WTF the Public Servant Obama's decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremony in Arlington while on his second vacation since the BP oil spill began has something to says about his priorities.

I don’t want his happy ass at this American Traditional Ceremony ..he lowers the meaning of Pride, Tradition, Respect and Honor to the American people and to my fallen soldiers and to Americans finest

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/27/stressed-tone-deaf-obama-chicago-vacation-raises-eyebrows/

From the article:

Instead, the president plans to be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., while Vice President Biden takes his place in Arlington for the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I'll also add:

Obama is not the first president to miss the Arlington ceremony. Ronald Reagan spoke at West Point one year, and went to his California ranch another year. George H.W. Bush, a war veteran, did not go at all. Bill Clinton, who did not serve in Vietnam and had a rocky time with the military, went to Arlington all eight years, and George W. Bush, who also avoided combat service in Vietnam, attended from 2003 onward.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052702696.html

Meaning, he is still going to a cemetery, just not Arlington and he is not the first President to not to go Arlington. You do know there are more cemeteries than Arlington right?

Belly35 wrote: WTF the Public Servant Obama's decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremony in Arlington while on his second vacation since the BP oil spill began has something to says about his priorities.

I don’t want his happy ass at this American Traditional Ceremony ..he lowers the meaning of Pride, Tradition, Respect and Honor to the American people and to my fallen soldiers and to Americans finest

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/27/stressed-tone-deaf-obama-chicago-vacation-raises-eyebrows/

He's still going to a national cemetery, and he isn't the first President to honor the dead at other places where they rest.

Arlington is just one of many national cemetaries that honor our fallen heroes.

It only raises eyebrows with those who fail to actually research and think about things before making conclusions.

It was stupid to criticize Bush for heading off to Crawford on occassion, and it is stupid to criticize Obama for this as well.

Bush was still doing his job while away from the White House, as is Obama. He's the freaking President of the United States, not like it is hard for him, or Bush for that matter, to work remotely. Their "office" travels with them.

The Lincoln Cemetary is quite the awe-inspiring place and i got choked up when i visited there just as i do whenever i'm at Arlington. So many brave men and women buried there, i'm sure they would appreciate Obama visiting them this Memorial Day weekend, and by doing so, honoring all those who have served and died in order to protect our freedoms.

Why don't we not turn Memorial Day weekend into a chance to score fucking political points and just allow each of us to individually reflect and give thanks for the men and women in our Armed Services.

Great post, cbus, let's honor these fine people and leave politics out of it.

Seem like the first three post are from our traditional LLS protecting their honorable Organizer. Go figure, tradition, standard, pride, integrity and respect are not words that the Liberal, Left, Socialist understand. Stating what others have done, other alterative and down playing the important …… but never addressing the issue.
This has nothing to do with “fucking political points “ this is about Leadership of our county in troubled times. You have made it a political issue because that is easy …. and deflects from the real topic.
Leadership starts with self sacrifice and understanding what is right and doing what is proper at the most meaningful time.
Two wars, poor economy, high unemployment, oil spill, government mistrust and corruption and this list could go on…..
Tradition, pride and getting back to basic value and morals by a Leader demonstrating his priorities can have meaningful effect on a bad situation. Bring confidence and some stability to those who are watching.
This Public Servant has no leadership qualities, values or priorities other than self gratification.

Those soldiers demonstrated their priorities to make America a better, safe and free country I expect nothing less from those who hold public office to make that same sacrifice just one day.
………………So Lets Honor Them By Not Showing Up…..

I don't get it. So, he is not in Arlington, but in Illinois at Lincoln's grave, and that is not acceptable? You know there is more than Arlington? It is not like he is going wind sailing (two points if anyone gets the reference). He is still going to honor the dead of our great service men.

Also, he laid the wreath last year, and went to Area 60 and talked to families in the pouring rain. Biden is laying it this year. Were you upset when Reagan was at his ranch in California?

One can still provide leadership without going to Arlington. I actually think it is a good idea to acknowledge other cemeteries during the weekend. Arlington is just one part in the fabric of sacrifices members gave to this country, you more than anyone should know that.

Finally, he still cares about our servicemen. He gave the commencement address at West Point for God's sake over the weekend.

Sounds like your personal vendetta against the man more than anything.

Belly loses credibility when he makes ridiculous claims like this.

Ignoring the fact that many other presidents including ones Belly likes have visited other cemeteries or not visited one at all it's still stupid to complain about this. Obama is going to one of the national cemeteries.

Belly35 wrote: Seem like the first three post are from our traditional LLS protecting their honorable Organizer. Go figure, tradition, standard, pride, integrity and respect are not words that the Liberal, Left, Socialist understand. Stating what others have done, other alterative and down playing the important …… but never addressing the issue.
This has nothing to do with “fucking political points “ this is about Leadership of our county in troubled times. You have made it a political issue because that is easy …. and deflects from the real topic.
Leadership starts with self sacrifice and understanding what is right and doing what is proper at the most meaningful time.
Two wars, poor economy, high unemployment, oil spill, government mistrust and corruption and this list could go on…..
Tradition, pride and getting back to basic value and morals by a Leader demonstrating his priorities can have meaningful effect on a bad situation. Bring confidence and some stability to those who are watching.
This Public Servant has no leadership qualities, values or priorities other than self gratification.

Those soldiers demonstrated their priorities to make America a better, safe and free country I expect nothing less from those who hold public office to make that same sacrifice just one day.
………………So Lets Honor Them By Not Showing Up…..

He is honoring them...at another National Cemetary...by your logic, he pretty much needs to show up at every national cemetary in the entire country to adequately "honor" them. Countless of our bravest and best are buried at the Lincoln National Cemetary...what the hell is wrong with being there to honor them? How is going to Arlington "better" than going to the exact same type of place in another state? Both places are the final resting places for the best and bravest that have ever lived...and he will be there to honor them and all who have died in service to our country.

Honestly, i don't even know what you're saying in your post. He's going to a national cemetary that is the final resting place for medal of honor winners, men and women who have died in our nation's wars, etc. He's honoring those men and women who have died at a place where countless rest.

Are all those other Presidents who did not go to Arlington every Memorial Day also terrible leaders, etc., etc.?

Again, i ask, where is the lack of leadership, IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE?

You can talk about other situations, and lack of leadership, and i would probably agree with you.

But this isn't one of them.

You know better than this Belly, and your dislike for the man is blinding your ability to be rational in this situation.

ptown_trojans_1 wrote: I don't get it. So, he is not in Arlington, but in Illinois at Lincoln's grave, and that is not acceptable? You know there is more than Arlington? It is not like he is going wind sailing (two points if anyone gets the reference). He is still going to honor the dead of our great service men.

Also, he laid the wreath last year, and went to Area 60 and talked to families in the pouring rain. Biden is laying it this year. Were you upset when Reagan was at his ranch in California?

One can still provide leadership without going to Arlington. I actually think it is a good idea to acknowledge other cemeteries during the weekend. Arlington is just one part in the fabric of sacrifices members gave to this country, you more than anyone should know that.

Finally, he still cares about our servicemen. He gave the commencement address at West Point for God's sake over the weekend.

Sounds like your personal vendetta against the man more than anything.

(two points if anyone gets the reference) = Vera Baker

There are other cemeteries ...but when the country need more that just
" Oh Fuck I'm on vacation let just do Lincoln ( because I THINK I'M MORE LIKE LINCOLN TO THE PEOPLE) and get this shit over." mentality


The American people have seen the Public Servant idea of " Hope and Change " an are not buying it... I never did…

Tradition .....Tradition .... He's not my Leader and this is another act of poor decision

Belly,

What does President Obama have to do for Memorial Day to satisfy your obvious hatred for him?

Tradition...Tradition

There have been lots of other Presidents who didn't care about tradition either, i guess.

Belly35 wrote:

ptown_trojans_1 wrote: I don't get it. So, he is not in Arlington, but in Illinois at Lincoln's grave, and that is not acceptable? You know there is more than Arlington? It is not like he is going wind sailing (two points if anyone gets the reference). He is still going to honor the dead of our great service men.

Also, he laid the wreath last year, and went to Area 60 and talked to families in the pouring rain. Biden is laying it this year. Were you upset when Reagan was at his ranch in California?

One can still provide leadership without going to Arlington. I actually think it is a good idea to acknowledge other cemeteries during the weekend. Arlington is just one part in the fabric of sacrifices members gave to this country, you more than anyone should know that.

Finally, he still cares about our servicemen. He gave the commencement address at West Point for God's sake over the weekend.

Sounds like your personal vendetta against the man more than anything.

(two points if anyone gets the reference) = Vera Baker

There are other cemeteries ...but when the country need more that just
" Oh Fuck I'm on vacation let just do Lincoln ( because I THINK I'M MORE LIKE LINCOLN TO THE PEOPLE) and get this shit over." mentality


The American people have seen the Public Servant idea of " Hope and Change " an are not buying it... I never did…

Tradition .....Tradition .... He's not my Leader and this is another act of poor decision

How is going to Lincoln a cop out?

You just hate the guy no matter what he does. You're allowed to not like him but this goes over the line, I don't think there is anything he can do that would satisfy you. Letting your dislike of the dude get in the way of reason.

How would doing Arlington be any better of a way to honor veterans?

Am I doing a disservice by going to a local cemetery rather than Arlington?

Belly --- thank you for your service; I, and my family, appreciate it greatly! Have a good weekend.

From Commander of the VFW:


We gather today in remembrance of the noble men and women of our armed forces who throughout our history have sacrificed their lives so that we might live in freedom.
We join together in deepest gratitude and appreciation for what they have provided us. We mourn them in death, but, in turn, we are grateful for their lives'. We gather, also, conscious of the fact that in paying tribute to our fallen, we celebrate greatness.
When we think of their place in history, we think, inevitably, of the days of battles past, and we think of the magnitude of their achievements and understand the qualities of greatness and what theirs were, that has earned them a permanent place within our hearts and deserved of everlasting admiration. They remind us of why we fight and they inspire us to protect the values, the ideals, and the freedoms that they died for.
They fought throughout our history for a myriad of reasons; to mend America's wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the world's slaves from tyranny, oppression, cruelty and evil domination.
These men and women asked for nothing in return, yet they inspire so much. They ask for only the gratitude of a grateful nation, and yet they inspire the commitment of the values and ideals on which this country was founded.
We live today in the world that they began and labored to reshape with their service and sacrifice. Today, in many respects, it is a very different world with different challenges and new dangers. All in all, however, it is one of greater freedom and prosperity, one more hopeful than the world that preceded them.
Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The man who loves his country on its own account, and not merely for [its] trappings of interest or power, can never be divorced from it, can never refuse to come forward when he finds that she is engaged in dangers which he has the means of warding off."
And come forward, they did.
Those we remember today came from all corners of America, but universally demonstrated all that is good about the heart of America; generosity, compassion and a willingness to put aside their own fears and welfare for the sake of the larger good.
They exemplified the American spirit; sons and daughters of this nation, each who were stalwart and courageous and honest and compassionate.
They personified what is best about America. And that is why it is, I think, a special tribute to those we hope to honor today, that despite all of their great deeds and triumphs, we find ourselves thinking, first, not of their deeds but of their character.
Each shared commonality in that they all were a product of America's soil and of its ideals, driven by a obligation to do right and to do well; men and women who truly loved their country and for whom words like "freedom" and "democracy" were not clichés, and were willing to make sacrifices for those who looked to America for hope and rescue.
And, so today, while we bask in the warm light of freedom and liberty, we embark to render a proper tribute to our fallen heroes and it is with profound gratitude and deepest humility we salute our nation's heroes and our fallen comrades.
George Washington said, "When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen. And that is why we cannot forget that once the guns are silenced and the battlefields are empty, there is an aftermath to war. We cannot neglect to remember the broken bodies, the broken minds, and the broken families that require the continued attention of a grateful nation.
As a country we must remain committed to work diligently to provide our wounded warriors and the families of our fallen and our missing from all wars with our full support.
There is a line from a poem that I recall that reads, "When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today." So as we depart this service today, and as each of us continue the holiday, let us impart upon our family, friends and neighbors, a reminder of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who are serving today to ensure our future and our way of life.
Ask them to take a moment remember those who have made possible this great land of hopes and dreams and liberty.
And from the memory of our honored dead, let us recommit ourselves to never forget the sacrifices of the fallen and of their families, and let us commit ourselves to renew our commitment to the values and ideals that have made this nation what it is today, the greatest nation in the world.
Thank you, God bless you and God Bless America.

Nice, Quaker. That said it all.

I will be at our town's parade Monday, as I always am. Our parade ends in the local cemetery where we have the graves of our local soldiers who gave the supreme sacrifice in various of our nation's wars and there is a ceremony where our citizens honor those brave heroes. I have also been to Arlington on several occasions, and whether I'm in my little town's cemetery or in the Arlington National Cemetery, I feel the same way about our honored dead. They are all to be memorialized and commended for their service to country and that's why I attend the yearly parade and go to the cemetery.

Belly35 wrote: Seem like the first three post are from our traditional LLS protecting their honorable Organizer.

I'm not an Obama lover by no means. And I don't post over here. But your Obama hatred is getting quite old. Who gives a shit, he's still going to a cemetery, and he will still be honoring our troops that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I don't see you complaining about the millions of Americans that won't be visiting a cemetery, but will instead be having cookouts, swimming, and drinking beer. Why not complain about them? How does grilling a hamburger give tribute to those lives lost? At least Obama is going somewhere that will still honor those that have fallen.

Whether you like it or not, he is your leader. If you don't want him to be your leader, them move the hell out of this great nation. That is the only option you have. While you live in this country, he will be your leader. Deal with it.

As a veteran yourself, this is the one time you should put all political views aside and do what this 'holiday' is for. Rememberance. (sp?) No matter HOW you do it..as long as you DO IT! Will you be attending the ceremony at Arlington? I didn't think so.

/rant.

Nothing new. It's bullshit when other President's haven't done it and it's bullshit now. But whatever.

What is really disrespectful is playing politics with American veterans who gave the highest sacrifice to protect freedom.

There are plenty things that one can complain about with President Obama. This should not be one of them.

Very nice Quaker.
Read this this morning in the Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052801966.html

A song of gratitude at Arlington National Cemetery

By Page Johnson
McLean
Sunday, May 30, 2010; C05

I stand under an aged oak, and the rows of simple white headstones extend in their heart-stopping sweep across the Virginia hills of Arlington National Cemetery. Each stone sentinel is dressed and at attention, calling to mind both the life and the death of the soldier who lies beneath. Solid, steady and unyielding, the markers stand in counterpoint to the soft green earth and capricious light that dances across their faces.

One weekend in May, each of these white uniforms is decorated with a small American flag, placed there by a living soldier's hand. These flags are brilliant in the afternoon sun, and it is my privilege to walk among these honored ranks to remember those who died in service to me.

But the men and women who sleep in these rolling hills didn't know it was for me that they fought in the forests of the Ardennes or in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. They didn't know it was for me that they left behind wives, husbands and sweethearts, children and parents, friends. I, too, didn't know until life's experience began to teach me how precious my freedom is. Only by examining my life -- taking stock of all the blessings and opportunities that have been mine because of the freedoms I can count on as an American citizen -- could I begin to understand the purpose of their service and the meaning of their sacrifice.

Here, in the staggering serenity, it can be hard to feel worthy of the price they paid. I stoop to read the headstones -- this one so old the inscription is nearly gone, that one so new the sharply chiseled name and date take my breath away. Who are you, young soldier, and how did you come to be here? How far from home did Basra, Hue, Inchon, Corregidor, Verdun or Bull Run seem when you were in harm's way?

The shadows lengthen, and I am a dot among ranks of white that advance toward the horizon in all directions. Here and there a canopy above a fresh grave briefly interrupts the procession, but still the warriors continue their silent march. These are the generations who fought to preserve the freedoms that our forefathers bequeathed us, and though I do not know their names or faces, they are a part of me.

So on this day of memories, I come to tell them thank you. I come to tell them I honor their service and the heritage they have given me. Most of all, I come to tell them that they are neither alone nor forgotten. I will be here for them, in spirit and in deed, and for their fellow soldiers trying to make a safer world so the children of every mother and father can sleep securely at night.

I turn to leave as a bird alights on a headstone and chants a twilight benediction. I realize that I, too, am like this little bird -- free as well to sing my own song wherever and whenever I choose -- because someone I never knew died to ensure I could. I am grateful for the gift.

The writer's parents, Col. Lewis F. Townsend Jr. and Mary Carr Townsend, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. She wrote this essay while visiting the cemetery grounds on Memorial Day weekend in 2009.

A couple weeks ago, I decided to make a trip to Arlington. I spent the entire day walking around, paying respect, going off the beaten paths. I went to section 60, and examined each one of our brave men and women who are buried there. I talked with some of the family members who were parked there. It was an amazing, chilling, and inspiring experience.
It is quite something to see a recent grave from someone who just gave their life in Iraq and Afghanistan. It puts so much in perspective.

Belly,
This morning I rode my bike down to our annual Memorial day parade. The whole thing took only about 10-15 minutes. The flag bearers led the way followed by our high school band, some Civil War era soldiers and their women and children, all dressed in period garb including a firing of their muskets on the four corners. Some years we have Veterans of the Viet Nam War, Korea, the Gulf and so forth and so on and in every case I am moved by the reading of those who did not come home. The flags are what always get me. To me they stand for something very special and I really do stand and think of those who didn't return. The parade meanders it's way to our local cemetery where a relatively brief but very poignant ceremony is conducted. Our community has lost a number of it's native sons to our various wars and that makes it that much more meaningful if you actually know or are related to one of the heroes that is buried overseas or in any of 100's of small town cemeteries around our country, or at Arlington. To me, it doesn't matter where our soldiers are buried, it is sacred ground. the message is the same and our attendance at the ceremony is equally important. One grave site does not trump another. They are all places where an American hero has been laid to rest and we honor his or her memory there.

Finally, Belly, I must tell you that the most meaningful moment for me was not on Memorial day but in July, 2005, when my wife and I were vacationing in France and one of our destinations was the American Cemetery at Normandy Beach, where the D-Day Invasion began. I have never been so emotionally touched by anything in my whole life as I was as I walked among those thousands of white grave sites of our troops, Catholics, Jews, and Protestants buried side by side, a remembrance of what it took to defeat the horrors of Hitler and Mussolini and Tojo. It was so quiet there Belly, that you could hear a pin drop and there were a lot of people there that day. As I looked at those who were there with me, I noticed that a lot of the people were as emotionally involved as my wife and I were. You could have heard a pin drop Belly, but you couldn't hear the tears...and there were many of them falling on those beautiful markers that day, and among them were my wife's and mine. I will never forget that day. I don't think it matters where you honor America's finest. It matters only that we do.