Gaffes? How About...Truth

Seeing the in-the-tank-for-Obama-and-liberals mainstream media in their harping criticism of Romney on his trip abroad to the UK, Israel, and Poland reminds me of this quote attributed to Michael Kinsley:

"A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth - some obvious truth he isn't supposed to say."

You might not believe this, listening to the media carping and repetition, but there really are only two statements on the entire trip that are being criticized, and both end up having the virtue of being true.  The criticism is that Romney spoke truths that he "wasn't supposed to say."

The two "gaffes" were:
(1) When asked if he saw any problems with the preparation for the London Olympics, Romney noted that there were some concerning/disconcerting reports about security staffing and venue preparation, etc. These are actually well documented issues reported by British media.  He was criticized for "offending his hosts" in Britain - never mind that they chose to be offended by what was a very limited and lightly stated statement.
(2) While discussing the economic success of Israel compared with Palestine, Romney noted that culture has made a difference, suggesting that Palestinian culture has held back the Palestinian economy compared with Israel.  One of the Palestinian politicians cried "racism" regarding this comment (plus the claim that Israel's "occupation" and restrictions on travel between Israel and Palestine are to blame for the differences in economic production), and this has been echoed by our own leftist media here in the U.S. And yet.  The fact is that there is a vast difference between the two cultures in terms of economic freedom and respect for law rather than terrorism as a means to accomplish political goals certainly has a lot to do with this.  As James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal wrote: "The differences between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs, or between Jews and Arabs more broadly, are in fact not racial but cultural, with "culture" understood broadly as encompassing everything from religion and politics to prevailing norms about work, family and all manner of social activity."  He also notes that not only the raw economic numbers but the trends point to culture being a major factor.  The fact is, a truly free society with individual opportunity and security in Palestine would find a path to economic success even with challenges to overcome.  And Palestinian culture also has a lot to do with the security threat to Israel, which is the reason for the travel restrictions and inconveniences.

Now, I understand the value of discretion, and one could argue as to whether it was necessary for Romney to lightly criticize the London Olympic organizers, or if he should have discussed the issue of culture in the Middle East using different words or more explanation.  These are small points.  The key is that Romney was correct, and I think this faux outrage on the part of the media and liberals is ridiculous.  Just know when you hear it that it's nothing more than politics.  Obama and his supporters are desperate and will be willing to say all kinds of distorted and even false things to try to win.

Let's not be fooled...keep our eyes on the ball.  It is critical to the future of our nation that we get Obama out and Romney in.

UPDATE: Read Romney's own explanation of the effect of culture on freedom and economic opportunity and success here.

An excerpt: "The linkage between freedom and economic development has a universal applicability. One only has to look at the contrast between East and West Germany, and between North and South Korea for the starkest demonstrations of the meaning of freedom and the absence of freedom.  Israel is also a telling example. Like the United States, the state of Israel has a culture that is based upon individual freedom and the rule of law. It is a democracy that has embraced liberty, both political and economic. This embrace has created conditions that have enabled innovators and entrepreneurs to make the desert bloom. In the face of improbable odds, Israel today is a world leader in fields ranging from medicine to information technology."