I figure if both the left and the right, along with the MSM are disappointed in how Obama is dealing

[still_one]

with ISIS, then he must be doing something right

[cali]

1. I've oft thought that that was a particularly

weak way to "think". Instead of analyzing the situation and the history and context, you simply say "if those I generally disagree with think it's bad, than it's good.

the opposite of critical thinking.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. Could it be that President Obama ...

isn't about "Splitting the Baby"; but choosing a path that after analyzing the situation and the history and context, differs for the simplistic path that the pundits desire?

[cali]

17. sure. but it's not likely.

the history of U.S. military intervention in that region is about as dismal as it could possibly be, and though past is not always prologue, in this case precedent makes a remarkably strong case. I think it more likely that President Obama is following political exigencies- and for this, I don't place much blame on his doorstep. It would be virtually impossible, politically- and politics are reality- for him to do much different at this juncture.

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. I disagree ....

President Obama seems beyond political exigencies, unless it's part of a larger plan.

[cali]

19. that's patently absurd. No politician- particularly the President- is beyond political exigencies.

Reality. It sucks.

[1StrongBlackMan]

21. Okay ...

You don't consider it a possibility that one can consider political exigencies, and still make the reasonable choice, within those strictures?

[cali]

46. No. I don't think that's likely.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

36. He's tackling the immediate and present danger/slaughter/threat

Which is ISIS on a rampage and that takes miltary might as ISIS confiscated our left behind military might. Next step is regional input from those directly affected and respondible - the Saudis, Kurds, UAE, Turkey, Iran, etc.

It's very different from Cheney/Bush. We broke it after all. But we can't fix it without Muslim Nations taking responsibility for teaching Wahabiism.

[1StrongBlackMan]

44. +1,000 eom

[cali]

45. first of all, to continue with the flabby "we broke it" metaphor, not everything that one breaks

can be repaired- sometimes trying to fix it, results in more breakage. Secondly, Boko Haram is on a rampage? Why not bomb them? Thirdly, private individuals in some of the countries you mention have been funding ISIS.

I agree with you re Wahhabism.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

50. "We", in some cases Erik Prince's Blackwater, is a major component

to the damage done, rather than so called "Liberation" of the Iraqi oil fields, er I mean people.

[Le Taz Hot]

41. +1

(I've been wondering where you were.)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. That IS evidence of a good compromise: both sides are unhappy.

He sounded reasonable tonight.

To me, anyway.

[grahamhgreen]

5. How much will this cost? Who will pay? When do we leave? What is the mission?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Why are you asking me? I don't know.

I do know the mission: Wipe out ISIS.

[still_one]

11. won't "wipe" out ISIS, but they can make them not very effective, at least that is my take

[cali]

12. the "wiping out" this or that group/person/dictator- how's that worked

for us over the past dozen years or so in the middle east?

[former9thward]

15. Yeah, like wiping out al Qaeda.

The never ending war.

[lonestarnot]

22. Dearest CaliforniaPeggy...

tee hee hee. I love that response.

[Maven]

26. And when the next scary group of fanatics inevitably replaces ISIS?

[still_one]

8. That is the way I looked at it also.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Pretty much. The left says he's doing too much and the right says he's doing too little.

[still_one]

9. you are right on

[JoePhilly]

51. The funny thing is ...

... there is a segment on the right and left who are claiming that Obama = Bush now.

They agree that Obama sending some advisers and air support that Iraq is requesting, is exactly the same as Bush sending 150,000 troops for an invasion to overthrow the leader, and then occupying the nation for a decade or so.

They also agree that comparing what Obama has proposed to Somila or Yemen, is a gross over-simplification.

Some very serious military strategists we're dealing with here.

[morningfog]

6. What a useless measure. Rather, it is wrong for many reasons.

[deathrind]

10. Just saw McCains comment...

...or reply to the Presidents address. McCain is a complete embarrassment and obviously / fundamentally not in control of his own faculties. The cognitive dissonance displayed by this man should be all the proof needed for a mandatory retirement age for congressional members.

[still_one]

13. age is not a good criteria. Actions speak volumes, and there is no doubt he has lost it

[lonestarnot]

23. And Supreme Ct justices.

[former9thward]

14. The middle of the road always gets run over.

[still_one]

33. and the extremes always get burnt

[JackRiddler]

20. The mediocrity standard.

I figure if Galileo says the earth goes around the sun and Ptolemy says the sun goes around the earth, it's probably just half of one and half of the other!

Hooray!

Goodnight!

[cali]

47. lol. I love that.

[blkmusclmachine]

24. NO

[Maven]

25. Not this idiotic fallacy.

Guess what: when one side is right and the other side is wrong, pissing off both sides means you're ALSO WRONG.

But whatever "centrists" need to justify their existence, I suppose.

[MaggieD]

27. I hate that fallacy too

The media loves it because it excuses their idiocy. We should not embrace it. Separately, I do think Obama is doing the best he can to clean up the mess Bush made without engaged in a new war.

I sure would hate to be president. Especially after a republican.

[Maven]

28. I would hate to be in his shoes also.

However I believe history has shown that arming the enemies of our enemies in the Middle East doesn't turn out well for us in the long run.

[JackRiddler]

38. No problem, I'll be in his shoes.

Better that than to be the "collateral damage" on the receiving end of the perpetual global American wars, which proceed in predictable fashion no matter who the current pitchman is. As the people in Libya how they're doing!

[Maven]

49. You'll get no argument from me there.

Surprised to see how many are convinced this is a "good war" simply because there's a "good guy" at the helm.

Wait, no I'm not.

[woo me with science]

31. Thank you.

Good god.

[liberal_at_heart]

29. good then you pay for it. I want my tax dollars going to my son's school.

[still_one]

32. You don't want to pay for it then get enough support for a candidate that supports your position,

and get that candidate elected to office.

The argument that person A wants tax dollar to go here and not there does not hold water.

In fact most revenue for schools comes at the state level with such vehicles as property taxes

[liberal_at_heart]

34. My special needs son does not have any educational aids in his general education classes.

I don't give a damn what you think about whether this argument holds water or not. Until my son gets a decent education I refuse to support funding for this. And as far as finding a candidate who supports an anti war agenda, you can bet sooner or later the majority of Americans will become war fatigued and then these war hawks will have a hard time getting elected.

[still_one]

35. You referred to a generic school, which implied a public school, you were not specific until now, so

my comments were directed generically at that, and in no way against your child's education

To address your point sooner or later the majority of Americans will become war fatigued, I would say yes if he was committing a hundred thousand troops or more. He is approaching this in a very measured way, in my view. You obviously disagree that any involvement is too costly.

[freshwest]

30. McCain is a charlatan. Obama is a genius. Sorry, Johnny!

Obama's mind is focused, working in full gear and they are terrified:



McCain thinks this is presidential:

[JackRiddler]

37. And they both want to bomb Iraq and Syria!

[JackRiddler]

39. Wait, ISIS has much the same people angry...

So they must be doing something right, too!

Hooray!

[CJCRANE]

40. He is doing better than anyone else would in his position.

It is still however a self-inflicted catastrophe created by us and our allies.

[GeorgeGist]

52. So he keeps digging?

[Vinca]

42. His speech didn't matter.

Everyone was going to carp no matter what he said. The only thing in question was which "news" show could beat the others in the carping. CNN, of course, had their ace in the hole, John "Bomb,Bomb,Bomb" McCain.

[sub.theory]

43. Obama Can't Win

Yep, you're right. He can't win. The Chicken Hawks won't be happy until they can get back to stroking it to their CNN war porn like the good old days of 2003. The America's Always Wrong brigade won't ever accept that anyone can be worse than The Great Satan, and they are beside themselves with glee at getting to condemn the President as a warmongering stooge of the MIC.

God forbid, the President follow a restrained, sensible, and pragmatic strategy to stop a crazed death cult from continuing to murder, rape, and pillage it's away across the Middle East. He's such a disappointment!

[FSogol]

48. +1 n/t