Flash in the pan no more: MM Lee now heaps praise on Obama
From our Correspondent
Singapore’s octagenarian leader Minster Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had made another stunning reversal when he heaped praise on United States President Barack Obama
“He is a very eloquent man who can be very persuasive….And what impressed me most was his ability to appoint people with opposing, different minds,” he said of the US President during a National Talk show with U.S. journalist Charlie Rose.
Lee had earlier described Obama as a “flash in the pan” and a “lightweight” compared to his Republican rival John McCain during the United States presidential elections last year.
He also insinuated that Obama does not have the experience to lead the United States and he would trust McCain more where foreign policy is concerned especially in the handling of the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lee was forced to eat his own words when the Americans voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama who has won plaudits for his leadership so far both at home and abroad.
As usual, Lee found fit to dispense his pearls of “wisdom” to the Americans by urging the U.S. to avoid “getting entangled in the internal strife of Afghanistan”.
‘Trying to make a country out of Afghanistan is a distraction…..There was no country in the last 30 to 40 years. They’ve just been fighting each other since the last king was chased out. How on earth are you going to put these little bits together? It’s not possible.”
Lee argued that the longer-term strategic challenges for the US are not hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan, but the resurgence of Asian powers like China and India.
During a speech made after he won the presidency, Barack Obama promised that the United States would help undemocratic regimes worldwide to “unclench their fists” in obvious reference to Myanmar, Iran and North Korea.
Mr Obama should not be deceived by Lee when they meet tomorrow. Despite its status as a first world nation, Singapore is not any less repressive that the “axis of evil”.
Under Lee’s one-party system of government, there is no opposition to check on the ruling party, the civil liberties of the people are severely curtailed and political dissidents risked being harassed and arrested by the police.
Loading ...
anon on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 3:05 pm
Mr Obama, please come to Singapore and run for presidency once your tour is over. I wager that more than 66.66% will vote for you.
Tan Yeong Hong on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 3:56 pm
And not to forget,they are conducting psychological conditioning on kindergarden kids.
Very Nazi-esque.
Steve Wu on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 6:01 pm
Lee Kuan Yew’s recent praises of Obama betray his lack of principles. What made Lee change his mind, an event not known to happen often? Well, the “flash in the pan” has become the “commander in chief of the most powerful nation in the world”.
Of course, this may be diplomatic thing for Lee to say, but had he cared so much about diplomacy, he would not have enjoyed the meddling of others’ internal politics, made the infamous remark and potentially jeopardized US-Singapore relationship under the Obama administration. In all likelihood, Lee had once again miscalculated.
Political Salesman on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 6:24 pm
LKY is another pontianak, starting from the US domination day he curse that Obama won’t get elected. Only the white will get elected.This show that he has very poor eyesight.Just look at TH & GIC with such a poor eyesight it has losses multi-trillion of $. Till now his mouth is no difference from the chicken backside.
Ben on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 6:35 pm
What a coincidence. I had just commented about MM Lee calling Obama a ‘flash in the pan’ in a related post earlier today, and now, this.
Great Asia on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 7:20 pm
Politician ma!
见人说人话，见鬼说鬼话。
Ha ha ha!
XiSd Tay on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 10:34 pm
“He is a very eloquent man who can be very persuasive….And what impressed me most was his ability to appoint people with opposing, different minds,” he said of the US President during a National Talk show with U.S. journalist Charlie Rose.
For once, he is telling the truth but sadly he is not one who shares Obama’s views. LKY will NEVER allow nor appoint “people with opposing, different minds”.
Talking about carrying balls, this has got to be the creme of the crop, talk thid do that.
Wayang Party should concede defeat as apparently the old man is the KING OF WAYANG!!!
cy on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 11:57 pm
it is not the first time LKY changes his view to suit the circumstances and it won’t be the last time.
i remembered he argued against pulling out of iraq and said that will boost the terrorists. well, americans are pulling out and no sign of terrorists messing up iraq.
feedmetothefish on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 1:20 am
No big deal.
Talk is cheap.
Another story of an obscenely rich politician sacrificing integrity and principles for personal profit and glory – a character flaw much despised by lesser mortals.
I wonder if the visit is related to GIC’s Stuyvesant Town debacle?
In his “forum” in NUS, he mentioned about “connection” and how Li Peng of China benefited much from it, his children making a fortune out the connection.
In mourning the death of President Suharto of Indonesia, he said, “I feel sad to see a very old friend with whom I had worked closely over the last 30 years, not really getting the honours that he deserves. He deserves recognition for what he did … Yes, there was corruption. Yes, he gave favours to his family and his friends. But there was real growth and real progress … I’m very sad to see his life come to an end without the full glory that he deserves.”
That says it all.
The story of the dream, the glory and the fear of an arrogant mortal not having mastered the art of letting go may be coming to an end soon.
Que Sera sera.
Whatever will be, will be.
feedmetothefish
anewbie on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 8:34 am
It’s sickening to hear his comment that China and India are more important than Iraq and Afghanistan. So is developing economy more important than humanitarian purposes? or is it that the people in that regions are low-lives not worthy of attention?
Do not forget that US ignored Afghanistan after their victory over the influence of USSR. It is precisely this ignorance caused them their greatest blunder: rise of extremism in Afghanistan such as Taliban and Osama bin Laden which in turn caused 911 and the followed economical recessions.
LKY is too old to comment on international issue, his views are almost childish.
All the crap on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 3:13 pm
In Teochew, this is called “tie cal liang,tie cal chor”
XiSd Tay on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 8:01 pm
LKY is known to eat back his own words and history have proven it to be so.
Look at what he has to say about detention without trial.
“If it is not totalitarian to arrest a man and detain him, when you cannot charge him with any offence against any written law – if that is not what we have always cried out against in Fascist states – then what is it?” – Opposition leader Lee Kuan Yew, Legislative Assembly Debates, Sept 21, 1955
“We have to lock up people, without trial, whether they are communists, whether they are language chauvinists, whether they are religious extremists. If you don’t do that, the country would be in ruins.” – Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, 1986
Leslie Wong on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 12:51 pm
XiSd Tay on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 8:01 pm
certainly not you the coward masked man. no one on earth honestly can compare with our MM.
his brilliance, sature, his reach, his intelligence, his farsightedness, etc.
He’s the Man for All Seasons to countless at home and abroad. And that is a KNOWN FACT!
frontman on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 1:03 pm
To claim the mantle of a Senior Politician in the world, LKY cannot be seen to be eating his words too often.
First it was the WW2. Taking sides with the Japs and then running away to Cameron Highlands when they were defeated.
Next, the eugenics theory which ended with him begetting an albino grandson.
And lastly getting it all wrong on Obama. I think Iwould have done a better job in spotting talent than LKY. I was impressed by Obama during his speeches and concluded this was no ordinary politician. LKY couldn’t even spot that. And he’s paid millions?
Anonymous on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 1:19 pm
From the the moment Obama won the IOWA caucus in the primaries – the first of the primaries I recall,I stake my bet that he will win the Democratic Party nomination – Hillary Rodham Clinton + Bill Clinton together, notwithstanding.
And when Sarah Palin put her name on the McCain’s Repbulican ticket, I knew Obama has won the Presidency.
The reasons are obvious.
fair and square on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 2:39 pm
Well,why complain? Obama is trying his best to help the
impoverished Americans along Mainstreet.
So,perhpas,Singapore and others can follow his(OBAMA’S)good example.???
BuiTaHan on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 6:49 pm
So don’t believe MM when he said Singapore will go down the hill if opposition party is elected !!!!
'Mat on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 10:25 pm
//He’s the Man for All Seasons to countless at home and abroad. And that is a KNOWN FACT!//
He’s THE Man for Himself and His famiLee.
And, that’s an UNDENIABLE and UN-ERASABLE FACT !!!!!!!!
lee hsien tau on Sun, 1st Nov 2009 4:00 pm
XiSd Tay,
I believe the phrase is “creme de la creme”.
You will find few dictators who are themselves ‘ball carriers’. Look no further, you have found the one and only.
adventurebusa on Fri, 6th Nov 2009 7:57 pm
and GOD has blessed him with longetivity! go figure