Ground Zero etiquette: A tale of two roses
It’s a small gesture, but gestures matter at the hallowed grave site of so many murdered innocent Americans.
Barack Obama flings a memorial rose at Ground Zero like he’s a kid tossing pennies into a fountain at the shopping mall — or a spectator tossing flowers at a bullfight.
He doesn’t know what he’s doing.
(Clueless NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg copies him.)
By contrast, John McCain and his wife kneel and gently, somberly, place their roses down at the foot of the 9/11 tribute.
Tons of you e-mailed me about this. Here’s the vid for the rest of you who didn’t see it. It’s a telling cultural and generational distinction between these two men vying to be commander-in-chief of our nation:
Here’s another angle (you can see Bloomberg’s toss in this one):
***
Reader Joe W. also notices: “The first 30 seconds showed that Obama could not take the time to shake hands with the uniformed firemen (John McCain took the time) nor the construction worker with the American flag hardhat…He was painfully uncomfortable at this ceremony!”
***
Some readers are complaining about Joe W.’s comments, interpreting it to mean that Obama didn’t shake any firefighters’ hands. I think he simply meant the ones standing that line. Obama shook plenty of hands during the rest of the ceremony.
Commenter Mookie: “The video showing that he spent time with the uniformed fireman and the construction worker has been posted numerous times. That’s what people are objecting to, not the notion that he didn’t shake any hands at all.”
Noted.
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Categories: 9/11,Barack Obama,John McCain
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I watched 911 unfold on television seven years ago and it still infuriates me to see and hear the disrespect from our politicians and other so called Americans. Here in Washington state our idiot governor declared Sept 11th natural disaster awareness day.
That is not the attitude of most Americans. The leftists and barking moonbats will never understand.
When I read about Obama going to ground zero I wondered if he was there to pay his respects to the victims or the terrorists.
Why would Obama show any respect for those killed he when he has no respect for the country in general? His feelings for the terrorists are obvious to me.
As a war Veteran, who has paid tribute to the fallen often, McCain, would understand the proper way to show respect.
The other two dingbats? ….. Well, they sure aren’t Veterans!
After finding this article on Lucianne yesterday, among other things I am really starting to believe more and more of the possibility that B Hussein is in fact a Muslim. Its a great article about the way Muslims wage war.
Usually I really enjoy your posts, Michelle, but I do think this one is in poor taste.
I think you’re taking a non-issue and trying to make it an issue, and using 9-11 to take political cheap shots is something I think that you’re above.
I thought that your earlier posting today was respectful and very well done. I’m disappointed with this post.
I think the commentary on this thread demonstrates just what a minefield politicians face when getting involved with anything as emotionally charged as 9-11. It places them under a big magnifying glass and any perceived slight, no matter how small, gets viewed as a major offense.
I’m inclined to cut people a bit of slack. But in many quarters, on issues such as this, there is no slack to be found.
Obama is paying his respect just like the others, he’s just uncomfortable when not in an environment that’s not all about him.
Translation: He’s a classless crapweasel.
By throwing the flower Obama has clearly shown his hate for America and all those that died. He has no respect. He loves terrorists. Obviously.
Oweiner.
McCain / Palin 08!
My first thought was that people were reading too much into this. But as I think about it, I see there really is a point.
There is not enough evidence here to say he hates anyone or anything, but certainly enough to support the idea that he has not internalized a sense of the sacredness of the occasion.
And that means he and people like him will never understand the criticism either. Not understanding, they will think it fake.
But the next time he has to do something like this, he’ll put on a better show.
I watched the video. That was a huge pile of flowers, perhaps 12 to 20 feet in diameter.
McCain put his flower down on the periphery of the pile. Obama tossed his onto the pile.
How did all those flowers get into the center of the pile?
You don’t suppose that a very large number of people tossed them, now do you? Think about it.
I’m voting for McCain by the way.
Absolutely true. He had already greeted all in line, then circled back. Let’s be fair here and not spread baseless smears, like dinosaurs and such.
If McCain gets to be President, his superior funeral technique might come in handy, given the wars he’s likely to get us into.
Real issue: which candidate has done more for veterans? Clue: one of Obama’s accomplishments in the Senate (who says there are none?) was improved veterans’ benefits. McCain opposes this.
Is this what we’ve come to? We are choosing our president by the way they lay roses down? Come on…. really?
I will be voting for a president who has the best values that I like. Not about who shakes hands and tosses flowers around.
I am getting tired of this “Gotchya” game. Aren’t you guys?
In what little of the live coverage I saw yesterday, I saw someone in a uniform, not sure but I think it was a fireman, toss his flower. I think it’s likely that a lot of those flowers were tossed, probably by people looking for a place in the pool that wasn’t so covered already. In the case of the man in uniform and Obama, it was a gentle toss. But to read some of the comments, you would almost believe Obama threw his in contempt.
There are a lot of things I can nail Obama on for being wrong. I’d rather go after him on those and leave this one alone.
How is this fool a candidate for President? What is wrong with this country? At this rate America will be an also-ran nation before I die.
We have got to wrest control of our schools away from the Marxists. This is a battlefield of the mind and we are losing. It begins with our kids and the Left knows it. They are operating straight from the Stalinist playbook.
Obama seems uncomfortable in dealing with public events that are not about himself.
Retfireman-
Don’t sweat the trolls, and know that alot of the posters know what honor, courage, and commitment is.
Your views on this blog have been enlightnening, and you are to be commended.
It has been said many times here; the protectors know that freedom has a special taste that the protected will never know.
God bless our military, vets, firemen, police and those that go into harms way.
GSP
OT-Retfireman If you find yourself in Memphis, contact me and I’ll buy the BBQ (even if it means ditching a college class to do it)
The difference between CLASS and CRASS. Shown as plainly as can it be done.
I hate to disagree, but I watched the tribute most of the day, and some family members tossed the roses and some placed the roses. I don’t think it should be an issue. I agree it seems nicer to see it gently placed, but I don’t think there was any disrespect intended. Also, Obama did greet the firemen; they all went down the same line shaking hands. Believe me I do not like Obama and he has said and done plenty of disrespectful things to point out. I don’t think this is one of them.
Now I think this is a fairly silly line of complaint.
But I ask the people who are calling this “disrespectful” and the like:
- What’s more disrespectful to the ones who were murdered on 9/11 – this pulling apart of behaviour or the threadjacking about how the War sucks and/or how much Pres. Bush is like Hitler, etc, etc, etc?
No matter how silly this line of attack is, I put to you that the threadjacking thing is much much worse. And way more disrespectful of 9/11 and its meaning.
Obama is a tool.
I am aj and I approve this message.
It’s Killin em and
I Love it!!!
McCain/Palin 08′
Obama lacks a critical skill. That of Presidential decorum.
I’m not a McCain fan but it’s clear he is a seasoned candidate exhibiting such skill.
As I watch the tape further it becomes apparent that McCain wasn’t simply shaking hands. John & Cindy McCain made the effort to connect with each individual during this somber ceremony.
A similar effort was not visible with Obama. . . .and where exactly was Michelle?
Perhaps Presidential decorum is simply a skill that is developed over time.
Time is something Obama would be advised to take advantage of – assuming Barry followed his own advice.
*Wearing a flag pin ,
proper posture when saluting the American flag
or
pledging heartfelt allegiance to the very nation one seeks to lead,
are just a few of the occasions Barack recently displayed a lack of Presidential decorum.
“On September 12th, 2008 at 8:38 am, lgm said:
If McCain gets to be President, his superior funeral technique might come in handy, given the wars he’s likely to get us into.
Real issue: which candidate has done more for veterans? Clue: one of Obama’s accomplishments in the Senate (who says there are none?) was improved veterans’ benefits. McCain opposes this.”
Nice try, LGM – reading too much of the Obama website and not doing enough fact checking on your own.
Obama cannot take credit for the improved benefits for Vets legislation – even though he did push for earmarks for non-related items to be inserted into it – he DID NOT VOTE ON IT.
Yet, an earlier campaign ad referred to him ‘passing’ it – even listing the legislation # on the screen – basic inspection of the vote on it shows he had a ‘No Vote’.
Exit question – is that even worse than voting ‘Present’?
Barack and Michelle have a wildly cheering crowd of “God damn America” folks that they need to show allegiance to. Anyone who doesn’t know this is willfully ignorant to it.
I’m a natural born empath, and a very keen reader of body language.
Absolutely right… Obamas’discomfort with this situation was palpable.
You could see it in his body language during his initial encounter with the first responders, when he actually stepped away from them (instead of moving towards them), eyes to the ground and refusing to look at them or even speak to them.
This is the real Obama, folks. And his behavior there was stunningly disrespectful.
If you watch the video all the way through, Obama the politician emerges. The switch turns on only when he is down in the pit and very aware that the cameras are recording every single move of his performance.
You can also see it in the uncomfortable rose “toss” followed by a quick step back with a hand to the pocket.
I’ve noticed over time that BO frequently pushes aside his jacket to put a hand in his pocket whenever he’s in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation. It’s a nervous habit, and it’s very telling.
There’s a lot more here that I could dissect if I had more time. But I will say that these video clips make me want to squirm.
And the absence of Mrs. Obama at this ceremony, is still patently disturbing. It’s absolutely right to question it, in my opinion.
When I first saw this item, I had the same thought as others have expressed here: what a petty thing to quibble about. Then I started reading some of the comments contrasting McCain and Obama and I think little things like this do make a difference.
Consider the difference between the two making a joke. McCain joked that rich was making over $5 million, then had the sense to explain that it was a joke and would probably be taken out of context. Obama made a joke about pigs and lipstick and then continued with another joke about old fish and newspapers. No sense that everything he says will be scrutinized.
I could offer more examples of the contrast between an experienced politician and a rookie. While Obama supporters will shrug them off, I got news for you: he would be under an even more powerful “microscope” as president. Even less significant statements or actions will get blown out of proportion – to the point that his whole presidency would be one of constantly being on defense, much like his campaign has been recently. It has had an effect on his campaign, he continues to give an impression of being on the ropes and out of his league – it could reduce his presidency to one of total frustration and complete lack of accomplishment (not that I would want this guy to accomplish anything he wants to do as president).
Michelle Obama wasn’t there because up until now, she hasn’t been proud of her country.
Isn’t there anything Obama does that doesn’t show how much he hates America and Americans?
I mean, seriously, grow up Michelle Malkin.
But Michelle, he shook the hands of the ones in that line. That’s what people are complaining about. What Joe W. said simply isn’t true. He said he ignored the construction worker with the American flag hardhat and the uniformed fireman. He didn’t. It’s as plain as day on this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV-gENJOs8s
Go to 2:39 on the video and watch it from there.
That’s what people are complaining about.
As the two men came down the walkway abreast, McCain looked so much more presidential in stature and grace – especially at the point where they stood side-by-side and Obama’s thinness and narrow shoulders made him look puny and kinda like a milquetoast.
I think the McCain’s revealed a lot of empathy and class by participating as they did.
I think Obama simply voted “present”.
As I watched the memorials yesterday, it became very obvious that obama is among the most disrespectful individuals ever to run for the office of POTUS. His careless tossing of the rose is not a silly or petty action to notice and to complain about. It tells the story of him….his campaign, filled with disrespecttowards people who love their country. Think about what we do know about this man and the things we hardly know about him…his heritage, his pastor, his terrorist friends, his association with Soros/moveon.org, his smearing of the folks who live in flyover country, his flip-flopping, his pandering and his muslim religion. No Mr. and Mrs. Obama—you and your crowd of communists/haters of America are not right for America. Shame on both of you for your actions (and being a no-show MO)at Ground Zero.
No Show MO
That’s classic.
I’ve made this analogy before and it seems fitting I should say it again.
Before Clinton was elected, the issue of his infidelity kept popping up. No one knew for sure, but it appeared as though he had a problem. What appeared to be true, was true. This can be applied to Obama – it appears he has anti-American beliefs. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck – it’s a duck. Do we need to be hit over the head with a baseball bat?
I am not going to get into the whole rose discussion other than to say two things. Not knowing the proper way to show his respect does not make Sen. Obama a bad guy. If my father hadn’t been a Marine I probably wouldn’t know a lot of things about proper respect either.
I will discuss the demeanor of both men because that is fair game to me. Sen. McCain, as some have pointed out, did look very Presidential. He was at ease with the situation, displayed a real sense of mourning, and showed true gratitude for the men and women he greeted.
Sen. Obama did look rather awkward. It was like he was unsure of what to do. It’s the way most people look the first time they meet new people or are put into an unfamiliar situation. Again, that doesn’t make him a terrible person. It does show, however, that he is not ready to be in a position of leadership like the presidency. At least in my opinion.
So, shall we start introducing Obama with the words “Cue the duck!”?
Misscheryl,
Where there’s smoke there’s fire, right? I have learned the hard way that nicknames like Tricky Dick and Slick Willie usually have some reason behind them. I think this is another way of saying that character matters (a lot) in the office of POTUS. BHO’s character displayed in so many ways and so many times is scary to me when I consider it is possible that he could be elected.
I have only one thing to say. QUACCCKKK!
Well, he doesn’t leave, so he must like it here.
I noticed that myself ….Seemed like Obama would rather have been anywhere else. I thought he tossed it like it was an obligation, no feeling behind it whatsoever.The man is as phony as a three dollar bill.
I mentioned this to my brother last night and he said he didn’t agree, so funny today to see MM’s column about the very same impression. The guy feigns sympathy where there is none. Sad part is many can’t see it and believe his empty rhetoric.
this is what some people are failing to understand: It is not the fact that he tossed the rose. It is obvious that others did the same. It is the WA he tossed the rose…how he was already moving away from the spot before doing so, the way it was “flicked” like someone who has no idea as to what the meaning of the entire ritual was about, the way he was there, looking for all the world like he just plain did not want to be there, that it was clear he was simply there as a candidate for President and not because he actually felt the need to show respect, the need to actually be there.
It is an entore body language thing…that is something that you cannot hide. You cannot make believe you want to be somewhere.
Using inexperience towards something ike this is no excuse. There was a comment up there that said:
Well, he is not just some guy off the street who happened to see this event, had a rose shoved into his hand and made his way down.
This is a man who is running for the President of the United States. This is a man who will be doing this tye of thing often. This is a man who just plain should know better, and the sheer weight of the place he was at, the emotions of all the survivors and families that surrounded him should have leant itself to giving an on-the-spot lesson out of pure common sense as to what to do, how to do it. If nothing else, he should have been learning from the man who did obviously know how to act and what to do.
This man could not get out of there fast enough. This had the entire look of his handlers telling him he had to be there, and once it was done he could get on his way.
Again, this is a man who, if te biggest mistake this country could ever make is made, will be laying a wreath every year on the “Tomb of the Unknowns”. If you have no clue…the basic belief in the reverence of a moment of time or of a place or individuals, you cannot show that you do. It cannot be taught…it must come from the heart.
It was so very clear that it just plain was not in this “man’s” heart.
And GSP: You’re on. (Mmmm…Memphis BBQ)
Because so many feel the same way.
How can he muster up the reverence whe he spent 20 years being told that America is evil, and 7 years being told that it was America’s fault in the first place.
Maybe it says it all and explains everything…maybe it doesn’t. However, I think it is very important to at least consider it and keep it in the back of your mind as more and more things stack up like cord wood.
When I saw Obama toss the rose I thought “OK, here we go.” It was poor etiquette but I do not think it was a deliberate sign of disrespect. I am not for Obama in any way, but I find it interesting that the right is always complaining about what the left is blogging, and then many on the right do the same thing. This action does not show he loves terrorists or that he hates America.
He was uncomfortable and made a mistake. Why don’t we, the right, try to rise up above this idea that every action has to be analyzed, and every head toss, nose-pick, or hand wringing shows how someone hates this or that or has no respect. We are all humans and we make mistakes. We are living in a fantasy world if we think Presidential candidates should not make mistakes.
Yes, it was wrong, but we can’t see into his heart or mind.
I watched this comparison again today and it’s striking. With the exception of that woman at the front of that short line, he complete ignores the others, instead of falling in behind Bloomberg to shake their hands or even to acknowledge them with a nod. He steps back and circles around Bloomberg, in a pretty obvious attempt to *catch up* with McCain and find out what he’s saying to those other folks, whom he ignores as well.
It’s shocking.
RetFireman, you did see where I said Obama wasn’t ready to be President right? I agree with you, but I don’t think you see that I do. My comment that you quoted was my way of saying tossing a rose doesn’t make you a bad person/candidate/person in mourning. It was the manner in which Sen. Obama behaved throughout the ceremony that shows his inadequecy to be the Commander-in-Chief. We’re essentially on the same page. We just said it differently.
I saw your comments yesterday and I know it was a very hard day for you. I hope today is a better day.
Thank you, Michelle.
I apologize if it appeared that I was singling you out…I wasn’t. I was just using your statement to make a larger point for the others that don’t understand the main reasons why there are those of us that feel as we do. I apologize for any slight that may have occurred.
Believe me…If I am going to make one…it will have no doubts concerning it.
And yes, I saw that you feel similarly. if not for all the other big reasons.
(Waaaay too much blood in my caffeine system. Must go back to watching “Waltons” reruns till I wake up more.)
The saying “Actions speak louder than words” is true enough. However, it is incomplete.
“Inaction” speaks just as loud, and at times, even louder.
No worries Retfireman! I was just making sure we were on the same page. I was not offended in any way. I have no problem with you using my words to make a very valid point.
You are also very correct that “inaction” provides just as much, if not more, insight than “action.” You are very wise…even with too much caffeine!
Come on folks, if we’re going to convince independents and blue collar Democrats that they should join us in voting for McCain instead of Obama by bashing Obama, let’s bash Obama over something valid.
Shrieking about tossing a flower is b*llsh*t.
Not to mention the “who’s” that are telling, I mean, teaching him all this pap. He appears to be a good student.
…just like Sen. Obama once supported invading Pakistan, right?
Sen. McCain has told America that he hates wars and he has more experience than most to hate them. Yet, he understands when a nation’s military should be used. Your candidate has thus far demonstrated he has neither. McCain was right about the surge. Obama still cannot fully admit that it worked and prefers to dance around the subject.
Either you don’t bother to read both sides, or you are intellectually dishonest.
Since you like to ask snarky questions: Which candidate is a veteran and is overwhelmingly respected and supported by veterans?
You know, lgm, you have been effective. I’ll give you that. You have effectively ensured that at least one formerly lukewarm supporter of McCain actively looks up his statements in response to your half-effort posts of DNC talking points and has become a more dedicated supporter, including contributing to his campaign. Well done.
Or both.
Well if you can’t find anything, how do you expect us to?
Um…NO! There is not a damn thing that he has done, so far, that does not show that. Unless you count all the things he has done to feed his over-inflated ego and sense of self-worth. Must be what keeps his ears out there. (ka-zing!)
The fact that you agree with those people is very telling. I can honestly say that I don’t fear four years of the DNC, because I don’t think they can destroy this country in four years, but screw it enough that we’ll get the message and forget them forever.
However, I do fear a terrorist attack far more, and I’m quite sure the likelihood of one is much greater with the DNC in power. Ergo, Having the DNC in power exacerbates the terrorist threat.
In short, I don’t fear the DNC in power, but I DO fear them in power with a terrorist threat on the loose. Remember, Bush was in office less than a 9 months when we were attacked. Most of the policies and shortcomings that lead to those attacks were the direct result of DNC policies. We have not been attacked since. I’m not willing to take that chance again.
Who knew that one small gesture could say so much about two different people? But amazingly, it did.
This may be another “read to much into it moment,” but, when you see McCain shake hands with that soldier at 1:18, you see the soldier grab McCain with both hands–and hold on for a good while.
Respect.
McCain is saying “Obama does well at what he does…” Which wasn’t necessarily a compliment.
Another thought…
When you look at B. Husseins body language, how he carries himself etc., you can tell that he felt like he just plain did not beling. He did not understand because he has absolutely nothing to compare it to in his own life. He did not belong to the military, was never a policeman, never had to hear the screams of those that have lost everything to a fire or car crash, never had to hold the hand of someone who is watching their loved one die in the streets.
He has no idea how these men and women there feel. The men and women there sense that. They know. This is why they reacted with McCain the way they did.
It is sort of like in Harry Potter, if you will excuse the analogy.
In the fifth book and movie, there is an animal that pulls the carriages to the school from the train station. Prior to that year, Harry and the others thought that they were magically handled. However, this year, Harry can see a very odd animal that is pulling them. None of his friends are able to see them. It is explained to him that only those that have seen death can see these animals and are aware of their presence.
It strikes me now, as I think about this more and more, that this is exactly what B. Hussein is experiencing. He is Harry;s friends. He does not see the animals. McCain and those at the site can, for they have all experienced the same type of tragedy. B. Hussein, for whatever reason, did not see the tragedy. Not then, and certainly not seven years later. Just wants to “Moveon”.
Fab analogy RetFireman! (I am a Harry Potter fanatic, btw!)
Awwwww, yeahhh
I was thinking maybe we were being overly harsh, but then…
I thought about when we took some flowers to the place where one of the victims of the DC sniper was shot. I got off the motorcycle and placed the flowers. I was the passenger, I could have just tossed them down. But I wasn’t just going through the motions, I felt something. My mind wasn’t elsewhere, I didn’t feel awkward, I just felt sad, and wanted to honor the victim in some way.
So, it’s just one little blip, but it’s telling. Let’s not even talk about experience, it doesn’t seem as if Obama has the instinct to be Presidential.
disgusting! The obamination cares not for this country and it showed. Until one of their own are killed they will never know how the common man/woman feel about the loss of their loved ones…most, if not all, of the current pols are so out of touch with the common American it is sickening…
Eh, I got something else from it. McCain looked like an old man fetching his newspaper from the lawn. Obama looked spritely. I didn’t see is as a difference of respect, but of physical capability. McCain is physically handicapped — he might not have been capable of putting the rose anywhere but on the outer circle
There are a lot of reasons to question Obama’s readiness for the Oval Office. I wouldn’t vote for him if you had a gun to my head. Well, ok, then I might.
But this is just cheap partisan politics. Partisanship is partisanship, and anybody who thinks they’re not susceptible to Derangement Syndrome has abandoned their own judgement.
Salt said (#154):
Obama said he would be willing to use air strikes or small special forces units to pursue known terrorists in Pakistan. That is the policy Bush has followed since then.
McCain is a vet, Obama is not. In the previous cycle, it was the Democratic candidate who was a decorated war hero from the Vietnam war and the Republican who was the draft dodger.
I don’t know about veterans, but our troops support Obama six to one.
Retfireman, spot on!
As for the flower toss; what the family members do with their flowers does not extend to elected public officials. The sympathy and respect the McCains showed was appropriate. Obama needs to know that it is not about him. Michelle should have been there too. Do we want this behavior from BO and MO during any future tragedy?
Seriously…is anyone at all surprised that MichelleO was not there? Is there anyone who doubts her reaction to going was, “Are you kidding me?”
ANyone seen Biden lately? Why are they hiding the Gaffe Master? Why aren’t they pitting him up against GOVERNOR Palin?
Are you talking about Bush the fighter pilot “draft dodger”? Don’t you mean Clinton the “left the country instead” draft dodger?
Yeah, he was around lately–saying Hillary would have been a better pick than him.
Followed your link, which led to another link… You neglected to mention that the support here is in terms of campaign donations and does not necessarily indicate a shift in voting preference (especially considering the low volume of 323 total).
Other points from the same reference:
We’ll see in November, but I’ll be willing to admit if my guess is wrong. Are you?
…strikes that could provoke Islamabad to declare war, yet from your view point, only Sen. McCain would “get us into wars”.
The fact that you are now comparing Sen. Obama’s policy to President Bush’s is … intriguing to say the least, especially since you use it to justify his stance.
In this case, it’s okay for Obama to be just like Bush? Did you even realize what you said when you hit ‘submit comment’?
Kerry… a hero who lied about his service, lied about the actions of his brothers in arms and tossed his medals over the fence of the white house. Sounds more like dereliction of duty and disgracing the uniform to me.
And W did his time in the ANG like many others at the time and many still do today. One question though… are you really Dan Rather???
Continuing on…you’ll remember that Kerry chose the Swift Boat as I recall as it was reported to be the best way to avoid combat and time in-country.
So don’t compare Kerry to John McCain sir. Kerry not could polish John McCain boots when it comes to his military service.
I would put my honorable discharge up against John Kerry’s any day of the week.
Better yet-lets compare McCain’s discharge to kerry’s discharge. My money is on McCain.
GSP
RetFireman-You’re on when you come to Memphis
Did I read that right? Did someone without a single freaking clue actually write that the military supports Odhimmi 6-1? Wow…that is the biggest load I have heard in I can’t remember when. That is so delusional..I can’t even fathom it.
And every time some little poo-butt know nothing never served their country, state, city, county claims that Bush did not serve, dodged the draft or anything of that nature and demeans his time in the Air Guard, they spit in the face of every single Guardsman and Reservist in this country past, present and future. They, who are too selfish to give of themselves for the priveledge of living in this country, would dare besmirch anyone like that is just about the lowest form of life here is.
NO ONE claims that Kerry did not serve. NO ONE besmirches the Navy or those that served on the Swift Boats. What we are saying is that Kerry has lied…has been proven to have lied, and he threw his own men under the bus, spit on the memories and honor of those who served in Vietnam publicly and in grand fashion on television before Congress and at rallies etc.
The difference between how George W. Bush served, and what Kerry did to get out and after he served is cast indeed.
How dare you. You aren’t fit to clean their latrines.
then again, I guess it is my fault for even thinking for a nano-second that someone like them lgm and others here and other places would even know what the definition of “Honor”, and “Integrity” means.
No wonder they mock those words.
Get use to it, Salt. He distracts, obfuscates, equivocates and exaggerates against Republicans all the time to puff up B. Hussein Obama and America’s enemies. Best just to scroll past him ’til after the election.
RetFireman said (#181):
OK, explain how the McCain campaign represents honor and integrity. The campaign ads are lies and smears. Palin did not oppose the bridge to nowhere until Congress killed it. Obama did not push sex in kindergarten. The McCain health insurance plan includes a tax increase on the middle class. McCain grandstanded on torture then quietly supported the Bush veto of that bill.
It is typical of the troll to completely take what I have said and change the subject. Therefore, i do not reply to the troll, for the troll demonstrates with every post, his lack of understanding of how to do things honorably.
CNN reported that Michelle Obama didn’t show up because it was the kids first week of school and she wanted to home with them.
Apparently that didn’t apply to Wednesday.
You might wish to check with the Alaska Democratic party on this.
It’s cute how you take out the word “education” to make it sound as if conservatives said that Obama was pushing sex and not sex education in kindergarten.
I responded to you on this previous claim already.
Obama’s plan would be partly paid for by eliminating the Bush tax cuts. Suggesting that this is not an increase is disingenuous. Mandating employers to pay for this completely would also have a trickle down effect on the middle class as well. Unless Obama is planning on printing money, universal health care cannot be completely subsidized by the “rich” (wherever the sliding scale on that term might be these days).
Hardly quiet considering that there are several quotes from him after it happened. It’s not as though the media was sleeping on this.
…but I know you’ll keep repeating these DNC talking points anyway.
Lack of class or lack of empathy? I’d say both.
I watched the ceremony live as it happened and was immediately struck that McCain placed his rose gently and respectfully and Obama tossed his like he was flicking a booger off his finger.
Obama’s lack of respect was readily apparent. He disgusts me, and it seems that I’m not the only one here that saw it the same way.
A sickening, but shining example of the absolute lack of caring this man has about anything but himself and his own presidential aspirations. Sickening and obscene…not to mention the absence of his angry wife – is that any way to expect to act as first lady?
Argue however you want lefties, but McCain actually showed his respect while Obama callously threw his.
Huge difference.
This one was over the top. Is it REALLY that big of deal as to how Obama throws a rose? Come on, conservatives !
LGM
McCain doesn’t like war, LGM. And he’s never said that he’ll invade a sovereign nation, unlike Obama.
A liberal like you who doesn’t support the troops is going to lecture us on veterans’ benefits and cite Obama as having more credibility than McCain on a 9-11 thread….that’s hilarious, LGM.
Let’s be honest here: you don’t care about the troops either way, do you? And the reason you don’t care is because you think they are fighting Bush’s war, isn’t that right?
That is incorrect. Bush has always sought permission from the government of Pakistan first, Obama had said he would send in ground units even without permission.
To do so without permission is an act of war.
Just maybe McCain placed the rose because he didnt have the arm strength to toss it. Consequentially, it was gracefully done.
It’s about Presidential decorum.
Leaders with decorum when honoring the dead go back to ancient civilizations. Whether Pharoah or POTUS, the leaders must demonstrate gravitas in situations as these.
Yeah, but was he wearing a flag pin? This is the most ridiculous post I have even seen on any blog, right wing or left wing.
Yep, Sen Obama tossed his flower onto the other flowers, it can certainly be viewed as tacky. When I first it live I was taken aback.
Now that I see the provided clip, I wonder how the other flowers got that far back from where Sens McCain and Obama were standing. Please note that Sen McCain might not be capable of tossing the flower and only did what he was able to do.
I noticed another thing as I watched the Senators walk down the ramp. Only one of them was wearing an American Flag pin in their lapel. And, in the clip provided there was a Fireman placing something in the lapel of the Senator who was not wearing an American Flag.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall and watch BO’s reaction if and when he ever walks’s up to the Wall.
I can’t get within a hundred feet withut weeping, 90% inwardly, 10% outwardly. The 10% are the tears.
This POS makes me sick to the depths of my soul, and he makes my personal military radar go off every time I hear him speak or observe his smug mug talking down to us little people.
Obama is the worst thing that could possibly happen to our country and I’m not talking about taxes.
I’m talking about future DEAD warriors.
Barry was trying to be fair and balanced, tossing his rose toward the center where there were fewer. This demonstrates more of a Monk-ish, excessive compulsive impulse than an intent toward disrespect. Can we get back to the issues now?
What Bill Ayers posted on his blog on September 10, 2008.
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