++The first two times involved the Deep Horizon Oil disaster and the end of the Iraq War. Tonight President Obama laid out his strategy to fight ISIS and the measures he is taking at home to fight terrorism.
++One theme was what Congress can do: 1. ensure that people on a no-fly list can buy weapons; 2. prohibit the purchase of automatic rifles like those used in California; and 3. show the world we are united in fighting Isis by voting for AUMF.
++He stressed what we shouldn't do. That is treat the Moslem community with suspicion and treat them differently from other Americans. Don't be intolerant because that is a losing strategy. And don't go to war because that's exactly what ISIS wants. He urged the leaders of the Moslem community here to work with the law enforcement authorities to root out the radical ideas that have taken root among the young.
++On his strategy against ISIS,he pointed to a "surge" in intelligence to allies abroad,the scallion of efforts by special forces in both Iraq and Syria, and the new presence of the European allies on bombing mission. He claimed there were 85 allies in the war on ISIS. He also suggested that the peace talks on Syria might open cooperation with Russia against ISIS.
++He was strangely vague on the California shooting. He did say the couple had been radicalized but were not part of an organization and that the FBI can not find other conspirators.
++Alex Jones had warned his viewers that President Obama was going to use the occasion to announce a national emergency to enact strong gun control measures. At best you heard a wistful wish on assault weapons. And very little else.
++The speech will not satisfy anyone. For the Right they will harp on his failure to identify Islam as the culprit which he went out of his way not to. Others may find his military strategy wanting.
++I give him a gentleman's B. There was no clear enemy and no real clear way ahead that wouldn't have polarized the country. He basically tried to calm the country down so it wouldn't go hog wild as it has been doing. I found him tired and low. But he did not pull a Clinton . He did not pound the war drums. I guess that satisfies me today. Was it worth the Third Ovation office speech. Probably not but I'm not as rattled by the recent terrorist incidents as I guess the public or Donald Trump is.
No comments:
Post a Comment