When's he going to capture Osama?
01:22 PMYahoo! (Summary of POTUS in Phoenix today)
"President Obama told veterans today that his administration is on course to end the war in Iraq, win the war in Afghanistan, and prepare the military for the challenges ahead.
"We will do right by our troops and taxpayers," Obama said in Phoenix to the convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "And we will build the 21st Century military we need."
The president also pledged to improve and maintain health care for veterans. He did not discuss the ongoing health care debate at length, but told the VFW there has been "so much misinformation" about his proposals.
"One thing that reform won't change is veterans health care," Obama said, "No one is going to take away your benefits.That is the plain and simple truth." That includes new programs to improve electronic health records of veterans and reduce the number of homeless veterans.
In a speech devoted to military policy, Obama did not mention that reports that commanders may seek more troops to fight the Taliban along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. "Going forward, we will constantly adapt our tactics to stay ahead of the enemy and give our troops the tools and equipment they need to succeed."
He called victory in Afghanistan essential because "those who attacked America on 9/11 are plotting to do so again." He called it "a war of necessity," as opposed to a "war of choice," as he has described Iraq.
The U.S. will stick to its withdrawal plan in Iraq, Obama said. It will begin pulling out combat brigades later this year; all combat troops will be gone by the end of next August; all U.S. troops period will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.
"And for America," Obama said, "the Iraq War will end." (No applause for this line from the veterans, by the way.)
As for the way forward, Obama pledged to reform the procurement process so that troops have the best equipment possible at the best cost to taxpayers.
In praising congressional efforts to rein in unnecessary Pentagon spending, Obama gave a shout-out to one of Arizon's favorite sons: Sen. John McCain, the man Obama defeated in last year's presidential election.
Obama did draw laughs with one example of military waste, a billion-dollar helicopter that would allow presidents to cook during a nuclear war.
"If the United States is under nuclear attack," Obama said, "the last thing on my mind will be whipping up a snack."
(Posted by David Jackson)
Oh, for contrast and comparison, if only Sarah had been invited and accepted (she does more than flap her lips, her first born is overseas in harm’s way).
I bet this is bruising Hussien’s massive ego!
OUCH!!
Please send me the link to this speech after it’s over.
Any word on demonstrators outside the venue? I hear there are both pro-Obama and anti-Obama protestors. Any word on which group is better represented? Any pictures? There’s gotta be plenty of Phoenix area FReepers ‘round here!!
Obama’s going to have to learn to stay away from rooms he hasn’t packed with hand picked supporters.
Is there a video comparison on youtube showing this?/Just Asking - seoul62.......
Why speak to him?
If he does not understand their silence, he would never understand their words.
If it is anything like Viacommie’s coverage of the Concert for NYC (after 9-11). They will DUB IN applause for the leaders (Hillary was famously booed by the police officers and firemen present and on rebroadcast, CBS dubbed in cheers and that is what you’ll find released on DVD).
I just cannot watch the telepromter in chief. Ugh!
Maybe some aren’t so happy with the government medical care veterans get.
This is being held in Phoenix and if I didn’t need the money (and have to work) and there wasn’t a risk at losing my job (to take time off), I’d go protest this SOB.
It’s just as well....I’m sure he wouldn’t hear me or care, anyway.
It makes me wonder about the VFW leadership.
Is this an AARP situation where the leaders are in bed with the politicians?
THis is all about Obama trying to SPIN. The meme (big lie) is this is a debate and he is “equal” in this debate.
There is no balance the OVERWHELMING stand is to stop Obama’s Tax increase. Obama is a little man who is in over his head. Jimmy Carter with a Herbert Hoover crisis.
Good Lord Almighty Father In Heaven.... Is he campaigning for 0bama Care and blaming Bush AGAIN?
FYI ~~ a tragic tale story about one of our own heroes, a FReeper, just months back from Afghanistan he took his own life.
The military is dealing very seriously with this issue, as the suicide numbers are so sadly growing.
Related:
Flopping Aces Writer Major Chris Galloway Dead at 36
http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/08/13/flopping-aces-writer-major-chris-galloway-dead-at-36/#more-26220
Major Christopher Galloway Dead at [FReeper M1Tanker, RIP]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2317346/posts
Link to his posts at Flopping Aces
http://www.floppingaces.net/author/chrisg/
God rest his weary soul, comfort his grieving
famity, and protect and give strength and hope
to Chris’ brother and sisters in arms, fighting
for our freedom.
One thing that Obama doesn’t know, not being an American, is that the USA always has been, is, and always will be, a warrior nation. They don’t suffer fools gladly.