Obama Salutes Slain Soldiers Return to US – But Won't Send Reinforcements …Update: Only 1 Family Allowed Photo-Op
Posted by Jim Hoft on Thursday, October 29, 2009, 5:17 AM
The president woke early to meet the plane returning to home with the bodies of 18 soldiers killed this week in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama, right, salutes as an Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind., during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The media was quite impressed noting that it was a “dramatic image not witnessed in years.”
Standing in the pre-dawn darkness, President Barack Obama saw the real cost of the war in Afghanistan: The Americans who return in flag-covered cases while much of the nation sleeps in peace.
In a midnight dash to this Delaware base, where U.S. forces killed overseas come home, Obama honored the return of 18 fallen Americans Thursday. All were killed this week in Afghanistan, a brutal stretch that turned October into the most deadly month for U.S. troops since the war began.
The dramatic image of Obama on the tarmac was a portrait not witnessed in years.
But as US soldiers continue to serve in harm’s way the president continues to dither and waffle about sending more troops into Afghanistan to finish the job.
October was the deadliest month for the US in Afghanistan.
More… Hermie added:
George W Bush did not turn his visits to families of fallen heroes into self-promoting photo ops for the MSM to gush over. He made sure that it was done in private, respecting the families and their deceased loved ones.
Still More… Kenny Solomon added this:
The commander-in-chief of the armed forces of The United States of America has welcomed home 18 of those under his command who have fallen. For that act, reading nothing into it, I say thank you, Sir.
However, I firmly believe the very same commander-in-chief of the armed forces of The United States of America is purposely working towards the defeat of the armed forces of The United States of America and thus the nation and her people.
It is also thoroughly abhorrent to me that the current commander-in-chief of the armed forces of The United States of America is attempting to project an understanding of the honor and gravity involved in what is taking place before him.
God Bless those in harms way, those who served and those who will wear the uniform tomorrow.
UPDATE: Only one of the families allowed the president to use the occasion for his photo-op.
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Mike commented:
“The dramatic image of Obama on the tarmac was a portrait not witnessed in years.”
No shit. He’s been President less than one year. It just feels like longer. It’s about time he showed some respect for people fighting for freedom. He’s probably been too busy appointing czars.
J commented:
I think this action tends to telegraph obama’s decision. And his actions will lead to more of our people being killed. Weak man.
NeoKong commented:
Oh geez…..you can almost hear the soldiers who are carrying that coffin muttering bleep you under their breath.
Who does he think he is fooling with that obviously staged photo op.
He couldn’t care less.
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serpent commented:
The photo op appears to have been a success. Obama not a passable CiC?? Look at this photo the WH will say.
Brendon Carr commented:
It’s a decent-looking salute. He’s had some coaching since the early days. But here’s the deal: The hand salute is a military courtesy, and the President of the United States is a civilian official, not a member of the military. Nor has he ever been a member of the military. The Gipper’s instituting the tradition of returning the hand salute to the Marines and airmen at the foot of Presidential conveyances is directly to blame for the tooth-grinding spectacle of Obama arrogating to himself the honor of a military salute.
Hermie commented:
George W Bush did not turn his visits to families of fallen heroes into self-promoting photo ops for the MSM to gush over. He made sure that it was done in private, respecting the families and their deceased loved ones.
Obama doesn’t blow his nose without making sure the the White House press corp is ready to fawn over how ‘elegantly’ he did it.
Ret GI commented:
This guy will do anything for a photo op. Even using dead GI’s for props. What a disgrace. At least someone taught him how to stand at attention and properly salute in the past nine months.
John Steele commented:
As far as Obama is concerned this is just a good photo-op. The man has no sincerity in his entire body. This is calculated to make him look good. Reputation is earned by what you do when others are watching; Character is earned by what you do when no one else will know.
Kenny Solomon commented:
The commander-in-chief of the armed forces of The United States of America has welcomed home 18 of those under his command who have fallen. For that act, reading nothing into it, I say thank you, Sir.
However, I firmly believe the very same commander-in-chief of the armed forces of The United States of America is purposely working towards the defeat of the armed forces of The United States of America and thus the nation and her people.
It is also thoroughly abhorrent to me that the current commander-in-chief of the armed forces of The United States of America is attempting to project an understanding of the honor and gravity involved in what is taking place before him.
God Bless those in harms way, those who served and those who will wear the uniform tomorrow.
Chester commented:
What a disgraceful photo op by the president. If he really cared for the fallen heros, he would not have allowed photography at all. Just honor their sacrifice.
Sequoia commented:
For some reason, when I look at this picture, I see the Dukakis in tank photo. http://images.chron.com/blogs/txpotomac/dukakis%20tank.jpg
If I thought for a minute Rahmobama had anything but utter DISDAIN for the military in general, and the US Military in particular, I would ease up. He’s an absolute hypocrite. He’s never served. And his indecisiveness is getting guys killed. He owns this war. He announced his policy 6 mos. ago, w/the Sec. of State and all the cameras in the world adoring him. And now this wanker blames HIS failure on the previous administration. Again.
Mike commented:
Why now? There have been fallen heroes pasing through Dover AFB for many years, during his enitre (cough) time as a senator, and his nine months as President. Only now he chooses to show respect (cough again) when his pole numbers are slipping. I, as a former Marine am insulted by this display of self promotion on the caskets of those whom died for their country. You don’t salute Mr. President. As a civilian, you are not entitled to the priviledge, as I am no longer for I am a civilian too now. What disgust I feel for this man whom knows no more of the fallen than what they are worth to him as a self-promotion prop.
MA McCarty commented:
I am totally outragged by O’s staged photo. Who does he think he’s impressing? He no more cares for our brave soilders then Bill Ayers, or George Soro’s cares. He so phony. Remember that photo op when everyone on the stage including Hillary was saluting the flag except O, during the last campaign. I ‘m reminded of the old saying, “You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time”. I hope that is still true. America please wake up!
Joe commented:
This was a clever photo-op idea hatched by a White House who realizes that the MESSiah is slipping in the polls. It is sickening. These people will stop at nothing and they play hardball. Too bad he doesn’t care enough about the military to send it what it needs in time of war.
John in the Land of Louis commented:
Publicity stunt
RickZ commented:
Ret GI
October 29th, 2009 | 5:42 am | #7
This guy will do anything for a photo op. Even using dead GI’s for props.
—-
You posted the exact words right out of my head.
Obie’s such a phoney.
Aitch748 commented:
Stop with the photo-ops and send reinforcements, Mr. President. You spent more money than any other presidential candidate in American history to obtain this job, so how about you fricking start doing it and start helping your subordinates in the military win the battles you send them to fight?
Sasja commented:
A disgusting display by this man-child. He has no shame.
Milatant Conservative commented:
Symbolisim over substance. He is just a petulant boy in a suit. I have no respect for him or his staff of marxist’s and commie lib’s. He is doing what he said he would do “Fundamentally changing america” by destroying it on purpose with his policies. This is just a side bar. pay close attention to other more important things. I support my brothers in arms NOT Barry and the gang.
kate commented:
New heights to his lows.
JJAYNED commented:
After asking permission of all the families of the fallen soldiers arriving that night, only one family gave permission. Think maybe the other families might have thought that Obama and his dithering might hace had some responsibility for their loss?
The man has no shame.
Ginger commented:
Hey Barry…….. I have a salu te for you! It’s the same one you gave to Hillary and John McCain. What a discusting piece of scum! Please tell me we are just having a bad dream and it will be gone soooooooooon.
Please, please people be very careful whom you vote for in ALL upcoming elections. We can’t get rid of the evil bas*^rd for three more years but we sure can slow him down if we get rid of the librals. Turn the power back to the real Americans!
dacoelec commented:
John Steele
“As far as Obama is concerned this is just a good photo-op. The man has no sincerity in his entire body. This is calculated to make him look good. Reputation is earned by what you do when others are watching; Character is earned by what you do when no one else will know.”
No further comment necessary. Thank you Sir!
Mike commented:
I guess the potential for a photo-op like this was the reason he lifted the ban on photographing our heros’ caskets.
jeanneb commented:
Now we know why the White House lifted the ban on photos at Dover.
And why now? It couldn’t be more obvious. Here’s how their thinking evolved.
1) Media reports this week that October has now become the “deadliest month in Afghanistan”.
2) White House team worries the media may link “deadliest month” with photos of flag draped coffins at Dover.
3) Here’s their bottom line: rather than take a chance that some off-the-reservation media outlet (FOX) might publish the Dover photos in an unflattering light….let’s put the president out front so he can steal the spotlight (and storyline) from those returning soldiers.
I’ll go even one step further: I believe this was anticipated at the time they lifted the photo ban. They must have asked themselves, “what about the day when our guy has multiple caskets returning at a politically inconvenient time?”. I know how they think and it’s most likely they decided then and there that they would send the president up there, making him the center of attention and diminishing the impact of those flag draped coffins.
A more cynical bunch never existed.
seven commented:
He won the peace price. That means the world know there is no problem.
Dave Thul commented:
This was a planned photo op that will give the White House cover next week when they announce no troop increase. You can hear the talking point now-
“President Obama weighed all the options and decided he couldn’t bear the thought of more troops coming home to Dover…”
Barry commented:
Mr. Obama is not on active duty nor is he a veteran. He has no right to render a military hand salute. Since the coffin is draped with a flag, possibly he should have his hand on his heart or simply be at attention. His chief of etiquette ought to be able to advise him on which is the most appropriate. Either rules and traditions have no meaning for Mr. Obama, or he intentionally and disrespectfully makes up his own as he goes along. By not having performed military service, he has not earned the right to render hand salutes. With no disrespect intended in the slightest to the war dead or rather with the greatest respect to them (here we have two separate matters, one being the return home of the fallen soldier) President Obama has now added being a wannabe to his list of gaffes and mistakes.
GaMongrel commented:
Nice photo op. Let no crisis go to waste…
I now expect POTUS to be seen at every incoming flight from now until he leaves office.
Ginger commented:
My love, my heart, and my respect goes out to all of our Hero’s and their loved ones. Stay strong people.
God Bless America
Jules Hamil commented:
Looking at the Nerd saluting brings to mind the word “HYPOCRITE”. This event was only a photo-op to make “The Won” look and feel good. I doubt there was any sincerity in his being there, which in my opinion is another slap in the face to those honorable men.
olm commented:
As much as it pains me to say this, i hope this pos pulls out of Afghanistan.
I can almost not stand the sight of our CinC and know that our loved ones are dying due to his incompetence.
Jeff commented:
Just another photo op….like Air Force One over the Statue of Liberty. No doubt the MSM will publish this as him being a warm hearted, caring guy. What a POS!!!!
Lynn B commented:
Feel disgusted? Let the WON know it. Email at Whitehouse.gov.
I know i am going to. What a freaking hypocrite!
Ginger commented:
Where is the voices for our hero’s? Where is all the people who can hold this moron accountable? I can’t hear them! Wake up you so called leaders of our country and hold this evil bastard accountable.
He is unfit to run our country! They should be out there SCREAMING that this moron is unfit.
MSM you are the SCUM OF THE EARTH and may YOU BURN IN HELL
You have the power to take this evil bastard down so do it!
Cher Cropper commented:
Send more. We need more of them to die. My generation needs it’s own Vietnam.
———————————-
What’s this “WE” crap Martin? You got a mouse in your pocket? That’s them most disgusting thing I’ve seen posted anywhere lately. You should go sit in the corner and hang your head in shame.
Palinfan commented:
I have no problem with what he did here. Ask yourself if that was your family member in the coffin if you wouldn’t want the President on the tarmac saluting as it went by. I would. Let’s leave it at that. We’ll fight over the other politics later.
DomesticGoddess commented:
Reprehensible, vile creature using our dead Americans for a photo op. If I were family of these soldiers, I’d be screaming from the roftops. I despise this man.
C-CS commented:
thank you -our BEST- and prayers for your families…as to bho..
he is NOT our best at anything but lying..and smooth talk…
saul alinsky-take note – down there-I’m not going to be nice anymore!!! rule #5-erased….
DomesticGoddess commented:
BTW – he’s not even facing the soldiers. He’s making sure the photog gets his “best side”.
Ginger commented:
They didn’t want him there! Don’t have to leave it at that! I wouldn’t want that scum of the earth anywhere near my loved one. Would you want the person who just murdered your loved one near them? This fraud is killing our loved ones! You don’t sit on your ass (or party) while people are dying in a war. You give them all the power they need to get the job done.
GregZ commented:
Martin
October 29th, 2009 | 7:23 am | #36
“Send more. We need more of them to die. My generation needs it’s own Vietnam.”
Confirms Martin is only 17 years old.
IOpian commented:
Imagery, that’s all this is. Using the dead as nothing more than a prop.
myna commented:
Obama cannot help himself even using dead soldiers to promote himself. How many more soldiers and innocent people needlessly dying while sit on his palms? Media is so shameless.
Robert commented:
I wonder how the new rules of engagement figured in the deaths of these service members.
TheBaud commented:
Martin October 29th, 2009 | 7:23 am | #36
Send more. We need more of them to die. My generation needs it’s own Vietnam.
Go to college and protest the war, Martin. My generation needs it’s own Kent State!
TexasRick commented:
My son is a serving Marine, with 1 tour to Iraq completed; I cringe to think what if my son was in one of those caskets and this fraud comes near it – with or without cameras. He has no truth in him, and his entire character is filled with lies, deception and pride. Time will show what a disgrace he is as POTUS; him and his minions have tried to take this country down and patriots need to stand up and not allow it.
He might have the title CINC but he does not have the leadership it takes nor the respect of those he is, by law only, in command of.
What a tool.
And to anyone who cries “racist”: Tools come in all colors, this one, foisted on us by the MSM, just happens to be mulatto.
Scrapiron commented:
Headline should read, ‘President O’Dumbo gets off (a wet dribble down his leg) welcoming home the bodies of those he murdered’.
jenny commented:
All for show. He doesn’t give a flying __ about them.
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Sandy in Indiana commented:
This is disgusting! I still hear the liberal pundits bashing Bush for “using” an aircraft carrier as a photo-op, but to use our war dead for the same purpose is deplorable. The soldiers carrying their fallen brothers must have certainly been proud to carry them, but ashamed that their Commander in Chief is such an intolerable schmuck!
Riff Raff commented:
This is a cynical and obscene ploy on Obama’s part.
It will take more than some photo op to convince me he has choosen to live up to his responsibilities as President.
Hope commented:
Did he go to Dover before the press were allowed? ( I don’t know, anyone? anyone? If he did please tell me) If not, why would he only go when a photo opportunity is involved? If he did go without the press before the ban was lifted, then this would hold a lot more water for me as something more than just using our deceased members of the military and dea as props for what ever is surely to come in the next couple of weeks.
Frankly, since January, his administration looks like a bunch of amatures in the political world of decorum as they have repeatedly given him bad suggestions and advice (take just the Prime Minister of England’s early visit for example). They must think that the American Public cannot discern or see through obvious deception.
OIF Vet commented:
Get away from those fallen.
Just get away.
The fallen in those coffins accomplished more in their lives than he could ever hope to achieve in 10 lifetimes.
NavyMom commented:
Obama: “Look at me! Look at me!”
Sandy commented:
The only thing missing from this macabre scene is the YES WE CAN posters.
avery commented:
I:ll sure glad I;,not in the Army now,their be a lot more of our Hero will die because the need reforcement.Omaba will not give them what they need,and he draging around will cause more Death.
Chisum commented:
A bit of a reality check….for Team Obama.
Judgement to lead…etc.
The Audacity of Incompetence
http://www.punditandpundette.com/2009/10/audacity-of-incompetence.html
USMC Thomas commented:
Once again it’s all about me photo ops and BHO’s phony style over substance.
Reporters for struggling for position to capture the most creative juxtaposition of the phony one and the caskets shows little respect for the fallen warriors. I’m surprised BHO didn’t have the children of the dead soldiers next to him giving health plan sound bites.
RFW commented:
Looks like he was coached and spent a lot of time practicing that salute. Bill Clinton was criticized for that early and it looks like the DNC media handler types remembered that lesson well. Actually, this looks like he spent a lot of time practicing so now it looks even more like the fake photo op it was.
JDubya commented:
Can someone from the military or historical background comment on this?
I was under the impression that no president ever saluted the troops, dead or alive. I was always under the impression that the hand over the heart as in the pledge is the correct stance for a civilian leader.
Can anyone correct me on this?
Eric commented:
Poseur
Of
The
United
States
POTUS
Solaratov commented:
Brendon Carr
October 29th, 2009 | 5:37 am | #6
At least Reagan had served in the military.
Joanne commented:
Like this guy feels the need to go meet a plane of deceased loved ones killed in action. Obama is a hypocrite. It is sickening that he meets this plane, when the very reason those poor boys are coming home in a box is because of him. I feel ill.
Solaratov commented:
JDubya
October 29th, 2009 | 10:33 am | #65
Technically, since the president is a civilian, he does not have the right to render a hand salute. (I don’t rcall Dwight Eisenhower – as president – saluting while in office.)
But, since the president is the CinC, I suppose that he can change or modify the rules to suit himself.
It’s a matter of tradition, rather than law.
(Btw, the hand salute is a greeting from one warrior to another; and a way to show that one’s intentions are friendly [ie; no weapon in hand].)
Joanne commented:
olm – Obama is going to deliberate so long, and put the military men and women in such danger, that every America by that time will be glad if the troops are pulled out. Perhaps that is what Obama has in mind.
Joanne commented:
Obama doesn’t feel the need to follow the Constitution, does anyone actually believe he will feel the need to follow military protocol.
DG commented:
Can someone photo shop the mission accomplished banner in that picture? It seems that he has accomplished his mission of failing the troops in harms way.
Sasja commented:
How does one ask a family to use their son’s coffin as a photo-op? I just can’t imagine.
On a lighter note, the US Army Quartermaster Historian has an interesting story re the hand salute and states it is probably closest to the truth.
“It was a long-established military custom for juniors to remove their headgear in the presence of superiors. In the British Army as late as the American Revolution a soldier saluted by removing his hat. But with the advent of more cumbersome headgear in the 18th and 19th centuries, the act of removing one’s hat was gradually converted into the simpler gesture of grasping the visor , and issuing a courteous salutation. From there it finally became conventionalized into something resembling our modern hand salute.”
“As early as 1745, a British order book states that: ‘The men are ordered not to pull off their hats when they pass an officer, or to speak to them, but only to clap up their hands to their hats and bow as they pass’.”
Blackwater commented:
Using dead soldiers as a photo op? What a piece of garbage. 2012 can’t come soon enough!
Sandy commented:
The act of a craven sphincter.
kirk commented:
no positive comments at all…..sick
jenny commented:
Kirk – here’s something positive.
We’re so happy to see the President use the dead to promote his latest photo-op featuring . . . himself.
Paul1 commented:
I seem to remember Chairman O saying when it came down to trouble he would side with the Muslims (paraphrased of course). This was his quote in his book. So I see he is living true to his words. Too bad it is the blood of our own heroes on his hands. I say let’s bring them home and we can use them here in this great nation to fight the real battle left to be fought.
sybilll commented:
This man has never given an aerial fornication about these young men and women. Utterly disgraceful.
c m romeo commented:
Point of clarification for Mr. Hopey and Changey:
Why were cameras there?
Why this group of fallen warriors?
Where were you and your MSM minions for the last nine months to honor our fallen heroes, why was this so important to photograph rather than all the others?
How long had you planned this photo op?
Did you arrange what cameras would shoot at what angle, if not who did?
How did you find out that only one of the fallen service member’s family would allow you to photograph this, who made that call?
How did you know what casket was the one fallen hero whose family allowed you to photograph him/her?
Did you think about the other 17 families that wanted no part of this publicity stunt?
Stop using our fallen warriors as props to improve your sinking pole numbers. Despicable.
JR in FL commented:
As a person who served in the Navy for this great country many years ago, this so called CiC is a discrace and a complete idiot. A child politician from Chicago who thinks he walks on water. Is there anything he will not do for a photo op ??? This fiasco was nothing more than that, a photo op trying to blow s..t up our arses making us think he is “concerned” about our young men and women who serve. If he had any REAL feelings for the fallen then he would have consulted with the families in private and have made a decision about what to do in Afghanistan. But this is one time he can’t vote “present” on an issue so he is lost. This is one of your 3:00 AM calls POTUS, what are you going to do ??? This joke of a president always has to be the center of attention. To think I served so liberal marxist’s like him could try and take over this country. Again, what a discrace this so called human is !!!
Danny Flyboy commented:
President G.W.Bush used to do this, only no cameras allowed, out of respect, and no political agenda. President Obama, you disgust me!
Michael Cobb commented:
My wife (Debbie) and I made a video addressing Obama’s procrastination on making his decisions. He needs to take action NOW!
“Mr. Obama, Our Troops Are Dying!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zWmTi86drU