The Live Thread for 8/31/10: A Centrist Is A Centrist, Even On Iraq

It was the typical down the middle stuff from President Obama in his Presidential address tonight, where despite an obvious recognition of the history of events as always, the 44th executive chief continued to protect the previous Administration's screw ups and not tell the full narrative to the America public about our dumb wars.

Maybe the most salient moment of the address did not stem from talk about Iraq or relating its cost to how it has contributed greatly to our current pathetic economical situation. Rather, the comments he made on Afghanistan in regards to "conditions on the ground" being the bases on how fast the troop withdrawal will be is the one that should raise the most eyebrows in my mind.

It is the typical safe centrist crap answer, where we are beholden to the military complex no matter what. "Conditions on the ground" for withdrawal in Afghanistan could easily mean just a few troops leaving at a very slow pace. This will certainly give a smile to General Petraus, as wavering already on a serious withdrawal in a lost war from the President seems to be taken place.

Giving a nice little symbol of "draw down" to supporters is the plan, while their overall aspirations are far from getting a significant departure from Kabul and the cities around it.

Oh, and back to Iraq, there was not even a thought in Obama's mind about mentioning contractors to the American public. No explanation of how they will surge right back in Iraq and probably continue to do the reckless insane behavior they are quite known for. Let's replace the troops in Iraq with the mercenaries while we handle things in Afghanistan is the bright idea from our current government.

Boy was that address helpful or what, huh?