The Long And Winding Road... Wanna Know Why We Are Bombing In Syria ??? - Check THIS Out:

[karynnj]

46. I am saying that Obama seeking a coalition against ISIL is NOT Iran Contra like

I would agree that one difficulty that Obama faced and faces is a huge well of distrust that was not of his making. Everything you speak of is part of what built that distrust. That is actually why it is such an accomplishment that he has been able to gain the support he has in the region on this effort.

As to his effort here, why not look at what he said he wanted to do in June - and compared it to his actions this summer. He urged Iraq to form its government from the election they just had and urged them to make it inclusive. Most pundits thought this impossible, but this was done even if it is still at a very early stage. The actions of US airlifts of aid and airstrikes with the ground action of others has saved lives and protected important dams that provide water and power for most of that area. Yet these are baby steps in terms of what needs to be done - and most of it must be done by the region, not the US - and most of it is not military.

In pushing against any US military action, what is ignored is the huge effort to build a coalition to act here. The most significant part is a Sunni coalition against their own extremists, who they have in the past funded, encouraged and helped allow their recruitment. You ignore that they are supporting US efforts to dry up the funding and to urge religious leaders to speak against the extremists. (In fact, consider Kerry's own history vs Iran/Contra and BCCI that led to his serious effort to be able to stop the money laundering of criminals and non state terrorists. Without his diligent investigation of the Contras, it is possible that the scandal would mostly have been arming Iran and negotiating for the hostages.)

You might even wonder if that same well of distrust for ANY US government is so firmly entrenched in the left that it is easier for many here to give him no benefit of the doubt. Some go even further, extending infinite benefit of the doubt to people like Manduro and Putin, while never giving Obama a break on anything.