Afghanistan, Then And Now
Candidate Obama in 2008 on Afghanistan: “Losing is not an option”:
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During that period, as another video highlights, Obama blasted McCain and Bush “For Taking Their Eye Off The Ball In Afghanistan.”
All of which is why, as president, Obama has been in constant contact with his generals in the field:
Gen. Stanley McChrystal says he’s talked to President Obama only once since taking command of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan over the summer, a revelation that drew swift criticism from some who are concerned that the president is putting off McChrystal’s request for more troops.
“It’s startling,” Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., told FOX News.
McChrystal talked about his interaction with the president in an interview with CBS News.
“I’ve talked to the president since I’ve been here once on a (video teleconference),” he said.
“You talked to him once in 70 days?” CBS’ David Martin asked.
“That’s correct,” McChrystal said.
(Which isn’t all that surprising in one sense: As the RNC warned in 2008, “As Chairman Of The Foreign Relations Subcommittee On European Affairs, Obama Has Not Held A Single Hearing On The NATO Mission In Afghanistan.”)
As more and more members of the left such as the New York Times’ Frank Rich come out in favor of pulling the plug on a war they wholeheartedly supported up as “the Good War”, at least up until, oh, about the end of the day on November 4 of last year, former U.S. Army vet Baldilocks looks back at her numerous posts during that period that warned of what was to come, and writes, “Told Ya So.”
Update: Flopping Aces has plenty of additional earlier quotes from Obama on Afghanistan.
While I’ve been reading and can understand the arguments being made for withdrawal from Afghanistan by those like George Will or Andy McCarthy, their opinions, right or wrong, come from deep thought and wishes for the good of their country.
Prior to his election, unlike the majority of our citizens, I did lots of research into Obama’s past, his beliefs, his record, his associations, and took note of what he had not done, said nor written.
Also, it was clearly observable that this man would say whatever it was he felt necessary to gain the approval of whichever group he was addressing at the time — whether or not what he said on one day completely contradicted what he’d said the day before (yes, politicians often do this, but not to the extreme extent he did). He’d often barefaced lie about it — or say he was misunderstood — knowing the media wouldn’t call him on it, and that, again, as he stated, many people see whatever they believe reflected in him. It was very obvious that this man was being extremely duplicitous regarding his beliefs.
As a result of this research
There was never a moments doubt in my mind that Obama would withdraw the troops from Afghanistan at the first possible opportunity that would give him “cover.”
Regarding Afghanistan, as with many other issues, he had just said whatever he thought would help get him elected — and that what he said had zero to do with his intentions.
(For sure, his Leftist followers also believed this.)
So I’m not the least bit surprised about the way he’s behaving now — and he has no embarrassment whatever about this ridiculous delay, not communicating nor taking the advice of his appointed General — certainly not of totally contradicting himself.
Actually, I don’t know why anyone would have believed him — what he was saying then made no sense at all within his worldview.
Oh, yes, he loves America. His wife said so. It’s just that he believes in an America of diminished, if not non-existant, power. And insofar as he can accomplish that through deception and the support of his “useful idiots” without risking impeachment, he’s dedicated to working to that end.
America, from his and his cadre’s clearly expressed point of view, has only become a wealthy powerful nation by devious and evil means, and should be deeply ashamed of its past. It should withdraw to its borders, become equally and “fairly” impoverished (except for his “Ruling Class” of Techno-Bureau-Corporo-Crats) so that Americans will learn the lessons that will make it “moral.” If we are attacked by Iran or Al Queda, well, something about “Chickens Coming Home to Roost,” his “Mentor” said, didn’t he? And then we will have the “Civilian National Security Force” to take care of any “unrest.”
He believes our Constitution is inadequate and should adhere to his ideas of “empathy” and perhaps, to be “fair” should include — some — Islamist Sharia rules (see words of his appointee, Harold Koh) — and conform to “International Norms” (such as those proposed by the OIC and the HRC-which he is so “proud” to have become a member of, after the Bushhitler withdrew because of it’s mangled horrific agenda and maniacal membership.)
He stated last week that the U.S. would now adhere to the rules of the barbarous U.N. Where else would that take us, but down to their level — perhaps even below their level?
Afghanistan withdrawal? That’s just the beginning.
Via ‘American Thinker’, please spread the following FACT, in one simple sentence, as far and wide as it can be spread. I think it a fact of immense power and insight….
– President Obama has met with David Letterman more than he has met with the Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan. -
!!!