The President Makes The Case

[ProSense]

The President Makes The Case

That was one of the clearest, simplest and most moving presidential speeches to the nation I can imagine. It explained and it argued, point after point. Everything the president said extemporaneously at the post-G20 presser was touched on, made terser, more elegant and more persuasive.

The key points: it is an abdication of America’s exceptional role in the world to look away from the horrific use of poison gas to wipe out civilian populations and kill rebels in a civil war. Given that the world would have ignored August 21 or engaged in meaningless blather about it, Obama took the decision to say he would strike. Since such a strike was not in response to an imminent threat to our national security, Obama felt he should go to the Congress, and reverse some of the strong currents toward the imperial presidency that took hold under Dick Cheney.

As that moment of truth loomed, the Russians gave way on defending or denying Assad’s use and possession of chemical weapons. Putin only did so if it could be seen as his initiative and if he could take the credit for it. Kerry’s gaffe provided the opening. And we now have a diplomatic process that could avert war if it succeeds. And of course, Obama is prepared to give such a proposal a chance. Any president would be deeply foolish not to. There is no urgency as long as Assad has formally agreed to give the weapons up, doesn’t use them again, and the process can be practically managed as well as verified at every stage.

I’m tired of the eye-rolling and the easy nit-picking of the president’s leadership on this over the last few weeks. The truth is: his threat of war galvanized the world and America, raised the profile of the issue of chemical weapons more powerfully than ever before, ensured that this atrocity would not be easily ignored and fostered a diplomatic initiative to resolve the issue without use of arms. All the objectives he has said he wanted from the get-go are now within reach, and the threat of military force – even if implicit – remains.

- more -

http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/09/10/the-president-makes-the-case/

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[kelliekat44]

2. And the beat(down) goes on. The closer we get to a negotiated settlement of this issue the more

the President is criticized by the media. It's like their job to be sure there is NO winning position for the administration. These same people who helped swirl the public into supporting an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation that was really no imminent or actual threat to the US.

[geek tragedy]

3. It's a very weak case built on hypotheticals and speculation.

Bottom line is that we look the other way for the vast majority of the world's war crimes, and that's the way it should be, given the alternative of using military force.

Sullivan is on his usual roller coaster.

[ProSense]

4. Disagree, and

"It's a very weak case built on hypotheticals and speculation. Bottom line is that we look the other way for the vast majority of the world's war crimes, and that's the way it should be, given the alternative of using military force."

...your argument appears to be it's not our problem. The chemical attack is not a "hypothetical." The entire international community, including China and Iran, is looking for a solution. The UN is seeking accountability.

President Obama: "However, over the last few days, we’ve seen some encouraging signs."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023642225

[geek tragedy]

9. Yes, the argument very much is that what happens in Syria is not our problem.

Doesn't even affect oil prices.

[ProSense]

13. That's your opinion, but it doesn't mean

the case for action is "weak" or "built on hypotheticals." It's unclear to me why some of the very same people who believe preventing Iran from pursing its nuclear program is our problem, but responding to an atrocity isn't.

Why is it the U.S. responsibility to prevent Iran pursuing its nuclear program?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023587381

Like I said, the entire international community, including China and Iran, is looking for a solution to the situation in Syria. The UN is seeking accountability for the chemical attack. The U.S. has a role to play.

[whatchamacallit]

5. Absolute garbage

The piece and the speech.

[snappyturtle]

6. +1 nt

[ProSense]

7. Typical dismissiveness without a point. n/t

[whatchamacallit]

8. It's an opinion

just like the crap you linked.

[ProSense]

10. So you think your opinion is "crap"? n/t

[Octafish]

11. +1

Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran.

Repeat ad infinitum.

[1awake]

12. Oh my, that's some of the best spinning I've ever read. Credit is deserved none the less. n/t

[Scurrilous]

14. K & R