Obama: Al-Qaida Would Use Nuke If it Could (NO KIDDING!)

[John317]

Reuters By ANNE GEARAN, AP National Security Writer Anne Gearan, Ap National Security Writer – Sun Apr 11, 7:53 pm ET

WASHINGTON – If al-Qaida acquired nuclear weapons it "would have no compunction at using them," President Barack Obama said Sunday on the eve of a summit aimed at finding ways to secure the world's nuclear stockpile.

"The single biggest threat to U.S. security, both short-term, medium-term and long-term, would be the possibility of a terrorist organization obtaining a nuclear weapon," Obama said. "This is something that could change the security landscape in this country and around the world for years to come."

"If there was ever a detonation in New York City, or London, or Johannesburg, the ramifications economically, politically and from a security perspective would be devastating," the president said.

"We know that organizations like al-Qaida are in the process of trying to secure nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, and would have no compunction at using them," Obama said.

The Nuclear Security Summit of more than 40 world leaders in Washington this week is aimed at securing "loose nuclear material," Obama said. He was holding one-on-one meetings Sunday with several of those leaders.

He said other world leaders have offered "very specific approaches to how we can solve this profound international problem."

Obama singled out South Africa for giving up its nuclear program, and said it "has been a strong, effective leader in the international community on nonproliferation issues. South Africa has special standing in being a moral leader on this issue."

South African President Jacob Zuma was among the leaders Obama met with Sunday at Blair House, across from the White House. Others included Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

"I feel very good at this stage in the degree of commitment and a sense of urgency that I have seen from the world leaders so far on this issue," Obama said. "We think we can make enormous progress on this, and this then becomes part and parcel of the broader focus that we've had over the last several weeks."

Last Thursday, Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that reduces each side's deployed nuclear arsenal to 1,550 weapons. Earlier in the week, Obama approved a new nuclear policy for the United States, vowing to reduce America's nuclear arsenal, refrain from nuclear tests and not use nuclear weapons against countries that do not have them.

Obama said securing loose nuclear arms is "a central part of the process, but probably the most urgent one and the one we are most concerned with in the short term."

After his remarks, Obama met with Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. The White House said Obama praised Pakistan for its quick reaction to an attack by Islamic militants against a U.S. consulate in northwestern Pakistan last week. Obama also reiterated that the U.S. and Pakistan are facing a common enemy.

Pakistan has a troubled history with the United States, and anti-American sentiment runs high among ordinary Pakistanis. U.S. leaders go out of their way to assure Pakistan that the United States will not walk away from the improving relationship with Pakistan, and Congress has committed billions in new aid to the country.

Reagrding the purpose of the summit, the White House said Galani assured Obama that Pakistan takes nuclear security seriously and has appropriate safeguards in place.

Obama wrapped up his Sunday schedule by meeting with acting Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan before returning to the White House.

[John317]

Bravus, I would really appreciate hearing what you think of President Obama now and of what he's saying about Al-Qaeda and about Iran as well. This news article makes it sound like the idea that Al-Qaeda would use Nuclear weapons on us is new to the president.

I wonder if you think Obama is enjoying being president. I remember Kennedy as president, and he exuded happiness at being president. You could tell he loved it. I don't get the same feeling from Obama. I could be wrong but it's just a feeling I have when I see him. He doesn't have that look of someone who's having fun and enjoying themselves. But now

[Bravus]

John317, my guess is that he's enjoying the experience over all, but that there are a couple of things going on:

1. It's a lot tougher than he imagined. The stormclouds of the economic crash were very much on the horizon when he was campaigning, but I don't think any of us knew just how deep it would be. A lot of his first year was spent dealing with that, and being roundly criticized for the way he did so (though I strongly suspect McCain would have done almost exactly the same things in the circumstances). He's had the achievement of getting healthcare reform through, which is something other presidents have tried and failed, but at considerable cost and probably a lot weaker than he would have liked.

2. I think that the media climate and scrutiny doesn't really *allow* him to smile and laugh and visibly enjoy it. The times when Kennedy was president were at least equally serious (hello, Cuban Missile Crisis), but somehow now the media thinks everything is Terribly Serious, and if the president was laughing and joking around or even visibly joyful he would be attacked as not being sufficiently serious about his job. (In fairness, this did happen to GWB to some extent.)

There's a long, long path still to go (I can't see him being a 1-term president, no matter what some might like to think), and I do think it will get easier as the worst messes of the past decade get sorted out. As I've said here before, his falling approval is unsurprising: those on the right hate that he's done anything at all, those on the left want him to have done much more. No-one is really satisfied. Doesn't mean the dissatisfied ones on the left will actually vote to replace him with a Republican, though...

I'm not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I think I'm much more sanguine about the midterms than many on the right would assume.

[Bravus]

The "al Qaeda would use nukes if they had 'em" thing: I don't think it's so much a new thought to him as just an essential piece of political theatre around the nuclear reduction talks. What people are *really* worried about is the Russians using them, but it's hard to say that publicly when going into a room to negotiate with the Russians... so the villains of the decade can stand in...

[bonnie]

Quote:

There's a long, long path still to go (I can't see him being a 1-term president, no matter what some might like to think), and I do think it will get easier as the worst messes of the past decade get sorted out. As I've said here before, his falling approval is unsurprising: those on the right hate that he's done anything at all, those on the left want him to have done much more. No-one is really satisfied. Doesn't mean the dissatisfied ones on the left will actually vote to replace him with a Republican, though...

those on the right hate that he's done anything at all,

Simply inaccurate. The fact that 40% of the tea party movement is democrat and independent should give people a little hint.

They are not disappointed that he did something,it was what Obama did and the mess we are in and getting worse.

Small businesses are not going to hire and expand till they know what they will be hit with.Obama in his brillance tells them now is not the time for profit. Good thinking Obama,how many small businesses will stay in business strictly for the privilege of providing for employee's.

We can not balance a overdrawn checking account by writing more checks.In Obama's world that is what works.

You cannot provide cheaper medical care by adding more patients to a already overtaxed system as medicare and medicaid.

But above all it was the thug tactics of Obama and friends that upset many I know. And yes,there are democrats with buyer's remorse as far as their vote.

[John317]

... What people are *really* worried about is the Russians using them, but it's hard to say that publicly when going into a room to negotiate with the Russians... so the villains of the decade can stand in...

Thanks for both posts. I agree with much of what you say.

I don't agree that Americans are really worried about the Russians' use of nuclear weapons. We used to be but we haven't been worried about Russians' using the Nukes in a long time. We know that the Russians are pretty rational and don't want the bomb used any more than Americans do. The ones we worry about are the terrorists and North Korea, and to a lesser extent, China. The reason we worry about the terrorists, Iran and North Korea is that we know some of those people don't care if they blow up themselves up along with the world. I believe everyone else with the bomb would do what they have to do to avoid the destruction of their countries.

[Bravus]

Probably shouldn't confuse Ahmadinejad with Iranians as a whole though, John317: I believe the vast majority of the Iranian people are peaceful, civilised and seek progress.

And yes, bonnie, it would have been more accurate for me to say "those on the right hate that he's done anything at all that does not accord with their idea of what should be done". Beyond that, your rant basically confirms my point.

[John317]

Probably shouldn't confuse Ahmadinejad with Iranians as a whole though, John317: I believe the vast majority of the Iranian people are peaceful, civilised and seek progress.

Yes, sure. When I speak of the Iranians, I'm talking about current leadership, particularly Ahmadinejad. I know that probably the majority of the people don't feel or think the same as he does. The problem is that in those countries, especially North Korea, they have virtual dictators, not leaders who are truly representative of the people. And who knows what the leader of NK would do!

If bin Laden had nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, I doubt very much he would hesitate to use them. And his first choice of location? The Big Satan, of course.

[bonnie]

Probably shouldn't confuse Ahmadinejad with Iranians as a whole though, John317: I believe the vast majority of the Iranian people are peaceful, civilised and seek progress.

And yes, bonnie, it would have been more accurate for me to say "those on the right hate that he's done anything at all that does not accord with their idea of what should be done". Beyond that, your rant basically confirms my point.

No,what you should have said was those on the right,many on the left and many in the middle hate the fact that what he has and is doing is not only not helping,it is making the whole situation worse.

I would put a lot more faith in a small businessman's take on what is happening with the business climate than I would yours.

We have businesses locally that have been in business for better than fifty years.They are closing their doors and not because of your very flawed and totally wrong statements.....that does not accord with their idea of what should be They see little reason to continue to shoulder the responsibilities and stresses of a business,be hit every which way with Obama care and more and more taxes and then be told they should not make a profit now.

Unlike Obama and his complete ignorant statement of small business men should not be making a profit now,they have no intention of working their backside off to accommodate Obama.

They figured out a long time ago if they are to stay in business it is by making a profit.

As so often happens the intended target of Obama's foolishness are not the ones hurt the worst.

Many of those closing up are fortunate in having the ability to live quite nicely on early retirement.One of our local half century owned business laid off their 69 employee's. Most of them are still unemployed and hurting.The owner of the company is in Cancun the last I heard. More power to him. Let Obama feed his 69 employee's.

My brother laid off 50 workers.Some of those are not working.

My brother is living quite nicely with his Obama forced retirement.

[Bravus]

(feel free to fight on by yourself: I didn't post to pick a fight but because John317 asked for my thoughts)

[oldsailor29]

Quite correct Bonnie. Atlas is shrugging.

[bonnie]

(feel free to fight on by yourself: I didn't post to pick a fight but because John317 asked for my thoughts)

Sorry,didn't know disagreeing with you was picking a fight. Nor did I see where John 3:17 asked for the thoughts of Bravus and please do not disagree with him

[karl]

Originally Posted By: Bravus

And yes, bonnie, it would have been more accurate for me to say "those on the right hate that he's done anything at all that does not accord with their idea of what should be done".

No,what you should have said was those on the right,many on the left and many in the middle hate the fact that what he has and is doing is not only not helping,it is making the whole situation worse.

I would put a lot more faith in a small businessman's take on what is happening with the business climate than I would yours....

Unlike Obama and his complete ignorant statement of small business men should not be making a profit now,they have no intention of working their backside off to accommodate Obama.

They figured out a long time ago if they are to stay in business it is by making a profit.

Libs apparently are not allowed to understand this, Bonnie. You are probably wasting your breath trying to explain the vital business concept of profit to a liberal.

The ideology of socialism should be carefully studied by every American. Trace it all the way back to Marx and Engels. Understand that it is committed to the destruction of your way of life.

Marxists believe that the only way to achieve their socialist paradise is to DESTROY captalism. They believe something better than capitalism will magically arise from the ashes of this destruction.

Good luck with that, libs. You are completely out of other people's money, in the hole for trillions, and the Chinese are going to stop loaning soon.

What then? The tooth fairy steps in? If you consider Hitler the tooth fairy, you might be close.

[bonnie]

Quote:

Libs apparently are not allowed to understand this, Bonnie. You are probably wasting your breath trying to explain the vital business concept of profit to a liberal.

The ideology of socialism should be carefully studied by every American. Trace it all the way back to Marx and Engels. Understand that it is committed to the destruction of your way of life.

Marxists believe that the only way to achieve their socialist paradise is to DESTROY captalism. They believe something better than capitalism will magically arise from the ashes of this destruction.

Good luck with that, libs. You are completely out of other people's money, in the hole for trillions, and the Chinese are going to stop loaning soon.

What then? The tooth fairy steps in? If you consider Hitler the tooth fairy, you might be close.

Interesting isn't it,disagree with a lib that is wrong and you want to pick a fight.

Those that have never run a business,gambled all on their own businesses,sacrificed and gone without to achieve their goal somehow think they can diminish some very harmful policies.Making it about nothing more than a dislike of President Obama.

Most that are closing their doors wouldn't care if it was a little green man from Mars. Someone who would provide relief by getting out of the way and not having to figure out how to operate with a profit under Obama.

those on the right hate that he's done anything at all, This is completely false and would not be made by anyone that has to operate under Obama or anyone that knows that struggle. Anyone that owns a small business have managed under bad economies and presidents with bad policies.

They did not close their doors because they hated a president going something.

It is the slow realization of who and what Obama is that is scaring them

[Dr. Rich]

"The ideology of socialism should be carefully studied by every American. Trace it all the way back to Marx and Engels. Understand that it is committed to the destruction of your way of life."

Actually, it can be traced back further then that. The "Mayflower Compact" was socialism and it showed that it just does not work. And then Acts 4 presents a picture of the same thing--but this was the early Christian Church, and I do not believe that Jesus would of had anything to do with this. Why?

Because Israel was not set up this way and Jesus did not say He came to set up a church, but to testify to the truth and save the lost sheep of Israel. He did not say anything about setting up a socialistic christian church and having social Christians. On the other hand, the Al-Quida is totally socialistic and to use a nuke to level the playing field would be just like them to do.

[karl]

They did not close their doors because they hated a president going something.

It is the slow realization of who and what Obama is that is scaring them

I think they could tolerate even a monster in office. What they cannot tolerate is operating at a loss.

Simple, really.

Small businesses are not the government. They MUST generate a profit. If they do not generate a profit, they MUST go out of business.

[Bravus]

"Al-Qaeda is totally socialistic" - on what planet?! This statement illustrates an incorrigible ignorance on what one or both of its terms mean.

[Bravus]

My comments were about (as requested) President Obama's experience of being in office. They were not, and were never intended to be, about the experience of being in business under the Obama administration. So bonnie's vehement 'disagreement' was so far off topic, based on one tiny phrase, that it felt as though she was picking a fight for it's own sake. And I just had no interest in debating those particular issues at this time.

If anyone (particularly John317) is interested in taking up the actual discussion I posted on, no worries. Otherwise, feel free continuing to bash libruls and spin utter fantasies about Obama's Marxist designs.

[karl]

"Al-Qaeda is totally socialistic" - on what planet?! This statement illustrates an incorrigible ignorance on what one or both of its terms mean.

I wouldn't want to say that a person is incapable of learning something new. That's what "incorrigible ignorance" would be.

[bonnie]

Quote:

If anyone (particularly John317) is interested in taking up the actual discussion I posted on, no worries. Otherwise, feel free continuing to bash libruls and spin utter fantasies about Obama's Marxist designs.

I am sorry,from this unnecessary continuing bash against the right or those opposed to Obama was off topic. Maybe not or it depends on who goes off topic....

There's a long, long path still to go (I can't see him being a 1-term president, no matter what some might like to think), and I do think it will get easier as the worst messes of the past decade get sorted out. As I've said here before, his falling approval is unsurprising: those on the right hate that he's done anything at all, those on the left want him to have done much more. No-one is really satisfied. Doesn't mean the dissatisfied ones on the left will actually vote to replace him with a Republican, though...