Article

2013-12-11 Caribbean-Latin America

CNN: Obama-Castro Handshake Should 'Not Be Misunderstood'

[BREITBART] For those who believe in human rights and liberty, the sight of our president bounding up some stairs to energetically shake hands with Raul Castro, dictator of Cuba, was more than a little unsettling -- regardless of the circumstance. But that's what President Obama seemed to go out of his way to do at Nelson Mandela's memorial service Tuesday. Although Castro has imprisoned American Alan Gross for four years now, CNN alternately applauded and made excuses for the handshake.
Birds of a feather, etc.
Obviously worried that shaking hands with a dictator might hurt Obama politically, the media were quick to play goalie. CNN's Chris Cuomo went so far as to read Obama's mind and report on the president's true intent:

And that handshake obviously was a huge moment. But not to be misunderstood, the handshake with Raul Castro, the president of Cuba, we believe was President Obama showing respect to Nelson Mandela and the occasion of today, the spirit of reconciliation. Of course, it will be dissected politically.

No matter the ongoing political disputes, on this day, it was about something bigger. It was about forgiveness and reconciliation, because it was about a man who was bigger: Nelson Mandela. And that is what the tribute has been all about today.

Posted by Fred 2013-12-11 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11135 views ] Top

#1 I doubt he's too concerned about that handshake.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-11 02:06|| 2013-12-11 02:06|| Front Page Top

#2 For Raul's sake, I hope there was plenty carbolic in the restroom.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2013-12-11 03:06|| 2013-12-11 03:06|| Front Page Top

#3 A difficult task that must be credited to Mandela.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-11 07:23|| 2013-12-11 07:23|| Front Page Top

#4 Love the expression on Michelle Antoinette's face in that Pic Besoeker.

Who is Obama talking with?

Posted by CrazyFool 2013-12-11 07:23|| 2013-12-11 07:23|| Front Page Top

#5 Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. No, it is my understanding FLOTUS did not request copies of the group 'selfie' either. Must have been a wet, cold night in the City of Gold.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-11 07:35|| 2013-12-11 07:35|| Front Page Top

#6 This is supposed to be such an event that there was a moment of silence for pro football and flags half masted serious reverence you all. Here is the man of deep lake thoughts yucking it up with the obituary right in his face. Two gentlemen in front probably watching a soccer game. The only one taking this seriously is Michelle, and the grump grump is likely because she knows, other than her hero is dead, that this is a definite Sarkozy "nice shoes" photo moment.

Posted by swksvolFF 2013-12-11 10:56|| 2013-12-11 10:56|| Front Page Top

#7 How come he never has to say or do something to Lech Walesa, or Vaclav Havel, that has to be explained in order to keep from being misunderstood? How come there's no accidental bows to President Park?

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2013-12-11 13:49|| 2013-12-11 13:49|| Front Page Top

#8 Something very rotten in Denmark. FLOTUSswitches seats with Champ during memorial.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-11 14:49|| 2013-12-11 14:49|| Front Page Top

#9 Oh believe me, it wasn't misunderstood.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2013-12-11 16:15|| 2013-12-11 16:15|| Front Page Top

#10 For ValJar fans:

"Hey Val, deal with that, will ya?"
"Nip it in the bud. In. the. bud."
"Get a load of the little mermaid."
"Cleanup on aisle Barbie."
"Oh Helle no."

(pic 16)

Posted by Zenobia Floger6220 2013-12-11 16:20|| 2013-12-11 16:20|| Front Page Top

#11 You're right Helle, no need to try and put a happy face on it. Sorry about the collapse of the neighborhood.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-11 16:28|| 2013-12-11 16:28|| Front Page Top

#12 Given his admiration for dictators and thugs, at least the Prez didn't fall to his knees and engage in Obamallatio on meeting Raul.

As for the pix, that's a priceless bit of drama. Ah, to be the bug in the lamp in their hotel room that evening...

Posted by SteveS 2013-12-11 16:36|| 2013-12-11 16:36|| Front Page Top

#13 For once I have to agree w/ Champ; light conversation with a blonde hottie or The Wokkie.

Posted by USN, Ret. 2013-12-11 18:03|| 2013-12-11 18:03|| Front Page Top

#14 It was about forgiveness and reconciliation, because it was about a man who was bigger: Nelson Mandela

Nah. He was just being a commie suck-up.

Posted by Pappy 2013-12-11 18:45|| 2013-12-11 18:45|| Front Page Top

#15 Mandela was, if nothing else, a pragmatist. He and the entire ANC knew they could not bring about a total transition overnight without suffering a bloody a civil war. As a result, they employed the time tested communist method of incrementalism.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-11 18:59|| 2013-12-11 18:59|| Front Page Top

#16 One more pic for the story: MommyDearest by way of American Digest. Seats have been switched at this point and apparently, Raoul wasn't the only tyrant getting a handshake.

Posted by SteveS 2013-12-11 19:04|| 2013-12-11 19:04|| Front Page Top

#17 Hmmm. Nobody here (of all places!) commenting on responsibility for the seating arrangements? Jeez, am I gonna have to turn my own freakin' TV on here or what? Goodnight, moon!

Posted by Zenobia Floger6220 2013-12-11 23:56|| 2013-12-11 23:56|| Front Page Top

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