Barack Obama, in Afghanistan, tells troops they’re 'on the offense'

[rug]

The surprise visit came almost a year to the day that Obama announced a troop surge in Afghanistan in a speech at West Point.

"All of those troops are now in place, and thanks to your service, we are making important progress," he said in his remarks. "You are protecting your country. You are achieving your objective. You will succeed in your mission."

Obama pledged that Afghanistan would never again be a "safe haven for terrorists" who want to attack the United States, and told the troops that they should be proud that because of their efforts there are far fewer areas under Taliban now control. But he said there is a still a difficult road ahead.

“Progress comes slow,” he said. “There are going to be difficult days ahead. Progress comes at a high price.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45923.html#ixzz175EIeKqs

Anybody buy this?

[gratuitous]

1. It was bad enough hearing this nonsense from George W. Bush

Bring. Them. Home.

Now.

I'm through saying "please."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Did he mention "The Light at the End of the Tunnel"? "Bring 'em on"? "Smoke 'em out"?

"Stay the course"?

Engage in a sing-along of "God Bless America"? with the cannon-fodder?

[rug]

4. He did say he wouldn't want to be anywhere else this time of year.

It was a sound bite on ABC radio news. I'll see if I can find a link.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. I'll bet the troops could think of a lot of places they'd rather be.

[golddigger]

3. "Anybody buy this?" Not me.

[FSogol]

9. -1. n/t

[golddigger]

16. -1 n/t

:beer:

[Bragi]

5. More dissociative war speech from the Pres

I've noted before that when the President talks lately about troops and the war, he uses language that dissociates himself from it.

As in: "You are achieving your objective. You will succeed in your mission."

It's as though the troops decided to go to war, and he's just there to cheer them on.

I don't know if this is deliberate or unconscious, but it's the second time I've noticed this.

The first time was last week with his Thanksgiving address, when he said this:

"As long as many of our sons and daughters and husbands and wives are at war, we've got to support their mission..."

[ProSense]

6. "Anybody buy this?"

Are you implying that the President doesn't believe his own policy? He isn't trying to sell you on anything. He's talking to the troops. He's making the case for his policy and supporting the troops as CIC, same as any other President.

You don't have to agree with the policy.

[Union Scribe]

8. "same as any other President"

Yep. As others stated above. Just the same.

[ProSense]

10. Yeah,

FDR and LBJ were Presidents too.

Iraq and Afghanistan are not WWII or the Vietnam war. The point was a reference to being the CIC.

[rug]

13. I'm not implying.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[murray hill farm]

12. What the hell is he doing there now?

What does he think he is providing them by being there for a few hours? What is the point? Sure it is a nice thing to see him in person, but a good video of him would be more appropriate...considering there are places he really, really is needed right now.

[City Lights]

14. I'm not buying it.

I'm sickened just reading it.

[MadHound]

15. Did he say what that objective was?

Did he say what would victory look like?

No, because this is simply another war to enrich the MIC and impoverish our country.