President Obama Not Attending Memorial Day Services at Arlington

I do not think this is some type of covert commentary.....I think he just wants to spend time with his friends and family on memorial day weekend........However, I think this is a bad move for him politically. He is the commander in chief........he needs to do his job first!
That is just my opinion.

He is the commander in chief........he needs to do his job first!

I ... well, first off I agree with you Aaron. And I agree with you Navneet, the president should be there.

The why of it ... hmmm .. I can come up with lots of different reasons but one seems to be rising to the top more often than others these days. He truly is in the process of completely transforming our country (and the defintion and parameters of his own job in the process).

Memorial Day ... like you said, maybe he doesn't like the war and is rebelling at the fact that as president he can't really just stop it like he thought he would be able to .. and in any case, it doesn't seem to fit into his view of what our country will be looking like when he's done.

National Day of prayer ... good or bad idea ... don't know but he has decided that also isn't to be part of who we are. Unless we are praying for cap and tax to pass.

He will pass laws in direct conflict with the "essential constraints" set out in the Constitution and that give the government more and more power; but he neither seems to want to do the jobs actually set out for him which are found in and are in line with the Constitution nor those which come with his job and are the traditional jobs that show respect for us and those who protect and fight for us in the armed forces. . . .

Seems nearly everything he does may somehow be covert commentary on any number of things - his denials to the contrary notwithstanding.

Terrific comment Lee!

Yeah, that's always possible too! I agree with you, Aaron, it's definitely a bad political move. He should be there. Thanks for reading!

I don't understand why he does a lot of the things he does. He and I are on different wavelengths. I think of Memorial Day, and I think of the Commander in Chief, solemnly honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I'm pretty baffled by this as well, Char. It would make sense that he attend. Thanks for the recommendation.

St. Reagan did the same thing, and he didn't even send the vice-president! The president is also going down to the Gulf Coast during the same period.

The best thing the president can do is get our troops out of these unecessary wars.

Yeah, you're right, the heck with any rights for the girls and women under the thumb of that brutal Al Qaeda bunch. So what if the girls can't have a school~. So what if the madrassa schools are indoctrinating more terrorists. Sheesh!

Reagan had official business elsewhere AND it was not wartime.

Sorry to disturb your mythology, but that's simply not true:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/memorialday.asp

No Ra;

So you're saying that we went to war with Iraq so that girls can go to school?

I've got radishes that could make a smarter statement than that.

You don't even believe in equal rights for women here, Nora. You don't think American women are smart enough to make their own medical decisions.

And like most people of your ilk, trying to seem smart when you're actually a few cans short of a sixpack, you're confusing the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

I didn't know President Reagan did the same. Thanks for sharing that information. Yes, I think it's great he's going down to the Gulf. I agree with you that he get the troops out of the wars, but I also feel he should honor those who have already fallen. Thanks for reading, Ali.

We were not at war. Different times.

Reagan did not do the same. He did not go on vacation. He had official business elsewhere that took his attention. And he did send the VP.

I see it a bit differently -- this nation is involved in two wars and for the first time, two presidential level ceremonies will happen: Obama at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery near Chicago and Biden at Arlington.

Is anybody listening? Thanks for stating the obvious importance of both venues having representation from the administration.

It should be the other way around . . .

Do you think these frightwingers are listening Ape?

They only listen to their holy trinity of the crying man, the fat boy, and inanity.

ANd the likes of you drinks the leftist talking points kool aid. Try reading some honest history, try studying the down falls of socialism why it has always failed. Try learning the importance of being patriotic and committed to your country and those who protect your freedoms!

It SHOULD be the other way around. This vacation SHOULD NOT take precedence over a national ceremony. He should commit to this country FIRST and his own selfish needs second. He never will.

The president NOT at Arlington for Memorial Day is hard to take. I won't take it as a personal affront, and I did serve, but he certainly is offering a message of complacency for those who gave the full measure of devotion. And that HURTS.

I think of the eternal flame there, and remember a Commander fallen as well.....

I had to do a double take, and reading the Lie that Obama Hates the Military hurts almost as much as his decision to attend ceremonies in Illinois, I can almost understand Illinois, I have But Kennebunkport. was the scene for the Senior Bush, Junior did a visit to Normandy, that was impressive. But the attacks are sickening. Obama DOES NOT HATE THE MILITARY. Still, the Illinois memorial service gives the Right Wing RABBLE ammunition.

Obama has done too much to hurt the military. Posting military secrets. Taking away the right to defend with nuclear arms. Not responding to the car bomb. I have two sons serving and deployed. He has put my children at risk. He never served. He doesn't get it. I believe it should be a requirement of the office to have served in one of the branches of the military for a minimum of 4 years.

Siobhan Fuller, The posting of Military secrets interest me, I am not aware of any "violation of National Security" by this administration, though I do know of a couple of REAL violations, both "pardoned" by GW Bush and one Military Secret that Bush himself exposed for political purposes. That act was not prosecutable, The President has the final say on what has to be kept secret. And that is the problem with your first complaint. IF Mr. Obama posted the information, he is permitted to...it is his call.

Your Second issue, the RIGHT to defend with nuclear arms. WE DON'T HAVE AND NEVER HAVE HAD THAT RIGHT. Or rather, we have not had that right since JFK was President, and the WORLD took that "right" away from EVERYONE. You must have heard of the policy of Mutually Assured Destruction. That policy was NOT just US policy. And it remains in place. And we still have the right to defend against nuclear arms. We even have the right to wipe any country that uses nuclear arms off the face of the earth.

Not responding to the car bomb presents another problem for me. If you are referring to Times Square, the response was a quite dramatic, but it was effective, and it CERTAINLY was a response. If you are talking about some other car bomb, I would be loathe to believe that there has been an incident and there has been no response. That just does not make sense.

If you add the requirement that a President be a Veteran of service, you need to be a bit more clear. I would agree, if a requirement of VOTING was honorable service in the armed forces, or a reserve/national guard unit. And that is not a problem for me to support. BUT, to require that a President volunteer for military service YEARS before he qualifies, by age, for the office seems very, exceptionally, unbelievably stupid.

It is very simple joshua d, The United States HAS A CIVILIAN government, It is A VERY DELIBERATELY CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT. It would be incredibly STUPID to have us electing Only veterans for to the Presidency UNLESS WE REQUIRED EVERY CITIZEN TO BE A VETERAN BEFORE VOTING.

The President does not REPRESENT THE MILITARY. He commands the military but he does NOT represent it. When You Turn 18 you can and in my opinion should, serve this country in the military, and you can vote. I am all for requiring EVERYONE to register to vote and enlist at the same time. Then, the President would, by necessity be a veteran, So that would be FINE with me. We could use the extra troops too.

besides joshua d. what veterans would you qualify for the office of President. Believe me, I would not want any of the PFC's I knew, who by the time they were done had six years of service, running the country. But they are vets. Two years active...draftees did that in my day, Two years Ready Reserve, the deal where you go to meetings and encampments, and two years Standby Reserve, You might get called up so you have to keep the military informed of your whereabouts.

GW Bush is the best reason I can think of, He was a "VETERAN" and a commissioned officer as well.

John Kerry Lost to Bush, and had a distinguished military career trashed by a republican backed character assassination.

John Kerry also threw his medals away in protest of the Vietnam war. I do not understand why any veteran would not be proud of any decorations he/she received. He was awarded those awards for performing his duties and fighting alongside of his brothers and sisters in arms. To throw them away because he was mad at the government to me is stupid but that is another debate. I dont think requiring future presidents to have military experience is stupid as you need military experience to command a military. It would not be necessary to be a veteran to vote, every american citizen is granted the right vote if they obey the law by the constitution. I have some faith left in the American people to choose a good leader and by making military service a requirement for the presidency you will only better the office. If someone has aspirations to be president they just need to ensure that they meed the criteria to run. Im sure obama didn't wake up one day and decide he might want to be president. It is a slow climb that takes years of networking and preparation. And as far as the remark about Bush being a "VETERAN" and different ways to serve in the military whether it be IRR, reservist, national guard, or whatever: they all were and will always be soldiers and veterans that stood up to serve their country. I would rather have a former PFC with two days of military experience commanding the army than some guy that doesn't know how or when to render a salute or place his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem.

joshua d, you may, when you have had enough time to reflect on the "cause" the Iraq war round two was fought for. But I an knowingly not helping you in that regard. You should be proud of what you are doing if you are not, you should stop doing it. If you Can't stop doing it the damage done to your personal Spirit may be beyond repair.

Kerry, in a protest against the morality of sending millions of Vietnamese to their graves in the interest of protecting the colonial power of France did in fact toss the symbols of his bravery in that conflict onto the lawn of the white house. He also told the United States Congress that American Troops engaged in atrocities in Vietnam, and he was not the only VETERAN of that war to do so. IN FACT, his action, on returning home from that war helped to shorten it. To this day the justification of our involvement remains in question.

You position that military service should be a requirement of the Presidency does not fit with the fundamental principal of a civilian goverment. We do not want a military government in the US. We do not want federal troops patrolling our streets to keep us "safe" though there is no reason I can see for not using federal troops to constrain illegal entry into the us over our borders or via our very long and poorly guarded coastline.

IF you are sincere in making military service a requirement of the office of President, PLEASE CLEARLY STATE WHAT IS THE MINIMUM RANK THIS VETERAN MUST HAVE ATTAINED, AND IS IT OK THAT THE VETERAN IS DISCHARGED AS UNFIT FOR DUTY?

This is not a trick question, it is one that must be answered before the issue can proceed further.

By the way, I lived in the DC area for a couple of years was even offered a posting to the honor guard on the Tomb of the Unknowns. I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT. Never went to the Cemetery, and volunteered for a very difficult and challenging job in a combat engineer unit rather than be assigned to the Cemetery duty.

I did my duty, have an honorable discharge, and If you like, will run for President on the basis of that military service ... how's that hit you?

If it were up to me I would say minimum of 4 years of active duty with an honorable discharge. I would not place a minimum rank as promotions vary within the enlisted ranks. One may be a top notch soldier and not be in a position that is promotable. On the officer side promotions are based on time in service and job performance. I guess the overall point that I am trying to make is that the President would in a better position to command the military with an understanding of how the military operates. Four years of active duty would at least clue the president in as to how the military operates, how it goes about meeting its needs, and its traditions and courtesies. This all, of course, is just my opinion.

I am glad to hear that you have served and commend you for service to this great country. The fact that you turned down the job at Arlington and have never been to the cemetary does not make me think any different of you or your service. Since you have served you understand the sacrifices that are involved in serving in the military. By not going to the Arlington on Memorial Day, the president is sending the message to many that he does not understand the sacrifices made for this country by the military and that if he does understand the sacrifice it is not as important to him as a BBQ in Chicago.

I do think his absence from Arlington is easily exploited as a "political cause." That is all it is. If I were to want to harm the effectiveness of our Chief executive I would seek ANY reason to criticize him.

Mr Obama is the President of the UNITED States, not Just the President of the Department of Defense. And Arlington is ONLY ONE of many military cemeteries. Why has no recent president marked Memorial Day at Gettysburg. That is also a military cemetery. Arlington was, if my memory serves me, confiscated after the Civil War, and the dead were first buried in front of the mansion. The intent was as much to Insult the Former owner of the Plantation as it was to honor the dead.

His decision to go to the Gulf to see first hand the devastation and the cleanup efforts makes good sense to me, and doing it while the nation takes a breath for a holiday seems a good idea as well. His duties are somewhat reduced over holidays. ANY holidays.

Next, he is to put in an appearance at the Lincoln National Cemetery, where the graves of many of America's fallen troops repose. Lincoln by the way is buried Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield Illinois. Arlington has not always had the aura it has today.

I don't recall any previous President going to the heartland of American to mark Memorial Day. I think if I were in Illinois I would be celebrating the event.

I agree that the president's trip the gulf is very important and warranted, but also this oil leak has been going on for quite a while. He has had many opportunities to make his way to the gulf coast. Just yesterday he entertained the Duke basketball team at the White House. The reason that no president has made his way to the Heartland is because it is a tradition for the president to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns ON MEMORIAL DAY. The reason he is going to the Lincoln National Cemetary is because it is conveniently close to Chicago, home of the Memorial Day BBQ. This is nothing but a political move to somewhat save face on Memorial Day. He knows that he, as the President, should probably be at Arlington to take place in paying respects to the fallen but he is choosing his own agenda instead and that is what people are having a problem with. In closing it is his decision and his decision to make. I just think that the nation as a whole, put in his position, would have chosen differently.

yea sure

you are joining in a political free for all, doing all you can to weaken the ability of the chief executive to administer the needs of the USA. Typical obstructionist BS.

Sorry joshua d, but you are a FAKE

Don't worry Mr. Leuba you have not hurt my feelings calling me a FAKE as I know that when one has nothing intelligent left to say he or she will result to name calling. We will see in the future how this will play out. Until then I will continue to serve as I have promised to do. I will also continue to try to understand your point of view. I just hope that you try to do the same. Maybe spongebob can help you see the forest for the trees.

joshua d, it is just wonderful that you have matured to the point where being dismissed from a conversation doesn't hurt your feelings. I called you a FAKE because from what you have said, and what I know of the nature of People you are a fake. A poser, a pretty brave one if you do the job of a soldier without flinching, but a poser in any case. You are willing to offer your life up for the liberty of others...why do you whine when one of the others exercises judgment and LIBERTY in marking an important day in the life of our nation. I admit that MY own sense is that my President should be at MY cemetery, but he is not coming to Arizona, and as far as I know he has not even directed the Administrator of the Veterans Hospital to be at the national Cemetery in my hometown. He did not do that even though the hospital director works for the government, for the same reason I will not assault his character for making a decision to do something different from what I want. I AM NOT THREE YEARS OLD ANYMORE, I DON'T HAVE TEMPER TANTRUMS WHEN I DON'T GET WHAT I WANT. And joshaua d, I live with my real name out where everyone can see it, I stand behind everything I say, and correct my mistakes PUBLICLY. And joshua d, I AM A FLAMING LIBERAL.

I pledge Allegiance to the Nation -- I support EQUAL rights for gays and all racial, religious and ethnic minorities. EVERYONE in the country. I have been doing this since I was able to make a sign to hang on my bicycle.

YOU are a FAKE.

Personal opinion - no civilian should command the military. Kerry was an ass for throwing away his awards. I believe the President should have served in the military. Just my opinion.

he can take a vacation any time he wants. Those soldiers gave their lives for this country. For the next few years, until someone else is elected in 2012, he can sacrifice and place the damn wreath. They made the ultimate sacrifice. He won't even sacrifice his precious vacation. He is a disgrace.

Mr. Karl Leuba, I really enjoy all political arguing and commentary. It is sad that not much new comes out from either side. Same ol' same ol'. I can't add anything to these worn-out arguments. Besides being an old retired redneck limits my political credibility.

That being said, I am well versed and experienced in military matters. You have called Joshua D. a fake, a poser, accused him of temper tantrums, and have touted your beliefs to be correct over anyone else’s.

We have the right, the duty to speak out when we are in disagreement with our elected officials. One's side doesn't win because of their superior name calling or baseless accusations. You are free to do that, it doesn't help your case. Please tell me your convictions are not anchored on your name calling and your skills as a blowhard.

You are a poser and a fake. You are the temper tantrum thrower in chief. In your 2 years in D.C. you could not drag yourself out of the bars long enough to pay respect to your fallen brethren? I know many who never served a day who have made the trip to visit Arlington from long distances.

You were NEVER "offered a posting" at the Tomb of the Unknowns. If you would have studied up on your career embellishments you would know that you volunteer to apply for this esteemed position. If you pass the application process and meet the physical standards you move on with the selection process. It is competitive. It is very demanding. You are to live within tight restrictions of their high standards. You do not drink alcohol while off duty. You can be removed for infractions that other units don't blink an eye at.

Read up and I am sure you can find out what unit does this duty. You can give us a consumer report.

Before you call anyone a poser and a fake take a look in the mirror and make sure you like what you see. At least get your *%&# military career story straight.

I can add that not only are you a poser and a fake but also a B.S.er of the top degree.

You can argue politics without resorting to this. Joshua D. seemed to be giving you pretty straight answers. They were just different than yours.

Well Karl, for once you and I agree...you said "there is no reason I can see for not using federal troops to constrain illegal entry into the us"

However, don't you think that a minimum of experience in the miliatary would be good experience for later becoming Commander in Chielf? Would you want a surgeon who's just read books about surgery?

Interesting point of view Maden, not particularly accurate but interesting. The first 9 months I was in DC I was in the Military Academy Prep School I did not have time to attend to the bars, and besides, I was pretty young. I turned 21 four months before being transferred to Presidio of San Francisco, with a duty station in Arizona. I was NOT too busy to get to the mall, and the Wall was not built yet. I was Not to busy to care for my seriously ill sister in law while my brother SERVED the Department of Defense in a science capacity that I never was privy to. Classified stuff and all that.

I did have a bit of time, after three months at Fort Dix, when I was not on duty in the communications center, I was usually sleeping. OR, doing duty as master of Ceremonies at service club events for the other troops at Fort Belvoir, I still, nearly fifty years later have the token of appreciation the Army gave me for that work.

I guess, that if you knew me better you would realize that I don't put much credit in the little dances people do while trying to be impressive ... but then few people do act where posing is sufficient.

I am A VERY vocal critic of the wanna be who can't seem to cut the mustard. So I will accept that "charge" with the grace that I think is necessary under the circumstances.

Of course I will withold my opinion of YOU personally because I think you know yourself well enough to know what I think of you, and spelling it out would be an insult to your obvious superior intelligence.

Have fun ... live well ... take pride in what you do. I will, and have in the past.

CHRIS, when you and John get a handle on reality ask again

I stand by my posting. I do not claim "superior intelligence" and would love for you to "spell it out". I am just a harmless grey haired man, who is pretty good at picking out inconsistencies in military claims! I have a lifetime in taking pride in what I do. You seem to be the one doing "the little dances".

I believe if you would shoot a little straighter with your opinions folks like Joshua D. and others would take note of your opinions. Might not change their minds but it would go a long way in helping others understand "where you are coming from". "Duly noted and disgarded" I believe is the phrase we used when we dumped information that we didn't agree with. We did listen - it just wouldn't digest in our small primitive brains.

Retired and living my particular brand of reality that no amount of arguing or discussion will ever change for the differing beliefs here and that's O.K. That is why we vote, that is why we contact the offices of our representatives, that is why we complain, that is why we type our opinions to sites like this. If we didn't, who would read a bunch of folks agreeing and patting each other on the back?

Our elected officials are big boys and girls and should be able to withstand the onslaught of differing opinions from people writing and discussing on our level. Especially my level. These arguments haven't changed in years. Just the names and activities in the arguments.

It is too easy to call Mr. Leuba out on his service claims. I have no reason to doubt he served in some capacity and did so honorably as he claimed. He did embellish his service and his claims do not hold water. There are claims us veterans know to be true and assertions we know to be, well maybe not so true. It is our RESPOSIBILITY to correct these claims or bring light to what may be someone padding their resume of military service.

This is for our fellow Americans who did not serve who may not know military jargon, requirements, how things occur. I do not believe everyone is cut out to be a service member. I do believe everyone should volunteer, serve, or do something for their country. Our right to our discussions here are not guaranteed in most nations around the world. Contributing to this great nation and our rights is the greatest thing we can do to preserve what we have.

That being said veterans and service members are the best qualified to call fakes and posers out. You can try if you never served but you will come up short - you just don't know and without the experience you cannot. There are too many branches, too many specialties, too many deployments, too many time frames with different command philosophies and executive decisions as to how the military will function to know unless you were there.

You can't make things up without being called on it. Even service members who were in the same place at the same time doing the same job don't agree on everything. Remember veterans discussing John Kerry and the swift boats? I know what I believe but I was not there. The veterans on both sides of that argument believed they were right. If you were not in that specialty at that time in that place and attempted to create a story or career those guys would tear you apart. They know what went on and deserve their story and don't tolerate posers or fakes.

We have our eyes GATHERED on you Karl!

John YOU are dismissed.you too chris. HAVE FUN WITH THE WORLD YOU CREATE.

Karl, from looking at your profile, you are an educated man. I am not arguing the politics here. As previously stated it is a dead horse thoroughly beaten. If I could intelligently add something new that would enhance this debate I would.

Resorting to asinine statements or phrases is beneath you. It is all too common in today's political banter, if you could call it that, to resort to "burns" when there is no come back, no retort that is relevant even on any of today's media discussions of politics.

You seem to have a lot of opinions and even you stated "This is not a trick question, it is one that must be answered before the issue can proceed further".

We want clarity in your military service that qualifies you to call Joshua D. "a FAKE because from what you have said, and what I know of the nature of People you are a fake. A poser, a pretty brave one if you do the job of a soldier without flinching, but a poser in any case".

By what authority are you "dismissing" contributors of opinion? I know I am not "enlightened" as to your role or position with this site but I am confused. Do Chris W., Josua D., and I delete this site from our laptops or turn them off? Are you to cite us for the world we "created"?

Please inform us as to what to do with our dismissal. Do we reapply to debate you after some penance? Who will give us our sentence? Will we be called back or do we contact someone to determine if we have satisfied our term?

This is long and exhausting, even silly. I guess I am "fighting fire with fire" but I have no idea how else to get you to respond to the few of us who want to know what qualifies you to make the claims and accusations you have made. Then we can continue and try to intelligently debate the subject at hand.

Please answer the questions to let us know when we can move forward. No, I am not Joshua D.'s or Chris W.'s spokesman or protector. I am sure they are grown men and can handle themselves just fine. Same with "The Unofficial Glenn Beck Gather Member". We want and like debate. We are enthusiastic about it. I do want to snap out of the same going nowhere talking points - that is where I lose interest.

I just joined this site. Lots of good topics here. I am interested. I and others need intelligent debate.

Just give us some answers. We want to know. You can start - NOW!

Maden, I have been shot at, my mother's home has been attacked, my home has been attacked, my wife has been shot at, and I have survived. There is no way I am going to sit quiet while a bunch of slimy lying dorks try to make my country an image of the Third Reich, AND IF YOU ARE UNAWARE OF THE PNAC, AND ITS DOCTRINE OF DOMINATION, you need to go to school.

Sorry John, but you are right, I resigned a competitive appointment to West Point, I am a drop out from American Mensa, not dumb enough to pay their dues so I can play scrabble at a level that is challenging. I don't need the ego boost.

GW Bush won two elections. and the Republicans got and held control of Congress for 12 years setting the

World up for the recession we are just recovering from. There Tax policies have sent hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs out of the country. The tax system should EAT EVERY PENNY OF PROFIT MADE BY ANY AMERICAN ON ANY FOREIGN INVESTMENT. Not some of the profit ALL of it. Every Damn nickle. That would keep production in the USA and that is NOT beyond the realm of possible.

OK...I'll compromise I will only take EVERY NICKLE AFTER 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS IS DELIVERED TO THE INVESTOR. (each year)

We need to put Americans to Work AND WE NEED TO PRODUCE precision instruments, and cameras and machine tools and the equipment needed to build cannon and tank...not because we need to conquer the world but because we need to be prepared to PREVENT the conquest of ourselves.

Madden your profile says you came to this forum VERY recently. I think your impression of me is distorted because I AM ON A RAMPAGE. The pipsqueaks like the idea that they can bait the old bear, but they don't seem to know, as well as you do, that like any old fighter, i know most of the tricks and i make up for my lack of speed and strength by fighting dirty. Don't worry about advising me to play nice, I WON'T, AND I HAVE NO INTENTION OF TRYING TO.

Karl - we are recovering from a recession? Really? Now Karl, consider this: In 8 YEARS, the debt grew 4 trillion under Bush. In 1 YEAR the debt grew 4 trillion under this socialist piece of shit. At this rate, the US will be dead and buried in no time. He is going to destroy us. How is that recovering? Companies are going under and being bought out by the government instead of being allowed to go under which is the capitalist way. How is that recovering? States are near bankrupt or bankrupt. Greece is collapsing. How is that recovering? We are on the verge of economic collapse. We are no were near recovery.

It doesn't matter. I read that the VP will do that while Obama will speak at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. I'm sure most Americans will miss both.

Peter Joseph, I am pretty sure that Most Americans don't even know why Memorial Day is in May. There will be more people tuned to the Indy 500 than ARE BURIED at Arlington. And the 500 is not even a NASCAR event.

I'm sure the relatives of those buried at the Lincoln cemetery (which is an official VA military site) think their loved ones are just as deserving of a Presidential ceremony as are those buried at Arlington. Arlington gets a lot of coverage because it is visited & photographed often (due to its proximity to D.C.). But I was not aware that it should be viewed as somehow "more holy" than our other military cemeteries. And it is shameful for right-wingers (such as Beck & Malkin) to just lie that Obama is "skipping" Memorial Day, without even mentioning that he is observing it in another location.

He is the worst thing that could have happened to this country. He is a disgrace. We are at war. Our men and women are placing their lives at risk, under his "command," and he wants to "vacation," so he will not honor them. I am ashamed to call him our "President," so I do not. He is a disgrace to the office and the American people. He should be removed immediately. He was not planning to observe it anywhere else until the outrage because his needs are more important than this country. He does not like this country. He is dismantling it piece by piece, like posting our military secrets for the world to see and apologizing for us to the rest of the world. The man should be tried for treason and crimes against the American people. He is only going to the Gulf now because of the outrage that he did not go before. He never did say a word about the bomb in NYC. He is terrorist. He is a disgrace.

Sigh

Also, one of Obama's biggest supporters went on O'Reilly last night and slammed him mercilessly. He is done with Obama. He is sick of him. He said he handled the Gulf oil spill wrong and should have been there already. He never should have made the comment about the nuclear weapons. He should have spoken about the car bomb. And he never should have stated that we would post military secrets. He was agreeing with Newt Gingrich. I cannot recall the man's name right now, he is bald and is usually a big Obama supporter, so I was really surprised to see him slamming him. It will come to me. Give me time.

Carville.

I found it ironic that James Carville should be on the air ranting about this "betrayal" by another Democrat. He certainly relished beating GW over the head when he was slow to respond to the disaster wrought by Katrina.-Norman

I guess he's not being rewarded enough, or has personal assets at risk because of the oil spill. He is certainly ticked about BP and who knows what. As a democratic talking head, his stripes are changing. I was shocked to say the least. Maybe he and Mary are watching Glenn. :^)

Yeah; Mary Matalyn has to be smiling right now.

He certainly made me smile, maybe I better keep one eye on CNN, they are getting the picture, probably because of ratings.

Yes! Carville! Thank you! I love it! His supporters are leaving him in droves!!!

I noticed today, a comment from them that it is dear to him because he's from the coast where all the oil is landing, or thereabouts. That's why he's in an uproar.

Mary was on today, and a few days ago I heard James say they had moved there now. So, I spected right. He has an interest in the land, and of course the heritage.

Great post, Navneet!! I think it's great that other's can see this err in thinking. If Obama's approval rating is sliding, you'd think he'd be doing everything he could to appease the country he's leading, right? I know that when he was running for office, he was doing everything in his power, then. It's almost like he knows he can get away with it from now on, so why even try. Oh well, I guess everyone has their own beliefs and ideas. I guess all we can do is pray for him and hope he's doing the job he needs to do to make this country survive. He's got bigger fish to fry.

Great Article. As a Vietnam Veteran,I still haven't forgiven Congress for the abandonment of a war that resulted in the waste of 56,000 American lives. The President's action is simply par for the course; Liberals have always had a deep-seated bias against military people; The President is just a little more open about his.-Norman

No, Normie... we do NOT have "deep-seated bias against 'military people'." We DO have a deep seated bias against gallivanting all over the globe getting into wars for no good reason and getting our"military people" maimed and killed to no purpose.

It bothers me a lot, as a 3-year RA vet, to see that sort of stupid, over-broad, gratuitous slam as a back-handed way to insult the president (and me).

Chuck,Liberals don't seem to like the fact that the military is a separate and distinct culture; That's why they're trying to shove "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" down their throats. At the very least,they take the military for granted; They don't seem to realize that it's the military who puts teeth into the Constitution.-Norman

norman, what was YOUR definition of victory in Vietnam? You say you're a veteran of that war, (a lot of people do, more in fact than actually are) but I doubt that you know the raison d etre ) We were there defending the COLONIAL interests of France. We started defending those Interests in 1954. While Eisenhower was CUTTING AND RUNNING in Korea. Ask MacArthur, he was committing the USA to a war in Vietnam on behalf of France WHO HAD ALREADY LOST. I am so sorry that YOU and I and Many thousands of our contemporaries were faced with that mess. I was never "in country." Those who were had it worse than I did, but my life was also dedicated to that event in other ways.

Vietnam was a war we should have stayed home from. This last incursion into Iraq has the same cause, colonialism, or imperialism (take your pick of isms) and it is a shame that even one drop of blood American, Arab, Christian, Muslim, or Dutch has been shed there.

It's time to pick up our kit bags, accept the lessons of history, and get to work on making our home a better place for ALL of us.

I was with the 366th Tac Fighter Wing at Da Nang AB,up near the DMZ (1971-1972). I also helped to cover the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. Yeah,we helped the French in their failed attempt to hold on to their empire in SE Asia. As for why we continued to have a presence there,I believe that our intentions were noble-to stop the spread of Communism in that part of the world. My definition of victory in Vietnam is a TOTAL victory-not a political one. WE could have ended the war a lot sooner,if only the politicians had kept their noses out of it. Instead of total victory,we had a farce that wasted the lives of 56,000 of our brothers and sisters in arms. I once read an article in which Gen. McArthur,on his deathbed in 1964,warned President Johnson not to get involved in Vietnam. Strange advice coming from a man who was ready to cross the Yalu River in North Korea and invade China. I agree with you in that if we weren't ready to win in Vietnam,we should've indeed have stayed home. You talk about accepting the lessons of history; it appears that we have learned nothing from the past,since it looks like we are going to repeat history in Af ghanistan. I really would like to move on,Karl,I really would.-Norman

Enough

Navneet, the controversy is embroiled not only with his disdain for the military but the remembrance in picture of Obama not respecting our National Anthem/flag by placing his hand over his heart. Plus, he did not repeat the Pledge to Allegiance.

I guess, since his formative years were spent in a foreing madrassa school, he never learned to have respect for our country, our flag and our servicemen. Sad indeed for an AMerican leader.

Yes, others missed some Memorial Days at ARlington, but they were veterans. Bill Clinton a non vet, did attend every year for 8 years. Guess he was smart enough to show his respect for our "unknown soldiers' who gave their lives so you could be free from tyranny, whether an English King, a German Madman or a Japanese Power monger, or saddistic zealot like Saddam.

Quit whining Nora, you are beginning to sound almost three years old.

When that unpatriotic socialist decides to love his country and to respect the servicemen who protect all of us, then and only then will I quit the whining!

Drink all the kool aid you want Karl, the rest of us are committed to remaining pro truth!

chris when a fat boy who is to stupid to set the clock in a digital camera asks why I support President Bush Oh I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. Mr Obama has presided over a dramatic decline in combat deaths in Iraq There was a spike in Afghanistan when, FOLLOWING A STRATEGY DEVELOPED BY ROBERT GATES THE TROOP LEVELS WERE INCREASED AND THE BATTLES WERE TAKEN TO THE TALIBAN. Now, I suppose that saying a war has casualties w TO HELL WITH IT, YOU DON'T DESERVE AN ANSWER

chris you are a sad little fat boy with a very pretty red car. go play with it.

Notice the icon change, THAT is a United States Depearment of Veterans Affairs Picture ID. Let us knock of the slander Unofficial Lying what every you wish to be called. that ID IS federal and you don't get it without an HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE US ARMED FORCES.

Now prove you have a high school diploma.

I CANT UNOFFICIAL, MY PROSTATE IS CANCEROUS, AND TO KEEP ME FROM DYING I AM BEING CONVERTED, MY BOOBS STARTED DEVELOPING THIS WEEK. ESTROGEN WORKS WONDERS. It has calmed me down and made a pussycat out of me. ASK ANYONE.

NOW stop picking on a poor sick old man like me. I can't defend myself against your lies and innuendo, and I will be destroyed politically if you keep up. I am so weak and trembling that you could knock me over with a feather. come close and try...I only have this bayonet to pick my teeth. IAM A VETERAN HAVE YOU NO RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO KEPT YOU FREE?

Karl, the decline in deaths in Iraq is NOT due to the socialist, it is due to the fact that we are almost finished with training the Iraqis to take over their own government.

Now Karl, consider this: In 8 YEARS, the debt great 4 trillion under Bush. In 1 YEAR the debt grew 4 trillion under this socialist piece of shit. At this rate, the US will be dead and buried in no time. He is going to destroy us.

Navneet, I wonder, what do you think of all the raging going on down here?

There is no controversy other than that contrived by fake patriots and zealots. As R.F. and others have noted, the VP often does the wreath laying at Arlington while the President honors our veterans elsewhere.

Lets get the story right. Reagan, Carter and Bush Sr also failed to personally honor our soldiers at Arlington. As for President Obama he is paying his respects to America's war dead Monday at a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., south of Chicago.

Vice President Biden laid the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C.