Comments on: Obama’s Memorial Day

By: Jim Rice

Jim Rice — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:39:58 +0000

As a former Marine, it is difficult to describe the connection to fallen brothers and sisters unknown to me except through their service and ultimate sacrifice, but it is real. I have walked the battle field of Gettysburg with every last hair standing at full attention from the energy that still lives on in those woods and on that field. I have never been to Pearl Harbor, but simply looking at photographs of the Arizona memorial pulls at my heart. I remember seeing footage of the President surprising the troops in Iraq over Thanksgiving and the hall erupting in a sea of tears and cheers for their Commander in Chief and having tears come to my eyes knowing how much that visit meant to them.

It is rare that any speach given in honor of those who have fought to keep us free does not strike that chord inside that dynamically connects me to my comrades in arms, but this one does nothing for me. They are just words on a piece of paper read by someone who has better things to do and other places to be. As I read this speach, I could not help but see the expressions, mannerisms, and utter disdain Senator Obama showed toward General Patreus, the very commander of the forces which he was attempting to ‘laud’ during the last round of Senate hearings. Does he somehow believe that our forces today hold their present leadership in any less regard than did his grandfather hold his?

It is very convenient for Washington to distance itself from a war being faught elsewhere in order not to fight it here, but it will be more interesting to see them attempting to distance themselves from our men and women in uniform when they return. In my very personal opinion, those who have not made it their business to support our troops in ‘every clime and place’ through either their own service or through their actions in places of authority have no business delivering speaches in their honor. Without that dynamic connection, the words are just words.

By: DJ in TX

DJ in TX — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:29:14 +0000

As a veteran, this was a well said speech. No matter your political beliefs, our men and women in service should ALWAYS be held in the highest regard. My family is a military one - my brother is retired Army, my stepfather is retired Air-Force, my sister in law and her husband are both retired Army, as well as my brother in law is retiring this year from the Army.

Senator McCain should and always be thanked and honored for his service. That alone does not necessarily make him any more qualified than anybody else. There are many presidents who never served. Nothing wrong with that. As long as they understand the plight of the American service member, and always do what we can for those who serve, then that’s OK.

Let’s take care of our veterans and pass this new GI bill. I don’t mind some compromises, but let’s get it done.

By: JOE CAMPO

JOE CAMPO — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:38:32 +0000

Obama’s appearance in Las Cruces, NM on Memorial Day was a totally crafted political event. It was not a public event despite the attempt to make it look like one! It was for Veterans by invitation only. Hmmn, Las Cruces is home to literally thousands of vets. I don’t know any that were invited or attended. Would dearly love to see that list. The venue was disclosed to the media - but not to the public. Hmm Obama was accompanied by Big Bill Richardson, Hillary, no Obama supporter. (The electorate voted for Hillary, but Big Billy knows better). This is the same Bill Richardson who recently vetoed a Veterans Museum appropriated by the Legistlature for Las Cruces. See the thread here, Veterans are good only for their votes. Neither Obama or Richardson really gives 2 cents for Veterans Affairs - unless of course there just might be a vote in it or they can use the vets to stick it in McCains eye. Sorry Obama it didn’t work. You didn’t convice most of us and we won’t be voting for you. Look at the opinion column in our local news paper the Las Cruces Sun-News. You took a beating by us Vets and most are Democrats. No this is not the Democratic Party of my Father. We want real men and women not panderers.

By: Saint Beer Gut

Saint Beer Gut — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:32:03 +0000

iou

By: Wolf

Wolf — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:45:19 +0000

He delivered another mis-speak. WOW - and this guy graduated from where? Not Presidental at all unless ya just want to compare him to Bush.

By: Cephas

Cephas — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:24:19 +0000

Folks, even if Obama mis-spoke he is still wrong. According to Carl Peterson: President, Society of the 89th Division, WWII ( http://www.89infdivww2.org/ohrdruf/ohrdrufintro.htm ), the camp that the 89th Division was involved in liberating was actually Ohrdruf which was part of the Buchenwald complex, but was NOT a concentration camp. The following is a quote from that site:
Quote:
These people, along with many others became classified as displaced persons (DP’s); some of them spent many years in DP camps in Germany before finding a new home elsewhere. But in answer to my query, there was no connection between the activities of the concentration camps and these slave labor camps.
Unquote:

Once again even if he isn’t lying he is at the very least proven that he doesn’t know what he is talking about.

By: Anastasio

Anastasio — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:52:05 +0000

Mc Cain should be retired at the beach. We don’t need another savior …The destruction of this country will be certain. He is going to work for the military manufacturing lobby . It is obvious.
Maybe another war is in his plans….????

By: USMarine1171

USMarine1171 — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:44:35 +0000

“McCain - Good for Veterans Because he’s a Veteran,”

BS. These veterans need to wake up before it’s too late and their ARE NO benefits.

Dont’ forget Sen. McCain opposes the “21st Century GI Bill” (S.22) and also don’t forget this:

— Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a grade of D for his record of voting against veterans. (By contrast, Obama got a B+.)

– Disabled Veterans of America noted McCain’s dismal 20 percent voting record on veterans’ issues. (Obama had an 80 percent.)

– In a list of “Key Votes,” Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) notes McCain “Voted Against Us” 15 times and “Voted For Us” only 8. (Obama voted for VVA 12 times, and against only once.)

While I respect Sen. McCain for his service to our country and voted for him in the primaries based solely on this reason; it is apparent he does not understand the needs of an average veteran.

—-

By: Who Knows?

Who Knows? — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:16:18 +0000

Barrak “Quail” Obama

By: AJ

AJ — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:01:43 +0000

WOndering which arm he wears the Bracelet with Sergeant Ryan Jopek name on it. I have looked at dozens of pictures and he does wear a watch in his left wrist but nothing on his right wrist! So wear does he wear this bracelet everyday???