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President chooses politics over policy
Some disturbing news came out of Washington, D.C., this week concerning President Barack Obama that coincided with his annual State of the Union address. It was three years ago that Obama gave what some would call a hero’s welcome for a police sergeant and her partner who helped stop a deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas.
Sgt. Kimberly Munley sat with first lady Michelle Obama during that 2010 State of the Union address while the president promised Munley that she and other victims of the Fort Hood slaughter would be given the care they deserved.
To refresh memories, an accused shooter, Maj. Nidal Hasan, still awaits a military trial, suspected of killing 13 people and injuring another 32 at the military base in November 2009. The disturbing news is that Munley and others are now suing the military because it refuses to call what happened three years ago an act of terrorism and, instead, call it “workplace violence.”
The lawsuit stems from what Munley and others claim has been a failure on the part of the government to take proper care of the victims, something our president “promised” as part of a political opportunity three years ago.
All of this came to light during an exclusive ABC broadcast on its nightly news with Diane Sawyer and its later “Nightline” show a few evenings ago.
Unfortunately, the Obama administration seems to employ politics over policy far too often. The fact that the victims of the Fort Hood shootings are somehow forgotten today after they played an important political role during Obama’s State of the Union address three years ago shouldn’t come as a surprise.
What is shameful is that these dedicated soldiers are being denied what should be justified, but certain military leaders are balking because of what many are calling “political correctness” in handling the Hasan trial.
Unless Maj. Hasan is found guilty of terrorist activity – and there is plenty of evidence to support that claim – victims may never receive benefits accorded military personnel in combat situations, including awarding of purple hearts. Their benefits have fallen far short of what they would have received if injured in combat.
It’s hard to fathom that it has taken more than three years for Maj. Hasan to face trial. Until that happens, Munley and others will undoubtedly continue to suffer.
Fast forward to Sept. 11, 2012, and the attack on the consulate in Benghazi, Libya. There is no question in my mind that the Obama administration whitewashed the entire incident because of the proximity of the November 2012 presidential election. Again, it was politics over policy.
Evidence continues to mount that the attack, which resulted in the death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three others, was a planned event and that Washington knew well of the escalating dangers at the consulate prior to the incident.
Enough of a smokescreen was established, claiming the attack was a spontaneous result of a protest of the video, “Innocence of Muslims.” No question the confusion that ensued got the current administration through the November elections without too much collateral damage.
United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice could not have been too happy with the outcome since it probably cost her an opportunity to become secretary of state in Obama’s cabinet. Her explanations of the attack, which were later discounted, became the beginning of the end of those political aspirations. Someone had to take the fall, I suppose.
A bit closer to home and certainly not as graphic as Fort Hood or Benghazi was an incident last year involving the president during a campaign swing in Seattle.
Our son, Kevin, who commanded a Blackhawk wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in nearby Tacoma, was part of an escort for President Obama during a campaign visit. Kevin ferried members of the White House press corps during the brief hops around the Emerald City.
Weather conditions for that day in Seattle were atrocious, but the campaign activities moved forward. Kevin has flown in some pretty harsh environments, including missions in Afghanistan where wind, dust and snow hampered flight operations.
As soon as the presidential orders were followed, all of the helicopters were grounded in Seattle and pilots and crews were returned to the base via ground transportation. All agreed that the conditions were far too dangerous for flight. Missions in hostile territory would have been scuttled in similar weather. The choppers were recovered and flown back to Lewis-McChord a few days later – when conditions improved.
Again, the administration chose politics and fundraising over the safety of our military. If this was a trip of national concern, I could understand the importance of the mission. But, this was nothing more than a Democratic fundraiser.
Fortunately, there were no incidents and all the pilots and their crews completed their duties unscathed.
Just once I would like to see the president choose policy over politics.
Bill James is a former editor and publisher of the Daily Republic, now living in Meridian, Idaho, a suburb of Boise.
Discussion | 41 comments
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PatriotFebruary 24, 2013 - 6:41 am
Agreed G-Man, agreed! We have 4 years of this politician making a mockery of our military and the demise of the middle class..
Reply |G-ManFebruary 24, 2013 - 6:59 am
And 4 more on deck..and Jonesey is right this country actually is dumb enough to elect pantsuit Clinton...Sad the Dems have a monopoly on compassion and have bought and sold 50% of the electorate..w/Calif. 55 EV's..any dumbo dem has a 20% advantage going in..and the blacks..they'll never remember that the GOP was created to free them from slavery..MLKSr. Was a Republican for God's sake..till Bobby Kennedy sprung him from jail..that Dems put him in..KKK?..All Dems..peoplesee MLK jr..Daddy's boy who was an adulterer and a booze hound that had a dream..and a request...bottle of Scotch and 2 blonds to Suite 1350 please...knock loud..I'll be on the balcony..This Republic lost it's one chance for redemption with the persecution of Gov. Romney...andKirchubel,CD, and all you whites who voted for Barry Soetoro..know this your vote was all but meaningless..Romney won the white vote 59-39..20pts..you betrayers of your Nation sided w..the 98% racist blacks,the hopelessly confused Asians and Hispanics..
Reply |rich giddensFebruary 24, 2013 - 7:14 am
Is there any way we can bring Mr. James back as editor? Oh, I forgot----he left your horrible state too and moved back to the United States!
Reply |Mike KirchubelFebruary 24, 2013 - 12:14 pm
Bill, I really like your music. Benghazi, as we know, has been beaten to death by Fox and the Republicans in Congress. The Ft. Hood shootings, I think, should indeed be characterized as an "act of terror." "Workplace Violence" doesn't seem to do it justice. I can't believe that President Obama made that call. I too, wish that the Republicans would quit cutting funding to our Veterans. The thing I can't understand is why President Obama would risk the lives of the "liberal elite" White House press corps. That doesn't make sense using right-wing "logic." Could it possibly be that the weather worsened after they had been ferried to their destination? Just a thought.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 24, 2013 - 9:53 pm
It's obama who has abandoned the Veterans just as sure as he abandoned our people in Benghazi..Kirchubel should visit the nearest gas station and let the air out of his head..
Reply |Mike KirchubelFebruary 24, 2013 - 12:17 pm
Bill, I really like your music. Benghazi, as we know, has been beaten to death by Fox and the Republicans in Congress. The Ft. Hood shootings, I think, should indeed be characterized as an "act of terror." "Workplace Violence" doesn't seem to do it justice. I can't believe that President Obama made that call. I too, wish that the Republicans would quit cutting funding to our Veterans. The thing I can't understand is why President Obama would risk the lives of the "liberal elite" White House press corps. That doesn't make sense using right-wing "logic." Could it possibly be that the weather worsened after they had been ferried to their destination? Just a thought.
Reply |StRFebruary 24, 2013 - 1:08 pm
Mr. James please check these out ASAP really it is important...wwwinfowarscom...wwwprisonplanet.tv.....wwwglobalresearch.CA....corbettreport.....Important to keep in mind that "our" government is not really our government anymore, be it a Republican or Democrat administration, whatever majority whether Dem or Repub in the House or Senate. We are now controlled by an International Cartel of Bankers/Globalists/Corporatists/New Word Order types.....The actual purpose is to eventually collapse the US into the One World Order....The Communists China and a lot of Russia are controlled by them also...All countries are just Chess pieces set up on the board to fight each other. We need to get rid of the Federal Reserve.
Reply |StRFebruary 24, 2013 - 1:31 pm
Yes an act of terrorism but by whom? Just Google...Hasan shooting psyop
Reply |Bill JamesFebruary 27, 2013 - 7:13 am
Mike: The weather on the day mentioned in the article was horrible from the start. The "mission" had been planned for weeks, and as far as I know, there was no discussion to abort it. The president and his group had a couple of stops that required helicopter support and then he was leaving the Seattle area later that day. This was a big deal for the Army with weeks of preparation and I don't think Army brass was about to tell the president no. Would you?
Reply |G-ManFebruary 27, 2013 - 8:00 am
Bill..I think he likes your music
Reply |rlw895February 24, 2013 - 1:50 pm
"Just once," Bill? You start by saying Obama places politics over policy "far too often." Then you end up sounding like the opposite never happens. Your examples aren't even all "politics over policy." Saying the Ft. Hood attacks were "workplace violence" is arguably placing policy over politics, as your column amply illustrates. Benghazi was a whitewash for purely political reasons--I think so too--but how is that affecting policy? I believe the lessons were learned and changes implemented. And the victims properly honored and memorialized. It's the exception that proves the rule. Was Obama supposed to hand an issue over to the Republicans during the election? It's not like they would be understanding or anything, is it? If we want such whitewashing not to happen, then we have to give the president a pass politically sometimes. That is, we have to be a Nation of Virtue (as I've defined and said before). This president just doesn’t get such passes. As for Seattle, Mike's probably got it right. In any case, it sounds like they had the right pilot for the occasion. You must be very proud, and should be.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 24, 2013 - 2:34 pm
Benghazi has been beaten to death..Mike says..actually 4 Americans were beaten to death..incl our Ambassador on American Soil..Kirchubel has sunk to a new low...Obama made not a phone call Hillary made one and where was this vaunted John Brennan..shame on you Kirchubel..in 4 years your head will be up Hillary's skirt..uh..she doesn't wear em...just as well those stumps should never see the light of day..Benghazi's been beaten to death??..Shame on you..I'd love to see you stand in front of those dead American's family and say that you little coward..
Reply |SnoopyFebruary 24, 2013 - 2:46 pm
@ G-Sinner Temper, temper...You shut up. Thou caluminous knotty-pated bum-bailey!.. Thou froward onion-eyed, fusty beetle-headed clotpole! Thou whoreson obscene greasy tallow-catch!
Reply |Mike kirchubelFebruary 24, 2013 - 6:41 pm
Gary, ir speak truth to power in my own community. All you can do is call people names from a continent away using a fake name. I would rather be called a coward by you, than to be you.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 24, 2013 - 9:48 pm
You know very well I don't use a fake name..you call me Gary often enough..and my name and picture have been published on this site..G-Man is for convenience and you can add liar,to coward,on your resume..you're not a Continent away T-Skirt..you're a country away...you don't want to be me?..thank goodness..position already filled...you're a power in your community..Vallejo ranks as 1 of the 12 most miserable places in the USSA (Forbes Magazine)..so it's kinda like power in the outhouse...address your abhorent comments on Benghazi traitor...address the families of the real patriots that gave their lives so you can continue to wallow in the filth that's you..
Reply |Mike KirchubelFebruary 24, 2013 - 11:03 pm
Typical gary. I will address my comments to the self-described "genius" who knows nothing more than to repeat corporatist slogans and propaganda and call people school-yard names. To the so-called "patriot" who never had the guts to serve his country. Yes, guts. I didn't have to serve either, but I did. Personally, I like Fairfield, this place that you've never visited. It was in the high 60's today, 70's in the sun. I took a nice walk around the neighborhood, got my sprinkler system back up and running, planted some cilantro, tomatoes, and basil in my garden, BBQ'ed some baby-back ribs, and washed them down with BV Rutherford Cab. from 25 miles away, while I watched the oscars. Pitts was what - 40 degrees today? I can understand why you are so jealous.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 4:00 am
This isn't Facebook T-Skirt...
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 4:12 am
Jealous of Fairfield?..I'm living in a city voted America's most liveable 3 times!!..No other city to my knowledge even has 2 wins...Yes it's cold..but rumour has it soon it will be warm..what'sthe saying.."Coldest summer I ever spent was in San Fran?..and Kirchubarackshould for any reason I DO get jealous..I'll just read your Police Logs.
Reply |The SugarJarFebruary 24, 2013 - 11:10 pm
to be more exacting, G-Man, the fact that a some of us know your name doesn't make the name you are currently going by when posting not a "fake" name. not something I'd personally csll you on. Your picture etc., however, was not posted on the site--a link was. Might seem the same to you--but it isn't. Inexact use of language is very handy when trying to mislead or misrepresent, not so handy when trying to communicate. that's my tip of the day--sometimes words have meanings.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 4:06 am
Oh geez tip of the day..a link of my picture was posted on this site..did it post by itself?..look up Semantics sugar..
Reply |Mike KirchubelFebruary 25, 2013 - 6:20 am
I'm just wondering if you ever had the guts to post your childish comments closer to where you live, even using your fake name, or if the actual reason you have a continent between you and those you insult is because you truly lack any meaningful courage.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 6:57 am
Well Sarge..whereexactly did YOU DO your courageous service...the base commisary?
Reply |Mike kirchubelFebruary 25, 2013 - 7:49 am
I just think your attempt to claim the moral High ground by invoking the families of slain patriots has all the class of a leech.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 9:36 am
Now they're patriots T-Shirt..thought we were beating that Benghazi thing to death...me?..a leech?..you mean like your boy parading the little children out for the gun debate..the Docs(who now refute almost to a man)obamacare.being paraded thru the Rose Garden..OH!!..you didn't bring a Lab Coat?..don'tworry we have plenty here for you..show that courage Sgt Spin..say it to the families of the fallen..theydetest obama and Hillary..I think one lady said "Her eyes were cold she looked right past me"...
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 10:43 am
So it WAS the commissary then..I KNEW it..ah well I guess food fights COULD be considered combat action.
Reply |Mike kirchubelFebruary 25, 2013 - 10:53 am
I'm hesitant to tell you because you only use personal information to fuel your attacks. It's a no win situation.
Reply |StR...In praise of MikeFebruary 25, 2013 - 11:05 am
I do not really know Mike, but would guess that he is being modest and has helped to save many many lives over the years, being in the Medical profession and working in a military hospital at one point. My mother was a nurses aid in a pediatric burn unit at one point, the job she hated to most....scrubbing the scabs off the child burn victims the water would turn very bloody and the children would scream...they did this so the scar tissue would not inhibit future limb movement. So I imagine Mike has seen a lot of this type of pain and suffering.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 11:54 am
@Kirch..quit being such a baby..I humbly thanked you for your service hundreds of posts ago..and am happy to do it again...service is service.. did i serve? .no? why.?.lottery..would ?..i don't know i guess..all my family has..so lighten up..i hate your politics..i have never invaded your privacy..i wish i was shown the same courtesy..but this isn;t a beef w/you..
Reply |StR Talk about big babiesFebruary 25, 2013 - 12:01 pm
OK Gary we are all pacified now...Go take your nap.
Reply |mike kirchubelFebruary 25, 2013 - 12:10 pm
I know I will regret this... I was a medic at a time when the Viet Cong were targeting medics above officers. "Luckily" I was sent toTexas.
Reply |G-OpsFebruary 25, 2013 - 2:21 pm
Well who doesn't know about the Lubbock Tx Viet Cong Offensive..boo yah .you get jokes vs vitriol sarge..how'dyou get 3 stripes in Texas..
Reply |G-ManFebruary 25, 2013 - 10:24 am
And RLW thinks an attack on American soil the killing of an Ambassador,acomplete break down of proactive security planning,a non existent reaction to events in timely fashion and icing on the cake..a COVER UP!!!..that's just an inconvenientpolitical issue to you?..You'reat Kirchubull level now..and since either of you are capable..allow me to be embarrassed for you both.
Reply |rlw895February 26, 2013 - 1:16 am
You need to work on your reading comprehension.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 26, 2013 - 7:12 am
@RLW..my reading comprehension needs works?..I was responding to your post which was all but incomprehensible...
Reply |rlw895February 26, 2013 - 11:31 am
That must be it then. Feel free to ask for clarification next time.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 26, 2013 - 11:53 am
As for Benghazi the thinking perosn has all the clarification one needs...Consulate asks for more security..English Amb and red cross check out..US Consulate attacked in weeks prior..fatalattack happens on a day..all US overseas and domestic installations should have been on high alert..no help for our people forthcoming..people die RLW..you getting any of this Perry?...It's weeks and bozo obama clinton et all are still talking video..and the cover up begins..obama never picks up a phone..passes the situation room for a vegas funder...Good God RLW what's wrong with you and the rest of the pudding brains here...hell it's was weeks before the FBI thought it safe to go into the Consulate..who ARE these agents..Barnie Fife...there's no statute of limitations on murder..so no dead horse as Kirch says to beat...You RLW are NOT a very smart man.
Reply |rlw895February 26, 2013 - 3:57 pm
All this from a comment directed at Bill, who isn’t responding, as far as I know. Look at all his defenders! G-Man, I know you were responding to my post; I wasn’t commenting on your ability to comprehend the news, though that may be a problem too. What I am saying is, assuming everything you say is true, that Obama and his administration was incompetent and then tried to cover it up, WHO CARES? Only his perpetual detractors. They are frustrated that the rest of us DON’T CARE, as long as the lessons were learned to good effect and the victims were properly memorialized and honored. And that’s been done. I doubt Obama, et al., were so incompetent. They simply committed the sin of not being able to see the future. But then, we all suffer from that fault from time to time. So we forgive each other and move on. And that’s what you don’t like—the nation moving on. I have written here more than once that the administration did lie or cover up the incident to get past the election. I can see why that frustrated Obama’s opponents, but no one other than his opponents blames him for protecting his presidency by not handing his opponents a political issue in the closing days of the campaign out of an overly pious attitude towards honesty and disclosure. Only a saint or idiot would do that, and Obama is neither. Now, if you are worried about finding the killers and bringing them to justice, don’t you think that is underway? Some of them are already dead from the Algerian raid. Apparently we know who they are. It’s just a matter of time. You think on the day of the attack Obama didn’t order them found and either captured or killed? He won’t tell us all about that, but it’s not a coverup, and no one expects him to.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 27, 2013 - 8:03 am
This one post of RLW's says it all...what does RLW stand for Right?..Left?...whatever...
Reply |rlw895February 28, 2013 - 11:28 am
Life and people are more complicated than your numerous posts indicate you understand. You need to get out more.
Reply |G-ManFebruary 28, 2013 - 12:02 pm
@RLW..Perhaps you're right on getting out more..perhaps we could go out for a beer sometime..I'll bet you're a great bunch of guys
Reply |StRFebruary 24, 2013 - 10:14 pm
Google this....TRUTH Behind the Gulf War Sydnrome....Gulf War Syndrome, Biological Warfare Conducted on US Military Members, and Corporate Bio-Genocide Levied on the Planetary Population..A Lecture By Captain Joyce Riley in Houston, Texas on Jan 15, 1996........They are not even telling you that between 10,000 to 12,000 Gulf war vets have already died. [Ed. As at December, 1996 the US Government figure is 20,000]of Gulf War Syndrome.....Seems the Bush administration guilty here also.
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