Well, as usual I'm in the minority.

[bobburgster]

I am giving Obama the benefit of doubt that he knows what he is doing. I do not have access to the intel. and information he has therefore my feelings are based on instinct about our commander in chief. I do have faith in my ability to identify people who are intelligent, compassionate, and thoughtful. I do have faith in my ability to recognize someone who will gather all pertinent data, both pro and con, weigh it, and make a decision he feels is in the best interest of our country.
For those reasons, I back President Obama's Afghanistan strategy.

[Oregone]

1. "I am giving Obama the benefit of doubt"...

Yes, the only sane and logical approach when lives, billions, and political stability are on the line. Questions give aid and comfort to cave-dwellers who can sense them thousands of miles away.

[Chan790]

8. Posted without comment.

[Deja Q]

30. With or without picture, your response is a comment.

Also, aren't you being a "good German" for just sitting around and telling others not to fall for propaganda?

If not ironic; each person's opinion, technically, is propaganda. Made less as opinion-pieces when links to solid references are included...

[Chan790]

34. ...

Ich bin nicht ein guter Deutscher. (I am not a good German.)

It was more of a Rorschach post...as you can read whatever you want into it. Hence, no comment necessary (or even useful to the ends I posted it.)

I happen to think the criticism of the expansion is necessary to the well-ordered functioning of this regime...and wrong.

In parting, I'll leave you with the following thought:

Un ministre est excusable du mal qu’il fait, lorsque le gouvernail de l’État est forcé dans sa main par les tempêtes; mais dans le calme il est coupable de tout le bien qu’il ne fait pas. -Voltaire (A minister of state is excusable for the harm he does when the helm of government has forced his hand in a storm; but in the calm he is guilty of all the good he does not do.)

[JuniperLea]

37. I don't know what "ignored" said...

To prompt you to post this amazing poster, but I'm loving it! Circular irony!

[Echo In Light]

9. One of the better sarcastic replies of the day...and man have they been plentiful!

The crux of this issue seems to be mired in the usual fallacies and fantasies people hold to re the legitimacy of our so called Rep Democracy, and the fantastic notion that the US govt acts as a force for 'good' in the world. US presidents don't serve the people, they serve the vested interests who determine which figurehead is to "win" the "election" in order to suit their interests. They don't act on their own volition, at least in any substantive way re matters of empire, so the whole "I trust HIS judgment" thing is completely devoid of reality.

[treestar]

15. You win the Nobel Cynicism Prize

[Echo In Light]

19. One man's cynicism is another's realism

[treestar]

22. Well your reality is real depressing

There's a lot of work to do from where you come from.

This war is nothing compared to it. It's just another issue.

[Echo In Light]

26. Perhaps this may help:

The biggest, most bad ass bully on the block gets to refer to his hostile actions in any 'friendlier' term he chooses.

[timtom]

35. What's that bright light shining in your eyes?

Why...why it's STARS! You've got starry eyes..,

[JuniperLea]

38. I would agree if this were a new war...

instead of one where the effort appears to be a safe extrication (or safe as possible) from an existing war.

[Hissyspit]

11. Deleted.

Goofy me.

[John N Morgan]

2. If the election were tomorrow I'd vote for him...anybody with other ideas?

[Skelly]

10. Of course

I would vote for him again. Though I do not agree with him on this one, it isn't a surprise (am I wrong or didn't he say BEFORE the election he would do this?) However, I do not think it coincidence that the removal date is shortly before elections. <cynical me slipping out.>
I AM quite surprised (and not pleasingly so) about his Patriot Act move. I know we are not privy to intel he is receiving, and like others have already posted, we have to trust his judgment. But I do admit to feeling unease over some of his decisions of late.

[timtom]

36. I don't know. Let me see now...

(who was against these "wars" all along?)
Hmm...
Clint...no, that's not right.
Someone from Ohio?

[Tigermoose]

3. K & R - well said.

nt

[Captain Hilts]

4. On Afghanistan, I am too. It's too complicated for me to have a valid view. nt

[get the red out]

5. Well put

We have been bombarded with rage rather than discussion on DU lately, thanks for your statement. I agree with you.

[JuniperLea]

6. This was political suicide for him...

It's a gamble he didn't need to take. He doesn't benefit from this at all. There must be a good reason, and like you, I know I'm not near as well informed as he. I support the president, and as long as he sticks to the effort of ending this mess I'll continue to support him.


I hate war.

[FSogol]

7. k & r n/t

[closeupready]

12. Did you give GWB the benefit of the doubt? After all, you didn't have the intelligence he did.

???

[NYC Liberal]

18. Did we know Bush was lying about WMDs when he was doing it?

Yes. This is not an issue of having a president lie about the facts, where telling the truth would lead to an entirely different outcome. If Bush told the truth about WMDs, nobody would have supported invaded Iraq.

Obama had laid out the facts. For or against sending more troops is simply a matter of disagreeing about whether it's a good idea based on those facts.

[closeupready]

20. I see - so you served in the CIA or the Bush administration?

No other way you could have access to the intelligence info he had.

[NYC Liberal]

24. Where were you in 2002/03?

Not paying attention to the debate about Iraq that went on leading up to 3/19/03, that's for sure.

[closeupready]

25. Okay, so you concede you only support escalation because Obama has a D after his name.

Got it.

[NYC Liberal]

27. I support the exit strategy that we finally have

after 8 years of Bush not doing dick in Afghanistan and letting it all go to hell. I couldn't care less what letter of the alphabet Obama has after his name, we finally have an actual plan for Afghanistan and one which will have us out of there.

[closeupready]

29. Fair enough.

I can respect that.

[Javaman]

33. After 18 months we will see. I choose to call upon a military dictum...

"Battle plans usually don't survive contact".

[Bobbie Jo]

23. False comparison....IMO

Bush: Incompetent, intellectually challenged, proven liar.

Obama: Polar opposite.

By virtue of my vote, I hired him to do this job because I have confidence in his judgment and competency.

I wouldn't give GWB the benefit of the doubt to watch my dog.

[Chemisse]

39. Exactly my thoughts! nt

[bobburgster]

28. Not even close...in comparison and you know it.

[catbyte]

13. +1 Me too n/t

[demosincebirth]

14. I'm with you on this one

[tekisui]

16. Yep. You are part of 17% of Democrats who support the escalation.

You are in the minority.

Not even 50% of all the people in the country support it.

[Life Long Dem]

17. I'm usually in the minority when the media jumps hard on something.

In the beginning, like this now, but when the media propaganda machine stops, the people go on, and that's where you and I come in. So hang in there.

[Bluerthanblue]

21. you are in good company-

:hi:

There are some decisions which aren't going to be easy to have to face no matter which way they are decided. This wouldn't have been my choice, but I believe he made this decision after looking at all the facts, and serious consideration.

I think Obama's ability to really listen and keep an open mind is a rare but valuable asset. Even when I disagree with his decisions.

[bobburgster]

31. Thanks all for your thoughts.

I really appreciated hearing from the majority of you, whether we agreed or not. Sure beats the lock step of the Others. :)

[JDPriestly]

32. For the moment, I'm with you bobburgster.

Obama proved that he clearly understands the situation in Afghanistan. So, I'm going to give the president the benefit of the doubt on this one and wait and see. The proof will be in what really happens. I do not know enough about Afghanistan and Pakistan and India and Iran to know whether our military presence there will help or harm the people.

Obama certainly made the strategic importance of the area clear, and also set specific strategic goals for our troops to accomplish. If he and they stick to the guidelines that Obama set forth, then I can support this action. Do I like the fact that our military involvement there will cost American lives and treasure? No. But then, there is no guarantee that avoiding involvement there will save American lives and treasure. There is no "right choice," no easy-out for us in Afghanistan.

So, for the moment, I think I will support Obama on this. In his speech, he answered a lot of my questions. The West Point cadets are our brightest and best, and they seemed genuinely impressed by the speech although I'm sure many of them are not happy at the prospect of going to Afghanistan.

I liked the fact that Obama stated clearly that we do not wage wars against the religions of others. That is a message to everyone in the military that their mission is not anti-any-specific-religion or for any-specific-religion either. I thought that it was very good that Obama clarified that policy. There has been some confusion about it.

I also liked the fact that he acknowledged that we are only secure when our economy at home is strong and that we need national unity in order to be strong. Those were very good points. Maybe some of the Republicans who are not such hateful die-hards will soften their tone. He also explained very well why he is sending in the number of troops he is sending and responded to those who claim he dithered. The troops will be deployed at the time that the military leadership requested them. Obama did not delay the deployment.

It was clear from Obama's speech that he has considered all points of view in making his decision. It was a very reasoned analysis of the choice he had to make. I really appreciated the speech. Of course, Obama's speeches are one thing; his actions are another. That is why I say, I will wait and see what really happens.