Advice for Barack Obama
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
Dan Gates
Published: August 19, 2008
Here is advice from foreign policy leaders for Senator Obama:
“With the success of the war in Iraq and the collapse of the Hussein regime, the United States stands at the crossroads of opportunity and risk. The opportunity is to help Iraq build a peaceful decent
representative and forward looking government and society that will encourage the process of modernization and reform throughout the region. The world, the region, the United States, and the Iraqi
people are more secure now that the menace of Saddam Hussein’s regime has been removed. If we proceed wisely, we can help Iraqis achieve freedom, build a more democratic Middle East, secure
Arab-Israeli peace, and reverse the regional forces of extremism and terrorism. The risk is that we will either execute poorly and depart prematurely, allowing post-war Iraq to descend into chaos and
instability, or overreach and be heavy-handed in Iraq or the region creating a backlash against the United States and advancing the forces of Islamic radicalism.”
“The United States must stay the course in post-Hussein Iraq. We cannot “cut and run.”
“US exit strategy should be driven by these objectives and realities on the ground, not by artificial or predetermined timelines.”
“Pressures undoubtedly will build for us to exit early.”
“Operational pressures to redeploy the U.S. military to other missions will build over time, and mounting costs of the operation (both human and financial) may decrease domestic political support. The
administration’s long-standing aversion to nation-building may reassert itself over time, increasing the temptation to declare victory before victory is actually achieved, but the downsides of pulling out of
Iraq before achieving our post-conflict objectives would be even greater, incalculable damage to U.S. credibility and future U.S. initiatives in the region and globally; the increased likelihood of Islamic
radicalism becoming a powerful force in Iraqi society, and increased probability of long-term instability in Iraq and potentially the broader region.”
These words, written in July 2003, don’t come from some right-wing think tank, but from William Perry, Madeleine Albright, Samuel Berger, Wesley Clark, and John Podesta.
DAN GATES
Woodbridge
Page 1 of 1
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( phdee ) on August 24, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Cobra, did you get the stink blown off in your ride in your convertible? I know you have lots of gas.
I don’t know the year Bush dodged the military.(nor do I care - it’s old history). We had the Viet Nam war, and one way to avoid serving was to get in a reserve unit, often by politics if you family was well connected. The Nam war was fought by those who couldn’t afford college, blacks, poor whites, etc - (after all, the country had done so much for them - they owed the elitists a show of patrotism, and a need to defend all those “rights” they possessed (allegedly). Enter G. W. Bushduty assignment in Alabama. And NO ONE has ever been able to find ONE PERSON whos ever can recall having seen him there. (I always believed he was getting “dried out”.)
I note you don’t deny the “mental health” sttement made by Bush’s campaign against McClain. Howeover, uour denial of the statment on Sen, Clelan’s patriotism made by the Bush folks in the same campaign is TOTALLY false. As a Republican you show know the usual Republican tactics of lies, smears, distortion, etc.
What have I done for the US? I never gave it thought. Oh, I did serve in the military - not reserve/guard duty though - regular service. Honarable discharge.
I don’t ask questions about what other people do or say - I may question a public figure on some issue. Your allegation therefore is false, like a good Republican would make.
Does Kennedy have a foot in the grave. Ans: absolutely. So do lots of other congressmen - and US citizens. McCain does too. One can tell that from his speech and looking at his medical record.
Sorry, I don’t sit and browse the internet, be it moveon or whatever.
Anyone can run for President - if qualifications are met. That includes senior citizens. Most seniors will probably willingly talk about their health, how far from the grave they are, etc. What is your problem?
As for racism, you are a racist and white supremacist. Just a fact of life. Unfortunately, we here in PWC have to live with it.
Don’t run over a Hispanic, and e sure to get an accurate count of foreclosed homes caused by the resolution.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( cobra ) on August 21, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Phdeebag,
Please tell me how one dodges the Military in 1979 when it was an all volunteer force? Why don’t you tell us about your contributions to the US since you always question everyone else? Did you serve in the military? If so then congrats. Bush never said that about the senator from Georgia. One of those internet hoaxes you guys come up with. You need to get off of moveon.stupid phdeebag. Damn talk about being racist. What do you have against American Senior Citizens running for President? You just offended millions of people phdeebag with your one foot in the grave comment. Does Ted Kennedy have one foot in the grave? Where is that liberal compassion? Got to go phdeebag as I’m going out in the convertible mustang for a ride down PW Parkway.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( raywilliams ) on August 21, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Obama reading off a teleprompter is SO different from Bush using the ear piece in one of his debates. Remember the one where he had the lump on his back no one “could explain” and he stuttered like a three year old trying to repeat what was being spoken in his ear. Gone by the next debate I seem to recall.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( phdee ) on August 21, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Things have sure changed in Iraq since the, right Cobra? This article or statements allege to be nearly 5 years ago. Time sure changes everything? Lies come out and are plentiful. Yes sir, CHANGE (of any type) is oh so desperately needed. No more of the same Bush crap. And we don’t need a candidate who has one foot in the grave.
By the way Cobra, Bush in his presidential campaign, running against McCain, said McCain was mentally ill? Is that still true? And is that why you are pro-McCain and Republican? Bush also said Se3n. clelan of Ga. was unpatriotic despite having lost limbs in war. Do you know where coward Bush was about then? I know ... you ain’t got the courage, fortitude, and strength to reply, as a coward and military dodger yourself.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( cobra ) on August 21, 2008 at 10:20 am
Notice how no one responded to this article Dan? Libs know damn well that they are again on the wrong side of history. Man I was watching BHO on TV and it’s like watching a tennis match with his head bobbing back in forth between the Teleprompters.
Report Inappropriate Comment