Inside Obama’s Dream Machine

Obama didnt need 'experience' to see EXACTLY what would happen in Iraq FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE FACT. and i agree with oughtab. say what you will but everyone over the age of 18 who's not a felon does get the opportunity to vote PER OUR CONSTITUTION. as for our percieved "ignorance", i dont see what is so ignorant about trying to get a say in a government that is spending OUR social security money into the ground, sending OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY over to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan(Two of my friends are going over without M-4s or BODY ARMOR), polluting OUR planet to its breaking point(the list could go on) ALL THE WHILE PADDING THEIR OWN POCKETS. WE ARE TIRED OF A GOVERNMENT THAT IS PUSHING ALL ITS PROBLEMS OFF ON THE NEXT GENERATION (US) AND WE ARE FINALLY BEGINNING TO REALIZE THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

BOAPW: well all the politicial with all the expereince in the world who ca n rally and call at the drop of a dime all the most important people in the World have failed miserbaly..Washington is rampant and polute there id a new era in American politics that will help us survive new challanges in the world and Obama will bring this change. For example and as reference by AV3who; Obama intends to twart the incentives for terrorist recruiting and thus creating a movement by moderate muslims who beleive that their releigion hads been misrepresented. It does not take 20 or 30 years of experience and an ability to call Musharaff tfrom your cell phone to accomplish this, it is simply commen sense. I live in Washington DC and have encountered the pundits on all sides toting and flashing credentials....I am no longer inpressed and crave change as with Iowans, New Hampshire and the rest of this country.

Can anyone document any candidates military experience besides McCain? Do you favor a candidate BOAP or do you just prefer ripping everyone else's?

BOAP. I understand that we have very different life experiences. But, I cannot agree with a US Policy that makes threats a major pillor of that policy. I understand that the treat of US military action is there without voicing those words. The entire world understands this. But, where has it gotten us recently. Look at the situations in Iran and North Korea as good examples. The exception to this is Al-qaeda - which we cannot engage with and we must hunt down and kill.

On the Clinton advisors. He was happy to get their support because it helped legitimize his campaign and refute the claims that his inexperience was relevant. But, I know in the end (and as this article points out) Obama makes up his own mind about what actions and decisions to make. He is his own man. And I don't think that many of them will be in high positions within his cabinet. The country wants a fresh outlook on issues not more of the same. He is smart enough to understand this.

Can anyone document Obama's military experience? Please----------

Another comment to Chij. What world leaders does he know and has worked with? Saying that he can assemble a team no one knows is ridiculous. He will fall back to the same failed democrats as before.

BOAP- Obama has said we should put all of our efforts into finding and apprehending Osama Bin Laden, and all of those responsible for Sept. 11. He was opposed to the Iraq war before our invasion, because he had the vision to see that it would require a US occupation of "undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences." He also knew that "an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than the best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al-qaeda." And he knew all of this in 2002 before we invaded. (speech delivered on oct 26 2002, look it up)

He has publicly stated that he would take the fight to terrorists rooted in Pakistan, if Musharraf or Pakistan's government continues to fail to act.

He supports continuing combat missions in Afghanistan.

But, most importantly, Obama wants to attack the root of the hate felt by terrortists. In his book The Audacity of Hope, he says that we (the USA) need to stop giving terrorists reason to recruit. Watch Charlie Wilson's War. We use and abuse the Middle East for our own agenda (oil or communism) and then leave it out to dry, giving a great sales pitch to bin Laden. Obama understands this and wants to change our foreign perception by helping more and shooting less. Not every Middle Easterner is a religious extremist and a terrorist.

I appreciate your comment but they are so soft. Engagement is appeasement in less backed up by policy. Where is the policy. Also you have not adressed his ex Clinton team and thier failed policies. War as a last resort is a big DUH. Who wants war? You are very ill informed and lack life experience. Dialog without threat will fail.

BOAPW. Obama says it best: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/

Knowing the Senator a little (we share a mutual friend), I know that his foreign policy will be engagement and working with the world community - Not Appeasement and Not Pacifism. But, at the same time, he certainly understands that war is only an option of last resort. It is not a foreign policy doctrine, to reshape the world how you would like it to be.

I meant to say do not use someones name --- etc.

I agree with Chij. Please discus and debate what is factual and important. Do use someone's name or ethinticity to make a point. I was in the Army for too many years and have deep bonds regardless of where people came from that have lasted for 30 years.

Stick with why you want someone and the qualifications. Have a good debate on the facts.

Who better than a black man with Muslim and Christian roots to show the world that Americans care more about who someone is rather than what they are? Think about how much more we would respect Iranians if they elected a Jewish woman as their president.

You know, just because someone has a background of Muslim, Christian, Native American, what have you...... does not mean that their actions would be the same as others. Only close minded people look to the outside of someone for their answers! As an American, I appreciate the differences surrounding us, and I strive to learn from them. We will never be united if we can't look past the color of someone's skin or the faith in one's heart!

You know, just because someone has a background of Muslim, Christian, Native American, what have you...... does not mean that their actions would be the same as others. Only close minded people look to the outside of someone for their answers! As an American, I appreciate the differences surrounding us, and I strive to learn from them. We will never be united if we can't look past the color of someone's skin or the faith in one's heart!

I want to respond more fully to chij. In retrospect and by definition all wars are dumb. How volience is inflicted is a serious and unfortunately fate driven outfcome. Voilence can be controlled if it is addressed as a fact and not addressed as fiction. Not taking action early which means volience leads to greater volience later. Voilence has many forms other than war. Obama has not addresses how he would address and deal with voilence in its many facets. I have lived first hand war, terrorism, and intimidation. I understand that you first need peace before you can have stability. Can someone please answer my question as to how Obama addresses any of these issues beyond stating slogans?

Obama is not a muslim, he is a member of the UCC Church in Chicago. Fertgirl, do you work for the Clinton campaign like the others? How desparate are you?

by the way LOL OldG - I liked that one.

The buzz word is CHANGE! The answer is ...Who can really make it happen? You must not rely on persuasion, not on all the articles you read, but do your own searching. Check out all the candidates public voting records, check out Governors to see if they have improved their state. Then make your OWN mind up. As far as I'm concerned the best candidate is Hillary. If... the House and Senate were to sudden become more Republican than Democrat then I feel that experience that Hillary has is what will get the job done in Washington.