Comments on: Foreign Affairs in Obama’s State of the Union: Caught between the Utopian and the Propagandistic

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:09:01 +0000

After listenig to the address and the commentators views, I thought to myself, am I the only one being shocked over the total dissmissal of the israeli-palastinian conflict? Did i miss any part of the speech? Did anyone in the media notice? An over 70 minute-speach from our beloved president that stands on the side of freedom and human dignity, didn't even include a few second aknowledgement of the dire man made situation in Gaza. I didnt expect him to go all the way insiting on an urgent solution to the israeli-palastinian conflict or an accelerated move toward the two-state solution, but with the letter circulating, and the wold Health agencies condemning Israeli bockade of Gaza, it was just mentally and emotionally overwhelming. I just coudnt understand. Thank you for your informed comment. the ones driven by dramatic events and the less gloomier ones like the music driven one. Leila.

By: Grumpy Old Man

Grumpy Old Man — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:24:40 +0000

If he doesn't take on the Israel lobby and neocon interventionism, his agenda is toast. With his Congressional majority in danger, he won't risk alienating all those contributors–especially since he probably can't get a 2-state settlement anyway.

Point, set, match. Get ready for Palin or Romney 2012.

By: MonsieurGonzo

MonsieurGonzo — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:47:17 +0000

ref : “The attempt to position the US military occupation of Afghanistan and the sabre-rattling and threatened sanctions against Iran as somehow beneficial to women in those countries is a continuation of Bush administration rhetoric that is unworthy of Obama.” see, for example: U.S. Wrestling With Olive Branch for Taliban; and, $1 Billion Plan Considered to Buy Off Taliban. Which, to their horror Afghan Women Warn Against Possible Deal With Taliban : “Groups representing Afghan women warned the international community on Wednesday against pursuing a peace deal with the Taliban, fearing a return to the austere Islamist rule that saw women banned from education and work.” Considering, e.g., “Reserve Col. Lawrence Sellin, veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, summarizes problems with [the Generals Petraeus & McChrystal's core strategy] training the Afghan army...” in my opinion (and I am being completely serious, folks) it would have been a much more clever strategy for the West to organize, educate, and arm the women of Afghanistan = South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, et al where and whenever we and they find ourselves threatened by the scourge of fundamentalism.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:03:32 +0000

SOTU is so chock full of unicorns and candy houses- it's really an embarrasment. Sure I think he "did a good job" = bolstered confidence in his leadership. But whether 50% of the speech wasn't complete gibberish, I doubt it. Yes he had some points I even liked and supported, but I think the day a U.S. president gives a state of the union that is less than half nonsense is the day people roam through the streets crying and giving each other flowers like in some corny pop "tell the truth to the world" music video.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:01:09 +0000

Sorry to speak ill of Obama, Prof. Cole, but please recall how he has defined "combat troops" in the past.

"The Obama campaign has tried to square the circle by insisting that Obama will withdraw all 20 combat brigades presently in Iraq. "A different force will be constituted," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton, in an e-mail. "This would not be a brigade engaged in sustained combat. Rather, it would be a strike force that could take targeted action against specific al Qaeda assets."

The distinction between a "combat brigade" and a "strike force" seems a little spurious. Obama has declined to say whether he would station his strike force inside Iraq or in a neighboring country, such as Kuwait. It sounds a little like a shell game. All combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq within 16 months, but "strike forces" will be re-introduced as needed. "

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/11/obama_blurs_definition_of_comb.html