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flpoljunkie

(26,184 posts)
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 09:43 AM Aug 2014

TPM: Obama Reportedly Smacked Down Criticism Of His Syria Policy As 'Horsesh*t'

Obama Reportedly Smacked Down Criticism Of His Syria Policy As 'Horsesh*t'

By CATHERINE THOMPSON
AUGUST 12, 2014, 8:18 AM EDT

President Barack Obama reportedly got heated during a private meeting with lawmakers last month, where he shot down criticism of his decision not to arm Syrian rebel fighters as "horsesh*t.'

The Daily Beast's Josh Rogin published a report Monday that cited two lawmakers inside the July 31 meeting who described the President as "visibly agitated" when met with bipartisan criticism of his approach to the civil war in Syria.

One of the unnamed lawmakers told Rogin that a detailed question from Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who criticized a range of the Obama administration's foreign policy approaches, prompted the President to defend his policy on Syria. The idea that arming Syrian rebels earlier on in the conflict would have led to a more desirable outcome was "horsesh*t," Obama reportedly said.

White House officials confirmed the heated exchange to Rogin but wouldn't confirm that Obama used that colorful language. The President previously made the same argument in an interview with CBS, calling it a "fantasy" that sending arms to Syrian rebels could put them in a position to defeat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also criticized Obama's Syria policy in an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg published this weekend.

more...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-reportedly-said-syria-criticism-horsesh-t
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TwilightGardener

(46,416 posts)
2. And well he should--it IS horseshit. Any arms we gave the "good" rebels in 2011
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 10:12 AM
Aug 2014

or 2012 would have been grabbed by what became ISIS, and our troubles would have started sooner. Isn't it awesome that Hillary was working with Petraeus and Panetta behind Obama's back to plan this shit, BTW? You don't hear much from Petraeus or Panetta nowadays--both involved in arms being moved around from Libya to Syria perhaps? Notice the neocons and GOP aren't questioning them anymore about these things.

flpoljunkie

(26,184 posts)
4. Jack Reed on MSNBC's Daily Rundown this morning...
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 10:24 AM
Aug 2014

Last edited Tue Aug 12, 2014, 03:24 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.msnbc.com/the-daily-rundown/watch/what-is-us-role-in-iraqs-future--317429827601

Reed discusses Hillary Clinton's recent comments to Jeff Goldberg regarding arming 'moderate' Syria revels in the segment What is U.S. Role in Iraq?? It is video #4 and begins at about 12 minutes, 30 seconds.

He sides with the President's position.
 

JayhawkSD

(3,163 posts)
5. One has to understand "American Exceptionalism"
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 10:40 AM
Aug 2014

When Libyans disagree with the Libyian leader Obama tells the Liybian leader to step down.
When Syrians disagree with the Syrian leader Obama tells the Syrian leader to step down.
When Egytians disagree with the Egyptian leader Obama tells the Egyptian leader to step down.
When Americans disagree with the American leader Obama tells them they are horseshit.

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
17. When I see the term "Americans", I read it as indicating "a majority of Americans"
Wed Aug 13, 2014, 11:37 AM
Aug 2014

rather than as "a minority of Americans" or "some Americans".

Robbins

(5,066 posts)
7. I agree with him
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 11:09 AM
Aug 2014

I am opposed to any involvement In middle east conflicts.

have we forgetten the rebels we backed In afghanstain become al-queda?

Obama Is closer to my postion than Hillary so I am with him.

MrTriumph

(1,720 posts)
8. What moderates? Hey, Hillary, show me the moderates!
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 11:52 AM
Aug 2014

Pres. Obama is right on this one. If there were any moderates, how come they couldn't get face time on CNN? I realize she did not attend the July 31 meeting, but she too has expressed criticism that Pres. Obama did not better equip the moderates. So it is fair to demand of her: Hillary, show me the moderates!

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
11. If the first commandment of foreign policy is "Don't do stupid things."
Tue Aug 12, 2014, 12:33 PM
Aug 2014

the second should be " Do no harm."

All too often, we've taken a problem and turned it into a major catastrophe.

Rosa Luxemburg

(28,627 posts)
15. Who was suppose to be paying for arming the Syrian rebels?
Wed Aug 13, 2014, 01:25 AM
Aug 2014

Not me or any of the american taxpayers.

I'm sick of how they suddenly find the money for their warmongering. The US should stay out of the middle east.

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
18. Where are the weapons made? Back after WWI, there was worldwide revulsion against
Wed Aug 13, 2014, 11:38 AM
Aug 2014

the munitions merchants. We need to get back into that frame of mind.

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