I don't think Obama has any intention of ending the fake wars

[Philosoraptor]

I hate to say it, but I can come to no other conclusion. Besides the fact that he was the Democratic candidate, ending the obscene so called wars was the main reason I voted for him. I've given up wishing though, we're in our 10th year of 'war' now, our nation's longest 'war' ever.

Color me disappointed.

[Ikonoklast]

1. I guess you never listened to what he ever said.

[Fumesucker]

2. I listened to Obama when he said that he would not sign a health bill without the public option..

:shrug:

[COLGATE4]

11. +2 nt

[area51]

19. +1 n/t

[babylonsister]

3. + 1. nt

[whyverne]

4. What, you didn't think Obama was a progressive pacifist who

was swept into office without any corporate money? For shame.

I like him anyway.

[Fumesucker]

9. Just pointing out that we are supposed to have listened to Obama about some things..

While other things he said we are to pretend not to have heard..

[Romulox]

12. You never loved him OR his wars!!!

:rofl:

[Panaconda]

5. Obama Says- No 'Adjustments' Needed on War Fronts in Af/Pak

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9256961

[KharmaTrain]

6. Always Harder To End A War Than Start One...

...and th previous regime of war criminals dug us deep into two messes along with a military infrastructure that is corrupt. You don't park these battleships easily and it's forced this administration to prolong these wars for profit. In some ways it's like Nixon's pledge to end the Vietnam War if elected in '68 and that wasn't achieved until '73. We have seen a de-escalation in Iraq and it appears negotiations that have been under the radar in Afghanistan are starting to bear some fruit. That said, the military's tentacles, especially with contractors, are so deep, it's become problematic.

Remember, President Obama campaigned on putting an emphasis on Afghanistan and away from Iraq. He never promised any withdrawl. He inherited a real mess there...a war that had lost focus. He's also dealing with a military that is in desperate need of overhauling but it can't be done while so many lives are on the line. This is a quamire and I've been encouraged that this administration wants to massively reduce the military presence. It has to, we can't afford it.

[Philosoraptor]

7. bush got everything he ever wanted, but Obama seems powerless to end it

[KharmaTrain]

8. The Ugly Truth

There's always the economic factor that drives empire. As long as a war makes money, the war will go on. Our warrior capitalist culture has grown beyond just an out of control Military Industrial Complex into a major force in our overall economy. With unemployment at high levels, the military is a safe haven for several million who would also be among the unemployed...from those within the military to the contractors and the many industries that suck off the Pentagon. I'm sure this weight plays big upon decisions being made.

The fact we had a "unitary executive" that had no regard for the rule of law or decency doesn't mean we should accept that from this one. And I see moves being made...within the system rather than outside to scale down these adventures. What I believe we're seeing is the absolute corruption of the Pentagon...like Wall Street...that has grown fat over the years and all but impossible to reform thus this administration is trying to coexist.

Cheers...

[Romulox]

14. Correction: war doesn't make money for the American people--

it makes money for multinational corporations, who are the President's true constituency.

"What I believe we're seeing is the absolute corruption of the Pentagon."

The Pentagon gets every dime of its money from bills signed by the President and passed through both houses of Congress (with 60 votes in the Senate, no less!) All evidence points to corruption beyond the Pentagon.

[KharmaTrain]

20. It's Like Foreign Aid

When the Congress...who is the ultimate check and balance (and fail miserably) passes a budget or authorization, a lion's share of that money never leaves our shores. Yes, the vast majority goes to the multinationals and defense contracts who do employ Americans; our death industry is still second to none. That does make money for Americans. I remember a TV report showing an ammunition factory in Oklahoma that runs 3 shifts 24/7 and employs several hundred people. There are such ventures in almost every state and why our politicians are so weaned to being "pro-defense" and have an open door to the lobbyists and their money.

The Pentagon is the apex of the corruption but it flows all around. Since it's such a big cash cow its the one that is most sacrisanct. Few politicians, including Progressive and Liberals try to buck this system as they'll be labled "weak on defense". Sure, the President can veto a defense bill but the political consequences of such a move are immense.

Trust me, I'm frustrated with these wars...from the outset to the present time. I know we'll be paying for these misadventures in lives and treaure for years and decades to come. But what's the alternative? We can say to tear down the system, vote the rat bastards out, but that's not going to happen. So how do you end this mess under the present greed and gridlock that is our entire federal government???

[The2ndWheel]

10. Name a decade where the US Government wasn't militarily

involved somewhere on the planet.

[Romulox]

13. Agreed. Blank check for unending war is his plan. nt

[geek tragedy]

15. Which is why he reduced troop levels in Iraq by 100K in 18 months. nt

[USArmyParatrooper]

16. Absolute Horseshit

Let's look at what Obama promised.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/index_campaign.php#phased-withdrawal

A Responsible, Phased Withdrawal

Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government. Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a month that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 – more than 7 years after the war began.

Under the Obama-Biden plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. They will not build permanent bases in Iraq, but will continue efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces as long as Iraqi leaders move toward political reconciliation and away from sectarianism.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/126/begin-removing-combat-brigades-from-iraq/
Begin removing combat brigades from Iraq


He's right on schedule! AND...President Obama's address moving foward -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/31/remarks-president-address-nation-end-combat-operations-iraq

Going forward, a transitional force of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq with a different mission: advising and assisting Iraq’s Security Forces, supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counterterrorism missions, and protecting our civilians. Consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year. As our military draws down, our dedicated civilians -- diplomats, aid workers, and advisors -- are moving into the lead to support Iraq as it strengthens its government, resolves political disputes, resettles those displaced by war, and builds ties with the region and the world. That’s a message that Vice President Biden is delivering to the Iraqi people through his visit there today.

Also, President Obama did NOT claim he would end the war in Afghanistan. In fact, he repeatedly promised to send *more* troops there AND he promised to go after al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan. He's been completely consistent on both Iraq and Afghanistan. You may disagree with him on Afghanistan but stop acting like you've been lied to.

[Philosoraptor]

17. I hope you're right

[Name removed]

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