At West Point, Obama talks up national security strategy
Michael D Shear, WaPo, May 22 2010
Speaking to the graduating class at the US Military Academy at West Point, Obama said today:
The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times. Countering violent extremism and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing its wounds. Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system. But the US has not succeeded by stepping outside the currents of international cooperation. We have succeeded by steering those currents in the direction of liberty and justice, so nations thrive by meeting their responsibilities, and face consequences when they don’t. We will pursue a strategy of national renewal and global leadership. To you here I pledge the full support of a proud and grateful nation.
I am confident in the military’s ability to succeed in Afghanistan, though there will be a tough fight ahead as the US helps the Afghan people to rebuild its civil institutions and its security system so they can battle the Taliban and other extremists on their own. We have brought hope to the Afghan people; now we must see that their country does not fall prey to our common enemies. There will be difficult days ahead. But we will adapt, we will persist, and I have no doubt that together with our Afghan and international partners, we will succeed in Afghanistan. In Iraq, the US is poised to end its combat operations this summer, leaving behind an Iraq that provides no safe haven to terrorists; a democratic Iraq that is sovereign, stable and self-reliant.
You, and all who wear the US’s uniform, remain the cornerstone of our national defense and the anchor of global security. And through a period when too many of our institutions have acted irresponsibly, the US military has set a standard of service and sacrifice that is as great as any in this nation’s history. But civilians must answer the call of service as well, by securing the US’s economic future, educating its children and confronting the challenges of poverty and climate change. The country must always pursue the universal rights rooted in the Constitution. We will promote these values above all by living them, through our fidelity to the rule of law and our Constitution, even when it’s hard; and through our commitment to forever pursue a more perfect union.
I praise your pursuit of being soldier-scholars and laud the records of academic excellence the class of 2010 has set. I also take note of the fact that the class’s top two graduates this year are both women, reflecting the indispensable role that women play in the modern military. As you become commissioned officers in the Army, the country owes you a debt of gratitude. Here in the quiet of these hills, you have come together to prepare for the most difficult tests of our time. You signed up knowing your service would send you into harm’s way, and did so long after the first drums of war were sounded. In you we see the commitment of our country, and timeless virtues that have served our nation well.
reflecting the indispensable role that women play in the modern military.
There is a muzzled military majority that totally disagrees with this, especially since women in the US military as a matter of definition are auxiliary inferiors freeing men up for more dangerous duty, and have been more or less since the First World War.
Women are really screwed (besides getting literally raped or less harshly obliged to become sexually compliant) because they are sold this advertising executive’s estimation of what they think they want to hear — you can have equality now, without any work, and anyone who disagrees is a bigot — but any of what we estimate to be about one fifth of military chicas who actually have a right to be in there will tell you lesson number one is equality is equality and your outnumbering and unforgiving male comrades will not let you skate when they can’t. The female physical requirement is the male one sliced neatly in half, where it isn’t nearly disregarded: however, in actual practice, you PT with the men and (unless you want to admit your inferiority) have to keep up with them. At every base we went to there were always about three or four gals with a 300 PFT; they got it. And of course on paper, on Hillary’s desk, they’re not only “equal” but equal through the laughable system devised by non-military people who want the female vote more than they want victory.
We can have women in the military as more than a political trick, but it would require greater honesty about gender roles (ie certain she-ras would be promoted into male gender roles by merit and certain males would be dropped back to female gender roles on the same basis; gender role would overtake gender) and the same sexual honesty leads one to accept teh gaiis. So not any time soon.
There is a prolly a semi-muzzled anti-Presidential faction like there was under Clinton.
Obama Lies to West Point Graduates
David Swanson, After Downing Street, May 22 2010
Obama also said:
Full support? Not even majority! A majority of USAians oppose the war and its escalation. The Bush-Maliki agreement required being out of all localities by LAST summer. The Obama campaign promised to be out of the country by NOW. Removing all but 50,000 troops by this summer, if he does it, will be progress, but it will not be an end to combat. That will depend on what those remaining 50,000 troops DO. The Iraqi people want you OUT. Don’t paint an un-ending occupation as a favor to them. The treaty requires complete withdrawal by the end of next year because the Iraqi people want complete withdrawal, which is what many of them have been killing and dying for.
I assure you, you will go with the full support of a proud and grateful nation.
Ahh, this bullshit Nixon started. What Obama invokes here is this dirty trick where basically the soldier is held hostage for the policy. Just like you cannot disagree with Israel without being a Protocols-quoting nutjob who personally despises Jews, so too disagreeing with our wars is a personal vendetta of unprovoked hatred and ingratitude against individual soldiers. Of all current American myths this is one of the most vital and widespread.