Huh? The President's Statement

[cali]

He says the decision has been made to attack and that it could happen tomorrow or next week or next month. Obviously, he's not going to get a vote from Congress today or tomorrow or next week.

Seems like he left the door open to conducting strikes and then seeking a vote after the fact.

[tridim]

1. No, he said the preparations have been made.

Please rejoin reality cali.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. ODS

Can be a very powerful thing.

[cali]

10. we'll just have to wait for the transcript.

[tridim]

16. Stop embarrassing yourself cali.

[IL Lib]

23. +1 n/t

[SomethingFishy]

32. LMAO.. here's the quote:

“We are prepared to strike whenever we choose,” Obama said. But he added that plans to launch an attack were “not time-sensitive” and that a strike could come “tomorrow, next week or a month from now.”

Obama’s remarks came as senior administration officials were making a fresh round of calls to congressional leaders Saturday in an effort to bolster support for a potential military strike, officials said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-set-to-speak-on-syria-in-rose-garden/2013/08/31/65aea210-125b-11e3-85b6-d27422650fd5_story.html

Cali was 100% accurate. Now all we can do is wait to see if Obama keeps his word. I'm sure there will be an apology forthcoming

[ProSense]

34. No, here is the quote

Our military has positioned assets in the region. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has informed me that we are prepared to strike whenever we choose. Moreover, the Chairman has indicated to me that our capacity to execute this mission is not time-sensitive; it will be effective tomorrow, or next week, or one month from now. And I'm prepared to give that order.

But having made my decision as Commander-in-Chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interests, I'm also mindful that I'm the President of the world's oldest constitutional democracy. I've long believed that our power is rooted not just in our military might, but in our example as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And that’s why I've made a second decision: I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people's representatives in Congress.

Statement by the President on Syria
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023571230

[SomethingFishy]

36. So the Washington Post is lying..

Thanks

[tridim]

35. Nope. Cali said, "He says the DECISION has been made to attack..."

Obama said we are PREPARED to strike as you and I just said.

[SomethingFishy]

37. Did you bother to click on the fucking link? Here's where Obama said we have decided to use military

force: "President Obama said Saturday that the United States has decided to use military force against Syria, calling last week’s alleged chemical weapons attack there “an attack on human dignity,” but said he would seek congressional authorization for an attack.

The announcement puts off an imminent cruise missile strike, a prospect that had put the region on edge and stoked intense debate in the United States, where many dread getting dragged into a new war. It is not clear what the Obama administration would do if Congress declines to authorize a military operation."

Guess the Washington Post is just another Obama hater or a liar. Either way Cali's statement stands and you look like you're trying to weasel your way out of an apology.

[Go Vols]

41. I did

and the first sentence says:

President Obama said Saturday that the United States has decided to use military force against Syria

and on down this

“We are prepared to strike whenever we choose,” Obama said. But he added that plans to launch an attack were “not time-sensitive” and that a strike could come “tomorrow, next week or a month from now.”

[SomethingFishy]

43. Yeah, that fucking Cali.. using the Washington Post for information..

how dare she... she should be embarrassed

[frazzled]

2. Um, no

Not what he said. He said explicitly that a vote would be taken first. That there was no time frame on the action for it to be successful, according to his generals.

[Junkdrawer]

3. He said his military advisors have told him an attack would be as EFFECTIVE days or weeks...

from now.

[B2G]

4. And he says he doesn't need Congressional approval

This was one of the most confusing speeches ever.

WTF?

[Recursion]

15. Presidents since Washington have said that

For as long as there has been a Presidency, they have said they don't need Congressional approval for every military action. It's been an active point of contention for about 224 years now.

[MH1]

26. An interesting article on Politifact said what I have been thinking...

which is (my version): the Prez can order military action, just can't continue it more than 60 days unless it is approved by Congress. That didn't stop Clinton in Kosovo, though.

The other point was that he's on shaky grounds as far as justification, unless it is clearly an imminent direct threat to the US. Which also seems unclear in the Kosovo case.

My take from reports of the speech is that he has decided not to actually take any military action in this case unless approved by Congress. Which I consider a wise decision. Also, the "n-dimensional chess" folks could suggest that he baited the republican congress critters into calling for a vote. (Don't throw me in that brier patch ...) Now whichever way it goes, he doesn't bear the full responsibility. And again I think that's as it should be, hence the reason for wanting a vote.

[blm]

30. I see that, too. This is very much like Kosovo, and nothing like Iraq.

.

[The Straight Story]

5. I think he articulated well what I have been saying

We can't let this slide for a variety of reasons, targeted attacks, etc.

[atreides1]

27. I'm sure that makes the Syrian people feel better

Because no matter how targeted, civilians are going to be killed! But I guess it's just collateral damage and not worth being concerned with!

[notadmblnd]

29. I haven't heard any reports of Syrian civilians requesting help from USA

So unless you have some links, how do we know they want our help?

[vdogg]

6. How in the world

Did you get that from his statement? All he is saying is that we have time to have an informed debate and vote prior to any action taking place. I also seriously doubt that he would be so stupid as to proceed if Congress votes against it.

[mzmolly]

8. No. He left the door open for congress

to act, this week, next week, tonight.

[malaise]

9. Huh?

That is not what he said. He said he is seeking authorization from Congress before any action. In others words until Congress returns, debates and votes, there will be no attacks.

Everyone has learned from Bushco's lies. It is the British Parliament that turned everything upside down. They demonstrated the meaning of Parliamentary democracy.
That was the best thing to allow Obama to run from his red line.

[Little Star]

24. That's what I understood. I'm so relieved to hear this....

Let those congress critters go on record. No need for him to bear the brunt of any decision.

[Hutzpa]

11. It's a politician jargon of it's not going to happen. nt

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. He said that he has decided an attack is appropriate

The bit on timeframe was to make the point that the attack is not time sensitive.

His statement is rather clear: he has made the decision to use military force, but that's not enough. The People's representatives must also be involved in the decision.

[MH1]

28. Obama making the right decision on this ...

is really chapping some folks' hides, I think.

(Personally I'm very relieved and maybe that's why I'm finding the reaction so amusing, when otherwise there is nothing at all amusing about this situation.)

[Cali_Democrat]

13. You didn't even listen to what he said or you're lying.

Either way, you have no credibility.

[tridim]

17. Less than GG IMO. Zero cred.

Zero honesty.

[Cali_Democrat]

21. But at least cali was right about Michele Catalano

Oh.....wait a minute.....

[KittyWampus]

14. oh dear… do these sound like Franken's "Weasel Words"? I better find transcript.

[Downwinder]

18. I don't think I will ever call any of you as witnesses.

[lamp_shade]

19. Obviously???

[spin]

20. So what happens if there is another chemical gas attack on a city tomorrow ...

and several next week?

It might be wise to call Congress back into session quickly. Perhaps then they could also try to fix some of the other major problems our nation faces today.

I would have loved to get only 20% of the time Congress critters get off each year when I was working for a company before I retired.

Want a Job With 239 Vacation Days? Become a Member of Congress
Mara MellstrominPolitics 4 months ago

But what remains most astonishing about our representatives on the Hill is not only the quantity of legislation, but the amount of time spent working. The Congressional calendar for this coming year consists of 126 days, leaving members of Congress 239 days to perhaps tour our great nation, toy with the idea of running for higher office, and maybe visit a natural disaster or two. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's calendar releases rather embarrassing scheduling without a single 5-day work week or weekend. If you are already feeling riled up about this, I would not suggest looking at the month of August.
http://www.policymic.com/articles/38177/want-a-job-with-239-vacation-days-become-a-member-of-congress

[AngryOldDem]

25. That's my only disappointment with what Obama said.

I think this is serious enough to warrant calling Congress back now, instead of in a week or so.

[giftedgirl77]

22. It is amazing how you attempt to spin

every single word that comes out of Obama's mouth into something negative, illegal, or part of a giant conspiracy. You may want to try and look at things from a more thorough approach instead of this nonsense.

[blm]

31. I concur.

.

[Bobbie Jo]

39. +1

...and a number of others.

Dishonest tactic, IMO

It has become a daily occurance here. Faux has nothing on this bunch.

[giftedgirl77]

40. I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.

It's sad when it is viewed in such light.

[pnwmom]

33. Please point to a single sentence in his statement that says that.

He says there are no time constraints on any military action. That means he can wait till Congress takes their vote.

[SomethingFishy]

42. From the Washington Post..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-set-to-speak-on-syria-in-rose-garden/2013/08/31/65aea210-125b-11e3-85b6-d27422650fd5_story.html


"President Obama said Saturday that the United States has decided to use military force against Syria, calling last week’s alleged chemical weapons attack there “an attack on human dignity,” but said he would seek congressional authorization for an attack."

“We are prepared to strike whenever we choose,” Obama said. But he added that plans to launch an attack were “not time-sensitive” and that a strike could come “tomorrow, next week or a month from now.”

Of course this wasn't enough for some. I guess the Washington Post isn't credible. And even it it wasn't, Cali reported what she read, and a bunch of people jumped in and started the usual "you're embarrassing yourself" comments.

Cali's statement is 100% accurate according to the Washington Post.

[pnwmom]

44. I disagree. Obama isn't saying that he's going to strike without approval.

He says that "WE are prepared to strike whenever WE choose." He also says that he's asking for Congressional approval. The WE includes Congress, which could come back for a vote tomorrow if it wanted to. Or next week, or a month from now.

[SomethingFishy]

45. Well, the statement can be taken a number of ways.. that does not negate

what Cali posted. It's damn near verbatim from the Post... Obviously the two sides of the issue are going to disagree on the meaning. Hence my statement in the original post I made that all we can do now is wait and see what happens.

I surely hope that Obama waits for approval but it looks to me like he's going to strike either way.

One other thing, if Obama is willing to wait a month then I don't understand how that stops Chemical Weapons. What if Assad decides to use them tomorrow? How does that "save the children"?

[DearAbby]

38. This was a warning to other countries who may see this as a sign of weakness

He will not condone future acts, he is ready to give the order and all preparations are on stand by to receive that order.

[Cali_Democrat]

46. Still think he's gonna conduct strikes before the vote?

Like I said, you have ZERO credibility, my dear.