On Memorial Day, we expect the President and other politicians to commemorate those who gave their lives, and in doing so to recognize the military for its role in defending our freedoms. President Obama did not disappoint: he carried out the kind of Presidential ceremonies we expect. I was surprised, however, at what he said during one address.
For someone who has asserted (and ostensibly believes in) the power of words, and who comes across as believing that his words and the force of his personality will carry the day against intractable adversaries, one line I heard seemed careless. He referred to those who choose military service as “the best of America.” As much as that might appeal to my vanity, I had to wonder whether he really believes what he said. Did he think about the fact that he was excluding millions of people from “the best of America” by focusing on military service? Did he think about the fact that he was excluding himself? Or were they just words to him, rhetorical tools to soothe and placate families who lost loved ones in war — including at least one war he believes should not have been fought?
Excuse me, my cynicism is showing.
I haven’t gone back to the ceremonial rhetoric of previous administrations to see what kinds of platitudes they might have used, and whether those could be taken as more ironic than authentic. (I’m unlikely to do so, but if anyone else wants to I’ll be happy to read their analysis.)
How much do words matter, and how much stock does the President really put in his rhetoric? I don’t know. My central concern is this: if the President says things he may or may not mean, is it any wonder that the North Koreans and Iranians are ignoring him?
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I share your cynicism and doubt, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he overtly takes actions that prove’s the cynicism is justified. I fully expect that that outcome, but until then, I’ll take him at what he says.
Well said, and maybe the POTUS had a different definition of “best” in mind.
To mean what he actually said, however, he would have to be both genuinely humble and generally laudatory of the military; reports I’ve seen have not evidenced the former, and the latter may be politically calculated. I am left with my cynicism and my doubts.
As you know, I’m not an Obama fan, but I’ll stick up for his words in this case. Politicians routinely parse their words very carefully. In this case (to coin a phrase), it depends on what the definition of “best” is. When you join the military, you take an oath to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic — with your life, if necessary. There isn’t another career or occupation that requires you to do that.
While police and firefighters are a close second, they are never sacrificed in order to achieve strategic gains the way soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines might be. From this standpoint alone, I’d suggest that military members ARE the best America has to offer… It takes a special kind of person to defend an idea with their life.