Since Barack Obama took office as United States President, inheriting two wars, Iraq and Afghanistan, his administration took an entirely different approach, embracing diplomacy, and utilizing an International Alliance to provide Humanitarian aid to impoverished and war torn zones, to aid in their recovery and strengthening their solidarity and stable, elected governments.
President Obama delivered a heartfelt speech, in which he stated he could no longer continue with the failed war strategies, he did not want the blood and suffering of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan & Pakistan on his hands. He did not want any of the children of the world to witness war. Furthermore, he conceded the United States financial crisis, was in fact now an official depression, and that the war and military budgets were the biggest line items in the Federal budget, and in order to avert this “fiscal trainwreck”, we would have to stop spending billions on wars. President Obama said we had been on the wrong path, playing the role of 9-11 to the world. The United States can not and will not continue with death and destruction in the world community. The notion of installing democracy at gunpoint is clearly not a case of “Mission Accomplished”, but “Mission Impossible”.
Historically, Afghanistan is the “graveyard of Empires”, it is a harsh and rugged terrain, and after 8 long years of U.S. troop presence, it is clear a military escalation would have the reverse effect of fanning the flames of terrorist groups.
Rather than massive military assaults, President Obama sent in scores of Peace Corps, and International Red Cross & Peacekeepers who worked closely with different regions, identifying their individual needs to help strengthen their communities.
President Obama followed in the footsteps of Gandhi, and Martin Luther King jr. President Obama quoted Dr. King
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies – or else? The chain reaction of evil – hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars – must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
That would be my dream scenario.
That is the kind of Change I can believe in.
That is what I think REALLY needs to happen.
I don’t subscribe to the “Obama said he would surge troops in Afghanistan, and that’s that” line of thinking. I think we’ve had war shoved down our throats so much and in such obscure & illegal ways, we’ve come to “accept” that’s just the way it is. I refuse to be apathetic about the death & destruction the U.S is wielding in other countries.
Instead, the reality is Obama is planning a war escalation in Afghanistan & Pakistan.
The that goal, as he spelled it out, is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda, and to ensure that their safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan cannot threaten the United States anymore.”
al Qaeda has regenerated over the past seven years, “and it is again a threat to the United States homeland and to American influence around the world and to our allies around the world.”
>Is that the same seven years we spent $600 illion dollars on 2 wars?
He said he hoped the “synergy” from aggressive military action in Afghanistan and economic support in Pakistan would lead to the destruction of terrorist safe havens in the region.
> A new & improved term for war–”synergy”???
The officials said success in Afghanistan would be determined based on the levels of violence, casualties, suicide bombings and moves against corruption. But Riedel said the benchmarks and strategy needed to be flexible. For that same reason, he said, no timeline has been set.
> Of course there is not a set timeline. That’s code for *endless wars*.
These wars are now Obama’s wars. The same Robert Gates who acted as a CIA official, arming the Mujahideen (Afghani rebels) with weapons in a covert way against the Soviet Union in 1979, is the same Robert Gates who is the Secretary of Defense, leading the war escalation call against the Taliban in 2009.
Obama should win the peace prize but I do not know if they give it to sitting Presidents. I just hope the world stays together against the Taliban and Al Qaeda who want us all dead. Maybe only that alone will get us through this Bush created world financial mess!
The Taliban are local warlords, reigning over their regions. They used to be called the Mujahideen– and we the US armed them back in 1979.
al Qaeda tends to call for jihads when they feel the Middle East/ Muslims are under attack.
Obama should win the peace prize but I do not know if they give it to sitting Presidents.
Woodrow Wilson got one while in office. Theodore Roosevelt got the peace prize in 1906 after he was out of office. Jimmy Carter got his in 2002.
I guess it’s always an honor to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, but it can’t be all it’s cracked up to be since they gave one to Henry Kissinger and Yasser Arafat.
Guy on
October 9th, 2009 3:59 am
Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize??? This has to be some kind of dumb joke, right? I was always under the impression you actually had to accomplish something to win such a major award? This has to be a hoax.
Margaret, can you help me out here? I just went through the entire U.S. Constitution and Articles of Confederation. I must have read right past the part where it says “everyone is to be entitled to insurance.”
Could you help me out here and point out where it’s located so I can highlight it with my Sharpee?
Thanks!
Dusty on
October 10th, 2009 7:08 am
Fuck you Guy. You are an elitist, self-absorbed piece of shit.
It’s located in the same place where it says a Fire Dept and a Police Dept will protect everyone regardless of color or station in life.
Right down from the spot where it talks about Hospital’s providing life-saving treatment before they worry about how you, or anyone else will pay for it.
Now hit the road Guy. We don’t tolerate your kind around here. And don’t try to use the nutter’s first amendment whine about free speech. This is a privately owned site and frankly your time here is up.
Feel free to leave a comment... and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
eNews & Updates
Sign up to receive breaking news as well as receive other site updates!
Obama should win the peace prize but I do not know if they give it to sitting Presidents. I just hope the world stays together against the Taliban and Al Qaeda who want us all dead. Maybe only that alone will get us through this Bush created world financial mess!
Jim´s last blog post..Congresswoman Michele Bachmann calls for Revolution against Obama! Isn’t there a law?
The Taliban are local warlords, reigning over their regions. They used to be called the Mujahideen– and we the US armed them back in 1979.
al Qaeda tends to call for jihads when they feel the Middle East/ Muslims are under attack.
Round & round we go.
Fran´s last blog post..I have a Dream
Obama should win the peace prize but I do not know if they give it to sitting Presidents.
Woodrow Wilson got one while in office. Theodore Roosevelt got the peace prize in 1906 after he was out of office. Jimmy Carter got his in 2002.
I guess it’s always an honor to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, but it can’t be all it’s cracked up to be since they gave one to Henry Kissinger and Yasser Arafat.
Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize??? This has to be some kind of dumb joke, right? I was always under the impression you actually had to accomplish something to win such a major award? This has to be a hoax.
No Guy, its not a hoax.
I can’t imagine this is going to make his job any easier.
Margaret´s last blog ..The Strange, Sick World of the GOP, their Unwillingness to Insure their Constituents and Why Insurance Companies are from Hell
Margaret, can you help me out here? I just went through the entire U.S. Constitution and Articles of Confederation. I must have read right past the part where it says “everyone is to be entitled to insurance.”
Could you help me out here and point out where it’s located so I can highlight it with my Sharpee?
Thanks!
Fuck you Guy. You are an elitist, self-absorbed piece of shit.
It’s located in the same place where it says a Fire Dept and a Police Dept will protect everyone regardless of color or station in life.
Right down from the spot where it talks about Hospital’s providing life-saving treatment before they worry about how you, or anyone else will pay for it.
Now hit the road Guy. We don’t tolerate your kind around here. And don’t try to use the nutter’s first amendment whine about free speech. This is a privately owned site and frankly your time here is up.