Capitalizing on President Obama?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 01:26:45 -0400

This discussion about Vladimir Putin being manly kind of reminds me of the Reagan Era. How we present ourselves is actually a layer of security. Meaning the withering criticism is unfair, in the respect that International and National security rely on respect.

Today we have the perfect storm where individual freedom and common sense had collided. On one hand the respect for the office or rather the lack thereof. That is becoming a big problem.

Here is my take. I served at the very end of the Vietnam-era and Cold War. I worked at Ramstein and let's just say the place was political. In otherwords, what we said had value insofar as the public's perception of me and the Military.

It is one thing to publicly disgrace the president and quite another to generally criticize him, especially as a Veteran or Retired member of the services.

OPSEC matters and public perception is critical to getting anything done. I can assure you that both President Obama and to some extent President Bush like all presidents are under terrible stress.

Pictures of Obama with his kids, I say leave that ALONE. Having fun with his kids are cool, so leave them and then their personal life out of it.

The President has made mistakes and according to some of us, maybe too many. The problem with a pervasive disrespect is the role it has on the international community. So, we get back to that and besides it is stepping on toes.

The government has it's checks and balances and the Administration and supporters have caviled at past presidents and without mentioning names of those presidents, this happens on both sides.

I was irritated by a sense of censorship over something relatively benign. Partisan hackery is an an affront to all of us when it compromises a mission.

And for many the idea of grass-laden aircraft with the President's name was in fun, but the Soviet-minded Putin uses this like a politically correct tool and now the shoe is on the other foot. I suggest that we mind our words regardless of the POTUS. Calling President Bush a war criminal, a monkey and thinking it funny when people throw shoes at him need to just shut-up.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 7 at 2014 1:33 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 01:33:11 -0400

I kind of see both sides. While I agree that we have to be respectful of the office, we also shouldn't take that to mean that the office is above criticism....but it should be honest, performance based criticism, not name calling, cajoling, etc.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 7 at 2014 9:46 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 09:46:37 -0400

Very nice take on the subject SSgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 12:40 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 12:40:43 -0400

I think it all starts on the fundamental level: EDUCATION and PARENTHOOD. What we're witnessing is the former 'future' in the now, worldwide, catching up to us at unprecedented pace.

I can say that we need to 'brace ourselves', but it's probably not good enough. But instilling a sense of patriotism and respect into ones around us, military or not, is a start. So help us God

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 2:45 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 14:45:19 -0400

Although I am not a fan of this administration I do not like some of the nasty comments made. Didn't care for them when they where throwing them at Mr. Bush either. That part of politics really needs to stop, there is no reason to be nasty. But one thing that continues to bother me is the defense of this administration by blaming and attacking former President Bush. Cant this administration stand on its own merits. What happens on your watch regardless of what you may or may not have inherited is on you. A new commander of a unit can not blame poor performance on the previous commander. Its his/her job to correct what might be perceived to be wrong. To make the unit better in his/her vision. Nobody is ever going to completely agree on the ideas of your visions. That is human nature to disagree. But as mom use to say. "If you only have nasty words to say shut your mouth".

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 5:32 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:32:21 -0500

I would simply pass out were the political opponents were to say that the rhetoric said about President Bush is addressed. Being silent about it, is wrong and so we have a virtual stalemate. In that we have to respect one or the other. I would go off on any person talking trash about his kids and to some extent the first lady. But some apologies are in order for this to move ahead and reconcile some of these differences.

This tat for tat stuff needs to end. Political advisers who misrepresent the truth to win elections is a major part of that. To name a couple, Lee Atwater and James Carville and there are many others. Along with talking points. We have a political mess and no one wants to get along. These EOs are exacerbating the acrimony and it is a real shame because in the military we work to get along. Not so, with the civilian population who get rhetoric from Sharpton and bashing of conservative blacks. Stop with the Uncle Tom just because there is an 'R' or 'D'. It used to mean something to be a leader, now are infighting might affect us too.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 5:38 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:38:22 -0500

Let's say we get a defense bill, but to get this done we have to bargain with democrats who do not like us and rather we just go away. So a rider is attached that is largely pork barrel or a political giveaway and in trying to get this done, voters get caught. If you cannot get the Bill through the DOD doesn't get the money they need. People do not get paid and the services are substantially weakened.

So this nauseating rhetoric that Republicans hate kids is B.S. When Rep. Vitter wanted to slash Food Stamps, that was unethical. Not the waste and abuse that invariably occurs but the shape-shifters who make it hard on others where billions go to study the sex of a particular animal.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 5 at 2014 12:24 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:24:46 -0500

An interesting discussion and I'm pleased that the rhetoric one usually finds on Internet discussion threads concerning this topic is missing. Anyone who has the temerity to attack the President or defend him is subject to ad hominem attacks. Not here. That says a lot for the members of Rally Point.

So, allow me to respectfully submit the following for your consideration...

(1) We have the government and elected officials we deserve. Indeed, I would argue that every nation must admit the same. I subscribe whole-heartedly to the principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence, especially that portion which states that people have the right to alter or abolish any government that does not serve them well. In many nations suffering tyranny, the people must take up arms. If they don't, they deserve tyranny. We are fortunate in that we can revolt with our ballots. Sadly, we don't. We reelect the same people time and again regardless of their malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance. In all case, we deserve what we get.

(2) There are many well-founded and well-reasoned arguments for criticizing this President and we have every right to express them. Most of those who attack the critics as racists or partisans, simply can't come up with their own well-founded and well-reasoned counter-arguments.

(3) If we were to all lock arms and stand behind our President regardless of his performance, would that make his performance acceptable? Would other nations ignore his missteps and say, gee, he must be a great President. All the Americans seem to think so. Or, would they look past the smoke screen and see that the emperor has no clothes? Would the bullies of the world behave themselves if We the People stop complaining that the President's words of appeasement are only tempting the bullies to misbehave?

(4) This is a mixed venue of active duty service members and veterans. Is it possible that veterans are more vocal than the average citizen because they lived with a muzzle while on active duty? (Note to those on active duty: Don't risk your careers. Just sit back and enjoy the show while we veterans speak out on your behalf.)

Best to all

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Dec 5 at 2014 4:14 PM

CPO Greg Frazho — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:14:14 -0500

You make some very good points, Staff Sergeant, but you've opened up a can of worms that's both complex and controversial.

Has respect for the OFFICE of the U.S presidency declined in the last several years, if not couple of decades? It definitely has. The shoe-throwing incident, the shout-down in Congress during the State of the Union, the rise of info-taining "news" outlets, the equally obnoxious menace of social media, you name it. To that potent brew, I'd add the phenomenon of what I'd call "baby-boomer/amateurism". (Since when did being an elder statesman become uncouth??!!)

But that being said, is the decline in respect for the office of POTUS the problem, or is it simply symptomatic of a larger problem: perhaps a decline in respect and, let's call it what it is, in fear, of the United States? Ever since the Cold War, our nation has struggled with an identity crisis. We're not sure what we are, what we represent or how we're going to go forward in what was, until just this year, warmly referred to as the post-Cold War Era.

Hell, I'm not even sure we're a superpower any more, and I'd argue that there are those who would claim that even if it is still true, the word 'superpower' has a negative connotation attached to it, which would've been unthinkable even 25 years ago. So when Obama said sardonically during the debate, "Hey, it's the 1980s calling; they want their foreign policy back", he may have been heralding something even he is loathe to admit: we're in decline.

But I digress. You're spot on about laying off the guy's family. Leave those kids alone.

Response by PO2 Johnathan Kerns made May 10 at 2015 12:04 AM

PO2 Johnathan Kerns — Sun, 10 May 2015 00:04:30 -0400

Honestly, I disagreed with quite a bit of the shit that Bush did. With that being said, I'm so glad that I separated before the current administration took office. In my short 30 years of life I've never seen such dumb ass stuff. Obama has done some things that I agree with but damn stop blaming the previous administration for everything. Truman said it best, " The buck stops here".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 7:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 19:40:51 -0400

The only problem about leaving the president and his family alone, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member is the following, president Obama got in, and he knew it, during a pretty bad recession, now, for the most part it was due to the housing bubble, that was bound to burst. There are no innocent victims, as there were many people trying to buy homes they knew they could not afford, nevertheless, this bad economy, has lingered, to this day.

In the meantime, other presidents have been more frugal on where they take vacations, most, used to go to their own places, or camp David, which the Obama's seem not quite able or willing to do.

When you send your pet (dog) in a transport by itself, to catch up with you, spending thousands to make it happen, it borders to irresponsible spending. Why not go to Chicago and visit family? why do we have to spend over 100 million every time they choose to go on vacations, lavish for the most part?

Meanwhile, us, in the service, must control our spending if they send us on orders, 2 very different standards, the only thing similar is that our choices for careers were not compulsory.

The president and his family should have respect for the people, and not same idiotic statements such as " the first time I was proud of my country is when my husband got elected".

Any way, carry on, and have a great day!

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Nov 6 at 2015 9:49 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 09:49:59 -0500

HOOAH, well said. Respectful political debate and discourse is necessary for a healthy democracy, but this has not been not respectful. I think respect for the office ended with the cold war, and since then politicians have been using citizen infighting, slight of hand and playing both sides against the middle to gain more and more power at the cost of personal liberty.

I don't think this is a purposeful conspiracy, I just think it's a case of the political climate digressing to the point where an honest person with a true spirit of public service avoids the cesspool like a plague, leaving only candidates who's motivation is a thirst for power... and once they gain that power, it's natural for them to seek more.

In the end, this leads to a slow decline from a Democracy to a Dictatorship.