by Peter Nicholas
President Barack Obama told Naval Academy graduates today that changing threats to U.S. security will require them to take on new, unorthodox missions that involve more than subduing an enemy in combat.
In his third and final commencement speech of the year, Obama also defended his refusal to countenance harsh treatment of terror suspects in U.S. custody. Obama is in the midst of a running dispute with former Vice President Dick Cheney over the tactics needed to best protect the country from terrorist attacks, with Cheney touting a more tough-minded approach.
Obama spoke before a graduating class of 1,036 that included John Sidney McCain IV -- son of Obama's rival in the 2008 presidential race, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and fourth in a line of McCain Naval Academy graduates. About 30,000 attended the ceremony in Annapolis, Md.
Warning that traditional notions of warfare are outdated, Obama said the military must prepare itself for a new role in meeting the terrorist threat.
"We must overcome the full spectrum of threats,'' the president said. "The conventional and the unconventional. The nation-state and the terrorist network. The spread of deadly technologies and of hateful ideologies, 18th Century-style piracy and 21st Century cyber-threats.
"We need you to defeat the insurgent and the extremist,'' Obama told the graduating class. "But we also need you to work with the tribal sheik and local leaders from Anbar to Kandahar who want to build a better future for their people.''
(President Barack Obama greeted Jack McCain -- John S. McCain IV -- son of the president's rival in the campaign of 2008 and fourth in a line of Naval graduates, among the class that the president addressed today. Photo by Charles Dharapak / AP)
Presidents traditionally speak at the Naval Academy graduation every three years, rotating among the military academies. This president also has delivered commencement speeches at Arizona State University and at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., this year.
Obama commended the armed forces as an American institution that has retained the public's confidence -- no small feat in an era when respected businesses have crumbled and other institutions have required federal bailouts.
"After an era when so many institutions and individuals acted with such greed and recklessness, it is no wonder that our military remains the most trusted institution in the nation,'' Obama said.
Amid a much-publicized disagreement with Cheney, Obama used the speech to reiterate his opposition to interrogation techniques practiced in the George W. Bush era, and defend his decision to close the U.S. military-run detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
He also addressed the subject Thursday at the National Archives -- the same day that Cheney delivered a speech arguing that the Bush administration's harsh interrogation methods prevented new terrorist attacks.
Obama told the Naval Academy class of 2009 that, "when America strays from our values, it not only undermines the rule of law, it alienates us from our allies, it energizes our adversaries and it endangers our national security and the lives of our troops. So as Americans, we reject the false chose between our security and our ideals. We can and we must and we will protect both. And that is just what you will pledge to do in a few moments when you raise your right hand and take your oath.''
Obama made special mention today of the rescue operation last month carried out by Navy SEALs. Snipers killed three Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean while rescuing the captain of an American cargo ship.
"I will not recount the full story of those five days in April,'' Obama said. "Much of it is already known. Some of it will never be known. And that is how it should be.
"But here, on this day, at this institution, it must be said: the extraordinary precision and professionalism displayed that day was made possible, in no small measure, by the training, the discipline and the leadership skills that so many of those officers learned at the United States Naval Academy.''
Comments
Obama is sending mixed signals. Although he focuses on "change" and finding new ways to protect our country. However, he is now supporting indefinite detention without trial. That was one of the central elements to the Bush administration.
http://www.newsy.com/videos/u_s_security_how_far_is_too_far
Posted by: Caitlin | May 22, 2009 1:47 PM
He still does not understand the security threats we're facing and is unwilling to take proper measures but sticks to his platitudes and misconceptions.
Posted by: Den C | May 22, 2009 2:12 PM
Bravo Sierra
Posted by: schildgen | May 22, 2009 2:17 PM
Snipers killed three Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean while rescuing the captain of an American cargo ship.
"I will not recount the full story of those five days in April,'' Obama said. "Much of it is already known. Some of it will never be known. And that is how it should be. ~ Mustapha Mond Obama
------------------------------------
"Much of it is alreadyknown. Some of it will never be known." Did it involve torture? Three young teenagers shot dead in the prime of their career. Was this "torture"? Did Eric Holder sign off on this? Did he say that it was o.k. to put some lead into the skulls of these young boys. They were minorities too. Trying, democrats, to understand what is and what is not "torture".
What caliber of bullet was used? Who knew what and when did they know it? Maybe young John McCain IV was involved in some way. He is in this picture, and why is he acting so civil? If it were the Prince of Darkness, hell, you would have to spit on him. Young John McCain, a nice looking fellow, must know something.
Waterboarding or a high velocity serious caliber bullet, which is going to hurt the most? Just trying to relate to democrat logic.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | May 22, 2009 2:20 PM
He still does not understand the security threats we're facing and is unwilling to take proper measures but sticks to his platitudes and misconceptions.
Posted by: Den C | May 22, 2009 2:12 PM
*****************
Yes of course!
And who knew better how to "protect us" than Shrub Jr and Darth, who broke every law in the land while they were busy trumping up a phony war in Iraq and then torturing people in a vain attempt to justify and cover up their warmongering!
Idiot...
Posted by: dittohead | May 22, 2009 2:26 PM
What is the buzz word this week for....
"We need you to defeat the insurgent and the extremist,'' Obama told the graduating class. "But we also need you to work with the tribal sheik and local leaders from Anbar to Kandahar who want to build a better future for their people.''
Sounds as he is preparing for long lasting and difficult wars in various foreign nations. Do we suppose that "his reasoning for call to war" are superior to other presidents? As if his upcoming Wars will be different from other's waged on "Terrorism"? That appears to be his reasoning, however, it wasn't a good reason for other presidents?
Should we expect the "majority" who voted for Obama to be rightly behind each of his calls to war, 100% without reservation?
On the other hand though, it wouldn't be an Obama speech if he didn't cover all the bases as not to miss a possible vote. Rhetoric ensues... "when America strays from our values, it not only undermines the rule of law, it alienates us from our allies, it energizes our adversaries and it endangers our national security and the lives of our troops. So as Americans, we reject the false chose between our security and our ideals. We can and we must and we will protect both. And that is just what you will pledge to do in a few moments when you raise your right hand and take your oath.''
Gee, he made promises during the campaign to end all Bush policies regarding the war on terror, yet he has failed to follow through on those critical promises. But wait, it's never too late to toss out more rhetoric just in case you haven't been paying attention.
I am against it. I was against it but now for it. I am against it. What alienates us from our allies is wafering back and forth, becoming an apologetic and weak knee nation (take a bow), telling them what we expect them to do and providing nothing but feel good teleprompter speeches.
Posted by: springfield | May 22, 2009 2:39 PM
Why in the world did the USNA let Obama speak at graduation? He is so against the military and a Socialist I feel bad for the grads. He has never served and does not understand what the military has done for this country in the past, current and in the future. Let him speak at some Po-dunk college and I hope to god they did not give him an honorary degree.
Posted by: Nicole - Father USNA 65' | May 22, 2009 3:16 PM
I am against it. I was against it but now for it. I am against it. What alienates us from our allies is wafering back and forth, becoming an apologetic and weak knee nation (take a bow), telling them what we expect them to do and providing nothing but feel good teleprompter speeches.
Posted by: springfield | May 22, 2009 2:39 PM
***********
Yes, I feel much safer when my leaders (Bush, Cheney) lie to me (Iraq), torture for the heck of it (break national and international laws) and out CIA agents (Valerie Plame) for political reasons (commit Treason)....
IF WE COULD ONLY GO BACK TO THOSE "GLORY DAYS", EVERYTHING WOULD BE GREAT!.......not.
Posted by: malta | May 22, 2009 3:23 PM
Don't ask, don't tell.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090522/lf_nm_life/us_afghanistan_gates_pink
Posted by: oops | May 22, 2009 3:38 PM
He has never served and does not understand what the military has done for this country in the past, current and in the future. Let him speak at some Po-dunk college and I hope to god they did not give him an honorary degree.
Posted by: Nicole - Father USNA 65' | May 22, 2009 3:16 PM
.
But it was OK with you for 5 deferment Cheney and draftdodger Bush to speak at the USNA graduation ceremonies?
Ha Ha Ha!
Posted by: Robert - gulf war vet | May 22, 2009 3:45 PM
Cheney is not touting a more tough-minded approach. He is touting torture which is illegal under US law. He was a leading proponent of those policies which the previous administration dropped when they were revealed to the American public. The only "running dispute" Dick Cheney ought to be having with anyone these days is with his prison guards over the lumps in his oatmeal at breakfast.
Posted by: markg8 | May 22, 2009 4:03 PM
Did he mention in his speach that he is PRO IRAN and will be putting America and its military in grave danger soon.
Posted by: JT | May 22, 2009 5:45 PM
Don't ya just love the kiss-up to the Navy, tough talk, and expansion of his "just" war, as he cuts defense spending and undermines our intelligence community. Can anyone follow what the left or right TelePrompTer is saying with all these mixed messages and flip-flops from Obamaland?
Posted by: bubba Porter | May 22, 2009 7:45 PM
Surely Obama's speech at Annapolis could have been balanced by Cheney, yelling at a boat or something?
Posted by: Bob BB Boberson | May 22, 2009 10:46 PM