The Olympic Spirit

I didn't think it was a good idea for Obama to go to Copenhagen given the intense policy questions he as to address right now. It seemed a trivial matter to me compared to two wars, healthcare, the Iran question and the fiscal and economic crisis. I didn't say so at the time because it really didn't seem that important given the other issues in the air this week. But this reader's email again reminds me how utterly politically obsessed some on the right have become - even to the point of celebrating the fact that America lost:

I awoke this morning in Sydney, my current home, and put on the morning news to find out that Chicago lost its bid for the Olympics. My immediate reaction, as an American, was disappointment. Obviously, when it comes to sporting events like the Olympics I want my country to win. I then hopped online and skimmed through the blogosphere and was surprised to see the vast majority of posts on The Corner were in the form of mocking Obama for failing in his attempt to win the Olympics for Chicago. There was even an odd sense of excitement on The Corner about the fact that he lost. Do they not realize how petty and partisan this makes them look? 

It's the Olympics! Not exactly a divisive political issue. Why in the world would you a) be excited that the US did not get the Olympics and b) mock Obama for trying? Imagine if Bush tried to win the Olympics for Dallas and lost and a liberal blog was mocking him. They all would be up in arms. National Review used to be a publication for grown ups, sad to see it has stooped to such low levels.

Criticizing a president is one thing - and important. Hoping he fails - even to the point of celebrating a national loss - is a sign of partisanship that has become pathologically blind to any sense of perspective or patriotism.