For what it's worth - my take on the speech (yes, I watched it all).

[NRaleighLiberal]

Brief context - I am a dove. I don't understand war, killing, violence. I don't trust politicians. I despise the media for the most part. I am part of the 10% who even just after 911 was highly anti-Bush. I don't think he (Bush, that is) did a good job in the aftermath. I thought, and still think, he was/is an arrogant idiot, failed at everything he did, and literally could not listen to him speak.

Now, on to the speech. It was a strong speech that did not have the message I wanted to hear. I cringed when he brought up 911. He did what he felt he had to do, I suppose - and as others here posted, he probably knows more than we know about things that, combined with political triangulation, resulted in the outcome. I wasn't inspired, wasn't moved, wasn't brought along for the mental ride on why we need to continue this war. We could "succeed" (whatever that is), and we may "fail" (more of the same, I suppose). Many more lives will be lost. I don't think you can go to war with an idea. I don't think we can presume to know what they need culturally, politically - Americans tend to have the hubris of assuming what people need. And we don't.

So on we go. My antibodies to 911 and Bush are so bad that the speech got off to a bad start for me. I think that language has to be scrubbed - but Obama was speaking to everyone, not just his supporters. I am not ready to give up on him - things are too complex. But this is not how I hoped things would go.

[jefferson_dem]

1. Congent analysis...

Thanks for sharing.

[jefferson_dem]

16. That should read "cogent"...

I really need an instant spell check here.

[CBR]

2. I agree. Great post. nt

[still_one]

3. Yup things are too complex. AQ and bin laden are in Pakistan. Karzai is corrupt as hell

What is the objective again?

[graywarrior]

4. Thank you!

[IndianaGreen]

5. I cringed when he conflated the Taliban with 9-11 and Al-Qaeda

coupled with the shameless patriotic appeal at the end. It was a sad attempt at confusing and manipulating public opinion to support a wasteful war.

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. Thanks for highlighting that. Another cringe moment indeed.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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[NRaleighLiberal]

7. I suspected this would be an unrec magnet as well. (chuckling...). and they begin!

[LovinLife]

8. Did he really bring up Democracy in Afghanistan? Please no>>> Nt

[vaberella]

9. That's what I've been trying to say. It's complex. It's not cut and dry. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

10. Rec for a positive critique but....

.... may I ask why the the 9/11 mentions bothered you so? ...... Just because of Bush? ...... I remember clearly 9/11 ...... I rememebr who I lost that day and I know Bush had nothing to do with that pain.

I hope I dont sound snarky because I'm really wanting to know what that bothers you so much.

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. It is the way that Bush, Cheney, Guiliani used it as a politial fear tool.

So I have a knee jerk reaction to its use. To me, the true horror and meaning of 911 has been hijacked for purely political use.

And I am so sorry for your loss. You don't sound snarky at all.

[Clio the Leo]

13. Well, I said this snarkily to some one else but.....

.... I would respectfully suggest to you to let go of the mind meld the GOP has on your memory. ;)

9/11 was not a publicity stunt. It was one of the most tragic days in our nations history.

To allow that moment to be clouded with the filthy way in which the previous administration used it to concoct a lie against the American people is, in my opinion, a sad way to remember those who died. I dont say that to chastise, but to beg you to realize that the man you heard speak tonight is NOT George Bush. He is the same man you cheered for on November of last year .... he is the same new man that caused you to fall in love with the American dream again.

[NRaleighLiberal]

14. No begging needed. I campaigned for Obama. He still has my support.

But I am not going to agree with everything, and I do think in this case this is not the right decision.

But..that is just me, and I am just a tiny atom on the big molecule USA!

[unc70]

11. The World Bank mention brought another big cringe -- Roberty McNamara

This speech had so much that reminded me of LBJ and of Nixon. I kept expecting to play dominos at any minute.

The words he did not say (at least I don't remember them) still rang in my ears: escalation, incursion, pacification, peace with honor, ...

I had to watch alone because I quickly reached the point of yelling at the TV.

Mostly watching the Tar Heels at the moment, trying to gain some perspective.