In weekly addresses, Obama touts military support; GOP talks Isaac, jobs

President Obama marked the two-year anniversary of his ending of combat missions in Iraq with a Friday visit to Fort Bliss, Texas.

(CBS News) In his weekly radio and Internet address kicking off Labor Day weekend, President Obama reflected on the importance of supporting members of the U.S. military, both during active service and afterward, and pledged "to do everything in our power to keep them safe and help them succeed."

The Republican National Committee (RNC), meanwhile, released its own weekly address, discussing Hurricane Isaac and the economy.

The president, who visited troops in Fort Bliss, Texas on Friday, marked the second anniversary of the end of the Iraq War, celebrating "how far we've come" while acknowledging the nation's continued presence in Afghanistan.

"Some of the soldiers I met at Fort Bliss had just come home from the battlefield, and others are getting ready to ship out," he said in his radio address. "As long as we have a single American in harm's way, we will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and help them succeed. That means giving them a clear mission and the equipment they need on the front lines."

In addition to those measures, Mr. Obama said it was "time to do some nation-building here at home."

"My grandfather's generation came back from World War II and helped form the backbone of the greatest middle-class in history," he said. "They helped this country come back stronger than before. Today's veterans have the skills, the discipline, and the leadership skills to do the exact same thing - and it's our job to give them that chance."

Mr. Obama repeatedly emphasized his support for military families on the campaign trail, and has touted new laws to help unemployed veterans succeed in the workforce after returning home from service.

In Nevada, Obama makes play for veteran support

First Lady Michelle Obama, meanwhile, has launched a "Joining Forces" initiative aimed at providing support for military families, as has the president's campaign. The Obama campaign insists it has a real chance to win a majority of military support this November.

In the RNC weekend address, Rep. Steve Scalise spoke of the state of the storm in Louisiana, pointing to "light at the end of the tunnel," though he added, "We're not out of the woods just yet."

Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, touted the sense of community and teamwork he had seen in the community during the disaster.

"We've seen neighbors helping each other and people coming together to ensure the safety of their loved ones. That's what we in Louisiana do. That's what Americans do," he said. "One of the greatest things about our country is that we're a resilient, hard-working people, and on this Labor Day weekend, we remember these values and the things that have made our country the greatest in the world."

Scalise then pivoted to the economy, blasting Democratic policies on energy and taxes, while touting Republican measures that he said would help rebuild a "strong, vibrant economy that promotes freedom and fosters private-sector jobs and opportunities."

"For millions of Americans, this Labor Day finds them still looking for work and still asking, 'Where are the jobs?' It doesn't have to be this way, and we can turn it around, because in America it's times of adversity that bring out the best in us," Scalise said. "It's a lesson we saw on display yet again this week in Southeast Louisiana. And it's one worth reflecting on in the coming days as we give thanks for the men and women who built this country, and rededicate ourselves to addressing the challenges America's workers face."

[sjc_1]

Rumsfeld had them looking through land fills in Iraq 6 months after the invasion in Iraq, for metal to armor their Hummers. Bush put them on 2 and 3 13 month tours while their families were here living on food stamps. Bush toured VA while mold was infecting wounded soldiers.

President Obama has cared for the soldiers and their families FAR better then Bush, Cheney or Rumsfeld. He knows those soldiers have done a great job for the country and not only deserve our thanks, but deserve a good job when they come home.

[beresponsible]

BS. Intelligence leaks, dissing the Navy Seals, diminishing their benefit plans. I live near a military base and the military (most) do not like or respect him.

[Ulgnud]

Of course there are JKool Aid drinkers in the Military. Despite being a lousy president he is still Commander in Chief. Theyn have to do what he says and dissenting opinions are discouraged.

[ammo17]

if this president and his disfuntional administration did such a great job for the last 44 months why isn`t he using the same speeches he used before his last election?why? they were all lies.is this word "forward "a synonym for "transparency"you know what makes me sick to my stomach i voted for obama.bush was a failure but obama makes him look good.

[2happy2ride]

This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaii
for his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body, he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now. He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president.


Dear President Obama,

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor , allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.
You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
" We're no longer a Christian nation"," America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world," America is mean spirited. " Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and
hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts , who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.
You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.
And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle...

Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes
Snopes confirms as true:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/haroldestes.asp

[beresponsible]

Like!

[mjvwsr]

FUBO. That's what this vet thinks.

[marcie10000]

Que the Liberty and Brigham Young University posters in three.....two.....one.

Actually, the Obama Administration's support of troops and returning vets and their families is greater than under Bush W.

But que the Useful Idiots to say otherwise..............

[spotswoode]

The troops figured Obama for a poseur a while back. It is laughable that he supports the military. His only use for the troops is as photo props. Remember when Obama said the Afghan wear was the important war? How often have you heard him talk about it? When have you heard the sycophant press ask him or his administration? Anyone with a son or daughter in Afghanistan should tell them don't be a hero... it will all go for naught - we're already in a stealth retreat now... Taliban know it, our European allies know it, and the Afghans know it. All of them started breaking camp or hedging when Obama unnecessarily set a "retreat" date of 2014 purely for domestic political gain. Since then, every dead or wounded soldier has been sacrificed on the alter of Obama political expediency... and every multi-tour soldier knows it.

[abbe91]

Yes, photo props ... "Mission accomplished".

[thefatcat2]

HOW OFTEN DOES OBAMA TALK ABOUT THE MILITARY
-- Like Never - unless an election is only 2 or 3 months away.
Over 1000 troops have been killed in Afgan alone -- since he has been in office. And he talks about this when -- -- Never a word, is the answer,

[dustin93sc]

Obama needs cash to pay for recovery from wild fires, floods, hurricane winds, and earthquakes. He must approach Congress on a raise of the national debt limit to allocate funds. What if more hurricane or blizzard activity occurs in the next six months?

[jbrote47]

Amazing. He just takes 18 billion from military health care, but says he supports the military. The only way to tell if he's lying is if his lips move.