I just sat with 50 other Yale students for over an hour to hear the president speak about a grave issue of national security. We all stopped studying for exams in order to listen to the important announcement, and what one hell of an announcement it was.
By now, most American's know that a team of U.S. operatives killed Osama bin Laden in a "firefight" with no American casualties. However, before we join in the chants of "USA" with spontaneous crowds outside the White House, let's take a few moments to examine President Obama's speech, arguably the best he has given in recent months.
Five aspects of his remarks stand out:
1) Obama emphasized that America and al Qaeda are "at war." This is an important shift from the president who wanted to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in a civilian court in New York, and who vowed to shut down Gitmo during the 2008 campaign. The tone here tonight was clear: The terrorists who plot against the United States are (illegal) combatants who deserve the full front of our military fury, not our legal rights.
2) The president gave a nod to his predecessor, in an acknowledgment that America has never been, nor ever will be, at war with Islam. This took class and grace, and Obama merits credit for it.
3) This speech was traditional. From the inclusion of "under God" in his closing remarks, to the references to retributive "justice," Obama channeled the Judeo-Christian values that still define our nation -- again, a welcome shift from the president who went out of his way to give a nod to "non-believers" in his inaugural address.
4) Somehow, Obama managed to take this moment to combat feelings of American declinism. The memo: We can do anything we set out to do. Compare this simple yet effective message to his recent flop of a State of the Union speech, in which the example of our greatness was the fact that "America is the nation that built the transcontinental railroad." This moment disproves those who sing the song of the "fall of American Empire," resolve, and spirit.
5) Most importantly, Obama tonight reaffirmed America's role as a force for good in the world, a force that extends beyond our borders. After U.S. troops took a backseat in NATO operations against Muammar Gaddafi, many (including me) worried that our will to "oppose any foe" in the defense of liberty played second fiddle to the whims of the UN, EU, and the Arab League. Thankfully and surprisingly, Obama reaffirmed our commitment to be a "shining beacon on a hill" to light the world.
Today, I am proud to be American; I am proud of our troops; and, heck, yes, I am proud of our president. He did one damn good job.
It's a start.
"Nathaniel Zelinsky is a member of the Yale College Class of 2013. At Yale, he studies political science and economics. Nathaniel is interested in (and writes about) politics, modern conservatism, public service, and the V for Victory symbol. Besides blogging for the Huffington Post, Nathaniel frequently writes opinion pieces for the Yale Daily News and has appeared on National Review Online."
By the way, don't offend those who observe other religions. My Goddess can be a real b***h with small-minded thinkers.
In the scheme of human history, the invention of the PC will prove to be a more world-changing event than Bin Laden's death.
How are things going with the Young Republicans? Has Karl Rove come by to recruit yet? No doubt he will after reading this.
Hey, Yalie, I hate to break it to you as you stir sugar and cream into your tea with your silver spoon, but American declinism is doing quite well for those who observe, not just believe. Which Judeo-Christian values are mentioned in either the Declaration or the Constitution? I don't remember any.
"Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. "
-- President Obama
Yes. It was a good day. Enjoy.
Bin Laden got better than he deserved and certainly better than what he gave the victims of 9/11.
I just wish we didn't have to trade so many principles for his head.
After all, how dare the President go out of his way to address the millions of atheist or agnostic Americans he governs. If they aren't going to subscribe to a Judeo-Christian mindset, then they have CLEARLY forfeited any right to expect anyone to recognize their existance! And of course America can do anything it sets it's mind to. No other country can spend 10 years and BILLIONS of dollars to track down one guy and shoot him in the head quite like we can. Not to mention how much more virtuous it was to avoid a messy trial and simply killing him on sight. I mean, claiming to be a nation of laws but then denying people access to those laws because the government gets to decide who's worthy of our legal system would seem kind of hypocritical, right? Frontier justice is so much more American.
But you did get one thing right, it was classy of the President to mention President Bush in his remarks. After all, he could
But you're young. I'm sure you're convinced you've managed to figure it all out in your short time on this planet. Though after seeing what you decided were the most important take-away's from the President's speech, it's clear that you might be better served sticking to the books next time, instead of taking time away to see what's on the tube. You clearly have much to learn.
Oh, and Huffington Post, I am ashamed you deemed this garbage post-worthy...
And that the bin Laden family members in America during 9/11 were the ONLY civilians flying over the next three days.
But, yes, The President nailed it. The only point I seem to agree with you on.
Happy we finally found OBL, a little less happy we couldn't try him instead of shoot him first.
For someone so in love with the "romance" of combat (as Dubya called it), he should be patriotic enough to enlist with the "common people" who have enlisted to provide medical care for their families and because there are no jobs elsewhere.
Why you feel the need to take a swipe at rational Americans who reject your mythology is beyond me. I guess your god gives bonus points for killing or something?