# Obama and Divisiveness **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 8, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286 "2016-03-08T15:38:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/401 "2016-05-29T17:58:07Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > new example of Obama being divisive; his speech in Hiroshima, which failed to emphasize that Japan attacked first. So he should have emphasized Pearl Harbor, in case they’d forgotten about it. When chatting with Angela Merkel, I suppose he should bring up Adolf Hitler whenever she gets uppity. Have you considered a writing career at [http://www.theonion.com/](http://www.theonion.com/) ? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/402 "2016-05-29T18:11:11Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > All right, tell you what. You write the speech. You write the speech for our president to recite at the heritage site of one of the only cases of nuclear warfare in world history. And you make it clear that Japan “shot first”. Here, let me start you out: > > “So, before I begin this speech, let me preface it by saying that everything we did was completely justified. You guys started this war.” > > …Huh. Seems a little incredibly tacky, misguided, and poorly-timed, doesn’t it? For some people, “diplomacy” means “Hey, lesser peoples! Do what we tell you to do 'cause we’re 'Murica!” ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/403 "2016-05-29T18:33:29Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > For some people, “diplomacy” means “Hey, lesser peoples! Do what we tell you to do 'cause we’re 'Murica!” more like he did not have to go there. Obama is too concerned with what he thinks is morally right in the short term rather than the unintended consequences of such things in the long term, given how his speech will motivate more people to go vote Trump and give him talking points. Why does Obama give these apologetic speeches that presidents of both parties before never did? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/404 "2016-05-29T18:37:57Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > new example of Obama being divisive; his speech in Hiroshima, which failed to emphasize that Japan attacked first. > > Honestly, America deserves a President who actually represents their views on most things. So, basically, you are an advocate for the five-year-old personality of Donald Trump: “He started it.” ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/405 "2016-05-29T18:45:26Z")
I don’t see his speech motivating people to vote for Trump that wouldn’t already at least be leaning that way. And i think that being morally right is the correct approach. It seems to me like you’re advocating and condoning moral failings. Why don’t morals count? I don’t remember Obama ever apologizing for Hiroshima or Nagasaki. In fact, he’s specifically said that we [weren’t](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/world/asia/obama-hiroshima-japan.html?_r=0) going to apologize for it. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/406 "2016-05-29T18:50:06Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > Why does Obama give these apologetic speeches that presidents of both parties before never did? He doesn’t give “apologetic speeches”. You constantly get the facts wrong and constantly say untrue things about Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/407 "2016-05-29T18:53:24Z")
In **DerekMichaels’s** mind, as well as the mind of everyone who accuses Obama of apologizing with every speech he makes, this should have been the full content of his oration: "So. Japan. You see what you get when you fuck with us? Now don’t make me come over there and bitch slap you with a coat hanger. In summation. Fuck you. I’m out." Anything less is abject subjugation. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/408 "2016-05-29T19:04:35Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > more like he did not have to go there. Obama is too concerned with what he thinks is morally right in the short term rather than the unintended consequences of such things in the long term, given how his speech will motivate more people to go vote Trump and give him talking points. Heaven forbid that a President should choose morals over political expediency! For shame… Btw, there’s no such thing as ‘morally right in the short term.’ ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/409 "2016-05-29T20:27:09Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > Why does Obama give these apologetic speeches that presidents of both parties before never did? Please quote, precisely, the part of the speech where Obama apologized to Japan for Truman dropping the bomb. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/410 "2016-05-29T21:11:33Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > When chatting with Angela Merkel, I suppose he should bring up Adolf Hitler whenever she gets uppity. He mentioned it once, but I think he got away with it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/411 "2016-05-29T21:19:09Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > more like he did not have to go there. Obama is too concerned with what he thinks is morally right in the short term rather than the unintended consequences of such things in the long term, given how his speech will motivate more people to go vote Trump and give him talking points. Talking points like being born in Kenya and being a muslim with a middle name like Hussein? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/412 "2016-05-29T21:24:10Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > When chatting with Angela Merkel, I suppose he should bring up Adolf Hitler whenever she gets uppity. [Don’t mention the war!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfl6Lu3xQW0) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/413 "2016-05-29T21:53:00Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > more like he did not have to go there. Obama is too concerned with what he thinks is morally right in the short term rather than the unintended consequences of such things in the long term, given how his speech will motivate more people to go vote Trump and give him talking points. > > Why does Obama give these apologetic speeches that presidents of both parties before never did? [Bitburg controversy (1985)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitburg_controversy_(1985)) ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/414 "2016-06-01T21:01:33Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > kicked to add the transgender thing to list of divisive actions by Obama. I’m really late to the game here, and excuse me if it’s been pointed out, but this bump, and your bump regarding Harriet Tubman being added to the front of currency, indicate that President Obama is actually quite inclusive. A lot of the divisiveness claims I’ve seen leveled at Obama seem to surround events and stances where a previously disenfranchised or under-represented voice was given a more equitable chance to be heard. I realize that can be scary, but it’s not divisiveness. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/415 "2016-06-01T21:49:21Z")
Divisiveness is a feature of a free society, not a bug. It has existed in the US since before the country was formed, and exists in other free societies as well. It can be horribly troublesome–Like in the Civil War–but it is infinitely preferable to the enforced unity of fascist, communist, and other authoritarian societies. If you want a unified society, North Korea is there for you. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/416 "2016-06-01T21:55:41Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > If you want a unified society, North Korea is there for you. And as an added bonus, they LOOOOOOVE [Mr. Trump](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36423319) in North Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/417 "2016-06-01T22:03:47Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > [Bitburg controversy (1985)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitburg_controversy_(1985)) Because I’ve sadly concluded that most people don’t click on links, that is a description of an incident where Ronald Reagan visited a German WW2 cemetery (which included Waffen-SS graves; he did not attend any holocaust remembrance sights), sparking (obvious) condemnation. It is incorrect to assert that Obama is the only President who has done this kind of thing. I read an interesting comment, which said that the South China Morning Post saw Obama’s visit is part of an effort of drawing in allies in Asia in order to weaken China’s position in the region. They also cited Obama’s recent lifting of an [arm’s embargo](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/obama-vietnam-announces-end-longstanding-arms-embargo-n578471) with Vietnam. This was just rampant Facebook speculation, but it is entirely possible that the President had diplomatic objectives when he decided to go to Hiroshima. He does get a lot more top secret briefings than your average Doper, ya’ know. Or he has just said, “Fuck it,”, doesn’t care about offending anyone, and is just going to do what he wants. And when Obama wants to hug an old Japanese guy, he gets his way. ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/418 "2016-06-01T23:27:40Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Because I’ve sadly concluded that most people don’t click on links, that is a description of an incident where Ronald Reagan visited a German WW2 cemetery (which included Waffen-SS graves; he did not attend any holocaust remembrance sights), sparking (obvious) condemnation. It is incorrect to assert that Obama is the only President who has done this kind of thing. Reagan didn’t constantly do that kind of thing. He also had many occasions, before and after, in which he praised American exceptionalism. Also, the fact that it leaked that Buchanan wrote that speech shows that the WH saw a mistake was made and turned Buchanan into the fall guy. Obama’s shown no such remorse of his apology tour in the ME or Western Europe in years past. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/419 "2016-06-01T23:30:49Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > Obama’s shown no such remorse of his apology tour in the ME or Western Europe in years past. I’m still waiting for you to cite Obama’s apology at Hiroshima. While you’re at it, you may as well cite his apologies to the Middle East and Western Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286/420 "2016-06-01T23:32:45Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > Obama’s shown no such remorse of his apology tour in the ME or Western Europe in years past. Nor should he. He’s got nothing to be guilty about. And he didn’t apologize. He promoted peace and democracy. (BAD President!) More revisionist history with a clear bias. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-divisiveness/748286.md?page=22)