Posted on 06/14/2016 12:32:58 PM PDT by Kaslin
resident Obama held a press briefing, updating the nation on the threat posed to us by the Islamic State. He said that first and foremost, our minds are with those who have suffered unbearable loss and grief in the wake of the Orlando attack on Sunday.
He reiterated that the victims are not alone. The American people, our allies, and friends all over the world stand with them. FBI Director James Comey updated the president on the terror investigation, saying that there is no credible evidence that a foreign terrorist organization ordered this attack, but repeated the point that the shooter was radicalized through the Internet.
He noted that ISIS has called for attacks against the United States and our allies. During the attack, the Orlando killer declared allegiance to ISIS. Obama said that his administration is doing everything it can to prevent future attacks against the homeland, but added that we’re sobered by the fact that despite the hard work of law enforcement—this could occur.
President Obama reaffirmed that our mission is to destroy ISIS. This is a difficult fight, but we’re making progress. He noted that we’ve deployed additional personnel, including Special Forces units in Syria. More advisers have been sent to Iraq to assist government forces in their fight to drive ISIS from the country. Also, more assets, like attack helicopters have been sent out into the field as well.
The president also said that B-52 bombers are hitting ISIS; targets are being identified (and being hit more quickly), and we’ve conducted over 13,000 airstrikes against ISIS forces.
He said this campaign is firing on all cylinders, with the Islamic State losing key leaders. This has added pressure on the terrorist organization, as they’ve lost 120 key military advisers and commanders.
Obama added that ISIS has continued to lose ground in Iraq, as government forces have liberated various cities in their push north along the Tigris River. As of now, they’ve lost half of the populated territory in Iraq—and ISIS’ Syrian footholds have been losing ground as well. Local forces are reportedly tightening the noose around the neck of ISIS’ capital, al-Raqqah.
He was adamant that ISIS was on the defensive, it’s been over a year since ISIS has been able to launch a successful offensive operation; they’ve been frozen from the international financial system thanks to Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew; and they’re losing millions of dollars of a month as their access to oil is cut off. ISIS cash reserves are down, they’re resorting more to extorting those who are still within their occupied territories, and some ISIS officials have been caught stealing gold and cash. Obama pointed out that it only further proves that they’re only a bunch of thugs and thieves.
ISIS’ ranks are shrinking, and their morale is low. Thanks to international efforts, the flow of foreign fighters has plummeted to its lowest levels in two-and-a-half years.
Obama added that we need to help stabilize local communities to prevent ISIS’ influence from returning. In Syria, a cessation of hostilities has commenced, which has allowed some lifesaving aid to be distributed to besieged civilians, though he added that the Assad regime is the main culprit in violating that agreement. He plans on maintaining the course of finding a political solution to the civil war. In Libya, forces of the Libyan Unity government are going after ISIS in the city of Sirte. The point on this part of the briefing was clear: if you target America, or our allies, you’ll never be safe—and ISIS is on the defensive
President Obama then went off the rails, where he used the briefing on ISIS and the Orlando attack to press Congress to confirm Adam J. Szubin Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, Department of the Treasury, whose nomination has been held up for 420 days.
He also said that we should ban assault weapons if we really wanted to help law enforcement stop homegrown extremists from attacking. He said that we should ban people on the secretive and due process-lacking no-fly lists from buying firearms, stripping their Second Amendment rights based on mere suspicion.
Obama acknowledged that we cannot prevent every tragedy, but there are common sense steps we can take to to reduce gun violence and other terror-inspired attacks who use so-called “weapons of war.”
The president said it was time to quit the political talk relating to being tough on terrorism—be tough on terrorism. Oh, and reinstate the assault weapons ban, make it harder for these terrorist to get weapons that can kill us because if it’s harder they won’t attack us, or something.
Turning to Trump and the Republicans, Obama visibly angry, hit them for criticizing his administration (Obama included) for not uttering the phrase “radical Islam” when dealing with this threat. He asked what would change if he had said it? Is there a military strategy that’s served by this? The answer is nothing would’ve changed, and no—no strategy is served by using the phrase when discussing the threat of terrorism, according to the president.
He said calling a threat by a different name doesn’t make it go away—this is a political distraction. The president noted that not once did a military adviser say we need to call it radical Islam to execute this strategy successfully.
We know who the enemy is, declared the president, as do our intelligence community, law enforcement, and the military.
Obama stressed that there’s no magic to the phrase radical Islam, despite what politicians, who tweet and appear on cable news shows, may think.
The president also said that how he addresses this threat has nothing to do with political correctness. Up until this point, most of these labels were grounded in the typical game of political partisanship. Now, this type of talk could prevent us from doing our job of protecting the American people, with Obama adding that “yapping hasn’t prevented” terrorism.
He also said that we’re starting to see where this kind of rhetoric can lead us, citing the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump’s proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from emigrating to the country.
Obama said that we hear language that singles out whole groups of people. When does this stop? He asked. This won’t make us more safe, but less. We don’t have religious tests here.
In a throwback to history, Obama said that we have acted out in fear, and we’ve come to regret it. If we allow Trumpism to win this November, and institute the policies he wants, we would betray the very things we strive to protect, the very things that make us exceptional.
Obama closed by vowing that he will not let that happen.
So, MORE strip down searches of NUNS, pacific Buddhists, Jehovah Witnesses, and gun slinging Baptists. JUST PROFILE, if someone is going around worshippin Allah with a prayer rug. Check them out.
The dominance of Trump is scaring the bejabbers out of Hussein/Hillary. The people are rising up.
How many times have we heard that? After each of the many, many terrorist attacks here on Obama's watch? And who would be crazy enough to believe him this time.
I love that graphic.
OBAMA’S SLICK LIE is that he said today: “That’s the key, they tell us: We cannot beat ISIL unless we call them radical Islamists.”
**NOBODY HAS EVER SAID THAT!!!!!!! That’s OBAMA snake oil in action!
TRUMP needs to nail him on this deception immediately. Trump just wants people to FACE the problem instead of dangerous PC-complacency and “tolerance” for Radical Islam.
Here’s OBAMA’s QUOTE from today’s speech:
-— “And let me make a final point. For a while now, the main contribution of some of my friends on the other side of the aisle have made in the fight against ISIL is to criticize the administration and me for not using the phrase “radical Islam.” That’s the key, they tell us: We cannot beat ISIL unless we call them radical Islamists.
What exactly would using this label would accomplish? What exactly would it change? Would it make ISIL less committed to try to kill Americans? Would it bring in more allies? Is there a military strategy that is served by this? The answer is none of the above. Calling a threat by a different name does not make it go away. This is a political distraction. “
This pre-convention lull in funding is killing Trump. The President has the bully pulpit and Hillary has the media there to hammer us with BS 24/7 until the convention.
I realize this is a marathon and not a sprint but that old hag is getting carried through the first few laps.
Anger is the baby step. When they feel dedicated to an outcome, there is the leap forward. Making everyone 100% agree is not the point. A situation where individuals self-dedicate to an outcome, and people are going in the same direction. Cameraderie turns it into a march, a march defines it as an army.
“We have no choice.”
Face it. Mr. Trump has a more rational and powerful bully pulpit than ‘lil Barry.
What a loser, uses a national security briefing to launch a political attack in a desperate attempt to save his legacy.
Total child.
The Child-in-Chief could only mock. He could not explain.
He cannot help himself from bashing Trump bc Trump is spot on the money. Kind of funny to watch.
I think he was off the rails with his first crybabay comments - he is soooo small. Everything is politics to this chump.
..... Someone needs to inform Skippy that with the increased terror activity and the loosening up and disregard for almost all immigration rules .... There is a simple law of nature that addresses this Terror situation that states:
...... Everything moves along the path of least resistance. The President is proving this point.
The terrorist was radicalized from the internet? His evil parents had nothing to do with it? wow Obama will never admit his religion is evil. What makes him think Americans want to support the terrorist he wants to bring here. I think Americans have forgotten our taxes pay for government, they WORK FOR US.
Can’t stand even looking at a photo of this pos let alone hear his muslim prayer voice.
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