Today marked the first 100 days of the Barack Obama administration. Let's take a look at his foreign policy accomplishments:
* The Global War on Terror no longer exists, it is now an Overseas Contingency Operation.
* According to DHS terrorist acts no longer exist either, but were replaced with "man-made disasters." Also returning vets might be possible right-wing terrorist recruits.
* President Obama went on a tour in Europe and Turkey to apologize for every ill America has committed from slavery to how Native Americans were treated to our "arrogance" and the fact that we have been "dismissive" of the Europeans.
* His most recent one though was his behavior with leaders in Latin America. He not only glad-handed Hugo Chavez, but also sat through a 53 minute diatribe by Daniel Ortega without responding.
* On top of of these there are the most dangerous actions of closing Gitmo without creating a plan as to what would be done with these detainees and last week's release of CIA memos detailing the way in which we interrogate captured terrorists. That action was incredibly irresponsible. "Along with this the fact that possible prosecutions were discussed and remain open to some extent is shameful.
President Obama, you're off to a great start. Hopefully you don't lower our defenses too much and make us look too weak over the next four years.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The End of a Horrible Week for the CIA
This week can be summed up as horrible for the CIA and it operators who kept us safe after 9/11 after the release of CIA memos detailing our interrogation techniques.
The point of contention here is that the enhanced interrogation techniques the CIA used are now the subject of a possible show trial in Congress to embarrass the Bush administration. This is shameful and President should have shut it down immediately as opposed to waffling on the matter.
The idea that the people responsible for keeping us safe over the past 7 years, whether they be CIA interrogators or Bush administration officials, is wrong beyond belief, especially since these very techniques saved lives. This can be seen in the fact that The CIA memos that were released proved that a second wave of attacks on the Library Towers in Los Angeles.
The memos should have never been released in the first place. President Obama was told by his CIA Director, Leon Panetta as well as previous directors that it was unwise. That was his first mistake. His second was leaving the idea that there would be the possibility of a Truth Commission, special prosecutor, or some other form of a witch hunt. This President is showing a lack of foresight and leadership and is instead of looking forward, like he said he would, is perpetually looking back. I believe only when polls showed such prosecutions were very unpopular that he chose not too.
This week has been horribly demoralizing for the CIA, and I only hope releasing these memos does not result in our enemies being emboldened and the loss of life.
The point of contention here is that the enhanced interrogation techniques the CIA used are now the subject of a possible show trial in Congress to embarrass the Bush administration. This is shameful and President should have shut it down immediately as opposed to waffling on the matter.
The idea that the people responsible for keeping us safe over the past 7 years, whether they be CIA interrogators or Bush administration officials, is wrong beyond belief, especially since these very techniques saved lives. This can be seen in the fact that The CIA memos that were released proved that a second wave of attacks on the Library Towers in Los Angeles.
The memos should have never been released in the first place. President Obama was told by his CIA Director, Leon Panetta as well as previous directors that it was unwise. That was his first mistake. His second was leaving the idea that there would be the possibility of a Truth Commission, special prosecutor, or some other form of a witch hunt. This President is showing a lack of foresight and leadership and is instead of looking forward, like he said he would, is perpetually looking back. I believe only when polls showed such prosecutions were very unpopular that he chose not too.
This week has been horribly demoralizing for the CIA, and I only hope releasing these memos does not result in our enemies being emboldened and the loss of life.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Shameful Behavior by the Administration
This week the Obama Administration has acted shamefully in regards to the very people who protect this country.
First, DHS put out an intel report warning that returning soldiers might be recruits for right wing groups. This is shameful for two reasons. First, shouldn't DHS focus on protecting the homeland against real terrorists instead of perceived ones, people who simply disagree with them? Secondly, I find it absurd that these men and women, who are defending our country, are coming back to be labeled as possible terrorists. Is this how the US government repays their sacrifice?
Secondly, today President Obama released previously classified CIA memos on how we treated detained terrorists and agreed not to prosecute the CIA operatives who acted these interrogations out. He said in part that would end a dark and painful part of our history. That cannot be anymore ridiculous. Since 9/11 we have been kept safe by such practices, and to paraphrase Bill Kristol, it's really big of President Obama not to prosecute them.
First, DHS put out an intel report warning that returning soldiers might be recruits for right wing groups. This is shameful for two reasons. First, shouldn't DHS focus on protecting the homeland against real terrorists instead of perceived ones, people who simply disagree with them? Secondly, I find it absurd that these men and women, who are defending our country, are coming back to be labeled as possible terrorists. Is this how the US government repays their sacrifice?
Secondly, today President Obama released previously classified CIA memos on how we treated detained terrorists and agreed not to prosecute the CIA operatives who acted these interrogations out. He said in part that would end a dark and painful part of our history. That cannot be anymore ridiculous. Since 9/11 we have been kept safe by such practices, and to paraphrase Bill Kristol, it's really big of President Obama not to prosecute them.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The G-20 and Other News of the Week
It would seem the European leaders who once fawned over Barack Obama, aren't as willing to work with him now. Angela Merkel and Nicholas Sarkozy, to name but two, are not willing to go along with President Obama's plan, and Russia's Dmitry Medvedev didn't exactly appear willing to aid us in our endeavors as far as foreign policy are concerned. This is not a good way to begin a presidency. If he cannot get allies on board now how does he expect to get their assistance on other substantive issues such as Afghanistan?
In other news a judge in Washinton, D.C. has said detainees held in Afghanistan have a right to question their detainment in US courts. Much like the Gitmo case of last year, this does not bode well for American security. If detainees cn question their detainment they put our ability to fight the GWOT at risk. Luckily, the Obama administration is fighting this, but who knows if it will work considering the precedent that's been started.
In other news a judge in Washinton, D.C. has said detainees held in Afghanistan have a right to question their detainment in US courts. Much like the Gitmo case of last year, this does not bode well for American security. If detainees cn question their detainment they put our ability to fight the GWOT at risk. Luckily, the Obama administration is fighting this, but who knows if it will work considering the precedent that's been started.
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