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This Is Why I Voted For Him
Topic Started: Dec 1 2009, 05:45 PM (813 Views)
QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
George K
Dec 1 2009, 07:05 PM
QuirtEvans
Dec 1 2009, 05:45 PM
"The President made the right decision to have a properly resourced counter-insurgency strategy. I support it. I believe that the additional 30,000 troops and the additional NATO troops are sufficient to get the job done, and I hope that Republicans and Democrats support it."
The rest of the quote:

Quote:
 
What I do not support, and what concerns me greatly, is the President’s decision to set an arbitrary date to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan. A date for withdrawal sends exactly the wrong message to both our friends and our enemies – in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the entire region – all of whom currently doubt whether America is committed to winning this war. A withdrawal date only emboldens Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, while dispiriting our Afghan partners and making it less likely that they will risk their lives to take our side in this fight.

“Success is the real exit strategy. When we have achieved our goals in Afghanistan, our troops should begin to return home with honor, but that withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground, not arbitrary deadlines. In the days ahead, I will seek to address this and other questions I have about the President’s policy, including my continuing concern about the civilian aspect of our strategy."
Emphasis mine.
I agree with that part, too.

The additional part that you didn't quote (and I didn't jot down) said that he wholeheartedly supports benchmarks that aren't tied to a date certain. And I agree with that, too.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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George K
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Finally
QuirtEvans
Dec 1 2009, 07:20 PM
The additional part that you didn't quote (and I didn't jot down) said that he wholeheartedly supports benchmarks that aren't tied to a date certain. And I agree with that, too.
The full text of Sen. McCain's comments:
Quote:
 
“The President has made the right decision to embrace a counterinsurgency strategy for Afghanistan and to resource it properly. I think the 30,000 additional U.S. troops that will deploy as part of this mission, plus greater allied commitments, will enable us to reverse the momentum of the insurgency and create the conditions for success in Afghanistan. I support the President’s decision, and I think it deserves the support of all Americans, both Republicans and Democrats.

“What I do not support, and what concerns me greatly, is the President’s decision to set an arbitrary date to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan. A date for withdrawal sends exactly the wrong message to both our friends and our enemies – in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the entire region – all of whom currently doubt whether America is committed to winning this war. A withdrawal date only emboldens Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, while dispiriting our Afghan partners and making it less likely that they will risk their lives to take our side in this fight.

“Success is the real exit strategy. When we have achieved our goals in Afghanistan, our troops should begin to return home with honor, but that withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground, not arbitrary deadlines. In the days ahead, I will seek to address this and other questions I have about the President’s policy, including my continuing concern about the civilian aspect of our strategy.

“The past months of delay were extended and unnecessary, but that is now behind us. Our focus going forward must be on winning the war in Afghanistan. The nature of our commitment to the success of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and their region will change over time, but our commitment must remain enduring.

“We now have an opportunity to build a bipartisan consensus in support of a vital national security priority: defeating Al-Qaeda and its violent extremist allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and ensuring that these countries never again serve as bases for terrorist attacks against America and our allies. Americans need to know why winning this war is absolutely essential to our country’s security. They need to know that things in Afghanistan will get worse before they get better, that casualties will likely go up in the year to come, but ultimately we will succeed.

“America’s fortunes in Afghanistan will rely heavily on the dependable courage and resourcefulness of our fighting men and women. The hour is late and the task immense. But we are in capable hands. For that, and so many other things, we are indebted to our troops beyond measure. May God bless them and keep them safe.”

What part about benchmarks did I not quote?
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George K
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Finally
Oh, and there's this comment from the President in tonight's speech:
Quote:
 
When I took office, we had just over 32,000 Americans serving in Afghanistan, compared to 160,000 in Iraq at the peak of the war. Commanders in Afghanistan repeatedly asked for support to deal with the reemergence of the Taliban, but these reinforcements did not arrive.

I, for one, am not aware of "repeated requests for support" coming from commanders in Afghanistan, and I am not aware of the failure of those reinforcements to arrive.

Can someone point me to a link that validates that statement?
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
George K
Dec 1 2009, 07:27 PM
QuirtEvans
Dec 1 2009, 07:20 PM
The additional part that you didn't quote (and I didn't jot down) said that he wholeheartedly supports benchmarks that aren't tied to a date certain. And I agree with that, too.
The full text of Sen. McCain's comments:
Quote:
 
“The President has made the right decision to embrace a counterinsurgency strategy for Afghanistan and to resource it properly. I think the 30,000 additional U.S. troops that will deploy as part of this mission, plus greater allied commitments, will enable us to reverse the momentum of the insurgency and create the conditions for success in Afghanistan. I support the President’s decision, and I think it deserves the support of all Americans, both Republicans and Democrats.

“What I do not support, and what concerns me greatly, is the President’s decision to set an arbitrary date to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan. A date for withdrawal sends exactly the wrong message to both our friends and our enemies – in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the entire region – all of whom currently doubt whether America is committed to winning this war. A withdrawal date only emboldens Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, while dispiriting our Afghan partners and making it less likely that they will risk their lives to take our side in this fight.

“Success is the real exit strategy. When we have achieved our goals in Afghanistan, our troops should begin to return home with honor, but that withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground, not arbitrary deadlines. In the days ahead, I will seek to address this and other questions I have about the President’s policy, including my continuing concern about the civilian aspect of our strategy.

“The past months of delay were extended and unnecessary, but that is now behind us. Our focus going forward must be on winning the war in Afghanistan. The nature of our commitment to the success of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and their region will change over time, but our commitment must remain enduring.

“We now have an opportunity to build a bipartisan consensus in support of a vital national security priority: defeating Al-Qaeda and its violent extremist allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and ensuring that these countries never again serve as bases for terrorist attacks against America and our allies. Americans need to know why winning this war is absolutely essential to our country’s security. They need to know that things in Afghanistan will get worse before they get better, that casualties will likely go up in the year to come, but ultimately we will succeed.

“America’s fortunes in Afghanistan will rely heavily on the dependable courage and resourcefulness of our fighting men and women. The hour is late and the task immense. But we are in capable hands. For that, and so many other things, we are indebted to our troops beyond measure. May God bless them and keep them safe.”

What part about benchmarks did I not quote?
As I said, I was not quoting his official statement. I was quoting him talking to Katie Couric ... I watched him on CBS, after the speech, live. He very specifically mentioned, in talking to her, that he is a strong supporter of the concept of benchmarks.

Since I am not his communications director, I cannot tell you why the official remarks didn't include that, or why he said it to Katie if it wasn't in the official remarks.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Piano*Dad
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Bull-Carp
Some might find this amusing. Others may find it infuriating.

Telnaes Cartoon
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
That was funny.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Yeah, that was pretty good.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Axtremus
Dec 1 2009, 06:38 PM
JBryan
Dec 1 2009, 06:36 PM
What does it say to our enemies? What does it say to our friends?
What does it say to the American people?
His election?

That you can fool most of the people, most of the time.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Copper
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Shortstop
George K
Dec 1 2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:
 
withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground, not arbitrary deadlines.

Emphasis mine.

OK, that seems obvious.

So why did Mr. Obama establish the deadline?

Any reason having to do with military strategy or just plain politics?
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Something familiar
Something peculiar
Something for everyone
Obamaspeak today!
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Piano*Dad
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Bull-Carp
Just plain politics.

But you know, politics is sometimes the art of the doable. Always condemning someone for political motives is often self-defeating. Being 'above politics' is frequently the tactic of those who never accomplish anything of substance.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
It is politics to be sure. But it could have benefits other than in domestic politics. Stay tuned.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Larry
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
Tonight was the Christmas parade in my little town. And of course, where there's a small town Christmas parade, there are military vets marching in the parade, showing off the National Guard vehicles, passing out candy, etc.

After the parade the vets got together for a little while. I got to talk to several guys who will be shipping out in late January. Obama's speech? No one gave a damn about listening to it. The attitude was, he's my commander in Chief, if he tells me to do something I'll do it. But I do not respect the man, and if he gives a pullout deadline like we think he's going to do, he just made our job ten times harder, and ten times more dangerous.

Obama is a clown. He pops up after months and MONTHS of our troops waiting for a decision while they sat like fish in a barrel, and gives less than is needed and ties it to a surrender date, and we're supposed to think this man is worthy of our praise?

Sorry. Not me. He can go straight to hell.

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Larry
Dec 1 2009, 08:33 PM
gives less than is needed
Sorry, but I have to respond to this.

The commanders asked for 40K. He gave them 30K.

But he also changed the mission. Now, it isn't to defeat the Taliban ... it's to prepare the Afghan army to take over. And it's limited to the more populated areas ... the rural areas are out.

With the changes in the mission, the military leaders are satisfied that they got what they needed. So's McCain, who would never support the President if he thought the President was short-changing the military.

You're wrong on this particular point. Flat wrong.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Piano*Dad
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Bull-Carp
.... and I thought you were going to take on this point ...

Quote:
 
Sorry. Not me. He can go straight to hell.


:lol2:
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Another stake in the heart of Larry's point ...

Duncan Hunter, a former Marine, nobody's idea of a liberal, just said this on CNN:

"He is giving General McChrystal what he needs."

(Hunter also disagrees with the timetable, but then, so do I.)
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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VPG
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Pisa-Carp
Does any one other than me think Chris Mathews is nuts?
Forgetting his extream left wing cheer leading, that I understand. But the things he say's are weird. Like that "enemy camp" line above.
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
Obama's in a pretty unenviable position - He's got to try and avoid his own party from revolting but doing what he knows needs doing from what the army are telling him. He's also got to try and keep the Republican peanut gallery from making too much capital out of the situation.

I don't think his solution is all that bad, all things considered.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
VPG
Dec 2 2009, 06:50 AM
Does any one other than me think Chris Mathews is nuts?
He's as sane as Glenn Beck.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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VPG
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Pisa-Carp
John D'Oh
Dec 2 2009, 06:52 AM
VPG
Dec 2 2009, 06:50 AM
Does any one other than me think Chris Mathews is nuts?
He's as sane as Glenn Beck.
That's sort of my point. There are people "on air" that are nuts.
Beck is also nut's, but he draws a huge audience. So I can understand his higher ups putting up with him. But Mathews draws 12 people a night to his show. You would think some one above him would drop him before he say's something like the guy from the movie Broadcast.
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
QuirtEvans
Dec 2 2009, 05:21 AM
Larry
Dec 1 2009, 08:33 PM
gives less than is needed
Sorry, but I have to respond to this.

The commanders asked for 40K. He gave them 30K.

But he also changed the mission. Now, it isn't to defeat the Taliban ... it's to prepare the Afghan army to take over. And it's limited to the more populated areas ... the rural areas are out.

With the changes in the mission, the military leaders are satisfied that they got what they needed. So's McCain, who would never support the President if he thought the President was short-changing the military.
I hope this subtle "change in the mission" doesn't lead to ultimate failure (say, Taliban control in 2015 and invitations out to everyone needing to set up a terrorist training camp).

I hope that, as McCrystal noted, the pull out date can always be extended later on if warranted.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
VPG
Dec 2 2009, 07:12 AM
John D'Oh
Dec 2 2009, 06:52 AM
VPG
Dec 2 2009, 06:50 AM
Does any one other than me think Chris Mathews is nuts?
He's as sane as Glenn Beck.
That's sort of my point. There are people "on air" that are nuts.
Beck is also nut's, but he draws a huge audience. So I can understand his higher ups putting up with him. But Mathews draws 12 people a night to his show. You would think some one above him would drop him before he say's something like the guy from the movie Broadcast.
I hate the lot of them. I wish someone would drop bombs on talk-radio and TV poltical commentary personalities until they shut up.

Note to any government agents etc: I don't really mean they should have bombs dropped on them - this is a joke. I'd actually prefer mustard gas since it would be possible to broadcast that on YouTube.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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George K
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Finally
Posted Image
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Free Rider
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Fulla-Carp
VPG
Dec 2 2009, 06:50 AM
Does any one other than me think Chris Mathews is nuts?
Forgetting his extream left wing cheer leading, that I understand. But the things he say's are weird. Like that "enemy camp" line above.
I dislike Chris Matthews... He talks way too fast, mumbles like he's choking on his own spit, and interrupts the people he invites on his show before they can make a point. He's annoying as hell to watch.

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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
And he gets a stiffie for Obama. That's teh ghey.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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