For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Obama takes heat from Ortega.
President Obama endured a 50-minute diatribe from socialist Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega that lashed out at a century of what he called terroristic U.S. aggression in Central America and included a rambling denunciation of the U.S.-imposed isolation of Cuba's Communist government. Obama sat mostly unmoved during the speech but at times jotted notes. The speech was part of the opening ceremonies at the fifth Summit of the Americas here. Later, at a photo opportunity with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama held his tongue when asked what he thought about Ortega's speech. "It was 50 minutes long. That's what I thought."
Is this the role of the most powerful man on the planet -- to take tongue-lashings in public from other world leaders and not comment? Is this another sign of Obama's inexperience, or the appropriate diplomatic decorum for the situation?
