Senator Obama is catching a lot of flak for his comments, regarding Pakistan and the use of troops to combat the hidden terrorists hiding there. It sounds like he is inexperienced, like he might not even know what he’s talking about, if all you read is the headlines, but if you read his speech, in context, perhaps it has a different sound to it.

“Pakistan must make substantial progress in closing down the training camps, evicting foreign fighters, and preventing the Taliban from using Pakistan as a staging area for attacks in Afghanistan,” he said. (source)

While Pakistan is attempting to do what it can, there are many who think that it isn’t enough. Yet while Bush pours billions into Iraq, and props up the Maliki government that is on recess, the other theaters of war are being ignored. I think Obama might be simply sending a signal, that priorities have to go to where the source of the troubles are. Pakistan was not a willing backer of the USA in its war in Afghanistan, and still is a reluctant ally.

However, it has to be taken into account the situation there. Pakistan is on the firing line, not like the USA. There are no constant threats of death for Bush, like there is for the Pakistani leader. There isn’t bombs going off in Washington DC, nor are their Mosques in the USA being used to train Terrorists, as there is in Pakistan. There isn’t a huge Muslim population in the USA controlled by foreign governments like Iran, threatening to turn mainstreet USA into a blood bath either.

These are the realities facing Pakistan. While I applaud Obama for wanting to find and attack the terrorists, wherever they are, it is a dangerous thing to violate another’s sovereignty.

In his remarks, Obama had plenty of criticism of President Bush for his handling of the War on Terror.

“The president would have us believe that every bomb in Baghdad is part of Al Qaeda’s war against us, not an Iraqi civil war. He elevates Al Qaeda in Iraq — which didn’t exist before our invasion — and overlooks the people who hit us on 9/11, who are training new recruits in Pakistan,” Obama said, adding: “He confuses our mission.” (source)

On this, it does tend to change the message I think. Obama is right, the real battle lies in countries like Pakistan, where the enemy is indeed gathering strength, is being trained. Yes a tougher position needs to be taken, but not at the risk of losing the Government there. Al Quada is indeed present in Pakistan, and the Government there is not doing enough, or perhaps is unable to do enough. But is that their fault, or is it just more example of George Bush’s inability to actually go after the real enemy?

The more Bush pushes for Iraq patience, the more he loses credibility. It seems what he is really after is more profits for Haliburton, at the expense of US Lives, and perhaps even the security of the world. There is no doubt that Al Qaeda is stronger now, not weaker. It is also true that while Clinton and Others claim the USA is safer, the price has been exorbitant, both in human lives, and personal freedoms. Frankly I doubt if anyone is safer today than prior to 9/11.

While his willingness to send in troops, into a sovereign nation is scary, least he is the only candidate willing to actually speak out about how vulnerable the USA is today. He is the only one willing to address the actual issue, which really isn’t about Iraq even, but about Global Terrorism. This is the reality, something the other candidates seem unwilling to comment on, or discuss.

What Obama is saying, is perhaps not palatable, not what people want to hear. Yes, it could be even inexperienced, but at least he is addressing what people should really be thinking about.

The War on Terror.

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Barak Obama Campaign Site