Another entire chapter from Decision 2012 - A Citizen's Guide
(I hope, being the author, I am allowed to share this message)
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Let's face it, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was the last man who entered the White House with the kind of resume we would actually be looking for if we were given the task of hiring a qualified person to fill the position of  Commander in Chief of the mightiest military power in the history of the world.  There are only a few modern men, I can think of, who may have actually fit that bill.... Like General David Petraeus, or Lieutenant Colonel Allen West, for example.

I happen to believe, as a general rule, politicians make terrible soldiers and soldiers make terrible politicians.  My trust in a sitting president, when it comes to his role as Commander in Chief, is mostly based on my personal feelings of, whether or not, he will tend to serve in that role as a politician or as a qualified warrior.

From my perspective, our current president has proven himself to be a pure politician to his very core.  Every decision he makes is, first of all, evaluated from the standpoint of political value or liability.  Then secondly – every decision is, again, evaluated from the standpoint of political value or liability.  After that - well, any further evaluation of decision's made by him, is completely trumped by aforementioned step's one and two.

My best example would be the extreme possibility, that we are in danger of making an enormous strategic mistake in Iraq, in order to meet Obama's deadline of withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year.  Do you think, for one second, that a truly competent military strategist, the likes of General Petraeus, would consider this to be a wise decision, coming from a capable leader serving as Commander in Chief?
Another example - Without question, had Obama not seen the opportunity to stand before the media cameras and pretty much proclaim the killing of Osama Bin Laden as his single-handed personal achievement, he may never have authorized that risky mission.  I suggest you just read his press conference speech sometime.  You would almost think that he personally flew the chopper into Bin Laden's secure compound.  In fact, he comes just short of painting a picture of "Rambo Obama", kicking the bedroom door completely off the hinges, then, stepping into Bin Laden's bedroom with M-16 cradled in his arms, raising his weapon so the laser sights placed the red laser beam square between the man's eyes, and then pulling the trigger that fired the lethal round, sending the world's number one bad guy to begin spending eternity with his own personal seventy-two virgins.

There is a clinical term called Narcissistic Personality Disorder.  According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine "The causes of this disorder are unknown.  An overly sensitive personality and parenting problems may affect the development of this disorder." 

Upon reading further about the symptoms of the disorder, I felt a sudden need for a strong sedative of some sort.  I suggest you sit down before reading this next part.

Symptoms - A person with narcissistic personality disorder may - React to criticism with rage, shame, or humiliation / Take advantage of other people to achieve his or her own goals / Have excessive feelings of self-importance / Exaggerate achievements and talents / Be preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty, intelligence, or ideal love / Have unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment / Need constant attention and admiration / Disregard the feelings of others, and have little ability to feel empathy / Have obsessive self-interest / Pursue mainly selfish goals.

Arrrrgh!  I just ripped the freekin' sink completely from the wall and hurled it thru my window... I've got to escape from here!  We're all going to require some intensive shock therapy people ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" – 1975). 

I checked with a neighbor across the street, and she gave me two Zanax pills to calm me down... worked wonders!  Took a long nap to allow the pills to wear off, then, after a nice hot shower – we're good-to-go!

There are a few other issues causing some real heartburn regarding Barack Obama's, role as Commander in Chief.  Without us over-dwelling on the "small stuff", I will simply mention a few.

As a veteran of the Vietnam era, having lost a few dear friends who paid the ultimate price fighting for their country, I have some deep-rooted feelings about the symbolism of our nations flag.

The meaning of the red and white colors in the stripes of "Old Glory" has often been given incorrectly.  In 1776, there was a resolution passed by the Continental Congress authorizing a committee to devise a U.S. seal, designed to symbolize the beliefs of the founding fathers.  The following year, the Secretary of the Continental Congress proclaimed the following regarding the adapted official seal (not the flag).... 

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

Most veterans, myself included, see the white stripes representing courage and red representing the blood shed of our soldiers.

Oh  yes – I do take offense, anytime the National Anthem is played at a public event, and I look over and see a man standing on stage before the crowd, looking off in a direction other than the nations flag, with his hands held over his crotch - and if that man just happens to be the Commander in Chief - the term "offended" doesn't even come close to describing my emotion.  The undeniable, premeditated arrogance, of that disdainful public act, insults every fiber of my being!

The lowest ranking foot soldier wearing a uniform, would never dream of committing such a contemptuous act.  ( I don't recall a lot of media coverage about this event, by the way).

There were more events than this single occasion, telling us something about Obama's true feelings about our precious flag, if not our country.  Removing the American flag painted on the fuselage of the plane he used during his campaign, and replacing it with his personal "O" icon, is another small example.  Holding numerous press conferences, without the presence of the nations flag in the background, is another.  But the one that, most "sticks in my craw" (pun fully intended) is the lapel pin.

He offered the following explanation, when asked why he chose to begin appearing in public without the flag label pin, seen as standard dress by other modern day Presidents...  "You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for what I think true patriotism is, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest."

In another interview he offers still another spin on his reason for not wearing the lapel pin... "Sometimes I wear it, sometimes I don't.  We were talking with a group of veterans yesterday. Over the last several weeks people have been handing me flag pins. I thought it was appropriate."       

Asked if he will continue to wear the pin, Obama said, "If it ends up being on another suit, I might leave it one day, but it's something that I've done before and I'll certainly wear it again."

Now, maybe it's just me, but I cannot understand how that lapel pin would not be viewed as a standard part of the Commander in Chief's uniform... no different than a general putting on his uniform, and forgetting to include the stars on his shoulder bars.  It just is not a matter of one's whimsical choice – If they are on the suit I will wear them, but if they aren't already on the suit, it's just too much trouble for me to take all the time required to put the darn things on the suit....What!?

Suppose for just one moment, if you will, that a young Barack Obama would have been drafted into the military at age 18.  Do you think for one split second that he would have answered such a call to serve OUR country?  Yet, he is now the COMMANDER IN CHIEF of the mightiest military force in history!  Could it possibly be more wrong!?

I really can't take any more of this "Commander in Chief" topic. 

I hope you will agree that it is beyond time to make a conclusion.
And I feel compelled to be very blunt on this one....

There is just no way in hell, as a military veteran and a citizen with a deep love for this country, that Barack Obama's performance as Commander in Chief could ever be considered as one of the reasons a citizen should vote for his re-election.

Dave, two issues, one, you need a link to the original source, and two, no more than a short couple of paragraphs are allowed, otherwise it's a copyright issue.
That is, unless you are the author, then all of the above is irrelevant.

Solar - I understand the concern and appreciate your guidance. 
Since my primary interest has nothing to do with selling a book but just sharing my concerns with serious minded citizens who might also share them with others, I was hesitant to post the link you suggested.   But, since it is a requirement, this link should answer your question.... http://davesbookpdf.blogspot.com/

I was concerned that I might not be allowed to post because it might be construed that I was pushing sales.  Fact is, money is the very least of my motivations at this stage of my old hard working life.  I wrote this book because I had something to say and sure as heck hope lots of people might do me the honor of reading it.

Revenue from selling this book will be added to the $125,000 athletic scholarship fund I established in honor of an old high school coach who passed away last year.  Here's a link to that project site.... http://tunneybrooks.blogspot.com/

Hope this might answer your understandable concerns.

Like I said, if you are the author, then there is no issue.
You may be interested in our Writers Guild forum.
I read through your link, you raise some very interesting points, points that drive libs nuts, like the truth that our current Depression is the fault of the Dims, not all, but the majority of it.

Again, welcome to the forum, I look forward to reading your posts, and watching libs heads explode.

Quote from: Solar on September 02, 2012, 08:44:26 PM
Like I said, if you are the author, then there is no issue.
You may be interested in our Writers Guild forum.
I read through your link, you raise some very interesting points, points that drive libs nuts, like the truth that our current Depression is the fault of the Dims, not all, but the majority of it.

Again, welcome to the forum, I look forward to reading your posts, and watching libs heads explode.

Of course it's the fault of the Dems. They rose to power during the Depression. They are constantly harking back to it. Why do you think they wouldn't want the "good ole days" back?

Obama is an intelligent narcissist, that handles things like a 12 year old. Valerie Jarrett is making the decisions. This is not a democrat vs republican argument. We've got a president that wants to destroy the country. He's got to go.

Isn't "Commander in Chief" a ra-a-a-a-a-a-acist expression? Doesn't it recall the Native American hierarchy of chief, medicine man, brave, etc?

Just sayin'... 

Thinking I might post the chapter on "Trust" next.