In the hours leading up to any major presidential address, the media starts their countdown – we’re just six hours, five hours, four hours … from President Obama’s speech on the ISIS threat. It’s followed by the question posed to some member of Congress – what does the president have to say tonight? Last night was no different.
The president missed his opportunity again, but I wasn’t disappointed because after six years of his presidency I no longer expect him to say the right thing.
President Obama again missed an opportunity to exhibit his understanding of the ISIS threat during his address to the nation. (pool photo, Getty images)
He started his speech with the usual “we took out Osama bin Laden” and reminded us of his mistake in bringing Americans home from Iraq and his plan to do the same win Afghanistan. Most military leaders say that a contingent of troops left in Iraq could have prevented the ISIS push across the Syrian border.
Some blame Obama’s failure to get a status of forces agreement in Iraq, but he didn’t really try to get one, because he didn’t want one. He sold his base on getting out of Iraq beginning in 2007 and has never wavered from that agenda.
That led to his statement, “America is safer.” I don’t believe that for a minute, and according to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 47 per cent of Americans believe the country is less safe now than before 9/11/2001. And just 26 per cent feel the nation is safer.
The president then blatantly stated, “ISIL is not Islamic,” as he continues to defend the Muslim community. He even refuses to use the term, Islamic radicals, which singles out the extremist segment of the Muslim community.
After a brief reminder of the brutality, barbarism and the threat these “non-Islamics” pose to the region and Americans, he told us “Tonight, I want you to know that the United States of America is (finally) meeting them with strength and resolve.” That’s my addition in parenthesis. He’s known about the threat for at least a year and only recently authorized limited bombing attacks.
Imagine a combat ready warrior being sent to Iraq to train Iraqi troops with restrictions placed on his activities during a war.
He then described a four-part strategy that includes the expansion of air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and added that he will not hesitate to do the same in Syria; the addition of 475 more American troops, but with the caveat that he will not be dragged into another ground war there; we will continue to draw on our counterterrorism capabilities, citing improved intelligence; and lastly he will continue his humanitarian assistance.
By the way, he also said he would chair a meeting of the UN Security Council “to mobilize the international community …” Don’t hold your breath on that.
Then, in one sentence he said, “I have the authority to address the threat from ISIS,” followed by “I welcome congressional support,” in the next.
As he began to review what he had put forth, he felt obligated to mention the military risk involved with men and women who carry out these missions, but added, “it will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil.” In one breath he praises our military, but then ties their hands in war.
The president has now sent some 1,500 warriors to Iraq, and has ordered air strikes by Navy pilots. He can parse the words, but our military forces look at this as combat, as war.
Who told him this would be a good place to insert into his address a mention of our unmatched technology companies and universities, our thriving manufacturing, auto industries, and energy independence?
Not only does he deny comparing ISIS to a Jayvee squad, he refuses to say they are Islamic extremists, Islamic radicals, now even Islamic. “He deserves public support as long as he is willing to fight this war …” said the Wall Street Journal. One problem – he did not refer to war in his speech.
Still in his own dream world, he concludes, “Abroad, American leadership is one constant in an uncertain world.” Leadership begins with the presidency, and he is the laughing stock of the world.
