I really shouldn’t be surprised that Republicans are ranting and raving about the fact that President Obama apologized for the fact that soldiers accidentally burned copies of the Qur’an in Afghanistan. It’s an election year. Foreign policy is at stake. People who need to make money being talking heads need to make money. Realities like the fact that President Bush apologized or that people in the military agree with the apology don’t matter. There’s a narrative here, even if completely made up, and it must be fed!
What bothers me, though, is how people like Palin and Gingrich, with their spouting off, are setting terrible examples. Who raised these people? My parents taught me that when I do something wrong, I should apologize. I shouldn’t apologize to try to prompt an apology in return. I shouldn’t refuse to apologize even if somebody was far more wrong than me. I should apologize and expect nothing in return because it is the right thing to do.
Obviously, Obama didn’t burn anything. However, as Commander-in-Chief, he takes ultimate responsibility for the actions of the troops under him. Burning a religious book, even if accidentally, is offensive, and merits an apology. If Sarah Palin or New Gingrich or any of the bloviators accidentally burned a holy book, would they not apologize? Why should the President be in a different position just because he is President? The fact that he is not is what makes this country great.
Niccolo Machiavelli said that it is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. I understand that many Republicans on the national stage take that a bit too literally and believe that the only way for America to win is to instill fear in our enemies. But they are missing a key part of that quote: if you cannot be both. The United State can if we try, and when the President apologizes for a mistake that offends a significant portion of the world, I truly believe that it makes the U.S. an even better role model, something to aspire to. That is much more valuable than spreading more fear.