Iran smolders, Afghanistan burns, and Obama heads to...Denmark
By: Byron York (The Washington Examiner)
With growing pressure for decisions on life-or-death issues in Afghanistan and Iran, this morning the White House announced that President Obama will soon travel to…Copenhagen. Obama will be in Denmark for just a few hours -- he leaves this Thursday and returns Friday -- which is just enough time to make a pitch for Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. He'll be following First Lady Michelle Obama, who is also going to Copenhagen as part of the promote-Chicago team. Here is the White House press release:
Today, the White House announced that President Barack Obama will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to support Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session. On Friday, October 2nd, IOC members will elect the host city for the 2016 Summer Games.
President Obama will join First Lady Michelle Obama, who will be leading the United States delegation to Copenhagen. Mrs. Obama will arrive in Copenhagen on Wednesday, September 30, along with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and head of the White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.
President Obama will depart Washington on the evening of Thursday, October 1 and arrive in Copenhagen on the morning of October 2 local time, just prior to Chicago’s presentation to the voting members of the IOC. He will arrive back in Washington on Friday afternoon.
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday’s session. They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement.
While in Denmark, the President and First Lady will meet with Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Prince Consort. President Obama will also meet with Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
And it's not just the president and the first lady. Indeed, a significant part of the Obama administration -- the group includes top White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood -- is also heading to Copenhagen to make the pitch for Chicago.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Ira...
Antik Batik
I am extremely concerned about what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. I admit that I haven't been able to really keep up with everything I would like to. Has he made any speeches or statements about what he plans to do, overall, in either arena or both?
1In January he made a major pronouncement that he had reviewed and analyzed the situation in Afghanistan, and it was in our vital national interest to beat back both the Taliban and al-Qaida. In early August he reiterated it was in our national vital interest. Once the word got out that there was going to be a request for a surge type troop increase, he had second thoughts. He is worried about his left flank in the Democrat party, which is virulent anti military/war. Yet if he pulls out it will to throw not only Afghanistan into chaos, which we can live with, but also Pakistan, which would be disastrous. Picture a Taliban like regime with nukes? He basically is in a lose/lose situation; the support of his natural allies on the left, or throwing that part of the world into chaos. Remember how all during the campaign Afghanistan was touted as the “good war”, and that Bush took his eye off the ball dealing wit Iraq. He was going to move forces from Iraq to Afghanistan to correct that error.
2Where are your priorities? This is now a world issue we are going to let them handle it while we push for the Olympics for Chicago. What, you want the president to deal with Iran while he has an important job as salesman for the US and out olympic hopes and dreams? Did you not hear him say how we being uni-lateral were bad americans and how he apologized for us again and how we must learn to play in the mulit- lateral arena? In other words let the French and the Russians handle this we have a swim meet to schedule.
3More importantly re-read this again as if you were a terrorist and wanted to know their schedule.
That article takes on a while new meaning then.
4while= whole
5Mhmmm. Priorities.
I'm concerned.
We seem to be the only ones!
6This article is like an enormous "kick me HERE" sign....although on facebook I heard another term was used and THAT concerns me even more.
Some things just aren't funny.
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