September 6, 2013—SnyderTalk Editorial: President Obama’s Loose Lips are Costing Us Dearly

1--Intro

Intelligent and Informed People Read SnyderTalk!

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2--SnyderTalk Editorial 4

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President Obama’s Loose Lips are Costing Us Dearly

President Obama is a big talker and a strong proponent of red lines.  He has spoken about them often since he took office.  First there was the red line on Iran.  Then came the red line on Syria.  Now the president’s rhetoric has come back to bite him and the world is waiting and watching to see what he will do or say next.

John Dickerson at Slate said it well:

When Barack Obama took office, the era of “dead or alive” foreign policy rhetoric was over. Even George W. Bush agreed this was a good idea. Obama’s predecessor said that phrase—along with his “bring ’em on” taunt to Iraqi insurgents—were among his greatest mistakes as president. “I learned some lessons about expressing myself maybe in a little more sophisticated manner,” said Bush. “‘Wanted, dead or alive’—that kind of talk. I think in certain parts of the world it was misinterpreted.” The Die Hard–style talk made Bush sound like a cowboy who shot first and asked questions never.

Obama was going to be the polar opposite. He didn’t pop off.  He was measured in his mind, and his words would be, too. He told us as much in an early press conference. Ed Henry, then with CNN, wanted to know why the president was slow to get exercised about abuses at insurance giant AIG. The president snapped (by his standards): “It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.” 

But on the eve of the U.S. attack on Syria, President Obama is hemmed in by his own rhetoric in a way that many, back in 2008, would have associated with Bush rather than the man who won the Nobel Peace Prize based mostly on the quality of his words rather than his accomplishments.

President Obama’s poorly chosen words have backed our nation into a corner.  We’re in a no-win situation.  No matter what Obama does at this point, he looks like a “ditherer” and a “leader from behind”—the two most fitting characterizations of him as president—and our future with him at the helm doesn’t look promising.

All of our allies except France have abandoned President Obama, and our enemies are enjoying the spectacle of him squirming as he struggles to find a face-saving way out of the fine mess that he has created for himself.  His belated attempt to win congressional support for an attack on Syria after having said that he doesn’t need congressional authorization to order an attack is the latest example of the president’s use of ill chosen words that have serious repercussions in the global arena.

As Dickerson said,

The disconnect between what the president says and does, and how the world receives it is now playing out on the eve of U.S. military strikes. When the president justifies the attack, he will wrap it in talk of morality and international norms, but the words of resolve will be undermined by the reluctant walk-up to the moment. The true thrust of the operation was perhaps best captured in a blind quote in a Los Angeles Times story in which an official familiar with the coming operation categorized it as “just muscular enough not to get mocked.”

Meanwhile, Iran continues to work tirelessly to develop nuclear weapons; Egypt’s military leaders ignore Obama completely; and Russia has referred to the West (meaning Obama) as a “monkey with a hand grenade.”  Obviously, none of them have any respect for the president and no apprehensions about offending him.  It’s easy to understand why.  Even Obama’s hallmark achievement as president—“killing” Osama bin Laden—has become an international joke because word leaked out that he was playing cards while his top security officials were busy in the White House doing all the work.  To quote the president, “I can’t watch this entire thing.”

As a community organizer, Obama’s words were probably poorly thought out as well, but there were no horrific consequences associated with his verbal excesses and fabrications.  Thanks to the mainstream media, he gets a free pass in our country, but on the world stage, Obama is—to use Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin’s words—regarded as a “monkey with a hand grenade.”  Our nation’s enemies see Obama more clearly than we do, and they grant him no quarter.

As President of the United States, Obama’s ill-conceived words have serious consequences—potentially devastating consequences.  They have turned our once-strong allies into pantywaists; they have emboldened our enemies; they initiated the Arab Spring and set the Middle East ablaze; and they are about to get us involved in a war with Syria the outcome of which is uncertain for a cause that is just as unclear.

Obviously, most voters in America don’t get the picture because they elected and then re-elected him, but global leaders understand the facts on the ground.  Barack Obama is a poor excuse for a president.  He is creating problems all over the world that he doesn’t understand and has virtually no chance of solving.  A recent Pew Research Center report revealed that “incompetent” and “liar” are two of the most frequently used words to describe Obama.  It’s easy to understand why, and I think that most heads of state today would enthusiastically agree.

One of the president’s staffers should place a large Post-it note on the bottom of his teleprompter so that he can see it every time he gives a speech.  The message on it should be written in big, bold, block letters: Words Have Consequences.  Unfortunately, no one will write the note, and even if someone did, it’s doubtful that the president would ever read it.  He thinks that he can do no wrong, and that’s the ultimate problem.

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9--Jerusalem Post

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Housing Minister: Temple Mount must be open to Jews at all times

US Senate panel passes authorization for use of military force in Syria

Obama on Syria response: ‘Int’l community’s credibility is on the line, not mine’

AIPAC say they support US strike on Syria

Hizbullah Mobilizes for Expected U.S. Attack on Syria

United at Rosh Hashana, Obama and Rouhani wish Jews a Happy New Year

Senior PA official: Peace talks with Israel are going nowhere

USS San Antonio arrives in Haifa for ‘routine port visit’

Ya’alon: Settlement evacuations is not part of new talks with Palestinians

Hamas dismisses talk of strike by Egypt against Gaza

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11--Israel Hayom

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Oren: US becoming more isolationist, but support for Israel higher than ever

US’s biggest pro-Israel groups back Obama on Syria action

Putin: Russia may approve attack on Syria if gas use is proved

‘Sinai jihadis want to overthrow Egypt, then they’ll come for Israel’

Report: Assad mulling another chemical attack

Muslims riot on Temple Mount after cleric arrested for incitement

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11--THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

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15 arrested as Palestinians, police clash on Temple Mount

Senate committee authorizes use of force in Syria

Israeli policy statement supports Obama on Syria

‘I didn’t set a red line, the world set a red line’

US rabbis urge Congress to back Obama on Syria

‘Israel offered intact settlements as part of peace deal’

Majority of Israelis support freedom of religion, marriage

Areas of anxiety: 9 New Year challenges for the IDF

Netanyahu, in Rosh Hashanah clip, says Iran nuke ambitions ‘must be stopped’

Palestinians demand gas masks from Israel

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12--Other News

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Putin: Russia May Agree to Syria Strike If Assad Used Chemical Arms

As It Builds Coalition on Syria, U.S. Faces Skeptical Allies

Momentum Shifts Again in Syrian Civil War

Syria Hiding Weapons, Moving Troops

Syria Creates a Russian Safe Zone, Civilian Danger Zones

“Chemical Weapons Use a Big Mistake,” Hizbullah Told Iran

Public Opinion Runs Against Syrian Airstrikes

Jordan Condemns Israeli Building in Al Aqsa Mosque Complex

Egypt’s Sinai Emerges as New Theater for Jihad

Ancient Samson Mosaic Uncovered in Israeli Synagogue – with Photos

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13--Perspectives 2

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Shlomo Brom: Israel Has an Interest in Strengthening the Ban on Use of Chemical Weapons—Limited punitive military action aimed at deterring Assad from further use of chemical weapons is possible. To achieve its objectives, such action should deliver a message to the regime that continued use of chemical weapons will lead to further Western military operations that will greatly detract from the regime’s ability to survive.

Jonathan S. Tobin: U.S. Credibility, Not “Israel Lobby,” Will Decide Syria Vote—In the debate about U.S. action on Syria, the idea of shifting the discussion from one that revolves around America’s credibility and national security to one that seeks to parse the decision as either good or bad for Israel is a profound misreading of the issue. Israel has no friends in Syria and no matter which side wins, it will be on its guard.

Dominic Lawson: So Who Still Thinks Israel Is the Root of Middle East Problems?—Forget the massacre of thousands in Syria and Egypt, whether by chemical weapons or more conventional methods of mass slaughter. The Middle Eastern issue galvanizing some of our musical mega-stars and their followers, even now, is the treatment by Israel of Palestinians.

Dogu Ergil: Turkey’s Jewish Problem—One characteristic of Turkish politics – especially foreign policy – is the weight of conspiracy theories. One of the scapegoats for Turkey – and Islamic societies in general – is Israel or the international Jewish lobby. Accusing Jews of everything that goes wrong is easy; one has no need to understand the causality behind the blunders made at home. Thoughts of Jews and anti-Jewish feelings have infiltrated the minds of the politicians at the helm of the country. The ruling Turkish politicians know that reconciliation with Israel will strengthen Turkey’s hand in international matters, but ideology, namely their own bias (shared by a large part of the traditional society) against Jews, has often overwhelmed pragmatism.

Yan Barakat: Peace on Paper Is Not Peace on the Ground—As a Jordanian, I was taught that Israel is our first enemy. People in Jordan (and almost all Arabs in the Middle East) think that Israel seeks to destroy them. It is common to hear conspiracy theories asserting that decisions by the governments of the U.S., Russia and Europe that have adversely affected Arab countries can all be traced back to the Jews. In the mosque, the Imam asks God to make widows of Jewish wives and orphans of Jewish children. In the minds of most, nearly any problem in the Middle East can be traced back to Israel. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that if we stop Israel, or expel them from the Middle East, our situation will be better.

Jonathan D. Halevi: President Obama’s Shift on Syria and Western Strategy—The Syrian regime is far weaker than most observers think. Rebel forces are continuing to gain momentum in all districts. The regime’s dire situation is manifested in its ever-increasing reliance on irregular and volunteer forces from Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon (Hizbullah).

Elliott Abrams: Are we trying to lose?— Apparently, the White House wants to strengthen the Syrian opposition but does not want it to prevail.

Jonathan Tobin: Israel’s defenders should be doing Obama’s bidding on Syria, don’t you know?— There was never much doubt that sooner or later any debate about U.S. action on Syria would get around to an effort to drag the “Israel Lobby” canard out of the closet.

Jonathan S. Landay: It’s not only Americans who are befuddled by Obama’s Syria policy— Ahmad Nemah, a midlevel Syrian rebel commander, is certain there’s sound military logic behind President Barack Obama’s decision to delay U.S. missile strikes against the Syrian regime, but he’s having a hard time persuading his subordinates.

Nat Hentoff: Endless extermination of Christians: How much do we care?— Not only is it fatally dangerous to be a Christian in Syria and Egypt, but “seventy percent of Christians killed around the world in 2012 died in the African country of Nigeria, where the persecution continues today” (“Deadliest place to be a Christian: Nigeria,” Charlie Butts, OneNewsNow.com, May 31).

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4--Scripture of the Day USE THIS ONE

The scripture below is from the New American Standard Bible, and the hyperlinks associated with each word are from Strong’s Concordance for the New American Standard Bible.

Joel 2: 3-10

A fire consumes before them and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them but a desolate wilderness behind them, and nothing at all escapes them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like war horses, so they run. With a noise as of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, like a mighty people arranged for battle. Before them the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale. They run like mighty men, they climb the wall like soldiers; and they each march in line, nor do they deviate from their paths. They do not crowd each other, they march everyone in his path; when they burst through the defenses, they do not break ranks. They rush on the city, they run on the wall; they climb into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief. Before them the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon grow dark and the stars lose their brightness.

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5--HNIY Print form 2

His Name is Yahweh explains why the Name of God, Yahweh, is so important.  It’s available in eBook format and in paperback.  It’s also available for free in PDF format.

  • God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This [Yahweh] is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3: 15)
  • “Therefore behold, I am going to make them know—this time I will make them know My power and My might; and they shall know that My name is Yahweh.” (Jeremiah 16: 21)
  • “Behold, the days are coming,” declares Yahweh, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.  In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, ‘Yahweh our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23: 5-6)
  • Yeshua said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8: 58)

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6--His Name is Yahweh Audio Presentation 2

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Obey Yahweh and Let the Name Jesus Go

Click here to download the entire audio presentation for free and with no strings attached.  Share it as often as you want.

6--Freely You Received Freely Give

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14--Blessings from Revelation 2

Blessings in the Book of Revelation is a book that you need to read, especially now.  There are blessings throughout the Scriptures but Revelation is the only book in the Bible actually containing a specific blessing for reading it. It’s repeated twice, once at the beginning and again at the end. This is the reason that I believe Revelation should be the first step toward studying biblical prophecy. Though not easy to do, Revelation can be broken down and understood by anyone, not just the academic elite. So, Revelation’s blessings are for everyone.  Click here to order the eBook.  Click here to order the paperback.

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Other Books by Neil Snyder

  • Stand! is a suspense novel that exposes the lies, corruption, and greed underlying the theory that man-made CO2 emissions are responsible for global warming.  Professor Wes Carlyle and Karen Sterling, his research collaborator, carefully scan the audience for their would-be attacker—a member of the enviro-gestapo who has been following them for days.  Wes spots his man in the back of the room leaning against the wall.  Suddenly, another man in the audience steps forward and moves toward Karen at a menacing pace.  With a vicious stroke, he swings a billy club at her head.  Click here to order the eBook.  Click here to order the paperback.
  • What Will You Do with the Rest of Your Life? deals with a question that every Christian has to consider: what should I do with my life?  Click here to order the eBook.  Click here to order the paperback.
  • Falsely Accused is a true story about a young woman who was accused of committing a double homicide.  It’s about a travesty of justice, and it reveals Yahweh intervening in the life of a believer to rescue her from danger in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.  Everyone will enjoy the book, but young people in particular need to read it because the mistakes made that led to the problem could have been avoided.  They were the kinds of mistakes that young people are prone to make.  As they say, forewarned is forearmed.  Click here to order the eBook.  Click here to order the paperback.

15--Concentric Circles 2

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