U.S. soldiers salute Obama, message during his surprise visit to IraqAP
WASHINGTON
President Barack Obama went for the defining television shot by capping his first extended foreign tour with a surprise visit to Iraq.
He got it – pictures of hundreds of U.S. troops cheering wildly as he told them it was time for the Iraqis to take charge of their own future.
The war-zone photo opportunity produced a stunning show of appreciation for Obama from military men and women who have made great sacrifices, many serving repeated tours in a highly unpopular war.
And the televised outpouring of affection probably will prove critical to the credibility of a new and liberal commander in chief as he tries to sell U.S. warriors and the American public on the grim prospects now facing them in Afghanistan.
. Now for the TRUTH! About that Obama Iraq Visit MacsMind
The visit was communicated a full 24 hours in advance and a small contingent of soldiers - not screaming hoards - were rustled into a meeting place at Camp Victory.
Got this email from a sergeant that was there.
“We were pre-screened, asked by officials “Who voted for Obama?”, and then those who raised their hands were shuffled to the front of the receiving line. They even handed out digital cameras and asked them to hold them up.”
Take a look at the picture at AP and notice all the cameras are the same models? Coincidence? I think not.
Cheered wildly by U.S. troops," begins Jennifer Democratic Operative Loven's AP report on Obama's surprise visit to Iraq on Tuesday. Quite a contrast to the silent treatment Marines gave Obama at his Camp LeJeune speech in late February. Just how did Obama manage to fix that little problem?
i thought this myself when i first heard this story.
“BAGHDAD (AP) - Cheered wildly by U.S. troops, President Barack Obama flew unannounced into Iraq on Tuesday and promptly declared it was time for Iraqis to “take responsibility for their country” after America’s commitment of six years and thousands of lives.
“You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country,” the president said as he made a brief inspection of a war he opposed as candidate and now vows to end as commander in chief. “That is an extraordinary achievement.”
A total of 4,265 U.S. troops have lost their lives in Iraq since March 2003, and Obama said American forces had “performed brilliantly … under enormous strain.”
“It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis,” he said as an estimated 600 troops cheered. “They need to take responsibility for their country.”
Obama also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who said afterward that he had “assured the president that all the progress that has been made in the security area will continue.”
Obama said he had “strongly encouraged” the Iraqi leader to take steps to unite political factions, including integrating Sunnis into the government and security forces.
Obama flew into Iraq shrouded by secrecy and was shielded by heavy security from the moment he stepped off a gleaming white and blue Air Force One.
The plane touched down a few hours after a car bombing in a Shiite neighborhood of the capital city punctuated a recent surge in violence in the war-ravaged country. Many thousands of Iraqis have died in the six years of war in addition to the American losses.”
Yeah Jennifer we get the point. Still the lowest casualty rate in any war in the modern era - a testament to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform. Fact is more died on active duty during Clinton’s reign. Nevertheless, about that “surprise visit”.
It wasn’t. The visit was communicated a full 24 hours in advance and a small contingent of soldiers - not screaming hoards - were rustled into a meeting place at Camp Victory.
Got this email from a sergeant that was there.
“We were pre-screened, asked by officials “Who voted for Obama?”, and then those who raised their hands were shuffled to the front of the receiving line. They even handed out digital cameras and asked them to hold them up.”
Take a look at the picture at AP and notice all the cameras are the same models? Coincidence? I think not.
another note...notice that the media doesn't mention the death toll in Iraq anymore?
__________________
My savior is a carpenter, not a president.
i cannot post what my Marine brother has to say about him on this forum. He would not get this Faux display of affection from the USMC or many officers for that matter. I take it most of these stage props were enlisted.
__________________
My savior is a carpenter, not a president.
i cannot post what my Marine brother has to say about him on this forum. He would not get this Faux display of affection from the USMC or many officers for that matter. I take it most of these stage props were enlisted.
I haven't ran into too many service personell that have, except for the odd Dick-Culo.
__________________ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5,6)
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin
I'm glad at least some of you guys seem to understand the need for security whenever ANY president visits. EVERYONE in Iraq has a weapon and a basic load of ammo. NOT to "pre-screen" personnel or to think it would happen during ANY president's visit would be extremely naiive, and not doing so would just simply not happen.
Cameras get "shoved into hands" of those in front all the time. No surprise there either. The peeps in the back or not able to attend want pictures. So?
Putting those who voted for Obama in front. Again, so? They voted for him and helped him get elected, so why shouldn't they get front row seats?
So, what's the point of the OP again? That security for a president in a war zone hasn't changed any? Oh, big news there, folks. You guys crack me up.
i cannot post what my Marine brother has to say about him on this forum. He would not get this Faux display of affection from the USMC or many officers for that matter. I take it most of these stage props were enlisted.
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