Posted by
Buster Foghorn on Sunday, July 27, 2008 4:16:01 PM
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Alfred Tennyson
Honoring the troops did not seem very important to Senator Obama during his recent trip to Iraq and Germany. Whether it was crediting the Sunnis for the success of the surge, the residents of Berlin for the airlift, or cancelling a commitment to visit wounded troops in Germany, Senator Obama consistently opted not to highlight the role of U.S. forces or to honor their contributions.
In Baghdad, Senator Obama was unwilling to admit the surge had worked. In fact, in an interview he even said words to the effect: “knowing what I know today, I would still vote against the surge.”
Obama, when asked why he was wrong about the surge, said he failed to appreciate there would be a “Sunni Uprising.” In first year torts law students learn to apply a “but for” test to analyze causation. “But for” the role of U.S. troops providing security and holding the battlefield, would the Sunni’s have felt secure enough to switch sides? The question seems rhetorical; it answers itself. Yet Senator Obama claims not to know the answer. Even more amazing is the fact that Senator Obama ignores the fact that taking and holding the battlefield to create an environment of security so the Iraqis would feel secure enough to make changes was the basic premise for the surge. Did Senator Obama even read the surge plan? Did he discuss it with any proponents of the plan? Why does he refuse to honor the troops for their contribution and sacrifice?
In Germany, Senator Obama talked about the Berlin airlift. Unfortunately, as recognized by Jeff Jacoby, Obama drew the wrong lessons. It was not so much an international partnership or the German people that stopped the Russians: it was the grit, determination, and sacrifice of the U.S. Air Force. Few may remember that 31 U.S. military personnel lost their lives during the airlift. Certainly, Senator Obama missed the opportunity to honor the troops and our fallen heroes. “But for” their sacrifice, Berlin today might look very different.
Perhaps the most informative act of the candidate was reneging on his commitment to visit wounded U.S. troops while in Germany. Did Senator Obama have an inner dialog before cancelling or did he act without considering how the troops waiting for his arrival might feel? What arguments did he have with himself about the right thing to do? The varied excuses from the Obama campaign about why they cancelled out do not support the Senator’s action.
Can a future Commander in Chief really be this indifferent about honoring our troops and fallen heroes?