President Obama spoke to the American Legion National Convention in Charlotte yesterday, and the audience of vets was not impressed. Obama is used to appearing in front of vapid, adoring crowds so he was really out of his element speaking to serious men and women who have lived in the real world and made real sacrifices for our country.
The Daily Mail reports, “Most of the veterans sat on their hands, leaving awkward silences where White House speechwriters expected ovations.” Who could blame them with disingenuous lines like these:
Even countries that criticize us – when the chips are down and they need help, they know who to call. They call us. That’s what American leadership looks like.
… except for Ukraine. And Poland. And Israel. And Iraq. Well, maybe they call, but Obama doesn’t answer. Suffice it to say, under Obama, our enemies are emboldened and our allies are frightened.
History teaches us of the dangers of overreaching and spreading ourselves too thin, and trying to go it alone without international support, or rushing into military adventures without thinking through the consequences.
Ummmm, whose history? I know he’s not talking about Iraq because there were 48 countries in the “Coalition of the Willing,” 37 of which provided troops on the ground, and 22 of which suffered at least one fatality. I’m also wondering when there was a time – before the Obama Administration, of course – that we were spreading ourselves too thin. Obama is the one abandoning the two-war strategy with draconian cuts to our military capabilities that an independent defense panel says “will lead to an America that is not only less secure but also far less prosperous” without thinking through the consequences.
In reality, history teaches us of the dangers of appeasement, indecision, and lack of resolve – lessons Obama is forcing us to relearn the hard way. “Leading from behind,” and “Don’t do stupid sh*t” are not American foreign policy strategies, they’re phrases more suitable for a frat basement.
We removed more than 140,000 troops from Iraq and welcomed those troops home. It was the right thing to do.
Support Conservative Voices!
Sign up to receive the latest political news, insight, and commentary delivered directly to your inbox.
It was NOT the right thing to do, it was the wrong thing to do in every possible way – morally, strategically, and for our security. But Obama acts as if we’re supposed to be grateful to him for pulling the rug out from Iraq, thus snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, allowing terrorists to take over the country (as had been warned), and rendering the deaths of 4,500 of our armed forces and the sacrifice of countless others meaningless if we can’t turn this around.
Here’s a hint for Obama – and any other rote “bring our boys home” liberal – on military culture: Our soldiers don’t want to be “brought home” just for the sake of being brought home – and certainly not to fulfill a campaign promise. They want to be brought home because the mission was successfully completed and structures put in place to ensure those gains are protected and progress continues.
Obama liked the symbolism of a full and complete withdrawal from Iraq, apparently not understanding what a residual force or its importance is. Until a month or two ago, we had 0 – ZERO!!! – troops in Iraq, a country that had just a few short years earlier been liberated from a murderous tyrant bent on supporting terrorism and threatening America. To put that in perspective, we have troops in 150 countries across the world, including our World War II enemies Japan and Germany where we have 50,000 and 40,000 troops stationed, respectively. When will the 70-year occupation of Japan end?!?! Let’s welcome those troops home, it’s the right thing to do!
Now, as I’ve always made clear, the blows we’ve struck against al Qaeda’s leadership don’t mean the end to the terrorist threat.
Now, whenever Obama talks about being clear, you can bet the words that follow are going to be lies or simply things Obama never made clear. In this case it’s the latter. In just the three weeks following the Sept. 11, 2012, Benghazi terrorist attacks, Obama said al-Qaeda had been “decimated” – or used similar language – a whopping 32 times! So, no, he hasn’t always made clear that the blows against al-Qaeda were not the end of the terrorist threat (or should I say, “man-caused disasters?“)
And let me say it again: American combat troops will not be returning to fight in Iraq. I will not allow the United States to be dragged back into another ground war in Iraq.
Well, let ME say it again, we never should have left the way we did, and the fact that we did is what put us in this mess that we’re even mentioning another ground war in Iraq!
#Protip: Never tell your enemy what you’re doing or what you won’t do. Let them know that all options are on the table, from combat troops to nukes, whatever is necessary to protect American interests and national security. Just like you never set a red line you’re unwilling to enforce when someone crosses it. Oh, wait… I forgot you went to the Neville Chamberlain School of Leadership.
God bless you. God bless our veterans. God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much.
Ok, so Obama’s speech wasn’t ALL bad. He did give some good shout outs to a few of our post-9/11 vets, amongst other feel-good, rah-rah patriotic rhetoric. Here’s the video below and full transcript from the White House.
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com
Liberals ANGRY At What the NY Times Called Michael Brown #Ferguson
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
I am not sure Obama, our Poseur in Chief in WashDC, understands much of anything.
Yes, Sheryl, they sure do vote…but not for America…and not for anything American…but for a certain color. And for a free phone! …and free food…and free home…and free booze…and free drugs…and for anything that big bro’ will GIVE them…just as long as they don’t have to go somewhere and get a REAL job…HEAVEN FORBID!!! And when they run out of things and it isn’t the end of the month, then they go out and riot and pilfer, break in and steal and the law can not touch them because if they do then they can sue them for being ‘RACIST’ !!!
Well, I can see Jim is an obama lover, Oh by the way Jim, it is spelled OOPS stupid! Not opps And those people vote?!
pulling the troops out if Iraq was not only the right thing to do, it was the only thing. The papers that Bush signed with Iraq demanded it as did the democratically elected government in Iraq. Did you forget about the ballyhooing bush did after the election? . OH….FOX and The Political Insider forgot to tell you that? Opps.
http://www.canstockphoto.com/images-photos/horse-manure.html
Looks like the audience was Not comprised solely of a bunch of old American men.
Also it’s obvious you don’t care for, respect nor appreciate that if it wasn’t for these old men…you wouldn’t be able to post your “intelligent” comments in the first place.
Well maybe giving a speech to a bunch of old white american men who are probably all republicans is not a great way to get a standing ovation.
How many know the day & month of our 2d most important holiday? Constitution Day is 17 September. Every one should reread it and insist it be placed back on our calendars. The bill of rights is almost dead. To so many the 2d amendment means nothing. The framers meant for the “commerce clause” to apply to trade only. The democrats have included roads, phone wires and other commonplace things to be included. The 10th amendment is completely ignored, except by Gov. Perry. WE MUST DEMAND THAT OUR POLS LIVE BY THE CONSTITUTION.
I’m afraid that had I been there I would have had to stand and turn my back on this fraud. Any applause this hoaxter was given sounded like it was forced. He is disrespectful and not deserving of respect himself.
This fraud needs to be tarred & feathered then ran out of this country. He’s doing his best to ruin this country and the demoCRAP party should be banned. NO COMMUNIST party should EVER be allowed to operate in this country.
Before I even listened to it, I was absolutely sure it would be nothing but LIES. He thinks he has America ‘snowed;’……a majority says…” NO he doesn’t..” and the American Legion wasn’t too pleased to hear his lies. Could tell that those who clapped, were quiet about it…not happy at all. I FELT uncomfortable for THEM. God Bless our Vets….Ret., and Active….and those who gave their lives. <3
So what’s with the grey hair routine? trying for sympathy by looking old and wore out? hair dresser refused to touch the fu%$#@ anymore?
not weak enough!
yuck.
The Headline of this article is correct but it disregards the biggest problem with Obama
He understands but Doesn’t care that he is systematically Not preserving, Not protecting, and Not defending the Constitution of the United States of America from all threats foreign and domestic.
Anyone in the military who conducted him/herself in likewise fashion would be lucky just to get a dishonorable discharge from duty.
For a President to do so..is simple grounds for Impeachment.
Veterans understand this and that contributed greatly to their cool response to the”Commander In Chief.”
Obama lives in a different world than does the American veteran, and possesses a completely different reality.
They may have been an assemblage of corpsemen, from all 57 states. Or just a JV squad.
Semper Fi and Good Night Chesty Puller Where Ever You Are!!!
Good for you, now its time for more of the audience to stand up, walk out, and leave him talking to himself.
God bless your for serving and having the good sense to recognize Obama’s crap for what it is.
As a Combat Veteran of Vietnam, I can say that Obama’s speech before the American Legion 2014 was the most INSINCERE, piece of political bull crap that I have EVER heard from ANY President. Had I been there at the event I would have walked out after his opening lie.
To our military and Secret Service members:
The enemy is not only within the gates, it is controlling them.
You have taken an oath “to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic”. Do your duty.
Let’s just hope that Dr. Carson does run for President.
Our Veterans need leaders that respect and who will listen to them. Someone that knows how to listen. Whether it is about their issues while at work, or times of war, or when they need us the most; their health care. Dr. Carson has spoken out about these issues.
Any Ben Carson fans if you have not signed the petition with last two months need help to nominate him http://www.runbenrun.org/petition?recruiter_id=207883
I am not sure Obama, our Poseur in Chief in WashDC, understands much of anything.
Yes, Sheryl, they sure do vote…but not for America…and not for anything American…but for a certain color. And for a free phone! …and free food…and free home…and free booze…and free drugs…and for anything that big bro’ will GIVE them…just as long as they don’t have to go somewhere and get a REAL job…HEAVEN FORBID!!! And when they run out of things and it isn’t the end of the month, then they go out and riot and pilfer, break in and steal and the law can not touch them because if they do then they can sue them for being ‘RACIST’ !!!
Well, I can see Jim is an obama lover, Oh by the way Jim, it is spelled OOPS stupid! Not opps And those people vote?!
pulling the troops out if Iraq was not only the right thing to do, it was the only thing. The papers that Bush signed with Iraq demanded it as did the democratically elected government in Iraq. Did you forget about the ballyhooing bush did after the election? . OH….FOX and The Political Insider forgot to tell you that? Opps.
Well maybe giving a speech to a bunch of old white american men who are probably all republicans is not a great way to get a standing ovation.
Looks like the audience was Not comprised solely of a bunch of old American men.
Also it’s obvious you don’t care for, respect nor appreciate that if it wasn’t for these old men…you wouldn’t be able to post your “intelligent” comments in the first place.
http://www.canstockphoto.com/images-photos/horse-manure.html
How many know the day & month of our 2d most important holiday? Constitution Day is 17 September. Every one should reread it and insist it be placed back on our calendars. The bill of rights is almost dead. To so many the 2d amendment means nothing. The framers meant for the “commerce clause” to apply to trade only. The democrats have included roads, phone wires and other commonplace things to be included. The 10th amendment is completely ignored, except by Gov. Perry. WE MUST DEMAND THAT OUR POLS LIVE BY THE CONSTITUTION.
I’m afraid that had I been there I would have had to stand and turn my back on this fraud. Any applause this hoaxter was given sounded like it was forced. He is disrespectful and not deserving of respect himself.
This fraud needs to be tarred & feathered then ran out of this country. He’s doing his best to ruin this country and the demoCRAP party should be banned. NO COMMUNIST party should EVER be allowed to operate in this country.
Before I even listened to it, I was absolutely sure it would be nothing but LIES. He thinks he has America ‘snowed;’……a majority says…” NO he doesn’t..” and the American Legion wasn’t too pleased to hear his lies. Could tell that those who clapped, were quiet about it…not happy at all. I FELT uncomfortable for THEM. God Bless our Vets….Ret., and Active….and those who gave their lives. <3
So what’s with the grey hair routine? trying for sympathy by looking old and wore out? hair dresser refused to touch the fu%$#@ anymore?
not weak enough!
yuck.
The Headline of this article is correct but it disregards the biggest problem with Obama
He understands but Doesn’t care that he is systematically Not preserving, Not protecting, and Not defending the Constitution of the United States of America from all threats foreign and domestic.
Anyone in the military who conducted him/herself in likewise fashion would be lucky just to get a dishonorable discharge from duty.
For a President to do so..is simple grounds for Impeachment.
Veterans understand this and that contributed greatly to their cool response to the”Commander In Chief.”
Obama lives in a different world than does the American veteran, and possesses a completely different reality.
They may have been an assemblage of corpsemen, from all 57 states. Or just a JV squad.
As a Combat Veteran of Vietnam, I can say that Obama’s speech before the American Legion 2014 was the most INSINCERE, piece of political bull crap that I have EVER heard from ANY President. Had I been there at the event I would have walked out after his opening lie.
God bless your for serving and having the good sense to recognize Obama’s crap for what it is.
Good for you, now its time for more of the audience to stand up, walk out, and leave him talking to himself.
Semper Fi and Good Night Chesty Puller Where Ever You Are!!!
To our military and Secret Service members:
The enemy is not only within the gates, it is controlling them.
You have taken an oath “to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic”. Do your duty.
To our military and Secret Service members:
The enemy is not only within the gates, it is controlling them.
You have taken an oath “to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic”. Do your duty.
Our Veterans need leaders that respect and who will listen to them. Someone that knows how to listen. Whether it is about their issues while at work, or times of war, or when they need us the most; their health care. Dr. Carson has spoken out about these issues.
Any Ben Carson fans if you have not signed the petition with last two months need help to nominate him http://www.runbenrun.org/petition?recruiter_id=207883
Let’s just hope that Dr. Carson does run for President.