Wesley ClarK - "Legitimacy - 1st Task for America's Security" (SAIS, 5.16.07)
Submitted by Knightrider on May 16, 2007 - 4:14pm.
First Person Account | Foreign Policy | Iraq War | Leadership and 2008 Elections for President | National Security
Update 11:00pm ET: Internet Service Restored :)
Hey Clarksters,
I'll just post pics for now with this slideshow until I get a chance to assimilate/write a blog entry and post greater detail tonight (psst, but he did convey, it takes Leadership! ;) <ehm,... more later tonight!>. But for now, here are some pics from his keynote address to the attendees at the Kenney Room of JHU-SAIS.
:)
Generally, Clark once again gave a terrific and powerful seminar speech today before students, faculty and policy makers at the Johns Hopkins University - School if Advanced International Studies - Center on Politics and Foreign Relations at Washington, DC. The title of Clark's talk strongly relates to what Clark addressed today, particularly why we must, as well we how we can, re-establish America's legitimacy around the world.
As witness, yours truly ;), as well as CCN bloggers shortie, Ellen and Hirota attended this special event.
Please check out the slideshow below, ...
as you listen to JHU-SAIS's great recording with MP3 Audio.
Well, I just learned that this was broadcast by SAIS! But here is a partial transcript of what I recorded until Reg and Melange finishes their transcription :)
Let's call it a teaser ;)
"I am here on a serious and sober topic, I want to talk about restoring legitimacy, as a first order of business towards a new American strategy. ..."
Clark again emphasized what's at stake, if we don't. He reminded us that Cheney had recently went to Iraq, and that we had 2 carrier battle groups in the region. He also conveyed to the leaders of Iran that they fully understand what could happen to their air, military, civilian and scientific infrastructure. This is serious military power potential! Clark then continued, ...
"(As NATO Commander during Kosovo) I'm aware of what they can do; yet I'm also well aware of their limitations, ... as is the rest of the world today. In Afghanistan, the Taliban is resurging; In the tragic American saga of Iraq, American battle losses are painful; and there's no end in sight. In the strength and malignancy of al'Qaeda, civilian supporters around the world has also grown. All this in the presence of 2 awesome power of the 2 carrier battle groups and the rest of America's Armed Forces. Because the this us truth is that the military power is just one element in a complex array of factors that influences the behavior of other nations, states and other people. Military power may not always be the most significant factors, .... it may even at times be counter-productive.
Of course, human history is replete with examples of military conflict, 'Just call out the troops and roll-over the opposition.' Certainly that's true in the ME, where armies have marched and counter-marched for thousands of yrs. ...//... And with nuclear power (weapons) today, wiping out whole populations is possible, even without marching armies...
But for the United States of America, if we aim to succeed in the world today, it won't be by wiping out populations, it will be by changing peoples minds and changing government policies.
We've got to do A LOT less threatening, ...and A LOT more listening and reasoning, ... and rethinking!
I know there's a few thousand or maybe 10's of thousands out there, who are impervious to logic, reason and making moral communication. But there are 100's of millions, billions out there who watch the United States. They observe our actions in the world, they hear our rhetoric,...they're not committed enemies, .. but they're not necessarily our friends either. And if we want to succeed in the world, we've got to win over these people, at least to the legitimacy of our aims and purposes. ..."
Ok, ... at this point, I'll let Reg and Melange imbibe caffeine ;) But as many heard during the broadcast, Clark's responses to audience members during the Q&A session was equally important and powerful. :)
http://news.webshots.com/album/559071106jlIAWn
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
Quality photos, Knight! I like to see all the fluids available too. :)
Wes Clark - "Legitimacy - 1st Task for America’s Security" JHU - SAIS (May 16, 2007)
There's nothing more American or patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority, holding your leaders accountable. - Wes Clark
feature at the end of the photo gallery to operate: anyone finding it works or?
There's nothing more American or patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority, holding your leaders accountable. - Wes Clark
so that it is a working link and looks just like the comment box where you posted?
There's nothing more American or patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority, holding your leaders accountable. - Wes Clark
I think it's Gus something or other. He turned the name tag inside out and hand wrote Gus XXXXX on it.
from the Financial Times.
SAIS is taking Joe Biden up on his request for a debate on one topic; Iraq. Bob said it would take place June 5 or 6. Richardson and Dodd have confirmed. Obama's office said they would let him know in the next two months. Bob said that may be too late. "General Clark is more than invited," declared Bob. "This will be an actual debate."
Audio is up at http://www.sais-jhu.edu/
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
or else I would have missed another amazing speech. I was going to quote on what he said but then that would be a transcript. Every word he said was very important to hear.
Thanks
Can't wait for the full FHAs. Thanks so much, KR!!
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
"I'm both serious and somber about where this country is." -- WKC
He's the light at the end of the tunnel. Obviously, by the questions about '08, some in that audience want him to run. :D
RUN WES RUN!
Thank you and look forward to your report later today.
Great job!
Should help with write-ups, too.
incredible speech great event; lucky you guys got to be there;
There's nothing more American or patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority, holding your leaders accountable. - Wes Clark
eom
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
You had a nice view. Now, I get to see another great tie (just kidding). As I was listening to his speech I thought about these pics...thank you.
...for the fabulous pictures and the link to the speech.....which was, as usual, simply amazing.
This man needs to run for President. Money or no, his voice needs to be heard by citizens outside of academe and Faux.
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
Just a day after Clark spoke about restoring American legitimacy to preserve our national security, comes the announcement of this "whole day" conference.
I doubt that it's coinidence! ;)
- =========================
- America in the World:
- Forging a New Vision for Foreign Policy and International Security
June 12, 2007, 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol HillWe are pleased to invite you to a major conference in Washington aimed at charting a new direction for America in the world. At a time when the American people are beginning the process of choosing new leaders, the conference on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, will explore how the United States can re-assert its leadership for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure world.
Sponsored by The Century Foundation and the Center for American Progress, the conference will feature speakers and panels on today's most pressing international issues of peace and security, including U.S. nuclear weapons policy, configuring America's defenses to 21st century realities, America's role in the Middle East, the global economy, and energy and the environment. Panelists will include established and emerging voices in the international policy realm, including senior policy makers.
Confirmed speakers include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Senator Gordon Smith, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark, and former CIA Director John Deutch. We will follow up shortly with the complete program and other relevant information, leading up to June 12.
The full-day conference continues a tradition of highly successful foreign policy consultations organized jointly by the Center for American Progress and The Century Foundation in New York in 2006 and in Washington in 2003.
RSVP for this Event, June 12, Tuesday at DC!! :)
...too important to run for President, and I mean that in the most positive way.
Tell ya' what. Let's just appoint him President by acclamation and skip all the campagn BS. Either President or King of the World.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick.
WHY ISN'T THIS MAN PRESIDENT????????
Save us Obi Wes Kenobi
Someone once asked me if I had learned anything from going to war so many times.
My reply:
Yes, I learned how to cry.
Joe Galloway
This was posted earlier somewhere in the GD's, but I wanted to post it here, as well.
Robert Guttman, Director for SAIS-CPFR blogged his account at the Huffington Post;
General Wesley Clark Makes Sense: Should He Run For President?
(I especially liked reading this part ;)
Excerpt:
"Having a former four-star general who is quite outspoken on our current conduct of the war in Iraq run as a Democratic candidate for president in the 2008 campaign appeared to make sense to people I talked with after his speech. ..."
...and would be a terrific campaign picture.
Thanks so much.
"...Because when you can do good, you should." Wes Clark
fantastic pictures: I copied and pasted the html on my blog page ( it is all point and click for computer illiterates like me )
and watched the gallery of beautiful pictures; I don't know how else to post to your blog here but for now it is at http://www.astrologycommunicationsmedia.com/iraq.html
There's nothing more American or patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority, holding your leaders accountable. - Wes Clark