Posted on Apr 23, 2015
What are your thoughts on President Obama accepting responsibility for the deaths of American hostages during operations in Afghanistan?
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What are your thoughts on this latest press conference with President Obama?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/politics/white-house-hostages-killed/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/politics/white-house-hostages-killed/index.html
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Responsibility
Drones
Office of the President (POTUS)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Responsibility Drones Office of the President (POTUS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 40
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As President, he is ultimately responsible. It goes with the job.
Did he have personal control of the operation? Could he realistically have prevented it? NO... But he is still has to accept the responsibility that comes with the office he holds.
I used to tell people that the most trouble I ever got into in my career was when I was at home, in my own bed, with my own wife, fast asleep at 0200 in the morning and I was getting in deep crap and did not know it yet, because a young MP PFC was doing something really stupid at that moment. As his commander, I was responsible for what he did. Just comes with the territory.
Did he have personal control of the operation? Could he realistically have prevented it? NO... But he is still has to accept the responsibility that comes with the office he holds.
I used to tell people that the most trouble I ever got into in my career was when I was at home, in my own bed, with my own wife, fast asleep at 0200 in the morning and I was getting in deep crap and did not know it yet, because a young MP PFC was doing something really stupid at that moment. As his commander, I was responsible for what he did. Just comes with the territory.
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Col (Join to see)
True, and casualties of war are an unfortunate circumstance that is hard to control and avoid.
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SSG Donald Mceuen
This time he is doing his job. I am sorry for the deaths of the hostages but we can't know
everything
everything
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SFC (Join to see)
A Leaders take full responsibilities for his or hers subordinate actions. It is imperative for a Leader to understand their needs. In the USARMY we have many ways to deal with this type of situations, of course this is in a bigger scale however; responsible leaders face the facts and start working in a solution.
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Wow! He took responsibility and did not try to blame Bush. It is times like these when I can be proud of President Obama. I can't say that I feel this very often.
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LTC John Shaw
SPC (Join to see) SFC (Join to see)
You and I obviously disagree on this point.
The purpose of social networking is for us to have the conversation, I appreciate your point of view. I see you are a smart person as well, you seem to have level of social compliance in your mind that I don't meet.
You don't tell me what 'standard', I am violating, because you know I am not.
The troops I lead want to see leaders, not politicians. I have the respect of my troops and my peers, I trust over time you will see my comments in RP are balanced pro and con the current administration.
There is NO UCMJ element to the commentary I have made, you seem to have a desire to make it more than it is, I am not sure why.
I don't recall the 'must make social commentary only supportive of the current administration' in the UCMJ. If your point is only be supportive of 'whatever administration or political party' is in the office, then I and many others will continuously disappoint you.
You and I obviously disagree on this point.
The purpose of social networking is for us to have the conversation, I appreciate your point of view. I see you are a smart person as well, you seem to have level of social compliance in your mind that I don't meet.
You don't tell me what 'standard', I am violating, because you know I am not.
The troops I lead want to see leaders, not politicians. I have the respect of my troops and my peers, I trust over time you will see my comments in RP are balanced pro and con the current administration.
There is NO UCMJ element to the commentary I have made, you seem to have a desire to make it more than it is, I am not sure why.
I don't recall the 'must make social commentary only supportive of the current administration' in the UCMJ. If your point is only be supportive of 'whatever administration or political party' is in the office, then I and many others will continuously disappoint you.
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LTC John Shaw
@ SSG Ryan R.
Why we are having the conversation and why I am resisting you is EXACTLY this issue. YOU ARE TRYING TO suppress legitimate free speech. I don't want you chasing down EVERY person who makes a comment YOU VIEW as CONTEMPT to the 'current administration'.
Can't you are setting a political correctness/sensitivity standard?
Your OTS is unwelcome and unwarranted:
My remarks don't meet the standard: 1) I am not on a duty status, 2) I did not make the statements in official capacity.
Bottom Line: I will not have my social comments SUPPRESSED by a SELF-APPOINTED PC officer.
I will defend your right to make social commentary as well!
Or
Would you prefer we appoint Political Officers in each social forum and unit to police up any 'incorrect' conversations. It works so well in Soviet Union.
Why we are having the conversation and why I am resisting you is EXACTLY this issue. YOU ARE TRYING TO suppress legitimate free speech. I don't want you chasing down EVERY person who makes a comment YOU VIEW as CONTEMPT to the 'current administration'.
Can't you are setting a political correctness/sensitivity standard?
Your OTS is unwelcome and unwarranted:
My remarks don't meet the standard: 1) I am not on a duty status, 2) I did not make the statements in official capacity.
Bottom Line: I will not have my social comments SUPPRESSED by a SELF-APPOINTED PC officer.
I will defend your right to make social commentary as well!
Or
Would you prefer we appoint Political Officers in each social forum and unit to police up any 'incorrect' conversations. It works so well in Soviet Union.
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SFC (Join to see)
Sir, I feel I need to clarify. My post meant that I agreed with you. I was shocked when President Obama took responsibility for something bad.
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I'm not gonna say that it's about time he ultimately takes responsibility for something so...I commend him, maybe a past Sec of State should follow suit.
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SPC Charles Brown
CPT (Join to see), bet you anything that day will never come for that, um, female. Again, I won't make any comments about her that will cause mutiny and upheaval here on RP. Let's just say I hope she doesn't get elected to any more political offices.
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If the question was simply "What are your thoughts on President Obama" I'd say none because he doesn't deserve the energy I'd waste on synaptic relays but...
How can you take responsibility for something you don't have a clue about even if the buck stops at your desk? Mouthing the word means nothing. Resigning after a string of pi$$ poor decisions like the head of the Secret Service and now DEA, now THAT makes a statement about responsibility.
How can you take responsibility for something you don't have a clue about even if the buck stops at your desk? Mouthing the word means nothing. Resigning after a string of pi$$ poor decisions like the head of the Secret Service and now DEA, now THAT makes a statement about responsibility.
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When Seal Team 6 killed Osama, our CIC took the praise for giving the order. It is only appropriate he takes the bad with the good. In the end, he is OUR CIC, I may not agree with him (I don't have too), but I support him and all my commanders. Otherwise, why do it. His job is to be in charge of the bureaucracy that is the military. Tough job if you think about it.
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As the CINC, he needs and SHOULD take full responsibility for the drone, counterterrorism operation. I was honestly quite surprised that he didn't pass the buck! They knew what happened 3 months ago, but they are now just declassifying the information? That's not immediate.
I hate being critical about all this, but two men sat in wait for more than 3 years and NOTHING was done to ensure their release. I couldn't imagine sitting there waiting for MY Country to save me and they end up being the ones that ensured my death.
The POTUS knew exactly what happened in January and the only reason there will be a "review to identify and learn from their mistakes (even though he clearly stated that there weren't any and that our Country followed ALL the guidelines)" is to satisfy the outrage some of the American People and Warrens family will have.
He states that "even with Warren’s health deteriorating, the enemy deprived him of his family or loved ones." Where was this in the beginning, 3 years ago when he also stated that once he found out Warren was taken prisoner that he said do what ever you can to get him home?? Warren’s wife states differently:
"I want to thank Congressman John Delaney, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Senator Ben Cardin - as well as specific officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation - for their relentless efforts to free my husband." Mrs. Weinstein added, "Unfortunately, the assistance we received from other elements of the U.S. Government was inconsistent and disappointing over the course of three and a half years."
Inconsistent and disappointing. Where was the same drive that got back a deserter and released 5 Gitmo detainees? No I don't think this negotiation should have been done and no I wouldn't agree to it being done to save Warren, but if it were GOING to be done, I'd rather it had.
An INNOCENT civilian.
Does anyone know where the "declassified information" is located? I have to see this.
MAJ (Join to see) TSgt Hunter Logan SSG James J. Palmer IV SFC Mark Merino
More than 2,400 dead as Obama’s drone campaign marks five years.
http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2014/01/23/more-than-2400-dead-as-obamas-drone-campaign-marks-five-years/
I hate being critical about all this, but two men sat in wait for more than 3 years and NOTHING was done to ensure their release. I couldn't imagine sitting there waiting for MY Country to save me and they end up being the ones that ensured my death.
The POTUS knew exactly what happened in January and the only reason there will be a "review to identify and learn from their mistakes (even though he clearly stated that there weren't any and that our Country followed ALL the guidelines)" is to satisfy the outrage some of the American People and Warrens family will have.
He states that "even with Warren’s health deteriorating, the enemy deprived him of his family or loved ones." Where was this in the beginning, 3 years ago when he also stated that once he found out Warren was taken prisoner that he said do what ever you can to get him home?? Warren’s wife states differently:
"I want to thank Congressman John Delaney, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Senator Ben Cardin - as well as specific officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation - for their relentless efforts to free my husband." Mrs. Weinstein added, "Unfortunately, the assistance we received from other elements of the U.S. Government was inconsistent and disappointing over the course of three and a half years."
Inconsistent and disappointing. Where was the same drive that got back a deserter and released 5 Gitmo detainees? No I don't think this negotiation should have been done and no I wouldn't agree to it being done to save Warren, but if it were GOING to be done, I'd rather it had.
An INNOCENT civilian.
Does anyone know where the "declassified information" is located? I have to see this.
MAJ (Join to see) TSgt Hunter Logan SSG James J. Palmer IV SFC Mark Merino
More than 2,400 dead as Obama’s drone campaign marks five years.
http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2014/01/23/more-than-2400-dead-as-obamas-drone-campaign-marks-five-years/
More than 2,400 dead as Obama’s drone campaign marks five years | The Bureau of Investigative...
Five years ago, on January 23 2009, a CIA drone flattened a house in Pakistan’s tribal regions. It was the third day of Barack Obama’s presidency, and this was the new commander-in-chief’s first covert drone strike.
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SGT (Join to see)
That's HIS press sec. OH SO now he is passing the buck. They shouldn't have brought up Congress. He was looking better without doing so.
Actually, I'm going to go with Warren's wife. I believe everything she says.
Actually, I'm going to go with Warren's wife. I believe everything she says.
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SGT (Join to see)
When you've known and you state that you want to "be as open as possible" then the family, AT LEAST, should've known EVERYTHING 3 months ago.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
So Obama prefers Drones, which don't risk our troops lives, while Bush sent thousands of us to get slaughtered on very shaky rationale, coincidentally lining a bunch of pockets... I'd say you'd be a great press secretary...
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SGT (Join to see)
Sure, there SFC Michael Hasbun Thank you for the compliment!! You too could be one with that mindset. :-D bahaha And do you really have buns or what? Lol. I bet you get that a lot. ANYWAY!!
It's absolutely crazy to think the drone war is better, especially for civilians. But go on with your bad self!
http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/category/projects/drones/drones-graphs/
It's absolutely crazy to think the drone war is better, especially for civilians. But go on with your bad self!
http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/category/projects/drones/drones-graphs/
Get the data: Drone wars | The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Total strikes: 421Obama strikes: 370Total killed: 2,476-3,989Civilians killed: 423-965Children killed: 172-207Injured: 1,158-1,738
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There is a first time for everything. Easy to take responsibility when something goes right. First time I remember in six years where responsibility has been taken when something did not go right. Interesting that this is coming out three months after the fact. Guess it was about to go public.
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This is the first time I know of that he has accepted responsibility for anything that has happened on his watch.
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It ranks up there with Carter accepting responsibility for the failure of Desert One. He has to take responsibility, if that gives you an idea of what was going on there. But I'm certainly not going to give him any kudos for doing what any reasonably-conscienced person would do.
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