Barack Obama's decision to play golf on Memorial Day was disrespectful and hardly presidential

[웃 910]

Barack Obama's decision to play golf on Memorial Day was disrespectful and hardly presidential

Can you imagine David Cameron enjoying a round of golf on Remembrance Sunday? It would be inconceivable for the British Prime Minister to do so, and not just because of the usually dire weather at that time of the year. Above all, it would be viewed as an act of extremely bad taste on a day when the nation remembers and mourns her war dead. I can’t imagine the PM even considering it, and I’m sure his advisers would be horrified at the idea. And if the prime minister ever did play golf on such a sacrosanct day he would be given a massive drubbing by the British press, and it would never be repeated.

Contrast this with President Obama’s decision to play golf yesterday, Memorial Day, for the 70th time during his 28-month long presidency. For tens of millions of Americans, Memorial Day is a time for remembrance of the huge sacrifices made by servicemen and women on the battlefield. The president did pay his respects in the morning, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, but later in the day traveled to Fort Belvoir to play golf. The story has not been reported so far in a single US newspaper, but was made public by veteran White House correspondent Keith Koffler on his blog. Here’s Koffler’s report:

The business of memorializing our war dead done, President Obama headed out to the Fort Belvoir golf course today, finding his way onto the links for the ninth weekend in a row.

Obama earlier today laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and met with families of those killed in battle. But he emerged from the day’s solemnity to go golfing for the 12th time this year and the 70th time of his presidency.

The decision to golf on Memorial Day invites comparison with President George W. Bush, who gave up the game early in his presidency and said he did it out of respect for the families of those killed in Iraq.

Does it matter if the president chooses to play golf on Memorial Day, and for the second time in his presidency (he did so as well in 2009)? I think it does, and it displays extraordinarily bad judgment, not only by Obama himself but also by his advisers. His chief of staff for example should have firmly cautioned against it. President Obama is not just any American but Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces. The United States is currently engaged in a major war in Afghanistan with over 100,000 troops on the ground, and more than 1,500 have already laid down their lives for their country.

The least the president can do on Memorial Day is spend the whole daywith veterans and servicemen’s families while acknowledging their sacrifice. As Koffler points out above, President George W. Bush stopped playing golf out of respect for the families of Iraq War dead. This demonstrated not only good judgment but humility and respect for the men and women who keep America safe. It is little wonder that, as Gallup reveals in a new poll, US military personnel and veterans give Barack Obama lower marks for his job performance than members of the general public. The president’s actions smack of poor taste, as well a lack of empathy and support for the US military, hardly the kind of leadership the White House should be projecting at a time of war.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100090074/obamas-decision-to-play-golf-on-memorial-day-was-disrespectful-and-hardly-presidential/

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Most Americans are hanging around the BBQ getting drunk, without a second thought to the meaning of the holiday.

[웃 910]

Most Americans are hanging around the BBQ getting drunk, without a second thought to the meaning of the holiday.

For an internship I had a few years ago I had to interview my "mentor". One of the questions I asked was what is your favorite holiday? After a few seconds thought he said: "Veterans Day"...I thought that was a pretty cool and unique answer. I would imagine Christmas or New Years would be the most common answer.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

For an internship I had a few years ago I had to interview my "mentor". One of the questions I asked was what is your favorite holiday? After a few seconds thought he said: "Veterans Day"...I thought that was a pretty cool and unique answer. I would imagine Christmas or New Years would be the most common answer.

Lots of special things are planned for 11/11/11. Look for it to be a unique experience this year.

[웃 910]

Lots of special things are planned for 11/11/11. Look for it to be a unique experience this year.

Very strange indeed

[Staashi 371]

How can you be more into the day than going to Arlington? All I know is anytime I drive up those winding roads with graves all around, and then go to the Tomb of the Unknown I remember the sacrifice. I'm quite sure the President did too. What he chose to do after that is his business.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Most Americans are hanging around the BBQ getting drunk, without a second thought to the meaning of the holiday.

Not this American but hell I'm just a armchair patriot. Obama is not just any American, he is the President.

[Ban Hammer 12,845]

As Koffler points out above, President George W. Bush stopped playing golf out of respect for the families of Iraq War dead. This demonstrated not only good judgment but humility and respect for the men and women who keep America safe. It is little wonder that, as Gallup reveals in a new poll, US military personnel and veterans give Barack Obama lower marks for his job performance than members of the general public. The president’s actions smack of poor taste, as well a lack of empathy and support for the US military, hardly the kind of leadership the White House should be projecting at a time of war.[/size][/font]

[_Simpson_ 250]

Lots of special things are planned for 11/11/11. Look for it to be a unique experience this year.

On 11/11/11 my son will be 1.

[slim 1,514]

I support his right to play golf on any day he wants.

The more golf he plays, the less he can f'k up our country!

[Krikit 1,163]

People who judge others need a dose of their own medicine. Why is it so important to control what others do? That's a rhetorical question, by the way.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

People who judge others need a dose of their own medicine. Why is it so important to control what others do? That's a rhetorical question, by the way.

Then use a period, or an exclamation point, instead of a question mark.

Yeah, people need to check their meds, before they blow a fuse.

[Ironman140 45]

I support his right to play golf on any day he wants.

The more golf he plays, the less he can f'k up our country!

Good point ;-)

[Krikit 1,163]

Then use a period, or an exclamation point, instead of a question mark.

The sentence is prefaced with an interrogative word so the rules of grammar require a question mark at the end.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Has Obama ever done anything respectful or Presidential?

Well, respectful to other foreign leaders maybe... sure as hell not to the American people.