West Point Cadets Told To Applaud Obama Before Speech But Fall Asleep Instead (Video)
Posted by Jim Hoft on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 5:51 AM
The West Point Cadets were told beforehand to applaud President Obama.
They should have ordered them to stay awake instead:
Via Breitbart
The Germans weren’t impressed with Obama’s strange speech last night either.
Der Spiegel reported:
Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt as false as his Tuesday address announcing America’s new strategy for Afghanistan. It seemed like a campaign speech combined with Bush rhetoric — and left both dreamers and realists feeling distraught.
One can hardly blame the West Point leadership. The academy commanders did their best to ensure that Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama’s speech would be well-received.
Just minutes before the president took the stage inside Eisenhower Hall, the gathered cadets were asked to respond “enthusiastically” to the speech. But it didn’t help: The soldiers’ reception was cool.
One didn’t have to be a cadet on Tuesday to feel a bit of nausea upon hearing Obama’s speech. It was the least truthful address that he has ever held. He spoke of responsibility, but almost every sentence smelled of party tactics. He demanded sacrifice, but he was unable to say what it was for exactly.
An additional 30,000 US soldiers are to march into Afghanistan — and then they will march right back out again. America is going to war — and from there it will continue ahead to peace. It was the speech of a Nobel War Prize laureate.
More… Almost everyone hated Obama’s speech.
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Andrew X commented:
I did not have the pleasure (!) of seeing this speech, but I have seen numerous references to cadets looking like they were “falling asleep” or the like. Such an observation strikes me as a bit odd.
I do not have the slightest doubt that they were ordered to receive the CinC with respect, such an order is not at all out of line for such an audience and forum.
But I do wonder if the “falling asleep” thing was possibly a smidge, um, coordinated by word of mouth, shall we say, and was a way for a military audience to convey a message of sorts to the nation without breaching protocol.
I leave it to others with more military experience than I, whose voluminous such experience extends to watching ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’ a bunch of times.
Does anyone who saw the speech and may have more insight here care to comment on this?
fallingfast commented:
It’s too bad the entire class didn’t stand up and do an about face…..turning their back on this commie wack job, just as he is turning his back on America. Having to be told to applaud this so called “speech” is even a bigger insult to these fine young people.
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olm commented:
“commie wack job”
How appropriate.
Kauffman commented:
I analyzed the President’s speech on my blog (http://www.kauffmanscommentary.blogspot.com) Please feel free to make any comments or give me feedback.
USMC Thomas commented:
Did everybody notice the ribbons on the drowsing cadet’s chest indicating he probably served a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan as an enlisted man before appointment to West Point.
The Commandturd-in-Chief outlines his defeatist policy before the very men who will be the platoon leaders of men at the tip of the spear for the fight on the ground.
Their blood, his gutlessness.
Dante commented:
I slept through it too. We all knew waht he’d say. Im sending troops but not the full amount and were getting out soon blah blah blah.
nick commented:
USMC Thomas -
My brothers left the Naval Academy with about the same amount of bars. It’s possible.
fallingfast -
Really? You honestly think that the military should openly defy the CiC. Good to see you support our government which specifically placed the military under civilian command for a reason. To do otherwise would make us as bad as any other tinpot military dictator, but I have a pretty good idea of how much you probably love Chavez.
Everyone else -
Even my business partner that *was* a big Obama supporter saw the whole speech as a flop. He still identifies himself as a democrat, but he’s increasingly coming to the conclusion that O has bitten off more than he can chew. IMO, if the Republican party can prevent itself from self-destructing before midterm elections, things are looking pretty good. Unfortunately, I think we’ll see party rifts increase in the runup as evidenced by posts such as the one at LGF.
AuntieMadder commented:
Andrew X
December 2nd, 2009 | 9:59 am | #1
Andrew X, I’m not nor have I ever been in the military but still I don’t think the cadets are falling asleep or appearing to fall asleep intentionally. Regardless of each cadet’s personal opinion of the a**hat, he remains their Commander In Chief. Being very much their superior, they will be respectful toward him. (As far as I know, they aren’t required to be enthusiastic toward or about their superiors, only respectful and, unfortunately for them under this CIC, obedient.)
I honestly believe that nodding off was unintentional and was caused by the odd cadence of Obamao’s speech pattern, accompanied by the teleprompter-reading, left – right – left – right – left – right head-swivel, similar to the pendulum-swinging of a hypnotist (“you are getting sleepy, very sleepy”). Some are mesmerized (hypnotized?) by it while others are bored by it and still some others, like myself, are annoyed by it.
I hope the cadets aren’t disciplined for nodding off while their CIC was speaking to them, or at least not disciplined harshly if their code demands it.
czekmark commented:
Oh my, he has really lost it if he can’t generate enthusiasm with his teleprompter addresses. Of course, the majority of the cadets were probably not Obamas leftist marxist supporters.
averagemelon commented:
You don’t have to be a cadet to fall asleep trying to listen to Obama’s speeches.
Patricia commented:
Chris Matthews, lackey for Obama, ought to be fired for his comment about Obama in “enemy territory”. I wonder if L’il Chrissy appreciates the U.S. military saving his tingling bacon from Al Quada. What the dim/libs don’t realize is that OBL et al will come after THEM first. Gay marriage, abortion, no morals, atheists.
Sandy commented:
This speech should never have been given at West Point. He was not beginning or ending a war just adding more troops. Therefore, he should have spoken from his desk in the Oval Office. But to Obama the speech had to contain lofty rhetoric even though the needs of the Generals have been ignored for 3-1/2 months. We get it — politics as usual.
Dennis Petty aka MUD commented:
There is no excuse for falling asleep at a speech by their Commander in Chief. These young men and women are the cream of the crop and no matter what they personally think of the President, he is the President. Barac is going to do a Jimmy Carter to the Military and cut them down a lot in the next few years and these kids will face the future in a Hollow Army. One of the best places for minorities to be a success will cut their slots and put a lot of them back on the streets. There will be a few cadets walking punishment tours for their disrespectful behavior to the President no matter how deeply we all hate him. MUD
nick commented:
Good point, Sandy, but sadly it doesn’t come as a surprise given O’s “you guys make a good photo op” comment last month.
Your comment actually makes me think that all decisions and announcements regarding a subject with such gravitas as our course during a war (life and death issues) should be delivered from the desk in the Oval Office. Anything short of that trivializes the issue (at least on the surface).
C-Christian Soldier commented:
The Cadets know who what bho and his cohorts are….
Notice the lack of applause during the teleprompter ‘applause’ time..
the slow rise-during ‘standing ovation’ time…
one thing-I turned off the sound -so I could watch some of our BEST w/o hearing bho’s voice…
I was listening to Mark Levin’s takes during the bho ‘speech’…
C-CS
Robert commented:
Notice that he was quite pointed about how we cannot afford to continue in Iraq. Yet apparently we can spend without end on his desired domestic “reform” programs, deficit as far as the eye can see, and beyond..
Hope Deferred commented:
How sad that some of these same young men will lose their lives while some cheap sleazy Chicago hoodlum parties in the White House while giving a big FU to America.
rumcrook® commented:
a couple of thoughts,
1. if west point is anything like any other military training which it is,
you are allways overloaded and pushed to the brink of exhaustion. so more than likely there is nothing more to the sleepy behavior except being sleepy.
2. barrack is a despicable pResident who has decided to use brave young men and women as props to make himself look serious. because he knows deep down he has not risen to the responsibility of being president and instead confuses staging looking presidential for actually being presidential.
3. there is nothing they can or will do individually to the cadets for not being enthusiastic or having been sleepy.
they may yell and posture about consequences but I highly doubt individual cadets will be punished.
rumcrook® commented:
honestly if they expected “clap happy drones” they should have picked a union hall…
Chisum commented:
Will Obama Still Be Blaming Bush In 2012?
It has become a nervous tic with Obama. Something is wrong, people are upset — blame Bush! Obama is going to need to rely on conservative support to prosecute the war since his own crowd certainly won’t be cheerleading for him. So it would have been politically smart and classy to have credited Bush with the surge or with leaving him the assessment for the Afghanistan war, which he relied on in the spring (the one his team previously denied receiving). But that’s not this president’s style. For reasons that aren’t quite clear — either personal peevishness or political expediency — even in a wartime speech in which bipartisanship would have been essential, he felt compelled to get in his digs. If President Obama seems smaller than candidate Obama it’s because he allows pettiness to get the best of him. He should give it up. He’s now president after all.
http://pajamasmedia.com/eddriscoll/2009/12/01/will-obama-still-be-blaming-bush-in-2012/
Kevin commented:
Every time I see Obama the expression on seems to say “Wow, this President thing is neato!!”
He’s like a college grad given too much authority too soon because his dad owns the company– he has no real idea what he’s doing but he sure like all the perks, and the salutes are really cool too!!
What a maroon!!!
observer commented:
The cadets were seated *3 hours* before the speech and were told they could not sleep while waiting for POTUS to arrive. They were allowed to bring 1 book (only) to read during that time. It’s almost the end of the term, the cadets have major projects due early next week and final exams the week after. The Academy pace is strenuous at any time, more so as the term end approaches. I’m amazed any of them managed to stay awake.
That said, Bush connected deeply and personally with most of the cadets who heard him speak. The difference is palpable.
WAKE UP commented:
Nick/AuntieMadder/Dennis Petty: the military are neutral, in that they serve the country, not the President (even though he is CIC), and if the President chooses to use the miltary as a backdrop to a political speech (which is what Obama did), he is inviting distaste and contempt, let alone revolution. Watch that space.
AnnS commented:
Chisum
December 2nd, 2009 | 11:34 am | #22
IMO:
He hates Bush because obama was getting money from the Saddum regime (Ref: Auchi billionaire bagman). There was a million or so wire transfers from Auchi to Resko during obama’s Il Senator term. Payback, obama was to vote against going to war in Iraq; Resko was to contact the State Department and get Auchi off the list of ban travel to the US. Shorly there after, obama bouht his mansion in Hyde Park and Resko’s wife bought the lot next to it. At huge discounts. WND (I think) broke the story that obama’s house in Chicago was in one of Resko’s lawyers name.
AnnS commented:
Chisum
December 2nd, 2009 | 11:34 am | #22
Well anyway obama Inc. got his gravy train shut off when Bush (our soldiers) took Saddum out.
Just IMO.
ThomasD commented:
That cadet likely fell asleep because he was tired and nothing else. It was an all too human lapse.
Remember honor, integrity and duty are concepts inculcated in these people like no others. It is a point of pride among them and, no matter who the speaker is, they will afford him respect, if for no other reason than to maintain the dignity of the Academy.
That cadet is in trouble over this. Demerits if nothing else.
D commented:
I’m a recently retired military officer.
First off, the falling asleep. One of the first adaptations to military life is the ability to fall asleep anywhere, anytime. We call them touch and go’s. Remember these guys have insanely long days. Sleep is hard to come by. Once you fall asleep standing up you realize you’ve reached a new level of tired.
He’s not going to get some crazy disciplinary action. He will get harassed endleslly from his peers at least through school and it will probably follow him for a couple duty stations. He’ll get a nickname like “Sleepy”. Or taunts like, “Hey sleepy where’s the rest of the seven dwarfs.”
Harassing your peers is a time honored tradition for military members. Its brothers teasing brothers (and sisters). Usually within a week someone else does something more embarrassing than you and your off the hook. Unfortunately for this guy it will be tough to top this one.
One thing the public truly needs to understand is the last thing a military member wants is to be used as political fodder. This goes for both sides.
My entire career I was never political. Sure I had opinions, however they never took center stage. In the end I knew the policies of the military are written by elected officials and enforced by the chain of command.
While I strongly believe by using this forum as an announcement it was entirely political on Obama’s end, do not return the favor. Our guys are caught between two squabbling parents. Respect for the chain of command and the love of those they are protecting.
What you should pay attention to is the reaction of flag officers to this administration, active and retired. The flag officer rank is where political battles are fought.
For the record. To say I oppose the policies of Washington and the road this country is headed is a gross understatement. Every day I wonder what our elected officials will do to destroy our way of life, every day I’m horrified. Our military has their fight. This one is ours. It may be unspoken but they are counting us.
observer commented:
Hooah on that.
Joanne commented:
I don’t know why the cadets should be expected to show respect to a man who continually lies and disrespects the men and women in uniform with his words, actions, and lack of actions. Obama is a disgrace to America.
USMC Thomas commented:
Maybe the cadet was praying, in the Corps old salts told us if ever caught sleeping on post the first word out of our mouths should be “Amen.”
bg commented:
++
aside from some falling asleep, quite a few
looked like they had daggers in their eyes..
(just in case some prog troll tries to twist that around.. they seemed
frustrated having to sit/watch & listen to someone who consistently
trashes them, their country, and their former CiC..)
==
Cadet X commented:
I normally do not post on these, but I had the urge to do so to clear up some of the things I’ve heard people say.
We were all tired. I can assure you that most of the Corps had tremendous amount of work (homework, quizzes, tests, problem sets, projects, etc) after coming back from Thanksgiving Leave. Not only were we responsible for the workload, many of us are involved in sports, cadet leadership, and other extra-curricular activities.
After classes were over (4PM), we were immediately in formation and head down to be seated at the auditorium four(!) hours prior to the president’s speech. We could not even take a nap during that time due to the media being present in the auditorium.
So… think about it. You just had 3-4 hours of sleep and went to work from 6:30AM until 4PM and THEN were asked to sit down in an auditorium for four hours and listen to a speech. You will be tired.
Now, we all know that there is NO excuse to fall asleep. Many men and women currently fighting the war while we are sitting here are sleep deprived and are under more stress than the majority of us here. We can’t make everyone perfect. The problem is that people keep making general assumption on what they see, even if it is a VERY small amount of it.
Yes, that cadet fell asleep and he was wrong. It happened. But do not assume that the speech was horrible or that the Corps of Cadets lack discipline. I would like to see how 4000 regular college students would have been on television after going through a cadet’s daily schedule.
spayandneuter commented:
In the military, especially training, your day starts at 4-5am, a run, chow, then get dressed and school or more training. They are pushed to the limit all day every day. It is no wonder if they were falling asleep. There is nothing tougher than military school or training.
–
Kevin commented:
I don’t think anyone would ever think that any member of the corps lacked discipline.
You tell everyone there that we are all proud of you– you are the best this country has to offer.
We are behind you 110% soldier. Marching the entire corps in to the hall 4 hours before the speech is scandalous in my mind. Somehow I don’t think the CiC or anyone in his circle even considered the effect this visit, at this time in the term, would have on you. Why should they? It’s all about the Won and no one else.
Go Army, Beat Navy!!!
jerryl commented:
why shoulod they respect the man who now gives terrorist civil rights puts stupid and dangerous rules of engagement on our heros those men killed because they couldnt shoot at civs giving terrorist ammo or not calling the murder of those brave heros at ft hood a terrorist attack and now going after navy seals giving some animal a fat lip
bg commented:
++
Cadet X @ 1:03 pm #34
thanks..
upon reviewing your info it occurred to me the
only way Obama could have held the audiences
attention is if they were totally exhausted..
==
Greg commented:
A very negative fallout will be the retribution dealt to cadets that were asleep on national TV. A career ending event.
I noticed also the very young appearances of many of the cadets. The immaturity affects the graduating class.
Greg
D commented:
They are duty bound to respect the rank and title of their chain of command. Make no mistake, they will. This is why they are the best, its why they are all professionals. Its also why its our fight not theirs.
Respect for the person behind the rank or title is an honor only great leaders receive.
DANEgerus commented:
I think they were protesting… silently.
bg commented:
++
wouldn’t put it past Obama to find a way to toss the Cadets
under the bus for the bad reception his speech received..
==
bg commented:
++
It Has Always Been The Soldier
It is the soldier,
not the President who gives us democracy.
It is the soldier,
not the Congress who takes care of us.
It is the soldier,
not the Reporter who has given us Freedom of Press.
It is the soldier,
not the Poet who has given us Freedom of Speech.
It is the soldier,
not the campus [community] Organizer who
has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag;
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
that allows the protester to burn the flag.
~ Father Dennis O’Brien, US Marine Corp. Chaplain
God Bless GWB!
God Bless America!
God Bless Soldiers everywhere for putting THEIR
lives on the line to protect us ALL from terrorism!
==
Stacy commented:
O-bam picked the wrong venue for certain. Whenever his sorry pants are in the presence of our soldiers he shrivels like a worm on a sidewalk.
Most people make him look small and wormy….but especially men and women of valor.
bg commented:
++
and special THANK YOU goes to..
Gen. David H. Petraeus aka: King David
(thumbsup)
==
Marianne H. Hart commented:
The enemies of these United States must have loved it though. He told them in effect to take it slow and easy until July 2011 when we would be out of there and they could win without doing anything but shoot up the soldiers he was sending them to play with.
Not only conceited, the man’s a damn fool. Never has he contributed anything to this nation, and now he is working overtime to kill it and all it stands for — as well as our young soldiers, who he obviously fears. Why else set them up like this? Also, the general said he needed at least 40,000 troops, so the smaller number assures extra danger to each one.
Arch commented:
It appears that the eloquent One should carry a new title – “Ether-lips”.
Perhaps after he leaves office he can market recordings of his speeches as non-habit forming sleep aids. They seemed to have worked their magic on the Long Grey Line last night.
fallingfast commented:
Nick:
Really? You honestly think that the military should openly defy the CiC. Good to see you support our government which specifically placed the military under civilian command for a reason. To do otherwise would make us as bad as any other tinpot military dictator, but I have a pretty good idea of how much you probably love Chavez.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick,
I would NOT support our military turning their back on a CiC, IF the CiC was a REAL president….not the MARXIST he is. He has no love for the military, nor for this country, let alone any respect for the Consitution he pledged to uphold.
On a side note my family has served this country since the Revolutionary War(yeah, I can back that up). My brother has returned from 2 tours of Iraq. He won’t be going back…since he is now disabled. Also, as far as Chavez remark goes it seems to that you are the one who have more love for him than I.
bg commented:
++
Glenn Beck Show December 1, 2009
[Fox News Channel’s Glenn Beck Show December 1 began with three questions, including “What would Abraham Lincoln do in Afghanistan?”
And did you know that “War President” Obama just “knows” (key excerpts from speech) how many troops his hand-picked commander-in-the-field Gen. Stanley McChrystal REALLY needs in Afghanistan?
[..]
But first: Let the protests begin!!!
Remember when MoveOn.org thought The One was just the bee’s knees? Apparently that was when the Soros-funded online money movers and shakers thought POTUS would follow its dictates.
Do you recall when Michael Moore thought PrezCanO could leap over the moon in a single bound? Not any longer.
How about the ObamAdoring CodePinkers — including O-bundler Jodie Evans?
That was long long ago, way back when Obama was the anti-war candidate that was going to bring the troops safely home from Iraq and finish the job in Afghanistan.]
==
bg commented:
++
the Cadet was not sleeping, he reverently closed his eyes to
silently pray Obama’s speech wouldn’t put him to sleep..
==
rumcrook® commented:
GregNo Gravatar
December 2nd, 2009 | 1:49 pm | #39
A very negative fallout will be the retribution dealt to cadets that were asleep on national TV. A career ending event.
I noticed also the very young appearances of many of the cadets. The immaturity affects the graduating class.
Greg
I would take bets on the “fallout” it will be lip service only.
as for career ending sorry got to laugh at that one.
lastly young and immature??!
of course thier young and immature! they are JUST OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL! some smaller percentage will have served a tour in the armed forces as enlisted, and may be all of 22 but most wont even be of legal drinking age. give me a break observing that the sky is blue is puzzling to me.
Django commented:
I’m all for beating up on our godawful president. He deserves it for a variety of reasons. But there was never any doubt that Der Spiegel would eventually attack Obama. They are fanatically anti-American as are most of the European media. They hate Obama because he’s American, that’s all. They hate everything American. Obama’s politics – left, right, whatever – are irrelevant. He’s the American president and is, therefore, a target for Der Spiegel.
USMC Thomas commented:
The cadet was probably praying for the Commandturd-in-Chief… Psalm 109.8.
Mon commented:
Ironic that Obama’s life is still a total mystery when he was the Cadets’ age. Alleged college records sealed. Was he still drinking whiskey and snorting coke with Commie mentor Frank Marshall Davis?
Mystery Man, adresses West Point. Weird.
Mahdi Al-Dajjal commented:
Those weren’t ‘real’ cadets in the audience. No! They were DNC hacks who were dressed-up to make it look like cadets as West Point actually liked what Obama had to say.
Bill Clinton wouldn’t even enter a room to give a speech without assurances that the audience had already been successfully stacked with DNC party hacks.
crystal commented:
“Hey, who is that cadet that fell asleep through one of my glorious speeches? Hey, you, SEIU. I need that kid get a little Joe-the-Plumber, follwed up with alot of Kenneth Gladney”.
–Barack Obama
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:
Almost everyone hated Obama’s speech.
At the rate he’s going, it’s not just his speeches that more people are going to dislike.
Pat the First commented:
There is one thing that I think is a bit sad. Because B.O. is so incompetent and didn’t even bother to surround himself with people who could make him look good, it is going to set Black Presidential candidates back years. People who voted for B.O. because of the color of his skin (with good intentions) are now going to be more reticent to vote for another Black for President any time soon.
B.O. for so many people was a “feel good” candidate. They just didn’t even consider how his incompetence would affect us. I doubt that another Black would get the support he got. He really has blown it.
There may be many good candidates who just will not be considered because B.O. is just way, way over his head.
Solaratov commented:
Joanne
December 2nd, 2009 | 12:32 pm | #31
I don’t know why the cadets should be expected to show respect to a man who continually lies and disrespects the men and women in uniform with his words, actions, and lack of actions. Obama is a disgrace to America.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
None of them were actually expected to show respect “to the man……..”. They do, however show respect to the office of POTUS and position/title of Commander in Chief.
One may have an officer over them who is a despicable character – or even a coward – but one is expected to salute, use the term “Sir”, and afford that officer’s *position and rank* all the respect it commands, simply because that is a part of military discipline and tradition.
And, I doubt seriously that any of the cadets who nodded off will be disciplined for it. At the most, they’ll receive a word about it from their Tactical Officer (TAC).
Solaratov commented:
Greg
December 2nd, 2009 | 1:49 pm | #39
A very negative fallout will be the retribution dealt to cadets that were asleep on national TV. A career ending event.
I noticed also the very young appearances of many of the cadets. The immaturity affects the graduating class.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Shall we assume, then, that you would consider the graduating class of *any* civilian college to be “immature”?
The corps of cadets is of the same age as any body of civilian college student body. Minimum age to enter the USMA is 18.
And I’ll warrant that the cadets are a lot more mature than civilian students of the same age.
jonyjoe101 commented:
When I was in the military this was common people dozing off when they had these long speeches, some would actually faint to the ground (mostly admint type personnel would faint).
I doubt any of the cadets will get any serious career ending repurcussions. They where ordered to attend the speech, some after attending classes all day so that can be another reason they might not have been too motivated. The speech also was quite uninspiring.
Barbara commented:
I cannot believe no one noticed or even cared that this guy was stoned! It was either pot or some other barbiturate. Go back, and watch the speech again. Do not listen, just watch. His eyes are glassy, and bloodshot, he was very subdued. Not his usual self. I have worked around many people who did these types of narcotics, and I can see it from a mile away.
Midwestengr commented:
Barbara,
The cadet was exhausted! It really is a different type of school. Only the strongest survive. They don’t grade on a bell curve, you either cut it, or don’t. It’s not for everyone.
Go back to fantasy world where you think everybody has what it takes to be officer material.
Solaratov commented:
Midwestengr
December 2nd, 2009 | 9:11 pm | #64
Barbara,
+++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++
I believe that she was talking about our illustrious leader being stoned.
The cadet was just tired.
AuntieMadder commented:
I hope no one thought I was judging the cadets, harshly or otherwise, or that I have a negative impression of them for nodding off during the speech. As I posted, I hope they’re not disciplined and if so, that it’s not harsh. It could happen to anyone, tired or not; listening to Obamao drone on and on is enough to put anyone to sleep.
Cadet Y commented:
While I feel many of the negative comments about the corps of cadets has been addressed there are a few concerns that I, as someone you are all talking about would like to address.
First – Yes, we are all very tired. The end of the semester is some of the hardest time academically and we suffer lack of sleep for it.
Second – It is my understanding that these cadets will be punished. But in no way would it ever be a career ender.
Third – Much of the Corps does respect President Obama and although we were put out about the long wait – it is always neat to see the President.
Lastly I would like to see someone ask the question of why the media zoomed in on cadets sleeping and broadcast it to the world. That to me was just incredible. Now cadets are generating hate mail – because believe me – I’ve read some pretty nasty things supposedly about me. I don’t think that was professional at all.
Eric commented:
Don Imus offhandedly calls a few female college basketball players “some nappy headed hoes”, during a daytime radio show after no special event, and gets canned after much debate, publicity, outrage and many apologies.
Chris Matthews offhandedly calls the entire student body of the United States Military Academy “the enemy camp”, on prime-time television after a presidential speech, and says, oops, my bad. Story ends.
Does no one see the difference but me?
Lightweight commented:
The strength to end war is known only by killing and destroying the ememy.That is the result of the wage war is to be waged.
bg commented:
++
Eric @ 4:35 am #69
re: [Does no one see the difference but me?]
without a doubt..
tabloid fodder has progressed to main stream news..
& main stream news has regressed to tabloid fodder..
sorry to have to announce “news” as we knew it has passed away due to
progressivism.. a highly advanced stage of liberalism.. a disease “news” contracted back in the 60′s, but try as it might, never fully recuperated
from..
==
AuntieMadder commented:
Cadet Y
December 2nd, 2009 | 11:06 pm | #67
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for setting us straight, Cadet Y. Getting the facts straight from horse’s mouth, so to speak, is just what we needed.
The media zoomed in on the cadets dozing off for the same reason that they show only the nuts who show up at the Tea Party rallies: to present them and you in the worst possible light and negatively influence public opinion. They want to give the impression that anyone who’s against what this administration is doing to the country is really the bad guy and those who love this country, as those in our armed services do, actually have no respect, much less love, for the US at all but only claim to for personal gain and glory.
Incidentally, I hope you’re not offended that we were talking about you here. Except for the occasional troll, the commenters have a great deal of respect and compassion for those of you who’ve chosen serve this country. Thank you all and God bless.
T Connors commented:
To Cadets X & Y.
Let me assure you that nothing ever changes much. As a 1968 Graduate of your sister Academy in Colorado Springs, the United States Air Force Academy, I can say that our work load and demands from academics, sports, and leadership activities were as great as yours. I can also assure that any time we were given the opportunity to “attend” a presentation in a darkened hall, a little nap was definitely a common occurrence. If Grant and Lee were alive today, I am sure they would tell you that they slept though a few formations there on the Hudson also.
Thank you for your service.
Retired 1SG commented:
The Army calls them “Priorities of Work”. That particular Cadet has them straight. Besides, his battle buddies had his “6″…