I'll have to give President Obama credit if this was done sincerely. If it was just a political ploy then he is lower than I thought. Obama needs to make a decision. Give General McChrystal what he needs to get the job done or get out. If he is waiting until after the elections to decide then he has failed our country as commander in chief. Our troops deserve better.

If he did it every time troops came back, kudos.

Since this fits the timing too well of his 'dithering', I am suspect it was just for the cameras.

At least he got the salute right.

I have to ask you this, why would you question whether this was done in sincerity? If you question this president for saluting the casket of a fallen soldier, then you would have to question every past president that we've had during wartime. It's absurd. More questions should have been asked years ago at the beginning of both of these wars. I wonder if you questioned then? I guess we all have questions though don't we?

I wonder if these two were sincere when they held their hands over the place where their hearts should be? There is always a question.

Why should he make sure to have a camera ready in the middle of the night?

Its just showboating.

He could have saluted just as well without the documentation.

quote:

I wonder if you questioned then?

No,
they were good little neo-cons and thought what Rush Limbaugh told them to think.

quote:

Originally posted by barracus:
Why should he make sure to have a camera ready in the middle of the night?

Its just showboating.

He could have saluted just as well without the documentation.

And how do you know that it wasn't a fellow soldier or family member who took this photo? See? There's always questions to be asked.

And in reference to the picture:

The dramatic image of a president on the tarmac was a portrait not witnessed in years. Former President George W. Bush spent lots of time with grieving military families but never went to Dover to meet the remains coming off the cargo plane. Obama did so with the weight of knowing he may soon send more troops off to war.

quote:

Originally posted by paradox_carnival:

quote:

Originally posted by barracus:
Why should he make sure to have a camera ready in the middle of the night?

Its just showboating.

He could have saluted just as well without the documentation.

And how do you know that it wasn't a fellow soldier or family member who took this photo? See? There's always questions to be asked.

Because ALL democrats are evil, and ALL republicans are as clean as the wind driven snow.

And btw:

His name was Dale R. Griffin, an Army sergeant from Terre Haute, Ind. He was the last fallen soldier to come before Obama. And his remains were the only ones to be honored in full view of the media with the permission of his family. An 18-year ban on such coverage was lifted this year under Obama's watch.

quote:

Originally posted by Extra260:

quote:

Originally posted by paradox_carnival:

quote:

Originally posted by barracus:
Why should he make sure to have a camera ready in the middle of the night?

Its just showboating.

He could have saluted just as well without the documentation.

And how do you know that it wasn't a fellow soldier or family member who took this photo? See? There's always questions to be asked.

Because ALL democrats are evil, and ALL republicans are as clean as the wind driven snow.

Please extra, it's way to early in the day to have that thought

quote:

A president of two inherited wars, Obama is winding down U.S. involvement in Iraq, but the troubled war in Afghanistan is only widening. It has become the dominant foreign policy change of his early presidency. The stability of Afghanistan remains in doubt while the support of the American people is waning.

quote:

The lifting of the ban on media coverage of bodies returning to Dover was done to keep the human cost of war from being shielded from the public.

By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer

This message has been edited. Last edited by: paradox_carnival,

The reason I question his motive is why is it taking him so long to make a decision on sending more troops? There is speculation that he doesn't want to make a decision that will hurt the democrats running a campaign for next weeks elections. The military has made a recommendation and he should take it or end the war.

Does the photo op count?

I understand why you posted this. Just because the military recommends that he should send more troops, doesn't mean it is so. I for one would hope that whatever decision he makes will be the right one. No matter the time. If Bush had taken the time to think of what the Iraq and Afghan wars would do, not only to those countries, but to ours as well, then it's possible that we wouldn't, or better yet, the President wouldn't be in the position he is now. As for speculation, that's all the ones opposed to our president have. Speculation and criticism. We lived through Bush, barely, but we also had no choice but to accept him and have patience with him as Our Commander In Chief, and we're still paying the price. What more could we do? I guess it's to much to ask of the right to do the same.

If the general he appoints recommends more troop a photo op counts. (new rule)