Obama's Dover Salute Is an Iconic Image of His Presidency
We woke up this morning with images on cable news and the Internet of President Obama solemnly saluting as the casket of a fallen soldier was carried in honor from a C-17 in Dover back home into the United States. The president, through his visit, brought a national spotlight onto the grimmest reality of the war in Afghanistan.
This return would've otherwise gone without much notice just like the thousands before it. The images of America's troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan in caskets have been few and far between in the eight years since the wars began. That fact has too often created distance between the American people and the military families who carry their grief.
President Obama didn't have to go to Dover. George W. Bush never went we're told. Obama could've stayed back at the White House and kept some distance from the war--almost suggesting it is the responsibility of the former president. But instead he chose to put himself firmly in front as the Commander in Chief. He chose to create an image that will likely endure through his presidency and as part of his legacy. What a dramatic contrast to images from the last presidency of George W. Bush flying over Katrina or "Mission Accomplished" day.
Unfortunately, although it is only a few hours since the president returned from Dover, we should expect that the Rush Limbaughs and Glenn Becks of the world will start whining about the president's visit accusing him of exploiting the event. Their script is so predictable that I can write this just after 9 AM with confidence that they'll do it. But our president should always be reminding the American people of the sacrifice our troops make.
As of a few days ago October has been the deadliest month yet for the war in Afghanistan--with 54 American soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice.
No matter what your political views are or your position on the wars, we should never forget those making the ultimate sacrifice.
Mr. President, thank you for reminding all of us.
UPDATE: Sure enough, on cue, here come the right-wing critics. Liz Cheney claims that Bush would "do it without cameras." CBS's Mark Knoller, who is something of an official record-keeper of presidential activity, refutes her claim reporting that President Bush never went to Dover. My point isn't whether or not President Bush went. My point is that going, and going with cameras, is the RIGHT thing to do both to remind America of the sacrifice and to role-model a way to honor the troops.
Follow Tom Matzzie on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tommatzzie
Obama honors fallen soldiers at Dover - White House- msnbc.com
POLITICO 44: Obama's Dover detour
Jake Tapper on Obama's Dover AFB Visit - ABC News
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"...we should never forget those making the ultimate sacrifice."
Particularly not when inspiring rhetoric about gestures can relieve us of the obligation to continue to ask exactly what that sacrifice is for.
I applaud President Obama going to Dover, and I appreciate his salute. It is shameful that people use this show of respect as a reason to diss the President and bring attention their own political agendas. You Rushites who are trying to say that this was a photo-op are obviously lacking in human decency and courage. Get a life why don't you?
Thank you. My point as well. I would applaud any president for doing this -- it goes beyonfd the politics. This is where you want your president to be, what you want that person to do, when that person is charged with making such life-and-death decisions.
Personally, I think that if he really wanted to honor the troops he would actually MAKE A DECISION about either pulling out of afghanistan, or actually supporting the request of the general that Obama appointed for goodness sake! Everything else on his agenda has been a crisis that has to be addressed right away, but somehow he can put off the request for more troops to support those already in the field doesn't happen for months and months.
Want to honor the troops, and be the commander in chief? Have the courage to make a decision for the troops who are under fire today and either, pull them out, or GIVE THEM WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR! He was told by the general that they need more support and he has waited for over 3 months while people are dying.
I'm very not impressed, sorry.
Obama needs to have the courage and real leadership to stop the wars, going to Dover was a nice public gesture to value those who have been killed, but stopping these senseless wars which enrich a few at the destruction of many is required a president of courage and integrity.... it looks like that is not Obama, on anything... so more years of wars, more opportunities to value those killed as they arrive at Dover.... better than Bush, but not smarter.
No, Bush didn't go to Dover. He privately met with the families. No cameras. No PR. Just respect. Oh, but you didn't know that. Isn't it amazing just when the messiah is trying to get some positive news during the possible slaughter in the upcoming election he happens to go to Dover for a photo op. Don't get me wrong, it's great that he would do it. It would be greater if all the shots weren't of him.
I don't get you wrong; I believe I understand you very well. The President did the right thing and you can't stand it.
Agreed.
Instead of sho-wing us a pic, show some lea-de-rship. Sa-ve our sol-diers now. That would sho-w our men in unif-orm that you real-ly ca-re.
Yes, nice gesture. Thank you for being there, Mr. President.
How does a photo help our sol-diers that are dy-ing every day? We all know people die in war. Send help or send them home. We have all seen enough of his fa-ce. Now is the time to make a decis-ion, are we in or are we out?
Yes, nice gesture. Thank you for being there, Mr. President.
As our soldiers sream "help" o spends time thinking about what he should do. He thinks showing a photo of him honoring the dead is the answer? Send help or get them out of harms way. Enough of the pics. while our men are dying - make a decision now.
While O thinks about what to do, our soldiers are screaming "Help, we are surrounded by the enemy" O says "hmmmmm I need to think about what I should do." In the mean time our soldiers are being killed and O says "hmmmmm-- I will show them how much I care about their lifes by showing a photo of me honoring them." Yet still our soldiers are in dire danger from the enemy and he refuses to help the ones that are still there fighting to stay alive.
Either make a decision or get them out of harms way. What in the world is he waiting for?
Being the com. in cheif means making critical decisions, fast. Our men are dying and I blame o for every death that happens while he "thinks" about what to do. Send help or send them home now.
Yes, nice gesture. Thank you for being there, Mr. President.
The chicken hawks would never lower themselves to acknowledge the pain and suffering they inflicted on families across the country. To them, the casualties were just numbers, collateral damage in their lust for supremacy and power.
Yes it was a photo op and yes it was the right thing to do. Not all photo ops are done for purely personal gain. Even if one is done for that purpose, it quite often results in good things happening. A photo is a photo is a photo. Project whatever you like onto it.
I image since he is struggling to make the RIGHT decision on war in Afghanistan, it might have helped him to put a human face on it by going there to see the bodies of the soldiers dying in the war. He knows his decision will cost lives no matter what that decision is.
Nice post!
Our Commander In Chief solemnly, and properly, salutes our fallen. Thank you, Sir. Thank YOU, soldier ... kyrie eleison.
...and it wasn't publicized. I have a family member in Iraq, sent him the picture he was so proud of the POTUS. Thanks Mr. President, thanks.
I've seen this image several times in the past couple of days and every time I see it it makes me sob. It is an awful thing to send off young people to war but it is worse to bring them back home in caskets. It is time to put an end to this, no matter who started it. Those poor families, how horrifying for them.
I, for one, am proud to call Obama MY President.
Maybe if Bush had gone in the early days, he would have thought twice about going into a war based on lies.
Couldn't go. Bush was in bed every night by 10 pm UNLESS something special was going on.
You people are so critical!
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