Obama presides over a country known for, Guantanamo Bay, torture, waterboarding, crass invasions of multiple countries, the largest prison system on earth, eroded civil liberties, mass domestic surveillance, no right to privacy, an institutionalized oligarchy, worldwide terror bombing, where collateral damage is a euphemism for mass murder, all of which he condones, and has the nerve to call others thugs. Go for it big boy. You lost me.
What has the U.S. done to get so many Muslims to hate us? Answering that might help us develop a solution that works.
14
For all those who want to see strong American action against ISIS, with troops on the ground, or a strong confrontation with Saudi Arabia: get your Congressmen and Senators to vote for it. The inability of the Republican-controlled Congress to pass any legislation on the same issues that their Presidential candidates are constantly telling the press and their constituents merely shows that they are all tough talk but no action at all.
11
This is the sixth day running the Times ran pieces about guns when reporting on the second biggest terror event in the country's history.
What the Times and he fail to realize is the struggle for the hearts and minds of the American people has been lost. My friends right and left are not deluded. For some reason Islam and it's adherents get passes others don't. Both killers wore costumes displaying their adherence not to Islam in the 21st century but to Islam in the 7th- this alone drives my muslim friends bonkers. It is getting worse and we abbet it by pretending a mode of dress more suitable to a period play is normal.
The Times and the president have lost the war of relevance. He has accomplished the unthinkable he is by a country mile much worse than his predecessor. And if you really must opine about guns here is a new topic for you. I will be owning one for the first time in my life. I would be stupid not to. My country employing in it's security services (D.H.S.) seventy people on it's own no fly list. It' just bizarre I have no real expectation of being protected from those that would kill me not when my president offers the same platitudes he used seven years ago during the "ground zero" mosque controversy. Here is your new gun and terror problem. Because the latter was not tended to I will for the first time in my life be owning one.
.....goodbye grey lady you were once more than just a good read and were sane
What the Times and he fail to realize is the struggle for the hearts and minds of the American people has been lost. My friends right and left are not deluded. For some reason Islam and it's adherents get passes others don't. Both killers wore costumes displaying their adherence not to Islam in the 21st century but to Islam in the 7th- this alone drives my muslim friends bonkers. It is getting worse and we abbet it by pretending a mode of dress more suitable to a period play is normal.
The Times and the president have lost the war of relevance. He has accomplished the unthinkable he is by a country mile much worse than his predecessor. And if you really must opine about guns here is a new topic for you. I will be owning one for the first time in my life. I would be stupid not to. My country employing in it's security services (D.H.S.) seventy people on it's own no fly list. It' just bizarre I have no real expectation of being protected from those that would kill me not when my president offers the same platitudes he used seven years ago during the "ground zero" mosque controversy. Here is your new gun and terror problem. Because the latter was not tended to I will for the first time in my life be owning one.
.....goodbye grey lady you were once more than just a good read and were sane
21
Mr. Obama continues to act as though someone else is leading us. He seems to want to convey the notion that if only Congress or if only the NRA or if only his opposition would go along with his "common sense" measures, then all this violence would be stopped.
He distracts. He dodges. He misnames our enemy. He actually encourages those who kill us! (See the insane "treaty" with the world's largest sponsor of terrorism, Iran!)
If he was not the President, he could well be the spokesman for CAIR.
I would prefer he just become their spokesman and stop trying to give all of us a guilt trip for being American and wanting to keep our unique culture alive.
But that won't garner more votes for progressives, now will it!
He distracts. He dodges. He misnames our enemy. He actually encourages those who kill us! (See the insane "treaty" with the world's largest sponsor of terrorism, Iran!)
If he was not the President, he could well be the spokesman for CAIR.
I would prefer he just become their spokesman and stop trying to give all of us a guilt trip for being American and wanting to keep our unique culture alive.
But that won't garner more votes for progressives, now will it!
15
President Obama said it, but I wish he had hammered it home more forcefully: the problem is not Islamic terrorism, it is terrorism. As many US citizens have been killed by non-Muslim terrorists since 9/11 as have be killed by "Muslim" terrorists. These killers are simply criminals, it's just that some of them spout rationalizations for their actions that are couched in religious terms. What makes it terrorism is that we get terrified and over-react. Daesh/ISIL/ISIS counts on that — that's why they do it. When people start vilifying all Muslims they are doing exactly what the terrorists want: then they can point to the anti-Muslim sentiments in the West and say, "See, the infidels have declared war on Islam, come join our struggle to defeat the enemy."
We should instead be saying "We know these criminals do not represent billions of peace-loving Muslims, and we will join with civilized people throughout the world to stop these crimes against humanity." This is the real damage that the Republican candidates are inflicting by stirring up primitive revenge fantasies and appealing to the baser nature of voters. They are actively worsening this terrible problem.
We should instead be saying "We know these criminals do not represent billions of peace-loving Muslims, and we will join with civilized people throughout the world to stop these crimes against humanity." This is the real damage that the Republican candidates are inflicting by stirring up primitive revenge fantasies and appealing to the baser nature of voters. They are actively worsening this terrible problem.
20
The republicans are promoting fear, panic and endless war. Obama is a calming influence in this sea of unreason. I don't agree with all his policies but am thankful he's there and not one of them.
39
Critics call for other strategies than the ones the President is pursuing. Basically, there are two alternatives and both require Congressional action to be constitutional. One is to turn America more thoroughly into a surveillance police state, to reach deeper into the lives and minds of all Americans the better to find terrorist needles in the haystack. The other is to wage more full scale war on ISIS in Syria and Iraq with American combat troops. But will the GOP, which controls both the House and the Senate vote to advance either of those strategies? No. Never. Why? Because however angry and fearful the American public is at the moment, Republican politicians understand that, in fairly short order, within an election cycle or two, the public will turn on any politician, any party, that leads them down either of these roads. And so from Republican politicians we hear nothing but politically safe demagoguery, which, because it commits them and America to nothing, will be forgotten once this season to harvest votes comes to an end.
15
Roughly nine nation states in the world today are theocracies -- that is, the nation's laws are based upon religious texts and faith. All of them (except the Vatican which, for this discussion, is irrelevant) are Muslim theocracies in the Middle East and Africa. At least one (Iran) officially espouses the destruction of the United States. Other majority- Muslim nations or territories (e.g. Palestinian Authority) have a significant percentage of the population who hold views and support practices that would be considered entirely anti-democratic and extreme by anyone professing to hold Liberal (capital 'L") democratic views.
I'll belabor the point: there are no Buddhist, Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist or Jewish theocracies today. No group identifying with any particular religion or ideology--besides Islam-- has declared war on the United States or professed as a goal the complete destruction of Western civilization.
No, we are not at war with Islam-- and no one in their right mind is suggesting we should be. Yes, the majority of Muslims are truly peaceful people. But we are at war with Islamist extremists who are inspired, supported, and are energized by a form of Islam practiced by a statistically significant percentage of Muslims living in theocracies and other majority Muslim nations/territories. We need to understand and deal with this reality-- not pretend through semantics and linguistic acrobatics that reality is somehow different.
I'll belabor the point: there are no Buddhist, Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist or Jewish theocracies today. No group identifying with any particular religion or ideology--besides Islam-- has declared war on the United States or professed as a goal the complete destruction of Western civilization.
No, we are not at war with Islam-- and no one in their right mind is suggesting we should be. Yes, the majority of Muslims are truly peaceful people. But we are at war with Islamist extremists who are inspired, supported, and are energized by a form of Islam practiced by a statistically significant percentage of Muslims living in theocracies and other majority Muslim nations/territories. We need to understand and deal with this reality-- not pretend through semantics and linguistic acrobatics that reality is somehow different.
18
No one knows for sure what to do NOW. The last time someone knew what to do, or I should say, what NOT to do, was in 2003. It was then that Obama (along with a few other liberals & conservatives) said do NOT start an unnecessary war in Iraq. Most Americans didn't listen to him then. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt now.
21
Last night, Barack Obama's face did not reflect quiet determination, it exposed disquieting boredom, distraction and maybe even sedation.
Last night Barack Obama did not assure the American people that ISIS would be stopped, he hemmed and hawed about 2008 campaign themes as faded as his posters and banners.
Absolutely no new actions, no changes to a failed ISIS strategy and sadly, no relief for the American people from a failed presidency.
Last night Barack Obama did not assure the American people that ISIS would be stopped, he hemmed and hawed about 2008 campaign themes as faded as his posters and banners.
Absolutely no new actions, no changes to a failed ISIS strategy and sadly, no relief for the American people from a failed presidency.
17
The president continues to defend a failed policy. Just another example of his inability to look at reality. ISIS is not contained! ISIS ideology is a threat! We can put the Syrian immigrant through a background check. His administration put Farhook's wife through that background process--OOPS missed that one. Then they missed Farhook under the background check when he bought two pistols.
The president wants us to trust his administration on immigration and waging a non-war on ISIS.
The president wants us to trust his administration on immigration and waging a non-war on ISIS.
10
Thank you, Times. Thank you, Obama!
We need more peace and love, the kind that cast out fear. This week I intend to go, yet again, to a local Islamic Center to declare my solidarity with them.
I think Churches and Synogogues and Islamic centers, Hindu Temples and so on should initiate days for people to turn in guns. Sermons can be given, with words from sacred texts, which are indicative of the non-violent character of every faith. Call it "Swords to Plowshares".
We need to start somewhere. Each of us can do our part.
We need more peace and love, the kind that cast out fear. This week I intend to go, yet again, to a local Islamic Center to declare my solidarity with them.
I think Churches and Synogogues and Islamic centers, Hindu Temples and so on should initiate days for people to turn in guns. Sermons can be given, with words from sacred texts, which are indicative of the non-violent character of every faith. Call it "Swords to Plowshares".
We need to start somewhere. Each of us can do our part.
13
Obama's comments on ISIS are like scenes in a bad movie. If you roll back the tape, he starts by saying how bush-league ISIS is, how our work is done in Iraq and Syria, how all will be well and etc; and slowly it gets to the point where he tries to explain how ISIS followers in the US can commit mass murder but the big picture is still quite fine. All the while, of course, he explains that none of this has to do with any mythology-based belief system; these are all demented lone wolves in action, no Big Picture here, and that the most important thing is not to look askance at anyone or think bad thoughts about anything and all will be well. meanwhile, Hillary gives a speech about banks that is a pretty good repetition of points that folks have been making ever since her husband eased the bank laws 20 years ago; nothing new here either. We go from bad to worse so it seems.
12
I don't want to sound pessimistic or alarmist, but the 3rd WW has begun. Let's face it, we have in this war the USA, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Australia, Northern Africa and Nigeria. Even China has pledged support to Russian efforts. It's not a World War in name only.
6
On War. As a nation we need to have a Draft. Why? Because that will bring the needed thoughtfulness to us putting our soldiers on the ground (Repubs seem eager to set that in motion all the time). With the foolishness of the second Iraq ("pre-emptive" war), I think the nation would have balked at going in because the danger to the soldiers would have been more evenly spread among the population. Much of the armed forces are populated by young people needing opportunities for college assistance, training and job skills, and frankly, largely NOT from middle and upper income families. This matters. Its why, in part there was such organized opposition to Vietnam, because Senator's sons were going in there too. During Iraq two we even sent in National Guard troops!? Crazy. Our country needs less reactivity and sending our troops in to defeat the 'enemy' and then be stuck trying to rebuild a nation in a part of the world that hates us. There are ways to defeat this death cult aside from putting more of our young people in the Middle East.
14
Linking Islamic terror to our second amendment proves that this president is just not serious. In fact one has to wonder why the president seems to have a common interest with the terrorists? Limiting our freedoms as a result of terrorist acts is exactly the kind of effect they desire. Why does Obama want to gift wrap a victory for the terrorists?
9
Part of Obama's speech was to reassure the average American that the fight with ISIL is going well. But the more you know the facts, the more you know that his speech was riddled with deceptive references.
For example, he makes the statement that in both Iraq and Syria "we're deploying special operations forces who can accelerate the offensive." The reality is our recently touted deployment of 50 additional special forces for Iraq is being blocked by widespread anti-Americanism among Shiites in the Iraqi government.
But the worst example of being disingenuous is Obama's statement that "since the attacks in Paris our closest Allies--including France, Germany and the United Kingdom--have ramped up their contributions to our military campaign."
Germany! After much wrenching debate Germany finally has agreed to provide 6 Tornado reconnaissance planes, satellite radar, a frigate to support the French aircraft carrier and mid-air fueling capacity. The contribution of these redundant non-combat functions is being made primarily for their public relations value to Germany. Militarily, Germany's contributions are pathetic--only 30 of about 60 of Germany's Tornadoes are deployable and the youngest is 25 years old. Obama's need to invoke Germany's pitiful contribution to bolster his claim of an effectively invigorated fight is being dishonest to his audience.
At least Obama did not include Canada "among our closest allies."
For example, he makes the statement that in both Iraq and Syria "we're deploying special operations forces who can accelerate the offensive." The reality is our recently touted deployment of 50 additional special forces for Iraq is being blocked by widespread anti-Americanism among Shiites in the Iraqi government.
But the worst example of being disingenuous is Obama's statement that "since the attacks in Paris our closest Allies--including France, Germany and the United Kingdom--have ramped up their contributions to our military campaign."
Germany! After much wrenching debate Germany finally has agreed to provide 6 Tornado reconnaissance planes, satellite radar, a frigate to support the French aircraft carrier and mid-air fueling capacity. The contribution of these redundant non-combat functions is being made primarily for their public relations value to Germany. Militarily, Germany's contributions are pathetic--only 30 of about 60 of Germany's Tornadoes are deployable and the youngest is 25 years old. Obama's need to invoke Germany's pitiful contribution to bolster his claim of an effectively invigorated fight is being dishonest to his audience.
At least Obama did not include Canada "among our closest allies."
10
Most Americans are living in near economic panic and fear of daily violence and crime well before S.B. Truth be told that we're becoming more jittery each passing day. Add into this mix another terrorist attack we may collectively respond with a reaction beyond fear and that is sheer violence. So many of us are on the brink of becoming Michael Douglas in the film "Falling Down". The gov't knows this and is trying to placate our collective mental state. These words from the President may help some but mostly it's just going to stir the emotional pot already stewing. Tune into an AM radio talk show this morning to get the gist of this. It ain't pretty.
4
I think the emphasis on not turning this into a war against all of Islam is about the most important thing here. Republican candidates are trying to work their voters into a mindless, racist frenzy over Islam, because they know bigotry sells well, and fear will prevent their supporters from noticing their utter lack of presidential qualifications.
But every Muslim I've ever known has been friendly, kind, reasonable, and more of a pacifist than me. The vast majority of them have nothing to do with terrorism, and Muslims are the vast majority of terrorists' victims too. We need their help against this scourge, and we need not to alienate them or the terrorism motivation will grow and they won't help to stop it.
As for the gun control things, I honestly don't think they'll make any difference. No terrorists so far in America, and no shooting rampage psychos, were on any No-Fly list or watch list. Most terrorists and mass shooters here got their guns legally. If they had to, I'm sure they could get them illegally. And if we melted down all the guns in the country, people could easily start using trucks full of homemade fertilizer or propane bombs.
I think what could have been stressed a bit more instead is that we should partner with Russia, China, and anyone else who can help, and eradicate the Daesh completely, to the last man. No prisoners, no haven left standing, we must remove them from existence.
But every Muslim I've ever known has been friendly, kind, reasonable, and more of a pacifist than me. The vast majority of them have nothing to do with terrorism, and Muslims are the vast majority of terrorists' victims too. We need their help against this scourge, and we need not to alienate them or the terrorism motivation will grow and they won't help to stop it.
As for the gun control things, I honestly don't think they'll make any difference. No terrorists so far in America, and no shooting rampage psychos, were on any No-Fly list or watch list. Most terrorists and mass shooters here got their guns legally. If they had to, I'm sure they could get them illegally. And if we melted down all the guns in the country, people could easily start using trucks full of homemade fertilizer or propane bombs.
I think what could have been stressed a bit more instead is that we should partner with Russia, China, and anyone else who can help, and eradicate the Daesh completely, to the last man. No prisoners, no haven left standing, we must remove them from existence.
6
I'm all for the President's calm, thoughtful approach to dealing with the IS.
That said, no one has gone far enough with proposals to reduce domestic firearm violence.
BAN firearms in America! We'll dash firearm violence and the criminals will stand out in stark relief - because they'll posses arms. Of course, the 2nd Amendment will have to be repealed or undone. No small task. But, therein lies a strong remedy to all of this death and crazy destruction.
That said, no one has gone far enough with proposals to reduce domestic firearm violence.
BAN firearms in America! We'll dash firearm violence and the criminals will stand out in stark relief - because they'll posses arms. Of course, the 2nd Amendment will have to be repealed or undone. No small task. But, therein lies a strong remedy to all of this death and crazy destruction.
10
Tom Brokaw on Morning Joe this morning said that he finds almost no one who is happy with Obama's war policies. POTUS was suppoused to be a great speaker who I thought would being his audience to their feet instead I find his presentation to be one big yawn. At this point I don't want to see boots on the ground nor do I want to see people attacked because of their religion. What happened to drawing the red line if Assad used chemical weapons. He missed his opportunity and because of Bush, Cheney and Obama we are in a bad situation.
7
My family and I listened carefully to the President's speech, and discussed it afterward. We felt that he struck the right tone, saying that the US is doing the best it can to strike ISIS in the countries where it is embedded, and that while it is a difficult task, we will prevail. The President urged Americans to understand that ISIS is a radical group, and that we should not paint all Muslims with the same broad brush, turning against one another based on fear. My family agreed with our President on all points.
Conservatives couldn't wait to jump on the President's measured and thoughtful remarks. The candidates raced to their favorite form of communication with the nation, with Donald Trump winning the race to post a sarcastic critique on Twitter in only 90 seconds. This foreshadows how he would react to world crises if, God forbid, he is elected. One can imagine him reacted in 90 seconds to a situation he doesn't completely comprehend in a rush to prove his manhood, er, "strength".
Conservatives couldn't wait to jump on the President's measured and thoughtful remarks. The candidates raced to their favorite form of communication with the nation, with Donald Trump winning the race to post a sarcastic critique on Twitter in only 90 seconds. This foreshadows how he would react to world crises if, God forbid, he is elected. One can imagine him reacted in 90 seconds to a situation he doesn't completely comprehend in a rush to prove his manhood, er, "strength".
20
I support Obama's approach and I applaud his thoughtful and measured demeanor. However, I also think he could have been far more inspiring; he has been so in the past. One thing that he and virtually every other leader does not emphasize or even say is that ISIL might be using religion or religious entity to recruit and for propaganda purposes and even to obfuscate their goals (power and territory) but it is not a religious organization. The people in it feign religious fervor but that is merely a way to validate their hatred. The same is true with any fundamentalist, extremist fervor that uses the guise of religion, be it Christians, Jews or Buddhists.
6
About two thousand years ago the Roman Empire, at that time the most powerful force in the world, had thrown everything at its disposal to destroy a budding movement called the Christianity.
There was no cruel and merciless tactic or strategy that wasn’t deployed – crucifixions, decapitations, mutilations or feeding the followers to the lions.
It didn’t work at all.
You can defeat a movement that offers hope to the followers only by giving them even more hope and confidence.
You can defeat the al Qaeda and the ISIS only by offering to those followers more hope – the one specifically prescribed in the Koran, and not the dogmas created by the Hadiths or the Sharia laws and promoted by al-Baghdadi...
Why is so hard for our elected officials to understand this simple truth?
Finally, if al-Baghdadi is capable of recruiting the followers in France and America by an empty rhetoric over the internet, that’s only because Obama and Hollande relentlessly preach that all of us should be very thankful to the filthy rich individuals and their capital for feeding us and paying the taxes on our behalf, thus we have to obediently compete with the Indians and the
Chinese over who can work harder and cheaper without any complaints because that’s the direction our world is taking for centuries to come...
Is that inspirational and uplifting hope we were promised several years ago?
There was no cruel and merciless tactic or strategy that wasn’t deployed – crucifixions, decapitations, mutilations or feeding the followers to the lions.
It didn’t work at all.
You can defeat a movement that offers hope to the followers only by giving them even more hope and confidence.
You can defeat the al Qaeda and the ISIS only by offering to those followers more hope – the one specifically prescribed in the Koran, and not the dogmas created by the Hadiths or the Sharia laws and promoted by al-Baghdadi...
Why is so hard for our elected officials to understand this simple truth?
Finally, if al-Baghdadi is capable of recruiting the followers in France and America by an empty rhetoric over the internet, that’s only because Obama and Hollande relentlessly preach that all of us should be very thankful to the filthy rich individuals and their capital for feeding us and paying the taxes on our behalf, thus we have to obediently compete with the Indians and the
Chinese over who can work harder and cheaper without any complaints because that’s the direction our world is taking for centuries to come...
Is that inspirational and uplifting hope we were promised several years ago?
5
The essay reads this:
"The speech signaled how worried the White House has become about the trajectory the war against the Islamic State, or ISIS, could take if a sense of widespread panic, turbocharged by election year politics, started shaping domestic and foreign policy."
So the speech was political, spin control so as not to hurt the Democrats during an election campaign. Frank assessment from the NYT's.
Three weeks ago Pres. Obama told us ISIS was contained. Events have dictated otherwise, so yesterday Obama makes a prime time speech telling Americans not to panic and hate Muslims, because panic and hating Muslims is what ISIS really wants.
I think the president of doing a good enough of a job himself giving ISIS what it wants; panic or hated of Muslims by unwashed Americans notwithstanding.
"The speech signaled how worried the White House has become about the trajectory the war against the Islamic State, or ISIS, could take if a sense of widespread panic, turbocharged by election year politics, started shaping domestic and foreign policy."
So the speech was political, spin control so as not to hurt the Democrats during an election campaign. Frank assessment from the NYT's.
Three weeks ago Pres. Obama told us ISIS was contained. Events have dictated otherwise, so yesterday Obama makes a prime time speech telling Americans not to panic and hate Muslims, because panic and hating Muslims is what ISIS really wants.
I think the president of doing a good enough of a job himself giving ISIS what it wants; panic or hated of Muslims by unwashed Americans notwithstanding.
2
On the one hand you have the drone terror, on the other haphazard assassination, and there will be no end to either unless (1) there is admission on the West’s part for the crimes committed, starting with Sykes-Picot in 1919, the overthrow of Mossadegh, the destabilization of A’stan + CIA creation of the Mujahedeen (the Djiny that can’t be put back in the bottle, that just keeps growing Dragon’s teeth) + (2) an attempt at a settlement along the lines of Europe’s post WW II to forego intra-European warfare. I don’t see any statesmen or women about to do anything of the kind but the same old same old bombs away!
1
New York Times: “During his Oval Office address on Sunday night, President Obama sought to reassure Americans that his administration’s expanding campaign against the Islamic State will succeed in reducing threats of terrorism…”
Obama’s attempts at reassurance were mere pablum: “The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us”. He offered no new initiatives to be convincing that the US would deliver a more muscular fight against ISIL.
For the vast majority of Americans who looked to his speech for hope of effectiveness from this Administration, they received no reassurances; quite the contrary, Obama was tone deaf as to what most Americans hoped to hear. His speech was worse than having said nothing.
Obama’s attempts at reassurance were mere pablum: “The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us”. He offered no new initiatives to be convincing that the US would deliver a more muscular fight against ISIL.
For the vast majority of Americans who looked to his speech for hope of effectiveness from this Administration, they received no reassurances; quite the contrary, Obama was tone deaf as to what most Americans hoped to hear. His speech was worse than having said nothing.
6
If freedom is more powerful than fear then why does this President and the American left fear both the Second and First Amendments to the Constitution?
You want proof? Enough with "safe spaces", "gun-free and free speech zones".
You want proof? Enough with "safe spaces", "gun-free and free speech zones".
3
I find it astonishing that the president hasn't gone to San Bernardino to mourn with the families of the poor survivors of this massacre and the victims' families.
8
The President's refusal of not calling ISIL a product of Radical Islam is contrary to facts. I believe that most Muslims throughout the world including USA practice their religion peacefully but there is a significant minority specially in Islamic countries with Sharia laws that believes in the universality of Islam and achieving it by any means. Unless we acknowledge this reality, we will not be able to deal with ISIL or any other similar group successfully.
5
I get it that Americans are afraid of another terrorist attack. But how about fearing more everyday threats?
Two come to mind. The first is non-terrorist violence from the misuse of guns. (When will we ever tackle that problem in a responsible way?)
The second is automobile accidents, which kill almost 90 Americans EVERY DAY. So much of this carnage is preventable if we were serious about keeping irresponsible, unskilled, and/or impaired drivers off the road.
Two come to mind. The first is non-terrorist violence from the misuse of guns. (When will we ever tackle that problem in a responsible way?)
The second is automobile accidents, which kill almost 90 Americans EVERY DAY. So much of this carnage is preventable if we were serious about keeping irresponsible, unskilled, and/or impaired drivers off the road.
4
I think Obama was correct, in a sense, when he called ISIS the "JV team." Because they are just a "team" in a league in a sport called Islamic fascism. There are lots of other teams and tens of millions of fans of this sport all over the world. What is particularly pernicious about Islamic fascism is that it contains a religion that resembles both Christianity and Judaism. The other totalitarian ideologies that threatened Western democracy in the past 75 years, Nazism and Communism, did not masquerade as Abrahamic faiths.
I suspect that most nominal Muslims are not Islamic fascists but their value systems dwell on a continuum that has no place for enlightened Western style democracy. Of the 50 or so Islamic republics in the world there is none that we Americans would begin to recognize as "democratic."
The general dissatisfaction with Obama's speech is that he just focused on one team, ISIS, without even naming the sport that we need to defeat.
I suspect that most nominal Muslims are not Islamic fascists but their value systems dwell on a continuum that has no place for enlightened Western style democracy. Of the 50 or so Islamic republics in the world there is none that we Americans would begin to recognize as "democratic."
The general dissatisfaction with Obama's speech is that he just focused on one team, ISIS, without even naming the sport that we need to defeat.
3
Does anyone have any idea what all the carping Monday morning quarterbacks, from Trump on down, would do differently? I've now read a number of articles in different publications along with the comments: plenty of complaining and even mocking the president, but not one concrete suggestion.
Do you want an all-out war, boots on the ground? Well, then, say so.
And more important, show us the budget for this war you want and let us see you and yours lining up at the nearest recruitment station. What's that? Oh, you have better things to do, and there's this heel spur that really hurts, and your son has his mission to make in a nice, cushy place in Europe, and of course we can't raise taxes..... But you'd really love that war.
Or maybe you think the Islamic State would simply fold if Donald Trump were president. The awe-inspiring presence of the great man in the orange toupe, the one grimacing and flailing his arms around, would stop them in their tracks. Sure.
Do you want an all-out war, boots on the ground? Well, then, say so.
And more important, show us the budget for this war you want and let us see you and yours lining up at the nearest recruitment station. What's that? Oh, you have better things to do, and there's this heel spur that really hurts, and your son has his mission to make in a nice, cushy place in Europe, and of course we can't raise taxes..... But you'd really love that war.
Or maybe you think the Islamic State would simply fold if Donald Trump were president. The awe-inspiring presence of the great man in the orange toupe, the one grimacing and flailing his arms around, would stop them in their tracks. Sure.
13
I am fairly certain Obama's "calming talk" just elected Donald Trump our 45th President.
6
President Hollande, a socialist, sounded like a leader after the Paris attacks. Obama sounded like he couldn't be bothered.
7
I just read where Trump is going to use “Pearl Harbor Day” to get his low informed base fired up.
Being from Hawai’i using that day is far worse than any stunt Rudy Giuliani uses for 9/11.
Every family, ever military person was changed forever on that Day of Infamy. As residents walked up to the foothills of the Koolau Mountains to see what was going on, the Pearl Harbor sailors turned their anti-aircraft guns up and killed (accidentally) many of our people! The terror of that Sunday morning at 0755 (1355 EST)---just at a similar time as the Twin Towers came down broke into the sleepy peace of a Sunday morning.
Native Hawai’ians, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Jews were on their way to Sunday services.
The terrible assault sending pillars of fire and smoke into the air, lasted less than two hours, claimed the lives of more than 2,400 people, wounded 1,000 more and damaged or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Almost half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor occurred on the naval battleship USS Arizona, which was hit four times by Japanese bombers.
20 ships! These were our aircraft carriers, our battleships-the Arizona, the Utah. Arizona Memorial lies perpendicular across her amidships--not touching the ship. You can still see bubbles of oil breaking through the surface of the Pacific (Pacific meaning “peace) and you can see her turrets broken off at low tide. 74 years ago today.
Using this date is a horrific thing Mr. Trump. No Class!
Being from Hawai’i using that day is far worse than any stunt Rudy Giuliani uses for 9/11.
Every family, ever military person was changed forever on that Day of Infamy. As residents walked up to the foothills of the Koolau Mountains to see what was going on, the Pearl Harbor sailors turned their anti-aircraft guns up and killed (accidentally) many of our people! The terror of that Sunday morning at 0755 (1355 EST)---just at a similar time as the Twin Towers came down broke into the sleepy peace of a Sunday morning.
Native Hawai’ians, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Jews were on their way to Sunday services.
The terrible assault sending pillars of fire and smoke into the air, lasted less than two hours, claimed the lives of more than 2,400 people, wounded 1,000 more and damaged or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Almost half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor occurred on the naval battleship USS Arizona, which was hit four times by Japanese bombers.
20 ships! These were our aircraft carriers, our battleships-the Arizona, the Utah. Arizona Memorial lies perpendicular across her amidships--not touching the ship. You can still see bubbles of oil breaking through the surface of the Pacific (Pacific meaning “peace) and you can see her turrets broken off at low tide. 74 years ago today.
Using this date is a horrific thing Mr. Trump. No Class!
7
this is th new abnormal
1
Obama is not going to change course regardless to the damage his run and hide strategy has wroth. Just an ineffective leader give his people jive instead of action.
2
"As is his flat-out refusal/inability to display the absolutely legitimate anger the terror attack in California deserves.
Mr. Trump is displaying that anger, and he is currently doing much better with the American people than the President is." -- A. Stanton
With this I cannot agree. Anger is not what's needed. A near hysterical emotional response is exactly what is NOT needed (cf. Iraq). Indeed, we get a daily dose from Republican candidates and Fox, which mostly provides ISIS with free publicity. What is especially needed in the face of adversity is a determined, studied and persistent approach. ISIS needs to be eliminated (that won't solve all Middle Eastern problems), and it will be.
That said, ISIS -- as despicable and dangerous as it is -- is not an existential threat to the US homeland in the sense of a WWII or Cuban Missile Crisis. And anger doesn't help, including that that flows from unqualified candidates whose chief characteristics are demagoguery, shouting and insult.
Mr. Trump is displaying that anger, and he is currently doing much better with the American people than the President is." -- A. Stanton
With this I cannot agree. Anger is not what's needed. A near hysterical emotional response is exactly what is NOT needed (cf. Iraq). Indeed, we get a daily dose from Republican candidates and Fox, which mostly provides ISIS with free publicity. What is especially needed in the face of adversity is a determined, studied and persistent approach. ISIS needs to be eliminated (that won't solve all Middle Eastern problems), and it will be.
That said, ISIS -- as despicable and dangerous as it is -- is not an existential threat to the US homeland in the sense of a WWII or Cuban Missile Crisis. And anger doesn't help, including that that flows from unqualified candidates whose chief characteristics are demagoguery, shouting and insult.
3
The instant reaction of both the presidents of France and Russia to ISIS attacks against their countries was that they will attack and destroy the Islamic State. It is however clear that even if they did manage to completely defeat ISIS and oust them from all of the territory that they refer to as the Islamic State, this would not have the least bit effect on the ability of ISIS to continue to commit terrorist attacks against them.
This is because the arm of ISIS that is responsible for attacks on foreign soil does not need a state of its own to carry out attacks. All that it needs is a network of operatives to plan and carry out attacks. The Paris attacks, for example, were conducted in Europe from start to finish.
At most ISIS will need a base and perhaps a training camp and they already have many affiliates in other countries where they can set up.
What these leaders have yet to contemplate is that ISIS will fight to the last man, turning every city they fight in into Stalingrad. By the time a city like Mosul is cleared of ISIS there will be nothing left of that city, in addition to tens of thousands of civilian casualties.
And when the world will see the photos of the death and destruction brought on by the allied bombs the Arab world will erupt in rage over the "massacre" of thousands of Arab civilians. And that will only serve the needs of ISIS.
In addition after the first city is destroyed there will be no appetite to go forward, destroying city after city.
This is because the arm of ISIS that is responsible for attacks on foreign soil does not need a state of its own to carry out attacks. All that it needs is a network of operatives to plan and carry out attacks. The Paris attacks, for example, were conducted in Europe from start to finish.
At most ISIS will need a base and perhaps a training camp and they already have many affiliates in other countries where they can set up.
What these leaders have yet to contemplate is that ISIS will fight to the last man, turning every city they fight in into Stalingrad. By the time a city like Mosul is cleared of ISIS there will be nothing left of that city, in addition to tens of thousands of civilian casualties.
And when the world will see the photos of the death and destruction brought on by the allied bombs the Arab world will erupt in rage over the "massacre" of thousands of Arab civilians. And that will only serve the needs of ISIS.
In addition after the first city is destroyed there will be no appetite to go forward, destroying city after city.
1
Calming? Maintain the status quo? How is that working now against the JV Team? They are NOT contained.
4
Maybe if Obama were not so calm and actually backed up his "tough" words with real action, Islamic terrorists would not have murdered 14 people in San Bernardino. Talk is cheap. It's way past time to take the war to ISIS, and not just with useless air strikes.
4
"We will overcome," is not calming.
Trite cliches are not helpful at this point. ISIS inspired Islamic extremist terrorism has killed over 100 in Paris, shot down an aircraft, and now butchered 14 in our country- and that's just in the last month! The movement is on a clear trajectory of momentum, to the extent that it is not implausible that we are on the cusp of a major attack, or a string of mid-level attacks.
In London and Israel stabbing attacks and the use of vehicles for running down children prelude a new phase of terrorism that even the fantasy of gun control so strict that a suicidal terrorist could not work around it, will do nothing to prevent.
Twisted statistics comparing the 47 killed by by "domestic" terrorism in our homeland since 9/11 (but not including 9/11 for some odd reason) to a global threat that kills that many before breakfast on a daily basis do nothing to calm anyone with an intelligence level higher than a second grader.
Defeating ISIS is not about shaping public perception and fine speeches. He can not rely on the skill set which has propelled him thus far of smooth words and a shiny image delivered by an army of adoring media. His act gets flatter as he tries to shut his eyes and run down the clock. ISIS, which doesn't play by the normal rules, requires skills of quick action and calculated risk which he has always avoided like the plague- those are for the big boys.
It's almost like we're junior varsity vs the major leagues.
Trite cliches are not helpful at this point. ISIS inspired Islamic extremist terrorism has killed over 100 in Paris, shot down an aircraft, and now butchered 14 in our country- and that's just in the last month! The movement is on a clear trajectory of momentum, to the extent that it is not implausible that we are on the cusp of a major attack, or a string of mid-level attacks.
In London and Israel stabbing attacks and the use of vehicles for running down children prelude a new phase of terrorism that even the fantasy of gun control so strict that a suicidal terrorist could not work around it, will do nothing to prevent.
Twisted statistics comparing the 47 killed by by "domestic" terrorism in our homeland since 9/11 (but not including 9/11 for some odd reason) to a global threat that kills that many before breakfast on a daily basis do nothing to calm anyone with an intelligence level higher than a second grader.
Defeating ISIS is not about shaping public perception and fine speeches. He can not rely on the skill set which has propelled him thus far of smooth words and a shiny image delivered by an army of adoring media. His act gets flatter as he tries to shut his eyes and run down the clock. ISIS, which doesn't play by the normal rules, requires skills of quick action and calculated risk which he has always avoided like the plague- those are for the big boys.
It's almost like we're junior varsity vs the major leagues.
8
I have yet to hear from those in opposition to President Obama of any rational "plan" to defeat ISIS. Our boots on the ground in the Mideast have not led to any successful outcome. What other ideas are being suggested?
5
Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is one definition of insanity. Despite what the US and it's 'coalition' is doing, ISIS and al-Nusra are proliferating. Hard to believe that 65 nations can't successfully quell a bunch of thugs in the desert. Time for a major change, it seems. Stop supporting the Saudis, who are at the root of it all. Let Russia, Iran and Syria take the lead, and support their efforts, but from a distance.
2
If we really wanted to "defeat" Daesh we would get out of the Mideast, quit financing a Jewish terrorist state, and mind our own business. Then, let the military-industrial complex buy Saudi oil at "market" prices.
4
I eagerly awaited the President's address to the nation, but left wholly disappointed and worse, a continued sense of helplessness against these threats. Obama echoed a sense of helplessness when he tells the American people that anger toward the Muslim community and aggressive military action - involving any foot soldiers whatsoever - against ISIS plays into our foes' hands. It sounds like he himself fears ISIS, all the while he tells us that "freedom" is stronger than fear. I don't feel freedom right now. I'm worried and I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel, as Mr. Obama does. His speech stated the obvious about the nature of the attack, told us like we were his children not to be angry, and asked us to be patient and simply trust his strategy against ISIS. In a NYT column written earlier this year, Obama was then described as the "reluctant warrior" and that when pushed to his limits as (we thought) ISIS had, would strike out with determined aggression that would decisively destroy his enemy. Obama is still that reluctant warrior.
3
"President Obama's Tough, Calming Talk on Terrorism"? Is he the nation's nanny? If I see another comment that says, "Do you realize the number of deaths caused by snake bites and bathtub slips?" I'm going to commit hari kari.
Do you guys think San Bernardino was it? You think Paris was it? You got a big surprise coming to you, my friends. Obama's speech was idiotic. We're going to win because "we're on the right side of History"? Did he ask History that? It's beyond belief that he still talks this way. What was it, a day before Paris that he said Islamic State is contained? Then he downplays their threat to the States mere hours before San Bernardino. Nice timing.
Obama is trying to forfend Islamophobia. What's the point? Islamophobes won't be calmed by him. It's reasonable to say that Islamic State's ideology is MORE dangerous than Nazism, not because it presents parallel threats, but because Nazism's reach was geographically restrained, by and large. And please take a look at the GWU study: "ISIS in America: From Retweets to Raqqa." We know they seek to conduct a mass-casualty WMD attack in Europe. Russian gangs have recently been caught trying to sell nuclear material to Islamofascists.
Islamic State is in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Nigeria; has affiliates in Algeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, the Philippines, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad; has made incursions into Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan. Islamic terrorism didn't begin on 9/11. Where's he been for the last half-century?
Do you guys think San Bernardino was it? You think Paris was it? You got a big surprise coming to you, my friends. Obama's speech was idiotic. We're going to win because "we're on the right side of History"? Did he ask History that? It's beyond belief that he still talks this way. What was it, a day before Paris that he said Islamic State is contained? Then he downplays their threat to the States mere hours before San Bernardino. Nice timing.
Obama is trying to forfend Islamophobia. What's the point? Islamophobes won't be calmed by him. It's reasonable to say that Islamic State's ideology is MORE dangerous than Nazism, not because it presents parallel threats, but because Nazism's reach was geographically restrained, by and large. And please take a look at the GWU study: "ISIS in America: From Retweets to Raqqa." We know they seek to conduct a mass-casualty WMD attack in Europe. Russian gangs have recently been caught trying to sell nuclear material to Islamofascists.
Islamic State is in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Nigeria; has affiliates in Algeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, the Philippines, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad; has made incursions into Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan. Islamic terrorism didn't begin on 9/11. Where's he been for the last half-century?
5
If about 1.5 billion people in the world believes in the Koran, the smart leaders would use that Holy Book to advance their strategic worldviews.
It might come quite shocking to you but in the Koran there are no Hadiths, no Sharia Law, no clergy, no mosques, no minarets, no calls to a prayer from loudspeakers, no madrassas, ne veils, no Sunnis, and no Shiites. All of those are man-made and faithless.
Allah, Islam and Muslim are just the Arab words for God, faith and believer.
Can’t anybody explain this simple truth to the world? You don’t have to fight each other just because you speak the different languages. Just use the correct translation to better understand each other.
There is a gigantic difference between faith and man-made dogmas.
The Arabic language and their customs, habits and personal names have existed long before the announcement of the Koran, so the former has nothing in common with the latter. The former was created by the people. The latter came from the Almighty.
How insanely stupid one has to be to claim that the faith and democracy are incompatible?
Let’s check what the last Prophet did. Did Mr. Mohammed personally select his replacement as the head of state? No! Even he refused to do it. He let the people freely choose a leader. Of course, his followers dropped a ball, split immediately into the Sunnis and the Shiites, and fought each other for 14 centuries.
However, democracy as a principle is more important than limited bad consequences…
It might come quite shocking to you but in the Koran there are no Hadiths, no Sharia Law, no clergy, no mosques, no minarets, no calls to a prayer from loudspeakers, no madrassas, ne veils, no Sunnis, and no Shiites. All of those are man-made and faithless.
Allah, Islam and Muslim are just the Arab words for God, faith and believer.
Can’t anybody explain this simple truth to the world? You don’t have to fight each other just because you speak the different languages. Just use the correct translation to better understand each other.
There is a gigantic difference between faith and man-made dogmas.
The Arabic language and their customs, habits and personal names have existed long before the announcement of the Koran, so the former has nothing in common with the latter. The former was created by the people. The latter came from the Almighty.
How insanely stupid one has to be to claim that the faith and democracy are incompatible?
Let’s check what the last Prophet did. Did Mr. Mohammed personally select his replacement as the head of state? No! Even he refused to do it. He let the people freely choose a leader. Of course, his followers dropped a ball, split immediately into the Sunnis and the Shiites, and fought each other for 14 centuries.
However, democracy as a principle is more important than limited bad consequences…
5
We engaged in two wars— Vietnam and Iraq— on the basis of fear. We gave into fear and incarcerated thousands of Japanese-Americans. Fear is not a good basis for public policy; as a matter of fact it is an awful basis for policy. We do we need a calm and thoughtful voice as President. We don't need a fear monger.
11
It is astonishing to me that the President of this country so blithely dismisses thee threat that we face. His address, in a nutshell, just said "trust me, we are doing the right thing and we won't change. By the way, to respond to this terrorist threat, we need to disarm ourselves"!
It is no accident that almost every "mass shooting" and terrorist attack has occurred in locations that proclaim themselves to be "gun free zones" or in States and localities that have the toughest gun-control measures. Had only a few of the murdered people been armed, there is every reason to believe that the shooters would not have been able to calmly murder them. In fact, had there been any inkling that people MIGHT be armed, the terrorists most likely would have chosen another location.
As far as Obama's strategy to "defeat ISIS" (or as he prefers to call them "ISIL", giving their anti-Israeli agenda more emphasis) WWII showed that bombing alone CANNOT defeat an enemy. Vietnam showed that arming the other side, by itself and coupled with airpower, also will not defeat these terrorits. If we are serious about actually defeating this terrorist organization, it will take more than we need to go in and root them out. Obama hasn't the stomach, or the intellect, to lead this nation in this time of crisis. We need a real leader, from EITHER party, who is less concerned with ideology and more concerned with defending this nation.
It is no accident that almost every "mass shooting" and terrorist attack has occurred in locations that proclaim themselves to be "gun free zones" or in States and localities that have the toughest gun-control measures. Had only a few of the murdered people been armed, there is every reason to believe that the shooters would not have been able to calmly murder them. In fact, had there been any inkling that people MIGHT be armed, the terrorists most likely would have chosen another location.
As far as Obama's strategy to "defeat ISIS" (or as he prefers to call them "ISIL", giving their anti-Israeli agenda more emphasis) WWII showed that bombing alone CANNOT defeat an enemy. Vietnam showed that arming the other side, by itself and coupled with airpower, also will not defeat these terrorits. If we are serious about actually defeating this terrorist organization, it will take more than we need to go in and root them out. Obama hasn't the stomach, or the intellect, to lead this nation in this time of crisis. We need a real leader, from EITHER party, who is less concerned with ideology and more concerned with defending this nation.
4
Perhaps the best way to combat Islamic terrorism would be to stop cooperating with those who we know actively support it - the Saudis. If Obama really wants to squash ISIS and blowback against Americans, maybe he should back off completely and let Russia, Iran and the Syrian government take on the battle themselves. The current approach clearly isn't working....ISIS, al-Nustra and others are proliferating. Time for a very different approach on the part of the US. Unfortunately, the president offered more of the same, ineffective measures. Can't we think outside the box for a change?
5
Let's not forget that, while we kill scores of innocent civilians in Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia with drones, sell weapons ($1.75 bn) to medieval Saudi Arabia so it can fight its war with Iran in Yemen, give $4 bn a year in military aid to the Israeli apartheid regime, and $1.3 bn a year in military aid to the Egyptian dictatorship - we are still exceptional.
9
WWIII–14 months and counting…
Obama's yammering these days is pure disinformation.
As I listen to the Commander-in-Chief dissemble, I am reminded of the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's caveat.
“Intelligence is not to be confused with intelligence," he warned us about America's spy work-product and the gray matter, such as it is, of the people who exploit it.
(While not quite the quip, "manipulated intelligence is not to be confused with intelligence" and "glibness is not to be confused with intelligence" also apply.)
After the televised beheadings, Obama was forced by public outrage to act.
“We will degrade & ultimately destroy ISIL,” he puffed, & then proceeded, (rather expensively), to do neither.
(I always thought the "ultimately" was a dead giveaway of his true intentions.)
And did you notice? Post-Paris, he inserts the "ultimately" still.
Generals say with a real offensive we can take ISIS out in a matter of weeks.
The magnitude & frequency of Obama's acts of irreversible damage to America vary inversely & exponentially with his time left in office.
A despot can do a lot of damage in 14 months & a deluded one blinded by his own imagined brilliance will.
Obama's yammering these days is pure disinformation.
As I listen to the Commander-in-Chief dissemble, I am reminded of the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's caveat.
“Intelligence is not to be confused with intelligence," he warned us about America's spy work-product and the gray matter, such as it is, of the people who exploit it.
(While not quite the quip, "manipulated intelligence is not to be confused with intelligence" and "glibness is not to be confused with intelligence" also apply.)
After the televised beheadings, Obama was forced by public outrage to act.
“We will degrade & ultimately destroy ISIL,” he puffed, & then proceeded, (rather expensively), to do neither.
(I always thought the "ultimately" was a dead giveaway of his true intentions.)
And did you notice? Post-Paris, he inserts the "ultimately" still.
Generals say with a real offensive we can take ISIS out in a matter of weeks.
The magnitude & frequency of Obama's acts of irreversible damage to America vary inversely & exponentially with his time left in office.
A despot can do a lot of damage in 14 months & a deluded one blinded by his own imagined brilliance will.
8
We do not have fear, we have disdain for politicians who won't crack down on radical terrorists. How can you let people go back to Syria and Saudi and Pakistan and then let them back into our country? Who can you propose to let tens of thousands (Hillary proposed 65,000) so-called refugees into our country when we have NO IDEA who they are? How can you tolerate a porous border that is open to anybody who wants to come in? Obama said NOTHING new last night during his little fireside chat. Washington is incapable of solving even one of the big problems we are facing. They are all corrupt old lawyers. The only thing they are good at is holding "hearings" to "make sure this never happens again." Pitiful.
1
The President's right: freedom is more powerful than fear.
ISIS is up against the United States of America. It will be crushed. We have more to fear in the stoking of fear by politicians seeking personal gain in times of tragedy.
Now crazy, that's a different issue. Crazy will remain. There's Muslim crazy, and let’s face it, no shortage of Red White and Blue crazy. Farook and his wife are examples. They are dead. How long was it? About four hours after the horror they created each of them was full of holes in the destroyed remains of a rented SUV on the side of a street to nowhere. They choose to make their baby an orphan; they choose to make a terrified oddity of his mother; they murdered and maimed his co-workers.
They might, instead, have worked hard, saved a few pennies here and there, bought their own home, seen their kid get married and give them grand kids, maybe own a floating houseboat on some lake in Arizona.
They blew it all.
Other supporters of ISIS will get the same. They'll be dead. One by one, we'll get them on the side of some road filled with holes and the United States will remain strong.
It’s the way it's going to be and listening to panic stirrers most of whom think there's personal gain for them in stirring fear or discontent is folly. In time their arguments and fear mongering, their stirring of hatred, all of it, will get their words and ideas as filled with holes as came to be Farook and his pathetic wife.
ISIS is up against the United States of America. It will be crushed. We have more to fear in the stoking of fear by politicians seeking personal gain in times of tragedy.
Now crazy, that's a different issue. Crazy will remain. There's Muslim crazy, and let’s face it, no shortage of Red White and Blue crazy. Farook and his wife are examples. They are dead. How long was it? About four hours after the horror they created each of them was full of holes in the destroyed remains of a rented SUV on the side of a street to nowhere. They choose to make their baby an orphan; they choose to make a terrified oddity of his mother; they murdered and maimed his co-workers.
They might, instead, have worked hard, saved a few pennies here and there, bought their own home, seen their kid get married and give them grand kids, maybe own a floating houseboat on some lake in Arizona.
They blew it all.
Other supporters of ISIS will get the same. They'll be dead. One by one, we'll get them on the side of some road filled with holes and the United States will remain strong.
It’s the way it's going to be and listening to panic stirrers most of whom think there's personal gain for them in stirring fear or discontent is folly. In time their arguments and fear mongering, their stirring of hatred, all of it, will get their words and ideas as filled with holes as came to be Farook and his pathetic wife.
6
There is not any easy solution to this mess. If an army on the ground crushed ISIS/ISIL 'troops' in Iraq/Syria, it would not deal at all with the large number of indoctrinated jihad-loving Islamist terrorists with access to weapons who are already in many other countries, including the US. Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs] are really hard for nation states to confront. Its not like invading Nazi Germany, capturing Berlin, Hitler dying, and its over. Expect to see many more multiple murders before this is done. But the President's wishy-washy, 'stay calm and carry on' message will not win much support among the US people, IMHO.
Basically agree. I love the republicans railing against It. This is the same bunch (save Rand Paul) who was gung ho supporting the admitted war criminal Bush 2 Iraq war that created ISIS.
It is like the wolves telling the sheep owners how to protect their sheep.
It is like the wolves telling the sheep owners how to protect their sheep.
6
On the issue of Daesh, president Obama has 0 credibility. It is incredible that with all the events worldwide the government will continue the same failed policy in the ME.
What will it take for the Obama admistration to join Russia, Assad, in a common front against Daesh? A bio attack in LA? A radioactive bomb in NYC?
What will it take for the Obama admistration to join Russia, Assad, in a common front against Daesh? A bio attack in LA? A radioactive bomb in NYC?
2
The GOP presidential candidates and Congressional leaders are full of chest thumbing bluster about how tough they are and would be in protecting Americans from acts of terror. Yet they would rather place Americans at risk than give Obama the legal authorization to conduct the war against ISIS or cross the NRA by banning the sale of assault weapons to the terrorists lurking in our neighborhoods. Trump, Cruz, Rubio and a GOP Congress? Americans should be careful what they wish for.
6
Unfortunately, it sounds like the recent massacre was by an ordinary but aimless couple who knew if they somehow indicated ISIL as they acted, they would get extensive coverage and the kind of attention they didn't feel in their lives. The 'last minute' pledges to that group seem to indicate a kind of afterthought. The hysterics of Repiblican candidates ensures a kind of immortality for people like this.
6
Bought-and-owned-by-the-NRA, Republicans willfully ignore the fact that a majority of us who are paying their salaries WANT stricter gun laws. Terrorists of every persuasions must love the GOP ~ they'll move heaven and earth to protect the unborn, but won't lift a finger to protect the rest of us.
Their 'reasoning' seems to be: Since we can't stop every lunatic from buying an automatic weapon and going on a rampage, we'd rather not bother trying to stop any. That's gotta be music to a terrorist's ears.
Their 'reasoning' seems to be: Since we can't stop every lunatic from buying an automatic weapon and going on a rampage, we'd rather not bother trying to stop any. That's gotta be music to a terrorist's ears.
11
The answer is or has been staring us in the face and no one in Washington will see it for what it is ,,, re-establish the formula for Sykes-Pico and take the administration for government away from these thugs,,,, government should be voided and taken completely over by the EU from top to bottom at least until civil order and control has been establish.. It will cost but cheap compared to the alternative,,,
The New York Times should have mentioned the President calling for us all to be vigilant among our neighbors and that Muslims everywhere should speak out against the nihilist terrorism ISIS cloaks under religion, as turning away from Islam.
Imams at Friday prayer meeting must remind their congregation of that and turn them away from any hateful inspirations.
Imams at Friday prayer meeting must remind their congregation of that and turn them away from any hateful inspirations.
7
“We cannot turn against one another by letting this war be defined as a war between America and Islam,”
All living former Presidents (health allowing) should join the President in repeating this message on TV. It is especially important the two most recent Presidents do so.
All living former Presidents (health allowing) should join the President in repeating this message on TV. It is especially important the two most recent Presidents do so.
7
In trying to prevent ISIS inspired attacks people from the president all the way down ignore the fact what draws people to give their lives in order to commit the kind of attacks that ISIS calls for is not the propaganda itself, but that they believe that what ISIS is telling them is true as a matter of theology. That they are certain that if they die as ISIS is telling them to they will be rewarded with the most exalted for of Paradise in Islam.
The theology that all of ISIS is based on is something completely new. To be an ISIS follower is to believe that al Bahgdadi and his fellow "scholars" speak with authority on matters of Islamic theology and that they speak the truth..
So the most basic way to stop people from killing because they believe a certain theology is a campaign that would clearly and indisputably show that al Baghdadi and his ilk are no great theologians and that the greatest scholars and authorities of Sunni Islam disagree with it.
This would entail western governments seeking out who those authorities, such as those at Al-Azhar University for example, and to request of them that they gather the greatest authorities on Sunni theology and issue a ruling, or fatwa stating that ISIS does not speak the truth .
Because the simple fact is that the kids joining ISIS are so ignorant about theology that they are not even aware that it is a complex issue on which there is a huge area of scholarship and not every thug with an army us an authority on it.
The theology that all of ISIS is based on is something completely new. To be an ISIS follower is to believe that al Bahgdadi and his fellow "scholars" speak with authority on matters of Islamic theology and that they speak the truth..
So the most basic way to stop people from killing because they believe a certain theology is a campaign that would clearly and indisputably show that al Baghdadi and his ilk are no great theologians and that the greatest scholars and authorities of Sunni Islam disagree with it.
This would entail western governments seeking out who those authorities, such as those at Al-Azhar University for example, and to request of them that they gather the greatest authorities on Sunni theology and issue a ruling, or fatwa stating that ISIS does not speak the truth .
Because the simple fact is that the kids joining ISIS are so ignorant about theology that they are not even aware that it is a complex issue on which there is a huge area of scholarship and not every thug with an army us an authority on it.
2
The speech President Obama gave last night was something Donald Trump would NEVER be able to do as President - give a speech that is calming & thoughtful without making things red state vs. blue state, liberal vs. conservative, etc...
12
ISIS is the current threat to the U.S. but this can morph into another Islamic
organization which can or will inflict mortal damage to the U.S. The killers
for the Saudi Arabia Wahhabis,9/11, are not the same members who killed
in San Bernardino. President Obama has not presented any kind of
strategy to fight these new Muslim terrorists. Where did the money come from
for this couple to accumulate their ammunition and weapons? Who trained
Tashfeen Malik for combat? There will be answers but strategies are absent.
organization which can or will inflict mortal damage to the U.S. The killers
for the Saudi Arabia Wahhabis,9/11, are not the same members who killed
in San Bernardino. President Obama has not presented any kind of
strategy to fight these new Muslim terrorists. Where did the money come from
for this couple to accumulate their ammunition and weapons? Who trained
Tashfeen Malik for combat? There will be answers but strategies are absent.
2
Just can't help but want to like a guy, who has such a soft touch.
Hey Mr President, the terrorist 'B' Team' has just upped their A game.
After countem' Seven Years of morning (intelligence) briefings, that have produced "no credible threats", may be Time to wake up and smell the cosmoline.
Hey Mr President, the terrorist 'B' Team' has just upped their A game.
After countem' Seven Years of morning (intelligence) briefings, that have produced "no credible threats", may be Time to wake up and smell the cosmoline.
2
Where was the admission that the US has been a bigger trouble for mankind than any two other countries put together? Where was the admission that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are unlikely to be reliable allies in the fight against terrorism? They clearly hate Assad more than they hate ISIS, they may even like ISIS, a little.
The course for the US is clear. Cooperate with Russia, the Kurds, Iran, France and Germany to defeat ISIS. Tell Turkey and Saudi Arabia, "Thanks, but no thanks." Tell Pakistan, "please do not foster fundamentalism or we will regard you as enemies."
I saw no sign that he is planning to do that.
The trouble is that the Republicans are just as deluded as Mr. Obama is and if they come to power, they will surely continue their policy of fattening the rich. Some of them are ready to send ground troops to make a bad situation worse.
We Americans are clear proof, if proof is needed, that democracy might not always be the best system. OUR democracy has led to an inflated defense budget, sharp income differences between rich and poor, and to mention the other side of the ledger, the murder of 55 million fetuses.
Why should we sell others what does not work for US?
The course for the US is clear. Cooperate with Russia, the Kurds, Iran, France and Germany to defeat ISIS. Tell Turkey and Saudi Arabia, "Thanks, but no thanks." Tell Pakistan, "please do not foster fundamentalism or we will regard you as enemies."
I saw no sign that he is planning to do that.
The trouble is that the Republicans are just as deluded as Mr. Obama is and if they come to power, they will surely continue their policy of fattening the rich. Some of them are ready to send ground troops to make a bad situation worse.
We Americans are clear proof, if proof is needed, that democracy might not always be the best system. OUR democracy has led to an inflated defense budget, sharp income differences between rich and poor, and to mention the other side of the ledger, the murder of 55 million fetuses.
Why should we sell others what does not work for US?
1
Obama's speech sounded like "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also" (New American Standard Bible).
The warrior spirit and the drive to defend one's abode seem to be gone out of the politicians.
The warrior spirit and the drive to defend one's abode seem to be gone out of the politicians.
2
Excuse me NYTs Editorial Board, but did you watch the same POTUS speech as I did? Tough, calming - really?
16
To label President Obama's speech as somehow "tough and calming" is pure fantasy.
16
Barack Obama's latest attempt at making an "all is well speech" backfired as usual. What's the point?? He should have gone on to the Kennedy Center awards ceremony instead.
Barack Obama makes Jimmy Carter look like Rambo.
Barack Obama makes Jimmy Carter look like Rambo.
10
The JV Presidency on full display.
12
Again, I am so glad that Obama is the President in office. It's time American put on their thinking cap and not just blindly react out of fear and ignorance. As brutal as ISIS is, it is a very strategic organization. It means we can't defeat them like a bull charging through a China shop, the way Trump and GOP would have it.
17
President Obama's dismissal of ISIS as Islam's "Jayvee" team is a bit too glib. The Atlantic Monthly has a detailed and thoughtful argument that ISIS is closer to the original Islam than the President thinks:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wan...
Ross Douthat led me to this article in his column of Dec 6th. He was honest enough to admit his own biases up front, and was taken to task for that by the Times Commentariat. I say this as an Obama supporter who rarely agrees with Douthat's positions, but I admire his openness and consistency. Thanks, Ross!
George Hannauer, Oberlin, Ohio
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wan...
Ross Douthat led me to this article in his column of Dec 6th. He was honest enough to admit his own biases up front, and was taken to task for that by the Times Commentariat. I say this as an Obama supporter who rarely agrees with Douthat's positions, but I admire his openness and consistency. Thanks, Ross!
George Hannauer, Oberlin, Ohio
4
ISIS just called and announced its giving up because the president gave a "calm" speech and wants to tighten domestic gun control laws.
8
Americans are not afraid. This constant nonsense coming from the politicians and media is getting old. I'm about to leave for work and have absolutely no fear of being killed by terrorists on the way. Perhaps the editors at the New York Times should explain to us why they are so afraid.
8
Does anyone remember how Daish was created. Dasih, this dead squad came into being after the 2003 invasion. Enough of GOP tough talk.
8
Some thoughts about how to deal with the ISIS threat: 1) Don't buy in to the modern day 'McCarthyism' being propagated by many politicians. 2) Cut off their source of funding. 3) Find ways to disrupt their internet communications and 'jihadist commercials'. 4) Quit supporting regimes that brutally suppress their citizens. 5) As a gun owner, I see no rational reason for regular citizens to own/possess assault style rifles capable of holding a ridiculous amount of ammunition. 6) "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself".
9
For controlling Muslim radicalism and its influence on the Youth , Mr President we have to check flow of Saudi Wahabi Funding and Pakistani Madrassa Training , for these are the fountain heads of support to IS ideaology worldwide. But both of them have been out of reach of US, although these countries are close US allies for half a century.The latest findings of the German Govt regarding Saudi role, confirm this while Pakistan is an old source of Terror training .So let us get a grip where it all starts and avoid sickening repeat of Jehadi terror on our citizens.
9
Here is a simplistic idea. No more foreign aid and massive sanctions on our "dear friends" Saudia Arabia and Pakistan. Let's see how quickly they start cracking down on this hot mess they have created.
Going into Iraq was ludicrous but so was going into Afghanistan. We should have demanded harshly that Saudia Arabia hand over Bin Laden and his soldiers instead of trillions of blood and money spilled.
And enough already with this "disaffected" whatever. Nobody fits in all the time, nobody gets their own way. These people are murderers. Would we call Ted Bundy disaffected or Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacy? No, we call them psychopathic murderers. These people are the same. Black, white, Christian, Jew, Muslim. If they want to kill people, they will.
Nobody else wants Syria or Iraq except Russia. Let Isis have it and don't do any business with them. That includes selling weaponry. They'll be out of business in a year.
Going into Iraq was ludicrous but so was going into Afghanistan. We should have demanded harshly that Saudia Arabia hand over Bin Laden and his soldiers instead of trillions of blood and money spilled.
And enough already with this "disaffected" whatever. Nobody fits in all the time, nobody gets their own way. These people are murderers. Would we call Ted Bundy disaffected or Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacy? No, we call them psychopathic murderers. These people are the same. Black, white, Christian, Jew, Muslim. If they want to kill people, they will.
Nobody else wants Syria or Iraq except Russia. Let Isis have it and don't do any business with them. That includes selling weaponry. They'll be out of business in a year.
5
Thank you President Obama. You are the voice of reason.
The American people are frightened and impatient. We are vulnerable to demagogues who promise immediate safety at the expense of due process and constitutional rights. We should not return to torture and discrimination in the face of ISIS.
Let us not forget that ISIS troop strength is smaller than that of the Dutch military. They will be defeated by the president's carefully considered long-view strategy.
The American people are frightened and impatient. We are vulnerable to demagogues who promise immediate safety at the expense of due process and constitutional rights. We should not return to torture and discrimination in the face of ISIS.
Let us not forget that ISIS troop strength is smaller than that of the Dutch military. They will be defeated by the president's carefully considered long-view strategy.
7
So, "speak loudly and toss some bombs at them over there from the air?"
Got it.
Good thing we have Congressional approval to be at war for so long, or somebody might questioning whether or not we should be micromanaging the world's governments...
In retrospect, maybe the U.S. should have verbally supported moderates like Mubarek and Ghaddafy, eh? "OOps... I did it again. Destabilized the world with my big guns, and keeping on..."
Americans should be praying Assad remains in power, and the rebels/ISIS are put down easily. If the Syrian government topples too, which is what I think we're all being promised is the happy outcome to hope for, imagine the costs to "rebuild" and resettle the refugees.
Do you know a community looks like after American bombers have "liberated" it? I wouldn't want to live there, would you?
Got it.
Good thing we have Congressional approval to be at war for so long, or somebody might questioning whether or not we should be micromanaging the world's governments...
In retrospect, maybe the U.S. should have verbally supported moderates like Mubarek and Ghaddafy, eh? "OOps... I did it again. Destabilized the world with my big guns, and keeping on..."
Americans should be praying Assad remains in power, and the rebels/ISIS are put down easily. If the Syrian government topples too, which is what I think we're all being promised is the happy outcome to hope for, imagine the costs to "rebuild" and resettle the refugees.
Do you know a community looks like after American bombers have "liberated" it? I wouldn't want to live there, would you?
2
As the President enters his final year, I am more respectful of his calming approach and unwillingness to be provoked. Time and again, he shrugs off nasty partisan—often racist—broadsides from Republican critics, keeping the nation on an even keel.
So the following is infused with that respect: while the President said all the right things, I only wish he had shown more passion in defending our Muslim fellow Americans, more outrage at the failure to implement rational gun safety measures, and more candor in critiquing partisan gamesmanship.
I wish the President had reminded Americans of the sacrifices of our Muslim servicemen and women, the three young Muslims murdered in the Chapel Hill hate crime, and the spike in anti-Muslim ugliness since the Paris attacks.
I wish the President had directed some measured anger at a Republican Senate majority that just a few nights ago refused to ban the sale of weapons to people on the no-fly list.
I wish the President had called out the GOP Presidential candidates for exploiting the recent tragedies to whip up anti-Muslim fears, suggest interning (or registering) our fellow Americans, and scapegoat innocent Syrian refugees.
In sum, I wish the President had taken the opportunity to issue the kind of strong, anti-McCarthy public rebuke we need now—and that Democratic candidates need—using his great oratorical gifts.
The speech was a bullseye on all policy points—if only it had gripped hearts and chastised dividers.
@ricfouad
So the following is infused with that respect: while the President said all the right things, I only wish he had shown more passion in defending our Muslim fellow Americans, more outrage at the failure to implement rational gun safety measures, and more candor in critiquing partisan gamesmanship.
I wish the President had reminded Americans of the sacrifices of our Muslim servicemen and women, the three young Muslims murdered in the Chapel Hill hate crime, and the spike in anti-Muslim ugliness since the Paris attacks.
I wish the President had directed some measured anger at a Republican Senate majority that just a few nights ago refused to ban the sale of weapons to people on the no-fly list.
I wish the President had called out the GOP Presidential candidates for exploiting the recent tragedies to whip up anti-Muslim fears, suggest interning (or registering) our fellow Americans, and scapegoat innocent Syrian refugees.
In sum, I wish the President had taken the opportunity to issue the kind of strong, anti-McCarthy public rebuke we need now—and that Democratic candidates need—using his great oratorical gifts.
The speech was a bullseye on all policy points—if only it had gripped hearts and chastised dividers.
@ricfouad
55
President Obama has offered leadership and reason when the primary goal of the Republican party is spreading Panic, Terror, and distrust. Many Republicans promote Americans to carry guns. This in the midst of gun murders and violence? No regard for the police or law enforcement.
President Obama has identified the terrorists. They are a cult of murderous thugs. It is time to define this cult. ISIS is following the dictates of Wahhabi Salafists that originate in the Gulf Monarchies and have schools around the world that indoctrinate very young Muslim children in perverse desensitization, exposure to brutal murders, beheadings, suicides in the name of the Wahhabi cult. Please examine this Frontline Documentary http://video.pbs.org/video/2365608927/ and share it with your elected officials. The female terrorist who murdered 14 Americans in her community at her husband's workplace, "Tashfeen Malik Was a ‘Saudi Girl’" .
While we embrace the Muslim community and rely on their commitment to America we call on the community to identify the Wahhabi cult in our country and help the authorities to assist them to reject the indoctrination that they have endured. We also need the help of the Muslim community to identify the sources of support for the cult of murder: ISIS.
President Obama has identified the terrorists. They are a cult of murderous thugs. It is time to define this cult. ISIS is following the dictates of Wahhabi Salafists that originate in the Gulf Monarchies and have schools around the world that indoctrinate very young Muslim children in perverse desensitization, exposure to brutal murders, beheadings, suicides in the name of the Wahhabi cult. Please examine this Frontline Documentary http://video.pbs.org/video/2365608927/ and share it with your elected officials. The female terrorist who murdered 14 Americans in her community at her husband's workplace, "Tashfeen Malik Was a ‘Saudi Girl’" .
While we embrace the Muslim community and rely on their commitment to America we call on the community to identify the Wahhabi cult in our country and help the authorities to assist them to reject the indoctrination that they have endured. We also need the help of the Muslim community to identify the sources of support for the cult of murder: ISIS.
11
@Vizitei Yuri,
You say, "Most certainly ISIS would lover another go at some soft targets while we dither."
Dither? The Guardian says, "UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 32 jihadi fighters dead and 40 more injured in Raqqa province on Sunday." http://tinyurl.com/nfkxagh There have been many other air strikes by U.S. and France and UK
As for calming the country, it is hard to do that while the GOP presidential contenders [there are too many of them] and other GOP "leaders" are going around the country doing their Chicken Little impersonations and saying "The sky is falling." Fanning the flames of fear just for political purposes is irresponsible at best, despicable at worst.
While I don't want to minimize the tragedy in San Bernardino or the potential mayhem that homegrown terrorist might cause, please keep in mind that the California shooting is no different than Newtown, Oregon, Colorado or the Oaklahoma bombing. When our own citizens or lawful permanent residents take up arms against their fellow citizens, it is hard to prevent those attacks. I haven't heard any constructive suggestions from the GOP as to how they would have prevented any of these home-grown attacks. All they offer is "thoughts and prayers" and tough talk.
At least the president didn't dismiss the attack by saying "stuff happens," as Jeb Bush did after the Oregon massacre.
You say, "Most certainly ISIS would lover another go at some soft targets while we dither."
Dither? The Guardian says, "UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 32 jihadi fighters dead and 40 more injured in Raqqa province on Sunday." http://tinyurl.com/nfkxagh There have been many other air strikes by U.S. and France and UK
As for calming the country, it is hard to do that while the GOP presidential contenders [there are too many of them] and other GOP "leaders" are going around the country doing their Chicken Little impersonations and saying "The sky is falling." Fanning the flames of fear just for political purposes is irresponsible at best, despicable at worst.
While I don't want to minimize the tragedy in San Bernardino or the potential mayhem that homegrown terrorist might cause, please keep in mind that the California shooting is no different than Newtown, Oregon, Colorado or the Oaklahoma bombing. When our own citizens or lawful permanent residents take up arms against their fellow citizens, it is hard to prevent those attacks. I haven't heard any constructive suggestions from the GOP as to how they would have prevented any of these home-grown attacks. All they offer is "thoughts and prayers" and tough talk.
At least the president didn't dismiss the attack by saying "stuff happens," as Jeb Bush did after the Oregon massacre.
8
The message last night was clear:
Violent jihad is now a permanent part of American life. We can't do anything about it. Therefore, I'm not going to the Kennedy Center to honor a maker of film fantasies. That wouldn't look right. Wait. If I don't go, the terrorists win and I don't get to bathe in Hollywood adoration instead of enduring all this popping off from critics. Heck yes. I'm going!
And may the force be with you all!
Violent jihad is now a permanent part of American life. We can't do anything about it. Therefore, I'm not going to the Kennedy Center to honor a maker of film fantasies. That wouldn't look right. Wait. If I don't go, the terrorists win and I don't get to bathe in Hollywood adoration instead of enduring all this popping off from critics. Heck yes. I'm going!
And may the force be with you all!
6
It was a perfect speech on an intractable problem that Muslims must take the lead in solving. No quantity of bombs and bullets and sacrificed freedoms is going to fix the terror threat of ISIS sympathizers. Obama made that point when he said that the spread of radical Islam into American communities, is "a real problem that Muslims must confront without excuse."
That comment from POTUS is a big deal. It's a call upon Muslims to stand up and fight the perverted cancer of radical Wahabbist Islam that emerged from their communities and is metastasizing in western countries. It's a polite but clear and firm way of saying, "you're either with us or against us."
Most significantly, Obama delivered the message in a way that leaves the door open for a positive response from American Muslims. The alternative message we're hearing from Republicans will most certainly lead to further radicalization, more terror and quite possibly the religious war ISIS so badly wants.
That comment from POTUS is a big deal. It's a call upon Muslims to stand up and fight the perverted cancer of radical Wahabbist Islam that emerged from their communities and is metastasizing in western countries. It's a polite but clear and firm way of saying, "you're either with us or against us."
Most significantly, Obama delivered the message in a way that leaves the door open for a positive response from American Muslims. The alternative message we're hearing from Republicans will most certainly lead to further radicalization, more terror and quite possibly the religious war ISIS so badly wants.
5
ISIS is geographically contained but strategically expanding, and the President's address did not acknowledge this or offer anything other than tentative steps along the same path we are on. As long as ISIS has territory it has time. Time to strengthen. Time to acquire additional resources. Time to recruit or inspire the next generation of random shooters. And, most chillingly, time to recruit and activate cells with chemical and biological weapons in the West. A tepid response from our President and a prelude to failure.
4
This headline embodies Obama and his legacy.
2
The co-workers of the Muslim terrorists threw them a baby shower. I noticed baby's toys in the crib in their apartment. I wondered if the toys were bought by the co-workers. Did the mosque throw them a baby shower?
And even though they welcomed them to America...gave them gifts for their child...they were repaid by being mowed down like dogs by these evil terrorists.
This is how evil these people are. We need to confront this evil.
And even though they welcomed them to America...gave them gifts for their child...they were repaid by being mowed down like dogs by these evil terrorists.
This is how evil these people are. We need to confront this evil.
7
The speech lacked specific examples. How is Congress holding back the President from carrying out more fight against ISIS, specifically?
How does he know about the hearts of Americans and their anti-Muslim predilections, specifically? What specifically and in detail has he witnessed that shows Muslims have been turned on and discriminated against? And what words in particular have his Republican terrorist adversaries said that are particularly meant for all Muslims? Any examples? Any?
How does he know about the hearts of Americans and their anti-Muslim predilections, specifically? What specifically and in detail has he witnessed that shows Muslims have been turned on and discriminated against? And what words in particular have his Republican terrorist adversaries said that are particularly meant for all Muslims? Any examples? Any?
7
Sacrificing nation's value out of fear? How about stand by our Second Amendment Rights?
5
The NYT Editorial Board reflexively endorses all that Captain Courageous says and does. Some day it will regret its lack of independence.
13
The internet should be considered a public place and the American citizens should be told to act like is public and that the government might review it's files. How many people adapt on work computers which can be viewed by corporate IT guys
Are Americans really thirsting for the blood of ISIS? You know what this means? A bunch of headless bodies coming home on military planes. Does anyone really want that? What will you, as an American feel at the first sight of torture and beheading of an American soldier because you thought Pres Obama was too weak against ISIS?
2
Further alienate Muslims, Mr. President? These people are at war with us, even if only a small group with global reach such as ISIS. You are the President of the United States of America and sworn to protect her people. Yet again we have been attached under your watch by extremists, and this time took five days for you to formally address this nation. At least this time you properly referred to it as an act of terror and not workplace violence as you did with Fort Hood. You should be demanding that the Muslim community show more tolerance toward Amercans. You are supposed to represent all of us.
7
"While he didn't unveil new initiatives..." "The president said nothing during his remarks about improving the administrations's efforts to counter the Islamic State's high;y prodigious operation..:"
So what exactly did he do? He made nice to Muslims in the US, and sought to calm the fears of US citizens by saying that his program will eventually defeat ISIS (and the Republicans).
And why should it? Has it been successful so far in Syria, Iraq or for that matter in the US (or Europe)?
Calming "tough" rhetoric is not enough.
So what exactly did he do? He made nice to Muslims in the US, and sought to calm the fears of US citizens by saying that his program will eventually defeat ISIS (and the Republicans).
And why should it? Has it been successful so far in Syria, Iraq or for that matter in the US (or Europe)?
Calming "tough" rhetoric is not enough.
4
We should remember that under George W. Bush and to this today, Republicans spoke bellicosely and Al Qaeda flourished, Osama Bin Laden lived for many years and ISIS was born out of Iraq's ashes.
On the other hand, President Obama speaks calmly, and Al Qaeda has been neutered and Osama Bin Laden was terminated.
I would give the President's very diplomatic 'speak softly and carry a big stick' strategy a pretty good chance at solving the ISIS problem versus the traditional American bellicosity of 'bombs away', 'shock and awe' and 'war, war, what are we waiting for !'.
Smarter is better 'stronger'.
On the other hand, President Obama speaks calmly, and Al Qaeda has been neutered and Osama Bin Laden was terminated.
I would give the President's very diplomatic 'speak softly and carry a big stick' strategy a pretty good chance at solving the ISIS problem versus the traditional American bellicosity of 'bombs away', 'shock and awe' and 'war, war, what are we waiting for !'.
Smarter is better 'stronger'.
132
In contrast to President Obama's stated vision to fight terrorism, domestic and foreign, we have the Republican-NRA vision: every American (than means Christians only) will be required to carry a high-capacity magazine military-assault weapon upon leaving home. Instead of "see something, say something", the watch word will be "see something, SHOOT!" This is the Republican-NRA path to making America safe and secure.
5
“Mr. Obama called on Americans to reject the impulse to take actions based on fear.”
And yet that is exactly the impulse that he is using to call for the denial of our gun rights and freedom.
And yet that is exactly the impulse that he is using to call for the denial of our gun rights and freedom.
5
President Obama wisely said:
“Let’s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear.”
And all the would-be Republican Presidents said:
"Fear for your 'free-dumb !"
I'll take the cool cucumber over the poisonous pepper.
But thanks anyway for trying your right-wing best to poison the national soup, Republican fear-mongers.
“Let’s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear.”
And all the would-be Republican Presidents said:
"Fear for your 'free-dumb !"
I'll take the cool cucumber over the poisonous pepper.
But thanks anyway for trying your right-wing best to poison the national soup, Republican fear-mongers.
28
If freedom is more powerful than fear why do liberals want to strip me of my first and second Amendment rights?
2
Obama is right to want to use more special ops but not send the infantry. That will never work unless you are willing to stay forever. From what I can gather the best solution might be to balkanize Iraq and Syria and give the Sunni, Shia, and Kurds their own countries. Many Iraqi Sunni fight with ISIS because it is the best way to fight the Shia as opposed to buying into ISIS. Undermine the caliphate and it will start to unravel as will its broader appeal.
1
President “Israel, I’ve-Got-Your-Back” Obama makes a nuclear deal with Iran.
Flash forward now a couple of years.
Iran receives billions out of the deal and sends large bundles of cash to Hamas.
Hamas is already using its tunnels to smuggle advanced weapons to ISIS in the Sinai, where they are currently being employed against the Egyptian army.
Next these weapons will be against the US and Israel.
It is impossible to make this stuff up.
Flash forward now a couple of years.
Iran receives billions out of the deal and sends large bundles of cash to Hamas.
Hamas is already using its tunnels to smuggle advanced weapons to ISIS in the Sinai, where they are currently being employed against the Egyptian army.
Next these weapons will be against the US and Israel.
It is impossible to make this stuff up.
5
I voted for President Obama twice. I think his strategy for disengaging the US from the GWB morass in Iraq and Afghanistan are the correct courses of action. I disagree with his insistence that Assad must be removed from power in Syria.
His speech last night was disappointing to say the least. He came off as the politician in chief rather than as a leader, mostly offering only bromides. Yes, there were portions of the speech that resonated with reasonable people, especially his calls not to conflate all Muslims with the ISIS terrorists and his call to deny gun ownership to people on the "non fly" list. But he never addressed the core issue of what is driving Islamic terrorism and what we need to do about it.
President Obama once again denied that ISIS practices an austere but genuine form of Islam, one rooted in Wahhabist doctrine. His contentin that ISIS doesn't represent a facet of mainstream Islamic thought is wrong and he loses credibility on the subject. At some point, he has to name Saudi Arabian complicity in the root cause of Wahhabist linkage to ISIS and Al Qaeda. Even Germany is beginning to call out the Saudis on this subject.
Americans are not afraid of ISIS. For whatever reason, the pundits like to dwell on fear. Rather, Americans are angry and disgusted by the theologically derived barbarism of the group. We are also very impatient that 14 years after 9/11, the linkage between Islamic theocracies and Islamic terrorists has not been severed.
His speech last night was disappointing to say the least. He came off as the politician in chief rather than as a leader, mostly offering only bromides. Yes, there were portions of the speech that resonated with reasonable people, especially his calls not to conflate all Muslims with the ISIS terrorists and his call to deny gun ownership to people on the "non fly" list. But he never addressed the core issue of what is driving Islamic terrorism and what we need to do about it.
President Obama once again denied that ISIS practices an austere but genuine form of Islam, one rooted in Wahhabist doctrine. His contentin that ISIS doesn't represent a facet of mainstream Islamic thought is wrong and he loses credibility on the subject. At some point, he has to name Saudi Arabian complicity in the root cause of Wahhabist linkage to ISIS and Al Qaeda. Even Germany is beginning to call out the Saudis on this subject.
Americans are not afraid of ISIS. For whatever reason, the pundits like to dwell on fear. Rather, Americans are angry and disgusted by the theologically derived barbarism of the group. We are also very impatient that 14 years after 9/11, the linkage between Islamic theocracies and Islamic terrorists has not been severed.
2
It was so calming that I almost fell asleep!
But seriously, I am not sure Mr. Obama WANTS to defeat either ISIS or Islamic terrorism. If he really wanted to defeat them he would cooperate with the Kurds, Russia and Iran. But he did not mention them in his talk at all. He did mention France, UK and Germany but if they are not going to furnish ground troops, and I agree that the US should not send ground troops. So where ARE the ground troops to come from?
He mentioned Turkey but Turkey hates Kurds and Assad far more than it hates ISIS. He never mentioned the fact that Pakistan has been a supporter of terrorism for a long time. They sheltered bin Laden, they were behind the massacre in Mumbai and BOTH the recent actors in san Bernardino had Pakistani connections.
He did not connect with reality at all.
And now a footnote. Many readers of the NYT, as soon as they see any criticism of Mr. Obama, assume that it is coming from a Republican, who can then be dismissed. This is the CLOSED MINDS effect since I am not actually a Republican and I am to the LEFT of Mr. Obama on some issues. I object to his use of drones to kill people and I object to the fact that Guantanamo is still open. These are not Republican positions.
So could you kindly open your ears? Thank you!
But seriously, I am not sure Mr. Obama WANTS to defeat either ISIS or Islamic terrorism. If he really wanted to defeat them he would cooperate with the Kurds, Russia and Iran. But he did not mention them in his talk at all. He did mention France, UK and Germany but if they are not going to furnish ground troops, and I agree that the US should not send ground troops. So where ARE the ground troops to come from?
He mentioned Turkey but Turkey hates Kurds and Assad far more than it hates ISIS. He never mentioned the fact that Pakistan has been a supporter of terrorism for a long time. They sheltered bin Laden, they were behind the massacre in Mumbai and BOTH the recent actors in san Bernardino had Pakistani connections.
He did not connect with reality at all.
And now a footnote. Many readers of the NYT, as soon as they see any criticism of Mr. Obama, assume that it is coming from a Republican, who can then be dismissed. This is the CLOSED MINDS effect since I am not actually a Republican and I am to the LEFT of Mr. Obama on some issues. I object to his use of drones to kill people and I object to the fact that Guantanamo is still open. These are not Republican positions.
So could you kindly open your ears? Thank you!
8
Andy Borowitz satire on Obama speech negative reception by Gop---
“Of all of the Republican candidates, the front-runner Trump was perhaps the most withering in his criticism of the President’s speech. “I only heard the President use the word ‘tough’ once,” Trump said. “I gave a speech last night and used it fifteen times.”
Pressed for specifics about how he would combat ISIS, Trump acknowledged that he had “no new ideas,” but added, “My no new ideas will be much tougher than his no new ideas, you better believe it.”
“Of all of the Republican candidates, the front-runner Trump was perhaps the most withering in his criticism of the President’s speech. “I only heard the President use the word ‘tough’ once,” Trump said. “I gave a speech last night and used it fifteen times.”
Pressed for specifics about how he would combat ISIS, Trump acknowledged that he had “no new ideas,” but added, “My no new ideas will be much tougher than his no new ideas, you better believe it.”
2
Tragically, Obama Hussein Barack is as utterly incompetent as George Walker Bush was.
Both al-Qaeda and the ISIS represent just an idea. You cannot effectively bomb an idea, you cannot conquer an idea, you cannot economically sanction an idea, and you cannot starve an idea to death.
You can only intellectually dismantle a wrongful idea. That’s was the job of both Bush and Obama. Both of them have catastrophically failed in those attempts. The honest leaders would resign after learning that they were personally intellectually unfit to lead a nation or defeat an enemy. They should publically admit their failures.
How is it possible that some loser from the Middle East can have such influence to invite the American citizens to leave everything behind, travel to Syria and die fighting on HIS BEHALF?
Those people fighting for the ISIS don’t fight for GOD, ALMIGHTY or ALLAH (just three different words meaning exactly the same) but for al-Baghdadi!
How is it possible that both the Bush and Obama Administrations have failed to build this simple case against Osama bin Laden and al-Baghdadi over the last 14 years?
It might come quite shocking to you but in the Koran there are no Hadiths, no Sharia Law, no clergy, no mosques, no minarets, no calls to a prayer from the loudspeakers, no madrassas, ne veils, no Sunnis, and no Shiites. All of those are man-made and faithless.
Do you know what is in the Koran? The strict ban to any kind of violence or hatred against your neighbors.
Both al-Qaeda and the ISIS represent just an idea. You cannot effectively bomb an idea, you cannot conquer an idea, you cannot economically sanction an idea, and you cannot starve an idea to death.
You can only intellectually dismantle a wrongful idea. That’s was the job of both Bush and Obama. Both of them have catastrophically failed in those attempts. The honest leaders would resign after learning that they were personally intellectually unfit to lead a nation or defeat an enemy. They should publically admit their failures.
How is it possible that some loser from the Middle East can have such influence to invite the American citizens to leave everything behind, travel to Syria and die fighting on HIS BEHALF?
Those people fighting for the ISIS don’t fight for GOD, ALMIGHTY or ALLAH (just three different words meaning exactly the same) but for al-Baghdadi!
How is it possible that both the Bush and Obama Administrations have failed to build this simple case against Osama bin Laden and al-Baghdadi over the last 14 years?
It might come quite shocking to you but in the Koran there are no Hadiths, no Sharia Law, no clergy, no mosques, no minarets, no calls to a prayer from the loudspeakers, no madrassas, ne veils, no Sunnis, and no Shiites. All of those are man-made and faithless.
Do you know what is in the Koran? The strict ban to any kind of violence or hatred against your neighbors.
6
Obama's speech is more of the same. Like George W Bush, he is under the delusion that there are moderates in the Middle East, who are wiling to fight for democracy and civil society. Experience has shown that this is not so. Most Muslims in the Middle East either support Isis, or they support a dictator, or they support Iran.
Look at Saudi Arabia. This is a state with which we are supposedly allied, who in practice differ little from Isis. They have beheadngs and stoning of adulterers too, they just don't post the videos to YouTube.
The idea that we can persuade a significant number of these people to abandon their interpretation of Islam is not persuasive. They have lived like is for hundreds of years, and that is their culture.
Look at Saudi Arabia. This is a state with which we are supposedly allied, who in practice differ little from Isis. They have beheadngs and stoning of adulterers too, they just don't post the videos to YouTube.
The idea that we can persuade a significant number of these people to abandon their interpretation of Islam is not persuasive. They have lived like is for hundreds of years, and that is their culture.
20
Anyone who believes that President Obama will actually order a serious military attack on ISIS has been asleep for the past seven years. Other than beginning to open access to Cuba, his foreign policy has been a complete, unmitigated failure. There is a simple, step-by-step approach to taking down ISIS and its diabolic spawn. Send in all Seal and Ranger units, supported by drones and helicopter gunships. to surround the area controlled by Boko Haram (help from French and Malian forces would be appreciated), and squeeze them into extinction. I have no doubts about the ability of these elite forces to perform this task. Then move on to Libya, the coastal strip controlled by another ISIS affiliate, and do the same. Third, take out Al Shabab the same way. By this time, the soi disant caliphate should get the message, and the fear created by these three exterminations should make it easier to do the same to ISIS itself. But I have no faith that Obama will take such a logical path.
6
Your assumption that there will be no setbacks and that those groups won't learn from the demise of others, is one big reason you will never be POTUS.
Hmhm. And they will greet us in the streets with roses, the whole operation will take less than a month, and will pay for itself. Failsafe Simplicity!
The criticism of the President's policy of constant bombing of ISIS over the last two plus years as ineffectual (without a dithering Congress' authorization and with diminishing support from Saudi Arabia) seems terribly naive. Do critics think he was going to announce the American-led coalition's next specific military strategies on primetime television and give ISIS a heads up?
4
The Politically Correct President delivered a Politically Correct Speech. I am tired of Political Correctness.
21
Tell us what you do want, then. I am serious. What is the opposite, for you, of Political Correctness? And how will what you want the president to say actually aid in the fight against radicalized Islam? Explain that.
I hear niggling little comments about how the president used a lectern, or a Teleprompter, or the curtains weren't the right color, or he didn't use some precise term they favor, or other similar complaints. But what I don't hear is 1. What they would do differently in terms of concrete policy and actions, and 2. How all these little complaints actually matter. Does anyone really think that using a different kind of prop or using slightly different words are going to stop ISIS?
I hear niggling little comments about how the president used a lectern, or a Teleprompter, or the curtains weren't the right color, or he didn't use some precise term they favor, or other similar complaints. But what I don't hear is 1. What they would do differently in terms of concrete policy and actions, and 2. How all these little complaints actually matter. Does anyone really think that using a different kind of prop or using slightly different words are going to stop ISIS?
1
'Speaking from a lectern'? So it was a lecture from the silly professor, not a confidence building address. O just does not get it.
10
I was greatly relieved by Obama's speech tonight - particularly when he said that we will win because we are on the right side of history. I then realized that, amazingly, he won't have to do anything other than what he’s been doing - even though that hasn't been working all that well. I originally thought that if all he did was to train up a few more divisions of Iraqi infantry so they could abandon their weapons and run away at the first sign of trouble, that all he would do is end up with ISIS being better equipped -- but now I realize that even though it didn’t work before, it will work this time - because we are on the right side of history. This was a tremendous relief because I really didn't hear President Obama say he was going to do anything different than before, so I thought he would just get the same losing results he's been getting all along - but now I can sleep better because he won't have to change anything to win -- because we are on the right side of history. He won’t have to go out and kill lots of nasty jihadis. We don’t have to step up the bombing campaign. He can import a couple of thousand jihadis into the US along with all of his refugees - we are still going to win - no matter how little he does because we are on the right side of history. That just makes me feel good all over.
6
It is the 62 years long, and counting, US Crusade of Folly in the Middle East that has created this hydra headed threat.
It was Eisenhower who killed the first flowering of democracy in the Middle East in Iran that radicalized Iran, empowered fundamentalists that led to the rule of the ayatollahs.
It was Reagan arming the Afghans who changed their name to the Taliban who then gave bin Laden sanctuary and al Qaida a home.
It was The Charge of The Fools Brigade into Iraq which blew up Iraq, gave al Qaida another Field of Dreams, unleashed sectarian bloodshed unknown in the modern Middle East and provided the prison that became the University of ISIS.
Making torture USG policy, subcontracting torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria and humiliating Iraqi's a la Abu Ghraib and slaughtering 800,000 absolutely innocent Iraqi civilians merely compounded our crimes against humanity.
It was Eisenhower who killed the first flowering of democracy in the Middle East in Iran that radicalized Iran, empowered fundamentalists that led to the rule of the ayatollahs.
It was Reagan arming the Afghans who changed their name to the Taliban who then gave bin Laden sanctuary and al Qaida a home.
It was The Charge of The Fools Brigade into Iraq which blew up Iraq, gave al Qaida another Field of Dreams, unleashed sectarian bloodshed unknown in the modern Middle East and provided the prison that became the University of ISIS.
Making torture USG policy, subcontracting torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria and humiliating Iraqi's a la Abu Ghraib and slaughtering 800,000 absolutely innocent Iraqi civilians merely compounded our crimes against humanity.
18
Great post, thanks! And Saudi Arabia quietly continues to fund the extremists and nothing is done about it. They are allies. Of course our other ally, Turkey, has supported isis all along. It's great to have friends.
1
The speech wasn't that tough. It was a palliative intended to tamp down vigilantism toward Muslims which did not address the root causes of terrorism. Our level headed President wishes to remain on the same path. Instead of just dropping American bombs on ISIS, we add British and German bombs. His strategy will only slow down ISIS, not stop it.
A military solution will only be effective if it is used to its maximum extent. That would require a global campaign of annihilation which the West will not undertake.
The only way to totally defeat ISIS is to defeat its ideology. That would require the West to wage a campaign of modernity against the Salafi/Wahhabi inspired jihadist insanity supported by the Gulf States. We wont do that either.
We continue to allow our policy to be dictated by oil, primarily led by Saudi Arabia. So long as we do not force the despots and their theological cohorts to jettison their poisonous teachings, ISIS will continue.
The leaders of Islam must undertake a revolution within Islam to change its course and wipe out terrorist ideology. They wont do that unless forced because they use Islam as a means to subjugate and control their populations. They use Islam to suppress freedom, opportunity and liberty. That is the fuse that continues to burn.
Instead of dropping bombs, we should be dropping schools, books, and teachers. If we don't force modernity, it will never come. The despots will never give up control.
A military solution will only be effective if it is used to its maximum extent. That would require a global campaign of annihilation which the West will not undertake.
The only way to totally defeat ISIS is to defeat its ideology. That would require the West to wage a campaign of modernity against the Salafi/Wahhabi inspired jihadist insanity supported by the Gulf States. We wont do that either.
We continue to allow our policy to be dictated by oil, primarily led by Saudi Arabia. So long as we do not force the despots and their theological cohorts to jettison their poisonous teachings, ISIS will continue.
The leaders of Islam must undertake a revolution within Islam to change its course and wipe out terrorist ideology. They wont do that unless forced because they use Islam as a means to subjugate and control their populations. They use Islam to suppress freedom, opportunity and liberty. That is the fuse that continues to burn.
Instead of dropping bombs, we should be dropping schools, books, and teachers. If we don't force modernity, it will never come. The despots will never give up control.
22
I am someone who follows the news very closely and I haven't heard or seen any substantive examples of vigilante attacks on Muslims or those of Arab descent. This mantra that we have to tamp down anti-Muslim rhetoric is a myth. There is little if any evidence that this is happening on any large scale or even at all.
WE have nothing to fear but fear itself. Churchill famously said this when London had bombs raining down on them. The British persevered against Hitler.
Certainly, the citizens of our country have the integrity, the backbone and the belief in the strength of our country not to give in to fear.
Certainly, the citizens of our country have the integrity, the backbone and the belief in the strength of our country not to give in to fear.
29
FDR?
8
It was FDR.
One major difference between Obama and FDR: the reluctant warrior FDR eventually committed to war and mobilized America to win it in a way that has never been seen before or since. To quote a line from the film "Gladiator" (2000), he "unleashed hell." The reluctant Obama, on the other hand, appears to be talking just to hear the sound of his own eloquent voice. Someone buy him a mirror to which he can give all the speeches he would like... from the comfort of his own private bathroom.
One major difference between Obama and FDR: the reluctant warrior FDR eventually committed to war and mobilized America to win it in a way that has never been seen before or since. To quote a line from the film "Gladiator" (2000), he "unleashed hell." The reluctant Obama, on the other hand, appears to be talking just to hear the sound of his own eloquent voice. Someone buy him a mirror to which he can give all the speeches he would like... from the comfort of his own private bathroom.
3
That famous quote if by FDR, not Churchill.
Look it up.
Look it up.
"... and he warned against the wholesale vilification of Muslims.."
Except for garbage from Trump, what vilification of Muslims? Since 9/11, there is no nation in history which has been under constant attack by Islamic fascism which has been more restrained, thoughtful and polite than America.
Since 9/11 (and why does the Times always leave out the 3,000 dead on that date when calculating "mass casualties from guns?), there have been about 27,000 global Jihadist attacks across the globe.
Soon Iran, a Muslim theocratic fascist state, will receivef hundreds of millions of dollars in sanction relief to ensure their continuing financing of international terrorism and eventually a nuclear bomb.
This is what the President should have said:
"We are here faced by fascists. Not just their calculated brutality, but their belief that they are superior to every single one of us in this chamber tonight, and all of the people that we represent. They hold us in contempt. They hold our values in contempt. They hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt. They hold our democracy, the means by which we will make our decision tonight, in contempt. And what we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated.” Sir Hilary Benn, British Labor Party, in a speech yesterday to Parliament, about ISIS.
Unfortunately, you will not read Mr. Benn's speech in the Times, while the Times lauds the President's remarks. To contrast the substance might trigger a microagression.
Except for garbage from Trump, what vilification of Muslims? Since 9/11, there is no nation in history which has been under constant attack by Islamic fascism which has been more restrained, thoughtful and polite than America.
Since 9/11 (and why does the Times always leave out the 3,000 dead on that date when calculating "mass casualties from guns?), there have been about 27,000 global Jihadist attacks across the globe.
Soon Iran, a Muslim theocratic fascist state, will receivef hundreds of millions of dollars in sanction relief to ensure their continuing financing of international terrorism and eventually a nuclear bomb.
This is what the President should have said:
"We are here faced by fascists. Not just their calculated brutality, but their belief that they are superior to every single one of us in this chamber tonight, and all of the people that we represent. They hold us in contempt. They hold our values in contempt. They hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt. They hold our democracy, the means by which we will make our decision tonight, in contempt. And what we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated.” Sir Hilary Benn, British Labor Party, in a speech yesterday to Parliament, about ISIS.
Unfortunately, you will not read Mr. Benn's speech in the Times, while the Times lauds the President's remarks. To contrast the substance might trigger a microagression.
18
Obama's speech will be pulled apart to be used as ammunition against him and against Hillary Clinton. Sanity has fled our shores, especially in the Red states.
8
It's not possible for Obama to say anything that would calm, inspire, or be constructive for the simple reason it is impossible to believe any words that issue from his lips. His biography should be titled "The Irreverent POTUS."
5
Why is it that these open carry guys that show up outside mosques are not terrorists, or those that open carry outside planned parenthood. We condemn others but the double standard is intolerable.
12
They are not terrorists because they don't go inside and start shooting.
The ones that do are.
And I would expect, Observer, that if someone busted into the restaurant in which you were eating and started shooting diners indiscriminately, you'd be very grateful to the guy with the pistol who shot the terrorist before terrorist got you.
The ones that do are.
And I would expect, Observer, that if someone busted into the restaurant in which you were eating and started shooting diners indiscriminately, you'd be very grateful to the guy with the pistol who shot the terrorist before terrorist got you.
If they have the open-carry licence and protest peacefully, Observer, they are merely expressing their opinion.
What is it, sir that you don't don't like? Their expressing their opinion?
That's sort of an elitist, exclusionary viewpoint, is it not? And is also decidedly hypocritical.
What is it, sir that you don't don't like? Their expressing their opinion?
That's sort of an elitist, exclusionary viewpoint, is it not? And is also decidedly hypocritical.
The GOP didn't like Obama's address? Gee, what a surprise! I am shocked, shocked by it.
They remind me of two-year olds who are so bent on saying "no" to everything they can't even say yes when it is in their interest to do so.
They remind me of two-year olds who are so bent on saying "no" to everything they can't even say yes when it is in their interest to do so.
13
I think you were watching a different speech than I was. What came across to me was "This doesn't fit my worldview, I have no new ideas, I just want this thing to go away." He means well but he is simply out of touch with reality, and I think most people understand that.
11
No, he doesn't mean well. When did/will this President visit the relatives of the victims of San Bernadino?
New ideas like "carpet bombing", xenophobia, religious and racial intolerance, or threats to make "sand glow"? Those are neither new nor truly "ideas", they just happen to resonate with the fearful, hateful, and belligerent more easily than reasonable ideas like diplomacy and coalition-building.
The Isis conflict will eventually be known as the Third World War. Like Wilson and FDR before him, Obama is doing what he can to delay the inevitable.
8
Hardly calming. Every time he opens his mouth, half the country becomes hysterical and for good reason.
16
"Good reason"? Hysteria, in general, is neither "good" nor "reason".
The POTUS is supposed to be the commander-in-chief, not the baby-sitter-in-chief.
The POTUS is supposed to be the commander-in-chief, not the baby-sitter-in-chief.
Why even write this editorial? The president could have gone up there and yelled "Roll Tide" this paper would say, "It was a measured and appropriate response." This is just one big group think Obama echo chamber. The times is doing us all disservice by not questioning our strategies or looking at our presidents policies objectively.
21
What does "Roll Tide" mean?
Let's pause and consider the difference between President Obama's response to this terrorist attack and President Bush's to 911. President Obama is being criticized for being insufficiently inspiring as he asks for calm and resolve, while his administration continues to pursue the long, tough road commensurate with our American values. President Bush grabbed the microphone of belligerence, indeed rallying Americans, but already, at that very moment, his administration was moving to use the attack and Americans' anger as a pretext to launch a "war of choice" against an adversary that had not attacked us. That war led directly to the situation in which we now find ourselves. To his infinite credit, President Bush, like President Obama, also warned strongly and repeatedly against demonizing Islam and America's Muslims. But in this time, in this national trauma, let's be thankful we have a steady, reasonable President with no other wars than the one we are in up his sleeve and especially not one of his would be successors whose immediate response is to incite genocidal rage "to make the sand glow."
22
I was glad to hear President Obama use the word cult.
For that is what Daesh is, a cult.
Much like the cults that run around America demanding their country back.
The United States of America is a government, a government we all live with, one that allowed US to elect Barack Obama by pretty wide margins....twice.
When the sole purpose of the opposition party is his destruction their true aim is the destruction of America.
That is also the desire of foreign terrorists who have pointed out to fellow jihadists, "Go to America if you want to kill, it is real easy to get guns."
For that is what Daesh is, a cult.
Much like the cults that run around America demanding their country back.
The United States of America is a government, a government we all live with, one that allowed US to elect Barack Obama by pretty wide margins....twice.
When the sole purpose of the opposition party is his destruction their true aim is the destruction of America.
That is also the desire of foreign terrorists who have pointed out to fellow jihadists, "Go to America if you want to kill, it is real easy to get guns."
14
Four points struck me about President Obama's address on terrorism.
1) He has made much progress destroying the leaders of Al-Qaeda including Osama bin Laden and at least one of the ISIL leaders. Terrorism is obviously a multi-headed Hydra, but these were dangerous cult leaders. I have no doubt that American and foreign intelligence is tracking the head of ISIL, and that his time is coming.
2) The U.S. will not engage in another ground war in the Middle East and find itself in the middle of another morass of sectarian and internal political violence. This is the responsibility of the Middle Eastern countries. Air attacks have actually been effective at degrading ISIS and its oil income.
3) Congress needs to pass the authorization for military force against ISIL. Republican leaders seem to love to sit in the side seats throwing rubbish at the president. They must fulfill their Congressional responsibilities.
4) The lunacy of letting people on the FBI's terrorist watch list buy assault weapons and others in the U.S. will lead to future domestic and international terrorist violence in this country. This is also a Congressional responsibility that is being neglected for some kind of lunatic reasoning (inspired by the NRA). Who cares about the Second Amendment rights of terrorists? If someone is accidentally on the terrorist watch list, they should clear their name before they buy a weapon. Their priorities are suspicious if their 1st goal is to buy weapons.
1) He has made much progress destroying the leaders of Al-Qaeda including Osama bin Laden and at least one of the ISIL leaders. Terrorism is obviously a multi-headed Hydra, but these were dangerous cult leaders. I have no doubt that American and foreign intelligence is tracking the head of ISIL, and that his time is coming.
2) The U.S. will not engage in another ground war in the Middle East and find itself in the middle of another morass of sectarian and internal political violence. This is the responsibility of the Middle Eastern countries. Air attacks have actually been effective at degrading ISIS and its oil income.
3) Congress needs to pass the authorization for military force against ISIL. Republican leaders seem to love to sit in the side seats throwing rubbish at the president. They must fulfill their Congressional responsibilities.
4) The lunacy of letting people on the FBI's terrorist watch list buy assault weapons and others in the U.S. will lead to future domestic and international terrorist violence in this country. This is also a Congressional responsibility that is being neglected for some kind of lunatic reasoning (inspired by the NRA). Who cares about the Second Amendment rights of terrorists? If someone is accidentally on the terrorist watch list, they should clear their name before they buy a weapon. Their priorities are suspicious if their 1st goal is to buy weapons.
14
“Mr. Obama once again asked Congress to take on common-sense reforms to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, including barring people on the government’s no-fly list from acquiring weapons.”
The terror watch list is a complete farce. If there are people who are legitimately too dangerous to fly on a plane, what are they doing walking our streets? The complete truth as to why the Republicans correctly rejected this legislation is that the list is riddled with mistakes and more importantly do we really want to go down the road of denying constitutional rights without the safeguard of due process.
The terror watch list is a complete farce. If there are people who are legitimately too dangerous to fly on a plane, what are they doing walking our streets? The complete truth as to why the Republicans correctly rejected this legislation is that the list is riddled with mistakes and more importantly do we really want to go down the road of denying constitutional rights without the safeguard of due process.
6
Once again, the President proves that he is about the only adult rationalist left in the hothouse world of Washington.
In his otherwise excellent address, the President surprisingly failed to discuss, as he has in previous speeches on this topic, the critical role of the news media (along with the new social media) in spreading the toxic gospel of ISIS and other terrorist groups (both foreign and domestic).
In their over-the-top, non-stop,"Breaking News" hysteria of the past three weeks (Paris, Colorado Springs and San Bernadino), the cable news networks are treading dangerously close to the First Amendment line of yelling fire (Terrorism!) in the crowded international theater, thereby helping to create an atmosphere of panic rather than of reason.
I don't know how we can develop any kind of comprehensive anti-terrorism policy without some discussion of the role the media plays in publicizing the terrorists and the mass killers, giving them the publicity they so desperately crave. It's time for some serious self-examination by the media in how they cover these mass killing events.
In his otherwise excellent address, the President surprisingly failed to discuss, as he has in previous speeches on this topic, the critical role of the news media (along with the new social media) in spreading the toxic gospel of ISIS and other terrorist groups (both foreign and domestic).
In their over-the-top, non-stop,"Breaking News" hysteria of the past three weeks (Paris, Colorado Springs and San Bernadino), the cable news networks are treading dangerously close to the First Amendment line of yelling fire (Terrorism!) in the crowded international theater, thereby helping to create an atmosphere of panic rather than of reason.
I don't know how we can develop any kind of comprehensive anti-terrorism policy without some discussion of the role the media plays in publicizing the terrorists and the mass killers, giving them the publicity they so desperately crave. It's time for some serious self-examination by the media in how they cover these mass killing events.
21
Geez seriously.
I voted for Obama twice-yes-twice. I expected, over the course of his two terms, more courage; more honesty; more willingness to forge a new political dynamic that would engage effectively abroad and bring some common sense to our domestic policies.
More fool me.
We need a national leader with the courage to say "America is a secular country. We welcome everyone who shares our values--respect for divergent views, the right to worship, or not, as one chooses; but above all, an understanding that a strong civil society is essential for a healthy and prosperous populace."
And we need a national leader who will call out and confront the instigator, financer and unwavering supporter of that fundamentalist Islamic cancer metastasizing everywhere: Saudi Arabia.
I have personally seen over more than a quarter-century how Saudi influence has destroyed Pakistan--a place where an American Jewish woman was once able to live and travel freely. I have seen how Muslim immigrants to the US have become increasingly fundamentalist; increasingly insistent on separating themselves from their neighbors; increasingly likely to wear the most stringent forms of veiling; increasingly unlikely to permit their children to become Americans in spirit and outlook.
We have enough trouble with our own crazy brands of fundamentalist Christians, including the breakaway Mormon sects living essentially like Saudis, in untouchable compounds. Time to call all of this out.
I voted for Obama twice-yes-twice. I expected, over the course of his two terms, more courage; more honesty; more willingness to forge a new political dynamic that would engage effectively abroad and bring some common sense to our domestic policies.
More fool me.
We need a national leader with the courage to say "America is a secular country. We welcome everyone who shares our values--respect for divergent views, the right to worship, or not, as one chooses; but above all, an understanding that a strong civil society is essential for a healthy and prosperous populace."
And we need a national leader who will call out and confront the instigator, financer and unwavering supporter of that fundamentalist Islamic cancer metastasizing everywhere: Saudi Arabia.
I have personally seen over more than a quarter-century how Saudi influence has destroyed Pakistan--a place where an American Jewish woman was once able to live and travel freely. I have seen how Muslim immigrants to the US have become increasingly fundamentalist; increasingly insistent on separating themselves from their neighbors; increasingly likely to wear the most stringent forms of veiling; increasingly unlikely to permit their children to become Americans in spirit and outlook.
We have enough trouble with our own crazy brands of fundamentalist Christians, including the breakaway Mormon sects living essentially like Saudis, in untouchable compounds. Time to call all of this out.
56
Yes, the Menenites and Amish are unleashing their will around the globe!!! Maybe you've missed something.
More words, meant for public consumption rather than a coherent policy strategy.
The "West" i.e. Europe, and especially the US, has destabilized the Middle East beyond fixing; this is the beginning not the end of this mess. "Tough talk" doesn't help. The destabilization of Iraq and then the subsequent purposeful destabilization of Syria has created more than just a small monster. Destroy ISIS by air and then what? I mean we have been so successful in creating stable governments in Afghanistan and Iraq; after we kill all the ISIS militants, peace and prosperity for all is sure to follow.
Rather, from here:
1. Turkey will destabilize as the Kurds have no plans to give up the gains they have achieved and if anyone looks at a map which divides the region by cultural ties, you will see Kurdistan lies in parts of Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Turkey has no interest in a greater Kurdistan and seems to be moving towards greater extremist philosophies itself.
2. The Arabian peninsula itself is past the first stage of it's own collapse. Saudi Arabia will be very lucky to survive.
3. The broader struggle between Shia and Sunni begins to engulf the main actors: IRan and Saudi Arabia rather than these proxy wars.
We have had no consistent policy, except to further destabilize. These borders and our current regional political policies have/are based on profits not people.
Mr. President, be honest.
The "West" i.e. Europe, and especially the US, has destabilized the Middle East beyond fixing; this is the beginning not the end of this mess. "Tough talk" doesn't help. The destabilization of Iraq and then the subsequent purposeful destabilization of Syria has created more than just a small monster. Destroy ISIS by air and then what? I mean we have been so successful in creating stable governments in Afghanistan and Iraq; after we kill all the ISIS militants, peace and prosperity for all is sure to follow.
Rather, from here:
1. Turkey will destabilize as the Kurds have no plans to give up the gains they have achieved and if anyone looks at a map which divides the region by cultural ties, you will see Kurdistan lies in parts of Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Turkey has no interest in a greater Kurdistan and seems to be moving towards greater extremist philosophies itself.
2. The Arabian peninsula itself is past the first stage of it's own collapse. Saudi Arabia will be very lucky to survive.
3. The broader struggle between Shia and Sunni begins to engulf the main actors: IRan and Saudi Arabia rather than these proxy wars.
We have had no consistent policy, except to further destabilize. These borders and our current regional political policies have/are based on profits not people.
Mr. President, be honest.
4
I was very happy that Mr Obama talked a bit about limiting the "right" of some "dangerous" people to acquire "weapons", but VERY disappointed that he didn't explain why weapons that are, or almost are, killing machines - weapons with large magazines which can be shot as fast as a person can pull a finger - should be off limits to everyone except police and military personnel.
It has always puzzled me why so many Americans are so in love with weapons whose main purpose is to kill a lot of people in a short period of time. Get a handgun, a rifle, or a shotgun with about 5 or 6 bullets in the magazine if you want to protect yourself or your home, but leave the military style weapons to the people who NEED to use them.
I'm also very concerned his failure to talk about the almost total lack of effective security in our bus, rail and subway systems - not a single screening device in any of them! A large scale disaster waiting to happen!
It has always puzzled me why so many Americans are so in love with weapons whose main purpose is to kill a lot of people in a short period of time. Get a handgun, a rifle, or a shotgun with about 5 or 6 bullets in the magazine if you want to protect yourself or your home, but leave the military style weapons to the people who NEED to use them.
I'm also very concerned his failure to talk about the almost total lack of effective security in our bus, rail and subway systems - not a single screening device in any of them! A large scale disaster waiting to happen!
2
Compared with Republican hysteria and histrionics, the President gave a good speech. Although the mass shootings have been horrific, the risk of being killed in such an attack is extremely low. You are far more likely to be killed in a car accident or falling in your bath tub.
The President compared the Islamic State to a cancer, in that it won't subside quickly. That seems correct. We therefore have be patient and sensible. It would help if we put more pressure on Israel to come to an agreement with the Palestinians; to withdraw our support from dictators, such as Sisi in Egypt and the rulers of Saudi Arabia; to stop our bombing campaign in Syria and our drone attacks.
We need courage and common sense to recognize the limits of our power and adopt a policy of realism and restraint.
The President compared the Islamic State to a cancer, in that it won't subside quickly. That seems correct. We therefore have be patient and sensible. It would help if we put more pressure on Israel to come to an agreement with the Palestinians; to withdraw our support from dictators, such as Sisi in Egypt and the rulers of Saudi Arabia; to stop our bombing campaign in Syria and our drone attacks.
We need courage and common sense to recognize the limits of our power and adopt a policy of realism and restraint.
3
"You are far more likely to be killed in a car accident or falling in your bath tub".
Yes, until the next attack by people of like ideology may be a dirty bomb set off in the northeast.
So much for your analysis.
Yes, until the next attack by people of like ideology may be a dirty bomb set off in the northeast.
So much for your analysis.
Meanwhile a mother and father drop their 6 month old with a relative to go shoot and bomb (they hoped) a bunch of strangers/workmates. That's what I don't get. You can't fight that, it's beyond reason
5
Islam is not the enemy, but I will only believe President Obama means business when he cracks down on the Saudi government's support and funding of murderous groups that preach death to the infidels.
9
Twenty, six and seven year olds are shot and killed by a non-Muslim lunatic and Republican politicians and their supporters aren't ready to act with any sensible gun legislation.
Fourteen adults are shot and killed by a couple of fundamentalist Muslims in what appears to be a work-place dispute, admittedly grounded in religion, and the majority of Americans think it's time to commit tens of thousands of poor-peoples-children to another decade or two of war in deserts on the other side of the world.
Thank you Mr. Obama for not doing the politically expedient thing.
Fourteen adults are shot and killed by a couple of fundamentalist Muslims in what appears to be a work-place dispute, admittedly grounded in religion, and the majority of Americans think it's time to commit tens of thousands of poor-peoples-children to another decade or two of war in deserts on the other side of the world.
Thank you Mr. Obama for not doing the politically expedient thing.
10
Yes, and the shootings at any school is simply an educational dispute.
And again the Republicans prove their irrelevancy. Considering that most of the gun massacres have been done by white Christian Americans, no amount of marking Muslims with a badge or building walls along the Rio Grande are going to have much effect on them. Maybe the Republicans want to keep Muslims and Mexicans out of the country, but their effect on terrorism will be minimal.
5
I'm sorry to have to say it, but the only thing Obama's speech helped was the Trump campaign.
14
To the former yes and as for the latter, good!!!!
Tough and calming? The speech was frighteningly ho-hum, with no new initiatives proposed, including nothing about engaging with the Muslim community to stem the madness. There was no push to confront our gun culture either.
7
I see the chest-thumpers are out in force--you know, the people who want us to invade somebody but will never go fight themselves or let their kids go fight, and who want a titanic military but don't want to help pay for it, who want more and fancier guns but to be sure that nobody shoots at them with one.
If the Right was serious, and not just wangling for political advantage (really a charming thing to do, given what they say is the seriousness of the sitch), they'd be in Congress right now, declaring war, reinstating the draft, and voting for a war tax. Never going to happen. Instead, fake tough talk.
Oh, and by the way, could somebody post a list of precisely which words and phrases the President should/should not use to make you happy?
I mean, the man said "terrorists," and "terrorism," and now it seems that he also needed to say, "fascists." He DIDN'T say "Christian bigotry and terrorism," or even mention preachers who thump the Bible and rant about hanging gay people with Ted Cruz on the stage, let alone the types who shoot up health clinics, shoot doctors in church, and firebomb clinics. Heck, he didn't say boo about guys lke Breivik.
So it's kinda confusing, folks. A nice list of Rush-appoved words and phrases, please.
If the Right was serious, and not just wangling for political advantage (really a charming thing to do, given what they say is the seriousness of the sitch), they'd be in Congress right now, declaring war, reinstating the draft, and voting for a war tax. Never going to happen. Instead, fake tough talk.
Oh, and by the way, could somebody post a list of precisely which words and phrases the President should/should not use to make you happy?
I mean, the man said "terrorists," and "terrorism," and now it seems that he also needed to say, "fascists." He DIDN'T say "Christian bigotry and terrorism," or even mention preachers who thump the Bible and rant about hanging gay people with Ted Cruz on the stage, let alone the types who shoot up health clinics, shoot doctors in church, and firebomb clinics. Heck, he didn't say boo about guys lke Breivik.
So it's kinda confusing, folks. A nice list of Rush-appoved words and phrases, please.
8
As I recall, in the Obama White House staff under Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) the policy was:
Never let a crisis go to waste.
Wasn't political capitalization of tragedy and other events. Why wasn't that something that you became self-righteous about, Robert?
Tad on the hypocritical side if you didn't, sir.
Never let a crisis go to waste.
Wasn't political capitalization of tragedy and other events. Why wasn't that something that you became self-righteous about, Robert?
Tad on the hypocritical side if you didn't, sir.
While I agree that tougher gun laws should be put in place in the U.S., I hope the Editorial Board is not insinuating that the San Bernadino attack would not have happened had they already been in place. Because there is no way to know that. One only has to look at the Paris attacks, and in a country with strict gun laws, to see that bad people who want to do bad things can find guns no matter where they are. Short of that, the Editorial Board has provided zero solutions on how to combat the threat of Islamic terrorism at home, other than to be brave, wait, and see.
9
Actually there is a way of knowing. California banned the guns used in the attack. Apparently the gun ban in CA doesn't work, just like Chicago.
I can't speak for the editorial. For sure, no one law will stop a mass shooting just as no single law will prevent all traffic violations. The goal is not prevention; the goal is reduction, less damage, make it harder. The net affect of stricter laws is what we should be looking toward. Regardless of the terrorist attack in Paris, Paris or all of France does not have anywhere close to the number of shootings and mass shootings that we have here. In addition, the critical message sent with stricter laws is that we do not condone gun violence. We have been sending the opposite message for years now and every leader who rejects stricter laws on trumped up ideas about "rights" reinforces that message of violence. One person's right to have a gun does not have more value than another's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Guns do not equate to free speech; they inhibit free speech.
As for what to do about terrorism -- none of us, including the Times Editorial Board, has that answer precisely and I think it would behoove us to listen to a variety of experts who have a lot more insight before we offer knee-jerk reactions.
As for what to do about terrorism -- none of us, including the Times Editorial Board, has that answer precisely and I think it would behoove us to listen to a variety of experts who have a lot more insight before we offer knee-jerk reactions.
Gun laws would prevent future mass shootings. You cannot always be fighting the last war, and some politicians are trying to do just that - mapping the Middle Eastern situation onto Vietnam, another unsuccessful and endless war.
Right now 40% of gun owners have undergone no background checks of any kind. Violent criminal felons, convicted domestic abusers, and terrorists can buy weapons online or at gun shows with no background checks.
Don't you understand that it is a serious national security matter if assault weapons and high capacity ammunition can be acquired so easily? France doesn't have a fraction of the gun and ammo access, and look what happened there (with two of the Charlie Hebdo terrorists actually on the FBI terrorist watch list).
The danger to Americans from this virtually free access to guns is enormous, as the 30,000 gun deaths each year show. This is an open invitation to future mass killings by more domestic and international terrorists.
Right now 40% of gun owners have undergone no background checks of any kind. Violent criminal felons, convicted domestic abusers, and terrorists can buy weapons online or at gun shows with no background checks.
Don't you understand that it is a serious national security matter if assault weapons and high capacity ammunition can be acquired so easily? France doesn't have a fraction of the gun and ammo access, and look what happened there (with two of the Charlie Hebdo terrorists actually on the FBI terrorist watch list).
The danger to Americans from this virtually free access to guns is enormous, as the 30,000 gun deaths each year show. This is an open invitation to future mass killings by more domestic and international terrorists.
President Obama cited history's and Dr. King's legacy. We will not give up our freedom to appease neither the terrorist nor our own fears. "We shall overcome." And to offer these thoughts to us on the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment may go down in history as his St. Crispin's Day moment.
7
Democrats have a serious set of problems on their hands in dealing with Muslim jihadists in the Middle East, and now, at home, here in America, with radicalized Muslims. We are told not to demonize Muslims in America because most are peaceful American citizens. While this is true, what makes us "exceptional" (an idea from the right), which Obama said were our freedoms, are what also make us vulnerable to home-grown Muslim terrorists, as well as to random mass shooters of other varieties.
The problem for us is that increasingly, more Muslims support the notion of spreading their religion "by the sword", as well as exterminating "the infidels", where they live, now, here in America. Both of these notions go all the way back to Mohammad's time, in the 7th century. It is not some accident that the Islamic religion breeds extremism. It is part of its fabric.
If we don't admit this, we will miss some the Muslim terrorists in our midst. If we do admit it, we will be accused of being ideologically intolerant and racist, which are typical leftist social viewpoints. This is the problem Democrats face now. How do we not demonize a religion's people, when many of them demonize us as "the Great Satan'?
Houston, we have a problem. It is bad, and will get worse before it gets better. There are no easy, or simple answers here. We can kill the people in the Islamic State, but we can't kill a set of religious ideas which are now worldwide, and opposed to our own ideas of freedom.
7
President Obama's talk fom the Oval Office last night was reassuring and comforting. We could not ask for more than his staunch and brilliant assessment of where we are on the hinge of history, notwithstanding the anger of Republicans and Second Amendment addicts and gun dealers and sellers who focus on Obama as a weak leader. Weak, he is not. He is one of our strongest Presidents. And yes, he is a leader. We couldn't hope for a more optimistic outlook tempered with the reality of the threat of Islamic State terrorism. Today is the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. We remember the Japanese-Americans who died for our country, who lived in American concentration camps in the deserts of our West and those Japanese American heroes who rest in the Punch Bowl of Honolulu - "Puowaina", in Hawaiian -"The Hill of Sacrifice". America's Muslim Americans will do no less for their country and for us, their people - we are united, one people.
5
A completely bored, out of his element and just plain over his head President, simply biding his time until he is out of the office he hates so much; he who has proven by his words that he is anti-America, over and over again and by his actions that he wants to degrade America. Where has he been in the war on Islamic Terrorists, defending Muslims and playing golf. Arrogant, he talks down and at people and treats Americans like they are children. Loretta Lynch does the same thing. Has anyone ever scrutinized Susan Rice's background? How does she qualify to be in his inner circle on National defense, or anything? A hack for him. And Valerie............the real boss!
Please, just go golfing and leave the war to the FBI and Military Generals who know what they are talking about.
Please, just go golfing and leave the war to the FBI and Military Generals who know what they are talking about.
Must say I envy how naive and out of touch you are. I'd rather be clueless like you as life would be so much less stressful.
Notice that the Times Editorial Board, just like the president, spends an inordinate amount of time worrying about people saying mean things about Muslims, as if that is the equivalent of the various acts of heinous violence perpetrated in the name of Islam on an all-too frequent basis. It is just so strange that immediately after a terror attack the left's first concern is not the victims or how to stop more attacks on innocent people, but to make sure nobody says mean (but truthful) things about Islam.
Further, this editorial further buys into the notion that it is ultimately the West's fault that terrorists come to being in its midst, stating that the terrorists are "disaffected" and "isolated." What proof does the NYT have that Farook, an American-born, college graduate with a good job, was disaffected? Why would he have been disaffected? He seemed to be living the American Dream, so what could possibly have caused him to throw that away and shoot 30 innocent people? To the left, it couldn't possibly have been the tenets of Islam; no, it has to somehow be our society's fault.
Further, this editorial further buys into the notion that it is ultimately the West's fault that terrorists come to being in its midst, stating that the terrorists are "disaffected" and "isolated." What proof does the NYT have that Farook, an American-born, college graduate with a good job, was disaffected? Why would he have been disaffected? He seemed to be living the American Dream, so what could possibly have caused him to throw that away and shoot 30 innocent people? To the left, it couldn't possibly have been the tenets of Islam; no, it has to somehow be our society's fault.
12
The President sees the strategy to defeat ISIS, in the short term, and to contain terrorism, in the long term, as an exercise in careful planning, avoiding overreach and weighing unintended consequences in a part of the world with many competing interests creating turmoil. Republicans, on the other hand, see this as an opportunity to grandstand for their xenophobic, Obama hating base, i.e. pandering. There is not a patriot among them.
Harken back to Bill Clinton launching a strike against Al Qaeda in an attempt to bring down a serious and ominous terrorist threat. Republicans accused him of trying to distract from the impeachment proceedings. Fast forward to 9/11. That same Al Qaeda brought down the twin towers in Manhattan. No Democrat sought to blame President Bush or Republicans for the disaster. Democrats got behind Bush in going after Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Bush used the fear and political capital from 9/11 to bully Democrats and to drag the country into Iraq. Dissenters were deemed unpatriotic and not supporting the troops.
The contrast between the parties is stark. And detrimental to our national psyche.
Harken back to Bill Clinton launching a strike against Al Qaeda in an attempt to bring down a serious and ominous terrorist threat. Republicans accused him of trying to distract from the impeachment proceedings. Fast forward to 9/11. That same Al Qaeda brought down the twin towers in Manhattan. No Democrat sought to blame President Bush or Republicans for the disaster. Democrats got behind Bush in going after Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Bush used the fear and political capital from 9/11 to bully Democrats and to drag the country into Iraq. Dissenters were deemed unpatriotic and not supporting the troops.
The contrast between the parties is stark. And detrimental to our national psyche.
19
Obama has no strategy, that's the whole point.
I simply cannot imagine the consequences if any or all of the highly charged proposals and programs promoted by the GOP candidates were actually put into effect.
Do we really want to wage war on the religion of Islam itself? That's what it sounds like when you listen to Trump, Cruz, and to a certain extent Rubio and Bush. Can you imagine forcing Muslim Americans to sign up in a registry or forced to wear special bracelets? Can you imagine the US bombing "the hell out" of Isis holdings in Syria and Iraq? I mean launching "the big one" on the entire region – because this is the subtext of their macho claims and posturing.
When you're simply running for office instead of in the office, it's easy to come up with draconian proposals for real challenges like the ones we face now. Perhaps the GOP candidates are making their supporters feel safer, but some of their wackier ideas send shivers down my spine.
The next year is going to be really critical in whether or not America maintains its claim to exceptionalism – a concept I'm beginning to reject strongly. Because it represents pure power over the more difficult challenge of being proactive without burning the house down in the process.
Do we really want to wage war on the religion of Islam itself? That's what it sounds like when you listen to Trump, Cruz, and to a certain extent Rubio and Bush. Can you imagine forcing Muslim Americans to sign up in a registry or forced to wear special bracelets? Can you imagine the US bombing "the hell out" of Isis holdings in Syria and Iraq? I mean launching "the big one" on the entire region – because this is the subtext of their macho claims and posturing.
When you're simply running for office instead of in the office, it's easy to come up with draconian proposals for real challenges like the ones we face now. Perhaps the GOP candidates are making their supporters feel safer, but some of their wackier ideas send shivers down my spine.
The next year is going to be really critical in whether or not America maintains its claim to exceptionalism – a concept I'm beginning to reject strongly. Because it represents pure power over the more difficult challenge of being proactive without burning the house down in the process.
9
Respectfully, what makes you think that Obama isn't already "bombing the hell" out of Syria and Iraq? The international media confirms that he is. He's had his hands in the mess in Syria since 2011 and has stepped up US involvement every year thereafter.
So what's your excuse for Obama in 2008?
As I watched the President's speech I felt American was heading in the right direction. Seemed to me he has a plan that will work without invading another country or starting a third war in the Middle east. When I read the responses from the GOP presidential hopefuls I felt sick, all I could think of was here we go again!!! And the fact that the tough talking GOP leaders of the house and senate voted to sell guns to people on the watch list and have not voted on the actions now being taken shows their true colors!!!!
8
A far greater threat to the nation that isolated and random Islamist attackers is the incipient fascism of the Trump candidacy and the potential body blow it could deliver to the Republic.
People think it could never happen here. So did the Germans in the 1920s.
People think it could never happen here. So did the Germans in the 1920s.
12
President is right. Freedom and hope wins over fear any day and that's why terrorists are after us.
Republicans need to stop whining and start working for USA and help all of us live happily and freely.
If they can't, which they are already showing then let's all work together to move them out so that we can move forward.
Republicans need to stop whining and start working for USA and help all of us live happily and freely.
If they can't, which they are already showing then let's all work together to move them out so that we can move forward.
7
I was with the President until he started on the old don't hate Muslims or blame Islam it's a peaceful religion that deserves our respect drivel. Islam is not a peaceful religion, if some Muslims are peaceful then they are not adhering to the teachings of the Koran. Islam is a violent expansionist ideology. And to be honest I have no respect for any religion. They are all ancient myths. Their followers are brainwashed fools whom I hold in contempt. I am under zero obligation to respect some one's delusions. And Islam and all 1.5 billion of it's followers have killed their way to the top of the most destructive mythologies still plaguing the 21st century list.
12
It takes two: while President Obama, is our elected leader , so to is our congress. Unfortunately, we have a congress that has done everything in its power to obstruct , delay and even trash any legislation that will protect and move our country forward . Our elected congress men and women are so busy thinking about themselves, that they have put our county at risk. One has to ask themselves WHY would congress not pass legislation to protect Americans from people on the no fly list from buying guns? They say it is because the list is flawed- but should we not error on the side of caution ? Would we really rather protect known terrorists "rights" over Americans?
What will it take for congress to act and protect American lives from being further terrorized? Unfortunately , our current GOP nominees can only speak to us using terms that create fear, anxiety and polarization - not to mention hate, demoralization etc.
Folks, America and its future are in trouble. We ( The American People) have but one tool in OUR arsenal - and that is our VOTE. I pray that we start insisting that our nominees talk about the issues and provide us a plan for OUR future. On Election Day- not just The General Election- WE. The American People are responsible for who goes to Washington. The Commander and Chief has limited powers when the Congress is against him- make no mistake, the condition America finds itself in would be a lot different if Our Leader and Congress would work together .
What will it take for congress to act and protect American lives from being further terrorized? Unfortunately , our current GOP nominees can only speak to us using terms that create fear, anxiety and polarization - not to mention hate, demoralization etc.
Folks, America and its future are in trouble. We ( The American People) have but one tool in OUR arsenal - and that is our VOTE. I pray that we start insisting that our nominees talk about the issues and provide us a plan for OUR future. On Election Day- not just The General Election- WE. The American People are responsible for who goes to Washington. The Commander and Chief has limited powers when the Congress is against him- make no mistake, the condition America finds itself in would be a lot different if Our Leader and Congress would work together .
8
The President said what was needed. Some of our fellow citizens will never be satisfied with that.
8
Some? How about half won't be satisfied. Ever.
"Mr. Obama is right to caution against the risk of further alienating Muslims in the United States and around the world. The Islamic State has ably exploited the sense of isolation many Muslims feel..."
"Further alienation"? "Sense of isolation"?
The couple in San Bernardino were free to practice their religion as they wished. He had a government job that gave them an income and benefits that put them right at the median for the state of California. His co-workers held a baby shower for him and he had set up a baby registry at Target. He had apparently recently returned from paternity leave.
Please cite the "alienation" and"isolation" this couple experienced. Let us be clear on one thing; their actions were not motivated by any contempt and revulsion American society showed them, they were motivated by the contempt and revulsion they felt towards a society that by all accounts had embraced them.
"Further alienation"? "Sense of isolation"?
The couple in San Bernardino were free to practice their religion as they wished. He had a government job that gave them an income and benefits that put them right at the median for the state of California. His co-workers held a baby shower for him and he had set up a baby registry at Target. He had apparently recently returned from paternity leave.
Please cite the "alienation" and"isolation" this couple experienced. Let us be clear on one thing; their actions were not motivated by any contempt and revulsion American society showed them, they were motivated by the contempt and revulsion they felt towards a society that by all accounts had embraced them.
15
Of course it appears reasonable that anyone on the no-fly list should not be able to buy guns.
But we must recall the dubious nature of this list, which has already been widely discussed. We don't know what it takes to get onto it. It is drawn up in secret. Once on the list, it is almost impossible to get off or even to find out why one is there.
Given the arbitrary nature of the list, which already produces great inconvenience for some innocent people, the President's suggestion is essentially to greatly increase the number of people who are ineligible to own guns, partly at random.
This should produce misgivings for anyone other than those who already believe that guns should not be available to anyone.
Of course, the innocent who are affected might just be considered as "collateral damage" (and probably will be).
But we must recall the dubious nature of this list, which has already been widely discussed. We don't know what it takes to get onto it. It is drawn up in secret. Once on the list, it is almost impossible to get off or even to find out why one is there.
Given the arbitrary nature of the list, which already produces great inconvenience for some innocent people, the President's suggestion is essentially to greatly increase the number of people who are ineligible to own guns, partly at random.
This should produce misgivings for anyone other than those who already believe that guns should not be available to anyone.
Of course, the innocent who are affected might just be considered as "collateral damage" (and probably will be).
3
Once again the president puts politics ahead of sound policy. The President has spent the last 7 years going around Congress on Immigration, Health care and environmental protection. Now he wants Congressional authorization for the military campaign? How exactly will this make any actual difference? I certainly agree that we have to do more about restricting access to guns, but again, is this going to make a real difference in the fight against ISIS? I'm surprised that the president didn't try and tie a women's right to choose and minimum wage to the ISIS fight. Its always partisan politics with this President.
5
It is always politics with you and your ilk-- sworn enemies of the President of the USA that you are. In other places and other times, you and your tribe would be called out for treason.
1
So, you are admitting that conservatives are categorically opposed to the rights of women and livable wages?
1
Agree with you 100%. This was a speech long on politics and perilously short on real solutions to the ISIS/terrorist problem. Sorry to say it, but we are saddled with a weak and vacillating president.
As usual, O is talk, no action. Pathetic. America deserves better, a leader that will take the safety and security of America seriously. The only vilification going on is that of those who want a president who can lead, not talk.
5
Yes, we have people "over there" who want to wage war on us. Unfortunately, we have a lot of people "over here" who aren't Islamic who wage war on their fellow Americans every day. Yet, there is no call to arms despite many acts of terrorism, no drone strikes on their assemblies, not even calling them out for what they are (terrorists). Instead we classify them as mentally ill and suggest that we need better mental health care.
Let's take a vote of the NRA members and ask if it is right to allow Islamic Terrorists to acquire weapons in the USA. That would get an instant NO response. But it is just fine to allow domestic terrorists to stockpile weapons and create personal arsenals. Because after the domestic terrorists commit their acts we will give them the mental illness pass.
So, we will double down on the threat from "over there" and ignore the threat that lives right here and kills more Americans than all of the terrorists from "over there."
Let's take a vote of the NRA members and ask if it is right to allow Islamic Terrorists to acquire weapons in the USA. That would get an instant NO response. But it is just fine to allow domestic terrorists to stockpile weapons and create personal arsenals. Because after the domestic terrorists commit their acts we will give them the mental illness pass.
So, we will double down on the threat from "over there" and ignore the threat that lives right here and kills more Americans than all of the terrorists from "over there."
2
The responses to President Obama's speech on the part of several GOP candidates and some NYT readers strongly suggest the absence among critics of any consensus on an alternate policy. The only common note in a chorus of denunciation involved the insertion of the word "Islamic" in the president's description of ISIS, as if this word could magically transform American strategy into a deadly threat against the terrorist organization.
In the vague language that epitomizes Republican attacks on Mr. Obama, GOP hopefuls demand that the president get "tough" with ISIS, without defining that term in the Syrian context. The Republican-controlled Congress, meanwhile, contributes to the policy debate by refusing the president's request for authorization to use force in the ME. Whatever the word "tough" may mean, therefore, it clearly lacks any military overtones.
Trump and Carson want Obama to target American Muslims, but neither they nor the Republicans in Congress favor a prohibition on gun purchases by individuals on the 'no-fly' list, most of whom are probably of the Islamic faith. They tend to approve alternate methods of abusing the rights of these citizens, including the surveillance of mosques and (in Trump's case) the harsh treatment of the families of terrorists.
In truth, Mr. Obama's policy remains rather amorphous, but that fact reflects in part the fluid situation in the ME. In any case, effective criticism must include a clear alternative strategy.
In the vague language that epitomizes Republican attacks on Mr. Obama, GOP hopefuls demand that the president get "tough" with ISIS, without defining that term in the Syrian context. The Republican-controlled Congress, meanwhile, contributes to the policy debate by refusing the president's request for authorization to use force in the ME. Whatever the word "tough" may mean, therefore, it clearly lacks any military overtones.
Trump and Carson want Obama to target American Muslims, but neither they nor the Republicans in Congress favor a prohibition on gun purchases by individuals on the 'no-fly' list, most of whom are probably of the Islamic faith. They tend to approve alternate methods of abusing the rights of these citizens, including the surveillance of mosques and (in Trump's case) the harsh treatment of the families of terrorists.
In truth, Mr. Obama's policy remains rather amorphous, but that fact reflects in part the fluid situation in the ME. In any case, effective criticism must include a clear alternative strategy.
4
The GOP candidates have a "clear alternative srategy". Bomb Them. Who Them is exaxtly is't clear. We have to bomb somebody. It makes us feel good and powerful ,and uses some of the military toys that we have spent so much money on. If we kill as many of the innocent as the guilty it doesn't matter. We have been strong.
Or we could put "boots on the ground". Who's boots and where exactly? Doesn't matter. If you have them, use them. If they were dumb enough to enlist they have assumed the risk.
Peace in the Middle East,if it ever comes,must come from within the Midddle East.
Nothing that we or anyone else can do can impose it. They have been fighting their tribal wars fo centuries. Where is Saudi Arabia in all this? Smilingly accepting our money and stirring up trouble when and where ever. (And providing the folks who were behind 9/11).
We are wasting our time, wealth, and more importantly, the lives of our young warriors, for nothing.
How can a great nation that had limited military success in Korea and none in Vietnam have learned so little?
This isn't WW2, John Wayne is dead. So is the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B". ( He died at Bastogne)
Let's grow up, be smart, assert our strength, not pine for what used to be.
Or we could put "boots on the ground". Who's boots and where exactly? Doesn't matter. If you have them, use them. If they were dumb enough to enlist they have assumed the risk.
Peace in the Middle East,if it ever comes,must come from within the Midddle East.
Nothing that we or anyone else can do can impose it. They have been fighting their tribal wars fo centuries. Where is Saudi Arabia in all this? Smilingly accepting our money and stirring up trouble when and where ever. (And providing the folks who were behind 9/11).
We are wasting our time, wealth, and more importantly, the lives of our young warriors, for nothing.
How can a great nation that had limited military success in Korea and none in Vietnam have learned so little?
This isn't WW2, John Wayne is dead. So is the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B". ( He died at Bastogne)
Let's grow up, be smart, assert our strength, not pine for what used to be.
Well NYT did not think it was important to state one of the Presidents between the line request to the Muslim community worldwide - please root out the culture of medieval mentality and move forward to the 21st century where with dialogue solutions to grievances and long lasted mistrust can be found.
4
Fine speech by our c-in-c, but unless he matches the word to the deed,it is basically meaningless, an exercise in oratory, but nothing more. In order for Americans to feel safe,, they would have to know that our borders are no longer porous, but secured, and the vetting of newcomers is thorough, which it is not at present. Mentioned in yet to be published comment that Honduran friends came across w/o so much as a bye your leave:Verification of their identities was so cursory as to be laughable. Suppose one day, if it has not already happened, a true believer from the Caliphate gained entry, a hypothesis that cannot be excluded.NYT also lets President off the hook re failure to follow up pledge to strike Syria in 2012, and repercussions r still felt there, where 300,000 have perished, and in GB over the weekend where an "exalte" of ME origin attacked innocents with a knife after declaring,"That's for Syria."Every public servant, especially our c-in-c, deserves respect because of the office he holds.But the Editorial Board goes too far in gilding, providing camouflage for all of O's actions, some of which r indeed questionable.NYT is too good a newspaper to allow itself to be used as a public relations arm of the White House.Critical thinking is in order.
3
I thought the speech was appropriate for the situation. I believe it was necessary due to the attempts by Republican candidates to politicize the Islamic threat by a small percentage of the Islamic population and turn it into a justification for WWIII. I believe he called out congress and asked for them to do some common sense things like legitimizing our military action, controlling guns, and tamping down the anti-Muslim fervor to focus it on the specific cause of concern. The incident in San Bernardino, as bad as it was, has been hyped way beyond its significance in the broader scheme of things. Also, the characterization of our bombing efforts as having accomplished nothing is hardly correct, but gives the American people a sense of frustration which may drive us to act precipitously such as G.W. Bush did in invading Iraq. I believe people were saying the same thing when Clinton was bombing Bosnia--in the end it worked. As usual, the media leads the American people in having no sense of history and a very short attention span.
6
It shouldn't always be about politics, but as long as you're pointing fingers at Republicans, let's try to stay middle ground. Obama, as always, states his mind to back his point of view, yet he's always wrong. This president has no backbone and will go down as the worst and least effective president in our history.
The threat of ISIS and "guns gone crazy" in our country is real. The NRA's power must be greatly diminished and the NSA's power must be greatly enhanced. The Democrat's freakout of privacy over security must be rethought considering the times we currently live in. I don't mind the NSA collecting data on me because I don't do anything wrong. I do however, want to live in a safe world and if data collection could trace computer or phone record info that could lead to some one or some group being jailed before a heinous criminal event, I'm all for it.
Bombing alone won't stop ISIS as their hate is spreading through social media throughout the world. You must be more up to date on your examples if you think you can persuade someone to your point of view.
The threat of ISIS and "guns gone crazy" in our country is real. The NRA's power must be greatly diminished and the NSA's power must be greatly enhanced. The Democrat's freakout of privacy over security must be rethought considering the times we currently live in. I don't mind the NSA collecting data on me because I don't do anything wrong. I do however, want to live in a safe world and if data collection could trace computer or phone record info that could lead to some one or some group being jailed before a heinous criminal event, I'm all for it.
Bombing alone won't stop ISIS as their hate is spreading through social media throughout the world. You must be more up to date on your examples if you think you can persuade someone to your point of view.
When ideology and theology are combined, as demonstrated by ISIS, a very formidable force is created. "Boots on the ground" must be very selective. Carpet bombing, as suggested by some on the extreme right, will create more problems than it would solve. Many may deride a "hearts and minds" strategy, that strategy can work. To make it work, we must convince the Imans that run the nations in the region that defeat of ISIS actually works in their best interests. Yet to convince the leaders of the branches of Islam will require a person with patience and a deep understanding of Islam. I'm not so sure there is any person from the West with those skills.
On the other point of increased controls on the purchase of weapons, sadly all President Obama has done is given another sales boost to the arms industry.
On the other point of increased controls on the purchase of weapons, sadly all President Obama has done is given another sales boost to the arms industry.
Two thoughts:
1) Disconnected people in the world are angered by their isolation. They lack the amazing social scene and material benefits portrayed by so many 'channels'. They judge their reality by these unreal worlds and make up a different reality in frustrated response. They don't mind, in fact, may embrace dying. Any old cause will do to give this meaning. If not ISIS, White Supremacy or,,, pick your escape. There is no easy antidote. Stopping ISIS won't stop the incidents.
2) But. when it comes to detracting from the appeal of ISIS propaganda specifically, try very cynical humor in a Monty Python vein reducing the ISIS message and the followers to the ridiculous. But, be prepared to offer an alternative as well.
1) Disconnected people in the world are angered by their isolation. They lack the amazing social scene and material benefits portrayed by so many 'channels'. They judge their reality by these unreal worlds and make up a different reality in frustrated response. They don't mind, in fact, may embrace dying. Any old cause will do to give this meaning. If not ISIS, White Supremacy or,,, pick your escape. There is no easy antidote. Stopping ISIS won't stop the incidents.
2) But. when it comes to detracting from the appeal of ISIS propaganda specifically, try very cynical humor in a Monty Python vein reducing the ISIS message and the followers to the ridiculous. But, be prepared to offer an alternative as well.
I do not care about what President Obama says at this point. He's a gifted orator, but his words ring hollow in a world that has begun to fall into chaos, in part due to his weak foreign policy. Show me the actions necessary to make us safe again and maybe your words will mean something.
Until then, talk is cheap.
Until then, talk is cheap.
14
Yes, a ground war against an opponent who's validation is based on that war happening sure makes a lot of sense.
The call to war in this instance is insanity.
The call to war in this instance is insanity.
By remaining calm and not giving in to the fearmongering that the GOP finds so irresistible as a political tactic, President Obama shows himself to be a worthy successor to wartime presidents of the stature of Franklin Roosevelt. He seeks to unite all Americans whatever their race, religion or creed, while demagogues like Trump and Cruz seek to divide them according to their race, religion or creed. This kind of thinking was responsible for putting Hitler and Mussolii in power. Is "United we stand, and divided we fall." So difficult to understand?
Against Mr Obama's speech Republican leaders look like bunch of jokers and street fighters.
Oama's speech was a calculated effort to inform people of the steps that are being taken and not to start Muslim Bashing which will create more problems than solve
Oama's speech was a calculated effort to inform people of the steps that are being taken and not to start Muslim Bashing which will create more problems than solve
1
We are none safe. Just a reality check for those who are so in need of unattainable safety. Do African-Americans feel safe when police routinely shoot them dead? Do Americans feel safe with a militarized police force that now uses policies such as "sheltered-in" or doesn't think twice before killing someone. You don't see this kind of over-reach in most other countries. But, since it's reality in America, then you have to agreed terrorism and the unrealistic pursuit of safety is winning. Americans are incrementally losing their liberties with every attack and/or shooting. It would be better for Mr. Obama remained silent.
What a contrast it is between President Obama's calm, steady, realistic approach to fighting terrorism and the churlish panic and fear mongering of the Republican presidential contenders.
12
You want your 1st and 2nd Amendment rights infringed upon by an empty suit?
Bromides and platitudes are neither tough nor reassuring. Duh, let's work to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. Too bad no one knew our model couple with a new baby were dangerous until they acted. Let's stick to our values. Right. Sticking to things will make us safer. Although I suspect that sticking to things is as in(effective) as prayer, which President Obama properly ridiculed last week as the answer to this new threat. More bombing of ISIS? Sounds promising! Remind me how 10 years of unrestricted bombing of North Viet Nam won that conflict.
The reality is that we are on the cusp of a new century (or possibly millennium) of renewed religious warfare. Just as the mis-named "Christians" killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Jerusalem over centuries for the crime of worshipping the wrong god, Christians have been killing each other for much longer for worshipping the wrong version of the "right" god.
Who knows what the "fatal flaw" was which doomed Neanderthals, basically a regional variation of ourselves, to recent extinction. But sometime in the future, it will likely be determined that homo sapiens' apparent genetic predisposition to create fantasies and elevate them over reality, was our species' fatal flaw. Imagination run riot, if you will. As long as there are organized religions, the slaughter will continue. All the tough talk in the world cannot alter the arc of our long and dismal history.
The reality is that we are on the cusp of a new century (or possibly millennium) of renewed religious warfare. Just as the mis-named "Christians" killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Jerusalem over centuries for the crime of worshipping the wrong god, Christians have been killing each other for much longer for worshipping the wrong version of the "right" god.
Who knows what the "fatal flaw" was which doomed Neanderthals, basically a regional variation of ourselves, to recent extinction. But sometime in the future, it will likely be determined that homo sapiens' apparent genetic predisposition to create fantasies and elevate them over reality, was our species' fatal flaw. Imagination run riot, if you will. As long as there are organized religions, the slaughter will continue. All the tough talk in the world cannot alter the arc of our long and dismal history.
1
American core value: bravery (it's in our official song, even).
American reaction to a statistically negligible threat of harm: quaking fear.
American reaction to a statistically negligible threat of harm: quaking fear.
3
The president, a modern, well dressed Hamlet, waffled last night. He really has no idea how to fight or actually defend the nation. The bad news is we are in the last act of a long tiresome play. The audience is restless, and the actor playing the prince is vain. Because of this, nearly everyone on stage will be dead.
4
You're implying, I'd guess, that we need another Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld team?
Oh my god. You have opened my eyes. I'm very afraid now. You should be president. Your so wise.
President Obama's message was just what the nation needed to be reminded of,
that a heterogenous democratic nation must live up to the principles our founding father's wrote into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Exerting power to destroy,control, and dominate foreign rebels will not work when the threat is domestic. As leader of the free world, the USA should hold forth the higher ideals, practice what we preach.
that a heterogenous democratic nation must live up to the principles our founding father's wrote into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Exerting power to destroy,control, and dominate foreign rebels will not work when the threat is domestic. As leader of the free world, the USA should hold forth the higher ideals, practice what we preach.
4
Absolutism does not work in any real life context, and we've fallen into a very bad habit of speaking in unrealistic terms.
"Never again"
"Guarantee the safety of all Americans"
"End ISIS"
"Not one more"
Anyone who believes such absolute statements or any politician who utters them is a fool trying to pacify their own paranoia or justify their intolerance.
These are the slogans borrowed from Madison Avenue, not courageous truths that should be coming from Pennsylvania Avenue.
The truth is, freedom is wonderful, but often expensive and precious. Safety is relative, but still in abundance and and needs only our own personal courage to maintain it. And while the false gods of more guns in our homes and the bellicose rhetoric of "carpet bombing" innocent Syrians out of blind fear, rage or hate only feeds the narrative or our enemies and delivers little real safety in the long run.
What "victories" are people expecting? Victories like the one pronounced loudly in front of "Mission Accomplished" on an aircraft carrier? Victories like the ones we pursued in Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq? Are these "victories" supposed to make us feel good? Feel powerful? Feel safe? How many more wars for the sake of such "victories" must we pursue before we finally realize it's just the same hammer looking for the next nail to hit?
We should take a lesson from another President, tasked with leading America through turbulent and scary times. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
"Never again"
"Guarantee the safety of all Americans"
"End ISIS"
"Not one more"
Anyone who believes such absolute statements or any politician who utters them is a fool trying to pacify their own paranoia or justify their intolerance.
These are the slogans borrowed from Madison Avenue, not courageous truths that should be coming from Pennsylvania Avenue.
The truth is, freedom is wonderful, but often expensive and precious. Safety is relative, but still in abundance and and needs only our own personal courage to maintain it. And while the false gods of more guns in our homes and the bellicose rhetoric of "carpet bombing" innocent Syrians out of blind fear, rage or hate only feeds the narrative or our enemies and delivers little real safety in the long run.
What "victories" are people expecting? Victories like the one pronounced loudly in front of "Mission Accomplished" on an aircraft carrier? Victories like the ones we pursued in Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq? Are these "victories" supposed to make us feel good? Feel powerful? Feel safe? How many more wars for the sake of such "victories" must we pursue before we finally realize it's just the same hammer looking for the next nail to hit?
We should take a lesson from another President, tasked with leading America through turbulent and scary times. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
4
Editorials...On our president using this tragedy for the 2nd time to push gun control.
"Last week’s massacre in San Bernardino, Calif., which was carried out by a young Muslim couple, should certainly create a new sense of urgency for those efforts."
These evil people were never on any watch lists, neither were the lunatics in Boston. I fail to see how disarming the public will prevent or mitigate loss of life during this time of war; we are at war and we civilians are the targets.
While I do agree, people on a no fly list should be banned from owning firearms or at least tip off authorities immediately to locate someone quickly through a background check, this is a very dangerous proposition.
A list where anyone can could be placed for saying the wrong thing to the wrong person and the abuses that go along with it, need to be scrutinized. We need a clear system in place for removal from such the list that can instantly strip a citizen of their constitutional rights for suspicion alone; specifically a subsidized judiciary process. Until those protections are in place, I could never agree to anything that hurts the constitutional rights of our citizens.
"Tough talk" does one thing, it scares the heck out of our enemies listening. We are the most powerful nation in the world, yet quickly and firmly tuck our tail between our legs. He calls for unity & compassion for fellow Americans when little disparity exists, as polls suggest. I voted for this man 2 times, SMH.
"Last week’s massacre in San Bernardino, Calif., which was carried out by a young Muslim couple, should certainly create a new sense of urgency for those efforts."
These evil people were never on any watch lists, neither were the lunatics in Boston. I fail to see how disarming the public will prevent or mitigate loss of life during this time of war; we are at war and we civilians are the targets.
While I do agree, people on a no fly list should be banned from owning firearms or at least tip off authorities immediately to locate someone quickly through a background check, this is a very dangerous proposition.
A list where anyone can could be placed for saying the wrong thing to the wrong person and the abuses that go along with it, need to be scrutinized. We need a clear system in place for removal from such the list that can instantly strip a citizen of their constitutional rights for suspicion alone; specifically a subsidized judiciary process. Until those protections are in place, I could never agree to anything that hurts the constitutional rights of our citizens.
"Tough talk" does one thing, it scares the heck out of our enemies listening. We are the most powerful nation in the world, yet quickly and firmly tuck our tail between our legs. He calls for unity & compassion for fellow Americans when little disparity exists, as polls suggest. I voted for this man 2 times, SMH.
5
Letting people on the terrorist watch list have weapons is not a political matter: it is a critical national security concern by law enforcement.
This is the FBI terrorist watch list that is compiled and used by law enforcement and the intelligence agencies. Please look at the FBI's information and not some kind of Fox delusion about the "list". If someone is on it by mistake, there are methods to have themselves cleared.
This is the FBI terrorist watch list that is compiled and used by law enforcement and the intelligence agencies. Please look at the FBI's information and not some kind of Fox delusion about the "list". If someone is on it by mistake, there are methods to have themselves cleared.
SMB, it is not "Fox delusion" to admit that the terror watch lists are flawed.
Please note that the editorial specifies the "no-fly list", a list of shadowy origin and accuracy, noted for including thousands of children and innocent people who pose no threat. Even the late Senator Ted Kennedy found himself on it for a good period of time despite his position and renown. As for "methods to have themselves cleared" that is also shrouded in vague shadow - you are not told if you are on one, there is little judicial oversight and even the innocent and powerful have difficulty with it (again, even as powerful a man as Kennedy had problems doing so). Many of us have serious questions about these processes and there is no need to insult people on their supposed TV viewing habits of which neither you nor I are cognizant.
Please note that the editorial specifies the "no-fly list", a list of shadowy origin and accuracy, noted for including thousands of children and innocent people who pose no threat. Even the late Senator Ted Kennedy found himself on it for a good period of time despite his position and renown. As for "methods to have themselves cleared" that is also shrouded in vague shadow - you are not told if you are on one, there is little judicial oversight and even the innocent and powerful have difficulty with it (again, even as powerful a man as Kennedy had problems doing so). Many of us have serious questions about these processes and there is no need to insult people on their supposed TV viewing habits of which neither you nor I are cognizant.
3
The notion that any sort of regulation of certain or sundry weapons is "disarming the public" is just the sort of hyperbole that prevents rational public discussion of a glaring public problem. That attitude is a giant part or our disjointed and paralyzed condition regarding public safety.
I got the feeling, watching the man on TV, that he was still practising his speech in front of the bathroom mirror. He was unsure, almost hesitant, and full of a self-consciousness that still wasn't deflected by his fakes to lecturing an already over-lectured and awesomely tolerant population. He is the best example of a rudderless leader I can think of and now looks fairly worn out by chronic indecisiveness. The New York Times editorial staff embarras themselves with their unfathomable efforts at bolstering and cheerleading this very lame duck of a president. Step waaaay back and try to recover your self-respect from the tentacles of syncopathy.
14
"He is the best example of a rudderless leader I can think of and now looks fairly worn out by chronic indecisiveness." - I believe we had a "decider-in-chief" and we know where that got us. How soon they forget.
2
bush was self confident and sure and
he never hesitated
he was th decider guy
who made all th wrong decisions
and here you are
he never hesitated
he was th decider guy
who made all th wrong decisions
and here you are
Please play back GW's first speech after 9/11. You want a scaredy cat? an insecure man totally out of his league? You got it.
In these times of scorching opinions and rhetoric -- mostly from GOP Presidential candidates and cable TV pundits who are short on knowledge and high on adrenaline, thank goodness we have President Obama. His calm presence would be more effective if critics stopped complaining about him long enough to think. Some of those critics recalled President Bush, atop the World Trade Center rubble with a bullhorn in his hand, as a sign of true leadership when America needed it most, forgetting of course that that same "leader" started this entire mess in the first place. People are impatient that President Obama hasn't fixed these problems in the seven years he's had to do it. Well these problems will require decades, not years to repair. Thank you New York Times Editorial Board for cutting through the insanity and recognizing that President Obama's intelligence and reason are exactly what we need right now.
9
"The failure of Congress to vote on a new legal framework for the war against the Islamic State has long been a problem.." Only a problem if the goal is the security of the nation. Since the goal is actually political gain by undermining US security, promoting myth, and celebrating disunity, not a problem at all.
3
The Times Editorial Board once again hears what it wants to hear and sees what it wants to see. Our President said and did nothing last night, merely defending his grossly inadequate approach to terrorism and wars in the Middle East, North Africa and Aghanistan, as well as the failed state of Pakistan. He assured us we can count on nothing more being done at least till he leaves office. Great speech.
18
What, PRECISELY, is it that you want done?
I'm asking because I suspect that two-thirds of it, we're already doing, and the other third you won't contribute to yourself on any way.
I'm asking because I suspect that two-thirds of it, we're already doing, and the other third you won't contribute to yourself on any way.
and what will th next pres do ?
bomb pakistan ?
start new wars in th mideast
and then youll be th first in line whinging about paying for them
americans are so daft they live in a fairyland where they think all things are free and wo consequence
bomb pakistan ?
start new wars in th mideast
and then youll be th first in line whinging about paying for them
americans are so daft they live in a fairyland where they think all things are free and wo consequence
I have fear but not of what the president is doing. It is a fear of the growing ignorance of the populace that supports the GOP presidential candidates. It is a few of the American gun-toting terrorists supported by their main terrorist organization, the NRA. It is a fear of the gun manufacturers who supply the world and its would-be killers with weapons of mass destruction for personal gain. It is a fear of the crazies who are constantly listening to voices in their head about the righteousness of their hatred of other religions. It is a fear of the GOP dictator-wannabes who can't wait to waste more of America's young in wars of attrition, and more of the US treasure on degrading the American dream with less healthcare, less education, less infrastructure, less humanity.
13
Sadly, that is where I am heading too. More and more I am realizing that my issue is not only with certain politicians but rather with many of my fellow citizens. In one of his speeches immediately after the San Bernardino massacre, President Obama said something about how in difficult times Americans come together to help each other. Well, not all of them. That same day it was reported that an all time record number of gun purchase background checks had taken place on Black Friday weekend. And the high volume of gun sales shows no sign of abating. So, actually, hundreds of thousands of Americans aren't all that interested in coming together; they are much more focused on preparing to shoot other Americans.
2
While President Obama's address hit all the right notes, his record on the Bill of Rights indicates that in the matter of freedom being more powerful than fear, he has very little credibility. Our Bill of Rights is pretty much in tatters (Have you seen your habeas corpus lately?), and his administration is largely responsible.
The best thing he did was to call on Congress to formally authorize use of military force. The Republicans always talk tough - now let's see if they vote tough. In my book, when they discuss freedom, they have even less credibility than our president.
The best thing he did was to call on Congress to formally authorize use of military force. The Republicans always talk tough - now let's see if they vote tough. In my book, when they discuss freedom, they have even less credibility than our president.
4
The President's address was warranted but flawed.
The flaw was not the message, it was the delivery. In an attempt to sound Presidential, he wasn't. Like the Freshman college student trying to sound smart, Obama diverted another address in search of a memorable line. Had Jesus had a speach writer, I doubt we would be recalling his advice today.
Sad. The country needed a President to say simple things with clarity. We got the standard menu, Obama trying to look Presidenial instead of being Presidential. Once again this guy dissapoints.
The flaw was not the message, it was the delivery. In an attempt to sound Presidential, he wasn't. Like the Freshman college student trying to sound smart, Obama diverted another address in search of a memorable line. Had Jesus had a speach writer, I doubt we would be recalling his advice today.
Sad. The country needed a President to say simple things with clarity. We got the standard menu, Obama trying to look Presidenial instead of being Presidential. Once again this guy dissapoints.
11
Your first paragraph demands eloquence; your second demands simplicity and clarity.
You know, some of get the feeling that whatever this President does, you folks'll howl.
You know, some of get the feeling that whatever this President does, you folks'll howl.
What? You want him to flail his arms around and yell, doing an impersonation of Trump?
We heard in measured tones what WE are doing about Daesh, in fact I heard a comment on fox not news that the talking heads didn't know about our raids and our special ops forces being there.
Those who encourage over reach in the Middle East are not interested in calm and measured reactions, they are interested in war and death.
We heard in measured tones what WE are doing about Daesh, in fact I heard a comment on fox not news that the talking heads didn't know about our raids and our special ops forces being there.
Those who encourage over reach in the Middle East are not interested in calm and measured reactions, they are interested in war and death.
George Bush reacted in a visceral, angry way, let us into the quagmire that today threatens our shores.
While we all want some kind of revenge, that unfortunately is a raw and undisciplined emotion that the President cannot afford. His opponents have a dystopian view of America's future. Let's hope common sense prevails over emotion.
While we all want some kind of revenge, that unfortunately is a raw and undisciplined emotion that the President cannot afford. His opponents have a dystopian view of America's future. Let's hope common sense prevails over emotion.
5
The President seems to have made this speech for one very important reason: to try to regain control of the narrative surrounding the attack in San Bernadino from voices like the NYTimes editorial board.
He appeased the gun control crowd with a short paragraph, but the focus of his words (finally) were that this incident was in fact an act of terrorism.
Another fact, that most of the USA, that is west of the Hudson River & east of Silicon Valley understands that no reasonable amount of arms control would've prevented this attack, or any future one like it.
There is a great disconnect between this country and the editors of this paper - along with the choir it preaches to.
He appeased the gun control crowd with a short paragraph, but the focus of his words (finally) were that this incident was in fact an act of terrorism.
Another fact, that most of the USA, that is west of the Hudson River & east of Silicon Valley understands that no reasonable amount of arms control would've prevented this attack, or any future one like it.
There is a great disconnect between this country and the editors of this paper - along with the choir it preaches to.
6
Very interesting that the bride in the recent California attacks was the ring leader whose religion put hate in her heart for America and traditions and females who do not share her bizarro religious beliefs and traditions. That is a hate crime folks, and that is terrorism brought into our country by a seemingly harmless female wanting to infiltrate, camaflouge and then attack. There are undoubtedly many more of these situations to come. Just saying folks it is here to stay.
5
Sane, reasonable citizens of the world's largest military power with a capacity to destroy the world do not wish for a leader who shouts in anger and fear like a Khrushchev pounding his shoe at the UN.
Nor should we seek out of ignorance and hysteria to put those citizens, residents and visitors who are Muslim or from Islamic nations into some category of those to be feared for their place of origin or their religious beliefs. People we currently call Muslim are not just our "friends and neighbors", they are us. Our history is full of examples when ignorance and fear combined to exclude people our country desperately needed.
Those in Congress are especially at fault because they--the 435 and the 100 out of all US citizens have refused any substantive debate on foreign policy. Shamefully many have refused to be partners to President Obama in protecting the US because their political ideology was set to oppose him in every possible way. The damage done to the US by the opposition to President Obama is serious and borders at this point on treason. Millions of dollars spent by a Republican Congress on Benghazi is no substitute for a serious debate on the US positions in this challenging world bringing together the best minds. It is unfortunate the elected officials in this country have incited then followed the worst instincts of uneducated voters rather than be leaders who took strong defensible positions that voters may not have been able to accept or understand.
Nor should we seek out of ignorance and hysteria to put those citizens, residents and visitors who are Muslim or from Islamic nations into some category of those to be feared for their place of origin or their religious beliefs. People we currently call Muslim are not just our "friends and neighbors", they are us. Our history is full of examples when ignorance and fear combined to exclude people our country desperately needed.
Those in Congress are especially at fault because they--the 435 and the 100 out of all US citizens have refused any substantive debate on foreign policy. Shamefully many have refused to be partners to President Obama in protecting the US because their political ideology was set to oppose him in every possible way. The damage done to the US by the opposition to President Obama is serious and borders at this point on treason. Millions of dollars spent by a Republican Congress on Benghazi is no substitute for a serious debate on the US positions in this challenging world bringing together the best minds. It is unfortunate the elected officials in this country have incited then followed the worst instincts of uneducated voters rather than be leaders who took strong defensible positions that voters may not have been able to accept or understand.
8
Does anyone remember the Church committee and the Fulbright Hearings during the Vietnam war? How about the Watergate hearings? In that context it is tragic to view the end of statesmanship in the US House and Senate, and the entry of rubes like Trump into the presidential conversation.
Here is what Presdient Obama did not do, identify the enemy clearly, unafraid to call them out, and remind us that we have faced fascism before, and defeated it, Fortunately, British labor Party leader Hilary Benn reminded his constituents without fear that Jeremy Corbyn told him not to:
“We are here faced by fascists. Not just their calculated brutality, but their belief that they are superior to every single one of us in this chamber tonight, and all of the people that we represent. They hold us in contempt. They hold our values in contempt. They hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt. They hold our democracy, the means by which we will make our decision tonight, in contempt. And what we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated.”
I sympathize with the Times. Operating as it does as the White House media outlet, the contrast between Benn's speech and , and that of our President, is the difference between phony introspection and a clear unifying battle cry (anti-Muslim discrimination? Really, Aside from dumb Trump comments, we have been remarkably polite).
I suppose taking Americans' guns is one way to fight Islamic fascism. At least if the Caliphate expands, there will be fewer gang murders in Chicago. Can we also bring back "stop & frisk" ? Or may we only tinker with the Second Amendment, but not the Fourth?
Finally, is identifying the enemy as Islamic fascism a trigger word for a microagression? If it is, get the word to Mr. Benn fast.
“We are here faced by fascists. Not just their calculated brutality, but their belief that they are superior to every single one of us in this chamber tonight, and all of the people that we represent. They hold us in contempt. They hold our values in contempt. They hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt. They hold our democracy, the means by which we will make our decision tonight, in contempt. And what we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated.”
I sympathize with the Times. Operating as it does as the White House media outlet, the contrast between Benn's speech and , and that of our President, is the difference between phony introspection and a clear unifying battle cry (anti-Muslim discrimination? Really, Aside from dumb Trump comments, we have been remarkably polite).
I suppose taking Americans' guns is one way to fight Islamic fascism. At least if the Caliphate expands, there will be fewer gang murders in Chicago. Can we also bring back "stop & frisk" ? Or may we only tinker with the Second Amendment, but not the Fourth?
Finally, is identifying the enemy as Islamic fascism a trigger word for a microagression? If it is, get the word to Mr. Benn fast.
8
As many people were killed by non-Muslim terrorists in the US since 9/11 as by Muslim terrorists. The problem is not "Islamic terrorism," it is terrorism. Or more exactly, the problem is murderers who spout quasi-religious reasons for their crimes in order for us to react in terror and panic. We don't see that it is precisely our over-reaction to these killings that turns it into something other than a despicable crime. We should not dignify these killers by paying any attention to their thin rationalizations at all. It doesn't matter WHY they murdered, they are just killers.
Simply put, there is no good that can come from Obama getting "angry", or uttering words prescribed by the likes of Ted Cruz, or God forbid, getting us involved in another land war in the middle east. Donald Trump's popularity at this moment in history is the canary in the coalmine we should all be paying attention to and the fact that the Republicans can't or won't confront him speaks volumes. Americans can disagree about policy and express that disagreement in the voting booth, but what this historical moment calls for, above all else, is calm, thoughtful and resolute leadership. It's what we've had in Obama and it's what we completely lose if we acquiesce to the lesser angels of our nature.
127
I can not believe some of the comments I have read criticizing President Obama. Where was the strident partisanship? He was just asking Congress to do its duty regarding war powers. No large scale boots on the ground as we had when invading Iraq without provocation on their part. We are in large part responsible for the disaster that is the middle east. But the American people want no part in taking in refugees. It's immoral not to do so. Just as it was immoral when we turned away Jews and incarcerated Japanese citizens during WW II. An exceptional country acts rationally and realistically and with compassion. That so many Americans are drawn to the rantings of Mr. Trump is more fearful to me than any terrorist. We have had demagogues in our past that harmed many Americans (Think Joe McCarthy). It must be said over and over that demonizing Muslims plays right into ISIS's propaganda machine. As for the second amendment fanatics. If you think the founding fathers had any concept of the military fire power today that is in the possession of ordinary citizens, you would be wrong. To think they would approve, you are mistaken. The first amendment regarding fee speech has some imposed limits, such as calling out fire in a crowded theatre. No one is going to take away your precious guns, just the military purpose weapons and restricting terrorists from buying guns. To the fearful ones, get a grip on reality. "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." FDR
13
President Obama has overdrawn his account in the bank of credibility. He has done it in overt ways ("you can keep your health care provider") and in more subtle ways like failing to define and maintain a so-called red line in Syria.
He had a tough job, no doubt, dealing with a fired-up opposition during a perilous time in our history. But many voters who do not vote along party-lines, like me, were willing to give him our backing. He lost that support when he went overtly divisive in 2012, pulling his support not from rational support but by hyping fears and driving bloc-based behavior. That's not the guy that Moderates supported in 2008.
I feel I have a right to criticize a man I supported once. And this POTUS hits the wrong notes at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. After I heard him sarcastically comment in Paris that he felt Americans had better sense than to vote for a Republican President I thought the guy doesn't get it.
This is the dog that caught the bus. He is the President of the most important nation on Earth. But he acts so often like a victim, and one with very thin skin who cannot suck it up and work on hard issues with people he finds disgusting. That is a weakness that causes him to lurch around on issues, unprincipled and largely reactionary Leftist in composition.
I don't listen to his "tough, calming" speeches anymore. There is plenty of good entertainment on a Sunday night, following a Patriots loss. Waiting for a leader.
He had a tough job, no doubt, dealing with a fired-up opposition during a perilous time in our history. But many voters who do not vote along party-lines, like me, were willing to give him our backing. He lost that support when he went overtly divisive in 2012, pulling his support not from rational support but by hyping fears and driving bloc-based behavior. That's not the guy that Moderates supported in 2008.
I feel I have a right to criticize a man I supported once. And this POTUS hits the wrong notes at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. After I heard him sarcastically comment in Paris that he felt Americans had better sense than to vote for a Republican President I thought the guy doesn't get it.
This is the dog that caught the bus. He is the President of the most important nation on Earth. But he acts so often like a victim, and one with very thin skin who cannot suck it up and work on hard issues with people he finds disgusting. That is a weakness that causes him to lurch around on issues, unprincipled and largely reactionary Leftist in composition.
I don't listen to his "tough, calming" speeches anymore. There is plenty of good entertainment on a Sunday night, following a Patriots loss. Waiting for a leader.
22
In contrast to your take on this President, I don't see "lurching" - he has been as constant and straight ahead as one could expect given the tumultuous shifts in world events and home-grown political chaos that he has had to face. Thank goodness, I also don't see "leaping" - as with the previous group of troublemakers. George and Dickie got this country into so much trouble - cultural and financial - with their deceptive and despotic ways. People can focus on the "you'll get to keep your insurance" slip-up but he has explained that he didn't go far enough in qualifying it given the day of sound-bite news. It had to occur to some that they might not get to keep their matchbook insurance policy if it didn't meet the newer standards. Those are the folks who had to change policies and, yes, the new policies were more expensive, but they covered medical needs - not just a sprained toe on the left foot if the accident occurred indoors on an odd-numbered day in a month that ends with 'r'....
1
Well Jeb Bush is available, I am sure he could use your support. Hope you don't have kids that are draft age.
You mean like George Bush, who told us to "go out and shop" after 911 and took us into a completely unnecessary war under false pretenses after drumming up hysteria about terrorism? You remember the red alerts, yellow alerts nonsense and the so-called "war on Terror"? I prefer a leader, like President Obama, who reacts calmly, deliberately and rationally without resorting to the kind of fear mongering that substitutes for leadership among the presidential - Republican, that is - candidates.
The NYTEB must have listened to a differrent speech. There was only fluff and no new strategy, only more gun control. A total failure by the president to actually address the probelm and develop an alternative strategy to overcome a deadly threat. Not surprising, though, with his inante disabilty to address foreign policy seriously rather continue appeasement policies.
10
If the comments I've been reading here and in the Washington Post are any indication, the president's speech failed.
He's trying to use rationality against irrational fear. He's trying to counteract a powerful public relations campaign that has been growing in strength and power since he was first elected.
We see the same words in reaction: tone-deaf, divisive, weak, no strategy, won't call it Islamic terrorism, etc. Where does all that come from?
He's trying to use rationality against irrational fear. He's trying to counteract a powerful public relations campaign that has been growing in strength and power since he was first elected.
We see the same words in reaction: tone-deaf, divisive, weak, no strategy, won't call it Islamic terrorism, etc. Where does all that come from?
8
How, exactly, should someone deal with irrational fear? By fueling more of it?
The President was in a bind. The San Bernadino terrorism make Americans in every corner of the country cringe because it is clear it is not just Manhattan and Boston. He had to change his tone for sure (and he did) by appearing forceful and asking Americans not to turn on other Americans of a different faith i.e. Muslims. That was needed. But for an oval office address that we would have hoped would signal policy changes that indicate he gets it it was totally devoid of substance except for looking at the Visa Waiver program (and he was shockingly confused about that). When he can't get David Axelrod and David Gergen on board he clearly failed to accomplish what he had in mind. This man is stubborn but history, not the comments section, will tell the story.
4
Most people don't recognize strength when they see it. Some think that Trump and Cruz are strong and tough. But where is the evidence for that, except their bluster? Cruz says that he will kill the terrorists. Blather. When politicians call for a truly impartial draft to fight a war and the public backs such a move, I will believe the country is tough and strong enough to take on such a task. Only when other countries, especially Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, take up their fair share of the burden of defeating the Islamic State and other terrorists will it be even possible for US military action to succeed. As a result of the president's policies and the horrible actions of the terrorists, we are now seeing other European countries (France, Britain, Germany) step up. If we step up too soon, they will back off. As they and others step up and if American ground troops are needed, we should institute a draft and get the job done. Strong people are calm and courageous and determined. I see no evidence of any of this in much of the bellicose rhetoric coming out of congress and the airwaves. Call for a draft or shut up. That and support for veterans after they've fought in our wars are the political tests for whether calls for war are genuine. Congress fails on both counts.
82
And make DICK Cheney and Geo. Bush the first draftees...
I refuse to live in fear. The President is right - Freedom is more powerful than fear! Therefor I will do all in my power to GET GUNS OFF THE STREETS OF AMERICA. WE must DEMAND that Every gun in America be Registered on a National Database, Licensed and Fully Insured for Liability. NOW is the time!
10
Can't wait for the lines in Chicago as gang members queue up to register their guns.
Too bad the Muslim terrorists in San Bernardino weren't required too register their guns and pipe bombs. Think of the carnage that could have been avoided.
Too bad the Muslim terrorists in San Bernardino weren't required too register their guns and pipe bombs. Think of the carnage that could have been avoided.
Once again, President Obama reiterated a clear and cogent policy for dealing with ISIS and the threat it imposes on the U.S. For his critics, who will never be satisfied or accept anything that he does, to say that "he has no policy" indicate that they were not listening to what he had to say or that they have a problem understanding the English language. Instead of congressional republicans complaining and repeating the mindless mantra -- over and over again-- that he has no policy, they ought to take address their own responsibilities in this matter by passing legislation that will permit the use of military forces in that area as well as trying to find a way to restrict terrorist who reach this country from arming Themistocles with military assault weapons. Time to get busy and quit bloviating, congress. Obama is doing all that he can. What are you doing, besides complaining?
10
Our politicians and media have ratcheted up the fear of the American public by their actions. Secret Courts, spying on the public, torture, rendition, bombing, assassination by Presidential decree. These are all the actions of a government that is very afraid. Leadership has created an entire new set of laws based on fear mongering.
We have completely abandoned rational negotiations for military options in dealing with the worlds hotspots. It's not an accident that militia's that we call terrorists are trained and using US, French, British and Russian weapons in their war against the West. We continue to leak military equipment and western military training to the worlds hotspots. Maybe we should be leaking doctors, hospitals, schools and good management practices to these hot spots?
We have completely abandoned rational negotiations for military options in dealing with the worlds hotspots. It's not an accident that militia's that we call terrorists are trained and using US, French, British and Russian weapons in their war against the West. We continue to leak military equipment and western military training to the worlds hotspots. Maybe we should be leaking doctors, hospitals, schools and good management practices to these hot spots?
2
This reader think it's wrong and dangerous to get into a contest between which gun kills more--the terrorist's, the classroom psycho's, the gang kid's, or the cop's. It's morally suspect because it "conflates" categories to give the impression that motive doesn't matter because dead is dead no matter who fired the gun. It seems to seek to minimize the indecency of Jihad killings and place gang violence or police abuse or Sandy Hook on the same level as politically, ideologically-driven murder. At the same time, it turns Jihad killing into a Second Amendment issue, which it is decidedly not. None of this violence will be brought under control with a one-size-fits-all approach. How could it? Infections and car crashes both kill. Prevention is different.
On a purely quantitative level, it is surprising to see the president motivated by politically-driven numbers comparisons between the number of Jihad killings since 9.11 and the non-Jihad murder rate. To begin with, how can 9.11 ever be excluded from such a comparison? For another, the public doesn't merely see the number of people killed in the United States by Arab-Muslim radical fanatics. The newspaper gives us the global picture. The picture includes attacks against American interests abroad as well as murders of westerners. The Paris massacre tightened up natl security fears in the presidential race before San Bernadoo happened. Americans rightfully feared that Paris could indeed happen here. And so it did, apparently.
On a purely quantitative level, it is surprising to see the president motivated by politically-driven numbers comparisons between the number of Jihad killings since 9.11 and the non-Jihad murder rate. To begin with, how can 9.11 ever be excluded from such a comparison? For another, the public doesn't merely see the number of people killed in the United States by Arab-Muslim radical fanatics. The newspaper gives us the global picture. The picture includes attacks against American interests abroad as well as murders of westerners. The Paris massacre tightened up natl security fears in the presidential race before San Bernadoo happened. Americans rightfully feared that Paris could indeed happen here. And so it did, apparently.
2
The President is not conflating anything. Easy access to automatic weapons and ammunition has made possible all manner of mass slaughter here at home, including the San Bernardino killings. Terrorists know it. ISIS knows it. Even Republicans know, as a Republican congressman opposed allowing Syrian refugees into the U.S. because it is so easy for any terrorist among them to acquire weapons. It is a problem that underlies all kinds of violence. Denying weapons to those on the watch list and making it more difficult in general to acquire military style weapons is one measure to reduce the threat of terrorist mass killings.
I find myself agreeing with the president, but understanding his critics who feel the speech and its prescriptions did not rise to the crises of the moment. The explanation is simple. Respectfully, I think critics have overblown the moment of crisis or misunderstood its nature. The enemy here is diffuse, and its worldwide opponents all have their own interests and agendas. "Take" Isis's territory away in Syria and Iraq and there will be other focal points (not to mention a host of new problems the day after territory is "retaken" -- the cheering crowds we were promised in Iraq either never materialized or didn't last). Adopt broad measures, whether for military strikes or domestic security, and you will create more risks and violence -- all it takes are a couple of individuals or small bands, without direction or a large infrastructure. I know it's small comfort to those who are and will be the victims of this awful group, but this fight needs to be carried on in a slow, deliberate, and sustainable way that doesn't allow these radicals to move, adapt, or change into something else (as they obviously did in the face of our interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in response to our security measures).
4
If anything, the speech made me more worried than I already am.
No concrete solutions, although it is obvious, as the president said, that no one who is on a no-fly list should be allowed to acquire firearms. The solution was like an elephant in the room. Until we end this madness of allowing anyone and everyone to own firearms--miniature weapons of mass destruction, if you will--there is no real solution. We will continue to live in fear of someone in a theater, school, stadium, office building, restaurant--anywhere--mowing people down. We will continue to hear calls for discrimination on the basis of religion and national origin. We will keep listening to calls for electronic espionage on a massive scale. And for what? So that a small minority of people can we can have the "freedom" to own mechanical devices designed to kill?
Not all liberties are created equal. Repeal the Second Amendment.
No concrete solutions, although it is obvious, as the president said, that no one who is on a no-fly list should be allowed to acquire firearms. The solution was like an elephant in the room. Until we end this madness of allowing anyone and everyone to own firearms--miniature weapons of mass destruction, if you will--there is no real solution. We will continue to live in fear of someone in a theater, school, stadium, office building, restaurant--anywhere--mowing people down. We will continue to hear calls for discrimination on the basis of religion and national origin. We will keep listening to calls for electronic espionage on a massive scale. And for what? So that a small minority of people can we can have the "freedom" to own mechanical devices designed to kill?
Not all liberties are created equal. Repeal the Second Amendment.
35
I was left disappointed after hearing President Obama speak. The New York Times has offered a rational, reality-based call to action on its front page to "end the gun epidemic." I'll bet Mr. Obama must be sick of talking about gun control, especially after Washington's epic failure against the backdrop of Sandy Hook. The words "gun control" have become trigger words for emotionally charged, hyper-patriotic vitriol that veers away from today's reality.
But to me, the issues he discussed last night go hand-in-hand with an urgent discussion, regardless of repetition, of the need to take action on banning weapons that are intended to quickly inflict the maximum amount of death upon people. Folks simply should not be able to buy military-grade weapons.
Ordinary people - people outside the influence of Washington avarice - want action. If that means reforming how our elections are conducted, then tackle that too. We have ignored the necessity for elections to be the results of everyone's choices.
I'm not saying any of this is easy, but this is what we elect leaders to do. And real leadership has to come from a place of morality - a morality that is lacking in this era.
One thing I have learned the hard way: Ignoring and sidestepping serious problems does not make them go away. A pattern of ignoring, sidestepping and/or denial just leads us down a dark, dangerous and unhealthy path into insanity. And that's exactly where we find ourselves at this moment.
But to me, the issues he discussed last night go hand-in-hand with an urgent discussion, regardless of repetition, of the need to take action on banning weapons that are intended to quickly inflict the maximum amount of death upon people. Folks simply should not be able to buy military-grade weapons.
Ordinary people - people outside the influence of Washington avarice - want action. If that means reforming how our elections are conducted, then tackle that too. We have ignored the necessity for elections to be the results of everyone's choices.
I'm not saying any of this is easy, but this is what we elect leaders to do. And real leadership has to come from a place of morality - a morality that is lacking in this era.
One thing I have learned the hard way: Ignoring and sidestepping serious problems does not make them go away. A pattern of ignoring, sidestepping and/or denial just leads us down a dark, dangerous and unhealthy path into insanity. And that's exactly where we find ourselves at this moment.
2
President Carter never ordered bombs dropped on anyone. He brokered the only peace agreement in the Middle East that has never been violated. He put solar panels on the roof of the White House, engineered a fiscal plan that would get America out of debt, and since leaving office has quietly and energetically worked for world peace. He approached problems calmly, sought compromises, and maintained a sense of humility and fairness.
He continues to be referred to by many Americans as the "worst president ever."
Reagan tore down the solar panels, sent missiles and bombs anywhere he felt he needed to, illegally sold arms to Iran to equip one of the most cruel armies in the world, and quadrupled the national debt.
He is celebrated as a great president.
And here we are, watching history repeat itself.
Americans don't want reasoned discourse, cerebral approaches to problem solving or respect for the views & rights of others - Americans crave the John Wayne swagger, the certainty, the outright disdain for dissent or anyone outside of the mainstream. All we need do is look at our attitudes toward recent presidents, and review our voting history, to confirm this.
Sadly, Trump will likely be our next president, since he offers exactly what Americans crave: easy answers, swagger, and absolute certainty. In the black and white world many Americans believe we inhabit, that's exactly what is needed.
As the iconic '60's song wonders, "When will we ever learn?"
He continues to be referred to by many Americans as the "worst president ever."
Reagan tore down the solar panels, sent missiles and bombs anywhere he felt he needed to, illegally sold arms to Iran to equip one of the most cruel armies in the world, and quadrupled the national debt.
He is celebrated as a great president.
And here we are, watching history repeat itself.
Americans don't want reasoned discourse, cerebral approaches to problem solving or respect for the views & rights of others - Americans crave the John Wayne swagger, the certainty, the outright disdain for dissent or anyone outside of the mainstream. All we need do is look at our attitudes toward recent presidents, and review our voting history, to confirm this.
Sadly, Trump will likely be our next president, since he offers exactly what Americans crave: easy answers, swagger, and absolute certainty. In the black and white world many Americans believe we inhabit, that's exactly what is needed.
As the iconic '60's song wonders, "When will we ever learn?"
3
"Americans don't want reasoned discourse."
Not all Americans but enough of a minority to angrily stoke the war mongering fires of many people who don't inform themselves of the subtleties that lie beneath the (online and paper) headlines, the rabidly anti Obama talk shpws, and the arch conservative TV channels.
We need to pull together. We don't need to barge into war - nostrils flared, guns blazing, minds closed. We need to support ratinal decision making. We don't need another fiasco like the one Bush Two was persuaded by Cheny et al, to
engage in. Mary Lynch Mobilia
Not all Americans but enough of a minority to angrily stoke the war mongering fires of many people who don't inform themselves of the subtleties that lie beneath the (online and paper) headlines, the rabidly anti Obama talk shpws, and the arch conservative TV channels.
We need to pull together. We don't need to barge into war - nostrils flared, guns blazing, minds closed. We need to support ratinal decision making. We don't need another fiasco like the one Bush Two was persuaded by Cheny et al, to
engage in. Mary Lynch Mobilia
Jimmy Carter is so off the hook!
You obviously forget the double digit inflation and interest rates under Carter, and the rise of modern day radical Islam in Iran under his watch !
Has there ever been a time when this country has been attacked by terrorists, domestic or foreign, where there was not significant bipartisan support of the Commander-in-Chief?
The Republican candidates are shameless political hacks who have no basis for their criticism. Their bellicosity is just political posturing. The President is not running for office: he is the President. He is making decisions without political considerations. The only people making his speech political are the candidates and then press.
One might ask the Republican second guessers how they could lower taxes while paying for the war they apparently want our young men and women to fight.
One might ask them what Christian values are present in their comments on the President's speech.
One might ask the Republican Senators why they haven't voted to support the was against Isis while arguing for a more expansive war.
One might ask the Republicans what rationale there is for allowing identified potential terrorists to buy guns in the U.S.
The Republican candidates are shameless political hacks who have no basis for their criticism. Their bellicosity is just political posturing. The President is not running for office: he is the President. He is making decisions without political considerations. The only people making his speech political are the candidates and then press.
One might ask the Republican second guessers how they could lower taxes while paying for the war they apparently want our young men and women to fight.
One might ask them what Christian values are present in their comments on the President's speech.
One might ask the Republican Senators why they haven't voted to support the was against Isis while arguing for a more expansive war.
One might ask the Republicans what rationale there is for allowing identified potential terrorists to buy guns in the U.S.
11
I find it interesting and somewhat distressing to read comments in here that praise the president for not bowing to "fear mongering" (i.e., Islam and terrorism are not really that much of a threat) while these same commenters use precisely the same "fear mongering" when discussing guns and everyday Americans who own them.
Do we need to tighten some gun laws? Yes, I think we do, but it must be pointed out that California already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation - and France and most of Europe has even stronger controls - yet these murderers still got weaponry, made bombs, shot people, etc.. The point is wise and sound legislation is but one tool in our arsenal, if you will, but not the be all and end all. Murder has always been illegal on our shores but it still occurs. These terrorists - for that is what they were - were not NRA members, weren't the result of allegedly sparse mental health treatment, and all the other tropes trotted out when such a tragedy arises. We must focus on a broad range of approaches, stop being so politicized and stop being so afraid to call things what they are (such as highlighting radicalized Muslims which are not the same as the majority of peaceful Muslims), while accepting that in a free country such as ours simply passing more rules and laws is not always a preventative tool.
Do we need to tighten some gun laws? Yes, I think we do, but it must be pointed out that California already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation - and France and most of Europe has even stronger controls - yet these murderers still got weaponry, made bombs, shot people, etc.. The point is wise and sound legislation is but one tool in our arsenal, if you will, but not the be all and end all. Murder has always been illegal on our shores but it still occurs. These terrorists - for that is what they were - were not NRA members, weren't the result of allegedly sparse mental health treatment, and all the other tropes trotted out when such a tragedy arises. We must focus on a broad range of approaches, stop being so politicized and stop being so afraid to call things what they are (such as highlighting radicalized Muslims which are not the same as the majority of peaceful Muslims), while accepting that in a free country such as ours simply passing more rules and laws is not always a preventative tool.
4
You are not paying attention: the San Bernardino killers obtained their guns legally. Yes, even under California's "strictest" gun laws. Clearly the laws need to be tightened up, especially regarding assault weapons.
1
Bellicosity is not suited to the current historical circumstances. Boots are currently - but lightly and effectively - on the ground, intelligence is ongoing, as is continuing anti-propaganda efforts. "Stand firm, don't get all whacked out over this" seems to be his message. Not a bad message, considering previous shield-beating "let's f em up" hysteria came to the current mangled strategic mess. My biggest fear was that after Paris and San Bernadino, bombing would be the most expedient public manifestation of Western anger, which simply means that where we previously bombed Mosul and Raqqa in 'surgical' strikes, we no longer have any compunction about widening it to include civilians, merely in response to having our collective cage rattled. Obama's right: it would be what they want, and after the speech I trust him more than ever to have a strategic edge on the circumstances that might outlast our collective outbursts of righteous anger. They probably are being worn down more than we know. And long experience tells me that GOP noise is a good bell weather of what not to do. The tea leaves aren't hard to read here.
10
Oh, what a day makes. For Canadians, December 6th serves as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against women. It was on this day, 26 years ago, where Marc Lepine entered an engineering school in Montreal and massacred 14 women. And how did my nation respond?
1) We tightened our gun laws. Canadians can't purchase full automatic weapons, handguns can't be carried out of the home except with a specific license for work, all gun owners must be licensed, must have third-party references, must undergo an extensive background check and gun safety course.
2) We chose not to forget. Canadian flags on all federal buildings are flown at half-mast and solemn commemorations are held throughout the country where the victims' names are read. Prime Minister Trudeau attended such a ceremony today in Montreal. And at 5pm on Mount Royal, 14 spotlights shone through the sky, one for each of the victims.
What has been the result? Firearm related homicides, particularly those involving mass murder, are very few and far between. In 2012 there were 172 homicides committed with a firearm in Canada. In America, there were 9,146.
Perhaps your nation ought to choose one of the many many mass shootings and commemorate the dead. Bring it home (literally) to the consciousness of your citizens. Remind them of the senseless loss, unwarranted grief, and sheer lunacy of such an act. Perhaps, then, you will come to realize that intrapersonal violence is your most pressing enemy.
1) We tightened our gun laws. Canadians can't purchase full automatic weapons, handguns can't be carried out of the home except with a specific license for work, all gun owners must be licensed, must have third-party references, must undergo an extensive background check and gun safety course.
2) We chose not to forget. Canadian flags on all federal buildings are flown at half-mast and solemn commemorations are held throughout the country where the victims' names are read. Prime Minister Trudeau attended such a ceremony today in Montreal. And at 5pm on Mount Royal, 14 spotlights shone through the sky, one for each of the victims.
What has been the result? Firearm related homicides, particularly those involving mass murder, are very few and far between. In 2012 there were 172 homicides committed with a firearm in Canada. In America, there were 9,146.
Perhaps your nation ought to choose one of the many many mass shootings and commemorate the dead. Bring it home (literally) to the consciousness of your citizens. Remind them of the senseless loss, unwarranted grief, and sheer lunacy of such an act. Perhaps, then, you will come to realize that intrapersonal violence is your most pressing enemy.
15
I felt that the country and President Obama did that after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting where twenty children gunned down. Even that did not work against the Republicans who are lead by the NRA. Nothing was done! I think most Americans are heartbroken that our politicians refuse to support gun control. I, for one, can not get the images of little children being gunned down out of my mind.
1
• "...let’s make sure we never forget what makes us exceptional,” he said. “Let’s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear.”
"Exceptional": guns, violence, mass murder, social backwardness, religious fixation, racism, bias, demagoguery, jingoism, war mongering? Pretense? Truly exceptional! Mr Obama's "Freedom" sounds hollow to me these days.
“America..., just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.”
~ HUNTER S. THOMPSON
(1937 – 2005)
American journalist and author, most famous for his seminal work “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72;” creator of Gonzo journalism.
"Exceptional": guns, violence, mass murder, social backwardness, religious fixation, racism, bias, demagoguery, jingoism, war mongering? Pretense? Truly exceptional! Mr Obama's "Freedom" sounds hollow to me these days.
“America..., just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.”
~ HUNTER S. THOMPSON
(1937 – 2005)
American journalist and author, most famous for his seminal work “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72;” creator of Gonzo journalism.
9
Sounds like you are describing Syria. It was exactly Obama's qualms about killing anybody that caused this tragedy. It is a violent world out their and when the most powerful nation in the world refuses to lead you get sectarian wars and refugees. How's diplomacy working out for you?
1
The term was coined to describe how even the uneducated tried to use reason and be fair. Then the kindness and decency of the man on the street.
We were in a more dangerous time when bombings and drive by shootings were common, a lot less fearful and stupid as a nation. Even the Pols were smart enough not to pander and hijack the government for personal gain instead of addressing the issues that needed addressing. They stole from us after they did the work necessary to keep the nation whole not instead of.
We were in a more dangerous time when bombings and drive by shootings were common, a lot less fearful and stupid as a nation. Even the Pols were smart enough not to pander and hijack the government for personal gain instead of addressing the issues that needed addressing. They stole from us after they did the work necessary to keep the nation whole not instead of.
1
"Let’s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear."
If only that were true.
History shows, time and again, that populations willingly surrender freedom in return for security and food.
Here in America, we've been relinquishing freedoms wholesale since 9/11 - habeas corpus, a cornerstone legal protection, has been in abeyance for terror suspects since 2001; Gitmo remains in operation; torture has only been discontinued by executive order and will surely return at the stroke of Republican president's pen; the NSA engages in mass surveillance largely without oversight; our police forces get more and more paramilitary; our freedom of action is increasingly circumscribed in the name of "keeping us safe."
Fear is a far more effective political motivator than appeals to freedom, as the GOP primary field makes clear every single day.
We do at least still have a choice next year. But if a GOP candidate wins, and if there is anything like a 9/11-scale attack, get ready for the emergency powers of a police state to "keep us safe."
Donald Trump's supporters are no doubt trying on their attractive black uniforms in preparation.
If only that were true.
History shows, time and again, that populations willingly surrender freedom in return for security and food.
Here in America, we've been relinquishing freedoms wholesale since 9/11 - habeas corpus, a cornerstone legal protection, has been in abeyance for terror suspects since 2001; Gitmo remains in operation; torture has only been discontinued by executive order and will surely return at the stroke of Republican president's pen; the NSA engages in mass surveillance largely without oversight; our police forces get more and more paramilitary; our freedom of action is increasingly circumscribed in the name of "keeping us safe."
Fear is a far more effective political motivator than appeals to freedom, as the GOP primary field makes clear every single day.
We do at least still have a choice next year. But if a GOP candidate wins, and if there is anything like a 9/11-scale attack, get ready for the emergency powers of a police state to "keep us safe."
Donald Trump's supporters are no doubt trying on their attractive black uniforms in preparation.
5
France not only declared war after the paris attacks but established a 3 month state of emergency. The public's response? The far right and conservative parties had landslide victories last night. No matter what, people wish to be safe from ISiS and Islamic fascism in their West. Obama did not reassure the country that he is keeping us safe from ISIS, especially in light of his statement just last Friday that ISIS is contained.
We must remember that Hitler was democratically elected - at first.
The very low-tech nature of the various recent attacks strongly suggests that overwhelming military action will not solve the problem. Quadrupling the number of fighter jets bombing Syrian targets would seem to have no effect on the ability of a few ideologically driven individuals to shoot up a neighborhood with (all-too-available) guns or attack soft targets with homemade explosives. So isn't the only effective answer a combination of (1) aggressive and constant counter-propaganda (including humanitarian aid) and (2) human intelligence -- increased in orders of magnitude from today's levels?
4
So let me see if I have this straight. The President reassures Anericans that we will overcome terrorism and destroy ISIS but there is no new plan to do this. We will rely on the same methods that over the last 18 months have allowed them to amass billions of dollars, grow into a worldwide threat with followers in every country, and carry out successful attacks in Europe and the US. This plan will include an imaginary coalition of nations that have pledged support by signing a paper, continued attacks from the air that have been completely ineffectual, and no changes to the severe restrictions on intelligence operations which the Obama administration has presided over. Then we are told if we don't say anything bad about Islam and we pass gun registration laws, that should finish them off. Does Mr. Obama really think that Americans are so incredibly dumb that they would believe this nonsense?
7
We are fortunate to have a rational leader in President Obama. His approach is exactly what we need during these terrible times. For those crying for "boots on the ground" let them also be committed enough to call for a reinstitution of the draft to make the next war they are demanding for to be fought equitably by the American people. I suspct that might quickly moderate the rehetoric and dramatically change the polls.
President Obama has a plan and it is a good one. As long as he is in the White House hopefully any Middle East War will be fought by ground troops other than American. We have learned along with the Russians that we can not win a Middle East ground war unless we plan to destroy and then permanently occupy the region. That is not an intelligent plan, and certanily not realistic even if we had the resources do do so.
President Obama has a plan and it is a good one. As long as he is in the White House hopefully any Middle East War will be fought by ground troops other than American. We have learned along with the Russians that we can not win a Middle East ground war unless we plan to destroy and then permanently occupy the region. That is not an intelligent plan, and certanily not realistic even if we had the resources do do so.
14
Gun control advocates should take a page from the rightist's poaybook.
A woman's right to choose is Constitutionally guaranteed yet in most of the old confederacy it is virtually impossible for an American woman to exxercize that right.
Through onerous legislations, shaming and threats by men woman have been stripped of one of their rights.
I say we do the same for the gun fetishists. Let's legislation e $1,000 bullets and tax it and say it's for highway development but it will really fund Planned Parenhood. Oet's make it a mandatory 25 year sentences for unlicensed guns and public listings of all gun purchases including all past sales this way we can let neighbors know which cowards are stockpot ng weapons.
A woman's right to choose is Constitutionally guaranteed yet in most of the old confederacy it is virtually impossible for an American woman to exxercize that right.
Through onerous legislations, shaming and threats by men woman have been stripped of one of their rights.
I say we do the same for the gun fetishists. Let's legislation e $1,000 bullets and tax it and say it's for highway development but it will really fund Planned Parenhood. Oet's make it a mandatory 25 year sentences for unlicensed guns and public listings of all gun purchases including all past sales this way we can let neighbors know which cowards are stockpot ng weapons.
5
The Constitution says abortion is a right? Missed that in there somehow....
Why does the extreme left always feel the need to introduce abortion into every single debate guaranteeing that nothing will every get sone?
Why does the extreme left always feel the need to introduce abortion into every single debate guaranteeing that nothing will every get sone?
So let me see if I have this straight. The President reassures Anericans that we will overcome terrorism and destroy ISIS but there is no new plan to do this. We will rely on the same methods that over the last 18 months have allowed them to amass billions of dollars, grow into a worldwide threat with followers in every country, and carry out successful attacks in Europe and the US. This plan will include an imaginary coalition of nations that have pledged support by signing a paper, continued attacks from the air that have been completely ineffectual, and no changes to the severe restrictions on intelligence operations which the Obama administration has presided over. Then we are told if we don't say anything bad about Islam and we pass gun registration laws, that should finish them off. Does Mr. Obama really think that Americans are so incredibly dumb that they would believe this nonsense?
11
I am grateful that we have this man as our president. A calm and firm exercise all aspects of our country's great power is what is called for here, along with a perspective on our exposure to harm. To compare that degree of exposure to the death and mayhem of the two world wars, as political exploiters and media are doing, shows an alarming lack of perspective, and is just plain wimpy.
33
Someone has to explain the emphasis on guns in the speech. First if TSA has a reason for being, the idea that those on the no fly list can get guns seems a non sequitur; Also the "footnote" that Muslims are good citizens yet must be responsible for their "communities" is a hollow request and sounded as such; thirdly, no interest in changing the Rules of Engagement advances nothing.
As recently as 12/3 a spokesman for the State Department said there were no plans to change the visa rules as they were being properly administered.
My confidence in the administration of the Administration is at an all time low...and that's saying something.
As recently as 12/3 a spokesman for the State Department said there were no plans to change the visa rules as they were being properly administered.
My confidence in the administration of the Administration is at an all time low...and that's saying something.
1
I feel as if I was in a different room. I found the Presidents speech to be profoundly weak in a time when American's are rising up to the challenge of an enemy. We so desperately need and want Congress and POTUS to be heroic. The French declared war. The United States declared"be patent and strong". Honestly, the wolves at our door are licking their chops given our Congress who are lost on the dance floor without a ticket and a President who is afraid ro do what is really necessary. I think a lot of my country feels this exact way. What would it take to wake the silly slumbering giant to action?
13
And just what is it that is "really necessary." Spell it out for heaven's sake!!
Hysterical calls for war can lead to really bad outcomes. Do Republicans think that a Shock 'n Awe redux is going to turn out any differently?
1
I was not moved, I actually agree with the President, but I was not moved; and I think that was a mistake. Yes we need a calm steady approach to the external threat, but the reason for this address was to counter forces within the country: the fear-mongers and saber-rattlers seeking to effect political advantage in place of rational governance.
He told the nation that these voices were wrong - but he did not inspire us to believe it.
He told the nation that these voices were wrong - but he did not inspire us to believe it.
5
The President's talk failed to convince me that he "is in the game". He did everything but yawn as he delivered the line that we will win "because we are on the right side of history". What? History is made, not given. He seemed to be trying to shore up his fading credibility as a world leader. I am an Obama supporter who has been very disappointed in the lack-luster parsing of politically correct speech on the part of his administration. He always seems to be lecturing us. It is now imperative that he convince a raw-nerved, uneasy nation that he has some idea of how to stanch the very real threat of home-grown jihadists inspired by mad psychopaths preaching murder online. As of today I feel no more convinced our President understands the problem or the threat.
23
Stephanie Wood,
He failed to convince me he understood what "the game" was.
He should have waited to run until this year. He started too young and he was handled by the bureaucracy in the way that the minister in "Yes Minister" was handled. He even speaks like these degenerates who can't see past the end of their own noses and seem to speak as if what they have imagined were objective reality.
He failed to convince me he understood what "the game" was.
He should have waited to run until this year. He started too young and he was handled by the bureaucracy in the way that the minister in "Yes Minister" was handled. He even speaks like these degenerates who can't see past the end of their own noses and seem to speak as if what they have imagined were objective reality.
1
We are blessed to have a president who truly grasps the essence of what "American exceptionalism" is. It is not a campaign slogan, one employed by Donald Trump and the assorted array of those trailing him in the polls. He and they seek to exploit the worst in human nature and in the American experience as a pretext for a reflexive and irresponsibly blanket response to the Islamic State. The president struck the precisely correct tone. We must not, he said, surrender our "freedom to fear." He reminded us that we have a duty to behave responsibly. The grim fight against the Islamic State is one with many moving parts, one of which is our recalcitrant Congress. The Republican-led chambers (no pun intended here) need to act quickly to close down the Internet for anonymous and open-ended purchases of WMD's because that's exactly what they are. A drastic recalibration of our insane gun laws will not reduce our "freedoms" but guarantee them. President Obama doesn't often use the bully pulpit, but when he does, he's always in the gold. It was a demonstration of his acknowledgement of grim necessity leavened with restraint and the summons to decency. Name one Republican running for president who could have pulled of Sunday night'address. We would all do better to appreciate this president while still have him.
36
OBAMA has shown strong, clear, systematic leadership in planning interventions against terrorism using many strategies and on many levels, both domestic and foreign. The same could not be said for Congress. The GOP majority is blowing lots of hot air, complaining about their dissatisfaction with US policy, while neglecting the essential work of passing legislation to enable the country to defend itself. The GOP's actions are a clear indication that its members place a far higher value on ideology, overheated rhetoric and hyperbole.
The GOP, by doing nothing and blaming the Democrats for failing to defend the country adequately are showing their gross hypocrisy and disdain for the jobs they were elected to do. They are accepting taxpayer dollars in the form of salary, for refusing to engage in legislation and governance. The GOP also continues to fail to act with comity (not comedy) by setting aside partisan issues and working to defend the country most effectively. Such practical matters as increasing gun safety so that people on the US no fly lists due to suspected terrorist links are being neglected in favor of blowing smoke heavily laced with ideology. Such actions generate much heat but no light. We American citizens deserve hard work for the money we pay members of Congress, but what we're getting from the GOP for the most part is negligent, reckless, infantile actions that serve no one well. We must embrace our Muslim neighbors and allies who reject violence.
The GOP, by doing nothing and blaming the Democrats for failing to defend the country adequately are showing their gross hypocrisy and disdain for the jobs they were elected to do. They are accepting taxpayer dollars in the form of salary, for refusing to engage in legislation and governance. The GOP also continues to fail to act with comity (not comedy) by setting aside partisan issues and working to defend the country most effectively. Such practical matters as increasing gun safety so that people on the US no fly lists due to suspected terrorist links are being neglected in favor of blowing smoke heavily laced with ideology. Such actions generate much heat but no light. We American citizens deserve hard work for the money we pay members of Congress, but what we're getting from the GOP for the most part is negligent, reckless, infantile actions that serve no one well. We must embrace our Muslim neighbors and allies who reject violence.
29
Excuse me -- actually your ignorance -- your own Senate leaders blocked more votes than any in the history of the country. They would not let bills reach the president's desk for fear of their own political standing. So before you speak of self serving gridlock, look in the mirror and then at the most divisive president in the history of the country. Read the papers, too
A presidential address in real time must have a context. It's not a reading assignment in a class.
The context for this speech - the reason it was even made - was the seeming inability of the current administration to realistically address both the reality of the threat of terror and the abstract concerns of the people. To say more strongly the same things he had said just before he hesitated on Syria in 2013, before the fall of Mosul, before the Russian airliner was downed, and before the attack in San Bernardino is tone deaf.
It's clear why the President didnt identify Fort Hood or Chatanooga as "terrorist attacks" before tonight. The White House has been adept at manipulating political narrative to support first, his re-election campaign; then, the disappointing mid-terms; and now, on behalf of the Democratic choice for the next President - at the expense of the national interest and security.
The President's rhetoric has lost its lustre, revealing cynical partisanship and the clever semantics of a game-player more interested in beating his opponent than doing what's right.
The context for this speech - the reason it was even made - was the seeming inability of the current administration to realistically address both the reality of the threat of terror and the abstract concerns of the people. To say more strongly the same things he had said just before he hesitated on Syria in 2013, before the fall of Mosul, before the Russian airliner was downed, and before the attack in San Bernardino is tone deaf.
It's clear why the President didnt identify Fort Hood or Chatanooga as "terrorist attacks" before tonight. The White House has been adept at manipulating political narrative to support first, his re-election campaign; then, the disappointing mid-terms; and now, on behalf of the Democratic choice for the next President - at the expense of the national interest and security.
The President's rhetoric has lost its lustre, revealing cynical partisanship and the clever semantics of a game-player more interested in beating his opponent than doing what's right.
19
Your description of the President as "a game-player more interested in beating his opponent than doing what's right" is a mirror description of most any Congressional Republican.
1
What would be interesting, and it would not take twelve minutes to say it, would be for Obama to walk up to a microphone and say that he would sit down with his opposition. He would admit is is a quixotic mission. He would admit that differences between himself and Congress have been strained for good and also for partisan reasons. He would share the responsibility for the deadlock. And he would vow to lock themselves in a room for as long as it takes to get effective progress on some of the issues, both surveillance and gun-related, that would impact the future risk of terrorism on the homeland.
As I say that, I am almost incredulous at the thought, realizing that Obama has not the temperament nor the inclination to relate to others in such a servant leadership manner of engagement. And I wonder whether he is so steeped in a victim mentality that he would find that risky and too vulnerable.
I cannot explain the cynicism, no the sarcasm, with which he approaches his opposition. You would think that a strident opposition would be catnip for a true leader. But I fear that we will sleepwalk through the last year of his Presidency with the same wailing and name-calling that marked the last seven years.
Being President ain't bean-bag. During a time when we are more polarized, and everyone is certain of their being right on their positions, this guy had an opportunity to pull us (any of us) back to the Center. But, alas, that is not who he really is.
Maybe Hillary.
As I say that, I am almost incredulous at the thought, realizing that Obama has not the temperament nor the inclination to relate to others in such a servant leadership manner of engagement. And I wonder whether he is so steeped in a victim mentality that he would find that risky and too vulnerable.
I cannot explain the cynicism, no the sarcasm, with which he approaches his opposition. You would think that a strident opposition would be catnip for a true leader. But I fear that we will sleepwalk through the last year of his Presidency with the same wailing and name-calling that marked the last seven years.
Being President ain't bean-bag. During a time when we are more polarized, and everyone is certain of their being right on their positions, this guy had an opportunity to pull us (any of us) back to the Center. But, alas, that is not who he really is.
Maybe Hillary.
5
The Republcan leaders in Congress vowed on Jan. 20, 2009 to oppose each and everything Obama proposed. The purpose was to "deny him any victories" at all. Now it's Obama that fails to 'relate" to his virulent and strident opposition. Give me a break. I can see Obama hatred more than any other point made.
2
You seem to forget that the Republicans said openly and defiantly they would make him a one-term President. Congressional Republicans have voted against everything the President has asked for, even their own original ideas. Obama is not the problem here.
2
@Stuart,
Your failure to acknowledge that elected representatives of the Republican party and its leadership has made it clear with words and deeds that they will not work with President Obama to do what is in the best interest of this country. This should be the basis of your cynicism. The Republican party and current candidates seeking its nomination lack the integrity, temperament, maturity, honesty, intelligence, courage, leadership skills, manner of engagement to be successful. Furthermore, they each possess an entitlement mentality that allow them to gloss over their failed accomplishments in their present and past professional roles to foster the hubris to believe they are worthy of governing this great nation.
Your failure to acknowledge that elected representatives of the Republican party and its leadership has made it clear with words and deeds that they will not work with President Obama to do what is in the best interest of this country. This should be the basis of your cynicism. The Republican party and current candidates seeking its nomination lack the integrity, temperament, maturity, honesty, intelligence, courage, leadership skills, manner of engagement to be successful. Furthermore, they each possess an entitlement mentality that allow them to gloss over their failed accomplishments in their present and past professional roles to foster the hubris to believe they are worthy of governing this great nation.
My problem with the President's speech and this piece's echo starts from it's very premise. The president says we must not give in to fear because our freedom makes us stronger and can unite us. I agree, however, that's not what his suggestions and actions have suggested most recently. First, he had denied this incident was terrorism and only until last night admitted it. This take, as parroted by the NYT's, of questioning the terrorism label, while using it immediately after the PP shooting shows the hypocritical attitude and gun controls intent of the message being broadcast. That message, is therefore, not one of unity, it is one of divisive politics and the right sees right through this. On the argument of freedom over fear, I agree entirely, but more wholistically. More gun control talk is not a strategy of strong freedom. Indeed, not only is the message completely the opposite from the strategy - it would appear that the President and the left are engaging in fear mongering as their tool of choice in their ongoing politicized message of 'unity' by trying to suggest that now that they acknowledge that there are likely terrorists living among us, that we must now give up constitutional rights. Not only that, but we must give up those constitutional rights because we are fearful of being called racists for wanting to control our borders for people who are not even American citizens. Hypocrisy abounds in this speech and I for one do not see much 'unity' from this.
19
@ Nevis
Arguing that President Obama 'had denied this incident was terrorism and only last until last night admitted it' is utterly ridiculous.
Arguing that President Obama 'had denied this incident was terrorism and only last until last night admitted it' is utterly ridiculous.
1
The contrast could not be greater between how Americans came together after the attacks of September 11 to support our president and how they refuse to do so now.
No, President Bush did not keep us safe. As we now know, there were many advance warnings of an attack, and his administration completely dropped the ball. But many Americans still give him a pass on that, even though the deaths resulting from the attack numbered in the thousands.
President Obama has kept us much safer. Many fewer Americans have died on his watch from terrorist attacks than during the George W. Bush presidency. The attacks that have occurred were for the most part lone-wolf types of operations that, I have to surmise, are much harder to prevent than large operations like the September 11 attacks that require extensive coordination.
There is probably no single reason for the different ways Americans reacted to these two events. But among other things, there's undoubtedly a certain amount of Obama derangement syndrome going on. He really can't do anything right in the eyes of some people. I wonder what would happen if the entire media empire owned by Rupert Murdoch were to support President Obama right now and praise him for his intelligence and calm, steady demeanor instead of continuously disparaging and belittling him. Ah well, one can dream, can't one?
No, President Bush did not keep us safe. As we now know, there were many advance warnings of an attack, and his administration completely dropped the ball. But many Americans still give him a pass on that, even though the deaths resulting from the attack numbered in the thousands.
President Obama has kept us much safer. Many fewer Americans have died on his watch from terrorist attacks than during the George W. Bush presidency. The attacks that have occurred were for the most part lone-wolf types of operations that, I have to surmise, are much harder to prevent than large operations like the September 11 attacks that require extensive coordination.
There is probably no single reason for the different ways Americans reacted to these two events. But among other things, there's undoubtedly a certain amount of Obama derangement syndrome going on. He really can't do anything right in the eyes of some people. I wonder what would happen if the entire media empire owned by Rupert Murdoch were to support President Obama right now and praise him for his intelligence and calm, steady demeanor instead of continuously disparaging and belittling him. Ah well, one can dream, can't one?
105
I believe thousands of heads would simultaneously explode, dsr. The dissonance already present would, by such an act, cause a critical mental whiplash such as the world has never seen.
2
it must be a very lonely seat the presidency even with so many advisers surrounding him
1
Don't go on about how Bush "didn't keep us safe".
Once he got rid of the prohibitions on keeping us safe put in by Clinton, he DID.
Obama most certainly has not. Not that he has not tried ... its clear that, his words notwithstanding, he indeed has used the same techniques Bush did,
just not as well.
Once he got rid of the prohibitions on keeping us safe put in by Clinton, he DID.
Obama most certainly has not. Not that he has not tried ... its clear that, his words notwithstanding, he indeed has used the same techniques Bush did,
just not as well.
Let's also not forget another thing that makes America exceptional: Our electoral process is so dangerously antiquated that it confers the power to elect the most powerful person in the world on a few hundred thousand people in Ohio and Florida.
Let's not assume that sticking to principles that make us feel good about ourselves is going to lead to an electoral result that we can feel good about. If Cuyahoga County Ohio doesn't go for the Democratic nominee, we could have a president that is entirely beholden to Fox News for the next 4 years.
In order to avoid draconian and un-American anti-Muslim actions, we need to seriously consider making some distasteful compromises, based on the realization that emotion decides the crucial votes, not reason.
After San Bernadino, it would be unwise for Democrats to stick to principles on their position towards Muslim refugees. Personally, I totally accept the argument that any terrorist who wanted to get into the U.S. through the asylum process would have to be stupid, insane or masochistic, since they could scoot in on a student or tourist visa much more quickly and easily. But that is not the way that a great number of people see it. They are less afraid of a terrorist with a temporary visa than a Muslim who we invite to become a permanent resident of our country. I have heard them talk, and they are deathly afraid of what they perceive as a permanent fifth column within the U.S.- like the San Bernadino murderers.
Let's not assume that sticking to principles that make us feel good about ourselves is going to lead to an electoral result that we can feel good about. If Cuyahoga County Ohio doesn't go for the Democratic nominee, we could have a president that is entirely beholden to Fox News for the next 4 years.
In order to avoid draconian and un-American anti-Muslim actions, we need to seriously consider making some distasteful compromises, based on the realization that emotion decides the crucial votes, not reason.
After San Bernadino, it would be unwise for Democrats to stick to principles on their position towards Muslim refugees. Personally, I totally accept the argument that any terrorist who wanted to get into the U.S. through the asylum process would have to be stupid, insane or masochistic, since they could scoot in on a student or tourist visa much more quickly and easily. But that is not the way that a great number of people see it. They are less afraid of a terrorist with a temporary visa than a Muslim who we invite to become a permanent resident of our country. I have heard them talk, and they are deathly afraid of what they perceive as a permanent fifth column within the U.S.- like the San Bernadino murderers.
26
" Personally, I totally accept the argument that any terrorist who wanted to get into the U.S. through the asylum process would have to be stupid, insane or masochistic, since they could scoot in on a student or tourist visa much more quickly and easily."
NO!
If we had a non-feckless President they could not get in on ANY visa at all,
period.
NO!
If we had a non-feckless President they could not get in on ANY visa at all,
period.
2
Two young punk murderers virtually shut down Boston. It won't take much in the present FoxNews/GOP primary environment to really drive this country off the rails with demagogic bloviation based on irrational fear and nativist overreaction. "It Can't Happen Here." Right.....There is a price to pay for 7 years of vilification and obstruction of the president.
1
I do not think that Donald Trump will be beholden to Fox News.
FDR used radio fireside chats as a device for maintaining confidence in his actions
during World War II. He spoke to the American people in calm and measured tones, but understanding that he was a very angry and determined man underneath, they never once wavered in their support for him once the War got started.
President Obama's eerie calmness about everything is unnerving the country.
As is his flat-out refusal/inability to display the absolutely legitimate anger the terror attack in California deserves.
Mr. Trump is displaying that anger, and he is currently doing much better with the American people than the President is.
My advice to President Obama is this. Start truly believing that the U.S. has real and
dangerous enemies in the Middle East, and that some of them have already reached our shores.
And then, for once, display some anger.
The anger will bolster confidence in your actions -- including the landing of American troops in ISIS strongholds -- if that is ever needed.
during World War II. He spoke to the American people in calm and measured tones, but understanding that he was a very angry and determined man underneath, they never once wavered in their support for him once the War got started.
President Obama's eerie calmness about everything is unnerving the country.
As is his flat-out refusal/inability to display the absolutely legitimate anger the terror attack in California deserves.
Mr. Trump is displaying that anger, and he is currently doing much better with the American people than the President is.
My advice to President Obama is this. Start truly believing that the U.S. has real and
dangerous enemies in the Middle East, and that some of them have already reached our shores.
And then, for once, display some anger.
The anger will bolster confidence in your actions -- including the landing of American troops in ISIS strongholds -- if that is ever needed.
23
I am concerned if you don't see how no other president before has had so many reasons to be angry and been correspondingly properly angry as this president. And yet he has kept even this mass of anger in perspective and in check using it only in measured amounts to do what needs doing for the good of the country. I feel sorry for all the frightened people in the country who turn to anger and are being skillfully manipulated by the cynical amongst the Republicans. I am angry with that cynical manipulation of our fellow citizens and determined to be reasoned in my actions and do my little part to stop that cynicism from harming us all. All I am doing is these four things...1) Engaging my neighbors with kindness and respect. 2) Making sure all are registered to vote 3) Getting every one to the polls 4) Doing this for every election cycle and keeping informed.
3
Yes, we definitely need a fear monger nativist like Donald Trump instead of a calm and steady hand leading America during a time of great turmoil. Throwing gas on a fire has always proven to be the best way to put out the flames before they engulf our country in fear and bigotry. Joseph McCarthy, where are you when we need you?
1
"the Islamic State’s highly prodigious propaganda operation, which has found a receptive audience among disaffected Muslims"
Those who respond are not merely "disaffected." They are furious enough to kill, even if they must die to do it.
Why? They actually do have some reasons.
An important reason can be found in the piles of bodies in Muslim countries destroyed by the West, still being killed by the thousands, over 3,000 last month is Iraq. Those who respond to this think of those dead as their own.
Another reason is the feeling they are hated by those around them. People tend to react to that. Some can rise above it, but some get furious.
To say they are disaffected, and that a message is reaching them, misses the key opportunity and need. Stop doing that to them. Only then can we expect they'll stop reacting.
Send more bombers, kill more women and children, turn more whole regions into refugees, hate them here where they live now, make that hate a part of our politics, and this is what we'll get. Surprise? That's lame.
Those who respond are not merely "disaffected." They are furious enough to kill, even if they must die to do it.
Why? They actually do have some reasons.
An important reason can be found in the piles of bodies in Muslim countries destroyed by the West, still being killed by the thousands, over 3,000 last month is Iraq. Those who respond to this think of those dead as their own.
Another reason is the feeling they are hated by those around them. People tend to react to that. Some can rise above it, but some get furious.
To say they are disaffected, and that a message is reaching them, misses the key opportunity and need. Stop doing that to them. Only then can we expect they'll stop reacting.
Send more bombers, kill more women and children, turn more whole regions into refugees, hate them here where they live now, make that hate a part of our politics, and this is what we'll get. Surprise? That's lame.
24
This is lame. What airplane bombers were sent by America before the massive crime and aggression represented by 9/11? What women and children were killed by America? How did America turn "whole regions" into refugees?
1
You can't forbid gun dealers from selling firearms to people you simply don't like because of the mechanics of constitutional law. But there is nothing stopping you from making the suggestion that they shouldn't be sold guns and giving your reasons. So let's use the NICS system to deliver that information during the background check. Currently, it just responds with an 'APPROVED' or 'DENIED'. Add a "ALLOWED, BUT NOT RECOMMENDED" option that would be followed by a short bit of text explaining that this person id on the no-fly list, or whatever other reason. I think that there are very few gun dealers who would proceed with the sale after being informed of that. You get 99% of the same effect without being entangled in due-process problems. And this could also be used by law enforcement on other levels to _suggest_ that their known bad-actors not be sold guns (suspected drug dealers, wife beaters, pimps, and others that they haven't been able to actually convict of anything, yet).
Gun dealers tend to be the sort of highly principled people that you could get a lot farther with by requesting assistance than by demanding obedience. This small change in approach would make a world of difference in terms of acceptance.
Gun dealers tend to be the sort of highly principled people that you could get a lot farther with by requesting assistance than by demanding obedience. This small change in approach would make a world of difference in terms of acceptance.
15
Alec, let's go back to rounding up the "usual suspects." Once rounded up we can take them in the back room and tune them up with a phone book until they confess to whatever we tell them they did.
I don't think you want to return to the bad old days when due process meant whatever the powers that be said it was. But, that is what you are recommending when you advocate secret lists of "bad actors."
Make no mistake, there is no due process in the "no fly" list. There is no transparency and no way to know who is on it and how to clear your name. It is a list of "suspected" terrorists. What is to prevent someone from putting every citizen of Maine on that list?
Criminal intelligence needs to track suspected people, but the minute we go down the road of denying any civil right, including travel, we become a police state. We are already on that road.
I don't think you want to return to the bad old days when due process meant whatever the powers that be said it was. But, that is what you are recommending when you advocate secret lists of "bad actors."
Make no mistake, there is no due process in the "no fly" list. There is no transparency and no way to know who is on it and how to clear your name. It is a list of "suspected" terrorists. What is to prevent someone from putting every citizen of Maine on that list?
Criminal intelligence needs to track suspected people, but the minute we go down the road of denying any civil right, including travel, we become a police state. We are already on that road.
Yes, the "principled" gun dealers, after selling a weapon to a highly questionable individual because of "the mechanics of constitutional law" & having this pointed out, will always recommend the accuser purchase better quality arms & ammunition to counter any personal threat, if materialized, from said individual. Fear & trepidation is the province of the unarmed! Brilliant exposition, Mr. Alec. Keep polishing your bazooka.
President Obama completely blew it. No Middle Eastern or European nations trust his foreign policy after he drew "line in the sand" with Assad and failed to act after it was crossed. Russia, France, and Turkey are taking the lead in the ISIL crisis largely because President Obama's refused to have the United States take the lead in any form. He wrongly assumes that because he was elected on an anti-interventionist platform in 2008 that he has been given carte blanche to disengage from critical foreign policy issues.
Americans may be afraid of ISIL and what is happening around the world. Xenophobia may be on the rise in some circles. I applaud his words curbing anti-Muslim rhetoric, but it is not enough. He must rise above that and put forth a plan to deal with ISIL. Telling us to calm down but not offering any solutions to a growing problem is completely irresponsible. Frankly, after his lack of resolve on key foreign policy crises, I don't have much faith in his ability to or interest in reengaging in the Middle East.
Americans may be afraid of ISIL and what is happening around the world. Xenophobia may be on the rise in some circles. I applaud his words curbing anti-Muslim rhetoric, but it is not enough. He must rise above that and put forth a plan to deal with ISIL. Telling us to calm down but not offering any solutions to a growing problem is completely irresponsible. Frankly, after his lack of resolve on key foreign policy crises, I don't have much faith in his ability to or interest in reengaging in the Middle East.
43
billy - You omit the salient, inconvenient fact that GOP'ers promised Obama in Sept. 2013 (just before they shut down the government in Oct. 2013) to impeach POTUS if he went into Syria:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/mccain-o...
In the 2+ years since, the obstructionst/chicken-hawk Congress has refused to even take a vote on the use of military force in Syria, while taking to the air waves and soap-boxes in public hypocrisy and demagoguery.
Congress's obstructionist politics on Syria for 2+ years, like its failure to keep those on no-fly lists from being able to purchase fire arms, endangers us all.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/mccain-o...
In the 2+ years since, the obstructionst/chicken-hawk Congress has refused to even take a vote on the use of military force in Syria, while taking to the air waves and soap-boxes in public hypocrisy and demagoguery.
Congress's obstructionist politics on Syria for 2+ years, like its failure to keep those on no-fly lists from being able to purchase fire arms, endangers us all.
45
What? "Mr. Obama also issued a strong and timely challenge to Congress to approve a new legal authorization for the military campaign that was launched in August 2014."
I don't have much faith in any engagement in the Middle East at all. Let the Saudis sort it out. There's plenty to do here at home.
I don't have much faith in any engagement in the Middle East at all. Let the Saudis sort it out. There's plenty to do here at home.
2
Your second sentence blew away your first. We now have France, GB, and Germany as allies in the Middle East.
2
And he DID recognize that people were frightened. He said he had great concern for his wife and two daughters who he loved. But that fear cannot turn into unreasonable fear and hatred of ALL Muslims.
In other words “Cut the hate talk Trump!”
But he did go on to say that every morning for the last seven years he gets a daily briefing from his top generals and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter of what IS going on with our intelligence agencies...and counter-terrorism units.
Yes he understood the fear..now let’s look at reality. Stop the sale of semi-automatic long rifles; stop the sale of guns to people on the no fly list. “It doesn’t make sense that we keep people from flying on a terror watch list then allow them to buy guns? That makes no sense!”
Well balanced intelligent speech. Now Fox, Rush,Trump, Alex Jones--go get him!!
In other words “Cut the hate talk Trump!”
But he did go on to say that every morning for the last seven years he gets a daily briefing from his top generals and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter of what IS going on with our intelligence agencies...and counter-terrorism units.
Yes he understood the fear..now let’s look at reality. Stop the sale of semi-automatic long rifles; stop the sale of guns to people on the no fly list. “It doesn’t make sense that we keep people from flying on a terror watch list then allow them to buy guns? That makes no sense!”
Well balanced intelligent speech. Now Fox, Rush,Trump, Alex Jones--go get him!!
44
I'm a great supporter of president Obama. He is one of the tallest leaders we have today. He weighs all pros and cons before committing himself. However, his 'no boots" policy in Iraq has miserably failed. In fact, the heavy bombings in Syria and parts of Iraq have only helped Isis in its recruitment drive.
It is Saudi Arabia, a great friend of the United States, which is responsible for creating the monster by spreading Wahhabi brand of Islam, the root cause of radicalizing the Muslims throughout the world.
It is true that the militant organizations have brought great disrepute to the religion by their mindless violence through acts of terror, giving the impression that such acts of violence, religious intolerance have the religious sanction. However, what is truly worrying is the spread of Wahhabism, one of the intolerant forms of Islam, even in secular countries like Bangladesh,Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey, which had always strived for religious tolerance towards other religions. However, all that is changing with the spread of the Wahhabi brand of Islam in these countries. With the killings of intellectuals in Bangladesh, and the recent attacks against Hindus, Christians and Shia Muslims, and with growing intolerance against the ethnic Chinese and Indians in Malaysia, it appears that the Wahhabi brand of Islam is finding resonance among the ordinary Muslims. Unless, we address the root cause of the problem, we are going to see more and more terror attacks.
It is Saudi Arabia, a great friend of the United States, which is responsible for creating the monster by spreading Wahhabi brand of Islam, the root cause of radicalizing the Muslims throughout the world.
It is true that the militant organizations have brought great disrepute to the religion by their mindless violence through acts of terror, giving the impression that such acts of violence, religious intolerance have the religious sanction. However, what is truly worrying is the spread of Wahhabism, one of the intolerant forms of Islam, even in secular countries like Bangladesh,Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey, which had always strived for religious tolerance towards other religions. However, all that is changing with the spread of the Wahhabi brand of Islam in these countries. With the killings of intellectuals in Bangladesh, and the recent attacks against Hindus, Christians and Shia Muslims, and with growing intolerance against the ethnic Chinese and Indians in Malaysia, it appears that the Wahhabi brand of Islam is finding resonance among the ordinary Muslims. Unless, we address the root cause of the problem, we are going to see more and more terror attacks.
34
Why didn't Obama pledge to take in mostly non-Sunni Muslim refugees? Shia Muslims, Yazidis, Christians, families, the elderly, persecuted gays? Instead, his administration continues with taking in 97.5% Sunni Muslims from Syria. In FY 2016, only ONE of close to 1000 Syrian refugees has been other than Sunni Muslim.
“Unless, we address the root cause of the problem, we are going to see more and more terror attacks.” Yes, in America the Beautiful.
A militant radical rw party dominates our congress and states, allied with and utilizing a fundamentalist and authoritarian brand of Christianity. It allows religion to influence secular policy and Supreme Court decisions. It imposes religious restrictions on women’s reproductive health, inspiring fanatics to commit mass killings.
Abortion doctors are not safe in America land of the Free. Women’s rights are in danger, even if they don't wear head scarves, have high professional positions, and though we’ll likely have a woman president.
Guns for all everywhere, endangering us all, is the result of the Gop fanatical radical rw cult. It departs from norms of every other world democracy.
Some Gop politicians are right now pushing the idea of guns in private hands in defense of ‘civil unrest’. As if we lack police, national guard and armies. This gives implicit permission for individuals to solve problems by killing. Then these same politicians will be outraged, and distance themselves from their responsibility.
Despite our church state separation, religion influences our politics. In old Europe with historical state religions, religious belief is much less, and their politics is secular. They don’t have to fight over guns and abortion rights, and have a better chance to healthily live out their life spans.
A militant radical rw party dominates our congress and states, allied with and utilizing a fundamentalist and authoritarian brand of Christianity. It allows religion to influence secular policy and Supreme Court decisions. It imposes religious restrictions on women’s reproductive health, inspiring fanatics to commit mass killings.
Abortion doctors are not safe in America land of the Free. Women’s rights are in danger, even if they don't wear head scarves, have high professional positions, and though we’ll likely have a woman president.
Guns for all everywhere, endangering us all, is the result of the Gop fanatical radical rw cult. It departs from norms of every other world democracy.
Some Gop politicians are right now pushing the idea of guns in private hands in defense of ‘civil unrest’. As if we lack police, national guard and armies. This gives implicit permission for individuals to solve problems by killing. Then these same politicians will be outraged, and distance themselves from their responsibility.
Despite our church state separation, religion influences our politics. In old Europe with historical state religions, religious belief is much less, and their politics is secular. They don’t have to fight over guns and abortion rights, and have a better chance to healthily live out their life spans.
1
Look at how well the "boots on the ground" worked in Iraq and Pakistan. How many children need to come home in body bags for us to realize that this price is way to high. There needs to be a unified world effort including the countries of the Middle East. This is not our battle solely.
1
President Obama has been elected twice because a majority of Americans trust and believe in him. He was a youthful 47 years old when he was first elected yet his intelligence and wisdom was far more advanced than his chronological years. He has calmly and steadfastly steered us through economic collapse and made every attempt to extract us from two wars which he opposed as Senator. He averted economic disaster and patiently extracted most of our military from a seemingly endless presence in the ME.
Congressional Republicans have shamelessly tried to torpedo his every effort to rebuild our country, establish fairness and reinvigorate the middle class which is vital to our democracy. History will not be kind to the likes of Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and their comrades in Congress who chose personal and party power over the best interests of America. They waged a domestic political war against a great President and Americans were the casualties.
The poignant irony is that the do-nothing and recalcitrant Republican party created a vacuum of leadership which opened the door to a person like Trump who is likely to be a dagger in the heart of the GOP. What goes around comes around. Karma.
Congressional Republicans have shamelessly tried to torpedo his every effort to rebuild our country, establish fairness and reinvigorate the middle class which is vital to our democracy. History will not be kind to the likes of Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and their comrades in Congress who chose personal and party power over the best interests of America. They waged a domestic political war against a great President and Americans were the casualties.
The poignant irony is that the do-nothing and recalcitrant Republican party created a vacuum of leadership which opened the door to a person like Trump who is likely to be a dagger in the heart of the GOP. What goes around comes around. Karma.
164
Excellent speech. Obama projected a more powerful persona than I have seen in the last few months.
He laid out specifics: Germany, France, Great Britain joining in airstrikes. Special forces on ground but NOT sending in thousands of ground troops. He DID mention the fact that the Internet has eliminated the physical distance from Syria and Iraq to Europe and the US-to all countries..and they are working on cyber solutions.
He laid out that Trump’s hate speech only alienated ALL Muslims which will help ISIL recruit.
AND he told congress to take the responsibility of a vote on ANY military intervention -needed for over a year. It is the legislative body’s job to pass laws for military intervention...but as Jack Kingston (R-GA) said on his way out of office...”We don’t want to vote..that way if things go wrong we can blame it on the president!” Smiling the whole time.
Obama said that hate rhetoric and talk of bombing civilians, rounding up Muslims, refusing to allow Islamic refugees was NOT what our country is about. And requiring religious tests to make sure only “Christians” came in was completely wrong. “It’s not who we are!”
He said that we will look closer at visas..especially the K-1 visa that allowed the wife (who seemed to be the leader of the two killers) more vetting.
AND he did use the terms Radical and Islam in the same sentence. He is pleading with the Islamic community to make sure that Muslims are not misinterpreting the Quran to kill.
Well done!
He laid out specifics: Germany, France, Great Britain joining in airstrikes. Special forces on ground but NOT sending in thousands of ground troops. He DID mention the fact that the Internet has eliminated the physical distance from Syria and Iraq to Europe and the US-to all countries..and they are working on cyber solutions.
He laid out that Trump’s hate speech only alienated ALL Muslims which will help ISIL recruit.
AND he told congress to take the responsibility of a vote on ANY military intervention -needed for over a year. It is the legislative body’s job to pass laws for military intervention...but as Jack Kingston (R-GA) said on his way out of office...”We don’t want to vote..that way if things go wrong we can blame it on the president!” Smiling the whole time.
Obama said that hate rhetoric and talk of bombing civilians, rounding up Muslims, refusing to allow Islamic refugees was NOT what our country is about. And requiring religious tests to make sure only “Christians” came in was completely wrong. “It’s not who we are!”
He said that we will look closer at visas..especially the K-1 visa that allowed the wife (who seemed to be the leader of the two killers) more vetting.
AND he did use the terms Radical and Islam in the same sentence. He is pleading with the Islamic community to make sure that Muslims are not misinterpreting the Quran to kill.
Well done!
92
Every person that dies in a terrorist attack on our homeland is indeed regrettable and we should continue to do all we can to minimize or eliminate such deaths. However, it is very important to keep things in perspective. I don't know the exact numbers, but I would wager that the number of Americans who have suffered other violent deaths in any one of our largest five metropolitan cities since 2001, probably far exceeds the number of Americans that have died at the hands of terrorists on our homeland in the same period.
While we continue to do all we can to minimize or eliminate such violent deaths of our fellow Americans in those five cities, we have continued to hope that those cities will not let those violent deaths paralyze them, and that the people in them will keep on living as best as they can and not succumb to fear. In fact, compared to the gauntlet most of the people in those cities have to go through on a daily basis, while the attack we just suffered is gut wrenching, we have less to fear from these terrorists. So it is important that we keep on living our lives and never let these murderers see us give in to fear, acrimony, and insults of one another.
While we continue to do all we can to minimize or eliminate such violent deaths of our fellow Americans in those five cities, we have continued to hope that those cities will not let those violent deaths paralyze them, and that the people in them will keep on living as best as they can and not succumb to fear. In fact, compared to the gauntlet most of the people in those cities have to go through on a daily basis, while the attack we just suffered is gut wrenching, we have less to fear from these terrorists. So it is important that we keep on living our lives and never let these murderers see us give in to fear, acrimony, and insults of one another.
5
From the speech:
“That does not mean denying the fact that an extremist ideology has spread within some Muslim communities. It's a real problem that Muslims must confront without excuse.
Muslim leaders here and around the globe have to continue working with us to decisively and unequivocally reject the hateful ideology that groups like ISIL and Al Qaeda promote. To speak out against not just acts of violence, but also those interpretations of Islam that are incompatible with the values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and human dignity.
But just as it is the responsibility of Muslims around the world to root out misguided ideas that lead to radicalization,”
In other words, Obama promotes the Cult of Man against the Qur’an as it is read by the Islamist State. Obama wants “Muslims” to forget their roots (radix in Latin). And embrace the Cult of Man. in other words, invent a new Islam, different from the one the Islamist State reads in the Qur'an. It can be done, but what it should entail ought to be discussed more.
“That does not mean denying the fact that an extremist ideology has spread within some Muslim communities. It's a real problem that Muslims must confront without excuse.
Muslim leaders here and around the globe have to continue working with us to decisively and unequivocally reject the hateful ideology that groups like ISIL and Al Qaeda promote. To speak out against not just acts of violence, but also those interpretations of Islam that are incompatible with the values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and human dignity.
But just as it is the responsibility of Muslims around the world to root out misguided ideas that lead to radicalization,”
In other words, Obama promotes the Cult of Man against the Qur’an as it is read by the Islamist State. Obama wants “Muslims” to forget their roots (radix in Latin). And embrace the Cult of Man. in other words, invent a new Islam, different from the one the Islamist State reads in the Qur'an. It can be done, but what it should entail ought to be discussed more.
1
The problem is that liberals like Obama claim that everyone in the world is a devotee of the cult of man. Muslims, as members of the last of the major "revealed" religions, are very far from the universal, blank slate orthodoxy of liberalism. Their religion is still fresh, vital, and inspiring. The fact that Sunnis and Shia battle each other is a testimony to the fact that Islam is of transcendent importance. Islam is far more important to the average Muslim than "man". Whether Obama really believes what he's saying is another matter. Is he naive or is he a hypocrite mouthing platitudes that he hopes may someday be true? I had the same question concerning his cant about "Hope and Change." I would prefer a hypocrite to a naif. But since he's set on doing nothing, the point is irrelevant.
Dear NYT Editoral Board,
The President's talk was "tough and calming"? Tough? The same President who has gone it alone for 5 years suddenly wants Congressional backing? The fact that the U.S. Military is running out of smart munitions and our European allies can barely field 3 dozen airworthy ground attack aircraft against ISIS is calming?
Are you all mad? Not only is this President not an F.D.R. he's not even a Jimmy Carter!
The President's talk was "tough and calming"? Tough? The same President who has gone it alone for 5 years suddenly wants Congressional backing? The fact that the U.S. Military is running out of smart munitions and our European allies can barely field 3 dozen airworthy ground attack aircraft against ISIS is calming?
Are you all mad? Not only is this President not an F.D.R. he's not even a Jimmy Carter!
26
Insanity has overtaken the land! Love your last paragraph, Richard.
If President Obama is really serious about stopping terrorism, he will end the bombing campaign of Iraqi and Syrian cities. It is a complete fiction to suppose that precision targeting will only cause casualties among militants when these militants are not arrayed on the battlefield but embedded in cities. Those least protected -- the civilians in these cities -- are those most vulnerable to the horror of aerial bombardment. We have already seen that slaughtering civilians is the chief cause of more terrorism. It is time for the United States to get "tough" about a negotiated end to the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
4
Mr Obama is hard to watch. No there there.
Our fears will not be calmed until aggressive military action abroad and at home turn the tide in living color.
Not going to happen under this fellow. He might as well not say anything at all.
Our fears will not be calmed until aggressive military action abroad and at home turn the tide in living color.
Not going to happen under this fellow. He might as well not say anything at all.
16
Exactly how would the military be constitutionally deployed domestically?
2
President Obama's calm and rational address was in stark contrast to the media's frenzied, fear mongering coverage of mass shootings. As usual I expected hysterical coverage from cable TV which is desperate for "content." However I have not been pleased to see the Times spreading the contagion since Thanksgiving.
13
When our President spoke in the oval office tonight a sense of his calm, controlled leadership just gave a thought that we have been in this terrorized frenzy a few months ago when the Ebola crisis was in full throttle, then I flashed back to the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and Elizabeth Taylor's bravery.
Grace, beauty and humanity is never out of style.
Grace, beauty and humanity is never out of style.
42
The president was, well, presidential, as only he can be. What a contrast to the raging Republican hatemongers! The president was calm, deliberate and precise, outlining the measures that will eventually defeat ISIS. The Strategy will evolve as the situation on the ground changes. But, to the relief of many Americans, the president was emphatic about one thing- ISIS will not achieve its long-sought objective of fighting American soldiers on the ground in Syria.
While people like Trump, Cruz and Christie froth at the mouth and spew belligerent nonsense, they have offered no realistic strategies to fight ISIS. They will become even more shrill as they see their poll numbers go up. A section of the voting public is sucking up the negative energy and feels empowered. Disrespect and plain hatred for the president is at an all time high. But history will judge him much more kindly than we do. The ship of the state will probably sail through some rocky seas in the coming years and we will miss his steady hand at the helm.
While people like Trump, Cruz and Christie froth at the mouth and spew belligerent nonsense, they have offered no realistic strategies to fight ISIS. They will become even more shrill as they see their poll numbers go up. A section of the voting public is sucking up the negative energy and feels empowered. Disrespect and plain hatred for the president is at an all time high. But history will judge him much more kindly than we do. The ship of the state will probably sail through some rocky seas in the coming years and we will miss his steady hand at the helm.
55
When will those who speak of war and escalation realize that our current all volunteer army cannot take on another major conflict? When will they realize that another war means reinstating the draft and all that goes with it? Are they ready for that possibility?
26
When will those who shout for war commit to raising taxes to pay for that war and to bring back the draft to fight that war.
That will never happen. So I politely ask those war mongers to just please shut up and sit down! (I mean if Christie and Trump can say it, I can say it too. That's the kind of president I want - *snark*)
That will never happen. So I politely ask those war mongers to just please shut up and sit down! (I mean if Christie and Trump can say it, I can say it too. That's the kind of president I want - *snark*)
2
Precisely. Would the rush-to-warMongers be satisfied if the President had declared the re-establishment of the draft, which would now includes our daughters as well, rich AND poor, liberal AND conservative? If the President had said THAT, I am sure we'd still be hearing criticism today.. "haters gonna hate" ..Obama won 2 elections..that's all he's going to get. When he is right, cautious, logical, strategic or sensible and circumspective, he is still judged as ineffective and weak. Even calling for the draft will not be good enough. I cry for my belived country. USA
1
Mr. Obama's ego still denies him the ability to see he is one of the worst foreign policy presidents of the last hundred years. He created a vacuum in Syria and Iraq. He built the cauldron from which ISIS spawned. He won a Nobel Peace Prize for doing it and now that entire middle east is 'reaping the benefits'. (Reaping the benefits being a euphemism for being slaughtered.)
We should be able to impeach a President for incompetence, not just for breaking the law.
We should be able to impeach a President for incompetence, not just for breaking the law.
16
MC
The 'vacuum' created in Iraq - a war that was based on lies to begin with - was created by W. after his singing of the Iraq Status of Forces agreement with his puppet Maliki.
President Obama was willing to leave some forces in that country but Maliki's government, the very same one that kicked against all prior promises all voted into office Shias out of the coalition, was not willing to give immunity to US troops while staying in that country.
The only ones that are indeed incompetent are the ones that are history challenged and are praying daily at the altar of Faux Noise et al.
Too bad they can't be 'impeached' to lose their right to vote.
The 'vacuum' created in Iraq - a war that was based on lies to begin with - was created by W. after his singing of the Iraq Status of Forces agreement with his puppet Maliki.
President Obama was willing to leave some forces in that country but Maliki's government, the very same one that kicked against all prior promises all voted into office Shias out of the coalition, was not willing to give immunity to US troops while staying in that country.
The only ones that are indeed incompetent are the ones that are history challenged and are praying daily at the altar of Faux Noise et al.
Too bad they can't be 'impeached' to lose their right to vote.
2
MC you have amnesia you forget what foreign policy disasters Ronald Reagan created that we are still reeling under. Please pick up a history book and enlighten yourself, history does not lie she is witness to ALL the international foreign policy misdeeds of USA. These are self created crises that America chose, misguidedly. Craig Geary repeatedly reminds us.
3
Right. And Bush's invasion of Iraq, which tore the lid off the whole unstable region, had nothing to do with it? It's all Obama's fault. I'm sure 9/11 was really Obama's fault too, somehow.
Keep drinking the Koolaid ...
Keep drinking the Koolaid ...
2
Why are some Americans so fearful of an act of terror committed by an agent of ISIL or someone radicalized by ISIL directly or through social media while apparently taking in stride domestic terrorism like Newtown undertaken by a deranged or alienated American without any ISIL attachment or influence in stride as part of the price we pay for the "freedom" of having the right to purchase guns or assault weapons of any sort?
179
Because the ISIS inspired attacks will continue and probably get worse. If a subway is bombed or an aircraft is downed as was the Russian passenger plane, what will the response be then?
New conditions never call for a return to cliches. "Beat ISIS" as a slogan or the President saying "Islamic terrorists" has no alchemic value. Intoning words creates no spell which carries the power to defeat teerrorists ideas and acts. If Obama has been too cautious, Republican leaders and candidates have offered only empty promises. The real problem with the new terror arising from within the West, is exhibits of force and bombast (including speeches and state attacks overseas!) tends to multiply it!
The radicalized minority listens and looks at the screams of the Western majority for military attacks; bombings, ground troops, full campaigns of death. Those calls reset domestic terrorists launch button--not some command from a cell network or central authority.
If you understand this as a central cause-and-effect for domestic terrorism, then you see few working on good answers and even fewer properly defining the problem. Home grown terrorism outstrips threats from overseas. Two separate problems; they work in different ways, require different strategies.
Traditional "war" fights to win borders and bounty! The new war has declared over bad behavior and a god who fines divine favor in death.
Nothing sensible for its defeat will emerge from the slogans on the table. Don’t wrap this new thing in the shards of broken, old conventions–it is a product of that brokenness! But it is also a poison from a new stir of the spoon.
The radicalized minority listens and looks at the screams of the Western majority for military attacks; bombings, ground troops, full campaigns of death. Those calls reset domestic terrorists launch button--not some command from a cell network or central authority.
If you understand this as a central cause-and-effect for domestic terrorism, then you see few working on good answers and even fewer properly defining the problem. Home grown terrorism outstrips threats from overseas. Two separate problems; they work in different ways, require different strategies.
Traditional "war" fights to win borders and bounty! The new war has declared over bad behavior and a god who fines divine favor in death.
Nothing sensible for its defeat will emerge from the slogans on the table. Don’t wrap this new thing in the shards of broken, old conventions–it is a product of that brokenness! But it is also a poison from a new stir of the spoon.
9
Another speech, no action. Unfortunately a continuing pattern.
21
You mean no action fit for Fox TV?
Explain your position, Bill. What would you like to see? Another ground war? And how do you propose we deal with the off-the-shelf terrorists at home?
1
If America continues supporting unquestioningly the policies of Israel, them we will permanently be seen as being at War on Islam.
The Messianic Jew who "loved" arguing politics, especially about the Middle East. The Iranian-American woman who allegedly fled Islamic terrorism to resettle in the United States. It sounds like both were very vocal, in their workplace, against Islamic terrorism and perhaps were responsible for spreading pro-Israel, anti-Islam propaganda of their own.
Perhaps Americans of all ethnicities ought to reexamine our involvement in Middle East policies. Is it really America's role to allegedly promote democracy, thereby destabilizing the world? Isn't it time to focus on our own domestic crime and infrastructure needs here at home? If not now, when? President Obama, I am afraid, is being led to repeat George Bush's mistakes. Stop the bombing campaign without Congressional approval. The people do not support this vague idea of a15-year ongoing "war" on terrorism. It's turning out to be much like the War on Drugs, claiming innocent lives with nothing really to show for it...
The Messianic Jew who "loved" arguing politics, especially about the Middle East. The Iranian-American woman who allegedly fled Islamic terrorism to resettle in the United States. It sounds like both were very vocal, in their workplace, against Islamic terrorism and perhaps were responsible for spreading pro-Israel, anti-Islam propaganda of their own.
Perhaps Americans of all ethnicities ought to reexamine our involvement in Middle East policies. Is it really America's role to allegedly promote democracy, thereby destabilizing the world? Isn't it time to focus on our own domestic crime and infrastructure needs here at home? If not now, when? President Obama, I am afraid, is being led to repeat George Bush's mistakes. Stop the bombing campaign without Congressional approval. The people do not support this vague idea of a15-year ongoing "war" on terrorism. It's turning out to be much like the War on Drugs, claiming innocent lives with nothing really to show for it...
As President Obama said, we must make it harder for home-grown terrorists/mass killers to kill, and this means robust gun-control laws (e.g., ban on the sale of assault weapons, who can buy guns, background checks, etc.).
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nothing Obama or the Dems have proposed would have prevented the terror attack in San Bernandino
This is how history will remember this president. Strength through intelligence and calm through turbulent times. Proud to have voted for him twice.
491
A first-rate address from the president. I hope everyone was paying close attention. (I'm looking at you, Congress.)
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Regrettably, the Muslim community does not have the equivalent of a Pope. Somehow it must select leaders that would make credible and effective representatives of their faith, so that they can educate not only their faithful but the rest of us as well.
Right now, only murderous charlatans seem to have a megaphone. The lack of strong spiritual leadership from the Muslim community is lamentable and must be addressed.
Right now, only murderous charlatans seem to have a megaphone. The lack of strong spiritual leadership from the Muslim community is lamentable and must be addressed.
36
The lack of a central authority is not limited exclusively to the Muslim community. Most Christian denominations, as well as Jewish, and Buddhist adherents also lack a principal leader who can inspire and lead, correct or demand adherence to their particular dogma. A pope-like figure is quite rare, and the consequences of this vacuum are no more different or disheartening than what occurs in the Muslim community. There are, regrettably, many recent instances of similar behavior and atrocities committed by non-Muslims. We fool ourselves believing otherwise.
2
The two sects Sunni and Shia are split on ideology. Saudi and Iran represent those two forces, politically. If we need any resolution we have to get Saudi to talk to Iran putting aside their ideology and rhetoric. This is where Israel comes in, squeezed in the middle, if it dares to protect its future as a peaceful Jewish state co existing with Muslims and Christians. All 3 religions are based on ideologicy, dreams, visions, divine revelations and so on. You take those away what is left? Reality of earthly existence. Abrahamic siblings are simply siblings of ideology because their prophets had revelations whispered in their ears!
2
Proud to have Obama as my president.
296
Yes, I agree. I am proud of our President. In all his actions through the past seven hard years, he has never disappointed me. He will be remembered as one of our Greatest Presidents.
2
If only FDR had been politically audacious enough to call for similar restraint, and ask Americans to resist xenophobia against Japanese Americans.
111
If Obama had been at the helm during WW2, we would all be speaking German and Japanese right now.
Thank you for saying this here. FDR will forever be judged as less the hero than he could have been by what he did to Japanese Americans during WWII. It is a shame on all of us, and we should be grateful the Japanese moved on so graciously when it was all over, and in fact served in the war with amazing guts.
Looks like it's going to have the profound effect of your gun control editorial. And the profound effect of the Nobel Prize-winner.
9
As much as one may like to have better checks and scrutiny on who gets to purchase or posses a firearm, proposing to use the no-fly list, which has no due process nor notification to the person listed until he or she goes to the airport, to bar people from firearms violates their second amendment. For the former, one is guilty before proven innocent to be off the list, while the latter should be innocent until proven guilty. Use the no-fly list as a reference to start somewhere, but don't automatically link the two lists together.
5
@Escobar - I find it curious that right-wingers jump up and down to keep all the Guantanamo detainees there "because they are all terrorists" even though there is no proof that they are all the same, especially since some were "sold" to the US forces to settle tribal vendettas. However, the thought that someone who has been put on the "no-fly" list because he/she could possibly be a terrorist is given a pass by the same right-wingers to buy an assault rifle because his/her "constitutional right" to buy lethal weapons might be infringed.
1
President Obama's calm, reasoned intelligent approach to terrorism is just what our nation needs.
There are no easy solutions.
We don't need senseless invasions and the cowboy mentality.
We all saw what that achieved.
Strength, measured reactions, good intelligence and planning will eventually defeat the likes of ISIS.
There are no easy solutions.
We don't need senseless invasions and the cowboy mentality.
We all saw what that achieved.
Strength, measured reactions, good intelligence and planning will eventually defeat the likes of ISIS.
342
"Reject the impulse to take actions based on fear"...such as, breaking, ignoring, modifying, or otherwise manipulating the Bill of Rights? I guess that means he has realized the illegality of "gun control," and the Editorial Board has rescinded its earlier front page piece on the topic? Or does the President think that some Rights should be done away with when the nation is afraid? Perhaps racial tensions are a reason to start modifying the 13th-15th amendments? Does fear of feminists allow us to make laws changing the 18th amendment? When our knee-jerk reaction to perceived or real danger is "take things away from people," are we a nation of laws, or a nation of fear?
12
Consistent with the Obama-Clinton Benghazi-election coverup, eh?
Barack Obama is a clear and present danger. We must remove him NOW.
The magnitude & frequency of Obama's acts of irreversible damage to America vary inversely & exponentially with his time left in office.
A despot can do a lot of damage in 14 months & a deluded one blinded by his own imagined brilliance will.
One day in the not too distant future, when our children and grandchildren are suffering the consequences of Barack Obama, the Clintons, John Kerry et al., they will ask us why we put these unfit people in office in the first place, and why, when their existential threat to us and the world became obvious, we did not immediately remove them for unfitness, our constitutional right... and our duty.
Barack Obama is a clear and present danger. We must remove him NOW.
The magnitude & frequency of Obama's acts of irreversible damage to America vary inversely & exponentially with his time left in office.
A despot can do a lot of damage in 14 months & a deluded one blinded by his own imagined brilliance will.
One day in the not too distant future, when our children and grandchildren are suffering the consequences of Barack Obama, the Clintons, John Kerry et al., they will ask us why we put these unfit people in office in the first place, and why, when their existential threat to us and the world became obvious, we did not immediately remove them for unfitness, our constitutional right... and our duty.
11
G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney, et. al. are actual war criminals. But, oddly, you didn't mention them.
3
His brief mention of 'exceptionalism' was a clear swipe at Marco Rubio, the Republican who is angling to become the establishment's 2016 candidate. And yet it is Senator Rubio, far more than some of the others, who stokes the fear that makes us do unexceptional things.
33
Outstanding speech from the president, in these disturbing times. I believe it will rank up there with some of FDR's best "fireside chats".
89
Fox Inc can be counted on by its audience to continue belittling Mr Obama for weakness and/or disloyalty to America because he opted in his address not to label the adversary with Republican front-runners' preferred, highly inflammatory, nomenclature. Josh Earnest's rebuttal to this very criticism only last week was perfect. Namely, that so long as carping over the president's use of language and not his policy was all his opponents could think to come up with, the administration must, indeed, be doing something right.
107
Fox may belittle Obama for weakness. But both Msnbc and CNN are discussing similar themes, by posing the question in a banner on screen---Has Obama been strong enough in the fight against terrorism? Then they discuss with varied opinions. Then they show poll numbers with majority disapproval.
So is this becoming a centrist position now? How will this effect the president's push for US gun control?
So is this becoming a centrist position now? How will this effect the president's push for US gun control?
1
Not just Fox. Mourning Joe today were pearl clutching like crazy, stoking fear and the need for more troops to join the battles.
Should a Republican be elected to the White House next year (shudder), the GOP and their various mouthpieces will be calling anyone who is critical of the president a traitor. Wait for it.
1
Obama spoke of "enlisting Silicon Valley" in the war on terrorism. I hope this doesn't mean an opportunistic push back on the privacy of ordinary Americans. A more appropriate contribution for computer experts is to shut down ISIS websites and emails -- completely. It's hard to imagine why this hasn't happened. If alienated young people can find these sites and email addresses, why can't NSA? And if they can be found, why can't they be blocked? Probably the ISIS webmasters will put up more, but keeping pace with them is a good use of NSA's time.
93
Well said!
I offered to a governmental employee an efficient concept how to fight and defeat the terrorism several months after the 9/11/2001. I claimed it would be a thousand times cheaper than the course the Bush Administration chose and embraced.
I offered the same assistance to the Obama Administration with the same kind of outcome and astonishing ignorance of our elected representatives.
I offered the analyses how to defeat the terrorism to the NYT and LA Times editorial boards but all of them trashed my submissions.
I claimed several months after the start of the Arab Spring that the wrongful White House reaction would lead directly into the Sunni-Shiite civil war and inflame the terrorist movements but again all those explanations were scrapped.
The worst thing is that all those aforementioned factors have no idea that I provided them with the solution to the problem long ago and that it’s somewhere in the drawers of their desks or in some forgotten files in their computer databases…
Just go back to the files that you had udged as bad, delusional and ineffective. If all the smart, intelligent and masterful solutions have failed us over the last 14 years, then all those bad, delusional and ineffective proposals that were promptly discarded must have been the key to the problem solving….
I offered the same assistance to the Obama Administration with the same kind of outcome and astonishing ignorance of our elected representatives.
I offered the analyses how to defeat the terrorism to the NYT and LA Times editorial boards but all of them trashed my submissions.
I claimed several months after the start of the Arab Spring that the wrongful White House reaction would lead directly into the Sunni-Shiite civil war and inflame the terrorist movements but again all those explanations were scrapped.
The worst thing is that all those aforementioned factors have no idea that I provided them with the solution to the problem long ago and that it’s somewhere in the drawers of their desks or in some forgotten files in their computer databases…
Just go back to the files that you had udged as bad, delusional and ineffective. If all the smart, intelligent and masterful solutions have failed us over the last 14 years, then all those bad, delusional and ineffective proposals that were promptly discarded must have been the key to the problem solving….
So why don't you enlighten us as to your grand plan for defeating terrorism instead of just listing all those who have rejected or ignored it?
Set your ideas free, Brother, tell us what they are. Don't be like a politician and say you'll see when I do it.
Kenan Porobic, I am eager to see your efficient concept that would defeat terrorism. An outline, even a hint, would be great.
After listening to POTUS's address, I was struck by by the vitriolic comments unsurprisingly spoken by Xenophobes such as Cruz, Rubio & Trump, none of whom can ever understand what it means to be a minority. All 3 of these cretins have no ambivalence in trying to politicize whatever hatrrd they can stoke up towards an already emabttled minority (ie American Muslims), many of whom serve in the nations armed forces, while none of these so-called candidates ever had the guts to do. Instead of working to unite people, these pathetic excuses for candidates politicize the San Bernardino tragedy for their own electoral benefits by pandering to xenophobia and religious bigotry-I guess one could refer to them as the US counterpart to ISIS' propaganda wing!
238
Where are your examples of what you call religious bigotry?
The worst part of this is how many people fall for their demagoguery. And how anyone with any intellect can watch Fox News is beyond me.
2
It was to be expected that Republicans would attack President Obama on his actions fighting terrorism. Their divisiveness and desire to attack our President rather than addressing terrorism is truly disgusting and unpatriotic when we need to come together to fight this threat.
Congress has done nothing to address the problem and create a solution. Therefore they are a part of the problem. They have delayed and spouted tough talk without supporting their call to arms with a resolution and have left actions in the hands of President Obama, then turn around and falsely blame him for doing nothing. Until they stop their cowardly, head in the sand behavior nothing the Republican Congress has to say means anything except to further deep divisions in our country creating a perception of weakness.
How dare Republicans call President Obama weak on terrorism when to Republicans political points trump action.
Congress has done nothing to address the problem and create a solution. Therefore they are a part of the problem. They have delayed and spouted tough talk without supporting their call to arms with a resolution and have left actions in the hands of President Obama, then turn around and falsely blame him for doing nothing. Until they stop their cowardly, head in the sand behavior nothing the Republican Congress has to say means anything except to further deep divisions in our country creating a perception of weakness.
How dare Republicans call President Obama weak on terrorism when to Republicans political points trump action.
206
There's a simple reason for their response: they hate and fear this President more than they hate and fear any terrorist group.
57
Their deliberate obstruction and sabotaging of this president, a battle waged since he took office in 2009, is frankly borderline seditious .
What we have had an essence over the past two terms, is a president forced to act alone because Congress refuses to take up a proposal or sign onto a formal authorization of military action in Syria. Their motive? Always always to bring down this president and ensure he fails on every level.
The GOP in Congress is more interested in ensuring the presidents failure then they are in keeping America safe.
And that, In my book, is dereliction of duty ,a high-five for failure they hope will never be pinned on them.
What we have had an essence over the past two terms, is a president forced to act alone because Congress refuses to take up a proposal or sign onto a formal authorization of military action in Syria. Their motive? Always always to bring down this president and ensure he fails on every level.
The GOP in Congress is more interested in ensuring the presidents failure then they are in keeping America safe.
And that, In my book, is dereliction of duty ,a high-five for failure they hope will never be pinned on them.
11
Obama spent more time in his speech on chiding Americans over imaginary Islamophobia and gun control, then he did on fighting "radical islamic terrorism".
which he still refuses to name.
60%+ of the country knows he is clueless on how to beat ISIS, and it's not just the GOP who is criticizing him on it.
which he still refuses to name.
60%+ of the country knows he is clueless on how to beat ISIS, and it's not just the GOP who is criticizing him on it.
2
What many took away from the president's address to the nation was that things weren't going to change markedly for the time that remains to him in office; and that any real solutions regarding the Greater Middle East, the advance of extremist Islamist jihadism there and related domestic U.S. and Western domestic terrorism, would need to await a new president with very different policy views. Clearly, Hillary believes the same thing and is convinced that to stand beside him on this would be quite damaging to her chances at the White house, since she's made a distinct break from his policy convictions.
He appears to assiduously hope for the relative peace necessary to draw out his string in office, so that any truly tough decisions need to be made by a successor. Unfortunately, ISIS likely won't be accommodating in this regard.
Our humiliation likely will be deepened by a Russia that takes the fight to ISIS largely by itself, while we ... merely watch.
He appears to assiduously hope for the relative peace necessary to draw out his string in office, so that any truly tough decisions need to be made by a successor. Unfortunately, ISIS likely won't be accommodating in this regard.
Our humiliation likely will be deepened by a Russia that takes the fight to ISIS largely by itself, while we ... merely watch.
13
Different policy views? Like creating another US Muddle East Expeditionary Force to invade the region? Good idea provided that the draft is reinstated and our families can equally share the pain and ask why again later.
2
Yes, let's pile into the Middle East with our military. That's worked so well so far.
4
The President has not really moved very far from his long held desire to stay away from a ground war using American troops in combat roles. He is edging forward cautiously in ramping up a military response. He welcomes the involvement of the French and the British. He asks Muslims to be our allies in the fight because, after all, more Muslims are being murdered than Americans. His approach won't satisfy those who want to flex American muscle more vigorously and actually do see this as the U.S. v. Islam. But it is the right approach.
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The idea that Americans are being generally unfair towards Muslims is simply unfair to Americans - who have shown great forbearance since 9/11.
If Muslims wish to overcome negative perceptions - it is up to them to take a serious initiative - by actively condemning the ISIS philosophy. Maybe it's time for the Muslim community to reach out - the ball is in their court. Their muted criticism of ISIS leads to what is known in law as a negative inference.
They could start by purging the word "infidel" from their vocabulary - as it signifies intolerance and provides a platform for an aggression that is incompatible with the message of "Hey, we're the religion of peace."
They could start by condemning the brutal blasphemy laws in some Islamic countries - which laws are used to justify oppressive control of the populations.
They could start by condemning the manner in which women are treated as second-class citizens, barred from driving cars or accessing education.
They could start by saying "Hey, other religions went through awkward insecure periods where they did similarstupid things - but they grew out of it. What can we learn from how those religions wisely progressed out of that phase? Are we so superior that we cannot learn from others?"
If Muslims wish to overcome negative perceptions - it is up to them to take a serious initiative - by actively condemning the ISIS philosophy. Maybe it's time for the Muslim community to reach out - the ball is in their court. Their muted criticism of ISIS leads to what is known in law as a negative inference.
They could start by purging the word "infidel" from their vocabulary - as it signifies intolerance and provides a platform for an aggression that is incompatible with the message of "Hey, we're the religion of peace."
They could start by condemning the brutal blasphemy laws in some Islamic countries - which laws are used to justify oppressive control of the populations.
They could start by condemning the manner in which women are treated as second-class citizens, barred from driving cars or accessing education.
They could start by saying "Hey, other religions went through awkward insecure periods where they did similarstupid things - but they grew out of it. What can we learn from how those religions wisely progressed out of that phase? Are we so superior that we cannot learn from others?"
62
Sure, the Muslims can "take responsibility" right after the Christians start taking responsibility and reporting on and calling out their own violent element. I fail to see how the evangelicals have out grown their own ignorance and persecution of people of other beliefs. They are as bellicose and impulsive now as they were during the Crusades.
If I "believe" that a fetus is not a child and that abortion is my right, they should respect that as much as I should respect their right to have litters of children. For the evangelicals, respect is a one-way street with them having to give none at all.
Muslims are not the problem; zealotry of all stripes is.
If I "believe" that a fetus is not a child and that abortion is my right, they should respect that as much as I should respect their right to have litters of children. For the evangelicals, respect is a one-way street with them having to give none at all.
Muslims are not the problem; zealotry of all stripes is.
4
I agree with what you say, but the Muslim community has finally begun to speak out in opposition to ISIS and in support of democracy. I hope that trend will intensify; otherwise, all Muslims will continue to be demonized by right-wing politicians.
I get sick and tired of the majority community turning of the to the minority community demanding that it apologize for whatever crime of the day that has been committed. When white men (primarily) commit atrocities, there is no concomitant demand that whites, apologize, condemn or reject other whites. In those instances, it is an aberration committed by a lone individual with no corresponding responsibility for all of whitedom to accept the blame. Its really tiresome and patently offensive. Its one thing to be racist and bigoted, its another to be completely oblivious to it.
3
Well put! But, do you think The Republicans will approve of his remarks in a show of unity?! I for one, am not holding my breath! Yea, right, United We Stand?!!!
20
What is there to unify around?
There is a non-working plan to deal with ISIS after America's disengagement from the world (in the face of a resurgent Russia, China, and Islamic extremism).
What is he proposing new beyond what is not currently working?
There is a non-working plan to deal with ISIS after America's disengagement from the world (in the face of a resurgent Russia, China, and Islamic extremism).
What is he proposing new beyond what is not currently working?
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. As a recent commentary by a psychiatrist reiterates this point: let's not let the amygdala run our lives and our policy. The fear of the other is not a winnable strategy. Let's consider the sense of justice and equality for those outside our tribe just as we would like to be considered by other tribes.
22
Please please ban assault rifles. I voted for President Obama and am usually a real fan but not tonight. He let the country down by not making gun control a major part of his speech.
9
Please. More gun control? As the Islamis terrorists kill us in gun-free zones. Do you think your 14 fellow Americans could've used 1 or 2 co-workers with a gun in San Bernardino?
Wake up.
Wake up.
the poor guy can't win
1
Suppose it was Trump who spoke there
T'would have been a nightmare affair,
No reason and calm
Just bombast and bomb,
An invitation to despair1
T'would have been a nightmare affair,
No reason and calm
Just bombast and bomb,
An invitation to despair1
99
Trump's 'reason and calm' is bomb, bomb and bomb them as well as their grand mum.
The president's address was sorely needed. After the San Bernardino massacre he gave the impression that he was oddly detached from that horrific event. He made two points that were particularly essential. One, Congress must act now on legislation that will curtail the unfettered access to assault weapons by people who pose a threat to society. Two, we must avoid the knee-jerk reaction to terrorism by demonizing all Muslims, which would be akin to demonizing all Italians as members of the Mafia.
44
I wonder when America, Britain, France and Russia are going to declare the war on the ISIS. They haven’t done absolutely anything over the last several years.
The first serious step in this war is the instant resignation of Obama, Cameron, Hollande and Putin for being utterly incompetent. The most important trait of the great leaders is their ability to motivate their citizens. If they can’t do it, they are incapable of leading their countries.
It’s hard to believe that all of them are so ineffective. Some of their countrymen leave their families, their jobs, their homes, and their friends, spend several thousand dollars to travel to Syria only to fight their and most probably die.
Why have our leaders failed to offer something better to those fooled individuals? What has al-Baghdadi that our leaders don’t have at their disposal?
The Koran?!
The Koran belongs to the leaders of the great powers and the rest of the world as much as to the leader of ISIS. The difference is that the latter is using the Holy Book but our leaders failed to understand anything within the Koran.
The Koran is the best, cheapest and most efficient way to destroy the ISIS and the terrorism.
Over the last 14 years I have made many offers to our government to teach them how to deploy the Koran in the fight against the al-Qaeda and the ISIS but they never replied to my emails or showed any interest…
I could have never understood such colossal hubris and ignorance…
The first serious step in this war is the instant resignation of Obama, Cameron, Hollande and Putin for being utterly incompetent. The most important trait of the great leaders is their ability to motivate their citizens. If they can’t do it, they are incapable of leading their countries.
It’s hard to believe that all of them are so ineffective. Some of their countrymen leave their families, their jobs, their homes, and their friends, spend several thousand dollars to travel to Syria only to fight their and most probably die.
Why have our leaders failed to offer something better to those fooled individuals? What has al-Baghdadi that our leaders don’t have at their disposal?
The Koran?!
The Koran belongs to the leaders of the great powers and the rest of the world as much as to the leader of ISIS. The difference is that the latter is using the Holy Book but our leaders failed to understand anything within the Koran.
The Koran is the best, cheapest and most efficient way to destroy the ISIS and the terrorism.
Over the last 14 years I have made many offers to our government to teach them how to deploy the Koran in the fight against the al-Qaeda and the ISIS but they never replied to my emails or showed any interest…
I could have never understood such colossal hubris and ignorance…
2
Show us the plan Bubba! Don't be shy.
1
The President didn't address how this attack will affect his liberal immigration policy and how, other than checking non-visa entrants and K-1 visas, it should affect the so-called "extensive vetting" process described in connection with admitting thousands of Syrians during the next year. Officials should be honest about how hard it is to vet someone from a war-torn country that doesn't have a deep information infrastructure like the US. Will their communities become the next Molenbeek?
16
Liberal immigration policies??
obviously DVG is not an immigrant, it takes a minimum of two years to get a visa for permenant residence of any kind. Perhaps the slowness of the system helps to explain the number of ilegals (11 million).
A tourist visa is all you need.
Homeland Security/FBI/CIA shouild be working toigether with Facebook, Twitter et al to mine for inflammatory comments ... yes we need to use all the tools to "check on the trouble makers. Loss of freedom is better than the other options.
obviously DVG is not an immigrant, it takes a minimum of two years to get a visa for permenant residence of any kind. Perhaps the slowness of the system helps to explain the number of ilegals (11 million).
A tourist visa is all you need.
Homeland Security/FBI/CIA shouild be working toigether with Facebook, Twitter et al to mine for inflammatory comments ... yes we need to use all the tools to "check on the trouble makers. Loss of freedom is better than the other options.
2
"but warned against sacrificing the nation’s values out of fear." A few days ago it sounded like Obama was using the San Bernardino incident as an excuse to undermine a constitutional civil liberty (2nd amendment). Our nation's values only matter when they fit your agenda?
14
He rejects the notion that widespread and unfettered retailing of weapons designed to efficiently kill human beings in large numbers is consistent with American values -- or in fact, human values. He's right.
3
Your view of the 2nd amendment would probably not in line with a 'progressive view!
Even if the perpetrators of the San Bernardino's shooting had duped their friend into buying 2 guns from them, it is not normal for someone to amass so many guns and bullets without being reported. Is it President Obama's fault when Congress chose to kowtow to NRA? Not only the airline industry would prohibit people suspicious of terrorism from flying, but also one can cite industry after industry how the gun industry is not normal. If a pharmacy sold as many pain pills, the DEA would be all over it. Somehow, the gun industry got a free pass.
Syria is just a smokescreen. So are refugees or building a fence. The Republicans are more than happy to turn America into Israel by thinking the rest of the world are their Palestine. No, this is not to say the scourge of ISIL is unreal. Quite on the contrary, humanity at large have the obligation to eliminate such evil. However, it is not about Syria or another theater of war. Or at least not just. To rout this poison you need to convince the gullible there is another way. The Bush Administration has allowed the religious school in Pakistan to flourish and this is the result. It stood by when Saudis exported extremism and this is the result. To solve this ISIL problem, the world needs to deal with the root cause in addition to fighting the symptoms.
Syria is just a smokescreen. So are refugees or building a fence. The Republicans are more than happy to turn America into Israel by thinking the rest of the world are their Palestine. No, this is not to say the scourge of ISIL is unreal. Quite on the contrary, humanity at large have the obligation to eliminate such evil. However, it is not about Syria or another theater of war. Or at least not just. To rout this poison you need to convince the gullible there is another way. The Bush Administration has allowed the religious school in Pakistan to flourish and this is the result. It stood by when Saudis exported extremism and this is the result. To solve this ISIL problem, the world needs to deal with the root cause in addition to fighting the symptoms.
109
Dear Bos, Thanks for this gem of an insight, so brilliantly stated also -- " The Republicans are more than happy to turn America into Israel by thinking the rest of the world are their Palestine."
2
Under President Obama's watch Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki, Jihadi John and myriad other terrorists were, to use an euphemism, terminated. I have more confidence in the president to deal with ISIS than the GOP president-wannabes who are all hat and no cattle.
377
@RK
Those were effectively assassinations led by the military he despises. He needs to walk and chew gum, and he needs to use consistent and believable rhetoric, force when needed, and consistency.
So far, his dissembling provides too much opportunity for his opponents to wait him out while he doubles back on his commitments.
Those were effectively assassinations led by the military he despises. He needs to walk and chew gum, and he needs to use consistent and believable rhetoric, force when needed, and consistency.
So far, his dissembling provides too much opportunity for his opponents to wait him out while he doubles back on his commitments.
4
But this classification does not actually make any sense other than there is a difference between the letter R and the letter D.
For instance, both Fiorina and Clinton, who belong to DIFFERENT parties, favor a no-fly zone over Syria. This is a strange suggestion since ISIS does not have an air force and a "no fly" zone would not have prevented either Paris or San Bernardino.
Mr. Trump is alone among the candidates in recommending cooperation with Russia.
Finally, there is no choice between Mr. Obama and "wannabes who are all hat and no cattle" since they CANNOT be president UNTIL 2017, and Mr. Obama cannot be president IN 2017. So your implied choice between them and him is ridiculous.
It is like choosing between a restaurant and a swimming pool. You cannot swim in the first and the second cannot supply you with a nice dinner.
For instance, both Fiorina and Clinton, who belong to DIFFERENT parties, favor a no-fly zone over Syria. This is a strange suggestion since ISIS does not have an air force and a "no fly" zone would not have prevented either Paris or San Bernardino.
Mr. Trump is alone among the candidates in recommending cooperation with Russia.
Finally, there is no choice between Mr. Obama and "wannabes who are all hat and no cattle" since they CANNOT be president UNTIL 2017, and Mr. Obama cannot be president IN 2017. So your implied choice between them and him is ridiculous.
It is like choosing between a restaurant and a swimming pool. You cannot swim in the first and the second cannot supply you with a nice dinner.
1
Killing bin Laden means little That was AQ. This is ISIS, a far more capable and aggressive group.
President Obama ignores, willfully or otherwise, the fact that Radical Islam is at war with the United States of America (and the West more broadly), whether or not the USA is at war with Radical Islam. The President should muster more concern for those Americans, non-Muslim and moderate Muslim alike, who are the victims of Radical Islamic terrorism. No one is safer when the Commander-in-Chief obfuscates reality. Worse, the President's dishonesty hurts the very group he purports to protect. If, as we are so frequently reminded, moderate Muslims are themselves the most numerous victims of Radical Islamists, presumably they, more than any other group, want Radical Islam stopped. Let the President thus oblige moderate Muslims by acknowledging that our fight is indeed against Radical Islam.
15
What do you suggest?? Get Rubio to bomb them all?
1
Yes, we're afraid of terrorism, but the bigger problem is guns, guns that any nutcase.......Muslim, Christian or other.......can easily get their hands on. And the GOP is responsible for arming them.
353
They seem to have had no problems getting guns in Belgium and France - do ya think maybe criminal and jihadist types don't obey the law?
3
What about the pipe bombs and the airplanes flying into buildings? Is the GOP responsible for those also?
4
I am not afraid of terrorism, that is how they win. I am afraid of those whose fears make them believe it is okay to kill the Bill of Rights to make them "feel safer".
2
The difference in leadership between President Obama and the Republicans campaigning to succeed him could not be more clear: Obama speaks for all citizens, while his opponents pit groups against each other. President Obama nicely contrasted himself with the GOP's poor advocacy of religious requirements for everything from refugee acceptance to religious registration to holding the Presidency. He also reminded us that in America, everyone is equal before the law. With groups ISIS glad to use a "divide and conquer" strategy, the last thing we need is these Republican leaders to do that themselves.
412
You just added to the divide. Strange how so many see in only one direction on this.
Days before the attack in Paris President Obama assured us that ISIS was contained. Days before the attack in San Bernardino he assured us that there were no credible threats against the homeland and that we shouldn't worry. It's tough to have much faith in someone who not only keeps getting it wrong but also doesn't seem capable of learning from his mistakes.
29
References please. I remember no such reassurances.
2
It is interesting that the NYT editorial chose two adjectives which no fair minded person would apply to this speech. There was nothing "tough" about an approach which demands "more of the same" which we now have been doing for 2 years. Most certainly ISIS would lover another go at some soft targets while we dither. Calming? Hardly. The nation saw a tired, over matched president Those who are old enough immediately recollected Jimmy Carter's fireside chats. This is far from calming. This will make everyone hold their breath for the next 11 months and hope that this man is not challenged by something truly demanding.
28
You would trust the 14 clowns?
1
"Freedom is more powerful than fear." Nice words. More powerful than freedom is an effective strategy for dealing with ISIS. The president has yet to demonstrate that he has one.
20
"The president has yet to demonstrate that he has one." You didn't get the memo? Or you threw it out because it was from Obama?
5
Boy oh boy, was that close!
For a while there, I thought Obama was going to do something rather than talk.
Whew!
For a while there, I thought Obama was going to do something rather than talk.
Whew!
24
Without raising the war like hysteria on the ISIS terrorism or sounding schizophrenic about the Islam and its adherents President Obama was confident and candid enough to admit the gravity of the terror threat for what it is and reassure his countrymen about their safety and security through adopting more appropriate measures that are needed to beef up the homeland security. This is what's a true leader does at the time of crisis to instil confidence and hope among the people.
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Obama showed confidence, but its been reported the purchase of guns across the country has increased dramatically since the California shootings. I feel the American public has lost confidence in the governments ability to protect them regardless of what Obama stated this evening. The question is the citizens confidence in Obama, or any candidate. We have a leadership vacuum.
5
I think we need to focus on all those Americans who are not going out and buying guns out of irrational fear. They are the ones showing the true American values of resolve and restraint by not giving in to fear, and going about their daily lives knowing terrorism will not win. These are the people we should be highlighting, not the cowards who think holding a gun in their hands makes them safer.
3
@joen.
Exactly, the country has LOST CONFIDENCE.
Next you are going to say it is all George W. Bush's fault. Come on now, that's what Obama has been saying for seven years. He cannot maneuver abroad because of Bush decisions and he cannot work with Congress because they are mean and crazy.
Could we PLEASE have the elections TOMORROW and elect an adult to run the country?
Obama is so steeped in victim mythology he doesn't realize he is a POTUS with 300 million people depending on him...all he can see is his little Liberal cheering section that eggs him on about the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.
Do your job, Mr. President. We elected you, not your excuses and partisan childish behavior.
Exactly, the country has LOST CONFIDENCE.
Next you are going to say it is all George W. Bush's fault. Come on now, that's what Obama has been saying for seven years. He cannot maneuver abroad because of Bush decisions and he cannot work with Congress because they are mean and crazy.
Could we PLEASE have the elections TOMORROW and elect an adult to run the country?
Obama is so steeped in victim mythology he doesn't realize he is a POTUS with 300 million people depending on him...all he can see is his little Liberal cheering section that eggs him on about the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.
Do your job, Mr. President. We elected you, not your excuses and partisan childish behavior.
2
The President offers the voice of patience and reason to a country whose citizens are frightened of their own shadows. That Ebola "pandemic" never panned out and those kids crossing the border from Mexico were less of a scourge than they were cracked up to be. Even so, this time there might actually be something to be frightened of, and while those fears are being fanned and exploited by the opportunists on the right it's hard to blame the public for worrying when terror hits our shores. Which isn't to say that Muslims should be demonized or refugees denied admission. But the President needs to face the fact that the air "war" isn't working and that it won't work unless we're willing to murder multitudes of civilians by bombing the cities and villages in which ISIS is embedded. In short, the President needs to go before the U.N. general assembly and insist on an international coalition of the willing and the unwilling to eliminate these barbarians on the ground. Demand troops from Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Iran, Turkey and all the rest of them. And from Russia and China and Europe et al. And then, of course, we'll join in. If they refuse (the Arab nations in particular) the U.S. should close up shop at the U.N., take our dollars and our presence out of the Middle East (hey, we've got lots of oil right here!), and let the Sunnis and the Shiites fight it out on their own. The jihadists want the "infidels" out of their sandbox. We might just as well oblige.
37
Stu
Obama mentioned that we have 65 allied nations..and that France and Great Britain are ALSO sending in airstrikes. He DID talk about the special forces who are embedded in Syria and Iraq. He also mentioned ALL countries including Russia need to fight together against ISIL.
There is a brilliant young Harvard economist that Obama has been trying to get passed by the Senate for over 230 days now. A guy who knows how to shut down the money that ISIL needs.
I’m surprised at you Stu. Shrub et al started this mess. We HAVE to stay in...and my husband paid the ultimate sacrifice as a vet. Don’t spit on his grave and all the others who fought. Let’s help out the country where we slaughtered 500,000 of their civilians. We broke it..we need to fix it..not turn tail and run.
Obama mentioned that we have 65 allied nations..and that France and Great Britain are ALSO sending in airstrikes. He DID talk about the special forces who are embedded in Syria and Iraq. He also mentioned ALL countries including Russia need to fight together against ISIL.
There is a brilliant young Harvard economist that Obama has been trying to get passed by the Senate for over 230 days now. A guy who knows how to shut down the money that ISIL needs.
I’m surprised at you Stu. Shrub et al started this mess. We HAVE to stay in...and my husband paid the ultimate sacrifice as a vet. Don’t spit on his grave and all the others who fought. Let’s help out the country where we slaughtered 500,000 of their civilians. We broke it..we need to fix it..not turn tail and run.
13
@Nuschler: I regret what happened to your husband and would never spit on anyone's grave. On the other hand, we don't honor him by allowing others to die needlessly in a region of the world in which we plainly do not belong. As I indicated, an air war isn't working and won't work. We need boots on the ground, but if those who live alongside Iraq and Syria don't care enough to wear those boots then it's unfair (to say the least) for the U.S. to take on that responsibility itself.
1
Well, I'm not going to let Stu's defeatist attitude ruin my Chanukah.
It's been a long times since Obama's tough talk has calmed anyone. We all know he is all talk and no action. Now his botched handling of Syria has come home to roost as the apotheosis of the his failed Middle East policies - the nail in the coffin of the failed Obama presidency.
40
There is very little chance history will agree with you. None, in fact.
57
botched how? president obama has faithfully and honorably worked to secure our nation without having to commit u.s. forces unnecessarily. syria is a sovereign nation, which unlike his predecessor (who used up all our capital by the way.) he chose not to invade. with the possible exception of the san bernadino attack, the origins of which are still being determined, there have been no successful attacks affiliated with directed by foreign interests carried out on u.s. soil during his watch.
65
michael - It can't be forgotten that GOP'ers in Sept. 2013 vowed to impeach POTUS if he went into Syria:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/mccain-o...
and in the 2+ years since, Congress will not even hold a vote on authorizing military force in Syria.
Congress's obstruction/chicken-hawkery is what has produced the present Syria situation; Congressional inaction enables ISIL/Daesh, and endangers us by not preventing the purchase of fire arms by those on the no-fly list.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/mccain-o...
and in the 2+ years since, Congress will not even hold a vote on authorizing military force in Syria.
Congress's obstruction/chicken-hawkery is what has produced the present Syria situation; Congressional inaction enables ISIL/Daesh, and endangers us by not preventing the purchase of fire arms by those on the no-fly list.
77
All we have to fear is fear itself.
Now, more than ever.
Now, more than ever.
230
Especially when that fear is used to motivate people to vote in a proto-fascist right wing "savior" who would save nothing but his own neck.
40
All I fear is being killed and not being able to defend myself because of protections criminals get, that normal citizens do not. As my LEO friends say however, its better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.
5
@RoughAcres
At least during the 1930s the country was being led by an adult.
We have fear, and we have our hapless President. He's no Roosevelt.
At least during the 1930s the country was being led by an adult.
We have fear, and we have our hapless President. He's no Roosevelt.
3