OPINION:
Barack Obama, never one to shy from ripping a Republican in the public eye, took occasion from his childhood hometown Jakarta to tear into President Donald Trump for — at root — having too much patriotism.
Call it Fourth of July celebrations, Obama style. America waves Ol’ Glory; Obama beats the global drum.
“The world is at a crossroads,” Obama said, to the Fourth Congress of the Indonesian Diaspora, The Hill reported.
The overall theme of his message?
Countries ought not pursue sovereign national interests at the risk of the rest of the world. He was speaking largely of the Paris climate accord, and the need for global powers to embrace it.
But he was focused on those who stood opposed to joining it.
Hmm, wonder of whom he spoke? Could it be Trump, who’s flatly refused to jump on the Paris accord train?
To Obama, failing to fight climate change is tantamount to racism — not to mention silly sovereign politicking.
“We start seeing a rise in sectarian politics, we start seeing a rise in an aggressive kind of nationalism, we start seeing both in developed and developing countries an increased resentment about minority groups and the bad treatment of people who don’t look like us or practice the same faith as us,” he said, The Hill reported.
Of course, Obama didn’t use Trump’s name.
But just in case you missed the subtle hint, Obama also noted “the temporary absence of American leadership” on combating climate change.
The change in leadership style, post-Obama, present Trump, couldn’t be more different. Trump’s “Make America Great Again.” Obama’s all about the world view. Trump’s “America First,” and all the other countries, second. Obama? Reverse that. Throw in some hefty taxes and spread the wealth — and then and only then, does America make the list.
Thankfully, it’s Trump who won last November — not the Obama-light candidate of Hillary Clinton. That alone, heading into July Fourth celebrations, is fireworks worthy. Patriotic Americans have at least four years of being considered important, in the eyes of the White House — not just tools to advance a global agenda.
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