Did the President say that the war on terror is going to be over?

[kentuck]

Unfortunately, I was busy and was unable to pay real close attention.

Did he say all the troops will be pulled out of Afghanistan?

Did he mention that the military was taking over the drone program from the CIA?

Did he say that the drone program would be scaled back?

Anybody got more details?

[morningfog]

1. No to all of your questions.

He suggested there would be greater oversight and limits on the drone wars, but hard no to all the other questions.

[ProSense]

4. You clearly didn't hear the speech. n/t

[woo me with science]

8. Greater "SECRET" oversight.

It's a SECRET!

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. check out this post for details

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022893201

[kentuck]

9. From the Rachel Maddow link:

<snip>
This isn't what the right wants to hear, of course, but it's very much in line with the assessments of nearly all credible experts on counter-terrorism. The nature of the threat has changed, and a responsible U.S. policy must change with it. That the president realizes this is a low bar to clear, but it's nevertheless encouraging.

"America is at a crossroads. We must define the nature and scope of this struggle, or else it will define us, mindful of James Madison's warning that 'No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.' Neither I, nor any President, can promise the total defeat of terror. We will never erase the evil that lies in the hearts of some human beings, nor stamp out every danger to our open society. What we can do -- what we must do -- is dismantle networks that pose a direct danger, and make it less likely for new groups to gain a foothold, all while maintaining the freedoms and ideals that we defend. To define that strategy, we must make decisions based not on fear, but hard-earned wisdom."

Right. The "total defeat" of a possible terrorist threat, now and forever, is not going to happen, and basing a national foreign policy on such a goal is counter-productive.

"[W]e must define our effort not as a boundless 'global war on terror' -- but rather as a series of persistent, targeted efforts to dismantle specific networks of violent extremists that threaten America."

It's a genuine relief to hear a president say this out loud.

[ProSense]

3. Yes. Here:

President Obama: Congress briefed on all drone strikes; supports additional oversight
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022891534

President Obama: Repeal the AUFM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022891567

Obama on Gitmo: will appoint senior envoy, restart transfers, call on Congress to lift restrictions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022891615

'This war, like all wars, must end'
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/23/18451126-this-war-like-all-wars-must-end

Obama Lays Out Plan To End The War Against Al Qaeda
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/05/23/2055331/obama-aumf-repeal/

[newmember]

5. Yea , as soon as the Military–industrial complexe and corporations tell him it's over

Too much money to be made in war

[Arctic Dave]

6. I'm not holding my breath.

I've learned that nice speeches don't do shit to change policy.

[woo me with science]

7. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

And Krugman was invited to the White House today, too!