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Obama Needs a History Lesson (Excellent read!)
realclearpolitics.com ^ | May 09, 2008 | Jack Kelly

Posted on 05/09/2008 6:23:24 AM PDT by kellynla

In his victory speech after the North Carolina primary, Sen. Barack Obama said something that is all the more remarkable for how little it has been remarked upon.

In defending his stated intent to meet with America's enemies without preconditions, Sen. Obama said: "I trust the American people to understand that it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did."

That he made this statement, and that it passed without comment by the journalists covering his speech indicates either breathtaking ignorance of history on the part of both, or deceit.

I assume the Roosevelt to whom Sen. Obama referred is Franklin D. Roosevelt. Our enemies in World War II were Nazi Germany, headed by Adolf Hitler; fascist Italy, headed by Benito Mussolini, and militarist Japan, headed by Hideki Tojo. FDR talked directly with none of them before the outbreak of hostilities, and his policy once war began was unconditional surrender.

FDR died before victory was achieved, and was succeeded by Harry Truman. Truman did not modify the policy of unconditional surrender. He ended that war not with negotiation, but with the atomic bomb.

Harry Truman also was president when North Korea invaded South Korea in June, 1950. President Truman's response was not to call up North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung for a chat. It was to send troops.

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; history; obama; politics
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As Sir Winston Churchill said:

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

1 posted on 05/09/2008 6:23:25 AM PDT by kellynla
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To: kellynla

What he needs more is an economics lesson.

The guy is clueless, and on every economic issue he drops back to his default Marxist position.


2 posted on 05/09/2008 6:24:29 AM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: MrB

“Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?” - Blutto


3 posted on 05/09/2008 6:26:39 AM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: kellynla

This guy’s and idiot, and the DBM even more so. But, he promises to save us from ourselves.


4 posted on 05/09/2008 6:28:32 AM PDT by Eurale
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To: MrB
Obama’s mouth is writing checks his a^% can't cash! What a guy!

It would almost be worth it to see him in the WH, just to watch him wise up REAL QUICK.

5 posted on 05/09/2008 6:31:09 AM PDT by SMARTY ('At some point you get tired of swatting flies, and you have to go for the manure heap' Gen. LeMay)
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To: massgopguy

ahh yes, Senator Blutarski..


6 posted on 05/09/2008 6:31:32 AM PDT by GeorgiaDawg32 (www.liberallunacy.bravehost.com..I'm a Patriot Guard Rider. www.patriotguard.org for info.)
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To: kellynla

Ignorance, not stupidity, can be cured by education....But not the kind of education he got.....Viva our wunerful lib institushuns!


7 posted on 05/09/2008 6:33:05 AM PDT by litehaus (A memory tooooo long)
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To: kellynla

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” George Washington

One more quote Obama would profit from:

“Assosciate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

George Washington


8 posted on 05/09/2008 6:33:51 AM PDT by RexBeach
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To: RexBeach

Yeah. Truman talked to our enemies...after he nuked them twice.


9 posted on 05/09/2008 6:35:12 AM PDT by IGOTMINE (1911s FOREVER!)
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To: kellynla

“As Sir Winston Churchill said:

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.””

A better man than the individual who originated the quote.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/santayana/

Hard to believe the way the left perceives history. No context, no objectivity, and certainly no truth.


10 posted on 05/09/2008 6:35:12 AM PDT by petro45acp (NO good endeavor survives an excess of "adult supervision" (read bureaucracy)!)
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To: massgopguy

At least that was inspirational.


11 posted on 05/09/2008 6:35:12 AM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: kellynla

I had the same problem with Mitt Romney’s abuse of history. Shameful.


12 posted on 05/09/2008 6:36:39 AM PDT by greatvikingone
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To: kellynla
... it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies...

Well, I know I'm not his friend and when he talks about bringing us all together I want to vomit!

There's no way a true conservative has ANY common ground with socialist America-haters.

Was that the 'conservative' Newt Gingrich sitting on a love seat with Nancy Peolosick endorsing the battle against gorebal warming?

13 posted on 05/09/2008 6:39:44 AM PDT by fweingart (It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always gets in!)
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To: MrB
The guy is clueless, and on every economic issue he drops back to his default Marxist position.

Just leave it at "he's clueless".

14 posted on 05/09/2008 6:44:10 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn
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To: mtbopfuyn

Doesn’t matter what the facts are or what he says....his minions will believe him and repeat his statements as FACT. This is going to be a tough election.


15 posted on 05/09/2008 6:47:18 AM PDT by Blue Turtle
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To: kellynla

From the (personal) history of Obama, how could anyone expect anything else from Obama ?

Tyrants sometimes indicate, in arrogance, exactly what they’re going to do with power - knowing that their cult of admirers will only lap it up.

Obama has more than a little of the arrogance of a budding tyrant.

The greatest tendency of humankind is - to forget. To forget its blessings and its accomplishments.

Sir Winston’s observations remain very well made.


16 posted on 05/09/2008 6:47:43 AM PDT by mtntop3
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To: kellynla
The symbol of an Obama presidency:


17 posted on 05/09/2008 6:48:03 AM PDT by Malone LaVeigh
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To: kellynla
As Sir Winston Churchill said:

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

This quote is ironic when you realize that in England now, NO MENTION of Winston Churchill will be in the text books! (as of last summer) Were it not for Churchill, they would all have grown up speaking German...

I don't know how much protest there was in England itself, but there was a hue and cry from us on this side of the pond - I was in contact with Churchill's grandson - a member of Parliament - who emailed me with this included; "

It is always a source of immense satisfaction that so many of your fellow countrymen cherish his memory and I can assure you that we, his family, are deeply grateful."

18 posted on 05/09/2008 6:50:50 AM PDT by maine-iac7 (Typical Gun-Toting, Jesus-Loving Gramma)
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To: mtbopfuyn

Nope, won’t leave it at that.

He’s a Marxist, and I’ll say it every time, and dare any ‘rat to deny it.


19 posted on 05/09/2008 6:52:16 AM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: kellynla; All
From "45 Communist Goals":
Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963:

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

'Goals' 4-45 can be found here or at many other sites through a web search for "45 goals":
http://www.uhuh.com/nwo/communism/comgoals.htm

_________________________________________________________

Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs

February 29, 2008 :: News
MissileThreat.com

A video has surfaced of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama talking on his plans for strategic issues such as nuclear weapons and missile defense.

The full text from the video, as released, reads as follows:

Thanks so much for the Caucus4Priorities, for the great work you've been doing. As president, I will end misguided defense policies and stand with Caucus4Priorities in fighting special interests in Washington.

First, I'll stop spending $9 billion a month in Iraq. I'm the only major candidate who opposed this war from the beginning. And as president I will end it.[i.e. not win it]

Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending.

I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.

I will not weaponize space.

I will slow our development of future combat systems.

And I will institute an independent "Defense Priorities Board" to ensure that the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending.

Third, I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons. To seek that goal, I will not develop new nuclear weapons; I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material; and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair-trigger alert, and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.

You know where I stand. I've fought for open, ethical and accountable government my entire public life. I don't switch positions or make promises that can't be kept. I don't posture on defense policy and I don't take money from federal lobbyists for powerful defense contractors. As president, my sole priority for defense spending will be protecting the American people. Thanks so much.

Article: Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs:
http://missilethreat.com/archives/id.7086/detail.asp

"MissileThreat.com is a project of The Claremont Institute devoted to understanding and promoting the requirements for the strategic defense of the United States."

__________________________________________________________

"Russia has objected strenuously to the antimissile system, calling it a threat to Russian security despite American assurances. President Vladimir V. Putin has threatened to point missiles at Eastern Europe if the system is built. Mr. Gates said that while the United States would not grant Russia a veto over missile defense sites in Europe, the Bush administration was willing to guarantee that neither the radar proposed for the Czech Republic nor the 10 missile interceptors proposed for Poland would be turned on until Iran had proven it had a missile that could reach Europe."
New York Times, Monday, March 17, 2008:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/washington/17gates.html?ref=world

Putin warns Kosovo will 'come back to knock' the West, as NATO envoy lashes out
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Friday issued a sharp warning to the West about the consequences of recognizing Kosovo's independence, saying the decision would "come back to knock them on the head."

The comments, made during an informal meeting of leaders from ex-Soviet republics, were the strongest by the Russian leader since Sunday when Kosovo made its declaration of independence from Serbia.

They followed statements made earlier Friday by Russia's envoy to NATO, who warned the alliance against overstepping its mandate in Kosovo and said Moscow might be forced to use "brute military force" to maintain respect on the world scene.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/22/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-Kosovo.php

From the Russian News and Information Agency:
"'I am determined to expand relations with Russia,' Chavez, known as an outspoken critic of what he calls the United States' unilateralism, told the Russian leader, adding that his determination stemmed from their shared vision of the global order.":
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060727/51913498.html

From National Public Radio (NPR):
"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been visiting countries such as China, Iran and Russia as part of an effort to build a 'strategic alliance' of interests not beholden to the United States. He considers the United States his arch enemy.":
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5729764

"the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century" -Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the collapse of the Soviet Union...
"World democratic opinion has yet to realize the alarming implications of President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union speech on April 25, 2005, in which he said that the collapse of the Soviet Union represented the 'greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.'
http://www.hooverdigest.org/053/beichman.html

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order." http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html

Russia, China flex muscles in joint war games
Reuters: Aug 17, 2007

CHEBARKUL, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and China staged their biggest joint exercises on Friday but denied this show of military prowess could lead to the formation of a counterweight to NATO.

"Today's exercises are another step towards strengthening the relations between our countries, a step towards strengthening international peace and security, and first and foremost, the security of our peoples," Putin said.

Fighter jets swooped overhead, commandos jumped from helicopters on to rooftops and the boom of artillery shells shook the firing range in Russia's Ural mountains as two of the largest armies in the world were put through their paces.

The exercises take place against a backdrop of mounting rivalry between the West, and Russia and China for influence over Central Asia, a strategic region that has huge oil, gas and mineral resources.

Russia's growing assertiveness is also causing jitters in the West. Putin announced at the firing range that Russia was resuming Soviet-era sorties by its strategic bomber aircraft near NATO airspace.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29030120070817?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

U.S. Navy Intercepts Russian Bombers Flying Near Ships
Monday, February 11, 2008
WASHINGTON (Associated Press) U.S. fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers flying unusually close to an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific during the weekend, The Associated Press has learned.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330362,00.html

"The steps that have been taken (by Russia) and the rhetoric that has been used concerning the threat of force have increased tensions and have undermined Georgia's territorial integrity," NATO spokesman James Appathurai said. "The allies are unanimous in supporting, endorsing Georgia's territorial integrity and will not recognise or support steps that undermine that sovereignty," he said. NATO announced at a summit early this month that Georgia would one day become a member of the 26-nation military alliance, in the face of fierce Russian opposition. Russia objects to NATO moving closer to its borders and is deeply concerned that the breakaway regions could be destabilised by Tbilisi's rapprochement with Moscow's old Cold War-era foe. Georgia claims that Russia has, over the last three months, strengthened its control over Abkhazia and established direct ties with the local authorities. In a tit-for-tat measure, Tbilisi vowed Wednesday to block Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organisation unless it drops plans for direct trade links with the two regions. The Russian peacekeeping announcement is only fuelling problems, said President Mikheil Saakashvili's new "special representative" and top Georgian diplomat, David Bakradze. "It's hard to believe that this is being done for the purposes of peacekeeping, it's rather the beginning of full-scale military aggression," he told AFP by telephone during a trip to Brussels. ......more

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080430/wl_afp/russiageorgiamilitaryconflicttroopsnato_080430200914

______________________________________________________________

Obama Promises to Dismantle Our Armed Forces
by Robert Maginnis
Posted 04/10/2008 ET


(Mr. Maginnis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, a national security and foreign affairs analyst for radio and television and a senior strategist with the U.S. Army)

YouTube has an undated 52-second clip of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barrack Obama outlining his plans for America’s national defense. Obama’s presentation demonstrates either total naivete about important national security programs or he is just pandering for votes among the extreme left.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25942

Note: Although I sent Human Events the ORIGINAL youtube video several weeks ago (original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o84PE871BE ) and asked that they replace the copy they refer to (copy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs ), they still have not yet done so. The original comes directly from the Obama camp itself and so is a lot more credible. In any case, Col Maginnis does an excellent in-depth must read analysis of Obama's proposed defense policies (see: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25942).-Eye On The Left

20 posted on 05/09/2008 6:59:34 AM PDT by Eye On The Left
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