President-Elect Obama's Press Conference Today

Trying to joke about contacting Ronald Reagan? A tacky, disrepectful way to start a presidency.

Ryan C wrote: "Your previous excuse was that Saddam had violated the 1991 ceasefire. Never any mention of WMDs that were not there. The invasion of Iraq was based on a lie..."

Did you even read my comment? I did say:

"While it is true that no WMDs were found, the fact is that many Democrats said that Saddam Hussein had WMDs. Some even said he was (an) "imminent threat" back in 1998 when Congress gave President Clinton the authorization for regime change. By the way, back in July of this year 550 METRIC TONS of yellowcake uranium that had been stored in Iraq was transferred out of Iraq (at Iraq's request) and sold to Canada."

But whether there were WMDs or not is NOT RELEVANT. That's because one of the conditions of the 1991 cease fire put the onus on Saddam Hussein to prove that he no longer had WMDs; and to prove how he disposed of the WMDs. He did neither! That's because he wanted his neighbors (and the rest of the world) to continue to believe he had WMDs. Had we not invaded Iraq, his neighbors would still believe that he had WMDs and continue to be bullied by Saddam Hussein. And some of that 550 metric tons of yellowcake uranium might have fallen into the hands of al Qaeda or some other terrorist group.

Jake,

I just watched the press conference. I think that was too many questions about national security and foreign relations. Not enough about the economy. Nothing about energy independence. I don't think anybody even bothered to ask about health care (wasn't health care the issue that concerned voters more than foreign policy?) So what's up with that?...

C'mon Jake, if you guys don't pressure him about those things right now, those issues may not be addressed vigorously enough by his transition team and then it might be too late after administration changes hands. I am sure they don't need our reminders to get them to do things and I'm sure they know what they are doing, but questions always make them better and the sooner those questions are asked the more effect they might have on his admin. I am of the opinion that foreign policy can wait till he takes office.

James Danley

I don't believe Bush is smart enough to plan anything....

yes,... Bush and his PNAC adviser buddies planned to invade Iraq, and, they didn't plan what to do once they got there, or how to pay for it.
You only need to examine the first 4 or so years of the Iraq war to see how little they actually knew of what would happen.

Blue, protecting the oil fields from falling into the hands of terrorists is not the same thing as wanting to take the oil fields.

Your argument about Bush planning to overthrow Saddam Hussein before 9/11 is interesting! First you say the Bush Administration didn't have a plan, and then you complain that Bush PLANNED the attacks before 9/11. You can't have it both ways! Actually the Congress gave President Clinton the green light for regime change in Iraq in 1998. And the policy of regime change in Iraq was still in effect when Bush took office.

robert b
re: 'Are we??'

I sort understand your point, but..

Bush's policy re: Iraq was wrong, as at the time the known enemy was in Afghanistan. He/they should have resolved that conflict, had they done so it would have established a much better framework for any future policy in the mid-east, and I would assume, that it also would have demonstrated American 'resolve' and ability to actually get the bad guys.

Iraq proved that America, could attack, but could not finish what it started with a positive outcome, there was no overall strategic and regional goal..and that it was prone to underestimating those we were fighting and also slow to change tactics..By diverting resources from Afghanistan it gave terrorists an idea that they could beat America.

hmmmmm 'mystical trances'
if we add Larry Craig's 'wide stances'

sounds like the beginning of a great Country Tune;
'mystical trances and wide stances'

could be the new direction for the GOP...

Blue - my point on your point is - that when W started in 2001 - Iran was already a threat in many ways, Al Queda was already out to get us Pakistan already had A-bombs in the govt and terrorists on the frontiers, A North Korea already had the bomb, and Russia's Putin was only playing nice til he could rebuild on Europe's petro-money, and China - China keeps on growing with lead filled toys for us to enjoy.

In short the strategic situation was the same, whether getting rid of one tyrant Saddam was worth the price is a question but hardly the "worst" foreign policy decision made by a President the last 100 years.

Basically our struggle against terrorists and tyrants will continue, because THEY will not relent, at least for long. We are at 2001 again perhaps - we should be smarter because what we have gone thru? Are we??

I use mystical trances to talk to my old dog 'Sami'.

pefros:

Nancy Reagan..
She consulted psychics to plan the daily schedule of Ronald Reagan. She used astrologer Joan Quigley.

Doesn't matter if Nancy has tried to "contact" Ronnie thru a seance - making a joke of her seeking spiritual connection with a loved one - That's one demerit point for the ONE.

1- Give him the potatoe test?

2- Ask him to release all his records.

3- Ask him if he knows that an Iranain-American student has been arrested in Iran and he what his plans are to get an American citizen out of Iran?

4- Will he give credit to Bush for bringing succes in Iraq so it would be easy for him to withdraw?

oldspice
re 'mutt'

if that's your concern and over riding big issue.... knock yourself out and use it all day and all night......

a president who has a sense of humor about himself and is also smart, is probably a good thing to most people...

Was Nancy Reagan participating in seances?

What was that joke about Nancy's seances? Tacky

oldspice you can call YOURSELF any kind of self-deprecating name you want.

Obama called himself a "mutt" - I would think a lot of people would be offended if they had been called a mutt - it certainly seems derogatory.

I couldn't imagine calling a mixed race person a mutt - but If the POTUS refers to himself by the term does that make it OK for me to use it as well?

How about this:

Given the overwhelming repudiation of conservative governance and conservative politics at the polls, what are you going to do about the fact that 90% of the media is owned and programmed by right wingers?

robert b

I believe it always will 'fly', ..... Pres. elect Obama and the country will move on, and be held accountable for their decisions and policies... and with any luck at all, be successful in starting the country back to financial solvency and 'better times' for the people.....but..
no one will forget the last 8 years and where Bush & Cheney have brought us.

"It was a good one. Which he didn't answer."

Obama did provide an answer to Jake's question about Ahmedinejad's letter of congratulations and whether he had answered it. Obama stated it had only been three days since he was elected and that there would not be a knee jerk reaction to the letter, meaning clearly it had not been responded to, at least yet. He also went on to say that it needed to be communicated clearly to him that he is currently not president. As usual, his response was measured and cautious. What a relief!