War forever and ever, amen

[MadHound]

Never mind that last night, while establishing a time frame for when he would begin to transition troops out of Afghanistan, but not when he would finish that transition (shades of Nixon). Never mind that. This little piece of information caught my ear.

"Now, let me be clear: none of this will be easy. The struggle against violent extremism will not be finished quickly, and it extends well beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan. It will be an enduring test of our free society, and our leadership in the world. And unlike the great power conflicts and clear lines of division that defined the 20th century, our effort will involve disorderly regions, failed states, diffuse enemies."

So as a result, America will have to show our strength in the way that we end wars and prevent conflict. We will have to be nimble and precise in our use of military power. Where al Qaeda and its allies attempt to establish a foothold -- whether in Somalia or Yemen or elsewhere -- they must be confronted by growing pressure and strong partnerships."

I had posed, have in jest, this very same question during this last week. What happens when/if we drive Al Qaeda out of Afghanistan, will we go invade the next country where they land.

Apparently the answer is yes, we will.

It seems as though Obama is willing, perhaps even eager to wage perpetual war against a shadowy foe around the world forever. This is the wet dream of the Military Industrial Complex. Forget that Peace Dividend, sure, the Cold War is long gone, but they've got a new cash cow, the War on Terror.

Thus, Obama has just committed us to this ongoing insanity, forever and ever, amen.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. While Obama and future presidents are fighting this mythical war, we the people, here at home, will once again suffer and die, watch our country crumble, all to give our pound of flesh to the MIC.

Perpetual war for perpetual profits.

Sorry, but we've been had.

[BobRossi]

1. How do you say this in Russian?

"Now, let me be clear: none of this will be easy. The struggle against violent extremism will not be finished quickly, and it extends well beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan. It will be an enduring test of our free society, and our leadership in the world. And unlike the great power conflicts and clear lines of division that defined the 20th century, our effort will involve disorderly regions, failed states, diffuse enemies."

[OHdem10]

2. Could it be this is the clean up action or exit strategy? After all

we have always been told even during the campaign a large
contingent of troops would be required in order to exit
a country. During the campaign Iraq was the discussion,
but I believe during the debates--anyway I remember a discussion
in which it was explained that when we withdraw from Iraq
there has to be a large contingent of troops to secure things
as troops leave. Just something to consider.

[blindpig]

3. Emmanuel Goldstein..........

Looks like 1984 was an instruction manual.

k&r

[MindPilot]

4. Meet the new boss...

When he was making that statement, I could almost hear Nixon saying "but we're not going into Cambodia or Laos". And then Obama actually referred to America's "moral authority" and completely lost me.

For those of us who lived through the red scare, the ginned-up fear of an "enemy" whose existence, let alone capability, strains credulity is nothing new.

[taterguy]

5. Do you think Rockford Files is cool?

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. I can't help but think of Nixon

who promised to end the war and only accelerated it instead.

[MadHound]

7. Yeah, I had that flashback too

Begin the withdrawal in '69, only to complete it four years later.

[stray cat]

8. When did we ever have peace on earth and good will toward all men anyplace?