10 Aug 11
"President Barack Obama makes a solemn visit to a US Air Force base to honour the repatriated bodies of 30 troops killed in an Afghan helicopter crash." [...]
"Many of those killed in Saturday's crash were members of Seal Team Six, the elite special forces unit whose members undertook the May raid into Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14469120
The failed hostage rescue operation by special forces in Iran 30 or so years ago - politically - was held against Carter very explicitly, I seem to recall. Eight U.S. servicemen were killed on that occasion and it was as if Carter was held personally responsible for the eight deaths.
Why is this "significant loss" - thirty U.S. elite troops dead - not creating political personalized flak for Obama? Is it a healthy sign - for U.S. political discourse - that it isn't?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14449165
10 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFI think there's more of a "we're at war" mentality now than there was in 1980. We're used to war deaths in Afghanistan and we've become used to hearing about war deaths in general over the last decade.
"President Barack Obama makes a solemn visit to a US Air Force base to honour the repatriated bodies of 30 troops killed in an Afghan helicopter crash." [...]
"Many of those killed in Saturday's crash were members of Seal Team Six, the elite special forces unit whose members undertook the May raid into Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden."
...[text shortened]... itical discourse - that it isn't?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14449165
Hence the non-reaction.
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10 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFTo botch a hostage rescue mission which has everybody's attention is different. It wasn't the deaths which killed Carter's Presidency. It was the failure of the mission.
"President Barack Obama makes a solemn visit to a US Air Force base to honour the repatriated bodies of 30 troops killed in an Afghan helicopter crash." [...]
"Many of those killed in Saturday's crash were members of Seal Team Six, the elite special forces unit whose members undertook the May raid into Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden."
...[text shortened]... itical discourse - that it isn't?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14449165
10 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFThe mission succeeded and the enemy individuals involved were killed in an airstrike later on.
"President Barack Obama makes a solemn visit to a US Air Force base to honour the repatriated bodies of 30 troops killed in an Afghan helicopter crash." [...]
"Many of those killed in Saturday's crash were members of Seal Team Six, the elite special forces unit whose members undertook the May raid into Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden."
...[text shortened]... itical discourse - that it isn't?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14449165
10 Aug 11
Originally posted by KunsooThat's the pentagon, and I have no problem with it if it's specifically known who is the caskets. More important than politics is the wishes of the family of the fallen. And unless all 30 fallen troops' family members agree, then to me it's not an issue not allowing filming of the coffins.
The Pentagon refused to allow media coverage of the return of the flag-draped coffins.
Very disappointing that Obama has continued this Bush-induced policy.
I also don't have reason to believe that was by Obama's order, although I suppose he could have stepped in and overrode the Pentagon.
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11 Aug 11
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperA few years ago a woman was fired from her job for allowing caskets to be photographed AT the request of families. I wish it was all about the privacy of the soldiers. I suspect it's all about PR.
That's the pentagon, and I have no problem with it if it's specifically known who is the caskets. More important than politics is the wishes of the family of the fallen. And unless all 30 fallen troops' family members agree, then to me it's not an issue not allowing filming of the coffins.
I also don't have reason to believe that was by Obama's order, although I suppose he could have stepped in and overrode the Pentagon.
Maybe it was a Pentagon policy, but my understanding is that it was made official for the second Iraq war and that there was no similar provisions for Iraq War 1, Serbia, etc., nor even the Reagan wars.
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11 Aug 11
Originally posted by TheBloopYes, I would always consult a cartoonist to understand someone's true motives.
Obama's true feelings about the military are best expressed in this cartoon:
http://ronbosoldier.blogspot.com/2011/06/barack-obamas-decision-to-play-golf-on.html