OUR DISTRACTED COMMANDER AND CHIEF

All America is concerned about the long running War in Afghanistan, and the President’s recent announcement that we will begin withdrawing our troops in July 2011 alarms many fellow citizens even more. As a veteran who served in-country during the stalemated Korean War, I was shocked that any Commander would announce openly the date he intended to withdraw from the battle front.

Already we are seeing examples of renewed conflict in Iraq and we only brought home our combat troops a few weeks ago, but there, too, Obama announced his intension to withdraw by a certain date. This action in a region of the world that has a history of tribal conflict covering centuries permits the enemy to sit back until their fighters will face a weaker combatant force.

An extremely revealing article recently appeared in the pages of The Washington Post and also in my local newspaper that reflects an interesting and revealing point of view that I would like to share with you. Please take a few minutes to read Charles Krauthammer’s article titled “Our distracted commander in chief” at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/02/AR2010090203991_pf.html

Your Commander suspects that there are both Republicans and Democrats who will agree vehemently with Krauthammer’s words. I personally find the positions our presidents take once in office to be in conflict with the best interests of the American people. It is my opinion that once an individual ascends to the presidency he or she should leave politics at the front door and assume the role of Commander and Chief solely. If political considerations are influencing the president’s decision making positions then he is not necessarily functioning in the very best interests of the people. The president is the president to all the people, and not just one political party.

I strongly believe that the Office of the President of the United States should serve above political party considerations. The president should leave his/her political party coat at the front door of the White House. I recognize that all our presidents have played the political card while in office, but that does not make it right for the preeminent interests of both the country and the people. Rendering decisions based upon political considerations is actually an abrogation of the Presidential Oath of Office.

COMMANDER GRANGER