Mr. President

[trumad]

I voted for you to end the wars, not to prolong them.

Dude--- I've got teenage sons.

Nuff said.

[SusanaMontana41]

1. Well and succinctly said. n/t

[provis99]

2. I have no teenage sons.

I still think the wars should be ended.

[dennis4868]

3. During the 2008 campaign...

Obama PROMISED to escalate the war in Afghanistan so this was not a surpised...but he is ending the Iraq war and starting to end the war in Afghanistan now....many people who are not in the position of responsibility would withdraw everyone in Afganistan tomorrow....that's not a responsible way of doing things.....

[tekisui]

4. Such a tired and sad argument. Still trotting it out 3 years in.

So sad. Obama escalated by 62,000. Bad policy and we are stuck because of it.

[dennis4868]

6. and you know it was bad....

because you attend the intelligence briefings on a daily basis? Cooooool!

[tekisui]

7. I know it is bad because May was the worst year for civilian deaths

in Afghanistan since the war started. Afghanistan is THE WORST country for women. No Afghan units are capable of operating without US assistance. The State Dept. says the place will collapse without our support. The Taliban are regaining villages without a fight. It is costing $2 billion a week. US soldiers are still dying at high rates. We are in talks to keep troops there for years past 2014. Pay attention. It is a fucking mess.

[dennis4868]

8. and with the intelligence briefings you get....

you know what will happen if we take all of our troops out on the same day?

[tekisui]

9. I've never suggested or expected as much.

It is a failed war, long past time to end it. Not pussy foot around for another 4 years.

[dennis4868]

10. I agree with you...

but I also know that Obama has to do the withdrawl in a responsible way...the pentagon wanted a slower withdrawl process than what Obams is doing...

[sad sally]

15. Yeah, got to keep the troops there during the next two warm weather fighting seasons.

Then, if that doesn't work, maybe another couple of years of fighting militant activity will be necessary. I'm sure Americans will support a President following what his generals tell him - just like his predecessor did.

[dennis4868]

16. ummm, the point was....

Obama is not following what his generals told him to do...he is speeding up the withdrawl process....

[sad sally]

23. a not so fast speedy withdrawal...

Although the speech says "we will bring home a total of 33,000 troops by next summer…," an official stated clearly at the press briefing that the withdrawal of the surge troops would be carried out by September 2012.

Obama also left the door open in the speech to leaving a significant proportion of the combat troops to remain in Afghanistan after the 2012 withdrawal for an indefinite period beyond the 2014 "transition" to Afghan responsibility for security.

"After this initial reduction, our troops will continue coming home at a steady pace as Afghan Security Forces move into the lead," Obama said. "Our mission will change from combat to support. By 2014 this process of transition will be complete, and the Afghan people will be responsible for their own security."

That language parallels the language used in regard to U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. In fact, a senior U.S. official who briefed reporters Wednesday afternoon drew attention to the parallel between the two withdrawal processes, saying the administration would "pursue the same type of responsible effort to wind down the war that we’ve undertaken in Iraq the last two years."

as Bush would say, "in other words," keep your bags packed, soldiers, you ain't going home yet.

[gimama]

14. Thank YOU! eom

[TBF]

5. My son is 4 and I'm just as worried as you are - they never end these things. nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Then you weren't listening during the campaign, right? Not Obama's fault. (nt)

[tekisui]

13. Please get some new material. That was 2 and a hlaf years ago.

It is sad and disappointing he hasn't learned form his bad mistakes and corrected his positions.

[MadBadger]

17. Yet the OP is talking about what happened 2 1/2 years ago

[LooseWilly]

19. You do realize that "you weren't listening"... is an argument for voting otherwise next time?

Right?

If one "misunderstood" Obama as being interested in ending wars because of his anti-Iraq position advertisements... then the logical solution in the next election would be to "correct" the oversight by... not voting for Obama again...

I mean, I just want to point out to you that this is the logical conclusion you are pushing people to draw with this tired meme. By all means though, continue pushing it and hope that you can somehow cowe those opposed to the wars to vote for Obama again despite the fact that he obviously can't be expected to do anything but metaphorically shit on their interests.

Now... that's good politicking... ;)

[Tarheel_Dem]

21. I could give a fuck how you vote. Pres. Obama won't lose a thing if you don't vote for him.

He's made his mark. He'll start a foundation, travel the globe, and you'll still be on DU pissing and moaning, and I'll still be laughing at you. Let the next president deal with you guys, then you'll have N. Korea & Iran to piss & moan about. ;)

:rofl:

[LooseWilly]

22. Well, that's some politicking alright...

I'll have to bookmark this... just to see how well your politicking works ;)

[gimama]

12. thanks for Your post....my thoughts..

Please consider calling, writing, & emailing DC & Your elected employees
to end these horrible wars.

Please reach out to neighbors & strangers who have someOne in these awful wars..it is an incredibly lonely & frightening time for Military Families. ANY sign of acknowledgement & compassion can be a huge enCouragement.

Also, there is a relatively UNknown part of NCLB, funding public schools requires each school collect information on each child, for DoD/Military recruiters.. PARENTS have to opt out, be proactive. Info can be found at Mothers Against the Draft. I haven't followed this at all in the past few years,& can't get into it now, but would like to follow up when time allows.

Personally,
My only "child" was in OIF, I didn't sleep for 20 min. at a time, for 5 years.
I'm still recovering from the experience..those who haven't experienced it personally just don't get it. Altho' MY Son came HOME (thanks, God) & got out, & he is WHOLE, Healthy & Happy, HE is the exception. EVERY One who goes to war is changed forever.

EnJOY every moment with YOUR Babies, right now, & teach them well..teach them to question 'authority' & think for themSelves..even Your teenagers! ;)

[Jack Sprat]

18. Who hasn't he alienated?

He's pissed off Labor.
He's pissed off Environmentalists.
He's pissed off the anti-war crowd.
He's pissed off the Left.
He's pissed off the Rightwing Tea-Pottiers. (No Surprise here)

He must be confident the redumblicans will nominate one of their nutcases and win by default when their nominee has to be committed to an institution two days before the election.

I understand about your two sons. It's about the money. He's a corporate guy.

[Tx4obama]

20. Were you listening to what Obama said during the 2008 campaign?

Obama said MANY MANY MANY times during his town hall events that he would reduce the troops in Iraq and INCREASE the troops in Afghanistan and fight the fight there.
That is exactly what he is doing.

Even if he wanted to bring everyone home right away, he couldn't.
The logistics of moving all the equipment, supplies, and people would still take a few years to completely evacuate.