Obama does his Bush/Cheney impression "chemical weapons that... could be directed at us."

[morningfog]

Just like the march to Iraq, the reasoning is shifting when the support found lacking. Notice this new approach. No longer is it primarily a humanitarian issue, but now a threat to US national security. I am having frightful Iraq flashbacks. Remember when the bush administration threw everything, including the prospect of a mushroom cloud over an American city? That was after the attempt to tie Iraq to 9/11 wasn't going as smooth as expected.

And, remember when the bush administration insinuated Iraq would be a quick in-and out? We need to stop this war.

I have no interest in any open-ended conflict in Syria, but we do have to make sure that when countries break international norms on weapons like chemical weapons that could threaten us, that they are held accountable.

* * *

And we hope that, in fact, ultimately, a political transition can take place inside of Syria, and we’re prepared to work with anybody – the Russians and others – to try to bring the parties together to resolve the conflict, but we want the Assad regime to understand that by using chemical weapons on a large scale against your own people – against women, against infants, against children, that you are not only breaking international norms and standards of decency, but you’re also creating a situation where U.S. national interests are affected, and that needs to stop.

* * *

Well, what’s happened has been heartbreaking, but when you start talking about chemical weapons in a country that has the largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the world, where over time, their control over chemical weapons may erode, where they’re allied to known terrorist organizations that, in the past, have targeted the United States, then there is a prospect, a possibility, in which chemical weapons that can have devastating effects could be directed at us. And we want to make sure that that does not happen.

There is a reason why there is an international norm against chemical weapons. There’s a reason why consistently, you know, the rules of war have suggested that the use of chemical weapons violates Geneva Protocols. So they’re different, and we want to make that they are not loose in a way that ultimately, could affect our security.

And if, in fact, we can take limited, tailored approaches, not getting drawn into a long conflict, not a repetition of, you know, Iraq, which I know a lot of people are worried about – but if we are saying in a clear and decisive but very limited way, we send a shot across the bow saying, stop doing this, that can have a positive impact on our national security over the long term, and may have a positive impact on our national security over the long term and may have a positive impact in the sense that chemical weapons are not used again on innocent civilians.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/july-dec13/obama_08-28.html

[magical thyme]

1. what? no smoking gun that could come in the form of a sarin cloud?

[morningfog]

2. No.......not yet.

[HumansAndResources]

33. Almost on PBS, but made it look like a slip

In an interview with PBS NewsHour on Wednesday, President Obama said the U.S. had "concluded" that the regime of Bashar Assad used chemical weapons during an attack last week near Damascus that reportedly left hundreds dead and potentially thousands more injured.

"We have looked at all the evidence, and we do not believe the opposition possessed nuclear weapons on – or chemical weapons of that sort," Obama said.

(emphasis mine)

If it was Dubya, well, the guy had trouble speaking. But Obama? I don't think it was an accident. The subconscious mind is key, and most Americans would not even know they were being manipulated by the emotional-charge created by this false-association.

Could I be wrong? Sure, but please don't reply with "conspiracy" labeling or similar, given headier psychology than this bit is used to sell kitchen appliances and cars.

[SammyWinstonJack]

55. heh.

Give 'em time.

[DirkGently]

61. Oh god. That's next, isn't it?

[dennis4868]

3. Again, DU is twisting Obama's words to make him look like he is Bush

Bush said that Sadaam's WMD could be carried to the US in unmanned aerial drones and dropped on us. The energy department said that was a lie.

Obama, on the other hand, said they could threaten and our national interest. These weapons getting in the wrong hands can definitely threaten us. As well, we have a national interest that it not be used against allies in the region.

This is so stupid already. I know what you are all doing here. It's pathetic!

[morningfog]

5. Nice try, but you missed it.

Read the bolded parts again.

"...weapons like chemical weapons that could threaten us" No qualifier. Not national interest, but "us."

..."known terrorist organizations that, in the past, have targeted the United States, then there is a prospect, a possibility, in which chemical weapons that can have devastating effects could be directed at us."

Again, not interest, no qualification. It is "us."

"...ultimately, could affect our security." No "interest," no qualifiers.

"....that can have a positive impact on our national security over the long term." Again, not interest, no qualifiers.

Someone is making Obama sound like bush, but it isn't me. It's Obama.

I'll tell you exactly what I am trying to do. I am trying to raise flags and spread the word that this war is a mistake. One probably worse that Iraq. And, it is sad that we haven't seemed to learn our lesson.

[tnlefty]

11. "we haven't seemed to learn our lesson"

Do we ever? I'm thinking not.

[HoneychildMooseMoss]

19. I think there was a time between, oh, 1973 and 1980,

when it seemed like we had learned our lesson, but then Ronald Reagan came on the scene and brought "kicking furriners' butts" back in style

[HumansAndResources]

30. Except Aid to the Taliban Lunatics Began Under Carter, Even Before the USSR Invasion

http://dgibbs.faculty.arizona.edu/brzezinski_interview

Question: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his memoirs that the American intelligence services began to aid the Mujahiddin in Afghanistan six months before the Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national security adviser to President Carter. You therefore played a key role in this affair. Is this correct?

Brzezinski: Yes. According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahiddin began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan on December 24, 1979. But the reality, closely guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul.

Part of that deal also included not pressuring Pakistan on the NNPT (non-nuclear proliferation treaty), which allowed A.Q.Kahn to finish their nuke, and trade with the North Koreans for missile-tech, leading to the North Korean Nuclear Threat.

And Reagan boycotted the Olympics in protest of the desired reaction. Does it get any more hypocritical?

Why aren't Brzezinski and Kissinger sharing a prison-cell with their boss, David Rockefeller?

Answer:

"Thank you for that wonderful tribute to Henry Kissinger yesterday. Congratulations. As the most recent National Security Advisor of the United States, I take my daily orders from Dr. Kissinger, filtered down through General Brent Scowcroft and Sandy Berger, who is also here. We have a chain of command in the National Security Council that exists today."

- Remarks by National Security Adviser Jones at 45th Munich Conference on Security Policy
- Speaker: James L. Jones
- Published February 8, 2009
- http://www.cfr.org/world/remarks-national-security-adviser-jones-45th-munich-conference-security-policy/p18515

No "Change" In That Room, except the color of the ties.

.... and then:

[Autumn]

4. Yeah? And what about the mushroom cloud?

He fricking forgot the mushroom cloud.

"So we are consulting with our allies. We’re consulting with the international community. And you know, I have no interest in any kind of open-ended conflict in Syria, but we do have to make sure that when countries break international norms on weapons like chemical weapons that could threaten us, that they are held accountable."

[jsr]

6. Good Times Are Here Again

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Tubes, yellow cake and mushroom clouds

Are next I s'pose.

[Supersedeas]

44. maybe Condi can do the Sunday talk shows for this Admin too

[rhett o rick]

8. This makes me sick. For eight years I waited to elect a Democrat for CHANGE.

I was a fool. The same oligarchs rule now as did when the Bush was president. The oligarchs transcend the figurehead presidents.

Now we are looking at a new war. Our economy cant afford it, but that wont stop the neo-cons, Democrat and Republican.

[indepat]

35. One seeming certain scenario looms: our future pre-emptive wars will be funded by cuts in:

the social safety net, food stamps, WIC, education, public health, food inspection, and the infrastructure whereas the MIC will be further bloated and gorged.

[rhett o rick]

36. That's a good way to put it. What safety net are we going to use to fund another war? nm

[indepat]

37. My guess is social security, Medicare, and Medicaid for starters and whatever else

Baner et al want.

[SammyWinstonJack]

56. Social Security , Medicare........

[Nite Owl]

9. Unbelieveable

Obama gets worse by the day.

[NuclearDem]

10. Tap dancing Christ.

Really? I mean, fucking really?!

[frylock]

12. but this isn't like iraq, and obama is not like bush..

so stop saying that!

[TheMadMonk]

13. Bob? You've become a democrat? /nt

[rhett o rick]

38. I would be interested in what you think about bombing Syria.

I think it is a horrible idea.

Why should we be the almighty decider in this conflict?

Why are we ignoring the UN isn’t that conservative behavior?

We have no business judging the Syrian government's human rights after what we did in Iraq and Vietnam.

I firmly believe our interference will not help and, based on historical evidence, will make things worse.

We cant afford to be the world's police force. What part of WE CANT AFFORD, doesn’t the Admin understand?

But please tell us where you stand.

[frylock]

42. i'm firmly against the bombing of syria

[rhett o rick]

43. Great. Is your signature sarcasm? I am sarcasm challenged. nm

[frylock]

45. yes, it is..

my political stance has stayed pretty much the same from 1/19/2009 to present.

[rhett o rick]

46. Dang, I guess I stepped into it again. nm

[frylock]

47. no prob, just don't track it in the house!

[rhett o rick]

53. Too late. Now my cat wont even speak to me. nm

[4bucksagallon]

14. When is the invasion? Do you know since you can read his thoughts?

There must be a plan for "going into" Syria, if I read you right.

[tridim]

28. Neo-DU is too busy dreaming of impeachment to care about reality. nt

[rhett o rick]

40. Where do you stand?

Here's where I stand.

Why should we be the almighty decider in this conflict?

Why are we ignoring the UN isn’t that conservative behavior?

We have no business judging the Syrian government's human rights after what we did in Iraq and Vietnam.

I firmly believe our interference will not help and, based on historical evidence, will make things worse.

We cant afford to be the world's police force. What part of WE CANT AFFORD, doesn’t the Admin understand?

Where do you stand?

[Bluenorthwest]

48. Some just stand to one side hurling names and venom

Where do they stand? Out of harm's way, making prank phone calls.

[eridani]

50. Impeachment would be a wonderful thing--

--if Dems would like to win big in 2014 and 2016. Whatever you do, PLEASE don't throw me in that briar patch!

[rhett o rick]

54. Neocon Du is frothing at the mouth to kill, kill Syrians.

Why dont you commit yourself and tell us where you stand?

[rhett o rick]

51. So how do you stand on this issue?

Here's where I stand.

Why should we be the almighty decider in this conflict?

Why are we ignoring the UN isn’t that conservative behavior?

We have no business judging the Syrian government's human rights after what we did in Iraq and Vietnam.

I firmly believe our interference will not help and, based on historical evidence, will make things worse.

We cant afford to be the world's police force. What part of WE CANT AFFORD, doesn’t the Admin understand?

Where do you stand?

[AgingAmerican]

15. It's better to fight them over there

...than over here, doncha know?

Deja vu

[Bonobo]

16. "We know where they are."

"We know where they are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat."

[OccupyOregon]

17. President Obama is not Bush...

Syria will be handled correctly. Trust President Obama. He knows what he's doing. He will not rush into anything.

[HoneychildMooseMoss]

20. Yeah, Obama knows what he's doing

[Douglas Carpenter]

25. Exactly

[rhett o rick]

41. So tell us where you stand?

Here's where I stand.

Why should we be the almighty decider in this conflict?

Why are we ignoring the UN isn’t that conservative behavior?

We have no business judging the Syrian government's human rights after what we did in Iraq and Vietnam.

I firmly believe our interference will not help and, based on historical evidence, will make things worse.

We cant afford to be the world's police force. What part of WE CANT AFFORD, doesn’t the Admin understand?

Where do you stand?

[rhett o rick]

52. At least you're honest. But not very open-minded if you call those that disagree, haters.

Just because we dont follow the authoritarian leader in lock step you call us "haters". Some of us like to think for ourselves and not let Pres Obama think for us.

I do not hate the President, but I will not support another war for the purpose of enriching the MIC at the expense of our people.

Which safety net are you willing to sacrifice to go to war in Syria? Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid?

This war is no more legal or justified than the Iraq War.

I read that only 9% of Americans support bombing Syria. I guess that's you.

[SammyWinstonJack]

58. Just keep thinking that.

[blkmusclmachine]

18. Of course he does. GWB = BHO, right

No change.

[Overseas]

21. How can we pretend to be concerned about violations of the Geneva Protocols

when we have not even prosecuted those who promoted/endorsed the use of torture?

[Ned Flanders]

22. This won't cost us much $

Rummy: "The bulk of the funds for Iraq's reconstruction will come from Iraqis -- from oil revenues, recovered assets, international trade, direct foreign investment, as well as some contributions we've already received and hope to receive from the international community." 10/2003

LOL! Put this war on our tab, we'll pay later!

[MotherPetrie]

23. A basket full of shit with a redwhite'n'blue ribbon tied in Obama's prettiest bow

Wrapped around the handle.

[blackspade]

24. WTF?

So the Syrians are a threat to the 'homeland' while they are in the middle of a civil war......
Who comes up with this kind of shit?

[Flying Squirrel]

26. It was involuntary..

My eyes rolled as I read your subject line. Well-written, thanks.

[sabrina 1]

27. It shouldn't be surprising that when the US is preparing for yet another War, the war-mongering

language would sound the same.

We pay millions for propaganda to our own propaganda machine in the form of Private Contractors.

For the Iraq, when the support wasn't there initially, the Bush administration was ready with The Rendon Group. Goebbels would be jealous of how effective our Propaganda apparatus is.

[KoKo]

60. What's shocking to me is that they assumed American People

would accept the language of Bush/Condi/Powell and not even remember?

And, that he could hustle it through without much effort and just get on with his life!

Has the Presidency and all the Power and Trappings of it gone to his Head? Is he so pumped up with it that he's forgotten why he was elected?

[HereSince1628]

29. Selling fear. The Administration has gone conservative

[G_j]

31. It's called propaganda

it's directed at the American people.

Supposedly we deserved better.

[peace13]

32. When we rape and pillage the earth for more than a decade....

The danger may follows us home from time to time.

[CANDO]

34. OMG! I noticed that "threaten us" line imediately.

Welcome to 2002... I thought we were beyond this bullshit. Let the Syrians settle it, because no matter the outcome, blow-back will come our way for meddling.

[indepat]

39. No longer will I ridicule and denigrate Madame Rice for her mushroom clouds nonsense

[doc03]

57. I heard Biden talking at the American Legion or VFW convention

a couple days ago, I swear it was almost a carbon copy of Cheney chearleading for the Iraq war.

[KoKo]

59. I saw the Video of that on Democracy Now today...

It was sickening...to see him saying almost exactly what Bush and the rest said before the Iraq Invasion.

I don't know what's gotten into him.

On Edit...Maybe it's just the way he always was...and we missed it in his Grand and Captivating Speeches. But, still. Why would he do this ....when he knows how hard we Dems worked to get him elected. His money might have come from Wall Street...but we got to the Polls and Signed up New Voters to get to the Polls to vote for him. And, "THIS" is what we get for that work?

[iamthebandfanman]

63. or maybe its the truth this time

naaaah
wouldn't want to consider that.
might as well keep well hidden under our GWBUsh fear to act blanket for the rest of our countries existence.

and if we don't ever get them used on us.. well.. better stay there still.. people might be pretending to die here like they are in Syria after all :p

[Caretha]

64. ^ Word Salad ^