What the Speech Didn't Do

I largely agree with Tom Friedman's article in the today's New York Times when he says that he cannot agree with President Obama's escalation of the war in Afghanistan.

I don't think that the President answered the questions of what success in Afghanistan will look like, when and if this war ever ends, as well as how we will pay for it as we face an insurmountable national debt which will be made even worse at the cost of one million dollars for each additonal soldier each year we keep in action in the Middle East. Mr. Obama targets the summer of 2011 as a possible time American troops could withdraw from Afghanistan. This has to be made with the full knowledge that military plans can never be guaranteed that far in advance.

I say this with nothing but respect and appreciation for Mr. Obama as he sits in the oval office and alone holds the weight of the awesome problems facing this country as well as the responsibility of America as a world leader. We can only imagine the pressure of the responsibility he feels. He says he is convinced that the safety of the United States is threatened by Taliban presence in the region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He says this based on months of investigation and discussion with his military and civilian advisers. I believe in his honesty and sincerity. I question that he can do what he proposes.

For many of us the actions of Bush/Cheney and associates were disgraceful based on lies and distortions and only further tarnished by the revelations about the poor treatment given our wounded veterans from Iraq, and the insult of the policy to not show pictures of coffins being returned to Dover, Delaware. It was good that Mr. Obama reported his visits to the wounded at Walter Reed Hospital and his show of respect at the Dover ceremonies.

The President said something about 43, I think that was the number, other countries who are supporting our action in Afghanistan. The reports are however that the US bears at least 70% of the cost of this war. If this situation is as grave as a threat to world peace as the President believes, and if he has restored greatly our respect around the world, then why not call on more of the world and the United Nations to confront what is claimed to be such a danger to international stability?