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STILL voting “Present”

During the campaign, Obama said over and over that winning in Afghanistan was critical to our national security. According to Democrats, Bush’s war in Iraq had been “a dumb war;” Afghanistan was “the good war, the right war,” the “war worth fighting.”  Obama said often that Afghanistan was “a war of necessity” whose success was “fundamental“ to our national security.

A few months after taking office, Obama replaced Bush’s Afghanistan general and tasked him with taking fresh eyes to the situation and sending him a recommendation for a new strategy for winning. General McChrystal reported back to Obama privately in August with a plan that would require more troops.

Obama pronounced himself skeptical of any plan that would require more troops. And here I thought the important thing about a strategy was “Will it work?”

Silly me.

The only thing that matters to people like him is politics. Never mind the morale of troops fighting and dying in Iraq; if slamming Bush will help win elections, then have at it. Never mind whether a strategy will be good, bad or indifferent to our national security; if it might tick off the pacifist Left whose money was and is so vital to Democrats’ political security, screw national security.

A MONTH after sending in his private report, McChrystal still had gotten no word back from CINC. So he submitted a public report. Another month with no word from the White House and McChrystal took the extraordinary step of speaking to the press about the delay.

ATTACHED: Return of the crotch salute – Nov 2009

On October 31, The Washington Post reported that “More than 1,000 American troops have been wounded in battle over the past three months in Afghanistan, accounting for one-fourth of those injured in combat since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. The dramatic increase in amputees and other seriously injured service members comes as October marks the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.”

On Thursday, November 19, 2009, President Obama announced that he has AGAIN decided not to decide anything about Afghanistan any time soon. Aides are certain he will definitely not make a decision before Thanksgiving, though Obama himself said he wanted “several weeks” to ponder.

This is just the latest in a long line of delays and lame excuses. He said he had to talk to everybody first and think hard and get it right. He said he needed to wait until the Afghani elections were over. (They are and the new president has been sworn in.) Then he said he had to wait until after his Asia tour, so he could consult with allies who are many thousands of miles away from the conflict.

In Tokyo, he said his decision will come soon and he is bent on “getting this right.” In Beijing, he praised himself for listening to both sides. “If I was just listening to hawks or doves on either side of the debate, then I probably wouldn’t be making a very good decision.”

In South Korea, he actually talked about Afghanistan with President Lee Myung-bak, whose government is sending 150 civilian aid workers to Afghanistan. Wow, 150 civilian aid workers. We have … hmmm, lemme think … SIXTY-THREE THOUSAND combat troops over there!

ATTACHED: Four months waiting for a strategy – Nov 2009

A MONTH ago, he told troops, “I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm’s way,” which kinda begs the question of his failure to do something about the troops who are already in harm’s way and whose general says need reinforcements.

VIDEO: Oct 24, 2009 [3:24] @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS83nhA-KY4 — erakis says, “Look at the faces of the Troops behind Obama…they do not look happy. I am sure it is difficult for them to be used as props while their comrades are on the front lines waiting for reinforcements and the order from the Organizer in Chief.”

Speaking of using troops as props … before leaving South Korea, Obama went to Osan Air Base for a quick visit. And I do mean QUICK. His plane’s wheels were on the ground for 52 whole minutes, during which there must’ve been the usual Secret Service checking things are safe, getting off and back on the plane and — unless he never left the runway — some minutes moving to and from the speaking venue.

And … oops … the whole time he was there, he never once mentioned the Big Thing our troops are most concerned about – Afghanistan. I’ve had longer, more personal and meaningful visits with Jehovah’s Witnesses at my front door.

Did they have to take time to set up TOTUS, I wonder?

Here is what he did during the brief period during which Obama had his feet on the ground at Osan. He reassured the troops of “the gratitude of the American public.”  (Yeah, we’re grateful. Is he?)  After that, he talked about himself and his eight days in Asia, made a lame joke about all the cameras snapping away — “You guys make a pretty good photo op.” Then he announced he was increasing military pay and jumped back on Air Force One.

Wow, what a guy! Grabbing an exit applause line for something he has no control over. Not only does the military get a standard annual COLA increase, but also it’s Congress (not the President) that decides how much it will be. Even worse, the amount Obama recommended to Congress for the military pay increase for 2010 was LOWER than the amount Congress decided on in the end!

ATTACHED: Truly A Man Without A Clue

At Hot Air, the commentary on his visit to Osan was SCATHING!  Below is a short list of the most representative (and least scatological) samples. Only one poster said he thought the criticism was over the top:

Risawn – He has no sense of humor, so when he does attempt to tell a joke, it usually falls flat. In this case, it was very unpresidential of him, but honestly I do believe it was tongue in cheek. There are a lot of things to criticize Obama about, but this is just nit picky and reminds me when people would criticize Bush over stupid things like this. For the record, I’m a Staff Sergeant in the Army, if that is even relevant.

I do get Risawn’s point. In fact, under normal circumstances, I’d even agree, because I don’t think it serves our cause when we behave badly. Unfortunately, this “joke” came on the heels of a very much planned and utterly out of line and offensively tacky use of dead soldiers as props in a photo op at Dover AFB on October 29. So with all due respect to the SSgt … on this one, I agree with Cindy and Bishop:

Cindy Munford – Risawn, since he’s your boss, he’s very lucky that you will give him the benefit of the doubt. To me it’s just one more unintended glimpse of this man’s soul. Or lack there of.

Bishop – President Pantload telling his personal truth again without really meaning to; everything and everyone is meant only to be a prop for good profile shots of the historic POTUS.

Other comments:

BadgerHawk – So he was at the base for less than an hour, got his picture taken, said he was giving us a pay raise (which happens every single year) and then left. Way to lead.

Poppieseeds: 10 yrs my husband spent in the military he received a raise every yr.

Brat4life – Besides, Congress is the one who approves our raises. He has to sign it but he’s not giving it to us.

Sue – Anyone seen the video of this love fest? I have to see it with my own eyes to believe our military did anything other than be polite until he mentioned a pay raise.

Spc Steve – The upcoming pay raise of 3.4% is the smallest in the past 3 years. President Obama’s proposal was 2.9%. In other words, Obama was playing three card monte with soldiers in the name of a photo op and applause on a courtesy stop. I’m less than impressed.
Our pay raises have been steadily declining since FY 2006. The attempts by the Bush administration to close the pay gap between the military and similar private sector jobs ended when the “most ethical congress evah” took control of the legislature.       The 2010 raise is less than the increase in cost of living and comes with a pretty deep cut in re-enlistment bonuses, particularly for re-enlisting in a combat zone.

Juno77 – “You guys make a pretty good photo op.” Did he actually say that? Maybe it was the TOTUS acting up?/sarc

Realist – Greater love hath no man than to provide a good photo op for The One.

WisCon – That’s the only reason he does anything related to the military.

Mwbri – Way to communicate that you understand the solemn sacrifice our armed services personnel make for our freedom, Commander-In-Chief.

Stars and Stripes – It was worse. “You volunteered in a time of war, knowing that you could be sent into harm’s way,” the president said. “Many of you served in Iraq.” The comment brought applause and affirmative shouts of “Hoo-ah!”
“Others among you served in Afghanistan.” More applause and hoo-ahs.
“… Others among you will deploy yet again,” he said.
This time, barely three or four people in the crowd made sounds of approval, then quickly fell silent.

Simon – Military response: “You make a lousy Commander in Chief.”

DrAllecon – I think Obama trying to walk out a window of the Oval Office thinking it was a door, and Obama hitting his head getting into AF1 makes for a good photo op, too.

HadithHarry – No decision on troop levels in Afghanistan until after Thanksgiving. Keep playing that fiddle Barry.

Sonofdy – Photo op, glad to know you think we are useful for something. NOW MAKE UP YOUR F#$KING MIND ABOUT AFGHANISTAN!!!!!

Kasubo – I predict he’ll announce his intention to pull out of Afghanistan on Black Friday. Not only a slow news day, but much of the country will be focused on their holiday shopping.

Skywise – Bush, “You guys make a great photo op.” MSM spends the next month slamming Bush for hating the troops, decries every action Bush has or will take and demands he step down from the Presidency. Next year they make calendars and T-Shirts with the phrase and for the next 8 years brings it up anytime somebody tries to make a positive point about Republicans. Obama, “You guys make a great photo op.” Most of MSM ignores the quote, some wink and laugh and talk about what a funny and warm guy Obama is. Next year they deny he ever said it.

Del Dolemonter – Admitted draft dodger Bill Clinton stages five aircraft carrier photo ops = “Good”. Actual military fighter pilot Chimpy Bush does one aircraft carrier photo op = “Bad”.

NeoCon – I’m kinda depressed his overseas junket is ending. I tolerate him more when he’s out of the country, even though he humiliates the U.S. every chance he gets.

Tom – Look on the bright side. If Obama is coming back into the country, then Holder must not have any more bad news for us at the moment.

Wethal – Even if Mohammed is eventually convicted and executed – by no means a slam dunk – could that result possibly be worth the pain? What sort of man could fail to take into account the pain he is likely to cause for the 9/11 families, and for the people of New York? The kind of man who told 9/11 victims that their deaths should lead to an examination of why people hated America. The kind of man who singles out a hard-working cop and calls him ’stupid’ just for doing his job. The kind of man who defends infanticide. The kind of man who jokes about Special Olympics participants. The kind of man who sides with Iran and against the families who lost loved ones in the Beirut barracks attack. The kind of man who waits until the anniversary of the fall of Poland to the Soviets to announce that he is giving in to Russia on missile defense. The kind of man who goes back on his campaign promises and forces massive, regressive tax increases. The kind of man refers to those who serve their country as a “photo op.” The kind of man who sees everyone as a tool or an obstacle — things, not persons.

Daggett – I think we need to pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8. “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.”

ATTACHED: Revile the flag – Nov 6 2009
What passes for “respect” from the liberal media.

—————–
SOURCES:

U.S. combat injuries rise sharply – Three-month total in Afghanistan surpasses 1,000 – October 31, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103003759.html?hpid=topnews

White House aides: No Afghan decision before Thanksgiving – Nov 19, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/19/AR2009111900904.html

Obama Won’t Make Afghan Decision Before Thanksgiving, Aides Say – November 19, 2009
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/19/obama-wont-make-afghan-decision-thanksgiving-aides-say/

Obama to troops: “I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm’s way” by Allahpundit – Oct 24, 2009 PLUS COMMENTS
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/10/26/obama-to-troops-i-will-never-rush-the-solemn-decision-of-sending-you-into-harms-way/

COMMENTARY on Obama’s visit to Osan
http://hotair.com/headlines/?p=60362

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