Obama: ‘I was elected to end wars, not start them’

The Washington Times ^ | September 6, 2013 | Ben Wolfgang

[jazusamo]

While saying he sympathizes with current public distaste for more war, President Obama on Friday made the case that the U.S. must live up to its global responsibilities, and for the first time raised the possibility that additional military action — beyond what’s on the table now — may be necessary if Syrian President Bashar Assad uses chemical weapons again.

Mr. Obama made the comments at a press conference in Saint Petersburg, Russia, just hours before he departs the G-20 Summit and returns to Washington without achieving the international consensus on Syria that he’d hoped.

In blunt terms, the president also cast himself as a man who seeks peace but has been thrust into the position of involving the U.S. into another Middle East conflict.

Not doing so, he said, would carry grave consequences not just for America, but for the entire world.

“I was elected to end wars, not start them,” he said. “I spent the last four-and-a-half years doing everything I can to reduce our reliance on military power as a means of meeting our international obligations and protecting the American people. But what I also know is that there are times when we have to make hard choice if we’re going to stand up for the things we care about. I believe this is one of those times.”

[MaxMax]

That prophecy has already been fulfilled. Back when they didn’t have cell phones.

[jwalsh07]

A moron elected by morons for morons.

[mc5cents]

“I used to be a big shot!”

Reminds me of Edward G. Robinson as Johnny Rocco in "Key Largo" as he rants about how it was back in Chicago when he was the 'boss'. Classic stuff.

My favorite part:

"Dish out a lotta groceries and coal. Get my boys to bring the voters out. And then count the votes over and over again till they added up right and he was elected. Yeah -- then what happens? Did he remember when the going got tough, when the heat was on? No, he didn't wanna. All he wanted was to save his own dirty neck . . . Yeah, 'Public Enemy,' he calls me. Me, who gave him his 'Public' all wrapped up with a fancy bow on it.

[bgill]

Hmm, lets see what the Constitution says about a president’s duties.

Article II:

Giving State of the Union - Nope, doesn’t say a thing about starting or ending a war.

Making RECOMENDATIONS to Congress - Nope, not there either and he can only “recommend” to Congress NOT blackmail or threaten

Calling Congress into extraordinary session or closing - Nope, don’t see it here.

Receiving foreign representatives - Nope, again but he does seem to have problems in that area especially this week with the Russians and the Brits.

Caring for the faithful execution of the law - snort, snort

Officers’ commissions - Are those his muzzy bros?

Ok, Professor Constitution, where’s that war thing in your duties?

[clamper1797]

Actually I did misspell a word. I added an extra “e” at the end of the last word

[zbogwan2]

That’s a good part by Edward D. Robinson, but I was referring to the part where Jimmy Cagney is gunned down by H. Bogarts mob and he dies on the Catholic Church’s steps. His ex-girlfriend tells the cop “he used to be a big shot’