log111209

On the homepage

Sunday's paper

Only in your Sunday Star Tribune

Out There

View Finder

Access Vikings

Henderson continuing to strive toward peak

Home | Opinion Exchange | Commentary

New York Post: Obama sets the right tone for those who serve

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 10:27 AM

Print this story

Follow Opinion Exchange on Twitter

In stirring, eloquent and typically well-delivered remarks, President Obama on Tuesday paid tribute to the 13 people gunned down in last week's Fort Hood shooting rampage -- and to all the members of the U.S. armed forces.

His comments were especially fitting -- spoken, as they were, on the eve of Veterans Day, when the nation pauses to honor and thank the millions of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have served with distinction.

The president didn't name the alleged gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Nor did he describe the attack for what it increasingly looks to be: the worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil since 9/11, perpetrated by a would-be jihadist.

Still, he did place the shooting, appropriately, in the context of "the extremists who killed nearly 3,000 Americans" on 9/11. And he pointedly noted that "no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor."

By contrast, neither Gen. George Casey, the Army chief of staff, nor Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the base commander, could bring themselves to go even that far: They merely referred obliquely to the "tragedy," the "horrific event," the "incident" and the "crime scene."

Yet no onlooker could fail to be moved by the sight of 13 pairs of combat boots, each with an inverted rifle topped by a helmet -- the traditional salute to a soldier killed in action.

It was an acknowledgment that these men and women died in combat -- that the attack was an act of war, not a case of a stressed-out soldier gone berserk.

As the nation pays well-deserved tribute to its veterans, it should keep in mind President Obama's inspiring description of America's fighting men and women -- in this and preceding generations:

"They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known," he said. "They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places. They have stood watch in blinding deserts and on snowy mountains ...

"They are man and woman; white, black and brown, of all faiths and stations -- all Americans, serving together to protect our people."

Hear, hear, Mr. President -- well said.

NEW YORK POST

Recent Commentary stories

Lou Dobbs: Mirroring the medium - November 12, 2009

Lou Dobbs: Mirroring the medium - Whether he hangs his hat at Fox News or throws it in the political ring, speculation is rampant about Lou Dobbs' future after his surprise on-air announcement that he's leaving CNN. But his past is just as intriguing, because it mirrors the medium he helped come of age. More

There is still no shortage of concerns for this economy - November 12, 2009

There is still no shortage of concerns for this economy - The fiscal year 2009 budget deficit, triple that of 2008, was 10 percent of GDP and, Lawrence Lindsey says, probable policies will produce deficits of 7 percent of GDP for a decade. Ronald Reagan's worst deficit was 6 percent of GDP, and for only one year. More

Comment on this story | Read all 7 comments | Hide reader comments

New ideas for the public sector

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME to create a more efficient Minnesota. Facing large budget deficits at the state, county and local levels, Minnesotans are seeing with new clarity that the public sector must adapt to new economic realities. Only the smartest, most strategic reinvention will ensure that our tax dollars are spent on the best programs and services. Read more

About Opinion Exchange

Opinion Exchange is produced by the Editorial Department, which is dedicated to hosting the discussion on a range of issues of interest to Star Tribune readers online and in print. In its new format, it's our hope that Opinion Exhange will create a more dynamic dialogue between Star Tribune readers and the Editorial Board. Many individual posts will be written and signed by members of the Editorial Board and will reflect their own opinions. Daily editorials will continue to represent the institutional voice of the newspaper and be researched and written by the Editorial Department, which is independent of the newsroom.

Subscribe to RSS|Learn more about RSS