I am quite impressed with President Obama's domestic policy but his foreign policy worries me greatly.  Rather you look at his picks for Presidential Cabinet positions, his failure to understand the real risk of terrorism in Northern Africa, his failure to respond adequately in Syria, his approving sanctions in Iran that have hurt the citizens more then the Iranian Government, his failure to get tough with Russia allowing them to control the agenda at the UN, his lack of outreach to our allies, his terrible record with civil liberties and human rights when it comes to combating terrorism, and his continuing of the War In Afghanistan.  I voted for President Obama in both Presidential Elections and continue to support him, but I am at my wits end regarding his foreign policy.  Below is ten photos with captions better explaining why I have reservations about his foreign policy.  No, I am not a neo-con but very much a Progressive.  I am upset that most of my fellow Progressives fail to call President Obama on his foreign policy blunders.  If George W. Bush did some of these things I know without a doubt Democrats would be shouting from the roof tops, but one of their own does these things and you scarcely hear a word. 

This kind of partisan blindness is one of the reasons I left the Democratic Party a little over a year ago and became an Independent.  The main reason I became an Independent is because Democrats were not living up to their political principles and ideals, and neither was President Obama.  I see President Obama's handling of foreign policy very much in the same light of failure to follow strong Democratic principles and ideals.  FDR and JFK would not be impressed with the President's foreign policy to say the least.  I realize a lot has changed since they were in office but the principles and ideals have not changed.  As much as President Obama has criticized the Bush Administration’s Policies it has continued and expanded a lot of them, and this shows how the President is willing to sacrifice principles and ideals to avoid rocking the boat in the establishment.  FDR refused to buy into the isolationist mentality that had gripped the Nation in the 1920's and 1930's for example, and thus was not afraid to take on the establishment who wanted no part in "Europe's War".  JFK was not afraid to stand up to tyranny even when to do so was very politically risky and even cost him his life.  President Obama however is more interested in playing nice with the establishment and trying to make peace with tyranny rather then fight against it.

I can hear it now, my fellow left, ranting and raving what a traitor and muckraker I have become.  This is not true in the least; I just refuse to sacrifice principle for political and social expediency.  I am not afraid to praise things that deserve praising and ridicule things that that deserve ridicule.  I am not afraid to be honest with even my friends and allies, even when to do so could cause hurt feelings.  I am not arrogant nor do I think I have all the answers, but I do have my opinions and feel like any other American I have the right to express them.  I am worried about the President's foreign policy and felt the need to write this article.  I think the media falsely portrays only the right being opposed to some of the President's foreign policy, this is not true many on the left also question it though most too quietly for the President to hear.  I think this has to change and others on my fellow left who also question his foreign policy also need to begin speaking out.  I can assure you, like I have been, you will be subject to ridicule, called a fraud, told your secretly working for the "enemy" (The GOP), have ulterior motives, a warmonger, a neo-con, etc...  However for those who are willing to take the risk on the left now is the time to begin to voice your opposition to the President's foreign policy.

As you may already know if you have been following my articles I am upset the United States and other nations have not been doing more in Syria.  You may also know I support a war with the Syrian Government.  I see it as the only option at this point to end the mass killings and other crimes committed by the Assad regime. Since I have been writing about Syria and taken these positions I have noticed my readership base has fallen off considerably.  I spent countless hours working on projects to raise awareness about Syria but very few seem interested.  Most of the comments I do get besides us small group of believers are anything but friendly.  I have been demonized, called a whole collection of bad names, my motives have been called into question, and the whole ten yards.  Most of these comments come from libertarians and the anti-war and non intervention left.  They fault those of us who are trying to stand up for human rights in Syria.  The reason I bring this up in this article is I see such as a clear example of what I was speaking about in the paragraph above.  That being the criticism one will take when challenging the non intervention mentality of far too many in this country. The very mentality President Obama has seemed to be prepared to adopt.

I see this time as critical to persuade President Obama to chart a new course in foreign policy.  Not a foreign policy of the past, not a Neo-Con world at war vision, not a idealistic utopian vision of foreign policy, but a foreign policy that is smart, strong, sufficient, and sensitive.  Smart in that it relies on a deeper understanding of the modern world and relies on the use of modern technology.  Strong in that it will be willing to enact real consequences rather then empty threats and symbolic legislation and be willing to use force to prevent further crimes against humanity if all peaceful options have been exhausted.  Sufficient in that it will meet the challenge fully and have the full resources that is required.  Sensitive in that it will be mindful of the different historical, national, sectarian, political, social forces at play and compassionate to the needs and requirements of civilians.  I see such a foreign policy as being balanced and offering a better chance of success in the future.  I hope that President Obama and others considers these things I mentioned in the article and looks to improve the status quo in foreign policy.  I believe whatever the decisions for the course of the future in foreign policy the current policy is in need of repair and change.

A.C.M.