Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 12:30AM 
Excellent article by New York writer Robert A. George:
President Obama didn’t wait long after Tuesday’s devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.
After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a “shout-out” to “Dr. Joe Medicine Crow — that Congressional Medal of Honor winner.” Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?
Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That’s the least that should occur.
Incidentally, the Medal of Honor winner is actually a Medal of Freedom recipient. “Ah, the dangers of giving shout outs without a teleprompter.” For the record, the Medal of Honor goes to individuals in the Armed Services, while the Medal of Freedom goes to civilians. The Commander in Chief should know that.
It feels like “smart power” has turned into amateur hour at the White House.
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Reader Comments (13)
Can you say one term?
My jaw dropped as he opened his speech by patting himself on the back on an unrelated matter.
Yep,
POTUS: No Experience required...
Words and actions. For once they matched. His words patting himself on the back and making erroneous shout-outs was much more important than a mass murder at Ft. Hood.
He does not have the talent of Bill Clinton to show his weepy side on demand. The reason for this is that it is hard to do with a teleprompter. This guy has only one note and that is the redsitribution of wealth and to bring down America. He cares about nothing else except who he sees in the mirror.
I miss Bill C.
A few years back, a colleague died on the way into work. We were floored when we got the news.
Within an hour of getting the news our department head gathered us into the library, told us everything she knew, talked about our wonderful friend we just lost and said she was going to lay on counselling, that we could gather in the library and be with friends if we wanted or to go home and that her door would be open to talk about anything at anytime. She followed through.
6 years and a couple of jobs later - I was out to eat the other night and this department head was at the table next to me - along with another former boss from another job.
I reminded her of our colleague's death and told her how thankful I was - that during one's working life, you come across all types of managers - but I'll never forget her leadership and care in getting us through that very difficult time.
This lady was never in the military - but she gets it. She is an extremely rare individual in this day and age.
I'm sorry Obama doesn't get his role as Head of State and that he didn't get shout outs and Camp David were not more important that his troops.
I voted for the man because I could not and cannot stomach Sarah Palin. McCain's choosing her made me question his judgment. But hey, Hillary warned us about BHO's judgment...
Gee, as bad Hillary is and could be. Rather have in the white house right now.
Sarah Palin would NEVER have goofed on this, kris. Her son just returned from a year in Iraq as a US Army Infantryman. Please try to see what is actually there instead of the Mahr/Bahar/Olberman character assassinations. At least Sarah has executive leadership experience and knows the relationship between domestic energy production and economic health.
You can give a monkey some hands on "experience" in theoretical Physics, that wouldn't necessarily result in the next monkey theoretical physicist. Experience in the hands of the right person might be useful.
True, Rex. Just look at the fiasco your Community Organizer-in-Chief is making of our economy, foreign policy and healthcare system.
Wow Rex, you nailed it. Your case against BHO is very convincing.
Johnny
I don't have Oberman et al do my thinking for me. I can see for myself that while I am sure she is a very nice lady, she doesn't have the brains to be v or potus. Sorry. She sounded like a high school kid during the debate and she quit her job.