What Obama SHOULD Have Said

Dear Fellow Americans,

I stand before you tonight to discuss my decision for our participation in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I apologize for what may appear to some, to have been an excessive delay, but the security of our men and women in arms is the utmost important factor in this Nation and I have taken due diligence in preparing the best strategy for this Nation and not simply the strategy of a politician.

This, is not about me.

It is of my humble opinion that we have reached a point that our existence in the Middle East has been exploited by most, and is now desired by few. In taking this into careful consideration, I must weigh the continued deployment of our troops against the increasing tension in the region and the increasing distrust in the various regimes that are in the region. Safety of the troops and the outcome of a troop withdrawal or a massive surge of troops were both taken into consideration. This has been a difficult and arduous process but I will not tolerate a Vietnam style war in Afghanistan and we will not spend decades in the Middle East to achieve nothing.

America is above defeat.

Our men and women who have died over seas have not died in vain. They fought for two major objectives: They fought for retribution and they still battle for the souls that were innocently lost in the horrible attacks on our Nation on September 11, 2001. We also must acknowledge that our war in Iraq has brought about the liberation of a people from tyranny. Saddam Hussien no longer reigns in terror over the Country of Iraq and with his trial by the Iraqi people and the existing emergence of a more stable and honorable Nation, Iraq has become a better and safer place for her people.

Afghanistan is a much different Country and the battle in Afghanistan is one where our deployment and battle is much more difficult. In a Country where tribal influence is large, suppression of ideology is common place and the suppression of human beings is still very much allowed and encouraged, I question if the loss of more Americans will achieve any real difference. Afghanistan is interwoven with Pakistan. They allow safe harbor to Osama Bin Laden and he must be brought to justice for his actions of terrorism within the borders of our great Nation. We have tolerated much in Afghanistan in the last 8 years, and it is time for us to make a final and decisive move. We cannot send thousands to battle with no end in sight. If we send too few – we prolong the stay – and possibly lose the war. We also cannot bargain with corruption. If leaders are not willing to hand this terrorist to us, we will take him without negotiation.

We will be victorious and we will avenge the death of every man, woman, child and soldier that has died to find a harbored terrorist. Osama Bin Laden may preach that the United States is the Nation of terrorists, and to the people that live within a suppressed society, it may be easier to spread these vicious and unproductive lies. However, the United States did not bring war to its shores – Osama Bin Laden brought war to our shores and for this, he will be brought to justice. If Afghanistan holds this man in safety, we will find him. If Pakistan holds this man in safety, we will find him. If a tribal village holds this man in safety, we will find him. The days of Osama Bin Laden's freedom are numbered. The coward that buries his face in caves, and supplies a video of proof of existence here and there – will no longer be able to escape the justice of the United States.

It is not our job to push Afghanistan in a way it does not wish to go. It is far removed from Western society and may forever remain so. It is called the Graveyard of Empires. It will not be ours. It may be the graveyard for Bin Laden, for we WILL find him, but for the United States, we will be victorious and we will hit our target and we will leave. We will not pass judgment on the Afghan people. They will govern as they choose, and we will not intervene after Bin Laden is dragged from their mountains.

We will not stop until he is within our custody.

We will begin a massive troop surge effective immediately and we will find Bin Laden and exit quickly. General McCrystal has recommended 40,000 more troops be sent, or we will see defeat within 12 months.

I have heard his message. This will not happen.

The United States will begin immediately a massive undertaking to apprehend Osama Bin Laden and eradicate all Taliban forces and training camps. We will be swift and we WILL be strong.

The United States can bring this war to an end. I will bring this war to an end. Afghani people are on notice of our surge, and if you harbor Taliban forces or Osama Bin Laden and his team of terror, we will come for you too.

We will see brighter days. We will prevail as a Nation and we will come together as a people.

It begins today. With this speech, I am asked to answer a simple question... How many troops will I send?

In one sentence I answer the question:

We will send them all.