Las Vegas Debate: Barack Obama on Pakistan and human rights

[x786x]

Yes! we got the democracy in Pakistan but we still have the same corrupt politicians. Bomb blasts every day and no flour to eat. Hey at least American politicians are happy , thats all it matter right?

[gaykhan]

o_O pakistan is in deep trouble if Obama wins.

[fluffyfuzzbox]

its moments like thi that first got my attention about Barck Obama

[alyceclover]

"we keep on making this mistake" exactly. The more we attack the more terrorists we create. Diplomacy and caring about humans other than ourselves is the path to the future.

[friendsofthefruitsof]

a well answered question they are not mutually exclusive. I hope he wins!

[scyzoryko4]

i like how he completely averts the question...makes you think

[finderskeepers1949]

When we chose national security without thinking about human rights, we stumble. In Iran, America forcibly reinstated the dictatorship of the Shah in the 1950s because he was pro-American. This led to the rebellion of the Shiite extremists and today's militant Iran. Human rights and national security must go together.

[MadJohnEscapes]

but the question was leading him to talk about the recent backlashes in Pakistan. You're right though, he didn't give a straight answer, but he did address some other issues closely related to the question.

[scyzoryko4]

i like how he completely averts the question...not to bash obama or anything

[blackenuf4ya]

There can be no national security without human rights, and there can be no human rights without national security.

The two concepts must walk hand-in-hand with each other for either to see any kind of positive, productive results.

[malikimranrajput]

wow this is point have to underline for Americans

[gabecollett]

Wolf and Senator Obama, Great Guys, but only one will be president

[ringojuice]

Obama is exactly what our country needs!

Obama 08!

[crazykarma4]

GO BAMA

[samhamels]

hell yeah!

[harnamana]

Obama give me hope regarding the future of this planet! I hope he becomes the next presidant.

[cuteambros15]

OBAMA 2008!!!!!!

[lolitztoeknee]

well spoken.

[joeysky18]

Haha. Is that the straight answer in your idea? what a joke.

[mezaan]

Our fates are tied to the security of people around us....well put, well said

[emire25]

I like Obama, he could charm terrorists to death!

[HealthyPlanet]

In watching Obama on Oprah with his wife, I was disappointed in how he interrupted his wife when she was answering a question Oprah had asked of her. This was a sign to me of his disregard for even his own wife's human right to speak up on her own behalf.

[davidmcarlson]

I find these questions frustrating, because it doesn't have to be an either-or proposition. Obama is one of the few politicians who can take seemingly conflicting problems and solve them in a creative way. Look at "Healthcare for Hybrids" or the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill.

[phrankster]

go obama 2008!!!!!

a new hope

[pfreibott]

Obama is correct: Wolf Blitzer's question presented a false choice because it was based on a false premise, and as such, it was unanswerable. By choosing to support human rights, you are increasing your national security. By supporting governments that suppress human rights, you are decreasing national security. You must support or reject both simultaneously. You cannot choose between national security and human rights--it is by definition impossible.

[matt0218]

That's a brilliant point! Democracy STRENGTHENS our security through positive sentiment.

Just take a look at what's happening to Musharraf.

[Whoo69]

Good. None of this realpolitik bullshit. If Pakistan's leader decides to crack down on democracy, we'l have none of it. Fuck Musharraf! Abandon him outright if he doesn't work towards freedom and democracy genuinely. Why should we fund a totalitarian bastard like that? I'm sick of our contradictory foreign policies, funding one regime one minute and then fighting it the next minute, as if suddenly they're bad but weren't before.

[huntersloansmith]

Yes Barak. You are the man for President of a democracy founded with a three party system of checks and balances. we cannot continue to "prop up" these anti-democratic puppet dictators and expect foreign countries to trust the USA. Human rights means human rights for everyone. Wen we continue to lie to Middle East civilians about supporting their right to a democracy, we PUSH them to join militant groups such as Al Queda. That is exactly what we have done in Iraq. Come on America.

[Jigaton]

I love it! He won't answer a bullshit question.

[mathman233]

I agree with Barack. The people who believe that National Security supercedes human rights are the same people who endorse the Patriot Act. They are the same people that endorse torture. They are the same people that should support Pakistan's President for declaring Martial Law, but do not. Thus, how can the other candidates critisize him for removing citizens' rights, while defending the philosophy that leads to such actions? Go Obama!

[oxtaiwan]

A great leader that Obama sees right through Wolf's question and discuss the real solution. It is not a "yes or no" and "either or" answer, many dimentions must be considered. That's why Obabma is my candidate.

[onebluestone]

He is on fire!