December 1, 2009

"We must deny al Qaeda a safe-haven. We must reverse the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the government."

"And we must strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s Security Forces and government, so that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan’s future.... [W]e will pursue a military strategy that will break the Taliban’s momentum and increase Afghanistan’s capacity over the next 18 months...."

ADDED: I only got a chance to watch the last 15 minutes or so. (Office Christmas party.) But I'll say what I thought: He sounded oddly stern, like he was lecturing us. Annoyed at us. The words were meant to be inspirational but there was no lift... no lift of a driving dream. Is he tired of being Obama? Or was it the vibe in the room? I don't think those West Point folk liked him too much. He made some pauses that felt awkward in advance of grudging applause, and the response at the end was minimal. The camera searched among the faces and found only grim ones. No one glowed with the fire of Obama-love.

AND: "America – we are passing through a time of great trial." I wanted to feel that line, but the delivery was cold and perfunctory. I had to imagine Reagan saying it to understand what it was supposed to mean.

235 comments:

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Dave said...

Re: Dithering

Bush conducted a policy review for the surge that lasted at least 2 months. Stephen Hadley is quoted on 15 Nov 2006 as saying that a review had been under way for "weeks" already. Bush gave his surge speech the second week of January. And that was for a war that Bush had been present for the creation of.

These are difficult decisions, with alot of ins and outs, as the Dude might say.

The fact remains that Obama has drastically increased our presence in a very difficult environment, while pleasing very few in his own party.

The right may not like it, but it is a courageous move, politically speaking.

Skyler said...

So. Taliban need to mark their calendars, withdraw a bit, and renew their attacks about 17 months from now.

That's the common concern, but I think Al Qaeda will likely do the opposite. Remember, they don't want to win battles, they want to destroy us. They will be much more effective if they ramp up big time before the deadline comes and force us to stay in the fight. Not only do they get to keep us involved, they get to foment dissent among Americans who will fight about the withdrawal. They will make us look weak and uncommitted to the people they're trying to control. It's a win for them whether we leave or not because they're not going anywhere.

Roger J. said...

Re the afghan "surge": not as many troops as the CINC on the ground wanted but it does give the impression to the public that Obama is doing something; on the other hand, announcing a date certain for withdrawal vitiates any effects of the surge.

You are a taliban grunt. OK--so there will be additional troops. Great! makes Obama look like a stud to some, but for you: stay low, set a few IEDs, dont get out in front and wait 18 months, and you have the whole thing to yourself.

Or did I miss something?

Roger J. said...

Oops---just ready Skyler's take on it, and Skyler makes a good point.
That would certainly be the geostrategic position for the Taliban.

vbspurs said...

I'm reading Talk Left's live commentaries on the speech. A journalist I detest, Donna Brazile, did elicit this reaction from a commenter:

she's the same one that's lost elections and brought you Obama. Sometimes I think the GOP couldn't have put togehter a better Trojan horse to destroy the party than the Brazille/Obama team.

LOL.

The Drill SGT said...

but for you: stay low, set a few IEDs, dont get out in front and wait 18 months, and you have the whole thing to yourself.

Or did I miss something?


am I wrong or are the Obama Benchmarks a reverse polarity to the Bush ones?

For Bush it was always, when they stand up, we can stand down, meaning we were there till things get better.

For Obama, they are like the Code Pink version, Unless Karzai gets his act together, we're outahere. We'll stay if they dont need us and go if they do.

As for your Taliban Grunt, it depends on how you read the benchmarks. It could be you cause as much grief and death as you can to civilians if that triggers a withdrawal.

vbspurs said...

THIS PHOTO IS PRICELESS.

Cadet waiting for the President reading a very special book.

(Dedicated to Drill Sgt)

AllenS said...

Obama: "America – we are passing through a time of great trial."

Yes. Since you have been elected POTUS, America is passing through a time of great trial. Unfortunately, everything you've touched has turned into shit.

WV: tinorb

Obama has a tin orb.

Roger J. said...

Drill SGT and Skyler both make good points that I really didnt think about--I have assumed that the "Taliban grunt" is pretty much the same as any "grunt." (and no insult to grunts, BTW). That may be a gross miscalculation on my part. I confess to having no real idea of what the average Taliban thinks and I tend to project my beliefs on him based on my experience with our own soldiers. Ultimately, I think we will find this out as this mini-surge takes place and see how the taliban reacts. Time for me to suspend judgment! And thanks to Drill SGT and Skyler for an alternative POV.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Can we invoke the anti-immigrant contingent of the GOP to get annoying royalist yappers like vbspurs to shut up? I mean, I know the longstanding spirit of democracy here is complicated to such a young convert to American exceptionalism as she. But it is really grating to listen to this King George III-style Tory flub around from sentiment to sentiment as if her contempt for the office of the American president (and all the people who elected him) wouldn't have got her tarred and feathered, and sent on a boat back to Britain, in 1775.

Go home, vb! The queen misses you. Go plot an invasion on behalf of an ambitious king who misses the parts of the earth upon which the sun shone while England slept.

Fuckwad.

Scott M said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scott M said...

Re: Chris Matthews comment "He went to the enemy camp tonight, to make the case."

Can someone please explain to me how this is less offensive to members of the military, and the Army in particular, than Don Imus’ “nappy-headed ho’s” comment about a few basketball players? Can someone please explain to me how this should impact Matthew’s career less than Imus’ did his?

Then, please explain why somehow women’s college basketball players are more integral to the security of our nation than those that man the proverbial walls.

Roger J. said...

Ahh Ritmo--somehow I suspect VB is much more capable of wearing a tanga and looking much better in it than are you! My suggestion is to keep VB and get rid of feo brasileros (no offense of course)

The Drill SGT said...

vbspurs said...
THIS PHOTO IS PRICELESS.

Cadet waiting for the President reading a very special book.


Victoria,

what you and others miss is the little blue and silver wreath on that young Cadet's chest.

That is the Combat Infantryman's Badge

He must be senior who, during the summer, spent 6-8 weeks in Afghanistan or Iraq. He isn't commissioned yet, but has one of the most coveted "been there, done that" recognitions in the military.

Global War on Terrorism era (Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom) — from 18 September 2001 to date, the soldier must be either an Infantry or a Special Forces officer holding colonel rank or below, or be either an enlisted soldier or a warrant officer with an infantry or special forces MOS, who satisfactorily performed infantry duty, whilst assigned, or attached, as a member of either an infantry, Stryker, Ranger, or Special Forces unit of brigade-, regiment-, or smaller size, or as an advisor in an equivalent Coalition Forces infantry unit, during any period that said unit engaged in active ground combat.

The Drill SGT said...

I withdraw part of my previous comment. I think I see a Good Conduct Medal on his chest. The upper left red one.

That means he previously served as an enlisted soldier, where likely he got the CIB, then was selected to attend the USMA Prep School, where I used to teach math. The Army thinking that Operations Research Analysts were close substitutes for Math instructors :)

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I'm not surprised that you choose a mental image of underwear in order to justify the harboring of dangerous Redcoats like Vic in the states, Roger! After all, if Will Kristol could convince the GOP to vote by offering up horny males the prospect of "little starbursts", then it wouldn't take much to convince you to abandon any pretense of consideration for America's interests - not if they come at the expense of a boner.

But the Tory in question chooses a very modest avatar, though. Seems to go against the Hefner-esque strategy of Palinism, don't it?

Trust me, man. Your penis needs my brain. Someone needs to ask the difficult questions and put a check on the GOP's willingness to govern through lust. Your country is better off with me in it.

AllenS said...

Drill,

I received a Good Conduct Medal, a long time ago. It was worn on the right side of the uniform back then. On the top of the pocket if IIRC.

AllenS said...

But, I'll agree, he's been there and done that.

Unknown said...

"...(Office Christmas party.)"

Wow, you're allowed to say Christmas?

The Drill SGT said...

she screwed up.

she thought she was among friends and it slipped out

Anonymous said...

Mohammad couldn't have said it better.

The only thing missing was the minaret.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
1775OGG said...

V: Note that that book reading Cadet is a decorated Army combat veteran.

exhelodrvr1 said...

This was a CYA move designed to optimize his chances in 2012. If Afghanistan was really a high priority to him, he would have made this decision 6 months ago.

And the Drill Sgt is right - you will not get an honest assessment of the President from an active duty officer, if they disagree with the policies.

vbspurs said...

That means he previously served as an enlisted soldier, where likely he got the CIB, then was selected to attend the USMA Prep School, where I used to teach math. The Army thinking that Operations Research Analysts were close substitutes for Math instructors :)

Drill Sgt, thanks, I didn't know that! I believe I first read that on MM's site, when her commenters pointed out the same thing. Funnily enough, though I collect militaria, I didn't notice the medals/ribbons!

Did you check out the other photos? Another (biracial) guy was reading a book "On Killing", and yet another cadet was deep in a Brad Thor novel.

Incidentally, what a difference between the first guy with his ribbons and this civilian charged with falsely posing with a Marine uni and decorations. Gross.

Joe said...

If Obama stopped acting like a communist and started acting like an American, we can do it again.

We toppled a government. At which point, we should have left with the lesson being that if you fuck with us, we'll kill you and won't rebuild your shitty country. THAT is the lesson of history. If someone threatens your life, you don't fuck around with rehabilitation.

You say we can win again. Win the hell what? Seriously, what the fuck are we supposed to win? The only true win would be to completely wipe out ever last member of the Taliban and al Quaida and NOBODY has the will or moral justification to do that.

So define a win, and not some vague Obamaesque hand waving; I'll do it for you. A win is an unconditional a complete surrender by the Tabliban and al Quaida. That won't happen. Ever.

Afghanistan is not a threat to our national security. We are having our soldiers die for no damn reason except to safe face for Bush and now Obama.

(For the record, I supported ONLY toppling the Taliban and have consistently opposed the Afghanistan "war" for this reason. This is not a war of necessity, but of ego and that makes me want to puke.)

former law student said...

Yah, hopefully soldiers cannot earn seven ribbons during one 6-8 week summer stint. That would be like Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize after seven months in office.

But shouldn't he have a marksmanship badge?

The Drill SGT said...

ormer law student said...
Yah, hopefully soldiers cannot earn seven ribbons during one 6-8 week summer stint. That would be like Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize after seven months in office.


well I discounted the ribbons when I first looked at them. I cant read them all and when I was in ROTC after Nam, I wore my real ribbons like my Bronze Star and Good Conduct on top of my ROTC, I showed up for Summer Camp ribbons.

then I notice the GCM and figured it out

nobdy generally wears marksmanship medals unles you have no other medals, and the marksmenship ones are at the Expert Level

former law student said...

Along with the GCM, the cadet has Army Service, Overseas Service, and GWOT Service ribbons, along with three I can't ID.

dick said...

Didn't sell well to Der Spiegel:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,664753,00.html

Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt as false as his Tuesday address announcing America's new strategy for Afghanistan. It seemed like a campaign speech combined with Bush rhetoric -- and left both dreamers and realists feeling distraught.

One can hardly blame the West Point leadership. The academy commanders did their best to ensure that Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama's speech would be well-received.

Just minutes before the president took the stage inside Eisenhower Hall, the gathered cadets were asked to respond "enthusiastically" to the speech. But it didn't help: The soldiers' reception was cool.

One didn't have to be a cadet on Tuesday to feel a bit of nausea upon hearing Obama's speech. It was the least truthful address that he has ever held. He spoke of responsibility, but almost every sentence smelled of party tactics. He demanded sacrifice, but he was unable to say what it was for exactly.

An additional 30,000 US soldiers are to march into Afghanistan -- and then they will march right back out again. America is going to war -- and from there it will continue ahead to peace. It was the speech of a Nobel War Prize laureate.



And this is from a guy who previously thought Zero walked on water. Guess our allies won't be very happy about this one.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Well you know what Dennis Miller said about the Germans (in reference to the Iraq War). It's possible that they might not be for something unless it's on a grand enough scale.

dick said...

But they are our allies and are supposed to be furnishing troops in Afghanistan. If he has lost his supporters there with the very group the left has told us are our betters, then he has lost it all. Now how soon can we get rid of him.

Jeremy said...

We all know what the local wing nuts think, but maybe even they should listen to what the prople who really know what's going on have to say:

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told a Senate committee today that it is necessary to put a timeline on U.S. combat troops' commitment to Afghanistan to "build a fire" under the Afghan government to make them take charge of security.

Gates argued that while the date indicates only the beginning of the transition process, it is important to stress to the people of Afghanistan the need to take responsibility of their own security needs.

"We're not just going to throw these guys in the swimming pool and walk away," Gates told the committee. "It will be based on conditions on the ground but at the same time... we have to build a fire under them, frankly, to get them to do the kind of recruitment, retention, training and so on for their forces that allow us to make this transition."

Oh, General McChrystal agrees: Today, he said that he backed the plan. “It was really positive. The President was very upbeat, very resolute."

So give the usual whining and bitching a break and try to act like real Americans for a change.

Jeremy said...

"Well you know what Dennis Miller said..."

Yeah, Dennis Miller...one of our great military experts.

Duh.

Big Mike said...

According to UPI there are almost 54,000 troops in Germany. It's been 64 1/2 years since VE Day -- I think we can safely assume that the last Nazis are dead. That could be a source of soldiers for Afghanistan.

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