http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/09/10/Obama-Announces-Additional-Troops-Abroad-Calls-on-Congress-For-More-Support-Against-ISIL by Charlie Spiering 10 Sep 2014
By the time President Obama delivered his prime time speech this evening, he had already effectively softened the news of his decision to launch further military air strikes against Islamic State terrorists in both Iraq and Syria.
Obama announced, however, that he would send 475 additional troops overseas, to help the fight against ISIS terrorists, repeating that his mission was to degrade and destroy them.
But Obama cautiously asserted that any proposed actions “will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil” -- which was a stronger position than his earlier promise to keep American boots off the ground.
“As I have said before, these American forces will not have a combat mission – we will not get dragged into another ground war in Iraq,” he said assertively.
Obama began his speech touting his success as commander-in-chief in keeping America safe from terrorism and effectively drawing the United States out of prolonged engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. He recalled the strike to kill Osama bin Laden.
“Thanks to our military and counterterrorism professionals, America is safer,” he said.
But he did admit that that a new group of terrorists continued to threaten the world through ISIS.
“If left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond that region – including to the United States,” he explained.
Obama also unexpectedly called for Congress to pass additional authority and funding to conduct further operations in Syria, effectively punting the controversial decision to Capitol Hill.
“Tonight, I again call on Congress to give us additional authorities and resources to train and equip these fighters,” he said, calling for congressional unity in the face of the threat posed by ISIS.
“I believe we are strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together,” he said. “So I welcome congressional support for this effort in order to show the world that Americans are united in confronting this danger.”
At one point, however, Obama struck a note of hope and optimism in his speech about the current economic strength in the country, which allowed America to lead the world in the fight against terror.
“Next week marks six years since our economy suffered its worst setback since the Great Depression,” he said. “Yet despite these shocks, through the pain we have felt and the grueling work required to bounce back – America is better positioned today to seize the future than any other nation on Earth.”
As a Senator and a presidential candidate, Obama frequently complained that expensive foreign entanglements overseas were conducted at the expense of domestic spending at home.
