By Semperpapa
Today, President Obama visited Ground Zero in New York, laying a wreath in commemoration of the victims of the attack of September 11, 2001.
The President had invited former Presidents Bush and Clinton to accompany him, but they both "respectfully" declined.
President Bush just showed a level of class that the current President will never be able to achieve, in refusing to utilize the elimination of the mastermind of the attacks of that day for personal grandstanding. Obama, whose only preoccupation at this time is to secure a second term for himself, is not shy of utilizing the political significance of bin Laden's death.
President Clinton, on the other hand, may not be willing to see himself associated with any grandstanding related to 9/11, bin Laden and New York, as if he had stopped playing with interns long enough to do his job and kill bin Laden when he had the opportunity, maybe the attacks of September 11, 2001 would have never occurred. Nor would have the war in Afghanistan and maybe even the war in Iraq.
So Obama went at it alone, surely not too disappointed by the chance to hoarding the lime light all to himself with the fake somberness of his ceremony.
Maybe I am too cynical, but it is just the perception I get from the dubious actions of this man and his cohorts.
And while the President is acting in New York, AG Eric Holder is still pressing in wanting to prosecute former CIA agents for activities his boss used to achieve the great victory of May 1st, 2011.
The only positive aspect of Obama's visit to New York (BTW, Why didn't he just go up the street to the Pentagon for his victory lap? He could have killed two birds with one stone by celebrating the death of bin Laden and the actions of the Military, saving us a pile of money...but I digress) is that the media is paying some renewed attention to the families of those lost on that September day. Names, stories, faces never forgotten by the surviving loved ones, but somewhat removed from the collective memory of the Nation.
So it was a solitary victory lap. Something about the proverbial "ten-foot pole?"
Just my thoughts!
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I think this is oversimplifying what we saw. The invitation was expected - had he not extended the invitation to the former presidents, that would have likewise been criticized (and further accusations of "grandstanding" would be tossed out) - it's a double-bind. Further, had the president NOT gone to Ground Zero, he'd be accused of being disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteClaiming Bush demonstrated class...*sigh* The ONLY Bush who has genuine class is Laura (and I am not denigrating the twins - I just prefer to leave ALL politicians' kids out of these discussion). I have my suspicions that with the commentary that has come out about Bush and his statements of spending post-911 may well have contributed to his reticence to join Obama...he would rather be remembered holding a bullhorn trying to look like John Wayne, and would likely rather prefer all else forgotten. Besides, he appears to be extremely busy with his business.
Not knowing any of these men personally, I can only guess that most former presidents (esp 2-term presidents like Dubya & Slick Willie were) would rather not be on call for photo ops on a regular basis. I know I wouldn't. The presidency is an insane job...and both former presidents (while offering the occasional public presence) certainly deserve to return to their private lives in peace. Obama has no such luxury right now.
Another possible take (not my take, mind, but a different perspective) could be that both former presidents felt that Obama should have the spotlight alone. *shrug* It's another way of looking at it.
ReplyDeleteCame across this blog entry ~ given your respect for the military, I thought it might be useful to see that even within the military, not all people resent their Commander-in-Chief. *smile* Hers is a very poignant reminder that the members of the military, though G.I. while active duty (and unable to publicly declare political or religious differences) are still private citizens, and the diversity of politics and religious perspective is as broad as the members the military is comprised of.
As I clearly mentioned in past posts on the subject of UBL, I am one who believes that the actions taken by Obama, specifically giving the go ahead for the operation, were good decisions.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am disgusted by is, again as I mentioned before, the fact that both side of the political spectrum, the extreme fringes, are using a very successful Military operation and cheapened it with political ideology.
And Obama today did just that. He did not have to make a special trip to Ground Zero. This is a man who the last time he visited that hallow ground was as candidate Obama. Two anniversaries have come and gone and he did not feel the desire to be there. Today was a victory lap fueled by re-election campaign needs. If he wanted to just show his feelings for the success of the operation, the most appropriate place should have been the Pentagon. Then go to Ground Zero on the anniversary day next September.
I can appreciate the desire to justify the guy's action, but unfortunately, for me it is either right or it is wrong. And Obama is wrong.
SP out!
I'm with you on the political sides behaving as they are; I disagree, however, that what he did was inappropriate with respect to visiting Ground Zero in the wake of OBL's death. To hug the families who were there, to give them an opportunity to express whatever they were feeling to their President (during the same week) is perfectly appropriate. It would have been appropriate had it been under Bush's watch that this happened, too.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that it's fueled by reelection campaign needs is a false notion, given that we're a full year and a half away from the election and just as much time preparing to deal with the media circus that is a presidential campaign. Like the people insisting that even killing OBL was campaign motivated - if that were the case, why not wait til a couple months before November '12 and "stage" it then? Why not put all this off til just before the election itself? No, that argument just doesn't hold water. Further, there are articles that have come out (that have not been refuted by Bush) that, despite the public declaration you noted in your post, he has complained that not enough credit is being given to his administration. *sigh* That is a charge that Bush would do well to refute.
Obama had to go to Ground Zero. If you are in a double-bind, and on one hand you'll be criticized for "grandstanding" and on the other you'll be criticized for being "insensitive" ~ you take the path that is right and proper, no matter the accusations of grandstanding. He is the President. He laid the wreath alone, but he also spent time with families, spent time going to first responders and honoring them with thanks for all they did. This is one of those places that, philosophically, we're disagree. I would not have felt any different had it been Bush. I do not feel any different that it is Obama. Right is right, no matter who does it. Problem is, since it's Obama, in the eyes of the "right" he's going to be wrong. Because for some reason, the only time it matters to conservatives that a president pays heed to the needs of the people is when that president is a Republican. To me? That is sad.
I'm guessing that you probably don't agree much with Ed Schultz' take on this (and probably other) issues, but his take on this situation is far better articulated than I can ~ last night's episode summed up a LOT of what I think on this subject. This is a link to his blog -- I'm not referring to anything prior to 5 May...the whole episode hasn't been posted yet for viewing, but the blog offers some of the thoughts he expressed, and really eloquently.
ReplyDeleteWell I guess we are disagreeing on this subject.
ReplyDeleteAs for Comrade Schultz, you are right. I don't have much use for him.