Comments on: President Obama’s Cynical Photo op at Arlington

By: GO

GO — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:59:19 +0000

Obama arrived on the base 3:19 p.m. local time and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cellphones to snap pictures.

“You guys make a pretty good photo op,” the president said.

- Washington Post, November 19, 2009

Stop fooling yourselves, Kool-aid drinkers, it’s always about the Narcissist in Chief Obama. He doesn’t love America (unless his teleprompter tells him to say it) and he certainly doesn’t genuinely support our military or respect the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers. (He can’t even make a decision on Afghanistan and he wants to grant citizenship rights to terrorists from Gitmo.) He’s a failure - just like everyone else in Washington.

By: JGM

JGM — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:15:22 +0000

Everything is choreographed in political life. There is always a press “pool” of journalists traveling with every president in the motorcade. They represent their medium (still photogs, tv, print, wires, mags) not their news agency. But nobody asked me who I was or what I was doing there other than the President. Thanks for the apology, but I braved nothing. Those young men and women in the ground were “The Brave.”

By: Nancy Reyes

Nancy Reyes — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:27:03 +0000

I apologize to Mr. Meeks, who braved the heavy traffic and security to visit graves in Arlington.

However, here in the Philippines, our reporters tend to be a bit more cynical about politicians and their photo ops, and the presence of ABC reporters and a Getty photographer suggests this was a photo op.

By: quash8

quash8 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:10:38 +0000

Never confuse a blogger with a real journalist.

This piece is pure speculation and opinion. I’m glad the journalist cynically pilloried was able to give the facts.

By: chatstu

chatstu — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:17:08 +0000

Cynical no, realist , yes. Obama and his gang [ Acorn,Jeremiah Wright,Bill Ayers,Anita Dunn,John Holdren,Van Jones, I could go on for hours] have done more harm to this country in less than a year than most do in 4 years.He has changed how the world sees us. There are as as many left wingnuts as right . Just watch MSNBC a few nights.If G.W had done some of the things Obama has done the lefties would be calling for his head. Bottom line,, Obama was not ready. Period. He doesnt even want them to call the attack at Ft Hood terrorism without an investigation. That was probably just the beginning. How long before they bring it here? And what will he do, call in the girl scouts? I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

By: paul s.

paul s. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:55:50 +0000

If Dubya were to have EVER done this, that is visit Arlington Cemetary instead of just laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and just clearing out afterwards, FAUX news would be replaying the tape for days afterwards - but because it’s Obama it’s a ‘photo op.’ Right wingnuts like this poster hate themselves, which is why they project their misery on the world around them; WHATEVER Obama does, they will hate him, bottom line….

By: paul s.

paul s. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:50:46 +0000

Cynical much? The fact is Obama could solve cancer and be pilloried by the right wingnut who hate the fact that he’s President - fyi, James Meeks LIVES IN WASHINGTON, he just writes for the Daily News, so it’s hardly surprising he’d stop by Arlington on V Day - more to the point I don’t think much of the daily news (I live in Jersey)however Meeks is widely respected and has hardly been a cheerleader for Obama, if you bother to read some of his stories lately you’d know he’s one of the few unbiased reporters in NY dailies - a truly PATHETIC post attempting to smear the POTUS when he clearly was paying his respects and his presence at Arlington was appreciated by the families who were there that day— SAD.

By: chatstu

chatstu — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:07:03 +0000

I agree. Outstanding !!

By: JGM

JGM — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:49:20 +0000

Nancy, in my profession (journalism) we typically at least make a phone call or send an e-mail to ask a question before we write. It’s pretty outrageous that you would question my very close relationship with my high school English teacher, whose son I have written about in the Daily News four times in the past two years. I live near Arlington National Cemetery and I was there in Section 60 on my personal time before heading in to work — where I’ve been covering the Fort Hood murders. Dave Sharrett’s grave was not the only plot I visited, as my story noted. The other two graves of a friend and a relative are only a stone’s throw from Dave’s. Photo op? Are you kidding?

By: itschinatown

itschinatown — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:09:14 +0000

So’d you punch a baby today? Kick a dog? Knock an ice cream cone out of a little kid’s hand? What the hell is the matter with you.

By: Ronald Williams

Ronald Williams — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:30:12 +0000

Outstanding article, Ms. Reyes!!

By: Nancy Reyes

Nancy Reyes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:57:02 +0000

One, I do not criticize the president “no matter what he does”. Indeed, my essay yesterday praised him.

I was criticizing the slobbering adoration in the article by a reporter over what was a routine photo op by a president.

By: denise

denise — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:06:08 +0000

Why is it you have to criticize this president no matter what he does. At least we are not starting wars based on lies like the last one… he is just left to pick up the pieces!!!