Semper Fi: Marines Meeting Bush vs. Obama, Rahm’s Mistruth about Bush & Afghanistan Exposed, Obama Visits FL Troops (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on October 27, 2009
A Marine photographing one of the thousands of graves of fallen American soldiers buried at Normandy American Cemetery in France, 2009 | Photo credit: Ben Bloker, Stars and Stripes
H/T to The Powers That Be for the revealing video below… be sure to read Doug’s insightful commentary: Obama to Announce Afghanistan Decision Sometime Between Nov. 7 and Nov. 20: Is He President, Or a Cable Installer?
Startling contrast in the video between the Marines meeting with Pres. George W. Bush at Anbar Province and Pres. Obama’s meeting with the Marines at Fort Lejeune, North Carolina in March 2009. To quote Doug, “The money shot is the CNN anchor at the end of the Obama clip noting the ‘tepid response’ toward Obama.”
Different Presidents, A Different Corps | March 2009
Dang, I miss Dubya…
At the time of this writing, this video had been viewed more than 3,100,000 times.
From the video’s creator, therealrevo, written in March 2009, a brilliant summary about the video:
This video has received a lot of attention. As of right now, it is showing well over a half a million hits since it was posted on March 1. It is also controversial. Many Obama supporters have claimed to debunk the video by pointing out that the events were not comparable. They argue that the event in Anbar province that President Bush attended in September 2007 was informal. The Camp Lejeune event that President Obama attended, on the other hand, was more formal. They point out that it is not fair to compare two events in which the Marines are subject to different rules of behavior.
In fairness, they are correct. The events were different in many ways and the Marines present were subject to different behavioral expectations. There is, however, more to this video than that. If the content of this video were that easily debunked it would not still be drawing tens of thousands of hits per day. The different degrees of formality aside, this video is quite revealing.
In the video, the Marines exhibit obvious love and respect for President Bush. His visit was not an event that followed closely on the heels of 9/11. This video was taken after the worst days of the war and after the surge created major progress in the region. The president is visiting the troops in Anbar Province, the home of the infamous Falluja and Ar Ramadi killing grounds. This visit took place after the province had been pacified. In other words, the Marines showed their love of Mr. Bush even after the darkest days of the war.
The Lejeune video, on the other hand, shows Obama entering with all the pomp and circumstance of a royal visit to the peasants. Hail to the Chief plays in the background; something that President Bush didn’t allow during his military visits. Obama knows that keeping the Marines locked at the position of attention means that no comparison can ever be made to the loving reception President Bush regularly received from the troops. Obama knows how the Marines feel and will always treat them exactly like the rabble he sees.
This is the real truth of the video and why it is so popular. It warms the heart of Bush supporters to see President Bush receive the love, gratitude and respect of these warriors. It angers Obama supporters because they also see the love President Bush receives and they know their man will never see anything similar from the troops. They know that these warriors loved the last president and will never give similar respect to this one.
A good YouTube video stirs the emotions and this one does that. It elicits different emotions in different people, but the underlying truth that is the catalyst for the emotional response is the same for everyone. The Marines loved President Bush in a way they will never love President Obama.
Another mistruth from Team Obama (more specifically, a calculated, flat-out lie told to CNN by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel) about George W. Bush and Afghanistan to, once again, malign and marginalize him has been exposed… not holding my breath for a disclaimer or apology from Team Obama.
The Weekly Standard: Gibbs Admits Bush Team Left Behind “Helpful” Review of Afghan War:
Posted: October 26, 2009
On October 18, Rahm Emanuel said on CNN that, with respect to the war in Afghanistan, “there’s a set of questions that have to have answers that have never been asked. And it’s clear after eight years of war, that’s basically starting from the beginning, and those questions never got asked.”
Stephen F. Hayes reports in the latest issue of THE WEEKLY STANDARD that, in fact, the Bush NSC team conducted a review in late 2008 that “asked many questions and provided exhaustive answers not only to President Bush, but also to the Obama transition team before the inauguration.”
Today, Robert Gibbs concedes that the Bush team did conduct a review and that “some of the information was helpful.”
Yesterday, Pres. Obama met with troops at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida before dashing off to a planned Democrat Party fundraiser. I don’t want to be a cynic, but by stopping in to visit the troops, the hefty bill for the Florida trip can be given to taxpayers instead of the DNC. I’d like to think that POTUS had planned all along to visit and encourage our valiant troops in Florida, but that’s the optimist in me taking charge instead of the realist.
St. Petersberg Times: In Florida, President Obama thanks troops, raises cash:
President Barack Obama dashed from a Navy hangar in Jacksonville to a swanky Miami Beach hotel Monday to buff his image in a recession-weary state and bag $1.5 million to defend the Democratic majority in Congress.
Obama’s second trip to Florida since the state helped seal his 2008 election had the feel of an ambitious campaign swing.
And this time, unlike in February, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist — who has his own U.S. Senate race to worry about — was not by his side.
Obama began his visit to Florida at a rally with 3,500 service personnel at the sprawling Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. The helicopter crashes that killed 14 Americans in Afghanistan on Monday served as a tragic backdrop.
Obama defended himself against GOP accusations that he’s dithered on whether to dispatch more troops.
“And while I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests, I also promise you this — and this is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan,” Obama said. “I will never rush the decision of sending you into harm’s way. I won’t risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it is necessary, we will back you up.”
Also from therealrevo, from the McCain/Obama debate last year:
Candidate Obama: “I’ve Got a Bracelet, Too” | September 2009
UPDATE: November 1, 2009:
Gateway Pundit: Rush Nails It… Questions Obama & Dem’s Commitment to National Security …Update: Obama Will Delay Troop Decision
God bless our troops and God bless America. Semper fi.
Related reading:
Gateway Pundit: Shhh… US Marines Wrap Up Mission in Iraq– Victorious and President “Dither and Waffle” Looks For Escape Hatch From Afghanistan and Lib Talker Defends Obama’s Dismal Afghan Record By Claiming Cheney Eats Babies (Video) and Obama Can’t Find a Single Pentagon Official to Sign Off on Biden’s Afghanistan Plan and 14 Americans Die in Separate Afghan Helicopter Crashes and Obama Tells Military: “I Won’t Risk Your Lives Unless It’s Necessary & If It’s Necessary I’ll Back You to the Hilt” and Warner on Obama: Bare-fisted Politician at Home- Pantywaist Abroad
Snaggletoothie of the Loyal Opposition: Bush Has Deserted Obama in His Hour of Need
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Frugal Café Blog Zone’s 1,000th Post: Dedicated to America and Our Troops and Deadliest Day… Helicopter Tragedies: Two Crashes in Afghanistan, 14 Dead American Soldiers and Civilians, 11 Dead Afghans Total and Dick Cheney: Our Men and Women in the Military Are the True Keepers of the Flame (video & transcript) and Outrageous Porkulus… Troop Ammo Cutbacks, More Government Waste, & Pet Projects Exposed by Big Government and To Our Brave Fallen Troops: The Last Full Measure (video) and Afghanistan Worsens: White House Painting Murderous Taliban as Possible Allies, Soldiers’ Morale Down and Bluntness & “Speaking Plainly” Speech on Afghanistan from Gen. McChrystal Angers Obama, White House and Tragic: US Soldier Deaths Rising in Afghanistan, Obamas Go on Date After Returning from Denmark and Jonathan S. Landay: ‘We’re Pinned Down:’ 4 U.S. Marines Die in Afghan Ambush
Ztower: BREAKING…Obama decides to send additional forces! What? …Terry McCauliffe? … Fox News? You’ve gotta be kidding me!
Flopping Aces: 8 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Fiercest Battle Since Wanat
VotingFemale Speaks!: Jack & Squat Commander-In-Chief trades Blood for Votes; Obama delays troop reinforcements until after governor races
Infidels Paradise: Obama Wavers On Afghanistan And The Locals Show How Much They Respect Cowards…Burn Him In Effigy
RedState: Obama plays golf instead of deciding whether to send more troops to Afghanistan — McChrystal issued his report 8 weeks ago, when will Obama issue a decision?
Publius, Big Government: Semper Fi Edition and Coburn: Senate Votes to Prioritize Pork Over National Defense
Mommy: Sarah Palin:”We Must Do What It Takes to Prevail” in Afghanistan
Deadenders: Obama’s Ego Comes Crashing Down
Stop The ACLU: President Narcissist Angry At General McChrystal. Now With Surrender!
Diary of a Mad Conservative: If he’d done this before last Friday, maybe the Nobel prize wouldn’t be his
Moe Lane: Elections Have Consequences Watch: Afghanistan
Moonbat Patrol: Afghanistan Muddles Along While Our Men Die and Obama Administrations Dangerous Lack Of Accountability
Brian O’Connell, American Spectator: Senator Kerry’s Afghan Indecision
ABC News: Apache Pilots Shocked by Size of Attack on Afghan Outpost
National Review Online: Democrats Never Meant What They Said About Afghanistan
Noel Sheppard, NewsBusters: Media Ignore Congressman Murtha’s Long History Of Opposition to the Iraq War
The American Pundit: White House: On Second Thought, The Taliban Isn’t Really An Enemy
Are You Freaking Stupid?: Afghanistan has become a war run by Obama’s political needs, not the military. Places politics above soldiers lives. and Obama before: Afghanistan the “war that must be won”, Obama now: Meh, not so much
Michelle Malkin: Rough men who stand ready: Wounded troops refused to leave Afghanistan firefight and Obama’s Afghanistan waffle
Bloodthirsty Liberal: The Flying Woodshed
Times Online: Afghanistan is hard all the time, but it’s doable
California Conservative: President Obama: Worse Than Jimmy Carter?
Moderate in the Middle: Memo to Obama: The Taliban ARE our enemy. The Taliban are terrorists. The Taliban are enemies of the Afghani people.
Radio Vice Online: Taliban not the enemy after all – Obama willing to deal
Michael Yon, Big Hollywood: Afghanistan: Electrification Effort Loses Spark
About the author
I miss Bush too and I’m sure his “retirement” is not very pleasant for him. He has to stand back and watch as Obama dismantles this country, one block at a time. I’ve often wondered – in the last 10 months – what Bush is thinking and how sad he must be to see what’s happening. I think he’s showing himself to be a bigger man and a much greater statesman than Obama will ever be by staying silent and gentlemanly.
One adjective that cannot ever be used to describe Obama or his cronies: gentlemanly.
Or statesmen, for that matter.
Well said, Roxy. You’ve said it beautifully. When he was in office, it likely would not have to occurred to many people to have called Bush “gentlemanly.” Or “statesmanly.” Or “strong.” Or “patriotic.” Because that is what one presumes an American president will be, so it would be silly to have any other expectation of him. Silly to admire him for having those qualities.
How quickly things change. And how quickly the absence of those qualities makes one realize how good we had it when we didn’t realize it. How remarkable Bush was.
I trusted my life and the lives of my children with Bush after 9/11, no hesitation. With Obama, I don’t.
Great post.
The main difference between George Bush and Obama is the arrogance Obama emotes when talking to ANYBODY !!
The U.S. troops read Obama like a book.
Bush never talked in a demeaning nature to our troops by dismissing their commanders in public, by not taking their advice.
The troops are over there, on the ground, have the internet, and see and know what the hell is going on.
Their officers are committed to follow orders from the Obama, which the career officers, and field officers I feel are beginning to lose confidence in the CIC given the fact that he couldn’t care less about the troops.
You can be ignorant and arrogant at the same time.
Obama is both.
All service personnel take an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States of America.
So do the members of congress, and so does the President of the United States of America.
The troops are duty bound to follow orders from their superiors.
The troops are not mind numb robots, nor are the officers in charge.
All, as intelligent individuals, and dedicated to a cause that they believe in, will question authority, or the lack of it, on an ongoing basis, and they should.
The fact that this administration dismisses any dissenting opinions concerning our troops is
frightening to say the least.
Obama has no advisers around him that have any military experience whatsoever that I can see, or they, if they exist, are entranced by his “charisma”, and afraid of the ramifications of any obstacles they would place in his path to ruin our Country.
The Marine in the picture at the head of the post says it for all of us.
Roxy,…
At what point do you stand up and say ENOUGH !
GWB is not dead, but he did have the ability to inspire the American People.
He was no Reagan by any means, but he was not a charlatan either.
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Back in the day, you called for “reinforcements,” not a “surge.” Old infantry vets know Afghanistan has all the makings of a meat grinder. And we’re not even fighting a mechanized army. I’ve seen photos of Marines squatting in bunkers, and videos showing tentative troop movements and, just recently, a commander pulling back, saying, “. . . It’s too dangerous out there.” Surely, our politically tendentious media packages and skews their reportage; but our guys are being left out to dry in Afghanistan’s open, vast territory—moving on the low ground, bunched in tight, target-easy packs, looking for a wily, elusive, and competent enemy.
The larger problem, unfortunately, is the insidious “enemy” inside the gates of the White House, our chief military “commander,” whose inaction, indecision, temporizing border on criminal. It should be axiomatic by now: Unless tactical units in Afghanistan get enhanced means to seek, find, and kill this fluid enemy in numbers, our troops, brave as they are, will continue to be in over their heads. Afghanistan is just too large a battleground for so relatively few on so fitful a military mission.
Stan S.
SSranger
NYC
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