LYONS: The testing of Obama has begun

By all appearances, Obama is aligning his cabinet and staff to pursuing a Clintonisque foreign policy. He will not commit U.S. the military forces in U.S. national interests for fear of being "unilateral". Clinton never did, through the WTC bombing, the Khobar Towers bombing, the Embassy bombings, the USS Cole bombing and Black Hawk Down in Somalia. Clinton did commit our forces in international interests in Kosovo. This is the reason Obama is liked internationally, especially in Europe, they will have a say in the use of U.S. military primacy. Clinton was uncomfortable with the military, Obama is uncomfortable with the military. Clinton was a lawyer and pursued legal consensus for not acting, Obama is a lawyer and will pursue legal consensus. From this point of view, Obama will turn the North Korean problem over to China and let NATO wither in his dealings with Medvedev because of the EU's apathetic view of Russian expansionism. Russia will eventually force NATO out through energy intimidation and the lack of U.S. energy independence. According to Obama's plan, the Russians have about 10 years to force the issue. It may be forced to the surface quicker because of Iran. Israel will not let them go nuclear. When it happens, Russia is in a perfect position to (1) take over the BTC pipeline using Ossentian guerilla's as proxies and (2) encourage Chavez to sell all of its oil to China or other eager parties and (3) capitalize on the threatened closure of the Straits of Hormuz. If two of the three of those events occur, Europe will fall under a serious energy intimidation threat by Russia (most of their natural gas and up to 40% of their oil). The U.S. has no plan's for developing is energy resources in oil sands, drilling or oil shale because of Obama's energy policy which is in reality an environmental policy, and past threat to bankrupt the coal industry, we will be useless to assist. China will be more than happy to take Chavez's oil, even temporarily. Without leadership (voting present), this will essentially regionalize U.S. economic, political and military primacy. If NAFTA is rescinded, it will isolate the U.S.

Obama has made it plain during the campaign that all of these problems were caused by Mr. Bush and his toadies in the military who spoke harshly to Kim, Validimir, Hugo and Fidel and deceived them by never quite letting them know how they were to be chastised, other than it might not be nice. A sunny smile, unctuous and nuanced words, and a promise to take them to court will fix everything up just peachy. Who needs Admiral Lyons' skills, aircraft carriers, submarines and Marines? Not us surely 'cause they ain't no good in court.

Obama will not defend the US, this was a central part of his camapign, everyone knows this but many refuse to believe it. Sometime next year after he has had time to tear down the defenses we now enjoy the terrorists will start striking in the US, and when they do Obama will do nothing.

BO has promised his supporters to beef up such useful government agencies as HUD, Energy and the Department of Education. Prior to the election, he sent letters explaining his expansion plans for them and the myriad of other jobs programs falling under the rubric of Federal Agency. Setting aside the "bailout" extortion for the moment, the increase in resources that Obama is promising these entities can only come from three sources: Medicare, Social Security and the Department of Defense. Where do you think he will get the money?

Obama has a lot of issues to face--that's for sure--with foreign policy. I found some good answers in this article filled with advice for Obama: http://www.flypmedia.com/issues/17/#1/1