Is There Something Wrong With This Picture?
Obama and Troops in Iraq
I just think that this picture is so wrong. Why are the troops “lined up” to see this man? He’s not President of the United States, he’s a simple junior Senator from Illinois. Grrr.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:43 am
You are right of course but I find it curious why Obama appears a head taller than our soldiers. Did they hand select the shortest troops to receive Obama? This is an intriguing bit to stagecraft, isn’t it?
July 21st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Lori, he’s probably standing on a soap box of some sort, lecturing them about how its best to just appease our enemies…
July 21st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Yes, there is something wrong. Obama is showing disrespect to the troops with his sleeves rolled up. The troops are standing in formation at attention at the orders of their commander. A Presidential nominee should show the same respect in return. Sleeves rolled up should be reserved for informal environments.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for the comments.
I hope his support continues to weaken.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Wrong. It’s just wrong. I wonder what troops like those think of a guy like Obama, coming over there for photo-ops and publicity. We all know all he wants the US to do is give up and come home.
And interesting point, Lori, about the stagecraft of the photo. Whether it’s the angle, or whether they seriously chose shorter troops to meet Obama on the ground, that is just wrong as well. The LM is having a field day with the publicity of this trip–obviously. It makes my stomach turn circles.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
According to Wiki answers Obama is only 6′2″ while the average American male is 5′10″. This photo looks like he is more than 4 inches taller than the troops.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I just don’t watch the news like I use too. Tuning in to hear how this is playing out would turn my stomach. I am just hoping for the next Obama mess up. Have you heard Michele O. has new people trying to help her with her public persona? We will see but for now my guess is they will both continue to struggle with who they are and who the majority of Americans think they should be.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
We need to recognize that those who serve in military is non-partisan. They may be of a party or other, but they definitely do not wear it on their sleeves like all of those Democrats. We need to be careful about showing respect for the office, vs for the person. Yes, all of us on this site hate Obama, and we won’t never dream of voting for him, but still, he is OUR elected official. We may have zero respect for him, but we definitely should show respect for the office that unfortunately is currently seated by this fool. Those military men and women understands this. I too would stand at attention for such an office. So, they are correct in showing respect, even if they do not like him at all.
Finally, surprisingly, there indeed are quite a few of Obamaites serving in military. They are in the minority, but exist they do.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
After looking at the picture some more, I realized this likely is a single line. There might be another line behind, but with that armored vehicle in background, there’s no way you can have more than 2 rows. We are not looking at row after row of soldiers standing at attention. There must be no more than 10 of those men and women. Everyone may have found themselves occupied at the time of call.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
The picture strikes me as weird, too. Why should the troops line up as if they are being reviewed by their CO or the President or a visiting head of state.
Obama has got a long way to go before he has earned that honor.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:24 pm
The soldiers are not at attention. They are at “parade rest” with their hands clasped behind their backs. I imagine these soldiers assembled at their commanders orders and the easiest way to “receive” a visitor is to have them line up so the visitor can meet with them and converse. It’s much easier than having them crowd around him–there’s no control in that scenario.
I too thought it odd the height difference between Obama and the soldier. For effect? Who knows.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Yeah, the pic is bizaare…looks photo shopped
July 21st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
At least his collar is fashionably half-popped…ha. I wonder if he pegged his pants. If it gets any hotter out there in the desert he’s going to have to tie his shirt in a knot at the side. OK, I’m done. Sorry people.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Captions wanted!
Ha! Bigmo - good one!
This is a good photo for creative captions:
Soldier to Obama: Merci beau coup for showin’ up…
July 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Barack Hussein Obama is a US Senator and he is visitor, so I guess the soldiers are showing respect and welcoming him. Everything about BHO’s campaign is pre-planned for the media. I am proud of all our soldiers. After all they volunteered to join the military knowing full well that they would be deployed to Iraq. Good job soldiers!! They are all good-looking!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
“I’m here to support you! Anyone who wants to sneak home can get a ride on my jet! I won’t tell. Aw, come on! Nobody?!”
July 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Good, bigmo! Feel free to join in, anyone.
Here’s another:
Soldier to Obama: We shaved for your photo op - no time to polish our boots. Hope Michelle will still be proud of America when she sees this…
July 21st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Why is Obama not wearing Kevlar if Iraq is such a dangerous place and we are “loosing?”
July 21st, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Because they were ordered to help make the obamapolozia show a photo op success. That’s why they are lined up. Little known fact is that while rank and file tend GOP, the higher you go up the chain (thus, farther from the front lines) the more ‘liberal’ you become. Blame the guy who ordered these off duty folks to stand up and be in the picture.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I think the photo has been altered. The antenna and flag pole on left are straight up and down, the truck canapy on right looks level. But the antena mast in the center leans to the left, along with Obama and the troops. So I think the center part of the pic was rotated counter clockwise to give Obama more height.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
“…leans to the left, along with Obama…” Ha I liked that excerpt.