March 25, 2011

Charles Krauthammer: "The Professor's War"
— Ace

Good column.

President Obama is proud of how he put together the Libyan operation. A model of international cooperation. All the necessary paperwork. Arab League backing. A Security Council resolution. (Everything but a resolution from the Congress of the United States, a minor inconvenience for a citizen of the world.) It's war as designed by an Ivy League professor.

True, it took three weeks to put this together, during which time Moammar Gaddafi went from besieged, delusional (remember those youthful protesters on "hallucinogenic pills") thug losing support by the hour -- to resurgent tyrant who marshaled his forces, marched them to the gates of Benghazi and had the U.S. director of national intelligence predicting that "the regime will prevail."

But what is military initiative and opportunity compared with paper?

Here is the the best part:

Obama seems equally obsessed with handing off the lead role. Hand off to whom? NATO? Quarrelling amid Turkish resistance (see above), NATO still can't agree on taking over command of the airstrike campaign, which is what has kept the Libyan rebels alive. This confusion is purely the result of Obama's decision to get America into the war and then immediately relinquish American command. Never modest about himself, Obama is supremely modest about his country. America should be merely "one of the partners among many," he said Monday. No primus inter pares for him. Even the Clinton administration spoke of America as the indispensable nation. And it remains so. Yet at a time when the world is hungry for America to lead -- no one has anything near our capabilities, experience and resources -- America is led by a man determined that it should not.

One sentence in there jumps out at me as as a good a sum-up of any: "Never modest about himself, Obama is supremely modest about his country."

Most presidents will tell you that America is exceptional, and they are honored to have led it.

Obama believes that formulation to be exactly backwards.

Posted by: Ace at 11:53 AM | Comments (75)
Post contains 341 words, total size 2 kb.

1 to the Democrats in 2010:

the difference fellas is you have me, you have ME....

//Ogabe

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 11:55 AM (kq1lG)

2 Jesus, Krauthammer speaking to truth to power!

Posted by: Penfold at March 25, 2011 11:56 AM (1PeEC)

3 "Never modest about himself, Obama is supremely modest about his country."

"It was never easy for me. I was born a poor black child. I remember the days, sittin' on the porch with my family, singin' and dancin' down in Mississippi"

Oh wait...wrong movie.

Posted by: Obama's Momma at March 25, 2011 11:57 AM (HNqQ1)

4 I am the only important one up on that fucking stage.

Posted by: Barrack Obama at March 25, 2011 11:58 AM (0IPsJ)

5 This must be hurting Krauthammer deeply. Especially considering all the saliva he has expended on Zero penis.

Posted by: maddogg at March 25, 2011 11:59 AM (OlN4e)

6
It really is surreal hearing/reading pundits say the stuff we here at AoS have already said, in some cases, years ago.

This is what happens when the federal govt is run by a college faculty...

is an old familiar comment at AoS. Glad to see these 'experts' come around, though.

Posted by: Soothsayer3P0 at March 25, 2011 12:00 PM (uFokq)

7 A Massachusetts employment organization has canceled its annual job fair because not enough companies have come forward to offer jobs.

Richard Shafer, chairman of the Taunton Employment Task Force, says 20 to 25 employers are needed for the fair scheduled for April 6, but just 10 tables had been reserved. One table was reserved by a nonprofit that offers human services to job seekers, and three by temporary employment agencies. Shafer tells the Taunton Daily Gazette the lack of employers means the task force won't have enough money to properly advertise the fair. The task force has been organizing the job fair nearly every year since 1984. Shafer says the cancellation reflects the current economy -- even though things are getting better, companies are still cautious about hiring full-time workers. Welcome to Obamaville.....Losers !!!!!!

Posted by: Lowrey Hunnington at March 25, 2011 12:01 PM (SZy+Y)

8 6 soothsayer,

yeah a lot of us called precisely what has happened wrt his lack of executive experience....

he has never been "it" responsible for it all like he reamed Bush for....

Obamacles literally does not know how to  lead.

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:02 PM (kq1lG)

9 Re:#8

Bounce.

Posted by: Dead Cat at March 25, 2011 12:03 PM (0IPsJ)

10 L' etat, cest moi, suckas.

Posted by: King Barry at March 25, 2011 12:04 PM (RD7QR)

11 Dithering?! I prefer agressive use of deference.

Posted by: Rear Admiral Obama at March 25, 2011 12:04 PM (FcR7P)

12 Duh, uh, uh, Change and uh, Hope.  Duh. 

Posted by: 52% at March 25, 2011 12:04 PM (0IPsJ)

13 Hey, look!  Cabbage-smasher makes a good point.

I'm sorry, I'm not terribly interested in what the intellectuals have to say.  I can look at this situation, see it for a general CF, and continue on.  And Cabbage-smasher is too quick to snipe at us morons because we're not erudite and cultured like he is.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at March 25, 2011 12:04 PM (8y9MW)

14
"All the necessary paperwork."

Does that include how Libya is an emergency that threatens the US and how our bombing is therefore legal under the War Powers Act?

Posted by: rogerb at March 25, 2011 12:05 PM (FfLVE)

15 Obamacles literally does not know how want to lead. Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 04:02 PM (kq1lG) FIFY. Because if he lead he'd have to take responsibility. Can't have that.

Posted by: King Barry at March 25, 2011 12:05 PM (RD7QR)

16 Led. And sockoff. I really should stop multitasking.

Posted by: joncelli, taking notes at March 25, 2011 12:07 PM (RD7QR)

17 Posted by: rogerb at March 25, 2011 04:05 PM (FfLVE)

Shhh!  You're not supposed to notice that.

How about the part where he's supposed to get Congress's approval before committing our troops?  Or, as you say, at least prove its an actual emergency.

And why is Cabbage-smasher giving BHO any credit for putting this together?  How many times must we point out that he was the one who was led, not the one doing the leading.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at March 25, 2011 12:07 PM (8y9MW)

18 17 King Barry,

right but where the 52% fucked up is he does not want to lead which is bad enough, but he does not know how even if inclined....

this jerkass would try to invite the aliens from Battle of LA to a beer summit in El paso to see if "we can work things out".....

he'd likely unilaterally cede california back to mexopolis so "I cannot be blamed".....

by the time he had made up his mind to lead the multinational coalition they'd have drank 4 of the oceans......

change that eventually just sort of happens.

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:08 PM (kq1lG)

19 From The Hammer's article: "A man who dithers over parchment. Who starts a war from which he wants out right away. Good God. If you go to take Vienna, take Vienna. If you're not prepared to do so, better then to stay home and do nothing." QFT, brother.

Posted by: Monty at March 25, 2011 12:10 PM (4Pleu)

20 The Bamster sure seems to be obambulating.

Posted by: Johnny at March 25, 2011 12:11 PM (mhmc7)

21

Check out the Video "I don't care Obama is Awesome" at weaselzipper.

 

That chick needs a brain.

Posted by: Catlady at March 25, 2011 12:14 PM (CyPWX)

22 The problem with Krauthammer's spiel is that President Lightning McLongshanks is a prototypical, perpetual grad student.

Posted by: Fritz at March 25, 2011 12:15 PM (GwPRU)

23

Soros wants a one world communist government led by elites with redistribution all around. In this utopia, there is no US leader, there is only the "world govt" or a tightly bound coalition of the willing. This action is exactly what Soros would want out of a one world govt decision. It's the model of the future.

Posted by: dagny at March 25, 2011 12:15 PM (66JDx)

24 26 Dagny,

Soros needs to grasp math.....

142 or so million Americans may not want george Soros either.

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:17 PM (kq1lG)

25

142 or so million Americans may not want george Soros either.

Incrimentalism.

Posted by: dagny at March 25, 2011 12:19 PM (66JDx)

26 Just a reminder of what he said in part in Cairo: So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end. I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles - principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do - to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart. Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

Posted by: gesc at March 25, 2011 12:20 PM (KUcUM)

27 The guy never had so much as a secretary to boss around, he doesn't know how to lead, no wonder he wants to hand this off to somebody else.  Look what he did with obamacare, let nancy and harry write the travesty.

He doesn't have a damn clue, he just wants the perks of the presidency.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at March 25, 2011 12:21 PM (Z1jiu)

28 The Cairo speech is clearly working wonders: Sri Lankan Muslims just burned a blow-up doll of Obama.  (Pictures on Weasel Zippers, I'm too lazy to link it).

Posted by: Ian S. at March 25, 2011 12:23 PM (p05LM)

29 28 Dagny,

incrementalism can also be used as a measure of distances....

food for thought

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:23 PM (kq1lG)

30 29 Barf.

Posted by: dagny at March 25, 2011 12:24 PM (66JDx)

31 Shit! There are blow up dolls of Obama! Don't tell Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews.

Posted by: dagny at March 25, 2011 12:25 PM (66JDx)

32

Canada to take charge, per Drudge.

 

Posted by: Catlady at March 25, 2011 12:26 PM (CyPWX)

33 What was telling for me when O got on camera and started telling us about being President is tough, how every decision the President makes is hard; that all the easy ones get handled at lower levels, and the time demands substantial. It literally begs the question: What on Earth did you think leading a country would be like?
But I already know the answer.
Wagyu beef.
Social parties.
143263 Holes of golf a month.
Personal Jet.
Personal Helicopter.
Squadron of limo's and drivers.
Taxpayer funded vacation at Martha's Vinyard.
Constant media attention
People catering to every whim.
Entourage of sycophants who swear your personal methane has hints of jasmine and rose.

Little did we know, we elected Paris Hilton to be President.


Posted by: MikeTheMoose at March 25, 2011 12:26 PM (0q2P7)

34 33 Dagny,

he thinks the call to prayer in durka durkaese is the "most beautiful sound on Earth".....

I will take my first drink in 13 years or 17 years when he is humiliated.

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:26 PM (kq1lG)

35 Canada to take charge, per Drudge. Posted by: Catlady at March 25, 2011 04:26 PM (CyPWX) Because they have successfully prosecuted so many Wars before?

Posted by: nevergiveup at March 25, 2011 12:27 PM (7wmOW)

36 34 Dagny,

what do you think the target audience was who led to them being made?

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:27 PM (kq1lG)

37 Attempt to ease tension: Obama holds conference call with congressional leaders

So he called some unnamed congressional leaders to talk about his "time limited, scope-limited military action" and officials are waiting until Wednesday to brief Congress. Doesn't really show a sense of urgency on this issue, does it? Wonder if he even let these leaders get a word in edgewise today.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at March 25, 2011 12:27 PM (UO6+e)

38

As far as Krauthammer, even a broken clock is right twice a day. He has become, like WILL, one of those guys that simply has to have something to say, and more and more he tends to agree with the administration. Maybe not this time, but many. I have dropped my membership in tha Kiss Krauts Ass club.

Posted by: rightzilla at March 25, 2011 12:28 PM (SPVfc)

39 Canada to take charge, per Drudge. Posted by: Catlady at March 25, 2011 04:26 PM (CyPWX) Because they have successfully prosecuted so many Wars before? Posted by: nevergiveup at March 25, 2011 04:27 PM (7wmOW) Bt the way, not sure it matters, but the Canadian Gov. Just fell today with a no-confidence vote?

Posted by: nevergiveup at March 25, 2011 12:30 PM (7wmOW)

40 41 Rightzilla,

the "smart ones" like to go tribal....far more than we proles actually....

Posted by: sven10077 at March 25, 2011 12:30 PM (kq1lG)

41

38

Maybe some kind of French thing, i dunno.

Posted by: Catlady at March 25, 2011 12:30 PM (CyPWX)

42

Aaand Peggy Noonan chimes in.

"He has no happy experience as a rallier of public opinion and a leader of great endeavors; the central initiative of his presidency, the one that gave shape to his leadership, health care, is still unpopular and the cause of continued agitation. When he devoted his entire first year to it, he seemed off point and out of touch. This was followed by the BP oil spill, which made him look snakebit. Now he seems incompetent and out of his depth in foreign and military affairs. He is more observed than followed, or perhaps I should say you follow him with your eyes and not your heart. So it's funny he'd feel free to launch and lead a war, which is what this confused and uncertain military action may become.

What was he thinking? What is he thinking? "

 

 

Posted by: DPR VIII at March 25, 2011 12:33 PM (GuGLo)

43

Hmmm, School will be out in June.  It's time for the Obamas to start planning their next vaca.  I wonder what exotic, far-flung location will be next on their list.

Oh, and you guys are being waaay to hard on Brackets Omomjeans.  The guy's NCAA bracket is getting crushed.  Duke went down in flames, I'm sure he could hardly get out of bed this a.m.  Be gentle!

Posted by: runningrn at March 25, 2011 12:33 PM (ihSHD)

44 A Canadian general is in charge of the operations now. I hope he's able to stomach working with world leaders who have no plan or clue.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 25, 2011 12:34 PM (61b7k)

45 45 - so is Peggy done blowing him now?

Posted by: gesc at March 25, 2011 12:35 PM (KUcUM)

46 "Never modest about himself, Obama is supremely modest about his country." I think his ego is so huge that it has simply never occurred to him that he could be bad at this.

Posted by: Walter Sobchak at March 25, 2011 12:36 PM (1tZaJ)

47

Aaand Peggy Noonan chimes in.

 

Piggy, Chuck, Dave-O, Frummy, Kathleen Parker, and all the other "smarter than us" "conservative-types" can all go suck it.  They were the ones who helped prop this empty suit up while they tore down Sarah Palin (and I'm not a huge Palin fan, either).  The flak she took from these idiots was ridiculous.  Friendly fire, and all that.  Dumbasses.

Posted by: runningrn at March 25, 2011 12:36 PM (ihSHD)

48

Headline:

Soured Kraut?

Posted by: runningrn at March 25, 2011 12:37 PM (ihSHD)

49 48 45 - That affirmative.

Posted by: Catlady at March 25, 2011 12:38 PM (CyPWX)

50 51 Headline: Soured Kraut? Threadwinner!!!!

Posted by: Walter Sobchak at March 25, 2011 12:39 PM (1tZaJ)

51 And the NYT reports (well...) today that the "young, secular" people who were "leading the revolution" are no longer in control. Now it's the muslim brotherhood. Who wouldda guesed?

Posted by: Can I Haz job? at March 25, 2011 12:41 PM (c66df)

52

And the NYT reports (well...) today that the "young, secular" people who were "leading the revolution" are no longer in control. Now it's the muslim brotherhood. Who wouldda guesed?

 

Wait a minute, you mean Jimmy Carter was wrong about that?  I can't believe it! 

Posted by: runningrn at March 25, 2011 12:43 PM (ihSHD)

53 48 45 - so is Peggy done blowing him now?   Nah.  She's just coming up for air.  As soon as she hears the magical, dulcet tones of Teh One's speachifyin' it's on again. 

Posted by: DPR VIII at March 25, 2011 12:43 PM (GuGLo)

54 Well, it looks like the Myans may get the last laugh after all.

Posted by: maddogg at March 25, 2011 12:45 PM (OlN4e)

55

Piggy, Chuck, Dave-O, Frummy, Kathleen Parker, and all the other "smarter than us" "conservative-types" can all go suck it.  They were the ones who helped prop this empty suit up while they tore down Sarah Palin (and I'm not a huge Palin fan, either).  The flak she took from these idiots was ridiculous.  Friendly fire, and all that.  Dumbasses.

Posted by: runningrn at March 25, 2011 04:36 PM (ihSHD)

 

+100

Posted by: DPR VIII at March 25, 2011 12:45 PM (GuGLo)

56 We should be thanking him, we should.

Posted by: canada at March 25, 2011 12:52 PM (GTbGH)

57

Obama seems equally obsessed with handing off the lead role.

 

Yes, come watch the 50 X 400 meter race.

Posted by: Count de Monet at March 25, 2011 12:53 PM (XBM1t)

58 By the way, it's obvious Palin should still leave the room. She doesn't have the proper pedigree.

Posted by: Krauthammerism at March 25, 2011 01:08 PM (swuwV)

59 BTW, 2012 won't be about Obama. It'll be about the MFM and its defense of Obamanation yet again.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at March 25, 2011 01:11 PM (swuwV)

60

@14: "I can look at this situation, see it for a general CF, and continue on."

Aww, c'mon.  To borrow from George Carlin, the clusterfuck has gone Mongolian.

Posted by: Prezidizzle Obizzle at March 25, 2011 01:13 PM (xy9wk)

61 34 Shit! There are blow up dolls of Obama! Don't tell Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews.   Yeah, they wore theirs out months ago.  Damn teeth marks from sucking too hard, you know?

Posted by: sherlock at March 25, 2011 01:15 PM (s0hlt)

62 joncelli: "...Because if he lead he'd have to take responsibility. Can't have that."

'Zactly. All Obama wants is plausible deniability and enough scapegoats to survive. He's been fast-tracked in spite of his actual, minimal skills.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at March 25, 2011 01:16 PM (swuwV)

63 The problem with Krauthammer's spiel is that he naively believes Obama's actions are simply incompetent, not malicious.

Posted by: joh at March 25, 2011 01:27 PM (JEvSn)

64

@47: "A Canadian general is in charge of the operations now. I hope he's able to stomach working with world leaders who have no plan or clue."

Quick, summon Gen. Romeo Dallaire; he has a lot of experience with that.....

Posted by: Fa Cube Itches at March 25, 2011 01:29 PM (xy9wk)

65 Shit! There are blow up dolls of Obama! Don't tell Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews.

Bwahahahaha!

Posted by: Lady in Black at March 25, 2011 01:48 PM (x9xik)

66

 "Never modest about himself, Obama is supremely modest about his country."

You, and the Krauthammer, both fail to realize one thing... one which makes this all fall into place.

Obama does NOT consider himself an American FIRST... he is a Black, Socialist, Citizen of the World, American....

Kinda like a Moslem American, who is Moslem first... American second.

He is Black, then a Citizen of the World, who happens (maybe) to have been born American.

Posted by: Romeo13 at March 25, 2011 02:58 PM (NtXW4)

67 Krauthammer delivers another in a long line of brilliant smackdowns of the Golfer-in-Chief, and still there are some conservatives who would rather trash him.

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Posted by: ljkhkljj at March 26, 2011 08:57 AM (+SezV)

69 If I was PREZ I'd would do the same thing with Libya, with the USA already in two other combat operations, and helping with the Japan Relief, It makes sense to let NATO do much of the work in Libya. Let NATO do the air strikes and whatnot. But if ground troops are needed, just sen in some Marines for a return engagement to the Shores of Tripoli and SPECOPS units to do more cover actions.
Let France and the UK do the occupation if we need one.

When it comes to Air Power, we already have NATO and USAF units nearby in Italy to engage in long range airstrikes including USN Carriers.

Posted by: Gary B at March 26, 2011 12:43 PM (1gWfF)

70

This must be hurting Krauthammer deeply. Especially considering all the saliva he has expended on Zero penis.

Wasn't it only last week that Krauthammer was still referring to Obama as 'smart'?

Posted by: Decaf at March 27, 2011 03:39 AM (3+xlM)

71

Interplanatary General and Supreme Commander of the Alaskan Air Forces....Raygun.

Mullamutt, brilliant.  A great conflation of Palin and Reagan.  And I still remember when our MSM betters were sneering about Star Wars and that cowboy.

Posted by: Decaf at March 27, 2011 03:41 AM (3+xlM)

72

He doesn't have a damn clue, he just wants the perks of the presidency.

Ah, it was so obvious even in 2008 that he just wanted to 'partay' but sane people were hoping that he would first appoint some American advisors.

Posted by: Decaf at March 27, 2011 03:44 AM (3+xlM)

73

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Mullamutt, brilliant.  A great conflation of Palin and Reagan.  And I still remember when our MSM betters were sneering about Star Wars and that cowboy.

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