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The Obama Watch

Idol Danger

A diminishing week for the president.

Last year around this time, the left was predicting an omnipotent presidency that would usher in a new way of “being” on the planet. It has turned out to be a wilting and amateurish one, full of commonplace follies and tired initiatives.

The party-crasher story is emblematic of Obama’s already diminished presidency. The most recent report about the party crashers adds a new layer to the farce: the party crashers can actually claim plausible and encouraging interactions with a “Pentagon official.”

ABC casts the story in terms favorable to the White House: “E-Mails Show Salahis Never Got White House State Dinner Invite From Pentagon.” But the real story is how close they came to receiving one. A “special assistant to the Secretary of Defense,” Michele S. Jones, was “trying” to get them tickets and was “delighted” to hear that they eventually made it into the event.

The Salahis appear to have exploited the confusion of a potential invite adroitly, writing to Jones with comic aplomb: “We ended up going to the gate to check in at 6:30 p.m. to just check, in case it got approved, since we didn’t know, and our name was indeed on the list! We are very grateful, and God bless you. We just got home, and we had a very wonderful evening as you can imagine!”

If Obama’s Pentagon can get outwitted by the Salahis, what hope does it have against members of the Taliban?

Obama’s speech to West Point cadets was about as confidence-inspiring as his state dinner. He is lucky only a few of them dozed off. No doubt many of them felt Joe Wilson-style incredulity.

Unable to follow the courage of his left-wing convictions and bring soldiers home immediately, he subjects their fate to a politicized half-gesture. “I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan,” he said, before undercutting the sincerity of that determination by saying in the very next line that in eighteen months the troops would be coming home.

Narrating the drama and agony of his decision — I do not make this decision lightly” — seemed of more interest to him than comprehending the substance and duration of the threat. How does he already know that in eighteen months the threat will cease to exist?

To stay longer than that time frame would constitute “a nation-building project,” he said. But that doesn’t follow; it would simply mean that the threat still existed. And besides, it seems like the nation-building elements of the venture appeal to Obama the most. He promised to “focus our assistance in areas, such as agriculture, that can make an immediate impact in the lives of the Afghan people.” He would much rather be sending community organizers to Afghanistan than troops.

Perhaps the most revealing passage in the speech touched on his philosophy of the federal government in which he made it clear that he considers national defense not its core function but just one among many functions at the service of big government.

“As President, I refuse to set goals that go beyond our responsibility, our means, or our interests. And I must weigh all of the challenges that our nation faces. I don’t have the luxury of committing to just one,” he said.

Well, he could if he restricted himself to his constitutional duties. But, no, socializing the health care industry is apparently just as much of an essential presidential duty as defeating America’s enemies.

He said in the “past several years” that “we’ve failed to appreciate the connection between national security and our economy.” By “economy,” he means the federal government. He wants to spend less on national defense and more on ballooning the size of domestic federal programs that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

His most honest comment in the speech appeared in the line, “the nation that I’m most interested in building is our own.” Too true. He seeks to build a new America, but as his bungled state dinner suggests its glory will be cheap and illusory.

topics:
Afghanistan War, Michele S. Jones, The Salahis

About the Author

George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (120) |

Ret. Marine| 12.3.09 @ 6:41AM

His first and foremost responsibility demands the attention of keeping these United States secure against enemies foreign and domestic. I guess this is too much to ask out of a community organizer, yeah way above his pay-grade, he just admitted it. Pray for the troops and watch your backs, apparently he has no intention of doing both.

Inge| 12.3.09 @ 6:55AM

Obama felt forced to not only that speech yesterday, but also to 'waste' time in even making decisions to send troops.
His interest lies in remaking America, to conform it to the 'one world government', and his time is short.
The midterm elections next near will put a stop to his agenda, he, and his pals know it. So, his rush of healthcare, taking over banks, and his other dreams, as well as buil;ding 'his' security force (the bownshirts of union, and acorns), surely everybody needs to undeerstand that there is no time to focus on this god darn security thing, or war.

Appleby| 12.3.09 @ 7:08AM

I did not watch or listen to or read this speech. I am tired of Obama. I just do not care what he has to say about anything.

He and Tiger Woods should just go play some golf in Afghanistan.

Tom| 12.3.09 @ 10:34AM

I agree with you, Appleby. I can't stand his voice or his monotonous dialogue. But I watched the speech with fascination as I would watch a car wreck.

How inconvenient that he got to be President during a war. He has no interest in being commander in chief. He doesn't understand our culture or the blessed calling of those who raise their right hand willing to sacrifice themselves to defend liberty and freedom....for anyone on earth.

All he wanted to do was socialize America and turn every citizen into and obedient drudge for the government. Healthcare before defense. How inconvenient.

Margie| 12.3.09 @ 2:17PM

I really like that, Appleby.
Rush is playing cuts right now of Obummer's "speech" about how bad small business is.
It always blows my mind when the Lefties talk about how Rush and "people like him" (that would be us), use scare mongering tactics on the public.
Obummer is now out there contributing to the hating of small business. The BACKBONE of America! Ugh.

Tenn Slim| 12.3.09 @ 7:56AM

Opine
OBNA and his Czars, Leftist Oval Office Sofa Sitters will and are driving their Leftist Agendas. Come H... or High Water. We here in Fly Over land "get it" , have "got it" and are setting our states for survival. OBNA definetly is riding the tiger. It will soon rise up, cross the river and bite him and his Lefties cronies in the 2010 elections.
Semper Fi
end

philhoey| 12.3.09 @ 8:15AM

Mr. Obama's response to Afghanistan is the same one that got us into Vietnam and Iraq. Initially a half-hearted response that will accomplish nothing except get a lot of people hurt. If the ‘surge’ had been done in the very beginning in Iraq, we would have been out of there a long time ago

David Jack Smith | 12.5.09 @ 12:52PM

Actually had Bush accepted the Rumsfeld plan and not the POWELL/TENENT plan for Iraq, the US would have been in, and out of Iraq within a year.

But of course, it's Rumsfeld who gets the blame for Oabma butt-boy Powell, as it was Scooter Libby who got the blame for one of Powell's minions first revelaing Plame's name.

And if you don't believe me, ask Jeb Babbin.

Robert Pinkerton| 12.3.09 @ 8:18AM

A Roman Catholic friend (Like Ken, the Old Texican, she deplores my religious choice.) introduced me to the Catholic concept of "Sede Vacante," the idea that the "seat," the Pope's throne, is empty notwithstanding that a person occupies it. I believe it might be worth borrowing that idea for secular application here and now.

A sincere fool in the wrong place at the wrong time can do more damage than ten conscientious and intelligent intentional saboteurs. This is one of a myriad of reasons why I believe that the United States of America, as a discrete Body Politic, shall not last to its 250th anniversary in 2026. (I think this lamentable because I have believed in this country for sixty-five years. I only wish the elites of this country did also. However, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

KyMouse| 12.3.09 @ 9:55AM

Wow -- "the pope's throne"? Is that really what Catholics think of his "seat"? I've always heard that Catholics consider Peter to be their first pope, but in Acts 10:25-26, Peter is careful not to put on airs. Over the centuries, it has become customary to bow before popes and kiss their rings. And a "throne"?

And then there's that art collection -- I once saw part of it exhibited as "Treasures of the Vatican." Whatever happened to not laying up treasures on earth?

Margie| 12.3.09 @ 2:59PM

Thankfully, since Jesus Himself is the Head of the cornerstone (Ps. 118:22, Mt. 21:42, Mk. 12:10, Lk. 20:17, Acts 4:11, 1Pe. 2:7), and His body are the believers themselves (Rms. 12:5, 1 Cor. 12:12&27;, Eph. 4:12, 5:23. Col. 1:24, 3:15,),
and since there is but one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Tim. 2:5), that whoever believes in Him will be saved. (Acts 15:11, 16:31, Rms. 10:9&13;, Is. 28:16, Jn. 3:3,18,36, 5:24, 6:35&47;, 11:25, Rms. 9:33, 1 Pe. 2:6, 1Jn. 5:5&10;).

Tony in Central PA| 12.3.09 @ 3:00PM

I have never heard of the " Pope's Throne " before. Is it something that gets put on a trailer behind the Popemobile ?
What kind of features does it have ? Recline ? Lift - assist ? Beer holder ? Remote caddy ?

victor| 12.3.09 @ 11:06PM

The pope's throneroom?
Plenty of gold fixtures?

http://fishki.net/picsp/brunei_sultan_jet_10.jpg

Jeremiah| 12.3.09 @ 11:08PM

Could we can it with the anti-Catholic bigotry? I am a former fundamentalist who converted for profound and serious reasons (not for a marriage). My conversion forced my fundamentalist father to confront seriously the nonsense about Catholics. Fortunately, he is intellectually honest - and after many years of study has come to understand how deep and real the Christian faith of orthodox Catholics are. He is also ashamed of how superficial the ,swipes such as you use are and how much ignorance of church history and theology it requires to raise these straw men.

When many were encouraging him in a call to the ministry, we ended up talking and I told him how much I believed his call was authentic. He has since said my discussion with him was critical in his decision to answer that call. Can you imagine? A good Catholic boy like me recruiting Evangelical Ministers?

I do not wish to get caught up in a theological debate. I have done it before - and it ends up overwhelming the rest of the discussion. What I want is for you to contemplate that it is primarily Evangelicals and orthodox Catholics who have stood arm in arm - and against all ridicule and scorn together in the battle on behalf of the unborn.We do that because we both believe that Christ is Lord. And frankly, Orthodox Catholics and Evangelicals are about the only Christians that can be trusted to belive that God is really God - and not a bunch of nice stories - anymore.

So simply, I wish neither to proselytize you nor correct your malicious and ignorant smears of what Catholics actually beliveve. I simply wish you to can it with the anti-Catholic bigotry.

jstan442| 12.3.09 @ 11:18PM

bravo!!as long as we believe in Jesus as our Savior than i don't care what religion you are and i don't think Jesus does either!

Tony in Central PA| 12.4.09 @ 8:08AM

Jeremiah, great post. My crack about the " Papal Throne " was meant to be funny. I think the poster who brought it up meant the " Chair of Peter ", which I understand to be more of an office than a literal chair. Over the years, I have found that the ones who make the most strident criticism of Catholicism also tend be the ones who know the least about it.

John II| 12.4.09 @ 10:12AM

Well, I agree with Jeremiah too, but I also thought your post was funny, Tony. We Catholics (the word is Greek for "universal") can always use some ribbing to keep us in line--St. Paul says so in Corinthians and St. Augustine echoes Paul several times: heresy is a wondrous gift to the life of the Church--keeps the faithful on their toes so that they're forced to think hard about what they really believe.

No offense, by the way. The word "heresy" comes from a Greek word too: it means picking and choosing according to one's own whim. We're all heretics, in other words--except that we Catholics believe that we have less excuse for it. In the long history of the Church, the worst heretics were probably those who took it upon themselves to persecute heretics instead of arguing with them. Screwy world.

Jeremiah| 12.4.09 @ 11:52AM

Actually, Tony, I was amused at your post, too. It was funny and I knew you meant it to be so - perhaps even to lighten things up. I work hard for the conservative movement - the freedom movement (I'm something of a 'community organizer'). I enjoy visiting this site, but it seems a running subtheme is taking shots at Catholics.

It troubles me because we are allies - and in a time when there are so many growing bolder in attacking Christianity and Christians, those of us who take it seriously do not need to be launching missiles at each other.

In the state where I most often work, I met the other night with A Missouri Synod Lutheran Pastor who is in charge of 160 churches. One of my great allies is a pastor at a very large Southern Baptist Congregation who is the prime lobbyist of the state legislature on behalf of pro-family legislation. Another of my greatest allies is a man who was head of the state Christian Coalition years back. (In fact, at one time he had asked me to serve as its executive director - I didn't, but I was deeply touched). I the state where I am, we have many, horrible political problems, but it pleases me to no end that the Catholics and Evangelicals regard each other as critical allies - not enemies to take shots at. Fifteen years ago, I played a very large role in making that happen, and I regard the comradeship we have all had since as my quiet, but proudest achievement.

Tuesday, I was at our state capitol where a coalition of Catholics and Evangelicals had successfully secured the permits to put up a Nativity Scene in the rotunda. There was a choir singing. It was a beautiful thing - and handled completely properly. The only thing the ACLU did, after examining the applications, was to get their own permission to set up a First Amendment display.

Together, we can put Christ back in Christmas - and make the spirit of Christmas the spirit that animates this country 12 months a year - if we regard each other with love and respect. Thank you for your kind responses.

Tony in Central PA| 12.4.09 @ 12:19PM

Keep up the great work, Jeremiah. I definitely agree about the need for Christian unity. I don't think the dogmatic differences can or should be glossed over, but there's such a great need for unity of action on so many cultural issues today.

Margie| 12.4.09 @ 6:20PM

"Launching missles?" I'd say you just got done doing that quite nicely!
Along with your hurling of the word bigot.
Nice job. Quite revelatory.

Joe Dee| 12.4.09 @ 8:08PM

Why not read the substance of what he said, Margie? He's right that there are quite a few people here who like to lob bombs at Catholics for no reason related to the subject being discussed. You are one of the more frequent who do so. Given the provocation he was awfully gentle in his response. You sometimes make some good points, but your nagging self-righteousness is a turn-off. For someone who is so quick to take offense, you would think you would be a little more careful about attacking others.

Margie| 12.4.09 @ 8:16PM

I attacked no one. I quoted some wonderful Scripture pertaining to Ky Mouse's post showing that Jesus is Lord.
A Christian would neither be offended or hurl insults.

John II| 12.4.09 @ 7:45PM

That reminds me. Check out www.manhattandeclaration.org if you haven't already done so: a quarter-million signatures, and counting.

Tony in Central PA| 12.4.09 @ 9:24PM

I signed the declaration, which means I'll probably be on the IRS audit list until this President leaves office.
I think Christians need to wake up to the " divide and conquer " strategy this Administration is employing. It was showcased at Notre Dame, a once - Catholic university. I think this President knows his single biggest obstacle to his promised FOCA is the Catholic Church. Its a clever tactic to open up divides within and among denominations to weaken their opposition.

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.3.09 @ 10:07AM

Hi back Mr. Pinkerton.
I could care less what your "religion" is. My "religious impulses" start up the first thing in the morning.
I have to make a "religious" decision every morning...first thing. Do I go to the bathroom first, or do I pour a cup of coffee first ?
(Then Satan gets involved and demands that I light up my pipe first.)
So, No.
I could care less what your "religion" is.
The thing that makes me honestly sad, though, is that somehow you cannot simply acknowledge the loving Creator who has preserved us...thus far...as a nation. Use whatever name for "Him" you choose.

Of course you are depressed and defeated-feeling. You misplaced your "belief" to a "country" for 65 years. Define "country" and you just might begin to get at the root of your sadness.
(hint)
Sodom and Gomorrah was a "country" (city state).

Deborah D| 12.3.09 @ 8:42AM

Nothing like having someone who dislikes the military and dislikes the country it serves and protects in charge of the military and the country. The cadets know it too. I know they had to sit there from about 4 pm on for security reasons so it's not surprising they were falling asleep and less than enthusiastic with Obama's rather boring speech, but they also know who their commander-in-chief is. He's not enthusiastic about them so he saw his own reflection in them.

beallyoucanBe| 12.3.09 @ 8:49AM

My fear is that with all of the politically correct restrictions put on the 30,000 additional troops there will be no progress.
As a Vietnam vet I remember when we would hold and wait for hours after asking for permission to fire. I suspect that the Obama administration will be more restrictive then the Johnson administration. We will have the force we need but won't use it.

bill carson| 12.3.09 @ 9:01AM

I felt sorry for the cadets who were used as a forced background by this loser of a president.

Big J| 12.3.09 @ 7:32PM

I feel sorry for all the brave men and women who voluntarily risk their lives for our freedoms and have to call this man their commander.

But they do it anyway.

Talk about honor.

victor| 12.3.09 @ 11:08PM

That's because they take an oath to "Protect and Preserve the Constitution" and not the president.

John II| 12.4.09 @ 8:29PM

Reminds me of my drill sergeant in basic, back in an era when none of this would have seemed possible. "When you salute an officer," he said matter-of-factly, "you're saluting the uniform he's wearing--not the dumb SOB wearing the uniform."

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Don L| 12.3.09 @ 9:23AM

Before he builds a new America, he must destroy the old -that's what Obamacare and cap and trade are about.

Tim C| 12.3.09 @ 9:43AM

"He would much rather be sending community organizers to Afghanistan..."

Now that is an idea I can get behind! How quickly can we mobilize ACORN and ship them out?

victor| 12.3.09 @ 11:10PM

How about sending them on the proverbial "slow boat to China"?
4 or 5 years should be about right.

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SJC48| 12.3.09 @ 10:38AM

One of the many problems the WH clown has is that after the election he actually had to stop campaigning and start governing - he never made that transition - probably never will.

E.McFarland| 12.3.09 @ 10:55AM

A German friend, born and raised in Neurmberg during WWII told me that Goebells always delivered his major speeches with a backdrop/props of the Military...assuring NO protests. Hmmmm...

Al Adab| 12.3.09 @ 1:40PM

Take heed. Beware the man on the white horse. That road leads to Rome or Bonaparte.

For this resident to use the Corps of Cadets for such a political purpose was beneath contempt. Douglas McArthur said, "The long grey line has never failed us." Are we about to fail them?

Al Adab| 12.3.09 @ 1:41PM

OOPS, I meant President, but actually not a bad Freudian slip.

victor| 12.3.09 @ 11:12PM

Actually, I prefer, Current Occupant.

Or in the case of kidney stones, "they too shall pass".

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tj| 12.3.09 @ 11:50AM

http://theprecinctproject.wordpress.com/ read all the way to the bottom. VOTE EM OUT 2010/2012

We have to organize now for 2010... Lets Roll

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Mattled| 12.3.09 @ 12:35PM

Chrissy Matthews was right.
Obama was in enemy territory.

Those men and women have volunteered for service, love their country and have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution.

All things Obama despises. Obama has identified the enemy and it is us, freedom loving patriotic people.

Strange venue? No, it is the first step in demoralizing the military.

When/if Afghanistan is lost, Obama will blame the military. He will say "They couldn't get the job done". Pull out and demoralize.

It is right out of the 1975 Democrat playbook post-Vietnam and continued on by Carter in the late 70's.

Saul Alinksy would be proud.

Right around summer 2011 we'll start hearing about that Civilian National Security Force because our military just isn't that great anymore.

Tony in Central PA| 12.3.09 @ 12:36PM

You know our country is in trouble when somebody like Michael Moore is criticizing the President's wishy - washy committment to winning in Afghanistan.

JP| 12.3.09 @ 12:56PM

This is a fight the President has no stomach for. His own campaign rhetoric has come back to haunt him. I would be much more supportive of the President if he would just say the truth and declare we are withdrawing. It is better if our President could in public declare with conviction, reason, and passion why remaining in Afghanistan is worth one US soldier's life.

Of course, that would require the President to spend some political capital; it would also be a calculated risk, as no one knows what the outcome would be. In short, that would require leadership.

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RB| 12.3.09 @ 1:15PM

Whoa, it appears I've just stumbled into a nest of the dumbest rednecks likely to be found. My bad. I'm hotfooting it out of here before I get infected with some awful angry-victim disease.

Appleby| 12.3.09 @ 1:24PM

Don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya.

ccc| 12.3.09 @ 1:52PM

Obama is a dithering weakling for taking 8 months to commit 100k troops to Afghanistan. Bush dealt with the matter for years and never commited that much to Afghanistan so Bush must have been even more indecisive and weak willed, further Bush was dithered for years before finally deciding to go with the military commanders original recomendation (Powell doctrine) aka surge.
Yes, the democrats are weak willed pacifists and history should be buried and forgotten. but comparing Obama to Bush, Obama appears to be the tough guy.

JBobs| 12.3.09 @ 2:10PM

Both suck(ed), so you don't get to diminish the comments made here by blaming Bush again.

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.3.09 @ 4:33PM

OK ccc, and JBobs
Just how young are you guys anyway? How historically ignorant are you?
Six weeks after 9-11 Mr. Bush had boots on the ground in AFPAC and kicked the Taliban out, AND put AlQueda in caves instead of New York.

Yeah, maybe W made a misjudgement with the "light footprint" effort, but can you imgine the multiple catastrophies under a Gore or a Kerry.

Brrrrr! chills

Liberal Reader| 12.3.09 @ 7:11PM

Hmmm.

Bush kicked the Taliban out?

Ken --

This whole deal about not reading the newspaper?

Not working out so well for you, buddy.

Get some INFORMATION on these topics before commenting on them. Fox News just ain't going to cut it.

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.3.09 @ 10:15PM

Hey dipstick (sic) heh!
Read Woodward's book: "Bush at War" then get back to me, ignoramus.

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Conservative Bob| 12.3.09 @ 2:30PM

CCC
Not sure what you are smoking but it really must be some premo herb.

How is that hope and change working for ya RB?

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pok| 12.3.09 @ 3:30PM

The first rule in war is to WIN. Apparently he
does not know this. Kick butt or get out Mr. O.

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Pingback| 12.3.09 @ 6:31PM

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Liberal Reader| 12.3.09 @ 7:08PM

This article performs a neat little trick. It takes a real event -- the party crashing -- and makes it a metaphor of the president's entire administration.

But it's just a trick.

Every president is embarrassed by mistakes. Obama had his party crashers. Bush had his vice president, apparently after a few drinks, shoot someone in the face. Just for example.

Someone else through shoes at Bush during a press conference. (Bush handled that with style and good humor. Credit where credit's due.)

Maybe this isn't the best way to interpret Obama's presidency?

Then there are things like facts getting in the way of this article.

Obama's speech at West Point walked not just one but dozens of high-wires, above a howling, flaming abyss.

Obama needed to worry about his own party, public opinion (yes, it does matter when a democracy goes to war), military opion, our allies, other countries in the region, the Afghanis, and our enemies.

I think he did a pretty good job. The situation is terrible; anyone who knows anything about Afghanistan knows the president was facing a number of options, all bad.

He gave the generals what they asked for -- including the time line, which they need for leverage over the local chieftians with whom they'll be working.

At any rate, the kinds of criticism articulated in this article are tiresome and not very persuasive.

Truth to Power| 12.3.09 @ 7:41PM

President Obama is a joke and LR is the perfect example of an idol worshiper. Walking the high-wire between the anti-American left (they only love America in the theoretical future) and regular Americans is the choice you make when you become a Democrat. I don't admire him. I have contempt for him. We all have a long three years of this incompetence. Maybe at some time he will wake up and reject his evil base.

Liberal Reader| 12.3.09 @ 10:21PM

Truth --

Sounds like you've resolved not to think about anything, which is why your post snoozes along with hackneyed talk radio trope after hackneyed talk radio trope.

Maybe sometime YOU will wake up and try to think of some new, interesting way of looking at things. You make Sean Hannity sound like Socrates. Here's some news for you: your talking points are stale.

Christopher Holland| 12.3.09 @ 11:05PM

Here is a dull, tiresome comment for you. If you want to bring the troops home quickly in a war, try winning it first. If you want to lose it, come home tomorrow and save everybody the trouble. Staying there without winning, but saying you are going to come home anyway in 18 months, is the worst of every possible world. Obama never once talked about winning - the whole idea of winning a war seems to be incomprehensible to him.

Obama is a clown and a dilletante, he knows nothing about what he is doing.

Sure the situation is bad and the choices are terrible, but Obama volunteered for the job and claimed he had the answers. He has no right to whine and snivel like a 5 year old. Time to grow up and stop wetting the bed, son, this is a man's world - or don't they teach that at Harvard?

victor| 12.3.09 @ 11:36PM

Simple Reader:
"This article performs a neat little trick. It takes a real event -- the party crashing -- and makes it a metaphor of the president's entire administration."

On second thought, you may be right.
Gate crashing is the perfect metaphor for the Obama Mis-administration.
We didn't invite him, he acts like he owns the place instead of being humble and finally, he is way over his head.
Witness the "Jobs Summit".
Knows nothing about the Private Sector, but is perfectly comfortable in making and breaking rules.
GM will not last 4 years, but we will have to pay LIFETIME benefits to goldbrick, slacker and layabout union thugs.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it DR.
Real version of the facts

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetw.....s_exp.html

Simple Reader's version:

http://www.vogue.com/feature/2.....ee_Rogers/

GW's Social Secretary:
"Amy Zantzinger, social secretary for President George W. Bush from 2007-2009, says this might be the first time a White House party was crashed."

Desiree Reader was supposed to be on guard at the gate with a list of names, but she was at the party having a good time.

Obama playing hoops and golfing when he should be the president.
Looking good, but doing nothing.
For example the West Point Enemy Camp Speech was essentially the same speech he gave 6 months ago. Where was the work, eh?

Dear Reader:
"He gave the generals what they asked for -- including the time line"

????????
The Generals wanted 80,000, but the C.O., Current Occupant gave them 30,000.
What time line? 18 months to retreat?

How much are they paying you to write the drivel that you type with your eyes closed?
Ahh, but then Soros is a billionaire who starts his barbie with stacks of $100's.

Pingback| 12.3.09 @ 7:19PM

The American Spectator : Idol Danger | africanmasks links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

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Howard| 12.3.09 @ 8:57PM

Perhaps in a bi-partisan gesture, Obama can help with nation-building in Afghanistan by sending off members of ACORN to Kabul. This will help both countries out immensely. I am confident that ACORN members will enjoy the rustic, au-natural beauty of Afghanistan.

ergosy| 12.3.09 @ 9:28PM

A dithering idiot we have. The alternative is even more frightening/sinister.

Tassie| 12.3.09 @ 9:58PM

He is weak and has a BIG ego. You can see this even from New Zealand.

Hans| 12.3.09 @ 10:25PM

Tragically the President has chosen to play two roles:

Both The Swindler and The Emperor.

Maybe the Swindperor should find a new career - surely after dinner speeches, basketball or writing fairy tales, would suit him better than leadership.

A way to win the war against Al Qaida in Afghanistan is not by using bombs and bullets but cold hard cash.

The Taliban are not Al Qaida, they are locals who don't like being occupied. Pay them to identify Al Qaida in their country and it could save heaps of lives and heaps of cash.

Pay the Afghanis to grow potatoes instead of opium.

And pay the locals to help build and protect pipelines and energy development.

It is easier to pay the enemy to do business in a fair and reasonable manner than blow the crap out of their communities. But the cash has to reach the locals not the corrupt democratic stooges who are robbing America blind.

Anyway it worked with the Sunnis in Iraq - I think they called it the surge - and it saved many lives.

"It is not wise for the Christian white
To hustle the Asian brown;
For the Christian riles
And the Asian smiles
And weareth the Christian down.

At the end of the fight
Lies a tombstone white
With the name of the late deceased;

And the epitaph drear,
A fool lies here,
Who tried to hustle the East."

Kipling

Hans| 12.3.09 @ 10:25PM

Tragically the President has chosen to play two roles:

Both The Swindler and The Emperor.

Maybe the Swindperor should find a new career - surely after dinner speeches, basketball or writing fairy tales, would suit him better than leadership.

A way to win the war against Al Qaida in Afghanistan is not by using bombs and bullets but cold hard cash.

The Taliban are not Al Qaida, they are locals who don't like being occupied. Pay them to identify Al Qaida in their country and it could save heaps of lives and heaps of cash.

Pay the Afghanis to grow potatoes instead of opium.

And pay the locals to help build and protect pipelines and energy development.

It is easier to pay the enemy to do business in a fair and reasonable manner than blow the crap out of their communities. But the cash has to reach the locals not the corrupt democratic stooges who are robbing America blind.

Anyway it worked with the Sunnis in Iraq - I think they called it the surge - and it saved many lives.

"It is not wise for the Christian white
To hustle the Asian brown;
For the Christian riles
And the Asian smiles
And weareth the Christian down.

At the end of the fight
Lies a tombstone white
With the name of the late deceased;

And the epitaph drear,
A fool lies here,
Who tried to hustle the East."

Kipling

Pingback| 12.3.09 @ 11:01PM

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bluecollarbytes| 12.3.09 @ 11:22PM

Barack H Obama doesn't see anything worth saving in America. Of course he will 'rebuild it' in his image and he'll deserve all the glory. We don't have a president, but a godhead.

LAI| 12.4.09 @ 12:57AM

Obama needed to worry about his own party, public opinion (yes, it does matter when a democracy goes to war), military opion, our allies, other countries in the region, the Afghanis, and our enemies.
---------------------------------------------------------------
See I really love the willful or real ignorance of the Obama Kool-Aid drinkers. Obama worried about our allies??? Obama seems to worry about his own vain glory. Even the European leftists are waking up to the arrogant foolishness of Obama. Except for the Kool-Aid drinkers, most Americans are waking up too. Honestly, how intelligent can one be to be an Obama supporter these days?

Pingback| 12.4.09 @ 3:01AM

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Pingback| 12.4.09 @ 4:44AM

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Pingback| 12.4.09 @ 10:11AM

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Pingback| 12.4.09 @ 10:11AM

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Pingback| 12.4.09 @ 11:01AM

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unanmous| 12.4.09 @ 1:05PM

He's putting us through another event like the Great Depression and we're fighting two wars continuously like we're in World War 3 and 4. His plan all along was to make America like Russia back when it was the Soviet Union where people had no money and fought over things. He makes us feel less and says that he's christian. yeah right. why do you acknowledge atheists. spit on that

Roscoe Washington| 12.4.09 @ 11:29PM

It amazes me how many people think there will be any elections in 2010! If there are, I can assure you only democrats (communists) will win. What part about communism and Obama's czars don't you get?

George Jefferson| 12.5.09 @ 5:19AM

Right on! I bet he's close to having the shadow government fully in place. In a few more months, presto! A crisis! For our own good, Congress will be shut down and his thugs will take over, just like Germany in 1934!

Myron Cohen| 12.5.09 @ 5:22AM

Well, at least this time, we Jews will have lots of white folks in the death camps with us.

Appleby| 12.6.09 @ 7:48AM

Au contraire -- this time people will see it coming and realize that there is no chance it will all blow over without them having to move out of their comfortable homes and leave their peaceful lives behind.

Daddy warned us all his life while he was with us, that millions of people died because they could not bear to turn loose of their Stuff.

Pingback| 12.7.09 @ 9:25AM

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KyMouse| 12.8.09 @ 6:59AM

I gladly join with my Catholic co-workers and friends in speaking up for the rights of the unborn, and on other issues. However, it is not "bigotry" to point out where Catholicism has dangerously parted with biblical truth; in fact, it is the duty of Christians to weigh the claims of each denomination or sect that says it is Christian.

Catholicism retains belief in the deity of Jesus; the Triune God; Jesus' virgin birth; and Jesus' bodily resurrection and future return to Earth. But Catholicism denies the most basic Christian belief -- the doctrine of justification by faith alone -- and condemns anyone who believes it. Catholicism also denies that Jesus' work of redemption is completed, and that His atonement is sufficient for the forgiveness of sin.

Beyond those essentials, there are grave questions about the authority of the Catholic Church to dispense God's grace; about giving veneration or devotion to anyone except the Trinity; Mary's immaculate conception and alleged titles, including Queen of Heaven; and much more.

Unity among Christians is a fine thing, but it must not come about at the expense of biblical truth. And yes, I still think that the Vatican should sell of its fantastic art collection in order to feed more of the poor; and I still insist that kneeling or bowing before the pope is any more appropriate than it was before Peter.

KyMouse| 12.8.09 @ 7:03AM

My last sentence should have said that "kneeling or bowing before the pope is no more appropriate than it was before Peter."

Pingback| 12.19.09 @ 12:51AM

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