Decoding the Speech

Irreverent as usual, Esquire decodes President Obama's Libya speech, line-by-line (well, almost).

Some samples:

Obama: "In fact, much of the debate in Washington has put forward a false choice when it comes to Libya..."

Translation: And now to take on my pinhead critics!

Obama: "It is true that America cannot use our military wherever repression occurs. And given the costs and risks of intervention, we must always measure our interests against the need for action. But that cannot be an argument for never acting on behalf of what's right ..."

Translation: I don't buy the slippery slope on this one. Even I — careful diplomat that I am — find this one seriously weak-ass argument.

Obama: "Let me close by addressing what this action says about the use of America's military power, and America's broader leadership in the world, under my presidency ..."

Translation: So let's leave it at this: bad man, easy target, too much possible innocent blood, no U.S. boots on the ground, and no serious responsibility to rebuild afterward. It's what you can stand right now, and it's what I'm comfortable dealing right now. It's as simple as that, people. God bless America.

Clever. It's almost worthy of Jon Stewart. Almost. Read the whole piece here.