General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPresident Obama Shreds Fox News For Their Bogus Criticisms Of His Foreign Policy
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/04/28/president-obama-shreds-fox-news-bogus-criticisms-foreign-policy.htmlPresident Obama Shreds Fox News For Their Bogus Criticisms Of His Foreign Policy
By: Jason Easley
Monday, April, 28th, 2014, 5:59 pm
During his press conference in the Philippines, President Obama took apart Fox News and the Republican Partys claim that his foreign policy is weak.
Video @ link:
President Obama engaged in one of his favorite press conference hobbies. The president handed Ed Henry his head for asking yet another Fox News fueled stupid question that was entirely based on Republican talking points. As soon as Henry broke out the phrase red line, it was easy to see the utter BS question coming.
Obama went through and debunked point by point the rights bogus criticisms of his foreign policy. The president got in an immediate jab at Fox News by suggesting that the network ignored the complimentary pieces about his foreign policy. Obama directly took on the Republican talking point that Fox News pushes on a daily basis that his foreign policy isnt strong or manly enough.
The president hit Fox News and the Republicans hard by saying that havent learned the lessons of the decision to invade Iraq, and that they keep hitting the same note over and over again. He called out Fox and the GOP for being wrong about Syria, and for advocating military strikes that the American people want no part of. He made it clear that his foreign policy decisions arent made because some clown at a cable news network thinks that they will make him look strong.
President Obama ate Ed Henry and his talking points for breakfast, and demonstrated why Republicans dont have a leg to stand on when it comes to foreign policy. Military action and waving the flag is not foreign policy. The nation learned that painful lesson under George W. Bush.
Obama is showing Fox News what a strong president looks like by intelligently shoving their talking points right back in their face.
(I usually dont include the whole lengthy transcript, but this one is worth reading in order to appreciate Obamas foreign policy.)
Transcript:
President Obama, as you grappled here with all these national security challenges, I have two questions. One, back home weve learned that 40 military veterans died while they were waiting for health care, a very tragic situation. I know you dont run the Phoenix Office of Veterans Affairs, but as Commander-in-Chief, what specifically will you pledge to fix that?
And, secondly, more broadly big picture as you end this trip, I dont think I have to remind you there have been a lot of unflattering portraits of your foreign policy right now. And rather than get into all the details or red lines, et cetera, Id like to give you a chance to lay out what your vision is more than five years into office, what you think the Obama doctrine is in terms of what your guiding principle is on all of these crises and how you answer those critics who say they think the doctrine is weakness.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, Ed, I doubt that Im going to have time to lay out my entire foreign policy doctrine. And there are actually some complimentary pieces as well about my foreign policy, but Im not sure you ran them.
Heres I think the general takeaway from this trip. Our alliances in the Asia Pacific have never been stronger; I can say that unequivocally. Our relationship with ASEAN countries in Southeast Asia have never been stronger. I dont think thats subject to dispute. As recently as a decade ago, there were great tensions between us and Malaysia, for example. And I think you just witnessed the incredible warmth and strength of the relationship between those two countries.
Were here in the Philippines signing a defense agreement. Ten years ago, fifteen years ago there was enormous tensions around our defense relationship with the Philippines. And so its hard to square whatever it is that the critics are saying with facts on the ground, events on the ground here in the Asia Pacific region. Typically, criticism of our foreign policy has been directed at the failure to use military force. And the question I think I would have is, why is it that everybody is so eager to use military force after weve just gone through a decade of war at enormous costs to our troops and to our budget? And what is it exactly that these critics think would have been accomplished?
My job as Commander-in-Chief is to deploy military force as a last resort, and to deploy it wisely. And, frankly, most of the foreign policy commentators that have questioned our policies would go headlong into a bunch of military adventures that the American people had no interest in participating in and would not advance our core security interests.
So if you look at Syria, for example, our interest is in helping the Syrian people, but nobody suggests that us being involved in a land war in Syria would necessarily accomplish this goal. And I would note that those who criticize our foreign policy with respect to Syria, they themselves say, no, no, no, we dont mean sending in troops. Well, what do you mean? Well, you should be assisting the opposition well, were assisting the opposition. What else do you mean? Well, perhaps you should have taken a strike in Syria to get chemical weapons out of Syria. Well, it turns out were getting chemical weapons out of Syria without having initiated a strike. So what else are you talking about? And at that point it kind of trails off.
In Ukraine, what weve done is mobilize the international community. Russia has never been more isolated. A country that used to be clearly in its orbit now is looking much more towards Europe and the West, because theyve seen that the arrangements that have existed for the last 20 years werent working for them. And Russia is having to engage in activities that have been rejected uniformly around the world. And weve been able to mobilize the international community to not only put diplomatic pressure on Russia, but also weve been able to organize European countries who many were skeptical would do anything to work with us in applying sanctions to Russia. Well, what else should we be doing? Well, we shouldnt be putting troops in, the critics will say. Thats not what we mean. Well, okay, what are you saying? Well, we should be arming the Ukrainians more. Do people actually think that somehow us sending some additional arms into Ukraine could potentially deter the Russian army? Or are we more likely to deter them by applying the sort of international pressure, diplomatic pressure and economic pressure that were applying?
The point is that for some reason many who were proponents of what I consider to be a disastrous decision to go into Iraq havent really learned the lesson of the last decade, and they keep on just playing the same note over and over again. Why? I dont know. But my job as Commander-in-Chief is to look at what is it that is going to advance our security interests over the long term, to keep our military in reserve for where we absolutely need it. There are going to be times where there are disasters and difficulties and challenges all around the world, and not all of those are going to be immediately solvable by us.
But we can continue to speak out clearly about what we believe. Where we can make a difference using all the tools weve got in the toolkit, well, we should do so. And if there are occasions where targeted, clear actions can be taken that would make a difference, then we should take them. We dont do them because somebody sitting in an office in Washington or New York think it would look strong. Thats not how we make foreign policy. And if you look at the results of what weve done over the last five years, it is fair to say that our alliances are stronger, our partnerships are stronger, and in the Asia Pacific region, just to take one example, we are much better positioned to work with the peoples here on a whole range of issues of mutual interest.
And that may not always be sexy. That may not always attract a lot of attention, and it doesnt make for good argument on Sunday morning shows. But it avoids errors. You hit singles, you hit doubles; every once in a while we may be able to hit a home run. But we steadily advance the interests of the American people and our partnership with folks around the world.
Cha
(297,240 posts)President Obama:
Well, Ed, I doubt that Im going to have time to lay out my entire foreign policy doctrine. And there are actually some complimentary pieces as well about my foreign policy, but Im not sure you ran them.
TOD
Mahalo, babylonsistah~
AAO
(3,300 posts)Cha
(297,240 posts)went with it.
AAO
(3,300 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)dionysus
(26,467 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)they fix it & QUICK!
Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)A direct shot at the war mongers.
and here;
I just wished he had gone further by naming names and telling them where to go stick their war racket.
Response to Hutzpa (Reply #3)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Cha
(297,240 posts)Ed Henry gave the President the perfect opening. thanks Henry.
Paulie
(8,462 posts)Please!!!! Seriously awesome reply to that scumbag.
madokie
(51,076 posts)President Obama that is
sheshe2
(83,771 posts)I think Ed Henry just got told to go sit in the corner~
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)DocMac
(1,628 posts)If you have a phone that has Siri on it that responds to voice questions, try this.
Ask your phone "what does the fox say?". It's kinda funny.
And this one:
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Response: A woodchuck would chuck ALL the wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
It might just be galaxy phones...not sure.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,042 posts)Answer: 42? That can't be right. lol
DocMac
(1,628 posts)Maybe she changes it up. I only tried it once. lol
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)again.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)follows his own instincts and moves away from interventionism and a military-first approach to all problems, the louder they screech (along with their media helpers, like Washington Post).
AAO
(3,300 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)and luckily Putin's diplomacy gave him an excuse to change course.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)on striking Syria (if you are referring to the Hersh story or the Wall Street Journal story about Kerry fighting with DoD). I am certain he regretted his "red line" comment and the whole "Assad must go" declaration that was made when Hillary and the previous crew were in power and were hell-bent on overthrowing Assad. The fact that the Pentagon was leery only gave Obama more doubts--but ultimately they don't set foreign policy, their job is to either follow orders and plan for military action, or resign.
mehrrh
(233 posts)Obama ate Henry for breakfast and I hope he doesn't get indigestion from the sour meal of Henry.
Henry asks ridiculous questions, thinking he is advancing his own status with his attempts to put the president on the spot.
Today, the President showed Henry who is in charge, and why he is in charge.
Henry should be embarrassed to be taken apart so coolly and so thoroughly, but I doubt it -- he is too much a puppet for the RW media who sign his checks -- journalism is not a career for Henry: earning money for himself and his handlers is his career.
This, from Obama, was long awaited, long needed and greatly appreciated.
Beartracks
(12,814 posts)Yeah!! Cuz when I think of sexy foreign policy, I think of.....
codpieces!!
=============================
tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)Hekate
(90,690 posts)Enrique
(27,461 posts)he asked Obama "please lay out your foreign policy". how dare he!.
by the way, here is Obama's answer to the question about the veterans hospital story:
The moment we heard about the allegations around these 40 individuals who had died in Phoenix, I immediately ordered the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, General Shinseki, to investigate. We also have an IG investigation taking place. And so we take the allegations very seriously.
That is consistent with what has been my rock-solid commitment to make sure that our veterans are cared for. I believe that if somebody has served our nation then they have to get the benefits and services that they have earned. And my budgets have consistently reflected that. That's why weve resourced the Veterans Affairs office more in terms of increases than any other department or agency in my government.
That doesnt mean, though, that some folks may still not be getting the help that they need. And we're going to find out if, in fact, that's the case, and I'm interested in working with everybody, whether it's our outstanding veteran service organizations or Congress, to make sure that there is not a single veteran in the United States who needs help -- whether because theyre homeless, because theyre sick, because theyre looking for a job. I want to make sure that they are getting the help that they need.
7962
(11,841 posts)Whats funny to me is how people always use such strong terms as "destroying", eviscerating, slamming, schooling, etc. When usually its just an answer. I saw it as no more than a bit sarcastic by the President, which is fine of course
Kingofalldems
(38,458 posts)revolves around that agenda. You didn't know that?
7962
(11,841 posts)If anyone else had asked the question, there wouldnt have been such an uproar. Which, like I said in my post, I felt like the President was just a little sarcastic with Henry. Hardly "slamming" or any other tough sounding adjective. I'm just amazed at how so many people have their heads explode at the mere mention of Fox. (Not referring to you; just experience from the past years here)
Martin Eden
(12,868 posts)Too bad Faux viewers are too brain dead to understand the wisdom in this president's approach, though it's doubtful many will be exposed to his full statement in context.
riqster
(13,986 posts)okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)necessary to explain their positions. I'll bet ol' Ed wishes he had a cameraman who could send him to commercial or an obnoxious right wing nut job guest to cut off the President from speaking. Their business strategy is dependent upon people not really saying anything. Now they're going to have some 'xplainin to do.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)in hate and lies land.
okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)I love the smell of the RW propaganda machine burning in the morning.
Kingofalldems
(38,458 posts)He demands war, as long as he doesn't have to go.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)mountain grammy
(26,621 posts)regarding the question about killing journalists. I'd like to kill Ed Henry.. oops, he's not a journalist, so just kidding.
The president was, as always, presidential and perfect, possibly restoring the world's faith in the intelligence of Americans. And then, there's Ed Henry....
Oh, and one more thing, Mr. President. Why don't you go on that Sunday Show and shred the shit out of that skinny, ugly twit, Gregory. I gag on that name.
Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
calimary
(81,267 posts)I'd love to see the President eat david gregory for brunch. Probably would need to add a few ed henrys and that-guy-whose-name-rhymes-with-Vanity, because the sniveling little suck-up david gregory wouldn't be much of a mouthful. Now a nice fat limbaugh on the other hand would be a full meal, single-handedly!
mountain grammy
(26,621 posts)but seems everyone on this blog feels the same way.
dgauss
(882 posts)Once again the image of a thoughtful, intelligent adult patiently explaining to a spiteful child why their nasty little jabs make no sense. There almost seemed to be a little weariness and frustration, hard to blame him for that, but he remains composed and cordial. Not sure how anyone could do that given the BS coming his way every day.
The Wizard
(12,545 posts)of the Republican Party and as such cannot be taken seriously. Normal people know Pox is a 24/7 Republican campaign ad that the Party gets for free. There demographic is on Viagra and reliant on Depends. They're fading fast and will die a slow painful death.
politicaljunkie41910
(3,335 posts)serious, including Independents. I go into banks and military bases, and if there is a TV, it's on Fox News. Also, the 24 Hour spin machine is constantly throwing things out there, so if you don't address it and destroy the lie immediately it simply gets repeated and then becomes fact. SCOTUS has made certain that this 24 Hour propaganda machine of the Republican Party will live on forever, until technology changes and people no longer watch TVs, I guess. Democrats don't have their own version of FOX due to the fact that, as the saying goes, "I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat."
stonecutter357
(12,697 posts)Duppers
(28,120 posts)He's had his fill of wingers. About time.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Not only did he call out Henry, he brought out the RW talking heads for their stupid and irresponsible comments for the last 5+ years. I'll bet that made Obama feel good. It sure did it for me.
moondust
(19,984 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)"He called out Fox and the GOP for being wrong about Syria, and for advocating military strikes that the American people want no part of." Talk about spin. Obama wanted a serious military strike in Syria but the joint chiefs opposed it. Then Putin saved his ass by finding a way to move chemical weapons out of Syria.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,020 posts)That was well worth the read. He laid out the idiocy of their nonsensical spin-machine beautifully.
obxnacy
(27 posts)did faux news show all of the reply? even if they did, the idiots who watch it wouldn't understand what obama said. their minds are made up and nuances don't get thru the muddle they call a brain.
if he sent in troops they would yell foul, if he bombed the russian troops they yell foul. he can't win a battle with the brain dead against the constant blather faux news puts out. they are brain washed and need intensive therapy.
Lochloosa
(16,064 posts)there are actually some complimentary pieces as well about my foreign policy, but Im not sure you ran them.
ZING!!!!!!!!!!!
calimary
(81,267 posts)POW!!!! OOOF!!!! BLAM!!!!!! BOI-OI-OI-OI-OI-OINGGGGG!!!!
That one was particularly sweet indeed! And it was only his opener!!!
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)I don't think there are many people on DU who advocate the indiscriminate use of drone warfare, for example.
But when you see the current policy laid out against what the conservatives would have done, you have to be mighty damn glad that Barack Obama is President of the United States and not anybody else with an " R)" behind their name.
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)And I'm glad it went to Ed Henry. Keep doing more like this, Mr. President. You'll find that everyone except the wingnuts are behind you if you do.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)foreign diplomacy lessons!
calimary
(81,267 posts)Open your mouth, ed henry, and then find, inserted, several dozen legs!
Gothmog
(145,264 posts)The neocons never saw a war that they did not like
jazzimov
(1,456 posts)Hekate
(90,690 posts)... just chewing them up, spitting them out, and picking his teeth with their bones.