Dec

Spiegel Online: Cadets asked to respond to Obama speech ‘enthusiastically’

Speigel Online’s scathing opinion piece this morning not only slammed Obama’s speech, but also revealed that the cadets who had to sit through it were asked to respond “enthusiastically.” I suppose that’s not such an unusual request. What is unusual is that it was necessary. If Obama truly loved and cared for our troops they’d know it and would respond in kind.

One can hardly blame the West Point leadership. The academy commanders did their best to ensure that Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama’s speech would be well-received.

Just minutes before the president took the stage inside Eisenhower Hall, the gathered cadets were asked to respond “enthusiastically” to the speech. But it didn’t help: The soldiers’ reception was cool.

One didn’t have to be a cadet on Tuesday to feel a bit of nausea upon hearing Obama’s speech. It was the least truthful address that he has ever held. He spoke of responsibility, but almost every sentence smelled of party tactics. He demanded sacrifice, but he was unable to say what it was for exactly.

An additional 30,000 US soldiers are to march into Afghanistan — and then they will march right back out again. America is going to war — and from there it will continue ahead to peace. It was the speech of a Nobel War Prize laureate.

You should read the whole thing, it looks like the Obama polish has finally worn off.

Via memeorandum