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The Mystery behind ‘Obama’s Wars’
The US Report ^ | Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 1:43PM | Kay B. Day

Posted on 10/12/2010 11:33:54 AM PDT by ryan71

Everybody loves a good mystery, so Robert Woodward’s new book ‘Obama’s Wars’ should be a big hit. “Wait,” you may say. “I thought this was a factual account of the deep division in the Obama administration over Afghanistan war policy.” You would be correct, and it is well documented, detailed, and devastating.

But, what is the mystery?

The title. Yes, the title says ‘Wars’ but it is really about just one war, Afghanistan, and specifically about the decision to increase troop levels—the surge. So why did Woodward call it ‘Wars’?

The book reveals a wide chasm between the core of the Obama administration and the Pentagon, a rift that is much more serious than previously disclosed. It also reveals a President lacking in leadership, in over his head, squeezed between his political impulses and a sobering reality. In many ways, Obama makes former president Jimmy Carter look like a genius

(Excerpt) Read more at theusreport.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 10/12/2010 11:33:55 AM PDT by ryan71
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To: ryan71
The news media seems to be ignoring we are losing more troops in Afghanistan than we were a few years ago.
It's a none story for them.

I think there is a lot of questions we should be asking ourselves. Obviously what we are doing is wrong.

Pray for our soldiers.

2 posted on 10/12/2010 11:41:15 AM PDT by cruise_missile
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To: ryan71

In many ways, Obama makes former president Jimmy Carter look like a genius


Geeeez, we’re in trouble.


3 posted on 10/12/2010 11:42:02 AM PDT by DontTreadOnMe2009 (So stop treading on me already!)
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To: ryan71

Robert Woodward? Is that Bob Woodward’s real name? In the 37 years since he became famous because of his Watergate stories, that may be the first time I’ve seen him referred to as Robert.


4 posted on 10/12/2010 11:44:50 AM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: ryan71

The biggest mystery is what caused Woodward to go after a Democrat President?


5 posted on 10/12/2010 11:48:37 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: ryan71
Image and video hosting by TinyPic <

I'm not a real general. I'm much better at dealing with the economy. At least TOTUS tells me so.

6 posted on 10/12/2010 11:52:47 AM PDT by newheart (History is an outbreak of madness--Ellul)
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To: ryan71

I just finished it and am still digesting a great deal of it. It really bothers me that we are seeing so many highly placed people jumping ship, and true to character, Premier Hussein is keeping his inner circle as intact as he can, and has no intention of trying to play nice with either the Pentagon or the Republicans. The people who got him elected are leaving with little more than an “AMF, YOYO”...

It is very clear from Woodward’s book that Hussein’s single biggest objective in Afghanistan is to get out as quickly as he can. There is a major review of the entire effort coming up this December, and look for that review to be Hussein’s excuse to cut and run from Afghanistan next June.

The other troubling problem that Woodward documents is how intractable the Pakistani Government is. They are so focused on India as their mortal enemy that they are blind to the activities of their own intelligence service who are openly supporting and enabling the Taliban.

God help us all when the terrorists finally find someone competent...


7 posted on 10/12/2010 11:55:02 AM PDT by Bean Counter (Now what kind of a geroo are you anyway?)
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To: newheart

“I’m not a real general.”

....but I play one on TV and get to stay at my own personal Holiday Inn 24/7 X 365.


8 posted on 10/12/2010 11:55:34 AM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
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To: Bean Counter

the only one left in the bam’s inner circle out of the three is Jarrett and she’s been labelled “the other half of his brain” (TIME Magazine)


9 posted on 10/12/2010 12:04:29 PM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT (No more oil change for you and no more TIME Magazine covers =^..^=)
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To: Bean Counter

the only one left in the bam’s inner circle out of the three is Jarrett and she’s been labelled “the other half of his brain” (TIME Magazine)


10 posted on 10/12/2010 12:04:58 PM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT (No more oil change for you and no more TIME Magazine covers =^..^=)
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To: ryan71
Obama makes former president Jimmy Carter look like a genius

Ouch! Thats assault with a deadly weapon!.

11 posted on 10/12/2010 12:29:14 PM PDT by Paradox (Democrats new Motto: Vini, Vidi, Lewinski!)
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To: cruise_missile
I think Afghan losses during Obama 20 months are bigger than during all previous years combined. Yet, nothing from the media or antiwar activists. No reading names, no littering lawns with caskets, no nothing.
12 posted on 10/12/2010 12:34:17 PM PDT by alecqss
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To: Bean Counter

So it’s readable? I was considering it the other day, but it sounded like it was going to be propaganda.


13 posted on 10/12/2010 12:56:37 PM PDT by Darth Reardon (Some politely call me free)
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To: Darth Reardon

It’s actually quite a good read.

The interesting thing is that Woodward seems very focused on capturing the internal struggles between the generals, Obama’s staff, and Obama. He does it well, but without realizing how weak, cynical and shallow it makes the Obama side look in comparison to the flawed, conflicted and very genuine heroes on the military side.

It’s almost made worse by Woodward’s style, which observes from multiple sides to get answers and perspective. It inadvertently illustrates how two-faced the Obama crew is. There are some good insights into how systemically broken the Pentagon bureaucracy is.

Even though it’s not his intention, you can’t help but feel like the entire military / political system has fallen apart, except for a few real, semi-rogue players.

Obama, even through somewhat kid glove coverage, comes across as a self-centered fool who pretends at thoughtful introspection, but fails to do more than endlessly analyze and ponder. He views Afghanistan as nothing more than a loose end that could unravel him politically. He is situationally clever, but has zero ability to think strategically. His ability to take complicated situations and puzzle out solutions is non-existent. It’s rather astonishing. He’s completely out of his league.


14 posted on 10/12/2010 2:05:09 PM PDT by Steel Wolf ("There are moderate Muslims, but Islam itself is not moderate." - Ibn Warraq)
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To: Steel Wolf

Thanks. I figured it would be the story of the noble Obama, as the oceans recede, valiantly struggling to end all war, beginning with an illegal, immoral, racist, sexist, etcist* conflict started by George Bush’s master and brain Dick Cheney to make his oil buddies rich, all the while surrounded by incompetent military-industrial-complex, evil, foolish, ickypoo generals who just can not understand HIS brilliance and honor.

* I think I just invented that word.


15 posted on 10/12/2010 2:22:28 PM PDT by Darth Reardon (Some politely call me free)
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To: Paradox

About a year ago Don Imus was talking about some statement Obama had made. One of the best5 lines I’ve ever heard came from Imus;

“He’s not just stupid. He’s Jimmy Carter stupid.”


16 posted on 10/12/2010 2:57:36 PM PDT by maine yankee
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To: Darth Reardon

It is very readable, and I think it gives some important insight into just how this crew operates. I get no comfort whatsoever from knowing it is Axelrod, Gates and Donilon now advising the President on just about everything.


17 posted on 10/12/2010 5:02:32 PM PDT by Bean Counter (Now what kind of a geroo are you anyway?)
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To: ryan71

“In many ways, Obama makes former president Jimmy Carter look like a genius”

My sig for a big chunk of 2008 and into 2009:

“Obama: Carter’s only chance to avoid going down in history as the worst U.S. president ever.”

I hate being proven right, but there it is.


18 posted on 10/12/2010 8:10:46 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (No Representation without Taxation!)
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