President Obama Makes a Statement on Iraq

[freshwest]

Published on Aug 7, 2014

President Obama delivers an update on the situation and U.S. position on Iraq on August 7, 2014.

Statement by the President

State Dining Room

9:30 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:

Good evening. Today I authorized two operations in Iraq -- targeted airstrikes to protect our American personnel, and a humanitarian effort to help save thousands of Iraqi civilians who are trapped on a mountain without food and water and facing almost certain death. Let me explain the actions we’re taking and why.

First, I said in June -- as the terrorist group ISIL began an advance across Iraq -- that the United States would be prepared to take targeted military action in Iraq if and when we determined that the situation required it. In recent days, these terrorists have continued to move across Iraq, and have neared the city of Erbil, where American diplomats and civilians serve at our consulate and American military personnel advise Iraqi forces.

To stop the advance on Erbil, I’ve directed our military to take targeted strikes against ISIL terrorist convoys should they move toward the city. We intend to stay vigilant, and take action if these terrorist forces threaten our personnel or facilities anywhere in Iraq, including our consulate in Erbil and our embassy in Baghdad. We’re also providing urgent assistance to Iraqi government and Kurdish forces so they can more effectively wage the fight against ISIL.

Second, at the request of the Iraqi government -- we’ve begun operations to help save Iraqi civilians stranded on the mountain. As ISIL has marched across Iraq, it has waged a ruthless campaign against innocent Iraqis. And these terrorists have been especially barbaric towards religious minorities, including Christian and Yezidis, a small and ancient religious sect. Countless Iraqis have been displaced. And chilling reports describe ISIL militants rounding up families, conducting mass executions, and enslaving Yezidi women.

In recent days, Yezidi women, men and children from the area of Sinjar have fled for their lives. And thousands -- perhaps tens of thousands -- are now hiding high up on the mountain, with little but the clothes on their backs. They’re without food, they’re without water. People are starving. And children are dying of thirst. Meanwhile, ISIL forces below have called for the systematic destruction of the entire Yezidi people, which would constitute genocide. So these innocent families are faced with a horrible choice: descend the mountain and be slaughtered, or stay and slowly die of thirst and hunger.

I’ve said before, the United States cannot and should not intervene every time there’s a crisis in the world. So let me be clear about why we must act, and act now. When we face a situation like we do on that mountain -- with innocent people facing the prospect of violence on a horrific scale, when we have a mandate to help -- in this case, a request from the Iraqi government -- and when we have the unique capabilities to help avert a massacre, then I believe the United States of America cannot turn a blind eye. We can act, carefully and responsibly, to prevent a potential act of genocide. That’s what we’re doing on that mountain.

I’ve, therefore, authorized targeted airstrikes, if necessary, to help forces in Iraq as they fight to break the siege of Mount Sinjar and protect the civilians trapped there. Already, American aircraft have begun conducting humanitarian airdrops of food and water to help these desperate men, women and children survive. Earlier this week, one Iraqi in the area cried to the world, “There is no one coming to help.” Well today, America is coming to help. We’re also consulting with other countries -- and the United Nations -- who have called for action to address this humanitarian crisis.

I know that many of you are rightly concerned about any American military action in Iraq, even limited strikes like these. I understand that. I ran for this office in part to end our war in Iraq and welcome our troops home, and that’s what we’ve done. As Commander-in-Chief, I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq. And so even as we support Iraqis as they take the fight to these terrorists, American combat troops will not be returning to fight in Iraq, because there’s no American military solution to the larger crisis in Iraq. The only lasting solution is reconciliation among Iraqi communities and stronger Iraqi security forces.

However, we can and should support moderate forces who can bring stability to Iraq. So even as we carry out these two missions, we will continue to pursue a broader strategy that empowers Iraqis to confront this crisis. Iraqi leaders need to come together and forge a new government that represents the legitimate interests of all Iraqis, and that can fight back against the threats like ISIL. Iraqis have named a new President, a new Speaker of Parliament, and are seeking consensus on a new Prime Minister. This is the progress that needs to continue in order to reverse the momentum of the terrorists who prey on Iraq’s divisions.

Once Iraq has a new government, the United States will work with it and other countries in the region to provide increased support to deal with this humanitarian crisis and counterterrorism challenge. None of Iraq’s neighbors have an interest in this terrible suffering or instability.

And so we’ll continue to work with our friends and allies to help refugees get the shelter and food and water they so desperately need, and to help Iraqis push back against ISIL. The several hundred American advisors that I ordered to Iraq will continue to assess what more we can do to help train, advise and support Iraqi forces going forward. And just as I consulted Congress on the decisions I made today, we will continue to do so going forward.

My fellow Americans, the world is confronted by many challenges. And while America has never been able to right every wrong, America has made the world a more secure and prosperous place. And our leadership is necessary to underwrite the global security and prosperity that our children and our grandchildren will depend upon. We do so by adhering to a set of core principles. We do whatever is necessary to protect our people. We support our allies when they’re in danger. We lead coalitions of countries to uphold international norms. And we strive to stay true to the fundamental values -- the desire to live with basic freedom and dignity -- that is common to human beings wherever they are. That’s why people all over the world look to the United States of America to lead. And that’s why we do it.

So let me close by assuring you that there is no decision that I take more seriously than the use of military force. Over the last several years, we have brought the vast majority of our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. And I’ve been careful to resist calls to turn time and again to our military, because America has other tools in our arsenal than our military. We can also lead with the power of our diplomacy, our economy, and our ideals.

But when the lives of American citizens are at risk, we will take action. That’s my responsibility as Commander-in-Chief. And when many thousands of innocent civilians are faced with the danger of being wiped out, and we have the capacity to do something about it, we will take action. That is our responsibility as Americans. That’s a hallmark of American leadership. That’s who we are.

So tonight, we give thanks to our men and women in uniform -— especially our brave pilots and crews over Iraq who are protecting our fellow Americans and saving the lives of so many men, women and children that they will never meet. They represent American leadership at its best. As a nation, we should be proud of them, and of our country’s enduring commitment to uphold our own security and the dignity of our fellow human beings.

God bless our Armed Forces, and God bless the United States of America.

END

9:38 P.M. EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/07/statement-president

NOTE: This is posted in the Barack Obama Group, and is not a forum. It is a safe haven created by the DU Admins and has an SOP which can be found in the pinned thread at the top of the BOG's index.

[Cha]

6. You really need to get a fucking grip and come back to reality, SydneyP.. Bye.

[Major Hogwash]

2. I am shocked that President Obama would act unilaterally in this situation.

But, then he has to because:

1. Congress has basically been out to lunch for the last 4 years
2. Congress is currently out of town
3. Congress is totally ineffective in coming together to act about things like this, with the immediacy this situation requires
4. Congress is currently suing President Obama, so to be sure, they don't really want to "play nice" with the President
5. Congressmen and congresswomen are too busy to be consulted about this situation because they are running for re-election
6. President Obama doesn't need Congress' approval for this action

And that last reason, folks, is a doozy!!!!
It came with the furniture . . . he don't gotta ask them chit about it!!!!!


<--- He's yelling, "Go Obama"

[freshwest]

4. Gee, this got more support in GD. I ain't in the mood for this tonight.

[Major Hogwash]

7. If President Obama had a Democratic Congress to work with, I wouldn't worry about the future at all.

But, he doesn't, and the mid-term elections are less than 100 days away.

I think that this got more support in GD because that is where all of the troublemakers go to spew anti-Obama bs at DU.
If people want to act silly, stand up on their 2 hind legs, and roar like a mouse, that's where they go to spew anti-Obama nonsense.
I'm accustomed to it by now.
Skinner doesn't care, and I have learned . . over time . . that I don't either.

I figure that if those members want to spew Rand Paul talking points in the GD, fine.
I just put them on ignore.
If they want to sound like they are Sean Insanity followers, fine.
I put them on ignore, too.
And when they get too big for their britches and they think they are some special deep thinker who spews crap on his own personal site, and then comes to DU to repeat that same, lame crap here, fine.
I ignore him, too.

To be honest about the current situation in GD, I have put more members on ignore in the last 2 or 3 months than in all of the 10 previous years combined!!
I don't expect anyone to be banned for spewing anti-Obama crap at DU anymore.

[freshwest]

10. I may put myself on Ignore. Bye.

[Cha]

14. So, "unilaterally" Going it Alone.. it is, Major! Thanks for the print out on.. why.

[freshwest]

3. Pictures from today, August 7th, 2014

President Barack Obama meets with his national security advisors in the Situation Room of the White House, Aug. 7, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)



President Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Aug. 4, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)



President Barack Obama meets with National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and Tony Blinken, Deputy National Security Advisor, in the Oval Office, Aug. 1, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

[Cha]

15. Thank you for the pics from their meeting today, fresh.

[freshwest]

16. It was a tough, exhausting day for our President, Cha.

[politicman]

5. shame on Obama

Shame on Obama because he has the ability to help 2 sets of people, yet he deliberately chooses to only help one of those peoples which requires the tougher action, and deliberately chooses to not help the other set of people which requires the easier action.

Helping the Yazidis most likely will require airstrikes and Obama is willing to do that, YET hlping the Palestinians would only require diplomatic pressure and Obama refuses to do that? Shame on him for having the ability to help both peoples and only choosing to help one.

[Cha]

8. Shame on you for not knowing what you're talking about, pm.

You were given a heads up in the OP that this is the Barack Obama Group.

"NOTE: This is posted in the Barack Obama Group, and is not a forum. It is a safe haven created by the DU Admins and has an SOP which can be found in the pinned thread at the top of the BOG's index."

[IrishAyes]

36. You're riding for a fall, buster.

[Cha]

9. Thank you for posting the vid and transcript of the President's statement on Iraq, fresh..

I posted them, too.. in the Magistrate's thread in GD..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5353413

[freshwest]

11. Thanks for the visit and the K&R. Now I've cleaned up the thread. Nobody here but us.

[Cha]

12. Hey, I helped!

[freshwest]

13. Yes, you did!! Thanks!! I'll pm you on another OP that I'll likely delete.

[IrishAyes]

37. Good for you. Sorry I've been such a useless set of extra eyes lately.

I don't feel like I've been doing my part at all. Maybe I can help a little more reliably in the future.

[sheshe2]

18. Thanks for covering the night shift Cha...

[Cha]

19. You're welcome, she.. I have to thank fresh for the heads up, again..

[sheshe2]

20. I am kinda on the run here....

however, how is it going there Cha?

[Cha]

21. Just checking out our weather reports on the Weather Channel, she..

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/hurricane-iselle-latest-news-20140807

I know you're too busy now.. and have a great day at work!

[sheshe2]

22. ...

[Cha]

23. That's the cutest little

icon duo..

[freshwest]

25. Is that in the smiley list? I can't see those little ones anymore, too tiny.

[freshwest]

27. I hope this one misses the islands... Keep us posted, okay?

[Cha]

31. Thanks, fresh.. I shall try.. right now we're just starting to see the high winds on Kaua'i.. it's

already hit the Big Island..

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/07/us/hawaii-storms/index.html

[sheshe2]

17. Hey freshwest...

I'm here. You posted it while I was sleeping.

God bless our Armed Forces, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you for posting the video and transcript. Now I have to get ready for work...

[mcar]

24. A measured and compassionate response

The haters are going off their rockers today. They don't seem able to handle someone who actually thinks things through.

[freshwest]

29. Thanks, mcar. Shouldn't have been surprised at the ODS regrouping so fast. Or the RF101.

[mcar]

30. It always surprises me, freshwest

I know it shouldn't but the sheer lack of logic and, dare I say, immaturity of it just astounds me.

[freshwest]

32. Yes, that shows a clear Libertarian or Paulite influence. They can't control themselves.

[mcar]

33. Too true

Thanks for your voice of sanity.

[freshwest]

34. And a little humor, courtesy of ultrafurz:

[Imgur]()

[get the red out]

26. I fully support the President

I have a rough time understanding how anyone can claim to be a humanitarian and yet want to just leave these people to die.

[freshwest]

28. Just imagine from the pictures of him yesterday in those briefings. He sees horrors going on around

Last edited Fri Aug 8, 2014, 04:49 PM - Edit history (1)

the world that we will never have to see. I imagine he was looking up at screens with photographs or video and live streams of what is going on there, revealed by all forms of intelligence, first hand from people explained or showing it, or obtained by advanced technology. There are satellite capabilities that put Google Earth to shame, and we know how clear and close up those images can be.

He's hurt, saddened and exasperated by all the hate and greed in this. I'm glad he is keeping to the goal of saving lives in the midst of the all out battles, and able to get some willing to take our aid, but it must be limited now.

The neo-cons want to a full fledged war with boots on the ground and carpet bombing - they advocate for mass killing or even, if given time, for genocide - for hegemonic ambitions.

Others would have the same thing, and abandon those put at risk by the Bush adventure in Iraq, by doing nothing. As if we owed them nothing for war crimes and can walk away from the damage. Very Bush and Cheney like.

Odd to see them say they hate what Bush did to these people but now say they are willling to stand by and watch them die from the chaos Obama is trying to get us out of. Where is the love and peace in that?

Obama is trying to prevent a specific and blatant form of genocide upon those who have begged the USA for help through several entities. I hope the food and water drops allow them to survive until they can transported to safety.

That is the goal, but it will be hard to achieve in a state of open warfare. May it be the end result of this.

EOM.

[get the red out]

35. I know

It like neither the extreme right OR left are thinking in humanitarian or responsibility terms. Everyone wants to position themselves as a warrior or a saint while innocent people die.