by Jack Lee
Yesterday President Obama held a press conference at the White House to discuss his lack of strategy on Syria. He stunned the press when he said he hadn’t really formulated a policy yet, but they were working on one. This flies in the face of a White House press spokesperson who announce just 4 days ago they did in fact have a policy, it was just not ready to be revealed. But, perhaps what is even more shocking is that the Presidents 4 top advisor seem to be pushing him to take action and he seems to balking with no policy in place. That wreaks of incompetence.
We’ve recently heard from Benjamin J. Rhodes, the president’s deputy national security adviser ”If you come after Americans, we’re going to come after you, wherever you are,” Benjamin J. Rhodes, the president’s deputy national security adviser, “We’re actively considering what’s going to be necessary to deal with that threat and we’re not going to be restricted by borders.” Three other top aides have made similar announcements suggesting the inevitability of war to destroy ISIS, or “ISIL” as the President is fond of saying.
Obama told reporters as he prepared to leave on a series of fundraisers, ”I don’t want to put the cart before the horse,” he said. “We don’t have a strategy yet.” And “I think that’s not just my assessment but the assessment of our military, as well,” he said. Obama criticized the news media for “getting a little further ahead of where we’re at than we currently are” on confronting ISIL in Syria.
Here’s what I find very troubling in terms of national security: The President is not in synch with his advisors and that’s a symptom of what? We’re not sure, but it can’t be good. What we do know is he’s acting the part of a reluctant leader. In response to this leadership void, it appears we find his advisors stepping up and making their own proclamations. And those proclamation are edging us towards war in Syria and Iraq. And if personal appearance mean anything and they do, Obama has aged before our eyes. We know this stress happens to everyone who occupies this powerful position and that takes a mental and physical toll, but in Obama’s case it’s like he’s aging in dog years, I get the impression he doesn’t want this job anymore and he wants out! But, there’s no where to run, unless it’s to do a rah-rah fundraiser where he is surrounded by his most adoring fans.
“Mr. Obama’s response (to global crisis) has been marked by a pattern of heightened public statements and indications of stepped-up involvement, followed by far less action than suggested.” from and AUG. 22, 2014 .
It’s a truism that as global crisis’ continue to mount without lasting resolution their intensity will grow and options will become very limited. This complexity of so many unresolved crisis’ in the world today has played right into the hands of one scheming Vladimir Putin and it’s resulted in him taking the bold step to invade Ukraine.
It’s also made Obama’s decisions for dealing with Iraq and Syria, US and Mexico, Israel and Palestine, Iran and nukes, North Korea and nukes, all the more difficult and limited. We’re seeing signs of crisis overload in Washington and that ought to concern us all. Obama has taken on a “wait and see, maybe it will work out on it’s own”, kind of approach to problem solving. However, in his defense these are all tough problems…they would be for any president. Again, in fairness, each situation is very complex. Some are going to be unsolvable, but not all of them and hosting a fundraiser won’t solves any of them.
If you put the Russian v. Ukraine problem under a microscope, you will find there’s two sides to the story and it’s not all about Russian conquest. Russia has a long history with Ukraine being a part of the old empire. The Russian separatists in the breakaway region of Ukraine have strong ties to Russia, beyond just language and culture. Many were born in Russia and migrated to Donetsk and Lugansk in the Ukraine and they have many relatives in Russia. Life as a minority hasn’t been easy for them. This is in many ways like Mexican citizens that migrated to SoCal. They (Russians or Mexicans, take your pick) arrived in their new country in such numbers that they were a strong cultural influence. In our case English was a foreign language. In Ukraine the language was also much different for Russians and this isolated them. It’s no wonder these people tended to identify more with the country they left than their new host country.
Many Mexican immigrants identify with being proud Mexicans while living in a state they see as stolen from Mexico by the US. (Ever see a US V Mexico soccer game in LA?) Same thing in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, only its Russians rooting for Russia. This brings up another truism: Every nation become at risk of social unrest when they allow a flood of one particular race, ethnicity or religious sect that is in conflict with their cultural norms. It’s why we have immigration law in every country in the world.
Right verses wrong in the Ukraine situation is complicated, it’s like a 60/40 proposition for who is most right and most wrong. However, its trending towards a decision that will likely be without a compromise because both sides are so polarized. That usually means… more fighting. So, will it be ”might” that will determine “right”? Unless there’s an outside party that can employ wisdom equal to the task… it’s war and to the victor go the spoils. That lofty Statesmanship/wisdom has heretofore escaped this presidency and worse…we’re seeing a leaderless ship of state while Obama is off fundraising, because I think he hates his real job!
Obumble has evidently been taking Gaffe 101 from the master gaffer – Bumbling Biden – and has passed with flying colors.
Thinking back, whenever da Prez has gaffed, it’s been when he’s gone off-teleprompter. These days, it’s more important to Obumble for him to attend fundraisers than take care of the nation’s business.
I have to believe America is best service by this man while he is away from the oval office and on a Golf vacation, no matter what, that is providing he leaves his pen and phone home!
How many times has Obama proved he’s no leader?! He’s much more comfortable “leading from behind” which makes him a follower.
Now, David Cameron, England’s PM is a great example of a good leader, at least with his statement on ISIS does. Comparing Obama to Cameron is like comparing the Elmer Fudd to Superman.
Obama lives in some fantasy world and refuses to recognize the real world for what it is. He loves the title and all of the perks, but doesn’t want the responsibilities of the job. He’s flip-flopped so many times his own administration can’t keep up with his public statements and the world leaders are now excluding him from their decisions to protest their countries. The US’s reputation has never been so bad in our history.
Peggy, if only we had a David Cameron…
Jack, we do, but his name is Ted Cruz.
Good point Peggy.
Scary, they walk amongst us.
British ex-boxer defends Foley beheading: [VIDEO]
”
If you want to know why British Prime Minister David Cameron gave such a powerful statement this past week regarding ISIS and recognized there is a big problem brewing in the UK — just watch this ideo courtesy of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
It shows the true face of a British cultural jihadist apologist – ex-boxer Anthony Small. If the words of Small do not enrage you, then you are an Islamist apologist as well. Yep, we have a problem folks, and it lives amongst us.”
http://allenbwest.com/2014/08/british-ex-boxer-defends-foley-beheading-video/
National Review points to another reason for David Cameron to give that speech:
Tina, thanks for sharing this story. I was aware of it from the national news, but this really brings it into focus. Just when I think human depravity could sink no lower up pops a new low in the oddest of places, England. I hope the Brits send these deviates to Hell and ASAP.