A president serious about strategic policy would have given this speech at the National War College, or to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon auditorium, or to a joint session of Congress, or from the Oval Office. He would have addressed his strategy to those charged with overseeing and implementing it.

Instead, he's created an enormous disruption at West Point to speak to apprentice officers whose responsibilities after commissioning will be to lead platoons of 20 to 40 soldiers. These are splendid young Americans, but they're not an appropriate audience for game-changing policy announcements.

Any strategy that doesn't come to grips with Pakistan -- beyond generalities about enhanced cooperation -- is doomed.

But strategic success isn't Obama's ultimate concern. He wants political cover and is doing all he can to ensure that he's not on the blame-line, no matter what happens.

He wants to appear strong -- but without unleashing our strength. He'll send more troops -- but won't let them do more. Their primary mission will be to protect our enemies.

As you watch and listen to the president tonight, separate what's said from the setting's grandeur. Dig beneath the fancy bow, ribbons and gift wrap to find out if anything's in Obama's box.

You'll find this strategic gift is half bicycle, half pony -- and charged to your account.

Oh, keeriest, now it's whinging about the venue for Obama's speech. Odd, I don't recall today's whining weenies huffing and puffing when Bush yammered about preemptive war to the cadets at the USMC in June 2002.

Oh, right, situational standards in a faith-based alternative universe and all that.

Nothing to see here. Move on.

You can't fault him for choosing to speechify at West Point. They have huge pillars he can yammer and stammer in front of.

Whatever happened to all those fuckheads who insisted we had to support our president in time of war?

UnAmerican bastards.

Maybe like the President and this 4 month Afganistan decision, they forgot there was a war.

Just like you forgot how to be a man.

They're going out of their way to prove they've always been party over Country, no matter what.

If everyone's memory was a short as theirs, the world would be a much happier place.

Kinda like an Alzheimer's rest home.

Is Aunt Zeituni Onyango going to be invited?

I wonder if the Riiighties discomfort with Obama speaking at the USMC is related to something they'd probably like to forget: Bush's speech at West Point, in which he tried to lay the groundwork for losing focus in Afghanistan and careening into his War of Choice with Iraq.

No. My discomfort has to do with his lack of experience. I don't think he learned how to play war while community organizing in Hyde Park.

Wow. Looks like Sarvis is bringing his A Game today.

Too bad you left yours in the basement, Wissy.

"My discomfort has to do with lack of experience...."

I thought lack of experience was a legitimate issue during the 2008 campaign.

I also thought it would have been nice if Republicans were worried about such things in 2000 and 2004.

What the hell? No linked picture of a basement, carrot-top?

#17

Sorry, your 7.5 minutes are up.

"I don't think he learned to play war..."

"Playing" at war is the entire reason Republicans won't support their Democratic president in either ongoing conflagration.

I've never though (emphasize never) that neoconservatives ever saw warfare as anything but a game.

From their point of view, moreover, snarking at the opposition (president or not) is part of the game, and so part of the war.

When the president of the United States is carped at by the allegedly loyal opposition for killing a few pirates, that's all you need to know to understand what's going on.

Oh, right, situational standards in a faith-based alternative universe and all that.

No kidding. When President Bush spoke at West Point in 2002, Peters never would have made such a bunch of snide cracks about the president addressing the military.

30,000 more troops deployed over 6 months? Bwahaha...what a bold move!

"What a bold move...."

I get a nickel.

He could have sent 2 Privates in 4 months and you chumps would have given him a standing ovation. It's certainly fun to watch you worship an empty suit.

I get another nickel. Frankly, WISGOD, we're better off leaving Afghanistan. One can only imagine your grief if Obama were doing so.

One can only imagine your grief if Obama were doing so.

#25 | Posted by Zed

After dragging his feet for 4 months and the morale that he's caused, it would have been the smart play.

"Whatever happened to all those fuckheads who insisted we had to support our president in time of war?
UnAmerican bastards."
#5 | Posted by TedBaxter

Support the President on the job he is doing and decisions he is making, yes. But this President is not doing anything. It has taken him several months to make a decision as soldiers die and risk their lives while they are awaiting a decision on whether or not Obama will send them much needed help. At least we think he is making a decision. We will find out when he reads to us at his photo-op.

I have family members as well as friends in the military and they HATE Obama.

If there was any stronger way to say it in writing then book it. He is despised.

And with good reason as he makes us weaker and sets up the military for more loss of life with his lack of a clear direction...which of course is HIS plan.

#28 - even the majority of dhimmicrats in my family have now dismissed this a$$clown!

"He (Obama) is despised...."

By your friends in the military, I have no doubt. Fortunately, the US Armed Services is a much larger place than your friends.

"And sets us up for more loss of life...."

You know, when George W. did the surge some people said exactly that thing. Sure, I guess it would have to follow. You reinforce a war, there's more warfare, hence more casualties.

Iraq should have been reinforced by September, 2003. Afghanistan before that.

Getting back in touch with why I don't like the right wing. History is the last five minutes for them.

Odd, I don't recall today's whining weenies huffing and puffing when Bush yammered about preemptive war to the cadets at the USMC in June 2002.

#3 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2009-12-01 08:03 AM | Reply | Flag:

Of course you don't remember. You were drunk and talking to Ralph on the big white phone in your mom's bathroom

Just like you forgot how to be a man.

#7 | Posted by jackass at 2009-12-01 08:30 AM | Reply | Flag:

When is your next whoring excursion to Mexico? You know. To prove you are a 'man'

I wonder if the Riiighties discomfort with Obama speaking at the USMC........

#11 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2009-12-01 08:55 AM | Reply | Flag:

The Messiah spoke at West Point.

An easy mistake when you have never worn the uniform, but have sucked the day's vodka dry ... again

Too bad you left yours in the basement, Wissy.

#15 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2009-12-01 09:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

Too bad you left yours at the liquor store, Drunk_Dwarf

"I wonder if the Riiighties discomfort with Obama speaking at the USMC........"

It was all good because he didn't really speak...he just read a teleprompter.

It was all good because he didn't really speak...he just read a teleprompter.

Really, all you got left in the tank is stale teleprompter jokes?

Basically, why not face yer own FAIL and just admit you are completely devoid of any rational argument?

Be Well.

When President Bush spoke at West Point in 2002, Peters never would have made such a bunch of snide cracks about the president addressing the military.

#21 | Posted by rcade at 2009-12-01 09:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

Whatever you think of Bush, he is a veteran. A MILITARY veteran. Not some trouble maker from the Chicago projects.

Whatever you think of Bush, he flew fighter jets on patrol when Cuba was a Soviet outpost, during the Cold War. And despite your bigotry, Bush tried to serve in Vietnam.

Otherwise, he fulfilled his obligation to the National Guard (It is based on points earned, not time served)

Sorry, but you are full of shit.

Vernon (a veteran who knows how the system works)

"A military veteran..."

Bush gets credit for joining the armed forces. This credit is watered down, of course, by the obvious ploy to avoid Nam that it was, and by the fact he screwed over 250 persons already in line ahead of him to enter TANG.

"I share at least one thing with Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, novelist Ernest Hemingway, and Marilyn Monroe: dipsomania" Vermin belched, using an opium-stained finger boasting a nail reminiscent of Howard Hughes's -- back when the brain-eating bug started taking hold of the old boy and he sat in a room as dark as the womb from which he'd been prematurely ejected screening movies day in and day out, squatting in the gloom munching candy bars laced with cocaine, quaffing yak milk, and relieving himself in empty bottles and any available containers.

Vermin wiped a trickle of pablum laced with equal parts laudanum, homemade coconut wine, and civet cat spittle (which a Chinese merchant much, much smarter than he convinced Vermin was an inexpensive substitute for Kopi Luwak with the added benefit of appendage stiffening thrown in gratis) from the corner of his vaporous pie hole.

"Well," he muttered, reaching for the snarling civet cat, "that an Marilyn's tatas."

"I wonder if the Riiighties discomfort with Obama speaking at the USMC........"

I was nowhere near as unconfortable as the Cadets appeared to be.

"He flew fighter jets on patrol...."

I'd be interesting to get confirmation of this. And to see if those patrols were other than Texas airspace.

"Bush tried to serve in Vietnam...."

George W. Bush said he didn't want to go there. In writing.

#41 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2009-12-02 09:21 AM | Reply | Flag:

.... he said, wiping spittle from his lip and mopping up vomit from the floor with an already soaked towel.......

Looks like the remedial students at Hooterville Community College will have another day of 'review' while Teacher Dwarf shakes, and tries to hold down his 7-Up

Speaking of FAIL...

FTA: A president serious about strategic policy would have given this speech at the National War College, or to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon auditorium, or to a joint session of Congress, or from the Oval Office.

Biatching about Obama's choice of venue?

Wot's the matter?

Couldn't find any greek columns to biatch about this time around?

Seriously, you got nothing.

Be Well.

I want to return to this "tried to go to Vietnam" thing once more. If Bush had really wanted to be there, there was more than one way to assure that during the time he served. It's not like it was hard, or anything.

Bush tried to serve in Vietnam.

Bwa hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Damn, you funneh today, Verm.

Where do you come up with these?

Be Well.

Bush tried to serve in Vietnam.
Bwa hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Damn, you funneh today, Verm.
Where do you come up with these?
Be Well.
#48 | Posted by dethspud