Desertion of presidential war duties? (Krauthammer)

South Bend Tribune ^ | September 05. 2010 6:59AM | Charles Krauthammer

[Pan_Yan]

WASHINGTON — Many have charged that President Obama's decision to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan 10 months from now is hampering our war effort. But now it's official. In a stunning statement last week, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway admitted that the July 2011 date is "probably giving our enemy sustenance."

A remarkably bold charge for an active military officer. It stops just short of suggesting aiding and abetting the enemy. Yet the observation is obvious: It is surely harder to prevail in a war that hinges on the allegiance of the locals when they hear the U.S. president talk of beginning a withdrawal that will ultimately leave them to the mercies of the Taliban.

How did Obama come to this decision? "Our Afghan policy was focused as much as anything on domestic politics," an Obama adviser at the time told The New York Times' Peter Baker. "He would not risk losing the moderate to centrist Democrats in the middle of health insurance reform and he viewed that legislation as the make-or-break legislation for his administration."

If this is true, then Obama's military leadership can only be called scandalous. During the past week, 22 Americans were killed over a four-day period in Afghanistan. This is not a place about which decisions should be made in order to placate congressmen, pass health care and thereby maintain a president's political standing. This is a place about which a president should make decisions to best succeed in the military mission he himself has set out.

But Obama sees his wartime duties as a threat to his domestic agenda. These wars are a distraction, unwanted interference with his true vocation — transforming America.

[MEG33]

God help our troops and this nation..

[pieceofthepuzzle]

To all those who voted for Obama because he was the ‘cool’ ‘hip’ choice - “That's one helluva price to pay for being stylish.”.

[bert]

The November election will not stop this tyrant.

More drastic action must be taken

[bert]

God will not help.....It’s up to you and me

[ClearCase_guy]

This country needs to wake up.

[Personal Responsibility]

Why would any country in the future agree to help us? They’d have to be insane. Like the Iranian dissidents or the Chinese dissidents. How would we ever convince them that we’d be there for them for the long haul?

Stuff like this makes the U.S. the worst friend you can have.

[Sender]

I think America is about to wander for 40 years in the desert...

[silverleaf]

Obama sees his wartime duties as a threat to his domestic agenda. These wars are a distraction, unwanted interference with his true vocation — transforming America.

What a powerful, accurate observation.
Some of us “KNEW” that obama was posturing on Afghanistan during his preelection debates with McCain. It was OBVIOUS he was clueless about military strategy and simply mouthing words to get elected. Even the garrulous oily old McCain was aghast at some of the stupid things obama said.

But EVERYONE covered for this petulant arrogant adolescent as if he was an equal, and competent to hold the office of President of the US and CinC of our military.

Elections have consequences.

[The Great RJ]

Obama has flaunted and ignored the Constitution when it suits his agenda and I have fears that in face of a major backlash in November he may do something to negate the elections or stage some type of coup rather than lose power. Fortunately the US military is loyal to the Constitution and would prevent that.

[LetMarch]

“With men this is impossible; with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I'm not sure all the troops in the world can change Afghanistan.
the Afghans themselves are moving their money out of the country by the suitcase full. WSJ reported millions of dollars move to Emirate banks every day.

[ought-six]

“God help our troops and this nation.”

Amen.

[mazda77]

You are wrong on that charge because God helps those who help themselves. Even the founders disagree with you.

[Diogenesis]

Rules of Control and Engagement of the Administration of
the Most Imperial Perfect Mullah Imam Caliph pRes_ _ent Hussein Obama.

Rule #1: If it hurts the United States of America, its people or allies .......
DO IT. DO IT AGAIN. MAKE MONEY FROM IT. BLAME BUSH.

Rule #2: See Rule #1

A majority of all combat-related U.S. casualties in the nine-year-long war in Afghanistan have occurred since President Barack Obama was inaugurated 17 months ago

[MEG33]

It seems that way...Hope November elections help slow the march to disaster down.

[freekitty]

I find Obama lacking in so many things, mainly character.

[bert]

......I’m not sure all the troops in the world can change Afghanistan.....

Change can come only when old men and their women die. Once they are gone the younger men who gain power can institute change. It is this long generational process that is endangered by the Obama chicken retreat.

The failure to engage Iran is at the root. Until the world takes on Iran, there can be no peace.

War is the answer. War with Iran is absolutely necessary.

[bert]

Calling on God to act while doing nothing is a cop out

[mazda77]

Because those funds are coming from Iran to support the Taliban and insurgent actions against our guys. That money then in turn buys weapons that are again smuggled into the country on it shared border with Iran.

Until someone with the stones to take Iran, and all of its blustering, on face to face, this crap will continue.