SEALs slam Obama « de oppresso liber

POTUS has decided to use the actions of the US Navy SEALs to help him get reelected. Is this right? Was this his most “Presidential “ moment of his first term?

In an ad released April 30^th, 2012 entitled ‘One Chance’ President Obama takes the credit for killing Osama Bin Laden. Obama will hold an NBC interview from the Situation Room to celebrate and call attention to his ‘gutsy call’. The ad includes President Bill Clinton saying Obama took “the harder and the more honorable path’ in killing Osama. The words ‘Which path would Mitt Romney have taken?’ are then displayed. Obama also held a press conference on April 30^th to toot his own horn some more, implying that Republic opponent Mitt Romney would have let Bin Laden live.

These actions have caused current and former SEALs to speak out against them.

Ryan Zinke (R, Montana State Senator), a former Commander in the US Navy who spent 23 years as a SEAL and led a SEAL Team 6 assault unit:

‘The decision was a no brainier. I applaud him for making it but I would not overly pat myself on the back for making the right call.
‘I think every president would have done the same. He is justified in saying it was his decision but the preparation, the sacrifice – it was a broader team effort.’

A serving SEAL Team member said:

‘Obama wasn’t in the field, at risk, carrying a gun. As president, at every turn he should be thanking the guys who put their lives on the line to do this. He does so in his official speeches because he speechwriters are smart.
‘But the more he tries to take the credit for it, the more the ground operators are saying, “Come on, man!” It really didn’t matter who was president. At the end of the day, they were going to go.’

Chris Kyle, a former SEAL sniper with 160 confirmed and another 95 unconfirmed kills to his credit, said:

‘The operation itself was great and the nation felt immense pride. It was great that we did it.
But bin Laden was just a figurehead. The war on terror continues. Taking him out didn’t really change anything as far as the war on terror is concerned and using it as a political attack is a cheap shot.
In years to come there is going to be information that will come out that Obama was not the man who made the call. He can say he did and the people who really know what happened are inside the Pentagon, are in the military and the military isn’t allowed to speak out against the commander- in-chief so his secret is safe.
He’s trying to say that Romney wouldn’t have made the same call? Anyone who is patriotic to this country would have made that exact call, Democrat or Republican. Obama is taking more credit than he is due but it’s going to get him some pretty good mileage.’

Even then liberal website Huffington Post condemns this action, Arianna Huffington told CBS:

‘We should celebrate the fact that they did such a great job. It’s one thing to have an NBC special from the Situation Room… all that to me is perfectly legitimate, but to turn it into a campaign ad is one of the most despicable things you can do.’

Mitt Romney responded to questions from reporters with:

‘Even Jimmy Carter would have given that order.’

Senior military figures have said that Admiral William McRaven, a former SEAL who was then head of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) made the decision to take bin Laden out. Tactical decisions were delegated even further down the chain of command.

A former intelligence official who was serving in the US government when bin Laden was killed said that the Obama administration knew about the al-Qaeda leader’s whereabouts in October 2010 but delayed taking action and risked letting him escape.

‘In the end, Obama was forced to make a decision and do it. He knew that if he didn’t do it the political risks in not taking action were huge. Mitt Romney would have made the call but he would have made it earlier – as would George W. Bush.’

The SEALs, all Special Forces as a matter of fact, do their job for their country. They do it without recognition or medals. Admiral William McRaven, US Special Operations Command, has recently received public scrutiny for allow several of the SEALs’ recent operations to be publicly covered. The very existence of SEAL Team Six existence is highly classified, not to mention its operations. Now we all know about the SEALs and especially SEAL Team Six, we sleep better knowing that they are out there doing what they do, but we don’t have a Need To Know anything more than that.

Brandon Webb, a former SEAL, spent 13 years on active duty, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan said:

‘The majority of the SEALs I know are really proud of the operation but it does become “OK, enough is enough – we’re ready to get back to work and step out of the limelight”. They don’t want to be continuously paraded around a global audience like a show dog.’

Is the President exploiting Special Forces to make himself look good? Is this putting America in greater danger? When will enough be enough?

You can read more at MailOnline.

Chip

My name is Michael Stouffer, but my friends call me Chip. I was born and raised in Arizona, living all over the state. My family has served the Great State of Arizona in one way or another since before I was born. This upbringing has instilled in me the love for our Constitution, especially the 2nd and the 10th Amendment. I served as a Specialist in the US Army. I am a registered Republican, but every day I find it harder and harder to call myself one. My views fallow more in line as a Libertarian. As depressing as the daily news is, I think it is important to be informed and even speak out when I see something that really bothers or upset me. I currently live in Phoenix with my wife and two children.. More