« Enlightened Liberal Wit | Main | The Wonkette's 9/11 Memorial Post »
September 15, 2008
Politics Over Strategy and the Welfare of Our Troops
Since Obama has no experience that it's safe for him to share with us, we're asked to vote for him based on the hope that he will show good judgment. This hope is unfounded. How's this for judgment from a potential commander in chief:
While campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military presence.
According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.
"He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington," Zebari said in an interview.
Now why would he want to delay a resolution to this supposedly unjust and illegal war? Doesn't he realize American troops are in harm's way?
Sure he does. But the important thing isn't how many Americans get killed, any more that it is the strategic interests of the USA or the future of Iraq. What matters is that The One can tell his worshipers that he brought the troops home.
According to the 1799 Logan Act, it is a felony for unauthorized citizens to negotiate with foreign governments on behalf of the United States. Too bad it isn't enforced.
On tips from Conan and Matthew D.
Posted by Van Helsing at September 15, 2008 8:44 PM
Comments
Looks like the October Surprise came in September...
Posted by: Richard Evans at September 15, 2008 9:30 PM
According to the 1799 Logan Act, it is a felony for unauthorized citizens to negotiate with foreign governments on behalf of the United States. Too bad it isn't enforced.
That is too bad. We could be rid of Jesse Jackson, Jimmy Carter, AND BHO in one go.
The left will drone on and on about how the war is politically motivated or for the benefit of "the military/industrial complex" and is thus unjust, but given the chance will not hesitate to use it to further the fortunes of the moonbat-industrial complex. The left also seems to think that conservatives will jump at any chance to start a war, for the reasons stated above.
There are conservatives that oppose this war, and there are conservatives that support it. Our President, W, and his advisers decided that a retaliatory attack on Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and a preemptive attack on Iraq were important steps towards protecting the interests of the United States. The United Nations wanted no part of it, so we gathered what allies we could and we went in alone. The UN and the moonbats therein have not forgotten, nor forgiven, this transgression against their right to stand around looking stern while unspeakable atrocities are committed under their noses. Perhaps this explains why so many around the world are pulling for BHO - to punish us for defying the will of the UN's wanna-be world government. At any rate, there are many people on both sides of the aisle who are not completely comfortable with invading another country that did not attack us first, even if they harbored the terrorists who did. The pragmatic among us realize we must follow through on our choice or risk having new governments in two important oil-producing countries that are even less friendly to the United States. We are also pragmatic enough to know that when it is time to leave, we must leave. We do not extend our occupation artificially for any reason, especially for some petty reason like a political photo-op and a talking point.
The left has never yet been accused of being pragmatic. BHO has a lot to learn about military action, foreign affairs, and leadership. Leadership means that you sometimes need to do unpopular things because they need to be done. Leadership means you take actions that protect the interests of your country and the safety of its citizens. Leadership does not mean going along with whatever the UN wants, or some other world leader, or some senator or congressman. And leadership sure as hell does not mean keeping our troops in harms way, or just away from home for a bit longer, just so you can tell the world, "I brought the troops home." That is every bit as bad as sending troops to war to further your own ends. John McCain and Sarah Palin have both shown that they are not afraid to step on some toes to do the right thing. I have seen nothing from BHO or Joe Biden to suggest that they have the same courage.
Posted by: CoderInCrisis at September 15, 2008 10:07 PM
If the Logan Act was enforced along with the various Treason Acts John Kerry, Nazi Pelosi, Jane Fonda, and a host of others would be rotting in Leavenworth right now.
Posted by: chuck in st paul at September 16, 2008 8:32 AM
Actually, I believe that Kerry (and maybe Fonda too) wouldn't be in Leavenworth... they'd have been put up against a wall with a blindfold and a cigarette. Their acts were committed during time of war.
No, wait, that one was undeclared, so they might have escaped the firing squad on a technicality. Not that they deserved to do so, though.
Posted by: hiram13pm at September 16, 2008 8:54 AM
hiram - John Kerry was still a commissioned naval officer (as was I at the time) when he collaborated with the enemy in Paris. He should have been shot. That is why he has not and will not release his full military records.
Posted by: MikeNC at September 16, 2008 9:02 AM
Treason, anyone?
Posted by: jc14 at September 16, 2008 12:20 PM
MikeNC...
Oh, yeah, I agree. I thought the capital punishment for treason thing was only in time of war, though, and Vietnam being technically a "police action" (as war was never declared by Congress) might get ol' Winter Horse Face out of that particular punishment. Not that he deserves to get out of it.
So, is it firing squad for anyone in time of war, and firing squad for the military only when no official war is declared? Does Hanoi Jane qualify for a "7-gun salute", so to speak, or would being a civilian get her off with just a cell 'cuz war hadn't officially been declared?
Any Constitutional Jurists out there?
Posted by: hiram13pm at September 16, 2008 12:42 PM
