The Pres in Afghanistan. Troops lovin' on him...

[CurtEastPoint]

[MadHound]

1. We who are about to die salute you

A shame that this president is continuing to send our soldiers out to die or be injured for absolutely no good reason.

[dave29]

3. suggesting soldiers are stupid

is one of the highest forms of insult.

[MadHound]

6. Not suggesting that the soldiers are stupid at all,

But hey, thanks for trying to shove those words in my mouth. Why don't you try sticking to what I actually said next time instead of just making shit up.

[dave29]

10. "We who are about to die salute you"

sorry, just conjuring up images of redcoats walking into enemy fire in my mind.

Those are your words.

If they were not meant as an insult, glad to hear it.

[MadHound]

14. Sorry you don't get the historical reference,

Perhaps you should educate yourself. Look at the history of Roman gladiators, and the real intent behind this phrase.

[dave29]

20. Yes, I get the reference

Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutant

it suggests the soldiers believe they are condemned to die by an uncaring emperor.

That is not the case.

[rusty fender]

39. Well then, it's a good thing that these soldiers

are condemned to die by a caring emperor!:sarcasm:

This all makes me :puke:

[MineralMan]

21. And you don't seem to understand the difference between the

Roman Gladiators and American military personnel. Too bad, that.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MineralMan]

35. I expressed an opinion. You call me a liar.

There is a difference between an opinion and a statement. When I say "I think," it is an opinion. Calling me a liar is an attack on me. There is a difference.

[MineralMan]

5. Is that so? The troops seem to think otherwise, you know.

Look at their faces. Every one of them chose to serve in the military, knowing that they might have to risk their lives. Please show a little respect for them. You might not choose to do the same, which is your right. They made their choice, and they're glad to see their President where they're serving.

I don't like this war, either, but I served during another war I didn't like. I served. I'm proud of that service, and I honor my father, who also served as a B-17 pilot in WWII. Our military doesn't choose where they serve, but they serve nonetheless.

Your scorn is not worthy of their service, in my opinion. They do not deserve your scorn. Please don't do that.

[MadHound]

11. You are misinterpreting what I'm saying, either deliberately or otherwise,

I show no scorn for the troops. Rather, it is what their CinC is doing too them that I save my wrath for. That their lives are being thrown away for no good reason is what disrespectful.

[MineralMan]

15. Ah, but you see, in saying that they're risking their lives for

no good reason makes a certain assumption about them. You don't know how they feel about their service at all. From the expressions on their faces, they're happy that the President is there. They're there, too. Why? Because they volunteered to join the military. If you think they did not know they might be sent somewhere to fight, then you must think their stupid. They're not. That is the insult you bring to them.

They serve the Commander-in-Chief, no matter who he or she is. That is what they volunteered to do. You really don't seem to understand what military service is all about. You think they're over there involuntarily? Nope, in the vast majority of cases. They're there because they joined the military to serve when called to serve.

I'm not sure what you think military service is about. You seem confused about it.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dave29]

27. the fact that they may or may not believe they are over there

for a reason is more than a little relevant. And that is, at least, my point. The "fact" that our President is throwing away their lives for no good reason is not what I was objecting to, and we can have that discussion elsewhere. Your regard for what the troops themselves believe is central to me calling you out. You do not care what they think, and that, right there, means you are not invested in being honest about the discussion in general. There are plenty of Republican Senators out there right now who agree with the sentiment regarding our troops opinion's on DADT.

I think they've had enough people posturing on their "behalf".

[MadHound]

28. Then you are entirely missing the point that I'm making

Whether you're doing so deliberately or otherwise, you're still missing my point. My OP was actually one in sympathy with the soldiers, and decrying what their CinC is doing. But if you don't get, or don't want to get that point, then it is pointless to continue this discussion any further with you. You are trying to portray my post as somehow disrespectful of the troops, but that is far, far from the truth.

[MineralMan]

34. No. I think the war was wrong from the beginning. That, however,

does not remove my respect for those who serve in the military. I served, myself, and know the feeling of being in the military during a war that was unnecessary and wrong. I didn't end up in Vietnam. I served in another way in a different place. Still, those who were in Vietnam had my utmost respect. I never second-guessed their reason for serving and, for many, it was involuntary. Today everyone in the military joined of his or her own free will. I don't ask whether they support this war. I recognize their service for what it is. Service.

Good luck to you.

[somone]

38. More U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan under Obama than under GWB

But it's such a catastrophic success

[Lisa0825]

2. I'm glad they appreciate him, since 99% of DU doesn't. nt

[FiveGoodMen]

7. Some of them may be there because he escalated the war

And some of those may not come back.

So, unless there's actually a good reason to be there -- I don't think so, to put it mildly -- their very good feelings may be a poor reflection of the actual situation.

[Binka]

41. My Son Who Was Almost Killed In Iraq & His Buddies from the 3/7 Don't Appreciate Him

They KNOW he is a fraud. Maybe Obama should have gone to the ICU in Germany where the troops with no legs live. Let's see the cheers there. You are talking out of your ass. Maybe you should go watch Oprah instead of talking politics. Pom Poms are real cute on Oprah.

[MineralMan]

4. President Obama always gets that reaction from the military

rank and file. That's why he went to Afghanistan...to give the troops a boost.

[meow mix]

8. not obvious or anything.

to much bad news at home.. time for some "feel good" photo ops. didnt even meet with anyone lol

[dave29]

12. didn't even meet with "anyone"

I'm sure the soldiers feel the same way.

[Binka]

42. Give it a rest Dave

It was a USO tour prop. Have you served?

[DFab420]

13. Except for all of the American service men and women there...

But I guess they aren't an important "anyone" to meet with

[meow mix]

16. i mean anyone concerned with policy, i guess i have to baby people thru a conversation?

pretty obvious what was meant

[MineralMan]

18. Something was obvious, for sure...

Perhaps not what you think, though...

[MineralMan]

17. From the photo in the OP, it looks like he met with lots of

"anyones." They seem pleased that he came. Good Commanders-in-Chief do that, you know. They show up to inspire the men and women who serve in the military. Who else is more important for him to meet? You've let your distaste for this President color your thinking, I believe. Just look again at the faces of all the "anyones" he met on this trip.

[meow mix]

19. thanks for saying the same thing i did. it was not a policy trip

you guys sure are repetitive repeating my same point over and over

[MineralMan]

22. Who said it was a policy trip in the first place?

For goodness' sake.

[meow mix]

23. just that it wasnt shows what hes up to.. was commenting on that.

i never claimed someone said it was something its not.

[dave29]

29. did you see a mission accomplished sign? A plastic turkey?

No, it was just the President and the troops. And they all seemed to get along just fine. If you do not get the importance of these visits for both the President and the troops, I am sorry.

[bigtree]

9. what's not to love?

He gave a rather hawkish address to the soldiers today about what he sees as progress in their mission. It was very supportive and encouraging of them in the tasks he's ordered.

I did wonder if he's setting the stage to declare some sort of significant success in anticipation of a drawdown next year. It's all about the narrative.

[asdjrocky]

25. That is so sad. nt

[frylock]

30. troops lovin' on him...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_of9ue2vob2g/SarWG48n0kI/AAAAAAAAH8o/0XVy4U5nlf4/s400/BUSH+TROOPS+2.jpg

[CakeGrrl]

31. Yeah, yeah...they're just the same.

Bullshit.

[frylock]

32. how do those pics of bush make you feel?

they piss me off. they used to piss a lot of people off around here. my views on the war haven't changed from 1/19/2009 to present. i'm sorry if you feel differently.

[rug]

33. Who said this?

"All of those troops are now in place, and thanks to your service, we are making important progress. You are protecting your country. You are achieving your objective. You will succeed in your mission."

“The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror - and America is honored to be their friend.”

"As Afghans stand up and take the lead, they will not stand alone."

[treestar]

36. Still doesn't look the same.

In fact in that one pic they look like they think they should think it's cool to be with the President but look sort of goofy.

With Obama they look thrilled to see him.

Interesting, when you talk to freepers they are sure every troop is in favor of the war. That's why they claim we don't support them if we don't support the war. Now it is funny to see the left talk as if the troops agree with them 100% on the need for the war.

[frylock]

37. eye of the beholder..

hope you feel the same when it's another repub prez glad handing the troops in islamabad.

[kenny blankenship]

40. Nailed it!

Right down to the plastic turkey. What would thxgvng with the CiC be without plastic turkey and cranberry sauce?