Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Change That Is Not Change… And Iran

Change That Is Not Change… And Iran
J. D. Longstreet

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Well, now. Isn’t this interesting! Obama’s change is not exactly the change many on the political left had expected of him. Some on the left are even claiming that Obama’s foreign policy, what little we know of it yet, is akin to that of George Bush’s father, George H. W. Bush.

E. J. Dionne, Jr, in a piece (in the Washington Post) titled: “Obama’s Bush Doctrine” had this to say recently: “What's most striking about Obama's approach to foreign policy is that he is less an idealist than a realist who would advance American interests by diplomacy, by working to improve the country's image abroad, and by using military force prudently and cautiously.

This sounds a lot like the foreign policy of George H. W. Bush, and it makes perfect sense that Obama has had conversations with the senior Bush's closest foreign policy adviser, Brent Scowcroft. Obama has drawn counsel from many in Scowcroft's circle, and Gates himself was deputy national security adviser under Scowcroft.” You may read the entire article at:

(If the line above is broken you may have to copy and paste the link into your browser....Ed)

Others are quietly querying each other about the seeming LACK of change, or the moderation in the expected change Obama was to bring. There is certainly some resemblance to Jimmy Carter on Obama’s part, plus, he is stacking his administration with Clintonites and even one real Clinton. There’s talk, on the left, of losing respect for Obama while he is still well over a month from assuming the office of President.


So, is Obama moderating his stances? Looks like it. But, when a “leftist” is in the White House one should never let one’s guard down nor take anything at face value.


I wonder if Obama’s reneging on pulling the troops out of Iraq immediately has anything to do with the serious doubt which seems to have arisen in the Messiah of the Left? I expect it has. But then one has to wonder how anyone could be so, shall we say, out of touch with reality, as to actually believe that he could, or would, do that. See, this is now OBAMA’S war. The last thing any President wants on his record is that he lost a war. Americans, by and large, want their troops home… but they want them home when it is prudent to bring them home. Looking at the situation, as it exists on the ground in Iraq today, even a blind man can tell you now is not the time to pull US troops out.


So far, I have not been surprised by Obama’s actions or lack thereof. It is pretty much, what I had expected. I am concerned, however, about his insistence on “talking” with Iran. I don’t think he understands the degree of lunacy in the leadership of that country.


On the other hand, maybe he SHOULD talk to Iran. Sometimes, one has to first be burned before one will believe the stove is hot. Let’s face it. Obama is a babe in the woods when it comes to the tin pot dictators around the world. He is young and he is almost unbelievably naive. I am awfully afraid it is going to take a real diplomatic snafu on Obama’s part to convince him that he is but a man.


Recently Obama has said his administration would try a carrot and stick policy to shut down Iran’s nuclear program. I had to laugh when I heard that. Seems I wasn’t the only one laughing. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hasan Qashqavi, almost immediately said that was unacceptable to Iran. Qashqavi went on to say that the US must recognize Iran's "nuclear right.” The kabuki dance has begun.


J. D. Longstreet

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1 comment:

TexasFred said...

The left is rapidly becoming disillusioned with *The One*, he is NOT the liberal Messiah they had sought...

As long as he leave the guns alone, I won't bash him any worse than I did Bush, and lets face it, Bush is NO Conservative, calling him a RINO is giving him more credit than he deserves...