Obama’s Promise
I had the opportunity to listen to President Obama’s speech to Marines in Jacksonville FL on the way home, I was struck by this quote:
And while I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests, I also promise you this — and this is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan — I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm’s way. I won’t risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary.
With all the pressure President Obama is facing from the media on his forthcoming military decision in Afghanistan, the recent American deaths in Iraq, upcoming elections in both countries, and the inanity coming from Dick Cheney, it is fantastic to see our current president being reasoned and thoughtful.
This is the reason why I voted for Obama in the primary and the general election.
Tags: Bush's FUBAR War, President Obama
There is no real “winning” in Afghanistan other than to maintain an eternal military presence.It is the original quagmire. The Far Right will pounce on whatever is done, it’s a given. Better to be cautious.
What a load, Nemski.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PxZyE6Jgabo/SuWPyE0o_TI/AAAAAAAAJ1c/KF8AoMIQfYQ/s1600-h/theo3.jpg
That’s funny!
I agree with wikwox on this. Some statement that, unlike George Bush, the President is going to be guided by the Powell Doctrine would be nice. (Is applyng it retro-activly to Afghanistan possible? Who knows)
After trashing the Consitution, and the economy, trashing the Powell Doctrine was one of Bush’s greatest fuck ups.
When are we going to focus more on “Obama’s Promise”, and less on Bush’s fuck ups?
I’m not sure. When do you think Bush’s fuckups going to be behind us? BTW – you must agree that Bush’s abandonment of the Powell Doctrine was a fuck up …right?
Around the same time our president actually accomplishes something substantive. It could be a while.
Good stuff. I notice you punted on question number 2. Figures. Anyway – I agree. We will have to live with all of Bush’s fuckups until they are cleaned up.
Wikwox,
Better to be cautious. ??????
Better to be bold and get out now.
Afghan: a country where empires go to die – check the history
Delacrat, you just can’t go shit on a neighbor’s lawn and leave. The Obama Administration is doing the right thing in trying to figure out what we should be doing there.
Let’s remember that Bush-Cheney took their eye off the ball (Osama) when the orchestrated and lied about the invasion of Iraq. This is big shit, going around pretending to kick ass and fucking up. Americans, Iraqis and Afghanis have died due to Bush and Cheney’s irresponsibility.
Miscreant, when the fuck ups are as large as the ones that Bush-Cheney left it takes longer than a year or two to clean them up.
Seriously, this quote enthralls you? Pretty much every President had made this important solemn promise regarding the deployment of troops, you just find it to be more sincere with Obama, right.
I completely agree it is a great line, but can you find a single quote from a US President that, on its face, relishes in the imminent death of US troops in a War situation?
The truth is, we prefer the messenger, but even the evil miscreant asshole Bush (good enough Jason? or is it too late in my post?) did not say he loved sending our kids to die. They both lament the decision yet both are sending/keeping troops in harms way…
The Powell Doctrine is Use Overwelming Force.
Just how many troops are you advocating for?
There is more to it than that chief. Also, you missed the part where I wondered if it could be used to retro-activly fix Bush’s fuck up? Honestl, It seems like these guys are working hard at being stupid.
Actually, we learned from Vietnam on how not to pull out… That was to fight the war as if we wanted to win it..
Just announce that we are pulling out, then negotiate the terms on which we leave… Announcing our pullout will shake up a large part of the population that is moderate, which may then become more vocal against the Taliban, Currently they are silent, fearful of retaliation, and we are not receiving their full cooperation, just as we didn’t receive it from the South back in Vietnam…
Just announce “Whatever. We’re pulling out in two years… Till then we’ll try to help you have a peaceful turnover… So tell us, what can we do to help your country until then?”
In the campaign Obama hammered away at the bad war, Iraq and the good war, Afghanistan. He did this for pure political reasons and now he in charge of a war which cannot be won (Afghanistan). The realities of power are very cruel at times.
He owns the Afghan war and he knows he made a huge mistake lashing on with a corrupt and inept government. The second round of voting will do little to change the Afghan conundrum.
For what it is worth Obama is universally disregarded by the military as the guy who is President but hardly the Commander in Chief.
Mike Protack
using absolute terms such as “pure” and “universally” doesn’t help your argument. Really, all it does is point out the fact that you don’t trust and/or believe your own argument.
and if the admin “lashed” (i think you meant “latched”) onto a corrupt and inept gov’t in Afghanistan, then how come he hasn’t all those new troops yet?
Come back in about 8 months when there’s enough action and data for you to make a proper assessment about Obama. Otherwise, it’s all wishful thinking on your part (shit, that goes for Obama’s supporters too), and given the words you used, it smells like blind hate from spite.
“For what it is worth Obama is universally disregarded by the military as the guy who is President but hardly the Commander in Chief.”
That’s as good a reason as any I can think of to disband our standing army.
You know I was going to do research on Protack’s claim on Obama being “universally disregarded by the military”, but then I thought, F-that, Protack’s probably lying again.
He is lying again.
And if there is any truth to what Protack is saying, Geezer is right, it is time for any disloyal troops to find new work. And not with Blackwater either.