So, Did You Find Any Facts, Obama?

Barack Obama is on a fact-finding mission to Afghanistan and Iraq. He is not alone. UN diplomats, as I write this, are on a fact-finding mission to Djibouti to investigate its border scuffle with Eritrea. A South African delegation of human rights workers are on a fact-finding mission to the West Bank. And IAEA investigators just got back from a fact-finding mission to Syria to see just what was going on in that building that Israel blew up.

This whole business of fact-finding missions sounds kind of phony. First, Obama is going to these war zones not to get facts (i.e. casualty statistics, number of Iraqi forces, etc.) -- that he get on Google. He is going to interview commanders on the ground and get their impression and opinion of the situation. Were he to interview David Petraeus and the general were to just say, "We have lost X soldiers over the past Y days," that would be a factual statement, yes, but not exactly worth flying halfway across the world to hear. It's probably somewhere in Obama's notes anyway. The presidential nominee wants opinions, not facts. He is no more looking for facts in Iraq than weapons inspectors are looking for WMD in Iraq.

Tired of being painted as a never-been-to-Afghanistan neophyte when it comes to foreign policy, he is also making his own impressions from the tours he takes of the war zones. But these orchestrated trips are terrible ways of gathering impressions, much less facts, based on any kind of reality. Remember McCain's Truman Show-style walk through a Baghdad market last spring? Also, if facts are stubborn things, as John Adams noted, impressions may be even more stubborn. Obama is unlikely to walk down Haifa Street, slap his forehead and declare, "Ya know, John was right. Let's stick around for a few more decades!" He is unlikely to budge on his timetable for withdrawal, especially seeing how the Iraqi prime minister blurted to a German magazine that he is a closet Obamaniac when it comes to the senator's yes-we-can-leave-Iraq plan.

Let's call these missions for what they are: photo ops and fuel-inefficient ways of gathering impressions, opinions, assumptions and the like from various sources on the ground (couldn't Obama have just beamed in Petraeus by teleconference?). Let's leave the fact-finding missions to the candidate's Googling minions.

Comments

[Sixtwo]

Question: Was the US on a fact-finding mission for "weapons of mass destruction" when it got us into the mess in Iraq? Obama's trip definitely is not a photo-op mission--that's what McCain's trips were for when the Democratics were infighting for the selection of a nominee. Obama's mission is to get FACTS, from RELIABLE sources, unfiltered or spinned by the media!!! The press conference this morning (7/22) attests to this fact!

[JimR]

Well... I think this is a very important trip, but "fact-finding" is a bit of a misnomer. It's mostly a media phrase.

[Sixtwo]

It is what it is in the eye of the beholder. The Senator has the prerogatory to let the American people know what the trip means to him; i.e., its purpose and he so stated..

[jackie4444]

Good article. From Obama's perspective, its a PR stunt and mostly designed to say to undecideds here, 'see, I'm loved and adored around the world, if elected I'll have world leaders falling over themselves wanting to cooperate with me, things have therefore got to get better if I'm elected'.

Still there's an argument it serves a positive purpose. Its the same argument that's attended his whole campaign. He presents himself as a blank slate on which others may write their dreams. He may be himself a total fraud. But the dreams themselves are real and something valuable is gained by people taking them out of storage, dusting them off, being motivated to rise at least a little out of cynicism and hopelessness. Dreams that every person, in every country, has. No reason the effect would be any different outside our borders.

You could see it in the faces of the military personnel, just as you could see it in the faces around
you at his rallys in the U.S. - and just as I expect it will be present in the faces of his 'world audience'
as this trip progresses. Perhaps if Obama is ever to be adjudged 'great' in the future, it will be not
for what he actually was, but for what he inspired Americans and the rest of the world to be.

[eden4barack08]

I love your comment! It's refreshingly honest.

Kudos.

[EngineerBill]

The thing this post seems to gloss over is the human factor. Obama is meeting key people one on one and, just as importantly, people are meeting him. You can't Google that.

[RightinSanFrancisco]

I thought that he got all of the input that he needed on Afghanistan in the hearings that he called for his sub-committee. Well, somehow he got the input. Is it possible that he figured it out from the politics of it? Wrong on the surge; weak on terroristm; lets see, what could be good in domestic politics - with no need to actuaalty do anything if elected.

[eddiemyboy1]

One thing everybody needs to remember is that Obama will have one hell of a hill to climb,because of all the roadblocks­,appointed judges,budget messes,corrupt officials,lobbyists and hangerson that bush has put in the way.The budget and this illegal war are going to be kicking our butts for the next ten years.

[CreekProf]

oh my goodness!
The last time I commented on this blog-(about 2 wks ago) I was almost alone in my rational thought. Journalists and bloggers alike were ready to stand at the tomb and wait for Obama to rise again.
Now, I see others are finally waking up to the fact that Obama is not the savior of America...some of you are actually admitting that he is after all...just another liberal politician.

Obama's trip will prove to be another Nancy Pelosi farce. Those in the Middle East region who are supporting Obama will certainly be glad if he is elected because they think they will have some influence over his policies. Why would they think that?

Go get em John!

[XME]

Because Obama has inspired a lot of younger, first-time voters, many are a bit idealist, so yes...for some of them that bubble has been burst a bit. But, you can be sure that they're all still going to vote for Obama in November, as will I and the other, less idealist voters who support him. Don't forget, McCain made "another Nancy Pelosi farce" trip a few months back as well, so this hasn't upped what they think of McCain at ALL. Actually, every day, I realize more how much of huge mistake it would be to elect him.

[C65]

CREEKPROF,
Maybe you should have remained off the blog.No one in their right mind has
said B.O. is a savior,unlike you and your Repulicans counterparts,who
believed Bush was GOD.What,we are saying,given McCain is part of the
old establishments that has BULLIED,not only the U.S. but also the world.
Commonsense people are ready for peace and prosperity in this country
as well as the world.We are not so perfect that we should dismiss the rights
of others to live their lives and customs as they so choose,as long as they
aren't infringing on the rights of others. In other words;WE ARE TIRED OF
BUSHIT!

[JimR]

I never thought he was a "savior," CreekProf. Interesting you feel the need to resort to extremist thinking.

However, I always have thought Obama was by far the most intelligent, even-tempered, and most responsible candidate out there. Since there are no 'saviors," or "messiahs," I will gladly settle for that!

[LincolnlandBabe]

From today's Chicago Tribune--Article title-"Obama isn't close to earning his stripes"--A section of the article states, "Obama is a 3 year Senator without a single important legislative achievement to his name, a former illinois State Senator that voted 'present' nearly 130 times. As President of the Harvard Law Review, as a law professor and a legislator,has he ever produced a single notable piece of scholarship? Written a single memorable article? His most memorable work is a biography of his favorite subject--himself." Also from the article, in reference to Obama wanting to hold a speech at the Brandenburg Gate--"Who is Obama representing? And what has he done in his lifetime to merit appropriating the Brandenburg Gate as a campaign prop? What was his role in the fight against communism, the liberation of Eastern Europe, the creation of what George Bush Sr., who presided over the fall of the Berlin Wall but modestly declined to go there for a victory lap, called 'a Europe whole and free?' For all of you out there who has read this comment, you've got to read this article in full, for it sums up Obama's love for himself--Bravo to you, Lionel Beeher, and to all the other journalists who can sniff out a phony and is not afraid to write about it.

[JimR]

It sounds like an opinion piece, not an article. Do you have a link?

"Obama is a 3 year Senator without a single important legislative achievement to his name,"

What were the notable legislative or administrative achievements of George Bush before he became president? Or Bill Clinton? Or George H.W. Bush? Or Ronald Reagan? Or Jimmy Carter? Anything leaping to mind?

"that voted 'present' nearly 130 times. "

Less than 3% of his total votes. He was very active as a state lawmaker!

"has he ever produced a single notable piece of scholarship? Written a single memorable article?"

Has Bush? Has Bill or Hillary Clinton? Has George H.W. Bush, or Reagan, or Carter, etc.?

" His most memorable work is a biography of his favorite subject--himself."

Does he have an ego? Well, DUHHH. He's a politician. ALL politicians have egos. That doesn't mean they would make bad presidents.

Seems to me whoever wrote this was determined to make Obama look bad. Try opening your mind sometime.

[C65]

LincolnLandBabe,
What has George Bush accomplished in 8yrs. and McCain in almost 30?
A war of convience and one that has bankrupt, and made us HATED-do you get it?
I might be wrong,but my gutt tells me that if Bush had not been the president of
this U.S.,we would never have had a Terriotist attack at all.
So.maybe Obama hasn't pass legislature,think on this he has very good foresight
and instincts.JESUS,was the new kid on the block,but he was able to teach a bunch
of old men a few tricks.Barack is 46yrs.old,Jesus was teaching at 12 ,lived and
completed his mission by 33,then gave up his life.
What you think of that,Know-it-All? What have you done?

[Liberoservative]

"Let's call these missions for what they are: photo ops and fuel-inefficient ways of gathering impressions, opinions, assumptions and the like from various sources on the ground (couldn't Obama have just beamed in Petraeus by teleconference?). Let's leave the fact-finding missions to the candidate's Googling minions."

Let's just say that you are an arse with this assumption, okay? No photo ops... he went to the theater and he has assessed so far.... He has spoken with General P in open Senate hearings....

This trip is showing that McCain has absolutely NO position or experience on Foreign Policy.... We have one side who wants to negotiate and build.... and McCain who says if we leave we lose... He has nothing... just a pathetic war monger saying that we need more war for peace........

IDIOTIC THINKING

[repearwo]

There is a lot of information on google, some of it factual and some of it not. It is like the old phrase, I do not beleive anything I read and only half of what I see. If the American people are going to rely solely upon Google it is no wonder that our population is so ignorant about the basics of just about anything.

I wonder, is that how you do your "journalism?"

[loudspeaker]

I just want to point out one thing:

Facts are not the same as truth. You can read a lot of facts in the newspapers but it's seldom you can read the truth. The media outlets are the masters in spinning facts to produce lies.

Obama should be looking for the truth in Iraq and not facts or opinions. Let's hope that that's what he's doing.

[Mkunnecke]

It is disgraceful that a man who has coasted through 3 years in the senate doing virtually nothing is now in Iraq looking "presidential" ----on the taxpayers buck, no doubt. A field trip does not a president make. Unfortunately, Obamites mistake a quick trip to the ME as a relationship building exercise. The first steps in this regard would have been to ACTUALLY function as a senator---rather than running for President for most of his tenure. This photo fools no one. To our European and Asian neighbors-­--smiling, always accomodating and polite---Obama is just the Democrat's equivalent of George Bush. The world expects no better from us and will suffer whomever we foist upon them. The dumbing down of American culture and politics continues---much to the amusement of an incredulous world.

[mjc]

You are so on target. Democratic candidate Obama seems to be such a fearsome tiger untjil you get close and realize that he really is just Bush, younger and more charismatic.

[Keith52]

What? which candidate are you "getting close" to? This is such a Karl Rove style statement. Just because you say it's so doesn't mean anything. Try stepping into the real world once in a while and stop watching FOX.

[Liberoservative]

and my last post to you is this..

You are

FOS!

[Maury66]

Ma'am....I am sorry you are so worked up over the fact that your candidate is out of the running, and I fully support your right to speak your mind and write in her name on your ballot when the time comes, but there is nothing disgraceful about Barak Obama's life or his rise to prominence. The cutesy terminology you use to refer to the Senator's supporters betrays a childish attitude, although I realize you are not by yourself by any means in this. Further, I would certainly dispute the characterization of Obama as the Democrat's equivalent of Dubya. Bush is a buffoonish former cheerleader, with a vast store of psychological demons boiling below the surface. Barak has intellect, and if you don't see that, I have to say respectfully as I can that there must be reasons why you have a problem with it. Last, I read in one of your other posts that you consider Obama's support among African Americans to be "racist". I'm speechless.

[rubinoff]

Wow!....if you don't like the guy, just come right out and say it, rather, than a 'lame' article like this. How long has he been there? (all of a couple of days). Give the man a chance to complete his fact finding mission and wait to see what he has to say. Jeez.

[Gidster]

Because Mccain knows how to win wars.....Sit in a POW cell until you are released is not the best way to do it.

[Keith52]

You are all just stirring it up. Of course he had to go there. He needed to legitimize his agenda. He is a politician. How shocking is it that he is doing political things? It's not. But please Lionel, you are not seriously saying Barack should Google and cell phone his way through his administration, are you? If not then let's dispense with this silly notion that his visits are merely a photo-ops. we all know that all of one's political life is a photo-op. One right after another. This is not something that should raise any eyebrows. But in between the photo=ops there is some work to be done. And Barack is doing it while the Republicans are still busy trying to scare us all into "staying the course".

[PaulinaSmedes]

Point taken. Would you be OK with 'fact-chec­king-missi­on' then?

[TJC]

Obama didn't get shamed into anything. All media aside, it is important to know the players in foreign policies to have a recent and educated diplomatic strategy. It is unfortunate for Seantor McCain that he has been there so many times and still has the same diplomatic and war strategy as Bush for the middle east. It is just unfortunate timing for Obama that the war in Iraq is petering out. We still need troops in Afghanistan and someone tell me again why we can't send any from Iraq until late fall??? Oh yes I forgot.... that is election time and the GOP wants desperation and fear to gather votes for McCain right about then.

[Rochester]

TJC, Don't forget about the possibility of a declared "state of national emergency." If Barack Obama looks like he is going to win the general election in a landslide, Dubya could declare a State of National Emergency (see War and Emergency Powers Act ). This officially makes him a dictator. This would also cancel any election and keep the Bush administration in office. This could only happen if we delay action on Bin Laden's hideout in the Hindu Kush mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. If we drag our feet long enough, there may be another terrorist attack on America.

[Gidster]

Brought about by whom? Saudi Arabians already on the FBI watch lists allowed to move freely by high ranking officials?

Or by a bunch of Al Queda operatives in a row boat?

[C65]

ROCHESTER,
If law breaking Bush attempts this act,there will be war here,to make
his IRAQ WAR look like a piece of cake with a glass of cold milk.

[mouselion]

Real life experience trumps cyber-research. And, who do you think comes up with those facts you google, anyway? What, politicians have to remain in a hermetically-sealed bubble? Yep. Just let Google manage your candidacy for you.

I see where this is going, and it doesn't bode well. Cynicism based on the primacy of cyberspace.