Learning Isn't Flip-Flopping
Posted 07-16-2008 at 04:22 AM by Jason Marcel
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/op...b1c&ei=5087%0A
Sen. Obama wrote an editorial in the NY Times the other day on his plan for ending the war in Iraq. You'll remember that a few days prior to this column, Obama mentioned in a stump speech that he would, of course, consult with military planners and Gen. Patreus, who he commends. The McCain camp jumped on this one statement and cried "False Outrage" by claiming Obama had changed his position and had come around to McCain's thinking.
Whatever.
And now all the partisan right-wingers have just begun repeating this story, although there is no basis in it.
Obama's ideas are sound and sensible, since the work that must be done in Iraq now has everything to do with political reconciliation and oil revenue-sharing among Iraqs three major factions. Obama is sticking to his 16 month plan for a phased withdrawal, but concedes (out of common sense) that he will have to consult with military planners on the best way to achieve this goal.
Sounds reasonable to anyone using logic on this matter. Obama's plan would see the American military begin to draw down steadily next year, with a very limited presence there 2 years from now.
The Iraqi security measures continue to improve, albeit slowly but steadily, and no one can argue that they won't be stronger 2 years from now. Obama insists on making political reconciliation the next big phase of the challenge in Iraq, and this news is welcome, and couldn't come any sooner, since a real diplomatic plan in Iraq has been curiously absent since the very conception of this war, when Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld et. al said it would be a "cakewalk".
Obama is simply showing the effects of what learning does; it helps to evolve your thinking so you can adapt to specific challenges and meet them. Hopefully in life, you learn. You continue to gather information, listen to opinions both favorable as well as dissent, so that you can make the best decision.
Learning to adapt to challenges has been Bush's weakest trait. He insists on doing the same thing, over and over again, while expecting different results. This makes you a crazy person. And Bush not only applied this to foreign policy, but on taxes as well.
I have serious problems with both Presidential candidates, but give Obama this: his article in the Times is very clear and honest, and a smart plan.
Now I can't wait to finally hear what John McCain wants to do; other than bashing Obama some more, of course.
Sen. Obama wrote an editorial in the NY Times the other day on his plan for ending the war in Iraq. You'll remember that a few days prior to this column, Obama mentioned in a stump speech that he would, of course, consult with military planners and Gen. Patreus, who he commends. The McCain camp jumped on this one statement and cried "False Outrage" by claiming Obama had changed his position and had come around to McCain's thinking.
Whatever.
And now all the partisan right-wingers have just begun repeating this story, although there is no basis in it.
Obama's ideas are sound and sensible, since the work that must be done in Iraq now has everything to do with political reconciliation and oil revenue-sharing among Iraqs three major factions. Obama is sticking to his 16 month plan for a phased withdrawal, but concedes (out of common sense) that he will have to consult with military planners on the best way to achieve this goal.
Sounds reasonable to anyone using logic on this matter. Obama's plan would see the American military begin to draw down steadily next year, with a very limited presence there 2 years from now.
The Iraqi security measures continue to improve, albeit slowly but steadily, and no one can argue that they won't be stronger 2 years from now. Obama insists on making political reconciliation the next big phase of the challenge in Iraq, and this news is welcome, and couldn't come any sooner, since a real diplomatic plan in Iraq has been curiously absent since the very conception of this war, when Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld et. al said it would be a "cakewalk".
Obama is simply showing the effects of what learning does; it helps to evolve your thinking so you can adapt to specific challenges and meet them. Hopefully in life, you learn. You continue to gather information, listen to opinions both favorable as well as dissent, so that you can make the best decision.
Learning to adapt to challenges has been Bush's weakest trait. He insists on doing the same thing, over and over again, while expecting different results. This makes you a crazy person. And Bush not only applied this to foreign policy, but on taxes as well.
I have serious problems with both Presidential candidates, but give Obama this: his article in the Times is very clear and honest, and a smart plan.
Now I can't wait to finally hear what John McCain wants to do; other than bashing Obama some more, of course.
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