Melodrama - 1 a: a work (as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization b: the genre of dramatic literature constituted by such works 2: something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality - © 2006-2007 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

It's truly amazing watching Presidential candidates self-destruct, their aspirations evaporating into thin air faster than the exorbitant amounts of soft money they spend attacking their opponents.

The recent spate of comments by Barack Obama regarding Pakistan show that regardless of how many degrees one may possess (real or honorary), or how many books they've written, it's still possible to be too young, brash, and inexperienced to occupy the office of President of the United States. Consider the following example and then choose your next President carefully.

While chatting up a friendly group of black journalists, and trying to whip up resentment against George W. Bush, Obama stated hypothetically that if he were president, and the US possessed actionable intelligence on terrorist targets in Pakistani tribal areas; if Pakistan wouldn't act on those targets, he would.

As an American voter and citizen concerned about the safety and security of both the US and the free world, I would expect nothing less from any American President. The trouble is, I don't want them to discuss it. Especially not by floating a few sound bytes in that smug, shoot-from-the-hip style that is both so typical of recent Presidential campaigns and so dangerous not just to US national security, but also to global stability.

Alarm bells went off in Pakistan as a result of Obama's gaffe. I still hear them.

The government of Pakistan contemplated declaring a state of emergency and directly cited Obama's remarks as one of the major reasons for that consideration. Other reasons were the dismissal of a Supreme Court Justice and a military raid on a Pakistani mosque.

A week after making his statement, and after intense pressure, Obama backpedaled, saying that the United States needed to have Pakistan as a "constructive ally" in the war against al Qaeda. Indeed...

If a mob lynches Musharraf, or he's overthrown in a coup, the possibility that Pakistan's nuclear weapons fall into the hands of terrorists greatly increases. There have already been numerous attempts on Musharraf's life. There's no reason to think al Qaeda won't finish the job.

And here's a Democratic Presidential candidate criticizing George W Bush for not doing enough about terrorism in Pakistan, but when repeatedly pressed how his policies towards Pakistan would be any different than the Bush Administration's current policies, the chagrined Obama declined comment.

Repeatedly put on the ropes, Obama had no choice but come out on the defensive. But the only defense he could muster was to flail about with this next beauty:

On Friday August 10th, he said "I'm not afraid to lose a propaganda battle with a bunch of dictators."

Unfortunately for the naive candidate Obama, propaganda-spewing dictators are an increasing threat to this country. The way they cement power is through an external enemy, i.e. us. But college law degrees or honorary doctorates don't tell you that...

Rather than exhibiting capable leadership, Obama's devolution, from blustery hawk, to wise owl, and finally to cowering ostrich reminds me of an addict in denial. In so deep they're not only lying to everyone around them, they're lying to themselves as well. Strangely enough, this is the typical pattern of damage control exhibited by today's biggest windbags when they shoot their mouths off during their stump speeches. Perhaps there's a correlation between politicians and addiction. After all, many politicians are addicted to power...

Empty suits like Barack Obama constantly take their shots; claiming that George Bush or Republicans in general are recruiting terrorists by their foreign policy decisions. But if tribal areas in Pakistan truly are the center of gravity for global terrorism, how many terrorists do you suppose Barack Hussein Obama recruited with his recent tantrum?

America has many enemies. We simply have no room for error. We cannot elect impulsive people to sensitive positions of power. People like Barack Obama, who give speeches against the Iraq war to anti-war crowds, then speed off to the next photo-op to discuss bombing Pakistan back to the stone age if they don't cooperate with us. It's time a real man assume command of the most powerful military in the history of mankind. Not Barack Obama. Not that shrieking Harpy Hillary Clinton. A real man who knows how to pick his battles, but will come out swinging when he has to. A veteran.

It is time to pull the plug on the melodrama of Barack Obama. He's worse than a bad B-movie.

© 2006-2007 Jayme Evans - http://warofwits.org