I read yesterday that President Obama will not be attending the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony.Instead, he's going home to Chicago "to visit with friends and participate in private events."
Isn't that nice?
This is not an "I Hate Obama" post. Regardless of my opinions on his leadership, he is the president and the office itself deserves respect.
Moreover, I do not bregrudge the man a vacation! Being the President of the United States, barring the spiritual weights, attacks and pressures of being the Holy Father, is the most stressful (read: least amount of sleep!) job on the planet. Just like with Bush, many people want to whine and complain - "oh, the president is on vacation AGAIN." Who cares? Let the man take a break! It is not as though he's not in constant contact; I'm sure he has his CHief of Staff with him, not to mention a million other people, etc etc.
In addition, Memorial Day should be celebrated, not just observed. Someone commented on my FB page that it saddened her that Memorial Day seemed to be "an excuse to have furniture sales and cookouts. We seem to have lost the solemnity of the occasion." I both agree and disagree. Solemnity is of utmost importance - we pause, we reflect, we pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and freedoms of those they left behind to protect. They deserve such a remembrance; the cause for which they fought demands it. What is the joy and celebration of Christmas, of Easter, even of Thanksgiving Day, without Mass first? We must have our priorities in order - God first, then the rest.
However, I'm also all for cookouts and sales - there is nothing wrong with celebrating what these heroes have done, as long as we understand the whys and hows of our festivities.
In addition, I know President Obama will not be the first president to skip the Arlington Cemetery Ceremonies.
So?
I was not the first child to lie to her parents about what happened to the turn signal of her father's car when she was 13. Do I get a prize?
Bush Senior never attending is also shameful. Some of the other circumstances, in my opionion don't really count as "not" going - Bush II was at the Omaha Beach in Normandy (ie. DDay landing), which is a definite Memorial Day event!; one of the times Reagan missed, he'd just been shot - let's all cut him a break.
That said, its not about being the first not to. Its about not going, period.
Its the fact this man is the Commander in Chief of our Military. These are his soldiers.
It is the fact that our nation is at war right now.
It is the fact that men are DYING right now, and he can't use the convenience of a private jet, fully paid for and gassed up to come home an hour or two early for this ceremony.
It is the fact that it is a slap in the face to military and for the families of those who grieve the fallen.
Please, Mr. President, reconsider.
Well said. But then he's done nothing but slap us in the face since day one.
ReplyDeleteBut they still have to come through us to get to him. Wouldnt have it any other way.
The itzbeen is less of a reminder and more of a timer. It times how long you feed and how long it has been between feedings. Same with the naps. How long they nap and how long between them. As I understand it, babies get themselves on a semi schedule. So mothers who use it find that they don't have to rush to every single coo or grunt. A blogger here who recommended it, for example, will nap when the baby is napping, hear the baby wake a little and look at the timer. She realizes the baby normally sleeps for about 2 hours and it's only been an hour and 15 minutes. So unless the baby starts crying she can see if the baby will go back to sleep and try and catch some rest herself. Same goes with the night feedings when baby wasn't sleeping through the night. Does that make more sense?
ReplyDeleteCompletely and totally agree!
ReplyDelete