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Amercian Politics

A letter to Barack Obama

by Brendan on November 3, 2008

Senator Obama,

I have some awful news: You are about to become the President of the United States of America.

I know, it’s crazy! I mean, who would have imagined this when you started your campaign two years ago?  This whole process should have been much simpler for you — raise your national profile and stature in the party, bow out gracefully, help get Hillary elected, work another eight years in the Senate, maybe write another book (“The Intrepidity of Aspiration”?), run again (this time for real) with the same eloquence and inspirational message, but also the credibility that comes with grey hair and a couple of scandals, and get elected President in 2016. What a career.

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Obama and the Bush Doctrine

by Brendan on October 21, 2008

Barak Obama has said repeatedly that as President, if he had actionable intelligence about the location of al Qaida leadership in Pakistan and the Pakistanis were unable or unwilling to act, that he would authorize a military strike without the Pakistanis consent. Of course he would, any President would. But saying he would is extremely dangerous. 

Bush has repeatedly launched covert operations inside Pakistan, while publicly stressing partnership and cooperation. In the case of Pakistan, it could even be argued that in certain circumstances the actions that Obama is talking about would be legal under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows states to take action in self defence. 

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