Is the President actually taking on the National Security State?

[TomClash]

I have been quite critical, but look what's happening lately - a lot of positives here. Let's hope we stay away from war with Iran.

U.S. Officials Holding Secret Talks With the Taliban in Qatar

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/31/u-s-officials-holding-secret-talks-with-the-taliban-in-qatar.html

Obama’s War-Ending Promise Kept as Voters Pay Little Attention (Iraq)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-04/obama-s-war-ending-promise-kept-as-voters-pay-little-attention.html

Overtures to Egypt’s Islamists Reverse Longtime U.S. Policy (Muslim Brotherhood)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/world/middleeast/us-reverses-policy-in-reaching-out-to-muslim-brotherhood.html?_r=3

Obama Unveils Plan for Leaner, Cheaper Military

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/05/politics/pentagon-strategy-shift/?hpt=hp_c1

10,000 U.S. troops leave Afghanistan as planned

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/troops+leave+Afghanistan+planned/5905154/story.html

Iran, West say ready to resume nuclear talks

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/05/us-iran-turkey-ministers-idUSTRE8041NJ20120105

[gateley]

1. Is it feasible/justified there might be a war w/Iran? I know they've been blowing smoke,

but is there any there there, or is it just something the Republicans are banging the drum about?

Thanks.

[TomClash]

7. It's possible but stupid

I think he might actually be trying to avoid war under the cloud of bellicose rhetoric from both sides.

[gateley]

13. Just wondered if they would actually attack us -- or if they're even at that

capability yet. Or attack Israel.

The R candidates are talking this up -- sounds like they're rarin' to go!

I don't think Obama would engage in another war unless it was a direct threat. If a Republican were in the WH, I'd be scared to death!

Thanks!!

[frylock]

2. what, by signing NDAA?!

[Vattel]

3. Obviously he is not taking on the national security state.

But I do suspect that Obama wants to get us pretty much out of Afghanistan by 2014, and I'm glad about that. I wish he had not bought into the surge, but now that it has largely failed, I think he wants out.

We are out of Iraq--yay!--in spite of the fact that the Obama administration negotiated to keep us there longer.

So far Obama has encouraged Congress to shower the MIC with money, but maybe his next budget proposal for defense will not be as big as his proposals thus far. Due to many factors, including Bush's two stupid wars, the rising cost of veteran benefits is, I think, driving the effort to reduce the military's manpower.

I don't think he wants war with Iran, and I am glad about that too.

He has greatly added to the problem of the executive branch usurping war powers that the Constitution grants to Congress. He has also continued the trend towards trampling constitutional rights in the name of national security. I don't see any signs of a change of heart on those matters. They will, I regret to say, be a part of his legacy.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

4. "We are out of Iraq"? Does this include both the uniformed troops and the black ops personnel?

As we know, when government-funded black ops personnel are engaged in a foreign country, they commonly call it a covert war

[TomClash]

8. Yes, your last paragraph is spot on and I have pointed that out in several posts

But it occurred to me that a lot of good has been done lately as well.

[Vattel]

14. I agree that there are some positives.

[joshcryer]

19. Congress has in the past 10 years endowed the President with overwhelming powers.

Targeted killing, definition of unlawful combatant so broad they can do anything, the list goes on.

We really need to get Congress to repeal a lot of that stuff otherwise future Presidents will have no problem using their powers.

[T S Justly]

5. Yes, superficially, and only for the length of his campaign. (nt)

Last edited Thu Jan 5, 2012, 10:42 PM - Edit history (1)

[BeyondGeography]

6. I think he is fucking with them masterfully and doing right by the country

He has been selectively aggressive in the short-term which was not only very often the right thing from a national security standpoint but smart politically. This has put him in a position to secure the essential goal of shrinking our financial commitment on defense to something resembling realistic levels. Meantime, the Republicans have strengthened his hand even further with their overblown bullshit about spending.

This is Obama at his best, IMO.

[sabrina 1]

9. I especially like the last headline.

All are encouraging, and hopefully we can get a super Progressive Congress elected to help put an end to the Bush era policies that so destroyed this country.

I see the warmongers are opposed to his cuts to the military also. We definitely need to clean out Congress of all war-mongers and I hope sincerely this next election will begin that process.

[joshcryer]

18. Completely agree.

See, we agree sometimes.

We just need 20 progressives (assuming we elect 10 New Democrats), and the CPC (congressional progressive caucus) will be the single most powerful caucus in congress...

[sabrina 1]

21. Lol, I never thought we didn't!

[sabrina 1]

22. Wow, I got my bull back!

[TheKentuckian]

10. The same guy that reupped the Patriot Act, assumed the authority to kill on his whim, and

just signed off on the NDAA?


The guy that is ramping up the drug war?

Sounds way optimistic to me. Seems like most of your proofs have very little to do with the security state.

[bvar22]

11. I am cautiously optimistic.

The last week (with the BIG exception of NDAA) has been a breath of fresh air after the last 3 years.

I take issue with only one of your examples:

"Obama’s War-Ending Promise Kept as Voters Pay Little Attention (Iraq) "
President Obama is merely complying with the Status of Forces Agreement negotiated by Bush-the-Lesseer with the Iraqis in 2008.
This IS a continuation of Bush Policy, and it IS diminished by truthfully having to share credit with W.
The Obama Administration DID petition the Iraqi parliament to stay longer,
but the Iraqis said, "Not just NO, but F**K NO! Get out NOW!
The Iraqis showed shockingly little gratitude for all the "help" we have given them.

"The U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (official name: "Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq&quot was a status of forces agreement (SOFA) between Iraq and the United States. It established that U.S. combat forces would withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. forces will be completely out of Iraq by December 31, 2011."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.%E2%80%93Iraq_Status_of_Forces_Agreement

OTOH, I HAVE found the recent spate of Recess Appointments and the statement about reforming the Military very reassuring.
However, I AM suspicious of Campaign Season Jailhouse Conversions.



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[BeFree]

12. Me too... optimistic...hey Bvar

As for Iraq, Obama played it out to the end in favor of the generals.

But when Iraq told them no way, Obama just said: "Hey, guys, Iraq is a democracy and they have told you to get the fuck out of their country."

The generals had to back the fuck off.

[joshcryer]

17. I don't consider it a strong campaign commitment, SOFA was being worked out during the elections...

...and the details were worked out months before Obama was elected (SOFA was signed about two weeks later).

But, of course, Bush should "get" the credit!

[joshcryer]

16. McCain would've renegotiated SOFA during the very bloody 2009 bombings.

McCain, likewise, would've ignored whatever the Iraqi's wanted, and stayed.

Obama listened to them, he offered the training forces, he did not force it down their throat like McCain did.

And as Juan Cole points out, Obama gets full credit for doing so.

[joshcryer]

15. And people say that Ron Paul and others must be heard because it's not a Democratic...

...platform.

Obama has been extremely consistent and his middle east policy, as Juan Cole rightly advocates, is the best we've had in decades. Juan Cole got thrown under the bus for supporting Obama's middle east policy.

[agentS]

20. Talks are good

Talking to the Iranians and the Taliban will stabilize things in the ME region. And the Brotherhood is no longer the main boogyman in the ME, so we should talk to them. It's high time to give peace a try.

SYRIA, meanwhile, keeps getting worse and worse. So Pres. Assad better start making peace plans, because we will have time on our hands to deal with him.