Posted on 02/25/2009 3:45:29 AM PST by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53223
President Says Budget Signifies New Way Forward for Defense
By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2009 – Americans are not quitters, and the country can overcome the difficulties facing it, President Barack Obama said tonight in his first speech before a joint session of Congress.
In a speech mainly dedicated to the economic crisis facing the world, the president also honored the nation's men and women in uniform, vowing to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps, raise military pay and provide the medical care veterans deserve.
While not formally a State of the Union Address, the speech had all the trappings. Servicemembers and veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were among the guests sitting with first lady Michelle Obama.
The troops received a standing ovation from both houses of Congress when the president said Americans are united in sending them one message: “We honor your service, we are inspired by your sacrifice and you have our unyielding support.”
Obama vowed that the budget he will send to Congress in the next few days would include the full cost of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. “For seven years, we have been a nation at war. No longer will we hide its price,” he said.
"We are now carefully reviewing our policies in both wars, and I will soon announce a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war," Obama said.
He also noted some of the choices that must be made in that budget. “We'll eliminate the no-bid contracts that have wasted billions in Iraq, and reform our defense budget so that we're not paying for Cold War-era weapons systems we don’t use,” he said.
Obama mentioned the strategic reviews of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he will soon announce the results of the review of the Iraq conflict and will soon announce a way forward “that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war.”
The president also said that his administration will consult with friends and allies to “forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat al-Qaida and combat extremism. Because I will not allow terrorists to plot against the American people from safe havens half a world away.”
The budget will also contain money to reduce the strain on the military – particularly the Army and Marine Corps. The budget calls for more soldiers and Marines. “And to keep our sacred trust with those who serve, we will raise their pay, and give our veterans the expanded health care and benefits that they have earned,” he said.
American values are the country’s best weapons, Obama said. “There is no force in the world more powerful than the example of America," he said. “That is why I have ordered the closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and will seek swift and certain justice for captured terrorists.
"Because living our values doesn’t make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger," he explained. "And that is why I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture. We can make that commitment here tonight.”
America will reach out to allies and friends in the weeks and months ahead, Obama said.
“We know that America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America,” he said. “We cannot shun the negotiating table, nor ignore the foes or forces that could do us harm. We are instead called to move forward with the sense of confidence and candor that serious times demand.”
Obama promised progress in securing a peace between Israel and its neighbors and he promised to be vigilant against the new threats of this new century. He said the country must be prepared to take on terrorism and guard against pandemic disease and cyber threats. The United States must also address the crushing poverty that is often the root cause of extremism.
“To meet the challenges of the 21st century – from terrorism to nuclear proliferation; from pandemic disease to cyber threats to crushing poverty – we will strengthen old alliances, forge new ones, and use all elements of our national power. We will strengthen old alliances, forge new ones and use all elements of our national power,” he said.
The budget he will submit is more than simply numbers on a page or laundry lists of programs. “I see this document differently. I see it as a vision for America – as a blueprint for our future,” he said.
Snippet from post no. 1:
“The United States must also address the crushing poverty that is often the root cause of extremism.”
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Previously...
Note: The following post is a quote:
Address ‘Root Causes’ of Terrorism, Muslim Envoys Urge Obama
CNS NEWS.com ^ | Thursday, February 05, 2009 | Patrick Goodenough
Posted on February 5, 2009 5:35:54 PM PST by Cindy
SNIPPET: “In an open letter to the president coinciding with his inauguration, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) attributed terrorism to “deprivation, poverty, despair and, most importantly, political injustice.”
“The decades-long suffering of the Palestinian people provides only the most recent and potent illustration of the link between oppression, injustice, and violence,” said the OIC, calling for “an urgent and just remedy.”
Abdul Aziz al-Tuwaijri, head of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a Morocco-based body established by the OIC, wants Obama to take a new approach with regard to what he calls Islam’s “just causes.”
“Will America be a friend to the Arab and Muslim nation, which suffers from many problems as a result of imbalance of international justice scale, and America’s silence towards the crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Palestine and by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan?” he asked in a recent article.”
SNIPPET: “But Turkey’s outspoken condemnation of Israel’s recent offensive against Hamas and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s clash with Israeli President Shimon Peres at Davos – U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell canceled a visit to Turkey shortly afterwards – would make it a controversial choice.
Nonetheless, Turkey made be trying to prod Obama along. The president plans to be in Europe in the first week of April – for a G20 summit on the financial crisis in London and a NATO summit co-hosted by France and Germany. Turkey has invited him to attend an “Alliance of Civilizations” event, due to take place in Istanbul that same week.
Other venues have their champions. An online campaign has been launched aimed at encouraging Obama to make his speech in Morocco.”
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2179374/posts
"The budget he will submit is more than simply numbers on a page or laundry lists of programs. “I see this document differently. I see it as a vision for America – as a blueprint for our future,” he said."
Secret decoder ring message to liberals: We're FINALLY getting rid of Halliburton, and we're taking away those icky, barbaric guns from the soldiers so that crime in Los Angeles "caused by assault weapons" will finally go away.
He is going to gut military spending. I wouldn’t be surprised if he opens VA hospitals to people who pretend they were in the military.
Obamas “new way forward” was exactly as Clintons. Gut the US military till it resembles a unarmed UN peacekeeping force to pay for your money down the drain social programs and proudly claim you balanced the budget. Then when American is attacked repeatedly by its embolden enemies, pull a liberal and blame yourselves and/or fire cruise missiles that doesn’t hit anything because it makes you appear to be responding, but not too “militaristic”. Never appear to be using a disproportionate use of force. That can hurt your enemy’s feelings and the mainstream media and UN won’t like it either.
LLS
Nah. When he talks about not paying for “Cold War” weapons, he means scrapping nearly all our nuclear arsenal, bomber fleet, and other heavy weapons that are essential to our security. Sorry to burst his bubble, but future wars will not be won exclusively by UAVs or information technology—you need firepower and the means to deliver it.
But only the firepower built by union labor, dontcha know?
“unyielding support” Yeah,right!!!!
His pay as you go talk the other day explains how the gutting of the military budget will occur. Any new liberal spending plans will be paid for by cutting,uh,lets see,oh yeah,all that waste in the military.
I really don’t care who builds it, as long as its in place. Lofty speeches and Hillary-diplomacy ain’t gonna do it for us either.
“In a speech mainly dedicated to the economic crisis facing the world, the president also honored the nation’s men and women in uniform, vowing to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps, raise military pay and provide the medical care veterans deserve.”
787 Billion in stimulus money. How much of that went for Veterans coming home to get job training, education, medical, home assistance?
Want to do something for the Veterans? Foreclose on all those homes the flippers lost and give them to veterans at 10 cents on the dollar.
A lot of Obama's promises are lies, but I am afraid he is telling the truth abut cutting military spending. That was one of the key reasons I very, very reluctantly voted for McCain.
I was just recalling some of the defense projects kept by the Clintons. The decision of what is built and what is scrapped should be based on projected need... rather than who builds it.
Deserves repeating:
“787 Billion in stimulus money. How much of that went for Veterans coming home to get job training, education, medical, home assistance?
Want to do something for the Veterans? Foreclose on all those homes the flippers lost and give them to veterans at 10 cents on the dollar.”
How much of that went for Veterans coming home to get job training, education, medical, home assistance?
Before you flame me, I am a veteran myself (retired AF). The one thing I will gripe about is that the VA Medical System is AWOL for some vets. I am dead last on the priority list, which means I get no care. Right now, I am in good health covered thru Tricare and work, so I don’t need it. And, if resources are limited, its best that it goes to veterans who really need the care. However, I’m sure there are some veterans who do need care that aren’t getting it due to their priority.
A new hand written constitution?
No Thanks, the original works just fine!
ditto, back to the top!
“Before you flame me, I am a veteran myself (retired AF). “
I am not going to flame you. AF Vet myself. I am just PO’d at what Senator Feinstein’s husband was allowed to get away with in regards to the VA hospitals.
Plus I think that our vets should get the royal treatment. They deserve it more than anyone.
Plus I think that our vets should get the royal treatment. They deserve it more than anyone.
Despite O’s rhetoric, I believe the day will soon come when they start cutting veterans pensions as unaffordable—due to the outstanding bills on all this new pork spending.
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