Obama's Syria Speech

Well, I just heard most of Obama's speech. Here are my thoughts.

For one, I find it interesting how he began with a blatant appeal to emotions. Yikes. If America is that shallow and illogical, I fear for this country.

Obama noted the concerns of the left and right on the issue of Syria. I like that he recognizes the concern, or at least tries to recognize the concern. Unfortunately, he didn't give sufficient answers to the concerns in his speech. For example, he said that al-Qaeda will in fact gain more control in Syria if America does not act. Perhaps, but they definitely will gain more power if we take out an outpost of their greatest rival in Syria. Also, he noted that this will be a "short" war. When Russia says, "Don't touch Syria" and we touch it, there will likely be huge consequences. It will not be a short war, just as the North figured that the Civil War would be short but that the Civil War was the biggest and bloodiest war in our history.

I think the biggest qualms that I had about his speech was his appeal to the right and left. Obama said, "And so to my friends on the right, I ask you to reconcile your commitment to America's military might with a failure to act when a cause is so plainly just. To my friends on the left [note the change of tone in his voice. Not too important, just interesting], I ask you to reconcile your belief in freedom and dignity for all people with those images of children writhing in pain and going still on a cold hospital floor."

Wow. Either he or the speechwriter really don't know the stereotypical liberal or stereotypical conservative. Notice how Obama equated liberalism to freedom and conservatism to military might. Because military might is all that conservatives care about when it comes to war, and liberals only care about freedom when it comes to war. Mr. President, the cause is not so plainly just, nor is it clear, like you said about midway through the speech. It's like WWI; there really isn't that much of a difference between sides, and it might just be better to let the two sides fight themselves into oblivion. I find it almost comical how Obama also gives a second outrageous Appeal to Emotions.

Well, I hoped you all enjoyed the stereotypical Obama speech, and I'll see you tomorrow.