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Gregory Bull / AP
North Carolina plays Michigan State in the first half of the Carrier Classic NCAA college basketball game on Friday night.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
North Carolina forward John Henson fights for a rebound with Michigan State center Adreian Payne and forward Branden Dawson during the first half of the Carrier Classic NCAA college basketball game on Friday night.
Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk through an honor guard on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 11, 2011.
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama speak to the crowd on Friday night.
Mike Blake / Reuters
Former NBA star Earvin 'Magic' Johnson poses with U.S. sailors at the NCAA Carrier Classic men's college basketball game on Friday.
CORONADO, Calif. - President Barack Obama says every American should make a solemn pledge to find some way to support U.S. troops - not just on Veterans Day but every day.
Obama made the comments to military personnel on board the USS Carl Vinson, where he was spending a memorable evening watching a college basketball game being played on the 95,000-ton Navy warship that buried Osama bin Laden's body at sea.
Michigan State takes on North Carolina Friday night before an audience of 7,000, including President Obama on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. NBC's Savannah Guthrie reports.
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who else but obama could pull a stunt like this? George W. Bush lands a fighter jet on the deck of a carrier and the far left screams "it's grandstanding!" So what do you call a hoops game on a carrier that has an operating cost of one million dollars per day??? once again the left-wing media gives obama a pass. No Republican could dare do anything like this.
...what...what is that...what is that I taste. Grape? nope. Cherry? no, that not it either. It's a little salty...oh it's Hater-Aid! MMMmmmMMM!
"For that deep down bitter thirst"
buy some gold!
Roy, you must have really hated Bob Hope.
What's Bob Hope have to do with this? I felt his USO tours were a great service to our troops in Vietnam.
Yes Roy, but don't forget your; "operating cost of one million dollars per day", point.
Bob must have cost Billions in those "operating costs".
Hope did those USO tours free of charge, so what's your point? Hope didn't travel by aircraft carrier, he used U.S. Air Force cargo planes. Cost billions back in the 70's? LOL
Roy....your spot on the money. Ohamo has found yet anyway to fleece the people. And try for votes...Too bad was not doing something good like thanking a Veteran, not showboating it on a Carrier
Obama did this free of charge - he gets a salary.
He didn't travel by Aircraft Carrier either, where did you get the idea he did? Even if he did the Carrier wouldn't have had any extra costs.
Or are you saying Hope never performed on an Aircraft Carrier? He was on several.
As far as the cost in the 60's, and 70's. Sure it cost less but the cost of living index was much lower. I remember gas at .20 a gallon. Don't you? In today's dollars it would be BILLIONS.
No, a Rethuglican would parade around in a flight suit declaring victory when the battle had just begun. What total bafoonary. No wonder this country is in dire straits. Get some new thoughts moron.
You still didn't answer my question: Hope did all those tours 1964 to 1972 free of charge, what's your point?
I did answer your question Roy.
You made the claim this President cost millions in operating costs because he appeared on an Aircraft Carrier - Hope was on SEVERAL.
The President didn't charge anything either.
People like you choose to hate on the President because of who he is. If "your guy" does the same thing you will defend him.
I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I vote for the person I think will do the best, not party line.
I didn't vote for Obama last time but after listening to so many like you I likely will this time - plus the fact the GOP hasn't got one single candidate that isn't a complete fool, liar, or hypocrite.
There is hope a 3rd party candidate might be worth voting for, but they will never get elected.
I have a lot of complaints about Obama but this is a good thing he is doing not a bad one.
WHAT BS!!!!
We played a basketball game to honor the military. BULLCRAP they found a way publicize a basketball game and used the veterans and military as an excuse. GREAT... there is no money for all the essential things in our country, but because the military has unlimited funds, the military is now spending millions to publicize a college basketball game. Really get sick of hearing how we played to honor the troops, or we ran to honor the troops, or we had a day to honor the military... what bull
Veterans day.... WHAT A SCAM.... that is the day self employed veterans go to work, while non veteran government workers get a paid holiday..... paid for by the veterans they are "honoring"
What some of you IDIOTS don't seem to want to understand is that this game was done and PAID for by private corporate monies TO HONOR THE MILITARY!!!!!!!!!
You IDIOTS make me SICK!
can someone please how playing a basketball game is "honoring" the military?
Or, I raced my car today to "honor" the military. or i ran 10k to "honor" the military , or I rode my bicycle 200 miles to "honor" the military. All of these people were going to play basketball somewhere, or race or run or ride no matter what. They simply use the hollow words "honor the military" to draw attention to themselves.
You want to really "honor" the military and veterans? Give one a job. Give one a break. Go to a VA hospital and volunteer your time regularly.
I am going to "honor" the military by having a beer and watching the Army football team.
The game thanks them and lets them know they are appreciated.
Certainly the veterans deserve recognition after they get out and many employers look for veterans to hire before they hire others.
There are special programs available for veterans.
There is much that is done, there could be more.
The game was a moral booster. Do you really have a problem with that?
Paid for by private sponsers! Try to stay informed!
PAWIII
Were you in the military? Bet the same troops that were being "honored" will be working extra hours to get the ship ready for duty. I'll bet the "honored" troops working extra hours, will be thinking about "real heroes" .... you know like running backs, quarterbacks, point guards, power forwards......real heroes. Unless things have changed a lot what the troops really wanted was some extra sleep time and some extra liberty time in San Diego.
Remember many times being forced to stand for hours while "being honored", by someone who would be the REAL honoree. The congressman, or the mayor or the important puffed up local. they would sit after their long winded speeches in some guest box, while the troops, the "honorees" would spend hours getting ready and hours standing. Who was really being honored? The next day, you see a picture in the paper of the speech giver, not any individual troops.... who is really being "honored".
Just because you say you are honoring someone doesn't make it so. a better description would be the troops honoring the great game of basketball.
I'm willing to bet most were more than pleased with the show of affection.
Of course no matter where you are in society there are those that would rather get drunk or stoned. The military is doing a pretty good job of eliminating such waste. The men and women that serve today are mostly responsible professionals.
The USO is a charity isn't it? Don't they use their own donated funds and not taxpayer money?
The only question I have is how much did it cost us for BO to go to the game. Leather jacket and all, looks like campaign trip to me.
Thanks for the visiting. A healthy basketball game is nice tribute to our troops to which they deserve to have good time when they are off duty.
26 PM on November 11, 2011
I am a Vet with 23 years service. It is great that Obama took time out of his busy schedule to honor the unknown military who died serving America. But as President he needs to honor the living military who are in Vet hospitals. I am upset with Obama because it is more important to go to a Basketball Game [granted on a Navy Ship] and give a speech than go to military hospitals and see our brave men and women who have given service. This is a day to Honor our Military. While our military suffer serving our Country this President is................I am too upset to say anything more.
Seems as if anything the President does someone feels it was the wrong thing to do. I give him credit for what he did on Veterans Day and feel it was very Presidential. If this upsets you tough s##t.
Are you upset for Yourself or for the men and women on-board the aircraft carrier having a GREAT time! God Bless the USA! I thought it was great!
Perhaps you will be cheered up to know that the President first layed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Wash. DC.
I just looked up the cost of BO's flight to the game, 6 hours out 6 hours back, 12 hours at $181,000/hour about $2,172,000, hope he got a good seat at the game.
You have a lot of time on your hands. Go to sleep Michelle! We have to fight Obamacare in the morning!
that's right soundbite, gotta defend the government taking over 1/6 the nations economy and pushing private insurance companies out of business.
The cost of all of those trips to Crawford, Texas cost how much?
Roy, that is "moon landing" ridiculous! Did you just loose your job at Prudential? what does that have to do with obsessing over every move the president makes? "He flew on Air Force 1. For shame!"
"Did you know that the cost per square foot of cotton used in the white house sheets is $4 per square foot? Sasha and Malia cost us $150,000 in twin bed fitted sheets alone!"
Pay attention Sickdude--this game in San Diego was only the first stop on a trip to Asia to try and do us some good. You're gonna need to get your calculator out again.
I am a Vet with 23 years service. It is great that Obama took time out of his busy schedule to honor the unknown military who died serving America. But as President he needs to honor the living military who are in Vet hospitals. I am upset with Obama because it is more important to go to a Basketball Game [granted on a Navy Ship] and give a speech than go to military hospitals and see our brave men and women who have given service. This President does not get it! There is a time to play and a time to show our military that their service is honored and respected. Making a speech saying all the right things does not make up for not going out to the military hospitals and visiting those military who deserve to be honored. I would say more but..........whats the point. This President does not care.
Apparently you have something against the living military that are aboard the warship that dumped OBL into the sea.
Sad you have let politics cloud your vision.
Ed...This president will never get it. It is always about his image. This President has never cared about this country, other than how much he can put in his own pockets. I am willing to bet he can not even tell you where the Vets hospitals are located, or what they do for the men and women who try to make him look good. And fighting in countries that do not need us or want us. We could save so much money just give them money (that is all the want anyways), and bring our troops home, ALL of them would be lots cheaper.
God I wish I was never part of the democratic party, heck we need to do away with both and start over totally
Hal
When did you learn so much about what Obama is thinking?
Actually where? Any chance you learned it from Fox Spews?
It was not what Bush did, it was the message that got him in trouble. Remember "Mission Accomplished"? while OBL still alive and our soldiers getting killed by dozens in Iraq every day. And lest you forget, this is the carrier that dumped that a $$ h0le'$ OBL's body. And that is what we call "Mission Accomplished".
Iraq is now a democracy Bobby, with a Constitution and open elections. Saddam Hussein is now worm food = mission accomplished. any questions?
And its citizens still hate the U.S. Upon which country will we next impose "democracy?" And at what cost to this country?
PAWIII
Roy, tell that to the families that lost sons and daughters between May 1, 2003 and now.
I think the whole thing is cool and creative. America needs more of that, not less.
The article I read said there was no cost to taxpayer, that a charity raised the money to honor our troops. So a big old fail to yall bitching about the cost.
The 10 or 12 hours of flight time on AF1 sure was a cost to the tax payers.
Everything every president does is a cost to taxpayers.
Do you know his full schedule? Usually Obama does a pretty good job of killing more than 2 birds with one stone.
For instance when he takes vacations they are usually working ones where he visits people in those locations.
Refreshing compared to how some of the other (I won't name them) Presidents just played during their vacations. Plus some of those unnamed Presidents, conservatives or so fond of, took many many more days of vacation time.
The President is on his way to a summit of leaders of Pacific nations over the weekend. He pretty much had to fly over the event anyway. Of course I guess you don't think the Commander in Chief should visit with the troops.
It was Bush that flow out and back for his little "pat himself on the back" party. Plus don't forget the cost of his stunt of flying in on a Navy jet.
what did the vacation in spain cost?
Roy - Bush Jr took how many trips to Texas and other countries? Bush Sr. took how many trips to Maine? Reagan took how many trips to CA?
I guess if the guy has an (R) after his name it's all OK. Your about as fair and balanced as Fox News.
Pay attention Sickdude--this game in San Diego was only the first stop on a trip to Asia to try and do us some good. You're gonna need to get your calculator out again.
This event in my mind is a time for the whole nation to celebrate. Additionally it is a time to recognize the unfathonable contribution the men and women of our military have made and continue to make for our freedom.
It is a proud time to be an American not red or blue, AMERICAN!
Lets celebrate our troops. Good for them we are able to spend the time and money honoring them. We can always find ways to knock something like this down but the glass is half full, not half empty. It's the little things that count. Thanks to all our Vets who have served and are serving!
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." So it has gone for nations of great power before us, so it will go with us unless we wise up.
Don't worry about it, the "Do Nothing's" in the house are getting voted out in 2012.... Americans have seen the antics of the far right & they aren't happy!
There should be more of these "Carrier Classics", this was great!
Jim....I totally agree, bring them ALL home park them on our coast, ever last carrier and ship. Where they are going to be needed not some foreign port, bring the combat forces home ALL of them. And then use the carriers for games..
The carrier classic should become a yearly event. What a great memory for all! It is such a wonderful way to celebrate this day, and to honor those who served with a great American pass time. And what better venue than the USS Carl Vinson? I am also so very excited because my son was also comissioned to the Vinson for four years while in the Persion Gulf. God bless all those who served, and still do as we speak.
They did something spectacular for the troops and fans. You will never see this again.
All people were glad.
Really, complaining about a free game for vets on an aircraft carrier? Wow man that's a sad state of affairs to be burdened with a hateful heart like that.
...too bad President Obama doesn't know how to fly a helicopter, he could have landed on a banner with a picture of the deceased OBL that said mission accomplished...