Cadets advised on the sound of 8,800 hands clapping

Reporter's Notebook ^ | 12/3/09 @ 2:00 AM | Adam Bosch

[DBCJR]

Before the speech, Col. James Seidule, a history professor at West Point, talked about the history of presidential visits to the military academy. Then he issued two stiff pieces of advice to the 4,400 cadets. The first was to avoid distracting Obama from the "serious business of addressing the American people."

The second tip was on applause. Never clap to show support for policy decisions, Seidule said. Only clap when Obama enters the room, finishes his speech and when he mentions the hard work and valor of the military.

"We are the executors, not the advocates, of national policy," he said.

[DBCJR]

Nevertheless, when the cadets clapped they did so without enthusiasm. To be fair, the cadets were at the end of a long day. Much of the criticism of them is unfounded, however. One Youtube clip has an African American cadet closing his eyes for several seconds, claiming "Obama put him to sleep." I cannot imagine any person of color, especially African American, not being excited to be addressed by a President of their race or color. However, my son, a cadet, stays at various levels of exhaustion at all times, some better than others.

I think the criticism has to do with two things:

1) The cadets' response compared to when president Bush last addressed them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TgLYLuDjlY and

2) Chris Matthews, MSNBC, stating that President Obama was in the "enemy's camp" for that speech.

The Mainstream Media was remarkably in favor of this President during the campaign (several studies showed) and remains highly protective of him, though that seems to be eroding somewhat lately. But Matthews characterizing West Point as the enemy's camp betrays a very dangerous bias in media.

This criticism, though aimed toward the cadets, should not be viewed as about the cadets. It is, whether so intended, about the media.

[Venturer]

It shows the resiliency and patience of this group that they didnt get up and walk out.

[bgill]

The Tingler should be dropped in the middle of the enemy camp. Right smack dab in the middle of an AQ training camp.

[Jeff Head]

Barack Obama is a marxist ideologue. His every action as President has made this clear, as does his own life history and his own words..

He is committed to, and going about, destroying many fundamental pillars of our society and Republic, including the free market, and building up a command economy (along the lines of a marxist ideal) on its ashes.

Those cadets are committeed to defending the very ideals that Obama is tearing down. They are sharp young people, and they know what is happening.

I feel we should add that to the list of reasons for their response to Obama's speech.

THE MAN WHO DESPISES AMERICA

---

AWAKEN, O AMERICA, YOUR LIBERTY IS CALLING (Inspiring Video)

[Hodar]

While I'm delighted to hear your son is a cadet, and is going to be one of America's finest, may I offer a reason why the criticism exists?

The cadets do not RESPECT President Obama. They respect the office, but as a CIC, Obama fails continuously to show the leadership, the dedication, the integrity and the respect that a ‘real’ president carries. At every opportunity, Obama has chosen narcism over substance; sleaze over honor, deception over honesty. People might not have liked Pres. Bush; but EVERYONE knew exactly where he stood and what he stood for. President Obama lacks this most basic test of integrity - he's two-faced and every cadet knows this.

Thus, the Cadets have little or no respect for the man.

As this disdain is obvious to even the most liberal mind; the only response the liberal mind can do is to attack the messenger. Rather than consider the problems with Obama, the Liberal (and childish) mind chooses to attack the cadets; who through their tolerance of Obama, show their disdain and contempt of this particular CIC.

Where President Bush seldom missed a Holiday to surprise the troops (in battle zones); Obama has yet to meet the troops, he's too busy showboating, golfing and vacationing.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

The expressions on the faces of those cadets spoke volumes.I dont care about respecting the office of the presidency since it has been hijacked like never before by leftist,commie,flatearthers.

[Hulka]

Well stated.

Good job.

[HighlyOpinionated]

Read this article too:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091203/NEWS/912030319

[steve in DC]

I had heard the cadets’ nodding off during the speech as the onset of “food coma”...

Which is defined as that short period of time in a cadet’s day, that comes after their full day of classes, athletics, and then evening meal, and just before their evening regimen of studies begins....

[riri]

I agree.

Did they ever nod off during Bush's addresses?

[TomGuy]

After Obama began his speech, he got little reaction.

Late into the speech Obama stopped. Waited.

Awkward silence filled the auditorium.

Finally, [as if someone held up an ‘applause’ sign] the cadets did start applauding.

I was of the opinion they were appauding for the same reason I would have been applauding — that Obama was finished with his speech.

Wrong.

After the applause died down, Obama continued his speech.

[Bon mots]

Obama too once wore a uniform.
It looked different than the ones that they wear at West Point though...

At West Point you hear "Sir! YES SIR!" enthusiastically shouted.
At Obama's old academy, you hear "Allahu Akhbar!"

No wonder MSNBC said he was in an enemy camp.

[CodeToad]

” I cannot imagine any person of color, especially African American, not being excited to be addressed by a President of their race or color.”

A smart persons knows they are being used as stage a prop and takes offense versus being excited.

[The Comedian]

I cannot imagine any person of color, especially African American, not being excited to be addressed by a President of their race or color.

That's the saddest thing I've read. Especially because it's true.

Whites vote for liberals or conservatives. Blacks vote for blacks. It's disgusting.

And now, Obama is proof that stupid whites vote for blacks, not liberals or conservatives.

It's frightening.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[cameraeye]

Respect! Respect! This man has done more damage in several months than all of the Presidents combined. He deserve no respect until his shows his birth certificate and comes clean on how he really feels about America. How many mothers have been crying from his inept actions against our enemies and disgracing our country to the despots of the world. He deserves nothing more.

[cameraeye]

One more grip. The crouch salute is disgusting!

[ArrogantBustard]

." I cannot imagine any person of color, especially African American, not being excited to be addressed by a President of their race or color.

?????

Racism at its finest. Also, utter nonsense!

Perhaps the author of that statement thinks that "white" guys should be excited to hear from Josef Stalin, and that "black" guys should be excited to hear from Idi Amin.

[DBCJR]

They were in their seats 4 hrs BEFORE the speech

[DBCJR]

The difference being that Obama is the first black POTUS, where Stalin was not the first Russian head of state nor Ida Amin the first black head of state for Uganda. Not at all a racist comment. You played that card too fast.

[DBCJR]

I have really been surprised at intelligent blacks who acted unintelligently, voting against their conscience, because of what Obama’s dark complexion represented to them. Complete cognitive dissonance when it came to his policy.