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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama To War Hypemongers: “Explain The Consequences” - FDL
Obama to War Hypemongers: Explain the ConsequencesBy: David Dayen - FDL
Tuesday March 6, 2012 11:48 am
<snip>
The Presidents press conference wrapped up, and the focus was mostly on Iran, to the exclusion of even a single question about Eric Holders asserted right to kill American citizens without a trial. I still think that the President ran the risk of walking into a cul-de-sac by asserting that the Administration didnt have a containment policy on Iran. But its fair to say that his focus has been on the near-term consequences of Israel acting alone to strike at Iranian facilities. He also took aim at the amped-up rhetoric at home pushing the world into war over the issue; in his presser, he had some pretty strong words about that:
At this stage, it is my belief that we have a window of opportunity where this can still be resolved diplomatically. Thats not just my view thats the view of our top intelligence officials, its the view of top Israeli intelligence officials. And as a consequence, we are going to continue to apply the pressure, even as we provide a door for the Iranian regime to walk through, where they could rejoin the community of nations, by giving assurances to the international community that they are meeting their obligations and they are not pursuing a nuclear weapon. Thats my track record.
Now, whats said on the campaign trail, you know, those folks dont have a lot of responsibilities. Theyre not commander in chief. And when I see the casualness with which some of these folks talk about war, Im reminded of the costs involved in war. Im reminded of the decision that I have to make, in terms of sending our young men and women into battle, and the impacts that has on their lives, the impact it has on our national security, the impact it has on our economy.
This is not a game, and theres nothing casual about it. And, you know, when I see some of these folks who had a lot of bluster and a lot of big talk, but when you actually ask them, specifically, what they would do, it turns out they repeat the things that weve been doing over the last three years. It indicates to me that thats more about politics than actually trying to solve a difficult problem.
Now, the one thing that we have not done, is we havent launched a war. If some of these folks think that its time to launch a war, they should say so. and they should explain to the American people exactly why they would do that and what the consequences would be. Everything else is just talk.
Now, whats said on the campaign trail, you know, those folks dont have a lot of responsibilities. Theyre not commander in chief. And when I see the casualness with which some of these folks talk about war, Im reminded of the costs involved in war. Im reminded of the decision that I have to make, in terms of sending our young men and women into battle, and the impacts that has on their lives, the impact it has on our national security, the impact it has on our economy.
This is not a game, and theres nothing casual about it. And, you know, when I see some of these folks who had a lot of bluster and a lot of big talk, but when you actually ask them, specifically, what they would do, it turns out they repeat the things that weve been doing over the last three years. It indicates to me that thats more about politics than actually trying to solve a difficult problem.
Now, the one thing that we have not done, is we havent launched a war. If some of these folks think that its time to launch a war, they should say so. and they should explain to the American people exactly why they would do that and what the consequences would be. Everything else is just talk.
Considering how seldom we ever open a public debate about the costs of war in America, I think thats pretty refreshing. And I do think theres been an emphasis on the consequences of loose talk of war on the part of the Administration, where theres probably at least some divide on the issue. Obama specifically rejected the notion that theres a fateful window of a week or a month to bring the Iranian issue to a resolution. Hes trying to lower the temperature, I dont think theres any doubt about that.
<snip>
More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/03/06/obama-to-war-hypemongers-explain-the-consequences/
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Obama To War Hypemongers: “Explain The Consequences” - FDL (Original Post)
WillyT
Mar 2012
OP
DCKit
(18,541 posts)1. And, by doing so, they're making him look far stronger re: Foreign Relations.
Threat, bluster and launching missiles is all the (R)s understand.
Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)2. I'm a BIG fan of Election Season Obama.....
wish he would hang around after the election.