December 02, 2009 03:05 AM UTC

Obama - AfPak Speech - Open Thread

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• by: DavidThi808

– or –

live video at USA Today

8:36 – superb closing lines

We will go forward with the confidence that right makes might, and with the commitment to forge an America that is safer, a world that is more secure, and a future that represents not the deepest of fears but the highest of hopes. Thank you, God Bless you, God Bless our troops, and may God Bless the United States of America.

8:34 – discussion of our history and moral approach to life. From that saying that we need to put aside our petty fights and instead work together as one.

8:31 – eloquent speech of the benefits that have come from the American Century and that we have not fought to conquer other countries.

8:29 – eliminate nukes, reach out to other countries, work together… “moral source of our authority” – good points but feels like he is reading off a list at this point.

8:26 – discussing the need to fix our economy as that is our primary goal. “The nation I am most interested in rebuilding is this one [Amercian].”

8:24 – short time limits both because they are needed to make Afghistan get it’s butt in gear and because it is not in our interest to put in that level of interest.

8:23 – are we Vietnam? Discusses why we are not emphasizing that unlike Vietnam, in the case of Afghanistan we were attacked from there. Does not speak to the simularity of an inept corrupt government in the country.

8:21 – discusses working with Packistan both to fight terrorists today and to help them improve their economy (and country) in the future. Speaking as though that partnership is a done deal.

8:20 – strong message to the Afghanistan people. But how it was worded seems written more for the 1st world than for the people in Afghanistan

8:19 – bring in civilian efforts to improve the country and fight corruption.

8:17 – details on teaching the Afghan government to take over it’s security.

8:13 – eloquent statement as to the sacrifice this requires, and why it is necessary for both our and the world’s security.

8:11 – 30,000 more troops in now, start drawing down in a year.

8:10 – Owe troops a mission that is clearly defined and worthy of their sacrifice. Owe the American people & troops a review of what we should do.

8:08 – Making clear the connection between Afghanistan & Packistan – and the need to hit Al Qaida in both.

8:06 – We are leaving Iraq – all combat troops out summer of ’10 and everyone out end of ’11. Gives major credit to the troops for the success in Iraq.

8:04 – very good job of laying out that this started because we were attacked and that we had the support of the world in our decision to go in to Afghanistan.