Posted by John Romano in Politics on November 6, 2009
I’m a big critic of many of Barack Obama’s policies and political tactics. However, I say we need to let the President slide on giving a “shout out” on national television before addressing the Fort Hood situation.
See video below:
I always thought the left was extremely misguided in attacking President Bush over his initial reaction to the news that the Twin Towers were attacked. I think any on the right who attack Mr. Obama over his initial remarks today is similarly misguided.
Give Barack Obama a break on this. This is the first time he has had to address a game-changing tragedy in real time.
Now, on health care, immigration and union thuggery? We can talk.
#1 by Puddin' Tame on November 6, 2009 - 5:28 am
The fact that Bush sat there is irrelevant. Why didn't the Secret Service whisk him away? For all they knew, a plane was headed for that school. Anyway, Obama's gaffe today was inexcusable. If you're going to put out a live address coast to coast, put a hiatus on your stupid grip 'n' grin photo op and deliver your prepared statement to the press like a good little puppet. THEN get back to the fluff detail.
PS–congratulations, your site was the first (and so far, only) hit when I google searched obama shoutout.
#2 by JohnRomano on November 6, 2009 - 7:07 pm
Puddin' Tame you should write for YBH!. If you come back to these parts send us an email using the address in the contact tab.
Cheers,
John Romano
#3 by sandyjo53 on November 6, 2009 - 12:38 pm
The secret service probably did want to whisk Bush away,can you imagine the panic that would of been in this class room and the frightened children if that had happened.
With that being said I was dumbfounded with this fiasco yesterday,apparently it was more important to conradulate the people who set up this conference with the indian nations….It took him 4-5 minutes to even mention the Fort Hood massacre, I couldn't believe it at first I thought they had the wrong footage but then as if in passing ,oh by the way there was a mass killing on one of our military basis….disgracefull!
#4 by Cleveland59 on November 6, 2009 - 2:58 pm
I totally agree, sandyjo53. This was a HORRIBLE reaction by the president. Anyone tuning in to this would have been totally confused that the words from his mouth in no way matched the caption at the bottom of the screen. I'm quite sure that those in attendance would not have been offended if he had appropriately abandoned the conference talk. I voted for him, but I don't know how he can possible repair this or live this down, although we know he will be advised to try. Look for some statement of contrition from him within 24 hours.
#5 by nefariouschafe on November 6, 2009 - 7:16 pm
The 'He didn't want to frighten the childen' excuse is such garbage.
"I'm sorry, kids. The President has to go deal with some important business. Nice meeting you today."
W could have easily said that on 9/11 and walked right out the door. That's what a leader would have done. And the schoolchildren would have been none the wiser. Instead he sat there like a petrified dolt for fifteen minutes awaiting instructions. That, sandyjo, was 'disgraceful.'
btw – did you even watch the clip above? Obama brings up the massacre 2 minutes in. Not 4-5 minutes. Can't believe you people waste your time griping about insignificant stuff like this.
#6 by sandyjo53 on November 6, 2009 - 11:19 pm
<DIV>I was watching it live on the news as they were waiting for the message not after news reporters got done with their editing.and it was exactly 4 mins into the speech!</DIV> <DIV>Oh yea Bush sorry kids but I have an emergency a couple of planes flew into the twin towers.</DIV> <DIV>Let me guess you voted for this friggin moran because things were so bad under Bush,he was far from perfect and did screw the public his last 4 yrs because he crossed the aisle one to many times to try and be bipartisan, so much for that now huh.the man at least showed some damn compassion,he didn't come out and say hey lets give a shoutout to all the people in the meeting I had this morning and oh by the way I should mention that we were hit by terrorist.</DIV> <DIV>You obviously love this administration,well live with all the problems. if you think this is being petty apparently you haven't been paying attention to all that this administration has done to ruin this country,oh yes I forget it's all Bush's fault!..That's getting old too.</DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>
— On Fri, 11/6/09, Intense Debate Notifications <notifications@intensedebatemail.com> wrote:
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#7 by nefariouschafe on November 7, 2009 - 1:42 am
It's pointless for any reasonable person to engage in a debate with someone who so stridently believes President Obama is a "friggin' moron", but you might just consider for a fleeting moment that you are getting played by Fox News. They whip people like you into a paranoid frenzy 24/7 so you'll buy the boner medicines and snuggies they're hawking.
The fact is that the country is changing, Sandyjo. It's changing, but guess what…everything is going to be alright.
And since you asked…not only did I vote for President Obama, I actively campaigned for him. Knocking on doors and making phone calls to ensure we'd finally have someone representing all of us in the Oval Office. It was high time we gave a smart person a chance. And it's going to take a lot more than some trumped up 'shoutout' that will be long forgotten a week from now to keep me from doing the same in 2012.
Have a nice weekend!
#8 by sandyjo53 on November 7, 2009 - 12:15 pm
<DIV>Oh so I guess I should be listening to MSNBC and the likes of Chris Mathews,Keith Olbermann….When I watch the local news even they don't bring up news until 3 days after fox has brought it up if they even bother.</DIV> <DIV>So how is all the change working for you,still in the war and now in Afghanistan,still have the patriot act Obama has extended it,people complain about the tarp which they should be,but somehow its ok now that a democrat is in power and it's exceptable to extend it 3 fold.</DIV> <DIV>Maybe if you actually listen to the other news channel like fox or talk radio ,actually listened to them you might wake up and see the destructible road we are headed down,but then again maybe you are standing there with your hand out waiting for all the so called free stuff..because this president cares so much for the downtrodden of society that he has made them totally dependent on our government.</DIV> <DIV>You feel the way you do and I feel the way I do,obviously there is no changing your mind,and I'm sure you were just as much against Bush's policiesas I'm against Obama's,it has nothing to do with race,it's his policy of taking total control of my life I don't like,and when its to late and all the changes actually effect you personally,cap and trade health bill,redistribution of your wealth,then maybe you will start listening to real news.</DIV> <DIV>—On Fri, 11/6/09, Intense Debate Notifications <notifications@intensedebatemail.com> wrote:
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#9 by Puddin' Tame on November 6, 2009 - 4:48 pm
Who cares if a couple of kids wet their pants?!? Sandyjo, the US was under attack. The last thing Bush or the Secret Service were worried about was whether a some grade schoolers got upset by his getting up and walking out of the room. Don't you get it? The dog did not bark! If the US government had no idea where the next attack was to take place, their first duty was to rush the president to safety. They didn't.
But I digress. At least Obama has now had his pet goat moment, and we're already seeing how the mainstream media are ignoring it.
#10 by deanc on November 6, 2009 - 4:55 pm
Obama is a joke and he doesn't know anything about acting in a Presidential manner. Giving "shout outs" is so unprofessional given any situation no less the Ft. Hood attack. This position is (was) held in high regard…he should behave that way. If he wanted to give "shout outs" he should have become a professional athlete or a rapper.
Obama is just plain stupid, his support base is eroding as people are finally catching on to his personal agenda. Mark my word he will go down as one of the WORST presidents in the history of this great country.
He's a one-term president at best and next year when his Dem-controlled house gets cleaned out, he will become a lame duck president (not that he isn't close to that now….nobody wants to align themselves with him).
#11 by JohnDD on November 6, 2009 - 5:23 pm
A "shout out" by a President under any circumstances is bad enough….it is unprofessional. To do it before talking (without emotion) of the massacre of American soldiers is a slap in the face of anyone in the military. Geez, how did we ever let this total loser get into the White House?
#12 by chicagotrauma on November 6, 2009 - 6:00 pm
Sorry no dice. He is arrogant ,insensitive, and ignorant.
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/imgLib/20080...
http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/traces-pix/2009/08...
This is a pattern.
#13 by sheeshs on November 6, 2009 - 6:04 pm
The criticism of Bush regarding 9/11 is absolutely unfounded and ridiculous. The Secret Service does a fine job, and it is clear that they did not feel the POTUS was in danger. That school was probably one of the safest places in the state at that moment in time. Remember, no one KNEW it was a terrorist attack when the first plane hit.
#14 by BoughStaff on November 6, 2009 - 6:24 pm
Hey Frankly Boy, just one stupid sentence from you and I've summed up your life story. Get some mystery in your life.
#15 by JaxJM on November 10, 2009 - 5:36 am
John, while I admire your equanimity in wanting to give President Obama a mulligan on this one, here's why I can't. I was driving on a long trip when I heard the news, and had only radio to rely on for information. The station that I had tuned in cut to audio of the Fox News Channel. I was genuinely frightened for our nation – a killer on a military base? With an Islamic name? Sounded like it could have been a coordinated attack? Sorry, but in this day and age I think it was, and continues to be, legitimate cause for concern. I was waiting eagerly for a commander in chief whose words could give me some perspective, some clarity, some comfort. Instead, for several minutes I got what sounded like chatter at a Rotary luncheon. I literally screamed at my radio – "what the HELL are you talking about?" OK, so it won't be the end of the world, but whether you're conservative, centrist, independent, liberal, or you don't even care about politics, you've got to admit that it was at BEST completely incompetent communication (and from the new incarnation of the Great Communicator).