Obama mixes up Medal of Honor recipients.

SOURCE

"President Obama, at recent campaign stops, has pointed out that his hair is now getting gray, a sign of how he has aged and the toll taken by his job. But on Thursday, the president had a different kind of senior moment.

Speaking at Ft. Drum in upstate New York, Obama thanked troops from the 10th Mountain Division for their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. To hammer home his point, he told a story of awarding the Medal of Honor to a living member of the division.

Obama, however, misspoke. he did award the medal, but posthumously.

"First time I saw the 10th Mountain Division, you guys were in southern Iraq," Obama said on Thursday. "When I went back to visit Afghanistan, you guys were the first ones there.

"I had the great honor of seeing some of you because a comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to who actually came back and wasn't receiving it posthumously." the president said.

Jared Monti died in Afghanistan on June 21, 2006, during an attempted rescue of a comrade. Obama awarded him the nation's highest military medal at a ceremony on Sept. 17, 2009. The president handed the framed medal to Monti's parents, Paul and Janet Monti, and comforted the couple.

Obama had apparently mixed up Monti with Salvatore Giunta, the first living person to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. The president presented Giunta the award in November."

Thoughts?

Is it really that hard to remember who you give the Medal of Honor to?

Is it really that hard to remember who you give the Medal of Honor to?

airshocker

It's a screwup, but not a major one. I'm sure the guy's got a lot on his mind, and that it was unintentional. His speech writer or assistant who briefed him before the event should have to do 10 pushups for every member of the 10th Mountain Division who died in the current war.

don't know why this is news worthy, **** happens.

It's a screwup, but not a major one. I'm sure the guy's got a lot on his mind, and that it was unintentional. His speech writer or assistant who briefed him before the event should have to do 10 pushups for every member of the 10th Mountain Division who died in the current war.

Palantas

I don't doubt it was a screw-up, but I don't think it speaks very highly of the President when he can't remember who he gave the Medal of Honor to. I even remember the last name of the guy who got it. I think the President should be able to as well. Just my two cents, though.

don't know why this is news worthy, **** happens.

Chris_Williams

Everything else is news worthy. Why not this?

Everything else is news worthy. Why not this?airshocker

**** happens.Chris_Williams

When your country is in as much crap as the US is right now and it's your job and responsibility to make sure stuff gets done I would imagine you've got enough on your mind you could easily forget the name of someone 8 months back.Ace6301

Then don't make a big deal about giving him the medal if you're going to forget about it. It was televised on every news station while it happened. This isn't some Bronze star we're talking about here. It's the Medal of Honor. If the President can't be bothered to take it seriously and remember who he gave it to in front of the nation, then don't have a big ceremony over it.

Everything else is news worthy. Why not this?

airshocker

It was "newsworthy" every time President Bush pronounced a word with an accent, so I'm sure this is too.

I don't doubt it was a screw-up, but I don't think it speaks very highly of the President when he can't remember who he gave the Medal of Honor to. I even remember the last name of the guy who got it. I think the President should be able to as well. Just my two cents, though.

airshocker

There is a certain symbolism there that will rub military people the wrong way. He is our commander and chief, our sovereign from which all military authority flows. Actually...that's how officers think of it, and then only the ones who actually spend time thinking about such things. Seriously, how many guys in the 10th Mountain do you think actually caught the error when President Obama actually said it? I can't name any of the recent Medal of Honor winners, aside from Shughart and Gordon. Anyway, like I said: Pushups for the lackey who failed to inform our CnC before he gave his speech, and I'll consider the matter closed.

It was "newsworthy" every time President Bush pronounced a word with an accent, so I'm sure this is too.

There is a certain symbolism there that will rub military people the wrong way. He is our commander and chief, our sovereign from which all military authority flows. Actually...that's how officers think of it, and then only the ones who actually spend time thinking about such things. Seriously, how many guys in the 10th Mountain do you think actually caught the error when President Obama actually said it? I can't name any of the recent Medal of Honor winners, aside from Shughart and Gordon. Anyway, like I said: Pushups for the lackey who failed to inform our CnC before he gave his speech, and I'll consider the matter closed.

Palantas

I wouldn't know. Not sure how big the 10th mountain division is, or which group he talked to, or how the Army even organizes such events. I'm sure the family of the posthumously-awarded recipient isn't very happy.

Someone's making mountains out of molehills. . . This is a non-issue if I've ever seen one.scorch-62

I see what you did there.

You'd have to be military, I suppose, to see why this matters to us.

[QUOTE="scorch-62"]Someone's making mountains out of molehills. . . This is a non-issue if I've ever seen one.airshocker

I see what you did there.

You'd have to be military, I suppose, to see why this matters to us.

Since it's Obama I think we'll let this pass.

Now if it were a former US Governor... I'dsay we should make a huge deal of it and call that person variations of the word stupid.

I know it's cynical but most of these politicians don't see the military as anything more than a way to get their agenda done. Ace6301

But they sure better man up and tell us how awesome we are in public. :)

Because you feel the higher ups aren't appreciating the work the military is putting in, right? I know it's cynical but most of these politicians don't see the military as anything more than a way to get their agenda done. Ace6301

If your boss started calling you Jack instead of your given name, would you feel like you were appreciated?

Perhaps my standards are too high, but I expect my Commander and Chief to know quite a bit about the military. Remembering who he gave the Medal of Honor to is significant, to me.

You'd have to be military, I suppose, to see why this matters to us.airshocker

Doesn't matter to me.Wilfred_Owen

Good for you.

[QUOTE="scorch-62"]Someone's making mountains out of molehills. . . This is a non-issue if I've ever seen one.airshocker

I see what you did there.

You'd have to be military, I suppose, to see why this matters to us.

If your boss started calling you Jack instead of your given name, would you feel like you were appreciated?>airshocker

I suppose this kind of rhetoric is considered news/post worthy only by Obama haters. I guess it's much in the same way that these fools tried talking smack about Obama not having respect blah blah blah because he didn't really mention WWI/II vets during his recent Memorial Day speech.

lol the straws people grasp at can be quite humorous

[QUOTE="Wilfred_Owen"]Doesn't matter to me.airshocker

Good for you.

If it's a military thing, why do you think anyone on OT would give a s***?scorch-62

If it's a military thing, why do you think anyone on OT would give a s***?scorch-62

Sorry, I forgot, I'll find some LGBT stuff to post about.

He's military. :|scorch-62

I know.

besides the fact that there are some active and innactive service members who post?....Omni-Slash

If this is the best thing Obama haters can complain about, then Obama is the best president of all time.

If he took the time to care about what I did, I would be appreciated, my name doesn't matter, making a name doesn't matter, it's what I do that matters whether it's appreciated or not, that's why soldiers follow order, they're not looking for bravery or honor if they're a true soldier, they're trying to do their jobs and protect their country, loyal to the mission until the end of their life.

ImBananas

Most guys I know don't like pomp and ceremony unless it's genuine.

I can't even recall how many times I had to stand at attention for some brand new commander, hear him prattle on about our mission, and our history, only lengthening the amount of time-off I was losing.

Doesn't seem like Obama is very genuine when he can't remember who he gave the Medal of Honor to.

] "Some" as in, what? Five? Ten, maybe?scorch-62

Very embarrassing

Makes one think how long he prepared for this trip, speech, and ceremony.

I suppose this kind of rhetoric is considered news/post worthy only by Obama haters. I guess it's much in the same way that these fools tried talking smack about Obama not having respect blah blah blah because he didn't really mention WWI/II vets during his recent Memorial Day speech.

lol the straws people grasp at can be quite humorous

_R34LiTY_

Now who's grasping at straws? I didn't say anything about Memorial Day.

If this is the best thing Obama haters can complain about, then Obama is the best president of all time.

DJ419

I know, right!? All this weak material...

Obama doesn't give the nation anywhere near as much material as Bush did. Some citizens are just desperate to make fun of Obama just for the heck of hearing/reading themselves speak.

[QUOTE="scorch-62"]] "Some" as in, what? Five? Ten, maybe?Omni-Slash

I know, right!? All this weak material...

Obama doesn't give the nation anywhere near as much material as Bush did. Some citizens are just desperate to make fun of Obama just for the heck of hearing/reading themselves speak.

_R34LiTY_

No, some of us are actually just embarrassed and a little ticked off.

[QUOTE="_R34LiTY_"]

I suppose this kind of rhetoric is considered news/post worthy only by Obama haters. I guess it's much in the same way that these fools tried talking smack about Obama not having respect blah blah blah because he didn't really mention WWI/II vets during his recent Memorial Day speech.

lol the straws people grasp at can be quite humorous

airshocker

Now who's grasping at straws? I didn't say anything about Memorial Day.

[QUOTE="ImBananas"]

If he took the time to care about what I did, I would be appreciated, my name doesn't matter, making a name doesn't matter, it's what I do that matters whether it's appreciated or not, that's why soldiers follow order, they're not looking for bravery or honor if they're a true soldier, they're trying to do their jobs and protect their country, loyal to the mission until the end of their life.

airshocker

Most guys I know don't like pomp and ceremony unless it's genuine.

I can't even recall how many times I had to stand at attention for some brand new commander, hear him prattle on about our mission, and our history, only lengthening the amount of time-off I was losing.

Doesn't seem like Obama is very genuine when he can't remember who he gave the Medal of Honor to.

[QUOTE="_R34LiTY_"]

I suppose this kind of rhetoric is considered news/post worthy only by Obama haters. I guess it's much in the same way that these fools tried talking smack about Obama not having respect blah blah blah because he didn't really mention WWI/II vets during his recent Memorial Day speech.

lol the straws people grasp at can be quite humorous

airshocker

Now who's grasping at straws? I didn't say anything about Memorial Day.

No you didn't, but there was a thread not to long ago from some shmoe trying to complain about how he is not a good president because he didn't mention WWI or WWII vets in his speech. I don't remember but, for all I know you probably made that thread too.

lol Useless and irrelevant rants about nothing

If it's a military thing, why do you think anyone on OT would give a s***?scorch-62

Omni-Slash pretty well covered this. There's lots of special interest stuff talked about here, so I don't see this as being particularly out of place. Besides, people love giving their opinion on military matters. You find almost as many "experts" in military science on this forum as you do politics, economics, and philosophy.

Analogy. Learn it.scorch-62

Huh, I didn't know someone couldn't be grasping at straws when trying to compare things.

Who knew?

I'm not telling anyone anything..scorch-62

No you didn't, but there was a thread not to long ago from some shmoe trying to complain about how he is not a good president because he didn't mention WWI or WWII vets in his speech. I don't remember but, for all I know you probably made that thread too.

lol Useless and irrelevant rants about nothing

_R34LiTY_

Pretty sure I didn't, but you're free to look.

I personally don't care who he mentions on Memorial Day. I do care when it's apparent he doesn't give a s*** about the awards he gives out.

Why embarrassed? Were you just as embarrassed throughout the idiocy that was the Bush/Cheney administration?

Why ticked off? Were you one of those recipients who got called a different name?

Cmon now, I know you have better stuff to worry about then this. Or then again, maybe you don't because then I suppose you wouldn't be here like a parrot repeating the same nonsensical rant trying to scrutinize a president with which whom you happen disagree with.

_R34LiTY_

I didn't actually pay too much attenion during the early to mid Bush/Cheney years. Busy fighting those pesky wars, y'know.

Ticked off because this is the second time President Obama has shown that he obviously doesn't care about the military except to score cheap political points. I think we deserve a better leader than that.

So I'm a parrot because I'm bringing up a view you don't like? :roll: Please.

[QUOTE="_R34LiTY_"]

No you didn't, but there was a thread not to long ago from some shmoe trying to complain about how he is not a good president because he didn't mention WWI or WWII vets in his speech. I don't remember but, for all I know you probably made that thread too.

lol Useless and irrelevant rants about nothing

airshocker

Pretty sure I didn't, but you're free to look.

I personally don't care who he mentions on Memorial Day. I do care when it's apparent he doesn't give a s*** about the awards he gives out.

What I'm saying is that is just as much of a silly complaint to try and scrutinize him and this lil' lip slip of his is.

But of course you either can't comprehend that or choose not to.

What I'm saying is that is just as much of a silly complaint to try and scrutinize him and this lil' lip slip of his is ?

But of course you either can't comprehend that or choose not to.

_R34LiTY_

That's your opinion. I believe it shows a fundamental lack of respect for the military.

pfft mistakes happen all the time...it's not like he said Nucular or anything....Omni-Slash

Mispronouncing a word is something you can make fun of someone for and get away with it.

Getting the information wrong about who you gave the Medal of Honor to is a lot worse in the opinions of servicemembers.

I understand that people with no military experience wouldn't understand why it's such a big deal especially when you have people who know nothing about the Medal of Honor outside of the fact that it's the name of a video game that stirred up some controversy last year. But to put it in perspective, the Medal of Honor is so hard to earn that the last one given to a living recipient before Staff Sergeant Giunta received it last year was during the Vietnam War in 1972. If a private earned the Medal of Honor and lived generals would be saluting him because of the fact that he earned the medal.

With that, it's something that would really irritate someone when you get the information wrong. Since some civilians most likely still won't understand the problem the best comparison would be if somebody made a speech about when Dr. Martin Luthor King Jr. gave the "I Have A Dream" speech but when mentioning it he said Malcolm X made the speech instead of MLK. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the President doesn't already have a lot of stuff on his plate and I'm sure he meant no harm in his mistake. But the way people are defending his mistake by saying it's no big deal is causing it to be worse that it is.

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John Roberts messed up the oath. Stuff like this happens.