Bush to Air Force Academy grads: 'Job well done'
By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published May 28, 2008 at 9:06 a.m.
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Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky
The cadets give President George Bush "the bird," a statue of a falcon, during the commencement ceremony for the 50th graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Wed. , May 28, 2008.
Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky
The hats fly and the cadets celebrate as the Air Force Thunder Birds soar across the sky at the end of the commencement ceremony for the 50th graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Wed. , May 28, 2008.
Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky
Cadets leap into each others arms in celebration during the commencement ceremony for the 50th graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Wed. , May 28, 2008.
COLORADO SPRINGS — President Bush saluted the 50th graduating class of the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, then sent them out into a world very different from the one the Greatest Generation faced.
Repeatedly contrasting the world of today with that of World War II, Bush told the 1,012 graduates he respected their collective decision to pursue a career in the military in the wake of Sept. 11.
"Whether you serve in the skies above or on the ground below, each of you has stepped forward to defend your country," Bush said on a wet, gloomy, frigid day. "You've chosen to face danger in foreign lands so your fellow citizens do not have to face danger in our own land.
"And I want to thank you for making this courageous choice."
The graduation ceremony has never been moved inside, and so it remained Wednesday in Falcon Stadium even as fog, drizzle and wind held throughout the morning. There was some question as to whether the Air Force precision flying team, the Thunderbirds, would perform after the ceremony, but there was no question the graduation would proceed as planned.
Made clear his resolve
Just before 10 a.m., the graduating class marched into the stadium and stood as Bush strode across the playing field to the stage. The graduated smiled, shivered and glanced over their shoulders, looking for family members in the stands.
Bush donned an overcoat, then spoke for just shy of 26 minutes, stressing themes like freedom and liberty — and making clear his resolve to stay in Iraq and Afghanistan until both countries have stable, democratic governments.
"In the 20th century, air power helped make possible freedom's victory in great ideological struggles with fascism and communism," Bush said. "In those struggles, our nation faced evil men with territorial ambitions and totalitarian aims, who murdered the innocent to achieve their political objectives.
"Through a combination of military strength and national resolve, and faith in the power of freedom, we defeated these adversaries — and secured the peace for millions across the world."
Bush said that in World War II, like today, defeating "hateful ideologies" required national power — including military might. Today, however, fighting men and women have at their disposal technology that makes it possible to wage war "with greater precision and greater humanity."
"Our new enemies know they can't defeat us militarily. So their strategy is to cause us to lose our nerve and retreat before the job is done," Bush said. "They take advantage of the information age and the 24-hour news cycles, creating images of chaos and suffering for the cameras, in the hope that these images will horrify the American people and undermine resolve and morale here at home.
"This means that to win the first war of the 21st century, we need to prevail not just in the battle of arms, but also in the battle of wills. And we need to recognize that the only way America can lose the war on terror is if we defeat ourselves."
Enemies to allies
Winning in Afghanistan and Iraq, he said, means securing a peaceful, democratic future for those two countries.
"We've assumed this obligation before," Bush said. "After World War II, we helped Germany and Japan build free societies and strong economies. These efforts took time and patience, and as a result, Germany and Japan grew in freedom and prosperity.
"Germany and Japan, once mortal enemies, are now allies of the United States. ... Today, we must do the same in Afghanistan and Iraq."
He also told the graduates that despite all the new technology, "the most powerful weapon in our arsenal is the power of freedom."
"Many throughout history have underestimated the power of freedom to overcome tyranny and transform whole societies," Bush said. "Yet in the end, despite challenges and setbacks, freedom ultimately prevails, because the desire for liberty is written by our Creator in every human heart."
Later, Bush said that each time he spoke at a military academy graduation, he stood "in awe."
"And I stand in awe again today," he said.
Then, for more than an hour, he stood and greeted each graduate, often with handshakes, sometimes with hugs or other playful greetings, and said something personally to each of them.
As the procession of graduates across the stage went on, the sun broke through the clouds and the crowd erupted.
A few minutes later, Brig. Gen. Susan Desjardins dismissed the new second lieutenants, and something happened that, a little while before, had seemed unthinkable. The Thunderbirds rocketed past overhead as the new graduates hurled their hats into the air.
vaughank@RockyMountain News.com or 303-954-5019
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May 28, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
He will go down as a war time genius! hahahaha
May 28, 2008
9:08 a.m.
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nobodyman writes:
Is he joking? This is NOTHING like WWII. If Americans had what it takes to stomach anything like WWII we would have won already, at the expense of our own lifestyles and a holy boatload of dead- including civilians, women and children. When the government starts rationing food, GM stops pumping out SUVs for the idiots and starts making tanks and munitions, and we have a draft, there may be a comparison.
We as citizens learned something from Vietnam, war can be ugly and hard to take. We changed. The government hasn't, they're defiant against our wishes, but at the same time they'll only commit to a politically correct level of war. This is the definition of quagmire.
May 28, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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buzzman writes:
I can't believe I voted for this moron-the worst ever from the economy, to energy , to inflation to the ethanol debacle (really!!) and fighting the war with the gloves on--what a failure-
his legacy of positive accomplishments can be written on a matchbook
May 28, 2008
9:49 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
I can’t believe I still see Bush bumper stickers.
May 28, 2008
9:54 a.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Using that C- average again.
May 28, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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nicktaste writes:
neocons prepping the soldiers for their future
they will have ww3 if they get their way
May 28, 2008
10:06 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
Buzzman- the energy crisis is not Bush's fault. Why don't you chat up your congressman and ask them why they keep voting down oil exploration in this country???
Besides, if we went to war with Iraq for oil, don't you think oil prices would be lower???
May 28, 2008
10:06 a.m.
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lauren8 writes:
He has the nerve to compare current times to WWII. This is a slap in the face to all of the WWII Vets out there. He such an idiot!!
May 28, 2008
10:07 a.m.
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nicktaste writes:
"At least Bush won! "
well there is some debate to that
the supreme court's intervention was required for him to become president, that should speak volumes unto itself
May 28, 2008
10:11 a.m.
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hikingartist writes:
Well, it's not like he wants to compare Iraq to Vietnam; that's exactly what the liberals were predicting back in 2003.
May 28, 2008
10:14 a.m.
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nicktaste writes:
"Buzzman- the energy crisis is not Bush's fault. Why don't you chat up your congressman and ask them why they keep voting down oil exploration in this country???
Besides, if we went to war with Iraq for oil, don't you think oil prices would be lower???
"
serious ignorance, the price of oil is high NOT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SUPPLY OF OIL, its because our commander in chief has driven the value of our currency down,The dollar is worth less so oil and all commodities cost more, FOR A SIMPLE UNDERSTANDING LOOK AT THE PRICE OF GOLD IN US DOLLARS IN THE LAST 8 YEARS ITS TRIPLED!! our current president bears the blame for high gas prices because he is directly responsible for the devalutaion of our currency
You probably think that war is good for the economy, well these wars we are currently in are not good for the economy, but oil& gas and defense are sure making a "killing" , literally
May 28, 2008
10:18 a.m.
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farsidefan writes:
The only saving grace in all this is that the cadets he is speaking to will be deployed in a year or two. They need this kind of mind set to stay safe. My son and I go around and around on Iraq. He is in the military. As long as he is convinced they are doing good deeds, he will continue to be vigilant and hopefully safe.
But to compare it to WWII ? Japan and Germany ? No way.
Marinegrunt, remember that when Obama wins :)
May 28, 2008
10:33 a.m.
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snowsurfer writes:
Off topic, but whatever.
danirobi "Buzzman- the energy crisis is not Bush's fault. Why don't you chat up your congressman and ask them why they keep voting down oil exploration in this country???"
Why not invest in alternative energy sources instead of spoiling our wildernesses? Why do you people always want to drill for more oil instead of finding another way? We will have to figure out something else in the future anyway, why not do it now and keep our wildlands wild? Once they are gone, they are gone forever and our children and grandchildren will be pissed.
May 28, 2008
10:33 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
I'm sure the graduates at the USAFA would rather have Bush as their Commander and Chief than lets say Obama....
May 28, 2008
10:44 a.m.
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nicktaste writes:
"I'm sure the graduates at the USAFA would rather have Bush as their Commander and Chief than lets say Obama...."
that just shows how stupid they are (most soldiers are imo)
remember the bill that obama supported to give iraq veterans free education that bush was against?
because bush doesn't think our iraq veterans deserve free education
Obama does and also realizes that education opens other oppurtunities for these people's lives, instead of being forced into the servitude of being a career soldier
May 28, 2008
10:44 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Franklin D. Roosevelt lead a relatively weak and isolated USA against the two mightiest military-industrial powers the world had ever seen. We won in about five years.
George W. Bush lead the mightiest military-industrial power the world had ever seen against a scattered collection of goat herders and pissed off Iraqis. After 7 years, he has accomplished nothing and made the situation worse.
Are you having any trouble seeing a difference there?
May 28, 2008
10:48 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
nicktaste-
Can you explain why Obama has missed 241 votes this congress alone? He could care less about the military
May 28, 2008
10:49 a.m.
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mark79trans writes:
"Posted by DenverDan on May 28, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can’t believe I still see Bush bumper stickers."
...for those that can't believe that Bush won or won re-election; the Democrats ran really bad candidates. And, again the Democrats are running two socialists in sheep's clothing. There are a lot of people in this country at least half who do not want big government; we don't want to relinquish are freedoms to someone else's notion of what is right. I do not like Bush; I didn't like his father either. However, there are three things I dislike more then George W. Bush, the AFL-CIO, The Sierra Club, and the Trial Lawyers Association. As soon as Ritter took office, these three groups took over in this state. Ritter already has the new WINS organization holding votes to unionize state workers. State workers are already in a very protected classified system and subject to pay as allocated by the legislature which the Democrats hold. The only purpose for this move is to build the union base and campaign revenue for Ritter's party. A vote for Obama is a vote for Sweeney and Cox. To put these two individuals in power is a complete assault on individual freedom in this country.
This election is horrible. ...Obama or McCain? For rural independent Americans, Obama is the worst choice imaginable. Although, McCain has his own problems with big government. I don't think people really understand how volatile is the belief of lost independence. Some Americans are willing to fight rather then surrender. For those that want to dictate terms of how we should all live our lives, you may want to think about the consequence of this first.
May 28, 2008
10:52 a.m.
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MattGuyver_007 writes:
My utmost respect and congratulations to all 2008 Military Academy graduates.
May 28, 2008
10:54 a.m.
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pj writes:
WHY hasn't OUR CONGRESS impeached Bush and Cheney and charged them with treason, Congressional perjury, and lying to the American public for tyranny and profit?
Bush is too stupid to be in charge of a doggy day care center. He's bankrupted the country for his ill advised pride. It's obvious to everyone that "Uncle" Cheney is the one that's orchestrated all of the Bush Administration moves for the purpose of handing off Billion$ of hard earned Taxpayer dollars to his crony's companies via the Iraq debacle.
The NERVE of Bush to compare his orchestrated "for profit" so-called "war" with the gallant efforts of our parent's generations to free the world of the Nazi threat.
WAKE UP CONGRESS! Get this joker and Cheney out of office. The American public can't afford for them to complete their turn.
May 28, 2008
11:16 a.m.
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60s4ever writes:
pj,
You forgot about war crimes and murder. McClellan is one of many of his own that are coming out with evidence to convict him.
May 28, 2008
11:16 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
"WHY hasn't OUR CONGRESS impeached Bush and Cheney and charged them with treason, Congressional perjury, and lying to the American public for tyranny and profit?"
Remember Scooter Libby? He took the fall for Rove and Cheney revealing classified information about CIA agent Valerie Plame-Wilson. Her husband wrote that Bush's case for invading Iraq was complete nonsense prior to the war. So, they blew her cover to get revenge. This endangered the lives of other agents and it's illegal. Some call it high treason.
After Scooter Libby was sentenced to prison and before he served a single day, Bush granted him a pardon. I spoke to someone who had two-thirds of his brain blown off in Iraq, wears a diaper, and needs constant care. Even he was still smart enough to realize that the pardon was pre-arranged.
If we impeach Bush now, his advisors will simply pre-arrange pardons for all the witnesses. They'll lie and Bush will get off. So, the first step is to separate Bush from the pardon pad.
Bush's damage path is likely to be limited to the US economy at this point, so we'll probably survive until we can replace him. His words clearly mark him as delusional. Like many countries with delusional figureheads, ours is now ruled by a military junta. The goods news is that our junta has probably disconnected the "button", so that Bush may continue to play with his marbles and jacks while the generals protect the world from complete destruction. After all, most generals have families and, although they love a good war, they probably don't see any point in fighting if there's no one around to admire them for it.
May 28, 2008
11:31 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
Looking at this picture there is one thing missing.
"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"
May 28, 2008
11:40 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
I can’t believe I still see Bush bumper stickers.
You people on the right can't think he did a good job. All he was is a comander and chief, not a good one at that.
May 28, 2008
12:01 p.m.
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Ztliano writes:
Lol, It's not like these recent grads are actually gonna go to War. When Obama is president the war will be over and these military people will just get paid to spend time at bases. Lucky them! Maybe I should have joined. lol.
May 28, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"Lol, It's not like these recent grads are actually gonna go to War."
It's not like anyone in the modern ChAir Force will ever go to war:
http://www.deathsiniraq.com/casualtie...
"I continue to thank my Lord and Savior that George W. Bush was and remains our President at a time when we need a true and decisive leader the most.... for such a time as this."
Your Lord and Savior must be Satan.
"Besides, if we went to war with Iraq for oil, don't you think oil prices would be lower???"
We didn't go to war for oil. We went so that the tax payers could pay for lucrative government contracts. We've spent hundreds of billions so far, most of which ends up right back in the hands of wealthy Americans. We're literally making the rich richer with this war. The war for oil thing is a red herring, words that that the propagandists put in the mouths of liberals. They want to portray the most easily defensible arguments as being the most commonly expressed. It's rubbish.
May 28, 2008
1:01 p.m.
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Woodrow writes:
The Bush administration is the largest collection of the most incompetent bumbling fools to ever hold political office in the history of this country. They have made more incorrect predictions and miscalculations than anyone could have ever imagined. At EVERY turn they have made critical errors and deserve to be prosecuted for sheer stupidity if for nothing else. To hide behind the cloak of religion, hijack the bible thumper crowd and continue to act in a manner of greed and avarice is a joke on all those who voted for him. Shame on you for not seeing right through this guy and his croonies. A big clue was when they made a war hero, John Kerry, look like a draft dodger and the draft dodger look like a war hero. Hello? How stupid are you people?
May 28, 2008
1:01 p.m.
Woodrow writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 28, 2008
1:02 p.m.
Woodrow writes:
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May 28, 2008
1:04 p.m.
Woodrow writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 28, 2008
1:08 p.m.
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tunaman65 writes:
Some of the comments I see on this article are some of the stupidest I have ever seen on any article published in the Rocky.
May 28, 2008
1:15 p.m.
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davies writes:
nicktaste: "that just shows how stupid they (Air Force Academy graduates) are".
I can't believe anyone would actually write that. It's very difficult to even get in AFA, let alone persevere and graduate. Incredible.
May 28, 2008
1:17 p.m.
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nicktaste writes:
bush is not stupid
this is all done with purpose
he is not "ignorant"
people who think he is ignorant are stupid
It takes a high level of intelligence to deceive so many
there is no mistake here, everything in iraq is going according to plan
May 28, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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nicktaste writes:
fighting for an unjust cause = stupid
May 28, 2008
1:22 p.m.
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Woodrow writes:
Hey "Gene", its 4 times and it only gave one confirmation the 4th time so pound it.
May 28, 2008
2:24 p.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Bush was right about one thing, "Our enemies will be no match for the men and women of the United States Air Force."
Goat herders are easily blown to bits by the multi-billion dollar weapons that we've put into the hands of the USAF.
The trouble is that it's a bit like using a bazooka to swat a fly. In my view, that may not be the best tool for the job. When it comes to swatting flies, I use a good old-fashioned 25 cent flyswatter. Bazookas, rocket-propelled grenades, and other advanced weapons tend to cost a lot more and break other stuff. Even my .38 Smith and Wesson, while cheap, is a bit much because then I'm left with a bunch of holes in the wall. It's fun and tempting to use when a fly is really annoying me. But after all that fun, I'm left with the problem of patching all the holes in the wall or burying the cat that was hiding behind the couch, which I only notice when it starts to rot and stink.
Rowdy goat herders who misread the Koran and volunteer to blow themselves up on suicide missions are scattered far and wide. You need a millions of expensive bombs to get them all. And you miss a bunch of them on every mission while killing loads of people who just happen to be standing around eating falafel sandwiches or playing soccer.
That doesn't strike me as being any smarter than getting drunk and shooting flies with .38 special.
I reckon police can deal with those idiots more effectively, and we might consider investing in schools that could point them to better prospects than strapping on a load of explosives or flying airplanes into buildings.
May 28, 2008
3:14 p.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
danirobi wrote @ 10:33 am:
"I'm sure the graduates at the USAFA would rather have Bush as their Commander and Chief than lets say Obama...."
Seriously? You are kidding right? G. W. Bush is the ONLY president that started a preemptive, offensive war in this country's history. And that war still drags on, with no clear objective in sight. As soldiers who are soon to be fighting in that war, I should think every one of them would rather have ANY OTHER president as CnC so they wouldn't have to graduate and GO TO WAR. A few more ice cubes for your kool-aid, danirobi?
May 28, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
Preemptive? You mean it wasn't retaliation for 9/11? That's crazy! We all know that even though there was no link between 9/11 and Iraq that they're somehow related because Iraq is terrorists and that's bad!
Or maybe it was in retaliation to Saddam demanding Euros for his oil. Dollar Hegemony. Google it.
It's the plain and simple truth behind our hostility toward Iraq, Iran and Venezuela. We invaded Iraq to save our broken economic policy.
May 28, 2008
4:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
Vulions writes:
The worst thing about all of these comments is that we see how many crazy liberals aka socialists have moved to our great state from California. Get over yourselves. You have the best opportunity ever to have a Democrat elected and the best you can come up with is Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton...and you even screw that up by continuing to fight...I love it!!
May 28, 2008
6:40 p.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Bush to Air Force Academy grads: 'Job well done'
I can't same the same for this REMF....
Bush needs to go to THIS shower....
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/28/sold...
As CinC, BUSH is ultimately responsible.
May 28, 2008
7:30 p.m.
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HOOK writes:
No, too bad these Air Force Academy graduates can’t even celebrate a day of achievement and honor without all of you Bushee bashers ruining it. I am no fan of "W", but you GD idiots are too selfish to put your hate for him aside and congratulate these fine citizens who have chosen a career of sacrifice for you. Wake up dumb A...never mind, its not about Bush, it’s about the graduating class, put your stupidity and rhetoric aside for one moment and give the class a round of applause.
Of course to all of you brow bashing nuts its just another graduating class of baby killers isn’t it you unappreciative, disrespectful, hateful, low life degenerate puke stains.
Congrats Air Force Academy graduates, than you and your families for your sacrifice and service, it does not go un-noticed, at least to a few of us in here, but pay no mind to them, its not their day, its yours.
May 28, 2008
7:47 p.m.
HOOK writes:
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May 28, 2008
9:21 p.m.
farsidefan writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 28, 2008
9:29 p.m.
HOOK writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 28, 2008
9:30 p.m.
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farsidefan writes:
I wonder how many of the parents of these cadets will read Ms. Tillman's book that is just coming out. That will give them all a great deal of confidence in the people who will lead their children into war.
Not.
May 28, 2008
9:36 p.m.
HOOK writes:
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May 28, 2008
9:47 p.m.
HOOK writes:
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May 28, 2008
10 p.m.
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HOOK writes:
Once again, congrats ALL AFA graduates. I did not serve in the USAF, I have spent more than a year at a time out of the country in the USMC, though my dad is retired Air Force. But it doesn’t matter, we are all brothers and sisters, and we are proud of you. Whether you graduated number 1, or 21, doesn’t matter, whether you are going to be a combat pilot in the raQ, or flying rubber dog dung out of Hong Kong, it doesn’t matter, your sacrifice is noble and commendable. Your family, and your country are proud of you, people like farsidefan are not the majority. Today is your day, love or hate the President, agree or disagree, it is your day, and I refuse to allow the farsidefan types to take the attention away from you just for another opportunity to spew their hate. Good for you, and I know it doesn’t mean much from me when the President already said it, but, job well done.
May 28, 2008
10:29 p.m.
CaptainObvious writes:
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May 28, 2008
10:39 p.m.
HOOK writes:
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May 28, 2008
10:48 p.m.
HOOK writes:
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May 29, 2008
6:53 a.m.
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farsidefan writes:
Hook, if you were a regular reader of this you would know that my son is a Major in the Air Force. I don't hate the office of the Presidency. I don't hate Bush. I just think he is incompetent and unjustly got us into a war.
I totally support our troops, just not their boss.
BIG DIFFERENCE !
May 29, 2008
7:19 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
Boy lots of removed comments. All I will say is you go to war with the Commander in Chief that you have, not necessarily the one that you want. Isn't that paraphrasing Rumsfeld?
May 29, 2008
8:09 a.m.
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farsidefan writes:
Spencer, how true. We usually don't select our boss, they select us. I hope to change my son's boss :)
May 29, 2008
8:20 a.m.
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davies writes:
Liberal concept number 1: The USA cannot possibly have any enemies, at least not to the point that we need to actually defend ourselves.
Liberal concept number 2: If the USA does in fact have any mortal enemies, then it is George Bush's fault, and/or the fault of evil corporations, wealthier persons than us, Republicans*, etc., ad nauseum. We accept no personal responsibility for having enemies, and we criticize those who do.
* (for you Froward)