Desmond Tutu: Obama “could easily squander the good will that his election generated...”

[G_j]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/world/africa/20briefs-TUTUURGESOBA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=world

South Africa: Tutu Urges Obama to Apologize to Iraqis

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: February 19, 2009

Archbishop Desmond Tutu warned Thursday that President Obama risked squandering good will from around the world if he failed to take concrete steps like apologizing for the Iraq war. Archbishop Tutu, 77, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the retired archbishop of Cape Town, also urged Mr. Obama to support the International Criminal Court and “come down hard” on African dictators. He wrote in an article for the BBC’s Web site that the high hopes surrounding Mr. Obama’s presidency could turn sour. Mr. Obama “could easily squander the good will that his election generated if he disappoints,” Archbishop Tutu wrote. “It would be wonderful if, on behalf of the nation, Obama apologizes to the world, and especially the Iraqis, for an invasion that I believe has turned out to be an unmitigated disaster.”

[Ocracoker16]

1. No Future without Forgiveness

That is the title of one of Desmond Tutu's books. It came to mind when I read this article. I really think that there needs to be an apology for the Iraq war. I agree with Tutu that if Obama doesn't apologize to the Iraqis for the invasion and that if he doesn't apologize to other nations for the impact of the war on their countries Obama may end up shattering the good impression he has made on the world. I understand that Obama didn't start this war, but I think as the current president he needs to tell the world that the war started in Iraq by the US was a mistake in many different ways. Tutu speaks of "high hopes" for Obama that might "sour" if he doesn't apologize for the war which would separate him from George W. Bush's policies.

[G_j]

2. yes, I think the world needs to see a very bright line.

& the window of opportunity won't last forever.

[Toasterlad]

3. Um, Excuse Me. I'm Not Exactly a Hugh! Obama Fan, But Shouldn't BUSH Apologize For the War?

If I were Obama, I'd be saying, "Look your beef's with the last asshole, not me. I'm just trying to make the best of a shitty situation."

[alittlelark]

5. SPOT ON.

well said.

[Juche]

4. A war that never should've been authorized, and never should've been waged

Obama has said that several times. However I wouldn't apologize for the war, Obama didn't start it. I do agree Obama should join the ICC and take a stand against African dictators.

[tritsofme]

8. The Rome Treaty would never be ratified by the Senate.

Obama can sign the treaty and pledge to cooperate with the ICC, stark differences from the Bush administration, but I just can't imagine Republicans would allow this treaty to go through.

[bird gerhl]

6. Iraq owes US an apology!! AND REPARATIONS!!!

How dare they drag us into their "civil" war! Ingrates.

[G_j]

7. Obama widens missile strikes inside Pakistan

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29310523/

NYT:
Obama widens missile strikes inside Pakistan
Raids aim at militants who play less-direct role in attacks on U.S. troops

By MARK MAZZETTI and DAVID E. SANGER

updated 12:14 a.m. CT, Sat., Feb. 21, 2009
WASHINGTON - With two missile strikes over the past week, the Obama administration has expanded the covert war run by the Central Intelligence Agency inside Pakistan, attacking a militant network seeking to topple the Pakistani government.

The missile strikes on training camps run by Baitullah Mehsud represent a broadening of the American campaign inside Pakistan, which has been largely carried out by drone aircraft. Under President Bush, the United States frequently attacked militants from Al Qaeda and the Taliban involved in cross-border attacks into Afghanistan, but had stopped short of raids aimed at Mr. Mehsud and his followers, who have played less of a direct role in attacks on American troops.

The strikes are another sign that President Obama is continuing, and in some cases extending, Bush administration policy in using American spy agencies against terrorism suspects in Pakistan, as he had promised to do during his presidential campaign. At the same time, Mr. Obama has begun to scale back some of the Bush policies on the detention and interrogation of terrorism suspects, which he has criticized as counterproductive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[tritsofme]

9. Yeah uh, thanks. We'll get right on that.

[ProgressIn2008]

10. I'd take an end to perma-war for empire over an apology. I don't expect either. nt