Iraq Veterans Stand against Obama

As I have mentioned in the last post, Iraq War veterans are seriously concerned with Senator Barack Obama’s defeatist policy in the Middle East. For the victory of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, a new advocacy group called Vets for Freedom (VFF) was established by retired Captain Pete Hegseth who served for the 101st Airborne Division.

Captain Hegseth joined the US Army upon graduation from Princeton University. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and Bronze Star Medal for his mission in Iraq. He will enroll the master’s course at the Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Hegseth founded VFF on November 11, 2007, Veterans Day, with the help of veterans fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, to explain American strategy in Iraq. In the Mission Statement, VFF declares the following.

Our mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq.

More importantly, the Statement emphasizes bipartisan nature of VFF.

We support policymakers from both sides of the aisle who have stood behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain.”

This part of the Statement matches the agenda of Global American Discourse. Originally, this blog is trans-partisan. I have been criticizing Senator Barack Obama, because he does not assume imperialist mission of America. Also, Obama does not believe in the world led by the Best and the Brightest Nations of top industrialized democracies.

Then, why is Captain Hegseth critical to Barack Obama? In the last post, I have mentioned his article to National Review Online (“Right You Are, Joe: America's enemies will see Obama as weak.”; October 21), arguing that Obama’s foreign policy is too naïve to America’s enemy and adversaries.

In another article, referring to Amir Taheri, an Iranian-born neoconservative journalist (“Obama Tried to Stall GIs' Iraq Withdrawal”; New York Post; September 15, 2008), Pete Hegseth criticizes Senator Obama because he jeopardizes the negotiation for the US-Iraqi Security Pact (“Barack, Revealed”; Troop Blog; September 16, 2008). Though Obama recognizes progress of security in Iraq, he still argues that the Iraq War is a quagmire the surge has not made sufficient success. Hegseth condemns Obama as the following.

In Obama’s world, foreign-policy contorts to meet domestic politics, and commanding generals accommodate arbitrary political timelines. From his perspective, facts on a foreign battlefield exist to the extent they comport with his judgment, rather than his judgment comporting to facts on a foreign battlefield.

It is not only poor understanding of strategic value of Iraq that erodes Obama’s credibility as the Commander in Chief. According to FOX News, Los Angels Times refuses to release a videotape of Barack Obama’s dangerous ties with a pro-Palestine activist Rashid Khalidi (“LA Times Refuses to Release Tape of Obama Praising Controversial Activist”; Fox News; October 28, 2008).

Amil Imani, Iranian-born American and pro-democracy activist, compares current Obama boom with the Carter bubble after the Watergate Scandal (“Can America Afford Another Jimmy Carter?”; New Media Journal; October 10, 2008). When America is on the verge of repeating the same mistake, leftish global public opinion applauses the man who is completely unqualified for the Commander in Chief.

In an environment like this, it is noteworthy that brave veterans stand up. Whether the next president is John McCain or Barack Obama, it is private citizens of willing who can lead the public toward a better direction. The world needs dedicated commitment by the Best and the Brightest Nations consisted of the United States, Europe, and Japan. Therefore, I recommend readers to pay attention to VFF.

More Attention to Foreign Policy: America's Enemies Will See Obama as Weak

It is regretful that the presidential debate had been predominated by the economy, and both candidates did not manage to discuss foreign and security issues in this critical period. Currently, the United States and Iraq is negotiating on bilateral security pact. In addition to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, nuclear threat by Iran and North Korea has not been eliminated. Russia and China are challenging the liberal world order guarded by America, Europe, and Japan.

A warrior who served in Iraq has raised a serious concern to Senator Barack Obama’s defeatist foreign policy, through quoting his running mate Senator Joseph Biden. An article by this brave soldier brings a vital fact home to the public, that is, current debates and commentaries on election are off the point to determine the quality of presidential candidates.

First of all, TV debates on the economy were no help for voters because Barack Obama simply criticized the Bush administration. Shortly after the final TV debate, Democratic consultant Chris Lehane said, "The debate was like a Rorschach test. If you like McCain, you probably thought he won, and if you like Obama, you probably thought he won. And since there are more Obama supporters than McCain supporters, then it is a good night for Obama" (“McCain deals no lethal blows in final debate with Obama”; Los Angels Times; October 16, 2008). This implies that Senator Obama’s “victory” over Senator McCain in the poll after the debate is a skewed result. Just think again. If Barack Obama showed a successful blueprint on the economy, why was he defeated by Joe the Plumber a.k.a. Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher?

The three time debates on the economy were not meaningful. More importantly, foreign and security issues are marginalized, while US leadership on the global stage stands at crossroads now.

According to a BBC report, it is the success of the surge in Iraq that has made foreign and security policy less of a priority (“US campaign bypasses foreign policy”; BBC News; 17 October, 2008). Sojourner, a journal of a Christian evangelist organization, warns that the coalition has not exterminated insurgents completely in Iraq, and careful attention is still required (“The Sad Truth about the Surge”; God’s Politics; October 17, 2008).

However, Senator Joseph Biden, Democratic candidate for Vice President, remarked the following controversial comment that spurred foreign policy debates.

Mark my words: It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Watch, we’re going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy. He’s going to have to make some really tough - I don’t know what the decision’s going to be, but I promise you it will occur. As a student of history and having served with seven presidents, I guarantee you it’s going to happen. (“Biden predicts international crisis if elected - McCain reacts”; The Vote Blog, Christian Science Monitor; October 21, 2008)

Senator John McCain jumped on this comment (“The Trail: A RETORT TO BIDEN McCain Jumps on Talk of Early Test for Obama”; Washington Post; October 21, 2008). Governor Sarah Palin followed McCain (“Palin agrees with Biden that Obama presidency will create crisis”; The Vote Blog, Christian Science Monitor; October 21, 2008).

In view of rising doubts to Senator Obama, Captain Pete Hegseth, Chairman of Vets for Freedom, has contributed an article to criticize his foreign policy (“Right You Are, Joe: America's enemies will see Obama as weak”; National Review Online; October 21, 2008). Captain Hegseth says that Joseph Biden understands Obama’s fatal weakness as the Commander in Chief as this presidential candidate believes in “peace through engagement” so naively that his policy will invite attacks to the Free World, rather than deter them. Also, Hegseth mentioned that Biden shows no concern that America’s enemies will test John McCain, if he is elected.

Hegseth argues lucidly and strongly. I agree with him. Obama is too innocent to believe that dictators like Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and Kim Jong Il, will turn friendly to our Free World. Also, Obama is too innocent to believe that the United States listen to demands of radicals and enemies to improve relations with them.

I guess Senator Biden think of succeeding the presidential job. Judging from his comment, Biden scorns the inexperienced and unqualified presidential candidate deep in his heart. But it is all right for him. Barack Obama is more likely to be assassinated than any other president, if he is elected. Then, it is Joe the 6-term Senator who enjoys the great chance to become the President of the United States. How smart he is!


Other Links of Interest:

“After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe: Plumbers Union, Tax Collectors Notice”; Washington Post: October 17, 2008

“Where McCain, Obama stand on the issues”; International Herald Tribune; October 20, 2008

“About Joe the Plumber, ‘average’ guy”; Patchwork Nation Blog, Christian Science Monitor; October 22, 2008

The Peril of Terrorist President Barack Obama

The most serious concern in the forthcoming US presidential election is that American voters are extremely upset with recent economic crisis. Once the public become cool headed, Obama’s incompetence and inaptitude for president will be apparent. Though Senator Obama criticizes Bush economic policy, he is no expert on the economy. His personal ties with William Ayers and Reverend Jeremiah Wright are serious defect as the Commander in Chief. This is beyond moral issue. America is at war against terrorists.

Allies worry Obama’s possible presidency. It is the third time to mention that Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, hopes to sign a bilateral security agreement with the United States before the election. Apparently, Foreign Minister Zebari does not trust Barack Obama.

Iraq is not the only ally that is seriously concerned with Barack Obama. Japanese policymakers and opinion leaders are critically dismayed with the rise of Obama. Despite political hurdles of pacifist constitution and isolationist public opinion, Japan has made unprecedented contribution to America’s war in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, Japanese leaders worry that Democrats see China more important than Japan.

Former Chief of National Security Chamber Atsuyuki Sassa insists that Senator John McCain is much more preferable for Japan, in view of threats posed by North Korea and China (“Seiron: Hopefully, McCain Win the Election”; Sankei shimbun; March 28, 2008). Also, Yoshihisa Komori, a leading pro-American conservative, says that he was impressed with John McCain’s sincere expectation to Japan as a key US ally. While McCain demands Japan’s active involvement in global security, he defends Japan in trade and economic negotiations. Komori says McCain is the man whom Japan can trust (“Republican McCain’s sincere viewpoints to Japan”; Nikkei Bizinesu; February 12, 2008).

Actually, it is John McCain who defends Japanese position on North Korea. The Bush administration removed this rogue regime from the terrorist list. While Senator Barack Obama approved this deal, Senator John McCain criticized it because of insufficient consideration to the Japanese abductee issue. McCain warns that this agreement with North Korea will ruin the US-Japanese alliance which is the keystone of Asia-Pacific security.

Foreign policy is not the only weakness of Obama. In the economy, two Japanese economists named Masashi Murakami and Reiko Osawa argue that Obama will not hesitate to devalue dollar, which will curb export to US market from Japan and Asian economies (“What is the CHANGE: Analyzing the Obama Risk”; Nikkei Bizinesu; August 18, 2008). Judging from what they say, Barak Obama is not the right leader to manage international policy coordination to overcome this economic crisis.

Barack Obama received an F grade in foreign policy and national security when he talked with General David Petraeus. He is not strong in the economy. Some people may say OJT will make Obama a good president. At least, he is an excellent communicator. A blog roll site of Global American Discourse, Always on Watch quotes a comedian Jackie Manson.

Barack Obama is popular because of the way he looks, the way he talks, and the way he presents himself – but remember that’s his field of expertise. His primary accomplishments include looking good, lying with a straight face, and associating himself with powerful radical activists. When you think about it, he is exactly who un-American liberals want living in the White House.

Yes, it is his association with radical activists that makes his fundamental creed questionable for the presidential job. William Kristol, neoconservative columnist of the New York Times, says that Obama’s relationship with William Ayers and Reverend Jeremiah Wright must be questioned seriously (“The Wright Stuff”; New York Times; October 5, 2008). John McCain criticizes that Obama is not honest about his connections with those domestic terrorists (“McCain: Ayers ‘Still Wants to Destroy America’”; Weekly Standard Blog; October 13, 2008). If Obama is willing to destroy America, and devastate a liberal world order, it is no use to offer any kind of OJT to him.

The most serious problem is that quite a few supporters of Barack Obama, both in the United States and abroad, are cultic. Currently I conduct some opinion polls on the website of a Japanese information survey company, called Yoron Chosa.net. When I say something satirical to Obama on this site, Obamanias in Japan called me a racist. It is quite Orwellian. Once you criticize Obama, his supporters label you a racist. Can people in America and the world wake up from cult memorization by Barack Hussein Obama, a friend of terrorist?

Bill Kristol’s Advice for the Victory of John McCain

In view of continual Obama bubble, William Kristol, Founder and Editor of the Weekly Standard, has written a noteworthy article to suggest a victory strategy for Senator John McCain (“How McCain Wins”; International Herald Tribune; September 29, 2008). Quite unexpectedly, this is the first time to mention Kristol’s publication in Global American Discourse. As widely known, William Kristol is a co-founder of the Project for a New American Century with Robert Kagan, and both Kristol and Kagan have been supporting John McCain presidency since the election in 2000.

It is the latest financial crisis that gives Senator Barack Obama an advantage over McCain. In view of this, Kristol argues that McCain needs to take unconventional measures. A candidate of ruling party tends to minimize the risk of current problem, but the financial crisis is so serious that it cannot be resolved with a single legislation, he says. Therefore, Kristol insists that McCain emphasize that America needs a strong leader to make tough decisions in this emergency. Also, William Kristol argues that McCain free Palin from Bush influence.

The Economist expressed a similar viewpoint in late August. It insists “The Republican candidate is fighting hard, but he needs to do more to separate himself from George Bush” (“Bring back the real McCain”; Economist; August 28, 2008).

As I said in the last post, it was John McCain who won the debate on points, despite public image. Remember, it is leftish BBC that argues this! Barack Obama cannot show persuasive alternatives, but simply blame economic crisis and provoke anti-Bush sentiments. There is no wonder. A former Japanese journalist, Yoshiki Hidaka, points out that the Democrat is not prepared for policymaking to lead the nation, in his Japanese language book “America Kyoran”.

In the TV debate with Senator Joseph Biden on Thursday October 2, Governor Palin did a good job. The Washington Post reports that Palin’s performance enables McCain to focus on forthcoming debates with Obama, as he will be no longer distracted with questions about competence of the Republican vice presidential candidate (“Attention -- and Scrutiny -- Shifts Back to McCain”; The Trail; October 3, 2008). David Brooks, Columnist of the New York Times, comments “When nervous, Palin has a tendency to over-enunciate her words like a graduate of the George W. Bush School of Oratory, but Thursday night she spoke like a normal person. It took her about 15 seconds to define her persona - the straight-talking mom from regular America - and it was immediately clear that the night would be filled with tales of soccer moms, hockey moms, Joe Sixpacks, Main Streeters, 'you betchas' and 'darn rights'” (“The Palin rebound”; International Herald Tribune; October 3, 2008).

Barack Obama may try to seize the opportunity of economic crisis, but can he really lead America? Can he really lead the world? If so, Hoshyar Zebari, Foreign Minister of Iraq, shall never say that he hopes to sign a bilateral security agreement before US presidential election.

Well done, Sarah Palin! Now, it is John McCain’s turn. It remains to be seen how much Kristol’s advice works in the forthcoming debates and the campaign itself.