Should President Obama visit Tennessee for a sign of honor and respect to the families, community, state, our men, women and veterans?

2015-07-20T09:39:05-04:00

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 9:40 AM

2015-07-20T09:40:38-04:00

He could start by ordering the flags to half staff as many states have beaten him to it in support of our fallen.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jul 20 at 2015 9:41 AM

2015-07-20T09:41:23-04:00

Yes he should. He should get off his ass and do something, anything!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-07-20T10:00:44-04:00

It would be considerate and kind. Yes he should.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 20 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-07-20T10:06:20-04:00

then he would need to show up to every event for active duty that died in any form, just because this was a shooting doesn't mean these marines deaths are any different or more important from the ones who died from a mortar going off in the tube or from an osprey falling out of the sky etc...

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Jul 20 at 2015 10:09 AM

2015-07-20T10:09:08-04:00

I saw something on the internet, a little accusatory...
He was interested in Travon, interested in Charleston...but he hasnt seemed to concerned about this one...his response (indirectly) was to wish Muslims a happy Ramadan.
when you are in charge, appearances matter - right now, he is giving some appearances. When you selectively comment on tragedies, you get accusations, such as of being racist or not caring about the military...leaders have to manage appearances.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 20 at 2015 10:11 AM

2015-07-20T10:11:44-04:00

SN Jeff Powell He should have already visited. He will continue to ignore this just like all the other domestic terrorism violence and wait for it to pass from the news cycle.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-07-20T10:15:33-04:00

I would say yes. I think it is his duty to pay respect to the soldiers that lost their lives in this terrible tragedy by visiting the families and participating in the memorial services. This would be a slap in a face if he doesn’t show considering he visited Charlotte SC to pay respect to the senator/pastor that was murdered.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-07-20T10:20:17-04:00

Neither President Obama nor Vice President Biden attended MajGen Greene's, the highest-ranking American servicemember killed by hostile action, why would he attend funerals of some enlisted members?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-07-20T10:20:28-04:00

Obama went to South Carolina for the funerals of the shooting victims there, so by all means he should go to Tennessee.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 20 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-07-20T10:40:45-04:00

Yes he should. Will he.... Probably not.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 20 at 2015 10:41 AM

2015-07-20T10:41:48-04:00

No, but he SHOULD ensure we have a proclamation to half staff federal flags for at LEAST 24 hrs.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jul 20 at 2015 10:45 AM

2015-07-20T10:45:33-04:00

He's the POTUS. He should have been there already!

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 20 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-07-20T10:58:33-04:00

Not going to happen. The moment to do that it is way long past.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 20 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-07-20T11:00:36-04:00

He loves to visit or send representatives to dead thugs or criminal funerals.

Response by SSG Michael O'Malley made Jul 20 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-07-20T11:14:01-04:00

Honestly he probably won't because he was just here less than a month ago

Response by MCPO Douglas Pennington made Jul 20 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-07-20T11:44:10-04:00

Absolutely, but will he? That is the big question. He has lacked, in my opinion, any interest in those fallen and even now after Thursday let's see what kind of statement he makes. He's too busy now with the new Nigerian President..

Response by CPO Rob Daniel made Jul 20 at 2015 12:30 PM

2015-07-20T12:30:45-04:00

As I read this question, my first response was the same as most respondents on this thread, a resounding YES!
I feel the "Why he should go" is an important topic to address as well.
There are several responses in this thread citing his visits to try to provide comfort to the victims families. These were average citizens who lost their lives to the violent actions of others.
The President set a precedent by making those appearances. In other cases he has sent Whitehouse Staff as representatives to show his support.
To date as far as I have seen he has done neither, he has not even ordered the flags to half mast.
Let's be clear, they were servicemen.
As servicemen and women we take our oath and make an unspoken promise that we will give everything up to and including our lives in defense of our country. Had they lost their lives in battle it would be no less tragic, but easier to understand/accept. This is not the case. They were serving as non combatants on American soil, perhaps the one place we should not expect to make good on that unspoken promise.
This act of violence has been labeled by some as an act of terror targeted at those who represent our Government. It can just as easily be labeled a hate crime if that would motivate the President to take action. As it stands, the apathy shown by the Commander in Chief following this event is unacceptable.
I am forced to wonder, would the Presidential response be different if there were applicants killed in the office, or if the attack had come during a meeting of the delayed entry program, where individuals prepare themselves mentally and physically under the guidance of their recruiters to go to basic training.
I for one am glad that tragedy did not occur, but, I cannot help but to imagine if it had, that the President's response would have been more appropriate and empathetic.

Response by SPC Michael Dugan made Jul 20 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-07-20T12:34:15-04:00

Absolutely he should, in my opinion. But I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

As far as I am concerned, if it isn't contempt Obama has for the Armed Forces, it's something close to that.

And I think the only thing that would bring Obama to Tennessee for that would be if he saw political gain in doing so. I see not a scintilla of understanding or concern on his part for the Marines and sailor who died in this event.

Matter of fact, I'm not surprised, honestly, that he didn't somehow downplay the shooter's behavior as terrorism.

Sorry, but I'm counting the days until January 20, 2017. I survived the Jimmy Carter years, but Obama is a whole 'nother thing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 9:21 AM

2015-07-21T09:21:54-04:00

As president, he should take the time to visit as many military bases as possible during his presidency. I is the right thing to do. Period.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 22 at 2015 2:25 AM

2015-07-22T02:25:55-04:00

He should but he won't.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jul 22 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-07-22T09:58:07-04:00

Nah, we don't care for him much around this area. He visited here once to see the VW plant, that was enough of his toxicity here. Everyone would know it was all a political show anyway.