[progunr]

Because he had been told it would turn into a media event...and do you know where "this place" was, where he was to appear????

Guess I gotta call Laura now.

You are close.

What he was told was that it would NOT turn into a media event, because he could NOT bring his media groupies.

He was told he could visit as a Senator, but not as a candidate.

That is when the visit got replaced by some hoops.

Edited to include the following: Yes, I do know where he failed to show up, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Here, perhaps this will enlighten you:

But the military is disputing that explanation. A spokesman for the base told NBC News that the base was prepared to host Sen. Obama, as long as some conditions were met.

"[H]e could only bring two or three of his Senate staff member, no campaign officials or workers. Obama could not bring any media. Only military photographers would be permitted to record Obama's visit.

We didn't know why [the trip was canceled]. He was more than welcome. We were all ready for him."

[Ash123]

1. Barrack visited the troops... in Afghanistan.

YouTube - Barack Obama Afghanistan Kuwait Basketball Troops

2. There are no combat operations to speak of on a visit to Germany. A country that was our ally in the persian gulf but not the unconvincing premise that we were being threatened in IRAQ.

3. Why the anger towards a man who is attempting to re-establish diplomacy where there has been none for 8 years?

(Lest we be reminded of Bush's relationship with Germany... see also the G8 Summit:) About.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dfrHT8o-0A



4. Do you really want to go there on egregious attempts at a photo op and media manipulation?

Here's #1: (many more to choose from) MISSION ACCOMPLISHED hung on the tower of the carrier Abraham Lincoln.

Man, that PR op was an insult to any troops sweating and bleeding in Iraq don't you think?
And knowing full well there was work to be done that guys in ties who sent them there - could never understand.

The While House later said it was a mistake after years of complaints by both civilian and military personnel.

It's very possible that something good may come from this and I am sanguine about the possibilities.

[progunr]

The folks who support this guy, are willing to overlook anything that does not point to him being "the one", or "our "savior".

He is NOT either one.

If he gets elected, then EVERYONE is going to find out the hard way.

[Ash123]

See my previous post.

No one is a messiah or a savior. Senator Obama is simply a very smart man (President of harvard law Review) who is preparing to take on the biggest job in the land.
He's not perfect and he is learning as he goes...

The man has never failed in his goals. Unlike his predecessor.

He, like 75% of Americans polled, think Bush is doing a bad job. So, what do we do? Stick our heads in the sand? No, we look at what's not working and start by presenting the world with a new face. They seem rather excited.

One solution to SUPPORT the troops is to give them hope they are not going to languish overseas forever. I have spoken to many families who have kids in the Middle East theater that are praying their kids will be home soon. Many have been asked to do multiple tours, and are trying to not go back.


What is your concern? What do you think will be learned "the hard way?"

[Wondergirl]

More from Christopher Hitchens quoting Barack Obama:

"But this [surge] is a tactical victory imposed upon a huge strategic blunder. And I think that when we're having a debate with John McCain, it is going to be much easier for the candidate who was opposed to the concept of invading Iraq in the first place to have a debate about the wisdom of that decision than having to argue about the tactics subsequent to the decision."

I believe Barack Obama's presidency would give us (the U.S.) hope for becoming respected and loved again by the rest of the world. I don't believe McCain could accomplish that.

[Ash123]

I don't know about the journalist's being ashamed, those that lean so far to the left have no morals or values anyway.

If you don't possess any morals or values, you really can't be ashamed, can you?

He canceled his visit, AFTER he found out his campaign and press groupies could not go with him.

Where has this been "proven" to be false? Just because Obama says it is?

The facts support this decision, and the timing of it, so I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish in stating that it was a lie told by the press?

really?

morals and values are questioned over a trip? A guy - who is not even president yet - finds a way to get to explore our foreign battle zones and meet overseas allies. He cancelled a visit.. didn't cancel a vist... fact is, he's travelling and accumulating more diplomatic "cred" already than his predecessor. What is the problem?

Morals and values?
He is staring at ground zero - literally and figuratively. Obama has inherited a climate where:

1. CIA wives are outted because their husbands spoke against the White House.
Libby was given the boot (scapegoat)
2. A war was fought on the basis of lies like Iraq is a threat to us and the world. If so, Germany, France, Belguim, Russia would have lined up to fight... just as in the Gulf War. But we had no convincing evidence. (Rummy had to go- scapegoat)
3. Justice Dep't members were vetted strictly on political lines and Gonzalez was given the boot.

This is an opportunity, not a problem. One of our best and brightest is attempting to right a very damaged ship (iraq, economy, world credibility, US debt, oil prices, dollar's inequity)

What is the anger towards this man?

Is it his choice to stand in the minority and ask that young men and women not die for a war without precedent?
Is it his ability to energize large groups at home and abroad and make them feel that the US is about more than pre-emptive wars and lack of diplomacy?
I just do not see the root of this anger other - other than perhaps in the posters themselves.. and their worry and fear that he is UNAMERICAN.

Is it not American for him to question? Including the military?

Is it not American to make history as a minority nominee and endure having his entire family under the glare of the spotlight -- for something bigger than himself?

[tandemsforus]

Purple wings
I understand what your saying, And I can agree, to a point. Yes we do need to learn about those running. But Don't you think a question asked such as "Is Obama a true American because he didn't wear a lapel pin on a certain night" Just so ignorant as to be insulting our intelligence? Wasn't he asked this exact question by the press? How is wearing or not wearing a lapel pin on a certain night make a person less of a candidate. I was born in this country did 6 years in the military have voted in every presidential election. I don't own a flag lapel pin, am I less of an american or a trader to this country? That's the kind of trash I talking about.
And Progunr
When I said a statement was proved false, I was talking in generic terms. But if you want an example, I get emails from people that Obama would not place his hand on the bible for his oath of office as a senator. This was proven to be totally false. Guess what, It is still floating around I still get emails stating such. I can give you more and I know you can give some, that's the trash I'm talking about. And you know as well as I that some, well maybe a bit more than some comes from the press and talking heads. They make a statement it as if it were fact and when proven wrong, well to bad. Once a statement is out there how can it be erased.