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Thom's blog
Will there be an end to the perpetual war?
Yesterday, President Obama spoke to a crowd at the National Defense University, and laid out his vision for the future of counter-terrorism. In his speech, the President addressed the controversial use of drones, the on-going fight to close Gitmo, and the need to repeal the Authorization for the Use of Military Force. President Obama invoked the words of James Madison, saying, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual war.”
While at times he appeared to justify the on-going use of drone strikes, the overall tone of the speech indicated the President's desire to put an end to perpetual war. He said, “Our systematic effort to dismantle terrorist organizations must continue. But this war, like all wars, must end.” And, he called on Congress to stop blocking efforts to close the torture facility at Guantanamo Bay – a prison he said “should have never been opened” in the first place.
The speech drew criticism from both the Left and the Right. Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the anti-war group, Code Pink, interrupted the President during his remarks, criticizing his failure to close Gitmo, and the civilian drone-strike casualties. Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss said the President Obama's remarks “will be viewed by terrorists as a victory.” It will difficult, if not impossible, for our President to please both sides, and he will likely be met with resistance in his efforts to conclude this decade-long disaster.
Most of that resistance will come from those on the Right, who refuse to acknowledge the damage that these policies have done to our nation, and the world. Those of us on the Left should continue to call for an end to the drone program, for the restoration of our right to privacy, and more. In the meantime, however, we must stand with President Obama as he attempts to close Gitmo, works to reduce executive power, and tries to restore the image of our nation throughout the world.
If we don't fight for these changes now, they may never happen. Our President cannot do this alone.
-Thom
(What do you think? Tell us here.) |
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 7pm and 9pm... Peter Van Buren, "We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People" (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Have a question or comment for Thom? Grab your phone, hit record and send your video to YourTakeMyTake@gmail.com and we may air it on "The Big Picture."
Conversations with Great Minds - Peter Van Buren, "We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People" 
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Thursday's Daily Stack 
Quote: "There will be a time when loud-mouthed, incompetent people seem to be getting the best of you. When that happens, you have only to be patient and wait for them to self destruct. Never fails." -- Richard Rybolt.
Hour One: Are we moving away from the war on terrorism?
Speech: " Cross of Iron" - Address by President Dwight D. Eisenhower "The Chance for Peace" delivered before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 16,1953.
Hour Two: How this Administration bungled the IRS issue...- Mike Papantonio, Attorney & Host-Ring of Fire Radio
Hour Three: How racism went to Harvard...and then to Heritage- Zack Beauchamp, Reporter/blogger-Think Progress & Editor-TPIdeas
Quote: "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." by Sir Winston Churchill.
Geeky Science - Why humans need mosquitoes...
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Friday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
Hour One: If it's Friday, it's "Brunch With Bernie"... the honorable Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will be here with all the news from our nation's capitol and as always he'll be spending the hour taking your calls and answering your questions too...
Hour Two: Anything Goes on Townhall Friday
Hour Three: March Against Monsanto on 5/25 - 2pm world wide- Adam Eidinger, Occupy Monsanto
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program...your media support group for "we the people"...
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Monday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
While you're enjoying the holiday, tune in for my conversations with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on manufacturing and jobs...
Plus my friend & fellow progressive talk host, Joe Madison talks about the Voting Rights Act...
And, a special "Anything Goes" that you won't want to miss right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program, Occupying The Media 3 hours a day 5 days a week" for "we the people"...Democracy is NOT a spectator sport...it begins with you...
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Tuesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
We'll have the latest news and information you may have missed from the holiday weekend...everything you need to know to win the water cooler wars!
Plus, the WA State I-5 bridge collapse is just one example of our nations' crumbling infrastructure...it's time to create jobs and make America's infrastructure strong again...everyone should be able to get behind that idea right? Wrong! I'll challenge the CATO Institute's Randal O'Toole.
Plus, the best of the rest of the news along with your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program, Occupying The Media 3 hours a day 5 days a week" for "we the people"...Democracy is NOT a spectator sport...it begins with you...
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Thom's Poll
Will Obama end the global War on Terror?
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Watch & Listen to Thom
How Electric Car Save Human Lives
The Good - The Bad - and the Very - Very Jimpricutely Ugly
Geeky Science: Why humans need mosquitoes...
Your Take/My Take Live - Caller - Dr. Almeida from India on racism...
Why is Facebook promoting violence against women?
Is Atty General Holder Obama's Alberto Gonzales?
Or watch the Full "Big Picture" Show...
Full Show 5/23/13: How Electric Cars Save Human Lives
Thom talks with Attorney and Radio Host Mike Papantonio about Obama's speech today on the global war on terror, and with Women's Advocate Sam Bennett on rape culture in America. Thom takes viewer video questions and phone calls in "Your Take, My Take Live," and in tonight's "Daily Take" Thom discusses how electric cars are saving human lives.
Thom Hartmann on the News - May 23, 2013
Progressive: Tired of People Criticizing Obama for Protecting us
How racism went to Harvard...and then to Heritage
Caller: Obama is Trying to Justify being Judge & Jury
Obama: Drones, The IRS and The AP
Code Pink Takes on the President
Obama: Foreign Assistance Vs. War
Obama: The Era of Bush is Over!
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 Would you like to help give a child with a very troubled background this feeling of peace? Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
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Show Info
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