The full text of Barack Obama's major foreign policy speech today is available here and here. I must say, as someone who's been waiting impatiently to start seeing Obama put some "meat on the bones," so to speak, I'm very impressed with this speech, both in terms of substance and also in terms of soaring rhetoric. I like Obama's strong rejection of the Bush/neoconservative foreign policy ("We have seen the consequences of a foreign policy based on a flawed ideology, and a belief that tough talk can replace real strength and vision.")
I like Obama's emphasis on America once again filling the role of "leader of the free the world."
I like his "new vision of American leadership and ...new conception of our national security" in the 21st century - in a globalized, interconnected world where "the security of the American people is inextricably linked to the security of all people."
I like his emphasis on "global cooperation" and a robust "system of international institutions."
I like his realization that "the threats we face at the dawn of the 21st century can no longer be contained by borders and boundaries."
I like his rejection of isolationism, and his call for America to "lead the world, by deed and example."
I like his emphasis on "partnerships and alliances" to meet our "common challenges and [to] defeat our common threats."
I like his appeal for "a new spirit...of quiet confidence and sober intelligence, a spirit of care and renewed competence."
I like his proposal to increase foreign aid.
I like his call to "dramatically reduce our carbon emissions" and to "free ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil."
I like his call for us to "help others build more secure societies."
I like his call to "[honor] our veterans by giving them the respect and dignity they deserve and the care and benefits they have earned."
I like his realization that, while military force is "sometimes necessary" it is also "the costliest weapon in the arsenal of American power in terms of lives and treasure."
I like his emphasis on "detect[ing] and stop[ping] the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction throughout the world," as well as on "secur[ing] existing stockpiles of nuclear material."
There's a lot more that I like, but I'll just close with some powerful words by Barack Obama:
...if the next President can restore the American people's trust - if they know that he or she is acting with their best interests at heart, with prudence and wisdom and some measure of humility - then I believe the American people will be ready to see America lead again.They will be ready to show the world that we are not a country that ships prisoners in the dead of night to be tortured in far off countries. That we are not a country that runs prisons which lock people away without ever telling them why they are there or what they are charged with. That we are not a country which preaches compassion and justice to others while we allow bodies to float down the streets of a major American city.
That is not who we are.
You can say that again, Senator!
I've been often distressed of the absence of a well-defined ideological backing to support the rising progressives of our day. JFK had his Schlessenger. Even Bill had Robert Reich. I want to know who is writing Obama's speeches, who is laying out his policy, and who would set the real-world underpinnings for an Obama administration.
A President isn't a man. A president is a worldview. Bill's was a triangulated DLC worldview as seen through the prism of Rubinomics and the great real-world personal touch of the inspirational man, Bill Clinton.
Today's president isn't a man either. He's a conglomeration of Dominionists, Wall Street/K-Street backroom deals, the military-industrial complex and the neocon agenda.
Who will the economic, military, and moral directors of the Obama administration? I want to know, because I want to believe. When Obama says "the position of leader of the free world has remained vacant", that's inspiring to me. I'm not onboard with Obama because there's a lot more persperation than inspiration involved in getting results. I want to see who's going to be doing the heavy lifting.
Achillies heel it is
Iraq number one
decides who wins
And Quiqley. JFK comparisons.....really?????? Give me a break.
He is Half African American and Half Anglo, yet he says he is African American. That is not honest.
His wife's comments, when being interviewed, were very telling.
Senator Obama? .. fine.. President Obama.. maybe in 2016.
As for me . .. no thanks... He and Hillery are each going for the others jugler.... Let them .... In 2008 The hope for the Democratic Victory is in John Edwards.