The folks over at Politicususa have the entire transcript.
However this was my favorite part:
Today is the first Memorial Day in 14 years that the United States is not engaged in a major ground war.
That right there is a reason for celebration. And a reason to honor that man who made that a reality.
Because let's face it, if the Republicans had their way we would still be fighting ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and probably Syria, Libya, and Iran as well.
Yes indeed. Best USA President in Modern History. But. we best be packin up and heading over to icey and put a end to that nonsense QUICK. it is getting a bit moronic idiotic dangerous to ignore one more second. Kick their azz off the planet now.
ReplyDeleteSay, what happened to the 60 nation coalition that he said he was going to build to "defeat and degrade" ISIS? Ask that of the "best USA president in modern history."
Deletelol
You're proud of this speech?
ReplyDeleteToo bad no one applauded.
A Taliban truck bomb hit government offices in southern Afghanistan today.
And fifteen ISIS members were killed in fighting in Afghanistan today.
More Americans died in Afghanistan under Obama than under Bush.
And thanks to Obama, we'll likely have to put ground forces back in certain areas of Iraq as it continues to spiral out of control.
Libya is a war zone. Thanks to Obama's Arab Spring.
You people need your fucking heads looked over.
Our heads need looking over? You aren't very intelligent or educated are you. That is me even an accurate sentence.
DeleteI think you get most of your news from Fox. Obama's Arab Spring? WTF are you talking about? You are an example of a poorly educated, brain washed Moran. It might help if you educate yourself about the Middle East and please read from a variety of sources and that does not include listening to entertainers like Limbaugh or Beck.
Oy vay. With Americans like you, no wonder our country is in so much trouble.
<<Too bad no one applauded.
DeleteNot only did they applaud, he got multiple standing ovations, so your head is firmly up your ass.
According to the pool reporter on the scene, the President received several standing ovations for thanking the troops for their service. The 2015 Memorial Day speech was the first in nearly a generation that felt like a thank you to all of those who have sacrificed for their country. There was no mention of current conflicts and winning wars. For the first time since American troops went to Afghanistan, it felt like a real thank you and remembrance of the lives lost.
There are still American troops in Afghanistan. The war is not over for them, but we should all pray that they may come home to be thanked on Veterans Day instead of being remembered on Memorial Day.
@6:16 You're gonna feel pretty stupid (possibly dead depending on how old you are) when President Obama's face is carved into the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
DeleteSo, are you implying our troops served for naught?
DeleteGreat advice to get news and information from more than one source. My 8th grade English teacher taught her students that.
Someone has forgotten about nine eleven and the thousands that died here and then over there under our bush caused by the hate of old bush. So? not sure but war is war. boys will be boys. and little boys and some girls like to play war. we have a global war now. ice is a toxic hateful water world type of crazies. AND CAUSED BY GLOBAL DICTATORS, THUGS, NUT BAGS AND MONEY. not by President Obama, the people prez. Unfortunately ice attitude must be flushed. One big global flush.
DeleteWhat are you talking about you imbecile? Obama IS A SOCK PUPPET of the globalists. How the f---k do you think he got elected twice?
Delete8:58 I so agree with you! I believe President Obama will go down in history as one of our best presidents.
DeleteI've never seen a man be so continually steady under constant fire. He's put up with more crap from the right and extreme right than any POTUS in my lifetime and I'm in my 70's.
I love the fact he wants to 'negotiate' vs keep America in all out wars (with Americans on the ground). More deaths and money spent? In the middle east? Forget it! We have no damned business being over there fighting their battles that have been going on for eons! Why kill our own and spend money America does not have? Plus, the majority in America do not want war! It is just the Republicans - like the idiot John McCain that push war on a daily basis!
I also think we should stop providing Israel money as they don't need it from us!
I don't pay attention to any idiot that feels it is necessary to use the F-word in every post. Be careful, I hear your Mommy coming to wash your mouth out with soap.
DeleteIt's hard to applaud waving a flag in one hand and placing the other over my heart. Best POTUS ever.
DeleteI read on the news today that President Obama received much applause as to his speech.
ReplyDeleteAmerica is much better having him lead us than a Republican! If McCain were in office right now we'd be in ground wars all over the middle east - killing Americans (and others) and spending money we don't have. Hell we cannot even take care of our Veterans as it is!
The crowd President Obama spoke to numbered 5000!
In the Middle East and Georgia, North Sudan, and where ever grass is walked on, IMO.
Deletedowl
I'm so proud of my President and my fellow citizens who elected him twice.
ReplyDeleteI am too. But I always tear up when I see him speak and see how much he's aged.
Delete7:41 PM And, he is so much thinner! He has put up with so much from the Republicans! I've never seen such an ugly, hateful bunch of people in my life and being a senior citizen and traveler, have seen my share of all kinds of people!
DeleteHonor, dignity, grace and reverence:
ReplyDeletehttp://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/25/the-president-and-first-ladys-day-19/
I love this man.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could elect him to a third.
Ditto and ditto. I am already in grief that he is leaving office soon.
DeleteHe has in my six decades on the planet, been, hands down, the most inspiring, decent, honest, honorable, gracious, intelligent, mature, good natured, multi-talented, humble, funny president in my lifetime. He is reasonable, fair, tough, considerate, respectful and has a great sense of humor. He isn't quick to send young people to war and yet won't hesitate to, with precision, take out a bad guy.
I'm not looking forward to 2017.
Me too, Anon at 10:44 pm, and I've been around for more than seven decades.
DeleteBeaglemom
7:12 AM Me too, Beaglemom! Seven decades too! And, I do worry when we no longer have President Obama in office.
DeleteI was able to watch the latter part of the concert at the Capitol. It was beautiful with the lighting effects of stars and tastefully done symbolic of elements of our flag. The music was wonderful and it was an honorable tribute to those who served done with dignity deserved.
ReplyDeleteTrue there were no donuts nor logo tee shirts nor signs about hate America or shout outs to take your ass out of the country. Post Palin Memorial Day weekend shenanigans the event in Washington was appreciated and a breath of. Fresh air!
OT Despite having to work all weekend and Memorial Day the absurdity and condescending posts by Palin "not about barbecues", highly entertaining images in contrast to her pride to stage a faith and freedom party also celebrating family togetherness despite no wedding was a huge contrast to the respectful efforts others put forth to remember those who served.
ReplyDeleteThat Palin bombed Katie Couric interview big time was cherry on top.
THEY FOUGHT THE WAR AND THE WAR WON. Brave as these veterans are, they were ultimately doomed to lose, even in the last "Good War," WWII.
ReplyDeleteMy small personal story is that my husband was gifted with exceptional intelligence, drive, personal strength, and bravery. He was a member of Mensa and InterTel, commissioned an infantry officer in 1969, an airborne ranger who served with a ranger patrolling committee in III Corps, where the Viet Cong had their headquarters. So he patrolled and he killed, not just on land, but at some point, via Huey door-gunning. He survived more than one near-miss headshot, and has the enemy-ventilated steel pot helmet-liner to prove it, as well as a fist-sized crater-like scar in his thigh from an encounter with a pungee stick, a sharpened bamboo stake dipped in buffalo dung and hidden in a booby-trap hole covered with forest vegetation. Maggots got into the wound and cleaned out the dead flesh, thereby saving his life, according to a medic he encountered weeks later. Now honestly, he was a kind, gentle man, but through his willingness to undertake a belligerent mission, he efficiently killed many people.
All male and female war veterans have similar stories and see similar horrors. Their personal strength of character, political and religious view points may differ, just as much as their reasons for entering the service are different. But they encounter--and deal out-- senseless death again and again.
My perspective is that the philosophies of career warriors, like my husband, are vastly different than those who enter the military short-term for the benefits afforded them. The lifers are made of sterner stuff, and less likely to suffer from PTSD.
The VA has extensive stats on what conditions predispose people to PTSD, i.e. ,poor education, lower socioeconomic status, unstable family life, parental abuse, substance abuse, poverty, prior trouble with the law, minority race, etc.--see their studies for more. But even the most stable troops are damaged by the horrors of war. So why do we keep sending them?
Regardless, my brave, brilliant husband lost almost everything over time, although he seemed to survive the horrors of combat unscathed for years. Our second child died of birth defects related to Agent Orange (patent ductus arteriosus, transposition of the great vessels, closed spina bifida). In his early 40s, he was diagnosed with brittle diabetes, with uncontrollable glucose levels. He switched to quartermaster corps to finish out his army career, which suited him well, since he was determined never to kill another human being. Alas, the harm was done, and by age 50 he was suffering large and small strokes which rendered him over 100% disabled due to vascular dementia by 2005.
His story is only one of many. Military service, especially for lifers, makes demands on people that civilians cannot imagine. So vote against war, vote against your representatives who support war.
Remember this: No matter how strong, smart, and brave your service men and women are:
They fight the war, and the war wins--every time.
What a powerful and moving example. Thank you so much.
DeleteYou and your husband's true grit and courage is so inspiring that it makes me forget the ills of this world today...if only for a moment.
And give thanks for those of your fiber.