Obama’s Reading List for Labor Day Weekend: The McChrystal Report

The White House says there are no plans for any specific groups or people to come brief the President in person about the report as he reads though it this weekend at Camp David.
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That is almost unbelievable to me.
And Gibbs was trying to say the Bush administration neglected the war in Afghanistan?
We just had our deadliest month there. What has our President or his spokesman had to say about it? They obliquely assure us it is urgent.
But they don’t bother to have a specific briefing, or even urgently read, the new report.
To be honest, I don’t think President Obama much gets military stuff. During the campaign he used to mix up people’s ranks when telling stories. Maybe it’s best if he lets the military guys handle this, but he could at least *pretend* to look interested.

You say you want a cultural revolution?
Will Obama hand out the Little Red Books?
President Obama’s Address to Students Across America September 8, 2009
PreK-6 Menu of Classroom Activities: President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
Produced by Teaching Ambassador Fellows, U.S. Department of Education

===That is almost unbelievable to me.
And Gibbs was trying to say the Bush administration neglected the war in Afghanistan?===
That struck me too. However, I will admit to being glad he is taking another vacation.

It’s nice your telling me that he has time to read books but not time to read the bill that he signs.

Here is something that should be on Barrys’ “MUST READ” list:
Obama Health Care Reform of 2009
If he can handle all the legalese crap without getting a massive headache!!
Personally I hope he gets a “Pea Brain” spasm from it!!

-There is a HUGE difference in running a war than criticizing the war effort!-
Imagine that. Now you tell us. I’d bet the same thing goes for interrogations of captured jihadis. Nothing like enhanced interrogation techniques!

“And yes, the deaths in Iraq were tragic. We heard about them all the time. Every day. The President was asked about them all the time. Blamed for them, even.”
Geee could that have to do with the fact that the central premise of the war turned out to be a lie?
I remember how right wingers reacted when Ted Koppel dared to read the names of the dead.
Your hollow and insincere embrace of those who have fallen in Afghanistan is disgusting.

I’m just repeating this, so you never have to wonder why if I never respond to you again.”
Good.
Because frankly your embrace of the “no one talks about Afghanistan deaths” talking point is revolting.

“Cute?
It’s not cute. It’s tragic.
Expected or unexpected, it’s tragic.
It could get a little more public attention from the President.”
MayBee | Sep 1, 2009 12:48:06 PM
I was referring to your deceptive wording that concealed the number of dead, 51, in favor of your objective, exaggerating the toll. Of course the deaths are tragic. These are some of our best and most committed men and women, they should be building our nation not protecting mud huts.
But clearly I don’t agree with you, I agree with Obama and (wow) Bush Jr on this narrow point – I think that thier deaths should NOT be used as a publicity exercise, to give heartfelt and sorrowful sermons on their nobility of service to the bipartisan choir of Americans who support our troops.
Deaths will be another record next month. Certainly my friends, liberal and conservative, are very aware of this enormous cost. They at least don’t need the President making sorrowful faces to the cameras about it 24/7 to remember the cost of war.

Deaths will be another record next month. Certainly my friends, liberal and conservative, are very aware of this enormous cost. They at least don’t need the President making sorrowful faces to the cameras about it 24/7 to remember the cost of war.
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I don’t want him making sorrowful faces.
As I said.
I want him to make a point to get a scheduled briefing about McChrystal’s report, and to show some urgency in reading it.
Our President is no stranger to the camera. He is willing to spend quite a bit of face time pushing his health care policy. He is not shy about talking publicly about things he wants to put focus on. Surely he can find a way to talk about the wars he is running like a grown-up, without having to mug for the camera. Don’t you think he can?
How many questions has he answered in his press conferences about either war?

When Obama comes to them for help with Afghanistan, Republicans can say
“Hey, you won, remember?”
LMAO

“I want him to make a point to get a scheduled briefing about McChrystal’s report, and to show some urgency in reading it.”
MayBee | Sep 1, 2009 1:48:14 PM
Perhaps you don’t understand how this works. The report was written by the guys in the field and heavily reviewed, revised, edited and annotated with additional information at the Pentagon. It is designed to give the most comprehensive accounting of the war effort and situation. READING THE REPORT IS SUPERIOR TO GETTING A CLIFF’S NOTES BRIEFING ABOUT IT.
When Obama wants a briefing next week, he will be fully informed on the current situation both tactically and logistically. The report was written to be read, not held while some hits the highlights – this is a case where the ‘read the bill’ sort of nonsense makes sense.
And it’s not like Obama has to schedule a briefing far in advance. He could be in Afghanistan by Weds if he feels the need to follow up with the field commander.

“Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) last week called for a timetable to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan — the same tactic he and other war opponents used to build congressional support for forcing an end to the Iraq war.”
Pete PUMA | Sep 1, 2009 2:00:22 PM
So now the lib Congress gets credit for forcing an end to the Iraq war? I must have missed them ever, even once, denying a budget request for the war.

So now the lib Congress gets credit for forcing an end to the Iraq war? I must have missed them ever, even once, denying a budget request for the war.
Posted by: jhw539 |
You think that’s embarrasing. I didn’t even know the Iraq war had ended.

The only thing in the Afghan report that interests me is the casualty report.. don’t care how much it costs, how it’s going or who’s the new leader.. just how many more brave soldiers will die for nothing…

“Well, so far he’s promised to take “some form” of it and read it sometime early on during his vacation which starts tomorrow.”
MayBee | Sep 1, 2009 2:24:04 PM
“Some form” of it? He’s taking the final report, that was finished yesterday, written by the General, who was handpicked by Obama’s Defense Secretary to implement Obama’s policy changes, and added and completed by the Pentagon, who are running all the logistics. Why don’t you look up the actual press briefing?
“I think there’s broad agreement that for many years our effort in Afghanistan has been under-resourced politically, militarily, economically. The President asked for a review of our policy. The President authorized additional security forces into Afghanistan in the lead-up to elections, and appointed a new commander that is coming back with an assessment that I know many are eager to see.” -Gibbs, Aug 31 2009

===Posted by: MayBee | Sep 1, 2009 3:07:36 PM===
Isn’t that Gibbs you’re quoting? You should be quoting jhw.

MayBee,
I was being cheeky.

Gibbs told reporters yesterday, “I think one of the hallmarks of what this president has always believed in when it comes to making these decisions is that all of those involved should have a seat at the table and that the president should and will listen to their opinion.”
Or fire them after they give it. McKiernan asked for more troops and got the boot! What a load of bull.

“I anticipate that the president will take some form of the McChrystal report with him to Camp David,”
Posted by: MayBee
but, Obama will read and asses the info…
unlike a certain former prez who didn’t read and understand the message on the report saying ‘bin laden plans to attack’..just goes to show what a lil bit ‘o’ reading will do or not do…..