Objections Voiced About President's Absence at Arlington National Cemetery Today

Veterans and conservatives have voiced their objections about President Obama's absence at the laying of the wreath ceremony this morning at Arlington National Cemetery.

Article Source
CNN Article

Paul Rieckhoff is the founder of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He made the following statements regarding President Obama's choice to not be at the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day service.

"Arlington is a place of tremendous symbolism," he said.

"On Monday, it's where the eyes of our entire nation will be focused and unfortunately, the president and his family won't be there to stand with us."

President Obama is vacationing in Chicago this Memorial Day weekend with his family, and plans to attend a Memorial Day ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, about an hour outside of Chicago.

Nick Shapiro, White House assistant press secretary stated, "President Obama has a deep respect and appreciation for our service members and veterans, clearly seen in his administration's policies, priorities and actions."

A conservative blogger, Erick Erickson, disagrees. On his blog Redstate.com, he has written the following.

"....going to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns has ... everything to do with a Commander in Chief who seems to not like the military showing some basic respect to the men and women, alive and dead, who have actually kept us free."

American Legion spokesman Marty Callaghan came to President Obama's defense in a comment to CNN.

"We understand that President Obama is a very busy man. He has things like the oil spill and the economy to worry about."

Paul Rieckhoff, of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, disagrees.

"There will be hundreds of children there who have lost parents. Every major veterans group will be there. He should be there with his family."

What do you think? In light of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, should President Obama be at Arlington National Cemetery later this morning for the Memorial Day ceremony?

Do you think President Obama is justified in spending his weekend in Chicago instead?

There have been some questions raised on ATS regarding "hating on Obama" i.e.
Why Is ATS Full Of Hate Obama Threads?

While I feel "hate" is a very strong word, I am quite appalled at him not being present for this ceremony. It's actions like these that are going to continue to fuel threads that oppose him imo. For me, his decision to spend the weekend in Chicago (allegedly) is a very poor one for our Commander in Chief.

[edit on 5/31/2010 by UberL33t]

To be fair in the debate: (emphasis added by yours truly)

President Obama’s Memorial Day Vacation

First, it must be said that the president is not skipping out on his official duties entirely. At the start of the weekend, the president will travel to Louisiana to survey the response to oil spill; only his second trip to the region since the disaster over a month ago. And on Monday, the president will deliver remarks at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

In between these duties he will spend a “casual weekend with friends” and then fly home in time to make a White House tribute to Paul McCartney on Wednesday evening.

Still, Arlington is where he should be imo.

Ronald Reagan and George H W Bush also were no shows at times

So...whatever

reply to post by UberL33t


Every action of an American President is examined by the people and this is no different.

If those within power want people to believe in the efforts of our soldiers, then they must live by the same standards as they expect us to do, and remember the fallen.

I could understand if Obama were to miss the ceremony at Arlington because he was in Louisiana, dealing with the Gulf of Mexico events, and BP PLC, but he is not.

He has decided to go back to Chicago for a Memorial Day ceremony.

We as citizens remember the fallen soldiers and the Unknown Soldier.

While this is no way about hatred from me about Obama he loses credibility daily.

One has to wonder if he is intentionally going out of his way to piss off Americans.

And or if he is going out of his way to hurt, harm, and screw America.

As I am watching C.N.N. live right now Obama is in Chicago getting rained out.

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas

As I am watching C.N.N. live right now Obama is in Chicago getting rained out.

Just saw this too, "everyone calmly go back to your cars"

It is no big secret that Obama is not a fan of the military, So this doesn't come as a big shock to anyone... now does it? I'm sure he has more pressing matters anyway... like golfing or one of his Blue Ribbon Job Summits.

Nick Shapiro, White House assistant press secretary stated, "President Obama has a deep respect and appreciation for our service members and veterans, clearly seen in his administration's policies, priorities and actions."

did anybody else laugh hysterically after reading this?

Originally posted by LurkerMan

Nick Shapiro, White House assistant press secretary stated, "President Obama has a deep respect and appreciation for our service members and veterans, clearly seen in his administration's policies, priorities and actions."

did anybody else laugh hysterically after reading this?

I must admit, I gave a hearty "Pffffft" at it!

With family and friends that serve I thought this was a pretty big slap in the face to military members past and present. Then i did a little research and it turns out that many of our former presidents, both those that were strong and weak supporters of the military, skipped the ceremony at arlington in favor of alternate llocations. Or in the case of G.W. Bush, his ranch.

Ultimately i do not think this is a huge deal, but I am sure that Obama opponents will capitalize on his choice, and it seems kind of stupid on his part if he is trying to gain support. I beleive actions speak louder than words and that Obamas actions elsewhere in regards to the military will be much more important.

Might not be a "big deal" to some but EVERY vet or active service person I have chatted with in the past week (LOTS of them in the San Antonio TX area) is disgusted by the "slight" and I am in agreement with them 100%.

While Obama's "every action" may well be under scrutiny,they are also observed by the rest of the world and the "message" of blatant disregard for this sector of Americans speaks volumes about the "how and why" much of what we're putting up with currently is allowed to happen.

Small gesture but big slight IMO,sorry.Timing also tells me he's chosing to ignore yet another segment of America as I speak,those affected by the oil dump underway in the Gulf...and yes,it's a DUMP, not a "spill.

One segment is ignored,then another, then more...is ths how we want our future which traditions,gestures,and actions define to play out becaue he is a "busy man?"
Stinks if you ask me...

Going to share some time with a dear friend who works at a VA hospital and SEES the "price of freedom" every working day:we're going to visit and read and chat with some oldies but goodies and maybe even make a few of them smile.

Maybe the Big O should have spent even a bit of time visiting s few also?Even his self-absorbed self could have gained from such a photo-op!

Sound bitter? I am.



[edit on 31-5-2010 by irishchic]

reply to post by UberL33t


Isn't this interesting...


"Obama Memorial Day speech rained out

Updated 1:17 p.m.
By Anne E. Kornblut
ELWOOD, Illinois -- President Obama was rushed offstage at a Memorial Day event after a massive lightning and rain storm opened up on the open field where he was to speak." ... Washingtonpost.com

You know what they call that... an "Act of God"... Wikipedia

Peace

edit to add link



[edit on 31-5-2010 by FearNoEvil]

reply to post by FearNoEvil

"An Act of God"

If I may be so bold, kind of a "you're not worthy to speak on this" vibe.

reply to post by irishchic

Sound bitter? I am.

As you should be, I mirror your sentiment.

reply to post by UberL33t


Agreed but also could be coincidence - not that I think so.

It's interesting that the SHTF right when he got to the podium.

Or it could be HAARP by our own military. Those pranksters.

What is the problem?

Both parents are buried at Arlington and if Obama had shown up my mother might have gotten up and given him a piece of her mind. I think it is a good thing he didn't show.

Going back to the Revolutionary war my family has been there. Even going back to Germany we have bled. My Grandfather who did WW1 & 2 and retired as a Colonel would have been disgusted at our Military & Government leaders. He taught at various Military academies & was Commandant at VMI. The wasted lives in Vietnam, Iraq & Afghanistan, the DU that kills our own troops as well as the enemy, the losses through suicide would have brought tears to his eyes. As an officer & a teacher, his troops were a sacred trust and the sons of his heart.
Our "boys" deserve better then what they are getting.

reply to post by Doctor G

Our "boys" deserve better then what they are getting.

I concur!

reply to post by LurkerMan


"Nick Shapiro, White House assistant press secretary stated, "President Obama has a deep respect and appreciation for our service members and veterans, clearly seen in his administration's policies, priorities and actions.""

lol, yea he cares so much his administration does business with people responsible for slaughtering US troops by arming the Taliban... it was known as far back as 07 China was "supporting terrorists", yet mister change agent has done NOTHING different, folding like a cheap suit.. dancing like a good puppet.

Bill Gertz The Washington Times June 15, 2007
"...Some arms were sent by aircraft directly from Chinese factories to Afghanistan and included large-caliber sniper rifles, millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades and components for roadside bombs, as well as other small arms.

The Washington Times reported June 5 that Chinese-made HN-5 anti-aircraft missiles were being used by the Taliban."
johnib.wordpress.com...

This prosthetic'n chief is a fraction of a man, the last one had a ferns intellect... neither party leader has a problem borrowing $1 trillion from, or doing business with, China... to be paid back by US tax payers with interest.. the GOP & DNC are clowning the nation, making us work to pay back our so called "enemies" arms supplier.. China is probably using US cash to supplement the Taliban orders.. lmao..

If one of us were to support so called "terrorists", well,..lol, we'd be summarily sent to, and tortured at, GITMO... yet when the GOP & DNC do it: they get re-elected.

During WWII the 8th Air Force relentlessly bombed German weapons factories all over Europe, todays politicians drop interest payments.. and nobody cares enough to kick them out of office...

Originally posted by TheOneElectric
Ronald Reagan and George H W Bush also were no shows at times

So...whatever

Love to see the proof backing your assertion up, along with the reasons - compared to obama's - IF they in fact missed Memorial Day.

Snopes does have information on Bush and Reagan not being at Arlington. I realize this is a long quote, though I'm hoping it's permissible given the context of the thread.

In 2002, President George W. Bush was in France on Memorial Day and participated in ceremonies at Normandy (site of the D-Day landings) honoring the U.S. soldiers who fought and died in World War II. In his place, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

President George H.W. Bush (himself a World War II veteran) attended no ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery during his four years in office. In 1989 he was in Rome on Memorial Day (where he led observances at an American military cemetery south of that city), and from 1990 through 1992 he spent the Memorial Day weekend vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine, while Vice-President Dan Quayle laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

President Ronald Reagan was away from Arlington on Memorial Day on four occasions during his eight years in office: In 1981, he (who had been seriously wounded in an assassination attempt six weeks earlier) spent the Memorial Day weekend at his ranch in Santa Barbara, California, while Vice-President George H.W. Bush laid the wreath at Arlington. In 1983, he attended a summit meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia, while Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Thayer represented the administration at the wreath-laying ceremony. In 1987, he spent Memorial Day at the Camp David presidential retreat while Navy Secretary James Webb participated in the wreath-laying ceremony. And on Memorial Day 1988, he was out of the U.S., attending a summit meeting in Moscow.
•(NOTE: President Bill Clinton has no entry in this list because he attended Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington each year throughout his eight years in office.) - www.snopes.com...