Yes, playing politics with Tomb of Unknown is offensive
On Memorial Day, Vice President Joe Biden will handle the somber duty of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, while President Obama will mark the day at a national cemetery back home in Illinois.
A few hours ago, Erick Erickson, CNN’s house conservative and founder of Redstate.org, decided that this represented a political opportunity that he should not miss.
He tweeted:
“Obama skipping the Tomb of the Unknowns this weekend for Chicago is offensive. Chicago can wait. The Commander-in-Chief has a job to do.”
Pretty quickly, it was established that President Reagan had occasionally skipped annual duties at the Tomb.
As had President George H.W. Bush.
As had the more recent President Bush.
Caught red-handed, Erickson has just responded with another tweet:
“Diff b/w Reagan and Bush not going to Tomb and Obama? No one questioned their support for soldiers and belief in American Exceptionalism.”
Man oh man.
In itself, the incident is of little import. You could file it under IOKIYAR — “It’s OK if You Are Republican” — and forget about it. But I note it because it reflects all too well the childishness and pettiness that has come to infect American politics. Really, is this the best we can do? Has the capacity to feel shame disappeared?
But there’s also something deeper here. Erickson, Glenn Beck and others have tried to use this as an excuse to attack a president they don’t like. Fine, they don’t like him. But in trying to politicize a sacred national rite, haven’t they done precisely what they accuse Obama of doing? Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier really just another ground from which to launch political attacks?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
404 comments Add your comment
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
6:07 am
Scout has no honor. Also.
Norman
May 26th, 2010
6:25 am
I can be sure Obama will not visit my grave when Obamacare kills me prematurely!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
May 26th, 2010
6:29 am
Say, wasn’t this a kkkampaign promise?
Deal to lift military’s gay ban in doubt -Urinal
Just askin….
Saul Good
May 26th, 2010
6:31 am
Scout… since you wanted to post some videos of Bush earlier…I have two for ya!
Mission Accomplished!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voyjTC0FuE8
The the MOST “presidential” thing I have ever seen ANY of our nation’s leaders do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATjvty5p8k
(just remember….he didn’t want to “scare” the kiddies… because simply standing up and saying “thanks for having me kids… I have some important presidential duties to attend to” was something he could not think of… so instead, he just sat there looking scared sh$tless… this video shows the TRUE Dubya… to this day it still makes me uncomfortable to just watch it as he squirms).
Tea Party Evangelists
May 26th, 2010
6:32 am
Scout, just got exposed for the bitter little liar he is. . Even though he is not the only one who spouts unproven nonsense and biased commentary as fact on a daily basis.
That Brett guy hit the nail on the head.
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
6:43 am
whiner – 6:29 – no.
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/subjects/military/
this has been yet another edition of simple answers to simple questions.
luangtom
May 26th, 2010
6:54 am
Who cares? This is news?
Doggone/GA
May 26th, 2010
6:57 am
“This is news?”
You want news? Go to the news section. THIS is an OPINION page
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:06 am
doggone – 6:57 – ahhhh … the fine subtleties of a BLOG with a home on the OPINION page … they just seem to whoosh right by some readers …
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:08 am
Who cares? This is news?
This is the sort of thing that TeaTards repeat ad nauseum until the corporate media feels compelled to, as they’ll genteelly put it, “report the controversy.”
That’s when it becomes news, and by that time, it’s been framed by the TeaTard leadership.
They pull this crap all the time, and maybe, just maybe, we could nip this garbage in the bud for a change and expose the vile, lying sacks of crap–your Glenn Becks, your Erick Ericksons, your trough-swilling ingrates like Scout who act as their unpaid surrogates–for what they are.
Rightwing Troll
May 26th, 2010
7:11 am
So Luchovich spelling out Mission Accomplished in military caskets disparages the military how?
To the unbiased eye it’s commentary on the fact that mission was not accomplished, and good soldiers have died since it was declared. That speaks to the “leadership” of the war, not those who are prosecuting the war.
You wingnuts slay me, coming on anonymous blog and screaming about liburals and calling people names is basically how you support the military you hold so dear, even though you send them off to die with no valid reason. You lecture on how Obama shouldn’t be CIC, yet you put an AWOL soldier to the whitehouse and then did it again. No credibility, no shame.
Sad.
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:11 am
dB – 7:08 – it’s the right-wing echo chamber … been in effect since 1992 …
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:12 am
Say, wasn’t this a kkkampaign promise?
And really, is there a level of Hell low enough to contain a man who routinely refers to the first African American President as a Klansman?
Eddie
May 26th, 2010
7:12 am
I agree with Joan. Obama isn’t fit to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As far as the liberal pinko goes, he probably never served his country a day in his life. He’s just another leach wanting to live off the blood and sweat of others. Therefore like Obama he doesn’t have a clue about the ultimate sacrifice.
josef nix
May 26th, 2010
7:12 am
USinUK
And a cheery good a.m. to ya!
Three more days and then I can come talk to you on the day shift! Hope life is well across the pond. Somebody asked me what I’d be doing this summer…blogging, what else? Maybe I’ll even be able to top some of the previous post records…eh? And who says I’ve no ambition,,,?
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:12 am
RWT – 7:11 – you’re too hard on them. I’m sure they put a little yellow ribbon magnet on their SUV and all …
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:13 am
jo nix – 7:12 – keep those goals low and manageable!!
seriously, are you all done with your post-planning? did you get your contract for next year? are there big changes afoot at your school??
Rightwing Troll
May 26th, 2010
7:15 am
ooooo… Norman,
Did you get your meeting with the Death Panel? Did they give you your expiration date?
I can’t wait to get mine.
Mysteries of the Universe, Solved
May 26th, 2010
7:20 am
Scout continues to disgrace his fellow Cubs. They should kick him out. He is no longer worthy of the “Cub” title. From this day forth, he should be known as Lost Scout. Perhaps he will find his way home, to reality, one day.
Mysteries of the Universe, Solved
May 26th, 2010
7:24 am
And really, is there a level of Hell low enough to contain a man who routinely refers to the first African American President as a Klansman?
Not to worry. He’s living it. A fitting punishment.
joe the american
May 26th, 2010
7:25 am
the talking head blather on this topic is of no significance especially and including this blog
Normal
May 26th, 2010
7:26 am
Good morning all. I hope your day will be the best yet.
A little bragging here…My grandson, 7 years old won the Presidents award for academic excellence! He also won a math award and a top reader award. He has made us proud….
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:27 am
Normal – good morning, my friend! and congrats on your bright-as-a-button grandson!! tell him your fellow Bookmaniac are cheering him on
Dave R.
May 26th, 2010
7:29 am
Lay off Scout boys and girls.
Yeah, I can disagree with him on any number of issues, especially on social issues, but I will never question his honor.
He has stated that he will do research and try to find video corroborating his first assertion and will apologize if proof cannot be found, and I have no doubt that he will do exactly that. Personally, I don’t think any cadet would have refused to shake Hope & Change’s hand, but who knows?
But it is also clear that the military, by and large, do not respect this President in any way, shape or form as they did the previous one. Regardless of which side of the war you are on, there is no doubt that the enthusiasm shown to President Bush visits and speeches were far higher than our current CINC.
Mysteries of the Universe, Solved
May 26th, 2010
7:29 am
I can be sure Obama will not visit my grave when Obamacare kills me prematurely!
Wrote it in your will, huh, just for peace of mind.
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:29 am
Normal, give the fine lad a hug on behalf of all of your virtual friends.
Mysteries of the Universe, Solved
May 26th, 2010
7:31 am
Yeah, I can disagree with him on any number of issues, especially on social issues, but I will never question his honor.
He has no honor to question. That has been proven.
Rightwing Troll
May 26th, 2010
7:31 am
I see the Teatards couldn’t put lightning in a bottle after all.
The recent Paul victory in Kentucky isn’t that suprising since the southern red states march in lockstep with what thier party masters tell them to do. I guess the more (truly) conservative voters of the western red states aren’t that gullible or pliable, they understand hypocrisy and carpetbagging. Sister Sarah did what she could to rally her Teatards to her annoited choice in a local race, in a state I doubt she could even identify on a map… with labels… But to no avail. The people of Idaho said “no thanks Sarah, we can figure out who best represents us without a Real American coming here to tell us how to vote”…
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:31 am
Dave – “But it is also clear that the military, by and large, do not respect this President in any way, shape or form as they did the previous one.”
really? it is? and how is that, exactly? have you polled the military to find out their opinion???
Outhouse GoKart
May 26th, 2010
7:32 am
Well Im SURE Reagan, Bush and W had VALID reasons for their being absent. In Obamas case he hates America, the Military, you and I and to add insult to injury he is sending Joe “DirtClod” Biden.
Normal
May 26th, 2010
7:34 am
I thank you all of you for your kind words. He has a guitar recital Saturday and and after that, it will be reward time. His wish is my command…Love it!
Dave R.
May 26th, 2010
7:35 am
“He has no honor to question. That has been proven.”
Selective reading, Universe?
Rightwing Troll
May 26th, 2010
7:35 am
Dave,
How much of this repsect can be attributed to the simple fact that one would almost rather declare themselves gay in the military than a Democrat?
I do believe they’ve been a bit hard on Scout as well. I believe he will either produce his proof or recant/apologize whatever. I’ve hed my goes at Scout, and I have plenty of differences with him, but I find him to be somewhat honorable, even if his posts have gotten gradually more and more bitter and outwardly offensive over the last year or so… This is what the politics of destruction has wrought.
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:36 am
there is no doubt that the enthusiasm shown to President Bush visits and speeches were far higher than our current CINC.
There you have it. Dave R.’s virtual applause meter data is THE metric by which military service personnel respect should be measured.
Normal
May 26th, 2010
7:37 am
Outhouse,
You’re a hoot this morning.
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:38 am
Normal – “it will be reward time” 2 scoops at Baskin & Robbins!! (pistachio almond was always my fav)
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:39 am
Normal – 7:37 (and OGK) – he’s been on a roll this week …
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:39 am
In Obamas case he hates America, the Military, you and I and to add insult to injury he is sending Joe “DirtClod” Biden.
So when Poppy Bush sent Dan Quayle, that was value-added?
Dave R.
May 26th, 2010
7:39 am
“really? it is? and how is that, exactly? have you polled the military to find out their opinion???”
Why do you insist on being disagreeable just to be disagreeable, USinUK? Despite his possibly erroneous initial assertion, Scout was also very diligent in posting other situations in which Hope & Change has been in front of members of our military, and the video evidence shows they react to him very tepidly compared to President Bush.
Now, maybe you just prefer to skip over that which has been posted by people you don’t agree with, but some of us prefer to see the totality of evidence, rather than defend or question in ignorance.
Rightwing Troll
May 26th, 2010
7:39 am
“Well Im SURE Reagan, Bush and W had VALID reasons for their being absent”
This begs the question, where WAS George W Bush during his last couple years of service in Alabam Air National Guard?
I’d rather a never served (like Cheney) lay a wreath at the tomb than a person who shat on the Armed forces by deserting in a time of war.
Normal
May 26th, 2010
7:41 am
So when Poppy Bush sent Dan Quayle, that was value-added?
At least Dan didn’t have to spell anything there…
…and perhaps, Joe won’t have to say anything, either…
Mysteries of the Universe, Solved
May 26th, 2010
7:42 am
Selective reading, Universe?
Yes, the posts on this thread. Do you need me to point them out to you.
As for your claims, got proof.
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:42 am
Dave, Chimpy McFlightsuit’s ability to get assembled troops to cheer for him on cue is the sort of thing any tinpot dictator can arrange.
Rightwing Troll
May 26th, 2010
7:43 am
Joe won’t HAVE to say anything, but will he be able to NOT say anything? That’s the question.
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:43 am
Dave R – “Why do you insist on being disagreeable just to be disagreeable, USinUK?”
wow, so it’s “disagreeable” to question an assertion stated as fact???
talk about thin-skinned.
as far as video “evidence” … yeah, just like the “evidence” used in the ACORN case …
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:44 am
Normal … “At least Dan didn’t have to spell anything there”
“t-o-o-m … e”
Normal
May 26th, 2010
7:45 am
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:44 am
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
May 26th, 2010
7:47 am
Morning everybody. Mighty nasty already. Can’t we all just get along?
Dave R.
May 26th, 2010
7:47 am
There are none so blind as those who cannot see . . .
Even Chris Matthews can see what those of you on this blog refuse to see.
stands for decibels
May 26th, 2010
7:47 am
At least Dan didn’t have to spell anything there…
I saw your smiley, but actually, I’m one of those guys who always cuts Quayle slack over that whole “potatoe” thing.
Outhouse GoKart
May 26th, 2010
7:51 am
Perhaps Joe will elaborate on Brussels being the Captital of the Free World.
Or perhaps Joe will fall down or drop the wreath or something comical. Its almost a guarantee….
Lil Johnny Crappleseed
May 26th, 2010
7:53 am
“Mommy whys everybody got a bomb?”
“Mommy why does President Obama hate me?”
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
7:55 am
No, it’s NOT OKIYAR. It doesn’t matter who you are, EVERY Presidents should go to the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day.
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
7:57 am
um.
squirrel!
David Johnson
May 26th, 2010
7:58 am
Hopefully soon we can all say Barack who?
USinUK
May 26th, 2010
8:02 am
“Even Chris Matthews can see what those of you on this blog refuse to see.”
baaaaahahahahaha … you mean Chris “ooooo, Bush is soooo manly in his flightsuit” Matthews???
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
8:02 am
And just for the record, I’m sure there were Democrats who bashed Bush for not going…but have no problem w/ Obama going back to Illinois.
Normal
May 26th, 2010
8:04 am
Wrong again, Peadawg…
Scooter
May 26th, 2010
8:06 am
Dang,Jay sure did poke the hornet’s nest on this one! Whew!
Have a good day all. (both sides of aisle)
Mysteries of the Universe, Solved
May 26th, 2010
8:07 am
George who?
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
8:08 am
“Wrong again, Peadawg…”
I didn’t say you. I said some. Both parties play this political game. Stop denying Democrats don’t do any this bullshyt either. But, like I said, it’s wrong for ANY President to not go to the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
8:10 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=5220309
That’s the important thing right now! Tell TNT who you think’s going to win the NBA Finals.
Jay
May 26th, 2010
8:12 am
Peadawg, I’m sure that a lot of folks on the right are looking right this moment for evidence that Democrats did as you suggest. If they find anything, we’ll see it.
But mark me down already as being very dubious that they will.
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
8:14 am
“But mark me down already as being very dubious that they will.”
Ofcourse. Democrats don’t play the political bullshyt game. Just Republicans. *rolls eyes* DADT and TNT interviews are more important for Obama, right Jay?
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
8:17 am
Mark your comment down, Jay, as IOKIYAD.
Jay
May 26th, 2010
8:18 am
If Dems played this particular game, Peadawg, as you allege, then I’m sure we’ll see proof of it shortly.
Either they did, or they didn’t.
itpdude
May 26th, 2010
8:19 am
This is typical politics and I hate to say it, Jay, but the neo-cons are so good at it because so many of the neo-cons are re-treaded Democrats. The GOP is now the sanctuary of the neo-cons who were of the Democratic party, the party that brought us Borking, the party that brought 3 Nixon SCOTUS appointee rejects (one for the incredibly innocuous offense of smoking pot), the party whose one-time head parsed words so expertly he needed the definition of “is.” The party that said block grants would starve children and force seniors onto cat food. The party that ripped Reagan for speaking at a German cemetery when the intellectual thrust of his being there was at the height of decency and justifiability.
I hate to say it, Jay, but these are Democratic party tactics learned by the GOP, much of the time by neo-cons who were Democrats at one time, and the GOP, much like the Japanese being not the greatest inventors but the greatest imitators, is doing the job even better at unfairly tarring and feathering than the Democrats ever dreamed. Though, looking at Ted Kennedy’s commentary on the Bork nom is one of the most embarrassing hit-pieces ever released by a nationally recognized politician in the last 100 years.
Anyone in the two major parties probably has it coming, in other words.
Peadawg
May 26th, 2010
8:22 am
Jay, the fact that you are dubious about it says a lot about you. You’re about as blind as Cynthia. They’re politicians. Throw the party affiliation out. They’re politicians.
Jay
May 26th, 2010
8:31 am
Well, we’ll see who’s right. Do you agree with that much, Peadawg? If Democrats did that, somebody combing through the archives will be able to document it and prove me wrong. Agreed?
But in a day or so, if no such documentation emerges, it’s because it doesn’t exist. So we’ll see. We’ll see which of us is correct.
Big D
May 26th, 2010
8:41 am
Best word of the day goes to….Outhouse GoKart and it is…DIRTCLOD. LMAO….
Scout
May 26th, 2010
8:53 am
Dave R:
Yes. I am working on it. Stay tuned.
Rightwing Troll :
Yes …….. patriots and tories got quite “bitter” with each other.
andygrd
May 26th, 2010
9:07 am
My two cents—-
As a retired military officer, I have seen mistakes made and I have seen mistakes forced upon the military by our civilian leadership at all levels. I have seen the left and right use and abuse the military to meet their own needs. Having served in two Wars, being away from the family for extended periods of time, etc…. It was the life I choose and then later on, the life my wife accepted and chose. So you people on either side of the isle, make your silly little comments. However, remember, Americans died to give you that freedom. If you are going to criticize the military, and that is every Americans right and responsibility, make sure you have all the facts. As in who, what, why, when and how…… And remember, the military takes it orders from civilians… and they have political agendas at times.
As an independent, more republican than democrat, President Obama is the Commander and Chief. If he decides to send Vice President Biden in his stead, so what!! Honor is still being paid. And that is all that matters.
On both sides of the isle, the journalists will write and comment on items that will stir people up…. It is “ENTERTAINMENT”. Pure and simple entertainment!! Just like what you see on Fox, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, etc…. Profits drive the entertainment……..
Jay, I have read your columns over the years, some I agree with, and some I don’t… I challenge you to make a real difference, you and other staff members…. Present both sides of an issue. Let your readers decided from the issues. I and many others will support you ……
itpdude
May 26th, 2010
9:12 am
Oh, and btw, Obama sending Biden to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is not an issue. Really, how many ceremonies should a POTUS have to do? And now it comes out that several former GOP POTUS’ did same? Then the blogger justifies the seeming hypocrisy of some drivel about questioning Obama’s commitment to American supremacy or something? Who sez the US should believe in its own supremacy, anyhow? Supremacy breeds arrogance and arrogance breeds contempt of “others.” Hmm, sounds like the stuff that got us killing over 100k civilians in Iraq since 2003.
That’s a good thing?
jms
May 26th, 2010
9:21 am
yawn
saywhat?
May 26th, 2010
9:51 am
Does Scout consider himself and his like minded ilk “angels of light”? It would make sense……
HDB
May 26th, 2010
10:10 am
A CONSERVATIVE
May 25th, 2010
6:58 pm
..LIBERALs GET OFFENDED BY “THE NATIONAL ANTHUM”–or THE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG…..LIBERALs get offended by everything decent & traditional.
First…it’s the National ANTHEM…and
Second: Liberals are NOT offended by decency and tradition….but we DO want to make things BETTER….not just maintain the status quo!! The question that I ask is this: which party promotes decency….but is caught in so many scandals as to look hypocritical??
Artie Piscano
May 26th, 2010
10:17 am
I’m on active duty and served in combat. I could care less how or where the President spends his time. I’m not offended by it, nor should the families of those buried there, since the vast majority of military families don’t like him anyway.
But I will say that our Commander in Chief should brush up on his Chicago sports history while he’s vacationing in his “home town”.
Catching a game at “Cominskey” might be nice LMFAO.
Scout
May 26th, 2010
10:20 am
andygrd :
I’ve tried many times to get threads for both sides of an issue. Won’t happen. “This is an opinion thread” ……….. and it’s his opinion.
Fox Trooper 2/11ACR
May 26th, 2010
10:37 am
Yeah the only difference is that this POTUS is actually going on vacation, not that Reagan or Shrub right in skipping it either. A fact is a fact. “It’s OK because the other guy did it” is no excuse. We’re supposed to expect more from this POTUS – RIGHT? So now the lefties settle for “if it was good enough for the last guys, it’s OK for us?” What happened to Hope and Change? The Left vs Right Paradigm is a sham.
HDB
May 26th, 2010
10:47 am
The question that isn’t answered by conservaatives is this: Isn’t the President GOING to honor our fallen troops SOMEWHERE?? If the Vice-President is honoring for the nation…and the President is honoring the fallen in Illinois….is he NOT honoring the fallen? He’s doing it in a more private fashion…rather than a public statement!
Since he IS going to Louisiana Friday to address the issues there….I’d say he’s doing what is appropriate at this time…….
Fox Trooper 2/11ACR
May 26th, 2010
10:54 am
Oh well, guess it’s OK – after all he’s your guy. He disrespects the memory of my fallen brothers at every juncture, and then denies it. He could make a statement about his stance on this issue by simply being the one to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – instead he thumbs his nose at everyone who has ever worn a uniform in service of our country and goes on his second vacation since the spill in the Gulf began. The Republicans are no better, they’re not “Conservatives” – they’re “Republicans” just like those defending this POTUS aren’t “Liberals” they’re “Democrats”. Wake up America. A real Liberal is Dennis Kucinich. A real Conservative is Ron Paul.
Judith A Gleason
May 26th, 2010
10:57 am
Going to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns has everything to do with a Commander in Chief who seems to not like the military showing some basic respect to the men and women, alive and dead, who have actually kept us free.
Excuses such as calling people shameless to try and make this o.k., or our children’s excuses of “They did in first”, is really getting old. Quit being partisan and always making excuses for Obama.
Every President should show respect to this country and its warriors.
make this o.k. rather than calling the President to account for taking another vacation instead of doing this is jus
Judith A Gleason
May 26th, 2010
11:00 am
I hit o.k. before I finished my last sentence so here it is. Trying to make this o.k. rather than calling the President to account for taking another vacation instead of doing this to show support for our military is just not right.
Darrel
May 26th, 2010
11:29 am
Clearly you have never served in the military, let alone a combat zone. You have never watched friends and comrades die, or severely wounded. Obama is a war president. He has two active wars going, and troops are dying and being maimed – under his watch – his responsibility. Make all the excuses you want, Obama should stay with tradition and go to Arlington. The fact that a vacation to Chicago is more important, and the fact that you make excuses for him sickens me. I find you both disgusting.
Rainah Ness
May 26th, 2010
11:42 am
>>who cites a very ugly and biased opinion as if it were a fact that existed outside the tiny, bigoted little minds of haters.
ROFL!!! Oh, saying ‘little minds of haters’………. Oh! (gasp, gasp, gasp…… ROFL!!!!) That is soooo classic. Talk about a bigot.
THAT is a bigoted statement all by itself………..
Oh, that’s a classic hoot!!!
Thanks for making my day!
Innocent Bystander
May 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
I know I’m late to the party, but I wanted to call Scout out on his misleading YouTube video comparing Bush and Obama meetings with Marines. I guess my Marine Corps had more integrity than yours because as all GOOD Marines know that Bush got the loud ovation because he just walked in like a cowboy. THe reason it was so quiet with Obama was because when he was introduced “Hail to the Chief” was playing – which requires all military people to stand at the position of attention.
Did you scream and yell at the POA Scout? It seems to me that the Marines received Obama well.
memorial day history : Latest News
May 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
[...] Cemetery in favor of returning to his political hometown of Chicago has already drawn sharp criticism from the right. Meanwhile, others view Memorial Day as the ideal occasion to consider drastic [...]
KAP
May 26th, 2010
2:27 pm
No US Flag Salute, no crossing his heart…this is NOT MY president.
BILL PENROSE
May 26th, 2010
4:17 pm
I personally am 100 percent conservative anymore and do not agree with most of the things that are shaping our country like an European failure. However after saying that — I am a veteran and do not see anything wrong with sending the vice President to Arlington. Even though I also Don’t care for the Vice President I think this is a good gesture on his part. Even though I don’t agree with their politics I respect and praise Vice President Joe Biden for laying the wreath at the Tomb of the unknown soldier. I am not sure but I think Mr Biden has a son serving in the military, and that makes me respect him more than most everyone else running Washington.
Happy Memorial Day to all Americans.
Sanddog
May 26th, 2010
6:03 pm
If you don’t “get” why it’s offensive for Obama to blow off laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, there is probably nothing I could say to make you understand.
John Lobert
May 26th, 2010
6:26 pm
And don’t forget – it was GW Bush that started one unnecessary was and screwed up the other. He also skipped the Tomb ceremony.
Mike G.
May 26th, 2010
9:47 pm
. . . the Typical left wing opinions are posted here to “excuse” and support the United States Commander in Chief for NOT showing respect or consideration to the families of those who gave their lives for this great country at Arlington “National” Cemetery.
Barry nor your posts demonstrate any true patriotism for the America he so desperately wanted to lead and destroy . . yet all of you profit from the same soldiers who have laid down their lives for your free speech.
If you like, you are certainly welcome to “leave” America and go abroad… sharing openly your protest for America, its Constitution, and the values, beliefs and traditions that have made this a great nation.
Tony
May 27th, 2010
8:39 am
I agree that Obama’s presence at the tomb is the height of hypocrisy. While it’s true that both Bush’s and Reagan each missed a visit, this President has two wars on his watch and a country that is in great need of unification.He has no excuse. But presidents are judged by their full spectrum of beliefs and what they do while in office.Obama was never in the service and his attitude towards our military is secondary to his social engineering policies, In fact, Obama see our military as an anathema to his agenda.As to the Bush’s and Reagan at least they wore the uniform. When Regan missed one wreath laying he had a little problem that year, he was recovering from an assassination attempt.Do I care if he goes, not really. A false pretender is the ultimate liar and as commander in chief he couldn’t shine the shoes of those who understand the word “sacrifice”.
Elna Beard
May 27th, 2010
5:52 pm
To who it my concern,I am an American and white and since there is so much unrest in the country and around the world,I think that Obama, should show this country that he cares and put the reath on the unknown soilder memorial himself.I don’t care what the presidents have done just this one is thinking of himself only.Since he travel’s to other country’s at the drop of a hat.And I don’t think they should have the 22 people in the white house that they have because none of the other president’s wives had ,let his wife do something but not at the tax payer’s expence.You have a great day !!<(:)<
ProgressivePeach.com
May 27th, 2010
11:02 pm
Erickson is a nail — the last nail in the coffin that holds CNN’s credibility.
hnbc
May 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
Joan, Id’be most happy if you went somewhere far away … how ’bout, oh say, Iraq? Where woman don’t count?
Just tell me why it’s okay for Bush, Regan, et al to miss laying the wreath and not Obama wihout any one-sided political rhetoric. Then, I might be okay with you being here.
grandmotherof9
May 28th, 2010
11:21 am
The who,when,where, and what have been discused. Here’s more on the why.
First, Bush missed the 2002 ceremony as he was in Normandy at a memorial there. I read a comment on the Washington Post article that said: Michelle is on the Board of Directors of The Chicago Council http://www.thechicagocouncil.org and this weekend they are having a big meeting. That is why O. will not be going o Arlington.
Lardo
May 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
I love of liberals accuse conservatives of being partisan. Like they’re not. Let me clue you all in here.
When lefties promote “bipartisanship” what they are really saying is, “DO IT MY WAY! SEE IT MY WAY! THINK MY WAY!!!!”
When liberals agree to “meet you half way”, they’re talking about mile post 99 of a 100 mile highway. And that’s only so they can grab you by the back of the neck and drag you in that last mile.
See, the liberal motto is, “I think. therefore, I’m right.” (Note: They’re wrong on BOTH points. They do not. And they are not. Ever.)
JUst look at healthcare. They were bound and determined to give (stick?) it to us whether we wanted it or not. Because THEY know better. I saw no signs of bipartisanship or compromise an the part of any Demoncrat. Unless by compromise they meant selling out. Saw that from a number of Demoncrats.
Oh, and hey… shout out to the Hangar Dogs (www.hangardogs.com) and the Jimmy Doane Show (www.jimmydoane.com)
VietVet
May 28th, 2010
4:36 pm
Being one of the fortunate to return from our (mistake) in Vietnam. I am extremely disgusted but not surprised by Chris’s comments. I enlisted, I volunteered to get there and volunteered again to occupy a doorgunner position on a Huey. I don’t give a rats behind whether or not the benefit of hindsight has put our involvement in Vietnam in the (mistake) category but you Chris link it to slavery. You Chris make a comparison about people like me and the Nazi’s. I don’t need obama (lack of title and capitalization intentional) apologizing for me or any of the other millions of men and women who have served this country with honor. Most of us can even produce a birth certificate!
Spector130
May 29th, 2010
9:07 pm
I’m sure the other Presidents that didn’t attend the ceremony had a better excuse than “being on vacation”. BHO is an extreme communist that could care less about our country, our service men and women, the Constitution or anything else AMERICAN!!!! I’ll have to agree with Joan that he doesn’t deserve the honor of the wreath ceremony..