Obama Wants Normandy Off Limits to Tourists & Veterans on D-Day Anniversary: “Vous êtes un imbécile arrogant, M. le Président.”
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on May 10, 2009
By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone
First, a bit of history. This is important backstory info for non-history buffs, so no nodding off.
In 1944, during the Battle of Normandy in World War II, Normandy, France was the landing site for the invasion and liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.
This complicated operation (which required, in addition to the difficult synchronization of thousands of troops, a full moon and a spring tide) was the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time, with more than 130,000 troops landing on June 6, 1944. 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel were involved. The landing of thousands of American troops took place along a stretch of the Normandy coast that were divided into five named beach sectors: Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
D-Day, June 6, 1944 - Invasion of Normandy, Omaha Beach
The Normandy landings were the first stage of Operation Overlord, the invasion of north-west Europe by Allied forces that eventually led to the German retreat from France.
It was a definitive turning point in the war. And now, in less than a month it will be the 65th anniversary of D-Day, a venerated day in American and French history. It’s a huge holiday in France. The French celebrate for several days with ceremonies and lavish events that have been in the works for months and attract thousands of tourists and military veterans. Services are held at the Colleville-Sur-Mer cemetery, where nearly 10,000 American soldiers are buried right off Omaha Beach.
One of the best movies detailing the extensive planning of the Normandy invasion is the 1962 award-winning film The Longest Day, with a stellar cast of actors: Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Sean Connery, Roddy McDowall, Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, Richard Burton Rod Steiger, George Segal, Mel Ferrer, Eddie Albert, and Peter Lawford. Incredible film.
American troops landing at Normandy: D-Day, June 6, 1944
UPDATE: The following has been retracted. Please see the May 12 post, Retraction: Big Hollywood Has Revised Normandy/Obama Cancellation Information for D-Day Celebration.
Now for the audacity: Pres. Barack Obama wants Normandy all to himself when he visits there in June. He didn’t visit the American cemetary when he was in Europe following the G20 a few months ago, but now plans to pop over during the D-Day celebrations… but France needs to keep those pesky tourists and veterans out for the day that he is there.
Good grief.
Excerpt from John Romano’s essay at Big Hollywood:
The 65th Anniversary of D-Day is fast approaching. Barack Obama will attend the events on June 6th as George Bush did in 2004 for the sixtieth memorial service. Here is the rub, as of now Obama’s State Department has asked (read demanded) the French government not allow tour guide services to operate that day. It is a big day for Normandy tourism. Yet, the ‘king’ will not allow those not connected with government to enjoy the day. Obama is very important, you know. This is an unprecedented request. I hope the French come to their senses and deny it.
From Stop the ACLU:
It’s as if Obama has to let it be known that he is more important than honoring the events and the 9,387 mostly young Americans who died invading Normandy 65 years ago. Will Obama apologize for American actions during WW II at the event?
By Dave W.:
Obama still does not understand that ignoring history does not make events go away. The party of no-accountability needs to understand that we learn from history, not erase it.
Please point out to Obama some of the locations he should not visit:
Pearl Harbour—-because he will insult the Japanese.
Arlington Cemetary—because he will insult, well a lot of different countries.
The South—because he will insult the North.
The North—because he will insult the South.It seems that the only people in the world that Obama is not concerned about insulting ARE THE AMERICANS.
Just another log heaved onto the “Obama audacity fire.”
I’m hoping that France’s Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy will laughingly refuse Obama with something along the lines of, “Vous êtes un imbécile arrogant, M. le Président.” Considering Sarkozy’s temper, this could prove deliciously interesting.
No word yet on Sarkozy’s reaction to Obama’s demand. And not a single peep on Obama’s arrogance from the mainstream media (duh). If George W. Bush had ever had the unabashed egotism to suggest something like this… yeah, I know, I’m singing to the choir.
The runaway “Obama Train to Socialism” isn’t the America you and I love. It isn’t what our brave young troops died at Normandy for. The audacity and power-grabbing increases daily. When will American Obama supporters stop living in the dreamy Land of Oz, wake up, and exclaim, “Hold your horses, Mr. Obama! This is NOT the hope and change we voted for!”?
So, what’s next from Obama? Traveling to Bethlehem in December and demanding that Christian and Jewish pilgrims and tourists be denied entrance to Christ’s place of birth at Christmastime? Would not put it past him.
Worthwhile reading:
John Romano, Big Hollywood: Obama Bans the Commonfolk from Normandy
This Ain’t Hell, But You can see it from Here: Obama: Keep those stinkin’ tourists away from me.
Blackfive: I Refuse to Listen
Stop the ACLU: Obama To Address Muslims In Egypt, Then Blow Off Plebes In Normandy
Radio Vice Online: Everyone wants face time with Obama – Normandy visit
Gateway Pundit: Barack Obama Bans Common Folk From D-Day Ceremonies and Appeaser in Chief: Obama Skips Normandy to Avoid Offending Germany
The Jawa Report: Steven Crowder: My Formal American Apology
The Good Kentuckian: Obama Bends Over & Spreads for Krauts! Kaiser Cackles Menacingly
The Lonely Conservative: Obama bans the riff raff from Normandy during D-Day memorial service
Mail Online: Obama set to shame Brown by attending D-Day anniversary… as Labour refuses to pay for veterans’ return to Normandy
Flopping Aces: Obama Doesn’t Want The Commonfolk Around During D-Day Anniversary
Don’t Make Me Get the Flying Monkeys!!!!: Obama to Ban the Public from Normandy Cemetery
Con Underground: Obama refuses to honor fallen D-Day Veterans
Theodore’s World: Obama Bans the Commonfolk at Normandy
About the author
This idiot is going to go as far as he can go, and America is going to stop him.
As far as he can go isn’t too far off.
I am a Conserative.
I also rented a cottage in Normandy near Omaha beach for the D’Day celebrations.
It is very important for me to know where this information is coming from. I have researched it, but no direct answers.
Please, if anyone knows if you could write. When I get the facts…trust me…the media will know about it!
Thank You,
Colleen
Colleen, I have cited my sources at the end of the post. And many of those sources that I’ve cited will include citation with their posts. Look at the bottom of the piece. You’ll see a number of sources or related links that I always include on my posts. I hope this helps you.
However, at this point, I have not been able to find anything that reflects that France has responded nor that they will honor Obama’s request. And frankly, I would be flabbergasted if they did honor his request.
I will keep looking into this and report anything new to our readers. Not a single mainstream media source has mentioned this… why am I not surprised?
Thank you so much for responding. It is all over the place on the internet, but not the media.
I just wrote to Bill O and Sean Hannity that I had heard such a thing..no mention where….and could they please look into it to see if it is true.
They are the only ones that will expose it if it is. I imagine if we hear nothing from either of them, there is no basis, but if they do pick up on it, they will be talking about it soon.
This should be interesting and if true, I am so glad you printed it.
Colleen
You’re very welcome, Colleen. It seems strange to me as well that we don’t yet have any major news source to corroborate this, and the original story on Big Hollywood does not cite its source. But I do believe in the journalistic integrity of Big Hollywood, so for now, we’ve just got to be patient.
I know that this has no substance to it, just a quiet hunch of mine: Michelle Malkin has not released a new post on her blog in hours. This is totally unlike her. I’ve noticed that when she doesn’t post for a while, she is researching something BIG.
Would it be this topic? I honestly don’t know, but knowing Ms. Malkin and respecting her research skills and connections, it could be. But I’m merely speculating.
Will indeed keep you posted on this as I discover any definitive sources. And if either O’Reilly or Hannity do respond to you, please send me a quick note. (Ironically, I’m listening to Hannity right now.)
Apparently that was a mistake.
No, my support and belief in the journalistic integrity of Big Hollywood is still intact, but thank you for inquiring. The source providing the information for the story made a mistake. Big difference. And John Romano has posted a correction, as have I. “Journalistic integrity” means to report the news truthfully and with sources that you deem accurate, and if an error is discovered, to then report that. It doesn’t mean “never make a mistake.”
I’m not 100 percent sure what you’re trying to say, but I have a pretty good idea. End of convo.
Colleen – Please see that I’ve posted John Romano’s correction and linked to the Big Hollywood site, the original source. You should have a great time in Normandy, dear friend. If anything should change, I’ll update the blog.
I have checked every source you cite and all the sources they cite and every single one of them is circular. You all cite each other but there is not a single credible source for the claim that the administration has made this request of France. I call BS on this claim unless someone can provide credible evidence for it.
Fair enough, Greg. But like I said, I doubt that the mainstream media would ever headline a story like this about Obama, and I fully intend to keep abreast of citations and sources. I trust Big Hollywood, but if indeed this is not backed by another source, I’ll say so.
So for now, please keep holding onto your B.S.
If there is no corroborating evidence, I will indeed cite that. Which of course, ALL liberal bloggers and mainstream media do, always.
I’ve seen all their apologetic retractions about the vicious rumors they’ve written about Sarah Palin. It’s touching, actually, how bad they all feel about writing falsehoods and exaggerations about Gov. Palin. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I truly want to be as above-board as they consistently are.
And now Big Hollywood—the original source of all those other stories—has updated their link basically explaining that the story is …. wait for it …. apparently not really what they reported at all.
I’m so stunned.
I feel some anger here, Guav. Were you hoping that once Big Hollywood discovered the mistake, that they would NOT publish a retraction? Or are conservative sites not permitted to make errors? Bit of a double-standard, wouldn’t you say?
Please tell me which liberal sites have openly apologized or retracted or corrected ANY of the false stories published/posted about Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh or George Bush or Dick Cheney or other Republicans.
Whenever you have that information, please let us know.
As you can see, I’ve written a retraction post and have linked to John Romano’s correction. All done.
No, I’m not angry at all—I just think it’s amusing and a bit sad that so many people jumped all over a story that was so poorly sourced. Quite similar to the \Obama doesn’t know who is the president of France\ thing.
And absolutely, liberal blogs have done that shit too, and it’s just as stupid when they do it. Everyone should have learned by now to get a little more verification before flipping out, don’t you think?
I agree with you, Guav. Thanks for the clarification.
I kept scouring the ‘net, looking for anything that corroborated the story, but finally decided “hey, what the heck.” Enough outlandish mandates and proposals have been coming out of the White House for quite some time now, so I really didn’t doubt its veracity. It did sound like something I’d assume POTUS to do, and since it wasn’t April 1, I posted it. I saw that a few other sites also had it, so I didn’t give it much thought… at first. But as the day progressed, I noticed that NO major source (including conservative sites like Malkin or Hot Air that would have gone crazy with this) was running it, and that made me concerned. So I kept checking new posts.
I’m not trying to suggest that I do much extensive verification or anything (this is not my day job, you know what I mean?), just spot checking if something is unique, like this story, for another “hand in the air.” It was very upfront of Romano to write his correction and I commend him for not being a wienie and trying to lie about it or hide it. Human error… heck, wish I had a nickel for every mistake I’ve made. I’d have “boo-koo” nickles by now.
Thanks for your input, and have a fab day.
I understand. And you certainly handled it correctly after it became apparent it wasn’t accurate.
The unfortunate part is that I think out of all the “worthwhile reading” links you posted, only you and Big Hollywood updated your posts or made retractions. Everyone else either never got the memo that it was untrue or is perfectly happy to let everyone think it is.
As you said, there’s enough real things to be upset about. There’s no need to invent fake ones, you know? Oh well
Hi Everyone. Well, I am an American living in France, and let’s remain cool and calm. There is no way Obama is going to keep others off the beach. It is not likely he asked–as it would be a bit like asking Queen Elizabeth to vacate her palace. It’s just not likely that any American would ask such a thing. People, look, Obama might have done things y’all don’t like at home, but he’s got the rest of the world just hoping America isn’t a torture crazy society that kidnaps people off the streets of Europe and takes them to Afgahistan to torture and get info from them–if there is any to be had. If you don’t believe me, google the word “rendition” and you will learn that the American government has admitted to doing that. After the torture photos, the war in Iraq (on people who did not bomb us 9/11) and all the last 8 years, it’s inconceivable Europeans would be mad at Obama for anything. If he asked them to leave France for a month, they gladly would. They LOVE him. Why? BEcause he reminds them that America can surprise anyone and that even a black man can get elected, if he’s deemed to be qualified. He just reminds them of why they loved America, and that can’t be bad.
Thanks for putting in the correction. Only you and big hollywood has done it. but i think Obmama would close Normandy if he could ha ha!
love your blog!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Cassie.
So, Obama is an “arrogant imbecile”? And you’re just a regular imbecile. I checked your original source , the Tony Romano blog, and here’s an addendum at the bottom. I’m curious about why you haven’t corrected your post to reflect this??:
“UPDATE and CORRECTION: Barack Obama deciding to come to Normandy at the last minute, after his return from Egypt, has forced public tour companies to cancel their bookings for June 6th without warning. My original source blamed this on the US State Department when in fact it was the French government itself that made this decision.
I have learned from a follow-up source, that while it is unprecedented for the late notice, this would have most likely been the protocol in any case.
A bit less scandalous than first reported.”
Woody, a full-fledged retraction with explanation was indeed posted here on May 12 (two days after this post), with the quote from the Big Hollywood site included. Here’s the link: Retraction: Big Hollywood Has Revised Normandy/Obama Cancellation Information for D-Day Celebration. By the way, John Romano, not Tony Romano as you wrote in your comment, was the original writer. Tony Romano is a hockey player.
As I’ve said before, I would love to see ANY retraction or apology posted on liberal websites or newscasts when errors or fabrications about conservatives (like Sarah Palin or Carrie Prejean or Dick Cheney or Rush Limbaugh or Mark Levin or Sean Hannity or gosh, anyone who isn’t a left-wing extremist) have been reported, but that isn’t going to happen any time soon. I would really respect any liberal writer that would do that… can you name for me ONE that has?
Journalistic integrity means, among other things, reporting that which you believe to be factual and accurate, as the original writer John Romano did and as I did, and should you discover that a misunderstanding or error occurred, to also be up front about that. It doesn’t mean “never make a mistake.” As soon as I learned of Romano’s retraction, Frugal Cafe’s retraction echoing what he wrote was up within a short time thereafter. If you had done a simple search (like “Normandy”), you would have found it.
Hope that helps and alleviates any concerns you have. And you calling me an imbecile is rather amusing, since that retraction has been available here for almost two weeks and there are several comments I’ve posted here on this very same entry about the retraction (just read the comments here), along with other readers’ input about Romano’s misunderstanding his source. But I don’t mind covering it yet again for you. Suggestion, though, in the future, before you lambast someone and call that person an imbecile, you should take a few seconds to be sure that you yourself have all your facts straight and you don’t end up looking foolish. Just a suggestion.
It’s OK you insulting me… I may not always be right, but I’m comfortable with that. And if I find out I’m wrong, I’m OK with admitting that, too. Peace out.
Hilarious, I had to write about Woody. He calls YOU an imbecile, but he can’t get the name of the Big Hollywood writer correct, doesn’t see or even try to find out that you put a retraction on it weeks ago, and doesn’t read any of the comments here about the retraction?
Priceless. Who’s the real imbecile, huh? Another liberal troll on a hate mission. Glad you let taht post go through, admin. I know the rules about insulting others here (yeh I broke em once but you were nice about it) so you are even more forgiving than I would be. Thnaks for the good laugh Woody. You really made my afternoon. Mowing the lawn in the heat bad, laughing at a nitwit liberal, good. (please don’t censor me admin, I really tried to not be too insulting but when someon’s acting stupid it is hard not to point it out)
Also I’m glad you posted about Roxana Saberi’s film award. After all she has gone thru that was good news to hear.
This a-hole wants the whole place closed just for him? This is just a photo op. He needs to find another line of work.
John – the original source of this made an error. See the correction/retraction directly below the D-Day photo with the soldiers in the boat, and click the link to read John Romano’s explanation. The source of the story made a mistake… I know, it sounded accurate to me, too.
You people are so damn stupid you are truly dangerous. By the way, you HAVEN’T cited your sources except for the source “Big Hollywood”. John Romano has retracted the lies that you’ve repeated. You are sad and stupid, sorry to say.
Is it just my site, or are all liberal trolls who try to post here unable to read?
Isn’t the retraction/correction I’ve cited and referenced not only HERE in this post below the D-Day photo, but also on its own post? And aren’t both in PLAIN SIGHT, written coherently and concisely? And haven’t I also addressed this topic at least once, maybe more in the Comments section?
“Proud American,” good grief, it’s like trying to communicate with wall paper when people are lazy and don’t read an entire post before attacking… additionally, the sources I used are all hyperlinked in the “worthwhile reading” section at the bottom.
As John Romano explained in his correction/retraction on Big Hollywood, the original source for his story was in error. So, he wrote a correction. I did likewise. I did not delete this post, because I feel once the piece is available on the Internet, removing it suggests that I have something to hide. And I didn’t delete or alter the original text for the same reason. That’s why there is a correction notice, a separate retraction post, and it’s been addressed in the comments section.
At the time he wrote the piece, and I wrote mine, the story was believed to be factual. I still support the journalistic integrity of John Romano… a mistake was made, pure and simple. And I recapped his retraction in my update/correction retraction immediately, which was explained weeks ago… but “Proud American,” rather than leaping willy-nilly to insult “you people,” you should get your facts straight by reading the whole post. Typical statist, not being thorough and jumping to conclusions. Lazy.
Please tell me any of the liberal blogs and websites that ever, ever correct or retract anything or apologize for a mistake or a lie they have written about a conservative. Anytime you have that info, I will embrace it. I have corrected/retracted this information about Normandy more than once (did you find it under the D-Day photo yet?), and it still isn’t good enough for you statists. Journalistic integrity doesn’t mean never making a mistake; it means taking responsibility to report the truth as you believe it to be, and if you discover there is an error, to report that as well. Romano and I did that.
Usually I delete silly garbage like this, but I have been listening to archived broadcasts of Mark Levin tonight and so, I decided to display an obtuse statist’s post. So, here it is. Enjoy… it’s more for our readers’ benefit to get a chuckle out of, not mine. Ignorance annoys me beyond words.
Next time, you’d look less foolish if you spent at least 20 seconds making sure that you’re right before attacking. And you didn’t even take those 20 seconds. Anytime you want to apologize, I’ll accept it.
LOL Dude, youre so dense, it is hilarious. Quit smokin the weed and read the comments or the post. This is like a sad comedy with you people – the retraction is there in plain sight. This blog corrected it, Big Hollywood corrected it. Like three weeks ago. You can lead a liberal to knowledge, but can’t make him think.
Proud American… but not proud reader? The correction is right there. And a link. You just had to read it.
Funny in a sad kind of way. Like Obama saying we have 57 states, right? Ignorance is bliss.
Proud American = Moron.
No lies here, but you not being able to read soemthing marked correction is really pathetic.
Go back to school and get some more education.