The part that really upset me about his West Point appearance was the fact that he did not return a single one of the graduate’s salutes when they received their diplomas. He has been the Commander in Chief for 5 1/2 years. The Salute is a sign of respect they are rendering him for his position. But he just stuck out his hand for a handshake each time and left them hanging. Basic protocol ignored. The UK’s Dailymail had a few pictures of it. At least he didn’t try to fist bump them.
The President does not have an official uniform. He is always “in uniform” and should return the salute. And, yes, I also served in the Navy, so I know the customs.
As Tax Man pointed out, the CinC salutes regardless of being a civilian. Also, give the MoH ceremonies I have watched during his administration, he has saluted those recipients (the only people the CinC will render the first salute to, vs. them saluting him first) so I know he has received sort of military protocol guidance.
Also, in recent years, Congress did pass laws allowing military members and veterans to render a salute to the flag vs. hand over heart in civilian clothes.
I miss the days when we had a real man as president — G. W. Bush — aka The Invader!!! Oh the thrill of watching the president in hand-to-hand combat with enemy leaders!!! Protecting small children from plunging aircraft!!! Selflessly sending other people into useless wars!! Oh for the days of a real man in the White House!!!
Yep, real wuss, just ask that other wuss, bin Laden. While it was Obama saying to send in the teams,despite many of his advisors saying the odds were still low, he wanted the hunt to end, and it did.
I’ve handled disputes in combat, and peaceably, the real wuss is the one who sends someone else in to START a war, for no just cause. Deserting from the National Guard is also an indicator.
I won’t go as far to call Obama a wus, but it seems to me that it is his inexperience to handle other personalities in our own government, bureaucracy and other influencial circles that hurt his image. These influences do not want our military brought back home; they must stay where they are to protect certain private interests. The presidential actions of 2000-2008 alarmed much of the world, and showed that there was no brake to our posturing. Bush, Rumsfeld & Cheney did what they (and their sponsors) wanted, told the rest of the world to stuff it, then had to beg for their help when we got into trouble.
It is a presidents duty, as it is the whole government, to work toward achieving peace, security and provide the grounds for GENERAL prosperity. Despite some mistakes, I think President Obama has tried to move in that direction, but has many “influences” yanking him to and fro. And, he has political opponents who want to hamstring every initiative he makes, at any cost.
In reply to Tigger’s comment to Ukueny: I can’t believe I’m agreeing with you a second time, but here goes. You are correct in JFK wanting to pull out of ’Nam. Not only LBJ, but the military and the CIA wanted to go in full force, both of which were still pissed at him for not letting them take over Cuba. While JFK was trying to formulate his pull-out plan for 1965, he sent his brother Bobby to visit retired general Douglas MacArthur, considered by all to be the leading authority on Asian affairs. Bobby told the general about all the pressure on the president to send more troops to Viet Nam Mac responded “Anyone contemplating sending U.S. combat troops to the Asian mainland ought to have his head examined!”
John F. Kennedy was murdered. Kruschev was deposed the following year. Many years later,his son, Sergai, told Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that the Politiburo dis-approved of his personal detente efforts with John Kennedy, and that he had to go.
LBJ went on to escalate that war, funded by a credit card, and he paid for his Great Society legislation by dipping into the Social Security funds.
gcwh almost 10 years ago
The part that really upset me about his West Point appearance was the fact that he did not return a single one of the graduate’s salutes when they received their diplomas. He has been the Commander in Chief for 5 1/2 years. The Salute is a sign of respect they are rendering him for his position. But he just stuck out his hand for a handshake each time and left them hanging. Basic protocol ignored. The UK’s Dailymail had a few pictures of it. At least he didn’t try to fist bump them.
Mneedle almost 10 years ago
The President does not have an official uniform. He is always “in uniform” and should return the salute. And, yes, I also served in the Navy, so I know the customs.
Mneedle almost 10 years ago
And West Point is the Army, not the Navy.
gcwh almost 10 years ago
As Tax Man pointed out, the CinC salutes regardless of being a civilian. Also, give the MoH ceremonies I have watched during his administration, he has saluted those recipients (the only people the CinC will render the first salute to, vs. them saluting him first) so I know he has received sort of military protocol guidance.
Also, in recent years, Congress did pass laws allowing military members and veterans to render a salute to the flag vs. hand over heart in civilian clothes.
gcwh almost 10 years ago
It is about respect.
lonecat almost 10 years ago
I miss the days when we had a real man as president — G. W. Bush — aka The Invader!!! Oh the thrill of watching the president in hand-to-hand combat with enemy leaders!!! Protecting small children from plunging aircraft!!! Selflessly sending other people into useless wars!! Oh for the days of a real man in the White House!!!
retpost almost 10 years ago
He may be a wuss; but he`s not as bad as the only president that really needed to be impeached!
Moley almost 10 years ago
Obama better watch out, we know what happened to JFK when he decided to give peace a chance.
Pauleytee almost 10 years ago
Oh, but you are a wuss!!!
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
Yep, real wuss, just ask that other wuss, bin Laden. While it was Obama saying to send in the teams,despite many of his advisors saying the odds were still low, he wanted the hunt to end, and it did.
I’ve handled disputes in combat, and peaceably, the real wuss is the one who sends someone else in to START a war, for no just cause. Deserting from the National Guard is also an indicator.
moosemin almost 10 years ago
I won’t go as far to call Obama a wus, but it seems to me that it is his inexperience to handle other personalities in our own government, bureaucracy and other influencial circles that hurt his image. These influences do not want our military brought back home; they must stay where they are to protect certain private interests. The presidential actions of 2000-2008 alarmed much of the world, and showed that there was no brake to our posturing. Bush, Rumsfeld & Cheney did what they (and their sponsors) wanted, told the rest of the world to stuff it, then had to beg for their help when we got into trouble.
It is a presidents duty, as it is the whole government, to work toward achieving peace, security and provide the grounds for GENERAL prosperity. Despite some mistakes, I think President Obama has tried to move in that direction, but has many “influences” yanking him to and fro. And, he has political opponents who want to hamstring every initiative he makes, at any cost.
pirate227 almost 10 years ago
Bin Laden agrees.
Michael Peterson Premium Member almost 10 years ago
And yet Bok can’t think of an intelligent comment to make about him. Do some more name calling, Chip! What a pro!
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
Tigger: check NoBrainCommunications again for the facts; FDR was dead when Truman ordered the bombs dropped.
moosemin almost 10 years ago
In reply to Tigger’s comment to Ukueny: I can’t believe I’m agreeing with you a second time, but here goes. You are correct in JFK wanting to pull out of ’Nam. Not only LBJ, but the military and the CIA wanted to go in full force, both of which were still pissed at him for not letting them take over Cuba. While JFK was trying to formulate his pull-out plan for 1965, he sent his brother Bobby to visit retired general Douglas MacArthur, considered by all to be the leading authority on Asian affairs. Bobby told the general about all the pressure on the president to send more troops to Viet Nam Mac responded “Anyone contemplating sending U.S. combat troops to the Asian mainland ought to have his head examined!”
John F. Kennedy was murdered. Kruschev was deposed the following year. Many years later,his son, Sergai, told Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that the Politiburo dis-approved of his personal detente efforts with John Kennedy, and that he had to go.
LBJ went on to escalate that war, funded by a credit card, and he paid for his Great Society legislation by dipping into the Social Security funds.