Posted on 01/02/2009 2:58:59 AM PST by careyb
HONOLULU | President-elect Barack Obama will have a Commander in Chief's Ball during his inauguration with military personnel, their spouses and those wounded fighting in the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as guests.
In the announcement Thursday, officials said that tickets for the Jan. 20 military-only ball will be free to guests. The formal event will be at the National Building Museum in Washington.
"It is a privilege to honor our men and women in uniform during our inaugural festivities by continuing the tradition of the Commander in Chief's Ball. Our troops represent the best America has to offer, and without their dedication and sacrifice, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we are coming together to celebrate on January 20," Mr. Obama said in a statement released while he vacationed in his native Hawaii.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
One question: Is Obama even going to be there? After all it's going to be on inauguration night. Lots of stuff going on that night...
Seems to me that giving a military-only ball and yet being too busy to show up would kill two birds with one stone:One one hand you calm leftist 'fears', and on the other you throw a sop to the military and get great PR. I mean, who can blame you if you couldn't show up (or stay more than a few minutes)? It's the night of you inauguration, for Pete's sake.
If it’s “optional” for attendance, he can probably accommodate the “crowds” in a phone booth......
Inshallah.
I think it’s true on a general level that you can’t buy off the US military. However, Bambi has no doubt been very angered by the clear lack of enthusiasm shown him by military members and I think he’s going to use a carrot and stick approach to get them in line.
On the one hand, this is supposed to be a gala social event, which presumably would be the carrot; on the other, I’m sure attendance will be carefully monitored and most people will be smart enough to realize that there are potential career implications in attending or not attending.
There’s a secretive, self-interested, power-seeking reason for everything Barry does, and this is no exception; it’s not just an event, but part of a strategy. Personally, I think we’re going to see a lot more involvement by Barry with the military, and I don’t think it’s going to be a good thing. People who don’t want to play his game will be forced out and the military will be reshaped to his and Ayers’ order. But maybe I’m just an alarmist. I hope.
Be ready for four years of unmitigated propaganda!
Our poor military having to be subjected to this.
‘toon did the same thing... it just causes the truth to be spoken in hushed tones.
LLS
That’s true. I know a number of people who left the military career once it became clear what its direction was going to be under Clinton.
An outbreak of TDY ?
Back when I was stationed at Andrews (before I retired), they used to regularly call for “volunteers” to report, with their families, to the flightline to greet Pres. Clinton when he arrived back in town. (Naturally, the “volunteers” would be wearing civilian clothes)
Each unit had its quota to meet.
Back when I was stationed in Aviano (Italy), I remember when Hillary came through, she had a question and answer session in a hangar on the flightline. Again, they had to call for volunteers (and, yes, the questions were tightly screened). Same as above.
I remember when Clinton had his little departure party for the military before taking his “last” trip on SAM 28000. Same deal: people were even given the afternoon off so they could attend. Never saw so many individuals motivated to work hard in my life!!!
The point is that if you see apparent adoration by the military...including by some new voices in the blogosphere, I wouldn’t necessarily believe what I saw. Including this “military ball.”
Amen.
God bless you and your Marines. We love you and all of those who you minister to.
The problem with Obama’s military stance is that we cannot risk a technologically or logistically deficient military. No one is going to defend us but us.
The military ball was started by Bush, and I suspect all future presidents will continue the tradition.
Even if it doesn’t work, the media will tell us it did. All Hail Zero!
Where is the BARF alert?
They'll only stay a few minutes at each of the balls they go to. Each state has a ball, assorted organizations do too. Every ballroom and large-enough space in Washington will be in use that evening. The President and First Lady can only go to a few of the many, and they will not stay long at any of them. Since Obama is specifically continuing this 'tradition' (it's only the second one), I expect he will put in an appearance.
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