The Observation Deck

It was quite strange...

Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics ... ident.html

Getty Images 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?

PS What is up with the title of the article? Why did Robert George choose such a negative title?

Robert George is no gentleman.

Fox News is a duplicitous collection of worse people.

President Obama was addressing a Department of Interior BIA conference.
He spent approximately 2 minutes addressing them in regards to the BIA conference.

He then diligently tried to update them and the viewing audience on the Fort Hood massacre, which had occurred a short time earlier. It is probable the people briefing the president hadn't quite even figured out what happened yet.

Robert George is no gentleman.

Fox News is a duplicitous collection of worse people.

I thought that Robert George worked for NBC or did I misunderstand your post?


PS Do you really believe that the Chief and Commander was out of the loop on the events at Fort Hood?

Under the circumstance, the shout-out was classless

I clicked on the link of the Article you posted.

That article contained other links. the first one I clicked on lead to a youtube posting of the Fox News clip Robert George found so frighteningly insensitive. Fox News kept up the caption "President Obama Addresses Ford Hood Mass Shooting". Since this is the link used in Mr.George's article, I assume it is to the network that he watched this "frighteningly insensitive" speech on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0hiw8iXdMM

The President was addressing a Department of Interior BIA conference. He spent about two minutes doing that. What is the best way to break the news of a mass shooting at a BIA conference when many of the audience have not even heard about it yet? It looks like he did a pretty good job.

While President Obama was in "the Loop", it is possible the loop itself hadn't gathered complete information at that point. Fort Hood was in a state of lockdown for several hours after this speech, indicating "the loop" was still investigating. Obama lists the top officials in the "loop" he has been consulting with concerning a mass shooting that took place a few hours ago about a thousand miles away.

I then clicked on the the youtube clips posted to the side of this video. the first one was of the governor of Texas. He stated information he had been informed on through the Loop, much of it turning out to be wrong. nothing wrong with that. It is impossible to get in depth information at the speed of cable news, satellite uplinks, etc. It is unreasonable to expect big city mayors or governor or presidents to have a great speech prepared off the cuff that satisfies everyones standards of sensitivity

Stephen Eisel wrote:Under the circumstance, the shout-out was classless

It was also incorrect.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mike-bates/2009/11/06/obama-gives-shout-out-congressional-medal-honor-winner-who-isnt

SPEAKER: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

OBAMA: Please, everybody, have a seat. Let me first of all just thank Ken and the entire Department of the Interior staff for organizing just an extraordinary conference.

I want to thank my Cabinet members and senior administration officials who participated today. I hear that Dr. Joe Medicine Crow (ph) was around, and so I want to give a shout out to that Congressional Medal of Honor winner. It's good to see you.

Ah, the dangers of giving shout outs without a teleprompter. Crow is not a Medal of Honor recipient. As noted by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Crow's name is not included on the Society's Medal of Honor recipient list. He was, however, awarded the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in August.

Ryan, did you miss the peacock at the top of the page after you clicked on the link?

ryan costa wrote:I clicked on the link of the Article you posted.

That article contained other links. the first one I clicked on lead to a youtube posting of the Fox News clip Robert George found so frighteningly insensitive. Fox News kept up the caption "President Obama Addresses Ford Hood Mass Shooting". Since this is the link used in Mr.George's article, I assume it is to the network that he watched this "frighteningly insensitive" speech on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0hiw8iXdMM

It sounds to me, Stephen, as though because the Fox News coverage of that press conference is linked to that article, it nullifies the validity of the complaint. It came from Fox News, so it must be a nonsensical and unwarranted bash on Obama and the left, regardless of the fact that the guy works for an NBC affiliate in Chicago.

I always thought the people on the left were so gung-ho about diversity of thought and acceptance of those who are different.

the peacock was obvious. it appeared Robert George was writing for an NBC affiliate in Chicago.

He found President Obama's address to the BIA conference offensive.

The links on his article led to a Youtube clip of President Obama's Address to the BIA conference. This particular footage of the Address was presented by FoxNews. FoxNews was inaccurate in its permanent caption to Obama's Address, labelling it as an Address designated specifically to the Fort Hood shoot out. Maybe Robert George watched the footage on some other news network: this was the one his article linked to.

What did Robert George find so objectionable?

Do you find anything objectionable in President Obama cutting short his address to the BIA to give greater attention to unfolding news of the Fort Hood Shootings? What is objectionable about it?

I left work well after President Obama spoke of the Fort Hood Massacre at the BIA conference. At that time nobody at the office I had contact with mentioned or talked about the Fort Hood Massacre. It was breaking news. How is Obama's address frighteningly insensitive? did you watch it? did you find it frighteningly insensitive?

Do you find anything objectionable in President Obama cutting short his address to the BIA to give greater attention to unfolding news of the Fort Hood Shootings? What is objectionable about it?

stop the spinning... He and his handlers definitely showed their inexperience in the handling of this press conference.

The insensitivity continues

His Saturday schedule

November 7, 2009

President Obama’s Saturday Schedule


11:25AM THE PRESIDENT addresses the House Democratic Caucus - Cannon House Office Building

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement to the press on Health Care - Rose Garden

2:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart The White House en route Camp David - South Lawn