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"War Is Peace…"

 

"War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength." - George Orwell, 1984. 

It was announced today that President Obama would be receiving The Nobel Peace Prize.  While I support our president and still have 'hope' that 'change will come', I couldn't disagree more with the Nobel people's selection.  I think it's great that the president has made some moves towards peace through diplomacy instead of using the failed tactics of the previous administration.  However, he has yet to establish any tangible, time tested results.  Someone else should've won this year!     

Some other thoughts on the matter:

As long as the President's military and blood-for-hire mercenaries continue to wage war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

As long as he continues to 'look ahead' and let the people who started these wars and commit war crimes get away with it, I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

As long as Guantanamo remains open for business, I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

As long as the US continues to operate nearly 1000 military bases in over 60 countries around the world (7 new ones just opened in Columbia), I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Not this year. 

Politics: Did Obama Bomb Pakistan??...and Other News

According to today's reports, the US is suspected of launching two missile attacks earlier today in areas of north western Pakistan killing 18 people.  It is not known whether or not the dead were Taliban, Al Qaeda, or even people with hostile feelings/intents towards the US.  Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs is choosing to remain mum on the issue saying, "I'm not going to discuss that matter".  Regardless of intent, if the US has in fact launched this attack, it wouldn't be much of a departure from Bush's policy of 'shoot first, ask questions later'.  

Also in today's news, we have learned that President Obama has signed the order to close Guantanamo Bay Prison....in a year.  This decision has already garnered him some criticism amongst some of his biggest supporters many who believe the prison should be closed right away and without delay.  Basically, there are 240 people who are being held there.  Some have been locked away for many years without charges or evidence against them to substantiate their captivity. 

President Obama has also ordered the closing of secret CIA prisons. This actually raises a few questions.  How do we Americans know ALL the prisons will be shut down if they're "secret"?  Will the locations of these prisons be revealed publicly?  

On the subject of torture, President Obama signed an order restricting US personnel to interrogation methods provided in the Army Field Manual. What about rendition flights?  Will those stop too?  How about outsourcing torture to countries like Syria and Egypt like Bill Clinton did?  Will we ever know who is being held by the CIA and why?  

Does President Obama know of ALL the 'secret prisons' and torture practices around the world enough to make sure his orders have been followed thoroughly?  Doubtful.  From John F. Kennedy's experience with the Bay of Pigs to Ronald Reagan's experience with Iran-Contra, we've witnessed the CIA appearing to be operating in a world outside the full knowledge of the president.  This is also called 'plausible deniability' meaning that the president is purposely kept in the dark and able to deny knowledge and responsibility for possible illegal actions. However, the extent of a president's knowledge on certain events cannot be fully verified.  

Politics: Obama to Undo Bush Executive Orders

 

"Change" is apparently coming...soon.  Shortly after Inauguration Day next Tuesday, Barack Obama plans to reverse some of George W. Bush's most controversial executive orders.  Although, not all of these will happen immediately, many insiders believe the following will be taken care of ASAP.  

-  Torture of terror suspects will supposedly end.  

-  Guantanamo Bay Prison will be shut down.

-  Presidential Signing Statements will be limited.

-  Secrecy privileges of Vice Presidents and family members of past Presidents will be revoked.

I'm more or less an "I'll believe it when I see it" type, but am optimistic that if Obama follows through, it will help put things on the right track and restore the rule of law in the US.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all could have an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind experience and simply wipe the past 8 years from memory?