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Obama's Metatastic Gaffe
Insight ^ | May 23, '08 | Charles Krauthammer

Posted on 05/25/2008 5:06:18 PM PDT by T.L.Sink

Another unmistakable sign of surreal politics is when a presidential candidate makes a gaffe, then, realizing it's too egregious to take back without suffering humiliation, decides to make it a centerpiece of his foreign policy. Obama had never expounded upon the wisdom of meeting, without precondition, with Ahmadinejad, Assad, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jong II or the Castro brothers. But in the debate he was asked about doing exactly that. Unprepared, he said sure - then got fancy, declaring the Bush administration's refusal to do so not just "ridiculous" but "a disgrace." After that, there was no going back. So he doubled down. What started as a gaffe became policy. By now, it has become doctrine. Yet it remains today what it was on the day he blurted it out: an absurdity. Most of the time you don't negotiate with enemy leaders because there's nothing to negotiate. Does Obama imagine that North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela are insufficiently informed about American requirements for improved relations? There are always contacts through back channels or intermediaries. Obama pretends that while he is for such "engagement," the cowboy Republicans oppose it. Another absurdity. No one is debating the need for contacts. The debate is over the stupidity of elevating rogue states and their tyrants, easing their isolation, and increasing their leverage by granting them unconditional meetings with the president of the world's superpower.

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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; gaffe; krauthammer; obama
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Krauthammer continues, "Obama cited Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman as presidents who met with enemies. Does he know no history? Neither Roosevelt nor Truman ever met with any leaders of the Axis powers. Obama cites John Kennedy meeting Nikita Khruschev as another example of what he wants to emulate. Really? The Vienna summit of a young, inexperienced, untested American president was disastrous, emboldening Khruschev to push Kennedy on Berlin -- and then nearly fatally in Cuba, leading directly to the Cuban missile crisis. Is that the precedent Obama aspires to follow? A meeting with Ahmadinejad would not just strengthen and vindicate him at home, it would instantly and powerfully ease the mullah's isolation, inviting other world leaders to follow. What concessions does Obama imagine Ahmadinejad will make to him on Iran's nuclear program? And what new concessions will Obama offer? To abandon Lebanon? To recognize Hamas? Or perhaps to squeeze Israel? Obama keeps trying to explain. In Oregon he declared that by Soviet standards Iran and others "don't pose a serious threat to us." On the contrary, Islamic Iran is dangerously apocalyptic. Soviet Russia was not. The next day in Montana he said, "I've made it clear for years that the threat from Iran is grave." THE VERY NEXT DAY, mind you." We may be entering a new phase in the history of the American presidency: Remedial on-the-job learning.
1 posted on 05/25/2008 5:06:18 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
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To: T.L.Sink; All
the wisdom of meeting, without precondition, with Ahmadinejad, Assad, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jong II or the Castro brothers.

From National Public Radio (NPR):
"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been visiting countries such as China, Iran and Russia as part of an effort to build a 'strategic alliance' of interests not beholden to the United States. He considers the United States his arch enemy.":
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5729764

"Chavez pledged that his country would 'stay by Iran at any time and under any condition,' state television reported. Ahmadinejad said he saw in Chavez a kindred spirit." "'We do not have any limitation in cooperation,' Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. 'Iran and Venezuela are next to each other and supporters of each other. Chavez is a source of a progressive and revolutionary current in South America and his stance in restricting imperialism is tangible.'":
http://www.worldthreats.com/latin_america/Iran-Chavez%20Alliance.htm

From the Russian News and Information Agency:
"'I am determined to expand relations with Russia,' Chavez, known as an outspoken critic of what he calls the United States' unilateralism, told the Russian leader, adding that his determination stemmed from their shared vision of the global order.":
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060727/51913498.html

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html

Russia, China flex muscles in joint war games
Reuters: Aug 17, 2007

CHEBARKUL, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and China staged their biggest joint exercises on Friday but denied this show of military prowess could lead to the formation of a counterweight to NATO.

"Today's exercises are another step towards strengthening the relations between our countries, a step towards strengthening international peace and security, and first and foremost, the security of our peoples," Putin said.

Fighter jets swooped overhead, commandos jumped from helicopters on to rooftops and the boom of artillery shells shook the firing range in Russia's Ural mountains as two of the largest armies in the world were put through their paces.

The exercises take place against a backdrop of mounting rivalry between the West, and Russia and China for influence over Central Asia, a strategic region that has huge oil, gas and mineral resources.

Russia's growing assertiveness is also causing jitters in the West. Putin announced at the firing range that Russia was resuming Soviet-era sorties by its strategic bomber aircraft near NATO airspace.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29030120070817?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

U.S. Navy Intercepts Russian Bombers Flying Near Ships
Monday, February 11, 2008
WASHINGTON (Associated Press) U.S. fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers flying unusually close to an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific during the weekend, The Associated Press has learned.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330362,00.html

New Pentagon Report: China's Growing Military Space Power
By Leonard David
Special Correspondent, SPACE.com
March 6, 2008

GOLDEN, Colorado — A just-released Pentagon report spotlights a growing U.S. military concern that China is developing a multi- dimensional program to limit or prevent the use of space-based assets by its potential adversaries during times of crisis or conflict.

Furthermore, last year's successful test by China of a direct-ascent, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon to destroy its own defunct weather satellite, the report adds, underscores that country's expansion from the land, air, and sea dimensions of the traditional battlefield into the space and cyber-space domains.

Although China's commercial space program has utility for non- military research, that capability demonstrates space launch and control know-how that have direct military application. Even the Chang'e 1 — the Chinese lunar probe now circling the Moon — is flagged in the report as showcasing China's ability "to conduct complicated space maneuvers — a capability which has broad implications for military counterspace operations."

To read the entire publication [29.67MB/pdf], go to (U.S. Dept of Defense) :
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/China_Military_Report_08.pdf

"the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century" -Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the collapse of the Soviet Union...
"World democratic opinion has yet to realize the alarming implications of President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union speech on April 25, 2005, in which he said that the collapse of the Soviet Union represented the 'greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.'
http://www.hooverdigest.org/053/beichman.html

Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs

February 29, 2008 :: News
MissileThreat.com

A video has surfaced of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama talking on his plans for strategic issues such as nuclear weapons and missile defense.

The full text from the video, as released, reads as follows:

Thanks so much for the Caucus4Priorities, for the great work you've been doing. As president, I will end misguided defense policies and stand with Caucus4Priorities in fighting special interests in Washington.

First, I'll stop spending $9 billion a month in Iraq. I'm the only major candidate who opposed this war from the beginning. And as president I will end it.[i.e. not win it]

Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending.

I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.

I will not weaponize space.

I will slow our development of future combat systems.

And I will institute an independent "Defense Priorities Board" to ensure that the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending.

Third, I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons. To seek that goal, I will not develop new nuclear weapons; I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material; and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair-trigger alert, and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.

You know where I stand. I've fought for open, ethical and accountable government my entire public life. I don't switch positions or make promises that can't be kept. I don't posture on defense policy and I don't take money from federal lobbyists for powerful defense contractors. As president, my sole priority for defense spending will be protecting the American people. Thanks so much.

Article: Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs:
http://missilethreat.com/archives/id.7086/detail.asp

"MissileThreat.com is a project of The Claremont Institute devoted to understanding and promoting the requirements for the strategic defense of the United States."

_____________________________________________________________

Obama Promises to Dismantle Our Armed Forces
by Robert Maginnis
Posted 04/10/2008 ET


(Mr. Maginnis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, a national security and foreign affairs analyst for radio and television and a senior strategist with the U.S. Army)

YouTube has an undated 52-second clip of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barrack Obama outlining his plans for America’s national defense. Obama’s presentation demonstrates either total naivete about important national security programs or he is just pandering for votes among the extreme left.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25942

Note: Here is the *original* youtube video from the Obama camp:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o84PE871BE

Human Events uses this poor quality copy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

From "45 Communist Goals":
Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963:

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

'Goals' 4-45 can be found here or at many other sites through a web search for "45 goals":
http://www.uhuh.com/nwo/communism/comgoals.htm

2 posted on 05/25/2008 5:12:44 PM PDT by ETL
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To: T.L.Sink
he's used to making it up as he goes along and being praised to the skies for it. Heard excerpts of Deams of My Father read on Smerconish in Philly, and Smerconish can't get over it, as though it weren't all made up out of whole cloth ( like the Life magazine with the de-pigmenting guy)
3 posted on 05/25/2008 5:13:09 PM PDT by gusopol3
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To: gusopol3
he's used to making it up as he goes along

He's not making it up as he goes along. He's following a very specific anti-American, pro-Marxist agenda. That is, when he can correctly remember what he's been told.

4 posted on 05/25/2008 5:21:09 PM PDT by ETL
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To: ETL

well, he’s making up the cover story as he goes along


5 posted on 05/25/2008 5:25:46 PM PDT by gusopol3
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To: T.L.Sink
"Obama cited Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman as presidents who met with enemies. Does he know no history? Neither Roosevelt nor Truman ever met with any leaders of the Axis powers."

Dan Quayle was robbed.

6 posted on 05/25/2008 5:26:37 PM PDT by Mojave
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To: T.L.Sink; devolve; ntnychik; PhilDragoo; MeekOneGOP; dixiechick2000; LucyT; bitt; All; ...

7 posted on 05/25/2008 5:27:22 PM PDT by potlatch (MICHELLE OBAMA - The gift that just keeps on giving....!)
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To: T.L.Sink
Obama will achieve massive concessions in his meetings with North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela. Those massive concessions will be given by Caliph Obama.
8 posted on 05/25/2008 5:37:09 PM PDT by ricks_place
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To: T.L.Sink

I think Obama’s idiocy over the past few months are proof that he has earned nothing his entire life. It has been handed to him.


9 posted on 05/25/2008 5:40:56 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Ted Kennedy is the finest collection of hops and barley money can buy)
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To: potlatch

.

LOL!

That’s a beaut potlatch!


10 posted on 05/25/2008 5:41:58 PM PDT by devolve ( -- Remember_when_reading_threads_over_15%_of_FReeper signups_are_sleepers_or_radical_liberals!)
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To: devolve

It is very good, I got it in email!!


11 posted on 05/25/2008 5:44:16 PM PDT by potlatch (MICHELLE OBAMA - The gift that just keeps on giving....!)
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To: T.L.Sink
This guy is so scary. He would not stop until he completely destroys this country. There is nothing past or present that tells me that he has the best interests of this country in his ideology. He is the most un American, least qualified and illegitimate candidate I have ever seen in my lifetime. God help us if the muslim gets elected.
12 posted on 05/25/2008 5:50:37 PM PDT by Born In America (Will vote only for the NON-CLIMATE CHANGE CANDIDATE, irrespective of party affiliation....)
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To: T.L.Sink
Excellent and informative and refreshingly sane.

Thank you.

13 posted on 05/25/2008 5:55:18 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (The road to hell is paved with euphemisms.)
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To: Born In America
I spoke with my "democrat for life" friend in AZ last week and he is still convinced it will be Hillary. Obama is a no-way vote according to him.
14 posted on 05/25/2008 5:55:28 PM PDT by eyedigress
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To: T.L.Sink

NoBama is one big gaffe.


15 posted on 05/25/2008 6:44:04 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U
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To: T.L.Sink

Perhaps Obama can cede the extra 7 states he visited to Palestine.


16 posted on 05/25/2008 7:03:50 PM PDT by Always Right (Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?)
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To: T.L.Sink

Obama is an empty shirt. (And brain!)


17 posted on 05/25/2008 7:08:10 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: ETL

Thanks very much for all the good information. I don’t have any doubt that most concerned Americans realize that this incompetent boob will lead us to disaster. But, cynical and unjust as it seems, if we’re dumb enough to elect such a fraud we’ll deserve what we get. Too bad for the people who know better, but we all pay the price for the stupidity of a misinformed majority.


18 posted on 05/25/2008 7:20:46 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
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To: T.L.Sink

I seriously thought in ‘04 that our country was going to elect the America-hater Kerry (who by the way served in Vietnam, did you know?!), but I was so happily wrong. Please tell me there are not enough nutty people out there to actually elect this insane man, B. Hussein Obama!


19 posted on 05/25/2008 7:25:15 PM PDT by Elvina (Brainwashed nutty Earth First! leftist as a youth. Now a proud Catholic conservative.)
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To: ETL

Thanks for all that very good information. I don’t doubt that most informed Americans would reject that fraud. But, cynical as it seems, should he be elected we’ll get what we collectively deserve. It’s too bad that the informed patriots have to go down with the uninformed dopes, but that’s one of the perils of majorities calling the shots.


20 posted on 05/25/2008 7:34:48 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
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