President Obama Plays Santa Claus

What? Don't like this photo op at the Osan Air Base in South Korea? The president does.

According to the Washington Post today...

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."

Now, I'm certainly not against President Obama being treated with respect, or even honor, by the troops he is supposedly leading. It serves them well to not lose courage in the face of what they come against each day.

What does disturb me is President Obama's practice of throwing out little quips, that at first glance seem innocent, but really are just a continuation of flagrant comments that often represent how he truly feels...and that he doesn't have enough common sense to keep to himself!

The troops are a photo op. Hmmm. Cute.

On this same trip the president made another comment as he left. Let's see if the troops keep smiling when the empty suit doesn't keep his empty promise.

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.

Take that promise into consideration when you read part of the president's response in an interview with Major Garrett posted yesterday.

I think it is important though to recognize that if we keep on adding to the debt, even in the midst of this recovery, that at some point, people could lose confidence in the US economy in a way that could actually lead to a double-dip recession.

Wow. I'd say some magic is in due order with the US budget. I do hope the troops get a pay increase. They deserve it. But please explain to me how such a thing is going to happen when the government is buying out banks and car companies and planning to spend billions and billions that we don't have yet on a health care plan "we the people" don't want anyway (remember, part of that budget is based on penalties) ?!

Move along to your next promise, Mr. President. We won't hold our breath in hope for a change.

Here's a true friend to the troops.

(H/T mikepfs for the Post article)
Image from Reuters