POTUS: "You guys make a pretty good photo op."

[Warrior-Mentor]

Nice to know we're good for something...

White House aides: No Afghan decision before Thanksgiving

By Anne E. Kornblut
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:17 AM



SEOUL -- President Barack Obama will not announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan before the Thanksgiving holiday, senior aides said on Thursday.

The news came as the president greeted 1,500 troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea, just before boarding Air Force One and heading back to Washington after an eight-day Asia trip.

Obama and his top military and diplomatic aides have been deliberating for months over how to proceed in Afghanistan, where the United States and its partners have sought for eight years to defeat the Taliban and deny al-Qaeda a safe haven from which it can plan and launch attacks.

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has stated that without the deployment of up to 40,000 additional of troops within the next year, the mission "will likely result in failure." But some aides are arguing for a much smaller troop increase, and the U.S. ambassador in Kabul, Karl W. Eikenberry, has questioned whether the Afghan government can be a reliable partner.

Obama said in interviews Wednesday that he would reveal his decision within the next several weeks. On Thursday, aides clarified that there would be no announcement before Thanksgiving, one week away. Senior administration officials said Obama intends to meet with his national security team again before going public with his plans.

Obama did not mention the looming decision in his remarks to U.S. troops, referring to the Afghan conflict only by thanking South Korea for its efforts and expressing gratitude to the American soldiers who have served there.

But he did discuss the region in his meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, whose government has is sending 150 civilian aid workers to Afghanistan.

Obama arrived on the base 3:19 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time), and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cell phones to snap pictures.

"You guys make a pretty good photo op," the president said.

Standing on a riser wearing a blue suit and red tie, with a cluster of troops and a large American flag behind him, Obama expressed "the gratitude of the American public" and said his meetings in four countries over eight days in Asia will help deliver a "safer more prosperous world for all of us."

He got a huge cheer when he told them he was increasing military pay. "That's what you call an applause line," he said, before boarding his jet and taking off at 4:11 p.m.



SOURCE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...900904_pf.html

Priceless

[Warrior-Mentor]

I'm sure it was meant as a harmless, "Bidenesque" qip.

SOURCE:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...erm=Bidenesque

[orion5]

I really hate dissecting POTUS' every word. Lord knows I don't say the right thing all the time (or any of the time? ask Mr Harsey), but that's just WRONG.

So disrespectful.

Those 1,500 soldiers are in harm's way and may die today or tomorrow because of POTUS' inability to make strategy decisions, but at least POTUS got the picture?

Mothers and fathers are groaning everywhere.

[GratefulCitizen]

The comment is common behavior for a narcissist.
It was pissing on a fire hydrant, attempting to demonstrate relative status.

The president's time in office won't last forever.
There's a place reserved for him just below jimmy carter in history.

[ryno]

Originally Posted by GratefulCitizen

There's a place reserved for him just below jimmy carter in history.

I hope, just like Carter, he only sees one term.

[Mr_PreScuba]

Quote: "Standing on a riser wearing a blue suit and red tie, with a cluster of troops and a large American flag behind him, Obama expressed "the gratitude of the American public"...

...but, not to the soldiers standing before him (and all of the others deployed and stationed elsewhere) that allow him the freedom to do and say the things that he does... and says...

just my $ .02 worth...

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by orion5

I really hate dissecting POTUS' every word. Lord knows I don't say the right thing all the time (or any of the time? ask Mr Harsey), but that's just WRONG.

So disrespectful.

Those 1,500 soldiers are in harm's way and may die today or tomorrow because of POTUS' inability to make strategy decisions, but at least POTUS got the picture?

Mothers and fathers are groaning everywhere.

orion5,

Welcome to the club,I'm always getting in trouble for saying the wrong things...... But,one thing I can always count on, my fellow QP's will always straighten me out.... God bless the brotherhood ................

Big Teddy

[Dozer523]

That SOB.
Instead of re-fueling in the air, the Anointed One stops in Korea on his way back to Washington, -- Mr Hope, interrupts 1,500 Soldiers for 52 minutes -- dresses up in a blue suit and red tie (wanna bet the shirt was white?) -- Mr Change, warms up the crowd of camera carrying 19-25 year olds by insulting them (pointing out they have cameras). -- He lorded his status by standing on a riser ABOVE the Soldiers while aimming his butt at an American flag!
The Great O has the audacity (See, I worked in that awful word) to expressed "the gratitude of the American public" -- AND THEN the Dim Messiah told the Soldiers he was increasing military pay (This was followed by a very disrespectful) "That's what you call an applause line" . . . AND THEN the teleprompter king left!
I think I get it.
This is wearing me out.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Nice to know we're good for something...

White House aides: No Afghan decision before Thanksgiving

By Anne E. Kornblut
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:17 AM



SEOUL -- President Barack Obama will not announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan before the Thanksgiving holiday, senior aides said on Thursday.

The news came as the president greeted 1,500 troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea, just before boarding Air Force One and heading back to Washington after an eight-day Asia trip.

Obama and his top military and diplomatic aides have been deliberating for months over how to proceed in Afghanistan, where the United States and its partners have sought for eight years to defeat the Taliban and deny al-Qaeda a safe haven from which it can plan and launch attacks.

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has stated that without the deployment of up to 40,000 additional of troops within the next year, the mission "will likely result in failure." But some aides are arguing for a much smaller troop increase, and the U.S. ambassador in Kabul, Karl W. Eikenberry, has questioned whether the Afghan government can be a reliable partner.

Obama said in interviews Wednesday that he would reveal his decision within the next several weeks. On Thursday, aides clarified that there would be no announcement before Thanksgiving, one week away. Senior administration officials said Obama intends to meet with his national security team again before going public with his plans.

Obama did not mention the looming decision in his remarks to U.S. troops, referring to the Afghan conflict only by thanking South Korea for its efforts and expressing gratitude to the American soldiers who have served there.

But he did discuss the region in his meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, whose government has is sending 150 civilian aid workers to Afghanistan.

Obama arrived on the base 3:19 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time), and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cell phones to snap pictures.

"You guys make a pretty good photo op," the president said.

Standing on a riser wearing a blue suit and red tie, with a cluster of troops and a large American flag behind him, Obama expressed "the gratitude of the American public" and said his meetings in four countries over eight days in Asia will help deliver a "safer more prosperous world for all of us."

He got a huge cheer when he told them he was increasing military pay. "That's what you call an applause line," he said, before boarding his jet and taking off at 4:11 p.m.



SOURCE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...900904_pf.html

I would have liked to have been there when the base commander told his subordinate leaders to "find" 1500 soldiers that will welcome obama....... a base the size of Osan and only 1500..... bet most were privates and support troops.......

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I would have liked to have been there when the base commander told his subordinate leaders to "find" 1500 soldiers that will welcome obama....... a base the size of Osan and only 1500..... bet most were privates and support troops.......

Well of course! Happy hour started at 3!

[DbeforeD]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I would have liked to have been there when the base commander told his subordinate leaders to "find" 1500 soldiers that will welcome obama....... a base the size of Osan and only 1500..... bet most were privates and support troops.......

Funny, I was there when POTUS Gorge W. Bush visited in 2005. We packed the hanger and tarmac. If I remember correctly, more than 1500 came to see the rock band Everclear during the USO show.

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by DbeforeD

Funny, I was there when POTUS Gorge W. Bush visited in 2005. We packed the hanger and tarmac. If I remember correctly, more than 1500 came to see the rock band Everclear during the USO show.

I remember when President Reagan came and visited the DMZ. We sat on Blackhawks with the rotors turning (did a hot refuel) at Camp Casey for the entire time he was inside the Z.

[Basenshukai]

Originally Posted by ryno

I hope, just like Carter, he only sees one term.

And something else to consider:

The most damaging type of President one can have is one who only wants to serve a single term. Somehow, I think POTUS does not intend to run again (just a "gut" feeling, if you will).

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Basenshukai

And something else to consider:

The most damaging type of President one can have is one who only wants to serve a single term. Somehow, I think POTUS does not intend to run again (just a "gut" feeling, if you will).

I disagree. IMHO, his arrogance and hubris knows no bounds, and he truly believes that he is designated to be the annointed one.

When the Dims take the haircuts that they are going to get come next Nov, he will be tacking back toward the center (ala Clinton) like a MoFo.

Then we will see what happens in 2012.

TR