Signs?MEME's and the like!

[habsheaven]

I don't think anyone is forced per se, but the president is dependent upon the armed forces to be there when he needs them, the least he could do is show some respect for the ones who died in the service of his predecessors. Asking a group of people to risk/give their lives when you request it of them while expressing no respect for the sacrifice of the ones who died before them in the same capacity shows contempt.

How do you know that Obama expressed no respect? Are you with him 24/7? Or are you the arbiter in what is and what isn't a show of respect?

[duane1969]

How do you know that Obama expressed no respect? Are you with him 24/7? Or are you the arbiter in what is and what isn't a show of respect?

It is a sign of respect for the fallen to show up at the memorial. Going on the campaign trail to fund raise is a pretty blatant show of not respecting those that the memorial stands for.

[habsheaven]

It is a sign of respect for the fallen to show up at the memorial. Going on the campaign trail to fund raise is a pretty blatant show of not respecting those that the memorial stands for.

I wasn't aware there is NO OTHER WAY to show your respects. Forgive me.

[Wickabee]

I don't think anyone is forced per se, but the president is dependent upon the armed forces to be there when he needs them, the least he could do is show some respect for the ones who died in the service of his predecessors. Asking a group of people to risk/give their lives when you request it of them while expressing no respect for the sacrifice of the ones who died before them in the same capacity shows contempt.

Wow. Conservatives are distracted incredibly easily.

Ok, I'll bring it back to the first time I had a thought like this. I was in grade 11 and our Rememberance Day (Veterans Day to you American) ceremony was to be held outdoors. At the last minute, weather forced the celebration indoors and some students and faculty started rumbling. People were saying it was a sign of complete disrespect to refuse to stand outside in the rain after what they did for us. Personally, I disagreed, saying that the right to move such ceremonies wherever we pleased was one of the very rights they fought for, and to deny it would be a show of disrespect. It all got pretty heated for the day, but just as I believe democracy includes the right to abstain from voting, I believe freedom includes the right to not honour people when told to do so.

Thoughts on that? Maybe a new thread? I dunno. Like I said, just thinking out loud.

[Wickabee]

It is a sign of respect for the fallen to show up at the memorial. Going on the campaign trail to fund raise is a pretty blatant show of not respecting those that the memorial stands for.

Is it a show of respect to ignore it for 364 days and then show up for a photo-op to avoid bad press?

[duane1969]

Is it a show of respect to ignore it for 364 days and then show up for a photo-op to avoid bad press?

That is a weak excuse. Obama never misses a photo-op any other time. And if he honored them the other 364 I would see it differently.

[duane1969]

Wow. Conservatives are distracted incredibly easily.

Ok, I'll bring it back to the first time I had a thought like this. I was in grade 11 and our Rememberance Day (Veterans Day to you American) ceremony was to be held outdoors. At the last minute, weather forced the celebration indoors and some students and faculty started rumbling. People were saying it was a sign of complete disrespect to refuse to stand outside in the rain after what they did for us. Personally, I disagreed, saying that the right to move such ceremonies wherever we pleased was one of the very rights they fought for, and to deny it would be a show of disrespect. It all got pretty heated for the day, but just as I believe democracy includes the right to abstain from voting, I believe freedom includes the right to not honour people when told to do so.

Thoughts on that? Maybe a new thread? I dunno. Like I said, just thinking out loud.

Freedom is subjective, but the office of the president has certain expectations. While Obama has the "freedom" to punch Putin in the mouth, it is expected that he conduct himself in a certain manner because he is president. While Obama has the "freedom" to show up to a press conference in a Speedo with a snorkel strapped to his head, he is expected to show up dressed like a world leader. Because one has the freedom to do something does not make it necessarily the right thing to do, and that is even more relevant when the leader of a country is the subject of discussion.

The irony in all of this...a big deal was made when GOP leaders didn't show up for the 50th anniversary of the march on Washington, but nobody cares when Obama doesn't show for 3 consecutive years to the D-Day memorial.

[Wickabee]

That is a weak excuse. Obama never misses a photo-op any other time. And if he honored them the other 364 I would see it differently.

I was referring to the "respect" that has been "shown" by all the previous Presidents. You guys must really like Obama to be turning absolutely everything into a comment on him. It's starting to border on obsession.

Respect isn't shown, it's lived.

[Wickabee]

Freedom is subjective, but the office of the president has certain expectations. While Obama has the "freedom" to punch Putin in the mouth, it is expected that he conduct himself in a certain manner because he is president. While Obama has the "freedom" to show up to a press conference in a Speedo with a snorkel strapped to his head, he is expected to show up dressed like a world leader. Because one has the freedom to do something does not make it necessarily the right thing to do, and that is even more relevant when the leader of a country is the subject of discussion.

The irony in all of this...a big deal was made when GOP leaders didn't show up for the 50th anniversary of the march on Washington, but nobody cares when Obama doesn't show for 3 consecutive years to the D-Day memorial.

Stop making it about Obama. Seriously. If you love him so much, go vote for him. Jeez.

[duane1969]

Since Obama is the only pres to not visit the D-Day memorial, and that was the original subject of discussion, I am addressing it from the perspective of that. If the next pres also doesn't go, then I will address it from the point of reference regarding that president.