islamic prisoners writing in the holy books.
 
Once the charred pages were discovered, Afghan protesters immediately focused their anger at the United States. Armed with sticks, stones and even pistols, protesters incited violence. Seven people died in protests that were staged throughout the country. At one demonstration site, near a military base, two American soldiers were killed by an Afghan terrorist, masquerading as a soldier. 
 
After days of intensifying protests, President Obama issued an unfortunate and inappropriate apology to President Karzai. In his letter, Obama expressed “our regret and apologies over the incident in which religious materials were unintentionally mishandled at Bagram Airbase.”
 
If anyone should apologize, it should be President Karzai for the killing of two U.S. soldiers. At a Spokane, Washington speech, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich expressed his outrage. He said, “If Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan, doesn’t feel like apologizing, then I think we should say good bye and good luck. We don’t need to be here risking our lives and wasting our money on somebody who doesn’t care.”
 
The Koran burning incident has exposed plenty of anti-Americanism in Afghanistan. Members of Parliament called for Afghans to take up arms against American troops. One radical politician, Abdul Sattar Khawasi of the Parwan Province, claimed that American troops are “invaders” and that “jihad against Americans is an obligation.”
 
We should save them the trouble and exit now. Our troops are scheduled to leave in 2014, but most Americans support an early withdrawal. After 10+ years in Afghanistan there is still massive violence and the Taliban is on the rise. Our troops need to focus on other national security concerns, such as securing our southern border.  
 
In the meantime, President Obama needs to stop apologizing to foreign leaders. He has apologized for our country in speeches in foreign countries such as France, Turkey and Trinidad and Tobago and here at home at the United Nations and CIA headquarters. There isn’t a mountain high enough, a valley low enough or a river wide enough to keep President Obama away from giving an apology.
 
Since President Obama is the apology specialist, he should at least apologize to the people who truly deserve one, the American people. However, what the President should do and what he does are two different things. Instead of sincere regret, he has shown callous disregard for his fellow citizens as he casually overlooks the disastrous impact of his misguided policies.
 
During his 37 months in office, the national debt has increased 50%, gasoline prices are up 100%, and basic grocery items cost much more. At the same time, wages have been stagnant and the housing industry has been in the doldrums. Today, our long term unemployment rate is very high and the number of people on food stamps is at an all-time record. Millions of Americans pray for a recovery that may never arrive.
 
In this type of climate, Obama should be admitting his failures. Instead, he is seeking re-election and bragging about an improving economy.
 
The American people should be outraged that their President is both disengaged and delusional. Hopefully, a majority of Americans will unite in November to end both his apology tour and his presidency.