Left I on the News

Obama waffles/caves on the public option (something that isn't even remotely comparable to the much-needed single-payer system). His administration talks out of both sides of its mouth on the Defense [sic] of Marriage Act (DOMA}, claiming it thinks the law discriminates against gays and lesbians...but that they are going to defend the law in court.

And then we come to his speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars:

"I have made this pledge to our armed forces: I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary. And when I do, it will be based on good intelligence and guided by a sound strategy. I will give you a clear mission, defined goals, and the equipment and support you need to get the job done....And that's why, even with our current economic challenges, my budget increases defense spending."

Look, I'm sure someone (certainly not me, obviously) can make a case for having troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. But a case that it is "absolutely necessary"? And about that "clear mission" and "defined goals"? Is Obama really going to look us in the eye and tell us what the "defined goal" is in either country? Please.

There was one moment of truth in the speech. The bit about the increase in spending. Although the word "defense" should have been replaced by the word "military," since those expenses have nothing to do with "defense."