On Tuesday night, a somber President Barack Obama announced the end of combat operations for American forces in Iraq.
It was clear in the Oval Office speech to the nation that the president was walking a verbal tightrope.
He described an end to a war that hasn't really ended, one that he never wanted to occur in the first place, yet one that he has had to lead since January 2009.
There could be no "mission accomplished" exultations, yet Obama had to exude strength, to show that the United States under his leadership won't be pushed around.
We sensed that this was not the speech that Obama would have liked to give. Were he not the leader of the free world, perhaps he would have been free to tell it more like it is.
That would have included how he and many others believe that Iraq was invaded seven and a half years ago under false pretences, that no weapons of mass destruction were ever found, that the reasons for the war kept changing, from battling an almost non-existent al-Qaida in Iraq to building a democracy that would be friendly to the United States.
And how more than 4,000 Americans lost their lives unnecessarily and how many more were injured and will have mental health issues for the rest of their lives.
But he couldn't say all that. It was not the proper time or the proper setting. Instead, he praised the architect of the war, former President George W. Bush, for "his love of country and commitment to our security."
More than anything else, Obama showed what we believe is a sincere respect for the troops who have fought the battles and continue to serve in Iraq.
"At every turn," he said, "America's men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As commander in chief, I am proud of their service. Like all Americans, I am awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families."
While the address did not have a political tone, nothing a president says is free from politics. By stating that he had kept his promise to have combat forces out of Iraq by Aug. 31, Obama was surely hoping to shore up his anti-war left-wing base.
By prominently mentioning that the end of the combat operation could enable the country to devote more resources to the economy, he was trying to appeal to independents before the November elections.
Most of all, Mr. Obama wanted to appear presidential. In this, he succeeded. How that could help him deal with the challenges to come, however, is yet to be determined.
Editorials
Obama walked tightrope in speech
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Cheers
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Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
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Women must win fight for opportunity
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Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
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Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
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Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
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Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
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Cheers
