The Washington Post notices some disturbing parallels
World leaders arriving in Washington for President Obama’s Nuclear Security Summit must have felt for a moment that they had instead been transported to Soviet-era Moscow. They entered a capital that had become a military encampment, with camo-wearing military police in Humvees and enough Army vehicles to make it look like a May Day parade…
In the middle of it all was Obama — occupant of an office once informally known as “leader of the free world” — putting on a clinic for some of the world’s greatest dictators in how to circumvent a free press.
The only part of the summit, other than a post-meeting news conference, that was visible to the public was Obama’s eight-minute opening statement, which ended with the words: “I’m going to ask that we take a few moments to allow the press to exit before our first session.”…
Obama’s official schedule for Tuesday would have pleased China’s Central Committee. Excerpts: “The President will attend the Heads of Delegation working lunch. This lunch is closed press…The President will meet with Prime Minster Erdogan of Turkey. This meeting is closed press…The President will attend Plenary Session II of the Nuclear Security Summit. This session is closed press.” Reporters, even those on the White House beat for two decades, said these were the most restricted such meetings they had ever seen…
In “bilateral” meetings with foreign leaders, presidents usually take questions, or at least trade statements. But at most of Obama’s, there were only written “readouts.” Canada: “The president and the prime minister noted the enduring strength of our bilateral partnership.” India: “The two leaders vowed to continue to strengthen the robust relationship between the people of their countries.” Pakistan: “President Obama began by noting that he is very fond of Pakistan.”
The essence of Obama’s very methodical plan to put in place the changes in America that he has wanted since he was a young man are gradualism and concealment. He is blessed with a mellifluous voice and an Elmer Gantry like willingness to say anything he thinks will soothe his listeners. Gradually, however, actions speak louder than words — loud enough for even the Washington Post to notice, at least for a moment.