promoted from The Pub
A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country.The official party this night consists of President Barack Obama, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, DEA Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, U.S. Army Assistant Judge Advocate Maj Gen Daniel Wright, U.S. Army Special Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Michael Repass, and Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center Col. Robert Edmondson, who will serve as the Dignified Transfer Host Officer.
On the helicopter flight back to Washington, DC, President Obama thanked his military aide for arranging the trip, after which no one said a word for the remainder of the 45-minute flight.
I smell a policy shift.
One way or the other, this event provided a grow-up-now moment for our President, one that will likely influence his (hopefully soon to come) decision on General McChrystal’s request for 40,000 additional troops. Without a hostile congress threatening to withhold critical war funding (as was the case in 2007, when President Bush introduced The Surge), without an ongoing uprising from the recently domesticated Left (the Code Pink and related ilk who dominated the media with their protests and flag- and effigy-burnings), President Obama has smooth sailing for to do…something.
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. In the life of all free nations, there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people.
We are now at such a moment.
Durbin: Escalation of this war is not the change the American people called for in the last election.
…
I think today he understands not only the American Congress but the American people have real questions about his leadership on this issue.
Some things never change.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 7:02 am #
“But the public has smelled a rat…”
Comment by Alec Leamas on 10/29 @ 7:06 am #
It’s just advance work for some grandiloquent speech he’ll give announcing planned defeat in Afghanistan. He saw how Hillary got called on her “sniper fire” story, so he has to make sure his receipt of the coffins is on the record before stating his personal heartache as one of many reasons to quit a war and renege on his John Wayne Campaign pose.
Comment by Darleen on 10/29 @ 7:22 am #
John Wayne? Alec, in his wildest delusions how could anyone take seriously Barry as John Wayne?
Today metrosexual is in, masculinity is out.
Comment by LTC John on 10/29 @ 7:27 am #
#2 – I sure hope you are wrong. I suspect you are right. The only hope I hold in the positive direction is an attempt to show how the POTUS now knows the cost but like JFK, blah, blah, blah – here you go GEN McChrystal, now go do that voodoo that you do so well.
Comment by Mr. W on 10/29 @ 7:33 am #
Metrosexuality is out. Barie has shown the shorcomings inherent in the androgynous pose worn by so many on the left. Eventually, your indecision on your sexuality creeps into the other facets of your id, and you end up like that whimpering Capt. kirk (Think: Carter in spandex) on that episode where he gets split into the two separate components of his duality.
Comment by Squid on 10/29 @ 7:36 am #
“Yo, Axelrod — our guy’s getting absolutely crucified for being unserious about Afghanistan. What can we do?”
“No prob, Rahm. I’ve got just the thing. Have you ever heard of a ‘dignified transfer?’ Takes less than an hour, doesn’t cost a cent, and it’s criticism-proof. Plus, it’ll put our guy on all the morning news shows, looking all solemn and shit. Merry Vieira may actually piss herself over this one.”
“Perfect, Dave. Fuckin’ genius! You call the cars, and I’ll call the Secret Service and tell ‘em to have Michelle dress our guy up in his big boy clothes….”
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 7:36 am #
Remember when that awful George Bush didn’t want photos of these homecomings released out of respect for the fallen and the privacy of their families.
Boy, I’m sure glad we got that fixed.
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 7:37 am #
Or, what Squid said.
Comment by Alec Leamas on 10/29 @ 7:37 am #
But, but . . . he takes his grass-fed Kobe fillet with a little pink in it, Darleen.
I don’t think very many people took it seriously – it was just one of many contradictory promises and poses that stand as data points on the vast constellation that was the Obama campaign. I don’t think the word “cynical” quite captures it – the sole purpose of the pose was to provide his supporters with a counter-punch when confronted with a record of feckless foreign and military policy in an effort to appeal to the voters who make up their minds in the two weeks before an election. It was to be discarded and erased by the Media once it became inconvenient – see also, meeting with Ahmadinejad “without preconditions” and then the outright denial of what he had earlier said.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 7:38 am #
I still hope that he does the right thing.
Comment by TheGeezer on 10/29 @ 7:39 am #
Well, there went my day…..AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH
Comment by serr8d on 10/29 @ 7:40 am #
Thanks for the promotion, Darleen.
I’m not trying to bash Obama at this junc-ture, I just wanted to illustrate that his road to a Decision isn’t as rocky as was President Bush’s. Seems that those who opposed the first surge are busy goldbricking. And that really irks, yes it does.
Comment by Squid on 10/29 @ 7:48 am #
In other news you didn’t need to hear: Upon seeing my local newscritters swooning over this story this morning, I had a little transfer movement of my own, but it was neither solemn nor dignified.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 7:55 am #
“…his road to a Decision isn’t as rocky as was President Bush’s.”
Bush had to reject the recommendations of Gen.’s Abizaid and Casey, who were in command on the ground in Iraq while insisting their preferred status quo strategy be maintained and that the surge was unnecessary. No such opposition to the proposed McChrystal plan exists today among the commanders in charge, at least that we can see. The opposition to McChrystal’s plan has emerged as being led by VP Biden, Rahm Emanuel and David Axlerod, along with Sen. John Kerry and a handful of other political officials. Is it any wonder then that the public would think that opposition is in fact political at its core, as opposed to being based on a reasoned military approach to the stated strategic goals?
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:04 am #
Sen Horse Face is a disgusting individual.
Comment by Squid on 10/29 @ 8:04 am #
Political goals at odds with the military goals? What could possibly go wrong?
Pingback by Jules Crittenden » Gen. L.B.J. “Fightin’ Joe Biden” Obama on 10/29 @ 8:20 am #
[...] Protein Wisdom on the Dover visit: “I smell a policy shift. One way or the other, this event provided a grow-up-now moment for our President … ” [...]
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 8:23 am #
Still, there is evidence that Obama knows how to act forcefully to take charge of an impending disaster in order to set matters right and achieve a victory where nothing but loss had been foretold.
Comment by serr8d on 10/29 @ 8:26 am #
Dan posted an appropriate inappropriate picture.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:26 am #
Political goals in conflict with military goals? Yup. One wants to quit and walk away, and one wants to win.
Comment by Stephanie on 10/29 @ 8:28 am #
Tapper reported that they had wanted to go to Dover for a while but were waiting
t’il the new rules went into place vis a vis the media to do one of these. So
he couldn’t do this without the cameras
there to capture the dignified and solemn little man? Vermicious knid.
I guess in the new hopenchange dignity is only granted
through the lens of PR.
Disgusting. He shoulda stood in bed to quote Bones Mccoy. There his
only indignity was his Teddy and gank.
Comment by geoffb on 10/29 @ 8:29 am #
Now they are to be props to use to keep O!’s numbers up. Not a photo-op but a video-op. A perception operation. Action in virtual reality medium to cover inaction in the real world. An inaction which created both the props and the need to use them. His inaction has gone beyond disgraceful.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:32 am #
I cannot remember which one, Digby perhaps, but one leftist blogger admitted that the left viewed the war through nothing but a political lens, and they accepted the rhetoric about Afghanistan during the campaign as it was an effective message, rather than being indicative of their beliefs and desires, which is to get out and get out now.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 8:32 am #
“Tapper reported they had wanted to go to Dover for a while but were waiting
t’il the new rules went into place…”
No, he didn’t:
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 8:34 am #
You guys have got this all wrong. Here, let’s let the huffpo clear this up for you:
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 8:37 am #
You know what they could do to make this “iconic” image even more poignant? A soundtrack. I’m thinking Greenday … maybe PearlJam.
Rahm, CALL ME.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 8:37 am #
They got this right at least: “…didn’t have to go…He chose to create an image…” Carin. The rest of the screed not so much.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:37 am #
Creating an image … That pretty much says it all. Rather than actually being something, it is more important to create the image of same. /spit
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 8:39 am #
You guys are so cynical. Look, if there’s no picture, it didn’t happen. For reference, see George Bush’s “supposed” visits with military families.
Comment by geoffb on 10/29 @ 8:40 am #
The Virtual President instead of a virtuous one. What a fine trade for the team.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 8:41 am #
Of course, they’d have to come up with a new song. All those anti-war songs already written are too critical of the government. They need to come up with a new theme … something with a hook reminding everyone that O! is only cleaning up someone else’s mess.
A mop image would be good?
Eddie Vedder- CALL ME!
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 8:43 am #
…while providing the proper photo-op. If he wanted to do it in the way that causes the least disruption, there was no reason to wait for a change in media rules. You know, if it was about honoring the fallen instead of working the umps.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 8:43 am #
“… something with a hook reminding everyone that O! is only cleaning up someone else’s mess.”
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice doesn’t work for you?
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 8:44 am #
But instead
he chose to put himself the media decided to put him firmly in front as the Commander in Chief.HeThe media chose to create an image that will likely endure through his presidency and as part of his legacy.Honestly, the Huffpo writer was SO CLOSE to being write.
Comment by BJTexs on 10/29 @ 8:44 am #
I have a difficult time being too hard on Obama for making this trip, even if he set it up as a face time moment.
That having been said I can’t think of any scenario that would cause me to believe that Obama would ever do what Bush did, namely spending dozens of hours with grieving families of KIA military in private comforting them and listening to their sorrow. I have no tangible evidence that supports that view but my gut says that Obama just isn’t the kind of guy to put himself through that kind of emotional meat grinder.
George and Laura Bush, for whatever other faults they may have possessed, were awesome at that particular obligation.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 8:46 am #
Html fail. Oh well. trying again.
But instead
he chose to put himselfthe media choose to put him firmly in front as the Commander in Chief.Hethe Media chose to create an image that will likely endure through his presidency and as part of his legacy.Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:52 am #
Spot on, BJ. This just highlights the divide between the Left and Right on these matters.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 9:12 am #
The online Wall Street Journal headlines this story “Obama Honors Returning War Dead”, which seems right, so far as it goes. There are other ways, however, to honor men who have lost their lives in a war that remains undecided: one among them is to vow to fight and win that war, making the best decisions one can, always with a view to that end, to win it.
Comment by Eben on 10/29 @ 9:13 am #
No one else has an issue with him saluting? He’s not in the military and as far as I know never was. Since when do civilians salute?
To me he looks more ridiculous saluting the dead than Dukakis did in the tank.
Comment by Neo on 10/29 @ 9:13 am #
Always remember, when it comes to the Obamas, it’s all about them .. the rest are merely props for their photo-op.
Comment by Ric Locke on 10/29 @ 9:16 am #
Bah. There’s no policy shift, it’s the policy intended all along being given out in little dribs and drabs.
Also, it’s a sop to the MSM, who have been lusting for coffin photos for years.
Regards,
Ric
Comment by Joe on 10/29 @ 9:18 am #
Obama is fretting about Corozine and the New Jersey Governor’s race (funny how Obama only dithers on Iraq and Afghanistan but acts rather decisively when the enemy are New Jersey Republicans and Fox News). They feel the tide starting to ebb.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 9:20 am #
Obama would have had to do only ONE thing to make me think he wasn’t just there for the photo-op.
Not take along photographers.
Comment by geoffb on 10/29 @ 9:24 am #
Comment by BJTexs on 10/29 @ 9:25 am #
Rio: Linky no worky. Oh, and dead on about the MSM and coffins. They lurvs them their coffins.
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 9:26 am #
No, that’s not inappropriate for the CinC. Reagan started the protocol of returning salutes.
Comment by geoffb on 10/29 @ 9:26 am #
Re: #42,
You will know his enemies by who he fights against hardest.
Comment by mcgruder on 10/29 @ 9:27 am #
#2 is correct.
Lotta dead in the last few days over there, sealed the deal.
Comment by Ric Locke on 10/29 @ 9:32 am #
BJ: Link works now.
Note to self: You do have to push the [Publish] button before linking…
Regards,
Ric
Comment by Ric Locke on 10/29 @ 9:33 am #
#48 mcgruder: “Chesty” Puller would sneer at you.
Regards,
Ric
Comment by BJTexs on 10/29 @ 9:36 am #
Reagan served in the military, Pablo. Bill Clinton saluted but I don’t remember if he saluted military people or just us common folk.
Comment by geoffb on 10/29 @ 9:42 am #
Since the military were ordered to wear civilian clothes to the WH, who would know?
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 9:46 am #
I have no issue whatsoever with the CiC returning a salute. None. Zero.
Pingback by UrbanGrounds | Obama at Dover AF Base to Pay His Respects on 10/29 @ 9:48 am #
[...] at Protein Wisdom writing about President Obama’s photo-op at Dover Air Force Base, for the return trip home of [...]
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 9:51 am #
Irrelevant, BJ. As POTUS, he was a civilian and returning salutes was a show of respect for those he commanded.
I’m good with it, and at least Baracky does it right, whereas Clinton looked like a doofus.
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 9:51 am #
Obama has already doubled the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
There is no pleasing some people…let’s hope he’s learned to stop trying.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 9:53 am #
Set out to demonstrate you can’t count either timewaster? Good showing.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 9:53 am #
STFU, you lying amoral coward.
Comment by cranky-d on 10/29 @ 9:53 am #
I agree with JD. Though he didn’t serve, he is commander in chief now, and effectively does serve, so saluting is appropriate.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 9:55 am #
Sdferr – Facts and numbers are flexible for them. They can be adjusted to fit Teh Narrative.
Comment by LTC John on 10/29 @ 10:06 am #
Please ignore the TTP.
CinC could dance naked on top of a piano singing “here’s a salute for ye” if he wants…benefit of being Constitutional head o’ the Armed Forces.
I do think making sure you had photogs along shows an utter lack of class and ruins the whole idea that this was a non-disruptive honoring of the dead.
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 10:11 am #
STFU, you lying amoral coward.
Why don’t you ask some of the supposed experts around here whether or not Obama has doubled the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan before wee weeing yourself, JD?
And if those government employees allow their dogma to trump the simple truth…here’s a link from earlier this year:
Obama orders more troops to Afghanistan
The deployment will double the number of American combat brigades in the nation at a time of tension with Afghanistan’s weak government over civilian casualties of the campaign against the increasingly bold Taliban, and concern over neighboring Pakistan’s ability to fight Islamic militants based there.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-troops18-2009feb18,0,1590275.story
Comment by Mark A. Flacy on 10/29 @ 10:28 am #
Snowcone,
“Doubling the number of combat brigades” isn’t the same as “doubling the number of troops”. Once again, you indicate that you don’t know what you are writing about.
Comment by Abe Froman on 10/29 @ 10:34 am #
38,000 + 17,000 = 76,000!
How does this fucker remember to inhale and exhale?
Comment by royf on 10/29 @ 10:35 am #
Snowcone you just couldn’t be any more stupid.
Comment by Old Texas Turkey on 10/29 @ 10:45 am #
Another day, another self beclowning. I didn’t know that ACME corporation had an Instant Beclowning version out. So much more convenient than the traditional model that would take 3 maybe 4 posts to take effect.
Comment by cranky-d on 10/29 @ 10:52 am #
Oh, come on. Of course he can be. Just wait.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 11:04 am #
snowcow is going to come along any minute now and throw us a link supporting is troop-doubling number under Obama.
Comment by SPC Jack Klompus on 10/29 @ 11:11 am #
“Why don’t you ask some of the supposed experts around here whether or not Obama has doubled the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan before wee weeing yourself, JD?”
Why don’t you learn how to do elementary mathematics and notice that 17,000 added to 38,000 does not double the 38,000? Or do you enjoy revealing what an idiotic, pointless, lying sack of crap you are day after day after day? Have you ever gone on a date in your life, you sniveling pile of puke?
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 11:17 am #
Which is the more impressive trainwreck, alphie or Jon – Kate = Jon + Octomom?
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 11:31 am #
“Bush ignored burials of soldiers he sent to die…”
That is, of course, two lies wrapped up together. Pres. Bush neither ignored burials nor did he send soldiers to die.
So some things, such as your propensity to publish falsehoods, appear not to change after all.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 11:37 am #
See, what did I say? If there isn’t a picture of it, it didn’t happen.
Mitch is too stupid to read those stories w/o pictures.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 11:38 am #
The left reaction, or lack there of is kinda telling. We’ve had only two trolls here giving us the what-to-for.
Maybe things will pick up later?
Comment by Eben on 10/29 @ 11:41 am #
No, that’s not inappropriate for the CinC. Reagan started the protocol of returning salutes.
I agree, and I don’t have an issue with that either. But I think, when the photo was taken, he wasn’t returning a salute, he was spontaneously saluting the coffins as they went by, like a general does during a parade of the troops. To me that looks freaking stupid and inappropriate.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 11:42 am #
“…kinda telling…”
I don’t know. The implicit tu quoque seems to me to concede to a claim that Obama was motivated by optics, as opposed to a simple and sincere urge to do honor, Carin.
Comment by meya on 10/29 @ 11:43 am #
“Boy, I’m sure glad we got that fixed.”
Now you need the family’s permission
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 11:45 am #
Yea, and only 1 family in 15 cared to have obama salute their fallen hero.
Again, Kinda telling.
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 11:54 am #
That’s a good girl, meya. Here’s a pudding cup.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 12:17 pm #
More innumeracy won’t improve your understanding, unfortunately.
Comment by Mitchy Mouse on 10/29 @ 12:17 pm #
“The Taliban is already out numbered 12 to 1. Do you think 20 to 1 will make that much of a difference?”
Does this unoriginal just-read-over-at-Huffington Post-talking point make my ass look fat?
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 12:21 pm #
His own linked article makes the salient point “A more meaningful ratio, then, might be 4-1 or 5-1.” which reveals his continuing incomprehension of the problem at hand.
Comment by Bob Reed on 10/29 @ 12:22 pm #
The most recent estimates have put the number of Taliban fighters at 25,000. Hardly 12 to 1 when a ratio is formed using NATO forces as the denominator…
It’s a mistake to count the Afghan forces in the troop strength estimates as they are largely ill equipped and not fully trained.
Comment by Squid on 10/29 @ 12:32 pm #
Didn’t a field manual come out recently, detailing that the important number wasn’t the number of enemy combatants to be defeated, but the number of civilians to be protected?
I coulda sworn I read something like that…
Comment by bour3 on 10/29 @ 12:53 pm #
Symbolism. We already know everything our Community Organizer in Chief does is 1) symbolic, and 2) campaigning. This is the symbolic first step to a new campaign.
The symbol says quite clearly, “Look at these solemn and pointless deaths that have been concealed from you until I came, the price paid for a reactionary war that cannot be reasonably won. Our interests are all domestic.” He does not care about or care for the US military, he has already made that perfectly clear, it all distracts him horribly from his primary interests.
Comment by Squid on 10/29 @ 1:07 pm #
Permission is for the picture, not for their commander to show up.
One can’t help but think that if permission were witheld*, The Mighty Oz would never have left the White House. It’s not about showing respect to the fallen; it’s about being seen showing respect to the fallen.
* I miss that guy.
Comment by mcgruder on 10/29 @ 1:46 pm #
Ric Locke at #50:
I am in total agreement.
Ill bet that Chesty would sneer at a LOT of things these days. A real, real lot.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 1:53 pm #
Yes. Anymore questions?
Comment by LTC John on 10/29 @ 2:00 pm #
Mitch probably was one of the ones hollering “BUT WHAT ABOUT SHINSEKI!!11!” back in the day…
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 2:06 pm #
The Taliban is already out numbered 12 to 1. Do you think 20 to 1 will make that much of a difference?
And we’re outspending them at a ratio of over 1000:1
Comment by BJTexs on 10/29 @ 2:19 pm #
alphie would like you all to know that it’s all about the money, money that could be better spent protecting the Port of L.A. from Chinese troops in shipping containers.
Won’t it be great, alphie, when the Air force has to have bake sales to raise money for their “welfare?”
Comment by Squid on 10/29 @ 2:30 pm #
And we’re outspending them at a ratio of over 1000:1
It is infinitely cheaper to destroy than to create. It is easier to attack than to defend. Some would applaud our efforts and our sacrifice, but not Snowcone.
Snowcone thinks we should just nuke the whole fucking place and be done with it, consequences be damned. Stupid, cheap and easy, just like Snowcone’s Mom.
Comment by BJTexs on 10/29 @ 2:34 pm #
while alphie decries the cost of asymmetrical warfare and derides those who made a big deal about the 9/11 attacks he conveniently forgets how many billions of dollars the attacks cost our economy over the 2 subsequent years.
But don’t interrupt alphie as he travels his shining path of obtuse.
Comment by mcgruder on 10/29 @ 2:56 pm #
Snowcone, little proposition.
I’ll vote for keeping Afghan costs in line and you vote for shitcanning this healthreform stuff that will cost the government, and us, a couple of few dozen hundred billion dollars extra?
fair trade?
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 3:21 pm #
Alphie truly is remarkable. Beclowned by his own links. And it just keeps on going, never even acknowledging that it refuted itself.
Mitch is a lying bitch.
Comment by Rusty on 10/29 @ 4:29 pm #
The real show of charachter is what you do when nobody is watching. Our president picks his nose.
For what it’s worth. It’s going to just as long to get all the troops out as it did to get them in.Logistics. Unless, of course, we are forced to pull an eigth army at the Chosin Resevoir.
Comment by Rusty on 10/29 @ 4:31 pm #
Sorry, LTColonel, sir. Our president is not a leader. When the going gets tough, he whines. He’s fixin to run.
Comment by SBP on 10/29 @ 4:34 pm #
Bush ignored burials of soldiers he sent to die
That is a lie and you are a liar.
Buh-bye.
Comment by Mikey NTH on 10/29 @ 4:45 pm #
As C-in-C of the US military (all five services), the President can return a salute, or render one. That is only proper, and an appropriate honor to the dead.
Comment by alppuccino on 10/29 @ 4:46 pm #
Bush ignored little girls like Mitch and remained committed to victory and security for America.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 4:51 pm #
Barcky’s photo-op has been on every news program here tonite.
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 5:14 pm #
38,000 + 17,000 = 76,000!
Aaah, Abe, you simple-minded Glenn Beck listener, Obama has sent additional troops to Afghanistan since he sent the 17,000:
Obama to send 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan
The troops, which are in addition to the 17,000 the president announced earlier would be sent to Afghanistan, will be charged with training and building the Afghan army and police force.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/26/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html
I think we see why you’re stuck toiling away in the commercials ghetto.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 5:19 pm #
LMFAO!
38k + 17k +4k = 76k
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 5:42 pm #
Snotnose is someone doing a parody, isn’t it? Has to be. Because stupid that pervasive is simply not possible.
Comment by Mark A. Flacy on 10/29 @ 5:43 pm #
Speaking of simple minded…
…but keep digging. There’s a pony in there somewhere.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 5:46 pm #
Only 17,000 more to go, snotnose.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 5:49 pm #
Insty linked Greyhawk’s coverage of the Obama visit to Dover, which see here. It’s respectful while still making note of the untoward facts known to us. Mrs Greyhawk, though, posted by far the more poignant story today.
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 5:50 pm #
LMFAO!
Obama has sent more than just 17.000 + 4,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.
But look on the bright side…even the most delirious Obama Derangement Syndrome sufferers now have to admit Obama has increased the number of U.S. troops by at least 55% this year, whereas this morning the poor fools would be arguing Obama had cut the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Comment by Carin on 10/29 @ 5:52 pm #
hereas this morning the poor fools would be arguing Obama had cut the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
That’s a nice looking strawman right there.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 5:54 pm #
Fuck yeah, he sent Machine Gun Joe Biden, he is probably worth at least a couple thousand normal men.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 5:56 pm #
Snotnose just admitted that it was being dishonest when it claimed Barcky had doubled the troops in Afghanistan.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 6:57 pm #
I think he mostly just admitted he doesn’t know what “doubled” means.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 7:12 pm #
Not really sure which is worse, BMoe.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:11 pm #
Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC just cited SEIU as having done research for him on Sen Bayh. Hearing the folks on MSNBC talk about Fox not being a news outlet is incredible.
Comment by sdferr on 10/29 @ 8:24 pm #
I don’t know shit about O’Donnell or MSNBC but that A J Burnett fella’s got a pretty decent curveball. Almost as good as ‘ol Bert Blyleven’s was, but nowhere near the yakker Greg Olson threw (the best I ever saw).
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 8:27 pm #
I think he mostly just admitted he doesn’t know what “doubled” means.
Oh, look, here’s 7000 more U.S. troops Obama has sent to Afghanistan this year:
The proposed force increase — about 7,000 troops — is part of Obama’s plan to pull combat troops out of Iraq and focus on the growing threat from a resurgent al-Qaida in Afghanistan.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25676250/
So, just to be clear, that’s 17,000 + 4000 + 7000 troops Obama has added to the 38,000 troops that were in Afghanistan when he took office.
17,000 + 4000 + 7000 = 28,000 added to 38,000 is a 73% increase.
Why have all the wingnut military “experts” that post here kept this hidden from us?
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 8:29 pm #
I am fucking crying right now.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 8:32 pm #
Snowcones link:
Wait a minute, what was that at the top there?
Can’t stop laughing.
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 8:42 pm #
Snotty is the joke that writes itself, ain’t he?
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 8:44 pm #
Hey, snowcone! What did Obama do with the defecit? Shot it into space, I’m guessing.
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 8:46 pm #
That really is outstanding. Hope and change!
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:50 pm #
Snotnose – stop. Get help. I am embarassed for you right now.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:53 pm #
Has any media outlet not run fawning coverage of the carefully crafted image of Barcky at Dover?
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:55 pm #
Proposals from the campiagn season now count towards the number of troops? I guess because he intended to do so, we should count it. Kinda like the Nobel thinking.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 8:58 pm #
Sdferr – That 3-2 gakker he threw to Rollins in the 5th was nasty. So were the two right before that one.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 8:58 pm #
So it was prophesied, so it shall be.
Comment by Abe Froman on 10/29 @ 9:22 pm #
Aaah, Abe, you simple-minded Glenn Beck listener, Obama has sent additional troops to Afghanistan since he sent the 17,000:
Easy tiger. After arguing that Obama has doubled troops in Afghanistan by linking to an article that reveals you don’t know the difference between troops and brigades it is best to just sulk off in silence without making a bigger fool out of yourself. No need to lash out and call someone simple-minded. That’s sort of like fucking a chicken to death and then going back to fuck the dead chicken.
I think we see why you’re stuck toiling away in the commercials ghetto.
LOL. Do you actually think someone with no discernible intelligence, education or skill set who is afraid to tell people here what he does for a living is going to get to me with contrived put downs? You should man up and tell everyone what you do in addition to your educational background. I freely told you what I do when asked and you seem to think that gives you license to throw feces like a retarded monkey.
Comment by Mark A. Flacy on 10/29 @ 9:23 pm #
USMA 1980.
What’s your qualification for being a military expert? Other than your continuing proof that you aren’t an expert at much of anything.
Comment by Mark A. Flacy on 10/29 @ 9:24 pm #
Great. Now there’s beer on my monitor.
Comment by B Moe on 10/29 @ 9:27 pm #
I am just guessing on this one, but I would bet it is because they know the difference between a campaign promise and reality.
And what fucking year it is.
Comment by cranky-d on 10/29 @ 9:41 pm #
He’s actually getting dumber, isn’t he? Wow.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 9:55 pm #
This is theodore360 level of denying reality.
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 10:09 pm #
because they know the difference between a campaign promise and reality.
RTO, for instance, told us Obama had only sent 7000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Why the lies from our resident military “experts?”
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 10:15 pm #
Let’s just focus on your ongoing lies, yellowsnow.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 10:35 pm #
this Mitch person has a william feel to it.
Comment by Abe Froman on 10/29 @ 10:37 pm #
Good one Mitch, but we already have Slowcone. Two juvenile morons in a post thread is one too many. Let us focus our laughter, please.
Comment by JD on 10/29 @ 10:40 pm #
Abe – pretty sure that is willie the racist skin flute player. It has a pretty distinct pattern.
Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 10:43 pm #
Why don’t you quote him, snotty? You’ve demonstrated that you’re really not good at interpretation, so you should refer us to the source material. It’s just not entertaining otherwise.
Comment by Abe Froman on 10/29 @ 10:47 pm #
I agree JD. Definitely has the creepy William vibe.
Comment by Snowcone on 10/29 @ 11:22 pm #
Why don’t you quote him, snotty?
“When you send 7000 and are then told that you need 40000 more, please tell me why anyone should say a big ‘thank you’ for the first 7000?”
http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=15373#comment-794524
Why would a military “expert” tell such a whopper to people who trust him?
Oh, and it looks like most of the he 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division deployed to Afghanistan on Obama’s watch:
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=29262
So there were only 32,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when Obama took office and since then he has deployed 6,000 + 17,000 + 4,000 + 7,000 = 34,000 there.
32,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when Obama came into office.
34,000 U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan under Obama.
My, my.
Even the Glenn Beck fans can now see Obama has doubled the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Comment by Patrick Chester on 10/30 @ 1:33 am #
#Comment by cranky-d on 10/29 @ 9:41 pm #
He’s actually getting dumber, isn’t he? Wow.
Unlike Absolute Zero, there is no Absolute Stupidity.
Comment by Mark A. Flacy on 10/30 @ 3:08 am #
You should read the stuff that you post as proof, you know…
…since the article has a date line of Jan 26, 2009, that fell under President Bush’s watch.
Most people would stop digging a hole by now, but I have faith in you.
Comment by B Moe on 10/30 @ 4:45 am #
Read this thread out loud and give Snowcone the voice of Bullwinkle the Moose. I’ll bet you can’t finish.
Comment by Snowwinkle on 10/30 @ 5:40 am #
Hey Rocky!
Watch me pull a rabbit out of my ass!
Comment by Pablo on 10/30 @ 5:54 am #
Where is the “only” in this quote, snotty?
I’m not seeing it.
This just gets better and better. I especially like the part where you’ve been proclaiming your fervent desire that we just get out of Afhghanistan, but now you’re cheerleading Obama’s imaginary troop increases.
Can imaginary troops rig a balloon fence?
Comment by JD on 10/30 @ 5:59 am #
I do not get snotnose. If the idea was to beclown itself, that was successful quite quicklý. The persistence in reinforcing and proving how aggressively dishonest it is is puzzling.
Hint, snotty. Campaign promises do not count. Troops Bush sent do noþ count. Your imagination does not count.
Comment by -Ed. on 10/30 @ 6:52 am #
Come before Obama.
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/032823.html
Come before Obama. Sounds like a hymn.
Comment by LTC John on 10/30 @ 6:54 am #
All of you are just feeding the TTP the attention it wants. And another thread wanders off point…
Comment by royf on 10/30 @ 6:55 am #
Well cranky-d earlier on this thread I said “Snowcone you just can’t get any more stupid”. Which you gave the answer “Oh, come on. Of course he can be. Just wait.”
I have to give credit where credit is due you were right cranky-d.
Comment by sdferr on 10/30 @ 7:09 am #
So I checked out the Scarborough gang — tempting to call it the Hole-in-the-Wall’doff Gang — to see what they had going on this am and the Lawrence O’Donnell was there. Turns out they see Barack Obama as a centrist due to his habit of always wanting to split the baby (they didn’t stop to consider that splitting the baby kills the baby, but whatever). He eschews the extremes, they wanted to have you know (oh, and that makes him smart like JFK, too). And Afghanistan is Vietnam.
Soupy Sales has left the building.
Comment by JD on 10/30 @ 7:28 am #
Sdferr – Larry is a pompous arrogant little shit, isn’t he? Shocka he is an Olbergasm sycophant.
Comment by sdferr on 10/30 @ 7:30 am #
Yes, JD, he’s all that and less, to twist a phrase. That really is a remarkably stupid collection of people pretending they are wise. It is to laugh.
Comment by B Moe on 10/30 @ 3:49 pm #
Breaking News: NYT makes a break for it, quickly contained by handlers.
Comment by Rusty on 10/31 @ 7:18 am #
#157
Mitch. Are you by nature dishonest or imply weak willed.
Limbaugh didn’t lie. He was simply quoting what Liz Cheney stated;
“(On the president’s photo-op at Dover) But I think that what President Bush used to do is do it without the cameras.” Again Liz Cheney talking about Bush. And note,”I think” Liz wasn’t sure herself and so inserted that qualifier.
You people are so caught up in your own deception you can’t comprehend what you’re reading.
Comment by Rusty on 10/31 @ 7:22 am #
122.Comment by Pablo on 10/29 @ 8:44 pm #
Hey, snowcone! What did Obama do with the defecit? Shot it into space, I’m guessing.
He certainly showed those moon people. They’ll never bother us again, I bet.
Comment by JD on 10/31 @ 7:40 am #
Rusty – “Mitch” is likely william the racist skin flute player, as they have the exact same style.
Comment by sdferr on 10/31 @ 7:52 am #
Readers read the antecedent of “it” as “to pay tribute to our fallen”, not as “went to Dover”. Sheesh, the lengths people will go to to make shit up is nothing short of astounding.
Comment by BJTexs on 10/31 @ 8:06 am #
Mitch: Be honest, now. Do you see Barack and Michelle spending dozens of hours in private, no media, consoling the families of slain soldiers face to face? You know, like Laura and George did … many times?
Come on, Mitch! Step up to the plate and think for yourself!
Comment by JD on 10/31 @ 8:17 am #
Sdferr – The leftists conflate going to Dover with paying tribute to deceased soldiers. And, unless there is an image to exploit, it did not happen.
Comment by BJTexs on 10/31 @ 8:21 am #
LTC John is right. It’s time to stop giving alphie any attention.
Comment by sdferr on 10/31 @ 8:35 am #
The LTC has been making that recommendation for well over a year, maybe two even … so yeah, BJT, it is long since past time to stop. Mr. Froman went so far as to suggest that he was going to begin t-hammering responders to it as well, though I don’t know whether he has made good on his inclination. I have come to believe that more than simple attention, the troll’s object is in fact wasting the time and efforts of everyone it makes contact with, a kind of existential deflection of purpose, if you will. Yet I have no illusion that our thoughts and intentions to ignore the creep will have any appreciable effect on the behavior of the majority of commenters — far from it — it is too easy and evidently, too much fun to take the little monster up on its provocations. It’s just another example of the all too human urge to focus in on little problems to the detriment of attention to the bigger picture, see Eastern Flight 401.
Comment by BJTexs on 10/31 @ 8:51 am #
Agreed, sdferr and I’ve been one of culprits.
BTW: You get a h/t in The Pub.
http://proteinwisdom.com/pub/?p=2968
Comment by sdferr on 10/31 @ 8:56 am #
Ah, thanks for the ht BJT. Sorry to have induced the flaming dystonia though.
Comment by BJTexs on 10/31 @ 8:57 am #
Hey, no worries, sdferr. There will be very little visible scarring after the grafts!
Comment by JD on 10/31 @ 9:02 am #
I think of alphie the same way I think of clowns.