On the eve of a rumored invasion of Syria over it's potential use of chemical weapons, I bring you President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Speech. In this speech, he talks about the causes for a "just war". Delivered almost exactly three years ago, his speech has become uncomfortably spooky to listen to today. It also serves as a revelation of what was to come in Libya, and possibly in the very near the future in Syria.
The speech is striking in it's entirety, fast forward to 15:00 exactly to get to what I wanted to show everybody. The context of todays situation addressed on Dec. 10, 2009. That’s before Syria, Libya, Arab Spring and so on... Highly suggested viewing.
"...and it requires us to think about the notion of a just war and the imperatives of a just peace."
"...there will be times when nations acting individually or in concert will the find the use of force not only necessary, but morally justified."
"...the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens, and the strength of our arms."
"More and more we all confront difficult questions about how to prevent the slaughter of civilians by their own government, or to stop a civil war who's violence and suffering can engulf an entire region. I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds as it was in the Balkans, or in other places that have been scared by war. Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later"
"That's why NATO continues to be indispensable."
~ President Barack Obama at his Nobel Peace Prize Lecture in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, 2009.
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