Posted on 07/26/2008 7:23:58 AM PDT by Bill Dupray
Only two facts matter in this little episode. First, Obama is a sitting U.S. Senator and can visit the troops any time he wants. Second, the only restriction on visiting the troops was that he could not bring reporters. Most importantly, it makes no difference what you call the trip.
"Senator Obama had hoped to and had every intention of visiting our troops to express his appreciation and gratitude for their service to our country," retired Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, an Obama adviser, said in a statement. "We learned from the Pentagon [Wednesday] night that the visit would be viewed instead as a campaign event. Senator Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event . . . and decided instead not to go."
The Pentagon said on Friday that it did not prevent an Obama visit.
"Nobody denied Senator Obama the opportunity to visit our wounded being cared for at Landstuhl. Obviously, as a sitting senator, he has an interest in that and can certainly visit in an official capacity," said Bryan Whitman, a spokesman for the Pentagon
Pathetic.
(Excerpt) Read more at patriotroom.com ...
We sure were when I was passing through here in April. And before that, they were going over my head when I was at a small FOB not far from Sadr City.
I've only been an "IZ Person" for a couple of weeks - new mission. I've been out at the small FOBs away from the loafer-and-cappucino crowd for most of my time in country. I guess it's about time I got to live the sweet life. ;-)
And LOL - this DoD computer won't let me open your NPR link. (I just think that's hilarious.) I'll check it out when I'm in my hooch in a bit.
>>>>>>there’s no way it wouldn’t have been trumpeted all over the place by the drive-bys.
to stand in his shoes for a moment, my priorities in Iraq as a sitting U.S. Senator and candidate for U.S. President would be:
1) spend time with the troops
2) spend time with the senior staff
3) spend time with the wounded
he had three chances to do number 3, and blew it 3 times
what does that say?
We used to refer to Anaconda as "Camp Incoming" when I was at Taji in '04. I had some friends there. ;-)
>>>>>>this DoD computer won’t let me open your NPR link
NIPRnet?
that would be run/controlled by the local Websense admins
PCO. They restrict some stuff that NIPR didn't.
I had NIPR on my last mission.
Anaconda was bad in 2004 from what friends told me. one big rocket attack on the main DFAC during chow hours, several KBR kitchen helpers were killed. several hundred people on the floor, and nowhere to hide.
in 2005 we had something every day but it was usually haphazard, a targeted salvo of maybe 5 to 10 rounds happened only a couple times a month (and then the targeting was always real and accurate).
my last week there 8 mortar rounds into the KBR truck lot 200 yards away at 5:30AM, first time I ever wore body armor in my hooch and stayed on hands and knees. my hooch was shaking. fortunately only one KBR guy slightly injured.
saw a photo of one guy’s hooch in Taji after a rocket attack, the entire front of the trailer was missing or in shreds.
>>>>>I’ve only been an “IZ Person” for a couple of weeks - new mission.
enjoy the lux living :)
It's real quiet and calm now.
And I rather like it this way. We're going full speed ahead on the rebuild now.
Excuses are like A - holes. Everyone has one, but this is not a reason to stop and visit the wounded. He was probably afraid they would tell him where to go.
Every time I get short and then get all relaxed being home, I go and get recruited for another mission.
I've got to stop this!
>>>>>Do ya miss it? ;-)
I enjoyed my time there but was happy to leave
When a politician visits wounded G.I.s, do they have the option of telling him NO, are is it a brass decision?
So far my cousins in Iraq have remained hale and hearty (Praise the Lord!) but I have a feeling they wouldn’t relish Obama popping his head in for a photo op.
Then again, Jesse might enjoy giving Obama the bird.
I had some of my people in Iraq when VP Cheney visited several months ago and they got to shake his hand while in line. The were THRILLED to get as close as they did, but when sKerry made his trip there, they were FORCED to eat with him.
You remember that picture of him eating breakfast with all the troops around him? < /sarc
They stayed as far away from him as possible.
Just heard the exact same story with regard to Kerry yesterday. Jr. officers were ordered to eat with him. Everybody else gave him a real wide berth.
Obama did not visit the CASH, nor did Pelosi when she was over there.
The press and the Obama freaks are delusional if they think the military or the contractors over there think highly of them. Although I would say that there is a small minority that would support them, but the majority, no way.
About 90% don't want the dims in power and 95% wish they would not even visit.
My brother is a contractor over there. There is ONE guy he works with that supports Obama, thats it and he can’t even tell you why he supports him (this person is black, btw).
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