The president, speaking to vets, has made some interesting promises and issued some well deserved praise.

What is especially interesting is the abrupt about face the president has made concerning our Nation's mission in the Mid-East?

It is good to hear the resolve to take the fight to our enemies. We will trust for deliberate follow-through.

Washington Post

Obama Defends New Tack in Afghanistan... Pledges Support for Troops

PHOENIX, Aug. 17 -- President Obama on Monday defended his administration's new approach to the fierce fighting that rages in Afghanistan, calling it "not only a war worth fighting" but also one that "is fundamental to the defense of our people."

Speaking to the annual gathering of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Obama praised the American troops in Afghanistan who are helping to secure the country ahead of elections there this week.

"As I said when I announced this strategy, there will be more difficult days ahead," Obama said. "The insurgency in Afghanistan didn't just happen overnight. And we won't defeat it overnight. This will not be quick. This will not be easy."

The president said that he would continue to increase the size of the military to confront problems around the globe, but he added that he rejects wasteful spending on technology that commanders insist they no longer need.

"Our defense review is taking a top-to-bottom look at our priorities and posture, questioning conventional wisdom, rethinking old dogmas and challenging the status quo," he said. "We're asking hard questions about the forces we need and the weapons we buy."

The president expressed confidence in the military's efforts in Iraq, saying that the United States has made progress in difficult circumstances.....

Could it be that the White House is actually starting to realize that America is... still America?

That is hope and change we could believe in.

I would also encourage you to go to this article at the Borg Conspiracy though for a little mental leverage concerning the next to last paragraph in my quote, about taking a "top to bottom" review of our efforts. It will enlighten our following the news coming out of our efforts in the Mid-East.

XtnYoda, shalomed