The role of a president of the United States, Mr. Wingfield, is not that of a big Chamber of Commerce president, a mere cheerleader as you make it sound. And certainly not when you are representing a country that is in the unique position of being the only one as the world’s only remaining superpower whose relationship with the rest of the world is asymmetric in a double sense as it were. That is, in its immense power it has a disproportionate effect on people all across the globe without those people having any direct say in its policy-making process. The president’s job, therefore, is to try to show some sensitivity to this unusual and disjointed relationship, difficult as that may be. He should neither simply ignore it, nor give way to it entirely, but should find creative ways to work within the confines of the situation. Whether Obama is doing that in an effective way or it, is of course debatable. But it will not work to do as you and your fellow conservatives do and simply whine that he doesn’t unapologetically extol the virtues of the ‘brand’ that is the USA. That brings only contempt, and rightfully so. Equally ineffective is to be simply ashamed of the sins of the USA or embarrassed by the asymmetrical nature of the relationship I referred to, but I’m far from convinced that this is what Obama is doing, whatever you may say to the contrary.

(the penguins go wild).

You people who “won’t apologize for America or its history” are ignorant boobs. If you can’t or won’t realize that throughout history America has committed terrible atrocities around the world and at home, and that’s not revisionist history to “pacify minorities” (what an ignorant statement!!!) then there’s nothing that can be said for your level of stupidity.

America is, I believe, the greatest nation on earth and has done LOTS of good for the world. BUT our President finally stood up and faced up, albeit with just a couple of speeches/remarks, to America’s falicies throughout history. And there is NOTHING wrong with that. In fact, it is admirable. Now let’s re-establish our greatness, address our flaws and move forward.

Don’t be a red-white-blue colored glasses wearing, America-can-do-no-wrong spewing idiot. Show some intellectual capacity to look at things with some degree of objectivity and maturity.

I have no problem with the President of the United States acknowledging mistakes that we, as a country, have made in history.

In fact, it would be a weaker position to ignore them.

typical right wing drivel, whine, bellyache. Why don’t you just start typing, democrats bad, republicans, GOD. I am from Dalton as well. Thank the lord I escaped that little narrow minded insignifcant blight of a town. Most people up there are just like you. Maybe you should go back.