The Dover photo Op

[Ockham]

First - let's set the stage: It's September, 2007. Then President G.W. Bush flys into Iraq - Iraq is a big issue with the public and Harry Reid is calling Iraq war as "lost". This unplanned flight into Iraq was hailed by most of the press as a blatant photo op while liberal pundits claimed, if Bush REALLY wanted to do something in the then failing "surge", he's visit more than three times in four years and would have stayed more than six hours. Sites like Crooks and Liars, claimed this bashed the President relentlessly.

Fast forward, October 28th - an unscheduled flight into Dover AFB in Delaware, under the guise of respect and concern for fallen soldiers. So let's ask some questions ---

When was the last time Obama visited Dover AFB in the past year? -- Never
How many times has Obama been to Afghanistan in the past 4 years? --- Twice --

June 20 2008 - as a Presidential candidate for another photo op playing basketball with soldiers

September 2009 - Stop in Afghanistan and Iraq during the "apology tour".


What's the same Press (MSNBC) say about Obama's unscheduled vist to our dead soldiers?

Obama greets caskets of returning Americans. President makes midnight visit to honor 18 personnel slain in Afghanistan

The photo op? Here it is

How about some video ...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjnTpdMFYx0"]YouTube - Raw Video:Obama Honors Return of Fallen Soldiers[/ame]

How about some more pictures?

Photo Op - 9 additional pictures

Gee - lots of pictures and video for a primarily "closed" event to the Press (according to the link from MSNBC - another blatant lie.)

How about we just call this for what it is... a blatant Obama photo op for his administration to USE dead soldiers for his political gain. This was the most despicable event I've personally seen in a long time and the press's hand job of coverage proclaiming how Obama was "personally paying his respects" (with the camera's running of course) is a ****ing joke. One may think "Crooks and Liars" who lambasted Bush for flying into Iraq in 2007 would be critical of this blatant use of dead military to progress Obama's political future --- but not a word from Crooks and Liars as of this morning.

Pure hypocrites, lies and vile disinformation - not the mention this entire event was an outright lie under the premise of "honoring the dead". Thank you American press for continuing the Obama circle jerk with the obligatory "happy ending". This is nothing more than the brutal rape of these soldiers families by the Obama administration. yay.

 

[Councilman]

What you're about to hear from me is devious to the point of once again being Machiavellian. This photo op was well thought out for the following reasons.
Obama's people will say the press was not allowed because it was a serious somber occasion meant for the President to pay his respects in private out of the public view and here the haters question his motives.
The other thing is we are talking about this event and not the 1990 pages of Careless Health plan he knew was coming.
We are not talking about all the lies he's been caught in including the one of the latest Obama overstated (Lied) about the number of jobs created or saved through the stimulus program. The $787 billion stimulus program claimed more than 30,000 positions paid for with recovery money. But that figure is overstated by least 5,000 jobs.
We also are not talking about all the party's including $20,000 each Pizzas for lunch, million dollar flights to see a show in NY, playing more golf in 10 months than Bush did in 2years and 10 months. By the way the Dims (no spell error) raised hell about Bush playing golf.
He has managed to take attention away from many areas and focus it on a photo op where he can say I can do nothing right in the eyes of the haters. If I never come they'd be saying I don't show respect those brave who sacrificed by giving their all.
So what he's done is to try to get us to take our eyes off the ball. I have to say it didn't work.

 

[apdst]

That's a damn shame.

 

[PeteEU]

So now it is bad for the commander in chief or anyone for that matter since it was on tv, to honour the men and women who did the ultimate sacrifice for their country?

Those men and women deserve every bit of attention for the ultimate sacrifice they have made. They are heroes and how dare conservatives use this in their never ending campaign against the Obama administration! Disgusting.

Conservatives should be asking.. why did he not go there as soon as possible after he entered office? Dont the dead deserve the recognition? Dont the dead deserve the attention for their sacrifice? Why does US networks not show this almost every time the bodies come home, now that they are allowed? For a country that prides it self on its military culture, conservatives have a very strange view on how to honour said military when they do the ultimate sacrifice..

It is astounding that the British almost show each dead solider returning from Afghanistan on TV. In the first town the coffins enter after leaving the military airport, here every man, woman and child on the main street stand in a sombre attention honouring the brave young men and women returning. Now that is respect for the military forces and what they are doing.

 

[kansaswhig]

I don't know how to feel about this. I wish there weren't cameras, so it would seem more legitimate. I don't have an issue with the commander-in-chief honoring his fallen servicemen; I think it is right.

I would have liked it if Bush or Cheney would have gone to some funerals or done something like this. I think it would have been appropriate.

 

[jackalope]

II - All Opening Post threads posted in *BN* must have:

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• Articles that meet the above standards, but contain overly partisan commentary and/or are otherwise clearly biased.
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• *BN* - Mainstream Media: A news service whose primary means of distribution is print, broadcast, or wire services. Local newspapers forced to switch to a digital format may aslo be placed here as well as AP stories reposted to the web free of additional commentary.
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Examples Include: The Politico, Huffington Post, ABC News Blog



Where is the link to the non-partisan, mainstream media source with the article named, "The Denver photo Op".

 

[Redress]

I don't know how to feel about this. I wish there weren't cameras, so it would seem more legitimate. I don't have an issue with the commander-in-chief honoring his fallen servicemen; I think it is right.

I would have liked it if Bush or Cheney would have gone to some funerals or done something like this. I think it would have been appropriate.

Didn't the rules change just recently to allow the media to take pictures of caskets and such? I remember being strongly opposed to it, and pictures should not be taken at events like this, no matter who is there.

To an extent, I do not blame Bush and Cheney for not attending funerals of servicemen, since it would takes the focus away from where it should be, on those who sacrificed. I know Bush did in fact, at least at times, visit soldiers in the hospital, which is much more appropriate to my mind.

As far as the OP, to suggest that having visited one base only once is a sign of neglect(we do have hundreds of bases in the country) is disingenuous. Further, any one complaining about the CiC visiting soldiers, no matter who is the CiC, or who is complaining, is just trying to make trouble. Whether this is just a photo op, or whether it was a heartfelt attempt to honor our troops no one knows but Obama himself, and any guesses are pure speculation.

We need to stop using the Afghanistan war as a partisan political tool. Just as Iraq was a chance to bitch at Bush, now Afghanistan is a chance to bitch at Obama, and I think in both cases is pretty sad. Support or oppose the war, but don't use them.

 

[liblady]

First - let's set the stage: It's September, 2007. Then President G.W. Bush flys into Iraq - Iraq is a big issue with the public and Harry Reid is calling Iraq war as "lost". This unplanned flight into Iraq was hailed by most of the press as a blatant photo op while liberal pundits claimed, if Bush REALLY wanted to do something in the then failing "surge", he's visit more than three times in four years and would have stayed more than six hours. Sites like Crooks and Liars, claimed this bashed the President relentlessly.

Fast forward, October 28th - an unscheduled flight into Dover AFB in Delaware, under the guise of respect and concern for fallen soldiers. So let's ask some questions ---

When was the last time Obama visited Dover AFB in the past year? -- Never
How many times has Obama been to Afghanistan in the past 4 years? --- Twice --

June 20 2008 - as a Presidential candidate for another photo op playing basketball with soldiers

September 2009 - Stop in Afghanistan and Iraq during the "apology tour".


What's the same Press (MSNBC) say about Obama's unscheduled vist to our dead soldiers?



The photo op? Here it is

How about some video ...

YouTube - Raw Video:Obama Honors Return of Fallen Soldiers

How about some more pictures?

Photo Op - 9 additional pictures

Gee - lots of pictures and video for a primarily "closed" event to the Press (according to the link from MSNBC - another blatant lie.)

How about we just call this for what it is... a blatant Obama photo op for his administration to USE dead soldiers for his political gain. This was the most despicable event I've personally seen in a long time and the press's hand job of coverage proclaiming how Obama was "personally paying his respects" (with the camera's running of course) is a ****ing joke. One may think "Crooks and Liars" who lambasted Bush for flying into Iraq in 2007 would be critical of this blatant use of dead military to progress Obama's political future --- but not a word from Crooks and Liars as of this morning.

Pure hypocrites, lies and vile disinformation - not the mention this entire event was an outright lie under the premise of "honoring the dead". Thank you American press for continuing the Obama circle jerk with the obligatory "happy ending". This is nothing more than the brutal rape of these soldiers families by the Obama administration. yay.

it would great if you could actually prove your assertions.

 

[kansaswhig]

Didn't the rules change just recently to allow the media to take pictures of caskets and such? I remember being strongly opposed to it, and pictures should not be taken at events like this, no matter who is there.

Yes it was. I'm glad, to. I want people to see it. It will remind them.

To an extent, I do not blame Bush and Cheney for not attending funerals of servicemen, since it would takes the focus away from where it should be, on those who sacrificed. I know Bush did in fact, at least at times, visit soldiers in the hospital, which is much more appropriate to my mind.

Yeah he did, that is true. Good point.

As far as the OP, to suggest that having visited one base only once is a sign of neglect(we do have hundreds of bases in the country) is disingenuous. Further, any one complaining about the CiC visiting soldiers, no matter who is the CiC, or who is complaining, is just trying to make trouble. Whether this is just a photo op, or whether it was a heartfelt attempt to honor our troops no one knows but Obama himself, and any guesses are pure speculation.

He's the CiC, he can do what he wants. I don't have an issue with it.

We need to stop using the Afghanistan war as a partisan political tool. Just as Iraq was a chance to bitch at Bush, now Afghanistan is a chance to bitch at Obama, and I think in both cases is pretty sad. Support or oppose the war, but don't use them.

Concur. Thank you for the thoughtful post. Sometimes a rarity here at DP.

 

[apdst]

So now it is bad for the commander in chief or anyone for that matter since it was on tv, to honour the men and women who did the ultimate sacrifice for their country?

Especially when you consider that it's unlawful for the president to use uniformed members of the military for political reasons.

It would have been much less disgraceful, if there were no cameras.

PBO didn't do anything but dishonor those men, who gave their lives on the battlefield, in the service of their country.

Didn't the rules change just recently to allow the media to take pictures of caskets and such? I remember being strongly opposed to it, and pictures should not be taken at events like this, no matter who is there.

Yes, the rules did change. Photos aren't allowed, without the consent of the next of kin, of every soldier who's coffin is present.

 

[Redress]

Yes it was. I'm glad, to. I want people to see it. It will remind them.

If I felt the media could be trusted to be tasteful with such images, it would not bother me, but I don't trust the media to that extent, and I think no family should have the caskets or dead bodies of their sons or daughters used for ratings.

 

[liblady]

If I felt the media could be trusted to be tasteful with such images, it would not bother me, but I don't trust the media to that extent, and I think no family should have the caskets or dead bodies of their sons or daughters used for ratings.

i don't think that's the purpose here. i think people have become so used to soldiers dying it's like background noise now, for some.

 

[apdst]

If I felt the media could be trusted to be tasteful with such images, it would not bother me, but I don't trust the media to that extent, and I think no family should have the caskets or dead bodies of their sons or daughters used for ratings.

Thanks, twice.

 

[apdst]

i don't think that's the purpose here. i think people have become so used to soldiers dying it's like background noise now, for some.

The purpose is irrelevant. It's still disgraceful.

 

[kansaswhig]

Especially when you consider that it's unlawful for the president to use uniformed members of the military for political reasons.

That's very subjective. What if a politician gives a "rah, rah" speech at a deployment ceremony? Palin did it for her son's unit during her campaign...with cameras present. Was that wrong to?

It would have been much less disgraceful, if there were no cameras.

I would have preferred no cameras.

PBO didn't do anything but dishonor those men, who gave their lives on the battlefield, in the service of their country.

I'm sure they appreciate you speaking for them. Did you get permission from their families to say that?

Yes, the rules did change. Photos aren't allowed, without the consent of the next of kin, of every soldier who's coffin is present.

The coffin in the video and pics was authorized by the family, I heard that on the news this morning; cant remember the name; but you are right to my knowledge.

 

[Redress]

i don't think that's the purpose here. i think people have become so used to soldiers dying it's like background noise now, for some.

The pictures in this piece looked tasteful. I am not commenting on those. What I am commenting on is the overall policy, and the potential for misuse.

 

[Joe1991]

Didn't the rules change just recently to allow the media to take pictures of caskets and such? I remember being strongly opposed to it, and pictures should not be taken at events like this, no matter who is there.

Obama lifted the ban, and the Pentagon amended his policy so that families were given a third option for coverage. Now they can have military camera crews cover the ceremony at Dover, but barr professional news reporters.

 

[Redress]

Obama lifted the ban, and the Pentagon amended his policy so that families were given a third option for coverage. Now they can have military camera crews cover the ceremony at Dover, but barr professional news reporters.

Thanks for the clarification. Do they allow the media to use photos from the military camera crews?

 

[liblady]

The pictures in this piece looked tasteful. I am not commenting on those. What I am commenting on is the overall policy, and the potential for misuse.

i didn't think the general media was allowed.......

 

[Erod]

I would have liked it if Bush or Cheney would have gone to some funerals or done something like this. I think it would have been appropriate.

Maybe they did....without the cameras.

 

[Redress]

Maybe they did....without the cameras.

At one point in time, he was specifically avoiding them since he felt it would only be a negative to attend. No source on that, going from memory, so take it for what it is worth.

 

[Joe1991]

Thanks for the clarification. Do they allow the media to use photos from the military camera crews?

I think so.

At one point in time, he was specifically avoiding them since he felt it would only be a negative to attend. No source on that, going from memory, so take it for what it is worth.

Bush went to a handful of soldier funerals, I don't recall him visiting Dover as they came off the planes, of course they had media a blackout then.

 

[kansaswhig]

Maybe they did....without the cameras.

Or maybe they didn't. That would have made the news.

 

[pro-bipartisan]

First - let's set the stage: It's September, 2007. Then President G.W. Bush flys into Iraq - Iraq is a big issue with the public and Harry Reid is calling Iraq war as "lost". This unplanned flight into Iraq was hailed by most of the press as a blatant photo op while liberal pundits claimed, if Bush REALLY wanted to do something in the then failing "surge", he's visit more than three times in four years and would have stayed more than six hours. Sites like Crooks and Liars, claimed this bashed the President relentlessly.

Fast forward, October 28th - an unscheduled flight into Dover AFB in Delaware, under the guise of respect and concern for fallen soldiers. So let's ask some questions ---

When was the last time Obama visited Dover AFB in the past year? -- Never
How many times has Obama been to Afghanistan in the past 4 years? --- Twice --

June 20 2008 - as a Presidential candidate for another photo op playing basketball with soldiers

September 2009 - Stop in Afghanistan and Iraq during the "apology tour".


What's the same Press (MSNBC) say about Obama's unscheduled vist to our dead soldiers?



The photo op? Here it is

How about some video ...

YouTube - Raw Video:Obama Honors Return of Fallen Soldiers

How about some more pictures?

Photo Op - 9 additional pictures

Gee - lots of pictures and video for a primarily "closed" event to the Press (according to the link from MSNBC - another blatant lie.)

How about we just call this for what it is... a blatant Obama photo op for his administration to USE dead soldiers for his political gain. This was the most despicable event I've personally seen in a long time and the press's hand job of coverage proclaiming how Obama was "personally paying his respects" (with the camera's running of course) is a ****ing joke. One may think "Crooks and Liars" who lambasted Bush for flying into Iraq in 2007 would be critical of this blatant use of dead military to progress Obama's political future --- but not a word from Crooks and Liars as of this morning.

Pure hypocrites, lies and vile disinformation - not the mention this entire event was an outright lie under the premise of "honoring the dead". Thank you American press for continuing the Obama circle jerk with the obligatory "happy ending". This is nothing more than the brutal rape of these soldiers families by the Obama administration. yay.

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Bush start the war and want to go in there in the first place?

 

[goldendog]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Bush start the war and want to go in there in the first place?

Yep the invasion of Iraq was being planned by the Bush Administration prior to the 9-11 attacks.