NEWSLETTER

May 2, 2011

Me, Myself & I

"One aspect of President Obama's speech last night....is particularly grating," writes Andrew McCarthy about the President's speech last night on the killing of Osama Bin Laden (see below).

Indeed, although we'd like to point out that our Narcissist-in-Chief simply stayed true to form last night, doing what he usually does, i.e., making it all about himself (e.g., "I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden"; "I met repeatedly with my national security team"; "I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action"; "at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation.")

But self-congratulatory (and extremely grating) kudos aside, what's really annoying and downright dangerous are Obama's misleading comments, e.g., "I've made clear...that our war is not against Islam" or "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims."

If we're in a war (and bravo to President Obama for finally admitting it), which is not against Islam, then who/what is it against? How about those who follow Islam, and follow it to the letter of sharia law?

And if Bin Laden was not a "Muslim leader" (never mind that many Muslims considered him one), then how about calling him a Muslim who inspired other Muslims to commit heinous acts against infidels and apostates, in the name of Islam?

As the NY Post writes today, "God bless the brave young men who carried out yesterday's mission -- they are the best the nation has to offer." Amen and double Amen to that.

And God save us from political leaders who can't say enough about .... themselves.

National Review Online -The Corner  |  May 2, 2011

'We Removed the Taliban'?

By Andrew C. McCarthy

One aspect of President Obama's speech last night — part of the "If it's on my watch I did it, if it's on Bush's watch we did it" theme — is particularly grating. Obama said:

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in [the war against al Qaeda]. We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support.

I pass over for now the fact that "we" disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense by tactics like interrogation and stepped up surveillance that Obama has disparaged. Obama brags that "we" removed the Taliban. But "we" did that a decade ago. In recent months, the Obama policy has actually been to negotiate with the Taliban — i.e., to encourage Karzai to negotiate with the Taliban — with an eye toward integrating the Taliban in Afghanistan's final political settlement. And that was even before Karzai's regime allowed 500 Taliban members — including scores of commanders — to escape from a prison in Kandahar a few days ago so they can rejoin the jihad.

We removed the Taliban?

Original posting here.


Comments:

[Comment Rules]
We welcome your comments, but please comply with our Comment Rules. You must be registered and logged in to leave a comment. Comments will display your Username and location.

Log In »

Not a member? Register here!