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Last night at West Point, President Obama had a golden opportunity to demonstrate that the world’s only superpower is lead by a tough, determined, world leader, able to make difficult decisions. Instead, President Obama chose to take a hedged, triangulated position between those in America that support the war in Afghanistan and those that oppose it. There was more nuance in the President’s address than there was determination and resolve, which is unfortunate for America and for international security around the globe. There really are no good options for America and the situation in Afghanistan. Looking backwards into the rearview...

Click here to find out more! Top of the Ticket Politics and commentary, coast to coast, from the Los Angeles Times « Previous Post | Top of the Ticket Home | Next Post » Obama's revealing Afghanistan war speech: 4,582 words and not one of them was 'victory' December 2, 2009 | 3:08 am Democrat president Barack Obama waves to the crowd of Army cadets before his speech on Afghanistan at West Point 12-1-09 President Obama spoke 4,582 words in his primetime Afghanistan war speech at West Point last night. He said "al Qaeda" 22 times. He mentioned the "Taliban"...

Following are key excerpts from an article today in Der Spiegel, the weekly German magazine, entitled "Searching in Vain for the Obama Magic." The article by Der Spiegel writer, Gabor Steingart, is a scathing commentary of President Obama's Afghanistan speech at West Point on December 1, in which he announced, three months after the request, that additional troops would be sent into battle. The article does an excellent job of connecting the dots of Obama's deception and contradictions that were spread throughout the speech, in an attempt to calm his peacenik Democrat party, and to somehow appear "deserving" (a joke)...

Trying to Thread the Needle, Obama Falls between Two Stools.After dithering for her nearly 100 days, longer than was required for the initial successful invasion of Afghanistan, Obama typically exploited a photo opportunity at West Point to stage-manage the disclosure of his decision to support his hand-picked general's request for troops, but only to the extent of 75%. In doing so, Obama has antagonized the base of his party who are already upset that he is not fulfilled his pledges to openly integrate the Army with homosexuals, close Gitmo, and pull the troops out of Iraq. Rather than ending the...

...I've never seen a Commander in Chief so defensive. That defense was not aimed so much as trying to calm the Afghans (most likely not tuned in with the lack of HD TV's and satellite dishes), as it was trying to explain away his behavior to both our military, and to his own party. And to do that, Obama had to rewrite his own history back to pre-Congressional Senate days. But first, let me say this. I applaud the POTUS for sending troops, and not just acquiescing to his Michael Moore extreme left base by picking up American troops and...

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...

President Barack Obama's speech Tuesday night at West Point was loose with the facts, to put it generously. It's disgraceful that the "Commander-in-Chief" would use this important address before our Cadets of West Point to perform his usual deception, omission, blame, lack of responsibilty, and self-promotion. If Obama can't be can't be straight with the military, who can he be honest with

A cadet tells us all we want to know about Obama. It doesn't get any better than this. Vid at link

Move over, health care reform, climate change, and the economy. Judging by White House visits by various government agency heads, the Obama administration instead appears preoccupied with the re-regulation of communications, media, and the Internet. The Administration has just released logs of all visitors to the White House and Executive Office Buildings from Obama’s inauguration through August—including a staggering 47 visits by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski. By contrast, no other major agency head logged more than five visits. Chairman Genachowski obviously has an audience with those at the highest levels of power, including the President himself, but...

<p>FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin promises to limit her enthusiasm during her visit to North Carolina's Fort Bragg.</p> <p>The former Republican vice presidential candidate planned to sign copies of her new memoir at a post store Monday. Army officials say Palin will not make a speech, pose for photos, or personalize notes in the books she signs.</p>

Court turns down student over religious speechThe Associated Press Updated: 11/16/2009 09:51:39 AM MST WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a student who complained that high school officials violated her constitutional rights when they turned off her microphone during her religion-tinged graduation speech. The justices said Monday they will not revive a lawsuit filed by Brittany McComb of Henderson, Nev. challenging the actions of Clark County school officials. A federal appeals court ruled previously ruled against her. During McComb's speech at the Foothill High School graduation in 2006, officials turned off McComb's microphone when the school valedictorian strayed...

President Obama's speech in Japan was...an interesting one. He talks about North Korea, Terrorism, Green Energy, Nuclear Weapons, Treaties, Economy, Imports & Exports, Asia, Copenhagen & Himself among other things. Here are the videos. The speech comes in 4 parts.

<p>Good morning. It is a great honor to be in Tokyo — the first stop on my first visit to Asia as President. It’s good to be among so many of you – Japanese and Americans – who work every day to strengthen the bonds between our two countries, including my longtime friend and our new ambassador to Japan, John Roos.</p>

President Obama was put to the test in his first major speech as "healer-in-chief" after the Fort Hood tragedy. While eulogizing Maj. Nidal Hasan's victims, Obama had to soothe bereft families, navigate the thorny issues of Islam and terrorism, and reaffirm the American spirit, all without sounding trite. For some, he also needed to erase the memory of his first, much-criticized public remarks on the massacre. (Watch Obama's speech at Fort Hood.) While some commentators are calling the eulogy his "best speech ever," others don't agree.

Ronald Reagan's historic speech before the Berlin Wall in 1987, in which he said "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall," is one of most important speeches in world history. The Berlin Wall's falling, which came about two years later, was a victory for freedom and a crushing blow to the former Soviet Union and the tyranny of Communism around the world.

President Obama's health care speech in September was the announcement, explanation, and promotion of his health care bill, his health care plan, his proposal. There's only one problem. President Obama lied. He has no plan.

A new book reveals for the first time the drama that unfolded on election night 2008, when McCain campaign staff battled Sarah Palin over a concession speech she planned to deliver. An excerpt published in The Daily Beast includes both the victory and concession speeches Palin had prepared to give, depending on the election outcome. The McCain campaign insisted several times that she not give the speech, and even turned the lights out on her while she and her family took pictures, fearing that she would speak anyway. The revelations offer little for those looking for more inside dirt on...

Mark Levin, spoke in Washington, D.C., along with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, and actor Jon Voight, to protest government-run health care, also known as "Obamacare." Thousands of tea party protesters joined Levin, a popular radio talk show host and author, who is nicknamed "The Great One," gave a moving speech that was received with loud cheers from the excited crowd.

VIDEO: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann gave a spirited and passionate speech on November 5, in Washington, D.C., as part of a protest she organized to fight the federal government's takeover of our health care system. Joining Bachmann to fight government-run health care, also known as "Obamacare," was actor, Jon Voight, and popular radio talk show host and author, Mark Levin.

Actor Jon Voight gave a powerful and impactful speech today in Washingon, D. C. Voight, who was joining Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and thousands of citizens to protest Obamacare, gave a patriotic speech that was inspirational, blunt, and sharp in it's criticism of President Obama and his Socialist agenda. Consequently, I'm officially adding Mr. Voight to "Obama's Enemies List" today (see sidebar). Below is the video from Jon Voight's rousing and spirited speech on November 5, in the nation's capital.....

His warning about the value of freedom and danger of big government is even more relevant today!"A Time for Choosing" otherwise known as "The Speech" was delivered in a broadcast in support of Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential election. The name of the program, "Rendezvous with Destiny" marked the beginning of Reagan as a national political figure. It turned out to be Reagan's rendezvous with destiny... [VIDEO AT SITE] Full text of the speech Excerpts from "A Time for Choosing" By Ronald Reagan Broadcast October 27, 1964...No nation in history has ever survived a tax burden that reached a third of...

Forty Five years ago today (thanks for the reminder, Rush), Ronald Reagan gave the speech that changed everything. Reagan's speech, sometimes called "A Time for Choosing," or "A Rendezvous With Destiny," given during Barry Goldwater's campaign at the Republican National Convention in 1964, was part inspirational, part prophetic (see below), timeless in wisdom, and a stern warning about the government's infringement upon our freedoms.

"It’s time for President Obama to make good on his promise. The White House must stop dithering while America’s armed forces are in danger."

I recently watched a movie called “Into the Storm” which followed Sir Winston through the years before the war through the end of the war.  Towards the end of the movie, Churchill gave a speech on the radio about the perils of Socialism that I found very interesting.  Here is the text of the actual speech: My friends, I must tell you that a Socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Although it is now put forward in the main by people who have a good grounding in the Liberalism and Radicalism of the early part of...

A Christian couple in England is now at risk of losing their business after being prosecuted for debating Islam with a Muslim guest. Police arrested Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang, who run the Bounty House Hotel in Liverpool, after a Muslim woman complained that she was offended by comments made to her in March. Because the legal case is ongoing the couple cannot comment publicly. According to newspaper reports, the debate at the hotel involved discussion of whether Jesus was the son of God or just a minor prophet of Islam. Newspapers also reported the debate included comments that Mohammed was...

<p>This Tom Friedman column surprised me, but it was a pleasant surprise. Several bloggers have highlighted it, and I want to do so too, because it says some things that really need to be said—not that Obama will say them.</p>

RABAT (Reuters) – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will discuss domestic policy on Tuesday in what he termed a "secret" speech to high-ranking supporters that will not be broadcast. Gaddafi has been uncharacteristically quiet on domestic issues in recent months and Tuesday's speech will be the first time he has discussed internal policy since February. "We will meet tomorrow and the talk and the speech will be secret," he told thousands of supporters, including government officials, military and policy commanders, gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of his Free Unionists Movement on Monday. "Our meeting tomorrow will focus on our own...

I am torn by this speech. On the one hand, this was a fairly marginal speech made by the President. He did a much better job of selling the vision of the Olympic games. He certainly did a good job of telling the IOC how Chicago could benefit from the games. Yet, he was rather flat in selling the city itself. He listed off a series of individual neighborhoods like Ukranian Village and Hyde Park and he gave a short history of the city, including the great Chicago Fire that nearly burnt it down. Still, most of what he said...

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin vaulted herself onto the world stage on September 22nd, giving her first paid speech since resigning from the Alaska governor's office in July. Palin spoke to a meeting of investment fund managers in Hong Kong. While the speech was closed to the media, excepts of the 80 minute speech were made available on Sarah Palin's Facebook page. Among other important topics, Palin spoke about the role of the Federal Reserve, U.S.-China relations and her objections to the bailouts of banks and other industries by the government. Below are excerpts from Sarah Palin's speech:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered the vipers' pit called the United Nations. He stood at the podium and delivered a speech that should have shamed all who were there and those who were too cowardly to be there in person. The United Nations has allowed it's halls to be infested with thugs, liars, re-writers of history and terrorists. The United Nations allows these people to speak as though they were part of a "good will" movement. For Netanyahu to have to follow such people and end up giving a speech that will one day be a part of history was...

Who was President Obama trying to appeal to in his speech? You'll never find "a more wretched hive of scum and villainy" than some of those nations who make up the UN General Assembly. Niles Gardiner writing for the Telegraph (contrast this to the opening paragraph of this editorial in the Guardian), nails it, describing Obama's UN speech today as a display of soft power in the face of brutal enemies, thereby failing to advance American interests onto the world stage. It’s always a bad sign when a US president gets several rounds of heavy applause at the UN General...

Quite a contrast with the rogues gallery on display at the United Nations!While liars, terrorists and Jew hating psychopaths (you figure out who was who) spoke from the platform of the United Nations on Wednesday, Sarah Palin was in Hong Kong delivering a long awaited speech to Asian investors. She surprised even her critics, including the New York Times, which reported: A number of people who heard the speech in a packed hotel ballroom, which was closed to the media, said Mrs. Palin spoke from notes for 90 minutes and that she was articulate, well-prepared and even compelling. Though the...

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – France on Wednesday led a walkout of a dozen delegations, including the United States, to protest a fiery speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the UN General Assembly. "It is disappointing that Mr Ahmadinejad has once again chosen to espouse hateful, offensive and anti-Semitic rhetoric," Mark Kornblau, spokesman to the US mission to the United Nations, said in a statement. Delegations from Argentina, Australia, Britain, Costa Rica, Denmark, France Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand and the United States left the room as Ahmadinejad began to rail against Israel, a European source said. Israel had already...

In his U.N. speech today, Moammar Gaddafi called Barack Obama,"our son" and "our Obama," and said, "The election of Obama is the beginning of change." Gaddafi also said, "We are content and happy if Obama can stay forever as the president." It doesn't get any better than having a despot endorse you in front of a world audience. Nice going, President Obama.

Earlier today, I was mildly critical of the suggestion that President Obama is our worst president ever when it comes to foreign policy. I noted, however, that Obama certainly has the potential to earn that distinction. Today, that potential was fully on display before the assembled thugs and hypocrites that make up the U.N. General Assembly. At the risk of offending my own prejudice against categorical assertions of "worst president" status, I will venture that no American president, and probably no world leader, has ever poured more nonsense into one speech. The worst of it, in my view. is contained...

I’m certain Jim will have commentary tomorrow, but here is the full text and video from President Obama’s speech to the United Nations today. I’ve listened to the first half hour of Limbaugh’s break-down … conservatives will not be thrilled, nor will those who believe the United States is the greatest country in the world.

From President Obama's UN speech today: I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. A part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies and a belief on, on certain critical issues, America had acted unilaterally without regard for the interests of others. And this is has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism which, too often, has served as an excuse for collective inaction. ~~~ After all, it is easy to walk up to this podium...

<p>HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Sarah Palin, former U.S. Republican vice-presidential nominee, addressed a packed ballroom of mostly high-flying fund managers at a five-star hotel in Hong Kong Wednesday -- on issues ranging from the Alaskan fishing industry to the financial crisis to Sino-U.S. relations.</p>

In this week’s address, Pres. Obama talks about the need for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and discusses next week’s G-20 economic summit of world leaders in Pittsburgh. Click the link to watch the video

Obama doesn’t lie. He merely elides, gliding from one dubious assertion to another. This has been the story throughout his whole health care crusade. Its original premise was that our current financial crisis was rooted in neglect of three things — energy, education and health care. That transparent attempt to exploit Emanuel’s Law — a crisis is a terrible thing to waste —

President's speech writers appear to have been informed by erroneous media reports, including an article on Slate.com, about a man who was dropped from his insurance plan and later died. President Barack Obama, seeking to make a case for health-insurance regulation, told a poignant story to a joint session of Congress last week. An Illinois man getting chemotherapy was dropped from his insurance plan when his insurer discovered an unreported gallstone the patient hadn't known about. "They delayed his treatment, and he died because of it," the president said in the nationally televised address. In fact, the man, Otto S....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2009 Remarks of President Barack Obama's Prepared for Delivery AFL-CIO National Convention Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania September 15, 2009 You know, the White House is pretty nice, but there's nothing like being back in the House of Labor. Let me begin by recognizing a man who came to Washington to fight for the working men and women of Pennsylvania and who has a distinguished record doing just that, Arlen Specter. I also want to give my thanks, and the thanks of our nation, to one of the great labor leaders of our time, a man whose entire...

Just heard it @ the top of the hour. Will try to confirm with source. Can anyone validate?

It's getting to the point where it makes little sense to listen to the President speak. He speaks in broad generalities about laws and regulations he wants to enact. Often the generalities are such that they are difficult to argue with in the manner he presents them. For example, he says he wants to protect against future crises, like the kind we have now. Well yeah, who wouldn't? But the devil is in the details, which the president never discusses. Yet, he has added a master "nudger", i.e. detail man, who thinks he knows more about how people should eat,...

Whoa. Amateur night at the White House. The White House is billing the President's mid-day speech today at Federal Hall in the belly of Wall Street as a "major" speech on financial reform. PR 101 says if you are president, you never give a major financial speech while the markets are open. If you say one thing that is negative for stocks, or misinterpreted as being negative toward stocks, the market starts to tank as the speech goes on, and that will be the headline. Financial speeches should always be delivered at 6:00 PM or later.

President Barry Soetoro will claim today to that he has pulled the Economy back from the brink. A claim that he and his administration has been making since July 11, 2009. So he won't be saying anything new today. He's just attempting to stave off critics of his failed economic policies. In fact it is same old talking points that he's been using since July. You want to know what he's going to say later today? Take a look below at this weekly address it'll be approximately the same minus the brief foreign affairs business at the beginning. (see 7:57min...

...Thank the NEA for the state of affairs in education. For more on that matter, you can read Charlotte Iserbyt’s book “The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America” free over at http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/ I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. For me, it just further confirms my suspicions that public education tends to amount to little more than ideological puppy farms, where at the end of at least 12 years of schooling, kids can’t really read, but they know well the progressive party line (envirowhackoism, white guilt, gay supremacy, and Marx is god, and Obama is his prophet). Seriously. When instructors feel...

Is this the same man who promised a new era of bipartisanship and working with both sides to solve problems?That was just another of his LIES! On a day when hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in Washington, DC to demand their voices be heard, Obama was in Minnesota. The first 48 seconds are all you need to hear: [VIDEO AT SITE] OBAMA: "They can't stop us." Who is "they?" Seems to me his biggest obstacle in his overreaching bid for a government takeover of health care are members of his own party! This speech is another demonstration of the...

WASHINGTON (September 12, 2009)--President Barack Obama will hold a Presidential Forum on community service on Oct. 16 hosted by former President George H.W. Bush and the Points of Light Institute at the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the campus of Texas A&M University. The event builds upon President Obama's "United We Serve" call to service challenging all Americans to help lay a new foundation for growth in this country by engaging in sustained, meaningful community service. It will also celebrate the contributions of more than 4,500 Daily Point of Light award winners and honor President Bush's legacy of service...

Joe Wilson's Lies......... No not that Joe