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Subscribe to RSSPresident Barack Obama and the first lady, Michelle, continued their holiday tradition of visiting about 200 Marines and their families during Christmas dinner Saturday at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. The first couple made their way around the mess hall and joined in group and individual photos with the diners. “Merry Christmas, Mr. President,” said one toddler. The president was also seen holding a 6-month-old baby and joking with a man clad in a Cowboys T-shirt about his mouth, injured during a Thanksgiving basketball game. The Marines’ dinner menu included prime rib, turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, a salad bar, pie and pastries.
Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama greets members of the U.S. military and their families as they eat Christmas Day meals at the Anderson Hall mess hall at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Dec. 25, 2010.
Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama (R) greet members of the U.S. military and their families as they eat Christmas Day meals at the Anderson Hall mess hall at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Dec. 25, 2010.
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Although I'm not a huge fan of the current administration, it always brings a sense of great pride in my country when I see the Commander-In-Chief paying his respects to our troops wherever they may be.
You, sir, made my day. While I am more of a "fan" of this administration than you, you seem to have the class to respect the office. I wasn't a fan of Bush either but I felt the same way. Our military supports the Commander-in-Chief regardless of party. God bless our troops!
You, athud, in your following posts, DO NOT show the respect you seem to admire in Paul. Try and LEARN from Paul and stop flinging your toxic hate for Republicans around on a story about the military at Christmas. BOTH parties have done good and bad! Maybe you could stick with the actual story and have a HAPPY holiday. Save your liberal hatred and toxic viewpoint for another story.
RU, ya gotta get a new line. LOL
Once you stop your hatred I will definitely do that. :) My "one line" will no longer be needed when you stop hating Republicans. Disagreeing with another party is normal; hatred is an epidemic cancer.
hatred of evil is not only healthy, it is necesary for the survival of what is left of our plundered country, RU
Republicans are not 'evil', Hitler was evil; nor do they run the DeathStar commanded by Darth Vader. Grow up.
Well, Ru, this article in the WSJ might convince people to think otherwise. By Reagan cabinet member. Have fun reading! (while u are telling people to "grow up.", lol. Wtf?) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/opinion/01stockman.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1293375636-c4GW+BXR4o2khBHKKPezIw
but of course u won't read it, being a head in the sand type of Republican Christian Ostrich?
Rock, Thanks for posting that great article. Surprised to read it in the WSJ. Really puts the whole topic into the proper perspective.
When you look at the faces in this image, it is haunting that they are so young yet so much carries on their shoulders.
yes very young Thom, but they would laugh at anyone who thought "too young..."
A Very Honorable President!
FAIL!
Disabled vet- 2649798 :
I think you have our Preident confused with the Bush/Cheney duo....they were the total FAILURE !
I'm a veteran from the mid-60's era who appreciates how much President Obama has focused on our military and veterans issues, unlike someone like McKKKain !
I wouldn't take 10, a thousand, ten thousand, or even a Million Bushes for 1 Barack O'bama.
It was sad/depressing that the best the Repubs could find was them....
Way to take a heartwarming story and grind it through your liberal hate machine. Stop the hate! Its destroying your own party.
@Ru-780672, the left is winning the culture war.
What culture war? Both parties are winning the hatred war - thats nothing to be proud of winning.
the truth is that he is in his home state of Hawaii visiting, and it is traditional to visit a base. Kanehoe is convenient...otherwise marines are the antithesis of an Obama-type.
"otherwise marines are the antithesis of an Obama-type"...
really? you are entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts...
http://militaryrates.com/military-news-story.cfm?textnewsid=4567
gammaraygus: i read the article, and?? It is one of the lowest pay raises ever...that has nothing to do w/the political ideology of a 19year old male in the usmc. Interestingly, older marines like myself are much more willing to give Obama a chance, but only because of the obvious dismantling of America by the right...
AWESOME JUST awesome President Obama is just AWESOME what a wonderful MAN and A GREAT GREAT President OBAMA is GREAT job Mr. President!!! MAY GOD BLESS you and your FAMILY!!!
no
I wouldn't take 10 or 10,000 or even a Million Bushes for 1 Barack O'bama...
How SAD/Depressing that the Repubs couldn't find-nominate ANYONE Better....
I think it's even more sad that thru half his term the people rebelled and voted a ton of Dems out of office. In my life time the Reps have had several two term presidents vs the Dems. Obama lied to everyone. Has soon has he got control of the house and senate it was all Democratic greed, and it's very obvious the people didn't like it!!! Enjoy your one term president since that's all they can muster up these days.
I think it was more lies and money from the republicans pushing their people. We certainly do not want any more tax cuts for the wealthy or cuts on education or larger deficit for another war.
be careful what you wish for. At least this president has treated the military better, and done many things for the middle class. we need to stop capitalist welfare in form of subsidies and take care of the middle class. Th right is the party of the rich founded by them and supported by them. Check your fact and look at history, all the improvement for workers and middle class benefits like social security came from the left.
Couldnt you stop your liberal hate for one day? HAPPY holidays!
Liberal hate? LOL How come you didn't call out Steve for his conservative hate?
Stop the hate, Steve! There, Ahud, does that help you come to grips with your own hate agenda?
Not really. I don't hate even though you proclaim it so. Besides, its too much fun having you try to save my soul.
LOL! Soul saving - nah, Im not perfect enough for that; but as an Independent, it'd be so nice to see Reps and Dems stop flinging crap. Its done nothing to help anyone.
and yet, as usual RU: what is the alternative that you do not offer?
Thank you Mr. President and The First Lady for showing the respect to our men and women in uniform. Great to see the relaxed atmosphere during our Festive Season.
Glad to see him visiting in his HOME STATE of BIRTH!
(That should liven up this thread!)
Would have meant more if he was in Afghanistan where his presence would really be effective., instead of being home for Christmas.
Err...he was just there. C'mon keep up. Merry Christmas!
UM...he was just there on December 13th.
December 13th isn't Christmas
When I see the this family and the way they are living, and raising their children in a world where morals are deteriorating, it makes me feel good and gives me more confidence that this country will be turned around and be on a more stable foundation, it has A better chance with this President than anyone I can think of at this time I hope the country will work with him for the good of all!!!
Merry Christmas to the troops and A happy New Year!!!
Steve, glad you can read a calendar.
Steve, Ahud and I would like to ask you to stop hating on Liberals. Ahud would do it himself but he only likes to post slams and Republican hatred; so he has asked me to address it. :) Both parties need help and America as a whole needs a lot of work.
Happy Holidays!
RU, hmmm, look at the first post I made on the first reply. Who was slamming whom? In fact, I even said that I agreed with the poster's sentiment of Obama's visit when ever I saw Bush visit our troops. The only hatred in that thread was when you inserted yourself into that particular part of the thread. You demonstrated your hatred of me and my political opposition to neversurrender's ugly comment on the fitness of the current Commander-in-Chief. I did not go into a long, extensive diatribe with neversurrender but instead employed a measure of hyperbole to counter neversurrender's execration of a sitting President.
Please note that in saying you demonstrated your hatred of me and my political opposition it doesn't make it so. In fact, I doubt it is so. Maybe we can work on that some more? LOL
What a crock of --------!!!!!!!!!
I agree, Don! LOL! Nice try though, Ahud. :)
Now Don...are you a hater too?
RU - you must be a hater in spite of my doubts.
No, I am one who wishes for people to realize that their own party isnt perfect anymore than the party they attack across the fence isnt perfect.
This was a story about the President visiting the military. It wasnt an opportunity for one side to attack another side...yet, it became just that, Ahud.
But, at least you've manuevered from slamming the Republicans to just me. Im honored but unaffected.
BTW, Don - "Some people wouldn't know the truth if they see it." Real good with one liners.
RU - You give yourself too much credit to assume you maneuvered me anywhere. BTW, you certainly decided to ratchet up the attacks in spite of your protestations that this story has a singular theme. For being so wise, I woulda thought you woulda put out a good one liner and let it be. Nope. BTW, don't be naive about any thread on this site not turning into a political free for all. You have not proven yourself to be above the rest. You like to take this "protector of the innocent" and "Keeper of the truth" position and lecture us on what is fit for discussion and what is out of bounds. I can pull up a lot of threads where you attack "liberal haters" while in those same threads you remain totally silent on right wingnut statements. Why is that? Perhaps you are not so neutral after all?
So here is the deal. Drop your own pious attitude towards "haters" because you have no moral high ground to stand on. Even as I try to have a civil discourse with you, you keep insisting something that doesn't exist. Because you say it is so, doesn't make it so. However, given that you can't seem to have an interesting discussion without tossing out labels (hater) I'm just about done with you. Nope, don't hate you (even if you want to say so) just tired of your same, old, one liner non-argument to issues.
Notice that not once in this conversation have I labeled you (hater, supporter, republican, democrat...) except with tongue-in-cheek. (Damn, I guess in 8.12 I sorta did that...oh wait, you don't understand hyperbole) You do under stand that tongue-in-cheek is an idiom, don't you?
So...I guess it is your turn to tell me I'm a hater again. LOL
Your a hater again. :) Are you happy? I live to make you happy.
Ru, I love the way you project your indepence while speaking with undercover venin. Be true to yourself. You sound more like a Birther than an independent. Be real1
What's a 'venin'? and, no, Im not a 'birther'. I will always discourage hatred of Dems or Reps or Independents. Its great to have differences but when it swings over to hateful comments and posts, especially in a positive article such as this one, I will ask people to stop. It rarely works and most justify their hatred of Dems or Reps as being the right thing to do and say - hate seems to make people feel better about their position.
This article was about Obama visiting the troops at Christmas. How people squeeze the same old "Reps suck more than Dems" or "Dems suck more than Reps" from Obama visiting troops at Christmas is ridiculous.
What's the problem with being a "hater"? It is good to hate injustice, unfairness, misery and suffering. If one group tends to ignore those conditions and another tries to address them, what's wrong with being angry and furious at the group that doesn't care?
Obama and his wife are not on my Christmas list but any Commander and Chief is,just cuze. Nice photos of the First Family. And, his trip to Arganistan! Nice, that you put yourself (Obama) in Harms Way. I'm niether a demo or gdp, but I love a person who puts his/troops first. This Commander and Chief IS on the front lines. Yes, though in secret, with a 1.2 million force behind him, but on the frontlines none the less. Again, he is not my choice but he is willing to place his butt in front of ours.
What!!!! No arguement!?! You may not like his race, maybe a "birther," think he is a non-christian, BUT you cannot deny he is the Commander and Chief! He IS on the frontlines regularly. Deny that!
Obama isn't fit to stand in the same room as those soldiers.
If he isn't, then Bush/Cheney deserve the firing squad for lying to the American public for taking us into Iraq.
Oh really.... Obama did the same in all his campaign speeches. The only change we got was democratic greed! Sky high debt....the people really showed up in the polls to put a boot up the democrats ass!
neither are you.
Why don't you show us how that's done, jackass.
Steve, I believe the debt increase occurred during the Bush administration.
Told ya it would liven up the thread. LOL We got the name calling reply already. LOL
I think the comment about our president not being fit to be in the same room as "those soldiers" is something that should not be allowed to be printed!!!!
Talk of killing American citizens by firing squad on Christmas, Athud? Were you an abused child?
Your words disgust me. Politically polarized rhetoric like this demeans us all, especially our soldiers, of which I am one. This country, and those of us that serve it, deserve more.
RU - ever heard of hyperbole? No, I wasn't abused as a child but thank you for your concern.
Please note he is with Marines, who prefer to be called Marines. Soldiers are in the Army. Two different branches of service....the Marines don't like being called soldiers. They work VERY hard to earn the title.
Ever heard of reality? Both parties have good points and bad - you seem delusional and stuck in Republican hatred. Its rather old and points to an abused childhood. :) lol
RU - Again, I am humbled that you care about my childhood so much. It's touching.
@Marines are not soldiers. : As a soldier, I can say I could not agree more ;-)
Just a joke... My best to all of my fellow servicemen!
I care, Ahud, but no touching. :)
@Matthew: One team one fight!
The world should see America as a UNITED FRONT instead of the arguing children they currently laugh at.
But.....He is there. Where was any president from Lincoln to present? None on the the frontline with his troops. I don't care for the present president but I do respect that his ass is on the line in a place where his ass is grass on any given moment. He's got gutts.
This is my wife's NAVYJ Account. You may call me ARMY C - Strictly speaking Marines are soldiers - Soldiers of the Sea. I believe one of their official histories bears that title. I would never refer to a Marine as anything other than a Marine. They have carried that title well and honorably since 10 November 1775 when the first Marines enlisted for Continental Service at Tun's Tavern, Philadelphia. They are proud of their heritage,. They are proud of theie battle honors. An I am one retired American soldier who is very proud of them. For my money man for man (but not gender specific) they are the best medium weight figthing force in the world today.
One only need to walk around the Iwo Jima memorial in Washingto DC near Fort Myer, and look up at those carved faces raising that flag and have it bring tears to yout eyes. Later walk aboud it and see such names at Guadalcanal, Siapan. Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Belleau Wood, and Chosin. Then think of the human beings , United States Marines, names you don't normally here Basilone, Puller, Vandergright, Shoup, Bonneyman, Edson, Foss, Boyington, Bauer, Krulak. Walt, Henderson, Floyd B.Parks and the names could go on forever. Then go ever further back to Nicholas and Presly O'Bannon, he of the Mamaluk Sword. The pioneers.
Then I turn an go into Arlington. As a soldier ther are a lot of names I recognizee there - Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in history lies there, alongside others who fought at Chantilly. and Second Manassas. Over a little way you will find the grave of the men who went down on the Maine
All this prelude is leading up to the comments about our commander in chief critizing his vist to his troops on Chistmas Day which has become tradition over these past few years and have this one individual who sounds to be a no'cout jack leg bigoted peckerwood, who smells strongly like unwashed redneck pull out his bag full of hate.
I got news for you buster. Barak Obama was elected by the majority of the popular vote as well as a plurality of the electorial vote. He is the commander in chief of the armed forces and I don't give two hoots in hell wether you like it ot not. He is due the respect of that office while he serves in that capacity and in fact is deserviving of honors as long as he is alive. That is the way real Americans treat the commander and former commanders in chief. If you don't like O'Bama, or you don't like the system or if there is any thing else about this country you don't like then you are free to leave her----possibly a condo in antartica would be nice, because you and your kind would find fault in any place in the civilized world. Would it not be better for you then to release that hate, and instread of running your big mounth stand up with all of the other American who are once again begining to demonstrate that intangeable force we Americans have with in us that says you can knock the crap out of me but I will get up I will move forward and all the forces of hell or the prevaiers of hate cannot stand against me. I am an an American.
One more directed to my former comrads in arms of all the services. We may have taken off our uniforms and hung them in the closet, but I remind you that your oath to support and defend the Constitution is still on active duty. Our country needs grass roots direct action now more than ever, and we would be derilict to our oaths if we were not out their in the forefront providing what we can. Even if it is only a telephone call once a week it it something that you can do for your country. So you old buzzards who knew the Bulge , Pork Chop Hill, and the Ia Drang get in formation make a right face and march forward
@neversurrender Why? because you say so? LMAO.... Please tell me why he isn't fit? is it because he never served? or he's a communist socialist or what ever he is being called these days.
Obama is the man.
Obama is another lying politician. He's from Illinois, the most corrupt state in the union.
What are your facts? You say things unsurported by reality. Talk is cheap! speak factually helps growth!
Enjoy your one term president!
These Marines are honored to meet the President of the United States and the President of the United States is honored to meet these Marines. This is the respect that every Marine who ever served a Commander in Chief earned the very moment they volunteered for this duty. It has been this way since the inception of this great Country, it is an honor to be called "The Presidents Own" reserved for the Corps of Marines that serve this Country and every individual that lives with the freedom, liberties and pursuit of happiness provided by all Armed Forces of the United States.We thank all the troops for the never ending sacrifices they have made during this campaign to preserve our way of life. Merry Christmas and thank you to all the troops out there for their service to the citizens of this Country.
Thank you for your praise and civil tone. For those of us that serve, it is an honor to do so for this great country. The only repayment I would ask from every american, regardless of political affiliation, is to treat our political rivals with respect and vote. Happy Holidays to you & yours, and may God bless us all.
RB Eugenio,
Very well written. Thank you. I've been serving my beloved country for the past 12 years. God Bless America and God Bless the President of the United States, Obama. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.
Not yours, you are the epitome of divine. Mahalo!
we all learn something from each other
God Bless Our Troops and Our First Family!
You are an idiot!!! Are you even fit to talk and even have your swill printed!!! Our President is doing all he can against the "No" party for us, the Middle Class" and you attack on the military forum - where were your Reps on the funding of the milltary or the backing of the GI Bill (renewed), the increase of monies to the VA???? Where were they???? Just saying, like little whinny kids - "if you don't give me this, I won't give you that" - and "the hell with what the people of the Country want. I must be reelected!".
Republicans are in trouble now after trying to defeat the 9/11 health care bill in addition to pushing tax cuts for the wealthy as a trade-off to vote for unemployment extension for the out-of-work poor. The economy in Bavaria and their auto workers will now be boosted with the purchase of new cars.
I read where Tiffany's expects a ten percent increase in sales of their jewelry.
I am no Obama fan, but I CAN respect the fact that he took part of HIS Christmas Day and spent it with our troops.
Give the man credit where credit is due.
Yes, it was the right thing for him to do and helps the families as well as the soldiers.
I agree with you guys (ehf & Ru), this was a pretty cool thing for the Pres & family to do today. This is a day for family, and definitely the Pres. Obama's day off!
This is a beautiful example of how an administration should be with the troops and the citizens of the United States. The warm welcome and reaching out with appreciation is admirable. Mele Kalikimaka. May peace be on your mind and leave all else behind this holiday season.
js-445607 - I'll ditto that! Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou...
Mahalo Noelle! Appreciation for life is what brings joy all else is just folly. Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou in return!
While in the military you true to the commander and not politics. All civilians should remember that we must hold are values to ourselves and follow orders. Our constitutional rights are set aside and they are property of the government. One truth that shows them as property is if a person in the military was to get a sunburn that holds him or her from doing their daily duties, they will be punished. Your religious beliefs are null and void. Your must follow orders since you at this day and age have volunteered for duty.
Watch for the spike in the sales of Mercedes, Audi's, Porche's and BMW's. Buy stock in Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales. Send your resume to high end car dealers for a job in new car cleaning and prep. Check out to see if Brooks Brothers is hiring.
The rich will either be spending their extended tax cuts or just stuffing their money away for awhile.
The President has a bigger heart than any of the people bashing him on here,as long as he can help on a few of the things that have been trashed the last 30 years or so, it would nice, Our troops are the least thanked for the job,I can remember being spit on when I came back from Vietnam @ an airport in California,if he will just show respect to the troops and vets, he'll be on the good list with me. I'll forgive him for lying because they all do. pugs and dems
On this the day when all good men and women are supposed to come together I leave you with these sage words of wisdom......
"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution."
~John Adams~, letter to Jonathan Jackson, Oct. 2, 1789
It's funny how the media portray Obama in such a positive light and loved to make Bush look like a buffoon.
I know you are all gonna say that he was a buffoon, but when we first started bombing the hell out of Iraq, everyone was on the bandwagon of getting those sob's. The whole government in corrupt and we are becoming pawns of the media. When congressmen and senators are working through their "Christmas break" and wearing it like a badge of honor like they are doing us a big favour, there is something amiss.
These emeffers are so out of touch with reality! Most people have no Christmas break. To hell with everyone of them!