Organizing for America | Mark Hoffman's Blog: some questions for Barack Hussein Obama

some questions for Barack Hussein Obama

By Mark from Pequot Lakes, MN - Oct 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm EDT

Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

Dear Sir, While recently traveling in Malaysia for business, I witnessed a sight that really bothered me and continues to be on my mind. While driving in rush hour traffic, I saw a battered mid-80’s vintage Nissan car with several murals and messages painted on the body panels. The mural on the car’s trunk was the image of one of the jetliners crashing into the World Trade Center; other images on the sides of the car depicted the Pentagon after the September 11th attack and of the Beirut Marine base bombing. I questioned my Malaysian business colleagues to confirm what the messages said – I was not surprised when they told me that one of the slogans was “death to America”. Firstly, what are your thoughts on how America is to remain free, strong, and safe from those who wish us harm? We are engaged in an economic as well as a guerrilla war with terrorists and nation-states that support Muslim extremism. One can debate that one of the strategies of the September 11th attacks and the on-going terrorism against the United States and its allies is the destabilization of our economy. Please do not tell me that we (America) will negotiate with terrorists and those that wish us harm without any conditions. Economic war has devalued the US Dollar to record low value, escalated the cost of oil to record high prices, and sent US and allied economies in a downward spiral. To the average American, it appears that taking action to combat these economic issues is not on the ‘radar’ of the elected officials in Washington. Now that there is an economic ‘crisis’ all of Washington is interested in a Wall Street bailout, but no one in Washington seems to care about a 2 BILLION dollar swing in the value of middle America’s investments in their 401Ks and their savings.. Secondly, while America certainly does not need to be loved by the rest of the world, we do need to be respected. What are the 3 or 4 key issues to be addressed in the next 2 years to gain respect in the world’s viewpoint? Please do not assume that abandonment of the gains made in Iraq by rushing the withdrawal of US combat troops is the answer. The threat posed by Iran, North Korea, China, and other nation-states and terror organizations will not diminish if we appear to be weak. During my deployment as an American Soldier, I saw firsthand what America and its allies can do together to improve the life of average Afghani citizens. Similar efforts have been taken in Iraq, but in many soldier’s opinion, these stories are largely ignored by the media and the American people. Finally, we, as the American people, have invested our honor and our economy, and sacrificed the lives of the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen to the liberation of the Afghani and Iraqi people. What are your thoughts on the long term strategy for strengthening these emerging democracies? Sir, thank you for listening to my concerns; I do not think that you can answer my questions honestly without reverting to your 3 or 4 talking points and a happy face. However, I look forward to reading your response to these issues. Mark J. Hoffman, USA (retired)

Show 3 Reader Comments	Comments RSS
Comments are closed for this post.

Content on blogs in My.BarackObama represents the opinions of community members and in no way should be interpreted as endorsed or approved by the campaign.