Please Note: While editing this post, this new Blogger format has really screwed up the way I used to do things. In short, sorry about the crappy blocks around the text. I tried and tried, but as it sometimes happens, I can't get rid of them or fix the overall aesthetics problem.
While I was re-reading the transcript of President Obama's May 1
Afghanistan speech, I noticed a few things I would like to share and
doubt many in the MSM (at least in the correct context) will shine a
negative light on.
There was some typical narcissistic
tones emanating from the president that while his followers will no
doubt find charming and confident, it does play to the fact that Barack
Obama never passes on a chance to inflate his own ego or play loose with
the facts. This has been documented time and time again, and not just
by conservatives or right-wingers, but by liberal pundits and
journalists that perhaps have finally grown weary of the president's
Hollywood-esque showmanship and rhetoric without the actual facts and/or
numbers to back them up. The kind of rhetoric that not only Democrat
politicians support and defend, which is to be expected, but from
frothing, starry-eyed Hollywood celebrities who make it even more ironic
for
them to be idolizing
him. But it's the following
highlighted quotes that these celebrities, Dems and left-wing media
darlings run with that confuse and misinform America and the world.
They've already sold a alternative version of history to the American
voter about the "saved' economy, the "needed" auto bailouts, the
"popular" health-care law and the role of the Republicans in the
financial meltdown...and
only that the
Republicans had a role.
Obama,
of course doesn't mention these fallacies, but it's just the type of
ethos in this speech that sold those tainted goods to the American
taxpayer and voter in the first place.
Good evening from Bagram Air Base. This outpost is more than
seven
thousand miles from home, but for over a decade it has been close to our
hearts. Because here, in Afghanistan, more than half a million of our
sons and daughters have sacrificed to protect our country.
Today, I signed an historic
agreement between the United States and
Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our
countries – a future in which Afghans are responsible for the
security
of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign
states; a future in which the war ends, and a new chapter begins.
*This agreement was originally made/confirmed with the Bush
administration when Secretary of State Condolezza Rice visited
Afghanistan in 2007.
Tonight, I’d like to speak to you about
this transition. But first,
let us remember why we came here. It was here, in Afghanistan, where
Osama bin Laden established a safe-haven for his terrorist organization.
It was here, in Afghanistan, where al Qaeda brought new recruits,
trained them, and plotted acts of terror. It was here, from within these
borders, that al Qaeda launched the attacks that killednearly 3,000
innocent men, women and children.
And
so, ten years ago, the United States and our allies went to war
to make sure that al Qaeda could never again use this country to launch
attacks against us. Despite initial success...
*A success that Obama (as a Illinois State
senator) and
the Democrats vehemently denied for years until documentation and Afghan
testimony gave them no choice but to publicly admit the obvious-not to
admit they were wrong, but just make them admit the obvious.
... for a number of reasons,
this war has taken longer than most anticipated. In 2002, bin Laden and
his lieutenants escaped across the border and established safe-havens in
Pakistan. America spent nearly eight years fighting a different war in
Iraq. And al Qaeda’s extremist allies within the Taliban have waged a
brutal insurgency.
But over
the last three years, the tide has turned. We broke the
Taliban’s momentum.
*The Taliban has been routed in
Afghanistan since at least 2004, but Obama says "the last three years"
because, conveniently that's how long he's been president.
We’ve built strong Afghan Security Forces. We
devastated al Qaeda’s leadership, taking out over 20 of their top
30
leaders.
Again
accomplished mostly during the Bush administration. In fact, 18 of
those leaders disposed of during Bush's tenure.
And one year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops
launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I
set –
to defeat al Qaeda, and deny it a chance to rebuild – is within reach.
*Really? Does this one really need an explanation? Any easy research will
find-and backed up by former administration officials in both the
Clinton and Bush administrations-that the apparatus to retrieve
information and find bin Laden was under the intelligence leadership of
those two presidents, As well as Obama's in the last three years, but to
say he set that goal is not only willfully misleading, but extremely
arrogant. Clearly a set-up to wrangle himself up some street-cred on
the War on Terror and to make the false argument that he was the man
that got bin Laden. Any president would have made that no-brainer call-any
president.
Still, there will be difficult days ahead. The enormous sacrifices of
our
men and women are not over. But tonight, I’d like to tell you how we
will complete our mission and end the war in Afghanistan.
*I believe this
is the first time he has mentioned the word "our," instead of "I," "me,"
or "mine" since the beginning of his presidency. Just a personal
observation.
First, we have begun a transition to
Afghan responsibility for
security. Already, nearly half the Afghan people live in places where
Afghan Security Forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO
Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to
be
in the lead for combat operations across the country next year.
International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the
Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a
support role as Afghans step forward.
As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we
removed
10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the
end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady
pace, with more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed,
by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the
security of their country.
*This is a simple
copy of the Bush troop withdrawal agreement he signed with Iraq. Is he
again copying something Bush did (and the Democrats and MSM
collectively shat on) only to have his party and media call brilliant
and not at all bombastic?
Second, we are training Afghan Security Forces to get the job done.
Those forces have surged, and will peak at 352,000 this year. The
Afghans will sustain that level for three years, and then reduce the
size of their military. And in Chicago, we will endorse a proposal to
support a strong and sustainable long-term Afghan force.
Again, an Iraq-tested
and successful Bush plan.
Third, we are building an enduring partnership. The agreement we*
signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people: as you stand
up**, you will not stand alone. It establishes the basis of our
cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat
terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions. It supports Afghan
efforts to advance development and dignity for their people. And it
includes Afghan commitments to transparency and accountability, and to
protect the human rights of all Afghans – men and women, boys and girls.
*There's that "we" again. Maybe he's turning over a new...nah!
**A total stolen (with no accreditation) Bushism.
Within this framework, we will work with the Afghans to determine
what support they need to accomplish two narrow security missions beyond
2014: counter-terrorism and continued training. But we will not
build
permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its cities
and mountains. That will be the job of the Afghan people.
*And yet another Bush explanation as to
why Iraq was not to be controlled by the U.S.
Fourth, we are pursuing a negotiated
peace. In coordination with the
Afghan government, my Administration has been in direct discussions with
the Taliban. We have made it clear that they can be a part of this
future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence, and abide by
Afghan laws. Many members of the Taliban – from foot soldiers to leaders
– have indicated an interest in reconciliation. A path to peace is now
set before them. Those who refuse to walk it will face strong Afghan
Security Forces, backed by the United States and our allies.
Fifth,
we are building a global
consensus to support peace and stability in South Asia. In Chicago,
the
international community will express support for this plan, and for
Afghanistan’s future. I have made it clear to Afghanistan’s neighbor –
Pakistan – that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in
a way that respects Pakistan’s sovereignty, interests, and democratic
institutions. In pursuit of a durable peace.
*Nothin' for nothin', but what's
up with his mentioning of Chicago likes it's Washington Jr? I don't
remember Bush mentioning Crawford, Texas like it was a political hub.
Not even Clinton metioned Hope or Arkansas so much. Just sayin'.
America has no designs
beyond an end to al Qaeda safe-havens, and respect for Afghan
sovereignty.
As we move forward,
some people will ask why we need a firm timeline.
The answer is clear: our goal is not to build a country in America’s
image, or to eradicate every vestige of the Taliban. These objectives
would require many more years, many more dollars, and many more American
lives. Our goal is to destroy al Qaeda, and we are on a path to do
exactly that. Afghans want to fully assert their sovereignty and build a
lasting peace. That requires a clear timeline to wind down the war.
Others will ask why we don’t leave
immediately. That answer is also
clear: we must give Afghanistan the opportunity to stabilize. Otherwise,
our gains could be lost, and al Qaeda could establish itself once more.
And as Commander-in-Chief, I refuse to let that happen.
I
recognize that many Americans are tired of war. As President,
nothing is more wrenching than signing a letter to a family of the
fallen, or looking in the eyes of a child who will grow up without a
mother or father. I will not keep Americans in harm’s way a single
day
longer than is absolutely required for our national security.
*Bush too, said this at the onset
of the Iraq War, but was called Hitler and a war criminal anyways
(unlike Obama who armed and aided Libyan rebels that killed
civilians-during a time when he claimed to have "gotten Gaddafi" and
none of the "Impeach Bush" hippie crowd has said anything about Obama's
role in these unfortunate deaths. Even Code Pink has been predictably
silent.
But we
must finish the job we started in Afghanistan, and end this war
responsibly.
My fellow
Americans, we have traveled through more than a decade
under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of
Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. The Iraq
War is over. The number of our troops in harm’s way has been cut in
half, and more will be coming home soon. We have a clear path to fulfill
our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al Qaeda.
*Again, I'm surprised he didn't say "the last
administration," or "what the last guy started," or "what I inherited."
This future is only within reach because
of our men and women in
uniform. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve in distant
and dangerous places. In an age when so many institutions have come up
short, these Americans stood tall. They met their responsibilities to
one another, and the flag they serve under. I just met with some of
them, and told them that as Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder.
In their faces, we see what is best in ourselves and our country.
Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coast
guardsmen and civilians
in Afghanistan have done their duty. Now, we must summon that same
sense of common purpose. We must give our veterans and military families
the support they deserve, and the opportunities they have earned. And
we must redouble our efforts to build a nation worthy of their
sacrifice.
*What, no mention of Corpsmen?
As we emerge from a decade of conflict
abroad and economic crisis at
home, it is time to renew America. An America where our children live
free from fear, and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united
America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new
towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as
one nation.
Here, in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call
to defend their
fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen,
and those who suffer wounds seen and unseen. But through dark days we
have drawn strength from their example, and the ideals that have guided
our nation and lit the world: a belief that all people are created
equal, and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny.
That is the light that guides us still*.
This time of war began in
Afghanistan, and this is where it will end. With faith in each other and
our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand, and forge
a just and lasting peace. May God bless our troops. And may God
bless
the United States of America.**
*Really, a Reagan line?
**Which
god would that be?
Listen, I don't
mean to demonize the president or his speech when he did give credit to
the members of America's Armed Forces, as well as those of her allies.
Even that last "which god" crack was just that. But for a guy who was
against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (and don't give me that "good
war/bad war" crap) who voted "present' on every major vote concerning
the War on Terror as a senator, who was against the surge that led to
victory (and then never admitting he was wrong about it) to claim credit
on things that he either had hardly anything to do with or nothing at
all-or worse, things he fought tooth and nail against is more than
political posturing and "what every politician does." It's something
that a "leader" that's not a leader does. Someone who doesn't really
beileve in what they're saying. He may sound good (as every one of his
followers-or is that believers, since he is their messiah-constantly say
s he does; even with the studdering and stammering) but anyone can with
good writers, and yes, that includes W. Of course Ronald Reagan wrote
most of his own speeches, but that's another story of another time about
another, better man.
But for all his belittling George W. about what he
"inherited" from him, Obama's sure quick to not only jump on the same
policy wagon (war & bail-outs to name but two) but to actually
take a page out of Joe Biden's book and plagiarize, if not parts, then
ideas of Bush's speeches? Sad.
Like most of President Obama's speeches,
there's nothing new here, especially the so-called information or
revelations therein. Same ol', same ol from Barack Obama, especially
disappointment.
