For some of us, there is this little thing called "convenient amnesia". Just over a year ago, we all watched and presumably listened to the history-making speech delivered by Barack Hussein Obama at the Democratic National Convention. We sat on the edge of our seats with great anticipation, and hung on every word that he uttered. There were claps, applauses, smiles and a sense of hope that this Country had never seen the likes of. We did so, including the portions of the speech that specifically dealt with finishing the work that needed to be done in Afghanistan. Although we hated the fact that we had been lured into an unnecessary war by the Bush administration, because of Barack Obama's articulation of the facts concerning the work that had to be completed, we understood and were supportive. We trusted that the man who we were about to vote for and were excited to see elected knew what he was doing and that he would not falter. We knew without question what his campaign platform was with respect to finishing the work in Afghanistan, and he was consistent in his delivery of his plans throughout his two-year campaign.
Fast forward to today, and you would think that none of us had ever heard the August 28th speech, or had listened to the many speeches and positions given during the Obama campaign.
Although at this hour the President has not even given the Afghanistan speech, judgments have been passed for words that have not yet even come out of President Obama's mouth. Imagine that. Being judged for something that has not yet even occured. To add insult to injury, we try to act as though we did not know that this President promised during his campaign, and loudly for the world - including Osama bin Laden - to hear on August 28, 2008 in front of 84,000 people at Invesco Field, 40,000,000 television viewers and countless internet viewers that:
"For while Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face. When John McCain said we could just "muddle through" in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11, and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights. John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives.
And today, as my call for a time frame to remove our troops from Iraq has been echoed by the Iraqi government and even the Bush Administration, even after we learned that Iraq has a $79 billion surplus while we're wallowing in deficits, John McCain stands alone in his stubborn refusal to end a misguided war.
That's not the judgment we need. That won't keep America safe. We need a President who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past.
You don't defeat a terrorist network that operates in eighty countries by occupying Iraq. You don't protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can't truly stand up for Georgia when you've strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice - but it is not the change we need.
We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans - have built, and we are here to restore that legacy.
As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home.
I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing, so that America is once again that last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future."
I remember looking forward to the headlines of newspapers all over the world that would read "OSAMA BIN LADEN CAPTURED". I still do, despite the fact that I hate war.
As for Michael Moore, he can act shocked and dismayed about what the President has decided (although not yet communicated) that he would do in the way of sending additional troops to Afghanistan, but he would be hard-pressed to say that he did not know or expect that it would happen because he, just like the rest of us, were informed. It's convenient amnesia.
As far as those who attempt to say that Obama is the same as Bush, there is one huge and critical difference between the two with respect to decisions concerning the war(s). Bush definitely lied and misled this Country into going to Iraq for naught. Obama has labored incessantly and met with a great number of professionals for information and guidance to come up with a sound plan and strategy regarding this war. True to his nature and in an attempt to minimize collateral damage, he rejected four proposals in that vein. He took his time and pondered a greater outcome for the military and this Country. There was no rush to judgment just for the sake of continuing a war. Obama told us on August 28, 2008 that:
I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11, and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights. This is an interesting choice of words, given the fact that we learned yesterday from a Senate report that Osama bin Laden was "within the grasp" of US forces in late 2001 but escaped because then-defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld rejected calls for reinforcements.
As far as Michael Moore uttering any words concerning the President's Mother and him "again being her son," any respect and esteem that I had for him was lost with those few words, and I had much. He went too far, and his comment was clearly unnecessary. Barack Obama will always be Ann Dunham's son, no matter what decisions he makes in his life, whether he is the President of the United States or a civilian.
Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.