Thread: Watch what you say, Obama
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Old 01-07-2008, 05:21 AM   #4 (permalink)
nuttyjoe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikelew007 View Post
They've been severely weakened in Iraq and we already know what we did to them in Afghanistan, that much is true.

Al-Qaeda In Iraq Reported Crippled - washingtonpost.com

In Pakistan (Particularly along the Afghan-Pakistan border) however, they have regrouped and re-gained much of their lost power. Obama is right in saying we took our eye off the ball. We should have done more to completely wipe out Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and we also should have pressured Musharraf a lot more to have done the same in his country while we had the opportunity, while Al-Qaeda was in a weakened state in 2001.

Al-Qaeda thrives in Pakistan tribal haven - World - theage.com.au
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Al-Qaeda 'rebuilding' in Pakistan
Al Qaeda's Pakistan Sanctuary
Taliban, Al-Qaeda Resurge In Afghanistan, CIA Says - washingtonpost.com

This isn't bashing the troops, this is a legitimate criticism of our strategy in dealing with Al-Qaeda. It may be a negative message, but it's a very accurate one.
I'm going to agree with Mike. I don't think Obama was insulting the troops and/or criticizing them; but criticizing our current government's strategy (or lack thereof) in this whole mess. But I do agree with you, RHS; in that Obama needs to watch what he says a little more because he will just shoot himself in the foot if he says the wrong thing. For instance, a couple of months ago when he said that he would choose to pull the troops from Iraq; but send them into Iran. That was an ill timed statement; because right now all the American people want to hear is an end to our troops in the Middle East. Here also, I don't believe Obama meant to insult or criticize, but his timing was not the best for this statement- but I certainly agree that Iran is a problem also.