So, I wanted to actually put the FULL speech of each president up instead of just bits and pieces that the email is quoting. You’ll come to the same conclusion, but this way no one can claim that the speeches are edited to make one look better than the other. I’m also including the video for verification.

President George W. Bush Speech:

Good afternoon. Yesterday, December the 13th, at around 8:30 p.m. Baghdad time, United States military forces captured Saddam Hussein alive. He was found near a farmhouse outside the city of Tikrit, in a swift raid conducted without casualties. And now the former dictator of Iraq will face the justice he denied to millions.

The capture of this man was crucial to the rise of a free Iraq. It marks the end of the road for him, and for all who bullied and killed in his name. For the Baathist holdouts largely responsible for the current violence, there will be no return to the corrupt power and privilege they once held. For the vast majority of Iraqi citizens who wish to live as free men and women, this event brings further assurance that the torture chambers and the secret police are gone forever.

And this afternoon, I have a message for the Iraqi people: You will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again. All Iraqis who take the side of freedom have taken the winning side. The goals of our coalition are the same as your goals — sovereignty for your country, dignity for your great culture, and for every Iraqi citizen, the opportunity for a better life.

In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over. A hopeful day has arrived. All Iraqis can now come together and reject violence and build a new Iraq.

The success of yesterday’s mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq. The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator’s footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate ‘em.

I also have a message for all Americans: The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq. We still face terrorists who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the rise of liberty in the heart of the Middle East. Such men are a direct threat to the American people, and they will be defeated.

We’ve come to this moment through patience and resolve and focused action. And that is our strategy moving forward. The war on terror is a different kind of war, waged capture by capture, cell by cell, and victory by victory. Our security is assured by our perseverance and by our sure belief in the success of liberty. And the United States of America will not relent until this war is won.

May God bless the people of Iraq, and may God bless America.

Thank you.

Number of times President Bush said “I” or “my”: 3, none of which were taking credit for anything!
Number of words before recognizing the troops responsible: 12!

President Barack H. Obama Speech:

Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory — hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda — an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will — remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Number of times President Obama said “I” or “my”: 10.
Number of words before recognizing the troops responsible: 611!

Case in point is the military recruiting center that was vandalized in Kissimmee, Florida on Monday.

The Arabic graffiti in the first picture translates to “revenge/vengeance” and the Arabic graffiti in the second photo translates to “the pigs”.

Apparently, the person that filed the complaint mentioned that he had left the office for about an hour and a half and when he came back, both doors were vandalized with black spray paint in Arabic. The complainant also noted that shortly before he left the office, he received a phone call from an unknown male who was yelling at him in what he believed to be Arabic.

In addition to this graffiti, the person also had his tires slit the same morning at his home.

Government and military facilities and personnel continue to be targets of threats and violent encounters by militants at home and abroad. Following the Fort Hood shooting, chatter on jihadi forums indicated that attacks carried out against the U.S. military were acceptable and recent postings have encouraged members to become “heroes” like Nidal Hasan and Carlos Bledsoe. They feel that soldiers cannot be viewed as victims because they are ‘choosing’ to enlist and fight in this war.

Yet, we are pussyfooting around and trying oh so hard not to offend Muslims and Arabs by releasing photos of the cold, dead corpse of a cold-blooded punk that ran away for the past decade. The coward couldn’t even do his own killing or confront us on the battlefield.

On 23 May 2010, a 45 minute interview with radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki was released on several jihadi forums. In the interview, Awlaki again justified violence against the United States and praised previous attackers such as the Fort Hood shooter and attempted Flight 253 bomber. Awlaki also advised in his statement that “…Nidal Hasan is a student of mine, and I am proud of this…I support what he did, and I call upon anyone who calls himself a Muslim, and serves in the U.S. Army, to follow in the footsteps of Nidal Hasan…”.

Mujahidin leadership are encouraging their zealots to attacks targets IN the west, and not in the Arab peninsula. They don’t want the fight over there, they want it here. They said that “killing 10 Soldiers in America for example, is much more effective than killing 100 apostates in the Yemeni military,” according to the online jihadi publication, Inspire. Additionally, they suggest attacking “Army recruiting centers” and they praise the recent actions of Arid Uka against U.S. Air Force personnel in Frankfurt, Germany.

President Obama refuses to release the photos of Bin Laden because he’s afraid it will incite violence. Didn’t seem to matter for these incidents:

2 March 2011 – 21 year old Arid Uka [aka Abu Reyyan], opened fire on a U.S. Air Force redeployment bus at Frankfurt International Airport. Two U.S airmen were killed and two others were wounded.

8 December 2010 – Antonio Martinez [aka Muhammad Hussain], a recent convert to radical Islam, was arrested after he attempted to blow up a military recruiting center in Catonsville, Maryland, using what he believed was a vehicle borne improvised explosive device [VBIED].

5 November 2009 – Major Nidal Hasan, an American-born Muslim of Palestinian descent, opened fire on the Fort Hood Military base killing 13 people and wounding 30 others. Hasan expressed admiration for the teachings of Anwar al- Awlaki, a radical Imam with dual US/Yemeni citizenship who has been linked to three of the 9/11 hijackers.

1 June 2009 – Carlos Bledsoe [Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad], a convert to radical Islam, was arrested for shooting two soldiers outside the Army Navy Career Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bledsoe described his actions as a “jihadi attack on infidel forces” for what they have done to Muslims in the past.

RELEASE THE PHOTOS, MR. PRESIDENT!! YOU’RE NO MORE SPECIAL THAN ANY OTHER AMERICAN! THE TROOPS WHO HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH THE PAST DECADE DESERVE TO SEE THEM. WE ACTUALLY EARNED THE RIGHT!!

If you’d like to check out more information about the group, click HERE.

The president today awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to A Trp, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment for their actions during Vietnam. This is a big honor. My unit received the citation from President Bush when we returned from OIF1. Here is the text of President Obama’s speech at the presentation:

Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to the White House. And welcome to a moment nearly 40 years in the making.

Last month, I was privileged to present the parents of an American soldier, Sergeant First Class Jared Monti, with our nation’s highest decoration for valor — the Medal of Honor. Today, we celebrate the awarding of our nation’s highest honor for a military unit — the Presidential Unit Citation.

The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for “gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.” Since its creation during the Second World War, it has only been bestowed about 100 times.

Today, another unit assumes its rightful place in these ranks — Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry, the legendary Blackhorse Regiment.

To mark this occasion we’re joined by Congressman — and Vietnam veteran — Leonard Boswell; Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Jim “Hoss” Cartwright; John McHugh, our Army Secretary; and Vice Chief of Staff Peter Chiarelli; from Fort Irwin, California, leaders of today’s 11th Armored Cavalry — Colonel Paul Laughlin and Command Sergeant Major Martin Wilcox; and most of all, the men of Alpha Troop — those behind me and some 100 here today.

Now, these men might be a little bit older, a little bit grayer. But make no mistake — these soldiers define the meaning of bravery and heroism.

It was March 1970, deep in the jungles of Vietnam. And through the static and crackle of their radios Alpha Troop heard that another unit was in trouble. Charlie Company, from the 1st Calvary Division, had stumbled upon a massive underground bunker of North Vietnamese troops. A hundred Americans were facing some 400 enemy fighters. Outnumbered and outgunned, Charlie Company was at risk of being overrun.

That’s when Alpha Troop’s captain gave the order: “Saddle up and move out.”

As these men will tell you themselves, this isn’t the story of a battle that changed the course of a war. It never had a name, like Tet or Hue or Khe Sanh. It never made the papers back home. But like countless battles, known and unknown, it is a proud chapter in the story of the American soldier.

It’s the story of men who came together, from every corner of America, of different colors and creeds. Some young — just 18, 19 years old, and just weeks in the jungle; some older — veterans hardened by the ugliness of war. Noncommissioned officers who held the unit together and the officers assigned to lead them.

It’s the story of how this team of some 200 men set out to save their fellow Americans. With no roads to speak of, they plowed their tanks and armored vehicles through the thick jungle, smashing a path through bamboo and underbrush, mile after mile, risking ambush and landmines every step of the way, and finally emerging from the jungle to the rescue — what one member of Charlie Company called “a miracle.”

It’s a story of resolve. For Alpha Troop could have simply evacuated their comrades and left that enemy bunker for another day — to ambush another American unit. But as their captain said, “That’s not what the 11th Cavalry does.”

And so, ultimately, this is a story of what soldiers do — not only for their country, but for each other: the troopers who put themselves in the line of fire, using their tanks and vehicles to shield those trapped Americans; the loaders who kept the ammunition coming, and the gunners who never let up; and when one of those gunners went down, the soldier who jumped up to take his place.

It’s about the men who rushed out to drag their wounded buddies to safety; the medics who raced to save so many; the injured who kept fighting hour after hour. And finally, with dark falling, as the convoy made the daring escape back through the jungle, these soldiers remained vigilant, protecting the wounded who lay at their feet.

The fog of war makes a full accounting impossible. But this much we know. Among the many casualties that day, some 20 members of Alpha Troop were wounded. And at least two made the ultimate sacrifice — their names now among the many etched in that black granite wall not far from here. But because of that service, that sacrifice, Alpha Troop completed its mission. It rescued Charlie Company. It saved those 100 American soldiers, some of who join us today. And those soldiers went on to have families — children and grandchildren who also owe their lives to Alpha Troop.

Now, some may wonder: After all these years, why honor this heroism now? The answer is simple. Because we must. Because we have a sacred obligation. As a nation, we have an obligation to this troop. Their actions that day went largely unnoticed — for decades — until their old captain, John Poindexter, realized that their service had been overlooked. He felt that he had a right to wrong. And so he spent years tracking down his troopers and gathering their stories, filing reports, fighting for the Silver Stars and Bronze Stars they deserved and bringing us to this day.

Thank you, John.

We have an obligation to all who served in the jungles of Vietnam. Our Vietnam vets answered their country’s call and served with honor. But one of the saddest episodes in American history was the fact that these vets were often shunned and neglected, even demonized when they came home. That was a national disgrace. And on days such as this, we resolve to never let it happen again.

Many of our Vietnam vets put away their medals, rarely spoke of their service and moved on. They started families and careers. Some rose through the ranks, like the decorated Vietnam veteran that I rely on every day, my National Security Advisor, Jim Jones.

Indeed, I’m told that today is the first time in 39 years that many from Alpha Troop have pulled out their medals and joined their old troop. Some of you still carry the shrapnel and the scars of that day. All of you carry the memories. And so I say, it’s never too late, we can never say it enough. To you and all those who served in Vietnam, we thank you. We honor your service. And America is forever grateful.

Today also reminds us of our obligations to all our veterans, whether they took off the uniform decades ago or days ago — to make sure that they and their families receive the respect they deserve, and the health care and treatment they need, the benefits they have earned and all the opportunities to live out their dreams.

And finally, if that day in the jungle, if that war long ago, teaches us anything, then surely it is this. If we send our men and women in uniform into harm’s way, then it must be only when it is absolutely necessary. And when we do, we must back them up with the strategy and the resources and the support they need to get the job done.

This includes always showing our troops the respect and dignity they deserve, whether one agrees with the mission or not. For if this troop and our men and women in uniform can come together — from so many different backgrounds and beliefs — to serve together, and to succeed together, then so can we. So can America.

I cannot imagine a more fitting tribute to these men, who fought in what came to be called The Anonymous Battle. Troopers, you are not anonymous anymore. And with America’s overdue recognition also comes responsibility — our responsibility as citizens and as a nation, to always remain worthy of your service.

God bless Alpha Troop and the 11th Armored Cavalry. God bless all those who wear this nation’s uniform. And God bless the United States of America.

As a fellow Blackhorse troop for 5 years, I want to add a resounding “ALLONS!!” to A-1/11.

Citizens willing to serve in uniform when duty calls have helped protect our freedom and security since our Nation’s founding more than 200 years ago. During times of peace, they have worked in our cities and towns, contributing their skill and energy to local businesses, schools, and civic organizations. During times of strife at home and abroad, they have served with distinction, protecting the United States from domestic and foreign threats. In commemorating National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, we honor the courageous members of our Guard and Reserve and their employers, whose support strengthens our Armed Forces and helps protect our country.

Our Guard and Reserve personnel are training arduously and serving valiantly as they are called upon to meet new challenges. Active here at home and in overseas operations, they are a key component in our national defense. Members of our Guard and Reserve serve with honor at home and in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other regions around the world, and they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They help respond to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, and protect against threats to our national security. Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to these brave men and women who balance the demands of civilian and military life.

Through their continued support and flexibility, employers across the country bolster the efforts of members of the Guard and Reserve. Employers often make financial and organizational sacrifices in the interest of our national security. The commitment of these employers helps ensure that our troops are mission-ready and provides a measure of assurance, comfort, and pride to those who leave their jobs and families behind as they are deployed. The United States is grateful to the many businesses and organizations that enable Guard and Reserve personnel to remain engaged in both their professional and their military careers.

The United States has always benefited from the contributions of those willing to depart the comforts of home to answer the call of duty. Today, the American people celebrate the service and sacrifice of members of our Guard and Reserve as we pay special tribute to their employers for their admirable dedication and support.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 13 through September 19, 2009, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. I encourage all Americans to join me in expressing our heartfelt thanks to the members of the National Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers. I also call on State and local officials, private organizations, and all military commanders, to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

“The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants action by the international community,” Mr Obama said in a written statement.

So, what “action” will the President of the strongest nation in the world possibly be talking about? One only needs to look at what he said in 2006 during an interview with the late Tim Russert.

You know, what I would do is, at this point, given the provocation of the recent nuclear test, I think let’s try to get these sanctions to work. I think the administration—which had not done a very good job on the North Korea issue, partly because it had been bogged down in Iraq—right now is taking some of the right steps. Let’s reconvene the six-party talks. China and South Korea are central to those efforts. But I think that in time it would make sense for us to initiate some bilateral conversations on—in parallel with the six-party talks, partly because it would strengthen, I think, the commitment of China and South Korea to really put some pressure on North Korea.

So, in 2006, we talked and surely that should have worked, right? Obviously, it didn’t. Thankfully, in President Obama’s statement following the test he DID outline what those “actions” are that he says are warranted this time:

“We have been and will continue working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the U.N. Security Council in the days ahead.”

Good idea, let’s keep talking. If we’re lucky, two years from now the nuclear explosion won’t be on the heads of our South Korean troops or, God forbid, in our own country.

Unfortunately, our President doesn’t believe in attacking North Korea. Why? Well, again, here’s what he said during that 2006 interview.

MR. RUSSERT: Would you invade North Korea?

SEN. OBAMA: No, I don’t think that’s an option. They’ve got a million troops in uniform, very well trained.

By golly, our military could never defeat a million North Korean troops! Whatever will we do? Who’s afraid of the big, bad Kim Jong Il?

…all too often in recent years and decades, we, as a nation, have failed to live up to that responsibility. We have failed to give them the support they need or pay them the respect they deserve. That is a betrayal of the sacred trust that America has with all who wear – and all who have worn – the proud uniform of our country.

And that is a sacred trust I am committed to keeping as President of the United States. That is why I will send our servicemen and women into harm’s way only when it is necessary, and ensure that they have the training and equipment they need when they enter the theater of war.

So, I find it interesting that we’re sending in over 20,000 troops into Afghanistan WITHOUT proper equipment.

At a news conference this week in Kabul, Secretary of Defense Gates said, “I heard this on several occasions today, that the equipment is coming in behind the troops and is not here and available for them when they arrive.”

You know, I seem to recall when this happened on Rumsfeld’s watch that the country was shouting loudly in protest at this sort of travesty. Rumsfeld remarked quite honestly that “you go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want.” What’s different now? The Messiah is in office, so now it’s okay to send our troops into combat unprepared and underequipped?

Gates attributed the delays to “the amount of equipment that has to be brought in and, frankly, the relatively limited infrastructure in terms of airfields and so on of how to get it in here.”

When Gates met with Marines, some complained they didn’t have communications equipment. Others complained about vehicles. And yet, where’s the drum beat of opposition to this “travesty?” Nancy Pelosiraptor (to use the Tygrrrr Express term) even called for Rumsfeld’s resignation because of equipment shortages to our troops.

I just find it disingenuous for the President to publicly state one thing when the reality is quite different as stated by his Secretary of Defense. Maybe fighting a war isn’t as simple as the idiots in Washington think?

What HotAir (a conservative website) and NBC (along with most media) got wrong about this whole situation is that Obama was also meeting with Wounded Warriors at the same time. The WW were brought in from Walter Reed and Bethesda Medical Centers to meet the Super Bowl champions and get autographs as special guests of the President.

But, did the press ever once bring up this fact? Not at all. Instead, they chose to make it appear as if Obama was choosing a football team over a group of kindergartners. Odd, considering that this is the same media that usually covers his butt, but chose to leave out pertinent bits of information in this case.

More importantly, the media didn’t cover the purpose for the Steelers’ presence at the White House. These “millionaires,” that the media and the ignorant kindergarten teachers who brought their kids to the White House late complained about, were there for a very noble and selfless cause. I’ll let the President tell you why they were, quotes you won’t find in the press:

I often say that the beauty of serving others is that anyone can do it. You don’t have to be President, and you don’t have to be a pro football player. All you need to do is to have a desire to make a difference, to give back to your community and to contribute to your nation. And that’s what we’re going to do right here. We’re going to work with the USO to put together 3,000 care packages for our troops serving in harm’s way.

We’re going to give back to those who’ve given so much for us. And I find that fitting and proper, a good way to kick off a weekend that serves to honor all the men and women who have worn the proud uniform of this country that we love.

Now, to those who think that Obama can do nothing right in my eyes, I won’t tell you where to shove it. Those who think you can get away with initiating complaints against me for things I disagree with can also go to a special place. Maybe one of my conservative readers can now complain to the Pentagon that I support Obama on something. Obama did a good thing yesterday and is taking some unfair heat over it. I call it like I see it and when the senior elected executive in this country does something right or wrong, I’ll tell you about it. And he didn’t do anything wrong here!

Obama Welcomes Steelers and Wounded Warriors from CJ Grisham on Vimeo.

“This class is about to become the latest link in a long, unbroken chain of heroism and victory — a chain forged in battles whose names are etched in the stone of this stadium: from Coral Sea to Midway to Guadalcanal; from Iwo Jima to Inchon; from the Mekong Delta to Desert Storm. For some among us, these are not just places on a map. They’re the stories of their lives. And we honor all of our veterans here today.”

Anyone else notice that there seem to be some important locations missing in there. Desert Storm is the last conflict the President mentions at a time when Annapolis graduates are fighting a two-front war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During his speech, President Obama named some very noble and patriotic cadets.

Elvin Vasquez, a Marine supply chief in Iraq who finally got into the Naval Academy on his third try who never gave up trying because he says, “there’s just something about being a Marine.”

It’s the example of Carlos Carbello who left the tough streets of L.A. to serve on a destroyer in the Pacific and who has used his time here to mentor others, because he’s the oldest midshipman — the old man — at the age of 26.

It’s the patriotism of Sade Holder who came to America as a child from Trinidad, enlisted in the Navy and then earned the titles she values most: “U.S. citizen” and “Navy Midshipman” and today, “Ensign.”

And it’s the reverence for tradition shown by James P. Heg a communications maintenance Marine in Iraq who today is joined by the man who first urged him to sign up, his grandfather, returning six decades after he was a midshipman, a submariner from World War II, 89-year-old Captain James E. Heg.

Honor. Courage. Commitment. These are the values that have defined your years in the Yard and that you’ll need in the years ahead as you join the fleet, and as you join and lead the Marines, as you confront the ever-changing threats of an ever-changing world.

At the mention of each name, the class erupted into applause at the courage and perseverance of their classmates.

Obama also insinuated during his speech that our troops weren’t sent into combat with a cause. He promised that as president he would only send our troops “into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary, and with the strategy and the well-defined goals, the equipment and the support that you need to get the job done.” He launched into the classic bring them home now mantra of ending the war in Iraq. Yet, at no time did he give the credit where it was due to the Bush administration for handing of an Iraq safer than it started. Nowhere did he credit the troops involved in the surge that made it possible to bring our troops now as opposed to later. Oddly enough, the midshipmen in attendance didn’t applaud until Obama promised to “to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Only then, did the soon-to-be Naval Ensigns and Marine Corps Lieutenants applaud his words. It’s strength and resolve that we want, not candy-ass defeat and premature withdrawal.

He touted his decision to halt Naval personnel cuts while ignoring the fact that he cut spending on high-tech Naval vessels to replace aging destroyer fleets. While gloating over the call for more Marines, he neglected to mention that he is cutting the number of carrier groups from 11 to 10, making events like piracy more difficult to respond to. He noted that “we will maintain America’s military dominance and keep you the finest fighting force the world has ever seen” while cutting missile defense funding at a time when both Iran and North Korea are actively testing new missile technologies.