Obama’s War

I will be listening to words like “victory” and “win” and “enemy.” I won’t be holding my breath.

Some might say that Afghanistan, like Iraq, became his war on January 20, 2009 — just as World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam became Truman, Eisenhower, and Nixon’s wars upon their inauguration. A new president doesn’t get to pick and choose…

A couple of questions… Canada’s CBC is pointing out that the president himself is not briefing the Canadian PM, as he is a list of other nations, some of whom have NO troops there, but delegating that task to the V.P. It is being perceived as an insult to Canada, which has lost more troops per capita than any other nation in Afghanistan. Why is he doing that?
Second, are there historical precedents for a president to make such an announcement in a speech at West Point? I can imagine why he wouldn’t want to venture into Congress, but why not the Oval Office?

Let’s all hope Obama remembers what HE said about Afghanistan and al-Qaeda way, way back in March 2009:
“So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. That’s the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.”

“Off ramps” will be the middle “free” square.

Posted by: Helene | Dec 1, 2009 10:13:47 AM
Poor Obama, somebody please save him from the evil neo-cons!
Pardon me while I vomit.
If “the US is bankrupt,” then we clearly cannot afford the $787 Billion stimulus payoff to Democrat cronies, the $2 TRILLION ObamaCare takeover, and the industry-crushing trillion dollar Cap & Tax. To use one of their favorite buzzwords, Obama’s spending orgy is already “unprecedented.”

because neither Iraq nor Afghanistan will ever be normal functioning societies in our lifetimes
Posted by: Helene | Dec 1, 2009 10:13:47 AM
What does Sullivan consider a “normal” functioning society? Iraq might not end up with malls, Starbucks and Britney Spears but they can certainly end up with a society they consider as highly functional – and rich with culture. Sullivan is arrogant in assuming he knows what’s normal.
Afghanistan is a deeper struggle but again Sullivan should not be judging them as “abnormal.”
Actually some would question whether or not Sullivan is “normal.”

If his lips are moving, he’s probably lying.

So he’s going to put West Point through a round of Bush bashing, then talk about himself, then give a shout out to the troops?
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George Bush and Cheney dithered on Afghanistan for 7 long years – they deserve every bit of criticism they get. And most of the criticism does not come from the White House – it comes from regular people who can see through the hypocrisy of the Bush administration, and the wingnut right.

Tierra wrote: “And most of the criticism …it comes from regular people…”
Many of whom have little or no experience in the military or running a war–any war, much less one in the treacherous terrain of Afghanistan.
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Well, these ‘ordinary’ people are now backed up by the recent Senate report – and 7 years of obvious dithering by Bush and Cheney on Afghanistan (followed by Cheney’ hypocritical attacks on Obama).
The ineptness and the sleaziness is apparent.